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The Tree Of Names & Lights… official lighting @ 5:00p tonight at Lou Mac park. You’re invited.

9:29a Happy December 11. The schedule says today is the first day of Spirit Of Christmas. Spirit schedule doesn’t get busy until tomorrow, but today does have the lighting of the Tree Of Names & Lights.

The Tree Of Names & Lights is a tradition of many decades… it was started back in 1989 by Grace Evans. The tradition lives on, now led by her daughter Meta Jones. The lighting is 5p today at Lou Mac Park.

Tonight at 7:30p, Leon Timbo brings country & soul together, with an added serving of Christmas.

9:22a It snuck down to 28 overnight, cold enough for an early thin (really thin, no hockey) layer of ice on the Duck Pond.

Sunny and mid 50s today, about 50 even Thu & Fri, then sunny and mid 50s for the weekend. Rather perfect Spirit Of Christmas weather.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

Tacos, at a boat yard? The El Taco Loco food truck is at Triton Yachts today, 11a until, serving lunch.

11:00a Spirit Of Christmas is this weekend, Dec 11 – 13.

You look like you might need the schedule.

10:41a Tonight, 6p at Town Hall, the December Oriental town meeting. This meeting an entirely new town board will be sworn in and seated.

Thursday night at the Old Theater, Pamlico Music Society welcomes in Leon Timbo:

Tickets at Nautical Wheelers, and online here.

7:48a An update from PCC:

3:52p Rain tonight, and late possibly below freezing temps (low 31 forecast). Pamlico Community College is closing early today:

Inland locations may see a bit of snow, including Greenville & Kinston:

2:25p On Mondays, a the new weekly Pet Horoscopes come out. Salty has outdone herself.

7:40a It’s a good day to hang in port (or for a particularly spirited sail).

On the Neuse, northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to 20 – 25 this afternoon, gusts to 30 knots.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast

Saturday afternoon folks packed the brewery for a salute & thank you to Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival co-founder Leslie Kellenberger.

Leslie, with the Ol’ Front Porch board.

3:23p Sunday, it’s not going to rain. Really. Partly sunny & mid 50s forecast.

8:12a Not so thick you can’t drive or boat (for the moment). Just enough fog out there to admire.

7:18a It’s an uncertain world.

High pressure weather systems. A high pressure Christmas list.

Fear not, dear reader… TownDock’s Salty Celeste divines guidance from the stars.

Temps dipped down to 38 overnight. From the Oriental Weather Station, cooler weather has been rolling in:

click image for larger view

There actually is a High pressure system building off our coast, stalled offshore. A cold front will move through early next week (lows Monday night mid 20s), then warming by mid week (highs Wednesday maybe near 60).

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

3:00p A concert, a Corvette Rally, and a celebration of community service. It’s happening in Oriental this weekend.

Tonight at at the Brewery, grab a Döner sandwich at Tanja’s German Street Food from 5-8p.

Sweet potato pie is standing by at Mariposa, open Sat-Sun-Mon. The bakery (w morning coffee) open 7a-10, wine bar 3p-8. Saturday the Oriental Farmer’s Market is open from 8-11a on Hodges Street. El Taco Loco serves at the Brewery from 4-8p. While there, you’re invited to celebrate Leslie Kellenberger’s work with the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival from 4:30-6p. She helped co-found the event in 2014.

Sunday, the Coastal Corvette Owners meet at noon at Lou Mac Park in support of the Marine Corps League Oriental Dragon Detachment Toys for Tots drive. At 3p, Hoff ‘n’ Finch take the stage at the Old Theater playing their Christmas Concert.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

Sometimes, a pastor is just a regular human. Anne Sims (in a non-pastoral role) had asked for donations to thank the Town Staff and send them (and their spouses) to Beary the Hatchet in New Bern to blow off some steam.

She writes in with an update:

1:03p Volunteers are desperately needed for the Spirit of Christmas Luminaria. They’re the lighted bags that get placed along the streets of Oriental.

And they don’t happen without help from folks like you.

Volunteers are needed for luminary creation, deployment and retrieval. They’ll need trucks and trailers for that last bit.

Here’s the schedule:

• Pre-lighting candles: Dec 9, 400 Ragan Rd, 12noon
• Luminary assembly & deployment: Dec 12, start at 400 Ragan Rd, 1 – 4p
• Luminary lighting: Dec 12, 5p
• Luminary collection: Dec 13, 8a

You don’t have to volunteer for each event. Find the one that works for you and be there.

There are no sign up sheets, but Marsha at Marsha’s Cottage would like to know what days you’re available. Contact her here: 252-675-5142.

Former Oriental resident Mary Duffie passed away in November. Her story is here.

1:47p Throwing trash in the town’s green waste containers? Video cameras are watching. No Christmas lights on telephone poles this year on Broad St, and a road repair fund is started.

It’s all in the November Town Meeting report.

7:25a It’s cold. It’s clear. Muck is being dredged.

An update on Whittaker Creek Channel dredging from Dan Allen:

Sunrise on Whittaker Creek, Dan Allen photo.

12:37p Today marks 89 trips around the sun for Jimmy Gray.

If you see him out and about, wish the young man a Happy 89th Birthday.

9:23a Spirit Of Christmas in Oriental is almost here… it’s Dec 11-13.

You can still participate in Spirit. To enter the parade (it’s Saturday), fill out this form. The theme for this year’s parade is “Let It Snow.” There is a kayak and paddled boat flotilla Friday night. To enter, call Larry Summers @ 252-675-0467.

For the Tree Of Names & Lights, download this form.

For all other things Spirit, contact Marsha Paplham (of Marsha’s Cottage), 252-675-5142.

Oh dear. You may want to check your horoscope.

Rover too… TownDock serves up weekly Pet Horoscopes.

8:41a Rain yesterday: 2 inches. Town may be wet, but sunshine & dry dry today will make it all better.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

11:20a Morning temps were just in the 40s Thanksgiving morning.

That didn’t stop some 150 souls from showing up and pedaling ‘round town… the 2025 Thanksgiving Morning Bike Ride, aka the Turkey Pedal.

11:01a Today has that endless wet feel. Since midnight, 1 1/4 inches of rain.

It’s wet most everywhere on the east coast:

click the radar image for the big animated view

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Weather Radar
• HarborCam

Oriental History Museum’s newest exhibit Olde Christmas – Toys & Decor of Yesteryear opens today with a reception (and snacks) from 1-4p.

Tonight at the Brewery: Taqueria San Luis serves from 4-8p.

It’s What’s Happening in Oriental.

7:05a Brrrr. It’s 30 degrees. Thirty.

High today just mid 40s. Sunday promises warmer stuff.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

11:50a Thank you to all the thermally brave souls who came out for the Thanksgiving morning bike ride. TownDock Analytics estimates 150. A lotta smiles.

There is no shortage of Christmas music. But is there a Thanksgiving song?

Yup.

6:18a A partly sunny day ahead. Just might be right for a bike ride.

Here’s the Turkey Pedal route (it starts at 9a on Hodges by the town dock / Bean):

Most businesses in Oriental take Thanksgiving off… but not all.

Open Thanksgiving Day: Piggly Wiggly 7a – 1p, Provision Company 9a – noon, The Bean 7a – noon.

8:46a Astrologist Salty Celeste wanted Thanksgiving off. We said OK, but do a special two day Thanksgiving horoscope for the day before.

Be careful what you ask for:

Salty made it happen – Thanksgiving Horoscopes.

Your t-shirt wardrobe gets a chance today… sunny & mid 70s ahead. Cooler air coming: Thanksgiving day sunny & mid 50s, Friday just mid 40s.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

1:25p Spirit Of Christmas in Oriental is Dec 11-13. There’s lights, a parade, a flotilla.

And there are Spirit of Christmas Luminaria. It happens with help from folks like you.

Volunteers are needed for luminary creation, deployment, and retrieval, including trucks and trailers.

Here’s the schedule:

• Pre-lighting candles: Dec 9, 400 Ragan Rd, 12noon
• Luminary assembly & deployment: Dec 12, start at 400 Ragan Rd, 1 – 4p
• Luminary lighting: Dec 12, 5p
• Luminary collection: Dec 13, 8a

You don’t have to volunteer for each event. Find the one that works for you and be there. There are no sign up sheets, just show up and help. For more information, contact Marsha, 252-675-5142.

7:17a Planning to bake for Thanksgiving?

There may be an easy way out. Soon. The Gourmet Bake Sale 9a-1p today at St Peter’s.

If you need a pie, word is getting there by 9a can avoid a kerfuffle over a pumpkin pie shortage.

12:37p Giving Tuesday is Dec 2 this year. With Thanksgiving in the air, and that spirit of being thankful, TownDock is getting out ahead of the Dec 2 date.

It’s a 2025 updated list of local charities. If you’re giving this year, give locally.

9:50a It’s a new week, and Salty C delivers Pet Horoscopes.

There’s daily horoscopes for humans, too.

Sunny and low 60s today. Thanksgiving Day is forecast to be cooler, but sunny & dry.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

7:56a Step up your game… thanksgiving stuffing from a bakery. Spotted @ Mariposa this morning:

10:12a Thanksgiving week in Oriental has arrived. Thanksgiving related happenings:

Today, Thanksgiving Community Dinner @ St. Thomas Episcopal Church. 3:30p, free, you’re invited.

Tonight, Community Thanksgiving Worship @ St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 7p, y’all are invited. Multiple area houses of worship join in an evening of ecumenical prayer and music. The Pamlico Chorale sings.

Tuesday, the Barbara Chasse Gourmet Bake Sale @ St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 9a – 1p. Pies and gourmet baked goods.

The Thanksgiving morning bike ride. Thanksgiving @ 9a, meet on Hodges St by the town dock / Bean. Not a Spandex event. Plaid & turkey hats are AOK.

Open Thanksgiving Day: Piggly Wiggly 7a – 1p, Provision Company 9a – noon, The Bean 7a – noon.