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You’ve got 3 hours.

A team.
A costume.
A list of challenges.

And downtown Wilmington becomes your playground. 👀

THE HUNT is back October 25 from 2–5 PM.

This isn’t your childhood scavenger hunt.

You’ll race through downtown completing ridiculous challenges, recreating scenes, finding hidden clues, taking questionable photos, and competing against other teams for bragging rights and prizes.

Expect things like:

🏴‍☠️ Pirates
🍦 Gelato challenges
👻 Haunted elevators
🎸 Air guitar
📸 Waterfront photo missions
🪙 Hidden treasure
…and plenty we’re not telling you yet.

Come dressed up.
Bring your people.
Be ready to get weird.

🏆 Awards + prizes
🎃 Costumes highly encouraged
📍 Downtown Wilmington
🗓 Sunday, October 25
⏰ 2–5 PM

Hosted by Fronting Life, @capefearrecovery and @treehouse_nc

Three organizations coming together for an afternoon built around connection, community, and a little friendly chaos.

Grab your team before THE HUNT begins.

Comment HUNT and we’ll send you the ticket link or you can look in our bio ;) . 🔎

#TheHunt #WilmingtonNC #DowntownWilmington #WilmingtonEvents #ScavengerHunt

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It’s so special for us to share this with you all:

🎟️🚨 Tickets for Saltwater Cinema at Thalian Hall are live!! 🚨🎟️

We’re so proud to help support the work of Cape Fear River Watch (@capefearriverwatch) and Oyster South (@oystersouth_) with proceeds from this event. These two organizations work tirelessly in service of our local communities and their environment—check them out to learn how!

We’ve got a special night in a special place with special people ahead of us. Join us for a double feature celebrating the people, traditions, and waterways that define sustainable seafood in the South. We’re kicking off the night at 5:30 with a reception to spend some time with six Southern oyster farmers, snack on some freshly shucked oysters, and enjoy a wine and beer bar.

The first of two screenings, “Shellbound: An Anthology of Southern Oyster Culture” explores the traditions, challenges, and communities shaping the region’s oyster industry today. Produced by The Local Palate magazine (@thelocalpalate) and BLK ELK (@blkelkco) supported by Oyster South, the documentary shares the stories of farmers and chefs, pulling back the curtain on oysters in the American South.

Next, enjoy “From Marsh to Table,” a short documentary originally produced for the Emmy Award-winning series “My Home, NC.” The film brings together wild seafood harvester Ana Shellem (@shellemseafoodco) and James Beard Award-winning chef Ricky Moore (@chefrickymoore) for an unforgettable day in North Carolina’s coastal marshes. The piece beautifully celebrates the connection between the water, the people who know it best, and the food it provides.

Stick around after the screenings for a conversation moderated by Erin Byers Murray (@erinbmurray) of The Local Palate magazine. Chef Dean will be joined by Conor MacNair (@n.sea.oysterco), Ana Shellem, Chef Ricky Moore (@saltboxseafoodjoint), film producer Maggie Ward (@ml_ward), and filmmaker Heather Burgiss (@theheathertales) in a behind-the-scenes look at what doing this work actually means to the people who love it and do it every day.

Tickets to every Out to Sea event are available via the link in our bio🥂🍿✨See y’all at Thalian Hall!

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5 YEARS. Thousands of people. One incredible community. 💛

Today, Fronting Life turns 5 years old.

And this birthday belongs to all of you.

Five years ago, Fronting Life started with a simple belief:

Wellness, connection, and community should be accessible to everyone regardless of your ability to pay.

Since then, that belief has become something bigger than we ever imagined.

🧘 Meditation and mindfulness.
🌿 Movement and wellness.
🎨 Creativity and self-expression.
🤝 Connection and community.

But the programs aren’t the story.

The people are.

Every person who showed up.
Every facilitator who shared their gifts.
Every volunteer who gave their time.
Every business and organization that believed in our mission.
Every person who donated, shared a post, invited a friend, or simply told someone, “You should come.”

You built this with us.

As we celebrate five years of Fronting Life, our biggest takeaway is simple:

Show up for your community.
Make space for people to belong.
Give what you can.
And never underestimate what can happen when people come together.
To our fearless leader/founder @tlmickel your commitment to this vision continues to inspire us all.

To everyone who has been part of these first five years—

THANK YOU. 💛

We’re just getting started.

🎂 Comment “BIRTHDAY” below and we’ll send you more information about Fronting Life, our donation-based wellness programs, and how you can be part of what comes next.

#FrontingLife #WilmingtonNC #CommunityWellness #WellnessCommunity #MentalWellness

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POV: you help bring the VIBEZ to Jerry Day

This is what community looks like. 💛

Yesterday reminded us what can happen when local organizations come together with one shared purpose: to make our community stronger.

We were incredibly grateful to be part of @portcityjerryday at @greenfieldlakeamp , supporting the @unitedwaycapefear fundraiser alongside so many people and organizations doing meaningful work in our community.

One of the highlights for us was bringing Fronting Life into the Fragrance Garden and offering a sound bath and space to slow down, breathe, and reconnect. 🌿🔔

In the middle of the music, energy, and celebration, people had an opportunity to simply be still.

That’s what Fronting Life is about.

Creating accessible spaces for meditation, mindfulness, movement, creativity, and human connection—regardless of someone’s ability to pay.

Events like Jerry Day remind us that nonprofit community organizations can accomplish so much more when we collaborate, share resources, and show up for one another.

A huge thank you to United Way, everyone behind Jerry Day, our fellow community organizations, and every person who stopped by, took a breath with us, or asked how they could get involved.

Community isn’t just something we talk about.
It’s something we build. Together. 💛

Want to learn more about Fronting Life and our donation-based programs in Wilmington?

👇 Comment COMMUNITY and we’ll send you more information.

#FrontingLife #JerryDay #UnitedWay #WilmingtonNC #WilmingtonNonprofit

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We know y’all have been missing our craft soda lately—and tonight, it’s back! Introducing the Front & Center 🌟🍑 a carbonated dream of ginger, peach, and yaupon tea. It’s this year’s fundraising collaboration with @frontinglife. We’ve gotten to know Fronting Life through our Chef de Cuisine Jay. Here’s what he has to say:

“Our industry’s exciting nature can often lead to overstimulation and mental exhaustion. Fronting Life helps provide me with a safe, still space to explore healthy ways of winding down—all while being supported by our community.”

Starting tonight while supplies last, $1 from each sale of Front & Center will go to support Fronting Life’s donation-based weekly workshops that provide space for mindfulness, meditation, community, and creative expression. Check them out @frontinglife and maybe find a little space for yourself ✨

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Seabird x Fronting Life Fundraiser 🌟

WE ARE SO EXCITED @seabirdnc is partnering with @frontinglife AGAIN to raise funds for our holistic wellness programs that bring mindfulness, creativity, and authentic human connection to our community. 💛

Fronting Life is a nonprofit rooted in community, offering donation-based programs like meditation + mindfulness groups, creative arts workshops, and healing-centered events. Every space we hold is designed to reduce stress, nurture resilience, and strengthen the bonds that make us thrive together. 🌿✨

🍹 Till Supplies Run Out, Seabird will feature a specialty soda Front + Center—a portion of proceeds will be donated directly to Fronting Life. Every mindful sip helps make wellness more accessible to all.

We’re so grateful to @chefdeanneff , @the1jayjones , and @seabirdnc for supporting local nonprofits and helping us build a healthier, more connected Wilmington. 🌊💫

VISIT www.frontinglife.com for more information!

#SeabirdxFrontingLife #FrontingLife #SeabirdNC #CommunityHealing #Mindfulness

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Fresh off the boat and onto the plate.

Fishmongers Ryan and Vic broke down some beautiful, freshly landed Spanish Mackerel for Chef Jay at Seabird, and the kitchen took it from there.

The mackerel was butchered into racks, gently smoked, then roasted over a bed of caramelized leeks and shallots with roasted potatoes and a bright, briny sauce of capers, olives, tomato, and lemon.

Smoky, rich, salty, bright, and a beautiful way to showcase an incredible local catch.

Have you tried the Spanish Mackerel at Seabird? Or do you fancy cooking it at home?

Good news. We land another haul tomorrow! Come see Ryan, T and Vic and take some fresh Spanish Mackerel home for yourself.

From our boats to the fish house to some of the best kitchens in town, it doesn’t get much fresher than that.

#Seabird #SpanishMackerel #FreshCatch #LocalSeafood #SeaToTable Fishmonger WilmingtonNC NCSeafood CoastalCarolina EatLocal

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10/10 views. 0/10 sleep. Would absolutely do it again. 🏕️😂

We packed up the gear, grabbed some friends, and headed out for an overnight camping adventure on Masonboro Island.

Sounds peaceful, right?

Plot twist:

🦟 The bugs ate us alive.
🥵 The heat made sleeping basically impossible.
😴 And “comfortable” quickly became a very relative term.

But then the sun started to set.

The sky changed colors.
The island got quiet.
We laughed about how absolutely unprepared we were for the bugs. 😂

And the next morning, we woke up to a sunrise that made every sweaty, itchy, sleepless moment worth it.

That’s the thing about adventure.

It doesn’t have to be comfortable to be memorable.

Sometimes the best experiences are the ones that go slightly off-script—with good friends beside you and a story you’ll be telling long after the bug bites disappear.

🌅 Sunset on Masonboro Island
🏕️ Camping with friends
🌊 Waking up beside the ocean
😂 Questionable decisions + great memories

Pro tip: If you’re planning to camp on Masonboro Island in the summer, bring WAY more bug protection than you think you need, plenty of water, and something that actually moves air at night.

The views? Unreal.
The company? Even better.
The bugs? We don’t need to talk about them.

Would we go back? @ststokley @roxy_wilm @lokii0227 @huckle_berry_qu1nn @elanachroma @drchopsdelicious @josefschacher @the1jayjones @ndpersico

100%.

Comment MASONBORO and I’ll send you more info about our Masonboro Island camping adventure. 🌊🏕️

#MasonboroIsland #MasonboroIslandNC #WilmingtonNC #NorthCarolina #NCBeaches

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Blimey, as we say in London… this Blueline Tilefish sando at Zora’s is EPIC!! 🐟🥪

Crispy golden fish, fresh lettuce and tomato, all stacked on a toasted sesame bun. Served alongside a pile of hush puppies and a cold pickle spear on the side. Honestly, one of those meals that stops you mid conversation because you just have to stop and savour it.

If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out. Come see what all the fuss is about, and don’t forget, we’re now open Sundays too!

📍 Zora’s, Wilmington NC

#BluelineTilefish #SandoSeason #HushPuppies #WilmingtonNC #ZorasEats EpicEats NowOpenSundays ComeHungry

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Fish dip, freshly made with Yellowtail Snapper and Swordfish. Get it while you can!

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We’re always happy to offer a sample if you’re unfamiliar with a fish or feeling unsure about how to prepare it. We can’t always accommodate every request, but we’ll do our best.
Today we shared samples of Blueline Tilefish with two customers. One was nervous about baking it in parchment paper, and the other wanted to try making ceviche. We love helping people discover new favorites and feel confident cooking seafood at home.
Our goal is for you to truly enjoy the fish you take home. Come and talk to us if you have questions, want cooking suggestions, or would like to try something new. Don’t hesitate to ask. We’re always happy to help if we can.

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🐟✨ Fresh in at Zora’s — Yellowtail Snapper!

Delicate, slightly sweet and beautifully light & flaky. This lean white fish has a clean, fresh taste that’s milder than many other species — perfect whether you’re a lifelong seafood lover, trying something new, or trying to win the kids over to fish 😉

🔥 HOW TO COOK IT
Grill it, pan-fry it, or roast it whole with lemon, garlic & fresh herbs and let the natural flavour shine. Just as good in:
🌮 Fish tacos
🍚 Over herby rice
🥔 With charred veg & buttery new potatoes

🍷 WHAT TO DRINK
Fresh & vibrant is the vibe:
• Crisp Albariño, Picpoul de Pinet or dry Riesling — brings out the fish’s natural sweetness
• Provence rosé — for warmer evenings

🍺 Beer lover? Try a Belgian witbier (subtle citrus notes) or a crisp Kölsch

🍸 Cocktail hour?
Cucumber Gin Fizz | Paloma | French 75 | Limoncello Spritz — all bright, refreshing, and never overpowering

Come try it while it’s fresh 🙌

#YellowtailSnapper #FreshFish #ZorasKitchen #SeafoodLovers #FishTacos WineAndDine FreshCatch EatLocal SeafoodSpecial DrinkPairing

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