It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Oak Island Pier gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Oak Island, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team of caregivers who really care about the well fare of their clients. They go above and beyond taking care of my parents and have been very professional and dependable. I would recommend ABC to anyone who needs a reliable and competent care team. Karen Lussi”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart to see the services being rendered to clients. Extra miles taken to make sure every client is well taken care, even in unpleasant weather conditions. The CEO and administrators were out in the snow last week picking up workers who were unsure of driving . I was glad to see this commitment, making sure families could sit back and relax. With no fear, I will recommend Always best to any family who needs awesome care for their love ones.”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office staff are great people, very helpful and always treat everyone with love and respect. Definitively it is a bless to work for this agency.”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time with our father. It all began with a fall, followed by an ER visit, and soon after, my sister and I found ourselves flying to NC to care for him and plan the next steps. Kathryn from Always Best Care was an absolute lifesaver! She guided us seamlessly through the process of finding the perfect independent senior living community for our father. Her extensive industry knowledge helped us navigate the additional health services he required with ease. Kathryn went above and beyond, consistently checking in and patiently responding to countless texts and emails from us. Thanks to her support, our father is now thriving in a supportive environment and is healthier than ever. We can’t imagine how we would have managed this journey without Kathryn’s expertise and compassion. Truly an incredible experience!”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of what someone living with dementia is like. This is such a horrible disease but this helps care givers understand the disease. Thanks so much!!”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things . I didn’t know it was that bad for them and it’s very sad , I will always treat them all with care and love no matter what because there dealing with something that’s really hard to deal with .”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I now know what to do differently when working with my residents. I think A all caregivers should experience this training.”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and caring home health assistance to my mother who was recovering from an unexpected surgery. They were able to assist on incredibly short notice and made a difficult situation for our family much better. Each of their carers was exceptionally professional and attentive, especially Lori and Kylie who were incredible. I felt safe leaving my loved one in their care and appreciated that they went above and beyond to meet our needs. They provided regular updates to me and my family and made my mother feel so well attended, especially as she needed extra mobility and personal care help. I would absolutely not work with any other company, should we ever need home health assistance again. Highly recommend.”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me gain my mobility! They are all super nice and very helpful! Give them your trust, they have mine. If I ever need home help, it'll be through them!”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many options it was confusing for me! Shawn and his team sent me several places to review and then accompanied me to visit independent living facilities. I appreciate the resources and information provided. Shawn, thank you for being focused on our family's needs and sharing your expertise. Your compassion and patience is so very appreciated!”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Middleton Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Island Way or visit Battery Madison, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Oak Island, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Oak Island, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Oak Island, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — The sparks will fly for the nation’s independence this week, marked annually in the tri-county region by the peak of tourist season as well. That means however and wherever you celebrate July 4, prepare for larger crowds than normal.In Southport, hundreds of thousands of people gather over multiple days for concerts, the parade and street fair as part of North Carolina’s official Fourth of July Festival.Downtown Wilmington is also preparing for its annual symphony event and festival at Rive...
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — The sparks will fly for the nation’s independence this week, marked annually in the tri-county region by the peak of tourist season as well. That means however and wherever you celebrate July 4, prepare for larger crowds than normal.
In Southport, hundreds of thousands of people gather over multiple days for concerts, the parade and street fair as part of North Carolina’s official Fourth of July Festival.
Downtown Wilmington is also preparing for its annual symphony event and festival at Riverfront Park, while Surf City, Carolina Beach and Oak Island also have firework blasts on the docket.
Here is a look at what’s happening:
Carolina Beach Boardwalk BlastGazebo stage and Boardwalk, Carolina Beach • Free
Carolina Beach hosts its free concerts and fireworks show on Thursdays, meaning the fireworks for the Fourth actually takes place July 3.
Free music will be enjoyed at the Carolina Beach Gazebo stage along the Boardwalk from Carl Newton Review, performing R&B and soul. They perform at 6:30 p.m. and will break at 9 p.m. for fireworks over the beach.
City of Wilmington’s 4th of July CelebrationRiverfront Park, 10 Cowan St. • Free
A family-friendly event, the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra is taking the stage at Riverfront Park to perform patriotic tunes and popular tracks ahead of downtown’s fireworks display on July 4.
There also will be kids activities and food, beer and wine sold onsite (no outside food or drinks are allowed, except for a sealed water up to 1 gallon or an empty bottle to refill). The gates open at 5 p.m. and local band Loud Music Company will perform at 6 p.m. before the orchestra takes over at 7:30 p.m. and performs for more than an hour-and-a-half.
The fireworks display over the Cape Fear River kicks off at 9 p.m.
Lawn chairs no taller than 9 inches and blankets are allowed; the venue only accepts debit, credit card and mobile pay apps — no cash.
Onstreet parking is free and city decks — 929 N. Front St., 115 Market St., 114 N. Second St, 14 Grace St. — will be operating, as well as the Wilmington Convention Center deck at 515 Nutt St., and the county deck at 212 N. Second St. There will be a $10 fee in decks after 4 p.m.
Multiple streets will close downtown and surrounding it.
The following streets will close as early as 6 p.m.
These streets will close at 9 p.m.
Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center Open HouseOrange and Second streets • Free
Annually on Independence Day, the historic Hannah Block Historic USO and Community Arts Center throws it back to the 1940s, with sodas priced 5 cents from the World War II era and free coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnuts served.
There will be WWII exhibits open, including the newest one — a WWII era phone booth complete with vintage phone and Bell Telephone System posters. The building has been restored to its 1943 appearance with reproduction furnishings.
Entertainment will be provided by the Cape Fear Swing Dance Society — known for dancing the Lindy Hop — is hosting a demonstration in the museum lobby. Plus, there will be a free introduction lesson at 2 p.m.A 5-minute documentary, “Home Away From Home – the USO at 2nd and Orange,” produced in 2016 by Emmy nominated filmmaker Rob Hill, will screen throughout the event. It takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 4.
North Carolina 4th of July FestivalSouthport, various locations • Free
Underway all week long, the state’s official 4th of July Festival actually takes place in Southport, with more than two dozen events planned, from a beach day to 9/11 exhibit, art shows to live music (see the full schedule here).
Highlights of the week include the Red, White and Blue Freedom Flotilla on July 2, as well as the Naturalization Ceremony taking place, swearing in upward of 100 new American citizens on July 3. The 440th Army Band performs at the Fort Johnston-Southport Visitor’s Center on Wednesday, too.
However, July 4th proper will include the annual Southport parade at 11 a.m. — the route moving down Moore and Howe streets. Beforehand, the reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at 10:15 a.m. and there is a flag-raising ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
An arts and craft fair will host numerous vendors and artisans from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4 at Southport Waterfront Park, where food concessions also will be set up. Bands perform at the Waterfront Stage all day as well, including Bounce and Back Porch Rockers.
Fireworks will fly at 9 p.m. over the water, visible from the park.
Oak Island Beach Day and FireworksMiddleton Park Complex, 102 SE 47th St. • Free
As part of the official North Carolina 4th of July Festival, Oak Island is hosting a day of excitement on Tuesday, July 1.
Known as Beach Day, it started in 1999 celebrating the merger of Yaupon and Long beaches, now Oak Island. The day includes a volleyball tournament, sandcastle contest (46th Street beach access), horseshoes, dog costume contest, cornhole, water balloon toss, spike ball contest, and more (see full schedule here).
It concludes at Middleton Park Complex with live music from Chairman of the Board, featuring Ken Knox.
Fireworks then go off above the Oak Island Pier at 9 p.m.
Ocean Isle Beach Fireworks and ParadeVarious locations • Free
Fireworks and a pedestrian parade are planned in this beach town, with the sparks flying over Ocean Isle Beach Pier beginning at 9:15 p.m. on July 4. The show lasts around 20 minutes.
Earlier in the day at 10 a.m., participants interested in joining the golf cart and bicycle parade should meet at 9:15 a.m. at E. 2nd Street. There are 10 allowed floats as well.
Come decorated in your patriotic best — both clothes and mode of transportation. Judging takes place at 9:20 a.m., with awards at 9:50 a.m.
Sunset Beach Old Bridge Museum Parade109 Shoreline Drive W. • Free
What’s become a family tradition continues this July 4th week in Sunset Beach.
The Old Bridge Parade welcomes families to come with decked-out bicycles, wagons, strollers or sneakers to ride or march across the Old Bridge in step to the patriotic music. There also will be light refreshments and games for the kids, as hosted by the members of the Old Bridge Preservation Society.
Burgaw 4th of July ParadeDowntown Burgaw, 10 a.m. • Free
No, it’s not a typical parade, with cars, floats, civic organizations and marching bands. In Burgaw, the July 4 Parade welcomes families who want to participate via golf carts, roller skates, bicycles and on foot. It’s pedestrian-friendly and participants should arrive to Burgaw’s train depot by 9:45 a.m.
No advertising or campaigning is allowed, but everyone is welcome to wear their best red, white and blue. There also will be free popsicles and a water spray from the Burgaw Fire Department ladder truck.
The parade makes a figure eight, traveling south on Dickerson Street to Freemont, Wright, and Satchwell streets, back to Dickerson, and then onto Freemont, Wright and back to Courthouse Avenue. See the route here.
Surf City 4th of July Soundside Park, 517 Roland Dr. • Free
There will be live music, fireworks and fun planned for the Independence Day celebration in Surf City. It takes place for free a day early on Wednesday, July 3.
Starting at 6 p.m. the event will have 16 food trucks on site, as well as live music by Dalton Davis beginning at 6 p.m. Mayor Teresa Batts will give opening remarks at 7:15 p.m., followed by a flag ceremony and the singing of the National Anthem, with more music by Davis until just before 9 p.m. Fireworks will then light up the sky.
The event concludes at 9:30 p.m.
Coolers, blankets, chairs and lunch boxes are welcome, though alcohol is prohibited.
Parking will not be allowed at Soundside Park during the event but an unloading zone for Uber, Lyft and taxis will be in a dedicated zone near the amphitheater. However, the city has designated parking zones (map accessible here) and limited handicap parking zones on Roland Avenue.
The Soundside boat ramp will be closed on July 3, though open will be the Lewis Road Access, at 613 Lewis Rd. in Hampstead and Turkey Creek Access at 619 Turkey Point Rd. in Sneads Ferry.
Freedom Festival 1250 Onslow Pines Rd. • Free
In Jacksonville, N.C., Onslow Parks and Recreation hosts Freedom Fest on Friday, July 4, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.. It’s free, family-friendly and welcomes a celebration of the red, white and blue.
There will be live entertainment, food trucks, and activities for all ages. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome and it concludes with a fireworks display.
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OAK ISLAND – When Gigi Donovan looks at the dune fronting a row of largely undeveloped oceanfront lots across the street from her home, she sees a false sense of security.“We’ve seen this dune go away three times in 12 years,” she said.The sandy mound that separates the public beach from private lots along a stretch of East Beach Drive wasn’t here just a few years ago. It has been built up and planted with dune-stabilizing sea oats through the town of Oak Island’s efforts to restore its ocean...
OAK ISLAND – When Gigi Donovan looks at the dune fronting a row of largely undeveloped oceanfront lots across the street from her home, she sees a false sense of security.
“We’ve seen this dune go away three times in 12 years,” she said.
The sandy mound that separates the public beach from private lots along a stretch of East Beach Drive wasn’t here just a few years ago. It has been built up and planted with dune-stabilizing sea oats through the town of Oak Island’s efforts to restore its oceanfront shore.
Now there is enough of it to render at least one of the thin slices of long-vacant beachfront lots suitable for building.
That has Donovan and several of her neighbors worried.
Amber and Dean Russell live a few doors down from the Donovans. When the Russells bought their bungalow in 2022, they went ahead and purchased the beachfront lot directly across the street.
“We bought that just to keep our view,” Amber Russell said. “It’s not safe to build on.”
That’s a sentiment a group of homeowners and residents who live in the area of SE 58th Street and East Beach Drive have expressed to town officials in the days and months since they received notice that a developer had applied for a Coastal Area Management Act, or CAMA, permit to build a house on one of the oceanfront lots.
They’ve made countless telephone calls and sent emails to North Carolina Division of Coastal Management and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff.
They’ve posted handmade signs that read “SAVE OUR BEACHFRONT — No Building on Narrow, At-risk Lots!” along their block of East Beach Drive.
They started an online petition that, as of June 13, had more than 600 signatures.
They’ve dug in their heels and pushed back, calling “for the return to responsible, sustainable environmental development on fragile oceanfront properties” in a plea to Oak Island’s mayor.
But even they acknowledge this fight is an uphill battle, one that is likely to rage on as low-lying coastal areas deal with the effects of sea level rise, more frequent, intense coastal storms and shoreline erosion.
Last month, a CAMA minor permit was issued for 5515 East Beach Drive. Proposed building plans on the 0.17-acre lot include a 2,856 square-foot house.
Town officials in an email responding to questions said they do not have on file when a home last stood on that lot. Aerial satellite images from Brunswick County show that this particular block of East Beach Drive had more homes along the oceanfront in 1989 than today.
The homes captured by satellite imagery in 1989 were gone in 2003, destroyed by nature or demolition.
Today, houses stand on only two of the oceanfront lots along this block of East Beach Drive.
Oak Island officials said the town does not have an overarching designation determining whether a lot is buildable based on oceanfront construction setbacks.
“For building on an oceanfront lot, the developer would submit information to show compliance with CAMA regulations and receive a permit if they meet said requirements,” an official said in an email.
Back in 2023, the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission rubber-stamped Oak Island’s beach management plan, which gives beachfront builders more regulatory flexibility regarding how far back they must build from the sea.
The year before, the commission repealed regulations that allowed coastal communities to use the less restrictive setback measurement line for oceanfront construction, instead requiring builders to measure back from what is referred to as the preproject vegetation line.
The preproject vegetation line is the first line of stable, natural vegetation that is on an oceanfront before a large-scale beach nourishment project begins, one where more than 300,000 cubic yards of sand is placed on the beach.
But coastal communities that create and follow beach management plans approved by the commission may measure setbacks from the vegetation line rather than the preproject line as long as they meet the obligations detailed in their plans. Setbacks are 60 feet from the measurement line.
Coastal Resources Commission approved beach management plans for five coastal towns: Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach in New Hanover County, and Oak Island and Ocean Isle Beach in Brunswick County. Once approved, plans must be reauthorized every five years.
Oak Island’s authorized plan calls for placing a total estimated 16.2 million cubic yards of sand on the beach over the next three decades. Under the plan, the beach will be nourished every six years.
Oak Island’s most recent sand nourishment projects were carried out in 2021 and 2022.
A nourishment project originally planned for winter 2024-25 was postponed after the town was informed contractor bids for the project “had far exceeded the amounts expected or budgeted,” according to the town’s website.
The project is again out for bids, and town officials anticipate a contract will be awarded and work will begin later this year.
“They’re looking to the renourishment as the permanent solution,” Donovan said.
Dr. Gavin Smith, a North Carolina State University professor who researches hazard mitigation, disaster recovery and climate change adaptation, is not a big fan of beach nourishment.
“I think that overrelying on beach nourishment as a way to protect coastal development is fraught with problems,” he said in a telephone interview earlier this month. “It’s extremely expensive. It can take several seasons or it can take one bad storm and it’s gone.”
Smith pointed out that coastal zones, in particular barrier island, are highly dynamic and subject to significant change.
“Thinking about the construction of a house in a highly dynamic area, I think we need to be really careful,” he said. “Builders and homebuyers need to think about the life of that structure. The conditions that that site might face in 40 or 50 years is worthy of consideration. Individuals need to think about and actually ask a question: While you might be able to legally build in a given place, should you build there? I think that’s something that we all need to perhaps be more aware of.”
It’s time governments at all levels, local, state and federal, “do better,” he said.
“How can we recognize or applaud local governments that have the political will to adopt more stringent standards than the minimums? That’s what many governments adhere to is the minimum standards” Smith said. “Our codes are inadequate in the state, yet that’s what we adhere to in many cases. The National Flood Insurance Program should be viewed as a minimum, not the maximum. In an era of climate change we’re moving toward this idea of nonstationary, which we don’t know what the future holds. So, therefore our codes and standards ought to be that much more rigorous to account for the uncertainty. But instead, we’re relying on old data. We’re relying on old codes and that’s a significant problem.”
Sitting at the kitchen table in her home on a late May afternoon, Donovan mulled the many concerns she, her husband Mark, and their neighbors have raised to government officials.
They worry about whether more lights from new construction will hinder sea turtles from nesting on the shore. They worry about how stormwater runoff from new rooftops, driveways and other impervious surfaces may exacerbate flooding on their second-row lots.
They worry what one unwelcome coastal storm, be it a hurricane of any category or a potential tropical cyclone that packs a punch like the unnamed storm that pummeled Brunswick County last year, might do to the dune and any homes standing on the small land plots just behind it.
“We don’t know. That’s the thing. We don’t know what’s going to happen,” Gigi Donovan said.
In a statement to the town’s mayor last month, the Donovans and their neighbors wrote: “While we cannot control the weather, we can mitigate the damage it causes by responsibly managing the development of oceanfront properties.”
Oceanfront lot development “should be based on comprehensive land-use plans that take into consideration beach erosion, turtle nesting habitat, climate change, protection of private and town property, and preserving the legacy of (Oak Island) as a quaint, family-focused beach community.”
They are appealing to Coastal Resources Commission Chair Renee Cahoon, who determines whether or not property owners can make their case in a hearing before the full commission.
“We are very motivated and stubborn,” Gigi Donovan said in a text message. “If we allow them to plow ahead, steam-rolling any local opposition, our entire island beachfront will be irreparably destroyed.”
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - It was two days before Thanksgiving when Alan Browning heard the word.Cancer.An MRI days earlier had revealed a tumor on his spinal cord, in his central nervous system. Stage Four Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He couldn’t believe it.“(I thought) that was somebody else,” he recalled. “That wasn’t me.”For over two decades, Browning worked as a firefighter in North Carolina, including over a decade in Oak Island, where he served as assistant fire chief. Th...
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - It was two days before Thanksgiving when Alan Browning heard the word.
Cancer.
An MRI days earlier had revealed a tumor on his spinal cord, in his central nervous system. Stage Four Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He couldn’t believe it.
“(I thought) that was somebody else,” he recalled. “That wasn’t me.”
For over two decades, Browning worked as a firefighter in North Carolina, including over a decade in Oak Island, where he served as assistant fire chief. The man who used to run into burning buildings is now paralyzed. He’s lost over 100 pounds and his hair. His wife, Melinda, pushes him in his wheelchair and helps him get in and out of the car.
But the good news came last week. Tests revealed all of Alan’s tumors are gone. He’s now in remission.
Cancer-free.
“He’s a fighter,” Melinda says.
Chemotherapy at Novant’s Zimmer Cancer Institute started right before Christmas. Doctors gave Alan just a 40% chance of surviving because of how aggressive the cancer was.
“The holidays took on a whole new meaning for us,” Melinda said. “We didn’t know if it was going to be his last.”
The ensuing five months have been a rollercoaster, they said. At multiple points, doctors stopped treatment because they feared it would kill him. The psychological aspect was the hardest, Alan said. He had a hard time eating. Some days he was too tired to fight. Melinda spent hours by his side, running out of PTO and putting all their income into treatment.
But the community stepped up, helping raise over $20,000, which went toward medical bills and transportation.
It’s a battle firefighters around the country are familiar with. Cancer is now the leading cause of line-of-duty death for firefighters, according to the International Association of Firefighters. The profession also faces a 9% higher risk of getting a cancer diagnosis and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the average American, according to CDC research.
The Brownings said they’re concerned Alan’s cancer may have been a result of firefighting for 24 years, and said it’s important for communities to invest in resources to keep the industry healthy.
“Be proactive,” Melinda said when asked about her message to other firefighters. “Don’t think it can’t be you, because the percentages say different.”
The next step is a stem cell transplant, which would happen in Charlotte, requiring an intense chemo blast, a 20 day inpatient stay and another month of daily check-ins. They’re hopeful there’s only more good news ahead.
Alan says there are lessons -- for everyone -- within his story.
“Don’t give up,” he said. “Whatever you do, don’t give up. Life is worth living. There are people that love you.”
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