Plantation Builders in Brunswick Forest! Pre-Parade of Homes Party

David Spetrino's Plantation Builders has started selling homes in the Shelmore "village" area of Brunswick Forest. Like the other homes in Shelmore Plantation Builder's models have front porches, picket fences, and rear garages with small yards. The model below, where the party was, just went under contract but they're ready to build more.


If you're not familiar with Plantation Builders and the style, type, and quality work that David's company provides, you're in for a treat. Much of the company's work is in downtown Wilmington and the surrounding area. They build custom homes and condos and in the downtown area often do stunning restoration/renovation construction. That's David in the white shirt and tie in the photo below.



You'll really have to see the model to get a sense of how much living and storage space is provided in this seemingly "small" home. We were shaking our heads as we went from room to room and, particularly on the second floor, in the amazingly ample walk-in storage. With the various configuration options in these homes you can never say you don't have enough storage.


So when you get a chance, stop by Plantation Builders' Parade of Homes entry in Brunswick Forest this weekend or, if it's sometime later and you're looking to buy a great new home with incredible storage, fine finish details, and family-friendly living spaces, all in a super new neighborhood in the an amenity-packed community in the greater Wilmington area, call me. I'd love to take you to see it.


Great job, David, that house is fabulous.

Wilmington Twestival Planning Proceeding

Yesterday a second meeting of the Wilmington Twestival planning group met, this time at The River Room at 18 S Water Street in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Wilmington Twestival will be held on March 25th from 5:30-10:00PM. Admission will be $20 per person with every penny going to Concern Worldwide. "One hundred percent of all donations to Concern Worldwide will go directly to fund education programs for the poorest, most marginalized children in developing countries."

The photo below is from from Wilmington Twestival 2009.


Here's a shot of the Wilmington Twestival planning group at yesterday's meeting. From left to right: David Nye of Frank Deals, Gayle Tabor of Glynne's Soaps, Si Cantwell and Shannan Bowen of Star News Media, Rebecca Powell of Bec and Call, Jackie Willse of the Wilmington Young Professionals, Sarah Barbee of Fussbudget Promotions, Ray Baca of The River Room, and Lori Lorusso and Ty Downing of Perspective Internet Marketing.

For more info on Wilmington Twestival, go to http://wilmington.twestival.com.

Marge and Bruce Do It Downtown on a Sunday Afternoon

This past Sunday Marge and I went to downtown Wilmington to explore and find some new shops and people. We were not disappointed and had a great time. I hope you enjoy the shots we took.

Marge took the shot below just inside the entrance to Front Street Brewery. I was wearing my Do It Downtown Wilmington button.

Joseph Seyoum's Gourmet Market at 27 N. Front Street.

Joseph Seyoum's inside the Gourmet Market at 27 N. Front Street.


Another shot inside Gourmet Market.

Marge buying an awesome brownie at Gourmet Market.

Walking up Princess Street, we saw this sign. Where else but Wilmington can you get Pink Pig Benedict.

The Pink Pig Cafe.


This sign proves that there is indeed "lots" of parking in downtown Wilmington.

I took this playbill photo in the window of The Catch restaurant on Princess Street and later saw I was in the photo.

A cool standalone building houses The Copper Penny.

Next we went to The Cotton Exchange. Here's Marge giving a queen wave on one of the patios.


Here's another view of the same patio.

We spent quite a while in The Golden Gallery , a family owned gallery that opened in 1977 and still displays almost exclusively art created by family members.

Another shot in The Golden Gallery. Here's what it says on their website, "The Golden Gallery was started way back in 1977, as a way for Mary Ellen Golden to sell her watercolors and limited edition reproductions and the music of her folksinger/storyyteller husband, John C. Golden. A few years after the gallery opened, their son, John W. Golden, began to create artwork of his own and sell it in the gallery."


Marge took this shot of me standing in front of a cabinet full of work by Mary Ellen Golden. We love her work.

I spied this DoItDown sign on the counter and had to take the shot. When I realized the mirror was there I took a second shot (shown here) with me in the mirror.

I'm nuts about John Golden's mini triptych work.Very cool.


This work is by Connor Croom and his mom Caryn. Connor is an artistic autistic young man and painting makes him happy and aids his communication. Connor's work is on display at The Golden Gallery.

Another of Connor and Caryn Croom's works.

Inside Port City Pottery and Fine Crafts, also in The Cotton Exchange.

Sara Westermark, featured artist in Port City Pottery and Fine Crafts.

This is Louise Giordano. Okay it's not really Louise, but it is her work, on display at Port City Pottery and Fine Crafts in The Cotton Exchange!

More amazing work in Port City Pottery and Fine Crafts.


Chris Metz. Okay, this isn't really Chris Metz, either, but the shelves are from his company, Old Growth Riverwood. This display is in Crescent Moon, a fine art glass shop in The Cotton Exchange. Notice the Do It Downtown sign.

Did you know you can pay for parking with your phone in Wilmington?


Wilimington Riverwalk on a mid February Sunday afternoon.

The USS North Carolina across the Cape Fear River.

A sail boat sets out.

One way to get around downtown Wilmington, NC is by horse drawn carriage.


Looking north along the Riverwalk and Cape Fear River.

Looking south along the Riverwalk and the Cape Fear River.

Here's another way to get around town. And it's free!

The Firebelly Lounge wasn't open, but this courtyard is inviting.

Another fun day in Downtown Wilmington.

Tim D'Elia's Aflac Ribbon Cutting

We had a lot of fun today at yet another North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting. Tim D'Elia of Aflac is a new member of NBCC and he gave a fun, informative and animated presentation, as you can see in the photo just below.

Here's the crew gathered outside getting ready for the cut.


Another new NBCC member, Barbara Kovacs with NBCC Executive Director Terry Grillo.

NBCC Ambassador Charlie Koenig with Terry.

Another shot of Charlie. His daughter imports and sells the hats Charlie wears. Her company is The Celtic Closet.


NBCC member Laura Brautigam of Splish Splash Dog Wash was on hand wearing and modeling one of their brand new shirts.

Marge Brown of Fat City Cards and NBCC board member Justin Williams of NBM and SBM magazines.

New member Barbara answered an Aflac trivia question and won a duck! Monica Clark of Cape Fear Business Solutions is on the left and Jamie Shoemaker of Reliable Payment Solutions is on the right.

Nick Arbia of ADT.

And here's the final cut! Good job, Tim. Glad to have you aboard!