Sophomore Morgan Kline recorded 12 kills to lead UNCW to a 3-0 sweep of visiting Campbell Tuesday
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Led by the trio of junior Christi Laite and sophomores McKenzie Keightley and Morgan Kline, UNCW cruised to a 3-0 (25-17, 29-25, 25-15) victory over visiting Campbell Tuesday in collegiate volleyball action at Hanover Hall.
The Seahawks improved to 3-1 on the young season as they recorded their fourth victory in five tries against the Camels. Campbell, meanwhile, saw their season mark evened at 2-2 with the setback.
Laite, Kline and Keightley combined to record 34 of the Seahawks’ 40 kills for the match as Kline and Laite tallied 12 spikes each while Keightley pitched in 10. Freshman setter Victoria Phillips paced the Seahawks lineup to a .174 hitting percentage as she dished out a match-best 33 assists.
Defensively, freshman Lindsay Hartmann notched 12 digs and junior Haley Collins added 10. Phillips pitched in nine digs to finish just shy of a double-double.
Up next: UNCW opens the Deacon Invitational with a 7 p.m. match Friday against host Wake Forest
Historic Wilmington Foundation President Don Britt (left) unveils an exhibit that will travel to local libraries to heighten awareness of threatened cultural resources in the area. With him is HWF Executive Director George Edwards (center) and New Hanover County Library Director Harry Tuchmayer. Photo by Ben Brown.
The Historic Wilmington Foundation (HWF) is taking advocacy for imperiled heritage on the road.
After months of work and collaboration with funders, the nonprofit on August 28 rolled out a traveling version of its “Most Threatened Historic Places” list to exhibit around the tri-county region. The goal: to promote awareness of the area’s venerable architecture and objects endangered by neglect or development.
While the media may give historic preservation sporadic focus, “It is the Foundation’s hope that the exhibit will expand and extend the discussion about the need to protect and preserve our irreplaceable historic resources throughout the year,” HWF explained in an announcement.
“It’s a way to keep the discussion alive,” said HWF Executive Director George W. Edwards as he discussed the roughly 7-foot-tall, three-panel display of photos and information on threatened sites in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.
The traveling exhibit is currently on view at the New Hanover County Library on Chestnut Street in Wilmington until September 13. Its second stop will be the county’s Northeast Regional Library on Military Cutoff Road, where it will be displayed from September 14 through October 12. Appearances in Brunswick and Pender counties will follow.
A grant from the Landfall Foundation funded most of the nearly $3,000 project, which highlights 2012’s most-threatened list and informs about past years’. HWF has released a list every spring for the past seven years.
The 2012 edition recognized among other properties the blue, two-story building at 226 S. Front St. in Wilmington that in recent history housed the popular Taste of Country southern-cooking buffet. Now, the 3,781-square-foot structure, built in the 1890s, sits dormant in a state of “severe deterioration,” according to HWF. It’s also for sale—a real estate listing asks $475,000—but it’s stable and could be restored, HWF says. Due to the property’s age, it’s eligible for federal and state preservation tax credits that could boost such an effort, though the building’s real estate listing indicates a demolition permit is in hand should the buyer have other development plans.
Pender County’s Rosenwald Schools, which served as African-American learning institutions in the early 20th century, also made the 2012 list. “Unless dramatic action is taken, these important reminders of our state’s history of inequitable education will disappear,” the HWF entry states.
In Brunswick County, rare, wooden grave-markers from the late 19th or early 20th centuries are fighting time and neglect and were thus given a continued spot on the 2012 most-threatened list after being added the year prior. “These vanishing markers need to be documented for future generations to appreciate this form of funerary art,” HWF’s narrative said.
“The exhibit was created with the idea that it would involve the viewer and motivate people to think about the buildings and sites in their towns and neighborhoods that are important and should be saved,” a press release from the foundation stated.
Old, wooden grave markers like this one at the Riley-Hewett Cemetery near Supply in Brunswick County are considered ‘threatened’ due to age and neglect. Photo by Ben Brown.
The annual most-threatened lists have indeed inspired action, Edwards noted. Four years ago, HWF placed the entirety of Brunswick County on its most-threatened list, in part because the county lacked a comprehensive survey of its history, old buildings and cultural heritage. Alarmed by the void, the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners in 2009 paid $55,000 to a preservation company to identify and photograph historical sites, speak with long-lived natives and record the entire experience.
The result was the “Comprehensive Historical & Architectural Site Survey of Brunswick County, North Carolina.” It logged in detail 506 buildings, more than half of which were in Southport, and led HWF last year to deem Brunswick County’s history “saved.”
HWF and collaborators hope the new exhibit’s presence in area libraries will inspire more success stories and a diverse appreciation for the past.
“By being in the public library, it’s seen by a lot of people—particularly, we hope, by young people,” HWF President Don Britt said at the unveiling Tuesday. “We have to get our young people thinking about preservation going forward if we intend to keep it moving forward.”
The exhibit also features a drop-off spot where persons can submit candidate sites for future most-threatened lists.
The Historic Wilmington Foundation added this late 19th century building on Front Street in Wilmington to its 2012 list of ‘Most Threatened Historic Places’ list due to its state of disrepair and candidacy for demolition. Photo by Ben Brown.
Travel schedule for the exhibit:
New Hanover County Library, 201 Chestnut St., Wilmington – Aug. 28-Sept. 13
SHALLOTTE — Brock Ahrens recognizes an opportunity when he sees it.
When the principal position at West Brunswick High School opened, Ahrens, a 24-year educator, seized the opportunity to take on a new role and its challenges.
Ahrens previously served as principal of South Brunswick Middle School in Boiling Spring Lakes, where he was credited with the school’s turnaround, both in academic and overall performance. Ahrens hopes to repeat that success West Brunswick.
In addition to the disciplinary issues and the coming-of-age woes one can expect when leading a group of teenagers, Ahrens has two other issues on his radar—cell phone and hats.
Neither, Ahrens said, has a place in the classroom.
“It goes back to your core values; what do you truly believe in?”
For Ahrens, his guiding philosophy is respect for everyone, every day, including students, teachers, staff, parents, bus drivers, custodians, or anyone else he deals with during the school day.
Ahrens also strives for a safe an orderly school, without which teachers cannot educate their students.
“I’ve done elementary, middle and high schools. You really have to understand and start at a level where they’re at. I’m trying to balance out managerial stuff with leadership; finding that balance between the two,” Ahrens said. “Our kids, they will fight that piece, especially taking off the hats and turning off cell phones. Our responsibility is for developing the whole child.”
While accepting the challenges of high school, Ahrens also recognizes a benefit that comes with serving as principal of a high school—Friday night football games.
In addition to rooting on Trojan football, Ahrens sees Friday nights at the football field as a chance to converse with parents and students in a less formal environment.
“Going back from high school to middle school, back to high school, I’m looking forward to high school athletics. I really enjoy that time of Friday night out on the football field. They see me in a different standing. It’s not as serious,” he said.
Before leading South Brunswick Middle School, Ahrens served as both a teacher and an assistant principal at West Brunswick High School, which he sees as another benefit to his transition in this new role as principal.
“At West, we have an opportunity to rebuild the culture here with the parents, the kids and the community. We don’t talk at people; we talk with people. West Brunswick is a community school. I look at it as if it were a plant. And you have to have the foundation for it to grow,” Ahrens said.
Look for Ahrens to grow that foundation in the classroom, the hallways, the cafeteria and even the 50-yard line.
WILMINGTON — New Hanover County children said goodbye to summer last week and headed back to school.
And so, too, did a group of law enforcement officers whose purpose is to provide peace and security on campus, as well as serving as mentors and role models.
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office provides 23 School Resource Officers (SRO) to county schools. Over the summer, the SROs divided their time between their regular patrol duties and attending training sessions. During the school year, the deputies deal with a range of campus problems from drugs to cyber-bullying, as well as maintaining the safety of all children and faculty on campus.
“Most officers that work in the SRO program love it,” said sheriff’s Sgt. J.J. Brewer. “They are in the program because they love working with the children. Some have been in the program for over a decade.”
SROs lead the Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T) program, and this year, they will be inviting families to join the children in their education to help guide them away from becoming involved in gangs and gang-related activities, Brewer said.
In addition to the SROs provided by the sheriff’s office, the Wilmington Police Department also provides a handful of officers to school campuses. The city will provide four sworn officers this year.
“Our presence is limited but it does provide aid (to the SROs from the sheriff’s office),” said Wilmington police detective Kevin Smith.
Each SRO is a trained officer of the sheriff’s department. The positions are filled on an as-needed basis and officers may opt to be in the positions by submitting a request form.
Brewer said the SRO program is a comfort to parents.
“As a parent, you want the SRO there. It cuts down on [officer] response time immensely,” he said.
Smith added that having officers on campus helps create a better learning environment for children, as well as assistance to staff and faculty.
The SROs even provide career inspiration for some students. Smith said he knows of one former New Hanover County high school student who worked closely with Wilmington police officers at school and later joined the force after graduating.
“Some of these students may be the next generation of officers on board,” Smith said. “To the kids, it’s a calming presence to have those authority figures in the schools.”
This week’s schedule: Aug. 29, at Campbell, 7 p.m.; Sept. 2 at App. State, 3 p.m.
The Seahawks hit the road this week for a pair of matches against Campbell and App. State. The Seahawks and Camels have met every season since 1969, a stretch of 42 years and 45 matches … UNCW will match up with the Mountaineers for the first time since 2001.
Volleyball Report
The UNCW volleyball team concludes its season-opening homestand tonight as it takes on state foe Campbell in a 7 p.m. match at Hanover Hall. UNCW opened the 2012 season at home last weekend with a 2-1 finish in the Courtyard Wilmington Beach Bash.
Tuesday’s contest marks the 43rd meeting between the two rivals in a series that dates back to the 1986 season. The two programs have met on the court in all but three seasons (1989, 2002, 2009) since the start of the series … The Seahawks hold a 28-14 advantage in previous meetings and have enjoyed the edge of late, winning six of the last eight matchups
Reigning CAA Champs release schedule;
Head men’s golf coach Matt Clark has announced the release of UNCW’s schedule for the 2012-13 season, a slate that includes the third annual Seahawk Intercollegiate and four tournaments in North and South Carolina.
The Seahawks, who have advanced to the NCAA tournament three of the last four years, open their fifth season under the direction of Clark with the UNC Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C.
To see the complete UNCW men’s golf story; https://www.uncwsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19800&ATCLID=205669901
The Cougars were in trouble from the opening kickoff and should have been finished by the 10th minute but the Screaming Eagles could not find the back of the net in the early going despite creating numerous opportunities. Durwin Hamilton finally found the back of the net 33 minutes into the match on and assist from Sean Baker. The second half was a different story as the Eagles showed how they can play when they work as one unit. The guys knocked the ball around and had South Brunswick chasing them all over the place. Three second half goals were scored: Parker Rackley assisted by Tony Mack, Austin Davis unassisted, and finally Justin Savinon assisted by Myles Strickland. Camden Simmons recorded his second shutout in goal with 4 saves and had some help from keeper Cameron Wilson.
Girls Volleyball-
Topsail 3 Pender 0
The Topsail High School Volleyball team improved to four and two on the year with a straight set victory over Pender on Monday(25-9, 25-22, 25-12). The two time defending East Central Conference Champs are loaded with senior talent as Carlie Smith finished with eighteen points, sixteen kills, and four blocks, while senior Ashley Poage added 27 assists in the win. Sophomore Kayla Hyatt also had 9 pts, 4 kills, 4 blocks, and 6 digs for Topsail. The Pirates play at Dixon this afternoon at 5pm.
WILMINGTON — Spending by outside political action committees in the hotly-contested race for the U.S. House seat in North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District is approaching $400,000.
According to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Political Action Committees (PACS) have spent more than $388,017 in opposition ads and research in the 7th District race as of August 24.
The targets are longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, a Lumberton Democrat, and state Sen. David Rouzer, a Republican challenger from Johnston County hoping to unseat the eight-term congressman.
Republicans are outspending Democrats in the district, which has been a GOP target for the past two elections. The most recent GOP expenditure was a $121,192 media buy August 24.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, opposing Rouzer’s bid, spent nearly $100,000 in media buys and another $6,943 in media production in August.
Meanwhile, the National Republican Congressional Committee has set its sights on McIntyre, spending $38,416 in survey research and nearly $250,000 in media buys during the same time frame in August.
The $388,017 thrown into the race is in addition to the funds raised by both candidates.
While the Republicans are outspending the Democrats on the party front, McIntyre still enjoys a sizable lead over Rouzer in campaign fundraising.
As of June 30, McIntyre had raised $1.4 million, and had a little more than $1 million cash on hand. Rouzer had raised $695,352, and had $171,608 cash on hand as of June 30.
The New Hanover County Library on Chestnut Street in downtown Wilmington.
WILMINGTON — New Hanover County has issued a casting call to area teenage zombies.
NHCTV, the television channel for county government, will shoot a commercial on September 11 at the New Hanover County Library to promote an event in the works called “Haunted Library.” Coordinators are searching for locals between the ages of 13 and 18 to play zombies who gorge on books instead of brains.
“The shoot will consist of a librarian shelving books in the basement until he encounters zombies hungry for books!” an announcement from the county states. “Will the librarian survive?!?!”
Prospective zombies should let their imaginations run wild, the county said. “The scarier the better. Arrive in full costume wearing makeup, torn clothes, etc.”
They must also have a parent sign a release form upon arrival and meet in the library’s Children’s Room no later than 4:30 p.m. Filming will begin shortly after.
Freshman Morgan Leyble just missed recording her first collegiate tally as she hit the post during UNCW’s matchup with No. 8 Virginia on Sunday.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia – Senior keeper Caitlin Hunter recorded a career-high 13 saves, but No. 8 Virginia scored twice in the second half to defeat UNCW, 2-0, in collegiate women’s soccer action Sunday at Klöckner Stadium.
The Cavaliers improved to 3-1 on the young season as they recorded their third straight shutout victory. The Seahawks, who faced their third straight nationally-ranked opponent, moved to 0-2-1 on the campaign.
Both teams return to action Aug. 31. UNCW opens the home portion of its 2012 schedule with a 7 p.m. contest against state rival Charlotte at the UNCW Soccer Stadium. Virginia, meanwhile, heads to the Lone Star State for an 8:30 matchup with host Texas in the Longhorn Invitational.
Wilmington, NC- For a second straight day, the Cape Fear Community College Women’s Soccer Team defeated a cross District rival from Maryland, to open up their 2012 Regular Season with 2 wins. The Lady SeaDevils defeated the College of Southern Maryalnd 8-1. Jodi Barber (White Oak HS) had a second straight hat trick with 3 goals and 1 assist. Other scorers were Tanay Ellis adding 2 goals, Alex Duty, Lauren Smith, and Anna Mixon (Croatan HS). CFCC out shot CSM 22 to 3. Kerinn Hall and Samantha Walker earned the win in goal. The SeaDevils take on Region X conference rival, Spartanburg Methodist College at home next Saturday. Kick off is set for 2pm at the North Campus Soccer Field. Record CFCC 2-0-0, 0-0-0 in Region X.
Freshman Victoria Phillips handed out a match-best 23 assists in her collegiate debut to lead the Seahawks to a 3-0 victory over Delaware State Saturday
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Led by a match-high 16 kills from Junior Christi Laite, UNCW rolled to a 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-14) sweep of Delaware State in collegiate volleyball action in the Courtyard Wilmington Beach Bash Saturday at Hanover Hall.
The Seahawks suffered their first loss of the season in the nightcap, falling to tournament champion LIU Brooklyn, 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-17, 25-20).
UNCW finished the season-openning tournament with a 2-1 record. UNCW concludes its season-opening homestand Tuesday when it entertains state rival Campbell in a 7 p.m. match.
Against Delaware State, Laite posted a match-high 16 kills and committed just three errors in 21 total attempts for a .619 hitting percentage to highlight a UNCW attack that finished the match with 47 kills and an impressive .372 attack percentage. Senior Jennifer Mallard notched with nine spikes and sophomore Sarah Fitzgerald tallied seven. Freshman Victoria Phillips handed out a match-best 23 assists in her collegiate debut while senior Natalie LaHaie chipped in 12. Defensively, junior Haley Collins posted a match-high 15 digs while Phillips added seven.
Junior Jessica Russell-Croucher and sophomore Edarkis Branch tallied five kills apiece for Delaware State, who was limited to just 14 spikes and a .028 hitting percentage for the contest.
UNCW never trailed in the first set, jumping out to an early 10-3 lead before closing the frame on a 9-2 run to post a 25-12 triumph. UNCW finished the opening set with 16 kills and just two attack errors in 26 total attempts as it combined for a .538 attack clip in the frame.
In the second set, UNCW held an 11-10 lead midway through the frame when a Delaware State service error sparked the Seahawks to an 7-3 spurt and an 18-13 advantage. The Hornets responded with three straight points to pull within two, 18-16, but a Delaware State service error, one of four in the frame, sparked the Seahawks to score six of the next nine points and take a 25-19 decision in the second frame.
The third set saw UNCW score 14 of the first 15 points of the frame to build a commanding 14-1 cushion. The Seahawks maintained a double-figure league the rest of the frame, using a kill from Laite to close out the match with a 25-14 victory. Laite was a perfect 8-for-8 on the attack in the third set to guide a UNCW lineup that posted 18 kills with just three attack errors in 27 total attempts for a .556 attack percentage in the frame.
