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Craft fair to take place in Hampstead

Craft fair to take place in Hampstead

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WECT) – A holiday craft fair will take place in the community building in Hampstead Saturday, Dec. 1, according to an event organizer.

The fair is being hosted by the Hampstead Women’s Club, and it will include artisans and vendors selling home décor, services and holiday items.

Additionally, Girl Scouts will be having a bake sale, and refreshments will be sold by the Topsail High School drama department. Santa plans on making an appearance.

Volunteer your time to help a good cause

Volunteer your time to help a good cause

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The Hampstead Thrift Shop is looking for more volunteers to help run the community –centered organization.

Residents donate gently-used items to the store and they sell the donate merchandise. Proceeds from sales are donated to various charities, civic organizations, schools and a scholarship fund.

The president for the Hampstead Women’s Club said community members are welcome to volunteer for a few hours at the store before they make a commitment.

According to organization president Pat Truscello, volunteers can work in departments of the store in which they feel most comfortable, like the infant room, house wares, or the boutique of designer clothing.

“I like pairing volunteers with their interests,” said thrift store manager Rose Gates, adding that many volunteers bring a friend to work alongside. “It’s a fun atmosphere. There’s no pressure. We have a good time because we know we are helping the community.”

Surf City prepares to celebrate commemorative brick pavers

Surf City prepares to celebrate commemorative brick pavers

SURF CITY, NC (WECT) - The Town of Surf City is preparing to celebrate its first round of commemorative brick pavers.

The bricks were laid on a path leading from North Shore Drive toward the front of the welcome center on Monday.

The pavers will be dedicated next Friday.

Town officials guess that it will take about 1,800 bricks to fill the designated area, according to a news release.

Each brick can hold up to 20 laser engraved characters and up to three lines of text.

The bricks went on sale in March and cost $100 per 4”x8” brick, and $500 per 8”x8” brick. 

For more information on buying a commemorative brick paver, call the welcome center at 910-328-2716 or email tourism@visitsurfcitync.com.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

Surf City to hold public hearing about town vendors

SURF CITY, NC (WECT) - The Town of Surf City will hold a public hearing to discuss the idea of allowing vendors to operate in the town subdivisions.

An issue is that some do worry vendors might take away customers from year-round businesses in the area. However, some residents voiced a desire to have an ice cream truck visit their neighborhoods in the summer time.

The town board will meet in early August to discuss this agenda item.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

Open for business: boat ramp ready in time for holiday weekend

Open for business: boat ramp ready in time for holiday weekend

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Dozens of people gathered at the new boat ramp in Hampstead last Friday for a ribbon cutting to mark its official opening.

The boat ramp is located on Lewis Road in Hampstead and offers roughly 70 parking spaces. It is the only large public ramp on the eastern part of the county.

So far, business owners in the area say there has been a steady flow of people using the boat ramp.

Ron Baxley plans to open his store right next to the boat ramp this Friday. He plans to sell bait, tackle, fresh fish catches, drinks of all kinds and a little bit of everything people would need as they head out on the water.

He’s excited the boat ramp was finished in time be open for the Memorial Holiday weekend and is hopeful his store will be ready for the kick off of summer.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

S&P upgrades Pender County's credit rating

S&P upgrades Pender County's credit rating

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Pender County’s credit rating was upgraded, according to a news release from the County’s Human Resources Director.

The Standard & Poor’s rating service upgraded Pender County from A+ to AA- due to its “maintenance of a very strong financial position, despite recent weakness in the local economy.”

The County plans to sell bonds in the coming week to refinance existing debt to a lower interest rate, the release stated. The County estimates that the higher credit rating will generate additional savings of approximately $100,000 over the life of the transaction.

The County also reportedly received an affirmation of its bond credit rating by Moody’s Investors Service at the Aa2 level.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.