Car Accident Injury Attorneys in Wilmington, NC

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Black History Month is celebrated annually in the United States in February to highlight and recognize the significant contributions of Black people throughout history, honoring their achievements, struggles and cultural impact on society.

Here are several events that will be held in the Wilmington area.

Did we miss yours? Let us know by emailing [email protected].

New Hanover

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science

"Aim High" exhibit opens Feb. 1

"Aim High" Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen featuring Black Wings, American Dreams of Flight. This interactive exhibition invites the public to explore the multiple aspects of aviation, from the rich history of the Tuskegee Airmen to 21st century Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts. Inspired by the tools and tasks related to flying and aeronautics, the interactive experiences mix real artifacts with hands-on play. Exhibit Feb. 1 through Sept. 7.

Visitors explore aviation through a range of hands-on activities including:

Bridging Generations: A Conversational Panel Discussion

The Dark Branch Descendants Association will host Bridging Generations: A Conversational Panel on Sunday, Feb. 2 from 1:30-3:45 p.m. The free event will explore the rich cultural heritage and contemporary issues facing the Gullah Geechee community. Participants will engage in meaningful conversations about traditions, historical experiences, and the importance of cultural preservation. The panel will address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, focusing on how the younger generation can honor their roots while navigating the modern world.

Schedule:

The museum is located at 814 Market St. in Wilmington. Details: 910-798-4367.

Black History Carnival/Block Party

WilmingtoNColor will be celebrating the rich heritage of Wilmington with a Black History Carnival and Block Party. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15 from noon-5 p.m. at The 1898 Memorial Park, located at 1018 N. Third St. on the Northside of downtown Wilmington. The family-friendly event is pay what you can.

Activities will include:

More:How these Wilmington civil rights pioneers helped push for change in the Port City

Black History Carnival Afterparty

Black N Color present "All Black with a Splash of Color" Black History Carnival Afterparty. The event will be hosted by CeoCed on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at 1002 Chestnut St., Wilmington. It will celebrate the vibrant black community featuring music, art and culture. DJ Double O and DJ Champ will provide music. Jada the Omega Food Truck will be on site. The afterparty is for ages 21 and over. Tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-n-color-tickets-1131103082769?aff=oddtdtcreator. The dress code is Black with a splash of color.

Brunswick

Brunswick County Black History Symposium

The Southport Historical Society will host the 13th annual Brunswick County Black History Symposium on Friday, Feb. 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St., Southport. Experience the premiere performance starring Tyanna Parker-West and James White of Celia Lee Galloway (1859-1950), widow of Abram Galloway of the U.S. Colored Troops. The performer will share the story of Celia Lee Galloway's life in Southport. Musical performance by Taurus Deas. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The event is open seating, but please remember the front seats are reserved for descendants of Abram Galloway.

Related:How this Southport native supports Black history to ensure it's not forgotten

Exploring African American Culture Through Collage Art

Explore both the themes and the work of historic and contemporary African American Collage artists with instructor Marcus Dawson. The event will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way, Leland. Participants will learn from their techniques how to create unique and powerful visuals using elements from everyday life. This will include elements such as found materials, photographs, type, and more. Participants are encouraged to bring any of their favorite materials. For ages 16 and over.

Register at Exploring African American Culture Through Collage Art.

There also will be the same event held for ages 12-16 on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 5-7 p.m.

Register at Youth-Exploring African American Culture Through Collage Art.

The James Beard Foundation has announced the semifinalists for the 2025 awards, which are considered the Oscars of the culinary world.

These Restaurant and Chef Awards include 25 categories, from Outstanding Chef to the best chefs in 12 regions across the country. This year, one Wilmington restaurant – and two local chefs – are among those mentioned for Best Chef: Southeast.

Sunny Gerhart and Lauren Krall Ivey are co-executive chefs at Olivero, 522 S. Third St. in downtown Wilmington.

"I am deeply honored to be nominated alongside Sunny and so many talented names in the hospitality industry," Krall Ivey said in a statement. "Working with my longtime friend as partners in the restaurant has been both creatively rewarding and incredibly fun. I am proud not only of the dishes we’ve developed at Olivero, but the culture in our kitchen, the passion of our staff, and the support from the Wilmington community."

“We certainly could not be in this situation without such an incredible, hardworking and dedicated team to support our vision," said Gerhart, who founded Olivero. "Lauren is such a talented chef, individual, and most importantly, one of my closest and dearest friends. We have been blessed to have an enormous amount of support from our community in Wilmington and are excited about being a part of such a growing and fantastic hospitality scene.”

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On April 2, a pared-down list of nominees will be released for each category. Winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

In the spotlight:With another James Beard nod, this Wilmington chef champions local seafood

Other N.C. nominees

While Gerhart and Krall Ivey are the only Wilmington semifinalists, there are others from across the state.

Full list of Best Chef: Southeast semifinalists

This category includes chefs in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Neff and Chef Keith Rhodes of Catch in Wilmington have also been nominated in this category in previous years.

As the cold weather drops temperatures and threatens icy roads, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is spraying anti-ice solution and preparing for snow in the Wilmington area.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation held a media briefing Tuesday morning to discuss preparation for the winter weather hitting Sampson, Duplin, Onslow, Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Department workers began spreading salt brine, a mixture of salt and water, along roads on Sunday to prepare for the potentially snowy weather, New Hanover County NCDOT Maintenance Engineer Blake Jacobs said.

All NCDOT departments keep salt on hand for winter weather like this, he said. Salt is used to create the "anti-ice" solution to prepare roads for snow and again used to de-ice roads after icy weather hits.

As of Monday night, the department sprayed about 55,000 gallons of salt brine, Jacobs said. He expects Tuesday's efforts will total around 80,000 gallons in salt brine spread on roads.

NCDOT is re-spraying bridges throughout Tuesday since bridges ice over before roads, Jacobs noted.

Cold weather is the biggest challenge for NCDOT using salt, Division Maintenance Engineer Battle Whitley said. He explained that salt is effective to only about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 20 make the salt less effective for melting snow.

The NCDOT engineers ask drivers to watch out for NCDOT vehicles treating roads and stay home once ice or snow start falling.

"While we are out treating the roads, just give us room [and] give us some clearance. Stay a safe distance away from us," Jacobs said.

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Whitley said putting vehicles into four-wheel drive could help navigate icy roads. However, he noted, there is no guarantee drivers in a four-wheel drive vehicle will keep traction on ice.

Drivers losing control of their vehicles on ice should turn into the direction they are skidding without pressing the break or accelerator, Whitley said.

One reason they ask drivers to stay home during hazardous winter weather is because more vehicles traveling roads will cause ice to compact along routes, Jacobs said. Compacted ice is more difficult for snowplows scraping roads.

NCDOT teams are working long hours in the harsh weather to keep roads as clear and safe as they can, Jacobs said.

"This is when we get to shine," he said.

Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at[email protected].

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

Wilmington-area residents are witness to a variety of weather phenomena. Rain, thunderstorms, fog, tropical storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and waterspouts are all common in the area.

But when it comes to snow, chances are slim but not impossible as Wilmington area residents witnessed a few days ago when several inches of snow fell. It was miraculous. But how often does the area get snowfall, and when is it most likely to occur? We consulted the National Weather Service’s “Wilmington, NC Snowfall Database” to see what we could find out.

How much snow does Wilmington see annually?

According to the database, which includes statistics from 1870 through the present, before the snowfall on Jan. 22 and 23, the last measurable snowfall event in Wilmington was in 2022. The Wilmington area averages 1.6 inches of snowfall annually. From 1870 through 2022, the Wilmington area saw a total of 241 inches of snow. The January 2025 snowstorm brought an additional four to five inches to the area.

Weather impacts:How climate change is impacting some of Wilmington's most historic sites

How is snowfall measured?

Prior to 1951, the Weather Bureau — the former name of the National Weather Service — took measurements from several different locations in downtown Wilmington, including Water, Front, and Chestnut streets. Then in 1951, the agency began taking official weather observations at the Wilmington Airport.

To measure the snowfall, the National Weather Service uses a piece of plywood that has been painted white and a precise measure stick marked in one-tenth inch increments.

Bob Bright, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Wilmington, explained the purpose of the white paint.

“The white doesn’t absorb the solar heat and melt it as quickly,” he said.

When is Wilmington most likely to see snow?

According to the database, 34% of all snow events have occurred in January and 32% have occurred in February, making those the most likely months to see snow. They are followed by 18% in December, 13% in March, and 3% in November.

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What are the most significant snowfalls of record?

The most significant snowfalls recorded in Wilmington include the blizzard of 1989 when the area received 15.3 inches of snow just before Christmas, a blizzard in February 1973 that resulted in 12.5 inches of snowfall, and a large snowstorm in February 1896 which left just over a foot of snow across Wilmington.

Could more snow be in store this year?

“The entire winter is supposed to be warmer than normal,” Bright said.

But he noted it’s about timing and the elements coming together.

“We’ll see if we get any moisture with the cold,” he added.

Renee Spencer is the community engagement editor at the StarNews. Reach her at [email protected]. You may also submit questions about issues in the Cape Fear region to [email protected].