Fall 2020 Fall 2020 || SouthBrunswickMagazine.com SouthBrunswickMagazine.com
EASING THE STRUGGLES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER SOUTH BRUNSWICK’S OWN NINJA WARRIOR
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ART MARVEL SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD ARTIST AJ KOCHUBA HAS A STRONG ARTISTIC VOICE AND A CLEAR VISION FOR HIS FUTURE
C O M PL IM E N TA RY
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Wine and craft beers by the flight, by the glass, bottles & fine cigars for sale in our retail shop and wine bar. Try our Tapas for superb small plate dining! Open year round, because it’s always wine season. Get the latest information on our tastings, pairings, specials & events at: CoastalWineRoom.com @CoastalWineRoom 910.393.2125 20-B East 2nd Street | Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Expanding orthopedic care right here in Brunswick Ted Parcel, DO, and Benjamin Browning, MD, are accepting new patients Joint, bone and muscle pain can interrupt your life. Are you ready to get back to doing what you love? Like walking, tennis or golf? Then it’s time to meet our experts at Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Supply. Board-certified surgeon Ted Parcel, DO, is fellowship-trained in adult joint replacements. Benjamin Browning, MD, is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and arthroscopy. Both are experienced in providing high-level care for sports injuries and orthopedic conditions.
Ted Parcel, DO, FAAOS
Services include: • Hip and knee joint replacements
• Total hip and knee revisions
• Fracture repairs • Tendon repairs
• Knee arthroscopy • Shoulder surgery
Our experts provide the specialty care you need, closer to home, so you can concentrate on what counts most — getting better and staying healthy. Benjamin Browning, MD
We are taking extra steps in our clinics to keep you healthy, including masking, social distancing, screenings and increased disinfecting of surfaces.
Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine - Brunswick 6 Doctors Circle, Suite 5, Supply, NC 28462
Call 910-721-4370 or visit NovantHealth.org/orthosportsmedbrunswick to make a same-day or next-day appointment. © Novant Health, Inc. 2020 9/20 • ECA-627232
TABLE OF CONTENTS
D FEATURES
FEATURES
FALL 2020 D VOLUME 12, ISSUE 1
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PHOTO BY LAURA GLANTZ
50 HELPING HANDS
At the Brunswick Center in Calabash, Director Courtney Bledsoe and her staff help seniors in the southwestern part of Brunswick County have the chance to stay fit, participate in an array of activities and eat nutritious meals. By Claire Lynch
56 LIKE COMING HOME
The Sunset Inn celebrates 20 years of welcoming guests into their family fold. By Sheree K. Nielsen
78 SOUTHPORT SWEETHEART
A Southport family, a relocated engineer and the home that charmed them all. By Kathy Blake
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PHOTO BY MARK STEELMAN
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85 2020 REAL ESTATE GUIDE
A sampling of what’s in our 2020-21 edition of Brunswick New Homes & Real Estate, coming to newsstands this winter.
Fall 2020
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
D IN EVERY ISSUE D DEPARTMENTS
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IN EVERY ISSUE
DEPARTMENTS
16 PUBLISHER’S NOTE
27 SPIRITS
18 CONTRIBUTORS 21 WHAT’S HAPPENED
What’s been going on around town.
32 ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
Extras you’ll only find online
35 UP NORTH
Finds in the Fall 2020 edition of North Brunswick Magazine.
96 BUSINESS PROFILES
Angie Wilkie, Intracoastal Realty; Joseph’s Italian Bistro; Sunset Dental & Southport Dental. By Brian Wilner and Michelle Macken
101 WHAT’S HAPPENED
What’s been going on around town.
100 SHALLOTTE INLET TIDE CHART 101 ADVERTISERS INDEX
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South Brunswick Magazine
28 WHAT’S COOKIN’
Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti Squash By Sandi Grigg
37 ARTS
Seventeen-year-old artist AJ Kochuba, who splits his time between family homes in Sunset Beach and Raleigh, has a strong artistic voice and a clear vision for his future. By Melissa Slaven Warren
41 COMMUNITY
Brunswick County Streetreach, Inc. helps Brunswick County’s homeless population, even in the extremely difficult times of COVID-19. By Jo Ann Mathews
67 CULTURE
In Southport, formerly New Yorkbased artists Lisa and John Strazza perform the incredible work of art restoration. By Carolyn Bowers
73 NONPROFIT
The nonprofit Strut For Kids lends monetary and emotional support to childhood cancer patients and their families. By Ashley Daniels
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45 PEOPLE
Ginny MacColl, actor, competitive swimmer and American Ninja Warrior, proves that age is never a barrier to reaching your goals. By Annesophia Richards
61 HISTORY
Four century-old Holden Farm outbuildings revealed by a recent timber cutting have sparked curiosity along Highway 17. By Teresa A. McLamb
PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ
102 TAGGED
Toasty Toasted Almond By Sandi Grigg
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
PHOTO BY JAMES STEFIUK
PHOTO BY BRENT GALLANT
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South Brunswick Magazine – Fall 2020 Volume 12, Issue 1
F avorite
We’re Southport’s For a Reason.
OWNER/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg
Best Italian Restaurant Most Romantic Restaurant Best Service & Best Meatballs Best Bistro
COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS: Paula Knorr Teresa Kramer Eliza Dale Niemann
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Brian Wilner George Jacob
Waterfront Dining | Seafood | Pasta | Chops | Wine & Spirits
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Carolyn Bowers Megan Deitz Brent Gallant Laura Glantz Mark Head Matt McGraw Bill Ritenour Mark Steelman James Stefiuk
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Kathy Blake Carolyn Bowers Ashley Daniels Sandi Grigg Claire Lynch Michelle Macken Jo Ann Mathews Teresa A McLamb Sheree K. Nielsen Annesophia Richards Melissa Slaven Warren Brian Wilner
PUBLISHED BY:
CAROLINA MARKETING COMPANY, INC. PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451 (910) 207-0156 • info@northbrunswickmagazine.com
THE RIVER IS CALLING When you visit us on the shores of the Cape Fear River, you will learn its secret . . . . . . there is no such thing as time.
Reproduction or use of the contents in this magazine is prohibited.
© 2020 Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. strives to bring correct, accurate information that is published in the magazine. However, Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. cannot be held responsible for any consequences resulting from errors or absences. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. also cannot be held responsible for the services provided by any and all advertisers in our publications. All material in this magazine is property of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. and may not be reproduced without authorization from the publisher. South Brunswick Magazine – A Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. publication is published four times per year and is distributed to residents and businesses in South Brunswick County, NC, to subscribers and to select areas of New Hanover County, NC and Horry County, SC.
Fall 2020 | SouthBrunswickMagazine.com
EASING THE STRUGGLES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER SOUTH BRUNSWICK’S OWN NINJA WARRIOR
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704 E. Moore Street • Southport, NC 28461 910.294.6070 | riverhotelsouthport.com For investment opportunities, call Leesa Snyder at 910.777.1785 12
South Brunswick Magazine
ART MARVEL SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD ARTIST AJ KOCHUBA HAS A STRONG ARTISTIC VOICE AND A CLEAR VISION FOR HIS FUTURE
C O M PL IM E N TA RY
About the cover: Photographer Laura Glantz captured our cover image of 17-year-old artist AJ Kochuba. Though he goes to high school in Raleigh, Kochuba spends a good deal of time at his family’s home in Sunset Beach. Writer Melissa Slaven Warren visited with Kochuba and writes about him in a story called Art Marvel, which you’ll find on page 37.
Your New Orthopedic Surgery Center Opens 2020
Dedicated to Advanced Orthopedics & Patient-Centered Care
Located in the new EmergeOrtho building, Brunswick Surgery Center is the region’s first outpatient surgery center dedicated to orthopedics and spine. With 28 board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons, this technologically advanced facility gives area residents another convenient option for specialized surgical care. Patient health is our top priority, and we take all precautions to ensure a safe environment. For more information, call or visit our website. 910.660.4600
The Villages at Brunswick Forest 1168 E. Cutlar Crossing, Suite 101, Leland, NC BrunswickSurgeryCenter.com
Masks are required at Brunswick Surgery Center during COVID-19.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY PHYSICIANS OF EMERGEORTHO Š 2020 Brunswick Surgery Center
Fall 2020
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Back Issues
Dr. Dan Spagnoli and his experienced dental team offer state-of-the-art treatment for wisdom tooth discomfort at the Oral and Maxiliofacial Surgery Center in Supply, NC.
When available, back issues of SBM can be purchased for $5. Call or email us for information.
Letters We welcome your letters and comments about SBM. Send your letters to PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451 or email them to info@SouthBrunswickMagazine.com. When sending your letters, keep in mind they may or may not be published in a future issue of SBM. The publisher reserves the right to make the final decision.
Writing Opportunities
We are now offering virtual consultations. Call to see if you qualify for this offer.
We are always willing to consider freelance writers and article ideas. Please send suggestions or inquiries to South Brunswick Magazine, Attn: Editor, PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451. Or email us at edit@SouthBrunswickMagazine.com.
Change of Address If you move, please submit your new and old address to South Brunswick Magazine at info@SouthBrunswickMagazine.com.
Advertising Interested in advertising in SBM? Please contact us to set up a meeting with an Account Executive. Our main office number is (910) 207-0156, or you can email us at advertise@SouthBrunswickMagazine.com.
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SouthBrunswickMagazine.com Visit us online at the above website. With any additional questions, call us at (910) 207-0156.
Our Intracoastal Realty agent was outstanding in the marketing and selling of my home. Her instincts were excellent, and her manner was polite and user-friendly. My husband and I felt that we had the best real estate experience possible. ~Suzanne L. I N T R A C O A S T A L R E A LT Y. C O M / T E S T I M O N I A L S
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Fall 2020
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
What a year, huh? I hope you enjoy this fall edition of the magazine. We Some days I’m afraid to even open my laptop, scroll through introduce you to some of the people who make South social media or turn on the news. It’s hard to watch everything Brunswick County such a great place to live, like the oldestunfolding around our country these days, and it’s especially ever American Ninja Warrior female competitor, Ginny MacColl, hard to do it without some of our favorite people close by. Social and young artist AJ Kochuba. You’ll meet artists Lisa and John distancing is taking its toll, and I know I’m not alone in itching Strazza and the community helpers behind Brunswick County to get back to some collective peace, health and normalcy. Streetreach and the Brunswick Center in Calabash. There is an antidote, however: the beach. Inhaling the salt Enjoy the off-season in our area, take action to air, feeling the ocean breezes, help your neighbors and community wherever you sinking your toes in the sand. are and find ways to rest and restore as much as Ahh . . . you just feel good. possible. And don’t forget to vote in November. Brunswick County residents Happy fall! and visitors know how mood-altering and perspective-changing it can be to pop over to the beach or hop in a boat for a day of relaxation and fun, and I wish everyone in our country could experience a day in places like Southport, Ocean Isle Beach or Sunset Beach. This area is amazing. Its natural beauty is a gift that helps people of all walks of life find respite, but there’s something else about it that makes visitors feel so welcome and restored: the community. The people around here are friendly and welcoming, not only those in the service industry who work with visitors day in and day out, but also the people who Publisher Justin Williams and his daughter, Ava, contribute in a great variety of ways. This now and circa 2008. community thrives and supports everyone. I am passionate about this place. I love living, meeting and working with the people here and greatly appreciate their support with South Brunswick Magazine for the last 12 years! Yes, this is our 12th year of publishing this magazine. For perspective, I have included the very first publisher’s note Justin Williams Owner/Publisher photo of me with my daughter, Ava, alongside a photo of us Publisher@SouthBrunswickMagazine.com from this year. This publication is as old as she is. I want to personally thank the community for being a part of and supporting our publication for the last dozen years. It truly means the world to me. 16
South Brunswick Magazine
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CONTRIBUTORS
Sheree K. Nielsen CONTRIBUTING WRITER
I am author/photographer of 2015 Da Vinci Eye Award Winner and Eric Hoffer Art Finalist Folly Beach Dances (a healing coffee-table book inspired by the sea and my lymphoma journey), 2019 Chanticleer-nominated Ocean Rhythms Kindred Spirits (which features many essays from the Carolinas) and 2019 Montaigne Medal Finalist Midnight – The One-Eyed Cat (a picture book about learning to be the best you already are). My fourth book, Mondays in October (published in July 2019 by Shanti Arts), includes many photos and poems about Sunset Beach, North Carolina. Other publications I have written for include Southern Writers Magazine, Long Weekends, Carolina Go!, AAA Southern Traveler, AAA Midwest Traveler, Missouri Life, South Brunswick Magazine and North Brunswick Magazine, as well as anthologies, newspapers and websites across the nation. When not writing, I can be found discovering new beaches and coffeehouses in the South, with my patient husband and goofy canine kids.
Annesophia Richards CONTRIBUTING WRITER
After spending a decade as an English teacher in Florida, I moved to Wilmington three years ago to be closer to family. I now spend my time freelance writing and raising my two small, very energetic children. I love exploring all that makes North Carolina such a beautiful state, and I also enjoy traveling as much as my family and time allow. My writing appears in various parenting and local publications. In my free time I tend to read or go for a run, and I also love to compete in creative writing contests. I have received awards for several pieces of flash fiction. My ability to tell a good tale is a talent that I use nightly when tucking my kids in with a bedtime story.
Mark Steelman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
I am a full time, professional photographer and work hard to ensure anyone or anything looks its absolute best. Once I was at the Convention Center and took a photo of a group of women. One woman was particularly stressed about having her photo made and pleaded, "You be sure to Photoshop me." I replied, "Lady, I don't mess with perfection!" Her face beamed and she gave me a kiss right there in the middle of the grand ballroom. I love my job! See for yourself at: marksteelmanphoto.com or marksteelmanimages.com.
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South Brunswick Magazine
EXTRAORDINARY MCLEOD CARE IN SUNSET BEACH PRIMARY CARE • ORTHOPEDIC • VASCULAR
Dr. Nicole Rice
Dr. Peter Lukowski
Dr. Joshua Sibille
For the highest level of healthcare, you can trust the expertise of McLeod Health. Residents of Brunswick County have convenient access to Board Certified physicians for primary care, orthopedic care and vascular care at our Sunset Beach location. Our physicians and specialists provide preventative care and treat a wide range of medical conditions using the latest advancements and techniques for patients of all ages.
We are accepting new patients. Call the appropriate number below to schedule an appointment.
MCLEOD SUNSET BEACH PRACTICES McLeod Primary Care Sunset Beach Dr. Nicole Rice
690 Sunset Blvd. North, Suite 208 910-575-8488
McLeod Orthopaedics Seacoast Dr. Peter Lukowski
690 Sunset Blvd. North, Suite 109 843-390-0100
mcleodhealth.org
McLeod Vascular Associates Dr. Joshua Sibille
690 Sunset Blvd. North, Suite 109 843-366-3755
HOME Home Is Where The Heart Is. It's Where Love And Laughter Abound. It's Where Memories Are Made.
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage understands the importance of home. We've been the firm that you’ve trusted for more than 30 years and we are committed to serving the real estate needs of Brunswick County. Â
South Brunswick (910) 754-6782 | Calabash (910) 579-8471 | Holden Beach (910) 842-1555 Oak Island (910) 278-3311 | Southport (910) 457-6713 Downtown Southport (910) 477-6118 | Leland (910) 371-1181 20
SeaCoastRealty.com
South Brunswick Magazine
WHAT'S HAPPENED
Gordon C. Hargrove Starts as Southport City Manager Gordon C. Hargrove is the new Southport city manager. He has extensive management experience and has developed a strong skillset in local government practices to include fiscal management and budget development, daily operational management, planning, grant writing and project management. Additionally, he has achieved a high level of success with both the federal and state FEMA disaster recovery process. These skills, combined with his reputation and ability for delivering results, have allowed him to develop a positive relationship with the community, the elected board and staff.
County resident Doug Terhune. The gift will support renovations to a new Culinary Arts space as well as program enhancements. In making the gift, Terhune noted that there is so much more to the food and beverage industry than preparing food. There is a business aspect of the industry including supply chain, accounting, service, sales, marketing, catering and much more.
DAR Outstanding Cadet Awards 2020
Hargrove is a diverse, public-sector professional with hands-on experience in local and state government administration. His experience includes more than 30 years of progressive responsibility in university administration, private sector and local government management. Most recently, he held the position of town manager for the Town of Lake Waccamaw. Hargrove received a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University in 2018; a Certificate in Municipal and County Administration from the University of North Carolina School of Government in Chapel Hill April 2020; and his Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina State University in 1984, majoring in Political Science. Hargrove’s first day at work was June 11.
Dosher Holds Virtual Celebration for 90th Anniversary
Each year the Brunswick Town Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presents the DAR Outstanding Cadet Award to a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadet from each of the Brunswick County high schools and a CAP cadet from the Civil Air Patrol Brunswick County Composite Squadron. A medal, campaign bar, certificate and monetary award are presented to student cadets who have shown outstanding ability and achievement. Recipients must have demonstrated qualities of dependability and good character, a record of academic achievement, discipline, leadership ability and a fundamental and patriotic understanding of the importance of ROTC or CAP training, distinguishing themselves with honor, service and courage. 2020 RECIPIENTS WERE: C/MAJ Heidi Navarro from North Brunswick High School JROTC C/SGM Kataja Bland from West Brunswick High School JROTC C/1LT Kimberly Herndon from South Brunswick High School JROTC C/LT Corbin J Endre from Brunswick Composite Squadron CAP
Dosher Memorial Hospital opened as Brunswick County Hospital on June 2, 1930, and later changed its name in memory of its founding physician Dr. J. Arthur Dosher. With respect to current restrictions on large gatherings, hospital leaders commemorated the 90th anniversary milestone by holding a 15-minute Facebook Live broadcast from the hospital lobby. Leaders shared a few brief remarks on Dosher’s past, present and future with the community. Musical performances from Juantana Frink and Grace Heck followed.
Brunswick County Community College Foundation Announces Gift With great excitement, Brunswick Community College Foundation (BCCF) recently announced a gift of $115,410 from Brunswick
These high achieving cadets, their parents, instructors and mentors are to be commended for their outstanding service and accomplishments. The JROTC and CAP programs that are offered in Brunswick County enrich the opportunities for youth in the community to become significant contributors to society.
Ocean Ridge Charities Association Raises $25,000 for COVID-19 Relief Campaign Ocean Ridge Charities Association (ORCA) COVID-19 Relief Campaign started on April 16 with everyone wondering how it would take off and if they could raise enough funds to make a difference in hard-hit areas of Brunswick County. ORCA has learned through 10 years of fundraising that residents of Ocean Fall 2020
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WHAT'S HAPPENED
Ridge Plantation continue to surpass expectations every single time, with their generosity for those less fortunate. And they hit a homerun this time around: Residents donated more than $25,000 for the ORCA COVID-19 Relief Campaign for food, shelter and medical relief challenges caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Within the first six days, residents donated $10,000, enabling ORCA to send its first set of checks to Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA), New Hope Clinic, South Brunswick Interchurch Council (SBIC) and the Brunswick Homeless Coalition. Up until the close of the campaign on May 8, generous residents donated another $15,000, which was distributed to the following local charities: BFA, SBIC, New Hope Clinic, Brunswick Community College, Carousel Center and WARM. ORCA benefitted from Ocean Ridge’s Merry Maskateers — Mary Perno, Patti Elsen, Nancy Doukakis and Sue Kemmerer — who sewed a total of 2,625 masks and donated $1,540 to ORCA from their project. Due to the generosity of George Briggs and his 26.2-mile walking marathon, ORCA received more than $5,000 in donations.
Calabash Elks Donate to Senior Care
Calabash Elks Lodge recently donated $3,000 to Brunswick County Senior Resource Center in Calabash to support their meals programs. The project was funded by a grant provided by the Elks National Foundation, the Charitable Arm of the Order of Elks. During normal times, the Brunswick County Senior Resource Center in Calabash serves about 70 congregate lunches at the center each weekday to seniors age 60 and older and delivers Meals-on-Wheels to those home-bound seniors who qualify for the service. During this pandemic stay-at-home time, Courtney Bledsoe, the center’s director, said they were suppling 130 meals a day for curbside pickup and delivering another 70 meals a day to shut-ins. Additionally, they were collecting boxes of food for their supplementary food program.
McLeod Vascular Associates Opens New Office in Sunset Beach McLeod Vascular Associates is now accepting patients for its new office location at 690 Sunset Boulevard N., Suite 109 in Sunset Beach. For the convenience of Brunswick County patients, Vascular Surgeon Dr. Joshua Sibille began seeing 22
South Brunswick Magazine
WHAT'S HAPPENED
patients on June 12. Board Certified in vascular surgery and general surgery, Dr. Sibille treats patients with a broad spectrum of vascular issues including carotid surgery, endovascular and open aortic aneurysm repair, limb salvage intervention and aortoiliac occlusive disease. Dr. Sibille received his medical school degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. He completed his general surgery residency at Louisiana State University Department of Surgery in New Orleans and then completed his vascular surgery fellowship at Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Southport Canary Cottage Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Southport Canary Cottage, conveniently located near downtown Southport. The Arnold family purchased and invested in renovating the home into a short-term rental cottage. Southport’s Canary Cottage is a newly renovated, Southern cottage located in a small, historic town along the Cape Fear River. Canary Cottage is located 1 mile from Southport, 2 minutes from Deep Point Marina and 20 minutes to the Oak Island beaches.
Brunswick County Literacy Council Receives General Literacy Foundation Grant to Support Adult Literacy Brunswick County Literacy Council received a $5,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to support adult literacy programs for county residents. The grant is part of more than $8.6 million in grants recently awarded to more than 950 schools, nonprofits and organizations across the communities Dollar General serves. The Literacy Council will use the grant money to maintain its ongoing programs for adults 16 and older who need help improving reading and writing skills, obtaining a high school equivalency degree (GED) or learning English as a second language.
Brunswick Electric Awards $10,000 to High School Seniors Each spring since 2008, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) has awarded two $5,000 scholarships to graduating seniors, one from Brunswick County and one from the Columbus County area. The 2020 Scholarship Highway recipients are Richard John “R. J.” Thomas and Lillie Jacobs. Thomas graduated from Brunswick County Early College High School and is the son of Richard and Kris Thomas of Bolivia. Jacobs graduated from South Columbus High School and is the granddaughter of Barbara Osborne of Nakina. A total of 21 applications were received from all area high schools. Recipients are selected based on a combination of academic achievement,
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WHAT'S HAPPENED
participation in community and school activities, SAT/ACT scores, letters of reference and a 1,500-word essay providing ideas for innovative ways the electric cooperative can connect with young people.
Dr. Maritza Manrique-Kiniry Joins Dosher MedicalWomen’s Health Dosher welcomes Maritza Manrique-Kiniry, MD, a board-certified gynecologist who has joined Dosher’s women’s health practice in Southport. Dr. ManriqueKiniry graduated from UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and completed her residency at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Before joining Dosher, Dr. Manrique-Kiniry worked as a women’s health physician at MUSC Health, in Lancaster, South Carolina, and at Mercy Hospital in Carthage, Missouri. Dr. Manrique-Kiniry will work at Dosher’s women’s health practice, alongside Dr. Hilaman, as he plans to retire from gynecology in the coming months. Dr. Hilaman will remain as CEO and Chief Medical Officer at Dosher Memorial Hospital and continue practice in the Wound Center.
Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union Receives Diamond Award for Outstanding Marketing, Business Development Achievements Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union was recently honored with an Ongoing Events Diamond Award, which recognizes outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry. The award was presented by the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, a national network comprised of more than 1,200 credit union marketing and business development professionals. Awards are given in each of 35 categories ranging from advertising to community events and beyond. Carolina Trust won the Ongoing Events Diamond Award for its entry entitled “I’m A Buddy, Not A Bully.” The program originated in 2017 and has grown to include 31 participating schools from Horry County and Southern Florence County, South Carolina. Carolina Trust partnered with former NFL player Ricky Sapp and his foundation on public service announcements and school visits. During the school visits, Carolina Trust provided fifth-grade students with resources on the effects of bullying and how to prevent and report it.
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South Brunswick Magazine
Brunswick Community College Named #1 Community College in United States Brunswick Community College (BCC) has been named the #1 Community College in the United States by SmartAsset. SmartAsset analyzed more than 800 community colleges on three metrics: student-to-faculty ratio, graduation and transfer rates and cost of tuition and fees. Congratulations to Brunswick Community College!
Novant Health Selected as Partner for New Hanover Regional Medical Center Last year the New Hanover County Commissioners and New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) created a 21-member Partnership Advisory Board (PAG) and charged it with determining the future of the medical center. The advisory board consists of hospital board of trustee members, physicians and members of the New Hanover County community. After nine months of research and work, the PAG has made its recommendation. In July Novant Health was selected as the recommended partner for New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC). In its proposal for NHRMC, Novant Health is committed to providing the community with more: Access to affordable healthcare and generous financial assistance programs for families in need. Clinics, hospitals and advanced equipment to meet the region’s needs. Support for the behavioral health crisis, including opioid management, substance abuse treatment and whole-family resources. Jobs that will boost the local economy and support for maintaining current leadership and team members. Innovative treatments and technology advancements to deliver specialized care faster and locally. Support for the medical group and independent physicians, who already deliver high-quality care to the region. To continue the academic success of NHRMC, Novant Health entered into a long-term agreement and partnership with UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine, which will provide continuity and expansion to medical education at NHRMC. The partnership will enhance and expand the Wilmington branch campus of the UNC School of Medicine; extend and establish the clinical research of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to Wilmington; and enhance local pediatric care. The New Hanover County Commissioners voted and approved the matter on July 13. For more information on Novant Health’s potential partnership with NHRMC, visit NovantHealth.org/bettertogether.
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2020 Encore GX
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SPIRITS
A Little Toasted The flavors of almond, coffee and toasted marshmallow come together in a creamy cocktail.
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BY SANDI GRIGG
If you like sweet, smooth and creamy cocktails, then this drink is for you. The almond flavor from the amaretto mixes perfectly with the coffee essence in the Kahlua and the toasted marshmallow aroma in the vodka. Shake it up with some half and half, and you have yourself the perfect frothy adult concoction. You might enjoy this cocktail with dessert, especially almond cake. You could also blend it up with ice for an almond-flavored milkshake. Or, you could enjoy like my spouse and I recently did, as a liquid snack between meals. We had just purchased new chairs for our deck, and the air was finally cool enough to sit outside and enjoy them. It was a Friday afternoon, and we both just
gotten home from work and sat outside to unwind, enjoy our chairs and talk about our day. It wasn’t quite dinner time, but our tummies began to rumble. I went inside and scrounged up a few items from the bar, and this super rich, satisfying drink really hit the spot. There are many variations to this cocktail if you are lacking some of these ingredients. Grand Marnier can be used in lieu of vodka. Try Baileys instead of half and half. If you want to keep it healthier, use low fat milk or pour actual coffee. Feel free to tweak the ingredient ratios to your taste and use whatever type of cream or milk you like. However you mix it, I hope you enjoy the silky, smooth, toasted f lavors this fall.
TOASTY TOASTED ALMOND INGREDIENTS 1 ounce amaretto liqueur 1 ounce toasted marshmallow vodka 1 ounce Kahlua 1½ ounces half and half Cinnamon stick
METHOD Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for at least 15 seconds until it becomes frothy. Pour into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick.
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WHAT’S COOKIN’
Carb Cutting Comfort
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Shrimp scampi gets a healthy upgrade with spaghetti squash in lieu of pasta. BY SANDI GRIGG PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK
I don't know anyone who doesn't love shrimp scampi, and with this healthier version you don’t have to feel guilty about eating it whenever you want. This recipe substitutes low-carb spaghetti squash for the pasta. It’s still deliciously buttery and garlicky, but it has half the calories. Spaghetti squash is perfect for the fall season. It’s available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, but when I am picking out my squash, I pick the biggest one. It doesn't matter to me if it is ivory, yellow or orange, I just want the big one. I have used smaller ones too, but the large ones are my personal preference. Just remember to adjust your cooking time for the smaller ones. Like other types of squash, spaghetti squash contains large seeds. When raw, the flesh seems just like any other squash, but when cooked, the spaghetti squash meat pulls away from the skin and creates ribbons or strands of meat that look like spaghetti pasta. It is a healthy alternative to pasta without all the carbohydrates and gluten. My spouse has a gluten allergy, so I am always looking for pasta substitutions. The squash can be baked, boiled, steamed or even microwaved, but it is 28
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easier for me to remove the full strands when I bake it split with the flesh side down. I tried to serve the shrimp scampi in the squash shell bowl, but it kept rolling around on my plate and my garlic sauce seeped into the squash and was a bit dry. If you want to serve yours in the shell feel free, but for this recipe it is not recommended. I prefer to purchase my shrimp from a local fish market and peel and devein them myself, but you can certainly purchase frozen, already peeled and deveined shrimp to skip a step. If you are trying to be healthier, you can substitute for the butter, extra virgin olive oil but then your scampi will be less creamy. If you don't like spinach, you can use asparagus or snap peas instead for a well-rounded meal. I used fresh basil out of my garden, but you can buy fresh basil at your local grocery. If you are unfamiliar with using spaghetti squash, this will be a great way to try it. It is quite easy and makes for a unique flavor and texture. Kids love to scrape the flesh out; it always amazes them to see the spaghetti form from squash. It still amazes me too — will it you?
WHAT’S COOKIN’
Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti Squash INGREDIENTS 1¼ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 2- to 3-pound spaghetti squash 1½ teaspoons paprika Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 shallot, minced 3 cups baby spinach ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan
METHOD Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place squash, cut-side down, onto a baking sheet. Roast in the oven 35 to 45 minutes, until fork tender. Remove from oven and let rest until cool enough to handle. Using a fork, scrape the flesh out of the squash creating long strands. Set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add shrimp, garlic and shallot. Season with paprika, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp is pink, about 2 to 3 minutes; remove from pan and set aside. Cover to keep warm. Add squash strands and spinach to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is heated through and the spinach has wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in basil and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Spoon squash and spinach mixture into shallow bowls and top with shrimp. Garnish with Parmesan.
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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D LIFEINBRUNSWICKCOUNTY.COM
FINDING THE RIGHT LOOK FOR YOUR HOME by Claire Lynch
Are you looking for a fresh look for your living room and don’t know where to start? Calabash Trading Co. and Consignment is the place to go for new and gently-used furniture plus some tips about how to pull your design together. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE
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HUNKER IN THE BUNKER by Kurt Epps — The PubScout
Beer tips for weathering hurricanes from a pro. As a survivor of a direct hit by a “minor” weather event in New Jersey named SuperStorm Sandy, I’ve gained some experience in the “Hunker Down” arena.
ART EXHIBIT ON THE FLY by Carolyn Bowers
When COVID-19 prevented the annual student art show at Franklin Square Gallery, Associated Artists of Southport found a creative way to display the students’ artwork. Sixteen lucky recent high school graduates can thank COVID-19 for having their artwork displayed on panels hanging on the outside of Franklin Square Gallery and on Howe Street in Southport. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE 32
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First, there is little anyone can do about power outages, except hope that if it goes out, it will be restored quickly. Sandy made us wait 11 days, and she hit in the fall, just when the nippiness in the air turned into actual cold. So, by day we warmed ourselves by the hearth, and at night we took out all those blankets we thought we’d never need. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE
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GREAT EXPECTATIONS
By Kurt Epps – The PubScout
Despite the July 4th weekend crowds in Southport, the lucky PubScout scores a great meal at Fishy Fishy Cafe. Southport is pretty high on the Brunswick County Tourist Attraction list, even on a non-holiday weekend — and with good reason. Charming, quaint, picturesque, right on the water and boasting some excellent eateries, the little town attracts folks from everywhere. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE
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BEACH WOOD WORKERS by Jo Ann Mathews
Southern Decks satisfies customers with handcrafted decks and furniture. At Southern Decks, it’s easy to get what you want. Email a picture of the deck of your dreams or describe a table you want in a phone conversation, and the owners of Southern Decks will handcraft it for you. Allen Williams and his uncle, Terry Hammonds, began making furniture as a hobby about 10 years ago and opened Southern Decks in Ocean Isle Beach in August 2019. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE
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A TASTY EXPANSION by Denice Patterson
Terry and Andrew Bland, owners of the popular Purple Onion Cafe and ART Catering & Events in downtown Shallotte, have expanded operations into the elegant Brick Landing clubhouse near Ocean Isle Beach. The couple has nearly 25 years of restaurant and catering experience. Since landing in Brunswick County in 2004, Terry has managed the business while Andrew, a professionally trained chef and United Kingdom native, has created delicious and diverse cuisine for their clientele. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE
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UP NORTH
NORTH BRUNSWICK MAGAZINE WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR SISTER PUBLICATION
Pick up NBM at grocery stores in the Northern Brunswick County area. Or view stories online at LifeinBrunswickCounty.com/nbm | E
KEEP IT CLEAN Leland-based Clean Brunswick works to keep the town and its roadways free of litter. By Rich Mina, Photography by Laura Glantz
Driving through southeastern North Carolina can be a breathtaking experience. The Carolina blue skies overhead, the billowy white clouds, the tall pines standing sentry, the plastic shopping bag thwapping under your fender. Litter! What can Brunswick County residents do to reduce its impact on our aesthetics and our property?
FORGING AHEAD Chef turned knifemaker Nicholas “Nic” Nichols is perfecting the art of making kitchen cutlery. By Melissa Slaven Warren, Photography by Matt McGraw
For chefs, the perfect knife isn’t just a kitchen tool they randomly pull from the block to get the job done, but a carefully selected, mission-critical instrument that cuts exactly where they want it to.
MEMORIES OF MAINE There are many ways to enjoy Maine’s signature crustacean, but one of the best and most indulgent is to tuck chunks of lobster meat into creamy mac and cheese. By Sandi Grigg, Photography by James Stefiuk
Last summer my spouse and I and a couple of our best friends rented a van and drove to Rockland, Maine, to attend the Lobster Festival. It was an amazingly epic trip.
HERE WE GROW Town Creek Middle School is well on its way to building strong community connections. By Denice Patterson, Photography by Bill Ritenour
Dr. Jonathan DeBerry opens the front door to greet his students at Town Creek Middle School. With a slight bow and a swoop of his arm, he says, “Welcome to our band of coyotes.” The principal and his team have planned for this very moment for months, and while the pandemic has since shifted the initial plans for the school opening, the goal remains the same.
“We are building a culture,” he says. “From our very first day we want to build relationships between our staff and students as well as the extended community.” Building a culture also includes planning a brief ceremony at the beginning of each year in which new students will walk across the stage to accept a memento from the staff.
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ARTS
Art Marvel Seventeen-year-old artist AJ Kochuba, who splits his time between family homes in Sunset Beach and Raleigh, has a strong artistic voice and a clear vision for his future. BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ
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If truth be told, there probably are not many adults who possess the level of self-awareness that 17-year-old Andrew Joseph “AJ” Kochuba already has. This talented artist and academically gifted student already has an impressive artist’s curriculum vitae that includes creating a permanent installation for his school, designing logos and t-shirts, organizing charity art events, painting commission pieces, donating art to charities like Amnesty International and leading school events like Art Farm and an outreach program that promotes the arts to underfunded area schools. Though he may be young, Kochuba
is not a novelty and hopes that AJ Kochuba works on a landscape painting people don’t “limit me to being at his family's Sunset just a teen and consider my work Beach home. for my talent rather than my young age,” he says. Kochuba and his family — dad Joe, mom Angela, 23-year-old brother Joey and 14-year-old sister Chloe — split their time between homes in Sunset Beach and Raleigh, where Kochuba attends Raleigh Charter High School. He is both self-taught and has taken multiple classes from local artists Ginny Fall 2020
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Lassiter and Ruth Cox and from Beth Reece and Paul McCormick, to name a few. Kochuba is also an avid student of YouTube painting video tutorials. Though he has been drawing since he as a child, carrying sketchbooks, notepads and pencils wherever he goes, Kochuba’s passion for art exploded in middle school, when in the sixth grade he was placed in a semester-long art class. “In that class, I realized just how much I am fascinated by visual art,” Kochuba says. “I grew quickly as an artist and soon realized how much more serious about art I was than the other kids.” He continued with those classes the following year, and as he entered eighth grade, he was invited to register for an experimental, year-long art program in which he flourished. The lone artist in his immediate family, Kochuba enjoys their unwavering support. They encourage his passion with classes, taking trips to art museums and visiting art supply stores for paints and other materials. “My mom has a fantastic eye for design and artwork,” he says. “She attended college-level art classes when she was in elementary school, but her parents stopped supporting her dream to be an artist when she went to college. My mom often says she works hard in her business career to support my dreams since she didn’t have the opportunity.” Art is something his family values, and they continue to nurture his talent. That talent is undeniable. Whether
I am still exploring and finding myself and my place in the world, so I know that I can adapt the medium to my needs.
Kochuba is painting a portrait, a landscape or another subject, he invests his heart, mind and soul in each piece. A selfdescribed perfectionist, he feels committed to create something amazing each time he puts brush to canvas. “Overall, the key to my paintings is lots of layers, complementing colors, control over textures and manipulation of brush strokes,” Kochuba says. He wants his art to evoke an emotional response and elicit a call to action for the viewer. Painting is Kochuba’s favorite medium, and he switches between acrylic and oils equally. It is the diversity and flexibility of painting and the feeling that he can do almost anything with paint, whether a meticulous or expressive style, that is so important to him. “I am still exploring and finding myself and my place in the world, so I know that I can adapt the medium to my needs,” he says.
ARTS
He also enjoys experimenting with various forms, styles and workflows including drawing with graphite, charcoal, ink, pastels and colored pencils as well as linoleum block printing and embroidery. Recently, he has developed an interest in graphic art and has designed logos and posters for school clubs and companies. Kochuba often uses his art to bring a voice to causes he believes in. In his ink and acrylic piece, “Lost Flock,” he depicts the heroes of school mass shootings. In “Inner Dialogue,” he explores the dark isolation of suicidal thoughts and depression that teens his age silently suffer. In the permanent installation he created for his high school, he brought awareness to the damage and destruction that plastics can do to the oceans and beaches.
As important as art is to Kochuba, he does have another love: science, specifically biology. He is also very strong in math, but not particularly fascinated by it. His academic goal is to double major in art and biology for a future career in medicine. He learned though Duke University’s Talent Identification Program that he has the same passion toward medicine as he does art. He considered applying to Ivy League schools, but his heart is in North Carolina. His dream school is Duke University. “Fingers crossed I’m admitted,” he says. He plans to fund some of his college education with sales of his art. A career in medicine will not mean that Kochuba gives up art. He has some prominent mentors — Tim Roda, Bill Thelen and Brenon Day — who encourage him to continuously grow and think about what type of artist he wants to be in the future. “I have listened to many people in the medical field speak at panels, and most encourage having a strong hobby that I’m really invested in outside of medicine to take my mind off the trauma and stress,” Kochuba says. No matter what the future holds for Kochuba, he would like to continue to develop his voice through his artwork. “I’d like to see my art become an inspiration for others,” he says. “I hope to seriously consider entering national and international art shows. Even if I’m not admitted to the show, I know I’ll learn from others who are.”
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COMMUNITY
Reaching the Homeless Brunswick County Streetreach, Inc. helps Brunswick County’s homeless population, even in the extremely difficult times of COVID-19. BY JO ANN MATHEWS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENT GALLANT
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Governor Roy Cooper’s executive orders prohibiting mass gatherings, closing public schools and enacting the stay-athome directive changed drastically the way Streetreach, Inc. helps the homeless. As of April, Reverend Donna Phelps assured everyone that none of the 18 homeless people Brunswick County Streetreach, Inc. shelters had shown signs of the COVID-19 virus. “We take extra precautions,” she says. “We continuously check temperatures. We have hand sanitizer, gloves. One church group sewed
us masks, so everyone has a mask.” Phelps is grateful to have found a young man three years ago who was sleeping in a manhole. She gave him food cards then learned he wasn’t using them because he couldn’t read. She contacted Brunswick County Literacy Council, and now he is literate. The man lives on Phelps’ property and is a Streetreach volunteer. If she found him today, Phelps wouldn’t be able to help him. Her shelter is full, and the governor’s orders prohibit
Reverend Donna Phelps and her husband, Garry Phelps, co-founders of Building Hope Ministries, Inc., of which Streetreach is a part, with Holly Hunsucker and her daughter Atalie Rose. Hunsucker came for help several years ago and is now a volunteer.
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COMMUNITY
Can you help? Brunswick County Streetreach facebook.com/BCStreetreach bcstreetreach.org email: donnabuildinghope@ yahoo.com 24-hour message line: (910) 842-2711 Emergency: (910) 269-3057 or (910) 512-3731 Drop-off donations: 1009 Hewett Road SW, Supply Mailing address: P.O. Box 1331, Shallotte, NC 28459
Streetreach from using motel vouchers. Even though two good Samaritans stepped forward to rent their available fourbedroom homes to Streetreach at a muchreduced rate, the need was greater than available space. No government-supported homeless shelter exists in Brunswick County, and Streetreach, which was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2011, is the only nonprofit in Brunswick County that provides shelter. As of this writing, Phelps knew of six families sleeping in their cars. Several encampments throughout the county have people with mental health issues, posttraumatic stress disorder or other conditions that discourage them from seeking assistance. “They have fear factors, depression,” Phelps says. “They don’t want to go to a shelter.” When churches could no longer open their doors to group meals or other use of
their facilities, Streetreach distributed food in bags that contained prepackaged and pop-top items, breakfast bars, Gatorade and water. They gave gift cards redeemable at grocery stores and drive-through restaurants. From their 32-foot trailer that stores sleeping bags and other necessities, they distributed to people on the streets. From March 16 to April 9, the organization distributed more than 100 restaurant and grocery gift cards in addition to the biweekly distribution of food packages. “We had to change up everything, totally,” Phelps says. Generally, Streetreach works to get individuals in a long-term shelter or some form of housing within seven days of their initial contact. It takes two to three weeks to find enough resources to help families with children. In the midst of COVID-19 they were at a standstill. Phelps’ desire to form a ministry came about in the late ’90s when she became
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“We are here to network with other agencies just to try and find and locate resources to assist individuals to get on their feet."
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COMMUNITY
Streetreach distributes necessities and gift cards redeemable at grocery stores and drive-through restaurants.
involved with Prison Fellowship. Charles Colson, former aide to President Nixon, founded this Christian nonprofit after he served seven months in prison. Phelps wanted to help her brother, who is serving a 106-year sentence for second degree attempted murder. She said they had grown up with a single mother in the projects of Charlotte, and her brother made unwise choices. Colson helped Phelps become a minister, and in 1999 she and her husband, Garry, co-founded Building Hope Ministries, Inc. They visited prisons to give hope, compassion and consolation to the incarcerated and assisted the prisoners’ families. The ministry continues to distribute food and clothing and find shelter for those in Brunswick County released from prison. Phelps, a retired social worker who had worked at Brunswick County Department of Social Services, wants people to realize the homeless aren’t necessarily alcohol and drug addicts. “Some people have just fallen on hard times,” she says. “We are here to network with other agencies just to try and find and locate resources to
assist individuals to get on their feet.” Phelps emphasizes that Building Hope Ministries, including Streetreach, have never applied for a federal or state grant. All the money they receive comes from donations, and they depend on volunteers to help run the organization. “This is our calling,” Phelps says. “We are here to love one another, and if it’s meant to be, God will provide.” The greatest needs now are funds, food gift cards and cleaning supplies, she says. “We are strictly a Band-Aid,” Phelps says. “We are not a permanent fix. We try to locate resources to get people into a better situation. We work on a shoestring. We don’t know from week to week what we’re going to have.” The ministry was founded out of a desire to help other people. “This is a very challenging time for everybody, but I’ve seen a lot of compassion,” Phelps says. Art Catering’s Premier
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PEOPLE
Ageless Warrior Ginny MacColl, actor, competitive swimmer and American Ninja Warrior, proves that age is never a barrier to reaching your goals. BY ANNESOPHIA RICHARDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN DEITZ
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We oftentimes convince ourselves that strength and athleticism go hand-in-hand with youth. We think athletes are made from great genes and good fortune, and we assume we ourselves could never rise to such a challenge. Then we meet someone like Southport resident Ginny MacColl, a woman who couldn’t complete a single pull-up at the age of 63 and yet went on three years later to become the oldest female to ever compete on America Ninja Warrior. Then we realize that strength is truly ageless. Growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee, MacColl loved to dance. Her hobby turned into a profession when she moved to New York City at the age of 20 and was soon dancing on Broadway. She scored numerous roles, including the understudy to one of the leads in the hit show Pippin in 1973, before branching into television commercials. Her acting career soon took off, and she found herself in more than 100 national network and regional commercials, print work and even a spot in the 1982 film Annie. MacColl also got married and had two children during her time in the Big Apple; she was living her dream. In 1991 MacColl’s life changed course, and a divorce led her to give up acting and move to Pennsylvania’s rural Pocono Mountains. A newly single mother, MacColl needed to find a way to make ends meet and took a job in sales at a
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Slowing down during retirement was not an option for Ginny MacColl and husband, Dick Ishler. Encouraged by her daughter, American Ninja Warrior star Jessie Graff, MacColl became the oldest woman to compete on the show.
local radio station. During this time, she met her current husband, Dick Ishler, and the couple decided to move together to Maryland, where MacColl continued her career in radio while Ishler worked in banking and commercial real estate. Once MacColl’s children left for college, she and Ishler started planning for retirement, setting their sights on the Cape Fear area. “We wanted to go south and be close to the ocean,” MacColl says. “Dick found Wilmington because of Screen Gem Studios, and we knew we wanted to be within commuting distance of it for my dream of getting back into acting.” In 2014 the couple made their way to St. James Plantation, but retirement didn’t stop them from staying busy. Ishler joined the St. James Service Club and started volunteering with the Brunswick County Sheriff ’s Office and Keep Brunswick County Beautiful. MacColl got to work securing an agent and reestablishing herself as an actress after her 25-year hiatus. She soon scored a commercial for Food Lion, and from there her screen career reignited. Last year MacColl starred in the feature film POMS alongside Diane Keaton and Rhea Perlman, a role she considers a highlight of her career. While MacColl and Ishler were settling into life in Brunswick County, MacColl’s daughter, Jessie Graff, was busy becoming a star herself. A successful Hollywood
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stuntwoman, Graff began competing on television’s American Ninja Warrior (ANW) obstacle series. She dominated season after season and made it farther than any other female, becoming a role model for young girls and for her own mother as well. “I was always cheering for Jessie on the sidelines and thinking she looked so strong, graceful and healthy,” MacColl says. “Growing up, they used to say women shouldn’t get too bulky because it wasn’t feminine, but watching her made me want to get stronger myself because she looked beautiful out there.” Inspired, 63-year-old MacColl asked her daughter for advice, and Graff told her to start with pull-ups. Ishler helped his wife install a pull-up bar in a closet doorway and then watched as she struggled to lift her entire body weight even once. “Pull-ups have to be about the hardest thing to do, and I thought they were impossible,” MacColl says. “I knew I had no upper body strength, so I decided to get a personal trainer because I didn’t know the first thing about lifting weights.” After seven months of training, MacColl could see and feel an increase in her strength and tone, and after a year’s work she achieved her first pull-up. She met Oak Island resident Charles Mammay, who in 2015 at age 72 was the oldest competitor to ever compete on ANW. Mammay had built some of the show’s obstacles in his backyard, including the iconic first obstacle, the floating steps. “These athletes make the first obstacle always look so easy, jumping from side to side over water on an incline step,” MacColl says. “I just had to try it myself, so he invited me over and we worked on it until I got it.” When Graff learned her mother had mastered the first obstacle, it set the wheels in motion for getting MacColl to try out for the show. With her daughter’s encouragement, MacColl submitted a video application to ANW and soon afterwards got an invitation to compete in Daytona as part of Season 9. Nervous but excited, MacColl headed to Atlanta to get some practice first in a regional competition, then made her way to the Sunshine State for her chance to prove what she could do. “When I got there I was just bewildered, because there were cameras in my face and everything was just in constant 48
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motion,” MacColl says. “All of a sudden I’m up there looking at that first obstacle and wondering why I thought I could possibly do this. Then the countdown begins and I just jump and jump, and then I slip and go right into the water.” Shocked and devastated, MacColl couldn’t understand what happened or how she fell. She felt embarrassed and worried she’d let down her daughter, husband and everyone else who wanted her to prove what seniors could do. “Then Dick told me he knew I could do it again, and Jessie told me not to let one fall define me, and that you find strength through failure and have to push past it for success. So I got up and started training again, because I enjoyed it.”
After spending the next year working out and getting stronger, MacColl did get a second chance on Season 10 in Miami. This time she made it almost to the end of the first obstacle before again falling off the steps. Instead of feeling defeated, though, MacColl felt even more motivated to keep going. “I wasn’t mad at myself because I knew I had worked so hard on the steps,” she says. “What I found was I had one weak leg that wasn’t strong enough to push off. I learned I need to get my legs stronger and just focus on the process, not the outcome.” MacColl plans to compete in ANW again in 2021 and in the meantime is continuing her training and gets to travel and practice as a course tester for the show’s newest obstacles. Her workout regimen includes two hours of daily strength training and swimming, something she also does
PEOPLE
competitively. Last year she dominated at the National Senior Games, coming in eighth in the nation for freestyle and fourth for breaststroke. She hopes to compete in the National Senior Games again next year. Other goals include learning to do a handstand, mastering the art of juggling and, of course, continuing to act. If you ask Ishler, his wife will undoubtedly succeed at all three. “Whatever Ginny does, I know she’s going to do well,” Ishler says. “She’s tenacious, thorough and a good planner. She gets everything done that she sets her mind to, and I think it’s wonderful.” MacColl hopes her late-life journey into fitness will help others see that strength can be built at any age. Having been diagnosed in 2016 with
Life is short.
Buy the beach house.
osteopenia (the precursor to osteoporosis), she has experienced first hand the enormous health benefits that come with exercise. Her bone density has since returned to normal, and MacColl feels stronger now than she did decades ago. Hoping to spread awareness of the importance of strength training, MacColl advises people not to wait until problems exist to start building bone density. “You don’t know what you can accomplish until you try, as long as you have the motivation and passion,” MacColl says. “As we age, we get comfortable in our routines, and we don’t think we can get into a new sport. Age and inexperience should never be barriers, they’re just part of the journey. I’m living proof you can start at age 65 or even older.”
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At the Brunswick Center at Calabash, Director Courtney Bledsoe and her staff help seniors in the southwestern part of Brunswick County have the chance to stay fit, participate in an array of activities and eat nutritious meals. BY CLAIRE LYNCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK HEAD
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orn in Ohio and raised in Indiana, Courtney Bledsoe, director of the Brunswick Center at Calabash, grew up learning the value of caring for others. She was the second of five children and says, “The role of being an older sister taught me responsibility, patience and the importance of setting a good example. God blessed me with a wonderful family.” Bledsoe worked full-time as an event coordinator and general manager of a restaurant while earning an associate’s degree in business administration. Those years helped hone her managerial and organizational skills. She met her husband, Benjamin James, aka B.J., working at this same restaurant. After marrying in 2012, they relocated to Wilmington. B.J. started working full-time as an X-ray technician, and Courtney continued working as an event coordinator while also teaching yoga classes in Wilmington. After purchasing land in the Holden Beach area in 2017, the couple moved to southern Brunswick County. Bledsoe began seeking ways to serve her new community. She discovered Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc. (BSRI) while searching for volunteer opportunities teaching adaptive yoga for older adults. The staff at BSRI: left to right, Adminstrative Assistant Carol Schotter, Director Courtney Bledsoe, Case Manager Rene Tarquinio, Administrative Assistant Ellen Kleinerman, Assistant Director Holley Norris and Cook Tyler Hardy.
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MASSAGE THERAPY
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BSRI’s vision of Making a Difference resonated so strongly with Bledsoe that she decided to apply for the position of assistant director of the Brunswick Center at Leland and was hired in March 2018. “I learned so much about aging, adult services and the operational workings of senior centers in my first few months of working for BSRI, thanks to my passionate co-workers,” Bledsoe says. After a brief transfer to the Brunswick Center at Supply as the assistant director, she was appointed director of the Brunswick Center at Calabash soon after it opened on July 31, 2018. Before that there were four BSRI centers — in Leland, Shallotte, Southport and Supply. The Brunswick Center at Calabash, the fifth center, opened to serve the growing needs of seniors in southern Brunswick County. This center replaced the BSRI– operated nutrition site at the Calabash Covenant Presbyterian Church in Sunset Beach. “By the end of 2019, the Brunswick Center at Calabash had almost 3,000 active participants and served a daily congregate lunch for about 90 people,” Bledsoe says. “As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the demand for the many services BSRI offers, we are serving up to 150 hot lunches daily.” BSRI began offering the curbside lunch services on March 16 after they closed their buildings to the public. The first couple of weeks they distributed lunch Monday through Friday, one meal per senior. They then changed to a once-a-week pickup on Mondays, with each participant picking up five lunches. This limited exposure and risk for staff, volunteers and participants during the pandemic. They also run Meals on Wheels routes daily for their 70 homebound clients in the Calabash area. Similarly, they went from daily deliveries to twice a week, offering multiple meals per day.
The emphasis is on ‘active aging’ whereby each individual is encouraged to maintain good physical, social, spiritual and mental health as they get older.
“Like so many, we have had to get creative and adapt to the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic,” Bledsoe says. “Our team of dedicated and hardworking staff and volunteers have come together to make it possible to continue these important programs.” Besides Bledsoe, the center staff includes assistant director Holley Norris, case manager Rene Tarquinio, administrative assistants Ellen Kleinerman and Carol Schotter and cook Tyler Hardy. The Center at Calabash also has more than 100 active volunteers assisting in various departments and programs. Typical programs include exercise classes, educational programs, art classes, health
promotion presentations, social events and visits with Bella the therapy dog. “As a senior center director, continuing education in the field of aging has been crucial in developing the best program possible for our participants,” Bledsoe says. She recently finished the Leadership in Wellness Management program with the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and is in the process of completing the 6 Module Program with the Ann Johnson Institute for Senior Center Management. “The emphasis is on ‘active aging’ whereby each individual is encouraged to maintain good physical, social, spiritual and mental health as they get Fall 2020
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older,” Bledsoe says. Bledsoe notes that her previous employer of 10 years, Rick Burchell, taught her how to lead a team of employees. “Doing that well means knowing every aspect of each role I supervise, leading with compassion and understanding the employee’s point of view,” she explains. “I would never ask an employee to do a task I wouldn’t do myself.” Bledsoe recites the Sanskrit mantra “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu,”
which means: “May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.” She adds, “This mantra always brings me back to my purpose and brings me peace in stressful times.” One of her favorite books, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by don Miguel Ruiz offers practical advice to managers
everywhere. “Based on ancient Toltec wisdom,” Bledsoe says, “the essence of The Four Agreements is: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best. Remembering these things when interacting with people helps me greatly.” In her spare time Bledsoe and her husband enjoy being outdoors — going to the beach, paddleboarding, practicing yoga and spending time with their two hound dogs, Jake and Zeke, which they rescued from local animal shelters. Bledsoe also enjoys live music and cooking vegetarian meals for friends and family. As the director of the Brunswick Center at Calabash, she says her job is to make sure that things run as smoothly as possible. “There is no ‘typical day’ on my job and that’s a good thing for me,” she says. “As busy as it might be sometimes, I come home energized because helping people is so rewarding. “As a leader my job is to listen to others, to collaborate with my team and to create the best possible environment for the people we serve. I believe we are truly making a difference.”
Want to volunteer? The Brunswick Center 10050 Beach Drive SW, Calabash (910) 754-7427 bsrinc.org 54
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home LIKE COMING
The Sunset Inn celebrates 20 years of welcoming guests into their family fold.
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BY SHEREE K. NIELSEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK HEAD
There’s something special about driving over the Mannon C. Gore Bridge connecting Sunset Beach’s mainland to island. The salty sea air entices hearts and minds to relax, while the sky skips delicately in cornflower and cottony white hues. Great blue herons and wood storks forage in marsh grasses. Suddenly, you realize, you’re on vacation. Nearing journey’s end, a majestic, plantation-style structure complete with a white fence, a grand staircase and stately pillars comes into view, like an old friend ready to welcome you home. This is The Sunset Inn. The charming inn, owned by local Realtor Dave Nelson, was inspired by a visit in 1995 to Morritt’s Tortuga Club in Grand Cayman. The Sunset Inn celebrated its 20th anniversary on June 30, 2020. The story of how the inn came about is an interesting one. Back in 1965, with few homes on the
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island, Nelson (age 10) fell in love with the coastal town while on holiday. His father worked alongside a fellow who purchased one of the island’s original homes. Nelson, at such a young age, knew he had to figure out a way to leave the mountains behind and call Sunset Beach his home. After both of his parents had passed, Nelson’s dream of a life in Sunset became a reality. His left his corporate job and moved to Sunset Beach in 1990, working in real estate. In 1997 he
formed a construction company and soon after began building single-family beach homes. Around 1993, a couple visited his office stating they acquired five lots in Sunset Beach from a land auction, at $400 a lot, and were eager to sell. “The property was covered with shrubs and vines and was a mess,” Nelson admits. There was no central sewer system and they were not even sure it would perk (when a septic system can be installed because of soil conditions). Machete in hand, Nelson hacked his way through the property. Good news: The ground was dry. Nelson agreed to help sell the couple’s property, but over the next couple of years had no luck. After speaking to an acquaintance, who was president of a Shallotte bank, he presented a business plan (with vision and personal sketches of the inn) on
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Sitting on the porch or overlooking the balcony, you’ll view the changing tides, salt marsh, Intracoastal Waterway, bridge and beautiful homes.
what would be good for the property. The bank’s board of directors agreed to assist in funding the project. Suddenly, Nelson was in the inn business. In the early stages, Nelson recruited Andrea Ward (formerly from Sunset Vacations) to help and now she’s the innkeeper. In a construction trailer, the two mapped out policy, procedures and mission statements on legal pads. Their goals were that quality needed to be off the charts and that it needed to be run
simply and implemented optimally. “I am so appreciative for Andrea and so proud of her, Nelson says. “She is truly amazing and a dear friend. She has really made The Sunset Inn what it is.” According to guests, the sweet retreat “leaves no stone unturned.” “It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the inn opened,” Nelson says. “When you walk through the front door, it smells right, it looks right and it feels right. It feels like you’re at
home; it’s comfortable.” Over the years, the inn has evolved, taking on a distinct personality. Small things are never overlooked, especially the gorgeous landscaping and hanging baskets. Groundskeeper Kelly Clemmons selects plants for the baskets that include colorful mandevilla, sweet potato vines, dragon wing begonia, petunias and other flora. Working close by, Nelson plants countless hibiscus throughout the grounds, creating lovely eye-candy. “Around 2014, we started doing all the landscaping ourselves,” Nelson says. “Drip irrigation reaches all areas. Doves love to nest in the hanging baskets, laying their eggs directly in the flowers. Guests really love that, and the flowers.” In addition to the stunning scenery, the view from the inn is spectacular. “Sitting on the porch or overlooking the balcony, you’ll view the changing tides, salt marsh, Intracoastal Waterway, bridge and beautiful homes,” Ward says. “Egrets and great blue heron in the shallows, crabs scurrying through mud flats, deer and even an occasional bobcat are just some of nature you’ll observe. And, of course, the sunsets!” Guests see the same familiar faces every day. They like that the rooms are updated and clean, breakfast is simple but great, and popcorn is available all the time. “They love the fact they can walk to Bird Island from the inn,” Nelson says. With all of these wonderful amenities, the quaint respite welcomes many repeat guests. Ward reminisces about a few that are extra special. “Keith and Elaine from Ohio, on a cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway, Fall 2020
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The staff at The Sunset Inn, left to right: Groundskeeper Kelly Clemmons, Owner Dave Nelson, Innkeeper Andrea Ward and Housekeeping Manager Yesenia Rivera.
passed by the inn. We saw the boat go by, but didn’t see them. Turns out they were waving at us from the boat! David and Tracie from Wilmington, enjoy helping folks when they arrive — carrying groceries for staff, grilling out (and sharing food). They come for good oldfashioned R&R. Helen, from the mountain area, stays every year for her birthday. She travels the world and sends postcards from her many adventures in New Zealand, Iceland, Australia and more.” Since 2005 the inn has hosted a writing retreat with Maureen Ryan Griffin. The workshop, limited to eight people, includes lodging and Saturday lunch. Many of the writers attending sign up for the next year’s workshop when they leave. “Maureen likes to tell the story of how I found her online through a N.C. writers website,” Ward says. “I thought she looked sweet, so I called to see if she’d be interested in holding a retreat.” Because the employees truly care for each other, they feel like family. Ward has been with the inn since its inception. Other long-time employees include housekeeping manager Yesenia 58
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Rivera (16 years) and Clemmons, the groundskeeper (15 years). “We’re all in this together,” Ward says. “It’s a great place to work, a beautiful environment. Each winter, we paint, replace flooring, and do any other work to be done. Dave is a great boss!” “You can have a beautiful building, but the staff makes it,” Nelson says. “I have a great, great staff. Second to none. They are my family members. I’ve been very blessed by the good
Lord. He’s allowed me to live at the place that I love, where I’ve met many wonderful people and have lasting friendships.” The Sunset Inn pays it forward by donating two-night stay gift certificates for charity fundraisers and silent auctions for organizations such as the American Red Cross, Play for Pink, Blooming for a Cause, Paws-Ability and Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. Occasionally staff collaborates with the local Tourism Development Authority, comping travel writer stays whenever possible. Nelson finds inspiration in Tom Peter’s book In Search of Excellence. A quote from the book states “If you take your seat on an airline jet, and there’s a coffee stain on your seat-back tray, chances are the thought of improper engine maintenance will pop into your head.” Nelson assures there are no “coffee stains” anywhere at The Sunset Inn. Ward agrees. She likes the quote, “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence.”
Want to go? You can find Ward, Nelson and the rest of the family at The Sunset Inn, 9 E. North Shore Drive E., Sunset Beach. Call them at (888) 575-1001 or find them online at thesunsetinn.net.
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HISTORY
History Uncovered Four century-old Holden Farm outbuildings revealed by a recent timber cutting have sparked curiosity along Highway 17. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERESA A. MCLAMB
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A glimpse of Brunswick County’s farm history is visible along Highway 17 near Four-Mile Road. When the land was timbered this past spring, four century-old outbuildings were revealed, including a log cabin–style corn crib. The painted white house nearby was part of the original farm as well. It was home to Merimon Holden and his wife, Sallie Jane Mintz, grandparents of adjoining property owner Kelly Holden, who operated Holden Brothers Produce along with his late brother for many years.
The four remaining outbuildings can be clearly seen from a position near where the house originally sat.
The farmland was inherited by Mintz, whose mother was Mary Anna Brooks, a descendent of the Brooks family. The Brooks family held the original land grant that stretched several hundred acres, maybe thousands, from the ocean to the west side of Highway 17. Their daughter inherited 67 acres of the farm, which her descendants sold last year. When the new owner cleared the area, the outbuildings that Kelly Holden clearly remembers from his youth were revealed. A car shed, a four-room barn with a shed overhang and a Fall 2020
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HISTORY
“ The house also sheltered the area’s only radio for many years. “On Saturday nights the neighbors would gather to hear the Grand Ole Opry.”
small shack often used as a tenant dwelling are all constructed of roughhewn lumber cut from the farm, according to Holden. “The house is circa 1917,” he says. “I found it written in a wall when we were doing some remodeling.” Merimon Holden (1888–1964) built the original house as well as the outbuildings, most likely with the help of some neighbors, Holden says. “I don’t know who helped him, but most of the time it was a community effort to build a house. The lumber was cut off the farm. He had two or three sawmills on the farm at that time.” Logs for the corn crib were also from the farm. The house had 10-foot ceilings and was always cold, Holden says. “It wasn’t insulated,” he remembers. “We put some insulation in it [a few years ago]. There are three bedrooms, a dining room and a living area. There used to be four chimneys, but they’re sealed off.” Until electricity came to the area, his grandparents 62
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employed a Delco system for electricity in the house and outbuildings. The house also sheltered the area’s only radio for many years. “On Saturday nights the neighbors would gather to hear the Grand Ole Opry,” he recalls. The land was cleared primarily by Holden’s grandfather with the help of one other man, mules, shovels and axes, Holden says, adding that his grandfather had several teams of mules. “Mr. Harvey Robinson from Supply helped my grandfather clear the land. He used to stop by and talk with me. The two of them cleared most of these fields, from here north, the hard way. He’d tell me stories about them working together. That was before they had access to dynamite. Mr. Robinson lived to be about 100.” The house originally sat close to Highway 17 and was surrounded by large trees. When the road was widened in 1957, most of the purchased right of way was on the ocean side of the road. The house was moved to its present location. There must have been a bit of a hill at the time; Holden remembers a
HISTORY
steep bank with steps from the house going all the way to the shoulder of the road. “The power lines used to run where the north bound lane is now,” he says. “The work was done by Toll & Cline contractors. They moved a bunch of tobacco barns and a lot of other things. People used to build right beside the road so they would have easy access and not have to maintain so much land.” Holden recalls that a house mover was employed to move his grandparents’ home but doesn’t recall who it was. After all, he was only 7 years old. Holden describes the buildings. The tobacco barn, the closest structure to Highway 17, required regular maintenance. “It had to be dobbed every spring to replace all the mud that Kelly Holden had come out from stands in front between the boards. of the building We’d dig clay out of the that served ditches. It was originally as temporary housing for a four-room barn and itinerant workers, later when gas was used including Dave it went to five.” Tobacco Gause, who Kelly was cured in the early remembers days using wood-fired well from his furnaces; later kerosene childhood. was used, then in the Produce boxes late 1960s or early 1970s from years back are stacked under many local farmers the shed roof of switched to gas, he the tobacco barn. explains. While there’s very little tobacco farming in Brunswick County today, it was big business until about 1980. Holden last used this barn about 1978, he says. The process has stayed almost the same since colonial days. Tobacco leaves were picked by field hands, almost always men, who drug a wooden sled behind a mule or tractor and loaded tobacco onto the sled by hand. When it was fully loaded, it was taken to the barn where handlers, usually young children, would hand it off to stringers, usually women, who would tie the tobacco stems with twine and wrap a bundle across a wooden stick about one-inch square and several feet long.
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Those sticks were loaded into the barn, laid across tier poles that stretched from one side of the barn to the other and air dried with the assistance of the furnace. “Each tier pole was referred to as a room,” Holden explains. The drying process took about six days. “It would take about a day to put up a barn full when it was hand Right: The corn crib strung,” Holden says. “Normally it was once used to cured for about six days, and you store dried corn tried to get it out within a week. A on the cob that lot of times you’d get up before day was used to feed the hogs, mules, and take out a barn and put one in and cattle along the same day. We used about seven to with corn kernels eight barn hands, then around five for the chickens. field hands. In this area they were Below: Kelly Holden stringers then the handers. The first walks toward the job was handing, and it was done by car shed where his young kids. I started in the third grandfather’s 1949 grade. A lot of times you had to Studebaker was once stored.
stand on a milk crate, you’d be so short. We had women from Dog Head Bay [community] who helped us most of the time. The field hands were all men. The barn help was women and children.” He recommends anyone interested in learning more about early farming check out a Facebook group called Raised on a Tobacco Farm. Because fire was used in the curing process, the danger of losing a barn was always there. “A lot of farmers were notorious for burning barns,” Holden says. “I never lost one. 64
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My dad lost one back in the 1930s.” He recalls several local farmers who lost several barns, but there were always neighbors to help them rebuild. Next to the barn is the car shed where Holden’s grandfather stored his car and some small tools. “I remember an old ’49 Studebaker when I was a kid. He had a Dodge truck he bought from Odell Williamson’s dealership in Shallotte. My first memory of him is riding around with him in that old Dodge pick-up.” When the Studebaker broke down, his grandfather replaced it with a Chevrolet from the Mintz dealership in Bolivia,” Holden says. He also recalls his grandfather’s first tractor, a Farmall Super 8, purchased in the early 1950s. Prior to that tractor, all the farm work was done with mules and hand labor. The next structure was used for various purposes, but often a bed was set up for a farm worker to live in it. Holden recalls that his grandmother was a kind soul who took in anyone in
HISTORY
need. “She never saw a stranger that she didn’t trust. If people were walking along [the highway] she’d bring them in and feed them and send them on their way,” Holden says. “A lot of the time, they’d want to stay and work, and she’d give them the opportunity if the work was there.” One such person was a man named Dave Gause, who Kelly believes was from Pender County. “He’d gotten out of the pen and couldn’t get work. My grandparents hired him. He lived in the old house there for years and helped them around the farm. He was good with mules. I remember Dave. He was kind of a short fellow. Everywhere he went he was looking down,” Holden recalls. There were others, but Gause made an impression on the young boy. The log building was the corn crib where corn was stored to feed to the farm animals. Dried corn on the cob was fed to hogs, mules and cattle. “Just throw the whole cob, and they devour it,” he says. For chickens, it had to be removed from the cob. “My grandfather always called them fowl; called their house the fowl house. Every spring we had to take the manure out of the fowl house and put it on his watermelon patch.” This was subsistence farming, Holden says. They raised cattle for meat and milk. As a young boy, he learned from his mother how to milk the cows. In addition to tobacco, they grew cotton. “I’ve still got the old scales,” Holden says. They grew hay and peanuts which Holden’s grandfather called ground peas. “They harvested a lot for consumption then would build a stack to feed the cattle and hogs through the winter. A cow could eat it green but a horse or mule or a hog had to eat it dried or it would kill them. A cow has four stomachs; they can eat anything. A goat or a horse is super sensitive. You can mess up their system.” Holden kept goats in this formerly wooded area of the farm for several
years. They took over a fifth building, which also housed several teams of mules in stalls but was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew. The debris still litters the field. The sudden appearance of these buildings has stirred a lot of interest from passers-by, Holden says. “I see people in here taking pictures a lot,” he says. The best pictures, however, may be the ones in his mind from a lifetime of caring for the land that has nurtured his family for almost three centuries.
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CULTURE
Artists Among Us In Southport, formerly New Yorkbased artists Lisa and John Strazza perform the incredible work art restoration. BY CAROLYN BOWERS
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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As a young child, Diane Kuebert often wondered why her mother had so many dark and dirty oil paintings hanging on the walls of their home on Long Island, New York. Now she knows. Those paintings were done by famous 19th-century American landscape painter Charles Day Hunt, and they had been in Kuebert’s family for generations. After her mother passed away last year, Kuebert inherited all of her possessions, many of which were packed up in boxes, and she had stored them away. During the COVID-19 stay-at-home mandate in the spring, she finally had the time to unpack the
boxes and uncover the family Restoration artist Lisa Strazza uncovers treasurers. And there were the dark the treasures that and dirty paintings she had lie beneath layers of remembered from so long ago. neglect. Kuebert knew that their true beauty was obscured after years of collecting dust and cigarette smoke, so she went down to Ricky Evans Gallery in Southport and asked an artist at work there if she could recommend someone to restore the paintings. Lisa Strazza Fall 2020
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CULTURE
Clockwise from left: John and Lisa Strazza in their home studio. Before and after of a wedding portrait Strazza Art Restoration painstakingly restored — preserving the heirloom for future generations. Diane Kuebert stands next to one of her restored Charles Day Hunt paintings
PHOTO BY CAROLYN BOWERS
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
PHOTO BY CAROLYN BOWERS
answered, “Yes, that would be me.” Kuebert commissioned Strazza Art Restoration to restore the once-beautiful paintings and gilded frames to their original glory — and what a difference that made! The bright and clean paintings now hang in Kuebert’s home, each with its own story bringing back memories from a time so long ago. Her favorite is the one with the gentle shoreline and the ships far out at sea, signed and dated 1877. Kuebert says she couldn’t even see the ship on the left or the highlights in the sky until Strazza restored it. The little painting with the hens is painted on wood instead of canvas,
and the hens were barely recognizable pre-restoration. Thanks to a clear varnish that Strazza put on all of the paintings, they will look just as lovely decades from now. In addition to being an amazing artist whose work is in corporate collections and fine galleries all over the world, Strazza has been in the business of restoring paintings for most of her adult life. She first worked for a company in Edison, New Jersey, that specializes in historical building and church renovations. She has helped restore works in such landmark churches as St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and Holy Cross Church in New York City. Strazza’s husband, John, is a talented photographer whose work is also in galleries and private collections all over the world. He is widely known for his street scenes of New York. And he, too, is in the restoration business, restoring damaged photographs to their original state. What brought these two artists from the competitive New York/New Jersey area to Southport? Pretty much the same thing that brought most of the rest of us here — they were Fall 2020
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CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
tired of the Northeast rat race and the cold, snowy winters. But their story is a little more dramatic than most. One summer day in 2016, the Strazzas gave their landlord notice that they were leaving, closed their gallery in Warwick, New York, bought a new Ford Focus and headed south, not having any idea where they would end up. Savannah was nice but too far from their children, all of whom live in the New York/New Jersey area; Charleston was lovely, but not quite right either. Wilmington was too crowded, has too many cars and reminded them of where they just left. Finally, someone suggested Southport, and they immediately fell in love with the peaceful, picturesque town they call “Cape Cod in the South.” While a lovely place to live, a “peaceful, picturesque town” does not lend itself to the bustling street-scene photography that John is so good at, so he had to give that up. But starting over is nothing new to him. He began his adult life as a musician, singing, writing songs and playing the guitar. Then he became a pastor. And somewhere along the line, he became a photographer. He is now the 70
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Lisa Strazza's process: before, during and after painting restoration. Below: Examples of Lisa Strazza’s vibrant “Southern Impressions.”
one who takes pictures of artists’ original works so Ricky Evans can make prints from them. He also restores old photographs. But he will tell you that his main job is to encourage and support his wife because he sees such great talent in her work, and he consistently stretches her to reach her personal best. He makes her stay true to her original vision and won’t let her insert something more in the painting just because it might be more commercially appealing. In his words, “I offer expensive editing.” Strazza, too, has changed her focus. Up until around 2014, she was painting mostly abstracts, but later changed her focus to impressionism and painted scenes of the Hudson Valley. Now she paints what she calls “Southern Impressions.” “She doesn’t paint things,” John says, “she paints feelings.” The one consistent theme throughout their careers has been their art restorations. And
CULTURE
being the spiritually based people that they both are, the joy that each restoration gives its owner means everything to them. “We’re giving people back their memories in good shape,” Strazza says. Hearing Strazza describe the process gives one a real appreciation for the difficulty in restoring a painting. If the painting is on canvas, she will take off the backing and work from the back. This usually means that she can clean the painting without having to retouch it, a very time-consuming, painstaking process. However, if the painting is on wood, she has to work from the front side, and that is more difficult. She also cleans and restores the frames and occasionally has to replace a piece of it, which she does by making an identical plaster piece. She mostly works on oil paintings; however, she has restored some acrylics as well. As if painting and restoring paintings weren’t enough to keep Strazza busy, she also works at Ricky Evans Gallery in Southport a couple of days a week, framing pictures and consulting with customers.
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Restore Your Art If you have an old painting or photograph up in your attic that needs some help, or one of your favorite paintings has been damaged, contact Strazza Art Restoration through their website, strazzagallery.com or call them at (910) 713-6091. Or you can reach them at Ricky Evans Gallery, 211 N. Howe Street in Southport, (910) 457-1129, and bring your painting or photograph there if that is more convenient. Either way works for them, and the price is the same.
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NONPROFIT
Easing the Struggles of Childhood Cancer The nonprofit Strut For Kids lends monetary and emotional support to childhood cancer patients and their families. BY ASHLEY DANIELS
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Strut for Kids knows that the journey to beat cancer is a marathon, not a sprint. But the nonprofit movement is more than just the flagship fundraising 5K race
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they host each year. It’s a powerful support team that lifts up families to keep them moving with financial assistance, hope and love, when cancer puts a halt to their lives. Because even during a pandemic that stops nearly all moving parts around the world, cancer continues to be invasive.
“Childhood cancer doesn’t stop for pandemics and neither will we,” says Amy Bedingfield, president of the Strut for Kids board of directors. “It’s been such an honor, honestly, just to be a part of this organization and how it’s grown so much. We’re essentially a startup of entrepreneurs kind of building the plane in the sky to make this something that is valuable and
helpful to families in the area — and we’re constantly trying to understand what the needs are.” The Strut for Kids nonprofit was founded in 2016 by a group of women inspired to help Owen Preston, a local boy diagnosed with childhood cancer, and his family struggling to battle cancer with him, plus pay the hospital bills. Sadly, Owen passed away April
29, 2017, after a hard-fought, 16-month battle, but his memory lives on through one of the three main Strut for Kids’ fundraising events: Owen Preston Bingo Night. Today Strut for Kids still stands strong as Wilmington’s only nonprofit that’s solely dedicated to supporting local children and their families in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Fall 2020
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NONPROFIT
counties on the pediatric cancer journey, from the time of diagnosis to treatment and beyond. The all-volunteer group is comprised of seven board members and hundreds of other volunteers. Bedingfield, formerly a critical care nurse, has a background involvement in childhood cancer organizations in her home state of Alabama. She joined Strut for Kids
as a board member in 2017 and was slated as board president in 2019. While Strut for Kids is her passion, her day job is working in healthcare technology, specifically population health. “When I first moved to North Carolina around 2015, I wanted to plug into a local organization that was similar here and there wasn’t one,
Former critical care nurse and current president of the Strut for Kids board of directors, Amy Bedingfield.
PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ
“
which was a disappointment,” she says. “Ironically, unbeknownst to me, it was around this time that Strut for Kids was forming.” The organization was able to squeak in its 11th annual Cardinal Strut 5K Run and Walk at the end of February (before the coronarvirus pandemic put an end to event gatherings) to benefit Greater Wilmington area families dealing with pediatric cancer diagnoses. The fate of the other two fundraisers — Owen Preston Bingo Night and the St. James Tennis Fundraiser, which each raise thousands of dollars for Strut for Kids — is undecided at this point because of the pandemic. “Our purpose is to make sure we have funds available so that we can serve our families,” Bedingfield says. “Our need during this pandemic has gone up probably threefold.” Their core need is financial assistance, which Strut for Kids provides by way of paying for transportation to hospitals, rent/ mortgage, utilities, gas, groceries and more. “Last year, we had 14 Hope Fund applications,” she says, “and in the last six weeks we had 19. … In the past three years, we’ve helped almost 40 families through this childhood cancer journey, with about 15 kids that are on active treatment at any given time in this area.” Strut for Kids has distributed more than $50,000 directly to local families with a child battling cancer. “When you look at our service area, we’re local serving local,” she adds. “Our goal is that we want to serve every family that is touched by this disease.”
Their core need is financial assistance, which Strut for Kids provides by way of paying for transportation to hospitals, rent/mortgage, utilities, gas, groceries and more. Fall 2020
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NONPROFIT
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Bedingfield explains one way Strut for Kids steps in to help. No child can get chemotherapy or radiation in Wilmington, and the closest treatment is UNC in Chapel Hill or Duke in Durham, a round trip of five to six hours. In general, many of the families travel anywhere from once a month to even weekly to UNC Chapel Hill or Duke. “Sometimes chemotherapy is ‘count dependent,’ meaning if the child’s blood counts aren’t within the right limits, they cannot get their chemo,” Bedingfield explains. “If this had to be done in Chapel Hill or Durham, that
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child could possibly not qualify for chemo that day and they would have to make the 2.5 to 3 hour trip right back home. Strut for Kids ensures that families know about the ability to get labs locally with the NHRMC pediatric infusion program, which can save them this 5 to 6 hour round-trip unnecessarily.” Often the visits require an overnight stay because of back-to-back appointments or an early morning sedation appointment. Before COVID-19, the family would stay at the Ronald McDonald House, but due
to closures during the pandemic, Strut for Kids helped families by booking and paying for hotel stays. “That’s been a blessing to the families to have that one less thing to worry about and take off their shoulders,” she says. “We want to offer support in a way that’s meaningful to that particular family, and understand and learn who they are.” As Bedingfield explains, once cancer becomes a part of each family’s world, things will never be the same. Love and support are needed to prevent that sense of isolation and feeling alone that
NONPROFIT
are also symptoms of cancer. “The main question should be, ‘How am I going to save my child’s life?’ not, ‘How am I going to pay my mortgage next month?’” Bedingfield says. “That's where we step in, and we can help families transition to the new normal, which is, ironically, a phrase that the average American would have never heard until six weeks ago.” Right now, Bedingfield reports that the board is in the middle of strategic planning for the remaining events that are usually held during the year, i.e., whether or not venues will be available to rent and what social distancing restrictions will look like in the future. She also affirms that Strut for Kids isn’t just about writing checks for families, but also actively The main checking in on them to provide hope. At-home visits question and their collaboration with should be, support groups, like “How am I Wilmington Childhood Cancer Collaborative and going to save Childhood my child’s life?” Wilmington Cancer Support Group, has not, “How am had to be replaced by FaceTime and Zoom calls. I going to pay “We are missing our my mortgage families so much!” she says. Bedingfield says that next month?” continued funding for their That’s where programs that directly aid we step in. these families is needed now more than ever. “This is our passion. This is why we do what we do,” she says. “And we want to bring awareness to childhood cancer and Strut for Kids. Our community has given us some really incredible feedback … these dollars go directly back into the Cape Fear community and to families in our area, and a lot of people really appreciate that. So, we appreciate this opportunity to share our platform because it’s very critical to our mission.”
“
NHRMC Radiation Oncology Welcomes
Kyle McCool, MD Dr. McCool is now seeing patients at our Wilmington and Supply locations. Please join us in welcoming him to the team. NHRMC Radiation Oncology—16th Street 1988 S. 16th Street Wilmington, NC 28401 NHRMC Radiation Oncology—Supply 545 Ocean Highway West Supply, NC 28462
Can you help? Strut for Kids For more information or donate or to volunteer, visit strutforkids.org.
nhrmc.org/cancer
Call today for an appointment 910.662.8440 Fall 2020
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Sweetheart SOUTHPORT
A Southport family, a relocated engineer and the home that charmed them all. BY KATHY BLAKE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK STEELMAN
T
The shrimp boats came in the 1910s, old wooden pastimes that Southport fishermen took to sea when days were warm, before steering them to Key West for the winters. The Wilmington, Brunswick & Southern railroad, nicknamed “Willing But Slow” and new to ice and refrigeration, gave the shrimpers motivation to profit from distant markets along the East coast prior to the Great Depression. In 1911 Southport resident Harry Lee Dosher borrowed $85 from Security Savings Bank, a financial institution existing solely in a cigar box at Watson’s Drug Store, and
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bought land at 614 N. Atlantic Avenue to build a home. In 1927 he bought a lot at the northeast corner of Howe and Leonard streets, where he built a new house next to Brunswick Motor Company, which he also constructed. It’s that new house, a one-level nailed together then boarded up by 1928, that has chapters — tales of renovations and a fire, a beloved gardener, a tree twice as old as the United States, of women’s clubs and an array of family episodes. Its authors are the shrimping industry, Southern charm and children who cling to weathered yarns and photographs.
Homeowner Carol Bailey chose a pinkish-orange color to paint the front door — a nod to Southport's shrimping past. Through the door, the living room is crowned by a 1940s chandelier that came with the house.
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SWEETHEART Mr. Harry Lee Dosher and his wife, Alta Wescott Dosher, had a daughter, Dorothy, born in 1915, who grew to be founding president of the Southport Garden Club, president of the Southport Woman’s Club and a longtime member of Southport Baptist Church, where she played organ and sang in the choir. She married Lewis Hardee Sr., a six-boat shrimper and seafood dealer from Fernandina Beach, Florida, in 1935, when the shrimp business’ rebirth brought nearly 200 boats to Southport waters. The Hardees bought the house at Howe and Leonard, vacant since 1928, and raised three boys between the Carolina coast, Fernandina and Key West. Lewis Hardee nicknamed Dorothy “Sweetheart,” and it is what her friends, family and neighbors called her. She referred to her house as Tara, and out of Southern necessity constantly updated it to be fashionably in the moment. Lew Hardee, Jr., oldest of the three boys, once wrote that Sweetheart “changed decorations in her house more than Macy’s changes its windows.” The west wall was removed to create a 22-foot by 22-foot living room. Two bedrooms and a bathroom were added to create an upstairs. A fire in the 1940s scarred the hardwoods in what is now a downstairs bedroom, the black darkness
Carol Bailey bought the Dosher-Hardee House in 2019 and dove head-first into the historical, restoration project and making the house her home. Along the way, treasures like the tree painted on the wall, chandeliers, and door knobs were preserved while architectural details and modern ammenities were added. 80
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still visibly etched in brown wood. Extensive remodeling in the 1950s added rattan furniture from Key West and jalousie windows in the den and kitchen to reflect the style of the Keys. A massive remodel project in 1952 gave Sweetheart her dream kitchen — a construction episode begun in January when the family left for the Keys and re-done in July, when they returned and Sweetheart voiced a bit of heartbreak concerning the location of the sink. The house was moved, intact, on January 26, 1970, to 205 E. Leonard Street, next to two vacant lots that formerly were the coal and ice plant. Lewis Hardee Sr. died in 1996; Sweetheart died in 2008, at age 95. Her Lady Asters still bloom. THE ENGINEER The house’s latest chapter is about a woman from up near Pittsburgh who worked drilling oil rigs in the Rockies and Texas and, later, in Washington, D.C., as a government contractor before moving to Charlotte. She fell in love with the house, escaped to the coast and is its current caretaker, restorer and companion. Her name is Carol Bailey. She bought the Dosher-Hardee House in early 2019. But that’s just the first page of that chapter. Bailey sometimes refers to the home as “the house on 401K Street.” She’s poured a boatload of legal-tender-loving-care into its recent costume changes — renovations to reel the home’s shrimping roots back inside its walls. “In hindsight, I was a little scared to move lock, stock and barrel to something unknown, but it was the best thing I ever did,” Bailey says. “People come by who knew the Hardees, who knew the Doshers, and I’m the caretaker of a house that’s steeped in history.” How did a former defense contractor who moved to Charlotte for an energy company job end up protector of a Southport house bathed in history?
Maybe the more docile occupation of real estate, for which she’s licensed. Maybe mulling “semi-retirement” in Charlotte wasn’t the ticket to paradise. “I was an engineer in the energy business all my life,” she says. “My friends and I would come to Oak Island and we’d go to Southport and visit the shops and restaurants, and I said, ‘You know, someday it would be cool to have a historic house. Then I saw one on the market.”
Bailey dove into the Dosher-Hardee House history. She studied its beginnings, read a historical account written by Lew Hardee, Jr., learned about Clarence Jones, the gardener, who has camellias named for him that still bloom, 6 feet tall, along the back patio, now accessible by a parlor with French doors. She hired a contractor, Steve Carr, who is tediously molding her vision into reality. A crew spent three months
New Hanover Medical Group Welcomes
Stefani Connel, MD Dr. Connel is now seeing patients at our Brunswick Forest location. Please join us in welcoming her to the team.
NHRMC Physician Group New Hanover Medical Group Brunswick Forest Office 1333 S. Dickinson Drive, Leland
nhrmcphysiciangroup.org
Call today for an appointment 910.662.6000 Fall 2020
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Wilmington Health in Leland has a number of specialties available to help keep you as healthy as possible. Wilmington Health is here for you always, offering expertise in all ways.
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The renovated kitchen overlooks the side yard — where camellias planted by the home's once-beloved gardener still grow — and opens to eating and seating areas. Below: A 400-plus year old oak tree stretches along the opposite side.
putting new piers underneath. She’s added a front walkway made from 100-year-old bricks found at a mill in South Carolina. The 1940s chandelier in the entrance came with the house, and each room is lit by a similar oversized crystal masterpiece with dangling, sparkling trinkets. Except for one with swaying oyster shells. A mariner’s compass, the size of a ship wheel, graces the entrance way floor like a sailor’s tattoo, geographically correct. A well-preserved piano is destined for the huge living room. “Because every house like this needs a Baby Grand,” Bailey says. Each doorway between rooms, each archway, is topped with Southport Bows, an original architectural design Sweetheart desired. Bailey carried the design upstairs to the new library and bedrooms and 1970s-era bathroom, the sole diversion from polite Southern decor in that its sink and tub are pinkish-purple ceramic. A built-in, wooden wine rack is next to the commode.
“The Southport Bows are triangleshaped above each doorway, so we duplicated that from how Sweetheart wanted it,” Bailey says. “We did some fluting in decorative trim, and I asked Steve to duplicate it in the upstairs library. And we added bows around each window.” Inside doorknobs are old-time crystal. The colors — of countertops in the shaker-style kitchen, of walls, the whole ambiance — appear dipped in pigmented palates from the sea. The dining area will be wallpapered with magnolias. Bailey insists the ceilings be shiplap, not drywall sheetrock. “It’s not a beach house. It’s more coastal, more nautical,” she says. “It’s a coastal cottage.” And it has hidden treasure. Tucked behind a plywood wall,
Bailey found a painting, about 3 feet by 4 feet, of a tree and waterfront, the artistic work of Lew Hardee Jr. “We cut it out and saved it,” Bailey says. “It literally once was the wall.” Also found in the walls were a faded Wilmington newspaper from 1939 and paper seafood transport permits Bailey saved them to showcase in the house. In the side yard, an oak tree estimated at 400-plus years old towers above the roof and stretches its long, crooked arms forever in each direction, like a protective hug for its 92-year-old friend. This latest chapter of renovations is producing 2,900 square feet of history, with four bedrooms and three baths. Bailey keeps in touch with Sweetheart’s relatives in Florida. She wants them to visit. “They are very eager,” she says. “I want to have the family come here.” They’ll see a new sign, naming the house Southport Sweetheart. And they’ll see new paint on the front door, honoring history. It’s pinkish-orange, the color of shrimp. Fall 2020
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[ 2020 BRUNSWICK COUNTY REAL ESTATE ]
BRUNSWICK
NEW HOMES & REAL ESTATE [ 2020-21 EDITION ]
The following is a sample of what’s in our 2020-21 edition of Brunswick New Homes & Real Estate. In addition to getting the publication at area real estate developments and builders, pick up the full copy at bulk locations from our racks this fall at the following locations: LELAND Harris Teeter at Waterford Lowes Foods at Brunswick Forest Port City Java at Waterford Port City Java at Brunswick Forest NHRMC Building at Brunswick Forest HWY 55 at Walmart Cross Creek Commons PT’S Grille North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce SOUTHPORT/OAK ISLAND Lowes Foods Port City Java Downtown Southport (outdoor rack at Margaret Rudd) Southport Visitors Center Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry Food Lion on Oak Island Southport Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce OCEAN ISLE/SUNSET BEACH/ SHALLOTTE Lowes Foods at Ocean Isle Beach Publix at Ocean Isle Beach Food Lion at Sunset Beach Ingram Planetarium Shallotte Visitor Center Ocean Isle Fishing Center Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce Lowes Foods in Little River Callahan’s at Calabash
CAN’T FIND A COPY? Contact us: 910.207.0156 or info@CarolinaMarketingCompany.com
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[ BY THE NUMBERS ]
2020 BRUNSWICK COUNTY REAL ESTATE
TOP AGENTS & TEAMS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC FOR 2019 From January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019 Ranked by total sales volume.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 86
NAME
AFFILIATION VOLUME
HANK TROSCIANIEC & ASSOCIATES
Keller Williams Realty — OKI Brunswick County 53,120,895
KIM S. ANDERSON
Art Skipper Realty Inc.
42,988,871
FRANCES WARNER REAL ESTATE GROUP
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
37,567,982
JOHN G. HAMILTON
Better Beach Sales & Rentals, Inc.
35,160,769
SARAH HARRIS TEAM
Intracoastal Realty
34,191,377
THE CHEEK TEAM
Keller Williams Realty — Brunswick County
28,869,155
CRONICK & ASSOCIATES
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
27,920,617
MCNEELY GROUP
Landmark Sotheby's International Realty
27,706,970
LISA S. FRYE
St. James Properties LLC
27,655,120
WENDY R. WILMOT
Wendy Wilmot Properties
27,545,000
NOLAN K. FORMALARIE
Discover NC Homes
27,477,420
WADE G. JURNEY
WJH LLC
24,977,160
CHRISTOPHER J. KUHN
RE/MAX at the Beach / Oak Island
22,809,350
THE KOZEL TEAM
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
20,313,600
ALAN A. HOLDEN
RE/MAX at the Beach / Holden Beach
18,002,000
SETH BARBEE
Carolina Plantations Real Estate
17,489,625
THE ANDREWS TEAM
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
17,184,200
WWP JOHN MUNROE TEAM
Wendy Wilmot Properties
16,192,300
COREY M. RILEY
D.R. Horton, INC
14,891,750
MARY B. OVERROCKER
Coastal Development & Realty
14,505,499
South Brunswick Magazine
Source: Statistics compiled from Brunswick County and Cape Fear Realtors MLS
RELENTLESS
Lindsey Jenkins Broker/REALTOR®
Recipient of the CENTURY 21 Relentless Agent Award 2018
910-368-9626
Sweyer & Associates
Ljenkins@century21sweyer.com Lindseyjenkins.century21sweyer.com Quality Service Producer 2018 BCRC Board of Directors Each office is independently owned and operated
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A T R U S S T- W O R T H Y B U I L D E R
of Fine Homes
Trusst Builder Group is a locally owned and operated builder and developer of quality homes and neighborhoods throughout New Hanover and Brunswick counties. Since 1992, we have built more than 3,000 homes in the Cape Fear region. Trusst is unique in our ability to build value-priced, custom-quality homes where premier finishes are standard. Our developments include Whiskey Branch, a gated community just outside the Wilmington city limits off of South College Road; and Hearthstone, a charming neighborhood of brick homes off of Lanvale Road in Leland. Trusst is also now building in select neighborhoods in Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, Magnolia Greens, Palmetto Creek, Riverlights, RiverSea, St. James Plantation, Waterford and Winding River.
To Learn More Visit 88
T R U S S T B U I L D E R G R O U P. C O M or Call 9 1 0 . 3 7 1 . 0 3 0 4
South Brunswick Magazine
[ BY THE NUMBERS ]
2020 BRUNSWICK COUNTY REAL ESTATE
TOP 10 BUILDERS
IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC FOR 2019 From January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019 Ranked by total number of permits pulled.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BUILDER
CONTACT INFORMATION
PERMITS
D.R. HORTON
1121 Military Cutoff Road Suite C-322, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 821-8553; DRHorton.com President: Brian Gardner
164
BILL CLARK HOMES
127 Racine Drive, Suite 201, Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 350-1744; BillClarkHomes.com President: Bill Clark
137
LOGAN HOMES
60 Gregory Road, Suite1, Belville, NC 28451 (800) 761-4707; LoganHomes.com President: D Logan
132
TRUSST BUILDER GROUP
481 Olde Waterford Way #100, Leland, NC 28451 (910) 371-0304; TrusstBuilderGroup.com President: Shawn Horton
72
STEVENS FINE HOMES
2922 Orville Wright Way, Suite 110, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 794-8699; StevensFineHomes.com President: Craig Stevens
63
TRUE HOMES 5051 Main Street Unit #13, Shallotte, NC 28470 (910) 754-6314 TributeHomesUSA.com
63
H&H HOMES
1107 New Pointe Boulevard, Suite U-B1-2, Leland, NC 28451 (910) 219-1485; HHHomes.com President: Jack Rostetter
55
PYRAMID HOMES
5022 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, NC 29403 (910) 392-7201; BuildPyramid.com President: Chris Stephens
46
WAYNE LAMBERT HOMES
13 Poorman’s Pepper Trail, Bald Head Island, NC 28461 (910) 457-9513 President: Wayne Lambert
42
PULTE HOMES
4008 Norseman Loop, Southport, NC 28461 (877) 517-8583; Pulte.com President: Ryan R. Marshall
40
Source: Stats compiled by M.O.R.E (Market Opportunity Research Enterprises®) and are based on permits pulled between January 1, 2019- December 31, 2019.
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[ RESIDENT SHOWCASE ]
DENCIL & DORTHA JOHNSON — The Retreat at Ocean Isle Beach —
PHOTO BY LAURA GLANTZ
Where did you live before relocating to Brunswick County and what were your jobs?
We currently live in Culpeper County, Virginia, and will be relocating to Ocean Isle within the next year. Dencil works for Columbia Gas of Virginia as a on-the-job trainer and will be retiring in August of this year; he been with the company for 31 years and in the gas industry since 1978. Dortha is currently a regional director for University of Virginia 90
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Community Credit Union and has been in the credit union industry for 30+ years. Why did you choose to move here and did you previously have friends or family here?
We have been vacationing in Ocean Isle Beach for the last 35 years. Each summer there was no doubt that we would be spending our week of vacation with our toes in the sand and the wind in our hair. We always knew that we when we retired, we wanted to be on and/or near the water. Ocean Isle has always been that special place where we could relax and enjoy the beauty of the area.
this home is a true blessing!
What’s your favorite thing about southeastern North Carolina?
Friendly people, beautiful sights and a quiet lifestyle. From the moment we crossed the bridge over the waterway to Ocean Isle Beach 35 years ago, I can remember thinking that this is the most beautiful place that I had ever seen. The fact that we are able to call
What are your hobbies here?
We enjoy sightseeing, walking and swimming but most of all, we are happy to have a gathering place near the beach for friends and family. Family is huge to us!
The Living Coastal Team Serving the Brunswick Beaches and Surrounding Areas
What community did you decide on and why?
We have recently completed our home located at The Retreat at Ocean Isle Beach. From the moment that we drove through the neighborhood, it was apparent that this was a community where we could see ourselves living, relaxing and enjoying the friendly neighbors. It is just a short drive to the beach on our golf cart, and the neighborhood has a shopping center nearby as well. When will you be moving in?
We closed on our home on May 7 of this year and hope to be full-time residents within the year.
Edwina St. Pierre Broker/REALTOR®
Broker/REALTOR®
Melony Rice
Karen Meskill
910.616.8588
910.712.3515
910.448.4156
Broker/REALTOR®
Who built your home and why did you decide to build with them?
Of course, our home was built by Bill Clark Homes with it being in The Retreat. On our first visit, we met Debbie Dorset and, to be honest, she made everything as simple and easy for us as possible. We have always been able to reach out, even after our closing, and know that she will take care of us. We have met so many nice, friendly and helpful individuals throughout the build. We feel very blessed to have met them when we did.
L I V I N G C O A S TA LT E A M . C O M
We are here to help with all of your real estate needs! Fall 2020
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[ RESIDENT SHOWCASE ]
2020 BRUNSWICK COUNTY REAL ESTATE
DAVID & MORY CONRAD — The Retreat at Ocean Isle Beach — Where did you live before relocating to Brunswick County and what was your job?
We were both lifelong residents of Connecticut. Dave was an editor for the Connecticut Business & Industry Association in Hartford and MaryAnn (Mory) was on the administrative team at Covenant Village of Cromwell, a continuing care retirement community. Why did you choose to move here?
We knew we wanted to move to the South when we retired but had looked only at Florida for several years. One year we decided to spend a week checking out southeast North Carolina and fell in love with Southport. The area is so beautiful and so quiet, and the people are so friendly. Our Realtor, Suzanne Polino of ASAP Realty, showed us some great options on the coast, and we knew this was it. What community did you choose and why?
We chose The Retreat at Ocean Isle Beach probably as soon as we drove in the first time. The creative home designs, the colors, the pool, the smaller scale of the development and its location about a mile from the beach all reeled us in. Oh, and OIB Surf and Java is just around the corner. We “retreated” there many times for coffee as we pondered our future life here! How long have you lived here?
PHOTOS BY LAURA GLANTZ
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We’ve lived one year in The Retreat, but we rented on Oak Island for six months before that while our house was being built. Who built your home and why did you decide to build with them?
We went with Bill Clark Homes for a lot
of reasons. For us, it was all about quality construction, the variety of home styles to choose from and the ability to customize just about everything to our lifestyle. And Debbie Dorset of Bill Clark Homes went the extra mile for us throughout the whole process. What are your hobbies here?
We’ve found so many things to plug into. We love being drivers for the Meals on Wheels program of Brunswick Senior Resources Inc., and Dave manages the website for the Friends of the Library of Southport and Oak Island. We joined Generations Church in Southport and host a weekly Bible study in our home. We also joined the Southwest Brunswick Newcomers and enjoy those activities as well as the resident recreation events here at The Retreat. Last summer we even sold donuts at our friends’ store, Ahoy Doughnuts, on Oak Island. What’s your favorite thing about southeastern North Carolina?
If we had to choose one thing it would probably be the quiet and gentle Southern lifestyle. We had tough jobs for many years, so the beauty of this area — the beaches, the live oaks, the birds, the sunsets — and the amazing friendliness of people is literally a dream come true.
For the past 20 years, Bianchi has helped our community create outdoor areas that are meant to be enjoyed. Mulch, stone, outdoor kitchens, patios, or outdoor ďŹ replaces - we have everything you need to make your vision a reality.
CALL TODAY
Southport
Kristin W Dowdy, Agent 5011 Northside Dr. Shallotte, NC 28470 Bus: 910-754-9923 kristin@myagentkristin.com
8848 River Rd. S.E Southport, NC 28461 (910) 477-6444
Mon - Fri 7:30-6 | Sat - 8-4 | Sun 12-4
1701298
State Farm, Bloomington, IL
Fall 2020
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[ BUILDER SHOWCASE ]
2020 BRUNSWICK COUNTY REAL ESTATE
SEACOAST BUILDING COMPANY, INC — Custom built homes... from our family to yours —
By Kurt Epps
There’s a saying among many who have permanently left the Garden State: “New Jersey is a great place — to be from.” Those of us who have made that move understand the sentiment perfectly, because the New Jersey of the past 10 years has had its problems — and still does. But there is also something to be said for the mindset that once grew in the Garden State, and Bob Lank has it. Straight-shooter. Look you in the eye and lay it on the line. Do it right. Play fair. Stand behind your work. Your word is your bond. And if you say you’re going to do it, do it. These principles were inculcated into Lank by his WWII Marine dad, and Lank, in turn, made sure his own sons adhered to them. That’s why Bob Lank and one of his sons, Brian, have launched Seacoast Building here in Brunswick County. “My dad was always being sought for construction advice, and he enjoyed helping other people out,” Brian says. “So, I suggested we open up a business to do just that.” Brian, meanwhile, is already a popular and successful chiropractor in Shallotte and Leland. The elder Lank was in construction in Jersey and Pennsylvania for 48 years, and having his own electrical contracting company got him involved with and familiar with all of the other trades. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, he moved down from the Northeast 18 years ago, but his plan was not to sit on the dock of the Intracoastal and swig beers. “I love to work,” Bob says. “I don’t want to retire.” He credits his Brian with being the impetus for launching Seacoast Building as a bona fide business. “He’s the brains behind the plan; I’m just the nuts and bolts guy,” Bob says. Bob confides that the test to become an electrical contractor here in North Carolina is decidedly more difficult than the one in Jersey, but he’s licensed in both South Carolina and North Carolina. “In fact, when Brian was throwing this idea around, I challenged him to take the general contractor’s test,” Bob says. “I was sure it would take him a few tries, so I bet him a hundred bucks he couldn’t pass it. Long story short, I’m out a C-note.” C-note is Jersey-speak for a $100 bill. And If you’re going to plunk down a whole batch of your own to custom-build a house, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth. So does Bob Lank. “We believe in building a great home for a fair price, and I’m not a guy who sits in his office while yours gets built,” Bob says while looking straight at me with piercing blue eyes. “I’m there every day to make sure it gets built right.” There’s something to be said for that tell-it-like-it-is attitude. You’d expect nothing less from a Jersey guy. 94
South Brunswick Magazine
Custom Built Homes... Fr o m O u r F a m i l y To Yo u r s .
1780- 5 Qu e e n An n e St . Su n s et Be a c h , N C
Seacoast Building Company Inc.
info@SeaCoastBuildingCompany.com
1780-5 Queen Anne Street SeacoastBuild.com Sunset Beach
910-880-3639
(910) 880-3639 seacoastbuildingcompany.com
Yes! We accept that insurance.
SELLING LIFESTYLES THAT MOVE YOU!
Unlike most practices, Carolinas Oral & Facial Surgery Center is in network for an extensive number of insurance plans. Find your insurer on our website, carolina-surgery.com, and call 910.762.2618 for an appointment with one of our specialty-trained surgeons.
Crystal abson REALTOR® | Broker
I N
N E T W O R K
Ameritas • BCBS • Federal Employee Plan • State Employee Plan • Cigna Dental • Delta Dental • Military Retiree Plan • Guardian •
Mark E. Bufalini, DMD, MD Michael S. Booth, DDS
D E N TA L
P L A N S :
•
Medicaid
•
Medicare
•
MetLife
•
TriCare (active duty)
•
United Concordia Participating Dental Networks:
•
DenteMax
•
Connection Dental
As seen on
Part of the C21 Agent Intelligence Group Sweyer & Associates
Wilmington, Jacksonville & Whiteville www.carolina-surgery.com
910.762.2618
218153 cofsc insurance ad-nbm/sbm.indd 1
Each office is independently owned and operated
3446 Holden Beach Rd #3 Supply, NC 28462
910.393.9957
CarolinaCoastLiving.com CBabson@Century21Sweyer.com
6/5/18 4:51 PM
Custom Built Homes... Fr o m O u r F a m i l y To Yo u r s .
1780-5 Qu een Anne St . Su n s et Beach , NC info@SeaCoastBuildingCompany.com 910-880-3639
SeacoastBuild.com Fall 2020
95
Angie Wilkie, Intracoastal Realty
H
ave you been thinking about buying a dream home on the southeastern North Carolina coast? Are you looking for the perfect place to start a business in the fastest-growing area in the state? Angie Wilkie with Intracoastal Realty in Ocean Isle Beach has just what you need to make your dreams come true. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and a graduate of Appalachian State University, Wilkie started her real estate career in the Triad in 2001. Recently she has expanded her business to include serving Brunswick and New Hanover counties. The proud mother of two (and soon to be a grandmother) says it has been the perfect career path. “I realized many years ago that selling homes is my passion,” she says. “I knew that I could make it an amazing life experience for potential buyers because I loved helping people find the house they love.” Her passion for real estate has shown in her results. She has won numerous awards through the years, from Rookie
of the Year when she started to achieving the Chairman’s Circle for the last seven straight years. Her career sales total is more than $250 million. Whether you are looking to buy a home on the beach, the Intracoastal Waterway or inland, Wilkie has a choice of many listings, and making her clients happy is her top priority. “Client satisfaction and customer service are crucial,” she says. “It’s my responsibility to make the transaction as seamless as possible and the experience exciting.” In her free time, Wilkie likes enjoying this area as much as her customers, hanging out on the beach with friends and boating on the Intracoastal Waterway. She also loves to travel, and in the fall, it’s football on Saturdays and Sundays. Go Mountaineers!
Business Profile BY BRIAN WILNER
Angie Wilkie Intracoastal Realty (910) 777-7945 awilkie.intracoastalrealty.com
Specializing In Luxury Coastal Home Sales “Angie went to work for us the moment we reached out to her...We recommend Angie to anyone that is looking to sell or buy a home.”
“Angie came highly recommended.....She immediately showed us properties that were to our liking and found our dream home within a week.”
Angie Wilkie Broker/REALTOR®
(910) 777-7945 119 Causeway Dr. | Ocean Isle Beach awilkie@intracoastalrealty.com AWilkie.IntracoastalRealty.com
Multi-Million Dollar Producer Serving the Carolinas for 18 Years 96
South Brunswick Magazine
Women 2020
Impact
awards of
November 18 | 9:30 AM - Noon
Keynote Speaker:
Judy Girard sponsored by:
Judy Girard is a long-time television executive who used creative genius in producing shows on the Food Channel and The Property Brothers on HGTV. Locally she is the Co-Founder of G.L.O.W., an all-girl academy in Wilmington.
brunch
Keynote Speaker
Awards Presentation
$50
presented by:
per person
Register in advance. For registration and more information, visit:
https://brunswickcountychamber.org/womenofimpactawards All events are subject to change due to mandates of the NC government.
Fishing for a place to go this fall?
OPEN for BUSINESS Brunswick County NC is
EAT STAY PLAY SHOP
Let' s Stay In Touch
BrunswickCountyChamber.org 112 Pine Street, Shallotte 910.754.6644
Be sure to visit our website and social media page for daily updates on who’s open, events and happenings in our region. Calabash
|
Carolina Shores
|
Holden Beach
|
Oak Island
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Ocean Isle Beach
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Shallotte Fall | 2020 Sunset Beach 97
Business Profile
Joseph’s Italian Bistro
BY BRIAN WILNER
J
oe and Deb Borsuk, owners of Joseph’s Italian Bistro in Southport, have a long history in the restaurant business, but their goal was always to own a small, intimate, Italian restaurant. This came to pass in September 2003 on the eve of Hurricane Isabella. Joe’s mom, Rose, who worked alongside him for years when they first opened, shared many of her Italian-heritage recipes handed down from the old country. These plates form the backbone of their menu, which also includes specialties made with locally grown foods. “We have been well known for not only our homemade lasagna and many other Italian dishes,” Joe says, “but also for our fresh fish that comes from Haag & Sons, and for our local produce from, most recently, Ridgeway Farms.” When asked to describe what the dining experience at Joseph’s is like, Deb says, “Good food. Good service. Good atmosphere. And a family vibe. Full-service, upscale dining in a comfortable setting with a beautiful view of the water and marina.” When you dine at Joseph’s, you can
feel the kindred spirit of the staff. “We are family,” Deb says. “We all care for one another and truly enjoy working together. There’s a great amount of respect for each other. I think it’s the love and respect we have for one another that makes it a fun environment to be in.” The customers are part of the restaurant family as well. “We really get to know our customers,” Deb says. “We have many who started coming the year we opened and still come to this day. We know them by their names.
We know their families. We’ve watched their kids and grandkids grow. And it’s not just the locals. Every year we get families who vacation in the area coming back to see us. There’s a connection between us and all of our customers.” Whether you are sampling the antipasto, digging into an authentic Italian pasta dish, relishing a fresh-caught seafood plate or enjoying a chicken or veal Parmigiana, you cannot go wrong with anything on the Joseph’s menu. Joseph’s offers indoor seating, including two private dining rooms that can be reserved for 8 to 12 guests should you want to have a party or celebration. For a party of this size, they will create a menu for you and pair it with wines to suit your palette. They also offer outdoor seating with a gorgeous view of the Intracoastal Waterway. Either way, enjoy it all while sipping on a choice from their extensive wine list. Joseph’s Italian Bistro 5003 O’Quinn Boulevard, Southport; (910) 454-4440; josephsitalianbistro.com
Picture Perfect
In Any Season
US Open King Mackerel Tournament October 1st-3rd Southport Marina USOpenKMT.com Watch live on USOpenKMTLive.com Faces of Commerce Thursdays at 10am Facebook Live SouthportOakIslandChamber Business Connections Weekly—12pm on Tuesdays Business Referral Group On Webex Delivering Business Opportunities...
Southport-Oak Island Area
Chamber of Commerce southport-oakisland.com 910.457.6964 98
South Brunswick Magazine
Sunset Dental & Southport Dental
T
wo of South Brunswick County’s most reputable dental practices have merged into one practice with two offices and three doctors who have a collective wealth of experience in the dental field. Though the merger officially took place in November 2019 when Sunset Dental bought Southport Dental, it actually dates back to 2003, when Dr. George Jones began his dental career as an associate for Dr. Larry Hemby at Southport Dental. He later left to open his own practice, Sunset Dental, in 2006. Big changes began for Sunset Dental around 2015, when Dr. Kevin Aiken joined the practice. By 2017 Sunset Dental moved into a state-of-the-art facility with 10 treatment rooms. Dr. Jennifer Munson joined in January 2018. The three doctors had been helping out at Southport Dental when Dr. Hemby was out on medical leave, and in November 2019 Sunset Dental bought the practice where Dr. Jones began his career. At both offices, Sunset Dental offers wellness care, periodontal care, tooth whitening, minor orthodontic cases, root canals, crowns, bridges, dental implants for tooth replacement and emergency care. Drs. Jones, Aiken and Munson continuously pursue excellence through continuing education, personal and team growth and mastering leading-edge technology. They also aim to deliver the highest possible level of care with empathy and understanding. “Our team offers compassion and kindness in an outgoing, clean, happy environment,” Dr. Jones says. “We work hard every day to ensure we do what is best for all of our patients.” Embracing technology is an important part of the practice. “We carefully adopt the best technologies we can find,” Dr. Aiken says. “For example, we were the first dental office in the area to acquire a Hypochlorous Acid Generator as a means to provide a safe environment for our patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Hypochlorous acid is an all-natural, water-based disinfectant
Business Profile BY MICHELLE MACKEN
that is 80 times more effective than bleach, yet nontoxic to humans. “Our bodies actually produce hypochlorous acid as a means to fight infections form bacteria, fungi and viruses,” Dr. Aiken says. “We utilize electrostatic sprayers to disinfect the entire office every day.” The doctors are always looking into ways improve the practice. “We know that in order for us to remain leaders, we have to train, learn more new techniques and technologies to progress,” Dr. Aiken says. While technology is an important piece of the practice, the doctors are quick to credit their staff for creating a welcoming atmosphere for their patients. “We have the best staff,” Dr. Munson says. “We have a wonderful group of individuals who really care about what they do, are helpful to our patients and take pride in their work.” Dr. Munson says that having people comfortable in the office is a priority. “Our desire is to help our patients find comfort in coming for care,” she says. “Some of our patients start out very uneasy about dental care. Over time we are able to ease their phobia, and they are now on a regular wellness plan. It is very satisfying to see patients comfortable in our office. Some just stop in for coffee, for a little visit, and that is the way we like it. We want them to feel like they are a part of this big family we have.” Sunset Dental 688 Sunset Boulevard N., Sunset Beach (910) 575-6300 Southport Dental 621-A N. Fodale Avenue, Southport (910) 457-5026 sunsetdental.com Fall 2020
99
SHALLOTTE INLET TIDE CHART
October D a t e
High Tide AM Time (EST)
November
Low Tide PM
Height Time (ft) (EST)
AM
PM
Height Time Height Time Height (ft) (EST) (ft) (EST) (ft)
D a t e
High Tide AM Time (EST)
December
Low Tide PM
Height Time (ft) (EST)
AM
PM
Height Time Height Time Height (ft) (EST) (ft) (EST) (ft)
D a t e
High Tide AM Time (EST)
Low Tide PM
Height Time (ft) (EST)
AM
PM
Height Time Height Time Height (ft) (EST) (ft) (EST) (ft)
1
8:33
5.1
8:53
5.2
2:38
0.5
3:02
0.6
1
8:10
5.3
8:33
4.6
2:13
0.4
2:53
0.7
1
8:19
5.2
8:43
4.2
2:21
0.1
3:08
0.5
2
9:08
5.1
9:28
5.1
3:13
0.4
3:40
0.7
2
8:44
5.2
9:09
4.4
2:49
0.4
3:30
0.8
2
8:56
5.1
9:21
4.1
3:00
0.1
3:47
0.5
3
9:41
5.1
10:03
4.9
3:47
0.5
4:17
0.8
3
9:19
5.2
9:46
4.2
3:26
0.5
4:08
0.9
3
9:35
5.0
10:04
3.9
3:41
0.2
4:27
0.6
4
10:14
5.1
10:39
4.7
4:22
0.6
4:55
0.9
4
9:58
5.0
10:28
4.1
4:04
0.7
4:48
1.1
4
10:20
4.9
10:53
3.9
4:23
0.3
5:09
0.7
5
10:50
5.0
11:17
4.4
4:57
0.7
5:33
1.1
5
10:42
4.9
11:17
3.9
4:44
0.8
5:30
1.2
5
11:10
4.8
11:50
3.9
5:08
0.4
5:55
0.7
6
11:29
4.9
--
--
5:34
0.8
6:12
1.3
6
11:34
4.9
--
--
5:28
0.9
6:17
1.3
6
--
--
12:06
4.8
5:59
0.5
6:45
0.6
7
12:00
4.2
12:14
4.8
6:13
1.0
6:55
1.5
7
12:13
3.9
12:31
4.8
6:18
1.0
7:11
1.2
7
12:50
4.0
1:04
4.8
6:56
0.5
7:41
0.5
8
12:49
4.0
1:06
4.8
6:56
1.1
7:43
1.6
8
1:13
4.0
1:30
4.9
7:17
1.0
8:13
1.1
8
1:50
4.3
2:02
4.7
8:01
0.5
8:42
0.3
9
1:43
3.9
2:02
4.8
7:45
1.2
8:41
1.6
9
2:13
4.2
2:28
5.0
8:24
0.9
9:15
0.8
9
2:48
4.6
3:00
4.8
9:11
0.4
9:42
0.0
10
2:39
4.0
3:00
4.9
8:44
1.2
9:47
1.5
10
3:11
4.6
3:26
5.2
9:33
0.6
10:14
0.4
10
3:46
5.0
3:59
4.8
10:19
0.1
10:39
-0.3
11
3:37
4.2
3:57
5.1
9:50
1.0
10:50
1.2
11
4:09
5.0
4:24
5.3
10:37
0.3
11:07
0.0
11
4:44
5.4
4:58
4.8
11:20
-0.2
11:34
-0.6
12
4:35
4.5
4:54
5.3
10:56
0.8
11:46
0.8
12
5:05
5.5
5:20
5.4
11:36
-0.1
11:57
-0.4
12
5:41
5.8
5:56
4.9
--
--
12:18
-0.5
13
5:32
4.9
5:51
5.6
11:57
0.4
--
--
13
5:59
5.9
6:15
5.5
--
--
12:32
-0.4
13
6:35
6.0
6:51
4.9
12:26
-0.8
1:12
-0.7
14
6:27
5.3
6:45
5.8
12:37
0.3
12:54
0.0
14
6:52
6.3
7:07
5.5
12:47
-0.6
1:26
-0.6
14
7:27
6.2
7:43
4.9
1:18
-0.9
2:05
-0.7
15
7:20
5.8
7:37
6.0
1:25
-0.1
1:48
-0.3
15
7:42
6.5
7:59
5.4
1:36
-0.8
2:19
-0.7
15
8:18
6.1
8:34
4.7
2:09
-0.9
2:56
-0.7
16
8:11
6.2
8:28
6.0
2:13
-0.4
2:42
-0.5
16
8:33
6.5
8:50
5.2
2:26
-0.8
3:12
-0.6
16
9:08
5.9
9:25
4.6
3:00
-0.8
3:46
-0.5 -0.3
17
9:01
6.5
9:18
5.9
3:01
-0.6
3:35
-0.6
17
9:25
6.3
9:43
4.9
3:17
-0.6
4:04
-0.4
17
10:00
5.6
10:19
4.3
3:51
-0.6
4:35
18
9:52
6.6
10:09
5.6
3:49
-0.6
4:28
-0.5
18
10:21
6.0
10:41
4.6
4:09
-0.4
4:57
-0.1
18
10:54
5.3
11:16
4.1
4:41
-0.3
5:23
0.0
19
10:45
6.4
11:03
5.3
4:38
-0.5
5:21
-0.3
19
11:19
5.6
11:43
4.4
5:02
0.0
5:50
0.3
19
11:49
4.9
--
--
5:32
0.1
6:11
0.2
20
11:42
6.2
--
--
5:29
-0.2
6:16
0.1
20
--
--
12:20
5.3
5:58
0.4
6:46
0.6
20
12:14
4.0
12:43
4.6
6:25
0.5
7:01
0.4
21
12:02
4.9
12:43
5.9
6:23
0.1
7:13
0.5
21
12:47
4.2
1:20
5.0
6:58
0.7
7:46
0.8
21
1:12
3.9
1:35
4.3
7:22
0.8
7:52
0.5
22
1:06
4.6
1:46
5.6
7:21
0.5
8:15
0.8
22
1:49
4.1
2:15
4.7
8:05
1.0
8:46
0.8
22
2:05
3.9
2:25
4.1
8:25
1.0
8:45
0.6
23
2:11
4.4
2:49
5.3
8:26
0.8
9:23
1.0
23
2:46
4.2
3:07
4.6
9:14
1.1
9:41
0.8
23
2:55
3.9
3:13
4.0
9:29
1.0
9:35
0.5
24
3:15
4.3
3:48
5.2
9:38
1.0
10:29
1.0
24
3:38
4.2
3:57
4.5
10:15
1.1
10:28
0.7
24
3:43
4.1
4:02
3.9
10:27
0.9
10:23
0.4
25
4:15
4.4
4:43
5.0
10:48
1.1
11:25
1.0
25
4:27
4.4
4:44
4.4
11:06
1.0
11:10
0.5
25
4:30
4.2
4:50
3.8
11:17
0.8
11:08
0.3
26
5:11
4.5
5:35
5.0
11:47
1.0
--
--
26
5:13
4.6
5:29
4.4
11:51
0.8
11:49
0.4
26
5:15
4.4
5:37
3.9
12:02 PM
0.6
11:51
0.1
27
6:02
4.6
6:22
5.0
12:11
0.8
12:36
0.9
27
5:54
4.7
6:12
4.4
--
--
12:32
0.7
27
5:59
4.6
6:22
3.9
--
--
12:45
0.4
28
6:47
4.8
7:05
5.0
12:51
0.7
1:19
0.8
28
6:32
4.9
6:52
4.4
12:26
0.3
1:12
0.5
28
6:40
4.8
7:03
4.0
12:34
0.0
1:26
0.3
29
7:27
5.0
7:45
4.9
1:27
0.5
1:59
0.7
29
7:08
5.1
7:30
4.4
1:04
0.2
1:51
0.5
29
7:19
4.9
7:42
4.0
1:16
-0.2
2:06
0.2
30
7:43
5.1
8:07
4.3
1:42
0.1
2:30
0.4
30
7:57
5.0
8:21
4.0
1:57
-0.3
2:46
0.1
31
8:36
5.1
9:00
4.0
2:39
-0.3
3:26
0.1
30
8:04
5.1
8:22
4.9
2:02
0.4
2:37
0.7
31
8:38
5.2
8:58
4.8
2:37
0.4
3:15
0.6
*TIDE CHARTS ARE ACCURATE TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE. IF YOU ARE CHECKING TIDES FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES, PLEASE VERIFY THESE TIMES WITH ANOTHER SOURCE.
100
South Brunswick Magazine
ADVERTISERS INDEX Advertiser
Phone# Page#
Advertiser
Phone# Page#
Ace Hardware of Southport....................................... 910-477-6444 93
Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes and Fries........................... 910-371-6700 68
AIRESERV Heating & Air Conditioning................... 815-527-0740 14
Inlet View Bar & Grill......................................................910-754-6233 60
Allstate — R&R Insurance Services, Inc................. 910-754-6536 54
Intracoastal Realty Corporation................................910-258-4503 15
Angelo’s Pizzeria and Bistro........................................910-754-2334 36
Intracoastal Realty Corporation — Angie Wilkie.....910-777-7945 96
Arbor Landing at Ocean Isle...................................... 910-754-8080 60
Island Classic Interiors...................................................910-579-8477 59
Art Catering & Events................................................... 910-755-6642 43
J&K Home Furnishings.................................................. 843-249-1882
30, 31
Austin Oral Surgery........................................................910-769-1605 59
Joseph’s Italian Bistro...................................................910-454-4440
12, 98
Bell & Bell Buick GMC.................................................... 843-399-8300 25
Kingfish Bay Development.......................................... 910-579-4657 11
Bianchi Brickyard Supply............................................. 910-454-4445 93
Kristin Dowdy, State Farm Agent............................ 910-754-9923 93
Bill Clark Homes................................................................910-350-1744 22
Legacy Homes by Bill Clark.......................................... 910-363-1682 23
BlueWave Dentistry........................................................ 910-383-2615 IBC
Lindsey Jenkins — Century 21.................................... 910-368-9626 87
Body Edge Fitness Solutions......................................910-575-0975 49
Lockwood Folly Country Club.................................... 910-842-5666 72
Boundary House.............................................................. 910-579-8888 74
Maria’s Pizzeria.................................................................910-579-3233 72
Braddock Built Renovations........................................ 910-754-9635 71
McLeod Health.................................................................. 843-366-3891 19
Britt’s Steel Building....................................................... 910-612-5947 82
New Hanover Regional Medical Center..................910-667-7170
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce......... 910-754-6644 97
Novant Health....................................................................910-579-8363 7
Brunswick County Dept. of Social Services........... 910-253-2112 39
Ocean Isle Family Dentistry........................................ 910-579-6999 68
77, 81, BC
Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation...... 910-754-4391 17 Oyster Rock....................................................................... 910-579-6875 40 Brunswick Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery............910-269-2420 14
Pinnacle Storage...............................................................910-287-5737 34
Calabash Seafood Hut....................................................910-579-6723 82
Purple Onion Café............................................................910-755-6071 43
Callahan’s of Calabash...................................................800-344-3816 55
Realstar Homes................................................................ 910-579-6729 84
Candy & Company ...........................................................910-477-9744 68
River Hotel of Southport............................................. 910-294-6070 12
Carolina One Properties.............................................. 910-840-2370 49
Sea Island Trading Co....................................................843-273-0248 26
Carolinas Oral and Facial Surgery............................. 910-762-2618 95
Seacoast Building Company, Inc...............................910-880-3639 95
Clark’s Seafood and Chop House.............................. 843-399-8888 4
Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q............................... 910-754-5522 3
Coastal Insurance............................................................ 910-754-4326 36
Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber....................800-457-6964 98
Coastal Integrative Health.......................................... 910-755-5400 52
Sunset Dental................................................................... 910-575-6300
Coastal Wine Room..........................................................910-393-2125 6
Thalian Association Community Theatre................ 910-251-1788 98
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage.......................910-371-1181 20
The Chef and the Frog.................................................910-640-5550 59
IFC, 99
Committeee to Elect Jason Disbrow................................................. 66
The Living Coastal Team — Intracoastal Realty Corporation Melony Rice .........................................................................910-712-3515 91 Complete Dental............................................................. 910-754-7700 5 Edwina St. Pierre.............................................................. 910-616-8588 91 Karen Meskill...................................................................... 910-448-4156 91 Crystal Babson — Century 21...................................... 910-393-9957 95 TruFit Gym......................................................................... 910-754-2270 71 Cucalorus Film Festival............................................................................ 25 Dosher Medical Clinics....................................................910-457-3871 9 EmergeOrtho................................................................... 910-332-3800 13 Farm Bureau Insurance — Shallotte..........................910-754-8175 44
Trusst Builder Group..................................................... 910-371-0304 88 Wades Jewelers............................................................. 910-457-5800 65 Wilmington Health.......................................................... 910-371-0404 82
Fall 2020
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South Brunswick Magazine
Life is better with a healthy
Life-changing. Patient-centered. Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry. David Vurnakes, DMD Chad Biggerstaff, DDS, PharmD
1300 S. Dickinson Drive
In the Villages at Brunswick Forest Call and schedule your appointment today
910.383.2615
BlueWaveDentistry.com
“BlueWave Dentistry has been a very pleasant, positive experience for our family! The staff is so friendly and really takes time to make each of us feel comfortable and taken care of. The doctors are very thorough and do a wonderful job of building a relationship with the patient! We actually love going to the dentist!!�
- Sehr Belle Actual BlueWave Blue Dentistry Patient Fall 2020
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At NHRMC and NHRMC Physician Group, we’re leading our community to outstanding health by looking deeper and working harder to find innovative ways to deliver great care. We’re bringing health screenings to area neighborhoods, offering free exercise and nutrition programs, and volunteering with community partners throughout our region. And we’re just getting started. Join us at NHRMC.org. Together, we can make healthier happen.