Message in a Bottle

Here at the Topsail Advertiser, we realized we had not received any "Message in a Bottle" letters since the New Year began. These letters being those sent anonymously (we prefer) to us by readers. Usually, they are uplifting, and almost always, they are worth publishing. In order to renew interest in the feature, we thought we would publish some of our favorite messages of 2009. And just to spice it up, we thought we would take a moment to respond to them as well. It's all in good fun, so we hope you enjoy. And most of all, we hope you send more.

Dear Message in a Bottle,

There is a "Keep Off the Dunes sign" right in front of this home on Island Drive and yet all week the parents sit on the beach looking out at the ocean ignoring their children, as they throw in a ball on the dunes and climbing up after the ball.  Five days later when I confronted them, they said they had continually told their children to stay off the dunes, but they did not enforce it as the children never stopped. Even as I started back in the house they were back up on the dunes again, so I turned around and asked the children if they had $500 to pay the fine and they said "no," and then the mother came over and was sarcastic to me for confronting her child whom she evidently was not going to make stay off the dune. She even told me I could call the police, saying she knew they would do not enforce the fine.  So I took a photo and called the police anyway. What would you do about such irresponsible parents, who won't even listen to the need of not destroying our precious dunes? Calling the rental agency brought the same response, what can we do?

Cory says:

We aren't sure what to do, either. Those creatures can be quite annoying and undisciplined and sometimes it's hard to get simple things through their thick skulls. No, we're not talking about children; we're talking about parents! We only mean the bad ones, of course. It seems like those who think their offspring are nothing but angels, are the very ones raising children who turn out to be anything but angelic. While we don't know exactly what to tell you to do (it appears that you did the right thing), we do hope that putting your letter in the paper can be of help. Especially since, most all of us in the area care greatly about our beaches.

Dear Message in a Bottle,

Last month, I came to visit my daughter and her husband in North Topsail Beach. Before I crossed the bridge, I decided to stop at the Dollar General to pick up a few toys and things for my grandkids. I was in there so long, that when I came out, once again, I left the lights on in my car and the battery died. I’ve been doing that a lot lately.
I finally figured out how to open the hood, and before I even asked for help I had three different people offering to jumpstart my car.  Everyone was so helpful that I felt bad that I had to turn two of them away.
As I stood there letting the young man get my car running again, I noticed one thing that all three people that offered to help me had in common. They had “TI” stickers on their cars! Every time I visit, something like that happens and makes me feel welcome here. Thanks for all the kindness. (Ruth H., from Laurel, Maryland)

Cory says: 

Yes, there's something about those TI stickers that causes local residents to be bound to a code of behavior that is better than that of a girl scout mixed with a boy scout. We appreciate your letter, Ruth, but we do have two requests: can you send this letter to the paper in your town in Maryland, so others might also choose to spend their vacations in Topsail. (We could use the company.) And when they come, could you make them promise to leave their lights on in the car just like you did. (We would love to have something fun to do, like jumpstart a car! We promise not to steal it. The TI sticker forbids us.)

Dear Message in a Bottle,

On Tuesday, July 17, I was crossing the bridge and saw a convoy of four Marine pontoon boats. I turned at the Blackbeard campground and took some pictures. As I watched them pass, I thought about how proud I am to live in the United States of America and to have these men protecting our country. I was also very glad that they were not looking for enemies here in Surf City!

Cory says:

Yes, we barely have to worry about enemies ever showing up in Surf City or anywhere nearby; and if we ever did, they wouldn't be enemies for very long. One of two things would happen. 1: Our finest men and women of our armed services would make quick work of them. Or 2: The enemy would take a liking to the area and change their ways. It's most likely the first scenario, so we second your thank you to our local military.


Dear Message in a Bottle,
While visiting Surf City, I fell in the street outside of Seacoast Art Gallery. I went inside and asked Sandy, the owner, for help. She sat me down, cleaned my knee and put cream and a bandage on my scrape. She got me ice water and insisted I rest in the sofa in her gallery until I felt better. Thank you Sandy for your thoughtfulness and kindness.
— From an 82-year-old tourist from Dayton, Ohio.

Cory says:

You mean Sandy is still up to her old tricks to get people to come into her business? We're only kidding. But isn't it odd that you may have fallen because the street was sandy, and then you were also nursed from those same injuries by... Sandy? That's how things are done here. We're helpful, but we also can't resist a tiny dose of irony.

P.S. We know you are from the home of the Wright Brothers and while we appreciate your letter, I do want to say once more: the airplane was invented here! If you feel like arguing with me further, feel free to take an airplane down here to settle the score. (You see, that's also irony.)