Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why is one huge Military Cutoff project booming while another sits idle?

And on the Wilmington Patch calendar - Wilmington Farmers Market

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Good morning Wilmington! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why is one huge Military Cutoff project booming while another sits idle?
  • Inside Wilmington's strangest museum on Water Street's historic riverfront.
  • How CFCC's new free childcare space could change Wilmington student life.

Also on today's calendar: Wilmington Farmers Market and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 97 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: A t-storm; humid, not as hot, temps: high: 84, low: 68.
  • Monday: Breezy with a few showers, with a high of 85 and low of 69 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. On a Wilmington road, one development growing fast while another stalls (starnewsonline.com subscription) — If you drive Military Cutoff Road, you'll soon see big changes as Center Point nears opening while the massive Avenue project remains stalled despite construction approval. The story also details plans for Wilmington's first Chase Bank branch and new apartments at The Sterling, all reshaping the busy Mayfaire corridor over the next year.
   

2. Two-Headed Goats and a Unicorn Horn Fill the Rooms of This Bizarre North Carolina Museum (myfamilytravels.com) — Downtown Wilmington's oddities museum on Water Street packs two-headed animals, movie props, and a mirror maze into a historic 1869 iron works building. With daily hours, street parking, optional add-on experiences, and even occasional sword-swallowing demos, it offers locals and visitors a quirky indoor escape right on the Cape Fear riverfront.
   

3. CFCC opens permanent home for free drop-in childcare center (foxwilmington.com) — Cape Fear Community College has opened a permanent free drop-in childcare center on its Downtown Wilmington campus, giving student-parents a larger, dedicated space for their children. Serving ages six months to 12 years, the center operates weekdays and has already saved families thousands in care costs, helping more locals stay on track with degrees and credentials.
   

4. Sweet! Wilmington pastry chef wins a top prize at the NC Chef Showdown (starnewsonline.com subscription) — Wilmington food lovers can celebrate as local pastry chef Charmaine Devine of Sugo Italian Steakhouse is named 2026 Pastry Chef of the Year at the NC Chef Showdown. Other Wilmington-area chefs, including past winner Mauricio Huarcaya and competitors from Porters Neck and Wrightsville Beach, also shined, highlighting the region's growing reputation for creative, locally inspired cuisine.
   

📸 Around Wilmington

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wilmington

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We have all heard about or experienced less than stellar care at Novant Medical Center in Wilmington but I want to tell you about something they are doing RIGHT!!
    There is a program called "Hospital at Home" that Medicare recipients might qualify for. Patients are transported to their home (medical vehicle)… (Nextdoor Echo East/Carriage Hills)
  • I think that we should consider getting a new sign for Bayshore.
    If we have a sign designating Bayshore from the road it will help increase the value of our homes (Nextdoor Bayshore Estates)
  • Cape Fear Community College posted a job opening for Dean of Career and Technical Education in Wilmington. Apply here.
  • Whistle Express Car Wash posted a job opening for Team Member in Wilmington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wilmington here.

Ok Wilmington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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