Fire department fundraiser



Fire department fundraiser



Join the Chicken N� Pastry Fund Raiser March 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Town of Surf City, 200 Wilmington Ave. Cost is $7 per plate. Sponsored by the Surf City Firefighter�s Auxiliary, all proceeds will be used for the town fire department.







Motel to reopen



Tiffany�s Motel in Surf City will celebrate a grand re-opening this week after rebuilding a portion of the motel destroyed in a fire a year ago.



Tiffany�s is partnering with the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the motel at 1502 North New River Drive to celebrate the opening of the 12 new poolside rooms. After the ceremony, there will be refreshments and an opportunity to view the new rooms.



The rooms were rebuilt after a January 2013 fire destroyed the older portion of the motel on the east of New River Drive. The suites on the west side were not affected by the fire.



For more information, call Tiffany�s Motel at 910-328-1397 or visit tiffanysmotel.com.







Harlem Ambassadors



The Harlem Ambassadors Basketball team will take on the Topsail Fury team, comprised of local celebrities and officials, during an upcoming game to support local organizations.



The game will be held March 9 at 4 p.m. in the Topsail High School gym and includes Harlem-�style comedy basketball featuring high- flying slam dunks, games with kids and comedic action. There will be an autographs session with the Harlem Ambassadors after the game.



Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for youth in advance or $15 adult and $13 youth at the door. Proceeds support Kiwanis of Hampstead youth programs and Topsail High School Athletic Boosters.



For advance tickets, go to ha-in-hampstead.brownpapertickets.com. For more information, contact Patty Homa at 910-270-5588.







Women Connect



Women Connect, the Greater Topsail Area�s newest and only women�s networking group, is set to launch March 11 from noon to 1 p.m. at Christopher�s at Olde Point Country Club.



Women Connect will meet the second Tuesday of every month at Christopher�s to build and strengthen business relationships. The cost is $10 per person which includes lunch, beverage, and gratuity. Non-chamber members are welcome. The non-member cost is $15 per person.



The women�s networking group is a program of The Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. To register, call the chamber office at 910-329-4446 or email director@topsailchamber.org.







Antique appraisal fair



The Pender County Library will host an antique appraisal fair to support the library�s collections and programs.



The appraisal fair will be held March 16 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Hampstead United Methodist Church, located at 15395 Hwy 17 in Hampstead.



Eleven appraisers will be on hand to advise owners what their antiques may be worth. Participants may bring in up to three hand-carried items at $7 per item or 3 items for $20.



For pre-sale tickets or more information, call the library at 910-270-4603 or 910-270-2866







Intermediate cheerleading



Surf City Parks & Recreation will offer Intermediate Cheerleading for coed participants with prior experience in a cheer program. Instruction for ages 9 to 15 will run on Thursday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Surf City Community Center. April 10 to May 15. The program is part of the Surf City Stars cheerleading program. The cost is $60 for six weeks of classes. Those who register will also receive a program shirt and an outside performance may be scheduled. The registration limit is 30 participants. Register at townofsurfcity.com. Onsite registration is also available at Surf City Community Center For more information, call 910-328-4887 or e-mail athletics@townofsurfcity.com.







Volleyball



Surf City Instruction Volleyball is will run from March 26 through April 30 on Wednesday evenings from 5 to 7 at Surf City Community Center for girls and boys ages 9 to 14. The cost is $60 and participants will receive a team shirt. The coach will host a free clinic on March 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. for those interested in learning more about Instructional Volleyball. Instructional Volleyball is limited to the first 24 registrants. Register at townofsurfcity.com. Onsite registration is also available at Surf City Community Center For more information, call 910-328-4887 or e-mail athletics@townofsurfcity.com.











Herb & Garden Fair



Poplar Grove Plantation�s Herb & Garden Fair will be held March 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the historic site, located at 10200 US Hwy 17, Scotts Hill.







Golf tournament



Pender Humane Society�s 5th annual �FORE Our Furry Friends� Golf Tournament will be held April 26 at Castle Bay Country Club.



For additional information, email ForOurFurryFriends@gmail.com.







HSTI meeting



The Historical Society of Topsail Island will meet on March 13 at 11:30 a.m. at the Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd. in Topsail Beach. The presenter will be local historian Ann Bokelman, a member of �Bird Island Stewards� and the �Old Bridge Society,� who will discuss the history of the old bridge at Sunset Beach and the ruins of the �Vista,� a blockade runner from 1864 that ran aground at Sunset Beach, then called Bald Beach. Cost, which includes lunch, is $12 (or $10 for attendees ages 70 and up). RSVP to Susie Braun at 973-518-2425 or smprice614@yahoo.com on or before March 7.







Phlip Phlop Bar Hop



The third annual Phlip Phlop Bar Hop is being hosted by the Toes In The Water Parrothead Club on Topsail Island on March 15. The cost is $30/per person for the six-hour/six-bar pub crawl and scavenger hunt (includes T-shirt, beads and prizes). Proceeds will go to the Coastal Threapeutic Riding Program of Wilmington, which provides equine assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs.



Early in-person registration will be held from 5 to 7p.m. Feb. 28 at LoreLeis Pub & Grill.



The Oasis Bar in Hampstead will also be hosting a silent auction of more than 30 beer signs for the fundraiser. The silent auction starts on March 1 and ends on March 15 at 6 p.m.



For more information or to register online, go to tiparrotheadwebs.com.







Firearm instruction



NRA First Steps Shotgun Orientation: Firearm instruction, Responsibility and Safety Training will be held April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This class is the NRA�s shotgun orientation program for beginners and new purchasers and includes shooting lessons. Cost is $65. Ammo, protective eye and ear wear are required. Space is limited. Call 910-328-4499 to reserve a seat.







Seed starting workshop



Pender Cooperative Extension will offer a free, hands-on workshop about growing flowers and vegetables from seed on March 13 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Wesleyan Chapel United Methodist Church, located on U.S. 17 in Hampstead and on March 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pender Extension office, 801 S. Walker St. in Burgaw. Space is limited. Registration is required by March 8. To register, call Pender Cooperative Extension at 910-259-1235 or visit pender.ces.ncsu.edu.







Bible study and prayer meeting



There will be a non-denominational Bible Study and Prayer Meeting on March 25 at 7 p.m. at 232 Everett Drive (in Chadwick Shores). Speaker will be David Stahl an international Bible teacher, multi-book author and founder of Beholding His Glory Ministries. Pastor Dave will continue: Wilderness Truths for Modern Times. Snacks, cake, and coffee provided. For information on the ministry, visit beholdinghisglory.com. RSVP by March 18 by calling 910-741-0489 or emailing mtnebo@hotamil.com.







Volunteers sought



The Sneads Ferry Community Council is seeking volunteers to assist in events planned throughout the year.



Help is needed with the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival, held Aug. 9 and 10; bingo; community theater; 5K Shrimp Scamper; Neighbors helping Neighbors; community dinners; and Winterfest



For more information or to volunter, email sfccoffice@centurylink.net.







Hops of Spring Beer Festival



The Hops of Spring Beer Festival will move to a new location this year.



The festival, scheduled for April 26, will be held on 23 acres at 25488 US Hwy. 17 in Surf City after outgrowing its former site on Topsail Island.



Nationally recognized patriotic rock band Madison Rising will perform with local favorite Annandale Heights opening.



The Hops of Spring Beer Festival, an event by the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce, features more than 20 breweries, and a myriad of food and shopping vendors.



Pre-sale tickets are available online through e-tixs.com and the Chamber�s website. Tickets are $25 for the entire day, April 26, noon to 7 p.m. Admission tickets include concerts and brews. Admission the day of the festival is $35 per person.



For more information, go to Facebook/HopsofSpringBeerFestival or topsailchamber.org, or call the Chamber at 910-329-4446.







Kiwanis scholarships



The Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area, continuing its long standing commitment to the young people of Onslow and Pender counties, has four scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each available for graduating seniors at Dixon and Topsail High Schools. Two of the four scholarships have the requirement that the applicant be a member in good standing of the school�s Key Club.



Additionally, the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area has available a fifth scholarship in the amount of $2,500 for a graduating senior who is the child or grandchild of a current member of the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area. North Carolina residency is not a requirement for the applicant.



Information and applications for the scholarships can be obtained by contacting the guidance counselors at Dixon High School or Topsail High School.







Cape Fear Chorale



Cape Fear Chorale presents Handel�s Israel in Egypt, an oratorio for soloists, orchestra and double choir conducted by Jerry Cribbs, April 6 at 4 p.m. in the Minnie Evans Arts Center, located on the campus of Ashley High School. There will be a 3:40 p.m. preconcert talk by Dr. Michael Daugherty



Admission is free; donations will be accepted. For more information, visit capefearchorale.org.







Tax help



AARP volunteers are now preparing and electronically filing federal and North Carolina state income taxes for 2013 free of charge. Trained and IRS certified volunteers from the services will be available at the Hampstead Library from 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays and at the Topsail Senior Center from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays to answer questions and prepare and file personal tax returns. The free services are first-come, first-served.



Taxpayers should bring picture ID and Social Security card along with all financial, tax and wage statements for 2013.







Kiwanis golf tournament



The Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area golf tournament will be held May 3 at North Shore Country Club, on NC 210 in Sneads Ferry. Tee time is 8:30 a.m., and the format will be Captain�s Choice.



Kiwanis is anticipating a sell-out event, so golfers are encouraged not to wait until the last minute to register.Entry fees are $75 per individual and $300 for each team of four. Tournament business sponsorships are $250.



For more information or to register, contact Rick Benton at 910-604-3835 or Randy Cox at 910-777-2707 .







Winter boot camp



Spots are still available for �Boot Camp For Everyone,� held from 6 to 7 a.m. Tuesdays and Thrusdays through March 27 at Surf City Community Center. The session is $80 for members or $95 for non-members. Walk-ins are welcome at $5 per class (members) or $10 (non-members) space permitting.



A �Boot Camp Annual Membership� is $25 or a Senior Exercise Pass for ages 55+ is also $25 for any physical wellness activity. Participants must still pay for the session cost.



Just Keep Moving exercise program for active older adults features beginning Zumba on Fridays, gentle yoga on Mondays, seated fitness on Tuesdays and senior spinning on Thursdays, all from 10 to 11 am.



Participants should reserve a spot for all classes by calling 910-328-4887.



A new 6 p.m. Tuesday night yoga class is also being offered.



For more information, e-mail wellness@townofsurfcity.com or call 910-328-4887 during business hours.







Pizza fundraiser



Emily�s Encouragers and Max�s Pizza invite the community to the annual pizza buffet on March 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Max�s Pizza. This year, 100 percent of the donations will go to Meagan Raynor to assist with her medical bills. Meagan has been diagnosed with classic hodgkin�s lymphoma and is currently having chemo treatments. Max�s Pizza donates all pizzas, soft drinks and coffee/tea; and all employees donate their time to the event. Emily�s Encouragers team continues in memory of 6-year-old Emily Grace Hollis, who lost her fight with anaplastic medulloblastoma in april 2008 after an 18-month battle.







Horse shelter



Pender County Animal Shelter is seeking community support to build a facility to help the abused and mistreated horses of Pender County.



The initial cost for the Pender County Horse Shelter Project is $25,000, which will build the facility, purchase a trailer and start a medical fund for abused horses. One-hundred percent of donations directed to the horse shelter will go to the project.



Donations can be sent to Pender County Animal Shelter Horse Fund; 803 South Walker St.; Burgaw, NC 28425. Be sure to write �Horse Fund� in the memo line.



For information on the Pender County Animal Shelter Equine Facility or the animal shelter itself, visit pendercountync.gov or call 910-259-1484.







Blood pressure screening



Pender County Health Department offers free blood pressure screenings.



The screenings will be held at Topsail Senior Center on the third Tuesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and at Pender Adult Services on the fourth Thursday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.



The Pender County Health Department also offers free blood pressure checks Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call the Pender County Health Department at 910-259-1230.







VFW Post 9983



The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a non-profit service organization for men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States in combat areas. VFW Post 9983 is located at 188 Hines Stump Sound Church Road, one mile north of Holly Ridge at the flags. The canteen is open from 3 to 8 p.m. daily with extended hours for special events. The hall is available for rental and catering is available, special consideration for non-profits needing meeting space.



For more information, call 910-329-1881.







Carolina Girls Outdoor School



The Carolina Girls Outdoor School will be a series of hands-on seminars for women on March 15 during the Cape Fear Wildlife Expo in Wilmington at the Wilmington Convention Center.



Cost is $125 per person with one additional member at $75. This includes a three-day admission to the expo, a catered lunch, a T-shirt, a goody bag and door prize drawing for fishing and hunting outdoors trip.



Instruction will meet the needs of hunters and fisherwomen ranging from novice to advanced.



For more information on the school call 843-902-6532, email wc@capefearwildlifeexpo.com or brenda@capefearwildlifeexpo.com or visit capefearwildlifeexpo.com.







Cocktails with Mimi



The Sneads Ferry Community Theater�s upcoming production is the comedic Cocktails With Mimi by Mary Chase. Performance dates are March 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. and March 9 at 3 p.m. Wine and cheese reception is March 7 at 7:15 p.m.



Admission at the door is $10 for adults or $5 for studentswith ID.



Reservations for parties of 10 or more can be made by calling 910-327-2798.



The theater is located inside the Sneads Ferry Community Center at 126 Park Lane. For information, visit sneadsferrycommunitytheatre.com.







Jazz festival



The Ocean City Jazz Festival is held in North Topsail Beach on the July 4 weekend.



For more information, visit oceancityjazzfest.com or email info@oceancityjazzfest.com.







Faith Harbor UMC



Share the Table is a free community meal offered to anyone who is hungry or lonely. There are no eligibility requirements, and meals are free. Families and individuals are welcome. Doors open on Sundays at 5:30 p.m., and serving begins at 6 and ends at 7. Volunteers are welcome. Call 910-328-4422 for more information.



The Harbor Thrift Store is located on N.C. 210 near the Swing Bridge. Hours of operation are Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.



Faith Harbor United Methodist Church invites the community to worship and celebrate every Sunday. The church is located on the mainland side of the swing bridge in Surf City with services at 8 and 9:20 a.m. For more information, call 910-328-4422, visit faithharborumc.org or like them on Facebook.







American Legion



Hampstead American Legion Post 167 meets the 2nd Monday of each month at the Topsail Senior Center next to Pender Pines. If you are a veteran of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, you may want to join us. To get more information on Post 167 or the American Legion, visit ncalpost167.org.







Battleship North Carolina hours



The Battleship North Carolina is operating on its fall/winter schedule.



Through May 26, the battleship will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas Day when the ship opens at noon. The Battleship North Carolina is located on the Cape Fear River across from downtown Wilmington. For information, visit battleshipnc.com or follow them at Facebook.com/or and Twitter.com/battleshipnc.







Caregiver support group



Family members, friends and caregivers of patients with Alzheimer�s disease or other forms of dementia are invited to a family caregiver support group on the second Thursday of each month.



Caregivers will have the opportunity to meet other people facing the same circumstances, discuss challenges and receive support.



For more information, contact Ann LaReau at 910-470-2378.







Surf City Community Center



Surf City Community Center is open Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Sunday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.



The current class schedule is available online at townofsurfcity.com



For more information, to register or inquire about teaching a new class, call 910-328-4887, email parksandrec@townofsurfcity.com or visit townofsurfcity.com.







Animal adoptions



Give a loving pet a home.



Pender County Animal Shelter Adoptions are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.



The adoption fee for dogs is $60 and includes spay/neuter, rabies, distemper/parvo & kennel cough vaccines, deworming and 30-day flea/tick treatment. The $40 adoption fee for cats includes spay/neuter, rabies and FVRCP, deworming and 30-day flea/tick treatment. Microchips are $15 with a lifetime enrollment.



Pender Animal Shelter is located at 3280 New Savannah Road in Burgaw. Call 910-259-1484 for more information or directions.







Master�s Touch Resale Store



Help support community outreach to those in need by shopping at Master�s Touch Resale Store, an interdenominational resale store located at 1056 Highway 210, Unit 3, in Sneads Ferry. Items for sale include gently used and some new items. All proceeds support the ministry of helping others. The store is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations are accepted during regular hours.







Sneads Ferry Rotary Club



The Sneads Ferry Rotary Club meets Wednesdays at noon at Madison�s Restaurant, located on N.C. 172 in Sneads Ferry.







CHEW!



The Dixon Elementary CHEW! (Children Healthy Eating on Weekends) Program assists children in the community by providing backpacks filled with child-friendly, easy to prepare meals throughout the weekend. CHEW! needs donations to stock and maintain a supply of non-perishable food items that will provide nutrition for approximately 40 students each weekend. For more information or to donate, contact Kim Nelson, school social worker, at 910-327-2392 or kim.nelson@onslow.k12.nc.us







Mama J�s Helping Hand



Mama J�s helps people in need by providing them with food, clothing, household goods and baby items like diapers, wipes, formula and clothing. Mama J�s also helps people who are struggling with everyday issues and welcomes them to come in and talk. Call Mama J�s at 910-327-1302 for an updated list of specifics that are needed. Mama J�s Helping Hand is located at 2205 Hwy. 172 in Sneads Ferry. For more information, email jeanette0621@yahoo.com.







Baby FAST



The Baby FAST program in Pender County � designed to strengthen family relationships; build connections with families, schools, churches and the community; improve babies� development and well-being; and reduce in-home stress � is seeking assistance. For more information and to help, contact Melanie Gatton at mgatton@taffinc.org or 910-777-8244.







Masons



Stump Sound No. 733 Masonic Lodge in Sneads Ferry meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.



Members meet at 6:30 for a meal, and Lodge begins at 7:30 for qualified Masons.



The Lodge is located at 151 Charles Creek Road, Sneads Ferry. The mailing address is PO Box 543, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460.



For information, contact lodge secretary Bob McLaughlin at 910-938-0930.







Boy Scout Troop 937



Boy Scout Troop 937 in Sneads Ferry meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, located at Lakeside Drive and N.C. 172. For more information, contact Harvey Hoopes at 910-327-0069 or harveyhoopes@gmail.com.



New River Garden Club



New River Garden Club meets the fourth Thursday of every month. Membership is open to all who would like to share a love of gardening, community service and conservation. For more information, contact Tommi Allen at 912-660-5274 or tallen@coastalpermits.com







Hampstead Marine Corps League



The Hampstead Detachment 1321 of Marine Corps League meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Topsail Senior Center located next to Pender Pines Nursery. New members, both Marines and FMF Navy corpsman, are welcome.







Sneads Ferry Extension



The Sneads Ferry Extension and Community Association meets the third Thursday of the month from 1:15 to 3 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Building on N.C. 172. Learn about various issues for the community and well-being, do some crafts, work the concession stand at Sneads Ferry Monday Night Bingo (the club�s fundraiser for a scholarship to a deserving student at Dixon High). For more information, contact Ida MacNamara at 910-327-0718 or idamac1@embarqmail.com.







Hampstead Women�s Club



The Hampstead Women�s Club is a nonprofit organization that donates thousands of dollars annually to area schools and other worthwhile organizations. This is made possible through the members who volunteer daily to process donated goods and sell them at the Hampstead Thrift Shop. General meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Hampstead Community Building, 14435 Highway 17. Membership applications are available at the Hampstead Thrift Shop.