Topsail Gun Gal January 2026

I only have one question coming into this new year - who exactly thought a McDonald's McRib was really made of ribs? Is a lawsuit necessary to bring to light that we live in a society that enjoys foods made by machines and shaped in a pleasant way? Nonsense. Do better people. 

Were you one of the hundreds of people that plunged into the Atlantic Ocean for the Dolphin Dip or the Shrimp Dip on New Year’s Day? Bravo to you if you took the dip!  

This year our area celebrated the New Year with fun and creative ways. In Mt. Olive, NC they have a “Pickle drop”. How fun is that? In Burgaw they hold the traditional “Blueberry drop”, Folly Beach, SC has the “flip flop drop” while Brevard, Florida has the “shark drop” and Washington, NC has the “crab drop”. Wouldn’t it be a great idea if Holly Ridge had a “holly ball drop” next year?  We need to work on that.  

“Show me the money” needs to be what every parent with a school aged child needs to be shouting at the Lottery Board. I think we were all duped into believing that the “Education Lottery” was going to be used to enhance our education system by paying for pre-school programs, helping in the construction of new schools and adding to teachers’ pay. After an extensive audit, it has been discovered that ONLY 1% of the funds get assigned to anything “educational”. How disturbing and sad is that? How about 25% of all funds are allocated directly to schools throughout the state? I think it would only be fair.  

Politics, politics – it seems like as soon as one election ended another cycle began. The primary election for this March has started off with a heavy field of contenders. I am excited to see so many new names and faces and to see those that have tried in the past are back again! Let me tell you from first-hand experience – it takes a real heart and determination to run for office. One thing we ALL need to push for is term limits. No one benefits from someone holding an office for 25 years or more. Fresh eyes and ideas are a GOOD thing!  

Now, back to the world of guns. For those of you who are military, law enforcement or first responders, Smith & Wesson has created the “American Guardians” program which provides up to $150 in rebates for qualifying firearm purchases. This program could not be easier. Purchase a S&W firearm and go to their website and fill in the rebate application. Smith & Wesson will send you a credit card in the mail. Easy. This program is good through April 10, 2026, so don’t miss out!  

Remember knowledge is power – voting is a right – and the Holly Ball Drop is way overdue!