ALLISON POTTER
13
upfront
We have so MUCH to be grateful for.
Pat Bradford at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site with Lincoln, “An Illustrated Biography” by the Kunhardt family. Behind her is the
Civil War fort’s few remaining bomb proofs / battery mounds. (Most of the 1860s Confederate fort has succumbed to the sea.)
THIS issue we have the striking photography of a terra cotta and a bronze mask of President-elect Abraham Lincoln.
Learning of the mask and its ties to Wilmington plunged me back into studying Lincoln, who I have long admired,
and the Civil War battles at Fort Fisher, a constant draw in my close to three decades of living in this county. It is
a little-known fact that when I first arrived, I resided a year on Pleasure Island, spending a great deal of time in my
Jeep at the oceanfront historic Fort Fisher State Recreation Area — until I stuck the thing and as the incoming tide lapped at
my tires, needed to be pulled out.
We are thrilled to bring you the story and the photography of this mask and its history, plus that of the collaboration between
its owner and the Carolina Bronze Sculpture foundry at Seagrove, N.C., to create incredible bronze replicas.
Also, you’ll find a look at the prominent maritime challenges all waterfront municipalities are facing: anchoring out, illegal
discharge, abandoned boats, and Airbnb’s on the hook.
Our Home and Art features take a look at artist and architect Jay DeChesere and Heather Smith’s home, along with Jay’s
giant inventory of experiences captured in pastels. DeChesere’s house design captures so many features homes of the future will
consider de rigueur: rainwater conservation in cisterns, and individual heating and cooling of spaces.
We have two hilarious veteran outdoorsmen stories; Robert Rehder’s first trip to Holmes Seafood Market located in the
Roudabush Seed Store in downtown Wilmington and Mr. Rudy Gertz’s fabulous duck picking machine; plus, bow hunter Rick
Stoker’s incredible story of how he took the last turkey for his Turkey World Slam. And then there are wild game recipes.
Enjoy all that this season holds.
Editor/Publisher
Pat’s hair by Frank Potter, Bangz, makeup styled by Sara Harris, Bangz, Pat’s silk reproduction scarf courtesy Bangz.
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM