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Volume 47, No.13

2017

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Thursday, December 29, 2016

Bringing home the gold The Topsail Pirate cagers brought home the gold, winning the Brunswick Sheriff’s basketball tournament last week. Read about the tournament and more in sports on page 8A.

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Post & Voice 2016 year in review budget, the commissioners heard the contingencies had been absorbed and the cost of the project was already $3 million over the $35 million budget.

Burgaw puts teeth in nuisance ordinance Burgaw property owners who ignore town notices regarding nuisance abatement will now face civil penalties.

The town board approved a change to the nuisance ordinance that provides for a civil penalty of $50 per day against property owners who fail to comply with a town order to clean up, repair, or otherwise rectify an identified nuisance.

Overgrown property abandoned structures that have fallen into disrepair, and stor mwater issues are the most common nuisance issues cited.

Two sites considered for Burgaw splashpad Burgaw town commissioners are considering two possible locations for a proposed public splashpad. Commissioners heard a presentation from Meg Smith and downtown businessman Johnny Westbrook to build a splashpad on Courthhouse Avenue property currently occupied by a doctor’s office.

Town Manager Chad McEwen said putting the splashpad on Courthouse Avenue would be part of a larger project to improve the downtown area.

Topsail Beach to keep speedlimits on North Anderson After extended discussion among board members and the public, the Topsail Beach Board of Commisioners voted 3-2 to keep the 45-mile-perhour speed limit unchanged along N. Anderson Blvd. from Catherine Avenue to the town business center.

Heat wave grips Pender County Local weather service officials are forecasting hot conditions to persist through the weekend across Pender County. Temperatures will soar into the mid to upper 90s across the region with the heat index passing the 100-degree mark.

Forecasters are not predicting any significant rainfall or relief from the heat through the beginning of next week.

Pender County Health Department Director Carolyn Moser said the heat can pose a great danger and individu-

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Editor’s Note: With the last two editions of the year, we review the front page headlines from the Post & Voice. This week we look at July through November. Stories were written

by Publisher Andy Pettigrew, Staff Writers Barbara Hazle and Lori Kirkpatrick, as well as Contributing Writers Jefferson Weaver and Tammy Proctor.

July 2016 Lightning strikes injure two in Topsail Beach Severe thunderstorms moving across easter n Pender County Sunday evening produced lightning that struck two people in Topsail Beach.

According to Topsail Beach Police Chief Sam Gervase, a 14-year-old girl was struck around 5 p.m. near Serenity Point on the South end of the island while on the beach. Officer Zach Cooke responded to the call and was also struck by lightning while leaving the beach.

The girl was airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center and then to UNCChapel Hill hospital. Officer Cooke was not severely injured.

Equine owners encouraged to vaccinate Pender County horse owners are urged to vaccinate animals after the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis was confirmed.

A Pitt County quarter horse has been confirmed as having died after contracting EEE, which is a misquito-bor ne disease that is preventable in horses by vaccination.

Summer rain can’t damper July 4 in Pender County A weather patter n that brought stront to severe thunderstor ms across Pender County last weekend didn’t dampen holiday spirits as crowds flocked to county beaches and others in Pender County celebrated the holiday in between thunderstorms.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Topsail Island late Sunday afternoon bringing torrential rain and causing streets on the island to flood.

BOC upset with cost overruns at new school Architect Charles Boney with LS3P updated the Pender County Board of Commissioners on the budget and progress of the Surf City school project at the July meeting.

In stark contrast to the April update during which the commissioners complimented Boney on the progress and contingencies built into the

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December sunset

Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew

A lone ďŹ sherman heads out at sunset on a late December afternoon at Soundside Park in Surf City.

Dolphin Dip a New Year’s Day tradition

By Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writer The 15th Annual Dolphin Dip Extravaganza will start off the new year at the Roland Beach Access in Surf City.

Participants and onlookers are invited to show up at 11:00 a.m., and the swim will take place at noon.

The event is expected to be bigger and better than ever before, with more than 7,500 attendees anticipated. If you don’t want to be left out in the cold, put on your costume or bathing suit and come out for some great family fun and excitement.

Participants are encouraged to wear their craziest or most creative costumes for the costume contest. Prizes will be awarded for the top costumes, but contestants must “Do the Dip� to be eligible. There will also be acrobats, belly dancers and dinosaurs to see. This year’s proceeds will benefit Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity.

Brian Moxey started the event 15 years ago with a group of friends. “This is the 15th Annual

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Dolphin Dip founder Brian Moxey Dolphin Dip. We’ve been do- about that. It’s a really great ing it for a while, so we’re program,� said Moxey. real excited about that mileAfter some close calls with stone.

The charity this year is drones coming uncomfortPush Mowers • Lawn Tractors • Zero Turn Habitat for Humanity. We are ably close to one another last Trimmers & Chainsaws always looking at different year, the Town of Surf City charities, and we have sup- has implemented a no fly ported Habitat previously. We zone over this year’s event. just love the people, and we However, there will be one met the woman whose house official FAA-approved vendor we’re donating towards. She’s flying for Dolphin Dip. going to be at the event, and Adam Hawley will be prothat makes it feel very per- viding a live Facebook broadsonal. The reward isn’t just cast from the drone during giving money, but this is go- the event. Moxey said that ing to help a family move into he is thankful for support he a house. We’re real excited receives from the town during

the Dip each year. “The town and Mayor Guy have always been so supportive of the event all these years; and Chief Shanahan, they’re both very supportive of the event. They go above and beyond to help me out, and they always have,� said Moxey.

George Howard has been working with small group to act as the safety patrol for the Dolphin Dip for the last 13 years. They paddle out into the ocean and monitor the event in case of a need for assistance. “Most people jump in and go out about waist deep and that’s it, but some swim out to the end of the pier and come back. We get a pretty good Mowers bird’s eye view, especially the expressions on their faces when they hit that cold water for the first time. Everybody has a good time. It’s been an eye opener for me to see how it’s grown over the years. I get a chance to talk to a lot of people standing on the beach, and a lot of them plan their new year’s vacations or week-

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Year Review

Continued from page 1A als should pay attention to the sign of heat-related illiness.

Burgaw citizens show support for police With tensions high across the country following several shootings involving police officers, Burgaw residents have shown support for local police.

“We have seen an increase in support of our department,” said Burgaw Police Chief Jim Hock. “We have seen everything from groups that come in and want to pray with us, to people dropping off goodie bags from kids, emails, cards, and letters.” Hock says the Burgaw department works to make contact with local residens outside the usual police duties such as answering calls.

August 2016 BOC talks Hampstead median, DOT projects The Pender County Board of Commissioners discussed several North Carolina Department of Transportation projects at the recent Aug. 1 board meeting. Commisioner David Piepmeyer discussed a recent meeting with Rep. Chris Millis and N.C. DOT officials regarding the Hampstead Hwy. 17 median project.

He explained that most of the comments from the public were focused on why the median project would begin before the bypass project.

Black River claims Rocky Point man A 31-year-old Rocky Point man drowned in the Black River Saturday. At 3:43 a.m.

July 30, a 911 call was received by the Pender County Sheriff ’s Office reporting a missing swimmer at the 2400 block of Point Caswell Road in Atkinson Units from the Atkinson Volunteer Fire Department, Pender EMS and Fire, N.C. Wildlife Resources officers, and Pender Sheriff ’s deputies participated in the search. At approximately 5:30 p.m, the body of James Thomas Croom

was located in the water about 100 yards from his last known location. Croom and a friend had been swimming in the river about 2 a.m. when Croom had gone missing.

Pender Sheriff ’s deputy fired, charged with sex crimes A Pender County sheriff ’s deputy has been fired and arrested on multiple charges.

Deputy Melvin Acevedo was arrested July 26 by State Bureau of Investigation agents and charged with assault on a female, sexual battery and willfully failing to discharge his duties.

July 23, at approximately 1 a.m., the Pender County Sheriff ’s Office supervisors received a complaint that a deputy had acted inappropriately toward a female while answering a call for service late on the night of July 22.

Child abuse up in Pender during the summer months Child abuse cases reported in Pender County are on the rise, according to social service officials. Although Pender County Health and Human Services Director Carolyn Moser didn’t have exact figures, she says the number of abuse cases in the county are up during the past eight weeks.

“We will go through these periods of spikes of the number of cases,” said Moser. “From what I have been hearing, we are not the only ones.”

Burgaw attorney Kent Harrell to run for judge Burgaw attorney Kent Harrell will seek a seat on the Superior Court bench in the fall election Harrell will run for the Fifth Judicial District seat which will open with the retirement of Judge W. Allen Cobb Jr. Cobb has held the seat for 25 years and will retire Aug. 21. Harrell will face Melinda Crouch and Connie Jordan in the November election.

Crouch is currently a District Court judge and Jordan is a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s office.

Harrell, who ran unsuccessfully in 2015 for District

Pender EMS & Fire Report Dec. 18-224 EMS Report Total number of Patient Contacts: 192 Calls per Station Burgaw Station 1 38 Sloop Point Station 14 36 Hampstead Station 16 25 Surf City Station 23 18 Topsail Beach Station 4 7 Union Station 5 9 Rocky Point Station 7 34 Maple Hill Station 8 5 Atkinson Station 9 18 Scott Hill Station 18 1 Hwy 421 South Station 29 1 Type of Calls Cancelled: 26 Refusals: 48 Stand By: 5 Transported: 104 Treated/released: 9 Fire Department Reports Total Calls: 58 Calls per Station 1. Rescue Station 1 Burgaw 2 2. Fire Station 14 Sloop Point 11 3. Fire Station 16 Hampstead 15 4. Fire Station 18 Scotts Hill 8 5. Fire Station 21 Long Creek 11 6. Fire Station 29 Hwy 421 11 Fire Call Type Summary Fire 12 Motor Vehicle Crash 11 Search and Rescue 0 EMS First Response 31 Cancelled 4 Ocean Rescue 0

Court judge, lost to Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Luther by five votes. Harrell says his wide range of experience qualifies him for the seat on the Superior Court bench.

Zika threat remains low in Pender, official says No cases of the Zika virus have been reported in Pender County, according to Pender County health and Human Services Director Carolyn Moser. Moser says the health Department is monitoring the situation, but it is unlikely any Pender resident will contract the virus, unless they get it while traveling in a part of the world where the virus is spreading.

Burgaw shooting sends three to the hospital A shooting Saturday in Burgaw resulted in three hospitalized and one arrest.

Burgaw Police responded to a report of shots fired at the Seven Oaks Apartments on Progress Drive Aug. 13 at about 8:15 p.m.

Officers observed a black vehicle leaving at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was later found to be transporting a shooting victim to Pender Memorial Hospital. The alleged gunman, Thomas Frederick Green Jr., 31, of 216 Newkirk Road, Burgaw, was located a short distance from the scene of the shooting after fleeing on foot.

The firearm used in the incident was recovered in the wooded area where Green was arrested.

DOT, locals meet to discuss Johnson’s Corner intersection The North Carolina Department of Transportation held an informal public meeting to discuss a future project to improve the intersection of U.S. 421 and N.C. 210. The Aug. 3 meeting was held at Johnson’s Corner Store. The proposed project is a prt of the governor’s 2016 $50 inititave to improve road safety around the state.

The Pender County intersection would be redesigned to make turning and crossing Hwy. 421 safer with $1.5 million allocated to the project.

Pender EM officials eye tropical systems The 2016 hurricane has been quiet in this area so far. But several storm sys-

tems in the Atlantic have Pender County Emergency Management officials keeping a weather eye on the sky. Officials are watching a tropical system in the Caribbean that has the potential to strengthen by the weekend. Computer models are hinting at the possibility the storm could further develop and impact our area.

“The storm could cause us to activate the EOC by Sunday if it gets better organized, said Pender County Emergency Management Director Tom Collins. A lot can change by then so each day we will keep our eyes on the tools we have to track those storms.”

Tourist spending up in Pender County Visitor spending increased in Pender County in 2015. Visit North Carolina announced today that domestic visitors to and within Pender County spent $92.34 million in 2015, an increase of three percent from 2014.

“Tourism is an important portion of our local economy,” said Pender County Tourism Director Tammy Proctor.

According to the 2015 County Economic Impact numbers, 820 jobs are the direct result of the local tourism industry, which in turn equals and annual county payroll of $16.31 million.

Schools expect enrollment increase 2016-17 will be an exciting year for the students and staff of Pender County schools. In recent years the district has seen an increase in the student population, a trend that is projected to continue in 2016-17 and in years to come.

September 2016 TS Hermine brings heavy rain, little damage “We were prepared for a Category 1 hurricane. I’m glad it didn’t come.”

Those were the words of Pender County Emergency Management Director Tom Collins in describing Tropical Storm Hermine. The storm dumpted heavy rain across Pender County Friday, but brought little else, much to the relief of emergency officials.

TS Hermine brought between six and 10 inches of rain to the county, but Pender was spared any wind damage from the storm. No emergency

Due to the holiday schedule, the arrest report is not available from the Pender County Sheriff’s Department.

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shelters were opened for the storm, although Pender EM was ready if shelters were needed. The EOC was activated during the storm.

Pender schools outperform state average The State Board of Education approved the ready Accountability report Sept.

1 during its regular meeting. According to the report, Pender County schools’ graduation rate increased to 90.3 percent in 2015-16, outpacing the state average of 85.8 percent.

The district’s five-year graducation rate rose to 90.6 percent. This has been an ongoing trend for the district since 2008, with four year cohort graduation rates increasing 26 percent over the past eight years.

Abducted children safe, mother arrested A woman was arrested Sept.

1 after allegedly abducting her children at a school bus stop in Pender County and fleeing to South Carolina. Nickole Legeria Pratt was taken into

custody by Lexington County, South Carolina Sheriff ’s deputies about 1 p.m. The children, ages seven and six, were in foster care and are students at Malpass Corner Elementary School. They were abducted Aug. 31. Pratt was charged withtow counts of felony custody order violation.

Burgaw receives grant for storm water improvement The Town of Burgaw recently was awarded $919,340 from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources and the Golden LEAF Foundation to assist with improvements to area flooding. Storm water improvements at Pender Memorial Hospital and Osgood Canal include replacing undersized culverts along the canal resulting in reduced pooling and flooding during heavy rainstorms.

County water main breaks Emergency water from Wallace averted a crisis in pender County after the 24-inch water main from the county water

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Year review

Continued from page 2A county water plant failed Sept.

6, leaving water customers in the Rocky Point water system with water trickling from their faucets. Pender County Utilities officials opened the old line from Wallace last Tuesday evening and water begin flowing to customers again. The broken line was repaired and water was flowing out of the Pender plant Friday morning Sept. 9.

The water main broke late in the afternoon Sept. 6 along U.S. 421, about seven miles north of the plant.

Hampstead couple charged with child pornography A Hampstead couple was arrested Sept. 11 and chared with numerous sex-related crimes. Roger Edwin Hare Jr. and Loretta Lynn Hare were charged with crimes related to the possession of child pornography. Pender County Sheriff ’s investigators arrested the pair after receiving a tip that they possessed numerous images of child pornography at their home.

Holly Shelter shooting range costs rise, opening delayed The Holly Shelter shooting range par tership between Pender County and the N.C.Wildlife Resources Commission became more expensive to the county. Planning Director Kyle Breuer went before the Board of Commissioners Sept. 6 to request seven additional part-time range safety officers, costing an additional $59,000.

According to the state plan, there will now be an administration building at the entrance to the site that will need to be manned to collect the daily fees, register users, and have participants view the safety video prior to being able to access the range.

School officials bring bond project problems to BOC Bids and cost overruns were the topic of discussion brought from Superintendent Dr. Terri Cobb and the Pender County Board of Education to the Pender County Board of Commissioners at Monday’s meeting. Initially both Dr. Cobb and Mr. Allen Van, the new Director of Auxiliary Services for the schools, talked about the positive director the budget was taking and how aggressively the architects, contractors and staff had worked to get more favorable numbers.

What became apparent through the presentation is the county would have to foot the bill for some new items, such as the water tank required at the Penderlea School, return sales tax to the Board of Education, and drastic changes to the Penderlea School plan.

Rocky Point man sentenced in home invasion Brent Thomas James Hyatt, 27, of Rocky Point, entered pleas Sept. 13 of guilty to second de g ree murder, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, first degree burglary, two counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of first degree kidnapping.

Hyatt was sentenced to 244-305 months in prison.

Hyatt was convicted for a home invasion that occurred May 4, 2015 in New Hanover County.

Elections Board prepares for big Pender turnout The Pender County Board of Elections has added a number of early voting locations across the county to accommodate the expected large voter turnout for the November general election. According to Elections Board Director

Dolphin Dip

Continued from page 1A end getaways just so they can be here for the Dolphin Dip. It’s really a boost to the economy at the beginning of a new year. It’s usually deader than a hammer, and we roll the streets up in November,” Howard laughed.

Howard noted that when the event first started, it was mostly middle age and older

Dennis Boyles, registration for the Nov. 8 election will continue through Oct. 14.

New rabies rules for Pender The Pender County Health Department presented the Pender County Board of Commissioners new rules for rabies post exposure manangement for dogs and cats and how it impacts the public at the Sept. 19 meeting.

EM officials eye tropical system Pender County Emergency Management director Tom Collins is keeping a close eye on a tropical system that many computer models say could impact this area. Collins says the system, Invest 97L, could become a tropical storm by Wednesday. Early predictions had the storm moving into the Gulf of Mexico, but Monday night model runs had the storm making a sharp northerly turn and heading for the east coast.

Even more disturbing was the way many of the computer models for the storm followed the track of the infamous 1954 storm Hazel.

Proposal for Kiwanis Park lights ignites discussion The Kiwanis Park baseball fields in Hampstead will be getting the Smith Field lighted by the county in the near future – but the project is not without dissenters. At the Sept. 6 meeting, county commissioners voted 3-2 to approve county funds with a budget ordinance amendment to light the biggest field for the oldest participants in the Topsail Baseball Club.

C o m m i s s i o n e r s D av i d Piepmeyer and Demetrice Keith voted no, concerned with an exception clause in the initial bid that allows the performing vendor the option of changing orders and charge the county additional funds for any problems with the field soil. They were also concer ned with continued investment in eastern Pender County compared to the more rural areas in the west.

October 2016 Hurricane Matthew takes aim at Pender County Pender County residents are preparing for what may be the stongest hurricane in many years.

Hurricane Matthew is tearing though the Caribbean on its way to North Carolina.

Emergency management officials expect the storm to arrive by the weekend as a category two or three storm.

“We are gearing up for this thing. We are looking at an evacuation of the beaches,” said Pender County Emergency Management Director Tom Collins. “We really don’t know exactly when we will begin – the timing of the storm is uncertain right now.

We plan to activate the Emergency Operations Center by Friday.”

Collins says Emergency management is preparing to open shelters across the county probably by late Friday.

Officials expect conditions to begin to worsen Friday afternoon with the storm arriving in force Saturday.

Final school bond sale approved Pender County Commissioners approved the sale of $50.5 million in school bonds during Monday’s meeting.

The board met last week in special session with school officials to discuss the details of the bond sale and receive information concerning the projects. Commissioners continue to express their displeasure with the Board of Education and an apparent lack of information on the school project costs – expecially the Penderlea School project.

Dad delivers daughter on the way to the hospital Lantz Lanier thought he had plenty of time when his wife Kelly told him she was

in labor. After all, their first child, Mason, took 12 hours to arrive. Not this time with daughter Karley Ann. About an hour and 45 minutes after the onset of Kelly’s labor, Karley Ann was born Sept. 24 in the front seat of the Burgaw family’s Honda Accord on the side of U.S. 421 near Pender Progress Industrial Park – delivered by her dad. Mother and baby, along with dad, are doing fine.

Inland Pender County hit hard by Matthew Usually hurricanes skirting the coast do the most damage along the beach, but not Hurricane Matthew.

The most damage from the Oct. 7-9 storm was felt inland, with longer periods of sustained wind and much heavier rain.

Pender Emergency Management officials are expecting historic flooding along the Black River – flooding that will rival the legendary hurricane Floyd in 1999. The Northeast Cape Fear River, which will rise well past flood stage, is expected to crest at just under 16 feet. Hurricane Floyd hit 22 feet on the Northeast Cape Fear River.

Heavy rain from Matthew that fell in Cumberland and Sampson counties drained into the Black River, and that area had already experienced much rain prior to Matthew, which had the level on the Black River rising prior to Matthew. Pender County received between six and nine inches of rain, with some inland counties receiving nearly 15 inches. Wind gusts were recorded at 74 miles per hour in the county.

Hurricane claims historic Poplar Grove Plantation oaks Hurricane Matthew left its mark on Poplar Grove Plantation, where it claimed four of the historic site’s prominent oaks. Three of the trees stood proudly on the front section of the property, providing shade and shelter for farmer’s market visitors each week.

The fourth tree was one of the two prime wedding ceremony settings on the back lawn.

Pender coast largely spared from damage Officials in Pender coastal towns were very concerned as Hurricane Matthew took aim at the Pender County shoreline. But when it was over, coastal areas saw less damage and severe weather than inland portions of the county.

“We were very blessed,” said Surf City Mayor Zander Guy. “It could have been a lot worse when you think about all the people in hati and Cuba.”

McCrory praises Pender EM response, giving spirit of volunteers Volunteers were busy unloading food, water, cleaning supplies and other items for flood victims at the Gateway Community Church Community Center in Burgaw while waiting for a visit from Governor Pat McCrory. While Pastor Ted Mercer waited for the the governor, several people walked up and volunteered to help in the center. After visiting the Pender Emergency Operations Center, he stopped at the church, praising the work of the volunteers at the church and elsewhere in flood stricken areas.

“This is what makes North Carolina great – neighbor helping neighbor, McCrory said. “Here in Pender County, there has been incredible teamwork between government and the faith commuity helping those in shelters.”

Candidates discuss ideas at forum; early voting begins Oct. 20 Pender County commission candidates, along with other candidates on the local ballot, participated in the Post & Voice Candidates Forum Oct. 13 in Hampstead. About 50 residents attended the

participants. Through the years, he has seen dippers as young as five to as old as 90. Watching the weather, he estimates that the water temperature could be down in the low 50s by the time the new year rolls around.

He said that in the beginning, Moxey had an idea, but he didn’t have a plan.

Throughout the last eight to ten years, he said it has become mainstreamed and everybody knows what they’re supposed to be doing.

“People come because it’s the kickoff to the new year. It’s not really life-threatening, but it is a rush. You run out there in board shorts or bikinis; or some people have gone to costumes, which is getting kind of funny. Most people get in the water and splash around a little bit, and holler, rip and roar - and then they’re finding a towel and some heat and some hot chocolate or coffee.

We’ve never had a problem.

Everybody has a good time,” said Howard.

event, with commission can- produced a 20 percent reduc- Penderlea. didates answering questions tion in water usage – enough Newton won the election submitted by the audience to keep the county out of a with 66 percent of the vote to while other candidates were water emergency as repairs Keith’s 34 percent. Republigiven time to speak. on the pipe have reduced flow can Commissioner Fred McEarly voting heavy to the three county systems.

Coy was relected to the BOC, in Pender County Pender Utilities Director defeating Democrat Sheree Pender County elections Michael Mack says despite Shepard. Burgaw attorney officials report heavy early the reduced availablity of Kent Harrell won election to voting in the county. raw water into the county’s the Superior Court bench in “Early voting has been very treatment plant, water con- District 5B. busy,” said Elections Director servation has kept the system Courthouse security Dennis Boyles. “During the running without the need to plan moves ahead first two days of early vot- use emergency water from Pender County Sherif f ing, (Oct. 20-21), 3,220 people Wallace.

Carson Smith outlined plans voted.”

November 2016 for increased security at the Boyles says early voting Officials break ground Pender County Courthouse at is proceeding smoothly, even on new Surf City bridge Monday’s Board of Commiswith the increased number Local officials, along with sioner’s meeting. Smith said of early voting locations. representatives of the N.C. the plan involves increased Early voters can cast ballots Department of Transporta- law enforcement presence at as any polling location in tion, broke ground on the new the courthouse, as well as rePender County – early voting Surf City bridge Monday. stricting entrance and exit acin a particular precinct is not The new concrete bridge cess. Smith told the board he necessary. Computers at each will have a 65-foot clearance hopes to have the plan in place polling location are connected above the Intracoastal Water- by January, using part-time through the Internet to the way, eliminating the need for officers which continuing to county elections office. a bridge to open for vessels. fill the full-time positions.

Pender EM moves into The new bridge will accomSchool Board asks flood recovery phase modate increased traffic flow BOC for more money Pender County Emergency on and off Topsail Island.

Pender County School Management is moving from “It was a historic day for Board representative Allen the hur ricane emergency Surf City,” said Mayor Zander Vann, Chief of the Office of phase into storm recovery Guy. “We broke ground to Auxiliary Services, updated and clean up. EM Director replace an icon that has been the Board of Commissioners Tom Collins says only one in place since 1954. There is a Monday on two major school family remains in the emer- lot of history that will always construction projects – Surf gency shelter as of Monday. be remembered with the old City and Penderlea.

He hopes that family will be bridge. The new bridge will Vann also asked commisable to move to temporary be a symbol of the future that sioners for more money to shelter Monday or Tuesday we will carry for many years complete the projects. Cost and the county can officially to some. overruns have plagued both close the shelter. Officials say The bridge is expected to projects during the design all roads in the county are open in mid-2019 phase, including a water tank open except one road near Health officials urge and pumping system for fire the Black River and Canetuck flu immunization protection at Penderlea that Road.

With the peak of flu season was not included in the origiCollins says debris clean- running December through nal cost estimates. up is going to take time and February, Pender County Pender County stays he urged residents to be pa- health officials are urging ressolidly Republican tient. idents to get their flu shot.

Pender County continues Pender Ghost Walk Flu vaccines are readily to be a heavily Republican a howling success available this season and County, according to the reB u r g aw w a s h a u n t e d help prevent the spread of sults from the Nov. 9 election.

Saturday night. It was a the illness, which can be fatal Across the ballot, Republihowling good time. More to the very young, the elderly cans led Democrats by a votthan 420 ghost walkers at- and those with compromised ing margin of about 65 to 35 tended the first Ghost Walk, immune systems. The Pender percent.

Ghosts of pender’s Past. They County Health Department In the county, 69 percent of came from as far as Burns- offers flu vaccines at several registered voters cast ballots ville, Rocky Mount, Raleigh, locations across the county. in the Nov. 9 election.

Wilmington, New Bern, JackNewton wins seat on Virtual Magistrate will sonville, and Myrtle Beach. county board help law enforcement Repairs underway on Burgaw attorney JacqueLaw enforcement officers county water intake line Newton won a seat on in easter n Pender County Repairs are progressing on the Pender County Board of have long lamented the drive the raw water intake pipe that Commisioners, defeating in- to Burgaw to bring suspects serves Pender, New Hanover, cumbent Demetrice Keith in before a magistrate. The situand Brunwick counties with District 4. The district covers ation is problematic, taking Museum_30-inch-V-5.5x10:5.5x10 (30-inch-V) 7/11/08and2:29 Pageout 1 of the field for water from the Cape Fear western Pender County anPM officer River. A call for water conser- the communities of Atkinson, vation in Pender County has Watha, Willard, Currie, and Continued on page 7A

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Pender-Topsail Post & Voice

Opinion Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 4A

Approach buyouts with care and caution It’s been nearly three months since Hurricane Matthew drowned and blew through our county, so state and federal officials are moving into the next phase of their own procedures for helping get people’s lives back in order.

While we don’t know how many local homeowners have been offered buyouts, or if any have as of yet, it’s likely some folks will be approached about flood-mitigation payoffs in the near future.

On the surface, it seems like a good idea – at it’s simplest, There is no question home- and business-owners who that some properties have suffered extreme flood don’t need to be develdamage and are underinsured are offered a “walk-away” price oped, just as it’s wrong for their properties. In storms for all the taxpayers to past, these offers have come subsidize flood insurwith high pressure encourageance for a comparative ment from officials and carefew property owners. fully couched warnings and hints about what might happen if one didn’t accept a buyout. In a number of cases here and elsewhere, the taxpayer was left holding a rather small bag and the balance of a mortgage.

We’re told policies and techniques have changed, and we sincerely hope that’s the case, but there have already been a few folks in other affected areas reporting that they felt pressured to accept buyouts that totaled less than their homes’ indebtedness, as well as settlements that wouldn’t buy a decent used car, much less provide the capital or replace the equity needed to buy a new home and start over.

It’s not like the problem of underfunded buyouts affects just the homeowner. That property is taken off the market and the tax roles. In some cases, extremely rigid environmental regulations come into play, requiring something short of an act of Congress for a utility line to remain in use. These properties not only go off the local tax roles, but they usually end up being closed to any public use, recreational or otherwise.

There is no question that some properties don’t need to be developed, just as it’s wrong for all the taxpayers to subsidize flood insurance for a comparative few property owners. In some cases, it’s better (at least for the folks who can afford to do so) to bite the bullet, go back into debt and rebuild, or sell out to someone who is willing to take the chance that we won’t have another hundred-year flood in the next few years.

Sometimes properties are the legacies of several generations, and only rarely has their been a flood that caused sufficient damage to concern an insurance adjuster.

Many of those family properties never had flood insurance, and never needed it until now, when their equity has been destroyed by an unpleasant October surprise. A nickel-on-thedollar buyout can never even provide a base for rebuilding generations upon generations of investment in a family farm or home.

It’s just wrong, in times when the wounds are just beginning to dry up and heal, for the government to encourage people to allow themselves to be cheated, while simultaneously cheating both those who pay property taxes and those who (involuntarily) help fund the flood insurance programs through their income taxes.

Many people work toward and enjoy waterfront properties, either on the beach or the rivers. With any privilege comes a price tag, and while it’s only fair for those who can afford it to pay their share, they shouldn’t have be shortchanged by the government simply because they once invested their earnings in a home with a view.

We encourage anyone who might be faced with the hard choice of accepting a buyout or starting over to take the time to consider their options, and consult with a professional.

Once the dotted line is signed, it’s all over but the demolition.

The Point

My Spin

Tom Campbell

Power play not their finest hour Power plays are seldom pretty. Republicans have the political power in our state, but just because you have power doesn’t mean you have to use it. The wise and judicious use of power has become as rare as the proverbial hen’s tooth.

The overreach of the legislature in stripping the Executive Branch of power was wrong, just as it was wrong when Democrats did it when they ran state government.

I, among many, am on record for having opposed power grabs then, and am equally opposed to them today.

What is mystifying is why Pat McCrory, who sued the legislature and won in court when lawmakers overstepped their authority, should sign the recently passed legislation into law.

McCrory had three options.

He could have vetoed the bills and would have been compelled to call lawmakers back into session to possibly override his veto. They would likely have done so, but at least he could leave office attempting to uphold the balance of powers our founders envisioned. He could have done nothing, neither signing the bills into law nor vetoing them, in which case the legislation would have sat for the requisite 30 days before automatically becoming law.

During that time period a new governor would have been sworn into office and it is certain Roy Cooper would have vetoed the bills. His veto would most likely have been overridden, but McCrory’s legacy in opposition to weakening the executive branch would have been consistent.

Despite the rhetoric we heard coming from the legislative building last week, the power of North Carolina’s governor is and has been among the weakest among the states. We finally allowed our chief executive the power of the veto to help balance the scales vis-a-vis the legislative branch, but there can be little doubt, whether right or just correct, The General Assembly has more power.

Look for more lawsuits to come, especially a challenge to the stripping of the duties

Continued on page 5A

Jefferson Weaver

A world without possums Consider the possum.

Note that I rarely include the “O” when referring to Didelphias Virginius; I have always considered the additional vowel to be both redundant and somewhat pretentious. Of all the possums I have ever known, and that is many, I have yet to meet one that had any pretentions. Indeed, they are humble beasts, unwilling to fight if it can be avoided, but perfectly capable of doing so.

Faced with too much remonstration on the part of a threat, the average possum will feign death, which often results in a good nap, albeit that nap is sometimes a permanent one. We humans could learn much from possums in that REGARD MUCH OF THE TIME A nap is preferable to a fight nobody will win.

Another lesson we could learn from possums is that they are hard-working, and perfectly willing to take the jobs no one else wants.

Consider that one of those folks who is paid to study possums discovered that our bare-tailed friends eat a disproportionate number of disease-bearing ticks.

We should indeed appreciate them. It’s hard enough to eradicate ticks from our pets and yards with the aid of super-chemicals, yet a healthy population of possums will steadily, gradually, and literally gnaw that number down.

Possums are also wellknown for their lack of gastronomic finickiness (Yes, I made that word up, and yes, you may use it).

Regina Hill Post & Voice Columnist

Jefferson Weaver Whilst the average dog will simply roll in the carcass of an unfortunate fellow-critter, the possum will spend time cleaning up said mess.

My beloved buzzards only work during daylight hours; possums, however, will set up temporary housekeeping near a handy carcass, and move on when the food supply is exhausted. Kind of like the relative you don’t really care for, except you don’t have to buy them shampoo and toothpaste.

Food is the biggest reason I meet as many possums as I do. It isn’t because I eat them (although I have, in the past. They taste nothing like chicken, although one can make a palatable sortof chicken salad from an average-size possum).

Rather than placing them on the menu, I end up meeting most possums because of what is on their own menus. As opportunistic omnivores, what we call opportunivores – that isn’t my word, but you may use it – they focus mainly on low-

stress, easily accessed food sources. Since many folks feed their cats and dogs outside, it’s only natural that a passing possum would be attracted to an easy food source, especially when it’s designed to be tasty to animals.

It sometimes means an unfortunate end for the possum in question, since many dogs take exception to sharing their meals, and more humans take exception to possums sharing their dogs’ meals. I know of quite a few cases, however, where the possum in question comes to some sort of a gentleman’s agreement with the resident domestic animal, and everyone gets along just fine. We have a three-legged possum which Miss Rhonda rehabilitated and released, who is an example of such.

He and our civilized cats get along very well. Miguel, also known as WRW-16-07 (his official name for record keeping), comes up almost

Continued on page 7A

Getting older pays off Dear Savvy Senior, What types of discounts are available to baby boomers, at what age do they kick in, and what’s the best way to go about finding them?

Almost 50 Dear Almost, One of the great perks of growing older in America is the many discounts that are available to boomers and seniors.

There are literally thousands of discounts on a wide variety of products and services including restaurants, grocery stores, travel and lodging, entertainment, retail and apparel, health and beauty, automotive services and much more. These discounts – typically ranging between 5 and 25 percent off – can add up to save you hundreds of dollars each year.

So, if you don’t mind admitting your age, here are some tips and tools to help you find the discounts you may be eligible for. s!LWAYS ASK 4HE FIRST thing to know is that most businesses don’t advertise them, but many give senior discounts just for the asking, so don’t be shy.

You also need to know that while some discounts are available as soon as you turn 50, many others may not kick in until you turn 55, 60, 62 or 65. s3EARCH ONLINE "ECAUSE senior discounts frequently change and can vary depending on where you live and the time of the year, the Internet is the easiest way to help you locate them.

To do a search, start by visiting SeniorDiscounts. com, which lists thousands of discounts that you can search for by city and state, and by the category you’re

Welcome to my world

interested in, for free.

You can also look for discounts at TheSeniorList. com, which provides a large list of national and regional business chains that offer them, or you can Google them individually. Just go to Google.com and type in the business or organization you’re curious about, followed by “senior discount” or “senior discount tickets.”

If you use a smartphone, another tool is the Sciddy app (see Sciddy.com) that lets you search for senior discounts and can send you alerts when you’re at an establishment that offers them. s*OIN A CLUB !NOTHER GOOD avenue to senior discounts i s t h ro u g h m e m b e r s h i p organizations like AARP, which offers its 50 and older members a wide variety of discounts through affiliate businesses (see AARPdiscounts.com).

If, however, you’re not the AARP type, there are other alternative organizations you can join that also provide discounts such as The Seniors Coalition or the American Seniors Association. Or, for federal workers, there’s the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

Types of discounts Here’s an abbreviated rundown of some of the different types of discounts you can expect to find. s 2E S T A U R A N T S 3 E N I O R discounts are common at restaurants and fast food establishments – like Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Sub-

way, Wendy’s, Applebee’s and Golden Corral – ranging from free/discounted drinks, to discounts off your total order. s2ETAILERS -ANY THRIFT stores like Goodwill, and certain retailers like Banana Republic, Kohl’s, Michaels and Ross stores offer a break to seniors on certain days of the week. s3UPERMARKETS -ANY LOcally owned grocery stores offer senior discount programs, as do some chains like Albertsons, Kroger, Publix and Fry’s Supermarkets, which offer some discounts on certain days of the week but they vary by location. s4RAVEL 3OUTHWEST !IRlines provide the best senior fares in the U.S. to passengers 65 and older, while Amtrak offers a 15 percent discount and Greyhound offers 5 percent off to travelers over 62. Most car rental companies provide discounts to customers who belong to organizations like AARP. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Carnival cruise lines offer discount rates to cruisers 55 and over. And, most hotels offer senior discounts, usually ranging from 10 to 30 percent. s%NTER TAINMENT -OST movie theaters, museums, golf courses, ski slopes and other public entertainment venues provide reduced admission to seniors over 60 or 65. And the National Park Service of fers a lifetime pass for those 62 and up for $10 (see nps.gov/findapark/ passes.htm).

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

She’s come undone To the overworked, underappreciated, fed up, frustrated, had it up to here wives and moms-this one’s for you.

The movie Bad Moms made its cinematic debut a few months ago and, aside from the profanity-laced dialogue and unfaithful husband, is a relatively realistic mirror of my world.

How refreshing it is to watch other moms fumble cluelessly through impossible deadlines, unrealistic expectations and a severely overdrawn account of time, motivation and energy.

For those who haven’t had the pleasure of viewing this movie phenomenon, think Dolly Parton in 9 to 5 as she cleverly hogties her egotistical boss, shackling him to the ceiling while making demands for an improved workplace. My beautiful family feels, at times, like bloodthirsty tics sucking every ounce of life blood from my browbeaten body.

As a devoted mom and wife, I realize the challenges that come with the roles for which I’ve been blessed. As difficult as it is to maintain schedules, chauffeur children to and fro, plan extracurricular activities and feed and water the family, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

A girl does, on the other hand, have her limits and a few weeks ago it finally happened. I came undone. Perhaps it was the full moon the week before Christmas with a group of exuberant second graders that contributed, but something else entirely pushed me over the edge.

Let me preface my rant by avowing the limitless love I feel for my family. My husband and children are lovely people for the most part.

There are occasions, however, when these precious folks forget to display appreciation for what I do for them on a daily basis. I know there’s an awareness, because when I go on a voluntary hiatus, the household falls apart completely.

The mental collapse, which occurs at least bi-annually, had been building for a while as of late. The eruption is usually preceded by complete silence on my part as a tingly sensation envelops me. I roam throughout the house in a zombie-like trance, mumbling positive self-affirmations incoherently to keep my sanity afloat.

In a sea of chaos which is sometimes my homestead, this is all I have. While my people whisper quietly in the corners, behaviors start to improve. The children cautiously tip toe around me, announcing with obvious pride a random task that was finally accomplished after months of nagging on my part.

Daniel washes a dish here and there before tossing the remote in my direction, thereby empowering me to watch my previously recorded episodes of Dr. Phil instead of hours of mind

Continued on page 5A

Legislative Report December Special sessions I am writing to inform you about activities at the General Assembly that you may have heard about in the media over the past few weeks.

Normally the legislature is quiet this time of year, but three special sessions were called that produced a lot of discussion and changes in the state capital, which led to the dissemination of a lot of misinformation about what happened.

The week of Dec. 12 the General Assembly was called into special session by our current governor, Pat McCrory, for extraordinary matters that pertained to emergency funding for Hurricane Matthew and the wildfires in western North Carolina. Legislation was passed that directed funding from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to help with recovery from the natural disasters, and the special session was concluded.

Immediately after that special session called by the governor, the General Assembly called a separate special session to consider old business left over from the last session, and to take up new legislation of importance. Keep in mind the state constitution only allows the governor to call the legislature into a special session if there is an “extraordinary” need for it.

On the other hand, the state constitution allows the legislature to call itself into a special session for any reason, after 3/5ths of the members agree to convene a session. It is important to distinguish these standards and thresholds to convene special sessions, and the purposes for the calls under the state constitution.

The outcome of the separate special session called by the General Assembly included the passage of statutes intended to restore legislative powers that were conceded to the executive branch under previous NCGA leadership and gubernatorial administrations. I admit that while the action by the legislature was completely necessary, the timing of the action was poor.

In fact, the legislation should have been done far earlier under Gov. McCrory’s first term, but with both branches aligned in principle (for the most part), more leeway was granted than may have been deserved.

While some media outlets acted as if the legislature stripped executive powers from incoming Democrat Governor Roy Cooper, the truth is that all items

Hill Continued from page 4A numbing shows like Street Outlaws. Unfortunately, it’s too late. My ears burn as I commandeer Daniel’s prized candy apple red Supra which is lovingly housed on my side of the garage.

Removing the raw shrimp from the underbelly of the passenger seat-an artifact from a previous fit of angerI stealthily hit reverse and

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 5A

Newsings & Musings

presented were within the General Assembly’s constitutional authority and never should have been conceded to the executive branch in the first place.

I believe when government is divided between a different set of governing principles, it is the duty of the representatives of each branch to reassert their constitutional authority. The people of North Carolina elected a Democrat executive administration and a Republican super-majority in each chamber of the General Assembly; Therefore each respective branch should act constitutionally to achieve the will of the people. Again, while the timing is unfortunate, once legislation comes to a vote I can only be recorded as a “YES” or a “NO;” Therefore, I voted, as I always do, on the merit of the legislation put before me.

After those two special sessions, the following week (of December 19th), Gov. McCrory foolishly called the House and Senate back to Raleigh for another Special Session, just a few days before Christmas. This time the governor’s call for Special Session was to repeal Session Law 2016-3, commonly referred to as HB2 or the “Bathroom Bill.”

Remember, the governor can only call the legislature into a special session for “extraordinary purposes” under the state constitution.

Because there is nothing “extraordinary” about a local government (the City of Charlotte) disagreeing with a state law, I believe the entire special session called by Gov. McCrory was unconstitutional. Other House members agreed with me and protested, to no avail, and therefore the session went forward.

Not only do I believe this special session was out of order, I also believe this act

by Gov. McCrory and some in our legislative leadership was purely political and lacked principle. Some lawmakers and the governor claimed during this year’s campaign season that since Charlotte

started this debacle by putting the innocent in harm’s way through their unconstitutional bathroom, locker-room, and shower-related ordinance, that if they repealed the ordinance, we would discuss repealing HB2.

For the record, I never made such a claim, and I believe such a statement is irresponsible and foolish.

This issue is a perfect example of what I mean when I speak about “principles over politics.” The principle of the matter is that when Charlotte acted illegally and enacted their ordinance, it was: • Outside of their constitutional authority, as a municipality of this state • Took away the freedom to choose for every private business • Mandated a violation of one’s rights of conscience for a radical agenda • Would have legally protected men to be in restrooms and locker rooms with women and children • Would have granted unfettered access to individuals who desire to exploit the innocent in the most intimate of situations This ordinance exposed deficiencies in our state statutes that needed to be addressed, to preempt Charlotte and every other municipality in our state from taking such harmful actions.

In my four years in the state House, overreach by local governments and plugging gaps and holes within state law has consumed the majority of my time. The wrongful action by the City of Charlotte last February was another example of such overreach, which revealed a weak statute that needed strengthening for the benefit of our citizens.

With the knowledge I now have, I could not responsibly claim – as some politicians have – that if “Charlotte repeals their ordinance, then the state will repeal HB2.”

Our citizens need and deserve the protection of the existing law and it should not be weakened for any political purpose or because of economic threats.

The preservation of HB2 as state law last week required strength of convictions and endurance on the part of many of my colleagues in the General Assembly, including Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, and I am grateful for them all.

I hope you will join me in showing our appreciation for their efforts. May you have a blessed Christmas and holiday season, and a wonderful New Year.

and responsibilities of the State Board of Education.

Article IX, Section 4 (2) of our Constitution says, “The State Board of Education shall supervise and administer the free public school system and the educational funds provided for its support…and shall make all needed rules and regulations in relation thereto, subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly.” It further says, “The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall be the secretary and chief administrative officer of the State Board of Education.” It will be interesting to see how the courts view the recent actions, but our current legislature doesn’t have a good record in court decisions.

As stated earlier, power grabs are never pretty. . As a lifelong North Carolinian I have always hoped those in power would thoughtfully and judiciously use it to the

floor the accelerator. Fortunately, this vintage beauty was ahead of her time in terms of audio technology as I hungrily turn up the volume while maniacally crooning the lyrics of She’s a Little Runaway with Bon Jovi.

As irresponsible as this may seem, I silenced my phone and refused to accept any calls. About an hour into my tirade, a familiar visitor invaded my blissful escape-Guilt. She’s like a phantom, slinking into my rare moments of self-

centered joy, robbing me of small thrills such as an hour of unencumbered reading and alone time with Amazon Prime and Daniel’s credit card. Guilt, you are a demon and my wish is that you would forever be purged from the psyches of all of the hard-working moms of the world, or at least in the greater Surf City community.

I realize my good fortune and understand that, in some countries, my rebellious actions would result in a beheading or, at the very least,

fifty lashes and a mild stoning. But, moms and wives must remember that, without proper self-care, it is easy to disappear amongst the piles of laundry, homework and college tuition bills. As the new year approaches, I vow to gut-punch Guilt in her soulless gullet and hijack the red Supra a bit more often. I would encourage my fellow caregivers to do the same.

I had my first kid when I was 20 and I have been late ever since. -Amy in Bad Moms

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By Edith Batson Post & Voice Staff Writer Wonderful birth of Christ What a wonderful weekend. We enjoyed it with family and friends celebrating the birth of our Lord. Saturday night Stephen and friend Laura went with me to the 7 p.m. service at our Burgaw Presbyterian Church.

Communion was served, not only to remember His birth, but also to remember Jesus’ suffering at His death and then His resurrection.

He is coming again!

After the service, we were invited to Tommy and Sunnie’s home for ham biscuits, which is not on my salt free food list, but sometimes we need a special reward. Some of Sunnie’s friends and family members were there so we enjoyed visiting with them again. Sunday morning, Christmas day, we again were invited to Tommy and Sunnie’s home for breakfast

Campbell Continued from page 4A

and to see what Jacob and Katelyn received for Christmas.

By about 1 p.m. our stomachs were full and we were filled with the joy of celebrating our Lord’s birth.

After coming home for a rest we then traveled to Leland to the home of my niece and nephew Lynn and Gene Atkinson for dinner. There was a feast ready for a crowd of folks.

The food was delicious and served on beautiful china plates. I always used china plates until last year when I let Stephen talk me into using slick paper plates.

I’m sure Lynn was pleased because she always ended up at the sink washing real eating utensils and china plates.

The two older grandmas and great-grandmas were Johnsie Crowley and myself. We used our walkers and got along fine. I have no idea how many people were there but we surely got a lot of hugs from people we did know and people we did not know! We ate everything from collards to chocolate pound cake and enjoyed every bite. Lynn asked God’s blessing on the food and the people and God certainly provided everything in abundance.

During the afternoon on Sunday, my only brother left of five, called from Kill Devil Hills to wish us a Merry

Christmas from him and his wife, Lynda Blossom Crowley. He also asked us to wish everyone at Lynn’s house their best wishes for a Merry Christmas. I told the family I did not need anything, but batteries for flashlights would be great-so now I have a good supply. Thanks.

The abundance of Christmas cards I received was overwhelming and I appreciate them all and your thoughtfulness. I have also received some very dark lined paper on which I can write my column and actually read what I have written.

The Lions Club also left me a bag of goodies and I thank them for that. We have such nice people in Pender County, don’t we?

New Year’s resolution Do you make a New Year’s Resolution? I find that mine get broken too easily. My wish is that America will have a year of PEACE and good will to all of our people.

Red and yellow, black and white we are all precious in His sight; Jesus loves all the people of His world. God bless America.

If you have not driven to downtown Burgaw to see the lighted trees and the big tree on the Courthouse Square and the other decorations, please go. You will appreciate the work and the beauty.

Shalom!

betterment of all.

Our Republican legislature has done some good things since taking control of government. This, however, was not their finest hour.

Campbell is former assistant state treasurer and is creator/host of NC SPIN, a weekly statewide television discussion of NC issues. NC Spin airs Saturday at 7 a.m. on WILM-TV in Wilmington.

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Education

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 6A

Topsail Drama to present Hamlet Jan. 10

By Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writer The Topsail High School drama department will feature its interpretation of Hamlet Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

The play will be held at the Kenneth I. Lanier Performing Arts Center at Topsail High School. The unconventional adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet will incorporate a fusion of old and moder n English.

The advanced acting class at Topsail High will be putting on the production. The cost of admission will be $5 at the door, and the performance will be held one night only.

Topsail High School drama teacher Alecia Scheiber said that she thinks the modernized version of the play will help the audience gain a better understanding and grasp on the plotline; while staying true to the five acts and to Shakespeare’s intentions.

The play is set entirely in modern day Denmark. The drama students collaborated with the digital media and English departments for interpretations, and to prepare projections instead of scen-

ery for a more contemporary and interesting effect.

“It’s really graduate level work,” began Scheiber. “These students are doing absolutely amazing. I definitely think it is put into terms that the audience will understand and appreciate; and I think they’re going to come out with some definite emotion and feeling when they leave, after seeing this piece. I really think it’s like a piece of art, the way that we’ve done it.”

The students have practiced during class time and after-school rehearsals for a number of weeks. Scheiber said that this will be the first Shakespeare play that the class has tackled.

Although they knew it would be a challenge, the class didn’t want to do just traditional Shakespeare.

They wanted the audience to understand that, in their collective opinion, Shakespeare is timeless and can be put it into any time period. They could see that the plotlines are relevant to things that happen in our world today, and sought to share that view with their audience.

“That’s why we wanted to

modernize it, so that people could see it’s just not about Elizabethan theater. This is something that I think can continuously be done for generations to come. Many modern day movies and adaptations have been made.

Obviously, The Lion King is the biggest reference we can make for Hamlet. Most people don’t recognize that many of the characters are based from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. I think that’s kind of interesting,” said Scheiber.

“The students, when we voted on this play, were very unsure of it, and now they have 100 percent bought into it. I think they have enjoyed this process, they want to do the best that they can, and they continue to grow this show for the sake of the audience. I believe that for them to get to feel and experience what they’ve been experiencing as we’ve gone through this rehearsal process is really cool.

“To get high school teenagers excited about a Shakespeare play, I think that’s been the biggest initial struggle.

We have moved past it and grown this play with leaps

and bounds. It’s definitely going to be an interesting thing to come and see.”

Topsail senior Alex Greene, who will be playing the part of Hamlet, is looking forward to the production.

“Simply put, the privilege of acting and directing in Hamlet has been the best part of my entire high school experience. I vividly remember having to beg my peers to even consider such a play.

A group of us fought for, and finally Hamlet won a class vote 18 to 16,” Greene said.

“Our class has owned this play. I’ve seen kids go from

being adamantly against even speaking Shakespeare’s name to coming into class every day thrilled to simultaneously develop their characters and their comprehension of one of the greatest plays ever published. Speaking as a student director, this will go down as one of the greatest plays ever done by Topsail High’s drama department.

“We have taken a play typically presented by professional actors, technicians, and directors and are - as a high school, providing a play with a level of quality far above what anyone could

possibly expect. This play forces its cast and crew to grow; and every individual in our class has grown as a result, as performers and as people. We have modernized and interpreted this play with maturity and grace. I would never have imagined that we could have come this far.

From the title character to the castle’s guards to the lighting and sound crew, each and every student has exceeded even the wildest of expectations.

I’m anxiously waiting for the curtain so that Topsail High can show the community just how far we’ve come!”

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Autumn Raine Chavis CURRIE -- Autumn Raine Chavis, age 12, all too soon left her earthly life on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.

She was bor n Sept. 13, 2004 in Knoxville, the beloved daughter of Eric Shane Chavis and Jennifer Schery Robinson.

Autumn is survived by her father, Eric Chavis (Alasha); mother, Jennifer Robinson (Derrick); sisters, Dakota Reign Chavis and Madison Likos; special cousins, Justin Corbett, Steven “Bubba�

Chavis, Jaden Corbett, and Tristan Chavis; grandparents, Angela Chavis (Teyko), Craven Chavis, and Barbara Stoddard (Gary); great grandparents; Shirley Hubbard, Ed and Edna Gray; devoted aunts and uncles, Jamie and Jonathan Corbett, Windy Chavis (Tony Woodcock), Uncle Steed, Bobby and Marilyn Hubbard, and Tony and Mary Hubbard; uncles, Zack, Cory, Kameron,

Weaver

Continued from page 4A every night, unless he has more pressing business. The cats simply move over a few inches and make another place at the table. By being mannerly, everyone gets plenty to eat and a warm nest on the porch. Once again, we humans can learn a lot from possums – what more does one need than a full belly and a safe, warm bed?

Possums growl and hiss and bare their impressive mouths full of teeth (more than any other North American mammal, if you’re interested), but as ferocious as they seem, they are decidedly unaggressive when left alone.

They’re also the least likely of all mammals to contract, carry or spread rabies, due to their low body temperature.

Year review

Continued from page 3A an extended period of time.

With no funds available for a magistrate in the Hampstead area, the Virtual Magistrate pro g ram may of fer some help.

The program uses online technology to allow access to a magistrate. Pender County Sheriff Carson Smith says the program is good, but it is also limited in what it can do. “The best solution is if the state would fund a magistrate for Hampstead,� Smith said.

Maple Hill man charged with sex crime Investig ators with the Pender County Sheriff ’s Of-

Obituaries

Shawn, and Michael; aunts, Lisa, Dayna, and Kristin.

Autumn was in the sixth grade at West Pender Middle School.

Autumn was known by many folks as a social butterfly. Having a contagious smile, Autumn never met a stranger.

She loved to play basketball, especially being coached by her daddy. There never was a stray with Autumn around as she had a special love for cats and all animals. She loved to play dress-up and her laughter would echo throughout. When Autumn would enter any room everyone would know she was there.

She loved to play and teach her two sisters, Maddy and Dakota, fun things. She also knew how to be a true tomboy, getting into lots of mischief, with her cousin, Justin. Autumn loved to do Mommydaughter days with her mom.

Jennifer started reading to Autumn at an early age which led to a love of reading that continued as a hobby. Autumn was loved and will be missed by her family and many friends.

A memorial service, a tribute to the awesome life of Autumn Raine Chavis was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 19685 U.S. Hwy. 421, Watha. The Rev. Gardner Eakins and The Rev. Sam Lance conducted the service.

Shared memories and con-

dolences may be sent to the family at www.quinnmcgowen.com. The family was served by Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 7A

Funeral Home Wallace Chapel with funeral service at noon. Pastor David Knowles conducted the service. Burial followed in Riverview Memorial Park.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.quinnmcgowen.com. The family was served by Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Burgaw.

Nathan Henry Wells Nathan Henry Wells, 86, passed gently from his earth life on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center.

He was born Nov. 2, 1930 in Pender County, the son of the late Arthur Graham and Liddie Rivenbark Wells. Also preceding Nathan in death are his brothers, Allen Wells and W.E. Wells.

Nathan is survived by his wife of 60 years. Annette Taylor Wells; daughters, Teresa Wells Steel and Kim Blackburn (Michael); son, Stuart Wells; grandchildren Scott Rivenbark (Sarah), Grant Rivenbark (Angela), Ty Harts, and Amy Harts; great grandchildren, Taylor Riven-

bark, Charleigh Rivenbark and Cody Rivenbark; sister, Delores Chadwick; brothers, Johnnie Wells (Julia) and J. P. Wells (Sophie); and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Nathan served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was retired from Pender County School System, working for many years as an auto mechanic teacher at Pender High School. His love of teaching showed as he was an outstanding, dedicated teacher. After retirement Nathan began another love in life, playing golf.

First and foremost Nathan was a Christian and lived his life according to Christian principles. Serving Penderlea Baptist Church in many capacities, Nathan was church treasurer for 28 years and a deacon. Most recently he attended Willard Baptist Church. His family was another joy in his life as he was a devoted husband and wonderful daddy, granddaddy, brother and friend. Nathan lived a sharing, caring and blessed life. His passing leaves a tremendous void in our lives. We miss Nathan more than words can express, but take comfort that he is resting in the arms of Jesus and we that we will see him again.

The family received friends at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 at Quinn-McGowen

Arnold Lee Caison WALLACE -- Arnold Lee Caison, 82, of Wallace died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, after a long illness. Arnold was born Oct. 4, 1932 in Watha, the son of the late Archie and Agnes Caison.

Arnold was preceded in death by Trudi, his wife of 50 years, his parents, his brother Allen and his wife Nadia, his sister Alice Phelps and her husband Dan Phelps, his brothers-in-law James Williamson and Linwood Howard, his sister-in-law Rachel Caison, and his daughterin-law Mari Carmen Ortiz.

He is survived by his sisters Annette Williamson and Faye Howard of Wilmington, and his brother Ray Caison and wife Alice of Burgaw. Also surviving are his sons and daughters – his son Brent and his wife Lena of Chapel Hill, his son Glen of Alcala de Henares, Spain, his daughter Angela Kirby and her husband Eddie of Chapel Hill, and his daughter Linda Wal-

lace and her husband Cal of Chapel Hill. He is survived by seven grandchildren – Melody and Alex Ortiz, Ashleigh and Emma Caison, Ben and Celeste Kirby, and Bridget Wallace.

Arnold was a teacher in the Pender County school system for 30 years. In addition to his career as an English teacher, a shop teacher, and a vocational specialist, he was an Ar my soldier, railroad employee, carpenter, roofer, cabinet maker, wood craftsman, house builder, installer of all things, dulcimer maker, boat repairer, part-time Santa, EMT volunteer, gardener, farmer, coin collector, genealogy expert, photographer, expert puzzle-solver, automotive expert, pun-creator, and cook. He instilled in his family his belief that it’s always better to be kind.

Memorial service was held at 1p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 at United Christian Fellowship Church with Pastor Edward Dowd officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physician’s Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401, or to the charity of your choice.

You may send condolences the family at www.quinnmcgowen.com. The family was served by Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Wallace

That low temp also prevents them from thriving in the northern states, thus showing even more reason to respect the lowly possum over the average Yankee.

I have waxed prosaically, if not poetically, about the work ethic of possums exceeding that of many people, but I cannot emphasize it enough: when a possum is “born,� he or she is barely more than a fetus. After a comparatively few days in the womb, said “pinks� must make their way to their mother’s pouch; in times of plenty, there can be as many as 17 babies fighting to get to the mother’s 13 teats. Only the strongest survive that first test, as well as the constant threat of predators, vehicles, and simply falling off and being forgotten.

As they grow up and reach the equivalent of a human six year old, the mother possum will continue to groom and

carry them when possible – but said young are also working for a living, and are often lost or forgotten because they couldn’t keep up.

By the time they are the equivalent of a high school senior, Mother Possum has nothing more to do with her young. It’s time to work for living and make your own way, without a safe place, a safety pin, or concern over hurtful words. I doubt many of the Snowflake Generation could survive the human equivalent of a possum’s life, since coyotes, bobcats, dogs, owls, hawks, snakes and cars really don’t care about hurt feelings.

However, the Snowflakes might have gotten some of their ideas from possums – since Mama Possum carries her babies in a pouch for much of their young lives, someone naturally decided to study carrying humans in pouches. Turns out those kids adapted better than their

non-faux marsupial contemporaries. No word on how the faux-marsupial human moms felt about the study.

Another recent possum study – yes, there are quite a few of those – has discovered that possums develop a condition very similar to Alzheimer’s in human beings. Anyone who has cared for a loved one stricken with this horrible disease understands the desperation to do something, anything to cure it or at least prevent someone from suffering such in the future.

Possums who reach three to four years of age often begin suffering from impaired mental function, such as forgetting how to forage for food or escape from predators. Scientists are now studying the progression of their problems in hopes of helping humans. A number of chemical and physiological changes seen in humans is almost duplicated in pos-

sums suffering from dementia, providing doctors with good data which may someday help humans.

Of course, possums help humans even outside of the research lab; they remind us that we are too spoiled for our own good in many regards, from food to shelter to getting along with others.

The next time you see a possum – at least one that makes it across the road – tip your

hat and pay your respects.

After all, without our pouched friends, we might not approach societal chaos, but the world wouldn’t be anywhere near as nice of a place.

Indeed, can you imagine world without possums? Pray we never have to experience such.

Jefferson Weaver is a columnist with the Post & Voice. Contact him at jeffersonweaver@ nrcolumbus.com.

fice have charted Johnny Ray Carlton Jr., 40, of Maple Hill, with several sex offenses involving a minor child Nov. 11.

He is charged with one count each of statutory sex offense with a child by an adult, indecent liberties with a child and sexual battery.

Commissioners approve funding for Penderlea, Surf City school projects The Pender County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution during Monday’s meeting, giving notice to the Board of Education to proceed on the Penderlea and Surf City school bond projects.

Commissioners approved funding for a new Penderlea School building that will include a new gym and cafeteria. Commissioners also

approved funding for the new Surf City K-8 school for 1, 213 students. “This has been a time crunch from the beginning, but I think we are going to have a better product in the long run,� said Pender County

Commissioner David Williams.

The Board will revisit the Surf City project in January and consider additional funding to expand the school’s capacity to more than 1, 500 students.

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December 22nd, Crossword Solution

Pender Sports

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 8A

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In My Opinion

By Bobby Norris Post & Voice Sports Writer

Brunswick Sheriff’s Tournament

Pirates rout Wolfpack, Gators to win tourney

By Lee Wagner Post & Voice Sports Writer Last Tuesday at Brunswick Community College, the Topsail basketball team did something no Pirate boys’ team has done in quite some time – the Pirates brought home a championship trophy.

Kodiak Nestor-Dowling scored 13 points (11 rebounds) and Alec Baker scored 15 points and boards) as Topsail defeated East Columbus 67-42 to capture the championship of the Brunswick County Sheriff ’s Office Christmas Tournament.

Nestor-Dowling confirmed that the Pirates have not won in his four years in the program, and Coach Jamie Rochelle – a former Topsail player – said he didn’t remember ever bringing home a championship trophy.

This one appeared in doubt for most of the first half as the Gators (4-6) hung tough throughout thanks to the efforts of Alex Moore and Travin Squires. Moore had all 12 of his points over the first 16 minutes, and Squires had seven of his nine. Topsail led 13-10 after the opening stanza and 29-25 at halftime.

An 11-5 run to open the second half provided the impetus for a huge third quarter as the Pirates (6-4) outscored East Columbus 25-6 to take a commanding 54-33 lead entering the final period.

Nestor-Dowling had eight of his 13 points in that third period with Owen Ellis (seven points, 12 rebounds) adding four and Baker chipping in with five.

“This feels great, it’s the first time in my high-school career,” Nestor-Dowling said.

“These two teams weren’t the caliber of Laney and Hoggard it is two good wins and different people stepped up each night. Tonight I was the beneficiary of some excellent passes, and that’s a result of our efforts in practice to play together, more as a team.”

The closest the Gators could get in the fourth quarter was 18 at the 6:03 mark.

Caleb Bloodworth followed up a strong game against Whiteville with six points, and Jarris Long and Brandon Lofton each added five off the bench.

“It was a good two days,” Rochelle said. “Both wins were really good and I thought we played well. The first half we a little bogged down, offensively, but in the second half we came out and put it away right away.

“We changed up our defense against them and they didn’t handle it too well. We got some turnovers and some great shots, and we did a really good job of moving without the ball. This was a really good win. We have a Christmas tournament next week, then we have to pick it up and

play like this when we get back into conference.

Baker had 33 points and Tartaglione and Bloodworth each added 11 points as the Pirates advanced to the final with a 69-49 win over Whiteville.

Baker broke out of a twogame slump in a big way, hitting five three-pointers and connecting on 14-of-19 from the charity stripe.

“That was a great win, they are a super-athletic team, and they have a kid on their team (Tyrell Kirk) who is attracting attention from D-I teams and we knew coming in he was their go-to guy,” Rochelle said. “After the two ugly losses we had this was a much-needed win. I told the guys everybody needed to chip in and the only goal was to get a win tonight.”

It certainly helped that Baker found his range after two tough-shooting games.

“Alec was primed to have a big game, he broke out of it,” Rochelle said. “He had some pretty open shots tonight and he played his heart out.”

Topsail actually trailed 13-8 after the opening quarter as Whiteville’s Cameron Smith and Phillip Powell evenly split 8 points in leading the Wolfpack to a 13-8 led. That string ended in the second period as Baker accounted for 11 points and Ellis (9) added three in leading the Pirates to an 18-13 advantage that

tied the game at 26-26 heading into the intermission.

A 7-4 run to open the second half opened a gap of 3328 before a 15-5 run to end the third quarter helped the Pirates to a 48-33 advantage with eight minutes to go.

Baker had five, Tartaglione had five, and Ellis had five to spark the two runs.

Whiteville put on an active full-court press in the fourth period but could only get to within 10 (51-41) once with 5:16 remaining. The press also resulted in several fouls being committed by Wolfpack players, and the Pirates made them pay. Baker hit 9-of-12 free throws and Bloodworth converted on 5-of-6 as the Pirates held the Wolfpack at bay.

“I wasn’t being aggressive enough the last couple of games and coach told me I wasn’t attacking the basket,” Baker said. “But they (Whiteville) were letting me have my shots tonight. We got behind a bit early on but we just stayed focused and they didn’t really shoot that well (19-for-68; 27.9 percent) and we did a lot better.”

The Topsail boys and girls were at East Columbus for the Gators’ Holiday Tournament with South Columbus, Pender, Roxboro Community and host East Columbus. Both teams played South Columbus in the opening round.

Almost every high school athlete dreams of making it big. They hope to get a scholarship and attend college.

The dream does not stop there. They want to become the next Michael Jordan or Stef Curry. While I don’t want to discourage anyone who dreams the dream, I want to make sure that these young folk know that no matter how good you are on the court of field, if you don’t do the class work you don’t see the field.

For the female athlete there are very few full athletic scholarships available. Most Universities do not have an abundance of scholarships to offer a volleyball player or a softball player.

In fact, if you talk to many of the young ladies from our area that played sports in college they will tell you that they were offered a partial scholarship.

The rest was either paid out of their pockets or was paid via student loans.

My old buddy Ron Watson’s daughter Marie was a 4A star in softball. She played at Hoggard and went to the state championship.

Topsail Sports Roundup

By Lee Wagner Post & Voice Sports Writer Things were a bit quiet last week as the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays approached but the track teams, the wrestling team, and the gymnastic squad managed to get some action on the Saturday before Christmas Eve. Track and field The Pirates and Lady Pirates took a trip on Saturday (Dec. 17) to Winston-Salem for the JDL North Carolina Runners Holiday Invitational.

Starting the effort was the girls’ 4x200-meter relay team of Maliea Moore, Aneshia Jordan, Traylin Magliocco, and Madison Lofton which won their heat in 1:57 – just one second off the state qualifying time.

Post & Voice Top Performers of 2016

By Bobby Norris Post & Voice Sports Writer 2016 was a very interesting year in sports for Pender County. From the historic run that the Heide Trask Titan football team made to the duo of state track and field champions, the county was represented well. The Post & Voice sports staff would like to recognize the top performers of 2016. This is the top performers of 2016.

The Trask football team had never finished the year with a winning record. That came to an end this year as the 2016 version of the Titans wiped away over a decade of subpar records with a 7-5 mark.

The Titan gridiron gladiators started the year off with a 4-0 record including a big win over Topsail in the first game of the season. The Ti-

tans won the mythical county championship and finished a school best fourth in the Four County Conference. The Titans season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs at the hands of Union. One note of interest. The Titans lost to Union in the first round of the playoffs. The Spartans were given a higher seed than the Titans despite the fact that Trask had beaten them during the regular season and finished with an identical record in conference play.

The Topsail Lady Pirate softball team went into the year with a lot of promise and delivered as was expected.

The Lady Pirates got off to an 11-0 start before losing a tough game to the 4A Cape Fear Colts in the Hoggard Tournament. Coach Jay Abston’s crew went on to win the Mid-Eastern Conference title with an 11-1 record and went four rounds deep before losing in three games to CB Aycock.

It should be noted that Ab-

ston and his assistant coach Steven White left after the season along with standout seniors Keri White and Danielle Parks.

The Heide Trask Lady Titans also had a great season.

The Lady Titan squad went 22-5 overall and 13-1 in conference play and won the Four County Conference title for the third consecutive year.

The Lady Titans went into the playoffs shorthanded with the loss of all-conference pitcher A.J. Johnson. Trask

She was the real deal, a lefthander that could throw the softball hard and hit it with power. She did everything well. Marie Watson was a Division One prospect for sure.

When it came time for her to decide where she was going to attend college she was offered by several schools. However, like most female athletes, she was offered a partial athletic scholarship. Marie was one of the smart ones. She had excellent grades and was given an academic scholarship as well.

She played Division One softball and graduated from Appalachian State. She has taught school and is very successful. Without that academic scholarship she may well have had to get a student loan. Most people will tell you that a student loan is the last resort.

If you are a female student-athlete with an eye toward college you will need to keep your grades up and study extra hard. It really does not matter how good you are on the court or in the field. What really matters is that GPA and SAT score. Without the grades you are just an athlete.

Without the student in front of the word athlete you will never make it in college.

I know many young men and women from Pender County that have earned their degree as a studentathlete. They all say the same thing. Make sure that you have the grades. Going into college with an inflated GPA is a recipe for failure.

It’s all about the grades.

coach Corrina Reece leaned on sophomore pitcher Brittany Foy and the right hander delivered. Trask went three rounds deep before falling to a powerful North Duplin.

It should noted that Reece stepped down after the season and will be with the team in a limited capacity this season.

The Titans lost eight seniors off of that team to graduation.

Topsail Lady Pirate tennis standout Caroline Harris earned a trip to the regional tennis meet after having a superb season as the Lady Pirates number one player. Miss Harris won the Mid-Eastern Conference title and went to the regionals. She lost in the semi-finals of the 3A regional meet but earned a trip to the state finals.

Harris lost in the first round of the state tournament ending an excellent run

Jordan improved her time in the 55-meter dash to 7.95, and Magliocco had a personalbest time of 8.3 in that event.

Lofton finished 23 overall out of 74 runners in the 500-meter run, placing her as the fifthfastest girl in the 3A division.

Moore placed at 30 in the long jump (11-11.75) and Magliocco was 23 in the triple jump (27-6).

Also for the Lady Pirates, Makenzi Clement was 18 in the shot put (26-8), Isabella Hayes was 32 in the long jump (10-7, Alexis Walsh was 41 in the 1,000 (3:59.3) and 45 in the 1,600 (6:51.42), Jacqueline Quinones was 44 in the 55-hurdles (12.3), and the 4x400 relay was 17 (4:50.84).

On the boys’ side, Adam

Continued on page 9A

for the junior standout.

The Trask men’s basketball team had a great season under the tutelage of veteran Head Coach Rodney Orr. The Titans came out of the gate on fire. They were 21-1 before falling to East Bladen on February 2nd.

The Titans won the Four County Conference title with a 12-2 record and advanced to the third round of the playoffs before losing to South Creek.

Titan senior Tynaffitt Davis was named the conference player of the year. The Titans had three players named to the all-conference team.

Pender senior track and field standout Tanazca Simpson won the state championship in the shot put. The junior strong woman won the Four County Conference title

Continued on page 9A

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 9A

Topsail Youth Lacrosse Association grows, promotes sport in the area

By Lee Wagner Post & Voice Sports Writer One of the fastest-growing sports in Southeastern North Carolina – and across the country – is lacrosse, and the Topsail Youth Lacrosse Association is not only helping promote and teach the sport, they are helping Topsail High School as it strives to become more competitive in the tough Mid-Eastern 3A/4A Conference against predominantly larger schools with more established programs.

Erin Hinson is the secretary for the organization and she became “hooked” on the sport through her oldest son, who played at Topsail when they initiated the lacrosse program. She now has two younger children in the youth organization.

“Lacrosse brings a different set of skills to sports than football or some of the other sports,” Hinson said. “It requires a great deal of physical fitness because you are constantly on the move on the field and, unlike football, kids of all sizes can play.

“It’s actually a lot like basketball because you have set plays and it requires excellent hand-eye coordination.’

Hinson, through e-mails, posed several questions to association President Gary Greco so people can become more familiar with the sport, and help them decide if it provides a different path into athletics for their children.

Greco’s responses to those questions are as follows: s(OW DID THE ASSOCIATION get started? “With the explosion of lacrosse at the national level a handful of kids got together and decided to give it a try. With the support of local parents and a few local sponsors they tried their hand at lacrosse and secured some field space. After a while, and with some online advertising, a few people who

were experienced in the game got involved and were instrumental in bringing Topsail youth lacrosse to the next level. With the help of an associate from U. S. Lacrosse our cub now aligns with the same structure as other local clubs across the country.” s(OW IS THE ASSOCIATION feeding the high school?

“Most of the players on the high-school team are a product of Topsail Youth Lacrosse, we are the feeder for the high school. The high school coaches have been instrumental in our success and we work closely with the administration in maintaining our club synergy so both organizations have the same goal. From fundraising opportunities, to clinics we run, to sharing field space as well as capital equipment, we work together because we have the kids’ best interests at heart.” s7HAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF the league? “Safety first! We pride ourselves on the safety factor which shows the sportsman ship we instill in our players. Almost all of our coaches and staff have been certified with CPR and first aid as well the fact we have an on-site defibrillator every game, and our staff has been trained. Our goal is to grow lacrosse within North Carolina and produce qualify athletes, not only on an athletic basis, but academically. Our goal is to create a family atmosphere where we can take the fastest game on two feet and have our children learn the game as well as lifelong lesion such as working as a team. Another goal of the club is to get the local community involved. When we first started it was over $300 per player and this year we got it down to $110 thanks to local support, fundraising, and cooperate sponsors.” s7HY LACROSSE VERSUS OTHer sports? It’s not a question

of why lacrosse versus other sports. Lacrosse is a great sport that can be played in the off-season of other sports.

We work with other local teams that we share athletes with, we work around other’s schedules and maintain a cordial relationship with each club. At the same time we do our best to offer lacrosse programs throughout the year to ensure athletes maintain their stick skills.” s7HAT TEAMS WILL LACROSSE have? “We do our best not to leave any player behind. U. S. Lacrosse has adjusted the age groups and we offer lacrosse to any player between the ages of 7 and 15 for the spring session. And we are proud to not only have a boys’ game but an award-winning girls’ program as well.” s7HEN DOES THE LEAGUE start? “Depending on which team you are on practices will be held at either North Topsail Elementary School or behind the high school.

Our home field for game is beautiful Kiwanis Park. Our registrations are currently open and you can visit our registration page at www. topsaillax.org. You will need a U. S. Lacrosse membership for $25. Registration closes Jan. 15 and practices start the last week in January. We will have a parent meeting probably the week we comeback after the holidays at the Topsail Middle School, and we will advertise that on our website as well.”

There will be a “Learn about Lacrosse” information session Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. at a location to be determined.

There will also be a clinic Jan. 7 for children born between Sept. 1 2006 and Aug. 31 2010 at a field to be determined. Both times and locations will be posted on the association website.

For more information on the association go to www. topsaillax.org.

Registration open for Surf City youth basketball league With game play not slated to start until Jan. 7, Surf City Youth Basketball still has limited openings in all divisions, including the only area U-6 league. All play is co-ed and divisional practices are underway.

The winter season is for players from four to 11 of age and all games and practices take place at the Surf City Community Center, 201 Community Center Drive. The U-6 Division will practice and play Friday nights (with slots between 5-7

Adams looks to improve for the Lady Titans

By Bobby Norris Post & Voice Sports Writer The Heide Trask Lady Titan basketball program has fallen on hard times as of late.

With a new coach and a bevy of first year players, this year may be the most difficult of the lean years.

The Lady Titan roster does have a few players with experience. One of those players is guard Eve Adams.

Eve Adams is a sophomore charged with being one of the more experienced players on the team. She has the ability to handle the ball as well as play tough defense for the young team.

With the team void of experience, Miss Adams will have to fill the important role of team leader. She will have to help the team navigate through the tough times at hand.

The Titans main goal is to improve nightly. Eve Adams is already showing improvement. She hopes to become the go-to player for the Titans.

pm) while U-8, U-10 and U-12 play on Saturday mornings and practice one time per week, after the first of the year. Older age groups will play in Teen Basketball in the spring.

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Eve Adams

Heide Trask High School

INTREPID HARDWARE Intrepid Square 8206 Hwy. 117 Rocky Point, NC 910-675-1157

The fee is $30 for U-6, $40 for U-18 and U-10 and $50 for U-12 and all registration is through www. s u r f c i t y p a rk s a n d r e c. com. Coaches are also welcome to register since a number of teams still need head or assistant coaches for the upcoming season. Extensive basketball experience is not necessary.

For more information please contact Surf City Parks and Recreation at (910) 328-4887, or e-mail athletics@townofsurfcity.com.

Sullivan makes big strides for the Lady Pirates

By Bobby Norris Post & Voice Sports Writer When the Topsail Lady Pirates entered the 2016-17 basketball season they knew that they were short on numbers and would need to get the most out of each player on the roster. Coach Andrew Ellington’s roster listed nine players including three sophomores and a freshman among the nine players listed.

Freshman Julia Sullivan has become a very good rebounder on the team and is on a fast pace to becoming a factor in the Pirates chances for success in the tough Mid-Eastern 4A-3A Conference.

Although Sullivan is averaging just over three points a game, her biggest contribution has been on the boards. She is second on the team in rebounding and is rapidly improving all parts of her game.

With three more years to play for the Pirates, Julia Sullivan is on the fast track to becoming an outstanding player for the Lady Pirates.

Photo contributed

The Topsail Youth Lacrosse Association will hold an information session Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. and a clinic Jan. 7. Check the association’s website, www.topsaillax.org for more information.

Performers

Continued from page 8A and the regional meet before ending the year with the state title.

The Topsail baseball team was supposed to be competitive. However, no one could have predicted the season that the team would have under the direction of interim coach Chris Blake.

The Pirates were without suspended and now departed coach Granville Gehris.

Blake guided the team to a 22-12 season and a third place finish in the tough mid-Eastern Conference standings.

The Pirates went on an improbable run through the 3A playoffs.

Topsail went into the playoffs as a 17 seed. They beat Cleveland County, the top seed in the east in the second

Roundup

Continued from page 8A Hart was 5 in the shot put (461-1/2) – advancing him as the third-best shot putter in 3A – Justin Buress finished ninth with a personal-best 41-2, and Austin Brigance was 18 (36-21/2). There were 49 competitors in the event.

Bryce Dillon was 28 (1:4.22) and Noah Dansby was 44 (1:18.81) out of 59 runners in the 500-meter run, and the 4x400 relay team finished at 15 (3:56.72).

The track teams are back

The Pender-Topsail Post & Voice presents this week’s

Athlete Spotlight

Julia Sullivan

Topsail High School

The Media of Record for the People of Pender County 108 W. Wilmington St. • Burgaw, NC 910.259.9111 www.post-voice.com e-mail: posteditor@post-voice.com

round and the 24 seed Triton in the third round. They earned a trip to the regional finals where they beat a game Corinth Holders squad in a very exciting three game series.

Topsail made it all the way to the state championship where they played Marvin Ridge.

The Pirates won game one 6-3 behind the pitching of senior Payton Rice. The team was poised to take game two and the championship. Marvin Ridge won game two 10-0 and beat the Pirates 10-7 to end the teams miracle run.

One note of interest. Blake is not the Pirates coach going into the 2017 season.

Heide Trask Titan speedster Desire Brown came into her high school career with tons of hoopla. She was expected to win a state title before she left the Rocky Point school. Through her first

three years she won conference and regional titles but did not win a state championship. That all changed during her senior year.

Brown won the conference and regional titles and appeared poised to make another run at a state title. The senior speedster finally found that elusive state championship. She did it in not one but two events at the North Carolina State 1A track and field meet.

Desire won the 200 meter run with a time of 25.32 seconds. The Pender County speedster ran a sub one minute 400 meter sprint to take the gold in that event as well.

Desire finished her high school track career off with three conference titles, three regional titles and two state titles. She was also a member of the 4x400 meter relay team that finished second in the state.

at it on Jan. 4 at White Oak. Wrestling The Pirates were at the Titan Invitational at Trask on Dec. 17, finishing 2-3 in five matches. Topsail beat Pender (48-18) and Clinton (42-30) and fell to South Brunswick (5428), Ashley (40-33), and the host Titans (45-33).

Nathan Bray (106) was undefeated on the day with three wins by pin, one by forfeit, and a 16-1 technical fall win against Pender. Nathan Matinez (145) was also 5-0 with four wins by pin to go along with a forfeit.

Dylan Barras (126) finished the day with four wins,

and Zaryeon McRae (132), Caleb Marshburn (170), and Ethan Rivenbark (120) each won three times.

The Pirates will be the hosts this Friday (Dec. 30) for the Pirate Duals beginning at 9 a.m.

Gymnastics The gymnasts are off until next year when they travel to Raleigh on Friday (Jan. 6) for their next meet.

Swimming Next up for the Pirate teams is a Mid-Eastern 3A/4A Conference meet on Friday (Jan. 6) at Brunswick Community College.

Kea looking for an edge for the Pender Patriots

By Bobby Norris Post & Voice Sports Writer When junior athlete Josh Kea finished the 2016 football season he knew that in order for him to be a success in the future he had to find a way to further his abilities both physically mentally.

After some thought he decided that the best way to that was to don a singlet and step onto the wrestling mat for the Pender Patriots.

Josh got a late start but has jumped into the sport with all the vim and vigor that he gives the sport of football.

Although he admits that he is facing a large learning curve as a first year grappler he is not backing down from the challenge.

“This is a tough sport,” said Kea. “I think it will be good for me as a football player.”

Although Kea wants to be a success on the mat, he knows that his time on the mat will help elevate his game on the gridiron.

A River Runs by Me Photography presents this week’s

Athlete Spotlight

Josh Kea

Pender High School

910.470.9561 910.470.9561

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 10A

Bill Howard Outdoors

By Bill Howard Post & Voice Columnist When I was younger, just as everyone reading this column, Christmas morning was all about the toys. Yes, Santa was kind enough to leave a few clothes so I could look all neat and new when school started back after another week, but the toys were the main attraction.

One year Santa left a drum set. I am sure my parents would have liked to have thought that conversation with Santa over again.

One year, I got a bike. Now I loved my bike. That was my ticket to freedom as a pre-teen.

Unfortunately, that particular

Christmas I grabbed that yellow and blue beauty and took off to my friends; houses almost immediately. Why is that unfortunate? You see, I lived in what we called ‘the country’ and my closest neighbors were roughly a mile away by dirt paths through the woods and by the lake. It also was somewhere in the 20’s (degrees not years, I am not that old) and after realizing all my friends were gone to their grandparents my extremities were close to frostbitten.

And one Christmas, I got another really cool gift, a Daisy BB gun. At least we called it a BB gun. It was actually a BB air rifle if you want to be technical. It also could shoot pellets, which we called a pellet gun.

It didn’t take long for me to figure out that while only one pump of the fore-stock was needed to fire the awesome invention of mechanical premanhood, that the more you could pump it the more powerful the blast of that small brass colored ball bearing would be.

Oh Santa, you really out did yourself that year.

That BB gun taught me a

lot about firearms. It gave me confidence in using a gun. It taught me how to set a sight.

It taught me how to hold a firearm steady and secure in order to improve my accuracy. It is hard to believe an inanimate object would turn out to be such a good teacher.

I knew that gun (yes, even though it is technically a rifle, I will always call it a gun) inside and out. I knew three pumps would hit 1½ inches higher than two pumps from the light pole to the fence. I never shot with just one pump after I learned the secret.

I knew if I ran out of BBs I could use the small red berries that grew on the plants along Mr. and Mrs. Morgan’s chicken coops in their place as they were roughly the same size of a BB. Of course, they wouldn’t fly as far as they were much lighter and after leaving the muzzle of the barrel would

By Nate Toering Special to the Post & Voice A quiet walk on the trail is a wonderful way to spend a beautiful winter afternoon. Moores Creek National Battlefield has two walking trails which are more than a mile in length combined.

In addition to the trails, the battlefield also has a public picnic shelter and numerous grills to cook on. Unless you are scheduling a large event, all activities this winter are free of charge.

America the Beautiful Passes There are several different types of passes available which allow entry into National Parks and other public lands. Active Duty military can receive a free annual pass with valid military ID. With proof of a valid disability, free lifetime access passes are also available.

Seniors (those aged 62 and above) can receive a lifetime pass for just $10 – a price which may be going up in the near future. We also have annual passes available for purchase, which grant unlimited entry into certain public lands for just $80 a year. Field Trips and groups The National Park Service can provide interpretive programs for school groups and

Agenda Board of County Commissioners Meeting Tuesday, January 3, 2017 @ 4:00 PM Pender County Public Assembly Room 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC

other large events upon request. Staffing is limited – particularly during the winter months, so events must be scheduled in advance. Park Rangers can provide up to an hour long program about varying aspects of the park’s natural, cultural and historic relevance.

Junior Ranger program The Junior Ranger Program is a fun way to explore the park. Although the program is designed for those ages 5 to 13, everyone is welcome to participate. There are three different booklets depending on the age of the participant. Booklets and assistance with the Junior Ranger program are available at the park Visitor Center. Completing the program allows Junior Rangers to earn a pencil, bookmark and patch.

Most importantly, the process concludes with taking the Junior Ranger pledge and earning their Moores Creek Junior Ranger badge.

The park is open 9 a.m.until 5 p.m. seven days a week, excluding federal holidays. The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information on things to do in your park this winter, call the National Park Service at 910-283-5591, ex.

2234.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

INVOCATION

3.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

5.

PUBLIC INFORMATION Recognition of Emergency Management Personnel, Pender Fire and EMS, and the County Sheriff for their Dedication during and after Hurricane Matthew.

5.2.

Purchase of a 2017 Ford F550 4x4 4 Door Crew Cab by the Atkinson Fire Department.

5.3.

Quarterly Report on the Pender ABC System Involving Financial Information and Other Progress.

6.

PUBLIC COMMENT

7.

CONSENT AGENDA

8.

9.

7.1.

Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting: December 5, 2016.

7.2.

Approval of Tax Releases and Refunds.

7.3.

Approval of a FY 2016-2017 Budget Ordinance to Appropriate Revenues and Expenditures for School Construction Projects.

7.4.

Approval of a Budget Amendment to Increase Department of Social Services Revenues and Expenditures for Fiscal Year 2016-2017: Day Care: $6,241.

7.5.

Approval of a Budget Ordinance Amendment Increasing Library Revenue and Expenditures: $1,500.

APPROVALS AND RESOLUTIONS 8.1.

Approval of the Revised Bylaws for the Pender County Tourism Development Authority.

8.2.

Resolution Authorizing a Budget Ordinance Amendment and Approving a Professional Services Contract and Purchase Order to S&ME for Construction Materials Testing on the Solid Waste Convenience Site Relocation Projects.

ROCKY POINT WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT 9.1.

10.

Resolution by the Board of Directors of the Rocky Point/Topsail Water and Sewer District Accepting the Deed of Dedication for the Title Conveyance to the Water Distribution System to Serve The Reserve on Island Creek – Phase 2.

CENTRAL PENDER WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT 10.1. Resolution by the Board of Directors of the Central Pender Water and Sewer District Approving a Professional Services Agreement Amendment for an Amount of $124,600.00 with Highfill Infrastructure Engineering, P.C.

11.

MOORES CREEK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT 11.1. Resolution by the Board of Directors of the Moore's Creek Water and Sewer District Approving a Professional Services Agreement Amendment for an Amount of $57,400.00 with Highfill Infrastructure Engineering, P.C.

12.

DISCUSSION 12.1. Discussion of Federal Legislative Goals for 2017-18.

13.

Public Hearing - “Consideration of an application for a conditional use permit for an Automobile Sales, New and Used to be located at 113 US Hwy 117 N.” SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR AN ADVISORY TREE COMMITTEE The Town of Burgaw Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for an Advisory Tree Committee. Applicants must be residents of the corporate limits of Burgaw and have a strong interest in the planting, maintenance and preservation of trees within the town. This is a newly formed committee that will serve in an advisory capacity to the Town of Burgaw Building and Grounds Board. Applications may be downloaded from our website at www.townofburgaw.com. Completed applications must be submitted to the Town Clerk at 109 N Walker Street, Burgaw, NC 28425.

For further information, you may contact Sylvia Raynor, Town Clerk at 910-663-3441 between the hours of 8AM and 5PM Monday – Friday or via email at town.clerk@townofburgaw.com.

CONGRESSMAN’S MOBILE OFFICE VISITS TO BE HELD AT BURGAW MUNICIPAL BUILDING Beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Congressman David Rouzer’s “mobile office visits” will be held on the first Tuesday of each month from 1:00PM until 3:00PM in the meeting room of the Burgaw Municipal Building located at 109 N Walker Street in Burgaw. This is an opportunity for constituents of Burgaw and Pender County to come by and speak with staff regarding any federal issues and concerns they may have.

January 2 January 3 January 9 January 10 January 16

CALENDAR Town offices closed in observance of New Year’s Day Congressman Rouzer’s mobile office visit 1PM -3PM Parks & Recreation Committee meeting 7:00PM Board of Commissioners meeting 4:00PM Town offices closed – Martin Luther King Day

Town of Surf City Government News December 29, 2016

MEETING TIMES Surf City Town Council 1st Tuesday of the month Planning Board 2nd Thursday of the month ________________________________________________________

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The public will take notice that the Town Council of the Town of Surf City, North Carolina, has called a public hearing at 7:00 pm, or as soon thereafter as possible, on the 3rd of January 2017, at Surf City Town Hall on: • Contiguous Annexation request for 99 Seahorse Lane.

Being all of 4.18+/- Acres. Pender County Pin # 423579-5909-0000 • Satellite Annexation request for 1108 McClammy Rd. Being all of 0.99 +/- Acres. Pender County Pin # 422501-8922-0000

13.1. Appointment of Steering Committee for Comprehensive Plan Update.

13.2. Approval of Appointments to the Pender County Board of Adjustment.

13.3. Approval of Appointments to the Pender County Fire & EMS Board.

13.4. Approval of Appointments to the Pender County Library Board.

14.

PENDER COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH

15.

SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD

16.

ITEMS FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, COUNTY MANAGER, FINANCE DIRECTOR, & COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

17.

CLOSED SESSION (IF APPLICABLE).

18.

ADJOURNMENT

The Pender County Board of Commissioners will consider appointments to the following boards/commissions/committees:

District 1 = Upper Topsail; Surf City District 2 = Scotts Hill; Lower Topsail District 3 = Rocky Point; Long Creek

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED The following public hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 5:30PM (or thereabout) in the meeting room of the Burgaw Municipal Building located at 109 N Walker Street in Burgaw, NC. All interested parties are invited to attend.

APPOINTMENTS

WANTED! A FEW GOOD MEN & WOMEN! VOLUNTEER!

# of Vacancies 2 1 2 1 7 1 2 1 1

December 29, 2016

TOWN OF BURGAW Phone 910.259.2151 Fax 910.259.6644 Email: townofburgaw@townofburgaw.com Web: www.townofburgaw.com

5.1.

PENDER COUNTY GOVERNMENT NEWS

Name of Board Advisory Board of Health Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Board of Adjustment EMS & Fire Board Industrial Facilities & Pollution Control Financing Auth.

Jury Commission Library Board Planning Board Tourism Development Authority

quickly lose speed.

I also remember taking my first bird with that BB gun. It was the day I lost my childhood innocence. One shot, one kill, just like a sniper. Then I cried for the next hour. I may have lost my childhood innocence but I did not lose my childhood.

That one sacrifice taught me another lesson. Kill for a reason, not just to kill.

I may have never had everything I wanted, but I never lacked anything. An only child in the country with the closest friends living a mile or further away and I still always had something I could do and enjoy on my own long before computers and video games.

And sometimes I would put on my new Christmas clothes from Santa as well.

Please share your stories with Bill at BillHowardOutdoors@gmail.com.

Pender County

Winter activities at Moores Creek

Town of Burgaw Government News

Positions/Categories Dentist***, Engineer*** Veterinarian District 4, District 5 District 4 Business/Insurance/Attorney/Banking Commissioner Representative District 3, District 4 Business Collector

District 4 = Union; Penderlea; Grady; Columbia; Caswell; Canetuck District 5 = Burgaw; Holly

*** These positions can be temporarily filled by someone associated with this field who may not be currently licensed.

Applications can be completed on-line at www.pendercountync.gov or write or call Melissa Long, Clerk to the Board, PO Box 5, Burgaw, NC 28425 (910) 259-1200, and complete an application.

NOTICE OF HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES Pender County Government Offices will be closed on the following dates in observance of the New Year’s Holiday: Monday, January 2, 2017 IMPORTANT NOTICE ALL PENDER COUNTY PROPERTY OWNERS All taxable personal property and all changes made to real estate must be listed for taxation with its status on January 1st of the tax year (2017).

Taxable personal property that you have acquired new or have purchased and was previously unlisted such as mobile homes, manufactured homes, boats, jet skis, aircraft, multi-year tagged trailers, and any unregistered or untagged automobiles, trucks, trailers, campers, motor homes, motorcycles, farm equipment, and business personal property will need to be listed.

Owners of real property who do not own taxable personal property are not required to list, unless improvements have been made to the real estate within the last year or if you have acquired real property that has unlisted improvements, i.e. - new construction, additions, decks, porches, outbuildings…etc.

Tax listing period will begin on Sunday January 1, 2017 and end on Tuesday, January 31, 2017.

You may list your property in person at the Tax Assessor’s office located at 300 E. Fremont Street, Burgaw, NC 28425 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. County offices will be closed on Monday January 2, 2017 and Monday January 16, 2017 for Holiday.

You may also list your property by mail with a signed Pender County Listing Form.

Listing forms will only be mailed to those who listed taxable personal property in 2016. If you did not list in 2016 but now own taxable personal property or have made changes to your real property, you may call the Pender County Tax Office at (910) 2591221 to request that a form be mailed to you. All listings by mail must be postmarked (Not Metered) no later than Tuesday, January 31, 2017.

All persons who on January 1, 2017 own property subject to taxation must list such property within the period set forth in this notice and that any person who fails to do so will be subject to the penalties prescribed by law.

214 N. New River Drive Surf City, NC 28445 (910) 328-4131 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS THE PENDER COUNTY PLANNING BOARD WILL HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS AS FOLLOWS: DATE OF HEARINGS: January 4, 2017 TIME OF HEARINGS: 7:00 p.m.

LOCATION OF HEARINGS: THE PUBLIC HEARING NOTED WILL BE HELD IN THE PUBLIC MEETING ROOM AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE BUILDING ROOM 145, 805 SOUTH WALKER STREET, BURGAW, N.C. 28425

Master Development Plan and Major Site Plan Headwaters Properties, LLC, applicant, on behalf of Lanwillo Development Company, Raymond E. Hughes, and Headwaters Properties, LLC., owners, are requesting the approval of a Master Development Plan and Phase I Major Site Development Plan for approximately 24.26 acres of mixed-use development known as Headwaters Town Center. Specifically, the request is to allow for; Electronic & Appliance Stores (443), Food & Beverage Stores (445), Heath & Personal Care Stores (446), Gasoline Station (447), Clothing & Clothing Accessories Stores (448), Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book & Music Stores (451), Miscellaneous Store Retailers (453), Non Store Retailers (454), Postal Services (491110), Finance & Insurance (52), Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (53), Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (54), Management of Companies & Enterprises (55), Administrative & Support Services (561), Educational Services (611), Business Schools, Commuter & Management Training (6114), Technical & Trade Schools (6115), Other School & Instruction (6116), Hospitals (622), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Agents & Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers & Other Public Figures (7114), Museums, Historical Sites & Similar Institutions (712), Fitness & Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Bowling Centers (71395), Hotels & Motels (72111), Full Service Restaurants (7221), Limited Service Eating Places (7222), Special Food Services (7223), Drinking Places (7224), Personal & Household Goods, Repair & Maintenance (8114), Personal Care Services (8121), Coin Operated Laundries & Dry Cleaners (812310), Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services (812320), Other Personal Services (8129), Religious Organizations (8131), Business Professional, Labor, Political & Similar Organizations (8139), and Public Administrations (92). The subject properties are zoned PD, Planned Development zoning district. The properties are located along the east side of US HWY 17, between Hughes Road (SR 1618) and Deerfield Drive (SR 1673) in the Topsail Township and may be further identified by Pender County PINs: 3282-74-3515-0000, 3282-74-6231-0000, 3282-74-1001-0000, and 3282-74-8862-0000.

Zoning Text Amendment Travis Holder, applicant, is requesting the approval of a Zoning Text Amendment to the Pender County Unified Development Ordinance. Specifically, the request is to add a Section (5.3.7) for standards regarding construction (Sector 23) and amend Section 5.2.3, Table of Permitted Uses, in order to allow for the following uses; Construction of Buildings (NAICS 236), Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 237) and Specialty Trade Contractors (NAICS 238) permitted with use standards in the GB, General Business zoning district.

For Additional Information: Contact Pender County Planning & Community Development 805 S Walker St Burgaw, NC 28425 Phone 910-259-1202

www.pendercountync.gov

12/29/2016

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 11A

Classifieds

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING PART-TIME DISHWASHER, PART-TIME COOK AND PART-TIME CASHIER Call Holland’s Shelter Creek Restaurant at 910-259- 5743.

ROOFERS WANTED. METAL AND SHINGLES EXPERIENCE. DRIVERS LICENSE AND TRANSPORTATION REQUIRED. 910-285-1114 4/14- 12/29/2016 (P) (J)

FOR SALE

8/18/2016 (TFN) (B) (H)

CNA’S NEEDED, WE ARE HIRING FOR THE PENDER COUNTY AREA. Please contact Teresa or Anna at 910-259-9119 option 2.

2/25/2016 (B) (PAS) (TFN)

USE HAPPY JACK MANGE MEDICINE for Horse Mane Dandruff and lice infestation.

NEW HAMPSTEAD ACE HARDWARE (910-270-3237)

12/15-1/5/2017 (P)

PART-TIME WAREHOUSE WORKER wanted at FOFF Resale and Consignment Store in Burgaw.

Call 910-799-5401 on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday’s.

Ask for Cheryl or Pam. Background check will be performed.

12/29/2016-1/5/2017

FOR RENT MOBILE HOME FOR RENT 2 BR, 1BA, Watts Landing area near Surf City, water access, $500 per month. Call 910-540-0528.

26 temporary horticultural workers needed for nursery work near Willard, North Carolina, for Johnson Nursery Corporation with work beginning on or about 02/06/2017 and ending on or about 12/02/2017. The job offered is for a skilled nursery worker and requires minimum 3 months verifiable nursery work experience (Horticultural Worker I). The minimum offered wage rate that workers will be paid is $10.72 per hour. Workers must commit to work the entire contract period. Workers are guaranteed work for 3/4 of the contract period, beginning with the first day the worker arrives at the place of employment.

All work tools, supplies and equipment are provided at no cost to the worker.

Housing will be provided to those workers who cannot reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of each working day. Transportation and subsistence will be provided by the employer upon completion of 50% of the work contract, or earlier, to workers who are recruited outside the area of intended employment. Applicants must provide documentation that they are eligible legally to work in the United States. Applicants should report or send resumes to Division of Workforce Solutions, 904-A S. Walker St., Burgaw, NC 28425 (910) 259-0240, or the nearest local office of their State Workforce Agency, and reference job order #NC10622455. EOE. H-300-16342-083223.

10/13/2016 (TFN)

SERVICES CARPENTRY & RENOVATIONS Home Improvements & home repairs inside & out including: Carpentry, tile, drywall, painting, flooring, docks, pressure washing, deck railing. All small jobs are welcome!! Call 910-934-3937 for free estimates, ask for Robert.

11/24-2/24/2017

PENDER COUNTY HOME CARE AGENCY: CARE PROVIDERS Care Providers provide in-home healthcare for the disabled and seniors in Pender and Duplin Counties.

We accept Medicaid, Third Party pay, or private pay.

910-300-6370 / 910-792-6296.

Lookin’ for Love...

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, let‛s celebrate! I‛m Brody!!!

10/6/16 - 1/5/2017 (P)

Happy New Year!

16 Website: www.serealestate.net Rentals: www.serealestate.us www.realtyworldsoutheastern.com www.realtyworldsoutheastern.com

E! CREAG

Find an adoption form at www.penderhumane.org or call us at 910-259-7022 and Please LIKE us at Facebook.com/ PenderCountyHumaneSociety

A

17

P

Don‛t be fooled by this serious expression - I‛m the sweetest little boy with the greatest personality! At just 2-years-old, I‛m a Boxer mix who loves people. I know simple commands like sit and stay, and I walk great on a leash. Take me outside to play and you‛ll see my smile!

I‛m somewhat of a couch potato and enjoy laying in my bed and chewing on bones, if someone would just give me one or two more! I‛m also in excellent health.

Hurry over and take me home for Christmas!

ADVERTISE OST in 2017! &Voice The Pender-Topsail

Call 910.259.9111.

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Greatpasture space & dishwasher are kitchenaide.

Great pasture space for your or horses of outside for outside your horses pet orofpet choice.

This is a choice. This is a must see. Owner will have apmust see. Owner will have approximately 7 to 8 acres proximately 7 to 8 acres surveyed out. $325,000

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Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by LEROY ROBINSON and LEATHA M. ROBINSON (PRESENT RECORD OWNER: MAURICE V. CORBETT JR.), to Thurman E. Burnette, Trustee, dated July 26, 1990 and recorded in Book 757, Page 77, Pender County Registry, North Carolina; default having been made in the payment of the Note and Assumption Agreement thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Richard R. Foust, Attorney-at-Law, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds of Pender County, North Carolina, and the holder of the Note and Assumption Agreement evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Pender County Courthouse, in the city of Burgaw, North Carolina at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Pender, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lying in Caswell Township, Pender County, North Carolina, adjacent to and Northeast of the graded centerline Of S.R. #1203 and being more fully described as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the graded centerline of S.R.#1203, said Beginning point is located North 450 49’ East 148.7 feet from the bottom of an old bent axel, the Beginning corner of James Rob Corbett’s 4-1/2 acre tract (see Deed Book 490, Page 131 of Pender County Registry), said Beginning point in S.R. #1203 approximately 1275 feet from the intersection of centerline’s of S.R. #1203 and S.R. #1100 (the northern most intersection of said roads); running thence from said Beginning point, so located, North 45° 49’ East 295.35 feet (passing over an in line stake at 30 feet) to an existing iron pipe; thence South 48° 12’ West 437.95 feet (passing over an in line stake at 407.95 feet) to a point in the graded centerline of S.R. #1203; thence with said centerline of S.R. #1203 North 20° 54’ 30” West 158.72 feet (chord) to the Beginning, containing 1.21 acres, more or less, after the exclusion of the right-of-way area of S.R. #1203 that lies within the above described boundaries; and is as surveyed, plotted and described

by William H. Blake, N.C.R.L.S. #L-2179.

Out of Deed Book 748, Page 649.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that person must pay the tax of Forty-Five cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS 7A-308 (a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer, and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS”. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the Note secured by the Deed of Trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representatives of either the Trustee or the holder of the Note make any representation of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed.

Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record any recorded releases.

That an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale.

This the 10th day of August, 2016.

Richard R. Foust Substitute Trustee Richard R. Foust, Attorney at Law 204 Muirs Chapel Road, Suite 102 Greensboro, NC 27410 Ph. No. 336-834-0510 Fax No. 336.834.0160 #7542 12/29, 1/5/2016

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA PENDER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF HENDERSON COLE III 16 E 506 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Henderson Cole III, deceased, are notified to exhibit them to Mark I. Nunalee, Resident Process Agent of the decedent’s estate, on or before March 30, 2017 at Post Office Box 598, Hampstead, NC 28443, or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment to the above named Resident Process Agent.

Estate of Henderson Cole III c/o Mark I. Nunalee, Resident Process Agent BIBERSTEIN & NUNALEE LLP Attorneys at Law P.O. Box 598 Hampstead NC 28443 910-270-4347 #7565 12/29/16, 1/5, 1/12, 1/19/2017 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA PENDER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF HAROLD WEAVER JORDAN 16 E 505 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Harold Weaver Jordan, deceased, are notified to exhibit them to Harold Wendell Jordan, Executor of the decedent’s estate, on or before March 30, 2017 at 406 E. Creekview Drive, Hampstead, NC 28443, or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment to the above named Executor.

Harold Wendell Jordan, Executor Estate of Harold Weaver Jordan c/o Mark I. Nunalee BIBERSTEIN & NUNALEE LLP Attorneys at Law P.O. Box 598 Hampstead NC 28443 910-270-4347 #7566 12/29/16, 1/5, 1/12, 1/19/2017

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF CARL DOUGLAS ROGERS 16 E 450 Having qualified as Administratrix of the Estate of Carl Douglas Rogers deceased of Pender County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of March, 2017, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms and corporation indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 8th day of December, 2016.

Lisa Tartaglione Administratrix of the Estate of Carl Douglas Rogers c/o Lawrence S. Boehling Attorney at Law P.O. Box 1416 Burgaw, NC 28425 910-259-3334 #7559 12/8, 12/15, 12/22, 12/29/2016 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Clarence Edward Dodgens, late of 814 S. Bennett Street, Burgaw, N.C., Pender County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at Post Office Box 625, 107 East Fremont Street, Burgaw, N.C. 28425 on or before the 5th day of April, 2017 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 19th day of December, 2016 Darrell Dodgens, Sr., Executor of the Estate of Clarence Edward Dodgens Zachary S. Rivenbark, Attorney at Law PO Box 625, Burgaw, N.C. 28425 #7567 12/29/16, 1/5, 1/12, 1/19/17 Important Information about your Charter Communications’ Channel Lineup: Communities Served: Carolina Beach; Ft. Fischer AFB; Holly Ridge; Kure Beach; New Hanover; North Topsail Beach; Old Pointe; Onslow County; Pender County; Richlands; Surf City; and Topsail Beach, NC WILM-CBS on Basic, Channel 10 and 709 will be available on Basic, Channel 10 and 707 as an independent broadcaster.

WWAY-CBS will be available on Basic, Channel 4 and 709.

WWAY-COZI TV on Basic, Channel 194 will no longer be available.

Any scheduled DVR recordings on these channels will need to be reset after this change.

To view your complete channel lineup, visit spectrum.com/channels. Thank you for being a Charter customer. #7568 12/29/2016 NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF PENDER GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 16 CVS 807 Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America Plaintiff, v.

Brian S. McGee a/k/a Brian McGee;

Joann McGee a/k/a Joann Macerola; Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Defendant(s).

To: Brian S. McGee a/k/a Brian McGee 119 Azalea Drive, Hampstead, NC 28443 Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: 1. The Court declares that the Deed of Trust recorded in Book 3109 at Page 141 is a valid first lien on the Property as drawn.

2. That the Plaintiff’s lien on the Property be foreclosed by judicial sale pursuant to the provisions of N.C.G.S. § 1-339.1, et seq., by the Plaintiff’s Counsel or by a Commissioner especially appointed by the Court to serve without bond, with proceeds of the sale applied as required by law.

3. In the alternative, that the Court declares that Defendants Brian S. McGee a/k/a Brian McGee and Joann McGee holds the Property described herein subject to a constructive trust and equitable lien to the benefit of the Plaintiff; and 4. For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than February 7, 2017, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This, the 20th day of December, 2016.

BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC Matthew Herrle, NC Bar # 34815 Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 3004 Wilmington, NC 28406 Phone: 910-392-4988 #7569 12/29/16, 1/5, 1/12/17 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16-SP-188 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by ROBERT WAYNE CANADY, III AND BRITTANY BATSON CANADY to JAMES C. BLAINE Trustee(s), dated the 23RD day of MARCH, 2015 and recorded in BOOK 4554, PAGE 37, PENDER County Registry, North Carolina, Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, ANDERSON & STRICKLAND, P.A., having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of PENDER County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Courthouse Door, in the City of BURGAW, PENDER County, North Carolina at 11:30 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 23RD, 2016, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of PENDER, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 170, Phase VIII of Summit Ridge as shown on a plat recorded in Map Book 45, page 56 of the Pender County Registry. Subject to restrictive covenants recorded in Book 1254, page 295, Book 1353, page 109, Book 1435, page 86, Book 1455, page 343 and Book 4211, page 196. Said property being located at: 744 RIDGECREST LANE, ROCKY POINT, NC 28457 PRESENT RECORD OWNER BEING: ROBERT WAYNE CANADY, III AND BRITTANY ROSE BATSON CANADY Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that person must pay the statutory final assessment fee of forty-five cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308 (a) (1), and any applicable county and/or state land transfer tax and/or revenue tax. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price so bid, in cash or certified check, at the time the Substitute Trustee tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance of the purchase price so bid, at that time he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in N.C.G.S. 45-21.30(d) and (e).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. A cash deposit or cashier’s check (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. That an Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or

parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the Notice of Sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. The notice shall also state that upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. N.C.G.S. 45-21.16(b)(2).

This the 26TH day of October, 2016.

Michael W. Strickland, as Attorney for and President of ANDERSON & STRICKLAND,P.A., Substitute Trustee 210 East Russell Street, Suite 104 Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301 (910) 483-3300 #7570 12/29/16, 1/5/17

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA October 25, 2016.

PENDER COUNTY Grady I. Ingle or Elizabeth B. Ells NOTICE TO CREDITORS Substitute Trustee AND DEBTORS OF 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 HERBERT WARREN WORDEN Charlotte, NC 28216 16 E 479 (704) 333-8107 All persons, firms and corporahttp://shapiroattorneys.com/nc/ 16-080054 tions having claims against Herbert Warren Worden, deceased, are noti#7520 12/22, 12/29/2016 fied to exhibit them to Mark I. Nunalee, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA Executor of the decedent’s estate, on IN THE GENERAL COURT or before March 23, 2017 at Post OfOF JUSTICE fice Box 598, Hampstead, NC 28443, SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION or be barred from their recovery.

COUNTY OF PENDER Debtors of the decedent are asked 2016 E 481 to make immediate payment to the Having qualified as Executrix of above named Executor. the Estate of Ellen Elizabeth Wells Mark I. Nunalee, Executor Johnson of Pender County, North Estate of Herbert Warren Carolina, this is to notify all persons Worden having claims against the Estate of BIBERSTEIN & NUNALEE LLP said Ellen Elizabeth Wells Johnson to Attorneys at Law present them to Ellen B. Smith, 214 P.O. Box 598 Heritage Park Drive, Wilmington, NC Hampstead NC 28443 28401, Executrix by April 1, 2017 or 910-270-4347 same will be pleaded in bar of their #7563 12/22/16, 12/29/16, 1/5/17, 1/12/17 recovery. All persons indebted to STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA said estate please make immediate payment.

PENDER COUNTY This 12th day of NOTICE TO CREDITORS December 2016.

AND DEBTORS R. V. Biberstein, Jr. OF RITA CITARELLI Attorney for Ellen B. Smith, 16 E 478 Executrix All persons, firms and corporaP. O. Box 428 Burgaw, NC 28425 tions having claims against Rita Cit#7561 12/22/16, 12/29/16, 1/5/17, 1/12/17 arelli, deceased, are notified to exhibit them to Mark Citarelli, Administrator of the decedent’s estate, on or before March 23, 2017 at 125 Topsail Lake Drive, Hampstead, NC 28443, or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment to the above named Administrator.

Mark Citarelli, Administrator Estate of Rita Citarelli c/o Mark I. Nunalee BIBERSTEIN & NUNALEE LLP Attorneys at Law P.O. Box 598 Hampstead NC 28443 910-270-4347 #7562 12/22/16, 12/29/16, 1/5/17, 1/12/17 The Media of Record for the People of Pender County.

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IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION PENDER COUNTY 16SP98 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY KAREN CLARK AND ROBERT CLARK DATED OCTOBER 11, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3347 AT PAGE 93 IN THE PENDER COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA 201-A West Fremont Street • Burgaw, NC 28425 NOTICE OF SALE 910.259.9111 • posteditor@post-voice.com • www.post-voice.com Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on January 3, 2017 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Pender County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING ALL OF LOT 7, IN SECTION 6, REVISED, OLDE POINT AS THE SAME IS SHOWN ON A MAP THEREOF RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 24 AT PAGE 63 OF THE PENDER COUNTY REGISTRY, REFERENCE TO WHICH IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION. SUBJECT TO THE DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIONS RECORDED IN BOOK 722 AT PAGE 100 OF 1-800- VISIT NC WWW. VISITNC . COM .

THE PENDER COUNTY REGISTRY; SUBJECT ALSO, TO THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF SECTION 6 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION RECORDED IN BOOK 722 AT PAGE 101 OF SAID REGISTRY .

And Being more commonly known as: 1015 Cordgrass Rd, Hampstead, NC 28443 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Karen L. DiMeglio and Robert O. Clark.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is

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Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 13A

NCWRC regulation hearings set for January

By Jefferson Weaver Contributing Writer Raising the maximum age for youth hunts and cracking down on poachers are just two of the regulations being proposed for the 2017-18 hunting and fishing rules.

The Wildlife Commission will hold a series of hearings on the rule proposals beginning in January. The first hearing will be held at Bladen Community College in Dublin on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.

The general public is encouraged to attend any of the hearings, regardless of the enforcement district in which they live.

Among the biggest changes on the board for next year is making the newly-extended bear season in Columbus permanent.

A temporary rule change last year extended the bear season in Brunswick and Columbus counties to match surrounding counties. Under this proposal, Brunswick and Columbus counties would be permanently moved into the bear hunting season that begins on the second Monday in November and extends to

Jan. 1.

The state’s exploding bear population, along with requests from multiple hunters over the past decade, led to the proposal. Biologists working with the state’s Bear Management Plan recommended the change as well.

Another bear rule change is also being applauded by hunters.

For years, hunters have complained about bears raiding corn and bait piles meant for deer. Rules were loosened slightly in recent years to allow the harvest of bears en route to and from bait piles, and permitting houndsmen to release dogs on bait piles, but actually taking a bear in the process of eating was forbidden.

The new proposal would allow the use of unprocessed foods as bait to take bears during the entirety of the bear seasons in the Coastal Plain Bear Management Unit for all hunters, and splitting the season for western bear hunters. Bait would only be allowed on private property, not on game lands.

The WRC said the proposals would increase the

amount of time still hunters have to take bears with the aid of unprocessed foods, and accomplish two goals: Further reduce the inequity between still hunters, who currently have only six days (except in the Piedmont) to use unprocessed foods to take bears, and hunters using dogs, who may strike bears using dogs from sites with unprocessed foods anytime during the open bear season; and Potentially increase bear harvest to achieve the objectives of stabilizing the coastal and mountain bear populations as outlined in the North Car olina Black Bear Management Plan.

Officials reported an increase in bear hunting and harvest numbers this year, due in part to the extended season.

Another bear rule on the list will streamline enforcement of bear sanctuaries.

Currently, the Green Swamp Bear sanctuary is defined in state law as in Brunswick County, but the sanctuary area includes a significant portion of Columbus. The new rule would specifically

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include the Columbus County section of the sanctuary in the enforcement area.

Trappers could also benefit from the rule changes on the drawing board next year, as a proposal would allow trappers to carry over unused CITES tags, required for otter and bobcat, to the next season. The move would reduce the regulatory burden on trappers, the WRC said.

Cur rently, trappers must purchase tags before selling prepared hides, and tags must be purchased by 15 days after the end of the season.

A total of 39 regulations are on the docket for changing this year, including several designed to encourage more youth participation in the state.

If the proposed rules are approved, the definition of a youth hunter would be raised to 18 years of age, up from the current 16. Officials said this was in part to allow more youth to participate in several youth-specific seasons that are also up for consideration, including the youth either-sex deer hunts, Youth Deer Hunting Day, Spring Youth-only Wild Turkey Season, Youth-

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of big game harvest reporting from paper to an electronic registration system, which began with turkey harvest reporting in 2003.

Four game land proposals would add nearly 7,300 acres to the Commission’s Game Lands Program in Haywood, Stokes, Wilkes and Beaufort counties.

Comments may be submitted by mail or online as well as at the hearings.

Mailed submissions may be sent to Rules Coordinato, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701 Digital comments may be made at ncwildlife.org.

After collecting and considering all public comments, the 19 wildlife commissioners will meet on Feb. 16, 2017 to decide whether to adopt the proposals. Pending final approval by the General Assembly, the approved proposals will take effect Aug. 1, 2017.

More information on all of the proposed regulations to the agency’s wildlife management, game lands, fishing and other agency regulations for the 2017-18 seasons can be found at www.ncwildlife.org.

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only Delayed Harvest Trout Water Season, and any youth hunts on game lands.

Under these proposals, licensing requirements would not change.

Proposed regulation D1 would establish guidelines and set standards for the WRC to carry out the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (WVC). The N. C. General Assembly adopted the WVC in 2008, which creates a way for member states to: (1) Promote compliance of hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations in their respective states; and (2) Provide for the fair and impartial treatment of persons committing wildlife violations in member states.

The WVC requires the Wildlife Resources Commission and Marine Fisheries Commission to adopt rules necessary to carry out its purpose.

Another rule would do away with an old tradition of Big Game Harvest Record sheets.

Hunters would report their big game harvest either by phone or Internet.

If passed, this proposal would complete the conversion

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Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 14A

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Living

Atkinson Christmas Parade helps those in need

By Lori Kirkpatrick, Staff Writer

For as long as Cassie Barnhill can remember, the Atkinson Christmas Parade has been held the first Saturday of December. Although the parade has grown in some ways and trimmed down in others, the joy and excitement it creates for the town and surrounding communities has stood strong. The event has kicked off the holiday season and brought together people for years. Throughout the years, the number of participants and vendors has slowly dwindled due to conflicting schedules and activities, but the town always has enough supporters to bring together a nice parade for the community.

Barnhill helps with the parade each year. Though it seems that a fair number of people would be necessary to organize and put on such an event, Barnhill said that the Atkinson Christmas Jubilee Committee consists of just a small handful of devoted volunteers that work with the town clerk to bring the parade to fruition. They take care of the necessary requirements for the event to be approved by the town and to ensure that everything goes according to plan on the day of the parade. On the day of the festivities, the Atkinson Christmas Jubilee Committee also relies on the Atkinson Volunteer Fire Department and the local law enforcement agency for necessary road coverage.

In the past, there were admiss fees for the parade entrants and vendors.

In the last few years, however, the Atkinson Christmas Jubilee Committee no longer asks for monetary donations. Instead, they request that participants bring toys to be donated to the Toys for Tots drive. This

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year, instead of the toys going to the toys for tots drive, it was decided to keep them local and provide a little Christmas relief for the families affected by Hurricane Matthew.

“The Atkinson Christmas Jubilee and the Atkinson Volunteer Fire Department were able to collect enough toys to adopt 10 families with children for Christmas. Monetary donations and gift cards were collected, as well. These were used to purchase items for the older individuals in the households, in addition to food.

Since there were quite a few spare toys left over, they were donated to Malpass Corner Elementary School to be distributed to those less fortunate,” said Barnhill.

A variety of parade entries and vendors included car enthusiasts, boy scouts, Shriners, motorcycle and social clubs, church groups, local caterers, and crafters. This year, the parade’s Grand Marshall was Mrs. Dorothy “Dot” Foyles, an Atkinson resident who recently celebrated her 94th birthday.

“I want everyone to know how proud we are of all of our 2016 Atkinson Christmas Parade and vendor participants. Our community and surrounding areas came together with Christmas spirit at heart and displayed the spirit of giving. The Town, Christmas Jubilee, and fire department are so very proud that our little parade exhibited a large heart this Christmas season and would like to thank everyone who participated for their help,” said Barnhill.

Religion

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 2B

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THE FISHING EXPERTS Located in The Fishing Village 409 Roland Avenue Surf City, NC 910.328.1887 www.eastcoastsports.com

Mountain of debt

By Rev. Ken Smith Atkinson Baptist Church Special to the Post & Voice And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Luke 11:4 Recently, I heard someone say, “Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.� I thought that was a good way to describe how many people live their lives holding a grudge against someone else.

If we fume and steam over what someone has said or done to us, we will live in a regular state of defense mode.

There are people I know personally that will not speak to me when I say hello or refuse to shake my hand when I extend it out to them. Long after the disagreement, they still refuse to forgive me and move on.

I often wonder how miserable it must be the effort they go through to try so hard to be rude. Yes, they call themselves Christians, but their actions are far from being Christ-like.

Many of us do not find it easy to forgive. We assume that if we get into an argument, we are right and our opponent is wrong. Or if we get into a fight, we assume the fault lies with our antagonists.

When did you last hear gossip that offended you? While it may have been a false report, for a while you might tend to think the worst about the person so slandered. Sometimes we hold grudges against those whom we don’t naturally like,

even if we don’t really know them. We harbor an ugly collection of petty grievances in our hearts, resulting in a tendency to condemn.

Because Christ recognized this sinful inclination, He reminded us of God’s unrestricted love, grace and forgiveness.

The Lord loved us so much that “He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life� (John 3:16).

In His total innocence, Christ paid the full penalty for our sins. Even if we speak lies, cheat, commit adultery or commit murder, Christ has taken our deserved punishment upon Himself. As a result, He has miraculously wiped away our guilt, making it as though we had never sinned.

Never forget, we are forgiven and that is why we must forgive others. Jesus once told the story about a servant who owed his master a staggering debt. In mercy, the master forgave it all. Yet, no sooner did the forgiven man leave his master that he threatened his own debtors with prison.

When the master heard about it, he reversed himself, threw the man in jail, and insisted that he repay his enormous debt.

Each of us has been forgiven a mountain of debt.

That is why each of us must freely forgive the molehill of debt that others may owe us.

Our forgiveness is not based on the other person’s actions,

but our own attitude. People will continue to hurt us through life.

We either can look outward at them or stay stuck and angry, or we can begin to keep our minds on our loving relationship with God, knowing and trusting in what is good.

This week I encourage you to release the grudge that you might have towards someone.

Don’t allow that person to live rent free in your mind. You will never have true lasting joy if you are holding on to the past pain that someone has caused against you.

Even if that person never asks you to forgive them, take the first step and forgive them. Compared to how God has forgiven each of us, shouldn’t we also be willing to forgive?

Bread giveaway at Herring’s Chapel UMC Herring’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 1697 Herring’s Chapel Rd. Burgaw, has a free bread giveaway every Saturday from 10 a.m

until noon.

Most all types of bread from white to multigrain to hamburger and hotdog buns are available.

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Real Estate Inspections • All Work Guaranteed Wood Destroying Insect Reports Moisture Control • Termite & Pest Control Financing Available Locally Owned & Operated

910.392.3275 910.270.1190 www.tri-countypestcontrol.net

910.532.4470 Hometown Convenience 45 Wilmington Hwy. Harrells, NC

140 Industrial Drive Burgaw, NC 28425

4 C’s Food pantry open in Hampstead

Producers of the finest select pork rinds and pork cracklin products in the USA

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FUNERAL HOME

The Christian Community Caring Center distributed food locally to those in need. The food pantry is generously supported by local churches, businesses and individuals.

The 4C’s Food Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon. Additionally, the 4C’s pantry will be open the last Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. until noon.

The 4C’s Food Pantry is located in the Jones Plaza, 15200 U.S. Hwy. 17 N. in Hampstead.

& Cremation Service

S. Dickerson St. Pender’s212 Original Funeral Service Burgaw, NC 28425 910.259.2136 Affordable Prices www.harrellsfh.com Dignified Funeral Services

Our Family Serving Your Family Since 1913 910.675.1157, 212 S. Dickerson St. • Burgaw, NC 28425 Rocky Point 910.259.2136 www.harrellsfh.com

Intrepid Hardware Office of Rocky Point Mini Storage Climate Control • First Month Half Price •

Church Directory BURGAW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

NEW BEGINNING CHURCH

110 E. Bridgers Street, Burgaw, NC 28425 • 910-259-2295 Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m.

corner of Fremont & Wright Street (Courthouse Square) Burgaw, N.C. • 910-619-8063

Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

CENTERVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

All are welcome! Pastor Bill Howell

18577 NC 53 E, Kelly, NC • 910-669-2488

FRIENDLY COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening Discipleship Training: 6:00 p.m. Pastor Lamont Hemminger

1730 US Hwy. 117 N. • Burgaw, NC 28425 910-259-3046 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11 a.m., 6 p.m. www.fcbcb.org

CURRIE COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH

BURGAW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

WATHA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER CATHOLIC CHURCH

Adult Bible Study: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Children’s Biblical Studies (ages 3-12) from 10:45-11:30 a.m.

Worship: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Men’s Breakfast, 2nd Sunday of Each Month, 8-9 a.m.

Ladies’ Circle, 2nd Monday of Each Month, 6:30-8 p.m.

Choir Practice & Bible Study, Tues., 7:30-9 p.m. Youth Group Every Other Wed. 6-7:30 p.m.

Rev. Roger Malonda Nyimi, Pastor Sunday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Mass Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. Mass Thursday 8:30 a.m. Mass

Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Worship: 11 a.m. Bible Study Wednesday: 7 p.m.

Sunday School: Sunday 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 a.m.

RILEY’S CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

19845 NC Hwy. 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457 910-675-2127

Jim Herchenhahn / Pastor Worship Services: 8:30 a.m. & 10:50 a.m. Youth each Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday evenings: Meal at 6:00 p.m. / Study for all ages 7:00 p.m.

160 Camp Kirkwood Road, Watha, NC

910-470-4436

Pastor John Fedoronko

ROCKY POINT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

located at the intersection of Hyw. 117 & 210

Pastor Mark Murphy

Services: Sunday at 10 a.m.

Bible Study: Tuesday at 6 p.m. www.RPUMC.org

CALVARY CHAPEL COMMUNITY CHURCH

54 Camp Kirkwood Rd. • Watha, NC 28478 • 910-448-0919

WESTVIEW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

5610 Hwy. 53 W • Burgaw, NC 28425 (Across from Pender High)

Pastor: Tony Fontana Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sun. Worship: 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Bible Study: Wednesday 7 p.m. Youth Group: Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Judy Jeremias Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m.

MISSION BAPTIST CHURCH

JORDANS CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

607 S. Walker Street • Burgaw, NC 28425

Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday Evening Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and classes at 6:45 p.m.

FAITH HARBOR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

14201 Hwy. 50/210 • Surf City, NC 28445 • 910-328-4422 Services: 8 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. Sunday School: 10:45 a.m. http://faithharborumc.org

MOORES CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

3107 Union Chapel Rd. • Currie, NC 28435 Pastor Roger Barnes

Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer Service & Children’s Bible Study: 6:30 p.m.

An Episcopal - Lutheran Community 506 S. McNeil Street, Burgaw, NC 28425 910.259.5541

200 E. Fremont St. • Burgaw, NC 28425

www.BurgawBaptistChurch.org

28396 Hwy. 210 W. • Currie (1/2 mile from Moores Creek Battlefield)

ST. M ARY’S CHURCH

Sunday Worship Service with Holy Eucharist: 11 a.m. www.stmaryschurchburgawnc.org

BURGAW BAPTIST CHURCH

100 E. Bridgers Street • Burgaw, NC 28425 910-259-4310

4670 Stag Park Rd. • Burgaw, NC 28425 • 910-259-5735 Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study: 7 p.m.

THE CHURCH AT WILMINGTON

Bible Based Community Fellowship NEW Pender County Location 16660 Hwy 17 N. • Hampstead, NC 28443 (American Legion Building) 910-526-7890 Pastor: Monte Suggs Services Sunday at 10 a.m. and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

1303 Hwy. 117 • Burgaw, NC • 910-259-2601

CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP (CF2) 10509 US Hwy. 117 S., Rocky Point Business Park Rocky Point, NC • 910-232-7759 www.CF2.us Worship Hours: Sunday Morning, 11 a.m.

Wednesday Night, 6 p.m. Pastor: Dr. Ernie Sanchez

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH

18737 Hwy 17 North, Hampstead • 910-270-1477 Rev. John Durbin, Pastor

Weekend Mass Schedule: Hampstead - SAT 5 p.m., SUN 9 a.m.

Surf City - SAT 5 p.m., SUN 9 & 11 a.m. (through Labor Day) Daily Mass - Hampstead: TUES & WED 4p.m., THURS & FRI 9 a.m.

Confessions SAT 4-4:30 p.m. or by appt. www.allsaintsccnc.org

CHAPEL BY THE BAY IN LANIER’S CAMPGROUND 216 Michigan Avenue • Holly Ridge, N.C. 28445 910-328-6252 Pastor: Don Myers Associate Pastor: Nathan Swartz Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

Evening Service 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study 5:45 p.m.

Children’s Church 6:15 p.m. Choir Practice 7:00 p.m.

Thursday: Youth Group 6:30 p.m.

Recipes for New Years celebrations

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 3B

Hope’s Cooking Corner

By Hope Cusick Contributing Writer (APPY .EW 9EAR 3OME OF these recipes may be made the day before and may be used for dinner or brunch. %NJOY Dessert coffee One may not be enough.

OUNCES CRÒME DE COCAO OR Kahlua OUNCES BRANDY ½ gallon coffee ice cream Ice cubes 0OUR CRÒME DE COCAO AND brandy into a blender. Fill blender with as much coffee ICE CREAM TO lLL BLENDER FULL !DD ICE CUBES "LEND well. Serve in lowball glasses after dinner.

Cheesy cornbread ¼ cup butter 1¼ cups stone ground yellow cornmeal ¾ cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder Pinch of salt and fresh ground black pepper 4 ounces extra sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded 2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 1¼ cups buttermilk LARGE EGGS Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place butter in nine-inch cast iron skillet. Place the skillet in the oven and heat at

425 degrees for 4 minutes or until butter melts. Remove the skillet from the oven.

In a large bowl combine and whisk together cor nmeal, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and pepper, until well blended. Add cheeses and mix well.

In another large bowl mix together buttermilk and eggs; add this to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.

Pour batter over the melted butter in the hot skillet.

Bake in a 425-degree oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Sausage and cheese quiche pie 1 prepared 9-inch deep dish pie crust 1 c u p s h re d d e d ch e d d a r cheese ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt 1 pound sausage, browned, drained and crumbled (I like to use sweet Italian sausage.)

4 eggs, room temperature, slightly beaten 1½ cups half-and-half ½ teaspoon salt and fresh ground black pepper.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In the bottom of prepared pie crust sprinkle sausage meat then top with shredded cheeses.

In a bowl whisk together eggs, half-and-half, sour cream, salt and pepper. Pour over meat and cheese.

Bake in 400-degree oven for 15 minutes, then lower heat TO DEGREES AND BAKE FOR MORE MINUTES ,ET STAND FOR minutes then cut and serve.

Ham and broccoli pasta Turkey or chicken may be

substituted in this recipe.

4 cups uncooked bow tie pasta about 12 – ounces 1 16-ounce package frozen broccoli florets CUPS FULLY COOKED HAM

cubed 1 c up s hredded Cheddar cheese or Mexican Three Cheeses ¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese ½ cup sour cream 1 teaspoon dried dill ½ cup milk Pinch salt and fresh ground black pepper Grated Parmesan cheese. )N A $UTCH OVEN COOK PASTA according to package directions, add broccoli during the last five minutes of cooking; drain and set aside.

In a large rectangular baking dish add shredded cheese, sour cream, milk, dill, salt and pepper; stir together. Toss in pasta and broccoli mixture to combine. Fold in cooked ham and mix evenly.

"AKE IN A DEGREE OVEN FOR MINUTES UNTIL ALL the cheese is melted and is slightly golden on top. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese Carrot and apple baked casserole I like to add two tablespoons Grand Marnier to this dish for a better flavor.

4 Granny Smith green apples, cored, peeled, and thinly sliced 2 cups cooked and drained carrot slices CUP BROWN SUGAR 2 tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons corn starch ¾ cup orange juice 0REHEAT OVEN TO DEGREES Place half the apple slices in a greased two quart baking dish, and cover with half the carrots.

In a bowl mix together brown sugar, butter, and flour.

Sprinkle half the mixture over the apples and carrots in baking dish. Repeat these layers and pour the orange juice over the top. Bake 40-45 minUTES IN A DEGREE OVEN Cheesecake and blueberry crescent rolls For an extra taste, I drop teaspoons of raspberry jam over the blueberry filling.

2 cans creascent rolls 1 pint fresh blueberries 2 tablespoons g ranulated sugar 2 8- ounce packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla ¼ cup butter, melted Chinese Five-Spice or ground cinnamon Sugar In a bowl toss together blueberries and two tablespoons sugar, let it sit for 20 minutes.

Unroll and spread one of the cans of crescent rolls on the bottom of a greased X BAKING DISH OR X IF you want to cut the recipe in half).

Combine softened cream cheese, one cup sugar, and vanilla. Spread over crescent roll layer.

In a bowl macerate the blueberries with sugar.

Spread macerated blueberries and sugar over top of cream cheese mixture. Unroll another package of crescent rolls and layer rolls over cream cheese layer.

Melt the butter and spread over top of crescent rolls.

Sprinkle generously with Chinese Five-Spice and sugar.

"AKE FOR MINUTES IN DEGREE OVEN UNTIL BUBBLY AND SLIGHTLY BROWNED ,ET COOL a bit, slice and serve.

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS Governor’s Volunteer Service Award Nominations Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 Gover nor’s Volunteer Service Award.

The awards program, created by the office of the governor in 1979, recognizes North Carolina’s most dedicated volunteers. Through the years, the award has been bestowed on thousands of North Carolinians who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by volunteering in their local community.

Each county selects up to

10 individuals, businesses, groups/teams and one paid director of volunteers to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to their communities. One of the nominees will be nominated for the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service, which is awarded to the top 20 volunteers in the state. A local committee evaluates the nominations.

Nomination forms are available in Pender County at the following locations: s0ENDER !DULT 3ERVICES

S. Walker St, Burgaw s"URGAW 0UBLIC ,IBRARY

S. Cowan St, Burgaw s(AMPSTEAD 0UBLIC ,IBRARY

,IBRARY $R (AMPSTEAD Return the completed forms to: Kay Warner, Pender Adult Services, 901 S. Walker St., P.O. Box 1251, Burgaw, NC 28425.

Nomination forms are due by Jan. 17.

AARP Tax-Aide needs new volunteers If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that is both mentally challenging and fulfilling, perhaps you should consider the AARP Tax-Aide, a free income tax preparation service. They are seeking new volunteers for the next tax

filing season which begins in February of 2017.

The organization provides a complete tax preparation and e-filing service for both federal and state tax returns free of charge, to all qualified taxpayers, with emphasis placed on those with low to middle incomes and those 60 years of age or older.

This service is administered nationwide by the AARP Foundation and sponsored by AARP and IRS. Volunteers need not be AARP members.

Tax Counselors receive IRS approved training at a local site, as well as IRS certifica-

Thursday, December 29 s4HE +IWANIS #LUB OF (AMPSTEAD WILL MEET AT A M AT THE 3AWMILL 'RILL ON (WY IN (AMPSTEAD s!LCOHOLICS !NONYMOUS WILL MEET FROM NOON P M AT THE 3URF #ITY #OMMUNITY #ENTER #ALL FOR MORE information. s0ENDER #OUNTY -USEUM IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR FREE (donations are welcome) every Thursday and Friday from 1-4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Group tours are available at other times by contacting the MuSEUM AT BY EMAIL AT PENDERHIST HOTMAIL COM < s4HE (AMPSTEAD ,IONS #LUB MEETS ON THE lRST AND THIRD Thursday of the month at noon at Topsail Presbyterian #HURCH (IGHWAY &OR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ,IONS #LUB PLEASE CALL 6AL AT Friday, December 30 s0ENDER #OUNTY -USEUM OPEN P M s4HE -ARINE #ORPS ,EAGUE $ETACHMENT MEETS FOR BREAKFAST AT THE 3AWMILL 'RILL IN (AMPSTEAD AT A M EACH Friday.

Sunday January 1 Happy New Year!

Tuesday January 3 s4HE "URGAW ,IONS #LUB MEETS AT P M THE lRST AND third Tuesday of each month at Burgaw Presbyterian #HURCH &ELLOWSHIP (ALL -EMBERS DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN Burgaw to be a member of this service organization. For more information, call Alan King at 910-789-1074. s4HE (AMPSTEAD ,IONS #LUB MEETS ON THE FIRST AND third Thursday of the month at noon at Topsail PresBYTERIAN #HURCH (IGHWAY &OR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ,IONS #LUB PLEASE CALL 6AL AT Wednesday, January 4 s!LCOHOLICS !NONYMOUS WILL MEET FROM P M AT THE 3URF #ITY #OMMUNITY #ENTER #OMMUNITY #ENTER $R #ALL FOR MORE INFORMATION s4HE #OASTAL 0ENDER 2OTARY #LUB MEETS EACH 7EDNESDAY AT P M AT THE "ELVEDERE #OUNTRY #LUB #OUNTRY #LUB $RIVE IN (AMPSTEAD Thursday, January 5 s4HE +IWANIS #LUB OF (AMPSTEAD WILL MEET AT A M AT THE 3AWMILL 'RILL ON (WY IN (AMPSTEAD s!LCOHOLICS !NONYMOUS WILL MEET FROM NOON P M AT THE 3URF #ITY #OMMUNITY #ENTER #ALL FOR MORE information. s0ENDER #OUNTY -USEUM IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR FREE (donations are welcome) every Thursday and Friday from 1-4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Group tours are available at other times by contacting the MuSEUM AT BY EMAIL AT PENDERHIST HOTMAIL COM

Send community news to posteditor@post-voice.com tion. The training covers tax law as well as how to use the IRS approved software to prepare tax returns.

Training begins in late NoVEMBER TO EARLY $ECEMBER with self study and practical exercises preparing sample returns. Classroom and computer training follows in midJanuary. Volunteers receive resource guides on tax law to use throughout the training and the tax season.

Though counselors are trained to prepare the vast

majority of all tax returns, they are not trained to prepare, nor are they allowed to prepare, highly complex returns. #OUNSELORS AT THE (AMPstead site will be expected to volunteer weekly for two afternoon sessions of four hours each during the 10 week tax season.

If you are interested in helping provide this public service to the people of Pender County and would like to know more, PLEASE CALL ,OCAL #OORDINATOR *ACK 0ADGETT AT

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, December 29, 2016, Page 4B

Christmas in Soundside Park Staff photos by Katie H. Pettigrew