Topsail Magazine - Fall/Winter 2019-20

FALL/WINTER 2019-20

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PREMIERE ISSUE

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COMPLIMENTARY

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TOPSAIL’S CRAFT BEER SCENE

KEEPING HISTORY ALIVE HAMPSTEAD BYPASS UPDATE

It’s great here to be

AUDREY GOYER WELCOMES YOU TO SURF CITY

INCLUDING: SNEADS FERRY, HOLLY RIDGE, HAMPSTEAD, SURF CITY, TOPSAIL BEACH & NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH

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

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

D FALL/WINTER 2019-20 D PREMIERE ISSUE D VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

33 YOUR GUIDE TO SURF CITY

21 SPIRITS

As marketing and facility rental coordinator at Surf City Welcome Center, Audrey Goyer loves showing others all the great things about her new coastal hometown.

by Lauren Krouse

37 ON THE ROAD

46 HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Historical Society of Topsail Island not only interprets the island’s intriguing past, but also contributes to the betterment of the community.

by Annesophia Richards

50 WISDOM, TALENT & TIME

Volunteering with RSVP through Pender Adult Services helps seniors remain active and enrich the lives of others in need.

by Melissa Slaven Warren

Dreamsicle Martini

by Sandi Grigg

22 WHAT’S COOKIN’

Dressed Up Oysters

by Sandi Grigg

24 PEOPLE

Corporate leader Anne Stevens bridges her career and retirement while still contributing greatly to the Topsail Island community.

by Melissa Slaven Warren

PHOTO BY KURT EPPS

N.C. Department of Transportation’s Hampstead Bypass project inches closer to fruition.

by Rich Mina

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28 THREE YA GOTTA SEE

The PubScout scopes out the Topsail craft beer scene and reports back with good news for beer (and pizza) lovers.

by Kurt Epps

IN EVERY ISSUE 8

42 AROUND TOWN

Jaxon Signs has been making a creative impression in the Topsail area for more than a decade.

by Ashley Daniels

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

10 CONTRIBUTORS 12 NEED TO KNOW

54 GOT THEIR MOJO WORKING

14 WHAT’S HAPPENING

How Mojotone in Burgaw became a key planet in the music universe.

by Dennis Hetzel

Events you won’t want to miss

17 BUSINESS BUZZ

Keeping up with the local business scene

18 ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Extras you’ll only find online

58 SNIPPETS

Happenings on the local scene

63 FACES & PLACES

3rd Annual Patient Appreciation Party at Surf City Dental

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PHOTO BY ADAM HAWLEY

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64 TIDE CHART 65 ADVERTISERS INDEX 66 CAPTURE THE MOMENT

Comfort Food Home-Made Southern Cooking

 552 East Ocean Rd, NC-50, Holly Ridge, NC 28445  910-803-0773  Southern Roots Grille } Mon - Weds 6:30am - 2pm | Thurs - Sat 6:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 8pm

Sunday 6:30am - 1pm

 14061 NC Highway 50 E Surf City, NC  910.599.5115 |  ShopCoralCottage.com  becky@coralcottageboutiques.com  @coralcottageboutiques

About

Premiere Issue — Fall/Winter 2019-20 Volume 1, Issue 1 CEO/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams

Publishing Quarterly

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg

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

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BA S CHCK TO OOL FA L L FU N T HE LIFE A RT BA L OF A NC E

COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison

ER NT WI RM S WA UP G SO IN L S CK A L DE E H IN G TH IC A K IN S MU E M TH

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

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS: Paula Knorr Teresa Kramer Elizabeth Dale Niemann ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: George Jacob Brian Wilner CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Megan Deitz Kurt Epps Laura Glantz Adam Hawley Matt McGraw Rich Mina Shay Perna Bill Ritenour Mark Steelman Unique Media & Design CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Ashley Daniels Kurt Epps Dennis Hetzel Sandi Grigg Lauren Krouse Rich Mina Annesophia Richards Melissa Slaven Warren

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

© 2019-20 Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. strives to bring correct, accurate information that is published in the magazine. However, Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. cannot be held responsible for any consequences resulting from errors or absences. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. also cannot be held responsible for the services provided by any and all advertisers in our publications. All material in this magazine is property of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. and may not be reproduced without authorization from the publisher. Topsail Magazine – A Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. publication is published four times per year and is distributed to residents and businesses in Pender & Onslow County, NC, to subscribers and to select areas of New Hanover County, NC. Interested in back issues, subscriptions or advertising?

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

E Q

About the cover: FALL/WINTER 2019-20

A publication of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.

|

PREMIERE ISSUE

|

COMPLIMENTARY

+

TOPSAIL’S CRAFT BEER SCENE

KEEPING HISTORY ALIVE HAMPSTEAD BYPASS UPDATE

It’s great beto here

AUDREY GOYER WELCOMES YOU TO SURF CITY

INCLUDING: SNEADS FERRY, HOLLY RIDGE, HAMPSTEAD, SURF CITY, TOPSAIL BEACH & NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH

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Topsail Magazine

As someone whose job is to welcome people to Surf City, Audrey Goyer is the perfect cover girl for the premiere issue of the Topsail Magazine. Audrey is the marketing and facility rental coordinator at Surf City Welcome Center and a local who deeply appreciates the Topsail lifestyle. Photographer Mark Steelman captured this photo to accompany writer Lauren Krouse’s story about Audrey, which you’ll find on page 33.

Premiere Issue — Fall/Winter 2019-20

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Happy to be Here

Welcome to the first re-ignited version of Topsail Magazine. All of us at Carolina Marketing Company are excited to re-introduce the local lifestyle magazine for the Topsail area.

We will be publishing the magazine quarterly and presenting to you the various things that happen in and affect the Topsail area.

We will feature stories on the people (locals and visitors alike), history, nature, art, nonprofit organizations, business owners, civic organizations — basically all the things that are a part of the lifestyle on and around Topsail Island, including Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach, Surf City, Sneads Ferry, Holly Ridge and Hampstead. We will also touch on a story here and there across Pender County or in neighboring Onslow County.

Before I go any further, let me just apologize for wearing sunglasses in the photo above, which is meant to introduce me to you. It’s actually a pet peeve of mine, people wearing sunglasses in photos, that is. But that September day on Topsail Island was so epic, with the Caribbean blue water and bright sun, that I totally forgot about my peeve, until I saw this picture. Needless to say, I can see why people go to Topsail to forget about all their silly hangups.

In our premiere issue, one of the stories we are offering is an update on NCDOT’s Hampstead Bypass project. We were curious about the timeline, so we asked writer Rich Mina to research it and give us a report. We have a story about Mojotone, a nationally famous company that’s based in Burgaw, and introduce 8

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you locals like Audrey Goyer, Barbara Mullins and Cathy Jackson. Writer Kurt Epps, aka The PubScout, scopes out the craft beer scene on Topsail.

As little background on our company, we have been publishing local lifestyle publications in southeastern North Carolina since 2005. Some of our titles include Wilmington Today, North Brunswick Magazine, South Brunswick Magazine and Discovery Maps. You may have seen these around in your travels as they are available for pickup in hundreds of locations along the entire southeastern coast.

We look forward to providing the same quality of service to the Topsail area as we have in these other areas.

We hope you will like what we bring to you in this issue and in each issue moving forward. We love feedback, so please don’t hesitate to send me your comments on anything you see or would like to see within Topsail Magazine.

Thank you for reading the new Topsail Magazine and for welcoming us into your community. Please support the advertisers you find on these pages — we literally could not do this without them!

Justin Williams Owner/Publisher

Publisher@TopsailMag.com

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A look back 2005

2014

2019

First issue of Topsail Magazine was published by Beach Publishing, Inc. and Publisher B.J. Cothran.

The last issue of Topsail Magazine by Beach Publishing, Inc. and Publisher B.J. Cothran hit stands in 2014.

With a renewed focus on showcasing the history, people, natural beauty and culture of the Topsail area, a re-ignited Topsail Magazine by Carolina Marketing Company, Publisher Justin Williams hits stands! We are overjoyed that you are holding it in your hands!

TopsailMag.com E Q

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CONTRIBUTORS

Kurt Epps, a.k.a. The PubScout CONTRIBUTING WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER

I am a retired English teacher, a veteran of 37 years in the high school classroom, and I have also served as an adjunct professor at the college level. I’m a multiple award-winning writer and have won national recognition for my coverage of the craft beer industry, in which I’ve been immersed since 1996. An expert at beer and food pairing, I emcee dinners, host public and private tutored beer tastings and evaluate and review beer bars, breweries, brewpubs and pubs, as well as restaurants with good beer menus. I encourage the responsible enjoyment of beer, and my favorite quote comes from Jim Koch of the Boston Beer Co.: “All beer is good; some beer is better.” My mission as The PubScout is to locate and write about the “better.”

Shay Perna CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

I am a professional photographer based in Sneads Ferry. Growing up a military brat, and now a military wife, I’ve never stayed anywhere very long and don’t have a particular place I would call home. However, experiencing so many beautiful places throughout the years cultivated my passion for photography. My love for it grew so much after I had children and led me to a job I absolutely adore!

Specializing in families, couples, maternity, glamour and boudoir photography, I pride myself in providing not just another photo shoot but an incredible portrait experience.

Sandi Grigg DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT / FOOD EDITOR

Growing up in a small town in the foothills of North Carolina and attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I always dreamed of living on the coast.

After earning my degree in marketing/branding, I moved to Wilmington, and the life my spouse and I have created for ourselves is a blessing beyond words. Together we enjoy kayaking the Cape Fear, fishing the shores of Carolina Beach and picking up seashells and shark’s teeth. At home I love to cook and write recipes, play with our dogs and take on DIY home improvement endeavors. Being a part of the Carolina Marketing Company team has shown me that you really can enjoy your job. I am truly grateful to have a career I love in the city I aspired to be in. Life is grand!

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Topsail Magazine

WIN WINNER

Voted “Best Real Estate Company” ...eight years in a row!

Contact one of our market experts for an award-winning experience!

I N T R A C O A S T A L R E A L T Y . C O M | 9 Premiere 1 0 - 3 2 8Issue - 3 0—0Fall/Winter 0 2019-20

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NEED TO KNOW

New to the area?

Find more information and numbers at TopsailMag.com Where are the post offices located?

HOLLY RIDGE

213 Holly Street Holly Ridge, NC 28445 SURF CITY

LOWES FOODS OF HAMPSTEAD

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

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

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

HAMPSTEAD

PUBLIX AT ARBORETUM IN SURF CITY

121 Dan Owen Drive Hampstead, NC 28443 SNEADS FERRY

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

714 S. Anderson Boulevard Topsail Beach, NC 28445

Where are the nearest grocery stores?

FOOD LION IN SURF CITY

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

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

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Topsail Magazine

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

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

106 S. Topsail Drive Surf City, NC 28445 (910) 328-3961 FOOD LION IN SNEADS FERRY

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

NEED TO KNOW

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

13500 N.C. Highway 50, #100 Surf City, NC 28445 (910) 329-1134 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 CVS/PHARMACY

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

VILLAGE PHARMACY OF HAMPSTEAD

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

Where are the town halls located?

SURF CITY TOWN HALL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do I get cable, phone or internet access?

JOHNSON DRUG HAMPSTEAD

(844) 674-0398

17230 U.S. Highway 17 Hampstead, NC 28443 (910) 270-2223 CVS/PHARMACY AT HAMPSTEAD

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

SPECTRUM

AT&T

(888) 436-8638 CENTURYLINK

(910) 260-5830 See something missing?

Shoot us an email: New@TopsailMag.com

Premiere Issue — Fall/Winter 2019-20

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Murder at the Speakeasy

Murder at the Speakeasy

November 9 Join Quarter Moon Books & Gifts for great wine and mysterious happenings. Two gangs have set an official date to meet at Hal Sapone’s Grand Gatsby Speakeasy to resolve all remaining differences. Will these two underground organizations resolve their disputes or will a massive melee erupt, rekindling the fatal flames between them? This is an event like none other, and a reservation is necessary.

Information: (910) 328-4969; Facebook: Quarter Moon Books & Gifts

Surf City Street Sweep

November 9 The Town of Surf City’s Beautification Committee invites everyone to come out for their Street Sweep. Anyone interested in helping the community is welcome and encouraged to attend. Please bring gloves and trash pickers and wear safety vests or bright-colored clothing. The Street Sweep begins at 9 am. Supplies will be handed out and groups will be organized at Soundside Park.

Information: surfcitync.gov

Swing Bridge Memorabilia Auction/Reverse Raffle

November 16 Topsail Kiwanis will hold a Reverse Raffle Fundraising Dinner to auction off a cool part of Topsail Island history — the Swing Bridge. Tickets cost $100 and include dinner, fellowship, a chance to win $5,000 and the feeling of helping 14

Topsail Magazine

a graduating senior attend college through the Kiwanis scholarship program.

Information: (919) 422-9698; topsailkiwanis.org

Restaurant Round-Up for Share The Table

November 19 Want to have a wonderful evening with great food, friends and live music all while supporting a great cause? Grab your friends and head to the fifth annual Restaurant Round Up. Enjoy an array of tastings by local restaurants and music by The Awkward Silents plus a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Share The Table, a nonprofit organization that helps support an average of 1,000 people per week. Share The Table nourishes the community by providing food where there is hunger, fellowship where there is loneliness and education to end the cycle of food insecurity.

Information: (910) 616-8897; sharethetablenc.com

Surf City Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration

November 23 Join the Town of Surf City at Soundside Park for the annual Tree Lighting ceremony. The event opens at 4 pm with the Wilmington Celebration Choir, Santa and Mrs. Claus, bounce houses, face painting and food vendors, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony starts at 6 pm. Bring a chair or blanket to hang out on the lawn and enjoy the festivities.

Information: (910) 328-4131; surfcitync.gov

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Hampstead Kiwanis Park Turkey Trot

November 23 Since 2007 the Kiwanis Club of Hampstead has organized the Hampstead Turkey Trot, and it has become a tradition for many families and continues to help spread enthusiasm about living an active lifestyle. The Hampstead Kiwanis Park Turkey Trot was not held in 2018 due to the devastation of Hurricane Florence, so please come out and help make the 2019 race the best yet! The race begins at 7 am.

Information: patriciathoma@aol.com; its-go-time.com

Battle of the Badge Axe Throwing Competition

November 23 On November 23 Paradise Axe and Arcade will host an axe throwing competition between the Holly Ridge, Surf City, North Topsail Beach and Topsail Beach police departments.

The competition will raise funds for Toys for Tots, and attendees are asked to please bring an unwrapped toy. The competition will be held from 1 to 5 pm.

Information: (910) 803-2300; paradiseaxeandarcade.com

Seth Brand, Live Music at Salty Turtle Beer Co.

November 24 Seth Brand has been recognized and praised all over the country for his mesmerizing vocals, heartfelt tunes and raw

Greater Topsail Flotilla & Christmas Market

talent on the strings. His passionate performance, aided by his wife on percussion, is once again bringing the sound from Asheville to the stellar Salty Turtle Beer Co. If you enjoy a night filled with love, humor, heartbreak, dancing and a rootsy kind of edge, then Seth Brand is a show not to be missed!

Information: sethbrand.com, saltyturtlebeer.com

Mimosa Bay Turkey Trot

November 28 The Mimosa Bay Turkey Trot is a neighborhood 5K and ½-mile fun run. Since 2012 the Mimosa Bay Turkey Trot has raised funds for the Marine Raider Foundation through generous sponsor and individual donations as well as from race registration proceeds. Remember to wear your best costume as there will be prizes. The race opening ceremony begins at 8 am.

Information: raceroster.com; Facebook: 2019 Mimosa Bay Turkey Trot

Merry Little Christmas Festival

December 6 to 15 Poplar Grove hosts two full weekends of holiday festivities.

Starting Friday, December 6 the grounds of beautiful Historic Poplar Grove are aglow with lights. Peruse the Snow Queen’s Grand Bazaar with more than 60 different arts and craft vendors each weekend and enjoy a cozy campfire with s’mores, live music, entertainment, holiday decor, kids’ activities and so much more for only $5. Candlelight tours of the stunning Victorian-themed Christmas in the manor house are also available for an additional fee.

Information: (910) 868-9518; poplargrove.org

Christmas in the Ferry

December 13 Enjoy a night full of holiday festivities and family fun. There will be hamburgers and hot dogs, and all who attend will have the opportunity to make Christmas crafts. Sing along as you listen to Christmas carols and vote for your favorite decorated tree. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.

Information: facebook.com/ChristmasintheFerry

Greater Topsail Flotilla & Christmas Market

December 14 Join the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce for the first Greater Topsail Flotilla and Christmas Market.

Shop around at multiple vendors for your last-minute Christmas gifts. Stick around for a f lotilla that will begin at 5:30 pm.

Information: topsailchamber.org/greater-topsail-flotilla-2019

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BUSINESS BUZZ

La Belle Vie Plastic Surgery Opens Office in Jacksonville

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

La Belle Vie Plastic Surgery, Wilmington’s newest cosmetic and plastic surgery center, is pleased to announce the addition of its first satellite office in Jacksonville. Located within Beauty Elements and directly behind Don Williamson Nissan at 200 Doctor’s Drive, Suite C, off Western Avenue in Jacksonville, the new office will initially be providing BOTOX® injection services, with additional services to be added this fall. Currently, La Belle Vie consultations, surgery and injectable appointments take place at a state-of-the art, 6,000-square-foot facility replete with an onsite operating room at 1122 Medical Center Drive in Wilmington. Dr. Church, founder and managing partner of La Belle Vie Plastic Surgery, received his Doctor of Medicine degree from West Virginia University and trained as a plastic surgeon at the Ohio State University. His board certifications include the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery as well as the Northeast Regional Board of Dentistry.

La Belle Vie appointment times are Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5pm.

principal at Pender Early College, while Dr. Susan Graziano has been named principal at Penderlea School. Both changes were effective October 1.

A longtime high school and community college math teacher, Brown transitioned to school administration in 2007. A UNCW undergrad with a master’s from UNC Pembroke in school administration, Brown spent four years as a high school assistant principal before serving as a middle school principal in Columbus County. She began her role as principal at Cape Fear Middle School in 2017. This summer, Brown was named to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s math standard setting team, which helped set cut scores that will determine state proficiency rates.

Ribbon Cutting for Hampstead Optometry

Arbor Landing at Hampstead Celebrates One Year Arbor Landing at Hampstead thanked their customers and friends for a year of support with a night of cocktails and tasty food. This event was held on September 12 at their location at 13937 U.S. Highway 17 in Hampstead.

New Principals Take Charge at Pender Early College and Penderlea School Pender County Schools (PCS) and Pender County Board of Education are excited to announce new leadership at two district schools. Christie Brown has assumed the role of

Rocky Point Elementary School assistant principal Tiffany George transitioned to Cape Fear Middle and serves as interim principal until a permanent replacement is found.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

On October 1 Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribboncutting ceremony and grand opening for Hampstead Optometry. They are located at 16747 U.S. Highway 17, Suite 140 in Hampstead.

Dr. Graziano has held a variety of roles in and outside of education, starting with 10 years as a high school English teacher in New Jersey. In North Carolina, she worked for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act as a Youth Title I coordinator before returning to education with PCS as a high school instructional coach. She was most recently assistant principal at Surf City Elementary. The Rowan University undergrad earned her doctorate from Seton Hall.

Historical Society of Topsail Island Raffles a Piece of History Historical Society of Topsail Island (HSTI) found a new way to raise some money when Topsail artist Jeff Wenzel gifted them a limited-edition canvas, “The Last Sunrise,” which includes swing bridge metal. As a fundraiser HSTI sold raffle tickets for the artwork at the Missiles and More Museum ($5 for one or $20 for five), with all proceeds benefiting the Historical Society of Topsail Island, which owns and operates the Missiles and More Museum.

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D TOPSAILMAG.COM

PECAN-CRUSTED FLOUNDER

by Sandi Grigg

PHOTO BY WILTON WESCOTT

When most people think about preparing and eating seafood, the first thing that comes to mind is FRY. While fried fish can be delicious, especially when served with a homemade tartar or hot sauce, you also must deal with grease. For a lighter, easier to prepare an alternative, try this pecan-crusted flounder recipe.

| CONTINUE READING ONLINE |

WILTON WESCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

by Lensey Wilson

Wilton Wescott is new to Surf City, having only moved to town in February. But already his photography is making waves. Wescott has been interested in photography since he was a kid. ”In the early ’80s I had a darkroom and contributed to the local papers. I shot a few weddings but preferred landscape. Around 2007–08 I got my first digital camera and fell in love with photography all over again.”

| CONTINUE READING ONLINE |

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TALKING SHARK’S TEETH WITH TOM

THE ART OF CAKE

SUPPORTING THE LOCAL CHAMBER

The Toms Teeth Facebook page is a place to post and learn about your fossil and shark tooth finds from North Carolina and around the world. Tom of Toms Teeth: Topsail Island Fossil Education tells us how Toms Teeth got started and why loves what he does.

Tom also gives insight on the best places to find shark’s teeth and fossils!

| CONTINUE READING ONLINE |

We talk cakes with Rebecca Roth, owner of Twisted Sisters Bake Shop in Topsail Beach.

Art comes in many forms, and one of those art forms is cake decorating. We asked Rebecca Roth, owner of Twisted Sisters Bake Shop, to share her advice and experiences.

| CONTINUE READING ONLINE |

The Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce’s primary objective is strengthening local businesses. The best way to honor this organization is to use the services of local chamber businesses.

We caught up with Chuck Strickland, executive chairman for the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce, to learn more about the importance of supporting the local chamber.

| CONTINUE READING ONLINE |

by Lensey Wilson

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Topsail Magazine

by Lensey Wilson

by Lensey Wilson

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

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

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

www.SurfCityNC.gov

Premiere Issue — Fall/Winter 2019-20

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Books

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Gifts

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Clothing

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Wine Bar

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Coffee Bar

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Live Music

708 S Anderson Blvd. Topsail Beach | 910.328.4969 | QuarterMoonBooks.com

Specializing in all individual and small business tax and accounting needs.

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î‚šî‚“

SPIRITS

The Dream Team Martini Team playing inspired the creation of this dreamy cocktail that’s perfect for soothing post-deadline stress.

A

BY SANDI GRIGG

According to an African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” The same is true for the launching of a new publication. With this being the first issue of Topsail Magazine under the Carolina Marketing Company (CMC) umbrella, we decided to put our heads together to come up with a drink that was delicious and appealing.

George Jacob, an account executive with the CMC team, presented this recipe to me. He is well versed in creating cocktails for his friends, and we share the commonality of producing renditions of various adult beverages. I like to go home and try all the recipes before I publish them, and I must say — this one is a keeper. With each sip the orange notes and subtle crunch from the graham crackers lend to fond fall memories. It reminds me of a warm pie with Dreamsicle flavors. This cocktail would be perfect for holiday parties, celebrations or just enjoying time with friends on a chilly Friday afternoon.

DREAMSICLE MARTINI Makes one drink

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

2 ounces whipped cream vodka

Mix the crushed graham crackers with the sugar on a small plate. Wet the rim of the glass and twirl it in the mixer to coat the rim.

2 ounces Frangelico 1 ounce orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Grand Mariner) 1 tablespoon of crushed graham crackers 1 tablespoon of brown sugar Martini glass Ice Cocktail shaker

In a shaker, add ice, 2 ounces vodka, 2 ounces Frangelico and 1 ounce orange liquor. Shake and drain into a martini glass.

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WHAT’S COOKIN’

Oyster Love Make the most of oyster season with a simple recipe that never fails to impress.

BY SANDI GRIGG

Dressed Up Oysters INGREDIENTS 2 dozen single Stump Sound Oysters, shucked and on the half-shell* 2 shallots, thinly sliced 6 slices of bacon 5 ounces chopped spinach ¼ cup cooking sherry ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese 2 lemons, quartered

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While everyone else is excited for football season, I am over here excited about oyster season! A must-make dish for any occasion is my baked Dressed Up Oysters. It is a luxurious appetizer that turns any occasion into a special one, especially when paired with some bubbly and a special someone.

Finding fresh oysters is reason enough to celebrate with this recipe.

North Carolina’s Stump Sound, a muddy, 7-mile body of water stretching from Sneads Ferry to North Topsail Beach and really more of a lagoon than a sound, offers some of the area’s best oysters. I prefer to use Stump Sound oysters for this recipe because they taste and smell exactly like the briny ocean. These oysters get their saltiness from their habitat and the conditions in North Carolina’s diverse waters. The salinity is influenced by the tidal exchanges of two inlets and runoff from the land. Oysters eat by swallowing and filtering their surroundings, so each one literally soaks up and reflects its own environment.

Recently I had friends and family over and prepared this dish. They loved the salty flavor of the oyster mixed with the savory toppings, and many were inquiring about how to make these. If you want to switch it up, feel free to use prosciutto instead of bacon or white wine instead of sherry. Kale would also be a unique twist in substitution for the spinach. If you prefer, these can also be finished off on the grill instead of in the oven. Either way, the oyster will be the main appeal.

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METHOD Preheat the oven to 415 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chop the bacon into small pieces and fry in a pan over medium/high heat. When the bacon is about halfway done, drop the sliced shallots and spinach in the pan with the bacon and grease and cook down 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sherry to the mixture and cook while stirring an additional 3 to 4 minutes.

Spoon the bacon/spinach evenly on top of each oyster until it is all divvied out. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top of each oyster.

Bake for 3 to 4 minutes.

Top each oyster with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. * Tip: After the oysters are shucked, detach the oyster meat from the shell so it is easier to eat after cooked.

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PEOPLE

Between the Boardroom and the Beach Corporate leader Anne Stevens bridges her career and retirement while still contributing greatly to the Topsail Island community.

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BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN |

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM HAWLEY

Gone is the old-fashioned notion of retirement: You put in your time, get a great send-off party and head off to garden or golf. Many of today’s retirees see their golden years as a chance for a second act, where one foot might be planted on the beach somewhere, but the other is still in the boardroom.

For Topsail Island resident Anne Stevens, her transition to retirement has been anything but traditional. She retired as chief executive of GKN plc in April 2018 but now serves as independent non-executive director at AngloAmerican. She also teaches and lectures throughout the year. At 70, even the lure of a retirement home on Topsail Island isn’t enough to get her to completely stop working, but it sure makes her look forward to coming home after traveling the world.

“It’s fantastic still being connected with a global economy and knowing what’s going on in the business world, but it’s a pleasure to come home to the beach, my family, my dogs and my friends,” Stevens says.

In 2014 Stevens and her husband, Bill, bought their first home on Topsail. Seven years prior, after a recommendation from their daughter, they visited the island. They looked at some houses and kept the area in mind while they took a house-hunting trip through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and the rest of North Carolina. But when they were finally ready to purchase a forever home, everything led them back to Topsail.

However, that first home turned out not to be their forever home. With children, grandchildren, friends and family visiting often, they soon bought a larger house just a few doors down that much better accommodates their family’s needs.

When Stevens is home, she makes the most of her leisure time — and not just spending it with her husband or walking their one- and two-year-old Doberman Pinchers on the beach. She is a dedicated volunteer for various nonprofit groups in Topsail. She is a sea turtle volunteer, walking the beach to look for and protect nests

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PEOPLE

Anne and Bill Stevens at their Topsail Island home.

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PEOPLE

“

It’s almost like the neighborhoods I grew up in, when neighbors would sit on their porches and look out for each other.

and participating in turtle crawls. She also joined the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area, which serves community children through programs and clubs.

And with the Topsail Island Historic Society, Stevens has found her niche, where she can bridge her background in national security with their Missiles & More Museum.

“Having served on the board of Lockheed Martin, I’m very interested in the national security of our country,” she says. “Just look at the rich history of this island and the contributions it’s made to security, specifically where the missiles were assembled for Operation Bumblebee Back in the ’40s.”

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Operation Bumblebee was the secret U.S. missiles testing project that operated on the island during the 1940s and on nearby Camp Davis, where soldiers practiced anti-aircraft firing.

The museum, which showcases artifacts donated by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, including missile mock-ups and films showing Camp Davis activities and missile test flights, is housed in the Assembly Building, where many of the tested missiles were actually developed and built.

“We’re so privileged to have the historical society,” Stevens says. “They do wonderful things in the on-season

for tourists, and then in the off-season for locals. It’s a wonderful, social outlet with monthly lectures about North Carolina and the U.S.” In addition to serving on the board of Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, from 2002 until 2017, Stevens has had a very distinguished career.

She served as chief executive of GKN plc from November 2017 to April 2018.

From 2011 to 2014, she was the chairman and CEO of SA IT Services.

She was chairman and CEO of

PEOPLE

Carpenter Technology Corporation from 2006 to 2009. Prior to that, she spent 16 years with Americas at Ford Motor Company, ending her career there as COO. An engineer by training, Stevens spent her early career at Exxon Corporation, where she held roles in engineering, product development and sales and marketing.

She is also a former non-executive director of XL Catlin.

When it comes to living in Topsail, above all Stevens is an ambassador for the island and its people. For such a small island, the number of great restaurants, the social and volunteer activities and the close connection to culture amazes Stevens. And, of course, the natural surroundings inspire her.

“We’re so fortunate because we have such natural beauty here,” Steven says.

“From Banks Channel to the ocean.

It’s not as commercial as some areas. I can still go out on the beach in tourist season and not feel crowded. We can walk our dogs year-round on the beach. And we’re less than an hour away from Wilmington. Even though we have this wonderful island paradise, we’re still connected to the mainland and have access to all of the culture that we want.”

Perhaps it’s the people that Stevens was most impressed with when she and her husband first visited Topsail. Their genuine welcoming attitude, philanthropic spirit and mix of demographics and backgrounds immediately won the Stevenses over, and they knew they could build lifelong friendships with the people in the community. “It’s almost like the neighborhoods I grew up in, when neighbors would sit on their porches and look out for each other,” she says. “We used to call each other the stoop troop. I feel like we have that in Topsail.”

Bill retired nearly 20 years ago and

enjoys golfing on most days. And when Stevens thought about life on the beach when she finally did decide to retire, she just “never imagined there would be so much to do.” But with all the free time she would have to take up those activities full-time, it’s still not enough to convince her to retire completely.

“When the phone stops ringing and my talent is no longer needed, I’ll stop working,” Stevens says. “But as long as it’s ringing, I’ll be there.”

Until then, she finds just the right balance for work, leisure pursuits and helping out her new Topsail friends and neighbors. 

independent living | assisted living services | memory care

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PUB SCOUT

Three Ya Gotta See The PubScout scopes out the Topsail craft beer scene and reports back with good news for beer (and pizza) lovers.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KURT EPPS

T To help launch my newest writing gig with this magazine, the missus and I traveled up Topsail Beach way to find some local beer and food spots. And while two of the spots we found had great beer and an equally great vibe, but no food, one of them completely removed the stigma from “Southern” pizza.

That the three places are relatively close to one another makes it even better, and you can sample all three (as we did, coming from more than an hour away) or, if you’re closer, or better yet local, hit them all at your leisure.

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Hopsail Island

The first place we stopped was Hopsail Island, a craft beer and wine shop housed in a clean, home-like facility. Travis Stafford is the owner, and he got started in the beer business just about two years ago because a few of his college buddies owned beer bars. Under their guidance, Stafford opened up Hopsail Island.

Stafford’s place has some really outstanding beers on draft, the most potent of them clocking in at 9.2% ABV. The PubScout and Cassandra (An N.C. law limits the ABV of beers at Brewer at Hopsail Island.

14%.) What’s more, the gal serving them is one of the savviest beer mavens yours truly has ever encountered. Her name is Cassandra Brewer, and if you have any questions about any beer on the menu, she’ll answer them. Accurately, too.

She attended the Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast in Asheville, so she knows of what she speaks. Stafford knows he has a gem in Cassandra.

It was she, in fact, who managed to secure a keg of the as-yet-unreleased Rising Cloud IPA from Blowing Rock Brewing. On her recommendation, I had both a sample, then an 8-ounce glass. It’s a winner. I also tried a nine-ounce pour of Wilmington Brewing’s Blair’s Breath (7% ABV), a smooth, silky stout with cacao nibs, coffee and lactose. Very solid.

Cassandra Brewer is Hopsail Island’s resident beer expert.

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The Peak Taphouse and Kitchen

Hopsail Island runs specials, like the Tuesday 20% off Growler Fills promotion, and a food truck from Coastal Wing and Spirits Co., also owned by Stafford, supplies victuals. There’s an outdoor area with tables for socializing, quaffing and cornhole. And Cassandra keeps the indoor shelves stocked with grain-based goodies for those who want even more variety to take home. Wine is also available.

For some very nice beers, and Cassandra’s bright brand of beer banter, pop in to Hopsail Island.

Hopsail Island, 2660 N.C. Highway 210, Hampstead (910) 803-2325; hopsailisland.com

My interest in The Peak Taphouse and Kitchen, not far from Hopsail Island, was piqued by numerous Yelp reviews praising the beer list. Coming from the Tri-State area, where pizza is practically a recognized religion, I confess to snickering a bit at the comments extolling the pizza served here. I mean, nice as it is, this is still North Carolina, right? This part of the state knows sea turtles, sunshine and seashore, not pizza. I was in for a very big surprise, but more about that later.

The Peak Taphouse and Kitchen is a small place. So small, you have to go outside to change your mind.

And until the owners broke down an adjacent wall to put in the kitchen, it was even smaller. But it does have a solid beer selection, which rotates regularly. Andy Chambers, whose wife is an owner, does all the beer ordering, and he happened to be sitting at the bar in one of the 10 seats. He’s also the guy responsible for the pizza recipe, but more about that later.

“The Peak Taphouse and Kitchen prides itself on having the largest craft beer selection ... on the island. We have 20+ rotating taps, a large selection of cans and bottles, and a selection of wines and ciders also available,” reads the website blurb. It also boasts the “freshest pizza on the island,” but more about that later.

Our server, Kelsey Best, was friendly and knowledgeable about the place, which shouldn’t surprise anyone since she began her time there as a regular at the bar. After becoming intrigued with the many intricacies and nuances of craft beer, she became somewhat of a self-taught expert. And when a spot opened up behind the bar, she jumped when it was offered.

When I asked her what factors go into Andy’s beer choices, she said, “He puts on what he likes and what he thinks the Premiere Issue — Fall/Winter 2019-20

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PUB SCOUT

Kelsey Best at The Peak Taphouse and Kitchen.

customers will like.” That seems to be a policy down here, as a previous review about a new beer emporium was entitled “Beers We Like.” Makes sense, though. What’s the point of owning a joint if you can’t have the beers you enjoy?

I limited myself to one — Yachty by Nature, a 6.5% NEIPA- from Deep River Brewing — on Kelsey’s recommendation, and it was quite good. The missus opted for a Peach Beerlini Radler from Left Hand. She enjoyed the first few sips — hey, it was hot out —but as she continued, the Radler’s sweetness became a bit off-putting. And it didn’t pair well with the pizza. More about that now.

First, any and every 10-inch pizza is just $9.99, and there’s no limit to the toppings you can add to it. Every pie is made personally, so expect to wait a bit if it’s crowded. But the wait is worth it. This is an exceptionally tasty, very thin-crusted, well-made pizza. The only way you can screw it up is by putting too much stuff on it, which will mask the taste of the crust. But if you add the right toppings, you’re in for an

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The Peak is tiny but that doesn’t hamper its popularity.

epiphany, even if you’re from the Tri-State.

That’s also if there’s any left when you get there. The Peak, named after the peak of a wave, only produces 100 pies a day — maybe 120 on a special day like July 4. And when they run out, that’s it, baby. No more till the next day. Kelsey told us that in season, there might be 20 people waiting for their pies inside, with more seeking ingress outside the door. If she gets a call for an order of pies, she has to apologize and invite the caller in to stand in line, as she is loathe to shortchange the customers who’ve been waiting.

Kelsey also added that during the summer season, her loyal locals usually avoid the crowds, returning in September, when they’ve gone. And, she says the drop-off in business is barely noticeable. So it appears as though both in - season and off-season are The Peak seasons.

With a nice beer list and pizza that would satisfy Tony Soprano, that’s not surprising.

The Peak Taphouse and Kitchen, 205 Roland Avenue, Surf City; (910) 541-0123; thepeaktaphouse.com 



Salty Turtle Beer Company

Since moving to southeastern North Carolina in March, I’ve not had any difficulty adjusting to the lifestyle or paying the lower taxes. But this transplanted Yankee has noticed one thing about the regulars here, beyond their accents and their frequent telling me to “bless my heart.” I didn’t know they were all budding cardiologists down here.

But I do know they have a thing for sea turtles — and it’s a very passionate thing, every bit as passionate as that displayed

by Giants and Jets, Yankees and Mets fans (well, maybe not Mets fans so much) during football and baseball seasons.

PUB SCOUT Here it’s “protecting, nurturing and helping little sea turtle hatchlings find their way to the sea” season. And the passion is real and very deep.

Which is why Salty Turtle Brewing Company is named what it is. Its logo is a hop flower with turtle legs. Its raison d’être is two-fold —producing good beer from its current three-barrel system (soon to be expanded to seven in September), and supporting “Karen Beasley’s Sea Turtle Hospital and other local organizations that will give back to this community of ours.” There are even tanks in the brewhouse dedicated to and named for various turtles in the hospital, like Pirate, Phantom, Snooky, Serenity and Ghost.

Veteran-owned (Dan Callender and Dean Kelley are both Marine vets), the brewery has been a dream of its two main owners for many years. Having begun as homebrewers (is there a brewery owner who hasn’t?), the men have separate responsibilities. Dan runs the front of the house, and Dean does the brewing.

And he’s doing a lot of brewing, pushing out sufficient product for 10-plus rotating beers on a 3-bbl system is no small feat.

Especially if quality matters — and it does

here. Interestingly, while most brew pubs and taphouses will pour you an 8- or 10-ounce glass for a reduced price over that of a full pint, Salty Turtle also offers a very smart 4-ounce pour in its own special glass for just two bucks.

This, and the standard four flights for eight bucks served in an N.C. shaped holder, allows the beer nut to sample of variety of what Dean generates before deciding on a larger portion. I had a very decent Coastal Kolsch, a very respectable and interesting Fog of Topsail, a tasty Manila Mango, a very good Hey Zay NEIPA and an outstanding Swingbridge Breakfast Stout. There are also ciders and

The bar at Salty Turtle

wines available, all poured by a friendly staff. And if you get hungry, you can go next door to Travis Stafford’s Coastal Wing and Spirits Co. to fix those hunger pangs.

For The PubScout’s money, drinking good beer is always a positive. But knowing that a goodly portion of it is going regularly to a good cause makes the experience even better. And totally different than going to Citi-Field and paying $11 for a PBR. With zero guarantee your team is even going to make it to the water’s edge.

Salty Turtle Beer Company 103 Triton Lane, Surf City 910-803-2019 saltyturtlebeer.com 

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Serving Topsail Island for Over 20 Years!

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Your Guide — to Surf City —

As marketing and facility rental coordinator at Surf City Welcome Center, Audrey Goyer loves showing others all the great things about her new coastal hometown.

BY LAUREN KROUSE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK STEELMAN

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“

A

What better place for adventure than Surf City, North Carolina?

A native of Loveland, Ohio, a small suburb just north of Cincinnati, Audrey Goyer moved south looking for adventure. “And what better place for adventure than Surf City, North Carolina?” she says.

Before she found her way to Topsail Island, Goyer attended Eastern Kentucky University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in recreation and park administration with an emphasis in tourism management. After graduation, she gained experience in programming while working at the Countryside YMCA Day Camp in Ohio, YMCA Camp Potawotami in Indiana and YMCA Southwoods, a month-long overnight camp in upstate New York.

At Southwoods, Goyer guided older campers through High Adventure activities, including ziplining, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking and hiking. She also taught outdoor education, leading school groups through hands-on learning and team-building activities.

While Goyer’s early career brought her all over the United States, she had one final destination in mind. “I have always loved North Carolina and knew that I would eventually move here,” she says. “Within just a matter of hours,

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you can be anywhere from the Blue Ridge Mountains to our oceanside paradise — and the sun always shines!”

When she saw the online job posting for a position with the Surf City Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department, she knew it was the perfect opportunity.

From the start, Surf City felt oddly familiar. “I had actually vacationed here before moving, but I didn’t realize it until I drove down for my interview,”

she remembers. “We used to come down for vacations for the whole family.”

Now, Surf City is home. Goyer began working with the Surf City Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department in January 2018. As the recreation program coordinator, she built up the Surf City Summer Camp program and helped with special events.

Previously, the day camp ran from 9 am to 1 pm with a maximum of 15

campers per week. With Goyer’s help, the program expanded to become a more traditional and accessible full day camp, while still maintaining its initial affordability of $150 per camper. “With these changes, we are now able to serve 50 campers per week for eight weeks (a total of 400 kiddos!) from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, while adding two field trips per week.”

With camp counselors as their guide, campers get to discover the area and

learn about local wildlife, with field trips to the educational center Ecological Marine Adventures, the Surf City Surf School and the Karen Beasley Turtle Rehabilitation Center.

There’s room for sheer fun, too, with trips to the Topsail Island Escape Room, Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park and the aerial adventure park Cape Fearless Extreme.

This past summer Goyer transitioned into her current position of marketing and facility rental coordinator at the Surf City Welcome Center. “I have loved being able to learn more about different marketing techniques and hosting events out of our facility,” she says. “Every day is

completely different than the day before, which keeps my everyday schedule interesting and exciting.”

When Goyer isn’t planning or hosting community events, she enjoys walking the beach to hunt for shark’s teeth. “It’s like hunting for treasure!” she says. “I always challenge my friends to see who can find the most — but of course I always win.”

Beyond beachcombing, Goyer enjoys hanging out around town, and, naturally, her list of recommendations is long. A few of her favorite hangouts include the Beach Shop & Grill (try their brunch), Beauchaines (for brown butter cake and gorgeous Intracoastal views), Island Delights (for ice cream

and old-school diner vibes), Sears Landing (for seafood and more Intracoastal views), Shaka Taco (for fish tacos) and Surf Dog (four words: sweet tea chicken tenders).

While summer is always fun with the hustle and bustle around town, Goyer prefers the fall season, when everything begins to slow down just a little bit.

Then, she says, “you really get to experience the small-town charm of Topsail Island.”

Still, the off-season doesn’t have the same meaning it used to. “In the past, we have been more of a tourist town with a quiet off-season, but as the town continues to grow, we are beginning to be busy all year long.” Lucky for Surf City residents and visitors, Goyer and her team are here to entertain every month of the year.

Up next on Goyer’s radar is Surf City’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. On November 23 at Soundside Park, they’ll light up the town. 

Plan a visit To meet Audrey Goyer and learn more about the latest events and recreation opportunities in Surf City, visit the Welcome Center at 102 North Shore Drive.

Find more online at surfcitync.gov.

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Windows 7 Losing Support Written by The Computer Warriors Inc.

T

he beloved operating system Windows 7, first introduced in 2009, will be losing official support from Microsoft on January 14, 2020. This means the operating system (OS) will not receive any updates or security features.

“Changes and upgrades in technology are inevitable,” says Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft 365, in a blog post. “And there’s never been a better time to start putting in motion the things you need to do to shift your organization to a modern desktop with Microsoft 365.”

It is estimated that millions of people still use Windows 7. About 42% of PC users have it as their operating system of choice. Do you?

At Computer Warriors, we recommend updating to either Windows 8 or Windows 10. Windows 10 is the most ideal option because it is the most current iteration of the Windows OS. This will keep your computer secure and up to date for the longest amount of time. Not doing so will leave your computer vulnerable to unnecessary risks and open your computer to a whole host of complications and problems.

Microsoft will offer extended coverage for businesses that do not want to upgrade from Windows 7, but the business will have to pay for that privilege.

Updating to Windows 10 can be intimidating, but Computer Warriors can make it a seamless transition. Also, a “Classic Shell” of Windows 10 can be selected by users fearful and hesitant to change.

This version of the OS looks and feels like Windows 7. Some older machines may struggle to run Windows 10 effectively, but we can help you determine this before you upgrade.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact any one of our locations.

We would be happy to serve you and help assess your device so you can make the best decision before it’s too late.

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WILMINGTON

LELAND

JACKSONVILLE

323 Eastwood Road, Ste. G Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 399-3797

2013 Olde Regent Way Ste. 220 Leland, NC 28451 (910) 726-9552

521 Yopp Road, Ste. 216 Jacksonville, NC 28540 (910) 238-2277

FOR MORE TECH TIPS EVERY WEEK, join our Computer Warriors Community on Facebook. We post up-to-date tech news and tips every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Book appointments and read our blogs at www.thecomputerwarriors.com.

On

the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Hampstead Bypass project inches closer to fruition.

BY RICH MINA

A

fter several years of feasibility studies, research and planning, N.C. Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Hampstead Bypass is coming ever so slightly closer to reality. Initiated to improve traffic conditions in the Hampstead corridor, this road project will eventually connect Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington to U.S. Highway 17 in Hampstead.

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is scheduled for September 2020,” Bowen says.

June 2018’s opening of the Dan Owen Connector completed part of the project at the Hampstead end. An aerial view of the entire route can be seen online at NCDOT.gov/projects/US17.

Drivers in this region are also aware of additional NCDOT projects,

“

According to NCDOT Division Construction Engineer Kevin G. Bowen, the Military Cutoff Extension in Wilmington from U.S. Highway 17 Business to Wilmington Bypass (140) began construction in January 2018. In September 2020, work is scheduled to begin that next phase of development connecting Bypass 140 with N.C. Highway 210. That section of the project is considered Hampstead Bypass A. Bowen points out that the B section of the project, from N.C. Highway 210 into U.S. Highway 17 in Hampstead, is still gathering right of way acquisition.

“Gaining acquisition is expected to be completed prior to construction, which

including this year’s widening of N.C. Highway 172 (Sneads Ferry Road) from N.C. Highway 210 to the Camp Lejeune base entrance. “This work began in February 2019 and is approximately 30 percent complete,” Bowen says.

“Construction is expected to be completed by May 2021.”

If you’ve never considered what it

Close looks at potential impact on wildlife, neighborhood traffic noise, wetlands, water run-off and any dangers of contamination are all considered.

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takes to get a roadway constructed, the NCDOT website notes that years of extensive planning and study are needed before the department ever begins building a roadway. In developing a 2014 Feasibility Report for the Hampstead Bypass project, NCDOT conferred with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, architects, planners and project developers.

Close looks at potential impact on wildlife, neighborhood traffic noise, wetlands, water run-off and any dangers of contamination are all considered. Furthermore, alternate routes are selected, mapped and evaluated before a final route is chosen.

The in-depth, six-phased process of building a road begins with NCDOT assisting municipalities in determining needs for their communities. Once a project is programmed for funding, NCDOT initiates studies and the project enters into a development phase that includes getting feedback from the public and analyzing how a proposed road might affect people living and working in the area as well as its impact on the environment.

Once plan development is complete and engineers have determined how and exactly where a road will be built, NCDOT typically begins acquiring any necessary property (right of way acquisition) to accommodate the project and then awards a construction contract. Only then does construction begin.

Throughout the process, NCDOT’s Value Management Office ensures that the department responsibly and efficiently uses resources and funding.

Stay tuned and, one day, look forward to an easier way to get around Pender County. 

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AROUND TOWN

Sign of the Times Jaxon Signs has been making a creative impression in the Topsail area for more than a decade.

BY ASHLEY DANIELS |

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ

Y

AROUND TOWN

You could say that Cathy Jackson saw the sign to start her own business after years of working at several print shops, sign shops and ad agencies as a graphic designer and commercial artist.

“I really liked the sign shops I worked in, so I just decided to give it a go and first try to do a little bit by myself on the side,” she says. “And it kind of worked out.”

That was in 2008. More than a decade later, her business, Jaxon Signs, is still making a statement. This is because of her decision to venture out on her own through her hand-painted signs, which can be found hanging on beach houses in Topsail and along the North Carolina coast. Her creative imaging studio also designs commercial signage of all sizes, vehicle lettering, banners, magnetics, logo design and overall printing services.

She and her husband, C.J., work out of their home in Holly Ridge, along with a few part-time employees over the peak summer season to cover production.

“We usually split the workload, with C.J. doing all of the woodworking, cutting and assembly,” Jackson says, “and I do the design work for the smaller vinyl signs.”

Jackson says their clients are equally split between commercial and residential, from business, restaurant and Realtor signage to the customized beach house signs.

“These are a little time consuming, but they’re the reason I did all of this, because doing graphic design full time can get a little monotonous,” she says. “It’s my creative outlet.”

Creativity, Jackson says, is most definitely the company’s standout strength. They consider each project, each situation, a seriously unique one and work with each client to craft an innovative design that expresses the needs, goals, imaging and messaging through photos, hand paints, text, graphics and dimensional art.

“We really pride ourselves on the handmade, hand-painted work because we try to make things not look so generic,” she says. “Even in the vinyl work, so it looks a little bit different

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AROUND TOWN

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Topsail Magazine

AROUND TOWN

and looks like a little bit of time was put into the design and thought process of it, rather than generic signs.”

What potential clients will find when stopping by the Jacksons’ home-based studio and shop (or website or social media feeds) is a couple working with passion and precision.

“We have a lot of people drop in just to look at the stuff we’re working on,” she says. “They like to see the process and see, hands on, what something looks like as far as scale and size. You don’t really understand that until you’re looking at it.”

Their plans to add a new building to work on larger pieces, including steel work, have also come into fruition. This will need to be followed up by detailed exterior visuals like the driveway and landscaping, or what Jackson calls “tedious things we don’t have time to nail down when we’re busy.”

“We got some new equipment, but we don’t have it quite mastered yet,” she adds. “We just thought a bigger space than we had was much needed.”

Originally from Dunn, North Carolina, Jackson says her family has always vacationed in Topsail and that she and C.J. have called the beach home for more than 20 years. When the Jacksons aren’t at work in the studio part of their home, they just enjoy downtime on the recreational side of their home.

“We go out and about a little and pretty much know everybody here locally, but, other than that, we turn into hermits,” she says with a laugh, adding that she also enjoys visits from her children and grandchildren, who love it when “Mimi makes them stickers.” 

See for yourself Stop by and see the Jacksons’ handiwork for yourself. They’re open Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 9 am to noon.

874 N.C. Highway 50, Holly Ridge For an appointment, call (910) 467-3409 or visit jaxonsigns.com.

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y r o hisin t g n i k a m the

A

Historical Society of Topsail Island not only interprets the island’s intriguing past, but also contributes to the betterment of the community

BY ANNESOPHIA RICHARDS |

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAY PERNA

Although it’s only one small link in the chain of barrier islands along North Carolina’s coastline, Topsail Island’s rich history and storied past set it apart from all the others.

Situated in both Pender and Onslow counties about halfway between Jacksonville and Wilmington, the island includes the towns of North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach. The 26 miles of shoreline have seen the likes of pirates, Native Americans, Air Force

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pilots and even a top-secret missile program. For more than 20 years, Historical Society of Topsail Island has worked to honor and promote the area’s unique and illustrious history.

Established in 1989, Historical Society of Topsail Island preserves and interprets various historical artifacts, photos and documents that help illustrate the island’s intriguing past. Part of its mission includes maintaining the Assembly Building, home to a secret

The Missiles and More Museum interprets Operation Bumblebee, a secret guided missile-testing program that was held on Topsail Island in the 1940s.

missile-testing project in the 1940s.

“People see the sign out front for the Assembly Building and naturally they assume it’s something the town has established, but it’s literally the assembly building where military rockets were developed and assembled,” says Rick Stidley, one of the Historical Society board members. “It’s still in almost the exact same configuration it was in when the military was here during Operation Bumblebee.”

Operation Bumblebee took place on Topsail Island from 1946 to 1948. A collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Defense, the Navy and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, this secret guided missile-testing program produced the country’s first strategic surface-to-air missiles. At that time, Topsail Island was only accessible by

boat, and its 26 miles of barren beaches made it the ideal location for such a mission. In addition to the Assembly Building, the Navy built a launching pad and nine observational towers up and down the island, eight of which are still standing today.

“The rockets were assembled in the building and then taken across the street to a cement pad on the beach to be launched,” Stidley says. “They launched over 100 rockets over the course of two years, before the project just outgrew itself Premiere Issue — Fall/Winter 2019-20

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and needed to be moved someplace bigger.”

Historical Society of Topsail Island built the Missiles and More Museum in 1997 in honor of Topsail Island’s role in the history of U.S. aviation and warfare. Located both inside and

and lots of artifacts people have found on the island,” Stidley says. “There are rockets hanging on the ceiling and a section for kids with a touch tank set up like a beach. We have a little bit of everything really.”

The Historical Society is made up of

The museum also interprets the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), who flew out of Camp Davis in WWII, houses a replica of a dugout canoe found in the area and displays an impressive shell collection.

adjacent to the Assembly Building, the museum is home to exhibits featuring both Operation Bumblebee and nearby Camp Davis, a military base built during the war as an antiaircraft artillery training facility. Another highlight of the museum is an exhibit on the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). In response to World War II, this group of trained female American military aircraft pilots flew out of Camp Davis. Other exhibits include a look at early Native American life on the island, and there’s a new exhibit exploring North Carolina’s pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard, who is said to have launched attacks from Topsail’s shallow inlets.

“We also have a huge shell collection 48

Topsail Magazine

more than 300 members and volunteers who all share a passion for Topsail Island and its history. In addition to maintaining the Assembly Building and the Missiles and More Museum, the society aims to give back to the local community. Monthly luncheons feature guest historians who speak on a variety of topics relating to local history. The society also awards $10,000 each year in scholarships to local high school seniors through a contest showcasing historical events related to either Onslow or Pender counites.

In the summer the society runs an interactive aquarium program for local children in conjunction with North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The

culminating event each year is the Autumn with Topsail Festival, a 30-year tradition with regional artists, crafts, live music and food.

All money raised through fundraising events goes straight into maintaining the Assembly Building, supporting Missiles and More Museum and educating the public about the island’s fascinating history.

Want to stay connected to the Topsail Area when you’re not here?”

“People who live close by and come for the first time always say they can’t believe they’ve waited this long to come, and that there’s this much history here,” Stidley says. “The preservation of the history of the island and all the things that make this area special is really important.

It doesn’t matter if you live in North Topsail, Surf City, Topsail Beach or elsewhere, the history of the island encompasses everybody.” 

Plan a visit!

Missiles & More Museum Historical Assembly Building 720 Channel Boulevard, Topsail Beach (910) 328-8663 missilesandmoremuseum.org

Subscribe to Topsail Magazine TopsailMag.com/subscribe Premiere Issue — Fall/Winter 2019-20

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M Barbara Mullins is director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for Pender Adult Services.

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Wisdom, Talent & Time Volunteering with RSVP through Pender Adult Services helps seniors remain active and enrich the lives of others in need.

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN |

M

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAY PERNA

Most of today’s retirees want to stay active once they settle into their golden years, but they are interested in doing more than gardening or playing golf every day. With years of talent and wisdom to share, and a desire to support their communities, seniors are volunteering to help other seniors as well as children and young adults who are in need.

Celebrating 50 years, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is one of the nation’s largest volunteer networks for people age 55 and older. Pender Adult Services, Inc. a nonprofit organization, exists to ensure that local seniors are able to live long, rich, satisfying and social lives. They offer a broad range of programs and services, including RSVP, which began locally nine years ago.

Barbara Mullins, RSVP director of Pender County, has been with the program since the beginning. She was hired in November of 2018, just after the grant for the program was submitted. “In nine years, we’ve come a long way,” she says.

“Currently we have 240 volunteers. It sounds like a lot, but the county is so big, and as more referrals come in for the RSVP program, we need more volunteers throughout the county.”

Within the national RSVP program, Pender is one of three organizations that is considered a blended program. That means they offer multiple senior and K-12 programs under the single RSVP umbrella, including Meals on Wheels, Homebound program and Reading Buddies for

RSVP of Pender County has 240 volunteers helping hundreds of local seniors and children, and more volunteers are needed.

“

...the county is so big, and as more referrals come in for the RSVP program, we need more volunteers throughout the county.

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children and young adults, to name a few. Because one side of Pender County is rural and the other side touches Wilmington, Mullins says she “has the best of both worlds when it comes to her volunteer pool’s skills and interests.”

The current generation of seniors can offer education and career success, leadership skills and wide-ranging experiences, making them invaluable when it comes to providing service to others.

RSVP in Pender County has eight different programs that depend on volunteers. Sometimes volunteers aren’t sure what program they want to sign up for, so Mullins helps match them to a particular area based on their skills and physical

Pender County’s agility. They can choose to deliver RSVP has eight food to seniors through Meals on different programs Wheels; they can keep seniors that depend company in their homes or take on volunteers, them to appointments or out for including Meals ice cream; they can provide respite on Wheels, Senior for full-time caregivers to get out Health Insurance for a few hours a week. There is Information also the telephone assistance Program, K-12 program in which volunteers who Reading Buddies, might be limited in their agility or hospice and more. inability to drive can easily help by calling and checking in on homebound seniors and spending some time keeping them company over the phone.

The SHIIP program (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) requires some extra training, but it plays an essential role in helping seniors navigate the complexities of Medicare and health insurance information. RSVP partners with the American Cancer Society to drive cancer patients to treatment centers or doctor’s appointments. They also work

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with the Lower Cape Fear Hospice to place volunteers there as well.

Though the majority of their programs are senior-related, RSVP also offers volunteer services for children and young adults. Volunteers for the K-12 Reading Buddies program — offered in all nine elementary schools and some middle schools — help strengthen students’ comprehension, reading and vocabulary skills. Volunteers also work with

developmentally challenged young adults in the community, helping them “stretch their horizons.”

“We also have a group of about 20 volunteers that meet twice a month to create handmade cards for our homebound seniors, our clients and other volunteers,” Mullins says. “They make the most beautiful Christmas cards every year.”

Last year volunteers for RSVP in Pender County gave more than 17,000 hours. Volunteers range in ages from 70 to 80 and even in their 90s, and they’re recognized annually with a celebration by Pender Adult Services. “This year, three

“

They sign up because they want to do it. You can easily see their hearts and know why they volunteer. of our volunteer’s received the Governor’s Volunteer Service or expenses; we don’t pay stipends; we can’t even buy our Award,” Mullins says. volunteers lunch,” Mullins explains. “They sign up because Upon retiring, many adults focus on travel, taking up a new they want to do it. You can easily see their hearts and know hobby or even working part-time in order to stay active and why they volunteer.” decompress after a long career. But thankfully, many Volunteering doesn’t just benefit those in need. Volunteers eventually turn to volunteering. “I recently met a lady who themselves gain so much when they give of their time and wanted to volunteer,” Mullins says. “She showed me an RSVP talents. It provides a connection to community and an brochure she had collected eight years earlier, before she opportunity to make new friends; it increases social skills, retired. Three years after she retired, she found the brochure bolsters self-confidence, provides a sense of purpose, reduces and said that she felt now was the time to volunteer.” stress and increases happiness. “I think you get back more Volunteers are a special group of than you give,” Mullins says. “Our people who make a commitment volunteers have beautiful stories to based on rewards that are not share about the people they help.”

Do you have time to give? monetary. While most of her Camaraderie and fellowship are volunteers stay active in the senior added bonuses of volunteering. “I For more information on the RSVP program center, garden clubs, fitness centers have a lot of widows who volunteer,” or Pender Adult Services, Inc. or to become and even the turtle rehab, they make Mullins says. “They’ve met other a volunteer, contact Barbara Mullins at it a priority to fit volunteering into widows, and non-widows, while (910) 259-9119 x329. Visit their website at their active lives. volunteering, and they’ve become penderpas.com/rsvp.html and find them on “We don’t reimburse for mileage friends.”  Facebook at PenderCountyRSVP.

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Got Their

Working

Mojo

How Mojotone in Burgaw became a key planet in the music universe.

BY DENNIS HETZEL

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

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Topsail Magazine

Fun fact: Burgaw, North Carolina,

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

PHOTO BY DENNIS HETZEL

has become a familiar address for some of the most famous artists in rock and country music, not to mention guitar and amplifier geeks around the world.

To understand how that happened, you need to go back to the moment when the lives of Andy Turner and Michael McWhorter intersected in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

McWhorter faced one of those crossroads decisions that changes the rest of your life. Option A: Leverage his 1996 biology degree from Wake Forest University and head to medical school, which seemed like an appropriate, safe choice for a smart young man with a passion to give back.

Then there was Option B: Scratch his rock ‘n roll itch by going into the music business after years of playing in bands.

The next move involved Turner.

“We lived right down the street from each other but never really met,” Turner recalls. “I went to school with

Andy Turner, left, and Michael McWhorter, owners of Mojotone.

one of his sisters. We didn’t really meet each other until he was bringing gear into the store, and I was working on his gear.”

Turner did instrument repairs and was selling electronic surplus. He planned to buy the remaining inventory from a California company, Mojo Musical Supply, that was going out of business. So much for McWhorter’s med school plan. McWhorter helped

Turner move boxes of Mojo’s gear into an old R.J. Reynolds tobacco warehouse in Winston-Salem and, in 2000, they founded Mojotone. The two co-owners doubled as the only two employees.

As McWhorter and Turner recount, perhaps the most important asset of the out-of-business supply firm was a toll-free phone number in those days before the Internet explosion. That phone number appeared in multiple locations, including the catalogs of Fender musical instruments. The phone kept ringing for vintage repair parts and other items. Their first additional hires went for a warehouse worker and someone to run their wood shop.

A few years later, in 2005, they moved to Burgaw. (Why did they pick the Wilmington area? You can guess the answer: “We could be near the beach,” McWhorter says.)

In 2018 Mojotone became the first occupant of the Pender Progress Industrial Park in a 46,000-square-foot facility that now houses about 75 employees. McWhorter says the move

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“

Their clients include everyone from hobby guitar players to stars such as Sheryl Crow, Rush, Green Day, Keith Urban, Joe Bonamassa, Lenny Kravitz and Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.

PHOTOS BY MEGAN DEITZ

allowed the company to overcome severe limitations and deal with growing demand. “We’ve transitioned from a make-itto-order company to an in-stock, ready-to-ship company,” he says.

Type the word Mojotone into Google, and you’ll find a firm that has become one of the music industry’s most respected names. That’s particularly so in the niche of vintage and boutique amplifiers powered by old-fashioned tubes versus digital circuits. Tube amplifiers have a warmer, less-clipped sound that’s prized by serious guitar players.

Mojotone builds tube amps under its brand as well as under contract with about 100 other manufacturers of high-end gear. The firm also specializes in dozens of different styles of guitar and bass pickups – the devices that send the electronic signals from strings to amplifiers.

Their clients include everyone from hobby guitar players to stars such as Sheryl Crow, Rush, Green Day, Keith Urban,

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Joe Bonamassa, Lenny Kravitz and Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey of The Who. Proximity to Interstate 40 and ILM Airport means gear ranging from gigantic speaker systems to tiny parts and kits for amps and electric guitars leaves Burgaw for delivery around the world every day.

(Japan is one of their biggest markets, McWhorter notes.)

Musical gearheads come to Burgaw or remote sites such as Nashville from across the country to learn how to build their own amplifiers in Mojotone equipment workshops.

It’s a long way from those early days and not without the type of challenges faced by any growing business.

McWhorter declines to release specific financial information on the privately held company, adding they’ve had doubledigit growth for the last three years.

He’s asked if that growth can continue with more of the music world moving from guitar-driven bands.

“I feel like when I was growing up, our parents pushed that

you had to play a musical instrument,” he says. “Culturally, I think there’s less of that going on with the rise of phones and computers, so kids can make music on their iPads without any knowledge. But there’s also some good parts about that. Everyone can have a studio in their house and send files to share. People are still going to play guitar, and they’re still going to want equipment. We’re still small enough and dynamic enough that we can change when we need to and produce products that people want to buy.”

McWhorter also has retained his passion for giving back – a lesson learned from his parents. He’s active in Rotary, served on the board of the United Way of the Cape Fear Area and volunteers as a mentor for StepUp Wilmington.

other types of custom woodworking and storage units.

The keys to servicing big-name clients, he notes, are quality and speed. Mojotone cemented its relationship with Rush when the company was able to respond to a request to build and ship an amp to Lifeson in one week. McWhorter says Mojotone builds strong relationships with the people behind the scenes on a tour, such as guitar technicians, and also with music repair shops across the country.

On the day I visit, Turner is focused on a less-glamorous part of the job, working up a major sweat as he sorts through 145 pallets of “stuff ” purchased from a warehouse closed by the Peavey musical instrument company. Standing in a large, high-ceilinged room used for parts John Manning tests the Mojotone equipment.

Q&A Five Questions with Mojotone Co-owner Michael McWhorter 1. W hat three songs or albums would be on your desert island playlist?

Power Windows, Rush; Live at Fillmore East, the Allman Brothers Band; Are You Experienced, Jimi Hendrix Experience.

2. Who are two people who made a difference in your life and why?

My dad. Probably the biggest thing is he always used to preach that “to those who have been given much, much will be asked.” I want to pass on his work ethic and give back to my kids. And my mom as an example of how to love people.

PHOTO BY DENNIS HETZEL

3. What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to your 19-year-old self?

Surround yourself with people smarter than you.

He clearly enjoys his work and hasn’t lost the glimmer in his eyes of an unrepentant rock ‘n roll fan when he talks about opportunities to meet some of his musical heroes, like Alex Lifeson, lead guitarist Rush. After doing pickup rewinds for Rush bass player Geddy Lee, Mojotone built an amplifier line called the Lerxst based on Lifeson’s specs; it retails for $2,995. They also build stage setups for bands and do

distribution and supplies, McWhorter points to huge rolls of Tolex as one example of what they’ve acquired and are in the process of inventorying. Tolex is the waterproof vinyl material used to cover amplifiers, usually in black or a vintage tweed shade.

He’s quite confident that they’ll eventually use every bit of it. 

4. W hat’s something that people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m a better keyboard player than I am a guitar player.

5. W hat’s a favorite quote about leadership?

You lead from behind.

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SNIPPETS

PHOTOS BY ADAM HAWLEY

Paddle 4 Troops 2019 On September 21 SUPers gathered at Sears Landing Boat Docks in Surf City for the Paddle 4 Troops SUP race. Paddle 4 Troops is a nonprofit organization geared toward supporting local veterans, and 100 percent of proceeds go toward assisting veterans and their families.

The event included a 10K competition and a 5K fun race.

Both started and finished at the docks behind Sears Landing.

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Topsail Magazine

Paddle trophies were awarded to the top three males and females in the 10K. Drafting was allowed, but racers had to stand up to paddleboard, no kneeling was allowed. If a competitor fell, they had five strokes to get back up on their feet. Lunch was provided to all registered paddlers. Live entertainment, silent and live auctions, a 50/50 drawing, food and drinks were all part of this fun event.

SNIPPETS

PHOTOS BY ADAM HAWLEY

Topsail Island Jeep Week 2019 Topsail Island Jeep Week, sponsored by the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce in September, was a sold out show this year.

Many local businesses participated in this year’s Topsail Island Jeep Week. Check in and registration took place at Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, while the Welcome Party was held at Gallagher’s Sports Bar and Grill.

Staff from National Dodge Jeep of Jacksonville took part in the door prizes as attendees showed off their Jeeps. The Brass Pelican, The Trailer Bar, Shuckin’ Shack and Gallagher’s Sports Bar and Grill allowed

their parking lots to be official meet-up spots. Boba Funk, Bad Habit, Cliff Swanhart and late-night karaoke got the party started and kept it rolling at Brass Pelican and The Trailer Bar. VFW Post #9983 hosted a pancake breakfast, which was included with registration. East Coast Wings & Grill Food Truck provided tasty food among the vendors. The obstacle course was a big hit this year, as was the spectator area, which was overflowing with excited supporters. An awards ceremony, prizes and giveaways wrapped up the fun-filled weekend. The chamber hopes to see everyone there next year!

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SNIPPETS

Topsail Turtle Blast

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PHOTOS BY BILL RITENOUR

On August 1 hundreds of rubber turtles raced for a good cause at Topsail Moose Lodge in Hampstead. The event included food vendors, music and kids’ activities. The Topsail Turtle Blast is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Share the Table, and the motto is “Adopt a Race Turtle - Feed a Family.”

Share the Table is committed to helping all food insecure neighbors in Pender and Onslow counties. They offer free community meals every Sunday night at 5:30 pm. Share the Table also has a food pantry where families and individuals can shop for grocery items once per week. The Pantry is open four days a week. The organization also offers Meals Until No Child Hungers, or MUNCH. This is their school backpack program. Food is packed in backpacks and sent home every Friday with students in need. This program is also offered throughout the summer and delivered to those children and families in need by volunteers of Faith Harbor United Methodist Church.

SNIPPETS

PHOTOS BY BILL RITENOUR

Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival celebrated its 49th year on August 9, 10 and 11. A tradition that began as a way to honor the local fishing community, the festival has grown over the years and now draws crowds of more than 12,000 people.

On May 3, 2011, the festival was named The Official Shrimp Festival of North Carolina, thanks to a bill sponsored by Senator Harry Brown and passed by the North Carolina

General Assembly. This began a new milestone in the course of Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival. In 2019 the festival offered rides for kids, a fireworks show, live music, a classic car show, a cornhole tournament, Dakota & Friends Dinosaur Show, cooking demonstrations, vendors and many food options. The festival planning committee thanks all the participants for their work and the community and attendees for their support.

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SNIPPETS

Autumn with Topsail

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PHOTOS BY BILL RITENOUR

For the 31st year, art and beach music lovers gathered in Topsail Beach for the Autumn with Topsail (AWT) festival.

Autumn with Topsail took place on October 19 and 20, and, as in previous years, was held on the grounds of the Historic Assembly Building in Topsail Beach. Live bands performed both afternoons at the festival, including The Carolina Band, North Tower Band and Band of Oz. This year’s juried art festival featured arts and crafts from a variety of categories and a record number of vendors. Artwork and other items sold included oils, acrylic, charcoal, photography, ceramics, glass, metal, pottery, wood working, leather, fiber, wool, musical instruments, jewelry and much more. Good food in the Food Court, live music, a beer and wine tent and lots of activities for children were also available, but the principal focus was on the art.

Proceeds from the festival go to the Historical Society of Topsail Island, a volunteer nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Assembly Building and Missiles & More Museum.

FACES & PLACES

3rd Annual Patient Appreciation Party at Surf City Dental

Kait Wolford, Dr. Pallavi Saraf, Erin Johnston, Ruby Eaches, Adrianna Castro

Dr. Robert & Pam Parr

Ellsworth & Eddy Probst

Dr. Pallavi Saraf & Kyndal Shortt

Bill & Ellen Teague

Doug Medlin & Justin Williams

Kate, CT, Casey, Kyle, Drew, Deborah, Mark & Sheily

Dr. Matt Parr & Erin Johnston

Steve & Sarah Bon

Dr. Grey Wilson & Dr. Matt Parr

PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT MCGRAW

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NEW RIVER INLET

November December January D a t e

High Tide AM Time (EST)

Low Tide PM

Height Time (ft) (EST)

AM

PM

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

D a t e

High Tide AM Time (EST)

Low Tide PM

Height Time (ft) (EST)

AM

PM

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

D a t e

High Tide AM Time (EST)

Low Tide PM

Height Time (ft) (EST)

AM Height (ft)

Time (EST)

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

1

11:30

3.9

11:57

2.8

4:57

0.2

6:06

0.3

1

10:51

3.4

11:22

2.4

4:19

0.3

5:29

0.3

1

11:46

2.6

---

---

5:28

0.3

6:15

0.2

2

---

---

12:25

3.6

5:50

0.4

7:04

0.4

2

11:42

3.1

---

---

5:12

0.4

6:21

0.4

2

12:25

2.3

12:33

2.4

6:24

0.4

6:58

0.3

3

12:57

2.6

12:24

3.4

5:48

0.5

7:05

0.6

3

12:19

2.4

12:36

2.9

6:10

0.5

7:12

0.4

3

1:19

2.4

1:24

2.3

7:26

0.5

7:43

0.3

4

1:01

2.5

1:26

3.2

6:53

0.7

8:04

0.6

4

1:19

2.4

1:31

2.7

7:13

0.6

8:02

0.4

4

2:13

2.5

2:17

2.2

8:29

0.5

8:29

0.2

5

2:06

2.6

2:26

3.1

8:00

0.7

8:58

0.6

5

2:16

2.5

2:25

2.6

8:18

0.6

8:48

0.4

5

3:05

2.7

3:11

2.1

9:29

0.4

9:15

0.1

6

3:04

2.7

3:20

3.0

9:03

0.7

9:44

0.5

6

3:08

2.7

3:16

2.6

9:17

0.6

9:30

0.3

6

3:54

2.9

4:03

2.1

10:24

0.3

10:01

0.0

7

3:54

2.8

4:08

3.0

9:58

0.6

10:25

0.5

7

3:55

2.9

4:03

2.6

10:10

0.5

10:10

0.2

7

4:41

3.1

4:53

2.2

11:14

0.1

10:48

-0.1

8

4:37

3.0

4:50

3.0

10:46

0.5

11:00

0.4

8

4:38

3.1

4:47

2.6

10:58

0.3

10:48

0.1

8

5:27

3.3

5:40

2.3

12PM

0.0

11:34

-0.2

9

5:16

3.2

5:29

3.0

11:30

0.4

11:34

0.3

9

5:18

3.3

5:29

2.6

11:42

0.2

11:27

0.0

9

6:12

3.5

6:27

2.4

---

---

12:45

-0.1

10

5:53

3.4

6:06

3.0

---

---

12:10

0.3

10

5:57

3.5

6:10

2.6

---

---

12:25

0.1

10

6:57

3.7

7:13

2.5

12:21

-0.4

1:30

-0.3 -0.3

11

6:28

3.6

6:43

3.0

12:07

0.2

12:50

0.2

11

6:37

3.6

6:51

2.6

12:05

-0.1

1:06

0.0

11

7:43

3.8

8:01

2.6

1:09

-0.5

2:14

12

7:04

3.7

7:19

2.9

12:41

0.2

1:28

0.2

12

7:18

3.8

7:34

2.6

12:45

-0.1

1:49

-0.1

12

8:30

3.8

8:50

2.7

1:58

-0.5

2:59

-0.4

13

7:41

3.8

7:57

2.9

1:15

0.1

2:08

0.2

13

8:00

3.8

8:18

2.6

1:27

-0.2

2:32

-0.1

13

9:18

3.7

9:42

2.8

2:49

-0.5

3:46

-0.4

14

8:19

3.8

8:37

2.8

1:51

0.1

2:49

0.2

14

8:44

3.8

9:04

2.6

2:11

-0.2

3:17

-0.1

14

10:07

3.5

10:36

2.8

3:42

-0.4

4:33

-0.4

15

9:01

3.8

9:20

2.7

2:30

0.1

3:33

0.2

15

9:31

3.7

9:55

2.6

2:59

-0.2

4:05

-0.1

15

10:59

3.3

11:35

2.9

4:40

-0.3

5:23

-0.4

16

9:46

3.7

10:08

2.6

3:13

0.2

4:20

0.3

16

10:22

3.6

10:51

2.7

3:51

-0.1

4:55

-0.1

16

11:54

3.0

---

---

5:43

-0.2

6:16

-0.3 -0.3

17

10:36

3.7

11:02

2.6

4:01

0.2

5:13

0.3

17

11:16

3.4

11:51

2.7

4:48

0.0

5:48

-0.1

17

12:37

3.0

12:53

2.7

6:51

0.0

7:11

18

11:32

3.6

---

---

4:57

0.3

6:10

0.3

18

---

---

12:14

3.2

5:52

0.1

6:44

-0.1

18

1:42

3.1

1:57

2.5

8:03

0.0

8:09

-0.3

19

12:04

2.6

12:33

3.5

6:01

0.3

7:09

0.3

19

12:57

2.8

1:16

3.0

7:02

0.1

7:41

-0.1

19

2:47

3.2

3:02

2.3

9:15

0.0

9:08

-0.2

20

1:12

2.8

1:38

3.4

7:12

0.3

8:09

0.2

20

2:03

3.0

2:19

2.9

8:16

0.1

8:38

-0.2

20

3:49

3.3

4:06

2.3

10:21

0.0

10:05

-0.3

21

2:19

3.0

2:42

3.3

8:26

0.3

9:05

0.1

21

3:06

3.2

3:22

2.8

9:26

0.1

9:33

-0.2

21

4:46

3.4

5:04

2.3

11:20

-0.1

11:00

-0.3

22

3:22

3.3

3:43

3.3

9:35

0.1

9:59

-0.1

22

4:05

3.5

4:21

2.7

10:30

0.0

10:26

-0.3

22

5:38

3.4

5:57

2.3

12:12PM

-0.1

11:51

-0.3 -0.2

23

4:20

3.6

4:40

3.3

10:38

0.0

10:49

-0.2

23

5:00

3.7

5:17

2.7

11:28

-0.1

11:17

-0.4

23

6:26

3.5

6:44

2.4

---

---

12:58

24

5:14

3.9

5:33

3.2

11:36

-0.1

11:37

-0.3

24

5:51

3.8

6:09

2.7

---

---

12:21

-0.2

24

7:11

3.4

7:28

2.4

12:38

-0.3

1:41

-0.2

25

6:04

4.1

6:24

3.2

---

---

12:30

-0.2

25

6:39

3.8

6:58

2.6

12:05

-0.4

1:11

-0.2

25

7:52

3.4

8:09

2.4

1:22

-0.3

2:20

-0.2

26

6:53

4.2

7:13

3.1

12:24

-0.3

1:22

-0.2

26

7:25

3.8

7:44

2.6

12:52

-0.3

1:57

-0.2

26

8:31

3.3

8:49

2.4

2:04

-0.2

2:58

-0.2

27

7:41

4.2

8:02

3.0

1:10

-0.3

2:11

-0.2

27

8:09

3.7

8:30

2.5

1:37

-0.3

2:42

-0.2

27

9:09

3.1

9:28

2.4

2:45

-0.2

3:33

-0.1

28

8:28

4.1

8:50

2.8

1:56

-0.2

3:00

-0.1

28

8:53

3.6

9:14

2.5

2:22

-0.2

3:25

-0.1

28

9:46

2.9

10:08

2.4

3:26

-0.1

4:08

0.0

29

9:14

3.9

9:38

2.7

2:42

-0.1

3:49

0.0

29

9:35

3.4

9:59

2.4

3:06

-0.1

4:07

0.0

29

10:23

2.7

10:48

2.4

4:07

0.0

4:43

0.0

30

10:02

3.6

10:29

2.5

3:29

0.1

4:38

0.2

30

10:17

3.1

10:44

2.3

3:50

0.1

4:49

0.1

30

11:00

2.5

11:32

2.4

4:52

0.2

5:18

0.1

31

11:00

2.9

11:33

2.3

4:37

0.2

5:31

0.2

31

11:41

2.3

---

---

5:40

0.3

5:56

0.1

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

64

Topsail Magazine

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Advertiser

Phone# Page#

Advertiser

Phone# Page#

Arbor Landing at Hampstead................. 910-406-1451 27

RJB Tax Associates....................................910-338-3001 20

Beach Furniture Outfitters Inc................910-328-4181 32

Shuckin’ Shack.............................................910-803-2037 49

Bill Clark Homes........................................... 910-350-1744 16

South End Outfitters................................. 910-541-0832 7

Coastal Fitness Center.............................910-270-4044 41

The Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce............................910-329-4446 27

Computer Warriors.................................... 910-238-2277 36 The Oceanaire Realty............................. 833-OCN-AIRE BC Coral Cottage boutiques............................910-599-5115 5 The Topsail Island Trading Company.800-762-1257 3 East Coast Sports......................................... 910-328-1887 23 Town of Surf City.......................................... 910-328-4131 19 Intracoastal Realty Corporation.......... 910-328-3000 11 Treasure Realty.......................................... 800-762-3961 IBC NHRMC Physician Group.......................... 910-254-1033 IFC Unique Media & Design Inc.....................910-526-7926 65 Quarter Moon...............................................910-328-4969 20

Premiere Issue — Fall/Winter 2019-20

65

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

PHOTO CAPTURED BY BO MATTHEWS

Have you captured the moment? If so, email your photos to capture@topsailmag.com.

If we choose your photo to be published on this page, you will win $25.

66

Topsail Magazine

Premiere Issue — Fall/Winter 2019-20

67