Topsail Magazine - Fall Edition 2020

FALL 2020

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COMPLIMENTARY

A Slice of

s Top ail L ife FO L LOW T HE A RROW TO GO DW IN’S M A RK E T

MIKE’S FARM

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LAKE LINDA’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

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THE MYSTERY OF THE BEACH BLACKTOP

At NHRMC and NHRMC Physician Group, we’re leading our community to outstanding health by looking deeper and working harder to find innovative ways to deliver great care. We’re bringing health screenings to area neighborhoods, offering free exercise and nutrition programs, and volunteering with community partners throughout our region. And we’re just getting started.

Join us at NHRMC.org. Together, we can make healthier happen.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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FALL 2020

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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

52

33 PHOTO BY ADAM HAWLEY - UNIQUE MEDIA DESIGN

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

24 THE SEAFOOD CAPITAL OF THE CAROLINAS?

29 BEHIND THE BUSINESS

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With combined interests of live music and beach life, John and Claire Noto are realizing their dreams on Topsail Island.

Locals have often wondered about the veracity of Hampstead’s selfproclaimed moniker, so a longtime resident searches for its origins.

33 PEOPLE

By Dalene Bickel

Topsail Area residents Adam and Alicia Hawley of Unique Media & Design, Inc. believe in hard work and supporting their community.

40 LIVING LEGACY

Even as it transitions to new owners, Godwin’s Market lives on in the hearts of the Topsail community.

37 HISTORY

By Ashley Daniels

Why are there remnants of blacktop road in the sand at the water’s edge on North Topsail Beach? Writer Pat Fontana shares her discoveries.

44 A TALE OF A TRAIL

Maureen McKenna’s Sunday rides to church have garnered quite a following. By Ashley Daniels

52 ACROSS THE COUNTY

Mike’s Farm in Beulaville carries on Lowe family farm traditions and welcomes visitors for a variety of activities and tasty fried chicken, which is always on the menu.

48 THIS COULD BE FUN

The Second Row in Surf City is a combination pub, open mic venue and guitar shop for music and beer lovers. By Brian Wilner

57 COMMUNITY

Lake Linda’s Christmas Lights might be hidden away in Hampstead, but word about the annual show is getting out, especially now that they’re being featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.

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Topsail Magazine

PHOTO BY LAURA GLANTZ

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60 MEET & GREET

Q&A with Allicyn Bryan of the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

10 CONTRIBUTORS 12 NEED TO KNOW 15 TAGGED 17 SPIRITS

Salted Caramel White Russian

By Sandi Grigg

18 WHAT’S COOKIN’ Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

By Sandi Grigg

20 ONLINE EXCLUSIVES 23 WHAT’S HAPPENED 64 TIDE CHART 65 ADVERTISERS INDEX 66 CAPTURE THE MOMENT

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Agent Testimonials Received:

2,729

Average Star Rating:

5

Whether you’re buying or selling, contact an Intracoastal Realty expert to guide you along the way.

910-328-3000 | INTRACOASTALREALT Y.COM

About

Fall 2020 Issue — Volume 1, Issue 4 CEO/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg

Publishing Quarterly

COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison

25,000 copies printed each issue 14,000 copies directly mailed to area homes

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS: Paula Knorr Teresa Kramer Elizabeth Dale Niemann

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: George Jacob Brian Wilner

Top sai l Ma gaz

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Chris Brehmer Megan Deitz Laura Glantz Adam Hawley Hannah McMahon Vicky Oliver Shay Perna Bill Ritenour James Stefiuk Unique Media & Design

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Dalene Bickel Kate M. Carey Ashley Daniels Pat Fontana Sandi Grigg Melissa Slaven Warren Brian Wilner

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ING es foFIGHTIN REHABI KIN hom G CH LI DNnES ANCE TATION fi dsS | TO Price IN TH CENTE PSAI ryl EW R IN L IS Che ILD LAN SUR cue, D LO es F CI eR NGBO TY 2 th ARD es li ASSO Bul CIAT with g n ION ki | AS Wor HTO N FA RM

FOUNDER: B.J. Cothran

Wanna advertise? ads@TopsailMag.com PUBLISHED BY: CAROLINA MARKETING COMPANY, INC.

Have a story idea? edit@TopsailMag.com Are you a writer or photographer? freelance@TopsailMag.com 910.207.0156 TopsailMag.com

PO Box 1361, Leland, NC 28451 (910) 207-0156 • info@TopsailMag.com Reproduction or use of the contents in this magazine is prohibited.

© 2020 Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. strives to bring correct, accurate information that is published in the magazine. However, Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. cannot be held responsible for any consequences resulting from errors or absences. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. also cannot be held responsible for the services provided by any and all advertisers in our publications.

All material in this magazine is property of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. and may not be reproduced without authorization from the publisher. Topsail Magazine – A Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. publication is published four times per year and is distributed to residents and businesses in Pender & Onslow County, NC, to subscribers and to select areas of New Hanover County, NC. Interested in back issues, subscriptions or advertising?

Contact us at (910) 207-0156 or info@TopsailMag.com.

E Q

About the cover: FALL 2020

A publication of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.

|

COMPLIMENTARY

A Slice of

Top sail L ife FO L LOW T HE A RROW TO GO DW IN’S M A RK E T

MIKE’S FARM

6

Topsail Magazine

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LAKE LINDA’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

|

THE MYSTERY OF THE BEACH BLACKTOP

Photographer, Adam Hawley, captured this aerial shot of Topsail Beach. If you follow the arrow on the cover, you’ll see the site of Godwin’s Market, a landmark in this beach town. A mainstay on the island since 1951, Godwin’s is transitioning to new owners this year after the death of owner Mary Godwin in April. See Ashley Daniels’ story about Godwin’s Market on page 40.

f a m i r ly u O OF PUBLICATIONS — ROOTED IN

COASTAL NORTH CAROLINA

Topsail Magazine TopsailMag.com

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SUMMER 2020

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COMPLIMENTARY

Summer 2020

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W

Summer 2020

RAIN BO — of —

HOPE

It's All for the

Volume 1, Issue 3

Joyful sidewalk chalk art, teachers creating connections with students, volunteers sewing masks — uplifting stories of promise during a pandemic C O M PL IM E N TA RY

BLUE RIDGE ESCAPE

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DISAPPEARING COCONUT PIE

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INNOVATIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION AT BCC

VOLUME 36 2019-20 Edition

Q @wilmingtontoday | E @wilmingtonnctoday

1

Turtles

KAREN BEASLEY SEA TURTLE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION CENTER IN SURF CITY GIVES TURTLES A FIGHTING CHANCE IN THE WILD TAKEOUT PROS

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SEWING KINDNESS

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TOPSAIL ISLAND LONGBOARD ASSOCIATION

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ASHTON FARM

OUR COASTAL COMMUNITY IS AT THE HEART OF ALL OF OUR PUBLICATIONS.

Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. produces high quality publications in the region. We showcase the Coastal Carolina lifestyle in the heart of each unique community through print and digital media.

Subscribe | Advertise | Submit Ideas

CarolinaMarketingCompany.com

Fall 2020

7

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

What a year, huh?

Some days I’m afraid to even open my laptop, scroll through social media or turn on the news. It’s hard to watch everything unfolding around our country these days, and it’s especially hard to do it without some of our favorite people close by. Social distancing is taking its toll, and I know I’m not alone in itching to get back to some collective peace, health and normalcy.

There is an antidote, however: the beach. Inhaling the salt air, feeling the ocean breezes, sinking your toes in the sand. Ahh . . . you just feel good. Topsail-area residents and visitors know how mood-altering and perspective-changing it can be to pop over to the beach or hop in a boat for a day of relaxation and fun, and I wish everyone in our country could experience a day in a place like Topsail.

This place is amazing. Its natural beauty is a gift that helps people of all walks of life find respite, but there’s something else about the Topsail area that makes visitors feel so welcome and restored: the community. The people of Topsail are friendly and

welcoming, not only those in the service industry who work with visitors day in and day out, but also the people who contribute in a variety of ways. This community thrives, supports everyone and says “no matter what, we’ve got you.” I am passionate about this place. I love meeting and working with the people here and greatly appreciate their support with Topsail Magazine.

I’m excited about the stories we have to offer you in this edition. We introduce you to several members of the community, the people who live here and run the businesses, like Allicyn Bryan of Isla Advanced Skincare and Hair and the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce, Adam and Alicia Hawley of Unique Media & Design, John and Claire Noto of Topsail Island Trading Company and Bernie and Marie Ogrodnik of The Second Row in Surf City. We take you behind the scenes at places like Mike’s Farm in Beulaville, Godwin’s Market in Topsail Beach and Lake Linda’s Christmas Lights in Hampstead. We dig a little into history to answer questions about Hampstead’s “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas” moniker and about the remnants of blacktop on the beach in North Topsail Beach. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of events to tell you about in this edition, and those that we do mention are of course subject to change or cancellation. I hope all that changes by the time we get our next edition ready for you!

In the meantime, enjoy the off-season in the Topsail area, take action to help your neighbors and community wherever you are and find ways to rest and restore as much as possible. And don’t forget to vote in November.

Happy fall!

Justin Williams Owner/Publisher

Publisher@TopsailMag.com 8

Topsail Magazine

To Get Back Out There, Come See Us Here.

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Fall 2020

9

CONTRIBUTORS

Dalene Bickel CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I am a freelance writer and founder of Lasting Legacies (lasting-legacies.net), where I serve as a biographer, nonfiction book coach and legacy speaker. I am the author of The One-Year Collection of Weekly Writing Prompts, have co-authored multiple autobiographies and have contributed to anthologies, local magazines and online publications. A resident of Hampstead for more than 20 years, I enjoy spending time at the beach, reading and sipping java at area coffee shops. I am a history buff who enjoys discovering the stories of the past (both near and far) while also appreciating the amazing opportunities of the present. Life is truly an adventure, full of people and experiences worth writing about! Follow me on Facebook at LastingLegaciesBios.

Shay Perna CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

I am a professional photographer based in Sneads Ferry. Growing up a military brat and now a military wife, I’ve never stayed anywhere very long and don’t have a particular place I would call home. However, experiencing so many beautiful places throughout the years cultivated my passion for photography. My love for it grew so much after I had children and led me to a job I absolutely adore! Specializing in families, couples, maternity, glamour and boudoir photography, I pride myself in providing not just another photo shoot but an incredible portrait experience.

Brian Wilner CONTRIBUTING WRITER AND SALES & MARKETING MANAGER

Living in the Hickory, North Carolina, area since I was a kid, my parents brought us to the North Carolina coast every summer — usually to the Outer Banks — so the salt life has always been part of me. When my daughter graduated from high school and started college in Raleigh, I immediately began to realize it was the perfect opportunity for me to go coastal. This area fits perfectly with my many hobbies, which include fishing, tennis, pickleball and golf. It’s difficult to describe to others how amazing the lifestyle is in southeastern North Carolina until you experience it for yourself! I have already met a plethora of amazing people in my sales and marketing position at Carolina Marketing Company, and I can’t wait to meet you!

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Topsail Magazine

Jeff James

NEED TO KNOW

New to the area?

Find more information and numbers at TopsailMag.com

Where are the nearest emergency rooms?

NHRMC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT NORTH

151 Scotts Hill Drive Wilmington, NC 28411 (910) 662-9000 ONSLOW MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

317 Western Boulevard Jacksonville, NC 28546 (910) 577-2240 PENDER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

507 E. Fremont Street Burgaw, NC 28425 (910) 259-5451

Where are the nearest drug stores?

REALO DISCOUNT DRUGS

15441 US Highway 17, Suite 801 Hampstead, NC 28443 CVS/PHARMACY

13461 N.C. Highway 50 Surf City, NC 28445 (910) 329-0484 PUBLIX PHARMACY AT ARBORETUM IN SURF CITY

2765 N.C. Highway 210 E. Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 803-6010 WALMART PHARMACY

420 Fun Center Drive Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 803-6003

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Topsail Magazine

HARRIS TEETER PHARMACY

LOWES FOODS OF HAMPSTEAD

203 Alston Boulevard Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 329-0711

17230 U.S. Highway 17 Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 270-6300

JOHNSON DRUG HAMPSTEAD

FOOD LION IN HAMPSTEAD

17230 U.S. Highway 17 Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 270-2223

14564 U.S. Highway 17 Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 270-9703

CVS/PHARMACY AT HAMPSTEAD

PUBLIX AT ARBORETUM IN SURF CITY

14636 U.S. Highway 17 Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 270-2970

2765 N.C. Highway 201 E. Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 329-1000

VILLAGE PHARMACY OF HAMPSTEAD

WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET

14057 U.S. Highway 17, Suite 100 Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 319-6050

420 Fun Center Drive Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 803-6001

CVS/PHARMACY

SURF CITY IGA

1309 N.C. Highway 210 Sneads Ferry, NC 28460 (910) 327-2052

106 S. Topsail Drive Surf City, NC 28445 (910) 328-3961

SNEADS FERRY FAMILY PHARMACY

FOOD LION IN SNEADS FERRY

1016 Old Folkstone Rd #214 Sneads Ferry, NC 28460 910-327-2454

965 Old Folkstone Road Sneads Ferry, NC 28460 (910) 327-2067

Where are the nearest grocery stores?

Where are the post offices?

FOOD LION IN SURF CITY

213 Holly Street Holly Ridge, NC 28445

13601 N.C. Highway 50 Surf City, NC 28445 (910) 329-1163 HARRIS TEETER

203 Alston Boulevard Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 329-0711

HOLLY RIDGE

SURF CITY

13567 N.C. Highway 50, Suite D Holly Ridge, NC 28445 HAMPSTEAD

121 Dan Owen Drive Hampstead, NC 28443

NEED TO KNOW

SNEADS FERRY

2001 N.C. Highway 172 Sneads Ferry, NC 28460 TOPSAIL BEACH

714 S. Anderson Boulevard Topsail Beach, NC 28445

Where are the town halls located?

SURF CITY TOWN HALL

201 Community Center Drive Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 328-4131 TOPSAIL BEACH TOWN HALL

820 S. Anderson Boulevard Topsail Beach, NC 28445 (910) 328-5841 NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH TOWN HALL

2008 Loggerhead Court North Topsail Beach, NC 28460 (temporary location at: 1000 N. C. Highway 210 Sneads Ferry, NC 28460) (910) 328-1349 HOLLY RIDGE TOWN HALL

212 N. Dyson Street Holly Ridge, NC 28445 (910) 329-7081 HAMPSTEAD PENDER COUNTY ANNEX

15060 U.S. Highway 17 Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 270-6704 PENDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

805 S. Walker Street Burgaw, NC 28425 (910) 259-1200 ONSLOW COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER

234 NW Corridor Boulevard Jacksonville, NC 28540 (910) 989-3000

How do I get cable, phone or internet access?

SPECTRUM

(844) 674-0398 AT&T

(888) 436-8638 CENTURYLINK

(910) 260-5830 See something missing?

Shoot us an email: New@TopsailMag.com

Fall 2020

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Keep showing us how you embrace island spirit — share your moments, stories and snapshots by tagging @TopsailMagazine and adding #TopsailMagazine

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Fall 2020

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Serving Topsail Island for Over 25 Years!

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Topsail Magazine

SPIRITS

Salty & Sweet Try this twist on a classic White Russian for a satisfying dessert cocktail.

BY SANDI GRIGG

O

One of the first creamy cocktails I tasted was a traditional White Russian. It only took that one introduction to fall in love with the flavors of this drink. This simple alternative version takes a twist on the well-known White Russian and is reminiscent of a Starbucks menu item. Similar to a caramel macchiato, it is filled with coffee flavor, sweet caramel and creamy half and half.

My spouse and I just received a patio drink set from some of our friends and were excited for the air to flip into fall so that we can enjoy some deck therapy without melting in the heat. (If you follow my columns, you know that deck therapy is sitting outside and drinking cocktails.) We broke in the drink set by creating these delicious Salted Caramel White Russians. It combines some of my favorite flavors and gives a little bit of a buzz while satisfying both sweet and salty cravings. My spouse loves sweet while I prefer salty, so this was the perfect combination for us.

Usually I try to keep things pretty healthy, but not so much with this delectable cocktail. On this crisp fall evening I wanted it to warm my belly. You can certainly reduce the calories and carbs by substituting low-fat milk instead of half and half or sugar-free caramel sauce for the regular stuff. I, however, see this drink as a dessert, so in that case I say go big or go home.

SALTED CARAMEL WHITE RUSSIAN INGREDIENTS 1 ounce caramel-flavored vodka 1½ ounces Kahlua 2 ounces half and half 2 to 3 teaspoons caramel sauce Course sea salt Garnish with a rosemary sprig

METHOD Start by swirling the caramel sauce on the inside of your glass, then add ice ž full.

Pour caramel vodka, Kahlua and cream into a cocktail shaker and shake gently to combine.

Pour into the glass over the ice.

Garnish with a pinch of course sea salt and a sprig of rosemary.

Fall 2020

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WHAT’S COOKIN’

One Dish Fish This quick and easy preparation for salmon means less time in the kitchen but still yields impressively tasty results.

H

BY SANDI GRIGG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK

Have you ever heard of the salmon run? In Alaska the salmon runs start in early May and continue until September, but they vary each year. The different species of salmon run at different times through the summer. First to run are chinook (king) salmon, followed by sockeye (red) salmon and then the coho (silver) salmon.

When I was about 15 years old, my father went on a salmonfishing trip in Alaska with a few of his work associates from all over the United States. They set out to catch as much salmon as possible during the run and send it back to their homes. When Dad returned with his fresh catches, we ate sockeye salmon for weeks. My family cooked salmon every way possible, and it was all fantastic.

Today most of the salmon we eat is farm raised in Canada (Atlantic) or imported from Chile (Patagonia). The majority of local seafood markets will have the Canadian salmon, while most chain grocery stores sell the Chilean salmon. I prefer the Canadian salmon, but with location-specific species like salmon, I take what I can get.

Salmon is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids and is considered one of the healthier superfoods. The meat is oily, and the flesh is usually orange to red; however, there is a whitefleshed variation. Salmon is great to grill, bake, pan sear or eat raw. I do love a good salmon sushi, but my favorite way to cook salmon is baked with honey and garlic.

We had a small gathering of friends, and I wanted to prepare some seafood that didn’t take much time away from enjoying their company. They were all sitting outside on the deck, and I didn’t want to be confined to the kitchen. The Canadian salmon was on sale at my local fish market, and I knew it would pair well with the asparagus I had already purchased. Baking it all in one pan makes it easy cooking and easy clean up.

Honey, garlic, lemon and soy sauce make a perfectly moist and glazed salmon. I whipped up the glaze, poured it all over

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Topsail Magazine

WHAT’S COOKIN’

the asparagus and salmon in the dish and baked it to perfection.

Like most fish, it does not take long to cook, and after about a half hour dinner was ready. It presented so well, and my guests were very impressed and pleased. If you are not fond of spicy foods, omit or reduce the amount of red pepper flakes; I like the hint of spice, but I know not everyone does.

If you want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time socializing, try this simple recipe for a tasty, quick dinner, and I’m sure you will impress your guests.

Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Serves 4

INGREDIENTS / cup honey ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 bunch of trimmed asparagus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets, patted dry Salt and pepper 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 lemon, sliced into rounds

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METHOD Preheat oven to 390 degrees F. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, oil, garlic and red pepper flakes.

Lay the asparagus in a greased baking dish and place salmon on top of the asparagus.

Season with salt and pepper.

Pour the honey-soy sauce mixture over the salmon. Cover and cook about 15 minutes.

Remove cover, baste the salmon with the sauce and cook for another 15 minutes Garnish with sliced lemon and serve.

Fall 2020

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D TOPSAILMAG.COM

LINES IN THE SAND Considering shells on Topsail Beach.

Story by Mike Johnson

BLUEBERRY HEAVEN The Pender County Blueberry Trail leads residents and visitors to all the berry goodness in the one of the largest blueberry-growing regions in the state.

I am getting old and maybe boring, but a good day at the Topsail Beach is now spent browsing shells left by the outgoing tide. Sure, I still swim with my kids, body surf, feel the pull of the currents, consider the endless horizon, share a brew or two with my wife, but the shells are the real draw — running my hands over drifts of shells, seeing what’s under the top layer, pulling up and examining fistfuls and letting the next wave free the mix from my grip and send it spiraling back through the water to resettle, only to get tumbled again instantly, in a perpetual tidal cyclone. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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Story by Michelle Macken

If you love blueberries, Pender County is the place for you.

| CONTINUE READING ONLINE 20

Topsail Magazine

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SPREADING KINDNESS IN THE COMMUNITY Story by Sandi Grigg

Derek Andrews, owner of Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries in Leland, Surf City and Sneads Ferry, loves his customers and communities.

The Leland, Surf City and Sneads Ferry locations of Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries have a driving principle that you might not expect from a burger restaurant. Owner Derek Andrews says “Love Your Neighbor” is the glue that keeps his company running. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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PHOTO BY LAURA GLANTZ

Pender County is one of the largest blueberry-growing locations in North Carolina. To help residents and visitors enjoy all that blueberry goodness, Pender County Tourism has created the Blueberry Trail. The trail highlights fresh blueberries, points of interest to Pender County’s blueberry culture and places to shop for fantastic blueberry merchandise and homemade favorites.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D TOPSAILMAG.COM

Story by Molly Harrison

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all businesses, but the nation’s small businesses have been some of the hardest hit. A group of residents in Holly Ridge noticed that the small businesses in their town were suffering and decided to do something to help them. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

RISE AND SHINE NO MORE! WWAY’s Hannah Patrick moves to the evening news.

Story by Melissa Slaven Warren

After nearly three years anchoring WWAY 3’s Good Morning Carolina and News at Noon, Hannah Patrick joined co-anchor Randy Aldridge and Chief Meteorologist Lee Haywood on WWAY Evening News beginning on Monday, July 13. Patrick traded places with anchor Donna Gregory, who moved to Good Morning Carolina.

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| CONTINUE READING ONLINE

PHOTO BY UNIQUE MEDIA & DESIGN

HELP FOR HOLLY RIDGE BUSINESSES A group of concerned citizens establishes the Holly Ridge Pandemic Response Fund to assist the small local businesses during the pandemic.

Private or Group Tutoring

Educational Services

Providing Educational Services for Children in the Hampstead Area

910-803-0710

|

SeaStarAcademy.com

21600 US Highway 17 N. Hampstead

Serenny Abounds

in Spacious Hampstead Home 3445 sq. ft. PLUS unfinished attic, large deck, and your own small pier on a historical, tree-lined pond.

PHOTO BY ERICA LEVY

MADE IN THE SHADE With Solbello, Paul James has created a solution for the woes of the standard beach umbrella.

604 Center Dr., Hampstead, NC

Z 4 BEDS Z 4.5 BATHS

With additional office, study/music room, formal dining room, & more!

Story by Annesophia Richards

Living just over a mile from the beach, Paul James and his wife, Rachel, are no strangers to spending much of their free time at the ocean. As the parents of two young sons, the couple knows the importance of finding a bit of shade during their days at the beach and hours in the sun. Over the past few years, however, Paul started finding himself constantly struggling with the shortcomings of his family’s standard beach umbrella. Frustrated and fed up, Paul decided last year to find a better solution. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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Suzanne Altobello, REALTOR® Fall 2020

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WHAT’S HAPPENED

PEP Awards Eight Scholarships to Pender County Schools seniors Pender Education Partnership (PEP), a nonprofit organization established to support the students and staff of Pender County Schools, awarded scholarships to eight graduating seniors this spring. David Stipe, president of PEP, said the scholarship fund was made possible by community members and one generous donor who guaranteed a matching donation. PEP presented two scholarships per high school. To be eligible for PEP scholarships, students must be a graduating senior at one of Pender County’s four high schools and plan to attend a community college, four-year college/university or a trade school in North Carolina.

PEP SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 2020  Topsail High School: Derek Gardner and Lauren LaBelle  Pender High School: Taylor Blake and Bryson Stewart P ender Early College High School: Savanah Carter and Katelyn Haves  Heide Trask High School: Sumer Perseo and Lauren Nance

Watkins Floor Coverings Grand Opening in Surf City Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce held a grandopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Watkins Floor Covering on August 6. In addition to a location in Jacksonville, Watkins Floor Covering has a new location in Surf City at 13570 N.C. Highway 50, Suite A. They provide superior floor covering selections, expert installations and top-notch customer service.

American Skin and Pender County Health Department Work to Mitigate COVID-19 American Skin, the Burgaw-based plant that produces pork rinds, partnered with Pender County Health Department this summer to conduct COVID-19 tests and contact tracing as well as continued measures to protect employees in plant.

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the company hired a nurse to be stationed at the plant one day per week. Additionally, American Skin provides a paid leave benefit for employees 60 or older and for any of employees who at higher risk for serious complications from the virus, said company president Ray Talbot. “The health and safety of our employees is our top priority,” Talbot said. Pender County Health Department offered testing to all company employees, and drive-up service for testing was also available to anyone at the Pender County Health Department at 803 S. Walker Street in Burgaw. The health department conducts contact tracing by gathering information on COVID-19 patients and their close contacts.

Patients are monitored according to state guidelines while they are in isolation at home.

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Surf City Fitness Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce held a grandopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Surf City Fitness on July 11. Surf City Fitness is located at 2770 N.C. Highway 210, Suite 104, in Hampstead. Open 24 hours, they offer workout equipment and classes and inspiration for life-changing results.

Topsail Island Association of Realtors News On June 18 Topsail Island Association of Realtors (TIAR) held a Flood Zone Maps meeting with representatives from Pender and Onslow counties. Onslow County Land Use Administrator Angie Manning and Onslow County GIS Patricia Pike explained how the new flood maps were going into effect June 19. They were able to show the before and after and offered great tricks on using the GIS. Travis Henley from Pender County also gave updates on Pender County and how it was behind Onslow on making the preliminary maps effective.

TIAR also had great help from the NCR legislative team this year. With their support TIAR has been able to get involved with North Topsail Beach to better understand the issue of CBRA (Coastal Barrier Resource Act) on the north end. In a nutshell, in order to get the CBRA designation removed, it will take an act of Congress. Congress will need to pass a bill that adds this issue as a correction. North Topsail Beach has been working on this for years, but TIAR has joined them by trying to get support from NAR to lobby for this in Washington.

Seth Palmer was able to present this to the NCR Legislative Committee in June, and it passed unanimously. A NAR lobbyist was in attendance. The next step is to send it to NAR/Colin in Washington, D.C. Realtor Action Day was a great success again this year.

Volunteers Adam and Carrie Upchurch, Dave Woolard, Della Carson and Dennis Jay cleaned gutters, weeded a garden and washed a house for a man who is confined to a skilled nursing facility and unable to do these things himself.

Novant Health Selected as Partner for New Hanover Regional Medical Center Last year the New Hanover County Commissioners and New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) created a 21-member Partnership Advisory Board (PAG) and charged it with determining the future of the medical center. The advisory board consists of hospital board of trustee members, physicians and members of the New Hanover County community.

After nine months of research and work, the PAG has made its recommendation. In July Novant Health was selected as the recommended partner for New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC).

Novant Health is an integrated network of physician clinics,

WHAT’S HAPPENED

outpatient facilities and hospitals that delivers healthcare to communities in Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia. The Novant Health network consists of more than 1,600 physicians and more than 29,000 employees that provide care at nearly 700 locations, including 15 hospitals and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics.

To continue the academic success of NHRMC, Novant Health entered into a long-term agreement and partnership with UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine, which will provide continuity and expansion to medical education at NHRMC. For more information on Novant Health’s potential partnership with NHRMC, visit NovantHealth.org/bettertogether.

Wilmington’s Ironclad Brewery Saves Belvedere Golf Course When news of an impending sale of the old Belvedere Country Club circulated around Hampstead last winter, many residents braced for the closure and development of the club’s fairways and greens, but no one expected a brewery to save Belvedere. Ironclad Brewery came to the rescue through brewery co-owner Brandon Noel, who was working in a small office on the second story of the clubhouse at the time.

Noel had recently sold two tech start-ups. Noel took his

money and invested it in Ironclad Brewery in Wilmington, known for its event-oriented business model. Ironclad owner Ted Coughlin was an angel investor for one of Noel’s startups as well as a client. Soon after he came on board, the two found the old golf course for sale after a previous deal had fallen through, according to Noel. Coughlin wanted to expand the brewery’s brand while diversifying income streams and services offered, especially after the pandemic had devastated the wedding and event industry while providing a huge boost for golf courses. The new property will be Ironclad Golf and Beer Garden and will specialize in what Noel calls “fun golf.” Noel says the golf course and driving range will stay, and they’ll be adding a beer garden, restaurant and taproom with beer from their brewery in downtown Wilmington.

Sneads Ferry Community Theatre Auditions Sneads Ferry Community Theatre is planning to run their production of On Golden Pond, a classic American comedic drama by Ernest Thompson, in September. They held open auditions for the show on July 21 and 22 at Sneads Ferry Community Center. The show dates are September 18 to 20 and September 25 to 27, 2020.

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Fall 2020

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THE

Seafood Capital OF THE CAROLINAS?

Locals have often wondered about the veracity of Hampstead’s self-proclaimed moniker, so a longtime resident searches for its origins.

BY DALENE BICKEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

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Topsail Magazine

R

egardless of how you enter Hampstead – from U.S. Highway 17 N., U.S. Highway 17 S. or N.C. Highway 210 W. – you are greeted by a large wooden sign featuring the mast of a ship and the words “Welcome to Hampstead.” The sign on Highway 210 adds “We Know You’ll Like It Too!” while the signs along Highway 17 designate the town as the “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas.” As someone who has lived in Hampstead for more than 20 years, I’ve often been curious about the seafood capital slogan, so I did a little sleuthing and here’s what I found.

Who Coined the Slogan?

Early in my quest, I reached out to Tammy Proctor, Pender County Director of Tourism, Public Information Officer. Although she didn’t know who was responsible for the slogan that proclaims Hampstead as the Seafood Capital of the Carolinas, she did share that at least one of the signs was the result of a Boy Scout project many years ago.

With some help from a friend affiliated with the local Boy Scout Troop, I was able to connect with Martin Kegel, the former Boy Scout who earned his Eagle Scout status back in 1986 by completing the “Welcome to Hampstead: We Know You’ll Like It Too” sign on Highway 210.

“While it was my project, it wasn’t a solo project,” Kegel said. “Lots of other troop members, community leaders, parents and friends helped.”

Indeed. I learned that the Lions Club and Kiwanis of Hampstead continue to maintain all three of the signs. When asked how he came up with the slogan for his sign, Kegel said that community leaders provided him with the wording. And the “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas” on the other two signs? Unidentified community leaders there, too.

How Did Hampstead Earn This Designation?

Visitors and newcomers often believe it’s a misnomer since there aren’t any dedicated seafood restaurants in Hampstead.

These individuals might be confusing Hampstead with Calabash in Brunswick County, which is known as the Seafood Capital of the World precisely because of its plethora of seafood restaurants.

Hampstead’s designation is also a bit confusing since this rapidly growing community builds more waterfront homes than commercial fishing docks. In Fall 2020

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fact, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Marine Fisheries’ 2019 Annual Report, Pender County has consistently fewer commercial seafood landings than either of its adjacent neighbors (Pender landed 603,266 pounds of seafood in 2018 versus Onslow’s 1,459,550 pounds and New Hanover’s 1,049,704 pounds).

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Topsail Magazine

So why would anyone name Hampstead the Seafood Capital of the Carolinas?

Many Hampstead residents respond that it’s because of the town’s seafood distributors: the former J.H. Lea & Sons and the current Atlantic Seafood (located near each other for years along Highway 17 in Hampstead, the two eventually merged in 2008). Indeed, Atlantic Seafood’s website states that over the years they have “concentrated on buying fresh products, [building a frozen department] and developing strong ties to the packing houses and fishermen, which [has given] Atlantic Seafood the buying power to control the market in the Deep South.”

According to Kegel, there’s another reason the town may have obtained its community leader-proclaimed status.

“The Spot Festival was the mainstay in Hampstead,” he said.

Ah, yes – the Spot Festival! How could I forget the annual celebration of that particular fish? Hampstead has been frying them up for the masses every fall since 1963 as a fundraiser for the local fire departments and schools.

Going to the N.C. Spot Festival website, I was surprised to discover a photo of the 1972 Spot Festival book cover (and subsequent covers) that advertised Hampstead as the Seafood Capital of the Carolinas. A photo of the 1970 cover, however, did not mention the designation, and a 1971 cover was not available, which implies that Hampstead has proudly borne the name Seafood Capital of the Carolinas for 48 years.

Top 5 Types of

Seafood CAUGHT AT TOPSAIL SOUND IN 2018

1 Blue Crabs,

The Future of Hampstead as the Seafood Capital of the Carolinas

According to South End Anglers’ website, in addition to ocean fishing, “Topsail Island’s marsh provides ideal habitat for red and black drum, speckled trout, flounder, croaker, spot, grey trout, sheepshead and bluefish.

The area marshes offer miles of grassy shorelines, oyster beds, shallow flats and creeks.”

Because Hampstead is situated directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from Topsail Island’s marsh habitat, this leads into an exciting new aquaculture industry, especially as it pertains to oysters. Hampstead is currently home to at least one successful oyster farm that is under consideration to be part of the new N.C. Oyster Trail being developed by North Carolina Sea Grant and the North Carolina Coastal Federation.

The purpose of the N.C. Oyster Trail, according Jane Harrison, coastal economics specialist at North Carolina Sea Grant, is to “connect tourists and LEARN MORE visitors to oyster mariculture as well as oyster history and the ecology of ABOUT THE N.C. oysters.” Oysters play a special role in OYSTER TRAIL the ecosystem because they’re filter feeders so they improve water quality, For more information about she says. By farming oysters, farmers the N.C. Oyster Trail being are adding oysters to the waters versus developed by North Carolina taking them away from the Sea Grant and the North environment. “It’s a further layer of Carolina Coastal Federation, sustainability from an environmental visit nccoast.org or standpoint,” she says. ncseagrant.ncsu.edu.

Harrison says the oyster farm tours will be unique in that most of them will be accessible only by boat. “And once you’re out there, you can actually eat oysters right out of the water – you can get that experience of what truly fresh seafood is.”

Regardless of the success of oyster farm tours, Hampstead doesn’t have to worry about losing its title of Seafood Capital of the Carolinas anytime soon. According to local resident Bert Lea, Jr., the motto has been officially recognized by the state for decades, and generous donors continue to pay the state a multi-year fee to ensure Hampstead retains its designation.

In the end, regardless of who, when or why the slogan was created, it’s apparent that the residents of Hampstead continue to consider it a fitting source of pride. 

Hard

Oysters

2

3

Southern Flounder

4 Clams 5Striped Mullet Source: North Carolina Department of Marine Fisheries’ 2019 Annual Report

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T

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

You and Me Together With combined interests of live music and beach life, John and Claire Noto are realizing their dreams on Topsail Island.

BY BRIAN WILNER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS BREHMER

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Thinking back to the day you met your current soul mate, it’s always fun to recall how you felt that first moment you laid eyes on that person and to remember the details of those first interactions. That is the story I was after when I sat down with John and Claire Noto from The Topsail Island Trading Company.

I met them last fall shortly after I moved here, and over time we realized we share the same music interests (when they told me the song they danced to at their wedding was “You and Me”

by Dave Matthews Band, I was thrilled!). They took some time out of a work day recently to share their story with me.

Like so many other businesses, they had just reopened due to the COVID-19 restrictions being eased. When I walked in their store and saw how busy they were, I thought to myself how fantastic it was to finally see people out shopping for something other than groceries. Not to mention enjoying the groovy tunes playing in the background in the store — the shoppers were in

such a great state of mind!

With a fresh cup of coffee in hand, we sat down and traced the steps that led to their wedding day in 2009 -— and why a Dave Matthews Band song was the wedding song. John, originally from Brooklyn, New York, grew up in Sterling, Virginia. He recalls in 1993 attending a big outdoor music festival on a farm not far from Charlottesville, Virginia. “I saw the Dave Matthews Band then for the first time.” he says. “This was well before they hit the big time. But I will never forget the impression they left on me that day!”

Claire, who is originally from Midlothian, Virginia, recalls being at a pool party in 1994 and displaying a talent she had perfected as a child. “They were having a hula hoop contest and I won,” she says. “The prize was a cassette tape called Under The Table and Dreaming. I wore that Dave Matthews tape out!”

Fast forward to 2004. While attending George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Claire and her college Fall 2020

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Meet John and Claire The Notos can be found at their store, Topsail Island Trading Company in Surf City.

The gift and souvenir shop sells home decor, jewelry, games, puzzles and fun trinkets galore.

Everyone loves their selection of homemade fudge.

201 N. New River Drive Surf City (910) 328-1905 Facebook: @TopsailIslandTradingCompany

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Topsail Magazine

roommate were bartending at different establishments. Her roommate worked with John and decided to become matchmaker and introduced them. “I had a boyfriend at the time, but after meeting John, I broke up with him immediately!” Claire says.

Their first date was on a Bacardi Rum Cruise on the Potomac River. “A cruise like this is crazy fun,” John says. “You pay an all-inclusive fee, dress up in nice clothes and the alcohol flows nonstop!” As the boat passed the former home of George Washington, John and Claire slipped away from the wild party to the bow of the boat and had their first kiss under the moonlight.

In 2007 they began to live out the lyrics of their wedding song. They packed their bags and moved together to Topsail Beach,

where Claire had visited every summer as a child. Her family loved Topsail so much her parents eventually bought two businesses on the island. In 2009 John and Claire married in their bare feet on the sand at Topsail Beach. At their reception at the Surf City Welcome Center, that they danced to the beautiful words of Dave and vowed, “Eyes closed we’re gonna spin through the stars, our arms as wide as the sky. Oh, and when the kids are old enough, we will teach them to fly.”

Since then, while running the family business, they have had three children together — Quinn (named after “The Mighty Quinn” by Manfred Mann), Rosalie (named after “Rosalie McFall” by the Grateful Dead) and Leona Ryder (named

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

after “I Know You Rider” by the Grateful Dead), ages 9, 7 and 5 respectively.

Through football, cheerleading, dance, softball, baseball, basketball, soccer and scouts, John and Claire are certainly busy teaching their kids to fly! In addition, John’s daughter Libby has spent every summer with them since 2007 and has just graduated from college.

With all the suddenly available time due to COVID-19 shutting schools and sports down, the family has found new hobbies. “Claire and I normally attend a half-dozen concerts a year in Raleigh or at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre in Wilmington,” John explains. “Now, with all our family sports and events put on hold, we decided to take up a new hobby as a family. It is called geocaching.”

I had never heard of this before, so he explained to me that geocaching is an

outdoor recreation activity in which the participants use a mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek small watertight containers. “Once you hide a container, you enter the coordinates on the website or app,” he

explains. “There are millions of these hidden around the world. Many of them contain a logbook that you enter your code name and the date you found it and then simply put it back exactly where you found it. Other larger containers have items for trading such as trinkets. This is a hobby that kids and adults of all ages can get excited about participating in whether you stay local or travel the world looking for these ‘caches’.”

As we wrapped up our conversation, I mentioned that the Dave Matthews Band concert in Raleigh had been rescheduled for Friday, July 23, 2021. And how much I hate having to wait another whole year to see them. But then again, I said, it will give us something to really look forward to. When we can all be together again, you and I, to make those memories that last forever! 

Fall 2020

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PEOPLE

Coastal Living with a 3-D View Topsail Area residents Adam and Alicia Hawley of Unique Media & Design, Inc. believe in hard work and supporting their community.

BY KATE M. CAREY Austin, Adam and Alicia Hawley with their dog, Bella.

PHOTO BY HANNAH MCMAHON

T

Frequent trips to his grandmother’s cottage on Topsail Island set a course for beach living for Adam Hawley, owner of Unique Media & Design, Inc., one of the nation’s most successful real estate photography, 3-D virtual tours and media production companies.

Things that are three dimensional have length, breadth and depth. Hawley and his wife, Alicia, have that, and as their business illustrates, they have determination, discovery and drive as well.

Hawley grew up in Jacksonville and has fond summer memories of surfing,

fishing and hanging out with island pals, most of whom attended Topsail schools.

“We’d go to the Scotch Bonnet pier and hang out at the arcade. And back then the water slide was still here,” he reminisces. “Those were good times.”

His interest in videography began nearly 20 years ago when he created surf videos and held film premieres in Jacksonville, Surf City and Wilmington.

“I surfed, and my hobby was creating surf videos while I was managing a surf shop. I made films, put them on DVDs and sold them up and down the coast in

about 30-plus surf shops,” he says. He also created two longer-length films, The Ripple Effect and Full Color.

From surfing videos, Hawley built his business one job at a time while working at the former Mainsail Restaurant and Commodore Room Bar. “I knew a lot of Realtors from the restaurant,” Hawley says. “Digital photography was just becoming available. We started with Realtor books; the web wasn’t as big in real estate world then.

“I was burning the candle at both ends — bartending and waiting tables at Fall 2020

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PEOPLE

Austin and Adam Hawley with Austin’s first Cobia off Topsail Beach.

Adam and Alicia Hawley working together

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

night, building the business during the day. I started with a couple of interns from UNCW, then business grew and we expanded. Now we’re a well-oiled machine with 14 employees servicing eastern North Carolina and Virginia, the NC mountains and Maine.

“It’s still all about the people,” he says.

“We’re a team ... like a family, and that helps us work really well together.”

Anyone who has ever employed a friend knows the challenges, but Hawley believes mutual respect forms the strong base for the business. Employees have various strengths that create success in a broad array of visual services.

The team does video production, 3-D virtual tours and floor plans, aerial photography, yacht tours and some family beach photography. “The software has 34

Topsail Magazine

improved so much in the nearly 20 years I’ve been doing this that now you can take our video, load it into a CAD program and add on or remodel before you even buy the house. It’s amazing,” Hawley says.

Hawley credits Alicia with the customer service end of his business.

“She earned a chemistry degree from UNCW while working at Sears Landing.

After college, she worked at the base (Lejeune) in I.T. doing Network Operating Systems until our son, Austin, was born. But she saved the day when she left the base and joined us.

“She’s like a 911 dispatcher taking in orders, mapping the house and assigning photographers. She’s amazing in how she handles the workflow and solves problems.”

Alicia says people wonder how their

work and marriage fit together. “I tell them I have watched Adam put his whole heart into our company for many years and I am proud of what he has created,” she says. “Protecting his hard work is an easy thing to do. I want to be able to hear people talk about how wonderful our company is for many years.”

Hawley credits a part of their work ethic to starting work as young teenagers and often juggling two jobs at once.

“Most everyone here has some restaurant work experience,” he says. “You learn a lot about the public, how to handle people, how to get work done right and fast when you’re serving people food.”

When the Hawleys aren’t working, they are active in charity events where the money raised stays local. Alicia has ridden the Reel Housewives of Topsail

PEOPLE

PHOTO BY HANNAH MCMAHON

Coach Adam and Austin at Surf City Rec Tball.

Island event several times, including when she was pregnant, and with their son. They volunteer with Paddle4Troops. Hawley did photography and drone footage of the annual Dolphin Dip for several years.

After Hurricane Florence, they raffled off three of his prints for Share the Table, the local food bank. Collectively they have contributed thousands of dollars to local charities.

Dwight Torres praises the work the Hawleys do with his charity, Paddle4Troops. “He sponsors our event every year and provides professionally mounted photos, which have brought in thousands of dollars during our auctions.

We’re proud to have his family’s friendship and support.”

Alicia is active in the Parent-Teacher

Association and was room mom for two years in Austin’s school, the newly opened Surf City Elementary. Like most parents, the Hawleys jumped in to homeschooling Austin when the COVID-19 virus closed the schools.

“Last year with the hurricane and this year with the virus, the schools staff went above and beyond to make sure the kids learned,” Alicia says. “We set up a workspace for Austin in our home where I could help with most of his work. The whole school read the book Nim’s Island, with videos of different teachers reading chapters daily. The kids completed assignments based on their grade levels. It was a great part of what the school provided.”

The school system, friendly people and a strong community spirit all

contribute to why the Hawleys make Surf City their home.

“I grew up in a small town in the mountains,” Alicia says. “Surf City has that same feel. I knew I wanted to live here, and it would be home for me, for our business and our son. I love the sense of community here.”

Hawley echoes those sentiments: “It’s a small town, and we all know each other here. It’s relaxed. I hope people see that when they visit or move here. It’s a great place to live.” 

More about the Hawleys To learn more about the Hawleys and Unique Media & Design, Inc. visit UniqueMediaDesign.com Fall 2020

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HISTORY

The Mystery of the Beach Blacktop Why are there remnants of blacktop road in the sand at the water’s edge on North Topsail Beach?

Writer Pat Fontana wanted to know and shares her discoveries.

W

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAT FONTANA

When the tide is very low on North Topsail Beach, small sections of blacktop appear on the ocean floor at the edge of the water. Along the beach, depending on the strength of the tide, several small pieces of blacktop are strewn randomly on the sand. Where did the blacktop come from? Did a road once exist where now residents and visitors play in the sand and water? Did a major storm wash pieces of the road into the sea?

The answers to these and so many other questions about the mystery of the beach blacktop point to several incidents in the 1980s and ’90s. The original road, which began as a section of N.C. Highway 210 and then became Secondary Road (SR) 1568, ran very close to the dune lines on the ocean side of North Topsail Beach.

The road was often washed out or covered in sand from high tides or storms. In fact, Stephen Gurganus with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) says that a crew was stationed on the island to “push sand so traffic could get through” after the washovers.

One possible explanation for the mystery involves two developers and two sections of that road. Marlow Bostic bought his first property along the Intracoastal Waterway in Sneads Ferry in the early 1970s. Then he set his sights on the island across the waterway, specifically on developing a condominium complex toward the northern end. Bostic asked the state to move the road inland, so he could build St. Regis Resort and Condos as oceanfront property.

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HISTORY

“

The mysterious signs about pier pilings — and the pilings themselves that occasionally show up in the water — at about mile marker 19 are from an old fishing pier, McKee’s.

Another developer, Roger Page, was an oil distributor from Winston-Salem. In 1987 he agreed to pay to have about 4 miles of SR 1568 moved farther inland, so he could build a condominium complex that would sit between the road and the ocean. Page paid to move about 2.7 miles of the road, just to the northern edge of his new oceanfront development, Villa Capriani.

According to news reports at the time, once Page had the road 38

Topsail Magazine

where he wanted it so people could easily reach his new condo complex, he said that relocating the rest of what is now known as New River Inlet Road would bankrupt him. The state had to relocate the remaining 1.3 miles of the road and then sued Page to try to recoup the cost. Most of New River Inlet Road was rebuilt by the early 1990s.

When each section of the road was moved, sections of the old road were apparently left to wash away in the water. Long-time Topsail Island resident Bobby Humphrey says that is probably what we are still seeing today in the water at low tide. Humphrey also noted that the mysterious signs about pier pilings — and the pilings themselves that occasionally show up in the water — at about mile marker 19 are from an old fishing pier, McKee’s. If you go swimming, be sure to heed the warnings, as the remnants of the pier still rise up through the water there.

There were a number of fishing piers up and down the entire island in the mid- and late 1900s. Unfortunately, most of them were destroyed in storms such as Hurricanes Fran and Bertha, which both hit the island hard in 1986. These massive storms could also be one of the answers to the mystery of the beach blacktop.

HISTORY

Hurricane Bertha made landfall near Figure Eight Island on July 12, 1996. Just two months later, on Labor Day, Hurricane Fran arrived as the most destructive hurricane to hit North Carolina since Hazel in 1954.

Between Bertha and Fran, a significant part of the new road was beaten up, torn up and washed away. One theory is that may well be part of what we still see today, floating in the ocean.

Several thousand feet of New River Inlet Road were washed away by Hurricane Bertha. North Topsail Beach was considered part of “ground zero” for Hurricane Fran. Topsail Island was almost completely overwashed by the storm tide,

destroying most of the road that was only a couple of years old at that point. The damage was so extensive that the name Fran was retired as a hurricane name in 1997.

The next time you take a stroll along the beach at the north end of Topsail Island, you may see a piece of history, literally. That history may be the remnants of a road moved by developers who wanted oceanfront property for their condo complexes, or it could be the scraps of a completely new road, washed away by two destructive, back-toback hurricanes. Relax and enjoy your walk, as you contemplate the mystery of the beach blacktop. 

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Even as it transitions to new owners, Godwin’s Market lives on in the hearts of the Topsail community.

BY ASHLEY DANIELS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNIQUE MEDIA & DESIGN   

Anyone who has breezed through Topsail Beach on a whim or a stay — and even those who have been rooted here for generations — have paid a visit (or more) to Godwin’s Market.

A mainstay on the island since 1951, Godwin’s Market is more than a grocery store. It’s a beloved member of the community, stocked with generations of tradition and hospitality. And now a new chapter is in store for Godwin’s; in the wake of the recent passing of 76-year-old Mary Godwin on April 6, 2020, the store is being sold to new owners.

“I’m thinking [the new owners] will keep it somewhat

historic,” says Annemarie Ferguson, Mary Godwin’s niece, and the executrix and heir to the properties. “I think they bought it because it was historic, so hopefully they’ll keep some part of it. That’s what the people on the island want, that’s a definite.”

The legacy of Godwin’s Market traces back to 1950, when a Mr. Bland from Fayetteville built the market building on Topsail and hired James Averon Godwin to travel from New England in the summers and run the store. J. A. Godwin eventually made North Carolina his permanent home, bought Fall 2020

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that we’d have it. ... The people loved it, you know? And they loved Mary and Bill.”

“The island loved it, and the people really connected with it,” she continues. “Anytime I went out with my aunt, I used to always kid with her that I don’t have a name, I’m just ‘Mary’s niece.’ Everyone knew Mary and the store because it’s been there forever.”

After Godwin’s death, Ferguson was hoping to hold a celebration of life service in honor of her Aunt Mary Godwin, but things were forced

the store from Bland and ran the store and gas station with his wife until he passed away in the mid-1970s. That was when J. A. Godwin’s son, Bill, and his wife, Mary, moved from Graham, North Carolina, to Topsail to help Bill’s mother run the market.

“I know over the years they had big butcher blocks, so they sold meat for a long time,” Ferguson says. “And I know there was a little window in the back of the market, so I think they used to serve as the post office for a little while.”

Mary, who grew up in South Boston, met Bill in Boston while he was stationed there in the Navy. The couple migrated to North Carolina after they were married; then it was on to Topsail in the mid-1970s to run the store until Bill passed away in 2018 from dementia. Fondly known as “Miss Mary” on the island, Mary continued at the helm of Godwin’s Market until her death this year.

“I worked at the store with Aunt Mary for three years, and my mom and I would come out every summer from Hampstead,” says Ferguson, who has lived in North 42

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Carolina for the last 23 years. “One of the best things was every time people came in, they’d say, ‘Oh, I can remember my grandfather coming here and I want my kids to come here.’ That’s all you heard all the time.”

Ferguson describes it as an old store, but that was really its charm, complete with a slow credit card machine and a lack of air conditioning. What Godwin’s Market did offer was warm service with a smile and shelves stocked with groceries, ice cream, beach supplies, fishing gear, beer, wine and ice.

“Uncle Bill and Aunt Mary’s philosophy was if someone came in and asked for it twice, then they would try to carry it,” Ferguson says. “And so, they had just all this stuff and sometimes, I wouldn’t know

to be put on hold because of COVID-19. In addition to her dear husband, Bill, Mary is preceded in death by her sisters, Anna O’Brien, Katherine “Kay” Duggan and Patricia Johnson, and brothers, Peter Grealish Jr. and John Grealish. She is survived by her sister, Joan Chavez of New Mexico, and many nieces and nephews. 

Godwin’s Market is located at 721 S. Anderson Boulevard.

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Maureen McKenna’s Sunday rides to church have garnered quite a following.

BY ASHLEY DANIELS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAY PERNA

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This is the story of Maureen and Shane, who met and began their friendship on Maureen’s 40th birthday in Long Island, New York.

“Shane is my beloved Belgian draft cross quarter horse,” Maureen “Moe” McKenna says, “and he’s just a lovable, big horse. He has turned out to be Shane, the wonder horse.”

Before moving to Burgaw, McKenna and Shane were members of the Spirit of Long Island mounted drill team for 14 years. It was a team of 24 horse-and-riders strong that would perform a synchronized ride or routine to the tune of patriotic music. Riders donned costumes of red, white and blue and black cowboy hats; horses were dressed in military style.

“We traveled up and down the East Coast doing

parades and military events and visiting veterans’ homes, where people came out in wheelchairs and met the horses,” McKenna says. “So, Shane became a wonderful horse through doing all that, and having that training behind him gave him the background of being a really well-mannered bombproof, as we call it in horse terms.”

Shane also stayed by McKenna’s side when she became a teacher at the Gersh Academy for Students on the Autism Spectrum.

“He came to school with me, and we worked with teenage young men on how to be empowered around a large animal,” she says, “and how to control themselves in a social situation, how to walk into the corral and have low energy and self-control.”

Flashforward to 2013, when McKenna and her

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Maureen McKenna’s horse, Shane, is well-loved — especially by Hartley Head and Kaitlyn Kistler.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

husband, with Shane in tow, migrated to North Carolina. By cool if I could ride my horse to church?’” that time, Shane was already approaching 30 (way into his And the folks at Westview United Methodist have been nineties in human years), but extremely healthy. And now he welcoming McKenna and Shane ever since, with Shane has evolved into a trail horse. patiently waiting outside the church, tied The McKennas built a house across the to a tree. street from Piney Woods Farm, and “When I come out of church, a lot of when they bought the land, made sure the kids that go to the church bring him McKenna could ride Shane over their apples and peppermint,” she says with a land. laugh, “so he’s really become a celebrity “I had no idea how beautiful this place at my church.” was,” she says. “It’s heaven over there for Shane has also become a star on anybody with horses. So, I started riding Facebook, as McKenna posts videos on over there as much as I could.” her page that follow her Sunday rides to Which led to her next journey: church — and she’s gained quite the exploring a church to attend here in the traction.

South. It was on her usual 45-minute ride “People really enjoy it because the way on Sundays through the farm to Highway I videotape it, it’s right through my Maureen McKenna’s view on the back of 53, where she discovered a cute little horse’s ears, so you actually see what I Shane is what her Facebook followers church on the corner. see,” McKenna says. “I describe nature see when they follow her Sunday rides to church.

“I said to myself, ‘Wow, wouldn’t it be and I describe the type of day it is, and 46

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“

wanted to be the lead horse and walked in the water and showed all the horses that were looking for self-confidence, showing them all it was OK.” In fact, the McKennas are looking to possibly move from Burgaw to the beach in Surf City, now that Shane is aging and McKenna’s riding career is coming to an end. The couple is looking to sell their house that sits on 5.5 acres with a stall that can accommodate four horses on the property.

“I’m kind of hoping somebody moves in that might let him stay here or that a neighbor might take him because I kind of want him to stay where he is,” McKenna says. “He’s so comfortable with his surroundings, but if we find a place close to where we’re living, I may consider moving him there.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it all lines up well,” she continues. “He’s still going to be very much a part of my life.” 

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

And you hear the squeak of the saddle, you hear the horse’s footsteps, and people just love it because it’s like they’re riding the horse, too.

what’s growing in the fields and the cows that I see and different things I come across on the path ... I take a picture of a butterfly or a bird. ... So it’s become a nature thing.

And you hear the squeak of the saddle, you hear the horse’s footsteps, and people just love it because it’s like they’re riding the horse, too.

“It’s also wonderful because so many of my team riders have lost their horses over the years,” she continues, “so now all those people that I’ve ridden with have their horses at the end of their lives, and it means so much to them to be able to take a ride on Shane through the video virtually.”

McKenna and Shane celebrated Shane’s 36th birthday on May 15 with a ride on the beach in Little River with a herd of friends.

“I felt like this was his last hurrah,” she says. “Who knows how many more beach days I’m going to get with him? We just had the most wonderful day at the beach. He

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THIS COULD BE

FUN The Second Row in Surf City is a combination pub, open mic venue and guitar shop for music and beer lovers.

BY BRIAN WILNER

| PHOTOGRAPHY BY VICKY OLIVER The Second Row owners Bernie and Marie Ogrodnik.

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I remember the first time I drove by The Second Row and saw on their sign “Pub and Guitar Shop.” Being a guitarist and musician myself, my curiosity got the best of me and I had to check it out. To my surprise, when I walked in, I saw a music stage area complete with acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars, mandolins, a ukulele, a banjo, keyboards, a drum machine and a PA with microphones ready to go. I thought to myself, “This looks like it could be fun…”

Ten minutes later I was playing Led Zeppelin’s “What Is and What Should Never Be” on guitar with owner Bernie Ogrodnik on the drum machine and drinking a tasty draft beer poured by his wife and co-owner, Marie. I was hooked!

Being a veteran of many open mic nights myself, I wanted to know all about this concept of walking into a pub and immediately jumping in with whoever was playing. So here is their story.

Both Bernie and Marie are originally from Enfield, Connecticut, just an hour from my hometown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Marie told me they met when she was 18 years old. “I was attracted to him for two reasons,” she told me. “He had a beautiful white 1977 Z28 Camaro and he was a musician.

Back then if you played music and had a fast car, you were good to go with the girls!” We all laughed knowing that however silly that may sound now, it

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Just imagine for a moment: A long beautiful day in the sun and on the sand in Surf City …then crossing the street and knocking back an ice cold pale ale while playing guitar for your friends on the open mic ... then playing cornhole and Jenga on a spacious outdoor deck while listening to other local musicians playing “Hotel California” ... then as night falls the tiki torches give the outdoor deck a warm, friendly glow as you sample a flight of delicious IPAs ... then you jump in with a group of musicians for a rendition of “American Pie.” Almost sounds too good to be true, eh? Well, we have such a place right here in Surf City. Located on North Shore Drive just down from Shaka Taco, The Second Row is a lovely place where you can have a day just like this any time of year.

was indeed true. And still is?

Marie graduated from UConn and went to work as a pharmacist, while Bernie used his technical skills as a computer programmer for aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney. They moved to the Topsail area in 2013 to start the second chapter of their lives. After seeing a rundown beach house for sale, they agreed they were in on a big renovation project and made the leap to buy the fixer upper. If you have ever done a home renovation, you understand the trials and tribulations involved — not to mention the cost!

After several years of hard work, they completed the two-level renovation with their home upstairs and their business space downstairs. Their dream came true in March of 2017 when they opened The Second Row Pub. The following year they added the music area and the large side deck.

“Thirty-eight years of marriage have made us strong and determined to spend the rest of our love and lives doing what we love to do, and that is to provide beer, wine and entertainment,” they told me.

They offer 75 different bottled beers, have nine beers on tap and offer wine by the glass or by the bottle. They are dog friendly, so be sure to bring your puppy to meet their two resident doggies — Lilly and K.C. Bernie and Marie encourage Fall 2020

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customers to bring their own food or even have a meal delivered there. Some of the fun activities they have include a weekly music bingo for those like myself who love to put their music knowledge up against others. Marie has a monthly paint and sip, which consists of group painting lessons accompanied by wine. She also has holiday parties like the one I walked in on where they were making little Christmas trees using sea shells. I remember not only how fascinatingly beautiful the holiday trees were but even more so I recall the warm and happy vibe of all there sharing in the experience of making crafts with each other during the holidays.

And there is always the music. After finishing playing the Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down” with the multiinstrumentalist Bernie, I asked about his life experience with music over a beer.

“I started playing drums when I was five years old — playing on boxes, the couch or on my knees,” he said. “A few years later my parents bought me a plastic ukulele, I will never forget, it had red strings!”

He continued: “When I was 12 my brother returned from the Navy and brought me my first acoustic guitar.

Then when I became a teenager, I started my first band with friends and 50

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have been playing ever since.”

As a teen he also began to experiment with recording music and still does to this day. “There are apps on your smartphone you can use to record and mix music that make it sound like it was recorded in a professional recording studio,” he explained. He played me a few of his tracks, and I was impressed!

In addition to sitting in with anyone who wants to come in and jam, he does guitar repair and refurbishing. If you need new strings on most any stringed instrument, detailing or a setup, he can do it for you. He has even re-sanded and refinished several guitars — you can see

them on their website.

What really separates this open mic pub from the others for musicians is you don’t have to wait to play when you come in. You set up with whomever is playing when you walk in and GO! They have also had several talent contests for original songwriters and performers.

The musicians play in front of five judges, who rate them based on their creativity and melody. The winner is awarded a cash prize for their efforts.

This past December, Bernie and Marie decorated a pontoon boat and entered it in the Greater Topsail Flotilla and won first place. But what made their boat truly stand apart from the others was the five-person band playing live music as they floated down the channel. The music was so hot there was “Smoke on the Water”! 

Want to go?

The Second Row 121 North Shore Drive, Surf City (910) 541-0424 (pub) (860) 205-4023 (guitar shop) secondrowsurfcity.com

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ACROSS THE COUNTY

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ACROSS THE COUNTY

Fun on the Farm Mike’s Farm in Beulaville carries on Lowe family farm traditions and welcomes visitors for a variety of activities and tasty fried chicken, which is always on the menu.

BY PAT FONTANA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN DEITZ

O

On the farm in eastern North Carolina, Lucille Lowe always prepared a barn day dinner for her family and for everyone who helped bring in the crop. That barn day dinner was always fried chicken, ham, biscuits and vegetables grown on the farm.

Today, barn day dinner is served every day on Mike’s Farm. Mike Lowe is Lucille and Jess Lowe’s son, who came back to the farm in the 1980s after working for a

private company for several years.

“The farm is kind of in you,” he says, so he decided he “wanted to do something with it.” He certainly did do something with it, as today the farm features a restaurant, a dinner theater, an N.C. products barn, a bakery, a gift shop, Christmas shows and a wedding and event venue.

The Beulaville farm has been in Lowe’s family since Fall 2020

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1945. Lucille and Jess had four children, all of whom went off to other jobs. Working swing shift in a plant (which was “a great job but different than what I was used to”), Lowe felt a tug back to the farm. Part of that tug came from his wife, Theresa, who suggested raising Christmas trees. “That was the main thing we did for several years,” Lowe says, “and it just kind of evolved from there.”

The first Christmas tree was planted in 1983. They began selling them in 1986 and then opened an office and a little gift shop.

Other areas of the farm were added bit by bit year over the years, even as Mike continued working swing shift. He left his job to focus on Mike’s Farm full time in 1991.

“We had no fear,” he says. “We were young and kind of naïve at the time and didn’t have enough sense to worry.”

As it turns out, they had no need to worry anyway. The farm continued to grow. They added a bakery in 1994 and the first part of the restaurant in 2001. Lowe says they built “all the old parts of the farm” themselves, which saved them some money. His father, who passed away in 2000, had spent time building houses himself, and Lowe adds they were all “raised to do stuff ourselves.”

After their first season with the restaurant operation, they knew it wasn’t big enough and expanded it in 2002. They added a banquet room and then added onto it again in 2005–06. They built another barn, primarily for weddings and special events, in 2014. Just last year, they opened the N.C. Products Barn.

Even with all the changes and expansion, the restaurant has continued to serve the same barn day dinner menu for the past 20 years. Mike’s Farm customers would have it no other way. In the early days, they rotated the vegetable side dish. However, when Theresa started making her now-famous macaroni and cheese, people got mad when they took it off the menu.

Fried chicken and pork are staples of eastern North Carolina and come from local farmers. “Fried chicken was always on the 54

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ACROSS THE COUNTY

menu when we were growing up,” Lowe says. He credits his Christmas is a busy time for everyone at Mike’s Farm, as wife’s aunt for the amazing biscuits served at their restaurant. visitors flock in to have dinner, enjoy the shows and see the “They know how to put the right amount of pan grease to light displays. Ten months out of the year, the farm has about make the biscuits,” he says. “They just know how to cook.”

50 to 60 employees. That number increases to 120 to 150 to In 1997 Mike’s Farm began its Christmas displays. With the handle the Christmas crowds. “Over the years, everybody’s got help of a retired friend who “kind of ramrods it,” Lowe says, they accustomed to there’s going to be a line, there’s going to be a start setting up the displays in early November. It takes about wait,” Lowe says, but he adds that they all take it in stride and three weeks to complete the show, which is so popular that thoroughly enjoy the whole experience. people stand in line for hours waiting for the hayride to take Mike’s Farm is still a working farm as well. They had a good them through the lights. “We rearrange and add stuff every year strawberry season this year. They also raise pumpkins and to keep it interesting and exciting for apples, often holding educational visitors,” Lowe says. programs around the operations of the Dinner shows, often featuring the farm. During normal times, they will do group Gaylon Pope and Sweetwater, were school tours with pumpkins and have in Want to go? added because they became so busy at the past also done apple tours, Christmas Christmas. The dinner shows usually tours and Thanksgiving tours.

Mike’s Farm feature a buffet-style dinner of — what The Lowes’ daughter and husband also 1600 Haw Branch Road, Beulaville else? — fried chicken, pork loin and work on the farm. As to what the future (910) 324-3422 gravy, country ham biscuits, mashed holds for Mike’s Farm, Lowe is hoping it mikesfarm.com potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green will remain in the family for years to come.

Call ahead or check the website for days and hours of operation. beans, corn and a homemade dessert.

As he says, “It’s in your blood here.” 

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COMMUNITY

Lake Linda’s Christmas Lights might be hidden away in Hampstead, but word about the annual show is getting out, especially now that they’re being featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.

BY DALENE BICKEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ

B

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s many travelers on U.S. Highway 17 unknowingly drive past one of southeastern North Carolina’s best musical Christmas light shows.

Nestled behind a small tree line across the highway from Surf City’s Lowe’s Home Improvement store and next to Bojangles’ restaurant is the half-hidden entrance to a Christmas wonderland.

In fact, according to Mike and Tonia Register, creators of the display, “Many people tell us that they didn’t know about us until they pulled into Bojangles’ to get something to eat and noticed the lights.” This prompted them to jokingly refer to their labor of love as “Hampstead’s Best-Kept Secret.”

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Hampstead’s Best-Kept Secret

HUMBLE ORIGINS What began as a few homemade metal shapes outlined with lights to enhance the spirit of Christmas for their three children when they were young eventually caught the attention of neighbors and friends.

“There really wasn’t anywhere locally that offered a drive-through light display back then,” Mike says, “so we kept adding a little bit more every year. We never intended it to get this large, but when we saw how much joy and hope it offers to people, we just kept going.”

Fast forward to 2018, when they welcomed 9,000 vehicles onto their property for the six-week season. In 2019, that Fall 2020

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number almost doubled to 16,000 vehicles (these statistics are thanks to the official road vehicle counter that the Registers’ now-grown children gifted to them).

THE BIG REVEAL This year, the number of visitors is expected to jump much higher following the airing of ABC’s season eight premiere episode of The Great Christmas Light Fight, which will feature the Lake Linda’s Christmas Lights as one of the judged displays.

“Filming the episode was lots of fun, but also stressful,” Tonia says, referring to getting everything set up earlier than usual and having to acquire their own reveal crowd (comprised of people who could keep mum about the filming for several months). “But everyone on the film crew from LA, including Carter Oosterhouse (the judge), and the Wilmington film studio were so nice and respectful.”

Mike is quick to clarify that they’ve never done the annual light display in an effort to make a name for themselves.

“It’s never been about us; it’s always been to promote the true meaning of Christmas and encourage others,” he says. Tonia agrees, stating, “We never applied to be on The Great Christmas Light Fight show. The producers from LA somehow heard about us and called us for two to three years asking us to participate before we finally agreed to do it.”

YEAR-ROUND SETUP Although decorating begins in earnest at the end of August (while being mindful of hurricane season and the possibility of damaging winds), it takes all year to fully prepare for the display that encompasses almost 9 acres of the family’s property. Decorations are stored in three 40-foot Conex 58

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shipping containers, a garage and Santa’s House. The cords alone are stored in the beds of two Chevy pickup trucks.

Because it is such a large undertaking, they leave some of the lights up year-round as well.

This turned into an extra benefit this year when everyone in the area was urged to shelter-in-place due to COVID-19. “We wanted to cheer people up a bit so we posted on our Facebook page that if anyone wanted to take a drive, we would turn our lights on in the evenings,” Mike says.

“We were surprised at how many people actually showed up during that time.”

As one would expect, there are lots of lights to check and/ or replace (Tonia estimates 200,000+; some have guessed closer to a million, but no one has offered to actually count them all), new frames to make, decorations to coordinate and music to select. Some of the behind-the-scenes activities that most visitors don’t consider include learning computer software (Mike handles the pixels/RGB display on his computer, while Tonia blends music to the display on her computer), managing 30 different controllers (each with 16 outputs, all without timers), and trying to repair the driveway.

Keep in mind that Mike and Tonia own and operate their own business as well, so all of this light display work is done in the evenings and on weekends, with a few vacation days thrown in. “Every year I wonder how we’re going to get it all done in time,” Tonia says, laughing. But thanks to family and friends, it all comes together.

“There’s a phrase that ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’” Mike says, “and in our case, it takes a community to build a light show. We couldn’t do it by ourselves.”

Indeed, they are quick to give credit to both the Town of

COMMUNITY

Surf City and Pender County officials who have “bent over backwards” to help them in many ways, including obtaining permits and getting police to help direct traffic on highvolume nights.

MORE THAN LIGHTS Although the light show is definitely the main attraction, the Registers believe in helping others and offer their visitors the opportunity to do the same. Every year they place a Toys for Tots donation box near Santa’s House so that visitors can drop off new toys for needy boys and girls. A separate monetary donation box is also provided; the monies received are divided between the local Autism Support and Programs (ASAP) in Rocky Point and offsetting the costs of paying the electric bill (the light show adds $1,500/month to their household bill) and buying new lights.

The Registers also believe in the hope that the Christmas season brings. When Mike’s mother was undergoing cancer treatments, Mike saw firsthand how the lights and the sound of children’s laughter outside lifted her spirits, prompting him to name the 5-acre pond Lake Linda in her honor.

Mike encourages everyone, especially those who are going through a challenging time, to come for a visit. “The lights do make you feel better,” he says. 

Want to see it?

E facebook.com/ LakeLindasChristmasLights E group: facebook.com/groups/ SurfCityHampsteadChristmasLights Where: 218 Old House Road, Hampstead When: Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day; dusk to 10 pm weeknights; dusk to 11 pm weekends Cost: Free but donations are accepted Visitor Tips: • Be patient, especially closer to Christmas • Santa makes frequent visits to Santa’s House (the schedule varies; be sure to check the Facebook page for up-to-date info)

Weddings | Families Maternity | Couples | & More

• Please park in designated areas and keep trash in your vehicles

Olivers_Photographync

• Weeknights tend to be less busy than weekends

OliversSpecialMemories

• Tune your radio to 89.5 FM

OliversPhotography.org Fall 2020

59

MEET & GREET

Q&A with...

PHOTO BY ADAM HAWLEY

Allicyn Bryan

Board Chair of the Greater

Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce WHAT DOES THE TOPSAIL COMMUNITY MEAN TO YOU?

HOMETOWN:

Goldsboro, NC YEARS LIVING IN THE TOPSAIL AREA:

My family has owned a home here for more than 30 years, and I grew up spending my summers on Topsail Island. One of my first jobs when I was 16 years old was scooping ice cream at Island Delights on the island. After college I made Surf City my permanent address, and that has been 10-plus years now.

FAVORITE EMOJI? APPLE OR ANDROID?

Apple TITLE AT CHAMBER:

Chair of the Board of Directors OCCUPATION:

Business Owner/ Licensed Esthetician

60

Topsail Magazine

NAME OF YOUR BUSINESS: Isla Advanced

Skincare and Hair

The Topsail community means our future! I have so much love for this area and its community members. I look forward to enhancing our relationships with our community and its leaders during this time of growth in our area, all the while keeping our small-town feel.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?

5 years HOW DO YOU THINK COVID-19 HAS AFFECTED THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THE TOPSAIL AREA?

COVID-19 has drastically affected our business community. Unfortunately, with the loss of revenue, some businesses have shut down for the season and some have closed their doors forever. However, through these tough times our small business relationships have grown by supporting each other and “keeping it local.”

HOW HAS THE CHAMBER HELPED ITS MEMBERS DURING THIS PANDEMIC?

The Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce has helped members by

sharing any social marketing or business updates made by our members on our online platforms (Facebook, Instagram, website and our app). The chamber also has been a great resource for our members on how to navigate the “new norm” during this epidemic.

directors and we look forward to becoming more involved and supporting existing events in our area.

And, of course, we cannot forget that our Greater Topsail Area Flotilla and Christmas Market is scheduled for December 12. We are very excited to bring this event back for its second year!

WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE GOING ON AT THE CHAMBER OVER THE NEXT YEAR? We are very

HOW DOES SOMEONE BECOME A PART OF THE GREATER TOPSAIL AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE? Future

excited to rebuild our focus for the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce. We are in the process of hiring a new director, we have new members on our board of

members can call, message or even stop by our office, and we would love to show how the chamber can support you and your business. 

The Town of Surf City would like to invite you to explore all that our town has to offer! Whether you’re a local or just visiting for the week, you’ll be sure to find your adventure at one of our 36 public beach access, parks & playgrounds, Community Center, Welcome & Event Center, off-leash Bark Park, Disc Golf Course, and so much more! Share your pictures with us on social media using #SurfCityParks

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, Surf City’s got it all! No matter the season, Surf City hosts events for the whole family to enjoy. Throughout the year, be sure to check out some of our annual events including our Easter Egg Hunt, Movies in the Park, Bridge Jam, Independence Day Celebration, Fall Fest, and Christmas Tree Lighting!

Surf City Parks & Recreation offers athletics and programs for everyone! Whether you’re looking to get fit, get creative, or just get moving, we’ve got just what you need! For more information on what we are currently offering, please visit SurfCityParksandRec.com

www.SurfCityNC.gov

Fall 2020

61

3 Easy Tips for Staying Secure Online Written by The Computer Warriors, Inc.

Wilmington \ Jacksonville \ Leland \ Camp Lejeune 62 Topsail Magazine

Fall 2020

63

NEW RIVER INLET TIDES

October D a t e

High Tide AM Time (EST)

November December

Low Tide PM

Height Time (ft) (EST)

AM

PM

Height Time Height Time Height (ft) (EST) (ft) (EST) (ft)

D a t e

High Tide AM Time (EST)

Low Tide PM

Height Time (ft) (EST)

AM

PM

Height Time Height Time Height (ft) (EST) (ft) (EST) (ft)

D a t e

High Tide AM Time (EST)

Low Tide PM

Height Time (ft) (EST)

AM Height (ft)

Time (EST)

PM Height Time Height (ft) (EST) (ft)

1

8:03

3.4

8:21

3.4

1:57

0.3

2:12

0.3

1

7:42

3.6

7:58

2.9

1:20

0.3

2:07

0.3

1

7:52

3.6

8:09

2.5

1:21

0.1

2:25

0.2

2

8:37

3.5

8:54

3.3

2:29

0.3

2:50

0.3

2

8:16

3.6

8:32

2.8

1:52

0.3

2:44

0.3

2

8:30

3.6

8:47

2.5

1:58

0.1

3:04

0.2

3

9:11

3.5

9:27

3.2

2:59

0.3

3:27

0.3

3

8:52

3.6

9:09

2.7

2:24

0.4

3:23

0.4

3

9:09

3.5

9:28

2.4

2:36

0.2

3:45

0.2

4

9:45

3.5

10:01

3.0

3:29

0.4

4:05

0.4

4

9:30

3.5

9:48

2.5

2:59

0.4

4:04

0.5

4

9:52

3.4

10:14

2.4

3:17

0.2

4:28

0.2

5

10:21

3.5

10:36

2.8

4:00

0.4

4:44

0.5

5

10:12

3.5

10:33

2.5

3:38

0.5

4:49

0.6

5

10:38

3.4

11:06

2.4

4:04

0.3

5:15

0.3

6

10:59

3.4

11:14

2.7

4:33

0.5

5:26

0.6

6

11:00

3.4

11:24

2.4

4:23

0.5

5:40

0.6

6

11:29

3.2

---

---

4:58

0.3

6:06

0.2

7

11:41

3.4

11:57

2.5

5:10

0.6

6:13

0.7

7

11:54

3.3

---

---

5:16

0.6

6:35

0.6

7

12:04

2.5

12:26

3.1

6:00

0.3

6:59

0.2

8

---

---

12:29

3.3

5:52

0.7

7:06

0.8

8

12:25

2.5

12:55

3.3

6:19

0.6

7:33

0.5

8

1:07

2.7

1:26

3.1

7:09

0.3

7:53

0.1

9

12:48

2.4

1:26

3.3

6:44

0.7

8:06

0.8

9

1:30

2.6

1:57

3.3

7:28

0.5

8:30

0.4

9

2:11

2.9

2:28

3.0

8:21

0.2

8:47

-0.1 -0.2

10

1:49

2.4

2:28

3.3

7:45

0.7

9:09

0.7

10

2:34

2.9

2:59

3.4

8:39

0.4

9:23

0.2

10

3:12

3.3

3:29

2.9

9:30

0.1

9:40

11

2:54

2.5

3:32

3.4

8:52

0.6

10:07

0.6

11

3:34

3.2

3:57

3.4

9:45

0.2

10:13

0.0

11

4:10

3.6

4:27

2.9

10:34

-0.1

10:32

-0.4

12

3:59

2.8

4:32

3.6

10:00

0.4

11:00

0.4

12

4:30

3.6

4:51

3.5

10:47

0.0

11:01

-0.2

12

5:05

3.9

5:23

2.9

11:33

-0.2

11:24

-0.5

13

4:58

3.1

5:27

3.7

11:03

0.2

11:48

0.2

13

5:23

4.0

5:44

3.5

11:44

-0.2

11:49

-0.3

13

5:58

4.1

6:17

2.9

---

---

12:29

-0.3

14

5:52

3.5

6:19

3.8

---

---

12:02

0.0

14

6:14

4.3

6:35

3.4

---

---

12:40

-0.3

14

6:50

4.3

7:10

2.9

12:15

-0.5

1:22

-0.4

15

6:43

3.8

7:09

3.9

12:34

0.0

12:58

-0.2

15

7:05

4.5

7:26

3.3

12:37

-0.4

1:33

-0.3

15

7:41

4.2

8:02

2.8

1:06

-0.5

2:14

-0.4

16

7:34

4.2

7:58

3.8

1:19

-0.2

1:52

-0.3

16

7:56

4.5

8:18

3.2

1:25

-0.4

2:27

-0.3

16

8:31

4.1

8:54

2.8

1:57

-0.5

3:05

-0.3

17

8:24

4.4

8:47

3.7

2:05

-0.3

2:46

-0.3

17

8:48

4.4

9:11

3.0

2:15

-0.4

3:21

-0.2

17

9:22

3.9

9:47

2.7

2:48

-0.3

3:56

-0.2

18

9:14

4.5

9:37

3.5

2:51

-0.3

3:40

-0.2

18

9:41

4.2

10:07

2.9

3:06

-0.2

4:16

0.0

18

10:13

3.6

10:41

2.6

3:41

-0.2

4:47

-0.1

19

10:06

4.5

10:29

3.3

3:38

-0.3

4:35

-0.1

19

10:37

3.9

11:06

2.7

4:01

0.0

5:14

0.1

19

11:05

3.3

11:38

2.5

4:36

0.0

5:38

0.0

20

11:01

4.3

11:25

3.1

4:29

-0.1

5:33

0.1

20

11:35

3.6

---

---

5:00

0.2

6:14

0.2

20

11:58

3.0

---

---

5:34

0.2

6:30

0.1

21

11:59

4.1

---

---

5:23

0.1

6:35

0.2

21

12:11

2.6

12:37

3.3

6:05

0.4

7:14

0.3

21

12:38

2.5

12:52

2.7

6:36

0.4

7:20

0.2

22

12:26

2.9

1:01

3.8

6:23

0.3

7:41

0.4

22

1:18

2.6

1:39

3.1

7:14

0.5

8:12

0.4

22

1:37

2.5

1:47

2.5

7:42

0.5

8:09

0.2

23

1:34

2.7

2:08

3.6

7:30

0.4

8:48

0.5

23

2:22

2.7

2:38

2.9

8:23

0.5

9:04

0.4

23

2:34

2.6

2:41

2.4

8:46

0.5

8:55

0.2

24

2:45

2.7

3:16

3.4

8:42

0.5

9:51

0.5

24

3:19

2.8

3:32

2.8

9:26

0.5

9:49

0.3

24

3:25

2.7

3:33

2.3

9:45

0.4

9:38

0.2

25

3:52

2.8

4:17

3.3

9:52

0.6

10:46

0.5

25

4:08

3.0

4:19

2.8

10:20

0.5

10:28

0.3

25

4:12

2.9

4:21

2.2

10:38

0.4

10:19

0.1

26

4:50

2.9

5:11

3.3

10:54

0.5

11:32

0.4

26

4:51

3.1

5:02

2.7

11:08

0.4

11:04

0.2

26

4:55

3.0

5:05

2.2

11:24

0.3

10:59

0.1 0.0

27

5:40

3.1

5:57

3.2

11:47

0.5

---

---

27

5:29

3.3

5:41

2.7

11:51

0.3

11:39

0.2

27

5:35

3.2

5:47

2.3

12:07 PM

0.2

11:39

28

6:22

3.2

6:38

3.2

12:11

0.4

12:32

0.4

28

6:06

3.4

6:18

2.7

---

---

12:31

0.2

28

6:15

3.3

6:28

2.3

---

---

12:47

0.1

29

7:00

3.4

7:15

3.1

12:46

0.3

1:14

0.3

29

6:41

3.5

6:55

2.6

12:12

0.1

1:09

0.2

29

6:53

3.4

7:07

2.3

12:18

-0.1

1:26

0.0

30

7:16

3.6

7:31

2.6

12:47

0.1

1:47

0.2

30

7:32

3.5

7:47

2.4

12:58

-0.1

2:05

0.0

31

8:11

3.5

8:28

2.4

1:38

-0.1

2:44

-0.1

30

7:35

3.5

7:50

3.1

1:18

0.3

1:52

0.3

31

8:09

3.6

8:24

3.0

1:49

0.3

2:30

0.3

*TIDE CHARTS ARE ACCURATE TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE. IF YOU ARE CHECKING TIDES FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES, PLEASE VERIFY THESE TIMES WITH ANOTHER SOURCE.

64

Topsail Magazine

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Advertiser

Phone# Page#

Advertiser

Phone# Page#

1-800-Pack Rat............................ 800-722-5728 31

Future Homes............................... 910-270-3313 55

Access Realty................................ 910-329-9800 68

Guaranteed Rate — Patty M. Davis.... 910-617-3135 23

ANA Builders, Inc.......................... 910-329-9819 68

Intracoastal Realty Corporation....... 910-328-3000 5

Arbor Landing at Hampstead.......... 910-406-1451 51

Intracoastal Realty Corporation Suzanne Altobello.......................... 910-405-2586 21

Beach Furniture Outfitters Inc......... 910-328-4181 16 Bill Clark Homes........................... 910-350-1744 18 Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.... 910-207-0156 7 Carolina Coast Contracting.............. 910-328-6400 11 Coastal Carolina Real Estate........... 910-329-1133 11 Coastal Fitness Center.................... 910-270-4044 51 Coldwell Banker Seacoast Advantage Elizabeth Simmons........................ 910-526-2571 36 Coldwell Banker Seacoast Advantage, Holly Hobbs.................................. 910-327-2441 56

Kinco Inc...................................... 910-803-0695

51, 56

Legacy Homes by Bill Clark ........... 910-363-1682 13 Mia’s Marketplace.......................... 910-803-0316 43 NHRMC Physician Group................ 910-254-1033 2 Oliver’s Photography...................... 910-650-4633 59 Pierpan Dentistry........................... 910-270-1222 65 Quarter Moon................................ 910-328-4969 36 Sea Star Academy......................... 910-803-0710 21 Shuckin’ Shack............................. 910-803-2037 56

Coldwell Banker Seacoast Advantage Tanner Gray................................... 910-547-9618 28

Southern Roots Grille..................... 910-803-0773 32

Computer Warriors......................... 910-238-2277 62

Surf Dog Bites & Brews.................. 910-541-2358 36

Coral Cottage Boutiques................. 910-599-5115 32

The Topsail Island Trading Company.... 800-762-1257 3

East Coast Sports.......................... 910-328-1887 63

Town of Surf City........................... 910-328-4131 61

Edward Jones — Karen Jerabek...... 910-270-3634 15

Treasure Realty.............................. 800-762-3961 67

EmergeOrtho................................. 910-332-3800 9

Unique Media & Design Inc............ 910-526-7926 63

Surf City Dental............................. 910-329-0298 39

Personalized, Complete Dental Care for the Entire Family

NEW STATEEOFFTHEEART FACILITY

CEREC SAME DAY PORCELAIN CROWNS

zz



Hampstead

910.270.1222



SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT

INVISALIGN

ZOOM WHITENING

IMPLANT SURGERY & RESTORATION

Jacksonville 910.353.3551

Fall 2020

65

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

Moment captured by Gray Moore

HAVE YOU CAPTURED THE MOMENT? If so, email your photos to capture@topsailmag.com.

66

Topsail Magazine

On & Off the Island

Trusted Local Experts

TreasureRealty.com or Call 800-762-3961 1950 NC Hwy 172 Sneads Ferry, NC 28460

14061 NC Hwy 50 Surf City, NC 28445

Fall 2020 Serving Topsail Island and Mainland Communities Since 199067

Whether you BUILD, BUY, or RENT...

Let A’n’A Builder’s and Access Realty be

Your Key to Coastal Living!

Visit us at our NEW office location at 14223 NC Highway 50 in Surf City!

Commercial & Residential Builder Call us at 910-329-9819

www.AnABuilders.com

Sales, Rentals, & Property Management Call us at 910-329-9800

www.AccessTheBeach.com