JUNE 2022 WILMA by Greater Wilmington Business Journal / WILMA magazine

WILMA

JUNE 2022

WILMINGTON’S SUCCESSFUL WOMAN

Summer Cool

Beach-ready swimsuits

New Protocols Changes in store

AKA Anniversary Alpha Psi Omega’s milestone

The 2022 Design NC Committee

extends its deepest gratitude to the following sponsors of the Cameron Art Museum’s spring fundraiser.

Cynthia & George Boylan ◆ Hilda & Rick Edwards ◆ Emily & Huntley Garriott Frances Goodman ◆ Sarah Holt & William Gwathmey ◆ Jean & Connor Keller John Jordan & Coleman Burgess ◆ Liz & Nelson MacRae ◆ Louise & David Mann Carol & Gregory Miller ◆ Renee Smith & Susan Gsell ◆ Elizabeth & Vin Wells ◆ Tina Williamson

special recognition

Bessie Hanahan & Family for their generous Exhibit Sponsorship of “Design Through Time: A Continuing Dialogue.” This exhibit in collaboration with the Museum for Early Southern Decorative Arts features antique furniture pieces crafted in North Carolina and will be on display at the Cameron Art Museum through July 3rd. A special walking tour conducted by Dr. Daniel Ackermann, curator of MESDA, takes place at 6 p.m. on June 16th.

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For more information and tickets, visit www.cameronartmuseum.org. JUNE 2022

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27 8 SPOTLIGHT 10 HEALTH: Pole position 12 TASTE: Cuisine on Castle 12 STYLE: Well suited

Check out WILMA magazine here:

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46 SCENE: Film focus 47 TAKE 5: Outreach with Lee Anna Stoker 48 MEN'S ROOM: Playing with fire

/WILMAMAG

14 22 SHOP SUCCESSION: Protocol's team 27 R EMOTE CONTROL: Wilmington's new workers 36 C ELEBRATING SISTERHOOD: Chartering an anniversary 39 B OXING OUT: Hitting back on Parkinson's

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Welcome to summer. It’s June, and the beach crowds who haven’t already relocated year-round are here. Make the most of the longer days and explore. If this isn’t your first summer season on the coast, get ideas about what to check out from Wilmington’s newest neighbors. Some of the women who have taken advantage of the remote working trend and landed here share their fresh perspectives on page 27. A new neighborhood gathering spot for visitors and locals alike has popped up on Castle Street. Find out more about the owners’ vision (and menu) on page 12. When it’s time to cool off, hit the waves in the latest swimwear looks, with inspiration from this month’s style feature on page 14. Whether here for the weekend or the long haul, enjoy the stay. W

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DARIA AMATO is a native New Yorker and

School of Visual Arts graduate. Throughout her thirty years of experience, she has photographed a range of editorial, advertising, company branding, and corporate clients in addition to music, fashion, portraiture, weddings, and still life. Amato has been recognized by The Society of Publication Designers and Graphic Design USA and received an Optima Design Award for best cover photography. She photographed recent Wilmington transplants on page 27 and Rock Steady gym on page 38.

JENNY CALLISON is a former Greater

Wilmington Business Journal reporter who continues as a freelancer with the Business Journal and WILMA. Before moving to Wilmington in 2011, she was a university communications director and a freelance reporter covering a variety of beats. Callison talks with Taylor Woodell, owner of TW Cast and Recruit LLC, a company that works on film projects (page 46).

BETH A. KLAHRE retired from a major

Pennsylvania chocolate manufacturer where she held leadership positions in engineering, IT, and global business services. Now relocated to Southport, she spends her time writing and has been published locally and nationally. She is learning to play the harp, loves walking the beach with her dog, and serves on the board of directors of Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island. Klahre dishes with Castle Street Kitchen’s owners for this month’s Taste feature on page 12.

DREWE SMITH and KATE SUPA own a

creative studio – Drewe and Kate Branding Co. – that helps companies elevate their brand and digital presence through photography, brand styling, logo design, and website creation. The creative team styled and photographed our cover and style feature on swimsuit looks on page 14. dreweandkate.com

LYNDA VAN KUREN, a transplant from the

D.C.-metro area, is a freelance writer and content marketer whose work has appeared in national as well as regional publications. She loves connecting with others, whether through writing, ballet, or training her dogs for agility competitions. Van Kuren jumps into the pole fitness trend, talking with studio owner Kiara McKoy on page 10.

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Publisher Rob Kaiser rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com President Robert Preville rpreville@wilmingtonbiz.com Editor Vicky Janowski vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com Vice President of Sales Carolyn Carver ccarver@wilmingtonbiz.com Senior Marketing Consultants Maggi Apel mapel@wilmingtonbiz.com Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com Marketing Consultants Rachel Miles rmiles@wilmingtonbiz.com Lauren Proff lproff@wilmingtonbiz.com Marian Welsh mwelsh@wilmingtonbiz.com Office & Audience Development Manager Sandy Johnson sjohnson@wilmingtonbiz.com Events Director Elizabeth Stelzenmuller events@wilmingtonbiz.com Events & Digital Coordinator Jamie Kleinman jkleinman@wilmingtonbiz.com Contributing Designer Suzi Drake art@wilmingtonbiz.com Digital Editor Johanna Cano jcano@wilmingtonbiz.com Media Coordinator Julia Jones jjones@wilmingtonbiz.com Fashion Stylist Drewe Smith Contributors Jenny Callison, Meghan Corbett, Nina Bays Cournoyer, Beth A. Klahre, Laura Moore, Dylan Patterson, Katie Schmidt, Lynda Van Kuren Contributing Photographers Daria Amato, Megan Deitz, Aris Harding, Terah Hoobler, Allison Joyce, Kate Supa Founder Joy Allen Subscribe For a one-year subscription, please send $26.00 (check or money order) to: WILMA, 219 Station Rd., Ste. 202, Wilmington, NC 28405, or call 343-8600 x201 www.WILMAmag.com

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LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE FOUNDING SPONSORS

CORPORATE SPONSORS

SUPPORTER SPONSORS Cape Fear Community College Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Cape Fear Solar Systems Capt’n Bill’s Catapult Cavik Insurance Coastal Aesthetics ILM Code Ninja Copiers Plus Elaine Leggett – Camico Elevate Coworking Embassy Suites Hotel Excite Credit Union WILMAmag.com

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Self Help Credit Union Spun Compass Teaching Horse The Village at River Landing Top of Search UNCW CIE Utility Management Vein Clinics of America Waylett Wealth Management Wells Fargo White & Johnson Pediatric Dentistry WNY People Development

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2021 Women to Watch Awards / photo by ARIS HARDING

W2W UPDATES WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative has updates to share as we continue to work on the effort’s core mission of helping develop more women leaders in our area. Here’s what we’ve been up to with various W2W Leadership Initiative programs and what’s coming up next: WOMEN TO WATCH AWARDS: Applications are now open through July 1 for this year’s WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards. The awards recognize area women making waves in the community in seven categories: Business, Health, Education, Nonprofit/ Volunteer, Arts, Public Sector, and Rising Star. Any female resident of New Hanover, Brunswick, or Pender counties is eligible. You can nominate yourself or nominate a colleague, co-worker, family member, or friend. (Note: All categories are open to women of all ages except for Rising Stars, which is limited to women under the age of thirty.) The finalists in each category will be featured in the October issue of WILMA magazine, on the WILMA website, and at a special awards event October 21 where the winners will be announced. Apply or nominate someone at W2Waward.com. LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR: Our annual half-day leadership and career development conference returns June 2 at the Wilmington Convention Center. The event features a keynote lunch with area leaders and workshops on board training, inclusion, leadership advice, and financial empowerment. For more info, go to W2WLeadership.com. LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: Members of the 2022 WILMA’s Leadership Institute met last month at CFCC with a panel on resilient leadership. The Institute is made up of forty women who meet monthly for leadership skills training, interaction with area executives, and peer mentoring sessions. Applications for next year’s class open again in the fall. WILMA NETWORK: The WILMA Network, made up of women from the companies that support the Women to Watch initiative, serves as a resource for the women involved and represents a variety of area businesses, large and small. Members participate in monthly small-group networking events. - Vicky Janowski and Maggi Apel, Co-directors of the Women to Watch Leadership Initiative W2W@WILMAmag.com

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The Women to Watch logo: When you see this throughout WILMA’s pages, it means this is a woman on the rise to know, an experienced leader to learn from, or a local program worth checking out. W

POLE POWER: Livening up workouts with pole fitness

NEIGHBORHOOD NOSH: Gathering at Castle Street Kitchen

CHAPTER LEGACY: Alpha Psi Omega marks ninety years in Wilmington

DIRECTORY: women’s professional groups Besides WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, there are a number of local groups to help women grow professionally. Here is just a sampling of some of them.

Cape Fear CREW Year Founded: 2010 Description: “Cape Fear CREW is the leading organization for commercial real estate in the Cape Fear region in North Carolina … Members represent every aspect of the commercial real estate industry, including, but not limited to, law, leasing, brokerage, property management, finance, acquisitions, and engineering.” Info: capefearcrew.org or info@capefearcrew.org

Cape Fear Women in Tech Year Founded: 2014 Description: “Our vision is to make the Cape Fear Region the No. 1 employer of women in technology careers per capita in the country. We do this by championing opportunities for women in technology, empowering women to strive for these competitive positions, and inspiring women to lead in those roles.” Info: cfwit.com or capefearwomenintech@ gmail.com

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Coastal Women Attorneys

The Junior League of Wilmington

(N.C. Association of Women Attorneys) Year Founded: 2013 Description: “CWA was formed to serve women attorneys in Southeastern North Carolina in the Fourth, Fifth and 13th judicial districts, which includes New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, Bladen, Duplin, Onslow, Sampson, and Jones counties. CWA is committed to increasing the participation of women attorneys in the legal profession, protecting the rights of women under the law and promoting, and improving the administration of justice.” Info: ncawa.org/cwa or cwa@ncawa.org

Year Founded: 1952 Description: “The Junior League of Wilmington is a women’s organization designed to empower women and to improve the community through the leadership of women as trained volunteers.” Info: jlwnc.org or info@jlwnc.org

The Inspiration Lab Year Founded: 2015 Description: “The Inspiration Lab was built for working women passionate about personal and professional development. We offer teachings and tools to improve your skills, productivity, creativity, emotional intelligence, and well-being. We also provide opportunities for networking and connection. We represent a variety of backgrounds and careers, but we’re all like-minded in being serious about success, maintaining a manageable work-life balance, and supporting one another’s growth.” Info: theinspirationlab.co

Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County Year Founded: 2011 Description: “WIN is a collective philanthropy nonprofit that makes yearly grants to nonprofits within the county. The focus of these grants rotates annually among four areas: education, health and wellness, the environment, and arts and culture.” Info: winofnhc.org

YWCA Lower Cape Fear Founded: 1914 Description: “The YWCA Lower Cape Fear is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” Economic advancement programs focus on educational assistance, job training, and short-term and long-term planning skills. Info: ywca-lowercapefear.org

JUNE 2022

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EYE FOR DESIGN 8

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JUNE 2022

photo by DARIA AMATO

LINDSEY GREGG (from left), owner of LSG Interiors, and SISSY SCHOETTELKOTTE, owner of Blue Hydrangea Interiors, worked together on this exhibit vignette for Design NC last month benefitting the Cameron Art Museum. The event also featured presentations from interior designer ASHLEY WHITTAKER, ceramicist CHRISTOPHER SPITZMILLER, and tastemaker and author FRANCES SCHULTZ.

DEW TAPPED TO LEAD BRUNSWICK LIBRARIES

Brunswick County recently announced its newest library director, PATRICIA DEW. Dew brings more than twenty-nine years of experience in libraries to the Brunswick County team. Before she was hired in January, Dew worked for the New Hanover County Public Library (2012-22) and the Durham County Library (200112). Alongside her work in public libraries, Dew also serves as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. “I have many goals I would like to achieve here in Brunswick County,” Dew says. “I want to better serve the residents of Brunswick County as we move into a new era of growth and technological advancement. I aim to grow the system, improve accessibility, foster a welcoming environment in each of the branch locations, and increase the 24/7 access for resources through the use of e-books and online services.” Dew holds a bachelor's degree in music with a concentration in music education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a master’s in library science with a concertation in public libraries from North Carolina Central University.

UNCW NAMES WEAVER TO CABINET ROLE

After a national search, ANDREA MONROE WEAVER was named chief marketing and communications officer at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Weaver has served as interim chief communication officer since July 2020. She will report directly to the chancellor and serve as a member of the chancellor’s cabinet. Weaver serves on the university’s Crisis Decision Team, the Emergency Planning Group, the Chancellor’s Safety and Security Committee, the University Community Relations Task Force, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the Institutional Research Board, the Strategic Design and Planning Steering Committee, and the campus-based Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 10-Year Review Committee. Before stepping into the interim chief communications officer role, Weaver was the deputy director of the Office of University Relations. She has also held positions in UNCW’s Division for University Advancement, Meredith College, Peace College (now William Peace University), and Pfeiffer University.

ant more WILMA? Check out our daily emails, which include even more profiles and stories for Wilmington’s successful women. To sign up for the free emails, go to WILMAmag.com

FREEMAN BECOMES DREAMS DIRECTOR

The DREAMS Center for Arts Education appointed ANNETTE FREEMAN as the nonprofit’s executive director. In the role, Freeman oversees the organization, which is dedicated to serving and inspiring youth in need through high-quality, free arts programming. “I am humbled and honored to be chosen and entrusted to become the new executive director of DREAMS,” Freeman says. “I have huge shoes to fill as this organization is very beloved and has an esteemed history of providing top-notched arts education and service to students in need and their families.” Freeman is an Emmy-award-winning producer, journalist, and communications and arts professional. Most recently she was the education and outreach coordinator for CFCC’s Wilson Center and grants specialist at the Cape Fear Community College Foundation. She has served as an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and a visiting professor at New York Film Academy’s digital journalism program. She has been a board member of Women Make Movies, the education director of Film and Video Arts in New York City, and ran her own production company for four years. She is a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism where she was awarded the John Patterson award for Best Documentary and a graduate of Howard University.

Have a suggestion for a local woman or group to spotlight? Email us: wilma@WILMAmag.com WILMAmag.com

JUNE 2022

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POLE

POWER LIVENING UP WORKOUTS WITH POLE FITNESS

by LYNDA VAN KUREN photo by TERAH HOOBLER

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JUNE 2022

lot of women try pole dancing as a lark, something fun and different to do for girls night out. To their surprise, they discover that pole dancing is quite challenging, and many enjoy it. “Pole dancing is for any and everybody,” says KIARA MCKOY, a competitive pole dancer and owner of Kultural Pole & Arts, 412 South College Road. “People try it, realize it’s an extreme workout and something they find love for.” Though pole dancing has a somewhat unsavory reputation among the uninformed, it has a long and illustrious history. It was a respected art form among the Chinese in the twelfth century, and some of those acrobatic moves are still included in pole dance repertoires today. In the past few years, pole dancing for fitness has gained in popularity as people realize the skill and artistry the sport requires.

Pole dancing is a full-body workout and offers a whole host of benefits. One of the first things pole dancers gain is strength. All that work on the pole leads to strong arms, shoulders, backs, legs, and cores. Pole dancing is a cardio workout, too. Both its dance movements and its choreographed routines, which require sustained strength, get hearts thumping. It takes about three or four months of consistent training for pole dance students to see changes in their bodies, according to McKoy. Those changes can be significant. ILLISA KLEIN says she got much stronger and lost 55 pounds from pole dancing alone. Pole dancing, however, isn’t for the faint of heart. Though beginners start at the basic level, all the workouts are intense. In a typical class, students start with warm-up exercises, then learn tricks that are based on their skill level. The tricks are followed by conditioning exercises, which

may be done with or without the pole, to help them gain the strength and flexibility to do the tricks safely. At the end of class, the tricks are put into routines the students perform. At some studios, such as Kultural Pole & Arts, students can also take separate conditioning classes as well as yoga and dance classes. The work pole dancers put into their classes is more than offset by the fulfillment they get from the sport, according to AMBER LAINHART, who has been pole dancing for seven years. “It’s hard, but the excitement, empowerment, and beauty keep you coming back for more,” she says. “Each week you see improvement, and you really enjoy it. Pole dancing isn’t something I have to do. Instead, I get to go to pole class and climb and get fit and have fun at the same time.” Pole dancing can also be a great confidence builder. As they get strong, master tricks on the pole, and learn to dance and move gracefully, pole dance students accomplish things they never dreamed they’d be able to do. “With pole dancing, you have a sense of accomplishment and you’re always looking for new goals,” Klein says. “And when you consider those goals, you learn to say, ‘I’m not there yet, but I can do this.’ You are never a failure. Pole teaches you to stop saying, ‘I can’t’ about things.” Pole dancing can help practitioners overcome negative body images, as well. In the sport, a dancer’s size or having a tummy or cellulite doesn’t matter. The focus is always on what the dancers are trying to achieve, and that is reinforced by the support they receive from each other. That support, which starts with a student’s first class, is another reason the workouts have become popular. And the support doesn’t wane, whether a dancer just attends class or competes. “The other students in the class literally stop what they are doing to cheer on a classmate who is struggling with a trick,” Klein says. Those who have taken up pole dancing as their fitness regime urge others to overcome their fears and give it a try. “Just take one class,” Lainhart says. “Get out of your comfort zone and take a class. I guarantee you’ll get hooked.” W WILMAmag.com

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NEIGHBORHOOD

NOSH J ust one trip from Raleigh to Wilmington was all that HEATHER and LAUREN RHODES needed to know that the vacant space at 509 Castle Street was meant for them.

They had been looking for a location in Raleigh to transform into their own restaurant when the vacancy in Wilmington popped up on an online site for commercial realty. Lauren, who saw it first, still has the text message she sent to Heather: “Someone should scoop that up! Why wouldn’t that be you?” “I always believed in Heather and her dream,” Lauren Rhodes says. In September, the couple sold their home, packed up, and moved to Wilm-

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GATHERING AT CASTLE STREET KITCHEN by BETH A. KLAHRE photos by MEGAN DEITZ

ington. The following March they opened Castle Street Kitchen (CSK), a new eatery in Wilmington that exudes a bold mission focused on food and community. “It took lots of work to come up with our mission. My background in special education showed me the purpose of inclusion,” Lauren Rhodes says. “We wanted our restaurant to be an inclusive space where all are welcome.” The mural on the outside wall by artist Jason Lee Parker was an unexpected bonus. “We saw it for the first time when we pulled onto Castle Street. It sealed the deal for us. The mural acknowledges the many injustices happening in our world,” Lauren Rhodes says. Even the name of the restaurant reflects the mission. Heather Rhodes recalls sitting with her brother and a friend

learning the history. “We jotted names for an hour, and we had it,” she says. “Lauren made a logo, and here we are!” “We wanted to honor the history and heritage of Castle Street by keeping it in the name. Then we added Kitchen, typically considered the heart of the home. We hope to become the heart of Castle Street,” Lauren Rhodes adds. Food is at the core of the CSK mission. “We both resonate with the experience of eating. We had a Sunday supper club with our best friends in Raleigh. We have

powerful memories of cooking in the kitchen together,” Lauren Rhodes says. “We were competitive,” Heather Rhodes adds with a laugh. “No canned biscuits or store-bought pie crust in this club.” The supper club was the inspiration for Heather and Lauren’s favorite CSK dish. “Most tomato pie recipes call for mayo, but I didn’t want mayo in my pie. And I love to play with food. So, I found some mascarpone and blended it up. It turned out to be a phenomenal tomato pie,” Heather Rhodes says. Unique food with a twist has become her way of welcoming and embracing the community. “Food is Heather’s love language. Our loaded fries are not your normal bacon and cheese fries. Ours surprise with goat cheese and pistachios,” Lauren Rhodes says. Heather Rhodes, who has been involved in the restaurant industry since she was fourteen years old, brought her wealth of business knowledge to CSK. From dishwasher to hostess, and bartender to server, she has wound all of her years of experience into running the restaurant. “But the most important thing Heather has brought to CSK is teamwork,” Lauren Rhodes points out. “Our staff embodies what’s important to us. They share our exact same passion for food and community.” “We are nothing without our team,” Heather Rhodes adds. Hanging over the bar is a portrait of her late grandfather, no doubt keeping a watchful eye. “He lived ninety-six years. All he talked about was going to the new restaurant,” Lauren Rhodes says. “He didn’t make it, but his memory did. Granddad was a force. He was kind yet feisty and funny. He loved Heather tremendously. It’s hard for us to have not had him here.” Heather and Lauren already talk about what’s next. “Maybe pop-ups with musicians and artists, or showcasing foster animals out front,” Lauren Rhodes says. “Sometimes we make comments about our next restaurant. But for now, we want to be the heart of the community; bring people together to share good food over powerful discussions in a place where everyone is welcome.” “For now,” Heather Rhodes says, “we just want to rock Castle Street.” W WILMAmag.com

THANK YOU

to all the teams that participated in Cape Fear Habitat’s 2022 Women Build!

Making affordable homeownership a reality for women in our community! Get involved! Email us at development@capefearhabitat.org Having trouble getting a mortgage? You may qualify for our Habitat homeownership program. Email info@capefearhabitat.org to find out more!

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SUIT YOURSELF photos and styling by Drewe and Kate Branding Co. | intro by Nina Bays Cournoyer

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JUNE 2022

hh summer, we’ve missed you so! Your long days and humid nights wrapping us all in a languid embrace, urging us to drop everything and just be for a while. But as relaxed as we may be basking in the sunshine, shopping for a swimsuit can be the exact opposite of feels. Never fear! The variety of cuts and colors this season has something for everyone. Here are a few cool things to dip your toes into. The cut: Bikinis never go out of style, but the real rage of the runway this summer is the monokini. Featuring clever cutouts that flatter, you can show a bit more skin without going full on two-piece. Not feeling the ’kinis? There are plenty of sleek one-piece options that can also double as a bodysuit when going from beach to bash. The color: For those with a keen eye for color trends, lavender has been popping up in many swim palettes and looks great with every skin tone. As for patterns, anything goes with swimwear – solids, stripes, pink flamingos – it’s really up to you. The details: For a more romantic swimsuit, look for ruffle accents. To glitz up your game, go for a fabric with a little shimmer. For some additional surface interest, check out suits that have ring, tie, or even chain accents. W

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Well Suited: The Costumes of Alonzo V. Wilson for HBO’s Treme

Now on view through October 16, 2022 Showcasing CAM’s most memorable exhibitions over the past two decades

CameronArtMuseum.org 3201 S 17th St Wilmington, NC 29412 (910) 395-5999

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On Jenna: SUNGLASSES, BK HEADBAND, minimalist black one-piece SWIMSUIT; gold horseshoe NECKLACE, and wood BRACELET On Rafaela: Rainbow gem NECKLACE, Island Deos BIKINI, SUNGLASSES, and Zenii coral EARRINGS, all available from Hallelu

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Row High Neck BRA by Spiritual Gangster and See You on the Court SKORT by FP Movement, both from Thrive; Balmain TOWEL, available from Pipton

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Changing Protocols The longtime shop has new owners by

K atie S chmidt |

here is something intrinsically personal and sensory about a brick-andmortar store. Whether it’s the scent of a lit candle, the intention in which a display table is set, or even the music selection – to walk into a store is to get a small glimpse of the people behind it. In Wilmington, there is no finer example of this than Protocol and its three new owners, BETH ADAMS, SARAH MORRIS, and KIM SHIPLEY. The store, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year, specializes in gifts, bridal registries, home accessories, and furnishings. The founder and longtime Wilmington resident, JOHN JORDAN, recently handed the reins over to Adams, Morris, and Shipley after they had each proven committed members of the store’s staff. “This was his brainchild,” Shipley says. “John created the store, and it was originally just one room, where the bedding is now, and he continued to add to and grow it over time. When he was ready to retire, he thought that the three of us would be receptive and interested in stepping up and he was WILMAmag.com

photo by

A ris H arding

right.” All three women had first started working at Protocol in a part-time capacity. Morris, taking what she thought was a brief break from her job as a teacher, started as a gift wrapper during a Christmas season. Adams had previously stepped down from a successful twenty-five-year career in marketing only to find herself itching to get out of the house again. And Shipley coupled a part-time job as an attorney with her early days at Protocol. Eventually, the store and its customers made an impression on each woman and left them wanting to dig in deeper. “Even though we were working part time, the three of us approached this as more than just a job,” Adams explains. “We’d ask, ‘What lines are going to help the store? Where’s the growth potential? How do we improve efficiencies?’ We felt invested in the store and had a shared commitment to it.” One of the turning points for them, when it came to their connection to the store, was their first individual trips with John “to market.” For a store like Protocol (a “general store of fine goods” as Shipley puts it), a trip to the various markets across the country is an opportunity to encounter a vast array of potential vendors, build relationships, and start piecing together what items you’d like to carry. “At that point for me, I had been JUNE 2022

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here most days of the week, helping customers and getting to know that side of the business,” Morris says. “But when you go to market, and you can put a vendor’s face to their product and hear them talk about it … everything just becomes more personal. And then, since buying the store, we’ve brought in a few new lines that we picked out and that even furthers our mutual investment.” As for the future of Protocol, everyone is in agreement that the store will not waver from the two pillars in place since the beginning – excellence in customer service provided and brands offered. While there will certainly be new lines introduced and the collective touch of Adams, Morris, and Shipley, what’s core to Protocol will remain. Especially in the era of online shopping, there is just something special about a store that puts an equal amount of attention and care toward tying the perfect bow on a gift as they do to crafting a display table of Baccarat crystal. The bridal registry element of the business (which is flourishing this year after the past couple of years of postponed weddings during the pandemic) is a striking example of the personal element of Protocol. Sure, you can walk around a department store with a scanner and pick out plates, or you can have Adams walk you around the store and help you create a curated registry to start the next chapter of your life with. From a bottle of hand cream to an entire bedroom set, no matter what a customer walks into Protocol in the market for, they can expect to be met with quality brands and exceptional service. “At the end of the day everyone’s just trying to bring some element of beauty into their life in whatever form that is,” Shipley says. “And we love to be a part of that process.” W

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D aria A mato

SEEING ILM THROUGH NEW EYES The rise in remote working over the past couple years has brought a wave of people to the Wilmington area. Meet some of these new neighbors and discover (or rediscover, if you’ve been here a while) where to work, relax, and connect around town. WILMAmag.com

JUNE 2022

WILMA

MEET GREET KATIE SCHMIDT works remotely as managing editor for Universal Parks & Resorts, managing the Discover Universal blog, which is the official blog for the Orlando and Hollywood Universal theme parks. “I essentially get to help people planning their Universal vacations by coordinating – or writing myself – destination guides, itineraries, tip blogs, etc.,” says Schmidt, who moved to Wilmington from Orlando in April. “I write about roller coasters and Butterbeer for a living.”

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JUNE 2022

“

I HAVE NEVER MET PEOPLE AS WELCOMING AS THOSE I’VE MET HERE IN WILMINGTON.”

What made you decide to move here? “I went to college in Orlando and honestly never intended to stay as long as I did after graduation! Like so many people during the pandemic, I had an unusual opportunity to work from anywhere and get to sort of try on different cities during 2021. Wilmington was one of those cities, and I just absolutely fell for it. The people are genuine and interesting, the town is charming and welcoming, and the dining options are insanely good.” What factors played most into your decision of picking here? “It was definitely the people. I was here for a month in early 2021, and everyone I met during that month was so hospitable to me. My family – like most families during 2020 – had gone through a lot of loss, and my trip here was a much-needed mental and emotional recharge. The people I came across during that month were remarkably open and kind. Whether it was my Airbnb neighbors in Carolina Place inviting me to sip wine on their front porch; the founder of a local business giving me her number and insisting I reach out if I ever moved here; or the three women I met waiting in line at End of Days Distillery one night who said, ‘You’re going to come sit with us, right?’ I have never met people as welcoming as those I’ve met here in Wilmington.” WILMAmag.com

Favorite places to visit or spend a day? “One of my favorite things about living here is how walkable everything is! I live downtown, so my favorite way to spend a day is just walking in and out of the shops – Gallery Citrine, Papercut Books, Modern Legend – grabbing a tamale at Capricho and catching a show at Thalian Hall. I’ve loved every production I’ve seen there so far and have even caught a couple movie nights.” Favorite places to eat or drink? “‘Favorite’ is such a tricky word because it implies I’m capable of picking one! Favorite bars are End of Days Distillery (shown left), New Anthem, and Blue Post Billiards. I’d like to go on record and say I’ve never had a bad meal in Wilmington. I’m going to limit myself to three spots here, though, and lay it out as what I would consider a flawless day of eating in town – The Basics for breakfast, Elijah’s for lunch, and manna for dinner. Advice for other newcomers? “Start a list of recommendations you get. I have a running one on my phone so that whenever I’m chatting with a local and they mention their go-to spot, I just write it down. I’ve found a lot of great new places to try this way!” JUNE 2022

WILMA

BEACH DRAW LOLETA ROBINSON moved to Wilmington at the beginning of 2021 from Omaha, Nebraska, – “by way of Maryland.” As CEO of Fortis Industries LLC, she is running her business remotely here now. Robinson’s company uses data analytics, due diligence, and an industry network to evaluate potential investment opportunities in health care for various clients. “We are expanding our service offerings to include the use of geographic information systems and tools to address public health issues related to health equity, access to care, and population health,” she says.

What made you decide to move here? “I enjoyed the beach, downtown, Riverwalk, and the surrounding area so much during my first visit to Wilmington in October 2021 that I moved here.”

the day. Walking, yoga, or reading a book on the balcony are all excellent ways to unwind between Zoom meetings.”

Were you considering other cities as well? “Jacksonville, Florida, was on my list, but I realized it wasn’t for me once I spent some time there.”

How about networking with your new community – how have you tried to make connections? “Not nearly as much as I should. Most of my day is spent working, so after work, I like to relax. But I’m still new to Wilmington, so I’m open to suggestions.”

What factors played most into your decision of picking here? “It’s near the beach, not too far from the mountains, where I can go fly fishing, and it’s on the East Coast.”

Favorite place to visit or spend a day? “Wrightsville Beach”

Impressions so far? “I love it. Great restaurants, not too big or small, and only a twenty-minute drive from the beach.”

Favorite places to eat or drink? “Catch, Indochine”

What do you miss, though from your last city? “My friends. However, they have plans to visit me soon.”

A surprise you’ve come across since moving here? “There are so many people moving here. I thought I was the only one who discovered this gem of a city.”

What have you learned about how to work remotely? “I’ve been working remotely for the last couple of years, and I’ve found it useful to set up a comfortable workspace and take breaks throughout

Advice for other newcomers? “Take advantage of the growing cultural community – art galleries and museums, live music venues, and the North Carolina Black Film Festival.”

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“

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE MOVING HERE. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO DISCOVERED THIS GEM OF A CITY.”

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JUNE 2022

WILMA

“

WHEN DECIDING TO MOVE, I CONSIDERED COST, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, LOCAL RESTAURANTS, AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.”

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JUNE 2022

P LU G G I N G IN KELLY SPECHT relocated in-state, moving from Durham to Wilmington last summer. She works remotely as a customer success representative for California-based Nutanix, a cloud computing company that focuses on the design, construction, and deployment of IT infrastructure.

What made you decide to move here? “When I lived in Durham, I would frequently visit the area. I have wanted to live near the beach, and I love the history in Wilmington.” What factors played most into your decision of picking here? “I was looking for a smaller city, but one where I could still go back to my office. I sometimes return to Durham for team events and meetings. When deciding to move, I considered cost, live entertainment, local restaurants, and outdoor activities that are available. Wilmington is a great city to live in because it is focused on the beach. It offers a lot of water-related activities, such as boating and paddleboarding.” What have you learned about how to work remotely? “Before the pandemic, I was always a passionate office worker. I really enjoyed going into the office every day, seeing my co-workers, and collaborating with my team members. I really miss that sense of community. However, remote work has presented an opportunity to experience a new city. I think it is really important to establish a routine and set up a dedicated workspace. I go to O2 fitness in the morning, and then I feel much more energized for work. I sometimes go to a local coffee shop to work for the afternoon. Bespoke Coffee (shown left) is one of my favorites. I also joined Blue Mind Coworking, which has been a great experience. I like meeting other people who work in completely different industries, but who all gather in an office environment. Julie Donlon is the owner, and she has created an amazing space for remote workers. The office has a beach/surfing theme, but it also has conference rooms, whiteboards, and printers.”

WILMAmag.com

How about networking with your new community? “As a remote worker, I think it is important to develop a professional network in your new community. I joined Port City Young Professionals as soon as I moved here. The first event I attended was a Wilmington Sharks game. I have consistently attended the networking events, and I’ve met some of my closest

friends through PCYP. I am really impressed that Jenna Curry thought to create this group. It is a lifesaver for transplants. I also joined the Junior League of Wilmington last fall. The Junior League empowers women to improve their community through volunteering and outreach opportunities. We have meetings once a month, and we have had socials at Second Glass, SUP Wilmington paddleboarding, and Palate wine bar. JLW has also offered some thought-provoking seminars, on environmental issues, women’s health, and financial planning. I have also played kickball with Sport City intramural league. I joined the team as a free agent and met a lot of great people. We are planning on participating in the fall league.” Advice for other newcomers? “Definitely check out the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington. Regardless of whether or not you believe in ghosts, it was a great opportunity to learn about the historic sites. I think the stories about the Carolina Apartments are fascinating, especially since people still live in the apartments.” W

JUNE 2022

WILMA

keep it local WILMA’S

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ReNew You Medical Aesthetics recently opened their doors in Mayfaire. Owner Brielle McGrath is passionate about educating women and men on the aging process and importance of skincare. As a Physician Assistant with a special interest in medical aesthetics, nutrition and wellness, Brielle will address any concerns you have and puts you on the path to your healthiest skin, in a warm and welcoming environment. ReNew You offers a varitety of services from neurotoxins (Botox/Dysport/Xeomin), dermal fillers, microneedling with Candela Exceed, and a variety of high-end noninvasive procedures including skin tightening and cellulite reduction with Morpheus8 from InMode. Book your complimentary consultation by texting: 910.742.0929 or visit www.renewyouILM.com.

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For all that our houseplants do for us, the least we can do is give them a beautiful planter! From textured terracotta to unique and organic designs, our Big Sky Shop + Studio has planters for all kinds of succulents, small plants, and leafy greenery that’ll match any decor. Shop these and more in-store at 5815 Oleander Drive Ste. 140, call 910.793.3995 or online at bigskyshoponline.com!

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With the largest selection and closest antique store to downtown Wilmington, there are fresh finds for old souls, collectors, and lover of all things cool at Azalea Antiques & Art. Located at 2817 N. 23rd St. Unique pieces from vendors all across the Cape Fear region and beyond. Conservation, community connection, conscious consumerism; it’s a hope, a passion, and our mission.

Interested in featuring your products on the “Keep it Local” Sponsors’ Content page? Contact WILMA Sales at (910) 343-8600 x203 or advertise@WILMAmag.com for more info.

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36 35

Alpha Psi Omega sisters LaTanya Fullwood, Yvonne Eason, Tasha Parnell, and Chrystal Fray Davis at the Wilmington chapter house.

CHAPTER LEGACY

Alpha Psi Omega marks ninety years in Wilmington by

WILMA

K atie S chmidt |

JUNE 2022

photo by

A llison J oyce

s CHRYSTAL FRAY DAVIS would tell you, we celebrate firsts because they are a mark of progress. And Davis, current president of Wilmington’s first predominantly African American sorority chapter, would certainly know about the importance of progress. This month, Davis and the rest of her sorority sisters at Alpha Psi Omega, a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, are celebrating their ninetieth anniversary. Over those ninety years, Alpha Psi Omega’s members have remained rooted in their pledge to lifelong service to all mankind. The historian for the organization, CYNTHIA BROWN, explains that over the decades the sorority has grown to meet the moment time and time again. “When the chapter was established in 1932, the women were dealing with the effects of the Depression, socioeconomic disparities, segregation,” Brown says. “In WILMAmag.com

the forties, there was a focus on helping with war costs, in the fifties it was allowing the community to know us and our commitment to help, and by the sixties we were working to ensure equal opportunities for women and people of color. Each decade our focus has been to serve those in need, no matter who they are.” The sorority accomplishes this through several different programs and community efforts, especially those focusing on youth through mentorship. The sorority’s current signature program, #CAP (College Admissions Process) prepares high school juniors and seniors for entrance exams, essay writing, college applications, and really anything a young woman may need assistance with when college is on the brain. “In the early years of our chapter, most of our members were educators,” Davis says. “They had direct access to students through their work in schools. So, a lot of our programs are focused on improving the educational outcomes for students in our African American community. Often that is raising money for scholarships, and we’ve broadened that to make sure

there are scholarships for cosmetology school, community college, and four-year colleges. This provides an avenue for those who may not have one.” Alpha Kappa Alpha, which is celebrating 114 years as Alpha Psi Omega celebrates ninety, has 1,046 chapters in forty-five states and ten countries, allowing their collective impact to span globally. Former chapter president IRMA QUINN refers to that reach as, “part of the mystique of being an AKA. You have sisters pretty much everywhere you go.” Not only are there sisters across the globe, but the sorority also is committed to rising to the occasion when there are global needs. This is on display in plenty of instances, though most recently through the Global Impact program. The program provides support and aid to refugees as well as sending goods to foreign countries and is prepared to meet the current need from the conflict in Ukraine. “As the world currently operates, the human race still has not overcome some of its ills,” Brown says. “An organization like ours is poised, primed, and capable of meeting complex needs both local and globally. That’s who we are.” In regards to the local needs, Alpha Psi Omega is integrated into the fabric of service organizations

JUNE 2022

throughout the city, serving in multifaceted ways. They host drives for women in need of feminine products, collect diapers for babies, and provide tutorial services to support those struggling in the school system or career-wise. Both Brown and Davis were, prior to becoming members themselves, introduced to the sorority through its debutante program. “To me, that was like a fairy tale,” Davis says. “Especially being a first-generation college student, I wasn’t used to formals or events like that. I had never attended something with young, African American women and men in formal gowns and tuxedos.” The ninetieth-anniversary commemoration event may not call for debutante gowns and tuxedos, but a celebration is planned. It all kicks off with a proclamations ceremony on the steps of the historic sorority house on Red Cross Street. “The house was purchased in the eighties, and that was a big first for us,” Davis says. “But with eighty-eight members, we’ve outgrown that house and are looking at how we can repurpose it. It’s bittersweet, though, because it was a major accomplishment when we were able to purchase that house. I’m so grateful there will be a historical marker to communicate that accomplishment for years to come.” W

WILMA

JUNE 2022

FANCY FOOTWORK

By LAURA MOORE | photo by TERAH HOOBLER

hen considering treatments for Parkinson’s disease, medication and perhaps surgery might initially come to mind. Boxing might be the last to be considered, if at all. One local program, however, wants to change that while also changing the attitude toward the disease for patients and caregivers alike. VAL VON RUPP and her father, MIKE WILSON, initially came to Wilmington to train in jiujitsu martial arts. They later teamed up with the national gym Rock Steady, and Wilmington’s Rock Steady Boxing gym opened nearly six years ago. “It takes all the good stuff of boxing and hits Parkinson’s disease at its most vulnerable,” Von Rupp says. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. The noncontact boxing program works on balance, hand-eye coordination, calisthenics, and strength and conditioning, addressing many of the issues Parkinson’s patients often struggle with over time. “We do footwork and jump rope, like boxers do, even if it’s modified,” Von Rupp says. Rock Steady meets boxers where they WILMAmag.com

Rock Steady in Wilmington hits back at Parkinson’s

are, modifying for those with walkers and wheelchairs. “Camaraderie is a big part of it for them,” she says. The gym has established strong relationships with many of the local neurologists who support the program for their patients. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, nearly one million people in the United States are living with the disease. “My days are spent yelling at seniors with Parkinson’s disease,” Von Rupp says. “I work them hard, so they do not focus on dwelling on Parkinson’s. They box and forget about it.” Von Rupp says her experience working in jiujitsu has given her the “calm, cool collectedness” she needs to work with seniors. “I like working with seniors,” Von Rupp says. “I fell into it, and that’s my jam.” This is an upbeat, positive environment that empowers them to fight back against the disease. HANNAH MORTON, Von Rupp’s “second hand,” loves getting to know her boxers “outside the disease.” “This is a community. They get to know each other and bump gloves,” Morton shares. “I love to be a light in

their day.” Von Rupp wants Rock Steady to share more of that light throughout Wilmington. “Moving forward, I want to grow more. I want to be a resource,” Von Rupp says. “Awareness is key. So many are unaware of how many people (Parkinson’s) affects,” Morton adds. While boxers are enjoying their classes, Von Rupp would like to provide a support group for caregivers to take part in and get the attention they deserve, too. “It is sad that we have this disease, but it is exciting that we have the potential to help so many people,” Morton says. Rock Steady offers classes in two locations in Wilmington, and it hopes to expand to additional locations throughout the Cape Fear region. In north Wilmington at 6500 Windmill Way, afternoon classes are held on Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m., and morning classes are held at 9 a.m. at the gym’s Independence Mall location. W This profile appeared in a recent WILMA Wellness newsletter. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.

Sound Hypnosis Subheading Kathy Rayle Body

910-612-9955 or Krayle@mac.com

www.Soundhypnosisworld.com JUNE 2022

WILMA

wilma dash

th annual

The annual WILMA Dash 5K took place on May 10. It started and finished at the Wilmington Convention Center, with runners weaving through downtown and along the Riverwalk. After crossing the finish line, the women and their supporters celebrated at the convention center for the Health Fest, benefitting Going Beyond the Pink nonprofit. The top overall finishers were ANN MARIE PIERCE (shown right, with her son), (with a time of 17 minutes, 52 seconds – a 5:45 pace); BRITTANY PERKINS (18 minutes, 25 seconds); and ERIN HOGSTON (19 minutes, 34 seconds). The award for the largest team went to the Compass Pointe Dashers, and most-spirited team prize went to CoWgirls. Congrats to all of this year’s finishers!

Race results + more photos @ WILMADash.com photos by MADELINE GRAY & ARIS HARDING

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JUNE 2022

wilma dash

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JUNE 2022

WILMA

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JUNE 2022

CAPTRUST INVESTORS IN TRAINING

here’s no doubt about it: Passing along financial wisdom to children can help them live better lives, enjoy greater freedom, exercise more control over how they spend their time, and afford a degree of comfort and security that otherwise may not exist. A lot of ways exist to help kids build their financial muscles. Many of us utilize common practices like filling up a piggy bank with a child over time, involving youngsters in small purchases using cash, or by the different examples we set, such as sticking to a budget. But it’s also important to teach kids lessons in investing, says father of two and Wilmington-based CAPTRUST wealth management advisor Buck Beam. So, when it came time to pass on some of these lessons to his own two sons, Beau, 12, and Wayland, 9, Beam was “looking for a way for the kid to connect real money to the stock market and learn about how the stock market works," he says. All the Action in Just a Fraction For the Beam family, it all started with the ubiquitous delivery trucks driving through their neighborhood, dropping off brown boxes adorned with a smile logo. "How about Amazon?" Beau and Wayland said. There was just one problem. The boys' stock pick was totally out of their budget, with a price tag in the thousands of dollars for a single share, says Beam. Then he looked into fractional shares. While buying entire shares of stock in big name companies can get expensive, Beam quickly discovered that fractional shares are a fantastic way to get young people excited

about investing—and develop valuable financial skills that will be with them for life—without committing a lot of money. “The idea of investing some of their own money was thrilling to the boys,” Beam says. They already had some savings—from birthday money and allowance—and Beam was excited to foster their interest. He even upped the ante by pledging to match their investments dollar for dollar. A Long-term Lesson The idea is simple: Instead of buying whole shares of stock, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents—anyone with a young person in their life—can buy partial shares by the dollar amount. Also called dollar-based investing, this capability was first offered by some technology startup companies, then introduced by companies like Fidelity and Charles Schwab in 2020. With dollar-based investing, even someone with just a little bit of money can buy in and diversify their small-dollar portfolio. "Investing in fractional shares is a neat activity to do with the kids," says Beam, “And it has the longterm benefit of helping create savers and investors out of your kids and grandkids without putting a lot of money down." Hands-On Investing For Beam's sons, Dad's idea of investing in fractional shares meant they could afford to get into some of the brand-name stocks that they were familiar with. And that got their attention. The boys became very engaged and excited to talk with Beam about their personal stock holdings and their own investment ideas.

"A lot of kids don't make financial decisions," says Beam. “So, it's very interesting to them to have some skin in the game and then get to live with their decisions." The experience has shown Beam how he can talk with his kids about the stock market. "This has been the first time in their lives they would ask me questions, instead of me just explaining what I do and why it matters. Now they're curious. They want to understand. Once their money was on the line, they were hungry for more information." CAPTRUST specializes in providing comprehensive wealth management services to high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and families. Our skilled advisors provide clients with knowledge, experience, and judgement they need to make effective financial decisions. Buck Beam is a Wealth Management Financial Advisor in Wilmington. Buck can be reached at 910.256.8882 or buck.beam@captrust.com.

910.256.8882 | CAPTRUST.COM

WILMAmag.com

JUNE 2022

WILMA

PLANTATION VILLAGE

MEET OUR RESIDENTS: SAUNDRA GOURLEY MAKING THE MOST OF RETIREMENT AT PLANTATION VILLAGE

ithout jest, Saundra Gourley tells me her retirement is better than she could’ve ever imagined.

Ms. Gourley knows a thing or two about life, the aging process and planning for your future. She’s both well-traveled and well read, having entered the Peace Corps after college at 22 years of age. She knew Maya Angelou before she was a global figure. She spent two years teaching science in Ghana before returning to the U.S. to pursue higher education, and eventually finding her way into the computer industry. She’s proud to say she’s “one of thousands of people who brought internet

to the world!” While in her 40s, the father of a friend moved into a CCRC (continuing care retirement community) which was her first introduction to the concept of a Life Plan Community. After the death of a friend nearly 10 years ago, she began to seriously consider her own future. She found that her own social circle was getting smaller. She was living in Boston, Massachusetts when her sister and her niece started encouraging her to move to the Wilmington area. For her, Plantation Village felt like the right place. She was drawn to the campus’ natural beauty, and liked that our notfor-profit status means we pour

our resources directly back into our community. She says the promise we give of “maintenance-free living!” has more than exceeded her expectations. She enjoys swimming classes and walking. Life at PV provides opportunities for bolstering physical and mental strength that might not be so accessible otherwise. She’s engaged with foreign policy discussions and continues to enjoy reading and film. She says she’s living a fuller life now than she was prior to her move to PV, while maintaining some of her lifelong hobbies including elaborate beaded cross stitching. “I never dreamed that my retirement years would be this

1.866.825.3806 | PLANTATIONVILLAGERC.COM

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good,” she said. She told me the community feels like family. She feels safe and secure and thinks its comical that a chief “complaint” is being tired from all of the activities! With bountiful options for engagement, life at PV is what you make it and Saundra is not doubt making the most of hers.

Anna Cook is Marketing Coordinator at Plantation Village, a non-profit continuing care retirement community that offers independent living on a 56-acre campus in Porters Neck, minutes from downtown Wilmington and area beaches.

THEARTWORKS™

THE ART WORKS FOR THE ARTIST, THE ART LOVER, THE COMMUNITY, “ART WORKS!”

heArtWorks™ is in 37,000 square feet of repurposed historical industrial space on 200 Willard Street, providing venue rental, an art village with working art studios, art maker spaces, classrooms, a gift shop, and fine art visual and separate photography gallery.

theArtWorks™ provides comprehensive, multifaceted, and inclusive opportunities all located under one roof and strives to enhance the Wilmington community through arts. Owners, Jim and Betsy Knowles, purchased the current theArtWorks™ building in 1998. The building was a part of the original Block Manufacturing in what is now Wilmington’s South Front District. theArtWorks™ began

in 2013, with the mission of enhancing the community, assisting artists, and contributing to the revitalization of Downtown Wilmington. The art village emulates a New Orleans circa 1900s vibe. Jim and Betsy feel strongly about preserving Wilmington’s historical commercial landmarks and providing a place for artists to create, display, and sell all types of art. The Knowles wish to nurture and promote making Wilmington, North Carolina an international art destination. theArtWorks™ is part of the Downtown Wilmington 4th Friday Gallery Nights − free monthly events where downtown area galleries, studios, and art spaces open their doors to the public in an after-hours celebration of art and culture sponsored by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County.

4th Friday Gallery Nights are a self-guided tour through more than 20 downtown Wilmington galleries, studios, and businesses − featuring exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, metals, woods, ceramics, mixed media, jewelery, pryrography, and more. Showcasing art and art-related events, 4th Friday Gallery Nights also include opening receptions, artist discussions, demonstrations, live music, beer and wine along with other art-related activities. theArtWorks™ also hosts specialty art events promoting performing and literary arts. theArtWorks™ open hours are Thursday thru Friday 11am - 5pm, and by appointment. While theArtWorks™ consumes much of their time, Jim and Betsy still make sure

to have fun wherever they go. They are especially committed to their family. They love boating, traveling, and time spent visiting their four adult children living across the United States in four different states. For 15 years, they have hosted Cousins Camp to get their bicoastal grandchildren together for two weeks each summer. The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered their travel and visiting during this time. Visit theArtWorks™ today by stopping in at, 200 Willard Street in downtown Wilmington, visit their website at, www. theArtWorks.co, or give them a call to find out more about their offerings at, 910-352-7077. You want a great nation? Then, it demands a great education − “it all starts with the arts.”

910.352.7077 | THEARTWORKS.CO

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(half of the first season), The Summer I Turned Pretty, Florida Man, Boys of Summer, and George and Tammy.” WILMA: How did you get into this business? Woodell: “During my senior year in the film studies program at UNCW, one of my main professors, Shannon Silva, mentioned she had a former student, Ashli Bogart, who was an extras casting director returning to Wilmington to work on Sleepy Hollow Season 2, and she was in need of an assistant. I was fortunate enough to be recommended and land an interview.”

EXTRA! EXTRA!

GAINING A FOOTHOLD IN FILMS

by JENNY CALLISON photo by ARIS HARDING

oming off a record-breaking year for the state’s film industry in 2021, the area continues to see productions happening.

WILMA’s sister publication, the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, publishes a monthly Film Focus series about local vendors and professionals active in the film industry. Below is a recent excerpt on TAYLOR WOODELL, owner of TW Cast and Recruit LLC, a company that casts extras for local film projects. Since 2015, she and her all-female staff have placed thousands of area residents into all kinds of situations on screen. WILMA: What are you working on now? Woodell: “Right now, it’s High Town Season 3. I don’t know how many extras will be needed for all eight episodes, but the first two episodes have used close to 600 extras. In the past year and eight months, my team has completed the following projects: Scream 5, Welcome to Flatch, USS Christmas, Outer Banks Season 2, Hightown Season 2, Black Phone, Along for the Ride, Our Kind of People

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WILMA: What is your biggest challenge? Woodell: “No surprise: the biggest challenge has been COVID. Not only are extras already paid very little in nonunion states, but there was this weird quadruple threat we experienced. It started with folks getting more money while on unemployment and not wanting to gamble with losing that, which anyone could understand. Then, there was the fear of COVID exposure even with all the protocols these productions were implementing. There was also the fact that at any given time we would lose up to 30% of our extras booked for a certain day because they would have inconclusive or positive test results and would not be allowed on set. Lastly, there was the mandate of being vaccinated. What all of these measures failed to take into account was that, simply in order to work, extras could have to test twice prior to their work or fitting date. To work one day, they had to commit anywhere from two to three days prior to working to make sure the appropriate tests – and when required, fittings – were done in the required cadence of the production. All this turned into a ‘hitting numbers’ game and took away a lot of the creative aspect of this job.” WILMA: How has the business of casting changed? Woodell: “I remember when I first started working, I did my casting from email submissions. I remember having to text people individually each night after wrap to get them to confirm their attendance the next day. Now, so many things are streamlined. Although we still communicate through email, our submission process is through a database. We can mass-source and hire folks; we can blast mass messages and communicate filming needs through a portal in an app.”W

TAKE

by MEGHAN CORBETT and LYNDA VAN KUREN photo by DARIA AMATO

It’s those who are dispossessed – the homeless, victims of sex trafficking, commercial sex workers, those with addictions – who make up LEE ANNA STOKER’s crew. Stoker, who is the co-founder and executive director of First Fruit Ministries, reaches out to these individuals and provides resources to help them regain their lives.

WHERE DOES THE NAME FIRST FRUIT MINISTRIES COME FROM? “When Rick (Stoker) and I started the ministry, we weren’t thinking long term about building an organization. We were entirely focused on meeting the emergency needs of people we saw suffering in the city. It was our first fruit offering to the Lord; walking away from our regular lives, giving up our income and our safety, and answering a call to ministry.” WHAT IS YOUR ESTIMATION AS TO HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU’VE HELPED TO DATE THROUGH THE WORK YOU DO? “In twenty-four years of ministry, I have an accurate data count of more than 800,000 individuals served. We started serving meals to unsheltered individuals in 1998 and opened our first housing program for women and families who were experiencing homelessness or trafficking in 2000. More than 1,200 people eat from our food pantry weekly. Almost 37,000 people used our pantry in 2021 alone. We have more than thirty units of housing from crisis response transitional spots and short-term rapid rehousing, to fully supported permanent housing. In 2021, we served more than 600 people living outside in Wilmington!” HOW DO YOU SURVIVE FINANCIALLY? “We receive support from individuals, foundations, and various government grant programs. To be part of First Fruit Ministries is to accept an invitation to do the best thing I can think of, which is to practice loving others well in their moment of greatest need. Others can support us financially by going to our website, FirstFruitMinistries.org, and becoming donors. They can join us as volunteers and even train to be mentors and advocates for people experiencing human trafficking and homelessness.” WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF FIRST FRUIT MINISTRIES? “I want to create a campus where people who find themselves in crisis in our community, whether it’s a woman or a child being trafficked and sold for sex, or someone who’s lived in a tent for years as a victim of their own mental health or substance use struggles, or even someone struck by the vagaries of life, can be wrapped in unconditional love. But love without action is dead. My hope for the future of the ministry is that it will continue to be a place that is generous, relational, and authentic in its service to others.” WHAT IS ONE THING YOU’D LIKE OUR READERS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE? “When I talk about the work we do, I regularly get questions like, ‘Why don’t they just get a job?’ Conversations take on the form of blame-shifting and black-and-white thinking. Often, outside impressions of what it is to be homeless or a victim of trafficking are usually formed from incomplete information and a bit of arrogance. As we mature and grow, we begin to see that the world is chaotic, that suffering is not simply a product of our poor choices, and that humility is the only honest response to clear thinking.” W LEE ANNA STOKER’s full profile appeared in an recent WILMA Leadership email. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.

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HOT FUN IN THE

SUMMERTIME by DYLAN PATTERSON illustration by MARK WEBER

Dylan Patterson is a writer and filmmaker who teaches English at Cape Fear Community College.

When June arrives, my thoughts drift back to a warm summer afternoon when I was thirteen, and the kid next door and I nearly wiped our neighborhood off the face of the earth. I was in the basement listlessly playing Atari when there was a knock at the front door. I was surprised to see Jeff. We’d fought as kids and had learned to keep our distance. “Wanna see something cool?” he asked. I should’ve gone right back to Frogger, but boredom’s siren song is seductive when you’re thirteen, so I followed Jeff to his carport instead. His parents weren’t home either. On a workbench stood six glass Mr. Pibb bottles duct-taped together. I watched mesmerized as Jeff filled each with gas meant for the mower. 16 ounces times six bottles equaled way too much freaking gas. Jeff told me he’d just watched a World War II movie where the resistance lobs Molotov cocktails at Nazi tanks. “You’re crazy,” I said. “I’m going home.” “Wanna watch me blow something up?” Jeff asked. “Can’t get in trouble just for watching.” Jeff and I had our issues, but I had to admit he was a skilled rhetorician. So we set off, reeking of gas, for the creek on the far side of our neighborhood. We’d played there often as boys. Now we returned, not to climb trees or hunt turtles but to revel in the pleasure primeval of the young teen male: pyromania. Jeff eyed a tree stump, but I suggested a boulder in the creek, so the explosion would be contained by water. Jeff may

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have been a maniac, but he knew a good idea when he heard one. I kept my distance, as if staying 20 feet from Jeff would limit my culpability if things went south. But Jeff’s Pibb bomb was too awkward for one person to both hold and light. Well, I definitely hadn’t walked all that way not to watch something blow up. So Jeff and I counted down from ten, I lit Jeff’s doomsday device with a plastic lighter, and Jeff heaved it toward the boulder. A sonic wave passed over us, my ears popped, then a wall of flames rocketed three stories into the summer sky. The boulder was engulfed in fire, but so was the water. We watched in horror as flames crept toward shore. Gas burns on water. How had we forgotten that? Hadn’t some river in Ohio burned for months? We glanced around desperately at the brush and leaves, dry and brittle after a week without rain. Jeff’s panic mirrored mine. We were about to be grounded for the rest of our lives. But we got lucky instead. The gas burned off before flames could reach land. Within minutes, the only evidence of our near apocalypse was the toasted tips of a few branches overhead. Jeff and I walked home in a daze. We said silent prayers of gratitude. Swore each other to secrecy. I vowed to never again hang out with Jeff. I was done with danger. But the following year, I succumbed to a temptation even more dangerous, even more mercurial, even more potentially devastating than pyromania. That was the summer I finally discovered girls.

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JUNE 2022 WILMA

Articles inside

SPOTLIGHT

TAKE 5: Outreach with Lee Anna Stoker

SHOP SUCCESSION: Protocol's team

SCENE: Film focus

CELEBRATING SISTERHOOD

BOXING OUT

REMOTE CONTROL