YO U R C O A S TA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R S I N C E M AY 2 0 0 2
February 21 - February 27, 2019
luminanews.com
Volume 18 | Issue 8 | 25¢
With tourist season approaching, WB businesses springing back to life South Beach Grill, Blockade Runner, Shell Island Resort all prepare for reopening By Terry Lane Staff Writer
Sprawling across a wall in the newly reopened South Beach Grill, the missing branches in a photo of the Airlie Oak taken shortly after Hurricane Florence symbolizes the struggles the owners, and nearly everyone in the community, has endured since last September’s massive storm.
“It was not as full as it usually it,” said South Beach Grill co-owner Elaine Andrews, before the restaurant reopened on Wednesday. “That’s a good representation of where we’re at right now.” Taken by Lisa Schnitzler, who recently retired after a 20-year career as the art teacher Staff photo by Terry Lane at Williston Middle School , the photo was Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo thanked more than two dozen volunteers from Port City Proud at the inspired by the Angel Oak Tree is Charleston, Tuesday, Feb. 18 city council meeting. S.C., and is one of several changes to the interior of South Beach Grill, which suffered extensive damage due to leaking caused by Florence. There’s higher ceilings, fresh white
Wilmington City Council recognizes postFlorence contributions of Port City Proud
n See BUSINESSES Page 2
By Terry Lane Staff Writer
After raising nearly $100,000 in donations, and saving members of the community as much as four times that amount, the Wilmington City Council on Tuesday recognized the contributions of Port City Proud, the upstart volunteer tree removal volunteers, that helped in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. In recognizing the group of more than two dozen volunteers who had gathered at the dais, Mayor Bill Saffo Staff photo by Terry Lane
Winston-Salem artist Angelina Taddeucci sits before one of the murals she painted at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort.
Artist puts personal touch on Blockade Runner murals, artwork By Terry Lane Staff Writer
Working at a feverish pace, a Winston-Salem artist with Wilmington roots provided the vision for the newly-reopened Blockade Runner Beach Resort. Angelina Taddeucci, a self-taught artists who has been painting for nearly two decades, painted several pieces for the hotel, which reopened last weekend
after being closed since September ’s Hurricane Florence. She’s developed a name for herself through painting murals, portraits, fine art and book illustrations. For the Blockade Runner, she painted two 40-foot murals in the hotel’s dining area, one adorned with banana leaves and other with flowing swirls of coral. Visitors coming to the hotel will simply have to
look down, as she painted an extensive mural on the lobby invoking coral reefs. She also painted 12 pieces, sized 6 feet by 2 feet, that will line the hallway of the third floor. It usually takes a month to complete just one sixfoot painting, she said. But working day and night since late January, Taddeucci completed the whole project in less than one month. n See ARTIST Page 3
said that Hurricane Florence showed that the Wilmington area were ready to “open up their hearts and their wallets” to contribute to those in need. Port City Proud, founded shortly after the storm, organized volunteers skilled with a chainsaw, and others just ready to help, for free debris and tree removal, taking donations when offered, that would be used to help others. “Perhaps the most valuable lesson learned is that when the need is the greatest, we have a community made up of individuals who persevere
through their own hardships to care for and help their fellow Wilmingtonians and the people of this county,” Saffo said. “Port City Proud is the perfect representation of what our community did for one another.” Speaking for the organization, cofounder Jess Miller said the accomplishments were a group effort. “This right here is Port City Proud,” said cofounder Jess Miller. “These guys poured so much effort, so much of their free time, to help n See PROUD Page 2
Standup paddleboard surf contest to return to Wrightsville Beach By Terry Lane Staff Writer
Ready to keep its spot as one of the top surf and paddleboard towns in the world, Wrightsville Beach will once again host a standup paddleboard surf contest this spring, pairing it with new local sponsors and the annual Carolina Cup paddleboard race. “It will be a showcase of professional and amateur paddleboarders to exhibit their surf skills,” organizer Haywood Newkirk said. “It will only serve to enhance Wrightsville Beach’s reputation as a surfing and paddleboarding community.” Since the contest had been cancelled last year, organizers had to get approval from the Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen last Thursday, which voted to grant a permit for
the Carolina Pro-Am after hearing about the conditions that forced last year’s cancelation, as well as how new sponsors will support the event scheduled for mid-April. The event had been held for three years as the Wrightsville Beach SUP Surf Pro-Am, with proceeds benefiting the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, and for two years prior to that with a different name, said Newkirk said. This year’s event will also benefit the museum. Town staff denied the permit based on the board’s guideline of not approving new events during the tourist season. With no clarifying rules, the staff treated the event as new and denied the permit, which was appealed by organizers. Town Manager Tim Owens said there were no complaints or issues with the n See SUP Page 6
With an eye on conservation, WBS students prepare signs for south end sanctuary By Jennifer Fisk Intern
With colored markers and photos of birds spread across the tables, students at Wrightsville Beach Elementary School last week participated in a yearly tradition that not only serves to help safeguard the local migrant bird population, but has been so successful that it’s been copied around the world. “I want help parents show their children how to stay away from the habitat,” said Sophia Satrazemis, 11, while drawing a picture of a least turn. “I hope it will make children curious about the birds and want to learn more.” As members of the Rooty Rascals, the students draw signs to warn visitors to stay away from the bird nesting habitat on the south end of Wrightsville Beach. It’s one of several project for the Rooty Rascals, an elementary school club sponsored by the Harbor Island Garden Club. With help from the Audubon Society, a conservation group that protects birds and the places they need to grow and survive, the program’s focus to educate the students, as
well as residents and tourists, about coastal birds and their nesting season. It’s a collaboration that has been ongoing for over ten years, when Cissie Brooks, a marine science instructor at the school, took the first 60 students to Masonboro Island, Lee Island, and the south end of Wrightsville Beach to clear vegetation and put up the first signs. Marlene Eader, a local volunteer for the Audubon Society, said that since the birth of Rooty Rascals, they have received many inquiries on how other schools and groups along the East Coast could get involved. Wrightsville Beach Elementary was the first school to incorporate into the curriculum the protection of nesting birds on the East Coast, Eader said. Now schools from South America to Maine are implementing programs like this one to get students actively involved in protecting coastal birds and their habitats. Eader said that Wrightsville Beach is one of only a Staff photo by Terry Lane few sanctuaries you are able to walk to and Vickie Ryan-Barr, a volunteer with the Harbor Island Garden Club, helps Sadie Segars, 10, as she colors a see the nesting happening. Most sanctuaries sign to warn visitors to Wrightsville Beach’s south end not to disturb the bird sanctuary. are only reachable by boat. “The posters are very important to stop interest in the students to learn about migra- hung to guide people away from the nesting people and their pets from disrupting the tory birds and their habitats.” birds. Brooks provides her students with nests,” Eader said. “The lesson in itself sparks These posters along with string fences are n See BIRDS Page 2
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YO U R C O A S TA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R S I N C E M AY 2 0 0 2
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Lumina News — Your Coastal Community Newspaper since May 2002
n PROUD
Continued from Page 1
Staff photo by Terry Lane
Diners at South Beach Grill during its “soft opening” on Sunday, Feb. 17. The restaurant opened on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
n BUSINESSES Continued from Page 1
paint on the wall, decorative wooden shutters and giant windows that harken back to the art deco origins of the building there. The remodel, and reopening, is one of several coming to Wrightsville Beach over the next couple weeks. Last weekend, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort opened for the first time since Florence. Shell Island Resort and the Oceanic restaurant are also preparing for imminent reopenings. “We’re ecstatic to be back,” said South Beach Grill coowner John Andrews said. “It’s a dream that was preceded by a nightmare.” South Beach Grill will reopen with a new chef, as Dwayne Hickman, who cut his teeth as a chef in Washington, D.C., brings his Arkansas roots and recent experience at Aubriana's Steak & Seafood and Dram + Morsel to the beachside restaurant. In D.C., Hickman worked at “He’s southern inspired with a metropolitan polish,” Andrews said. To start, the menu will remain the same, but new dishes will be coming soon. “As Duane gets to know our customers, his influences will show,” said John Andrews. Menu items will be written in colored chalk on a chalkboard that once hung in St. Mary’s Elementary School. Other new additions include a bar made from a 300 year old oak, which was found in
the Greenfield Lake area. It’s been drying for seven years and features an oil finish. “It makes it kind of special,” said John Buechele of the Buechele Building Group, which handled construction of the building. Helping Buechele with the construction was interior designer Suzanne Trecco, who said the remodel helped bring out some of the charm in a classic building. “We’ve brought out the original splendor of this building,” Trecco said. While the construction community came out the help support the rebuilding of South Beach Grill, Andrews said the business also got significant support from the community. “We had all kinds of support from the community,” Andrews said. “Some brought us lunch. Other came to volunteer to push a broom.” While no date for a reopen is, the Oceanic is hiring and anticipating a spring opening, once all permitting and construction are completed. “We’re working fast and furious,” said Katherine Goldfaden of Oceanic parent company LM Restaurants. “There will be a new interior, and we’re refocusing on our service and our mendu. Our favorites will stay.” Meanwhile, the general manager of Shell Island Resort, which has also been closed since Hurricane Florence, said the resort was scheduled to resume operations on March 1. The Blockade Runner
Staff photo by Terry Lane
Beach Resort opened last weekend after being closed since September. Co-owner Bill Baggett said that the Hurricane Florence was one of the most impactful storm the hotel has ever faced, damaging nearly all of the 150 rooms. “ We w e n t t h r o u g h Hurricane Fran, a category 3 plus storm, and stayed on the property. Hurricane Florence was a stronger storm than Fran. Hurricane Florence blew parts of the building apart that Fran didn't; it wasn't even close,” Bill Baggett said. “We had no damage with Hurricane Fran. With Florence for example, the northeast parapet wall was completely torn off. Fran couldn't have done that. I've never seen this much damage, and I think the Wrightsville Beach building department here can tell you the same thing. But monetarily, certainly, Hurricane Florence is the worst storm since Hazel.” Baggett summarized the damages to the Blockade Runner. “The hurricane losses at Blockade Runner are in three categories: the damage to our buildings and property, estimated to be five million; content loss, approximately two million; and loss of business during repairs, approximately two million. The total loss will be close to ten million dollars,” he said. However, Mary Baggett said that after extensive repairs over the winter, the Blockade Runner was ready to reopen. “The entire restaurant, meeting space, and facilities on the first floor were all gutted for repair,” Mary Baggett said. “And so, we're going to be back better than ever with a very enjoyable space, with the storm giving us an opportunity to rework a bit and hopefully make everything more accommodating for the guests.”
South Beach Grill owner Elaine Andrews said a photo of the stormbattered Airlie Oak taken by retired art teacher Lisa Schnitzler represented the restaurants struggles to reopen.
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SUN The Gossin Brothers | Bloody Mary bar
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MON Cara Schauble | $2 domestics, $3 wells
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TUE Josh Solomon | $2 domestic beers, $3 well drinks
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WED Slick Mahoneys | Bluegrass Jam Session @ 7
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strangers they don’t even know.” Group cofounder Tegan Harmon said the recognition from the city was a testament to the volunteers that came out to hep, week in and week out. “It felt good to be appreciated,” Harmon said. “We didn’t do it for the recognition, but especially for the volunteers, it’s great for them.” While the group raised in total $91,000, several members said the real benefit was to the hundreds of individuals spared expensive labor charges for the trees cleanup. Port City Proud serviced more than 350 yards, and with a conservative estimate of at least $1,000 of labor per yard, the group saved the community $400,000 or more in labor costs, Harmon said. Other members believed most services would have charged far more than $1,000 for the kind of cleanup work they did. Given that early participation brought out more than 50 volunteers a day, one volunteer estimated more than 8,000 hours of labor, approaching $100,000 in saved labor costs for residents of the Port City. In fact, stories spread among the tree service industry that locals were taking some of the profit out of this disaster cleanup zone. “One of the contractors said that word had gotten out not to come here because a bunch of people were doing free
February 21 - February 27, 2019 work,” said volunteer Chase Hedrick. “He said he’d been all over the country doing storm cleanup and had never seen a volunteer effort like this one.” Many who were helped donated to the group, with a few giving several hundred dollars, and many giving $50 or $100. Harmon said one individual gave $1,000, and the group never even cleaned his yard. “He just did it to help,” Harmon said. The group got to helping people shortly after it started raising money. Early on after the storm, one New Hanover County school teacher flooded out her home told the group about her struggles after the storm caused upwards of $30,000 in damage to the home, located in the Ogden area outside of the floodplain. “None of us were in a floodplain. No one had flood insurance,”said Allison White. “I’m a teacher that owns a house by myself. It’s been a big financial burden. It’s been a big emotional burden.” While there was some assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, White said a $5,000 donation will help her replace the cabinets that were destroyed from water damage. “Tegan [Harmon] said he would be able to help me,” said. Wine, who works as a behavior specialist at seven county pre-Kindergarten programs. “He said that I’m a teacher who works with a
lot of kids to help them, it was time I got some help in return.” Port City Proud organized its fundraising through the Wrightsville Beach-based charity Hope from Helen, which had to cancel its own annual charity auction with the closure of its host, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, the charity’s founder Tony Butler said. So while it couldn’t distribute its own funds, Hope from Helen was able to stay active with the donations raised by Port City Proud. “They raised a tremendous amount of money in a short span of time. They were adamant and passionate about helping and we were honored to be part of it,” Butler said. Harmon said that Hope from Helen organizers were able to provide experience on how to manage and distribute the funds raised. Butler said that 25 individuals or groups have already gotten distributions from the donations. Meanwhile, Harmon said that Port City Proud would be out again in March, continuing the work they started. “We’re going to keep going,” Harmon said. “There’s going to be more trees coming down from the storm. There’s going to be other hurricanes. There’s going to be freezing rains.” More information on how to volunteer can be found at:facebook.com/ Portcityproud.nc, instagram. com/port.city.proud or portcityproud.org.
Staff photo by Terry Lane
Wrightsville Beach Elementary School student Isabel Styes, 11, colors a sign to warn visitors not to disturb birds at the island’s south end bird sanctuary.
n BIRDS
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pictures of oyster catchers, black skimmers, laughing gulls, and a variety of turns that help the students create their own unique representation of the coastal birds. The artwork is accompanied by a poem or slogan that peeks the onlookers interest, which Brooks said are always inspiring and creative. Cayden Talbert, 11, used a poem for his poster. He wrote” “One, two, three, four leave our nest like it was before. Five, six, seven, eight keep us safe then our life will be great. “ Cayden accompanied his poem with a drawing of a Wilson’s plover. The activity gives the students an opportunity to give their own insight on how people can help the birds that are nesting on the
beach. When asked Marley Brisson, 11 said that he thought the string fences that were put up around the inlet helped to keep people and their pets away from the nesting birds but that he would actually use colored string so that people could see the fence more clearly. Sienna Kanyok, 10, said that she thinks the program helps the birds keep their babies unharmed. “People won't hurt the baby birds by walking their dogs too close to the nests and scaring the mother away,” Kanyok said. Once they’ve complete their posters, the students hang them around the inlet at the south end of Wrightsville Beach in May. For their May field trip, the Wild Bird and Garden Store donates T-shirts that the students wear while visiting the south end’s bird sanctuary.
February 21 - February 27, 2019
n ARTIST
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“I’m so happy about how things turned out,” she said. “What I’ve done in less than a month is unheard of.” Taddeucci said she got direction from the hotel’s interior designer, Terry Allred, who gave her some conceptual photos to examine. From there, she did the rest. “I just go with it,” she said, “How it turns out depends on how I feel when I’m painting. It never looks like the reference photo.” Taddeucci’s work has become familiar to many in the Triad area, including Forsyth Hospital’s Ronald McDonald House, the Forsyth Academy and the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem. Now, she wants her work at the Blockade Runner to propel her into being selected for an art project for the Piedmont Triad International Airport. “It’s huge,” she said. “My next hopeful goal is to get that. I have great hopes for the new project.”
Wrightsville Beach Police Weekly Arrest Report WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 • Anthony Lamar Williams, 21, was charged with DWI and resisting an officer. • William Michael Corey, 56, was charged with DWI, possession of schedule II drugs, schedule II drugs and drug paraphernalia.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 • Dominique Davonte Jackson, 23, was charged with possessing counterfeit currency, possessing with intent to sell and distribute, possession of schedule VI drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving during license revocation.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 • Chelsea Layne Boggess, 26, was charged with DWI and speeding.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 • Stacie Lynn Curley, was charged with DWI.
Wilmington Man Pleads to Wrightsville Beach Elementary Students and Staff to Relocate Robbery, House Fire that to Blair Elementary After Killed Dog A Wilmington man who robbed a local convenience store and barricaded himself inside of a home before setting it on fire pleaded guilty on Tuesday. Saeed Abdelsalem El-Helo, age 27, was convicted of Common Law Robbery, Second Degree Arson, and two counts of Cruelty to Animals. El- Helo will serve a minimum of three and a maximum of six years in prison for his role in the May 27, 2018 offenses. Judge Kent Harrell also ordered El-Helo to pay nearly $3,000 in restitution as part of his sentence. El-Helo entered the Scotchman store at 2902 Carolina Beach Road shortly after 4 p.m., told the clerk that he had a gun, and ordered the clerk to give him the money from the cash register. Witnesses were able to provide investigators with a description of the vehicle El-Helo was driving when he fled the scene. Surveillance images also captured the incident. A detective familiar with El-Helo quickly identified him as the perpetrator. El-Helo’s vehicle was spotted shortly thereafter outside of 2815 Vance Street. Police attempted to take El-Helo into custody, but were forced to take cover outside of the residence when he threatened that he had a firearm. SWAT team members and negotiators were called to the residence to assist in the standoff. El-Helo later lit the house on fire and remained inside until ultimately crawling out of a window. One dog that had been caged in the house died, while another was revived by firefighters. El-Helo was treated at the burn unit at UNC-Chapel Hill. He confessed to robbing the Scotchman and setting the house on fire, but denied that he had a firearm during the incidents. No gun was ever recovered.
• Daniel Gilliland, 21, was charged with DWI, failure to carry insurance and driving with revoked registration plate.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 • Steven Paul Gargano, 21, was charged with failure to appear in court.
Construction of the new Elementary will include: Blair Elementary School, • new classrooms and located at 6510 Market various support spaces to Street, is nearly complete. eliminate temporary mobile The approximately 80,000 units on site; square foot facility, designed • expansion of the existing to accommodate 534 students, media center; will welcome the students and • expansion of the staff of Wrightsville Beach administration area with Elementary School begin- improvements for safety and ning on April 22, 2019, as security; additions and renovations get • renovations to the existunderway at their site. ing building system and “This move, with our prox- infrastructure to create an imity to Noble, will allow appropriate learning environstudents to learn and grow ment, and in large, technologically • upgrades and improveadvanced classrooms and will ments for technology in the help to ease our 5th graders classroom. into the transition to middle With the early completion school,” said Jackson Norvell, of the new Blair Elementary principal of Wrightsville School, construction at Beach Elementary School. Wrightsville Beach can The newly-reconstructed begin early to ensure work facility at Blair will oper- is complete for the start of ate as a temporary swing the 2020-2021 school year. site for Wrightsville Beach’s At that time, Wrightsville student body while their Beach students will return to school is under construction. their newly-renovated facilStudents currently assigned ity. Blair Elementary School to Blair Elementary School students will return to their will continue to attend Blair newly-reconstructed facility, Elementary at Porters Neck, and Porters Neck Elementary located at 416 Edgewater School will open to students Club Road. to ease overcrowding as part As part of the 2014 Bond of the redistricting process. Referendum, an addiOn February 18, 2019 Atiff Lloyd, age 27 of Wilmington, tion to Wrightsville Beach pled guilty to Trafficking in Opium or Heroin in New Hanover County Superior Court. The Honorable Judge Kent Harrell sentenced Lloyd to 7.5 to 10 years (90-120 months) in prison and imposed a $100,000 fine. His mother, Earlene Lloyd, age Daily Masonboro 54 of Wilmington, pled guilty to Attempted Trafficking of Mention Island Ferry roundtrip this ad and Opium or Heroin on January 30, 2019. The Honorable Judge Departs at 9, 10:30, 12:30 receive John Nobles sentenced Ms. Lloyd to 8 to 10.6 years (96 – 128 months) in prison. Island Birding History Harbor Dolphin On August 1, 2017 and August 2, 2017, detectives with the Cruise Tour Sunset Tour New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Vice and Narcotics Unit $45 per person $25 adults, $20 kids $35 adults, $20 kids utilized a confidential informant to purchase heroin from 416 North Fifth Avenue, the home of Atiff and Earlene Lloyd. On Mon-Sun Mon-Sun Mon-Sat August 3, 2017, detectives executed a search warrant on 416 6:30-8 pm 10:30 am, 12:30 pm 3 pm & 5 pm North Fifth Avenue. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives recovered a trafficking amount of heroin, two pistols, one rifle, an extended pistol magazine, multiple wax bags used to package heroin, digital scales, marijuana, and various other drug paraphernalia. Assistant District Attorney William Van Trigt commented, “I *Reservations required would like to thank the men and women of law enforcement for their hard work. Their efforts prevented this poison from being wrightsvillebeachscenictours.com distributed into our community. We will continue to focus our time and efforts on the prosecution of those individuals in our ndrew onsulting ngineers community that are peddling poison for profit.”
Mother and Son Convicted of Drug Trafficking Charges
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Week of February 11 - February 17, 2019 Single & Multi-family Homes
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SALES TRENDS Pleasure Island 2842828449
Topsail Island 28445
Hampstead 28443
Leland 2845128479
Castle Hayne 28429
All of New Hanover County
50
143
151
206
308
39
1,110
18
4
16
5
16
45
3
120
43
15
5
14
3
17
38
3
117
17
36
8
-
11
2
10
15
8
92
2
3
2
2
5
3
3
4
3
2
3
402
1,156
2,011
891
112
529
567
664
1,332
212
5,287
Downtown 28401
Central Wilmington 2840328405
Myrtle Grove/MJ 2840928412
Active Listings
107
258
343
175
New Listings
14
19
46
Under Contract
10
27
Sold Units
12
Absorption Rate** Sold last 12 months
Ogden/ Wrightsville Porter’s Neck Beach 28411 28480
Information provided by Chris Livengood, Vice President of Sales, Intracoastal Realty **Absorption gives you an idea of the number of months it will take for the current inventory to be sold out based on the last twelve months of sales. Note: This representation is based in whole, or in part, on data supplied by the Cape Fear Regional Association of Realtors (CFR) Multiple Listing Service. Neither the Cape Fear Realtors nor their MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Cape Fear Realtors or their MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
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• Barbara Purcell Burke, 61, was charged with DWI and driving while license revoked.
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Saturday, March 16
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February 21 - February 27, 2019
Lumina News — Your Coastal Community Newspaper since May 2002
Region
Construction on Permanent New Hanover Co. Bridge Begins
The Southeast Tourism Society Names the North Carolina Azalea Festival as a Top 20 Event in April The Southeast Tourism Society has named the North Carolina Azalea Festival one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for April of 2019. This year’s Azalea Festival is April 3rd-7th, 2019. The STS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Roswell, Ga., is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting travel and tourism within 12 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States. The complete list is published on two websites: Southeast Tourism Society and Travel Media Press Room. “The Top 20 Festival and Event Program is celebrating 34 years of spotlighting the best festivals and events in the Southeast. Our goal is to provide well-deserved accolades for the dedicated event organizers and additional media exposure for their events,” said Monica Smith, president and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society.
YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina Takes on Childhood Obesity with New Program Healthy Weight and Your Child program aims to get kids and families to develop healthy eating and physical activity habits On March 5, 2019 the Midtown YMCA will begin offering Healthy Weight and Your Child, an evidence-based program designed to empower children between the ages of 7-13, with the support from their families, to reach a healthy weight and live a healthier lifestyle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity now affects 17 percent of all children and adolescents in the United States - triple the rate from just one generation ago. Today, one in six children are obese and one in three are overweight, which poses greater risks for a number of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and mental health issues. “The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina has a long history of advancing the health and well-being of children in Wilmington, NC and helping children reach a healthy weight is now more important than
ever,” said Bridget Carroll, Certified Health & Lifestyle Coach and Coordinator of Healthy Weight & Your Child, YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina. “Healthy Weight and Your Child will help children experience improved health outcomes and higher self-esteem, and families will feel empowered to make and support healthier choices.” The 25-session program engages the whole family, so together they can understand how the home environment and other factors influence the choices that lead to a healthy weight. Additionally, the program combines three elements of healthy eating, regular physical activity and behavior change. Children eligible for the program must be between the ages of 7 and 13, have a body mass index greater than or equal to the 95th percentile, receive approval from their doctor or a health care provider, and accompanied by a parent or caregiver at every session. An Information and Screening Event will be held at the Midtown YMCA located at 709 George Anderson Dr., Wilmington, NC 28412 on Friday, February 22nd from 5:30-7:30 pm. For more information contact Bridget Carroll at bridget.carroll@ymcasenc.org.
At the New Hanover-Pender County line, the N.C. Department of Transportation has started a construction project to build two bridges at Fishing Creek on U.S. 421. Last fall, NCDOT installed a temporary bridge after the area sustained the State’s largest washout from Hurricane Florence. This new project includes the installation of two bridges, north and southbound. Both will be two lanes at 562-feet long. By putting bridges at that location instead of installing a culvert pipe under the highway, the area will have a lot more capacity for flood water to go under the bridge during major storms. NCDOT has contracted ST Wooten Corp. for the project with an estimated cost of $8.2 million. Crews have started on the southbound side. Once it’s complete, the northbound side will be installed. Until the first bridge is completed, drivers will not be impacted, and the temporary traffic pattern will remain the same. Drivers are urged to remain alert and adhere to the work zone speed reduction as work will continue though spring of 2020.
Wilmington’s Aarp Foundation Tax-Aide Site Open For Free Tax Preparation Beginning February 1 and continuing through April 15, AARP Foundation is providing free in-person tax assistance and preparation in Wilmington through its Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest volunteer-run free tax preparation service. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide started in 1968 with just four volunteers working at one site. Today, nearly 35,000 volunteers serve low- to moderate-income taxpayers at 5,000 locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers and senior centers nationwide. There’s no fee, and AARP membership is not required. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they know about and understand the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code. In 2018, the program’s volunteers helped 2.5 million people navigate complicated tax codes, ensure proper credits and deductions, and file their federal and state tax returns. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.3 billion in income tax refunds and more than $212 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs). They also avoided any tax preparation fees and pitches for highinterest tax credit or refund loans. Last year, Wilmington's AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 1,000 people file their federal and state tax returns. The Wilmington preparation site is located on the third Floor of the New Hanover County Main Library, 205 Chestnut St. The site is open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm daily.
Lumina News
A publication of: Lumina Media LLC (ISSN 1937-9994) (USPS 025-292) Known office of publication: 530 Causeway Drive, Suite A2, Wrightsville Beach, N.C. 28480 Address all correspondence to: Lumina News, P.O. Box 869, Wrightsville Beach, N.C. 28480 Phone: (910) 719-9180 • E-mail: info@luminanews.com
PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL Terry Lane
Lumina News Since 2002, Lumina News has illuminated Wrightsville Beach with award-winning news, beautiful photography and insightful views of life on Wrightsville Beach. Lumina News is published weekly and is distributed to the public on and around Wrightsville Beach. Printed circulation 1,500. www.luminanews.com.
• For distribution locations nearest you, please call (910) 719-9180. • L UMINA NEWS is published weekly, 52 times per year. • Subscriptions to Lumina News can be made by calling (910) 719-9180. A yearlong subscription to Lumina News can be purchased for only $42.95 In-County, $68.95 Out of County. • Periodicals Postage Paid at Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
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“Journalism will kill you, but it will keep you alive while you’re at it.” — Horace Greeley
THEME: ‘80s MUSIC ACROSS
1. “Formerly,” formerly 5. *Steven Tyler to Liv 8. *”Ebony ____ Ivory” 11. Shakespeare king 12. Depression drifter 13. *One with lonely heart 15. Epiphany guests 16. Sir Mix-____-____ 17. *”Free Fallin” performer 18. *”This is what it sounds like when ____ ____” 20. Day before, pl. 21. Scandinavian fjord, e.g. 22. *”Sweet dreams ____ made of ...” 23. *”Clock strikes up the hour and the sun begins ____ ____” 26. Iceman to cinema 30. Time frame 31. Maximum 34. Greek liqueur 35. Escape 37. Black and white sea bird 38. Razor sharpener 39. Antonym of all 40. Starting time 42. Chowed down 43. Like geometric reasoning 45. Styled with salon goo
47. Decompose 48. Past participle of bear 50. Duck-like black bird 52. *A-ha’s hit 55. Folium, plural 56. Argonauts’ propellers 57. Container weight 59. Apartments, e.g. 60. Black-eyed legumes 61. Author Murdoch 62. Opposite of paleo 63. Checked at bar, pl. 64. Catholic fasting period DOWN 1. “Slippery” tree 2. Done between the lines 3. Kind of palm 4. Alex Trebek’s forte 5. Big name in fashion 6. Terminate, as in mission 7. Half-rotten 8. Pot contribution 9. In proximity to the Knicks 10. *Def Leppard album, “High ‘n’ ____” 12. Pork meatloaf 13. Phantom’s favorite genre? 14. *”We’ve got to hold on to what ____ ____” 19. Provide with ability 22. *”Goody Two Shoes” singer, Adam ____ 23. “Tiger Beat” audience
24. Lowest deck 25. Flora’s partner 26. Says “what?” 27. Beyond suburban
28. Nitrogen, in the olden days 29. Bicycle with a motor 32. Stake driver
33. *Swing ____ Sister 36. *”Just a city boy born and raised in South ____” 38. Dictation taker 40. Quaker Man’s cereal 41. Emerge 44. Itsy-bitsy bits 46. Dal staple
48. Talked like a sheep 49. Ladies’ fingers 50. Orange traffic controller 51. Spaghetti aglio and ____ 52. Serengeti antelope 53. Foal’s mother 54. “Joannie Loves Chachi” actress 55. *”Oh girls just want to have ____” 58. NYC time
February 21 - February 27, 2019
Lumina News — Your Coastal Community Newspaper since May 2002
Lifestyles
5
Bird Stewards at Wrightsville Beach
Historic Wilmington Foundation Announces Houses for the 2019 Azalea Festival Home Tour
What’s a “bird steward”? To meet one, just walk the south end of Wrightsville Beach in spring or summer. You’ll find at least one bird steward there each day, probably standing next to a spotting scope, wearing a friendly smile and helping visitors see the eggs and chicks of nesting shorebirds in and near the dunes. Pioneering bird steward Marlene Eader will share captivating photos as she describes a project benefiting beach-goers and migrating shorebirds alike, on Monday, March 4, 2019 in a program hosted by the Cape Fear Audubon Society. The event is scheduled at the Event Center of Halyburton Memorial Park, 4099 S. 17th St., in Wilmington, from 7-8:30 p.m., and is free to the public. The stewardship effort allows birds to come and go while discouraging foot traffic in fragile nesting areas, Eader explains. She
helped found the project more than five years ago, and now recruits and trains its volunteers. “It’s so satisfying,” she says. “It’s a great way to add to people’s experience on the beach and give them a chance to learn and care about birds at the same time.” Eader adds that success at Wrightsville Beach has spurred Audubon to start similar programs along the Atlantic Coast in areas where terns, skimmers, oystercatchers and other shorebirds congregate to nest. “We’re proud to be the flagship, the model for what’s to come,” she says. Cape Fear Audubon is an affiliate of Audubon North Carolina and the National Audubon Society. Details about chapter activities are available at capefearaudubon.org. The organization also maintains a Facebook page.
Drawing thousands of tour-goers from around the state, Historic Wilmington Foundation’s (HWF) Azalea Festival Home Tour has just announced this year’s houses. The tour will be on April 6-7, 2019, and includes ten homes in three historic Wilmington neighborhoods: Downtown, Carolina Place, and Carolina Heights. “We couldn’t be more thrilled about the range of homes that will open their doors,” says Beth Rutledge, Executive Director of HWF. “With the variety of houses—including the Governor Dudley Mansion on Front Street— I think this may be our best year yet.” Architectural styles include Neoclassical Revival, Craftsman Bungalow, Italianate, Colonial Revival and more. “Inside, all the homes are different. Original character abounds, and so do décor choices and ways to get inspired.” The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 12:30pm on Saturday, April 6, at the Governor Dudley Mansion downtown. Also on Saturday, local ice cream purveyors Boombalatti’s will set up their truck at the parking lot of Temple Baptist Church on Market Street and give out free ice cream to tour ticket holders, while supplies last. Azalea Festival Home Tour tickets are $35 and available online now. Later in March, tickets will also be available at select Harris Teeter stores, Ivy Cottage and other local shops. Additionally, tickets can be purchased on April 6-7 at any house on the tour for $40. For a complete list of tour houses or to buy tickets, visit tinyurl.com/HWFhometour. Founded in 1966, the Historic Wilmington Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the irreplaceable historic resources of Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear region.
Reopening this week
New look, new tastes,
same great Wrightsville Beach dining experience Serving dinner
www.southbeachgrillwb.com 100 South Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach Reservations accepted 910-256-4646
Proudly serving Wrightsville Beach since 1997
6
February 21 - February 27, 2019
Lumina News — Your Coastal Community Newspaper since May 2002
Sports
n SUP
Continued from Page 1
event, and that it was only denied based on the town’s rule. Organizers weren’t able to hold the 2018 event for several reasons, Newkirk said, starting with the original sponsor pulling out due to financial troubles. However, Newkirk said that South End Surf Shop was filling the role, which can provide support to the event from its nearby location. Additionally, the museum had its own priorities in 2018, particularly organizing the moving of the Ewing-Bordeaux Cottage last year. “We didn’t feel we were organized enough to pull it off,” Newkirk said. If we were
aware of the rule, we would have attempted it.” The 2017 contest drew some of the top athletes in the sport, bringing in seven of the top-10 ranked men and five of the top 10 women, while drawing more than 100 professional and amateur contestants. With travel costs an issue, Newkirk said the event is paired around the Carolina Cup paddleboard race, since several of the top contestants will be in town for that event, one of the premiere contests in the world for the young sport.The event will be held on Easter weekend, a week ahead of the Carolina Cup. Drawing top-tier athletes to Wrightsville Beach only further enhances the town’s growing reputation as a thriving board-sports community.
From left, Georgio Gomez, Mo Freitas and Caio Vaz all paddle for the same wave at the 2017 Wrightsville Beach SUP Surf Pro-Am .
“I’ve surfed around the world and 20 years ago, I will tell people I’m from Wrightsville Beach, and they would ask ‘Where’s that?’,” Newkirk said. “Now they tell me, ‘That’s in North Carolina, I heard that place was
awesome.’” The event won’t require any road closures and Mayor Bill Blair said that in the past, he could see the event from his house and found it to be well run.
CLASSIFIED
Classified and display deadline: Friday noon • Call 910-719-9180 • classifieds@luminanews.com LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Nancy J. Rosenkrans a/k/a Nancy Jane Rosenkrans, late of 3954 Echo Farms Boulevard, Wilmington, NC 28412, New Hanover County, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned’s attorney, Kelly M. Shovelin, Four Pillars Law Firm, at 2202 Wrightsville Ave., Ste. 213, Wilmington, NC 28403, on or before the 22nd day of May, 2019 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 21st day of February, 2019. Michael Rosenkrans, Executor of the Estate of Nancy J. Rosenkrans Kelly M. Shovelin, Attorney Four Pillars Law Firm 2202 Wrightsville Ave., Ste. 213 Wilmington, NC 28403 February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 2019 EXECUTOR’S NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT EXECUTOR’S NOTICE
The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Connie Faye Gurganious (Deceased) of New Hanover County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at the address shown below on or before the16th day of May 2019, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 14th day of February 2019. Lisa Lavoie, Executor 421 Okeechobee Road Wilmington, N.C. 28412 February 14, 21, 28, March 7, 2019 EXECUTOR’S NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT EXECUTOR’S NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Nancy S. Rose (Deceased) of New Hanover County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at the address shown below on or before the16th day of May 2019, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recov-
ery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 14th day of February 2019. Lawrence C. Rose, Jr. Executor 2105 Ainsdale Court Wilmington, N.C. 28405 February 14, 21, 28, March 7, 2019 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Christine W. Cunnane, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned do hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned c/o J.C. Hearne, II, 265 Racine Drive, Suite 104, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403, on or before the 16th day of May 2019, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 14th day of February 2019. William P. Cunnane, II, Executor of the Estate of Christine W. Cunnane c/o J.C. Hearne, II 265 Racine Drive, Suite 104 Wilmington, NC 28403 February 14, 21, 28, March 7, 2019
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the ESTATE OF MERRITT E. HARTZ, deceased of Wilmington, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 26TH day of April 2019, or this Notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment. Claims should be presented or paid in behalf of the undersigned at c/o The MacDonald Law Firm, PLLC, 1508 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 102, Wilmington NC 28403 This the 24th day of January, 2019.
SUPERIOR COURT EXECUTOR’S NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Lloyd Curtis Cliff (Deceased) of New Hanover County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at the address shown below on or before the 9th day of May 2019, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 7th day of February 2019. Jeffrey Cliff, Executor 133 High Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29485
hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit same to the said Charles D. Meier at the address set out below on or before May 8, 2019, or this Notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.
FOR SALE Boston/Steinway Baby Grand Player Piano, CD & Floppy Disc, mahogany. $10,000.00. (910) 796-8174.
This the 31st day of January 2019. CHARLES D. MEIER, Executor Estate of PHYLLIS HAAR MEIER, Deceased P. O. Drawer 2088 Wilmington, NC 28402-2088 January 31, February 7, 14, 21, 2019
February 7, 14, 21, 28, 2019
WAYNE E. HARTZ ESTATE OF MERRITT E. HARTZ James A. MacDonald The MacDonald Law Firm, PLLC 1508 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 102 Wilmington, NC 28403 January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 2019
NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 18-E-1213
EXECUTOR’S NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE CLERK OF
In the Matter of the Estate of PHYLLIS HAAR MEIER, Deceased CHARLES D. MEIER, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of PHYLLIS HAAR MEIER, deceased,
ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER The undersigned, Rita Ritchie Wolfe, having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Kenneth Miles Ritchie, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned, c/o John P. Edwards, Jr., Attorney for the Estate, on or before the 6th day of May, 2019, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their right to recover. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 31st day of January, 2019. Rita Ritchie Wolfe, Executrix of the Estate of Kenneth Miles Ritchie, Deceased c/o John P. Edwards, Jr. Attorney at Law Post Office Drawer 120 Mount Olive, North Carolina 28365-0120 Telephone: (919) 635-9007 January 31, February 7, 14, 21, 2019
FOR SALE Boston Whaler 17 Montauk 1991, with 90 HP Yamaha 2003 and trailer. Docked in water at Seapath Yacht Club. Call Dell Hocutt
a
(910) 509-9490.
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Church Services NEAR THE BEACH LITTLE CHAPEL ON THE BOARDWALK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) Rev. Patrick Thomas Rabun, pastor 2 W. Fayetteville St., 910-256-2819, ext. 100 www.littlechapel.org Sunday School (for all ages): 9:15 a.m. Traditional Worship: 10:30 a.m. Nursery provided. BETH SIMCHA MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATION Congregational Leader/ Rabbi Marty Schilsky 7957 Market St. Wilmington, N.C. 28411 910-681-0117 Shabbat Services 10:30 a.m. Saturday
WRIGHTSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Doug Lain, senior pastor 4 Live Oak Drive, 910-256-4471 Worship Services: 8:15, 9:45, 11:15 a.m., 6 p.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. ST. THERESE CATHOLIC CHURCH Rev. Trent Watts 209 S. Lumina Ave., 910-256-2471 Mass: Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Sunday, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.,
ST. MARK CATHOLIC CHURCH Father Patrick A. Keane 1011 Eastwood Road, 910-392-0720 Vigil Mass: Saturday 5 p.m. Sunday Masses: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. en Español Monday Mass: 8:30 a.m. Tuesday Masses: 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday Mass: 8:30 a.m. Thursday Mass: 8:30 a.m. Friday Mass: 8:30 a.m. followed by Adoration with Benediction at 9 p.m.
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH BAPTIST CHURCH John McIntyre, senior pastor 601 Causeway Drive, 910-256-3682 Traditional Worship: 9-10 a.m. Sunday School for all ages: 10:10-11 a.m. Contemporary Service: 11:10 a.m to 12:20 p.m
ST. ANDREW’S ON-THE-SOUND EPISCOPAL The Rev. Richard G. Elliott, rector 101 Airlie Road, 910-256-3034 Monday-Wednesday at 8:30 a.m 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m., Celtic Service 5:30 p.m.