SENC Magazine - Spring 2021

SE SPRING 2021

North Carolina

Swimming into a new era TOPSAIL'S SEA TURTLE MATRIARCH RETIRES

IN THIS ISSUE: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY ITS AUTHOR WILL NEVER READ GARDENS BLOSSOM AS SPRING BLOOMS SENC'S UNUSUAL VISITORS

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Editor’s Note

A welcome rebirth

SE North Carolina www.sencmag.com

Issue No. 26 / Spring 2021 Staff / Credits / Contributions PUBLISHER Jim Sills EDITOR Abby Cavenaugh PRODUCTION/GRAPHIC DESIGN Becky Wetherington CONTENT & PHOTOGRAPHY Abby Cavenaugh Lauren Branch Annesophia Richards ADVERTISING Alan Wells CONTACT sencmagazine.wordpress.com acavenaugh@ncweeklies.com 1.910.296.0239 ON THE COVER Green sea turtles have some of the most beautiful, intricately designed shells in the turtle species. Several of them are in residence at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital in Surf City, including this one captured by Editor Abby Cavenaugh.

Southeastern North Carolina Magazine is a publication of the Duplin Times and APG Media of Eastern NC. Contents may not be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.

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Springtime can often be seen as a time of rebirth and renewal, when flowers and trees that have sat dormant all winter come back to life with a burst of color.

This time last year, it was the start of what we thought at the time would be maybe a few weeks or a month-or-two lockdown.

What followed has been arguably the most difficult time we’ve ever faced as a nation and as North Carolinians. And, of course, it’s not over yet.

However, we can only hope that with more and more people being vaccinated, and President Joe Biden promising that all adults will be eligible for the vaccine in time to have a small Fourth of July barbecue, life is starting to get back to normal, albeit the oft-overused but appropriate “new normal.”

As the azaleas and tulips and daisies begin to blossom, there’s hope that the

light is at the end of the tunnel in our fight against the coronavirus. And, to quote one of my favorite books/movies, Lord of the Rings, “It’s long since we had any hope.”

I’m hopeful that this issue of our magazine will bring joy and light to some uncertain times. Although some of the stories are somewhat sad—namely, Maude Smith of Magnolia writing her autobiography but unable to read it herself due to her degenerating vision, and longtime sea turtle mama Jean Beasley retiring after 24 years—there’s also hope.

Mrs. Smith was able to share her story, which highlights her hometown, and Mrs. Beasley will still be involved with the care of injured and sick turtles on a more limited basis. There’s also a new executive director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center, breathing new life and new ideas into an already well-established and respected facility.

And, of course, it wouldn’t be spring in Southeastern North Carolina without those blooms I spoke of earlier. In this issue, we take a look at a few of the public gardens that can be found throughout our region. The best part is, you can see these spectacular plants for yourself and still stay within social distancing guidelines.

Finally, the season has brought some unexpected visitors to our shores— including seals, alligators and black bears, to name just a few. As always, if you have any great photos of our wildlife or scenery, do feel free to share! Tag us on Instagram (@se.north.carolina) or email me at acavenaugh@ncweeklies.com. Have a fantastic, beautiful spring!

Abby Cavenaugh, Editor

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SE Contents

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Features 10

Maude Smith

A Magnolia woman wrote her autobiography just before her macular degeneration worsened.

Now she has to rely on her granddaughter to read her own words aloud to her.

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SENC Gardens

There's no better time of year than spring to enjoy all the azaleas, dandelions, tulips and many other colorful blooms our region has to offer.

ON THE COVER 28 Passing the Turtle Torch

Spring 2021

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As longtime sea turtle hospital director Jean Beasley retires this summer, a new "turtle mom" has come to town.

Play Dates The COVID-19 pandemic may have canceled most events for over a year now, but there are still good times to be had--in keeping with social distancing guidelines.

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Folk -Giving credit where 50 credit's due

Strange Wildlife in SENC

We're all used to seeing sea gulls and sandpipers when we visit our area's beaches but what about seals? Bears?

Alligators? Oh my!

With Women's History Month in March and Mother's Day in May, spring is the perfect time to look back on the women in our lives who have made us who we are today.

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Maude Pickett Smith

An autobiography written in the nick of time S TORY & PH OTO S BY LAU RE N B R A N C H

Due to age-related macular degeneration, Maude Pickett Smith must rely on her granddaughter, Abbie, to read her autobiography to her.

Imagine writing a book that you’ll never get to read. That’s exactly what Annie “Maude” Pickett Smith recently went through after completing her autobiography in the Winter of 2020.

Her most recent work entitled “And Now I Have Grown Old: The Autobiography of Annie Maude Pickett Smith,” was published in 2020, just weeks after she was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AMD is a permanent vision loss complication most commonly seen in people over the age of 60. It affects the part of the eye called the macula and in turn blurs the sharp, central vision in your eyes that you need to do certain activities such as reading, seeing faces, and driving. There is no cure for AMD, but there are certain medicines and laser treatments that may help slow down progression.

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Smith said she thought it was important to publish a book on her life because of all that she has seen and lived through—events most people have no idea about, especially in the Duplin County small town of Magnolia. “[That version of ] Magnolia is gone. It used to flourish. It was a unique town, and now there is nothing there. The older people are gone, and the younger people just don’t seem to care because with I-40 and [NC Hwy.] 24 out here it should have been a boomtown if there would have been people interested,” Smith stated sadly.

Smith was born on a farm located between Magnolia and Rose Hill in Duplin County. Her family had a farm, but there wasn’t enough money coming in to pay their bills due to the Great Depression.

So, they moved into the town of Magnolia when she was 9 years old in 1937.

Her family once was fortunate enough to have had one of a few thriving businesses in the Magnolia area. When they first arrived in Magnolia, the family boarded schoolteachers, and her dad found a paying job in the area. Her experiences during the Great Depression were one of the inspirations for her writing.

The Smith family owned several businesses over the years, and currently own Smith Brothers Gas Company and Southeastern Water Conditioning.

“

Smith said she thought it was important to publish a book on her life because of all that she has seen and lived through.

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“

She also played the piano for her church for 72 years — that is, until the COVID-19 pandemic began last March.

Maude Pickett Smith played piano at her church, Magnolia Methodist for 72 years. Below, she also celebrated her 90th birthday with her church family.

(Photo courtesy of Maude Pickett Smith) SE North Carolina Magazine | 13

A collection of some of Maude Pickett Smith's previous works.

Smith is known on the eastern side of the state, especially in her native Duplin County, for her love of history.

She has been a part of many local projects such as “Magnolia United Methodist Church History,” working with the Town of Magnolia, and the Florence Gallier Magnolia Library. She also played the piano for her church for 72 years—that is, until the COVID-19 pandemic began last March.

During her time as a writer, Smith ended up doing a story on Hester

Pearsall for The Duplin Times. Hester was, at that time in 1951, the oldest known living former slave in Duplin County, at 107 years old. Smith said she was later asked to write a novel on the story on Ms. Hester, but felt she didn’t have enough information. She was told to research the era and write it as historical fiction based on her true life. From that interview, “Hester: The Historical Fiction about the Life of a Slave” was birthed. She didn’t publish the book until many years later in

were just so “ There many things stored up in my mind.

— M AUDE P ICKETT S MITH 14 | SE North Carolina Magazine

2012. Smith said she has loved writing ever since.

And now, there’s her autobiography, “And Now I Have Grown Old: The Autobiography of Annie Maude Pickett Smith.”

“There were just so many things stored up in my mind,” she explained.

“I was born in 1928 and lived through the Depression and then all the time with no water, no electric lights, no anything. And so, I felt like that was a story that needed to be told because

there were so many people that are not aware of how we lived back then.”

“I have a lot of stories,” Smith added.

It took her about a year to write her story. She said she couldn’t sleep at night because things kept coming to her that she wanted to write about, so it didn’t take her very long to put it all together.

By the time the book was sent back to her by her editor, Lynn Veach Sadler (a longtime friend from the Duplin County Historical Society), her eyes were getting so bad she had problems proofreading it.

“If we hadn’t finished the book when we did, I couldn’t have done it,” she said. “When I got the book to proofread it, I read the whole book

with this flashlight and magnifying glass. That was the only way I could do it. It was so frustrating.”

Her family and friends have been a big support system to Smith during this journey. Her 12-year-old granddaughter visited her and told her that she would read a chapter to her. Smith said she is very proud of her granddaughter Abbie and likes to brag on her being Little Miss Liberty Christian Academy and Junior Miss Pickle Festival, amongst other titles she has gained in the past. When Abbie read the first chapter to her, she enjoyed it so much that she ended up reading her two chapters. When she got done Maude said that her granddaughter said excitedly, “Ma Maude, this is a

good book. I think my teacher should read this to our class.”

Her granddaughter ended up taking two books to school to her teachers.

In addition to Abbie, Smith has two sons, five grandchildren (two that live next door and help take care of her), and 13 great-grandchildren. So putting out her story and her history was doubly important to her.

“And Now I Have Grown Old” can be purchased for $10 at various establishments in Duplin County (including Rose Hill Restaurant, Ronnie Ezell’s Beauty Salon in Warsaw, and Smith Brothers Gas in Magnolia), online via Amazon and Lulu, or by contacting her directly at 910-2893396.

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Maude Smith and her family at their business, from left, Chad Smith, Maude Smith, Bobby Smith, and AQ Smith, Jr. (Photo courtesy of Maude Pickett Smith) SE North Carolina Magazine | 15

Senc Gardens

SPRINGTIME in

Bloom STORY

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BY

Annesophia Richards SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Tryon Palace & Gardens

N.C. County Extension and New Hanover County Arboretum

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he arrival of springtime is a breath of fresh air for many living in Southeastern North Carolina.

Exhausted from lingering pandemic fears and stifled by the combination of cold outdoor temperatures and indoor gathering restrictions, the first days of warm weather feel long overdue. A great way to get outside and soak up the sun is to visit one of our region’s vibrant gardens. Rich with history and blooming with life, these botanical wonderlands offer a welcome respite in a time when we can all use a natural mood boost.

Airlie Gardens

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Airlie Gardens

As one of the South’s most beloved public gardens, Airlie Gardens has been welcoming nature lovers from around the world since 1884. As a nonprofit, the organization strives to showcase and preserve the history and beauty of the gardens while providing visitors with an array of cultural, educational and environmental programs and events. Its expansive grounds include 67 acres of seasonal blooms, walking paths, a freshwater lake, wildlife and sculptures. Ornate structures decorate the various formal gardens, including the Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel, the Pergola, and the seasonal Butterfly House. Visitors can picnic beneath the shade of the celebrated Airlie Oak, known for its massive size and nearly 500-year existence.

Each spring, Airlie Gardens truly comes alive with the blossoming of over 75,000 azaleas and 60,000 other flowers, including tulips, daffodils, ad hyacinths. This breathtaking explosion of color typically occurs between mid-March through mid-April, depending on the weather. Visitors this spring must purchase tickets in advance online and wear masks while visiting the Gardens.

“Airlie Gardens is always a beautiful place to visit, but when the azaleas and tulips are in bloom in the spring, it’s spectacular!” says Janine Powell, director of donor Relations. “We’re a great place to visit during the pandemic because we have 67 acres for you to enjoy and practice social distancing.”

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Tryon Palace & Gardens Built in 1770, Tryon Palace in New Bern is known as North Carolina’s first permanent state capitol. Visitors can tour this historic landmark and stroll through the 16 acres of formal and informal gardens. Crafted by landscape architect Morley Jeffers Williams in the 1950s and 1960s, the gardens represent a recreation of an English style, appropriate for a house of this class in England, therefore considered to be “colonial-revival” style.

Known as “the maze,” Tryon Palace’s most renowned garden is the Latham Garden. This

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formal garden of boxwood and yaupon hedges is planted with seasonal blooms that change three times each year. The Kitchen Garden features fruit trees, heirloom vegetables and herbs. Other gardens include the Hawks Allee, a pollinator prairie with formal statuary, the Green Garden, a knot garden with echoing groundcovers and a myriad of shrub and perennials, and the Wilderness Garden, a combination of native and introduced species meant to echo the natural world in a controlled manner, just to name a few.

Visitors can discover what’s blooming at Tryon Palace through the monthly bloom blog featured on the Palace’s website. Tulips, springtime’s biggest attraction, are joined by blossoming iris, anemones and daffodils. Tryon Palace’s many flowering trees begin blooming in spring as well, including redbuds, buckeyes, dogwoods, pawpaws, and Chinese snowball viburnums.

Perennials also begin emerging in early March, and by April the gardens are full of Lenten Rose, columbines and dianthus.

Following COVID protocols, Tryon Palace is currently open with limited capacity, and updated cleaning and sanitation procedures are observed for visitor health and safety. Face masks and social distancing are required, and advanced weekend tickets are available for purchase for those interested in touring the Palace.

“As you can imagine, the expanse of our gardens makes social distancing pretty easy while still getting to view it all,” says Hadley Cheris, Gardens and Greenhouse Manager. “Most of our gardens have multiple entrances, which makes getting around doubly as easy!”

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Tryon Palace & Gardens SE North Carolina Magazine | 23

N.C. County Extension and New Hanover County Arboretum Free and open daily to the public, the New Hanover County Arboretum serves as a beautiful classroom to teach visitors about the area’s ecosystems and sustainable gardening practices. The Arboretum is home to the N.C. Cooperative Extension Center for New Hanover County, where people can learn through educational programs, classes, and hands-on workshops. The Arboretum encompasses seven acres and features a variety of specialty gardens including a Pollinator Garden, a Japanese Garden with a tea house and winding stream, a magical Children’s Garden with a miniature play cottage, a Native Plant Garden, and a colorful, sweet-smelling Rose Garden.

Springtime blooms include but are certainly not limited to azaleas, caladium, amaryllis, rhododendron,

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redbud and dogwood trees, snapdragon, pansies, and pitcher plants. Other offerings include a peaceful koi pond, a colorful picnic area, tranquil fountains and whimsical sculptures, all of which inspire creativity, calm and a love of nature.

“Spring is the season of renewal and the final test to determine which plants and animals prepared well enough to last the winter,” says grounds maintenance supervisor Kevin Cassel. “Spring signals bounds of flowers for pollinators to visit and lets our wildlife know the time is right for passing the torch to the next generation. There’s always something blooming here at the Arboretum, and we encourage you to come visit, learn, and grow with Extension.”

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The Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Garden

A hidden gem right in the middle of the Cape Fear region is the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Garden. This unique space is owned by the Oleander Company, leased to the City of Wilmington, and protected by a conservation easement held by the Coastal Land Trust. The garden features an array of carnivorous plants, including pitcher plants, sundews, and the region’s native Venus Flytrap.

The garden was named in honor of Wilmington native Stanley Rehder. Known as the “Flytrap Man,” Rehder worked tirelessly for the protection of carnivorous plants before his death in 2012. Each year, the garden hosts the Flytrap Frolic, an event that aims to connect the public to the very special plants that only grow naturally within a 70mile radius of Wilmington. Open to the public year-round seven days a week, this passive park also includes a pervious concrete walking trail and wooden observation decks.

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Stanley "Flytrap Man" Rehder

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Pthe assing Turtle

Torch

By Abby Cavenaugh 28 | SE North Carolina Magazine

After founding one of the most well-known sea turtle hospitals in the nation, Jean Beasley is hanging up her flippers this year.

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he started the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Beach in the late 1990s and has led the organization through the rescue and release of hundreds of turtles over the past decades.

However, time has begun to take its toll on the woman who’s known by many as “Mom Turtle.”

“I’m going on 86,” she says, “so it’s age, primarily, that led me to retire now.”

She adds that her family is now mostly in western North Carolina and Tennessee, so she’s going to move there to be closer to her children and grandchildren. “I had family here, and my turtle family, of course, but there comes a time when you need your blood relatives to take care of you.”

Beasley will keep a home on Topsail Island, and says she’ll be back—when it’s not hurricane season. And her heart will always be with the turtles.

“The turtles are the reason for everything,” she says. “I think the main thing that’s kept us going is that we put the turtles first and do what’s best for them. This building is here for them. The person who donated the land didn’t give it to us—they gave it to the turtles. And no matter who comes and goes, the turtles will remain.”

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A NEW ‘MOM TURTLE’ Once she decided to retire, Beasley and her team of volunteers conducted an extensive, nationwide search for a new executive director of the hospital.

“We were very intent about choosing the right person, and I think we did,” Beasley says. “We wanted someone special, someone who could hit the ground running, but not want to immediately change everything.”

Kathy Zagzebski, a native of Massachusetts, was that person. “I was a turtle lady before I came here,” Zagzebski says. “I was working with a marine mammal hospital in Massachusetts, where I worked with seals and Kemp’s Ridley turtles. I really never thought about leaving Massachusetts, but this opportunity came up and it was just the perfect position for me.”

She says that she was “a fan girl” of Beasley’s long before she interviewed for the position. “You

don’t remember this,” she said to Beasley, “but I came here one summer and used my ‘I work with sea turtles card’ and you gave me a behind-thescenes tour, and I just fell in love.”

“Nobody can fill Jean’s shoes,” she adds. “What she’s accomplished here is incredible.”

Zagzebski started her work as executive director on Feb. 1, and ever since, has been spending time getting to know the volunteer staff and the 45 turtles currently in residence at the hospital.

“What she brings is a new vision to what we’ve already done,” Beasley says.

“We were very intent about choosing the right person, and I think we did.”

- JEAN BEASLEY

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This page: New Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center executive director Kathy Zagzebski and one of her flippered patients.

Opposite page (clockwise from left): Kathy Zagzebski and Jean Beasley tend to one of their rockstar patients, Spock.

Kathy Zagzebski looks in on Canal, a green turtle with buoyancy issues who unfortunately can not be released and will find a new home in an aquarium.

Jean Beasley is shown caring for a turtle with some of her longtime volunteers.

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MIRACLES EVERY DAY “I’ve really been spending a lot of time listening to people,” Zagzebski says. “I think we do an amazing job, helping turtles that in many ways, seem beyond help. One of our Kemp’s Ridley now, Maverick, is one of those miracles that happen here every day.”

Maverick has been a patient at the sea turtle hospital for about four years. When he first arrived, he had metabolic bone disease, which is one of the ongoing effects of being cold-stunned.

Because sea turtles are reptiles, they can easily suffer from hypothermic conditions when water temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Usually, they are unable to swim as a result.

“He couldn’t even move his flippers,” Beasley says. “And now, he’s just about ready to go home.”

Another miracle patient is the appropriately named Xena the Warrior Princess, a loggerhead.

She was found almost comatose at one of the ferries in Cape Lookout. By the time she was

“I think we do an amazing job, helping turtles that in many ways, seem beyond help."

- KATHY ZAGZEBSKI transported into the hospital’s sick bay, she had stopped breathing, Beasley recalls.

“We had to give her artificial respiration,” she explains, which involved lifting her front flippers up and down, pumping air into her lungs. “After 10 minutes of this, she finally took a breath.”

Myrtle, one of several turtles up for adoption.

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Beasley and the hospital’s veterinarian, Dr. Craig Harms of N.C. State University’s Veterinary School, believe that Xena was one of a number of turtles who ingested toxic algae, which can cause paralysis.

“I mean, she was basically dead when she got here,” Beasley says. “And now she’s almost ready to be released, so she really is our warrior princess.”

Spock is the friendliest of all the current residents of the hospital, swimming up to visitors by her tank in the Turtle Bay, and seemingly grinning for cameras. Spock was a cold-stunned turtle as well, and had to have cataract surgery shortly after her arrival. Once listless, she’s now a star patient, and is on track to be released back to the ocean this summer.

Counterclockwise from left: Kathy Zagzebski calls Parsley her "baby." The Kemp's ridley was the first turtle she cared for when she arrived at the hospital. Volunteers feed the baby turtles, called hatchlings, in the sick bay until they can be released back to the ocean. Maverick, one of the miracles of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital.

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A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES Having helped to heal so many turtles over the past 24 years has led to many memories.

In fact, Beasley says one of the things she’ll do to pass the time once she retires in June is to write a book. “I’m writing it mainly for my family; I’m not sure anyone else will want to read it,” she says.

“Are you kidding?” Zagzebski interrupts. “Everyone will want to read it!”

Still maintaining her humility, Beasley responds, “I don’t know about that.”

The book will contain many stories from her time with the turtles, some of them funny and some of them sad.

She recalls a visitor to the sea turtle hospital’s first location, a small, 800-square-foot facility on the southern end of Topsail Island, in the town of Topsail Beach.

“He walked up to me and said, ‘I have a question for you.

How do you train the turtles to crawl into these tubs?” Beasley says to the laughter of all those in the room. “I had the same reaction you all are having—I laughed. But he was serious as could be, and I realized he wasn’t joking. So, I reminded myself that I shouldn’t laugh at him, and I told him about these turtles’ nesting fidelity.”

She went on to explain that nesting turtles will always return to the beach where they were born—sometimes multiple times, and will even lay eggs on top of a previous nest, a fact

Cutlines, clockwise from left

Beasley says one of the things she’ll do to pass the time once she retires in June is to write a book.

34 | SE North Carolina Magazine

Beulaville Kenansville Pink Hill Wallace

910 298 6040 SE North Carolina Magazine | 35

“I love these stories. I learn something new every time I talk to her.

- KATHY ZAGZEBSKI

that even Duke Universitytrained Zagzebski didn’t know.

“I love these stories,” she says. “I learn something new every time I talk to her.”

Beasley also recalls another funny story, soon after the Topsail Turtle Project began—something of a precursor to what would become the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center.

During nesting season, volunteers sit with the nests and help to ensure that the hatchlings safely reach the ocean. There can be many obstacles in their path, from holes dug in the sand to predators from above.

Lights from the buildings and piers also can guide the baby turtles away from the sea and toward land.

The volunteers also dig a trench from the nest to the ocean, to help make the path easier. This night, the volunteers had fixed the berm around the pathway of a nest located near one of the piers. They were sitting by the nest and drinking tea from a portable tea set that one of the volunteers, who was from England, had brought to the nest-sitting session.

Beasley tells the story: “We sat down and she passed out these cups of hot tea. I 36 | SE North Carolina Magazine

happened to look up at the pier, and there was a group of about eight to 10 people on the pier, pointing at us and looking at us, and in a little while, they came walking up the beach toward us. And so, they got close to us and the leader, obviously, said, ‘How y’all doing tonight?’ A good old North Carolina greeting.

I said, ‘Just fine, how are you doing?’ and sipped my tea.

He said, ‘I’m doing fine.

Me and my friends were up there, talking about y’all and just wondering what’s going on down here.’ And I said, ‘Well, we have a group that believes in extraterrestrial activity, and we’re expecting an alien spaceship to land here tonight. Well, as I’m talking, his face changed totally. They were like, jaws dropping. And after a few minutes, he said, ‘Naaaaw.’”

She laughs. “I just had to mess with them a little bit.”

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“We had lots of things like that over the years,” Beasley continues. “Those will be going in the book.”

Without a doubt, Zagzebski will have her own memories that can fill a book by the time her tenure as executive director ends— hopefully, she says, when she herself retires.

And she knows times are tough for everyone, due to the pandemic. “So much of our revenue came from visitors paying that nominal fee to come into the hospital and see the turtles. Obviously, with the pandemic, we couldn’t do that anymore, so we opened up the gift shop online and made our adoption process easier to do through the website.”

The hospital also promoted adopting two green sea turtles for St. Patrick’s Day, and has many more promotions planned, although both Zagzebski and Beasley hope that the hospital will be able to reopen to visitors sometime this year.

“I think we have an opportunity to expand outreach even more,” Zagzebski says. “And maybe

"I think we have an opportunity to expand outreach even more. And maybe we can even use COVID as a way to reach out to people and help them understand the importance of ocean conservation." - KATHY ZAGZEBSKI 38 | SE North Carolina Magazine

we can even use COVID as a way to reach out to people and help them understand the importance of ocean conservation.”

For the latest information on events and online giving opportunities, visit the website at seaturtlehospital.org.

Zagzebski also reminds visitors and residents that sea turtle nesting season starts in May and runs through November. Those with beachfront homes should turn their lights off at night, and beachgoers should fill in any holes they may have made in the sand. Also, yearround, anyone who spots an injured or sick sea turtle should call the hospital immediately, at 910-329-0222.

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Sea turtle nesting season starts in May and runs through November. Those with beachfront homes should turn their lights off at night, and beachgoers should fill in any holes they may have made in the sand.

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SE Play Dates

North Carolina

SE PICK Airlie Gardens Spring in Bloom Mid-March through mid-April Airlie Gardens, Wilmington 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily All guests must enter by 4:30 p.m. and exit by 5 p.m.

Each spring, Airlie Gardens’ blossoms are a sight to behold, with more than 75,000 azaleas and 60,000 other spring bulbs. Because peak bloom is dependent on the weather, the bloom times may vary, but typically peak season is mid-March through mid-April. Tickets are $9 for adults, $3 for children ages 4-12, $5 for military with valid ID and $5 for New Hanover County residents.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit airliegardens.org/events/springbloom.

Yoga in the Gardens at Airlie Gardens April 29 - May 27 The Oak Lawn at Airlie Gardens, Wilmington 6-7 p.m.

Longwave Yoga will host another Yoga in the Gardens season at Airlie Gardens, each Thursday starting at 6 p.m. The series is geared toward both beginners and experienced yogis. Participants are asked to bring their own mat or towel, and to stay afterward for a walking meditation of the grounds. Pre-registration is recommended. Cost is $16 per class or $11 per class for Airlie members. You can also purchase admission to the entire series for $67.

For more, or to register, visit longwaveyoga.liveeditaurora.com.

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IMPORTANT NOTE ON UPCOMING EVENTS:

Many festivals, concerts and other events have been canceled for the forseeable future due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. All of the events listed here were still on schedule as of press time, but it’s best to check with each venue to ensure that the event is still going on as planned. As we learned through Hurricane Florence and now this pandemic, nothing’s ever for certain and unforeseen events can upend our entire lives, as well as our plans for leisure and play. Stay safe and don’t forget to set aside some time for spring fun!

Dance for Christ performance Paramount Theatre, Goldsboro March 19-28 Times & Ticket Information TBD Dance for Christ is a ministry that spreads the gospel through dance. The production features various genres of dance, including ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz and hip-hop. Each dance is designed to tell a story of Jesus Christ.

To learn more, visit www.danceforchristnc.org.

“Outlander at Tryon Palace: The Spark of Rebellion 250th Anniversary Tour” March 20, April 17 Tryon Palace, New Bern 9:15-10 a.m.

Governor William Tryon isn’t exactly depicted in the best light in the popular “Outlander” novels and TV series. But Tryon Palace is delving into the Crown’s side of the events that occurred during 1770-1771, starting the American Revolution. The visit will include stops to discuss cooking meals, medical treatments and common illnesses, and history of colonial life in New Bern. This is an outdoor tour and guests should dress accordingly. Tickets are $20, and can be purchased online at www. tryonpalace.org/events/discover-tryonpalace-outlander-spark-rebellion-1.

For more information, email info@ tryonpalace.org or call 252-639-3524.

The Wall That Heals exhibit will visit New Bern April 8-11. It is a threequarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, along with a mobile education center. The traveling exhibit honors the more than 3 million Americans who served in the Vietnam War, and bears the names of 58,279 service members who died in Vietnam.

Oliver North will be speaking at the closing ceremony on April 11 at 1 p.m.

For more information or to sign up to volunteer, visit newbernpost539.com.

New River Splash Triathlon, Duathlon & 5K Kerr Street Park, Jacksonville May 22 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Azalea Sweep Legion Stadium, Wilmington April 3 10 a.m.

The Azalea Festival may be canceled for the second straight year, but there will still be festivities that folks can participate in and maintain social distancing protocols.

One of these is a trash pick-up event on Saturday, April 3. The Azalea Sweep is an opportunity for volunteers to participate in bettering their community and beautify it at the same time. Participants will receive a free T-shirt. Social distancing, masks and all other COVID-19 protocols will be observed at this outdoor event.

For more information or to sign up to participate, visit ncazaleafestival.org.

The Wall That Heals Tour Lawson Creek Park, New Bern April 8-11 The Wall will be available to the public 24 hours a day.

Moore Buick GMC will sponsor the New River Splash Triathlon & Festival, which includes a triathlon (400-yard swim, 13-mile bike ride and 5K run), duathlon (bike ride and 5K run) and 5K run. Participants can start the day off with either the triathlon, duathlon or 5K, and then spend the rest of the day at the festival. Planned activities include a cornhole tournament, boat tour, kayaking or paddle boarding on the New River. Various vendors will also be on hand. Registration ranges from $20-100.

To find out more, visit newriversplashtriathlon.itsyourrace.com.

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Downtown Roseboro’s Annual BloomFest April 24 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This family-friendly annual event will include fun activities for kids, bounce houses, Art Alley, Kid Korner, and Touch-a-Truck exhibit, along with more than 65 vendors, local entertainment, food trucks and more.

For a complete line-up of this year’s events, go to visitsampsonnc.com. You can also contact the Sampson County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 910-592-2557.

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Unusual Wildlife

in SENC

Mickey Cochran snapped this photo of a gigantic alligator in Brunswick County in March.

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Seals, alligators and bears,

oh my!

By ABBy C AvenAugh

Harbor seal on North Topsail Beach in early March.

Photo shared by Melinda Gillen.

S

outheastern N.C. gets some unusual wildlife visitors from time to time, as evidenced by the recent appearance of a harbor seal on North Topsail Beach in Onslow County.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Species Directory, harbor seals are usually found on the northern East Coast of North America, from the Canadian Artic to New York, though they do sometimes travel farther south and end up on Carolina shores, like Topsail Beach.

“They have long been considered non-migratory and typically stay within 15 to 31 miles of home, but telemetry data have shown they sometimes travel 62 to 249 miles from their tagging location,” NOAA’s website reads.

A black bear in Craven County. Photo from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

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Why did the alligator cross the road? Photo taken from video near Wallace's River Landing in 2017.

Seals are almost always seen on North Carolina beaches during the winter.

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Seals are almost always seen on North Carolina beaches during the winter. They’re unlikely to make the trip south in the summertime, due to the warm temperatures and the crowds those bring to the shore.

Of the slightly more threatening variety, alligators have been known to frequent some coastal areas, with a few even showing up once or twice in more inland counties.

In 2017, an alligator stopped traffic—literally—along NC Hwy. 41 outside Wallace in Duplin County, near the River Landing community.

The gator was about 13 feet long and stalled traffic in both directions as motorists let the massive reptile pass.

According to the Encyclopedia of North Carolina, the American alligator is known to inhabit fresh and estuarine bodies of water along the coast, and as far west as Robeson and Cumberland counties. Most alligators, however, are concentrated in the lower Cape Fear and Neuse River valleys, but are known to

traverse across much of the Coastal Plain, south of Albemarle Sound.

Although the sight of a large alligator might be startling, the creatures are integral to the survival of the ecosystem, serving as useful predators who help naturally maintain healthy living environments for fish and other wildlife in the lakes, rivers and ponds they inhabit.

Another startling wildlife sighting is the black bear, which are actually native to the coastal region of North Carolina. In fact, the black bear is a symbol seen far and wide in New Bern, which is fitting since the largest black bear on record was found in Craven County, weighing in at more than 800 pounds.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) states the following: “The black bear is a very shy, non-aggressive animal that avoids humans in most cases.

Occasionally, bears wander into developed areas in search of food.

In agricultural areas where corn, peanuts, soybeans and wheat are common, bears often feed on these crops. Due to rising bear and human populations, bears and people are increasingly coming into contact with each other in many parts of the state. To avoid negative interactions, bears should never have access to human foods, garbage, pet food or bird food.”

Since they avoid human contact when possible, if you should see a black bear, try not to panic. “If you see a bear, stay calm and keep a safe distance,” the WRC advises. “If you encounter a bear at close range, back away slowly and make lots of noise.”

To learn more about the wildlife that can be found throughout Southeastern North Carolina, visit www.ncwildlife.org.

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Since they avoid human contact when possible, if you should see a black bear, try not to panic.

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SE Folk

North Carolina

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Giving Credit Where Credit’s Due Story by Abby Cavenaugh

pringtime is a time of year we recognize some pretty important, amazing people who should be celebrated year-round: women. With Women’s History Month in March and Mother’s Day in May, the ladies in our lives get a lot of attention this time of year.

Since I graduated from a women’s college (it’s now co-ed, which I have very mixed feelings about), I grew up a feminist.

I took classes specifically on women’s history and highlighting female writers, especially those who had graduated from Peace. Not to mention, the vast majority of my professors were women.

So, I thought I’d take a few moments to talk about some of the women who have left an indelible mark on my life, and helped to mold me into who I am today.

First and foremost, of course, is my mama. For most of my

48 | SE North Carolina Magazine

life, Mama Judy was a “homemaker,” now more commonly known as a stay-at-home mom. Now that I’m an adult, I honestly don’t know how she did it all. People who think homemakers have it easy have obviously never spent a day doing laundry, cooking three meals, doing dishes, making sure the house looked spotless, helping kids with homework, taking care of the pets and somehow finding time to tend to the flowers and shrubbery outside, too. There are probably a zillion more jobs my mom did every day that I don’t even know about. And she made it all look effortless. Moms are superheroes. And that’s just it.

Another hero of mine was my English and women’s lit professor in college, and my boss for my part-time job all four years, Dr. Janet Wester. This woman is probably the reason I got every single job I ever held after college, up until her death continued on page 50

Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department 2602 W. Vernon Avenue, Kinston NC 28504

252.939.3332

www.kinstonrec.com

SE North Carolina Magazine | 49

SE Folk

North Carolina

continued from page 48

My mama, Judy Cavenaugh

Dr. Janet Wester

Dr. Sally Buckner

50 | SE North Carolina Magazine

a few years ago. Despite the years that passed, she never failed to give me a glowing recommendation, and never stopped believing in me and what I could accomplish. The same goes for my creative writing professor, Dr. Sally Buckner. Dr. Wester and Dr. Buckner are the reasons I became a writer, and one of the reasons that my twin sister and I were able to go to England for three and a half weeks the summer before we graduated.

Then, of course, there are role models and inspirations that I’ve never met and will never know, like Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. All of these women were the first to accomplish great things—and they won’t be the last.

And then, there are the great women profiled in the very pages of this magazine: Maude Smith, who’s written an autobiography in her 90s to ensure that the history of her hometown is never forgotten; and Jean Beasley, who founded and served as the executive director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center in Surf City.

Both are legends and icons that we should all be proud to claim as part of our rich Southeastern North Carolina heritage.

So, this Mother’s Day and as Women’s History Month draws to a close, don’t forget the women who enrich our lives every day—our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, co-workers, friends, cousins, daughters, wives, girlfriends, etc. After all, if it weren’t for women, none of us would be where we are and who we are today.

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