SENC Magazine - Summer 2021 by APG Eastern NC

SUMMER 2021

IN THIS ISSUE: NEW WILMINGTON AMPHITHEATER A DOG’S PURPOSE K-9 DETECTIVE BOBBY ESCAPE ROOMS

2 | Southeastern North Carolina Magazine

Southeastern North Carolina Magazine | 3

Celebrating the beauty of our coastline and everything it has to offer

ON THE COVER Mural artist Sharon Dowell. Photography by Carolina Beach Mural Project. PUBLISHER Jim Sills EDITOR Ena Sellers PRINT PRODUCTION Becky Wetherington DESIGN Ena Sellers CONTENT & PHOTOGRAPHY Lauren Branch Chris DeWitt Annesophia Richards Ena Sellers Alan Wells Lizbeth “Carolina” Zywicki ADVERTISING Alan Wells CONTACT esellers@ncweeklies.com

Southeast North Carolina Magazine is a publication of the Duplin Times and APG Media of Eastern NC. Contents may not be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.

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s Southeastern North Carolina Magazine celebrates its seventh year of publication, I want to invite you to peruse pages of our 2021 Summer edition. In this issue we take you to some of our favorite beach towns and southeastern destinations that offer great places for families and singles alike to enjoy. From restaurants, livemusic concerts, to outdoor venues and indoor activities that will make this summer one to remember! Our first stop is Carolina Beach. This vibrant little town is one of my favorite day-trip beach spots, with live music, ice cream shops, tiki bars, and fresh seafood restaurants dotting their vintage boardwalk, now adorned with giant murals thanks to the Carolina Beach Mural Project. The town offers something for everyone and if you are into taking selfies, make sure to check out our feature about their colorful murals and find out their location for a fabulous photo opportunity and tag us on Instagram! #senc.magazine. For our live-music lovers, Wilmington has a surprise in store for you with a new Amphi-

theater overlooking the banks of the Cape Fear River. Check out Annesophia Richards’ feature to learn more about it. If you are the analytical type or looking for team-building fun, make sure to check out Chris DeWitt’s review of three of the top-rated escape rooms throughout southeastern N.C. If you are in the mood for some “oohs and awws,” turn to page 22 and meet K-9 Bobby, New Bern Fire-Rescue canine arson detective who will surely steal some smiles. If you enjoy a heartfelt story and are not afraid to shed a few tears, do not miss P.S. I love you. This is the real-life story of one of our own who was reunited with his birth mother after decades apart. Interested in some sightseeing? Enjoy a scenic bird’s eye view of historic New Bern as you learn about the artist behind the camera lenses and how he captures his breathtaking images with a drone. Want more excitement? How about a heart-racing adventure as you follow Lauren Branch on her Axe-throwing outing in Goldsboro and learn some tricks to improve your chances of hitting the bullseye! If all that excitement got you hungry… we’ve got you covered! Check out Lizbeth Zywicki’s mouth-watering Dulce de Leche Crepe recipe. Wondering what to do this 4th of July? Check out Chris DeWitt’s story as he tells you all about the Atlantic Beach celebration, which promises to light up the summer sky with a brilliant display of fireworks! If you are in the mood for outdoor excitement on the water, grab your kayak and head to Pogie’s Fishing Center in Swansboro for one of their Kayak Fishing Tournaments slated for this summer. If you are not sure what you are in the mood for, that is okay too. Check out Play Dates on page 42 and take your pick. Our selection of events ranges from bull riding, live-music concerts, artsy classes, and mud racing. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it for YOU.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS ...

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@senc.magazine

Top 5 Enjoy this beautiful shots from our readers! These are our top selections and some great destinations to visit in southeastern North Carolina.

North Topsail Beach @jennbpoole

Soundside Sunset @jennehren

Shrimpin’ by the light of a full moon! @papa.vance

Intracoastal waterway @gabbizaccheria

Memorial Bridge @rightcoast.photo

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Simply post photos of what you love about Southeastern North Carolina on Instagram and use the hashtag #southeasternnc or #southeasternnorthcarolina Follow us, too! Southeastern North Carolina Magazine | 5

6 | Southeastern North Carolina Magazine

Carolina Beach Mural Project Murals bring colorful charm to seaside town

Escape Rooms

A dog’s purpose

Amphitheater

P.S. I Love You

July 4th

The story of how I met my birth mother

Celebrating at the beach

Are you ready to beat a new challenge?

Meet New Bern’s arson detective K-9 Bobby

Wilmington will be joining the ranks of top music cities

Axe Throwing Learn some tricks of the trade

What’s Cooking

Play Dates

Ben Lindemann

Delicious treats and ideas to entertain your guests

Find out what’s going on up and down southeastern NC

Meet the artist behind the lenses

Let the water be your guide Water adventures at Pogie’s Fishing Center

In every issue Southeastern North Carolina Magazine | 7

8 | Southeastern North Carolina Magazine

Beulaville Kenansville Pink Hill Wallace

910 298 6040 Southeastern North Carolina Magazine | 9

Murals bring colorful charm to seaside town Story by Ena Sellers

Picturesque beach scenes and bright colors adorn the walls of Carolina Beach showcasing the town’s charm and history. For the past two years, the Carolina Beach Mural Project has dedicated its efforts to promoting artistic storytelling through mural art, not only showcasing the town’s roots and history but also enhancing its beauty and curve appeal. The non-profit was founded in 2020 by Maureen Lewis with the support of the Island Arts & Culture Alliance. “They wanted to launch a mural project but weren’t sure how. I had experience and they had seed money to support the initial efforts,” said Lewis. “It was a great collaboration and their 10 | Southeastern North Carolina Magazine

Photos by the Carolina Beach Mural Project

Carolina Dreamin’ is the creation of Jason Parker and was inspired by the town’s colorful sunrises. Parker’s style is a blend of graffiti art, punk rock and skateboarding vibes.

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Sharon Dowell (right) is the creator of Record Weekend. Her mural wall can be seen on the north facing side of Sea Witch Tiki Bar located on Carolina Beach Ave. Dowell mentored budding muralist Mar’Emilia (left). 12 | Southeastern North Carolina Magazine

Sharon captured the energy and a perfect moment in time at the music festival.

~ MAUREEN LEWIS

Photos by the Carolina Beach Mural Project

support helped realize what is now Carolina Beach Mural Project.” The non-profit raises funds through memberships, money donations, merchandise sales, mini-grants, and artist meet and greet events, all of which have funded the murals they have installed throughout the town. “Our organization and the community are delighted to have such talented artists participate in the Carolina Beach public art’s program,” said Lewis. “We all have the same goal — to beautify our town and tell stories about the rich history and eclectic culture.” Lewis said their goal is to create a sense of wonder and belonging whether someone is a local or just visiting

Carolina Beach for the day. Sharon Dowell is the artist of Record Weekend (also known as mural 4). The mural was inspired by the Carolina Beach Music Festival, which has been a live-music destination dating back to the late 1940s. “It was fun to research and learn more about Carolina Beach and its history in the process of designing the imagery.” Dowell said she enjoyed talking to folks who stopped by to ask questions about the mural’s imagery. “Hearing that people enjoy the art and feeling that I am contributing to the identity and fabric of a place is rewarding,” said Dowell.

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Our organization and the community are delighted to have such talented artists participate in the Carolina Beach public art’s program. ~ MAUREEN LEWIS

The painting of Record Weekend took a little over a week according to the artist. The mural is on the north-facing side of Sea Witch Tiki Bar located at 227 Carolina Beach Ave. “Sharon Dowell was an absolute pro to work with,” said Lewis. “Sharon captured the energy and a perfect moment in time at the music festival.” According to Lewis, Dowell mentored a local aspiring muralist, which is something they hope to encourage more of moving forward. The latest mural features the work of Scott Nurkin. His mural is titled Summer on the Boardwalk (also known as mural 5). Summer on the Boardwalk was inspired by Nurkin’s own childhood memories of spending his best summers in Carolina Beach. “Scott Nurkin’s mural is our biggest to date,” said Lewis. “We are thrilled to be working with such an accomplished and talented artist.” Summer on the Boardwalk is on the west-facing and south-facing walls of Hurricane Alley. It depicts an evening scene on the north-facing wall and a daytime boardwalk vignette on the west-facing wall. The Carolina Beach Boardwalk 14 | Southeastern North Carolina Magazine

Photos by the Carolina Beach Mural Project

was originally constructed in 1887 and is known today as the Playground of the Carolinas for its old-fashioned seaside fun and vibrant nightlife dotted by ice-cream stands, live music venues, and fresh seafood restaurants. “Our goal is to continue to find walls, determine themes, hire more artists and add great stories on walls up and down the island’s business corridor,” said Lewis. “I never thought that my quest for murals would end up being such a well-received and growing public art program.” According to Lewis, they plan to build two more murals in the fall. The murals will celebrate the Carolina Beach Marina, which is a very active day fishing and boat touring location.

Scott Nurkin’s mural is our biggest to date. We are thrilled to be working with such an accomplished and talented artist. ~ MAUREEN LEWIS

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Exterior of DEFCON ONE: Red Alert depicting a run down 1980s fallout shelter.

ARE YOU READY TO BEAT THE NEW CHALLENGE? Story by Chris DeWitt

The clock is ticking. Only 30 more seconds to solve this tricky puzzle or it’s game over for you and your crew.

his might sound like the plotline to a horror movie, but fear not, it is just an escape room. Escape rooms have boomed in popularity in recent years for their combination of ingenuity, creativity, and teamwork, making for an intriguing activity for a family game night or a night out

with your friends. What are they exactly? Escape rooms involve participants being locked in a room symbolizing a closed place (a castle, prison, a pirate ship, etc.). They have to collaborate to analyze and solve the puzzles to escape in a limited time. If this sounds like a good time to you, then you are in luck. There are Escape Room locations throughout Southeastern North Carolina for your family to dive into this summer. We had the chance to talk to three locations: The Exit Games Escape Room in Wilmington; Bear Towne Escape Room in New Bern; and Cracked It Escape Games in

Jacksonville. The Exit Games Escape Room Location: 2 N Front St, 2nd Floor Wilmington Q. What kind of puzzles do you have visitors solve? What are your themes? A. At The Exit Games, we offer a little bit of everything to cater to the interests of all players. We offer three immersive escape adventures. Two of our adventures are 60 minutes: White Rabbit Society and The Front Street Casino Heist. In White Rabbit Society, your team takes on the role of established magi-

Southeastern North Carolina Magazine | 17

Courtesy photos

cians! You’ve received a cryptic invitation to attend an event this evening at the Top Hat Lounge: the infamous meeting place of the world’s most top-secret, elite magic society - The White Rabbit Society. Gaining entry into the society would put you in the company of the greatest magicians to have ever lived! This is a non-linear adventure with a mixture of physical and problem-solving puzzles. In The Front Street Casino Heist, you are a member of America’s most successful crime syndicate. You’ve been tasked with stealing the incredibly rare valuables behind the Front Street Casino’s vault. In this adventure - the more you solve, the more you steal to collect the highest loot amount possible! This experience is often considered our most challenging adventure with more problem-solving puzzles and is a mixture of linear and nonlinear. Our third experience is our 45-minute adventure, Dog Gone Alley. Poor

Buddy the Golden Retriever is lost! You found him aimlessly wandering around the streets of New York. Now it’s up to you to retrace his steps (pawprints) and find clues to help return him to his worried mom before Animal Control comes to collect him! Because of its physical style of puzzles, this experience is an especially great option for groups with younger players (al-

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though it offers the same level of difficulty as our other adventures)! This is a linear adventure. Q. What makes your location stand out? A. As escape room enthusiasts ourselves, with almost 200 escape rooms played across the globe, we have an extreme passion for the industry and its success! That passion fuels

the design of our escape experiences as we work to create the most immersive, entertaining, story-driven rooms possible. Our family pumps months of blood, sweat and tears into our builds in hopes of creating adventures that pull players out of their own reality and into these thrilling stories! Q. Approximately how many visitors come to your location on an average day? Week? A. At our maximum capacity, we can host approximately 125 players during a weekend day between the 21-

time slots available for our three immersive adventures. This maximum capacity is roughly 75 players for a weekday. Q. What do you want to share with people who haven’t been to an escape room? What should they expect? A. Escape rooms are a fun activity for all ages! Our immersive adventures allow you to put the phone down for an hour and entirely immersive yourself in another world. All the while, you’re building your teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills to

achieve an overall goal or mission with your team. The Exit Games is proudly family-owned with a tight-knit crew of team members excited to host you in your immersive adventure! Alongside our award-winning adventures here in Wilmington, our Clearwater, FL location was fortunate to receive the 2020 World’s Best Escape Room Award for our 90-Minute experience: Servants of Sleight. We plan to continue to build adventures for our guests that break the norm of the traditional “escape room” with high detail and immersion levels. Bear Towne Escape Rooms Location: 233 Middle St, Suite 107B New Bern Q. What kinds of puzzles do you have visitors solve? What are your themes? A. Games consist of themed chambers including various tasks, objectives incorporating critical and outside-ofthe-box thinking. We currently offer three games with another two under construction. We have “Deadly Dieagnosis, Witches Brew and SpyHunter.”

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Q. What makes your location stand out? A. We are located in the heart of Downtown New Bern. We average roughly 40-70 games per week. Q. What do you want to share with people who haven’t been to an escape room? What should they expect? A. Escape games are meant to bring groups together, highlighting all players’ unique skills and talents. The games are great for couples, friends, families and corporate team building. Our SpyHunter is Eastern NC’s first outdoor 90-minute adventure, mixing escape games, scavenger hunt and alternate reality all in one. Cracked It Escape Games Location: 559 Freedom Way, Midway Park Q. What kinds of puzzles do you have visitors solve? What are your themes? A. Our range from simplistic codes and ciphers through very advanced augmented reality assisted. We have continued to advance the technology in each of our builds. Cracked It has four themes at the moment. We have DEFCON ONE: Red Alert which is a 1980s fallout shelter where players have to restore their life support systems before time and oxygen run out. New Blood, New World is a little bit darker, both literally and figuratively. The story revolves around a ghostly ship known as the Blutgesetz (blood law) that appears on the coast about this time every year. Players board the ghostly ship to find an ancient family heirloom and determine what happened to a noted explorer. Maude’s Madness is an adventure based on the maniacal ravings of a woman who swears that the dolls are alive and need the guardian to watch over the living. Most recently, we purchased two mobile escape room trailers that we are refitting. Our latest addition is a 35foot 1920’s speakeasy called The Four Deuces Club that is based on notorious gangster Al Capone’s real club in Chi20 | Southeastern North Carolina Magazine

Courtesy photos

cago. We have a submarine-based adventure coming soon. Q. What makes your location stand out? A. What makes us stand out is our passion for game design and immersive set design. We strive for excellence in every facet of escape room design. We are also community-focused and give a portion of our proceeds every month to local charities as a way of giving back to the Onslow community. Q. Approximately how many visitors come to your location on an average day? Week? A. Pre-COVID, we would host between 800-1000 people per month. As you can imagine 2020 was an unusual year and we, like nearly every business were impacted severely. Through the use of programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program and the Emergency Impact Disaster Loan program through the Small Business Administration, we were able to stay afloat through the worst part of 2020. With the addition of the trailers, we

are bouncing back now to pre-covid attendance rates and expect this year to be a banner year exceeding our most successful year in 209. Q. What do you want to share with people who haven’t been to an escape room? What should they expect? A. Escape Rooms are an incredible experience to bond with your family, friends and workgroups. Our first experience as a family so profoundly affected us that we decided within a couple of weeks that we would open our own and bring the same amount of mystery and wonder that we first enjoyed. The challenges you’ll face and overcome in these myriad environments leave a lasting impression. Watching those wallflowers who usually sit in the back come to the forefront is amazing. Watching small business teams come in a little unsure of themselves and leave high fiving each other because they just conquered a team-building event like no other is beyond rewarding. Most of all escape room owners and staff serve a singu-

lar purpose: to ensure that our guests have an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience, and we leave them asking for more. Cracked It Escape Games was recently awarded several honors. We are the recipient of the TripAdvisor awards for excellence for five consecutive years and were awarded the Traveler’s Choice award in 2020. Recently Cracked It Escape Games was awarded the Small Business of the Year for 2021 by the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce. It’s a common misconception that all escape rooms are the same. With the exception of a few companies, we are all mom and pop shops that are your neighbors that want to bring joy to our communities. The North Carolina and South Carolina escape room owners are the most caring and passionate people who solely exist to provide a top-notch entertainment option to our towns and cities here in the east. Escape Rooms are the most exciting thing you’ve ever heard of.

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‘A DOG’S PURPOSE’

Meet arson detective

K-9 Bobby Story by Ena Sellers

Life happens in mysterious ways, with twists and unexpected turns... if we are lucky, we might stumble upon our purpose. I’d like to think God has a plan for everyone — including dogs. Meet Bobby, this cute fella is a twoyear-old Labrador retriever whose journey started with Southeastern Guide Dogs when he was just a few days old. “Puppies begin their education as they are stimulated and socialized,” said Muffy Lavens, a spokesperson for the non-profit. “They are introduced to multisensory, environmental education through sights, sounds, and everyday objects.” At about nine weeks old, they go home with their puppy raiser, where they learn basic skills and house manners for life as a working dog and after a year or so the pups go back to campus to learn more advanced skills. “On campus, our training team will do assessments of the dogs to determine the best career path,” said Lavens. “Sometimes during training, a dog may not be a fit for their original career path, and they may get transferred to another.” As life will have it, that is how Bobby’s journey with the New Bern Fire-Rescue would begin. “While a career as a guide or service dog was not a fit for Bobby, he was assessed for other public service jobs and then donated to the State Farm Arson Dog Program,” said Lavens.

K-9 Bobby is incredibly smart, and he will help take the guesswork out of fire scenes that may have been set illegally. ~ BOBBY BOYD

Bobby and New Bern Fire-Rescue inspector Johnathon Gaskins met at the canine accelerant detection school part of the State Farm Arson Dog Program, where they spent 200 hours training to become a canine accelerant detection team. “I liked him as soon as I saw him,” said Gaskins. He’s a beautiful dog. I was nervous about whether the two of us would ‘click.’ As it turned out, he is just my speed.” Bobby and Gaskins learned to work

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MORE ON PAGE 25

New Bern Fire-Rescue K-9 Bobby is a trained Arson Detection Canine. Photos courtesy to State Farm

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During training K-9 Bobby learns to recognize the scent of ignitable liquids.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

together and bonded as they participated in the daily training. Bobby is trained to sniff out minute traces of accelerants (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) that may have been used to intentionally set a fire and lead his handler to it. Labs are known for having a superior ability to discriminate among scents. At fire scenes, they can smell in parts per quintillion. Accelerant detection canines help to either confirm arson or eliminate the possibility, allowing insurance claim processes to move forward. “K-9 Bobby is incredibly smart, and he will help take the guesswork out of fire scenes that may have been set illegally,” said Fire-Rescue Chief Bobby Boyd. “He will save valuable time and money in the investigation process.” Bobby is what they call a “food reward dog” meaning he is only fed when working a fire scene or during daily training drills, which is part of the training arson dogs receive as the reward for identify-

When you introduce a dog to the investigation and the evidence that they’re able to produce, that prosecution rate jumps up to 50%. ~ TOM GRINCH ing ignitable liquids —is food and lots of praise. Do not worry, he does not go hungry. Dogs like Bobby train multiple times a day, so they can get all the food and nourishment they need. On days the arson dogs, like Bobby, are not going to fire scenes, the handlers place drops of gas around on special containers and tell the dog “Let’s go to work” as soon as the dog sees the food and hears the magic words, he is ready, and motivated. While this might seem unnatural for some of us who tend to overfeed our nonworking “fur kids,” giving dogs several

small meals a day instead of two or three large ones is healthier. Arson dogs do not have a doggie bowl and they only eat out of their handler’s palm. Doggie bowls are more of a retirement item for a working arson dog. “Arson is a huge problem in this state,” said FS Jarman during a demonstration on May 17. Because of its nature arson is a crime difficult to prove and prosecute. A lot of the evidence is destroyed by the fire. Having a canine accelerant detection team, like Bobby and Gaskins is a great asset to helps investigators narrow the field of what they’re searching for, said Jarman. “(It will) helps us determine where we need to pull evidence samples from to be able to find the evidence that we normally may not be able to find,” said Jarman. According to Tom Grinch, a State Farm representative, the criminal prosecution rate for fires that are suspected to be caused by arson without the use of a dog is less than 10%. “When you introduce a dog to the investigation and the evidence that they’re able to produce, that prosecution rate jumps up to 50%,” said Grinch. “It’s a huge advantage to have a dog such as K-9 Bobby to be part of this force.” According to the program literature, all the dogs chosen for the program are Labs or Lab mixes. They are acquired through a cooperative program with a guide dog and disability assistance canine organizations, as well as through animal shelters. It is the Lab’s “high energy and social exuberance,” which usually prompts the decision to change their career from disability assistance service to crime.

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Story by Annesophia Richards

ilmington often tops the charts when it comes to the East Coast’s best places for film, food, and of course the beach. But starting this summer, the Port City will also be joining the ranks of the country’s best music cities. Downtown’s new Riverfront Park Amphitheater will provide residents and visitors access to premiere live entertainment right on the banks of the Cape Fear River. Managed by

26 | Southeastern North Carolina Magazine

Live Nation, this state-of-the-art, coastal concert venue will be the first of its kind in the Carolinas. “We’re always on the lookout for new venue concepts, and the City of Wilmington delivered the perfect mix of ‘urban center meets nature’ by choosing this site to build the park,” says Live Nation Carolinas President Grant Lyman. “Patrons will enjoy facing the Cape Fear River and bridge behind our large stagehouse, along with the

Southeastern North Carolina Magazine | 27

Our seating bowl and great lawn are designed for active use by park goers when we aren’t presenting concerts, and the stagehouse is a beautifully designed work of architecture in itself.

~ GRANT LYMAN

amenities that come from such a walkable downtown.” Beginning in July, the amphitheater will host big-name performers such as the popular Southern rock jam band Widespread Panic, comic Jim Gaffigan, veteran rock band 311, and platinum-selling country band Lady A. The 7,200-capacity concert venue includes space for 2,400 seated and 4,800 on the lawn, making it significantly smaller than the larger amphitheaters in Charlotte or Raleigh. This boutique size provides guests with a more intimate concert experience, and it offers more flexibility in bringing acts of different sizes and popularity to the Port City.

The amphitheater is only one part of downtown’s new multi-million dollar, 6.6-acre city park. The vision of combining an interactive community park with a premiere entertainment venue was years in the making, and the finished product will consist of green space, boardwalks, trails, gardens, and a playground and splash pad for children. These amenities will be accessible for all to enjoy even when concerts are not occurring. The Riverwalk itself will also remain open during concert events, giving people the ability to enjoy the performances from outside the amphitheater, whether on a boat in the river or strolling down the walkway.

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The 7,200capacity concert venue includes space for 2,400 seated and 4,800 on the lawn.

It will also provide an economic benefit to Wilmington by serving as the central amenity to the developing northern downtown district, positively impacting property values.

~ BILL SAFFO

“The venue itself was designed to live within an active park setting and will be a great addition to the local community,” says Lyman. “Our seating bowl and great lawn are designed for active use by park goers when we aren’t presenting concerts, and the stagehouse is a beautifully designed work of architecture in itself.” The amphitheater’s urban center location is unique as it offers guests the ability to enjoy all downtown has to offer while experiencing live music on the waterfront. “The setting gives our guests the ability to go downtown for dinner or meet friends for drinks before a concert, walk to the park to enjoy the show, and have the option to go back out to explore downtown again after,” says Lyman. “Inside the venue, guests will be able to enjoy beautiful river views, great local food and beverage options, and an intimate concert experience from their favorite artists.”

In addition to bringing a variety of high-profile artists to the Port City, Riverfront Park Amphitheater will also create a wide range of new employment opportunities for the area. By drawing more residents and tourists downtown, the extra foot traffic will provide an economic boost to businesses in the area. “While the park enhances Wilmington residents’ quality of life and meets the recreational needs of the community at large, it will also provide an economic benefit to Wilmington by serving as the central amenity to the developing northern downtown district, positively impacting property values,” says Mayor Bill Saffo. “The firstclass amenities in the park are matched by the physical beauty of its location along the Cape Fear River. This will be one of the most unique performance venues on the East Coast.”

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Story by Lauren Branch

hen you think of a fun Saturday night out, axe throwing is probably the last thing on your mind, but over the last 20 years, the sport has become more and more popular and most recently has become the new “it” thing to do. Axe throwing has actually been around since the early 1800s and is seen in logger sports which are competitive sporting events such as pole climbing, crosscut sawing, chainsaw events, axe throwing, log rolling in the water. Logger sports have been traced back to the 1940s. North American Frontiersmen were some of the first to host axe throwing competitions according to legend, but there have also been reports of the Celtic Tribes having them as well. In the late middle ages, throwing iron axes was common amongst foot soldiers and knights. Photo by Lauren Branch Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 31

TIPS SOLID STANCE Whether positioning to step forward, or keeping feet planted your footing should be solid, stable, and balanced. THE GRIP The most used grip by the top throwers is light grip, toward the mid to end of the palm. For very fast throwers a stronger grip is unavoidable. THROW SETUP Have the axe directly in line with the throw arc (final path of your axe once it leaves your hand and travels to the target). CHOOSE YOUR AXE Experiment with different axes, handle shapes, and lengths. STUDY THE WOOD If the board is very soft adjust the rotation to strike with the blade flat and parallel to the board. If the wood is hard, to minimize the chance of a drop, adjust the rotation of your axe more to the tip. KEEP IT STRAIGHT Bring your axe straight back from the target on your backswing. It’s important to move directly towards the target. AVOID TWISTING A cross-body throw can inherently move the axe in two different directions before release, horizontal and vertical, as your torso twists. 32 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

Photo by Lauren Branch Europeans introduced them into the New World when they gave tomahawks to the Native Americans. The urban sport is popular in many other countries like Canada, Thailand, Australia, France, and the UK. Southeastern NC is no different and has caught on to this razor-sharp indoor recreation. There are axe throwing facilities are located in Kinston, Jacksonville, Goldsboro, Raleigh, Greenville, New Bern, Morehead City, and the list goes on and on. One local facility owned and operated by two long-time friends, Michael Garrett and Matt Ray, opened up Whoopaxe Lodge in April of 2019. Garrett has been around the area for a while as he was an employee of The University of Mount Olive for 7 years, and Ray originally from Jacksonville moved to the area when they launched the business. The duo decided to bring an axe throwing facility to Goldsboro after years of

visiting other facilities across the US. It became a regular activity for them, and they tried to find a location in every city they traveled to while traveling for body-building competitions. They thought it would be something fun for both the airmen in town and for their friends and families. The object of the game, like darts, is to try to hit the target. Hitting the red bullseye gets you four points, the next circle 2 points, and the larger outer circle only 1 point. When you 1st visit a facility, you get a quick tutorial on proper throwing technique and safety protocols to try to prevent any accidents, and then it’s happy throwing for the next hour. You can play as individuals or as teams throwing for fun or competing against each other. “It’s a lot like top golf. It’s a lot like bowling. It’s an indoor recreation thing for outings, date nights, we get a lot of date nights. We’ve done birthday par-

ties, bachelorette parties, we’ve even put glass plates on the wall and allowed people to break that. I just had a person tell me that this was pretty therapeutic. You get the element of a little bit of danger, a little bit of excitement, and there are some fun games that you can get competitive with it if you want to” Although they were hit hard in 2020 when they were forced to shut down for four and a half months, the increased interest in axe throwing has helped them bounce back this year. “Our 2nd year our business has almost doubled. We are definitely picking up steam. The 1st year was such a new concept for the area. I think as people saw more and more of it nationwide people were like, “cool”. But we were worried about bringing that concept to a small town that only has like 50,000 people. Change is sometimes difficult,” stated Garrett. That’s not the only challenge they

have faced. Since opening prices of wood have quadrupled, and they have only been open 2 years. Garret said that when they first started an eightfoot board was about $6-$7, and now it is $21. At their facility, they use oak and pine wood, but with the pandemic, there has been a shortage of wood. That’s their biggest expense each week. The wood is changed every weekend on Saturdays, and with 16 different throwing lanes, they go through about $120 worth of wood each week especially when it’s cold or rainy during the peak season. Axe throwing is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. No experience is required, just the ability to unwind and have fun. It is recommended that you are at least 18-years-old, but they do allow it with supervision They have different sized axes as small as 12 inches that don’t even weigh a lb. They also have sharp

decks of cards and ninja stars that people can choose to throw instead of axes. There are also other games like connect four in the building, so it’s all about having a night of fun. “We have a ton of fun doing it. It’s not like work. We get a lot of excitement and a lot of fun out of it. It’s a chance to get away from life for an hour. When you’re throwing that axe you’re not worried about anything else. I actually have to ask people to take their phones out to take pictures because they’re not playing on their cell phones, and I think that’s a wonderful thing right now. So many people are getting cell phone addictions and stuff like that, it’s nice to put that down and spend some time with your friends and family, and have a good time throwing your cares and worries away. That’s one of our t-shirts. It says throw your cares and worries away and has an axe on the back,” Garrett explained. Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 33

Kinston-Lenoir County

Visitor & Information Center

OPEN 7 DAYS A

Ma e s y u r fi t ir u n y” 1 01 E t N w B rn n Rd., 2 5 2 -5 2 2 - 04

, NC

Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department 2602 W W. V Vernon A Av enue, Ki Kinston t NC 28504

252.939.3332

www.kinstonrec.com 34 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

I wasn’t sure I could … I still wasn’t sure I wanted to. I had the best parents a child could ask for and had a wonderful life. Would this change things? Would this just make things different in my life moving forward? But I had gone this far, so I had to. And looking back, there’s no way I was going to stop, no matter the outcome.

The story of how I found my birth mother Story by Alan Wells

here to begin? How do you do it? What will they say? Do I really want to do this? There were lots of questions lingering in my mind as I contemplated the idea of searching for my birth parents. All those questions were answered as I moved forward, but let’s start at the beginning. I was truly blessed as an adopted child, with a sister also adopted, to have the most wonderful parents one could ask for. I lost my father in 1986 and my mother in 2004. Until that point in time, I had known several kids in my town who were also adopted in the 60s, who had attempted to find their birth parents with no luck. Some found out their parents had passed away. Others had no luck at all. I had also witnessed how some parents reacted when their adopted children wanted to find their birth parents. I knew there was disappointment in the minds of those families who maybe thought they weren’t good enough that the kids needed to find their birth family. I loved my adoptive family very much and while they were alive the thought of searching for my birth parents didn’t even cross my mind. During a casual conversation with a friend I was introduced to the search angels— a volunteer group that helps adoptees and birth families find a loved one. Most search angels are people who have been through the process themselves and they help others go through

it by passing along what they have learned along the way. In the 60s, when a person gave a child up for adoption, the person was required to fill out documents providing basic information about the child’s birth parents. The documents have the ages of the birth parents, their hobbies, and whether they had a normal childhood or not. It also has information about the birth parents’ health history. People can call the Children’s Home Society and ask questions about their adoption record, which they will answer with a yes or a no. Jumping down the rabbit hole Once I contacted my search angel, it was a matter of giving her information that I had been provided by the Children’s Home Society in Greensboro, where I was adopted from. This information was from the early 60s and a lot obviously would have changed but the pieces were in place to try to locate them. I would give the search angel information and she would dig deep into the system and come back to me with questions. I would then call the Children’s Home Society and ask those questions and they were bound to give me a yes or a no. The children’s home knows the information, but could not volunteer it unless I figured it out. I remember joking with the lady at the Children’s Home, that my mom better not be from Durham … anywhere but Durham! She laughed and asked why, well I’m a Tarheel so a Duke family wouldn’t work....haha. It only took two weeks of question-

ing --Two weeks! I had my birth mother’s name, her address, her phone number, and knew she had siblings. And, of course, they were originally all from … Durham! (ugh) . It was all right there in front of me, but what do you do now? How do you contact someone you haven’t known all those decades and what do you say? Obviously, I wasn’t going to be able to pick up the phone and call her and say “Hi mom.” This was gonna take some thought. I decided the best thing I could do was write a letter from the heart, asking exactly what I wanted to know and to let her know that I was alive and well. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect so I asked for a little help from a family friend to proofread my letter and give me feedback while I decided whether I was going to send it or not. I wasn’t sure I could … I still wasn’t sure I wanted to… Again, I had the best parents a child could ask for and had a wonderful life. Would this change things? Would this just make things different in my life moving forward? But I had gone this far, so I had to. And looking back, there’s no way I was going to stop, no matter the outcome.” Writing the letter “From the paperwork I had received MORE ON PAGE 50

Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 35

entertainment

Fireworks to light up the summer sky with brilliant flare this 4th of July

he time for family getaways and barbecues is underway.

While there are many occasions for celebration during the summer months, the Fourth of July is a time for patriotism and heritage where families across America gather for food, poolside fun, and the biggest draw—the fireworks. With the July 4th Fireworks in Atlantic Beach, residents of the Crystal Coast and beyond can enjoy the bedazzling display of fireworks by the ocean shore. “Atlantic Beach is thrilled to offer live events again in a safe environment,” said Morgan Gilbert, Town of Atlantic Beach Director of Recreation, Communication and Special Events. “We truly value our visitors and resi-

Photos by Lizbeth Zywicki 36 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

Story by Chris DeWitt dents and look forward to celebrating Independence Day with them.” Live events such as the July 4th Fireworks came to a standstill last year with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s event celebrates the resilience of the Crystal Coast and the American people in light of difficult times.

“Our in-state residents are our biggest supporters and we appreciate them,” said Jim Browder, Crystal Coast Tourism Authority Executive Director. “We do love having visitors from all over and welcome them to enjoy your community.” The sense of community has allowed the Crystal Coast to weather literal and figurative storms throughout the years. Some in-state residents call Atlantic Beach and surrounding areas home as well as eager tourists who want to enjoy the sights and sounds.

“It’s laid back and authentic here,” said Browder. “We have an abundance of natural beauty and are not as overcrowded as some places. We are really excited (about) the upcoming festivities and having safe fun.” For those who are unfamiliar with Atlantic Beach, Gilbert had this to say. “Atlantic Beach is situated on a beautiful barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Sound. Known for our abundance of public beaches and friendly people, our town balances the needs of our citizens, visitors, businesses, and the delicate coastal environment. Welcome, enjoy your stay, and help us keep Atlantic Beach beautiful!” The celebration kicks off with live music at 7 p.m. at the Circle in Atlantic Beach on July 4, with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m. on the beachfront.

Photo by Eric Loy Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 37

Photo by Randy Nelson Story by Ena Sellers

ater activities abound at Pogie’s Fishing Center. If you enjoy water sports, grab your beach towels and get ready to enjoy one of the many water adventures awaiting for you in Swansboro. From guided eco-tours that take your entire family to the hots spots where the kids can collect shark tooth or sand dollars, to solo or couple adventures, admiring the estuaries and creeks of Hammock Beach on a kayak or getting a great body workout on a paddle board as you watch the dolphins pass you by. If you enjoy fishing, join the kayak anglers who flock to Swansboro’s water38 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

front every year to participate in one of Pogie’s kayak fishing tournaments. “The best part about kayak fishing tournaments, is that kayak anglers love working together,” said Laini Johnson co-owner of Pogie’s Fishing Center. According to Johnson, kayak anglers love to share tips and tricks and are a friendly and inviting group of people. Pogies kicked off their kayak fishing tournaments the first weekend in June and are gearing up for the second one scheduled for Aug. 21. The third tournament will take place on Oct. 23 and the big Pogie’s Kayak Cup Championship will take place Oct. 24. The tournaments are catch-and-release. All participants will be using an app to measure their fish. The winner of each tournament

must have the longest fish, and the winner of the Championship tournament must have the longest combined “grand slam” (three game species caught) length of fish. According to Johnson size boards and rulers are checked before each tournament begins. For the young anglers, Pogies has the Kid’s Pinfish Tournament, the yearly event is very popular with the kids and is scheduled to take place on July 17. “Kids can fish with their parents or guardians in any of our local Intracoastal waterways,” said Johnson. “That afternoon, we will have a weighin, and the heaviest Pinfish wins a grand prize.” Pogies offers daily kayak rentals and boat taxis to Hammocks Beach State Park and Shark Tooth Island.

Fireflies don’t have to be the only thing lighting up your porch this summer!

The Lighting Gallery

1144 US Hwy. 258 N. Suite B, Kinston, NC 28504

New Bern

Persimmons Located in the shores of the Neuse River, Persimmons Restaurant is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. My personal favorite? Chef Antonio Campolio’s lamb dishes. At Persimmons they are known for their mouth watering food which can be enjoyed by dinning in or calling a boat take out while enjoying a day out on the water. The food is cooked with locally sourced fresh ingredients.

OPEN MON. - FRI. 8AM-5 PM

2 5 2 -5 2 3 -7 8 7 8

helightinggallerync.net litegals@yahoo.com

Emerald Isle

Caribsea Caribsea’s sunsets from the rooftop and their signature cocktails are the talk of town. Caribsea features tapas style seasonal dishes that keep locals and foodies coming back for more. One of my all time favorites the bone in Ribeye.

Wilmington

Floriana Love Italian Cuisine? Head to the Wilmington Floriana Restaurant and savor one of chef Daniel Hlusak’s creations while enjoying the scenic views of Wilmington’s sunsets. At Floriana, they garnish their dishes with microgreens grown through hydroponic planters clipping them inhouse to ensure the freshest flavors. Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 39

food

What’s Cooking

Tres Leches Crepe Ingredients

with Lizbeth Zywicki

Delicious ideas to entertain summer guests

• • • • • • • • • • •

2 tablespoons of unsalted, melted butter 1 cup of all-purpose flour leveled w/spoon 2 Large eggs (room temperature) 1 tablespoon of sugar 1/8 teaspoon of salt 3/4 cup milk (room temperature) 1 tablespoons of butter (for the mix) 1 ¼ cup of flour ½ cup room temperature water 1 1/2 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract 1 can of condensed milk (Dulce de Leche for the filling)*

Preparation Whisk together all ingredients (except the filling-see prep below). Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brush with butter. Pour crepe batter into pan, tilting to completely coat the surface. Cook, turning once until golden. Repeat with remaining batter. After the crepes are done, working one at a time, spread two heaping tablespoons of the Dulce de Leche filling over half. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons strawberries on top and fold in half, then fold again. Continue to assemble crepes. Top with a dollop of Dulce de Leche, thinly-sliced strawberries and bananas and blueberries or your choice of fruits. Dust with powder sugar and decorate with whip cream.

*To make the Dulce de Leche: The night before, place the can of condensed milk in a pan make sure the water covers the can (approx 3”). Boil for 3 hours - do not leave unattended.

40 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

Photos by Lizbeth Zywicki

Summer time drinks Zapatero Cabernet

4 oz of your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon 1 teaspoon of lime juice 1 teaspoon of powder sugar 2 oz of 7UP Preparation Mix lime juice and sugar, Garnish a glass of wine with a thin-sliced orange or lime. Pour 7UP followed by the Cabernet Sauvignon, mix gently and serve.

Ovispo

1 teaspoon of fresh lime juice 2 teaspoons of fresh orange juice 1 teaspoon of powder sugar 1/2 glass of Borgoña Demi Sec wine Preparation Pour lime and orange juice into mixer, add sugar, and shake well. Garnish a glass of wine with a thin-sliced orange or strawberry. Pour the mix, add Borgoña Demi Sec (or your favorite dry red wine), ice and enjoy! Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 41

Play Dates Fun events, activities and places to visit in Southeastern North Carolina JUNE

26 SAT

MudFest

JULY

Coastal Cutting Board Class at Wild Child Art Studio

25 SUN

14888 US-17N, Hampstead, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will create an ocean scene on a North Carolina shaped bamboo cutting board and four coasters. They will learn how to mix mica powders and alcohol inks. Cost $65. All materials provided.

Jumping Run Creek Mud Bog, Hubert 2 p.m. It’s that time to see some mud sling, come and on out. Gates open at noon. ATV start at 2 p.m., and 4 x 4 start at 4 p.m. Cost is $15 per person. Hosted by Jumping Run Creek 4X4 Mud Racing.

JULY

THU Hank Barbee & the Dust Parade Persimmons 100 Pollock St, New Bern The band will be performing at 6 p.m.

42 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

SAT Hubb’s Farm 10276 N, US-421, Clinton Jim Quick & Coastline Band, and The Band of Oz will perform during the Beach Blast at Hubb’s Farm. VIP passes are $40 each, general admission is $20. Rent tent space for $50. Gate opens at 11 a.m., the first band will take the stage at 1 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit https://hubbsfarm.mazeplay.com

IMPORTANT NOTE ON UPCOMING EVENTS: Many festivals, concerts and other events have been canceled for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. All of the events listed here were still on schedule as of press time, but it’s best to check with each venue to ensure that the event is still going on as planned.

JULY

SUN

SwanFest

Front Street Pavilion, Swansboro SwanFest free summer concert series will kick off at 6:30 p.m., featuring The Dust Parade.

AUG Footloose on the Neuse

JULY

Union Point Park, New Bern

SUN

Jack’s Waterfront Bar 513 Evans St, Morehead City 3 - 6 p.m.

FRI

Footloose on the Neuse will feature the ultimate Eagles tribute On the Border. Concert starts at 6:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy great music by the water at Union Point Park. Pets must be on a leash. No coolers. Food trucks will be on site.

AUG

Bryan Mayer

AUG

THU

23 FRI

The Paramount Theatre 139 S. Center St., Goldsboro

Summer production “The Sound of Music” show dates are July 23 through 25. The Paramount Theatre was originally built in 1882 and reconstructed in 2008, this landmark is Historic Downtown Goldsboro’s headquarters for the performing arts.

FRI

Soundside Park 517 Roland Ave, Surf City 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Join Surf City Parks, Recreation & Tourism for a casual evening of live music featuring Jim Quick and Coastline. Sip on your favorite brew and enjoy food from our favorite local food trucks. Free admission. For more information, please visit SurfCityNC.gov.

Jazz at the Mansion 503 Market St., Wilmington Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The Andrew Berinson Group will be performing at the Bellamy Mansion Museum. General admission tickets are $20. Proceeds from ticket sales support the musicians, the Cape Fear Jazz Society, and the Bellamy Mansion Museum. Concerts are the second Thursday of each month through September.

JULY

Sip. Shop. Stroll

AUG

13 FRI

Bull & Bronc Riding and Barrel Racing Duplin Events Center Kenansville, 8 p.m.

Come out for some family fun & excitement. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m., both nights. Meet and greet after the show each night with some contestants and the rodeo clown. Advance tickets $15, kids 6-12 years old $10.

AUG

SAT

35th Annual Carolina Beach Music Festival Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Dance barefoot on the sand or sway to the music beat. The Carolina Beach Music Festival is the biggest and only beach music festival held on the beach on the NC coast and one of the longest running beach festivals in the US. Come out and enjoy a day of live entertainment. Headliners scheduled: Jim Quick and Coastline, The Band of Oz and Blackwater Rhythm and Blues. Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 43

JULY

SAT

White Lake Pub Pedal White Lake 1p.m. to 9 p.m.

Grab your bike and pedal your way around the beautiful White Lake area to help raise funds for the Summer Art Camps through the Art Council of White Lake. For more information, visit www.whitelake.org

AUG

Alive at Five Morehead City 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

FRI

The Alive at Five outdoor concert will feature Soul Psychedelique on Aug. 20. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Jaycee Park in Morehead City and enjoy music and dancing. Free admission.

SEPT

SAT

Blue, Brew & ‘Que Festival Duplin Events Center Kenansville 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Bluegrass Bands will fill the air in Duplin County with their unforgettable mountain sound. The event will feature a barbecue contest and beer sampling from local Breweries.

44 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

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Aerial photo of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 45

New Bern artist captures the city’s charm with the help of his drone

Aerial view of New Bern’s Tryon Palace.

Story by Ena Sellers

here is a subtle charm and quaint feeling that envelops the soul as you stroll the streets of historic New Bern. A calmness that arises from watching its beautiful sunrises and colorful sunsets, with all the magnificence of its bright, yet subtle hues as they blend harmoniously in the sky where the Neuse and Trent Rivers converge. For centuries artists have dedicated their craft to capturing those beautiful, yet impalpable moments that can seize a moment in time. “I’ve always loved capturing that perfect moment,” said Ben Lindemann, a New Bern photographer who grew up admiring and documenting the city’s beauty. “I’m a 1996 graduate of New 46 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

Photo by Ben Lindemann

The amazing history and fine architecture are what brings me back to this beautiful town I call home.

Bern High School and attended Craven Community College, where I learned the art of photography.” Lindemann said his photography style is a blend of influences inspired by the works of photographer friends he follows on social media. “I’m always thinking about my next shot,” he said. “Seeing that image in my head — that’s how they’ve influenced me.” Cycling is a big source of inspiration

for Lindemann’s photography. At a young age, Lindemann suffered a stroke causing partial paralysis. “My fingers don’t open and close normally. It was a real struggle doing dayto-day tasks. Learning how to ride a bike was one of the first things I managed to conquer, and I fell in love with,” said Lindemann. “To this day I love going for long bike rides with other cyclists.” Cycling has been a huge inspiration for his photography. His signature Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 47

Photos by Ben Lindemann shot is juxtaposing his bike in front of a beautiful backdrop, “it’s something I love to do.” “I’ve always got my camera phone at the ready on group rides to take some great shots of the peloton all riding in single file,” said Lindemann. “To me, cycling is like art in itself, with the colorful jerseys, cycling shorts, and helmets ...and beautifully painted bikes — taking pictures of it captures the beauty of the sport.” New Bern, accoladed for its beauty and legendary landmarks, has a special place in Lindemann heart. “The amazing history and fine archi-

48 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

tecture are what brings me back to this beautiful town I call home,” said Lindemann. “I’ve lived on the east coast, the west coast, and the Gulf of Mexico, and each place has its unique things that make them special, but there’s something to be said for the true southern charm the people and culture bring in New Bern.” Distinctive for its beautiful use of natural light and depth of field, Lindemann’s work can be found featured throughout New Bern’s social media pages, showcasing breathtaking views of Tryon Palace and the downtown his-

torical district. If you are wondering what is Lindemann’s secret … “There’s not much of a secret. I just see a beautiful sunrise or sunset — or structure that interests me — and I set it up,” said Lindemann, who recently got into aerial photography. “Now that I have my drone, I can get a lot more angles that I couldn’t from the ground.” His favorite gear is his DJI Air 2S drone “(it) has an amazing camera that puts out stunning vibrant colors that allows me to get the perfect angles from the air,” said Lindemann.

The street cafes at downtown New Bern historic district.

Photo by Ben Lindemann Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 49

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

from the Children’s Home Society, I knew how old my birth (parents) were, what they did for a living, their hobbies, etc. But one of the most important things that I read was the very last sentence, where my birth mother had said she wanted her child to have opportunities for love, understanding, and education. I had held onto those words all these years and that’s how I would begin my letter. The letter started with me telling her that I was from North Carolina. I was an adopted child of the 60s and that my birth mother wanted me to have those opportunities: love, understanding, and education. I told her I had wonderful parents who had passed away. I had an adopted sister who has special needs, and that I had a wonderful upbringing. I gave her my name, number, and address if she was interested in getting back in touch with me. And if she determined she was not interested, I just wanted her to know that I was very thankful for the opportunity in life she gave me and that I hoped she’d had a wonderful life too. I took the letter to my teacher friend who read it and said it didn’t need any help — It was perfect. I waited one more week and then I dropped the letter in the mail. I had done all I could do. The ball was no longer in my court. Peace came over me and I felt like I had done a good thing. If I never heard from her and she never wrote back or called, I knew she knew, after all these years, that her boy was good. A week after sending the letter, I walked into the post office, and there it was … a letter from mom. For a moment, as I held the envelope in my hands, a million thoughts and emotions rushed through my mind. There was no way I was gonna open that letter right there in the post office, I was going to get home. I was gonna sit down. I was going to take a deep breath. I was going to do all these things — none of them happened. I opened the letter right then and 50 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

Alan I’ve carried you close to my heart all of these years and I’ve prayed that God would keep you safe and in his care. I can’t begin to explain to you how devastating it was to let you go.

there. I had to know. I read the first two sentences and the tears started flowing... “My dear sweet Alan! What a wonderful surprise your letter was.” She had been waiting all these years hoping to get that letter... I learned that my birth father passed away from a heart condition and she was never able to conceive another child after giving birth to me. I learned that she adopted a child and got to see both sides of the adoption process. In her letter, she writes: “Alan I’ve carried you close to my heart all of these years and I’ve prayed that God would keep you safe and in his care. I can’t begin to explain to you how devastating it was to let you go. Now that I’ve heard from you and know you are well and happy, and as you said “have had a good life,” perhaps I can drop some of my guilt.” The last paragraph sealed the future for us. “You obviously have a lot of questions, and rightfully so. Instead of me calling you why don’t you call me back when you would like to talk but be prepared for tears because there have been many since your letter. I know

hearing your voice will cause more, but I’ll try to control myself.” After many phone calls over the next year, we decided it was time to get together and spend some time getting to know each other; And what a whirlwind the last nine years have been. We have the same sense of humor. She’s a sports nut junkie for her teams just as I am. We like a lot of the same foods and the same type of music. We continue to find more and more similarities — all the pieces of the puzzle are now complete. There are no guarantees for what the future holds, but if my story helps one person reconnect with their beginning and gives them a tenth of the blessing I received, this was all worth being told. I was so blessed to have such wonderful parents growing up. How many people get the opportunity to have two moms that love unconditionally? I have lived by two quotes: “Everything happens for a reason” and “Whatever is meant to be, will be.” After losing both parents, both sets of grandparents, aunts, and uncles ... to having a strong bond with your birth mother and aunts and uncles again ...I believe I’ve been adopted — again.

Southeast North Carolina Magazine | 51

Life insurance is more than a policy, it’s a promise.

Teddy Bostic Agent Kenansville teddy.bostic@ncfbins.com

Matt McNeill LUTCF Agency Manager

Nick Bell Agent Kenansville

roy.mcneill@ncfbins.com

nicholas.bell@ncfbins.com

Lynn Mobley

John-Mark P. Fussell

Doug Pierson

Agent Beulaville

lynn.mobley@ncfbins.com

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doug.pierson@ncfbins.com

Duplin County Farm Bureau 308 N. Main Street • Kenansville, NC 28349 151 Crossover Road • Beulaville, NC 28518

(910) 296-1486 (910) 298-8400 NCLFNP41000

www.ncfbins.com *North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. *Farm Bureau Insurance of North Carolina, Inc.; *Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co., Jackson, MS *An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 52 | Southeast North Carolina Magazine

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