His name is Chunky. He's made a living as a grip. Grips, in case you didn't know, are responsible for all kinds of lighting and camera support. Chunky, in case you didn't know, is one extraordinary person.
Wilmington has quite the sites, from the Historic County Courthouse to horse and carriage rides. But we're here to "toot" another horn: Front Street's very own saxophone man.
They come from two different worlds. Yet they play in perfect harmony.
Danijela Zezelj Gualdi was born in Croatia. She was just a teenager when she became a refugee of the Balkan Wars, eventually escaping to Serbia in 1991.
Rowdy Americana, some homegrown hootenanny with a Johnny Cash twist. That's how you could describe the hot tunes from Wilmington group, Bootleg Dynasty.
From Brad Lackey on lead vocals and acoustic guitar to Ryan Curry not missing a beat on the drums, these guys truly love playing together.
Hope can seem to be lost in some Wilmington neighborhoods riddled by bullets and haunted by gang activity. It’s in these dark, dismal places that you'll find Rev. James Jamison.
It was a big dream for who was once a little girl. Dara Holmes wanted to one day dance for the world to see.
Today, at 21, Holmes shows off effortless precision in her pointe work. Her days in the ballet studio began when she was eight years old.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Fried chicken and french fries may fill customers’ stomachs, but the dining room hostess at Chick-fil-A in Monkey Junction fills their souls.
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.
If you've ever gone for lunch downtown, you probably have seen one of the most recognizable faces in Wilmington.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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.
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.
She’s a tiny athlete with one heck of a talent. Taylor Reece, 11, has been jumping, flipping and spinning since the tender age of five. By age 10, she was even a national champion. But her high-flying success came to a screeching halt last May.
For some people, it takes them years to find their true passion life. That's not the case for Britt Harrison. The 24-year-old finds her joy in painting unique works of art. Among the nature in the backyard of the beach home where Harrison lives, one will find brush strokes and a young woman full of artistic expression.
One man's mission to reach out to the homeless and hungry in our community has developed into a full-time ministry. Rick Stoker has teamed up with his wife LeeAnna to impact lives for the better.
A young pastry chef is quickly making her way up the culinary ranks in the Port City. At age 25, Rebeca Alvarado Paredes is already baking up quite the reputation in the kitchen.