Topsail Magazine Fall 2021 Issue by Carolina Marketing Company

FALL 2021

COMPLIMENTARY

Community

NOT COMPETITION A collective of powerhouse women in Sneads Ferry supports each other while growing their individual businesses.

THE FUTURE OF CAMP DAVIS

SURF CITY OCEAN FEST

TOPSAIL BEACH SKATING RINK

The Doctor Will See You Now. Same-day appointments, because your health can’t wait

Novant Health and New Hanover Regional Medical Center are making access to care safer and easier than ever before. Get an appointment within 24 hours for urgent primary care needs and urgent ob-gyn services. Plus get virtual care for virtually anything. And the peace of mind that comes with our proud commitment to bringing you the safest care possible. NovantHealth.org/NHRMC

Serving the Topsail Area!

SANDY LEDBETTER 910-520-8683

JIM WILLIAMS 910-264-2117

STEVE SMITH 910-471-9889

PAUL FORNWALD 910-465-3109

LISA BRITT, BIC 910-200-4941

MAUREEN SIDBURY 757-270-2171

MICHAEL FLUHARTY 240-500-4521

MARIAN GREEN 919-244-0931

LINNEA BUTLER 928-951-1006

MISSY WRIGHT 304-543-4832

LEANN CHURCHILL 910-333-7887

ASHLEY RIGLEY 910-548-9757

VICTOR MORGAN 410-271-5928

MICHAEL BENTON 910-616-4598

Download our FREE App at App.IntracoastalRealty.com or search “Intracoastal Realty” in your App store.

1 0 4 T R I T O N L A N E | S U R F C I T Y, N C 2 8 4 4 5 | 9 1 0 - 3 2 8 - 3 0 0 0 | T O P S A I L . I N T R A C O A S T A L R E A L T Y. C O M

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FALL 2021

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

42 TO LEARN THE OCEAN IS TO LOVE THE OCEAN

27 WHAT’S NEW

With Ecological Marine Adventures camps and classes, Taylor and Amber Maready provide fun outdoor experiences while instilling a sense of environmental hope in the next generation. By Kate M. Carey

48 A RICH HISTORY, A PROMISING FUTURE

Camp Davis contributed to the massive growth of Holly Ridge in the 1940s, and the site, now an industrial park, continues to be responsible for the area’s growth today. By Pat Fontana

54 FUN FOR THE OCEAN

Celebrate Surf City’s wave-riding heritage and help protect the ocean at Surf City Ocean Fest 2021 on October 8 and 9. By Melissa Slaven Warren

68 LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

Topsail Beach Skating Rink has been a family-friendly tradition for more than 55 years. By Ashley Daniels

After many setbacks, Shari and Sean Donahue finally opened Surf City Farm in June 2021.

33 AROUND TOWN

A new heritage trail highlights important sites of African-American history in Pender County.

37 NONPROFIT

Topsail Senior Center helps with advocacy, socialization, nutrition, exercise and more for the area’s older population.

59 PEOPLE

Tammy Proctor’s job is to make sure everyone knows that Pender County is one of the best places to live, visit and retire.

63 BEHIND THE BUSINESS

When a brewery owns a golf course and has plans to open a massive beer garden as the 19th hole, times are good.

73 COMMUNITY

In the Four Corners area of Sneads Ferry, a collective of powerhouse women supports each other while growing their individual businesses.

CONTRIBUTORS

10 PUBLISHER’S NOTE 12 NEED TO KNOW 14 TAGGED 19 SPIRITS

Tequila Thyme Pop

20 WHAT’S COOKIN’

Sheet Pan Balsamic Flank Steak

23 ONLINE EXCLUSIVES 24 WHAT’S HAPPENED 78 SNIPPETS 83 BUSINESS PROFILES

Angie Wilkie, Keller Williams Realty; Island Time Construction and Cleaning; Golden Grove Insurance

88 TIDE CHART 89 ADVERTISERS INDEX 90 CAPTURE THE MOMENT

Topsail Magazine

PHOTO BY AMY CONRY DAVIS

PHOTO BY BILL RITENOUR

DOING WH AT WE DO BEST

Since 1969

Century 21 Action, Inc. has been a Topsail Area/Southeastern North Carolina market leader for over 50 years. We’re known for delivering award winning quality service through the most knowledgeable, best trained, and experienced sales team in the region. Customer satisfaction is always our prima goal and it is pursued Relentlessly. primary Whether you’re Buying or Selling, put the region’s best Real Estate Team to work for you. #RelentlessResults.

 518 Roland Avenue Surf City, NC, 28445

 800-760-4150  century21topsail.com

About

Fall 2021 Issue — Volume 2, Issue 4 CEO/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg

Publishing Quarterly

COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison

25,000 copies printed each issue

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS: Laura Glantz Paula Knorr Teresa Kramer Samantha Lowe Elizabeth Dale Niemann

14,000 copies directly mailed to area homes

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: George Jacob Brian Wilner

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Daria Amato Christina Budres Kate M. Carey Amy Conry Davis Megan Deitz Laura Glantz Adam Hawley Danielle Nicole Vicky Oliver Shay Perna Bill Ritenour Eric Sills James Stefiuk Unique Media & Design Eric Vithalani

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Dalene Bickel Kate M. Carey Ashley Daniels Kurt Epps Pat Fontana Christine R. Gonzalez Sandi Grigg Ashley L. Hafer Courtney McLaughlin Melissa Slaven Warren Brian Wilner

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FOUNDER: B.J. Cothran

Want to 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

©2021 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.

About the cover:

Topsail Magazine

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

TopsailMag.com

FALL 2021

A publication of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.

COMPLIMENTARY

Fall 2021

SNE A DS FER RY ’S

Volume 2, Issue 4

LEADING LADIES A collective of powerhouse women supports each other while growing their individual businesses.

THE REMAINS OF CAMP DAVIS

Topsail Magazine

SURF CITY OCEAN FEST

TOPSAIL BEACH SKATING RINK

Danielle Nicole Photography captured our cover image of a group of women business owners in the Four Corners area of Sneads Ferry: Jennifer Vanek of Harper Rose Boutique, Marilyn Didomenico of Grit + Grace Bazaar, Jeanette Georgitis of Salty Sistas, Katie Rochelle of Coffee Haven and Beth Jones of the Float Spa. See the story on page 73, and see more Danielle Nicole Photography on Facebook @dnicolephoto.

outfitting your coastal lifestyle

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627 South Anderson Blvd. Topsail Beach, NC 28445 910-541-0832 • SouthEndOutﬁtters.com

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F E AT U R I N G

A well-curated collection of resort apparel, ﬁshing accessories, bicycle and stand up paddle board rentals for coastal living.

2 the R

Savor t h e M o m e n t 701 S. Anderson Blvd. Topsail Beach | 910.328.6501 | BeachShopandGrill.com Fall 2021

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.

Chris G. Layt CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I have 40 years of experience writing a wide variety of articles from PSAs for Texas Tech University and travel and feature articles for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram to Power Point and info documents for Appalachian State student union and news and feature articles for local newspapers and magazines.

Courtney McLaughlin CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A city girl with a beach problem, I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina (go Panthers!). My passion for travel is matched only by my love of writing — both professional and personal. I’ve been honored to have my byline in a variety of publications including The Charlotte Observer, Ballantyne Magazine, Charlotte Parent, Retirement Lifestyles, SouthPark Magazine, My School Rocks and others. When I’m not fretting over comma usage or trying to form a succinct headline, I help business clients connect with the communities they serve in 350 words or less. I share my home with my teenage daughter and nine-year old mutt who never leave me at a loss for words.

Topsail Magazine

13741-E Hwy 50, Surf City Open 7 days a week at 11:30 All ABC Permits

Low Tide Steakhouse and Sandbar is among the best of Surf City's Restaurants and the only Steak House! We have the finest meats and the only salad bar in the area. With our full service bar and amazing bourbon selection, you’ll be sure to find something you'll love. Our fantastic caring staff will happily serve you in our upscale yet casual dining atmosphere.



910-803-0738

 LOWTIDESTEAKHOUSE.COM  @LOWTIDESTEAKHoUSE  MOOOO@LOWTIDESTEAKHOUSE.COM

Fall 2021

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Topsail Magazine Publisher Justin Williams and his daughter, Ava.

It’s hard to believe the fall season is already here. The older I get the faster the months go by, and this summer certainly was no exception. Lately I have been splitting my time between North Carolina and Florida to help out with my mother, who has been ill. This has been a challenging time for my family, but it’s times like these that give you a minute to step back and appreciate what you have. I am so appreciative of my daughter, Ava, for being the wonderful person she is, and I am so grateful for my staff for stepping up in my absence and keeping our magazines rolling. Without their support and hard work, I don’t know if you’d be holding this magazine in your hands today. I hope you enjoy the stories we have lined up for you in this fall issue of Topsail Magazine. Around here we are passionate about the ocean, and two of our stories reflect that — one about Taylor and Amber Maready’s Ecological Marine Adventures and another about how Surf City Ocean Fest came to be. We also love history, so we have stories about some of the historic places in the Topsail area — Camp Davis and Topsail Beach Skating Rink plus numerous sites along the new Pender County African American Heritage Trail. And because this area is chockfull of interesting people doing awesome things, we also introduce you to some of your neighbors, including Shari and Sean Donahue of Surf City Farm, Tammy Proctor of Pender County Tourism and, as you saw on our cover, several women business owners in Sneads Ferry. Enjoy the fall season in Topsail. This is such a beautiful time of year, and I hope you can all find some time to really enjoy it. Savor the beauty around you and be sure to tell those you love how much you appreciate them. As always, we appreciate your support!

Welcome,

Fall.

Justin Williams Owner/Publisher

Publisher@TopsailMag.com

Topsail Magazine

In the "favorite human” contest, you're deﬁnitely winning.

Visiing Pet Care Clinic Low cost preventative veterinary care, hours and services vary by location. No appointment necessary.

Dog Wash Self-service dog wash - Everything you need to wash and dry your dog.

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Live Small Pets

Buy online and pick up when it is convenient for you. Come on in, or we will bring it to your car. It is easy, fast, and best of all, free!

Stop in to nd your new feathery friend, cuddly companion or scaly sidekick!

Grooming

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Regular grooming keeps your pets looking good and is important to maintaining their good health.

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 13500 NC Hwy 50 Ste. 106 Surf City NC 28445  910-803-2440

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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 U.S. 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

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

Island Seafood Shac k

Sea-to-Table Outdoor Dining Daily Drink Specials Live Music

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

508 Roland Ave. Surf City, NC

(910) 260-5830 See something missing? Shoot us an email: New@TopsailMag.com

910.541.0930  Fall 2021

TAGGED

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@TOPSAILMAGAZINE



#TOPSAILMAGAZINE

Tag, you’re it! Keep showing us how you embrace the island spirit — share your moments, stories and snapshots by tagging @TopsailMagazine and adding #TopsailMagazine

@alexanaac  Topsail Beach, North Carolina

@kylecaitlinmyers  Topsail Island, North Carolina

@lostwavemedia  Maneras de Morir

@wiltoncwescottphotography  North Topsail Beach, North Carolina

@thepinkflamingobungalow  Topsail Beach, North Carolina

@nctouring  Salty Turtle Beer Company

@amdangelo15  Surf City, North Carolina

@ocean_air_vb  Topsail Beach, North Carolina

@lwsmith1015  Topsail Beach, North Carolina

Topsail Magazine

@judybrockfineart

@michellewhitfieldauthor

@eastern_bluebird_photography  Topsail Beach, North Carolina

@yourbrightspot  Bake, Bottle & Brew

@right_coast_chris_photography  Surf City, North Carolina Fall 2021

SOLD IN 2021

4132 ISLAND DRIVE SOLD | $1,800,000

1402 S SHORE DRIVE SOLD | $1,600,000

394 NEW RIVER INLET ROAD SOLD | $987,500

4258 ISLAND DRIVE SOLD | $1,211,000

922 OBSERVATION LANE SOLD | $899,900

988 GAYE AVENUE PENDING | $779,000

1716 S SHORE DRIVE A/B SOLD | $845,000

924 OBSERVATION LANE SOLD | $840,000

1614 S SHORE DRIVE SOLD | $1,475,000

115 TROUT AVENUE SOLD | $720,000

702 N SHORE DRIVE PENDING | $735,000

1719 N SHORE DRIVE A SOLD | $701,000

1150 N ANDERSON BOULEVARD PENDING | $1,749,000

4166 ISLAND DRIVE SOLD | $1,200,000

709 OCEAN BOULEVARD SOLD | $1,033,000

1043 S ANDERSON BOULEVARD SOLD | $975,000

SOLD IN 2021

106 N PERMUDA WYND DRIVE SOLD | $975,000

639 MARITIME WAY SOLD | $1,100,000

1139 N ANDERSON BOULEVARD SOLD | $1,547,132

1016 CAROLINA BOULEVARD SOLD | $1,700,000

110 BLAND DRIVE SOLD | $705,000

617 N ANDERSON BOULEVARD SOLD | $873,260

1343 CAROLINA BOULEVARD SOLD | $885,000

1604 S SHORE DRIVE SOLD | $1,133,000

1821 N SHORE DRIVE SOLD | $720,000

4110 ISLAND DRIVE UNIT 601 SOLD | $685,000

1034 CAROLINA BOULEVARD SOLD | $804,000

1144 N ANDERSON SOLD | $1,700,000

392 NEW RIVER INLET ROAD SOLD | $987,500

123 S BOCA BAY LANE PENDING | $935,000

914 S SHORE DRIVE SOLD | $1,425,000

1162 MONROE LANE PENDING | $1,750,000

EMERGING

STRONGER IN BURGAW

Advanced Orthopedics + Physical Therapy

Our newest Burgaw location offers residents of Pender County access to a friendly and convenient orthopedic medical office to receive care and treatment for orthopedic and spine conditions including:

• General Orthopedics • Sports Injuries • Pain Management Emerge Stronger. Healthier. Better.

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The board-certified, board-eligible fellowship-trained orthopedic and spine specialists, as well as the medical and support staff in our Burgaw location, are here to provide you with an exceptional level of highly advanced, extremely compassionate care.

Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm | Same-Day Appointments Available 910.332.3800 | EmergeOrtho.com | 209 US HWY 117 N, Burgaw, NC 28425 18

Topsail Magazine

SPIRITS

It’s Tequila Thyme Reposado tequila, cava and fresh thyme come together for a sophisticated tequila experience.

BY SANDI GRIGG

I am typically not a tequila drinker, but this herbinspired cocktail blends tequila and sparkling cava for a thyme-infused alcoholic pop that I love. Rather than using a flavored substitute or artificial thyme flavor, I prepared this drink with home-grown thyme. In my opinion, fresh ingredients are what make a drink a true cocktail. Around the office I am known as the plant lady because I love growing all types of plants, succulents and herbs. Before my thyme burned up from the summer heat, I selected a few sprigs that inspired me to create this spirit, which finishes similar to a seltzer. This recipe uses reposado tequila, which basically means “rested” in Spanish. Reposado tequilas rest anywhere from two months to a year before they are bottled. Reposados take on a gold hue from the aged oak or white oak barrels in which they are aged. I used the Don Julio brand, which I found in my local ABC store. You can use any brand of tequila you prefer, but make sure to use the reposado. This cocktail also uses cava, which is a sparkling wine from Spain. It may be white (blanco) or rosé (rosado). Cava goes so well with tequila, and for this cocktail I used the Freixenet Sparkling Cordon Negro Brut Cava, which I found in my local grocery. Tequila has a reputation for causing trouble, but the elegant flavors in this drink will bring about your sophisticated side. Admittedly, I am a little fickle where cocktails are concerned. But you’ll see, once you take a sip of this wonderful drink, you will be sold too.

TEQUILA THYME POP Makes 2 drinks

INGREDIENTS: 3 Tablespoons lime juice 4 sprigs fresh thyme ¼ cup simple syrup 1/2 cup reposado tequila Ice Cava as needed to top off glass 2 sprigs of thyme to garnish

METHOD: Pour the lime juice into a cocktail shaker and drop in the thyme sprigs. Bruise the thyme using a muddler to release the flavor and aromatics. Add the simple syrup and tequila, then add ice until it almost fills the cocktail shaker. Cover the shaker and shake 15 seconds to mix ingredients. Using a strainer, split the fluid equally into two chilled glasses. Top each glass with cava and garnish with a sprig of thyme.

Fall 2021

WHAT’S COOKIN’

Land & Residential V A L U A T I O N S Since 1983

Quick & Easy

Meat & Taters

C. Nathan King & Associates Appraisals

The all-in-one sheet pan technique works well for steak and potatoes too.

BY SANDI GRIGG PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK

 KincoInc.com  910-803-0695 Find us on Facebook @KincoRealEstate

Topsail Magazine

If I were to ask my family what they want for dinner every night, they would likely reply, "Meat and taters.” That’s not at all what I want to cook every day, especially a week day, but some days are actually meat and tater kind of days. I don't eat or cook a lot of red meat, but the cooler fall evenings have a way of making me crave a good steak. However, at the end of long and busy weekday, I don’t want to go through the trouble of firing up the grill, steaming broccoli and boiling potatoes. I want a quick and healthy meal that’s a cinch to clean up, and this all-in-one sheet pan steak and vegetables dish is it! You might be wondering how a steak will taste being cooked in the oven on a sheet pan, but I am here to tell you that it turns out mouthwateringly perfect. The dry-rub marinade locks in the flavors, and with only one flip under the broiler it comes out super tender. It is important to place the steak on the pan when the pan is already hot so it starts to sear the outside of the steak as soon as it touches the pan. In this recipe, I have offered a window for cook time on the steak because some like their steak rarer than others. When I made this recipe, I was feeding my little one and got distracted, so I cooked the steak a bit longer than my personal preference; to be sure it was well done, but to my surprise it was still tender and tasty. The aroma of the rosemary, balsamic and garlic as everything cooks is divine, and when it is done cooking the colors from the sliced steak, broccoli and potatoes make for an impressive presentation. Typically, I cook and my spouse cleans. But with this dish, I offered to cook and clean. It was a very quick and easy preparation and clean up. So, the next time your family asks for meat and taters, think of this easy sheet-pan recipe. You won’t even be disappointed if you have to clean up.

WHAT’S COOKIN’

Sheet Pan Balsamic Flank Steak Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 1½ lbs. flank steak 2 cups broccoli florets 1½ lbs. mini medley potatoes, halved 4 garlic cloves, sliced 1 Tablespoon freshly chopped rosemary plus 3 sprigs 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1½ Tablespoons olive oil 1 Tablespoon paprika 1½ teaspoons onion powder 1½ teaspoons garlic powder salt and pepper

METHOD In a small bowl mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chopped rosemary and salt and pepper; reserve 1 teaspoon of dry mixture for vegetables. Rub the dry spices all over the flank steak and set the steak aside to marinate. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. On a large sheet pan, scatter the broccoli, potato halves, sliced garlic and rosemary sprigs. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the vegetables then toss to coat. Bake 20 minutes. Push the cooked vegetables to the edges of the sheet pan and place the seasoned steak in the middle of the hot pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon of dry mixed spices over the vegetables and cook it all under the broiler for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven, flip the steak and broil for another 5 to 7 minutes or until steak reaches desired doneness. Cut the steak into thin slices and serve with the vegetables.

Fall 2021

PURCHASE. BUILD. RENOVATE. REFINANCE VA - Backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, these

BRIDGE - Allows the buyer to make a non-contingent

SECOND HOMES - A Second home is typically used

CONSTRUCTION - A short term loan used when

loans are for military service members and surviving spouses. Up to 100% ﬁnancing available. Eligibility required.

purchase of a new home while they sell their current home. A bridge loan is a great way to solidify an offer and give everyone involved peace of mind.

as a vacation home, though it could also be a property that you regularly visit.

building a new custom home, with a lot purchase or on a lot already owned.

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES - Property purchased

RENOVATION - A short term loan used for renovations,

with the intention of earning a return on the investment either through rental income, the future resale of the property, or both.

DEREK ARTHUR Senior Loan Ofﬁcer NMLS ID # 117800

c (910) 389-1865 o (910) 338-1748 darthur@icmtg.com darthur.icmtg.com

with a lot purchase or on a home already owned.

HOME FINANCING MADE EASY

Selecting the right lender is just as important as choosing the right home to meet your needs and fulﬁll your dreams. We set the standard with our commitment to the highest level of quality in product and service.

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SIP, SHOP, & STROLL

by Mike Johnson

by Pat Fontana

Teaching New Tricks to A Old Downward Dog

Surf City offered two more chances to enjoy a fun night out in Soundside Park.

For most of my life, the thought of yoga brought to mind soft sitar music, stretch pants, mystical group bliss and odd body poses with weird names like Dog Digging Up Lotus Flower. I generalized its purpose and typecast its practitioners, shrugging it off as a hippie activity that was closed off to all but the most fervent devotees. And I love hippies! I grew up in Asheville and was a raft guide — how had I misread and ignored yoga so completely? | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

Participants grabbed beverages, purchased locally made treasures and enjoyed a beautiful evening walking through Soundside Park during a special summer event. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

2021 DISASTER PREPAREDNESS EXPO Contributed content

Pender Long Term Recovery Group’s expo helped residents prepare for hurricane season.

SUPERINTENDENT CONTINUES by Topsail Magazine Contributor

NEW PENDER FIRE MARSHAL

Pender County Board of Education extends Superintendent Hill’s contract.

by Topsail Magazine Contributor

Robert Bentfield named Pender County fire marshal. Pender County Emergency Management recently announced the hiring of Robert Bentfield as the new fire marshal, a position vacated when Tommy Batson was named Pender County emergency manager. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

Pender County Board of Education unanimously voted to extend Superintendent Dr. Steven Hill’s contract for three additional years. Hill, who joined Pender County Schools in October 2017, is now under contract through June 30, 2024. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

Pender Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) held a 2021 Disaster Preparedness Expo on Saturday, July 17 in Rocky Point. The expo provided an opportunity for Pender County residents to get information on disaster preparedness and sign up for CodeRed Alerts while adding items to their Disaster ToGo Kit. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE Fall 2021

| 23

WHAT’S HAPPENED

Alive After Five Concerts

members, partners and supporters. Through this committee the chamber has established key relationships with a number of other organizations and people actively involved in southeast North Carolina’s economic development and is working with municipal and county leaders and planners to understand current and future plans that will influence progress. The committee meets regularly with outside expert advisors and is working toward the creation of a regional-wide economic development vision, mission and plan.

Pender County residents and visitors enjoyed getting out and hearing some live music this summer at Pender County Parks and Recreation’s Alive After Five Concert series. Held in June and July, the concerts took place at Hampstead Kiwanis Park, and all COVID restrictions were followed.

The chamber is planning an Economic Development Summit for late 2021; it will feature a panel of experts to facilitate ideas and inspiration for the Topsail region. The details of this event will be made available in the near future. Chamber members are encouraged to reach out to the chamber staff with questions, ideas or an interest to participate in the ongoing efforts of this committee.

Town of Surf City Municipal Complex Ribbon Cutting

PEP Scholarship Recipients 2021 Pender Education Partnership asks the community to join them in congratulating their 2021 scholarship recipients: Pender High School Jamie Wood: $500, Kinley Federonko: $500, Nicholas McGowan: $1,000

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Town of Surf City held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new municipal complex on May 21. Located beside Publix Super Market at Arboretum Point, the municipal complex houses the town hall and police department. Mayor Doug Medlin addressed the attendees, as did Town Manager Kyle Breuer and Matt Brittain of Monteith Construction. The new complex project began with Allan Sullivan, who donated the property to help get the process started. Several grants and then the hiring of Monteith Construction set the wheels in motion for the beginning of construction in September of 2019. Both the town hall and the police departments are approximately 10,000 square feet each. The council chamber will be converted to an Emergency Operations Center when necessary.

Topsail High School McKayla Obremski: $500, Grayson Frazee: $500, Shelby Parker: $1,000 Heide Trask High School Krystin Gainey: $500, Riley Ramos: $1,000 Pender Early College High School Erin Harvey: $500, Cassidy Baribeault: $500, Marilyn Coombs: $1,000 Amari Walker: Jones-Trawick Scholarship ($5,000 per year for 4 years = $20,000)

PEP SOS Open Mic Night Blue Gracias Open Air Market Ribbon Cutting Blue Gracias Open Air Art Market opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 22. The new shop at 706 S. Anderson Boulevard in Topsail Beach sells original artwork, vintage art, clothing, jewelry and home decor, and the majority of art is created on or with pieces that had a former life. The goal of the shop is to reduce waste, promote sustainability, recycle and parlay beauty in what was once forgotten.

Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce has formed an Economic Development Committee that is aligned with the chamber's mission and dedication of supporting the business and economic health of the Greater Topsail Island regional communities and bringing further value to current and future

Topsail Magazine

Pender Education Partnership (PEP) held its Support Our Seniors Open Mic Night fundraiser on June 4, and the event was a huge success. Performers, volunteers, attendees and sponsors helped raise more than $12,000, all of which goes directly to scholarship and mini-grant recipients and education recognition in Pender County in 2021. PEP thanks all sponsors and participants for helping make this their best fundraising effort to date. Jeff Rivenbark was the emcee, and Southern Roots and Hawaiian Shaved Ice provided food and a cool treat for the spectators. To get involved with PEP, please visit the website at pendereducationpartnership.org

Sundown in the Ferry Summer nights were a blast at Sundown in the Ferry in Sneads Ferry. Live music, food trucks, a beer garden, local vendors and fun for the kids went down on June 19, July 16, August 20 and September 18 thanks to the Rotary Club of Sneads Ferry.

WHAT’S HAPPENED

SENIOR COMPANION & PERSONAL CARE SERVICES

TopSea Wings Grand Opening TopSea Wings held an all-day grandopening event on June 26. Located at 201 Alston Boulevard in Hampstead, TopSea Wingz is a family-oriented wing restaurant specializing in chicken wings with a variety of tasteful flavors. They have friendly staff, outdoor seating and TVs to watch the fights and football games.

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Town of Surf City Independence Day Celebration The Town of Surf City’s Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 3 was a great success. The event took place at the Soundside Park and featured Craig Woolard Band, fireworks and food vendors. A great time was had by all, and the event will return in 2022.

Topsail Surf & Cycle Ribbon Cutting In conjunction with Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce, Topsail Surf & Cycle held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 15. Located at 714 S. Anderson Boulevard in Topsail Beach, the shop rents electric bikes, bikes, kayaks, surfboards and standup paddleboards in Topsail Beach, Surf City and North Topsail Beach. They also repair bikes.

2021 Paddle 4 Troops Many people came out to Sears Landing Grill & Boat Docks on Saturday, August 28 to support the Paddle 4 Troops and SUP Race. The 10K competitive race started at 10 am, and a 5K Fun Race started at noon. Trophies were awarded. Paddle 4 Troops (P4T) will use the funds raised to provide assistance for active, retired or prior military families during times of need. The all-volunteer nonprofit is based in Surf City and has raised more than $200,000 for military assistance since 2011.

Enjoy great drinks, great food, and great music! Follow our Facebook page for our live music schedule.

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WHAT'S NEW

Farmers at Last After Hurricane Florence devastated their restaurant and the many setbacks of the pandemic postponed their new farming venture, Shari and Sean Donahue finally opened Surf City Farm in June 2021. BY KATE M. CAREY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC SILLS

Shari Donahue chats with a customer on a busy market Saturday at Surf City Farm.

Hurricane Florence shut one door for Sean and Shari Donahue, but it opened wide another door to sustainable living, local foods and new adventures. The Donahues opened The Dirty South Bar & Grill in Topsail Beach in 2017, and it quickly became a local favorite offering music, trivia and the famous Dirty South Burger. In 2018 Hurricane Florence’s three days of rain ruined the kitchen and closed the restaurant. “We were pretty devastated for a while,” Shari says. “We took stock of what we had

Fall 2021

WHAT'S NEW

and where life was going. We had a lot of land and a teenager on the spectrum, which means the goal posts are constantly moving and you have to be able to pivot and move with it. Knowing it may be difficult for him to find work in the future or be able to drive himself to a job, we focused on what we could do to secure a future for him right here at home.” Surf City Farm, 101 Northern Escape Way, opened in early June offering local produce, berries and homemade jams, mustards and pickles. The market building has a space for children to play with Legos while parents or grandparents smell homemade soaps, taste jams and mustards, and stroll among the vegetable displays while enjoying a cup of coffee. Soon, the small kitchen will turn out baked goods — cinnamon rolls, brownies, cookies and breads — to complement the local produce and locally roasted coffees. Fall will bring the annual Pumpkin Fest, October 29 to 31, complete with pumpkin carving, apple and pumpkin pies and apple cider. “We want the barn to be a fun, local place to visit where you can run into others you haven’t seen in a while,” Shari says. “It isn’t just about produce for us, it’s about community 28

Topsail Magazine

and supporting each other.” It’s all up and running now, but getting to opening day was full of challenges. They spent months researching hydroponics, the N.C. Bona Fide Farm requirements and qualifications, setting up small hydroponic test systems and writing a proposal for the county. The Bona Fide Farm approval came in the summer of 2019, so they built larger hydroponic systems, cleared land, built the barn and the website — and then COVID hit. “So, year one turned into year two,” Shari says. COVID caused shortages of nearly everything from greenhouse materials and equipment to seed trays, and what was easily available had prices rising weekly. “The physical aspect of farming became reality, getting down in the dirt on hands and knees in the heat either weeding, planting or installing irrigation lines,” Shari says. “We pushed forward, but the hits just kept coming,” she adds. “One greenhouse collapsed during a windstorm. The field crops were not doing well during the dry spell, so we added 2,000 feet of drip-line irrigation by hand. An algae bloom in the hydro houses took days working around the clock to recover, repair and save.”

Fall 2021

WHAT'S NEW

“

Failure only happens when you quit.

Despite the setbacks, Sean’s love of hydroponics appears in each new innovation he tries, as “failure only happens when you quit,” he says. He researched and then began building his own affordable systems, starting small this year with plans to increase the scale each year. A full-time police officer with the Town of North Topsail Beach, he spends his spare time deep in the dirt. “We plan to add several more hydroponic greenhouses and expand the produce options we have as we grow,” Sean says. “We have done a lot of testing, trial and error along the way, some good and some flops … that’s what keeps us going.” Sean built a vertical row system from PVC pipes that resembles the popular beach ladder toss game. He enjoys sharing his hydroponic knowledge and can often be found deep in conversation with anyone who asks about its merits. In the future he might offer some starter classes with home

hydroponic kits to guide and help others interested in growing with hydroponics. Outside the market building, squash and cucumbers sit in various hydroponic containers off the large back porch. Chairs and tables are artfully arranged with small planters offering succulents. Raised beds of beans, peas, squash and herbs are covered in netting to prevent deer from eating dinner. The larger, irrigated fields, which will be replanted next summer, and the Donahues’ home hide behind a pine tree border. “Thankfully our amazing friends rallied to help in painting the barn in 104-degree heat last year when we just couldn’t do it alone,” Shari says. “We take each hit and work with them or around them. As most people are aware, farming is not instantly profitable ... or in many situations, profitable at all ... We have had our work cut out for us, but at this point, failure is not an option.”

Left: Sean Donahue shows the strong root system of hydroponic plants. Right: a hydroponic vertical row system. 30

Topsail Magazine

WHAT'S NEW

Customized plans to make

Your Coastal Dream Home A REALITY

Each week in summer began with fresh new inventory when Surf City Farm opened each Friday; what wasn’t sold by Sunday at 4 pm was repurposed to jams, jellies, pickles and salsa. The rest was donated to the Share the Table, a local food bank. “The repeat customer business has been amazing,” Shari says. “Social media has given us a simple platform to connect with everyone in the area, and many of our customers just walk down from the neighborhood up the road.” As Surf City Farm grows and changes, the Donahues have many ideas for future events and product lines, many of which would use local produce and people on “Spotlight” weekends. “Some grow hemp and make their own line of products,” Shari says. “Others make custom candles. We even met a young couple who is starting a cocoa farm in Belize, and they would like to show off their own brand of chocolate. We have so many opportunities and possibilities ahead, it’s difficult to say what will come next. Sean makes mustards with Salty Turtle beers and plans to brine his own brisket for St. Patrick’s Day in March.” And perhaps, someday, the Dirty South Burger might appear in the frozen meat case. 

WANT TO GO? Surf City Farm 101 Northern Escape Way, Hampstead (860) 810-9271 surfcityfarm.com Hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.

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AROUND TOWN

Preserving a Legacy A new heritage trail highlights important sites of African-American history in Pender County. BY CHRIS G. LAYT Poplar Grove Plantation

PHOTO COURTESY OF POPLAR GROVE PLANTATION

Pender County Tourism launched its African American Heritage Trail on an auspicious day in 2021: Juneteenth, the day of celebration that commemorates the end of slavery. The tourism department developed the trail to help educate the public and retain the history of Black residents dating back to the Revolutionary War. The tourism department had the help of dozens of African-American descendants, residents and historians, who gathered documents and stories to help tell the history of their forebears whose lives enriched Pender County.

“This project could not have been accomplished without the help of 23 local historians and families who want to preserve the history and legacy of African Americans in Pender County,” says Tammy Proctor, Pender County Tourism director. The African American Heritage Trail (AAHT) is a driving tour that opened with nine sites of interest: Missiles and More Museum, Sloop Point Elementary School, Manhollow Missionary Baptist Church, Poplar Grove Plantation, N.C. Mountains to Sea Trail, Macedonia AME Church, Pender County Courthouse, Old Stage Road and Canetuck Rosenwald School. Fall 2021

AROUND TOWN

PENDER COUNTY AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL SITES The following site descriptions are provided by Pender County Tourism and can be seen in greater detail on the PocketSites.com online map. A phone app is available. 1 Missiles and More Museum

720 Channel Boulevard, Topsail Beach

Learn the fascinating history of Ocean City, where Black people could first buy beachfront property in the late 1940s. A development team bought and remodeled one of the remaining observation towers from NASA Project Bumblebee to be a restaurant and tackle shop in 1959. The museum is free.

loop Point Elementary School 2 S

55 Manhollow Church Road, Hampstead

Boarded now, the one-room schoolhouse was an anchor to the past for the Edgecombe community. It first opened 100 years ago, in 1921, following fundraising efforts to match the Rosenwald School grant money needed. Between 1917 and 1932, nearly 5,000 modest rural schoolhouses were built, known as Rosenwald Schools. Black intellectual Booker T. Washington and wealthy GermanJewish immigrant Julius Rosenwald partnered with communities to increase educational opportunities for African American children throughout the southeast.

3 Manhollow Missionary Baptist Church 55 Manhollow Church Road, Hampstead

White Missionary minister Alvin D. Love was allowed to preach to enslaved people in the Edgecombe area in 1861. In 1868, three years after the Civil War, construction of a permanent building began. Manhollow Missionary Baptist Church continues to anchor the community by providing a place for spiritual renewal and worship. The church and adjacent Sloop Point school are drive-by AAHT locations.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OCEAN CITY BEACH CITIZENS COUNCIL

At present, there are not any AAHT site markers, but those will come in the future. A virtual map of the AAHT can be seen online and with the phone app available at Pocket Sights.com. Telling the history of African Americans in the county will be an ongoing project by Pender County Tourism and many citizens. “This will be a forever-evolving project that will educate our community and visitors on the important but almost forgotten history of generations of Pender County African-American residents and their ancestors,” states the Pender County Tourism website. Due to the history of bringing African people to America in chains, some points of the trail are emotional reminders of captivity and loss, such as the market road at Moores Creek National Battlefield. But thankfully there are many stories of triumph, of clinging to family and faith, of raising money out of meager wages to buy land for a school. There is much to celebrate and remember in Pender County. Some of the heritage trail sites are drive-bys; for example, Sloop Point Elementary School in Hampstead is not open to the public. However, reading excerpts from Curtis Hardison’s writings of his school days there in the 1950s, and his parents’ decades before, one can imagine education in a one-room schoolhouse with no electricity and Mrs. Mibisley keeping firm control of a multi-age classroom, with the help of a fan belt. Hardison is a descendent of a firstgeneration enslaved couple, Tuney and Janey. Pender County Tourism Assistant Olivia Dawson says it is time to bring recognition to these locations in history, so they won’t get lost in time. “The idea is to bring light to the African heritage that is here. It is greatly important to our area,” Dawson says. “I think one of the most interesting sights is going to be the Missiles and More museum,” she adds. “At the museum, you can read more about local history.” 

Learn more about the history of Ocean City at Missiles and More Museum. 34

Topsail Magazine

AROUND TOWN

4 Poplar Grove Plantation

8 Old Stage Road

M oores Creek National Battlefield, 40 Patriots Hall Drive, Currie

10200 U.S. Highway 17, Wilmington

Poplar Grove Plantation was once a 2,000-acre peanut farm owned by Joseph Mumford Foy and operated by slaves. Today the plantation is working to preserve its history and is the site of events, a farmers market and a museum. It is part of the National Park Service’s Gullah Geechee National Corridor, which commemorates the direct descendants of Africans brought to the United States.

N.C. maps show the use of the road as early as 1743 by colonists for transportation of goods and military use. The route was pivotal to the Revolutionary War. It was also used to march African Americans from Wilmington to the Historic Fayetteville Market, where they were being sold to inland plantation owners.

9 Canetuck Rosenwald School

5 N.C. Mountains to Sea Trail

6098 Canetuck Road, Currie

A large segment of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) runs through Pender County. Howard Lee, a Black man who was born on a Georgia sharecropper’s farm, was a co-founder of the MST trail. He served in the Army during the Korean War, earned a master’s degree from UNC and was elected Mayor of Chapel Hill.

Funding for the two-room school came mostly from the AfricanAmerican residents in the Canetuck community. They raised $1,226 for the school, which was completed in 1922. Additional funding was given from the Rosenwald Fund and Pender County. Often lacking funds for books, the school used recitation, music and drama to foster education. One of the best-preserved Rosenwald schools, today it is used as a community center. It was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation program in 2019.

6 Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church 300 N. Walk Street, Burgaw

7 Pender County Courthouse 100 S Wright Street, Burgaw

This is the site of the nationally spotlighted trial of The Wilmington Ten, nine young Black men and one white woman who were wrongfully convicted of arson and conspiracy in 1971. At a time of racial unrest, The Wilmington Ten protested the unfair treatment of Black students in the New Hanover schools during desegregation.

TAKEN BY CLAUDIA STACK. FOR MORE INFO VISIT STACKSTORIES.COM

The church was organized in 1880 on land donated by Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Company. The 141-year-old church is a member of the Canetuck Rosenwald School 2nd Episcopal District of Connectional A.M.E.

Old Stage Road

PHOTO COURTESY OF MOORES CREEK NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD

TAKEN BY CLAUDIA STACK. FOR MORE INFO VISIT STACKSTORIES.COM

Sloop Point Elementary School

Fall 2021

Jackie James

CoastalCarolinaReal@gmail.com

Jeff James

CarolinaCoastContracting@gmail.com 36

Topsail Magazine

13775 NC-50 Ste 401, Surf City, NC 28445

NON PROFIT

A Place to Connect and Thrive Topsail Senior Center helps with advocacy, socialization, nutrition, exercise and more for the area’s older population. BY DALENE BICKEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAY PERNA

Ellie Hess enjoys quilting at the Topsail Senior Center.

Surrounded by lush foliage and stately trees, Topsail Senior Center is easily overlooked as you drive amid the cars and trucks barreling down Highway 17’s coastal corridor. Yet this facility, located beside the Pender Pines Garden Center in Hampstead, has been serving area residents age 60 and older since 1997. This includes the residents of Hampstead, Topsail Island, Holly Ridge and Scotts Hill. “Our goal is to provide a comfortable, safe place to promote independence, self-esteem, good health practices and socialization for all our area seniors,” says Donna Murphrey, coordinator of Topsail Senior Center. Indeed, through its affiliation with Pender Adult Services (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization), seniors are able to enjoy a vast array of activities and resources to meet four of their biggest needs: advocacy, exercise, nutrition and socialization.

Advocacy Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher, is credited with saying, “There is nothing permanent except change.” That certainly applies to government programs, particularly health insurance and tax laws, which seemingly get more complex each year. To help seniors navigate these muddy waters, Topsail Senior Center offers two annual programs. The first is the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). Prior to open enrollment each fall (which runs from October 15 to December 7), seniors can reserve an

Fall 2021

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appointment with a trained SHIIP expert, who can counsel them about the various Medicare plans, supplemental policies and long-term-care insurance options available. “People appreciate this service because the SHIIP counselors don’t have a dog in the fight,” Murphrey says. “They’re really great at helping people without trying to sell something in the process.” The second program is complimentary income tax preparation and filing. Between February and April, qualified AARP tax preparers are available every Monday and Wednesday. Seniors are asked to call the center in advance to reserve a time to drop off their documents and pick up their returns. Additionally, the center offers several year-round services such as free notary work (appointments required), low-cost public transportation to medical appointments and shopping through the county-wide PAS-TRAN system (see sidebar), and in-home care by competent, pre-screened caregivers.

Above: Topsail Senior Center Coordinator Donna Murphrey and Meals on Wheels volunteer Randy Thrasher provide hot meals to local seniors. Left: Emily Bradley and Alice Howard have fun on Gorgeous Grandma Day. Below: Mary Hauman and Rayola Warne await the start of Thursday Bingo.

Exercise It’s widely known that people tend to lose muscle and balance as they age. The good news is that these issues can be offset by physical exercise, such as the center’s Geri-fit classes. “The biggest thing seniors lose is the ability to get up and down out of a chair on their own,” Murphrey says, “so we work on biceps and triceps and do lots of squats and lunges, which also helps with balance.” Additional exercise classes taught by qualified instructors include tai-chi, yoga, modified Pilates, Zumba and line dancing. Geri-fit classes are free, and dumbbells are provided; all other classes require a nominal monthly fee.

Nutrition Seniors are invited to enjoy a hot meal with others in the center’s dining room every Monday through Thursday at 11:30 am. Suggested donations are $2.50 per meal. For those who are homebound, the same menu is offered on the same days through the Meals on Wheels program. The center is closed on major holidays, but during the week of Thanksgiving the Hampstead Women’s Club and Topsail

Senior Center staff prepare holiday meals for takeout/ delivery. During the two weeks surrounding Christmas, Meals on Wheels deliveries continue through a partnership with Share the Table food pantry and Coastal Pender and Surf City Rotary volunteers.

Socialization Diane Mangus, who has been enjoying Wednesday Rummikub and Thursday Mahjong gatherings for the past five years, loves the people and the center so much that she volunteers every Tuesday morning at the welcome desk, answering phone calls and greeting visitors. Fall 2021

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WANT TO TRY IT OUT? Come discover a new sense of purpose and independence. Chances are good that you’ll soon make new friends and become more active in the process.

Topsail Senior Center

Local quilters Betty Van Sickle and Sylvia Hewitt hone their skills and share laughs at the Topsail Senior Center. The center also provides free books and puzzles for seniors to take home.

20959 U.S. Highway 17, Hampstead (910) 270-0708 penderpas.com/programs Facebook: Pender Adult Services Hours: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 4 pm; Friday 8 am to 1 pm; closed Saturday, Sunday and major holidays PAS-Tran services: $3 one-way in-county, $8 one-way out-of-county Monday to Friday 5 am to 6:30 pm. Call (910) 259-9119 press 1; TDD/TTY 800-735-2962; lift-equipped vehicles available

“

“It’s a great place to socialize and meet other people,” Mangus says. Others seem to agree. “We have several people who come almost daily,” Murphrey says, “and we have a few who pretty much hang out all day to enjoy the various programs and interact with others. Thursday’s our biggest day because everybody loves bingo.” If games aren’t your cup of tea, several crafts are offered as well, including two different quilting groups, basket weaving, painting (in all the mediums), wood carving and more. The center recognizes that some guests might occasionally want to enjoy a less engaging activity, such as piecing together a puzzle or reading a book from their small library. “You’d be surprised at the people who just come here for a book because there’s no time limit,” Murphrey says. “A lot of our folks are avid readers.” Off-site events are announced as well via a large bulletin board in the lobby. “A lot of our seniors are on a fixed income, so we try to stay abreast of what’s going on in the area that’s free that we think they would enjoy,” Murphey says. 

Classes: Seniors are invited to visit the center and try out a class for just $5. Reservations for all activities are recommended (both free and paid) as classes are beginning to return to pre-COVID numbers. Masks are not required but are encouraged for those who have not yet been fully vaccinated.

We have several people who come almost daily, and we have a few who pretty much hang out all day to enjoy the various programs and interact with others. Topsail Magazine

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LEARN THE OCEAN IS TO

LOVE THE OCEAN With Ecological Marine Adventures camps and classes, Taylor and Amber Maready provide fun outdoor experiences while instilling a sense of environmental hope in the next generation. STORY & PHOTOS BY KATE M. CAREY

Topsail Magazine

If all of the trees on planet Earth were cut down today, the ocean would generate enough oxygen for us.

It’s estimated that up to 85% of the oxygen on Earth is generated by phytoplankton from Mother Ocean. Taylor Maready tells me this while crossing the beach near the Surf City Ocean Pier to check in on a group of Aquarium Apprentices, one of several weeklong camps offered by Ecological Marine Adventures (EMA). At the water’s edge, a group of campers bends over a seine of wriggling ocean creatures as the instructor holds up a tiny fish, a mullet, that flips and flops to their amusement. The questions fly as students begin their field work. During the week at camp, they learn tank and water care, data collection, preparing and feeding animals, and animal care and handling. Maready and his wife, Amber, owners of the ocean conservation business for five years, follow this philosophy: “Teach people to love the ocean, because if they love it, they will take care of it.” Based in Surf City, EMA offers camps for all ages, scuba camp, classes, parents’ nights out, birthday parties, school field trips, guided ghost crab hunts and more. In addition to camps and classes, EMA has an education center with a small touch tank aquarium with a stingray and urchins and a reptile room. In summer they may see 100 visitors a day, with another 75 students in camps and classes on any given day, Maready says. “Our camps, classes and everything we do at EMA teaches ocean conservation and the importance of the individual,” Maready says. “Our message is of hope and a bright future.

This page: Taylor and Amber Maready teach a class where children dissect a squid and draw using its ink.

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Izzy Cogan, camper turned employee, helps visitors pet a stingray.

Yes, we have a lot of cleaning to better our ocean, but we fully, 100% believe that we, as incredible human beings, can make that happen.” A Hampstead native and avid surfer, Maready joined his good friend Kathleen Murphy a decade ago when she started with a tent on the beach at Topsail Beach to teach kids about the ocean. “I came on board to help her with the surfing portion of a Surf and Science class and fell in love with her program,” Maready says. “Fast forward, and Kathleen decided to move in a different direction and sold EMA to the Town of Surf City. Around that time, my wife and I were expecting our first kid and moved back from our travels in Nicaragua. I got a call asking if I wanted to run EMA. About a year later, we had visions and ideas of what could happen with EMA, made an offer to purchase it from the town and have been working our dream job ever since.” Maready saw a bit of the world before returning to Topsail Island. “I started traveling around at 18 years old,” he says. “I ran eco-tourism businesses, surf camps and even fancy hotels. Everything I did revolved around the ocean. I’ve tagged sharks with scientific research companies, scuba dived in incredible places and surfed oceans all over the world. I was eventually able to get some education from Cape Fear Community College with their Marine Technology program, which I highly recommend.” The Mareadys previously had an ecotourism standup

paddleboarding company and a yoga mat protector company and now they own Ecological Marine Adventures and North Shore Juice with the Pasquantonio brothers and run a nonprofit called Tides of Hope. North Shore Juice is a juice bar/smoothie shop in Surf City that shares a similar vision with EMA while offering healthy and delicious treats and making the smallest footprint possible on the environment. Tides of Hope teaches ocean conservation to those who can’t get to the oceans. “We do outreach for schools, teach ocean conservation and have a sea turtle project in Nicaragua,” Maready says. Maready loves the career and the lifestyle he and Amber have created for themselves. “I have done and seen some incredible things and met

Fall 2021

incredible people, all while sharing these experiences with my closest friend, my wife,” he says. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of work! We have two little boys, Indy and Vai, ages 3 and 5, and they love the adventure just as much as we do. There are some days where we get to work around 7:30 am and when we leave at seven that night, the boys are crying to stay at EMA. They did that last night. They love it. I love that they love it.” The Mareadys business is much like Topsail Island, small in the winter with one full-time employee and much bigger in the summer with interns and instructors, most of whom are college students majoring in environmental science, biology or marine science. “We have some students that started coming to camp when they were four or five years old and now, they are working for us,” he says. “That’s amazing to us. This company is nothing without our incredible community and our beloved return students.” Isabella Cogan, 17, was a camper then a volunteer, and this summer she is an assistant camp counselor and aquarium tour guide. She answers campers’ questions to expand what they are learning and she teaches visitors how to interact with the animals and specimens in the touch tank while sharing fun facts and answering questions. “Both jobs are super fun,” Cogan says. “What I love most is how engaging, informative and fun it is. It’s heartwarming to see a camper become comfortable around an animal they were 46

Topsail Magazine

once afraid of, catch their first fish or find their first shark tooth. It’s satisfying to see kids become inspirited to take action in their community and to be compassionate about nature.” Cogan adds, “My co-workers are extremely kind and compassionate, too. They embody the goals — to learn, love and protect. I feel lucky to be a part of the Ecological Marine Adventures family.” A military family, the Cogans moved to Surf City from California. Cogan’s mother, Theresa, loves that her kids have hands-on experiences and fun learning about the environment. The Cogan family boys were at EMA this summer, Tommy, 13, as a volunteer, and Cael, 9, a camper. “The boys never got tired of camp and were always surprised to see me at the end of the day,” Theresa says. “Our family has created lots of special memories through EMA programs. I’m thankful we have a program like that on the island.” The Mareadys hope students leave with two main ideas. “First, I hope they leave with a greater love of the ocean,” Maready says. “One of my favorite experiences was a time where we were at the beach and lining up to come back to the lab. We line up so that we can stay together as a group. One of the kids took off running down the beach. I thought to myself ‘Where in the world is she going?’ Just as I was taking off to go catch her, she stopped, grabbed a piece of trash out of the sand, then came back in line. That’s when it hit me. What we teach is really making a difference. People want to help; I just think they need to be reminded that they can do it. “Probably the most important thing that we want our students to leave with is a sense of hope and belief in themselves. People are amazing. We are capable of incredible things. If we want to change the world, then we can do it! You have to believe in yourself … that you can make a difference. I hope everyone that steps in our building feels their importance and their greatness. I hope they leave and say to themselves, ‘I am amazing, and I can make a difference in this world.’” 

WANT TO LEARN MORE? To explore camps and classes with Ecological Marine Adventures, go to ecologicalmarineadventures.com. The education center is at 106 N. Topsail Drive in Surf City. Call (910) 515-9751 for information. North Shore Juice is at 204 Roland Avenue in Surf City. Go to northshorejuice.com to learn more. To learn more about Tides of Hope, visit tidesofhopenc.org.

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A Rich

History,

A Promising

Future

Camp Davis contributed to the massive growth of Holly Ridge in the 1940s, and the site, now an industrial park, continues to be responsible for the area’s growth today. BY PAT FONTANA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY CONRY DAVIS

Topsail Magazine

Camp Davis began in a sleepy town of just a couple dozen people and became a historic military facility that would make waves in more than one way and lead to a phenomenon known as Boom Town in Holly Ridge. It was home to a number of military units in the 1940s, and a small part of it still exists as an outlying field used for training. Named for General Richmond Pearson Davis, the camp just outside of Holly Ridge was built in five months and 10 days after the contract for $16.8 million was let in Washington, D.C., on December 14, 1940. The camp opened to the first troops in April 1941. By the summer of 1941, Camp Davis was operating at full capacity and had already established a number of firsts in the military. By the end of the decade, though, the camp had run its course. Today, a small area known as Marine Corps Outlying Field Camp Davis (MCOLF) is fully operational, but “is not manned, has no control tower and no services available,” according to Museum of the Marine historian LtCol Kim Kimball, USMC (Ret). Kimball says that the “OLF is actively used for many purposes, but mainly in conjunction with helicopter and Osprey training.” Camp Davis originally served primarily as an antiaircraft artillery (AAA) training center for the Army and predated the neighboring Marine base, which became Camp Lejeune. In October 1944, the camp served as an Army Air Forces Convalescent and Redistribution Center (AAFCRC) until August 1945. It was then acquired by the Marine Corps, which released it to the Navy in June 1946. The camp was deactivated and dismantled in January 1948. Throughout its short term of service, Camp Davis was home to pioneering women pilots, a unit of Black soldiers, a group of prisoners of war, troops from the Dutch Marines and the first Army barrage balloon training center. It also helped to increase the population of the once small town of Holly Ridge to between 60,000 and 100,000 people, leading to it becoming known as Boom Town among soldiers and residents alike. In 1943 the Army Air Force established the Women’s Army Service Pilots (WASPs) program. These pilots were trained as transport pilots, flying new airplanes from the factory to the bases where they were assigned. In the summer of 1943, the

Fall 2021

decision was made to allow WASPs to fly low target planes at Camp Davis, and they implemented a training school there for advanced training for these female pilots. Janine Stidley, director of the Missiles & More Museum in Topsail

Topsail Magazine

Beach, points out that a select few of these women were then chosen to fly other missions. They were assigned as fly bombers and to strafing and searchlight missions. The WASP unit was disbanded in December 1944. Stidley also points out that Camp Davis was home to an all-Black coastal artillery unit, a 155mm Army regiment, the “only all-Black troop of its kind.” Training was integrated, but the Black troops lived in separate quarters, although a few officer candidates resided together. Members of the 54th Coastal Artillery Regiment and the 450th AAA Battalion had separate facilities for the most part,

including a theater and service club. The Army would not fully integrate troops until the 1950s. The camp was also home to the Barrage Balloon Training Center and School, the first of its kind in the Army. When this school was established in 1941, Camp Davis was the only military post in the country with the three principal elements of coastal artillery, including barrage balloons, anti-aircraft and seacoast defense, under a single command. Camp Davis also hosted foreign troops for a time, some of whom definitely did not choose to be there. LtCol Kim Kimball points out that German prisoners of war (POWs) were kept there beginning in March 1944. The Camp Davis POW camp was in the Maple Hill area and housed German troops that were captured primarily in North Africa. These prisoners were moved to nearby Fort Bragg after the camp’s closure. Kimball says that “these POWs, here and elsewhere, played a significant role in augmenting the civilian workforce, especially farm labor, where there was a critical shortage, all within the Geneva Convention. They also served to reinvigorate conservation projects formerly handled by the CCC.” The CCC was the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942. The Marine Corps took over Camp Davis in 1945 and established the “only facility and service in the U.S. to reorganize, train and equip a complete

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foreign military service, in this case, the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps,” Kimball states. He emphasizes that this was a “unique accomplishment and accolade for the base, and the Corps.” After successfully completing their training at the camp outside of Holly Ridge, the Dutch Marines “embarked for service overseas under their country’s colors.” When the Navy took over, they established Operation Bumblebee at Camp Davis. A secret guided missile testing program, the operation expanded onto Topsail Island. A full-size Talos guided missile, part of the mission designed to test the feasibility of building-a-supersonic guided missile, is located in front of the Missiles & More Museum today. Camp Davis looks much different in 2021, although it continues to be

responsible for growth in Holly Ridge and the surrounding areas. The industrial park recently established there was originally developed by a local businessman, Tom Rollins, and his family, who own Gulfstream Steel and acquired the property in 2004. A $150,000 Rural Infrastructure Authority grant was approved in April

2021, under the state’s Rural Demolition grant program. These funds are being used for the demolition and removal of asphalt taxiways and runways to enable a second phase of development to progress. With 41,000 acres still being used for neighboring MCOLF Camp Davis and new businesses continuing to be attracted to the new industrial park, Holly Ridge and the surrounding areas are once again becoming a Boom Town. The Camp Davis Industrial Park now houses a number of growing businesses, inspiring economic growth in the Holly Ridge area. Onslow Bay Boatworks, Atlantic Seafood, Highland Paving, Blue Water Candy and Crete Solutions are among the companies that are now making their home in the spot that was once a unique military establishment. 

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Funcean O for the

Celebrate Surf City’s wave-riding heritage and help protect the ocean at Surf City Ocean Fest 2021 on October 8 and 9.

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA BUDRES

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN

Topsail Magazine

M PHOTOS BY ERIC VITHALANI (LEFT) AND CHRISTINA BUDRES (RIGHT)

Mark Anders is truly addicted to surfing. He goes almost every day. But his passion goes far beyond sport. It’s the ocean that he goes for. It helps him heal both mind and body.

“It’s brought so much positivity to my life,” Anders explains. “I wanted to do something to give back to the ocean.” That’s the reason he founded Surf City Ocean Fest in 2019. For the last 15 years Anders wanted to do something to bring awareness to the ecological concerns facing not only Surf City, but all of North Carolina’s precious coast and natural resources. He realized there would never be an easy time to pull something like this together, so he just went for it, with the help of friends and fellow surfers Cody Leutgens of Surf City Surf School and Cory Sydes of Topsail Island Longboard Association. With just a month and a half planning timeframe, they were able to pull together the first event. “Sometimes when you’re doing something for the right reasons, it just ends up that everything comes together,” Anders says. In October 2019 Surf City Ocean Fest’s inaugural event exceeded expectations with a crowd size estimated at 5,000. The 2021 event is scheduled for Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9, with the kickoff party on

Friday and the surfing contest and main festival on Saturday. True to the festival’s mission statement, attendees will be there to surf, protect and party. The 2021 festival will bring back the popular vintage surfboard contest presented by Salty Turtle Beer Co. that draws riders from all over the area. “It’s a different way to host a surf competition,” Anders says. “We ride vintage boards from the ’60s and ’70s of all shapes and sizes. Some are harder to ride than others, and you don’t get to pick your board.” Riders draw between two dozen popsicle sticks with the name of each board written on it. The contest is not like a traditional one. It is all about whoever has the smoothest ride. The winner gets mostly bragging rights and a financial donation made to his or her oceanbased charity of choice. The contest is for all ages, with everybody in the same division. Even if you are not a surfer, you can appreciate the boards themselves, which are individually unique pieces of art. “It’s like having a museum of vintage boards,” Anders says. In addition to the vintage board surf contest, the organizers will host an Adaptive Surf Experience Fall 2021

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA BUDRES

PHOTO BY ERIC VITHALANI

clinic to share their love of surfing with others. The 2019 clinic, with the support of the Tom Moorefield Memorial Fund in association with Ocean Cure and Del Mar Center for Behavioral health, teamed children with disabilities to surf instructors. This year, the free adaptive clinic, with the support of Ocean Cure, will be for a pre-selected group of disabled military veterans who will be treated to a day on the water. Above all the fun, fellowship and surfing is the root cause of the event: giving back to the ocean. According to Anders, “A lot of people just aren’t aware of the environmental issues that are harming our oceans.” The festival will feature advocacy booths from area eco-centric organizations whose focus is on bringing attention to the ways we can make our oceans healthy, including Plastic Ocean Project, Surfrider Foundation, North Carolina Coastal Federation and Coastal Carolina Riverwatch. In addition, Ecological Marine Adventures in Surf City will be there; owners Amber and Taylor Maready are instrumental in organizing the advocacy set up for the festival and much more. 56

Topsail Magazine

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA BUDRES

“

So many people love the ocean for so many different reasons. We want the whole community to come together.

“One-hundred percent of the proceeds goes to all of the oceanrelated charities,” Anders says. “Everything about the event is giving back. When you are transparent, it makes the event more genuine.” This year’s event features a 5K and 1-mile beach race presented by Fat Tire — run entirely on the sand at the #18 Beach Access — as a way to involve other attendees who love the beach but don’t surf. “So many people love the ocean for so many different reasons,” Anders says. “We want the whole community to come together.” The main event takes place at the Surf City Welcome & Event Center all day on Saturday. The street will be blocked off, and a stage set up for the live music festival. Other festival activities include the Fat Tire beer garden, a street fair, food trucks, a kids’ zone and more. A silent auction and raffle help raise additional funds. Another big draw is the arts and crafts village. Many of the vendors feature ocean-themed items and are committed to promoting ocean conservation through their use of recycled and eco-friendly materials. 

WANT TO GO? Surf City Ocean Fest 2021 Friday, October 8, 5 to 9 pm; Saturday, October 9, 8 am to 8 pm Admission is free. theoceanfest.org • Facebook @surfcityoceanfest Vendors, sponsors and volunteers are needed. For information contact surfcityoceanfest@gmail.com

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PEOPLE

Selling Pender County to the World Tammy Proctor’s job is to make sure everyone knows that Pender County is one of the best places to live, visit and retire. BY COURTNEY MCLAUGHLIN

PHOTO BY DARIA AMATO

Within its 933 square miles (870 square miles of land, 63 square miles of water), Pender County has some of the most unique topography in North Carolina — from coastal shorelines, rivers and creeks to winding trails, woodlands, historic towns and growing cities. Tammy Proctor’s job is making sure the world knows it’s all here. As Pender

Tammy Proctor outside Pender County Courthouse in Burgaw.

County’s director of tourism, Proctor and her staff are charged with getting the word out about all the area has to offer. “We are the best of both worlds — beach towns and family farms,” Proctor says. “We are history. We are agriculture. We are events. We are art and culture. We are extremely blessed.” Fall 2021

PEOPLE

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Proctor works to bring in families, retirees and new residents and visitors as well as to spotlight the area's points of interest.

Topsail Magazine

PHOTO BY DARIA AMATO

In her six-plus years as director, the area has grown quickly. Families, retirees and people looking for a better quality of life are headed to the county at a rapid rate. “We are no longer the best-kept secret as a vacation destination,” she says. Proctor says tourism is the second-leading industry in the county, another reason why her job is so critical when it comes to the economic wellbeing of the area and the people who live here. “Families are coming to Pender County for the excellent schools,” Proctor says. “Retirees are coming to Pender Country for the excellent climate. Everyone benefits from the quality of Pender County — the parks, the natural resources, the festivals and events.” People who work closely with Proctor will tell you that she not only talks the talk, but also walks the walk. “She may be at the Battlefield in Currie in the morning and on Topsail Island that night at a large event or volunteering for bingo night,” says Tommy Batson, director of Pender County Emergency Management. “She lives and breathes Pender County.” Living on and near the coast, Pender County residents are used to things they can’t control, like the weather. However, the arrival of COVID-19 was a new challenge, bringing with it many hardships but also some unique opportunities. “Pender County and our municipalities were extremely fortunate because travelers wanted an uncrowded destination that was within driving distance,” Proctor says. The pandemic required outside-the-box thinking for

Proctor and her staff. One idea they had was to turn the county’s award-winning Ghost Walk into a drive-in movie event. The tourism team also took the opportunity to spotlight the area’s wide-open spaces and natural resources, including miles and miles of trails for every type of explorer. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail, East Coast Greenway, N.C. Birding Trail and N.C. Oyster Trail all traverse through Pender County. The county also created its own adventures, including the Hometown Hollywood Walking Trail and African American Heritage Trail as well as the Sweet Tooth, Seafood, Blueberry and Taco trails. Proctors’ dedication did not go unnoticed. “The pandemic and the isolation that resulted from sheltering in place protocols was extremely hard on all of North Carolina’s tourism directors,” says Tameron Kugler, Currituck County’s travel and tourism director. “It is worth note and a big hurrah that Tammy stuck by her county and worked even harder to bring visitation to the area.” Put a magic wand in Proctor’s hand and she’d wish for a pair of futuristic glasses so she, residents and local leaders could view what Pender County will look like in 15 years and plan accordingly. As in many areas of the country, balancing rapid growth, smart planning, preservation of resources and maintaining infrastructure is a huge juggling act. But

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Proctor is not daunted. “We have amazing natural resources,” she says. “What we learned from Hurricane Florence is resiliency.” The next big project for Proctor and her team is the two-time awardwinning Ghost Walk: The Ghosts of Pender’s Past event. The familyfriendly Ghost Walk explores the legends, tales and lore of the area’s fascinating past. Long-term, infrastructure is top of mind, she says. Whatever the future holds, you can be assured Proctor will keep building on successes and plugging away at her job, making sure everyone knows Pender County is one of the best places to live, visit and retire. “Success to me is making an impact — impacting the economy of the county, the memories of families who visit and the quality of service we provide to our attractions and businesses,” she says. 

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

A 19th Hole Worth Waiting For

PUB SCOUT

When a brewery owns a golf course and has plans to open a massive beer garden as the 19th hole, times are good. STORY & PHOTOS BY KURT EPPS, THE PUBSCOUT

Ted Coughlin

Anyone who has ever golfed knows of that magical oasis called the 19th hole. It’s where you kick back and relax over beers or other concoctions to reminisce, mourn and wax poetic about the makes and misses you had on the links. The only golf course in the country that is owned by a brewery has a 19th Hole too, and it’s located in Hampstead. Right now, it’s just a small Beer Shack serving four or five Ironclad beers from its brewery based in Wilmington. But give it time. When its 30,000-square-foot astroturfed Beer Garden, with a full restaurant, seating for hundreds and outdoor entertainment, opens later in 2021, there will be nothing else like it — anywhere. Fall 2021

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Ironclad Brewing in Wilmington, sister business to Belvedere Golf Course in Hampstead, is located in a renovated 1920s building.

The brainchild of Ironclad Brewery owner Ted Coughlin, who describes himself as a guy who loves to have fun, Ironclad Golf & Beer Garden occupies the land where the renowned Belvedere Golf Course in Hampstead used to be. Coughlin bought and renovated the golf course and is building the beer garden to provide an unforgettable place to have fun. The facility includes a driving range, 18 holes of golf, night golf and Ironclad’s craft beer and seltzers at the 19th hole. Coughlin established Ironclad Brewing in the heart of historic Wilmington in 2014, an unlikely move for someone who studied electrical engineering. “My electrical engineering mates and I began home brewing after college upon tasting Sam Adams Boston Lager,” Coughlin says. “We had fun, even though our fastacting yeast exploded many of our bottles at first. And we occasionally made a decent drinkable beer.” Situated in a building from the 1920s that required extensive renovation, the two-story Ironclad Brewery space not only houses a brewery and taproom but also serves as a popular event venue. Weddings, engagements, corporate parties and other events are held there often, and in 2019 the building saw 165 separate events unfold in its cavernous interior. Ironclad’s head brewer, Laren Avery, regularly puts out a

variety of beers, including Brayton Kolsch, Smoked Honey Lager, Peach Apricot Ale, Expedition Pale Ale, Air Male Pale Ale, Treemendous IPA (a best seller), Admiral’s Amber Ale, Zola Chai Brown and a Chocolate Coconut Porter. Yours truly can attest to the quality of some of the beers. The Smoked Honey Lager and Expedition Ale are top-notch, the Coco Porter is nicely balanced, and Coughlin’s suggestion of a “most interesting beer,” Zola Chai Brown, definitely complements the fall season. Opening the downtown Wilmington venue came with challenges. The floorboards from the original second floor were painstakingly preserved and re-purposed into a dramatic balcony that looks down on the gleaming tuns. Broken cast-iron pipes under a six-inch cement floor had to be dug up and replaced, and one of Coughlin’s biggest worries was the accidental discovery of human bones — a farrier and a funeral home once occupied the space. Fortunately, none were found. As Coughlin declares, perhaps prophetically, “It always takes longer and more money than you expect.” We’ll circle back to this comment soon. Fall 2021

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

PUB SCOUT

Coughlin’s renovation experiences serve him well as he tackles the Herculean task of restoring the venerable Belvedere Country Club in Hampstead, which had fallen into almost total disrepair. I say “almost total,” because the former superintendent of Belvedere lingered on the periphery after Belvedere closed, and, at his own expense and time, took painstaking care of what he could at his beloved golf course. That he is now the new superintendent of Ironclad Golf Course — with a house on the course — only seems right. Even private homeowners in proximity felt so fondly about the course that they would frequently pay kids to mow and trim the grounds of various holes. That’s some serious love. That may augur well, as Ironclad, while not likely to be on the PGA Tour anytime soon, is probably going to be a favorite with the locals in Hampstead, Topsail Beach, Surf City, Sneads Ferry, et.al. Besides its Belvedere connection, Ironclad has some solid golf pedigree, given that one of Coughlin’s elementary school friends is Derek Sprague, past president of the PGA and the guy now running things at Sawgrass. John Fackler is the Ironclad pro, and he and his able assistant, Patrick Hamilton, worked previously at Carolina National in Bolivia. While I like Coughlin’s relaxed “proper attire” rules (“We just ask that you wear a shirt … this is going to be a workingman’s golf course,” he says), I hadn’t swung a club in close to four decades. So, I sent a surrogate, a friend known as T-Bone, who has a pretty solid record of playing golf at famous courses around the world, to play it for me. T-Bone has played Pebble Beach dozens of times, Carnoustie, Ballybunion, Pinehurst #2, Gokarna (the highest golf course in world), Ushuaia, Sawgrass, St. Andrews and Old Head. If anyone could give me an honest review of Ironclad, I knew he could. Herewith are his first-person observations, edited for space: 66

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“As you told me it would be, it’s a work in progress; however, they are building off a good foundation. The course itself (fairways) were in great condition for this time of the year. The greens were outstanding, though a few had bald spots. But the ball rolled true, and the speed was very, very consistent from green to green — and FAST! And … the green sizes were very large. Did not have a single three putt! Almost every single green was elevated, meaning you better bring a good short game skill to the table to chip it close to the hole. The crape myrtles spread throughout the course added a lot of color and good visual impact.” T-Bone, who made the 2.5-hour drive from Myrtle Beach, added: “This course was designed for high handicap golfers or for neighborhood people who want to get some exercise.” So, it sounds like it’s going to appeal to the local gentry. And now Coughlin’s prophetic comment becomes apropos: ”It always takes longer and more money than you expect.” Though it is indeed a “work in progress,” there is no doubt that Ironclad Golf Club will eventually get there, and the Beer Garden will very likely be a large draw. And when it does, you’d better grab a good picnic table after your round is over, because you’ll likely be staying a while. It’s designed to be a welcoming, family place. And there’s no rule that says you can’t enjoy a work in progress. In the meantime, go have some fun, play some golf and drink some Ironclad beers in the Beer Shack. Because, if you think about it, we’re all works-in-progress. And for what it’s worth, there’s one brew at the current Beer Shack that I thought was super — and appropriately named — Hoppy Gilmore. Don’t worry; be hoppy. 

WANT TO GO? Ironclad Golf & Beer Garden 12368 Country Club Drive, Hampstead (910) 777-7725 • ironcladgolf.com

New Vs. Refurbished Computers Written by The Computer Warriors, Inc. Our clients often ask us if refurbished devices are good or worth buying. We want to dispel the negative association with the term refurbished when it comes to tech. Refurbished devices are more common than you think, and you can often find certified refurbished or open-box deals in stores. This article will explain what these terms mean.

Wilmington \ Jacksonville \ Leland \ Camp Lejeune

Fall 2021

Topsail Beach Skating Rink has been a family-friendly tradition for more than 55 years. BY ASHLEY DANIELS PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY CONRY DAVIS

he Topsail Beach Skating Rink has been around since The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” sat at the top of the Billboard charts. That was 1964, and the skating rink surely played that hit on vinyl as skaters made their rounds on the old maple floor. With more than 55 years of history, the rollerskating rink still operates on the second floor above the town’s post office as a landmark/time capsule. Dan Arnold runs it with his aunt, Doris Jenkins, who originally opened the skating rink in 1964 and would work there every night after her day shift as postmaster. Now, Arnold carries on this same tradition. Jenkins turned 83 in May. “This summer, she’s feeling real good and she skated on her birthday,” says Arnold over the phone during his shift at the post office. “But if there’s too many people in there, she won’t … She’s still mighty graceful when she skates.” Arnold says that not much has changed over the years, including the lack of air conditioning inside the building. But that hasn’t impacted the draw, proven by the full house each night. “We’ve never had air conditioning,” Arnold says. “We just open the windows and turn on the fans, but it’s not miserably hot in there like it used to be because we got a new roof and new insulation.” Something else that hasn’t changed, he says, is the familyfriendly atmosphere amidst nostalgic surroundings. 68

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Let the Good Times “It’s always catered to the tourist families,” Arnold says. “They bring their kids in and learn how to skate, go back home and continue to love to skate somewhere else and then come back the next summer. … And then that kid brings in their kids, and then they’re bringing their grandkids.” The skate music is still played on old 45s, as well as a new digital sound system Arnold installed, in a variety of genres, from 1950s classics through today’s hits — even classical music, which is what Jenkins prefers. Skaters glide hand-inhand for the ballads and faster for the pop songs with pep under the old disco ball that was hung so long ago, plus some LED lights that Arnold added to shine off that ball for the “younger crowd,” he says.

Roll

The Pritchard family, visiting from Virginia, enjoy a fun afternoon of roller skating.

Fall 2021

Doris Jenkins

But Arnold doesn’t want to erase the skating rink’s sacred past. He started hanging up some of the old outdoor signs on the inside; a new sign now hangs out on the front of the building at the top of the steps leading up to the second-floor rink. “I’ve hung them up on the inside to kind of just remember what it was like in the past and what used to be,” he says. “The original exterior sign is long gone, but the second sign that ranged the middle 1970s through the middle ’80s, I found it during Hurricane Florence and cleaned it up, clear-coated it and hung it on the wall. Same for the one from the mid 1980s up to 2018.” Arnold says he has also recently spiffed up the place by hanging United States military flags and state flags from the rafters above — the farthest one from California. “People from all over the country are sending in their flag, and we’re hanging them up,” he says. “So, it’s looking real 70

Topsail Magazine

good and colorful.” In addition to the music, fun and ambiance, the Topsail Beach Skating Rink sells bags of potato chips, bottled water, Gatorade and soda. On top of that, expect a nightly game of Elimination on the skating rink, a tradition here since 1964. “What I would really love to see, and it’s something I’ve never really understood,” Arnold says, “is that I wish we had a little bit of local support like we did back in the ’80s, when I was a teenager. There always seemed to be a decent group of kids locally that came to skate three or four times a week. We get a few local families, but if we had to rely on local business, we wouldn’t make it.” He adds that he realizes locals may rather want to travel to the fancier rinks in Wilmington, but you can’t beat the $8 admission at the Topsail Beach rink, which includes skate

rental. The nostalgia is free. “After Labor Day weekend, in years past, they always just shut down because they just never got any local support,” Arnold says, “but since I’ve come along in the off-season, we all tend to take a week or two off after Labor Day and then we’ll open up two or three days during the week.” Arnold also added an extra hour to the daily schedule because of the crowds. Hours used to be from 7 to 10 pm, but now they open at 6 pm. “I advertise that the first hour is for beginners only, and then we get an early crowd before dinner and an after-dinner crowd,” he says. “So, it kind of breaks up the traffic a little bit.” Topsail Beach Skating Rink is a throwback to simpler times, and it suits the atmosphere of this small, family-friendly beach town so well. Don’t miss a chance to lace up some skates and take a few turns around the rink. 

I’ve hung the signs up on the inside to kind of just remember what it was like in the past and what used to be.

WANT TO GO?

Topsail Beach Skating Rink 714 S. Anderson Boulevard, Topsail Beach (910) 330-7891 Topsail-beach-skating-rink.business.site Facebook.com/topsailbeach.skatingrink

Fall 2021

Topsail Magazine

COMMUNITY

Community, Not Competition In the Four Corners area of Sneads Ferry, a collective of powerhouse women supports each other while growing their individual businesses. BY PAT FONTANA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE NICOLE

Left to right: Jennifer Vanek, Jeanette Georgitis, Katie Rochelle, Marilyn Didomenico, and Beth Jones

Among the many women-owned businesses in the Sneads Ferry community, there are five women who have launched and are successfully operating businesses in the Four Corners area. These women support and mentor each other, and generally focus on community instead of competition. Jennifer Vanek, owner of Harper Rose Boutique, says the business owners “celebrate the fact that we survived” the pandemic. Vanek launched her business in September 2018

on a whim, she says. She began, with her sister, by selling children’s clothing from her home. She branched out to promote her offerings on Facebook live and then with events from a mobile trailer. Vanek found that she was shipping items non-stop and “couldn’t house all the inventory we had on hand.” About ten months after she opened the business, she started selling what she calls “mom clothing” in response to customers’

Fall 2021

COMMUNITY

requests. Harper Rose Boutique expanded to a storefront in Wilmington that had to be closed when COVID hit. Vanek says she jumped on the new Sneads Ferry location, as she had lived in the area for many years and “needed our home hub to be here.” “Ever since I’ve had this business, it’s been nothing but support from other small business owners,” Vanek says of the Sneads Ferry location. Vanek mentored another businesswoman, Marilyn Didomenico, who launched Grit + Grace Bazaar during the pandemic. Didomenico says the bazaar “started off as an idea to sell Christian-related items.” After going through a challenging time in her life, she says she “had to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up.” She wanted more than just a job and decided to create a shop of things she loved. The name of her business has significant meaning, as it’s about constantly finding your strength within and “the grace that God gives us.” The idea of the bazaar came from the hodgepodge of different things in the shop. There are local items and those from other parts of North

Grit + Grace Bazaar owner Marilyn Didomenico

Salty Sistas owner Jeanette Georgitis

Harper Rose Boutique owner Jennifer Vanek

Carolina, including candles and t-shirts made locally, soaps made in nearby Dublin and natural dog treats made in Jacksonville. Grit + Grace Bazaar also hosts monthly vendor events as well as mini markets during the week, giving other people an opportunity to sell their products. Didomenico says the camaraderie between the local women-owned businesses “gives us the grit to persevere.” “We aren’t competitive with each other,” she says. “We come together.” Just down the road from Grit + Grace is Salty Sistas Food Truck and Eatery, owned and operated by Jeanette Georgitis, who had run a soup kitchen and food pantry previously. Still committed to giving back, she wanted a different pace when she launched her business. Having lived in Sneads Ferry for a long time, she still wanted to “be a part of the community and help out where needed.” 74

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COMMUNITY

“

Salty Sistas started as a food truck in 2019 and, from the beginning, has donated to local charities from the proceeds. Georgitis opened her current location as a dine-in eatery, enabling her to donate trays of food to those in need. During COVID, she promoted a buy a meal, donate a meal program to help others in need. “I don’t believe you can get anywhere in life unless you’re giving first,” she says. The Salty Sistas menu offers a mix of seafood, including Maine lobster and local shrimp, and a range of other options, such as Philly cheesesteak, so “everybody in the family can find something they love,” Georgitis says. The restaurant still operates food trucks and, in fact, is expanding with a wood-fired pizza truck soon. “I’ve always wanted to do something where I could cook, support myself and give back,” Georgitis says. She is proud of her success and of the success of other women-owned businesses in the area. “Women are just becoming more empowered, coming out

of their comfort zone,” she says. “They are realizing, ‘I can do this.’” Across the street from Salty Sistas is Katie Rochelle’s new venture, Coffee Haven. The drive-through and walk-up coffee shop opened in January 2020. Rochelle worked for another coffee shop owner the previous year, just one month before that owner decided to sell the business. “I fell in love with the art of making coffee and the community,” she says. When the opportunity presented itself, she bought the business, renaming and rebranding it. Coffee Haven offers a range of coffee drinks as well as teas, smoothies, specialty drinks and seasonal drinks. Rochelle partners with the Salty Sistas frequently, which provides baked goods for her customers. Even with the challenges of the pandemic, including challenges with getting milk, she hasn’t regretted a moment of it. Rochelle says that Sneads Ferry and Topsail were like a

...it’s been nothing but support from other small business owners.

Fall 2021

COMMUNITY

Coffee Haven owner Katie Rochelle

The Float Spa X Wellness Center owner Beth Jones

second home to her growing up in Jacksonville, adding that the area “always had a special place in my heart.” She is also big on giving back to the community and has placed a Blessing Box outside Coffee Haven. The box is a “take what they need, leave what they can” opportunity for people who need, or want to donate, food and health items. She is encouraged that the Blessing Box is being used quite a bit now. “Everyone in the area is very supportive,” Rochelle says. “They lean on each other, promoting each other.” Around the corner from Coffee Haven is The Float Spa, launched by Beth Jones in 2016. Jones admits starting her business was “quite a project.” She had wanted to build it years earlier, but state regulations were challenging for float centers, treating them like commercial swimming pools. She was instrumental in getting those regulations changed. Flotation therapy is also known as sensory deprivation therapy. Clients enjoy a sensory neutral environment, resting comfortably in 10 inches of water inside a capsule that “looks like a big dinosaur egg.” Epsom salts heated to skin temperature help you relax, giving “your body and mind the space they need.” Jones emphasizes that it’s a great therapy

for chronic pain, which is one of the reasons she launched her business. The Float Spa offers many mental health benefits as it helps people reduce their stress and anxiety, including PTSD experienced by many military personnel in the area. In fact, Jones started the business after a visit to a similar facility operated by a friend who was a Navy SEAL in Virginia Beach. Jones says her own business has “weathered four hurricanes and a global pandemic.” Changing some of the sanitization procedures, she says that she felt “super confident” when they re-opened after the COVID shutdown. Jones has not only survived the pandemic, but is now expanding through franchising. She owns another Float Spa in Charlotte and franchised the company about a year and a half ago. She is also president of the Flotation Tank Association. Summing up the similar success enjoyed by so many other women-owned businesses in the area, Jones says, “There are so many powerhouse women in the community.” These women are growing successful businesses and supporting and encouraging each other along the way — and in the process building a strong business community. 

WANT TO GO? Harper Rose Boutique, 1982 N.C. Highway 172, Sneads Ferry

Grit + Grace Bazaar, 969 N.C. Highway 210, Sneads Ferry

Topsail Magazine

Salty Sistas Food Truck and Eatery, 2024 N.C. Highway 172, Unit B, Sneads Ferry

Coffee Haven, 104 Silver Sands Road, Sneads Ferry

The Float Spa X Wellness Center, 1961 N.C. Highway 172, Suite 102, Sneads Ferry

Fall 2021

SNIPPET

Christmas in the County Old Homestead Farm in Rocky Point transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. BY ASHLEY L. HAFER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ

 Santa Claus is coming to the farm. For the fourth year in a row, the family at Old Homestead Farm is sharing the holiday spirit through their Christmas in the Country event. This is a great opportunity to gather your loved ones into the car and take a short drive out into the country. Nestled between Burgaw and Wilmington, this charming family horse farm in Rocky Point transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Old Homestead Farm feels like something right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The quaint drive-through light

Topsail Magazine

show, with its lovely landscaping of wide-open places, lights glistening off the lake and, of course, Santa’s village, is guaranteed to be a memorable experience. The radiant lights and displays vary a little each year, but they never stray from the original holiday motif. The mile-long adventure is accompanied by classical holiday favorites that bring the scenery to life. Carefully thought out and coordinated lights dance with the music playing conveniently from your own car radio. While enjoying the comfort and warmth of your car, you can sip on some hot cocoa that they sell on the premises.

SNIPPET

This showstopper begins Thanksgiving night and continues into the new year, giving visitors ample time during the busy season to run out and enjoy some good oldfashioned fun. There’s no need to plan ahead or fuss with buying online tickets; just come out and buy a general admission ticket straight from the source. They make it easy for you, accepting cash and major credit cards. For the small admission price of $25 per vehicle, you will spend 15 minutes driving through the landscaped light show. The folks at Old Homestead Farm have made the course accessible for all types of vehicles, keeping everyone’s needs in mind. Restrooms and a concession stand are available on site. Santa is featured at Christmas in the Country on a nightly basis; however, he will have to retire Christmas Eve to get some work done, naturally. Get that ugly Christmas sweater out and your best necklace made of sleigh bells for a family holiday photo opportunity with Santa. There is no extra fee to take the photos. You can take your own photos and edit them as you please and then, of course, distribute them to the masses!

WANT TO GO? Christmas in the Country Old Homestead Farm, 438 Rocky Point Elementary School Road, Rocky Point (910) 262-0246 • christmasinthecountryohf.com Cost: $25 per carload When: November 26 to January 1, Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 9 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 5:30 to 10 pm

Fall 2021

SNIPPET

32nd Annual Autumn with Topsail 2021  It’s almost here! The 2021 Autumn with

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Reel Housewives of Topsail Island Annual Breast Cancer Bike Ride  The annual Reel Housewives of Topsail Island (RHOTI) Breast Cancer Bike Ride took place on Saturday, September 18 at Surf City Soundside Park. The popular 26-mile bike ride fundraiser is usually held in April, but due to COVID-19 organizers moved the event to September. Now in existence for more than 10 years, RHOTI is a nonprofit organization that uses the money raised from the ride to help local breast cancer patients and survivors. RHOTI thanks everyone for their participation and support. For more information and to make a donation visit reelhousewivesoftopsailisland.com. 80

Topsail Magazine

Topsail Festival will be held October 15 to 17 on the grounds of the Historical Society of Topsail Island and the Assembly Building, which also houses the Missiles & More Museum, in Topsail Beach. Started in 1988, the festival features a juried Art and Crafts Court with more than 100 regional artists displaying and selling their artwork, live musical entertainment, a variety of amazing food, beer and wine plus inflatables and crafts for children. A free shuttle service will provide easy access to the festival from various areas in Topsail Beach. Visit the website for more information and tickets: autumnwithtopsail.com

SNIPPET

Surf to Sound 5K BY BRIAN WILNER

 Lace up your running/walking shoes and join the community

PHOTO BY UNIQUE MEDIA AND DESIGN

for a great fundraiser on Saturday, September 25. Whether you are an experienced runner, an occasional jogger or a walker looking forward to foot-crossing the Surf City Bridge, the inaugural Surf to Sound 5K is the perfect way to celebrate the Topsail Island community and all the small businesses that make up the area. All sponsorships and proceeds from the race will benefit Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. With an 8 am start at Soundside Park, 517 Roland Avenue, Surf City, the 3.1-mile trek will offer beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the lovely Intercoastal Waterway. James Worsham, the race’s founder, is an avid runner and four-time marathoner who wants to give back to the Surf City community as well as raise awareness for the Turtle Hospital. He hopes to bring folks together from the eastern part of North Carolina and throughout the state to run, walk and simply enjoy the Surf City community and bridge. If you are unable to attend in person, the race also offers a virtual run/walk. Check out the Surf to Sound 5K website at runsignup.com/Race/NC/SurfCity/SurftoSound5K or find info on Facebook.

PHOTOS BY BILL RITENOUR

Surf City Bridge Jam  The Town of Surf City’s Surf City Bridge Jam was a blast on Saturday, May 15. Townsfolk and visitors alike came out to Sound Side Park to enjoy food trucks, a beer garden and live music. Salty Turtle Beer Company sponsored the event, and vendors of all types had booths offering their products. The event also paid homage to three bridge tenders of the historic Sears Landing Bridge: Earl Glenn Batts, James Franklin Batson and Lacy Norman Atkinson. The Town of Surf City thanks all who attended and made this a successful event.

Fall 2021

Topsail Magazine

Angie Wilkie

Business Profile

Keller Williams Realty

BY BRIAN WILNER

ave you been thinking about buying a dream home on the southeastern North Carolina coast? Are you looking for the perfect place to start a business in the fastest-growing area in the state? Angie Wilkie with Keller Williams Realty in Wilmington, North Carolina has just what you need to make your dreams come true. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and a graduate of Appalachian State University, Wilkie started her real estate career in the Triad in 2001. Recently she has expanded her business to include serving Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties. The proud mother of two (and soon to be a grandmother) says it has been the perfect career path. “I realized many years ago that selling homes is my passion,” she says. “I knew that I could make it an amazing life experience for potential buyers because I loved helping people find the house they love.” Her passion for real estate has shown in her results. She has won numerous awards through the years, from Rookie of the Year when she started to achieving the Chairman’s Circle for the last seven straight years. Her career sales total is more than $250 million. Whether you are looking to buy a home on the beach, the Intracoastal Waterway or inland, Wilkie has a choice of many listings, and making her clients happy is her top priority. “Client satisfaction and customer service are crucial,” she says. “It’s my responsibility to make the transaction as seamless as possible and the experience exciting.” In her free time, Wilkie likes enjoying this area as much as her customers, hanging out on the beach with friends and boating on the Intracoastal Waterway. She also loves to travel, and in the fall, it’s football on Saturdays and Sundays. Go Mountaineers!

Angie Wilkie Keller Williams Realty (910) 777-7945 angiewilkie@kw.com

It’s about relationships. It’s about trust. It’s about taking the time to ask the question,

“WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU?”

    

910.270.3634 EdwardJones.com/karen-jerabek karen.jerabek@edwardjones.com Suite A 15235 US Hwy 17 N Hampstead, NC Phone & Virtual Appointments Available

Your Goals, Your Family, Your Future.

We Welcome New Clients

Fall 2021

We will make it shine while you recline

New Construction/Repairs • Roofing • Plumbing • Electrical • Cleaning

islandtimecc.com samantha.damiano@islandtimecc.com • 910-520-1594 Always hiring seasonal cleaners 84

Topsail Magazine

Island Time Cleaning & Construction

Business Profile BY BRIAN WILNER

s we all know, living at the coast means a lot of extra maintenance and cleaning for your home and property. It’s not always easy to get the help you need to repair damage to your home, remove trees from the yard or even clean the inside of your home. But there’s a local business that does all of that and more — Island Time Cleaning & Construction. Owned by longtime local Samantha Damiano, Island Time started 10 years ago as a cleaning company. As Damiano visited different properties, she noticed that many of them were in need of minor to major repairs and decided to also offer handyman services. As the community was impacted by different storms, the handyman aspect became more of a contractor construction service. When Hurricane Florence hit in September of 2018, Island Time stepped up its game. “Our skills for repairing roof damage, tree removal and storm damage restoration were in high demand,” Damiano says. “Having someone local that the homeowners, residents and even the Realtors could count on earned their trust and made our hearts so full.” Then the next big challenge was COVID-19, but Damiano was determined to continue taking care of her clients. “We were able to complete cleaning, repairs and construction, all the while doing it in a safe manner,” she says. “Every house and customer are a valued asset. We also knew if we took care of our staff that they would take care of us. To be able to help my fellow Realtors, cleaners and friends during this troubling time reinforced our morals and our goals from the start of this company.” When she thinks back on it, Damiano had no idea how big her company would

grow. When she decided her company needed a motto, she came up with “We Will Make It Shine While You Recline.” She believed then and now that it is important to stand behind the “shine,” whether it’s updating your dreams, creating a new dream home, cleaning the home you love or making your home last to leave for your children. The diversity means that Island Time gives its customers a one-stop shop for all their needs. Tree removal, land clearing, new construction, repairs, roofing, plumbing, electrical and cleaning — they do it all. When asked why they kept the

“cleaning” part in front of “construction” in the company name, Damiano explains, “We believe that you should always remember where you started. It was the satisfied customers and Realtors that gave us the shot to expand. That is something we will always remember no matter how big we grow. Every client becomes an extension we consider family. We are all neighbors and friends and have to watch out for each other.”

Island Time Cleaning & Construction (910) 520-1594 islandtimecc.com Fall 2021

Topsail Magazine

Business Profile BY BRIAN WILNER

PHOTOS BY DARIA AMATO

Golden Grove Insurance

brand-new insurance company has taken root in the Topsail area. Located in the Gateway Plaza in Surf City, near the Shuckin’ Shack, Golden Grove Insurance is excited to offer their many insurance products and excellent service to the residents of Pender County and the surrounding region. Golden Grove Insurance was born in Kenansville, North Carolina, in October 2016, with a handshake and a promise. They stepped out with faith and the support of their families and have been showered with blessings ever since. Golden Grove strives to provide excellent products and services at a fair price to match any budget. Regardless of the size of the account, the staff gives each customer the individualized attention they deserve. This has earned Golden Grove the trust and confidence of their customers, most of whom they know on a first-name basis when they walk through their doors. Their many insurance products include but are not limited to: home, auto, life,

commercial, rental properties, bonds of all types, general liability, workers compensation, business policies and even pet insurance. Because they have their brokers’ licenses, they can offer any type of insurance. Agent Crystal Weis described what makes this work so special: “To me, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the customers smile or sigh with relief each and every time we are able to help. When customers see us out in town and come up and hug your neck, the feeling is indescribable. I want them to know how important they are to us. We love having them stop by for a cup of coffee and a friendly chat. We often receive homebaked goods as a thank you from our customers and let me tell you, they are some good cooks!” Golden Grove Insurance is also very active in the community. They help the elderly and homebound folks, whether they are customers or not, by means of donations and personal service. They provide meal boxes at holidays

and by request. They have donations of heaters and air conditioners for those who cannot afford them. They also offer internships and scholarships for those wanting to begin a career in insurance. “We pride ourselves on always having a person available to answer the phone,” says Agent David Jones. “You will never have to press 1 to speak with a person. Our doors are open Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm, and the coffee is always ready.” The folks at Golden Grove Insurance love meeting and talking with new people, as they believe each and every one has an interesting story. They are looking forward to meeting you soon and making you part of their family!

Golden Grove Insurance 13500 N.C. Highway 50, Suite 103, Surf City (910) 833-6020 goldengroveins.com

Fall 2021

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