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2:08p1:55p Garland Fulcher Seafood is open today and Saturday 10a-5p. Just visit the fish shack on Hodges, or call Buddy to order for curbside pickup at 252-671-7853.

7:06a Coming soon to a coastal town – High Winds & Low Waters. From NOAA:

This isn’t today – it’s overnight & Saturday. Late tonight 20 To 25 knot southwest winds are forecast – with gusts to 35. Saturday west winds 25 To 30 knots. Those southwest and especially west winds will push water away from our area.

And the water levels will drop.

FYI, if you’re checking the water level gauge, TownDock crew believe it is reading about one foot high.

Earlier this week when levels were low (down 2 feet) the gauge said levels were down one. When it says levels are “zero” they are down a foot. We have informed folks with the state that operate the gauge (NC Department of Public Safety / Division of Emergency Management / Risk Management / Geodetic Survey). They have indicated they will “send a survey team to the gauge site to collect survey data to compare with the gauge data.”

Meanwhile, it’s reading high.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Newport Morehead City NC Weather Radar
• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge
• TownDock streams NOAA Weather Radio Online

11:09a Get a plate of North Carolina BBQ and support Sound Rivers’ mission to guard and monitor the health of the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins.

Saturday, Dec 12, Jim Kellenberger serves up sustainably raised, whole-hog BBQ from 4-5p at New Village Brewery. All proceeds benefit Sound Rivers. You’ll need to pre-order your $10 plate online or by calling in.

8:12a Last night’s low happened earlier this morning: temps dropped to a low of 29 just after 6a. That’s a 21 degree shift from yesterday’s high of 50.

Stand by for warm – a 30 degree shift in the opposite direction: sunny and near 60.

click image for the big view

3:37p SailCraft is currently taking bids for Moku, a 1976 Endeavor 32. The auction end has been extended to Sunday, December 6. Find out more about the boat and how to submit your bid here.

3:19p Last night’s low was 32. Tonight it’s even lower – in the upper 20s.

If you haven’t yet pulled out those warm winter clothes, now might be a good time. High temps for the coming week will bounce between the mid 60s and high 40s.

11:20a Spirit of Christmas will be here next week. Though some things have changed – there is no parade this year -, others remain the same. Here’s a preview of some of next week’s activities:

• On Dec 10, it’s the Lighting of the Tree of Names and Lights. Honor or Memorialize your loved ones and support our local Fire Station at the same time.

• Right after, it’s the announcement of the Light up Oriental decorating contest. Decorate your home or business by Monday, Dec 7 to be eligible for judging.

• Dec 11, the slips in Oriental Harbor will be filled with lighted boats. At 5p, the lighted kayak flotilla paddles into the harbor. The Christmas Star is lit at town dock #1 directly after the flotilla.

• Later that evening, The Old Theater hosts the Christmas movie Scrooged outside at the Red Rooster at 6p.

• Dec 12 was supposed to be the parade, but Santa will still make his rounds. At 11:30a, with a police and fire truck escort, Santa will make his way through Oriental. When you hear the fire trucks, come out and wave hello. Afterwards, come local businesses host open houses and fundraisers for charity.

Luminaries will light up Oriental beginning Friday and last through the weekend.

This year, they’ll reach up to the Silos Restaurant and wind through town to the waterfront. Lou Mac Park and the pier are also lit up this year.

A full Spirit of Christmas Guide is coming next week.

7:14a The morning temperature – 32. You might think it was December.

Sunny & clear skies today – with a non-tropical high of 50. Thursday warms up to 60.

2:21p It’s Giving Tuesday – a day to support charitable organizations by pledging your money or even your time.

As in years past, TownDock.net compiles a list of charities that operate in and around Oriental and Pamlico County. Find out what these organizations and how to support them by reading the Giving Tuesday 2020 list to find a local worthy cause or two.

2:54p Already thinking ahead to the end of the week? You can get a pork BBQ lunch on Friday to benefit Hope Clinic. Pick up at lunch time in Bayboro or Oriental for $10 a plate.

Another local non-profit, Neuse Neighbors Network, is launching a scholarship program for seniors who need their services. Find out more about the scholarship and donations here.

12:06p A charming day.

10:07a December’s Tuesday Town Board Meeting has been cancelled. Town Manager Diane Miller says there is no outstanding town business for December.

Town Hall is closed to the public until Executive Order 180 expires – currently December 11.

There will be two town meetings in January; the regular monthly meeting Tuesday, January 5, 2021 and the Town Board Quarterly Agenda Workshop Thursday, January 28.

6:28a Winds were calm last night until near midnight, as a low pressure system moved though. They peaked overnight – the high wind was 39mph at 3:35a. This morning winds are in the 5 – 15 mph range, but the day ahead is forecast to be breezy.

On the Neuse a Gale Warning from 8a through this afternoon. Southwest winds 20 To 25 knots, with gusts to 40. The onshore forecast: South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

So far today 1.2 inches of rain, with more likely this morning.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Newport Morehead City NC Weather Radar

From the Oriental Weather Station:


click image for larger view

A strong low pressure system will move through the area tonight into Monday. Wind and rain are on the way. Up to Gale Force winds overnight, coming from the southwest.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Newport Morehead City NC Weather Radar

3:00p It’s a cool and bright day. Some might even call it beautiful.

At New Village Brewery, there’s Music by Mac in the beer garden at 4:30p, plus Mediterranean food at the Brewery right now.

Meraki Mediterranean Food Truck serves gyros, spanakopita, falafel and more from 3 – 8p tonight.

9:58a Mrs. Claus (Heather Brewer) is hanging out on Hodges Street this morning. She and others are part of Oriental’s Saturday Farmer’s Market. Eggs, fresh greens, and two books by Mrs. Claus. Vendors will be there until 11:30a.

7:39a There’s a fog advisory until 9a… patches of dense fog resulting in low visibility. It’ll clear up this morning and become mostly sunny later on. High mid 60s and winds around 10 mph this afternoon.

You might not need it, but just in case:

TownDock Legal informs us this is not to be used for navigational purposes

3:12p Pies, turkeys, and bicycles. It’s an Oriental tradition. And you can check out the scene from Thursday’s bike rides here.

1:17p The Silos is on Thanksgiving schedule – they open at 5p today for dinner.

At New Village Brewery no food truck today (the brewery is open today 4 til 8) – but Meraki Mediterranean Kafe will be there Saturday 3-8p. More info here.

12:14p Thirteen new cases in Pamlico County in the state COVID database today – and ten of those cases were in zip code 28529. That zip code, which includes Grantsboro and Kennels Beach, has seen 57 new cases just this month.

7:05a Hurricane season officially ends Monday, Nov 30. But do potential tropical storm systems read the calendar?

Out on the Atlantic is Invest 99. It’s not going to bother us – this low pressure system is located several hundred miles southeast of Bermuda (if you’re sailing between Bermuda & the Azores, it would be unpleasant). NOAA/NHC give it a 50% chance of developing into a late season Atlantic storm.

The next Greek name on the list – Kappa. Very frattish.

6:53a It is calm out there. How calm? The high wind since midnight – 2 mph.

This morning all clouds and a 50% chance of rain, then this afternoon clearing skies, high about 70. Sunny & clear for both Saturday and Sunday, Saturday high 65, Sunday cooling to a high near 60.

On the Neuse today light 5 knot winds forecast, freshening to 5-10 knots Saturday.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Newport Morehead City NC Weather Radar

12:33p This morning the rain ended a few minutes before the first bike ride. Twenty folks showed up at 9a… and about three dozen at 10a. Blue skies appeared.

Happy Thanksgiving – the sun is shining down upon us.

A positive message of thanks comes from the folks at The Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival.

The October festival usually attracts about 1,500 to Oriental, simply to walk the streets and see live music performed on porches. It was cancelled this year by COVID… here’s hoping the music returns for October 2021.

8:51a TownDock Senior Staff believes a beautiful blue sky is imminent and has pushed the first ride to 9:05a.

7:59a At 9a, we ride. At 10a, we ride again.

It’s the Thanksgiving Day Bike Ride, rain or shine. And there’s a 75% chance of rain.

That means a one in four chance of staying dry. Embrace the odds.

If your last name begins with A-M, we’ll see you at 9 in front of The Bean. If your last name begins with N-Z, see you at 10a, same place.

2:07p Caffeine knows no holiday. The Bean will be open Thanksgiving Day, 7a til noon~ish.

TownDock crew is aware of the 50% chance of rain Thursday morning, when the bike rides are scheduled. We have pondered Friday, but the chance of rain then is increasing.

So, Thanksgiving Day it is for the bike rides. This year there will be two rides, at 9a and 10a (it’s done to fit COVID era laws, keeping the numbers down). The rides are simply scheduled alphabetically. If your last name begins with A – M, come at 9a. If you’re N – Z, come at 10a.

TownDock crew will be there for both rides (we’re not that good with the alphabet).

9:42a The Piglet will be open on Thanksgiving Day. Open today til 8p, Thursday 7a-2p.

The Piggly Weekly Thanksgiving Specials this week are the same as last week – click here.

8:27a It got cold yesterday; the high only made it to 56. Today, though, it’s partly sunny and a high near 70. Last night’s low dipped to 39, but tonight’s will be much warmer: near 60.

Thanksgiving Day is about the same – high near 70, low near 60 – but with a 50% chance of showers in the morning.

4:05p Starting Wednesday in North Carolina, masks will be required in more situations. Here’s the story.

9:11a The Thanksgiving Day bike ride. This ride some years has had north of 80 folks – more than can legally gather right now.

To make it work, this year there will be two rides, at 9a and 10a. Bunky, if you know your last name, you can join the ride. It’s scheduled alphabetically. If your last name begins with A – M, come at 9a. If you’re N – Z, come at 10a. By having two rides, the event will stay within the law. And we still get outside for a friendly ride.

8:50a Crumb cakes. Pecan pie. Toffee squares and fresh pecans. They’re part of St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church’s annual bake sale, happening today from 9a – 1p.

This weather seems to put an extra spring in a human’s step. Sunny, dry and 60 today, mid 60s Wednesday.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Newport Morehead City NC Weather Radar
• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge
• TownDock streams NOAA Weather Radio Online

3:36p Keith Bruno and his family run a small commercial fishing operation in Oriental. TownDock.net talks with Keith about what’s being fished locally this time of year: oysters, shrimp and speckled trout. Have a listen to the November fishing report:

11:55a The Cherry Branch – Minnesott Beach ferry has been on a reduced schedule since March. December 1, that changes. Read the story here.

9:54a The Tree of Names and Lights. It’s set up in Lou Mac Park, and decorated with the names of Oriental’s loved ones – those still here and those that have passed on.

This year, the lighting of the tree at 5:30p, December 10 marks the start of the Spirit of Christmas. You can add the name of your love one – person or pet – to the tree for a $5 donation. The money goes to a different cause each year. Oriental’s fire department, Station 19 on Straight Road, the Southeast Pamlico Volunteer Fire Department (SPVFD) is this year’s recipient.

The fire department needs to replace their air packs – the oxygen tanks fire fighters carry on their backs. Fire Chief Mike Guzzo says the tanks are no longer supported by the manufacturer and will have to be replaced. They’re also starting to collect funds to replace one of their tankers, a vehicle that has been in service since 1983.

For more information on how get your names on the tree, and help out the local fire department, click here.

To read more about the tradition, and see the names on last year’s tree, click here.