25 minute read
W2W AWARD
by LAURA MOORE photos by MADELINE GRAY
photos c/o Swahili Coast
ARTISAN APPROACH
WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards are presented to women making a difference in the Cape Fear area. With the honor, winners are given a special bracelet designed by a local artist.
This year, the designer, CAROLINE FISHER, is using her partnership with artisans in East Africa to create a design to celebrate the mission of “empowerment, positivity, and community.”
“This is a cool way to celebrate women who are doing amazing things here in Wilmington and in East Africa,” Fisher says. “We are excited that we get to celebrate women in this way.”
Swahili Coast Cooperative is a 100-percent worker-owned cooperative that Fisher and her husband helped start in East Africa that operates as “a marketing arm within the United States.”
Their Swahili Coast store on Front Street in Wilmington and their most recent location in Asheville sell the handcrafted goods, and their Wilmington warehouse sells the goods wholesale around the country to help grow the business.
As creative director, Fisher speaks with artisans daily via WhatsApp, sharing designs, pictures, and videos.
“In terms of construction, they are masters. They are always thrilled that folks in the U.S. are interested and appreciative of the work they do,” Fisher says. “We help them to make money for the beautiful work they do, and Americans are typically down to pay a little extra, so it helps.”
Fisher helps to create the designs based on styles that are popular in the United States. Before the pandemic, Fisher would spend a great deal of time in Africa helping create samples alongside the artisans.
“Usually, we would go three times a year. We just went in June and July. My husband and I hit it at that magical time when it seemed like COVID was waning,” Fisher says. “It was lovely to see them and work alongside people again.”
One of Fisher’s latest initiatives
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through Swahili Coast is selling handcrafted face masks, and for each one purchased, one is donated to someone in Tanzania.
According to their website, “Face masks are handmade by artisans in Tanzania of 100% cotton kitenge cloth, a wax print cloth traditional to East Africa.”
With the recent addition of the store in Asheville, the goal of the Swahili Coast coop is to continue to expand its reach. That means expanding the artisans’ skill sets and what they can make and offer in order to grow.
Recently the co-op has expanded into textiles including dresses and shirts, and the artisans hired someone to teach them how to make their own cloth for their clothing lines.
Sandals, home goods such as baskets, wooden serving bowls, and spoons, as well as jewelry and totes are available in stores and online at swahilicoastdesign.com.
Most of the goods are sold in small independent boutiques that Fisher describes as “unique and want to tell the stories of our artisans.”
They have expanded to sell in certain Anthropologie locations.
“It is a collaborative process. Folks we work with choose to work with us every day. We recognize that as Americans with privilege, we are on uneven ground,” Fisher says. “Most of our artisans have just a middle-school education, so we are giving back a lot of the power to keep each other honest and even the playing field.”
Part of the Swahili Coast philosophy is that “Empowered Women, Empower Women.”
“We hope to employ more women with gainful employment,” Fisher says. “That is the biggest, most important thing that it continues to be worker-owned and artisan-led. It is not our role to tell them what they need to do. They have agency as far as what they’d like to do and how to grow.” W
THE AWARD
Each year, WILMA selects a custom bracelet that serves as the award for the Women to Watch Awards winners. The pieces, this year crafted by artisans in the Swahili Coast Cooperative, will be unveiled and presented to the winners at the October 23 awards event.
PAGE PAGE TURNER TURNER
by LAURA MOORE | photo by TERAH WILSON
Papercut Books gives readers a calm, spooky space
HOLLY BADER worked for her father in the family business for years until they had to close and sell that business.
During the stressful months of negotiating the sale, Bader began to
“read obsessively” to take her mind off her troubles.
Once the business sold, Bader explains she had “nothing to do, so ta-da!” Papercut Books was born.
Bader took her knowledge of running a major corporation and created the business of her dreams.
The new independent bookstore opened at the end of July on the corner of Market and Second streets in downtown Wilmington.
Bader says she designed the space to be a very calm place to be.
“This is the business that is the opposite of a corporation,” Bader says. “I have three employees versus the sixty I had at the other one.”
The cozy space, with its packed black bookcases and dark Victorian floral walls, reflects the “morbid curiosity” Bader hopes to exhibit.
“I don’t think I had another option. This is me. Spooky floral is kind of the vibe,” Bader describes. “Flowers overcrowding a graveyard is my aesthetic.”
With tattoos that reflect that visual scattered across her body, Bader, a mother of two small children, proudly represents herself as the “Wednesday Addams of Booksellers,” as her husband describes her.
Bader debated whether to make Papercut Books “commercially normal,” but instead, aimed to take her sister’s advice to create the “place we would have wanted to go when we were little.”
Growing up, Bader describes having “a pretty feral childhood,” raised on 25 acres in Hampstead with nothing to do.
Bader feels it gave her an excellent start, affording her the time to become a big reader, but she admits she did not love it at the time.
As an adult, Bader misses the quiet, restful spaces of her childhood, and Papercut Books tries to provide a soothing space for customers.
The idea of “low-voiced art,” a quiet space for people who do not like to be overwhelmed, inspired Bader’s mood of the store to create “a calm environment to fight the stress of life,” she says.
“It is meant to be restorative instead of everything draining you all the time,” Bader explains.
The collection of both new and used books casts a wide net for potential customer interests and pocketbooks.
Bader is able to keep the selections fresh with tons of new releases, a wide selection of hard-to-find vintage mysteries, and everything in-between. Papercut Books also offers a free bookshelf on Second Street.
Papercut Books will be starting a book club called the “Papercult,” which is currently in development.
“I am on top of what people are into, and I am able to curate more and say, ‘Here is what I think will be the best of the best,’” Bader says. “People want that version where it’s local, it’s us. The vibe of the store is they know what they’re getting, and we don’t pretend.” W
Holly Bader’s profile appeared in a recent WILMA Downtime email. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag. com.
Be a Heart Walk Hero
2021 Cape Fear Heart Walk October 30th UNCW Veterans Hall ww.capefearncheartwalk.org “Pop Up ” Start Line Walk Anytime 9am-Noon
By participating in the Heart Walk, you’re joining Heart Walk Heroes from across the nation raising funds for lifesaving science. This year you can decide your path. The American Heart Association will have a “pop-up” start line or you can choose to “walk where you are.” The Heart Walk will be offering maximum flexibility but remains focused on improving health in the Cape Fear and raising lifesaving funds. Contact ashley.miller@heart.org for more information.
Signature Sponsor
DIGNITY MEMORIAL
TECHNOLOGY BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
With the rise of the Delta variant impeding travel and in-person gatherings for those who are at high risk of infection, the use of advanced technology as a means of connecting people has never been more important. Even before the pandemic, people were realizing that technology can be a way to feel connected with family and friends, while avoiding the inconveniences of physical travel, such as high ticket prices, endless lines, traffic congestion, delays and cancellations.
Looking for a silver lining can be a difficult proposition sometimes, but if there is anything positive to be found as a result of this horrible pandemic, it is that many of us have become more comfortable using technology than we ever thought possible. Whether chatting through Facetime or meeting virtually through Zoom or Slack, technology has bridged the gap between us and allowed for a sense of connection that may not have been possible.
The use of technology to facilitate a connection has carried over to almost every industry, including funeral homes. In a traditional funeral, friends and family would all be physically present to move through the steps of the service. Virtual funerals allow attendees to log onto computer software that connects them to the funeral planner and the other invited members.
Using this platform can be a viable substitute for an in-person experience, since everyone can see each other and, if appropriate, their deceased loved one. Attendees have the ability to share stories, listen and remember the memories left behind, with no need to be in the same location.
Most of the details for a funeral arrangement can now be planned online as well. Speaking with the Dignity Memorial team over the phone or through email is a convenient way to make the planning process easier. With our dedicated staff and state-of-the-art website, which offers tips for pre-planning and resources for planning an immediate need, we make connecting remotely an easy, positive experience. Of course, we know that there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to making funeral preparations.
Understanding that some families may not want a virtual funeral, Dignity Memorial will continue to offer traditional funeral planning/services and in-person visitations. Providing the option for a virtual funeral is just a small example of the consistent work that we do to adapt our service offerings to the needs of our clients.
910.799.1686 | DIGNITYMEMORIAL.COM
Virtual funerals can allow for the anxiety some feel when gathering in groups to melt away, and an added benefit is that they can be recorded and watched at a later time.
Dignity Memorial works to provide the best support and services for each of their clients, whether virtually or in-person. For more information, 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.
HOTWORX
WILMINGTON HOTWORX TAKES CENTER STAGE
With so many new people relocating to Wilmington, it can sometimes feel as if our little corner of the world is already in the global spotlight. Our general manager Anthony Sciscento recently added to the attention that our city receives on the international stage, by winning a companywide competition to see who would become the next Virtual Personal Trainer (VPT).
A self-described fitness junkie who has a degree in Exercise Physiology, Sciscento was also invited to compete in was one of 40 that made it past the initial round. This group was then narrowed down to 15 competitors.
The group of 15, including Sciscento, was then invited to the annual franchise convention in San Antonio to participate in the final round of the 2021 Virtual Instructor Competition. The field was narrowed down to seven of the original 15. Of the 15, two Virtual Personal Trainers were selected to instruct both in the FX Zone (weighted area) and at home, as well as to be a part of the other five instructors selected to be Virtual Instructors leading sessions on screen. The VPTs have the ability to do both.
The final round began with a combine that included oneon-one interviews and short, choreographed isometric style workouts. Each competitor was evaluated on mental readiness, technical form, and workout queuing by judges Stephen Smith, CEO and Hotworx creator; Kasie Banks, executive marketing director; Laura Valenti, marketing director- franchise performance; Carla Pesono, assistant marketing director; and Victoria Price, marketing consultant and franchisee. The following day, convention attendees were invited to participate in an outdoor workout where the top 15 competitors led a portion of the workout to showcase their instructing skills.
During the competition, Sciscento was asked a number of interview questions while also being required to stay in the plank position for five minutes. “This was definitely one of the most challenging portions of the entire competition,” laughed Sciscento. He added that all of the competitors were incredibly qualified, with a wide range of experience and skills.
“It was a huge honor for me to be selected as one of only two Virtual Personal Trainers worldwide, as the people I competed against were very talented. The fact that I am a manager was an advantage for me, as it has helped me to understand what motivates and drives our membership,” explained Sciscento.
After the competition was over, convention attendees voted on their favorites. “It really helps if you believe in what you’re doing, and you have a love for the workout here at HOTWORX. Training here provides a sustainable way to exercise, lose weight and increase muscle toning while minimizing exposure to pain,” added Sciscento.
A former competitive swimmer, Sciscento gained exposure to the physiological benefits of training in a hot
910.832.9679 | HOTWORX.NET
environment after a shoulder injury forced him out of the water. He quickly realized that training in an infrared sauna can boost the effectiveness of any workout. Also, the time spent with recovery can be reduced because infrared heating warms from the inside out, and the warm environment allows for a deeper, more productive stretching of the muscles.
The effect is compounded by the fact that training with infrared heating delivers more endorphins compared to traditional methods. This is basically just a result of the infrared workout being a more efficient, intense option than other training programs.
Now that Sciscento is a winner of such a prestigious competition, it is not hyperbole to state the Wilmington studio provides workout enthusiasts with a chance to train with the best. If that were not enough, we have also purchased a number of brand-new rowing machines. To find out more about HOTWORX or schedule your first session, visit www.hotworx.net or call 910832-9679.
MARKRAFT CABINETS
SIMPLE WAYS TO ADD STORAGE SPACE TO A HOME
Whether your house is large or small, chances are you’ve wished for more storage space. Luckily, creating more storage space is a fairly easy fix; one that can be accomplished without the need to add an outbuilding or build an addition.
A platform-style storage bed can be a great way to add storage. These are not only attractive but some can even have up to 23 cubic feet of storage, which can go a long way in a bedroom.
For those who care about their home’s aesthetic value, adding a wood storage chest could be a good idea. These can eliminate clutter and the need for plastic storage bins; they can also be fairly easy to build or inexpensive to purchase.
Integrating a mudroom storage bench into your home’s entry is a convenient way to hide shoes, umbrellas and backpacks. Whether purchasing or choosing to have someone build it, a mudroom bench can create a more welcoming entry for your home and encourage visitors to take their shoes off.
An ottoman can add to the appeal of any family room, especially when it has storage space. These can be a great place to store blankets, remotes, books, DVDs and games when not in use.
A garden storage bench can be a great choice for a patio or screened in porch. Aside from providing a comfortable place to stop and remove dirty shoes, a garden storage bench can be a handy place to store dirty tools, just make sure to find one with a metal screen for the bottom, as these are perfect for storing wet items.
Installing a knee-wall dresser into the wall of a bonus room may be one of the coolest ideas yet. By recessing a chest of drawers into an unused space, a lot of storage can be added without a scrap of wasted floor space. Knee walls can also be perfect for installing a built-in entertainment center.
One easy storage solution is to simply add adjustable wallmounted shelves. These can be found at any major home improvement center and are relatively easy to install.
Having a bookcase built-in to surround a picture window, and including a window seat storage bench, is another great way to add storage without sacrificing aesthetic value. These can be created with a fairly low investment of cost and effort.
There are many other great ways to increase the amount of storage space inside your home, from dog food serving stations, built-in bookcases and garage cabinets, to built-in alcoves, storage cabinets, tool sheds, work benches and bar cabinets. For a practical insight on how to add storage space to your home, or a complimentary consultation about how to maximize your space, call or email us today.
910.793.0202 | MARKRAFT.COM
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
HOMEBUYING IN 2021
If 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 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
910.672.7296 | MCKEEHOMESNC.COM
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!
PATHFINDER WEALTH CONSULTING
GIVING STRATEGICALLY
With the K-shaped recovery being a hallmark of the pandemic, and the effects of COVID having vastly different ramifications for the poor and the wealthy, many people, women in particular¹, are increasingly curious about how to share their resources in taxefficient ways.
Charitable giving isn't just for folks who have buildings etched with their name, they're also for generous, everyday folks who want to better the world around them. After almost two years of a seemingly nonstop negative news cycle, there are great people in our community who find themselves eager to help.
There are three groups of givers – modest givers, retirees, and those with highlyappreciated securities – and some considerations each should heed: 1. The CARES Act created an above-the-line charitable deduction for cash donations. So, more modest givers who don't itemize their deductions should utilize the $300 deduction - it's up to $600 for married couples. 2. For retirees, the options expand. Folks aged 70½ or older can gift up to $100,000 from their IRAs each year regardless of if they take the standard deduction or itemize. If you're charitably inclined, this is a smart way to reduce future required minimum distributions (RMDs), lower current and future taxable income, and preserve other assets for beneficiaries which are not subject to the new SECURE Act's 10-year distribution rule2. 3. Gifting appreciated stock is a fantastic option for folks with concentrated and/or highly appreciated assets. Stocks held in a taxable account, that would otherwise be subject to capital gains taxes if sold, can instead be donated to charitable organizations. This strategy is beneficial for all parties - most importantly, the charity receives the full benefit of the gift (charities don't pay taxes), the donor reduces risk in their portfolio and reduces potential tax liability, and the donation can be deducted. In fact, for 2021, taxpayers can deduct charitable donations of up to 100% of their adjusted gross incomes. There are a few limitations with this allowance, so be sure to work with a financial professional for guidance on your personal situation. 4. Using donor-advised funds (DAFs) is an excellent way to "bunch" charitable donations at once even if you're not ready to hand the donation over to organizations yet. You can deduct 100% of your donation (cash or securities) to the DAF in one year and make the contributions over several subsequent years. These tend to be great methods of giving for folks with a large taxable event in one year, such as the sale of a business or a sizeable inheritance.
Looking back on the ramifications of the pandemic and all the other needs around the world, the necessity for resources is great. For people who want to make a difference in a smart way but don't know where to start, the CERTIFIED
FINANCIAL PLANNERTM Professionals at Pathfinder Wealth Consulting can help. We'll take inventory of what you have, helping prioritize your needs and the needs of your family first, and then help you think creatively about ways to support the people and causes that resonate with you. If you want to leave a legacy in your community, give us a call at (910)793-0616 or visit our
website at www.pwcpath.com. We are here to guide you forward.
This Insights article is contributed by Kayla Willliford Johnson, Financial Planning Associate at Pathfinder Wealth Consulting.
910.793.0616 | PWCPATH.COM 4018 OLEANDER DRIVE, SUITE 102, WILMINGTON, NC 28403
PLANTATION VILLAGE
LIVING WELL:
Program led by Living Well Director Marci Sherman.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: THE SECRET TO OUR SUCCESS
As a non-profit community, we at Plantation Village re-invest our revenue into the services and amenities that provide our residents with the highest quality maintenance free lifestyle available in our area.
It’s just one of the reasons we are #AllAboutYou!
David Bowie once said, “aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been” and we like to believe that our lifestyle affords that opportunity to older adults who no longer want the responsibilities that come with homeownership.
Whether it is by joining that book club, re-discovering a lost (or new!) passion for art, making regular dates with friends for coffee or wine or dabbling in our myriad of exercise opportunities, Plantation Village allows people to pursue their passions.
As an outgrowth of the organizational structure here at Plantation Village, we’re excited to announce our new “Living Well” program led by Living Well Director Marci Sherman.
Wellness is a lifelong pursuit and Marci’s new focus is designing programming that highlights the 8 dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, environmental, spiritual, vocational, and financial.
Marci holds a master’s degree in social work and brings 25 years professional experience from the nonprofit sector in Long Island, New York.
“I wanted to find new work that would fulfill me in a new way,” she said. “I found that immediately upon arriving at PV there were a myriad of opportunities to meet the needs of our residents in a meaningful way. “For example, I’ve started a new book club for people with visual impairments who were looking for alternative options but didn’t know where to start.”
We feel very fortunate to have found someone with passion, expertise, and enthusiasm and cannot wait to see what the future holds as our residents continue to #KeepOnLovingLife and now with Marci’s help!
To schedule a tour and learn more about what Plantation Village has to offer, visit www.PlantationVillageRC.com. For updates on Facebook, visit www. facebook.com/PlantationVillageRC.
Anna Cook is Marketing Coordinator at Plantation Village, a non-profit continuing care retirement community that offers independent living on a 56-acre campus in Porters Neck, minutes from downtown Wilmington and area beaches. Residents enjoy first-class services in a wide variety of home styles, from one- and two-bedroom apartments to cottage homes and two-bedroom villas. Plantation Village is managed by Life Care Services™, the nation’s second-largest senior care management company.
1.866.825.3806 | PLANTATIONVILLAGERC.COM
keep it local WILMA’S SPONSORS’ CONTENT
ART BY GABRIEL LEHMAN
Gabriel is a humanitarian by nature and uses his gifts to enhance the lives of people across the country. From donating paintings for charity auctions to muraling homeless shelters and church nurseries, if he can help, he will. He sees the light all around him and brings this light into his work and, in turn, into the hearts of those who view it. Find Gabriel’s art at 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.
HAND BEADED JEWELRY
Accessorize your everyday with this exquisitely handbeaded jewelry. From necklaces to earrings, these simple, boho-chic accessories will elevate any outfit with their luminous color, distinctive design, and bold style. Find this unique jewelry at Big Sky Shop + Studio or online at www.bigskyshoponline.com!
SPOOKY SEASON + FALL FAVORITES
Find one of a kind art and decor at Port City Peddler, from velvet pumpkins and spooky table settings, to cute fall accessories. 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 PortCityPeddler.com.
