Superfree’s Madeline Lee zones in on ingredients
Health + Wellness
Focusing on feeling your best Sports Reports
Rugby, surfing, and equestrian pursuits
Redefining Careers
Amanda Miars on switching it up
In a world where access to both financial services and fresh, healthy food can feel like a distant dream, two pillars of support stand strong: Excite, The Community’s Credit Union, and the nonprofit Feast Down East, dedicated to nurturing our local food system.
This powerful partnership has come together to cultivate community well-being by empowering individuals, families, and businesses across Southeastern NC.
Together, Excite and Feast Down East are strengthening communities by paving the way for:
3 Sustainable Agriculture
3 Equitable Financial Services
3 Accessible, Nutritious Food
3 Convenience on the Go with Excite's Mobile Branch
Learn more about how Excite and Feast Down East are transforming communities and lives, one partnership at a time.
Scan Here to Learn More
Kathleen Leone, MD, FACS, is an award-winning refractive surgeon and leads Wilmington Eye’s team of board-certified LASIK surgeons. As the regional leaders in vision correction, including LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, and Refractive Lens Exchange, we can help you see clearly without glasses or contacts.
Leadership + Lifestyle since 2003
PUBLISHER Rob Kaiser
PRESIDENT Robert Preville
EDITOR Vicky Janowski
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES
Angela Conicelli
SENIOR MARKETING CONSULTANTS
Maggi Apel
Craig Snow
Kimberly Stamper
Stacey Stewart
MARKETING CONSULTANTS
Alexis Alphin
Jillian Hon
DIGITAL CLIENT SUCCESS COORDINATOR Jessic Vincoli
EVENTS DIRECTOR Jamie Merrill
EVENTS & MEDIA COORDINATOR Alecia Hall
ART DIRECTOR - EDITORIAL Suzi Drake
ART DIRECTOR - MARKETING Tara Weymouth
MEDIA COORDINATOR Julia Jones
FASHION STYLIST Drewe Smith
CONTRIBUTORS
Nina Bays, Jenny Callison, Meghan Corbett, Audrey Elsberry, D.W. Frederiksen, Amy Kilgore Mangus, Beth A. Klahre, Samantha Kupiainen, Laura Moore, Dylan Patterson, Emory Rakestraw, Jim Ware
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Daria Amato, Madeline Gray, Aris Harding, Terah Hoobler, Malcolm Little, Kate Supa DIRECTOR OF FEAST WILMINGTON Jessica Maurer
FOUNDER Joy Allen
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Copyright 2024 @ WILMAmag / WILMAmag.com
AUDREY ELSBERRY is a graduate of the University of South Carolina’s journalism school and currently a reporter for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. Before starting at the Business Journal, she interned on the business desk at the Charlotte Observer and trained in New York City with the Dow Jones News Fund. Elsberry talks with the Warren family about the history of Canterbury Stables, a horse barn in the middle of Wilmington (page 84).
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 issue’s cover and Superfree Food owner Madeline Lee for “Food in Focus” (page 77), Concorde Espresso Bar (page 45), and travel blogger Heather Sherry (page 104). madelinegrayphoto.com and @madelinepgray on Instagram
BETH A. KLAHRE retired from a major Pennsylvania chocolate manufacturer where she held leadership positions in engineering, IT, and global business services. Now relocated to Southport, she spends her time writing and has been published locally and nationally. She is learning to play the harp, loves walking the beach with her dog, and serves on the board of directors of Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island. Klahre writes about the tasty trend of coffee and cocktail bars (page 45) and the rise in pelvic health practices (page 68).
LAURA MOORE is an English professor at Cape Fear Community College in one of the top three-rated English departments in the state. In addition to education, she has a background in public relations and journalism. Moore talks with women working in the health food space for “Food in Focus” (page 77).
DREWE SMITH and KATE SUPA own a creative studio – Drewe and Kate Branding Co. – that helps companies elevate their brand and digital presence through photography, brand styling, logo design, and website creation. For this issue, they worked on images for Alisha Thomas’ Artistic Accounting course (page 35), summer style shoot (page 52), style profile story on Sydney Durrett Falkner (page 61), and pelvic health story (page 68). dreweandkate.com
In the world of golf, every swing, putt, and drive demands precision and flexibility. To excel in this sport, athletes need more than just strength; they require flexibility, mobility, and proper body alignment. This is where StretchLab comes into play, offering a unique approach to enhancing performance through assisted stretching tailored specifically for golfers.
What truly sets StretchLab apart is the expertise of its Flexologists. These experts possess in-depth knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and sports-specific training. They work closely with golfers to understand their unique needs and tailor stretching routines to address areas of tightness or weakness, ultimately improving overall performance and preventing injuries.
One of the key methodologies utilized at StretchLab is Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching. This technique involves alternating between stretching and contracting targeted muscle groups, effectively increasing range of motion and flexibility. For golfers, PNF stretching can help with mobility to improve swing mechanics, allowing for a more fluid and controlled motion throughout the entire swing.
StretchLab’s specialized MAPS digital program further enhances the benefits for golfers. This piece of technology identified imbalances in the body, allowing the Flexologist to focus on specific body parts and mobility/flexibility areas of opportunity for golfers. By using technology, golfers can feel confident that their programming at StretchLab was designed to hep them achieve greater power and stability in their swings while reducing the risk of injury. Stretching helped Braden Shattuck get back on the golf course and can help others needing help with mobility and flexibility.
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ost of the time, we’re all steps or clicks away from an answer. Between Google, YouTube, Alexa – and now add Meta AI to the mix –nearly any question can be asked digitally if you figure out the right words to type into the search bar.
For example, a conversation this morning in the car:
“What was the name of that movie with Julia Roberts where all the deer came out of the woods?”
“Is it deer or deers?”
“Are there any other animal names that don’t add an ‘s’ to be plural?”
Leave the World Behind. Deer. Moose – are the answers, according to a 10-second internet search. (All the deer talk because a herd of them randomly appeared on the neighborhood street. Is it herd of deer? Pack? Den? It’s herd, didn’t have to Google that one, it just took a sec.)
And yet with all this readily available information now to find almost anything you want to know, there’s still no substitution for being able to tap into the wisdom and experiences of those around you.
That’s the basis for mentorship as well.
Sure, you can search online for tips on negotiat-
ing salaries, making career goals, and finding a better balance – all topics covered ad infinitum online and in video shorts. But there’s something about hearing it from a person who knows you and you can talk with one-on-one for advice.
Everyone knows they should have a mentor, says Kim Nelson, WILMA’s mentoring adviser and UNCW Cameron Executive Network’s co-director.
Speaking at this year’s orientation for WILMA’s Leadership Institute class, Nelson pointed to research that shows people with mentors, particularly women, perform better overall in their careers and have higher earning potential.
And yet, she says, according to one survey taken, only 1 in 5 women reported ever having a mentor.
“One thing a good mentoring relationship will do is it will make you step outside your comfort zone,” Nelson says, adding that mentors also can help figure out what are the roadblocks or fears preventing you from achieving your goals.
And goals can be anything, from starting a new company to changing how something’s always been done.
“The goal … would be outlining practical next steps.”
“My goal would be to better stand up for what I believe I deserve.”
“I would hope my mentor could help me with business development so that I can take my budding new business to the next level.”
Those were goals for some of the Institute members at their orientation, areas they plan to ask advice about from their peers and mentors in the months ahead – IRL.
Vicky Janowski, WILMA editor editor@wilmingtonbiz.com
RETIRED EDUCATOR BERTHA BOYKIN
TODD RECEIVED THE WILMINGTON ROTARY CLUB’S FIRST-EVER LEGACY AWARD THIS YEAR.
“This honor was created to recognize people who have made major contributions, over many years, to improving the quality of life in Wilmington and New Hanover County,” rotary officials say about the award.
A long-time civil rights advocate and former educator, Todd (right) played a central role in the desegregation of Wilmington’s schools. She also helped lead the efforts to bring the 1898 Massacre and Coup into the light in recent decades.
The club presented the award May 1 at its third annual Leaders in Service banquet. The others honored this year were Wilmington Health Access for Teens founder CONNIE PARKER (nonprofit sector); Arris Partners managing partner BRIAN MCMERTY (private sector), and UNCW College of Health and Human Services founding dean CHARLES HARDY (public sector).
CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S WILSON CENTER RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ITS LATEST LINEUP OF TOURING BROADWAY MUSICALS MAKING THEIR WAY TO WILMINGTON.
Tickets go on sale this month for the eight upcoming shows making up the 2024-25 Broadway and the Beach series, including the Tony award-winning Tina, a musical about singer Tina Turner.
The shows, in order of ticket sales opening, are: Tina, October 8-9 (tickets go on sale May 6); Hadestown,
WHO: Those interested in applying to serve on Wilmington Downtown iNC’s board
WHAT: The downtown group includes twenty-one elected spots for the board’s thirty-seven members
WHEN: Application deadline is 4 p.m. May 17
INFO: wilmingtondowntown.com
Source: Lendio
November 26-27 (tickets go on sale May 7); The Addams Family, March 4-5 (tickets go on sale May 8); Dear Evan Hansen, January 17-18 (tickets go on sale May 9); The Book of Morman, March 21-22 (tickets go on sale May 13); Clue, April 21-23 (tickets go on sale May 14); Ain’t Too Proud, December 17-19 (tickets go on sale May 15); and Mystic Pizza, June 17-18, 2025 (tickets go on sale May 16).
Info and tickets: wilsoncentertickets.com/broadway
Source: Cape Fear Collective NHC
The Arts Council of Wilmington & NHC holds its SOUTHEAST ARTS SUMMIT
LOCATION: CFCC Wilson Center
DATE + TIME: 1-6 p.m., June 12 9 a.m.-1 p.m., June 13
MORE INFO: artswilmington.org/sea-summit-2024
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WILMINGTON-BASED BITTY & BEAU’S COFFEE EXPANDED ITS BRAND WITH A WEEKLY TALK SHOW ON YOUTUBE, APTLY NAMED THE BITTY & BEAU’S COFFEE SHOW, THAT LAUNCHED AT THE END OF MARCH AND QUICKLY SURPASSED 1,000 SUBSCRIBERS.
On the show, founders AMY and BEN WRIGHT, accompanied by their children BITTY WRIGHT, fourteen, and BEAU WRIGHT, nineteen, explain what drove them to build their coffee business and introduce the world to the people who inspired it.
Both Bitty and Beau Wright have Down syndrome. Their parents wanted to create a place where people with disabilities could find employment and guests could interact with them. The coffee shop opened its first location on the corner of Wrightsville Avenue and South Kerr Avenue in 2016. It has since expanded across the country with nineteen locations from Colorado to the Carolinas employing more than 400 people with disabilities.
Bitty and Beau’s sister, EMMA GRACE WRIGHT, has been there since the very beginning. She was a sophomore in high school when the first shop opened. Now twenty-four, she serves as the creative director of Bitty & Beau’s Coffee.
JOY-ANN REID, HOST OF MSNBC’S THE REIDOUT, MAKES AN APPEARANCE IN WILMINGTON ON JUNE 22 TO SIGN COPIES OF HER BOOK MEDGAR & MYRLIE.
The visit, organized by ANNETTE FREEMAN (see page 31), FIDIAS REYES, and MAHLAYNEE COOPER, takes place at Cameron Art Museum. Tickets for the event are $45 for general admission and $75 for VIP tickets that include a meet-and-greet and a copy of a signed book. Books also are available to purchase ahead of time at Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Avenue.
Reid is a national correspondent for MSNBC and has written several books. Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America was released this year and became a New York Times bestseller.
Tickets and info: goddessportalcoaching@gmail.com or (910) 742-0479
Advice and connections from local leaders + the latest on WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative
p.26
W2W INITIATIVE UPDATES
p.29
W2W INITIATIVE SPONSORS
p.31
LEADERSHIP ADVICE FROM ANNETTE FREEMAN
p. 35
PLUGGING IN: CREATIVE ACCOUNTING
p.39
PLUGGING IN: LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
p.40
AMANDA MIARS ON CAREER PIVOTS
The latest on WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative and its mission to help develop more women leaders in our area
• LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE : The 2024 WILMA’s Leadership Institute class kicked off its nine-month program with orientation in April. At the orientation ( shown above ), the forty-eight women learned about communication styles from The Forté Institute, participated in PickleBall Corporate Teambuilding’s court experience, met with former Institute alum, and heard from WILMA’s mentoring adviser Kim Nelson about fostering mentorships. The class will meet monthly this year in the leadership program.
• GET ON BOARD: Sarah Daniels, director of UNCW’s Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO), held a training session for women wanting to join local boards of directors and committees. WILMA offers the Get on Board workshops in conjunction with QENO. The next one takes place in October.
• FUTURE LEADERS: Our youngest W2W group, twelve eleventh-grade teens, began meeting monthly with their mentors, made up of Leadership Institute alum and Awards finalists.
• MENTORING: This year’s group of WILMA mentors and mentees have been meeting one-on-one each month to work on the women’s professional goals.
WILMA’S EXPLORE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED
WILMA’S FUTURE LEADERS LEADERSHIP INITIA TIVE
How to connect with WILMA’s leadership programs
• LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR: Registration is open for WILMA’s annual leadership conference, taking place July 18 at the Wilmington Convention Center. Info: W2WLeadership.com
• WOMEN TO WATCH AWARDS: Announcements will be made soon on this year’s awards finalists in the categories of Arts, Business, Education, Health, Nonprofit/ Volunteer, Public Sector, and Rising Star. Finalists will be honored and winners announced at an awards party on September 6. Info: W2WAward.com
• 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.
HUNTER Community Liaison WILMINGTON HEALTH
“Wilmington Health is proud to be our community’s trusted healthcare partner, serving both locals and tourists for over 50 summers in our region. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful, coastal area where it’s easy to find summer activities, and we strive to make it just as easy to find convenient, high-quality care whenever you need us. That’s care that you can trust.
#TRUECare”
“As a champion for women financial decision-makers and wealth creators, PNC and our network of PNC-Certified Women’s Business Advocates are committed to helping women business owners, leaders, and investors achieve success. All of us at PNC recognize the many ways in which women contribute to Wilmington’s thriving business landscape, and our continued support for WILMA’s Women to Watch Initiative is our way of helping celebrate these dynamic leaders."
TANYA ARMOUR
Philanthropy Manager, Novant Health/Novant Health Foundation
ALINA AVILES
Design Center Manager/Lead Selections Coordinator, Kent Homes
AMY BALDWIN
Advanced Nuclear Planning Manager, GE Hitachi
KILEY BARR
Project Coordinator, Monteith Construction
CHRISTINA BEAM
Director of Communications, New Hanover County Schools
ERIN BOYKIN
Drafting, Purchasing & Estimating Manager, Kent Homes
KAREN CASSIDY
Assistant Director of Student Success and Retention, UNCW
RENEE CLAUSON-RIVERA
Cultural Enrichment Program Coordinator, UNCW’s Upperman African American Cultural Center
LYSA NICHOLE CLIFTON Compliance Manager, AutoXcel/Founder, GRIT to GROW Inc.
ELLIE CURA
Talent Aquisition Specialist, Thomas Construction Group
MINDY DAVIS
Early Care & Education Director, Smart Start of New Hanover County
SARAH DELVECCHIO
Process Engineer, Corning Incorporated
SARAH EXLEY CRAVER
Tax Supervisor, Williams Overman Pierce LLP
ANGELA FERNOT
Communications and Events Manager,
United Way of the Cape Fear Area
DENISE FOAT
Operations Support Manager, Live Oak Bank
STEPHANIE FOERSTER
Principal Engineer - Human Factors, GE Hitachi
MEGAN FOURNIER
Regional Market Development Director, Aptar Group Inc.
NICOLETTE FULTON
Interim Authority Attorney, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
ARIE GEE
Associate Director of Transition Programs, UNCW
LEXI GREEN
Director of Client Services, Canines for Service
RAE GREER
Tax Associate, Earney & Company LLP
BRITTANY HALL
Partner/Attorney, Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm, & Sayed LLP
ALICE HOGARTH
Senior Conference and Event Specialist, nCino
JILLIAN HON
Marketing Consultant, Wilmington Media + Marketing
ALICE HUDSON
Support Services Program Manager, Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
JOSALIN HUNTER
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Coastal Horizons Center Inc.
TONI JOHNSON Project Development Coordinator, Samet Corporation
MADISON KNOLL Portfolio Analyst, Live Oak Bank
EMILY LAWLER Chief Operating Officer, Recess by Bevin Prince
ASHLEIGH LEUCK CEO, Breakthrough Autism
ABBY LORENZO Deputy Director, Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
KELLY MAHER Global Business Continuity Manager, HAV I
JORDAN MARTINE Owner/Physical Therapist, Salt & Light Physical Therapy and Wellness
AMY MEAD Area Natural Resources Agent, N.C. Cooperative Extension
BRITNEY MELVIN Community Risk Reduction Coordinator, New Hanover County Fire and Rescue
JENNIFER MOYER BETHELL Rehab Manager of Compliance and Outcomes, Novant Health New Hanover Rehabilitation Hospital
MACKENZIE O’CONNELL
Senior Finance Coordinator, APPROVE
ELIZABETH OVERTON Director of Development, Cameron Art Museum
DANIELLE PEARSON Senior Business Value Consultant, nCino
DANIELLA REINA SANCHEZ Process Engineer, Corning Incorporated
KAITLYN RICHARDS
Deputy County Attorney, New Hanover County Attorney’s Office
MARIA RODRIGUEZ Volunteer, Christ Community Clinic
CHRISTIE SCHRECKENGOST Project Manager, Town of Leland
APRIL SCOTT Director, Brunswick Community College Small Business Center
CATHY SMITH Senior Manager - Marketing Operations and Analytics, Perceptyx
JAMIE STOKLEY
CEO, Helping Hands of the Cape Fear
CATHERINE MICHELLE
SUMRALL Manager of Respiratory Care Services, Cardiovascular Diagnostics and NHBMC Wellness Center, Novant Health
AMBER WALTERS BURNETTE Marketing Manager, Monteith Construction
For many of us, the climb to leadership has felt like scaling a mountain in ill-fitting
boots. Traditional leadership models, built on stoicism, command-and-control, and rigid hierarchies, often clashed with the strengths we naturally possess such as collaboration, empathy, focus on shared purpose, and communication.
This disconnect can leave us feeling like imposters and phonies, struggling to reconcile our authentic selves with the perceived demands of our work.
But a new wave is rising, and I’m here to champion it: pleasure-based leadership. This approach dismantles the old guard, prioritizing joy, creativity, and a deep sense of shared fulfillment. It’s a framework perfectly aligned with the strengths women bring to the table, and it holds the potential to reshape the very fabric of leadership.
My journey demonstrates the power of this shift. I grew up in Queens, New York, in the late ’70s and early ’80s. I was a natural leader, drawn to positions of responsibility. I was school president, head of my church youth group, and captain of the Bayside High School cheerleaders.
However, a hidden struggle lurked beneath the surface. I was an abused kid. On the outside I excelled; on the inside I
was a mess.
Growing up in a tough situation can really leave a mark, you know? It’s like those memories stick with you, making you doubt yourself and always feel like you’re not quite measuring up. At work, I learned leadership from the best coaches and trainers. I attended all the seminars and retreats and implemented those leadership skills in my workplace – authority and discipline, goal setting, problem-solving, and transactional leadership.
Even as I achieved success as a community and economic development manager at a major public utility in New York and then moving on to become a producer at NBC News, the feeling of being an imposter persisted.
The turning point in my life arrived from an unexpected source: A close friend introduced me to a six-month course on the art of pleasure. As I learned these amazing concrete tools on how to increase the pleasure in my life, I started to relate them to leadership and then started to use them in every area of my life.
It was a revelation. Instead of striving for an unattainable ideal of leadership, I learned to embrace my imperfections and lead with authenticity and vulnerability and have been doing it for the past ten years. It is remarkable how one course can change the trajectory of your life.
This shift was transformative. No longer bound by external expectations and old wounds, I started leading with a focus on what sparked joy and fulfillment within myself. Trusting my intuition and tapping into a sense of pleasure became my guiding compass, both professionally and personally.
The impact was profound.
People responded not to a facade but to the genuine vulnerability I now embodied. My leadership style became more inclusive and empathetic, rooted in a deep understanding of my strengths and limitations. It increased my salaries, it got me the jobs that I wanted, and when it was time to leave those positions, I left them in better shape than when I entered.
Pleasure-based leadership isn't a fad; it’s the future. Here’s why it aligns so perfectly with the strengths we possess:
Unleashes Creativity: Leading with joy unlocks a wellspring of creative energy. This fosters innovation and problemsolving that benefits everyone. We, often stereotyped as nurturing, excel at fostering collaborative creativity.
Shared Leadership: Pleasure-based leadership thrives on collaboration and shared decision-making. This creates an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. We naturally gravitate towards building consensus and fostering spaces where all voices are heard.
Leading with Fun: Let’s face it, work can be dull. Pleasure-based leadership injects a dose of enjoyment into the process, making it more engaging and motivating for everyone. We are adept at nurturing a sense of camaraderie and fostering enthusiasm within teams.
Effortless Grace: When leading with pleasure, there’s no need for force or manipulation. Confidence naturally emerges from authenticity and selfunderstanding. We excel at leading with grace and interpersonal sensitivity, building trust and genuine connections within teams.
My story is a testament to the power of this approach. By embracing your authentic self and leading with pleasure, you can discover a leadership style that is effective, fulfilling, and inspiring.
This is the future of leadership, and we, women, are uniquely positioned to be its champions. This new wave of leadership, driven by women and fueled by pleasure, has the potential to create a more positive and productive future for workplaces and society.
It’s a future built on joy, collaboration, and a deep sense of shared purpose – a future where everyone can thrive. W
Annette Freeman is the owner and headmistress of The Goddess Portal (goddessportalcoaching.com). Through coaching, movement, and events, The Goddess Portal gracefully guides women to unlock and unleash their authentic selves and tap deeply into their gifts so they may show up powerfully in their personal and professional livesand in the world.
What? Consulting, never saw herself in a role outside of working in a creative field. In fact, all throughout her childhood and into early adulthood, most of her time
was spent on art, design, and fashion .
In the present day, she’s still passionate about the arts, that’s part of her that’ll never change. One thing she didn’t see coming, however, was her career pivot to accounting.
“All I ever did was art stuff growing up, and in high school and college,” Thomas says. “Then I worked in the costume department at UNCW right out of college. So, I’ve only had creative jobs.”
Thomas was first introduced to accounting when
It’s specifically designed for creatives who don’t want to learn QuickBooks, who have an aversion to numbers. And it walks you through how to use QuickBooks but also basic accounting concepts and things like that. “ “
ALISHA THOMAS
Wait. What? Consulting
she helped a friend with his new business, Freaker USA. The business is a one-size-fits-all beverage insulator featured at one point on Shark Tank . In the beginning, Thomas just packed orders, then eventually went on to handle some of the company’s accounting and bookkeeping for about six or seven years.
“I literally was like, ‘We have all these bills that need to be paid, and we have checks that need to go in the bank,’” Thomas recalls. “Is there some sort of system for this? Oh yeah, it’s called accounting and bookkeeping! I just had no idea, but I said, ‘Oh, I’ll figure it out.’ And I did figure it out.”
Thomas used QuickBooks for all of her accounting and business needs for Freaker USA.
“I learned a bunch of business stuff that I just never thought I would ever learn because it just wasn’t my background,” Thomas says. “I did it for years and years and years, and then I got really burnt out.”
Thomas eventually sold her shares and left Freaker USA in 2017 with the mindset that she’d never return to accounting again. That was until she had a friend who needed help with QuickBooks.
“I had a friend who was like, ‘Hey, can you help my friend with QuickBooks,’” Thomas recalls. “I was like, ‘Oh sure, I can help a one-person business doing QuickBooks, sure.’”
Soon more and more people were asking Thomas for help with QuickBooks, which eventually led to an opportunity to make a career out of it in 2019. That business is now formally known as Wait. What? Consulting, and is based out of Wilmington. It focuses on other creatives, just like Thomas, who have their own company but need a little extra help in the business department.
Currently, Thomas has two employees and does bookkeeping for clients, as well as 1:1 QuickBooks coaching to
help people learn the program or how to just get started in general.
After helping hundreds of people and teaching them QuickBooks, Thomas started to feel repetitive in the help she was giving, which eventually led to her starting an online course titled Artistic Accounting: A QuickBooks Course.
“It’s specifically designed for creatives who don’t want to learn QuickBooks, who have an aversion to numbers,” Thomas says. “And it walks you through how to use QuickBooks but also basic accounting concepts and things like that. I launched it three weeks ago and so far, so good.”
In addition to learning all you need to know about QuickBooks, Artistic Accounting goes over the language of bookkeeping “so that you can run your business with confidence.” It also goes over what Thomas calls “clarity in your numbers,” which helps users “wave goodbye to financial fog so that you can actually know your number.” And to top it all off, Thomas discusses how to profit and not panic, which is essentially “learning the strategies that keep your creativity profitable, not just possible.”
The $199 course is evergreen, meaning it can be completed at a user’s own pace online. Additionally, Artistic Accounting is made up of 31 lessons packed into one-and-ahalf hours of video content. In the future, Thomas plans to add more advanced aspects to her course, including how to troubleshoot QuickBooks.
“QuickBooks is the thing that nobody wants to do it, and they wanna find a different way,” Thomas says. “You’ve just gotta get QuickBooks, and you learn to do it. And once you start doing it, you realize it’s not that hard; it’s just like any other app or software. If you own a small business, you’ve gotta keep your bookkeeping stuff together. I’m hoping this will help people take that leap.” W
Each issue, WILMA includes a Plugging In directory to help you connect locally. This time, we’re focusing on training programs in the area. Keep an eye out for future lists about tech groups and interest meetups. Let us know about your organization by emailing e ditor@wilmingtonbiz.com
A part of WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, the institute is a nine-month program. Each year, a class of fortyeight women is selected to participate through an application and interview process. During their time, they meet with leaders for skills training, interact with executives in the community, and serve as peer mentors for each other. This year’s program is underway, but applications for next year’s class open in December. INFO: WILMAMAG. COM/WOMEN-TO-WATCH
Both
Cape Fear Community College and Brunswick Community College offer free training for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Regular workshop topics include: Starting Your Own Business, Writing a Business Plan, Financing a Small Business, Advertising and Marketing Your Business, and Bookkeeping, with other topics scheduled in. INFO: CFCC.EDU/SMALL-BUSINESSCENTER AND BRUNSWICKCC.EDU
The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual program of selected group members. “Through handson community immersion and direct interaction with our community’s current leaders, Leadership Wilmington serves to cultivate leaders and advance the Wilmington region’s economy,” chamber officials
describe. “Participants will get an up-close look at some of our region’s most challenging issues and opportunities and build lifelong relationships with other aspiring leaders. Class members will also work together to organize Work on Wilmington, the community’s largest one-day volunteer service day.” The application for the next group is May 31. INFO: WILMINGTONCHAMBER. ORG/LEADERSHIP-WILMINGTON
Brunswick Community College and the Southport-Oak Island Area, North Brunswick, and Brunswick County chambers of commerce also hold a group leadership program. It aims “to develop corps of informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for Brunswick County. Beginning each September for nine months, program participants travel throughout the county visiting various locations and interacting with existing leaders in social, political, economic, cultural and educations systems,” the groups say. FOR APPLICATION INFO, GO TO BRUNSWICKCOUNTYCHAMBER.ORG.
The YWCA Lower Cape Fear offers hands-on workforce development and training. “Through mentorship, education and practical support, our program paves the way for women to redefine possibilities and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities,” according to the group. INFO: YWCALOWERCAPEFEAR.ORG/STRIVE
After practicing law for more than a decade, AMANDA
MIARS decided it was time for a change. Serving as a wealth and estate adviser with the professionals of Live Oak Private Wealth was the opportunity for that necessary transition.
“Through my experiences advising high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners at a well-respected, local law firm, I came to realize the tremendous value a local wealth adviser well versed in personal and business succession planning, asset protection, complex wealth transfer structures, and taxation could offer to clients in connection with the creation and implementation of their financial plans,” Miars says.
In her new role, Miars facilitates thoughtful discussions with her clients that are backed up by the more than 230 years of combined experience Live Oak Private Wealth’s team members possess. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
ADAMS RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
“A book I cannot wait to read is CheerLEADERship by Stefanie Adams, of WNY (Why Not You?) People Development, which is set to be released in fall 2024.”
by MEGHAN CORBETT | photo by TERAH HOOBLER“I am a proud Seahawk and Fighting Camel! I earned my B.S. in business administration (International) and B.A. in French from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2006 and my juris doctorate from Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh, graduating cum laude in 2012. I am also a proud graduate of the WILMA Leadership Institute class of 2018. These experiences played important roles in my story, and I am forever grateful for the positive impact they have had on my life.”
What led you to become a lawyer? What kind of law did you practice?
“Ever since I was little, I have been endlessly curious and an avid reader. As I grew up, I realized how important it was to me to leverage my curiosity and appetite for learning to empower and advocate for those around me in my areas of personal and professional expertise.
Prior to my career transition, I specialized in both tax and non-tax-driven estate planning, with a significant focus on succession and exit planning strategies for businesses. These can be highly technical and nuanced areas of practice that frequently involve family dynamics.
Articulating and actualizing a client’s
WAY TO UNWIND
“For me, it is the greatest resource of our region: the ocean. It is where I can go to recalibrate and be present. Witnessing the vastness of the ocean and how it does not cling to the waves is therapy for me.”
legacy involves more than legal documents; it’s about preserving values, memories, and aspirations. Likewise, the role of an adviser extends beyond technicalities; it involves crafting client-specific strategies for smooth transitions of wealth within families and businesses. Families entrust you with their most intimate matters and rely on you to analyze intricate scenarios and provide sound advice. It is an enormous responsibility and privilege to serve in this role for a client and is at the core of why I became a lawyer and why I chose to leave the practice of law to become a wealth adviser.”
When did a career transition become a possibility for you?
“It began over lunch with a wealth adviser with whom I had collaborated for the benefit of several mutual clients during my legal career. I asked if there was anything he was trying to accomplish in the near term. He shared that they were ready to grow the team with the addition of a new wealth adviser.
After asking him a million questions on the vision for the role, I shared with him my interest in stepping back from drafting and negotiating legal documents, so I could concentrate my focus on the advisory work I was doing for families and business owners – the work that empowers these clients
TO KNOW
“Colleen Coons, head of strategic marketing and business development with Monteith Construction. She is an intelligent and articulate powerhouse invested in our community.”
to make informed decisions about their wealth and their businesses.
The conversations continued from there, but I knew at this first meeting that my background combined with the team’s extensive experience and an organization rooted in technology and innovation was a recipe for significant positive impact.”
Why would you advocate for switching gears professionally when the opportunity arises for those looking for more out of their careers?
“Work, like life, is a journey, and a career move can contribute to your unique story. Changing roles or careers allows you to identify and capitalize on your strengths.
It’s an opportunity to pivot toward work that aligns with your natural abilities and maximizes the positive impact you can make in your field.
Change involves risk, but calculated risks can lead to breakthroughs. Seize opportunities, take calculated risks, and live fully – you only get one chance!”
What else are you involved in within the community?
“I enjoy finding ways big and small to make a positive impact on the community that has made such a positive impact on me and my family.
I have served on the board of directors of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, the Junior League of Wilmington, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I presently serve on the board of directors of the Beacon Foundation Inc. – the foundation that supports the incredible education opportunities being provided at Spark Academy and the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (G.L.O.W.); the board of visitors of the University of North Carolina Wilmington; and as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington.
In addition, I am privileged to serve as a mentor for a highly motivated eleventh-grade student at New Hanover High School through the Future Leaders Program, which is part of WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative.” W
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Selecting a specialty after having exposure to multiple branches of medicine throughout Physician Assistant school can often be a complex decision for students in training. However, for me, the choice was straightforward. I am meant to be in primary care with Dawson Med, fulfilling my purpose. During a clinical rotation with Dawson Med in the summer of 2021, I had a phenomenal experience. I witnessed the Physician and Nurse Practitioners offer exceptional care and time to each patient, and shared decision-making was at the heart of everything they did. The clinic is equipped with advanced touch screen technology that
provides patients with visual representations of the human body and organ systems, which enhances patient knowledge of their bodies and the conditions being treated. This further facilitates shared decision-making between patient and provider and allows opportunities for questions to be asked and answered. At Dawson Med, the objective is for patients to understand their options and work with the provider and team to achieve a favorable outcome. In addition to providing exceptional primary care services to the community, I was also intrigued by the fact that Dawson Med also offers urgent care services seven days a week. To further expand access to care, if or when a patient is unable to visit the office in person, Dawson Med also provides virtual visits in both the urgent care and the primary care offices.
Wilmington, and the Cape Fear region at large, is such a dynamic place to work and live. I am excited to join the Dawson Med team and help expand the healthcare services provided to the community that I have grown to love. I am also looking forward to contributing Spanish-speaking services to the community. As an individual of Mexican-Venezuelan descent, I understand the importance of communicating in
an individual's native language when possible, and I am grateful to provide this opportunity to the Spanish-speaking community in the surrounding areas.
It is my belief that effective primary care, as the backbone of our nation’s health system, is the key to decreasing healthcare costs, as well as healthcare disparities. No other specialty allows providers to develop such close and longitudinal relationships with their patients as does primary care. I am looking forward to celebrating patient successes at Dawson Med, in physical and mental health, no matter how big or small the step forward may be.
JESENIA ORTIZ-RUIZ, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
From lattes to espresso martinis, all in one spot
by BETH A. KLAHRECoffee shop by day, bar by night. Blurring the lines between coffee and cocktails is a growing trend, including at Wilmington establishments.
Baristas are incorporating craft cocktail techniques into show-stopping coffee drinks, and bartenders are mixing espresso and coffee liqueur beyond the traditional cocktail blends. The trend is capturing a wider variety of patrons while allowing owners to use their entire space during all hours of the day and night.
JAMIE ALFALLA is the co-owner of Concorde Espresso Bar inside the Front Street Inn at 215 South Front Street in downtown Wilmington.
“There is a natural synergy between coffee and cocktails. The espresso martini has been a classic cocktail for over forty years,” she says. “The coffee shop and cocktail bar concept allows us to create a social hub by day transitioning to an
experiential evening gathering place.
“Not only do the same guests come, but they come on the same day too,” Alfalla adds. “They love how the venue changes once the lights dim and the music starts.”
Loving Italian traditions, Alfalla likes to believe that this trend started with the espresso martini. “It was always customary to have espresso after a meal, after cocktails, to end the evening and aid in digestion. Whether on its own, as a cappuccino, or poured over ice cream, enjoying coffee in the evening is an old-time tradition,” she says.
So, is coffee taking its cues from the bar, or are bar drinks taking their cues from coffee?
Alfalla says that while there will always be the classic coffee drinks – cortado, macchiato, or cappuccino – in reality, they mirror traditional cocktails such as the daiquiri,
negroni, or margarita.
“It’s exciting to explore how they spin together,” Alfalla says. “So, I say coffee and cocktails are taking cues from each other and finding an amazing balance.”
Even baristas and bartenders are mingling.
“Our bartenders are becoming baristas and vice versa,” she says. “The cross-training of baristas and bartenders is increasing versatility. The barista who has no bar experience and the bartender who has no barista experience are both becoming more well-versed. This serves them well long term and gives our business the ability to create more revenue from what was once a one-revenue-center concept.”
All of this overlap is resulting in some interesting concoctions.
Alfalla, who credits the chef from the Preston Restaurant for curating the Signature Latte Menu, says the Latte Olivia is by far the most-ordered latte at Concorde Espresso Bar. International favorites include Vietnamese coffee and Thai iced tea.
The seasonal latte menu breaks many traditions.
“We think a pumpkin latte should be available yearround, and because of that, we keep it on our seasonal menu. It’s called the Still Wearing My Fuzzy Sweater Latte,” Alfalla says.
The Signature Cocktail Menu plays on the hotel theme of cities worldwide, and the curated menu features cocktails from around the planet such as the passion fruit martini, which is widely ordered in the United Kingdom and comes with a shot of prosecco on the side.
“Being a travel hotel, this really makes sense,” Alfalla says.
And there is an espresso cocktail for everyone. The espresso martini flight highlights the classic espresso martini. There is also a cookie butter-inspired espresso martini called the In Flight Snack and a mocha-inspired espresso martini called On Standby.
“Offering both cocktails and coffee makes complete sense for our business model,” Alfalla says. “As a hotel, guests desire coffee and a place to rise to in the morning. And after dinner, guests enjoy retreating to their room with a cocktail or having a nightcap at the bar.”
Also downtown, Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods has been in business for eight years and has been another coffee shop to serve beer and wine.
For alcohol offerings, Bespoke currently sells only beer and wine but is expected to implement a complete cocktail program later this year.
“Being a neighborhood spot anchored at Princess and Second, we expect many of the same customers coming for coffee and adult beverages,” owner ROBBY DOW says. “I’m sure there will still be some coffee and cocktail folks that stay keen on one offering more than others. From similar shops here in North Carolina and from my time in New York City, I think providing a cohesive and inviting space is most important. It will serve as a communal gathering point in the morning or evening.”
At Bespoke, baristas will use cocktail elements in their coffees, and bartenders will use coffee in their cocktails.
“I think both schools of thought can and do work with each other. It’s a beautiful thing taking and implementing different flavors and techniques from both sides,” he says.
Dow says the skill sets from coffee to cocktails cross over quite a bit.
“This provides great access for someone to come into the world of spirits and cocktail technique if they are interested in doing so,” he adds.
Dow says that as far as cocktails go, the espresso martini is the quintessential modern classic of all coffee cocktails. The coffee drinks are created by Bespoke’s team of baristas, led by shop managers HALLE PUGH and ABEER ASKAR.
Dow’s background is in cocktails, so he will spearhead that program when the cocktail bar opens, which is set to happen in late summer or early fall. W
At Olivero, family-inspired dishes with Spanish and Italian influences pepper the restaurant’s menu. For co-executive chef LAUREN KRALL IVEY, arancini was a given to be included in their lineup. “I love almost anything that’s fried and crispy with a creamy
INGREDIENTS
9 c Parmesan stock, seafood stock, or vegetable stock
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
½ c white wine
4 tbsp butter
½ c grated Parmesan cheese
2 c arborio or carnaroli rice
1 lb fresh picked crab
Salt to taste
Zest of 1 lemon
FOR THE BREADING
2 c all-purpose flour
3 eggs
3 c panko breadcrumbs
DIRECTIONS
In a medium saucepan, bring broth to a simmer over medium, then reduce heat to lowest setting to keep warm.
In a large Dutch oven or sauce pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally until softened but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add rice and stir until evenly coated in oil, 1 minute.
Add wine to rice and increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring, until all the liquid is absorbed into the rice, about 1 minute.
Add ½ cup of the hot broth and briskly simmer, stirring very frequently, until almost all the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Repeat, adding ½ cup of the broth at a time and stirring until all the liquid is absorbed before the next
center, so arancini was an obvious fit for the Olivero menu. It’s such a delicious little snack to start a meal,” she says.
Arancini, a traditional Italian bite of stuffed, breaded, and fried risotto balls, takes on a coastal twist at Olivero, which opened at 522 South Third Street last year. Ivey and co-executive chef and owner SUNNY GERHART incorporate North Carolina crab sourced from a trusted vendor into the dish.
“We’ve been working with JIM CASEY, aka Smiley, for many years,” Ivey says. “He used to deliver to us back in
Raleigh, and we are so lucky to work with him here in Wilmington. Jim has been sourcing North Carolina seafood for twenty-eight years.”
To bring the popular Olivero item home for summertime menus, Ivey suggests taking advantage of abundant tomatoes and peppers that are in season for the romesco sauce.
“Arancini are a great appetizer to serve with almost any meal,” she says. “You can also skip the breading and frying and just serve the warm risotto with romesco sauce for an easy weeknight meal.” W
addition of broth. Cook until rice is al dente and risotto is creamy and saucy, about 18 minutes total. (You can add hot water if you need more liquid than the 9 cups of broth).
Turn off heat. Stir in crab, lemon zest, butter, and cheese; season to taste with salt. Spread the risotto on a sheet
pan or casserole dish and let cool completely.
Using a 1-ounce scoop, form the risotto into evenly sized balls.
Place flour, eggs, and panko in three separate bowls. Bread the risotto balls by tossing in flour, then egg,
finishing in the panko.
Deep fry the arancini at 350° for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.
2 red bell peppers
¼ c roasted tomatoes
1 clove garlic
2 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
1 tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp cayenne
¼ c extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste
½ c toasted almonds
DIRECTIONS
Thoroughly char bell peppers and tomatoes on the grill or over open flame. Steam in a mixing bowl covered in plastic, or a Ziplock bag. Peel the skin off the peppers, making sure to remove the pith and all the seeds. (You can also use store-bought roasted peppers and tomatoes).
While the peppers are charring, toast the nuts and cool. Once cool, chop the nuts in a food processor.
Remove the nuts from the food processor and set aside. Add the peppers, tomatoes, garlic, sherry vinegar, and parsley and puree. Add the spices and salt. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil until lightened in color and well emulsified. Adjust seasoning if needed. Add almonds to the food processor and pulse until incorporated.
inally, the moment has arrived! No more will you need to scroll through post after post of other people’s spring vacays … With summer in full force, now you too can share your toes-in-the-sand pics while barely leaving your zip code! And thankfully, this summer’s swimwear has some promising options for us.
Let’s start with the maillot – your classic go-to one piece, appropriate for any sun goddess. With the lines constantly blurring between beachwear and your regular wardrobe, the maillot can easily be accessorized and paired with a cover-up or pant for any off-beach adventures.
If you’re feeling a trendier vibe, check out the bohochic offerings of bandeau tops or crocheted bikinis. Also on the scene are more minimalist options such as one-color suits with contrast trim or bold, simple patterns like vertical stripes.
Another great thing about this season’s swimwear? Many more brands are incorporating shapewear or sculpted elements into their suits to help flatter any figure. With that bit of news, you’re ready for the sunshine! (With sunblock, of course.) W
White and navy crochet
DRESS by SoulofMu, straw BAG with macrame detail by Urban Expressions, and SUNGLASSES by Z Supply, all available at Island Passage Lumina Station
Minnow gathered BIKINI TOP and mid-waisted BIKINI BOTTOM, available at Pipton; white SHIRT DRESS by America & Beyond and SUNGLASSES by Z Supply, available at Island Passage Lumina Station
MODEL: Raquel Martinez
HAIR & MAKEUP: Meraki Beauty
WARDROBE: Island Passage Lumina Station + Pipton
LOCATION:
Wrightsville Beach SUP 96 West Salisbury Street, Wrightsville Beach
DA classic staple gets an artistic touchby EMORY RAKESTRAW | photos by DREWE AND KATE BRANDING CO.
uring the height of pandemic-era fashion when sweatpants and hoodies were the norm, artist
SYDNEY DURRETT FALKNER had a Bob Ross-style “happy accident.” Her days were spent furiously painting; at the end of each day, she’d understandably be sporting half of her paint palette on her clothes. The abstract, accidental design caught the eye of her friend, ASHLEY GAUTREAUX.
“My friend Ashley really liked the look of it, and she bought us a couple of jean jackets to paint on. Inspired by this, I conceived abstract designs, keeping them loose and worn-in with splatters of paint for added flair,” Falkner says. “We would throw the denim jackets over our workout clothes or sweats to feel cute again. During that time period, our style as a society was lacking and for me, it made fashion exciting again.”
Falkner had to study and practice the best methods for keeping the paint intact and often relied on a palette knife plus intuition for layering. Too much paint can cause cracking, which she learned the hard way. The trial-and-error approach allowed her breathing room to test out designs, color combinations, and splatters before publicly showcasing her new medium.
Falkner’s artistic ability has always been intuitive, and she de-
scribes her parents noticing her penchant as soon as she could hold a crayon. Although an artist throughout her younger years, she pursued interior design in college. This later prompted the creation of Durrett Designs, an umbrella business showcasing her art alongside interior design. As she grew as an artist, her calling to pursue art full time only increased. Seven years ago, with the encouragement of her husband, she took the leap.
“One of the biggest misconceptions when I say I’m an artist full time, people think it’s just about painting. But I’ve discovered the ebbs and flows that come along with doing what you love for a livelihood and figuring out that hard balance,” she says. “I was not one to show people my artwork and bring it up in conversation, that was something I did behind the scenes. Knowing that you don’t have that option to hide behind it makes you appreciate what you do even more.”
Falkner’s preferred medium and foundation of her business is acrylic on canvas, with lush, rich designs spanning from florals to cityscapes and travel.
“Experimentation is key for me,” she explains. “I’m wary of pigeonholing my-
self into one particular style; I believe creative freedom leads to the best ideas. The more I allow myself to explore different avenues, the more fluid and dynamic my artistic process becomes.”
She debuted the jean jackets on a whim, posting a few photos on Instagram of her and her best friend sporting them. Soon after, her direct messages were flooded. The unexpected surge in popularity prompted her to come up with a made-to-order business model consisting of four different jacket styles and six color combos.
“I’ve since expanded my repertoire to include blazers and bomber jackets. Every piece is meticulously hand-painted, ensuring no two are alike. They strike a balance between practicality and uniqueness, making them perfect for mixing and matching with everyday basics,” she says. “I strongly believe in embracing our originality and quirks. It’s like business in the front and party in the back! Each jacket embodies this ethos with its own distinct personality. They’ve become a symbol of creativity and individual expression.”
The jackets have also let Falkner explore the intersectionality of art and textiles, es-
pecially how this merger is an example of her evolution as an artist. What started as a way to add necessary zhuzh to doldrum outfits prompted her to push her limits as both a creative and a business owner. Falkner’s jackets became a sort of personal brand and walking billboard. Yet this also inspired her to reflect on her growth and what art truly meant to her.
“Art can permeate all aspects of life if you allow it to. It’s liberating to pursue various forms without feeling confined. Whether it’s fine art or wearable art, it’s important to follow what excites you,” she says. “What fascinates people is the evolution of the artist, how it evolves over time. My art before motherhood, in the thick of motherhood with no sleep, my art now, it all changes. For me, that included merging art with textiles. Each piece of art is a story fragmented in time.”
While acrylic on canvas still remains the bread and butter of Durrett Designs, Falkner is eager to explore other forms of wearable art and accepts custom commissions for her jean jackets. She’s most excited about her current plans to expand into the realm of home décor and textiles. W
Cleobell Darla BLOUSE, available at Très Bleu
by Nina Bays
Our love affair with Barbiecore pink sure was steamy, but that spring fling has ended. Enter our newest crush: lilac. With a calming air of tranquility, lilac whispers sweet nothings and encourages us to express your innermost emotions. While perfectly happy being our one and only, lilac can also pair well with its more brash and trendy shades of the season, including cherry red and acid green. Look out color darlings, lilac is speaking our love language. W
Unhealthy teeth and gums are often found in combination with heart disease and other life-threatening conditions, and many health issues can also affect your oral health.
People with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease (swollen, red, infected gums) and tooth loss. Researchers think this occurs because diabetes reduces the body’s overall resistance to infection.
During your dental exam, ask your dentist to conduct an oral cancer screening to help detect lumps or other changes in your throat, neck, jaw, skin or thyroid.
If you have moderate to advanced gum disease, you’re more likely to have cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, than someone with healthy gums. Gum disease increases the amount of inflammation affecting your body, which can increase the burden on your heart.
Chronic bad breath, an unpleasant taste in the mouth and dry mouth are often signs of kidney issues. When the kidneys don’t function properly, the byproducts of incomplete protein breakdown are released, causing an unpleasant taste or mouth odor.
Did vou know that anxiety can affect vour oral health? Stress affects the immune system, reducing your body’s defense against the bacteria that can lead to gum infection.
Other medical conditions that your dentist may detect Thyroid problems, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep and breathing disorders, skin rashes, bruxism (teeth grinding), HIV, HPV, tuberculosis, drug abuse, anorexia, digestive disorders and upper respiratory problems.
Improving the oral health and the overall well-being of the communities we serve.
deltadentalNC.com
“The mouth is connected anatomically and physiologically to the rest of the body. Oral health is a vital component of overall health. Dentists can recognize and diagnose many kinds of diseases and health issues. From diabetes to cardiovascular disease to cancers, a dentist can be a first line of defense for your entire body.”
Jeffery W. Johnston, DDS, MS, FACD Chief Science Officer, Delta Dental of NC
What you and your dentist can do
The best thing you can do to prevent serious dental issues is to treat them while they’re still small. For that reason, visiting your dentist regularly (or every six months) to manage your oral health. Brush and floss twice a day to fight cavities, plaque buildup and inflammation. Let your dentist know about changes to your health, and share a current list of medications you are taking.
health has become more common in recent yearsby BETH A. KLAHRE | photos by DREWE AND
Pelvic wellness is seeing an uptick in both the number of practitioners as well as the number of patients seeking care. Once taboo, this topic is becoming more mainstream.
“Women became empowered to speak up about their experiences,” says JORDAN MARTINE (opposite page), owner and physical therapist at her practice Salt & Light Physical Therapy and Wellness. “Social media has also played a pivotal role in educating women on pelvic health and wellness. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, urologists, sexual medicine doctors, and gynecologists are engaging the masses with evidenced-based information that is accurate and easily digestible.”
Martine says that roughly 1 in 4 women in the United States suffer from some form of pelvic floor dysfunction. This includes bowel/ bladder dysfunction, pelvic pain, tailbone pain, sacroiliac joint pain, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic organ prolapse.
Martine holds a clinical doctorate in physical therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and a bachelor’s of science degree in exercise physiology from East Carolina University. She is double boardcertified as a clinical specialist in orthopedic and women’s health physical therapy.
Martine says pelvic wellness is the keystone to women’s health as it is often the root cause of dysfunction.
“Once I began treating patients through this lens, I was seeing greater results,” she says.
Salt & Light Physical Therapy and Wellness specializes in providing holistic treatment for women’s health care needs. As a guide on a woman’s health and wellness journey, Martine treats patients utilizing a variety of modalities such as internal pelvic manual therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, dry needling, and cupping. She values walking alongside patients as a member of their life team.
Martine includes mindfulness, progressive relaxation, behavioral retraining, strengthening, breath mechanics training, pelvic stabilization, and impact drill training in a personalized one-onone approach. “I blend embodiment
practice within the framework of physical therapy, which allows the body to be a tool for healing through self-awareness, self-regulation, mindfulness, connection, and balance,” she explains.
Martine’s passion for her work stems from her mother, a certified nurse-midwife.
“I grew up watching my mother pursue her passion for helping women give birth to life,” Martine says.
Now she is passionate about serving and educating women from their early twenties to late eighties, helping them to thrive and live life to the fullest.
“This is brave work for women that requires courage to begin. However, there is so much freedom and joy waiting for them on the other side,” she says. “This is my calling and my gift to the world.”
AMANDAKNAUFF, founder
and owner of Pender Pelvic Health and Therapy Services and mother of two, understands the hardship that labor and delivery has on the body.
“And at this point in my life, I understand how hormonal fluctuations affect the body,” she says. Pender Pelvic Health and Therapy Services specializes in pelvic health care for men, women, and children, treating pelvic pain, urinary leakage, pelvic organ prolapse, low back pain, and difficulty returning to exercise after having a baby.
“But don’t let the name fool you,” she says. “We are also passionate about treating orthopedic conditions, lymphedema, and Parkinson’s disease.”
An athlete her entire life, Knauff has first-hand experience with rehab for various injuries.
“As a patient and now a provider, I know the difference between high quality and mediocre health care. I wanted the best, and now I offer my best,” she says.
Knauff is a University of North Carolina Wilmington graduate, with a doctorate in physical therapy from University of Rhode Island. Physical therapist NATALYA FLATLEY, who has ten-plus years of experience, the majority of her career in pelvic floor rehab, and husband BEN KNAUFF, also a physical therapist and front office manager, complete her team.
Pender Pelvic Health and Therapy Services is currently in a growth phase, hiring staff and expanding space to offer yoga, Pilates, and birth education.
Both Knauff and Martine say that women should not suffer in silence.
“I became certified in pelvic health, not only because treatment worked for me, but because there are so many women out there suffering in silence. Treatment really can prevent, reduce, and eliminate symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction,” Knauff says.
Martine adds, “Women are having pain-free sex for the first time, are able to successfully have a vaginal birth after a Cesarean section, and are no longer suffering from chronic constipation. More and more women are returning to the exercise of their choice, even running and jumping, without leaking urine. That’s what freedom and abundance look like through the lens of pelvic healing.”W
In the summer of 2023, massage therapist SHELLEY LANCASTER was in peak mental and physical condition.
She told her sister SHANNON BROWN, a nurse, that she felt as if she were preparing for something.
Lancaster was on a juicing diet, practiced yoga six days a week, frequently worked out at a gym, and meditated and walked her border collie, Maddie, after work.
She didn’t know it then, but she was preparing her mind and body for the ordeal of a lifetime. That trial began August 17 when a gunman shot her six times as she walked Maddie along Lake Avenue in Wilmington.
“I was one driveway away from where I live, and I felt the presence of this car,” Lancaster recalls. She wondered why the car stopped and turned to see if the driver needed directions.
“When I looked, I was looking down the barrel of a gun, and he just started shooting,” she says.
The first bullet went through her right elbow, shattering the head of her humerus and exploding into fragments that lacerated her kidneys and liver.
Lancaster saw that Maddie, who was tethered to her, wasn’t hit but had blood on her from bullet wounds to Lancaster’s left knee and ankle. As she turned to escape, bullets hit Lancaster in her lower back and sacrum, taking her to the pavement.
In all, ten shots were fired before the shooter drove away, some after Lancaster was down.
Lying in the empty street steps from home and clutching her phone, Lancaster texted neighbors and called her parents. She told them she was shot and didn’t think she would survive.
Neighbors called 911 and rushed to help. One man ran
out of his house with a shotgun. JOHN GORI used his military training to apply tourniquets.
Police investigating reports of gunshots nearby arrived quickly. Lancaster described the shooter and car. That information helped police identify a suspect in her shooting and another assault the next day in Wrightsville Beach. William Gilmore, thirty-five, was killed August 18 in a shootout with law enforcement on Market Street in Wilmington.
Lancaster was shot at 6:35 p.m. Ten minutes later, paramedics arrived to take her to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where staffers were amazed to see her vital signs were normal. She says doctors attributed that to her practice of meditation.
Lancaster was rushed into emergency surgery to repair damage from multiple bullet wounds.
The next day, an orthopedic surgeon showed Lancaster X-rays of her shattered elbow with bullet fragments scattered around it. Bones above and below the joint were aligned perfectly for healing, and no repair was needed. Instead, an external device was surgically attached to her
arm to stabilize it during healing.
Somehow, one of the bullets missed major arteries and lodged in her pelvis, where it remains because the risk of removal is too great.
“The physical therapist at the hospital told me, ‘You are a testament to what the body is capable of when you really care for your body,’” Lancaster says.
She left the hospital after six days. For two months, she recuperated at the Brunswick County home of her sister SHENNA LONG. Sisters SHANNON BROWN and SHERRY SKUMANICK assisted.
“My recovery, I think, is the result of many things coming together,” Lancaster says. “This community is amazing.”
By community, Lancaster say she means Wilmington and the BeUnlimited studio where she practices yoga.
A benefit auction organized by BeUnlimited owner MAGGIE BELLAMY and held at The Eagle’s Dare raised thousands of dollars to help with medical and other expenses. Community members donated auction items and services.
“I believe in God, I believe that we have angels, and I believe in prayer,” Lancaster says.
She thanked the community for prayers, financial support, gifts, and expressions of concern. “All of that is just uplifting for someone who is healing,” Lancaster says.
As she recovers, Lancaster, now fiftyfour, also checks off accomplishments. So far this year, she hiked a 9-mile-long trail in Arizona rated as difficult, resumed multiple classes at BeUnlimited yoga, and returned to work, serving more than twenty clients a week.
“There were times I did not want to get off the sofa,” Lancaster says about her return to yoga. “But I would get up and I would come, and by the end of the class I had done something I didn’t think I could do, and I felt better than before I came.”
Maddie, who was traumatized by the attack and became very protective of Lancaster, has mostly recovered after a month with EMMA NANCE, owner/ operator at Dragon Dog Training.
Together, Lancaster and Maddie again walk in their neighborhood, surrounded by the healing love of friends and strangers alike. W
by LAURA MOORE
Staying well can be confusing in this age of constant information that seems to contradict itself from day to day. But there are local women whose hard work takes the guesswork out of healthy choices whether that be the food, supplements, or herbal remedies.
MADELINE LEE, owner of Superfree Food, has created a line of anti-inflammatory foods that will satisfy and heal. Owner of longtime favorite Lovey’s Natural Foods & Café, MARIE MONTEMURRO has the knowledge and experience to help select the best food and supplement choices. ADRIENNE ARRINGTON-KENION, owner of Queen Esther Teas, has created immunity-boosting tea blends to help the body feel its best. Each of these women has put their heart and soul into helping others feel good. Their dedication to health and wellness provides tangible approaches to being well and staying well.
When over-the-counter medications for digestive issues such as heartburn and indigestion stopped working for ADRIENNE ARRINGTON-KENION, she turned to herbs.
“I started researching natural remedies, which led me to herbs,” she says. “I became interested in how to get them inside my body and found the easiest way was to make tea.”
Arrington-Kenion says she felt an immediate change in her body, “It seemed like my throat, esophagus, and body relaxed.”
Soon her friends asked her to make teas for them and a business was budding.
Tea, which has its origins in China, contains substances linked to a lower risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, according to an article by Harvard Health Publishing.
“With the pandemic, my side business turned into my full-time business,” Arrington-Kenion says.
The mother of four with a degree in psychology worked in the school system. Now, Arrington-Kenion runs Queen Esther Teas and can be found sourcing organic ingredients from local co-ops such as Lovey’s and Tidal Creek Co-op and selling her teas at markets and online.
The business is named after her grandmother, Esther. “She carried herself like a queen – with grace – and was so kind,” Arrington-Kenion says.
After making the initial tea blend, Arrington-Kenion researched teas that could help boost immunity.
“Vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc are found naturally in herbs,” she says.
When creating new tea blends, she considers what she wants the tea to do, such as help with sleep. The result is tea blends with clever names such as Immunitea, Sleeping Beau-tea, Anti-Anxitea, and Diabetea.
“Teas are easy and don’t have to be complicated,” Arrington-Kenion says. “Our body is naturally made to interact with natural herbs. My teas help your body operate at its best.”
Arrington-Kenion uses loose teas. “It’s more flavorful because it’s the whole leaf and not broken down.”
When mixing blends, she is very picky about the flavor. “Even though tea is good for you, I want my teas to taste good,” she says. “By using teas that have naturally bright and beautiful flavors, I want to make sure that it’s pleasing to your palate so that you can enjoy it, as well as feel good from drinking it.”
She says tea also encourages people to slow down.
“It quiets the mind,” she says. “As you wait for your tea to steep, you can be present, offer gratitude, and focus on what you can control, right now.”
-Arrington-Kenion’s story by Amy Kilgore Mangus W
For MARIE MONTEMURRO, Lovey’s Natural Foods & Café is more than her store. It is her family. Lovey is her mother’s name and the name of the store where she and her team have keeping people healthy for more than two decades.
“We make food by hand, the way your mother or grandmother would have done,” Montemurro says. “We do things back there that nobody else does.”
In Lovey’s Café, from the mayonnaise to the falafel to the egg salad, customers are guaranteed to get fresh organic ingredients made with love, according to Montemurro.
“It is just me and my daughter, and all the great people I have working here, and we care. It’s a family. If you work here, you are family,” Montemurro says.
Montemurro admits that it is hard work, but it is rewarding. She says how much she loves knowing that she can help people and guide them to being their best selves. It all starts with the food and the products she handpicks.
While she recognizes that super food ingredients like mushrooms, cruciferous greens, and maca maca are trendy right now, Montemurro emphasizes the need to take a holistic approach to wellness.
“The thing is, you are what you eat and what you put in your body reflects your health; your mental state reflects your health, and there are so many things you can do to make yourself better,” Montemurro shares.
Modern farming practices, pesticides, and water pollution all have had tremendous impacts on people’s health, Montemurro asserts, and it is up to the people to take matters into their own hands.
Eating organic is a key component to staying healthy, as well as ensuring that vital supplements are taken daily.
“I recommend that people get DNA testing done, so they can know what is needed, specific to their bodies and take supplements as needed, but there are the staples of a multi(vitamin), a fish oil, and a probiotic,” Montemurro says.
Montemurro says she stands behind the quality of the ingredients in her products, which she and her team are trained on regularly. Emphasizing the importance of third-party testing, she warns against buying products on the internet.
Being a locally owned store allows Montemurro and her team to share the information they gain with their customers, so they know they are getting the best quality. She is quick to share the Lovey’s motto: “Eat local. Shop local. Support Local. You’ll love it at Lovey’s.” W
MADELINE LEE discovered Superfree Food through her own “guthealing journey.” After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just eighteen years old, she set out on a “long journey of healing.”
Lee opened her anti-inflammatory kitchen on the corner of Queen and 16th streets, to serve as Superfree Food’s production space and to open up for foot traffic for customers to grab and go.
Lee has a degree from North Carolina State University in nutrition science and attended Duke Integrative Medicine’s integrative health coaching program, providing her with the technical background which combined with her own experience empowered her to create healthy food offerings.
“We do have a choice, and my food offerings are a vehicle for that message,” Lee says. “We do not choose our genetics, but we are empowered by the choices we do have.”
Whether it is Superfree Food’s MCT oil to take first thing in the morning, an anti-inflammatory raw nocheese nocake for a snack, maca maca for mind-body fuel, or adaptogenic chia oats for a breakfast, mid-morning, or anytime snack, Lee’s superfood selections are designed for customers to support their health.
“It was a long but eye-opening and intuitive experience. Each of the products are intentional, anti-inflammatory, and gut-healing,” Lee says.
After struggling to feel well for so long, Lee turned to her eating to help with her health issues and developed
products from that need. Each of her foods has no refined sweeteners and high-quality fats that satiate without crashing.
Those with auto-immune diseases, as well as those with diabetics and heart disease, all suffer from inflammatory illnesses and would benefit from the advantages Superfree Food offers, according to Lee.
“I don’t see anyone who wouldn’t benefit from it. Inflammation, whether it is the cause or the symptom, is a big part of illnesses,” she says.
Lee posts weekly recipes on Superfree Food’s Instagram account, to incorporate her products in versatile and interchangeable ways. One goal of Lee’s is to release a cookbook full of anti-inflammatory recipes.
As she works on “scaling” her business, given that she “wears all the hats,” Lee is on the precipice of the growth she has been working towards. She just entered a partnership with the well-known chain Urban Outfitters to carry her products.
Lee is most excited about enabling people to incorporate good choices into their lives. She believes Superfree Food allows people’s bodies to tap into their innate healing qualities.
“It is really simple,” she says. “It is about feeling good, and that is what motivates me to share this offering.” W
Canterbury Stables co-owner Emily Warren is bringing the longtime horse barn into a new age with help from her family and friends
A200-year-old live oak tree stretches across the entrance to Canterbury Stables on Wrightsville Avenue. One of the barn cats, Midnight, likes to climb and sit on its branches, says EMMA KATHERINE WARREN. Warren, seventeen years old, is the daughter of EMILY WARREN (left), a co-owner of the fifty-five-year-old Canterbury Stables. The space is a longtime destination for showing and riding horses. In 2022, JOE MCKINNEY and ADAM SOSNE, coowners of Wilmington development company McAdams Homes bought the property from its original owner. The Warren family contributed to the purchase and now leads the stables’ daily operations.
The live oak tree is a statement as guests enter the stables, Emily Warren says. In the two years the Warrens have looked over the property, they’ve planted ten more live oaks throughout the farm.
The new plantings are one of many projects the Warren family has completed since acquiring the property; others include renovating the clubhouse, grazing pens, and chicken coop. But the relationship between the trees, the old and the new, is a fitting lens to describe Canterbury’s future.
The stables have remained a destination for show horses and riding lessons. Emily Warren is revitalizing the space by opening the property to host local organizations such as paws4people and First Presbyterian Church as well as staging the property as a pastoral backdrop for farm-to-table cooking classes and weddings.
Emily Warren was born and raised in Wilmington. She grew up taking riding lessons and showing horses at Canterbury for a decade, under the mentorship of the original owner, LINDA SHELHART.
The sport of showing horses has remained throughout her life – her daughter now shows horses across the Southeast – but Emily Warren’s “barn family” cemented her love for Canterbury, she recalls.
After getting her degree at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, she met her husband,
Emily Warren is shown as a kid at Canterbury Stables with her pony, Comanche. She won her first blue ribbon in 1981 with Comanche.
Parrish. The two got married in 2005 and bought the 100-year-old Lewis Farm homestead in Rocky Point, where the pair lived for ten years and Emma Katherine was born. But after a while, they were ready to move closer to the beach.
Experiences throughout her life, or “stepping stones,” prepped Emily Warren to run Canterbury, she says. Farms she worked at in college and into her adulthood prepared her to take on this project.
“I don’t want to say ‘destiny,’ but it’s just weird how things have always worked out,” she says.
The Warren family ensures everything runs smoothly at the stables, whether it’s feeding the twenty chickens – all named – or hosting a wedding, Emma Katherine Warren says. Even as she finishes high school, Emma Katherine Warren works at the property teaching lessons to some of the fifteen horseback
riding students and leading Canterbury Crew Club, a horse enthusiast club of about twenty local girls.
Using the stables for gatherings such as Canterbury Crew Club and other events is an addition to the space’s offerings that Emily Warren is particularly excited about. Running the stables combines her three favorite things: horses, interior design, and entertaining.
Interior design is more than just a hobby for Emily Warren. She’s been the president of Traditions Interior Designs since 2008. Designing the modern but rustic clubhouse interior and laying out tablescapes for dinner parties were skills she knew she could incorporate into running Canterbury. She also plans to build a tiny house on the property that could be used as an Airbnb or bridal suite.
“My wheels are already turning about how we would decorate that,” she says.
When Shelhart was ready to sell Canterbury, the Warrens knew the asking price was above their limit. A connection through Emma Katherine Warren’s horseback riding led Emily Warren to McKinney, who proposed that he and Sosne fund the purchase. The Warrens provided a lesser share of the purchase, but most of their contribution is through “sweat equity,” Emily Warren says.
There was never one conversation that decided the Warren family would take over daily operations at Canterbury, Emily Warren says. The decision was obvious as soon as McKinney and Sosne confirmed the property would not be turned into a residential site, which they briefly considered early on.
Emma Katherine Warren (right) adds that her mother always wanted to be a part of the stables, even as a child riding horses there.
“She always wanted to be in Canterbury, be a part of it,” she says. “Nobody else wanted to take the initiative other than her.”
The Warren family runs the stables, as they have experience with horses and farms, but the Sosne and McKinney families are also involved outside of financing the project. Sosne loves trees; he’s the one who planted the live oaks, Emily Warren says.
Although Sosne’s beloved live oaks
will take generations to reach maturity, the families hope their children and grandchildren will be able to experience their beauty as the property is handed down.
“All of us,” Emily Warren adds, “the Sosnes, the McKinneys, the Warrens would all say, ‘Pass it down.’” W
SAM WARWICK didn’t play team sports growing up.
“I tried out for soccer in the seventh grade and didn’t make the team,” she says. “That was enough rejection for me.”
A chance encounter at the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s annual Involvement Carnival – which connects students with on- and off-campus opportunities – helped Warwick find rugby. “A girl ran up to me and said, ‘Have you ever played rugby?!’ I told her no, and she dragged me to the table to learn more,” Warwick recalls.
Warwick went to a practice the following week and soon found her place. She played rugby throughout college until she
graduated in 2017.
In 2021, a college coach and former teammate approached her about starting a girls’ rugby program in Wilmington.
“(She) found this organization called Girls Rugby,” Warwick says.
Affiliated with USA Rugby, Girls Rugby’s mission is to empower participants to reach their potential through sport.
“They provided us with resources and training to help us get the program off the ground,” Warwick says.
Girls Rugby Wilmington held its first season in the spring of 2021.
“We started out small, and it’s been slow to build,” Warwick says. “Right now, we have ten to thirteen second- through eighthgrade girls each season.”
While rugby is generally viewed as a male-dominated and aggressive sport,
Warwick says rugby also helps empower girls.
“Our curriculum is values- and skills-based,” she says. “We’re teaching girls to be leaders, to empower themselves and the girls next to them.”
Warwick emphasizes they pride themselves on safe play.
“We play flag versus tackle rugby, but we do teach all the rugby skills for future play,” she says. Girls Rugby volunteers are required to complete SafeSport and concussion training, as well as CPR certification.
Girls who are interested in playing rugby don’t need prior experience, and soccer is a good crossover.
“I walked into college rugby with no experience, so we want to build that foundation. And we want parents and girls to be open to trying something new,” Warwick says. “It can seem intimidating. When I started playing – within my first play – I had an entire team fall on me and it was scary. But the best thing I did was not stay out.”
Warwick has seen girls who were shy and quiet at the beginning of the season become more confident and show signs of leading and encouraging other girls by the end of the season.
“That teamwork and empowerment is building a community,” she says.
Girls Rugby Wilmington hopes to grow the sport within girls team sports.
“We’d like to double the number of players,” Warwick says. “Since we’re so small, and there aren’t other local teams, our game days are scrimmages.”
Warwick also hopes to connect the girls to the Wilmington women’s team to build a bigger female rugby community.
Teaching girls rugby has taught Warwick to slow down.
“With us only having one practice and one game a week, I feel like I’m trying to fit so much in that sometimes I get lost in the weeds,” she says. “The best practices I’ve had is when I focus on a really fun game. It reminds me of everything that I love about rugby.” W
This story appeared in a recent WILMA Wellness newsletter. To sign up for the newsletter, go to wilmamag.com/ email-newsletter.
by JENNY CALLISON
mid the many currents of her life, KENI RIENKS has always felt the tug of the sea.
A native of northern Illinois, she came coastward to attend the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she majored in environmental studies and surfed when she could.
Several careers later, Rienks made her way back to Wilmington in 2014.
“I wanted to raise my kids by the ocean, and a great job at Cape Fear Academy opened up,” she says.
That “great job” involves teaching upper-level courses in environmental science, research writing, and presentation. When the school wanted
to add a physics class for the less-mathinclined, she helped develop a course in coastal physics and engineering.
“It’s more communication-heavy, solving problems in our area, being a project manager,” she explains. “As opposed to doing traditional math calculations, (students) analyze data. They get exposure to basic concepts and skills; real-world applications of physics concepts.”
Rienks’ concern for the coastal environment flows out of the classroom and into her active involvement with the Cape Fear chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, whose primary goal is to protect and restore the area’s nearshore and beaches.
“I got involved with the Surfrider
Foundation right away when I moved to Wilmington,” she says. “I was involved with ecological restoration and a food co-op in my former community and took away from that the gratification of being part of something at the grassroots level. I had this interest in and passion for the ocean, I was drawn to environmental organizations, and I knew about Surfrider.”
Rienks now serves as the chapter’s chairwoman, working with an elevenperson executive board that works day-to-day to power the organization. Core groups of volunteers fuel the chapter’s initiatives. It’s not just Cape Fear residents who work on local projects: Some of the chapter’s volunteers come from the Triangle area. Charlotte has its
own Surfrider Foundation chapter. A third chapter, based in the Outer Banks area, has struggled to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions but is still active, Rienks says.
She likes the fact that Surfrider, founded in 1984 by surfers who wanted to promote a healthy ocean, addresses important environmental issues with its volunteer efforts. But she also appreciates the organization’s growing social initiative.
“When I got here, the social aspect was not as big as it is now, but now we want to make sure the beach is accessible for everybody,” she says. “I’m really proud of our work on that.”
For instance, people may find access difficult because of the cost of beach parking, or they may have mobility issues that make it difficult to navigate sand. Addressing the latter, Rienks says the organization is looking into beach mats, currently in place at some access points but not all. What would it take, she asks, to ensure that mats welcomed people in wheelchairs at every beach access point?
Right now, the chapter can count three successful initiatives among its accomplishments to date.
One involves monitoring water quality.
“Our Bluewater Task Force are volunteers who go out to beaches, get water samples, and drop them off at the UNCW lab, and then read and report the findings,” Rienks says. “We’re almost a year into that and have a good relationship with UNCW’s marine science department.”
The second is beach cleanups and plastics elimination.
“The coordinator of this initiative has done a great job the past two years and is creating initiatives to get volunteers out there,” she says, adding that Surfrider’s Clean Wave Tour alternates cleanups monthly, alternating between Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Topsail Beach holds two to three such trash pickups per month.
“We’ve got 100 to 200 people out doing cleanups,” Rienks says. “In the last year, Surfrider’s Cape Fear chapter was the most successful in terms of the pounds of trash collected and the number of cleanups in all of the Southeastern U.S.”
A third initiative looks at both the joy of water and the need for water safety.
“We are in year three of our All in the Water project, partnering with NC Swim,” Rienks says. “We offer several weeks of swim lessons for people in our community who have never been in the ocean. Kids graduate from there into Eco Camp: They go kayaking (and) get more comfortable with being in the water. Then they graduate into surf lessons.”
Surfrider Cape Fear recently held its All in the Water fundraiser in May, enabling the program to continue.
“This program takes the most money and power on the ground,” Rienks says.
Rienks believes her life experience has benefited both her work in the classroom and her leadership of Surfrider. She’s also grateful that she stepped into a healthy organization.
“I had some really great predecessors and teammates on the (Surfrider) board,” she says. “The people I’m with now and the people who came before me have been such an amazing influence: getting the chapter to where it is and getting me to where I am.” W
In the heart of Castle Street, where the hum of creativity seems to pulse through the air, Lavender Rain Emporium stands as a beacon of hope and renewal. JULIE MARIE, the spirited soul behind this haven of art and community, poured her heart into every corner of the space, infusing it with her own journey of healing and growth.
Two years ago, Julie’s life veered into uncharted territory. The dissolution of her seventeen-year marriage left her grappling with emotional turmoil, exacerbated by mental health challenges that led her husband to commit her to a facility. Amidst the chaos, she found solace in the shared narratives of her fellow residents and the therapeutic embrace of art.
“There, I started listening to everyone’s story and dove into art. Art kept us sane,” she says.
She felt called to return to her artistic background as a way to help people. “I thought, ‘How do I get my strength back?’”
From the depths of her struggle emerged a resolute determination to reclaim her purpose. Lavender Rain Emporium wasn't merely a business venture for Julie; it was a manifestation of her newfound calling.
“I wanted it to be more than a store – a community, a safe space, a place for me to grow, a place for me to
share my story, and for other people to share their story – to help and empower them,” she says.
At 906 Castle Street, where she’s surrounded by other female-owned businesses and entrepreneurial spirit, the space became a canvas for Julie’s vision.
Julie has curated an array of workshops and classes including jewelry, candle, and sugar scrub making; paper crafts such as journaling and handmade cards; acrylic and watercolor painting; and fiber arts. Each offering is designed to nurture creativity and self-discovery. “Art is for everyone,” she says.
Julie incorporates meaning into every class. She uses aromatherapy, essential oils, and the overall importance of smell in her candle and sugar scrub classes.
“In our chakra sun catcher class, we go through what all the chakras mean and how they affect your mental and physical well-being,” she says.
Junk journaling is a great way for people to express
their creativity through crafting. It can create community, provide mental health benefits, and enhance overall well-being, Julie says.
“We start a session with a quote, a book excerpt, or even a few lines from a podcast as a prompt,” she says. “Some of it can be emotional. I love seeing how humans work and how their minds work. You don’t have to be an expert artist. It’s your interpretation – even if it’s just beautiful to you. It means something to your soul and your will to go on.”
The atmosphere within Lavender Rain Emporium is infused with warmth and hospitality, a reflection of Julie’s ability to create a space where individuals feel welcomed and valued. “There’s no right or wrong way to create art,” she reassures her patrons.
Through her workshops and classes, Julie seeks to instill a sense of empowerment and personal growth in every participant. Conversations flow freely, weaving tales of triumph and resilience, as individuals find strength in shared experiences. “That’s how women flourish – through conversation,” Julie says.
As Lavender Rain Emporium flourishes, so too does Julie’s resolve to make a difference in the lives of others. Success stories and memorable moments become the tapestry of her journey, each one a testament to the profound impact of art and community.
Looking to the future, Julie envisions many possibilities for Lavender Rain Emporium.
“I’m hosting a market at the end of May with music, vendors, and a raffle where proceeds will go towards a community organization. I’d also like to eventually offer a membership program,” she says. “And I’m always looking for more local artists to sell their items or teach a class or both, especially painting and ceramics.”
As Lavender Rain Emporium continues to evolve, Julie remains steadfast in her commitment to fostering creativity, connection, and hope.
“I’m happy for the first time in my life,” she says. “I told myself I was happy, but never felt it. Until now.” W
AS I LOOK FORWARD TO A VACATION IN ITALY THIS SUMMER, I’M FLOODED WITH MEMORIES OF MY LAST TRIP TO EUROPE WAY BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 1990. In many ways, it was a cliche: Twenty-something American travels Europe for six weeks with friends on Eurail passes. But it sure didn’t feel like a cliche at the time. I still rank it as one of the great adventures of my life.
I partied late into the night before my early morning departure. Ceremonial shots of Jägermeister were hoisted with buddies to mark the beginning of an epic journey. The next morning, with a hastily crammed backpack, a stack of traveler’s checks, a Let’s Go Europe guide, and a colossal hangover, I boarded my flight to London.
No Google Maps. No Yelp. No websites to reserve a bed in a hostel with a click. How did we manage? If memory serves, a combination of planning ahead (“I’ll meet you at the information desk at the Victoria train station at 2 p.m. on Thursday.”) and good old-fashioned improvisation. I didn’t make a single reservation in advance.
The trip’s highlight reel includes camping in the countryside of England at a muddy Glastonbury Festival to see Sinead O’Connor, De La Soul, and The Cure followed by torch-lit raves til dawn. The running of the bulls in Pamplona. Scooting around the south of France on a moped with a lovely Aussie. And witnessing Prince play a stellar outdoor show in Paris.
But my strongest memories are from when things went off the rails. When my shoes wore out in Paris, sneakers would have been the sensible replacement. But conscious of the très chic French, I set out to find chaussures that would not be dissed at sidewalk cafes. I spent hours traipsing from store to store before finding a pair of oxblood leather wingtips in a 13.
Leather wingtips, it turns out, are not ideal footwear when rucking across the Czech countryside. Later in the summer, my buddy Gavin and I found ourselves hitchhiking to Prague after he’d been put off the train at the border for not having the proper visa. Maybe it was my blister-induced limp that aroused the sympathies of a pair of truck drivers. Each had room for just one of us in his cab, so we caravanned across Czechoslovakia for hours. The only English my driver knew was “Good beer there!” which he repeated for every beer hall we passed. Eventually, the truckers dropped us off a couple of miles outside Prague. When we finally stumbled, sweaty and dehydrated, into the heart of the city, my ankles were raw meat, and my socks were wet with blood. I cursed myself for being such a fashion victim.
Later in the summer, I met up with my friend Jared in Amsterdam. We were headed to Berlin to see Roger Waters and friends perform Pink Floyd’s The Wall. This was just months after the Berlin Wall had come down, and the concert was to be staged near the Brandenburg Gate. To prepare for our overnight train, we visited the Amsterdam landmark the Pink Floyd cafe for its world-famous cake. We ate big slices on empty stomachs then hurried to the train station. The sidewalks were crowded with backpackers headed in the same direction. It looked like every student in Europe was headed to the concert. I grew anxious. This was the last train to Berlin. If we missed the train, we’d miss the show.
As soon as we got to the packed platform, the train arrived, and hordes of concertgoers rushed the doors. Jared and I just stood there, dazed and confused, at the edge of the crowd. When the train got too packed and police blocked the doors, people scrambled through the train’s opened windows.
Shaking off my stupor, I grabbed Jared and pushed him through the crowd. We ducked under a cop’s arms and jumped onto the train just as the doors closed behind us, and the train left the station. We’d made it! But our triumph quickly fizzled as we realized we were standing packed in like commuters on the subway at peak rush hour, and a nine-hour trip lay ahead. Jared and I sat on our backpacks and stared out the windows as Deutsch teens sang German pop songs late into the night.
That night, we joined 350,000 others to see the concert. As the show progressed, white bricks the size of TVs were added to an eight-stories high version of the iconic Pink Floyd Wall, and at the end, it crumbled to delirious cheering. As we followed the massive crowd out of the Potsdamer Platz, I caught a glimpse of an intact section of the Berlin Wall that ran down a narrow alley. The wall had come down so recently that there hadn’t had time to remove all sections. I knew at that moment we were a part of history.
My trip to Italy this summer will be of a very different sort. Airbnb apartments in Rome and Florence were reserved months ago. Tours of attractions like the Colosseum are booked well in advance. But I sure hope this middle-aged man can summon the courage to bring some of that “wing it” energy that came so easily to my younger self, so this trip can be an adventure yielding at least a couple of stories worth telling years from now.
Dylan Patterson is a writer and filmmaker who teaches English at Cape Fear Community College. Mark Weber is a Wilmington-based artist and illustrates WILMA’s monthly Direct Male essay. weberillustration.com
by D.W.
A newlywed couple moves to Japan to teach English, only to find the next best thing to building lesson plans is researching – and occasionally nabbing – the best deals on frequent flyer miles. That’s the story of HEATHER and TRAVIS SHERRY, studied globetrotters, Carolina Beach residents and travel-obsessed founders of the website and blog Extra Pack of Peanuts (EPOP). First started in 2012, EPOP helps “travel lovers find the best flights and experience the most amazing trips,” both domestic and international, according to its website, extrapackofpeanuts.com. WILMA caught up with Heather Sherry between trips to answer a few questions on travel planning, life, and getting the most out of your next sojourn.
TOP TRAVEL TIP? “Be flexible and don’t over plan. There are a lot of variables when it comes to traveling, and so many things can go wrong – you miss a flight, bus, or train; your accommodation isn’t what you expected; someone gets sick. Just go with the flow and be able to change plans. Leave time in your itinerary just to wander and immerse yourself in the area.” FAMILY TRAVEL
– WHAT’S THE SECRET SAUCE? “The key to traveling with family is managing expectations (both kids and adults) and choosing
activities that everyone will enjoy. Our kids are currently four and six. We have found that telling our kids about the plan helps them know what to expect and results in less meltdowns. We also discuss activities and block them into categories. For example, a kid activity might look like a playground or pool time; an adult activity might be a museum or nice restaurant. So, if we do a mommy and daddy activity, they know they have a kid activity to follow.” BEST TRIP YOU’VE HAD SO FAR? “I’ll narrow it to two. The first time we went to Croatia in 2014 was a trip I will never forget. My husband and I spent three weeks exploring Split and roadtripped down the coast to Dubrovnik and into Montenegro. The second trip was a family affair. We took our four- and six-year-old to Argentina for a month. Traveling with our kids and my husband’s parents was an incredible experience!” WHAT’S UP WITH THE NAME EXTRA PACK OF PEANUTS? “As a child, my husband always got sick on airplanes, and he would ask the flight attendants for an extra pack of peanuts, as it helped with his nausea. In starting the blog, he compared redeeming airline miles to fly for cheap to getting that free extra pack of peanuts.” BIGGEST TRAVEL LESSON LEARNED? “Be flexible and open to unique experiences. You never know what adventure you can experience when you’re willing to stay positive and pivot. Some of our best experiences happened by chance.” W
HEATHER SHERRY's full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Roundup email. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.
