Community Announcements 9.18.08

New River Garden Club meeting

NRGC invites you to join them for an exciting year of activities. Starting off with plans for the participation in the Onslow County Fair, Oct. 6 to12. (This may be the last year for the Fair, so we really want to make it special); on October 22, NRGC is hosting the District Garden Club Council Meeting (a first for Sneads Ferry), and on December 13, they’ll be selling plants, baked goods and other items at the Sneads Ferry Annual Winterfest.

Join NRGC September 25, at the Salem Baptist Church; rear building, 9:30 a.m. The monthly hostesses will provide us with a lovely homemade brunch. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Simmons, 327-1320 or elizabethsimmons@embarq.com.

Sneads Ferry Beautification Committee

• Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month from September through May at the Clubhouse in Escoba Bay beginning at 10 a.m. The objective is to beautify Sneads Ferry. Currently the group maintains six plant beds and the attractive banners displayed throughout the Community. New members and guests are always welcome. For more information, contact Claire Wunder (327-2435) or Lois Rupert (327-1069).

• 2009 Attractions Dining and Value Guides

The Sneads Ferry Beautification Committee is the first among area organizations to sell the 2009 Attractions, Dining and Value Guides, available for immediate use now and through the end of 2009. To purchase the guides, contact Claire Wunder (327-2435), Lois Rupert (327-1069) or Margo Stafford (327-3081).

Sneads Ferry Rotary Club

Members of the Sneads Ferry Rotary Club meet every Wednesday at noon at the North Shore Country Club in Sneads Ferry. Contact President Mike Wagoner at (910) 327-2451 for details. Come join in helping to continue to make Sneads Ferry a better place to live.

Topsail Ladies

The Topsail Ladies meet every second Monday of the month with the new season beginning September 2008 through May 2009. Meetings take place at the North Topsail Beach Town Hall at 2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach. Join for social enjoyment, interesting speakers and fun with an opportunity to meet ladies from the Sneads Ferry and adjoining areas. New and previous members are always welcome.  Contact Judy Simpson, 327-3082 for details.

Events and Celebrations

Tasting with Topsail

The second Annual Tasting with Topsail takes place September 20, 2008 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Assembly Building in Topsail Beach. Sample the best of these N.C. wineries: Shelton Vineyards, Dobson; Raylen Vineyards and Winery, Mocksville; Duplin Winery, Rose Hill; Saddlerock Malibu Family Wines and select wines from across the country. Once you have found ones you like, you will be able to purchase a bottle or two or three from the winery. To complement the wine, delicious Topsail fare from area restaurants, II Beauchaines, Mailsail Restaurant and others, will also be available for sampling. It is a fun afternoon of wine tasting, food and entertainment. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.topsailcoc.com. Just click on the Tasting with Topsail banner ad.

Holly Festival

The 29th annual Holly Ridge Holly Festival, sponsored by the Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation Committee, will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. The festival kicks off with the return of the annual Christmas parade at 10 a.m. along Sound Rd. in Holly Ridge. The fun will continue with an all day Community Talent Show. Auditions will be held in September, so get your name and talent to the committee soon. The festival fun will have various talented artists and crafters, food vendors, a kids’ fun area and our very own Holly Ridge Hometown Olympics.

Do you want to join in the fun at the Holly Festival? Come be a part of the Christmas parade, Community Talent Show, sell your arts and crafts, sell tasty food, raffle a prize for your organization, or be part of the Holly Ridge Olympics! The Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation Committee has all applications available at the Holly Ridge Town Hall or on the web at www.townofhollyridge.com/parksandrec.

If you have questions or to help with the festival by volunteering your time or making a donation, contact Holly Ridge Town Hall at 329-7081 or e-mail parksandrec@townofhollyridge.com All proceeds go to the non-profit Holly Ridge Parks and Rec. Committee to help provide fun activities and events for the local community.

Kiwanis 2008 Golf Tournament

Once again The Greater Topsail Area Kiwanis will hold its 22nd annual Golf Tournament to raise money for the children of our area. Each year it has been a bigger and bigger success. Many of our players have scheduled a trip down to Topsail from their hometowns just to play. Openings are available for 128 players who will have two chances to win a car on one of the par threes.

This year the Chairman Randy Cox will be assisted by Charlie Patch who is in charge of getting all the player sports filled. Randy can be reached at 910.239.5896 or 919.624.9157 and Charlie can be reached at 910.328.3565. If you have an interest in sponsoring a hold or any number of other ways to donate call Randy Cox.

This tournament being sponsored by the Topsail Area Kiwanis is a yearly event to raise money for their various children’s’ programs. Books for the children of our soldiers, key club at local high schools and programs at local elementary schools are just a few of their programs. Join the Topsail Kiwanis on October 4 at Castle Bay Golf Club.

Josiah Allen Benefit Raffle

“A 16-year-old battling Cancer”

First place: Browning 270 safari high-grade wood shotgun. Second place: 100 lbs. of Shrimp (donated by Davis & Millis Seafood). Third place: $100 Gift Certificate (Donated by Open Water Marine).

Drawing will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008. Donation $10 each or 12 for $100. Contacts: Steven Edens (910)389-5280, Jeremy Edens (910) 934-5004, Michelle or Carolyn at Gary's Auto Sales (910)327-3070.

Sneads Ferry Community Theatre

• Sneads Ferry Community Theatre and The USO of North Carolina Present

“Spider Island” by Joseph Spaulding

Staged Readers Dessert Theatre at The USO Center, Jacksonville, 9 Tallman Street

Friday, October 17 and Saturday October 18, 2008. Doors open 6 p.m./ Seating 6:45 p.m. /Show time 7 p.m. All seats $15. (All proceeds to benefit the USO of N.C., Jacksonville center)

Tickets go on sale September 18, 2008.  For further information and ticketing call (910) 455-3411 or go by the USO Center.

• “The Santa Class”, written and performed by David Bartlett.

This is a final version of his wonderful workshop production of last year! All seats $5.

7 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 2008/ 2 p.m. Sunday, November 23, 2008.

For more information call (910) 327-0223

Surf City Art Guild

• Paint Out in the Park

October 25 and 26: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m./ Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon. (Judging will begin at noon) at Soundside Park, Surf City, N.C.

Join us for a day and a half of Plein Air painting in the beautiful Soundside Park. Artwork will be judged and monetary awards given for first, second and third places. We will also offer a Paint Out for children from 6 to11 and teens from 12 to17 who will also receive a free art kit.

• Elements of Display

Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Surf City Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. This is a free presentation by local artists, crafters and businesses on how to set up a display for craft fairs, art shows, store windows, etc. as a marketing tool.

Hampstead Authors Featured at Friends Luncheon

Topsail Township Friends of the Library is proud to feature two local authors at its Fall Author’s Luncheon. Peg Strenkowski, whose autobiography chronicles her life as a child of deaf parents and Tom Blenk, author of The Ridge, a suspenseful crime novel, will discuss how they successfully worked through the writing and publishing process. Autographed copies of both books will be available.

The Luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, at 12 p.m. at the King’s Table Restaurant in Castle Bay. Menu selection includes crab cake sandwich, chicken sandwich, and chef’s salad or castle salad platter with dessert, coffee, tea, or water. Tickets at a cost of $22 are available at the library or from one of the Friends Board Members:  Sandy Asselta, Peggy Falkenstein, Kay Gumond, Judy Hearne, Patricia Maynard, Bev McKenzie, Mary Ann Mintier, Linda Rogala, Kathy Sabella, Maggie Sevek and Peg Strenkowski. Seating is limited, so please support the Hampstead Branch Library by reserving early.

Creative Artists of Hampstead

Creative Artists of Hampstead are offering a fine arts and crafts show at Poplar Grove Plantation in the big barn on September 20 and 21. The mission is to encourage the arts in the Hampstead area. Proceeds will benefit area schools with supplies, present art education and workshops for the public and donate funds to Poplar Grove.

Two years ago four energetic folks who felt strongly about the arts, presented this show at the community center in Hampstead to a very interested audience. We happily donated funds to the four area schools for their art programs now we have a committee of thirteen and we are planning this as an annual event.

Our show includes some very fine artists such as: Paintings by Derick Crenshaw and Cheryl McGraw, graphics by Kathy Johnson, potter Don Johns, woodturner Burt Millette, and fiber artist Jan Lewis. The works will be judged by Allesandro Gambia - 2-D, Kimberly Caroom - 3-D, and a photography judge to be announced.

We are offering book and author spaces to Dr. Larry Eakes from New Bern writing about his command as Chaplin in Central and South America and Mr. Tom Lewis, author of “My King the President” a book is about intrigue and murder in the government. They will be present on Saturday. Andy Wood, our local well-known conservationist will be on hand Sunday afternoon, as will Lloyd Childers who has documented her years as the lighthouse keeper on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

We will have portrait demonstrations by Derick Crenshaw. Desi Horton and Anne McCombe will be using the potter’s wheel. For the youngsters, Jean Chasmer will do face painting. Ivey Hayes will have a bin of prints for sale.

During the show, tea and cookies will be available for snacks. On Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. we will host a reception for the artists and present awards. The public is invited.

 Hoping to make this a financially viable venue, many artists have donated their work for a silent auction, which will be on going throughout the show hours.

The Abby Nature Preserve will be dedicated September 12 and is available on the premises for hiking. And the Manor House is open for tours. We invite all interested art lovers to visit our show and enjoy Poplar Grove Plantation.

For event details, call Joan Millette at 910-270-9610.

Support Local Library With a Purchase That Pays You Back

Topsail Friends of the Library is kicking off its current ‘08-‘09 Fundraising Drive with the sale of the new addition of The Attractions Dining & Value Guide. The Guide sells for $25. Each guide sold will contribute $10 toward the many services the Friends provides to Hampstead’s Library.

The Attractions Dining & Value Guide will quickly pay for itself with more than 100 discounts to many local stores and restaurants including Ace Hardware, CVS, Belvedere Club House, Mollies and Cubbies. Books can be purchased from the library or from one of the 11 Library Board Members: Sandy Asselta, Peggy Falkenstein, Kay Gumond, Judy Hearne, Patricia Maynard, Bev McKenzie, Mary Ann Mintier, Linda Rogala, Kathy Sabella, Maggie Sevek and Peg Strenkowski.

Printer cartridges recycling

Have any old printer cartridges lying around you can bring them into the Chamber office. The Greater Hampstead Chamber of Commerce is recycling any and all printer cartridges. When turned in, the chamber receives cash, so it is a way to give back to your chamber.

Rotary seeks students for International Youth Exchange Program

Southeastern North Carolina Rotary clubs are seeking high school students for both short and long-term overseas exchange opportunities. Short-term exchanges vary and can include home-stays, tours, international youth camps, internships and volunteer projects. Long-term exchanges are available and typically last one full academic year with a focus on educational and cultural experiences. Youth Exchange's global vision allows youth to explore and discover the world, its people and the meaning of Rotary. It is one of the most powerful ways to promote international understanding and peace.

The District’s 7730 forty-eight (48) clubs, located throughout southeastern North Carolina, seek to sponsor students who demonstrate leadership skills as well as interpersonal skills. The clubs offer support to exchange students which includes orientation, training and resources for language and culture for foreign countries, travel arrangements and insurance, counselors, and arrangements for host families just to name a few. 

Rotary Youth Exchange is open to all students between the ages of 15 and 18-1/2. Currently, eighty countries around the world are certified by Rotary International to participate in the Youth Exchange Program. 

Students, parents, host families and community leaders who are interested and would like more information regarding your local Rotary Youth Exchange Program should contact Vanessa Ervin, District 7730 Youth Exchange Officer at vj.ervin@att.net. 

ABOUT ROTARY:  Rotary International is an organization of business and professional leaders dedicated to humanitarian service, to ethical standards in business, and to promoting world understanding. With over 1.2 million Rotarians and 31,000 clubs in more than 165 countries, Rotary offers one of the largest, safest and best-organized youth exchange programs in the world. This year more than 7,000 young people will have the experience of a lifetime.

Sports

Spot Festival Golf Tournament

The Greater Hampstead Chamber of Commerce is in the planning stages of The Spot Festival Golf Tournament. If you would like to get involved, contact the Chamber Office at 270-9642.

Parks and Recreation/ Classes

Surf City Parks and Recreation

Are you looking for something fun for your kids (K-up) to do on Early Release days and other days off school? Then Surf City Community Center is the place to be!!

Surf City Parks and Recreation, along with the Surf City Artist Guild will offer playtime, homework time, games, art activities, movies and popcorn. See our schedule below.

Early Release Days (11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, October 22

Wednesday, February 4

Wednesday, March 18

Teacher Work Days (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

*Not all teacher workdays, only the days below.

Monday, November 3

Tuesday, November 4

Monday, January 26

Friday, March 6

Spring Break Vacation Days (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Monday, April 6

Tuesday, April 7

Wednesday, April 8

Thursday, April 9