http://irenakohler.com/blog/archive_201905/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ Our Favorite ParksOne of our favorite things about living in Southeastern North Carolina is the availability of so much unspoiled land to wander in the form of beautiful municipal, state, and national parks. Whether you’re looking for a long solitary hike with your four-legged friend, or a fun, safe playground to entertain the kiddos, our area has a number of options for you to explore and enjoy. We asked our agents and staff to tell us about their favorites so we could pass the info on to you!  Olsen Park or, as my daughter calls it, the red park (she names every park after the color of the slides). The playground is enclosed by a fence and has rubber padding, which is so much better than the mulch other parks have. It's an all-inclusive park and has a lot of options for both younger (toddler/preschool) and older kids. So, both my kids are entertained.--Meghan Riley, Marketing Specialist, The Cameron Team, Wilmington (Autumn Hall) Office Christine Cronick, Team Leader of Cronick & Associates, from our Oak Island Office, recommends Brunswick Nature Park. It's a tie for me -- Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and Carolina Beach State Park - both great places to take my dog. The pic here is CB State Park.--Mary Blake, Carolina Beach Office Love Greenfield Lake Park! From running races, or watching friends during Ironman races there, to paddle boating there with my daughter years ago. You can walk and enjoy the trail, but keep an eye out for alligators. Looking forward to getting to some of the concerts at the Amphitheater this summer!--Michelle Gurrera, Team Leader, Michelle Gurrera & Associates, Wilmington (Autumn Hall) Office CB Lake is great to walk the dogs!--Amy America Hoover, The Warwick Team, Wilmington (Autumn Hall) Office Greenfield Skatepark, my son and Grandson, Oliver, love it.--Glynn Dugan, The Tim Howard Team, Wilmington (Autumn Hall) Office Hugh MacRae Park is always fun, dog parks for both large and small dogs as well as a walking trail and shelters for picnics!--Megan Sexton, Agent Liaison, Wilmington (Autumn Hall) Office Poplar Grove. It is cooler in the summer heat with all of the shade provided by the awesome forest setting around a lake. Also, you don't get in trouble for letting your dog run free.--Shanon Ives, Wilmington (Autumn Hall) Office Wade Park. Beautiful, new, and serene. Wade Park is also the starting point for the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail.--Andres Campillo, Wilmington (Autumn Hall) Office I have two favorite parks to take sunset pictures.The first is Soundside Park near the new Surf City Bridge is very kid friendly! It has a playground area, shaded picnic tables, a stage for concerts/events, and a boat ramp on the Intercoastal Waterway. Park your car and bike, jog, or walk along the wooden bridges to get to the new Surf City Bridge. You can get some exercise with family and friends while getting the perfect water and sunset photos. The Town of Surf City hosts free movies in the park.The second is Kenneth L. Batts Family Park in Surf City. The park has a long handicap friendly boardwalk that is very popular with tourists and locals alike for taking sunset pictures. It also offers a small playground, basketball court, and a covered picnic area. The parking lot is small so you’ll want to get there a little before sunset. --James Hill, Hampstead Office  http://irenakohler.com/blog/2612/our-favorite-parks/ Wed, 29 May 2019 09:34:33 -0500 Southeastern North Carolina’s picture-perfect summers draw thousands to our scenic towns and sandy shores, and we’re lucky enough to live here! But before we can kick back and enjoy all that summertime in the Cape Fear Region has to offer, there are a few things to consider around the house that’ll make the season even more perfect.AC and Fans: Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans, and while you’re at it, clean the blades so when you turn them back on you don’t get a dust-bunny blizzard. Do the same with the filters in your window units so the cool air they provide will be fresh and clean.HVAC Service: Get a service call in now before the heat of summer hits and everybody in town in need of relief is calling at one time!Clean Your Dryer Vent: Avoid fire hazards and insure the optimal functioning of your clothes dryer with a good cleaning twice a year—once as you prepare your home for summer, and again when winter is coming. Window Treatment: Consider investing in sun-blocking window film, which won’t impede your view, but will cut your energy costs!Deck Check: What’s a beautiful Eastern North Carolina summer without a backyard BBQ? Make sure your deck is in good shape for a fiesta—check for rotting boards and hammer any loose nails.Discourage Unwanted Guests: Just as critters seek the warmth of our homes in the winter, many will seek the cool environs created by our central air when the summer heat ramps up—fill cracks, cover holes, and remove any vines or collected debris from around your foundation to make your home less hospitable to creepy critters.Testing, Testing: Push the “Test” button on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If you don’t get a response, change the batteries.Mulch: Adding a fresh layer of mulch to your gardens will deter weeds, and help the soil retain moisture during summer’s long, sunny days.Chill: Last but not least, get yourself a hammock and find a shady place to hang it. It’s going to be a beautiful summer! http://irenakohler.com/blog/2611/summertime-home-maintenance/ Wed, 15 May 2019 08:53:19 -0500 Thursday, May 9, at Wilmington’s own Waterman’s Brewing, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage President, Tim Milam, defended his title as Top Bartender against local real estate personalities, and actor/comedian Orlando Jones, to benefit Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina. Last year’s first Wishes at Waterman’s event raised nearly $14,000 to make wishes come true for local children with critical illnesses, with the highest “tip” donation total coming in via Tim Milam and his team at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. This year, Milam was again named the winner, bringing in $7,197 in “tips!” The event raised $24,075.25 for Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina—substantially more than the organization’s $15,000 goal.  According to Make-A-Wish “a wish come true helps children feel stronger, more energetic, more willing and able to battle their critical illnesses. For many, the wish marks a turning point in the fight against their illnesses.” The Make-A-Wish foundation holds a special place in the hearts of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage agents and staff, as a member of our Sea Coast Family, a recipient of her own wish to go to Disney World last year, lost her battle to a rare form of brain cancer earlier this month. As our family continues to reel from this tragic loss, it was truly heartwarming to witness such enormous generosity as our community came together to make this event a massive success.Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage REALTORS® Rob Warwick and David Leinwand. Ryan Hales and Noel Agnew of Don Bullard Insurance and Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Vice President of Operations, Tom O'Neill. Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Vice President of Operations, Tom O'Neill, REALTOR® Matt Rogers, Vice President of Public Relations and Human Resources, Carolyn Thomason, and Vice President Director of New Homes, Brad Hunter. Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage REALTORS® Barb Lambert and Ann Konetes. Tim Milam, all smiles, as always!  http://irenakohler.com/blog/2610/tim-milam-wins-bartending-challenge-to-benefit-local-make-a-wish-foundation/ Fri, 10 May 2019 01:09:23 -0500 Here at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, we have many agents and staff who are passionately involved with local rescue organizations, and who dearly love the shelter pets in their lives. In honor of National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day we asked our agents to tell us about their favorite local animal shelters and rescue organizations.Did you know that Coldwell Banker coordinates a National Pet Adoption Weekend every year? Our nationwide network has already helped tens of thousands of dogs get adopted, and we expect nothing less this year, so stay tuned for more information on the annual event, this September 28th and 29th. In the meantime, if you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, please check out one of these rescue organizations, highly recommended by our agents and staff:Barbara Andrews recommends adopting via Brunswick County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services. Kathy Alexander, Marketing Director, recommends R.A.C.E. Inc. where she was lucky enough to find her sweet Reagan.  Kimberly Sands, Managing Broker of our Carolina Beach Offices, recommends Paws Place Dog Rescue.Megan Sexton, Agent Liaison at our Wilmington (Autumn Hall) Office, recommends Adopt an Angel. Lisa Damico recommends Brunswick Animal Shelter, which is managed by Brunswick County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services. Christina Barber rescued her handsome boy from a rescue out of town. She says that adopting Nolan was “one of the best decisions of my life.”  Sheryl French rescued her Lucy 10 years ago in Ohio. “Best dog ever,” says Sheryl, “here she’s smiling as she sees me at the airport.”  Beth Crowell says “Mike and I frequent the North Myrtle Beach Humane Society. I also worked at a Humane Society in Washington DC in my younger years. We’ve saved 2 dogs and 4 cats in our time together. This is Penny, 17, saved from a no kill shelter in Howard County, MD. There are so many that need good homes!” Other area animal rescues include: Anchor Your HeartCoastal Canine Rescue, Inc. Dauntless Dog RescueMonty's HomeNew Hanover County Sheriff's Office Animal Services UnitNew Hanover County Humane Society Pender County Animal Shelter Pender County Humane SocietySouthport - Oak Island Animal Rescue (SOAR)  http://irenakohler.com/blog/2609/adopt-a-shelter-pet!/ Thu, 02 May 2019 02:28:40 -0500