A Tale of Two Gardens Two coastal NC gardens offer different experiences

A Tale of

Two coastal NC gardens offer different experiences

Story and photos by Leah Chester-Davis

A visit to

Wilmington is packed with possibilities. Among them, nearby Wrightsville beach, the charming Riverwalk, a wide range of restaurants and shops, and two mustsee gardens: Airlie and the Arboretum of New Hanover County.

Airlie Gardens is the more historic and expansive of the two, with its 67 acres and massive live oaks dripping with Spanish moss and exuding coastal Southern charm. The Arboretum, much smaller with only seven acres, packs both personality and a pleasing array of plants in several types of gardens that both inspire and educate. It’s a treasure for anyone seeking to learn more about gardening or for those simply wanting to enjoy a beautiful space.

The gardens are near one another, just a mile apart, making it easy to visit both. Both offer educational experiences.

Airlie Gardens

Historic Southern Charm

Airlie has a long history, dating back to the late 1800s when it was part of a larger estate and privately owned by Pembroke and Sarah Jones, who transformed it into a picturesque garden. The couple entertained such notables as Eleanor Roosevelt, Henry Flagler and W.K. Vanderbilt. Later owned by the Corbett Family, Airlie played a role in the state’s first Azalea Festival and will be part of the Cape Fear Garden Club’s garden tour during the April 2022 festival.

Now owned by New Hanover County as a public garden, its size and location along Bradley Creek, its mix of live oaks, magnolias, azaleas, camellias, sculptures, tree-lined trails, and elegant vistas give it a stately appearance. It is a beautiful place to walk, or visitors can hop on a tram to travel throughout the estate while being treated to the history of the place by friendly tram operators.

Airlie is beautiful anytime of the year though it delivers springtime enchantment with thousands of azaleas, camellias, tulips and other spring blooms. The signature Airlie live oak is nearing 500 years old, and is a popular backdrop for weddings and other events.

One of the more recent additions is the Butterfly House that serves as a seasonal home to native butterflies and plants. It is a popular spot from May through mid-October for visitors of all ages.

Another point of interest is the Bottle Chapel, a tribute to the artist Minnie Jones Evans, who was employed at Airlie for 25 years, was

Airlie Gardens

A Tale of Two Gardens

Airlie Gardens

self-taught, and became internationally recognized. No doubt the garden inspired her, as evidenced by one of her quotes: “Green is God’s theme color — he has 600 and some shades of green.”

To enhance the educational experience of the garden, Nature Discovery Kits are available for elementary age children or anyone who would like one. They include activities such as making a stick-bound journal and documenting observations, learning basic birdwatching skills and the “Build a Nest Challenge,” and a plant scavenger hunt.

Airlie is a favored spot for bird enthusiasts. It’s part of the North Carolina Birding Trail, offering a Coastal Region site to observe a wide range of species. The Bradley Creek Overlook is a great place to view coastal birds. Bird Hikes are available at 8 a.m. on select days and advance tickets are required.

Arboretum of New Hanover County

Arboretum of New Hanover County

Hands-on Education

The small Arboretum of New Hanover County is designed to be a teaching garden in a lovely setting. Extension educators, Master Gardeners, and Friends of the Arboretum are actively involved in the garden and plant clinics are held frequently to answer home gardeners’ questions.

The Arboretum features several specialty gardens, and each is equipped with educational signage that provides helpful information. Plants throughout the garden are labeled with both scientific and common names, which is a useful

PLAN YOUR VISIT: Airlie Gardens

300 Airlie Road, Wilmington airliegardens.org or 910-798-7700 Gardens open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed certain holidays and Mondays in winter). Advance tickets are required, unless you are a member: $9 general admission; $5 for New Hanover residents and members of military; $3 for children. Check the website for special events such as a summer concert series. Arboretum of New Hanover County

PLAN YOUR VISIT: Arboretum of New Hanover County

6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington arboretum.nhcgov.com or 910-798-7660 Gardens open: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free admission. Check the website for information on special events throughout the year. feature for the visitor who may want to add a plant like it to their own garden.

The raised bed garden, with a wide range of vegetables, provides a glimpse of what is possible in your own backyard, along with information on how to attract beneficial insects to your garden. A composting area is included at its edge with a how-to guide.

Other garden areas are the pollinator, native plant, herb, rain, camellia, rose, and Military Memorial Contemplation Garden. A Japanese Garden is tucked into the far back corner. Japanese lanterns and orange torii gates lend traditional features and welcome visitors to the tranquil space. The many plants — Japanese maples, Hinoki cypress, deodar cedar, satsuki azaleas, Japanese iris, sweet flag, Japanese ferns, various ornamental grasses, among others — give the visitor an idea of what can be created in a relatively small space.

Sculptures, a children’s playhouse, and brightly painted toadstools add a touch of whimsy to other spots. A StoryWalk will keep children engaged as they learn about the natural world.

Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis loves to explore North Carolina. Her business, Chester-Davis Communications (chester-davis.com), specializes in food, farm, gardening and lifestyle brands and organizations.

The independence you want. The safety you need.

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1“GreatCall review”, TechRadar.com (Jul. 21, 2020). 2Consistently rated the most reliable network and best overall network performance in the country by IHS Markit’s RootScore Reports. 3Based on device cost, activation fee, plus 12 months of service among competitors with similar products and services (comparison conducted on 3/4/21). 4Fall Detection is an optional feature and may not always accurately detect a fall. Users should always push their button when they need help, if possible. Fall detection only available with purchase of Ultimate Health and Safety Plan. 5Monthly service fee excludes government taxes or assessment surcharges and may change. Urgent Response Service tracks an approximate location of the device. Urgent Response or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. Urgent Care, provided by FONEMED®, is not a substitute for dialing 911 and should not be used in a case of emergency. FONEMED’s registered nurses and contracted physicians, through MDLIVE, offer advice regarding healthcare decisions and may prescribe certain medications and make diagnoses. We are not liable for any act or omission, including negligence, of any FONEMED employee or contractor. Waterproof rated for up to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. LIVELY is a trademark of Best Buy and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Best Buy. All rights reserved. AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.

Fly Fishing in the Tuckasegee River

Fish Like a Pro

Embrace these habits to catch bigger fish

Anyone who has put time in fishing knows that the big one isn’t always caught by the most experienced angler. In other words, there can be a lot of luck in fishing. On the other hand, if you want to consistently catch more fish and bigger fish (and create your own luck), you can set yourself up for greater success if you follow these tips.

Go to the fish. It sounds obvious but it’s important. Conditions in some areas produce an outsized number of fish or trophy-size fish. For example, professional bass fishing tournaments tend to be conducted on big bodies of water known for their big numbers. Before you head out, read fishing reports online. The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries’ website offers coastal reports (bit.ly/coastal-reports). The regional summaries estimates catches of various fish by interviewing hundreds of anglers throughout the coast. Resources on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s website (bit.ly/fish-attractors) include a map that shows ponds and lakes where fish attractors have been placed. Wobbling is good. Big fish zero in on wounded fish for an easy meal. Lures that mimic wounded motions include the Original Floating Rapala, a lure created with natural balsa wood that recreates the wobbling motion of a wounded bait fish.

Use needle-sharp hooks. Many fish have hard mouths so you need to use a hook that will hold on when a fish bites down on your bait. Fishing pros like Ott DeFoe and Jacob Wheeler rely on needle-sharp hooks to win major bass tournaments.

Focus on structures. Have you ever noticed when you go to a party how everyone hangs around the island in the kitchen? Fish are no different, really — they like to hover around rocks and reefs, hang around dock and pier posts, and hide in weed beds.

Keep asking why. In a fishing magazine article, pro angler Mike Iaconelli was asked about why he loves fishing and why bass pros are so good at it. Iaconelli said he looks at fishing like solving a puzzle. When he catches a fish, he asks himself, “Why did that happen?” so he can learn from it and keep catching more.

Replace your fishing line. Don’t take a chance. Check your line regularly for nicks and abrasions, according to professionals at Sufix, and get in the habit of replacing your fishing line annually if you fish frequently.

Dangle big lures. In general, big fish are kind of lazy. They want to eat as much as they can while spending the least amount of energy getting their food. It’s hanging out on the couch all day and having a fully stocked fridge within just a short reach. So, when you’re going after bigger fish, try using bigger lures.

—Brandpoint

Fishing the sea

Learn more about the fun (and big rewards) of charter fishing, starting on page 12.

Health from Home

Availability of telemedicine continues to grow

If there is a silver lining to the challenges the pandemic created for families and seniors, it may be the expansion and affordability of virtual care. The ability to see a doctor today with little notice, using your phone, computer or tablet, offers a new level of flexibility in accessing health care.

Virtual care, or telemedicine, can span a wide range of services to address a family’s health needs without going to a doctor’s office and provides easy access to experts and specialists. Telemedicine services are covered by most insurance providers.

From care for specific illnesses to managing ongoing concerns, here are some ways that telemedicine might be a good fit for your family’s health care needs. To learn more about telemedicine, you can visit websites such as teladoc.com and your own insurance company’s website. Everyday illnesses In the past, if your doctor’s office couldn’t get you in to help treat conditions like allergies, sinus infections or other common illnesses, urgent care was one of your few remaining options. Now, virtual care can address non-emergency needs and everyday illnesses in place of urgent care.

Specialty care Even with a referral, it can take weeks or months to get an appointment with some specialists. One example is dermatology. Instead of waiting months to be seen by a dermatologist, with a virtual provider, you can seek and receive treatment in a matter of hours.

Mental health As a result of the pandemic and related social implications, many organizations have been reporting substantial upticks in requests for mental health support. Phone and video visits for mental health have been shown to be as effective as in-person treatment, according to the Telemental Health Institute.

Wellness care Most people think of their health needs in terms of reactive care for known problems, but it can also be useful for wellness care, such as nutrition. Registered dietitians can provide virtual consultations to help ensure everyone, including family members with special dietary needs, receives proper nutrients.

Get that second opinion If you’re unsure about a diagnosis, need help choosing treatment, have medical questions or concerns, or want an expert’s advice or second opinion, some virtual care providers can connect you with leading specialists to give you the answers and confidence you need to make informed decisions about your family’s health.

Make time for self-care

Using telemedicine is a form of self-care, just as anytime you address your mental and physical needs. Other ways to care for yourself mentally and emotionally include making time for enjoyable activities, such as listening to music, painting, drawing and working with wood. Carve out time to connect with family and friends and help your kids to do the same.

—Familyfeatures.com

R eal People. Real Power.

Who you gonna call?

Dial the digits. 8-1-1. That’s the only safe way to approach any potential digging or excavation project.

While we officially recognize August 11 as National 811 Day, safety matters 365 days a year. Learn more about free underground utility locating services on page B.

Watch

or warning?

‘Tis the season where we check the weather more often and keep a watchful eye on the tropics. Remember: when a flood or storm watch is issued, that means ingredients are there for possible development and storm preparedness should be underway. A warning means the event is occuring and it is time to activate your plan.

Message to members

First responders an important part of Team Tideland

by PAUL SPRUILL

GENERAL MANAGER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER and most importantly everyone went home safe that day.

On June 28 at 4:51 am, nearly 1,750 Tideland members on the Sidney, Gaylords Bay and Pamlico Beach circuits lost power when a vehicle left the road, breaking a three-phase pole. As is most often

the case, Tideland crews were not first to arrive on site. Instead it was members of the Pantego VFD. They assisted the victim, observed proper safety measures, and controlled traffic to allow our crews to set up a repair work zone. That day, Tideland crews were able to “float” the three-phase wires, restoring power while pole replacement got underway. Power was off approximately 90 minutes We all owe a debt of gratitude to our first responders. Most are volunteers for whom public safety is not a profession but rather a personal commitment. Their presence at the scene of an accident often alleviates co-op crews of multiple tasks so we can fully focus our efforts on power restoration.

It is not lost on our crews that while they are getting paid to respond and restore power, those who arrive first are sacrificing time away from their own families, jobs and leisurely pursuits.

These first responders also spend countless volunteer hours training and putting sweat equity into the maintenance of community-owned facilities and equipment.

Recently we were able to return the favor in some small measure by erecting a fire hose training ball course at the Tri Community VFD in New Bern. It’s just one way we can say “thank you” to those who put so much on the line for us.

Rights-of-way maintenance schedule

Tideland has hired contractors to trim trees in our rights-of-way. During the month of August, Lucas Tree Experts will be trimming along the Dowry Creek circuit, the Highway 45 corridor and in the Ponzer area. Gunnison Tree crews will be trimming the Sidney circuit, the Hyde County circuit along Highway 264 and along Beech Ridge Road in Pantego and Belhaven.

Our Lee Electric construction crews will be working in the following areas this month:

• Allen Road at Lake Phelps • Saints Delight Church Road in

Craven County • Orchard Creek in Merritt

Our contractors with River City are continuing ductile pole installations along Broad Creek Road and Highway 32 in Washington. Use extra caution in that work zone please.

Osmose continues pole inspection work for the cooperative. During August they will be in the Engelhard service area.

Remembering

Meredith Burbage

Tideland mourns the recent passing of retiree Meredith Burbage. During her tenure with the co-op, she served as a finance clerk in the Pantego corporate office. Following retirement in 1997, she remained very active with friends, family and church. Meredith was 88 years old. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with her son Jay and his family.

An Osmose contractor bores into a pole to inspect for internal signs of decay.

Anchors aweigh

Iconic Manns Harbor boat builder Paul and Robin Mann set course to retire

A successful boat builder knows the value of being a good listener. It starts with listening to the client as you embark on a years-long journey to design and handcraft their one-of-a-kind sportfishing yacht. Those listening skills are put to the test daily during construction and even moreso during critical junctures like the carefully choreographed hull flip. There’s the brief parade route through Manns Harbor while Tideland EMC crews lift energized power lines on the way to splash the vessel.

Then you listen some more on that inaugural run as another Mann made Carolina flare slices through the Pamlico Sound making for a smooth and quieter day on the water.

Thirty-three years and more than 40 builds later, the hardest thing to listen to was the call of retirement. In fact, it required its own test run. In the spring of 2020, Paul and Robin Mann temporarily closed their Manns Harbor boat building facility to focus on health matters. Fourteen months later they announced the closure would become permanent.

While this particular chapter has closed for Paul and his wife, Robin, seeds they’ve sown continue to bear fruit. The couple worked with The College of the Albemarle to develop career readiness initiatives to hone the skill sets needed by boat builders in Dare and surrounding counties. Through their work with local non-profits, scholarship funds were created for students connected to the commercial fishing and marine industries. Robin served on the Oregon Inlet and Waterways Commission and was a founding member of the Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society which educates the public about the summer migratory roost at the old Manns Harbor bridge.