Day 91: Wrightsville Beach Loop - One of the most popular things to do is to walk, run or jog the John Nesbitt Loop (at Wrightsville Beach known as  the Loop by the locals)  At any time of the day, in any weather you will see walkers, runners, joggers, baby strollers, dog  along this 2.4 mile route.   The views are scenic of this beautiful beach town.  You will see waterviews, salt marsh views and downtown Wrightsville Beach. Partial lighting at night is a plus, but think about safety and don't run or walk alone.  Most people start at the park, but those who live  "Over the Bridge" (OTB) have their own favorite spots to start...  The loop is also dog friendly with its own doggy fountain.  And remember, clean up after your pet and keep our beach town pristine!.   See you there.   for the... 10/18/2010

  BATTY BATTLESHIP HALLOWEEN BASH!!   Calling all you little ghosts and goblins!  Battleship North Carolina is having a Batty Battleship Bash JUST FOR YOU! Tuesday October 26, 2010 from 5:30 ~ 8:00pm you can trick-or-treat, play games, hear stories and snack on some spooktacular goodies at the BATTY BATTLESHIP HALLOWEEN BASH! Tickets are $5 pp and can be purchased at the Battleship North Carolina at: 1 Battleship Road  Wilmington, NC  28401 DON'T MISS  ALL THE GHOSTY AND GHOULY FUN!!!!       10/12/2010

Dear Buyers: The time to buy a home in Wrightsville Beach, NC is NOW!  So, what in the world are you waiting for -- a written invitation?  Well, consider this it! Let's look at the cold, hard facts: Interest rates are at historic lows (even if you don't like history, you can get into this!) Asking prices have become reasonable (maybe not all, but certainly the majority!) There are so many homes to choose from, you're sure to find the home of your dreams! You've been dreaming of having a house at the beach -- why wait any longer? The time to BUY A HOME IN WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC, IS NOW!  Not next month or next year, NOW!  Do you really want to look back at this time and say: "I should have bought when the rates were so low.  What was I thinking?"  Trust me, I've been helping families bu... 10/11/2010

GHOST SHIP NORTH CAROLINA!  Ghosts, Ghouls, Zombies, oh my!  All this month Battleship North Carolina is renaming itself and scaring up some ghosts!  There are stories of ghosts aboard the Battleship North Carolina, and it's even been investigated by Ghost Hunters International (SyFy Channel). But has anyone ever really seen one?  Oh, yes they have!  And all this month you'll have a chance to see them too!  The ship will be decorated for the Season of Scare!  Every Friday and Saturday  starting Friday October 8, 2010 from 7 ~ 10pm you can explore the GHOST SHIP NORTH CAROLINA! Tickets are $10 per person and go on sale @6:30pm each night.  There are NO ADVANCE tickets.  You must be in line by 9:30pm to get in.  If you're heart isn't racing too much and you are able to spend a few more mi... 10/05/2010

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH IS GOING TO THE DOGS! 17th ANNUAL BARK IN THE PARK CANINE DISC CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY OCTOBER 9 @11AM WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH PARK Is your dog a mighty mutt?  Or maybe a playful purebred?  Can they catch a flying disc? Then you need to enter them in the 2010 Skyhoundz Hyperflight Canine Disc Championships! No experience is necessary, admission is FREE to all competitors and spectators and all competitors will receive a FREE Official Hyperflite K-10 Competition Standard flying disc.  You'll earn points for basic throws and catches with extra points for mid-air catches.  Top 3 teams will receive awards.  Even if you don't have a canine friend you won't want to miss this!  Come on out and cheer on the competitors!  Pawsitive Partners Prison Program, a service provided by Monty... 10/04/2010

Come spend an Afternoon with Minnie Evans this Sunday October 3, 2010 @2pm at the Wrightsville Beach Museum.   Minnie Evans (1892 ~ 1987) was a much beloved local Wilmington, NC artist.  She began drawing in 1935 while in the employ of the Pembroke & Sarah Jones family.  She said that God had come to her in a dream and told her to draw so that she could live.  She had no formal training and did much of her work in colored wax crayons.  While working at Airlie Gardens as a Gate Attendant she began selling her art to supplement her income.  Her first formal exhibition, in 1961,  was at a gallery in Wilmington, NC,  leading to a major Evans exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1975.  You will have the opportunity to view works by Minnie Evans from private collections and Dr. Ch... 10/01/2010

Don't know if you've heard, but it's been raining almost non-stop since Sunday here in Wrightsville Beach, NC.  Over 20 inches in fact!  We've even had the honor of having Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel come to Wilmington and do a report or two!  Word is he had dinner at Golden Corral.  If he read my blog he would have known to go to the Oceanic right here in Wrightsville Beach, NC.  Maybe next time, Jim! Lots of road closures and some flash floods.  Schools were closed today and are opening 2 hours late tomorrow.  We're hoping that the forecasters are right and it will taper off tonight and we'll have sun for a couple of days before it starts again. We're faring pretty well in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Seems it's much worse one county south so we are counting our blessingsand saying ... 09/30/2010

I preach it -- Everything's better at the beach . . .  Rarely do I have to prove it!  For most people it's a no brainer -- IT'S THE BEACH!  Of course everything is better here!  But I have been challenged to prove it!  Really?  There's actually someone out there who doesn't understand how living in WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC makes everything better?  Wow.  Never thought I'd see the day. As I've stated before, I eat challenges like candy, so I'm up for it.  I'm ready to prove to you (and you know who you are!) that Everything's better at the beach . . . is not just a tag line.  It's what I believe! Let's start with sunrises over the Majestic Atlantic Ocean.  If you are blessed enough to start your day with that, you are off to a GREAT start!  Sure, the sun rises everywhere, but when it comes... 09/27/2010

"Should I wait to put my Wrightsville Beach, NC beach house on the market?  I don't think there are too many people looking for beach houses in the winter." Actually, there are more people looking for beach houses in the winter than you'd think. I've sold many a beach house in the winter months.  Since it's not usually a primary home, families can buy then, without worry about any major disruption to their schedules or lives. Beach houses are usually not NEEDS, they are WANTS.  This means that buyers can take their time looking and they don't always look in the spring and summer months.  Buyers take a long weekend in the off-season and look around.  They come back and look some more.  They talk to their financial adviser, family and friends.  They come back and look some more.  THEN -- ... 09/23/2010

  BIG SWEEP THIS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25 @ 9AM  WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH,NC Wrightsville Beach, NC is one of the prettiest beaches you'll ever see!  Let's keep it that way!  NO LITTERING!  IF YOU BROUGHT IT WITH YOU -- TAKE IT WITH YOU!!!! And if you have a little time this weekend ~ Bring the family and help out with this years BIG SWEEP!! Last year 679 volunteers in New Hanover County, NC  helped pick up 4000 POUNDS OF TRASH AND DEBRIS from our beaches!   BIG SWEEP is part of the International Coastal Cleanup and is held annually to help clean up our waterways. Volunteers need to wear sturdy shoes, clothes that can get dirty and sunscreen.  Be sure to bring drinking water as well! Bags and gloves will be provided. Meet at one of 3 locations:  Access 4 Johnnie Mercer's Pier Access 36 (Near the... 09/22/2010

The calendar may tell you differently.  But Summer is NOT over here in WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH NC!  We're still enjoying warm breezes, warm water and lots of sunshine!                                      If you're ready to find out for yourself why,  Everything's better at the beach . . ., give me a call.  You'll probably be able to hear the ocean roar in the background, but I'll be answering my phone.  Promise!       09/20/2010

Day 83: Wrightsville Beach Museum of History - this is a great place to take the kids. Located at 303 W. Salisbury Street in Wrightsville Beach your family will have the opportunity to see what the beach looked like 100 years ago.  There are lots of pictures to look at.   Some of the exhibits include a scale model of Wrightsville Beach 1910, examples of what life was like during the early days at the beach.  The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and this is another thing o do in the Cape Fear Region that is FREE....http://www.wbmuseum.com/ 09/19/2010

RIP CURRENTS UP WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH LIFEGUARDS URGE BEACHGOERS TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER Fortunately, Hurricane Igor is not forecast to reach the shores of Wrightsville Beach.  But the rip currents caused by the powerful storm are. We have fewer lifeguards on the beach and that combined with dangerous surf means it's not the time to practice your swimming skills.  The Pier to Pier Swim was canceled for yesterday due to the rip currents -- if the people who swim in the ocean just about EVERY day know not to risk it, those of us who only do it occasionally need to pay heed. I saw some kids out in the surf yesterday, and I have to say, it scared me.  Parent's please, please, please don't take a chance with your little ones.  Even going in up to the knees can be dangerous if they don't have s... 09/19/2010

Wrightsville Beach is home to a most intriguing and charming mystery. There is a mailbox which sits on the north end of our island, just across the inlet from Figure Eight Island.  There is no name on it and the Post Office doesn't pick up or deliver to the box. If you open the mailbox you will find a bag with some pens, a notebook and some letters.  Inside the notebook and letters you will find messages from all over -- messages about vacations, family times, memories, kind deeds, broken hearts, healing hearts, prayer requests.         I won't break the trust of those who have written a letter or a message in the book by quoting any of them, it's kind of an unwritten rule around here that we leave what is put in the box, in the box.  Our own little Vegas rule.      The identity of the ... 09/13/2010

  Only 2 more Free Audubon NC Birding Tours in Wrightsville Beach NC remain this year -- don't miss out! Take a guided 2 hour walk along the protected sanctuary of the Mason Inlet Waterbird Management Area.  Biologists will supply spotting scopes to better see the nesting birds, camoflauged eggs and, if you're lucky, hatchlings.  Try and catch a glimpse of the Common Terns, American Oystercatchers, Least Terns and Black Skimmers. And you read it right!  THE TOURS ARE FREE!  Don't forget to wear sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and bring drinking water.  Meet at the Mason Inlet near Shell Island Resort on the North End of Wrightsville Beach at 9am.   09/13/2010

Day 76:  Free Bird Tours....there is still time to  experience the sights and sounds of colorful  coastal birds.   Take the free guided  tours.   September 24 is your last day to do so.  Every Friday from 9 to 1am you can take this great tour....www.audubon.org;  No registration is necessary...meet at the Mason Inlet information kiosk a little before 9am at the North End of Wrightsville Beach.   You will walk along a protected sanctuary....and the sights will be magnificent.   For more info call 910-686-7527 or email awood@audubon.org and ask for your guide "Andy." 09/07/2010

Wrightsville Beach residents-- do your Hurricane Preparations NOW -- before there's actually a Hurricane! I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but safety is important.  And being prepared is imperative! Hurricane Earl is expected to bring us Tropical Storm conditions Thursday.  As of now, he appears to be more of a threat to the northern coast of NC.  (And we're keeping all of you in our prayers)  That doesn't mean he won't change his mind!  You can check on the updates here. Please, if you haven't already packed your Hurricane Preparedness Kit in a water resistant container, do it now.  Don't wait another minute. Be sure you have your Family Disaster Plan in place and that everyone in knows it backward and forward. You did look into that flood insurance, didn't you? And if you sim... 08/31/2010

Welcome to beautiful Wrightsville Beach, NC!  We're glad you're here and we hope that you'll be back.  Again and again. To that end, please be careful when you are swimming in the ocean.  We've had a spate of very strong rip currents lately and they are predicting they will be much worse by the end of the week due to Hurricane Earl.  You can track Earl here.  It's too early to know what impact he will have on our shores, he is expected to narrowly miss us.  But we will still have to deal with some rough surf and rip currents.    Should you find yourself in a rip current please heed these tips: Remain calm Don't fight against the current Swim out of the current in a direction following the the shoreline Once out of the current swim at an angle away from the rip current towards the shore ... 08/30/2010

Day 73: Lumina Daze: Great event and the "IN" thing to do at Wrightsville Beach, 8/29 5 to 10pm...http://www.wbmuseum.com/LuminaDaze.htm An evening of fun for the whole family...no matter what your age.  Big Band music and  the shag.. Take some time and look back at the history of your home town. 08/27/2010

Dear First-Time Homebuyer a/k/a the guy that hung up on me today: You called me all happy about that ad you saw in the paper; "There is NO WAY that house in that neighborhood is that price!  We have to see it.  TODAY!!" "Fantastic!  I would LOVE to show you that house, it's awesome!  Let me ask you a few questions.  Have you met with a Lender and do you have your pre-qualification letter?" "No, not yet.  We thought we'd find a place we like first.  There's plenty of time to do the loan stuff.  After all, it's a BUYER'S MARKET!" "Actually, buyer's market or not, you need to do the "loan stuff" BEFORE we go and look at homes.  We really need for you to be qualified first.  That way we'll know how much house you can afford and I won't waste your time showing you homes that aren't in your b... 08/26/2010