April 2024

The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) annual trends report is in, and several themes have emerged for 2024. A connection to the outdoors is one of the hottest trends, with warm woods making a comeback and nature-inspired fabrics and wallpaper appearing in nooks and seating. Minimalism is doubling down with an even stronger emphasis…

This is our annual Kitchens That Cook issue. There is a great variety in the kitchens we have for you, but I have to say my favorite is probably the modest home on North 5th Avenue. I just love that remodel and what builders Marc and Christina Erichsen accomplished with the warm woods. It’s a…

There is a sweet scent that blows in the wind as flowers start popping up from the earth at the start of spring. All around Wilmington the signs of warmer weather appear in colorful ways. Water lilies are opening on Greenfield Lake. Eastern bluestars lure bees, butterflies and hummingbirds that pollinate our parks and yards.…

Controlling an aircraft in flight is fascinating. It requires talent, skill, self-discipline, an insatiable desire to learn, some bravery, and quite a bit of faith — faith in one’s training, faith in one’s equipment, faith in oneself. When my airplane Ladybug and I had our engine out, I had reached barely 200 hours in an…

Emotion is all over the canvas when painting and viewing expressionistic works of art. Much of Bradley Carter’s art reflects movement, objects about to collide or drift apart. Sometimes the objects have human form, others are where land and water meet, or unknown particles are simply adrift. The interpretation is left to the viewer. More…

To anyone who’s watched TV or movie Westerns, the stagecoach is an enduring symbol of the Old West. Besides playing a top role in the history of the American West, the stagecoach also played a part in the history of Wilmington, Fayetteville, and indeed all of North Carolina. Stagecoaches first flourished in England in the…

The Asian bleeding-heart is a shade-loving plant native to Siberia, Japan, Northern China and Korea. It is known for its 1- to 2-inch heart-shaped pendant flowers that bloom in the springtime and can last all summer long. Below the heart is a white petal, which looks like a drop and is where the “bleeding” in…

The warm, clear waters of Central Florida surround me. This is where I’ve lived all my life. This perfect place allows me to catch small crawfish, worms, and unsuspecting minnows for my food. I’ve known for some time that things are good for me. Everywhere, there are large areas of loose grasses and reeds through…

He was found face down on the sand.  The manner of death had not been determined, but a large metal rod was found near the body. The police were not sure how to tackle this case. They thought they had a line to follow but their informants soon clammed up. The detectives were floundering.  They…

Roses evoke pictures of beauty, elegance and romance, bringing visions of beautiful bouquets presented on special occasions or lavishly appointed gardens. People cringe at the thought of growing roses, though, thinking it is far too difficult. “Everybody loves roses but not everyone is confident they can grow roses in Wilmington’s climate,” says Vonnie Fry, a…