Stats:

Nick-Name: Shelley

Hometown: Kingman, Maine

Has Lived In Wilmington Area Since: Our family of 4 moved from Cape Cod to Hampstead in 2009.

What brought you to ILM? I traded my snow boots for flip flops many years ago and have no regrets! Our family made a temporary move here for a job and it turned into a permanent one. We have loved raising our family in Coastal NC, enjoy the climate and natural surroundings and have picked up some new hobbies: boating, island hopping, paddleboarding and shark tooth hunting!

Favorite Spots In Wilmington:

• Topsail Island beaches are some of the best beaches I know! Hunting for sharks teeth and beach glass is almost an obsession!

• I love walking in the woods at the Abbey Nature Preserve at Poplar Grove Plantation. There are a few miles of shaded, wooded trails and a pond at its center where you can watch or feed the turtles. In the summer they host a Farmer's Market which boasts local artisans, crafters and farmers.

• One of my favorite places to be is on a paddle board in the intracoastal waterway, marshes and creeks. There is just something so good for the soul while breathing in the salt air and taking in the scenery. I love viewing all the wildlife; herons quietly stalking fish or egrets hanging out in the marsh, several types of fish, skates and large osprey nests. It's a peaceful and energizing experience at the same time.

Local Spot Tourists Don't Know About:

• For great tasting food, locally sourced & organically grown, check out the healthy & delicious options at Epic Food Co. They have indoor and outdoor dining or if you don't feel like making dinner, yummy casseroles to take home and bake.

• If you get the pleasure of being out on a boat or kayak when the tide drops, check out "Dog Island," at the south end of Topsail. A large sandbar gets exposed during low tide and it's where most dog lovers bring their pets to play and splash around.

• Casa Blanca Coffee Roasters in Wilmington has a cool vibe, indoor & outdoor seating, and the best Oat Milk Cinnamon Honey Latte!

Unexpected Facts:

• I'm an artist. I'm self taught and show locally at Art Exposure in Hampstead. I draw and paint in lots of mediums, and mainly focus on local scenery and pet portraits. Check me out on Facebook at Sugden Fine Art.

• I was on the women's soccer team and equestrian team in college.

• Growing up in Maine, you have to be a jack of all trades. One random thing I know how to do is identify a tree species by the inside of a split log or just from the bark. In the summers, while we cut, split or put wood in for the winter, my dad would quiz my brother and me on the various hardwoods. I could probably still pick out a rock maple from a red oak any day of the week!

Why Do You Love Real Estate?

I love many aspects of real estate. I have an artist eye, so seeing potential in a home that needs updating or renovating is appealing and the completed project is gratifying. Helping clients navigate the process of buying or selling a home gives me great pleasure. I also like seeing the results of my efforts and hard work be an uncapped income potential.

Most Unique Thing You've Seen In Real Estate:

Probably carpet in the bathrooms. Specifically a hot tub with a carpeted surround in the middle of the bathroom. I can't quite wrap my brain around the thought process of that trend!

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