Good morning, Wilmington! In today’s edition: Shark Tooth Island fossil hunt, a WWII USO hub turned arts center, new nonstop flights to Punta Cana, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Symptoms and expert guidance: CDC reports nationwide flu surge this season, and a Wilmington clinic is seeing dozens of patients a day as influenza A dominates. Staff urge testing, staying home, and flu shots — see what doctors recommend.

History takes center stage: A former WWII USO hub in downtown Wilmington, opened in 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked, now serves as a community arts center with classes, rehearsals, performances, and meetings — see how it transformed.

Regional connectivity gets a lift: Avelo Airlines has launched its first international route from Wilmington with twice-weekly nonstop flights to Punta Cana, using Boeing 737s, and is expected to boost tourism and the local economy — get all the details.

Game on, Wilmington: When the group chat wants a rally, skip the court scramble and meet at Arrowhead Park, a laid-back spot with public pickleball courts and room to roam. Grab a few neighbors, call the kitchen, and turn a plain weeknight into friendly dinks and easy laughs.

Project specifics and neighborhood impacts: Three infill projects are under review in Wilmington, totaling 27 units from downtown to Wrightsville Beach. One near Lumina Station needs rezoning, and another proposes 13 townhomes on Allens Lane — see plans, zoning, and impacts.

Playtime sanity saver: For a low-stress energy dump that still feels intentional, the city-run indoor play space, Fit For Fun Center, offers slides, tunnels, ride-on toys, an art room with a calming sensory nook, and toddler corners. A clutch rainy-day backup plan when the wiggles win… and grownups need a breather.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🎨 Painting Coastal Skies and Water @ Art in Bloom Gallery | Monday (1/12) at 10:00 AM – Whether your camera roll is 80 percent sunsets or you love a good cumulus, this three-day workshop with Wilmington artist Joanne Geisel turns coastal skies and water into art in oil or acrylic. Expect demos, group and individual instruction, and painting from your photos.

🎶 Exploring Songwriting and Storytelling @ Cameron Art Museum | Tuesday (1/13) at 4:00 PM – Got a kid who hums in the backseat like it’s their job? Mark Herbert, aka Mr. Mark, runs a 6-week class for ages 9-12 that turns the soundtrack into songwriting and storytelling, with catchy hooks, group jams, and the kind of confidence you can’t download.

🍷 January Wine, Women and Wealth @ Total Wine & More | Tuesday (1/13) at 5:00 PM – Think wine with a side of money smarts? Gather the gals for a Wilmington night that mixes networking, real-world financial tips, and a glass or two, because compound interest pairs with cabernet. Come for the girl talk, leave with contacts, confidence, and a refreshed budget.

🎲 Game Nights Untamed @ Front Street Brewery | Wednesday (1/14) at 6:00 PM – Cozy up for a wintery mashup of trivia, Jeopardy, and yes, limericks on how animals survive the cold, hosted by aquarium staff. Teams of 2 to 5, $10 per person, pre-registration required, proceeds support NC Aquariums Teacher Education Programs, tax-deductible. Register: ncaquariums.com/calendar/event/5659112

🍻 Barrels, Bottles, and Brews Networking @ Ironclad Brewery | Thursday (1/15) at 5:30 PM – Swap the fluorescent conference room for something with better lighting and beer. Barrels, Bottles, and Brews is casual networking where you actually want to talk, sip something decent, and let business happen without the awkward pitch, over laughs, handshakes, and a second pour.

🌳 TreeFest @ Independence Mall | Friday (1/16) at 11:00 AM – If you’ve been meaning to rewild the yard, hit the JCPenney atrium for the 28th TreeFest, and snag up to five free seedlings or native plugs. Toss in $5, bring a bucket, and let plant pros match you with dogwood, longleaf pine, and neighbor envy.

🦈 Shark Tooth Island @ River Road Park | Friday (1/16) at 12:30 PM – Grab a bucket and trade the to-do list for a scavenger hunt at Shark Tooth Island, a boat or kayak hop away. Comb the shore for ancient teeth and fossils, keep what you find, return with souvenirs older than your HOA, better stories than tourists.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Wilmington report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 74°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 19%

Areas of fog and a slight chance of rain before 8am, then areas of fog and a slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 3 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain showers after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 67°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 46%

A chance of rain showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. West wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Most popular house this week

This 1915 classic in historic Carolina Place pairs period charm with modern peace of mind. Brought fully up to code, it features new HVAC, heating, plumbing, and electrical, and the original character remains. One block to expansive Wallace Park and a 20 minute walk to Historic Downtown Wilmington. Just 3 miles to UNCW and 7 miles to Wrightsville Beach.

The porch seats ten with garden views, perfect for long conversations. A social garden flows to a 1,000 square foot deck and an attached one car garage with bonus storage. Behind the home, gated off street parking fits two more cars. A grilling firepit awaits, plus a catio off the kitchen.

Take a peek inside →