Surf City, NC - The Topsail Island Christmas 2008 display is about wrapped up.  We have so enjoyed having our display for everyone to see.  As Sterling put it “with the doom and gloom of 2008, we wanted to share our Christmas spirit”.  We have estimated that over 1500 visitors came by to see the show.

The season started with our lighting party in which friends and neighbors joined us to celebrate the official lighting.  Sterling admitted later that he almost teared up as he saw the show for the first time.  “It was well worth the effort” Sterling said.

We then were one of the host for the neighborhood “12 Drinks of Christmas”.  This was a progressive dinner hosted at 3 homes in the neighborhood.  Our house was the first where we served hors d’oeuvre’s. 

The next house was at the home of Sean and Anne Fitzsimmons where we were served a delicious chicken tetrazzini with a wonderful spinach salad and toasted garlic bread.  The third and final home visited was hosted by Chris & Sarah Isley, where we were served sumptuous desserts, eggnog, and delicious coffees.  About 30 attended the progressive dinner and a good time was had by all.

Our next event was the Bryson & Associates Christmas party.  Sterling and Sterleen Bryson hosted the party at Sterling’s home.  In the tradition of southeast North Carolina, the feast was Bar-B-Que, Chicken, slaw, hush puppies, and banana pudding catered by JC’s.  Harold Lee made his tasty potato salad and, of course no party would be complete without Sterleen’s famous deviled eggs.

Our next event was an enjoyable open house party hosted at the home of Bill and Bobbie Stamper of Hampstead, NC.  Friends and neighbors dropped by for Bobbie’s abundance of fabulous hors d’oeuvre’s.

Our last 2 events were a Christmas Eve open house at the home of Sterleen Bryson and Harold Lee.  Great fellowship and wonderful food was the Christmas Eve agenda.  We sang Christmas Songs as Mike Harris played the piano.  The next day, Sterleen and Harold joined us for a Christmas Day dinner.  Sterling cooked a wonderful spiral cut ham, corn casserole, fresh sweet potatoes, and mixed vegetables in a garlic butter finishing sauce.

Although this was a “hard candy Christmas”, as sung by Dolly Parton and repeated many times by Sterling, we were thankful for our many friends and family.  Our highlight of the season was the joy we hoped to bring to people through our Sights & Sounds of Christmas display.  We spent many an evening on the front porch enjoying the cars drive up to watch the show.  Our biggest joy was when the onlookers would clap at the end of each song or get out of their cars and do a little dance as the lights flashed and the music played.

In the theme of our “hard candy Christmas”,  We found joy in delivering presents of food to those whom could use it most.  We traveled to Well’s Pork & Beef in Burgaw and bought some of the best meat products available.  From fresh country sausage, fresh pig’s feet, country ham, to country style ribs, we paid the lowest prices and received the freshest products.  Well’s also does catering!

The Christmas season would not be complete without a taste of Barry’s excellent eggnog from the New York Corner Deli.  Each year it keeps getting better and better!

Many thanks to Joey Mahoney, Carrie Bryan, and Ray Barwick of the Topsail Advertiser.  Joey, a professional photographer, took a photo of the house that was then on the front page of the paper.  Ray (Two-Shot Ray) wrote the story, and Carrie, Managing Editor, put it all together.   Merry Christmas to all!!!

Sterling Bryson and myself wish everyone a very Happy and prosperous New Year!!!!