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Our Reading Issue
Igrew up around books. Ours was, and still is, a reading family. My parents read to me, and once we were all reading on our own, it was normal for our entire family to be in the living room each reading their own book. There was a period of years when my mom and dad and I would all read the same Stephen King book one after the other. My dad and I still have the same taste in books, and pretty regularly drop something we’ve just read in the mail to each other. I can’t imagine a life without books, so I was pretty horrified when I read a study on how much Americans read, or rather how few of us do. Women read more than men, but the number who read for fun is less than 50 percent, and among men it’s dropped to near 25 percent. That’s sad, but it’s also, in my opinion, dangerous. In a country where all citizens 18 and older are able and encouraged to vote, the fact that fewer than half of them have cracked open a book in their adult life is bad. Books exercise and engage the mind in a way that video and movies do not. We need an electorate that has well-exercised minds, and one that is curious enough to WANT to read a book. So we’ve decided to use the tool at our disposal, these magazines, to celebrate books and reading and readers. If you’re reading this, I’m preaching to the choir, I know, but I hope you’ll be inspired with the stories we share this month. I hope you’ll decide to read more, read something different, and to talk about it with those in your social circles. I think men need to know that other men read, that it’s how we become better men, more knowledgeable men, more successful men, men more capable of helping out families and communities. I’m not leaving the ladies out, as you too should be sharing your love of books and inviting friends to read something that moved you or made you think, but twice as many of you already get it. You’ll find stories this month about libraries, and the county’s new Bookmobile, and an actual brick and mortar bookstore where you can pick up and even smell the pages before you buy. We also feature an interview with an author, so maybe you’ll be inspired by that to not only read, but try your hand at writing! — Jeffrey
Business Profile
More Than Coffee
Palouse Offers Coffee, Books, Plants, Co-Working
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES
Did you know there’s a bookstore in Waterford now? And an independent coffee shop. And a plant store. And some co-working office space. And you’ll only need to walk through one door and enter Palouse to visit all four, and the different aspects blend together so naturally, you’ll wonder why there aren’t more bookstore/coffee shop/plant shop/co-working spaces.
Palouse, named for the rolling grasslands of western Washington and northern Idaho, where owner Nicholas Newell grew up, combines the businesses Newell noticed lacking in northern Brunswick County. “This has been something that I wanted to do for like the last two years, but there is not a lot of commercial space available on the Leland side of the bridge. And technically, we’re not even in Leland, we’re in Belville, right here, which is a little known fact.”
Newell was familiar with the area after visiting on weekends while based at Fort Bragg. He decided to make Leland his home in 2018, got his real estate license, and after a few years with Coldwell Banker Seacoast Advantage, started his own firm, the Capstone Group. His real estate earnings are what funded Palouse, he said.
“There’s various different business ideas that I’ve had for the Leland side of the bridge, and coffee being one of them and co-working being another, and when I got into this space, I was like, this would be a really good way to meld both of those,” Newell said.
Those two ideas grew to the current four. “Having a brick and mortar store is expensive. So for this, I was like, you know, what are other revenue streams that we can do? And the books and the plants were those revenue streams. Le-
land didn’t have local coffee, we didn’t have a bookstore, we didn’t have a plant store, and we didn’t have a co-working space. So, we took all of those and put them into one,” he explained. “I feel like it also creates a cool ambiance to sit and enjoy your coffee.”
Palouse opened the weekend after this past Valentine’s Day, and is the result of a lot of thought and effort on Newell’s part. “I spent the last couple months building it out. I picked everything in here. I picked every last book on these shelves. I built that bar over there. I sourced plants. I sourced all of the plant-based accoutrements, I sourced the shelving. I sourced that La Marzocco coffee machine, which is $23,000, and had a custom painted to match our shelving. I designed the whole menu. There wasn’t a blueprint for this business, so I just had to do it,” he said. “And I think that no matter what business that you’re doing in life, whatever it is that you’re doing for a business, one thing that you always ask yourself, or at least that I always ask myself, is, you know, we might be the only coffee shop that has all of these things, and we might be the only local coffee shop on this side of the bridge, but we’re not the only place that you can get a cup of espresso. So how do you set yourself apart from other places that are selling espresso as well? You can do it better. You can have organic beans and only organic beans. You know, every step of the process, through this, I could have done it cheaper. I didn’t have to buy the Ferrari of espresso machines. If my name was gonna be tied to something, I wanted the best of the best, and set ourselves apart.”
As a new venture with so many moving parts, Newell is still fine-tuning Palouse and all its components. “The point was that you would walk in here, and then it would be very evenly split across all of them. Not that it is
mainly a coffee shop with 10 books on the wall, and one little co-working space. The point was that you would walk in here and go, I can’t tell if this is a bookstore, a plant store, a co-working space, or a coffee space, because each one of those should make up roughly 25 percent,” he said. “So, there’s over 1,500 books. There’s hundreds of plants, hundreds of pots, and plant accoutrements, as we refer to it. And then co-working space that can accommodate probably up to 30-some people, so let’s say we kind of hit the nail on the head.”
As a book shop, Palouse is certainly not “just 10 books on the wall.” While the books shelves do take up one wall of the store, Newell said the idea was to make sure whoever walked in would be able to find something that interested them. We were sitting in front of the book shelves for this interview and Newell started explaining the layout.
“So, that top shelf is local authors or North Carolina-based stuff. And then the next one is true crime. You have two rows of cookbooks, and then a row of plants, Nicholas Sparks, of course, because we’re in North Carolina, then books that I couldn’t figure out where they go, so they live there now. Theo Golden has just come out, has been wildly popular, and a lot of people have been asking for that, so just I bought a bunch of copies of those. Then there’s Marvel stuff, and some overflow of nonfiction, and then the next row is poetry. These two rows here are motivational, self help, inspirational, then the bottom two rows are politics and American history, and then this tower here is nonfiction,
so you’ve got memoirs, autobiographies, war, everything else, or as my friends joke, history books. That central tower is religion, so Bibles on the top, then study guides, and then the next three to four shelves are just, you know, generic religion. It turns into family stuff, albums, kids, baby stuff down on the bottom. And the next two towers are fiction. That top row is classics, and then all the rest…all sorts of things are in fiction. So whether it’s romantasy or murder mystery or whatever, it’s all mixed in with the fiction on the bottom. There are kids, and then that far right side is young adults.”
Newell’s something for everyone approach also applies to Palouse’s co-working set-up. “We have membership tiers, all sorts of people use it. You can do a day pass, you can do monthly membership with non-assigned seating. You can do a monthly membership with dedicated desks, so that’s your desk, it’s always your desk. It’s more of like a lease type situation, and then we have private office spaces as well, which is also like a lease,” Newell explained.
He said the co-working space has proven very popular already with a wide variety of customers, and he’s looking for places to expand. “You know, with your day pass users, it might just be somebody visiting their grandparents in Waterford, or it might be people who have a home office, and they just want to get away from the kids,” he said. “There’s really no office space for rent in Leland anyway. But even if there was, do you want to go spend $4,000 plus, have to furnish it, plus have to pay the electric bill, and pay the water bill, and pay for the internet, pay for the trash? I mean, all of these extra things that go on top of whatever your rent is, whereas here, it’s one fee. And we pay all of the utilities, and we pay for the internet. We pay for everything else, so all tiers of memberships come with the internet access, printing access, and free drip coffee, and then discounts on our drinks as well. So there’s a tie in there.”
Newell said that he’s happy with the reception Palouse has gotten from the community. It’s already fulfilling the vision he set out with. “There’s a saying called the third space. It’s not home, it’s not work, it’s not school, it’s not church, it’s not a
park, but it’s a place where the community can gather and get together and hang out, and do events. People have been coming in here and hanging out,” he said. “You can drink a shot of espresso in a matter of minutes, but people will be in here for an hour and a half, and they’ll bring friends with them, and they’ll talk to oth-
er people. You know, some of these tables are really close, and there were two girls who came in, who had seen us on social media that somebody posted, and they got some plants, they got some books, they got drinks, they sat down, they were probably in their 20s, and they sat down at that table. And then two older ladies from my neighborhood, who adore me, they came in here, and they got drinks, and they went and sat down at that table next to them, and in short
order, the four of those girls, probably 50 years between them, started talking, and for the next two hours they were just going on and on as if they had been life-long friends. So, that’s been very cool to see.”
What’s the future hold for Palouse?
“We’ll do book readings for the kids on maybe a Saturday morning, and we’re a bookstore, so we’ll do open mic poetry night on a Tuesday night, and we’re a plant store, so once a month or something we’ll do a workshop teaching people how to repot their plants or build your own terrarium. And we are a high-end espresso shop, so we’ll do, like, coffee flights or maybe teach people how to do latte art or do educational classes around espresso and the process. Maybe we’ll offer coffee and yoga in the morning, those kinds of things,” Newell said. “And Belville will do Coffee with the Mayor here.”
If you’re looking to pick up a new book, or
grab a cup of espresso, or give your home a little life with a new plant, or you need a quiet space to get some work done, or even if you jus want to experience some calm, and community, stop by Palouse.
Newell said, “Everybody who comes in here says exactly the same thing, you know? ‘We’ve needed something like this on the side of the bridge for so long.’” I think you’ll agree.
Mon-Sat 7:30 am - 7 pm Sunday 9 am - 2 pm
soon!
Community
In Bloom Festival
Celebrating Arts, Environment and People
STORY BY JAN MORGAN-SWEGLE, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Thegloom of winter is gone which can only mean that it’s time for the In Bloom event presented by the Leland Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and supported by the Brunswick Arts Council. This is an exciting new event which will be held at Founders Park, located at 113 Founders Drive, and is free to the public. In Bloom will be held on May 16 from 10 am to 2 pm.
According to Molly Prosser, Leland’s Recreation Coordinator, “this is a family friendly event that blends art, culture and nature. We are celebrating the arts, plants, the environment, and the people of the Southeastern North Carolina region. Our vendors include artists, farmers, and nurseries who specialize in local plant life. We have environmental advocacy displays, interactive classes in sun printing, tie dye and dance, and an activity where folks can learn to turn recycled materials into art projects.” In addition to all of the interactive experiences and vendors there will be food trucks and stage performances. Brenna Keegan, Recreation Coordinator, who is working with Molly on this event said, “We are really excited about the live music we are having this year. If you haven’t heard of Dear MariBella & the Pigkickers, you will after this event. This is a local Bluegrass band of siblings that started their musical career in 2022. They were recently chosen as the opening act for Sam Bush in Wilmington and played on the IBMA World of Bluegrass official youth stage in 2024 and 2025. They won second place in the Blue Highway Fest ‘Rising Stars’ in 2025 band competition. Plus, Wilmington Latin Dance will be there giving Salsa lessons.”
Molly continued, “I want people to enjoy this event as a family. This is the third major event held at Founders Park since its renovation so there’s plenty of room to walk around and enjoy the exhibits. I suggest that people bring their own lawn chairs if they’d like to sit to
enjoy the music. There is both onsite parking and overflow parking at First Baptist Church of Leland and a wide variety of food truck offerings. In Bloom has something for everyone. This is entertainment, educational and it’s an eco-friendly event. We can learn about green resources, connect with nature and even talk to a beekeeper about how bees benefit us.”
One of the programs on the Interactive Activities list is sun printing. The actual name for this process is Cyanotyping and will be demonstrated by Studio Australis. They will also be guiding visitors on how to make their own to take home with them.
A cyanotype is a 19th-century photographic printing process. Done correctly, it will produce a “Prussian blue” monochromatic print. It uses UV sensitive iron salts. The artist coats watercolor paper or fabric with a mix of ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. It needs to dry in a
dark place. After that, you arrange objects on top of the paper/fabric and expose it to sunlight for 30 minutes and then you wash it with plain water. If you add hydrogen peroxide to the water, the colors will become deeper and more intense. The process was invented in 1842 and remains a vivid art form using native plants and flowers as the subjects.
Another vivid art form that will be represented at In Bloom is Tie Dye, made popular in the 1970s with bold design and bright colors. Take a walk down memory lane and bring a white garment or use one of the LCAC’s Art Around Town shirts (sizes Small
to 2 XL are available) and create your own wearable art.
One of the artists who will be displaying her work is Heather Baldwin, of Heather Leigh Design. Heather works with copper and creates sculptural art and jewelry. “I’m so excited to be featuring my work at “In Bloom.” I’ve worked with the Leland Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department before, showing at their Christmas event and at their summer shows, and I really appreciate the support they give to local artists. I haven’t seen the renovations at Founders Park yet, but I think it’s a great venue for an event like this,” she said. Heather will be exhibiting ornaments, wall pieces, jewelry and sculptures. “I’ve been working with copper for about 18 years. I just started playing with it one day and I loved it. At that time, it was a very inexpensive material. It’s really fun to work with and you can design your pieces in so
Community
many different ways depending on the patina and how long it stays in the ‘fume box.’ Artists use a fume box to safely exhaust fumes and vapor, and it can impact the color of the end piece,” she said. Heather’s pieces are both bold and delicate. You can see examples of her work before the “In Bloom” event by going to www.heatherleigh-designs.com.
Another “bold” exhibitor will be The Scrap Exchange, located at 2050 Chapel Hill Road in Durham. “We are a re-used arts center, thrift store, gallery, community space, artist market and art studio all in one. We promote creativity, environmental awareness and community by re-using things that are often overlooked. We give them new life. We have an excess of material all around us that can be used to create not only art, but functional items. We don’t always have to go out and buy new material, just look around. I’ll be bringing several barrels of re-used material to In Bloom to encourage people to get creative. We use things like pool noodles, cardboard, bottle caps, chopsticks or cork to make things. I love working with children. A child can look at a pile of cork and some chopsticks and immediately create a robot or some other figure that was hiding in the cork the whole time. Their imagination just goes wild. They have no fear of making a mistake because it’s their creation.”
This will be the Brunswick Art Council’s first time participating in a Leland Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and members are really excited about the event, according to spokesperson Ava Hardy.
Phil’s Figs of Wilmington will also be providing education about fig trees and selling them as well. This is a vendor who has not only discovered the wide range of flavors of figs, but has also found his passion. According to his website, Phil’s love of fig trees is deeply rooted in his ancestry, with family roots on both sides having long histories in agriculture.
Music is a big part of the In Bloom event. Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers, will be on stage in the afternoon. This is a family band — MariBella is the name of the sisters “smooshed together,” as they say -- isaBELLA and annMARI. AnnMari plays guitar, Isabella plays the fiddle, Pete plays the banjo, Chris plays the mandolin and Dad is on bass.
Before the family band was formed, the group played at weddings under the name Dear MariBella. When the boys joined the band, they added “and the Pigkickers.” That saying means, get out there and try something even though you don’t know the outcome. The band plays primarily Bluegrass and Gospel, but they also perform some Celtic infused with Bluegrass flair. In addition to playing musical instruments, they also write their own songs and released their first album in 2025, with a second one scheduled to be released in the summer.
AnnMari, who is lead guitarist and primary vocalist of the group explained, “Music is very important to my family, we try to use it to not only entertain people, but to give back to communities and non-profit ventures. On June 13, we are hosting a non-profit event called Bluegrass in the Grove, in Poplar Grove, which is home to Poplar Grove Plantation, a historic farm and museum that includes a small nature preserve and really reflects a time in history that is gone now. Poplar Grove has historic cabins and barns and is a place that needs to be preserved for all of the tradition and heritage it shares with us.” AnnMari continued, “If you love folk music; whether it is bluegrass, jazz, or country, come to The Listening Barn at the Poplar Grove in Wilmington. We are having our first show there on May 1. It is a place where you can gather to relax and enjoy good music or get up and dance!” The Listening Barn, located at the Poplar Grove Plantation, is at 10200 US 17, in Wilmington. For additional information on the band and where they are performing, go to their website, www.dearmaribella.com.
The Leland Parks, Recreation and Cultur-
al Resources Department and the Brunswick Art Council work hard to bring family friendly, fun events to the residents of Leland and surrounding areas and In Bloom is a wonderful example of that effort. The diversity of vendors and activities that will be at In Bloom will appeal to everyone in the family. Come out and talk to Richard Jones about Venus Flytraps, or Meg Shelton about the natural plants in our area. Experience the Brunswick County Librar-
ies Bookmobile. Learn about sun printing with Studio Australis or show how creative you are with Tie Dye! Say hello to Mimi and Papa and try some of their popcorn and sweets or go with the Peruvian fare for a new kind of treat. Learn how to Salsa with flair or enjoy Bluegrass music that will make you smile. Whatever you do, put the In Bloom event on your calendar and don’t miss out on the fun.
IN BLOOM VENDORS
Food and Beverage
• Coco Pipa (smoothies, acai bowls)
• Island Squeeze (lemonade squeezed on-site with fresh and fun flavors l
• Glizzies on the Go (breakfast sandwiches, waffles, specialty hot dogs, and vegan options)
Art Vendors
• Terra Nova Pottery
• Soulchemy Metals
• SealZiti Soaps
• Phils Figs (sells varieties of fig trees from around the world)
• Johnson Family Flowers fresh-cut flowers, sustainability lessons/activities like a worm composting lesson
• Shelton Herb Farm native plants and conversations with Meg Shelton native plant advocate
• Richard “Flytrap” Jones (venus flytraps and other carnivorous plants)
• Melissa Schepp Creations – gorgeous realism paintings of local nature and architecture in oil and acrylic
• Currie Farms – native and non-native trees and plants
• Heather Baldwin – copper metalsmith who makes sculptural art and jewelry
• Ashley Roberson – bright, bold, and expressive paintings highlighting scenes from the forest to the sea
Environmental Groups and Community Groups
• North Carolina Wildlife Federation
• Brunswick County Libraries Bookmobile
• The Nature Conservancy
• North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Brunswick County
• Alliance for Cape Fear Trees
• Leland Area Garden Club • We Live Here
• Cape Fear Audubon
Interactive Activities (All free of charge to public)
• Sun printing (also called cyanotyping) with plants and flowers with Studio Australis
• Creative Reuse Art Projects with the Scrap Exchange
• Tie Dye with Town of Leland Parks and Rec – bring your own white garment to tie dye or use one of our shirts (sizes s-2XL)
Entertainment
• Salsa Lessons with Wilmington Latin Dance
• Bluegrass Music with Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers
Community Books On The Move Brunswick County’s New Bookmobile
STORY BY JANET FORTNEY, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
The launch last month of the Brunswick County Library System’s new bookmobile is providing residents with expanded access to books and other resources. The bookmobile, which is overseen and driven by Bookmobile Manager Katelyn Lenz, features multiple book collections, including children’s boardbooks, picture books, fiction, and non-fiction, as well as adult fiction, non-fiction, and large print.
“This new mobile library branch brings the wide variety of resources and services that we offer to the community,” said Library Director Patricia Dew. “I am excited to reach community members who may not be able to make it to one of our existing library branches.”
As a mobile library branch experience, the bookmobile plays an important role in bringing library services to underserved areas of the county and enriching the community with lifelong learning and entertainment. Via the bookmobile, community members can: get a library card; browse and check out materials; place materials on hold from other branches to be picked up
at their bookmobile stop; return library materials; attend programs; and get assistance with online resources.
“We’re so excited that the new bookmobile will be able to reach people who haven’t been able to access a library recently,” said Heather Brown, Youth Services Specialist at Shallotte’s Rourk Branch library. “We’re such a large county, so meeting our community where they’re at is really important. The bookmobile will visit day-cares, senior centers, and do pop-up visits all over. It will really be serving as a traveling billboard for all of the services our libraries offer.”
Anyone who would like to use or check-out materials from the book-
mobile is welcome to, but must have a valid Brunswick County Library card. Everyone who lives, works, goes to school, or owns property in Brunswick County is eligible for a free library card with proper identification. Temporary library cards are available to seasonal and part-time residents who are visiting for at least a month. To learn more about securing a library card, patrons can visit a local library branch in person or go to https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/169/Library-Cards.
In addition to the large variety of books, the bookmobile features access to free public Wi-Fi; book carts that can be removed for outdoor and off-site pop-up displays; and speakers wired to a public address system. To maximize comfort and accessibility for its patrons, the bookmobile has an ADA-compatible wheelchair lift, heating and air conditioning, and an awning to protect from sun and rain.
The April rounds of the bookmobile will include public and private facilities such as TerraBella
Southport, Lockwood Folly District Park, Arbor Landing of Compass Pointe, Northwest District Park, Boiling Spring Lakes Community Center, Brunswick Cove Living Center, Town Creek District Park. Arbor Landing of Ocean Isle, The Brunswick Center at Calabash, Ocean Isle Beach Park, and various childcare facilities, among several others locations. To review the vehicle’s upcoming travel and schedule, go to https://www.brunswickcountync. gov/1066/Bookmobile.
Brunswick County Library purchased the bookmobile in 2024 from Matthews Specialty Vehicles in Greensboro, NC, for $293,320, using American Rescue Plan Act-enabled funds and funding from the county. Bookmobile planning, design, and modifications took place following its purchase, and it got on the road in March 2026.
Facilities and groups with special events that would like to be considered as future stops for the bookmobile must be located within the county and be without certain means to visit a library branch. Those who would like to suggest a potential bookmobile site can find a Bookmobile Interest Form at www.brunswickcountync.gov/.
Community More Than Just Books
Brunswick County Libraries Offer A Lot
STORY BY LISA STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Onceupon a time, libraries were cavernous, quiet, you get shushed for breathing too loud places. And that’s not the case anymore,” Brunswick County Library Director Patricia Dew said. “We hopefully have something for everyone, whether that’s coming to a story time, attending a cooking program, joining a book club, using our public computers, or the printer, and photocopier.”
Brunswick County has five branch libraries, spread throughout to reach all areas. The recent addition of a bookmobile also gives the ability to reach populations which might not be able to make it out to one of the branches.
With five permanent locations, the library staff works to tailor programs to different populations. The Ruark branch in Shallotte has more families coming to the library for children’s programs than the branch in Carolina Shores, which serves a larger population of seniors, for example. “Our dementia support programs down there (Carolina Shores) have done amazing, because there’s a need and
a want for that for the memory care and dementia support,” Dew said.
“We are trying to have a consistency of services across the county, or as much as possible, while at the same time, leaning into what the needs of each branch and its clientele are,” she said. Planning for summer children’s programs has already begun, and information will be available on the library calendar at www. brunswickcountync.gov/Library.
The calendar is extensive, but can be sorted by type of program such as book club or story time, branch location, or even a targeted age group.
“Every location has those story times when not only do we read a book, but we go through motor development skills, listening skills, movements, things that enhance the learning activities. They’ll play a game based on colors or, you know, everybody raise your right hand, now everybody, raise your left hand or whatever the silly little song is,” Dew said.
The Leland branch recently started a
Classic Film Comedies session on Fridays at 3:30 pm.
“It’s for sort of niche movies that, whether it’s film noir or, you know, classics that you can’t always just find on Netflix. It’s a chance for, you know, a group to come together, watch the movie, have a discussion, and appreciate films and cinema that aren’t just the latest blockbusters,” Dew said.
The library system also supports a variety of book clubs. Library staff can help a club borrow 20 copies of a book, using connections with libraries across the state, and book clubs can also use meeting rooms. Libraries also offer book club in a bag, which includes 10 copies of a book and study guides, which can all be checked out as a unit. A new online book club, called Overbooked, is also just starting up this month. The debut Zoom meeting is scheduled for April 7 at 7 pm, discussing Fannie Flagg’s book “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.”
“That’s now started because there are people who, you know, they’re at day jobs and can’t always get to a library branch for a 4 pm or a 10 am book club, so this is a way of making it. You don’t have to drive, you can log on from home, but we’re all there to talk about it, and you can get that book club in,” Dew said.
There are also some statewide book clubs, and even a national one for
America 250 that the Southwest branch is hosting.
“We’re supporting dozens of others because there are so many groups in the county that have their own own book clubs and reading groups and we just there to provide some books.
Whether that’s the physical copies, the book club in a bag, we have audio versions, and e-book versions.
“We literally FedEx books across the state,” Dew explained. “So if Brunswick County doesn’t have a copy of a book, but maybe Ash County does, and vice versa, we will just send that across the state. We usually tell people it takes a week, sometimes it’s faster, sometimes not. But we’re able to get that for people. It’s a great way that we can use taxpayer dollars wisely and efficiently, because there’s no cost to the patron for that. They would reserve the book or request the book the same as if they wanted a book that was at our Southwest branch, but they live in Leland. We have a van that drives around the county for that, so we would just pick it up at Southwest, bring it up to Leland, and they would check it out. Usually that’s next day, sometimes two days. But if nobody in the county has it, we can reach out to our colleagues across the state and go, hey, Robeson County or Burke County, or whomever, can you send us that book and they will.
The Harper Library in Southport
Southwest Brunswick Branch in Carolina Shores
Leland Library
Community
It’s a great resource. It means that we don’t have to own everything because somebody will own it, most likely. Unless it is the most obscure rare book in the world, in which case you’re gonna need to visit the Library of Congress.”
Digital resources work a bit differently, with Brunswick County having access to only a certain number of a particular title at a time for more recent releases.
“Brunswick County has its own collection of e-books,” Dew said. “We are doing our best to build that collection and make it as vibrant as we can. We, of course, have budget limitations, and the publishers put restrictions on the items too. So the bestsellers, you’re still going to have a wait list for those. If you buy three copies, three people can have it checked out at a time.”
The libraries use the Libby App, which is free with a patron’s library card. Besides offering a limited number of recent titles, the app also allows limitless access to classics and titles which are no longer under copyright, such as books by Mark Twain.
National Library Week is April 19-25 this year, and locally, it’s an opportunity to renew your library card or apply for one, to
get out to one of the local branches and see what the library has to offer, to visit with the bookmobile out and about in the county, and to show appreciation for library staff.
“There’s just so many things that we offer, both at the library and that you can get from home with your library cards. I invite people to check it out and see what’s there. They can access Consumer Reports in the New York Times with their library card
for free from home. They can download e-books and e-audiobooks from wherever they are as long as they have a wifi connection, download that and have access to that resource free with their library card. We have genealogy resources available online, we offer classes in technology to help those people who are not quite so good with the computers or the social media or the phone or whatever. We have staff who lead book clubs, who lead story times, who lead children’s yoga, who do
craft programs for adults and children and teens. We have a teen comic book club that is we’ll be starting up this summer,” Dew said.
“So there’s just lots of options for everybody, for all ages, and we are so much more than just books,” she added. “Though, of course, we have books.”
Rourk Library in Shallotte
G. V. Barbee Sr. Library in Oak Island
Community
Kristy Woodson Harvey Book Signing Event At Silver Coast Winery
STORY BY LISA STITES
Best-selling author Kristy Woodson Harvey will be at Silver Coast Winery on May 16 to talk about her book, “Summer State of Mind,” just in time for our beach read season. Tickets are $45 and include a copy of the book, a meet and greet with author to have the book signed, and a beverage. The event starts at 5:30 pm at the Winery, 6680 Barbecue Rd, Ocean Isle Beach (mainland). Visit https://pelicanbookstore.com/blog-2/ for ticket info.
We caught up with Kristy to find out more about her writing process, using beautiful North Carolina locations as settings, and what keeps readers coming back for more.
Did you always want to be a writer, or did you have another career in mind first?
I always loved to read, but I never really considered being an author until my mid20s when I got the idea for my debut novel, “Dear Carolina.” Growing up, I thought I would be a doctor, but then fell in love with writing when I had an internship at my local newspaper, the Salisbury Post, in high school. I went to journalism school, got a
master’s in English (after heavily considering law school!), and then, in a major shift, took a job in finance when I graduated. So I guess you could say I have always had a lot of interests! Lucky for me, writing is a job that lets me explore anything. I think that might be why it appeals to me so much!
The book signing event is for your novel “Summer State of Mind,” but you already have another book, “Falling for Peachtree Bluff,” scheduled to come out in the fall. How long does it take you to write a novel, and do you already have ideas for your next book, or books?
couple months a year and not writing while I’m traveling. I am always thinking about my stories, though. Always. I always have so, so many ideas at once. Choosing where to go next is the tough part! I’m not even sure where they come from. Once I began writing, it was like turning on a faucet. The story ideas are everywhere!
incredible historical figures that aren’t as prominently known as I think they should be. So, stay tuned!
We’re sure your books are popular with ladies in the South, but being a best-selling author tells us that your books are appealing to a broader audience — what do you think draws readers to your stories?
I always return to the universal themes of how we create our families, of women who are faced with choices for which there might not be any “right” answer, and I love a good love story. That said, I think small-town southern sensibility, that idea of knowing your neighbors and always having a place to turn, can be appealing to everyone. A bunch of authors and influencers got together to help me announce “Falling for Peachtree Bluff” by singing a (hilariously tone-deaf!) version of “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love,” except the lyrics were “What the world needs now is Peachtree Bluff.” It was funny and cheeky, but the sentiment behind it struck readers far more than I had imagined. We all need a safe place to rest and relax, and I hope my readers find that in my books.
The time it takes varies depending on whether it’s contemporary or a more historical novel that I’m doing a lot of in-depth research for. But a book-a-year schedule is very manageable for me, in general. Peachtree Bluff is a long standing series, so those books probably take me less time simply because I know the characters and the settings so, so well. I don’t have to reinvent the wheel at all, and, for this book in particular, I was so excited to write it that I ended up writing way more than my usual 2,000 words per day because I had been waiting so long to go back to Peachtree Bluff! If anyone is doing the math, 2,000 words a day means about 50 work days to write a novel, but, remember: a first draft is a far cry from a fully edited, shiny one! I usually edit for months before I even turn the book in. And I’m on the road touring at least a
You use various North Carolina locations as a setting for many of your books, which we love. What is it about our home state that keeps you weaving it into your stories?
I grew up traveling a lot and now, of course, I’m on the road so much for book tour. There are so many wonderful places in the country and in the world, but I think North Carolina just might be the most special. The beaches, the mountains, the nice people, the amazing universities, the basketball culture, the perfect amount of southern sensibility… It’s just ripe with stories to tell! North Carolina has so many diverse regions and there is so much to love about each one. It’s a special, special place, and I’m grateful to live here. Plus, let’s be honest: We have a lot of “characters” here!
North Carolina is a big state — are there areas you haven’t used as a setting yet that you’d like to? I’ve delved pretty heavily into our beaches and mountains and even into the Piedmont where I grew up, but our barrier islands are so full of fascinating lure and
We see that you are also the cocreator and co-host of the web show and podcast Friends & Fiction with authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry — how long have you been doing the show and how did it come about?
It’s so hard to believe, but we are coming up on our six year anniversary! We started Friends & Fiction in the depths of the pandemic to connect with readers and support independent bookstores when all our tours were cancelled. That little web show has more than 390,000 supporters across platforms now, and is a constant reminder that people are still reading, still passionate about books, and want to communicate about them.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?
Going on tour is one of my favorite parts of launching a book. I love seeing and meeting readers in person and signing their books. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me at events in the past–and I hope to see you this year!
Evoke Mind + Body Care That Extends Beyond Simple Therapy
STORY BY JEFFREY STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Whenthe folks at Evoke Mind and Body contacted us about becoming an advertiser, I was intrigued with the idea of offering both mental health therapy and yoga at the same place.It wasn’t something I’d heard of before, yet it seemed a natural fit. Over the last several months helping to craft Evoke’s messaging for ads, and stopping by their Leland facility to drop of magazines, I’ve been really impressed with what they offer to the community, so we wanted to share this question and answer with you to help share all they do and the philosophy behind Evoke Mind and Body.
Please explain to us what Evoke Mind and Body does.
Evoke Mind and Body is a one-stop wellness center dedicated to supporting mental, physical, and emotional well-being through a variety of integrated services. The practice offers mental health therapy, yoga, wellness coaching, reiki, and trauma-sensitive yoga, all intentionally curated to nurture both mind and body. Evoke’s core mission is to provide a safe, welcoming space where healing and whole-person wellness are the priority. Beyond individual services, the practice is deeply rooted in community, striving to provide compassionate care, reduce stigma around mental health, and foster meaningful connections through workshops, group offerings, and events.
What sets Evoke apart from other therapists?
Our therapists take a personalized approach to care by recognizing that every client’s experiences, goals, and challenges are unique. The team works to tailor therapy to each individual’s personal journey. Each therapist brings their own
specialties, therapeutic approaches, and personality into the work they do. This diversity within the team allows clients to be matched with a therapist whose style and expertise best fit their needs. Therapists may focus on certain life stages, specific mental health concerns, or particular evidence-based approaches to treatment, helping ensure that clients receive care that aligns with what they are experiencing in their life. At the same time, all therapists at Evoke share a common mission, which is to meet the client where they are at. By taking time to understand a client and what makes them the person they are, therapists can adapt their approach and collaborate with clients to create a path forward that supports their mental, emotional, and overall well-being.
Who could benefit from therapy?
We firmly believe that everyone can benefit from therapy at some point in their life journey. Therapy can be helpful for all people, from those navigating major life transitions or grief to individuals managing stress, anxiety, or depression, as well as those working through trauma or interpersonal challenges. An effective therapeutic relationship provides a supportive space to process experiences, reflect, and foster personal growth and healing. In a world filled with uncertainty, therapy can help individuals build healthy coping skills, gain clarity, and feel more grounded. There are so many reasons someone might seek therapy, and the goal is to offer compassionate care while helping clients work through vulnerable moments and move towards a greater
well-being.
What would you say to someone on the fence about seeking therapy?
For someone that is on the fence about seeking therapy, the most important advice is simple: take the leap, even if it feels a little scary. Reaching out for support can feel intimidating, especially if you’re unsure what to expect. At Evoke Mind and Body, you don’t have to have everything figured out before making that first call. We will support and guide you through the setup process, choosing a good-fit therapist, and scheduling that works for you. Even if you’re unsure which therapist best fits your needs, the team is here to connect you with someone who feels like the right match. Therapy offers a space where you deserve to feel listened to, understood, challenged, and supported. Taking that first step can open the door to meaningful growth, healing, and greater self-understanding. Most importantly, you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. While we cannot control if it rains, our therapists are ready to walk alongside you through the storm and celebrate with you when the sun shines again.
How do you make those new to therapy comfortable?
Creating a safe and supportive environment is central to the therapeutic process. Therapists strive to meet clients as people first, fostering an atmosphere that feels welcoming rather than intimidating. Clients will find that our therapists are comfortable with their own humanness, allowing personality and authentic connection to emerge. By approaching sessions with empathy and curiosity, they help clients feel seen, heard, and respected as they share their experiences. A key part of this approach is acknowledging that clients are the experts on their own lives. Instead of positioning them-
selves as authorities with all the answers, therapists collaborate with clients, supporting them as they explore their thoughts, feelings, and goals. This perspective helps build trust and empowers individuals to take an active role in their healing process. The team also openly recognizes the courage it takes to begin therapy. Clients are commended for showing up, being vulnerable, and doing the work of healing, which helps reinforce a supportive environment where growth and self-discovery can happen at a comfortable pace.
Can you explain what Wellness Coaching means at Evoke?
Our Wellness Coaching sessions help you build a strong health foundation tailored to your real-life needs. Through evidence-based coaching and collaborative goal setting, we’ll identify practical, sustainable ways to optimize your current and future well-being. Through Wellness Coaching, you will learn how to make confident, informed choices about your nutrition, lifestyle, and mental well-being. You will receive guidance that looks at your whole being — mind, body, and spirit — through natural and integrative approaches. Together, we will explore habits that support long-term wellness and help you maintain balance in your daily life. The goal is to unearth root causes of your symptoms and create a personalized wellness roadmap to address them. Who benefits from this approach?
Whether you’re focusing on nutrition, exercise, stress management, or overall lifestyle balance, your plan is designed to support lasting change. For those dealing with ongoing fatigue or stress that traditional methods haven’t addressed, this approach provides new insight and holistic solutions. If you’re looking to deepen the connection between your mental and physical health, Well-
ness Coaching can bridge the gap. For individuals eager to take charge of their health with a personalized, integrative approach, this service empowers you to make lasting change.
How do you help clients maintain and keep using what they’ve learned?
We encourage clients to “take what serves you and leave the rest,” recognizing that not every tool or approach will resonate with every person, and that is okay. Lasting change happens when clients find genuine value in what they are learning, so our focus is on helping them discover strategies that truly fit their lives. By taking the time to understand each individual’s unique needs, goals, and preferences, we tailor our approach to support sustainable growth. This collaborative process empowers clients to carry what they have learned beyond sessions and continue using those tools in their everyday lives.
You also offer yoga. How does that tie into all the other things you do?
The creation of Yoga at Evoke grew naturally from the work already being done at Evoke Mind and Body. Through their therapy practice, the team began to recognize how important the mind–body connection is in supporting overall mental and emotional well-being. Many of the conversations and breakthroughs happening in therapy highlighted that healing and wellness often extend beyond talk therapy alone. Movement, breath work, and physical awareness can play a powerful role in helping people regulate stress, reconnect with their bodies, and support their emotional health. In our space, the goal has always been to support whole-person well-being. By offering both therapy and yoga in the same space, individuals have the opportunity to care for their mental and physical health under one roof. This integrated model allows people to explore multiple pathways to wellness, whether through therapy, yoga classes, or a combination of both, while staying connected to Evoke’s purpose.
Can you explain Trauma-Sensitive
Yoga and who can benefit from that approach?
Trauma-sensitive yoga is a gentle, empowering approach designed to support individuals who have experienced trauma by creating a safe, non-judgmental space for movement and self-awareness. Rather than focusing on perfecting poses, this practice emphasizes choice and autonomy, allowing participants to decide which movements feel right for their bodies without pressure or expectation. Instructors use invitational language and avoid hands-on adjustments, encouraging individuals to tune into their internal sensations and rebuild a sense of trust in their bodies. The benefits are wide-ranging, including increased self-compassion, improved emotional regulation, reduced stress and anxiety, and a stronger mind-body connection. Trauma-Sensitive Yoga can benefit anyone interested in addressing the mental, physical, and emotional aspects of trauma, including those experiencing PTSD, chronic stress, anxiety, or simply a sense of disconnection from their body, making it an accessible and supportive practice for healing and personal growth.
Can you tell us about your staff and their training/credentials?
Our team is made up of highly trained professionals dedicated to providing individualized, client-centered care. All of our therapists hold licensure in clinical social work or marriage and family therapy, and each has pursued additional training and continuing education to develop a wide range of specialties. While foundational therapeutic approaches are a part of their formal education, our therapists go beyond that baseline to incorporate diverse, evidence-based methods tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.
Our yoga instructors are equally well-qualified, hold 200- to 500-hour certification training completed both locally in the Wilmington area and in programs across the country and internationally. Additionally, several of our instructors hold specialty certifications to offer classes and events to students seeking deeper healing through movement and mindfulness. Each instructor brings a unique perspective shaped by their personal and professional experiences, allowing them to create inclusive, dynamic, and supportive classes that honor the individuality of each yoga student.
Leland Hardware Leland Hardware
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Baby Miss 0-3 Years
Tiny Miss 4-6 Years
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Junior Miss 10-12 Years
Young Miss 13-15 Years
Teen Miss 16-18 Years
Miss 19-24 Years
Keeping Fit
No More Comfort Zone
Facing Fears and Conquering Challenges
BY VICTOR FERNANDES
Victor Fernandes is owner of Fernandez Fit, helpjng clients achieve personal and professional success through health and fitness
Allow me to paint a picture of how my current health and fitness journey began nearly 16 years ago. I stepped onto a treadmill. I walked slowly for 10 minutes. I stepped off the treadmill. I went home.
That’s it - because that’s all I could do, so it was all my health and fitness coach at the time wanted me to do. No good could come of trying to do more than I was prepared to do. My past health and fitness history, filled with starts and stops, clearly proved that.
We all have to start somewhere. The healthiest, most fit people you know weren’t the healthiest, most fit people you know until they took the first step toward reaching their goals and then built upon that.
I know those health and fitness goals you have now seem daunting, which may be why you haven’t faced them yet. But all that matters now is to start.
Now, let’s fast forward to today. I’m tackling a uniquely daunting challenge.
I have taken up karate. This venture began as a way to get my son, Zach, out of his bedroom and out of his comfort zone. It turns out this was another opportunity to get me out of my comfort zone.
Nearly 16 years ago, health and fitness was truly out of my comfort zone. I was pushing 250 pounds, as unhealthy as I had ever been, and heading in the wrong direction. Now, I spend my days pulling others out of their comfort zone.
Meanwhile, being a business owner has its moments of comfort within all the customary stress and chaos. But I’ve been doing it for six years now.
Karate is as new as it gets – and I’m taking on the challenge at 54 years alongside teenagers in class.
Zach and I started karate lessons at Southeastern Tang Soo Do Academy in Southport under Master Brian Walshaw in late January. He has some natural ability, and he seems to be taking well to doing the hard work needed to learn such challenging skills.
The old man, on the other hand, stunk right from the start – and that was great.
Why do I say that?
Anything we really struggle with is something worth doing, because we really have to put in the work to enjoy even the tiniest bit of success and continue overcoming adversity to enjoy more success.
It’s OK to stink. It’s not OK to give up
because you stink.
It’s inevitable that we’ll face challenges that don’t come easy to us right away, if ever. We come away with much more from those experiences – because we learn from the success and stumbles.
We also learn more about ourselves and what we’re capable of in life. I’m learning about where I need to improve physically - balance, flexibility etc. - and that my once injured right leg can handle the stress of performing dynamic movements.
So, I challenge you to challenge yourself by trying something new, something out of your comfort zone – karate perhaps, but really anything you have your eye on but haven’t chosen to take on just yet.
More than likely, you will stink in the beginning. But you can’t get better if you don’t stink first. All you have to do is the
work.
Zach and I experienced our first belt test recently. We faced 90 minutes of mental and physical tests to earn our way from white belt to the rank of yellow belt.
As I write this article, we still don’t know if we passed our test. It takes a week or two for the instructor to determine how we did and order belts for the traditional belt ceremony. But pass or fail, I faced the challenge. Pass or fail, I still gained valuable experience that I can apply to everything that comes my way.
No matter what, we always win when we face challenges head on.
If you need help developing a stronger mindset to face challenges you have always wanted to conquer, or you simply need help pinpointing your path to better health and wellness, I’m always here – because at Fernandes Fit…
Fitness Is Our Business.
Contact me at 814-504-7774 or by email at info@fernandesfit.com to get started. You can also get more information on my website at fernandesfit.com.
• Spark Plug replacement 15% off parts and labor
• Timing belt replacement 10% off parts and labor
History Civil War Aftermath
April Brunswick Civil War Roundtable
STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Questionsswirled in the Civil War’s aftermath about what the process of bringing former Confederate states back into the Union would entail. Like what would freedom for formerly enslaved individuals mean? Or, what role the federal government would play in binding the nation’s wounds? During the Reconstruction era, and specifically the military reconstruction of the South, the issues seemed endless, and eventually, was there an end in sight?
Guest speaker Angela Zombek, Ph.D. will join the Brunswick Civil War Round Table at Hatch Auditorium on Caswell Beach on Tuesday, April 7 to delve into the many crucial issues during her presentation entitled, “Competing Visions of the Post-War World: Military Reconstruction and Southern Resistance in North Carolina.”
The military presence was crucial in maintaining order, safeguarding the rights of newly freed slaves, and establishing new state governments that recognized the 14th Amendment and equal voting rights for all men. On the one hand, radical Republicans favored a rather dramatic approach to Reconstruction, seeking to punish the South and guarantee civil rights for African Americans through military occupation and constitutional changes. On the other hand, white supremacists de-
sired to maintain white racial domination and actively resisted any advancements for African Americans as it related to voting rights or social equality. These differing perspectives will clearly be discussed at the next Round Table meeting when the country sought a measure of equality in the postwar South.
We are pleased to have Angela back with another really significant topic that set the stage of our country for years to come. She is Professor of History at UNCW, a Copie Hill Civil War Fellow with the American Battle-
field Trust, serves as managing editor of Kent State University Press, a prolific author, and is under contract with the University Press of Florida.
Registration for the meeting begins at 6:15 pm and the meeting starts at 7 pm. The visitor fee is still $10, and may be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues, which can include a spouse. Importantly, meeting attendees will be able to take an unlimited number of free Civil War history books from our vast collection of 600-plus books which are being offered due to storage limitations.
For more information about the meeting or the Round Table, please contact president John Butler at Brunswickcwrt@gmail.com, or call him directly at 404-229-9425. Or, visit Brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com for background and current information, news, and updates, or the Facebook page.
Brunswick CC Events
Pitch It! Brunswick Contest and Job Fair
If you have a business idea scribbled in a notebook, saved in your phone, or living rent free in your head, now is the time to bring it to life.
Marine Federal Credit Union and Brunswick Community College’s Small Business Center have teamed up to launch Pitch It! Brunswick, a new competition designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into real Brunswick County businesses.
The program gives participants the opportunity to pitch their new business concept to a panel of three “Business Bulldogs” for a chance to win start-up funding and prizes.
•1st Place: $3,000
•2nd Place: $2,000
•3rd Place: $1,000
“Every day, I meet people with incredible ideas who just need the right support to take that first step,” said April Scott, Director of the Small Business Center at Brunswick Community College. “Pitch It! Brunswick is about walking alongside those future business owners, giving them the tools, encouragement,
opportunity, and funding to turn their vision into something real for our community.”
Ideal candidates have not yet started a business but has a clear idea of the type of company they want to create. Previous business owners may apply, but they must submit a brand-new concept for a Brunswick County-based venture.
Applicants must be Brunswick County residents and commit to participating in all required trainings and program events. Participants should be passionate about their idea, have some knowledge of their intended industry, and be willing to build their business on a strong foundation.
The application period opens is open now and closes April 13.
For complete eligibility requirements, program details, and application information, visit the Pitch It! Brunswick website or contact April Scott at scotta@brunswickcc.edu
JOB FAIR, APRIL 8
If you’re looking for new full- or parttime career opportunities or talent to fill positions at your business, we invite you to attend the BCC Job Fair on Wednesday, April 8. Held in partnership with NC Works and sponsored by METCON Buildings & Infrastructure, the job fair will be held at the Dinah E. Gore Sports & Aquatics Complex on the campus of Brunswick Community College from 10 am to 1 pm.
The Job Fair is free of charge and features nearly 80 employers from throughout Brunswick County and surrounding areas, all with open positions at salaries of at least $15 per hour. Industries represented include hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, food service, banking, beauty and wellness, plumbing, law enforcement, first responders, and more.
In addition to free admission, job seekers and employers can participate in free workshops: Writing a Resume that Works and Interview Skills to Get You the Job. The NC Works Mobile Unit will be onsite providing job application assistance. A professional photographer will offer free headshots from 10 am to noon.
For all the details, a complete list of
employers, and to register to attend or exhibit, visit brunswickcc.edu/jobfair. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. You may also contact Jillian Hardin at hardinj@brunswickcc.edu or 910-7558508
About Brunswick Community College Brunswick Community College (BCC) is a public community college in Bolivia, North Carolina. BCC offers associate in arts, associate in science, and associate in engineering degrees for students who plan to transfer to a senior institution to complete a baccalaureate or higher degree. BCC also offers a wide range of High School Pathways (Career & College Promise), certificates, diplomas, and degrees to prepare students for entry-level jobs in para-professional and healthcare fields. Through the Division of Continuing Education, Economic & Workforce Development, BCC offers over 250 customized courses, programs, and services to enhance employees’ careers, improve business effectiveness, and support the new and existing workforce. For more information about Brunswick Community College and our programs, please visit our website www.brunswickcc.edu.
History
For 20 Dollars In Gold
April Cape Fear Civil War Round Table
STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
On April 9, the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table will host retired U.S. Army Colonel A. Carl Ward as he presents For Twenty Dollars in Gold, A Story of the Civil War, a family story that has been researched more than 60 years. Based on Carl’s book of the same name, it is a carefully documented narrative that reflects historic facts about Southeastern North Carolina from both a soldier’s view during the war and a family’s view about surviving back home.
Carl crafted the book from the starting point of discovering long forgotten letters in the attic of his grandmother’s home in Southeastern North Carolina. In Carl’s words, “The novel is told from the documented view of a man and his family, all conflicted by circumstances created by others, for causes they did not share, that spun out of control, all for a war they did not seek.” Follow Private James Ward on this epic journey through American history, on places and battlefields near and far away, with intense victories and tragic defeats, providing fleeting glory and tragedy, resulting in peace and a return to a devastated home and a new life in rural North Carolina.
slaved, about 331,000 out of a total of 992,000. Yet, most families did not own slaves. In New Hanover County (which then included today’s Pender County) and Brunswick County, less than half of families owned slaves. The percentage was highest in counties to the north where cotton was more widely grown. The largest plantations in North Carolina, such as Stagville in Durham, enslaved nearly 1,000 people.
July 3 in the climactic assault on Cemetery Ridge known as Pickett’s Charge, although the 26th served not in Pickett’s division, but in the division commanded by Brigadier General J. Johnston Pettigrew. The 26th is usually credited as the unit that reached the farthest in the assault that was ultimately turned back by the Union army after great loss on the southern side. In the three-day battle of Gettysburg, approximately 89 percent of Private James Ward’s 26th Regiment became casualties.
At CSI, he was proficient in the use of the Battlefield Staff Ride method of instruction for instructors, students, cadets, and civilian groups studying leadership from the perspective of the “Nine principles of war”, reflecting on battles from strategic, operational, and tactical viewpoints.
James enlists for the bounty of $20 in gold, a considerable amount in the time of the Civil War. In 1860 about one-third of the population of North Carolina was en-
James served in the legendary 26th North Carolina Infantry Regiment. The regiment was formed in August 1861 in Raleigh and served throughout the war, surrendering at Appomattox with Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. It fought at the Battle of New Bern in early 1862 and then was transferred north to Virginia to serve with Lee from the Seven Days Battles of 1862 to the dissolution of the Army at Appomattox.
The regiment lost a total of 274 men killed in action or who died of wounds plus 332 who died of disease and 775 soldiers who were captured, of whom 70 died in captivity. At Gettysburg, the regiment was very heavily engaged on the first day, July 1, 1863, at McPherson’s Ridge and then again on
A. C. ‘Carl’ Ward lives at the beach in Southeastern NC with his wife, Jolene and the family cat, Heidi. Carl retired from the Army after 30 years of military service and continued providing consulting services with various “Top 5” Federal Contractors in the Washington, DC area on various programs and projects dealing with the Department of Defense & Homeland Security. He currently has a successful local consulting company, Lighthouse Management Consulting, even after retiring.
He graduated from Greensboro’s Grimsley High School in 1967 and Southeastern Community College in Columbus County in 1969. He then attended Appalachian State University, graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor’s degree in political science (Honors in International Relations).
He is a graduate of US Army Combat Studies Institute (CSI), at Fort Leavenworth, KS, where he received certification as a Military History Instructor for the US Army. Assigned Assistant Professor of Military Science at ASU in both General College & Army ROTC.
He has conducted Battlefield Staff Rides at: Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Vicksburg, Normandy, Anzio, Sicily, Bastogne, Guilford Courthouse, South Korea, Fort Fisher, New Bern, Malvern Hill, Spotsylvania Courthouse, the Wilderness, Bentonville, Fulda Gap, and others worldwide.
While in the Army, he attended senior level education such as the Defense Systems Management College, Command and General Staff College, Defense Acquisition University, & National Defense University.
The April 9 meeting begins at 7 pm and doors open at 6:30 pm. Come and hear the story of the Civil War from the point of view of an ordinary soldier from North Carolina and his family. The meeting will be held in Elebash Hall at the rear of St. John’s Episcopal Church at 1219 Forest Hills Drive in Wilmington. The centrally located meeting place is near Independence Mall. The church parking lot and entrance to the meeting room is easily accessed via Park Avenue off of Independence Boulevard. All are welcome. For more information about membership, check out the Round Table’s website at https://www.cfcwrt.org/ See you there!
Colonial Plant Sale
Cooperative Extension Online Sale 2026
The Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer As sociation will host its Spring 2026 Online Plant Sale from April 17–24, with plant pickup scheduled for May 1 at the Brunswick County Extension Office.
This year’s theme, “Exploring Our Colonial Roots,” highlights plants that have thrived in this area since Colonial times. Many selections are native to Brunswick County and well suited to the coastal environment, chosen for their beauty, resilience, and ecological value.
The Spring 2026 sale features an expanded selection of 78 offerings, including perennials (with several new varieties), annuals, herbs, fruiting trees, grasses, shrubs, vines, and flowering favorites such as purple coneflowers, milkweed, and black-eyed Susans. These plants not only enhance home landscapes but also provide essential food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of more than 85 percent of the
world’s flowering plants, including over two-thirds of global food crop species. Seeds and fruits produced through insect pollination also support birds and mammals, making pollinator-friendly plants an important part of sustainable landscapes.
Gardeners can preview the plant list now online and start planning their selections. Each listing includes the botanical name, common name, and links to the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, where gardeners can learn more about growing conditions and plant characteristics. Ordering will open April 17, when customers can place orders online, pay by credit card, and schedule a pickup time on May 1.
Pickup is at the Brunswick County Extension Office, 25 Referendum Drive, green-
ONLINE PLANT SALE
in the sale beginning April 17, visit bcmastergardenerva.org/plant-sales
About North Carolina Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers
WALK-IN 9AM–6:30PM
MONDAY–FRIDAY
3009 Medical Plaza Ln, SE | Southport Next to the St. James Seaside Gate Lab & X-Ray Services Available
Celebrating our Colonial Roots
ORDER ONLINE APRIL 17 - 24
PICKUP MAY 1
Master Gardener volunteers support the mission of North Carolina Cooperative Extension by educating residents about safe, effective and sustainable gardening practices that grow healthy people, gardens, landscapes, and communities. Their vision is a healthier world through environmental stewardship.
house area behind Building N, Government Complex, Bolivia. Master Gardener volunteers will be available to answer gardening questions and provide educational materials.
Proceeds from the sale support outreach and educational programs and the Brunswick County Botanical Gardens. For more information and to participate
The Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer Association of Brunswick County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports volunteer education, fosters camaraderie, and provides skilled volunteers for Cooperative Extension projects. Key events include plant sales and public workshops. Proceeds support educational programs and the Brunswick County Botanical Gardens, where visitors are invited to explore on a self-guided tour.
If you would like more information about this topic, please call Kelly Vendetti at 303547-6275 or email communications@bcmastergardenerva.org
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CALENDAR
We’ve included events here that are listed as scheduled, but please remember that all events, dates and times are subject to change. (For programs offered through the Town of Leland, visit https://apm.activecommunities.com/townofleland/ to register online or register in person at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way). Register online for Town of Oak Island programs at www.OakIslandNC.goc/PROGRAMS. — Lisa
April
APRIL 2
Second Tuesday Talk
The Southport Historical Society’s Second Tuesday Talk is at 10 am at the Margaret and James Harper, Jr. Library, 109 W. Moore St. in downtown Southport. Local historian Liz Fuller will present “Dunbar Davis and the Sea Island Hurricane of 1893,” a compelling look at one of the region’s most dramatic rescue stories. Davis, who served as Keeper of local Life Saving Stations for more than 30 years, is credited with saving numerous lives. During the devastating hurricane of 1893, he led efforts to rescue crews from four shipwrecks along the coast. This program highlights both the perilous conditions faced by coastal communities and the courage of those who risked their lives to save others. The meeting is free to attend and all are welcome. Reservations can be made by calling 910-457-6237.
APRIL 2
Gallery Reception — Leland
Visit with artist Erika Pifher at a reception at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way, Leland. The reception is 6-8 pm.
APRIL 4
Easter Fun Day — Northwest
The City of Northwest hosts this event, which includes an egg hunt, games, photos with the Easter Bunny, crafts, and activities. The festivities are 11 am to 1 pm at the City of Northwest Park, 4891 Vernon Road NE.
APRIL 8
Job Fair — Brunswick Community College
The job fair is free and open to the public, and will feature more than 80 employers in a variety of industries, including hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, food service, banking, beauty and wellness, plumbing, law enforcement, first responders, and more. There will also be free workshops on Writing a Resume That Works and Interview Skills to Get You the Job. The job fair is 10 an to 1 pm at the Odell Williamson Auditorium, 150 College Road NE, Bolivia.
APRIL 9
Market in the Park — Sunset Beach
Shop this open air market at Sunset Beach Town Park, 206 Sunset Blvd North (on the mainland by the bridge). The market is 9 am to 1 pm.
APRIL 9
CoastWise Speaker Series - Oak Island
UNCW Professor and Regional Economist Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi is the first guest presenter in the Town of Oak Island’s CoastWise Speakers Series, 6 pm in the Town Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall at 4601 E Oak Island Drive.
APRIL 11
Fundraiser by Chapter CB, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Southport
A “Treasures in the Trunk” and Bake Sale will be held from 9 am to noon at the BCC Southport Campus parking lot (701 N. Lord St.) There will be 10 car trunks loaded with household items, glassware, pottery, jewelry, purses, games, lamps, artwork, linens, holiday
decorations and much more and two tables will be loaded with homemade baked items. Cash and checks only will be accepted; no credit cards. P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) has been motivating, educating and celebrating women for more than 155 years. Since its inception in 1869, the nonprofit organization has helped more than 129,000* women pursue educational goals by providing approximately $462 million* in grants, scholarships, awards and loans. To learn more about P.E.O., visit www.peointernational.org.
APRIL 11
Storytime — LCAC
Take the kids to storytime at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way. Registration is required for the program, which runs from noon to 1:30 pm and includes a craft project.
APRIL 11
Spring Daze Fest - Market — Shallotte
This family-friendly market features local vendors, handmade goods, live music, a kids craft corner, and special themed activities. The market is 9 am to 2 pm at the Riverwalk, 145 Wall St.
APRIL 11
Wings and Wheels - Cape Fear Regional Jetport
EAA Chapter 939 hosts this annual event, which starts with a pancake breakfast from 8:30 to 11 am. Enjoy the car show, with awards at 2 pm. Hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks will also be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the group’s youth programs. The Jetport is at 4015 Airport Road (Oak Island mainland).
APRIL 12
Red, White and Blue Shimperoo — Southport
Help support the 4th of July Festival with this annual fundraiser, 4-7 pm at the American Fish Company, 150 Yacht Basin, Southport. The Shimperoo will feature shrimp prepared in various ways, chicken, barbecue pork and all
the trimmings. There will be a cash bar and live performance by Salty Dawgs. Tickets are $55 per person in advance or $450 for a bulk purchase of 10 tickets. Visit www. nc4thofjuly.com/events to purchase tickets.
APRIL 16
Fashion With Friends
The Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce hosts this event, which includes dinner and drinks, gift basket raffles, swag bag and more prize opportunities. This year’s event has a spring garden party theme — wear your best garden party inspired hat for a chance to win the grand prize. The event starts at 5 pm at the Homer E. Wright Event Center. (4136 Southport-Supply Road, St. James).
APRIL 18
Bands, Brews, & BBQ — Belville
Hosted by the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, this annual event features award-winning BBQ, local craft beers, music and a beautiful view at the Brunswick Riverwalk at Belville, 580 River Road SE. The event is from 11 am to 4 pm and includes a BBQ Cook-Off in which both professionals and amateurs compete – and which attendees get to enjoy.
APRIL 18
Library and Senior Center Grand Opening — Boiling Spring Lakes
Celebrate the grand opening of the Joan Kinney Library and Senior Center. Volunteers have been busy stacking shelves and sorting materials to build the library and the grand opening celebration is 11 am to 2 pm. Kinney is a former mayor of BSL, and the library is at 9 E. Boiling Spring Road.
APRIL 18
Ride the Tide — Oak Island
This year’s 5.2-mile float goes from the 39th Place West boat ramp to the kayak launch at SE 31st Street (behind the Recreation Center. The paddle starts at 8:30 am; register with the Town
CALENDAR
APRIL 18
Taste of Spring Food Truck FestivalOcean Isle Beach
Enjoy tasty treats from a variety of food trucks, along with kids activities, live music and more, 11 am to 3 pm at Town Center Park, 11 E. 2nd Street, Ocean Isle Beach.
APRIL 19
Blessing of the Fleet - Southport
The Cape Fear Yacht Club welcomes all vessels, and landlubber onlookers, to the annual Blessing of the Fleet at the American Fish Company, 150 Yacht Basin Drive in Southport. The Blessing is scheduled for 2 pm.
APRIL 24
Blood Drive hosted by Dosher Hospital
Dosher Memorial Hospital is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive at the Jaycee Building, 309 Fodale Avenue in Southport. The blood drive is 9 am to 1:15 pm, and donors are encouraged to sign up ahead of time by visiting the Find A Blood Drive section of www.redcrossblood.org. Donors should also take a photo ID.
APRIL 25
Community Yard Sale Day — Belville Shop for some new-to-you items at this annual event, 7-11 am at Riverwalk Park, 580 River Road SE.
APRIL 25
National Independent Bookstore Day
Celebrate with the folks at Needful Things Bookstore, 114 E. Nash St. in Southport from 9 am to 4 pm with giveaways, signed books, a bookmark bar, bookish temporary tattoo station, double punches on rewards cards, and more.
APRIL 25
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Sailors and Tar Workers in the 18th Century
This program at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site will pro-
www.LelandMag.com /April 2026/ Leland Magazine 30 of Oak Island.
vide a comprehensive view of maritime history within the region, provide context for naval stores production along the lower Cape Fear, and provide interpretations of eighteenth century trades that are relevant to maritime history and sailing. It will contextualize the role of the naval stores industry in Brunswick’s development as a major colonial port. This is a free event for all ages, 10 am to 4 pm at the site, 8884 St. Philips Road SE in Winnabow (of NC 133).
APRIL
25
A Taste of Calabash
For a $10 ticket, you can taste samples from many Calabash restaurants. Ticket sales start at 10:30 am at Calabash Park, 828 Persimmon Road. The self-guided tour is 11 am to 5 pm. (Editor’s Note — there is a lot of good food to sample, so go hungry).
APRIL 25
Rockin’ and Rollin’ to the Red, White & Blue Car & Truck Show
The Cape Fear Cruisers host this car and truck show on Bay Street in Southport, 8:30 am to 2 pm. Awards include Best in Show and Best Patriotic Decorated Vehicle. The Cruisers use event proceeds to benefit local charities.
APRIL 27-MAY 2
Restaurant Week — Oak Island and Southport
It’s a great week to try something new from restaurants in the Southport-Oak Island area. Restaurants will offer special menu items only offered during Spring Restaurant Week, special price points, or pre-fixed dining options — including multiple courses — offered at one price point. Check https://www. southport-oakisland.com/article/restaurant-week.html for your Restaurant Week Passport.
APRIL 30
Artists Reception — LCAC
A reception for artists Deb Helms and Karen Goldman is 6-8 pm at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.
APRIL 30
Market in the Park — Sunset Beach Shop this open air market at Sunset Beach Town Park, 206 Sunset Blvd North (on the mainland by the bridge). The market is 9 am to 1 pm.
MAY
2
Women of Brunswick
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site hosts a number of living history demonstrations that focus on the women who worked and lived at the port of Brunswick. Get a chance to see what their life was like and dive into a new perspective of Port Brunswick. This is a free event for all ages, 10 am to 4 pm at the site, 8884 St. Philips Road SE in Winnabow (of NC 133).
MAY 2
Craft Fair — Varnamtown
Shop for arts and crafts from local vendors. The fair is 10 am to 3 pm at Town Hall, 100 Varnamtown Road SW. There will be shuttle service for parking at Dixon Chapel.
MAY 2
MayDay Festival - Shelton Herb Farm
Get out and welcome spring properly, with this festival at Shelton Herb Farm, 340 Goodman Road NE, Leland. There will be several local herbal and botanical vendors, a food and coffee truck, kids activities and lots of early spring flowers and plants to purchase. MayDay is 9 am to 4 pm at the farm.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
USS NORTH CAROLINA
1 Battleship Road NE, Wilmington (west side of the Cape Fear River).
April 10 — A Musical Tribute to the Battleship featuring the Brunswick Bands, 7 pm
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
701 N. Third St., Wilmington
April 14 — Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band
April 15-16 — Bert Kreischer
April 17 — Magician and comedian Piff the Magic Dragon
April 18-19 — City Ballet performs The Winter Queen
April 24 — Jim Jeffries
April 25 The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, the Cape Fear Chorale and the UNCW Chorus team up to perform Carmina Burana
April 26 — The Wilmington Choral Society presents Lights, Camera, Music — Songs from the Stage and Screen
April 28-30 — Kinky Boots
May 2 — Ali Saddiq - The Custom Fit Tour
May 9 —- Let’s Sing Taylor
May 10 — Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
May 12 — David Lee Roth
May 13 — One Night of Queen Visit https://wilsoncentertickets.com for more information.
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St., Wilmington
April 2-12 — Big Dawg Productions presents The Hermit of Fort Fisher
April 3 — Forward Motion Dance presents Arts Sensation!
April 10-19 — The Wizard of Ox by the Thalian Association Community Theatre
April 14 — Capitol Fools
April 16 — Joshua Kane-Borders of the Mind
April 16-19 — A Ride Through the Country, from Big Dawg Productions
April 20 — Women of Americana
April 23 — The Chase Brock Experience
May 1-9 — The Opera House Theatre Company & Twinkle Doon present The Varsity Line
May 2 — The Wizard of Oz on Ice Check https://www.thalianhall.org/calendar for more information.
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
1941 Amphitheatre Dr., Wilmington
March 25 — The Infamous Stringdusters
March 31 — Old Crow Medicine Show: O.C.M.S. Big Iron World Tour: Back to the Roots
April 11 — Dog’s Out the Cage Tour
April 16 — An Evening With - Greensky Bluegrass
April 17 — Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
May 3 — Ani DiFranco w/ Special Guest Valerie June
Visit https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZ917A2qV/greenfield-lake-amphitheater-events for tickets.
ONGOING EVENTS
Friends of the Library
The Once More used bookstore, at Southport Realty (727 N. Howe St.), with new-to-you books, is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays 10 am to noon. Visit https:// folsoi.org/blog/ for information on upcoming programs.
Barbee Library, 8200 E. Oak Island Drive: Call 910-278-4283 for details on children’s story time and other programs. The Lifelong Learners Group meets at 10 am on Thursdays. Other programs offered at the library include chair yoga, one-on-one tech support on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, and more.
Harper Library, 109 W. Moore St., Southport: Call 910-457-6237 to register for programs. One-on-one tech support is offered on Thursdays, 1-3 pm.
Leland Library, 487 Village Road NE: Baby storytime is at 10 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Pre-K and older storytime is at 11 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Ruark Library, 5068 Main St., Shallotte Storytime for toddles and pre-K on Thursdays at 10:30 am, and the Teen Chess Club meets on Mondays at 4 pm.
Southwest Brunswick Branch, 9400 Ocean Hwy West (U.S. 17), Carolina
Shores: Move It Monday library workouts are at 9 am on Mondays. Chess Club meets on Tuesdays at 3 pm.
NC Maritime Museums - Southport 204 E. Moore St.
The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 am to 4 pm at 204 E. Moore St., Southport. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and there is a gift shop too offering maritime and seasonal items for visitors of all ages. Visit www.ncmaritimemuseum.com to register for special programs.
Franklin Square Art Gallery
The Gallery is open 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday and can be found next to Franklin Square Park.
First Friday Gallery Walk — Southport
The First Friday Gallery Walk is 5-7 pm in Southport at participating galleries, such as Lantana’s, The Rickey Evans Gallery, the Franklin Square Art Gallery, Artisans on Howe and Southport Studio Artists. Stroll along, or jump on the trolley, browse in the shops, and see what local artists have to offer. The first Gallery Walk for the year will be March 7.
Oak Island Recreation Department
Join the Striders Club at various locations and dates/times to get out and about with a group or try your hand at art with a new class. There are book clubs, kayak tours in the Davis Canal, surf fishing lessons, and much more. Visit https://parksrec.egov.basgov.com/ oakislandnc for details on programs.
Town of Leland/Parks & Recreation
Check out https://www.townofleland. com/parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources for more information on classes and programs, including starting an art journal, pottery, gardening, writing creative nonfiction, acting, dance and more.
Bingo at the Elks Lodge — Oak Island
Bingo games are on the second and fourth Tuesdays at the Lodge, 106 E. Dolphin Drive, Oak Island. Games are
open to the public; no one under 16 and no outside food or drinks allowed. Doors open to the public at 5:45 pm with games starting at 6:30 pm. Snacks and drinks available for purchase (cash or checks only). Winner takes all coverall.
Battleship North Carolina — near Leland
Tour the USS NORTH CAROLINA and participate in group programs and special programming throughout the year. Visit https://battleshipnc.com/. Battleship Alive is April 11, when attendees can watch and interact with World War II living history interpreters who bring the Ship to life by re-enacting daily duties and drills. Hidden Battleship, a behindthe-scenes tour ($75) is April 18. The battleship site is at 1 Battleship Road NE, Wilmington (west side of the Cape Fear River)..
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State
Historic Site
8884 St. Philips Rd. SE, Winnabow
There is plenty to do and see, with a museum, historic ruins, great information on the site’s history, and some of the most beautiful riverfront property in the County. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
Museum of Coastal Carolina
21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach
The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm (until 7 pm Tuesday and Thursday) and Sundays from noon until 4 pm. Touch tank feedings are Fridays at 11 am. Also open February 15-16 for President’s Day
Ingram Planetarium
7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach
Brunswick Newcomer’s Club — Southport
The Brunswick Newcomer’s Club is a non-profit social club of more than 300 adults who live in
Southeastern Brunswick County, including the Boiling Springs, Bolivia, Leland, Oak Island, St. James, Shallotte, Southport and Supply areas. Meetings are held the third Tuesday morning of every month at 9:30 a.m. in Murrow Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport. For more information visit: Brunswick Newcomer’s Club or contact us at
brunswick.newcomers@gmail.com or find them on Facebook. Please note that the group does not meet in June, July or August, but will resume meeting in September..
Wilmington River Tours
212 S. Water St., Wilmington Tour the beautiful Cape Fear River and learn more about the area’s history and ecology. Sunset cruises include acoustic music Thursdays through Sundays! Tours are offered daily, to the north along historic downtown Wilmington, the USS North Carolina Battleship and Eagles Island on the even hours, and to the south under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and past the shipyard on the odd hours; visit https://wilmingtonwatertours.net/ for schedules and to purchase tickets.
The Planetarium is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm; dome shows start on the hour from 11 am to 3 pm. Laser shows are on Fridays and Saturdays at 6 pm and 7 pm. Visit https://museumplanetarium.org/ ingram-planetarium/ to see the show schedule. Don’t see your event or location listed? Try as we might, we
