WILMA - October 2019

WILMA

OCTOBER 2019

WILMINGTON’S SUCCESSFUL WOMAN

2019

WO ME N MEET

THE

FINALISTS

TO WATC H AWA R D S

WILMA’S

2019

WOMEN WATCH AWARDS

A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS Join WILMA in honoring the 2019 Women to Watch FRIDAY

October 11 5:30pm to 10pm

Wilmington Convention Center Food | Drinks | Dancing Live Music by Lunar Tide

$50 per ticket / $500 table of 10

W2WAWARD.COM

october 2019

54

10 13 8 SPOTLIGHT

51 CALENDAR

10 TASTE: Hot diggity dog

54 THE SCENE: Art collaboration

13 HEALTH: Come sail away

55 TAKE 5: Thrifty business

16 STYLE: Suit yourself

56 MEN’S ROOM: Fright night

Check out WILMA magazine here:

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/WILMAMAG

16 23 INTRO 24 ARTS 26 BUSINESS 28 EDUCATION 30 HEALTH 32 NONPROFIT/VOLUNTEER 34 PUBLIC SERVICE 36 RISING STAR 41 W2W AWARD DESIGNER

WILMAMAG.com

It’s October, which around the WILMA office means it’s awards season.

For the eighth annual WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards, this year’s group of finalists were once again an inspiring group of women running the community in a variety of ways.

Find out more about the thirty-five finalists who made the cut in our special section that starts on page 23.

Each year, from the judging process to spotlighting the finalists in these pages to pulling together the awards event, it’s a team effort.

A cadre of photographers and writers worked on the section to help introduce this year’s finalists in seven categories. Imagine trying to schedule photoshoots, headshots, social media campaigns, and interviews around the schedules of thirty-five extremely busy people, and you can appreciate the efforts that went on behind the scenes.

It’s a big project, but we do it in the hopes of shining a bright spotlight on the finalists for the hard work they do year-round.

Special shout out to our contributing designer Suzi Drake, design and media coordinator Molly Jacques, events director and Women to Watch Leadership Initiative co-director Maggi Apel, and events and digital assistant Elizabeth Stelzenmuller for keeping all the moving parts and scheduling together.

And, did I mention this was happening all while we were creating a new website? No biggie.

The newly updated WILMA site is at WILMAmag.com, which is where you’ll also find out who the winners are after the awards event October 11.

Check it out, and congratulations to this year’s finalists. W

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JENNY CALLISON is a former Greater Wilmington Business Journal reporter who continues as a freelancer with the Business Journal and WILMA. Before moving to Wilmington in 2011, she was a university communications director and a freelance reporter covering a variety of beats. This month, she wrote the bio info for the Women to Watch Awards finalists in the Business and Public Service categories (pages 26 and 34).

Publisher Rob Kaiser rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com President Robert Preville rpreville@wilmingtonbiz.com Associate Publisher Judy Budd jbudd@wilmingtonbiz.com Editor Vicky Janowski vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com VP of Sales/Business Development Melissa Pressley mpressley@wilmingtonbiz.com

JOHANNA CANO is a reporter for WILMA

and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, covering the local tech and startups beat. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill where she worked at The Daily Tar Heel and at the News & Observer's College Town NC online publication. Cano wrote the bios for the Women to Watch Awards finalists in the Education and Nonprofit/ Volunteer categories (pages 28 and 32).

MEGAN DEITZ turned her love of photography

into a full-time career in 2003 when she began traveling up and down the East Coast as a sports photographer.

Today, she specializes in portrait and commercial photography but can be found fueling her true passion for landscape and wildlife photography through her travels around the world. Her work can be viewed at megandeitz.com and @megandeitz_photography on Instagram.

Deitz photographed Louie’s Hot Dogs owner Mary Garner for our Taste feature (page 10) and the Women to Watch Awards finalists in the Health category (page 30).

WILMA stylist ASHLEY DUCH GROCKI is a Wilmington-based stylist who has worked in New York City and Los Angeles. Some highlights of her career include several New York Fashion Week events and continuing work with the Met Gala in New York.

Since moving back to Wilmington from Manhattan, she has started a fashion and styling blog called The Tiny Essentials (thetinyessentials.com). She specializes in editorial, personal, and wedding styling. This month, she worked on a style shoot for the modern power suit (page 16).

Senior Account Executive Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com Account Executives Ali Buckley abuckley@wilmingtonbiz.com Polly Holly pholly@wilmingtonbiz.com Brittney Keen bkeen@wilmingtonbiz.com Business Manager Nancy Proper nproper@wilmingtonbiz.com Events Director Maggi Apel mapel@wilmingtonbiz.com Events/Digital Assistant Elizabeth Stelzenmuller events@wilmingtonbiz.com Design & Media Coordinator Molly Jacques production@wilmingtonbiz.com Content Marketing Editor Dave Dean ddean@wilmingtonbiz.com Contributing Designer Suzi Drake art@wilmingtonbiz.com Fashion Stylist Ashley Duch Grocki Contributors Tim Bass, Jenny Callison, Johanna Cano, Nina Bays Cournoyer, Beth A. Klahre, Fairley Lloyd, Emily Page Lockamy, Teresa McLamb, Marimar McNaughton, Lori Wilson Contributing Photographers River Bondurant, Chris Brehmer, Erin Costa, Megan Deitz, T.J. Drechsel, Melissa Hebert Photography, Kevin Kleitches, Michael Cline Spencer, Terah Wilson

LORI WILSON is a local freelance writer and editor and a co-director of Athenian Press & Workshops, a nonprofit serving women and femmes through creative healing workshops and literary publishing.

Wilson wrote the bios for the Women to Watch Awards finalists in the Arts and Rising Star categories (pages 24 and 36).

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Founder Joy Allen Subscribe For a one-year subscription, please send $26.00 (check or money order) to: WILMA, 219 Station Rd., Ste. 202, Wilmington, NC 28405, or call 343-8600 x201 www.WILMAmag.com

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LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE FOUNDING SPONSORS

CORPORATE SPONSORS

SUPPORTER SPONSORS A Creative Touch Big Sky Design Cape Fear Arthritis Care Cape Fear Community College Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Cape Fear Tax & Accounting Carolinas Oral & Facial Surgery Cavik Insurance Coastal Horizons Coastal Massage & Spa Don Bullard Insurance Elderhaus PACE Excite Credit Union First Citizens Bank WILMAMAG.com

Fleet Feet Sports Wilmington Gateway Mortgage Group Greene Resources Hedrick, Gardner, Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP Human Capital Solutions Isabella Grace Refined Homes LeadersCare, Health & Leadership Consulting Leggett, PLLC Lighthouse Insurance Lyf Stylin’ by Jean Mary Kay: Pam Fortenberry-Slate

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The Forte Institute Topsail Steamer UNCW CIE UNCW College of Arts & Sciences UNCW College of Health & Human Services United Way of the Cape Fear Area USS North Carolina Battleship Wells Fargo Bank White & Johnson Pediatric Dentistry Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM) Wilmington Convention Center WordsWorking

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W2W UPDATES

photo by Cassie Murphy

APPLY FOR WILMA’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Applications for the 2020 WILMA’s Leadership Institute are now open through the end of October.

The Institute, part of our Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, gives participating women a unique opportunity to learn from top leaders in the region, visit a range of local companies, and serve as each other’s personal board of directors.

The nine-month program starts in January and meets once a month. Next year’s class will be selected from an application and interview process with our advisory board. Up to thirty-two women will be selected.

This year’s cohort marked the end of their program with a graduation ceremony September 18 (shown above).

The class, which included women from a variety of fields and roles, invited colleagues, supervisors, and family members to the event.

Throughout the year’s program, they heard from business and community leaders on skills such as motivating teams, negotiating techniques, managing conflict, and more. Classes took place at area sites from Live Oak Bank to the Port of Wilmington.

The cost for the nine-month program is $2,150, and there are some need-based scholarships, underwritten by our sponsors, for those who work in the nonprofit field.

To apply, go to WILMALeadership.com.

For more info about the program, go to WILMAmag.com/women-to-watch/wilmas-leadership-institute.

-V icky Janowski, WILMA editor, and Maggi Apel, events director, Co-directors of the Women to Watch Leadership Initiative W2W@WILMAmag.com

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

10 TOP DOG: Mary Garner runs a local hot-dog institution 13 SETTING SAIL: From local sailor to global adventurer 54 FANTASTIC FOUR: Art show features local interpretations

OCTOBER

leadership opportunities

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CFCC’s SMALL BUSINESS CENTER holds a free seminar on “How to Find Small Business Customers by Helping Them to Find You” at the Wilmington campus from 6-9 p.m. Discussion includes eight different ways to reach customer groups, including print, social media, website and face-to-face selling. Info: cfcc.edu/sbc

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Bunker Labs Wilmington and the Honor Foundation host a BUNKER BREW networking event at Waterman’s Brewing from 5-7 p.m.

The topic is “Realities of Entrepreneurship” where attendees will share stories and best practices on dealing with highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Info: bunkerlabs.org/ Wilmington

2

The College of Health and Human Services at UNCW hosts a health lecture series on “The Promise of Collective Impact with Robert Albright.” The event will focus on defining COLLECTIVE IMPACT and how communities are utilizing it to achieve transformative results. The free event is at UNCW’s Burney

WILMAMAG.com

Center from 7-8 p.m. Info: uncw.edu/chhs

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October’s Tuesdays Together, a monthly meetup of entrepreneurs and small business owners hosted by THE RISING TIDE, is at Pink Banking Co. from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This month’s event is on time management and balancing life and business. Info: bit.ly/TTILM

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UNCW’s Swain Center for Executive Education holds a “LEADERSHIP ESSENTIALS FOR NURSES” online course starting Oct. 21-Nov.22. The five-week course provides leadership fundamentals for new and aspiring nurses to take on leadership roles. Info: uncw.edu/swain

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THE INSPIRATION LAB hosts Banner Year Blueprint, a memberonly workshop on planning and goal setting. The workshops are hosted quarterly, with October’s on Q3 review and Q4 planning. The event is at The Terraces on Sir Tyler from 6-8:30 p.m. and is $35. Info: theinspirationlab.co/byb-meetings Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and UNCW host the ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE that includes a panel, economic forecasts for the region and nation, and how to prepare for the future.

The event is at Burney Center from 7:30-9:45 a.m. Info: wilmingtonchamber.org/events

CAPE FEAR WOMEN IN TECH hosts its monthly networking meetup at New Anthem Beer Project, 110 Greenfield Street, at 5:30 p.m. Info: cfwit.com UNCW’s CIE holds a half-day workshop on funding and how to get it. The workshop will help entrepreneurs understand different types of funding, including venture capital, grants, debt financing, among others. The event is at the CIE center from 8 a.m.-noon. Info: uncw.edu/cie/events

Sign up for the WILMA Weekly newsletter at WILMAmag.com. To include your group’s event, email W2W@WILMAmag.com.

OCTOBER 2019

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photo by Michael Cline Spencer

WILEY FINDS HER NICHE AT ROUDABUSH

F

Farm-to-table expert and San Francisco transplant ERIN WYLIE is the executive chef at not one but three of downtown Wilmington’s most frequented eateries.

After two stints with Roudabush Restaurants over the past decade, Wylie returned to the team in April to oversee the kitchens on all three floors of 33 South Front Street – the Husk, YoSake, and Dram + Morsel.

With Wylie as the executive chef, BEKAH SMITH as Roudabush co-owner, and their colleague KYRA TEBO as manager, the leadership team at the corner of Dock and 3rd is definingly female.

“I’m not perfect, but I do feel proud of the work I’ve done,” Wylie says. “Having just one restaurant is extremely difficult and challenging … I use the (elevator) more than I should.”

-Lori Wilson

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OCTOBER 2019

PHILLIPS BELL PROMOTES POETRY IN REGION

ANNA LENA PHILLIPS BELL, a lecturer in University of North Carolina Wilmington’s creative writing department, was named the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet for Eastern North Carolina for 2019-21.

“The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series supports the mission of the North Carolina Poetry Society to foster the reading, writing, and enjoyment of poetry across the state through mentorship and public readings,” according to the society.

Three Distinguished Poets from the eastern, central, and western regions of the state mentor students and adults from their areas.

Phillips Bell wrote Ornament, winner of the Vassar Miller Poetry Prize. She is the editor of Ecotone magazine and the creative writing department’s literary imprint, Lookout Books.

She also has received the North Carolina Arts Council fellowship in literature.

“Anna Lena embodies a rare combination of inspiration, rigor, and a deep creativity married to a sharp, dogged intelligence,” says David Gessner, chair of UNCW’s creative writing department.

Poets of any age can apply for mentorship through the series. Applications are due November 15, and more info can be found at ncpoetrysociety.org/gcdps.

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SHEA JOINS NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS GROUP

COLLEEN SHEA recently joined the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a national association made up of experienced trial lawyers and judges.

Shea, a litigator with more than twenty years of experience, is a partner in the Wilmington office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP. She is a member of the firm’s medical malpractice, premises liability, and professional liability practice groups.

John Martin, who is also a partner at the Wilmington office, also joined the association.

Membership to ABOTA is by invitation only. More than 7,600 lawyers – both plaintiff and defense lawyers – and judges from across the country belong to the group.

“Receiving an invitation to join the American Board of Trial Advocates recognizes an attorney’s experience, reputation, and dedication to the legal profession,” says Marshall Wall, managing partner of CSH Law. “John Martin and Colleen Shea are respected attorneys who demonstrate our firm’s core values and tireless dedication to their clients.”

ant more WILMA? Check out our weekly email, which includes even more profiles and stories for Wilmington’s successful women.

To sign up for the free emails, go to WILMAmag.com

weekly

WILMINGTON’S SUCCESSFUL WOMAN

HOWARD TO SPEAK AT UNCW SPEAKER SERIES

Chef, restaurateur, author, and TV personality VIVIAN HOWARD speaks on UNCW’s campus as part of the school’s Leadership Lecture Series on October 30.

Howard, who owns the Chef and the Farmer in Kinston and Benny’s Big Time in Wilmington with her husband, Ben Knight, also released a best-selling cookbook Deep Run Roots in 2016.

Her former PBS show, A Chef’s Life, followed her and Knight as they ran the Kinston restaurant and explored the food traditions and ingredients of Eastern North Carolina.

The show aired between 2013 and 2018 and picked up Daytime Emmy, Peabody, and James Beard awards along the way.

Howard, who also has earned several nods from the James Beard Foundation as a semifinalist for best chef in the Southeast, has been working on a new show called South by Somewhere that is set to begin airing on PBS in March.

“Over the past eight years, Howard has developed strong relationships with local farmers, making it possible to source more than 70% of the restaurant’s food from within 60 miles,” according to a news release from UNCW about the upcoming talk.

The university’s Leadership Lecture Series also featured Tarana Burke in September and will host Nyle DiMarco in February.

Howard’s talk is at UNCW’s Burney Center. Tickets are $15 for the general public and free for faculty, staff, and students.

Info: uncw.edu/artsprograms/leadershiplecture.html

Have a suggestion for a local woman or group to spotlight?

Email us: wilma@WILMAmag.com WILMAMAG.com

OCTOBER 2019

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TOP T DOG MARY GARNER RUNS A LOCAL HOT-DOG INSTITUTION

by BETH A. KLAHRE photo by MEGAN DEITZ

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here seems to be an ongoing debate about who invented the hot dog.

Was it the Germans who lay claim to the frankfurter? Or, the Austrians who created the wiener? Or, maybe it was the German immigrant butchers, who say their dachshund sausage was the first hot dog?

While the exact history might never be known, these stories add to the hot dog’s appeal as one of America’s favorite foods.

For MARY GARNER, owner of LOUIE’S HOT DOGS located at 204½ Princess Street in downtown Wilmington, the appeal of hot dogs is twofold as she has owned the eatery not once, but twice.

Louis North worked a simple street cart on the beach when he decided to open a hot dog business in 1989. The storefront

OCTOBER 2019

that became Louie’s Hot Dogs was originally a shoe shop and several other businesses. In 2000, Garner bought Louie’s and over the next eight years, she established a thriving business. The economy was great until the recession hit. Garner sold Louie’s in June 2008, but was unhappy with new jobs she tried.

Garner’s heart was with Louie’s.

Five years later, she made a phone call.

Garner vividly recalls the conversation with the then-owner of Louie’s.

“You are the Mary who previously owned Louie’s? Everyone talks about you,” she recalls him saying.

Garner was immediately hired into a management position. In 2015, she jumped on the opportunity to purchase Louie’s again.

“I put a sign outside that simply said ‘Mary’s back.’ People came in laughing, dancing, and crying,” she says, “I kid you not!”

Garner has a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in food and nutrition from State University of New York College at Oneonta and twenty-five years of work experience.

“Both helped me with my business,” she says.

The menu at Louie’s is amazingly curious. Every signature dog has its name, and every name has its story.

The most popular dog is the Mr. Brown, named for a retired veteran who worked at Louie’s for many years.

The Bellamy dog is a joint creation between Garner and a local doctor who frequently came to Louie’s to chitchat. He told Garner how sad it made him when he had to tell a family about a death. After he stopped practicing medicine, he started volunteering at the Bellamy Mansion Museum.

“One day, our chitchat turned to deli mustard, horseradish, pepper relish, and onion. Together, we established the Bellamy,” Garner says.

The list of signature dogs goes on.

There’s the Lieutenant named after Lieutenant T. Vernon, of the New Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office. And, the Mayor Bill Saffo that Garner serves to Saffo without onions on days he has meetings.

There’s the Yo Adrian with cheese, bacon, and pulled pork named after a gentleman named Adrian.

“Customers say it like in the Rocky movie when they order,” she says.

Louie’s original dogs are all named after places in Wilmington such as Front Street, Cape Fear, and Jacob’s Run. “Because I am my own boss, I can name my dogs,” Garner points out.

Fifteen years provides lots of creative material.

Not a dog lover? That’s OK. Louie’s offers sausage, chicken salad, and veggie and turkey dogs. “Healthy eating is becoming a mainstay,” Garner says “My veggie dog is a soy-based protein dog.”

Most of Garner’s customers are repeat locals who know what they want before they walk through the door.

“I am lucky to serve them for so long.

I enjoyed their grandparents, their grown children, and now their children,” she says.

While the most popular toppings are mustard, chili, red onions, and coleslaw, Garner loves all her customers and caters to their peculiarities. “One regular customer likes a spoonful of sugar on top of her chili dog,” she says.

She no longer thinks about opening another brick and mortar.

“It’s not necessary with delivery services. My dogs get delivered in Wilmington and Leland,” Garner says.

She does think about the next big trend in her business. She recently started Louie’s Pop Up Hot Dogs.

“I go to a local business, pop up the canopy, hang a big banner, fire up the grill, and serve dogs with all the fixings,” she says.

In November, Louie’s Pop Up will be at the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens for a holiday market. Garner will serve a new dog, the Burgwin-Wright with chili and cheese.

This September, Garner celebrated Louie’s Hot Dogs’ thirtieth anniversary with a collaboration with Amy Grant, owner of Art in Bloom Gallery, a neighboring business, complete with free hot dogs, live music, and a hot dog-inspired art exhibit.

Every dog has its day. For Garner, that day has come.

“This hot dog joint is a one-on-one business,” she says. “I’ve learned something big about myself. I love to put a smile on a face. I thrive on my customers.”

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OCTOBER 2019

SETTING

SAIL

FROM LOCAL SAILOR TO GLOBAL ADVENTURER

by EMILY PAGE LOCKAMY photos by TERAH WILSON

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or most, the dream of leaving normal life behind and setting off to sail the world is just that: a dream. But for KERRY DEWBERRY, a Wilmington local and vice president of strategic partnerships at PPD, that dream is becoming a reality.

Dewberry, who grew up in England and moved to the States eighteen years ago, is one of 700 people partaking in the 2019-20 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race – a sailing race, divided into eight legs and fifteen individual races.

With no previous sailing experience required (but a rigorous training course

completed beforehand), participants choose to take on individual legs (each about six weeks long), or the full circumnavigation of 40,000 nautical miles.

Dewberry will sail on Qingdao, one of eleven identical 70-foot ocean racing yachts, each equipped with a qualified skipper and first mate. The first race of the current edition commenced on September 2.

Dewberry shares that one of the yachts is named UNICEF, in honor of the organization for which the Clipper Race raises funds. For the third edition in a row, the United Nations Children’s Fund will serve as the official partner charity, and there couldn’t be a more perfect match, says Dewberry.

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We invite you to visit our showroom and let our design team help you make the most out of the finest products and designs the tile world has to offer.

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“It’s about educating children, inspiring children, giving every child a chance,” she says.

Dewberry’s team aspires to raise $33,000 for UNICEF, as part of the race’s overall goal to surpass the $1-million mark.

Growing up, Dewberry became inspired by her father’s experience in the Royal Navy.

She took sailing lessons with the Royal Navy and as an adolescent went on a sailing excursion with friends, after which she was hooked on the sport.

As a young adult, Dewberry began sailing Hobie Cats – small sailing catamarans – and early on in her career as a clinical research associate, she was given the chance to participate in a sailing race similar to the Clipper, while working for a company sponsor. At the time, it didn’t seem possible, so Dewberry declined.

“I thought I had too many responsibilities,” she reflects. “I (had) these student loans, had just bought a house, had this career … (I thought) I can’t possibly leave.”

But twenty-five years later, with her son grown up and off to college, Dewberry says that she couldn’t let another opportunity for adventure pass her by.

So, when she learned about the Clipper Race through a Facebook group, Dewberry jumped into action. She applied and went through an interview process, which focused more on her personality and interpersonal skills than on her sailing abilities.

“Lots of questions about how you’re going to get on with a lot of people … whether you’re a good fit for the crew,” she explains.

Dewberry made the cut and went on to complete four weeks of training, in England and Australia.

“That’s when I realized that these boats are very strict, no luxuries – knocked my princess out of me a little bit,” Dewberry says with a laugh.

She explains that going upwind, the boat is heeled over, so it’s like living life at 45 degrees – “always climbing up the walls.”

The roughly eighteen-member crew is on a watch system, which entails everyone getting only four hours of sleep at a time and showering once a week. Sleeping has to happen on the high side of the boat, to enable it to go faster.

“It’s not glamorous,” Dewberry admits, but she’s more than up for the challenge.

In April, in preparation for a year of sailing the world, Dewberry sold her house and

BLOSSOM BAY

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EVENTS

GARLANDS

A RT I ST I C S E A S O N A L D É C O R

WREATHS

moved aboard her boat, a 35-foot-Beneteau named Seacup, docked in Carolina Beach.

Seacup will serve as Dewberry’s home base between the two legs of the journey she’ll sail.

She plans to leave for Australia in November and start her leg at the beginning of the year.

From January to March, the race’s fifth leg will take Dewberry from Australia to China; she’ll sail by the Philippines and Hainan Island in China. In June, she embarks on the eighth leg, the final stretch of the whole race, when Dewberry will navigate from New York to London. She’ll pass the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline, stop in Bermuda, celebrate with a big party in Northern Ireland’s Londonderry, and cross the finish line in London.

“It’s gonna be life-changing,” Dewberry says, adding that she hopes this experience will help her gain a deeper understanding of herself.

She looks forward to forming lifelong friendships with her teammates. And, she’s most excited for the thrill of the race, “looking how to gain on the other boats, taking the right strategy.”

But, Dewberry’s competitive spirit doesn’t keep her from enjoying the ride. In fact, she’s already known as the “team smiler.”

“I’ve got a good, positive outlook,” she says, “and as soon as I’ve got up on deck, I’ve got a big smile on my face ’cause I love this.” W

B LO S S O M BAY D E S I G N . C O M / H O L I DAY OCTOBER 2019

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suited STYLED BY ASHLEY DUCH GROCKI | PHOTOS BY MELISSA HEBERT | INTRO BY NINA BAYS COURNOYER

Well

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t’s safe to argue the power suit never really went away. First debuted by the unforgettable Coco Chanel, the women’s suit is fashion’s ultimate chameleon, shifting looks according to its environs.

Be it baggy trousers or cigarette pants, padded shoulders (hello, Working Girl ) or slinky silhouettes, we’ve been through it – and are back again.

This season’s suits are no-holds-barred.

You want rounded shoulders? You got ‘em. Straight-leg pants? Check. Prefer a skirt? No problem. The best news is these pieces are not just menswear adapted for women; recent designs truly consider the female form.

Big, blocky plaids are still in play, as are classic tweeds and stripes. If you choose a neutral-toned suit, pair it with a patterned shirt or brightly colored accessories to add a little intrigue. And, know that suits are not relegated to the office; they go anywhere.

Heels, while classic, are not a must.

Flats, mules, or even sneakers are all perfect possibilities.

Make a few bold picks and the rest will follow suit. W

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Brown tweed BLAZER with matching SKIRT and white-button down SHIRT, all available at The Wonder Shop

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OCTOBER 2019

Plaid wool BLAZER with matching SKIRT, both available at The Wonder Shop; blue-and-white stripe SHIRT (stylist’s own)

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OCTOBER 2019

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Christian Reif, conductor Brian Reagin, violin Barber: Overture to The School for Scandal McKay: Violin Concerto Copland: Symphony No.2 “Short Symphony” Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

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TUES, DEC 17 | 3PM & 7:30PM Wesley Schulz, conductor

Festive Favorites from The Polar Express, Home Alone, and The Nutcracker, and more.

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Grant Llewellyn, conductor Elizabeth Llewellyn, soprano Paula Murrihy, mezzo-soprano Nicholas Phan, tenor Dashon Burton, baritone North Carolina Master Chorale Caroline Shaw: The Listeners Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

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WILMA’S 2019

WOMEN WATCH AWARDS

Meet this year’s Women to Watch stars.

On October 11, we recognize the thirty-five women selected as finalists for the 2019 WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards. We’ll also announce the winners for the seven categories, area women who are making a mark in their fields.

Read about those dynamic women in the following pages. Their contributions to the community are varied but equally impressive.

Through hundreds of nominations and applications, their work stood out to our panel of outside judges who had the difficult task of weighing the accomplishments.

In this issue, we introduce this year’s finalists in arts, business, education, health, nonprofit/volunteer, public service, and rising star. The rising star category is the only one with an age description and is open to those under thirty.

For more on the finalists, go to our website at WILMAMag.com, and stay tuned on Facebook.com/wilmamag for the winner announcements.

The Judging Process

Credits

Each year, WILMA opens up the nominations process for the Women to Watch Awards during the summer.

Our judging panel – made up of women leaders who sit on the Women to Watch Leadership Initiative’s advisory board as well as outside guests – pick the finalists and winners in each of the seven categories.

WILMA would like to thank the judges for volunteering their time and expertise on the awards.

finalists bios by: Jenny Callison, Johanna Cano, Vicky Janowski, and Lori Wilson

WILMAMAG.com

The Judges

Chrissy Hoskins

Stefanie Adams

Kendall Hurt

Donna Esteves

Justine Reel

Lily Loizeaux

Ruth Ravitz Smith

Dana Cook

Deloris Rhodes

Kelly Schaudt

Amy Grant

Wanda Coley

Tammy Proctor

photos by: Chris Brehmer, Erin Costa, Megan Deitz, T.J. Drechsel, Kevin Kleitches, Michael Cline Spencer, and Terah Wilson awards bracelet design

by Mitzy Jonkheer

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Women to Watch Awards Finalists in the category of:

ARTS

PHOTO BY T.J. DRECHSEL

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For more about the finalists, go to WILMAmag.com

L A UR EN BROOKE BROWN Owner & Cosmetic Tattoo Artist Lasting Looks By Lauren Brooke

A

rtist Lauren Brooke Brown uses her talents to restore the confidence of women. After earning degrees and certificates at both UNCW and CFCC, Brown opened her own cosmetic tattooing business, called Lasting Looks by Lauren Brooke.

D O NNA GARGE TT

Executive Director & Founder Blank Canvas Awareness Art

D

onna Gargett advocates for dyslexic people one art piece at a time.

She is the founder of Blank Canvas Awareness Art, a nonprofit serving individuals with dyslexia, ADD, and ADHD. As a dyslexic person herself, Gargett employs her out-of-the-box

KI M HE N RY

Exe cutive D irec t o r The atre fo r A l l

K

im Henry is a founding member and current executive director of Theatre for Everyone (TFA), a performing arts company dedicated to putting people with disabilities at center stage.

The foundation for TFA began

JAMIE LA LONDE-PINKSTON

Program Co o rdin a t o r DREA MS of Wil m in gt o n

J

amie La Londe-Pinkston wears many hats at DREAMS, but her official title is program coordinator. She combines her skills in creative writing with her love for education and advocacy to work with students and families.

She works with families and

G A I L SMITH A rtist Gal e Sm ith A rt

T

he vibrant colors of Gale Smith’s art aren’t the only highlights of her work. In addition to her fine art career, Smith donates her time or gives percentages of her art sales to organizations such as Lower Cape WILMAMAG.com

Brown uses a tattooing technique called microblading to create delicate, natural-looking, highly personalized eyebrows. Many of her clients suffer from conditions such as alopecia, thyroid disturbances, or from the side effects of cancer therapy. Since opening the business in 2017, she’s continued to seek training courses and learn the latest and best techniques to offer her clients, many of

whom travel from far and wide.

Brown hopes to soon offer realistic areola tattooing for women who have undergone mastectomies. Her plans include strategies to raise funds so she can decrease costs for clients in need of areola restoration work.

She is already the producer of a local burlesque show and intends to host an annual event for which proceeds go toward that fund.

thinking to provide a positive, artsbased, educational platform.

“I work with children and adults that have a learning difference, and I help them tell their education story through art,” she says.

Blank Canvas offers creative workshops to both children and adults.

Gargett encourages participants to employ art as a way to share their experiences with dyslexia and to heal

from traumas often felt by students who have this invisible disorder.

Because dyslexia is a language-based condition, Gargett believes that art serves multiple purposes: to inspire creativity, find strength, build self-esteem, and connect and educate the public.

Blank Canvas also provides specialized tutoring, education, advocacy, and mentoring.

after Henry and her co-founder Gina Gambony served in a Laney High School theater residency.

But, when the residency ended, Henry recognized that no place outside of school existed for their students, so she and Gambony started TFA with board president Dylan Patterson.

TFA’s shows are completely original, born of the interests, talents,

and passions of the members. In addition to their official companies, TFA offers programs to about eighty New Hanover County students with disabilities, many of whom live in poverty, who otherwise have little or no other exposure to the arts.

“Our audiences don’t ever say ‘That was so great for a bunch of people with disabilities,’” Henry explains. “They say ‘That was so great.’”

their kids to navigate goals, whether arts-related or not. She also leads Teen Council meetings and other student-led events.

She first joined the DREAMS family in 2012 as a volunteer and continues to work with other nonprofits such as NAMI and FIRST Robotics, a competition robotics program for high schoolers.

“I think the marrying of the

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with the arts is the future,” she says.

At home, La Londe-Pinkston, who holds an MFA in creative writing from UNCW, develops her own creative endeavors as a poet and fiction writer.

She served as Art in Bloom Gallery’s first writer in residence and has been most recently published in Rust + Moth.

Fear Hospice, DREAMS of Wilmington, and the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County.

Smith’s talents continue to evolve, both as a fine artist and a philanthropist. Although a longtime oil painter, she is most recognized for her recent copper weaving sculptures.

By incorporating light coastal

colors, much like those seen in the landscapes of Wilmington, Smith hopes viewers will capture feelings of familiarity and warmth.

She is also an active en plein air artist (outdoor painter) and has helped the arts council and the Wrightsville Beach Museum plan their annual plein air events.

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For more about the finalists, go to WILMAmag.com PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER

Women to Watch Awards Finalists in the category of:

BUSINESS

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* Catherine Hawksworth was a finalist in the 2018 awards, in the Arts category. ** As a Women to Watch advisory board member, Ruth Ravitz Smith served as a judge for this year’s awards, but recused herself during the Business category as a nominee.

For more about the finalists, godeliberations to WILMAOnTheWeb.com

GWEN BAKER

Pre side nt CDM Federal Programs Corporation

A

s president of CDM Federal Programs Corporation, Gwen Baker oversees operations, business development, and strategy for this employee-owned company, a federal contractor with a broad spectrum of capabilities and an international

CATHERINE HAWKSWORTH * O w ne r Mode rn Leg en d

C

atherine Hawksworth thought she was opening a music and fashion shop when she launched Modern Legend in downtown Wilmington.

Just over two years later, she realizes she has also created a community.

“I would describe the store as its

RUTH RAVITZ SMITH **

Pre side nt RR Smith Strategic Solutions (R2S3)

R

uth Ravitz Smith established her business earlier this year as a logical next step in her public relations and government affairs career. She says it’s a “different kind” of consulting firm.

“Rather than focus only on public

A LYS O N SMIST

A ssistant Gen era l Ma n ag er Wil m ingto n S harks

S

ince joining the collegiate summer league team’s staff in January 2018, Alyson Smist has spread Sharks love and awareness throughout the Wilmington community. Armed with degrees in communications and sports management, she has also

LO R I N VAN ZANDT

C o-Found er & P res iden t MISSIO Ha ir

E

arly on, Lorin Van Zandt realized she could use her budding hairstyling skills to help people in need. She began giving haircuts to homeless women and women in drug rehab facilities, and, in 2013, started providing beauty services to WILMAMAG.com

reach.

CDM’s contract portfolio averages $250 million in annual revenue and more than $1.5 billion in contract capacity.

“My team provides exceptional technical solutions and client service in the areas of water, environment, transportation, facilities, energy, from 120 offices worldwide,” Baker says.

Baker’s current position is a natu-

ral outgrowth of her twenty-two-year military career, during which her final assignment was district commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District. Colleagues say she uses the leadership skills developed in the Army and tailors them to put people first and stay focused on her mission to help her company excel in a competitive worldwide environment.

own world. We have clothes, records, home goods. But, it’s more than that – it really is a whole lifestyle,” she says.

In the process of building Modern Legend, Hawksworth has become an impresario of sorts, opening her store as a music performance space, matching musicians with other local venues, booking regional tours for bands, and working Live Nation tours.

“(In) these last six months specifically, but the last few years as a whole, I’ve tried my hardest to find … bands and artists worth believing in and giving them a stage to perform on and a place to feel inspired,” Hawksworth says. “I think it’s a very exciting time for Wilmington – a lot of young blood, and they’re all ready to make some awesome changes to the music scene.”

relations or government affairs, my firm focuses on ‘Strategic Positioning’ or helping clients understand the importance of focusing externally. It is about putting people in front of the right people, telling the right stories to impact change and meet goals,” she says.

She spent three years with New Hanover County, heading up its com-

munications, outreach, and legislative affairs efforts. She also spent years in government relations in the Washington, D.C., area, including for GE Hitachi.

Her goal as a consultant, she says, is to use her experience to enhance clients’ effectiveness and thereby boost the community through the creation of good jobs.

improved the baseball team’s bottom line.

“My goal is to allow people to experience America’s pastime while getting families off their electronics and enjoying an evening together,” she says. “Prior to 2018, our annual sponsorship sales were $32,000. Since joining the team, we are currently at $100,000 in just sponsorships and

upwards over $100,000 in ticket and group revenues.”

Smist has connected with numerous nonprofits in the community, giving them an avenue to raise both funds and awareness at Sharks games.

She also launched Read around the Bases, a program in which students in grades K-8 win a ticket to a Sharks game after reading four books.

victims of human trafficking.

In 2017, Van Zandt and her husband, Kyle, launched MISSIO, a hair product company whose revenues go toward restoring women’s sense of self-worth and fighting against human trafficking. After developing their product line, the couple has worked to educate salons in victim identification, serve women who are at risk or in recovery, and give to

nonprofit partners.

“As a hairstylist, I realized there was a huge potential to make an impact in the lives of others, from the stylist’s chair to ‘beyond the chair,’” she says.

“We’re excited about a number of partnerships and collaborations with like-minded companies and nonprofits that will extend our reach and impact.”

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Women to Watch Awards Finalists in the category of:

EDUCATION

PHOTO BY TERAH WILSON

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OCTOBER 2019

more about finalists, WILMAOnTheWeb.com ForFor more about thethe finalists, gogo to to WILMAmag.com

JESSICA GAFFNEY

The ate r D ep art m en t Ch air C FCC

I

n her involvement with the theater program at CFCC, Jessica Gaffney has supported students through their academic and artistic journey.

“I love creating things. I love working with young people full of hope and love for the art,” Gaffney

KELLIE GRIGGS

A ssistant P ro fes s o r U NCW Sch o o l o f N u rs in g

K

ellie Griggs is an assistant professor and maternal/infant course lead at UNCW’s School of Nursing.

She is also a part-time clinical nurse educator at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

DARLENA MOORE

Pre side nt The Gil bert Sc h o l ars hip I n c.

D

arlena Moore started The Gilbert Scholarship Inc. for college students who were in foster care.

Moore received support to go to college from her foster parents, whom the organization is named

C RYSTAL SUTHE RLAND

Founde r & P res iden t Journe y t o Hea l Min is t ries

C

rystal Sutherland founded Journey to Heal Ministries in 2018 with the mission of helping women heal from past sexual trauma.

The organization provides different free services including mentoring and support groups offered at Port City Community Church and online.

KEND A LL TIDE Y

Fa c i l i t a t o r Adult Transgender Support Group

K

endall Tidey is a facilitator with the Adult Transgender Support Group, a grassroots organization that provides a monthly support group for those in the transgender and gender non-conforming community.

The group was started by Nova WILMAMAG.com

says. “In theater classes, we get to teach students skills that are directly applicable when working in the field.”

She was appointed chair in February of the theater program, where she works to get the best out of students and faculty.

Gaffney has long been an active member of the arts community, designing costumes for a number of plays, including Twelfth Night, Next to

Normal, and The Glass Menagerie, as well as directing Proof, Hedda Gabler, She Kills Monsters, and Anatomy of Gray.

Gaffney is also a mentor and has taken students to conferences and helped with their auditions to fouryear schools.

“I am attempting,” she says, “to build a program with a strong reputation in the state.”

With her expertise, Griggs, who holds a doctoral degree in nursing practice, has been part of many efforts to advocate for nurses and women and infant health.

She has provided free community childbirth classes to families in underserved communities and was part of putting together an event at UNCW on increasing awareness

and advocacy for human trafficking victims. Her study on nurses’ views of fetal monitor safety was published in The American Journal of Maternal/ Child Nursing in August.

“As a nurse and educator in the field of women’s and infant health care, I have the privilege to be in a position to create positive change in the lives of others,” she says.

after. The nonprofit is financially supported by sales of Mountain Girl Granola, a business that Moore started.

“I remember the years of aging out of the system well. You’re still without parents and money, and you don’t have that guidance that most kids have,” she says. “I was lucky to have Dick and Mary Gilbert to help

me along the way, but even with that, I was still separated from my family, and my mother was gone. I have always been pulled to give back, and this felt like something I had to do.”

The organization recently gave two CFCC students scholarships. By the end of this year, it will have given out ten scholarships, totaling $10,000 to students.

It also raises awareness through its #END1in10 campaign, which seeks to provide resources and education to families and communities to prevent child sexual abuse.

“I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse,” Sutherland says. “The impact of that abuse was severe and set me on a trajectory of choices that resulted in more pain and hardship both during my teens and for years

into adulthood. It was through a relationship with Jesus Christ that I found hope and healing.”

Sutherland is also the author of Journey to Heal: Seven Essential Steps of Recovery for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.

The organization hosted its first annual Hope Run, and Sutherland also hosts the Hope Restored Women’s Conference.

Swanstrom twelve years ago, and Tidey has been leading the group for the past two years.

She also recently received her master’s degree in social work and works at Coastal Horizons as an outpatient therapist.

“I’ve been able to see up close and personal what it is like to go through the discrimination and bullying they

go through – not through something they have done but who they are. That is hard to witness,” Tidey says. “But, it is not all bad news.

Many have had supportive family members, peers, and co-workers. It’s getting better, but there is still a long way to go.”

Currently, the group is developing a website.

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Women to Watch Awards Finalists in the category of:

HEALTH

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

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OCTOBER 2019

more about finalists, to WILMAOnTheWeb.com ForFor more about thethe finalists, go go to WILMAmag.com

BUFFY ANDREWS

O w ne r & Wel l n es s Gu ru Made We ll Cen t er fo r Wh o l en es s

B

uffy Andrews, owner and therapist at Made Well Center, started it in October 2018 to offer mental health counseling and group and private fitness, as well as workshops and retreats.

“I was inspired to open the Made

CANDICE CURTIN

C hie f Exec u t ive O f f ic er Pre ssure Dx

C

andice Curtin, one of two diabetic wound care-certified nurses in the state, has won numerous awards in wound care. She is director of NHRMC’s Wound Care Clinic and has also launched a software company

LAUREN GAINOR

Me dical D irec t o r, I n p at ien t Pe diatric s & N ew bo rn S erv ic es C oastal Chil d ren’s Serv ic es

L

auren Gainor started with Coastal Children’s Services in 2014 and became its medical director the next year.

In the fall of 2016, UNC medical students who rotate through NHRMC departments during their

C A NDY LE E

De m e ntia Ca re N u rs e Sp ec ia l is t Low e r Cap e Fear Ho s pic e

C

andy Lee has worked in the nursing field for thirty years.

She played a key role in helping start the state’s first PACE program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) when it started in Wilmington in 2008. PACE is a communi-

R EBEC CA MULLAN E Y Owner & Psychotherapist Stable Ground Counseling

R

ebecca Mullaney runs her practice on a farm, where she leases space from Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program.

“I work with the horses that are no longer a good fit for their riding program because they have aged out or are unable to be ridden. It’s a really WILMAMAG.com

Well Center because I saw huge gaps in knowledge and applications of bridging the gaps between mind/ body/spirit,” says Andrews, who previously worked for Coastal Horizons Center doing intensive in-home services and later school-based outpatient mental health therapy. “I saw the need for enhanced holistic counseling, as well as offerings of other opportunities for clients to engage in

for their bodies.”

She recently moved to office space off Shipyard Boulevard. Andrews gives back 10 percent of her fees to help those who cannot afford services.

“My goals for Made Well are to try and make sure everyone can receive the care they need,” she says, “not allowing money to be an issue or insurance type to be a barrier.”

to help health care providers accurately stage and diagnose pressure injuries.

“Pressure Dx will be integrated into health care providers’ electronic medical record systems. It will become part of the clinicians wound assessment to ensure the correct diagnosis, documentation, treatment, and the appropriate billing code for pressure injuries – also known as bedsores or

pressure ulcers,” Curtin says.

She expects the patent for it to come through within weeks. The company has finished clinical trials and is working with a large hospital to become its first customer.

“My business partner Sue McConnell is also a lifesaver, and she helps keep business items straight and the details in check.”

third year received new pediatric curriculum, designed by Gainor.

She also led a clinical team to create a new unit to care for infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome with the goal to keep mothers and babies together during hospital stays while newborns are observed and treated for drug withdrawal.

Gainor also worked on a move

for comfort measures that are not drug-based, such as swaddling and low-stimulation environments, for babies being treated for withdrawal as a way to cut down on morphine usage.

“The changes and focus,” she says, “are in line with the national focus on the opioid epidemic and specifically for us, how that relates to the care of infants born with opioid addiction.”

ty-based program that provides an alternative to nursing home placement for aging adults.

At Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Lee recently began her new role as dementia care nurse specialist after the organization created a non-hospice dementia care specialty program this year.

“It has been very successful thus

far,” Lee says about the program.

“Our first consult was completed March 29, and we have completed approximately sixty-five consults thus far. Caregivers have found our educational model, Positive Approach to Care, useful and effective. We also provide ongoing educational workshops and we hope to be adding some support groups in the near future.”

nice symbiotic relationship,” Mullaney says.

She offers both traditional and equine-assisted mental health counseling. “Currently, Stable Ground is the only practice offering equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) in coastal North Carolina,” Mullaney says.

She also has worked with veterans in the community and coordinated a series of trauma-informed yoga

classes taught by Aron Lanie of Yoga Village for female veterans.

“Aron and I are planning a spring series and are hoping to offer this course quarterly,” Mullaney says. “I see many clients who are military sexual trauma (MST) survivors, and as such am hoping to offer half-day women’s MST retreats in the spring where we will include yoga, mindfulness, group therapy, and EAP work.”

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W o men t o W at ch A wards Fi nali st s i n t he ca teg ory of:

NONPROFIT/ VOLUNTEER

PHOTO BY CHRIS BREHMER

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more about finalists, to WILMAOnTheWeb.com ForFor more about thethe finalists, go go to WILMAmag.com

J A NEL LE BABINGTON

Founde r & E xec u t ive D irec t o r A m e rican Red L io n Disaste r & A bu s e Fu n d

J

anelle Babington started American Red Lion Disaster & Abuse Fund after realizing how hard it was to vet and decide what nonprofit animal organization to donate to after Hurricane Matthew.

EVELYN BRYANT

C hie f Exec u t ive O f f ic er Northside Brid ge Bu il d ers

E

mily Bryant is the founder of Northside Bridge Builders, a grassroots organization that aims to educate and provide resources to those undergoing hardships. She is also a legal assistant, community activist, volunteer, and mentor.

ANGIE HILL

C hie f Exec u t ive O f f ic er B rigade B o y s & Girl s Cl u b

A

s the first female CEO of the local Brigade Boys & Girls Club, Angie Hill hopes to continue raising awareness about the club and provide more professional development opportunities for the staff.

Brigade Boys & Girls Club is an

EM I LY KLIN E FE LTE R

Founde r Foste r Pa n t ry

A

fter a mission trip to Guatemala, Emily Klinefelter knew she was called to serve.

To help the community, she and her husband decided to extend their family and become a foster family in 2016. So far, Klinefelter has taken

M A L I SA UMSTE AD

Fo u n d e r & E xe c u t i ve D i r e c t o r A Safe Place

W

hen MaLisa Umstead learned that sex trafficking was an unknown epidemic in the local community and that there were no resources or programs to help victims, she says she could not look the other way.

“For someone to experience such horrific trauma, with a limited or WILMAMAG.com

American Red Lion identifies and provides funds and supplies to local shelters and hospitals that immediately provide care to abandoned animals during natural disasters.

Babington has also founded pet-memorials.org, an online platform for pet obituaries that sends profits to American Red Lion, and animalvictory.org, an online petition website that

donates its profits to nonprofit animal welfare organizations.

So far, American Red Lion has donated $22,000 to about thirty-six organizations.

“My ultimate goal,” she says, “is to continue to create awareness about animal abuse and to make enough money to get funds into the hands of the credible rescue organizations.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, Bryant and Northside Bridge Builders volunteers dedicated many hours to recovery efforts by providing, food, clothing, supplies, and resources to Northside individuals and families.

“We continue to educate and provide resources to individuals and families who maybe struggling due

to unforeseen circumstances,” Bryant says about the group, which operates out of a location at 1021 Princess Street.

Bryant is vice president of the YWCA Lower Cape Fear board, chair of the joint county-city Community Relations Advisory Committee, and secretary for the New Hanover County Board of Elections.

organization that works to inspire children to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible children. The organization serves 2,200 youth annually in New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties. Hill started at the organization as a volunteer in 2006 and is the first internal candidate promoted to serve as CEO. “I first started at Brigade as a

volunteer, and the energy and excitement I felt at the club was automatic,” Hill says. “The children were happy and loved spending time with the adult volunteers. Their energy is what kept bringing me back.”

Hill is also involved in the community with UNCW, ImpactClub, Mustaches for Kids, and other nonprofit causes.

care of twenty-three foster kids. The couple has three children.

“I personally had a pretty challenging childhood but was fortunate enough to have very strong women that invested time and energy into believing in me and mentoring me,” she says. “Because of them, I always wanted to intentionally place myself in situations where I was investing in

people.”

Klinefelter founded Foster Pantry in 2017, an organization that provides supplies for foster parents to help them welcome foster children to their homes. She now serves as a board member for the nonprofit, which is run by Stacy Pullen, Amber Simmons, Tracy Bannon, and Jenny Peterson.

nonexistent family and support system, they were vulnerable to further exploitation,” Umstead says. “With the intervention of services and resources, these victims had hope. ” Umstead, who has a background in psychology, decided to start A Safe Place, formerly The Centre of Redemption, in Wilmington in 2012.

The organization provides victims of commercial sexual exploitation and

domestic sex trafficking with housing, clothing, medical counseling, mental health services, occupational training, and more. The organization has directly supported 600 women, men, and children since opening.

Umstead was also the former chair of the Cape Fear Rapid Response Team for Human Trafficking and former board of director for the N.C. Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

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Women to Watch Awards Finalists in the category of:

PUBLIC SERVICE

PHOTO BY ERIN COSTA

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Forabout more about the finalists, go to WILMAOnTheWeb.com For more the finalists, go to WILMAmag.com

STEPHAN IE BOUCHE R

Lie ute nan t Wil m ingto n P o l ic e D epa rt m en t

A

s head of WPD’s Downtown Task Force, Stephanie Boucher walks the walk and talks the talk.

“I want to build and maintain community trust, not only in our unit, but in the Wilmington Police Department,” says Boucher, who has been

MEBANE BOYD

Dire ctor NHC Re silien c y Ta s k Fo rc e

S

ince becoming head of the task force in July 2018, Mebane Boyd has worked to connect community resources to create trauma-sensitive organizations and a population focused on resilience. The effort has grown to more than 110 organizations and

JESSICA LOEPER

C hie f Comm u n ic at io n s O f f ic er Ne w Hanover Co u n t y

W

hen Jessica Loeper joined the New Hanover County government in 2016 as its communications and outreach coordinator, she brought an approach that colleagues say has changed the way the county communicates, highlighting programs

EL I ZA B E TH P E TE RSON

Exte nsion A gen t 4-H Youth D evel o pm en t N.C. Coopera t ive E x t en s io n

E

lizabeth Peterson’s position involves serving Pender County youth. She has implemented handson, inquiry-based extracurricular programs that reached about 200 youth in after-school programs.

L A UR EN WHITE

Lieutenant N H C S h e r i f f ’s O f f i c e

L

auren White has been with the New Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office for thirteen years.

In July, she took on a more administrative role after the sheriff ’s office assumed operations of the Wilmington Police Department’s crime lab.

WILMAMAG.com

with the department for more than twenty-five years. “I want to continue to create community contacts and listen to issues and concerns so that our unit is delivering the best service we can downtown.”

The task force is made up of Wilmington police officers and New Hanover County Sheriff ’s deputies, covering an area from 5th Avenue to the Cape Fear River and Castle Street to

Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.

After Boucher was tapped for the role in charge of the unit, she met with Wilmington city officials about downtown area concerns, especially police visibility and nuisance behavior. Her task force staff surveyed business owners and residents to get their feedback, and have since worked to build relationships with these and other stakeholders.

more than 500 individuals engaged in the community-wide campaign.

“One of my favorite things to do … is bringing people together to work towards a common goal,” she says.

Boyd and her steering committee have created an action plan to help area residents recognize and respond to trauma and actively seek to keep individuals from being retrauma-

tized.

“There was trauma before Hurricane Florence,” Boyd says. “We realized that for those who already were living with a lot of trauma, that Hurricane Florence exacerbated all of those symptoms and feelings.”

Boyd participates in state-level discussions and with other communities about expanding such training to cities looking to adopt this model.

and services in “new and meaningful ways.”

Her achievements have won her two promotions: to communications and outreach manager a year ago and to chief communications officer this past June. Under Loeper’s leadership of the county’s communications team, the county has boosted its social media presence.

In 2018, she updated protocols

for the county’s Joint Information Center to use in public communications during emergencies. She led the team through two weeks of activation during Hurricane Florence.

“After I put the new (JIC) structure in place,” she says, “each person had specific tasks and roles that fit their needs and were more closely aligned with what they do on a regular basis.”

“I love seeing the ‘light bulb’ moment happen for kids,” she says.

Peterson says she would like to reach more young people – specifically those who might not typically receive this type of skill-building experience – growing the Pender County 4-H program and its volunteer base to support this wider reach.

Seeking to deepen her involveWhite supervises the sheriff ’s office CSI unit, crime forensic lab, property and evidence unit, cyber unit, and sex offender registration unit.

“My short-term goals are centered around expanding the services of the New Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office Forensic Lab. With the support of Sheriff Ed McMahon and the DA’s Office, we are looking to be a regional hub for forensic testing for

ment with 4-H, Peterson is active at the organization’s district, state, and national levels. Most recently, she won the state award for Excellence in Global Citizenship and the T.C. Blalock Young Agent Award.

She plans to serve in officer capacities within the district or even the state, hoping those experiences will prepare her to pursue an officer position at the national level.

Southeastern North Carolina,” she says. “My long-term goals include becoming a senior staff officer for the sheriff ’s office.”

White recently headed an expansion of the CSI Unit. The job involved moving more than 200,000 pieces of evidence and meeting hundreds of professional standards. She accomplished the task with no discrepancies, according to her colleagues.

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For more about the finalists, go to WILMAmag.com

W o men t o W at ch A wards Fi nali st s i n t he ca teg ory of:

RISING STAR THIS CATEGORY IS FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 30

PHOTO BY KEVIN KLEITCHES

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For more about the finalists, go to WILMAOnTheWeb.com

KO BE CAMP BE LL Licensed Professional Counselor Associate The He al in g Circ l e L LC

T

wenty-six-year-old licensed trauma therapist Kobe Campbell works to change the landscape of mental health by providing education and accessibility to communities of color that have been otherwise underserved in Wilmington.

ESTEFANIA GUTIERREZ

Paral e gal David Creec h Law Firm P L LC

A

s the lead paralegal at a prominent immigration law firm, Estefania Gutierrez defends the right to the same American dream her parents were in search of when they came to the States.

LEE ROCHELLE

Supe rvisor Guardian ad L it em P ro gram

L

ee Rochelle has dedicated the past five years of her life to the most vulnerable children of New Hanover and Pender counties.

As a supervisor with the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program, she direct-

M I C HAE LA & A NNA B E LLE SANCHE Z Musicians Entangl e d D rea m s

A

t only eighteen years old, identical twins Michaela and Annabelle Sanchez have already spent more than half their lives creating and sharing music.

Their accomplishments are vast in

L EA H SHE RRILL Fo u n d e r Special Pedals

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eah Sherrill is a twenty-fiveyear-old special education teacher operating a revolutionary 21-foot box truck.

In 2015, Sherrill founded Special Pedals, a nonprofit that trains adults with disabilities and then employs WILMAMAG.com

In addition to offering private practice therapy, Campbell provides mental health education and outreach for African American communities.

“Though The Healing Circle provides services to people of all backgrounds, I wanted to provide services that honor the context of people of color and make space for them to be themselves as they heal,”

Campbell says.

She teaches businesses, churches, and organizations about the effects of mental health issues to destigmatize seeking therapy services.

She and her husband founded The Healing Circle Therapy Fund nonprofit to provide financial assistance and to provide a directory of culturally competent and accessible therapists.

While managing the office at David Creech Law Firm, Gutierrez works closely with vulnerable immigrant communities, as well as victims of trafficking and other crimes.

“As a daughter of immigrants …

I can connect with them,” Gutierrez says, “because I understand firsthand that obtaining legal status means a better quality of life.”

She assists in coordinating psychological evaluations and helping clients develop their arguments of “extreme hardship” as it pertains to their cases.

Gutierrez was also the first person in her family to graduate from college when she completed a bachelor’s degree at UNCW, where she was active in the Centro Hispano group and was a mentor for others.

ly oversees more than forty advocates for children, helping ensure that the needs of abused and neglected children are met when they find themselves in the court system. GAL, Rochelle says, gives children a voice in the system and provides facts and recommendations to the court about what is best for the young people moving forward.

“The advocacy of GALs is so important for the outcome of these children,” she says.

Rochelle, now twenty-seven, grew up in a family that stressed the importance of being actively involved in community and began volunteering with the GAL program when she was only twenty-one before working there full time.

numbers: 150 original songs, live performances at more than 200 shows in seventeen cities and three states, two albums and two singles, and several music videos. “(Music) is not only how I express my feelings and my opinions,” Michaela says, “but how I express sympathy and understanding for others.

Music is how I can encourage unity and togetherness in general.”

Since graduating from Ashley High School in June, the twins are working full time on their music careers as members of the twopiece alt/rock/pop band Entangled Dreams. Having been homeschooled for the first three years of high school, they were able to launch their music career at an early age.

They plan to release their third studio album in early 2020.

them as bike mechanics.

In its founding year, Special Pedals raised enough funds to purchase a box truck, through which Sherrill’s team of mentors and volunteers accept, refurbish, and sell donated bikes, all while operating the job training program.

On most weekends when she’s not teaching at Topsail Elementary School, Sherrill educates participants

who wish to become bike mechanics (as well as artists and bike sales representatives) through evidence-based strategies typically used in the special education classroom.

Special Pedals partners with local breweries for Saturday pop-ups, where they sell the refurbished bikes, bringing in enough revenue to serve eight adults. Sherrill hopes to launch a bike shop storefront.

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ONE OF A KIND Metalsmith Mitzy Jonkheer finds inspiration in nature’s uniquities

by MARIMAR MCNAUGHTON | photos by ERIN COSTA

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itzy Jonkheer, this year’s designer for the Women to Watch Awards bracelet, makes original, hand-crafted pieces that are often inspired by nature.

Jonkheer, who makes her jewelry as well as teaches out of her gallery and studio on Wrightsville Avenue, shares some of the thought behind her work.

WILMAMAG.com

From haute couture to vintage retro, women everywhere look for and follow fashion design and jewelry trends.

How would you describe your one-ofa-kind pieces and where do they fall on the spectrum between trending and authentic?

MITZY JONKHEER: “While I am always aware of current trends, my work is definitely authentic. I think as artists we are always inspired by what is going on around us. Socially, culturally, politically, and environmentally, everything we see and feel is reflected

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in the work we create. My work is inspired by nature and also by art. A lyric from a song, a line from a book, and the feeling invoked by viewing a painting all inspire the pieces I create. Sometimes, I create a special piece for a client, maybe it has a birthstone or a pebble they found on the beach. It could have the impression of their child’s fingerprint or diamonds from their grandmother’s ring. All of these things are symbolic of a past, a present, and a future – a piece to wear and to treasure. I feel very honored to be the maker.”

Your followers recognize your work on first sight, saying “That’s a Mitzy!” They understand you’re inspired by nature, wherein ephemeral butterfly and dragonfly wings, dried leaves, and feathers drift into your subconscious. How do you translate these iconic imprints into more permanent elements like metals and stones?

JONKHEER: “Magic and pixie dust.”

When did you, where were you, and how did your creativity begin to manifest?

JONKHEER: “It’s in my genes. While my family boasts no famous artists or even

Celebrating

65 YEARS

Three Generations, One

Mission

Since 1954, James E. Moore Insurance Agency and the Moore family have had a mission to provide the Wilmington area with the highest quality of service, commitment and integrity.

Top photo: Jim Moore (2nd generation) and Adrienne Moore (3rd generation) Bottom photo: James E. Moore and Ann S. Moore (1st generation) help Jim Moore (2nd generation) take his first steps.

www.JamesEMoore.com • 910.256.5333 1508 Military Cutoff Road, Ste. 104 • Wilmington, NC 28403 42

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OCTOBER 2019

people that considered themselves artists, they were rich in art.

I grew up in rural Pender County where quilting and making one’s own clothes was sometimes a necessity as well as an art. My mother and maternal grandmother were masters with a sewing machine. Both women would take a clothing pattern and alter it to make it even more beautiful. I remember my mother making my prom dress from an old Vogue pattern – I still have it!

My mother’s father grew up during the Great Depression so gardening and canning was a way of life for him. He taught me to appreciate nature and all of its gifts. There is definitely an art to gardening.

My father was a machinist by trade, and my childhood is filled with memories of the smell of milled steel and the beautiful yet utilitarian things he made for my mother. He made their wedding bands and as an anniversary gift, a belt buckle out of slices of bullet shells.

When I went away to school, I was

on a path to become an English teacher, and after my first semester came home and told my mother I had switched majors and was going to become a metalsmith.

She gave me a photo that I had drawn when I was four and said, ‘I’ve known since you were a child that you were an artist.’ Then, she encouraged me to take some business classes. Wish I had taken her advice!”

What do you do to refill the well if, when it runs dry?

JONKHEER: “It never runs dry. I often wake in the middle of the night with ideas. Often when driving, I have had to pull over on the side of the road to sketch out an idea that has popped into my head. I wish there were more hours in a day. It’s the focusing that I have issues with. My studio is overflowing with pieces in progress.”

At this point in your career, how does WILMA’s invitation to design the 2019 Women to Watch award resonate for you this year?

JONKHEER: “I endeavor to support women in our society and culture and more importantly those in my hometown. I am all about supporting our local community, and I feel honored to have been chosen.”

What sage advice do you have for this year’s nominees and the winners as they advance their careers?

JONKHEER: “Keep being beacons of light for our community!

Remember where you began and reach out to those in need and become mentors. Shine bright and remember to follow your dreams.” W

THE AWARD Each year, WILMA selects a local jewelry artist to design a bracelet that serves as the award for the seven Women to Watch Awards winners.

The custom pieces, this year crafted

by Mitzy Jonkheer, will be unveiled and presented to the winners at the October 11 awards event.

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OCTOBER’S BEST

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LATIN SOUL Presented by Wilmington Symphony Orchestra with the Austin Piazzolla Quintet, Saturday November 16 at 7:30pm. Call (910) 362-7999 or visit wilmingtonsymphony.org

Contact Sales at (910) 343.8600 x203 for more info and rates.

D IG N IT Y M E M O RIA L AN UNDERSEA TRIBUTE TO LIFE

W

ith more and more families choosing cremation than ever before, we are seeing the development of exciting and new options in permanent places of remembrance. This is an important part of planning for a celebration of life, to ensure that loved ones will always have a meaningful place to visit, remember and reflect.

At Dignity Memorial, we are honored to be able to provide access to one of the most unique resting places ever conceived — the Neptune Memorial Reef, the largest man-made reef ever created. This is the first and only environmentally friendly sanctuary for those choosing cremation with memorialization.

The Neptune Memorial Reef is located three miles off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida in 40 feet of crystal clear water with a plethora of active marine life that continues to grow exponentially. Ocean enthusiasts, scuba divers, environmentalists, marine biologists, fishermen, and boaters from around the world are flocking to this impressive marine habitat (GPS coordinates N 25° 42.036’, W 80° 05.409’) which will ultimately provide sanctuary for more than 250,000 individuals across its 16 acres of the ocean floor.

Memorialization at the Neptune Memorial Reef begins with pre-planning final arrangements to help relieve families of emotional as well as financial burdens.

Our compassionate Dignity Memorial experts get all the details set ahead of time, so when a loved one passes his or her cremated remains are carefully blended with natural materials, then molded and secured in this awe-inspiring undersea tribute to life with an engraved copper plaque.

For those loved ones who have already been cremated, they can still be memorialized in this impressive underwater setting.

Planning ahead for memorialization is a great way to ensure that you and your loved ones will be able to establish a truly memorable place to celebrate a remarkable life. Please contact us to speak with a Certified Neptune Reef Specialist at (910) 799-1686.

Michael Higgins is Sales Manager for Dignity Memorial®, which cares for more than 300,000 families each year through its network of more than 2,000 providers throughout North America.

Learn more at www.dignitymemorial. com or call Greenlawn Memorial Park, Oleander Memorial Gardens and Coble-Ward Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, (910) 799-

1686.

910.799.1686 | DIGNITYMEMORIAL.COM

WILMAMAG.com

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JAMES E. MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY

HURRICANE THOUGHTS:

A

s a Wilmington native, longtime resident of Wrightsville Beach - and an insurance agent - I have experienced and helped countless others contend with hurricanes. Now that the 2019 hurricane season is underway, here are some thoughts I hope you’ll take to heart.

The next hurricane will never be exactly like any other. I’ve always said that, but now I also say the next storm will not only be different, but it could be worse than anything we have imagined.

The possibility of our next hurricane being a Category 5 is higher than ever. Hurricanes reaching North Carolina lose most of their energy due to cooler waters at this latitude. With global warming, this cushion is disappearing.

Experts believe there is enough energy in our ocean to easily support a Category 5 storm.

FROM A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Life before property. In the past, almost all our focus in preparing for hurricane season has been on protection of property. I’m now suggesting we spend as much or more time preparing for our physical safety.

Plan to evacuate. Think about how far you might travel and where you will stay. If you have elderly family members or close friends who might need help, consider them too.

Remember to plan for your pets, which may necessitate different hotels or friends with whom you’ll shelter.You might also pre-pack and take photos and valuable keepsakes.

Arrange with someone in Wilmington to help with your property in your absence. It could be weeks before your return and it would be wise to leave your property key with someone to protect your property. At the least, they’ll be able to let you know the

condition of things.

Update your insurance immediately. There could be as much as a 30-day wait before changes to your insurance become effective.

Call your insurance agent today to ensure everything is in order.

Create a checklist. Sit down now and make a list of everything you think you need to do in advance of a hurricane.

Inspect your house. If some things could be patched up or repaired now, doing so could save you a lot of time and money.

Create a video inventory.

Walk around inside your home with a video camera and create a record of everything you have. Be sure to make audio notes as you’re taking the video.

Remember that conditions can change rapidly. Have your plan in place and as you listen

910.256.5333 | jamesEmoore.com 46

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to the hurricane warnings keep in mind that conditions can change very rapidly.

We all hope there won’t be any major storms this year. But in reality, the only thing we can ever control is our own ability to respond in an emergency.

Preparedness is truly the key to keeping our loved ones and our property safe and being able to help others in the process.

Jim Moore is the president of James E. Moore Insurance Agency.

Established in 1954, it has become one of the most trusted independent insurance agencies in North Carolina. The James E. Moore Insurance Agency is a familyowned business and offers homeowners, automobile, life and health, employee benefits, and commercial insurance products.

M AR K RA F T C A B I NE TS

KEEPING ON TOP OF TRENDS, BRANDS AND PRODUCTS

F

or three decades Markraft Cabinets has been delivering results beyond expectations in product selection, custom design and installation, and customerfocused post-job service and warranty. Along the way, President and General Manager Cee Edwards has witnessed the evolution of top-selling brands, products and trends in home remodeling.

For example, more people are making better use of the spaces around their homes — not just in them — for entertaining, especially when it comes to outdoor kitchens.

“NatureKast has gained popularity in the outdoor space, we’re working with their products featuring several door styles and finishes,” Cee said.

A leading provider of awardwinning weatherproof outdoor cabinetry, NatureKast features luxurious finishes that won’t fade, warp or crack.

Another great option for

outdoor kitchens is Wolf Endurance, sturdy aluminum cabinets ideal for decks, patios, and garages. Endurance provides a more limited offering at a less expensive price point.

When it comes to remodeling inside the home, a lot of times people will start with a bathroom or laundry room and then move into the kitchen. Interior design products growing in popularity revolve around door styles. Clean line, slab-type doors providing low maintenance are now available in a variety of different colors and finishes, wood products, painted products, aluminum or laminate.

With all the choices available to homeowners, how does Markraft decide what products and brands to work with? “We definitely make an effort to look at trends,” Cee explained.

“Manufacturers we use and companies we partner with are good at being ahead.”

Sherwin Williams and

Benjamin Moore do ongoing market analysis to determine new trends and colors which helps Markraft with planning and purchasing.That said, customers regularly come in with ideas gathered from magazines, Pinterest and Houzz.

Each year, Markraft sends a team to the international kitchen and bath show where cabinet suppliers roll out new products and styles.This gives Markraft an advance preview of what’s coming, which they pass along to their designers and customers.

Markraft is selective of who they partner with, like North Carolina-based UltraCraft Cabinetry. In addition to a diverse lineup of products and design choices, UltraCraft is so close geographically that it’s easy for Markraft designers to get factory training to help customers with modern, traditional, or transitional designs.

“Our people, products and

processes are what separate us from the big box do-it-yourself stores,” Cee said. His seasoned team of design professionals, many who have been in the industry for 20-plus years, bring a diverse knowledge of the industry.

“Our team understands the expectations of clients and the expectations of our company.

We do this every day and are very focused on service and the end result.”

President and General Manager Cee Edwards and his team of talented designers invites you to visit Markraft’s Design Studio, 2705 Castle Creek Lane, just off Castle Hayne Road.

Markraft’s professional kitchen and bath designers consult by appointment but drop-in visitors are always welcome to browse the showroom, open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

910.793.0202 | MARKRAFT.COM

WILMAMAG.com

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PATHFINDER WEALTH CONSULTING

RETIRE WITH STYLE

P

Katie Henderson is Marketing Director for Pathfinder Wealth Consulting, an independent financial planning and investment management firm in Wilmington. Pathfinder’s comprehensive financial planning process is driven by a step-bystep process that will direct each individual down the path of developing their financial goals and putting them into action.

olka dots with stripes. Navy and black. White after Labor Day. Once major faux pas, these fashion trends are now widely embraced. If Oprah gives her blessing for white pants in the fall, who are we to argue?

While most people develop their own distinct fashion style, it is equally important to have a vision for your retirement “style.”

When you think of retirement, what comes to mind? Traveling the world? Becoming a Master Gardener? Perfecting your golf game? The hobbies and interests you want to devote your time, energy, and financial resources to are all part of your retirement style.

At Pathfinder Wealth Consulting, we take a comprehensive look at your desired retirement lifestyle to help you achieve all your goals.

In addition to creating a realistic spending plan for retirement, — including fixed and variable expenses — it is also important to look at discretionary spending.

There are many “rules of thumb” when forecasting future spending – such as 75 to 80 percent of preretirement income – but our team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals takes a more realistic and individualistic approach and build a spending plan geared towards specific goals.

One such goal may be to save funds to travel, but this is definitely not a one-size-fits-all idea.

We have clients who had

strong sales careers and, while they enjoyed the opportunity to see the world through their professional travels, are now looking forward to spending more quiet time at home tinkering on projects.

In the first few years of retirement, people will spend more than their preretirement income, working through bucket list items.Your style may revolve around seizing the day, making up for all those years behind a desk.Your living expenses may dramatically increase, just by eating out more and having the time and energy to attend events.

We always get tickled when a client brings in a budget they’ve scrubbed through, with the tightest spending parameters possible. We appreciate the hard work and value their commitment. While it is extremely important to have a plan and execute it well, it is equally imperative to leave some wiggle room for discretionary spending. Without this “fluff ” to account for the things you like to splurge on, budgets often feel rigid and unattainable… and are usually the first to be busted.

At Pathfinder, we understand your retirement style will evolve; we utilize a strategy that plans for higher spending in the first few years, then adjusts over time to account for less discretionary spending later in life.

Just like your fashion style tends to change, so does your retirement style.

NAVIGATING THE

PATH to RETIREMENT 48

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910.793.0616 | PWCPATH.COM

R E S TO R AT I V E TAT TO O S

RESTORATIVE TATTOOS HELPING SURVIVORS MOVE FORWARD

H

ope is more than just a word for the 5,000 breast cancer survivors in North Carolina each year, and it’s something Jenean LaCorte thrives on.

A cancer survivor of over 40 years, the para medical tattoo artist learned of the need for her craft from her sister-inlaw, who had undergone a bilateral mastectomy.

Her cancer journey, desire to help others, and 20-years of experience as a professional artist excelling in color theory all came together as she launched Restorative Tattoos, a supportive resource for breast cancer survivors wanting to camouflage their scars or find a substitute for what was taken away.

Jenean specializes in

3D nipple and camouflage tattoos — the placement of pigment beneath the epidermis of the skin of the breast, and tattooing of the skin with flesh tone pigments to disguise a scar or damaged skin area. Her work helps survivors dealing with issues like mastectomies; vitiligo; burns; stretch marks; acne, injury, and surgery scars; and loss of pigment due to laser skin resurfacing or chemical peels.

Certified through Penn Medicine’s Sauler Institute and certified in HIPPA regulations and blood born pathogens, Jenean has created a reassuring space at Restorative Tattoos which is a cross between a doctors office and a spa: calming and relaxing, yet sterile and private.

“Women call me and we do a phone consult. Then we can either go straight into a procedure or they can come in for an in-person consult and tour of the facility, it all depends on where they are in the healing process,” she said.

If an individual is finished with treatment, a restorative tattoo session can be scheduled in as little as two weeks.

“It’s a fast and efficient procedure. If you come in and you need both nipples done that’s only two hours start to finish,” Jenean explained.

Each Restorative Tattoos client is unique, consulting with Jenean to go over any kinds of medications, when the surgery happened, what kind of surgery, and

chemo history, as everything involved affects the skin differently. Jenean shows her clients examples, and begins matching ink (using pigments that are certified vegan and never tested on animals) and selecting colors for 3D nipples.

Clients experience little to no pain during the procedure, and can resume normal activities immediately outside of vigorous exercising, swimming or soaking.

Jenean can be reached at (910) 232-1117 or jenean@ restorativetattoos. com. For more information (including before and after photos) and to read testimonials from some of Jenean’s clients, visit restorativetattoos.com.

910.232.1117 | RESTORATIVETATTOOS.COM

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Y W C A L OW E R C A P E F E A R

EMPOWERING WOMEN TO OVERCOME THE ODDS

T

he numbers are intimidating.

Women in the United States have a one in eight lifetime risk of breast cancer diagnosis. As recently as January 2019, 3.1 million reported a history of breast cancer, or are currently undergoing treatments. The mortality rate of breast cancer is one of the highest for all women, second only to lung cancer. The numbers become even bleaker when you break them down by race, with the highest incidence of breast cancer mortality in black women at a rate of 29.5 percent as of 2017. Early detection is vital, but many women face barriers to access for proper screenings and treatment. Further, long-term survival rates decrease and are influenced by socioeconomic factors and access to wellness services post-treatment.

So how can we flip the odds in women’s favor?

Prevention is tied to healthy lifestyle habits, which can be beneficial to survivors of breast cancer post-treatment as well. Observational evidence shows that women who are physically active after breast cancer diagnosis have a 30-50 percent lower risk of breast cancer recurrence and breast cancer mortality.

The YWCA Lower Cape Fear is proud to support survivors through Flow Motion, a progressive land and water fitness program.

Designed and specifically targeted for the areas of the body most affected by breast cancer surgeries and treatments, the program uses water aerobics and Pilates to teach gentle stretching exercises to improve range of motion, and relaxation techniques to calm tired bodies. Thanks to the Cape Fear Memorial Foundation, Flow Motion is offered at no charge to survivors at

any stage of recovery and survivorship, residing in New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, and Columbus Counties. Since June of 2013, Flow Motion has served 150 survivors of breast cancer in Southeastern North Carolina.

“Flow Motion provides a full mind and body workout,” said Beth Andrew, YWCA Flow Motion Program Coordinator. “Ultimately, we want to provide a therapeutic workout that improves strength, mobility, and overall health, but also bolsters confidence and creates an encouraging environment.

These women understand and support each other on a level that no other fitness program can provide.”

Partnerships with UNCW’s College of Health and Human Services allows participants to track individual progress and physical activity, resulting in a greater understanding of the impact the program has on the

910.799.6820 | YWCA-LOWERCAPEFEAR.ORG 50

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OCTOBER 2019

overall health of participants.

Expansion of the Flow Motion’s service area is in the works, with satellite program locations in partnership with Brunswick Community College.

The YWCA Lower Cape Fear is proud to be the oldest and largest women’s movement, providing services for women and their families in our community. Our local programs and services have furthered the YWCA vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people since 1914. We work to bring out the individual strengths of women and youth and to foster resiliency and self-sufficiency. Our philosophy, in keeping with the mission of the YWCA to eliminate racism and empower women, centers on providing the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

For more information, visit ywca-lowercapefear.org.

OCTOBER 10/8

4

A LITTLE LUNCH MUSIC WHQR MC Erny Gallery

Violinist Beverly Andrews and FRIDAY pianist Barry Salwen provide a musical lunch break with pieces from Mozart and Edvard Grieg, among others, while mixing in commentary about the music. A Little Lunch Music starts at noon at the MC Erny Gallery at WHQR, 254 North Front Street. Listeners are invited to bring a lunch if they want. Info: whqr.org/term/ little-lunch-music

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10/6

RIVERFEST Downtown Wilmington Through October 6

Riverfest returns to downtown SATURDAY Wilmington with concerts, a street fair, antique and classic car shows, and children’s activities. The weekend event, a tradition since 1979, also includes a fireworks display the night of October 6. Info: WilmingtonRiverfest.com

5

10/5

RUN FOR THE TA TAS Mayfaire Town Center

The fundraising event will include a 1-mile kids run, a SATURDAY 1-mile fun run, and a 5K chaser race during which men start 2 minutes and 30 seconds after the women start. The first 5K runner to cross the finish line will win $500. The proceeds for the event will benefit The Pink Ribbon Project, Love is Bald, and Going Beyond the Pink.

Registration prices range from $34 through $40.

Info: its-go-time.com/run-for-the-ta-tas

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6 SUNDAY

10/19

SHEILA E. CFCC Wilson Center

is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The self-guided tour lets

recorded with Marvin Gaye, Diana

tour includes a peek inside a modern galley

stops in Wilmington for a concert

among other unique spaces. Tickets are $30.

Sheila E., who has performed and

ton’s downtown historic district. This year’s

Ross, Gloria Estafan, and more

kitchen in an 1860 Greek Revival-style home,

at the Wilson Center. The percussionist, singer, and songwriter brings songs from her latest

album Iconic: Message 4 America to the stage.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are

8

$29.50-$68. Info: cfcc.edu/capefearstage

TUESDAY

SHOVELS & ROPE Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

SATURDAY

ARETHA: A TRIBUTE CFCC Wilson Center As part of its Symphony

Pops series, the Wilming-

ton Symphony Orchestra,

featuring vocalists Capathia

Shovels & Rope, the musical duo of stops at Greenfield Lake Amphi-

Think, Natural Woman, and others from the

Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst,

A Tribute with classic hits such as Respect,

theater with their American folk

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. The show

19

ton’s annual Back Door

arts and crafts vendors, live bands, and of

starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $32-$37, with free admission for kids age ten and under. Info:

12

starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $25-$85.

BACK DOOR KITCHEN TOUR Downtown Wilmington

Blood. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the concert

greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com/events

52

19

Info: rowilmington.org

Jenkins and Ryan Shaw, performs Aretha:

sounds and tunes from their latest album By

SATURDAY

ticketholders stop in nine homes in Wilming-

Info: cfcc.edu/capefearstage

SATURDAY

NORTH CAROLINA OYSTER FESTIVAL Ocean Isle Beach Through October 20 The thirty-ninth annual

Residents of Old Wilming-

North Carolina Oyster Festival features food,

Kitchen Tour fundraiser

course oysters – including oyster eating, oys-

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OCTOBER 2019

10/4 ter shucking, and oyster stew contests. Info:

19

ncoysterfestival.com

SATURDAY

IRONMAN

The Ironman 70.3 North

Carolina triathlon returns to Wilmington, with a

swim start at Wrightsville

Beach, 56-mile bike leg, and run that finishes

in downtown Wilmington. Spectators are wel-

come to watch and cheer for the participants.

24 Info: ironman.com

THURSDAY

TRICK OR TREAT UNDER THE SEA North Carolina Aquarium Through October 26

The aquarium at Fort Fisher gets a Halloween makeover this month for the annual Trick or

Treat Under the Sea event, 4:30-8 p.m. Kids

can check out indoor trick-or-treating, games,

programs, and vendor interactions for families.

Tickets are $13 per person, and aquarium members receive a 10 percent discount.

Tickets have to be purchased online and are

not sold at the door. Info: ncaquariums.com/ fort-fisher

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR ALZHEIMER’S FIRST SURVIVOR. 10/5

At the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, people carry flowers representing their connection to Alzheimer’s — a disease that currently has no cure. But what if one day there was a flower for Alzheimer’s first survivor? What if there were millions of them? Help make that beautiful day happen by joining us for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease. Register today at alz.org/walk.

25 FRIDAY

10/24

MONSTER MOVIE MADNESS Bellamy Mansion Museum

Check out some classic horror flicks at the Bellamy Mansion. The event is 7-10 p.m., and double-feature lineup is 1968’s Night of the Living Dead and House on Haunted Hill, released in 1959. Hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase (no outside food and drinks allowed). The event is free, with suggested donations of $5. Costumes are encouraged. Info: bellamymansion.org

29 TUESDAY

BATTY BATTLESHIP’S HALLOWEEN BASH Battleship North Carolina

Battleship North Carolina hosts a Halloween bash for families where kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume. There will be trick or treating, games, and more. Admission is free for kids age two and under. There is a $5 admission fee for older kids and adults. The event runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Info: battleshipnc.com/ events-programs

Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Wilmington Saturday, November 2, 2019 Wrightsville Beach Park

CAPE FEAR HEART WALK OCTOBER 26, 2019 UNCW – 9:00am Program – 10:00am Walk Entertainment, Family Activities & Dog Friendly

Join us for the annual Cape Fear Heart Walk in the fight against the nation’s #1 and #5 killers, heart diseases and stroke. Make a positive difference for your community and your family when you register for the Cape Fear Heart Walk. It’s more than walking — it’s about making a commitment to lead a heart healthy life and become healthy for good.

Event Chair: Jay Wileman, CEO, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

SIGN UP TODAY TO START YOUR FUNDRAISING TEAM www.capefearncheartwalk.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 910-538-9270 ashley.miller@heart.org

Submit your event to the WILMA online calendar at WILMAmag.com

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For Geisel, the Lower Cape Fear Hospice holds a personal connection to her life.

“My mother was there for several days at the end of her life,” Geisel says. “I was deeply impressed by the care and respect given to her and each family and friend who visited.”

Geisel’s work can be found at joannegeisel. com.

GALE SMITH

“NIGHT LIGHTS” BY ANN HAIR

FANTASTIC

FOUR

ART SHOW FEATURES LOCAL INTERPRETATIONS

by FAIRLEY LLOYD

TAKE FOUR ART IN BLOOM GALLERY 210 PRINCESS STREET OCTOBER 11- NOVEMBER 16 OPENING RECEPTION: 6-9 P.M., OCTOBER 11 FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY NIGHT RECEPTION: 6-9 P.M., OCTOBER 25 INFO: aibgallery.com/upcoming-exhibits

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A

Gale Smith studied with Robert Longley at the Cape Cod School of Art in Provincetown, Massachusettes. Additionally, she has attended workshops with nationally acclaimed artists such as John Poon, Charles Reid, and Morgan Samuel Price.

For Take Four, Smith is excited about the collaboration project she and her colleagues did for the show, which is a scene from the hospice garden. They worked with various mediums, including oil, copper, and inks.

“We live in an area with tremendous historical value and beauty,” she says, “and we wanted to select venues that people could relate to.”

Smith’s work can be found at galesmithart. com. (Read more about Smith, who is a finalist for this year’s WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards, on page 24.)

n upcoming art show features the works of four local artists and their take on some familiar spots.

ANN HAIR

Take Four: New Art by Joanne Geisel, Ann Hair, Barbara Bear Jamison, and Gale Smith showcases the women’s paintings, all individual interpretations of iconic Wilmington scenes from locations such as Airlie Gardens and the Lower Cape Fear Hospice’s garden.

Admission is free, and a portion of art sales and an original work raffle benefits Lower Cape Fear Hospice. Here is a little about each participating artist.

Ann Hair is a founding member of PAINTPlein Area in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area and is part of several other art organizations, such as the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, and American Women Artists.

Hair found inspiration for her artwork from volunteering with the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project.

“There is inspiration everywhere, from our stunning beaches to beautiful gardens,” Hair says. “I’m fortunate to call Wilmington home.”

Hair’s work can be found at annhair.com.

JOANNE GEISEL

BARBARA BEAR JAMISON

Joanne Geisel is a faculty member of the Cameron Art Museum’s Museum School and has taught at other venues such as the Franklin Square Gallery in Southport and the Community Arts Center in Wilmington.

For the Take Four show, Geisel painted in a “contemporary realism” style for her Wilmington scenes, which included depictions of boats, fishermen, and other aspects of coastal Wilmington. Additionally, she added abstract components to her paintings.

Barbara Bear Jamison is a fourth-generation Wilmington native, and part of several professional art organizations, such as the Marine Arts Guild, PAINT NC, and the Wilmington Art Association.

“It’s a joy and privilege to paint in our beautiful hometown,” Jamison says. “I love seeing Wilmington’s views from four different perspectives.”

Jamison’s work can be found at barbarabearjamison.com. W

OCTOBER 2019

5

TAKE

by TERESA MCLAMB photo by RIVER BONDURANT

As president of Assistance League of Greater Wilmington, BETSY SUMAN directs the volunteer efforts of 145 members dedicated to helping children and seniors in New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties. Born in Massachusetts and educated as a nurse, Suman moved to Raleigh in 1970 where she worked at Wake Medical Center. With retirement, she moved to Wilmington in 1995. By 2009, when she was introduced to ALGW, she felt the need to give back. “I found this was a good way to volunteer,” she says. The group stages several fundraisers each year, including Bags and Bling, which begins at 10 a.m. October 15 and runs for a week at the group’s thrift shop, 420 Eastwood Road. Purses (possibly including some designer ones) are put aside all year for the sale. There are also specialty jewelry items and holiday clothing.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO RETIRE IN WILMINGTON? “We have lived in Raleigh, Charlotte, and back to Raleigh since 1970. We love the beach, so after retiring we moved to Wilmington in 1995.” THERE ARE MANY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES LOCALLY. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ALGW? “I had a few friends that were members, and when I learned what ALGW did, especially for children, I knew this was a fit for me.” BEING PRESIDENT OF AN ORGANIZATION IS A BIG RESPONSIBILITY. HOW DO YOU JUGGLE YOUR VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR PERSONAL LIFE? “I do find time for other activities such as golf, which I try to play at least once a week. I play bridge and am a member of a book club. I am also lucky my husband loves to cook and also grocery shop, so it is great to come home after a day of activities and have dinner prepared.” WHAT’S BEEN A FAVORITE FIND FOR YOU AT THE ALGW THRIFT SHOP? “There have been many ‘finds,’ but I did find a vase, which is part of my ‘wedding china,’ which has been discontinued for many years.” WHAT’S NEXT? AFTER YOUR PRESIDENCY ENDS? “This is my last year of presidency, after which it will give me more time to volunteer in our other programs. One of my activities is being a puppeteer with our Kids on the Block troupe. It will allow me more time to work in the thrift shop, which I love and helping with Operation School Bell, which distributes clothing and supplies to children in need in our three countries.”W Betsy Suman’s full profile will run in an upcoming WILMA Weekly email. To sign up for the WILMA Weekly, go to WILMAmag.com.

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FREAKY

TEETH

by TIM BASS illustration by MARK WEBER Tim Bass is coordinator of UNCW’s bachelor of fine arts program in creative writing.

I

I can give you a Halloween scare.

If you show up at my house on the 31st, I’ll usher you to a bookshelf that holds a small, faded black-and-white box labeled Ortho-Spec. It dates to 1973, and according to the markings on the side, it once contained “intermaxillary rubber ligatures” – the hardware for my braces when I was in high school.

Not frightened yet? Open the box.

Inside, you’ll find not the braces but the plaster molds of my teeth – my original teeth, the ones I had before the braces. These were the teeth that challenged and befuddled my family dentist. He filled what he could, filed what he could, and pulled what he could.

Then he sent me away. To a specialist.

On my first appointment, a kind young orthodontist packed my mouth with what looked and tasted like a fistful of Play-Doh. A little later, he removed what had started out as a gummy blob and morphed into a block of granite. He shaped the thing with a sharp pick, and soon I had my dental molds: permanent and petrifying proof that I needed serious hardware.

Check out those molds. You’ll see twenty-seven teeth, all misaligned worse than the front end of a Mercury Zephyr. A maxillary bicuspid meets its downstairs mate at an angled pinpoint, resembling some public art project outside a municipal building. The neighboring canine juts outward and bears a mysterious semicircle etching, like Stone Age cave communication. Behind that tooth – yes, behind it – a lateral incisor hides on its own lonely row behind everything else. The central incisors angle toward each other, creating a V-shaped gap in the middle of my mouth.

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OCTOBER 2019

You’ll see a ghastly collection of tilted molars, twisted bicuspids, and a mysterious vacancy (I still have it), plus a haphazard row of bottom teeth that resemble a primitive fort made of tree trunks hacked with tools of rock. I had an overbite and an underbite. Count Dracula would’ve been jealous.

Add an alarming army of teen insecurities, a juvenile sense of humor, and hippie hair that reached my shoulders, and it’s no wonder I couldn’t get a date to the homecoming dance. I looked like a skinny tyrannosaurus with acne. Horrors!

Those molds show, sadly, that I might not have advanced as far from my evolutionary ancestors as I’d hoped. They dragged their knuckles in search of meat and water while I, homo orthodontus, dragged to a monthly appointment to have my mouth wired more elaborately than a Delta rocket.

During that first appointment with the specialist all those years ago, some guy wandered into the room with the orthodontist and me. To this day, I have no idea who he was; I’ve always imagined him as the doctor’s flunky, non-orthodontist brother. During my exam, the stranger gazed into my mouth, took a long look, and turned away.

“Yep,” he said, “this young man has a problem.”

Indeed I did. It took three agonizing years of metal, rubber bands, and torturous tension, plus untold thousands of my parents’ dollars, but that wizard of an orthodontist fixed my teeth and made me look, well, human.

Drop by on Halloween, and I’ll prove it. Just look in the box. If you dare.

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