About Us

The Pelican Post History    

     The Pelican Post began about 16 years ago with the first issue coming out in June of 1993.   The 20 page magazine  contained the Dining Guide, Tide Tables, Calendar of Events, Ferry Schedule, Crossword Puzzle and Area Attractions which have not changed since the first issue!  Subscribers paid $12 a year to get home delivery of the magazine.  Included were stories about  Stede Bonnet, our favorite local pirate, and The Princess of Tides a story about how and why tides are what they are.  Both stories were written by The Pelican Posts’ own Capt’n Jack.   Capt’n Jack was “the local expert on all things nautical, philosophical and historical.”  By the end of the first year, he had become a regular contributor to the magazine.  Capt’n Jack was the “nom de plume” of Jerry Gable, original Editor and Publisher of The Pelican Post. 

 

     By 1998, The Pelican Post had grown to 28 pages and the cover was in full color.  Subscriptions had dropped from $12 a year to $10 a year for 10 issues, a rare thing in this day and age.  The Funny Little World of Capt’n Jack had become a regular feature.   Locals and subscribers alike looked for the “little yellow magazine” each month with all the information necessary for daily life around the beach!

 

     Ownership of Oak Island Press changed hands in 2002 when  Jerry and Lois Gable decided to retire to do some traveling after being at the helm of The Pelican Post for nine years.  New owners, David and Carol Pendergrass produced their first issue in April of 2002 after several months of training by the Gables! 

 

     The look of the magazine stayed the same until the first Pelican Post Cover  Contest was held in December of 2003.   Readers from all over the United States supported the contest by sending in over 200 pieces of artwork.   Since that first day, we have had over 1000 entries for covers and it was the toughest job selecting only 10 per year.  Needless to say, there are lots of talented people out there who read the magazine.  But then again, how hard is it to find a subject to photograph or paint in this beautiful area?

 

     The past seven years have proven to be wonderful for The Pelican Post.  We have received lots of stories from readers, some distinguished writers and some just regular folks with regular thoughts about life!   We have met some really interesting people and hope that our readers have enjoyed having a place to go for all the important information. 

    

     Continuing the history of The Pelican Post, changes are happening again!   The NEW website may not be something tangible that can be perused while waiting for your dinner or slipped into your pocketbook so you can refer to it as you are visiting the area, but it will have more information about Brunswick County and surrounding areas.  It will have the capability for our visitors to see more artwork from more artists and more stories from more writers. 

 

   Our BLOG will contain daily stories, opinions and other information.  We welcome your comments and feel free to add an event.  Thanks for being a part of the NEW Pelican Post Online!

 

                                                       Carol Pendergrass

                                                                     Editor