Insights

I have been working with folks transitioning to retirement for 20 years.  When I started in my career, it was the Greatest Generation retiring. Now it is all Baby Boomers. There is a stark contrast in the financial make up…

  You work hard to provide your family with a safe and comfortable place to live and the best opportunities life has to offer. You started stashing money away early for your eventual retirement in order to truly enjoy your…

Port City Dispensary has been a partner in Cannabis education and Hemp retail since the passing of the North Carolina Hemp Pilot program in 2015. Founded by a Marine Corps combat veteran as a way to share the healing power…

Improving one’s appearance is the most obvious reason for orthodontic treatment, but for many adults, another important motivator is avoiding the premature loss of teeth and the need for extensive restorative work. It’s well understood by dentists, but not by…

Markraft Cabinets has built its business, in large part, through the support of area builders. So, it’s no surprise they like to give back to the local industry whenever they can. Markraft will once again participate in the Wilmington-Cape Fear…

“Women’s natural role is to be a pillar of the family.” – Grace Kelly Those words from the legendary star and style icon may have been spoken long ago, but even in this era of the modern do-it all working…

  Customers come first is a phrase so oft-repeated by companies that it can be difficult to tell when it’s sincere and when it’s just a slogan. At Markraft Cabinets, you don’t have to take their word for it. In what…

The weather outside might be frightful but inside Markraft Cabinets’ showroom, there are now some delightful signs of warmer seasons soon to come. Recognizing the ever-growing trend of outdoor living in our area, Markraft recently created a display to let…

In a move that was motivated by ethics and a continuing focus on providing the highest possible standard of service for our residents, Plantation Village implemented a pay increase for its hourly associates. The change went into effect on the…

My purpose in writing this brief article is to provide a little information about insuring personal property while it is being moved or is in storage, and to encourage you to do a little insurance planning. Many of you have…

The first item I bought with my own money was a little wooden barn for my toy horses. It had sliding stall doors, a hay loft, and a mini-chest to put tiny plastic saddles in.   I became smitten with…

Those of us who work here at Plantation Village are always cognizant and appreciative of the role our residents have played in making our society what it is today. To put it simply, we understand how fortunate we are to…

Move over grey – there’s a new tone in town. While, admittedly, smoky gunmetal hues aren’t exactly going the way of avocado green in kitchens, Markraft designer Amanda Fisher is forecasting warmer colors for 2019. “I think you’re going to…

I run ultramarathons - up mountains, over rocks and roots, and through rivers. I love the rush of a technical descent and how a stunning view can take my breath away (sometimes, that’s because of the climb to get there!).…

As a child, Amanda Fisher was fascinated with the art of construction. “I was always building things with blocks, and I loved looking through architecture books,” she recalled. Amanda eventually channeled that childhood interest into career goals, trading in the…

I recently had a prospective client come into my office who lost her husband unexpectedly at age 60. Her husband ran a very successful small business and, because he loved what he did, he had planned to work forever. Her…

Polka dots with stripes. Navy and black. White after Labor Day. These are all style trends that, while at one time were major faux pas, are now widely embraced. If Oprah gives her blessing for white pants in the fall,…

There are a variety of choices to make when it comes to senior living.  Making the decision is not an easy task, as each option comes with a distinct set of advantages, benefits, and financial implications. Figuring out the level…

For kids and teens, back-to-school plans often involve getting more gear – a new backpack and lunchbox, fresh folders and three-ring binders, a slick pencil holder and cool pen case… and maybe even a shiny lacrosse stick, unmuddied soccer cleats…

As an orthodontist, I regularly consult with adults who are considering orthodontic treatment for themselves or their children. Many of them have not had much reason to think about orthodontics since their own experiences as teenagers. Thankfully, treatment options have…

The most common image people have for orthodontic treatment is of teenagers wearing braces on their teeth. The majority of children will not need orthodontics until their late adolescence or early teen years, but for a small group early orthodontics…

There’s no getting around it. Our teen years can be our most awkward and self-conscious, and wearing metal braces can compound that. In fact, research shows that 40 percent of teens say wearing metal braces would have or has had…