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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 

FIGHTING SPIRIT

Professional mixed martial artist Derek Brunson not only competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but also teaches the tools of success to the next generation at Brunson’s MMA & Fitness in Wilmington.

By Brian Wilner If you have found yourself strolling around Independence Mall in Wilmington, you may have noticed Brunson’s MMA & Fitness next to JC Penney. If you walk inside, you will see any number of different martial arts classes on display. That is exactly how owner Derek Brunson wanted his first business to be — easily accessible for the public, especially children. After watching a class, I sat down with Brunson and listened to the story of how he became an MMA sensation and then started his store.

A NEW OPTION IN HEALTHCARE

Brunswick Surgery Center in Leland is the first dedicated orthopedic and spine outpatient center in the region.

By Heather Lowery While COVID forced closures and brought many businesses to a standstill, PHOTO BY BILL RITENOUR some businesses unassumingly and successfully opened their doors for the first time amid the uncertainty. One such place is Brunswick Surgery Center, LLC in Leland. Located in The Villages at Brunswick Forest on the first floor of the EmergeOrtho building, it is the first orthopedic and spine outpatient surgical center in the region.

A DOG’S LIFE

Dogs have it great in Leland, thanks to an abundance of dog-friendly businesses and services.

By Annesophia Richards It’s no secret that Americans love their pets, and Leland-area dog owners are certainly no exception. There’s good news for the area’s many dog lovers: From restaurants to parks to a variety of pup-centric services and offerings, Leland is brimming with dog-friendly places sure to get those tails wagging!

PHOTO BY LAURA GLANTZ PHOTO BY BILL RITENOUR

A BRAND-NEW START

Despite opening during a pandemic in 2020, morale is high at the new Town Creek Middle School in Winnabow.

By Denice Patterson It was a busy and eventful summer for Dr. Jonathan DeBerry and Dr. Sonya Oates at Town Creek Middle School. Planning for the 2021–22 school year was a refreshing change from the challenges of opening a brand-new middle school during a global pandemic in August 2020.