Topsail Magazine Winter 2023-24 Edition

WINTER 2023-24

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THE BLAND BROTHERS OPERATION MILITARY KIDS CLUB PLANTING SEEDS IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN

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COMPLIMENTARY

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C O U N T R Y M U S I C S TA R SCOT T Y MCCREERY AND H I S F A M I LY C H E R I S H T H E I R DOWNTIME ON TOPSAIL ISL AND

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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WINTER 2023-24

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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1

FEATURES 52 COUNTRY GONE COASTAL

59 A FAMILY’S PARADISE

Country music star Scotty McCreery and his family cherish their downtime on Topsail Island. By Annesophia

The Bland brothers, descendants of the first deed holder on Topsail Island, recount some of their family’s history on the island. By Pat Fontana

Richards

33

IN EVERY ISSUE 14 PUBLISHER’S NOTE

33 PEOPLE

45 WHAT'S NEW

As a commercial diver and spearfisher, Logan Guy spends a great deal of his life underwater.

Three friends opened Surf City’s newest beer mecca, Surf City Brewing Company, on Alston Boulevard in October 2023.

39 BEHIND THE BUSINESS

65 KIDS

Oven One Food Truck rolls up fresh, hot breakfasts in Surf City.

At seven Topsail-area schools, Operation Military Kids Club provides a place for children in military families to connect with one another.

75

71 AROUND TOWN

PHOTO BY PAT FONTANA

Onslow United Transit System offers a low-cost transportation option for residents of Onslow County.

Topsail Magazine

75 COMMUNITY

The Greater Topsail Area Community Garden plants the seeds of community collaboration and provides a bountiful harvest for Share the Table.

16 TAGGED 18 ONLINE EXCLUSIVES 21 SPIRITS 22 WHAT’S COOKIN’ 25 WHAT’S HAPPENED 30 WHAT’S HAPPENING 79 SNIPPETS 94 TIDE CHART 97 ADVERTISERS INDEX 98 CAPTURE THE MOMENT

PHOTO BY JAMES STEFIUK

22 12 CONTRIBUTORS

DEPARTMENTS

8

PHOTO BY JOSH SCHIEFFER

PHOTO BY JEFF RAY

52

Open seven days Brunch Saturday and Sunday SEE WEBSITE FOR CURRENT HOURS,

www.lowtidesteakhouse.com

About

Winter 2023-24 - Volume 5, Issue 1 CEO/PUBLISHER: Justin Williams DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Sandi Grigg

Publishing Quarterly 25,000 copies printed each issue

COPY EDITOR: Molly Harrison

14,000 copies directly mailed to area homes

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICS: Teresa Kramer Samantha Lowe Elizabeth Dale Niemann

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Brian Wilner

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Anna Beth Adcock Dalene Bickel Kate M Carey Pat Fontana Lucy Lee Jo Ann Mathews Annesophia Richards Melissa Slaven Warren

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FOUNDER: B.J. Cothran

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

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

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

©2023-24 Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. strives to bring correct, accurate information that is published in the magazine. However, Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. cannot be held responsible for any consequences resulting from errors or absences. Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. also cannot be held responsible for the services provided by any and all advertisers in our publications.

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

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

E Q A publication of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc.

WINTER 2023-24

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THE BLAND BROTHERS OPERATION MILITARY KIDS CLUB PLANTING SEEDS IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN

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Topsail Magazine

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COMPLIMENTARY

tr y Coungone Coastal

C O U N T R Y M U S I C S TA R SCOT T Y MCCREERY AND H I S F A M I LY C H E R I S H T H E I R DOWNTIME ON TOPSAIL ISL AND

About the cover: Ian Fowler Photography captured our cover image of country music star Scotty McCreery at a concert in Surf City in November 2023. Read more about McCreery, who owns a home on Topsail Island, in Annesophia Richards' story on page 52.

Love where you live Your Best Choice To Sell & Buy COME AND EXPLORE OUR COAST WITH US! TOPSAIL | SURF CITY | EMERALD ISLE | ATLANTIC BEACH

Irina Vogler Stocker Broker/REALTOR®

2444 Commerce Rd STE 211, Jacksonville NC 28546

910.548.3941 HomeAndHeartsRealty.com

Winter 2023-24

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CONTRIBUTORS

Kate M Carey CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A former Ohioan and Buckeyes football fan, I now have my toes firmly placed in the sands of Topsail Island. I write fiction about people and the strange things they do for love and essays on the politics of everyday life. My work has appeared in Noctua, Indiana Voice, The Tishman Review, Panoply, Camel City Digest, Savannah Writers Anthology and County Line Journal, and I am a guest columnist for Women AdvaNCe. My husband, an Episcopal priest, and I moved to North Carolina in 2015 and have adult children living in Ohio and Florida.

Annesophia Richards CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After spending a decade as an English teacher in Florida, I moved to Wilmington in 2014 to be closer to family. I now spend my time freelance writing, working as a school interventionist and raising two very energetic children. I love exploring all that makes North Carolina such a beautiful state and travelling as much as my family and time allow! My writing appears in various local area publications. In my free time I tend to read or go for a run, and I also love competing in creative writing contests. I’ve received awards for several pieces of flash fiction. My ability to tell a good tale is a talent that I use nightly when tucking my kids in with a bedtime story.

Brian Wilner ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Living in the Hickory, North Carolina, area since I was a kid, my parents brought us to the North Carolina coast every summer — usually to the Outer Banks — so the salt life has always been part of me. When my daughter graduated from high school and started college in Raleigh, I immediately began to realize it was the perfect opportunity for me to go coastal. This area fits perfectly with my many hobbies, which include fishing, tennis, pickleball and golf. It’s difficult to describe to others how amazing the lifestyle is in southeastern North Carolina until you experience it for yourself! I have already met a plethora of amazing people in my sales and marketing position at Carolina Marketing Company, and I can’t wait to meet you!

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Winter 2023-24

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

That Topsail It was a busy fall here in the Topsail area. As you flip through this edition of Topsail Magazine, you will find that we have showcased many of the events that took place over the fall months, from the award-winning Ocean Fest to longtime favorite Autumn with Topsail to the N.C. Spot Festival in Hampstead. Events like these are a highlight of the off-season in the Topsail area as they give the locals a chance to reconnect with one another after the busy summer season.

It never ceases to amaze me how supportive the Topsail community is. So many people here volunteer their time for good causes, and everyone is so friendly and helpful to each other. It's no wonder more and more people want to move here. Topsail just has that good vibe.

With great people, good vibes and so much going on in a beautiful island setting, it is not difficult to find interesting things to write about in this part of the world. We have a lot of wonderful stories for you in this winter issue. You’ll meet the island's most famous part-time resident, country music star Scotty McCreery, who has a house here and performed a special concert in Surf City this fall. You’ll also meet the Bland family, who have a long history on the island.

We take you to Surf City Brewing Company, the newest local beer mecca, and introduce

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you to the Oven One Food Truck. And you will learn about a nonprofit that helps transient military children get settled and comfortable in the Topsail area communities.

Thank you for reading this winter edition.

Please let our advertisers know that you saw

PHOTO BY ERIC VITHALANI

I

Vibe

them here, and please pass this edition along to a friend after you have finished reading. As always, we welcome your story ideas, so please send them in to info@topsailmagazine.com Enjoy your winter!

Justin Williams Owner/Publisher Publisher@TopsailMag.com  JustinW13

Topsail Magazine Publisher Justin Williams grabbing some video and still images of the Ocean Fest 5K run in Surf City.

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Topsail Magazine

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D TOPSAILMAG.COM

DR. JAMES MANNING OPENS PRACTICE IN HAMPSTEAD Dr. James Manning, an experienced internist, celebrated the grand opening of his new Hampstead Internal Medicine office on October 23.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Situated at 16747 U.S. Highway 17 in the Oak Tree Plaza, Dr. Manning provides “traditional service and cutting-edge primary care.”

OFF TO THE BIG APPLE Two Topsail High School Marching Band musicians performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s Great American Marching Band.

Topsail High School proudly announced that two exceptionally talented musicians from the Topsail Marching Band, sophomore Samuel Casamalhuapa and senior Shayne Hughes, earned prestigious spots to perform with the renowned Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s Great American Marching Band. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE 18

Topsail Magazine

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“I’ve been a Hampstead resident for a decade,” Dr. Manning stated. “My wife, Tina, and I raised our family here. As Hampstead grows, I recognized the need for an internal medicine practice.”

Dr. Manning brings a distinguished healthcare career to Hampstead, with roles including Chief of Staff at ECU Beaufort Hospital and teaching at Eastern Carolina University. He emphasizes teaching doctors to communicate effectively with patients and families.

“In addition to teaching, I established and managed medical programs in multiple hospitals, including ECU Beaufort, ECU Medical Center, Lenoir Hospital, and Chowan Hospital. During the COVID pandemic, I worked in several hospital Intensive Care Units,” Dr. Manning noted. “But my lifelong goal has been to open a primary care practice.” | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES D EXTRAS YOU WILL ONLY FIND ONLINE D TOPSAILMAG.COM

PENDER COUNTY HAS A NEW TOURISM DIRECTOR

Dawson is a Pender County native. She was previously a tourism assistant for Pender County for six years in a period of unprecedented growth for the county’s tourism sector. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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PHOTO BY MEGAN DEITZ

Pender County has hired Olivia Dawson as its new tourism director.

SHUTTLING SIGHTSEERS AND SHELL HUNTERS

by Pat Fontana

Tate Tucker traveled the world as a yacht captain for 10 years. Then he came back home to Topsail, where his dad had built their house years before, to operate his own boat shuttling sightseers and shell hunters between the local islands. Tuck’s Water shuttle has been running visitors and residents to Lea Island and around Topsail Island since 2014. Tucker says that it is truly a shuttle service and not a fishing charter or any other type of boat service. He states that it is the “only one that is a pure shuttle to Lea Island.” | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

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Winter 2023-24

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

by Lucy Lee

Coastal Soul Professionals partners with Cleaning for a Reason to offer house cleanings for cancer patients.

Coastal Soul Professionals, LLC has partnered with Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit organization providing free home-cleaning services to cancer patients across the United States and Canada. Coastal Soul Professionals owners Samantha and Bryan Christmas have a deep personal connection to cancer, which fuels their unwavering dedication to supporting Cleaning for a Reason and aiding cancer patients. | CONTINUE READING ONLINE

|

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PHOTO BY PAT FONTANA

Tate Tucker offers sunset cruises and boat rides to Lea Island with Tuck’s Water Shuttle service.

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SPIRITS

Sunday

Funday Bourbon and beer come together to bring home the win, whether your team does or not.

BY SANDI GRIGG

I

Grab your beer and meet me here! And by here, I mean in front of the TV for the football game.

Our neighbors are huge Steelers fans while we are Panthers fans. We hosted a friendly rivalry viewing of the game at our home when the two teams played. I wanted to make a cocktail that the guys would not shy away from but was also appealing to us ladies.

I knew their beer of choice was IPA, so naturally I opted for a combination of that with some other tasty flavors of the season. Bourbon is my spouse’s liquor of choice, and it works so well with apple cider. By combining bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, bitters and maple syrup, this cocktail omits the aromatics of apple pie spices. The IPA brings it home with a hoppy bitterness on the end of the sweet notes — it is perfect for a cool afternoon watching football.

I chose to serve these cocktails in Mason jars because I tend to hoard them and thought this was a good use for them. Recently, Mason jars have become the hipster way to serve drinks, but I think they are also perfect for guests because they don’t tip over easily like other types of cocktail glasses — which is ideal for jumping and cheering in front of the TV. They also have a thicker, tempered glass so they do not break as easily and keep a drink colder longer.

This cocktail went well with the veggie platter that our neighbors brought and the goat cheese dip that we offered with pretzels.

If you are looking to serve something a little bit different that goes well with football, crisp air and munchies, then this is your go-to.

I should note that the Panthers did not win, so it could be considered a lucky charm for Steelers fans.

Enjoy!

SUNDAY FUNDAY INGREDIENTS 1 ounce bourbon 1 ounce apple cider ½ ounce maple syrup ¼ ounce lemon juice 2 good dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters IPA beer Cinnamon stick and apple slices for garnish

METHOD To a shaker of ice add the bourbon, apple cider, syrup and lemon juice – shake for 30 seconds.

Strain into a jar of ice and top with an IPA beer.

Garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice.

Winter 2023-24

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WHAT’S COOKIN’ WITH SOUTHERN SANDI

My Mama’s Ribs

I

If you love fall-off-the-bone ribs, you’ll love this super-simple recipe with a secret Southern ingredient.

BY SANDI GRIGG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK

In the lyrics of Juvenile, “She get it from her mamma.”

This three-ingredient, fall-off-thebone, hassle-free rib recipe came directly from my mother. Her secret ingredient is a local brand soda, and once you try it, you will not make ribs any other way ever again.

I have made ribs in the past, and it typically took a lot of attention and ingredients — and they just were not that good. Once I spent nearly all day in the kitchen tending to ribs in the oven, and another time, I stayed close by a smoker for hours trying to make sure I did not dry them out. I must admit, neither time were the ribs very tasty.

I like my ribs dripping with sauce and sliding off the bone. I do not like them being too chewy or too mushy, and I really don’t like it when I must tear them off the bone with my teeth because the peritoneum was not removed.

My mother taught me to remove the fatty membrane tissue (peritoneum) from the backside of the ribs before cooking them. It does make them a bit more delicate to handle and transfer, but at least they do not have the super chewy sheath that restaurants typically leave on ribs.

For this recipe, you just drop them in a crockpot and walk away. When you are about ready to serve them, you sauce them up and pop them in the oven for a short time.

The sauce is made from Cheerwine,

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which is a Southern soda consisting of sweet cola flavors and a hint of cherry.

Cheerwine was created right here in North Carolina in 1917 and calls itself the “Nectar of North Carolina.” Most Southerners are familiar with it. It claims to be best paired with the foods of football season Cheerwine, created right — including BBQ ribs. It is here in North Carolina in important to note that my 1917, makes a delicious mother is also an avid soda barbecue sauce. drinker and loves Cheerwine.

The first time my mother made these she invited us over for a family dinner. Knowing I had botched my last few attempts at ribs, I was eager to try hers as she is a very good cook. The moment we walked into the house, we could smell the sweet aroma of BBQ sauce — and it instantly activated my Maillard Reaction. She plated the ribs on her favorite hand-painted platter that she brought back from a trip to Hawaii, which is also known for its amazing BBQ pork dishes. Her presentation was as beautiful as the ribs were delicious. The meat literally fell from the bone as I tried to place ribs on my plate.

If you also struggle with making the ideal BBQ ribs, then you must try this recipe. Not only are you supporting a local company and using minimal ingredients, but also you will have time to enjoy the day after licking your fingers and bones clean.

Did you know?

Q Southern.Sandi

Three Ingredient Slow-Cooked Ribs INGREDIENTS You will need a crockpot and tin foil.

1 rack of pork ribs 1 small bottle (20 ounces) of Cheerwine 1½ cups BBQ sauce

METHOD Mix the Cheerwine and BBQ sauce and set aside.

Remove the fatty membrane tissue from the underside of the rack of ribs and cut in half.

Layer the two rib portions into a crockpot and cover with Cheerwine/BBQ mixture.

Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours.

Remove the ribs from the crockpot and them on a large piece of tin foil. Fold the edges of the foil up around the ribs and spoon the Cheerwine mixture over the ribs. Close the foil shut around the ribs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Have a recipe request for Southern Sandi?

Shoot a message to Sandi@TopsailMag.com

Open the foil to expose the ribs, brush with the sauce and bake again to brown the tops for another 15 minutes.

Winter 2023-24

23

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WHAT’S HAPPENED

Pender County Humane Society Launches Pet Food Pantry

Pender County Tourism Sees Record Year in Visitor Economic Impact Pender County spending increased by 14.7 percent in 2022.

Domestic and international visitors to and within Pender County spent $189.66 million in 2022, an increase of 14.7 percent from 2021. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Pender County Humane Society (PCHS) is proud to announce the launch of its county-wide Pet Food Pantry. Thanks to supporters and the residents of Pender County, PCHS launched the Pet Food Pantry on July 29 at the Shelter in Burgaw (1407 Highway 53 W.). Anyone needing dog or cat food is asked to fill out a form, which is at the shelter Monday through Friday from 9 am to noon, and on the PCHS website. Please bring proof of income or proof of government assistance. Dog and cat food and cat litter are available.

School, Moores Creek National Battlefield, the Historic Burgaw Train Depot and Ocean City helped install the kiosk at the Train Depot Museum in Burgaw. The Mountains to Sea Trail is 1,170 miles of trail that stretches from Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smokey Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks, and a portion passes through Pender County.

Tourism to Moores Creek National Battlefield Contributes to Local Economy

Feast Down East awarded $4,400 to local beginner, minority and veteran farmers in its inaugural Farmer Scholarship Program on August 9. The scholarships, valued up to $450 each, were awarded to farmers within 100 miles of Feast Down East’s Food Hub. The program specifically focuses on supporting beginner, first generation, minority and veteran farmers to provide funding for their operations as well as farms that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship. Feast Down East created the Farmer Scholarship Program after noting barriers that farmers were experiencing barriers in leveraging funds that could be invested into their farm businesses that could increase on-farm production and distribution opportunities. The winning farms were: • • • • • • • • •

4-Ever Vista Farms Bee Blessed Pure Honey Changin’ Ways Farm Footprints In The Garden GrassRoots Meat & Feed Provision Co. Mindful Farm and Garden Pasture To Plate Farms Red Bear Farms Sarge’s Farm

Mountains to Sea Trail Kiosk Installed in Burgaw When Lenovo and the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail board of directors offered Pender County Tourism a free video and kiosk about the Mountains to Sea Trail, the county jumped at the opportunity. Volunteers from the Canetuck/Rosenwald

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Feast Down East’s Farmer Scholarship Winners Announced

On the heels of the N.C. Department of Commerce releasing Pender County's record-setting year for visitor spending, a new National Park Service report shows that 53,700 visitors to Moores Creek National Battlefield supported 52 jobs in the area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $4.8 million. The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists at the National Park Service.

Nationally, the report shows $23.9 billion of direct spending by nearly 312 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 378,400 jobs nationally; 314,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $50.3 billion.

Pender Sheriff’s Charity Foundation Donates to Sheriff’s Office The newly established Pender Sheriff ’s Charity Foundation (PSCF) recently presented its first-ever donation to the Pender

Winter 2023-24

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WHAT’S HAPPENED

Sheriff ’s Office. The $14,000 donation will be used to purchase a drone and LPR mobile community safety camera. The donation resulted from PSCF’s inaugural fundraiser, Taste of Pender, held in July.

also maintain hours of Wednesday to Friday 10 am to 4:45 pm and Saturday 10 am to 2:45 pm.

Passenger Rail Symposium Held in Burgaw

Eastern NC Festivals Workshop Held at Moores Creek National Battlefield

Salty Turtle Brings Home N.C. Brewers Cup Silver Medal Salty Turtle Beer Company of Surf City was recognized as a N.C. Brewers Cup medalist in 2023, bringing home a silver medal in the Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale category for their beer titled Hidden Algorithm. This year marked the 12th anniversary of the N.C. Brewers Cup competition, administered by the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild and sponsored by Pro Refrigeration, Inc., Tryon Distributing and Lowe’s Foods, the “Official Grocer of NC Beer.” This year 873 entries were submitted by 122 independent North Carolina craft breweries, making this the largest commercial beer competition in the Southeast.

Feast Down East Free Community Cultivator Event Feast Down East, a nonprofit that supports local farmers and food access throughout Wilmington and Southeastern North Carolina, held its Community Cultivator event in Wilmington on October 5. Free to attend, it was a casual evening featuring complimentary food from local farmers — prepared by True Blue Events — including live music from Animal Lounge, raffle prizes generously donated by local businesses and conversation with the community of Feast Down East staff, farmers, customers, partners and supporters. The event was held at Azalea Station, which kindly donating their beautiful new event space and 10% of all drink sales to Feast Down East.

Pender County Humane Society Opens Thrift Store Pender County Humane Society opened the For Our Furry Friends Thrift Store on October 3 for a two-month trial period.

The store, located at 100 N. N.C. Highway 117 in Burgaw, will

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Event and festival planners with the Eastern NC Festival Consortium recently gathered for a workshop at Moores Creek National Battlefield. Matthew Woods, superintendent at Moores Creek, outlined plans for America's 250th birthday in 2026. Pender County Tourism led one session and sponsored lunch.

In conjunction with the Town of Burgaw, Eastern Carolina Rail hosted its first Passenger Rail Symposium on October 24 at the Historic Burgaw Depot. Eastern Carolina Rail is a nonprofit organization dedicated to returning passenger trains to the Raleigh/Wilmington corridor. One of its goals is to “blow the whistle for a new train of thought” to establish passenger rail stations in Pender, Duplin, Wayne, Johnson and Wake counties to serve the proposed rail corridor. Additional events are being planned for more locations. At this event, governmental and business leaders shared their support for passenger rail in southeastern North Carolina now being proposed by the Rail Division of the N.C. Department of Transportation. The next step in this process would be a $500,000 federal grant to start pursuing this option. Updates are being provided by the NCDOT Rail Division, Eastern Carolina Rail, and governmental leaders.

Pender County Tourism Installs New Sign Pender County Tourism's Burgaw office has a new sign with the department’s branding and logo. The department’s brand is a turtle that incorporates all the important aspects of Pender County. The turtle sun rising promises a new day. The green fields honors our agriculture. The sky is a wave. The carapace of the turtle is the pinpoint used in mapping software declaring "you have arrived."

Turkey Trek Hike Many hikers joined Pender County Tourism and Pender County Parks and Recreation as they celebrated the Year of the Trail on November 11 with a hike at Miller’s Pond Park. It was a great day to take a nice fall hike, and participants learned how to call a turkey.

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WHAT’S HAPPENED

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The ghost of Graybeard the pirate surprised more than 100 attendees at the meeting of the Historical Society of Topsail Island in October. Graybeard and his “wench” showed up to promote the Ghost Walk of Pender's Past. Graybeard was one of the ghosts appearing at the Burgaw Cemetery on October 28.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Ghost of Graybeard visits Historical Society of Topsail Island

year’s tournament for the first time. During the Topsail Island Association of Realtors general meeting and Thanksgiving celebration on November 16, Elam presented a check for $5,538 to Yvonne Saunders, head of the Folkstone Food Bank.

Ribbon Cutting for Freya’s Haus

On November 9 Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of Freya's Haus Beer Garden and Cafe with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Located at 55 Scotts Hill Loop Road, Freya's Haus is a gathering place with outside seating, music and the Tackle Box food truck.

Topsail Island Association of Realtors’ Charity Golf Tournament Raises Money for Folkstone Food Bank Topsail Island Association of Realtors held its 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on October 26 at North Shore Golf Course. Over the previous 10 years, the tournament has raised more than $30,000 for local charities. The 2023 tournament was the largest on record, with 16 four-person super ball teams playing for cash prizes and the chance to win a new golf cart for a whole in one on the par three 12th hole.

Unfortunately, no one won the cart this year, but there will be another opportunity in 2024. This year’s proceeds went to the Folkstone Food Bank in Sneads Ferry, which provides food and Thanksgiving packets for needy families in the area. David Elam with Intracoastal Realty served as the chairman of this

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Pender County Tourism recently assisted in a day-long workshop with Visit NC and its program Outdoor NC. Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and other organizations interested in sustainable tourism learned about the program as well as Leave No Trace. Former Pender County Tourism Director Tammy Proctor, Topsail Beach Mayor Steve Smith and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Benson gave a keynote message regarding the Beach Clean project.

Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce Hires Interim Executive Director The Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors voted unanimously to appoint Tammy Proctor as the incoming interim executive director. The action comes after receiving the resignation of Director Dr. Steven Hill. The chamber, which experienced tremendous growth under Hill’s leadership, thanked him for his service and wished him well in his future endeavors.

Ribbon Cutting for Hampstead Internal Medicine On November 1 Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Hampstead Internal Medicine Owner Dr. Jay Manning and his staff, family and friends. The much-needed medical office is located at 16747 Highway 17, Suite 124 in Hampstead near Tootsie Wootsies ultrasound studio and other medical professional services.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Outdoor NC 2.0 Comes to Surf City

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

2024 St. Paddy's Engineer 5 Mile Challenge

Hidden Ships’ Roaring 20s New Year's Eve December 31 Travel back to the glamorous Roaring 20s at Hidden Ships Distillery. Join the Gatsby-inspired party for a night of sophistication, dazzling cocktails and Jazz Age rhythms. Dress in your finest flapper attire, and enjoy classic libations, light hors d’oeuvres, desserts. There will be prizes for the best 1920s attire.

More info: Hidden Ships Distillery Facebook

22nd Annual Dolphin Dip Extravaganza January 1 Start the new year with a plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. Join hundreds of participants on New Year's Day as they gather on the beach in Surf City for the Dolphin Dip Extravaganza. At noon, a horn sounds and thousands of people, shrieking with delight, run into the ocean to wash away the previous year. The fun and exhilarating festivities kick off at 11 am. You may catch a glimpse of dinosaurs, belly dancers, lots of awesome costumes, and if you come early enough, you may even get to see dolphins swimming just off the pier. Don't be late — the dip happens at noon sharp at the Roland 30

Topsail Magazine

Avenue Beach Access. There is no cost to attend. It's free fun for the whole family (including your pets). Whether you plan to take a dip or not, come on out and enjoy the entertainment! Proceeds from t-shirt/merchandise sales at the event benefit Share the Table (cash only).

More info: facebook.com/dolphindip

Chili/Soup Cook-off January 1 Follow up the Dolphin Dip with a warm bowl of chili or soup. This cook-off is held at Eventide right after the Dip! Cast your vote for your preferred dish in each category! There's also a Cornhole Tournament, weather permitting.

More info: Eventide Surf City Facebook

Topsail Island Bunco Group January 12 Topsail Island residents who love playing Bunco can join this club, which gathers monthly at various homes to have a good time and indulge in delicious food and drinks with friends.

More info: Topsail Island Bunco Group Facebook

Mom Prom January 19 Ladies 21 and older, dust off that gorgeous gown for an unforgettable night at Mom Prom! Highlights include a Mom-themed Chinese auction, vendors, a food truck and a fabulous goodie bag filled by local businesses. The soundtrack to your night? A perfect mix of 80s/90s vibes, 2000s hip hop and current mashups. Dress to impress and be ready to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Doors open at 6:30 pm at the Hampstead Women's Club, 14335 Highway 17 in Hampstead. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.com More info: (910) 270-9549

Parent & Me Art Time - Winter Wonderland January 26 Kids and adults paint together at 5:30 pm.

All materials and guidance are provided.

Pre-registration is necessary. The cost covers two canvases, with the option to purchase extra canvases for additional children.

More info: thewildchildartstudio.com

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

22nd Annual Dolphin Dip Extravaganza

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Hampstead Farmers Market

Extreme Dwarfinators

Thursdays, 4 to 7 pm

February 16

The recently launched Hampstead Farmers Market at Shaka’s Backyard Beer Garden exclusively showcases products from local producers and is stocked with the highest quality meats and vegetables in the area. All the produce is grown ethically by seasoned experts in their respective fields. Visit every Thursday night at Shaka’s Backyard Beer Garden at Ironclad Golf in Hampstead.

Tortuga’s in Surf City is hosting the Ultimate Clash: Dwarfs vs. Minis. It’s a wrestling extravaganza where size doesn't matter on the battlefield. This event will be held from 8 to 10 pm. Get your tickets at dwarfanators.com/tourdates/

Sledgehammer Beach Run February 3 Explore the beauty of North Topsail Beach while participating in a Half Marathon, 10K or 5K run. The Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission presents the Sledgehammer Race Series to honor the memory of Dr. E. B. Sledge and all combat veterans.

2024 St. Paddy's Engineer 5 Mile Challenge

Hampstead Wedding Showcase February 25 Meet the finest local vendors for your special occasion. There will be exciting rewards, special offers, a raffle, giveaways, a captivating bridal fashion display, live musical performances and the premier wedding service providers in the area. Showcase times are 3 to 6 pm. The first 50 attendees receive a complimentary goodie bag.

March 16 Test your limits in this untimed, yet demanding course designed by US Marine Corps engineers at Courthouse Bay in Rocky Point. The course includes a variety of obstacles, trails, and muddy creeks that will challenge your physical and mental endurance. The race brings the community together in the spirit of competition. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this fun and challenging event. Runners will receive a t-shirt, finisher medal, and swag bag, along with free food and beverage. Must be 10 years or older to register. This MCCS event is sponsored by Jacksonville Tourism Development Authority. No federal or DoD endorsement implied.

More info: https://register.chronotrack. com/r/76884

More info: hampsteadweddingshowcase.com

More info: playjosc.com/annual-events

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Meet the Owners of ShipOnSite - Surf City!

William, Gabrielle, Lynda & Milo Gabrielle, the co-owner of ShipOnSite, is a warm and welcoming presence in the Surf City community. She made the life-changing decision to move from Kansas City to this coastal town in September 2020 to be with her beloved fiancee, William. Since her arrival, she has embraced the coastal lifestyle wholeheartedly, falling in love with the beach and all its serenity. In her free time, Gabrielle enjoys spending quality moments with her two cats and two dogs, creating a loving home for her furry companions. She's also a passionate board game enthusiast, frequently organizing game nights and trying to convince William to play Dominos for the millionth time. When she's not enjoying board games, Gabrielle can be found crocheting beautiful creations or engrossed in a captivating book, cherishing the simple pleasures of life in her new coastal home.

William, the other co-owner of ShipOnSite, brings a unique and inspiring story to the business. A United States Marine Corps Veteran, he dedicated over 9 years of his life to service (three years spent in Okinawa, Japan), showcasing his commitment and discipline. Beyond his military service, William is a remarkable brain cancer survivor, demonstrating incredible strength and resilience. He's not only a warrior but also a gym enthusiast, embracing the fitness journey to stay healthy and strong. Family is of utmost importance to him, and he cherishes spending quality time with his loved ones. Nature holds a special place in his heart, and he often finds solace in the great outdoors, especially during the winter when he enjoys the warmth of bonfires. Additionally, he shares his love for the outdoors with his dogs, taking them on invigorating runs that create an unbreakable bond between man and his faithful companions. William's life experiences and passions contribute to the unique spirit of ShipOnSite, making it a business that thrives on strength, resilience, and close-knit connections.

FOLLOW US on Facebook and Instagram for the quickest updates and message us for any questions! @shiponsite_surfcity

Shipping, Printing, Business Essentials, Gifts & More!

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Topsail Magazine

Veteran & Woman Owned

ShipOnSite of Surf City

9:00am - 6:00pm Monday - Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm Saturday Closed on Sunday Holiday Hours are subject to change

PEOPLE

The Man

Between cleaning boat hulls, changing propellers, salvaging boats and spearfishing, Guy works and plays in the water.

with

Gills As a commercial diver and spearfisher, Logan Guy spends a great deal of his life underwater.

BY ANNESOPHIA RICHARDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH SCHIEFFER

T

To his thousands of social media followers, Logan Guy is known as the Man with Gills. As a commercial diver, the 37-year-old’s underwater job is never dull. Below the surface, Guy is all business, maintaining boats, changing propellers, searching for lost items and salvaging sunken ships. Catch him on land, however, and you’ll find he’s a thrill seeker with a zest for his job and for life itself.

A native of Jacksonville, Guy grew up surfing and fishing along the shores of Topsail Island. With family who worked in Winter 2023-24

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Topsail Magazine

the commercial fishing industry in Sneads Ferry, he spent most of his youth in and around water. As an adult, his path led him to work as a carpenter in Beaufort, which is where he was also first introduced to scuba diving.

“A connection of mine owned R & R Dive Services and was looking for a diver to join his team,” Guy says. “I came on, got certified and learned a lot about the dive business. A little while later I moved back to Jacksonville to be closer to family and went back into carpentry, but I realized I was immediately missing diving.”

In 2015 Guy launched his commercial diving company, High Tide. Most of his day-to-day business comes from boat maintenance and cleaning. On a monthly or bi-monthly basis, both private boat owners and commercial fleets contract Guy to tend to their boats’ undersides, areas that are crucial to keep clean yet nearly impossible to reach for most watermen.

“When boats are kept in the water, they sit and accumulate hard and soft marine growth, like slime, barnacles and oysters, which will rob a boat of its efficiency and create more drag in the water,” he says.

Depending on each boat’s location, frequency of use and condition of its bottom paint, the average cleaning job takes Guy less than two hours. With multiple jobs each day, he estimates he spends about six total hours underwater, with the rest of his time spent moving gear between boats, driving to different locations or going back to his truck to change out his air tanks.

At the start of his business eight

PEOPLE

Logan Guy opened his commercial diving company, High Tide, in 2015.

years ago, Guy used a hand scraper for all his work. He’s since upgraded to a high-power underwater pressure washer to blast off any hard growth from the metal, then follows up with his hands to remove slime and other softer deposits.

“I end up touching every square inch of every single boat, every single time,” Guy says.

Because of the murky, silty waters of the Intracoastal Waterway and along the river, Guy says he works with almost zero visibility when underneath the water. Much of what he does is by feel alone as he can only see between four to eight inches in front of him at any given time.

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PEOPLE

“We don’t have very clear water here to begin with, then once I start cleaning, all that stuff coming off the boat clouds up the water and eliminates my visibility,” he says. “Over the years I’ve learned how to know where I’m at under the boat and what I’m feeling for, because I can’t rely on my vision to tell if something’s cleaned correctly.”

In addition to making sure he does a thorough job without being able to see, Guy says another challenge is figuring out

Guy admits he has always been an adrenaline junkie and loves doing things like surfing in hurricanes, downhill skateboarding, skydiving and his current passion, spearfishing. A big part of his social media content is centered around videos of his underwater hunts, some of which have been sponsored by local companies. Over the past two years, Guy has grown his online presence and says more than 90 percent of his business now comes about through social media.

“I’ve learned I actually enjoy the creative process of being a digital creator and finding new ways to express what I do and make it entertaining,” Guy says. “My job is something cool for people to look at, and it gets me more business. I’ll obviously always have bottom cleans going on, but I’d eventually love to hire someone to do that and then go salvage boats and shoot fish and make really cool videos documenting what I do and expressing myself over digital content.”

When asked why he loves his job so much, Guy says he believes it is a combination of the action and craziness of it all, as

how to appropriately position his body at all times. When using the pressure washer, Guy must actively kick his fins to cancel the momentum from the gun. He’s also fighting the effects of buoyancy, as well as the force he’s creating while scraping or scrubbing against the boat hull.

“You’re pushing yourself away while trying to stay close, so there’s a big learning curve on how to orientate your body so you’re not fighting the buoyancy and swimming the whole time,” he says.

When he is not cleaning and maintaining boats, Guy is busy doing propeller changes, line or net disentanglements, locating items lost overboard and his favorite job — salvage.

When someone has a sunken vessel needing DEEP DIVE recovery, they reach out to Guy to help lift it back above water using floatation pillows, High Tide straps and the assistance of another diver.

To reach Logan “You secure the deflated air bags to the hull, Guy at High Tide then feed the straps all the way underneath the m (910) 548-6083 boat, trying to find a little space between the or follow him on rocks that you can fit your hand in and hope the Facebook, diver you’re diving with is on the exact same Instagram, spot on the other side to grab the strap from YouTube and you,” Guy says. “Then you slowly start airing TikTok the bags up in sequence, until the boat surfaces.” @loganhightide 36

Topsail Magazine

well as the interesting people he gets to meet each day. Just like himself, his customers are boaters, captains and salt life enthusiasts with stories to share and lessons to pass along. He also loves the freedom being a commercial diver offers and says he can’t imagine doing anything else.

“Just knowing I’m down there doing something that few people can accomplish,” he says, “and doing it safely with a calm mind about myself, it just amps me up and makes me feel really good.” 

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www.guesthousetopsail.com Winter 2023-24

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Topsail Magazine

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Risk It for the Biscuit Oven One Food Truck rolls up fresh, hot breakfasts in Surf City.

BY ANNA BETH ADCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNIQUE MEDIA & DESIGN

H Hungry for delish breakfast grub in Surf City? Look no further than Oven One Food Truck, offering mouthwatering scratch-made biscuits and all things egg and cheese. Start your morning right with breakfast BLTs featuring Havarti cheese and garlic aioli, a classic BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) or even a sausage egg, cheese and hashbrown biscuit at the rolling restaurant.

The owner and chef behind the biscuits is Mike Shipley. Boasting an extensive background in the food service industry since his teenage years, Shipley was working toward a career as a licensed therapist when the opportunity came along to shift gears and open Oven One.

Mike Shipley is the chef behind the biscuits on the Oven One Food Truck.

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

“It was just something I wanted to do,” Shipley says. “I didn’t want to look back five years later and wonder what would have happened if I had started the food truck.”

With the help of a few friends in the area, specifically the guys at Daddy Mac’s, North Shore Juice and Shaka Taco, Shipley turned the opportunity into an actual business.

Patrons seeking a bite can find Oven One parked by North Shore Juice most mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 am.

Maintaining a recurring location is an intentional move on Shipley’s part — he wants to build his business from the central location on the island and ensure customers know where to find him.

Shipley has lived in and around the area on-and-off for the better part of two decades and earned his master’s degree in

You can find the Oven One Food Truck by North Shore Juice in Surf City.

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PEOPLE

social work from UNC Wilmington. Since starting his food truck, he has been able to move back to Surf City — a transition that the coastal resident is “pretty pumped about.”

Oven One has been in operation for less than two years and has gained a loyal following.

“My customer base is really cool,” Shipley says. “Probably one of my favorite things about having the truck is getting a handful of regulars and seeing visitors who have tried it come back. I think it’s neat that people remember it and want to come back.”

Shipley began with the idea of offering myriad breakfast foods on the menu. But once he dove deeper into the logistics, he decided to focus on making one food and making it well.

“Biscuits were the first thing I sold and they had a good reception,” Shipley says. “People seemed to like them, and I got better at my recipe, so really the whole truck has turned into biscuits. I have a few other breads here and there, but I quickly learned from being on the truck that you don’t want to do too much. … You want to be good at one thing.”

The biscuit maker’s secret ingredient is lots of butter — and keeping everything cold until it is time to get it hot. Shipley wakes up early each morning to make the biscuits fresh each day.

Beyond the thriving food truck endeavor, Shipley and his wife welcomed a baby boy early this summer. Shipley met his wife while working at a youth shelter in Wilmington. “We met doing social work and she now does something

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Winter 2023-24

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

GET A BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

completely different as well,” Shipley says.

In the future, Oven One may roll into expanded hours and specialty sandwiches. Further Oven One Food Truck down the road, Shipley has a goal 103 N. Shore Drive of transitioning his business into Surf City (by North a brick-and-mortar somewhere Shore Juice) on the island.

Check Instagram for “That’s definitely the dream,” hours and updates: he says of a future brick-andQ ovenonenc mortar location. “There are not a lot of breakfast spots around Surf City, and I would definitely like to have a building. … And you always want to continue to grow and get bigger and better.”

Ready for a belly full of fresh, hot biscuits? Take it from the owner: “We are really big on making the biscuits fresh every morning. I take the time to make it the best I can.” 

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WHAT'S NEW

The New Brew in Town

A

Three friends opened Surf City’s newest beer mecca,

Surf City Brewing Company, on Alston Boulevard in October 2023.

BY KATE M CAREY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNIQUE MEDIA & DESIGN

n IT guy, a Naval pathologist and a retired Marine go out for a couple of beers one night. A little girl pets a big dog, adults chat, runners exchange personal bests, and friendships begin. Ferment for five years, and the results are some fine brews and the creation of Surf City Brewing Company.

Brian Hemenway, Reynaldo Gomez and Clint Smith opened Surf City Brewing Company (SCBC), a veteran and minority-owned brewery, in October 2023 in one of the fastest-growing areas of the small coastal town. A homebrewer for 15 years, Smith had brewed many styles of beer for his friends and now he’s brewing for his neighborhood.

“If Clint can make a type of beer I don’t like, and I like it,” says

Left to right, Reynaldo Gomez, Clint Smith and Brian Hemenway are the owners of Surf City Brewing Company.

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WHAT'S NEW

Gomez, “then I will trust him, and he has delivered.”

The friends tend to finish each other’s sentences and jump in with a comment designed, and effective, at producing laughter. If for any reason, you don’t like beer, you are bound to like the three owners.

A dozen of their brews are on tap; several beers are continuous while others rotate. On a recent evening, the selection included a blonde, an amber, a stout, a Marzen, a porter, a Belgian Witbier and both a West Coast IPA and a Hazy IPA. Flights are available. Prosecco is also on tap, as are ciders and one or two other North Carolina beers.

Many of the SCBC beers top out at 5 to 6% ABV, though the IPAs are higher,

Bartender Madison DiGioia pours one of the dozen Surf City Brewing beers on tap.

allowing you to “sit and drink a couple beers and visit with friends without feeling too full,” Smith says.

Their stout is an interpretation of a dry Irish stout.

“It’s a little more roasty and chocolatey than a dry Irish, but it still has a dry finish,” Smith says. “It’s pretty good.”

“Rey likes it.” Hemenway throws in, a nod to Gomez’s earlier comment and seal of approval.

The stout, Scath Na Farriage in Irish or Shadow of the Sea, is nicely carbonated using an age-old brewing technique called spunding in the primary carbonation.

Spunding traps the naturally occurring CO2 created during fermentation inside the fermenter. The CO2 absorbs into the wort, the malt-grain mix.

“It’s a unique thing that sets us apart from other breweries,” Smith says.

The stout is served with nitro, meaning nitrogen is added under pressure, creating a beer with high keg pressure but low carbonation to create a more comfortable drinking beer.

Smith tells the story of the amber ale, appropriately named, the 1908 Prohibition Amber Ale. The ale gives a droll nod to North Carolina’s early (1908) adoption of 46

Topsail Magazine

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PROPERTIES FOR 2024!

Winter 2023-24

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CarolinaCoastContracting@gmail.com 48

Topsail Magazine

13775 NC-50 Ste 503, Surf City, NC 28445

WHAT'S NEW

Prohibition. The rest of the country enacted Prohibition laws in 1919.

“The story behind it is that we get our hops from Crosby Hop Farms,” Smith says. “They’ve been in business since 1900 — five generations, family-owned.

We used hops like those grown during the Prohibition period. It’s slightly malty with a slight, bitter finish.”

Ca$h Me Outside is a light, crisp blonde with a slightly hoppy taste. Its smoother taste comes from adding Cashmere hops, known for tropical notes.

Cashmere hops are a cross

between Cascade, one of the most widely used hops in the United States, and Northern Brewer, a woody, earthy hop.

SCBC has a fully automated system. “That doesn’t mean you don’t need a brewmaster creating recipes,” Smith says. “The system allows the brewmaster to set it and forget, so to speak,” adding that it took a bit of learning and not forgetting for him to scale from a home brewer to the quantity necessary for a taproom.

The trio diligently worked nights and weekends on the interior as both Gomez and Hemenway have day jobs.

Brewer Clint Smith expertly crafts his beers with a fully automated, on-site brewing system.

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WHAT'S NEW

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Topsail Magazine

display their boards,” he says. “Some surfers have boards that are too valuable to ride but maybe they’d like to share them with folks.”

At the east side of the patio, Smith planted a hops wall showcasing the herbal favorite, but no hops from the wall were harvested for the brews on tap. The large patio with picnic tables has plenty of room for both well-behaved kids and dogs to play while SIP IN SURF CITY parents enjoy a brew or two.

Beverages also are available Surf City Brewing Company for non-beer lovers. Patrons 400 Alston Boulevard Extension, can bring snacks and food Hampstead from local establishments, m (910) 900-7468 and several are just across the K surfcitybrewingcompany.com road in the Surf City Crossing shopping area.  Q surf_city_brewing_company CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Brewing is Smith’s day job.

The brewing equipment, ordered from a company in Nebraska, took the ensemble a few weekends to assemble, and finishing the custom-poured cement flooring another week.

“Anything we could do ourselves, we did, including the bar top,” Gomez says. “We are now concrete floor experts.”

The trio designed and built the back bar, a mélange of ocean blues and sunset oranges and yellows. Tables and chairs are movable so friends can gather with a more-is-merrier philosophy, while bar stools have nice back supports for comfortable seating while sipping.

Surfboards hanging on the walls pay homage to Hemenway’s days of surfing and his love of the sport.

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y r t n u o C gone tal a s Co Topsail Magazine

Country music star Scotty McCreery and his family cherish their downtime on Topsail Island.

BY ANNESOPHIA RICHARDS

PHOTO BY JEFF RAY

PHOTO BY CITY 2 SEA MEDIA



hile Tennessee might be known as the country music capital of the world, North Carolina certainly holds its own as the birthplace of many history-making artists. Some of the greatest names in country music have come out of the Tarheel State, from Luke Combs and Eric Church to Randy Travis and Charlie Daniels.

North Carolina native and contemporary musician Scotty McCreery is one of those names that continues to stay on top of the charts, and when he is not touring across the country, McCreery loves nothing more than spending time with family and friends at his home on Topsail Island.

Born and raised in Garner, North Carolina, 30-year-old McCreery has been a household name for nearly half his life. In 2011 at the age of 17 he was named the ACM New Artist of the Year after winning the 19th season of American Idol. He made history that same year as both the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. Since then, McCreery has gone on to earn a variety of other music

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industry accolades and sold more than four million albums, achieving five consecutive No.1 hits in the process with songs “Damn Strait,” “Five More Minutes,” “You Time,” “In Between” and “This is It.” In 2018 McCreery married his high school sweetheart, Gabi, who he met on the first day of kindergarten at Timber Drive Elementary in Garner.

“We’ve known each other our whole lives, and our families still live about five or ten minutes apart from one another,” McCreery says. “I believe it was just fate.”

Last year the couple welcomed their first son, Avery, and the family now lives in Raleigh with additional homes in the mountain town of Linville and the beach town of North Topsail. McCreery’s first introduction to Topsail Island occurred when he was a teenager and would visit the beach with friends.

After his musical career took off, he and Gabi were searching for a place on the coast to build a second home and soon realized Topsail was the perfect location.

“There was a lot for sale two houses down from my childhood best friend and his in-laws, so it was a match made in heaven,” McCreery says. “We got to know the area better and saw how nice all the locals were, and it seemed like a perfect fit.”

The family started visiting their Topsail home in 2013, and for the last decade have been returning to the island every chance they get. McCreery blocks off a good amount of time from his tour schedule so that he can be at their beach home as much as possible. The whole family enjoys time on the water, including one-year-old Avery, who McCreery calls a “beach baby,” and even the family dog, who McCreery says loves to swim in the ocean. Some of the family’s favorite spots to eat while in 

In 2018 McCreery married his high school sweetheart, Gabi, who he met on the first day of kindergarten...

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Topsail Magazine

PHOTO BY CITY 2 SEA MEDIA

PHOTO BY JEFF RAY

PHOTO BY JOHN SHEARER PHOTO BY JOHN-SHEARER PHOTO BY CITY 2 SEA MEDIA

Country music superstar Scotty McCreery played to a sold-out crowd at Soundside Park in Surf City in November 2023.

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the area are Daddy Mac’s and Shaka Taco in Surf City and Agave Azul, Cancun and Rick’s Restaurant in Sneads Ferry.

“We mainly go to relax because our schedule is so crazy on the road,” McCreery says. “We did more tour dates this year than ever before, so when we get to Topsail, most of the time we grab a chair, go sit on the beach, maybe play some cornhole and

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enjoy quality time with each other.”

When not busy touring, McCreery also enjoys playing golf, especially in the Topsail area. One of his favorite local courses is North Shore Golf Course in Sneads Ferry, where he spends a great deal of time with his father and closest friends from high school and college.

“There’s eight of us, and we do this thing we named the State Cup twice a

year,” McCreery says. “We just finished one at North Shore that we called The War of the Shore, and it was our 18th cup competition. We all grew up playing sports but can’t do much of that anymore, so twice a year we get a real dose of fun competition together.”

In October 2023 McCreery was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in recognition of his work as one of the state’s most notable musicians. It is an honor he does not take lightly, as he says he’s now in the company of several of his heroes, such as Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels, Ronnie Milsap and Andy Griffith.

“I don’t do the music for the accolades or anything, I do it because I love it, and I’d be doing it whether five people showed up at a show or 5,000,” McCreery says. “It’s a really special honor and means the world to me. I love North Carolina from the mountains to the coast, so it’s a big deal for me.”

On November 4, 2023, McCreery performed to a sold-out crowd at Soundside Park in Surf City as part of its annual Surf City Live concert event.

McCreery’s newest song, “Cab in a Solo,” which he wrote with Frank Rogers and Brent Anderson, is the first single from his forthcoming album, due out in 2024. His Cab in a Solo Tour starts at the beginning of 2024 with a stop at Durham Performing Arts Center on February 1.

McCreery says he is excited for all that is to come in the new year and beyond and says no matter where his career ends up taking him, he does not see himself leaving Topsail behind for too long.

“I think I’ll be in Topsail forever,” McCreery says. “I love everything about the island. There’s enough to do, but it’s still really quiet and laid back, and the people are great. We’ve made lifelong friends here, so we won’t be moving away any time soon.” 

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A FAMILY’S

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PARADISE

The Bland brothers, descendants of the first deed holder on Topsail Island, recount some of their family’s history on the island.

BY PAT FONTANA

Sitting with the Bland brothers is a bit like watching a Ping Pong match, with stories — and corrections — bouncing back and forth throughout the conversation. Twins Bill and Tom and younger brother Richard have a lot of stories to tell about the history of the area and about their own ancestors, as their family has been on Topsail Island since 1907.

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I

Clockwise from the upper left: Bland Family in the Early 1960s, Bob Bland, Bill and Dot Bland’s Home, Dock on Bland Property.

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Topsail Magazine

Richard, Bill and Tom Bland

started searching for alleged buried treasure that was said to have been washed up from a ship that wrecked just off the island. Richard explains that the Gold Hole “happened to be next to the old Bland cabin, and it was the only structure they could stay in to do the digging.” The crew even hired a few of the Bland boys to help with the digging.

The treasure was either not found or was carried off in the middle of the night by those who had been leading the expedition. Whether there was ever an actual treasure to be found is still a mystery.

By the 1950s there were more structures on the island, and the Bland fishing shack had been modernized a bit.

The cabin survived Hurricane Hazel, which destroyed most of the structures on the island in 1954. It was sturdy enough that one of the Bland family cousins, Jane Watson, said after the storm that “even the teacups were still hanging on their hooks on the wall.”

The cabin could not survive a fire, though, which did destroy it in 1967.

All visits to the island were stopped during World War II, when the military established Camp Davis and

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

t started with their greatgrandfather, John Thomas Bland, Sr., of Burgaw. Around 1900, John Bland became friends with the Atkinson family, who, Richard says, “were the ‘old’ family that welcomed our great grandfather to this area.” In March 1907, John Bland registered the first deed for land on Topsail, a total of 100 acres. Over the next couple of years, he purchased more land and that total was almost doubled, to 199 acres.

The brothers say the very first permanent structure built on the island was a simple fishing cabin, constructed by the Bland family from lumber brought over by boat from the mainland. Their cabin served as a vacation spot for family members and friends who discovered a new adventure on Topsail Island. Although there was no infrastructure, no running water or electricity, Richard says people “would stays days and weeks at a time.”

That cabin also became a part of Topsail’s famous — or, rather, infamous — mysterious story of the Gold Hole. In the late 1930s, an expedition group

used Topsail Island for its operations. Richard explains that they “brought artillery over on the pontoon bridge.” No one was allowed on the island until after Operation Bumblebee concluded in July 1948.

“Once they opened up the island, things started moving much faster,” Richard says. In August 1948, David Bland, a lawyer in Goldsboro, wrote to his cousins and suggested a meeting on the island to divide up the property.

The island was officially named Topsail at that point, and the stretch of land owned by the Bland family became known as Bland Row. Tom and Kitty Humphrey, Bland cousins, built the first house on the island, starting the building process as soon as they were allowed to in 1948. In March 2013, when the Town of Topsail Beach celebrated its 50th anniversary, Tom’s son Bobby Humphrey was recognized as the “longest living full-time resident of the town.”

One of the first stores on the island, the Cracker Box, was also built on Bland property in the early 1950s. Sitting on the ocean dune, though, the structure was “blown back across the road” by Hurricane Hazel. The Bland lineage includes Dorothy Bland Sox, John Thomas Bland, Sr.’s daughter and great-aunt to Bill, Tom, and Richard. It is said that Dorothy was the one who convinced J.T. Bland, Sr. to build the fishing cabin on Topsail that started the legacy of the Bland family on the island.

Dorothy Bland also had a house “on the other side of the dunes,” Richard says, that was “blown back

by Hazel to the other side of the road.” The house still stands today,

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military to accommodate the Bumblebee project and of the new swing bridge that was built to replace the precarious pontoon bridge. As Bill says, “There are so many other Bland cousins and in-laws, along the one-mile stretch of Topsail Island that you would spend the next two years searching them down for their input into a complete Bland history.”

Even though tracts of that original land purchase have been divided and sold in the past 116 years, the house that Bill Bland, father to Bill, Tom and Richard, built in 1973 is still very much a part of the family. In fact, the “boys” have just recently been renovating and repainting the house. Bill (the son) says “the Bland Beach House will remain in the Bland family for as long as our children and grandchildren enjoy visiting it.”  PAINTING BY RICHARD BLAND

although on stilts and in its new location next to the Bland Beach House.

Bill says an older Bland brother, Bob, passed away in 2011. Bob was very active in politics and helped Gabby Giffords with her re-election campaign. Tom is technically now the oldest, being seven minutes older than twin Bill, and is retired after working in the banking and education industries. Bill is also retired after 30 years as a brick sales representative.

Richard is the youngest and, as Bill says, “an accomplished painter, primarily using oil paints.” Richard’s paintings decorate the walls in the Bland Beach House today.

Their father, Bill, and mother, Dot, moved to the Bland Beach House after he retired. Bill passed away in 1999,

and Dot continued to live there until she passed away in 2014. Several Bland families, including the Humphrey, Cox and Watson families, still live on the island as permanent residents.

There are many, many more stories that could be told of the Bland family and their lives on Topsail Island. They have seen a lot through the years.

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KIDS

Stronger Together At seven Topsail-area schools, Operation Military Kids Club provides a place for children in military families to connect with one another.

BY PAT FONTANA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACIE HOLMES

C

Connection and encouragement are at the heart of the Operation Military Kids Club (OMKC). Now in place throughout Pender County schools, the club has grown from 60 kids in 2016 to more than 400 kids in the past school year.

OMKC was launched by Stacie Holmes, a Navy veteran and wife of a Navy reservist, out of an understanding of what it is like to be in a military family and to need that sense of connection with other military families. Through OMKC, children find a fun, safe place to be strengthened and encouraged and to meet other military kids who are experiencing many of the same things.

“The idea began as simply something to do for the military kids Above: OMKC at Topsail Middle at North Topsail Elementary,” Holmes School. Right: An activity at the explains. She had been volunteering at Freedom Family Fest, which is at Kiwanis Park in April each year. the school and decided to ask the Winter 2023-24

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principal if they could do something for the children of military families, spurred on by a recognition of the Month of the Military Child, which falls in April. Holmes and other volunteers organized a parade, produced posters and hosted a magic show, which 50 children attended.

Seeing the response that one month of recognition brought to both the children and volunteers, the school’s assistant principal agreed to support the idea. “I asked the principal if we could have a club that met once a month starting in the fall, in September 2016,” Holmes says. The OMKC has grown tremendously since then, with clubs open to more kids in more schools.

Top: OMKC group at Surf City Middle. Above left: Surf City Elementary. Above: Topsail Annandale Elementary. Left: Surf City Elementary Below left: North Topsail Elementary.

OMKC was approved as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2017. That same year, it expanded into Topsail Middle School on behalf of the rising 6th graders, Holmes says. At the beginning of the 2017 school year, the club had doubled in size to 120 students. Today, the club is active at Topsail High School, Topsail Middle School, Surf City Middle School and South Topsail, Topsail Annandale, North Topsail and Surf City elementary schools.

Once a month, the students participate in a club meeting that includes snack time, recreation time and a time for learning more about each other and the world around them.

Themes for the meetings have included branches of the military, places throughout the world where kids have lived as well as monuments and places of interest in other locations such as Washington, D.C. While themes have been interesting for the kids, Holmes says, “It wasn’t the theme, it Winter 2023-24

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KIDS

Freedom Family Fest in April.

Stacie Holmes is on the far left, top photo. Bottom left: OMKC Directors for Surf City Elementary and Middle schools.

was bringing them together” that has made the difference for each participant.

Volunteers are essential to organizing and running the clubs.

Holmes explains that each school has an OMKC director and a sponsor teacher. In schools with larger numbers of kids participating, the groups are divided according to age. “During the meetings we have snacks, celebrate birthdays, play games and do service projects,” Holmes says.

Kids register for the club through the OMKC website. Anyone with a connection to the military, whether

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through a parent or even another relative like an aunt or uncle, is invited to be part of the club. Meetings are typically held on the third Friday of each month.

OMKC still celebrates April as the Month of the Military Child by putting stars out in front of each school recognizing the military kids at that school. They also host a big party, Freedom Family Fest, at Kiwanis Park in April each year.

The schools are also getting more involved. Many of the schools are becoming certified for the Purple Star designation, which is awarded to

schools that demonstrate military-friendly practices and a commitment to military students and families.

Community support has been tremendous as well. Burney’s Sweets & More provides all the cupcakes for the club’s birthday celebrations, including accommodating special dietary needs for each child. Mission BBQ donated 200 meals for the April 2023 Freedom Family Fest.

Holmes credits all the volunteers for the club’s growth and success, especially Leslie Carano, who helped her start the club and who now serves as a school director and board secretary for OMKC. Volunteers can be parents, members of the community and even former club members. All volunteers are screened through Pender County Schools.

“We provide kids with an encouraging place,” Holmes says. “The benefit of being together is to realize you’re not alone.” 

JOIN THE CLUB To register kids for the club, visit operationmilitarykidsclubs.com, call (910) 270-9465 or ask at your child’s school.

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AROUND TOWN

Share the

Ride

Onslow United Transit System offers a low-cost transportation option for residents of Onslow County.

STORY & PHOTOS BY PAT FONTANA

I

In Onslow County residents have a low-cost option available for traveling to work, a doctor’s appointment or even to the beach. Since 1999 Onslow United Transit System, Inc. (OUTS) has operated an affordable county-wide transportation service that is safe, reliable and efficient.

Danny Ferucci, OUTS executive director, says that anyone who lives in Onslow County can ride. The service area covers the entire county including

Top left, Onslow United Transit System Executive Director Danny Ferucci

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AROUND TOWN

Camp Lejeune. OUTS also provides medical trips to Wilmington, New Bern, Kinston and Greenville.

“We have a daily tie-in with the Down East Express,” Ferucci explains. This takes passengers to the Raleigh-Durham area with a link up with Carteret County Area Transportation Service (CCATS).

Fares for the Onslow area trips can be as low as $2 for a medical trip or for a trip to an area senior center.

Employment trips are $4 each way, and general trips, such as to the grocery store, are $5 each way.

Children accompanied by an adult can ride for $1 each way. Personal care attendants ride for free.

NEED A RIDE? Go to the OUTS website, onslowunitedtransit.org, to start the process by filling out an application.

Onslow United Transit System, Inc. Office Location: 1300 N. Marine Boulevard, Jacksonville K onslowunitedtransit.org/

Questions about OUTS? Contact them at (910) 346-2998.

“

Fares for the Onslow area trips can be as low as $2 for a medical trip or for a trip to an area senior center.

Employment trips are $4 each way, and general trips, such as to the grocery store, are $5 each way.

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Ferucci, who has been with OUTS since January 2023, says that the number of trips is increasing significantly as word gets out about the opportunities available for county residents to get a ride. In August 2023, the service had a record 6,500 trips, which Ferucci says is “about 1,000 more than usual.”

Anyone who wants to get a ride on OUTS must first go to their website, which has recently been redesigned and updated, to complete a one-time application.

Ferucci points out that there has been an uptick in rider applications through the website, which

AROUND TOWN

indicates an increased interest in riding public transportation within the county.

Ferucci says OUTS is also increasing its community outreach to let everyone in Onslow County know that the service is available to them.

They are working with a marketing firm, 17Blue, which developed their new website and will help them increase their social media presence as well.

Ferucci came to OUTS after retiring as a captain in the U.S. Army.

A Jacksonville native who graduated from White Oak High School, he enlisted in the Army immediately after the attacks of September 11, 2001. He was commissioned after serving 11 years and retired after 21 years.

“I had a passion for serving that drove a big portion of my life,’ he says, adding that he knew when he retired from the military, he wanted to find a job where he could serve.

For more than 20 years, Carol Hurst Long, also a Jacksonville native, led the Onslow transit service. Long built the private nonprofit into a major transportation service that coordinates well with Jacksonville Transit and other area providers, including many community organizations. She now serves as a consultant for OUTS to continue contributing her expertise to its daily operations.

The service includes 20 vehicles, all of which are wheelchair accessible and operated by a team of dedicated drivers. Ferucci says that there are many long-term employees in operations and administration.

“Everyone here has a passion for serving,” he says. “The drivers are courteous and there to help you.” He describes everyone at OUTS as “very professional.”

OUTS is a door-to-door service, meaning the drivers pick up riders at their door and deliver them to the door of their destination. It is a shared-ride service, but new planning software ensures that the trip is efficient for all riders.

Plans include a feasibility study for a

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Topsail Magazine

COMMUNITY

Harvesting Togetherness The Greater Topsail Area Community Garden plants the seeds of community collaboration and provides a bountiful harvest for Share the Table.

STORY & PHOTOS BY PAT FONTANA

Cathi Lichter, right, and high school students plant at the community garden.

J

Just off Highway 210 in Hampstead, an acre has been transformed into the Greater Topsail Area Community Garden, a center of agricultural and community activity.

High school students are digging in the dirt and planting vegetables in raised beds built by other high school students.

Youth groups, scout troops and retirement community residents stop by to check for weeds and pests. Members of

the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area oversee it all.

The story of the Greater Topsail Area Community Garden began in the fall of 2022.

“The idea came from our Kiwanis of Topsail Island Area Club President Nicki Swafford’s comment to our Treasurer Kimberly Patrizi and me during the 2022 Kiwanis Internal conference in Indy,” Cathi Lichter says. “We walked to the

Winter 2023-24

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COMMUNITY

next session, and she casually said, ‘What if we started a Community Garden and harvested the fresh produce for Share the Table?’ Kimberly and I looked at each other and responded, ‘Sure.’”

Lichter has been the spearhead for the project. She and her husband, Jade, donated the land for the use of the community garden, and she has been actively pursuing funding as well as volunteers since that day in Indianapolis. Although it is Lichter’s legwork and persistence that has made the garden what it is today, she credits Jade with the idea of using their land for the project.

Jade, a local contractor, has big plans for what he and others can do with the garden space going forward. Those plans may include a chicken coop, a greenhouse and a gazebo where educational programs for kids and families can be held one day.

The primary focus of the garden’s harvest is to be able to provide fresh produce to Share the Table, a food pantry in Hampstead, so they can expand their offerings to individuals in need in the community.

Dawn Ellis, Share the Table’s founder and executive director, says, “We are honored to be the recipients of the produce from this community garden.”

That produce includes broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, 76

Topsail Magazine

carrots and collard greens as well as fruits such as blackberries and strawberries.

Herbs, including chives, oregano, rosemary and lavender, are also part of the garden, serving two purposes.

They, of course, add to the flavor of any meal, and they are pest deterrents, which helps all the plants grow more productively.

Lichter has worked with Share the Table to secure grants from numerous generous sources, including Kiwanis International, Carolinas District of Kiwanis, Kiwanis of Topsail, the Pender County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association, Surf City Rotary and the Stone Foundation. Share the Table also secured a grant from the Bank of America Foundation for the Learning Center planned for their new facility, which includes funding for the Community Garden that will feed into their cooking and nutrition classes.

Staff members at Topsail High School have also been instrumental in turning the idea of a community garden into a plant-filled reality. Siobhan Fargo, career development coordinator for the school’s Career and Technical Education programs, has worked with Lichter to establish a grant-funded internship and to get students to volunteer to help throughout the year. Future Farmers of America (FFA) students have been

COMMUNITY

eager to participate, as have students in other clubs, including requirements and students can use their work in the garden the National Honor Society and the Key Club. to fulfill those, Fargo adds that not all students are working Students in the school’s carpentry and horticulture classes toward those requirements. She explains that they have have helped from the beginning. Carpentry teacher Vann students who will continue to help with the garden.

English has involved his students in building the raised beds, Students can participate in a garden workday during the picnic tables and benches for the garden. Horticulture day as part of a class field trip. The school has an “inside out students use their expertise to determine which plants will do challenge,” in which they “take students into the world to get well during each season. They will also be using the school’s real-world experience.” In addition, Fargo emphasizes that it greenhouse to get seeds started before transplanting the is important to her and to the school to give back to the growing plants to the community garden. community.

Topsail Island Kiwanis members will be donating dwarf Adding that the connection with Share the Table is fruit trees to be placed in the garden, to honor members of important to her and to the school as well, Fargo says, “Share the club who have passed away. Each tree will be the Table is a great program. They provide food for our accompanied by a plaque recognizing the member. Lichter students in need through their backpack program. They also says this is just one example of the “concept of giving heart, keep a snack pantry at the high school. Students learn better giving forever” that is so important to them. if they’re not hungry.”

The Garden Guardians, volunteers who will help oversee the Ellis says of the garden and the community involvement, “I garden, come from all walks of life and interests. Scout troops, see it as harvesting togetherness in many ways. This garden members of other community will bring together many organizations and individuals different types of people to have volunteered to check on the replenish hearts and plates!” plants every other day, to ensure Lichter is excited about the they have the best chance of future of the community garden, growing strong and healthy. as it will provide much-needed WANT TO GET YOUR “Our interns that started the fresh produce for the community.

HANDS DIRTY? program are invested in it,” The work to build and harvest Fargo says. “We have students in the garden, she says, “shows the Greater Topsail Area Community Garden the classroom and in FFA that collaboration, the community 282 Valhalla Way, Hampstead are helping.” support for neighbors feeding While some clubs at Topsail neighbors.”  E topsailnccommunitygarden High have volunteer hour k topsailnccommunitygarden@gmail.com

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SNIPPETS

52nd Annual Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival  The Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival, a part of the Sneads Ferry community for 52 years, took place September 9 on the grounds of the Community Center in the heart of the growing fishing village. What began as a gathering of shrimp boat captains to honor a small fishing village in 1971 has grown into an annual event that is now recognized as the official shrimp festival of North Carolina. In May 2011 the

N.C. General Assembly signed a bill into law that designated the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival as the State Shrimp Festival, explaining that Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival has grown into a great marketing and promotional tool for the Sneads Ferry community, Onslow County and eastern North Carolina.

Learn more about the festival: sneadsferryshrimpfestival.org

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SNIPPETS

3rd Annual Colonel Classic  On September 16 the Surf City Christian Surfers, in collaboration with the Cavenaugh family, organized the 3rd Annual Colonel Classic surf contest. This exciting event featured various categories, including Open Beater, Open Wavestorm, Rusty Old Barnacle, Womens and Under 12. Participants and spectators enjoyed a thrilling showcase of talent and camaraderie in the world of surfing.

Surf to Sound 5K  On September 16 numerous participants joined the Surf to Sound 5K. The race commenced and concluded at Soundside Park. The funds generated from the occasion supported the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Ryan Hastings secured the leading position among males, completing the race in 16:25.7, while Kaylyn Peck claimed the top spot among females, finishing in 19:37.8.

Winter 2023-24

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SNIPPETS

Paddle 4 Troops SUP Event PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNIQUE MEDIA & DESIGN

 The annual Paddle 4 Troops event unfolded on September 16 at Sears Landing, offering participants a choice between a 5K or 10K race or the engaging 3K Fun Paddle. Amidst the excitement of the races, attendees were treated to a vibrant atmosphere filled with live entertainment, a silent and live auction, a 50/50 drawing and an abundance of food and drinks. Lunch was graciously provided to all registered paddlers, enhancing the overall experience.

Paddle 4 Troops stands as a commendable nonprofit organization with a mission dedicated to supporting local veterans through an enjoyable and competitive paddle race. What sets this event apart is the tangible impact participants can witness, knowing that their contributions, whether in time or monetary support, directly benefit veterans and their families. With a commitment to transparency and impact, Paddle 4 Troops ensures that 100 percent of the proceeds are directed toward assisting those who have served our country. Joining the Paddle 4 Troops family becomes not just a thrilling experience but a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of veterans. Learn more about Paddle 4 Troops at paddle4troops.org.

Winter 2023-24

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SNIPPETS

2023 N.C. Spot Festival PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

 The N.C. Spot Festival, a Hampstead community tradition since 1963, was held on November 4 and 5. On the sunny fall weekend, attendees enjoyed live music, performances by local groups, shopping among more than 100 vendors, the N.C. Spot Festival Scholarship Pageant, children's activities, festival food and, of course, fried spot dinners with all the fixings.

Bobby Humphrey Fire Truck Parade PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNIQUE MEDIA & DESIGN

 In celebration of Bobby Humphrey's extensive tenure at Topsail Beach Fire Department, the department paid tribute to him with a Last Call ceremony on September 30.

At noon, the department started their fire truck parade at Topsail Beach Fire Station and proceeded northward toward Surf City, where they met with the Surf City Fire Department.

They then traversed both Topsail Beach and Surf City, passing through the roundabout, crossing the high-rise bridge and concluding in Topsail Beach.

Prior to their departure from Topsail Beach Fire Station, the Last Radio Call occurred at 12:01 pm. Numerous individuals assembled along the route to honor Humphrey's unwavering commitment and enduring impact on the Topsail community.

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Topsail Magazine

NORTH CAROLINA

WINTER NEED TO KNOW DATES Surf City Expo

MARCH 2 at Soundside Park

Surf City Egg Hunt MARCH 30 at Surf City Community Center

Surf City 75th Anniversary (MARCH 23)

MORE TO COME - CHECK WEBSITE FOR EVENT DATE

Surf City, your hometown beach.

SURFCITYNC.GOV

@SURFCITYNC Winter 2023-24

83

SNIPPETS

Ribbon Cutting at Hidden Ships Distillery  On September 30 Greater Topsail

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Area Chamber of Commerce organized a festive ribbon-cutting event at Hidden Ships Distillery, located in Surf City.

Founded by Andy and Amy Szwejbka, this establishment proudly stands as the inaugural distillery and craft cocktail bar in the Topsail area. Hidden Ships Distillery offers classes in mixology, sensory training and pairings. Operating from Wednesday to Sunday, Hidden Ships stands out as the exclusive destination for bottle sales on Sundays. The venue prides itself on catering to a diverse audience, ensuring there's something special for everyone to discover and enjoy.

Oceans Edge RV Resort Ribbon Cutting PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

 On September 14 Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome Oceans Edge RV Resort to the chamber. Oceans Edge is a luxury RV resort featuring pull through and back-in locations and cozy cabins. Their amenities include a 84

Topsail Magazine

putting green, a dog park, a playground, a swimming pool, laundry facilities, a supply store, firepits, a fitness center, pickleball or tennis courts, WIFI and more. Attendees met the owners and staff and explored the Greater Topsail Area's newest accommodation.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

SNIPPETS

Holtzman Propane Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting  On September 23 Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a grand-opening and ribbon-cutting celebration at Holtzman Propane's new store in Holly Ridge. Sundial Coffee & Tea provided light refreshments. Also part of the celebration were kids' activities, propane product specialists, freebies and a raff le benefiting local nonprofit Share the Table.

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SNIPPETS

Reel Housewives of Topsail Island Bike Ride PHOTOGRAPHY BY WILTON WESCOTT

 Reel Housewives of Topsail Island hosted its annual bike ride on Saturday, October 7. The event kicked off with the opening ceremony, and the ride started at 9 am, commencing and concluding at Surf City Soundside Park. Following the ride, JM’s on the Water hosted lunch, a silent auction, a live auction and entertainment.

Reel Housewives of Topsail Island, a nonprofit organization, utilizes funds from the event to support local residents facing breast cancer. The 26.2-mile bike ride happens every first Saturday in October.

This year's event raised $195,000.

Ocean Fest PHOTOGRAPHY BY CITY 2 SEA MEDIA

 The third annual Ocean Fest graced the shores of Surf City on October 13 and 14, showcasing a fusion of music, surfing, food and entertainment. The lively event kicked off with performances by Signal Fire, Oceanic and The Alive on Friday. Saturday brought a multitude of festivities, including a classic surf competition, a 5K run on the beach, an arts and crafts marketplace and a plethora of live acts such as Bubba Loive, El Mirage, Michael Eakins Band, FeeFree, Emily Wolfe, The Vegabonds and Sun Room. Visit theoceanfest. org to stay updated on next year’s Ocean Fest.

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SNIPPETS

Share the Table Groundbreaking Ceremony PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RITENOUR

 On September 13 Share the Table hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at its new facility location on the corner of U.S. Highway 17 and Perkins Road. AnA Builders, which will construct the new facility, was on hand to talk about the project.

Share the Table is a faith-based nonprofit that provides free community meals, a food pantry and a school backpack program to feed more than 1,000 Pender County and Onslow County residents per week. The new facility will provide space for a larger food pantry with cooler and freezer space, a dining area, an enlarged kitchen and a learning center.

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wine | catering | take & bake | home goods | sandwiches Winter 2023-24

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SNIPPETS

9/11 Bridge Walk PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNIQUE MEDIA & DESIGN

 The fourth annual 9/11 bridge walk unfolded in Surf City with poignant significance. The event, a solemn tribute to the events of September 11, 2001, commenced on the island at the serene Soundside Park precisely at 8:46 am. As the morning sun cast its gentle glow, numerous community members participated in the walk, crossing the bridge in a collective gesture of remembrance. The journey over the bridge held a profound symbolism, echoing the solemnity of the occasion. Participants then retraced their steps, returning to Soundside Park, a symbolic endpoint for the commemorative walk, as they paid homage to the lives lost 22 years ago on that fateful day.

The gathering served as a heartfelt expression of unity and remembrance within the community, fostering a shared connection to the historical significance of 9/11.

Surf City Street Sweep  The Town of Surf City's Beautification and Enhancement Committee hosted a town cleanup event on October 21. Volunteers gathered at Soundside Park in Surf City, where buckets were provided. The group collected 20 gallons of trash.

The town's Beautification and Enhancement Committee holds town cleanups twice a year.

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A&B Saltwater Adventures LLC Wicked Stitch The Taron Realty Group powered by Fathom Realy East Coast Sports Coastal Mini Storage Teresa Batts Real Estate, LLC My Time Rentals Topsail Self Storage The Carolina Experience Shoreline Party Supplies & Rentals Albert J Ellis Airport Bella + James Children's Boutique DoodyCalls Excel Limousine Service, LLC Blue Ridge Boutique Petco Holtzman Propane Linen & Leather Interiors All Pets Animal Hospital of Sneads Ferry Parker Gas Company Salt Marsh Market Harmony Pet Spa Sneads Ferry LP Gas South End Outfitters Holly Ridge Veterinary Hospital Spectrum Reach Isla Advanced Skincare & Hair Surf City Pet Hospital NC Wedding Officiant Rev. Angela Kelley Cape Fear Community College Johnson Drug & Home Medical Co. Focus Broadband Arbor Landing at Hampstead TH Photographic Studio Corning Credit Union Woodbury Wellness & Stonebridge Outer Sky Imaging LLC Truist Bank Coastal Estates Tootsie Wootsies, LLC Holland's Shelter Creek II, Inc. Beach Furniture Outfitters, Inc. Topsail Dreamscapes, LLC Publix Bettini Farm Incorporated Clarity Communications & Consulting Walmart Neighborhood Market Bumblebee Market, Inc. Security Technology Group Vacasa Fred's Beds Beach Side Realty of Topsail Island Beach Shop and Grill Friendly Mart BlueStar Real Estate Saltwater Suites Gift Basket, The Century 21 Action Treasure Realty, Inc Have to Have it! Thrift Shop Coastal Carolina Real Estate Novant Health Idle Nomad Gift Shop Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Farm Bureau Insurance Lewis Seafood Market Intracoastal Realty Corp.

SFI Group, Inc. - Surf City Porch & Nest, LLC Lewis Realty Associates, Inc. Surf City Line Quarter Moon Books & Gifts Oceanaire Realty The Pluris, LLC Southern Emporium Re/Max Essential Coral Cottage Boutiques Surfside Sportswear & Gifts, Inc. Sea to Shining Sea USA Properties Jones-Onslow EMC Topsail Island Trading Company Summerhouse on Everett Bay

EACH TOPSAIL MAGAZINE FEATURES APPROXIMATELY 75 CHAMBER MEMBERS ON ROTATION.

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PHOTO BY JEFF WENZEL

SNIPPETS

Thank you

THE AUTUMN WITH TOPSAIL FESTIVAL COMMITTEE AND THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF TOPSAIL ISLAND WOULD LIKE TO SAY

SPONSORS FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING EVENT. L DOUBLE PLATINUM L Adams Beverages of NC Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Treasure Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Streamline Realty Team, LLC Matt Jones Town of Topsail Beach

Autumn with Topsail Festival  Historical Society of Topsail Island held its 33rd annual Autumn with Topsail Festival on October 20, 21 and 22. The weekend was full of fun, with pancake breakfasts, arts and crafts vendors, live music, children's activities, a beer and wine garden, a food court, a silent auction and more.

All proceeds from this annual event benefit History Society of Topsail Island. Look for the next event on October 18, 19 and 20, 2024.

L PLATINUM L

Frank and Julia Sherron · Rick and Janine Stidley · Surf City Crab

L GOLD L

Bill and Reenie Pegram · Brian Sischo · Bud Wallace · Carolina Transport of Burgaw Computer Repair of Holly Ridge NC · Crew Insurance Agency, Inc. Fred’s Beds of Wilmington · Jim and Freddie King · John and Nancy Traubert Jolly Roger Inn and Pier · Kim and Michelle Quinn · Mathew Hitch Nancy Thomason · Pender EMS · Sanderson Lawn Management Steve and Edna Smith · Stuart and Denise Sanderson · Sue Lewis Thomas and Adrianna Waddy · Thomas and Judy Stafford · Topsail Coast Advertiser Town of Surf City

L SILVER L

Brad Sizemore Insurance · Carolina Coast Contracting Corp. · Charles W. Esserwein Coastal Carolina Real Estate, LLC · Coastal Wing and Spirits · Connie and Fred Taylor · Gift Basket John and Pam Burke · Kevin and Melisa Witzke · Pender County Farm Bureau - Hampstead Office Quarter Moon Bookstore · Richard and Kathleen Hart · Sandra Carlino Sneads Ferry Lp Gas Company · Surf City Ocean Pier · The Holder Family

L BRONZE L

A Beach Place Realty · Anita and Jim Harrison Billet’s Tractor Works, Inc. · Bobbie Morrison Carl & Ann Polster · Coastal Bank and Trust Darden Insurance Agency · Jeff Wilson Mark and Malinda Taylor Sandy Toes Boutique The Trailer Bar Topsail Beach Skating Rink

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the 35th Autumn with Topsail Festival

Winter 2023-24

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SNIPPETS

Surf City Live PHOTOGRAPHY BY CITY 2 SEA MEDIA

 On November 4, the second edition of Surf City Live took center stage, showcasing the musical talents of Scotty McCreery, accompanied by special guests George Birge and Catie Offerman. The highly anticipated event boasted a sold-out crowd, transforming Soundside Park into a vibrant hub of entertainment in the heart of Surf City. Attendees were treated to an exhilarating evening filled with live music, drinks and fun. The convergence of music enthusiasts and the lively ambiance created a memorable experience for all in attendance.

Ribbon Cutting at Godwin’s Market of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Godwin's Market on September 7. Growing up on Topsail during her summers and spending much of her adult life on the island, Jane Dorman Jeffreys, the new owner, possesses a profound familiarity with the Godwin's Market and its significance. When the previous owner, Mary Godwin, passed away, the opportunity to purchase the business arose, compelling Jeffreys to acquire it and restore it as a valuable community asset.

In a conscious effort to preserve the historical essence of the market, Jeffreys opted to retain the name Godwin's Market, recognizing its pivotal role within the Topsail Beach community. The market offers an 92

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

 The Greater Topsail Area Chamber

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NEW RIVER INLET TIDES Annual Dolphin Dip Extravaganza in Surf City

D a t e

High Tide AM

February

Low Tide PM

AM

PM

Time (EST)

Height Time (ft) (EST)

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

1

10:58

2.8

11:29

2.3

4:36

0.3

5:26

0.2

2

11:39

2.5

--

--

5:26

0.4

6:04

0.3

3

12:18

2.4

12:24

2.3

6:22

0.5

6:44

0.3

4

1:10

2.5

1:13

2.2

7:23

0.5

7:26

0.2

5

2:04

2.6

2:07

2.1

8:27

0.5

8:13

0.2

6

2:57

2.8

3:03

2.0

9:30

0.4

9:03

0.1

7

3:49

3.0

3:59

2.0

10:27

0.3

9:54

0.0

8

4:40

3.3

4:53

2.1

11:19

0.1

10:45

-0.2

9

5:30

3.5

5:44

2.2 12:08 PM 0.0

11:37

-0.3

10

6:19

3.7

6:34

2.4

--

--

12:55

-0.2

11

7:08

3.8

7:24

2.5

12:29

-0.5

1:41

-0.3

12

7:57

3.9

8:14

2.7

1:20

-0.6

2:27

-0.4

D a t e

High Tide AM

March

Low Tide PM

AM

PM

Time (EST)

Height Time (ft) (EST)

1

11:33

2.2

--

--

5:40

0.3

5:43

0.1

2

12:14

2.6

12:19

2.0

6:35

0.4

6:26

0.1

3

1:07

2.6

1:13

1.9

7:38

0.4

7:17

0.1 0.1

4

2:07

2.8

2:16

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

1.8

8:46

0.4

8:15

5

3:09

2.9

3:22

1.9

9:52

0.3

9:18

-0.1

6

4:09

3.2

4:24

2.0

10:50

0.1

10:20

-0.2

7

5:06

3.4

5:21

2.3

11:43

-0.1

11:19

-0.4

8

5:59

3.6

6:15

2.5

--

--

12:31

-0.3

9

6:50

3.8

7:07

2.8

12:15

-0.6

1:17

-0.4

10

7:39

3.8

7:58

3.1

1:10

-0.7

2:01

-0.6

11

8:27

3.7

8:49

3.2

2:04

-0.8

2:46

-0.6

D a t e

High Tide AM

Low Tide PM

AM

PM

Time (EST)

Height Time (ft) (EST)

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

1

10:55

2.2

11:30

2.8

5:08

0.2

4:56

0.1

2

11:40

2.0

--

--

5:59

0.3

5:40

0.2

3

12:23

2.8

12:36

1.9

7:00

0.4

6:35

0.2

4

1:26

2.9

1:42

1.9

8:10

0.4

7:41

0.1

5

2:34

3.0

2:54

2.0

9:19

0.3

8:52

0.0

6

3:41

3.2

4:01

2.2

10:20

0.1

10:01

-0.2

7

4:42

3.4

5:02

2.6

11:13

-0.1

11:05

-0.4

8

5:37

3.6

5:57

2.9

--

--

12:01

-0.3

9

6:28

3.7

6:49

3.3

12:04

-0.6

12:47

-0.5

10

8:17

3.7

8:39

3.6

12:59

-0.7

2:31

-0.6

11

9:05

3.5

9:29

3.8

2:54

-0.7

3:14

-0.7

12

9:52

3.3

10:19

3.8

3:47

-0.7

3:59

-0.6

13

8:45

3.8

9:06

2.8

2:13

-0.6

3:13

-0.4

12

9:14

3.5

9:41

3.4

2:58

-0.7

3:30

-0.6

13

10:40

3.0

11:11

3.8

4:42

-0.5

4:44

-0.5

14

9:34

3.7

10:00

2.9

3:07

-0.5

4:00

-0.4

13

10:03

3.2

10:35

3.4

3:54

-0.6

4:16

-0.6

14

11:31

2.7

--

--

5:38

-0.3

5:31

-0.3

15

10:24

3.4

10:57

3.0

4:04

-0.4

4:47

-0.4

14

10:53

2.9

11:31

3.3

4:52

-0.4

5:03

-0.5

15

12:05

3.6

12:25

2.4

6:37

-0.1

6:23

-0.1

16

11:16

3.1

11:56

3.0

5:05

-0.3

5:36

-0.4

15

11:47

2.5

--

--

5:55

-0.1

5:54

-0.3

16

1:04

3.4

1:27

2.2

7:42

0.1

7:22

0.1

17

--

--

12:12

2.7

6:10

-0.1

6:28

-0.3

16

12:32

3.2

12:48

2.2

7:03

0.0

6:51

-0.1

17

2:09

3.1

2:37

2.0

8:53

0.3

8:30

0.2

18

12:59

3.1

1:12

2.4

7:21

0.0

7:23

-0.2

17

1:37

3.1

1:56

2.0

8:16

0.2

7:54

0.0

18

3:18

3.0

3:50

2.0

10:03

0.3

9:43

0.3

19

2:04

3.1

2:17

2.2

8:34

0.1

8:21

-0.2

18

2:45

3.0

3:08

1.9

9:27

0.2

9:02

0.1

19

4:26

2.9

4:55

2.1

11:04

0.3

10:50

0.3

20

3:08

3.2

3:23

2.1

9:44

0.1

9:21

-0.1

0.1

0.2

-0.1

10:06

11:47

10:19

0.2

0.3

0.1

10:31

11:55

10:47

2.0

2.3

2.1

4:14

5:49

4:26

3.0

2.9

3.2

3:51

5:24

4:08

19

20

21

-0.1

0.0

0.2

11:13

11:03

12:37

0.0

0.1

--

11:41

11:25

--

2.1

2.1

2.5

5:22

5:10

6:34

3.3

3.0

2.9

5:04

4:49

6:13

22

20

21

0.0

0.0

0.1

12:29

11:52

1:12

--

0.1

0.1

--

12:09 PM

12:35

2.2

2.2

2.6

6:11

5:57

7:13

3.3

3.1

2.9

5:54

5:39

6:54

23

21

22

-0.1

0.0

0.1

1:12

12:48

1:44

-0.2

--

0.1

12:02

--

1:17

2.2

2.4

2.8

6:55

6:38

7:48

3.3

3.1

2.9

6:39

6:22

7:31

24

22

23

0.0

-0.1

0.0

2:13

1:50

1:22

0.0

-0.2

-0.1

1:56

12:47

12:35

3.0

2.3

2.5

8:21

7:36

7:15

2.9

3.3

3.1

8:05

7:21

7:00

24

25

23

-0.1

-0.1

0.0

2:26

1:53

2:41

-0.2

-0.1

0.0

1:29

1:15

2:33

2.4

2.6

3.1

8:14

7:50

8:54

3.2

3.1

2.9

7:59

7:35

8:37

26

24

25 26

9:09

2.8

9:26

3.2

3:10

0.0

3:09

0.0

27

8:35

3.1

8:51

2.4

2:09

-0.2

3:00

-0.1

28

9:10

3.0

9:28

2.4

2:48

-0.1

3:32

29

9:44

2.8

10:06

2.5

3:27

0.0

30

10:18

2.6

10:45

2.5

4:08

31

10:53

2.4

11:27

2.5

4:51

25

8:08

3.0

8:24

2.7

1:52

-0.1

2:23

-0.1

8:40

2.9

8:57

2.8

2:29

-0.1

2:51

-0.1

27

9:41

2.6

10:00

3.2

3:46

0.0

3:38

0.0

0.0

26

28

10:14

2.5

10:35

3.2

4:23

0.1

4:09

0.1

4:03

0.0

27

9:11

2.7

9:31

2.8

3:06

0.0

3:19

0.0

29

10:49

2.3

11:14

3.2

5:03

0.2

4:42

0.1

0.1

4:34

0.0

28

9:43

2.5

10:06

2.8

3:43

0.0

3:48

0.0

30

11:29

2.2

--

--

5:47

0.3

5:22

0.2

0.2

5:06

0.1

29

10:17

2.3

10:45

2.8

4:24

0.1

4:19

0.1

31

12:00

3.2

12:17

2.1

6:37

0.3

6:10

0.2

*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.

94

Topsail Magazine

PHOTO BY ADAM HAWLEY - UNIQUE MEDIA & DESIGN

January

879 5-Star Google Reviews!

910-329-0298

SurfCityFamilyDentist.com

301 Aloha Way

Surf City, NC 28443

Across from Lowe's Home Improvement in Surf City

home sweet home?

Are you ready to find

415.748.8227

1350 Hwy 210 Sneads Ferry, NC 28460 hhobbs.seacoastrealty.com hollyhobbs@seacoastrealty.com

Winter 2023-24

95

Simply Local & Simply Better SALES

realestatetopsail.com

R E N TA L S

vacationsontopsail.com 910.328.5211

Serving the Topsail area since 1962.

3 2 0 N N E W R I V E R D R I V E S U R F C I T Y, N C 2 8 4 4 5

ADVERTISERS INDEX Advertiser

Phone# Page#

Advertiser

Phone#

Page#

A.C. Carl Ward.......................................................................

64

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

20

Access Realty..................................................910-241-0477

BC

Intracoastal Realty Corporation - Topsail Area Agents.... 910-328-3000

3

Apricot Lane Boutique.....................................910-803-0651

80

Island Time Cleaning & Construction.................910-520-1594

IFC

Army of Davids Garage Doors............................910-886-6138

13

James N. White, CPA.......................................919-847-9728

34

Archie Spell – The Coin Guy.............................910-232-2342

61

Kinco Inc........................................................910-803-0695

54, 61

Art Exposure...................................................910-803-0302

85

Lewis Realty....................................................910-328-5211

96

Autumn with Topsail .....................................910-328-8663

91

Loggerhead Inn...............................................910-541-4020

37

Barrington Law................................................910-421-0421

41

Low Tide Steakhouse & Sandbar........................910-803-0738

9

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

43

Lowder’s Furniture...........................................910-388-8005

58

Beach Shop & Grill..........................................910-328-6501

7

Maven Properties.............................................910-939-0484

63

Burrito Shak....................................................910-803-2382

51

New Estuary Home Care...................................910-541-1160

73

Carolina Coast Contracting................................910-328-6400

48

Oliver's Photography........................................910-650-4633

74

Carolina Retreat..............................................910-541-4020

37

Pender County Tourism....................................910-259-1278

61

Cedar Grove Construction.................................910-800-1438

31

Pierpan Dentistry.............................................910-270-1222

5

Century 21 Coastal Advantage..........................910-328-2511

29

Quarter Moon..................................................910-328-4969

34

Coastal Car Care..............................................910-803-2353

74

RE/MAX Now...................................................910-741-0505

63

Coastal Carolina Real Estate.............................910-329-1133

48

Salon Blue......................................................910-329-1900

64

Coastal Insurance............................................910-754-4326

62

Saltwater Suites..............................................910-886-4818

57

Coastal Watch Home Services, Inc.....................336-302-1932

69

Sea Vista Motel...............................................910-328-2171

44

Coastal Window Fashions of NC........................910-388-6995

17

SeaShore Realty Group, Inc – Charles Turner......910-382-5075

41

Coastal Wing and Spirits Co..............................910-803-0324

78

SeaShore Realty Group, Inc – Jason Hyde..........910-328-3400

47

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage................910-328-5626

15

Ship on Site....................................................910-803-2292

32

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage - Holly Hobbs....415-748-8227

95

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

7

Coral Cottage..................................................910-650-2891

66

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

95

Crew Insurance................................................910-329-3691

64

Surf City Pet Hospital......................................910-329-4700

93

D’s Interior Design Home Furnishings................910-327-2166

93

Thalian Association..........................................910-251-1788

95

Darden Insurance............................................910-270-3017

90

The Gift Basket …………………………………....910-328-7111

4

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

56

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

89

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

24

The Kitchen Man.............................................910-408-1322

50

Fisher Collective..............................................910-803-2015

70

The Locals Art Gallery & Wine Bar.....................910-803-2046

38

Gideon HVAC..................................................910-328-1817

6

The Topsail Island Trading Company..................800-762-1257

4

Gigi Marie Gourmet Foods & Wine.....................910-803-0200

87

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

93

High Caliber Firearms Training..........................562-331-3033

78

Topsail Voyages...............................................910-265-7087

97

Historical Society of Topsail Island....................910-328-8663

70

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

83

Holtzman Propane...........................................910-803-2407

85

Treasure Realty / Better Homes and Gardens......800-762-3961

IBC

Home & Hearts Realty......................................910-548-3941

11

Ward Realty....................................................910-328-3221

26

HotWorx..........................................................910-967-9328

74

Wicker Properties of the Carolinas, Inc – Rhonda Davis....910-660-1205

69

Winter 2023-24

97

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

Photo captured by Stephanie Cecere

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

98

Topsail Magazine

T R U S T E D | LO C A L | E X P E R T S We Cultivate Your Knowledge Based On Our Expertise: Our team of professionals boasts a deeprooted knowledge of the regional real estate industry. We educate our clients for informed decisions.

Your home is not just another house, it’s a reflection of you. It’s your style, your personality, your taste. It’s the place where your fondest memories are made, and where your dreams can come true. That’s why Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Treasure is dedicated to helping you find the ideal home, one that will inspire and comfort you for years to come. You can count on us to guide you through every step of your home buying or selling process – before, during, and long after the sale.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Treasure Office: 910.327.4444 3 Locations to Serve You: Sneads Ferry, Surf City, and Wilmington treasurerealty.com

Just what you’d expect from your Trusted Local Experts. ©2015 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company.

Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers

STARTING IN THE $280S 2.7 MILES TO THE BEACH COMMUNITY POOL, CLUBHOUSE, SHOPS, PLAYGROUND, DOG RUN, BOAT/RV PARKING, GARAGES AVAILABLE