Up Front

In the wildest year any generation has seen, the local real estate market — already red hot — went completely crazy. Any square foot of dirt was a pot of gold. Appreciation and sales were through the roof as buyers swarmed the market, hungry to purchase. Many entered into bidding wars to secure their slice of the golden pie we call home. Enjoy our annual look back at the incredible sales in Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties. 

We also have a flood insurance primer from a respected insurance professional who takes what can be a frustrating topic and makes it easy to understand.

With health concerns at the peak of awareness, we offer a provoking look to natural ways to get that all-important blood oxygen level up and keep it there.

Don’t miss our look at surprise avian guests. A flock of glorious white pelicans, that may have been lost or blown off course, visited just before Christmas.   

Robert Rehder has a doubleheader in this issue. He writes a thrilling and chilling true tale of a near nuclear detonation over Goldsboro, North Carolina. Many details remained classified for more than five decades. And for our outdoorsmen and women, fishing for speckled trout in the winter. There is also an intriguing true Fish Tale of the biggest flatfish (Pacific halibut) we’ve ever seen.

Take a fresh look at Wrightsville’s Bordeaux Cottage in the historic square. The displays are really special in this newest of the living history museums the town has to offer. 

February is sweethearts’ month, and a perfect time to be reminded that we need more love in this world. The love chapter of the Bible, 1st Corinthians 13, says what deep in our hearts we all know: the greatest gift, love, is the motivator of our lives. We can have everything in the world, but without love, it profits us nothing. One day it will all vanish, but love will endure throughout eternity. Live like it’s your last day!

Happy ♥ month.

— Pat Bradford