By james art 
At the foot of Market Street in the center of Wilmington, the Cape Fear River is fast.
Cape Ferra’s memorial bridge stands tall in one direction and the North Carolina battleship in the other.
The sunset offers orange, yellow and often pink and purple glow across the river.
When you start walking in both directions, you will find restaurants, shops and other businesses.
Here’s what Wilmington’s emblematic Riverwalk, which has served as the backbone of the city center for decades.
For me, Riverwalk has always felt special. On a warm, sunny day, this is a great place to walk or to eat at a local restaurant.
But this is especially meaningful because I got married there. My husband and I said that our vows are on deck in the neighborhood of a river, as strangers stop witnessing our happy moment. Since it was Riverfest Weekend, then we got together with our guests at Riverwalk and watched fireworks shine on the night sky.
In today’s history of the cover, the reporter Molly Wilhelm explores the story of Riverwalk, what is needed to maintain it and what lies ahead. I look forward to seeing him as a place that connects various aspects of the center of Wilmington.
In today’s Starnews you will also find a story from reporter John Staton for presidents who have visited the port city. I lived here long enough to remember visits from Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
But I was surprised to learn that George Washington, the first president, is the first president to visit Wilmington. Through his report, John discovered that several other presidents make trips here as well.
I will not give out the whole story. You will need to read it to learn more about what every president has brought to our city.
Sherry Jones is Starnews’s executive editor. You can contact her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Wilmington Starnews: by the editor: Why Wilmington Riverwalk occupies a special place in my heart