Community Announcements 7.2.09

Independence Day Festivities

26th Annual Freedom Festival

Join Onslow County Parks and Recreation for the 26th Annual Freedom Festival on Saturday July 4, 2009 at Onslow Pines Park. "Like Flint" will perform on stage at 5:30 p.m.~Karaoke, games and rides for children and other vendors will be on hand starting at 2:00 p.m. Fireworks display will be at 9 p.m.~Children/Family games will be held at 4:30 p.m.~Concessions will benefit the Non Commissioned Officers Association.~For more information, call 347-5332 or visit our website at www.onslowcountync.gov/parks ~

Holly Ridge Parks & Rec 4th of July festivities

Calling all yard salers! Come and set up on the 4th of July at Holly Ridge’s new Community Building.( inside or outside) Space rental is a $10 donation, table rental is $5. (This will go to the Holly Ridge Park & Rec. Dept. to help pay for new playground equipment.) Sell all day and stay for the Fireworks Show! There will be several food venders set up to sell at 5:30 p.m., D J Brandon will be there, Clowns, balloons, face painting for the children! Fireworks start at 9 p.m.! For more information, please call Holly Ridge Town Hall at 910-329-7081.

Town of Surf City Independence Day Celebration

Mark Roberts & The Breeze Band will be performing at 6 p.m., followed by a fireworks celebration at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 3 at Soundside Park. Bring chairs and blankets, but please the alcohol and coolers at home. A free shuttle service will be available.

Children’s Fishing Competition and Celebration

Children less than 16 years of are invited to the 4th of July Tournament at the Surf City Ocean Pier. The free event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m.

Volunteers will also be needed to supervise, answer questions, cut bait and teach fishing lessons such as casting, knot tying and fish identification. For more information, call 910 328-3521.

Topsail Bingo

Bingo has begun and continues through the first Thursday in September (Sept. 3) at the Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd. in Topsail Beach. Bingo is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. Early Bird Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. and Regular Bingo starts at 7 p.m. There are cash winners for every game. The Pickle Jar is now worth more than $1,000.00 and is waiting to be won by some lucky participant. Snacks and soft drinks are available for purchase and coffee is free. Come and enjoy a fun night in a smoke-free environment for the entire family.

All proceeds from Bingo are dedicated to maintaining the building and grounds of the Historic Assembly Building for all to enjoy.

Sneads Ferry Bingo

Every Monday Night at Sneads Ferry Community Center located at 126 Park Lane. (910) 327-3335. Warm-up Games 6:30 p.m., Regular Games 7 p.m., $300 Progressive Game. Jackpot Game – The more players, the bigger the prize. Free coffee. Refreshments available. Smoke free. Proceeds~to support the community through the Sneads Ferry Community Council. Volunteers are needed! Leave a message for Ruth Clifton at 327-3335 or sfccoffice@netscape.com!

Young in Heart

Young in Heart, the senior citizen group from the Topsail area, is open for membership to all Topsail area residents who are 50 years of age or older. The dues are $6 a year. For more information, contact Club President Rosemary Krug at 270-1875.

Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival meeting

Reminder that there will be a Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival meeting at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at the Sneads Ferry Community Center. SFSF meetings are open to the public. The next meeting will kick off preparations for the 2009 Shrimp Festival. Contact Dave Noble, 2009 Chairman, at 327-2690 or via e-mail at NobleDavidN@aol.com

Sneads Ferry Beautification Committee

• Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Clubhouse in Escoba Bay beginning at 9:30 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).

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.

Events and Celebrations

Nobody’s Social Club

A raffle and fundraiser will be held at Dale’s Pub (775 East Ocean Rd. in Holly Ridge) on July 11. 1st prize is a Master Forge five-burner gas grill. 2nd prize is a half-day fishing trip for four, donated by Last Resort Charters.

Join in the fun: there will be door prizes, $6 chicken plates and a 50/50 drawing. Drawing for first prize will be held at 5 p.m., 50/50 at 2 and 4 p.m. and plates served from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tickets are available from members or at Dale’s Pub. 910-329-4213.

Tasting with Topsail 2009

Tasting with Topsail 2009 is looking for volunteers to co-chair with Patrice Parker of Beauchaines 211. This event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19 at the Assembly Building. It consists of wine tasting from local wineries and distributors and food tasting from area member restaurants. This is a successful fund-raising event for the chamber that has also been a great deal of fun. If you are interested in helping to plan and implement this event, please call 910-329-4446 or e-mail suellen@topsailcoc.com. Thank you very much for your consideration.

Arts/ Exhibits

Missiles and More Museum

• Newest exhibit: "Topsail… Barrier Island… Home"

The beauty of this twenty-six mile ribbon of sand is known and cherished by those who visit and those who live here.~ Our new exhibit will speak to the magical influence and relaxation it provides; and address~its inherent physiology, its ever present fragility and the manageability that is~required to sustain it.~

Other exhibits describe events and activities, which have impacted life on Topsail Island:

"Operation Bumble Bee," "Camp Davis," Pirates of the Carolinas," "The Development of the Osprey at Camp Lejeune" and "The Natural History of Topsail Island."

The Museum, located in~the Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd. in Topsail Beach, is open Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. Now through Labor Day weekend, Monday through Saturday. Labor Day weekend through Mid October the Museum is open Monday through Friday. For information contact Rose Peters at 328-2488 or 328-8663.~~

• M&MM Presents Stories and More

Enjoy free stories, activities, arts and crafts and refreshments for children ages 5 thru 8. Pre-register no later than the Wednesday before each Thursday event (limit 12). Reservations call 328-2488 or 327-2818. Thursday afternoons: June 25, July 9 and July 23, and August 6 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Aquarium Talks

The Historical Society of Topsail Island will host The Fort Fisher Aquarium Outreach Program Wednesday afternoons from 1to 2 p.m. at the Assembly Building located at Topsail Beach.

The program begins on July 8 and runs through August 12. Topics include:

July 8: Shark Attack, July 15: Our Living Seashells, July 22: Amphibians, July 29: Horseshoe Heroes, Aug. 5: Seahorses, Aug. 12: Scaly Survivors.

So come all ye sailors who follow the sea to learn more about the creatures that live in the waters surrounding our beautiful island. Admission to the program is free but donations are gratefully accepted. The Assembly Building is located at 720 Channel Blvd. in Topsail Beach.

For more information contact Pattie Yost at 327- 2818.

Sneads Ferry Community Theatre

• Auditions: July 9 and 10, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Sneads Ferry Community Center.

Murder in the Magnolias, by Tim Kelly. An absurd murder mystery set in a decaying plantation and populated by the wackiest set of characters this side of a comic book! 6 Men and 6 Women of various ages are required. Scheduled show dates are September 11, 12, 13 and 18, 19, 20, 2009.

For more information contact Katina Greeves. 910 328-2534 or 910 389-4911. www.sneadsferrycommunitytheatre.com

• The Sneads Ferry Community Theatre is looking for a few good men and women with the desire to direct state of the art theatre productions that entertain and enrich the community! Join the fun. Contact one of the following board members for an application:

Judy Groff - jgroff04@gmail.com 221-4473, Gaylene Branton - branton@att.net 389-8776, Marcia Hamilton - kmhamilton-1@charter.net 358-1298. www.sneadsferrycommunity theatre.com

Surf City Artists Guild

• A schedule of SCAG’s events is available on-line at www.surfcityartists.com, click on schedule of events or call 910-210-0361.

Ongoing monthly events:

• The Art Gallery at Surf City Community Center displays a different artist each month.

• Topsail Chamber of Commerce in Surf City will exhibit artwork from SCAG artists each month.

• If you are interested in being a featured artist at either location, contact Lynn Ovens at lovens3@gmail.com

Thurston Art Gallery

Presents: "Let Art Shine" from June 30 to July 31. Sixteen Artists. Open House July 3, 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments. Bring a friend. Visit: www.thurstonartgallery.com to see artists in show: Mark Gray, Jimmie Kent, Lulu Kellogg, Andrea Howard, Joanie Kennedy, Sheryl Key-Moore, Jim Langley, Patrick Raynor, Tracy Sorensen, Phillis Sue Willis, Amy Little, Georgie Greeves-Anderson, Lynn Radford, Jane Shaar, Steve Lambert, Deb Woody.

Thurston Art Gallery is located at 328 Peru Road in Sneads Ferry,NC. 910-327-1781. sherrythurston@charter.net

Volunteer

Topsail Humane Society

Topsail Humane Society is in need of shredded paper. This is to be used in their cat boxes after surgeries. If we could have people put their shredded paper in trash bags and contact us, we will pick them up. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Village Volunteer position opening

Do you want to give back to your town as a Village Volunteer? Are you a go-getter? Can you multi-task? Do you want to be a part of the largest festival in the county? Than join the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival Team. Volunteer job openings are: Arts & Crafts booth coordinator. Simply call~2009 Chairman Mr. Dave Noble 327-2690.

Parks and Recreation

Surf City Parks and Recreation

Registration is now open to children ages 6 to11 for our 2009 summer camp programs.

Treasure Hunters ~ July 13-17

This Place is a Zoo ~ July 20-24

Historically Speaking ~ July 27-31

Eco-Explorers ~ August 3-7

For more information, please visit www.townofsurfcity.com

New Classes:

Do you have wonderful stories to tell about your life or perhaps a family member’s? Maybe you would like to write, but don’t know how to begin. Here’s your chance! Come join local author Carol Ross Overstreet for a six-week fiction writing course. Classes will take place every Tuesday from July 7 through August 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Call Carol for more information and to pre-register at (910) 567-7173.

• Pottery Class

Surf City Community Center is pleased to announce that local potter, Bill Flowers, will host a one day pottery class on Friday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This class is open to all ages, but children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent. All supplies will be included, so participants will be able to complete a folk art face jug made of potter’s clay. All projects will be fired and glazed by Bill. Cost will be $50 for community center members and art class pass holders, $75 for non-members. Bill has over 30 years of experience as a potter. He began creating folk art face jugs in the early 1980s. To view his unique artwork, visit www.waflowers.com. All participants must pre-register for this class by emailing Bill at waflowers@aol.com.

Current Classes at the Community Center:

• Advanced Bridge: Monday, 12 to 4 p.m.

• Basketball (Open Play for 18 and over): Tuesday 6 to 9 p.m.

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

• Belly Dancing (Beginner): Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m.

• Body Sculpting: Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Cardio Blast: Wednesday, 5 to 5:30 p.m.

• Scrabble: Tuesday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

• Spanish Conversation (Beginner): Monday from 7 to 9 p.m.

• Step Aerobics: Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

• Tae kwon do (ages 3-12): Monday and Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

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

• Tae kwon do (all ages): Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m.

• Twirling: Mondays from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Wellness Groups:

• Alcoholics Anonymous: Sundays 10 to 11 a.m. and Wednesdays 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• Alcoholics Anonymous for Women: Thursday from 12 to 1 p.m.

• Weight Watchers: Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Cape Fear Community College Classes at Surf City Community Center:

• GED Course: Tuesday and Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost: Free. Call CFCC at (910) 362-7349 to register.

• Computers for Beginners:Wednesdays 1 to 4 p.m. from 8/12-10/28, Cost: $65

Intermediate Computers: Mondays 1 to 4 p.m. from 8/10-11/2, Cost: $65

Basic Digital Photography: Tuesdays 1 to 4 p.m. from 8/25-11/17, Cost: $65

Foundations of Web Design: Thursdays 1 to 4 p.m. from 8/20-11/5, Cost: $65

Green Building Overview: Wednesdays 6 to 9 p.m. from 9/2-11/4, Cost: $55

Substitutes–Effective Teacher Training: Wednesdays 6 to 9 p.m. from 8/26-10/28, Cost: $55

Pre-registration is required for all classes. Call Cape Fear Community College-Burgaw Center at (910) 362-7900 or (910) 259-4966. Those 65 and older should ask about the senior discount.

Schedule

Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation

• Girl Scouts

The Hip Circle is offering eight weeks of belly dance classes for beginners and intermediates. This class is for ladies 18 and older at the New Holly Ridge Community Building on Sound Road. New classes have begun.

6:30 p.m.

Both classes are informally instructed, with lots of movement. Cost is $15 for beginner For more information, call Lu Ann Hooper at 910-470-2700.

•

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!

Onslow County Parks and Recreation

The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department’s five youth baseball/ softball districts are conducting late registration on a space available basis. The registration fee is $21 and a copy of the birth certificate or other legal document stating the date of birth is required. For more info, contact the department at 347-5332.

Wellness Facts Talkshops

Educational talkshops are free! Sponsored by Nature’s Sunshine Products and The Health Nut located at 16865 US Hwy 17 N. in Hampstead. 910-270-0608. The Health Nut’s mission is to educate, motivate and empower all towards achieving optimal health and wellness.