Harvest Ganong turns castoffs into art with a message
The Awards Issue
Meet this year’s finalists
Cone of Certainty
An insider’s (ice cream) scoop
Home Team
Denise Kinney’s real estate rise
Located in the beautiful, wooded city of Leland, NC, our 55 and older apartment community features 1- and 2-bedroom floor plans with upscale amenities so you can live the lifestyle you love.
Chef-Inspired Kitchens
Granite Countertops
In-unit Washer and Dryer
Oversized Closets
Private Balconies
Salt Water Resort-Style Pool
Manicured Courtyards
24 Hour Fitness Club
Yard Games/Activity Lawn
Creative Arts Center
Concierge Service
Pickle Ball Court
Dog Park & Pet Spa
Theatre Room
Community Garden
museum muse
53
32 flavors of Feast fall into linen awards season sun day fun days heavy metal For the issue’s cover, Daria Amato photographed local artist Harvest Ganong, whose “trash art” turns nonrecycled and single-use plastics into three-dimensional art pieces. on the cover
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CONTRIBUTORS
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Daria Amato, Madeline Gray, Aris Harding, Terah Hoobler, Malcolm Little, Matt Ray Photography, Kate Supa
DIRECTOR OF FEAST WILMINGTON
Jessica Maurer
@ WILMAmag / WILMAmag.com
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CONTRIBUTORS
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 photographed this issue’s cover of artist Harvest Ganong and the story about her work on page 98. She also photographed Denise Kinney, president of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, on page 26
MADELINE GRAY is a freelance documentary photographer based in Wilmington. With a master’s degree in photojournalism, her work is regularly featured in local and national publications. She enjoys spending time in places that are off the beaten track and collaborating to share the diverse stories found there. Gray photographed the thirty-six finalists in this year’s WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards for the special awards section that starts on page 63 madelinegrayphoto.com and @madelinepgray on Instagram
JESSICA MAURER is the director of Feast Wilmington, which like WILMA is part of Wilmington Media + Marketing. Maurer is a graduate of Hartwick College and the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and has worn many hats within the hospitality industry. She has covered Wilmington’s food and beverage scene for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal and WILMA for over a decade. In this issue, she shares stories from recent Feast Unwrapped coverage about several local women in the culinary scene (page 53).
EMORY RAKESTRAW i s a North Carolina native who has extensively covered the people, places, and history of the Tar Heel State. She works in public relations representing clients in the interior design and wellness sphere throughout the Southeast. When not writing, she can be found at the beach. Rakestraw talked with Chelsea Lea, designer of this year’s WILMA awards bracelet, about her background in jewelry (page 94).
WILMA intern SARAH RHUE is a creative writing major and studio art minor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Her art and writing go hand in hand. She is inspired by history and nature and often includes elements of Romanticism in her works. Her art and written works have been published in Portals. Another of her short stories has also been published in Atlantis Creative Magazine. Rhue interviewed this year’s WILMA awards finalists for the special section (page 63).
TWHAT I LEARNED ON SUMMER VACATION
he Caribbean Sea is crystal blue and bath-temp warm when a pair of sharks turn toward me. And that is when I learned it is possible to screech underwater through a snorkel mask.
Never mind my new buddies were nurse sharks, slow-moving bottom-dwellers that are largely considered harmless to people if not provoked. Never mind that before this trip I had watched plenty of videos of snorkelers swimming fins to fins with nurse shark schools.
But I’ve seen Shark Week and Sharknado. When a shark is staring you down and swimming toward you, snorkel screech seems reasonable. After a few minutes, the initial survival instincts tamped down, for better or worse, and it was back to casually swimming with sharks.
Reasonable is relative of course.
My oldest responded by admonishing me underwater with hand gestures to turn my spirit fingers into balled fists (apparently while not threatening, nurse sharks in these popular reef spots will investigate waggling hands thinking that you’re offering food, at least according to our boat guide for the day).
My youngest responded with a big, fat nope and high-tailed it back to the boat – also a reasonable response. She’s not wrong, even though nurse sharks aren’t considered aggressive there have been
recorded attacks. The six-year-old might have been the smartest among us.
So here’s what I learned on my summer vacation.
• You never know how you’ll respond to unfamiliar situations and external changes (until you’re snorkel deep in them).
• Doing your homework ahead of time doesn’t hurt. (A nurse shark is very different than a tiger shark.)
• Sometimes it’s ok to jump in. (unless it’s one of those times in hindsight you realize it wasn’t.)
At some point, after all the research, you have to make a decision and jump or not jump.
This holds true for many of the women in this issue of WILMA, especially since it’s our annual awards issue.
All of the thirty-six awards finalists being honored this year and highlighted in our awards section that starts on page 61 have found themselves at decision points throughout their career. Some of those choices panned out; others needed adjustments, but the common thing among them was deciding to step out and do something new.
Amanda Cassella did the same, opening Wandering Cone Creamery after working in corporate America and traveling with her family across the U.S. in their RV (page 40).
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage President Denise Kinney came to her crossroads after switching careers and then propelling upward in the local real estate industry (page 26).
Those are just a couple of examples of a new WILMA issue full of women jumping in and charting their own courses.
LEAH WONG ASHBURN, CEO OF ASHEVILLE-BASED HIGHLAND BREWING, IS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THIS YEAR’S WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LUNCHEON ON AUGUST 28.
The annual event, put on by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, takes place 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Wilmington Convention Center.
Ashburn is a secondgeneration family business owner, who preserves the heritage of Highland Brewing – the largest independent, family-owned brewery native to the Southeast – while advancing its future.
At the woman-led brewery, “40 percent of our staff and nearly 50 percent of our management are women,” Ashburn said in an interview with Made by Mountains.
Her accomplishments include being named a semifinalist in the James Beard Awards in the Outstanding Beer, Wine, or Spirits Professional category in 2018 and receiving the Asheville Chamber of Commerce’s Woman Executive of the Year award.
CRAFTING A LEGACY SPOTLIGHT
Event info: wilmingtonchamber.org/events
photo c/o Highland Brewing
LIFECARE OFFERS
FAMILIES WIDE-RANGING CARE AND SUPPORT
LOWER CAPE FEAR LIFECARE
(LCFL) IS THE REGION’S LONGESTOPERATING NONPROFIT HOSPICE AND THE SECOND-LARGEST HOSPICE PROVIDER IN NORTH CAROLINA, SERVING SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES YEARLY.
It is revered for its compassionate, patient-centered care and support. The nonprofit is a valuable resource to families in our community navigating complex healthcare diagnoses.
Its core service, hospice care, is based on an interdisciplinary team approach that includes a physician, nurse, nursing aide, social worker, chaplain and volunteer, working in tangent to provide physical, emotional and spiritual care and support for people with life-limiting illnesses having a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice also provides support and education for their loved ones. It is the only hospice in the region offering patients the continuum of care provided by its inpatient hospice care centers. The cost of care, medication and supplies are covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit, as well as Medicaid and private insurance.
LCFL’s library of short videos at LifeCareAnswers.org answers
many common questions about hospice care.
In addition to hospice care, LCFL offers many other valuable services and programs to people and families in our community. One such service is palliative care, a specialized medical care for people undergoing treatment for serious illnesses. It provides pain and symptom management and coordination of care with patients’ other physicians. LCFL will soon open North Carolina's first freestanding palliative care clinic, providing outpatient services for Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center and other local healthcare providers.
LifeCare Memory Partners is for people with a dementiarelated illness, their families and caregivers. It provides resources, education and respite to help keep the person with dementia at home for as long as possible while improving quality of life for them and their loved ones. The program’s CareGiver Academy, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association and Cape Fear Area Agency on Aging, offers several educational opportunities monthly.
While LCFL provides grief care to the families it serves up to 13 months after the death of a loved one, it also offers grief counseling to adults and children in the community who have lost
someone special in their lives. Through individual counseling, groups, and in-school and summer grief camps for kids, people can learn healthy ways of coping with their grief and begin to heal.
You can join in Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s mission to provide care and support to local families living with serious and lifelimiting illnesses by donating or volunteering. To learn more about its services and programs, visit LifeCare.org, or call 910-796-7900.
GWEN WHITLEY, LOWER CAPE FEAR LIFECARE, PRESIDENT/CEO
Gwen Whitley, is certified as a hospice and palliative care nurse, clinical director and hospice and palliative administrator. Prior to becoming CEO, she served as the agency’s chief operating officer. She was awarded the Julius Kaufman Award for Excellence in Nursing and the Elizabeth Ann Sutton Award of Leadership in Nursing.
CURRENT OF CHANGE
HAVING WORKED FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM AT FORT FISHER FOR MORE THAN 16 YEARS, JOANNA ZAZZALI STARTED THIS MONTH AS THE AQUARIUM’S DIRECTOR.
Zazzali took over the role August 1, replacing Hap Fatzinger, who left in January to become director of the North Carolina Aquariums Division. She had been the acting director since Fatzinger’s departure.
“Her dedication, commitment, and passion for the North Carolina Aquariums and our mission has been unwavering. She has helped us navigate many challenges over the years while still focusing on
DEEP DIVES
WHO: SUSAN CASEY, author of Voices in the Ocean, The Wave, and The Devil’s Teeth and former editor in chief of O, The Oprah Magazine, is a keynote speaker
WHAT: UNCW Ocean Innovation Conference
WHEN: September 17-18
WHERE: UNCW Burney Center and Center for Marine Science
INFO: uncw.edu/events/2024/09/ocean
WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE
improving opportunities for staff and enhancing visitor experience,” Fatzinger says.
Zazzali was the aquarium’s visitor and member services coordinator since 2012, and in that position, she oversaw the safety/security and guest services team while also serving on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Safety Committee.
“I am honored to assume the role of aquarium director and continue to be a part of such an amazing and inspirational team,” Zazzali says. “I look forward to supporting the staff, volunteers, and our community as we continue to pursue our important work in conservation, sustainability, and animal care.”
CHILD
CARE SNAPSHOT
AVERAGE ANNUAL COST FOR FULL-TIME AT CHILD CARE CENTERS IN N.C.
$9,255 FOR AN INFANT
$7,592 FOR 4-YEAR-OLD
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Source: N.C. Chamber Foundation
EQUITY AWARDS
New Hanover County Office of Diversity and Equity in partnership with Cape Fear Latinos holds the fourth annual EQUITY AWARDS GALA
LOCATION:
CFCC’s Union Station
DATE + TIME: 6 p.m., August 23
MORE INFO: nhcgov.com/2537/Equity-Awards
photo c/o
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
GOING THE DISTANCE
FORTY-ONE HOURS AND EIGHTEEN MINUTES AFTER STARTING, EMILY LYONS THIS SUMMER CROSSED THE FINISH LINE OF THE BADWATER 135 ULTRAMARATHON, CONSIDERED THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST FOOT RACE.
The Castle Hayne resident completed the 135-mile course, which starts in Death Valley, California, with temperatures climbing over 100 degrees during the event in July.
“I was very anxious, nervous, and scared before the race as I knew a lot of people would be following my results and expecting me to finish since I finished last year, but with this race, like most 100+ mile distances, you never know what obstacles – high heat, humidity, bees, nausea, chafing, swollen feet, etc. – may present themselves during the race,” recalls Lyons, who was followed on the route by her husband and friends in a support van.
Lyons, who works as a CPA for PwC specializing in cybersecurity, data privacy, and regulatory compliance assurance and consulting, participated in the foot race last year and hopes to enter again in 2025.
2 W OMEN W ATCH
ON THE AGENDA
Advice and connections from local leaders + the latest on WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative
p.22
W2W INITIATIVE UPDATES
p.25
W2W INITIATIVE SPONSORS
p.26
DENISE KINNEY ON BUILDING A CAREER
p. 32
PLUGGING IN: SUN CLUB’S FUN DAYS
p.35
PLUGGING IN DIRECTORY: SOCIAL NETWORK
p.36
LEADERSHIP ADVICE FROM TIFFANY D. TUCKER
UPDATES W2W RECAP:
The latest on WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative and its mission to help develop more women leaders in our area
• LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR: WILMA’s annual leadership conference took place in July at the Wilmington Convention Center. The sold-out, half-day event (shown above) brought together about 400 people to hear workshops on strategy building, telling your story, personal branding, and small business advice. Keynote speakers shared lessons learned from their varied backgrounds and stories. For an excerpt of one of those speeches, turn to page 36, and for more photos go to page 30.
• LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: This year’s WILMA’s Leadership Institute class continued to meet for monthly skills training on topics including leading in multigenerational workplaces and leading with resilience. Learn more about the fortyeight women in this year’s cohort at wilmamag.com/leadership-institute-class.
• WILMA NETWORK: The WILMA Network, made up of supporting members of the Leadership Initiative, holds monthly meetups such as networking time at Tequila’s Waterfront and Boombalatti’s or active outings such as a golf clinic at First Tee of Greater Wilmington.
• IN THE LOOP: Keep up to date with these and other Leadership Initiative programs as well as application announcements by going to WILMAmag.com or signing up for the WILMA Leadership email at WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
W2W UP NEXT:
How to connect with WILMA’s leadership programs
• WOMEN TO WATCH AWARDS: This year’s awards event is September 6 at the Wilmington Convention Center. Winners in the categories of Arts, Business, Education, Health, Nonprofit/Volunteer, Public Sector, and Rising Star will be announced. Look for more on the finalists starting on page 63.
• MENTORING: As a part of WILMA’s mentoring program, up-and-coming women in the community are matched with women and men mentors to assist with their leadership development. Participation in the program is limited to those who participated in a W2W program in the past year, and the mentorship will run from October 2024 to September 2025.
• ADVISORY BOARD: WILMA’s advisory board, which meets quarterly to share ideas about the leadership programs and serves as a judging panel for WILMA’s annual awards, meets to discuss the initiative’s updates and look ahead to 2025’s offerings.
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
WOMEN TO WATCH AWARDS
Nursing Student Faith Hommel
LEADERSHIP
BRANDY KECK Managing DirectorSmall Business Banking LIVE OAK BANK
“Live Oak Bank, founding sponsor of WILMA, is proud to support the remarkable women of Wilmington and their vital contributions to our community. We’ll continue to invest in WILMA leadership initiatives as we are aligned in our mission to empower individuals in our region to reach their full potential. It’s an honor and privilege for Live Oak to work alongside WILMA to enrich the lives and create opportunities for the amazing women of our community!"
“Novant Health is proud to invest in WILMA’s Leadership Initiative because we know that their programs empower women right here in our community. We are committed to supporting opportunities for upward mobility and professional advancement, and we look forward to continuing to support the great work WILMA is doing!"
Clinical Officer NOVANT HEALTH COASTAL REGION
FOUNDING SPONSORS
CORPORATE SPONSORS
HEATHER DAVIS, DO Chief
Brick by Brick : DENISE KINNEY ON BUILDING
HER CAREER TO THE HEIGHTS OF REAL ESTATE
by MEGHAN CORBETT | photo by DARIA AMATO
Born and raised in Wilmington, DENISE KINNEY has seen almost every type of real estate market possible. After a major career change led her to real estate in the early 2000s, she realized her main goal was to find a way to make a difference in the lives of others through her work and dedication.
“I love seeing others succeed. To know that I may have helped someone along the way gives me purpose and meaning. It’s what keeps me going,” she says.
Now the president of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, the largest residential real estate firm in the Wilmington area by volume, she gets to do just that on a daily basis.
“Everything I have accomplished in my career has been fueled by my desire to be the best role model possible for my daughter,” Kinney says. “Building strong relationships within my company and community combined with an honest and diligent work ethic has been the groundwork of who I am today.”
Tell me a little bit about yourself as it relates to your career, train-
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES TO RECOMMEND?
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life by Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy, retired) and Start with Why by Simon Sinek; The Happiness Lab Podcast
ing, or anything personal you’d like to share.
“Born and raised in Wilmington, I can truly appreciate where this great city has been and where it is now. I am proud of our community, its history and its growth, its strength, and its resilience. Helping people has always been at my core and an integral part of my life.
I have a long history of volunteerism as an EMT and with various youth and children’s programs. I truly love what I do and the opportunity that I have to help change the lives of others.”
What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
“In 2001, the local Corning Inc. plant made the decision to lay off a portion of its workforce. I had only been employed there for about a year, so I knew that I would be among the employees that would be included in the staff reductions. After that, I signed up to take the real estate class, earned my salesperson’s license and then my broker’s license.”
What was the road like to your current position as president of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage? What is your daily schedule like?
“In 2008, I was offered a position to start an internet leads department at Coldwell Banker Sea
A FAVORITE SPOT IN WILMINGTON?
“The beach, I love being on or around the water.”
Coast Advantage. I had been the broker-in-charge at my previous firm, and I wanted a similar role managing people.
I was told, ‘If you come on board and work hard, when a management opportunity comes available, you will be considered.’ What more could I ask for? After six months with the company, I became the managing broker of the Leland office.
I went on to open the South Brunswick office, moving that location twice in two years due to phenomenal growth. By 2014, I had managed all the Brunswick County offices and was named director of sales.
In 2017, I became general manager and, in 2019, senior vice president. In 2021, I was promoted to president, which was something I had never expected. My goals were always focused on the people I helped rather than the title I received.
No two days or weeks are alike in this business. I find myself traveling a lot, visiting all twenty-four offices as often as I can, participating in office meetings, holding training classes, and problem solving.
Ensuring that our agents are well trained on all things affecting our industry is very important and top priority. My career before real estate was technical in nature, and I find the two paths cross more often than one
WOMAN TO KNOW
“SHERRI PICKARD –a passionate speaker and inspiring leader who exudes positivity throughout our community.”
Unlock Your Inner Goddess & Elevate Your Feminine Leadership!
would realize. I love helping people, troubleshooting, and implementing solutions to keep issues from recurring whenever possible.”
How would you describe the changes that have occurred in real estate in the past five years? What is your hope for the next five years?
“The past five years in real estate is something we shouldn’t expect to see again.
The pandemic brought on a real estate market like none other. During that time, agents worked longer and harder than they ever had. Interest rates were at an all-time low, and prices rose quickly.
With many employees changed to a remote work schedule, it gave them the ability to live wherever they chose. We found many people relocating to areas where they had previously visited or vacationed. Our current market is suffering from higher interest rates, inflation, and a continued shortage of inventory.
I don’t anticipate a change in our current market until summer 2025. Prices may continue to rise but at a more normal pace. The reason for this appreciation is because even though inventory is up compared to the last two years, inventory overall is still down.
Mortgage rates are forecasted to come down slightly which will bring more buyers back to the market. Our area was and still is a destination spot and recognized as a great place to visit, raise a family, and retire.”
What recommendations do you have for those buying and selling in the near future?
“As inventory increases and homes stay on the market longer, the importance of using an agent to help you buy or sell has never been greater. You need an advocate. A well-trained agent will bring tremendous value to the process and save you from unwanted burdens and hassles that sometimes come with real estate transactions. This is the biggest purchase most people will make in their lifetime. Trust an expert in the industry.”
HER STORY IS OUR STORY
WILMA’s 2024 Leadership Accelerator took place on July 18 at the Wilmington Convention Center. The annual half-day leadership and career development conference centered around the theme “Our Stories.” More than 400 attendees engaged with local women leaders and connected with like-minded women who share similar goals.
The sold-out event kicked off with a morning Coffee & Connections networking hour, followed by two back-to-back 45-minute workshops. The highlight of the day was a keynote lunch featuring insightful talks from five women leaders in our community.
To view the Keynote talks and browse through event photos, visit W2WLeadership.com.
Photography By: Madeline Gray and Aris Harding
PLUGGING IN SOCIAL GROUPS
“ “
Female friendships are so important, and when I moved here, I was missing that connection. I figured I’d invite girls to watch the sunrise or sunset together and make friends that way. It was free, easy, and casual.
DELANEY O'BRIEN Sun Club founder
MAKING CONNECTIONS: Social groups like Sun Club are popping up
by LAURA MOORE | photos by TERAH HOOBLER
Sunrises and sunsets are reliable, and they are the inspiration behind DELANEY O’BRIEN’s unique way of building another reliable aspect of life: friendship.
Originally from Maryland, O’Brien graduated from the University of Tennessee and made the move by herself from Knoxville to Wilmington in August 2023 to take a job as an interior designer at an architecture firm. She often found herself, alone, going to watch the sunrise or sunset.
“Female friendships are so important, and when I moved here, I was missing that connection,” O’Brien shares. “I figured I’d invite girls to watch the sunrise or sunset together and make friends that way. It was free, easy, and casual.”
With that idea in mind, the Sun Club was born.
O’Brien decided to use TikTok to ask women like herself to join her in watching the sunset at Wrightsville Beach.
Initially, ten women responded, so O’Brien created a text group to organize meet-ups. Then, the group grew to thirty, so they expanded to an Instagram group. Then it grew beyond that into a Group Meet, and it continues to grow each week as followers connect through the Sun Club Instagram account ( @sunclub.ilm )
Since first initiating the club in January, the Instagram group has grown to more than 3,200 followers.
“It blossomed very quickly. There really was a need for friends,” O’Brien says.
Each week, O’Brien hosts multiple Sun Club events. Events are planned to meet certain components. They must foster connections that lead to new friendships, be held outdoors as much as possible, and/or include local businesses, primarily woman-owned ones.
“I would never plan an event that I would not go do. I like it to have at least two of the three components,” O’Brien says.
Each Monday, Sun Club hosts a free Mermaid Monday Sunset Swim held at either Carolina and Wrightsville beaches on alternating weeks. Other free events have included book swaps, beach sweeps, and volunteering with the Plastic Ocean Project nonprofit.
Business connection events include pottery making, crafting classes, photo shoots, and facials with locally owned businesses. The biggest event to date was a line dancing social in the downtown marina area where nearly one hundred turned out.
“There’s no formal membership acceptance. Anyone can come. I promote to girls in their twenties, but it is not age- or gender-restrictive. I am happy to foster a community who wants to hang out with mostly girls,” O’Brien says.
O’Brien says she learns something new every day, and she is open to establishing partnerships with local businesses. The Sun Club often meets at local makers markets and pop-up events around the Wilmington area.
“It is a cool connection,” O’Brien says, and she is inspired by other local groups like Girls Have Hobbies and The Wilmington Girls Club acknowledging that there is “a lot of cool opportunity for community.”
O’Brien says there tends to be a lack of a “casual third space for women.” She says she knows this from her own personal experience with how well-received Sun Club has been.
“It is important for there to be a free, casual, and easy way to make friends. I want to elimi -
nate obstacles for girls. I like for it to bridge the gap between social media and ‘in the wild’ of real life,” O’Brien says.
While the connection initially happens via social media, O’Brien says the magic happens in agreeing to come together for a common cause.
“It levels the playing fields,” O’Brien explains as she says there is a lot less pressure and it is not as awkward when all participants meet in a neutral location to do something fun and easy.
Initially, O’Brien planned three free events a month and three events involving local businesses, but recently, that has escalated to two to three times a week.
“There have been so many opportunities, and I want to work with everyone,” O’Brien says.
O’Brien has found her own best friends through Sun Club and is thrilled for the opportunity to meet great people and gain their support.
“I am so grateful for all the support for the community. It is such a niche experience to be on the planning side of things, but it has been such a cool experience,” O’Brien says.
She is excited to see how and where the club evolves.
“It has been a fantastic outlet for me,” she says. “Any vision I have had has come to life, and I am so grateful. I had no idea that it would become this big and amazing.”
W
Read more about Delaney O’Brien, a finalist in this year’s Women to Watch Awards, on page 89.
PLUGGING IN SOCIAL GROUPS
Each issue, WILMA includes a Plugging In directory to help you connect locally. This time, we’re focusing on social groups in the area to get newcomers and longtimers alike to connect through shared activities. Keep an eye out for future lists about volunteering opportunities and entrepreneur resources. Let us know about your organization by emailing e ditor@wilmingtonbiz.com .
SUN CLUB
Sun Club ILM
formed this year as a way for women – mostly in their twenties, though the group says all are welcome –to connect through activities and exploring Wilmington. Meetup activities range from cocktails and craft nights to book swaps, volunteering, and more. The group holds a weekly Mermaid Monday Sunset Swim at either Wrightsville Beach or Carolina Beach. (Read more about founder Delaney O’Brien’s plans for the group on page 32.)
INFO: INSTAGRAM @SUNCLUB.ILM
GIRLS HAVE HOBBIES
Doodling in
the park, painting along with Bob Ross, making slime, making tiny terrariums – the Girls Have Hobbies group meets two to four times a month for creative activities as well as active outings such as indoor rock climbing and sunset yoga. But the main focus is hanging out, meeting new people, and trying out activities around the city. INFO: INSTAGRAM @GIRLSHAVEH0BBIES, TIKTOK @ GIRLSHAVEHOBBIES
THE WILMINGTON GIRLS CLUB
“For the girls who romanticize their lives, love to make reservations, and want to make new friends” is the description for this group. Past events have included a Coastal Cowgirl Market with food trucks and a flower bouquet bar at Oak + Fennel Farms; sunflower maze meetup; and tasting event at Wine Knot. INFO: INSTAGRAM @ THEWILMINGTONGIRLSCLUB
WANDERLUST WILMINGTON
This Facebook group posts about local events and community updates from live music to family friendly outings. INFO: WANDERLUST WILMINGTON 2.0 ON FACEBOOK TO JOIN THE PRIVATE GROUP
ILM SILENT BOOK CLUB
Love reading but want to be social but also don’t want to join a book club discussion? So did Nancy Smith, organizer of ILM Silent Book Club, and the 3,000 members who follow the local chapter on Facebook and hundreds of other followers on Instagram. The club holds several inperson meetups a month, including at the public library, Azalea Station in the Cargo District, and Bitty & Beau’s coffee shop for a variety of settings for peaceful page turning. INFO: INSTAGRAM @ILMSILENTBOOKCLUB AND FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/ ILMSILENTBOOKCLUB
WILMY WALKS FOR ALL
For those who prefer to meet new people while also getting their steps in, Krysten Gross, who works from home, started Wilmy Walks for All. The walking group meets at Wrightsville Beach Loop, local parks, and even along the downtown Riverfront to the weekend farmers market. Walks are typically between 1.5 miles to 4 miles, depending on the trail. INFO: INSTAGRAM @WILMYWALKSFORALL
Tiffany Tucker on Leadership Lessons from the Dating Life
“A
ll dating apps are not created equal, understanding that when you are deciding to date and jumping out into this dating world – this new 2024, I-gotta-put-myprofile-picture-up … world. I’m going to jump on the app. I’m going to see exactly who’s out there.
But the hardest job is picking one. …
One thing about leadership that I’ve learned is first, you don’t need all of the apps. You have to delegate and figure out what works for you. …
For your leadership and in your company on your team, you’ve got to find the folks who really make an impact, and you as a leader, must delegate those responsibilities to them. …
Number two, who are you really hiding from? You get on a dating app, and you’ve done all the work to take the cute picture. Meanwhile, the other joker’s decided, ‘I’m just going to pull out a selfie with some shades on.’ The one thing I want to see is you. Who are you hiding from?
As leaders, y’all know where I’m going: vulnerability.
When you’ve got to stand in front of a room of people and tell them we didn’t hit our mark over the last few quarters; I’ve got to let X amount of people go.
I had to stand in front of my staff and say, ‘Hey, it has been an amazing experience to be here in
Wilmington and work at UNCW, but for my own personal and professional life, I must seek this other opportunity for my growth.’
And being vulnerable is not weak. It’s being strategic. It’s being intentional.
You as a leader are allowing other people on your team or under your leadership to grow. You allow them to be innovative; you allow them to fail forward.
They can’t win if they don’t try. You didn’t get where you are because everything went right. It didn’t work that way.
But if we as leaders, especially when you ascend to roles where you’re in the C-suite and everybody’s eyes are looking at you. They’re waiting on your every word – that one person in the organization that takes all the notes, color codes them when they get back, puts them in the Google Drive, sends them out to everybody else – yes, that person needs to know it’s okay to be vulnerable and allow people to see who they really are.
… If you’re going to swipe right, swipe left –make a decision. No one wants to follow an indecisive leader.
Imagine if the Electric Slide played right now, and we’re all trying to now figure out where to jump in, who’s going right, who’s going left.
Make a decision. Be decisive. Communicate with your team – even the hard stuff.
Transparency. It’s tough to let people in, but sometimes in decision making, especially when you have young leaders in your organization, you have to let them know how you got to that decision, and that transparency means a lot to folks, and not even just the young folks. You have people who’ve been in organizations for 20, 30 years – they want to know where we’re going too. …
We’ve had all the meetings, but now it’s time for you, the leader, to make a decision. You gotta swipe right, you gotta swipe left, but you have to make a decision.” W
Editor’s note: TIFFANY D. TUCKER was a keynote speaker at this summer’s WILMA’s Leadership Accelerator conference, drawing laughs and sharing insights about her experience in the dating world of Wilmington.
There are many parallels between navigating dating apps and navigating leadership challenges, says Tucker, owner of Tiffany D. Tucker Speaks LLC.
She recently moved from her role as UNCW’s deputy athletics director and senior women administrator to become the athletics director of University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
This is an excerpt from her speech at Leadership Accelerator, pointing out a few of those lessons learned.
To hear the full talk, go to W2WLeadership.com. For a recap of the event and conference photos, turn to page 30.
photo by ARIS HARDING
3
500
7 programs
Our mission is to feed the hungry,
meals provided through the Grocery Giveaway
76,500 120,328 54,000
hot meals served in the Soup Kitchen
365
men, women, and children sheltered overnight
235
individuals utilizing Day Shelter services
169
25 campuses volunteers
meals delivered to rehoused seniors and families
shelter the homeless, and foster transition to housing.
men, women, and children returned to a safe, stable home of their own
48
chronically homeless adults rehoused with supportive services at SECU Lakeside Reserve and the Sgt. Eugene Ashley Center
221
individuals served through the free on-site Medical Clinic
homeless Veterans re turned to independent housing through the Sgt. Eugene Ashley Center
Our mission is made possible through the support of donors, volunteers, and community partners. Get involved today at www.goodshepherdwilmington.org.
Home for Good: A Campaign for Permanent Solutions to Homelessness
Good Shepherd Center’s Capital Campaign Home for Good will:
• Create more than 50 apartments for chronically homeless individuals with disabilities, including seniors and Veterans;
• Expand our homeless services campus, including a new family shelter with expanded capacity, dedicated play space and rehousing supports;
• Build on 40+ years of service to the Cape Fear community, using Best Practice , data driven interventions to help homeless individuals and families transition to permanent housing, stability, and an improved quality of life
Breaking Ground in 2024
Our newest Permanent Supportive Housing community is fully funded and will rehouse 32 chronically homeless adults with disabilities by providing an affordable apartment combined with on-site supportive services. The land for this campus was generously donated by the City of Wilmington.
SECU The Sparrow A
Good Shepherd Community
On the Horizon for 2025
Good Shepherd is turning our attention to fundraising for our expanded Martin Street campus, which will include a new family shelter with double our current capacity, additional services space for homeless adults, and more Permanent Supportive Housing for our most vulnerable homeless neighbors. We are actively looking for support to help us bring this new campus to life!
Please join us in being a part of the solution. Last year, Good Shepherd ended the homelessness of 169 adults and children through a path back to safe, stable housing. With your support, we can do so much more! We invite you and your family, business, congregation, or organization to get inv olved in this important work. Reach out to our team to schedule a tour, to plan a volunteer opportunity, or to talk with us about homelessness in our community and the solutions that you can invest in that provide a better quality of life for all residents of our shared Cape Fear home. Call 910-763-4424 ext. 104 or email kknight@goodshepherdwilmington.org to connect!
by EMMA DILL | photos by DREWE AND KATE BRANDING CO.
unning the Wandering Cone Creamery, an ice cream shop that opened recently in Wilmington’s Soda Pop District, is a balancing act for owner and founder AMANDA CASSELLA.
Cassella, who is the shop’s primary ice cream maker, still works a full-time marketing job, sometimes taking conference calls in the back of the shop between batches of ice cream. Her goal is to eventually run the shop full time.
Two months before the shop opened at the end of May, Cassella was diagnosed with leukemia – she is currently undergoing treatment for the blood cancer.
“I get so emotional about it because I didn’t step back,” she said recently about opening the shop. “I literally didn’t know if I was going to be here a couple months ago, and to see this dream become a reality and just be able to enjoy it every day has just been so amazing. I’m thrilled to be here doing this.”
Opening an ice cream shop has been a long time coming for Cassella, who worked in an ice cream shop as a teen growing up in Connecticut.
“I had so much fun working there and doing it,” she says. “My mom’s first job was in an ice cream shop, and she loved it. My brother joined me at the ice cream shop – it was like a family thing.”
After graduating from college with a marketing degree, Cassella worked in corporate America until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She lost her job and her husband’s job went
remote, so they decided to sell their home in Connecticut, buy an RV, and travel around the U.S. for a year with their two-year-old daughter in tow.
Cassella found out she was pregnant with her son while they were on the road, and the couple decided to settle down. They chose to return to Wilmington – a place they had visited on the RV trip – about two-and-a-half years ago.
Shortly after the move, Cassella was offered a job in Florida. Not wanting to uproot her family again, she turned it down, but her husband jokingly suggested she do her own thing, Cassella says, and start a business.
“It just snowballed from there,” she says. “It kind of started as a joke, and now we’re here doing it.”
She explored starting an ice cream food truck but eventually settled on a brick-and-mortar concept, signing a lease for the space in the Bottle Works building at 921 Princess Street last July.
“It was a blank canvas,” she says, “and when we came in it was just the old warehouse building.”
Cassella worked with a contractor to do much of the heavy lifting required to upfit the space, but she also worked closely with friends and family to add personal touches. Cassella’s dad and a neighbor built the shop’s ice cream bar and its furniture, and Cassella worked with friends to create a vision for the shop’s interior, including wallpaper personalized for the ice cream shop’s brand.
“I wanted people to walk in here and just automatically smile,” Cassella says. “And I feel like the design and the look and the colors just kind of emanate that joy.”
Cassella’s travels – including her family’s RV trip – are the inspiration for the ice cream shop’s name and many of its
flavors, which are divided into Locals – permanent flavors – and Visitors – rotating flavors. The permanent flavors include Caramelized Banana Nutella, the shop’s best-seller, and Cassella’s favorite Mint Stracciatella.
Cassella makes each batch of ice cream at the store, using a mix of cream and sugar to create a base before blending in ingredients to create each flavor.
To make the Caramelized Banana Nutella, a flavor inspired by Drift Coffee’s French toast (a family favorite), she roasts bananas with brown sugar before pureeing them into her cream-and-sugar base. After an initial batch freeze, she adds in swirls of Nutella.
Each batch requires a multi-day process of mixing and freezing before it’s ready for the case. While Cassella is the shop’s sole ice cream maker, she’s currently training some of her staff. The shop also makes its hot fudge, whipped cream, and waffle cones from scratch, including fresh gluten-free cones that can be difficult to find, Cassella says.
Each month, the Visitors menu features a new slate of flavors. June’s Visitors were inspired by the Cassellas’ journey to Wilmington while July’s were farmers market-inspired.
“I’m taking inspiration from everywhere,” she says. “I get inspiration from things I’ve eaten, from places we’ve been, and I kind of just make it.” W
GETTING INVOLVED IN
Staying active and engaged within the community is vital for seniors, as it promotes physical health, mental well-being, and a sense of belonging, also known as Optimal Living®.
V OLUNTEER FOR A CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT
Volunteering is a fulfilling way to stay active and give back to the community. Many organizations, such as local schools, hospitals, and nonprofits, welcome the experience and knowledge that seniors bring. Seniors can find volunteer opportunities through community centers, online platforms, or local churches.
Benefits of Volunteering
● Social Connections: Meet new people and form friendships.
● Use Your Skills & Expertise: Apply lifelong skills and knowledge.
● Mental Stimulation: Stay mentally active through a variety of tasks
JOIN A CLUB
Many communities have clubs and groups catering to a wide range of interests, including book clubs, gardening groups, and walking clubs. Joining these groups allows seniors to meet like-minded individuals and engage in activities they enjoy. Libraries, senior communities, and community centers often host these clubs and can provide information on how to join.
THE COMMUNITY: TIPS FOR SENIORS
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Continuing education is a great way to stay mentally sharp and engaged. Many communities offer adult education classes on various topics, from history and languages to technology and cooking. Local colleges, universities, and community centers often provide these classes at a reduced cost for seniors.
Benefits of Lifelong Learning
● Cognitive Health: Stimulate the brain and improve memory.
● New Skills: Learn new hobbies or professional skills.
● Social Interaction: Meet new people with similar interests.
TAKE AN EXERCISE CLASS
Staying physically active is crucial for overall health and well-being. Many communities offer exercise classes specifically designed for seniors, such as yoga, tai chi, and water aerobics. These classes are a great way to stay fit and meet others who are also interested in maintaining their health.
Recommended Physical Activities
● Yoga: Improve flexibility and reduce stress.
● Tai Chi: Enhance balance and coordination.
● Water Aerobics: Low-impact exercise for joint health.
STAY CONNECTED WITH TECH
Technology can be a powerful tool for staying connected. Social media, video calls, and community
websites allow seniors to keep in touch with family, friends, and local groups. Many communities offer classes on how to use technology effectively, ensuring users can stay informed and engaged.
Technology Tips
● Social Media: Join community groups and events online.
● Video Calls: Enjoy face-to-face connections with loved ones.
● Community Websites: Stay updated on local news and activities.
Get Involved & Discover A New Passion In Retirement Cambridge Village of Wilmington can help active, independent seniors stay engaged and connected with on-site fitness, social programming, enrichment opportunities and so much more.
Pierrette Cortner is the Community Consultant Director at Cambridge Village, Wilmington’s only Hybrid Senior Living Community. Pierrette makes planning for the future a lively experience presenting a vibrant and educational approach. CVSLIVING.COM/WILMINGTON
SPONSORS' CONTENT
WHY THE INTEGRATION OF OF MENTAL HEALTH + WELLNESS MATTERS
MOST PEOPLE GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR THEIR PHYSICAL PAINS AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, AND WE GO TO OUR PASTORS FOR PRAYER, AND WE GO TO OUR COUNSELOR TO DEAL WITH OUR ANXIETY. BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE SOUGHT OUT HEALERS WHO TRULY CARE ABOUT THE INTEGRATION OF ALL OF IT?
The Made Well Center for Wholeness is a holistic mental health + wellness center, and here we truly seek to integrate healing on every level: mental, physical, and spiritual.
At the Made Well Center, all of our clinicians come from a place of being holistically rooted understanding the importance of integration of physical health practices in order to build capacity for great healing of mental health issues and struggles. We offer a wide array of services to help meet these needs as well. The Made Well Center offers mental health counseling focusing in on: healing from trauma, anxiety, difficulties with communication within relationships, premarital counseling, burned out health professionals, navigating grief, and helping young adults suffering through major life changes. Not only do we offer counseling, but we have a nutritional therapy practitioner, and a gut health
specialist (who can run gut stool sample tests) on our team as well who also help our clients to heal from chronic gut pain issues, help heal their relationship to food, enhance healthy foundations with nutrition, balance blood sugar, and overall increase energy so that our clients have increase physical capacity to also help increase their ability to navigate stressors that may come their way.
In addition to these direct care services, the Made Well Center seeks to educate our clients and the community through our monthly Get Well Gatherings. These workshops are designed to help our clients, and other members in the community engage in a fun learning environment FOR FREE in order to learn about a wide variety of health and wellness topics. These occur the last Monday of the month, and you can keep track of upcoming events on our calendar.
Last but not least, the Made Well Center offers Healing Intensives that can be facilitated in a oneday, two-day, or three-day option dependent on your needs. These intensives provide a unique to you curated space to enhance your healing capacities as well. They can be designed to provide deeper education and insight into your health and/or behaviors, they could include an EMDR intensive option, and they help increase
nervous system regulation. They are designed to be focused on you, your past, your relationships, your health, as well as your future.
Offering all these services and having clinicians and practitioners who all have a similar heart and mind towards holistic health + wellbeing is what sets our clinic apart. We want to see you actually heal, and get well, and truly work ourselves out of a job working with you. Reach out to the Made Well Center, or explore more of what we have to offer via our website: www.madewellcenter.org
BUFFY ANDREWS, OWNER
Buffy Andrews is the owner of the Made Well Center for Wholeness, founder and executive director of This Whole Life Foundation, and your local wellness buff. She is also a wife, a mother, and an avid outdoor lover. She seeks to always have a unique and fresh perspective on healing, and always provide radical hope for her clients and the clinicians she works with.
A Taking Texture on
fter a summer filled with eye-searing colors, wild patterns, andbeverages,overly-fruity it’s time to get grounded. Natural textures like linen and crochet started to pop up in spring collections and continue to top the list for fall, promising to make the transition of seasons a breeze. Both fabrics put an emphasis on handcraft over fast fashion, with crochet being a fav among DIYers.
TOP, Sasha CUFF JEANS, Edwina BRACELETS and Tinker 2 EARRINGS by Betsy Pittard Designs, and Mallorca beaded BAG
On Lauren: Nova pointelle DRESS and Sandy seashell mermaid EVENING BAG all available at Kasa Mercantile
Faherty striped PANTS, Maison VEST, and Angela Alum EARRINGS, all available at Coharie
The Sophisticated Hippy crochet DRESS by Farrah Ferguson and turquoise EARRINGS by Chelsea Lea Metals, both available at Coharie
On Michaela (left): Summon TOP and PANTS in navy, EARRINGS and BRACELET by Cathi Winborne
On Lauren: Marine Layer DRESS in antique white all available at Coharie
On Michaela (left): Eden sweater DRESS and Prudence NECKLACE
On Lauren: Randall knit CROP TOP and Fallon SKIRT all available at Kasa Mercantile
WARDROBE:
Coharie, 120 N. Lake Park Boulevard, Suite 100, Carolina Beach and Kasa Mercantile, 204 Arcadian Row, Suite 120, Wilmington
MODELS:
Lauren Gordy & Michaela Basilio Batten
Justina shirt DRESS, available at Kasa Mercantile
FEAST of fancy
by
From restaurants to specialty shops and locally grown produce, area businesses are responding to Wilmington’s evolving palate. Meet some of the women contributing to the area’s vibrant culinary scene – from CHRISTI FERRETTI helping to preserve a fellow chef’s original vision to KAT PEREZ demystifying Spanish cooking techniques to MICHELLE LYON-HEATHERLY providing the greens at The Green House.
Here are excerpts of recent stories from Feast Unwrapped, a sister publication to WILMA magazine. To sign up for the weekly Feast Unwrapped email newsletter (as well as updates on the annual Feast Wilmington food and drink event), go to FeastWilmington.com.
JESSICA MAURER | photos by MATT RAY PHOTOGRAPHY
TENDING FIRE THE
When Smoke on the Water owner ALLAN MIDDLETON lost his business partner JAMES SMITH last August, he suddenly found himself facing a multitude of challenges.
Smith, who also owned two Fork N’ Cork locations, was the boots on the ground so to speak, while Middleton, a real estate agent, had little to do with day-to-day operations. After Smith’s death, Middleton was determined to keep the restaurant afloat, and his staff was eager to preserve Smith’s legacy as well, but Middleton knew that the leadership structure was going to need attention.
Middleton’s son Maxx was also on board to help see things through, but with both having limited hands-on restaurant experience, the Middletons quickly found themselves in need of expert consultation to steer the restaurant through turbulent times.
“CHRISTI FERRETTI was the first person I thought of,” Allan Middleton says. “She’s so well known for excellence in everything she does and thrives on challenge.”
It’s a precarious position, preserving a chef’s legacy while steering a restaurant toward a successful future, yet time and time again Ferretti has pushed herself to take on new roles and expand her knowledge of the industry.
As the face of Pine Valley Market for over two decades, Ferretti, who co-owns PVM with wife KATHY WEBB, has grown the gourmet market and deli to include a fullservice catering operation booking over a hundred events each year from corporate events and weddings and large fundraisers.
She also serves as the lead local chef for Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington’s (GLOW) celebrity chef fundraisers each year, working alongside some of the biggest names in the industry to help them source
ingredients and prep for service.
“I originally met Christi through her work with GLOW and always felt that if given the opportunity I’d love to do some type of collaboration with her,” Allan Middleton says.
Ferretti first came on board as a consultant in January and later joined on as a partner.
“I’m very hands-on, and I’m a problem solver, a fixer –maybe to a fault,” Ferretti says.
She has enlisted the help of well-known Wilmington chef JESSICA CABO, formerly of East at the Blockade Runner, to help with menu updates and overall kitchen management.
“We’ve preserved the majority of James’ recipes – his methods and his sauces,” Ferretti says. “This will always kind of be his space, we’ve just made some tweaks to provide a better dining experience for the guests and to make things more functional for the kitchen staff.”
Admittedly, having a leadership role at two very busy eateries has not been easy for Ferretti.
While she relies on seasoned staff members at Pine Valley Market to help with the day to day, she remains very much involved there as well as at Smoke.
“It’s important that owners have a presence in their restaurants,” Ferretti says. “This restaurant is now owned by two families, and it’s important for guests to be aware of our commitment to great service. Sometimes that means bussing tables or putting out fires, and sometimes it’s just about connecting with guests and fostering hospitality.” W
INTERACTIVE COOKING
Just one year after opening the doors to La Mar Salada, KAT and VICTOR PEREZ have gained a loyal following of home cooks eager to add popular
Spanish dishes to their repertoire.
The husband-wife duo opened their market at 908 Castle Street market with the intent of bringing specialty items from Victor Perez’s homeland of Spain to Wilmington, and the interest in cooking classes was something that took them by surprise.
“I tell this story all the time,” Kat Perez says. “The group that we had for our first class, their energy was just next level. We could tell right away how excited people were for this, and we knew we had to keep going with it.”
The classes began with a focus on paella, a classic Spanish dish of rice, saffron, vegetables, and chicken or seafood cooked in a carbon steel pan known as a paellera. Paella originated in Valencia, Spain, where the traditional ingredients of Paella Valenciana are chicken, rabbit, and garrofo (a type of butter bean), cooked with rice, saffron, and chicken broth.
To better accommodate the classes, a U-shaped bar was built to allow participants to have a clear view of Kat and Victor in the center, cooking from gas-powered stands upon which the paelleras are set.
At a recent Friday evening paella class, the couple greeted guests with Spanish wines and charcuterie as they made introductions and settled in at the bar. Two types of paella would be prepared – one with chicken and chorizo – a favorite of the Perezes, and one with fresh seafood from Seaview Crab Co.
Soon, the Perezes passed out vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, onions, leeks, and garlic and instructed the class on how to prep them. Everyone was equipped with a red
La Mar Salada apron, a small cutting board, and a knife.
Kat and Victor Perez prepped the proteins and began by sauteing them while the vegetables were cut. Before long, a pleasant aroma filled the air, and the participants shared stories of their travels abroad, of the foods and experiences they have come to treasure.
One hard-and-fast rule when it comes to paella is that once the rice is added, the mixture is not to be stirred. Unlike its Italian counterpart risotto, which requires constant stirring, paella is left to simmer over low heat until the broth is absorbed and a flavorful crispy crust – the socarrat – has formed, giving the dish its unique texture.
As the paella simmered, Victor Perez passed a porrón, a glass decanter filled with a dry Spanish cider.
La Mar’s class schedule has expanded to include a Tapas and Bottomless Mimosas Brunch where participants make tortilla de patatas, a classic Spanish tapa made with potatoes, onions, and eggs cooked in olive oil. They also sample jamón, a dry-cured cured Spanish ham, and other common tapas.
In addition to classes held at the market, Kat and Victor Perez have started hosting private in-home parties upon request, and this is an area of the business they’re eager to grow.
“People have really come to enjoy having people gather in their homes,” Kat Perez says. “And this is a way for them not to have to do all the work of hosting a dinner party, and it can be interactive for their guests.” W
AOPEN-AIR MENU
eroponic farming, a technique where plants grow in a soilless environment with their roots suspended in air, has been slowly revolutionizing sustainable agriculture for decades.
The Green House, Wilmington’s first upscale vegan restaurant, exemplifies this approach by incorporating aeroponic tower gardens into its operations. The gardens are at the heart of the restaurant’s food and beverages, and it’s a model that enhances both the sustainability and the nutritional quality of its offerings.
MICHELLE LYON-HEATHERLY, owner of Cape Fear Tower Gardens, is the lead horticulturalist for The Green House. For more than twenty-five years, she operated a commercial garden center, and during that time she became increasingly concerned about the effects of pesticides on the produce she was growing and on nearby waterways.
Lyon-Heatherly never expected to take such a deep dive into aeroponics. But back in 2020, she happened to strike up a conversation with friend ANASTASIA WORRELL, owner of The Green House, about plans for an on-site greenhouse at the then-new vegan restaurant, 1427 Military Cutoff Road.
After reviewing the initial greenhouse plans, LyonHeatherly realized it might not be the best fit in terms of functionality and sustainability and urged Worrell to consider tower gardens. Tower gardens maximize vertical space, which is beneficial for restaurants with limited growing space. The vertical setup allows a variety of crops to be grown in a compact area.
Unlike hydroponics, where roots are intermittently covered in water, aeroponics allows roots to be suspended in air and misted with a nutrient solution. This method offers several key benefits, including a growth rate that is three times faster than soil-based farming and the need for a fraction of the water required in traditional farming.
Lyon-Heatherly explained that traditional produce loses about 10% of its nutrients each day after harvest for the first four days. The percentage drops a bit each day thereafter, but the produce continues to lose nutrient content. By keeping plants alive until they are ready to be served, this nutrient loss is virtually eliminated, ensuring diners receive the most nutritious food possible.
“A vegetable or herb at its peak nutrition is going to also be at its best tasting,” says DEXTER SPENCER, The Green House’s executive chef. “The concept of farm to table greatly reduces the amount of time between field and fork but having the ‘field’ right there outside the kitchen door diminishes that decline in quality almost completely.”
While the tower gardens allow for the year-round growing of various crops, The Green House also supports local farmers by purchasing ingredients such as root vegetables – the only type of produce that can’t be grown aeroponically. The restaurant works with Shelton Herb Farm, Terra Vita Farm, and Red Beard Farms as well as Tidal Creek Co-op and Feast Down East for supplemental items.
In addition to providing the kitchen with produce, the tower gardens also support the restaurant’s bar program –with traditional as well as zero-proof spirits – with herbs such as thyme, mint, rosemary, cilantro, and fennel fronds. Most of the bar’s syrups and elixirs are made in-house, and shrubs are sourced from Pomona Shrub Co.
For those looking for a truly unique dining experience, The Green House offers private dinner parties in the tower garden greenhouse. Diners can experience a true feast for the senses as they taste, see, and smell the living gardens. W
(Read more from these stories at FeastWilmington.com/feast-unwrapped.)
Christina Brier & Linda Estep
• Amanda
Goodyear • Louise Curtin
Ramseur •
LJ Woodard
• Jameka
Wrisbon
Purdie •
Dori Bishara
• Brittany
Hall • Shemeka
Henderson-Kemp
• Bevin Prince
• Brooke Skipper
• April Jordan •
Kimberly Lebby • Kemeka Sidbury • Ashley
Wells • Amanda Wolf • Rachel
Crouse • Heather Davis •
Amanda Knauff •
Lisa Perry • Daniela
Williams • Liz
Carbone • Tara
Everett • Vannia
Raya Aguilar •
Emmie Stanley
• Kellie Wade
• Jessica
Baldwin • Stephanie
Key • Bernice Sanders Johnson • Rebekah
Thurston
• Rebecca Zimmer
Donaldson • Kristen Hole
• ChyAnn Ketchum • Haven
Lewis • Paige Marshall • Delaney O’Brien
WOMEN WATCH AWARDS
WOMEN WATCH AWARDS WILMA'S 2
MEET WILMA’S 2024 WOMEN TO WATCH AWARDS FINALISTS
They represent leaders in their fields and community. Read more about the thirtysix women on the following pages to learn more about why the judges selected them out of hundreds of nominations and applications that came in this year.
In this issue, we introduce this year’s finalists in arts, business, education, health, nonprofit/volunteer, public sector, and rising star. The rising star category is the only one with an age description and is open to those under thirty.
The women will be honored at this year’s awards event September 6 where the winners also will be announced. For more on the finalists, including extended versions of their interviews, go to our website at WILMAmag.com.
THE JUDGING PROCESS
Each year, WILMA opens up the nominations process for the Women to Watch Awards during the spring.
Our judging panel – made up of leaders who sit on the Women to Watch Leadership Initiative’s advisory board as well as outside guests – met to pick the finalists and winners in each of the seven categories.
WILMA would like to thank the judges for volunteering their time and expertise on the awards.
THE JUDGES
Wanda Coley
Donna Esteves
Amy Grant
Pam Hardy
Kristy Hubard
Alexis Hunter
Sonya Johnson
Sheri Leavens
Tammy Proctor
Ruth Ravitz Smith
Kelly Schaudt
Karen Weaver
CREDITS
AWARDS BRACELET:
This year’s awards bracelet is by Chelsea Lea Metals (chelsealeametals.com) (read more about Lea, on page 94).
Brier: “As the executive director of Brooklyn Arts Music Academy, I oversee all operational and strategic aspects of the organization. I manage program development, fundraising, and community partnerships to ensure accessible and exceptional music education for our students.”
Estep: “My role is labeled as artistic director of BAMA. This includes many responsibilities including day-to-day operation of our facility, program planning, meeting with prospective students and donors, as well as instructing weekly violin lessons. Another major role is overseeing and writing curriculum for our Music is Life! program that brings 450 New Hanover County School children free, weekly music education.”
How do you describe the art you create?
Brier: “As an orchestral harpist, I perform regularly with the North Carolina Symphony and Wilmington Symphony. As a chamber musician, I perform with the Brierwood Ensemble and harp duo Lilac 94. As a solo harpist, I perform for recitals, weddings, and events around Wilmington.”
Estep: “I would describe the art I create as life-changing. Music is something that all humans can relate to. It doesn’t matter the background or life circumstances that someone may be experiencing. Music is an escape and a way to connect with others around us.”
Actor, Host, Radio DJ & Comedian, Momedy Comedy & Sunny 103.7
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I am literally the personality hire. I work as an actor, host, radio DJ, and comedian, known for my roles in TV, film, Momedy Comedy, and broadcasts on Sunny 103.7. Each week, I juggle multiple events as a personality, engaging diverse audiences with humor and entertainment across various platforms. But for real, Momedy Comedy wouldn’t exist without my business partner Shannon Perez-who is the brains!”
How do you describe the art you create?
“Once I embraced being myself, everything started to click. For me, it’s all about connecting openly with my audience and being real. I strive to be an open book, sharing my journey and experiences along the way.”
What’s a goal?
“Let’s put it out there: I want a talk show!”
What do you hope people feel when they look at your work?
“I want my work to be a source of joy and a break from the tough stuff. I hope they feel seen, heard, and among friends. One of our favorite things to hear at the end of a Momedy event is, ‘I needed this!’”
LOUISE CURTIN RAMSEUR LJ WOOARD JAMEKA WRISBON PURDIE
Artist & Coordinator, Art at
the Hall
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I am a visual artist. I make abstract art using mostly fiber and mixed media. I also volunteer my time to coordinate Art at the Hall, which features local visual artists’ works displayed at Thalian Hall.” How do you describe the art you create?
“I enjoy creating abstract pieces that are filled with moment and emotion. I like using unexpected materials to create bold visual designs. My most current work is a 6-foot-long crocheted knot, made of mixed fabrics with tassels and lots of frayed ends and texture.”
What is your favorite medium or genre?
“At the moment, I have been enjoying working in fiber –anything tactile: from yarn and paper to quilting and more.”
What do you hope people feel when they look at your work?
“Anything at all! If my art can inspire an emotion, positive or negative, then I’m satisfied. I think that visual art has the power to reflect the viewer’s emotions, and, in the best cases, bring to the surface feelings that the viewer may not have been aware they held.”
Founder
& Artistic Director, Performance Club Kids/CEO & Chair, Performance Club Theatre Company
Describe your role and work that you do.
“My role is to provide a creative outlet for youth in our community, empowering them to express themselves and build confidence through the performing arts.
For the past twenty years, I have been dedicated to delivering afterschool programs, workshops, summer theater camps, and producing theatrical productions. As a director and teaching artist, I have had the privilege of nurturing young talents, guiding them in their artistic journeys, and witnessing their growth both on and off the stage.
With the establishment of PCTC (Performance Club Theatre Company), our nonprofit arm, I am excited to extend our reach and impact. In my capacity as CEO and chair, I will have the opportunity to elevate our mission to new heights. This expanded role allows me to focus on strategic planning, community partnerships, and securing funding to ensure the sustainability and growth of our programs.”
What’s a goal?
“My vision is to make the arts accessible to all children, regardless of their financial background, and to cultivate a community that values creativity, collaboration, and personal development – hopefully with our own facility, a safe and welcoming space.”
Jewelry Artist, Alter Ego Designs/ Teaching Artist, DREAMS Center for Arts Education
Describe your role and work that you do
“I have two roles, and I love them both. First and foremost, I am a jewelry artist. I think, sleep, and breathe beads. I am lucky to be a vendor at the Riverfront Farmers Market on Saturdays from April to November. I am even more blessed to be a featured artist in Art in Bloom Gallery in Mayfaire. The owner, Amy Grant, has been my biggest supporter and makes me feel like I could do anything.
I also cherish my role as a teaching artist at DREAMS Center for Arts Education where I get to share my knowledge and techniques – alongside so many talented local artists – with young artists ages seven to seventeen. I teach jewelry-making and junk journaling classes after school during the school year and in summer camps. There is something truly special about encouraging the next generation of artists.”
What’s a goal?
“I love teaching the children at DREAMS … and I will soon be teaching workshops for adults at Leland Cultural Arts Center. However, I would really like to bring the beautiful world of jewelry-making to even more individuals by offering many more classes, workshops, and seminars in the Wilmington area.”
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DORI BISHARA BRITTANY HALL
Community Engagement Coordinator, REV Federal Credit Union
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I have the privilege of representing REV in the North Carolina market. My job is to build brand recognition through our community involvement which includes sponsorships, volunteerism, networking, and relationship building.”
How did you reach this leadership position?
“I was raised to think of myself as a leader, but I am also a dreamer, so my career path has been more twirly and less straight line. I have collected career experiences in multiple cities across the country including for-profit and nonprofit organizations and was a small business owner for six years. Confidence and consideration are two words that come to me as I answer this question. I am confident in myself and my abilities. I am considerate to the needs of my company, our team members, and our community partners. Every day, I work towards how I can best serve them authentically.”
What have been some of your career highlights so far?
“One of my career highlights has been to support Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area with both financial and volunteer support. It is a priority for me to create a meaningful relationship with nonprofits.”
“I represent people who are going through the legal process of separation, divorce, child custody, and child support. … While my first duty is to my client, my second duty is to my firm. I serve as a partner along with five others and we work together to make decisions for the team. We pride ourselves in having a culture that values professionalism, respect, and integrity. My role as a partner is to support my team, manage my cases, and collaborate with the other partners in making business decisions that will further our mission.”
What have been some of your career highlights so far?
“Rather than it be my personal achievements, it would have to be the small role I have played in protecting children from abusive/dangerous parents or caregivers. Every once in a while, I will receive a random card or email from an old client about the difference I have made in his/her life and the children’s lives. Those days make the hard days worth it.”
What’s a future goal?
“I want to write a book one day. I also want to teach the law that I am so passionate about.”
SHEMEKA HENDERSON -KEMP
Store Director, Target
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I locally direct over 250 employees. The goal is to create joy for the guests who walk through those Target doors and to aid in the success and development for each employee who works for me. I also serve as a community liaison to local nonprofits in the Cape Fear area, helping them receive the materials and supplies needed to better aid each organization. I’m also the Target diversity, equity, and inclusion advocate for the east coast of North Carolina. The Wilmington Target is one of the largest volume stores in North Carolina.”
What have been some of your career highlights so far?
“Being the wife of a Marine has allowed me to spend time in many areas and communities at Target. I’ve been the first executive of color in many of the districts that I’ve moved to. I’ve implemented recruitment at HBCUs as well as mentorships on those campuses. I’ve remodeled two Target stores. Most recently, I facilitated in the largest (Target) remodel in the U.S. I have worked with headquarters partners to pilot new initiatives at Target, and yearly, I’ve awarded numerous grants from the company to deserving nonprofits.”
What advice would you give a young professional?
“To live life with intention. To make sure that everything they do has some thought, work, and heart behind it.”
BEVIN PRINCE BROOKE SKIPPER
Recess by Bevin Prince
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As CEO of Recess by Bevin Prince, I’ve crafted a safe, effective, and enjoyable workout that challenges both body and mind in a supportive community. My goal is to foster inclusivity, kindness, and personal growth, inspiring participants to dream bigger in their fitness and personal journeys.”
How did you reach this leadership position?
“My late husband, Will Friend, was pivotal in my journey from SoulCycle master instructor and developer to bringing my fitness vision to Wilmington with Recess. Encouraged by the community’s need for connection during the pandemic, we secured support from Live Oak Bank to launch with a tent and 25 bikes. After Will’s passing, I stepped into unfamiliar business roles, navigating financials and business growth. His belief in me continues to inspire my dedication to Recess’ success and community impact.”
What have been some of your career highlights so far?
“A few career highlights include relocating to our brick-and-mortar space at The Forum in August, expanding our team to over fifteen employees, and witnessing our riders extend their support beyond the studio.”
Vice President, Salt Air Heating & Cooling
How did you reach this leadership position?
“In 2011, my husband and I co-founded Salt Air Inc., driven by our shared vision and dedication. Over the past thirteen years, we’ve leveraged our complementary skills to grow the company significantly.” What have been some of your career highlights so far?
“Throughout my career, I’ve achieved several key milestones. We’ve grown our business to forty employees, leading a team renowned for high-level service and expertise in the HVAC field. My position allows me to allocate time and resources to community support through nonprofits like WARM NC and Canines for Service. Additionally, we’ve launched an in-house apprentice program, furthering our commitment to professional development and industry excellence.”
What’s a future goal?
“… to continue growing our company and work toward our expansion plans outside of the tri-county area over the next three years. I also recently became a mom to a sweet baby girl, so I’m learning to say no to some opportunities for now to balance work and family life. This adjustment is helping me focus and prioritize my time more effectively.”
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eAPRIL JORDAN KIMBERLY LEBBY
Assistant Principal, Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington
Describe your role and work that you do.
“In a public charter school, assistant principals can wear many hats. At my current school, I evaluate all teachers with fidelity and provide teachers with the necessary feedback and tools to write standard-aligned lesson plans that engage all students. I coach teachers, assist with hiring, help with testing, monitor student discipline, and enforce our school policies. I aid in positive school culture and staff morale by keeping traditions alive at GLOW.”
What is one thing you’d like everyone to learn?
“I want everyone to learn that it costs nothing to be kind. So many people are going through different situations because of choices they made and because of choices that were made for them.”
What’s a future goal?
“My long-term goal is to establish or help establish a mentor program for young men and women, ages twelve to twenty.
The program would offer tutoring for school work, ACT, and SAT prep classes, job skills, information on saving money, creating generational wealth, and social and emotional skills. Participants in the program would be required to complete volunteer hours, maintain a B average, and have no serious discipline issues in school.”
Executive Director, DREAMS Center for Arts Education
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As the driving force behind DREAMS, the executive director wears many hats and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that DREAMS stays true to its mission of empowering youth through arts education.
This is achieved by overseeing delivery of multi-disciplinary arts programming, ensuring the organization’s financial health and transparency, working collaboratively with the board to develop strategic plans for the future, and cultivating strong relationships with community partners to expand DREAMS’ reach and impact.”
What makes you passionate about education?
“Witnessing the transformative power of arts education. Through the arts, youth can learn oral and written communication, critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration, self-efficacy, etc. These essential skills serve as catalysts that propel youth to achieve their goals.”
What is the most important thing you have learned?
“The power of adaptability. My path from bench scientist to professor, college administrator, and now leading DREAMS may seem like a winding road, but each step honed my ability to embrace change and learn new skill sets. This adaptability has allowed me to translate my scientific background into leading an arts education organization, finding common ground in fostering creativity and critical thinking all while championing a different kind of education.”
KEMEKA SIDBURY
Academic & Learning Coordinator, D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I work as the academic and learning coordinator at D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, UNCW’s Lab School, and I am committed to various organizations that focus on educational empowerment initiatives for the community.
All of my educational roles require that I work with stakeholders to provide every learner, children and adults, with valuable educational experiences and opportunities.”
What makes you passionate about education?
“Education is the foundation to all of life’s circumstances. Education transforms lives. It is the inquiry to our curiosity. Education brings joy to those who unearth it. Education provides visions even when one cannot see. An equitable education is learning without limitations. Whether formally or informally, education always exposes the genius in all of us!”
What is one thing you’d like everyone to learn?
“Everyone has the gift of genius, and it is our job as a community to unearth it. This does take hard work, but when we – educators, parents, students, and community members – work as a collective we build sustainable communities.”
ASHLEY WELLS AMANDA WOLF
Associate School Director, UNCW School of Health and Applied Human Sciences
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I have the amazing opportunity to work with students, faculty, staff, and community partners in my role as associate school director for quality assurance. I oversee data collection projects that gather evidence on our effectiveness and impact in the school, as well as engage in program planning and outreach with our community.”
What makes you passionate about education?
“I live for the ‘a-ha’ moments in the classroom when a student suddenly gains a new perspective on a topic. I love to see the amazement in K-12 students’ eyes when they take a field trip to our labs and see what they can be doing as a student in the future. I am passionate about providing opportunities for students to develop and reach their goals and hearing post-graduation that they are living their dreams!”
What is one thing you’d like everyone to learn?
“I would like everyone to learn about a culture that is different from theirs. From the language to the religion to the food to the social norms. It is so important to understand that not everyone is like you and appreciating diversity is key to being in relation to other humans.”
Founder & Educator, Peace Rose Montessori School
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I oversee operations at Peace Rose Montessori alongside two other directors, interacting and supporting teachers, parents, students, and the business of running a school. I am fulfilled being in the classroom and delegate a lot of my administrative tasks. I teach 4th-6th grade in upper elementary and support the secondary program 7th-9th grade. We are a community school, and I am constantly looking through the lens of community development within Peace Rose and the surrounding area.”
What’s a future goal?
“A short-term goal is to further develop the Montessori Model United Nations program with the secondary students. This is an exciting new venture, and we are on year two with this organization! A long-term goal is to assess if we will be adding a high school and obtaining another building with more land and property in the downtown area.”
What is the most important thing you have learned?
“As a business owner and educator, I have learned that communication is so important to relationships, curriculum development, supporting families, and business operations. Communication that is clear, direct, kind, and collaborative is a necessary asset to any business and school culture.”
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RACHEL CROUSE
Clinical Director, Coastal Horizons
Describe your role and work t hat you do.
“As a clinical director, I oversee outpatient therapy, opioid treatment, and wrap-around recovery services at a community mental health and substance use treatment center. I work with some of our community’s most vulnerable and underserved populations, ensuring they have fair access to treatment and resources.
My role involves supporting clinical operations, ensuring quality care, supervising a multidisciplinary staff, building community relationships, providing education, and implementing evidence-based programs to assist individuals and families in their journeys.”
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“So many parts. One that stands out is witnessing individuals find hope and remember their value after facing profound challenges.”
What impacts have you made in your field?
“I supervise new therapists and student interns, which is fulfilling and ensures the future of my profession. I sit on community advisories to guide the future of mental health and substance use while reducing stigma in our community.
In my role, I’ve expanded programming to increase access to services, including extending daily operations by adding nontraditional hours. Through growing our team, we serve nearly 1,200 individuals monthly while promoting compassionate and person-centered care.”
HEATHER DAVIS
SVP & Chief Clinical Officer, Novant Health Coastal Region
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I lead efforts to advance patient care in our region in partnership with local physician leaders and operational leaders. Together, we collaborate to implement best practices to deliver on our commitment to offer the highest level of patient safety and clinical quality. While less than a year into my role, we are already on our path toward realizing positive improvements and will continue to maintain our focus to best serve patients and our community.”
What’s a goal?
“My goal is to continue to advance quality improvements, earning recognition for performing at top-tier national standards and delivering results our community can be proud of. Our culture of continuous improvement drives us to raise the standard of care for our patients through a wide array of quality programs. To inform our focus, we track quality and outcomes in real-time using technology, and we’ve seen improvements due to the dedication of many clinicians.”
What impacts have you made in your field?
“I have helped increase resources and access to high-quality primary and specialty care for our region. I have advanced residency education and retention of primary care physicians to serve greater Southeastern North Carolina, including our rural communities. I have also mentored physicians to take on leadership roles to help run an incredible health care system.”
AMANDA KNAUFF
Owner & Physical Therapist, Pender Pelvic Health and Therapy Services
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I wear many hats in my company. I am the founder and sole owner of my practice. I perform management duties, participate in mentorship for my colleagues, converse with insurance companies, market to other medical providers, and treat patients on a daily basis.”
How do you help people?
“Physical therapists treat patients who have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that may be affecting their quality of life. At our clinic, we help our patients avoid surgeries, avoid prescription drugs, maximize mobility and function, and assist with managing chronic conditions.”
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“There are so many! Being a resource for our community where we can bridge the gap in their health care team: Men telling me they are able to manage their pelvic pain; women telling me they no longer need leakage protection as they age or if they’ve had children; children giving me high fives when they poop on the commode and not in their underwear. Patients meeting their goals is the joy in our field.”
What’s a goal?
“Short-term goal would be to establish support groups for individuals with pelvic pain as well as initiate a prenatal yoga program.”
LISA PERRY DANIELA WILLIAMS
Unified Communications Specialist, Wilmington Health
Describe your role and work that you do.
“In my position, I am responsible for managing Wilmington Health’s telecommunications platforms. This includes creating and managing messaging content across our communication platforms, recording greetings and audio messages, (and) supporting the software responsible for programming, routing, and connectivity. I build and maintain external call queuing systems, reporting, (and) integration, while also collaborating with staff and stakeholders to ensure our methods and content are successful. Additionally, I support our staff in utilizing our communication methods efficiently.”
What’s a goal?
“My future goals are to receive certifications in communication management, project management, and expand my voice-over opportunities. I am continuing to explore different ways to effectively communicate and interact with patients as an organization. I want to continue to leverage my skills in working with people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Currently, I am working with a local group Theatre for All and Special Olympics, which allows me to mentor, educate, and support these individuals.”
Owner & Therapist, A Place of Solace/Staff Psychotherapist & Director of Community Engagement, Community Counseling Center
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As a mental health therapist, I hold space for people in their most vulnerable times by providing psychotherapy for those struggling with anxiety, depression, and perinatal mental health issues. As the owner of A Place of Solace, I create and lead initiatives to destigmatize and increase awareness of mental health issues, particularly in underserved communities and churches. As the director of community engagement for the Community Counseling Center, I organize workshops and wellness events and serve in an advisory role to enhance mental health awareness.”
How do you help people?
“As a Black mental health therapist, my presence and impact are multifaceted and profound in my community. I offer culturally sensitive therapy and provide a safe, affirming space to address mental health issues. My work destigmatizes mental health care and fosters resiliency and wellbeing. … My collaboration with local churches and community organizations helps to empower the community and centers mental wellness in populations that are frequently underserved.
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LIZ CARBONE TARA EVERETT
Director of Community Engagement, Good Shepherd Center
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I oversee the engagement team and the food services team at Good Shepherd Center, a local nonprofit whose mission is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and foster transition to housing.
My responsibilities include fundraising, outreach, education, and advocacy efforts around our mission focus areas: food insecurity, homelessness, and affordable housing.”
Why do you do nonprofit work?
“I feel so fortunate to have a career where I can serve others and to work with an incredible team of dedicated professionals who are committed to helping our neighbors achieve an improved quality of life. We spend every day with community members who are struggling to keep themselves or their children housed or who have already lost their housing and don’t have the family or financial safety net that many of us may take for granted to fall back on. Their stories and experiences motivate me every day to identify and advocate for the resources that help our neighbors in crisis access the safety, dignity, and opportunity that only stable housing can provide.”
What’s a goal?
“I would love to see our community make headway on committing to more innovative policy and programmatic approaches to addressing our region’s affordable housing crisis.
There are so many gaps in our local housing ecosystem, and we need to get creative and begin to meaningfully address those gaps if we want to live in a community where everyone has a safe place to call home.”
President, Pender Youth Football and Cheer Association
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I am responsible for the safe and effective operation of PYFCA (Pender Youth Football and Cheer Association). A lot of what I do starts in the off-season, and many people don’t believe it, but this is a yearlong commitment. I go from organizing board meetings, meeting with county officials, writing grants, to ordering uniforms. This year, we have decided to transition over to Coastal Pop Warner, therefore, I have had to learn an entire new organizational structure.” Why do you do nonprofit/volunteer work?
“I love my community, and I want what is best for my community. With loving my community, I have found volunteer opportunities that speak to my beliefs and my own personal passion. It is easy for individuals to sit back and see a need/problem, but then no action is put in to address it. For me, I want to be the change that I want in my community, and I will do the work.”
What impact have you had on the community?
“I serve on various nonprofit boards that cater to those in need: Pender Youth Football and Cheer Association, RSVP Advisory Board with Pender Adults Services, Pender Country Christian Services, and the Kiwanis Club of Burgaw. I saw the lack of affordable youth programs in the western side of Pender County, so I hosted a free four-week summer camp for elementary-aged youth in Atkinson where we provided free breakfast and lunch and had an array of activities from sports-related to STEAM-related.”
VANNIA RAYA AGUILAR EMMIE STANLY KELLIE WADE
Founder, Cape Fear Latinos
Describe your role and work that you do.
“My role is to learn more about our community, their needs, anxieties, concerns, and seek the help that benefits them and connecting them to the right resources.”
Why do you do nonprofit work?
“I have a love and passion to help. I also want our entire Latino community to have a place where they are heard and feel welcomed.” What impact have you had on the community?
“Honestly, I don't know the impact I’ve had, but I imagine it’s something good because when people see me anywhere, they greet me with so much love and call me Mrs. Cape Fear Latinos!”
What’s a goal?
“In the short term, work hard to have enough funds to help our community more, and in the long term, work even harder to be able to have a large space for the Latino community.”
What nonprofit organizations would you suggest becoming a part of?
“Cape Fear Latinos for sure, but there are so many wonderful nonprofits doing awesome work here in Wilmington.”
Self-Advocacy Coordinator, A Home for Grace
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I serve in my nonprofit to bring awareness to the issues that individuals with developmental disabilities face on a daily basis. I advocate for affordable housing for I/DD citizens on the local, state, and federal levels, recently meeting with legislators in D.C. on Capitol Hill. I am also a mentor to those who need housing, employment, and resources to live independently in our community.”
Why do you do nonprofit work?
“Once institutionalized, I had almost lost hope of being able to move back into my community and have a normal life. A lack of having anyone to advocate for me and affordable housing left me unable to leave institutional living.
Our nonprofit director reached out to me and gave me the assistance I needed to become independent. Once I was given the opportunity, I was able to excel and do the work to build my own life and achieve my goals of independent living!
Today, I live in my own home and have a successful career. I have surpassed many of my goals like becoming a fivetime gold medalist and ambassador for Special Olympics. I serve on an advisory board for our nonprofit and I have formed a local self-advocacy group of my peers where we learn to be effective in advocating for ourselves and address our day-to-day needs and issues to continue to live and work in our local communities.”
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I donate my own time and finances (to) finding a city in each county of North Carolina to build a memorial for all the victims that lost their lives to domestic violence; the first one is in Atkinson, North Carolina. The victim’s names go on the memorial in the county they lost their life in. I started this to let the families of the victims know that they are never forgotten, and they are Angels of Hope. I’m also on the board of The Open Gate (a part of Domestic Violence Shelter & Services) when I’m not working as a private investigator full time.”
What impact have you had on the community?
“I have raised awareness that domestic violence is not just physical; it’s also verbal, and it does not discriminate on wealth, race, sex, or age. I also have tried to show you can get out and there are resources. I have shown that domestic violence shelters need the help of the community by volunteering, donating, and (showing) support.”
What nonprofit organizations would you suggest becoming a part of?
“Open Gate DV Shelter, Special Olympics – I feel it doesn’t have to be an organization to help in your community. You can help by going to a nursing home and visit with elderly residents that don't have family. Go to a local school and read a book to a classroom.”
President, Angels of Hope
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JESSICA BALDWIN
Senior Historic Preservation Planner (former), City of Wilmington
Describe your role and work that you do.
Baldwin worked with the city from 2022 to July 2024. She recently moved to Georgia to work as the preservation officer for the city of Savannah.
“As the senior planner for the city of Wilmington, I worked to update design standards that were easier to read and more user friendly as well as eliminated the bureaucratic process for paint color selection, removing the psychological barrier that preservationists are the paint police, and allowing staff the opportunities to focus on new projects and protecting landmarks outside the Local Historic Districts.
I also worked directly with applicants to ease processes and help them achieve the projects they needed and wanted to make their homes more accessible and useable while also following the standards. I collaborated with internal city departments to see the continued preservation of the Local Historic Districts. I collaborated with external stakeholders including Historic Wilmington Foundation and the African American History Commission and the Burnett-Eaton Museum Foundation to understand the history of Wilmington’s Black community and develop efforts to ensure the recognition of the Black Wilmington story was told.”
Why do you do public sector work?
“I work as a civil servant for many reasons, I think the main thing that drives me to work in the public sector is my desire to create a better equal world. I have always had a passion for architecture and creating spaces that are thoughtful and useable for all; civil service has given me the chance to help shape and create spaces that tell the stories that have been underrepresented and showcase the people and places that deserve recognition.”
BERNICE SANDERS
JOHNSON
Senior Project Manager, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As a senior project manager in the engineering department of Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, my work varies from day to day. My primary function is to review commercial and residential subdivision plans submitted by engineers on behalf of developers. I also work with internal and external customers, developers, and engineers to determine if CFPUA water and sewer is available to their property.”
What impact have you had on the community?
“My hope is that I have had a positive impact on the community. I have mentored youth in the community by providing guidance and support that has helped them more effectively navigate their educational and career paths. My active volunteering in the community has inspired others to contribute their time and talents, creating a ripple effect of positive impact throughout the community.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“I’m excited about my recent appointment to the North Carolina Azalea Festival board of directors. I’m excited to serve on the Azalea Festival board because it allows me the opportunity to make a positive impact on our community. The festival is a significant event that brings people together and showcases the best of what our area has to offer. Serving on the board will enable me to support and enhance cultural initiatives, ensuring that the festival continues to be a vibrant and enriching experience for everyone.”
STEPHANIE KEY
Tourism Assistant, Pender County Tourism
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I enjoy watching ideas and visions come into fruition. There is no better feeling than knowing I helped to better our communities or improve someone’s quality of life whether it be a temporary respite or a long-term resolution. It makes me feel like I am a part of a bigger purpose, and seeing that my help made something good happen is a valuable reward.”
What impact have you had on the community?
“I offer my assistance to our nonprofit organizations with their events and projects so they can give back to the community the way they imagine. I am a firm believer in environmentally friendly practices, and I work with other likeminded individuals to educate the public. I also support all aspects of the arts by creating opportunities for our residents and students to showcase their hidden talents in visual arts, music, and theater.”
What’s a goal?
“I would like to see more of the projects and programs our team has discussed be implemented. These goals would help strengthen our tourism economy and improve residents’ quality of life. I would also like to volunteer on more boards or planning committees. Eventually, I would like to have more of a leadership role within my career and the community. I enjoy making things happen.”
REBEKAH THURSTON
Public Information Officer, Wilmington Fire Department
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As Wilmington Fire Department’s public information officer, I am responsible for updating the public and media when the department responds to an emergency, managing a communication strategy that reinforces the department’s mission, and creating engaging internal and external outreach that prioritizes safety, education, and inclusive community messaging. I also established and run the Junior Fire Academy, JFA 2.0, and Future Firefighters programming which exposes high school students to a career in the fire service.”
What impact have you had on the community?
“Through my work in the fire department, I’m responsible for ensuring the public understands the hard work and sacrifice that goes into being a first responder each and every day. I established a pipeline program for high school students interested in the fire service to learn about becoming a firefighter, aiding in recruitment to the profession. My work for Family Support Network highlights the meaningful services they offer to families.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“While I’ve only been here for four years, I am completely enamored with the area. I love all the music, culture, and arts here.”
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As an assistant district attorney, I prosecute criminal cases on behalf of the state of North Carolina when a person – defendant – is charged with a crime. I handle all of the child sex cases, adult rape cases, and homicides in Pender County. I work closely with victims and advise law enforcement.”
Why do you do public service work?
“I do public service work because I am passionate about making a positive impact on my community. I believe in advocating for justice, equality, and safety for all. By serving the public, I can address pressing issues, support those in need, and help create a better, fairer society. Public service allows me to contribute to meaningful change and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and respected.”
What’s a goal?
“My goal is to become the first woman district attorney in New Hanover and Pender counties. As a mother of two young girls, I want to show my girls that with determination and perseverance, they can achieve anything they set their minds to. This milestone would not only shatter glass ceilings but also serve as a powerful example for the next generation, proving that they too can make a significant impact in their communities.”
Assistant District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 6
NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION MONTH: PROTECTING HEALTH THROUGH VACCINES
AUGUST
IS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH—A PERFECT TIME TO CELEBRATE THE VITAL ROLE VACCINES PLAY IN KEEPING US HEALTHY.
At Dawson Med Primary and Urgent Care, we’re passionate about educating our community about the significance of immunizations in safeguarding individuals and families from preventable diseases.
WHY VACCINES MATTER
Vaccines are more than just injections; they are powerful tools of primary prevention. Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight off harmful pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. By reducing the cause illnesses, vaccines are a proactive way to protect individuals and prevent the spread of diseases within communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines have dramatically reduced the incidence of many dangerous diseases. For instance, diseases like polio, which once paralyzed thousands, have been eradicated in the United States thanks to widespread vaccination efforts. Similarly, measles, mumps, and rubella—once common childhood illnesses—have declined significantly as a result of vaccination programs.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND VACCINES
Scientific research consistently supports the effectiveness and safety of vaccines. Studies have shown that vaccines protect individuals from illness and contribute to herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when a high percentage of a population is vaccinated, thus reducing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
DISPELLING MYTHS
Despite overwhelming evidence supporting vaccines, misinformation can create confusion. It's important to address common myths and concerns with factual information. For example, the idea that vaccines cause autism is a misconception debunked by numerous scientific studies.
TAKE ACTION
At Dawson Med Primary and Urgent Care, we encourage everyone to stay informed about their immunization status. Regularly updating vaccinations protects individual health as well as that of the community. Whether you are due for a routine check-up or have questions about specific vaccines, our team is here to provide guidance and support. The team at Dawson Med also offers a variety of vaccines for administration and can locate
historical vaccination records. The CDC also has an interactive quiz that adults and children can go through to check on their vaccinations, available on the web at cdc.gov/vaccines.
C ELEBRATE NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH WITH DAWSON MED
Join us this August in celebrating National Immunization Awareness Month by prioritizing your health and the health of those around you. Together, we can continue to build a healthier future through vaccinations.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit our website at dawson-med.com or contact us at (910) 387-3788.
Let's protect our health, one vaccine at a time!
910-387-3788
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rThis category is open to women under the age of thirty.
KRISTEN HOLE CHYANN KETCHUM
Innovative Electrification Specialist, Four County Electric Membership Corporation
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I empower members to transition from fossil fuels to electricity, focusing on solutions like electric vehicles, electric agriculture solutions, home solar, demand response, and energy efficiency.
I provide guidance on adopting these technologies and collaborate with marketing to promote our initiatives through public relations events, including experiential marketing assets, festivals, and ribbon cuttings. My role ensures members can access cutting-edge energy solutions, fostering a sustainable future for our community.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“Career highlights include launching a hydroponic smart farm container with James Sprunt Community College, updating our electric vehicle charging rebate, and introducing an electric lawn equipment rebate. I also launched an experiential marketing trailer, a mobile tiny home showcasing innovative electrification. Additionally, I fine-tuned our solar interconnection process and was invited to join an advisory board for energy efficiency programs with a national industry partner.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
Public Information Officer, City of Southport For more about the finalists, go to
“I am a wife, mom of one, and North Carolina native. I also co-founded a nonprofit, Coastal Cleanup of Topsail, in 2021. I invite my community to regular beach cleanups. Since our inception, we’ve welcomed over 250 volunteers and collected more than 380 5-gallon buckets – 1,917 gallons and counting – of litter from Topsail Island.”
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As a public information officer, my job is to get the right information to the right people at the right time. I keep residents, community members, and visitors informed and engaged with city of Southport news and updates.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“In my two years as Southport’s public information officer, I have helped Southport become an NWS WeatherReady Nation Ambassador, as well as an NWS Marine Weather-Ready Ambassador. I recently became a FEMAcertified advanced public information officer and have worked with city, county, state, and federal partners to create informative and engaging content to share with our community members.”
What impact have you had on the community?
“The project that I am the most proud of so far with Southport is our partnership with Recite Me, a digital accessibility partner that has helped me create a more accessible digital landscape for staff, residents, and visitors to our website.”
What’s a goal?
“One of my ongoing goals is to continue being a champion for younger female professionals and entrepreneurs in the Cape Fear region.”
HAVEN LEWIS PAIGE MARSHALL DELANEY O’BRIEN
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As general manager, I oversee all operations within the club – from player recruitment/signing, team management, coordinations in all communications with staff/players; locking in training and game facilities; sponsorships; and budgeting to make decisions for the club’s best interest and longevity. My biggest job is to align the team’s objectives and set us up for success both on and off the pitch.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“Being able to be the general manager for Port City FC women’s program in our inaugural season and all of the opportunities that have come with it. Working and seeing everything behind the scenes finally come to fruition once the team played their first game was an electric feeling that has only continued. One of the best highlights within my management career thus far has been to see the women’s team finish out as second in their conference while having one of our players make the league’s (WPSL) player of the week.”
What impact have you had on the community?
“We have brought people together through the love of soccer while providing opportunities for talent to be showcased. The community's support has helped us to succeed and continue to bring the excitement for all to enjoy. We partner with local youth club organizations and donate to local advocacy groups to show our reciprocated support of inclusivity.”
SRO K9 Handler, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As a deputy with the sheriff’s office, I am a school resource officer and K9 handler to my K9 partner, Vera. Together, we are assigned to Hoggard High School during the school year. As an SRO, I work every day to build relationships with students and mentor them as they navigate their time in high school before entering into adulthood. I also help maintain safety within the school and protect the students and staff from any harmful factors that may disrupt the peaceful learning environment. …When schools are out, K9 Vera and I work normal patrol duties and respond to daily calls of service through 911.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“One of my career highlights is that I became the first-ever female K9 handler for the sheriff’s office. This was always a goal of mine once I started my career path. I was very honored to be able to be the one who opened up that path for women in my agency.
After only two weeks with my K9 partner, we were able to successfully certify in narcotics detection. Another highlight is that I recently received a Life Saving Award for an event last October where I performed a direct action that resulted in the saving of a human life. This award is the fourth-highest award that a deputy can receive in their career.”
Founder,
Sun Club Wilmington
Describe your role and work that you do.
“In my role at Sun Club, I create engaging events tailored to young women in their twenties. I develop partnerships with local businesses and organizations to collaborate on events, using platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and GroupMe for effective marketing and promotion.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“Since its start in January, Sun Club has planned and executed over forty successful events. … Sun Club aims to create a space where people feel comfortable to be themselves and put themselves out there, so seeing the same faces and new faces every week is a huge accomplishment in my book. I am incredibly proud of every girl that comes to any event.”
What impact have you had on the community?
“Sun Club has established a social hub for women in their twenties to connect and discover Wilmington and the surrounding areas. Addressing a nationwide scarcity of third spaces, our group provides a welcoming environment for relaxation and connection after work or school. Beyond fostering friendships, Sun Club actively supports local small businesses, particularly those owned by women in Wilmington. Through social media promotion, events, and word-of-mouth, we enhance community engagement and visibility.”
Port City FC, General Manager
Iron Fire
in the
by EMORY RAKESTRAW BOYD
photos by MALCOLM LITTLE
A thirdgeneration jeweler explores education and creation
Mythical gothic is how CHELSEA LEA describes the style of jewelry she creates. Available through her business, Chelsea Lea Metals, her work ranges from engagement rings to a gold skull, or Barbie’s hand – palm facing outward – dangling off a sterling silver chain. There’s storytelling, too: a silver octopus holds gemstones in each leg; a golden crab claw grips a taxidermy glass alligator eye.
“I like refined-looking jewelry that has a bit of edginess to it, a bit of a high-finish,” Lea says. “I like to think of my work as a vessel for memories. The pieces I make, I want it to be pieces people carry as amulets, pieces that have feeling.”
As a third-generation jeweler, Lea herself is a vessel for creation. Her mother is a jeweler and master diamond setter, and her grandmother taught jewelry design. She notes her grandmother’s profession as where she gets her passion for teaching; her mother is where her business and entrepreneurial skills come into play.
This trifecta merges into a unique skillset with offerings beyond the traditional small business model. Lea uses her master’s degree in film studies to create jewelry-making tutorials and documentary films, and her love of education is seen in the wide range of weekly classes hosted at her studio.
“My grandma was doing really cutting-edge work in the 1960s and ’70s. She was a pioneer with materials, and she was also a blacksmith. My mom went the more traditional route in jewelry and works professionally as a diamond setter,” she says. “My mother and grandmother’s work have high standards of quality, and I hold myself to a very high caliber when I compare myself
to them. They’re both master jewelers.”
For Lea, her mastery lies in lost-wax casting, an ancient practice in which a duplicate sculpture, often of silver, gold, or bronze, is cast from an original sculpture; essentially, creating jewelry from a wax model.
Of the often-200-step process that she deems almost masochistic in its unpredictability, the outcomes are stunning. Lost-wax casting allows the jeweler to achieve extremely detailed designs while exploring their own artistic abilities and imagination through the pattern and mold-making process.
“The metal will pick up every detail,” she says. “That’s what I teach in my classes, how to carve rings from wax and how to create textures, how to set stones in place, and teach casting found objects like sticks and pieces from nature. You can cast twigs and sticks, bird feet, crab claws, Barbie dolls, and any found object that will burn out in a kiln. It’s like being a wizard, you get a wand and can turn anything into metal.”
Lea’s classes, which she notes are a large part of her business, include offerings of a two-day lost-wax casting class, a one-day cuttlefish bone casting, a hot date night where couples can make their own wedding bands, or private lessons on metal fabrication.
Education and the arts are woven throughout Lea’s family. Her grandmother, PAT DUKE, established the first metals department at Troy University. One of her first students was Lea’s mother, DANA LEA. While pursuing her MFA, Chelsea
Lea made a documentary film on the very subject titled Thread of Time, which also includes her great-grandmother, ALICE THORNTON, a weaver and painter.
Chelsea Lea herself holds a BFA in jewelry design from the University of Georgia and continued her education at the Gemological Institute of America and Penland School of Craft.
“One of the highlights of the jewelry industry to me is you’re continuing your education forever; you’re always learning something new. The industry is always changing and evolving. There’s so many paths you can go down and continue learning,” she says.
She notes her passion lies in working with metals, with her sights now turned to mastering stone-setting. Another path Chelsea Lea ventured down was a long time coming, pursuing her interest in filmmaking at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
“I use the skills I learned from UNCW in filmmaking to help create tutorial videos. I make jewelry tutorial videos and edit them, shoot them myself, and hope to continue education in a format anyone can access no matter where they are,” she says.
Lea says jewelry-making itself is a trade that’s experiencing a renaissance.
“Education and jewelry-making is a way that women are able to supplement their income,” she says. “Teaching women to supplement their income through jewelry-making has been a way for me to have many irons in the fire.” W
THE AWARD Each year, WILMA selects a bracelet from a local jewelry designer that serves as the award for the Women to Watch Awards winners. The pieces, this year custom-made from Chelsea Lea Metals, will be unveiled and presented to the winners at the September 6 awards event.
TRASH Talking
Harvest Ganong combines art and environmental awareness
by DAVID W. FREDERICKSEN | photos by DARIA AMATO
It kept her up at night.
“All that plastic pollution. I wanted to take it before it ended up in the landfills before it ended up back on our beaches. I wanted to grab it all before that happened,” says HARVEST GANONG, a Wilmington-based environmental artist.
An international avant-garde art movement that grew out of the 1960s and ’70s, environmental art, also known as ecological art, employs various materials such as recyclable and nonrecyclable items, organic matter, and natural fibers to spread environmental awareness and encourage people to protect the planet.
Recyclable items – plastic bottles, egg cartons, and cardboard – and nonrecyclable and single-use items – straws, coffee stirrers, and shopping bags – are just a few of the wide variety of media that environmental artists employ in the creation of collages, murals, sculptures, and even performance art. Natural materials such as leaves, flowers, branches, sand, and stone are also used.
“All of my plastic is given to me by my local community,” says Ganong, who specializes in the use of nonrecycled and single-use plastic. “Churches, schools, friends, hospitals, neighborhoods – you name it, the community is donating their plastic waste to me. Then I clean it; sort it by color, shape, and size.”
It’s called upcycling, says Ganong, or the process of transforming what people throw out for artistic or environmental awareness purposes, known in many quarters as “trash art.”
But Ganong’s art is far from trash, what with incredibly colorful, meticulously rendered, and bigger-than-life portraits of such music luminaries as David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Ray Charles, and Taylor Swift.
“Ray Charles was a fun one,” says Ganong, who graduated from Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s in art with a concentration in sculpture. “It was very pop-y!”
Ganong works in similar fashion to other artists, she says, except for her paint. “You could say I paint with plastic … I keep all the plastic true to its original color.”
And that plastic takes many forms, she says: “I use anything from plastic toys, toothbrushes, bread ties, plastic medical waste, plastic straws, plastic utensils, plastic jewelry, buttons, artificial flowers, and more.”
So, just where does all of Ganong’s trash(art) go?
Some are spread around galleries near and far, including locally-owned Eclipse Artisan Boutique off Racine Drive. Some may be found at local events like the one recently held at downtown’s Ironclad Brewery.
“I love the conversations my pieces spark when people start to recognize all the tiny bits of plastic we use daily that can't be recycled,” she says. “It helps them understand
Elevating Every Moment
the severity of our plastic crisis.”
And still, there are more sobering facts about the fate of plastics.
“Every piece of plastic ever made still exists today, and it takes over 500 years for each piece to break down,” she says. “Currently, we have more plastic in our oceans than stars in our Milky Way galaxy. It’s wild to think about.”
Ganong credits her parents for her environmentally conscious ways and how they would someday influence her art.
“My dad was an archaeologist before he owned a landscaping company,” she says, “and my parents were always artists. I was just brought up having this huge appreciation for nature and animals and the environment.”
In her latest project, Ganong honors these parental lessons with a new series based on the country’s national parks.
With an “enormous bag” of acorn caps given to her by her father from his years of landscaping, Ganong filled each one with discarded plastic trash, rendering iterations of the various national parks. Thousands of acorn caps went into the project, Ganong says.
“My father’s favorite national park was Monument Valley,” she says. “So that’s why I did that one first.”
When the collection is complete, Ganong hopes to contact the national park system and have her work displayed at each of the parks.
Which, in many ways, brings Ganong’s upcycling life full circle.
“Everybody needs to be a trash artist,” she says. “If everybody reused trash, we probably wouldn't be in this situation.” W
Afternoon Tea
THE TRAY ARRIVED WITH A FLOURISH: A THREETIERED STAINLESS-STEEL STAND ADORNED WITH FOOD FANCY ENOUGH FOR A KING. On the top, we found thumbnail-sized brownie bars and sponge cakes. The middle plate held scones and clotted cream. The bottom bore the sandwiches – coronation chickpea, cucumber mint, and chargrilled courgettes with red onion marmalade and watercress. Crusts? Of course not. We weren’t savages.
This was my welcome to afternoon tea at the Royal Albert Hall, a 153-year-old ellipse of wrought iron, terracotta, and money rising next to Hyde Park in South Kensington, London.
I had traveled a long way from home, where my usual sandwiches were either pimento cheese or peanut butter and banana, crusts and all. Now, trying not to be noticed as a cultural fraud, I sipped my Darjeeling Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe tea and scolded myself for not bringing white gloves. This was serious froufrou snacking, complete with a cloth napkin.
That’s how it went for ten days of shadowing my British girlfriend across London, from Heathrow Airport to Piccadilly Circus to Canary Wharf.
For her, the trip marked a return home for the first time in two years, and she navigated her mega-city with native ease, amassing thousands of daily steps over miles of aged concrete and stone, down streets winding through centuries of history, and past the hordes of people roaming like ants in all directions at all hours. For me, a first-time visitor and novice traveler, I just had to make sure I kept her in my sight, lest I end up lost somewhere between Battersea and Greenwich. Or was it Chiswick and West Ham?
“Careful where you step,” she told me each of the 700 times I looked left and nearly walked into oncoming traffic coming on from the right. I saw countless taxis, double-decker buses, food-delivery bikes, and souped-up Audis, most of them just a second or two before they might have launched me into the emergency department at the National Health Service. “Traffic is different here, you see,” she added.
I saw. Not only did drivers use the wrong side of the road (or maybe we do it wrong here, as a centuries-old poke in the eye to King George III), but they also walked fast, talked fast, drank smashingly strong coffee, used pounds for dollars and kilos for pounds, observed random “bank holidays” to take off work, and paid attention to nothing else anytime somebody played a football game. (By football, I mean soccer. And by anytime, I mean all the time.)
“We can top up our oyster cards in the station,” Judy said. “Then we’ll take the Jubilee line to the Northern line.” The subway lines, I discovered, ran like veins through the London Underground, and that, I discovered, was also called the Tube, which, I discovered, was not to be confused with the London
by TIM BASS | illustration by MARK WEBER
Overground or the Docklands Light Railway. I discovered, too, that the oyster cards had nothing to do with oysters. They were just fare cards, and topping them up meant adding money to the balance. “We can hop off at Leicester Square, and then it’s just a short stroll to Covent Garden. I hope it doesn’t rain.”
It did rain, and we strolled in it. In England, the sun shines in the narrow gaps between the cloud overhead and the one on the way. The easiest job in weather forecasting is in Great Britain: Chance of rain, so bring your brolly. Same tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.
We did catch a rain-free day on a trip south to Haywards Heath, West Sussex, where Judy’s brother and sister-in-law took us on a hike along the South Downs, which, as I should have suspected, was not down but up. We drove into the hills and walked along a ridge of spectacular green fields, past nonchalant cows and sweater-ready sheep. I looked for No Trespassing signs, but the Brits have thousands of miles of open country, common land. Here, the buffalo roam; there, everybody does.
Back in the car, we bounded down a twisty two-lane and cruised into the village of Ditchling for lunch at The Bull, a 500-year-old pub. The meal included a beetroot salad, beef liver, a chicken-and-leek-and-bacon pot pie, and, for vegetarian me, a ploughman’s sandwich: sourdough, cheddar, more cheddar, and yet more cheddar. By the time I’d finished, I wanted to plough into an afternoon nap.
The saying goes that travel broadens you, and indeed I was wider after our time in England. I felt like I’d gained a dozen pounds (or kilos), what with the cheese and the cappuccinos and the eggs on toast and, as the crowning course to the afternoon tea’s creamy scones and fancy sandwiches, a Stonehenge-sized slab of red velvet cake.
We benefit from going to other places, near and far, experiencing different people and their different food and their different way of talking and their different approach to the same thing we all have: a life, with all its rewards, hardships, and uncertainties. I’ve never traveled much, and that leaves me feeling at times like I’ve spent years sitting too close to a movie screen, all perspective lost to a ridiculously close view of my own circumstances. I needed this trip. I needed to be the one on the other side of the pond and the strange side of the street, experiencing a sliver of a world that doesn’t always run in my predictable, comfortable direction.
On the flight home from England, I dropped my glasses and stepped on them, bending the frame and pushing the lenses out of alignment. As I wandered off the plane and traipsed into the sunshine over America the beautiful, I didn’t see things quite the same, in more ways than one.
Tim Bass is a retired creative writing teacher and journalist. He lives in Wilmington. Mark Weber is a Wilmington-based artist and illustrates WILMA’s monthly Direct Male essay. weberillustration.com
5 TAKE
by BETH A. KLAHRE
HOOBLER
JAN BREWINGTON has been involved with the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History since the early days. She was the second director of the museum until 2003 and returned as a board member in 2021. “Over my time with the museum, some things have changed, and some have remained the same,” she says, especially this past year when the museum faced eviction from the home it had since 1998. The museum moved out of one of the two historical cottages it leased from the town, operating now just out of the Myers Cottage on West Salisbury Street. Brewington’s roots in Wrightsville Beach are deep. She grew up there, living in the apartment above the police station where her father was police chief M.E. “Stinky” Williamson. In 2003, she became a Realtor and opened her own firm, Dram Tree Realty, in 2016.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST EYE-OPENING LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN THE YEARS YOU’VE BEEN THE WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM BOARD PRESIDENT? “The eye-opening thing for me has been just how many people love Wrightsville Beach and consider it their beach home. The museum has become a place where those of us who grew up on the beach as well as visitors come with our families to reflect on fond memories.” HOW HAS LAST YEAR’S SPOTLIGHT ON THE MUSEUM SHAPED ITS FUTURE DIREC-
TION? “It’s been a tough, defining year. We have been forced to give up a lot, but we still have our mission to tell the valuable story of Wrightsville Beach – sometimes messy and complicated but also beautiful and special. We intend to get back to our roots exploring the history and sharing it in innovative ways with partners who have stepped up to join us.” WHAT DOES THE WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM NEED RIGHT NOW? “The museum is a nonprofit organization that exists separately from any government entity and is dependent on memberships and donations to carry out our mission. We need people to visit, learn the story, and support it, become a member, donate, volunteer, or serve on the board.” WHAT ARE THE KEY PRINCIPLES UNDER WHICH YOU FOUNDED DRAM TREE REALTY THAT HAVE ENABLED YOU TO SURVIVE IN THE COMPETITIVE WILMINGTON REAL ESTATE WORLD? “My company is based on individual relationships with clients and their needs. Each marketing decision is based on what is best for an individual property and owner. And there are no admin layers, which enables us to be nimble.” HOW DO YOUR TWO ROLES, REALTOR AND WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM BOARD PRESIDENT, INTERSECT?
“There are two lessons that have guided me in both my work and community leadership: Don’t be too attached to outcomes – do your very best and then accept the results. And don’t make disputes personal or take them personally.” W
JAN BREWINTON’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Roundup email. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.
