Topsail Magazine Spring Issue 2023

Real Estate recap

WHAT SOLD, WHEN AND FOR HOW MUCH

ALL THE SPECIALTIES. ALL THE SERVICES. ALL THE LOCATIONS.

AND THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

EmergeOrtho provides an exceptional level of orthopedic and spine care to residents of the coastal region. Patients benefit from the expertise of 34 highly trained physicians, including fellowship-trained, board-certified specialists, performing both non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures, including robotic-assisted joint replacement.

Now there are three convenient ways to request or self-schedule an appointment: visit EmergeOrtho.com , call 910-332-3800 , or text APPT to that same number.

IMPLANT SURGERY & RESTORATION

36 THE STORY OF SHARKS

Topsail Island recreational fishermen collaborate with NOAA on a shark tag and release program.

By Kate M Carey

43 TOPSAIL AREA 2022 REAL ESTATE RECAP

Take a look at the top home sales and builders in the Topsail area — including Sneads Ferry, Surf City, Holly Ridge, Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach and Hampstead — from 2022.

By Justin Williams

50 DISC GOLF ADDICT

Disc golf player Logan Wells livens up the sport with his custom-disc business, Surf City Discs and Dyes.

By Melissa Slaven Warren

63 A PROPER POUR

Sommelier Jordan Culler manages all things wine at Beach Shop & Grill while everfurthering his education.

By Annesophia Richards

DEPARTMENTS

31 BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Daybreak Donuts and Sunrise Bagel Co. are Surf City’s daily wakeup call.

By Ashley Daniels

57 PEOPLE

Mayor of Surf City Teresa Batts is eager to serve the town she has lived in her whole life.

By Pat Fontana

71 FITNESS

Sneads Ferry Athletic Club brings boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes and more to the Greater Topsail area.

By Pat Fontana

10

12

18 WHAT’S COOKIN’ Crab Stack

Pina Colada Kabobs 22

25

PHOTO BY JAMES STEFIUK

PHOTO BY UNIQUE MEDIA& DESIGN

Spring 2023 Issue — Volume 4, Issue 2

CEO/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg

COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS:

Laura Glantz Teresa Kramer

Sa mantha Lowe El izabeth Dale Niemann

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Brian Wilner

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Da ria Amato Ba iley’s Photography

Buddy Baker City 2 Sea Media

Pat Fontana Laura Glantz

Ad am Hawley Matt McGraw

Vicky Oliver Bi ll Ritenour

Ja mes Stefiuk Un ique Media & Design

Eric Vithalani

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Kate M Carey As hley Daniels

Pat Fontana Sa ndi Grigg

Annesophia Richards Me lissa Slaven Warren

FOUNDER: B.J. Cothran

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.

©2023 Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.

Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. strives to bring correct, accurate information that is published in the magazine. However, Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. cannot be held responsible for any consequences resulting from errors or absences. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. also cannot be held responsible for the services provided by any and all advertisers in our publications. All material in this magazine is property of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. and may not be reproduced without authorization from the publisher. Topsail Magazine — A Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. publication is published four times per year and is distributed to residents and businesses in Pender & Onslow County, NC, to subscribers and to select areas of New Hanover County, NC. Interested in back issues, subscriptions or advertising? Contact us at (910) 207-0156 or info@TopsailMag.com.

About the cover:

Unique Media and Design captured our cover photograph of a Topsail Island sunset. This photograph complements our 2022 Real Estate Recap, which takes a look at the booming home sales, home prices and builders statistics for the Topsail area over the past year. Look for these real estate statistics, compiled by Justin Williams, starting on page 43.

Ryan Butschle

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I found myself in the Topsail area via the United States Marine Corps. After honorably serving my country for eight years, I briefly turned my service to the local community of Surf City as a police officer. While continuing to search for my professional niche, my old hobby of photography paid me a visit and proved to be a guiding light for my future. I created City 2 Sea Media in 2021 and have worked primarily with Salty Turtle Beer Company over the past two and a half years. While still working for the brewery, I have expanded my business to include weddings, family portraits, product photography, real estate and video work. My wife and I have loved living in North Carolina since 2011 and are looking forward to many more years in the local area.

Ashley Daniels

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Based in Myrtle Beach, I am a full-time freelance writer, wife and mother of three sons. My folio boasts nearly 20 years of regionally and nationally published work, including profiles on such South Carolina celebs as Darius Rucker, Dustin Johnson, Vanna White, Nancy O'Dell, the late author Mickey Spillane and more. I've also taken home two Best of Show ADDY awards and numerous silver ADDYs for my copywriting work that ranges from travel/tourism and hospitality campaigns to food and apparel retail, telecommunications and more. I received my BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh and my MA in writing from Coastal Carolina University. When I'm not in front of my laptop, I'm by the water on the beach or on the water on the boat with my family.

Samantha Lowe

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS

I am a two-time award-winning graphic designer based in Hampstead. After graduating from Kansas State University, I quickly became a senior designer for New Boston Creative Group. A move down South shifted me into the freelancing world, and after 15 years I have not looked back. I have worked for a variety publications across the Southeast as art director and designer. When people ask me to describe myself in a few words, I say: faith, family, design and dark chocolate.

The Suggestion Box Is Open

OOne thing we really love at Topsail Magazine is suggestions for story ideas. We really appreciate it when our readers and supporters call, send emails or stop us on the beach to tell us about interesting people, places, things to do, food to eat and more in the Topsail area.

In fact, we get way more then we can print! We feature as many as we can in the magazine and can usually find room for more stories on our website and social media pages. Even if we don’t get to them right away, we keep story ideas in the queue, so know that when you send an idea in, we always strongly consider it. We love hearing from you, so please keep the ideas coming!

Speaking of great stories, we are sharing some of those ideas that have come to fruition in this edition. When you get inside the pages of this issue, you’re going to meet some interesting people, starting with two friends who catch, tag and release sharks in collaboration with NOAA on the Topsail beaches. Other people you’ll get to know about include Jordan Culler, sommelier at Beach Shop & Grill; disc golf player and custom disc maker Logan Wells of Surf City Discs and Dyes; and MMA champion PJ Ross, owner of Sneads Ferry Athletic Club. You’ll also get to know the entrepreneurial owner of one of Topsail’s favorite ways to wake up: Daybreak Donuts and Sunrise Bagels.

Before you start reading these stories, I want to say one last thing. We’re all humans over here at Topsail Magazine. As much as AI exists in our world in productive and also quite frightening ways, there is nothing taking place over here that isn’t completed by humans. Having said that, we sometimes make errors. I have addressed an issue from our last edition at the end of this letter.

At the end of my publisher’s note every February, I’m sure I always say “Happy Spring!” The only problem with that is that lately our winter days have felt like spring. The winter and spring seasons are blurring

together into a string of warm, beautiful days. So how do I sign off now? Any suggestions?

I hope everyone living in and visiting the Topsail area has a wonderful season. Thank you for reading Topsail Magazine and supporting our advertisers.

Justin Williams Owner/Publisher Publisher@TopsailMag.com

OOPS! WE’RE SORRY.

In our Winter 2022-23 edition of Topsail Magazine , we ran a business profile on Above Topsail on page 79. Due to a last-minute photography pivot, we inadvertently misnamed the photographer for the photos on that article. The photography for that story was shot by Raelynn Grace Photography, and we apologize for our mistake. You can check out their work at raelynngracephotography.com.

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

Sailing into Spring

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Located next to Safe Haven in Hampstead

This no-cook, chilled crabmeat appetizer offers a light and flavorful start to a spring meal.

BY SANDI GRIGG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK

This is a delicious and impressive looking no-cook recipe that is sure to beat the East Coast heat. I have stacked layers of fruit and crab and drizzled it with a lemony and tangy sauce for a punch of island flavors.

T Simply Delicious

My spouse and I went on vacation in downtown Charlotte and stayed at fancy hotel for our anniversary. There was a 5-star restaurant inside the hotel that specialized in seafood and tropical flavors, so we made

reservations. This restaurant didn’t have menus; it served a six-course dinner already designated for patrons, you just let them know if you have a food allergy.

The appetizer brought to our table was colorful, fresh and piled high with an array of fruits, vegetables and seafood. We ate every bit of it.

I took the same concept of that dish and created a simpler version by incorporating my favorite aspects. You can certainly combine different ingredients if you don’t like mango, avocado or crab. This sauce works well with shrimp or tuna, red onion, yellow peppers, even peaches. If you feel adventurous, you can get as creative as you want.

I choose fresh blue crab as the main seafood. Blue crab has historically been North Carolina’s most valuable commercial fishery. Blue crabs range from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico

Crab Stack

Makes 4 servings - you will need a ring mold or measuring cup

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat, drained

1 cup chopped mango

2 whole avocados, diced

Juice of ½ a lemon

Few dashes of Old Bay seasoning

Microgreens for garnish

METHOD

For the Sauce

½ cup salted butter

2 tablespoons lemon juice

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Balsamic vinegar

In a bowl, toss the crabmeat with a few dashes of Old Bay.

In a separate bowl, toss the avocado cubes with the juice of half a lemon.

If you are using a ring mold, you will want to place it on the serving plate and fill with ¼ of the avocado, ¼ of the mango and ¼ of the crab. Gently remove the ring mold by pulling it up and garnish with microgreens on top. Repeat for the other three dishes.

and occur regularly in waters where peak temperature reach at least 68 degrees. They are sweet and considered a delicacy.

Crabmeat comes in four styles: backfin, claw, lump or jumbo lump. Backfin consists of broken pieces of lump meat mixed with smaller pieces of the white body meat. Claw meat is darker in color and less sweet in flavor when compared to lump or backfin. Lump and jumbo lump, my favorites, are the white meat on the inside of the crab’s body, and it’s the sweetest. You can buy containers of the prepicked meat from your local seafood market.

Try this easy-to-make, chef-inspired dish to quench your palette with the flavors of the islands while impressing your guests.

Have a recipe request for Southern Sandi?

Shoot a message to Sandi@TopsailMag.com

If you are using a measuring cup you will want to do it reverse sequence. Fill the measuring cup with ¼ of the crab, ¼ of the mango and ¼ of the avocado. Place a plate on top of the measuring cup and flip it all over to reveal the stack. Garnish with microgreens on top. Repeat for the other three dishes.

For the Sauce

In a small saucepan mix the salted butter, lemon juice and garlic powder. Simmer for a few minutes and remove from the heat.

After plating the crab stack, drizzle the lemon butter sauce around the stack. Drip a few spots of balsamic vinegar in the lemon butter sauce and drag a toothpick around the sauce to create a beautiful swirl presentation.

Enjoy!

Chew Your Booze

Inspired by a tropical pina colada, these fruit kabobs will get you well on your way to island time.

BY SANDI GRIGG PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK

Who says you can’t chew your booze? For this springtime spirit I have created a Pina Colada Kabob, which offers skewered pineapples with a punch. The combination of cherries, rum-soaked pineapple and coconut takes you directly to an island state of mind — Topsail Island, that is.

The traditional pina colada is a cocktail made with rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice, and it typically has a maraschino cherry for garnish.

I recently attended an island-themed awards banquet where I got the idea for these boozy kabobs. At the event they had a tiki bar with grass hanging all over the front, a large tiki god carved out of wood sitting on the bar, plastic hula girls on each side, lava stones on the bar top and bamboo lining the sides.

They had a list of drink selections in a clear display as well as a few brightly colored fruit snacks sitting on the bar — one of which was pineapples on toothpicks sprinkled with what looked like coconut. I wasn't going to pass that up.

I took one pineapple toothpick, and a pina colada explosion occurred in my mouth. I was surprised at the taste and impressed with the uniqueness of the flavors. I knew I had to create something similar.

My version involves a few more ingredients and goes a bit further with the pina colada idea, but these are so delicious and worth every step.

It is fair to say that a few of these bites has the same effect as a full cocktail because after four or five, I was ready to do the hula. Try these for yourself, and enjoy the fun of chewing your booze.

PINA COLADA KABOBS

Makes 16 kabobs

INGREDIENTS

1 whole fresh pineapple, peeled and cored

2 cups white rum

1 can cream of coconut, cold

½ cup heavy cream

¼ cup powdered sugar

1 cup shredded coconut, toasted

16 maraschino cherries

16 toothpicks

METHOD

Chop the pineapple into 16 cubes. Place in a bowl and cover with rum. Store in the refrigerator for at least two hours (or up to overnight) to infuse the pineapple with alcohol. Drain the pineapple. (If you are like me, you will want to store the drained pineapple infused rum in an airtight jar and reserve for future cocktails)

Empty the cream of coconut into a large bowl and stir well to mix. Add the heavy cream and the sugar. Beat until fluffy and holds soft peaks, about 3 minutes.

Onto a toothpick, skewer a maraschino cherry then a boozy pineapple cube.

Dip the bottom of the pineapple into the coconut cream mixture, then dip in shredded coconut to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

BLUEBERRIES FOR BREAKFAST

The Blueberry Pancake Breakfast returned on Saturday, February 25.

Contributed content

After a three-year hiatus, the North Carolina Blueberry Festival Association once again hosted its Blueberry Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 25.

The Blueberry Pancake Breakfast is a fundraiser for the NC Blueberry Festival, which will celebrate its 20th year on June 16 and 17, 2023, in Historic Downtown Burgaw. Proceeds from the pancake breakfast, as well as the festival itself, go toward the NC Blueberry Festival Association’s academic scholarship program, which provides financial awards to high school seniors in southeastern North Carolina toward their first year in college.

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Cauliflower can replace high-carb vegetables without sacrificing flavor.

By Theresa Ravencraft

Flavorful food does not have to be loaded with extra calories. This Cheesy Cauliflower Soup is less than 250 calories per bowl and low in carbohydrates. I modified my recipe for potato soup by replacing the starchy spuds with fresh cauliflower, making the soup healthier, yet still flavorful.

AMAZING YOUNG ARTIST Topsail High School student

Cecelia Dahl wins the grand prize in Youth Art Month Flag Design Contest.

Contributed content

Cecilia Dahl, a junior at Topsail High School, has won the grand prize in the North Carolina Art Education Association’s Youth Art Month (YAM) Flag Design Contest.

Dahl’s flag design will represent the State of North Carolina at the National Art Education Association Conference this March in San Antonio, Texas.

ALIVE AFTER FIVE

Pender County Parks and Recreation announces the lineup for its summer concert series in Hampstead.

Contributed content

Pender County Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce the 2023 Hampstead Alive After Five concert series lineup. The free Friday evening concerts are held in Hampstead’s Kiwanis Park. All concerts will begin at 6:30 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the entertainment. Various food trucks will be on site throughout the series. Alcohol and pets are prohibited.

YEAR OF THE TRAIL

Pender County is offering one themed family-friendly hike per month in 2023.

Contributed content

Pender County Tourism, Pender County Parks and Recreation and Pender County Health Department are joining with a troupe of pirates, naturalists and historians to host one family-friendly hike per month to celebrate 2023 Year of the Trail.

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Jackie James

Burrito Shak Franchise to Open in Raleigh

With seven locations already operating, this emerging restaurant franchise has committed to expanding again in 2023. A lease has been signed that will bring the Burrito Shak flavors to Raleigh in the spring of 2023. Burrito Shak will join a long list of vibrant local business and nationally known brands within the Quail Corners Shopping Center at the corner of E. Millbrook Road and Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh.

Hampstead Chiropractic Opens in Hampstead

drinks, appetizers and pasta. The event provided a chance for members to meet fellow members and get to know each other while enjoying some holiday cheer.

Pender County Board of Education Members Sworn In

Hampstead Chiropractic and the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and silent auction on December 8 at Hampstead Chiropractic. All proceeds from the silent auction went to Safe Haven of Pender County. Hampstead Chiropractic is located at 16406 U.S. Highway 17 N, Unit 10 in Hampstead.

The Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce Holds Holiday Party

People gathered for a night of celebration at the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Holiday Party on December 12 at Daddy Mac's Beach Grille. They enjoyed

At its December 13, 2022, meeting, Pender County Board of Education elected officials were officially sworn into office and its officers were elected. Beth Burns (District 2), Ken Smith (District 4) and Brent Springer (District 1) were each sworn into office by Judge Richard Harrell. Springer took the seat vacated by Cindy Fontana, who did not seek re-election. Terms for the newly elected members will run through 2026. Board members Brad George and Don Hall will see their terms end in 2024. Once the members were sworn in, Ken Smith was elected as board chair, Don Hall was elected as vice-chair.

Pender Education Partnership Awards Mini-Grants to Teachers

Pender Education Partnership, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit foundation, awarded 18 mini-grants totaling $8,000 to educators in Pender County Schools. Teacher mini-grants are awarded based on applications submitted to the PEP board. A selection committee reviews all applications. Among a few of the mini-grants that will deliver additional educational opportunities to students include the purchase of a ceramics kiln, a performance by the Tryon Fife and Drum Corp, STEM lab supplies, drones, Legos, books, a microscope and science lab accessories.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Pender County Library Hosts Genealogist Who Traces Roots from Southeast North Carolina to Africa

On January 14 Pender County Library hosted genealogist

Tyrone Goodwyn for a discussion of his research tracing his family lineage from southeastern North Carolina to Virginia to Angola in Africa. The hour-long event was hosted in person in the Michael Y. Taylor Meeting Room at the Main Library in Burgaw as well as online via Zoom. Goodwyn has researched free persons of color of southeastern North Carolina for more than 40 years. He concentrates on Pender, New Hanover, Sampson, Duplin, Wayne and Cumberland counties.

In 2021 Goodwyn and a fellow genealogist discovered a 1745 northeast North Carolina court record that yielded an important clue. Following this clue revealed a connection to a man in the 1600s named Gabriel Jacobs, a member of one of the first documented groups of kidnapped Africans in North America. He was the progenitor of the Jacobs family of free people of color in southeastern North Carolina and Tidewater Virginia. The surname Jacobs is quite common in southeastern North Carolina. These families often identify as Black and as Native American. Several also identify as white. Many of these family lines — Black, Native American and white — descend from the same root of people who came to North Carolina in the mid-1700s and participated vigorously in the Revolutionary War and many significant American events thereafter.

NCDOT Releases the State of Aviation report

The North Carolina Department of Transportation recently released its annual aviation report, The State of Aviation , which highlights the contribution of airports across the state. The report says Henderson Field Airport is continuing to positively impact Eastern North Carolina’s local economy by supporting 60 jobs and generating $13,350,000 in economic activity annually. It is often viewed that General Aviation airports such as Henderson Field in northern Pender County are burdens on the taxpayers, but this report relays the exact opposite. One of the key reasons for aviation’s role in the economic recovery was that small airports, including Henderson Field Airport, allowed businesses and vacationers to travel more safely with less human interaction. Additionally, the report cites that the region is experiencing strong residential and business growth that has ultimately contributed to growth in economic impact by more than 150 percent compared to the last aviation report in 2019.

Pender County Library Screens Local Documentary

On January 26 Pender County Library partnered with Stack Stories LLC to host a screening of the film C.F. Pope: Where Champions Were Grown . The screening took place at the Main Library at 103 S. Cowan Street in Burgaw. Community members of all ages were encouraged to view the film and meet the film’s co-directors Richard T. Newkirk, Ed.D. and Claudia Stack, M.Ed C.F. Pope: Where Champions Were Grown (2022) is a story about the C.F. Pope School in Burgaw. C.F. Pope School was founded in 1891 by the Middle District Missionary Baptist Association and began as a school for ministers. The school, which was accredited in 1924, became one of only two high schools for African Americans in Pender County. In this moving film, alumni share stories about their time at the school, how their families sacrificed to support their education and the teachers who grew champions there. The film was made possible in part by a grant from North Carolina Humanities in collaboration with Pender Education Partnership.

Topsail High School Hosts International Night

On February 16 the second annual International Night took place at Topsail High School. In 2022 35 nations were represented, and the 2023 representation was even more impressive. Many local businesses participated by donating to the event raffle.

Chamber Hosts Wild West Casino Night

On March 4 Topsail Chamber of Commerce hosted its Wild West Casino Night at Ocean’s Edge Restaurant. The event included gaming tables, a 50/50 raffle, prizes, a reverse raffle, dinner and dancing. Attendees were dressed in their best Western attire and fun was had by all. Look for the event again in 2024.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED GRAPHIC

Ocean Fest Wins Big at N.C. Association of Festivals & Events Banquet

Ocean Fest won big at the ShowFest 2023 awards banquet hosted on January 30 by the North Carolina Association of Festivals & Events (NCF&E) in Charlotte. The nonprofit, Surf City–based eco/surf/arts/music festival was awarded top honors in the annual industry excellence awards program including the coveted Event of the Year award, Best Community Outreach Program and Director of the Year for the festival’s director Mark Anders. The NCF&E is a nonprofit organization celebrating and supporting the festival and event industry and is represented by nearly 200 festivals and events throughout the state. Ocean Fest also received the Sponsor of the Year award for its partnership with New Belgium Brewing Company as well as the Best Merchandise award. In 2022 Ocean Fest previously received the Rising Star Award, given to the best up-and-coming festival in the state.

C.F Pope Elementary Principal Begins New Role

committed to helping teachers and staff build their leadership capacities to reach their greatest potential to serve children and looks forward to creating and sustaining positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders in order to meet the individual needs of every child.

Chief Academic Officer Approved by Pender County Schools Board of Education

Dr. Brandy Sawyer was approved as chief academic officer of Pender County Schools during the February 14 Board of Education meeting. For the past 17 years, Dr. Sawyer has been a servant leader in the Allentown School District in Pennsylvania, where she started her career in education as a high school biology teacher then transitioned to administration as a supervisor of instruction. She has served as the director of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the executive director of high schools, interim principal of the largest high school in the community serving 2,900 students and most recently the executive director of curriculum and educator supports.

Dr. Sawyer is a mother of three children, Tyler, Ashley and Lauren. She is committed to educating and empowering students and supporting families in the education of their children. She has a strong commitment to building partnerships with the community and above all building relationships with those that she serves. She is excited to return home to North Carolina with her family and serve the students, families and community in Pender County.

Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove Visits Topsail High School

Brittany Moore is the new principal at C.F. Pope Elementary School. Moore was approved during the January 10 Pender County Board of Education meeting and began her new role on February 13. A graduate of Guilford College, Moore pursued an opportunity to teach English as Second Language in Hefei, China, for a year after graduation. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University and is currently enrolled in their doctoral program to obtain a degree in organizational leadership. Her professional experience includes teaching middle grades English Language Arts and being a school administrator for several years at a PreK-8 elementary school in her hometown. Moore is

Pender County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove visited Topsail High School on February 9 for the final public discussion in his Listening & Learning Series. Previously Dr. Breedlove visited Heide Trask High School and Penderlea School to speak with parents, staff and community members about anything related to Pender County Schools.

SEASHORE REALTY GROUP

SeaShore manages our beach rental at Topsail and we could not be any happier with our choice. The SeaShore staff and the company owner Jason Hyde have always been there for us. They go the extra mile and really treat the house like they own it. They have assisted in storm related issues along with giving us quality advice on everything from replacing furniture to getting quality maintenance personnel. They have made it easy for us to keep our beach home rented and handled all the transactions, so all we had to do was cash the check each month.

From the time I made a phone call to SeaShore through the process of buying my condo at St. Regis to managing my condo for everything you could imagine, I have only had the best of experiences. I love staying at my condo but when not there, I don’t feel any reason to be concerned about ANYTHING. I often recommend SeaShore when asked for a recommendation. I will continue to do so.

Surf City Bridge Jam

Easter Egg Hunt

April 8

The Town of Surf City will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 8 at the Surf City Community Center Athletic Fields located at 201 Community Center Drive. Admission is free, and there will be six different age groups hunting at three different times. Be sure to arrive early and remember to bring a basket.

Information: surfcitync.gov

North Carolina Azalea Festival

April 12 to 16

The North Carolina Azalea Festival is an annual community festival in Wilmington and is the largest festival of its kind in the state. This year’s event will feature street vendors, food trucks, parties, concerts, art contests, pageants, parade and garden tours.

Information: ncazaleafestival.org

Superhero In Training Program

April 20

Join Pender County Parks and Recreation and The Library at Hampstead Kiwanis Park for a Superhero Training Program at Hamstead Kiwanis Park Large Shelter at 10 am. Participants are invited to wear their favorite superhero costume and join us as we read about superhero characteristics, make masks and

complete a superhero training course. This program is recommended for children of all ages. No reservation needed.

Information: penderpr.recdesk.com

Surf City Fitness Race to the Coast

5K

May 13

Enjoy sound and ocean views, the smell of salt air and a celebration of fun and fitness at the Surf City Fitness Race to the Coast 5K on Saturday, May 13 at 8 am. Hosted by Surf City Fitness and Benefitting Surf City Ocean Rescue, the Mother’s Day weekend event features a run over Surf City Bridge. Registration includes a race shirt, a post-race party, mimosas and flowers for moms and awards for top finishers in age groups and overall winners.

Information: runsignup.com

Surf City Bridge Jam

May 20

Surf City Parks, Recreation & Tourism presents the annual Surf City Bridge Jam on May 20 from 12 to 5 pm at Soundside Park, 517 Roland Avenue in Surf City. Admission is free. Enjoy a fun evening of food, brews, shopping, kids’ rides and live music by The Embers featuring Craig Woolard.

Information: surfcitync.gov

Movie in the Park

June 2, 28, July 14, 28 and August 4

Enjoy a movie in Soundside Park with your family. Food trucks will begin serving at 7 pm, and the movie starts at dusk. The park is at 517 Roland Avenue in Surf City. Admission is free.

Information: surfcitync.gov

Sip, Shop & Stroll

June 9, July 21 and August 11

Take part in the annual Sip, Shop & Stroll from 5 to 9 pm at Soundside Park, 517 Roland Avenue in Surf City. The Town of Surf City hosts this free event, which features vendors, live music, food trucks and beverages.

Information: surfcitync.gov

The North Carolina Blueberry Festival

June 16 and 17

Burgaw’s 20th annual NC Blueberry Festival will include more than 20 events including live entertainment, a car show, a street fair, a recipe contest, a barbecue cookoff, a 5K run, kids’ activities, the Tour de Blueberry bike race, special exhibitions and, of course, fresh, local blueberries.

Information: ncblueberryfestival.com

The North Carolina Blueberry Festival

Surf City Easter Egg Hunt

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Good Morning, Sunshine!

Daybreak Donuts and Sunrise Bagel Co. are Surf City’s daily wakeup call.

BY ASHLEY DANIELS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

On Topsail Island, Anne Bilderback, owner of Daybreak Donuts and Sunrise Bagel Co., has you covered for your first bite and cup of the day. Her side-by-side businesses have made themselves at home in Surf City and in the hearts and bellies of the community.

Bilderback, a retired nurse, fell in love with this style of hot, homemade donuts years ago in her home state of Maryland. She and her husband, Tom, opened a donut franchise when they moved to Topsail Island in 2015 and rebranded it as Daybreak Donuts about a year ago.

“And then after ordering their donuts, my customers would always ask if we had bagel sandwiches,” she says. “So,

Anne Bilderback is the founder and owner-operator of Daybreak Donuts and Sunrise Bagel Co. in Surf City.

when the space next to mine came available, I decided to do bagels!”

The only problem was that Bilderback didn’t know how to do bagels. She had somebody teach her and then opened Sunrise Bagel Co.

The Bilderbacks’ sons, Ethan and Ben, originally helped opened the donut shop, and Bilderback’s niece, Jennifer Brown, now runs Sunrise Bagels, so it is truly a family affair.

“They started this dream with us and they got us off the ground and we just continue to grow,” Bilderback says.

The growing popularity of the two sister eateries may be because of Bilderback’s commitment to always serving the freshest food at both locations.

At Daybreak Donuts, that means dropping donuts in the fryer as they are ordered, so they’re always handed to customers hot. Before they’re boxed, the donuts are dipped in a wide variety of glazes, including banana, key lime, caramel, maple, peanut butter, mint and more. Then they are sprinkled with tons of toppings or combinations under the categories of The Originals or Surf City Selects. Their signature donut is the simple Sandy Shore with honey glaze and cinnamon sugar, but some people like to go all out for combinations like Mint Chocolate Chip (mint glaze and mini chocolate chips) and Bacon Bomb (maple glaze, bacon and cinnamon sugar), to name a few. And they have monthly specials.

At Sunrise Bagel Co., they fresh-bake more than a dozen bagel flavors served with an assortment of cream cheeses and handcraft breakfast sandwich creations, such as the Shoreline (bacon, egg, pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, cream cheese and a layer of tots), the Snoogie (lox, capers, cream cheese, tomato and onion) and more.

Bilderback is preparing for the busy

Anne Bilderback, Dianna Izzary and Xenia Torres take a break from making donuts at Daybreak Donuts.

season to ramp up again in the spring. She always hires a staff of 40 to 45 people to be fully prepared by summertime to properly cater to the crowds.

“They’re mostly young people and they are what power us,” she says. “It’s so great because not only do the young people learn responsibility but we’ve cultivated great friendships from this. Many of them come back every year. Some

of my employees started at 15 years old and they’re now juniors in college and they still come back and work here, which is so awesome.”

Bilderback’s career segue may not seem obvious right away, shifting from helping patients as a trauma nurse to feeding people, but it seems a natural fit to her.

“It’s so rewarding for me because we’re such a big part of the community,” she says. “We get to

The growing popularity of the two sister eateries may be because of Bilderback’s commitment to always serving the freshest food at both locations.

“

Bilderback with Jennifer Brown and Celia DePrezio at Sunrise Bagel Co., where the staff freshbakes multiple flavors of bagels every day.

WANT TO GO?

Daybreak Donuts and Sunrise Bagel Co.

303 S. Topsail Drive, Surf City

Daybreak Donuts hours: daily, 7 am to 3 pm

Sunrise Bagel Co. hours: daily, 7 am to 2 pm

E daybreakdonutssurfcity | Q sunrisebagelco

reach out and touch people in a bigger way, a different way, than I ever did in nursing. We’re offering young people opportunities to grow and to be a part of a family business.”

Bilderback supports local nonprofits any chance she gets, such as Ocean Fest, Toys for Tots, Adoption First Animal Rescue, Paddle 4 Troops, Surf to Sound (benefiting the local sea turtle hospital), Surf City police and fire departments, Little Pink Houses of Hope, Topsail High School and Dixon High School Athletics and Share the Table’s Dolphin Dip.

“The support is happening in the community at different levels with different people, and I feel gratitude that I get to be here on this island and be a part of this,” she says. “I just want to be deeply embedded in the community and want people to know that they come in and we support whatever they do.” 

THE STORY OF Sh rks

Topsail Island recreational fishermen collaborate with NOAA on a shark tag and release program.

BY KATE M CAREY

ay the word shark at the beach and most folks run from the water. Say it to Ryan Gleason and Eamonn Garber, and they run straight into the water.

Gleason and Garber love sharks — tiger sharks, dusky sharks, blacktip sharks, hammerheads and more — and they deeply respect the animals’ power.

The two fishermen work with Drifter Sportfishing and Charters, owned by veteran Kyle Kirkpatrick, aka “Captain KK.” Based in Sneads Ferry, Drifter Sportfishing and Charters offers inshore and offshore charters as well as land-based shark-fishing guide services.

Gleason and Garber’s respect for sharks drives both their work as shark-fishing guides with Drifter and their work with the Apex Predator Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA).

The federal sharktagging program began in 1962 as a collaboration among recreational anglers and commercial fishermen to collect geographic range, longevity and movements of coastal sharks. Most taggers in the program are recreational fishermen. “Scientists can analyze data while we do the dirty work,” Garber says.

Gleason says shark fishing is huge on Topsail Island. “Every night, there’s someone shark fishing,” he says. The two former Marines met

Top, Eamonn Garber with a tiger shark on North Topsail Beach; bottom, Ryan Gleason with a juvenile tiger shark on Onslow Beach

shark fishing on the beach one night.

The two anglers often finish each other’s sentences as excitement about a tagged shark takes over the conversation.

Garber pulls out his phone to show a picture of a dusky shark they tagged one-night last summer. A dusky is one of his favorite sharks, along with sand tigers. “Sand tigers will eat anything,” Gleason says with a laugh. “I call them Old Reliable. In April, May and early June, you are guaranteed to catch one.”

Garber nods, “They are big, scraggly. They are like the big boy on a Harley. Rough, tough and ready to roll, but they aren’t going to do anything. They’re powerful with those big necks and jaws. And their teeth profile — it’s teeth everywhere.”

Gleason, Garber and others catching, tagging and releasing a variety of sharks on the beaches of Topsail Island.

Garber pulls up another picture on his phone. A wide-open mouth with rows of razor-sharp teeth fills the phone screen. “They are awesome!” he says.

They’re also vulnerable. According to NOAA Fisheries, 19 species of sharks are vulnerable, including sand tiger sharks. Sand tiger populations are decreasing, and only a small number of them are tagged. This adds to the fun, Garber and Gleason say.

Myths about sharks and shark fishing abound: Sharks are a nuisance, sharks should be killed because they ruin fishing lines, sharks attack swimmers. Garber and Gleason find that working with the NOAA shark-tagging programs helps them fight the myths by showing residents and tourists how they tag a fish, letting people see the process

from catch through tag and finally release.

“I started tagging to have easier conversations with tourists who often don’t understand sharks,” Gleason says. “Tagging is good for the community, good for the shark population. There are responsible, ethical ways to go about shark fishing, by catch and release. The program is a really good way to get us, the public, involved in research. NOAA sends you all kinds of information when you start.”

Gleason holds out brochures on catch and release techniques, a compliance guide for recreational fishing, identification cards illustrating prohibited species and various shark identification cards.

People often make the mistake of thinking the fishermen are

chumming from the beach. Gleason says it’s an accusation they hear regularly, but they don’t do it because it’s illegal and pointless.

“If we could bring the sharks in, I would be a lot better at doing it,” Garber says as Gleason laughs. “We could bring them to beach, and it would be a 15-minute charter.”

The shark-fishing guides will come to you if you’re staying on the ocean, or they’ll pick a prime spot where you can meet them. In this type of fishing, Gleason and Garber deploy baits between 100 to 500 yards utilizing a kayak to get them out there. From there it’s a waiting game for the fish.

Many of the sharks they catch are caught in very shallow water, which can freak out some visitors, especially those who see all

sharks as “ruthless killers.”

“People see us catch sharks at those depths and get scared,” Gleason says. “But what they don’t understand is that a three-foot blacktip is terrified of you. You are five feet long! They are not looking for a giant chunk of meat, they are eating mullet.”

Sometimes a shark is caught, tagged and released in 15 to 20 minutes. Other times, the shark is tired and disoriented. “We had to swim with a hammer for 45 minutes before it would go out past the swell. Each time the fish turned back toward shore, the path of least resistance, we turned it back toward the ocean, but we were careful to stay out of the way,” Gleason says.

Sharks are a highly migratory species, so the type of sharks that are caught off Topsail Island

varies by time of the year. Most sharks spend the winter in Florida or farther south. In winter great whites, sandbars, duskies and sand tigers abound, but the big target sharks that people want to catch are hammerheads, which appear in the summer with a run again in September. Tiger sharks can be found from April to September.

In 2017 scientists in New Jersey tagged a sand shark caught on a long line. This past summer Gleason and Garber re-captured the same shark and then gathered additional growth and migration data before releasing the shark. Re-capture is the whole idea, Gleason says; otherwise, you just have a shark with a piece of plastic in it.

The program tags are small, about an inch and half of plastic,

WANT TO SHARK FISH?

For more information on land-based shark fishing or other charter trip drifteroffshore.com.

For more information on NOAA shark-tagging program or to see descriptions of the sharks Garber and Gleason tag, go to fisheries.noaa.gov/ new-england-midatlantic/atlantic-highlymigratory-species/ shark-identificationcooperative-shark0#sand-tiger-shark

on a line with an aluminum holder on the end to affix inside the shark using a small metal tool that looks a bit like a crochet needle. Each plastic tag carries a number

to identify the shark. The corresponding paper card sent to NOAA Fisheries records species, location date, total length, weight, fork length, sex, offshore or beach, fish condition, tackle used, angler and captain.

“I’m excited to see if any of the greater hammers and tigers we tagged this year are recaptured and if so where they are,” Gleason says.

In tagging the sharks they catch and release, these two local fishermen not only have fun but play a part in helping NOAA learn more about Atlantic sharks and helping several species survive.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

2022 REAL ESTATE RECAP

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TOP 20 BUILDERS BY PERMITS

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BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN

PHOTOGRAPHY

CITY 2 SEA MEDIA

Disc golf player Logan Wells livens up the sport with his custom-disc business, Surf City Discs and Dyes.

BY

“I was completely terrible at it,” he admits. “They handed me a driver, but you had to throw it the right way for it to do what it’s supposed to do. Every time I threw, it went high in the air and immediately to the left into the woods.”

That disastrous first attempt didn’t deter Wells. He decided that he wanted to get better at the sport, so bought three discs and hasn’t stopped playing since. He attended his first disc golf tournament in November, only seven months after playing for the first time.

Disc golf is similar to traditional ball golf but uses discs instead of clubs and balls. Players start from a tee area and throw a disc down the fairway for a basket instead of a hole. There are generally four types of discs: distance drivers, fairway drivers, mid-range discs and approach/putters. Each disc is designed to behave a certain way. The object of the game is to play each hole in the fewest number of throws. The player with the lowest total throws over the entire course wins.

The popularity of disc golf continues to grow, and the pandemic may have played a role. Not only is disc golf played outdoors, but it is also both an individual sport or group sport, making it accessible to people who were looking to social distance.

Wells plays at the Surf City Disc Golf Course, a nine-hole course that offers some beginner holes but mostly

challenging holes that require a specific shot shape. The course is managed and maintained by the Surf City Parks and Recreation Department.

“It’s a great course, and it’s definitely a technical course,” he says.

Since Wells first began playing in

Obviously, when you are first learning to play, it might not seem like it; even seasoned players prepare themselves for hitting trees and missing the basket.

“You’re going to get a little frustrated from time to time, but ultimately, you go out there, you’re in nature, you can just get away for a couple of hours,” Wells says.

Learning how to play disc golf, or improving a technique, is as easy as searching for YouTube videos, Wells explains. “You can search for beginner how-tos, how to throw a specific type of throw, etc. Taking discs to an open field and throwing several shots different ways will allow people to practice throws and see what the disc will do without worrying about keeping the disc in the fairway or hitting trees. There are also Facebook groups dedicated to disc golf; some sites let you post a video of your throws and other players will critique your form.”

2021, he’s also entered several tournaments.

“When I played my first tournament, I was just starting out, but I wanted to go all in,” he says. “I put myself out there. Playing with more experienced players gave me an opportunity to learn new techniques and improve my game.”

For Wells, disc golf is not only a fun sport, but also a stress reliever.

There is also a Disc Golf Pro tour where professional players go to different courses throughout the year. Sometimes pro players will host clinics to help people learn the sport and throw better.

In addition to finding a passion for the sport, Wells also began customizing his discs, teaching himself several disc dyeing techniques. Discs are made of different plastic depending on the manufacturer. Discs can also come in a

n March of 2021, Logan Wells tagged along with some friends to the Surf City Disc Golf Course to play the sport for the first time.

Define your Design

variety of colors. Discs that are best for dyeing are white or clear in premium plastic; however, premium plastic discs that are lightly colored can still dye. Dyeing the discs gives them a lot more character than an off-the-shelf disc and can also help differentiate your discs from other people’s. It also makes them easier to spot in the woods.

Wells’ custom-dyed discs have gained local attention, and now he creates them on commission, or you can find him in between tournaments and membership events selling them to other players. Wells also has an Instagram page @surfcitydiscsamddyes, where people can see his posts and reach out if they are interested in a certain disc.

The process of dyeing discs can vary significantly depending on the desired outcome. For most of his designs, Wells’ process uses a medium that can be a latex paint additive. A disc can also be dyed using shaving cream, acetone, denatured alcohol, lotion, shampoo and conditioner. He uses Pro Chemical and Dye to mix with the medium to get the desired color for dyeing. The discs sit for a while to give the disc time to absorb the dye. Wells uses a heat lamp to speed up the dyeing time, but it also “adds to the crispness of the dyes,” he says.

In addition to dyes, Wells can use a vinyl cutter to create custom logos and dye them on the disc. 

WANT TO BUY DISCS?

To see Logan Wells’ custom-dyed discs, visit his Instagram @surfcitydiscsanddyes or his discdyeing.com account under Surf City Discs and Dyes.

For more information on Surf City Disc Golf Course, visit https://udisc.com/courses/surf-city-disc-golf-course-P7zL. The course is at 102 H2O Place in Surf City.

Rooted in Community

Mayor of Surf City Teresa Batts is eager to serve the town she has lived in her whole life.

BY PAT FONTANA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNIQUE MEDIA & DESIGN

A humble leader who still follows her parents’ advice to listen before speaking and who works hard to protect the environment where she was born and raised has just been appointed mayor of her hometown. And that is only a small part of the story of Teresa Batts.

“Rooted in the community” is a bit of an understatement when describing Batts. A Surf City native, she continues to live there and has established her business, Teresa Batts Real Estate, in the heart of the small town’s island presence.

Batts now leads the town where she grew up. After having served on the city council for the past six years, she was recently appointed to the position of mayor when the incumbent, Doug Medlin, stepped down from his post.

She has been entrenched in the life and work of Surf City her entire life. Batts started her career in real estate 24 years ago, working for a small company that, coincidentally, was owned by then-mayor Zander Guy. She refers to Guy as “a true mentor in my life,” saying that she learned a lot when he “took me under his wing when I first got into real estate.” When he retired, he essentially turned his agency over to her, and Teresa Batts Real Estate was launched in 2010.

Batts says of her successful career in real estate, “If you love what you know, it is easy to sell.” She remembers that Surf City was a quaint little

village in the 1960s, but even then it was all about location. She explains that people came here because of the beaches just as they do today. Her job as a Realtor, though, is to follow her parents’ advice and listen to her clients and their needs and concerns, “before showing them what’s available.”

Batts’ relationship with clients is critical, she says, and is based on her knowledge of the area. She gives the example of someone looking for a retirement home and thinking they want to live on the water. Given a true understanding of what that is like year-round, including during the winter, they might find “they’d be happier sound side,” she says.

That desire to help others by sharing her in-depth knowledge permeates her work in real estate, in local government and as an individual. Batts is a mother, a grandmother and an active member of the community.

Born into the Batson family, long-time residents of the Surf City area, Batts say she “always felt a need to be involved.” She credits her parents, Larry and Linda Batson, with teaching her “to always listen before I speak,

She remembers that Surf City was a quaint little village in the 1960s, but even then it was all about location.

to earn before I spend, to think before I write, to never quit and to live before I die.”

The Batson family goes back at least 100 years in the area, Batts says, to her great grandparents who were also from this area. Grandfather James Franklin Batson was one of the first bridge tenders on the swing bridge that once connected the island to the mainland.

“I learned at a very young age that I lived in a special place,” she says.

Her father shrimped, fished and always had oyster gardens and clam gardens. “Every meal was seafood growing up,” she says. “My entire childhood was local seafood.” That legacy has continued as her oldest son now also fishes, shrimps and holds oyster and clam licenses.

Batts says, “We learned to have extreme respect for our environment. We knew we had to keep our waters clean, our beaches clean.” That respect for where she lives continues with her work in real estate and now as mayor of the town.

She adds that “from the time I was able to walk, I was on a boat.” Even today, “If I am not working, I am on a boat or on the beach.” Her love of nature and her extreme love for the community is integral to her work and her life.

Batts says that as her boys were growing up, they loved nature as much as she does. Those sons include her oldest, Casey, whose wife, Stephanie, works with Batts as a real estate broker. Her younger son, Frank, is a first responder, pursuing a degree in healthcare management. Batts lost Tanner, her middle son, to mental health in 2016. She says that was “a loss for everyone.” She credits the community for stepping up and supporting her during that time.

In fact, family and community are integral to who Batts is throughout all aspects of her very busy life. Family includes Katie Batson and Jordan Lanier, who also work in the real estate office. She tells the women she works with as well as all women who are or who want to be leaders in the community that she is here to help them succeed, to “support them and cheer them on.”

“To be successful you must be confident,” she says. “You must know the facts and you should communicate with kindness. Be tough but fair.”

Her community is basically all of Surf City and the greater Topsail area. Batts is active in supporting organizations such as Kiwanis, the Topsail Island Association of Realtors (TIAR), the Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Commission, the Reel Housewives of Topsail Island, the Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Share the Table, among others.

That community involvement includes her work advocating for residents and visitors as well as for the continued integrity of the land and water that she grew up on and has lived on her entire life. Batts was appointed to a vacancy on the Surf City Town Council in 2016. When that term was up in 2017, she ran for election and won. In 2021 she won her second election. When Mayor Medlin announced that he was stepping down at their December 2022 meeting, Batts had 100 percent support to be appointed to that seat to fill his term, which is up in November 2023.

Batts says she has always served in some form. She was on the town’s Planning Board for six years and served on the Parks and Recreation Committee and other committees for several years. As mayor, as a Realtor and as a person, Batts continues to focus on protecting her environment and “treating others the way I want to be treated.”

Whether it’s getting up at the break of dawn to see the sunrise, enjoying the sunset on the sound side, attending local concerts or spending quality time with family and friends, Batts is invested in her work and in the people who make up her community.

“I love where I live,” she says. “This is where I want to serve.” 

P UR A PROPER

BY ANNESOPHIA RICHARDS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CITY 2 SEA MEDIA

Sommelier Jordan Culler manages all things wine at Beach Shop & Grill while ever-furthering his education.

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often requires the perfect serves at Beach Shop & Grill on Topsail Beach. As the restaurant’s Certified Court of Master Sommelier (CMS), Culler shares his expertise and deep appreciation of wine and its many complexities

with all who gather around his tables.

It wasn’t until Culler served and bartended while attending college at UNCW that he became interested in a career in the food and beverage industry. He remembers initially struggling to work around foods he’d never heard of, since his family back home in High Point cooked simple meals with basic ingredients such as canned vegetables, Hamburger Helper and boxed macaroni and cheese.

“I found myself having to walk to the kitchen to get answers for guests' questions about a dish or ingredient

far too often, so I began studying,” Culler says. “I found a small selection of wine books in the library in downtown Wilmington and that was it, because once I realized the depth of the subject, I was hooked. You have religion and law on one side, chemistry and biology on the other and everything in between.”

During his studies, Culler learned about the Court of Master Sommeliers, an educational organization established in England in 1977 and known for setting the global standard of excellence for beverage service within the

hospitality industry. The court’s four stages of certification exams grow in depth and complexity with each level: Introductory, Certified, Advanced and Master.

Culler discovered that with only 269 Master Sommeliers currently alive in the world, earning this elusive final title is extremely difficult and requires great dedication and motivation. Undeterred, he set out in 2019 to begin the journey, starting with taking and passing the CMS Introductory level 1 exam. In 2022 Culler went on to pass the certified level 2 exam, one of four people in his group of 20 to do so.

In between those exams, Culler prepped for the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) exam proctored by the Society of Wine Educators. This in-depth test covers the world of wine on a more academic level rather than on a service and hospitality one. According to Culler, the major difference between the two is that the CMS requires proficiency in blind tasting and service, whereas the CSW is a written exam.

“I don't necessarily think certifications and awards are what makes a sommelier who they are professionally, as there are plenty of brilliant people in the wine industry who’ve never taken an exam and that's totally fine. But this is the path I'm choosing,” Culler says. “I’ve seen the level of trust that guests have in my recommendations grow since I began wearing my lapel pin representing the CMS, so to me it’s worth it.”

According to Culler, a good sommelier fills every role in a restaurant and doing so requires a great deal of knowledge of the entire world of food, beverage and hospitality. His role at Beach Shop & Grill is making guests happy while also educating staff about a constantly fluxing industry. With a wine list just shy of 600 selections, Culler wants every server to feel confident sharing suggestions of some of their favorite wines with guests and explaining why those choices pair best with certain menu offerings. Wine can be an overwhelming subject for both diners and staff, making the role of sommelier incredibly valuable.

“It's like an iceberg, where you see about 20 percent of what we do, such as decanting old reds, silently pulling corks out of Champagne and making guests comfortable and confident in their dining choices,” Culler says. “The

I found a small selection of wine books in the library in downtown Wilmington and that was it, because once I realized the depth of the subject, I was hooked.

C. Nathan King & Associates Appraisals

other 80 percent is done behind the scenes — building spreadsheets, managing inventory, writing menus, communicating with distributors, hauling cases of wine and, most of all, reading, studying and trying to stay on top of current industry trends.”

For Cheryl Price, owner of Beach Shop & Grill, having a sommelier at the restaurant adds a level of

elegance to the dining experience. She believes sommeliers can help relieve guests’ anxiety when encountering a large wine list such as the one at Beach Shop & Grill.

“Sommeliers are dedicated and passionate professionals, and without explicitly saying it, they're effectively letting guests know that we’re serious about what we do and the choices we

make,” Price says. “It's all about creating a dining experience above just having another meal.”

Price explains that guests who dine at Beach Shop & Grill should expect professional yet casual service, as sommeliers aren't the “stuffy, uptight snobs often portrayed in films.” She feels confident Culler will guide diners to the right bottle of wine for their meal, all while speaking to each guest as if they’re a valued friend.

“Jordan listens to you and learns your preferences,” Price says. “When tasting new wines for a potential placement on the list, he’ll often think of a particular regular and say, ‘This would be right up their alley!’”

Culler loves what he does and considers himself lucky to be working at Beach Shop & Grill, and he credits Price for much of the extensive wine collection available at the restaurant. He was recently chosen for one of the few available seats for this year’s Advanced Sommelier Course in Dallas, a recognition he considers to be a great honor.

His fiancée, Natalie, also recently passed the CMS intro exam, and Culler is excited to now have the opportunity to share his passion with her. He acknowledges that being a sommelier is a lifelong pursuit, and he looks forward to using his hard-earned skills to the fullest every day.

“I wake up each morning with a new challenge and a new puzzle to solve,” Culler says. “It's a lot of work, but at the end of the day it's all about hospitality and making sure your guests leave happier than when they came in, and hopefully with plans to return. Will I ever become a Master Sommelier? I don't know, but I'm going to go down this brutally difficult path as far as my brain and palate can take me.”

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The Road to Self Confidence

Sneads Ferry Athletic Club brings boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes and more to the Greater Topsail area.

BY PAT FONTANA

AA journey that led Peggy “PJ” Ross from a rough Chicago neighborhood to Okinawa to California has now brought her and her self-defense training skills to Holly Ridge. A professional MMA fighter with a number of championships under her belt, PJ sees her classes as being just as much about building self-confidence as about teaching people self-defense techniques.

PJ and her husband, Albert, opened Sneads Ferry Athletic Club in Holly Ridge so they can teach others and share the road to building self-esteem. PJ and Albert, who is also a coach at the club, had been leading classes in their home in Sneads Ferry.

The popularity of those sessions led them to look for a better, bigger space. They found the perfect place adjacent to Smoky Tony’s BBQ on Highway 17. The opportunity came at the right time as PJ explains that she had “looked tirelessly for a space like this.” Even though the new location is in Holly Ridge, the name Sneads Ferry Athletic Club reflects their home base and the future home of the business. For now, the 3,200-square-foot space “is amazing,” PJ says.

Classes in the new facility include sessions for youth and adults in boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Ross is an Alliance brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Johnny Faria, a certified USA Boxing Coach and a Muay Thai Instructor. Albert, an active-duty Marine, is also an Alliance brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Johnny Faria and has a degree in sports psychology.

PJ got her start in what she describes as a pretty rough area in Chicago. She grew up understanding that she needed to pay attention to her surroundings and be aware everywhere she went. Then, as a military spouse, she met many women who had some terrible experiences with compromised safety issues, either for themselves or their children, and who also wanted to get in shape physically.

When she and her husband moved to Okinawa, she “found boxing bags and just started training.” PJ adds

that “Japan is the kind of mecca for martial arts.” As she was training, the boxing coach introduced himself and told her that he thought she was pretty good and that she needed to train with him. There was truly no stopping her after that. She won the first women’s MMA bout in Okinawa.

“That was a huge event, especially because I was an American

woman,” she says.

MMA is mixed martial arts, which combines boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and other disciplines as a combat sport. Undefeated while in Japan, PJ tells the story of fighting her last bout in 2014 before leaving the island and then boarding a plane the next day to go home. “Going through customs was quite an

ordeal with my bruises and black eye!” she says.

The couple then transferred to California, where PJ continued competing and then began teaching and coaching. She found that she loves to “empower people, especially women.”

“We are not fragile. We are strong creatures. We are warriors,” she says. However, she emphasizes that she

doesn’t teach students to run into a fight but rather learn how to make smart decisions. She says, that’s the most empowering part of her job.

PJ believes that everyone, including men, needs self-defense skills. However, there’s a confidence boost that comes from the type of training she offers.

“Knowing you have the basic skills to protect yourself and your children is life

Below, The Ross family: Celia, Albert, AJ and Peggy aka “PJ”. Bottom photo: Savana Bowman, Daniel Bowman and Celia Ross on the podium.

changing,” she says.

When they transferred to North Carolina about a year and a half ago, Ross decided to transition fully to coaching and teaching. She explains that she had decided competition and traveling was something she couldn’t do with two kids.

While “technically still in contract” as an MMA fighter, she hasn’t

accepted any bouts as she is now focused on the gym and the students. Ross says she is leaving that door open and “as we get more settled, definitely plan to get back to competitions and fights.”

The Rosses had been teaching classes at their house several nights a weekuntil the number of students outgrew their availability. That’s when they decided they needed to expand and open the gym.

“We are excited to be here and excited to get to work with some of the schools, training football players and other athletes in their off season,” Ross says.

WANT TO WORK OUT?

Sneads Ferry Athletic Club

511 U.S. Highway 17, Holly Ridge

(910) 581-1442

sneadsferryathleticclub.com

She emphasizes that people of all ages can participate in the coaching and training sessions and can compete. Most people participate in sports in high school and college and that “is as far as most of us go,” she says. Adults have children that play sports, but they no longer are active themselves. However, Ross says, anyone can compete, all the way

through their 60s and 70s. Her students currently range from the ages of 4 to 67.

Wanting to ensure that everyone feels welcome, Ross also stresses that the boxing classes are no-contact sessions. They “hit a pad, not a person,” as she says. “It’s always going to be safe here.”

Ross says that she has already seen so much change and growth in all the people they’ve met here.” She knows that self-defense training improves self-confidence in addition to providing mental and physical health benefits.

“It will change your life,” she says enthusiastically. 

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

QUARTERLY MEMBERS RECOGNITION

Sea Vista Motel

Breezeway Motel & Restaurant

Hampton Inn Sneads Ferry No.Topsail Beach

Tiffany’s Motel

A Beach Place Realty

Island Real Estate

RentABeach

Sea Shore Realty Group, Inc.

Topsail Realty Vacations, LLC

United Country Coastline Realty

Ward Realty Corp.

DMJ & Co., PLLC

William M. Rogers, PA

ArtExposure

Barrington Law

Blackburn & Ording PLLC

Rizzo & Blackburn, PLLC

Topsail Tiki Tours LLC

Coastal Car Care

Elite Motor Sales & Golf Cart Rentals

Quik Tech Oil & Tire

Sneads Ferry Tire & Auto LLC

Bank of America

Coastal Bank & Trust

Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc.

First Citizens Bank-Hampstead

First Citizens Bank-Sneads Ferry

Blackbeard’s Treasure Campground

Lanier’s Campground

My STEM Child Care

Marine Corps Community Services

StepUp Wilmington

CAMS (Community Assn. Mgmt Services)

St. Regis Homeowners Association

Computer Warriors IT Support Inc.

A’N’A Builders, Inc.

Atlantic Restoration of NC LLC

Bayan Construction

Carolina Coast Contracting

Dora J Development, LLC

Kuiper Custom Homes

Longshore Custom Homes

MAEBILT Construction LLC

Olde Anchor Building Company, Inc.

ServiceMaster Restoration of Wilmington

ServPro of Pender/West Onslow County

All Dry USA

Thread FX

Curtis Media Group

Amazing Grazing LLC

Sunrise Bagel Co.

Middle of the Island Catering Co.

Beach Bums Pizza Bar & Grill

Buddy’s Crabhouse & Oyster Bar

Daddy Mac’s Beach Grille

Deli Works {c}

FancyFree LLC DBA Diver

High Waters Sports Bar & Grill

JM’s on the Water

Low Tide Steakhouse & Sandbar

Max’s Pizza

McDonald’s of Hampstead

McDonald’s of Surf City

Michaelangelo’s

Mike’s Farm

Rick’s Restaurant

Riverview Cafe

Santino’s Pizza

Sawmill Grill

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

Smoky Tony’s BBQ

Southern Roots Grille

Splash by the Sea

Surf City BBQ

CORPORATE GOLD INVESTORS

13775 NC HIGHWAY 50, STE 101 SURF CITY, NC 28445

EACH TOPSAIL MAGAZINE FEATURES APPROXIMATELY 75 CHAMBER MEMBERS ON ROTATION.

SEE THE CHAMBER WEBSITE OR CONTACT US DIRECTLY FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MEMBERS OR TO BECOME A MEMBER.

Restaurant Round-up/Share the Table

November 16 at Topsail Island Moose Lodge

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARIA AMATO

The Topsail Island Moose Lodge hosted one of the most mouth-watering events of the year on November 16. Great food, friends and live music came together to raise money for Share the Table to help those who struggle with food insecurity in our community. The Restaurant Roundup featured tastings from Beach Shop & Grill, Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, Daddy Mac’s, The Crab Pot, Low Tide Steak House & SandBar, Topsail Steamer, Sundial Coffee & Tea and Sears Landing. The Awkward Silents serenaded the crowd, and a cash bar, dessert auction and 50/50 raffle helped raise additional funds for Share the Table.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar received the most votes for “Best Tasting”

Daddy Mac’s Beach Grille

Low Tide Steak House & SandBar

Topsail Steamer

Sears Landing Beach Shop & Grill

Rebecca, Jazmine & Kay Roth

Dr. James & Tina Manning

Pender County Business Expo & Trade Show

10AM-4PM

Pender County Business Expo & Trade Show will provide an opportunity to promote the many services, businesses, events, and more that are all here in Pender County.

You are invited to attend this one-day event that will allow networking along with a vendor trade show for area businesses, non-profits, events, event planners, and attractions to market their products and services to the community promoting all that Pender County has to offer.

Jo Cohen & Sandy Sly

Dawn Ellis, Milo Bannerman & Michele Bennett

Simeone Frost, Milo Bannerman & Nancy Cooper Doug McFarland

John Patrizi, Maryann Ball & Barb Hoff

Julia Pollock Laney & McKenna Corbett

Go Red Gala

February 4 at Ocean's Edge Restaurant & Event Center

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BAILEY'S PHOTOGRAPHY

Lewis Realty Associates, Inc. presented their Go Red Gala on February 4 at Ocean’s Edge Restaurant & Event Center in North Topsail Beach. The event was a huge success and raised more than $6,000 to buy lifesaving equipment for Pender County EMS. Guests enjoyed dinner, drinks and dancing to music by

Sheena Stanley, Beth Dudley & Jordan Stanley Greg Scott & Christie Jenkins

Daryl & Annette Erny and Mark & Jenean LaCorte

Derek & Katelyn Dye

George & Joan Green

Chris & Misty Rackley

Chrissy Sinclair, Marissa Silance, Becky Sinclair & Mary Beth Childress

Sean & Adrienne Winders

Jennifer Fletcher & Jeff Davis

Richard & Barbara Geiger Jules Taylor & Alana Maffessanti

Troy & Donna Amos

The Dryes and J. V. Flannagan.

Jen Andrejack, Michele Kosinski, Jeri Souto, Alicia Hawley, Elise Souto, Margaret Byram & Elisabeth Arnold

Renee Rhodes, Angie Morris & Sharon Rackley

2023 Dolphin Dip

January 1 at the Roland Avenue Beach Access benefitting Share the Table

Jim Ellis, Dawn Ellis & Michele Bennett

Michele Bennett checking in the “Minions”

Harrison Payne

Brian Moxey & “The Grinch”

Olivia & Mark Tumblin

Avery & Jason Flockhart

Suzanne Mccauley, Anthony & Kaeri-Anne Spaduzzi

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

Ward Realty’s 75th Anniversary Celebration

February 10 at Ward Realty in Surf City

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

Therese Moorefield & Erich Fritz

Dawn Fuentes, John Toler & Alicia Frey

Matt & Camrin Smallwood

Luann Hooper, Heather Spurling & Annette Erny Cookie Tilghman & Melinda Ritch

Kay Phelps, Dr. Steve Hill, Annette Erny & Liz Trojan

Brandon Ward & David Ward Elizabeth & Chris Welch

Liz & Lilly Trojan

The Rotary Satellite Club of Sneads Ferry’s Shrimp Dip

More than 100 people came out for The Rotary Satellite Club of Sneads Ferry’s Shrimp Dip ocean plunge on New Year’s Day. Attendees met at Access #30 in North Topsail Beach and ran into the freezing Atlantic Ocean at the stroke of noon. An after party was held across the street at Beach Bum’s Pizza Bar & Grill. Proceeds from this event were donated to the Autism Society of North Carolina Onslow County Chapter.

Apr il May Jun e

FEBRUARY 8TH, SERENITY POINT

Photo captured by Meredith Barefoot

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