WILMA
JULY 2021
WILMINGTON’S SUCCESSFUL WOMAN
In Neutral
Owning an understated color palette
Wave Runners
Life among the boats
Restaurant Realm Niki Thompson builds on Indochine’s success
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25 8 SPOTLIGHT
46 SCENE: Bands are back
10 TASTE: Global flavors 12 HEALTH: Rocking the boat 14 STYLE: Act natural
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47 TAKE 5: Building a group for women in construction 48 MEN'S ROOM: In stereo surround
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14 25 F AIR TIDES: Port of calling for these area women 32 I N HARMONY: Wilmington Symphony Orchestra’s next chapter 37 F INANCING SUCCESS: Chakema Clinton-Quintana on supporting small business
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This coastal summer, there’s plenty of ways to dip your toes in the water. Lounging poolside or sweating through water sports, there’s water, water everywhere: ocean, Intracoastal, marshes, rivers – take your pick. Meet three women who have built their lives around the water, and boating in particular, on page 25. Read about Molly Nece’s unique approach to leadership coaching while kayak paddling on page 12. And, check out the summer concert lineups at some of our waterside venues, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater and the new Riverfront Park Amphitheater, on page 46. Over on dry land, there’s still plenty to do this summer. The women leading the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, which marks an anniversary milestone this year, talk about the restart to their performances post-COVID on page 32. And, even if you can’t travel far this summer, your taste buds can take a culinary vacation at Solange “Niki” Thompson’s newest Asian-fusion restaurant Café Chinois on page 10. Happy summer, and as columnist Mary Schmich – not Vonnegut – wrote, “But trust me on the sunscreen.” W JULY 2021
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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. Callison talks with members of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra ahead of its fiftieth anniversary (page 32).
MELISSA HEBERT is a Wilmington-based
photographer who has had her work featured in national campaigns and magazines, including WILMA. Hebert studied photography at the Cleveland Institute of Art and specializes in editorial, portrait, and wedding photography. Hebert photographed this month’s cover and style feature (page 14). melissahebertphoto.com
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. Deitz photographed Niki Thompson for this month’s Taste feature (page 10). megandeitz.com and @ megandeitz_photography on Instagram
DREWE SMITH is an editorial stylist and
creative director who specializes in photo direction and styling. Smith is a Wilmington native and co-owns Drewe and Kate Branding Co., where she translates her love of design into branding photo shoots, logo design, and website building for a diverse collection of businesses. Smith styled this month’s cover and style feature (page 14).
BETH A. KLAHRE retired from a major
Pennsylvania chocolate manufacturer where she held leadership positions in engineering, IT, and global business services. Now relocated to Southport, she spends her time writing and has been published locally and nationally. She is learning to play the harp, loves walking the beach with her dog, and serves on the board of directors of Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island. Klahre featured several women in the boating industry (page 25) and profiled Chakema Clinton-Quintana (page 37).
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Publisher Rob Kaiser rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com President Robert Preville rpreville@wilmingtonbiz.com Editor Vicky Janowski vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com Vice President of Sales Maggi Apel mapel@wilmingtonbiz.com Senior Account Executive Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com Account Executives Courtney Barden cbarden@wilmingtonbiz.com Sydney Pope spope@wilmingtonbiz.com
Marian Welsh mwelsh@wilmingtonbiz.com Office & Audience Development Manager Sandy Johnson sjohnson@wilmingtonbiz.com Events Director Elizabeth Stelzenmuller events@wilmingtonbiz.com Design/Media Coordinator Molly Jacques production@wilmingtonbiz.com Content Marketing Coordinator Morgan Mattox mmattox@wilmingtonbiz.com Contributing Designer Suzi Drake art@wilmingtonbiz.com Digital Editor Johanna Cano jcano@wilmingtonbiz.com Fashion Stylist Drewe Smith Contributors Jenny Callison, Nina Bays Cournoyer, Beth A. Klahre, Jessica Maurer, Teresa McLamb, Dylan Patterson, Michelle Saxton, Lori Wilson Contributing Photographers Daria Amato, Megan Deitz, Aris Harding, Madeline Gray, Melissa Hebert, Terah Wilson 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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Debbie Warwick EVP – Head of Operations Live Oak Bank
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economic hardship were like nothing we have seen in modern times. Throughout all if it, we at Live Oak Bank saw the incredible determination and resiliency of small business owners repeatedly in 2020. We saw customers dig deep, make sacrifices, and remain nimble. We saw our employees do the same, changing roles, staying up late, and working weekends. 2020 will be a year remembered for many reasons, but most importantly one that showed the importance of banding together, getting tough work done, and standing beside one another. Live Oak and WILMA remain dedicated no matter what the world throws our way.”
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photo by Michael Cline Spencer
W2W UPDATES WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative has updates to share as we continue to work on the effort’s core mission of helping develop more women leaders in our area. Here’s what we’ve been up to with various W2W Leadership Initiative programs and what’s coming up next: LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: Sheri Shaw, assistant dean for student success at UNCW’s CHHS; Donna Esteves, North America Regional Supply Chain Manager for Corning Incorporated; and Tracey Newkirk, Co-Founder of Genesis Block ILM speak to WILMA’s Leadership Institute. The session, about building resilience and leading through challenging times, took place at the Cameron Art Museum. The class met in June to discuss motivating teams and managing conflict, while July’s leadership training focuses on negotiation techniques. This year’s class meets monthly through December. Info: WILMAmag.com/women-to-watch WILMA NETWORK: Members of the WILMA Network, made up of sponsors of the Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, meet monthly for 2nd Tuesday outings to welcome new members, catch up, and expand their networks. GETTING SOCIAL: Check out WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative social media pages, where you can find the latest info about leadership program announcements, applications, and updates on women who have been involved with W2W. Follow us at facebook.com/WILMAsWomenToWatch and on Instagram @WILMAsWomentoWatch. IN THE LOOP: Keep up to date with these and other Leadership Initiative programs as well as applications announcement by going to WILMAmag.com or signing up for the WILMA Leadership email at WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.
- Vicky Janowski, WILMA editor, and Maggi Apel, vice president of sales, 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
25 ON THE WATER: Boat life for these women 32 MUSICAL ANNIVERSARY: Wilmington Symphony Orchestra hits 50 37 FINANCING THE AMERICAN DREAM: Chakema Clinton-Quintana on co-leading a new small business center
JULY
women’s professional groups Besides WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, there are a number of local groups to help women grow professionally. Here is just a sampling of some of them.
Cape Fear CREW Year Founded: 2010 Description: “Cape Fear CREW is the leading organization for commercial real estate in the Cape Fear region in North Carolina … Members represent every aspect of the commercial real estate industry, including, but not limited to, law, leasing, brokerage, property management, finance, acquisitions, and engineering.” Info: capefearcrew.org or info@capefearcrew.org
Cape Fear Women in Tech Year Founded: 2014 Description: “Our vision is to make the Cape Fear Region the No. 1 employer of women in technology careers per capita in the country. We do this by championing opportunities for women in technology, empowering women to strive for these competitive positions, and inspiring women to lead in those roles.” Info: cfwit.com or capefearwomenintech@ gmail.com
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Coastal Women Attorneys
The Junior League of Wilmington
(N.C. Association of Women Attorneys) Year Founded: 2013 Description: “CWA was formed to serve women attorneys in Southeastern North Carolina in the Fourth, Fifth and 13th judicial districts, which includes New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, Bladen, Duplin, Onslow, Sampson, and Jones counties. CWA is committed to increasing the participation of women attorneys in the legal profession, protecting the rights of women under the law and promoting, and improving the administration of justice.” Info: ncawa.org/cwa or cwa@ncawa.org
Year Founded: 1952 Description: “The Junior League of Wilmington is a women’s organization designed to empower women and to improve the community through the leadership of women as trained volunteers.” Info: jlwnc.org or info@jlwnc.org
The Inspiration Lab Year Founded: 2015 Description: “The Inspiration Lab was built for working women passionate about personal and professional development. We offer teachings and tools to improve your skills, productivity, creativity, emotional intelligence, and well-being. We also provide opportunities for networking and connection. We represent a variety of backgrounds and careers, but we’re all like-minded in being serious about success, maintaining a manageable work-life balance, and supporting one another’s growth.” Info: theinspirationlab.co
Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County Year Founded: 2011 Description: “WIN is a collective philanthropy nonprofit that makes yearly grants to nonprofits within the county. The focus of these grants rotates annually among four areas: education, health and wellness, the environment, and arts and culture.” Info: winofnhc.org
YWCA Lower Cape Fear Founded: 1914 Description: “The YWCA Lower Cape Fear is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” Economic advancement programs focus on educational assistance, job training, and short-term and long-term planning skills. Info: ywca-lowercapefear.org
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Technical
SOLLOSI TAKES HONORS AT STATE ART EXHIBIT 8
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Cape Fear Community College student artist BELLA SOLLOSI recently took first place in the 2021 North Carolina Community College System Office Student Art Exhibit. Sollosi’s oil-on-canvas painting, “Sunbathing,” won top honors among over thirty pieces from student artists across the state. The virtual exhibit, hosted by The Art Gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College, will be open through August 21. To see it, go to www2.faytechcc.edu/art-gallery/summer-2021.asp.
CFR ADDS MEETINGS AND EVENTS DIRECTOR
Cape Fear Realtors hired LEE CAMPBELL to join its team. Campbell is the organization’s director of meetings and events, officials say. She will be responsible for managing all meetings and events for Cape Fear Realtors. She also serves as director of events for The Terraces on Sir Tyler, an event venue that has more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The venue is located in the Mayfaire area. Campbell has thirteen years of experience working with international, national, and state-based associations from a variety of medical and trade industries. Her background focused on full-service association management services with expertise in program development and collaboration with volunteer leadership teams. “I look forward to working with the Cape Fear Realtors,” she says. “I am impressed with the association’s commitment to community involvement and excited to be a part of the team. I look forward to partnering with leadership, members, and staff on promoting the CFR mission.”
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DOSHER WELCOMES MOHR TO HOSPITAL
Dosher Memorial Hospital named CATHERINE MOHR as its new chief nursing officer. Mohr has an extensive background as a senior health care executive, with over twenty-six years in both large academic medical centers and community hospitals. She previously served as the executive vice president/system chief nursing officer of the Guthrie Clinic in Sayre, Pennsylvania. She was also the executive director of the Children’s Hospital at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska, and the director of nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System for Women’s and Children’s Services and Radiology. Mohr earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the College of New Rochelle, a master’s at Duke University, and a doctorate in nursing practice from American Sentinel University. “Ms. Mohr has a proven track record of workplace innovation, and we know this will make her a great asset to our patients, staff, and community,” says LYNDA STANLEY, president of Dosher Memorial Hospital and Foundation.
ant more WILMA? Check out our daily emails, which include even more profiles and stories for Wilmington’s successful women. To sign up for the free emails, go to WILMAmag.com
WIN ANNOUNCES ARTS AND CULTURE GRANTS
The Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County recently awarded $50,000 in grants to four local arts organizations. A $20,000 award to The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, headed up by RHONDA BELLAMY (above), will help underwrite design and engineering study costs for the Wilmington Rail Trail. That project is to transform the former Atlantic Coast Line rail bed that runs through the Northside community of downtown Wilmington into a public corridor for foot and bicycle traffic as well as a space for art, exercise, and community engagement. Cameron Art Museum’s $20,000 grant will partially underwrite the cost of Boundless, a new permanent public sculpture by North Carolina artist Stephen Hayes to be installed on the museum’s grounds in November. The Brooklyn Arts Music Academy’s Music is Life! program received a $5,000 grant. And, the Opera House Theatre Company’s $5,000 grant will benefit its Multigenerational Theatre Arts Program. WIN, a collective philanthropy organization, uses members’ annual financial contributions for the funding pool each year. The grant-making rotates each year among four areas of focus: education; health and wellness; the environment; and arts and culture.
Have a suggestion for a local woman or group to spotlight? Email us: wilma@WILMAmag.com WILMAmag.com
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NIKI THOMPSON’S LATEST VENTURE by JESSICA MAURER photo by MEGAN DEITZ
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o sooner than the finishing touches were in place at SOLANGE “NIKI” THOMPSON’s newest Asian-fusion concept, Café Chinois, plans were in the works to expand the restaurant into neighboring space at Fulton Station. “We realized right away that the space was not large enough,” Thompson says. Thompson announced earlier this year that after being approached by the owners of Southern Thai, who were looking to sell, she had accepted their offer. While Thompson had only just opened the doors to Indochine Express, an outpost of her flagship restaurant Indochine, she felt it was an opportunity she couldn’t refuse. Thompson says she saw the new restaurant as a chance to share with Wilmington dishes from not only her native Vietnam, but China, Korea, and Thailand as well. “The menu at Indochine has not changed in twenty-one years,” Thompson
says. “My customers won’t allow it. But, Café Chinois is an opportunity to focus on other Southeast Asian specialties.” Café Chinois is filled with artwork from Thompson’s own extensive collection. She admits she probably has enough art to fill five more restaurants – perhaps even enough to start a museum, which in fact is something she’s always dreamed of. “I always wanted to open an Asian art museum because my dream is to leave a legacy of global knowledge to the children of Wilmington,” Thompson says. During her early days in Wilmington when her children were young, Thompson taught classes on Asian customs and culture to children at the Cape Fear Museum. It was around this time that Thompson found her way to the Copper Kitchen at The Cotton Exchange and befriended the shop’s owner, JULIA WATER. Thompson described Water as the mentor who opened doors for her by asking if she would be interested in hosting an Asian cooking class. Cuisinart food processors had just hit the market, and Water was looking to promote them. So armed with a Cuisinart and
her favorite cookbook, Thompson set out to teach Wilmington how to cook Asian cuisine. Thompson would go on to host a regular live cooking segment on WECT’s long-running Jim Burns Show before opening her first restaurant, The Egg Roll Factory, in Carolina Beach. Over the next twenty years, Thompson owned several Asian restaurants around town, as well as an antique shop on Front Street. One day while riding down Market Street she noticed a soul food restaurant with unique architectural elements. She was drawn to the space, sensing it had great potential. Three months later she got the call that the building was hers if she wanted it. “I felt it was meant to be,” Thompson says. With the help of friends and artist Alana Solomon, Thompson opened the doors to Indochine after just one month of redesign in June of 2000. “We opened the doors, and we’ve been steady ever since,” Thompson says. “I was blessed, and I was lucky.” KATHY LONG, Thompson’s director of operations, says luck is just part of the equation. “It’s a 24/7 thing, and she’s constantly on,” Long says. “She’s fearless, but she also has a very diverse knowledge of everything from construction to art to food to business and employee relations. It’s not just luck … She’s had good luck, but her hard work is definitely behind it all.” Thompson is also supported by her daughter MARIE BARTSCH and says her team is committed to keeping a close eye on operations at all three locations to make sure they maintain the consistency and level of service they are known for. “Consistency of the food and service are what keep a restaurant going,” Thompson says. “But my employees are also my priority – making sure they are taken care of as well as the customers.” Despite nearing retirement age, Thompson shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. “I think if I slowed down, I would lose my mind,” she says. “I think when the fun stops then it’s time to let go, but right now I’m enjoying giving Wilmington a different outlook on Asian cuisine.” W Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from WILMA sister publication WilmingtonBiz Magazine’s new issue. To read more and for the rest of the issue, go to WilmingtonBizMagazine.com. WILMAmag.com
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NATURAL
LEADERSHIP PADDLING THROUGH IT
by MICHELLE SAXTON photo by ARIS HARDING
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ayaks instead of conference tables. MOLLY NECE is embracing that change of scenery by offering leadership training while paddling along coastal Wilmington waterways. “Leaders, I’m finding, are so packed with meetings,” says Nece, a human resources director of leadership development in education. “It’s really difficult to find a place to breathe and to make the time. So, I’m making it easy by putting it out there for them to invest in themselves and their well-being.” Nece (above right) recently launched Trails End Transformations, a program aimed at helping people work through leadership issues while out in nature. It’s the newest part of Golden Age Leadership, a private business Nece founded
about five years ago that offers leadership experiences to help motivate people in reaching their highest potential. “The ideal client is anyone leading a team of people who sometimes feels overwhelmed, sometimes stuck, but also someone who just wants to recharge their well-being and make time for themselves so that they can go back in and continue to persevere and not burn out,” Nece says. MARI CARL FISHER, Rise Up Community Farm’s manager and executive director, recently joined Nece on the water near Trails End Park. “It was so refreshing,” says Fisher (above left). “Not only to be able to get some coaching around leadership but also just to be out on the water and in nature. We saw a ton of ibises and pelicans and all sorts of fun wildlife.” The pair talked about work-life balance, self-care, and management style,
Fisher says. Inspiration for leadership kayaking excursions came during the recent pandemic, when Nece and friend HEATHER FAY met regularly to go stand-up paddleboarding, decompress, and talk about life and work. “Rain or shine, we went for it, and it was recharging,” Nece says. “It allowed you to get in a space where no one can call you, no one can email you, and the only thing that was there was you, your colleague, and nature.” Paddling with Nece allowed for connection and natural conversations, says Fay, a human resources director in the life sciences field. “It just gave us a space to talk about what could be and think out of the box,” Fay says, adding, “When you’re not looking directly at each other, you sometimes feel like you can ask questions that you might not have asked otherwise.” Nece’s leadership kayaking sessions, which take place on Fridays, cost $120 and include a free consultation beforehand so Nece and her clients can determine what areas to focus on while paddling. Clients might talk about communication plans for people who telework, employee morale, team motivation and dynamics, strategies for goal achievement, and future career planning, Nece says. “Sometimes we just do what’s called free flow,” Nece says. “Get on that water, get centered, and just let it flow, and whatever comes through is what we talk about and move through.” Nece also hopes to work with leaders who may be apprehensive about kayaking. “I believe that if you want to face your fear on some things it will build resiliency,” Nece says. “It’s really engaging with it, so it leaves an imprint so that when you go into the workplace you’re going to remember that time that you faced that fear and you’re going to face it again in a new way and be stronger.” While the leadership kayaking sessions are still new, Nece hopes to expand the program with Lost at Sea team-building retreats on outrigger boats through a planned partnership with Wrightsville SUP. Being out on the water can move peoWILMAmag.com
ple out of their comfort zones and get them to open up, says Wrightsville SUP owner JARROD COVINGTON. “You can connect with a person on a much deeper level,” Covington says. “You can really figure out what drives them and what they are motivated by and ultimately help them perform better, in not only their personal life but their work environment.
“And, nature has a way of speaking to all of us in different ways, whether you’re going for a hike through the forest or paddling through the marshes,” Covington adds. “It kind of just forces you to appreciate where you are and brings us all back to what the most important things in life really are.” W Info: goldenageleadership.com or (484) 888-6191
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’70s calico boho PEASANT DRESS, Gucci wood mule HEELS, and ’60s gator BAG (all available from Jess James + Co.) Antique Persian rugs and decor: Jean Palmer Home
S T Y L E D BY D R E W E S M I T H P H OTO S BY M E L I S S A H E B E R T I N T R O BY N I N A B AYS C O U R N OY E R
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neutrally exclusive
I know what you’re thinking … Ugh, beige. But, don’t scoff yet, friends. Neutrals are not just reserved for your high school khakis. They have many different undertones, ranging from violets to reds. And, with this wide range of hues, neutrals are also very wearable for any skin tone – it’s just about finding the right one for you. Warmer complexions tend to look best in colors with yellowish undertones like camels, olives, and creams, while cooler complexions are better complemented by rosy buff, blue-ish greys, and whites. (And score: Denim is a fail-safe neutral for everybody.) Neutrals are easy to pair with other, stronger colors if you’re craving that pop, but the real trend here is “monochroming” – wearing head-to-toe neutral. Keep things visually interesting by mixing neutral tones (keep warms with warms and cools with cools), varying textures, and accessorizing smartly but sparingly. This month’s style takeaway? Be like Switzerland – stay neutral. W
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Sunday, October 3rd - During Riverfest 10,000 ducks racing down the Cape Fear!
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’80s Levi’s JEANS, ’80s Brit cropped RINGER TEE, Victorian white cotton DUSTER, and snakeskin PUMPS with silver heel (all available from Jess James + Co.) Records, books, and decor: The Fuzzy Needle
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’70s denim DRESS, ’80s neutral woven BELT, NECKLACE by Merewif, and ’70s woven leather peep-toe SANDALS (all available from Jess James + Co.) Decor: Merewif and Jean Palmer Home
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Cynthia Rowley cream silk BLOUSE, ’70s cotton tan wrap MIDI SKIRT, Gucci olive green chain HEELS, Napier gold chain NECKLACE, and Ray-Ban SUNGLASSES (all available from Jess James + Co.) Decor: Jean Palmer Home
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HAIR & MAKEUP: Meraki Beauty
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’60s Nat Kaplan cream sleeveless GOWN, ’70s rainbow metal BELT, and ’50s red bow slingback HEELS (all available from Jess James + Co.) Records, books, and decor: The Fuzzy Needle
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The Doctor Will See You Now. Same-day appointments, because your health can’t wait
Novant Health and New Hanover Regional Medical Center are making access to care safer and easier than ever before. Get an appointment within 24 hours for urgent primary care needs and urgent ob-gyn services. Plus get virtual care for virtually anything. And the peace of mind that comes with our proud commitment to bringing you the safest care possible. NovantHealth.org/NHRMC © Novant Health, Inc. 2021 05/21 • NH-682949W
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on the
WATER by
T WILMAmag.com
B eth A. K lahre
here is a continuously growing number of women in the marine and boating industry encompassing everything related to the ocean, ships, and navigation in positions as seafarers, retailers and manufacturers, boat dealers, recreational boaters, executives, and many other roles. Right here in Wilmington, three women are making their own waves in the industry.
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a rising tide
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ICHELE KURELICH is a boat captain for US Powerboat Training. Growing up in Virginia, Kurelich boated with her brothers, promising to clean the boat if she could go along for the entire day. She introduced her children to boating twenty years later and in 2017 purchased her own boat. Kurelich attended US Powerboat Training as a student to gain confidence in operating a boat by herself. She now holds a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license and certification from US Powerboat Training and teaches courses in powerboat handling and search and rescue including courses for couples as well as ones for women. Students come from along the East Coast and as far away as England. Kurelich also teaches powerboat courses as a member of the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation. When not teaching, she runs a water taxi service between Deep Point Marina and Bald Head Island. “There has been a tremendous surge in new powerboat owners in the last year,” Kurelich says. “More people are looking for outdoor activities. Our mission is to make training and safety a bigger part of boat sales and marketing for new boat owners.” Kurelich, whose passion-to-career transformation enables her to spend every day on the water adds, “Meeting new students who don’t have any experience and watching them confidently dock the boat at the end of the day is empowering. For me personally, boating is about living in the moment. “You are only focused on what is going on around you,” she says. “You aren’t thinking about the past or worrying about tomorrow. You are just living in the present!” photo by
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THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS SURGE IN NEW POWERBOAT OWNERS IN THE LAST YEAR. … OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE TRAINING AND SAFETY A BIGGER PART OF BOAT SALES AND MARKETING FOR NEW BOAT OWNERS.” Michele Kurelich Boat Captain, US Powerboat Training
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office with a view
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EBORAH CONARD has been the manager of Federal Point Yacht Club in Carolina Beach for the past seven years. She is responsible for managing 110 privately owned boat slips as well as leasing slips to short-term transient boaters. Conard also oversees the condition of the docks, prepares hurricane evacuation plans, manages accounts payable and receivable, and even does party planning. Logistics is also a large part of her job, placing 25- to 50-foot boats in the slips according to size, arrival and departure dates, and power requirements. Catering to both slip owners and club members, she says, “I provide customer service to a hundred different personalities on a regular basis.” She knows most of the members and their dogs by name. Conard, who has a background in sales, learned most of her trade through on-the-job experiences. Conard and her husband, who is the dockmaster at the club, own two boats and spend their weekends on the water. “We fish, grill out, read, and scuba,” she says. “It’s a great weekend getaway without really leaving home. The scenery is beautiful. The horizon where the water meets the sky never ceases to amaze me.” But, it’s the view from her office that can’t be beat. “I see all kinds of boats all day. Once, dolphins swam right in front of my office window. Not many jobs where you can say that,” she says. “I always try to stop and appreciate the beauty while it’s happening. I try not to take my view for granted. No cubicles or windowless offices for me ever again!” photo by
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WE FISH, GRILL OUT, READ, AND SCUBA. IT’S A GREAT WEEKEND GETAWAY WITHOUT REALLY LEAVING HOME. THE SCENERY IS BEAUTIFUL. THE HORIZON WHERE THE WATER MEETS THE SKY NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME.”
SPEND SUMMER IN
Deborah Conard Manager, Federal Point Yacht Club
Safe Places: Robert Johnson On view through August 1, 2021
Elizabeth Bradford: A House of One Room On view through October 17, 2021
Youth and Adult Classes and Workshops Virtual and In-Person
CAM Café Lunch, Brunch, and Dinner with live music Thursdays and Saturdays
CameronArtMuseum.org 3201 S 17th St Wilmington, NC 28412 (910) 395-5999
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eye on the prize
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ERRY DEWBERRY has been living on her 35foot sailboat, SeaCup, since April 2019. Retired from her vice president role at PPD, a global contract research organization, she found herself as an empty nester when her son left for the University of North Carolina Wilmington. “It’s cozy down below. Rocking to sleep with the sounds of the water slapping on the boat is lovely,” Dewberry says. “The best part is sitting in the cockpit watching dolphins, pelicans, and jumping fish, and observing the fishermen and sailors doing their thing on the Intracoastal Waterway.” Dewberry has a yachtmaster certificate from Royal Yachting Association and is certified by the American Sailing Association. She completed a survival at sea course, compulsory for her participation as a crew member in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The sailing race, which runs every two years and now in its twentieth year, is an eight-leg international race made up of multiple individual races. The 2019-20 race started in London in September 2019. Dewberry boarded in Australia in November and sailed to the Philippines, twenty-seven straight days at sea. The race made it halfway around the world when it was postponed due to COVID-19. Restarting in February 2022, Dewberry is scheduled to hop on board again in May in Seattle. The eleven ocean yachts will head to New York via the Panama Canal, to Ireland and Scotland, and finish in London in August. Dewberry’s team is in the overall lead, accumulating points from races last year before the COVID-19 postponement. “It is a transformational experience,” says Dewberry, who hopes to “make it to the podium,” boating speak for winning. “It’s crazy and hectic and exhausting and exhilarating. Then, it’s peaceful and relaxing,” she says. “My life just couldn’t be any more different than it was.” W
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“
THE BEST PART IS SITTING IN THE COCKPIT WATCHING DOLPHINS, PELICANS, AND JUMPING FISH, AND OBSERVING THE FISHERMEN AND SAILORS DOING THEIR THING ON THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY.” Kerry Dewberry Competitive Sailing Racer
photos c/o Kerry Dewberry
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Musical Anniversary
At 50, the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra plays to the future
by Jenny Callison | photos by Daria Amato
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here’s more than a stage floor supporting the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra when it performs. The community ensemble benefits from five decades of leadership from musicians past and present. Many of those musicians are women. It was two local women who spearheaded the orchestra’s creation in 1971. Violinists GAILE ZACK and VIRGINIA KUSLER wanted an ensemble they could play with. Not finding one, they cajoled several members of the University of North Carolina Wilmington Department of Music faculty into forming the UNCW Community Orchestra. Zack and Kusler weren’t the only trained musicians hungry for opportunities to learn and play together. People from all over the community, working in any number of fields, devoted much of their spare time to practicing the music, rehearsing, and performing in the new ensemble, which evolved into the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra.
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As the WSO celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year and prepares for a full season ahead, it is paying tribute to its past but noting that the past is prelude to what lies ahead. What lies immediately ahead is a return to in-person music-making. Symphony officials recently announced the orchestra’s 2021-22 season, which opens with a concert October 2 at its home auditorium, the Wilson Center.“We’re focusing more on where we’re headed, not what we have done,” says LIZ SCANLON, the orchestra’s executive director since September 2019. “And, we want to focus on the women who will create a new future.” Women fill important roles in the organization as the WSO looks forward. In addition to Scanlon, there is development director BREANA HEBERT, education coordinator SHELLY DILORETO, Junior Strings director LISA GATTUSO, and new concertmistress CHRISTINE MAYNARD. The organization is also recognizing the vital parts played by REED WALLACE, the executive director who retired
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in 2018, and STEVEN ERRANTE, WSO’s conductor for the past thirty-five years. But just like any band, the orchestra is looking to stretch and grow rather than defining itself by its greatest hits. “My main focus since the day I got here was to start to reach out and create new audiences for the orchestra,” Scanlon says, adding that two of her primary goals are to get children involved with classical music and to increase the number of young professionals attending the WSO concerts. “We’ve had the same subscribers forever,” she notes. “We want to be the premier orchestra in town because we are so important to the community.” The pandemic actually helped WSO’s leadership better envision the organization’s future, according to Scanlon. With the orchestra’s season shut down, many orchestra members agreed to use their time to work with the emerging musicians in WSO’s Junior Strings ensemble and Youth Orchestra. They helped prepare for the newest youth program, Rockestra, which will launch this fall. And they oversaw the proliferation of numer-
ous chamber ensembles for the young musicians. “For years we’ve wanted to do chamber groups, and we jumped right on it during the pandemic,” says DiLoreto, a violin instructor who became the WSO’s education coordinator in the middle of 2020. “It allowed (the kids) to make live music with their peers and to have social interaction.” Enabling their middle- and highschool musicians to play in small groups was manageable during COVID restrictions, and participation grew as the months went on, she says, adding that chamber ensemble participation increased from twenty-five in the fall of 2020 to forty this past spring semester. That was in addition to the young musicians’ involvement in Youth Symphony and Junior Strings, both of which groups practiced and performed virtually until in-person concerts became possible recently. “It’s going to be so much easier, logistically, this coming year,” DiLoreto says of the chamber ensembles as well as the larger groups. “We also want to enlarge the youth presence at Wilmington Symphony concerts because we’re raising the next generation of musicians and concertgoers.” As the orchestra expands its outreach to schools and youngsters who are underserved, former members of WSO youth ensembles are returning to share their love of music. An example is violinist Maynard. The orchestra was part of her Wilmington childhood. “As a kid, I remember my mom (WSO cellist KATHY MEYER) rehearsing,” she says. “Being exposed like that makes it so exciting when you can do it yourself.” In high school, Maynard played with the Youth Symphony and auditioned for the orchestra itself. After leaving Wilmington for college and graduate school, she returned a few years ago. As a Youth Symphony alumna and a rising leader in the WSO, she wants to see other young people have the opportunities she did. “All the (orchestra) members are giving a gift to the community,” she says. “It’s important for music teachers to play with others and for youth to play in an orchestra. I’m very excited to be back.” W
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keep it local WILMA’S
SPONSORS’ CONTENT
DREAMLIKE GLASS ART
NATURAL CBD SUNSCREEN
Chuck Whitlock, a local glass artist is passionate about his glass artwork. He loves creating an image in glass that “speaks” in a way that makes viewers come closer not only to see the photographic image but also the deep glass it’s in. Through numerous firings taking up to 90 hours a piece of art glass surfaces showcasing Chuck’s talent and love of the outdoors. Visit The Gallery of Fine Art in Mayfaire Town Center. Schedule an appointment online at GalleryofFineArtNC.com to visit the gallery at 970 Inspiration Dr., Wilmington, NC 28405 in Mayfaire Town Center.
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SWEET MAGNOLIAS
Find one of a kind art and decor at Port City Peddler like the Oyster magnolia sculptures featured below.Their multivendor store is located at 6213 Market Street, and open 7 days a week. They have a large selection of new arrivals, from candles to vintage furniture, decor and more. Visit their website at www.PortCityPeddler.com.
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FINANCING THE AMERICAN
DREAM WILMAmag.com
Chakema Clinton-Quintana on co-leading a new small business center by Beth A. Klahre photo by Terah Wilson
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HAKEMA CLINTONQUINTANA is passionate about building a better community and a stronger entrepreneurial class in Wilmington. And, that’s why she has accepted a leadership position as vice president of inclusive small business at Live Oak Bank’s new inclusive small business center. The center will serve underserved small business owners and individuals who aspire to become small business owners when it opens at 106 Market Street in downtown Wilmington in the fall. The new collaborative hub will provide access to coaching, community, and capital including microloans, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, and grants. “Our goal is to ensure local small business owners have what they need to succeed in our community,” Clinton-Quintana says. “Live Oak Bank has
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done a great job of helping small business owners across the country realize the American dream, and we hope to replicate that success right here in Wilmington.” Clinton-Quintana brings a degree in business management with a concentration in management from Strayer University in Herndon, Virginia, plus nine years of experience as a bank compliance officer to her new role. She has held compliance and security positions at both Live Oak Bank in Wilmington and RBC Bank in Raleigh. “A degree in business management translates across almost any role or industry,” she says. But, she credits both of her grandmothers with having a major impact on her career choice and her passionate work ethic. “My maternal grandmother, Vivian, is a retired educator. She believes in working smart, making the right choices, and learning from your mistakes. Her advice and love are free. Everything else must be worked for,” Clinton-Quintana says. “My paternal grandmother, Catherine,
went above and beyond to help anyone in need. She purchased and overstocked her pantry with food just in case someone needed groceries.” Clinton-Quintana’s new role enables her to serve entrepreneurs in her own backyard, especially the underserved, with equitable access to financial resources and services. The center’s main customers will be women, minorities, veterans, and indigenous small business owners who have historically been underserved. “What I love most about this position is that I get to collaborate with small business owners, understand their desires, and guide them to the resources they need to build a successful business and legacy,” she says. “Working at Live Oak Bank matches my burning passion and desire to help others succeed. That’s what gets me up every morning.” JAMAR JENKINS, inclusive small business specialist, will join Clinton-Quintana in leading the new center. Clinton-Quintana has watched women take leadership roles over the time she has been in the banking industry. “Live Oak is half-female and there is strong commitment to bridge gaps and identify growth opportunities to increase opportunities for women and people of color,” she says. Live Oak recruits at historically black colleges and universities in North Carolina and has established corporate affinity groups to support minority employees in the workplace. “It is an exciting time to be part of the change,” Clinton-Quintana says. She advises young females to “learn everything, always sell yourself, but never sell yourself short.” About the new facility, she says, “If our new center can play a part in helping entrepreneurs succeed in our town, then we want to be part of those efforts to create a new measure of economic success.” It’s the “hurry up and wait” that is most challenging for Clinton-Quintana. “I want the growth and success for our underserved business owners now. However, there is a process that we must go through,” she says. “I am excited to become a part of someone’s dream and watch it come to life.” W
WILMA ONLINE
Keep up with WILMA all month long, through our website, daily emails, and social media.
Sign up for WILMA’s new daily emails at wilmamag.com/email-newsletter. Here’s the weekly lineup: MONDAY IS WILMA LEADERSHIP with profiles on the region’s leading women, their business, personal, and career advice, as well as highlights on women who are making moves. TUESDAY IS WILMA ROUNDUP, a focus on stories published on our monthly print issues and a look behindthe-scenes at the magazine. WEDNESDAY IS WILMA WELLNESS where you can read about the latest fitness and health trends, as well as profiles on women in the wellness industry and get recipes and workouts from chefs and trainers in the community. THURSDAY IS KEEP IT LOCAL, a collection of shopping finds from local retailers, sponsors’ content brought to you by the WILMA marketing team.
FRIDAY IS WILMA DOWNTIME, where we give you a backstage pass to upcoming shows and events in the community. You can also expect profiles and Q&As with local artists and highlights on the latest entertainment and leisure activities around town to get ready for the weekend.
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GIRLS ROCKING IN THE SOUTH gives girls skills to thrive
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Megan Kopka on how MODERN WIDOWS CLUB helps women through loss and gaining strength @wilmamagazine
CHEEKY MONKEY COFFEE’s new owner was inspired by her travels
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DIGNITY MEMORIAL
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PLANNING AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO ENSURE LEGACY PROTECTION
n the middle of a crisis, the last thing anyone should have to do is make an important financial decision, a choice about healthcare or the future of dependent children. Let’s face it: most of us are not as good at decision-making as we could be when facing a stressful situation, such as the death of a spouse. When dealing with the passing of her husband, Keith, who lost his battle with ALS in 2014, Megan Kopka realized that preparation is the key to helping the survivors. Kopka, who was only 38 at the time, was suddenly faced with the reality of being a single mom to her two children, aged 18 and 14. Though she and her husband took the time to plan while dealing with his terminal illness, the experience made Kopka realize that many people do not have the time to plan or make arrangements. “Death is hard on the survivors, therefore planning truly is an act of love,” said Kopka, who started the Cape Fear Community of Modern
Widows Club to provide the widows with a means of emotional support and healing. “I understand how challenging the cacophony of emotions are when death happens, along with ‘being responsible’ to have tough conversations while in shock.” Analyzing those important decisions beforehand can be an effective means of alleviating the stresses that survivors experience. Many procrastinate and do not set aside the time for pre-planning, partially because they think their situation will change and the decisions they make are final. However, this is not the case, as the majority of final decisions and preparations can be changed based on current needs or circumstances. “Make the decisions you think are best now and change them when they no longer suit you and your needs,” advises Kopka, who also launched her financial planning firm to help people dealing with tough situations cipher through their options.
“It is good to have trusted professionals to consult.” Of course, having a trusted professional on your side is also essential if you are suddenly forced to deal with the unfortunate reality of having to pre-plan a funeral or celebration of life. Our compassionate Dignity Memorial experts get all the details set ahead of time, so when a loved one passes all of the most difficult choices have already been made. A proper memorial begins with pre-planning final arrangements. This is a way to help relieve the emotional and financial burdens that survivors and families experience. “On my own, I rewrote my plans for the fifth time,” added Kopka. “When Keith was dying, I noted his wishes. As an example, this included who he wanted to speak at his funeral. I have pre-planned to great extent for myself and I have written down my choices. My children know where I keep my ‘Letter of Intent,’ which contains my
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final wishes and intentions along with where to access my other important documents.” Planning ahead for memorialization is a great way to ensure that your final wishes are met and your loved ones will have to deal with as little uncertainty as possible. For more information on how to establish a truly memorable place or means of celebrating a remarkable life, call 910-799-1686 or visit www.DignityMemorial.com. 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 Funeral and Cremation Services at Greenlawn Memorial Park, (910) 799-1686.
JAMES E. MOORE GAINING PEACE OF MIND IN TURBULENT TIMES
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evere weather, political and social turmoil, unemployment, a global pandemic…this past year has been a challenge. One thing is for sure, all the time spent at home and out of our usual routines has helped us distinguish “wants” from “needs.” Understanding what’s really important in life — like good health and the welfare of loved ones — brings clarity and empowers us to set goals to achieve a satisfying life. Add to that the right insurance coverage and you will also have peace of mind while pursuing those goals. Are you downsizing to a smaller home, purchasing a new car or perhaps need new glasses? Do you need help paying medical bills or want to offset the cost of assisted living? Are you starting or expanding a business? Whatever your goals, James E. Moore Insurance Agency, Inc. can streamline the process of finding the right personal or business insurance to care for yourself, your family, and even your business.
Make an appointment to talk with us. Share your goals and concerns and we will identify what will meet your specific needs. We take time to answer your questions without all the jargon because we want to get it right for you. Working together, we’ll help you choose the best coverage within your budget. The last thing you need is to overpay to be underinsured! Our agency represents toprated national and regional carriers, including those that offer wind and hail coverage on their homeowner’s policy. In addition, we are one of the largest coastal agents for flood insurance. As this year unfolds, and we all create the “new normal” for our lives, think how relieved you’ll be to know you have the right insurance products in place. Think how good you’ll feel knowing you can deal with life’s stresses — and have the resilience to bounce back from adversity. We at James E. Moore Insurance Agency believe that is truly peace of mind. And you deserve to have it.
Adrienne Moore is COO and 3rd generation owner of James E. Moore Insurance Agency, Inc. Established in 1954, it has become one of the most trusted independent insurance agencies in North Carolina. It is a family-owned business offering homeowners, automobile, life and health, employee benefits, and commercial insurance products. For more information, call 910.256.5333 or visit the agency’s website at www.jamesemoore.com.
910.256.5333 | JAMESEMOORE.COM
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MARKRAFT CABINETS
REMODELING YOUR BATHROOM? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
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hether you’re planning on staying in your current home or listing it for sale, a bathroom remodel – when done correctly – can payoff significantly. Renovations to any part of your home can be stressful, but with the right team helping to organize the steps and guide you through the process, your new space will increase in functionality, reflect your personal design style, and boost your property value as well. Consider these simple tips when taking the first steps to remodel your bathroom. Storage Is Essential On top of the wish list for many homeowners is a longer vanity with extra counterspace or an extra spacious walk-in shower. While these upgrades are certainly luxurious and sought after by many, don’t forget about your storage needs. If taking up extra space for a soaking tub or adding a window is important, try to choose one or the other so that there is still room in your
design plan to incorporate space for storage cabinets. Things like towels, toiletries, and beauty products will still need to be easily accessed, organized, and out-of-sight. Adding storage space with custom bathroom cabinetry is exactly what the design professionals at Markraft are experts in. They can help you incorporate your wish list items into your new bathroom along with plenty of clever cabinet storage space. Color Can Change the Size of Your Space With so many different paint colors to choose from, deciding on just one can be a challenge, however when choosing paint colors for a bathroom, your color palette should stay within the light color spectrum. This not only helps narrow down your color choice by removing hundreds of other colors, but it will also help your space feel larger. While you might be attracted to a deep navy blue, golden yellow, or an earthy brown, these dark, rich colors can make small spaces feel
closed-in and claustrophobic. Instead, look at color pallets that include white, ivory, and light grey. Many of these light colors can have undertones of purple, green, and blue giving a bit of depth to your light color choice. Making a Statement with Countertops Granite countertops provide durability, stain resistance, and are long lasting. They also come in a variety of colors to tie into almost any bathroom design. Many homeowners choose granite for its durability in comparison to marble, which is a softer stone and more prone to stains, chips, and cracks with heavy use. However, if you are inclined to use marble in your home, using it in your bathroom is a better option than in a kitchen because the general wear and tear on bathroom countertops doesn’t compare to what we put our kitchen countertops through. Manufactured quartz is another countertop option that mimics the look of granite, marble, and limestone. This is a
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synthetic material that is made up of mostly quartz particles. Manufactured quartz is available in a wide selection of colors and is more durable than natural stone. The designers at Markraft have the knowledge and experience to make any of your bathroom remodel dreams come to life – from a simple powder room to an elaborate en suite. They are looking forward to talking with you about starting your customized design plan, so give them a call today at 910-793-0202 or stop by the showroom. 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.
MCKEE HOMES
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f you have become frustrated trying to find a new home in this crazy 2021 real estate market, you are not alone. A number of factors have combined to create the “perfect storm” seller’s market leaving homebuyers scrambling to submit bids on the shrinking available inventory of homes for sale. New Construction With less than two months’ supply of available homes on the market, many homebuyers are looking at new construction as an alternative to pre-owned homes. Homebuilders are constantly developing new communities and homesites, and putting new homes on the market, adding to the available inventory of homes. Between the unpredictable price of materials and land coupled with supply-chain issues caused by the pandemic, many homebuilders are taking homes off the market, or not
HOMEBUYING IN 2021 listing them until their homes are far enough along that the builder’s cost can be accurately assessed. This has led to even more homebuyer frustration with buyers scrambling to find new homes in the areas they want to live. Solutions For Homebuyers To help meet the increasing demand for new homes and help their buyers meet their closing date, many homebuilders are temporarily changing how they do business. Homes and homesites in new communities are under limitedrelease restrictions as builders can’t accurately predict how much the homes will cost them to build a few months down the road. To solve some of these common issues, McKee Homes is starting to choose specific floorplans, options and upgrades for each available homesite in most of our new and upcoming communities
and phases. That way the materials can be ordered far enough in advance to get the home completed without major delays. This allows our homebuyers to feel confident they can close and move into their new homes according to the preset dates and schedules set when the contract is signed. Find A New Home McKee Homes has quick move-in home inventory in select communities in their Raleigh, Wilmington, Pinehurst and Fayetteville area markets. With new communities and phases in existing communities opening soon, we are doing our best to help our homebuyers find the home of their dreams in this crazy housing market. Our award-winning designs are built with quality in mind and backed by our 2-10 homeowner’s warranty. Our warranty includes 10 YEARS of structural warranty, 2 YEARS of distribution systems such as
electrical, HVAC and plumbing, and 1 YEAR workmanship and materials defects. Financing Your New Home In the current real estate market, being able to quickly get prequalified and know you can obtain a mortgage by a certain date can be the difference between owning a new home or missing out on the home of your dreams. Our in-house lender, Vision Lending Services, was created to do all that and more for McKee Homes’ homebuyers. The Vision Lending team is available seven days a week and makes sure that every step of the home buying process is simple, easy to understand and as transparent as possible. Brenna started working for McKee Homes back in 2016 as a New Home Sales Consultant and was recently promoted to the Wilmington Area Sales Manager!
910.672.7296 | MCKEEHOMESNC.COM
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PATHFINDER WEALTH CONSULTING
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DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH CHANGE FOR RETIREMENT?
hen I was 7 years old, I wanted to be a veterinarian. In high school, I set my sights on journalism and becoming the next Katie Couric. At 19, I declared a major in Psychology, then pursued an MBA. Today, I have a career I love in the financial services industry and I teach writing classes in my free time. My professional ambitions evolved significantly over the past 30-something years. While the details of my story are unique, the idea of our dreams changing is common. It is highly improbable to believe you will maintain the same vision for your future over the next several decades. Preferences change, personalities evolve, and experiences shape the course of our lives. We learn more about ourselves every day. There was a study conducted that explored
self-perception. It started with a group of 18-year-olds, and they were asked how well they felt they knew themselves, on a scale of 1-10. Most scored themselves at 7-8. When the same group was 40 years old, they were asked “how well did you know yourself when you were 18?” Most people said 4-5. Then they were asked, “how well do you know yourself now?” Most scored themselves at 8-9. Finally, as they were turning 70, the group was asked, “how well did you know yourself when you were 18?” Most said 1-2. And “how well did you know yourself at 40?” Most said 4-5. And “how well do you know yourself now?” Most said 8-9. The point of this study is not to say that 18- or 40-yearolds lack true self-perception; rather, that as we age, we continuously change. My
dreams of being a veterinarian evolved into being the world’s best dog mom, and my love of words led me from journalism to a career in marketing and writing. The core of who I am has not changed, but the way my professional passions manifested look very different than I would have guessed. At Pathfinder, our mission is to get you thinking about your perfect retirement. You may assume you will figure it out when you get there, but by not taking the time to intentionally prepare, you are doing yourself a great disservice. Making your retirement years a “success” goes beyond having enough money in the bank. When planning for a holistic retirement, it is wise to start early. We are urged to start early on the financial side, but we are not necessarily taught to start early in other areas, including maintaining
strong health practices, having meaningful activities, sustaining relationships, living with a sense of purpose, and yes, having the financial security that allows us to live out the next phase of life in a meaningful way. This stage of life requires courage and the commitment to live big. If you are ready to start planning for the next best years of your life, give us a call at 910.793.0616 or visit our website. We are here to guide you forward. 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-by-step process that will direct each individual down the path of developing their financial goals and putting them into
910.793.0616 | PWCPATH.COM 4018 OLEANDER DRIVE, SUITE 102, WILMINGTON, NC 28403
Advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Advisor.
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TEACHINGHORSE
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WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER
i. My name is Beth Hyjek, I am one of the co-founders of TeachingHorse, LLC. TeachingHorse is a leadership development company that offers virtual and in-person experiences with horses. Our approach to leadership development is inspired by how horses lead their herds. The draw that often brings people to TeachingHorse is discovering how horses share leadership and collaborate to move through uncertainty. However, they are often surprised to learn that gender roles are a social construct that do not exist the same way outside of human culture. All the horses contribute to the health, harmony, and unity of the herd. Equality is not an issue. There is no preassigned narrative or expectation to what role a horse will play. What horses do so exquisitely is take on the
role that is in the best interest of the whole herd in the present moment. One of my fondest memories of watching horses share leadership is when we started the weaning process between our mare, Yani, and her foal, Grace. We had only two other herd members at that time, Harley, Yani's "main squeeze" and Rocky, the loveable but cantankerous "grandpa" of the herd. When you wean a foal from its mother, they must be in separate locations. We knew that Yani would be best served during this process to be with Harley. However, we didn't expect how beautifully Rocky would step into his role as the primary caregiver of Grace. Through our "human lens" including the biases of gender, we had doubts of how Rocky would respond to this new role. Rocky never balked at the request, no muttering under
his breath that this is "women's work," no bruised ego...Rocky stepped right in and took Grace under his "wing" and started teaching her how to be a part of a herd. Interestingly, what was equally fascinating was the "conversation" between Yani and Rocky when they all came back together as a herd. Yani charged into the pasture to reassert herself as Grace's mom, and Rocky placed himself in between Grace and Yani as if to say, "Now, hold up, this is my baby too.” Over a few days, Yani and Rocky worked out how they would individually and collectively contribute to Grace's nurturing and harmony was restored. Horses do not cling to "titles" or "expertise" or even the "plot of land" they are standing on; to do so would be a waste of the herd's energy and would comprise their
well-being. The willingness to go to where you are needed makes a herd agile, adaptable, and resilient. We, as a human species, are searching for ways to find agility, adaptability, and resilience in the new normal. The wisdom we need is here and horses are the perfect teachers. Beth Hyjek’s background is in writing for the stage and screen. She holds a MFA from St. Mary’s College of California and a BFA from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. Beth brings her passion for narratives to her work with TeachingHorse by creating experiences with the horses where people can identify stories that are no longer serving them and start to explore new stories that expand their leadership possibilities.
919.333.9961 | TEACHINGHORSE.COM
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photo c/o Watchhouse
nationally recognized acts, presented in collaboration with Live Nation and The Penguin. If shows are not yet sold out, tickets for a concert underneath the cypress trees can be purchased at greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com. Watchhouse, formerly Mandolin Orange, (July 9-10) Turkuaz with Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew (July 22) Umphrey’s McGee (August 5) Trevor Hall (August 6) Eric Gales (August 7) Get The Led Out: A Celebration of “The Mighty Zep” (August 8) Moon Taxi (August 13) The String Cheese Incident (August 17-18) Scott McCreery (August 27) Shakey Graves (August 29)
CFCC WILSON CENTER
JULY EVENTS
ROUNDUP DOORS OPEN FOR MUSIC LOVERS
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by LORI WILSON
oncert season has officially returned after a more-than fifteen-month hiatus in the Port City. Venues old and new
begin a live music summer soundtrack schedule fit for Wilmington listeners of all genres. Here are upcoming shows, as of press time.
RIVERFRONT PARK 10 Cowan Street The long-awaited 7,200-seat amphitheater, formerly dubbed North Waterfront Park, finishes construction with a soft opening on July 4. The downtown venue with clear Cape Fear River views plans to bring many big-ticket names to Wilmington this summer and beyond, including a trio of events as part of the Azalea Festival make-up shows this August. To purchase tickets for available shows, go to livenation.com. Soft Opening with The Benny Hill
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Quartet, The Coastal Collective, Signal Fire, and L Shape Lot (July 4) No tickets required; free event Widespread Panic (July 16-18) GRiZMAS in July featuring GRiZ (July 30-31) Miranda Lambert (August 7) Train (August 10) Jim Gaffigan: The Fun Tour (August 14) Sublime with Rome | Michael Franti & Spearhead (August 19) North Carolina Azalea Festival concert, ncazaleafestival.org Avett Brothers with Chatham County Line (August 20-21) North Carolina Azalea Festival concert, ncazaleafestival.org 311 (September 4) Glass Animals (September 5) Santana (September 15) Trevor Noah (September 25) Counting Crows (September 29) Lady A (September 30) Brett Eldredge (October 14)
GREENFIELD LAKE AMPHITHEATER 1941 Amphitheater Drive This Port City staple is an outdoor venue favorite among locals and tourists alike. This summer they bring a long list of music groups, including both North Carolina-born duos and
703 North Third Street One of the two indoor venues on the list, the Wilson Center auditorium is known for hosting popular musicals, Broadway plays, and classical concerts. Although its current summer schedule isn’t very concert-heavy, this month the center features a specially curated tribute show by music group Legacy, paying homage to iconic legends through the decades. In addition, blues-and-rock singer-songwriter Boz Scaggs will visit the auditorium in October (postponed from its original date in August). To purchase tickets, visit the Wilson Center website at wilsoncentertickets.com. Legends Live On! (July 9-11) Village People (October 22) Boz Scaggs (October 23)
THALIAN HALL 310 Chestnut Street This historic Opera House-style arts center isn’t just for theatre buffs in town. The agenda this summer includes a 1960s-themes musical featuring the soulful, sunny sounds of the pop decade’s favorite female singers. On the music front, the fourth annual Bluegrass Bash will follow. Although the weather will still be a bit cooler, this indoor-outdoor festival will host local bluegrass groups at the theater’s Main Stage. Tickets can be purchased at thalianhall.org. Beehive: The ’60s Musical (July 16-18) Bluegrass Bash (October 16)W
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by TERESA MCLAMB photo by TERAH WILSON
When GRETCHEN NEWCOMER moved to Wilmington from Pennsylvania two-and-a-half years ago, she immediately sought out networking groups and events. Through colleagues in the construction industry, she learned about the National Association of Women in Construction. With 117 chapters in the country, the group’s emphasis on education and leadership appealed to Newcomer. While delayed by COVID-19, organization of the local group kickstarted in April when more than thirty women attended an organization social. Development of the charter for the chapter – officially called NAWIC Wilmington-Cape Fear Chapter #390 – is underway. YOU’RE CURRENTLY A CONSTRUCTION SERVICES ACCOUNT MANAGER FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT. WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? “I’ve been in sales and management for about twenty-five years. Prior to moving to Wilmington, I worked for a local hauler in Pennsylvania for eight years. I sold permanent service for commercial waste and recycling accounts. My role here is specifically for the large construction projects.” WHAT KIND OF GROUP IS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION? “It was started in 1953 by sixteen women in Texas who wanted a networking organization for women in construction. It provides support to develop leadership skills, education, personal growth, community involvement, and networking. The membership criteria are very broad encompassing everything from laborers to insurance agents.” THE AREA HAS SEVERAL NETWORKING GROUPS. WHY DID YOU WANT TO START A NAWIC CHAPTER HERE? “There wasn’t anything here specifically for women in the construction industry. I have colleagues who are in chapters elsewhere. The Raleigh chapter is our sponsor, and I’ve worked with Ashley Cameron there. The national secretary, Kristey Stewart, has been very helpful. I feel there’s a need for it.” HOW’S IT GOING? “Twenty-five members are needed to initiate a chapter. We have more than thirty. … Recruitment is active and ongoing. Once the board is in place, we’ll decide our focus and programming. Several layers of membership are available.” WHY SHOULD PEOPLE BE INTERESTED IN JOINING? “It’s all about supporting women in the industry. It’s about making a difference in the community, about education, about being a mentor or a mentee. There are many diverse jobs in construction including entrepreneurship. It’s a huge thing for women who seek to own their own businesses.” W GRETCHEN NEWCOMER’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Roundup email. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.
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ZEN
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ART OF
NOISE by DYLAN PATTERSON illustration by MARK WEBER Dylan Patterson is a writer and filmmaker who teaches English at Cape Fear Community College.
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Most mornings, I make coffee then sit on a cushion in my backyard and meditate. The goal is to develop patience and empathy for my fellow human beings. I’m sheepish to report, however, that in at least one area, I feel myself regressing even as I sit there: my dwindling patience for the unnecessary and annoying racket produced by human beings for whom, as a consequence, I feel less and less empathy. To be clear, as I sit in my awkward half lotus, I don’t begrudge the early morning clatter of garbage trucks, the roar of commercial jets, the steady hum of passing traffic, or the sirens of emergency vehicles. I view these as necessary noises. My beef is with the ever-growing cacophony of gratuitous noises: the recent uptick in military jets strafing the Port City’s soundscape (Can’t the high-decibel “sound of freedom” resound over cornfields instead?), monster pickups sans mufflers gunning it around my corner, an idiotic neighbor’s ear-piercing staccato guffaw, the wasp-like whine of weed whackers early on Sunday mornings, the window rattling, distorted bass from passing cars, et cetera ad nauseam. So, while I’m supposed to be developing inner peace, I catch myself shushing the world instead. Mumbling to myself that everyone needs to “pipe down” like I’m a cranky old codger or a sour librarian in a “Dennis the Menace” comic. But, what’s the point in complaining? Nobody likes a
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whiner. Plus, the local powers that be put up with chemicals in our drinking water for decades. Think they’re gonna do anything about a little noise pollution? So, I take a breath, close my eyes, and try to just sit with the noise. If I’m patient, eventually there’s a break in humanity’s unnecessary and incoherent din. And if I pay attention, I’m privileged to hear a whole other set of sounds: the screech of a red-tailed hawk, the trill of cardinals and multitudinous other bird songs, the chattering of squirrels pursuing each other through my trees, a woodpecker’s hollow hammering, the scuttle of a skink over dead leaves. I still miss the wild call of Blueberry the peacock who lived in Pine Forest Cemetery near my house but died during Hurricane Florence. A few mornings ago, however, I heard a new birdsong, and it was as much a revelation as finding a kind stranger sitting in my living room. I don’t shush these sounds. I let them ground me in the here and now. I try to move my attention from my judgments and gripes and place it instead on the terra firma of sounds that have echoed on this planet since long before we arrived. The real trick, it seems to me, would be to allow even the human sounds to ground us. Even at their most annoying and gratuitous. Even the jarring ones or the painful. Even the idiotic guffaw of a neighbor you’d once so blithely dismissed as a mindless fool.
