Filmed in Southport, NC: Why Hollywood Keeps Coming Back

Filmed in Southport, NC: Why Hollywood Keeps Coming Back

From Safe Haven to The Summer I Turned Pretty - Southport has quietly become one of the most filmed coastal towns in the country!

Note from the Author

I’d be willing to bet anyone from around here over the age of 50 would have laughed if you told them “back in the day” that Southport and the surrounding areas would one day feel like a little Hollywood. Back then, the biggest news was the next hurricane—or maybe an upcoming festival. My own introduction to the film world started early. I was in elementary school in Bolivia, NC when Firestarter, starring Drew Barrymore, was filmed nearby. I was cast as her third stand-in—mostly because we were the same age, height, and coloring (definitely…

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Celebrating 45 Years of Coastal Living with Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS

Cheers to 45 years MRA!

March 17, 2026

Today is a special day for all of us at Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®—we’re celebrating 45 years of serving Brunswick County.

Since opening our doors in 1981, we’ve had the privilege of helping generations of buyers, sellers, and property owners find their place along the North Carolina coast. What started as a locally rooted real estate firm has grown into a trusted name throughout Southport, Oak Island, and the surrounding communities—but one thing has never changed: our commitment to people.

Because to us, real estate has always been about more than property.
It’s about relationships, trust, and helping you find where life feels right.

A Legacy Built on Local Knowledge & Community

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MRA VP BROOKE RUDD APPOINTED PRESIDENT-ELECT, NC REALTORS®

Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is pleased to announce that Vice President, Brooke Rudd, Broker, REALTOR®, GRI, and 2020 past President of the Brunswick County Association of REALTORS® was recently installed as the 2026 President-Elect of the North Carolina Association of REALTORS® (NC REALTORS®). Rudd will serve in this role while continuing her efforts as a top performing real estate broker with the firm.

NC REALTORS® is the largest trade organization in the state, and the fifth largest REALTOR® association nationally. The organization serves its membership through advocacy, professional development and community engagement, and plays a pivotal role in regulatory affairs as they pertain to the industry and protecting the rights of…

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Margaret Rudd & Associates Names Chance Harrison Director of Sales

Southport, NC - January 19, 2026 - Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is excited to welcome Chance Harrison as its new Director of Sales. In this role, Harrison will lead and support the real estate sales arm of the business, including serving as the Broker-in-Charge of the Oak Island office. Harrison joins the firm after a distinguished career running a successful boutique brokerage outside the Washington, D.C. area, managing over 40 real estate agents. With a strong emphasis on investor-driven representation and complex projects for a wide range of clients, Harrison brings a wealth of experience in high-level negotiation and practical leadership.

As Director of Sales, Harrison will spearhead the development of sales strategies designed…

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January Pruning Guide: What to cut Back (and What to Leave Alone) in Southeastern NC

January Pruning Guide: What to Cut Back (and What to Leave Alone) in Southeastern North Carolina

  January may feel like a quiet month in the garden, but in southeastern North Carolina, it’s actually prime time for smart pruning. With most plants dormant and pests at bay, winter pruning helps encourage healthy growth, better blooms, and stronger trees come spring.

Whether you’re sprucing up your yard for curb appeal or simply maintaining your landscape, here’s a helpful January pruning guide tailored to our coastal climate.

Trees to Prune in January

Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) are ideal candidates for winter pruning because their structure is easier to see.

Good choices for January pruning include:

• Oak trees –…

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Waterways of Southport/Oak Island

If you're heading to Southport/Oak Island, North Carolina area (or thinking about it) and you love being out on the water — whether fishing, cruising, dolphin-watching or just soaking up the scenery — you’re in for a treat. This charming little coastal area sits at a prime junction of waterways, offering a variety of experiences for boats of all sizes, anglers of all skill levels, and nature-lovers looking for a memorable outing. Below we’ll highlight three standout water zones and what makes each special: great spots to fish, boat, or just chill and spot dolphins.

1. Cape Fear River

Why it’s special

The Cape Fear River flows right by Southport and empties into the Atlantic between barrier islands — which means lots of tidal motion, mixing of…

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Lights in the Night

The Ghostly Lights of Frying Pan Shoals

Just off Oak Island, stretching nearly 30 miles into the Atlantic, lies one of the most treacherous—and mysterious—places on the East Coast: Frying Pan Shoals. Nicknamed the Graveyard of the Atlantic, these constantly shifting sandbars have claimed hundreds of ships over the centuries, from pirate vessels to warships. But the shipwrecks aren’t the only thing that make Frying Pan legendary.

For generations, sailors, fishermen, and even modern boaters have told stories of strange ghostly lights floating above the shoals at night.

Lights in the Night

Witnesses describe them as glowing orbs or “phantom lanterns” that bob and weave across the water. Sometimes they appear as a faint blue-green shimmer. Other…

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Beacon of the Coast: Exploring the Oak Island Lighthouse

Located in Caswell Beach, North Carolina, the Oak Island Lighthouse is one of the most distinctive and beloved landmarks along the Brunswick County coast. With its modern design, panoramic views, and deep connection to the area’s maritime history, it’s a must-visit for both locals and visitors alike.

A Modern Marvel with Historic Purpose

Completed in 1958, the Oak Island Lighthouse was built to replace the Cape Fear Lighthouse and guide ships safely past the dangerous Frying Pan Shoals. While it may not look like your typical red-and-white striped beacon, its concrete exterior is both practical and iconic.

Quick facts:

• Height: 153 feet tall

• Light elevation: 169 feet above sea level

• Flash pattern: Four 1-second bursts…

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Fireworks, Freedom, & Front Porch Flags

Why the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival in Southport is so special—blending heart, history, and a whole lot of coastal charm.

FIREWORKS, FREEDOM & FRONT PORCH FLAGS

When it comes to Independence Day, Southport, North Carolina doesn’t just celebrate it—it lives and breathes it. For over two centuries, this postcard-perfect town has honored America’s birthday in a way that’s deeply patriotic, unmistakably Southern, and entirely unforgettable.

Nestled where the Cape Fear River meets the sea, Southport becomes the heart of red, white, and blue every summer, hosting the official North Carolina Fourth of July Festival—a multi-day celebration bursting with tradition, small-town spirit, and dazzling waterfront festivities.

MORE THAN A…

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Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® Receives Prestigious Award from LeadingRE

For Immediate Release

Southport, NC – (March 3, 2025) Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® (MRA), a leader in the Brunswick County real estate and property management industries, received the Global Referral Award from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE), a global network that interconnects premier local and regional real estate firms worldwide. The award was presented during LeadingRE Conference Week, a series of specialized events that attracted top real estate professionals from more than 30 countries. 

The Global Referral Award recognizes individuals and firms who successfully assisted clients with real estate needs outside of their local market in 2023 and 2024, working in collaboration with fellow LeadingRE…

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