May 2022

For those who were raised at the coast or had the opportunity to visit on a regular basis, the summertime is likely to conjure memories of a fresh shrimp cocktail or fried popcorn shrimp, especially in Brunswick County. A partial explanation for this is that, traditionally, the only time local shrimp could be harvested was…

It was much like a scene from an HGTV home makeover show when Jeff and Amy Outlaw of Bahama, North Carolina, arrived to see their custom-built beach house in Carolina Beach for the first time.  “As soon as we drove down the street, we could see it, the lookout up top, the porches, the finishes…

When she began running marathons after accepting a friend’s challenge, 60-year-old Susan Warwick had no idea that her quest to gain fitness and improve health would morph into an epic challenge spanning 22 years, replete with unique perspectives, fabulous discoveries, and lifetime memories. “Be it national park, national treasure, natural beauty or iconic venue, every…

Catherine Crumpton paints what she is drawn to — trees, bushes, ocean waves, wooded trails, anything to do with nature. But she has a special love for flowers. It can seem intimidating to paint the complex plants, but she advises to “just look at the basic shapes, values and color as you would with any…

Landscaping projects can be daunting, especially if you’re new to an area or have a huge yard to tackle. On the bright side, a big project is an excellent opportunity to improve your home’s curb appeal, create outdoor space that you’ll enjoy, and by practicing sustainable landscaping contribute to a healthy ecosystem. Sustainable landscaping will…

Recent grant funding will help complete the initial design work for Wilmington’s Northside pedestrian and bicycle trail in the abandoned Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) railroad bed, known as the Rail Trail. “The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization awarded the City of Wilmington $680,000 from our Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act funding to…

The setting sun illuminates cloud formations over Town Creek at the Brunswick Nature Park boat launch on Nov. 21, 2021. The remnants of trees killed by saltwater intrusion, commonly known as ghost trees, stand in the marsh grass along the tributary to the Cape Fear River.

The Research Vessel (RV) Machapunga was the largest, at 47 feet, and best built Harkers Island vessel I have seen and been on. She served the research community of the UNC Institute of Marine Science in Morehead City for many years. The Machapunga was beamy with a shallow draft, perfect for studies in the nearshore…

As spring blooms in gardens all over the nation, one storied local garden club is celebrating its 70th anniversary.  The Harbor Island Garden Club was established in 1952 when 10 women met for lunch wearing white hats and gloves. Over the succeeding decades the women of Wrightsville Beach and Harbor Island bonded in a club…

Wilmington area ministry has a unique retail operation that offers low-cost clothing and merchandise while also providing jobs and training for area residents transitioning from prison, homelessness, abuse and recovery.  Found both online and with a physical location on Princess Place Drive, the Bargain Box of Wilmington is a nonprofit resale clothing and household goods…