July 2022

In Sampson County, in a town called Turkey, there was a notable real estate sale of a 1,200-acre equestrian farm in late December 2021. Known as Longhorn Creek Ranch, the horse breeding and training facility and cattle breeding operation sold for $7.19 million, the top dollar sale in the North Carolina Regional Multiple Listing Service…

In many ways, hopping in the car to go look at quilt-themed art hanging on barns, houses and other buildings will bring back childhood memories for anyone who lived or traveled in rural settings. Long, slow drives with your parents, making up games or playing “I Spy” with siblings — if you’ve done that, then…

Wearing a fedora and white linen shirt, restaurateur and designer Giorgios Bakatsias walks through the final touches being made to his latest restaurant — this one in Wilmington at Lumina Station.  Kipos Hellenic Cuisine is set to open in July 2022.  “Welcome!” exclaims Bakatsias.  He greets you as if he’s known you for years, it…

Wilmington, known for its history and azaleas, the Battleship North Carolina, and Dawson’s house, offers a newer claim to fame: the renowned cake decorating of Hans Westermark. Raised by a family of bakers, Westermark traveled to Pennsylvania during the summer of 1990 to work in his grandfather’s bakery. “I didn’t realize this was going to…

One intriguing thing about the work of artist Kevin Bass is that he never sticks to one thing. Each of Bass’s collections couldn’t be more different than the next. In his series of textured abstract landscapes entitled Primal, he uses a mix of beach sand, mica, pumice and bright colors. In his series called Obscure,…

Sailors tack upwind after rounding the leeward mark during the 2022 Lightning Worlds invitational regatta on May 20. The Carolina Yacht Club in Wrightsville Beach hosted the competition May 16 – 21 with races taking place oceanside. The regatta drew 50 entries from eight countries. Two CYC members skippered teams; Pierce Barden, with crew Doug…

Northside’s Earl Jackson swimming pool is the home of NSEA Swim, a Wilmington nonprofit dedicated to giving all children and adults the opportunity to learn to swim. NSEA (Northside Elite Aquatics) began as a swimming club. Coaches and officials soon realized that the Northside community where they practiced, at 750 Bess Street, was not bodily…

Kevin Walker, a beloved member of the Wrightsville Beach community, lost his courageous battle with prostate cancer on May 24, 2022. He was 66. He was born into a U.S. Marine family in Craven County, North Carolina, and made Wrightsville Beach his home since 1973. His was a true entrepreneurial story.  At the University of…

The tiny, historic town of Southport is preparing to host about 50,000 people for its annual North Carolina 4th of July Festival, set to begin with a welcoming ceremony on June 30. In addition to the parade that will take over the streets at 11 a.m. on July 4, the festival will include a variety…

Each year Apple Annie’s Bake Shop carries out an operation to support the USS North Carolina. During the week of July 4, the bakery creates a signature cupcake with a red, white and blue swirl. A $1 donation is made to the battleship for each one purchased. “We usually end up being able to present…