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Rainy day rain drops out on a limb. (Ben Casey photo)

At Tuesday evening’s monthly Town Board Meeting, Commissioners approved contracts aimed at rehabilitating the town’s water system, voted in a lowered speed limit on Hodges Street (10 mph), and discussed the unexplored fallout of a new state law impacting local zoning laws.

Hodges Street has had a 15 mph speed limit for over a decade, but folks routinely exceeded that (despite hand signals from some villagers). Tuesday night’s discussion suggested it may be a month or two before the new limit is implemented, which may include speed bumps.

12:55p It appears the folks at the Provision Company on Hodges St are now providing new services:

It’s cold out there. Wet. Like a lovely British summer day.

No sun in the forecast til Friday, Valentine’s Day. Still chillish, Valentine’s day high forecast just in the 40s.

You’ll have to provide the warmth.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

On the Neuse, 15-20 knots today, easing off to 10-15 Tuesday.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast

12:20p You can’t lean a bicycle against a tree. No bicycling side by side – bicycle riders have to ride bikes in a single file line.

These were among the proposed amendments at the January Oriental town meeting. They were not warmly received, and they didn’t pass. The meeting report is here.

8:36a Sunny & 70 in store for today and Sunday. Monday brings back some cold & wet:

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

Overnight, sailor Josh Kali aboard SV Skookum reached about the halfway mark to reach Antigua (starting from Beaufort NC). Now 681 miles (assuming a straight line course… it will be more) to Antigua.

Josh’s track is here.

2:25p The Boil Water Advisory in Oriental has been lifted. A simple message from Town Hall:

After yesterday’s water line repairs, Town had to get water tested. It appears that test came back OK.

Tuesday’s high reached 77… not a normal early February day.

We’re forecast to get a taste of 70s & sunshine again on Sunday.

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

3:08p SV Skookum departed out from Beaufort Channel a week ago today. Since, then, the 19 ft boat has traveled 544 miles… with 857 miles to go to reach Antigua.

That 857 number presumes a straight line. Sailboats at sea don’t travel in a perfect line, so the actual miles to go will be higher.

Skookum and her skipper Josh Kali need to get to Antigua for the start of the round-the-world Mini Globe race.

You can follow Skookum’s track online at this link.

More about Skookum (and the boat’s visit to Oriental): SV Skookum Takes On The World.

12:23p If there has to be a brief beer drought, late January and early February may be the ideal time.

Lili Bacon writes in with an update on New Village Brewery:

9:20a The 2025 Sailpack Oriental Intercollegiate Regatta is just two months away, set for Sat Mar 29 & Sun Mar 30.

The SailPack Regatta is a magic event in Oriental. Collegiate sailors will often tell you this is their favorite regatta, simply because no other town provides as warm a welcome.

Sailpack Coach Dana Magliola writes in:

The 18-20 collegiate sailing teams coming to Oriental, means over 150 people.

In the past Oriental homeowners have generously provided a place for visiting collegiate sailors to stay during the regatta. If you have a room (or two), please contact Sailpack coach Dana Magliola at dana@sailpack.org or at 919-617-6247.

Teams coming to Oriental: Arizona State University, Christopher Newport University (VA), Clemson University (SC), College of William & Mary (VA), Eckerd College (FL), Florida Tech (FL), Hope College (MI), Jacksonville University (FL), Michigan State University (MI), NC State University (NC), Rice University (TX), Texas A&M University (TX), The Citadel (SC), University of Central Florida (FL), University of South Florida (FL), University of Texas (TX), University of Virginia (VA), Washington College (MD).

4:40p The water is back – see Boil Water Advisory in effect here.

2:21p Oriental water update from Town Hall (there is digging going on – at Broad St by the Old Theater):

Updated information on affordable housing for Pamlico County will be presented by the County Planning and Economic Development Dept and state representatives tonight, 7p at the County Courthouse. The public is invited to comment after the presentation.

1:25p With fog lifted (and the sun out)… the ferries are back running, on normal schedule.

10:42a Water will be off in Oriental… briefly. From Town Hall:

9:45a The fog is hanging in there. Thick. About 50 yards visibility.

6:14a It’s foggy out there. Foggy enough to stop the ferries:

Hello from Cherry Branch Ferry Operations,
We are currently suspending ferry operations due to low visibility from dense fog.

Fog is expected to depart sometime after 9a. The HarborCam live video view:

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse & Bay River Marine Forecast

11:29a Today is the last day (for a while) to get tacos & burritos at the Casa Que Pasa food truck on Hodges Street… open til 2p today. Pete, Martha and Cody are going to take a few weeks off, returning mid March (ish).

When Casa Que Pasa re-opens, there will be an addition: a fresh vegetable stand. These will be vegetables grown on the family farm in Pamlico County.

3:14p. From Josh Kali aboard SV Skookum, at sea approx 31.9N 71.6W:

The track of SV Skookum is here.

12:03p. The ferries at Cherry Branch/Minnesott Beach are back on the normal two boat schedule.

9:40a Perfect weather ahead to celebrate the Chinese New Year… sunny & low 60s today.

The Dragon runs & dances on Hodges St today at 2p, along with a small parade to fit the day.

A rickshaw bicycle on Hodges Street stands ready for today’s events:

6:55a Water levels are low… low enough to put the ferry on a one boat schedule:

The “tide” mentioned are low water levels, from brisk southwest winds.

7:55p The Mini Globe Race has responded to Josh:

This implies that the deadline to arrive in Antigua is not Feb 17… but any time before the race start on Feb 23.

2:20p It appears weather is not being kind to sailor Josh Kali aboard Skookum. From Josh (aboard Skookum, near 32.5N 73.5W):

The deadline to arrive in Antigua is Feb 17, for a Feb 23 race start. The rudder hinges Josh refers to have to be purchased from the same vendor for all Mini Globe boats.

The track of SV Skookum is here.

10:10a There’s a three masted schooner visiting town dock #2. She’s 82 feet, named Sarah G.

Sarah G has visited before. TownDock did a story on the vessel and her crew in 2023… check it out here.

9:48a Josh Kali and SV Skookum departed out of Beaufort Inlet Tuesday. Next stop: Antigua.

Josh has to get to Antigua for the start of the Mini Globe round-the-world sail race, on February 23. Beaufort to Antigua is 1,300 to 1,600 miles, depending on the ultimate route (determined by wind & weather conditions). The forecast at times looks less than friendly.

Sailors look for a good sign, and Neptune delivered. As Josh motored out the channel, dolphins appeared, surfacing multiple times alongside the vessel.

Arrows show a couple dolphins in this photo, and you can see it in the video above.

You can track Skookum’s progress online at this link.

Locally, the forecast is friendly. Sunny and 65 today, back to mid 50s Thursday, and temps around 70 arrive for Friday.

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

12:00p Tim Buck has served Pamlico County for nearly three decades, most recently as the County Manager.

Today is his last day in the position. There’s a surprise party at Brantley’s Village Restaurant to commemorate his service and retirement.

It’s happening now; noon until 2p. You’re invited.

8:06a Snow will soon be but a memory. Friday: sunny and near 70.

9:11a Earlier this week TownDock published a story about a sailor and his boat, about to sail around the world in the first Mini Globe sail race.

Josh Kali & SV Skookum are in Oriental, but only for a couple more days (before heading offshore to the race start). Today, about noon, the sailor and boat will arrive at the town dock.

Come by and visit… Oriental is fortunate to have this boat choose our town for a key part of its race prep.

Sailing a 19 ft boat around the world is an expensive (and not remunerative) mission. You may choose to help out Josh & Skookum’s fundraiser, at this link.

The snow and ice will likely be gone this weekend. The forecast has warmed: sunny and near 50 today & Sunday.

7:27a If you’re feeling brave, click here for a look at 2024’s Polar Plungers.

Sorry, there’s more. Here’s a look at the 2023 Polar Plungers.

You can be a 2025 Polar Plunger… take advantage of your thermal protection and click here.

3:35p There are actually events on a January weekend in Oriental.

Vox Fortura is a male classical vocal quartet from Britain. They play at the Old Theater tonight.

Skookum is a 19 ft sailboat, about to enter the Mini Globe ‘round the world race. Skipper Josh Kali and SV Skookum will be at the town dock Saturday (arriving around noon), and again Sunday.

Gather at John Bond Beach on Neuse Drive around 2p Saturday & watch the brave souls participating in the Polar Plunge. Hey, it will be warmer than a few days ago. If you want to sign up, registration opens at 11a.

Nautical Wheelers has wine tastings Saturday, 2 & 3p. They are pouring “new to the USA” wines from Groot Phesantekraal, South Africa. Bill Wheeler, a totally objective village sommelier, says The Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon pair well with cold weather.

The Old Theater has their annual membership meeting Sunday, 3p. Your intuition might tell you where the meeting is.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

9:38a The ferry hasn’t been running since the snow fell. They said the ferry was secure. “Secure” sounds better than not running.

OK, ice and snow probably are a challenge for running ferries. Good news this morning from Cherry Branch:

Cherry Branch operation will resume full schedule beginning with the 10:30am departures.

7:01a Major roads (Highway 55, Janeiro Rd, Hwy 306) were salted/brined and plowed by the state. They appear to be in good shape and OK to drive.

Most all other roads have significant ice & snow cover. Driving boring (slow), or not driving, may be a wise approach.

Crummy roads and cold won’t stop tacos, but they will open a bit later today:

Casa Que Pasa is downtown on Hodges Street. Click here to see the menu.

6:37a The big melt is ahead. It hasn’t been above freezing much in the last few days. It did get up to 38 briefly yesterday afternoon.

From the Oriental Weather Station:

The trend: Partly sunny and 40 today, 45 Saturday, 50 Sunday.

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

12:29p Roundup of biz hours today in town: Piggly Wiggly 8a – 5p today (back to 7a-8p Friday). The Bean 7:30a – 4:30p. Nautical Wheelers 11a – 4p. Brantley’s opened at 11a. Town Hall is closed today. Village Hardware, normal hours. First Citizen’s Bank 11a – 4p.

Pamlico Community College will be closed Friday.

11:55a Pamlico County offices are closed today… and will be again tomorrow:

6:50a It got down to 16 overnight. Brrrrrr. Today’s forecast has cooled – the high now is just low 30s.

5:50p Thursday in Oriental: The Piggly Wiggly opens at 8a. The Bean is open at 7:30a. Nautical Wheelers opens at 11a. Brantley’s opens at 11a. Town Hall opens at noon closed today. Village Hardware back on normal hours (plus they have shovels). First Citizen’s Bank opens 11a – 4p.

11:09a Not much, but light snow is falling.

8:52a Over low was 21. The forecast high today, just 31.

No snow will be melting until Thursday. Get those snow skis out…

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

7:45a According to the TDCSG (TownDock Calibrated Snow Gauge), we received 6 inches:

Well, maybe 5 3/4”.

The Snow Gauge is a wood Montgomery Ward paint store yard stick.

Village Hardware measured 5 inches (but they don’t have the Montgomery Ward yard stick).

A humbled Pink Flamingo:

7:07a The Bean is opening a bit late today: the plan is 8a – 4p for the snow day (then open 7:30a – 4:30p Thursday). Village Hardware will open at 10a. The Silos is open today, normal hours. The Piglet is closed, opening Thursday at 8a. West Marine is closed today. The Provision Company is closed. First Citizen’s Bank is closed. Hodges Street Sail Repair is open 10a – 4p.

Town Hall is closed. Diane writes in:

Any businesses can send in their snow hours to info@towndock.net.

7:01p It’s snowing. Right on schedule…

5:15p There’s a man in Oriental right now, preparing to sail around the world.

Oriental has had several circumnavigators, but this story is a bit different.

Josh Kali is preparing to sail around the world in a 19 ft boat. He is one of 14 competitors in the Mini Globe race. Here is his story.

4:48p No snow yet, but if ya go outside it feels like it wants to.

The forecast for 6-8 inches remains, starting tonight. The state has been brining (it’s a saltwater solution) Highway 55, but one might assume roads will be not ideal/dangerous tonight & early Wednesday.

Temps overnight expected in the low 20s.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

7:42a A new day, a new snow zone.

Might want to find that snow shovel. The NOAA folks say we’re now in a 6-8” zone:

Snowfall expected to begin about 5p today.

It didn’t get that cold overnight (forecast to 20). The low hit 24.

The official warning reads like this:

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 AM EST WEDNESDAY.

Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 8 inches.

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.