Bumblebee Buzz December 2020
Preserving the Past, Enjoying the Present, Building the Future.
A Note From The President...

The sale of Reverse Raffle tickets is going well with almost one half sold but your board members are in the midst of a full court press to sell all 250. This would allow HSTI to fully fund the 2021 Scholarship Fund and continue our legacy of community outreach. If you have not yet purchased one, please grab one up before they are gone. As I mentioned last month, you may purchase tickets via our website or contact any member of the Board.
 
The silent auction is percolating along but we are still looking for innovative ideas the HSTI can sponsor this winter to fill the funding void created by the Covid-19 shutdown we had to endure this past year.
 
With the prospect of a vaccine for Covid-19 arriving soon, I look forward to Christmas and the new year with renewed optimism. Your Historical Society hopes very much to be able to renew the activities we have sponsored and enjoyed in years past. Reopening the Missiles and More Museum, summer bingo, weddings, family gatherings and other events at the Assembly Building, most importantly, holding Autumn with Topsail again and, last but not least, dancing at the Jingle Bell Ball.
 
The Historical Society of Topsail Island wishes you and yours a safe and joyous Holiday season. Please stay safe, wear masks, and observe social distancing. 

John Morris
Every Membership and Donation
helps us fulfill our Mission!

Thank you to everyone who has renewed their membership
or became a new HSTI member for 2020-2021.
We appreciate your support and participation!
**Still time to become a 2020-2021 Member!**
 Have you laid your membership letter aside for later or
don't remember getting one?? Now is the time!
Click on the link below today!
Questions? Contact Janine Stidley 912.656.0530 or kjstidley@aol.com

Please Join or Renew your membership with the Historical Society of Topsail Island today. By renewing now, your membership will be good until May 31, 2021.Your donations will also help keep us in the black until we are again fully open and operational!
WE'RE HAVING A REVERSE RAFFLE!
 Scholarship Fundraiser

Cancelling Bingo and Autumn with Topsail has cost HSTI over 100k in funding. The Historical Society of Topsail Island has a long-standing commitment to education and the young people of our area. ​​Each year we fund and present $10,000 in scholarships to local graduating seniors. We need your support to generate our scholarship dollars this year!

When: 20 February 2021.
Doors open at 5:00PM for social hour including hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and
music. Raffle begins at 6:00PM.
Where: The Historic Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd., Topsail Beach, NC
How: Only 250 raffle tickets will be sold. Cost of each ticket is $100. Your ticket entitles you to a chance to win:
·        the grand prize ($5,000),
·        one of four runner-up prizes (each $1,000),
·        one of the 9 consolation prizes (each valued at $100 or more)
·        an evening of fun and entertainment if you choose to attend
COVID-19 restrictions may limit the number of people allowed in the building.
You need not be present to win.
How it works:
*Tickets will be drawn one at a time. When your ticket is drawn you are eliminated from the raffle. Each number will be announced and posted on the board so that everyone knows when their ticket was drawn.
*Every 25th ticket drawn will win one of the consolation prizes.
*Drawing will continue until 5 tickets remain.
*The next four tickets drawn will each win $1,000
*The final ticket drawn will win the grand prize of $5,000.  
Don't Delay--Buy Your Tickets Today: From any HSTI Board Member or
Mail check to Reverse Raffle PO Box 3653 Topsail Beach NC 28445 or
Click on button below to pay by PayPal ($3 PP Fee included in payment)
2019 Scholarship Winners and School Counselors
2019 Scholarship Winners and School Counselors
Speaking of Scholarships...
Deadline for submission of Projects is 26 February 2021!
Download Application and start your Project today!
The Historical Society of Topsail Island offers a scholarship contest each year. Scholarships awarded range in value from $1000.00 – $3,000.00. Applicants must be graduating seniors within the Dixon High School or Topsail High School attendance areas with an earned GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Applicants must choose a historical event which occurred in Onslow or Pender county and present that information in a written essay of at least 500 words and in an original piece of visual art, or through an original song or an original piece of poetry. The work must demonstrate complete understanding of the event and its historical importance. All genres require appropriate referencing. All entries will be judged on: accuracy of content, organization of material, creativity and originality of presentation.
​
The scholarship application form detailing scholarship criteria will be available at the counseling offices of Topsail High School, Dixon High School, and Pender Early College High School. Seniors who are home schooled in the Dixon High School or Topsail High School attendance area may download the application. 
Home schooled seniors should send their completed applications to:
Historical Society of Topsail Island
Scholarship Committee
PO Box 3653
Topsail Beach 28445
Volunteer Opportunities:
How would you like to be involved?
~Online Auction~Bridge Print Raffle~Virtual Bingo!~
~Reverse Raffle~Virtual Speakers~

Do you have computer/online/virtual platform skills?
WE NEED YOU!!
Contact Gaylene at 910.389.8776 or gntbranton@gmail.com

ONLINE AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED!!
To donate items for our upcoming Online Auction
Contact Melinda Grant at 910.470.1910 or missmelinda@live.com

HSTI Hosted Events
Thank you for your continuing support of the many activities hosted by HSTI
at the Historic Assembly Building and the Missiles and More Museum.
For the well-being of our community, all HSTI sponsored public events scheduled for the month of December have been cancelled.
This action is in line with the Governor’s recommendations concerning COVID-19.

These events have been cancelled:
Luncheons and Lectures

Closed Until further notice: Missiles and More Museum

We will continue to evaluate this situation during our virtual Board meetings
and keep you informed. The decision to cancel our HSTI public activities was not easy,
however, we share your concern about our communities’ safety and well being.
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Mission Statement
 
The Historical Society of Topsail Island is dedicated to the collection, preservation and promotion of the history of the Greater Topsail Island Area.