North Brunswick Magazine Winter 2022-23 Edition

SEA

TO AIR

Aqua Aero brings seaplane aviation and the exhilaration of flight to southeastern North Carolina like never before.

CHOCOLATE AND S’MORE | BARRY JETHWA OF SHIRLEY’S DINER | CHIEF DEPUTY SHERIFF BRIAN CHISM

ALL THE SPECIALTIES. ALL THE SERVICES. ALL THE LOCATIONS. AND THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

EmergeOrtho provides an exceptional level of orthopedic and spine care to residents of the coastal region. Patients benefit from the expertise of 34 highly trained physicians, including fellowship-trained, board-certified specialists, performing both non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures, including robotic-assisted joint replacement.

Now there are three convenient ways to request or self-schedule an appointment: visit EmergeOrtho.com , call 910-332-3800 , or text APPT to that same number.

Johnhenry Milbourne OWNER

H2GO’s Aquifer-Sourced Water Treatment Plant Delivering Clean, PFAS Free Water to Northern Brunswick County

The new state of the art H2GO Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Treatment Plant will be the only one of its kind in the Cape Fear Region, supplying 100% aquifersourced water in January 2023. Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer H2GO will produce and provide clean, aquifer-sourced water free of manmade contaminants and PFAS to approximately 15,000 water customers –a population of about 40,000 and counting. The water treatment facility includes 5 well sites, each with a nested pair of wells which access raw water supplies from the Lower Peedee and Black Creek aquifers.

Finished water will be stored on-site in two (2) onemillion-gallon (MG) ground storage tanks. Four (4) 2,250 gallon per minute (gpm) high-service pumps will deliver finished water to the distribution system. The high-service pumps are integrated with level controls in the ground storage and elevated water storage tanks to meet daily demands and maintain system pressures. H2GO’s water distribution system includes a 1.0 MG and a 0.75 MG elevated storage tank; a boost-pump station with a 0.5 MG ground storage tank; and approximately 230 miles of water pipe.

The Lower Peedee wells are approximately 320’-400’ deep, and the Black Creek wells are approximately 500’-600’ deep. Production rates range from 600985 gallons per minute (gpm) from the Lower Peedee wells, and 800-900 gpm from the Black Creek wells. The combined 12-hour raw-water supply from the well field is over 5.8 million gallons per day (MGD). The brackish source water is protected from anthropogenic contamination by thick, nearly impermeable confining layers. Thus, source water quality should be consistent and not vulnerable to manmade contaminants.

H2GO is planning for the future and has identified 8 future well sites for expansion of the raw water supplies to meet future demands of the growing customer base. During the post-treatment phase, room for a fourth calcite vessel can be installed to accommodate future treatment capacity. Each RO train has room to accommodate an additional 6 pressure vessels, and an additional fourth RO train can be installed for potential build-out RO Water Treatment Plant capacity of 9.0 MGD.

A S WEET DREAM

Sheila Hall offers up sips, sweets and s’mores with her mobile gourmet business Chocolate and S’more.

FOR THE LOVE OF LELAND

Barry Jethwa, the owner of Leland’s oldest family-owned restaurant, Shirley’s Diner, has been at the heart of the community for more than 40 years.

LOCALS

Just 18 years after he was first hired, Brian Chism was named the new chief deputy of Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

HEALTH

GoingFit, which brings group exercise to communities throughout Brunswick County, is celebrating its 10th anniversary of making local residents healthier and happier.

A CROSS THE CAPE FEAR

Aqua Aero brings seaplane aviation and the exhilaration of flight to southeastern North Carolina like never before.

P EOPLE

Athina Williams, town manager for the Town of Belville, is excited about the growth of her town.

PHOTO

PHOTO BY JAMES STEFIUK

Revital E yes

Wilmington Eye has brought specialty surgical care, preventative care, and optical services to the Leland area. Our board-certified ophthalmologists offer a range of procedures to improve your vision— and transform your appearance. We also offer full-service cosmetic treatments, such as injectables, skin resurfacing and tattoo removal.

North Brunswick Magazine – Winter 2022-23 Volume 17, Issue 2

CEO/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg

COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS:

Teresa Kramer S amantha Lowe Elizabeth Dale Niemann

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Brian Wilner

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Megan Deitz K urt Epps

L aura Glantz Jo Ann Mathews

M att McGraw Bill Ritenour James Stefiuk

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

A nna Beth Adcock Johanna Colburn Hamilton

A shley Daniels S andi Grigg Jo Ann Mathews E mory Rakeshaw A nnesophia Richards Melissa Slaven Warren

PUBLISHED BY:

CAROLINA MARKETING COMPANY, INC. PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451 (910) 207-0156 • info@northbrunswickmagazine.com

Reproduction or use of the contents in this magazine is prohibited. © 2022-23 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. North Brunswick Magazine – A Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. publication is published four times per year and is distributed to residents and businesses in North Brunswick County, NC, to subscribers and to select areas of New Hanover County, NC and Horry County, SC.

About the cover:

Photographer Matt McGraw captured this image of David Lackey, owner of Aqua Aero, an aviation business that offers seaplane tours and flying lessons in Brunswick County. See Johanna Colburn Hamilton's story starting on page 69.

MAGAZINE NBM

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We welcome your letters and comments about NBM. Send your letters to PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451 or email them to info@NorthBrunswickMagazine.com. When sending your letters, keep in mind they may or may not be published in a future issue of NBM. The publisher reserves the right to make the final decision.

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Dr. Jonathan S. Ludwig, DMD, FAGD Dr. Melissa Owen, DDS

Living and Learning

IIt's hard to believe we are in 2023. In 2022 I had a lot to reflect on personally. I made a ton of mistakes, learned, honed, adjusted and implemented.

Speaking of learning from mistakes, one thing that was a highlight/near-fail of this past year was a little adventure that my daughter had and I during her spring break. One day we decided that we would go drive on the beach at Fort Fisher. We drove to the very end and parked the vehicle on the beach. My daughter said, “Do you think we can walk to Bald Head Island from here?” “I think it’s possible,” I said, not thinking for one second that she would actually want to go through with it.

Well, not too long after, there we were sitting on the beach at Bald Head Island. I'm not going to lie, I actually felt pretty accomplished about that fact — until I realized that the tide was coming up. We jumped up and rushed back across, making it back just in time to save my vehicle from the waves. Lesson here: It is possible to walk to Bald Head Island, but if you want to walk there from Fort Fisher Recreation Park Area, make sure you park far away from the ocean!

There’s a lot to be grateful for if you live in southeastern NC and being able to drive on the beach is definitely one of them. I am grateful every day for the life I live in Brunswick County and the opportunity to work on publishing this and other magazines and publications in this region.

I am pretty pumped about this issue of North Brunswick Magazine. In this edition we introduce you to some of the county’s movers and shakers, like Brian Chism, the new chief deputy of Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and Barry Jethwa, the owner of Leland’s oldest family-owned restaurant, Shirley’s Diner. You’ll meet other business owners, too, like Heather Wilson, the founder of GoingFit, a business that keeps Brunswick County residents healthy; Sheila Hall, the owner of a mobile s’more business that makes Brunswick County sweeter; and David Lackey, a pilot who brings seaplane aviation to southeastern North Carolina.

Reading about the North Brunswick area is one thing, but experiencing it and feeling its good vibes for yourself is another. I hope you find a ton of fun adventures in North Brunswick County in 2023.

I am truly thankful for everyone in these communities who supports North Brunswick Magazine, our advertisers and one another. Happy 2023!

Justin Williams Owner/Publisher Publisher@NorthBrunswickMagazine.com

PHOTO BY MATT MCGRAW

Johanna Colburn Hamilton

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I am a freelance writer who has worked in public relations for 14 years. I moved to southeastern North Carolina four years ago and recently completed my graduate degree in coastal and ocean policy at UNCW. A book, art and travel nerd, I enjoy spending time with my husband and young daughter while we await our next family adventure.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

I started out in newspaper world, shooting the NBA, NCAA and MLB in the Midwest. Those were awesome experiences that paved the way for my style of photography today. I started shooting weddings in 2002, and now I average around 50 weddings a year, along with about 150 family photo sessions a year. With McGraw Photo Consulting, I am also a photo consultant, primarily in the dental business. I love traveling, and I love what I do for a living.

Bill Ritenour

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

My first camera was a Kodak Instamatic back in 1966. It was not much of a camera but it got me interested in photography. I started seeing things differently and appreciating things more than before. There are so many things in everyday life that I had never really noticed before. I started composing images in the viewfinder of my camera, isolating what I wanted to emphasize in the finished photograph. The main thing I learned with time is how important light is as an element. Light affects color, shadows, contrast, texture, mood and the impact of an image. My wife and I moved from Richmond, Virginia, to Wilmington in 2011. After five years of visiting our daughter and her husband, and after the birth of their first child, we knew it was time to make the move. Wilmington and the surrounding area had already become to feel more like home than Richmond. With the beautiful coastline, slower pace of living and friendly people, we have never regretted the move. We are proud to be Tar Heels.

Matt McGraw

Brunswick Arts Council

Announces

Winners of 22nd Fall Art Show

Brunswick Arts Council is pleased to announce the winners of its 22nd annual fall art show. The show was through October 8 at Leland Cultural Arts Center and was open to the public with free admission. An awards reception was held on October 7, and more than $3,000 in prizes was handed out in a variety of categories.

BAC Best of Show Award: “Ibis in Flight”- Stephen Sullivan (above)

Two-Dimensional

1st Place - “Flower Girls”- Ann Hair 2nd Place - “Follow the Sun”- Chris Bloom 3rd Place - ”Safe Harbor”- Richard Staat

Photography

1st Place - “In the End”- Patricia Graney 2nd Place - “A Filament of Light”- Charlene Baggett

3rd Place - “Oak Island Light”- Karen Mortimore

Three-Dimensional

1st Place -“Windswept” - Richard Caffrey

2nd Place - “Path to the Beach” - Chuck Whitlock

3rd Place - ”Pipeline Crew” - Linda Drye

Teen

First Place Teen 2D - “Checkers” - James McMahon

First Place Teen 3D -“Hange Zoe” - Kat Totten

WHAT’S HAPPENED

Town of Leland Adopts ADA Transition Plan

As part of ongoing efforts to welcome and serve all members of the community, the Town of Leland has adopted an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. The purpose of the plan is to ensure residents and visitors have full access to the town’s public right-of-way and public facilities. It is designed to accommodate disabled persons of Leland to achieve fair access to facilities without limiting their quality of life.

BBX Hosts 1 Year Anniversary Celebration

Brunswick Beer Xchange (BBX) hosted its one-year anniversary and Oktoberfest event on October 22 with live music, axe throwing and beer Olympics. Food trucks on site included Beyond the Bayou and 2Bros Coastal Cuisine.

CONTRIBUTED

PHOTO

CONTRIBUTED

WHAT’S HAPPENED

Town of Belville Mayor Attends American Flood Coalition Leaders in Resilience Reception

Town of Belville Mayor Mike Allen, Town Manager Athina Williams, Finance Clerk Brenda Williams and Town Clark Sharon Niemann attended the American Flood Coalition Leaders in Resilience Reception in Wilmington on October 11. Leaders across North Carolina gathered in celebration of ongoing efforts to boost flood resilience across the state.

Cape Fear Band of Skarure Woccon Indians Holds Harvest Festival

and its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4 at the Brunswick Riverwalk Park. Guests sipped hot chocolate, tea and coffee and nibbled free popcorn, and the Trolly Stop sold hotdogs. Santa arrived for a meet and greet, Coastal Dance Academy gave a stunning performance, and everyone enjoyed laughing along with the movie Elf. It was an evening of familyoriented fun, and it will return next year.

Coastal Buds Buddy Walk Held at Belville Riverwalk

The Coastal Buds Buddy Walk was a huge fundraiser for Down’s Syndrome and raised more than $90,000. The town thanks all who participated, especially Finance Clerk Brenda Williams for serving as the town liaison for this event. Mayor Mike Allen approved Proclamation P22-05 - A Proclamation to Raise Awareness for Down Syndrome and Support the Coastal Buds Buddy Walk.

The Bridge Presbyterian Church Holds Ribbon Cutting

Cape Fear Band of

held its Harvest Festival on October 9 at the Belville Riverwalk Park. The Belville Board of Commissioners approved Resolution R22-27 Commemorating Indigenous People’s Day. The town gives special thanks to Chief Lovell Pierce for making this event a success.

Town of Belville’s Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Town of Belville hosted Belville's Lights by the River

Together with the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, The Bridge Presbyterian Church held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour at the church’s new location at 1444 Lanvale Road in Leland. The event took place on November 6.

Skarure Woccon Indians

PHOTO BY BILL RITENOUR

WHAT’S HAPPENED

Leland Police Department Hosts National Night Out

Southport to Ocean Isle Beach to Leland. The annual parade is a great way to see what you like from custom home designs, interior designs to a builder quality look.

America’s Home Place Holds Ribbon Cutting

Leland Police Department hosted a National Night Out on October 4 in Founders Park at 113 Town Hall Drive. Everyone was welcome to attend the event, which included food trucks, live music, games and the opportunity to meet and engage with local law enforcement.

Funding Awarded for Two Electric Vehicle Chargers at Founders Park

Together with North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, America’s Home Place held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new location at 1215 West Gate Drive in Leland. The ceremony was held on October 21. America’s Home Place offers new homes in a variety of custom styles, including small house plans, two-story hour plans and modern house plans to name a few.

Ocean Health Center Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening

Two electric vehicle chargers will soon be installed next to Founders Park in Leland, thanks to grant funding the town has received. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Air Quality’s Level 2 Public Access Program will fund the zero-emission vehicle chargers. Construction on the charging station is planned for January 2023.

Brunswick County Parade of Homes Draws Crowds

Brunswick County Homebuilders Association’s 2022 Brunswick County Parade of Homes drew crowds from October 14 to 16 and 21 to 23. Forty model homes were on view from

More than a dozen people came out on November 9 to join North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce in celebrating the grand-opening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ocean Health Center, located at 1107 New Pointe Boulevard, Suite B5 in Leland. Dr. Brandy McKechnie and Dr. Chris McKechnie held a meet and greet, tours of the facility and complimentary food and beverages.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn

2023 Rice Festival

North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce 2023 Business Expo

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn - Leland February 7, 14, 21, 28 & March 7, 14, 21, 28

Smart Start of Brunswick County will host Kaleidoscope Play & Learn on several dates in February. Starting at 9:30 am at North Brunswick Fellowship Church, this is a free guided play group for children 0 to 5 years old along with the people who care for them. Parents, grandparents and other family members or family friends are invited to attend. Registration requested.

Information: smartstartbrunswick.org/ event/kaleidoscope-play-learn-lelandnc-2/2023-02-01/

Enchanted Evening February 17

On Friday, February 17 from 7 to 9 pm you can enjoy a night to remember at the Leland Cultural Arts Center. DJ Chris Nash will be spinning hits. Noni Bacca Winery will be selling wine, and finger food will be provided. Tickets cost $15.

Information: allevents.in/leland/an-enchantedevening/10000486905767257

North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce 2023 Business Expo February 25

The 2023 Business Expo will be held from 10 am to 2 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Way. Meet local business owners and service providers and gain insight into local resources. It’s a great way for those new to the area to familiarize themselves with Leland.

Information: northbrunswickchamber.com

Campfire at the Cove February 25

This is an event the entire family can enjoy. From 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Friday, February 25, you can enjoy an evening around the campfire at Cypress Cove Park. There will be s’mores, crafts, and games. All supplies are included, and the cost is $10 per car.

Information: townofleland.com/event/ campfire-cove-0

2023 Rice Festival March 2 to 4

The annual Rice Festival celebrates the Gullah-Geechee heritage of southeastern North Carolina. Attendees can take part in the Ancestor Reveal event on March 2 from 6 to 8 pm at the Navassa Community Center. The Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Gala and Dinner will be held at the Leland Cultural Arts Center from 6 to 10 pm on March 3. Lastly the indoor/ outdoor festival will be open from 10 am to 6 pm at Brunswick Town/Ft Anderson Historic Site on March 4.

Information: northcarolinaricefestival.org

SOUTH BRUNSWICK MAGAZINE

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR SISTER PUBLICATION

Pick up SBM at grocery stores in Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Calabash, Shallotte, Holden Beach, Oak Island or Southport. Or view stories online at LifeinBrunswickCounty.com/sbm | E 

FUTURE 10 2022

Meet the young leaders of Brunswick County.

By Melissa Slaven Warren

A leader, in the simplest terms, is someone you want to follow. In this annual feature, we share the stories of those leading by example in our communities. Meet this year’s Future 10 under 40.

Ten years ago, Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce and South Brunswick Magazine introduced the first Future 10 leaders under 40. Each year since, we've continued to recognize 10 new leaders as part of this esteemed group, all of whom live up to the chamber’s motto of “Building Community and Supporting Business.”

50 YEARS LATER

West Brunswick High School celebrates a half-century of Trojan pride.

By Kate M Carey

Fifty years ago students and teachers from Shallotte and Waccamaw came together on a new, central campus in a lovely building complete with the smell of fresh paint and new desks and chairs.

PAWS AND EFFECT

At Cape Fear K9, Mike Chambers teaches old and young dogs new tricks.

DREAM ON

Stephanie Bodmer has revived Boiling Spring Lakes Motel with a ‘70s rock and roll vibe.

By Beth A. Klahre

At first glance, Boiling Spring Lakes Motel appears to be just a quaint, unassuming roadside inn. But there is much more to this motel than first meets the eye.

By Kathy Blake

Mike Chambers knows what your dog is thinking.

As a trainer who works with pooches from little puppies to law-enforcement sleuths, his job is to get inside your four-legged friend’s head and help it overcome fears, develop good behavior or learn a specialized skill.

SAFETY FIRST

by Jo Ann Mathews

A pedestrian crosswalk is coming to U.S. Highway 17 in Leland in 2024. The intersection of Ploof Road and Olde Waterford Way is destined for a change. The Town of Leland received a grant of $666,623 from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to construct a pedestrian walkway crossing U.S. Highway 17 at this location. In addition, about 300 feet of sidewalk on the northeast side of Olde Waterford Way will link with a sidewalk network already there. A crosswalk signal is also part of the improvements. This will be the sole pedestrian crossing that will connect the facilities on both sides of Highway 17.

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NEW ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY

by NBM Contributor

Leland Police Department’s new Animal Control Facility is now open at the town’s Municipal Operations Center campus.

The Town of Leland has officially opened its new Animal Control Facility for the Leland Police Department. Construction started in April 2022 and wrapped up in November 2022. The new facility is located at 1952 Popular Street NE on the town’s Municipal Operations Center campus.

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FOOD SAFETY CLASSES

by NBM Contributor

NC Cooperative Extension has Safe Plates Food Safety Manager Certification Classes coming up. With Safe Plates, NC Cooperative Extension in Brunswick County offers three ways for food-service personnel to achieve the Food Safety Manager Certification. The comprehensive Safe Plates course is appropriate for foodservice managers and supervisory staff in restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, childcare facilities and other foodhandling establishments.

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PEPPERMINT CAKE ROLL

by Theresa Ravencraft

You’ll want to share this delightful peppermint dessert at your next holiday celebration.

A roulade, more commonly known as a cake roll, is a large flat sponge cake with a soft filling that is rolled into a spiral. Cake rolls are beautiful in presentation but can require some practice to get them just perfect.

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SMOOTHIES COMING TO SHALLOTTE

by Anna Beth Adcock

Brandon Korman is opening his fourth Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Shallotte this spring.

Brandon and Deena Korman will be opening their fourth Tropical Smoothie Cafe location in Shallotte’s new Coastal Walk Marketplace center in early March 2023. The new Tropical Smoothie Café will be situated amid a slew of shopping options such as Ulta, Marshalls, PetSmart, Hobby Lobby and Five Below.

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Warm Up with Wine

Mulled wine is a wonderful accompaniment to cozy nights by the fireplace.

BY SANDI GRIGG

OOn a cold day, there is no cocktail quite like mulled red wine by the fire. Just a few sips of this blend of wine, citrus, brandy and honey, and you’ll be warmed to the bones. This cocktail is perfect anytime, but it is one of my family’s favorites when we go to the mountains.

My family owns a cabin deep in the mountains of North Carolina. It’s been in my family for about 100 years and is quite rustic with no heat or air. My parents made trips up there before I was born, and my grandparents made trips up there before my parents were born.

Upon arrival we must sweep away cobwebs and knock off the dust. We typically take sleeping bags because the beds are not in the best shape, and nobody wants to pull the sheets out of the drawers. The temperatures can drop in the 20s at night, but we stay warm by the big rock fireplace that we take turns tending throughout the day and night.

It is tradition to make mulled red wine every time we go to the cabin. It is a simple but tasty cocktail that is best sipped slowly while wearing fuzzy socks and sweatpants and wrapped in a fluffy blanket.

I make it the same way my family has made it for years, and I hope your family enjoys it just as much as mine. Cheers!

Mulled Red Wine Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

4 oz. red wine (preferably a red blend)

3 oz. orange juice

1 oz. lemon juice

2½ oz. brandy

2½ tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 pinch of nutmeg

Cinnamon sticks and lemon wedges to garnish

METHOD

Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan on the stove over low heat for about 5 minutes.

Stir and serve warm in a mug garnished with cinnamon sticks and lemon wedges.

Tasty Tarts

Lemony cream and blueberries atop puff pastry are great for dessert, but they’re even better for breakfast.

BY SANDI GRIGG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK

HHave you ever been served a plate of a dish that is so stunning that you hesitate to eat it? Well, this is that dish.

A puff pastry boat is filled with smooth, delicate lemon cream and topped with vibrant, marinated blueberries and almond slivers. It looks like it should be behind a glass case in a fancy pastry shop, but it came right out of my kitchen and, I promise, it is easy to make.

With these tarts, you aren’t sure if you should pick it up and bite it or cut it with a fork. Either is fine. My cotillion instructor from my younger years would scold me, but I prefer to pick them up and bite them. The flaky golden crust crunches under my teeth while the tart custard and bursts of blueberries tantalizes my tastebuds. It really is a fabulous combination of textures and flavors.

My spouse and I were entertaining another couple at our new house, and I made these for dessert. After I cleared the dinner plates, I went to the kitchen to get the neatly plated tarts. I placed them on the table, and our guests were pleasantly surprised.

Not too sweet and not too filling, these tarts make the perfect dessert. Those same qualities also make them perfect for breakfast. Paired with a robust dark blend of coffee, they make the perfect start to your day.

“It really is a fabulous combination of textures and flavors.”

Blueberry Lemon Tarts

Makes 6 pastries

INGREDIENTS

1 large sheet or 8 oz. puff pastry

1 egg lighten beaten with 1 teaspoon milk

For the lemon cream:

2 oz. cream cheese at room temperature

2 tablespoons powdered sugar ½ cup whipping cream

¼ cup store-bought lemon curd or homemade lemon curd

METHOD

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

For the blueberry sauce:

1 cup wild frozen blueberries, mostly thawed 2 tablespoons honey

For garnish:

¼ cup sliced almonds lightly toasted

Powdered sugar for dusting Fresh mint sprigs

Cut one thawed sheet of puff pastry dough into six rectangles. Place the rectangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Score the perimeter of each pastry with a sharp knife (about ½-inch from the outer edge) making a rectangle inside the rectangle; do not cut all the way through. Then pierce the center of each pastry with a fork. This will allow the outer edges to puff up when baked while the center stays concave.

Whisk together the egg and milk and brush the edges of each pastry shell with the egg wash.

Bake the pastry shells for 15 to 20 minutes or until they puff up and are golden brown.

Remove and allow to cool completely. If the center puffed, press it down with your fingers, creating a sunken center. Once cooled, store lightly covered at room temperature until ready to assemble.

In a small bowl combine the blueberries and honey. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to serve.

In a small bowl combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add the whipping cream until it's incorporated and starting to thicken. Increase the speed to medium, then high and beat until medium soft peaks form — it shouldn’t take long.

Gently fold in the lemon curd with a spatula until blended. Evenly divide the lemon cream mixture on top of the pastry shells.

Garnish each pastry with the blueberry mixture and toasted sliced almonds. Dust with powdered sugar and a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately.

Second in Command

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

Brunswick County native Brian Chism is now the chief deputy of Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

B.

Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office has a new chief deputy

The recently promoted Chief Deputy Brian Chism admits he’s “definitely not one of those people who said, I’ve always known I wanted to be in law enforcement.” In fact, he was really unsure what he wanted to do after graduating from South Brunswick High School.

After he graduated, Chism spent seven years working for John’s Plumbing Company in Southport. But his life changed when he visited his cousin, Andrew Arredondo, a police officer in the Washington, D.C., area.

“I went on ride-alongs with him,” Chism says. “From the first ride, I realized that’s what I wanted to do. I came back home, and my best friend’s older brother was working at the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. I asked him what I needed to do to be in law enforcement. Everything just fell into place.”

During the span of Chism’s 18-year-career with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, he’s served in numerous leadership roles.

In May of 2005, after only seven months with the agency, Chism expressed a desire to work with canines. This quickly became a passion for him.

“I asked if I could go to training on my own time,” he says. “So, for seven months, I was getting the equipment I needed and setting up obstacle courses. I was even a bite dummy. Several other people applied for the canine unit, they all had experience, but I feel that the initiative I took, training on my own time, helped push me to the head of the line.”

In 2008 Sheriff John W. Ingram formed a new unit, the Special Operations unit. Chism was fortunate

enough to be assigned to the unit, along with his canine partner, in an effort to combat the drug issues in the county. This began his journey in leadership, which pushed him to learn more about the training aspect of working with canines. Chism became a certified trainer, training his last dog, Ajk from start to finish, all on his own.

After more than 10 years as a K9 handler, in 2014, Chism gave up his canine as a lieutenant and accepted a promotion to First Sergeant, which brought him back to where he started — the Patrol Division. Chism was able to continue as a canine handler and trainer along with his added duties of overseeing a patrol shift. After working three patrol canines and training many others, he was promoted to lieutenant of the patrol division.

While still overseeing the training of canines, as difficult as it was, he knew his time as a handler was coming to an end and that he had to find his replacement. In 2016 he was promoted to captain of Uniform Services. This allowed him to enhance his knowledge of other divisions. “Working with the dogs was great fun, but I really do enjoy passing on that knowledge to other people. You always should be looking to train your replacement. That’s a sign of a good leader,” Chism says.

Brunswick County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Brian Chism says, “My heart is here in this county and with the citizens. I plan on starting and finishing my career with this agency.”

You always should be looking to train your replacement. That’s a sign of a good leader.

“

In October of 2018 Chism attended the 274th session of the FBI National Academy and graduated in December 2018.

“It’s a very prestigious program,” Chism says. “I was at the FBI Headquarters in Quantico, Virginia, for two-and-a-half months. I lived there on campus, going to classes every day. The classes I took were all about leadership.”

In January of 2020 Sheriff Ingram promoted Chism to major, and he was later assigned to Investigations and the Vice Narcotics Divisions.

“The chief deputy position is a vital part of the Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Ingram says. “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of that role for me as sheriff. Chief Deputy Charlie Miller served as chief deputy since I became sheriff. It was very much a partnership, and I relied on him heavily for many things. When it came time to select a new Chief Deputy following his well-deserved retirement, I knew what characteristics I was looking for. Chief Deputy Chism comes into the position with a great deal of experience and knowledge. I have watched him grow and excel in various leadership positions throughout his career. He has served the citizens of Brunswick County for 18 years with dedication and professionalism. He is a man of integrity and strong moral character. Chief Deputy Chism grew up in Brunswick County and has a vested interest in protecting and serving its citizens. I have every confidence he will do an excellent job as chief deputy and I am excited to watch him continue to grow as a leader.”

With his new role comes bigger responsibilities. As chief deputy, Chism fills in for the sheriff when he’s not in. His direct reports include the Human Resources Administrator, Captain of Internal Affairs, Comptroller, Lieutenant of Equipment and Governor’s Highway Safety Program and Captain of Selective Enforcement units.

Once again, proving that Chism is an asset to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Ingram promoted him to chief deputy in August of 2022. The position of chief deputy had been held by Charlie Miller, who retired as a deputy in June and now serves as a representative in the N.C. House of Representative.

Chism counts being selected as the new chief deputy as the accomplishment he’s most proud of.

“It’s hard not to be,” he says. “I’ve only been here for 18 years. A lot of people, myself included, would say that’s unusual for someone my age. But I think what I brought to the table — my work ethic, my production and my leadership — is why they sought to move me up so quickly.”

Sheriff Ingram agrees.

Since Chism’s promotion, one thing hasn’t changed when it comes to his favorite part about being in law enforcement.

“It’s helping people. Service has been in my blood,” he says. “And we have the support of our citizens. Sheriff Ingram has done an amazing job laying the groundwork and continues to do so. My heart is here in this county and with the citizens. I plan on starting and finishing my career with this agency.”

When Chism isn’t working, he can be found working out and spending time with his wife, Serena. They’ve been together for 20 years and married for 17.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without her love and support,” Chism says. They also just adopted a pit bull/feist mix from Animal Protective Services. “We named her Amara, which means survivor.” 

Retired Chief Deputy Charlie Miller collected challenge coins — unique gifts that recognize the hard work, dedication and honor of service members — and placed them under the glass on a table at the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office in Bolivia.

A Sweet

Sheila Hall offers up sips, sweets and s’mores with her mobile gourmet business Chocolate and S'more.

BY EMORY RAKESTRAW PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN DEITZ

A slightly crisp, toasted marshmallow and a slowly melting chocolate square are securely smushed between two graham crackers — add in a roaring campfire cracking in the crisp autumn air and you have the quintessential s’more experience.

Many of us associate s’mores as a camping-only treat or just for backyard gatherings with friends around the fire pit. But for Sheila Hall, owning Chocolate and S’more, a mobile gourmet s’more and beverage business, has been a dream since college.

“I went to college at East Carolina University and dabbled in sweet and

savory s’mores,” Hall says. “This is how this love started.”

Growing up in Lumberton, she helped her mom bake traditional Southern recipes and says she has always loved the kitchen.

“When I went to school for parks, recreation and leisure studies, I was in the camp world around fires and tents, so my love for gourmet s’mores just made sense.”

It took more than two decades and a few career changes for Hall to finally make the jump to small business ownership. Prior to starting Chocolate and S’more, she worked as a park

I went to college at East Carolina University and dabbled in sweet and savory s'mores.

This is how this love started.

In addition to s'mores, Hall offers coffee, tea, chocolate drinks, Italian sodas and a few sweets.

supervisor for Raleigh Parks and Recreation then at the Governor’s Office as a program officer. Her last role was the entrepreneurship director for Cary Academy. Serendipitously, this included overseeing the development of an on-site café and coffee shop to help train budding entrepreneurs.

“As I approached 50, I was like, if I’m going to do this, I need to start thinking about what it’s going to look like,” she says. “I knew I wanted a

slower pace of life.”

When she and her husband decided to move back to southeastern North Carolina, Hall gave her school a one-year notice and they sold their house.

“We moved here in April 2020,” Hall says. “With the timing, I was scared to start anything. Last December my husband said, ‘If you’re going to do it, you need to go ahead and do it.’ Two weeks later he found a trailer for the business.”

In February of 2022, Hall’s sweet dreams finally manifested with the grand opening of her food truck, Chocolate and S’more. Hall used her s’mores recipe book to set the foundation for sweet and savory options, including bacon on s’mores, which she’s been doing for more than 15 years.

Her selections range from the traditional s’more to The Elvis, which features banana and peanut butter. For those curious about a savory

combination, the Blueberry Bacon features blueberry jam and bacon atop a traditional s’more or the Fig and Pig with sliced prosciutto and fig jam.

Although Hall can’t bring the campfire with her, she’s perfected the art of toasting s’mores with a specific torch utilizing direct and indirect heat. The result is a perfectly toasted outer marshmallow that’s just gooey enough on the inside.

Of course, patrons need something to wash it all down

like a bartender but pairing different things to fit together based on what people like,” Hall says. “Some people like fruit and some love chocolate on top of chocolate. There’s a chemistry behind the mix of what flavor goes in first, second or third based on what you taste and what lingers.”

Hall, who says she is not a big coffee drinker, also adds tea options from Tin Roof Teas out of Raleigh. The true superstar, though, is the frozen hot chocolate, which she calls an intergenerational drink. The non-caffeinated beverage has

While Sheila focuses on recipes, customer service and booking events, her husband and co-owner, Michael Hall, is the driver and chief of maintenance.

with, which is where the robust beverage selection of coffees, teas, chocolate drinks and Italian sodas come into play.

“For the drinks, I wanted to incorporate North Carolina-based options,” Hall says. “I knew my coffee would be from 321 Coffee, based out of Raleigh. The owner is a former student of mine and employs people with developmental disabilities.”

Hall says she has a mentor who makes a proprietary blend of cocoa and frappe mixes he sells to her.

“I call myself a drink mixologist, not

a milkshake-like texture wrapped in a frappe package, making it an easy crowd-pleaser.

“The first thing I ask customers is, ‘Caffeine or no caffeine?’ then ‘Chocolate or no chocolate?’ That narrows it down,” she says.

Her favorite beverage is the chocolate and toasted marshmallow iced or in a frappe. She also loves the red velvet hot chocolate with a white chocolate drizzle. For the nonchocolate drinkers, she recommends the white chocolate blueberry iced coffee.

The flexibility of a food truck is a huge perk. Six days a week Chocolate and S’more is on the move, some days at Brunswick Community College and others at local events in Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties.

Fall of 2022 saw Chocolate and S’more at North Brunswick High

School and Leland Middle School for football games.

“I do special menus for certain events,” Hall says. “North Brunswick High School’s mascot is the scorpion, and for the game I did a Sweet and Sour Scorpion Italian soda with a crushed candy rim and the Scorpion Stinger with Habanero,” Hall says. “When I work with schools, I give a portion of my earnings back to the school. I really value education and try to help in any way I can as a small business.”

Although Chocolate and S’more is just shy of its one-year mark, Hall says the welcome from the community has been nothing but supportive. When it comes time to reflect on achieving a dream (almost) a lifetime in the making, Hall is simply speechless.

“When you dream about something for so long you can’t help but feel

grateful,” she says. “There are not a lot of words right now, but I feel accomplished, and I’ve never worked harder in my life. My father was a small business owner, and he’d always tell me, ‘I know you want this business, but it’s a different kind of work,’” she says. “To me, owning this small business has always been about building relationships.”

As the chill of winter sets in, Chocolate and S’more is here to warm up patrons with sweet and savory treats. 

Want to try a s’more?

On Sunday evenings, Hall posts Chocolate and S’more’s weekly schedule on Instagram and Facebook @ chocolateandsmore. You can reach Hall at (910) 444-8305.

For the Love of

LELAND

BY ANNESOPHIA RICHARDS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

Barry Jethwa, the owner of Leland’s oldest family-owned restaurant, Shirley’s Diner, has been at the heart of the community for more than 40 years.

Barry Jethwa, left, with his wife, Kaye, and son Hiton.

hen medieval towns stood surrounded by protective walls and guarded gates, monarchs awarded local heroes a key to their city as a symbol of honor, respect and trust. Although the keys of today are more symbolic than functional, this centuries-old tradition continues, and in July 2022 the Town of Leland awarded its first key to Barry Jethwa, one of the community’s most beloved residents.

Jethwa has been serving up Southern comfort food for more than 40 years at his restaurant, Shirley’s Diner, where his love for his work is only surpassed by his love for his loyal customers.

Born and raised in Kenya, Jethwa moved to England in 1966 at the age of 19. After working for several years as a

mailman in London, he and his wife, Kaye, decided to move to the United States in 1979. The couple first settled in Myrtle Beach, but when Jethwa found it difficult to find work there, they came to Wilmington, where Jethwa purchased a motel on Market Street. He left the business in 1982, and during his

“ “

Jethwa has been serving up Southern comfort food for more than 40 years... his love for his work is only surpassed by his love for his loyal customers.

Above: Tammy McKillip, Kaye Jethwa, Hiton Jethwa, Toni Brice, Amy Wood and Barry Jethwa are just part of the team that keeps Shirley's Diner a Leland favorite.

search for another opportunity, he came across Shirley’s Diner (then known as Shirley’s Burger House). Jethwa offered to purchase the restaurant from owner Shirley Norris, and on June 15, 1982, the business became his.

“I thought I was just going to be a manager, but it didn’t work out that way,” Jethwa recalls. “I didn’t know anything about the food, because in England it’s different and at home I eat Indian food, so for the first six months I just watched my employees, didn’t say anything and learned the ropes as I went.”

As Jethwa grew the restaurant and his customer base, he also watched as the area around his business grew and flourished. When he first took over ownership, the only other

eatery in Leland was McDonald’s, but as the years went on, Jethwa witnessed other establishments take root along Village Road as real estate became prime. When his lease ran out on the restaurant’s original 201 Village Road location in 1999, Jethwa’s landlord opted to sell the property, and Jethwa thought his time as a restaurant owner was over.

“I closed up and went to England for six months, and when

I came back, I spoke to my old landlord, who said everybody’s asking for me and missing Shirley’s,” Jethwa says. “He showed me this building across the road and thought I should try again, so I opened back up on December 12, 1999, and haven’t stopped since.”

Jethwa’s loyal customers immediately flocked to his new location at 112 Village Road, and in his first week back in business, he recalls running out of food more than once. As a sign of appreciation for bringing Shirley’s Southern flavors back to Leland, guests filled the restaurant’s front wall with taped dollar bills from floor to ceiling.

“I was very excited to see the locals so happy, because I had missed them and they had missed Shirley’s, so it worked out good for me,” Jethwa says.

Jethwa believes that even as Leland has welcomed so many other restaurants over the years, what makes Shirley’s such a favorite among locals is his determination to keep his menu both delicious and affordable.

“My prices were very low back then, and I still keep my prices low in order to cater to Leland,” he says. “I accommodate everybody the best I can, and that’s what I credit my success to. I never worried about making too much money, because I care more about how I can cater to the local people. They’ve been very loyal to me, so I’m loyal to them.”

“ “

Two of Jethwa’s biggest fans are his sons, Hiton and Nilesh, who both grew up at Shirley’s and witnessed the profound impact their father made on the community. Nilesh now works in real estate, while Hiton helps run the restaurant and continues the family business. He believes it’s his father’s giving heart that’s made Shirley’s so special to so many.

“My dad loves all his customers and they all love him,” Hiton says. “Leland was a lot smaller in the 80s when he first started, but that’s how he made

I was very excited to see the locals so happy, because I had missed them and they had missed Shirley's, so it worked out good for me.

relationships with people in the community. He impacted smaller groups, which then made a bigger impact when he succeeded.”

When asked about his giving heart, Jethwa says it’s what keeps him young and happy. He enjoys meeting people young and old and doing things for others whenever he can.

“It’s not a question of money, it’s a question

of just being nice to people,” Jethwa says. “If there’s something going on, or they ask for something, I do it. When I find out someone’s had a death in the family, I always send them a bucket of chicken or something, and it’s just become a habit. Those little things are all part of living and a part of Shirley’s.

“Lots of families come in, and customers

Above: Server Kayla Hubble at work and catching up with customers

Bobby McLean, Tim Kurganious and James Matthews. Below: Hiton Jetwha and Tina Poola in the kitchen.

who’ve grown up here and bring their children back to eat, which gives me a warm feeling,” Jethwa continues. “When kids come in, I always bring them something from the back, like a mashed potato or hush puppy, and I shake their hand, so when they come back, they’re always looking for me. They give me a hug, and that hug to

me is worth more than money.”

Jethwa believes Hiton has learned a lot from him, and when it comes to Shirley’s customers, he says his son’s giving heart is sometimes bigger than his own. In addition to helping his father give back to the community, Hiton also helped initiate the acknowledgement Jethwa received as

the owner of Leland’s oldest familyowned and operated business.

“I wanted my dad to be recognized for his 40-plus years in business, because it takes a lot of time and sacrifice to be in business that long,” Hiton says. “I spoke to Mayor Brenda Bozeman and told her it would be cool to see my dad get recognized for his

Barry Jethwa with Drew Wassen in the kitchen.

efforts and also all the taxes and salaries he’s paid for all his years. A lot of people in Leland know my dad for helping families.”

Bozeman agreed, and on July 21, 2022, she presented Jethwa with a proclamation and key to the town at the July Town Council Meeting.

“My son went behind my back and talked to the mayor, who comes here quite often,” Jethwa recalls. “She came in and invited me to the council meeting and told me to bring my wife, so I went there and she gave me a key to Leland. I didn’t know what the key meant and had to google it, but when I found out what it was, I said, ‘Man, that feels good.’ I don’t know if I deserve it, but I’ll take it.”

As Hiton takes over more of Shirley’s day-to-day operations for his father, Jethwa is able to cut back on the long hours of his past and spend more time with his wife and three grandchildren. He stays busy when he’s at the diner, whether it’s with cooking, mopping, sweeping, cleaning or connecting with the families who mean so much to him.

“When someone asks when I’ll retire, I joke and say I already am, because I used to work 80 hours and now I only work 40,” Jethwa says. “I can’t sit still, so I have to do something. Besides, I would miss the people too much, because this is where I learned how to love people and where people love me.” 

Want to go?

Shirley’s Diner

112 P Village Road, Leland (910) 371-2890

Facebook: shirleysdiner910

Community means everything.

Community means everything.

Community means everything.

That’s why we’re proud to be here to help life go right ™ –

and to support Brunswick County.

If there’s anything you need, call us.

That’s why we’re proud to be here to help life go right ™ –

and to support Brunswick County.

If there’s anything you need, call us.

That’s why we’re proud to be here to help life go right ™ –

and to support Brunswick County.

If there’s anything you need, call us.

Josh London Ins Agcy Inc

Josh London, Agent

1112 E Cutlar Crossing Ste 104 Leland, NC 28451

Josh London Ins Agcy Inc

Bus: 910-383-1303

Josh London, Agent

1112 E Cutlar Crossing Ste 104 Leland, NC 28451

Josh London Ins Agcy Inc

Rouse Insurance Agency Inc

Franklin Rouse Jr, Agent

1107 New Pointe Blvd Leland, NC 28451

Rouse Insurance Agency Inc

Bus: 910-371-5446

Franklin Rouse Jr, Agent

Rouse Insurance Agency Inc

1107 New Pointe Blvd Leland, NC 28451

Josh London, Agent

Bus: 910-383-1303

1112 E Cutlar Crossing Ste 104 Leland, NC 28451

Bus: 910-383-1303

Franklin Rouse Jr, Agent

State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1601492

Bus: 910-371-5446

1107 New Pointe Blvd Leland, NC 28451

Bus: 910-371-5446

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

Fitness for Everybody

GOING Fit, which brings group exercise to communities through Brunswick County, is celebrating its 10th anniversary of making local residents healthier and happier.

BY ASHLEY DANIELS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ

HHeather Wilson, founder of GOING Fit, is committed to helping people get healthy one community at a time throughout Brunswick County.

“The mission was always to reach people in their communities where they feel safe and offer effective, customized classes,” Wilson says. “We’re mobile. I don’t have a studio. I come to them, and I come to them meeting their needs.”

Those specific needs of residents, she goes on to explain, are met emotionally,

Top: Heather Wilson, founder of GOING Fit, and Haley Flores, GOING Fit office manager. Below: Instructor Liz Knapp leading a class at St. James Plantation.

The GOING Fit curriculum ranges from aquatic programs to yoga and everything in between.

physically and mentally in all the realms of their wellbeing.

GOING Fit, Wilson’s mobile group exercise company, has been doing just that for the past 10 years by providing exercise classes at more than 70 communities including St. James Plantation, Bluffs on The Cape Fear, Magnolia Greens and Winding River as well as in New Hanover County and in eastern Pennsylvania. She began with a few classes and now offers more than 220 classes a week in two states.

“My number one goal has always been to get as many people in a community moving,” Wilson says. “And, by the grace of God, we’re still going!”

Originally from Wisconsin, Wilson earned a degree in advertising in 1987. She began teaching fitness classes in 1997 after putting her career on hold when she became a mom of two.

“I loved it and went to many different places teaching, and then when it came time for me to get a full-time gig, I was like, ‘I can’t leave fitness,’” Wilson says. “I asked all of my instructors who I was working with at the time, ‘Hey, if I started my own company, would you work for me?’ And they said, ‘Yeah!’ So that’s how it really started.”

Wilson had lived in Wilmington from 2000 to 2007, moved to Pennsylvania, where she lived until 2013 and first started GOING Fit, and returned to live along the North Carolina coast that year.

“When I came back to this region, I thought, ‘I’ll start [GOING Fit] back up,” she says. “It took a little bit longer, but, once again, I went back to the gals that I had taught with before and they all came back to work for me because we were

Heather Wilson leads an aquatics fitness class at Magnolia Greens.

Come GROW with us!

Leland

1003 Olde Waterford Way, Suite 1A

Leland, NC 28451 910-794-2266

Wilmington

3505 Converse Drive, Suite 175 Wilmington, NC 28403 910-794-2266

friends. And that’s the whole thing: When you work out together, you make the best friends! It’s way more than just exercising. It’s just as much social as it is physical. And it was for me, too.”

Serving mostly senior adult communities, along with rec centers countywide, GOING Fit has found such success over the past decade because of the residents’ built-in buddy system already in place in the neighborhoods and the extreme affordability. Wilson and her team of trained, insured and state-certified instructors offer hundreds of class options.

“The main reason that we’ve been able to go for over 10 years is because I have a great team,” Wilson says. “They’re top-notch, they all have a lot of experience and they’re all professionals. But the number one thing is: We do not cancel.

It’s important to show up for exercise! … So, even if there’s rain in the forecast and we have an outdoor water class scheduled, we want you to show up and we’ll do something else, like go indoors and offer you a seated yoga class or something.”

The GOING Fit exercise curriculum ranges from aquatic programs and water aerobics to yoga and everything in between, depending on each community’s wants and needs. GOING Fit has arthritis foundation classes, balance and core classes, cardio classes, seated classes, strength classes and more. Students can reserve their spot in class online.

“I act as a built-in group exercise director at each of our 70 communities, so I find out about their needs after I get a contract,” Wilson says, “and then I start to put together a

group program based on those needs. I schedule month to month, always fine-tuning it and always updating it to make sure they have the best group exercise program.”

GOING Fit offers everything from personal training and group exercise to small group sessions and swim lessons. And everything they do brings the people of the community together.

“Group exercise meets all the needs of a human body, plus emotional and mental needs,” Wilson says. “I don’t want anyone to ever feel alone. And the human body is amazing at what it can do. You’ll see somebody who can barely walk, but you put them in the pool and train them in the pool, and they’re with their fellow neighbors having a great time and, within a summer, all of a sudden, their balance is better, they’ve lost weight and they can walk better now.”

Want to get fit?

For more information on GOING Fit, to book a class or to find out how you can establish a GOING Fit group exercise program in your community, visit goingfitexercise.com.

Wilson loves her calling to change others’ lives through GOING Fit.

“It is my lot in life,” she says. “I did not grow up in a family that was focused on health for mind and body. Basically, whatever my community needs, we’re going to provide it.” 

NOVANT HEALTH UROLOGY

1814 New Hanover Medical Park Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403

Ibardo Zambrano MD, MS

Sea to Air

Aqua Aero brings seaplane aviation and the exhilaration of flight to southeastern North Carolina like never before.

BY JOHANNA COLBURN HAMILTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT MCGRAW

AAfter a lengthy career as an airplane pilot, certified flight instructor and FFA-designated pilot examiner, David Lackey has found a way to combine his passions of aviation and outdoor adventure.

First, he earned his seaplane pilot certificate and purchased a Maule M-7-260 Amphibious aircraft, which can take off and land on ground and water. Next, he purchased a riverfront home in Rocky Point on the Northeast Cape Fear River as the headquarters for his seaplane

training. In 2020 he founded Aqua Aero, a seaplane training and air tour business.

Before starting the seaplane training school, Lackey, CFI/CFII/MEI/DPE, spent 41 years flying and 25 years as an examiner. In the flying school, students who are already pilots receive five to six hours of flight training throughout the weekend in order to earn their rating. That’s in addition to an equal amount of ground instruction. All of his seaplane flight school classes are taught by dedicated and

experienced flight instructors using proven strategies while making sure each student succeeds and has fun. Since Lackey is both a trainer and an examiner, everything can be completed in-house.

The Rocky Point location proves an ideal spot for pilots to achieve their rating quickly, safely and efficiently. With docks less than eight nautical miles from Wilmington International Airport, the property features a windy riverbed that flows in several wide and long, unobstructed directions; this means that shifting winds will very rarely delay training. That easy accessibility, combined with the area’s tropical climate zone, allows for the ability to train all year long.

Students travel from all over the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands, many with their families, to earn their seaplane license. Lackey encourages them to use the location to its fullest potential, not only to train but also to relax. The onsite home serves as a bed and breakfast with two rooms available

for transient students with all-inclusive amenities.

Aqua Aero also offers air tours, and they are the first to provide this opportunity in southeastern North Carolina. These flights

David Lackey in the Maule M-7-260 Amphibious aircraft that is at the heart of Aqua Aero.

provide an incredible opportunity to experience the area’s biologically diverse ecosystem from the air. From coastal to brackish water to the Northeast Cape Fear River, guests can

see the marks of history on the land.

“Aqua Aero Adventures offers a unique and up-close opportunity to experience the hallmarks of our coastal community from a new and exciting perspective, in a

way only possible through the eyes of a seaplane,” says Blaine Tonking, Seaplane Air Tours and Instruction and Marine Special Operations (MARSOC), Retired.

“To witness our area's natural beauty and

diversity from a seaplane flying just above the water is something truly exceptional.”

Air tours start and end at the Rocky Point headquarters. The average tours lasts for 30 minutes and can take up to two adults or one adult and two children with an air speed of 100 to 110 knots. The route follows the Northeast Cape Fear River to the Downtown Wilmington Riverfront and around the Battleship North Carolina Another option for passengers is the ability to create their own custom adventure for a longer tour. Choices include touring anywhere along the coast including Southport, Kure Beach and the Brunswick River.

By spring 2023 Aqua Aero plans to create a downtown location to pick up passengers. This would include a new route taking passengers to the South Cape Fear River, Snows Cut, Carolina Beach and the Carolina Beach Inlet. Future plans also include expanding the fleet of amphibious aircraft to keep up with demand and incorporate aircraft maintenance.

One thing is certain, whether visiting Aqua Aero for training or a tour, you will leave as a friend. Lackey believes Aqua Aero is not just a business, it is also a family environment where you will come as a stranger, leave as a friend and know you are always welcome back!

Ready to fly?

To book a tour or get started on the path to becoming a seaplane pilot, message AquaAeroLLC@gmail.com or visit aqua-aero.com.

Sign up for Pet Portal today on our website and manage your pet’s health online.

Leading the Way

Athina Williams, town manager for the Town of Belville, is excited about the growth of her town.

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN DEITZ

Athina Williams has held just about every title there is in the Town of Belville. In 2007 she began her tenure as the town’s tax collector, then the finance officer, the town administrator and ultimately, town manager.

Williams, who has a background in economics and finance, began thinking about a career in local government while working as a district manager for a national tax preparation service covering six locations. At the time, the position didn’t offer benefits, and Williams wanted something that offered more stability and financial security.

Growing up, Williams’ grandmother always reinforced the idea that she needed to make her own money, which greatly influenced her professional goals. She attended college at Fayetteville State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. While she was in college, she did some work for the Census Bureau and interned at Merrill Lynch. She also developed an interest in the relationship between social issues and the economy, particularly for women.

“I especially focused on women and retirement, for three reasons,” Williams says. “First, women normally make less than men. Second, they take more time off to have and raise children and third, because they typically live longer than men.”

Williams’ interest in how life situations and the economy are intertwined is a philosophy she also applies to working at the town.

“You always have to look at the future growth and infrastructure and be able to financially forecast based on decisions that are being made today,” she says.

On the extraordinary growth that Brunswick County is experiencing as a whole, Williams is excited about what that means for the Town of Belville.

“I think it’s great,” she says. “We have two new apartment complexes coming in. We’re excited to welcome those new residents.”

A day in the life of Williams is often varied as the town manager, but she is ultimately responsible for the administration of all town departments including preparing and administering annual budgets, proposing policies for consideration by the board of commissioners and overseeing the administration and implementation of the policies and ordinances.

Her favorite part of the job is problem-solving for the issues that affect the citizens of Belville the most.

“Whether they have an issue with a building permit, a land-use problem or stormwater drainage, being able to provide the support and assistance to a situation that’s overwhelming them at the moment is what we do,” Williams says.

The most challenging part of being Belville town manager is the financial constraints that come with being a small town and the give and take.

“There are so many more things we’d like to do for our citizens, but sometimes we’re limited by our budget,” Williams says. “We do have one of the lowest tax rates in the county, and we want to maintain that, along with our small-town charm.

Williams, who is originally from Yemassee, South Carolina, between Charleston and Savannah, is passionate about history and researching it. She has traced her own family history back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. She sees the role that Belville plays in its own historical preservation as an important one.

“There are a lot of interesting historical facts about Belville,” she says. “Going back to the Revolutionary War, there was a skirmish at the Belville Plantation, where the 49th Governor of North Carolina lived. There is a rich history here with the rice fields and the Gullah-Geechee people. We love for everyone to come out explore what Belville has to offer.”

The spirit of community is important to Williams as the town manager. Providing a wide variety of recreational programming and events helps bring citizens and visitors together, like the annual Fall Festival held at the Belville Riverwalk Park. Williams was instrumental in establishing the community event. The 2022 festival brought in an estimated 2,000 people.

“Thanks to our sponsors, Crest Residential, LLC and Duke Energy, it was an amazing event,” Williams says. “The festival offers something for everyone including vendors, bounce houses, food trucks and live music. It’s something that the whole family can enjoy. We’re already looking forward to next year.”

When Williams isn’t working to help the citizens of Belville, she enjoys spending her downtime with her seven-year-old son and her parents. She also enjoys making handmade cards and is an expert gift wrapper. “Apparently, I have knack for it,” she says. “Everybody brings me their Christmas and birthday gifts to wrap.” 

There are a lot of interesting historical facts about Belville... We love for everyone to come out explore what Belville has to offer.

“

Behavioral Consulting for Autism Business Profile

BY ANNA BETH ADCOCK

Tina Gill and Angelique Meyer of Behavioral Consulting for Autism (BCA) are experienced professionals who provide impactful services and are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism.

Originally from Massachusetts, Tina Gill, MA, LCMHC, BCBA, is a board-certified behavior analyst and a licensed clinical mental health counselor who has worked with children and adults with autism since 1986.

When she moved to North Carolina in 2004, Gill recognized that there were no services in the area providing help and support for kids with autism. Jumping in to fill the gap through consulting services in school districts across New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties, she recognized that children were being diagnosed with autism late in childhood development. To help solve this problem in the community, Gill started working with local agencies and families to advocate for accessibility to services for these children.

BCA Leland Site Supervisor Angelique Meyer, MA, BCBA, echoes the accessibility obstacle that Gill recognized and set to work to solve.

"I worked for Brunswick County Schools for 12 years and was able to see first-hand how often children were not accessing early intervention support until they reached elementary school age due to the lack of local, community-based resources,” Meyer says. “I am so excited to be able to fill this need within our community by offering families locally based support to provide intensive intervention services and preparing their children to transition into school."

Gill officially incorporated Behavioral Consulting for Autism in Hampstead in 2016 and still owns and directs it today. For the past six years, the organization has helped families by using evidence-based strategies and by operating with a commitment to provide valuable help and service to each of its clients.

“Our vision is to partner with families living with autism to create a plan specific to their child's needs that will make lasting, positive changes to grow and reach their fullest potential,” Gill says.

Gill opened additional offices in Wilmington in 2018 and Leland in 2022. And she doesn’t want to stop her organization’s life-changing services there.

“We love living in such a diverse community, which has seen exponential growth over the past few years,” Gill says. “The community as a whole is very inclusive and supportive of individuals with autism and their families. We look forward to expanding our reach of services into Brunswick County.”

All BCA’s services are offered in-person and face-to-face, in “an enriching, sensory-friendly environment,” with the goal to help children with autism cultivate communication skills, foster their abilities to interact with others in a social setting and help reduce challenging behaviors.

“There is a heavy emphasis on making learning enjoyable and on engaging learners in positive social interactions,” Gill says.

Behavioral Consulting for Autism behavioralconsultingnc.com (910) 599-2230

PHOTOS BY LAURA GLANTZ

NC Jazz Festival Business Profile

BY JO ANN MATHEWS

Jazz lovers can celebrate because the NC Jazz Festival is scheduled for February 2, 3 and 4 in 2023.

“I want people to realize they will hear 19 different musicians at the festival,” says Sandy Evans, president of the NC Jazz Festival since 2005. “It won’t all be Dixieland.”

Evans’ own taste leans toward bebop musicians such as Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk.

The venue for the Jazz Festival is the ballroom at Hotel Ballast in Wilmington.

“People have to be given a chance to hear things in a setting where they are comfortable and having a good time,” Evans says.

Special Event Night opens the festival on February 2 and features three celebrated artists. Evans explains that singer Steve Washington comes from Washington, D.C., to open the festival at 7:30 pm.

“His voice is a cross between Billy Epstein and Nat King Cole, real smooth,” she says.

Besides performing with the Drifters, Supremes and the Village People, he sang in a tribute to Nat “King” Cole at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in April 2022.

The next performer is world-renowned pianist Lenore Raphael with accompanist Steve Hobbs on vibraphone. Raphael, who has her own radio show on purejazzradio.com, is considered one of the best jazz pianists in the world today. Guitarist Nate Najar, considered one of the finest modern jazz acoustic guitarists in this decade, closes the Thursday night show along with saxophonist Jeff Rupert. The two will give a tribute to Charlie Bird and Stan Getz.

The festival continues Friday night at 7:30 pm with five or six musicians playing together in seven free flow sessions. As longtime attendees know, one person is the leader and sets the pace for that session.

“I encourage the musicians to play what they want when they are the leader, so they can exhibit their special qualities,” Evans says.

Featured musicians this year are pianists Ehud Asherie and Rossano Sportiello; bassists Herman Burney and Neal Miner; trombonists Emily Asher and Dion Tucker; trumpetists Bruce Harris and Shaye Cohn; percussionist Kevin Dorn and Chick Redd; reed performers Adrian Cunningham and Houston Person; violinist Jonathan Russell; guitarist Nate Najar; and vocalist Lucy Yeghiazaryan.

“People will have a good time because it’s good music,” Evans says. “This is one time they will listen to different styles and realize that they can’t say, ‘I don’t like jazz.’”

Patrons have the added benefit of enjoying a musical brunch from 10:30 am to 1 pm on February 3, the second day of the festival.

Flyers announcing the festival are available at The AudioLab, 5732 Oleander Drive; Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th Street; and Hotel Ballast, 301 N. Water Street, all in Wilmington.

The NC Jazz Festival is a nonprofit organization comprised of a board of 10 members who volunteer their time and talents to organize the festival each year. Evans’ interest in jazz started when she was a teen and went to a jazz club every week in Lake George, New York.

“My husband was into big bands, and that broadened my jazz knowledge,” she says.

She denies she has any musical talent but says, “I love to listen, and I clap like crazy. I really, really enjoy hiring musicians and getting them gigs. It’s a lot of fun.”

NC Jazz Festival

February 2, 3, 4, 7:30 pm to midnight Hotel Ballast, 301 N. Water St., Wilmington Tickets and information: ncjazzfestival.org

February 2, $45; February 3 & 4, $65 each night Active military, $25; students, $15 Reservations for 10 only

Patron tickets: February 3 & 4, including musical brunch, $215 or February 2,3 & 4, $240

Tickets by mail: NC Jazz Festival, P.O. Box 7681, Wilmington, NC 28406 (910) 793-1111 ncjazzfest@yahoo.com facebook.com/NorthCarolinaJazzFestival

Eternal Fitness Leland Business Profile

BY ANNA BETH ADCOCK

Fitnessextraordinaires Willie Davis, Brandon Cala, and Kate Wolford bring a new full-service exercise facility, Eternal Fitness, to Leland.

The brain and brawn behind Leland’s 3 Dimensional Fitness, Willie Davis is set to open a second gym with two partners in Leland this month. While you might know his first facility for its personal training prowess, Eternal Fitness will be a onestop shop for gym-goers of all levels and interests. As Eternal Fitness opens its doors, 3 Dimensional Fitness will dissolve to make way for its larger successor, a move that’s all part of the business plan, according to cofounder Brandon Cala.

Cala, who is a trainer at 3 Dimensional Fitness. teamed up with Davis to open up the gym.

“We started at 3 Dimensional and that’s how people know us, but now we’re growing into this brand-new thing,” explains Cala. “We knew that there were a lot of personal training places but they weren’t really full-sized gyms. We just wanted to bring something to Leland that it didn’t have.”

Patrons can find a slew of ways to stay in shape through various membership options, an array of private classes offered seven days a week, personal training, and certified nutrition counseling. And of course, the facility is equipped with free weights, machines, and cardio and functional equipment for patrons to exercise on their own.

To boot, Eternal Fitness will be the first fitness facility in Leland to offer childcare while parents sweat.

Behind the variety of studio classes offered, find Kate Wolford of K Wolf Fitness, a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, who has teamed up with Eternal Fitness to run all of the facility’s group fitness classes and meet with clients one-on-one for personal training sessions.

“I’m just so excited,” says Wolford of her partnership with Eternal Fitness. “I feel like there’s been a need and a desire for this to come to Leland — and as excited as Willie, Brandon and I are, the general public is really excited, too.”

“We’ll have a little bit for everyone, no matter if you’re a beginner, an athlete, or into CrossFit,” adds Cala. “We want to be a really close-knit community type of gym, somewhere where anyone can come and connect with someone.”

Beyond being passionate about staying active, Davis and Cala have earned their stripes to back up the bulk. Cala has a degree in exercise science and a certification as a strength and conditioning specialist, and Davis touts a personal training certification as well. Adding even more muscle to the operation, Eternal Fitness will be staffed with skilled fitness professionals providing quality services to its clientele.

“We have a lot of really talented trainers that we’ve grabbed from different backgrounds and areas like Leland, Wilmington, and surrounding areas, and we’re going to have a solid team of trainers for classes, personal training and nutrition counseling,” Cala says. “We feel really committed and really confident in what we’re doing and what we’re going to be providing at our new place.”

They’re calling it the “the Leland locals’ gym. Eternal Fitness is founded with a philosophy to look at wellness as a whole, inclusive environment that welcomes anyone and everyone at any stage in their fitness journey.

Eternal Fitness

9600 Ploof Road, #6, Leland (910) 399-6132 eternalfitnessleland.com

Leland in Lights Grand Illumination

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

 A large crowd gathered at Founders Park on December 3 to experience the magical Grand Illumination of Leland in Lights. The annual light display, in which Founders Park is transformed into a winter wonderland, has become a holiday tradition for Leland residents. At the Grand Illumination, attendees watched the lights go on for the first time, visited with Santa, took a train ride on the Leland Express and enjoyed local food trucks. Leland Fire/Rescue and the Leland Police Department accepted canned goods to donate to Brunswick Family Assistance. Many families visited the light display throughout the month, enjoying festive walking tours through the lights.

Belville Fall Festival

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR



The Town of Belville held its annual Belville Fall Festival on October 29 at the Belville Riverwalk Park. Adults and children alike enjoyed food, entertainment and vendors. Many attendees were dressed in their Halloween costumes while surrounded with pumpkins and perfect weather.

The Bluffs Property Owner Weekend

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ

 Leland’s The Bluffs on The Cape Fear community celebrated their growing neighborhood in early December with their annual Property Owner Weekend. More than 150 neighbors attended the afternoon party, which included delicious food and drinks by Coastal Catering and awesome live music by the Hood’s Creek Band.

Ribbon Cutting at Advanced Urology in Leland

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

 More than a dozen people joined North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce as they held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Advanced Urology in Leland on November 3. Attendees were eager to meet Dr. Roc McCarthy and the staff, and many took part in tours of the facility while enjoying food and beverages. Advanced Urology is located at 144 Poole Road, Suite 102, in Leland.

FACES & PLACES

Bands, BBQ, & Brews

October 21 at Belville Riverwalk Park. Sponsored by REV Federal Credit Union.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

Phyllis Frazier, Sheri Poter, Laura Frazier

Harper, Mike and Billie Welk

Terri Yuzon

Melissa Trop

The Doorsmen

Jacob and Kaitlyn Eddy

Pam Peterson

Annual Veterans Day Breakfast

November 11 at the Leland Cultural Arts Center

Terri Yuzon, Melinda Mays, Jayne Kipke

Davidson Good, Diana Good, Wyatt Mclean, Addison Givens

Alyssa Givens, Rick Paxton, Jerry West

Angela Honea, Pat Waddell, Andrea Troccia, Dana Fisher, Susan Cruse, Martha Jackson

Bobby Corriston, Arnie Peltz, Artie Lobel, Carl Mainardi

Chris Pilloton, Gerald Decker, John Marone, Jim Koslosky

Sierra Suerken, Stephanie Perez, Julissa Esquivel Bojorquez, Jose Gonzalez

Bettie and Roy Lettieri

Gina and Ash Good

Howie Franklin

FACES & PLACES

Tri-Chamber Business After Hours

November 17 at the Odell Williamson Event Center

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

Dana Fisher, Heather King, June Baker, Karen Sphar

Kelli Pratt, Alston Prince, Ryan Hill, Emily Miller

Steve Harrison, Rick Kline

Shawnta Smith

David Hutnik

Deb Pickett

Jeffrey Stites, Sylvia and Rick Ognan, Lisa Stites

Billie and Jeremy Gunn

Tria Brown Ronell Thompson, John and Amber Buchholz

April Scott

Kayla Dorsey

Greg Bland

Going Beyond the Pink’s Bust-A-Move for Breast Cancer Dance Party

October 21 at the WWAY Events Center PHOTOGRAPHY

BY BILL RITENOUR

Andrea and Cam Weaver

Mike and Sue McConnel

Kara Kenan and Cindy Davies

Craig and Desiree Griffin

Back row (left to right): April Scott, Toni Melvin-Whitaker, Janet Tucker, Latrice McKoy, Tawana Robinson, Danielle McIntosh. Front row (left to right): Amy Gordon, Robin Bennett, Nancy Smith, Kara Kenan

Gimme Shelter

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

A fundraiser for The Good Shepherd Center was held on November 6 at The Barn at Rock Creek.

Pam Darrah, Kathy Denlinger, Scott Darrah

Nancy and Dave Alexander, Bob and Pam Paynter, Jeff Denlinger

Rick and Helen Goldenberg, Teri Harrigan and Michael Wachur

Kathy Porter, David Hoyt, Phil Hayes, Karen Hayes

Kathy Vezzetti and James Gregory

Herman and Holly Ratcliff

Toni Bailey, Dana Fisher, Dori Bishara

John and Michelle Cooper

Alex and Nora Hargrove

Kathy Denlinger, Steve and Rhonda Van Speybroeck, Pam Paynter, Jane Birnbach, Bob Paynter, Pam and Scott Darrah

Kenny and Kathy Windsor, Linn and Michael Chapman

Folkstone String Band

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Advertiser Phone# Page# Advertiser Phone# Page#

4ever24fit 910-399-4760 78

AA Self Storage .................................................................. 910-408-1600 65

Advanced Orthopedics 910-641-8670 IBC

Aesthetic Dentistry 910-371-5965 15

Behaviorial Consulting for Autism 910-599-2230 79

Bianchi Brickyard Supply 910-253-7663 6

Big Sky Interior Design 910-793-3992 62

BlueWave Dentistry 910-383-2615 22 & 23

Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation 800-842-5871 4

Brunswick Forest Veterinary Hospital 910-777-2107 95

Capeside Animal Hospital ................................................ 910-383-2100 68

Cherubini Orthodontics 910-371-2323 43

Coastal Insurance ................................................................ 910-754-4326 17

Coastal Integrative Health 910-408-1778 13

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage 910-371-1181 27

CommWell Health 877-935-5255 56

Computer Warriors 910-216-9399 53

Custom Home Furniture Outlet 910-799-4010 6

Curley Implants & General Dentistry 910-463-2267 IFC

Dimock, Weinberg & Cherry

Coastal Carolina Pediatric Dentistry 910-794-2266 65

Domin & Schwartz Real Estate Group 910-202-3638 74

Dwelling Place Interiors 910-859-1165 51

EmergeOrtho 910-332-3800 3

Eternal Fitness 551-486-8433 81, 94

Farm Bureau Insurance ........................................................ 910-371-2111 93

First Bank 910-383-3955 38

Floor Coverings International 910-575-5248 9

FOCUS Broadband 910-755-8202 14

Four Seasons Dry Cleaners 910-859-8394 96

Franklin Rouse — State Farm Insurance 910-371-5446 61 Go Store It 910-371-2331 91

Goosehead Insurance — Nona Phelps 910-208-6967 89

H2GO 910-371-9949 7

Hands to Home 910-262-8342 5

Heritage Fresh Market 910-253-1330 35

Hello Garage ...................................................................... 888-59-Garage 74

Home James Realty 910-524-2562 78

Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes and Fries 910-371-2707 48

Intracoastal Realty Corporation 910-201-2200 8

J & K Home Furnishings 843-249-1882 20 & 21

Josh London – State Farm Insurance 910-383-1303 61

Katie’s Art & Frame 910-408-1757 61

Kimball's Furniture & Design Center........................... 910-754-8422 89

Kingz Custom Concrete Coatings 910-620-8979 96

Legacy Homes by Bill Clark 910-550-1167 52

Leland Ace Hardware 910-383-6688 28

Leland Veterinary Hospital 910-371-3440 73

Local’s Tavern 910-769-1289 51

McPherson’s Acme General 910-655-4006 62

Mimi & Papa’s Gourmet Popcorn and Homemade Ice Cream 910-408-1170 43

Mulch & More ........................................................................ 910-253-7663 30

New Hanover Regional Medical Center 910-342-3400 BC Niche. Décor & Gifts 910-769-8839 30

North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce 910-383-0553 56

Novant Health 910-754-5988 33, BC

PC Solutions 910-371-5999 14

PODS 910-452-0322 73

POSTNET 910-408-1555 12

P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille 910-399-6808 62

Rhodes Law Offices, PLLC 910-383-3610 67

Sandpiper Pediatrics 910-207-0777 74

Sean Skutnik, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage 910-279-1016 12

Seidokan Karate 910-616-7470 96

Signature Wealth Strategies 910-371-0366 51

Splish Splash Dog Wash 910-399-3426 68

Stump Hill Farms 910-231-0044 28

Swell Vision Center 910-408-1116 43

Thalian Association Community Theatre 910-251-1788 91

The Bluffs 910-383-2820 19

The Kitchen Man 910-408-1322 28

Triad Power Wash LLC 910-599-7798 68

Trinity Wellness Center

................................................... 910-769-5004 91

Troy Williamson — Cornerstone Home Lending 910-262-2613 58

Trusst Builder Group 910-371-0304 83

Turf Medic 910-769-2818 48

UPS Store

................................................................................. 910-383-1401 58

Wilmington Eye 910-763-3601 11

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