Extraordinary People Next Door

Andy Griffith, Maya Angelou and even the talk show queen herself, Oprah Winfrey, have been recognized with one of the state's highest honors: the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Alongside these Hollywood names is UNCW Vice Chancellor, Mary Gornto. She discovered the news of her award a few weeks ago at a reception in honor of her upcoming retirement. Full story...

Goats, chickens and even “Riblet” the pig. This is life on "Faith Grown Farm." With six kids to raise, Dustin and Andrea Bestul are aiming to become completely self-sustaining. "We have started doing our laundry on the line and if it's not good weather, we hang it up in our house," Andrea said. "By doing that, we save 50 dollars a month." Full story...

Port City Boxing boasts some excellent fighters, but you may not expect some of its top contenders to be women. These girls with gloves bring fierce determination to the ring. At one time, Antoinette Smith thought she would become a cheerleader. That is until she discovered boxing. By 11 years old, she was training to get in the ring. Full story...

As the sun sinks down over downtown Wilmington, sweet sounds swing up and down Front Street. At the mouthpiece is saxophonist Glen McRae. "It’s about joy, gets the mess out of the world sometimes," McRae said. McRae takes his place on the street stage every day, collecting tips from passersby who may be out shopping or to get a bite to eat. But while many may hear his bright tones, what they may never hear is hi past near fatal battle with alcoholism. Full story...

Fried chicken and french fries may fill customers’ stomachs, but the dining room hostess at Chick-fil-A in Monkey Junction fills their souls. Full story...

The experience inside a Fuzzy Peach store is one you won't easily forget. From the colorful décor to the modern lounge-like furniture, it isn't your average dessert shop. Owners Rocco Quaranto and Wells Struble say besides making cold treats with toppings for days, they wanted to create a fun environment for customers. Full story...

If you've ever gone for lunch downtown, you probably have seen one of the most recognizable faces in Wilmington. Full story...

Azalea Festival week brings live music, exceptional gardens, historical homes and of course, plenty of those beautiful flowers. But for the ladies, having a great hat to make their outfit complete is an absolute must. Many folks turn to milliner Jan Wutkowski. "I think a hat is the exclamation point to a person's personality," Wutkowski said. Full story...

A local pastor is taking on violence in schools through a new, children's album. Pastor Yushonda Midgette-Spriggs says she's been given a second chance at life and she wants to make a difference. Midgette-Spriggs has always loved to dance and entertain, but her passion for performing was crippled after a near fatal crash in 1996. Full story...

She's got the kicks of a superstar and the medals to prove it. Kimberley Crabbe was the first African American to play on the U.S. Women's soccer team and that's just the beginning of her athletic success. Full story...

Inside a Whiteville home, one woman spends her days brainstorming and testing ideas for her latest inventions. Anne Wheeler has been an innovator of baby products and now she's hoping to succeed in other markets. Today, two-year-olds Ellie and Chloe are using Wheeler's invention, the Katchit Tray, designed to cut down on kids' messes. Full story...

Cape Fear Community College student Malik Abdul-Rashid says he believes if he works hard enough, he can accomplish his greatest dreams. On an average day, you can find Malik walking from class to class on the CFCC campus. But in a short conversation with him, you'll discover he's no average student. With wisdom beyond his years, Malik says people should be thankful for every moment. Full story...

Any parent can tell you having their first baby comes with challenges. Now, imagine that times five. Carmen and Mike Matthews say raising their quintuplets is all about routine. They are this week's extraordinary people next door.. Full story...

She’s a grief counselor turned author. Katherine Roberts Moore of Ocean Isle Beach turned her words of healing into poetic prose. In the world of words, Katherine finds herself right at home. Influenced by her mother's love for vocabulary, ideas and imagination run wildly through Katherine’s head and flow straight to her pen. It lights a fire in her soul. Full story...

Petey Powell, 38, grew up on Red Bug Road, in the small town of Hallsboro. He remembers his dad doing whatever he could to keep his family out of poverty but was eventually lured by the money he could make in dealing drugs. Petey was just a little boy when he drugs became a regular part of his life. Full story...