What's Up | winter activities
November 21 - December 24, hours vary | 2020 Cape Fear Festival of Trees: enjoy a forest of festively decorated trees beside H&M at 833-115 Town Center Drive. $5 per adult, get more info at online.

Saturday, December 5 - 12 - 19, 11am | Downtown Wilmington Holiday Market: Browse the goods of 30-40 different vendors and support local. There will be musicians, too. At Temple Baptist Church

Tuesday, December 8, 9am | The Grinch is Coming to Town!: Animal House of Wilmington is providing a photo opp for your pets & family. $10 per photo, Reservations required by calling 910.799.2375.

Christmas Light Shows!

Starting Thanksgiving night and running through the season | Lake Linda's Christmas Lights: Free musical light show behind BoJangles on Highway 17. Toys for Tots donations accepted. Drive- or walk-through.

The Great Christmas Light Show, Little River South Carolina: Park-wide lighted celebration is a drive-through event featuring more ...

With the spirit of Thanksgiving, we are looking back at a year that has been fraught with challenges, and overflowing with opportunity.

KBT Realty Group and our partners have had the privilege of serving hundreds of clients with what for many is the largest financial transaction of their lives: buying and selling real estate. Despite the challenges of a global pandemic, lockdowns/re-openings, travel restrictions, personal interaction restrictions, and redefining the way we all are managing our work- and home-lives, at KBT, we have both survived, and thrived.






I am so thankful for the continued support of my friends, clients throughout the whacky year!

Becky Brown, Co-owner, KBT Realty Group



Thankful for our staff, our terrific agents, our wonderful clients and of course, the joy of being with family during the holidays!

Kirk Pugh, Co-owner, KBT Realty Group



I am thankful to live in such a supportive community and the ability to continue to serve ...

contributed by Jen Reed


What's Up | fun and festivities
December 1, 10 a.m. Nutcracker Holiday Market | Beau Rivage Golf & Resort, Wilmington | More than 35 vendors, a visit from Santa (2:30 to 6pm), swag bags with goodies from local businesses, raffles to raise money for the local Children's Hospital, and a craft table to make cards for the children spending the holidays in the pediatric unit.
December 7, 8:30 a.m. Breakfast with Santa | KBT Realty Group | Come join us in welcoming Santa to our office at 1724 Gardner Drive, Suite 120. There will be pastry and beverages along with pictures and holiday cheer!
December 7, 2 p.m. Christmas By the Sea Parade | Oak Island Town Hall | Features a 2.4-mile route from Oak Island Drive to McGlamery Street. The event highlights businesses and organizations in the community, and includes a float decorating contest.
December 8, 1 p.m. An 18th Century Christmas | Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Sit ...

There's something about Fourth of July celebrations close to the water. Add a splash of historic backdrops and loads of tradition, and you've got Independence Day parties, fireworks, and observances that draw both locals and visitors.

Whether you are a creature of habit, and head for the same spot with your beach chair, blanket, and picnic to watch the pyrotechnics, or if you are always up for something different, we've got a list of the best southeastern North Carolina Independence Day celebrations.


June 29
4th Annual Freedom Fest
Sat 2-6 pm, Waterline Brewing Company, Wilmington NC


July 1
NC 4th of July Festival Beach Day
Mon - Tues Middleton Park, Oak Island NC
Oak Island Parks and Recreation invites you and your family to the annual Beach Day on July 1st. Beginning at 9am with the horseshoe tournament, there will be live entertainment, dozens of family contest and inflatable rides at Middleton Park. There will also be a corn hole, bocce, sand castle, and volleyba ...

What better way to celebrate National Chili Day than with a pot of a certified, award-winning chili?

Becky Brown, Broker/Realtor, is generously sharing her recipe for Venison Chili. Becky's chili, which she adapted from a classic Better Homes & Gardens recipe, won first place in January 2011's Keller Williams Chili Cook-off.

"I wish I could say that there was a large cash prize," Becky laughs, "but I had bragging rights for a year."

The recipe below yields plenty to serve a group of 12 to 15, depending upon appetites.


Venison Chili Recipe
1 pound ground venison (you may substitute beef, chicken, or turkey)
1 pound venison sausage (you may substitute with beef, chicken, or turkey)
2-1/2 cups chopped onion
1-1/2 cups chopped bell pepper
2 fresh jalapenos, chopped (may omit)
5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 15 oz. can of dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 15oz. can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 15oz can of black beans, rinsed and drain ...