February 2023 Leland Magazine

Liz Brinker

lcbgraphicdesign@gmail.com

Carla Edstrom

Jan Morgan-Swegle

Ruby Cline

Lisa P. Stites

Jeffrey Stites PUBLISHER

Jeffrey Stites

jeff@southportmag.com

910-471-7741

Kris Beasley

North Brunswick Chamber Biz Expo

Welove business expos. It may sound like bragging, but honestly, standing in our booth and getting to meet so many loyal readers who tell us how much they enjoy and rely upon Leland Magazine is a huge ego boost. We especially love hearing from the many newcomers who have found our magazine and used it to explore all that their new home has to offer.

Whetheryou’re a newcomer yourself or a long-time resident of the north Bruswick County area, you’ll love the Biz Expo. Meeting the people behind the businesses in your community is fun, and you’ll learn about opportunities you may not have known of before. We encourage everyone to join us on Saturday, Feb 25 from 10 am - 2 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center. We’d love to say “Hi.”

Craig N. Lippe, MD

David Fox, PA-C

Joseph B. Norris, MD

Kristen Walsh, PA-C

A Sweet Business

Be Sweet Bakery Serves Up The Treats

STORY BY LISA & JEFFREY STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Wemet Tria Brown last year at an event for all the Chambers of Commerce in Brunswick County. I started talking to her after I saw her gorgeous cupcake display, and I knew pretty quickly that she was someone we would want to feature in the magazine. I naturally went into interview mode, realized what I was doing after she graciously answered a few questions, and introduced myself properly. We love featuring businesspeople, especially young entrepreneurs who have big dreams. We are excited for Tria, and we can’t wait to see where her dreams, and her sweet treats, take her.

Tell us little about Be Sweet Bakery, how long have you been in business, and what do you offer?

Be Sweet Bakery is a certified in-home bakery located in Leland, and I am in my 4th year of business! I offer a variety of cakes, cupcakes, sweet breads, chocolate treats….let’s just say if it’s sweet I dabble in it, lol. I also create custom cake and cupcakes for all types of special occasion events.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into this business? Do you have a history of enjoying the kitchen in general and baking in particular?

Let’s start with the history. My mom was

a wonderful cook and she would always make holidays and birthdays special. especially when it came to food. It was her love language. As a child I would stay up late with her as she would prepare those meals and one year she said “If you’re going to be in the kitchen you might as well help out.” She then handed me a box cake mix told me that if I learn to read and follow a recipe I’ll always be able to eat and I was now in charge of desserts. And that’s how I started baking. She would let me do whatever I want. And I loved it so much that as a teenager I would give co-workers homemade cake for their birthdays. As an adult, my potluck go-to would be dessert, usually a Sprite pound cake. Friends would often tell me I should sell them. In November of 2019, I felt God pressing me to do so and so I nervously posted that I was taking orders for Thanksgiving. I honestly didn’t think I would get that many but I ended up with like 12 orders! And to my surprise, I was still getting orders between the holidays and even afterwards.   Your kitchen is inspected by the county health department. What is that experience like? What have been the challenges with a commercial kitchen in your house?

I’m certified through the NC Food & Agriculture Department, and it was actually easier than I thought it would be. A few standard documents, sample label and my menu were sub-

mitted along with the application. The hardest part was coordinating a time for the inspector to come out. When it comes to having a certified kitchen in the house, with my family, the challenge has been creating and understanding boundaries. I have a background as a surgical technologist so I approach my work area as a surgical field and can become aggressively territorial when or if they have to enter the kitchen when I’m working. We have come to a mutual understanding and now that I’m am full time in my business, I’m able to work while they’re gone.

You offer a variety of treats. Do most people have a firm idea what they want, or do you do a lot of walking customers through a process of choosing?

With standard items it’s more of a question of quantity. For the custom orders it’s a mixed bag. Most people have a theme or color scheme as a starting point. From there we’ll go through serving size, flavor(s), and then we nail down a design, and all of this can generally be done through phone calls and messages, or through cake consultation/tasting. Then there are those who know

exactly what they want. It’s such sweet surprise when people send me my own designs as their inspiration. But whether it’s something I have created or they found online I always tell them it will be as close of a recreation but never an exact replica.

What is you favorite treat to make?

What is the most challenging?

That’s a hard one! I love putting together Sweetheart Boxes, which are gift boxes that include a mixture of treats and roses, candles etc. But if we’re just talking just desserts I would say pound cakes are my

favorite, followed by cookies and sweet breads. The custom/event cakes are the most challenging. For one, they are usually for a big celebration and I take that trust very seriously. And they can have many detailed parts that have to be planned and executed.

How about to eat, if that’s different?

I love chocolate and peanut butter. I have my own jar and bag of chocolate chips that is usually my “snack” or treat and I enjoy a good cookie. There’s not many desserts that I don’t like. I just to really don’t eat much else in the sweet department.

What makes a great occasion to order treats from Be Sweet?

EVERY occasion is a great occasion!

With Valentine’s Day coming up, do you have any ideas how you could help make the day extra special for someone?

A Be Sweet Bakery Sweetheart Box, in my opinion, is always a great way to hit all of the romantic highlights of flowers, sweet treats and bubbly. I also offer boxes that are strictly just treats that can include one type or a a mix of treats including, cookies, brownies, cake-sicles, cupcakes, or chocolate covered berries

What are your future plans for Be Sweet Bakery?

I would love to be able to start selling to local restaurants and coffee shops and eventually open a storefront in Leland and or in Wilmington. I also would love to be able to share all of this wonderful creativity with other bakers that are growing in this field.

Please feel free to add anything you’d like to share.

I’m truly humbled at this gift that God has given me. To be self taught can often bring such doubt of if I am good enough, but He constantly keeps showing me that through Him all things are possible.

A Story of Passion

LCAC Featured Artist Kate Waltman

STORY BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Thisstory is about passion, passion for what you do and for where you live. Not many people know exactly what they want to do when they are 14, but Kate Waltman, the Leland Cultural Arts Center’s February Featured Artist, did. She wanted to work with clay and produce pottery pieces. Kate’s works will be on display at the LCAC,1212 Magnolia Village Way, Feb. 2-23, and you can meet her at an artist reception from 6-8 pm on Thursday, Feb 2, also at the LCAC.

Kate is also holding a workshop at the LCAC on Feb. 24 and 25, from 9 am to 5 pm on Friday and 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday. Day one will focus on creating large clay pots, using throwing and coiling techniques. Day two will be about finishing the piece. Go to http://bit.ly/3GzghGp for registration and fee information, or call the Leland Cultural Arts Center at 910385-9891 for information.

According to her bio, “she talked her way” into the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center’s Pottery Studio in Millville, New Jersey,  where she assisted for two years before she was hired as a potter.

She went to school but explained, “I did it backwards. I didn’t have the conceptual art training that the other students did. When I went to school, I had the business experience to run a pottery shop and business that many of the art students didn’t

have, but doing it that way served me well and I was able to share that business knowledge as I learned the fine points of my craft.”

Kate was also a painter. “There is a level of accessibility that modern painting just doesn’t have,” she said, explaining why

she switched mediums to clay. “You can take people to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art in New York)  but they might not understand it and then decide they don’t like it. Modern art can be hard to identify with. I wanted to create something that  has enough historical reference, even if people don’t have an art history background, that they can relate to it. I want people to look at my work and not see a time period. I want them to see something they can enjoy.”

Kate is now a well-known artist who creates large ceramic works inspired primarily by ancient Greek and Minoan forms. Her pieces are beautiful, functional and done in the Art Deco style. Art Deco pieces are streamlined, simple, symmetrical and often geometric. Kate will often “pencil in” a design or stylized design/ motif/pattern on hardened clay.  She does not use a stencil, but does it “by hand and by eye.”  Her work also contains “relief carving.”  Using a “loop” tool, which is a small metal pencil-like tool, she cuts lines and removes the clay where the background of the piece would be to make the primary design stand out more.

“Art Deco developed into a very popular style of art in the United States and

parts of Europe in the 1930s,” Kate said. “It has roots in the Art Nuevo and Cubist styles. The Chrysler Building in New York City is a great example of the Art Deco styles.”

Using local materials, Kate “fires” her pieces in wood or gas kilns to get the finished product. Firing in a wood kiln could take up to 7 days depending on the size and style of the kiln. Using a gas kiln, which could reach temperatures of 2400 degrees typically takes less than 24 hours.

Kate opened a pottery studio in Seagrove, North Carolina in 2010, and purchased the abandoned Triangle Service Station in 2018. She renovated the service station into a studio and gallery. “Seagrove is a wonderful place for pottery and creative people in general,” Kate said. “There are at least 60 pottery studios in 20 square miles.  We have over 57 pottery shops, four galleries and The General Wine and Brew, which was the original general store, that was turned into an upscale wine bar and the North Carolina Zoo is just 20 miles from here. There’s lots to do in Seagrove!”

Kate loves to teach her craft. She wants to help the next generation of artists learn how to create art with their own hands and in their own style, but with a nod to the business of running a pottery shop and gallery. Kate hires artistic interns and gives them studio space  to create their pieces — they in turn, work in the gallery one day a week and work around the studio. By exposing the interns to the business side of art, she is teaching them how to deal with customers, how to sell and how to understand and describe a different technique than their individual styles might be. It’s important to Kate to help others achieve their goals.

During the course of our interview, I asked Kate what she wanted

me to stress in this article.  She could have said, ‘check out my website and buy my stuff.’  She could have said, ‘spend money to come to my classes.’  But, she didn’t,  Kate said, “I want you to promote the town of Seagrove. It’s a sweet little town, but it’s an aging town.  Years ago, there were family-run businesses that continued because the next generation took over when it was time.  That’s not as common now.   This community has so much to offer in the way of art, I want young artists to come here and perfect their craft and keep the town going. Galleries and pottery places are worth more than empty buildings. It’s a beautiful place to live. I want people to know that.”

Kate also has a few other hobbies and work to keep her busy. She does “trail running,” sometimes running 20 miles in one session. “Pottery is a physical job,” she said. “You have to be in good shape!”

She is also a dog trainer; working with Southern Tails Dog Schools. Kate teaches positive training methods so that the owners can communicate with their pets to shape the behavior that best suits the owner’s lifestyle.  Kate often works on commercial sets with animals as a trainer.  You can see her own dog in Mohawk Flooring and Hoover vacuum commercials.

Kate Waltman

At the beginning, I said this story was about passion. And it is.  How many of us can say when we were 14 years old that we knew what we wanted to do for a living, and then did it?  How many of us have really gone the extra mile to teach others and help them achieve their goals?  And how many of us feel so passionate about a place that  we would give up the spotlight for that place instead of using it for our own gain?

I am not creatively artistic.  I can’t make a clay ashtray, but Kate Waltman’s passion makes me want to try.  Kate makes

me want to not only make something, but make it beautiful for others to enjoy.    Think about taking a trip to Seagrove. It is a special place to Kate and many other artists. It sounds like a place where dreams can come true. According to the website, www.discoverseagrove.com, “The Town of Seagrove is considered, ‘The Handmade Pottery Capital of the United States,’ and people visit from as far away as Australia, not to mention each of the 50 states. The population was 236 at the 2021 census.”

And while you’re there, drop by The Triangle Studio at 1140  NC Highway 705 and see Kate or give her a call at 336267-1545.

Beach Haven Designs

ART LEAGUE OF LELAND

presents

Kate Waltman graduated from Alfred University in 2010 and has been making pots in Seagrove ever since. Kate’s pots are made using local materials, boldly carved with organic patterns inspired by Art Deco design, and fired in a variety of atmospheric kilns. She is the owner and co-founder of The Triangle Studio, which houses several artists studios and has a collective gallery. Kate shows her pots internationally and has lectured and taught throughout the USA.

Enchanted Evening

Leland To Host “Do-Over” Prom Night

STORY BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE

WhenI was young and playing games with my sisters, if something disturbed my turn -- and it was usually my baby sister — I would yell, “do-over,” and take my turn again. Throughout my life I have wanted “do-overs” more often than I care to admit. My prom was one of those events. I went to prom, but I didn’t really have a good time. My date was controlling, my hair didn’t turn out well, and we had to double date because he didn’t have a car. My curfew was too early and my mother actually stood on the front porch, with the light on, waiting for me to get out of the car in front of my date and my friends who drove us. Talk about embarrassing!

Well, Thanks to the Leland Cultural Arts Center, I’m going to get my prom do over!

On Feb. 17 from 7-9 p.m., The Leland Cultural Arts Center is presenting, “An Enchanted Evening,” a prom for adults.

“We’re very excited,” said Alison Fore, one of the coordinators for the event. “It’s

the first time we’ve done something like this and I think it will appeal to many people. We’re having a DJ, Chris Nash, who will be playing fan favorite music. Free finger food will be available and wine (for sale) will be provided by Noni Bacca Winery.”

This is a great way to spend an evening

with friends, dancing and listening to music of your era.

If you were a late bloomer and didn’t go to prom; or if you just want to have a better memory of prom than I do, you can

dress up in your best “prom finery,” wear a corsage or boutonniere or “come stag or drag!”

Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased online at https:// www.eventbrite. com/e/an-enchanted-evening-tickets or at the door.

Let’s show Leland how to “Do the Twist,” while we’re admiring our “Band of Gold,” and telling our dance partner that this is “A Groovy Kind of Love.”

The Leland Cultural Arts Center is located at 1212 Magnolia Village Way, near the Walgreens Drug Store on U.S. 17.

Don’t miss this event. I’ll be there with “My Guy!”

Delicious Success

Tropical Smoothie Café Owners Find Their Sweet (and Savory) Spot in Leland

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOE JANCSURAK

Twelve years ago, Brandon Korman and his business partner and wife of 15 years, Deena, were unfamiliar with Wilmington and Tropical Smoothie Cafés. Now the Leland (Waterford) residents are totally immersed in the local culture and are owners of three Tropical Smoothie Café locations in the Long Leaf Mall, Porters Neck and Belville, the newest and fastest growing location, now celebrating its fifth year and where year-over-year sales grew by 30 percent in 2022.

Having spent 10 years working in media research, marketing and sales, Brandon, a Brooklyn, NY native who met Deena while in high school 24 years ago, was ready for a change of scenery and careers when Deena, also a media-sales veteran, then pregnant with their first son, walked into her first Tropical Smoothie Café in 2010. She liked what she saw so much that she encouraged Brandon to consider becoming one of its franchise owners.

“I was impressed with the vibe, the atmosphere, and the selection of healthy food and smoothie options,” Deena recalled.

“Eventually I met with each of the Tropical Smoothie franchise owners on Long Island, where we were living,” Brandon said. “I liked what they had to say about the company, its business plan and forward-looking vision.” That vision, he says, focuses on innovation, inspiration and strategic expansion. Recognized as one of the country’s fastest growing franchises by Entrepreneur and Nation’s Restaurant News publications, Destin, Florida-based Tropical Smoothie Café, now has 1,200plus locations, having added a record 158 franchises in 2022.

In 2011, while Brandon was considering becoming a franchisee, Deena’s stepdad bought land in Waterford where he eventually built. And Brandon, being a research guy, began digging deeper into what makes the Wilmington area an attractive place to live and operate a health-conscious restaurant.

“My research revealed two important findings,” Brandon noted. “First, Wilmington is a Top 10 destination for smaller cities when it comes to fitness. Second, residents are 19 percent more likely to

eat out than the general population.”

(Source: QSR (Quick Service and Fast Casual Restaurants) Magazine).

Fast forward to three stores and a daughter and son later, the Kormans are looking forward to adding to their numbers—stores that is, four more to be exact. The fourth will open in Shallotte in March. Two more are planned for Wilmington later this year and by year-end 2024. And a seventh is in the plans, with date and location still to be determined.

Notwithstanding 12-hour days, staffing challenges and supply-chain issues brought on by Covid, Brandon says it’s all worth it. Stress relief for him comes in the form of his favorite pastime: comedy, with favorite performers such as Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappell and Sebastian Maniscalco serving to inspiring the 41-year-old self-described “funnyman” who has performed at about a dozen open-mic nights at Dead Crow Comedy Room in Wilmington. “To make people laugh brings me joy,

for which I am thankful,” he said. These days there’s much to be thankful for, Brandon continued. “I’m thankful for my district manager Jeffrey Smith who brings with him a decade of restaurant experience, our dedicated managers and staff, our customers, the support we’ve gained from local business owners and the government relief assistance we received during the pandemic. Without it, we might not be here. And I’m especially grateful for my family and the opportunity to work with my wife, the backbone of our business, whose behind-the scenes work remains integral to the success of our operations. While we may not always agree, I wouldn’t trade the time we get to spend together for anything.”

As one might suspect, one of the Kormans’ shared hobbies is cooking. “It’s a great way for us to connect,” Brandon said. “We love cooking all sorts of dishes—from our own egg rolls to falafel to NYC street cart chicken and rice. Our favorite cuisines are Mediterranean, Italian and American, including burgers, fish, rack of lamb, steak, etc.”

And what about the couple’s favorite

Tropical Smoothie Café offerings? “My go-to is the Triple Berry Smoothie and Baja Chicken Wrap,” Brandon said. “Mine is the Mocha Madness Smoothie and Thai Chicken Salad,” added Deena.

“The biggest things I want people to know about our stores,” explained Brandon, “is that we provide catering for groups of 10 to 500-plus, we have a phenomenal rewards app for ordering ahead and that in addition to smoothies, we have tons of delicious fresh food options served up in relaxed environments. We really are great gathering spots for the communities we serve.”

Art Around Town is a family-friendly town-wide event where the public can participate in crafts, drawing, painting, and dance fitness activities. Each day will feature a different instructor! These activites are drop-in and FREE to the public.

This project was supported by the Brunswick Arts Council Grassroots Program, a Designated County Partner of the North Carolina Arts Council, which is a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

NB Business Expo

Come Meet Your Business Community

TheNorth Brunswick Chamber of Commerce is back! Come out to the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Way, from 10 am to 2 pm on February 25 and check out all your local business community has to offer. More than 35 businesses will be in attendance representing service, retail, food and beverage, non-profit and all other segments of our business community. A shred truck sponsored by South State Bank and a food truck will be on site.

The North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce is hosting the North Brunswick Business Expo 2023 at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Way, from 10 am to 2 pm on Feb 25. More than 35 businesses will be in attendance, representing service, retail, food and beverage, non-profit and all other segments of our business community. A shred truck sponsored by South State Bank and a food truck will be

on site. Your favorite local magazine will have a booth too — we love the chance to meet our readers and make new business connections!

And if you are a business owner in the north Brunswick County area and want to meet customers and potential clients, the Business Expo is a great opportunity to do just that! According to North Brunswick Chamber Director Dana Fisher, more than 500 people are expected to

attend, and just a few spaces are still available. Exhibitors will receive an 8’ table, two folding chairs, and the option for space with electrical outlets if available. Space assignments will be made on a first come first served basis. Payment ($160 for Chamber members and $210 for non-members) must be received before a space is assigned. Each exhibitor is encouraged

to contribute at least one or more door prizes that promote your business with a minimum value of $25.

This event is sponsored by Badger Box Storage, PuroClean, the Town of Leland, South State Bank and Focus Broadband.

Black History Events Opportunities Throughout Wilmington

STORY CONTRIBUTED

FortFisher State Historic Site continues its series “’Dwell with Gratitude and Pride’: New Perspectives on the Wilmington Campaign” with weekly programming commemorating the diverse people and their experiences in the Civil War. Developed by Fort Fisher and partners Cameron Art Museum and the New Hanover County Library, the series explores White, Black, Asian, Indigenous, and Hispanic servicemen and civilians’ contributions to the battles throughout the Lower Cape Fear.

Four programs are scheduled for the month of February. On Feb. 3 at 1 pm, Cameron Art Museum’s Cultural Curator Daniel Jones will lead a tour along the remains of Forks Road where U.S. Colored Troops fought against Confederate soldiers. Learn about the relentless courage of the African American soldiers in one of the final battles of the campaign and how their legacy continues. The tour includes a discussion of Stephen Hayes’s Boundless sculpture which commemorates the US

Colored Troops in the Wilmington Campaign. The tour is included with the cost of admission to the museum, which is located at 320 S. 17th St. in Wilmington.

On the 158th anniversary of the Battle of Sugarloaf, historians Sawyer and O’Connor will lead guided tours of the Sugarloaf at the Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Park, located at 1018 N. Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach. Walk in the spot where U.S. Colored Troops charged Confederate soldiers

along the Sugarloaf line. The free tours will be offered Saturday, Feb. 11, at 11 am and 3 pm.

Cameron Art Museum will host its an-

nual Battle of Forks Road commemoration program on Saturday Feb. 18, from 10 am-5 pm. The event features living history, speakers, and artist performances. Finally, the “’Dwell with Gratitude and Pride’: New Perspectives on the Wilmington Campaign” series concludes on Feb. 23, at 5:30 pm at the downtown branch of the New Hanover County Library. A panel of local historians will discuss the diverse experiences of people involved in the campaign, its aftermath, and how the Civil War and Reconstruction still shapes our community today.

Located at 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, N.C. 28449, Fort Fisher is part of

the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR), the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary D. Reid Wilson, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries, and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office, and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

Art Beat Wearing Many Hats

Wilmington Artist Stanley Does It All

STORY BY CARLA EDSTROM

Being an art school dropout, she is proof that hard work and practicing her craft pay off. Delia appreciates a routine of daily practicing her craft and surrounding herself with more successful creative people. “I did return to school to get my Associates Degree in Ethnomusicology and am contemplating continuing that educational path. Generally speaking though, I think most of my art and music education comes from practice practice practice, as well as from surrounding myself with amazing creatives, artists, and musicians that are better than me, and who inspire me to practice and get better, and who support me in my endeavors,” she said. “I can’t stress enough the importance of consistent practice and action. Not that I have always been perfect at it, but I try to draw and practice my guitar/singing every day,” she said.

Delia is self-taught in many artistic and musical things. However, getting a job at a Paint and Sip studio expanded her confidence by taking her out of her comfort zone. “When it comes to visual art, something that helped me a lot was working in a ‘paint and sip’ studio where I taught folks how to paint in a low-pressure environment. As the art instructor, I had to learn how to paint a wide variety of designs that I created and from other designers. Constantly painting different subject matter than I would typically choose, and in styles that are not my default, was extremely helpful. As a result, I increased my abilities to color match, to paint something with relative accuracy from sight, and to feel more confident in my abilities to do so,” she said. “For music, the best training is playing with better musicians who scare the heck out of you to play with,” said Delia. “Most of my music career and experiences have been solo, and while I’ve been in a few bands they mostly circulate around my original music. Pushing myself outside my comfort zone and admitting the things I do not know has been the best training ever,” she said.

Creativity brings meaning to life, and having personal support and allowing space to create is vital to growth. “In general, I like to approach everything I do as a creative endeavor,” said Delia. “Whether I’m painting a canvas, writing a song, or just making a sandwich, I try to stay in an artistic headspace where I am thoughtful, open-minded, and aiming to make it the best it can be,” she said. “My grandmother on my mother’s side was an artist, musician, writer — a general creative. She taught me everything I knew about art, music, and culture before she died

when I was a young teenager. My mother was very supportive of my art and music, having grown up in a family of artists. She knew there was no fighting what I was!”

With artists Picasso and Ani Difranco as significant influences in her life, as well as comic books and cartoons, Delia creates much of her inspiration from fellow local musicians and artists. “Local artists like Cammeron Batanides, Regular Greyson, Linda Flynn, Jean Nadeau. These people have developed a distinctive personal style and are doing things and making moves that I admire,” she said. “Musically, I’m always inspired by my bandmates like John Hussmann. Watching his gigs is like going to a masterclass. Shawn Pugh, who came on board as a bassist, but his multi-instrumentalism and ability to harmonize with damn near anything are incredible to me,’ she said. “My drummer, JJ Street, is consistent and creative. I can’t tell you all the cool and weird percussion instruments he brought to our last recording session to try and find the sound I was looking for,” she said. “I’m always inspired by Rebekah Todd, carving her path and blowing up all over the place while she does it,” said Delia. “I am also inspired by the things people say we can’t do. I’ve heard a few male musicians comment about women artists in town who don’t know how to solo and not for nothing. That was a driving force behind me starting to learn more

about music theory, practice my scales, and implement more instrumental interest into my shows. Hell if I’m going to let the boys have all the fun!”

A self-described ‘creative freelancer,’ Delia also works as a Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Walk Tour guide in Wilmington, giving her the chance to dress up and work on her performance skills. “I get to dress up and share the history and spooky stories with folks. In addition, working with the Ghost Walk has given me an opportunity to work on my storytelling and performance skills in a different way that still has a lot of crossover with how I perform music, not to mention all of the cool costuming and make-up I get to do,” she said. “In 2022, I was also able to work with the Cucalorus Film Festival as their Volunteer Coordinator, and that was a dynamic, fun, and challenging experience that allowed the organizational and creative parts of my brain to work together, in addition to introducing me to all kinds wonderful local artists, filmmakers and other folks who care deeply about the creative culture here.”

Creatives often get inspired by watching the world around them. Going to a museum, catching a friend’s show, all these things inspire Delia. “I’m especially partial to things like Voice & The Pen in Wilmington, focusing on original music. Feeding my inner artist is very important,” she said. “I’m a Julia Cameron disciple, and I’m once again working my way through her book, The Artist’s Way, taking her advice on things like Morning Pages (a kind of journaling), artist’s dates (where you take yourself somewhere that you love and that gets the creative juices flowing), and surrounding myself with

people who support me, who believe in what I’m doing, and who push me to be better just because they are also pushing themselves to be better,” she said. The number one thing I am working on when it comes to my creative work is not to wait for inspiration. There’s that old quote, ‘Inspiration will find you working’! Consistent practice and prolific creativity is my goal!”

It takes a lot of vulnerability to play a song you have written or show someone your artwork. Since art is subjective, you never know the response you will get from something you created from the heart. Unfortunately, it can often be quite rude or demeaning. “The most challenging aspect for me is mental health. I notice that artists seem more prone to mental considerations and big emotions,” she said. “We open ourselves to the possibility that someone is going to dislike or criticize pieces of our very soul, and that is simply not an easy thing to do,” said Delia. “There is also a huge conversation here about the value of art and music and how artists and musicians are treated. While Wilmington is an incredible town, and many of us can make a creative living here, we are not immune from feeling devalued by not being paid our worth. Folks see artists- especially musicians- out at bars and venues, having fun, and sometimes they discount the hard work it takes to get there. From practice to creation to booking to promotion to social media and beyond, to be a freelancing creative is to take on multiple jobs at once. We deserve both respect and a living wage for the work we put in!”

Delia is recording some of her originals, and the band will be on WHQR’s Soup to Nuts recording live at Live at Ted’s. “A few months ago, I brought a few original songs to my band, Delia & Friends, that had a kind of murder ballad/spooky vibe, and the idea took off. We are working on an EP that is a concept album, in the way that the songs have similar themes of love, longing, and death.”

Delia hosts two open mics in Wilmington. Every other Monday at Mad Katz and every Tuesday at Catawba. “I love creating space for musicians to experiment, collaborate together, and feel more comfortable with their originals and with performing. Being involved with the creative community is very important to me. Wilmington sincerely has one of the most talented and supportive creative communities I’ve ever experienced.

“Support local art! Support local music! Community over Competition,” said Delia. You can reach out to Delia by email or on one of her Facebook pages.

DeliaTheArtist@gmail.com

DeliaStanley.com

Facebook.com/DeliaStanleyArtandMusic

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Leland Cultural Arts Center

1212 Magnolia Village Way

Leland’s favorite movie series is back! This time, at the Leland Cultural Arts Center. Avoid the heat and set up a picnic indoors at the LCAC.

Mar 11

Har Po er and the Sorcerer’s Stone (PG)

May 13

Minions: Rise of Gru (PG)

Jun 24 Cars (G)

Jul 22

The Lion King (1994) (PG)

Aug 12

Lightyear (PG)

History Comes Alive

Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson Events

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

From Living History, to cannon fire at night to a celebration of Gullah-Getchee culture, the Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson State Historic Site is roaring into spring with something for everyone. One of the most beautiful spots in Brunswick County, Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson is located off N.C.133 between Belville and Southport at 8884 St. Philip’s Road SE.

After the fall of Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson became the last obstacle to Union troops moving to Wilmington from the south. This February marks the 158th Anniversary of the fall of Fort Fisher and the historic site is commemorating the event with a day of educational fun on Saturday, Feb 18.

From 10 am - 3 pm, visitors can experience artillery firings, infantry demonstrations, a lecture given by a local historian, and living history throughout the day. This is a free event.

That evening, the night sky will come

alive with a realistic reenactment of the bombardment and evacuation of the Fort. This event will be a rare opportunity to witness a heavy artillery duel. Site Director Jim Mckee said, “For all intents and purposes we are condensing the whole battle for Fort Anderson into about 45 minutes to an hour. We plan to have three guns (including the 32-pdr) firing in the fort; and they will be opposed by several guns located in the town, opposite the fort, and they will simulate the US Navy.” After the cannon fire, infantry will pour over the wall and into the fort. (We experienced this

event in 2020 and can tell you it is truly impressive).

Next month, on Saturday, March 4, Brunswick Town will host the North Carolina Rice Festival from 10 am6 pm, celebrating the rice cultivation and culture of the Gullah-Getchee people. Activities will include history and cultural presentations, tours, demonstrations, live entertainment, family fun, a children’s stage, Gullah Geechee food vendors, and arts and crafts.

Last year’s Rice Festival was held on the Leland Cultural Arts Center lawn and was a huge success. We can’t wait to experience all the fun again amongst the history and beauty of the Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson Historic Site. There is no charge for admission tot he Rice Festival. Visit https://www.northcarolinaricefestival.org/ for more information.

Ring Shouters at the 2022 Rice Festival

Nighttime Cannon fire

War & Environment

Brunswick Civil War Round Table Meets

Union General George B. McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign of 1862 was meant to put an early end to the Civil War by capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond. It was the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater, but resulted in a humiliating defeat. Why? Perhaps it was the environment! Sharing this interesting concept are two noted authors and educators: Judkin Browning and Timothy Silver. Their presentation is entitled “Slogging to Richmond: Environmental Influences on the Union Failed Peninsula Campaign, 1862.” This Tuesday, Feb 7 meeting will again be held at Generations Church on N.C. 211, near the St. James main gate, and everyone is welcome.

Most historians attribute this failure to a number of reasons: McClellan’s lack of a results-oriented battle plan, his inability to effectively use the U.S. Navy to keep his troops supplied by way of the James River, his lack of reliable intelligence, coupled with his dreadfully inaccurate Coastal Survey maps. Or, perhaps it was troop numbers. McClellan was always convinced that Confederate forces outnumbered his own, when in fact Confederate defenders initially numbered only 13,000

to McClellan’s 100,000 soldiers.

According to our guest speakers, what many Civil War historians have essentially ignored was the complex natural world in which McClellan made his critical decisions; i.e., through an environmental lens. Weather, geology, disease, animals, terrain, and nutrition all played significant roles. The environment he encountered brought out the worst in him, magnifying the personal traits and quirks that led to some of his most baffling command decisions. Simultaneously, Confederate forces used nature to their advantage, employing strategies that allowed their armies to stave off a potentially devastating conquest of Richmond. In essence, the environment during the Peninsula Campaign helped illuminate the many ways that natural forces shaped the war, well beyond military tactics, weaponry, and manpower.

Speaker Judkin Browning is Professor of Military History and Director of the History Graduate Program at Appalachian State University, in Boone, NC. He is co-author with guest speaker Timothy Silver of “An Environmental History of the Civil War” (2020), and author of “The Seven Days’ Battles: The War Begins

Anew” (2012), and “Shifting Loyalties: The Union Occupation of Eastern North Carolina” (2011).

Timothy Silver is a recently retired Professor of Environmental History at Appalachian State University. He is author of “Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains: An Environmental History of the Highest Peaks in Eastern America” (2007), and “A New Face on the

Countryside: Indians, Colonists, and Slaves in South Atlantic Forests,” 1500 – 1800 (1990).

Registration for the meeting begins at 6:15 pm and the presentation starts at 7 pm. The visitor fee is $10, which can be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues. For more information about the Round Table, options for attending the Feb 7 meeting, becoming a member, or if you wish to volunteer for this non-profit organization, please email president John Butler at Brunswickcwrt@gmail.com, or call him at (404) 229-9425. You can also find them on Facebook or visit the new website, https://brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com/, for additional information, news, and updates.

February 3 - March 11, 2023

Dr. Dana Point and Dr. Kaitlin Ridder

Gondolfo’s Pizza Pizza and More Straight From New York

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE

Ithinkthat everyone has a favorite pizza place buried somewhere in the depths of their memory. You know the place — It was right down the street from where you lived and when you walked in, that smell of garlic, tomatoes and pepperoni slapped you in the face and made your mouth water.

For me, it was Peppi’s, in Cleveland, Ohio. Right there on the corner of West 98th street and Denison Avenue. It was a small, white building with big windows in the front and a red sign over the front door. I spent hours there either on dates or after the Youth Canteen closed on Friday nights. The cashier stood up front and answered the phone that was hanging on the wall, scribbling down new pizza orders while she counted out your change and told you to “come back soon.” It was a warm, comfortable place that served great pizza.

LIke many family owned pizza shops, Peppi’s is long gone, replaced by big named chains with cheese and

pepperoni carefully measured and counted to a specific recipe so each pizza is the same.

A few days ago, I was at Food Lion off of Lanvale Road and I happened to see Gondolfo’s Pizza. Gondolfo’s is part of the strip stores near the grocery store, on the very end. I walked in and was overwhelmed by my favorite pizza smells. It was like going home again. The kitchen, which is spotless, is open and you can watch Pauly, one of the owners, create magic with handfuls of cheese, fresh tomatoes and basil, and a variety of meat toppings.

Pizza dough comes out of the ovens hot and bubbly. Pauly spins it, builds it and puts the finishing touches on before it’s picked up with the pizza paddle and put back into the stone oven.

The finished pizzas sit in a large glass case right in front of the kitchen. They offer the Neapolitan Style NY Pizza, Sicilian, White, Crostata, Supreme, The Godfather and Veggie Lovers, in addition to Buffalo or BBQ Chicken, Alla Vodka or you can build your own. Want more? You can also get Calzones, Strombolis, Heroes, salads and appetizers. Beer and wine are also available.

Although Gondolfo’s has that old style pizza shop feeling, everything is brand new. So why did Pauly and co-owner John pick the Town of Leland to open Gondolfo’s? John said, “We’ve been talking for years about opening a shop. I live in South Carolina and Pauly lives in Wilmington. When Pauly finally moved down here, we looked at more than 100 places online and

physically visited twenty of them. We knew right away; this was the place for us. We believe in this community. It’s just going to grow and get better. The hospitality of the people around here is great, they’re friendly, helpful and really supportive,” he said. “We made an offer and closed in 3 weeks. Then, we tore it all apart and built everything new. Our landlord, Wilfred Bufkin, has been very supportive of what we are building here. He knows we plan on being around for a long time.”

Gondolfo’s opened in late October. Paul (Pauly) Lore and his partner, John Thompson are originally from Lake Ronkonkoma, New York. They grew up together and formed a 45-year friendship and now, partnership. “You asked if this is a family-owned business,” Pauly said. “Well, I grew up with John. We lived on the same street; we went to the same schools. He’s like a brother. If that’s not family owned, I don’t know what is. Plus, Gondolfo was my father’s first name, so every time I come here, he inspires me. He was a city bus driver and a great guy.”

John agreed, “I spent a lot

of time in Pauly’s home and with his family. As soon as he suggested the name Gondolfo’s, I knew it was right. The name of a business is really important. It should have a meaning; and Gondolfo’s does. Gondolfo’s is a legacy.”

Paul and John wanted to bring “authentic” Italian style, pizza to Leland. And they have done a great job. John said, “We’ve been open for 32 days and have sold over 4,000 pizzas.” Added Pauly, “We sold out the first two days. We didn’t expect the volume we had when we first opened. The business just took off. We were understaffed, but we’re doing better now.” John added, “We want to get our production time down to around 30 minutes; so if you call at 5, you can pick up your pizza at 5:30. We’re close to that now. The staff is better trained and we have a better idea of what Leland wants. The wheels are getting oiled so we can exceed the customers’ expectations.”

Pauly said, “There aren’t many pizza places here in Leland and we have definitely filled a need. We offer New York style pizza—thin crust, seasoned sauce, and the best tomatoes. People here just love our food.” He continued, “We get a lot of business from Compass Pointe, and one day a lady told me that our food reminded her of Little Vincent’s pizza in Lake Ronkonkoma. That was a great compliment. Little Vincent’s on Smith-

Owners, Paul Lore and John Thompson

town Boulevard, had the best New York style, authentic Italian food.”

But John and Pauly are doing more than making pizza and authentic Italian food. “We’re hiring students from around the area,” John said. “We’re not only teaching them how to make pizza, we’re teaching them the business. We want to expand — have more Gondolfo’s Pizza Shops, but also good Italian restaurants and bars. We want to develop the staff that has been with us from the beginning to be able to manage our other sites and help us grow the businesses.”

John and Pauly plan to make some changes in 2023. “In the spring, we want to add outdoor seating. We want to be able to do online ordering and maybe even have a food truck for events and parties. There’s so much we can do.” Above all, Pauly and John want to keep that feel of an old family pizza shop, where you can come in and enjoy the best Italian food in the area.

Gondolfo’s, Paul and John are excellent additions to the landscape of Leland.

They bring the style of New York cuisine, the small-town friendliness of Lake Ronkonkoma and the diversity that makes all of us interesting, smalltown neighbors.

Gondolfo’s is located at 1735 Reed Road, NE in Leland. They open at 11 am, and you can place your order by calling 910-833-5666. Go online at www.gondolfos.com to check out their full menu.

This coming year, give yourself a treat. Say goodbye to frozen grocery store boxed pizza and get over to Gondolfo’s. Once you do, you will adopt their slogan—”Gondolfo’s Pizza, Y’all can’t fuhgettaboutit.” What a great blend of north meets south!

Confederate Hospitals

Cape Fear Civil War Round Table Meeting

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Retired

U.S. Army Col. Wade Sokolosky will present a program titled “North Carolina’s Confederate Hospitals” at the Thursday, Feb. 9 meeting of the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table. The Round Table meets at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Wilmington. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the meeting begins at 7 pm.

A resident of the sound-side town of Beaufort, NC, where he grew up, Col. Sokolosky is a graduate of East Carolina University and a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army. He is one of North Carolina’s leading experts of the 1865 Carolinas Campaign, the name given to Union General William T. Sherman’s audacious march across both South Carolina and North Carolina in the winter of 1864-65. Wade has lectured throughout the country speaking to Civil War round tables, various clubs and organizations, and at historical sites. He is a top-notch battlefield guide.

Sokolosky’s topic, “Confederate Hospitals in North Carolina,” is based on his recently published book “North Carolina’s Confederate Hospitals, Vol. I: 1861-1863.” Dr. Chris

E. Fonvielle, Jr., Professor Emeritus, UNC Wilmington, and one of the founders of the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table, wrote, “Wade Sokolosky, one of the leading historians of

the Civil War in the Old North State, has turned his keen research skills on exploring the Confederate health care system.” Moreover, “he examines the organization and administration of care facilities on both the home front and the battlefront. Sokolosky’s study is a constructive reference work and a captivating narrative of an overlooked but important aspect of North Carolina at war.”

In an informative and very positive review, of “Confederate Hospitals,” the Civil War Books and Authors website writes: “As Sokolosky abundantly demonstrates, management of the hospital system in North Carolina during this period mirrored many other aspects of the Confederate war effort in that it was subjected to frequent and often intense States Rights versus centralization clashes. With North Carolina governor Vance being one of the most ardent defenders of state prerogatives, that tug and pull between Richmond and Raleigh was present at

all levels of medical department leadership and management. Who should manage, supply, and fund general hospitals in North Carolina was an ongoing subject of debate. As the war progressed, however, the forces of centralized integration gathered momentum, and by December 1863 the Confederate Medical Department was in charge of all of North Carolina’s general hospitals and the majority of its wayside hospitals.”

Sokolosky is the co-author (with Mark A. Smith) of “To Prepare for Sherman’s Coming: The Battle of Wise’s Forks, March 1865,” chosen as the winner of the Civil War Books and Authors Best Book of the Year for 2015.

The battlefield of Wyse Fork (contemporary spelling), just east of Kinston, is under imminent threat of destruction by the NC Department of Transportation. Fought over three days in March after the fall of Wilmington and just before the Battle of Bentonville, Wyse Fork saw two hastily formed armies of heterogenous troops—the Confederates under Braxton Bragg and the Union under Jacob Cox—clash as part of a plan to halt Sherman’s northward march toward Goldsboro and, ultimately, the battlefields of Virginia. More than

2,500 casualties were sustained. In the early 1990s the Federal Civil War Sites Advisory Commission surveyed some 10,500 armed conflicts during the Civil War and published a report that classified the encounters according to their historical significance. Of the 10,500 sites surveyed, Wyse Fork was listed as one of the 384 most significant clashes in the Civil War. Yet, NC DOT plans to destroy the site that is today much the same as it was in 1865.

Sokolosky and Smith are also the authors of “No Such Army Since the Days of Julius Caesar: Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign from Fayetteville to Averasboro.” Sokolosky also wrote “Final Roll Call: Losses during the Carolinas Campaign.”

The Feb. 9 meeting of the round table will be held at Elebash Hall at the rear of St. John’s Episcopal church at 1219 Forest Hills Drive, Wilmington. The church parking lot, close to the entrance to our meeting room, is easily accessed via Park Avenue off of Independence Boulevard. For more information about membership in the Cape Fear Civil War Round table, go to http://www.cfcwrt.org and click on “Join/Rejoin.”

General Hospital Number 5 was previously the U.S. Marine hospital for seamen, located in Wilmington on S. 8th St.

Friday 2/17, 6pm

Ms. Carolyn Evans

Presents:

"Sojourner Truth"

Sojourner Truth was an African American evangelist, abolitionist, women ’ s rights activist and author who was born into slavery before escaping to freedom in 1826. After gaining her freedom, Truth preached about abolitionism and equal rights for all.

SOUTHPORT COMMUNITY BUILDING

223 E Bay St, Southport, NC 28461

BRUNSWICK COUNTY BLACK HISTORY SYMPOSIUM 17-19

PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL GO TO: Cedar Hill/West Bank Heritage Foundation and the restoration of the Reaves Chapel Church

Saturday 2/18, 11am Opening

Saturday 2/18, 12-1pm

“The 54th Coast Artillery Regiment” by NC Maritime Museum at Southport manager, John Moseley

The regiment was one of three African American units to train at Camp Davis, NC during World War II.

Saturday 2/18, 2-3pm

Judge Pauline Hankins "Law and Justice"

Saturday 2/18, 4-5pm

Judy Smith Fowler

"Quilting in the African American Community"

Sunday 2/19, 3-6pm

“The Gospel Fest” Hosted By Gwen Wearren

Carolyn Evans, Story Teller

Judge Pauline Hankins

John Moseley

John Moseley

CALENDAR

February

We’ve included events here that were scheduled at press time, but please remember that all events, dates and times are subject to change. For programs offered through the Town of Leland, visit https://apm.activecommunities.com/townofleland/ to register online or call 910-385-9891.

FEB 2

Artist Reception

Meet potter Kate Waltman and view her works, which she makes using local materials and patterns inspired by Art Deco design. Waltman will give an artist talk during the 5 pm meeting, and a reception follows, 6-8 at the Leland Cultural Arts Center. Waltman’s pottery will be on display in the gallery through the 23rd.

FEB 2-5 AND 9-12

Brunswick Little Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo”

In the madcap comedy tradition of Lend Me a Tenor, the hilarious Moon Over Buffalo centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950s. Nighttime performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinees are at 3 pm; there is also a matinees performance Feb 4 at 3 pm. Tickets are available online at brunswicklittletheatre. com or at Ricky Evans Gallery in Southport. The Theatre is located at 8068 River Rd SE, Southport.

FEB 4

Contra Dance — LCAC

Cape Fear Contra Dance leads a night of live music and folk dance. Participants don’t need a partner, and no experience is necessary! The program is 7-10 pm, and a lesson for beginners kicks things off at 7 pm. Flat, closed shoes are recommended. Tickets are $12; Contra Dance is at the Leland Cultural Arts Center.

FEB 4

Bella Italia — Brunswick Community College Foundation

Enjoy fine wines and delicious Italian food in this fundraiser to benefit scholarships. The event is at the St.

James Community Center, 4136 Southport-Supply Road. Call 910-755-6530 to see if tickets are still available.

FEB 7

Brunswick Civil War Round Table

“Slogging to Richmond: Environmental Influences on the Union Failed Peninsula Campaign, 1862.” Union General George McClellan’s campaign to capture Richmond, Virginia failed. Why? Environmental issues such as weather, disease, animals, terrain, and nutrition all played significant roles. It’s a different and rather unique insight into how and why battles are won or lost. Guest presenter: Judkin Browning is Professor of Environmental History at Appalachian State University. This Round Table meeting is at Generations Church, N.C. 211 near St. James. Registration starts at 6:30 pm, and the cost of $10 can be applied to the $25 annual membership fee.

FEB 8

Leland We Don’t Know Tour

The program starts off at the Cultural Arts Center with a presentation on the Town’s history and growth, and a twohour bus tour around town highlights some of that history and provides information on future plans.

FEB 9

Cape fear Civil War Round Table

Retired U.S. Army Col. Wade Sokolosky will present a program titled “North Carolina’s Confederate Hospitals.” The Round Table meets at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Wilmington. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the meeting begins at 7 pm. (See story in this issue for more details).

FEB 17

An Enchanted Evening — Leland Cultural Arts Center

Dance the night away at this second-chance, or repeat, prom! DJ Chris Nash will spin the favorite tunes from every decade, and there will be free snacks, and wine available for purchase. Tickets are $15.

FEB 18

Makers Madness

Met with artists featured at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, and maybe pick up a few handmade pieces! Coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be available for purchase. The event runs 1-3 pm at the Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

FEB 18

158th Anniversary of the Fall of Fort Anderson

From 10 am - 3 pm, visitors can experience artillery firings, infantry demon-

strations, a lecture given by a local historian, and living history throughout the day. This is a free event. That evening, the night sky will come alive with a realistic reenactment of the bombardment and evacuation of the Fort. The site is off N.C. 133, at 8884 St. Philip’s Road SE.

FEB 25

North Brunswick Business Expo 2023

Meet business owners and make new connections. The North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce is hosting Business Expo 2023 at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Way, from 10 am to 2 pm. More than 35 businesses will be in attendance, representing service, retail, food and beverage, non-profit and all other segments of our business community. A shred truck sponsored by South State Bank and a food truck will be on site. Your favorite local magazine will have a booth too — we love the chance to meet our readers and make new business connections!

FEB 25

Campfire at the Cove

S’mores around the campfire, crafts and games — sounds like a perfect outing! The entry fee is $10 per carload, and registration is required through the Town of Leland. The Campfire is 3:30-6:30 pm at Cypress Cove Park, 844 Appleton Way.

FEB 28

Youth Art Showcase debuts, runs through March 30

This month-long art display features Brunswick County youth from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Art is on display at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

MARCH 3

Denim and Diamonds Charity Ball

This annual fundraiser is hosted by the Brunswick Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation and benefits local charities. The ball features hors d’ oeu-

vres, a buffet dinner, wine, beer, music by Tru Sol Band, dancing and a silent and live auction, 6-10 pm at the St. James Community Center. For more information, visit www.sheriffscharity. com, call 910-253-0922 or email sheriffscharity@gmail.com.

ONGOING EVENTS

Riverwalk Marketplace

Thursdays 2-5 pm, Fridays 11 am - 5 pm; Saturdays 10 am - 5 pm; and Sundays 10-4 pm; Produce and fresh seafood, seasonings and all things related to seafood, with the beautiful backdrop of the Brunswick River.

Town of Leland/Parks & Recreation

Check out http://bit.ly/lelandevents for more information on classes and programs, including painting, pottery, jewelry-making, acting, dance and more.

Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site

8884 St. Philip’s Rd. SE, Winnabow

There is plenty to do and see, with historic ruins, great information on the site’s history, and some of the most beautiful riverfront property in the County. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

NC Maritime Museums - Southport, 204 E. Moore Street

Hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays. Sensory Saturdays (low light and quiet time in the museum) are the first Saturday of the month, 10 am to noon. Visit www.ncmaritimemuseum.com.

Art League of Leland (ALL) at the Leland Cultural Arts Center

The group welcomes artists of all kinds and meets monthly (except in summer months) 4-6 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College

150 College Road NW, Bolivia

Feb 16 — Superstar - The Carpenters Reimagined, a tribute show

March 7 — Hotel California - the original Eagles tribute band

March 28 — Rave On! The Buddy Holly Experience

Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College

701 N. Third Street in Wilmington

Jan 31-Feb 1 — Riverdance

Feb 4 — The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra performs Gullah-Geechee

Heritage

Feb 7-9 — The Book of Mormon, by the Broadway touring company

Feb 14 — Dancing with the Stars: Live! The 2023 Tour

Feb 22-23 — Cleo Parker Robinson

Dance

Feb 26 — Wilmington Symphony Orchestra presents Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery

March 1 — Malevo, an all-male group from Argentina that specializes in Malambo – a traditional folk dance of great virility and dexterity

March 2 — The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players perform The Mikado

March 4-5 — Chicago

Visit https://wilsoncentertickets.com for more information.

Visit https://wilsoncentertickets.com for more information.

BEER AND WINE

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

1175 Turlington Ave, Suite 101, Leland

Full menu available for dine-in or takeout — also hosting live music, karaoke and trivia.

The Joyce

1174 Turlington Ave.

Check Facebook for specials and details on music and trivia nights.

Local’s Tavern

1107 New Pointe Blvd., Leland

Music Bingo on Wednesdays, starting at 7 pm. Specials are posted on Facebook. Bridgewater Wines

1132 New Pointe Blvd., Leland

Tuesday Trivia is at at 6:30 pm (reservations required). Checkout the great food menu, and Sunday brunch specials; call 910-408-1900 to order takeout.

Blossoms Restaurant (Magnolia Greens)

1800 Tommy Jacobs Dr. Reservations are encouraged; call 910-383-0998. Check Facebook for drink and food deals and special events.

Brunswick Beer Xchange Co.

113 Village Road, Leland

Check Facebook for live music, food truck appearances, trivia nights and wine tastings.

Brunswick Beer and Cider

1313 S. Dickenson dr., Leland

Leland’s first brewery and cidery! Full menu also available

Your

Hometown

602

FIVE GUYS

2028 Olde Regent Way, Leland (910) 833-1997

Burgers and More!

APPLEBEE’S

1113 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-371-6315

Full-service chain bar &grill providing hearty American eats in an informal setting

BLOSSOMS RESTAURANT

Magnolia Greens Golf Course

1800 Tommy Jacobs Dr., Leland 910-383-0998

Breakfast- Saturday & Sunday | Lunch –Tuesday – Sunday | Dinner – Wednesday

– Saturday

BRIDGEWATER WINES

1132 New Pointe Blvd, Leland (910) 408-1900

www.bridgewaterwines.com

Free Wine Tastings Thursdays and Fridays 3-6pm, Saturdays 1-5pm and Sundays 12-3pm

BRODEE’S DOGS BREW HOUSE

103A Village Rd NE, Leland

(910) 523-5121

Hot dogs and specialty craft beers

Brunswick Beer and Cider

1313 S. Dickenson Dr., Leland

Leland’s first brewery and cidery! Full menu also available

CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD CO

Waterford Leland, 910-399-6739

American seafood, signature dishes, hand cut fish, steaks and chicken, freshly made desserts all served in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.

CHINGON TAQUERIA

1132 New Pointe Blvd, Leland (910) 3408-1221

Mexican Food & Drink

CHRISTOPHER’S STEAKHOUSE AND SEAFOOD

2013 New Regent Way Ste 200, Leland (910) 782-8498

Steakes, Seafood, Salads, Sandwiches

DUNKIN DONUTS

1132 New Pointe Blvd, Leland

Full STEAKHOUSE

910-383-8383

Hand crafted espresso drinks, fresh made all day breakfast sandwiches and delicious donuts.

MR. BAGELMEISTER

1105 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-383-8383

Gondolfo’s Pizza

1735 Reed Rd NE, Leland 910-833-5666

FARMHOUSE KITCHEN

1120 E. Cutler Crossing, Leland

Southern Style, Breakfast & Brunch (910) 408-1676

FIVE GUYS

2028 Olde regent way, leland (910) 833-1997

Burgers, Shakes and more!

FALCONE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

2013 Olde Regent Way, Leland 910-371-3442

Authentic Italian Fare

FIREHOUSE SUBS

3572 Leland Town Center Dr., Leland (910) 408-1007

THE FOREST RESTAURANT

Cape Fear National at Brunswick Forest 1281 Cape Fear National Dr., Leland 910-383-3283

FUZZY PEACH

1109 New Pointe Blvd, Ste 4, Leland 910-371-1238

Frozen Yogurt

GAYLYN’S DINER

322 Village Rd, Leland (910) 371-3533

Breakfast and Lunch

HWY 55 BURGERS, SHAKES AND FRIES

1114 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-371-2707

Retro-themed chain with 1950’s sodafountain look

ISLAND FRESH-MEX GRILL

2013 Olde Regent Way, Ste 110, Leland

Serving frshly made burritos, quesadillas and more

Mexican

JADE GARDEN

1735 Reed Rd, Leland 910-383-0880

Chinese

JERSEY MIKE’S

2029 Olde Regent Way, Leland 910-523-5300

Sub sandwiches

JIMMY JOHN’S

503 Old Waterford Way 104-A, Leland 910-399-7007

Sub sandwiches

THE JOYCE IRISH PUB

1174 Turlington Ave, Ste 101, Leland 910-408-1400

Irish Pub, Burgers, Beverage

LELAND SMOKEHOUSE

503 Olde Waterford Way Ste 100, Leland (910)228-5008

BBQ, Wings, Ribs

LOCAL’S TAVERN

1107 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910- 769-1289

American Bar/Pub, Music

M + K’S KITCHEN

403 Village Rd NE, Leland 910-833-8030

MIYABI JR EXPRESS

1108 New Pointe Blvd #110, Leland (910) 769-2358

Hibachi, Sushi

NEW DAY CAFE

497 Olde Waterford Way Ste 100, Leland (910) 769-9036

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

PANARA BREAD

2024 Olde Regent Way, Leland Suite 110 (910) 274-0358

PAPI’S CAFE

1108 New Pointe Blvd #140, Leland (910) 408-1662

Peruvian Charcoal Rotisserie Chicken

PIZZA HUT

112 K Village Rd NE, Leland 910-371-9547

PIZZETTA’S PIZZERIA

1144 E. Cutlar Crossing, Leland 910-371-6001

Pizza, Italian, Bar

PORT CITY JAVA

511 Olde Waterford Way

1112 E Cutlar Crossing

910-383-1238, Leland

Coffeehouse chain with house-roasted, organic, breakfast items, sandwiches.

P.T.’S OLDE FASHIONED GRILLE

1035 Grandiflora Dr, Leland 910-399-6808

Burgers, sandwiches and fresh-cut fries

SAN FELIPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

1114 New Point Blvd, #140, Leland 910-371-1188

Mexican Food and Drink

SHIRLEY’S DINER

112 Village Rd. NE, Leland 910-371-2890

SHUCKIN’ SHACK OYSTER BAR - LELAND

1175 Turlington Ave Suite 101 Leland, North Carolina (910) 221-5522

SIX HAPPINESS ASIAN RESTAURANT

1114 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-371-0021

Japanese, Sushi, Asian

SMITHFIELD’S CHICKEN ’N BAR-B-Q

2020 Olde Regent Way, Leland 910-371-6900

Counter-serve chain offers fried chicken &Eastern NC BBQ vinegar-based sauce

SUBWAY

103 Village Rd NE & 1012 Grandiflora Dr 910-371-9933 910-383-0211

Subs & Salads

TAQUERIA SANTA CLARA

1389 Lanvale Rd, Leland (910) 769-5598

Take-out Mexican, Burgers, Hot Dogs

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE

143 Poole Rd, Leland 910- 765-1144

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner serving sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, quesadillas, bowls, and more

WAFFLE HOUSE

111 Village Rd NE, Leland 910-371-3600

Breakfast Restaurant

WOK AND ROLL

2013 Olde Regent Way, Leland 910-371-9025

Chinese

YUMMI YUMMI

112 Village Rd NE, Leland 910-371-0077

Chinese

If you don’t see your establishment in our Dining Guide, please send an email with your restaurant name, address, phone number and a brief description to editor@lelandmag. com

The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra will highlight the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor with a new work written by story-teller singer Ron Daise and score by Steven Errante. Sankofa: Return and Get It will take audience members through the unique culture of the Gullah Geechee people who have traditionally resided in Jacksonville, NC and the sea islands of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

The concert will also feature a symphonic work by Florence Price, a Black composer whose music is enjoying a deserved revival, and performances by our High School and UNCW division winners of the 47th annual Richard R. Deas Young Artist Concerto Competition.

Concert is sponsored by:

Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College