Surf City unveils first public-art surfboard; Surf City Coffee and local homeowners honored

Sandy Monroe, chair of Surf City's Beautification & Enhancement Committee, presented the committee's business and home of the month and unveiled the first completed public-art surfboard that will be placed outside town hall.

Monroe described the committee's prior murals and said the new program will place large, sponsor-supported surfboard sculptures around town at businesses and public sites such as Roland Avenue and the Kinston Beach access. "To date, we have secured the sponsorship of seven boards, including the one we're going to unveil tonight," she said.

Monroe introduced Pat Davis of Surf City Coffee as the business of the month and thanked her for donating coffee for recent street-sweep sponsorships. Pat Davis told the council: "The hard thing about being a business in this community is giving back. And any way that I can do that ' whether it be for little pink houses or hope or helping people in need ' that's what we need to be about as a community."

The committee also named Cheryl and Robert Mitchell as home of the month; the Mitchells live in Goldsboro and were not present, and the committee will post photos and recognition online. Artist Cricket Tempa of Grasshopper Studios, introduced by Monroe, said her work is ocean-based and focuses on marine life and conservation. The committee invited residents and prospective sponsors to contact the town through the Special Projects page on the town website for sponsorship and artist opportunities.

Council members and the mayor thanked the committee for the work and noted plans to take photos and distribute the plaque the next day.