Wilmington Magazine Mar-Apr 2024
This issue we dive into some businesses doing great things with equine therapy for all ages, plus home sales that donate locally to help children in need. We also feature an ocean conservation project, spring fashion and a beautiful home build.
This issue we dive into some businesses doing great things with equine therapy for all ages, plus home sales that donate locally to help children in need. We also feature an ocean conservation project, spring fashion and a beautiful home build.
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MARCH / APRIL <strong>2024</strong><br />
Improving Lives<br />
From a Saddle<br />
Discover the benefits of<br />
equine therapy for all<br />
ages and abilities<br />
Hope for<br />
Children<br />
Donations to local<br />
organizations<br />
with every home<br />
purchased<br />
OCEAN<br />
CONSERVATION<br />
PAPERCUT<br />
BOOKS<br />
SPRING<br />
FASHION
NEW LISTING<br />
9 Beach Road South<br />
Figure Eight Island<br />
$7,995,000<br />
UNDER CONTRACT<br />
NEW LISTING<br />
2 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com<br />
2032 Northstar Place<br />
Landfall<br />
$1,150,000
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 1
Varicose & Spider Vein<br />
Treatment Everywhere<br />
Call for a Free Vein Screening*<br />
(910) 726-3737<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> & Leland | scarlessveincare.com<br />
“Nice Legs, Dr. Kamran!”<br />
2 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Take care of your legs. It can save your life!<br />
By: Dr. Kamran, Scarless Vein Care<br />
Venous insufficiency is a prevalent condition, affecting nearly 45% of the population. It transcends<br />
racial boundaries and can manifest at any age. Its roots are often genetic; if your parents have<br />
venous insufficiency, the likelihood of you inheriting it is around 90%. As humorously stated by<br />
someone, "choose a different set of parents next time if you wish to evade venous insufficiency."<br />
This condition can impede blood flow, potentially leading to deep vein thrombosis or DVT. Clots<br />
originating from DVT can migrate from the legs to the lungs, posing a lethal threat.<br />
Should you notice swelling, especially unilateral swelling in the legs, it's imperative to get it<br />
checked promptly as it could signify DVT. This is common during prolonged travel, extended<br />
periods of sitting, or post-surgical scenarios.<br />
Long flights can exacerbate the risk of DVT. It's wise to frequently stand and move around, wear<br />
compression stockings, and consider taking a baby aspirin during extended flights.<br />
Therefore, ensure to have your legs examined for venous insufficiency; it's a precaution that could<br />
save your life.<br />
Symptoms of venous insufficiency include leg pain, heaviness, aching, restless legs, and night<br />
cramps. At times, cramps may disturb your sleep, necessitating a walk to alleviate the<br />
discomfort—an archetypal symptom of venous insufficiency.<br />
Poor venous circulation hampers the healing process, particularly following lower extremity<br />
surgeries. Even minor injuries can result in extended healing periods.<br />
Chronic venous congestion precipitates swelling, edema, and hyperpigmentation in the lower<br />
extremities, accompanied by aching, heaviness, and fatigue, especially towards day's end. Chronic<br />
venous insufficiency may cause varicose and spider veins, dark discoloration, leg ulcers, and a rash,<br />
typically manifesting on the inner ankle. If a rash accompanied by itching appears on the lower<br />
extremity, it may indicate venous dermatitis, stemming from venous insufficiency.<br />
In summary, you might have venous insufficiency if you experience<br />
swelling, cramps, skin rash (especially around the ankle), broken veins,<br />
spider veins, varicose veins, or restless legs.<br />
Contact Scarless Vein Care by Dr. Kamran today to see if you<br />
qualify for a complimentary vein consultation. (910) 726-3737<br />
509 Olde Waterford Way #103 Leland, NC 28451<br />
6752 Rock Spring Rd #200 <strong>Wilmington</strong>, NC 28405<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 3
custom window treatments, bedding, furniture & wallpaper<br />
fabrics and trims to customize your home<br />
7016 B <strong>Mar</strong>ket St, <strong>Wilmington</strong>, NC • 910-686-2950 • Monday–Saturday from 10am to 5pm<br />
ArteeFabricsAndHome.com<br />
4 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
RALEIGH LOCATION:<br />
Village District<br />
446 Daniels Street<br />
919.977.5345<br />
www.nestfinegifts.com<br />
@nestfinegifts<br />
WILMINGTON LOCATION:<br />
The Forum<br />
1125-T Military Cutoff<br />
910.256.6378<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 5
<strong>Mar</strong>ch/<strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong><br />
56<br />
The Future<br />
is Blue<br />
Plastic Ocean<br />
Project aims to<br />
study and reduce<br />
the waste building<br />
up in the sea, local<br />
river basins, and<br />
watersheds<br />
By Carin Hall<br />
62<br />
Living the Life<br />
on Botany Bay<br />
Creating an<br />
inspired new home<br />
in the Riverlights<br />
community<br />
By Brittany Conley<br />
70<br />
Saving Lives<br />
From a Saddle<br />
The Coastal<br />
Therapeutic Riding<br />
Program celebrates 25<br />
years of giving back<br />
By Jade Neptune<br />
PHOTO VIRGINIA GATES PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
6 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
TRUSTED | LOCAL | EXPERTS<br />
We Cultivate Your Knowledge Based On Our Expertise: Our team of professionals boasts a deeprooted<br />
knowledge of the regional real estate industry. We educate our clients for informed decisions.<br />
Your home is not just another house, it’s a reflection of you. It’s your style, your<br />
personality, your taste. It’s the place where your fondest memories are made,<br />
and where your dreams can come true. That’s why Better Homes and Gardens ®<br />
Real Estate Treasure is dedicated to helping you find the ideal home, one that<br />
will inspire and comfort you for years to come. You can count on us to guide you<br />
through every step of your home buying or selling process – before, during, and<br />
long after the sale.<br />
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate<br />
Treasure<br />
Office: 910.327.4444<br />
3 Locations to Serve You:<br />
Sneads Ferry, Surf City, and <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
treasurerealty.com<br />
Just what you’d expect from your Trusted Local Experts.<br />
©2015 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company.<br />
Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention<br />
to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 7
MARCH / APRIL <strong>2024</strong><br />
Departments » <strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong><br />
Buzz<br />
15 Shop Local<br />
A look inside<br />
Papercut Books<br />
16 Calendar<br />
Our five highlights for<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch – <strong>Apr</strong>il<br />
18 Events<br />
The rundown on what to<br />
do this spring<br />
28 Entertainment<br />
TV & Music Reviews<br />
30 Staff Picks<br />
Spring reads from<br />
Papercut Books<br />
15<br />
32 Newsmaker<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> nonprofit<br />
quietly helps other<br />
organizations aiding<br />
children and their families<br />
36 ArtSeen<br />
Cucklebur & Co. crafts<br />
Southern stories that<br />
explore the complexities<br />
and warmth of the region<br />
42 Southern Drawl<br />
A local fishing group<br />
establishes a judgementfree<br />
zone for anglers<br />
45 75<br />
94<br />
Well Styled Food+Drink Travel<br />
45 A Work of Art<br />
Threads to make you feel<br />
good this season<br />
46 Design<br />
A peek into the<br />
community-backed design<br />
efforts at the Children’s<br />
Museum of <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
49 Garden<br />
The <strong>2024</strong> Azalea<br />
Garden Tour<br />
50 Garden<br />
Ability Garden’s mission<br />
to nurture inclusion,<br />
wellness and community<br />
through green spaces<br />
52 Fashion<br />
Spring never felt so good<br />
to flaunt, featuring select<br />
styles from local boutiques<br />
75 Sodapop District<br />
The first cocktail and<br />
coffee bar of its kind<br />
76 Dining Review<br />
Ruth’s Chris celebrates<br />
15 years in <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
78 Libations<br />
The Ibis hi-fi cocktail<br />
bar and coffee shop pairs<br />
beverages with vinyl<br />
82 In the Kitchen<br />
Light and refreshing<br />
recipes to start spring<br />
off right<br />
88 Restaurant Guide<br />
Select spots for eating and<br />
drinking in <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
94 Travel<br />
Exploring the<br />
Smithsonian’s 22<br />
museums, nine<br />
research facilities and<br />
evolving offerings<br />
Fundamentals<br />
12 Reader Services<br />
14 Editor's Letter<br />
96 The Last Reflection<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch/<strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong><br />
42<br />
49 76<br />
Equine Therapy • Plastics in the Ocean • The Ibis Bar <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com<br />
OCEAN<br />
CONSERVATION<br />
PAPERCUT<br />
BOOKS<br />
Improving Lives<br />
From a Saddle<br />
Discover the benefits of<br />
equine therapy for all<br />
ages and abilities<br />
SPRING<br />
FASHION<br />
Hope for<br />
Children<br />
Donations to local<br />
organizations<br />
with every home<br />
purchased<br />
ON THE COVER »<br />
Riders of all ages discovering the<br />
benefits of equine therapy at Coastal<br />
Therapeutic Riding Program.<br />
PHOTO VIRGINIA GATES PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
8 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Living Better by Design<br />
HOMES<br />
DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE<br />
LUMINA STATION, 1908 EASTWOOD ROAD, SUITE 328, WILMINGTON, NC 28403 | 910.256.8284<br />
www.hagoodhomes.com/ideal-living<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 9
CEO & Publisher<br />
Robert Sweeney<br />
Executive Director of Operations<br />
Emily Sweeney<br />
Managing Editor<br />
Carin Hall<br />
■ ■ ■<br />
Advertising Director<br />
Sybil Stokes, 910-508-5158<br />
Kelli Lazzaro, Becky Spivey,<br />
Alison Bernhart, Nikki Johnson,<br />
Sam Simmons, Karen Thompson<br />
Art Director<br />
Shanna Thomson<br />
Graphic Designers<br />
Andrea Spaeth<br />
Shanna Thomson<br />
Carl Turner<br />
Travel Director<br />
Katie McElveen<br />
Specializing in Landfall and Beyond the Gates to Neighboring Areas<br />
Contributing Writers<br />
Madison Bailey, Brittany Conley,<br />
Kaitlin Gooding, Carin Hall,<br />
Denise K. James, Joe Jancsurak,<br />
Ellen Kaplan, Katie McElveen,<br />
Jade Neptune, Jen Reed, Judy Royal,<br />
Vera Wilson<br />
1510 Parmele Drive • $430,000<br />
SHERWOOD FOREST<br />
2104 LYTHAM Court • $1,200,000<br />
LANDFALL<br />
UNDER CONTRACT<br />
Photographers<br />
Daria Amato, Virginia Gates,<br />
Kaitlin Gooding, G. Frank Hart,<br />
Erica Nichols<br />
■ ■ ■<br />
Distribution Coordinator<br />
Joy Brown<br />
■ ■ ■<br />
Customer Service<br />
Corporate Office: 843-856-2532<br />
1866 Senova Trace • $1,249,000<br />
LANDFALL<br />
1722 Verrazzano Drive • $1,295,000<br />
LANDFALL<br />
1720 Drysdale Dr, <strong>Wilmington</strong> • 910-256-6111 • landfallrealty.com<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> (Vol. 11, No. 6)<br />
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10 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
SAVOR<br />
the conversation<br />
&<br />
the cuisine<br />
© 2023 Brightmore of <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
On any given day, you’ll find a range of options to fuel your passions,<br />
meet new friends and enjoy a lifestyle rich with interesting and exciting<br />
educational and engaging programs. Learn more about senior living at<br />
BrightmoreOf<strong>Wilmington</strong>.com or schedule a visit at 910.507.7384.<br />
INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE<br />
Senior Living Choices offered by Liberty Senior Living<br />
2324 S 41st Street<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>, NC 28403<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 11
Reader Services<br />
AT THE BEACH<br />
AG Jeans<br />
Nic & Zoe<br />
Michael Stars<br />
Lilla P<br />
Stark X<br />
Mod-O-Doc<br />
Bella Dahl<br />
KinRoss Cashmere<br />
1051 Military Cutoff Road<br />
Suite 103<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>, NC<br />
910.509.0273<br />
coolsweatsatthebeach.com<br />
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12 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
THANKS FOR VOTING US #1!<br />
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL | MOVE IN/OUT | REAL ESTATE | EVENTS | CONSTRUCTION CLEAN UP<br />
Creating Free Time For Busy People !<br />
311 Judges Rd, <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
910.777.7665<br />
www.carolina.cleaning<br />
Locally owned and operated<br />
professional cleaning services<br />
since 1994.<br />
Offering custom residential<br />
and commercial cleaning with<br />
outstanding quality and a<br />
personal touch.<br />
Licensed, bonded and insured<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 13
from the editor<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch/<strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong><br />
Equine Therapy • Plastics in the Ocean • The Ibis Bar <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com<br />
MARCH / APRIL <strong>2024</strong><br />
OCEAN<br />
CONSERVATION<br />
PAPERCUT<br />
BOOKS<br />
Improving Lives<br />
From a Saddle<br />
Discover the benefits of<br />
equine therapy for all<br />
ages and abilities<br />
SPRING<br />
FASHION<br />
Hope for<br />
Children<br />
Donations to local<br />
organizations<br />
with every home<br />
purchased<br />
Give the gift<br />
that lasts<br />
all year long...<br />
a subscription to<br />
Subscribe online at<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com<br />
or by calling 843-856-2532<br />
AZALEA SEASON HAS<br />
arrived! And it's about time<br />
if you ask me—this winter<br />
was tough. In fact, I'm pretty<br />
sure my five-year-old's preschool set a<br />
record for most recorded illnesses each<br />
week following the holidays. But now the<br />
grass is alive again, flowers are blooming,<br />
waterfronts are bustling with activity, the<br />
weather is inviting, and we're ready to get<br />
out of the house. A sigh of relief.<br />
If you're crawling out of a tough health<br />
season like our family, you'll appreciate<br />
our light and fresh recipes (p. 82) to help<br />
get you feeling your best. And for a fun<br />
outing idea, we took a look at the recently<br />
opened venue in the Sodapop District,<br />
the Ibis (p. 78). The first of its kind in the<br />
area, this cool new coffee shop/cocktail bar<br />
also features a hi-fi sound system for vinyl<br />
records. It's a second venture for both of<br />
its owners, Abbye McGee and Matt Ray,<br />
who also co-own the Starling Whiskey<br />
and Wine Bar in the Cargo District, and<br />
another great place where the vibe is “stay<br />
a while.”<br />
We also have some beautiful features<br />
in this issue, highlighting the incredible<br />
work of two local nonprofits. As featured<br />
on the cover, we explored the benefits<br />
of equine therapy, interviewing the<br />
Executive Director at the Coastal<br />
Therapeutic Riding Program (CTRP)<br />
here in <strong>Wilmington</strong>. For the last 25 years,<br />
CTRP has been providing therapeutic<br />
riding services for individuals with special<br />
needs of all ages. In partnership with the<br />
local sheriff's office, they also provide<br />
programs for at-risk youth. I thought the<br />
title “Saving Lives from the Saddle” was<br />
hyperbole until I read the story all the<br />
way through—some of these horses truly<br />
deserve that credit.<br />
On another note, I was delighted to get<br />
the chance to speak to the co-founder of<br />
another incredible nonprofit, the Plastic<br />
Ocean Project. Co-founder Bonnie<br />
Monteleone spent years studying the<br />
impacts of plastics and microplastics in<br />
the ocean alongside scientists at UNCW<br />
and around the country. She traveled<br />
to four of the five global ocean gyres,<br />
covering thousands of nautical miles and<br />
taking samples, discovering plastic waste<br />
in some of even some of the most remote<br />
places in the world. The best way she<br />
could be part of the solution is by starting<br />
an organization right here alongside<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>'s incredible scientific<br />
community in proximity to some of the<br />
country's richest biodiversity. And she's<br />
accomplished a lot.<br />
If you visit their website, you'll notice<br />
that they're working on a documentary<br />
that will both break your heart and<br />
empower you to act on the out-of-control<br />
problem we all face: our overreliance<br />
on plastics. I implore you to watch their<br />
beautiful short film, 356, and discover the<br />
impact this organization has had locally<br />
and globally. Another reason to be proud<br />
of our region.<br />
More in this issue: a nonprofit that<br />
donates to local organizations for<br />
every home purchased (p.32); a local<br />
production company on a mission to<br />
portray the complexities of the South<br />
(p.36); a local fishing group that offers an<br />
inclusive, judgment-free zone for anglers<br />
(p.42); the community-backed design<br />
efforts that go into creating exhibits at<br />
the Children's Museum of <strong>Wilmington</strong>;<br />
and so much more.<br />
May this season bring you good health<br />
and joy!<br />
Carin Hall<br />
Managing Editor<br />
editor@wilmingtonncmagazine.com<br />
FIND US ONLINE!<br />
Visit us on our website<br />
wilmingtonncmagazine.com<br />
Find us on Facebook and<br />
Instagram<br />
@wilmingtonmagazine<br />
14 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Your Local Rundown on News and Culture<br />
PHOTO ERICA NICHOLS<br />
Shop Local<br />
A look inside<br />
Papercut Books<br />
See page 30<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 15
calendar<br />
The Reveal:<br />
MARCH – APRIL<br />
Our five highlights from this issue’s calendar of events.<br />
Bourbon & BBQ Festival<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch 16<br />
Prepare for a sensory delight at<br />
Riverfront Park in historic downtown<br />
during the Bourbon & BBQ Festival.<br />
Your admission grants you access to a<br />
tantalizing sampling of over 60 beers<br />
and 40 bourbons, complemented by the<br />
aromas of the best barbecue vendors.<br />
Seminars in the tasting theater, live<br />
music, and a special giant game area add<br />
to the festivities. Valid ID is a must for<br />
beer and bourbon tastings. Plan ahead<br />
as this flavorful event is sure to sell out.<br />
wilmington.beerandbourbon.com<br />
North Carolina<br />
Azalea Festival<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 3-7<br />
Embrace the excitement as The North<br />
Carolina Azalea Festival honors<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>'s exceptional artwork,<br />
gardens, rich history, and culture during<br />
its five days of pageantry. Celebrate<br />
the arrival of spring in Southern style<br />
with vibrant parades, lively street<br />
fairs, captivating home and garden<br />
tours, inspiring art shows, spectacular<br />
fireworks, and nationally renowned<br />
entertainers performing concerts. The<br />
highlight includes the majestic coronation<br />
of a Festival Queen and Princess. For<br />
a showcase of community pride and<br />
springtime pageantry, the North Carolina<br />
Azalea Festival stands unparalleled.<br />
ncazaleafestival.org<br />
Carolina Cup<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 24-28<br />
Immerse yourself in the thrill of the 13th<br />
Annual Carolina Cup, a week-long event<br />
featuring clinics, demos, and a lineup of<br />
five exhilarating races. Saturday's lineup<br />
includes the 3.5-mile Harbor Island<br />
Recreational race, the challenging 6.5-<br />
mile Money Island Open Race, and the<br />
formidable 13-mile Graveyard Elite Race,<br />
along with The Graveyard Outrigger and<br />
Surfski race. Sunday's offerings feature the<br />
technical sprint race through the surf and<br />
the Kids Race. In 2016, the Carolina Cup<br />
earned the distinction of being the largest<br />
race on the East Coast, attracting over 900<br />
paddlers for races and clinics. The Carolina<br />
Cup is eagerly anticipated by athletes past,<br />
present, and future, offering more than<br />
just races. Attendees can participate in<br />
clinics, watch the races, enjoy the expo<br />
and demos, and relish a week filled with<br />
live music, great food, and drinks. This<br />
inclusive event promises excitement for the<br />
entire family and the chance to witness<br />
incredible athletes from across the globe.<br />
paddleguru.com/races/CarolinaCup<strong>2024</strong><br />
St. Patrick's Day Parade<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch 16<br />
Join the global celebration of Irish culture<br />
at the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in<br />
historic downtown. The parade winds its<br />
way through the streets, resonating with<br />
the sounds of bagpipes and Irish tunes.<br />
Festive attire in various shades of green is<br />
encouraged. Details for this rain-or-shine<br />
event will be available closer to the date.<br />
wilmingtonparade.com<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> VegFest<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 21<br />
Experience the joy of the vegetarian<br />
lifestyle at <strong>Wilmington</strong>'s VegFest,<br />
returning to Legion Sports Complex the<br />
Sunday after Earth Day. With over 30<br />
vendors, speakers, music, a family fun<br />
zone, cooking demos, and ample sampling<br />
opportunities, VegFest promises a day filled<br />
with plant-powered delights. vegfestexpos.<br />
com/wilmington-vegfest<br />
W<br />
16 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
VISIT OUR<br />
NEW DESIGN<br />
CENTER!<br />
6213 <strong>Mar</strong>ket Street<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>, NC<br />
910-444-8881<br />
portcitypeddler.com<br />
Fine Antiques,<br />
Home Decor<br />
and Vintage<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 17
Spring Festival<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch 24<br />
Embrace the arrival of<br />
spring at the Fort Fisher<br />
State Recreation Area's<br />
family-friendly Spring<br />
Festival. Stroll through<br />
educational booths offering<br />
free games and prizes, enjoy<br />
a family-friendly magic<br />
show, explore arts and<br />
crafts, and let the little ones bounce in a house of excitement. This promises to be a<br />
day of tremendous fun for the whole family.<br />
Event Calendar<br />
Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the<br />
rundown on what to do this spring season.<br />
APRIL 27, <strong>2024</strong> -<br />
FEBRUARY 16, 2025<br />
“With ancient symbols and shapes .... Sayre<br />
weaves his own narrative from a series<br />
of linked tales, each with deep canonical<br />
roots, but also, significantly, with long<br />
lines into his own singular life.”<br />
- Liza Roberts, Author<br />
Art of the State<br />
Exhibition Catalog Available<br />
Exclusively in CAM’s Museum Shop<br />
VISIT US<br />
CameronArtMuseum.org<br />
3201 S 17th Street<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>, NC 28412<br />
(910) 395-5999<br />
Thomas Sayre (American, b. 1950), Their Solitary Way [detail], 2023.<br />
Burned turpentine, burned wood chips, carbon smoke and acrylic sealer<br />
on Masonite panel. On Loan from the Artist.<br />
MUSIC + SHOWS<br />
The Wilson Center at CFCC<br />
Wilsoncentertickets.com<br />
Peking Acrobats, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 2<br />
Rhapsody in Blue, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 10<br />
Fortune Feimester, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 15<br />
Step Afrika!, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 16<br />
Bruce Hornsby and Ymusic, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 20<br />
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy,<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch 22<br />
Masquerade, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 23<br />
50th Anniversary of Prairie Home<br />
Companion, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 24<br />
Shawn Colvin & KT Tunstall, <strong>Apr</strong>il 11<br />
Dinosaur World Live!, <strong>Apr</strong>il 13<br />
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, <strong>Apr</strong>il 25<br />
Harp and Soul, <strong>Apr</strong>il 27<br />
CineMagic: Songs from the Silver<br />
Screen, <strong>Apr</strong>il 28<br />
Brooklyn Arts Center + The Annex<br />
brooklynartsnc.com<br />
The Steel Wheels, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 26<br />
Brandy Clark, <strong>Apr</strong>il 23<br />
Cameron Arts Museum (CAM)<br />
cameronartmuseum.org<br />
Jazz at CAM: Angela Bingham Trio,<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch 7<br />
Not-So-Silent Auction, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 9<br />
Artist Talk with Beverly Smith, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 14<br />
Resiliencey Kids, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 16<br />
The Art of Food, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 20<br />
Sunset performance series: <strong>Mar</strong>y D.<br />
Williams, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 21<br />
The <strong>Wilmington</strong> Big Band, <strong>Apr</strong>il 4<br />
Thalian Hall<br />
Thalianhall.org<br />
11th Annual <strong>Wilmington</strong> Theater<br />
Awards, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 20<br />
The Irish Comedy Tour, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 21<br />
Right in the Eye, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 24<br />
6th Annual Bluegrass Bash, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 29<br />
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 5-14<br />
Blood Done Sign My Name, <strong>Apr</strong>il 16<br />
Dorothy Gillespie, <strong>Apr</strong>il 19 and 21<br />
Trailblazing Women of Country, <strong>Apr</strong>il 20<br />
Derina Harvey Band, <strong>Apr</strong>il 27<br />
UNCW Kenan Auditorium<br />
uncw.edu/seahawk-life/arts/presents<br />
Chamber Music <strong>Wilmington</strong> presents<br />
Poulenc Trio, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 3<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> Symphony Youth<br />
Orchestras, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 10<br />
Port City Poetry Jam featuring Dasan<br />
Ahanu, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 15<br />
Big Band Concert, <strong>Mar</strong>ch 22<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> Dance Festival, <strong>Apr</strong>il 12<br />
Les Ballets Trockadero, <strong>Apr</strong>il 27<br />
EVENTS<br />
20th Annual Steve Haydu<br />
St. Patrick's Lo Tide Run<br />
5K Walk/Run & 10K<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch 16<br />
Immerse yourself in the festive spirit<br />
at the 20th Annual Steve Haydu St.<br />
Patrick's Lo Tide Run. Participants,<br />
whether clad in Irish attire or not, can<br />
choose between the invigorating 10k<br />
18 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Spring Savings Sale<br />
Offer valid <strong>Mar</strong>ch 1st thru <strong>Apr</strong>il 30th <strong>2024</strong><br />
Scan here<br />
to get your<br />
FREE Quote<br />
Call today for your<br />
FREE In-Home Consultation.<br />
910.968.3637<br />
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Cannot be combined with any other offers. Minimum purchase of 4 windows required. Call for details. Offer expires 4/30/<strong>2024</strong>. Financing provided by 3rd party lenders.<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 19
Run or the more leisurely 5k Run/Walk<br />
on a flat course certified by USATF. This<br />
event, a St. Patrick's Day Celebration and<br />
tribute to two remarkable men, concludes<br />
with an awards ceremony and an afterparty,<br />
promising a delightful blend of<br />
athleticism and camaraderie.<br />
Joyful Flowers:<br />
Ikebana Flower<br />
Exhibition<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch 29-30<br />
At the New<br />
Hanover County<br />
Arboretum, embark on a visual journey<br />
through the exquisite world of Japanese<br />
floral arrangements at the Ikebana<br />
Flower Exhibition. Celebrating its 42nd<br />
year, the exhibition, created by members<br />
of the <strong>Wilmington</strong> chapter of Ikebana<br />
International, showcases the delicate art<br />
of Ikebana and includes a captivating<br />
display by the Cape Fear Bonsai Society.<br />
Ikebana demonstrations on Saturday<br />
add an interactive element to this free<br />
exhibition. Visit ikebanawilmington.com<br />
for more information.<br />
Azalea Firecracker Cruise<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 6<br />
Wind down after the Azalea parade<br />
with a touch of elegance on the Azalea<br />
Firecracker Cruise by <strong>Wilmington</strong> Water<br />
Tours. Cruise the Cape Fear River in<br />
style, savoring catered hors d’oeuvres and<br />
enjoying a front-row view of the majestic<br />
fireworks display around 9pm. This<br />
evening promises to be the perfect postparade<br />
celebration during <strong>Wilmington</strong>'s<br />
fun-filled NC Azalea Festival.<br />
Exceptional Kitchen & Bath Design for 22 Years!<br />
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cabinetry, countertops, tile, and more.<br />
Schedule a consultation today or stop by<br />
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Wellborn Cabinetry.<br />
5529-A Business Dr, <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
910-218-0098<br />
classickitchens.com<br />
Herb &<br />
Garden Fair<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 6<br />
Indulge your<br />
passion for<br />
g a r den i n g<br />
at the area's<br />
largest and longest-running garden<br />
event, the Herb & Garden Fair. Poplar<br />
Grove's grounds will be a haven for plant<br />
enthusiasts, offering a diverse selection<br />
of locally grown plants, garden art,<br />
accessories, artisan crafts, and local foods.<br />
Tickets are available online or at the event,<br />
promising a day of horticultural bliss.<br />
20 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
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<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 21
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Battleship<br />
Yoga<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 10<br />
Elevate your<br />
yoga experience<br />
with a backdrop<br />
of the storied <strong>Wilmington</strong> skyline and the<br />
beautiful setting sun on the deck of the<br />
historic Battleship NORTH CAROLINA.<br />
Join the expert Yoga Village instructors<br />
for an all-levels practice in a unique<br />
setting, providing a truly unforgettable<br />
view of <strong>Wilmington</strong>'s skyline. This<br />
individually ticketed drop-in Yoga Series<br />
is an opportunity to experience Namaste<br />
like never before.<br />
Star Party: Sun & Moon<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 12<br />
Immerse yourself in the wonders of<br />
the night sky at the Star Party: Sun &<br />
Moon, a family-friendly astronomy event<br />
by the Cape Fear Museum and Carolina<br />
Beach State Park. Telescopes set up by<br />
the Cape Fear Astronomy Society offer<br />
glimpses into the celestial wonders. The<br />
event, themed around the Sun & Moon in<br />
honor of the <strong>Apr</strong>il Solar Eclipse, includes<br />
vendors, activities, and a fascinating<br />
journey through the cosmos. Parking will<br />
be in the <strong>Mar</strong>ina area, and attendees<br />
are advised to bring a flashlight and bug<br />
repellent.<br />
CFCC Riverfront Boat Show<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 13<br />
Held on the picturesque banks of the<br />
Cape Fear River, the CFCC Riverfront<br />
Boat Show is a longstanding tradition<br />
attracting thousands of visitors. The show<br />
features a wide variety of wooden boats in<br />
10 judging categories, including kayaks<br />
and skiffs. Spectators can enjoy boat<br />
building demonstrations, try their hand<br />
at a Knot-tying Challenge, and engage<br />
in conversations with the Boat Builders<br />
about their creations. This is a mustattend<br />
event for boating enthusiasts.<br />
Assertive, effective representation in the areas of criminal defense,<br />
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NC Science Festival<br />
Celebration<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 13<br />
Celebrate the wonders of<br />
science at the Children's<br />
Museum's NC Science<br />
Festival Celebration. This educational<br />
event focuses on future technologies,<br />
22 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Thanks<br />
for voting<br />
us BEST<br />
WOMEN’S<br />
CLOTHING<br />
STORE!<br />
Edet by Island Passage<br />
302 N Front St<br />
Island Passage Elixir Downtown<br />
4 <strong>Mar</strong>ket St<br />
Island Passage Lumina Station<br />
1900 Eastwood Rd<br />
Island Passage Bald Head Island<br />
14 <strong>Mar</strong>itime Way<br />
Check out<br />
Coral Anchors<br />
NEW space!<br />
4620 Oleander Drive<br />
910-228-5401<br />
8086 <strong>Mar</strong>ket Street<br />
910-686-0930<br />
uptownmarketnc.com<br />
Mon-Sat 10-6 & Sun 12-6<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 23
Thanks for Voting us<br />
Best Landscape<br />
Designer<br />
DREAM. DESIGN. BUILD. MAINTAIN.<br />
The Outdoors<br />
Designed Around<br />
Your Lifestyle.<br />
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new medical advancements, and<br />
environmental engineering, providing<br />
children with engaging experiences<br />
that ignite curiosity. Special ticketing is<br />
required for this event, and details will be<br />
available closer to the date. Plan ahead, as<br />
this event is sure to sell out.<br />
Spring Local<br />
Craft <strong>Mar</strong>ket<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 13<br />
Embrace the<br />
spring weather<br />
amidst spectacular<br />
gardens at the Burgwin-Wright House<br />
and Gardens, featuring over 20 local<br />
artists and artisans. The manicured acre<br />
of gardens provides a scenic backdrop for<br />
this event, and the historic house, jail,<br />
visitor center, and art gallery will remain<br />
open for the duration. Details for this<br />
delightful spring market will be available<br />
closer to the event.<br />
Pleasure Island<br />
Spring Surf<br />
Fishing Challenge<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 13-14<br />
Explore the art of<br />
surf fishing at the<br />
Pleasure Island Spring Surf Fishing<br />
Challenge, held in the scenic locales of<br />
Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort<br />
Fisher. This premier land-based surf<br />
fishing tournament welcomes both teams<br />
and solo anglers aged 21 and above, offering<br />
a chance to win over $10,000 in cash and<br />
prizes. Stay tuned for registration details<br />
as the event draws near.<br />
Outlander in the Cape Fear<br />
Water Tour<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 14<br />
Embark on a historic journey with<br />
the Outlander in the Cape Fear Water<br />
Tour, a river cruise themed around the<br />
popular podcast. Hunter Ingram, a local<br />
historian and the creator of Burgwin-<br />
Wright Presents and Outlander in<br />
the Cape Fear, will guide participants<br />
through the fascinating history essential<br />
for understanding the internationally<br />
bestselling book and beloved video series.<br />
Tickets for this unique river cruise sell out<br />
quickly, so plan ahead to secure your spot.<br />
24 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
910-408-1322<br />
kitchenmanNC.com<br />
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Shallotte and Hampstead<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 25
<strong>Wilmington</strong> Earth Day<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 20<br />
Celebrate Earth Day in style at the<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> Earth Day Celebration. This<br />
vibrant event at Legion Sports Complex<br />
offers free live music, an array of food<br />
options, beer, a Kids' EcoZone, and more<br />
than 70 different exhibitors. Dogs are<br />
allowed at the event and park (excluding<br />
the Kids' EcoZone and Exhibitor tents),<br />
making it a family-friendly day of ecoconscious<br />
festivities. Keep an eye on their<br />
website and social media for the latest<br />
updates and happenings.<br />
1017 Ashes Drive, Suite 202<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>, NC<br />
910.256.6326<br />
rmbbuildinganddesign.com<br />
910-228-6637<br />
facebook.com/DeBruhls<br />
225 Pine Grove Dr.<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>, NC<br />
Mon-Sat from 10am-5pm<br />
5K and One Mile<br />
Fun Run: Race<br />
for the Planet<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 21<br />
Participate in the<br />
excitement of the<br />
5K and One Mile Fun Run: Race for the<br />
Planet, a race that welcomes participants<br />
of all skill levels. The flat course,<br />
beginning and ending at the Aquarium,<br />
offers a scenic route through Fort Fisher<br />
with breathtaking views of the ocean,<br />
maritime forest, and the majestic Fort<br />
Fisher State Historic Site. Whether you're<br />
a serious runner or a leisure walker, the<br />
no-pressure atmosphere and stunning<br />
surroundings make this race a fantastic<br />
choice for families. Plan ahead, as this inperson<br />
race is expected to sell out.<br />
Ocean Front Pirate Flicks<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 26 – May 10<br />
Delve into free Friday night family fun<br />
with the Ocean Front Pirate Flicks, a<br />
series of rollicking outdoor pirate movies<br />
at Kure Beach Ocean Front Park. Bring<br />
your lawn chair or blanket for a delightful<br />
evening of family-friendly entertainment.<br />
Details for this cinematic adventure will<br />
be available closer to the event, promising<br />
a trio of unforgettable pirate tales under<br />
the stars. townofkurebeach.org<br />
Kure Community Fest<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 27<br />
Expect live music and performers,<br />
children's and family activities with<br />
local businesses, groups, and non-profits,<br />
games, food trucks, local art and craft<br />
vendors, a dunk tank, and more.<br />
26 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
YOU DESERVE A HAPPY AND CONFIDENT SMILE!<br />
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BEST DENTIST!<br />
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910-762-4867 • tremandental.com<br />
Michael Treman, DDS & Steven Treman, DDS<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 27
Reviews: TV & Music<br />
DENISE K. JAMES ON NEW FILMS AND MUSIC<br />
Usher<br />
Coming Home<br />
Mega/Gamma<br />
My all-time favorite dance club song is<br />
“Yeah!” — I cannot hear it without busting<br />
out a little boogie. So, naturally, I fervently<br />
hoped that Usher's newest single, Coming<br />
Home, would get me up and out of my office<br />
chair. First, I checked out “Risk it All,” a<br />
sexy ballad featuring the artist H.E.R. Not<br />
bad for a romantic night in, but definitely<br />
not the mood I wanted. Similarly, “Ruin,”<br />
another collaboration featuring the artist<br />
Pheelz, didn't give me the self-centered<br />
Usher that I'd been pining for. I guess he<br />
grew up. And it's not exactly my thing.<br />
Expats<br />
Starring Nicole Kidman, Ji-young Yoo, Brian Tee, Sarayu Blue, Jack Huston<br />
Amazon Prime Video • Four Stars<br />
We've been inundated with an abundance of streaming content for quite some time.<br />
Consequently, I've adopted an approach to television akin to books – relying on<br />
recommendations and past enjoyment. So, when a friend mentioned “Expats,” we decided to<br />
give it a shot, mainly for Nicole Kidman, acclaimed for her roles in HBO's “Big Little Lies”<br />
and Hulu's “Nine Perfect Strangers.” Settling in after dinner in early February, I tuned in to<br />
Kidman's latest endeavor on Prime Video.<br />
The narrative unfolds in Hong Kong, and I anticipated gaining insights into Chinese<br />
culture. However, a few episodes in, that expectation remained unfulfilled. Instead, “Expats”<br />
showcased familiar Kidman territory – portraying a sorrowful, emaciated mother and wife,<br />
along with quintessential American elements like dinner parties, scandalous affairs, and<br />
opulent apartments.<br />
Despite the initial inclination to dismiss “Expats,” I soon found myself engrossed. The<br />
central mystery, the disappearance of three-year-old Gus, weighs heavily on both his mother,<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>garet (Kidman), and his former Korean-American nanny, Mercy (Yoo), who was caring<br />
for Gus when he went missing. Complicating matters further, Mercy is romantically involved<br />
with <strong>Mar</strong>garet's neighbor, David.<br />
Continuing to watch, I recognized that the anticipated strengths of the show – Kidman's<br />
display of versatility and intriguing glimpses into Chinese culture – had evolved into<br />
different virtues. The portrayal of Mercy's profound sense of loss and melancholy elicited<br />
unexpected emotions from the audience. “Expats” also commendably provides perspective on<br />
how individuals behave incongruently with their emotions – the woman hosting a party with<br />
a smile might be enduring personal suffering.<br />
“Expats” excels in illustrating how people grapple with trauma without resorting to<br />
therapy, medications, or any form of emotional moderation. The series starkly exposes the<br />
raw truth of coping with loss while feigning normalcy.<br />
Upon reflection, you might question what new insights “Expats” could offer – aren't these<br />
life lessons commonplace? Yet, I contend that all human stories revolve around love, death, or<br />
a fusion of both in myriad forms. While “Expats” may initially appear as a familiar narrative,<br />
a closer look might reveal a deeper understanding of your neighbors or even yourself.<br />
Sheryl Crow<br />
Evolution<br />
Big Machine<br />
Another artist I loved in the 1990s, Sheryl<br />
Crow, has returned for a fresh round, but<br />
in a better way than our friend Usher.<br />
Evolution is Crow's 12th studio album, and<br />
I'm here for these throwback-friendly jams.<br />
“Alarm Clock” features the catchy, tonguein-cheek<br />
lyrics we loved back when Crow<br />
sang “All I Wanna Do,” and the title track,<br />
“Evolution,” is another sing-along gem. Pop<br />
this one in the car and pretend the last two<br />
decades were a dream.<br />
28 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
BUILDER OF THE<br />
Showcase Homes Open Daily at Riverlights and River Bluffs<br />
Patrick Kelly<br />
910-599-7811<br />
patrick@charterbuildinggroup.com<br />
THANK YOU FOR VOTING US<br />
BEST GIFT SHOP AGAIN!<br />
Sea-Inspired Gifts & Home Decor<br />
910-799-4216 • 5815 OLEANDER DR, SUITE 120 • WILMINGTON<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 29
staff picks<br />
Spring Reads from<br />
Papercut Books<br />
Downtown's Papercut Books, a charming brick-and-mortar<br />
shop, specializes in new and lightly used books,<br />
as well as collectible vintage books.<br />
By HOLLY BADER » Photos by ERICA NICHOLS<br />
If you were to categorize us as a season, Papercut would be spring. I like to think of<br />
our shop as restorative, tempestuous, and overwhelmingly bursting with flowers and<br />
greenery. While every season can inspire its own special reading list, we believe spring<br />
should be met with books that match the season of Earth's exhale – books that evoke a<br />
long sigh of contentment after a particularly enjoyable story. For this seasonal changing<br />
of the guards, we recommend the following:<br />
Sinister Spring<br />
by Agatha Christie<br />
A season characterized by the riotous<br />
bursting of life is an exceptional time to<br />
begin reading a book about death. As<br />
the saying goes, opposites attract! This<br />
collection of stories by Agatha Christie<br />
is short enough to hold your attention<br />
span in the days of lengthening sun but<br />
addictive enough to keep you reading<br />
through allergy-induced watery eyes.<br />
No one does it better than the Queen<br />
of Crime herself, and this collection is a great<br />
reminder of why Christie is still the best-selling author of<br />
all time.<br />
Parable of the Sower<br />
by Octavia Butler<br />
Spring is synonymous with not only<br />
birth but also rebirth. Published in<br />
1993, "Parable of the Sower" begins<br />
in <strong>2024</strong>, in a dystopian world where<br />
economic and climate crises have led to<br />
social calamity. Throughout the novel,<br />
Butler's characters work not only to<br />
survive but also to help themselves and<br />
others learn to thrive despite this new<br />
phase of humanity. This is a perfect novel<br />
for the season of regeneration and renewal, a reminder to ask<br />
ourselves the important question: what do we owe to Earth's<br />
future generations? And what do we owe to each other?<br />
Your Utopia by Bora Chung<br />
If you've made it this far reading<br />
an indie bookstore's spring reading<br />
recommendations list, then I can probably<br />
trust you with a weird one. This collection<br />
of short stories by one of South Korea's<br />
most popular writers will have you<br />
screaming "WHAT?!?" in about twelve<br />
different inflections. If spring is the season<br />
to celebrate the concept of "newness," then<br />
you can't pick any imagination more fertile<br />
than Bora Chung's to delve into. This<br />
book is a wonderful balm to the soul when you become jaded<br />
and convinced that "everything's been done before." Trust me,<br />
it hasn't.<br />
Notes on Shapeshifting<br />
by Gabi Abrão<br />
A recommendation from our bookseller<br />
Erica, this slim volume is the kind of book<br />
that is bought by the handful so that it can<br />
be passed around to friends. Swimming<br />
between genres as both poetry and prose,<br />
this book acts as a talisman to its readers.<br />
It's a book that both alleviates the weight<br />
of being human and inspires you to<br />
decorate your home with flowers. What<br />
more could we ask for in a spring read?<br />
Find more “book reviews you didn’t ask for” at papercutbooks.com<br />
or visit the shop at 200 <strong>Mar</strong>ket St., Unit 100. W<br />
30 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 31
newsmaker<br />
For every new home<br />
purchased from<br />
Hagood Homes, a<br />
donation is made to<br />
Hagood Hope for<br />
Children, benefiting<br />
other advocacy<br />
groups in the area.<br />
Building Hope<br />
by Building<br />
Communities<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> nonprofit quietly helps other organizations<br />
aiding children and their families<br />
By JEN REED<br />
HAGOOD HOMES OF WILMINGTON IS WELL KNOWN FOR<br />
building homes throughout the Lower Cape Fear for nearly three<br />
decades. But it's what they have done behind the scenes that is truly<br />
representative of building communities.<br />
The company established a nonprofit<br />
organization, Hagood Hope for Children,<br />
which is now in its 20th year, and has been<br />
quietly helping several other nonprofits in<br />
the <strong>Wilmington</strong> area and beyond whose<br />
mission is to aid causes focused on the<br />
health and well-being of youngsters and<br />
their families.<br />
Among the organizations that have<br />
benefitted from this mission include:<br />
• The Carousel Center<br />
• Changing Hearts Ministries<br />
• Families by Design<br />
• Father's House Ministries at River<br />
Life Fellowship<br />
• Methodist Home for Children<br />
• Ronald McDonald House of Durham<br />
& Wake<br />
• Special Olympics of New Hanover<br />
County<br />
With the sale of each new home built<br />
by Hagood Homes, a donation is made in<br />
the homeowner's name to Hagood Hope<br />
for Children. Since its inception, more<br />
than $1.6 million has been raised and<br />
has had a far-reaching impact, not only in<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> but for organizations located<br />
throughout the state of North Carolina.<br />
According to Laurie Taylor, Development<br />
Manager of the Carousel Child Advocacy<br />
Center (a recipient of a sustained monthly<br />
donation by Hagood Hope for Children),<br />
the funds have been used to aid some 500<br />
children who are survivors of neglect and<br />
abuse and their families. She says the<br />
continued support has made an incredible<br />
difference for the Carousel Center and<br />
notes the Hagood team also plays an<br />
active role in supporting events run by<br />
the nonprofit, demonstrating a continued<br />
commitment to the community.<br />
The Hagood team is ever present<br />
during events supporting the Carousel<br />
Center mission and will be among those<br />
"competing" this year in a lip-sync<br />
challenge during the annual Gala slated<br />
for <strong>Apr</strong>il 27.<br />
According to Taylor, that involvement<br />
has served to establish and strengthen a<br />
bond that shows "they really care," and<br />
the children benefit from that kindness<br />
and compassion.<br />
The Methodist Home for Children also<br />
assists children of neglect and abuse and<br />
their families throughout the state of<br />
North Carolina. The program not only<br />
focuses on the health and well-being of<br />
PHOTOS HAGOOD HOMES OF WILMINGTON<br />
32 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
children through foster care and adoption<br />
programs, but extends its mission to early<br />
childhood education, family preservation,<br />
and juvenile justice. Headquartered in<br />
the greater Raleigh area, they also have a<br />
presence in the Lower Cape Fear.<br />
According to Regina Hawes, Development<br />
Officer for the <strong>Wilmington</strong> area, the<br />
monthly contributions have enabled the<br />
organization to continue offering advocacy<br />
programs in the area, for all of those in care<br />
– whether they are children or families –<br />
assisting them in developing the skills they<br />
need to build healthy, self-sufficient, and<br />
productive lives.<br />
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In addition to financial contributions,<br />
the local community volunteers at<br />
several events supported by Hagood<br />
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The Hagood team has also been a<br />
constant fixture at fundraising events<br />
supporting the Methodist Home for<br />
Children, further reinforcing how<br />
important ties to the community are to<br />
the organization.<br />
In addition to financial contributions,<br />
numerous volunteers – homeowners,<br />
employees, and trade partners – have<br />
given their time and resources over<br />
the years to various causes supported<br />
through Hagood Hope for Children. For<br />
instance, the Special Olympics of North<br />
Carolina remains a long-time recipient<br />
of funds making such events as the Polar<br />
Plunge possible. Each year the team is<br />
invited to take part in the plunge. And<br />
while running into the freezing waters<br />
of the Atlantic isn't necessarily the first<br />
choice for folks in February, volunteering<br />
to work during the event as well as<br />
others during the year is something that<br />
is always encouraged.<br />
For Hagood Homes President Patrick<br />
Kennedy, philanthropy has been at the<br />
heart of the business since its founding<br />
and an aspect of the company for which<br />
he cares a great deal. According to<br />
Kennedy, Hagood Hope for Children<br />
was a natural progression, established<br />
in 2004 shortly after the company was<br />
founded by Jim and Troy Kenny in 1996.<br />
The nonprofit leg of the organization is<br />
also run on a completely volunteer basis.<br />
The true reward is found in knowing<br />
that hard work is paying off in ways that<br />
move beyond the confines of the work<br />
week. And taking quiet satisfaction in<br />
knowing there is a bigger team on the<br />
field making a difference in the lives of<br />
the children of North Carolina, Kennedy<br />
says, is well worth the effort. W<br />
34 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
<strong>Wilmington</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
2 24<br />
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<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 35
art seen<br />
Cocklebur & Co.<br />
President Jeff Jones<br />
and Vice President<br />
Sydney Penny<br />
The Prickly<br />
Charm of the<br />
American South<br />
Cucklebur & Co. crafts Southern stories that explore the<br />
complexities and warmth of the region<br />
By JADE NEPTUNE<br />
MUCH OF WHAT<br />
comes from the<br />
storytelling of local<br />
creatives Jeff Jones<br />
and Sydney Penny boils<br />
down to the same sentiment: even if you<br />
don't know the name of it, you know<br />
the feeling.<br />
If you go stomping through the thick,<br />
tall grasses that are strewn across the<br />
American South, you'll find them, caught<br />
at the seam of your socks, tangled in<br />
your knotted hair, or clinging to the<br />
hem of your jeans. You'll feel them first<br />
– a stinging sensation that resembles the<br />
bite of many other distinctly southern<br />
culprits like mosquitoes, sand spurs,<br />
and chiggers but belongs to only one: a<br />
cocklebur.<br />
“It latches onto you and it just never lets<br />
go!” says Jeff Jones, better known locally<br />
as “Jonesy,” the president of Cucklebur &<br />
Co. “Anyone who has ever hunted, gone<br />
fishing, ridden horses or spent time out<br />
in nature has encountered a cocklebur.<br />
It's about the size of the last joint of your<br />
thumb is oval-shaped and has all of these<br />
Velcro-like hooks on it and some of them<br />
can be very prickly.”<br />
As odd as it may seem for the emblem<br />
of a creative agency, there is no denying<br />
that it is deeply southern, and is entirely<br />
on purpose.<br />
“It's the philosophy and the embodiment<br />
of what we want to create, which is to<br />
touch people as deeply as we possibly can,”<br />
says Jones. “It's deeply interesting, and<br />
it's peculiar. It stays with you wherever<br />
you go. You never forget about that.”<br />
Cucklebur & Co. is a <strong>Wilmington</strong>based<br />
creative house of Southern<br />
storytelling that produces film, TV,<br />
pieces of writing, and other new media.<br />
They currently have more than 24<br />
projects in various stages of production,<br />
all emphasizing the importance of<br />
“homegrown” stories and uplifting local<br />
talent. Some of their projects include<br />
“The Dishwasher,” a romcom about an<br />
unexpected matchmaker, and “The Radio<br />
Cowboys,” a musical theater piece about<br />
the Western Swing.<br />
But why the South? When creativity<br />
and art can take you anywhere in the<br />
36 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
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(top) Jones and Penny on set; (bottom) Sydney<br />
directing The Dishwasher<br />
world, why choose your front porch? They<br />
say the answer is simple.<br />
“I think it flattens out the American<br />
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this is a way to dig in and find some<br />
richness that we don't want to have lost.<br />
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<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 37
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differences that exist<br />
everywhere, surely. But we<br />
[also] just happen to be here.<br />
So, these are the ones that<br />
we're enjoying and lifting.”<br />
Sydney Penny, Vice<br />
President of Cucklebur &<br />
Co., shares a similar opinion,<br />
even though she has lived all<br />
over the world.<br />
“If you've ever sat in a<br />
hotel room in a dark, cold city<br />
somewhere, you know what<br />
that is, what comes back to<br />
you instantly,” says Penny.<br />
“It's the food, the warmth, the<br />
friendliness, the turn of phrase, just<br />
the particular way of looking at life and<br />
expressing it.”<br />
They create about the broader<br />
Southern United States, but make sure<br />
to not leave <strong>Wilmington</strong> behind in their<br />
narratives.<br />
“It's just a real sense of home that<br />
extends beyond your four walls,” says<br />
Jones. “It's a sense of community<br />
Still of Miss Maggy<br />
from the film<br />
that's integral, I think, to being in the<br />
South… This is a town that runs on<br />
organizations of people who look after<br />
each other, our town, our trees, and our<br />
water. It's that deep sense of caring and<br />
connection that, to me, has made this<br />
home and a place that I just have a deep<br />
and abiding fondness for.”<br />
Although the love in their storytelling<br />
is palpable and their loyalty to their<br />
home pulses through their speech like<br />
38 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
The Dishwasher<br />
is a romcom<br />
directed by<br />
Penny, featured<br />
at the 2023<br />
Cucalorus Film<br />
Festival<br />
theArtWorks is a Cultural Art Complex providing art<br />
studios, gallery space, and an event venue, fostering a creative<br />
environment for artists, educational opportunities, and<br />
enhancement of the <strong>Wilmington</strong> community through art.<br />
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200 Willard St, <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
www.theartworks.co<br />
their accented words, it is no secret that<br />
the “Southern experience” has been<br />
complicated and painful, for many. Some<br />
of their creative work focuses on the<br />
Black experience of the American South,<br />
or the history of the Native American<br />
communities throughout the region.<br />
“In order to be truthful in art, you have<br />
to acknowledge all your strengths and<br />
weaknesses,” says Jones. “That is the<br />
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<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 39
art seen<br />
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healthiest way for anyone<br />
to present a story or paint<br />
a portrait of any kind. But<br />
I think that focusing on a<br />
single aspect or timeframe<br />
of any place is not going<br />
to be a truthful image of<br />
that. We don't hold back.”<br />
The conversation is<br />
massively complicated<br />
and sensitive for many,<br />
but Jones and Penny<br />
view it like anything else:<br />
a cocklebur scratching<br />
at your consciousness,<br />
an unavoidable part of the Southern<br />
experience.<br />
“It's something you have to address,”<br />
says Jones. “You have to cut that<br />
cocklebur out of your dog's hair, out of<br />
your horse's mane. You gotta exercise<br />
it from your saddle. But you can't do<br />
anything about those problems or those<br />
pains unless you acknowledge what it<br />
is. And we don't hide and we don't cover<br />
up or skim over and make everything<br />
'Southern charm.' We're a lot – we're a<br />
lot more than that.”<br />
Looking forward, there are many<br />
projects on the horizon for Cucklebur &<br />
Co., including Penny's debut novel that<br />
was recently released, “A Place to Stay”<br />
available on Amazon. But no matter<br />
where their lives and stories take<br />
them, they know they will always come<br />
back home.<br />
“I was once told by a mentor of<br />
mine, 'You can never come back until<br />
you leave,'” says Jones. “We tend to<br />
experience the world as a southerner<br />
everywhere… Every time I leave,<br />
even though I have wonderful, great<br />
experiences and gain knowledge and<br />
love and affection for other cultures<br />
and other places, there's nothing that<br />
I've ever experienced like the embrace<br />
of the South.” W<br />
40 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
SPEND A YEAR<br />
ON THE COAST<br />
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<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 41
Fish Like<br />
a Girl<br />
A local fishing group establishes<br />
a judgment-free zone for anglers to<br />
share success stories, learn<br />
and build camaraderie<br />
By VERA WILSON<br />
Tonya Lissor, founder of<br />
the Female Fishing Fanatics<br />
group in <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
WILMINGTON NATIVE<br />
Tonya Lissor recently<br />
got married and started<br />
a mobile dog grooming<br />
business, so she's got a lot going on. But<br />
anytime there's even the slightest break<br />
in her busy schedule, she's grabbing her<br />
fishing gear and heading for the water.<br />
Lissor can't remember a time when she<br />
didn't fish.<br />
“I've been a fisherwoman my entire life,”<br />
she says. “My dad thought I was going to be<br />
a boy, so when I was born, his first words<br />
were ‘Well, I'll take her fishing anyway.’”<br />
And so he did. Initially, fishing might<br />
have been an excuse to spend time with<br />
her dad, but she eventually grew to love it.<br />
“That's how the monster was created!”<br />
jokes Lissor.<br />
She's not alone. Female fishing<br />
participation in 2022 reached an all-time<br />
high, according to the Recreational Boating<br />
and Fishing Foundation's annual report.<br />
Over the last decade, female participant<br />
numbers grew by nearly four million, from<br />
16 million in 2012 to 19.8 million in 2022.<br />
That represents 36 percent of all anglers<br />
and 42 percent of first-time participants.<br />
But this isn't a new phenomenon.<br />
Women have been fishing — and good at<br />
it — for centuries. However, according to<br />
Flyfishtime.com, female anglers didn't hit<br />
their stride until the early 1900s when<br />
they created fishing clubs and started<br />
competing in tournaments.<br />
Lissor isn't interested in tournaments<br />
herself, but she does like to share her<br />
success stories. As a member of several<br />
fishing groups, she would put up photos<br />
of herself with her catches, as many of the<br />
members do. But her social media posts<br />
didn't garner the response she had hoped<br />
42 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
for. Instead of praise and encouragement,<br />
she said she was sexualized, belittled, and<br />
degraded.<br />
“Because I was a woman that was<br />
fishing, people would say, ‘You didn't<br />
really catch that or you're just a prop,’” she<br />
explains. Other comments focused on her<br />
appearance, objectifying her.<br />
“I got tired of it, so tired of it. So I just<br />
said I'm gonna start my own group,” she<br />
explains.<br />
And so she did. Female Fishing Fanatics<br />
is an online support group whose intent<br />
is to provide a safe, judgment-free zone<br />
for female anglers who want to post<br />
their trophies without being bullied or<br />
sexualized.<br />
But, despite the name, the group is<br />
intended for all anglers.<br />
“I didn't want anyone to feel excluded<br />
from the group,” she says.<br />
Lissor is especially keen on having<br />
enough moderators to properly police<br />
the site, so what happened to her doesn't<br />
happen to someone else.<br />
“I just want to require some sort of<br />
civility,” she says.<br />
Among the group's recent posts on their<br />
Facebook page is a woman proudly showing<br />
her catch, and the beauty mentioned in the<br />
comments refers to the fish, not the woman<br />
holding it. Another shows a young boy —<br />
all ages are welcome — holding up a very<br />
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<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 43
(top) Lissor with some of the group’s members<br />
at Oak Island Pier; (bottom) Women represent<br />
over one third of all anglers and over 40% of<br />
first-time participants.<br />
big fish. There are posts about upcoming<br />
fishing events, including member meetups<br />
and “fish ups” where Female Fishing<br />
Fanatics can hang out and fish together.<br />
“We're hoping to go to Galveston, Texas,<br />
this year and invite members to come<br />
along,” she says.<br />
Lissor also wants the site to be a place<br />
where people can learn about fishing and<br />
ask questions.<br />
The group has a presence on YouTube,<br />
and a recent post shows a video of a fish<br />
that got away from Lissor. She and her<br />
husband discuss the reason why they think<br />
the fish escaped and give anglers tips on<br />
how to avoid this problem in the future.<br />
“I have a lot of people reach out to me<br />
for advice on how to fish. I don't know<br />
everything, but the beauty of this group is<br />
we can help each other and learn from each<br />
other, so we can all have more successful<br />
fishing days,” she says.<br />
A recent member was traveling to the<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> area (the group has members<br />
from as far away as Peru) and sought<br />
advice on where to fish and with what gear.<br />
Lissor gave him some pointers.<br />
“He caught a ton of fish and had a lot of<br />
fun, and that was really rewarding for me,”<br />
she says.<br />
She believes that women can be<br />
discouraged from fishing because they<br />
aren't always encouraged to do it on<br />
their own.<br />
“Sometimes a man might tie the hook for<br />
a woman, or he thinks a woman's going to<br />
lose the fish, so he grabs the pole and starts<br />
reeling it in,” she says. “You miss out on<br />
something when that happens.”<br />
She hopes that offering a safe place to<br />
ask for advice will help women be more<br />
confident and take fishing matters into<br />
their own hands.<br />
At the end of the day, Lissor just wants<br />
all anglers to experience the same joy she<br />
derives from fishing whether it's catching<br />
a lot of fish, enjoying nature at its best, or<br />
chatting with fellow anglers while you're<br />
waiting for that tug on the line.<br />
And when asked who she thinks makes<br />
the better anglers — men or women? Her<br />
reply: “Whoever's more dedicated.” W<br />
44 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
design garden fashion<br />
PHOTO DARIA AMATO<br />
Blended Shoes + Apparel<br />
shopblended.com<br />
-Monroe Jacket in pink, $288;<br />
Lily Short in pink, $180; Mia<br />
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A Work<br />
of Art<br />
Threads to make you feel<br />
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See Page 52<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 45
design<br />
The pirate ship, one of the<br />
original pieces installed at the<br />
museum, will be reimagined<br />
into a research vessel later this<br />
year, thanks to funding from<br />
International Paper.<br />
Creating an Ideal<br />
Place for Play<br />
A peek into the community-backed design efforts<br />
at the Children's Museum of <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
IT'S SAID IT TAKES A VILLAGE<br />
to raise a child. And nowhere will<br />
you find that proverb brought to<br />
life than at the Children's Museum<br />
of <strong>Wilmington</strong>.<br />
Nestled in historic downtown<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>, this destination is housed<br />
among three buildings boasting interactive<br />
exhibits designed to excite the imagination<br />
and educate young minds of those who visit<br />
By JEN REED » Photos by FRANK G. HART<br />
during the year. True to its mission, you<br />
will find a blend of displays showcasing<br />
elements of art, literacy, and STEM<br />
education.<br />
Each area of the Museum features handson<br />
activities that, unlike other museums,<br />
encourage youngsters to “please touch.”<br />
Leading the effort of the ever-changing<br />
landscape is Executive Director Jessie<br />
Goodwin, who, with the aid and support<br />
of key staff and the Facilities and Exhibit<br />
Committee, brainstorms, conceives, and<br />
develops ideas that enable them to provide<br />
offerings that are meaningful, relevant,<br />
and strike a balance between traditional<br />
learning and technical experiences.<br />
“What we want is to create something<br />
new and different for the littles,” Goodwin<br />
says. “We realize so many are surrounded<br />
by technology at home and school and we<br />
take that into account when we are creating<br />
any of these exhibits. It is important for us<br />
to find a healthy balance.”<br />
The process of creating the displays<br />
is not limited to the confines of the<br />
institution and its team – it's very much<br />
reflective of the community. Inside you<br />
will find the Kid Power and How High<br />
Can You Jump exhibits made possible by<br />
Planet Fitness; the Community <strong>Mar</strong>ket,<br />
a replica supermarket funded by Publix<br />
and the Publix Super <strong>Mar</strong>kets Charities;<br />
and a flight simulator made possible by<br />
46 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
The Toddler Treehouse<br />
exhibit was made possible<br />
in part by the Landfall<br />
Foundation and New<br />
Hanover County<br />
Animal Alley<br />
Modern Aviation. Current exhibits also<br />
feature displays supported by the Ports of<br />
North Carolina, the City of <strong>Wilmington</strong>,<br />
the Landfall Foundation, and Delaney<br />
Radiology, just to name a few.<br />
According to Goodwin, partnerships<br />
sought through the community are critical<br />
to supporting the mission of providing<br />
a welcoming and engaging environment<br />
because not only are visitors experiencing<br />
interesting and fun exhibits, but they are<br />
also seeing places and things that are a<br />
part of the <strong>Wilmington</strong> community.<br />
“We are here for the community, so<br />
it's really important that what we do is<br />
reflective of what the community wants<br />
and what it represents,” she says.<br />
Design Process<br />
The exhibit design process can span from<br />
a few months from start to finish to more<br />
than a year. That depends on the complexity<br />
of the project, funding, and how involved<br />
community partners are in the process. For<br />
instance, Goodwin explains that certain<br />
exhibits, such as those funded through<br />
grants, are spearheaded by the Museum<br />
team under the guidance of Facilities<br />
Manager Ralph Fischer. In contrast,<br />
projects like the Publix exhibit have their<br />
own design and installation team from the<br />
company, but they still collaborate with<br />
and seek approval from the Museum team.<br />
Modern Aviation is also taking an active<br />
role in the new Flight Force exhibit as it<br />
is reflective of the organizational mission.<br />
“The important thing is that<br />
everything we do and offer<br />
here is for the community.<br />
The community is talking,<br />
and we are listening."<br />
–Jessie Goodwin, Executive<br />
Director, The Children's<br />
Museum of <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
“It was really important to them to<br />
introduce careers in aviation to the<br />
littles, and this turned out to be a great<br />
opportunity,” Goodwin says.<br />
The committee is comprised of board<br />
members, internal team members from<br />
facilities as well as educators who lead<br />
Art Studio<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 47
design<br />
(clockwise from above) The main entrance of Museum, located on Orange St.; Port CMoW,<br />
sponsored by NC Ports and made possible in part by Filwerks; Community <strong>Mar</strong>ket sponsored<br />
by Publix; Dive into Dentistry, sponsored by Dimock, Weinberg and Cherry DDS; Flight Force,<br />
sponsored by Modern Aviation and made possible in part with funding from New Hanover<br />
County and the North Carolina Science Museums Grant Program<br />
programs offered through the Museum.<br />
The diversity enables a wide range of<br />
perspectives and ideas, from both an<br />
educational point of view as well as the<br />
technical to ensure the space can support<br />
the endeavor.<br />
The Museum opened its doors in 1997,<br />
although planning for the facility began a<br />
half dozen years earlier. Initially located<br />
on <strong>Mar</strong>ket Street, the Museum found its<br />
current home in downtown <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
in 2006. And while constraints of space in<br />
the historic district make it challenging to<br />
focus on expansion, Goodwin says the team<br />
makes the best use of the space they have,<br />
often reimagining areas to remain current.<br />
Just how long an exhibit remains in<br />
place is largely determined by the interests<br />
and needs of the community. According to<br />
Goodwin, there have been exhibits that<br />
are meaningful to the children and their<br />
families for a variety of reasons. Whether<br />
it's something that was a part of the<br />
Museum when visitors as children who are<br />
now parents remember and want to share<br />
with their little ones or something more<br />
current that has captured the interest of<br />
an audience, prompting them to want to<br />
visit again for the experience.<br />
“The important thing is that everything<br />
we do and offer here is for the community,”<br />
Goodwin says. “The community is talking<br />
and we are listening.” W<br />
48 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
garden<br />
Beyond the<br />
Garden Gate<br />
The <strong>2024</strong> Azalea Garden Tour<br />
PHOTOS CAPE FEAR GARDEN CLUB<br />
THE <strong>2024</strong> AZALEA GARDEN<br />
Tour, <strong>Apr</strong>il 5-7, features<br />
carefully crafted landscapes of<br />
all dimensions. None are more<br />
intimate than three courtyard gardens<br />
tucked behind brick patio homes in the<br />
Pointe Summerset neighborhood, a hidden<br />
gem off Eastwood Road. It is here that<br />
Becky and Carlus McKeel have lovingly<br />
transformed a blank slate into a fabulous<br />
Southern English Garden.<br />
Since a courtyard, by definition, needs<br />
to be encompassed, they installed a<br />
handsome privacy fence, stained in a warm<br />
sienna brown, to serve as the backdrop for<br />
verdant trees, shapely shrubs and colorful<br />
flowers. Over a ten-year period, all the<br />
components were planted with a keen<br />
eye for space, color and shade, as well<br />
as seasonal displays. The dining area is<br />
accented with chartreuse green cushions<br />
and a matching umbrella.<br />
A curved bluestone pathway carries<br />
you forward to the delightful surprises<br />
that await: a sweet fairy watching over<br />
treasured plantings, copper-topped dovecote<br />
birdhouses, a graceful white heron, and coach<br />
light lanterns. Around the corner is a smaller<br />
bistro set with black and white cushions. The<br />
walkway terminates in a private corner where<br />
a solitary chair is shadowed by a slender<br />
Crepe Myrtle. One can sit quietly here,<br />
watching the songbirds flutter, butterflies<br />
float and bees dance. Becky tells us, “This is<br />
my happy place.” The courtyard brings joy<br />
to these homeowners every day.<br />
Becky McKeel is a member of the Cape<br />
Fear Garden Club, which sponsors the<br />
beloved Azalea Garden Tour annually.<br />
She and Carlus invite you to stroll beyond<br />
their garden gate on the <strong>Apr</strong>il Tour, held<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 5 through 7th. For more information,<br />
ticket locations and event details,<br />
visitcapefeargardenclub.org W<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 49
garden<br />
Ability Garden<br />
is located at The<br />
Arboretum in New<br />
Hanover County.<br />
The Therapeutic<br />
Potential of<br />
Horticulture and<br />
Gardening<br />
Ability Garden's mission to nurture inclusion,<br />
wellness and community through green spaces<br />
By MADISON BAILEY<br />
THE SMELL OF FRESH AIR.<br />
A cool breeze on your face. The<br />
warm shining sun. Picture<br />
transforming a tiny seed into<br />
a luscious tomato, nurtured by your<br />
own hands. Or sharing the bounty of<br />
fresh, homegrown produce with friends.<br />
Gardening brings life and joy to many<br />
people, but it can indeed be a daunting<br />
task for those facing barriers like limited<br />
mobility, chronic pain, sensory issues,<br />
visual impairments, or other disabilities.<br />
Without raised beds and other<br />
accommodations, the benefits of these<br />
gardens may not reach everyone.<br />
Fortunately, Ability Garden (located at<br />
The Arboretum in New Hanover County)<br />
stands dedicated to serving individuals<br />
with disabilities and those in isolated<br />
areas, seeking to embrace the diverse<br />
needs of its community.<br />
In its 25 years of existence, Ability<br />
Garden has evolved into a space where<br />
people can enhance mobility, motor skills,<br />
cognitive functions, and physical and mental<br />
health. From selecting the right plants and<br />
containers to adapting garden tools and<br />
spaces to accommodate diverse abilities and<br />
needs, gardening is not just a task here; it's<br />
a therapeutic activity meant to be enjoyable,<br />
free from unnecessary stress.<br />
Heather Kelejian, the current Executive<br />
Director, notes that the garden's focus is<br />
PHOTOS ABILITY GARDEN<br />
50 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
on engaging in nature activity that can<br />
benefit anyone, regardless of their position<br />
on the wellness spectrum.<br />
"The initial goal was to provide<br />
a welcoming space for people with<br />
disabilities, leading to our equity-focused<br />
outreach to low-income communities," says<br />
Kelejian. "Unlike traditional horticultural<br />
therapy that addresses specific issues,<br />
Ability Garden's inclusive approach<br />
ensures that everyone, regardless of stress<br />
levels or clinical needs, finds something<br />
beneficial in our programs."<br />
OFFERINGS<br />
Visitors to the New Hanover Arboretum<br />
can witness the transformative power of<br />
green spaces firsthand, from the serene<br />
Japanese garden to its stunning koi pond<br />
and seasonal blooming flowers. Special<br />
needs classes, rehabilitation and support<br />
groups, adult care services, summer<br />
camps, and various community groups can<br />
schedule visits to partake in nature-based<br />
activities. A typical session at the garden<br />
spans one and a half hours, offering<br />
participants a guided walk through the<br />
enchanting gardens, immersing them in<br />
the therapeutic ambiance of the natural<br />
surroundings. There are also hands-on<br />
table-top planting session that fosters<br />
a connection with nature, providing<br />
a tangible, memorable engagement<br />
with horticulture.<br />
As a part of NC State Extension,<br />
the program is actively involved in<br />
a collaborative partnership with the<br />
university, striving to create valuable<br />
resources for those keen on unlocking<br />
the therapeutic potential of horticulture<br />
and gardening. As outlined by NC<br />
State Extension, horticultural therapy<br />
gardens are meticulously designed to<br />
cater to client treatment objectives, all<br />
while serving as hubs for horticultural<br />
activities. These carefully curated<br />
gardens are purposefully structured to<br />
empower clients, encouraging their active<br />
involvement in nurturing plant material<br />
and cultivating a hands-on, immersive,<br />
and therapeutic atmosphere.<br />
"We harness the power of gardens and<br />
the broader natural environment in our<br />
services, catering to a diverse range of<br />
individuals, including older adults and<br />
children,” says Kelejian. “We use various<br />
approaches to integrate nature into our<br />
programs. This involves a spectrum of<br />
Open Community Groups<br />
welcome the broader<br />
community to partake in several<br />
programs and workshops.<br />
activities, from environmental education<br />
initiatives to engaging hands-on projects<br />
that promote a holistic connection with<br />
the natural world."<br />
EDUCATION<br />
In addition to their scheduled sessions,<br />
the organization promotes community<br />
engagement through "Open Community<br />
Groups." These groups welcome adults<br />
of all ages and abilities for socialization<br />
and vocational horticulture activities.<br />
Through interviews, individuals express<br />
their personal goals, ensuring a tailored<br />
fit. The dedicated staff conducts insightful<br />
sessions on a diverse range of topics,<br />
including gardening as therapy, school<br />
gardens, and the intersection of gardening<br />
and art.<br />
Ability Garden's initiatives also<br />
contribute to a broader vision for<br />
incorporating green spaces in the local<br />
area. The organization offers workshops<br />
for educators, counselors, social workers,<br />
and Master Gardeners, extending the<br />
impact beyond individual participants to<br />
the wider community. These workshops<br />
share best practices for integrating<br />
therapeutic horticulture into diverse<br />
settings, promoting the incorporation of<br />
green spaces in educational and support<br />
programs.<br />
For more information, please visit<br />
abilitygarden.org W<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 51
A Work<br />
of Art<br />
Spring never felt<br />
so good to flaunt,<br />
featuring select styles<br />
from local boutiques<br />
CoolSweats at the Beach<br />
coolsweatsatthebeach.com<br />
Kinross cardigan in flax,<br />
$246; Nic & Zoe skirt multi<br />
color, $168; Kinross knit tank<br />
in white, $190; CHF Jewelry<br />
necklace, $100<br />
52 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Blended Shoes + Apparel<br />
shopblended.com<br />
Kait Lace Dress Milly, $595;<br />
Farah Heel, $65; Julie Vos<br />
Cannes Demi Cuff, $285;<br />
Julie Vos Catalina Stone<br />
Hinge Bracelet, $295;<br />
Julie Vos Astor Solitaire<br />
Necklace, $135; Julie Vos<br />
Catalina Earrings, $165<br />
A special thanks to the Cameron Art<br />
Museum (CAM), home to several art<br />
exhibits, classes, workshops, and other<br />
educational events throughout the<br />
year. cameronartmuseum.org<br />
Photography: DARIA AMATO<br />
Model: Carly Peck, Directions USA<br />
Children: Sloane Richards, Levi<br />
Sheppard and Ryder Sheppard<br />
Stylist: Danielle Harris,<br />
The Modified Style<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 53
Island Passage<br />
islandpassageclothing.com<br />
Gloria Halter Top by Greylin<br />
Collection, $98; Gloria Pant by<br />
Greylin Collection, $98; Hardi<br />
Slingback Loafer by Dolce<br />
Vita, $130; Island Passage<br />
Earrings, $24; Small Stretchy<br />
Bangles, $24 each; Dainty<br />
Braided Necklace by Brenda<br />
Grands (water resistant), $44;<br />
Pretty Persuasions Crossbody<br />
Bag, $44<br />
54 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Little Locals Clothing Co.<br />
littlelocalsclothingco.com<br />
(left to right)<br />
LB Chambray Dress, $32; Elle<br />
Bow in Peachy Pink Floral, $14<br />
Short Sleeve Denim Shirt in<br />
Dark Wash, $32; Surf's Up Girl<br />
Tee, $28; Khaki Joggers, $38;<br />
Gold Coast Snapback, $28;<br />
Nude Checkered Socks, $8<br />
Sands Button Up, $32;<br />
Friendly Locals Tee in mauve,<br />
$20; LB Classic Denim, $35;<br />
Nude Checkered Socks, $8<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 55
The Future is Blue<br />
Plastic Ocean Project aims to study and reduce the waste building up<br />
in the sea, local river basins, and watersheds<br />
By CARIN HALL<br />
“If we fail to take care of the ocean, nothing else matters,”<br />
Dr. Sylvia Earle says in the 2014 documentary Mission Blue.<br />
As one of the scientific community's greats, Earle (88) is a<br />
world-renowned marine biologist who holds the record for the<br />
deepest walk on the sea floor, was the first woman to lead the<br />
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration<br />
(NOAA), and is a fierce advocate for ocean conservation<br />
and education.<br />
Inspired in part by Earle, as well as her own experience<br />
observing plastic pollution across nearly 10,000 nautical<br />
miles that included four of the five global ocean gyres, Bonnie<br />
Monteleone co-founded the Plastic Ocean Project in <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
to continue the fight against the plight of our oceans. As it<br />
turned out, it was the perfect place to do it.<br />
PHOTO NAJA BERTOLT JENSEN<br />
56 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
PHOTOS PLASTIC OCEAN PROJECT<br />
Journey to <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
With an education in journalism and art, Monteleone later<br />
discovered the impressive science community at UNCW, where<br />
she completed a graduate program in Scientific Writing.<br />
“That's when I learned about plastic in the ocean—and it just<br />
got under my craw,” Monteleone says.<br />
Collaborating with the University's scientists, she worked on a<br />
thesis to study plastics in the ocean alongside Algalita, a marine<br />
research foundation based in California that had been studying<br />
plastics in the North Atlantic.<br />
“Oddly enough, a year later, I found myself on the very boat<br />
I read about as a student, flying to Hawaii, getting on a 50-foot<br />
catamaran and spending 30 days at sea alongside a scientist,”<br />
she says. “I conducted surface sampling and saw with my own<br />
eyes just how serious this problem is—plastics are in some of the<br />
most remote places on the planet.”<br />
Not a single sample collected was absent of plastic. At that<br />
point, Monteleone knew she had to do more than just defend<br />
her thesis. She reached out to other nonprofits concerned with<br />
preserving the ocean but mostly found that they were not yet<br />
focused on the same research or were not able to establish a new<br />
chapter on the East Coast. Surrounded by a strong community of<br />
marine biologists and scientists and living alongside the largest<br />
estuarine system on the eastern seaboard, it became clear that<br />
she had to start a nonprofit in the Cape Fear region.<br />
Ocean clean up<br />
with Corning<br />
Credit Union<br />
“The severity of the issue was so pronounced that I had to<br />
do it,” she says. “Plus, we're taking a very different approach.<br />
We might be the only nonprofit with the instrumentation to do<br />
the level of research necessary to understand just how bad this<br />
plastic issue is.”<br />
Inspiring hope<br />
As a board member at the North Carolina Wildlife Federation,<br />
Monteleone spearheaded an effort to put Hatteras in the Outer<br />
Banks on the map as an official Hope Spot, recognized by the<br />
nonprofit Mission Blue under Dr. Earle for its ecological, economic,<br />
and historic importance. As one of 11 places selected out of over<br />
200 applicants, Hope Spot Hatteras earned its distinction in<br />
2016—an honor North Carolinians can take great pride in.<br />
In addition to the habitat it provides for important fish species,<br />
sea turtle nesting, and over half of the known cetacean species<br />
in the world, it's also an important calving area for the critically<br />
endangered North Atlantic right whales.<br />
Bonnie Monteleone in<br />
Plastic Ocean Project’s<br />
short film, 356<br />
An intern for<br />
Plastic Ocean<br />
Project at work<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 57
Monteleone’s traveling<br />
art exhibit, featuring a<br />
sculpture made from<br />
plastics and a five-part<br />
canvas piece entitled,<br />
“What Goes Around<br />
Comes Around.”<br />
“There may be as many as a third of all the right whales<br />
in the world found off our coast,” Monteleone says. “Hatteras<br />
has incredible biodiversity, and it behooves us to protect it<br />
because it's so important to our economy and the health of<br />
our oceans.”<br />
356<br />
As part of the Plastic Ocean Project's many efforts to<br />
spread awareness comes a short film, 356, that follows its<br />
team on an unexpected journey. Setting out on the water<br />
without knowing what the “hook” of the film would be, it,<br />
unfortunately, arrived when a baby right whale had been<br />
washed ashore nearby, #356 of the 360 expected to be left of<br />
its species.<br />
With an alarming uptick in marine mammal deaths in recent<br />
years, the goal of the film is to explore the possible causes and<br />
solutions. But the message is more empowering than doom-laden.<br />
“I want people to know exactly what they can do,” Monteleone says.<br />
“If we can save the North Atlantic right whale, we're certainly going<br />
to have a leg up on saving other species in the ocean.”<br />
356 serves as a short film and trailer for a full-length documentary,<br />
If the Ocean Could Talk – A Voice for the North Atlantic, expected to<br />
come out in the next year, featuring Dr. Earle as the film showcases<br />
Hope Spot Hatteras.<br />
Passing the torch<br />
Monteleone teaches a course on Plastic <strong>Mar</strong>ine Debris Field Studies<br />
at UNCW and manages a lab working with student Directed<br />
Independent Studies research, collaborating on projects ranging<br />
from fieldwork collecting beach samples to lab analysis looking at<br />
plastic leachates, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) uptakes, and<br />
plastic ingestion by marine organisms.<br />
For students looking for meaningful careers and job stability,<br />
Monteleone hopes to encourage more young people to get involved.<br />
PHOTO PLASTIC OCEAN PROJECT<br />
58 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
(clockwise from above) Cigarettes are of the most commonly found waste in the ocean and on beaches. Photo by Brian Yurasits; The traveling art<br />
exhibit in Rochester, NY; An intern analyzing samples<br />
PHOTOS PLASTIC OCEAN PROJECT<br />
“My vision is that I will hand this on to them to continue doing<br />
[Plastic Ocean Project's] work,” she says. “The future looks bright<br />
for anyone that cares about the environment. More corporations<br />
are having to operate more sustainability, driven by the demands<br />
of the public as they become more aware.”<br />
Examples of their work include recently published research<br />
analyzing microplastics found across large river basins in North<br />
Carolina in partnership with NC State University, UNCW, and<br />
Sound Rivers, Inc.<br />
“We helped with the smoking ban on Wrightsville Beach<br />
and have data that support it's had a positive impact,” says<br />
Monteleone, referencing that cigarettes are the most common<br />
litter found on the beach.<br />
Their team is also studying how to make improvements in human<br />
and ecosystem health through microplastic reduction found in<br />
freshwater, testing samples from watersheds throughout the state.<br />
Lab for hire<br />
Plastic Ocean Project has the unique capability to independently<br />
test samples for individuals, businesses, universities, or other<br />
nonprofits. One example Monteleone points to is an individual<br />
from Florida who wanted to test the pine straw used at a nearby<br />
development. After confirming that the material was made of<br />
polypropylene, they were able to alert the HOA and the company<br />
behind the product of its potential harm during hurricanes that<br />
wipe the materials into the ocean.<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 59
(clockwise from above) The full-length documentary is expected to<br />
premiere by the end of the year; Another art piece, featuring a turtle<br />
made from retrieved plastics; Plastic Ocean Project holds an annual<br />
Trash’n Fash’n Show, where designers of all ages show off styles made<br />
from repurposed materials.<br />
They've also tested bottles that claim to be BPA-free,<br />
many of which are found to either have BPA or contain other<br />
toxic chemicals.<br />
Storytelling<br />
An unusual but effective approach to raising awareness,<br />
Monteleone employs her art background, taking her traveling<br />
art exhibit around the country featuring a 25-foot canvas that<br />
represents each of the five ocean gyres. It’s entitled “What Goes<br />
AroundComes Around,” because she says, “The plastics that<br />
we're finding out in the middle of the ocean that are breaking up<br />
into small fragments are ending up in our fish that we eat and<br />
they're also washing back up on our beaches.”<br />
Of some of the plastic she's retrieved from her expeditions,<br />
she’s used to create large sculptures like a giant wave. Beautiful<br />
as it may be, it’s an ugly reminder of our reliance on single-use<br />
plastics. It's also a way to reach more people and new venues,<br />
encouraging a discussion around small behavioral changes that<br />
can have a significant impact like bringing your own cups to<br />
coffee shops, using your own bottles for cold fluids, and bringing<br />
your own bags to grocery stores.<br />
Get fancy<br />
Want to do more? Plastic Ocean Project hosts local volunteer<br />
events and has its third annual “For the Ocean Gala” coming up<br />
this May (tickets available on their website).<br />
“We try to incorporate some fun with the heaviness of the work<br />
we do,” says Monteleone.<br />
The “coastal cocktail” attire encourages attendees to show<br />
off their best threads in the colors of the ocean. There will be<br />
both a live and silent auction, music, and storytelling as the<br />
organization celebrates some of its successes from 2023.<br />
“We should be proud,” she says. “This nonprofit grew right here<br />
in <strong>Wilmington</strong> because the locals believed in us and understood<br />
that this is important work. So, it's a great way to celebrate those<br />
that have brought us into existence.”<br />
W<br />
PHOTO PLASTIC OCEAN PROJECT<br />
60 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
PHOTO CHINH LE DUC<br />
“A great whale on average captures about nine<br />
tons of carbon on its body. That is equivalent<br />
to about 33 tons of carbon dioxide that’s being<br />
kept out of the atmosphere. That’s roughly the<br />
work of about 1,500 trees. Moreover, the fecal<br />
plumes of these great whales help to fertilize<br />
the phytoplankton…. the phytoplankton<br />
captures about 33 gigatons of carbon dioxide<br />
from the atmosphere per year. That’s roughly<br />
the work of about four Amazon forests per<br />
year. So, when you add up how much a whale<br />
captures directly on its body and indirectly<br />
through its fertilization of the phytoplankton<br />
you come up with a number that one whale<br />
is equivalent to thousands of trees per year.<br />
That amount of carbon dioxide that’s being<br />
sequestered by the whales is worth about $3<br />
million per whale and that amount of money<br />
can be used to keep both the oceans and the<br />
whales safe.” - Ralph Chami, an economist<br />
featured in 356<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 61
The Riverlights home is<br />
based on the Oak Hill plan,<br />
a layout based on Charter<br />
Building Group's home<br />
that was crowned the 2022<br />
HGTV Smart Home.<br />
62 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Living the Life<br />
on Botany Bay<br />
Creating an inspired new home in the<br />
Riverlights community<br />
By BRITTANY CONLEY » Photos by G. FRANK HART<br />
WHILE THE NAME<br />
may be misleading<br />
for those unfamiliar,<br />
living along the Cape<br />
Fear River is nothing<br />
short of splendid. The impressive array<br />
of recreational opportunities makes<br />
it a great place for anyone who craves<br />
adventure; the bountiful wildlife and<br />
impeccable views make it a veritable<br />
playground for nature lovers. For those<br />
who want to capture all Cape Fear River<br />
has to offer, there's no finer place to call<br />
home than a community right on its<br />
picturesque marshy banks—and there's<br />
no community quite like Riverlights.<br />
Situated just outside <strong>Wilmington</strong>'s<br />
historic downtown, Riverlights is a jewel<br />
that for over six years has been refining<br />
the idea of what a social community<br />
can be. Residents don't have to venture<br />
far to find anything they may want or<br />
need—with the <strong>Mar</strong>ina Village just a<br />
stone's throw away that offers everything<br />
from nibbles to a challenging indoor<br />
golfing experience.<br />
“Living in Riverlights is like being on<br />
vacation,” says Holly Perez, a real estate<br />
broker and blissfully happy resident of<br />
the community. So happy, in fact, that<br />
when the Perez family had outgrown their<br />
original home in Riverlights and they<br />
knew they were ready to build something<br />
new, they couldn't fathom leaving the<br />
community they had come to love.<br />
“We wanted more entertaining space<br />
and a house to make our forever home,”<br />
says Perez. “We knew we wanted to build<br />
a new home but could not imagine leaving<br />
the neighborhood.” The first step was<br />
choosing the dream property. Riverlights<br />
hosts many model homes designed by a<br />
handful of builder partners for prospective<br />
residents, and it didn't take too long for<br />
the Perez family to find what their hearts<br />
had been longing for.<br />
That is when the two Hollys met.<br />
Holly Overton, Vice President and Sales<br />
Manager for Charter Building Group, had<br />
the distinct pleasure of introducing the<br />
Perez family to the Oak Hill plan—a plan<br />
based on Charter Building Group's home<br />
that was crowned the 2022 HGTV Smart<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 63
Perez describes her style as<br />
earthy and eclectic.<br />
Home, a design the experts at HGTV.com<br />
called “stunning” and a “grand waterside<br />
escape.” This is undoubtedly a point of<br />
tremendous pride for Charter Building<br />
Group. “[The home] caught their eye and<br />
[Holly] knew she could really put her<br />
touch on this plan,” says Overton.<br />
Choosing the home's plan was only the<br />
beginning, as they needed a property<br />
on which to build. Ms. Overton and her<br />
team had one in mind, a unique slice of<br />
serenity on Botany Bay, enveloped with<br />
lush greenery and the perfect spot for<br />
sunsets over Cape Fear River. “We knew<br />
it would have a wow factor with the right<br />
home and orientation. [The Perez family]<br />
was instantly attracted to the Botany Bay<br />
property and shared our vision for creating<br />
something special,” says Overton.<br />
Something special is one way to describe<br />
the Perez family's home on Botany Bay, but<br />
most may agree to take it a step further<br />
and call it something extraordinary.<br />
“We looked at several layouts, but when<br />
Ms. Overton presented the Oak Hill plan,<br />
we knew it was the one. We were able to<br />
make a few minor adjustments to tailor it<br />
to our needs and style,” says Perez.<br />
As soon as it set in that her dream home<br />
was going to become a reality, Perez decided<br />
to take to Instagram to immortalize the<br />
process. “Before we began construction, I<br />
started @LifeOnBotanyBay to document<br />
our building journey. I have enjoyed seeing<br />
the progress and sharing our experiences,”<br />
says Perez. Hundreds of people have been<br />
tuning in to gain inspiration, watch the<br />
room transformations and, frankly, catch<br />
the amusing antics that often pop up with<br />
any large project.<br />
The home is definitely Instagramworthy.<br />
Every corner of the property<br />
and every nook and cranny of the home<br />
epitomizes relaxed luxury. The allure of<br />
the property's natural beauty could have<br />
been diminished by the wrong choices for<br />
the home's exterior. But between Perez's<br />
keen eye and the talented team at Charter<br />
Building Group, every decision was made<br />
thoughtfully to ensure the home and its<br />
surroundings worked together instead<br />
of competing.<br />
A dog room was created<br />
under the staircase for<br />
Perez’s two dogs.<br />
“My design style is earthy and eclectic.<br />
I wanted to create a warm, inviting home<br />
full of character. For the exterior, we<br />
chose salt finish patios, tabby concrete,<br />
gas lanterns, and copper accents, which<br />
add charm and texture,” says Perez.<br />
The home's semi-wrap-around porch<br />
64 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
In the kitchen, details include<br />
brass hardware, handpicked<br />
marble countertops, and<br />
hidden appliances.<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 65
Pivoting from the quintessential beachy color scheme commonly used along the coast, Perez opted for neutrals and bright whites. Colors of the<br />
region pop from the home’s large windows and oversized sliding glass door.<br />
provides the perfect place for a morning<br />
cup of coffee, while the upstairs covered<br />
balcony is the perfect spot for a glass of<br />
wine as the sun dips below the tranquil<br />
waters of Cape Fear River in the distance.<br />
Even the garage hints at luxury, with the<br />
addition of a dedicated golf cart storage<br />
so the family can properly house their<br />
preferred means of cruising around to<br />
the many shopping and entertainment<br />
opportunities within Riverlights.<br />
Another thing that sets the Perez home<br />
apart from other coastal-area homes, is<br />
the color palette.<br />
“The exterior and grounds are so<br />
beautiful you don't need a lot of color<br />
inside. Ms. Perez recognized that and<br />
kept it very neutral,” says Overton, who<br />
noted the Perez family pivoted away<br />
from the quintessential beachy color<br />
scheme one might have expected. “We<br />
joked and asked what color is this going<br />
to be? Holly would laugh, and she would<br />
say it's not going to be a color, it is going<br />
to be neutral.” Bright whites throughout<br />
the home act as a canvas for all the blues<br />
and greens captured in the home's large<br />
66 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
As Perez embarked on<br />
creating her dream home, she<br />
documented the journey for<br />
others to follow on Instagram<br />
(@LifeOnBotanyBay).<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 67
The exterior includes<br />
salt finish patios, tabby<br />
concrete, gas lanterns, and<br />
copper accents.<br />
windows and oversized sliding glass door,<br />
while arches throughout and an all-black<br />
office area provide plenty of drama while<br />
remaining neutral.<br />
There's also no shortage of personal<br />
touches throughout the home, especially<br />
in the kitchen. No detail was spared, from<br />
the brass hardware to the handpicked<br />
marble countertops. Notably, though,<br />
hidden appliances were a must for Perez.<br />
“This was one feature we knew we<br />
wanted in our new home. I love the clean<br />
look paneled appliances offer,” Perez<br />
says, emphatically stating she couldn't be<br />
happier with how the project turned out.<br />
But the home's personality hardly<br />
ends there. The Perez family wouldn't<br />
dream of leaving out their precious<br />
four-legged babies.<br />
“One of my favorite spaces in the<br />
house is the dog room. They of course<br />
had to have an arch too,” says Perez on<br />
her Instagram. A lavish little apartment<br />
for the family's beloved Yorkshire<br />
terrier, Arthur, and their miniature<br />
schnauzer, Old Man, can be found<br />
under the staircase—and of course, the<br />
pups occasionally make adorable guest<br />
appearances in her popular posts.<br />
It's impossible to follow Perez's online<br />
journey in perfecting this already<br />
exquisite home without longing for<br />
something similar. If you are thinking of<br />
joining the happy residents of Riverlights<br />
in living like you're always on vacation,<br />
there is no better time to start making<br />
dreams happen than right now. The<br />
waterfront properties in Riverlights are a<br />
hidden gem; the sunsets are mesmerizing.<br />
To learn more about river-view and<br />
lake-view lot opportunities, you are<br />
invited to visit Charter Building Group's<br />
Decorated Model Home in Riverlights<br />
located at 1001 Trisail Terrace. See the<br />
bountiful amenities Riverlights has to<br />
offer by visiting RiverlightsLiving.com. To<br />
follow along as Perez creates the home of<br />
her family's dreams, you can follow her on<br />
Instagram @LifeOnBotanyBay. W<br />
68 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Botany Bay is enveloped<br />
with lush greenery and the<br />
perfect spot for sunsets<br />
over Cape Fear River.<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 69
Saving Lives<br />
From a Saddle<br />
The Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program<br />
celebrates 25 years of giving back<br />
By JADE NEPTUNE » Photos by VIRGINIA GATES PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
CTRP provides various<br />
therapeutic riding services<br />
for individuals with<br />
special needs, including<br />
riders on a spectrum of all<br />
needs and abilities.<br />
70 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
AS THE SUN DIPPED BELOW THE TREES AND A SLIGHT CHILL CREPT BACK INTO THE AIR ON<br />
an afternoon in early spring, nearly every parking spot at Russell’s Reach Farm was full. Riders of all ages and<br />
abilities rolled into the sandy driveway, calling out, “Hi, Ms. Kim!” when they saw the executive director sitting in an<br />
old rocking chair on the porch. One rider stuck out from the rest – a small girl younger than the age of 10, a helmet<br />
strapped on her head and a pair of pink glasses resting on the bridge of her nose. She walked quietly through the barn<br />
with a speech tablet clutched in her grip, getting ready for her speech therapy session with her favorite horse, Joker.<br />
When she reached him, she lifted her small hand to his nose, letting him nuzzle her gently as she leaned her face<br />
against his, and whispered hello. This is the magic of the Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program (CTRP).<br />
What is the Coastal Therapeutic<br />
Riding Program?<br />
CTRP provides a multitude of therapeutic riding services for<br />
individuals with special needs, including riders on a spectrum of<br />
all needs and abilities. For some, they take part in therapeutic<br />
riding, which consists of equine-assisted activities like games<br />
and puzzles on horseback, while others participate in speech and<br />
occupational therapies that have more traditional components that<br />
you may see in a clinical setting (such as the use of a speech device)<br />
while on horseback. For Executive Director Kim Niggel, a lifelong<br />
equestrian and a career play therapist, a kind of therapy that<br />
supports developmental needs for young clients through games<br />
and activities was a natural transition. Over ten years later, she’s<br />
seen the program go through monumental changes.<br />
“It was just a couple people who threw it together and now we<br />
have 10 horses and 23 acres,” she says, gesturing towards the new<br />
covered arena on the property that she recently purchased with<br />
her husband so that the program will have a permanent place to<br />
call home. “There's just such a huge need for adapted activities for<br />
people who have special needs because there's not much for them<br />
to do once they age out of school.”<br />
Even as the need and availability for programs like CTRP<br />
continues to grow, being able to provide them is complicated and<br />
increasingly challenging. Professionals seeking to get certified<br />
to provide services must complete a set of field-tested standards<br />
to ensure the highest levels of safety, ethics and effectiveness in<br />
the industry through PATH International. That program also<br />
requires candidates to complete relevant education and pass both<br />
written and practical exams before earning certification to deliver<br />
equine-assisted services.<br />
“Our clients don't have to have any particular diagnosis,” says<br />
Niggel. “We have a lot of kids that don't even have medical issues,<br />
Executive Director<br />
Kim Niggel (middle)<br />
and staff<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 71
ut they need a more nurturing environment. Maybe they have<br />
attention deficit disorder or something like that and they need a<br />
very structured approach that is kind, forgiving and nurturing.”<br />
Why Equine Therapy?<br />
According to the National Institute of Health, “hippotherapy<br />
is a physical, occupational, and speech therapy that utilizes the<br />
natural gait and movement of a horse to provide motor, and sensory<br />
input. It is based on improvement of neurologic functions, and<br />
sensory processes, and used for patients with physical, and mental<br />
disorders.” One of the most impactful advantages of hippotherapy<br />
is the close resemblance between the gait of a horse and a human,<br />
especially when doing occupational therapy.<br />
“When they're on the horse, they're getting the same movement,<br />
so it kicks into their brain like, ‘okay, this foot and then that foot.’<br />
It helps build that skill and teaches the muscles, ‘this is how we<br />
move, this is what it feels like,’” explains Niggel as she watches<br />
over a speech therapy session taking place under the covered<br />
arena. “I think a lot of it is the movement and the actual animal<br />
itself has their own sort of sentient pulses. They just have their<br />
own character and their own personality. I think it envelops the<br />
child and then they meld together. It’s very magical.”<br />
For clients in speech and occupational therapy, they split their<br />
session between time on the horse, practicing specific goal-based<br />
skills, and then transition into the office setting where they will<br />
reinforce what they learned on the horse. Some of the activities<br />
they focus on come naturally from the environment around them,<br />
like encouraging the client to give the horse verbal commands like<br />
“walk on” or listing what kind of animals might live in a pond or<br />
on a farm as they have a guided walk around the area.<br />
They have done similar activities like playing basketball on<br />
horseback, “planning” Super Bowl parties, and for the holidays<br />
they made makeshift Christmas trees on the tops of poles around<br />
the arena and decorated them while on their horses.<br />
For some kids though, this is out of the realm of possibility due<br />
to various medical conditions and disabilities. Still, Niggel and her<br />
team can find a place for them on the farm.<br />
“We've got a little kid who has been doing therapeutic riding.<br />
He's severely, severely disabled. Wheelchair, nonverbal, feeding<br />
tube, all the things. And he rides a horse,” says Niggel. “For a long<br />
time, he was laying down because he couldn't sit up. And he can't<br />
sit or spread his legs to sit astride the horse. So we had him laying<br />
down for a long time. And then he finally had enough strength that<br />
he could sit up. It's amazing.”<br />
Some riders take part<br />
in equine-assisted<br />
activities like games and<br />
puzzles on horseback.<br />
How do you measure progress in<br />
equine therapy?<br />
It’s not only clients with special needs and disabilities that benefit<br />
from services at CTRP. One of the longest running programs on<br />
the farm is one that partners with the local sheriff's office to aid<br />
at-risk youth.<br />
“You see these kids come in and they're all tough and gruff and<br />
rude and they're intimidated by the horse,” says Niggel. “They're<br />
intimidated and then they see this little bitty kid with Down’s<br />
Syndrome or something just get up on that huge animal and<br />
they're not scared and it's like ‘huh, well they're not scared.’ Then<br />
they start helping the child… and they realize they can help them,<br />
72 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 73
Some of the activities<br />
come naturally from the<br />
environment around them,<br />
like encouraging the client<br />
to give the horse verbal<br />
commands or taking<br />
notice of other elements at<br />
the property.<br />
do something good, and it feels nice to help somebody.”<br />
Created almost twenty years ago, the Elements Youth Violence<br />
Intervention Program is conducted through the New Hanover<br />
County Sheriff’s Department as a task force designed to combine<br />
education, prevention, intervention and diversion strategies to<br />
address youth violence.<br />
“The kids realized there was more to the world than that little<br />
pocket of life that they were exposed to, and with the animals they<br />
would come out and do chores and help with projects,” says Niggel.<br />
“They're here one day a week and they bring the kids out, so it's<br />
different kids every week, but it's just amazing. They just needed<br />
to be given the chance to do good, and then once they've done it and<br />
they realize how good it feels, it's just like anything else.”<br />
How can you get involved?<br />
CTRP thrives on volunteers and financial support. This spring,<br />
there will be the annual auction and party for the Kentucky<br />
Derby which is a fun and exciting opportunity to connect with<br />
the community and support CTRP simultaneously. Additionally,<br />
there are opportunities to volunteer regularly on the farm<br />
or even to join the Board of Directors. For more information,<br />
contact volunteerwithctrp@gmail.com.<br />
Measuring the impact and benefits of equine therapy can be<br />
difficult to describe and changes from client to client. Like many<br />
things, it is best understood when seen with your own eyes, boots<br />
in the stirrups and the smell of hay tickling your nose. But at<br />
CTRP, they have no shortage of examples to show the good they’ve<br />
done and inspired others to do.<br />
In an office at the farm, there is a small wooden box sitting<br />
on a bookshelf. It is an urn, holding the ashes of a passed horse<br />
that spent most of its life riding at CTRP, where it was adored by<br />
countless riders. On the box, the inscription says it best. It reads,<br />
“Billy, Thank you for the lives you’ve saved.” W<br />
74 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
dining review<br />
libations in the kitchen restaurant guide<br />
Sodapop<br />
District<br />
The first cocktail and coffee<br />
bar of its kind<br />
See page 78<br />
PHOTO MATT RAY<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 75
Ruth's Chris<br />
Celebrating 15 years in <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
By JUDY ROYAL » Photos by G. FRANK HART<br />
244 N. Water Street<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
910.343.1818<br />
ruthschris.com/wilmington<br />
WHETHER IT'S A<br />
special celebration or<br />
just a regular evening,<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>'s Ruth's Chris<br />
Steak House promises to offer something<br />
to fit a variety of occasions and budgets.<br />
“Not only is it the fine-dining experience<br />
you've come to expect from Ruth's Chris,<br />
but we do have tiers in between that<br />
everyone can enjoy, whether you're looking<br />
to spend $20, $50, or $100,” says General<br />
Manager Kyle Falabella.<br />
The restaurant's Sizzle, Swizzle, &<br />
Swirl menu, available in the bar and<br />
patio areas Sunday through Friday from<br />
4-7 p.m., offers discounted food items,<br />
including a full burger meal for $15 and<br />
a Chicken Caesar Salad with house-made<br />
dressing and croutons for $13. There's<br />
also the popular Steak Sandwich, which<br />
features sliced tenderloin, and several<br />
full-size appetizers – all of which you can<br />
pair with a $4 domestic beer as well as an<br />
extensive lineup of wine, mixed drinks,<br />
and hand-crafted cocktails.<br />
Of course, the Ruth's Chris regular<br />
menu is available seven nights per week<br />
in all parts of the restaurant and has the<br />
steaks, chops, chicken, seafood, and sides<br />
for which the established brand is known.<br />
There is also a Ruth's Classics prix fixe<br />
special menu that includes a soup or<br />
salad, entrée, personal side, and dessert<br />
for $54.95 or $59.95, depending on the<br />
entrée you choose. In addition, there are<br />
plenty of options for those with specialty<br />
diets such as gluten-friendly, keto, and<br />
pescatarian/vegetarian.<br />
Wine is also a focal point of the<br />
experience at Ruth's Chris, which has<br />
Level 3 Sommelier Mike Summerlin on<br />
staff. He is working toward his Master<br />
Sommelier certification, an achievement<br />
held by only 273 people worldwide. All staff<br />
The Large Seafood<br />
Tower includes two<br />
Maine lobsters, twelve<br />
ounces of king crab legs,<br />
eight jumbo shrimp and<br />
four ounces of colossal<br />
lump crab meat.<br />
members, however, are knowledgeable<br />
about wine and can help guests choose the<br />
perfect glass or bottle. Be sure to check<br />
out the Wine & Spirit Dinner series lineup<br />
with events planned monthly through<br />
November. The schedule is available<br />
on the restaurant's Facebook and<br />
Instagram pages.<br />
If you're planning to host an event such<br />
as a birthday party, rehearsal dinner, or<br />
business meeting, Ruth's Chris has plenty<br />
of options. There are private dining spaces<br />
that can accommodate groups from 12 to<br />
50 in the interior Regatta Room and up<br />
to 70 in the outdoor pergola, Cape Fear<br />
Terrace. Breakfast and lunch meetings<br />
outside of the restaurant's regular business<br />
hours may also be arranged. (There are no<br />
room rental fees but various food/beverage<br />
minimums, depending on the space).<br />
76 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
(clockwise from above) The front entrance<br />
showcases temperature controlled wine walls<br />
containing over 150 different bottles of wine;<br />
A Raspberry Rosemary Cosmo being served<br />
at the bar; Serving up a 22-ounce USDA<br />
Prime Cowboy Ribeye; R Burger paired with<br />
a Cutting Edge <strong>Mar</strong>tini with an edible vanilla<br />
infused bubble; 11-ounce Filet served on a<br />
signature 500-degree sizzling hot plate.<br />
In addition, Ruth's Chris offers off-site<br />
catering as a preferred vendor at many<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong> event venues and can even<br />
come to your home or office with an array of<br />
menu options, including the signature chefcarved<br />
tenderloin. Stephanie Birkmeyer,<br />
the Executive Catering Sales and Private<br />
Dining Manager handling the North<br />
Carolina region, is available to assist with<br />
making your event memorable.<br />
Craving some Ruth's Chris but don't feel<br />
like leaving your car? The restaurant's<br />
curbside service allows you to place your<br />
order online or through DoorDash, find<br />
the valet area on the third floor of the<br />
parking garage, and wait while your food<br />
is brought out to you.<br />
Ruth's Chris has been a staple of<br />
downtown <strong>Wilmington</strong> since 2009, when<br />
it opened in the former Hilton <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
restaurant moved in January 2022 to<br />
its current location at River Place and<br />
boasts over 7,000 square feet for inside<br />
dining and a large outdoor space that<br />
includes firepits and a temperaturecontrolled<br />
pergola, allowing sweeping<br />
views of the Cape Fear River with frontrow<br />
seating for nightly sunsets and<br />
July Fourth fireworks. Parking for up<br />
to three hours is free, and valet service<br />
is available.<br />
Steve de Castro owns the <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
Ruth's Chris, along with eight other<br />
locations, including three in the Triangle<br />
area. He currently lives in <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
and has been with the company since<br />
1985, even working directly with Founder<br />
Ruth Fertel, who risked her life savings in<br />
1965 by buying a small steak restaurant<br />
in New Orleans and building a brand<br />
1,800-degree broiler.<br />
Falabella says the <strong>Wilmington</strong> location<br />
prides itself on being part of the community,<br />
right down to the nautical elements and<br />
local artwork that can be found decorating<br />
the restaurant. Ruth's Chris stands out<br />
because of its impeccable customer service<br />
bolstered by an extensive training process<br />
and other special touches, he adds.<br />
“Every server and bartender is trained<br />
to make our Bananas Foster tableside,”<br />
says Falabella. “You get a show with it.”<br />
The camaraderie between team members<br />
translates into a pleasant environment<br />
that only heightens the guest experience,<br />
says Birkmeyer.<br />
“Our staff is like family,” she says. “A lot<br />
of people have been here for a long time.<br />
We really enjoy working here and working<br />
together. We're a happy staff, and we're<br />
Riverside, now Hotel Ballast. The famous for steaks cooked in a proprietary like family.” W<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 77
libations<br />
Shown with images of himself<br />
on the walls is <strong>Wilmington</strong> local<br />
Thurman Burgess.<br />
For the Record,<br />
This New Bar Is a Hit<br />
The Ibis hi-fi cocktail bar and coffee shop pairs beverages with vinyl<br />
By JOE JANCSURAK » Photos by MATT RAY PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
THE PORT CITY HAS ITS<br />
share of bars and coffee<br />
houses, but only one blends<br />
both worlds along with a third:<br />
a high-fidelity (hi-fi) sound<br />
system featuring vinyl records. With vinyl<br />
sales now outpacing CD sales, it stands to<br />
reason that there would be venues spinning<br />
LPs – and there are. They can be found in<br />
cities like Brooklyn, Denver, Los Angeles,<br />
Miami, Oakland, and now <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
thanks to business partners Abbye McGee<br />
(48) and Matt Ray (44), who first met at<br />
church decades ago as youths.<br />
Just six months after the <strong>Apr</strong>il 2022<br />
opening of the duo’s first venue, the<br />
Starling Whiskey and Wine Bar in the<br />
Cargo District, McGee and Ray began<br />
discussing possibilities for a second venue<br />
and eventually landing on listening bars,<br />
known as kissas in Japan, where the trend<br />
took hold in the 1960s and 1970s.<br />
“There, you can listen to albums and<br />
sip tea,” says Ray, who also works as a<br />
food-and-beverage photographer. “Here,<br />
you can listen and sip coffee drinks and<br />
craft cocktails. The Ibis (which opened in<br />
December in the Bottle Works Building on<br />
Princess Street) is a first for <strong>Wilmington</strong>;<br />
something it has never seen before.”<br />
78 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Inside The Ibis, where<br />
the vibe is “like a big<br />
hug,” says Abbye<br />
McGee, co-owner.<br />
The Ibis experience begins with the<br />
welcoming stay-a-while vibe. “It’s like a<br />
big hug,” says McGee, who also owns Salt<br />
and Charm personal chef and catering<br />
service. “Intentional and soothing” is<br />
how McGee describe the space, with its<br />
leather couches, upholstered seating, dark<br />
sapele wood bar with its wavy grain, and<br />
black walls featuring an extensive bird<br />
mural by local artist Lauren George and<br />
hand-painted black-and-white images by<br />
local artist Jenna McKnight. The images<br />
originated with photos by Ray of Thurman<br />
Burgess, an eightysomething African<br />
American local who “radiates joy and hope<br />
wherever he goes,” says Ray.<br />
“We want people to hang out without<br />
feeling rushed, carry a conversation<br />
without having to yell across the table<br />
and listen to some good music, courtesy<br />
Making sure that the<br />
music keeps playing is<br />
DJ RizzyBeats.<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 79
libations<br />
Artist Lauren George<br />
shown painting the<br />
mural inside The Ibis.<br />
Shown in front of the Bottle Works building, where The Ibis opened last December, are (left<br />
to right) Matt Ray and Abbye McGee, co-owners; Danny Clayton, bartender; Echo Standing,<br />
production batch products; Rebekah Frazier, head bartender; Matt Keen, owner of Gravity<br />
Records and Kaley Shirley, beverage director.<br />
of Gravity Records, which oversaw<br />
installation of the sound system and<br />
curates the records spun by <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
DJ RizzyBeats,” he adds.<br />
Customers – who range from Gen Zers<br />
and Millennials to Gen Xers and Boomers<br />
– can also enjoy food options from Salt<br />
and Charm, True Blue Butcher and<br />
Baker, and Pie Slayer as well as a variety<br />
of coffees roasted by Casablanca Coffee<br />
Roasters and a bevy of craft cocktails<br />
with intriguing names such as The James<br />
Taylor, Soul Makossa and Dancing On My<br />
Own, as well as a selection of mocktails.<br />
While McGee and Ray oversee the<br />
business, food and beverage options are<br />
pretty much left to the 12-person Ibis<br />
team, including Justin Sturges, head<br />
bartender; Adam McGee, coffee manager;<br />
and Kaley Shirley, beverage director at<br />
both The Ibis and Starling, where a fourperson<br />
team includes Rebekah Frazier as<br />
head bartender.<br />
While owner McGee says every night at<br />
The Ibis is a special event because of the<br />
vinyl factor and live DJ, themed music<br />
events such as the recent Renaissance night<br />
celebrating Beyonce’s milestone album help<br />
to further distinguish the venue.<br />
As for further expansion plans, McGee and<br />
Ray agree that for now they will concentrate<br />
on providing <strong>Wilmington</strong>ians with a unique<br />
experience that exceeds expectations.<br />
“We need to take a minute breather,”<br />
says McGee, “but I’m already feeling that<br />
itch to start something else.”<br />
“I echo those sentiments,” adds Ray.<br />
Stay tuned. W<br />
What’s In a Name?<br />
The Ibis hi-fi cocktail bar and<br />
coffee shop derives its name from<br />
the long-legged coastal wading<br />
birds, recognized as one of the last<br />
wildlife species to leave and take<br />
shelter before a hurricane arrives.<br />
They’re also one of the first to come<br />
back because they can sense when<br />
it’s safe to return. “They symbolize<br />
perseverance and with our opening<br />
of The Ibis following the pandemic,<br />
the name seemed appropriate,” says<br />
Matt Ray, co-owner.<br />
Ray and business partner Abbye<br />
McGee also own The Starling<br />
whiskey and wine bar on Queen<br />
Street, named for the mediumsized<br />
perching bird. “Fun fact,” says<br />
McGee, “these birds often get tipsy<br />
from imbibing fermented fruit.”<br />
Cheers!<br />
LOGO DESIGN BY LAUREN GEORGE WITH NOUVEAU CREATIVE<br />
80 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Thanks for Voting us<br />
Best Sunday Brunch!<br />
DINNER,<br />
SATURDAY LUNCH<br />
& SUNDAY BRUNCH<br />
Open daily at 3pm and we<br />
serve Sunday Brunch<br />
from 9am-1pm.<br />
Serving fresh seafood,<br />
scratch-made pastas and<br />
hand-cut steaks with indoor<br />
and outdoor dining options.<br />
1 N. Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach | 910-458-2822 | havanasrestaurant.com<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 81
Fresh Spring Delights<br />
Photos and Recipes by KATILIN GOODING<br />
AS THE WEATHER STARTS TO WARM UP, WE BEGIN LOOKING TO THOSE<br />
bright spring vegetables and fruits for new recipe inspiration. Although spring temperatures<br />
can bring some hot days, don’t let it deter you from trying this delicious beet soup. Make<br />
the spring salad for a light side or pair it with the seared salmon for a show-stopping main<br />
dish. Toss the salad with the Dijon dressing for a salad you won’t be able to resist. And these<br />
protein balls will upstage any candy tempting you this Easter and will leave you feeling full<br />
longer. Cool off one afternoon in the shade with this fresh strawberry banana smoothie or<br />
start your day off right and enjoy one for breakfast.<br />
82 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Beet Soup<br />
Servings: 2-3<br />
Ingredients:<br />
• 2 russet potatoes (peeled, diced)<br />
• 2 small beets (peeled, dliced)<br />
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice<br />
• 1 tsp sugar<br />
• 2 tbsp butter<br />
• 1/2 onion (minced)<br />
• 1 garlic clove<br />
• 2 cups chicken broth<br />
• 1/2 cup heavy cream<br />
• Salt & pepper<br />
• Chopped fresh dill to garnish<br />
• Radish, thinly sliced to garnish<br />
Directions:<br />
1. Preheat oven. Add potatoes and beets to a bowl and toss in olive<br />
oil. Add the vegetables to a rimmed baking sheet, season with<br />
salt & pepper. Roast in the oven until beets and potatoes are<br />
tender, about 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven.<br />
2. Add a large saucepan to your stove and cook the onions,<br />
potatoes, garlic, sugar, and beets in the butter and cook for 5<br />
minutes. Add the broth, salt & pepper (as desired), let simmer<br />
for 15 minutes. Transfer to a blender and mix until smooth.<br />
3. Pour the soup back into the saucepan and mix in the cream and<br />
lemon juice. Continue stirring the soup until warmed though.<br />
Pour into your bowls and garnish with dill.<br />
Arugula Spring Salad<br />
Servings: 2<br />
Ingredients:<br />
• 2 cups spinach<br />
• 2 cups arugula<br />
• 1 cup fennel (thinly sliced)<br />
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds<br />
• 1-2 thinly sliced radishes<br />
• 1/2 cup Parmesan (grated)<br />
• Salt/ Pepper (as desired)<br />
Directions:<br />
1. Mix spinach and arugula together and create a bed of greens<br />
on the plates.<br />
2. Thinly slice the radish and fennel and add to the plated greens.<br />
3. Add the pumpkin seeds and fresh grated cheese on top. Add<br />
the delicious Dijon vinaigrette (see below) or dressing of choice.<br />
Season with salt & pepper. Add the seared salmon for a more<br />
substantial meal.<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 83
Dijon Dressing<br />
Ingredients:<br />
• Pinch of kosher salt<br />
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil<br />
• 1 tbsp honey<br />
• 1 garlic clove (minced)<br />
• 1/2 tbsp shallot (minced)<br />
• 1/2 tsp Dijon<br />
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice<br />
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar<br />
Directions:<br />
1. Add all ingredients to a blender to blend<br />
smooth. If you don’t have one available,<br />
add ingredients to a mason jar and<br />
shake until dressing is well mixed.<br />
2. Put it in the refrigerator in an airtight<br />
container and use up to a week. Shake<br />
before using.<br />
Simple Seared<br />
Salmon<br />
Servings: 2<br />
Ingredients:<br />
• 2 salmon filets<br />
• 2 tbsp olive oil<br />
• Salt & pepper to season<br />
• Cast Iron Skillet<br />
Directions:<br />
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F<br />
2. Add skillet to stove top and pour olive<br />
oil in. Heat the skillet to medium or<br />
medium/high.<br />
3. Season your salmon with salt and<br />
pepper. Once the oil is warmed through,<br />
add your salmon flesh side down and<br />
cook for 5-6 minutes or until it has a<br />
brown crisp layer.<br />
4. Flip the salmon skin side down and cook<br />
in the oven for 5-6 minutes or until it is<br />
cooked all the way through. Be careful<br />
not to overcook.<br />
5. Add on top of our arugula spring salad<br />
for a delicious dinner.<br />
84 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 85
Protein Ball Snack<br />
Ingredients:<br />
• 1/4 cup coconut flakes (unsweetened)<br />
• 1 tsp cinnamon<br />
• 1/2 tsp vanilla<br />
• 1/2 cup water<br />
• 1.5 cups almonds<br />
• 1/4 cup flax meal<br />
• 1 serving vanilla protein (of choice) *optional<br />
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips<br />
Directions:<br />
1. Add all ingredients into a high-powered blender and mix until it has formed<br />
a dough like consistency.<br />
2. Remove the dough from the blender and add the chocolate chips, mixing it<br />
all in.<br />
3. Roll the dough into one-inch balls.<br />
4. You can eat right away or refrigerate in an airtight container and enjoy<br />
throughout the week.<br />
86 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Strawberry - Banana Smoothie<br />
Servings: 2<br />
Ingredients:<br />
• 1 banana (can use fresh or frozen)<br />
• 2 cups strawberries (can use frozen or fresh)<br />
• 1 cup milk (can substitute nondairy or water)<br />
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />
• 1/2 cup ice (if not using frozen fruit)<br />
• 1 tbsp pean butter (can substitute almond butter or other alternative)<br />
Directions:<br />
1. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend<br />
until smooth.<br />
2. Pour into a cup and enjoy.<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 87
Ruth’s Chris<br />
Steak House<br />
Ready to Eat?<br />
Use our restaurant listings to find the best<br />
eating and drinking in <strong>Wilmington</strong>.<br />
AMERICAN<br />
Blue Surf Café 250 Racine Dr.,<br />
523-5362. Serving breakfast, lunch<br />
and dinner while striving to use as<br />
many locally sourced ingredients as<br />
possible, plus a dog-friendly patio.<br />
Bluewater Grill 4 <strong>Mar</strong>ina St.,<br />
256-8500. Offers panoramic views of<br />
the Intracoastal Waterway. Dinner<br />
options include fresh seafood, baby back<br />
ribs, char-grilled steaks and homemade<br />
desserts. Lunch and dinner daily.<br />
Butts-n-Such 802 Lake Park Blvd. S.,<br />
458-2667. Made-to-order breakfast you<br />
can enjoy inside, and a window that<br />
makes it easy to pick up their menu<br />
of house-made barbecue, fried shrimp,<br />
burgers and more.<br />
CheeseSmith 624 S 17th St., 399-<br />
3253. Sandwiches that ooze with<br />
distinction depending on what cheesy<br />
combo is featured. Don’t miss one of<br />
their french fry specialties either.<br />
Copper Penny 109 Chestnut St.,<br />
762-1373. More than a sports bar,<br />
offering an eclectic mix of appetizers,<br />
salads and sandwiches along with<br />
an array of mixed drinks and beers.<br />
Lunch and dinner daily.<br />
Dixie Grill 116 <strong>Mar</strong>ket St., 762-7280.<br />
A casual dinette known for great<br />
breakfasts and brunch in the heart of<br />
downtown <strong>Wilmington</strong>. Breakfast and<br />
lunch daily.<br />
Famous Toastery 6722 Wrightsville<br />
Ave, 256-7030. Breakfast and lunch<br />
served all day. Try one of their<br />
Benedicts!<br />
Front Street Brewery 9 N. Front St.,<br />
251-1935. Offering great food and micro<br />
brews including gourmet sandwiches,<br />
burgers and entrees like their famous<br />
Scottish Ale Brew-B-Q Ribs. Lunch<br />
and dinner daily.<br />
Henry’s 2508 Independence Blvd.,<br />
793-2929. Locally sourced classic<br />
88 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
WE’LL SEE YOU AT<br />
HAPPY HOUR<br />
*SUNDAY - FRIDAY, 4 PM -7 PM<br />
244 N. WATER STREET, WILMINGTON | 919.343.1818<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 89
American fare in an inviting and<br />
casual environment with outdoor dining<br />
available. Lunch and dinner daily.<br />
Midtown Deli & Grill 2316 S 17th<br />
St. #100, 791-4630. Quick service fresh<br />
sandwiches, salads and wraps. Midtown<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>'s Boar's Head Based<br />
fresh deli.<br />
Molly Pitcher's American Grill 4001<br />
Wrightsville Ave, 769-1070. From baconwrapped<br />
meatloaf to a fried green tomato<br />
BLT sandwich, Molly Pitcher’s serves<br />
classic American food with a twist.<br />
Pink Baking Co. 4545 Fountain Dr,<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>, NC 28403, 343-4727.<br />
Breakfast, lunch and dessert.<br />
Platypus & Gnome 9 S Front St,<br />
769-9300. Bi-level restaurant featuring<br />
homey-chic digs lined with art & an<br />
imaginative New American menu with<br />
something for everyone.<br />
PT's Olde Fashioned Grille 4544<br />
Fountain Dr.; 2420 S 17th St A; and 1437<br />
Military Cutoff Rd. Local chain dishing<br />
up burgers, sandwiches and fresh-cut<br />
fries in a laid-back setting.<br />
Jerry’s Food, Wine and Spirits 7220<br />
Wrightsville Ave., 256-8847. Fine dining<br />
in a casual bistro atmosphere with an<br />
ever-changing, creative menu.<br />
Jester’s Café 607 Castle St., 763-6555.<br />
Breakfast, lunch and Sat/Sun brunch in a<br />
casual, fun downtown location. Quiches,<br />
salads, soups, sandwiches and more.<br />
Mess Hall 2136 Wrightsville Ave,<br />
604-4927 Vibrant spot in an industrialstyle<br />
venue, offering hearty burgers,<br />
bowls & outdoor seating.<br />
Oceanic 703 S. Lumina Ave.,<br />
256-5551. Situated on the beach<br />
overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy<br />
fresh seafood, exciting land lover’s dishes<br />
and breathtaking views. Outdoor seating<br />
is available.<br />
Rooster & The Crow 225 S Water St. in<br />
Chandler’s Wharf, 399-4780. Easygoing<br />
restaurant, serving hearty Southern<br />
staples in an industrial brick building.<br />
RuckerJohns 5564 Carolina Beach Rd.,<br />
452-1212. High-quality food served up<br />
in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. Burgers,<br />
steak, chicken and salads. Lunch and<br />
dinner daily.<br />
Salt Works (The Original) 6301<br />
Oleander Dr., 350-0018. Comfort food<br />
cooked to order. Breakfast and lunch.<br />
Savor Southern Kitchen 3704<br />
Carolina Beach Rd, 769-8112. Serving<br />
up a taste of Southern hospitality, with<br />
fan-favorites like chicken and waffles,<br />
omelets, benedicts, burgers, fried chicken<br />
and more. Breakfast and lunch.<br />
Solstice Oceanfront Kitchen +<br />
Cocktails 1706 N Lumina Ave., 344-<br />
6802. Located inside the Holiday Inn<br />
Resort, serving crab cakes to beef and<br />
vegan burgers to shrimp and grits, with<br />
craft cocktails to tempt the palate, too.<br />
Sweet & Savory Café 1611 Pavilion Pl.,<br />
256-0115. A full menu breakfast, lunch<br />
and dinner restaurant with dishes made<br />
from scratch.<br />
The Basics 319 N. Front St., 343-1050.<br />
Traditional Southern fare with a twist,<br />
including fried green tomatoes, smoked<br />
pork BBQ, grilled pimento cheese and a<br />
fried chicken BLT. Breakfast, lunch and<br />
dinner daily, as well as Sunday brunch.<br />
The Pilot House 2 Ann St., 343-0200<br />
Overlooking the Cape Fear River with a<br />
large outside deck, this longtime favorite<br />
serves traditional Southern fare with a<br />
contemporary twist.<br />
True Blue Butcher and Barrel 1125<br />
Military Cutoff Rd., 679-4473 and 110<br />
Greenfield St. Suite 114, 769-7010. From<br />
hearty dinner salads to an array of<br />
snacks, shareables and entrees, dine on<br />
the open patio as you pick up tomorrow’s<br />
meal in their butcher shop.<br />
White Front Breakfast House 1518<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ket St., 762-5672. Historic downtown<br />
diner—a local favorite. Biscuits and<br />
gravy, corned beef hash, smoked sausage<br />
and eggs any way you like.<br />
ASIAN<br />
Bento Box Sushi 1121 Military Cutoff<br />
Rd., 509-0774. Asian street food with<br />
a combination of Japanese, Korean,<br />
Vietnamese and Thai dishes. Sushi bar.<br />
Big Thai 1319 Military Cutoff Rd.,<br />
256-6588. Famous for authentic Thai<br />
cuisine. Don’t miss the coconut cake as a<br />
sweet and savory finale.<br />
Café Chinois 3710 College Rd. #123,<br />
769-3193. One of <strong>Wilmington</strong>'s favorite<br />
Asian-Fusion restaurants, featuring Thai<br />
food and dishes from Vietnam, Korea and<br />
China, served in a stylish setting.<br />
Double Happiness 4403 Wrightsville<br />
Ave., 313-1088. A great mix of traditional<br />
Chinese dishes, including a dim sum<br />
menu, served amid traditional décor with<br />
a formal touch.<br />
Indochine 7 Wayne Dr., 251-9229. Enjoy<br />
the finest Thai-Vietnamese cuisine in a<br />
beautifully decorated environment. Voted<br />
best Asian restaurant 10 years in a row.<br />
Szechuan 132 419 S. College Rd.,<br />
799-1426. For over 30 years, the<br />
longstanding restaurant has been serving<br />
fine contemporary Chinese dining in a<br />
relaxed atmosphere.<br />
Tokyo 101 880 Town Center Dr.,<br />
399-3101. Traditional Japanese with<br />
fresh sushi, diverse noodle dishes,<br />
combination plates, and appetizers.<br />
Umaii Thai Restaurant 8209<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ket St, Porters Neck, 821-8474. A<br />
menu rich with traditional Thai entrees,<br />
seasonal specials, fresh sushi, diverse<br />
noodle dishes, combination plates and<br />
appetizers. Sushi bar and outdoor dining.<br />
Yosake Downtown Sushi Lounge 33<br />
S. Front St., 763-3172. Lacquered walls<br />
and unique art surround guests as they<br />
dine on sushi and Pan/Asian fare.<br />
CAJUN<br />
Bourbon Street 35 N. Front St.,<br />
762-4050. Experience authentic Cajun<br />
cuisine in a uniquely decorated setting that<br />
has the appeal of being in New Orleans.<br />
Try the famous charbroiled oysters.<br />
FINE DINING<br />
Circa 1922 8 N. Front St., 762-1922.<br />
An ever-changing seasonal menu with<br />
locally sourced seafood and produce and<br />
house-made pasta. Craft cocktails and an<br />
extensive wine list.<br />
90 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
East Oceanfront Dining 275 Waynick<br />
Blvd., 344-2513. Award-winning cuisine<br />
accompanied by the sounds of breaking<br />
surf and a soothing coastal breeze. Enjoy<br />
fresh local seafood or grass-fed beef while<br />
you dine under a canopied, oceanfront<br />
deck or inside.<br />
Manna 123 Princess St., 763-5252.<br />
Serving New American cuisine with<br />
European flare, with an emphasis on the<br />
freshest ingredients from local farmers.<br />
Origins 102 Autumn Hall Dr. #120,<br />
769-0041. Featuring an uptown menu<br />
and atmosphere including a raw bar,<br />
local seafood, pasta and beef classics<br />
from steak frites to a bone-in ribeye.<br />
Patio seating available.<br />
Port Land Grille 1908 Eastwood<br />
Rd., 256-6056. Progressive American<br />
regional cuisine served in a casual yet<br />
elegant coastal setting.<br />
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse 244 N Water<br />
St., 343-1818. The upmarket steakhouse<br />
is located in River Place steps away from<br />
Thalian Hall and the Riverwalk, offering<br />
river views and outdoor seating.<br />
Rx Restaurant & Bar 421 Castle St,<br />
<strong>Wilmington</strong>, 399-3080 Relaxed eatery in<br />
a converted drugstore featuring seasonal<br />
changing menus with local sourcing.<br />
Thank you for voting us<br />
BEST ITALIAN<br />
RESTAUR ANT<br />
7 years in a row!<br />
FRENCH<br />
Brasserie Du Soleil 1908 Eastwood<br />
Rd., 256-2226. French café with both<br />
patio and inside dining. Pick your own<br />
salad ingredients from a wide selection<br />
of items.<br />
Caprice Bistro 10 <strong>Mar</strong>ket St.,<br />
815-0810. Authentic French bistro.<br />
Elegant dining downstairs with sofa bar<br />
upstairs and a great martini selection.<br />
Our Crepes & More 3810 Oleander<br />
Dr., 395-0077. Family-owned French<br />
creperie. Authentic homemade cuisine.<br />
The Little Dipper 138 S. Front St.,<br />
251-0433. Unique, fun fondue menu<br />
includes premium meats, seafood,<br />
vegetables, appetizers, desserts and<br />
homemade dipping sauces.<br />
Authentic Italian Fine Dining<br />
in Historic Downtown <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
910.763.3806<br />
102 South Second St., <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
tarantellis.com<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 91
Fresh | Local | Relax | Enjoy<br />
Three of <strong>Wilmington</strong>’s favorite places...<br />
Monkey Junction<br />
5226 S. College Road • 910-799-7077<br />
Porters Neck<br />
140 Hays Lane, Unit 140 • 910-681-1140<br />
Waterford<br />
143 Poole Road • 910-399-6739<br />
CapeFearSeafoodCompany.com<br />
GERMAN<br />
The German Café 316 Nutt St. (at the<br />
Cotton Exchange), 763-5523. Familyowned,<br />
incorporating many recipes<br />
from their native Germany. Wursts,<br />
schnitzels, sauerbraten and more.<br />
ITALIAN<br />
Fat Tony’s Italian Pub 131 N. Front<br />
St., 343-8881. Great family-friendly<br />
restaurant. Offers fantastic views of<br />
the Cape Fear River. A mix of Italian<br />
and American fare and a full bar,<br />
including 25 beers on tap.<br />
Floriana 2 <strong>Mar</strong>ket St., 504-0160.<br />
Floriana’s fluently Italian cuisine<br />
features handmade pastas, decadent<br />
cheeses and authentic dishes. Enjoy<br />
dining on a private balcony overlooking<br />
the Riverwalk.<br />
Freddie’s Restaurant 105 K Ave,<br />
458-5979. Quaint, red-checkered<br />
tablecloth Italian bar and grill with<br />
American chop and steak dishes.<br />
Italian Bistro 8211 <strong>Mar</strong>ket St.,<br />
686-7774. A local favorite in the<br />
Porter's Neck / Ogden area, offering a<br />
variety of homemade dishes and pizza.<br />
Jay's Incredible Pizza 3600 College<br />
Rd A, 791-7080. Versatile pizza styles<br />
including deep-dish Chicago made by a<br />
seasoned “pie” chef.<br />
Kornerstone Bistro 8262 <strong>Mar</strong>ket St.,<br />
686-2296. Traditional Mediterranean<br />
fare and wood-fired pizzas.<br />
Nicola’s 5704 Oleander Dr., 798-2205.<br />
An Italian eatery with daily homemade<br />
pasta, sausage, baked breads and more.<br />
Osteria Cicchetti 1125 Military<br />
Cutoff Rd., 256-7476. Serving a variety<br />
of pasta dishes, pizza, salads and<br />
antipasti.<br />
Pizzetta’s II 1144 E. Cutler Crossing<br />
(Leland), 371-6001. Hottest spot for<br />
pizza by the slice, offering dozens of<br />
pizza choices with a New York flair.<br />
Quanto Basta: Italian Eatery<br />
& Wine Bar 107 N 2nd St.,<br />
395-6120. An uptown family-owned<br />
Italian restaurant serving exquisite<br />
authentic dishes.<br />
Roko Italian Cuisine 6801-105<br />
Parker Farm Dr., 679-4783. Features<br />
authentic northern Italian cuisine.<br />
Reservations are often necessary at<br />
this intimate spot in Mayfaire.<br />
Tarantelli’s Ristorante 102 S. 2nd<br />
St., 763-3806. Charming old-world<br />
atmosphere serving dishes passed<br />
down from the Tarantelli family for<br />
three generations with a large selection<br />
of Italian wines.<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
Kipos Hellenic Cuisine Lumina<br />
Station, 1900 Eastwood Rd, 492-2893.<br />
An extension of Giorgios Bakatsias'<br />
wildly popular Kipos brand, enjoy<br />
an authentic Greek menu – including<br />
Greek wines, as well as a convivial,<br />
bright white and airy Mediterranean<br />
setting.<br />
Olympia Restaurant 5629 Oleander<br />
Dr #116, 796-9636. Known for using<br />
a wide variety of fresh vegetables and<br />
seafood with a Mediterranean flair in a<br />
comfortable atmosphere.<br />
MEXICAN<br />
Nollie’s Taco Joint 3 Pelican Ln, 707-<br />
0455. Casual Mexian eatery serving<br />
tacos, nachos and beer in a funky space<br />
with skateboards on the wall.<br />
Taco Baby 125 Grace St, 399-5629.<br />
Funky, hip spot downtown, serving an<br />
array of unique tacos, appetizers and<br />
delicious margaritas.<br />
Tequila Comida & Cantina 5607<br />
Carolina Beach Rd., 399-1643. A<br />
unique Mexican experience, serving<br />
new and authentic dishes alongside a<br />
Tex-Mex section.<br />
Zocalo Street Food 1474 Barclay<br />
Pointe Blvd., 833-5142. Modern<br />
Mexican food in a stylish, airy space<br />
with outdoor seating.<br />
ORGANIC<br />
Lovey’s <strong>Mar</strong>ket & Café 1319 Military<br />
Cutoff Rd., 509-0331. A health food<br />
store and café with fresh, delicious,<br />
healthy organic food and baked goods.<br />
92 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
Tidal Creek Co-op 5329 Oleander<br />
Dr., 799-2667. An organic grocery store<br />
with an inside café offering organic and<br />
vegan-friendly options for casual dine-in<br />
or take-out.<br />
SEAFOOD<br />
Black Sea Grill 118 S. Front St.,<br />
254-9990. Mediterranean-style eatery in<br />
a quaint downtown location. Lamb chops,<br />
seafood and vegetarian options.<br />
Bridge Tender 1414 Airlie Rd.,<br />
256-4519. Fresh seafood and certified<br />
Angus beef steaks. Dine on the outdoor<br />
patio overlooking the Intracoastal<br />
Waterway.<br />
Cape Fear Seafood Company 5226 S.<br />
College Rd., 799-7077; 140 Hays Lane,<br />
681-1140; 143 Poole Rd., 399-6739.<br />
Regional American cuisine featuring<br />
seafood, hand-cut fish, steaks and<br />
chicken served in a comfortable, relaxed<br />
atmosphere.<br />
Catch 6623 <strong>Mar</strong>ket St., 799-3847.<br />
Wild-caught and sustainably raised<br />
seafood, with a modern approach to<br />
coastal cuisine with an acclaimed<br />
wine list.<br />
Ceviche’s 7210 Wrightsville Ave,<br />
256-3131. A Panamanian cafe offering<br />
Latin-inspired fare and tropical drinks<br />
in a relaxed, vibrant setting.<br />
Dockside 1308 Airlie Rd., 256-2752.<br />
Casual marina spot with an eclectic,<br />
seafood-heavy menu and full bar. Boat<br />
docking available.<br />
Elijah’s 2 Ann St., 343-1448. Casual<br />
American grill and oyster bar overlooking<br />
the Cape Fear River. Seafood, steaks,<br />
chicken and salads.<br />
Fish House Grill 1410 Airlie Rd.,<br />
256-3693. A landmark seafood<br />
restaurant for decades, enjoy waterfront<br />
casual dining overlooking the<br />
Intracoastal Waterway.<br />
Hieronymus 5035 <strong>Mar</strong>ket St., 392-6313.<br />
Come enjoy locally sourced seafood and<br />
fresh vegetables in a casual atmosphere<br />
- a local favorite for more than 30 years.<br />
Savorez 402 Chestnut St. #4026,<br />
833-8894. Come enjoy a unique dining<br />
experience drawing from traditional<br />
Latin American inspired cuisine.<br />
Fresh seafood, chicken and grilled<br />
pork, tacos, salsas and dessert.<br />
Seabird 1 S Front St., 769-5996.<br />
Seafood restaurant serving oysters,<br />
fish, a yummy breakfast and cocktails<br />
amid a retro, white-tiled interior.<br />
Seaview Crab Company<br />
Kitchen 1515 <strong>Mar</strong>stellar St, 769-<br />
1554. Fresh seafood over salads in<br />
tacos and in made-to-order po’boys,<br />
plus prepared foods to go.<br />
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar 127 N.<br />
Front St., 833-8622; 6A N. Lake Park<br />
Blvd., 458-7380. Come watch your<br />
favorite sports team while enjoying<br />
oysters, shrimp, crab cakes, po’ boys<br />
and fresh salads. Casual, familyfriendly<br />
atmosphere.<br />
The George 128 S. Water St.,<br />
763-2052. Waterfront dining with a<br />
diverse selection of steak, pasta, salad<br />
and fresh seafood. Dock your boat<br />
at the only dock ‘n dine restaurant<br />
downtown.<br />
TAPAS<br />
The Fortunate Glass 29 S. Front<br />
St., 399-4292. A wine bar at heart,<br />
the focus is on wines from all regions,<br />
with 50 wines by the glass and 30+<br />
craft beers. Serving a small menu of<br />
fine cheeses, Italian cured meats, and<br />
decadent desserts.<br />
PLANT-BASED OR VEGAN<br />
The Green House 1427 Military<br />
Cutoff Rd., 679-4994. A plantbased<br />
menu with an emphasis on<br />
sustainability and seasonality.<br />
Panacea Brewing Co. 4107 Oleander<br />
Dr., 769-5591. Laid-back eatery serving<br />
plant-based Southern fare, plus kombucha,<br />
local beers and Sunday brunch.<br />
Sealevel City Vegan Diner 1015 S Kerr<br />
Ave., 833-7196. Low-key, locally owned<br />
restaurant offering a global menu with lots<br />
of vegetarian/vegan options.<br />
Never Compromising Fresh<br />
Ingredients or Amazing Service<br />
BREAKFAST, LUNCH & BRUNCH<br />
SERVED ALL DAY, EVERY DAY<br />
of <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
6722 Wrightsville Ave, <strong>Wilmington</strong><br />
910-256-7030<br />
Open Daily 7am – 3pm<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 93
National Museum of Natural History<br />
Journey Through the<br />
World's Largest Free<br />
Museum Complex<br />
Exploring the Smithsonian's 22 museums, nine research<br />
facilities and evolving offerings<br />
MUSEUMS CAN BE<br />
exhausting, especially if<br />
you've spent $30 to visit and<br />
want to get your money's<br />
worth. That hours-long slog past endless<br />
paintings—or sculptures or butterflies<br />
or whatever is on display—is enough to<br />
make anyone but a super fan swear off the<br />
By KATIE McELVEEN<br />
experience. But what if you could pop into<br />
a building, pay nothing, check out the Hope<br />
diamond or the only Leonardo da Vinci<br />
painting on display in America or pieces of<br />
the Apollo 11 spacecraft—and walk right<br />
back out? Thanks to an English scientist<br />
named James Smithson, who died in 1829<br />
and left his entire estate in the United<br />
States to found "at Washington, under<br />
the name of the Smithsonian Institution,<br />
an establishment for the increase and<br />
diffusion of knowledge," you can.<br />
No one knows why Smithson bequeathed<br />
more than $500,000 to a country he had<br />
never visited, but we should all be glad<br />
he did. Comprising of 22 museums and<br />
nine research facilities, the Smithsonian<br />
Institution is the world's largest museum,<br />
education, and research complex. It's also<br />
free to all.<br />
As a college student in Washington,<br />
D.C. and, later, an entry-level professional,<br />
that free entry provided me with cultural<br />
experiences I wouldn't have been able to<br />
otherwise afford. Even better, there was<br />
no pressure to stick around. Once I'd seen<br />
what I came to see, I could walk out. But,<br />
more often than not, something would<br />
catch my eye and, before I knew it, the<br />
afternoon had flown by.<br />
Recently, I found myself back in D.C. With<br />
a couple of days to explore the city, I headed<br />
straight to my comfort zone: the Smithsonian.<br />
PHOTOS DESTINATION DC<br />
94 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
National Museum<br />
of African American<br />
History and Culture<br />
Inside the Waldorf<br />
Astoria Hotel<br />
While all the things I loved about it were still<br />
there, I was knocked out by the technology,<br />
which enhanced the experience with buttons<br />
to push, sounds to hear, screens to watch and<br />
even fossils to touch.<br />
The changes were particularly evident<br />
at the National Museum of Natural<br />
History. When I was a kid, you came to<br />
the museum to see the dinosaur bones,<br />
which were displayed in a stark but<br />
sunlit hall that first opened in 1911.<br />
Children (and adults) still come to see<br />
the massive skeletons, but, these days,<br />
those bone fossils (yes, they're real) now<br />
are part of a museum-wide initiative to<br />
tell the Earth's unfolding story. Instead<br />
of towering above the scene, as it had<br />
for more than 100 years, Tyrannosaurus<br />
Rex, for instance, has been repositioned as<br />
the fierce predator it was and appears to<br />
be eating a Triceratops. In the mammal<br />
room, the ferocious taxidermy tiger is<br />
no longer confined to a glass cube but is<br />
leaping overhead as if in pursuit of prey,<br />
claws extended to their terrifying full<br />
length and eyes fully alert. Each gallery is<br />
immersive, too, filled with sounds that one<br />
might hear while, say, hiking through the<br />
jungle in search of tropical birds.<br />
The Museum of American History is<br />
a jumble of Americana, three million<br />
artifacts that use everything from<br />
Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Wizard of<br />
Oz and Julia Child's kitchen to Abraham<br />
Lincoln's hat and the original Star-<br />
Spangled Banner, to trace all the facets<br />
of America's story. There are collections<br />
of election buttons; gowns worn by First<br />
Ladies; Vince and Larry, the 1970's crash<br />
test dummies; stagecoaches; trains, and<br />
weaponry. It's a lot, but a crowd-pleaser,<br />
especially if you're traveling with others<br />
or with children, who will love the<br />
interactive exhibits. Just don't forget to<br />
reserve a space: the hands-on activities<br />
are free, but space is limited.<br />
Where the Museum of American<br />
History feels more free form, the Museum<br />
of African American History & Culture<br />
stays tightly focused on the documentation<br />
of African American life, history, and<br />
culture.<br />
The museum's lower floors, which spiral<br />
upward from three levels below ground,<br />
are dedicated to the evolution of slavery,<br />
from its earliest beginnings to the passage<br />
– and fallout – of the Civil Rights Act in<br />
1964.<br />
I learned that, before the 14th century,<br />
Europeans traded with their African<br />
counterparts as equals and that the<br />
continent supported a huge diversity of<br />
languages and cultures. Further along,<br />
the tools of slavery and racial oppression<br />
are on full display, in all their horrifying<br />
reality. Through it all, I found myself<br />
thinking about what it must have taken to<br />
survive and to find the energy and hope to<br />
see and celebrate moments of joy in a life<br />
that offered little. It was painful, but, for<br />
me, a step toward understanding what it<br />
means to be an American.<br />
The upper levels are organized by topic.<br />
Cultural expression—music, art, theater,<br />
cooking, fashion—occupies the top floor;<br />
mini-galleries display costumes as video<br />
screens showcase performances. Other<br />
levels are devoted to military service,<br />
sports, and exploring family history.<br />
When you need a break from any of<br />
the museums, grab a snack at one of the<br />
surprisingly delicious on-site restaurants,<br />
browse at a well-curated museum shop or<br />
simply head outside to the National Mall,<br />
National Museum<br />
of Asian Art<br />
where you can wander freely into whatever<br />
museum strikes your fancy.<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Occupying Washington, D.C.’s historic Old<br />
Post Office building, the Waldorf Astoria<br />
is perfectly positioned for both museumhopping<br />
and exploring the lively Penn<br />
Quarter neighborhood. There's easy access<br />
to Metro, too, which makes it easy to get<br />
virtually anywhere in the city. Within the<br />
hotel, a nine-story lobby is topped by a<br />
stunning glass ceiling; lavish guestrooms<br />
have been carved out of the offices of former<br />
postal employees. Look hard and you can<br />
still see some of the original doors. W<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 95
the last reflection<br />
The Wonder and<br />
Beauty of Ikebana<br />
By ELLEN KAPLAN, PRESIDENT OF CHAPTER 212 OF IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL<br />
IKEBANA, TRANSLATES IN<br />
Japanese to “flowers kept alive,” is<br />
a disciplined art form in which the<br />
arrangement is a living thing where<br />
nature and humanity are brought together.<br />
Steeped in the philosophy of developing<br />
a closeness with nature, the artform has<br />
been practiced for over 600 years.<br />
As in other arts, Ikebana is creative<br />
expression within certain rules of<br />
construction. Its materials are living<br />
branches, leaves, grasses and blossoms.<br />
Its heart is the beauty resulting from color<br />
combinations, natural shapes, graceful<br />
lines and the meaning latent in the total<br />
form of the arrangement—it’s much more<br />
than mere floral decoration.<br />
Distinguishing ikebana from other<br />
approaches of flower arranging is its<br />
asymmetrical form, in addition to the use<br />
of empty space as an essential feature<br />
of the composition, providing a sense<br />
of harmony among the materials, the<br />
container and the setting. These aesthetic<br />
characteristics are shared with traditional<br />
Japanese paintings, gardens, architecture<br />
and design.<br />
Ikebana International is a global<br />
organization, headquartered in Tokyo,<br />
Japan, dedicated to sharing this exquisite<br />
art form with the world. Of its hundreds<br />
of chapters around the world, <strong>Wilmington</strong>’s<br />
Chapter 212 has been in existence for 42<br />
years. With monthly meetups at the New<br />
Hanover Arboretum, attendees can study<br />
and practice all the various styles and<br />
schools of ikebana. Masters of the art are<br />
often flown in from around the country to<br />
lead workshops alongside knowledgeable<br />
members and teachers in the area.<br />
And every spring, the Chapter’s<br />
exhibition show at the Arboretum (<strong>Mar</strong>ch<br />
29-30th) features over 60 arrangements<br />
made by its members, welcoming spring<br />
by honoring the delicate balance between<br />
nature and human expression.<br />
Over the centuries, various ikebana<br />
schools have emerged, each contributing<br />
unique styles and interpretations,<br />
ensuring the art’s continued relevance<br />
and adaptability. Today, ikebana stands<br />
as not just a traditional craft but as a<br />
living tradition that continues to captivate<br />
enthusiasts worldwide.<br />
For more information, please visit<br />
ikebanawilmington212. W<br />
96 | <strong>Wilmington</strong>NCmagazine.com
<strong>Mar</strong>ch / <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2024</strong> | 97
Bring Extraordinary Home<br />
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