A new book on Kure Beach has just been published. The author is Brenda Fry Coffey, a long-time resident of Kure Beach and a board member of the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society.
A List of Things to Do during Azalea Festival (Port City Daily.com
PortCityDaily.com posted “When are the fireworks? A list of what you can do at this year’s Azalea Festival.
With dozens of events to choose from, we’re here to help you navigate this year’s North Carolina Azalea Festival”
Oakdale Cemetary was the first established in N.C.’s oldest Rural Cemetary Movement
Oakdale Cemetery was chartered on December 27, 1852 by the General Assembly of North Carolina. The founders purchased 65 acres for $1,100. The acreage now has grown to about 100 acres of natural beauty. Created during the era of the Rural Cemetery Movement in the US, Oakdale was the first in the state, only fitting for the most populous city in the state at the time. It was five blocks beyond the town boundaries.
Oakdale was part of the Rural Cemetery Movement that swept the US in the mid-Nineteenth Century. Rural cemeteries converted large tracts of land into garden settings. As families purchased lots, they mixed ornamental plants in with the native vegetation, making Oakdale one of the city’s most beautiful spots. The cemetery is resplendent with blooming plants all year around, but especially so in the spring.
The cemetery became known as Oakdale and was North Carolina’s first rural Cemetery. The first burial occurred on February 5, 1855—Annie DeRosset, the six-year old daughter of the cemetery president, Dr. Armand John DeRosset.
Oakdale Cemetery contains the graves of the movers and shakers of Wilmington, NC. The eloquent epitaphs and symbolic funerary art tell stories of those who lie beneath and bring them to life for the living.
Oakdale Cemetary is located at 520 N 15th Street, Wilmington NC 28401
910.762.5682
Cape Fear Roller Girls kick off their season
WECT.com reports that “The Cape Fear Roller Girls kick off their 2018 season with a home bout against the Carolina Hurticanes.” Source: WECT.com
From their Website’s ‘Press Kit’:
“The Cape Fear Roller Girls are Wilmington’s premier women’s flat track roller derby league. The league is made up of strong, independent women of all ages and from all walks of life. The Cape Fear Roller Girls, founded in 2005 with only a few members, worked diligently to be recognized as a member of the worldwide Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). We earned this coveted honor in 2010. Currently we continue to maintain this distinction with more than thirty members.” Read more about them!
Learn more about Flat-Track Roller Derby…
Cape Fear Museum’s Rain Garden Park recognized…
WECT.com announced that the Rain Garden Park and the picnic areas of the Cape Fear Museum are now a certified wildlife habitat. Read more about it and how you can benefit!
YWCA announces new business development initiative
“The YWCA Lower Cape Fear is proud to announce the unveiling of a new business development initiative, Coastal Women’s Ventures, created in partnership with Carolina Small Business Development Fund. Coastal Women’s Ventures is a collaborative program focused on creating and supporting small business opportunities for women entrepreneurs through business coaching, mentoring, small business education, and connecting participants to loan capital.” Source: YWCA
Azalea Belles – Represent Southern Charm or a “Troublesome tradition?”
Seahawk.org posted an interesting article, “The Azalea Belles: Southern charm or troublesome tradition?” about the long traditions and some of the racial overtones that some but not all might notice.
“The Azalea Festival and the Cape Fear Garden Club have held a tradition since 1969 where young girls don Antebellum era attire and assume the roles of the Azalea Belles.
The Belles, who are meant to represent the festival season and flowers, act as hostesses for the Garden Tour and they “enhance the beauty of several activities,” according to the Cape Fear Garden Club’s website.”
Read the article for a different perspective than you usually see.
Azalea Garden Tour hosted by Cape Fear Garden Club
Presented by The Cape Fear Garden Club, Inc.
The 2018 Azalea Garden Tour is going to be “Bloomin’ Beautiful!” April 13 – 15, 2018
Click here for Garden Descriptions
Click here for Garden Tour Map
, Purchase your tickets for the 2018 Garden Tours Today!
Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville, N.C.
The Cape Fear Botanical Garden was founded in 1989. The mission of Cape Fear Botanical Garden is to transform people’s relationship with plants and the natural world.
“Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers self-guided and docent-led tours, workshops, special events, weddings, facility rentals, memberships and more!
Come and enjoy 80 acres of natural beauty nestled between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek – just 2 miles from downtown Fayetteville, NC!
The Garden Gift Shop offers a unique selection of garden accents, nature-related toys, books, artwork, jewelry, hand-crafted gifts and more. Gift Shop Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the Gift Shop is free for Garden visitors and the public.
The Garden offers engaging cultural events to inspire and excite, educational activities to energize, and peaceful spots to refresh. Visitors of all ages are welcome.
Flourishing with beautiful specialty gardens and blooming ornamental plants, Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s highlights include Camellia, Daylilly and Shade Gardens, Butterfly Stroll and Children’s Garden, and the Heritage Garden featuring 1886 agricultural structures and a homestead.
Host to any special occasion, our lovely and world class Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex is the perfect complement to our Garden and the venue for weddings, business and military functions, workshops and more.
Stroll along our scenic river trail with water views, take in a guided tour, relax on our patio overlooking the Cypress Pond, and take home the perfect gift from our destination Gift Shop.”
Located at 536 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Phone – (910) 486-0221
Downtown Sundown Concert Series
ILM citizens always look forward to this summertime concert series! Here is information on last year’s event from ‘Wilmington Downtown Incorporated’:
“Wilmington’s signature summertime concert series returns for its 12th season at Riverfront Park in front of the Federal Courthouse. The Downtown Sundown Concert Series will run each Friday night from May 26 through September 1, 2017. The free concerts are from 6:30 to 10pm and feature both local performers and touring bands. Wilmington Downtown Incorporated (WDI) is the concert producer.
The Downtown Sundown Concert Series is a free, family friendly event that attracts both local residents and out of town visitors. The concerts are designed to provide interesting and fun entertainment for attendees, spur interest and activity to Downtown during the early evening hours and to raise funds for WDI’s downtown development programs. Last year, over 26,000 people attended the concerts.
The ‘Downtown Sundown Concert Series’ is offering a local Wilmington charity the opportunity to make some serious money (a split of the proceeds from wristbands sold during the series).
THEY NEED YOU TO HELP CHOOSE THE CHARITY!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018Downtownsundowncharitywristband
CAPE FEAR VOLUNTEER CENTER and BIG BUDDY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD would love for you to vote for them – Check out their video!