I get to serve my country. 56 WBM august 2014 Jean Lawler takes off from one of the islands around Wrightsville. She laughs and says, “I always do a shore-start; just start on the shore and jump off, that way I won’t have to get wet. The only time you get wet is when the water sprays you.” First-time skiers have not earned this showman’s start. Lawler explains those just learning to ski start in deep water to get up and going — safety first. She continues to pass on her knowledge and love of the sport to her grandchildren and her friends’ grandchildren. “I can’t imagine, over the years, how many people have been pulled behind my boat,” Lawler says. “I feel like water skiing is something every-one should try, and once they try it, they always love it.” It is a love that spans generations, a treasured past still relished today. It defines Jean Lawler as much as her devotion to community. The Seahawk Club, The Hanover Seaside Club (for which Eddie Lawler serves as the 2014 president) and the North Carolina Azalea Festival are a few of the organi-zations the Lawlers consistently serve. One of their longest volunteer stints is with the Azalea Festival; Eddie has volunteered for 48 years, and Jean has volunteered for 54. She is in line to be the 2017 North Carolina Azalea Festival president. Lawler puts it simply, “It’s all about the people. Wilmington has great peo-ple. And when you love something, Cutline for both photos here you find the time.” Osteoarthritis in his hip nearly took David away from doing what he loves: serving his country as a Marine. But the highly specialized team at New Hanover Regional Medical Center Orthopedic Hospital used their advanced expertise to replace David’s hip, and he was cleared for duty. www.nhrmc.org Nationally Ranked. Dedicated to Orthopedics. NHRMCOrthoKirscht_WBM0814.indd 1 7/17/14 2:48 PM
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