AIRPORT- The New Hanover International Airport, located off 23^rd Street, Wilmington, has flights daily and is served by US Airways, Midway, Corporate, United Express and Atlantic Southeast Airlines. In 1998, 251,331 passengers used NHIA (up from 216,382 in 1997) and the airport handled 5,060,440 pounds of cargo (up from 2,149,831 in 1997). The main information number is 910-341-4333.

AMTRAK- For information concerning train service visit www.amtrak.com.

AUTOMOBILE REGISTRATION AND PLATES- you must register your vehicle before the reciprocity agreement between North Carolina and your former state expires (usually 30 days). Registration is renewed annually. To register your vehicle, apply in person at a license plate agency and present your title (unless title is held by a lien holder) and a valid registration card from your former state. If a lien holder holds your title, you must provide the lien holder's card. You also must present proof of vehicle liability insurance at or above minimum standards (see driver's license information for the list of acceptable documents). Fees due when you receive N.C. registration include title fee, $35; registration fee, $20; and highway use tax, which is 3 percent of the value of the vehicle. Cash and checks are accepted. You also must get a vehicle safety inspection within 10 days of receiving your N.C. license plate. This costs $9.25 and can be done at any state-authorized inspection station. Inspection is required annually. N.C. counties assess annual property taxes on motor vehicles. Your car will be registered when you receive your license plate, and you'll receive a bill in about three months.

BOY SCOUTS OF THE USA - There are several Troops and Packs in the area. The Cape Fear Council Scout Office phone number is 395-1100, and there is a website for prospective scouts. Hampstead is in what the Boy Scouts have designated as the Northeast Cape Fear District and we have lots of units/opportunities listed on the website under this district. The information is regularly updated with location and contact information for units and also lists our District Executive's phone number for those who wish to speak with him.

BUS SERVICE- For information concerning bus service visit www.greyhound.com.

CABLE- For cable service, call Charter Communications at 1-866-472-2200 or visit them at their office at 850 East Ocean Road, Holly Ridge, NC.

CHURCHES- Most denominations are represented in Hampstead. A listing of the churches may be found in the classified section of the phone directory or by contacting the Chamber office.

Board of Education
925 Penderlea Highway
Burgaw, NC 28425
Phone: 910-259-0131

Allison Sholar, Superintendent of Schools
Phone: 910-259-2187

ELECTRIC SERVICE- For electrical service please contact Progress Energy at 1-800-419-6356.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES- Employment Security Commission located at 717 Market St. in Wilmington. Phone number 251-5777. A complete listing of employment/temp agencies is located in the BellSouth yellow pages.

Within the Hampstead area there are numerous festivals held throughout the year. Listed below you will find a list of these well attended events.

FIRE PROTECTION- There are two volunteer fire departments located within Hampstead. The Hampstead Volunteer Fire Department is located at 15840 Highway 17 N., for non-emergency calls the department may be reached at (910) 270-3322. The Sloop Point Volunteer Fire Department is located at 19470 Highway 17 N., for non-emergency calls dial (910) 270-3267. Both can be accessed by dialing 911 for emergencies.

GAS SERVICE- For natural gas service, please contact Hollis Oil Co., 954 US Hwy. 17 South, Holly Ridge, NC. The phone number is 910-329-5221. Or Snead Ferry Oil and LP, Hwy. 210, Sneads Ferry, NC and their phone number 910-327-2541.

GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA- Three different Girl Scout Troops are found in the Hampstead area. All troops are sponsored by the Hampstead Methodist Church, located at 15395 U.S. Highway 17 in Hampstead, telephone number 270-4648. The Daisy Troop 637 meets at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays, the Brownie Troop 649 as well as the Girl Scout Troop 649 meet every 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the sponsoring church. For more information contact Clarence Lewis 270-4253, the scouting representative for these troops.

GOLF COURSES- Within Hampstead there are four golf courses to choose from.

HISTORY- Hampstead was once a small fishing village and whistle stop along side the Atlantic Coast Line RR. Legend has it that Hampstead got its name from George Washington in the late 1780s. It seems during one of Washington's many trip's along the King's Highway he planned to spend the night in the area and feast on the abundant mullet caught in the Topsail sound. However, when he arrived, as luck would have it, the mullet were not running. Washington had to "feast" on ham instead and from that day on the area was known as "Hampstead", (pronounced :ham' stead). Now it is probably the fastest growing area in the state, as more and more folks are choosing to live here. Many neighborhoods front the waterway, more are along the numerous creeks and even more line the area's four golf courses.

HOSPICE-

HOSPITALS: 

Pender Memorial Hospital is a general acute medical and skilled nursing facility with 43 general acute beds and a 43-bed skilled nursing facility. In July of 1999 Pender Memorial Hospital became an affiliate of the New Hanover Health Network when officials signed a 20 year operating agreement with New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Wesite:http://www.nhhn.org/19.cfm

New Hanover Regional Medical Center, 910-343-7000, is located at 2131 South 17^th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. NHRMC has one of the states' leading Cardiac Care facilities along with being named the nation's 70^th Nursing Magnet Hospital. NHRMC offers many state of the art medical treatments. They have opened the Zimmer Cancer Treatment wing to provide the most up to date methods of treating cancers and providing families with information on coping with loved ones with cancer. Pender Memorial Hospital offers a 24- hour emergency Trauma Center at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. General Services include ambulatory/same day surgery, laparoscopy, laboratory tests, radiology, respiratory therapy, and physical therapy. For additional information please contact Pender Memorial Hospital located on 507 Fremont Street in Burgaw, NC 28425 or call (910) 259-5451.

LIBRARY- The public library is located at 17135 US Hwy. 17 in Hampstead, NC 28443. The hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm. Tuesday and Thursdays 9:00am to 8:00pm and Saturdays 9:00am to 1:00pm. The library is closed on Sunday. The phone number is 910-270-4603.

MARRIAGE LICENSE- Register of Deeds office, 300 E. Fremont Street in Burgaw, NC 28425. Telephone 910- 259-1225.

NEWSPAPERS-

PENDER COUNTY- The government offices for Pender County are located in Burgaw North Carolina. To contact the county managers' office you may call 910-259-1200 or on the web at www.Pender-County.com. The County Commissioners meet the first Monday of every month at 10am and the third Monday of every month at 4pm. All meetings are held at the Pender County Public Assembly room, 805 South Walkers St., Burgaw N.C..

PENDER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT- Located at 803 S. Walker Street in Burgaw, NC 28425. Telephone 910-259-1230.

PENDER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT- is the principle law enforcement agency of Pender County. The sheriff's department patrols the county, investigates crimes, apprehends criminals, and provides custody or control for arrested defendants, both pre-trial and sentencing. The Sheriff is responsible for courtroom security, service of civil process, transportation of prisoners, mental patients, and service of criminal papers. The Pender County Sheriff's Department is located at 605 E. Fremont Street in Burgaw, NC 28415 and may be reached at 910- 259-1212. or at www.pendersheriff.com

POST OFFICE- The main post office is located at 121 Dan Owens Drive in Hampstead, N.C. 28443. The phone number is 270-4428. Their hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

RECREATION- The Hampstead area offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities for our youth that includes the following organizations:

SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER- The Pender County Council on Aging has a Senior Center located at 20959 Hwy 17 N Hampstead, NC 28445. The center offers numerous services to the senior citizens of Hampstead. Hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday thru Thursday and Friday 9:00am to 2:00pm. The center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The phone number is 270-0708.

TAXES- All Residents of North Carolina are required to list both real and personal property for taxes, according to ownership as of January 1st. The listing period is the month of January. The Tax Assessors Office is responsible for the listing of the Ad Valorem Taxes. The Tax Assessors telephone number is (910)259-1221. Taxes are mailed by September 1st of each year and are due, without interest by January 5th. Each motor vehicle licensed by the state of North Carolina is billed approximately three months after the renewal of the tag. The Pender County Tax Collections Office bills and collects and Ad Valorem taxes for the following towns- Town of Burgaw, Town of St. Helena, Town of Watha, all other collect their own. The telephone number for collections is (910) 259-1222. The tax rate for the County is set by the Pender County Board of Commissioners when adopting the annual budget.

TELEPHONE SERVICE- For installation of a telephone, contact BellSouth at 1-888-757-6500.

TOURISM INFORMATION- For information concerning tourism attractions, events, and activities please visit the website at www.visitpender.com or www.visitnc.com.

VOTING - The requirements to register to vote in Pender County include:

Carolina Water - for certain neighborhoods with a private water system. PO Box 24098, Charlotte, NC  28224 (704) 525-7990