March 2024 Leland Magazine

Jeffrey Stites

editor@lelandmag.com

Lisa P. Stites

Liz Brinker

lcbgraphicdesign@gmail.com

Carla Edstrom

Jan Morgan-Swegle

Joe Jancsurak

Patricia Langer

Louise Sheffield-Baccarny

Lisa P. Stites

Jeffrey Stites

Spring Is Coming

Atleast we like to think so, anyway. We think you’ll enjoy Jan Morgan-Swegle’s story on Leland’s Art Around Town. You’re sure to find one of the free art classes that strikes your fancy and gets you out and about as the weather warms up. And soon, those Spring Showers (and Spring Tides) won’t put a damper on your visit to the Battleship North Carolina. In this issue, you’ll read about the project that will not only solve the parking lot flooding problem, but also create wetland habitat in the process.

AJeffrey Stites jeff@southportmag.com

910-471-7741

Chuck and Sue Cothran

Kris Beasley

lso in this issue is a story that is hopeful, but not at all cheerful. Writer Patricia Langer spoke to the Murgas, a St. James couple whose son took his own life after his return from a tour as an Army Ranger officer in Afghanistan. They are working with an organization called Stop Soldier Suicide that is doing some very important work. As the son of a Vietnam Veteran, this one hits me close to home. We ask that you read this story and share it with anyone who might be affected by PTSD or who has a loved one who may be.

Community Youth Arts Month

Leland Celebrates Young Artists With Events

STORY BY JANET MORGAN-SWEGLE PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

To me, there is nothing more important than educating our children. We have to prepare them for the world outside. They have to be proficient in so many more things than we did when we went to school. The pressure to excel can be overwhelming. But education is more than science, technology, engineering, and math — we have to give children opportunities to be creative and to express themselves through art, and that’s what the Leland Cultural Arts Center’s Youth Arts Month program is doing again this year.

From March 2 through March 29, experience the artwork of our County’s children at Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way. The hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm. On Friday and Saturday, they are open from 9 am to 3 pm. On Friday, March 22, there will be a Gallery Showcase from 6-8 pm, when prizes and scholarship funds will be awarded.

There are four levels of entry for children in Brunswick County. The first category is Kindergarten to second grade, followed by third to fifth grade. The next level is six to eighth grade, followed by ninth to twelfth grade. Scholarship funds of $300 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place will be awarded at the ninth to twelfth grade level. Leland has seen children

and young adults from North Brunswick High School, Early College High School, South Brunswick High School, and Leland Middle School compete in past years.

The art presented by the students is remarkable at all levels. Seeing how the world looks to them is not only entertaining but thought provoking. Children seem to be fascinated with animals. Last year, “Jim the Bird,” was one of my favorites. He was created by a first grader and was a beautiful blue color, very tall, with long black legs and seemed to jump out of the frame. There was also a serious looking lion, with a carefully cropped mane and a long, brown dog with a short tail standing on a blue rug in front of a pink wall. When you are a child artist, there is no wrong way to create.

The middle and high school artists are just amazing. You will see stylized paintings, collages, digital art and works in all kinds of media. Their work is mature and sophisticated — whether it’s a painting of a young woman with her face a mixture of reds, yellows and blues or a mural that takes you to a far away place that can only exist in the mind, it’s worth seeing.

The artist T.S. Harris, who painted the work, “Ice Dancing,” said, in part, “Without art, our world would be void of beauty, creativity, and human expression.”

Show support for our student artists by witnessing the beauty, creativity and human expression that they have created at the Leland Cultural Arts Center starting on March 2 and running through March 29. Make a

special effort to attend the Gallery Showcase on March 22. Watching the children smile and be proud of what they have created is just as special as the work itself.

March 22 is Youth Arts Night from 7-9 pm and will feature a performance by Cirque deVol. Tickets for this event are $15.

Education is more than science, technology, engineering, and math and thank goodness we have educators who understand and encourage that. And thank goodness we have a place like the Leland Cultural Arts Center to display this amazing work.

The Gallery show is free to the public. Don’t miss this wonderful event.

Art Around Town

Get Involved From March 2 to May 18

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JANET MORGAN-SWEGLE

You know it’s Spring in Leland when the Leland Cultural Arts Center presents the Art Around Town Program. For those new to Leland and the surrounding areas, this is a great way to get out and explore Leland, enjoy the weather, meet people, and try something new. And it’s free!

Last year, I wrote about my sketching in the park experience, “Sketching With Trey Moore.” It was peaceful, calming and encouraging for someone who can’t draw a straight line. Trey is an excellent instructor and guides you to your own comfort level while learning. I still have my sketch book and often go in the backyard to capture the trees on paper and relax.

Trey is back, this time on March 2 from 10 am to 12 noon at Cypress Cove Park. He’s going to teach you basic sketching techniques that are easy to apply. If you are more advanced, Trey will show you how you can take your work to a higher level of detail and application. This is a must for all ages. Registration is not required and the materials you need are provided. If you have ever wanted to try to sketch, you will enjoy working with Trey in our beautiful park setting. Cypress Cove Park is located at 844 Appleton Way NE in Leland. Take Village Road, turn on Graham Drive NE (by Skip’s Tires) and then onto Appleton Way.

On March 14 from 6 to 8 pm, try Rock Painting with Erin. Erin Hoffman works with “Kindness Rocks” by painting positive messages on rocks. I found one by our mailbox one day, and it made me smile all day. Imagine taking something as simple as a rock and being able to spread kindness and cheer just by painting it. Join Erin at Brunswick Beer & Cider, located at 1313 Dickenson Drive (in Brunswick Forest near the large medical building). You can meet for dinner or just join in the crafting session. Registration is not required.

Moving into April, join John Hebert for Pottery With John. His workshop is on April 4, from 6 to 8 pm, and will be held at Mimi & Papa’s Gourmet Popcorn and Homemade Ice Cream shop. Under John’s direction, you will create a small planter for your home and decorate it with surface signs. And, while you are there, try some of the fantastic ice cream and treats that Mimi and Papa have to offer. It’s a win/win. Mimi & Papa’s is located at 324 Village Road, NE — look for Domino’s Pizza, and Mimi’s is in the back. Again, this is a free program and registration is not required.

If you are more of a mover and a shak-

er, go to the Leland Cultural Arts Center on April 12 and Swing With Casey. Join local dance leader, Casey Caison, for a night of swing dancing and fun. The beginners lesson starts at 7 pm. You don’t need a partner so come out and dance the night away. This program is from 7 to 10 pm. The Leland Cultural Arts Center is located at 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

Swing not your thing? Try Barre With Tracie. Tracie Rabalais is teaching an outdoor barre class on May 9 from 6 to 7 pm at Harrington Village Shop’s Courtyard (off of Village Road). This is a fitness workout, so wear comfortable or workout clothes. The moves are basic and will allow you to build your strength and range of movement. The class is at 4276 Harrington Road, between Lee and Baldwin in downtown Leland.

The final class is “Pottery With Claire,” and will be held on May 18, from 10 am to 12 noon at the Leland Library. In her workshop, Claire Clemmons will instruct you on how to create a miniature planter and decorate it. This is a great way to spend the morning. The Leland Library is located at 487 Village Road.

Remember these events are drop in and free to the public. Don’t miss out on the

chance to try something new and expand your horizons. Impress yourself with your sketching ability or spread kindness with rocks. Get your hands dirty making pottery, dance like no one is watching or treat your body to a workout. Whatever you decide to do, you will enjoy it and look forward to the next Art Around Town Program!

2024 Cape Fear Garden Club

Azalea Garden Tour

Tour Airlie Gardens as well as 10 private gardens, including a trolley tour of four "Secret Gardens" Gardens are open 10 am - 5 pm each day

Sunday features an Art Sale

Purchase tickets in advance online at: www.capefeargardenclub.org , until March 29 or at these retailers:

All in Bloom • Southport

Ricky Evans Art Gallery • Southport

Sweet Nectar’s Florist • Leland

Tickets will also be available at the trolley stop and in most of the gardens during the tour

Living With Water

Improving Infrastructure And Environment

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

The Battleship North Carolina welcomed more than 232,000 visitors last year, making 2023 the best year, financially, for the ticket sales-supported attraction. But as strong as those numbers are, there were days and times the Battleship faced unscheduled closures due to parking lot flooding during extreme high tides, according to Capt. Terry Bragg, executive Director of the Battleship North Carolina. Thanks to a new project called Living With Water, the Battleship will soon be leaving that problem in her wake. At a groundbreaking in February, representatives of the many organizations involved celebrated the beginning of what they referred to as a visionary project.

“By re-engineering the shoreline, creating a constructed wetland and elevating the parking lot, the project will reduce battleship vulnerability to river flooding,” said Dena Merlino Scott, Marketing Director for the Battleship. “Living with Water will restore natural aquatic habitats for an array

of wildlife, including shrimp and blue crabs. Native trees, shrubs, and marsh plants will support nesting and migratory birds. The living shoreline is expected to lessen wave and tidal erosion, while the created wetland will capture, hold and direct the flood waters. The living shoreline is unique, but

replacing a parking lot with a wetland is visionary.”

Battleship Commission Vice Chairman Mike Bradshaw said tracking of the frequency and severity of flooding began in 2015, and in 2018, the engineering firm of Moffatt & Nichol was engaged to lead a flood mitigation project that

should take eight months to complete. The project will include construction of a living shoreline and wetlands along with raising the elevation of the parking lot.

According to Capt. Bragg, design is complete, all permits are in

hand, and funding is available. He said that education and outreach will also be a part of the project. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington will be creating a “living lab” onsite to study the project and the new habitats it creates. More than 100,000 plants, a marsh grass called Spartina Patens, will be planted as part of Living with Water.

Will Summers, Interim executive Director of the North Carolina Land and Water trust Fund said, “What I love about the Living with Water project is that it solves a problem, flooding, but it does it with a nature-based solution. This project will let us show visitors there’s a better way to solve this kind of problem.”

Krista McCracken, member of the Kerr McGee Natural Resources Trust Fund Trust-

ees, said, “We’ve been saying this project is special from the start. This project is uniquely positioned to show how nature-based solutions can provide community resilience benefits, protect infrastructure, instill value and protect ecological health.

“Thousands of visitors will be stepping off their busses and out of their cars, walk along the pathways and learn about what has been done here to improve both their visitor experience and the ecological health of the area.”

“This project is having your cake and eating it too,” Summers said.

Capt. Bragg summed it all up saying, “I’m glad we checked all the boxes, because our hearts are in taking care of the Battleship North Carolina.”

Stop Soldier Suicide

Local Couple Helps Address National Crisis

STORY BY PATRICIAL LANGER, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Thank you for your service. We say it when we see soldiers in uniform or a veteran wearing a military hat, to express our appreciation for the time they spent defending our nation. We say it in recognition of the sacrifices that soldiers make on our behalf; family separations, lack of financial gain; risk of injury or death. But sometimes, a soldier’s service comes at a price far greater than we can fathom. More than 500,000 veterans have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the United States and soldier death by suicide has become a national epidemic. As a society, we are failing to take care of the men and women who defend our freedoms. Stop Soldier Suicide is an organization that aims to change that.

Stop Soldier Suicide (SSS) is a non-profit organization that aims to reduce the military suicide rate by helping those in immediate crisis, and by conducting research to identify, understand, and address the underlying

issues of PTSD suicide. SSS serves active service members and veterans in all branches of the US military. Veterans Brian Kinsella, Nick Black and Craig Gridelli founded SSS in 2010 amid the worst suicide crisis

the following numbers.

The VA’s National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report for 2023 reported there were 6,392 veteran suicides in 2021. The Department of Defense’s 2023 Annual Report on Suicide in the Military stated there were 524 suicide deaths among active military personnel in 2021. Combining the two numbers indicates an average of 19 military suicides per day, with the highest number of deaths in the 1834 age group.

our military has ever experienced. Sadly, the crisis is far from over.  The suicide risk for active service members and veterans in the US is currently 57 percent higher than the national average.

If there is any doubt that military death by suicide is at epidemic levels, consider

As a point of reference, the total of 6,916 military deaths by suicide in 2021, just one year, compares to a total of 2,462 service members killed during the entire War in Afghanistan, which spanned from October of 2001 to August of 2021.

Many questions surround these alarm-

Gay and Kevin Murga

ing statistics.  Some speculate that multiple deployments in Afghanistan, due in part to the length of the war and the absence of a U.S. draft, have resulted in soldiers who endure a prolonged atmosphere of “fight or flight,” which takes a heavy toll on the psyche.  Soldiers receive little reintegration counseling upon their return.  The military training that demands physical and mental toughness from soldiers, creates a mindset that prevents them from admitting to psychological struggles or seeking help.  To make matters worse, the modern culture in the United States can be socially isolating, making it hard for young veterans to find a strong network of support.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has recently taken measures to analyze and address the suicide crisis, siting financial strain, alcohol and drug abuse, difficulties transitioning from military to civilian life, physical injuries, anxiety and depression among the factors contributing to soldier suicide.  The DoD acknowledges, however, that PTSD, an invisible but very serious war injury, is by far the leading cause of suicide among active military and veterans, particularly over the last twenty years.

Beloved Local Soldier Made Great Impact in Life and in Death

Captain Austin Murga of the United States Army’s 82nd Airborne Division always wanted to be a soldier.

“From the time he was a little boy, he always wanted to chase the bad guys” his mom Gay recalls.

Austin, an only child adored by his parents, was a fun-loving, energetic boy who loved the outdoors.

“He didn’t really play with video games or electronics,” said his dad Kevin.  “But he loved G.I. Joes.”

Austin was a natural leader from a young age.  He was an Eagle Scout, he served as captain of his high school championship wrestling team, and he was known to always stick up for other kids.  He had an adventurous spirit and an infectious laugh that earned him the “Best Laugh” superlative for his senior class in 2012.

Austin graduated from the prestigious Virginia Military Academy in 2016 and earned his Ranger Tab at Fort Benning shortly thereafter.  Assigned to the the 82nd Airborne Division, Capt. Murga was regarded as an outstanding officer, beloved by his “Joes” for his approachability and compassion, and for his “death squeeze hugs.”

In 2019 Austin Murga was deployed to Afghanistan, where he served proudly for nine months.

Austin’s parents, Gay and Kevin Murga, were thrilled when he returned safely to Fort Bragg.  Austin, however, found his new assignment increasingly difficult and admitted to feeling that he lacked a sense of purpose.  The Murgas knew their son was struggling to find his footing but had no idea that he was so deeply damaged by PTSD.  They said he was happy and funny when he came home to visit, even talking with his parents about plans for the future.  There were no obvious, outward signs of his inner turmoil.  The consummate soldier hid his pain to protect those he served and those he loved.

On September 7, 2020, just six months after his return from Afghanistan, Captain Austin Murga succumbed to PTSD and died by suicide.

Austin’s parents thought the danger to their son’s life was over when he came back from the war zone.

“You expect it to happen over there,” his father said. “You don’t expect it to happen here.”

Making an Impact

In the days and months following Austin’s death, The Murgas searched for answers.

They also searched for ways to battle the suicide crisis afflicting our military community.  Their exhaustive research taught them several things.

“Having military PTSD is not a weakness,”  Gay Murga states emphatically.  “It’s an injury caused by physical damage to the neurons in a person’s brain.”   There is an abundance of data to back that up.

The Murgas also learned that the VA has historically been overwhelmed and illequipped to handle the epidemic levels of military deaths by suicide.  And they learned that Stop Soldier Suicide is an excellent organization to fill the gap.

SSS’s mission is “to reduce service member and veteran suicide by using enhanced data insights, focused client acquisition, and suicide specific intervention services.”  SSS provides 24/7 mental health care through telehealth services.  Soldiers receive a one-on-one wellness coordinator who develops a personalized treatment plan that includes suicide-specific care for their physical and mental health, resources and referrals, information on alternative therapies, education and training.  SSS provides consistent care that is deemed “disruptive and pro-active.”

Key components to the success of SSS are the fact that it’s completely confidential and completely free.  SSS is fully funded by donations and therefore able to provide its services at no cost to the soldier.  Veterans never need to worry about the financial strain of mental health treatment.  And because SSS is an independent organization, with no reporting to the Dept of Defense or the VA, active-duty soldiers can contact them without fear of damage to their military career.  Veterans can engage with SSS and not worry about the stigma that still hovers around mental health issues within the military community.

Gay and Kevin Murga have become ardent supporters and advocates of SSS, but not before conducting some very thorough research on the organization.

Captain Austin Murga

“Here’s why we love SSS” Gay Murga said.  “They respond immediately.”

Gay knows firsthand.  She called the SSS hotline to test the responsiveness and was thrilled with the results.  She went on to praise the organization’s free and confidential counseling, and its 24/7 availability.  She also noted that SSS provides client-specific and ongoing services, staying with a soldier for an average of 1.5 years.

US Military Gains Ground

By all accounts, the US military and the VA have struggled when it comes to identifying and prioritizing veterans at risk for suicide.  Problems such as a lack of manpower, ineffective services, excessive red tape, and inaccurate data limit the responsiveness.   As part of the Biden administration’s national strategy to address the suicide crisis, the VA made a remarkable announcement in January of 2022:  a veteran in suicidal crisis could seek immediate care at any VA or non-VA hospital in the United States, including inpatient and outpatient services, completely free of charge.   In January of 2023, CBS news reported that nearly 50,000 distressed veterans responded during the first year of this new policy.

The VA also initiated a 24/7 emergency hotline in 2022 called the “Veterans Crisis Line.” Veterans in despair are urged to call or text “988” then hit “1” to reach a crisis counselor.  While these new measures represent great progress, there is still an urgent need for more, which is when organizations like SSS come into play.

In 2022, Stop Soldier Suicide served 1,400 veterans and active service members, providing 17,500 hours of care.  Impressed with its success, Gay and Kevin Murga made a decision to help SSS with its research.

SSS Wins VA Award for Its Black Box Project

In 2022, Stop Soldier Suicide was the winner of the US Dept of Veteran Affairs “Mission Daybreak” grand challenge, designed to accelerate innovative solutions for addressing the critical issue of Veteran suicides. SSS was awarded $3,250,000 for their groundbreaking “Black Box Project,” which aims to redefine how we understand and respond to suicide risk through research and analysis.

Families of soldiers who died by suicide agree to loan their loved one’s digital de-

vices to SSS, allowing a team of forensic experts to scan for warning signs of depression and distress.  Utilizing artificial intelligence, SSS can study patterns in soldiers’ behaviors during the months, weeks, and days leading up to an attempted suicide.  Algorithms are developed based on social media usage, online research, and phone activity, which can help researchers spot warning signs of suicide risks.  Gay and Kevin Murga graciously loaned Austin’s devices to SSS as part of the initial Black Box Project study.

“We thought really hard about it.” Kevin Murga said.  “It’s like handing over your child’s personal journal.  We had to trust that it wouldn’t be misused.  In the end, we felt we had to take the chance, knowing we could help save lives.”

Captain Austin Murga Memorial Golf Tournament

Searching for other ways to channel their grief into positive action and honor their son’s life, the Murgas, along with the help of good friend Steve Rice, organized a charity golf tournament at the St. James Players Club in 2021.  That first year, 90 people registered to play in the “Captain Austin Murga Memorial Golf Tournament and Silent Auction” and raised $27,000 for Stop Soldier Suicide.  In 2022, 120 golfers participated and raised $57,000.  In 2023, registration soared to 180 golfers and raised a whopping $105,000, making the tournament SSS’s largest donor in NC!

“The residents of St. James and the small

businesses of Southport and our surrounding communities have been truly amazing in their support!” said Gay Murga.  “We were able to do all this without any corporate sponsors.”

Given the tremendous growth of the tournament, organizers are seeking corporate sponsorships for this year’s tournament to be held on September 7, 2024.

A Call to Arms in the Fight to Stop Soldier Death by Suicide

By all accounts, Capt. Murga was an outstanding soldier and a strong leader in the 82nd Airborne Division.  He was a well-loved young man from a happy, stable family.  Athletic, handsome, funny and outgoing, he certainly didn’t fit the stereotype of a suicide risk.  But Austin suffered from PTSD as a result of his time in Afghanistan, a terrible injury he kept well-hidden.  Tragically, his battle with PTSD was a war he could not win on his own.

Austin’s death by suicide represents a crisis in our military, a crisis in our nation.  As citizens, we bear a responsibility to serve our soldiers better upon their return from deployment.  As a nation, it’s our duty to

care for the physical and mental well-being of our veterans. Stop Soldier Suicide can help, but they need our support to continue their work.

Thank you for your service.

For more information or to donate to SSS, go to www.StopSoldierSuicide.org or send a check by mail to:

Stop Soldier Suicide

P. O. Box 110605

Durham, NC 27709

For information on sponsoring or participating in the Captain Austin Murga Memorial Tournament to Benefit SSS, contact Steve Rice at:  steverice11618@ yahoo.com or call (919) 485-9254.

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HISTORY

California To Gettysburg

Cape

Fear Civil War Round Table Meeting

The March 14 meeting of the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table features a presentation by Sarah Kay Bierle titled “From California to Gettysburg: The Hancock Family.” In 1858, Winfield and Almira Hancock and their two children moved to California. As a U.S. Army officer, Capt. Winfield S. Hancock’s duties had taken the family to several remote outposts, but their time in California would be some of their most memorable days. The American Civil War began while the Hancocks were in California, and this conflict presented challenging choices. Their decision—made in California—would help keep the Golden State in the Union and also impact one of the great eastern battles of the war.

Sarah Kay Bierle is a native of California but she graduated from Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, N.J., with a B.A. in History, and now lives in Central Virginia within easy distance of several major battlefields of the Civil War. She serves as managing editor at Emerging Civil War (ECW). ECW is a public history-oriented platform for sharing original scholarship related to the American Civil War. ECW seeks to encourage a diversity of perspectives in the scholarship it presents. They work to identify and spotlight the next generation of Civil War historians and the fresh ideas they bring to the historical conversation.

Bierle also works in the Education Department at American Battlefield Trust. She has spent years exploring ways to share quality historical research in ways that will inform and inspire modern audiences, including school presentations, writing, and speaking engagements. She has published three historical fiction books and her first nonfiction book, “Call Out The Cadets: The Battle of New Market,” is part of the Emerging Civil War series. She is currently working on a short biography of John Pelham for the ECW series.

Her presentation focusing on the Winfield Scott Hancock family fits within her interest in exploring the American Civil War era and seeking to better un-

derstand the multi-layered stories. She writes: “Military or civilian, enslaved or free, blue or gray…every story fits together to help us gain a deeper and more complete portrait of our past. It is vital to continue conversing about this era of history, remembering to strip away myths and seeing that people really lived, suffered, loved, and lost. I believe that discussion about history can take various forms, but that listening, conversing, and pursuing an informed, gracious understanding is most important.”

Capt. Hancock and his wife, Almira Russell Hancock, along with their two children, had served at several posts from St. Louis to Florida and then Kansas, Utah and California. An 1840 graduate of West Point, Hancock had distinguished himself in the Mexican War and served with many officers who would become notable leaders in the Civil War. In the Army’s Department of the Pacific, one of the best friends of the Hancock family was Major Lewis A. Armistead, who chose to side with the Confederacy, while Hancock, a native of Pennsylvania remained loyal to the Union.

It might be said that in 1860, the professional officer corps of the U.S. Army, most of them graduates of West Point, were a family of sorts, and like many American families, they were split by the war. Research by Dick Crews of the

and run unsuccessfully for president in 1880—his health was damaged by the wound and he died in in 1886. His birthday, by the way, was February 14, 1824, and this most recently past Valentine’s Day marks his 200th birthday.

Cleveland Civil War Round Table reveals that there were 977 graduates of the West Point classes of 1833 through 1861 alive at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. Some 259 (26 percent) joined the Confederacy and 638 (65 precent) remained with the U.S. Army. Eight graduates didn’t serve with either army in the war. Thirty-nine southerners, like General George H. Thomas, remained with the Union and 32 northerners, such as Gen. John C. Pemberton, served in the Confederate army. Ninety-five West Pointers were killed in the war, and 141 wounded.

In the war, both Hancock and Armistead rose to General rank and, at the climactic ending of the titanic Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, Armistead was killed leading his brigade in the assault against the center of the Union line commanded by Hancock. Hancock was badly wounded in the battle and although he recovered to once again lead troops in the war—

In commenting on the Hancock family, Bierle notes that “It does not detract from General Hancock’s character to acknowledge that Almira helped make him a successful man. Her faithfulness, wisdom, determination, and domestic skills contributed to his respect among his superiors and peers. In the ancient Proverbs of Solomon, the writer questioned, ‘Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.’ Almira Russell Hancock’s life is a positive example of how one courageously faithful lady can stand beside a man of strong character and enhance his success.”

The meeting will take place on Thursday evening, March 14, beginning at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held in Elebash Hall at the rear of St. John’s Episcopal at 1219 Forest Hills Drive in Wilmington. The church parking lot and entrance to the 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 pick “Join/Rejoin.” See you there!

Art Beat

Experimental Art

Lemuel Heida Pushes The Boundries

STORY BY CARLA EDSTROM

After struggling with PTSD and depression, artist and photographer Lemuel Heida discovered photography as a means of expressing himself, drawing experience from his military service and mental illness to speak about pain, fear, and control. Originally from Buffalo, NY, Lemuel now lives in Supply. “I joined the military after September 11th, and was stationed in NC. I never left the beach once I was done with that part of my life. I have been here since 2002.”

Though Lemeul has a background in IT and Business, he said art has always been where his heart was. “I graduated from UNCW with a BA in Studio Art in 2019. I have attended several schools and trainings, including Penland School of Arts and Crafts for alternative processes in photography, which I am a big fan of and is the reason that led me to art school.”

Building things and using tools with his hands have proved beneficial skills he picked up after working at Home Depot. “I enjoyed learning tools and materials, refinishing furniture, and building small projects. Anything where I am using my hands, I am in my zone,” he said. “I like to build and create, so when I got to art school, I took to the

sculpture room right off,” he said.

“I knew I had talent, skill, and creativity at an early age when I found some of my father’s sketches as a kid. I told my mom I wanted to draw like this, and she sat me down with a pencil and paper. She then placed a drinking glass on the table and told me to draw it. I drew the ellipse of the glass, and that impressed her. I also remember showing her a photo I made when I was 11; she said it could be a postcard. Small reinforcements like that were helpful throughout high school when I was drawing and writing,” he said.

similar to that of many artists; usually, an idea presents itself, and a creative chain reaction starts. “It usually starts with an idea, brainstorming, or the materials themselves. I mostly work in photos, building cameras, making paper, experimenting, and inventing new tools or processes. That’s how we have photography today; a bunch of chemists and inventors were fooling around with glass, metal, light, and acids,” he said.

objects and recycled and reclaimed items that normally would be thrown away. It’s fun to take items and repurpose them and make something beautiful or thought-provoking,” he said.

Lemuel’s creative process is

Creative people benefit from having someone who they can bounce ideas off and honestly critique their work. Lemuel’s wife, Tricia Messenger, also likes experimenting with new art techniques and processes. “We create new artwork together every night, positively challenge or critique each other’s art projects,” said Lemuel.

“I like using wood and natural found

Having a background in so many things has been a positive for Lemuel when it comes to knowing how to put something together. Currently, Lemuel is teaching a Printmaking class at Brunswick Community College in Southport. “Printmaking in the traditional sense is very new to me. I studied the history of it and was always around the printers on the second floor of the art building right across from the darkroom, and it’s interesting how I

often approach things with an ‘opposite the norm’ rule. I started in digital photography before art school and discovered the dark room. Then it was after graduation when I took a printmaking class,” he said. “I always knew I would enjoy woodcuts and any type of carving! I enjoy light so much that I almost always put light into or at least on my sculpture. I also enjoy paper making because its uses are unlimited. Sculpture, light fixtures, casting, photo, painting, printing…I use it for everything.”

Lemuel focuses on making and showing sculptures and art a few times a year. “I will have a few pieces in the student art show at Cape Fear Community College where I still take one to two classes per year. I have my first solo show coming up this summer with a line of sculptures that I created and designed just in the past few weeks that I am very excited about. Later on this Fall, I will have some pieces at the annual TriState

Sculptors Conference and I plan on making another lantern for Illumination 2024 at the CAM (Cameron Museum of Art in Wilmington). I like to show about twice a year and I do not use social media much

to show or promote my work. It’s just what works best for me. I am old school and very personable and like dealing with people one-on-one in person.”

Lemuel has won several awards for his photography, including Best in Show at the 2016 All Student Art Show at The University of North Carolina at Wilm-

ington, where his photographs are part of the permanent collection. In 2016, he was also awarded a full scholarship to The Penland School of Crafts to study some of his other passions, such as alternative processes in photography, building cameras and lenses, and making handmade paper. He is also the Volunteer Coordinator of UNCW’s Art Therapy Club and is very involved with the Student Veterans Association.

To contact Lemuel about his work, email him directly at lemuel_heida2000@yahoo.com

Sea Notes Concert

Spring Show Takes Us To The Movies

STORY BY LISA STITES

Brunswick County will be in the movies again, at least in song. The Sea Notes Choral Society’s spring concert, “Let’s Go to The Movies” will offer favorites from classic Hollywood flicks and more recent classics in the making. Performances are March 23-24, at 3 pm both days, at Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College, 50 College Road, Bolivia. Concerts are free to attend.

The concert will feature songs from movie favorites such as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Casablanca,” “Top Gun,” and “Dirty Dancing,” among others.

Sea Notes is made up of volunteer singers and conductors, accompanists and a Board of Directors, and has been performing for all sorts of gatherings, programs and ceremonies since 1974, according to the group’s website, https://sea-notes.

com/. The Choral Society generally performs a spring concert, patriotic programs around the July 4th celebrations, and a Christmas concert.

One of those volunteer singers is Julie Sloup, who said she usually sings second soprano, but has dropped down to alto to help out on occasion. Sloup is also an accomplished flute player, and plays with another group of volunteer musicians, Brunswick Bands. She also sings and plays at Trinity United Methodist in Southport, and is involved in a new group with three flutes and three harps.

Sloup retired about a year-and-ahalf ago from Virginia Williamson Elementary. She moved to Brunswick County about 25 years ago, and has

been singing with Sea Notes since 2000.

“When I moved to Brunswick County in 1998,” Sloup said, “I was excited to find opportunities to join music groups like the concert band and Sea Notes. I enjoy experiencing the styles of our different directors, and there is something exciting about seeing the progress from first rehearsal to performance.”

Sloup has been singing since her high school days, when her mother

took her along when she was singing in a community choir.

With the upcoming spring concert all about movies, Sloup said she is most excited about the selections from “The Sound of Music,” because it “ranks right up there with ‘The Music Man’ for me.”

See Sloup and all the Sea Notes singers as they set the stage for a spirited spring season full of music and good gatherings with friends and family.

Senior Gator Games

Compete In Athletic And Artistic Events

STORY BY LISA STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Keeping active mentally and physically is important at any age, and many Brunswick County seniors are remaining active while having fun and competing at the same time. Brunswick County had more participants in last year’s Local Senior Games than any of the 53 such events held throughout North Carolina, and more than 100 Brunswick County participants went on to compete at the state level last year. The Local Senior Games, or Gator Games, have been held in Brunswick County since 1988, and saw 500 Brunswick County participants last year in a variety of athletic competitions and SilverArts categories, according to Gator Games Ambassadors Chris and Gary Ettl-Mlynek.

The games are open to residents ages 50 and “better,” as those involved describe it. The entry fee is just $15 and includes more than 70 sports and arts categories. Sign ups are going on now, and online registration ends March 20. Events take place April 3 through May 24. Sports categories include individual events like football throwing, basketball shooting, golf, track and field events, and a whole slew of swimming races, and team sports include tennis, pickle-

ball, bowling, table tennis, and more.

New this year are mini-golf and a 5K and 10K run, Chris and Gary explained. “There really is something for everyone and all skill levels are welcome. Online registration closes on March 20th. Be a Gator!  We hope to see previous participants and lots of new friends! Spectators are welcome at all events to cheer on participants.”

capacity because it is a great way to meet new people in our greater community. It’s wonderful and very inspiring to meet active and creative members participating in the games.”

Though there are plenty of arts categories, it’s the athletic competitions that

see more participation in Brunswick County, especially the ever-popular pickleball category. Chris and Gary said they are trying to get more participants in all of the categories, including the SilverArts. This will be the second year that the events include a “Coffee and Conversation” at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, when artists can meet fellow participants. SilverArts winners will receive ribbons at the showcase, and overall winners will receive medals at the Follies Show.

As Ambassadors, Chris and Gary encourage people to participate in the games. All participants can attend the opening day activities and the SilverArts Follies Showcase. Both are catered events and offer recognition for athletes and artists.

Individuals, or groups, who want more information can contact Haselden at 910253-2670. For anyone who is unsure about giving the games a shot, Chris and Gary have a simple response.

“Give it a try! Senior Games are for everyone 50 and better. Get out there and meet someone new. It’s fun and friendly competition, and for the entry fee you get a lot!”

Competitors can also enter several arts categories, includ ing literary contests, perform ing arts, painting, photography, sculpture and heritage arts like basketweaving and crocheting, among many others. Register at https://bcparks.recdesk.com/ Community/Page?pageId=7961, or visit ncseniorganes.org for more information.

In their role as Ambassadors, Chris and Gary assist Local Games Coordinator Khrystye Haselden, who works as the 50 and Over Program Coordinator for Brunswick County’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“This is a joy! We try to spread the word through the press, visits and presentations to various groups throughout the county during the year,” Chris said. “We have assisted at the state level as well. We love to volunteer in this

History

Civil War POW Camps

Brunswick Civil War Round Table Meeting

The Civil War brought about significant challenges, including the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) on both sides. Prisons were horrible and terrifying places where overcrowding and unsanitary conditions were commonplace. This troubling part of Civil War history is the subject of the Brunswick Civil War Round Table’s guest speaker Angela Zombek, Ph.D. in her presentation “Treated Worse Than Felons Before Prisons Were Reformed: The Civil War’s Crisis of Imprisonment.” The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 5 at Hatch Auditorium on Caswell Beach. Everyone is welcome.

Before significant prison reforms were implemented, conditions in both the Union and Confederate facilities were deplorable. The treatment of prisoners was influenced by a number of factors including inadequate resources, logistical challenges, and a lack of established protocols for handling a large number of captives. Overcrowding led to cramped and unsanitary conditions. Many inadequate shelters were makeshift tents or poorly constructed wooden structures making imprisonment especially unsatisfactory during harsh weather conditions. Food shortages were common, medical facilities were primitive, and inadequate sanitation often led to numerous diseases. Physical and psychological abuse by guards and fellow prisoners was also common. Some prisoners were subjected to violence, torture, or harsh

punishments, contributing to an ongoing environment of fear and hostility.

Although prison was a hostile place on both sides, the south had a reputation of having the worst prisons known to man at the time. The south was home to some of the largest and most historic prison camps in the war. One such prison camp was Andersonville Prison in Andersonville, Georgia, the deadliest prison in the Civil War. Of the 45,000 Union soldiers imprisoned, 13,000 died there. On the Union side, Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio was established in 1861 with an original capacity of 4,000 men, but at times more than 7,000 prisoners were housed there. There was also Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois sometimes described as “The North’s Andersonville,” the largest Union POW camp. Of the 26,000 interned over the four years, roughly 4,000 died from starvation, execution, or exposure.

It’s important to note that as the war progressed, both the Union and Confederate took steps to improve the treatment of prisoners. In fact, the establishment of the Geneva Conventions in 1864 marked

an international effort to establish standards for the treatment of POWs during armed conflict.

Angela Zombek is an historian of the Civil War Era, and is currently Associate Professor of Civil War History at UNCW. She has experience with the National Park Service at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Angela has published several articles on prisons, and is author of “Penitentiaries, Punishment and Military Prisons: Familiar Responses to an Extraordinary Crisis during the American Civil War.” In addition, she has appeared in TLC’s celebrity genealogy show, “Who Do You Think You Are,” and helped actress Jessica Biel learn about the history of her Civil War ancestor!

Registration for this meeting begins at 6:15 pm and the program starts at 7 pm. The guest fee is $10, and can be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues. For more information about the Tuesday, March 5 meeting, contact president John Butler at Brunswickcwrt@gmail.com, or 404-229-9425, or visit the website at Brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com to learn more, become a member, renew membership, and learn about member benefits. The group’s Facebook page also has additional information, news, and updates.

CALENDAR

March

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 register in person at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

MARCH 1

Diamonds and Denim Charity Ball

The Brunswick Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation holds its annual ball, with proceeds to benefit selected local charities. The Ball is 6-10 pm at the St. James Community Center, 4140 Southport-Supply Road (N.C. 211), and will feature dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, music by Tru Sol and more. Tickets will be available in January; visit https://www.sheriffscharity.com/.

MARCH 2

NC Rice Festival

Indoor and outdoor activities are planned this year, including history/ cultural presentations, tours, demonstrations, live entertainment, family fun, children’s stage, Gullah Geechee food vendors, and arts/crafts. The festival is free to attend, from 10 am to 5 pm at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, 8884 St Phillips Rd SE, Winnabow (off N.C. 133).

MARCH 5

Brunswick Civil War Round Table

This month, the Round Table will learn about the crisis of keeping prisoners of war, with Angela Zombek, Ph.D, leading the discussion. The group meets at Hatch Auditorium at Fort Caswell, at the end of Caswell Beach Road. Registration starts at 6:15 pm, and the program begins at 7 pm. The fee for non-members is $10, and can be used toward the $25 annual membership dues.

MARCH 9

Community Day at the Museum of Coastal Carolina

Brunswick County residents have free entry to the Museum, and there will be family-friendly activities, a scavenger hunt, and opportunities to interact with conservation and education focused organizations. It’s also the debut of photographer Ellen Sheehan’s exhibit, and she’ll be present to discuss her works. Community Day runs from 10 am to 4 pm at the Museum, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach.

MARCH 14

Cape Fear Vicil War Round Table

Sarah Kay Bierle will present “From California to Gettysburg: The Hancock Family.” In 1858, Winfield and Almira Hancock and their two children moved to California. As a U.S. Army officer, Capt. Winfield S. Hancock’s duties had taken the family to several remote outposts, but their time in California would be some of their most memorable days. The American Civil War began while the Hancocks were in California, and this conflict presented challenging choices. The CFCWRT meets at Elebash Hall at the rear of St. John’s Episcopal at 1219 Forest Hills Drive in Wilmington. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the program starts at 7 pm.

MARCH 15

Kayak Adventures

Paddle out to Masonboro Island and have fun exploring. This kayak trip is perfect for less-experienced paddlers, and the group will leave from Trails End Park in Wilmington. The trip is scheduled for 1 pm to 2:30 pm and the cost is $60.

MARCH 16

North Brunswick Business Expo

Find out all about the businesses serving residents and visors in northern Brunswick County. This free event is 10 am to 2 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way. Come out and see your favorite maga-

zine publishers — us, of course!

MARCH 16

Spring Into Health

The Brunswick Wellness Coalition hosts this annual 5K/1M walk/run; individuals and teams are invited to participate, and the run will take place in downtown Southport, starting at 9 am. This year’s theme is TAKE THE LEAP! GO GREEN, GET HEALTHY. Participants can run, walk, stroll, or roll along the route to raise awareness about living healthy lifestyles. All ages, skill levels, and abilities are encouraged to participate. In addition to age category medals, a Spunky Team Award will be presented to the team that best harnesses creativity and energy. Registration is $35/adults. Visit https://brunswickwellness.org/ for more information and to sign up.

MARCH 19

Third Tuesday Series — NC Maritime Museum Southport

This month’s lecture is on Charles Towne on the Cape Fear, led by Jack Fryar. The program begins at noon, and is held at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St. Call 910-477-5151 to register, or visit https://ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com.

MARCH 22

Youth Arts Night

It’s an evening for celebrating artists and youth students, including a twoact performance with the Youth Arts Showcase awards presented during intermission. The showcase is 7-9 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way. Student artwork will be featured in the gallery through March 29.

MARCH 23

Egg Hunt and Movie Night — Belville Children are invited to the Town’s egg hunt, 9 am to noon at Riverwalk Park, 584 River Road SE. Registration is required; visit https://townofbelville.com/ to register. That night, head back to the park for a free showing of the movie

“Super Mario Bros,” starting at 7 pm; there will be trivia games, prizes, and food trucks on site.

MARCH 23

Egg Hunt — Leland

Children aged 10 and younger are invited to the annual egg hunt. The fun starts at 10 am with a group of the youngest children going first. Children should bring their own baskets. The egg hunt is at the Northwest District Park, 1937 Andrew Jackson Highway (U.S. 74/76).

MARCH 23

Eggstravaganza — Boiling Spring Lakes

Children ages 10 and younger are invited to the egg hunt, and after the eggs have been found, there will be face painting and pictures with the Easter Bunny. The Eggstrvaganza is 10 am to 1 pm at the Community Center, 1 Leeds Road.

MARCH 23-24

Sea Notes Choral Society spring concert

The Sea Notes are going to the movies with the spring concert, which will feature songs from movie favorites such as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Casablanca,” “The Sound of Music,” “Top Gun,” and “Dirty Dancing,” among others. This free concert will be at 3 pm on March 23 and 24 at Odell Williamson Auditorium, on the campus of Brunswick Community College, 50 College Road, Bolivia.

MARCH 28

Welcome Home - Vietnam Veterans Recognition Dinner

Lower Care Fear LifeCare will host a dinner, with food from Mission BBQ, for local Vietnam-era veterans, 6-8 pm at the Virginia Williamson Evens Center at Brunswick Community College, 150 College Road NE, Bolivia. Veterans may each bring one guest. Call 910-620-5062 or email laura.

Long@LifeCare.org to register.

MARCH 30

18th Century Easter Litany — Brunswick Town

The St. Philips ruins at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site serve as host for a period Anglican service. Visitors will be welcomed starting at 6:15 am for a sunrise service beginning at 6:45 am. The service is rain or shine and seating will not be provided. After the service, the site will remain open for tours until 5 pm. Attendance is free, but donations will be accepted. The site is at 8884 St. Philips Road SE, Winnabow (off N.C. 133).

APRIL 2

Brunswick Civil War Round Table

Popular historian Chris Fonvielle leads a discussion on “Why the Civil War is Still Important.” The group meets at Hatch Auditorium at Fort Caswell, at the end of Caswell Beach Road. Registration starts at 6:15 pm, and the program begins at 7 pm. The fee for non-members is $10, and can be used toward the $25 annual membership dues.

APRIL 4

Life Science and Medical Technology Summit

Leland hosts this summit, billed by the Town as a “dynamic gathering of brilliant minds, industry leaders, and pioneers in life sciences” and “a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the exploration of groundbreaking advancements in the field in conjunction with conversations with local, regional, and state economic development agencies.” The summit is 8 am to 2:30 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

APRIL 6

Azalea Festival Fireworks from the Battleship

Watch the Azalea Festival Fireworks from the Battleship North Carolina. The viewing includes a pink folding chair for seating, popcorn, a DJ, self-guided deck tour, and a premiere firework viewing spot. Tickets are $30; visit https://

battleshipnc.com/programs-andevents/#special-events for tickets.

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.

Art Around Town and Art Classes

The Town of Leland hosts this popular series, with free events scheduled March through May. March events include sketching with Trey (10 am to noon at Cypress Park, 844 Appleton Way NE) and Rock Painting with Erin (6-8 pm at Brunswick Beer & Cider). There is also a monthly door hanger painting lesson (March 11, 6-8 pm at LCAC, 1212 Magnolia Village Way) and an Art Journal class on (March 9 (9Am to 3 pm); registration is required and there is a fee for these classes.

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. The March 16 Deep Dive Into History program features information on Merchant Marines during WWII. Visit www.ncmaritimemuseum.com to register for special programs. .

Wilmington River Tours

212 S. Water St., Wilmington

Tour the beautiful Cape Fear River and learn more about the area’s history and ecology. Sunset cruises include acoustic music Thursdays through Sundays! Tours are offered daily, to the north along historic downtown Wilmington, the USS North Carolina Battleship and Eagles Island on the even hours, and to the south under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and past the shipyard on the odd hours; visit https://wilmingtonwatertours.net/ for schedules and to purchase tickets.

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.

Museum of Coastal Carolina

21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach

The Museum is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, and the second Tuesday from 5 to 7 pm for Sandbar Lectures. Touch Tank feedings are at 11 am on Fridays through March.

Ingram Planetarium

7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach

Doors open at 10:30 am Thursdays through Saturdays; dome shows start on the hour from 11 am to 3 pm. Laser shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 6 pm and 7 pm. A new show debuts in March called Cosmic Mashups, which digs into the science behind black holes. Visit https://museumplanetarium.org/ ingram-planetarium/ to see the show schedule.

LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College

150 College Road NW, Bolivia

Feb 29 — Supreme Reflections Tribute for Diana Ross and The Supremes

March 14 — Cashback — Johnny and June Carter Cash Tribute

Visit https://bccowa.com/ Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College

701 N. Third St., Wilmington

March 2 — Peking Acrobats

March 9 — Comedian Pete Davis — Wellness Check

March 10 — The North Carolina Symphony performs “Rhapsody in Blue.”

March 15 — Comedian Fortune Feimster

March 16 — Step Afrika!

March 20 — Bruce Hornsby and yMusic

March 22 — Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy

March 23 — The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra performs “Masquerade.”

March 24 — The 50th Anniversary of Prairie Home Companion

April 11 — Shawn Colvin & KT Tunstall

April 14 — Dinosaur World Live!

April 18-20, 25-27(in the Studio Theatre) — Cape fear Community College’s Fine Arts Department presents William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

April 18 — Paul Taylor Dance Company

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

dining guide

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 910-383-8383

Full

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

MR. BAGELMEISTER

1105 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-383-8383

hand

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

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

Chicken Salad Chick

503 Old Waterford Way 104-A, Leland Chicken Salad and a whole lot more

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

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

Peruvian Charcoal Rotisserie Chicken

0211 Subs & Salads

TAQUERIA SANTA CLARA

HWY 55 BURGERS, SHAKES AND FRIES

1114 New Pointe Blvd, Leland 910-371-2707

PAPI’S CAFE

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

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-

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