Premonition and Vision Boards

Yesterday I had two wonderful experiences late in the day, on top of an already full, fun, and fulfilling daytime.

In Honor of Pepper

Our wonderful friend Pepper passed away this week. She will always have part of my heart and be part of who I am. I learned much from her and am entirely grateful for the nine and a half years she was part of our family.

Rest easy, Pepper. We love you.

Splish Splash Dog Wash in Leland - Ribbon Cutting

Today, Saturday November 21, 2009 Splish Splash Dog Wash is opening in Leland, North Carolina in the shopping center in front of Waterford off Route 17. Yesterday morning the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce had the ribbon-cutting for this new service.

It made sense to me to bring Pepper, our 100-pound Giant Schnauzer, to this ribbon-cutting because she's such a camera hound I knew she'd like it. Below is Jack Brautigam, one of the owners of Splish Splash Dog Wash holding Pepper's leash. (She doesn't normally wear a bandana, but she still had it on from grooming two days previously - it disappeared by the end of the day).

A good number of NBCC board members, staff, and membership turned out for the ribbon-cutting, including Pastor Jay and Diane Merritt, who brought their dog for a wash and dry. In the photo below Diane and Jay are washing their dog while photographer Bob Baer, NBCC's Alice Razzano, and East Carolina Bank's Brian Hartzell look on.

Board member Tony Vlach, a commercial lines broker with Hibiske Nationwide Insurance came with Bella, who'd just had a visit with nearby vet (NBCC board member and Treasurer) Dr. Sheila Hanby. Not sure, but I think Tony and Bella use the same stylist. (What do you think?)

I caught this cartoonish shot of Pepper by accident. In nine and a half years of incessant photo taking of Pepper I've never before seen one where she looked like she belonged in a comic strip.

NBCC Executive Director Terry Grillo with Splish Splash owner Laura Brautigam, groomer Tami Bennikt, and owner Jack Brautigam.

Getting ready for the ribbon-cutting. Notice the three dogs in the picture. That's Dr. Hanby in the middle holding Bob Baer's dog.

And the ribbon was cut! This photo, btw, and the others that I'm in, were taken by Marge Brown.

Jay and Diane drying their dog after washing.


Alice Razzano and board member Brenda Bozeman.

A couplea Franks. Franklin Rouse of State Farm Insurance and Frank Williams of Pioneer Strategies. Pepper, too, of course.

NBM and SBM magazine publisher Justin Williams with ECB's Susan Crouse (thanks for coming on your day off, Susan) and Brian Hartzell.

I love this shot of Marge, just chillin' between the Splish Splash vaccuum stations.

Laura Brautigam talks with a chamber member Dave Seaton of Palmetto Publishing, and Pepper and me.

Jay and Diane holding their newly washed and dryed dog.

Bella and Pepper with Tony and me.


So now, within walking distance of each establishment we have a great vet (Capeside Animal Hospital), a gourmet dog bakery (Just for Dogs), and a dog wash (Splish Splash Dog Wash) all in Leland. The latter two are next door to each other, so stop by Splish Splash to wash your dog and then take her or him next door for some gourmet treats.

Concert in the Park at Brunswick Forest

We had a great turnout at the first Concert on the Park in Brunswick Forest. Featuring Wilmington, NC area Beatles and 60s cover band The Backbeats, this is the first of three scheduled concerts. The concerts are being held at Annsdale Park, located in the center of the currently built out residential neighborhoods of Brunswick Forest.

The band played under a tent,

while the crowd, estimated at over 800, spread out over Annsdale Park's 12 acres



Under a beautiful North Carolina evening sky, the band played on.

Video captures of The Backbeats at Annsdale Park

"You Can't Do That" The Beatles

"You Really Got Me" Kinks

Pepper's First Boarding at Capeside Animal Hospital

We went away for the weekend and boarded Pepper at Capeside Animal Hospital in Leland.


I was pretty excited when I went to pick her up this morning.




Pepper came out happy as a clam (if clams weighed 100 pounds and had long black hair). This isn't the greatest picture of Pepper because she didn't look up (she had her eyes on a cat) but she was a happy puppy. We'll for sure board her at Capeside Animal Hospital again. Thanks to everyone there!

Dogs and Music at Paw Jam, Crafts and Business at Waterford May Day - A Leland Spring Saturday

Saturday May 2nd, 2009 was a typical busy day in the greater Leland area. Simultaneous events ran on the western bank of the Cape Fear River at USS North Carolina Battleship Park and at the Shoppes of Waterford in front of Waterford of the Carolinas. These events played against a backdrop of the 2009 Spring Parade of Homes thoughout our whole area.

As points of "technical fact" neither of the events, Paw Jam 2009 or May Day at Waterford actually took place in Leland, though most people would think so and say so. Battleship Park is on a small slice of land west of the Cape Fear River that's actually part of the City of Wilmington in New Hanover County and the Shoppes of Waterford are in an area that's actually a segment of incorporated Belville. Whatever, we'll assert that they were in the greater Leland area and move right along.

Paw Jam is an annual event, this was the 8th year, that combines lots of dog-related, dog-fun activities and booths. It's held in Battleship Park in the shade (almost) of the battleship USS North Carolina in a grassy park that's right on the river. It's a convenient, pretty site, with plenty of parking. The first 7 years Paw Jam was held in early June but the past 3 years it was so hot for dogs and people this year they decided to try early May. It was still warm, but not hot, though it was a bit windy at first and some very light rain fell late morning.

One of the first people Pepper and I saw when we entered Paw Jam (which benefits animal rescue centers throughout the area) was Anna Platz, a young old friend.

Here's the official poster for the event (I intentionally made this the second image in this blog post so Anna and Pepper's photo would show up in RSS feeds).


As you can see, there were plenty of booths, many under trees.


Looking the other way.

There was a large tent for shade in the middle of the park and plenty of water buckets. Here's Pepper doing her best to drain a large water container. Someone soon after said, "Ew, your dog slobbered on me." LOL, not exactly, but her beard does carry a bunch of water if not wiped.

Our buddies Mike and Meredith Moshofsky had a booth backing up to the river. Meredith sells Flint River Ranch human-grade dog and cat food. See those blue tubs in the background? Those were there for dog cooling - didn't need 'em as much this year as in recent years, but great that they were there.

When the band started playing Pepper paid attention.

Some more booths on the river, with the Riverside Hilton and PPD building in the background across the river.

We had a nice time at Paw Jam 2009 but also wanted to go to the May Day event at Waterford.

This was the first time the Waterford Shoppes had an event in the spring - last year's Fall Festival was the first and it was rockin'. This season's event was a bit more laid back - possibly because the wind was so heavy in the early AM some vendors decided not to set up.

The electric bikes and scooters were there in force, however.

As was the ices booth.

Some really nice crafts booths.

Artists, businesses, and restaurants.

An animal rescue group.

King Tiger Martial Arts school, with loads of demonstrations.


Our always buddies from NBM Magazine - including Ava Williams, who was on hand but is hard to see in the photo.

Artist Ronald Williams displayed orginal coastal and landscape art.

The electric scooter guy

The ever-ebulliant Bullards of Bugsy's Cigars!

And Diane and Jay Merritt of Victory Church - good friends involved with Manna Minstries.

Overall a fine day in Great Leland!

Save the Date - Paw Jam - May 2, 2009

I just found the date for PawJam 2009. It's in May this year, Saturday May 2nd to be exact. 11AM to 5PM in Battleship Park. Benefits dog rescue groups. Live music, food, drink, many dog centric vendors, dogs on leash welcome, lots of fun. More info here.

Pepper and I look forward to seeing you there.

Superbowl Talkies at Talk, Inc

Marge and I had a great time at the Superbowl Talkies party at Debbie Elliott's Talk, Inc. Debbie was suited up in a ref's outfit, as were many of her staff.

The fish on the wall in one part of Talk's office were swimming so fast they caused a breeze that moved Susan Crispell's hair!

Award-winning Marge posed in front of some of Talk, Inc.'s awards. Marge's awards are in another field, but it's always fun to hang out with winners.

When Debbie and John Elliott's Camden arrived, he put on his shirt and had Debbie to put her hand up so he could try to read the game outcome from her palm. Watching her mentor (for real) is Debbie's mentee Blair Stokely from the UNCW Cameron School of Business.

Right after the first half we put on 3D glasses to watch the 3D stuff. The sights in the room were more fun than the stuff on TV. Holly Manning from Talk is on the left and Blair Stokely again on the right.

The half time show started The Boss.

And The Boss's Boss, Patti Scialfa.

The Talk staff was gracious and fun to hang out with. Katie White on the left is a Talk intern from UNCW and Kirsty Piper on the right is a frequent Tweeter who writes many of Talk's blog posts.

Oh yeah, and I had a Super time! Thanks, Debbie.