Community Announcements

Dixon Soccer Club

Registration for the Dixon Soccer Club’s spring season will be held for two at Dixon Middle School on Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Jan. 21 from noon to 2 p.m. The seasonal fee for U4 - U8 boys and girls is $36. The traveling rec league U9 to U18 team player fee is $45; if they need a club uniform, it is $25 more.

All new or first time club members must submit a copy of their birth certificate to register. More information and mail-in registration forms are available on the Web at www.eteamz.active.com/dixonsoccer. You contact club president Tim Rose at (910) 938-7281 or DSCpeople@yahoo.com.

Girl Scout cookies

If you are interested in purchasing Girl Scout cookies, then Sue Roles (leader of Hampstead Troop 54) can help. The girls of this troop and their families helped with various community events such as putting up and taking down the Christmas tree on the gazebo, participating in the tree lighting ceremony, sprucing up the welcome signs and more. Roles can be reached at 910-270-1374 or via e-mail at bssroles@juno.com.

Church dinner at SF First UMC

The First United Methodist Church in Sneads Ferry will holds its monthly dinner on Jan. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, located on Highway 72 near the back gate to Camp Lejeune. Donations to the building fund will be accepted. For more information, call 910-327-4011.

Aquarium will show 3-D movies

Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will have a chance to experience the magic of 3-D on two Sundays in February. Regular visitors can see a feature-length 3-D film in the aquarium’s newly renovated auditorium at 3 p.m. on Feb. 4 and 11.

Screening the films will give the aquarium a chance to show off its recently upgraded 165-seat auditorium. Improved lighting and surround-sound capability were added in October. The films will be shown on a 225-square-foot projection screen. The 3-D movies will be free to all visitors paying regular admission price, and to Aquarium Society members. Members receive aquarium admission without charge.

Before or after the films, visitors can spend the day enjoying the aquarium’s exhibits and educational activities. Scheduled activities include interactive dive presentations at 10:30 and 2:30 p.m., and an exhibit feeding at 3 p.m.

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located 15 miles south of Wilmington on US-421, just beyond the town of Kure Beach. Aquarium admission fees are $8 for adults; $7 for seniors; $6 for youth 6-17. Children 5 and under are free. For additional information on programs and fees, please visit www.ncaquariums.com.

Babe Ruth Baseball

The Topsail Ball Club Babe Ruth League was organized in 2006 and has operated successfully over the past year in providing amateur baseball for players ages 4 to 15. The local organization is affiliated with the international Babe Ruth League, Inc. program, the premier baseball and softball program for youth, based in Trenton, N.J.

The Topsail Ball Club League would like to expand to include 16 to 18 year old players by forming a division for that age group.

Anyone interested in playing should contact Kim Gray at 910-270-5510. Organizers would like an idea of how many youth in the area are interested in playing, so that they know if there are enough players to form a new division. You may also e-mail Kim Gray at baseballmom97@hotmail.com. More information about the Topsail Ball Club can be found on-line at www.tbc-baseball.com.

The Topsail Ball Club will hold registration at the Hampstead Public Library on Jan. 20 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; other dates and locations may be announced. If you have any questions or cannot get to the library, contact Jackie Whitmarsh at 910-270-1669 or Kim Gray. This year T-ball will be $50 and all other divisions will be $65; uniforms are included with registration.

The Topsail Ball Club Babe Ruth Baseball League recently re-elected Bill Wicks as the 2007 League President; serving with him will be Kim Gray, vice president; Mark Andrews, secretary and Staci Gardner, treasurer.

NTB Recreation and Appearance Committee

What are you doing on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm? If you are thinking of watching your favorite TV show or the books you want to start reading, why not contemplate getting involved with the Recreation and Appearance Committee for the Town of North Topsail Beach? They meet just once a month on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.

If you enjoy working in your yard or coming up with new ways to beautify your property, why not expand your talents in beautifying North Topsail Beach? This committee has several fund-raising projects going on throughout the year. Proceeds from the Dining and Value Guides, and other town merchandise help them to plan and implement new ventures such as lighting the park gazebo, making other improvements to the areas that surround Town Hall or beautifying the entrances in and out of town. Their yearly Yard Sale at Town Hall on Memorial Day weekend has grown each year.

If you enjoyed looking at the snowflakes this past Christmas it was because of the efforts of the Recreation and Appearance Committee. They are also responsible for decorating Town Hall and they have fun putting up the tree and spreading their cheer.

This committee is looking for new members to help them achieve their goals for 2007, and you don’t have to have a degree in Horticultural Arts. If you like meeting new people and becoming involved in your community, this is an excellent way to start the New Year. For more information, call Loraine at Town Hall at 910-328-1349.

Sneads Ferry Extension Club

Start the New Year off right by joining the Sneads Ferry Extension Club for a great time of fellowship, a homemade luncheon and a great program of interest. The club’s first meeting this year is Jan. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Sneads Ferry Senior Citizens Building on Route 172. For more information, contact Ida McNamara at 910-327-0718 or e-mail to idamac1@earthlink.net.

THS needs exam proctors

Topsail High School will be completing the first semester soon and in order for the individual teachers to give their exams to their classes, a proctor must be present -- per state law.

So the school needs your help. People are needed to serve as Proctor for the Career Technical Ed classes. There are nine teachers who each teach three to four classes a day -- 30 slots needto be filled. The exams will take place on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, Jan. 17-19. On Wednesday there is an 8:30 a.m. exam and a noon exam; on Thurs. and Fri., there is only an 8:30 a.m. exam each day. Proctors need to arrive about 20 minutes prior to the start time and stay for about 2 hours. Most students are finished within 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

As soon as the exams are turned back in, you would be free to go -- so it could be less than 2 hours. Proctoring requires you to just observe the students while they take the exam and periodically walk around the room. The Teacher is always present.

To help, contact Sue France at 910-270-9131, ext. 237, or 910-270-3878.

CFCC in Surf City

Cape Fear Community College classes at the SC Community Center begin this month. The following is a list of the classes to be offered. To register, please call 910-362-7170 or visit www.cfcc.edu/ce.

* Computer Office Specialist: Tu/Th; 6 to 9 p.m.; Jan. 23 to March 29; $65.

* National Incident Management (NIMS) Series Training: Tu/Th; 9 a.m. to noon; Jan. 23 to May 29; $60.

* CPR/AED Training: Mon./Wed.; 6 to 9 p.m.; Jan. 17 to Feb. 7; $60.

* Spanish for the Workplace: Th; 6 to 9 p.m.; Jan. 25 to April 26; $65.

* HRD Rising to Success: M/W/F; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Feb. 5 to March 2; Free.

* SUBS - Effective Teacher Training: Tu/Th; 6 to 9 p.m.; Jan. 23 to Feb. 22; $60.

* Understanding Child Behavior: Tu/Th; 6 to 9 p.m.; March 6 to April 4; $60.

* Aerobics Exercise: F; 9 to 11 a.m.; Jan. 12 to March 30; $35.

* English as a Second Language (ESL): M/W; 6 to 9 p.m.; Jan. 13 to March 5; Free.

* GED Class: Tu/Th; 9 a.m. to noon; Jan. 4 to March 1; Free.

Topsail Chamber seminars

* Business Basics Overview Seminar: Tu; 6 to 9 p.m.; Jan. 30; Free.

* Motivating and Training Hourly Workers: F; 9 am - noon; Jan. 19; $15/COC members, $25/non-members. For more information or to register for this class, call the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce at 910-329-4446.

Boating Classes at Community Center

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be offering two upcoming courses at the community center. The first is Safe Boating and Seamanship. It will be held each Tuesday and Thursday, Jan. 16 through March 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. There is a nominal fee for class materials. The second class will be Weather and Boating. It will be held on March 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the community center. This course is free. Contact Mary or John at (910) 270-3138 to register for either class.

Onslow flu shots

More cases of flu are occurring in Onslow County and throughout the state. The Onslow County Health Department wants to stress that there is still time for citizens to receive their flu shot in order to stay well over the holidays.

The Health Department has approximately 160 doses of flu vaccine remaining. Persons interested in receiving a flu shot may stop by the health department Monday through Friday any time between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary. The cost of adult flu shots is $30.00. The Health Department takes Medicare Part B, Railroad Medicare, N.C. Medicaid and N.C. Health Choice.

Sneads Ferry First UMC

* There is a Beth Moore Bible study underway. Call 910-327-0605 or 910-327-2759.

* The ladies of the church are collecting old eyeglasses for the needy. They can be dropped at the church at any time.

The church is located at the Camp Lejeune back gate on Highway 172 in Sneads Ferry. For more information, call the church office at 910-327-4011.

St. Christopher’s news

* St. Christopher’s Catholic Community of Sneads Ferry is holding ongoing Faith Formation classes for children ages 5 to 16. Classes will be held be held in the parish hall from 4 to 4:45 p.m. There will be no Faith Formation Classes on Dec. or 30

* The community’s temporary home is St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, located at 661 Tar Landing Road in Holly Ridge. Mass is held Saturday evenings at 5. For more information or directions, call Zoe Hough at 910-327-2438.

Traditional Episcopal worship in Holly Ridge

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Episcopal Chapel will be holding services Sunday Jan. 21 at 10:30 a.m., and Saturday services on Jan. 13 and 27 at 6:30 p.m. The chapel is located at 122 Dyson Street in Holly Ridge, across from the Penslow Medical Ctr. For more information call Father Dave at 910-328-2132.

Operation Topcat fund-raiser

Operation Topcat is holding a fund-raiser program asking people to donate their used cell phones and inkjet cartridges. The group earns money for each cell phone and inkjet cartridge collected, and the effort also helps eliminate a source of toxic waste.

All of the proceeds will help fund efforts to reduce the overpopulation of cats in the Topsail Island and surrounding area in a humane and caring way. Operation Topcat assists in the spay/neuter of both feral (wild) and tame cats. Feral cats are returned to their caretaker's colony; tame cats enter an adoption program. The group also encourages responsible pet ownership through education.

Cell phones and cartridges can be dropped off at the Topsail Island Chamber of Commerce or Topsail Island Association of Realtors in the Treasure Coast Landing Complex (13775 Highway 50 in Surf City), the North Topsail Beach Town Hall or Youngspots Realty, at 279 Sneads Ferry Road.

For more information, call 910 328-4769.

Hampstead Chamber

* Mardi Gras Ball: Back by popular demand, this event will be held on Jan. 27 at The Pasta Grille.

* Web site links: If you have any changes regarding your business or link on the chamber Web site, send an e-mail to hampsteadcoc1@bellsouth.net. Please note we are working hard on getting all of our member’s information updated on our Web site.

If you do not have a Web page, we are in the process of updating our site with pictures and information. If you have any changes, please let us know.

* Alive at Five: If you wish to participate in this social program, call the office as the Chamber is always looking for members to host the monthly events. Our member hosts put so much effort into making the event they are hosting successful. So, members are asked to RSVP with the number of people that they will attend each gathering. Keep in mind that member participation for these events is important. And guests are always welcome.

* The chamber now has a Bulk Mail Permit from the United States Postal Service for Chamber and Chamber Member use. It is our hope that this service will be of assistance to meeting the various mailing needs of our membership by reaching residents at a reduced cost.

Pender library events

Story Times for preschool age children are held at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesdays in Hampstead and 10 a.m. on Thursdays in Burgaw. Children enjoy books, songs and other activities such as finger plays or crafts for learning and enjoying.

For more information, call the libraries at 910-259-234 (Burgaw) or 910-270-4603 (Hampstead).

‘Fruit of the Spirit’

Chapel By The Bay’s Women of the Word group has collected the best and favorite recipes from church members, family and friends for compilation into a cookbook titled "The Fruit of the Spirit." The books cost $10. They may be purchased from any member of the organization or at Chapel By The Bay. All proceeds will go to W.O.W. Special Projects Fund.

The cookbook contains 244 recipes, including appetizers, main dishes and desserts. Recipes include the contributor’s name, enabling you to find the recipes of family and friends. Also included are information and hints on herbs, spices, pantry basics, quick fixes, calorie counting and cooking terms.

For more information, contact Alice Pollock, president of W.O.W. at 910-329-3831.

Winter Jazz at Cape Fear Museum

Following another successful summer season at Airlie Gardens, the Winter Jazz concert series moves indoors for the chillier months to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science in partnership with the Cape Fear Jazz Society.

The fourth annual Winter Jazz series heats up in November and runs for six months. Concerts are from 6 to 8 p.m., and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Museum members are admitted free, and guests are $5 per person, per concert (which can be applied to a Cape Fear Museum membership). The museum furnishes chairs, and guests are invited to bring snacks and a beverage of choice.

The Museum is located at 814 Market Street in historic downtown Wilmington. For more information, call 910-798-4370.

The performers are listed below:

Feb. 9 -- Julie Rehder and Jack Krupicka

March 2 -- The Laura McFayden Quartet

April 6 -- The Dusty Long Trio

SF Christian Women’s Club

A Christian Women’s Club has recently started up in Sneads Ferry. The group is made up of all denominations and it meets the first Thursday of the month at the Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. to noon. The club will meet on Jan. 18.

While a study program is part of the meetings, the group also exists for women to enjoy meeting with each other, commenting on the lessons and sharing thoughts and prayers with each other. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Ida McNamara at 910-327-0718 or idamac1@earthlink.net.

SF Dining and Value Guides

The Sneads Ferry Beautification Committee is selling its new Dining and Value Guides for $25. The coupons are good through Dec. 31, 2007. The dining guide offers "two for the price of one" meals at restaurants throughout the area along with discounts from many area businesses from Home Depot to area golf courses. The area covered extends from Sneads Ferry to Sunset Beach. Also available are guides covering Jacksonville up to Greenville and Rocky Mount.

Proceeds from the guide sales are used to purchase additional banners for display throughout the Sneads Ferry area.

To purchase a Dining Guide, contact one of the following committee members: Karen Ilsley, 910-327-0716; Marie West, 910-327-0556; Claire Wunder, 910-327-2435; or Lois Rupert, 91-327-1069.

NTB Dining and Value Guides

North Topsail Beach is once again selling "The Best of the Carolina Coast" Attractions Dining and Value Guide, which encompasses areas from Sneads Ferry to Sunset Beach. They also are selling and alternate "The Best of the Crystal Coast" which includes Jacksonville, New Bern and surrounding areas. There are new restaurants to choose from and discount coupons for Pier One Imports, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot and others.

The books cost $25 each, and the town Recreation and Appearance Committee profits $10 from each book. This money will help buy more plants to beautify North Topsail Beach. Books are available at Town Hall during the week (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Checks or cash are accepted, but not credit cards.

Surf City Parks and Rec

Classes and workshops at the Community Center:

* Aerobic Classes: Ongoing, Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays; classes start at 5:30 p.m. Bring a towel, waterbottle and hand weights.

* Advanced Bridge: Ongoing, Mondays from noon to 4 p.m.

* Scrapbooking classes with Shannon: Ongoing, Mondays 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

* Stamping & More with Cathy: Ongoing Tuesdays 5 to 7 p.m.

* Open Basketball Play: Monday, 6 to 7 p.m., ages 12 and under; Monday, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., ages 13 to 17; Tuesday, 6 to 9 p.m., age 30 and up; Thursday at 6 to 9 p.m., age 18 and up.

* Body Sculpting: Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

* Yoga: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, and Thursday, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

* Quilting: first and third Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

* After-School Program: The Surf City Community Center offers an after-school program to students in grades K-8 until 5:15 p.m. each school day. For more information, call 910-328- 4887.

Support Groups:

Alcoholics Anonymous: Sundays 10 to 11 a.m.

Clubs:

Walkers Club: Monday through Friday, 9 to 11 a.m.

Upcoming classes:

The Surf City Community Center is currently working to add to its schedule. If you would be interested in teaching or attending any of the following classes or clubs, please contact the center at 910-328-4887. Adult CPR/First Aid; Art (watercolor, oil, etc.); Altered Art; Beginning Bridge; Bunko; Captain’s Course; Coin Collecting; Dance (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Shag); Guitar Lessons; Line Dancing; Martial Arts; Nutrition; Sign Language; Spanish; Stamping; Volleyball; and Weight Watchers.

For more information on events and classes with the Surf City Parks and Recreation Department, call 910-328-4887 or visit www.townofsurfcity.com.