Remember 2017 in Wilmington? Here’s why it was a simpler time Owen Hassell

Picture it: Wilmington, 2017. A guy embarks on a new job in a coastal North Carolina city and leaves his old job at another coastal North Carolina city.

OK, my journey isn’t as enthralling as a Sophia Petrillo story. However, I’d love to see how Dorothy’s mother from “The Golden Girls” would describe how times in the Port City have changed in a relatively short period of time.

I’ll attempt to do it justice, starting with my employment.

I’ve had a few job titles at the StarNews since 2017: Sports editor, digital engagement specialist, and now local news editor. It’s brought me different perspectives alongside moving into my 40s and adding a mortgage.

It was a simpler time seven years ago: We had yet to see Hurricane Florence, COVID and unrest over the 2020 election, to name a few.

Here are some events, places and other observations from seven years ago that (I think?) we all remember and/or miss today.

A pre-Florence life

Living near the coast nearly all of my life, I’ve seen some tropical activity. I’ve been flooded out of places on the Outer Banks after named and unnamed storms.

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