We had a tough choice this month picking a cover photo between the Airlie Gardens live oak acorns and the Cape Fear River Rowing Club going to Boston to compete. The women’s eight is led by our former team member, head coach Allison Potter. The men’s entry will be doubles partners, Joe Bell and Mark Basquill. You are sure to enjoy the story of these two teams competing in the Head of the Charles Regatta and Potter’s photos of rowing locally.
Richard Johnson picked this bucket of live oak acorns two years ago this month. The story of the farm that he bought in Penderlea, the historic farming community in Burgaw, is just one more amazing accomplishment in the life of a man who is so vastly talented, as well as endearing.
I toured his farm not that long after he bought it in 2016. What a fantastic direction he has taken for the tree farm.
The story is even more personal to me because I grew up climbing the horizontal branches of the mature, wind-bent live oaks of my family’s landside frontal dune property. I am thankful that Johnson is preserving the genetics of these wonderful trees for others to enjoy long after our generation passes.
As the 100-year celebrations begin for St. Andrews On-The Sound and Mount Lebanon Chapel, we have an adaption from an upcoming book on the early years of these two historic landmarks, complete with period photos.
We also have a five-acre country-living Home of Distinction, Robert Rehder’s memory of quail hunting, and hearty chowder recipes in our Savor section. (Anecdotally, after organizing this chowder feature, I drove to Michael’s Seafood Restaurant in Carolina Beach dreaming of their award-winning clam chowder. It did not disappoint.)
We have fun with an amusing phenomenon sweeping the U.S.A. of Bigfoot yard art popping up roadside. You are sure to have passed by at least one. Our feature includes an area Bigfoot locator map.
You’re going to love this issue.
—Pat Bradford, Senior Editor/Publisher