Woo Your Valentine at the Beacon House Inn!

Romance Your Sweetheart At The Beach!

Romance your sweetheart at the Beacon House Inn for Valentine's Day!

We realize it's hard to get away, so we're celebrating Valentine's Day all month long! Book your two night stay at the Beacon House Inn during the month of February* and receive a Sweethearts Package that includes complimentary flowers and chocolate covered strawberries!

*Promotion is not available February 17th, 18th, or 19th.

And, consider our other romance packages to woo your darling!

Romance Package 1 - Cupid's Best!
Your choice of red, white or sparkling wine, Handmade chocolate covered strawberries, a fresh floral arrangement in room, and a gift certificate for dinner for two at the Beacon House's favorite restaurant!

Add $175 to the room of your choice.

Romance Package 2 - Be Mine Valentine!
Greet your loved one with your choice of red, white or sparkling wine. Then dazzle them with a fresh floral arrangement in room and a gift certificate for dinner for two at the Beacon House's favorite local restaurant!

Add $125 to the room of your choice

Romance Package 3 - Love Potion #9!
Your choice of red, white or sparkling wine and a fresh floral arrangement set up in room prior to your arrival.

Add $75 to the room of your choice

Romance Package 4 - Heart To Heart!
Enjoy two nights in a standard guest room, and these additional amenities: a bottle of chilled sparkling wine, a fresh floral arrangement in room and a gift certificate for dinner for two at the Beacon House Inn's favorite restaurant!

Midweek $300/Weekends $325

Upgrade your room to the Whirlpool Suite or the Romance Suite for an additional $80.

Please note: package prices do not include tax or gratuity.

Pricing valid through April 30, 2012

May 1st thru September 1st 2012, call for pricing

The Beacon House is located right across the street from the beach in Carolina Beach, NC - the perfect backdrop for a hand-in-hand beach stroll...and don't forget about the spectacular breakfast served every morning!

Make sure to mention this package to the Innkeepers when making your reservation, 910.458.6244.

2012 Beach Wedding Packages

We're starting to receive calls from lucky brides & grooms who were engaged over the holidays! If you're considering a beach wedding or elopement in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, we suggest you take a look at these packages. As always, please give us a call for details, at: 910.458.6244.

The Beach Elopement Package

Ready to say “I Do”? The Beach Elopement Package is designed for just the two of you. Perfect for the couple seeking an intimate ceremony and a quick getaway, and for budget minded brides!

This package includes:

* A beach wedding ceremony with a non-denominational minister
* Bride's Bouquet
* Groom's Boutonniere
* Witness

$500 + tax (cost of lodging and gratuity are not included, a two night minimum stay is required)
Prices are subject to change at any time, please call to confirm.

Package must be paid in full 30 days in advance of check in. Package fees are Non-refundable with less than 30 days notice. Pricing is good Monday through Friday. For additional dates, please inquire about the cost.

Please note: this package does not include photography. Add Ceremony Photography for $225.00 + tax (digital photography, copyright-free images provided to you on a disc - no prints)


The Beach Wedding Package

This wedding package is designed to provide you with a memorable and romantic union in an intimate, simple setting. A beach wedding or vow renewal ceremony with only those closest to you will allow your day to be stress free! Let us take care of all of the details – from the “I Do’s” to the flowers to the celebratory toast!

* A beach wedding ceremony with a non-denominational minister
* Early check-in at 1:00 p.m.
* Bride's bouquet
* Groom's boutonniere
* Ceremony Photography (digital photography, copyright-free images provided to you on a disc - no prints)
* A bottle of sparkling wine with 2 keepsake champagne flutes 
* A beach themed wedding cake for two
* Keepsake cake topper and cake cutter

From $999 + tax (cost of lodging and gratuity are not included, a three night minimum stay is required)

2012 Beach Wedding Package pricing is $999 Sept 15th – April 30th, Monday-Friday
Weekend weddings add $200 (holiday weekends excluded)
Holiday weekend & summer weddings, May 1st – Sept 15th, add $350
Prices are subject to change at any time, please call to confirm.

Please note: this package includes Ceremony Photography only. Inquire about additional photography options – cake cutting and toast, couples beach photo shoot, etc.

Package must be paid in full 30 days in advance of check in date. Package fees are Non-Refundable with less than 30 days notice. At the Innkeepers’ discretion, outside wedding guests (guests not staying at The Beacon House Inn) may be permitted for cake cutting only, at a nominal fee. Please call the Innkeepers for details.

Where the BBQ Meets the Beach...For a Good Cause!

How about a great reason to get out of the house and to sample some BBQ for a good cause? Join us at the 1st Annual Step-Up for Soldiers Backyard BBQ Cook-off!

Carolina Beach, N.C. on Saturday, January 28, 2012 twenty-five teams will take to their grills, forks in hand, secret recipes folded and stashed in pockets, all for the glory of the title and the satisfaction of knowing they have raised a significant amount of money for Step Up For Soldiers.

The Competition will start with a level playing field: everyone will have the same meats, be in the same location and have the same time constraints. But thrown into the mix will be individual rubs, sauces or marinades, grill temperatures and methods of cooking that will leave someone going home with braggin' rights for the next year.

The cook-off will be held at the lake in Carolina Beach at the junction of Lake Park Blvd. and Atlanta Avenue and everyone is welcome. Admission is free. Tickets can be purchased to sample the BBQs after the double-blind judging is completed. There will be music, raffles, arts and craft vendors and additional food and drink for purchase. Gates open at 11:00am and prizes will be awarded at 2:00pm. And all to benefit Step Up For Soldiers.

Step Up For Soldiers is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of our disabled veterans and their families. Step Up For Soldiers was started in November 2004 by Tom Russell, a retired Port Authority police officer and Vietnam Vet. His intent was to assist wounded soldiers who were sent overseas in response to the 9/11 terrorist attack and he began with building wheelchair ramps for two soldiers who returned home paralyzed from the waist down. The organization has increased from a single person to a small family of nine dedicated volunteers and continues to develop as it grows. Russell's goal is to help as many families of active and non-active duty soldiers as possible in the Fort Bragg to Camp Lejeune areas by modifying homes and providing other services to veteran and active duty soldiers.

There is no better way to spend the day than tasting the best BBQ around, maybe eating some oysters or a burger, listening to great music and browsing through the goods from the arts and craft vendors while helping support such a deserving organization.

To volunteer during the event contact Kevin Holton at kwholton@gmail.com or call 919-274-8617. For more information contact Rose McConville at rosemc110@gmail.com or call 910-547-0087.

To become a vendor, or for more information about the event or the organization, click here.

New Year's Resolution To Lose Weight?

If you're like a lot of other people, your New Year's Resolution might have been to lose weight or eat healthier. And as you probably know, Southerners do love their comfort food! So, how can you have the best of both worlds? Try a few of these revamped beloved recipes...

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Smokin Hammy Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:
1 pound uncooked macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups fat-free milk
1 (12-oz.) can fat-free evaporated milk
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded 1.5% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
3 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper, divided
1 (8-oz.) package chopped smoked ham
Vegetable cooking spray
1 1/4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cook macaroni by package instructions.
2. Meanwhile, melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour. Gradually whisk in milk and evaporated milk until smooth and slightly thickened. Whisk in Gouda cheese, next 3 ingredients, and 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in ham and pasta.
3. Pour mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Stir together crushed cereal, 1 Tbsp. melted butter, and remaining 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper; sprinkle over pasta mixture.
4. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

If you like, get creative and add some broccoli for extra fiber or a few dashes of Texas Pete for an extra kick. 453 calories and 27 grams of protein.

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Shrimp & Grits

Ingredients:
Parmesan Grits
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Creamy Shrimp Sauce
1 pound unpeeled, medium-size raw shrimp (4 1/50 count)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
Vegetable cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups low-sodium fat-free chicken broth
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
2 cups firmly packed fresh baby spinach

Preparation:
1. Prepare Parmesan Grits: Bring 1/2 tsp. salt and 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually whisk in grits. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes or until thickened. Whisk in cheese and pepper. Keep warm.
2. Prepare Creamy Shrimp Sauce: Peel shrimp; devein, if desired. Sprinkle shrimp with pepper and 1/8 tsp. salt. Cook in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat 1 to 2 minutes on each side or just until shrimp turn pink. Remove from skillet. Reduce heat to medium. Add oil; heat 30 seconds. Whisk in flour; cook 30 seconds to 1 minute. Whisk in broth and next 5 ingredients; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened. Stir in shrimp and spinach; cook 1 minute or until spinach is slightly wilted. Serve immediately over grits.

Serves 6 - 235 calories per serving and 19 grams of protein.

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Grilled Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
2 (3/4-lb.) pork tenderloins
Vegetable cooking spray
6 whole wheat hamburger buns
6 tablespoons Barbecue Sauce

Preparation:

1. Stir together first 4 ingredients; rub pork tenderloins evenly with seasoning mixture. Lightly coat pork with vegetable cooking spray.
2. Grill, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 10 to 12 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portions registers 155°. Remove from grill, and let stand 10 minutes. Chop or slice, and serve on hamburger buns. Drizzle each sandwich with 1 Tbsp. Barbecue Sauce.

264 calories per serving and 26 grams of protein!


For more inspiration to stick to your 2012 goal, visit Southern Living online.