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ON THE COVER
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Brooke Eagle’s coastal
paintings spread the joy
of summer wherever
they hang. Even her
abstract pieces inspired
by food smeared across
her daughter’s highchair
tray bring a smile. Eagle
found new perspective
in the messiness of raising
a child and doesn’t mind
creating a bit of mess her-self
13
CHANGING OUR WORLD TOGETHER ONE FASCINATING STORY AT A TIME.
17
FEATURES
20 Hometown Hero Takes on New
Challenge By Peter Viele
Wrightsville Beach surfing legend Ben Bourgeois
goes from competitor to coach and attempts to
get the Jamaican surf team into the Olympics.
30 Where the River Runs Deep
By Robert Rehder
Expert Cape Fear River pilots take to the sea
almost daily to board large ships and steer them
safely to the Port of Wilmington, risking disaster
in the form of weather, wind, tide and current.
38 Finding Meaning in the Mess
By Emory Rakestraw
Brooke Eagle has always favored nature and
abstraction, but becoming a mother pushed her
to find new inspirations. Her 2-year-old daughter
has helped her find magic in the mundane —
a plate of spaghetti, or mashed avocado spilled
on the floor.
44 Labor of Love By Marimar McNaughton
An architect reinterprets his childhood home,
honoring the integrity of his father’s original late
Mid-Century modernist design while creating
spaces that resonate with how families live today.
60 Breakfast at the Beach By Amanda Lisk
A roundup of authentic, locally owned cafes,
nooks, and cozy breakfast spots that make
coming to Wrightsville Beach quite tasty indeed.
There’s a little something for everyone.
ADVERTISING SECTIONS
16 GIFT GUIDE
40 GALLERY WALK
meaning in the
mess
BROOKE EAGLE FINDS NEW INSPIRATION
WHERE THE RIVER RUNS DEEP
Cape Fear River Pilots
BREAKFAST AT THE BEACH
Wrightsville Beach Eateries
NEW CHALLENGE
Ben Bourgeois, Surf Coach
working in her sunny
home off Masonboro
Sound.
— PHOTOGRAPHY BY
ALLISON POTTER
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
DEPARTMENTS
15 UP FRONT
16 LETTER TO THE EDITOR
TRENDING
17 A Card Says More Than the
Words Inside By Christine R. Gonzalez
A handwritten note communicates love and
care, especially during a time when so many
feel isolated by the pandemic. It’s especially
meaningful when the note arrives inside a
beautiful, handcrafted artistic card.
DOIN' GOOD
24 Bringing Character
to the Fore By Fritts Causby
The First Tee of Greater Wilmington is posi-tioning
local youth for a brighter future, using
golf as a framework to instill confidence, build
character, and teach valuable life lessons.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
26 Deterring Mosquitoes
By Melissa Sutton-Seng
Check out some natural solutions to battle
biting insects and make outdoor activities
during the warm weather months in the Cape
Fear region more bearable.
FISH TALES
36 The Carol Ann By Captain Rick Lupton
The latest addition to our Fish Tales series is a
poetic look at the dire things that can happen
when fishermen fail to check the weather
forecast.
65 SOCIAL SEEN
66 TIDE CHART
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