Delicious
Fresh made-to-order
made-to-order pizza slices
sandwiches start at
5
$
5
99
$ In front of Walmart, 2700 NC Hwy 210, Surf City Kitchen opens at 6am!
Vol. 50, No.9 Thursday, December 26, 2019 Fifty Cents
POST Voice
B
PING
•Mattresses •Accessories •Artwork •Flags •Jewelry •Candles
The Pender-Topsail
. nc
urniture OutďŹ t ter ch F a s, e ONE SHOP I
Serving Topsail Island
2 for
for Over 20 Year s! •Lamps •Gifts •Hammocks •Outdoor Furniture •Puzzles
Tom Clark Furnish g Beach Hoin Gnomes es Artwork is Our Specm iality 25% Off!
&
-Free Local D elivery and Se 204-F N. New tupRiver Dr. • Su rf City, NC • 91 www.BeachFu 0.328.4181 rnitureOutďŹ tte rsInc.com
The Media of Record for the People of Pender County www.post-voice.com
Pender EM Director Collins retires By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
and resulting flooding in history – Hurricane Florence. Two years earlier, Hurricane Matthew challenged the county’s emergency readiness with another massive flood, concentrated along the Black River in the west. “The past 10 years has been different, that is for sure,� Collins mused. “It’s been some tough times but we all survived it and that is the good thing. I’ve
After 10 years of hurricanes and floods, Pender County Emergency Management Director Tom Collins is heading back to the high country – retiring and going home to Blowing Rock. Collins finished his tenure with Pender County Dec. 20, after guiding the county through arguably the worst hurricane
made some new friends, good friends, and memories that I will never forget.� Beginning in volunteer fire service and emergency services, Collins moved into law enforcement in his younger years, working with the Watagua County Sheriff ’s Office and the Boone Police Department. He then moved to the highways of North Carolina as a State Trooper. He completed his first
working career with state emergency management before retiring with 32 years of service. He then came to Pender County as Emergency Management Director and, some would say, took on a real job. Collins managed a county department that has grown as the population has increased, and worked to keep residents
Continued on page 2A
Pender EM Director Tom Collins
Local candidates file for 2020 elections
Silent night, quiet night
From Staff Reports Candidate filing for elections in 2020 ended Dec. 20 at noon. The Mar. 3 2020 Primary election will have no local candidates on the ballot except for School Board candidates and the N.C. District Court Judge District 5 race. Republicans Judge Sandra Alice Ray of Wilmington will face off against Republican challenger Richard Kern of Castle Hayne. No other local incumbents are
Continued on page 2A
Blueberry drop New Year’s Eve in Burgaw
%
facing challenges in their own parties. School Board members are elected in the Mar. 3 Primary. In the School Board races, Re publican Don Hall will run unopposed in District 3. Democrat Carol Ann Johnson will challenge incumbent Republican Brad George in District 5. Two Pender County Commissioners will be up
Staff photos by Andy Pettigrew
The Burgaw town Christmas tree twinkles against a black sky on the Courthouse Square.
From Staff Reports The Town of Burgaw, Pender County, and the North Carolina Blueberry Festival welcome the return of the annual Blueberry Drop Dec. 31, beginning at 5 p.m. in Historic Downtown Burgaw. “The Blueberry Drop was a huge success last year,� said Cody Suggs,
Burgaw Parks and Recreation director. “We’re pleased to offer our residents and visitors a fun, family-oriented way to ring in the New Year.� The event will feature Fayetteville-based Rivermist Band and their classic variety rock music. Enter-
Continued on page 2A
Surf City charity event to benefit Share the Table
Annual Dolphin Dip coming Jan. 1 By Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writer Surf City will kick off the New Year with a huge splash at the Dolphin Dip. Planned for Jan. 1 as always, the fun will start at 11 with the dip happening at noon at the Roland Avenue beach access. The event will benefit Share the Table, a local charity that provides a food pantry and other programs to help families in need. Shirts, stickers and beanies will be available to purchase with cash or check only. Thousands are expected to attend the Dip.
The horn will sound at noon and the shrieking will begin as the crowd rushes into the ocean to start a fresh new year with the ocean washing over them. Those who attend can also participate in a costume contest and enjoy the music, dancers and mascots. Whether you choose to do the dip or just come to watch and enjoy the excitement,
Push Mowers • Lawn Tractors • Zero Turn Mowers Trimmers & Chainsaws
SALES • SERVICE • PARTS • DELIVERY Financing Available
Continued on page 2A File photo by Andy Pettigrew
Dolphin Dippers plunge into the fridgid Atlantic Ocean at the event in 2014.
THE BEST FOR LESS
Ask about our end-of-season ITĘźS TIME TO GET 20% Off, $0 mos. COMMERCIAL FLEET SALE Zero Turn & (2) Handhelds,clearance onDown, select 48 products.
! " & & &! "&! ! ! ! ! & ! & ! " # $
Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/PostVoice
whitetractorcompany.com
WHITE TRACTOR CO.TRACTOR INC. (WY "Y 0ASS 3 "URGAW s WHITE CO. INC. For a limited time at participating local independent Husqvarna dealers only. whitetractorcompany.com (WY "Y 0ASS 3 "URGAW s