Diane Parker

Families and kids in Wilmington NC got to participate in an Easter Egg Drop put on by Lifepoint Church on Saturday, April 11th. Approximately 30,000 eggs were laid out for the three different age groups. Organizers estimate a crowd somewhere between 7,000 and 10,000 participating in the event. For more Wilmington area information, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

The 2009 Azalea Garden Tour, is a self-guided tour of 12 private gardens. Gardens in the historic downtown gardens to newer gardens overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway will be included in the tour. This is a great way to spend a Spring day in Wilmington.

The annual fundraising project by the Cape Fear Garden Club benefits Wilmington and New Hanover County.

Profits from ticket sales go back to the community through grants and scholarships at UNCW and Cape Fear Community College, and the preservation of Battery Island.

Tickets may be purchased from 10 am - 6 pm at the gardens or at the Azalea Festival Ticket office.

For information on Wilmington NC Real Estate, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

It's Azalea Festival time in Wilmington, NC! One favorite Azalea Festival event is the Tour of Historic Wilmington Homes. Ribbon cutting for the Home Tour will be Saturday, April 4th at 12:30 pm by Wilmington Mayor, Bill Saffo, at the Spetrino home located at 10 Church Street.

The Historic Wilmington Foundation puts on the Home Tour, and the annual showcase of these properties is held each year during Wilmington's Azalea Festival. Ten homes will be open to the public for tour this year, Saturday, April 4th from 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 5th from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 and will be available at all local Harris Teeter stores and other area outlets, as well as the Azalea Festival Office located at 5725 Oleander Drive, the Historic Wilmington Foundation, 516 North 4th Street, and at each home site the days of the tour. Members of the Foundation will receive discounted tickets at $15 available at Historic Wilmington Foundation. Groups of ten or more can purchase discounted tickets at a cost of $22.

Each home has been selected for its architectural and/or historic significance. The owners of the following properties have graciously agreed to open their homes for this year's tour.

1. Collins-Jones House - 1920 Market Street - Laura & Kyle Trivett
2. Bass-Oliver House - 1906 Market Street - Randy & William Jayne
3. Smith-Willoughby House - 1902 Market Street - Jessica & Joseph McAlear
4. W. Houston Moore House - 1819 Market Street - Jackie Burch
5. Hicks House - 410 North 15th Street - Elizabeth Carpenter
6. Gore-TenHuisen House - 512 Grace Street - Chris Gore & Matt TenHuisen
7. Williams House - 10 South 5th Avenue - Lucia & Tom Hughes
8. Daniel-Poisson House - 315 South Front Street - Lynne & Charles Boney, Jr.
9. King-Thorpe House - 209 Nun Street - Howard Jenkins & Carlos Zabola
10. Spetrino House - 10 Church Street - Kathy & David Spetrino

Visit the Historic Foundation's web site: www.historicwilmington.org

Proceeds from the Home Tour will help advance the Historic Wilmington Foundation's efforts to protect and preserve Wilmington's historic resources. Since 1966, the Historic Wilmington Foundation has saved over 200 historic properties from demolition.

Wilmington NC considers 13 a lucky number....as Forbes magazine ranked Wilmington Number 13 on its list of best cities for a career and/or business. Wilmington's quality of life remains high even with all the economic woes.

Wilmington continues to be a popular dstination for retirees and tourists. Five North Carolina cities made the top 20. Some of the factors considered for the list were past and projected job growth, cost of living, crime rate, and education level of work-force

Wilmington's access to beaches, mild climate and quality of life will continue to attract people to the area.

Master Gardener Plant Sale
March 26 through March 31, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Daily

The Arboretum, located at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington will hold its Plant Sale March 26-31, 2009. 30% more plants will be available this year. All plants are locally grown making them ready for the adjustment to your landscape. Varieties are selected to maximize drought tolerance, disease resistance, deer and slug resistance. Master Gardeners will be on hand to provide expert advice on plant selection and placement in your yard.

New this year are variegated ajuga called "Zebrina" and Serena series of Angelonia. There will be non-blooming hibiscus with brilliant orange and pink foliage, zinnias, larkspur, azaleas, roses,

This year rain barrels will also be offered. There will be a limited number available so arrive early to enjoy nature's best water.