If you've been following my blog, "Carolina Real Estate with Mary Lynn," the post below will look very familiar. I decided to start an entirely separate blog for my "Good News, Wilmington!" posts. It was starting to get a little unwieldy, and just wasn't making much sense to keep updating this post in the other blog. It was just crying out for it's own home! (I'm a real estate agent, so yes, I had to find it a new home.) I've moved the Good News, Wilmington posts from the other blog to here for the continuity.
As a real estate agent in the Wilmington NC area, I love educating folks (some would call in bragging) about the fun events, new developments, fascinating history and culture of our region. If you are new to the area, thinking about moving here, or even a long-time resident, I hope you find this both useful and enjoyable!
Cheers
Mary Lynn
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Here's a new collection of stories about what's happening in and around my hometown of Wilmington NC -- from municipal plans, to new restaurants opening, to special events, and more. It's all good news for Wilmington! I'll update frequently. Let me know if you're aware of interesting stories you think should be in this list.
August 25 Edition
New All-Inclusive Playground at Hugh MacRae Park
It opened at the end of July, and it's been a hit! The new playground at Hugh MacRae Park provides inclusive play opportunities for children with all abilities and of all ages. Features include accessible equipment for children with mobility issues, bright colors for the visually impaired and quiet nooks for children with autism. There are elements for smaller children, ages 2-5, and a separate area for those 5-12 years old. Nearby, adults can exercise on the new fitness stations while their children play on the playground. Soon to come will be a new 2,700 square foot splash pad. What a great addition to the Wilmington community! If you want more info about what the park offers, click on the link below to the New Hanover County Parks website.
Link: NHCgov Parks - Hugh MacRae
Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Race!
The 4th Annual Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta and Festival is fast approaching. (A little alarming for some of us who will be competing in the boat races for the first time this year, and who aren't exactly in olympic condition!) Kick-off is the evening of Sept 16 with a party, live music, food and an introduction of the teams (like my own Coldwell Banker Sea Coast warriors) who will be rowing their hearts out on the colorful 45 foot long watercraft the next day. The races start at 9:00 am Saturday, with each boat manned by 20 rowers plus a steersman and a drummer for full effect. And of course, there will be costumes... Racing goes on all day until the Awards Ceremony and Celebration party at 4 pm. Saturday evening's events will feature 30 vendors serving their best fare at the Marina. The event benefits Step Up for Soldiers. It's free to come and watch. You'll want to put this on your calendar! (By the way, it's not too late to join a team!)
New Access for Love Grove
In 2013, a train derailed in the Love Grove community, blocking King Street, the only access road into the neighborhood, not only for residents but also for emergency vehicles. It was clear this North Wilmington neighborhood, bounded by railroad tracks and Smith and Burnt Mill Creeks, needed an additional access route. A transportation bond is allowing creation of a new access route off of One Tree Hill Way, with hoped for completed by the end of 2017. (Check out this animation of how the road and bridge will be built. Pretty cool!)
Link: Wilmington City - Love Grove Access
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August 12 2016 Edition
Hitting Academy for Baseball Players
The UNCW Seahawks baseball team hopes to start a Hitting Academy for local baseball players who want to take their batting to the next level. The Seahawks--coaches and players--will host the academy during their off-season, starting later this month, every Monday evening for four weeks.
The Seahawks have had a strong season. As a team, the Seahawks finished in the top 10 in seven offensive categories last season, including batting average, home runs, runs, hits, slugging percentage and runs per game.
If you'd like more info about the camp, check out the link below.
Operation Pretty Things
Wilmington is a city known for its volunteerism. There are many worthy causes, and many, many individuals willing to commit their time and effort to making the world around them a better place for everyone. This week I'd like to focus on Operation Pretty Things (OPT), a non-profit committed to loving and empowering victims of domestic violence. OPT works along side a number of domestic shelters throughout the region, supplying cosmetic necessities and useful community connections to clients in the shelters. Upcoming events for OPT include their annual fund-raising gala on August 12. But if you've missed that this year (it's sold out now), definitely attend the Wine and Fashion Show, where we'll shine a spotlight on OPT and 10% of all proceeds from the event will go to OPT. This really fun event will be Aug 23, 6-9 pm, at Jenn's Vin wine boutique at Chandler's Wharf, 225 S. Water St., Wilmington. The event is being sponsored by Women's Power Networking. Use the links below to sign up to attend!
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July 28 2016 Edition
Link: Paw's Place Raise the Ruff Benefit Gala
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July 28 2016 Edition
Paw's Place - Opening New Indoor/Outdoor Facility
Since Paw's Place Animal Rescue opened in 1999, it has helped find loving homes for hundreds of abandoned or lost dogs. This wonderful no-kill, non-profit organization is looking for families who will adopt their many available dogs (like Kyle, pictured here). They also love volunteers and appreciate donations. Coming up in September is the Raise the Ruff Gala to raise funds for the new, bigger, better indoor/outdoor kennel facility. This will be a worthwhile AND very fun event! Check out the link for info about Paw's Place and how to buy tickets to the Gala.
Link: Paw's Place Raise the Ruff Benefit Gala
Have You Seen What's Happening at The Pointe?
I drove by the building site for The Pointe at Barclay today and was impressed with progress being made on this new entertainment and dining mecca which will be opening at the corner of Independence and 17th. They are scheduled for a late 2016 opening -- and maybe they'll make it! The Pointe is the retail/commercial center of a 500-acre master-planned community. Anchored by a 14-screen theater, the Pointe will include a mix of premium restaurants, retail stores, services and a grocery store. (Check out the link below to see the restaurants that have already pre-leased space!)
BTW, The Forks at Barclay planned community will include a mix of 72 single family, detached homes and 52 townhomes that will feature traditional architecture characterized by southern style, charm and character. Interested in a new home in this perfect mid-town location? I can help with that!
Family Fun Night at Airlie Gardens
One of the treasures of the Wilmington area is the gorgeous, 67-acre Airlie Gardens, which boasts some stunning and varied habitat -- magnolia forests, ancient live oak trees, salt marshes, freshwater ponds, acres of flowers and more. There are lots of events and activities to choose from here, from Bird Hikes to the Summer Concert Series, and Butterfly Releases to Tram Tours. This Saturday, July 30, is Family Fun Night, with activities for both the young and young at heart. BTW, participants also will get a chance to meet Reilly, the goose-herding Border Collie who has been 'hired' by Airlie Gardens for a very special job.
Link: Airlie Gardens Family Fun Night
New Visitor Center/Museum for Fort Fisher State Historic Site
Did you know the Fort Fisher State Historic Site was the most visited state historic site in North Carolina last year, with over 800,000 people walking through the museum doors and over the grounds of this Civil War battlefield? The current visitor's center was only built to accommodate about 40,000 visitors per year, so there has been an understandable push to enlarge the facility. Happily, State funding was just approved this month to allocate $400,000 toward creation of a new visitors center and Civil War museum. The total cost of the new facility will be several million dollars, and The Friends of Fort Fisher organization will be responsible for raising a large portion of the additional funds needed.
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July 15 Edition
Wake N Bake to Open Downtown Location
Downtown residents and visitors are in luck! Although many thought it was well worth the drive to Carolina Beach to get their favorite Wake N Bake donut selections, very soon they will be able to simply walk to their own local neighborhood shop for a sugar over-load. Owner Danny Tangredi recently announced plans for a Downtown satellite store at 114 Princess Street (near the popular Hell's Kitchen and Beer Barrio, if that helps to orient you.) My recommendations in order of preference... The Twisted Turtle (chocolate, salted carmel and pecans); The Samoas (yes, just like the Girl Scout cookies); and The Maple Bacon (you don't even have to be rabidly crazy about bacon to like this!)
Link: Wake N Bake Satellite Store
Link: Wake N Bake Satellite Store
Opera Wilmington
Opera may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love that "Opera Wilmington" has added a new dimension to Wilmington's already thriving arts and cultural scene. Opera Wilmington made its debut as an organization in July 2014 with a luscious production of "The Merry Widow." Opera Wilmington's goal is to draw on the rich resources of local talent to provide live, high-quality operatic performances, and to cultivate a new generation of opera lovers through educational outreach programs. So far, they are doing a spectacular job! Coming up next is their production of Mozart's comedic opera, "Cosi Fan Tutte." Performances are July 29 and 31, and Aug 5 and 7. Better get your tickets quick because it will definitely sell out. I can't wait! (Followup: It was a great production! Well done and lots of fun.)
Planned Expansion at New Hanover Regional Medical Center
It's a little ways down the road, but New Hanover Regional Medical Center is making plans--hopefully to start in 2017--to build a new Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at the 17th St main campus. It could take 3 to 5 years to construct. The Orthopedic team, currently working out of the Cape Fear campus on Wrightsville Avenue, has been recognized by Healthgrades for 12 years in a row with a Five-Star ranking for total knee replacement. It is also considered one of the top 10 U.S. hospitals for hip and knee replacement and one of America's top 100 hospitals for patient experience.
Fun Facts about Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Carolina Beach Boardwalk- New
Carolina Beach Boardwalk - Old
Did you know that the Carolina Beach Boardwalk was voted the #3 best boardwalk in America in a USAToday poll? If you've been to the boardwalk lately and seen all the improvements and fun activities, you know why it ranks so high. If you haven't visited in a while, check out the link to the video below -- and then plan a trip.
Did you know that the first Carolina Beach Boardwalk, which was just a flat wooden walkway on the beach, was built in 1887? Since roads were rough or non-existent, early visitors took a steamboat down the Cape Fear River to "Sugar Loaf" (now part of Carolina Beach State Park) and then transferred to the "Shoe-Fly Train" for the trip from the riverside to the ocean. Carnival rides have been a part of the Boardwalk experience since at least 1925.
After you've enjoyed the rides, the fireworks, the music and more of Carolina Beach -- and if you are looking for a quieter beach experience -- just head down the road to Kure Beach or the undeveloped beach at Fort Fisher State Park.
Link: WRAR Travel/Lifestyles video "Iconic CB Boardwalk"
Link: Visit Carolina Beach website
Carolina Beach in Top 12 Anchorages
As long as we're bragging about Carolina Beach this week, I'll also mention another accolade... Marinelife magazine recently did an article on their favorite, Top 12 anchorages. Carolina Beach was named #4, and described as "the perfect anchorage." We all think its pretty great, too...
Area Home Sales Continue to Rebound
If you've been watching the local real estate market this summer, you know it's been a hot market. How hot? For home sales, this June was the best in 11 years (yes, since 2005 when we were still in the bubble). We're up 15% over June of 2015, and this May was up 21% over May last year. Inventory for homes under $200,000 is scant. Do keep in mind that real estate is hyper local, so one neighborhood may see faster recoveries than others, and certainly sales of homes over $400,000 are slower than those under $200,000. BTW, as of July 11, interest rates for a 30 yr fixed loan had fallen again, to 3.44%. Amazing.
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(July 1 edition)
Historic Preservation Committee approves policy to preserve Wilmington brick streets
City Council approves Water Street development project
Water Street development project (link)
Great new Eateries and specialty shops opening
Already known for its great restaurants, bars and shops, there are some new names in town.
For example, new in Monkey Junction is "Roots," a vegetarian restaurant that will bring a whole new appreciation for vegetables.
You'll always want to check out "Grand Cru" in Lumina Station - an establishment opening soon that pairs an extensive selection of (mostly French) wines with yummy specialty dishes great for sharing.
Grand Cru - coming soon in Lumina Station
Already a big hit at his S. College Rd location, Brandon Korman just opened his second Tropical Smoothie Cafe, this time in Porter's Neck. (It's not just about the smoothies; the food is amazing, too!)
HGTV shines spotlight on Wilmington
HGTV's episode of their new program "Hunting Vintage," filmed in Wilmington, will air at 10 pm Tuesday July 12, and again at 1 am on Wednesday July 13. This episode follows the efforts of a family to purchase and renovate a vintage home. The spotlight will shine brightly on the Legacy Architectural Salvage Shop, belonging to the Historic Wilmington Foundation. (Be sure to set your DVR!)
HGTV spotlight on Wilmington
No Surprise! Wilmington is top city for retirement in North Carolina
Recently, Bankrate came up with their list of top 200 cities nationally that are the best for retirement. Wilmington is 40 on this list -- and of the several cities name in North Carolina, Wilmington was the top.
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