Topsail Magazine - Summer 2020

SUMMER 2020

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COMPLIMENTARY

It's All for the

Turtles

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

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SEWING KINDNESS

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TOPSAIL ISLAND LONGBOARD ASSOCIATION

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ASHTON FARM

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.

TOPSAIL ISLAND’S

seaside shopping

destination

 201 N New River Dr. Surf City, NC  910-328-1905  info@topsailtrading.com  TopsailTrading.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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SUMMER 2020

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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3

38

52 PHOTO BY MARK STEELMAN

PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

22 IT’S ALL FOR THE TURTLES

31 PEOPLE

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Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City gives turtles a fighting chance in the wild.

By Dalene Bickel

Nate Simmons, owner of TakeOut Pros, has been perfecting restaurant delivery services in North Carolina for 10 years.

34 BEHIND THE BUSINESS

27 SEWING KINDNESS

The Daily Grind’s new location is bigger and better for serving its loyal island patrons.

Local student Jon Siemon and his mother make homemade masks to help others.

By Kathy Blake

38 ACROSS THE COUNTY

For more than 40 years, Miss Sally Martin has offered good, old-fashioned farm-life and nature experiences at Ashton Farm Summer Day Camp.

52 STORMS, SAND & STRONG FAMILY TIES

Surf City Mayor Doug Medlin helps maintain his hometown’s familyoriented character while guiding it into the future.

By Dennis Hetzel

43 AROUND TOWN

Surf City Shuttle offers hassle-free transportation services for nightlife, events tours and more, no matter what time of year.

22

Topsail Magazine

10 CONTRIBUTORS 12 NEED TO KNOW 14 TAGGED 17 SPIRITS

Sandi’s Strawberry Daiquiri

By Sandi Grigg

18 WHAT’S COOKIN’

Easy Apple Dumplins

By Sandi Grigg

61 SNIPPETS

Happenings on the local scene

62 BUSINESS PROFILES

Mia’s Marketplace, Grey Outdoor, LLC,

By Brian Wilner and Sandi Grigg

47 NONPROFIT PHOTO BY ADAM HAWLEY - UNIQUE MEDIA DESIGN

4

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Topsail Island Longboard Association members surf, sweep and support the community while honoring the local waveriding heritage.

57 TOURISM

Travelers to Surf City can enjoy VSA produce bags directly from local farmers and sample what our area has to offer.

64 TIDE CHART 65 ADVERTISERS INDEX 66 CAPTURE THE MOMENT

Your New Orthopedic Surgery Center Opens This Summer

Dedicated to Advanced Orthopedics & Patient-Centered Care

Located in the new EmergeOrtho building, Brunswick Surgery Center is the region’s first outpatient surgery center dedicated to orthopedics and spine. With 25 board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons, this technologically advanced facility gives area residents another convenient option for specialized surgical care. Patient health is our top priority, and we take all precautions to ensure a safe environment. For more information, call or visit our website.

910.660.4600

The Villages at Brunswick Forest 1168 E. Cutlar Crossing, Suite 101, Leland, NC

BrunswickSurgeryCenter.com BROUGHT TO YOU BY PHYSICIANS OF EMERGEORTHO Š 2020 Brunswick Surgery Center

About

Summer 2020 Issue — Volume 1, Issue 3 CEO/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg

Publishing Quarterly

COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison

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

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS: Paula Knorr Teresa Kramer Elizabeth Dale Niemann

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: George Jacob Brian Wilner

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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Megan Deitz Laura Glantz Adam Hawley Vicky Oliver Mark Steelman James Stefiuk Unique Media & Design

tary

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Dalene Bickel Kathy Blake Kate M. Carey Pat Fontana Sandi Grigg Dennis Hetzel Edward Mills Annesophia Richards Melissa Slaven Warren Brian Wilner

FOUNDER: B.J. Cothran

H& NO DE E H RT IN ING H TOPSAIL TH BE AC SIC A K H MU E M TH

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

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

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

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

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

Topsail Magazine

E Q

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

TopsailMag.com

|

COMPLIMENTARY

Summer 2020

A publication of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.

SUMMER 2020

It's All for the

Volume 1, Issue 3

Turtles

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

6

Topsail Magazine

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SEWING KINDNESS

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TOPSAIL ISLAND LONGBOARD ASSOCIATION

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ASHTON FARM

About the cover: The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is not only a favorite tourist attraction in Surf City but also, more importantly, a renowned facility for the protection of these amazing creatures. Read more about the center in Dalene Bickel’s story starting on page 22.

Photographer Adam Hawley captured our cover shot and those for the story.

Summer 2020

7

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Finding Hope in Crazy Times

The past several months have been the most challenging times of our lives, and on that I’m sure we can all agree.

In the face of uncertainty, anxieties, fears and tensions have been running high. The news is full of scary images and stories, and we all know people who are struggling, some in more degrees than others.

I would be lying if I said it hasn’t been difficult running a business here in southeastern North Carolina since March.

Every day I hear stories from friends, neighbors and business owners who are facing major challenges. But in the towns and cities we serve I also hear stories of hope. I hear about people helping each other and accepting help. I see the resourcefulness of business owners and the generosity of the helpers. I see people standing up for change. I see people doing their best and our communities standing strong.

Here at Carolina Marketing Company, our intention has always been to serve the people, businesses and communities where we work, from Topsail Island to Shallotte. Our goals are to help small businesses thrive, to offer our readers compelling stories about the places they live and visit and to shine a light on 8

Topsail Magazine

the people who are making a difference. We’re not stopping.

We’re going to keep on working to strengthen this community and its economy and stand behind its people, working with the notion that every human being is equal and worthy and deserving of the same respect and equal rights.

In this edition of Topsail Magazine, we have some great stories for you, ones that will remind you of the good in our community and offer some Publisher Justin glimmers of hope. Our cover story Williams and his on the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle daughter, Ava. Rescue and Rehabilitation Center tells the story of an organization that has been contributing to the betterment of sea turtles for decades, and our story on local mask-maker Jon Siemon shines the light on the new generation of helpers. We feature Miss Sally Martin, who’s been uplifting children’s lives for more than 40 years, and introduce you to the Topsail Island Longboard Association, which keeps Topsail clean. You’ll read about local businesses and families and even get a few comfort-food recipes from our food editor.

I truly hope that you enjoy reading this magazine and I urge you to support the local businesses that are advertising with us.

They are working hard to adapt to all the changes, and they need your support.

A happy — and safe (wear that mask!) — summer to all of you!

Sincerely,

Justin Williams Owner/Publisher

Publisher@TopsailMag.com

THINKING ABOUT SELLING? Buyers are back in the market, but there is one problem: The inventory of homes for sale is extremely low. If you have an interest in selling in 2020, now might be an ideal time to put your home on the market.

What can you expect from listing your home with an Intracoastal Realty agent?

• • • • •

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Contact us today with questions. We are here to help.

910-328-3000 | INTRACOASTALREALT Y.COM

Summer 2020

9

CONTRIBUTORS

Laura Glantz CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

My background includes time spent in the U.S. Air Force working on B-1 Bombers, followed with 10 years in the design and sign industries. I have won multiple American Advertising Federation Addy Awards in design, and my design experience includes logos, brochures, business cards, T-shirts, wedding invitations, event collateral, magazine layouts, posters, vehicle wraps and signage. Custom illustration is a favorite of mine in creating a unique client brand. As an avid photographer, I feel I can capture so many defining moments that get lost in our everyday hustle.

Photography is definitely one of my most favorite aspects of art. Stopping time for a moment with a “click” is truly exciting and it allows for the magic of our world to be captured forever.

Annesophia Richards CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After spending a decade as an English teacher in Florida, I moved to Wilmington three years ago to be closer to family. I now spend my time freelance writing and raising my two small, very energetic children. I love exploring all that makes North Carolina such a beautiful state, and I also enjoy travelling as much as my family and time allow. My writing appears in various parenting and local area publications. In my free time I tend to read, go for a run, and I also love to compete in creative writing contests. I have received awards for several pieces of f lash fiction. My ability to tell a good tale is a talent that I use nightly when tucking my kids in with a bedtime story.

Mark Steelman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

I am a full-time, professional photographer and work hard to ensure anyone or anything looks its absolute best. A while back I was at the Convention Center and took a photo of a group of women. One woman was particularly stressed about having her photo made and pleaded, “You be sure to Photoshop me.” I replied, “Lady, I don’t mess with perfection!” Her face beamed and she gave me a kiss right there in the middle of the grand ballroom. I love my job! See for yourself at: marksteelmanphoto. com or marksteelmanimages.com

10

Topsail Magazine

Meet your local expert REALTOR Meet Meetyour yourlocal local expert expert REALTOR REALTOR

Tanner Gray TTaannn neerr G Gr a y COLDWELL BANKER SEA COAST ADVANTAGE Meet your local expert REALTOR

Tanner Gray

CCOOLLDDWWEELLLL BBAANNKKEERR SSEEAA CCOOAASSTT AA DD V A N T A G E Q. What is your favorite thing about your career?

C O L D W E L L B AQ.N KWhat EWhat R isisSyour E A favorite Cmost O A isShelping Tthing A Dabout V A Nyour TAG E I your enjoyfavorite people make some of Q.A. about your career?

What thing

A. What What enjoy mostisisthing helping people the biggest financial decions of their lives.

I Ienjoy most helping people make some of Q. A. What is your favorite about your career?

Q. If choose do anything for a day, what thecould biggest financial decions of their their A.you What I enjoy most to is helping people make some of the biggest financial decions of lives. it be? choose Q.would you could choose todecions do anything anything for thecould biggest financial of theirfor lives.

Q. IfIfyou to do a day, what A. Loadcould the boat and head straight offshore. would be?

Q. would If you choose to do anything for a day, what ititup be? would itup be?

A.you Load up the boat and head straight offshore.

Q. A. If could go back inhead time, whatoffshore. year would you Load the boat and straight A. Loadcould up thego boat andin head straight offshore.

Q. travel Ifyou you could go back in time, what year would you to?

Q. If back time, what Q. travel If you could go back time, enjoy what Fran. year would you travel to? not 1995,inI didn't A. Definitely to? travel to?

1995, didn't enjoy Fran.

A. Definitely Definitely not1995, Q. A. What motivates you to workenjoy hard? not II didn't Fran.

I to didn't enjoy Fran.

A. Definitely not 1995, Q. A. What motivates you work hard?

I'm motivates competitive by nature, which makes me driven to Q. What you to work hard?

Q. What motivates you to work hard?

A.excel I'mcompetitive competitive by nature, which makes me me driven driven to in whatever I'm involved in. makes A. I'm by nature, which to A. I'm competitive by nature, which makes me driven to excel in whatever I'm involved in.

Q. Doexcel you collect anything? in whatever I'm involved in. excel in whatever I'm involved in.

Q. Do you collect anything? it or not, I still look for sharks teeth.

Q. A. Do Believe you collect anything?

Q. Do you collect anything?

A. Believeititor ornot, not,IIstill still look look for for sharks sharks teeth. teeth.

A. A. Believe Believe it or not, I still look for sharks teeth.

From One Local Expert to Another From One Local Expert to to Another Another From One Local Expert Another From One Local Expert to I was referred to Tanner due to his extensive knowledge of the Topsail Island area. As a Broker

I was referred to Tanner to his knowledge of the Topsail Island a Broker myself in the Raleigh areadue I know theextensive importance of working with a Broker thatarea. is anAs expert in I was referred to Tanner due toto hishis extensive Islandarea. area. As AsaaBroker Broker I was referred to Tanner due extensiveknowledge knowledgeof of the the Topsail Topsail Island myself in the Raleigh area importance working with a Broker that is an expert in theirI know area &the Tanner hands of down is just that.

myself in the Raleigh area I know the Broker that thatisisan anexpert expertinin myself in the Raleigh area I know theimportance importanceof ofworking working with with a a Broker their area & Tanner hands down is just that.

their area & &Tanner their area Tannerhands handsdown down is is just just that.

He was very knowledgeable, detail oriented on all the differences in buying property on the coast.

He provided was very knowledgeable, oriented ondifferences all the differences in buying on the coast. & property non-conforming lots He excellent insightdetail & advice on the in conforming He was knowledgeable, detail oriented onall allthe thedifferences differences He was veryvery knowledgeable, detail oriented on in buying buying property propertyon onthe thecoast. coast. & non-conforming lots Healong provided excellent insight & advice on the differences in conforming with the pros & con' of each.

He also shared extensive knowledge on property He provided excellent insight adviceon onthe thedifferences differences in in conforming conforming & & non-conforming non-conforminglots lots He provided excellent insight && advice with the pros & con' of each.

He also shared extensive knowledge on property along management, the best pros companies, what to He look forshared etc. I also foundknowledge it helpful thatproperty he shared his with & con' each. also extensive along with thethe pros & con' ofof each.

He also shared extensive knowledgeon on property along management, the best companies, what to look for etc. alsowear found helpful that he shared his knowledge so I would know what to reasonably expect onI Ialso the &itit tear on that mechanicals at the management, the best companies, what to look for etc. found helpful he management, the best companies, what to look for etc. I also found it helpful that heshared sharedhis his knowledge so I would know what to reasonably expect on the wear & tear on mechanicals at the coast sowhat I cantobe preparedexpect for replacement

knowledge I would know reasonably onthe the wear wearcosts. & knowledge so Iso would know what to reasonably expect on & tear tear on onmechanicals mechanicalsatatthe the coast so I can be prepared for replacement costs.

coast so I can be prepared for replacement costs.

coast so I can be prepared for replacement costs.

of Tanner's listings. It's so important I also saw first hand & respect the ethics, preparedness

ofTanner's Tanner's listings.

It's important I also saw hand the ethics, preparedness of listings.

It's sosoimportant I also sawafirst first hand &respect respect the that ethics, when listing home to&use a Broker is preparedness very detailed and that loads all the key documents ofand Tanner's listings.

It'skey so documents important I also saw firstahand & to respect the ethics, preparedness when listing home use a Broker that is very detailed that loads all the when listing home to use a agents Broker are thatnot is very detailed and that loads all the key Idocuments into the listing soabuyers & their having to chase things down later. recommend when listing a home to use a Broker thatare is very detailed and that loads all the key Idocuments into the listing so buyers & their agents not having to chase things down later. into the listing so buyers & their agents are not having to chase things down later.

I recommend Tanner and when I buy future coastal property I will reach out to him again for sure. recommend You will be intoTanner the listing so buyers &future their agents are not having to chase things down later.

I recommend property I will will reach reach outto tohim himagain againfor forsure. sure.

You will Tannerand andwhen whenI Ibuy buy future coastal coastal out You will bebe impressed with property him and Iwon't be disappointed.

Tanner and when I buy future coastal propertyand I will reach out to him again for sure. You will be impressed won't bedisappointed. disappointed. impressed with him and won't be

impressed with him and won't be disappointed.

Heather D, Holly Springs, NC

Heather D, Holly Holly Springs,NC NC Springs,

Heather D, Holly Springs, NC

(910) 547-9618 (910) (910)547-9618 547-9618

(910) 547-9618 TopsailTanner.com TopsailTanner.com TopsailTanner.com

326 New River Dr., Surf City, 28445 TopsailTanner.com 326 Dr., City, NCNC 28445 326NNNNew NewRiver River Dr.,Surf Surf City, NC 28445 326 N New River Dr., Surf City, NC 28445

NEED TO KNOW

New to the area?

Find more information and numbers at TopsailMag.com

Where are the nearest emergency rooms?

NHRMC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT NORTH

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

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

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

Where are the nearest drug stores?

REALO DISCOUNT DRUGS

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

HARRIS TEETER PHARMACY

LOWES FOODS OF HAMPSTEAD

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

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

JOHNSON DRUG HAMPSTEAD

FOOD LION IN HAMPSTEAD

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

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

CVS/PHARMACY AT HAMPSTEAD

PUBLIX AT ARBORETUM IN SURF CITY

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

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

VILLAGE PHARMACY OF HAMPSTEAD

WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET

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

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

CVS/PHARMACY

SURF CITY IGA

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

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

SNEADS FERRY FAMILY PHARMACY

FOOD LION IN SNEADS FERRY

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

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

Where are the nearest grocery stores?

Where are the post offices?

FOOD LION IN SURF CITY

213 Holly Street Holly Ridge, NC 28445

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

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

WALMART PHARMACY

HARRIS TEETER

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

12

Topsail Magazine

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

HOLLY RIDGE

SURF CITY

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

121 Dan Owen Drive Hampstead, NC 28443

NEED TO KNOW

SNEADS FERRY

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

714 S. Anderson Boulevard Topsail Beach, NC 28445

Where are the town halls located?

SURF CITY TOWN HALL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do I get cable, phone or internet access?

SPECTRUM

(844) 674-0398 AT&T

(888) 436-8638 CENTURYLINK

(910) 260-5830 See something missing?

Shoot us an email: New@TopsailMag.com

Summer 2020

13

TAGGED

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Tag, you’re it!

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

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@ivyandoakfarm  Holly Ridge, North Carolina

@floatspasf_sneadsferry  Sneads Ferry, NC

@surfcityparksandrec  Surf City, North Carolina

@kyle_b_travis  Surf City, North Carolina

@seablueco  Surf City, North Carolina

@papa.vance  Surf City, North Carolina

@jaygarciastudios  Topsail Beach, NC

@oliviaplanks  Brass Pelican

@holman_homedesign_re  Xanadu Grill

Topsail Magazine

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independent living | assisted living services | memory care @carolinahawkeye  North Topsail Beach, North Carolina

Summer 2020

15

Jeff James 16

Topsail Magazine

SPIRITS

When Life Hands You Strawberries, Make Daiquiris Daiquiris made with fresh strawberries are one of the true joys of summer.

BY SANDI GRIGG

T

‘Tis the season for fresh strawberries! While keeping a safe 6-feet distance from others, my family and I recently went to Lewis Farms to get fresh strawberries.

We purchased an entire flat of berries that were plump, juicy and a perfect scarlet red. As always, when I got home, I looked at all those berries and thought, “What in the world am I going to do with all of these?” Then I heard a voice in my head say, “When life hands you strawberries, make daiquiris.”

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants, which benefit heart health and the control of blood sugar. They are also an excellent source of vitamin C, which is great for your immune system and skin. They offer potassium and manganese, which is important for many processes in the body. The strawberry is by far my favorite fruit, and I am fortunate that farmers in the Southeast produce some of the best berries around.

There are many different variations to making a strawberry daiquiri. Some recipes say to use frozen strawberries, but I think that frozen strawberries loose color, flavor and texture. When fresh strawberries are available, I opt to create this recipe with fresh strawberries and just add extra ice.

I enjoy the citric undertones of a strawberry daiquiri. Instead of using a lemon- or lime-flavored syrup, I use the juice of an entire lemon and lime with just a few teaspoons of sugar. Lots of bars will rim the glass with sugar, but I think that with the fresh strawberries and a bit of sugar, it is sweet enough. If you prefer honey over sugar, feel free to substitute it for a healthier daiquiri.

Visit your local farmers market to take advantage of the season’s fresh strawberries. Supporting your local farmers and businesses will make this strawberry daiquiri that much more enjoyable.

SANDI’S STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI

Makes 4 drinks. You will need a blender and extra strawberries for garnish.

INGREDIENTS ¾ cup white rum juice of 1 lemon juice of 1 lime ½ cup lemon-lime soda 6 large fresh strawberries 6 cups of ice 3 teaspoons sugar

METHOD Dump all the ingredients in a blender and run until smooth.

Pour into individual glasses and garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Summer 2020

17

WHAT’S COOKIN’

It’s a Southern Thing The secret to the perfect apple dumplings might surprise you, but trust me, you need to try it.

BY SANDI GRIGG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK

18

Topsail Magazine

G Get rid of your old apple dumpling recipe because this one is a life changer. I am not much of a sweets eater, but when it comes to these apple dumplings, I just can’t resist.

These savory bundles of warm, gooey goodness go perfect with a heaping scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. They are perfect for an afternoon by the pool or as a late-night treat in the kitchen.

Keep it simple is my motto, so for this recipe I use Grands crescent dough as the dumpling. It is quick and easy to just pop open and unroll the dough and, quite frankly, tastier than any dough I can make.

There is really no wrong technique to rolling the apple slices as long as they are wrapped up in the dough. I usually just roll them up and line them side by side in the dish. However, I gave this recipe to a co-worker about 10 years ago, and she made her dumplings look so pretty. She had wrapped the apples with the dough as if they were perfect little packages. They looked really nice and probably took her much longer to create, but it tasted the exact same. Feel free to get creative with your little bundles.

The unique ingredient in this dish is the can of lemon-lime soda. Maybe it is a Southern thing to cook with soda, but I have lots of recipes that cut out tons of ingredients with just a can of soda. They key is to pour the soda around the dumplings, but not directly on top of them.

The dough needs the sugar sauce to crisp up the tops of the dumplings, while the soda makes the bottoms sticky and gooey.

I am fond of this recipe because it tastes like it takes a lot of time and energy, but it only takes a handful of ingredients and is super easy to prepare. I served this dessert for my family one day by the pool, and they loved it. Later that night I found my spouse in the kitchen finishing it. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as mine did.

WHAT’S COOKIN’

Easy Apple Dumplins INGREDIENTS 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and quartered 1 can Grands crescent dough ¼ cup flour 1½ cup sugar 1 stick butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 6 ounces lemon-lime soda Vanilla ice cream

METHOD Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly flour your workspace. Open and unroll the Grands crescent dough and lay on the floured workspace. Cut the dough into 8 equal squares.

Take one piece of apple and roll it up in one square of the dough. Repeat until all 8 pieces of apple are rolled up in dough.

Place the wrapped dumplings in a 9 x 9” baking dish. Mix all the sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl and spread it over the dumplings.

Pour the soda in the dish around the dumplings but not directly on top of the dumplings and bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, until the tops of the dumplings are lightly browned and crisp.

Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D TOPSAILMAG.COM

FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME!

by Pat Fontana

At least that’s the plan for these Topsail-area organizations right now. Read on for information about kids’ summer camps starting in June.

Summer camps are in the works at many organizations throughout the Sneads Ferry, Topsail Island, Holly Ridge and Hampstead area.

These groups are optimistic that kids will be able to get outside and enjoy nature, participate in gym and dance classes and learn more about local waterways and wildlife in the upcoming summer months. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

CROOKED LINES

By Brian Wilner

Scott Franko of North Topsail Beach reflects on his journey from Indiana to Topsail Island.

Sitting out on his deck overlooking North Topsail Beach one recent morning, Scott Franko and I drank delicious fresh coffee with spiked creamer. It couldn’t have been more perfect weather for the few that strolled the beach looking for the plentiful sharks’ teeth. There’s no better setting to reflect on your past and the path that brought you to this very moment in time. If you are a fan of reminiscing, you know that it is often the stories within the stories that really define you. How many times have you been with an old friend who brings up an old story that you have completely forgotten about? And the ensuing laughter takes you right back to that moment whether it was hilarious, embarrassing or both!

EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE

by Brian Wilner

Pierpan Dentistry was still providing emergency care despite the stay at home orders.

Scott told me he remembers coming to Topsail for the first time, tasting Anchor Steam and realizing craft beer is awesome. “That night I stayed up late and bought an Esteban Stephen Paul guitar from QVC on late night television even though I had no idea how to play one, probably after having drank too many Anchor Steams!” | CONTINUE READING ONLINE 20

Topsail Magazine

|

With so many drastic changes in our everyday lives now that we are sheltering at home, it’s comforting to know we still have at least limited access to most all of our vital services. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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|

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D TOPSAILMAG.COM

LIFTING SENIORS’ SPIRITS

by Justin Williams

Topsail High School teachers honor each of their seniors with yard signs during the Stay at Home order.

In the midst of all of the pandemic disappointments, Pender County Schools did what they could to keep seniors’ spirits high. On April 24, two dozen teachers distributed signs to the 344 seniors. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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A WIN-WIN-WIN

by Pat Fontana

Coral Cottage’s Hide Your Roots fundraiser benefited hairstylists who were out for work for weeks.

Of all the things we miss during stay-at-home and socialdistancing orders, taking care of our hair is at the top of the list. When hair salons were closed, people could purchase a hat that not only hid their roots but also helped out their struggling hairstylist. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE & OPPORTUNITIES

by Justin Williams

Working with Pender County and Pender County Emergency Services, the Pender Long Term Recovery Group reminds Pender County citizens there are opportunities for assistance as well as opportunities to volunteer. It is possible to volunteer while practicing social distancing.

Organizations with volunteers available to assist residents with needs like grocery, pharmacy, or food bank pick up, wellness calls, etc. should register now on www.crisiscleanup.org. Pender Long Term Recovery Group (Pender LTRG) is a registered partner. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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It's All for the

Turtles Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City gives turtles a fighting chance in the wild.

BY DALENE BICKEL |

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM HAWLEY

O

On the chilly January day that I was originally scheduled to interview Jean Beasley, executive director and founder of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rehabilitation and Rescue Center, she and her volunteer staff were scrambling to find enough plastic tubs to treat 47 of the cold-stunned sea turtles that had recently washed ashore along local beaches.

Although such mass rescues are rare, it’s not uncommon for the sea turtle hospital (as it’s called by locals) to receive new

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patients year round. The turtle patients suffer from a variety of injuries ranging from propeller lacerations and swallowed fishing hooks to trash entanglement and the bends … and everything in between.

At the hospital, they receive a full medical evaluation, diligent care and lots of love. The ultimate goal is to rehabilitate the injured turtles and return them to the ocean, regardless of how long it takes.

Jean Beasley is the founder and executive director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, which is named for her late daughter.

Humble Beginnings Almost 50 years ago, Jean Beasley and her daughter, Karen, were chatting on an oceanfront deck on Topsail Island when a sea turtle suddenly emerged from the ocean and worked its way through the sand, stopping directly under their deck to lay its eggs.

This chance encounter instilled a passion within both women to protect sea turtles and their hatchlings along the full 26-mile coastline of Topsail Island. Toward this effort, Karen organized the island’s first beach patrol, in which she and her mother walked the beach every night looking for the telltale signs of turtle tracks in the sand. As word spread, they were gifted with an ATV to make their nightly searches more efficient, all the while reporting every sighting to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission.

“We got a call from them saying, ‘Are you sure you know what sea turtle tracks are?’” Jean says, laughing. “They didn’t think there were any nesting on the island anymore. Turns out we are one of the most dense nesting places in the state.”

When Karen passed away from leukemia, Jean continued to watch over the sea turtles. In 1996 she and other beach patrol volunteers acquired their first injured turtle and discovered that there wasn’t a turtle-specific hospital to send it to.

“We love the aquarium system,” Jean says. “I was on the advisory board for the Fort Fisher Aquarium for about 20 years, and they’re great backup. But there really was not a place for turtles to go where they were the primary focus.”

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So, with persistence and a lot of help from volunteers and donors, Jean opened the first Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center – a roughly 900-square-foot building named in her daughter’s honor, located on the island along Banks Channel. Word about the hospital quickly spread to the three North Carolina aquariums, fishermen, beachfront owners and pier managers, who supplied Jean with a steady stream of injured sea turtles.

Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release The little hospital quickly outgrew its capacity for both turtles and visitors. Jean and her volunteers recognized that they needed a larger facility, and after almost 15 years of fundraising and planning, the hospital relocated to its current 13,000-square-foot building on the mainland in Surf City. Today the facility can care for up to 100 rescued turtles at a time and offers extensive medical capabilities.

The hospital’s medical director is Dr. Craig Harms, a world-renowned researcher in the field of marine animals who is based out of the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) at N.C. State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The sea turtle hospital is also closely connected with several local individuals, including Dr. Steve Anderson of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital in Wilmington.

Each turtle is registered upon its arrival, and its treatment methods are well-documented. Jean and Dr. Harms do medical rounds by phone, discussing the current case list and everything that’s been happening with each turtle since their last conversation. They are also creating a central database of former and current patients, which currently includes information on approximately 1,500 turtles.

Once turtles are nursed back to health, it’s time to release them. “It’s a fabulous experience to be able to send them back home,” Jean says.

Turtle releases typically occur at the beach in the summer, but in special circumstances they are taken by boat to the Gulf Stream in the colder months.

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The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is a nonprofit organization run by two paid staff members and dozens of unpaid volunteers who make saltwater, prep food, monitor nest sites, and care for sick and injured sea turtles.

On a Mission Jean Beasley is on a mission for more than just rehabilitating turtles.

Preservation of the environment as a whole is an equal, if not greater, reason she continues to volunteer at the hospital daily, even at the age of 84.

“It’s an interesting thing really, that I didn’t identify [the turtles’] needs earlier,” she reflects. “The need is for somebody to take up the message that it’s not just about sea turtles, it’s about the planet and all the bad things that are happening to kill our species at an alarming rate.”

Following this epiphany, Jean, a former teacher, incorporated education about the turtles and environmental conservation into the hospital’s public tours. In addition, she is proactively protecting her immediate environment by creating a nature preserve on site.

“We have an extensive campus, and one day we hope to have a nature trail,” she says. “Right now, we have birdhouses, plants that attract butterflies and a garden that is designed for pollinators. We also have our own beehives, and we use honey to treat wounds on the turtles. There is

so much still to be done, but we are making such great strides.”

As a nonprofit organization with only two paid staff members (a business manager and a water technician; everyone else, including Jean herself, is an unpaid volunteer), the sea turtle hospital relies on donations to pay the bills and properly care for the turtles.

“Anything that we have, including this building, belongs to the sea turtles,” Jean says. “My criteria for buying anything, updating anything, whatever it is, is first and foremost: What will this do for the turtles? It’s their money.” 

The 13,000-square-foot center in Surf City can care for up to 100 rescued sea turtles at a time. The board above displays the names of released turtles.

WANT TO VISIT? KAREN BEASLEY SEA TURTLE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION CENTER 302 Tortuga Lane, Surf City (910) 329-0222 seaturtlehospital.org Facebook: @seaturtlehospital ADMISSION: $3 (children 12 and younger) $4 (seniors and military) $5 (general admission) Additional donations are welcome.

SCHEDULE Note that the hospital is closed in the winter.

April: The hospital opens to visitors on a two-day per week schedule.

June: The hospital transitions to a five-day per week schedule.

Hours and days of the week vary; please check the hospital’s website and Facebook page prior to your visit.

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Serving Topsail Island for Over 20 Years!

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Topsail Magazine

Local student Jon Siemon and his mother make homemade masks to help others.

BY KATHY BLAKE |

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VICKY OLIVER

Summer 2020

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Jon Siemon, a rising senior at Topsail High School, has an uncle employed in New York City, in midtown Manhattan, where daily COVID-19 updates are anxiously anticipated and essential. At Siemon’s home in Surf City the virus’ assault is comparatively calm, but those television images from 590 miles away were unsettling.

“A couple of weeks ago, when we saw on the news how bad it was, we instantly knew we had to do something,” Siemon says. “My uncle is right in the middle of the pandemic. We knew we had to help my uncle out. If you can do something, why not do it?”

What started as an act of kindness for one person snowballed into something greater. Siemon bought colorful material at Walmart and flannel for the under layers and made protective masks. He mailed them to help keep his uncle safe. Then he made masks for family members in Texas. Then for a few friends and neighbors. Then his outreach extended to the Surf City police and fire departments, a few fast food restaurants and Topsail school employees still on the job in Hampstead.

By late April, he had distributed about 300 masks. Pictures surfaced on the Internet, and Siemon, unintentionally, became the face of good news.

“They were very grateful and that 28

Topsail Magazine

was really awesome to see,” he says. “I didn’t know it would make much of an impact — it was just a nice thing to help someone out,” he says. “We’ve made about 300, and we’re still going.”

The we is Siemon and his mom, Stacey. It’s her sewing machine.

“In the beginning, I tried to do the sewing, but I’m definitely not in that world,” Siemon says. “We watched a YouTube video (about how to make the masks) and we were very new to this, but my mom sews.”

Siemon wanted his masks to look good. “No one was going to wear them unless they looked cool,” he says. “You have to make it look interesting. A mask is so in right now, it steals the show.”

A typical mask, Siemon says, will use about two layers of flannel behind the cotton outer layer, but for first responders he uses four or five flannel layers.

“We use a 6 by 9-inch piece of flannel and a 6 by 9-inch piece of cotton and sew them together,” he explains. “I cut the pattern out and lay them out, then she (Stacey) would sew them together.

The hardest part is the straps.”

The best part, he says, is seeing his community cope with the ongoing quarantine together, even while separated.

“I just really love how much people in the community are celebrating each other,” he says. “It shows how we’re still connected even though it feels like we’re apart. It’s like watching time melt.

People are still socializing and being able to communicate with each other, especially the first responders. Thank you, to them, for being out there and protecting our community.”

Siemon is a member of the Kiwanis Club, is on his school’s student council, competes in Science Olympiad and is a

member of the community serviceoriented Key Club. His goal is to pursue a career in computer engineering or computer science, but he also enjoys writing. He has a few colleges in mind.

“It’s crazy, because I have a wide range of hobbies and I like to do things that challenge me in more than one way,” he says. “I like computers, but I also love to read and I’d like to be a writer.”

For the time being, though, with schools closed and social distancing the new normal, there’s fabric to cut and people to help.

“I think it’s really just about there being so much uncertainty and confusion,” he says. “I could just stare at a wall and watch YouTube for 12 hours and do absolutely nothing, or I could cut some straps and iron some fabric and put something together to make some people happy. So why not?” 

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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 30

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PEOPLE

Freaky Fresh Nate Simmons, owner of Holly Ridge–based Takeout Pros, has been perfecting restaurant delivery services in North Carolina for 10 years.

BY PAT FONTANA

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

W Nate Simmons is the entrepreneur behind Takeout Pros, which serves Greenville and the communities in the Greater Topsail area.

When Nate Simmons was in school at Appalachian State University, he worked as a delivery driver, as many college students do. Little did he know then that food delivery would become an exciting entrepreneurial adventure for him.

Simmons grew up in eastern North Carolina, graduating from East Duplin High School and visiting the Topsail area frequently with his family. After graduating from Appalachian, he moved to Greensboro, where, he soon realized, there was no delivery service available. It occurred to him that there might be an opportunity there to start a business, and he was soon bitten by the entrepreneurial bug.

While he was still considering the idea, another person in the area launched Takeout Triad. Simmons decided he was “not going to sit on the dream” any longer while he watched someone else do it. He started scanning ads for businesses that he might be able to buy and after a short time found that Takeout Triad was actually listed for sale.

He made an offer and bought the business on the spot.

After a string of events, including a move back to the North Carolina coast, Simmons’ business morphed into Takeout Pros. Today, the professional delivery service operates successfully, serving restaurants and their customers in Greenville, Surf City, Holly Ridge, Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach, Sneads Ferry and Hampstead.

Takeout Pros touts delivering food that’s not only fresh, but rather “freaky fresh.”

“Takeout Pros is the only truly local option for takeout delivery,” Simmons says.

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PEOPLE

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Given the restrictions imposed by state and local officials in response to the coronavirus, food delivery has become even more important to both the restaurants and their customers.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when restaurants were unable to serve customers in their dining rooms and had to modify their menus to accommodate Takeout and pickup options, Takeout Pros delivered the Takeout orders so customers could continue to support their local restaurants while staying in their homes. All of Simmons’ dispatchers work from home, so he was able to accommodate the new work environment without any additional adjustments.

Simmons and his team have come a long way — literally and figuratively — to reach the success they enjoy today.

The business that began as Takeout Triad almost 10 years ago merged with Takeout Central. Simmons says it was a partnership until they bought him out.

He then started Takeout Pros and looked toward the university setting in Greenville as the perfect place to launch his new venture. He had friends and family who lived there and with childhood ties in the area, “always had a foot in Greenville.”

After spending some time in Greenville, Simmons and his wife were lured by the thought of living closer to the beach while still running their delivery service. “We decided we could operate in Holly Ridge and start the next chapter of the business,” Simmons says.

Takeout Pros has been built up from the driver’s perspective, as that is where Simmons started. He admits he made a lot of expensive mistakes but has learned along the way how to run a business and manage employees. One of his biggest challenges today is hiring quality drivers. He is picky about drivers, which is a very important distinction in the professionalism of the business.

“That’s one way to separate from competitors,” he says. “I want good, happy drivers because that makes good, happy customers.”

Takeout Pros is not technically a family business, even though several family members do get involved quite often and Simmons says he likes to think of it as a family venture. His sister has dispatched for him, and his wife helps out “tremendously, everything from delivering food to dispatching orders.”

The service’s first restaurant customer in this area was Deli Works in Holly Ridge. The restaurant continues to be a loyal customer and has been joined by many other restaurants in Surf City, Holly Ridge, Hampstead and points in between. Simmons’ vision is to expand Takeout Pros to serve restaurants and their customers in Jacksonville and

Wilmington.

“We have proven we can go toe to toe with national brands,” Simmons says, even when some of those national brands moved into the Greenville market.

Simmons says he is always looking for more restaurants to partner with and more customers to place orders from those restaurants. He adds that it has “always been a dream to live here and be a business owner, to be part of the community” and he is excited about the future for his family and his business. 

Get it to go!

Takeout Pros (833) 366-3431 takeoutpros.com

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Summer 2020

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Tracey and Jeremy Shugarts , owners of the newly relocated Daily Grind Coffee, Donuts and Ice Cream.

Coffee on the Move The Daily Grind’s new location is bigger and better for serving its loyal island patrons.

BY EDWARD MILLS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

G

Grabbing a cup of coffee at The Daily Grind has been as much a part of Topsail Island life as flip-flops, sunglasses and beach chairs for a decade, but its new, spacious location makes it even more a part of the community. Within easy walking distance of the beach, it offers more space to enjoy coffee and a treat.

“We were popping at the seams,” says Tracey Shugarts, who owns the business with husband, Jeremy. She recalls lines at the old location in a nearby strip mall. “We couldn’t order and store enough products to get us through a weekend.”

The shop, officially known as Daily Grind Coffee, Donuts and Ice Cream, is at 114 N. Topsail Drive in Surf City, in the space formerly occupied by Mermaid’s Purse. At 2,600 square feet it is nearly twice as large as the old location. It provides room for a colorful entry where 24 flavors of ice are sold and a separate seating area with cozy tables. There’s also a nook featuring facing sofas, chairs and a fireplace. Plans call for a 1,500-squarefoot deck outside that may host live music during the summer months.

“The building was divided into about 20 small rooms,” Jeremy recalls. “We gutted the place. We reconfigured the layout, painted it, added new lights and made other improvements.”

The Daily Grind offers espresso, coffee, teas, iced lattes, ice coffees, iced teas, smoothies, frappes and fresh donuts.

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

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Topsail Magazine

Customers with open laptops feel comfortable studying here, and friends gather to talk over a cup of coffee. A conference room that seats 12 is available for free use, but it must be reserved ahead of time. Photographs of the iconic, recently torn down Swing Bridge, aerial shots of Topsail Island, sunsets and sea life adorn the walls.

Jeremy, who’s also a Surf City Councilman, greets many customers by name with a smile and a pat on the back.

“It has good coffee and good snacks, and a group of friends meet here every day,” says island resident Sloan Thigpen. “We feel really welcome here.”

The Shugarts’ journey into coffee started in 2009.

After a trip to the Topsail area to visit relatives, the couple decided to relocate to escape the Ohio winters.

Jeremy remembers moving Sip & dip! to Topsail and not finding a convenient place for coffee.

The Daily Grind Coffee, “I was used to Starbucks.

Donuts & Ice Cream I used to go every day,” he 114 N. Topsail Drive says. “I couldn’t find one a Surf City local shop, so we opened a small place in 2010.”

(910) 541-0471 The choice was unusual Facebook: considering that Tracey is @dailygrindsurfcity not a coffee drinker, but it was a smart move. The shop can see 1,000 people a day during peak summer season. During the summer, the part-time staff may reach nearly 30 people. Summer hours are 7 am to 8 pm on weekends and 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays. Hours may vary during peak season, and the only day they close is Christmas Day. 

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Wilmington \ Jacksonville \ Leland \ Camp Lejeune

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ACROSS THE COUNTY

Fun on the Farm For more than 40 years, Miss Sally Martin has offered good, old-fashioned farm-life and nature experiences at Ashton Farm Summer Day Camp.

BY ANNESOPHIA RICHARDS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN DEITZ

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F

ACROSS THE COUNTY

F

For the thousands of local children who have spent a part of their summers at Ashton Farm Summer Day Camp, there’s nothing more exciting than spotting Miss Sally’s old yellow school bus driving through Wilmington. Covered in a rainbow of colors and vibrant artwork from past campers, the bus symbolizes everything that has made Sally Martin’s summer camp so special for more than four decades.

Every year campers step off the bus and step back in time when they spend a week of summer on the farm, located on the old historic Ashe Plantation in Pender County. With the camp now approaching its 44th summer, Martin’s mission remains the same: to give children the opportunity to experience what it’s like to have some old-fashioned fun, the freedom to explore nature and farm life and the joy of getting a little sweaty and dirty in the process.

Growing up in New Orleans, Martin spent her summers outdoors at a camp situated on an old dairy farm. Her experiences there instilled a love of farm life and formed the basis

for some of her most cherished childhood memories. When she met her husband, Jim, the couple immediately bonded over their mutual appreciation for country life and the great outdoors. In 1969 the Martins moved to Wilmington, where Jim got a job teaching in Cape Fear Community College’s Marine Technology program, and Martin became a tennis instructor for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“We both love being outdoors and things like boating, canoeing and fishing,” Martin says. “Back then the parks and recreation department didn’t seem to have anything for kids to Summer 2020

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ACROSS THE COUNTY

do in the summer. One day Jim said to me, ‘I know you like camps, and I miss living in the country, so how about you start a camp and I’ll commute?’ So we did.”

In 1975 the Martins purchased more than 70 acres of land on the outskirts of Burgaw. The property included a dilapidated old farmhouse, which the couple quickly set out to restore while temporarily moving into a small cabin behind it. The land also contained an old tobacco barn, a horse stable, various other outbuildings and a defunct train depot once used for the single passenger car train that transported passengers from Burgaw to Wilmington and had since been closed, sold and moved onto the property. Determined to open for summer camp within that first year, they got to work preparing the property and constructing Martin’s vision.

“I wanted to design it after the camp I went to and enjoyed so much when I was little,” Martin says. “An old man would pick us up on his bus for camp, so we bought a bus. We built two clay tennis courts and dug up a little pond in front for swimming and canoeing. And, of course, we started adding our farm animals.”

Ashton Farm Summer Day Camp officially opened in 1976 and drew around 40 campers spread throughout the summer.

Over the next 40 years, the average number of campers each summer rose to more than 1,000, with last year’s total reaching roughly 1,300 children throughout 10 weeklong sessions.

Life at camp today remains true to Martin’s vision of old-fashioned, outdoor fun and the freedom of childhood.

Every part of the day happens outside, and no activities require the use of electronics (the farm doesn’t even accept credit cards for camp registration, a testament to Miss Sally’s stance on keeping the camp technology-free.)

“I like to keep things old-timey and give kids ways to have down-to earth fun like I had growing up,” Martin says. “I keep it 40

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unstructured, kind of like organized chaos, which is how it’s supposed to be with children. We offer kids choices out here in the country setting without a whole lot of rules — just enough to keep things safe.”

During camp season, which now includes summers as well as fall and spring break camps, the farm’s two school buses pick up campers at four stops throughout Wilmington (one of Martin’s golden retrievers is oftentimes along for the ride, much to the delight of the campers as they board the bus). Upon arrival, each morning begins with an assembly on the benches under the pecan tree, where campers gather to discuss the day’s activities, hear a few jokes and join in on a camp song.

From there, campers break off into groups, and those who want to can feed the chickens, goats and donkeys, collect eggs or play with the rabbits. Others might opt to play a game of dodgeball or

tetherball, or take a turn on the rope swings. Depending on the day of the week, activities include rotating sessions of horseback riding, swimming and kayaking in the lake, archery, tennis, nature trail walks and tractor rides to the creek and waterfall.

After lunch, campers can choose to swim again, play ball games or participate in arts and crafts. Camp culminates each Friday with a rodeo, complete with contests in bubble gum blowing, hula

ACROSS THE COUNTY

Wilmington theater arts teacher Hilary People first attended Ashton Farm Summer Day Camp in 1982 at the age of 4. Almost 40 years later, she continues to spend her summers there as a counselor, and she believes that what makes camp so special is how it exposes children to the joys of simple, unplugged farm fun.

“It is the authentic farm life that makes Ashton Farm

awesome, and it’s unique because of Miss Sally and what she wants the kids to learn and do,” People says. “She is a kindred, hilarious and giving spirit.”

At 73 years old, Martin shows no signs of slowing down, and her camp continues to draw more and more children each year. Ashton Farm does not do any advertising, and all campers come either through word of mouth, as repeat campers, or as the children of parents who themselves attended camp during their childhood.

These second generations of both campers and counselors are truly remarkable, especially in a time when the Cape Fear region is brimming with a variety of summer camp options for area youth. However, as many choices as there are out there, from science to sports to arts camps and everything hooping, chicken catching, sack racing, art and BB guns (for the in between, there’s still nothing that compares to Ashton Farm’s older kids). No day would be complete without a sweet treat of ice old-fashioned, timeless appeal. cream cones or a slice of watermelon served tractor-side.

“When I take kids back to the creek and to see the waterfall The farm camp runs smoothly thanks to a team of counselors when it’s flowing, I realize it still doesn’t take much to entertain and junior counselors who attended camp themselves as kids. kids that haven’t been exposed to natural Farm Manager Josh Williams has spent the things,” Martin says. “It’s so important for last 24 years at the farm, starting with his me to let kids experience the things I did first camp experience when he was 11. He when I was little that were so much fun and considers Martin to be much more than just Life on the farm such a big part of my childhood. When I talk his boss and the farm to be his second home. to kids who have come here before, and they “This farm means the world to me,” Ashton Farm tell me how great their memories of coming Williams says. “Miss Sally is my family, my 5645 U.S. Highway 117, Burgaw here are, that’s what’s so important to me, hero, my everything. And she’s been that for (910) 259-2412 ashtonfarmcamp.com that they are making those memories.”  so many other people too.”

Summer 2020

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AROUND TOWN

Designated Drivers Surf City Shuttle offers hassle-free transportation services for nightlife, events, tours and more, no matter what time of year.

BY MELISSA SLAVEN WARREN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM HAWLEY

Summer 2020

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AROUND TOWN

I

If Barry Hunter and his wife, Cheryl Crane Hunter, had any idea decided to sell the business, Hunter, who had been one of their that COVID-19 would bring the economy to a screeching halt in drivers, was interested.

March, they may have thought twice about purchasing an existing “We bought the business on March 12, and then things took a business called Surf City Shuttle. But while others owners might turn for the worse,” Hunter says. “I have two nice and clean have reacted negatively to being impacted by the public health shuttles sitting in my driveway.” crisis before they event got their business off the ground, the But Hunter and his wife were not discouraged and were ready Hunters are more optimistic. when the economy and the beaches fully reopened.

Surf City Shuttle originally opened for business in 2019 and The idea to purchase Surf City Shuttle was a way for the couple ran from Memorial Day through to plan for their future. Hunter owns his Labor Day. The hop-on, hop-off own home-maintenance and repair service provides safe, clean, business, and though he is still a healthy affordable, convenient and 57-year-old, he has worked in Want to hop on? comfortable transportation across construction his entire life and admits two routes with three dozen stops “my body is telling me to slow down.”

Visit Surf City Shuttle’s Facebook page throughout Surf City, connecting the The shuttle business is a way to slowly @surfcityshuttle for route information, mainland with its beautiful barrier transition from one career to the next. passes and pick up times. island beach. When owners Devon A veteran of the United States Air Visit the Paint with Me website at Shirley and Michele Kosinski, Force, Hunter is not new to the paintwithmenc.com for information on year-round residents of Surf City, transportation industry — at least when painting party schedules.

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AROUND TOWN

her home gallery. The couple plans to connect the two businesses by facilitating shuttle pickup and drop-off services for the painters.

“This is an opportunity for people to be creative, enjoy some wine while they are painting and not have to worry about getting home safely,” Crane Hunter says.

Visitors to the area also enjoy the rich history of the island, which the Hunters see as an opportunity for shuttle tours to sites like the Operation Bumblebee Towers and a stop at the Missiles & More Museum for even more local military history.

“Those types of runs could be done

it comes to large vehicles. When he was in the service, he was a bomb loader and a heavy equipment operator. He also worked with Continental Airlines and as a delivery driver for Lowe’s.

When the Hunters purchased the business, the turn-key operation included the two 15-passenger shuttles. As a part-time driver for the previous business owners, Hunter’s entrepreneurial experience allowed him to see that the routes were not being fully optimized.

“Sometimes I would only pick up three people in a six- or eight-hour period,” he says. “Now, I’ll be setting new schedules to make sure when the shuttles are running, they are picking people up and dropping them off. It’s supply and demand.”

It is the original business idea of transporting residents and visitors to and from the area’s restaurants and bars for a safe evening out that is still Surf City Shuttle’s signature service. For this reason, Hunter will have extended shuttle service times until midnight and perhaps until closing on weekend evenings.

In addition to the hop-on, hop-off service routes, the Hunters have visions of extra services and private event shuttles.

Crane Hunter, an artist and art educator, is also the owner of Paint with Me, which offers private and group painting parties in

during the morning or afternoon hours so it wouldn’t cut into the nightlife services,” Hunter says. “There would be dedicated schedules so riders will know exactly when they take place and can plan their visits.”

Another vision for Surf City Shuttle is special events transportation, including shuttling wedding parties to and from ceremonies and receptions, and private party trips to events like the Azalea Festival and concerts at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.

Armed with an optimistic vision of where they want to take Surf City Shuttle, Hunter says, “The sky is the limit!”  Summer 2020

45

YOUR ISLAND OUTFITTERS SINCE 1952

409 Roland Ave. Surf City, NC 28445 | (910) 328-1887 | EastCoastSports.com

Weddings | Families | Portraits

OliversPhotography.org 46

Topsail Magazine

NONPROFIT

Cory Sydes, founder of Topsail Island Longboard Association.

Surfers at the Heart of the City Topsail Island Longboard Association members surf, sweep and support the community while honoring the local wave-riding heritage.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VICKY OLIVER

BY KATE M. CAREY

Summer 2020

47

NONPROFIT

48

Topsail Magazine

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

I

In the movies, surfers are cool dudes hanging around the beach looking for a wild ride. In Surf City, surfers are environmentalists, community builders, fundraisers, parents and kids seeking the big swell and helping out around town.

Topsail Island Longboard Association (TILA) was created in 2017 to grow and support the next generation of surfers. It’s a like-minded community of local surfers in which more experienced boarders mentor newer ones by sharing surfing skills and life experiences. As a nonprofit organization, the 50-member surf club gives back to the local community in a variety of ways.

“The town is really important to us and we value our partnership,” says founder Cory Sydes. “We enjoy giving back to the community.”

Club members started by cleaning a stretch of the beach near the pier about three years ago. In 2018 they did the first island sweep — all 26 miles — in four hours with hundreds of volunteers, then had a party at Southside Park afterwards.

“We had some great corporate sponsors for that event,” Sydes says. “We still clean the beach at the end of Roland Avenue every Monday and once a month in the winter.”

Dwight Torres knows both sides of the community-surf club relationship as a Surf City councilman and a TILA member.

He praises the surfers’ positive impact on the community and the environment.

“We are extremely proud of the contribution our residents

Topsail Island Longboard Association members regularly sweep all 26 miles of the Topsail beaches to clear them of trash.

have made with cleans ups and charity events,” Torres says.

“They give more than they take, and that should serve as an example to us all.”

Mayor Doug Medlin says the town benefits from TILA beach clean ups, their charity events and their willingness to step up anytime the town asks them for assistance. “They’re really a great group in our community,” Medlin says.

NONPROFIT

We are extremely proud of the contribution our residents have made with cleans ups and charity events. They give more than they take, and that should serve as an example to us all.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

or non-surfing community supporters who share a love of the ocean. Many club members have surfed since their teenage days, and all ages and experience levels are welcome to join.

“We’re very diverse — members are teens, retired teachers, a council member, some ex-police and military folks and some rebels and wild people,” Sydes says with a laugh.

Membership is $25 per year, and they give you a tee shirt with the TILA logo, which changes every so often, says Chynna Lancaster, club treasurer and a local Realtor. “We have a local artist help with our art designs for the tees,” she says. “We also have local corporate sponsorships available.”

Influenced by professional surfer Bethany Hamilton, a competitive surfer who lost part of an arm in a shark attack and returned to

“

While known for their environmental work, the club also helped remodel a local VFW post — 40 people and four days — collected toys and funds for local families in need during the Christmas season, sent surfing gear and supplies to underprivileged kids in Venezuela through a partnering surf club and sponsors the Annual Fall Foamie Classic competition and Ocean Fest. Created last year by three surfers, Surf City Ocean Fest is a celebration of the ocean and surfing that benefits ocean-related charities and environmental causes. Ocean Fest 2020 is scheduled for October 10.

The Peak Taphouse and Kitchen, just up Roland Avenue from Surf City Ocean Pier, hosts monthly meetings of the Topsail Island Longboard Association. By the way, members don’t have to favor longboards.

They can be paddleboarders, body surfers

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NONPROFIT

LEARN TO

Chynna Lancaster suggests starting with a foam board and advises not to become discouraged in the initial going because surfing is a practice that takes time to develop.

Sydes agrees: “Don’t expect to be a great surfer immediately. Surfing is a lifelong journey. You develop technique by repetition. You get away from the white water and begin to understand the board and the ocean. You can only get that from surfing regularly.”

They advise working with a local surf shop or surf school to learn the basics and to find the appropriate fit with a board and surf gear. “You don’t want to come to any harm in the water,” Sydes says. “Remember to surf with people of your own skill level. Keep a distance from surfers. If a board goes flying in the air, no one wants to get hurt.”

“It’s a lifestyle,” he adds. “We like to surf. We like to have a positive impact on the community. It’s what it’s all about.”

competition less than a month later, Lancaster began surfing in her teens. She joined the club when she was the manager at 50 South Surf Shop, a local business that supports the club (surf50south.com). “I knew it would be a great to help the community and the environment,” Lancaster says. “I can certainly say it’s been fun to be around all of these awesome people.”

Humans enjoy sports for many reasons — the camaraderie of teams, the care of an athletic physique, the daring to reach a personal best.

Surfers say the beauty and power of Join the club? the ocean also calls in a spiritual connection.

Topsail Island Longboard “When you surf five days a Association week, you see and understand Facebook: Topsail Island things differently,” Sydes says.

Longboard Association “You become more in tune to your Surf City Ocean Fest surroundings. In that moment on a Saturday, October 10 board, you can see what you’re surfcityoceanfest.com doing, how to do it, how to be in tune with the ocean. Sometimes, we just drop what we’re doing to go surf.”

Among the association’s future plans are creating a college scholarship and increasing membership, says current president Scott Camlin.  50

Topsail Magazine

For lessons, check out these local surf shops and surf schools.

50 South Surf Shop 306 S. Topsail Drive, Surf City surf50south.com (910) 328-7911 Bert’s Surf Shop 310 N. New River Drive, Surf City surfcitysurfschool.com (910) 616-2280 North Topsail Surf and Paddle 4021 Island Drive, North Topsail Beach northtopsailsurf.com (910) 859-0151 On Shore Surf Shop 405 Roland Avenue, Surf City onshoresurfshop.com (910) 328-2232 Surf City Surf School 107 N. Shore Drive, Surf City surfcitysurfschool.com (910) 616-2280

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Storms, Sand & Strong

FAMILY TIES Surf City Mayor Doug Medlin helps maintain his hometown’s family-oriented character while guiding it into the future.

PHOTO BY MARK STEELMAN

BY DENNIS HETZEL

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Topsail Magazine

PHOTO BY MARK STEELMAN

HAZEL.

In these parts it only takes one word to spark instant recognition. Doug Medlin, the two-time mayor of Surf City, was 6 years old when Hurricane Hazel took aim at his town. More than 65 years later, he remembers.

By October 1954 Charles Venson Medlin had relocated his family to the coast from Nash County. It wasn’t the original plan. “He came down here to build a house on the oceanfront for his daddy,” Doug Medlin recalls. “That was when Surf City first got incorporated in ’49.”

But Charlie Medlin had an entrepreneur’s heart. He noticed there was no place to purchase ice, and in those times, ice was essential, not just a handy convenience. Charlie became the iceman for Surf City. His Coastal Ice Company sold ice in large blocks for the iceboxes in people’s homes and businesses. “He tried to just hire someone to run it, but that didn’t work out,” Doug says. “So he moved here himself.”

When Hazel hit, Charlie sent Doug, Doug’s mother and his 11-month-old sister to Jacksonville to stay in a motel.

Above: Surf City Mayor Doug Medlin at East Coast Sports, which his father founded and is still a family business today. Opposite: Family members (left to right) Chris Medlin, Charlie Medlin, Mayor Doug Medlin, Lyla Passingham, Cathy Medlin, Airlie Passingham, Hazel Passingham, Alexis Passingham and Scott Passingham.

Charlie stayed behind.

As the hurricane grew in intensity, Charlie and a DOT worker returned to the barrier island in one of the department’s yellow dump trucks to rescue a military wife. They couldn’t find her, and it became too dangerous to continue. As they fled to the mainland, the island’s pontoon bridge collapsed behind them. Although Hazel devastated Surf City, the woman survived in the tower at Ocean City Pier, and the Medlins’ island home, a former government building, stayed intact without even any water damage.

Coastal Ice Company eventually expanded into seafood, groceries and hardware. Later, Doug helped remodel the store into East Coast Discount,

Summer 2020

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“

Our town was beginning to change ... I wanted a nice, family-oriented beach to raise my family.

5

QUESTIONS WITH DOUG MEDLIN

 What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?

Work smarter and not harder.  What music would you take with you to a deserted island?

Well, since it’s an island, I would need calypso music, Jimmy Buffett and some ’60s music.  What TV series are you most likely to bingewatch?

CSI or Law and Order  UNC or Duke?

UNC  What’s the last terrific book you read?

Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly

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Topsail Magazine

which eventually became East Coast Sports, a modern-day Surf City landmark.

That’s where Doug sits in his office after one of his eight grandchildren greets a visitor. He says he’s fully into the transition of the business into the third-generation hands of Chris Medlin, one of his three grown children. The store specializes in fishing gear, gifts and clothing for ocean sports and leisure. It also serves as headquarters for Chris’ related business of booking charter fishing excursions.

Doug taught science for six years at New Hanover High School before going all-in on the family business. His wife, Cathy, was teaching as well, but the growing family needed more income. As Doug worked with his father to build East Coast’s business, Cathy earned a real estate license and started Island Realty in Surf City.

Sewers, of all things, prompted Doug to enter politics in the late 1970s. Like many beach communities, Surf City didn’t have them. Doug saw a need, and an appointed committee position led to

multiple terms on the town board and two stints as mayor.

“Our town was beginning to change,” Doug says. “I didn’t want us to be Myrtle Beach. I wanted a nice, family-oriented beach to raise my family.”

It’s no small task for city officials to manage a beach community with a population that explodes to 40,000 or more on summer weeks that flow into hurricane season. Officials expect the 2020 census to put the town’s year-round population at 3,500 — a growth rate of 80 percent in 10 years and a far cry from the 421 residents counted in 1980.

Doug puts himself in the “smart growth” versus “no growth” camp, and the town has used height restrictions and zoning laws to manage its status as a desirable location for vacationers, retirees and others. Doug also points to recent improvements to parks and the annexation of a large swath of mainland acreage, which provided sewer service to the area and grew the town’s tax base.

The most striking recent change is a new bridge from the mainland that opened in December 2018, complete with

barrier island with an engineered beach, such is life. You need expansive sand to attract the tourists that drive the economy, and you battle Mother Nature as more storms and tidal surges amplify vulnerabilities.

“The change in the island is big,” Doug says. “At one time we had two sets of dunes to get to the beach. We

started 20 years ago trying to get this beach nourishment. It’s not to make the beach pretty, but to limit the damage from hurricanes coming in.”

As mayor, Doug just wants to help Surf City maintain its character for the next 20 years.

“I hope it’s still the family-oriented place it is now,” he says. “I just want to

“The state fought us on that,” he says about the walkway. “But we held our ground.”

And then there’s sand.

Doug laughs when he’s asked if he ever imagined that he’d have to spend so much time worrying about beach sand. As mayor of a community on a

lost that first dune in Hazel. We’ve been just trying to maintain that since.”

Just recently, the federal government released $237 million for beach nourishment and sand replacement in Surf City and North Topsail Beach.

“It’s the best news we’ve had around here in some time,” Doug says. “We

see it as a community with a sense of camaraderie, love and working together.

“Some people say you can’t be a community together; that we’re too big now. I say, ‘No, we can still be that.’” 

PHOTO BY MARK STEELMAN

a pedestrian and bicycle walkway that many other island bridges lack. Doug notes that Saturday traffic could back up for miles onto Highway 17 before the span opened. It replaced the aging swing bridge — the one built after the pontoon bridge collapsed behind Charlie Medlin during Hurricane Hazel.

Summer 2020

55

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Subscribe to Topsail Magazine TopsailMag.com/subscribe

TOURISM

Eat Local, Eat Fresh Experiencing local flavors is one of the highlights of vacation. Travelers to Surf City can enjoy VSA produce bags directly from local farmers and sample what our area has to offer.

BY MICHELLE MACKEN

Brian Knowles of Bear Ridge Farms is the official Farmer Ambassador of the VSA project.

E

Eating fresh, locally grown produce is a priority for many people, one that doesn’t go on hold when they’re on vacation. NC State Extension’s Vacationer Supported Agriculture (VSA) makes it easier for North Carolina coastal vacationers to connect with regional farmers and enjoy good food while enjoying their time at the beach.

A team of specialists from NC State Extension and Tourism Extension developed VSA as part of a three-year USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant. VSA coordinates the sale of weekly fractions of farm production shares to vacationers over the summer tourism season. NC State’s project team and county Extension partners coordinate groups of Summer 2020

57

TOURISM

“

NC State’s project team and county Extension partners coordinate groups of local farmers in the growing, packaging and delivery of bags of local produce to pick-up locations convenient to vacationers.

local farmers in the growing, packaging and delivery of bags of local produce to pick-up locations convenient to vacationers.

This coordination is introduced to vacationers through local realty companies, property owner associations and other channels.

The VSA project was piloted in Ocean Isle Beach in 2018 and expanded in 2019 to other Brunswick County beaches (Sunset Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island), as well as Wrightsville Beach and Surf City. The program experienced 58

Topsail Magazine

exponential growth as a result of the 2019 expansion and has been both regionally and nationally recognized as an innovative approach to direct to consumer farm sales. Efforts are underway now to expand VSA also to the Outer Banks.

In Brunswick County, the largest VSA market is known locally as Vacation Vittles and has more than 30 participating farmers. Men and Women United for Youth and Families is the aggregator, and Randolph Keaton is its executive director and all-around conductor of all operations for delivery days. Keaton

TOURISM

and his team of Youth Ambassadors will be aggregating the local farm produce and delivering the first bags to Brunswick County beaches on May 30.

Brian Knowles of Bear Ridge Farms is the official Farmer Ambassador of the VSA project. Not only does Knowles aggregate product for the Surf City market, he also speaks to other farmers about his experiences with the project and has been instrumental in securing grant funding for necessary supplies, like coolers, Eat farm fresh even insulated bags and personal on vacation! protective equipment (PPE). Brian will be aggregating local farm TO ORDER a VSA produce bag produce and delivering the first visit p1provisions.com. bags to Surf City and Wrightsville FOR MORE INFORMATION Beach on May 30.

Contact Becky Bowen: Due to the uncertainty caused by blbowen@ncsu.edu the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, (919) 628-4317. the VSA team is rolling out the program with appropriate safeguards against spread of the virus, including contactless delivery.

Aggregators are being trained in food safety measures, and all customer pick-up sites will have hand sanitizer stations. 

Summer 2020

59

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Your Goals, Your Family, Your Future.

SNIPPETS

PHOTO BY KAIDEN BAKER

Pender County Nature Photography Contest Winners Announced  Pender County Tourism and Pender County Parks & Recreation held a Pender County Nature Photography Contest this spring. The contest was open to the public, and more than 100 photos were submitted. Prizes were awarded for first place in each category. Photos must have been taken between November 11, 2019 and May 11, 2020.

“We received some of the best photos of nature taken

within Pender County,” says Olivia Dawson of Pender County Tourism. “This contest was a great way to show off some great photography skills while capturing the beauty throughout Pender County.” Submitted photos will be used in published materials giving photo credit to the photographer and provided locations. The organizations plan to make this an annual contest.

15 AND YOUNGER AMATEUR YOUTH WINNERS

ADULT PROFESSIONAL WINNERS

Sue Benden, first place Amy Shores, second place Jeff Hall, third place

PHOTO BY LIBERTY WILBORN

PHOTO BY RICHIE MARSH

Liberty Wilborn, first place Richie Marsh, second place Kaiden Baker, third place

ADULT AMATEUR WINNERS

Bo Matthews Raymond Moore Jane O’Conner

PHOTO BY RICHIE MARSH

JUDGE’S CHOICE WINNERS

PHOTO BY RICHIE MARSH

Dana Adami, first place Bernie Braak, second place Milissa Acres, third place Kirk Binning, fourth place Lydia McKeel, fifth place

Summer 2020

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Mia’s Marketplace

Business Profile

BY BRIAN WILNER

W

hen Sandi Lowry moved to North Carolina from Pennsylvania 10 years ago due to her husband’s job relocation, she left behind a corporate career with a large home decor importer. In 2012 she began to consider her lifelong dream of opening her own business. It has been a rocky road, but she has established an award-winning boutique called Mia’s Marketplace — named after the nickname given to Lowry by her grandchildren — in Surf City.

In the wake of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, Lowry decided to accommodate her customers the best way possible. Even though Mia’s storefront was closed, customers could shop by phone or online and choose shipping, curbside pickup or even local delivery. Shoppers could still purchase unique gifts, home decor and more despite the circumstances.

Even though times are tough right now, Lowry says the support she feels from her customers is real.

“We are getting messages and calls of well-wishes, and it brings joy,” she says. “I missed our Mia’s girls and the loyal customers who shop with us. It’s important we stay connected during this time, even if we can’t be together.”

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Mia’s Marketplace 14061 N.C. Highway 50, Surf City (910) 803-0316 shopmias.com

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Grey Outdoor, LLC

Business Profile

BY SANDI GRIGG

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

T

here has been a lot of chatter about the digital billboards going up on Highway 17, and we have the scoop. Grey Vick, owner of Grey Outdoor, LLC, is the promotional mastermind behind many stationary billboards across North Carolina and South Carolina as well as the new digital billboards here in the Topsail area. “Grey Outdoor, LLC has about 185 structures with roughly 410 faces throughout the Carolinas, mostly concentrated on I-95,” Vick says. Currently six of those are digital with roughly eight second ads with seven to eight rotations. “Digital billboards are trouble-free because you can easily change them out,” Vick says.

Vick was born in Wilmington but grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He always knew he would come back to Wilmington and made it come to fruition when he started college at UNCW. Armed with an accounting degree and a masters in accounting, in 2007 he partnered in Waterway Outdoor Company owning and managing billboards. In 2014 he decided to go out on his own by starting Grey Outdoor, LLC. “I pretty much started over, which was really hard to do because I had put all my energy into Waterway Outdoor Company and I felt I had come so far, but now I am glad I did it,” Vick says. He hopes to keep growing the business by finding other innovative ways to promote his clients. “With technology always changing I want to be able to provide the best for the most value.”

Vick and his wife, Sarah, are new parents to a son named Mason, and they enjoy surfing, boating and watching their son explore.

“The coolest thing about what I do is that everyone wins — the advertisers benefit, landowners profit, local jurisdictions get taxes and I take home a paycheck; it’s a win, win,” Vick says. “We just want to be able to raise our son to grow up to be humble and a fine person — instilling good quality values in him.”

Grey Outdoor, LLC (910) 620-5168 greyoutdoor.com

Summer 2020

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NEW RIVER INLET TIDES

July D a t e

High Tide AM Time (EST)

August 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)

September

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

4:39

2.7

5:26

3.7

10:46

-0.3

11:56

0.0

1

6:25

2.6

7:01

3.8

12:43

0.1

12:21

-0.1

1

7:48

3.0

8:12

3.7

1:56

0.2

1:48

2

5:39

2.7

6:21

3.9

11:40

-0.3

---

---

2

7:18

2.7

7:49

3.8

1:34

0.1

1:13

-0.1

2

8:28

3.1

8:50

3.6

2:33

0.2

2:30

0.1

3

6:36

2.6

7:13

4.0

12:54

-0.1

12:33

-0.3

3

8:06

2.7

8:34

3.8

2:20

0.0

2:01

-0.1

3

9:06

3.1

9:26

3.4

3:08

0.2

3:10

0.2

4

7:30

2.6

8:03

4.0

1:48

-0.1

1:24

-0.3

4

8:51

2.8

9:16

3.7

3:03

0.0

2:47

0.0

4

9:43

3.2

10:00

3.3

3:40

0.2

3:50

0.3

5

8:22

2.6

8:51

4.0

2:38

-0.2

2:14

-0.3

5

9:34

2.8

9:55

3.5

3:43

0.1

3:31

0.0

5

10:20

3.2

10:35

3.1

4:12

0.3

4:29

0.4

6

9:11

2.6

9:37

3.8

3:25

-0.1

3:03

-0.2

6

10:16

2.8

10:34

3.3

4:21

0.1

4:14

0.2

6

10:57

3.2

11:10

2.9

4:44

0.4

5:10

0.5 0.6

0.1

7

10:00

2.6

10:22

3.6

4:11

-0.1

3:51

-0.1

7

10:57

2.8

11:11

3.1

4:57

0.2

4:57

0.3

7

11:37

3.1

11:48

2.7

5:17

0.5

5:55

8

10:47

2.6

11:06

3.4

4:55

0.0

4:38

0.1

8

11:39

2.8

11:50

2.9

5:32

0.2

5:42

0.4

8

---

---

12:21

3.1

5:53

0.5

6:44

0.7

9

11:35

2.6

11:49

3.2

5:38

0.1

5:26

0.2

9

---

---

12:23

2.8

6:08

0.3

6:30

0.6

9

12:31

2.5

1:10

3.1

6:34

0.6

7:40

0.8

10

---

---

12:23

2.5

6:20

0.2

6:17

0.4

10

12:30

2.7

1:10

2.8

6:45

0.4

7:23

0.7

10

1:21

2.4

2:07

3.1

7:23

0.6

8:42

0.8

11

12:32

2.9

1:13

2.6

7:01

0.2

7:11

0.5

11

1:14

2.5

2:01

2.9

7:26

0.4

8:22

0.7

11

2:19

2.4

3:08

3.2

8:20

0.6

9:46

0.8

12

1:17

2.7

2:05

2.6

7:42

0.3

8:09

0.6

12

2:04

2.3

2:56

3.0

8:12

0.5

9:25

0.7

12

3:23

2.4

4:08

3.4

9:22

0.5

10:45

0.7

13

2:04

2.5

2:57

2.7

8:25

0.3

9:11

0.6

13

2:59

2.3

3:52

3.1

9:04

0.4

10:27

0.7

13

4:25

2.6

5:05

3.6

10:24

0.4

11:37

0.5

14

2:55

2.3

3:49

2.8

9:09

0.3

10:12

0.6

14

3:58

2.3

4:47

3.3

9:58

0.4

11:23

0.6

14

5:22

2.8

5:58

3.8

11:23

0.2

---

---

15

3:48

2.3

4:39

3.0

9:54

0.3

11:09

0.6

15

4:56

2.3

5:39

3.5

10:53

0.3

---

---

15

6:15

3.1

6:47

4.0

12:24

0.3

12:19

0.0

16

4:41

2.2

5:27

3.2

10:41

0.2

---

---

16

5:50

2.5

6:28

3.7

12:13

0.4

11:47 am

0.1

16

7:06

3.4

7:35

4.1

1:09

0.1

1:13

-0.2

17

5:32

2.3

6:12

3.4

12:00

0.4

11:28 am

0.1

17

6:40

2.7

7:15

3.9

12:59

0.3

12:39

-0.1

17

7:55

3.7

8:23

4.1

1:53

-0.1

2:06

-0.3

18

6:21

2.3

6:57

3.6

12:47

0.3

12:15

0.0

18

7:29

2.9

8:01

4.0

1:43

0.1

1:30

-0.2

18

8:45

4.0

9:10

4.0

2:37

-0.2

2:59

-0.3

19

7:08

2.4

7:41

3.7

1:31

0.2

1:01

-0.1

19

8:18

3.1

8:47

4.0

2:26

0.0

2:20

-0.3

19

9:35

4.1

9:59

3.8

3:21

-0.3

3:53

-0.2

20

7:54

2.6

8:25

3.9

2:15

0.1

1:48

-0.2

20

9:07

3.4

9:33

4.0

3:10

-0.2

3:12

-0.3

20

10:27

4.2

10:49

3.5

4:07

-0.2

4:49

-0.1

21

8:41

2.7

9:09

3.9

2:57

0.0

2:35

-0.2

21

9:57

3.5

10:21

3.8

3:53

-0.2

4:05

-0.2

21

11:22

4.1

11:43

3.2

4:55

-0.1

5:48

0.1

22

9:28

2.8

9:55

3.9

3:40

-0.1

3:25

-0.2

22

10:49

3.6

11:10

3.6

4:38

-0.2

5:01

-0.1

22

---

---

12:21

4.0

5:47

0.0

6:51

0.3

23

10:18

2.9

10:41

3.8

4:24

-0.2

4:16

-0.2

23

11:44

3.7

---

---

5:25

-0.2

6:00

0.0

23

12:43

3.0

1:24

3.8

6:45

0.2

8:00

0.4

24

11:10

3.0

11:30

3.6

5:08

-0.2

5:11

-0.1

24

12:02

3.3

12:42

3.7

6:15

-0.1

7:04

0.2

24

1:49

2.8

2:32

3.7

7:49

0.3

9:11

0.5

25

---

---

12:05

3.2

5:54

-0.2

6:10

0.0

25

12:59

3.0

1:45

3.7

7:09

0.0

8:13

0.3

25

3:00

2.7

3:41

3.6

8:59

0.4

10:17

0.5

26

12:21

3.3

1:03

3.3

6:43

-0.2

7:14

0.1

26

2:01

2.8

2:52

3.6

8:08

0.1

9:25

0.4

26

4:10

2.7

4:44

3.6

10:08

0.4

11:16

0.5

27

1:16

3.1

2:05

3.4

7:35

-0.1

8:23

0.2

27

3:09

2.6

3:58

3.6

9:13

0.2

10:34

0.4

27

5:10

2.8

5:39

3.6

11:10

0.4

---

---

28

2:16

2.8

3:09

3.5

8:30

-0.1

9:35

0.3

28

4:18

2.6

5:01

3.7

10:18

0.2

11:35

0.4

28

6:02

3.0

6:27

3.5

12:05

0.4

12:04

0.4

29

3:20

2.7

4:13

3.6

9:29

-0.1

10:44

0.3

29

5:21

2.7

5:57

3.7

11:19

0.2

---

---

29

6:47

3.1

7:08

3.5

12:47

0.4

12:51

0.3

30

4:25

2.6

5:13

3.7

10:28

-0.1

11:47

0.2

30

6:16

2.8

6:47

3.7

12:28

0.3

12:14

0.1

30

7:26

3.3

7:46

3.5

1:24

0.3

1:33

0.3

31

5:28

2.5

6:09

3.8

11:26

-0.1

---

---

31

7:05

2.9

7:32

3.7

1:14

0.3

1:04

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#

1-800-Pack Rat............................ 800-722-5728 33 Access Realty................................ 910-329-9800 BC ANA Builders, Inc.......................... 910-329-9819 BC Arbor Landing at Hampstead.......... 910-406-1451 15 Beach Furniture Outfitters Inc......... 910-328-4181 26 Bill Clark Homes........................... 910-550-1167 13 Carolina Coast Contracting.............. 910-328-6400 16 Coastal Carolina Real Estate........... 910-329-1133 16 Coastal Fitness Center.................... 910-270-4044 33 Coldwell Banker Seacoast Advantage Tanner Gray................................... 910-547-9618 11

Advertiser

Phone# Page#

Intracoastal Realty Corporation Suzanne Altobello.......................... 910-405-2586 15 Intracoastal Realty Corporation Topsail Area Agents........................ 910-328-3000 42 Kinco Inc...................................... 910-803-0695

36, 60

Legacy Homes by Bill Clark ........... 910-550-1167 19 Mia’s Marketplace.......................... 910-803-0316 62 New Hanover Regional Medical Center....910-662-9000 IFC Oliver’s Photography...................... 910-650-4633 46 Quarter Moon Books, Gifts & Wine Bar.... 910-328-4969 51 Sea Star Academy......................... 910-803-0710 15

Coldwell Banker Seacoast Advantage Elizabeth Simmons........................ 910-526-2571 51

Shuckin’ Shack............................. 910-803-2037 51

Computer Warriors......................... 910-238-2277 37

Surf City Dental............................. 910-329-0298 56

Coral Cottage Boutiques................. 910-599-5115 7

Surf Dog Bites & Brews....................... 910-541-2358 65

East Coast Sports.......................... 910-328-1887 46

The Topsail Island Trading Company..... 910-328-1905 3

Edward Jones ­— Karen Jerabek...... 910-270-3634 60

Topsail Steamer............................. 910-328-2645 60

EmergeOrtho................................. 910-332-3800 5

Town of Surf City........................... 910-328-4131 30

Genesio & Monica Mmbui............... 205-902-0748 56

Treasure Realty.............................. 800-762-3961 IBC

Grey Outdoor LLC.......................... 910-620-5168 63

Unique Media & Design Inc............ 910-526-7926 29

Southern Roots Grille..................... 910-803-0773 7

Intracoastal Realty Corporation....... 910-328-3000 9

Our family OF PUBLICATIONS — ROOTED IN

COASTAL NORTH CAROLINA Topsail Magazine TopsailMag.com

SPRING 2020

Spring 2020 | SouthBrunswickMagazine.com

Winter 2019-20

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COMPLIMENTARY

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Fresh food daily specials craft beer & wine

A DIFFERENT KIND OF NIGHTLIFE

Spring 2020

SNEADS FERRY COMMUNITY THEATRE REEL HOUSEWIVES OF TOPSAIL ISLAND

Sue and Bill Immen help wild horses and humans at Grayce Wynds Farm in Holden Beach.

Monkeying Around C O M PL IM E N TA RY

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DR. OATES, BCS SUPERINTENDENT

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NBHS MARCHING SCORPIONS

UP YOUR ARTS | DR. KAYLAN EDWARDS’S HOMECOMING | DIFFERENTLY ABLED STUDENTS

Volume 1, Issue 2

BUSTER — A LOVING, SMART CAPUCHIN MONKEY — IS AN IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THE SMITH FAMILY. C O M PL IM E N TA RY

LELAND’S NEW BUSINESSES

HEFTY LOVE dose of

Working with Bullies 2 the Rescue, Cheryl Price finds homes for bulldogs in North Carolina.

Reach readers from Little River, SC to Sneads Ferry, NC and all the places in between

ADVERTISE NOW!

Salads Angus Burgers Soups Appetizers

info@CarolinaMarketingCompany.com

Summer 2020

65

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

WALKWAY BY THE BRIDGE Photo captured by Shirley Bowling-Benson

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

66

Topsail Magazine

years 30 CEL

EB R ATI NG

TRUSTED LOCAL EXPERTS

THE SALES AND VACATION RENTALS LEADER Trusted Local Experts Serving Topsail Island and Mainland Communities Since 1990

TreasureRealty.com

800-762-3961

1950 NC Hwy 172 Sneads Ferry, NC 28460

14061-B NC Hwy 50 Surf City, NC 28445 Summer 2020

67

Whether you BUILD, BUY, or RENT...

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

Your Key to Coastal Living!

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

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

www.AnABuilders.com

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

www.AccessTheBeach.com