Readers

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT

Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island" and

Topsail Island: Mayberry By The Sea

The following are samplings from unsolicited letters and e-mails sent in by readers. All writers have given permission for their use.

"Another home run with this book. As expected, I love the chapter on fishing piers. You are making my task of researching and documenting all of NC piers past and present easy. Can't wait for your next one."

Al Baird, founder, North Carolina Fishing Pier Society, Fort Mill, South Carolina

"Ihave finished your book about wrightsville beach and thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite having spent every summer at WB from age 2 on and currently moving back to live there full time, I learned a great deal of history that I was unaware of. The early hurricanes were an area I knew very little about; Hugh MacRae owning Lumina and everything else in Wilmington; and the very detailed histories of the hotels. Great work. ... Again, great book."

Michael Stovall, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

"Congratulations on 'Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island.' ... I admire the research and effort you put into your well-written book. I'm also glad to have the map and the information I had never heard of about the 'National Negro Playground.' I'm recommending 'Wrightsville Beach' ...Your book made me hungry for seafood and the beach and even for the South."

Tom Wicker, author of "Shooting Star: The Brief Arc of Joe McCarthy," " A Time to Die" and "Unto This Hour: A Novel."

"Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed 'Wrightsville Beach.' I was down at Nags Head doing some spring cleanup chores and read a part of it each day. Moved me to go to Goggle Maps and look at Wrightsville Beach, both map and satellite views. Kept referring to your map just before Chapter One. ... (I) never saw anything that attracted me like the first glance at the cover on your book. I was struck by the picture of the concrete pier as I have often seen the sunrise from the base of the Nags Head Pier. ... I found the history of Wrightsville Beach to be most interesting - the storms, the fires, the trains, the Beach cars, the wartime blackouts and into the present with the constant replacing of earlier construction by ever-larger "cottages". I was especially intrigued with the coverage of the great days of the Lumina and other social places. My thanks to you for a great book and now on to . . . 'Topsail Island: Mayberry by the Sea'."

Ashton Violette, Midlothian, Virginia

"I have just finished reading your book 'Mayberry by the Sea' and want to tell you how very much I enjoyed it. I have been going to Topsail Beach since the 1970's and have owned a unit at the Sea Vista Motel for approximately 10 years. ... The many trips I have had to Topsail Beach will also hold special memories for me. My late husband and I lived in Burgaw for three years in the late 70's and early 80's, and I still have very close friends in the area. Thank you so much for writing this book, and I will always cherish it."

Martha Alexander, Pineville, North Carolina

"We just returned from a heavenly week at Topsail (Surf City). We had never been before and when your book came out we were delighted with our choice! We were oceanfront and had the perfect weather all week. A turtle nest was right in front of our house and four houses down was a nest that 'hatched two nights before we left. My two daughters and my son-in-law were there to see it and they will NEVER forget the experience. It was the same day we had gone to the turtle hospital. Now we are watching the website to see when "our" nest hatches! It is difficult to come back to earth after that wonderful week. We hope to go back next year, but nothing will ever top this year! Thanks for your great book!"

Betty Wright, Midlothian, Virginia

"I finished reading your book and LOVED it! The pics were great too! Especially the one with the bear. How amazing is that? "

Sonja Henry, Wilmington, North Carolina

"Ijust started to read your book for the second time. It's been cold here in New York and I've been dreaming of Topsail Island :) Summer vacation is far away, and reading your book is very comforting. I love it!"

Danielle Rhoades-Kane, East Albany/Durham, New York

"I am reading the book Mayberry by the Sea and I think it is wonderful. I have just finished the chapter on fishing piers and appreciate how you have documented the piers on Topsail. Last year I started the North Carolina Fishing Pier Society www.ncfps.com to promote the plight of North Carolina piers and also to celebrate their past. Your book has done that very well for Topsail. Your stuff on Angelo De Paloa was great too. I was contacted by someone else telling me that my group should recognize him as the all time leader of catching big fish on North Carolina piers. I think that would be appropriate. Thanks again."

Al Baird, Fort Mill, South Carolina

"I've just finished Ch. 6, Hurricanes, wow! This was only our second summer at Topsail (North Topsail) - I know people have told us how many of the homes were new because many were destroyed in a hurricane several years ago, but I had NO IDEA how much damage Topsail suffered! ... I was one of those who wrote you in 2005, saying please don't let the cat out of the bag, but I'm so glad you have written this book. I can hardly wait to finish cooking/eating dinner so I can get back to the book! I bought several copies of the book for family members who went with us to North Topsail, but would like to get a couple more for some other friends that we have "turned on" to Topsail - let me know if you'll be doing any more book signings! I was lucky enough to hear you on Lite 98 announcing the one in Southside."

Vicki Hanner, Richmond, Virginia

"I got your book "Mayberry By The Sea" from my parents for Christmas (autographed copy). I started going to Topsail as a child in the late 50's with my parents. Your book brings back a lot of pleasant memories and good friends, such as the Orrs. Job well done."

Glenn Macfadden, Beaufort, North Carolina

" 'Mayberry by the Sea' is a wonderful book."

Jack Robinson, Jacksonville, North Carolina, author of "Simbar: Freed Slave, Witness to WWII"

"I just spent a long weekend at North Topsail Beach, and ... I meant to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your book, which was prominently displayed on the coffee table. I immediately read the chapter on North Topsail, and later read about the Hurricanes and the Towers. Who would have guessed there is so much history on that little strip of land? My neighbors bought a ½ duplex on the Sound side, near the little Palm Tree convenience store, and graciously offered my sister and me the use of it (the duplex, that is!). We had a great time exploring Snead’s Ferry and Surf City, and it was warm enough to spend time on the beach, too, and just relax. It was such fun to read about the places we’d been! I’ve been to a lot of the N.C beaches around Wilmington, but this is now my new favorite. I’ve already been given an open invitation from the neighbors, so I’m planning to return sometime soon. After all, I didn’t get to finish your book! Anyway, thanks for enriching our too-short stay!"

Carol Baker, Richmond, Virginia

"We have a couple copies of your book and my husband LOVES it -- I think it is the only book I have ever seen him read :)"

Christina Langrudi, Holly Ridge, North Carolina

"PERFECT BOOK, THANK YOU SO MUCH. LOOK FORWARD TO MORE FROM YOU."

Michael Evans, Shelby, North Carolina

"Ray, I have just finished reading your wonderful book 'Topsail Island Mayberry By The Sea'. First, let me say how much I appreciate your signing it for me. July 27th was my birthday and my wife purchased the book earlier in the day and left it for you to sign. This you did and she picked it up around 6pm. She gave it to me, along with all the grandchildren, after dinner, along with many other wonderful things. However, your book was quite special. Which bring me to my second point, being a very long time Topsailian, it really hit home in so many ways. In the late 1950s and early 60s, I was stationed at Camp Lejeune and discovered the Island during this period. Two of my top Gunnies would take a weeks leave, load up on C-rations, sleeping bags,, etc. and head out to spent the week at the end of Barnacle Bill"s Pier, not to leave even once. I decided to pay them a visit, and thus discovered a beautiful place which is still very much a part of my life and that of my family. Many visits were made in the 60s, but my family of five, wife and me, three children, began our vacations early in the 70s. We have missed only two summers since. We felt sure that when our children became teenagers they would lose interest in this dull and laid back place. Wrong!! So, while in college? Wrong!! So when they married and had children. Never!! So, on the 19th of this month, we will return with our children and, for the first time, all four grandchildren. And before we leave, we will have made reservations for next year and will so be noted in all of our calendars. Like you said, over the years I have taken many pictures, which are quickly placed in an album. Many of Warren' Soda Shop. We generally stay in this area. My favorite pastime is collecting shark's teeth and by now I must have on display tens of thousands. The past several years have been somewhat slow as I gathered only around two thousand. Most are small, but numerous are of good side. It upset me reading about the divers from Northern Virginia who go out and get the really big ones. One day, I'll find the really big perfect one!! Ray I could go on and on, but why bore you any more. But thanks for letting me share a few memories (oh yes, we have stayed in at least three cottages you mentioned!!). Your book was a grand read. In closing, I would like to mention our rule for our stay at Topsul. It was put in place during our first visit, and will be so in two weeks. The rule is "There are no rules while at the beach" Thanks, very much. Semper Fi!!!"

Dick Forrester

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