Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, March 25, 2021, Page 7A
Bill Howard Outdoors
By Bill Howard Post & Voice Columnist
I have mentioned in the past that hunting turkeys are the bane of my hunting prowess. Something about the big bird with a brain the size of a grain of sand somehow keeps me at bay. Don’t get me wrong. I have had successful turkey hunts. That is, if you count being successful as seeing the bird and not taking the bird. And it is not always one thing about the bird that runs my hunt afoul. It is a multitude of things. I mean, I was successfully calling several Toms in from several hundred yards on one hunt. Little did I know a bobcat was also responding to my expert hen clucks and Jake gobbles. The bobcat ended up getting closer than the turkeys did unfortunately.
I never noticed the bobcat until I started trying to deduce why they henned up just out of reach of my bow. Of course, that wasn’t the only time something like that happened. On another occasion I called three birds, two Jakes and an old Tom, in from behind the ground blind. They cut into the woods about 50 yards from where I was located but I had a feeling they would come down a wallowed-out trail to my right. Sure enough, they did just that. I already had the bow pulled back as I waited for the Tom to pass by the window when all three birds suddenly took flight. For about ten seconds I wondered if they had caught sight of me or something. It was the 11th second that had me realize what it was that startled them. A black bear, easily four or five hundred pounds, walked through the same worn trail just a few feet from my blind. He didn’t mess with me, I didn’t mess with him. I thought that was fair. On another occasion I clucked, I gobbled, I used an owl hoot and a crow’s beckon. Nothing was responding. I sat tight
throughout the morning before deciding to try another area for the afternoon. I gathered most of my belongings and carried them to the truck. Upon returning for my decoys and ground blind, I walked up on an old long beard. I’m not sure who startled who, as we both stood in place for a few seconds to try and figure out what to do. Well, the tom took off running after he got his wits about him leaving nothing but a cloud of dust. I on the other hand, grabbed the decoys and blind and mumbled some choice words on my short walk of shame back to the vehicle. There are more stories just like these unfortunately. But I have accepted that it is what it is, and when the time is right, I will get my bird. However, I was reminded this weekend just how cursed I am with the fantailed bearded ones. I wasn’t hunting, but rather on an assignment. I had my camera in hand. I also had on a red pullover, wasn’t overly quiet, and had my dog with me on a leash. Then, out of nowhere, a Tom stepped out into some tall grasses just a few yards from us. Why?
How? This cannot be! But it was. Just an old dumb bird that is supposed to be one of the most alert fellas in the forest. And he didn’t care we were there either. I got a few photos and we kept walking. I must confess that this one occur rence would not have set my doubts and reminders of the past though. No, it takes two. There it was, again. Another bird. We were probably a half mile from where we saw the other turkey. This time, the bird must have been 20 yards away at best. And likely he was just as dumb. Again, I got some photos and my dog and I continued our walk. I guess if I cannot shoot them with a bow or shotgun, at least I can shoot them with the camera. –Bill Howard is a lifelong North Carolina resident and hunter. He is a lifetime member of the North Carolina Bowhunters Association, an associate member of Pope and Young, and an official measurer of both. He is a certified hunter education (IHEA) instructor and bowhunter education (IBEP) instructor. Please share your stories with Bill at BillHowardOutdoors@ gmail.com.
Town of Burgaw Government News March 25, 2021 JOIN THE FUN AT OUR EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Make sure to join us at our Easter Eggstravaganza on March 27th at Rotary Park from 9 AM to 3 PM. Due to COVID-19, participants must pre-register for this event as we will only be taking a limited number of participants per time slot. Register today by visiting burgawnc.gov/easter. Further instructions will be emailed to participants upon registration. For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation at recreation@burgawnc.gov or call (910)-300-6401. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING NOTICE There will be a special Board of Adjustment meeting on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 5:30 PM at the Historic Train Depot, located at 115 S. Dickerson Street, Burgaw. The purpose of the meeting is for the hearing of a minor special use: Consideration of an Evidentiary Hearing for a Minor Special Use Permit for 1378 Penderlea Highway for an accessory apartment and further identified a tax reference number 3219-65-92190000. All interested parties are invited to attend. OUR TOWN WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – SIGN UP TODAY! Do you receive our awesome weekly newsletter? If not, you are missing out, so sign up today for a chance to WIN a gift card! Our newsletters always contain lots of good information, news, upcoming events, reminders, safety tips, town history articles and much more. We encourage everyone to sign up to receive the newsletter directly to your email and/or via text each week. Signing up is super easy! Click the following link to visit our "Notify Me" module on our website at https://burgawnc.gov/list.aspx. There are also other options to sign up to receive notifications when other town related information is posted to the website. Everyone who enrolls to receive the newsletter will have a chance to win! 3 lucky winners will be selected at random throughout the next month. Share with all your family and friends! TOWN CALENDAR April 1 | 8:30 AM Tourism Development Authority Meeting April 1 | 5:30 PM Board of Adjustment Meeting (rescheduled from March 18) April 2 | Good Friday Town offices closed in observance of Easter TOWN OF BURGAW Phone 910.259.2151 Fax 910.259.6644 Email: mail@burgawnc.gov Web: www.burgawnc.gov
Town of Surf CiTy 201 COMMUNITY CENTER POST OFFICE BOX 2475 SURF CITY, NC 28445 (910) 328-4131 FAX (910) 328-1746
Topsail Chamber partners with CFCC Small Business Center By Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writer In order to provide educational opportunities to local business owners and professionals, the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC) has partnered with the Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) Small Business Center (SBC), and SBC Director Jerry Coleman. Chamber Executive Director Karen Burton said that while people have made adaptations and adjusted well to the COVID situation, it has cost local businesses and they are picking up the pieces. “One of the things that became a goal was to create some educational opportunities that will help local businesses,” said Burton. “I met with Jerry a couple of weeks ago. We talked about incorporating some of his small business sessions, such as PPE loans and loan forgiveness. We also discussed some educational pieces for restau-
rant owners. If COVID doesn’t lift soon, then we will continue to Zoom. We also hope to do some hybrid sessions.” Coleman explained that CFCC Small Business Center’s mission is to help businesses plan, start and grow. Since the hospitality and tourism industry is a big part of the industry dynamic in the area, creating content around customer service training is a priority. He said that no matter what kind of business you have, what is done to create a positive experience for the client or customer is essential to the success of any organization. “We help businesses by providing educational
is a leading authority on REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NOTICE OF PUBLIC DEBRIS HEARING tourism, hospitality and 2021-2022 RESIDENTIAL CURBSIDE VEGETATIVE ON WHETHER THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR service industries; as well COLLECTION THE TOWN OF as a keynote speaker, busiSURF CITY, NORTH CAROLINA ness and team trainer, and I. Purpose SHOULD A PROPOSED small business consultant. The Town of Surf City is soliciting detailed collection services pricing APPROVE proposals and quotes from interested waste haulers and FINANCING AGREEMENT He demonstrates ways to trash collection companies to complete a town-wideINSTALLMENT residential curbside vegetative debris collection for all residents within the TO FINANCE A PORTION OF THE boundaries of the Town of Surf City, to be completed three times a year in 2021 -2022. create a Disney-like culture COST OF VARIOUS PROJECTS. to transform any existing II. Instruction to Bidders service level into a magical Please customer include detailed collection times and all anticipated costs your proposal. All submissions arehearing due no later NOTICE IS in HEREBY GIVEN of a public to than 4:00pm experience. Wednesday, December 9th to the following address: be held at 4:30 P.M., or as soon thereafter as the programming, and we also Burton said that they matter can be heard, on April 6, 2021, at the Surf offer one-on-one confiden- have Office also of discussed plans the Town Clerk City Welcome Center located at 102 North Shore tial counseling services,” for additional Town of SurfZoom City meetDrive, Surf City, North Carolina, for the purpose said Coleman. “With the ings through CFCC Work201 Community Center Dr. City, NC 28445to inChamber’s mission to help forceSurf Development of considering whether the Town Council for the increase their member- clude a variety of topics. Town of Surf City, North Carolina (the “Town”) viaworking email to shobbs@townofsurfcity.com ship, we can be a resource Theyor are on schedshould approve a proposed installment financto support that growth and uling weekly training sesing agreement and certain related documents All inquiries regarding this RFP should be directed to the Town Clerk, Stephanie Hobbs, at the above address, by calling development. Whether it’s sions. More information pursuant to G.S. §160A-20, as amended, for the (910)328-4131x106 or emailing shobbs@townofsurfcity.com training, counseling, or will soon be available. purpose of providing funds in an amount not to connecting their members “We have talked about exceed $2,500,000, with other available funds, III. Tasks to other resources that can what is needed worker’s forside the acquisition, equipping andresidential installment Company will be for required to provide curb vegetative debris removal from Town areas, of homes, and help them - we can be the compensation. have of the an apartment complexesWe and dispose items appropriatelymeter and lawfully. advanced infrastructure system for the conduit to make that hap- discussed succession planCompany must complete the removal of Town’s all items within three timesthe per “Project”). year. watera one-week system period, (collectively, ning, The Town of Surf will supply a residential address listing (spreadsheet) and map. pen.” having anCity attorney The Town would secure the repayment by it of Upon completion, Company an itemizedadvanced program invoice reflecting man hours utilized, fuel expenses and The Chamber will in- come in not only talkwill to submitmoneys pursuant to such proposed feesmembers associated with vendor costs, and quantities of materials collected and disposed of, within 30 days of the corporate digital market- our about estate agreement by granting a security interest in a porconclusion ofbut the program week. ing classes to help their planning, also their tion of the Project and certain related property. clientele learn strategies succession plans. Those IV. Examples of Eligible Vegetative Items for handling social me- are things people don’t E. Hobbs Vegetative materials no longer than 4’ in length andStephanie 6” in diameter. dia. Burton plans to invite always think about that Town Clerk John Formica, known as could be helpful V. Examples of Ineligible Itemsfor them,” Town of Surf City, North Carolina the “Ex-Disney Guy,” to Bagged Debris speak on the topic. Formica Continued Vegetative debris generated onnot page 14Afrom the property Any other waste, including household garbage, bulk items, etc.
PENDER COUNTY GOVERNMENT NEWS
**Proposals must be submitted no later than Wednesday, December 9th at 4:00pm.**
WANTED! A FEW GOOD MEN & WOMEN! VOLUNTEER! The Pender County Board of Commissioners will consider appointments to the following Boards/Commissions/Committees: # of Name of Board Vacancies Positions/Categories Advisory Board of Health 4 Dentist***, Engineer***, Optometrist***, Physician Rep*** Board of Adjustment 1 District 4 Board of Equalization & Review 3 Citizen Representative Industrial Facilities & Pollution Control Financing Auth. 7 Business/Insurance/Attorney/Banking Nursing/Adult Care Home Advisory Committee 1 Citizen Representative Pender Memorial Hospital Board 1 District 2 Tourism Development Authority 1 Collector District 1 = Upper Topsail; Surf City District 4 = Union; Penderlea; Grady; District 2 = Scotts Hill; Lower Topsail Columbia; Caswell; Canetuck District 3 = Rocky Point; Long Creek 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 PUBLIC HEARINGS THE PENDER COUNTY PLANNING BOARD WILL HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS AS FOLLOWS: DATE OF HEARINGS:
April 7, 2021
TIME OF HEARINGS:
7:00 p.m. LOCATION OF HEARINGS: THE PUBLIC HEARING NOTED WILL BE HELD IN THE AUDITORIUM AT THE PENDER COUNTY HAMPSTEAD ANNEX, 15060 US HWY 17, HAMPSTEAD, NC 28443
REZONE 2021-22 Evolve Acquisitions LLC, applicant on behalf of Lanwillo Development Co. and Headwaters Properties LLC, owners, is requesting the approval of a Conditional Zoning Map Amendment to allow for two-hundred and ninety-four (294) multi-family residential units and three commercial outparcels, with numerous potential commercial uses to be allowable within the proposed conditional zoning district. The total proposed acreage is approximately ±24.26 acres across the entirety of four (4) parcels. The proposed development is located on the east side of US HWY 17 between the intersections with Hughes Road (SR 1618) to the south and Deerfield Drive (SR 1673) to the north, and approximately ±0.5 miles south of the intersection of US HWY 17 and NC HWY 210 in the Topsail Township. The subject properties are currently zoned PD, Planned Development and may be further identified by the following Pender County PINs: 3282-74-3515-0000; 328274-1001-0000; 3282-74-6231-0000; and 3282-74-8862-0000. REZONE 2021-20 Riley Alber, applicant on behalf of Piney Run Farms, LLC, owner is requesting the approval of a Conditional Zoning Map Amendment to allow for Compost Manufacturing (NAICS 325314) Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal, (NAICS 562219), Farm Supplies Merchant (NAICS 424910), General Combination Crop Farming (NAICS 111998), and Soil Testing Services (NAICS 541380). The subject property is approximately ±72.2 acres in size. The proposed development is located down an easement approximately ±380 feet east of NC Hwy 210, ±0.32 miles south of the intersection of NC Hwy 210 and Sheep Ford Rd (Private) in the Topsail Township. The subject property is zoned RA, Rural Agricultural zoning district and may be further identified by Pender County PIN 3265-61-7071-0000 For Additional Information: Contact Pender County Planning & Community Development 805 S Walker St Burgaw, NC 28425 Phone 910-259-1202
3/25/2021
ADVERTISEMENT FOR SEALED BIDS SALE OF COUNTY PROPERTY
The Board of Commissioners of Pender County has authorized the sale by sealed bid of the following parcel of real property:
Pender County Parcel ID 3228-84-6662-0000 (15.5 +/- Acres) | Minimum Bid: $6,200/Acre The county will accept sealed bids for the property until 12:00 P.M., Monday, April 19, 2021, at the office of the county manager, Room 110, Pender County Administration Building, 805 South Walker Street, Burgaw, NC 28425. At 12:00 P.M., Monday, April 19, 2021, all bids received shall be opened in public and the amount of each bid announced and recorded. The record of bids shall be reported to the Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting on Monday, April 19, 2021. The Board of Commissioners will determine the highest responsible bidder for the property and will award the bid by its regular meeting on April 19, 2021. Bids will remain open and subject to acceptance until the Board of Commissioners awards the bid. Each bid must be accompanied by a bid deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid. A bid deposit may take the form of cash, a cashier’s check, a certified check, or a surety bond. The deposit of the bidder to whom the award is made will be held until sale of the property is closed; if that bidder refuses at any time to close the sale, the deposit will be forfeited to the county. The deposits of other bidders will be returned at the time the Board of Commissioners awards the property to the highest responsible bidder. In order for a bid to be considered, the bidder must be current on payment of all property taxes owed to the county. The county reserves the right to withdraw the property from sale at any time and the right to reject all bids. The County will require the successful bidder to have the property surveyed at their cost. The successful bidder will also be responsible for all closing costs. Inquiries about the property and the sale may be made to the calling (910) 259-1200.
NOTICE: The County of Pender is requesting proposals from qualified contractors to provide comprehensive Debris Monitoring Services in the event of a hurricane or other natural or man-made disaster within the area. Contract services shall be performed on an “as needed basis” during emergencies as assigned with specific contract task orders for an initial period of four (4) years, with an option to extend for two additional one-year periods. Visit www.pendercountync.gov to view the full Request for Proposals (RFP) # 200303-101, which identifies the services to be undertaken. Click on “I Want To…”, scroll down to “Open RFP’s and Bids”. In order to be considered, all proposals must be submitted in writing no later than 2:00 PM (EST) on March 30, 2021. NOTICE OF INTENT TO ACCEPT OFFER FOR SALE OF PENDER COUNTY PROPERTY TAKE NOTICE that Pender County has received and proposes to accept an offer to purchase 1.83 acres of real property (PIN 2248-17-4530-0000) located off of Union Bethel Road in Hampstead for the sum of Five Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($5,750.00) from Regina Walker. Within Ten (10) days of the date of this notice any person may submit an upset bid which exceeds the proposed purchase price by at least ten percent (10%) of the first One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and at least five percent (5%) of the remainder of the purchase price. The bid must be submitted to the Clerk to the Board with a deposit in the amount of five (5%) percent of the total increased price.
www.pendercountync.gov
Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, March 25, 2021, Page 14A
Topsail Beach, NC Coastal Federation to install living shorelines The Town of Topsail Beach is partnering with the North Carolina Coastal Federation to install four living shoreline demonstration projects to reduce soundside erosion and maintain valuable fisheries habitat. Restoration Systems will begin construction on the first phase of the living shoreline this week along Banks Channel, near the soundside public access at Rocky Mount Ave. Wrapping up a $26 million post-Hurricane Florence storm damage reduction project, the Town is now poised to create storm resiliency projects along some of the island’s soundside properties. The Town will use a portion of a $5 million state grant provided in 2019 through Senate Bill 95, granting about $1.6 million equally among Topsail Beach, Surf City and North Topsail Beach to complete
Hope Continued from page 9A black pepper. Place pork chops, two at a time in the bag, toss to coat and repeat this with last four chops. Shake off any excess flour. In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add pork chops and cook 4-5 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked
Cemetery Continued from page 1A and on foot, and within a few days he found them. They were very near an old road that once ran from Sloop Point through Aunt Annie Atkinson’s place - now Pecan Grove and through the Westbrook lands, and by the old African-American / enslaved graveyard and out to Mushpot Road. “I had known about that cemetery all my life but as it turned out the Nixon Graves were only a few hundred feet from the colored graveyard,” said Edens. “I located the graves in a place that was so overgrown with vines and heavy underbrush that they would probably never be found if someone, like myself, was not looking specifically for them. The lady did return the following week and was overjoyed when I took her to visit her ancestors’ graves.” Decades later, following Hurricane Fran, loggers came in to cut the timber that was blown down. Even though they were not on the Edens’ property, Edens flagged the Nixon graves and informed the loggers about them and the much larger African-American enslaved cemetery. Still, Edens recalls that they broke Ann Nixon’s beautiful old stone off even with the ground. Years later, when Edens’ two grandsons were older and stronger, they helped him put her broken stone back up beside the piece which remained in the ground. The next occurrence that disturbed Edens took place
the living shoreline projects. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to be proactive in creating island wide readiness and resiliency projects and address some long-standing issues of flooding and shoreline erosion,” said Mike Rose, town manager for Topsail Beach. “We’ve worked very hard on our ocean-side projects, and we are very excited to partner with the federation to focus some attention and
efforts on the other side of our island.” This project will include the construction of a sill structure built from bagged oyster shell, which will provide erosion control and serve as a living reef for new oysters. The shoreline landward of the sill will be restored with marsh species, providing critical habitat for fish and other estuarine animals. The project will serve as a training tool and demonstration for property
owners, marine contractors and other shoreline professionals. An opening will be included to allow for continued water access for canoes, kayaks and other small watercraft. “The work the Coastal Federation is doing to promote living shorelines is incredibly important for our coast,” said Mary-Margaret McKinney, director of coastal restoration for Restoration Systems, LLC. “Every time a landowner chooses to protect their property with a living shoreline instead of a hardened bulkhead it’s a win for their property, their neighbors’ properties, the plants and animals that live at the land-water interface, and coastal resilience as a whole.” Living shorelines reduce the impact of waves through various techniques, offering an effective and environmentally friendly solution to estuarine shoreline erosion. Recently, the
through. Remove from pan and keep warm. In the same skillet, add mushrooms, onion, and bacon to the drippings, cook and stir occasionally until mushrooms are tender. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Add Marsala wine, and increase heat to medium high. Cook, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. In a bowl, stir together corn-
starch and chicken broth until smooth; add to skillet. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for two minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve over pork chops. Oatmeal and apricot cookies 2 sticks butter, softened 1 cup light brown sugar, packed ½ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs, room temperature
1½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of salt 3 cups old-fashioned cooking oats, uncooked 1 c u p d r i e d a p r i c o t s, chopped ¾ cup dried cranberries ¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts Preheat oven to 350 de-
grees. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat butter and both sugars on medium speed until creamy, about two minutes. On low speed beat in eggs, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt until just blended. Stir in oats, apricots, cranberries, and pecans. Drop dough by rounded
tablespoons, two inches apart, onto two ungreased large cookie pans. Bake until tops are golden about 13-15 minutes, rotating pans between upper and lower oven racks halfway through baking. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cook. Repeat with remaining dough if necessary. Store cookies in air tight container for up to one week.
about 20 years ago when he was hunting on Mrs. Westbrook’s land, where they also used to farm some of her fields. “On that day, I was totally shocked to discover that someone had gone through the colored cemetery with a piece of heavy equipment and piled up at least a dump truck load of gravestones. I went up to Woodside a few days later and got Doobie Shepard to go with me to see what had been done to his family’s graves. The poor old man stood there with tears in his eyes and just shook his head,” said Edens. Fast forward to today. Clearing on the Westbrook Property Development began a few weeks ago, and it was obvious to Edens that they meant business with all the equipment that was working all day, seven days a week. They kept heading in the direction of the old cemeteries, until one day Edens and his wife set out to find out who was currently in charge of development around cemeteries. He finally made contact and the clearing halted, but it was too late for some of the African-American graves. According to Edens, they were also within about 200 feet of destroying the nearly 200-year-old Nixon Graves. He referenced the 1800s grave marker of old Robert Fuller - the heart-shaped one that was busted in half with a bush hog mounted on a bobcat. By that afternoon, someone from Burgaw contacted Edens and asked him if he would take the surveyors and point out the cemeteries, which he did. Edens explained that
people were still being buried at the cemetery when his dad first had a store nearby in the early 1950s, and until the Woodside folks started their newer cemetery at the end of Union Bethel Road. Edens said that he and his wife have tried for many years to clean up and save old cemeteries, even going to the expense and labor to put up gravestones for folks that have been gone for 100-200 years. It burdens his heart to see actions that he believes took place because of carelessness, love of the “Almighty Dollar,” and a lack of feelings. According to Edens, the Nixon graves and those of the enslaved people go back to some of the earliest residents of the area. Nicholas Nixon was the son of Robert Nixon and Eleanor McClammy, and his wife was Nancy Ann Nichols. Robert was the son of Thomas Nixon and Sophia Nichols. The Nixons are also ancestors of the Westbrooks, the Shepards, the Joneses (including brothers Nixon and Harvey), and the Roberts family. Edens said that practically all the African American families from the old days of the Woodside, Edgecombe and Topsail communities had family ties to those that are interred there in the African-American cemetery. As shown on a clipping from the local 1790 census, the Nixon’s closest neighbors were the Edens, Batsons, Blakes, Howards, Costons and others - many who are still around today. Edens estimated that Nicholas Nixon was the third generation of slave owners to occupy the land
where he is buried. His family’s descendants, the Shepard Family, maintained that institution for at least another generation. At least one of the few grave markers which remain is that of a lady who lived at least her first 10 years of her life in slavery. At the time of the1840 census, the last prior to Nixon’s death in 1843, he owned 32 enslaved people. It stands to reason that throughout the decades of the enslaved living and working on the property, there would have been many other graves on that same plot. “Just like most of us, they wanted to be near their family members. I will also add that even those that were buried in the later years often never had a stone placed at their grave - just as many of my own white family members didn’t. I saw at least one grave today where the family had stood up a bag of cement, left there to harden, as a grave marker,” said Edens. A little history on the Nixons – Nicholas and Nancy Ann Nichols Nixon’s son Nicholas N. Nixon (1800-1868) was granted a good size parcel of land at Porters Neck by his father when he passed away in 1843. It was one of three plantations which he left to three sons. Nicholas N. married Elizabeth Ann Morris (1807-1875). To this union were born six children, one being Cornelia Jones Nixon (1843-1931) who married Robert Burns Davis (1834-1918). To this union five children were bor n, one being Champion McDowell Davis (18791975).
“ C h a m p ” D av i s b e g an workin g w ith th e Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, which later became the Atlantic Coastline Railroad, in 1893 as a Messenger Boy; and retired in 1957, after serving as President of the company for some 15 years. In 1963, Champ began The Champion McDowell Davis Charitable Foundation and began construction of a nonprofit, non-denominational nursing home for the elderly at Porters Neck. He named the facility after his mother, Cornelia Nixon Davis. In essence, Champ Davis was the great-grandson of Nicholas Nixon, Cornelia was the granddaughter, and Nicholas N. Nixon was the son of Nicholas and Nancy Ann Nichols Nixon - two of the graves at Woodside that stood in jeopardy of being destroyed for all time. “All Cemeteries of the Black, White or any other race, Created by Our God are Holy Ground! Some things in this life are more important than money! Until you have seen a lady kneel and wee p at the small, once heart shaped, shattered gravestone of her grandfather, as Debbie and I did today… you have not seen real sorrow, and probably a bit of subdued hate! More than their share of pain was dished out on them years ago when a big pile of their family gravestones were done away with, and from this same cemetery,” said Edens. Pender County gets involved Pender County Planning and Community Development Director Travis
Henley issued a statement Mar. 19 on Pender County’s position regarding the situation. “On Wednesday, Mar. 17, 2021, Pender County Planning and Community Development issued a Final Notice of Violation and Stop Work Order upon the referenced parcel in accordance with Article 13 ‘Enforcement and Penalties’ of the Pender County Unified Development Ordinance,” said Travis Henley, Planning and Community Development Director. This violation is specifically in regard to the land clearing activities that occurred without an approved “preliminary plat,” which is currently pending at this time. As specified in the notice of violation and stop work order, all land clearing activities are to cease and remain ceased until a Preliminary Plat is approved by Pender County Planning and Community Development. Fur thermore, the notice of violation also required removal of all equipment from the site as well. Staff are still awaiting the results of the aforementioned survey commissioned by the developers as of this release and will continue to await the receipt of all necessary documents required in order to issue approval of the pending Preliminary Plat for this parcel. In the meantime, Staff will continue to coordinate with all local, state, and federal partners to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and standards, including the State Archaeologist’s Office
NOAA photo
Bags of oyster shells are used to build a shoreline along the water's edge.
Introducing Curbside Service! 1. When you come to pick up your prescription, park in the designated space and call the store. You may pay for it by phone then, or you may pay the delivery person when they come out to your car. 2. We will also offer an OTC (over the counter) personal shopper service. Call in your order for the items you need 24 hours in advance. We will gather your items. When you get to the store, park in the designated areas and give us a call. We will bring the items out to your car. You are still welcome to come inside the stores if you would like.
N.C. Division of Coastal Management, in coordination with other state and federal agencies revised the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) General Permit for marsh sills. The amended General Permit
now makes the process of obtaining a living shoreline permit quicker and simpler. For more information on the revised General Permit visit https://www.nccoast. org/project/advocatingliving-shorelines/.
Chamber
and find resources to make life easier for them,” said Burton. Coleman added, “Our goal is to help more businesses get started and to help them be sustainable. By doing so, we can create great economic development opportunities with jobs - and that helps create a better, more sustainable and robust community.” The GTACC is located at 13775 NC Hwy. 50, Ste. 101, in Surf City. To learn more about the GTACC, visit https://www.topsailchamber.org/, find them on Facebook or call (910) 329-4446.
Continued from page 7A said Burton. Coleman explained that all of the Small Business Center resources are free, and CFCC has an abundance of additional resources that can be leveraged to support the individual needs of local businesses. “We’re excited about our partnership with CFCC Small Business Center. We are here to support the people. The Chamber is here to promote their businesses, provide them with educational opportunities,