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Two character trawlers at Oriental’s town dock 2. Knot Fast is a Great Harbour GH37. Briney Bug is an owner built 34’ wood vessel, inspired in part by George Buehler’s designs. (click photo for more views)

8:37a It’s a cool and breezy spring morning. East winds around 10 mph, becoming W this afternoon. High temps near 70 today. Wednesday may be the warmest day this week: highs are forecast for the mid 70s before dropping to near 60 Thursday. Near 70 temps return for the weekend.

Tonight’s bimonthly Pamlico County Commissioners’ meeting has presentations from the county Tax Department, the area’s Agency on Aging, and the Craven-Pamlico Regional Library.

You can attend the meeting in person at the County Courthouse in Bayboro or watch online. Agenda and login instructions are here.

6:24a Rain today? A 20% chance is forecast, but a check of the hour-by-hour forecast shows rain is unlikely until later tonight.

Your odds are way better than the lottery, plus it goes to the Hope Clinic. We’re talking about the Hope Clinic Golden Raffle. Yolanda Cristiani writes in:

The Hope Regala is an annual fundraiser that brings in 1/3 of the annual revenue needed to operate Hope Clinic. Hope Clinic provides medical care to those in Pamlico County who are uninsured, and comprehensive outpatient medication-assisted opioid addiction treatment through their New Beginnings program.

The Hope Regala includes an online auction May 6-15. More at www.hoperegala.com

3:56p Local crab fishermen began their season in the last 2-3 weeks. What happens to crabs after they’ve been caught, but before they are on your dinner table?

You can reach Keith Bruno / Endurance Seafood at 252-249-2558.

2:33p Tonight’s food truck, Kaci Creole, had to cancel. However, they’re sending a replacement – Carl’s Hot Spot BBQ will be at New Village Brewery tonight from 4-8p. Check out their menu here.

Neuse Neighbors Network (NNN) announces their return to full services for members. NNN helps members “age-in-place” by providing transportation services, help with household tasks, and more.

Want to know more about what Neuse Neighbors Network offers? Want to learn how to become a volunteer? Find out more here.

8:20a There’s only one Billy Flockhart… here’s the April Billy @ The Piglet update:

8:14a It got coolish overnight, the low dipped to 46. Sunny and near 70 ahead for today. Those 70 degree days are with us at least through Tuesday.

Tonight is the first Friday Flick of 2021. The Old Theater, in collaboration with The Silos, is showing American Graffiti – it’s an outdoor screening at The Red Rooster.

Showtime 7:30p. Admission by Donation.

Don’t forget your Brylcreem.

Tonight at The New Village Brewery Beer Garden The Dust Parade plays from 6 – 8p. Dust Parade is described as ‘Surfy/jazz-rock & bluesy soul’.

The group is also scheduled to perform this October as part of the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival… you can hear some Dust Parade at this link.

3:07p The Town Board had a budget meeting Wednesday. It turns out they had a vote on a non-budget matter – the Bird Scooter proposal.

The vote was 5-0, against.

The bud has been nipped.

2:00p A part-time resident responds to the proposal from Bird Scooters to deploy their electric scooters in Oriental. Bird scooters were in Raleigh, and in some eyes it didn’t go so well. Raleigh City Council ultimately imposed a per scooter fee and capped the number of vehicles allowed, causing Bird to withdraw from the city. Several new scooter vendors, chosen by and working with Raleigh City Council, are now working in the area.

Citing those events in Raleigh, a reader suggests the town of Oriental Nip Bird in the Bud.

The vaccination numbers in Pamlico County are among the best in North Carolina. As of today 5,031 people in Pamlico County have been vaccinated with the first dose and 4,049 with both doses. That’s 39.5% of Pamlico County with the 1st dose, 31.8% both doses. Meanwhile, COVID numbers are dropping in the county – just 15 new cases in the last 7 days.

The latest vaccination and COVID numbers are here.

3:58p Spring brings out turtles, who are often seen attempting to navigate highways. A reader writes in asking folks to calm down and let the turtles pass.

8:40a A group has formed in Oriental to help those that are working through bereavement. The Grief Support group meets Wednesdays, 2p, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

8:21a Early summer has retreated, spring temps are back and here for at least the next week. Sunny & mid 70s today, then daily highs near 70 forecast through early next week.

Tonight’s Wednesday Night Sail has ideal 10-15 knot winds forecast.

The Wednesday Night Sail is starting later this year, 6p near Marker #1C.

That push mower you have needs an upgrade. A serious upgrade.

It might only cost 5 bucks.

Tickets are on sale at Nautical Wheelers and Village Hardware. You could be a zero-turn NASCAR star, and help out Habitat too.

1:33p Poker. In a car. A mix of beautiful cars and a few decks of cards has turned into an annual Rotary fundraiser… here’s a look at Saturday’s Classic Car Poker Run.

9:10a A Stop Light in Oriental? Bunky, say it ain’t so.

It’s OK, village civility has not ended. The light is temporary – Oriental’s bridge is getting inspected today:

The bridge inspection is making the bridge temporarily into a one lane road – thus stop lights at both ends. The closure is expected to last until this Wednesday, April 14. No word yet on the cause.

7:37a The Town Wide Yard sale didn’t happen last year – but it is back for 2021 – set for Saturday May 1st, 2021. The event can fit COVID guidelines as it is in effect many separate events, spread about town. Mask and social distance guidelines are set by the individual homeowner / yard sale host.

Registering is free. You just call organizer Marsha Paplham at 252-249-0334. A few days before the Yard Sale a map will be published. That map will be available on TownDock.net.

One more day of near 80, then Tuesday through the rest of the week cooler spring temperatures, daily highs around 70.

6:00a The overnight rain has moved passed us… a partly sunny 80 degree day is ahead. On the Neuse today southwest winds 10-15 knots.

5:05p Spectrum Internet is back – it was finally repaired at 4p.

New Village Brewery adds brews from Brewery 99 in New Bern and their brewer Pete is in the beer garden this afternoon. Phase 99 Witbier is on tap (5.25%). Jasmine Tasty Thai food truck now til 8p. More brewery info here.

1:47p Spectrum internet still down in the downtown village. They have stopped making estimates of when service will be restored.

For the second year in a row, Jennifer Lawrence had the winning hand in this morning’s Poker Run.

From Classic Car Poker Run organizer Sam Myers:

Here Jennifer Lawrence’s 2021 winning hand overlays her 2020 winner.  The Oriental Rotary begins to fear that none of the other guys & gals will be willing to challenge her again next year. And, as she did last year, Jennifer donated her winnings back to Rotary.  Good poker player, good citizen. Anyone sitting in with Jennifer at neighborhood poker night consider their bets & raises very carefully.  Very carefully.

9:56a Rotary burgers… you can smell it in the air. Oriental Rotary Club is running the Classic Car Poker Run this morning. Along with that, they are also serving up burgers, dogs & drinks down by Lou Mac Park. You’re welcome to visit.

Spectrum’s internet outage in the downtown part of Oriental continues. New restoration guesstimate is 12noon.

8:08a Beautiful spring morning air… the day is forecast to warm up to near 80. Cooler temps in the mid top low 70s return mid week.

Spectrum Internet is out for much of Oriental this morning. They say service should be restored by 9a.

Pamlico Arts Lip Synco scheduled for tonight has been postponed. New date TBD.

3:41p This afternoon Anita’s Taqueria food truck is at the brewery, 5 til 8p. Eric & Pat sing 70s tunes at the Red Rooster tonight starting at 7. The Classic Car Poker Run starts up at 8:30a Saturday… and you can use any (non classic fine) car or truck. Also Saturday: Raindrop Ridge Herbs is at the Farmers’ Market, a Fish Fry for Hope Clinic and Pamlico Arts Lip Synco.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

8:16a The forecast chance of rain has gone down for today… and perhaps more significantly, Saturday. Now just 30%. Classic car owners are often reluctant to get their detailed rides wet… this forecast may help them step outside and join the Classic Car Poker Run.

The hour-by-hour forecast is even more positive… just a 9% chance of rain Saturday morning.

On the Neuse light 5-10 knot south winds today & Saturday, Sunday freshens to 10-15.