http://irenakohler.com/blog/archive_201706/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ On July 4th, Americans celebrate the day in 1776 on which our great nation was born with the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. On July 6th the Declaration was first printed in a Philadelphia newspaper. On July 8th it was first read aloud in public, in Philadelphia’s Independence Square, with the joyful noise of a band and the ringing of bells. One year later, on July 4, 1777 the first Independence Day was celebrated with bells, bonfires, and the boom of fireworks. The custom of setting off fireworks to celebrate the 4th gradually spread across our burgeoning nation, becoming even more popular upon the conclusion of the War of 1812. Independence Day was named a holiday by Congress in 1870, and became a paid federal day-off in 1938. Today, the midsummer holiday is marked by all manner of celebration, involving lots and lots of fireworks from sea to shining sea, including a nationally-recognized display in our own Southport, NC, and a number of other celebrations throughout beautiful Southeastern North Carolina. Southport, NCThis 2.2-square-mile fishing and port village has been doing it up on the 4th for over 200 years. The commemoration began simply in 1792, with ships anchored in Southport’s harbor firing cannons in tribute, and has grown into a massive festival which attracts 40-50,000 visitors each year. The celebration includes music, entertainment, games, arts and crafts, and food, as well as a wildly popular parade. Keep an eye out for the Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Southport & Oak Island Offices’ float! This beloved event was incorporated as the “North Carolina 4th of July Festival” in 1972. The festivities are free to attend, although there are some activities and vendors which require applications and/or fees.The parade begins on the 4th at the corner of Atlantic & Moore Streets at 11am. At 9 pm crowds will gather at the Southport Waterfront for a fireworks display and a band on the Waterfront Stage at 9:30. For more information, visit NC 4th of July. Oak Island, NCThis quiet Brunswick County town, featuring 12 miles of pristine coastline, is the site of the N.C. 4th of July Festival Beach Day on Saturday, July 1st. Beach Day features live entertainment, and contests in horseshoes, corn hole, bocce, sand castle building, volleyball, and shag dancing. The festival traditionally concludes with a fireworks display at the Oak Island Pier. Unfortunately, damage sustained during Hurricane Matthew has rendered the pier unsafe. However, Oak Island residents and visitors can get a fantastic view Southport’s 4th of July fireworks from the Oak Island Lighthouse on Caswell Beach Drive. Downtown Wilmington, NCThe Port City was established in 1739. Spanning 230 blocks, Wilmington’s historic district is the second-largest in the nation, and features a picturesque downtown, nestled along the Cape Fear River. The area features numerous opportunities for food, drink, and shopping, and the mile-long, wooden Riverwalk is an attraction all its own. On the 4th, popular local band, Port City Shakedown will go on at 6 pm at Riverfront Park. Beginning at 9:05 pm, a spectacular fireworks display will commence over the Cape Fear River, adjacent to the Battleship North Carolina. Battleship North Carolina A National Historic Landmark, authentically restored to her World War II glory, The Battleship North Carolina Memorial was opened to the public in 1961. The ship serves to honor “the 11,000 North Carolinians of all branches of the service who gave their lives in World War II.” Throughout the month of July, in partnership with the Thalian Association Community Theater, The Battleship North Carolina presents the classic play Mr. Roberts. The run opens on the 4th, and will be followed by viewing of the Downtown Wilmington fireworks show. The bow of the ship will be reserved for members of the Friends of the Battleship North Carolina. On opening night, refreshments will be served at 6 pm, and the show goes on at 7. All other showings will begin at 8 pm. Carolina Beach, NC Pleasure Island boasts a historic and award-winning boardwalk which delivers a vintage, seaside experience the likes of which have all but disappeared from the East Coast. Here one can find famous homemade donuts, ice cream and fudge, fresh seafood, arcade games, galleries, and even an amusement park--the Ferris wheel provides a breathtaking birds-eye view of the Atlantic!Carolina Beach features weekly fireworks which start on Memorial Day weekend and continue on Thursdays throughout the summer. Live entertainment at the Gazebo begins at 6:30 pm and the fireworks begin at 9. According to PleasureIslandnc.org, “the best place to view this weekly spectacular show is on the beach strand located in front of the Courtyard by Marriott or on the historic Carolina Beach Boardwalk” On Monday, July 3rd, Carolina Beach will hold their Independence Day Fireworks by the Sea celebration. Rebekah Todd and the Odyssey’s blend of rock and blues will entertain the crowd starting at 6:30 pm, fireworks will begin at 9. Ocean Isle Beach, NC This seaside town boasts seven miles of South-facing, sandy coastline with 30 public beach accesses. Ferry Landing Park is located on the east end of the island. Here you can find picnic tables, a fishing pier, a gazebo, and breathtaking views of the Intracoastal Waterway. A fireworks display will take place on the Ocean Isle Beach Pier around 9 pm on Monday, July 3rd—the show will be viewable from almost anywhere on the island. The Ocean Isle Beach 4th of July Parade will begin on the 4th at 10 am, proceeding down East Second Street to Lee Street. There is no formal registration for the event--those who would like to participate should meet at the Museum of Coastal Carolina parking lot at 9:15 am. Entries will be judged by category: golf carts, floats, walkers, and bicycles. Topsail Island, NC Topsail is a 26-mile barrier island with pristine beaches facing the Atlantic. The area maintains its old-word feel with a ban on high-rise development. The island is home to the towns of Topsail Beach, Surf City, and North Topsail Beach. On Monday, July 3rd, Surf City will present an Independence Day Celebration with live music and fireworks at Soundside Park. Johnny White & the Elite Band will go on at 6 pm, and fireworks will begin at dusk. Holly Ridge, NCThe town of Holly Ridge sits between Wilmington and Jacksonville along Highway 17. The town holds an annual 4th of July Liberty Festival and Fireworks. This year, entertainment will be provided by The Carolina Band and a DJ. The event, featuring more than 40 vendors, will be held from 3 pm until 10 on the 4th. Jacksonville, NCHome to Camp Lejune Marine Corps Base, and the Marine Corps Air Station New River, patroitism is very important to the area and its residents.Onslow Pines Park will host the 34th Annual Onslow County Freedom Festival on the 4th from 2 to 9 pm. Festivities will include food, crafts and novelties, children’s activities, and amusement rides, as well as entertainment from Buzz Rocket Band, Anna Cole, Wild Honey, Carolina Beach Music Legends, and The Embers featuring Craig Woolard. Fireworks will begin at 9 pm. Wherever you find yourself celebrating Independence Day in Southeastern NC, there are festivities and fireworks not far away!  http://irenakohler.com/blog/2179/4th-of-july-in-southeastern-north-carolina/ Fri, 30 Jun 2017 12:00:00 -0500 Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage is pleased to announce our top performing agents & teams for May.  Wilmington OfficeTop Listing Agent                                           Debi ByrdTop Selling Agent                                           Jennifer FarmerTop Small Listing Team                                  Chris Baynes & AssociatesTop Small Selling Team                                  Jessica Edwards & AssociatesTop Large Listing & Selling Team                      Gruner Residential  Carolina Beach OfficeTop Listing & Selling Agent                             Cori McQueenTop Small Listing & Selling Team                     The Moran Team  Brunswick OfficesTop Listing Agent                                             Mary Ann McCarthyTop Selling Agent                                             Marsha Lovin FerrellTop Small Listing & Selling Team                       The Haraway GroupTop Large Listing & Selling Team                        Hank Troscianiec & Associates  Jacksonville OfficeTop Listing & Selling Agent                                Jenna MortonTop Small Listing & Selling Team                         40 SailsTop Large Listing & Selling Team                         Castro Real Estate Group   Leland OfficeTop Listing Agent                                               Daryl BundyTop Selling Agent                                               Jeff DominTop Small Listing & Selling Team                          Karen Schwartz TeamTop Large Listing & Selling Team                           Shawn Horton – Trusst Marketing Group  Onlsow/Pender OfficesTop Listing Agent                                             Lottie KoenigTop Selling Agent                                             Tina DawsonTop Small Listing Team                                     The Fortunato TeamTop Small Selling Team                                     Christina Pitz TeamTop Large Listing & Selling Team                        Christina Block & Associates  South Brunswick OfficesTop Listing Agent                                             David EnzorTop Selling Agent                                             Frances WarnerTop Small Listing & Selling Team                        The Kozel Team  Midtown OfficeTop Listing Agent                                             Michelle PowellTop Selling Agent                                             Carol PendergrassTop Small Listing & Selling Team                        The Wilson TeamTop Large Listing & Selling Team                        Shane Register Team  Top New Homes Sales AssociatesRiver Bluffs Sales Team  Overall Top ProducersHank Troscianiec & AssociatesCastro Real Estate GroupJessica Edwards & AssociatesGruner Residential40 SailsKaren Schwartz TeamRosado & AssociatesFrances WarnerChristina Block & AssociatesShawn Horton – Trusst Marketing Group http://irenakohler.com/blog/2178/congratulations-top-agents-&-teams-may-2017/ Thu, 29 Jun 2017 12:00:00 -0500 Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage REALTORS® recently had the honor of touring and lunching at the beautiful River Bluffs community, just ten minutes north of historic downtown Wilmington, NC. There was an excellent turnout and a lovely time was had by all. The patio in Davis Square was abuzz with Sea Coasters enjoying a perfect almost-summer day--some soaked up rays by the glistening pool, some tucked in at the picnic tables beneath large patio umbrellas, and many strolled about the grounds, touring Open Homes and taking in the pristine Riverwalk. A delicious lunch of hearty sandwiches, spring salad, and baked treats was prepared by Porches Café, which offers excellent, fresh, and healthy cuisine to residents and the public. Porches’ menu is filled with seasonal produce grown on River Bluffs’ own organic community farm! A unique new community in our market, River Bluffs was awarded the 2015 Outstanding Stewardship Award by the Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Coalition, which described the community as “a vibrant, low impact and energy efficient coastal community in the making with a developer committed to producing an end product that truly balances economic development with natural resource protection.” According to Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage President, Tim Milam, “River Bluffs is one of New Hanover County’s premier communities. It has so many trees, beautiful unspoiled riverfront, and fantastic amenities. These are great builders and homes and home sites are selling fast! Thank you to Burrows Smith, Denis Cronin, Tom Nuzio, John Lennon, and the River Bluffs sales team for hosting such a fun and informative event.” Ted Hardeen, Sea Coast Sr. VP of Marketing & Director of New Homes, was stationed in front of Porches Café directing visitors to parking areas and thoroughly enjoying his post in the dappled shade of the old-growth trees. “I love coming out here,” said Hardeen, “I can almost feel my blood pressure going down as soon as I drive in. It’s the soothing calmness of the trees, I think.” John Lennon, River Bluffs Director of Marketing & Sales, spoke about River Bluffs at the Sea Coast sales meeting that morning, and was all smiles at the successful luncheon. “I am extremely grateful to be able to host so many of the Sea Coast Family to showcase this area’s most innovative and creative neighborhood, it is a showcase for responsible development and I so appreciate Sea Coast’s continuing support.”Karen Clow, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage REALTOR® representing River Bluffs along with John Page and Kyle Fryt, was thrilled to spend the afternoon with so many good friends. "I had the best time today being around my Sea Coast Family!” said Clow. “The atmosphere was amazing! I am so thankful to be a part of this group of professionals, I can't tell them enough how much I appreciate them for coming out to see this awesome neighborhood that I am so blessed to represent."Events like these are a big part of what sets Sea Coasters apart in our industry, and contributes to our position at #1 in our market. This group of individuals revel in banding together to support the team. As Hardeen put it, “we can all be very proud to know that there is not another company in our market areas (and far beyond) that would ever be able to show such support and come out in such force than Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage did today.” http://irenakohler.com/blog/2170/sea-coast-river-bluffs-luncheon/ Thu, 15 Jun 2017 12:00:00 -0500 The Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Office on Military Cutoff Road has been home to Sea Coast’s flagship location for the last ten years. Over the course of the decade, the building has seen countless milestones and accomplishments for the company and the people who make it what it is.The Military Cutoff Road location has seen its inhabitants through numerous births and deaths, marriages and retirements, and amid the disarray of life, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage has unswervingly thrived. Recently, the Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Relocation Team brought home two USAA Eagle Awards, a first in USAA history. In 2016, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage closed $1.4 billion in sales. Year after year Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage has been the #1 Coldwell Banker in North Carolina.Sea Coast’s vast and consistent success is due in no small part to the culture of the company. The non-competing management and staff make service their top priority, and there is a strong emphasis on a people-first approach. This outlook starts and the top with President, Tim Milam, who suggests that everyone at Sea Coast “do something nice for someone every week,” and filters through Sea Coast’s stellar staff and REALTORS®.This warm, family mentality carried effortlessly into Sea Coast’s recently-opened 12th office in Midtown, Wilmington. The spacious yet cozy, flawlessly-appointed space, overseen by Managing Broker Sharon Laney, has been busily chugging along since March and is an outstanding example of Sea Coast’s consistent ability to get it right. 50 agents now call this conveniently-located office home.  Now, Sea Coast extends into another space, a brand-new building at Autumn Hall, just off Eastwood Road. Over 150 agents have eagerly awaited getting to know their new digs and preening their respective spaces. This move was made possible by excellent efforts on the part of REALTORS® and staff to get packed up and roll with the inevitable punches of a move of this scale, especially the amazing staff who gave their weekend to pull it all together. Vice President, General Manager, Denise Kinney; Vice President, Director of Sales, Tom O’Neill; Vice President, Public Relations and Human Resources, Carolyn Thomason; Managing Brokers, Sherri Pickard and Alex Paen; and IT Professionals, Johnathan Stump, Jason Weir, and Jarett Miller worked throughout the Memorial Day Weekend, lugging, arranging, building, and fixing so that Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Autumn Hall may open this week. Support staff members Dian, Jackie, and Taylor also worked tirelessly to get us to move-in day.O’Neill, through months of hard work and copious organization, has been instrumental in this seamless transition. He’s provided daily updates to agents and staff, keeping all informed about the goings on, and enthusiasm high with observations like “now that the furniture is being moved in, the office is really getting a great feel to it.  We are all going to be very happy there!!” In this time of transition, he has maintained his sense of humor, “Denise, Carolyn, Sherri, and myself were all getting everything situated at AH and continuing to clean out the Mayfaire Office all day.  I moved around a couple of the lighter items and delegated the heavy lifting to the three ladies.” Kinney and Thomason stopped only long enough to capture a few photos to document the weekend for posterity (and social media). Kinney’s updates reminded us they were “busy, busy, busy” and that “things are moving along nicely!” Thomason noted that “moving the office this weekend has really been so much fun…”Sea Coast is looking forward to a long and prosperous future for REALTORS® and staff alike in the new Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage location at Autumn Hall. As Tom O’Neill told staff and agents, “thank you again for your continued patience – it is very much appreciated!!” http://irenakohler.com/blog/2163/moving-on-up!/ Thu, 01 Jun 2017 12:00:00 -0500