Carolina Beach’s Walk of Fame unveils 10 plaques

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY)– A dedication of the Walk of Fame in Carolina Beach was held Saturday afternoon.

Commemorative stones were placed around the lake to recognize the names of individuals who made major contributions in the history and development of the town.

Although it was a gloomy day on Pleasure Island, everyone had smiles across their faces as the community gathered together.

Chair of the Walk of Fame Sarah Efird said the event was “to honor all citizens or people of Carolina Beach that have done outstanding things for the town or for the community, or for the resort part.”

The day was extra special for one man whose dream for many year finally came true.

Tom Connolly is the founder of the Walk of Fame. He was a police officer for 22 years and started many youth programs in Carolina Beach.

His vision for the Walk of Fame came several years ago with the intention of bringing notoriety and acknowledgment to those who helped shape the community.

Connelly expressed his reasoning for the dedications by saying, “People in our past that were no recognized and I felt they needed recognition for all they have done for Carolina Beach and this is the way to pay them back.”

During the unveiling ceremony, 10 people were honored. The list includes Tom Connolly, Joseph and Anna Winner, Capt. John W. Harper, John W. Plummer, James R. and Amanda L. Bame and family, Glenn Tucker, Robert “Bob” Weeks, Pat Efird, Kimberly Barbour Munley and the McKee Family. Some people who were recognized dated back into the 1800s and some who were there to share the memories with their loved ones.

Sarah Efrid’s mom was honored at the ceremony. “My mother is being honored and she was on the town council for 34 years,” Efrid said. “She’s really done a lot to help change this town, I think for the better, and she loved it.”

Each year 5 more people will be chosen for the award and the recipients will be honored with a granite stone.