up front
Doing the research and copywriting for the 12th annual look
back in real estate—what we call our real estate round up—
I get very close to the edge of hysteria
before this review is complete and laid out.
I verify, check and recheck every num-ber.
I drive everyone within sight, by
phone and some over the Internet,
nuts. By the end, my head is swim-ming
and even I want to change careers.
So, when I say we are very pleased with
this year’s real estate round up, as well as
thrilled by the big jump in the number of
sales for 2011, the increase in sales volume
in my immediate neighborhood and the
optimistic dialogue going on out there in
the community, believe it. Estelle Baker
called last week as she returned home from
“Market.” Estelle was bubbling over with
optimism and how packed solid
the market had been with retail-ers
who were spending money. It’s
just another strong sign that we’ve
undergone a change in the local
economy.
Everyone is feeling generous these
days, none as much as our hand-picked
group of novelists, book
authors, writers and playwrights
who have hit the pause button on
their very demanding careers to ink
a few well-turned phrases in tribute
to the source of their inspiration.
We give a hearty thanks to Susan Taylor
Block, Clyde Edgerton, John Grudzien,
Ellen Elizabeth Hunter and Brooks Preik
for their odes to everything from the
Word tool bar to the Southport Harbor
and all treasured sanctuaries in between.
Introducing Taylor Riley, we offer a
warm welcome and special thanks for her
epic ode to the Salisbury Street bridge
excerpted in these pages.
This issue also has some very special love
letters written almost 70 years ago by sailors
on our very own flagship, The USS North
Carolina Battleship. The letters to wives and
sweethearts along with letters they received
while aboard the ship in war time, their
memories illustrated with mementos, make
for a touching Valentine’s read.
Hand in hand with this romantic stuff,
we feature three super choices for squiring
your true love this Valentine’s Day. For
the last-minute Romeo or Juliet, we have
WBM february 2012
demystified the selection process for you,
now just pick up the phone and make
a reservation. And for that extra special
someone in your life, you might want to
consider investing in a piece of handmade
jewelry. Look no further than our artist
studio.
Each of the last dozen years we’ve
photographed people from around the
county and their beloved pets. This year
we showcase rescued dogs and cats, and
while we all have a crush on Emma, we are
endeared to all of the four-legged friends
featured, and we know you will be too.
Pat Bradford on Saturday January 21 with
8th graders Katelyn Benton and Matthew
Ledford on a civics lesson to not only
meet Congressman Mike McIntyre but
see him receive honorary membership
into the Fleet Reserve Association (an
organization that represents the interests
of the Sea Service community before
the U.S. Congress) and hear him discuss
national security and Veterans Issues.
And last, but by no means least, we
observe the heart month with our annual
Best Doctors spread. It includes a look at
the State of the Medical Community in
New Hanover County, just one more eco-nomic
shot in the arm for our region.
Enjoy, be blessed and well!
Editor/Publisher