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SHARING THE STOKE Brothers Holden and Hunter Griffeth open a mobile surf school on Topsail Island.

By Kate M. Carey Holden and Hunter Griffeth have been on surfboards since they were old enough to walk. Now the brothers want to share their passion and get others on a surfboard at the Topsail Island Surf School. Launched just this season, they bring surf lessons to you at your beach house. You’ll be catching waves before you can shout “Yewww!” Holden has surfed up and down the North Carolina coast and in Florida, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He plans to surf in Bali, a surfer’s paradise known for its consistent waves and near perfect reef breaks. Reef breaks can occur in deep water where the presence of a reef causes the waves to break. This is a bit similar to how the sandbars off Topsail Island cause wave breaks, he says.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Pender AmeriCorps Seniors seeks volunteers for its RSVP programs.

By Kate M. Carey A few weeks into her new position as the executive director of Pender AmeriCorps Seniors, Cathy Guidry already had plans to match more volunteers with needs across Pender County. Guidry, a longtime volunteer and Burgaw resident, became the new director in early February. “Volunteering helps you to meet people who have like interests and helps you to explore what interests you might have,” Guidry says.

#REELKIDSFISH

Surf City Ocean Pier is seeking sponsors and volunteers for its July Children’s Fishing Competition.

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Surf City Ocean Pier has some announcements about its annual Children's Fishing Competition and Celebration. The pier has hosted the event for more than 10 years but had to cancel it for the past couple of years due to COVID and the addition of paid parking in the area. The pier parking lot can’t accommodate all the kids who want to fish on just one day, especially if that day is the 4th of July. So, in everyone's best interest, the tournament will now be spread out throughout the month of July. The Children’s Fishing Competition #ReelKidsFish at #SurfCityPier is now a month-long event. Instead of just one day, the pier will host the children every Thursday in the month of July. This is open to all children ages 16 and younger, and no registration is required.

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SAFE HAVEN N.C. Coastal Land Trust’s purchase of Hutaff Island forever protects the last privately owned undeveloped barrier island in North Carolina.

By Kate M. Carey Warm, moist air blew across my face. Fog shrouded the island we sought, its dunes and salt marsh concealed by droplets so fine they barely registered on my windbreaker. In the channel separating the island from the salt marsh behind, the sun struggled, breaking through briefly to offer the promise of what would come. A harsh caw broke the near silence, and a beady eye glared at us as a snowy egret flew by, wings extended nearly five feet. The camera shutter clicked.

EXPANDING THE MISSION

All Saints Catholic Church raises $3.1 million to build a new church in Hampstead.

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Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama of the Diocese of Raleigh celebrated with parishioners from All Saints Catholic Church in Hampstead on May 5. The blessing came as All Saints Catholic Church announced that they have secured $3.1 million dollars in gifts and pledges from their vibrant, faith-filled community. The money will be used to help fund a $7.5 million expansion project. The parish plans to erect a 750-seat church and program support areas for the largely expanding faith community in eastern Pender County. Construction will begin in early 2023.

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