Community Announcements 5.1.08

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 9:30 a.m. The objective is to beautify Sneads Ferry. Currently we maintain several plant beds plus the attractive banners hanging throughout the Community. New members and guests are always welcome. For more information, contact Claire Wunder (327-2435) or Lois Rupert (327-1069).

Sneads Ferry Rotary Club

Members of the Sneads Ferry Rotary Club meet every Wednesday at noon. Visitors are welcome to join us and have the opportunity to meet local ladies and gentlemen of the community of Sneads Ferry and the adjoining areas. New members are welcome. Contact Pres. Bob McLaughlin for details. The meetings are held at the North Shore Country Club in Sneads Ferry, NC.   

Topsail Ladies

The Topsail Ladies meet every second Monday of the month with the new season beginning September 2007 through May 2008 at North Topsail Beach Town Hall, 2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach. Join in for social enjoyment and fun and an opportunity to meet ladies from Sneads Ferry and adjoining areas. New members are welcome. Contact MaryAnn Brannan 910-327-1638 or Robin Dowden 910-327-1684 for details.

Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts meet the second and fourth Thursdays at 3:30 at Holly Ridge Town Hall. For more information call Traci at 910-265-9086. Sign up is free and for ages 4 and up.

Al-Anon

Is your life affected by someone's drinking? Al-Anon is for you! The Al-Anon Serenity Group meets every Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church, 776 Highway 210, Sneads Ferry, N.C. 28460. Anonymity is respected. For additional information please call 327-2600.

Sneads Ferry AA meetings

Tuesday, Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Building on Hwy 172  Across from the Coastal Mini Storage.

Hampstead Al-Anon to Meet at HUMC

The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

The Hampstead Al-Anon Family Group meets on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at the Hampstead United Methodist Church on Hwy 17 about one mile north of the Food Lion Shopping Center.

Sneads Ferry Community Council

The Sneads Ferry Community Council meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.

Onslow County Schools Applications                          

Applications are available for Head Start…Title 1… More at Four Preschool Programs

for 2008-2009 School Year. For application, call (910) 455-5530 or (910) 989-2021 ext. 334 or come to the head start office) Board of Education, 200 Broadhurst Rd. Parents: All children with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Events and Celebrations

Missiles & More Museum news

The Missiles and More Museum is open and is featuring a new exhibit on the V-22 Osprey. The V-22 Osprey is the world’s first production tilt-rotor aircraft, which the U.S. Marine Corp’s has been testing at USMC New River Air Station, north of Topsail Island.

With the testing phase of the V-22 Osprey over, aircrews can be seen over the skies of Topsail Island challenging this revolutionary aircraft to new limits.

The exhibit documents development, design and limitary utilization of the V-22 Osprey. The public is encouraged to visit the exhibit and discover the important military significance of the V-22 Osprey to our area.

The Missiles and More Museum is located at 720 Channel Blvd. in Topsail Beach.

Hours: Now through May 23 - Monday to Friday/ May 24 to Labor Day - Monday through Saturday/ September 2 through closing on October 19 - Monday to Friday.

For more information, call the museum at 910-328-8663 or Museum Director Rose Peters at 910-328-2488.

Third Annual Celebrate Hampstead Festival

Come celebrate with the Best that Hampstead has to offer on May 10, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hampstead Village Shopping Center.

Sponsored by the Greater Hampstead Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of this annual festival is to promote the fine arts in Hampstead as well as support the struggling arts, drama and music programs in our local schools. Musicians and artists of all kinds will be present to entertain and enlighten during this fun-filled family day. There will be culinary delights to please any palate. In addition, the art departments of the local schools will have on display the winning posters highlighting the best young artists of Hampstead.  There will be activities and events to delight children of all ages.

In addition, we are looking for artists and crafters and businesses to participate. Please call the Greater Hampstead Chamber for applications.

For additional information on donations, volunteering or participating with us, please call Sherrie Bowen (262-0373) or Karen O’Reilly (270-2939) or GHCC (270-9642).

Friends of the library supports Topsail’s battle

The Topsail Township Friends of the Library supplies the ammunition for the Battle of the Books at Hampstead schools. Each year the Friends’ donation makes it possible for the Topsail Branch of the public library to purchase multiple copies of the books listed on the elementary and middle school Battle of the Books reading list. It is one way that this service group helps children in our community.

To support this effort, the Topsail Township Friends of the Library invites you to join them in their 8th Annual Author’s Luncheon at noon on Monday, May 5 at the Quartermaster’s Restaurant on the Causeway in Surf City. Cost is $22 per person.

Guest speaker is Timothy Bass, lecturer in the Department of Creative Writing at UNC Wilmington, where he teaches writing workshops and literature courses in fiction and creative nonfiction. Tim’s most recent article “Plastic Language,” published in The Oklahoma Review presents a timely commentary on current political and corporate press releases “that sound so pleasing that we do not realize how far they have carried us from what we need to know.” Luncheon tickets are available at the Hampstead Branch Library (270-4603). There are three menu items from which to choose: Crab cake, Roast Pork Loin or Chicken Salad. All meals include dessert and coffee, hot or cold tea and water. Tax and tip are included in the $22. Cutoff date is Friday May 2, 2008. 

The Hampstead Library Branch

The Hampstead Library Branch currently has 13, 612 cardholders!  The Topsail Township Friends of the Library, a 275-member service organization, aspires to expand library services with a new and larger building.

The Friends are currently working to raise funds by selling tickets for Belk’s Charity Day on May 3, 2008. Purchase a ticket for $5 from a member of the Friends or at the library and the entire $5 goes to the library. 

This ticket will allow you to purchase merchandise for 20 to 50 percent of including special savings on rarely discounted merchandise.  Plus, you will receive $5 off your first purchase.

The Friends thank you for supporting its annual elementary student art show with 50 creative participants and remind you that tickets for the annual Author’s luncheon are on sale at the library — deadline is May 2, 2008.

Surf & Turf Triathlon

As the Greater Topsail Area begins to rise with the stirrings of the forthcoming spring season, the Chamber is once again planning for one of its most successful events, the Surf & Turf Super Sprint Triathlon. This year’s event is slated for Saturday, May 17.

The event has become a kick-off event, signaling the soft open of the summer season. The ‘Surf & Turf’ has witnessed significant growth over the past 14 years, increasing from fewer than 100 participants to over 300 in the recent past. With a bit over six weeks to go, we already have more than 150 people registered from across the southeast and mid-Atlantic. This year’s event once again includes a half-mile ocean swim, a 20k bicycle race and a 5k run.

We look forward to making the 15th Annual Surf & Turf the most beneficial and productive yet, for both our sponsors and our members. Thank you for supporting our mission of engaging our membership and partners in a collaborative effort to create economic diversity, increase business opportunities, and preserve quality of life, as the Chamber views the triathlon as an occasion to put these words into action.

For questions, contact (910) 329-4446, or e-mail, at alibby@topsailcoc.com.

Sneads Ferry Community Theatre News

• “Spider Island” a murder mystery by Joseph Spalding
Presented as a Readers / Staged Theatre Directed by Julia Eller on May 2, 3, 9 and 10.

Talented local cast includes M.J. Vieweg, Robin Dowden, Ann Brinson, Michelle Brummond, Shannon Campbell and Velma Duff.

Presented at the Sneads Ferry Community Center at 126 Park Lane in Sneads Ferry.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., dinner served at 6:30 p.m., curtain at 7:15 a.m., all seats $20.

Make your prepaid reservations for this performance by calling the box office at 910-327-2798 by April 29. 48 prepaid reservations per show; no tickets day of show.

Dinner menu includes meat lasagna, garden salad, bread, dessert, tea coffee and water.

• Auditions for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, a musical;
need three women and three men; June 26 and 27, 7 p.m.

• “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, by Clark Gesner; main stage production; September 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14.

• “The Santa Class”, written and performed by David Bartlett; Saturday, November 22 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 23 at 3 p.m.

• If you can sing and are interested in performing in musical productions with SFCT, please call Marcia Hamilton at 910-358-1298.

• If you are interested in performing in Readers Theatre which requires no memorization and only three to four rehearsals, please call Doris Brady at 910-327-0951.

• Friends of the Theatre is an organization established to support our community theater here in Sneads Ferry. It offers a host of volunteer opportunities for people who want to get involved in the SFCT in all capacities: on, off, even behind the scenes!  If you’re interested in getting involved with a first-rate community theater group, please call Jan Ladd at 910-327-6477.

Call for artists

An art contest is being offered by the Hampstead Spot Festival. Winner receives $200, free booth space and print of painting on festival t-shirt and publicity. Download ncspotfestival.com or call Joan Millette at 270-9610.

Pender County Public Library

• Every Child Ready To Read at Pender County Public Library

Story Time: In Hampstead on Tuesday at 10:15 a.m./ In Burgaw on Thursdays 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Come to the Library to enjoy quality children’s literature enhanced by a variety of fun activities appropriate for children ages 2 to 5 years.

Younger children are welcome to join in if closely supervised by their caregivers. 

Adults are expected to remain with children in their care throughout the 30-minute programs.

Volunteer

Surf & Turf Triathlon Volunteers

One of the chamber's larger fundraisers, the Surf & Turf Triathlon, is scheduled for Saturday May 17. In order to properly stage and execute the event, we need about 55

Volunteers. Volunteers are required to assist with Registration and Packet Pick up, Swim

Course, Bike Course, Run Course, Body Marking, Aid Stations, Timing, Refreshments and Clean Up. 

If you or a family member would like to join us, please let us know. Beyond arriving at the Surf City Fire Dept. at 6:30 a.m., there isn't much skill involved, and for your efforts you receive a free T-shirt, and are fed both breakfast and lunch. The entire event, including awards, should be complete by 11 a.m. Call 329-4446 for more details.

Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival needs volunteers

Volunteers are needed for the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival (The largest Festival in the County) for the following: Pageant, Parade, Memorabilia Tent, Shrimp-a-roo, etc. If you want to join our fun and exciting team, contact the 2008 Chairman Dave Noble at 327- 2690 or e-mail NobleDavidN@aol.com or contact Co-chair Amy Noble at 539-7584 or e-mail dont.uwish@yahoo.com.

Special Olympics Pender Co. hold volunteer recruitment/ interest meeting

Special Olympics is a non-profit organizations dedicated to providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Each program in the state is represented by a local coordinator who has the responsibility for implementing Special Olympics abilities. The coordinator is responsible for the management of the local program structure and activity.

Pender County currently offers basketball and athletics and is in need of committed, enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to fill the positions of coaches, day volunteers and/or steering committee slots. These positions are volunteer and non-paid, and expense and mileage reimbursements are available. Coaches and committee member positions require a background check (provided by Special Olympics NC), possession of a NC driver’s license, ability to travel occasionally on nights and weekends, and ability to supervise others. A meeting will be held at the Surf City Community Center in Surf City on Tuesday May 13 in the conference room at 5 p.m. Contact Suzanna Bolin at suzanna_bolin@pender.k12.nc.us for more information.

Hardee Bucks

Hardee Bucks fundraising booklets are now available for purchase at the library in Hampstead. Purchases of books help to support the Topsail Township Friends of the Library as they buy books and other supplies for the Hampstead library.

The booklets contain $35 in coupons and may be purchased for only $5 each. They’re a great bargain for you and a great gift for your children, grandchildren, and friends.  Please take advantage of the savings and support your local library. 

Sports

Late Registration for Youth Sports

The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department's five youth basketball/ cheerleading districts are conducting late registration on a space available basis. The registration fee is $19 and a copy of the birth certificate or other legal document stating the date of birth is required. For more information, please contact the department at 347-5332.

Beginning tennis lessons

The Onslow County Parks & Recreation Department is offering beginning tennis lessons 

for youth (ages 7 to15) and adults. Lessons at Coastal Carolina Community College on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning May 5 and at Onslow Pines Park on Tuesday and Thursdays beginning May 6. Pre-register at Onslow Pines Park; class size is limited.

Fee $ 35. Call 347-5332 or visit www.onslowcountync.gov/parks.

Parks and Recreation/ Classes

Zumba Fitness Classes

Zumba is a little bit shimmy and shake with a whole lot of fun. Classes are Tuesday at 8:30a.m. and Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Pete-Eze Skating Rink. First class is always free.

After that, classes will be $4 at the door or $20 for a six-class pass. Zumba is for anyone, any age, any size, and any level of fitness.

Health and Wellness Talk Shop

Local natural health professional, Cookie Tilghman, will be offering a free Health and Wellness Talk Shop on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Surf City Community Center.

Cookie co-owns and operates The Health Nut in Hampstead. She has over twelve years of experience in wellness counseling, as well as training in Reiki, kinesiology, weight management, and more. Cookie’s passion is to educate and motivate the community about leading a healthier lifestyle.

Participants are asked to register by calling Cookie at (910) 330-3838 or Surf City Community Center at (910) 328-4887. 

• The Health Nut also holds free classes on the second Saturday of each month at 4 p.m. and the following Tuesday at 6 p.m. To register for classes at the Health Nut, call 910-270-0608. Cookie is also available for talk shops for other businesses and civic organizations. Contact Cookie for more details or to arrange your talk shop.

Holly Ridge Hobby Shop news

New Mosaic Classes for May. Small or large trivet $40 or $65 space is limited. Scrap booking Class May 10, 5 to 8 p.m. $10. Design your own earrings $20 supplies included.

Call Laura at 329-1874.

Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation

• Mother’s Day Tea

Saturday, May 3 from 2 to 4 p.m., you are invited to a Mother’s Day Tea at the Holly Ridge Smokehouse hosted by the Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation Committee.

All mothers are welcome: moms, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, new moms, step-moms and the person you call mom. Come as you are or in your tea party best to honor your mother with stories, poetry, prizes and, of course, tasty tea.

Seating is limited. Tickets are $5 per person, three and under are free. Tickets are available from any Parks and Rec. member, the Smokehouse Restaurant or the Holly Ridge Town Hall.

Bring your favorite Mom or family photo when you get your ticket to be used in a slide presentation or e-mail photos to parksandrec@townofhollyridge.com; photos will be returned. Prizes fro oldest and youngest mom, best dressed Mom and most generations in attendance will be awarded. Proceeds go to the Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation Committee. For more info, call Town Hall at 329-7081.

• Girl Scouts: Meetings are the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 3:30 p.m. at the Holly Ridge Town Hall. For more information, call Traci at 910-265-9086. Sign up is free.

• New Bellydance Classes

The Hip Circle is offering eight weeks of belly dance classes for beginner and intermediates for ladies 18 and older at the Holly Ridge Fire Department. The basic belly dance class is from 7 to 8 p.m. and will concentrate on the very basic movements of belly dance. Fee $15. The intermediate class is from 6 to 7 p.m. and offers instruction for the next level of movements. Fee $30. Both classes will be informally instructed, with visual and open discussion. Come with comfy cloths, water and a towel or yoga mat. For more information, please call Lu Ann Hooper at 910-470-2700 or Anita Dingler at 910-329-0074.

• Holly Festival Planning Meeting

It's time to plan the 29th annual Holly Festival! Would you like to help plan this annual tradition? Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the Holly Ridge Town Hall. Come out and help make this festival one to remember! Any questions call 329-7081.

• Holly Ridge Parks and Rec Meetings

The Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation Committee meetings are held at 7 p.m., the first Tuesday of every month at the Holly Ridge Town Hall. Come out and be a part of the fun in Holly Ridge!

Surf City Parks and Recreation

Wellness Groups:

• Alcoholics Anonymous: Sundays 10 to 11 a.m.

• TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly): Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Current Classes at the Community Center:

• Advanced Bridge: Mondays from 12 to 4 p.m.

• Altered Art: First Monday of the Month, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Art Club: Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m.

• Beginning Bridge: Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m.

• Body Sculpting: Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Book Club: Second Monday of the Month, 9 to 9:30 a.m.

• Card Games:  Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m.

• Cardio Workout: Meets every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Cardio Kickboxing: Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. No class on December 27.

• Nia:  Tuesdays 6 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m.

• Open Basketball Play: Thursdays, 6 to 7 p.m., ages 12 and under; Thursdays, 7 to 8 p.m., ages 13 to 17; Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m., ages 18 and up

• Pilates:  Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (begins April 2)

• Sweat & Stretch: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30am to 10:30am.

• Scrabble class meets every Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

• Tae kwon do (ages 3 to12):  Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Tae kwon do (ages 13 & up):  Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m.

• Yoga (Beginner/Gentle): Mondays from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. and Tuesdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

Schedule: The Surf City Community Center continually works on its schedule. If you would be interested in attending any current activities or teaching a new class, please contact the center at 910-328-4887 or e-mail us at parksandrec@townofsurfcity.com. The current class schedule is also available online at www.townofsurfcity.com on the Parks and Recreation page.

Poplar Grove News

• Poplar Grove Plantation’s Farmers Market Opens for the 2008 Season

New to the market for 2008 is the Poplar Shopper Card. 

So many customers came each week last year to check out the market and do their food shopping. This year patrons can pick up a free Poplar Shopper Card and receive gifts from the market intermittently. They’re available at the Wagon Booth throughout the season.

Everything at this market is grown, raised or made in North Carolina, which means that produce is available by season. Some of what you’ll find will be fresh cut flowers, Red Buckeye, Southern Sundrops, geraniums, bedding plants, cool season vegetable plants, organic lettuce, gourmet greens and culinary herbs. 

In addition there’ll be eggs, honey, goat sausage, peanut butter, crab cakes, scallops, Tipsy Cakes and, many shoppers will be happy to hear that Great Harvest Bread Co. will be back with fresh baked bread. A diverse assortment of hand crafted gifts will also be for sale; jewelry, clothing, quilted decorations, crocheted shawls, scenic photographs, leather belts, pottery and more. Each vendor is on site selling their own goods and, will happily share information about their products or business. 

Poplar Grove’s Farmers Market is a stone’s throw north of the New Hanover County line at 10200 Rt. 17. The market is open Wednesdays, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. from now until December 17 rain or shine. 

For the finest and freshest North Carolina has to offer, come on out to Poplar Grove’s

Farmers Market. For information visit www.poplargrove.com or call (910) 686-9518 ext. 26.

• Second Session Classes:

• Poplar Grove Plantation’s Spring Classes

Check website for latest info. Now through May classes:

Rug Hooking, One-Stroke Painting, Lampwork Glass Bead Making, Pine Needle Basket Making, Tatting, Basket Weaving, Redwork Embroidery, Canine Massage for your Pet, Basic Digital Photography, Photoshop CS3 for Photography, Etiquette Classes for Children.

Class Registration: Class fees are due at least one week prior to the beginning of the class. Call (910) 686-9518, ext. 26 or visit www.poplargrove.com.

Historic Poplar Grove Plantation is located at 10200 highway 17 N. Wilmington at Scotts Hill.

• Basket Weaving by Donna Meinert

Poplar Grove's resident basket maker, Donna, is always happy to teach you the craft of basket  weaving. You may call or e-mail us to schedule a one-day basket-making lesson for one or more students.  Fee: $50 per student includes instruction, all materials, and you go home with a beautiful basket! Students will have a choice of several basket styles to

choose from. Available most Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and some weekends. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will work to schedule a day convenient for you.

The Onslow County Schools Preschool Program

The Onslow County Schools Preschool Program is currently accepting application for the 2008 school year. Children must be four years old by October 16, 2007.  Parents will need to provide a certified birth certificate and current shot record for their child, proof of residence and proof of income for the application to be complete. For more information, please call 989-2021 ext. 334 or visit the Preschool office at 200 Broadhurst Road to complete an application.

For Your Information

Junk mail reduction

You may be able to reduce your junk mail as much as 65 percent within three months by asking credit card companies and other organizations you do business with to not sell, rent or trade your name. Call 888-567-8688 to require credit-reporting firms to delete your name from their mailing list. One call reaches four major credit bureaus.

For more ideas on waste reduction contact:

N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance; 1629 Mail Service Center; Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1639. You can also call them at 919-715-6500 or 800-763-0136, or e-mail to nowaste@p2pays.org.