Posts by WB Magazine
Waiting on the Next Wave
In between waves at the May 18, 2024, Surf Dog Experience just north of the Carolina Beach Pier, mother and daughter golden retriever Zeva and goldendoodle Ivy rest on their surf boards watching the shore break. Trainer Ivan Stahnke, his family and dogs live in Walkertown, North Carolina. Ziva began surfing with Stahnke when she…
Read MoreAirport Growth
The growth of Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is a boon to the regional economy, creating an economic impact of $2.5 billion and serving more than 1.3 million travelers in 2023. ILM is the fourth-fastest growing airport in the nation and number one in North Carolina. But with growth can come concerns over noise levels. To…
Read MoreReal Estate Commissions in Flux
Real estate brokerage is an old business. For most of the 20th century, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) prevailed. All agents in a real estate transaction worked for the seller. Eventually the law recognized the inequities of this arrangement, and brokers working with buyers were released from any fiduciary duty (legal obligation) to the…
Read MoreLegends of the Water
Lake Norman’s Normie Lake Norman near Charlotte is a well-loved man-made lake constructed in the 1960s. Originally built by Duke Power as part of the Cowan Ford Dam to help with flooding, the lake is now a popular destination for thrill-seekers and getaway groups. However, there are tales of something lurking beneath those still waters.…
Read MoreA Layman’s (Unofficial) History of Carolina Beach
In the greater Wilmington metro area, Carolina Beach, with a population of 6,500 in the 2020 census, has its own special history dating back to before English settlers arrived in the 1700s. The first inhabitants were Native Americans. The Cape Fear Indians, associated with North Carolina’s eastern Siouan tribes, made a settlement on the east…
Read MoreMy Thoughts
As I write, it’s Flag Day and the celebration of our nation’s Independence Day is right around the corner. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to wrap myself in an American flag for a photo. I must admit to spending some time this year thinking about what our Founding Fathers thought…
Read MoreShandy Hall Reconstructed
It’s a scene straight out of a Southern movie. Down the long gravel drive, just past the 300-year-old live oak tree draped in Spanish moss is the sprawling Southern-style estate named Shandy Hall. Spanning two acres on Shandy Lane, the property is believed to be one of Wilmington’s very first homesites. Dr. Robert Fleury drove…
Read MoreA Life of Fulfilling Work
There is a skill in finding the beauty in everyday surroundings. Walking the dog through the same park every week, the view out a workshop window, and the short walk from the car to the house can all blend into a mundane blur of green leaves, black pavement, and blue skies. We can completely ignore…
Read MoreSustainable Provision: Sea to Table
When going out to eat, people want an experience and a story, something they can tell their friends and family about, a stunning atmosphere with delicious food and owners who care about the meals they serve. Wilmington has a wide variety of restaurants featuring local selections of seafood, protein, and produce. However, it is hard…
Read MoreLionfish Primer
The commercial fishing industry is chock-full of regulations. There are seasons and bag limits designed to prevent overfishing of different species. Not so with lionfish. Any fisherman at any time is welcome to take as many as possible. Not only welcome but encouraged. Lionfish are instantly recognizable by their reddish white-and-black stripes, their wavy fan-like…
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