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This week, March 30 – April 1 New Village Brewery is open for indoor & outdoor service.

Brews:
• Year-round brews: Ol’ Store English Ale, Red Beard’s Brown Ale, Chuck-Will’s-Widow Black IPA, Purdy’s Pale Ale, Whitecap American White Ale, Lili’s Breakfast Stout
• Rotating guest brews:
-Shortway Brewing: Downeast IPA, Dockhouse Lager, French Toast Brown Ale, Say No S’more White Stout, Cake It Easy Wheat Ale, Black Cherry Bam-ba-lam Wheat Ale
- Railhouse Brewery: Mastiff Oatmeal Stout, FCA IPA, Pineland Pale Ale

Music:
• Friday, 3/31: Packhouse, 5:30-7:00p

Food trucks:
• Friday, 3/31: Jasmine Tasty Thai, 4-8p. Spring rolls, Thai Chicken Red Curry, Chicken Pad Thai, and more. Check out the full menu.
• Saturday, 4/1: Tanja’s Hella Fat Food Truck 4-8p. This week is the German Food Menu. View it here.

Thursdays customers are invited to BYO snacks and treats. Open Thu 2-8p, Fri 2-9p, Sat noon-9p. Closed Sundays for the season.

Christine Stoughton Root teaches a free class on birding apps, March 30 from 9-11a at the Pamlico County Community College Delamar Building.

There’s several different apps for birding and each is a little different. Root goes through the different bird ID / guides available on your smartphone and also introduces one just for migration.

To register contact Denise at 252-249-1851 ×3113, or email dmcdermott@pamlicocc.edu. The Delamar Building is at 5049 NC Hwy 306 S. in Grantsboro.

Oriental United Methodist Church invites you to Songs & Sweets on Friday, March 31 from 7-8p.

Musicians from the OUMC choir and congregation show off their musical talents. Enjoy pie and ice cream, and learn more about OUMC’s local missions. This is a free event and you don’t have to be a member of the congregation to attend. Donations are gratefully accepted and go towards OUMCs missions in the community.

Takes place in the OUMC Sanctuary at 404 Freemason Street in Oriental.

The Spirit Shack’s Grand Opening is Friday, March 31 from 10a – 5p.

Housed in ‘The Wit’s End’ building on Hodges Street, the Spirit Shack is artisan gallery offering one-of-a-kind art, jewelry, crystals & stones, tarot cards, books, greeting cards, wall art, and more.

Enjoy 25% off everything and complimentary wine from 10a – 2p opening day.

Oriental residents and co-owners Sev Tok and George Elvin will be on hand to welcome everyone to their new store.

The Spirit Shack is at 310 Hodges Street near Oriental Harbor. Hours are Thurs – Sun, 10a – 5p in April, and Wed – Sun, 10a -5p in May.

Join the Oriental Woman’s Club’s second annual Luminary Launch from the Wildlife Ramp at the end of Midyette Street, on Saturday April 1, 7-9p.

The OWC invites you to join them for a quiet evening by the water, where they will release paper lanterns at dusk. Each lantern carries your handwritten message – a wish, a renewal, a memorial, whatever you’d like. The women of the OWC will set the luminaries in the water to float and drift until 9p. (All will be retrieved to make sure of no pollution to the creeks.)

Purchase your lantern for $25 at the OWC Chowder Cook Off on March 18, through Marguerite Garrett (252-249-2279), at the launch on April 1, or send a check to Oriental Woman’s Club, PO Box 515, Oriental, NC 28571. Want a message with your lantern, but not able to be there April 1? Include the message with your purchase and the OWC will do it for you.

Proceeds help fund teacher mini-grants and benefit Pamlico County students. Rain date is April 2, 2023.

April 1 at 7:30p the Pamlico Community Band performs their Spring Concert at The Old Theater.

Musicians from all over the county gather to play a mix of concert band classics like Sousa’s King Cotton March, Trumpeters Lullaby, Highlights from West Side Story, as well as marches and nautical tunes.

This is a free performance and all are welcome to attend.

The Old Theater is at 609 Broad Street in Oriental.

The Village Gallery welcomes April’s Artist of the Month, Susan Schumacher. Meet the artist on April 1 during the Artists’s Reception at The Village Gallery from 2-5p.

Susan Schumacher is an artist and art instructor with over 32 years’ experience. Schumacher is an arts integration specialist, working with teachers to design and conduct art projects reinforcing learning on specific art history and cultural subjects ranging from Ancient Egyptian and Greek to Native American and Scandinavian.

Schumacher has been published in School Arts Magazine, was honored the Illinois Alliance for Arts in Education as Arts Educator of the Year, and has also presented at the Art Institute of Chicago. In her personal studio, she paints in watercolor and acrylics, enjoys fibers and mixed media, and designs and creates agate jewelry.

The Village Gallery is at 300 Hodges St in Oriental, open 10a until 5p, Wed – Sun. The Gallery displays the art of more than 30 member and consigned artists. For more information, call 252-249-0300 or visit villagegallerync.com.

Oriental History Museum presents their Spring Exhibit: Oriental’s Historic Homes.

The exhibit runs now through Saturday, May 20

How many homes in Oriental are 100 years old? The answer: about fifty. Those homes are still standing and occupied. Some have gone through a dozen or so owners over the years. Some are still in the original family. The history museum exhibits photos and descriptions of these fifty homes.

You can also grab a brochure and take a self-guided walking tour around the town. Located on the front porch of the museum as well as inside.

The Oriental History Museum is at 802 Broad Street. Hours are: Friday 11-3 and Saturday 1-4. Admission is always free, donations gratefully accepted. For more information about the museum and this exhibit contact us: orientalhistorymuseum@gmail.com

The community is invited to stop by the Oriental United Methodist Church to add prayers to the prayer cross, now through Easter Sunday, April 9.

The cross is outside OUMC at the corner of Freemason and Third Streets. A little rustic and wrapped in chicken wire, it’s usually used to hold flowers from people’s garden on Easter Sunday. This year, it’s out a little early.

“During the pandemic, we put the cross out with ribbons and markers, and invited the community to write prayers on the ribbons and tie them to the cross. It was a way of being there for one another when we couldn’t be in person. Now we’re all more or less back to normal, but there’s still a lot of need, so we decided to do it again as a way of letting our Oriental neighbors know that Oriental United Methodist Church cares about them,” said Oriental UMC Pastor Anne Sims.

Stop by to add your prayers. Markers and ribbons are provided. On Easter Sunday, you’re invited to bring flowers to decorate the cross at the 6:30a Sunrise Service at Lou Mac Park, or at the regular service at 10a. The cross stays at the church through the Monday after Easter.

The sanctuary is open for prayer anytime for those in need, as is neighboring St. Thomas Episcopal. For more information, call Oriental UMC at 249-0213 or email orientalumc@orientalumc.org.

Read about the 2021 Prayer Cross here:
• Ribbons, Markers, and a Community Invitation

Join Rev. Dr. Anne Sims and Rev. Bruce Cheney as they lead a book discussion on The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days by Kate Bowler. 

The book and group will focus on Lent, the Christian season of preparation for Easter. Dr. Bowler has written the bestselling Everything Happens for a Reason (and Other Lies I’ve Loved), No Cure for Being Human (and Other Truths I Needed to Hear) and Good Enough, as well as more academic work. She is a professor at Duke University and self-professed incurable optimist, having survived many years past her stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

You don’t need a book to join, although free daily and group discussion guides are available on her website at katebowler.com/blessthislent.

The book group meets at Oriental United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall, Mondays at 10a, February 27 thru April 10. Call Oriental UMC 249-0213 or email orientalumc@orientalumc.org for more information.

Want to learn how to bellydance? Think you’re not tall, young, thin, coordinated, or flexible enough to dance? Think you can’t get a workout, improve your balance or flexibility unless you’re in a gym? Find out otherwise Tuesday evenings. Beginner’s Class at 5:30p.

Learn to dance with a group or on your own, slowly or with the beat, with just the steps of the dance or with props like veils and fans. Find out about the cultures, traditions, and dancers that influence today’s dance form.

Wear relaxed clothing you can move in. Ages 16 and up. All body types welcomed. $30 a month. $10 drop-in.

For more information, email dragonbellydance@gmail.com.

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday from 7-8:30p at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church.

The band performs three concerts per year: in the spring, opening of the Fourth of July Croaker Festival, and Christmas.

All levels and ages of musicians welcome. Auditions not required; just show up with your instrument. Our focus is the joy of making and sharing music while having fun.

For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental.

The third and fifth Thursdays of the month mean open jam session at Pamlico Community College, starting at 6p.

It’s open to all. Bring your instrument – or voice – or maybe only a chair to just come to listen to the harmonies. It all happens in PCC’s Delamar Center Auditorium. PCC is on Hwy 306 between Grantsboro and Arapahoe.

For more info, contact Denise McDermott 252-249-1851 ext 3113 dmcdermott@pamlicocc.edu.

Open Mic Night is live at the Silos. The music begins at 7p.

Bring your instrument, your voice, or both. Music is upstairs in The Silos.

The Silos is at 1111 Broad St Extension, Oriental, NC.

The Old Theater presents a Director’s Workshop, March 1 – June 1, Wednesday evenings at 6:30p.

Each workshop will focus on the role of director who brings it all together: the script, actors, set, costuming, lighting, and sound. Skills to develop are interpreting the script, casting the production, collaborating with designers, planning rehearsals, and guiding actors in their work.

In August, new directors will direct a one-act play for an audience who will vote to determine the winners of the Director Awards.

This is a free workshop. However, donations and Old Theater memberships are encouraged and are tax deductible. Please enroll by Feb 24 by emailing Pat Nocera at productions@oldtheater.org or calling 610-442-9657. Bring a notebook and a pen.

Can you give someone a ride? Run errands? Answer phone calls or just change a lightbulb? Then Neuse Neighbors Network (NNN) needs you. NNN is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to helping local seniors age in place.

NNN volunteers choose the type and timing of the tasks they can help with. There are no fixed commitments and you can meet new people.

Ready to learn more? Register here to attend the next Volunteer Orientation Session Thursday April 6, 10aat the Oriental Town Hall.

Click here to register for Neuse Neighbors Networks’ April 20 training session or for more information on volunteering or becoming a member, call 252-665-8807 or email neuseneighbors@gmail.com.

The Craven – Pamlico Regional Library Book / Tech Mobile is in Oriental Apr 8, from 10a – noon at the Piggly Wiggly, and 2-4p at the Town Hall parking lot.

The Book / Tech mobile brings books, wifi hot spots, and laptops you can check out with your library card. While there, you can use the Book / Tech Mobile’s free wifi and stream free movies on Hoopla – a library app you can use on your phone. Learn how to access over 600 free educational classes, and learn more about the Library’s free resources.

Don’t have a library card? You can get one while you’re there. Have a book to pick up at the library? Call ahead and have the Book / Tech Mobile bring it to you. (If you check out your books at the Book / Tech Mobile, you have 30 days to keep them instead of two weeks.)

The Book / Tech Mobile visits Oriental on the first Friday of every month.

The Pamlico County Regional Library is located at 603 Main St, Bayboro, NC 28515. Have questions? Call the Library at 252-745-3515.

The Oriental Tree Board holds an Arbor Day Tree Planting Memorial on April 8, 11a at the renovated boathouse by town dock #2.

The Tree Board plants a live oak tree in memory of Dick Creighton who passed away in winter. Dick was a Tree Board member for many years. Many trees in Oriental are present due to his efforts at both planting and pruning. He especially liked oaks, particularly the live oak.

Friends of Dick and the public are invited to honor Dick to learn how to properly select and plant a tree to insure survival and a long life. “Dick was a good man. We miss him.”

The Arbor Day tree planting celebration will include the Oriental Tree Board, and the North Carolina Forest Service. The NC Forest Service and the National Arbor Day Foundation have designated Oriental as a TreeCity USA for the 28th year and will present a flag and certificate at the tree planting.

Oriental United Methodist Church will hold its Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8 at 10a.

All children are welcome. The children will only need to bring a basket or container in which to put their eggs. Eggs, prizes and refreshments will be provided by OUMC’s Sand Dollar Circle.

Oriental United Methodist Church is at 404 Freemason St.

M&M’s Cafe hosts an Easter Sunday Buffet, 11a – 7p, April 9.

Easter Sunday dinner is a tradition at M&Ms. Join M&Ms for Easter Sunday Buffet. The buffet includes main course, desert & salad bar. Too many items to list.

For parties of 6 and over, call 252-249-2000 for reservations. First Responders, Military, Fire and Police with ID receive a %10 discount.

In keeping with Oriental tradition, there’ll be a community Easter Sunrise Service at LouMac Park on Easter Sunday April 9 starting at 6:30a. Bring your own chair. Fresh flowers would also be welcomed adorn the cross.

Oriental United Methodist Church welcomes one and all to its Easter Sunday service – a combined service at 10a at the sanctuary at 404 Freemason Street. Fresh flowers welcomed at that service as well.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Easter Sunday, April 9, has Holy Eucharist, 8a and 10:30a. And

Take a guided tour of the Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Lab, April 11 at 10a. Sponsored by Prime Time.

The Queen Anne’s Revenge was the final ship of the infamous pirate Blackbeard, also known as Edward Teach. It was sunk off the coast of North Carolina in the late 1700s, and found in 1996.

Before it a pirate ship, it was a French merchant vessel and part of the Atlantic slave trade. Visit the conservation lab in Greenville, and learn about the vessel, the science behind the conservation and archeology of the recovered artifacts, and the importance of these artifacts then and now.

Meet at the lab at 9:45a in Greenville, and tour the site at 10a. There is a 3 minute walk between the lab and the warehouse, please let staff know so mobility issues can be accommodated. Registration required by April 1. Register online here.

Prime Time is a mission of the Oriental United Methodist Church. Prime Time provides benefits the 50 and above regardless of church or non-church affiliation. Prime Time provides services and activities promoting the physical, social, mental, and spiritual well being in the Oriental and surrounding areas.

Oriental’s Town Board meets Tuesday, April 12 at 9a at Town Hall for the first budget meeting. This is the first of several budget meetings.

Town Commissioners meet in the large boardroom at Town Hall. Budget meetings are open to the public. Documents for the meeting will be posted when available.

It’s become one of the biggest and most successful in-water boat shows between Annapolis and Savannah. The 2023 Oriental Boat Show — The Best Small Town Boat Show In America —is April 14-16.

This 3-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday show is organized by the Oriental Rotary Club and is the place to see boats and gear for boats.

The Oriental Boat Show has about 100 exhibitors of nautical goods and services. Dealers and brokers bring in boats on land and to the slips at Oriental Harbor Marina. For more info, contact boat show impresario Sam Myers 252-249-0228 or director@orientalboatshow.com.

Friday April 14, noon til 6p – admission $5.00
Saturday April 15, 10a til 6p – admission $5.00
Sunday April 16, 10a til 3p – admission $5.00

Get rid of the toxic waste at your home. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is Saturday, April 15, 9a – 1p at Pamlico County Courthouse located at 202 Main St, Bayboro. Organized by the Coastal Environmental Partnership, this is about clearing away the things we have around our homes that shouldn’t go to the landfill.

You can dispose of cans of paint (latex, oil, and paint thinner – 10 gal max), used motor oil, pesticides, gas, cooking oil, antifreeze, drain openers, paint thinners, batteries. Everything must be labeled – no mystery cans.

There are things they cannot accept: gas cylinders, explosives, ammunition, infectious, biological and radioactive wastes. And nothing from businesses, contractors or otherwise commercial sources. As for electronica, you can drop them off anytime during the year at the dump/transfer station on Hwy 306.

For more info, contact Coastal Environmental Partnership at 252-633-1564 or call Pamlico County’s Solid Waste Mgmt office at 745-4240.

Pamlico Community College’s Cultural & Life Enrichment Program is a non-curriculum, self-supporting program offering courses sourced from the skills of the community’s residents. They are designed to promote personal growth and self-enrichment.

If you see a program you’re interested in, contact Denise McDermott at the info below. Some teachers hold off scheduling until they have enough students to hold the class. Fees listed are for the entire course.

Upcoming in the PCC Winter 2023 Program:
• Container Gardening Mondays, Apr 17 – May 15, 5-8p, $70
• Smartphones and Tablets: Android Thursdays, Apr 20 – May 4, 1-4p, $70

Dates to Be Announced:
• Roadmap to Wellness: TBD, 6-7:30p
• Beginning/Intermediate Guitar: TBD 5-6:30p
• Plant-based Cooking for Health & Wellness: TBD
• Chair Yoga and Basic Yoga: call if interested for when & where
• Forums on World Interests: TBD
• Golf Lessons: Beginning and Intermediate: TBD

For full course listings including descriptions, cost, and date & time, click here.

To register, or if you would like more information about current course offerings, contact Denise McDermott at PCC’s Cultural & Life Enrichment Program at 252-249-1851 Ext. 3113 or email dmcdermott@pamlicocc.edu.

Nautical Wheelers’ April Wine Tasting Weekend is set for Friday, April 21, from 5-7p in New Bern and Saturday, April 22 at 2 & 3p in Oriental.

Stephanie Hall of Tryon Distributing presents.

• Blanchard Perez Cava Brut 2021, Catalonia, Spain
• Chateau du Trignon, Cotes du Rhone Viognier 2021, Rhone Valley, France
• Kavaklidere Rosé 2020, Aegean, Turkey
• Juggnaut Pinot Noir 2020, Russian River Valley, California
• Peirano Estate Vineyards Merlot 2021, Lodi, California
• Ravel & Stitch, Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Central Coast, California

Find Nautical Wheelers in Oriental at 411 Broad Street, and at 202 A Craven Street in New Bern. 252-249-0359.

Save the date for the Children’s Theater Workshop’s “Prom Do-Over” April 22, 6-9p hosted by The New Village Brewery.

Didn’t go to your prom or have fun at your prom? Or maybe you did, but want to do it again? Here’s your chance to make new memories and have fun with your friends. The Children’s Theater Workshop (CTW) in collaboration with New Village Brewery presents the Prom Do-Over fundraiser.

Dress up in your idea of prom finery – you can upcycle, thrift, pull out that old prom outfit, wear something vintage or create your own. Creativity and upcycling of attire is encouraged. Meet at the Brewery Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 6-9p for food, DJ dance contests, and prizes.

Pick up your tickets at Nautical Wheelers or the New Village Brewery. Your donations provide scholarships for the 2023 Summer Theater Workshop session.

For questions, or if you’d like to help out, contact CTW director Yolanda Cristiani at 1996ctw@gmail.com or call 828-421-7981. The New Village Brewery is at 702 Broad Street and Nautical Wheelers is at 411 Broad Street, both in Oriental.

Saturday, Apr 22, the New Bern area USCG Auxiliary presents ‘Navigating Local Waters’ from 1 – 5p at Fairfield Harbor Community Center, 585 Broad Creek Rd.

Receive detailed information about the Neuse River and adjoining waters. Learn the locations and features of many popular anchorages, marinas and boatyards located along the Neuse and Pamlico River basins, the ICW, Morehead City, Beaufort and Cape Lookout. 

To get the most from this presentation, attendees should already have some general boating knowledge.

This presentation incorporates electronic charting, but it would be helpful for you to bring NOAA charts 11552 and 11548 with you, or their equivalents to follow along.

This class is $15 (additional household $5). Includes an information-packed CD for you to keep and take home for your future reference. The course is taught by Certified USCG Auxiliary instructors.

Registration is required. For more information and to register, contact Hank Steinfeld at schytzcreek@centurylink.net or call 252-745-0893.

The CycleNC 2023 Coastal Ride returns to Oriental April 28 – 30.

The CycleNC 2023 Coastal Ride is three days of camping and cycling in and around Oriental. Hundreds of cyclists visit Oriental to go on rides ranging from 15 to 100 miles, and spend time in the town.

They’ll be riding throughout the county each day, and after their rides, return to Oriental. That weekend, Oriental will become their base camp. Hundreds will literally be camping — sleeping in tents on lawns along the South Avenue waterfront – others will stay in local lodging.

For scenes from other years the Coastal Ride was here – (it was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic) – see the 2014 ride here … the 2011 ride here

The Hope Regala is May 5 & 6, 2023. A BBQ dinner, a $10k Golden Raffle Ticket Drawing, and a Live & Silent Auction – all to benefit the mission of Hope Clinic in Pamlico County.

There are special weekend packages for boats harbored at River Dunes.
• Friday night BBQ with live music.
• The Saturday Night Regala features catered dinner under the big tent at River Dunes, a live and silent auction, and live entertainment.
• There’s also the $10k Golden Raffle. Every ticket provides a 1 in 200 chance of winning $10K. If you buy the limit of 3 tickets, that’s a 1 in 67 chance. Purchase yours online here.

Hope Regala is a fundraiser bringing in 1/3 of the annual revenue for Hope Clinic, a community clinic in Pamlico County bringing medical care to the uninsured and underinsured, and comprehensive outpatient medication-assisted opioid addiction treatment through their New Beginnings program.

Hope Clinic is at 203 North Street in Bayboro inside the Health Department.

May 6 is the Beaufort Wooden Boat Show.

Sponsored by the North Carolina Maritime Museum, the one-day, free event is the longest running wooden boat show in the Southeast.

There are maritime games and crafts for children, a knotwork demonstration, traditional sailboat races, a virtual boating skills trainer, sailboat rides, dozens of traditional boats at dock, and the Carolina Maritime Model Exposition with model boats ranging from 25 – 40 inches in length.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite wooden boat for the ‘Spectator’s Choice’ award.

The show is held along the docks near the Beaufort Watercraft Center and at the Maritime Museum, across from each other on Front Street in Beaufort, NC.

Oriental’s 2023 Town Wide Yard Sale is Saturday, May 6. Lots of one-of-a-kind finds among the households and yards. Trying to downsize? The yard sale can help you find new things for your home and a new home for your things. Sales start at 7a.

If you’d like to be included, call Tourism Board Chair Marsha Paplham at 252-675-5142‬.

Yard sale map coming.

• 2022 Town Wide Yard Sale
• 2021 Town Wide Yard Sale
• Treasures for Sale at the 2019 Town Wide Yard Sale
• Bought. Sold. The 2018 Town Wide Yard Sale.

Here’s a chance get rid of those personal records and documents you don’t want anymore … and to be sure that they don’t fell into the hands of an identity thief.

There is a Shred Event Saturday, May 6 from 9a – noon in the back parking lot of the Pamlico County Courthouse in Bayboro.

It’s free. Bring up to 75 pounds of personal papers to be shredded. Sponsored by the Local Government Federal Credit Union. For more info call 252-745-4421.

The 3rd Annual Plein Air Art Festival takes place in New Bern from May 14 – 21.

Festival attendees can walk through Historic New Bern and interact with the 55 nationally and internationally acclaimed plein air painters as they set up their easels around the town and create their in-the-moment paintings. Painters will produce nearly 400 works on site in a competition for the Best of Show Koffenberger Award, among other awards and recognitions.

Youth and adult amateur artists can compete for ribbons and cash awards in the annual Quick Paint competition. There are also painting demonstrations, workshops, art displays and sales. It’s all in historic New Bern at the New Bern Farmers Market at 421 South Front Street, New Bern, NC. The festival is free, except for workshops, the Saturday award celebration, and the fee to enter the Quick Paint competition.

Pop-up events are also happening in Beaufort and Oriental, with dates to be determined. Find out more at NC Plein Air Art Festival.

On May 16, 1862, the National Steamer Oriental ran aground in the waters off the Outer Banks. Decades later, legend has it, a little town along the water was named after the wreck by a former Outer Banks resident. Without that wreck, our little town wouldn’t be the same.

An article from 2012 tells the tale: Shipwreck of The ‘Oriental’ 150 Years Ago This Month

Happy Grounding Day.

Pressing Pause: Contemplative Practices for 21st Century Living – May 18

Reverend Dr. Anne Sims leads this three part series. You do not have to have a religious affiliation to join.

This free series provides easily accessible tools anyone can use for pressing pause from time to time. Learn to pause and re-center when frightened or frustrated, re-connect when life starts to get to you, and remember how to contemplate joy and wonder.

While contemplation has been a practice of most religions, one doesn’t have to practice any particular faith to gain its benefits. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, Pressing Pause will give you tools to feel more grounded, whole, and connected.

Workshop 1: Prayer Beads, March 23, 2-4p
Workshop 2: Walking the Labyrinth, May 18, 2-4-p
Workshop 3: Practicing the Pause on Paper, Sept 21, 2-4p

Read more about this series and the individual workshops here.

Sponsored by PrimeTime. To register for these events, contact Debora Steenson at 252-675-0909 or email director@primetimepamlico.org

Prime Time is a mission of the Oriental United Methodist Church. Prime Time provides benefits the 50 and above regardless of church or non-church affiliation. Prime Time provides services and activities promoting the physical, social, mental, and spiritual well being in the Oriental and surrounding areas.

Nautical Wheelers’ May Wine Tasting Weekend is set for Friday, May 19, from 5-7p in New Bern and Saturday, May 20 at 2 & 3p in Oriental.

Andy Woolger of Elephant’s Corner Wines presents.

Wine list coming.

Find Nautical Wheelers in Oriental at 411 Broad Street, and at 202 A Craven Street in New Bern. 252-249-0359.

Kick off the summer Oriental-style with Silospalooza 2023. Now in its 10th year, the outdoor music event on Saturday May 27 features bands at the Red Rooster stage and bar behind the Silos Restaurant.

On Saturday, music starts at noon and runs til near midnight. There are two stages – the Big Rooster Stage in front of the grass dance floor and the Bantam Stage under the roadhouse bar roof.

There is a pizza eating contest (at 5:30p) & a slip n’ slide, kiddy pools, games, water guns, face painting for the kids. Burgers, Dogs, Turkey Legs & Chicken Tenders are served outside at the Red Rooster bar all day. Liquor tent at the county line. Beer and wine available at the Red Rooster bar. Bring a chair and your dancing shoes…. and get yourself this year’s Silospalooza t-shirt.

Check out photos and the story from previous paloozas:
• Dancing into the Night – Silospalooza 2021
• Dancing at Silospalooza 2019
• Pizza, Soul & Rock n Roll – Silospalooza 2018
• Silospalooza 2017

Nautical Wheelers’ June Wine Tasting Weekend is set for Friday, June 16, from 5-7p in New Bern and Saturday, June 17 at 2 & 3p in Oriental.

Andy Woolger of Elephant’s Corner Wines presents.

Wine list coming.

Find Nautical Wheelers in Oriental at 411 Broad Street, and at 202 A Craven Street in New Bern. 252-249-0359.

NYRA’s (Neuse Yacht Racing Association) annual FREE race/cruise/party is the Parrothead Regatta, Saturday July 22, 2023, sailing down the Neuse from New Bern to Oriental.

It’s kind of a race, but it includes water cannons, pistols, and balloons. Inter-boat attacks are permitted and encouraged. The race starts at Marker #17 (across from Fairfield Harbour). Race ends at Oriental. Free social for all racers after.

Both town docks at Oriental – the one at Hodges and the one near the pump out are reserved for NYRA on Saturday.

• Find out more about NYRA here.

Most places, it may be just another day, but in Oriental, the ‘Second Sunday in August’ means Watermelon at The Bonds. For just about half a century, there’s been a standing invite: Go to the Bonds’ yard at Neuse & Ragan, and help yourself to a slice or two of watermelon. This year, that 2nd Sunday falls on August 13 and Miss Fay and family start serving slices at 4p.

The tradition goes back to the 1960’s when Fay and her late husband, John, would bring watermelons from Bertie County and cut and serve them on the front lawn. The scene has remained one great slice of summer. If you’re in town – if you’re reading this – consider yourself invited. (The Bonds’ guests aren’t the only ones to benefit; a very particular recycling system accumulates a plentiful supply of rinds for the turtles in the adjacent creek.) For a look at what it’s all about, click here.

The Pirate Jam is Saturday, Sept 2 on the water in front of Teach’s Point. Music begins around 1p.

Paddle or row, power or sail to Teach’s Point (also called Dewey Point) where Smith and Greens Creek meet to listen – and lounge – from your own vessel.

Pirate Jam Lineup is coming

Pirate Jam is sponsored by the Pamlico County Arts Council, a 501©3 non-profit committed to bringing diverse arts to Pamlico County.

See Previous Years’ Pirate Jams:
• “Pirate Jam plays to a Floating Audience:“news/pirate-jam-plays-to-a-floating-audience
• Music in the Creeks

Harborfest for HeartWorks 2023 is Saturday, September 30 at 5:30p.

Support over 400 at-risk Pamlico County children who attend free Afterschool and Summer Programs and/or receive counseling at StillWaters. Attend Harborfest for HeartWorks, a Gala evening of drinks, live music and dancing, a live auction, and a tour of the classrooms and renovated facilities.

Enjoy an open bar and a gourmet buffet by The Chelsea of New Bern. Bid on trips, oyster roasts, works of art, basketball tickets, and more.

Before the event, take part in the online auction from Sept 23 until Oct 1 at 5p. (Online Auction items will also be on display at the event.)

To buy tickets, join the online auction, or become a Sponsor for Harborfest, click here.

To make the auction a success, donations of works of art, crafts, jewelry, trips, or other items and experiences are needed. To donate, call 252-745-9703 or drop by HeartWorks at 709 Main St., Bayboro.

HeartWorks is a 501©(3) nonprofit community service agency. “Our mission is to address the underserved mental and physical health needs of youth and their families in Pamlico County and surrounding areas. Education is the cornerstone of our efforts. Nurturing is our method.”

The 9th Annual Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival is set for Oct 6 & 7, 2023.

Walk around town and hear dozens of musicians playing on porches in Oriental. Cap the Saturday off with a band headlining on the Riverfront Stage near Lou Mac Park.

• Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival 2022
• The 2019 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival – headliners The Way Down Wanderers
• Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival 2018 – headliners Chatham County Line
• 2017 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival – headliners The Red Clay Ramblers

The Pamlico County Library hosts a mystery book club the second Wednesday of each month at 5p. 

Each month a novel selected from the winners of the annual Edgar Awards will be discussed. 

Have you been wanting to learn to play a musical instrument?  Have you started learning to play ukulele on your own but want to be a part of a group?  Then UHOOs may be just the group for you…

The UKULELE HOALOHAs of ORIENTAL, better known as the UHOOs, meet every Tuesday from 2-4p at the fellowship hall of OUMC (404 Freemason Street).  When weather permits the group can often be found in Lou Mac Park.  New members are welcome to join. The UHOOS focus is on having fun while singing and playing together.  Anyone interested should contact Judy Styron at cjstyron@embarqmail.com.

A starter group meets on Wednesdays at 2p in the fellowship hall of OUMC. This group plays three chord songs from the UHOO repertoire.  Anyone interested is invited to contact Claudia Bemis at csbemis@yahoo.com.

Dealing with the grief from loss of a spouse, parent, child, sibling or friend? A new group has formed to help those dealing with loss. The Grief Support Group meets Wednesdays @ 2p at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in the common room.

Grief can be difficult and painful, and the length and difficulty of the grieving process varies with each unique situation. Grief has no timetable and it can be cyclical. Emotions can come and go for weeks, months, and even years. Understanding the emotions of grief can be an important step in the healing process.

The group, led by Father Bruce – a trained and experienced hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor – helps provide ongoing emotional and spiritual support for as long as you might need.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church is located at 402 Freemason St. in Oriental. The common room is directly next to the sanctuary. If you have questions, call the church office at: 252-692-0481

Oriental’s recycling center, at the Oriental Recreation Park behind Fire Station 19, is staffed and open on Tuesdays, April 1 – Oct 31: 7:30a-6p and Nov 1 – Mar 31: 7:30a – 5:30p.

Pamlico County operates and maintains staffed convenience drop-off sites for residential recycling only. Each site is scheduled for one day/week, from 7:30a-6p. At 6p, recycling bins will be removed until the following week:

Monday: Reelsboro (5656 Hwy NC 55 East)
Tuesday: Oriental (Oriental Recreation Park – 130 Straight Rd)
Wednesday: Arapahoe – (Gary’s Restaurant Hwy 306 S)
Wednesday: Hobucken – (Hobucken Community Parking Area)
Thursday: Bayboro – (3rd Street Across from Courthouse Parking)
Thursday: Vandemere – (Hwy 304 Cash Corner)

The Grantsboro Transfer Station Recycling Convenience drop-off site will remain open the same days and hours as the Grantsboro Transfer Station: Mon-Fri 8:30a-4p, Sat 7:30a – noon. Convenience drop-off sites are closed on holidays.

There is a fine of $500 for any illegal dumping in Oriental.

For additional information contact Garry Cooper at (252)745-2094 or Jesse Bloomberg at (252)745-3283.

A group of area cyclists gets together for rides each Saturday and Sunday and welcomes you to join them. Rides start at 10a from the Bean from fall to spring, as the weather permits. In the spring, the start time shifts to 8:30a.

Saturday’s ride is about ten miles, at a conversational pace. Those who wish to can continue on a longer route at a faster pace in a single paceline format. The Sunday ride is faster, with pace and distance decided by the riders, usually between 15-17 mph for 25-30 miles in a single paceline format. Just show up with bike and helmet and you’re off! Questions? Contact Keith Gapen at Keith.gapen@gmail.com.

The Pamlico County Democratic Party meets ‘virtually’ on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 5:30p. For more information on attending, email PamlicoDems@gmail.com

People living with Parkinson’s Disease in and around Pamlico County now have a support group. Pamlico Parkinson’s Network provides a place to talk, as well as learn what those with PD can do – and what’s being done – to deal with the still-incurable condition. PPN meetings are open not only to people with Parkinson’s but also to those who care for – and about them.

For more info, contact Dave at dave@towndock.net, Kim at 670-8987 or Mel at melinda@towndock.net.

The Pamlico County Republican Party meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 6:30p in the Pamlico County Courthouse Annex Room in Bayboro. All are welcome to attend. For more information visit PamlicoGOP.com or call Chairman Dave Wickersham @ 252-269-4101.

We are a concerned group of citizens who seek to bring about change by focusing on issues that affect our community and by holding elected officials accountable. We seek to let our collective voices be heard to influence positive change.

We meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 4:00 at the Pamlico County Heritage Museum at 10642 NC-55, Grantsboro, NC. All are welcome to join us. For more information, call Diane Lemieux at 802-318-1083.

Find yourself a bargain at the Hospice Thrift Shop in Bayboro – across from the Pamlico High School. Hospice Thrift is open 10a to 4p Monday-Friday and 10a-4p on Saturday. All of the proceeds go to support Hospice of Pamlico County.

Donations of gently used clothes, housewares, small appliances, knickknacks, bedding, books, office supplies and more are always appreciated and may be dropped off during shop hours at the store. For more info, contact the store manager at 252-745-5033.

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon from 3-4:30p. You’ll find them in Lou Mac Park on Sunday afternoons in summer, weather permitting. In inclement weather, they gather at the Oriental United Methodist Fellowship Hall (and possibly for the winter).

All are invited – come on by and learn to drum. (They have some spare drums for you to try.) Have questions before you go? Contact Doug Carmichael at Dougcarmichael@embarqmail.com.

In just a few years, the prayer shawl ministry at Oriental United Methodist Church has knitted or crocheted more than 1650 shawls for those in need. The group meets Thursday mornings from 10-11:30am at the church to crochet or knit shawls and pray for the recipients of them.

The weekly gatherings have brought together people from all walks of life and religious faiths. (And even non-knitters; if you don’t know how to knit, stop on by and get a lesson and join in.) Contact Leigh Price at 249-1361 with any questions.

The NAACP of Pamlico County holds its regular monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month at 6p at the Pamlico County Senior Services Center at 800 Main St, Alliance. All interested persons are invited and welcome to attend.

For more info, contact chapter President Doug Pearsall at nellie98@embarqmail.com or Hattie Harrell, 1st Vice President truesister2@yahoo.com

Oriental Mayor Sally Belangia holds office hours from 8-9a on Wednesdays at Town Hall. It’s a chance for constituents to talk with the Mayor. Appointments not necessary.

You’re invited to join in and play Pickleball even if you’ve never played the game before. New players and beginners welcomed – equipment available if you don’t have your own.

Play is open to residents and visitors alike, by Reservation only on Signup Genius. For  information on rules, how to play, and a link to Signup Genius to register, email pamlicopickleball@gmail.com.

During fall, winter and spring, courts are open every day of the week,10a-12p every day except Sunday when times are 1-3p.  Cost is $2 per player.  A medical waiver must be completed yearly.  Summer play is Friday 1-3p, Saturday and Sunday 10a-12p.  If the courts are closed due to a conflict of activities at Camp Caroline, the closure will be noted on SignUp Genius.

Players can also play on the Oriental Town Court at the corner of 3rd Ave. and Vandemere.

TownDock.net visited the Pickleball players in 2017. See story here.

On the third Tuesday of the month the Craven/Pamlico Beekeepers Association meets to talk bees at the Craven County Cooperative Extension Center. The informal “Bee Social” gets underway at 7p. The actual meeting starts at 7:30p and is open to the public. More on CPBA and local beekeeping at their website. The Craven Cooperative Extension Center is at 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern.

Concerned about your drinking? Help is available.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets throughout the week at several locations in the area: At Oriental Free Will Baptist Church at 600 Ragan Road in Oriental, Tuesdays at 8p, and again Friday nights at 8p. (2nd brick building on the left).

At Alliance United Methodist Church at 687 Main Street in Bayboro, Thursday at 7:30p (a great meeting for new members).

At St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 402 Freemason Street in Oriental, Sunday at 7p.

“If you want to drink, that’s your business… If you want to stop drinking, that’s ours.” Alcoholics Anonymous New Bern Hotline:(252) 633-3716

Al-Anon – for those worried about someone with a drinking problem – meets Tuesday at 7p at 403 Mildred Street. It is open to all.

Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) – At Oriental Free Will Baptist Church at 600 Ragan Road in Oriental (2nd brick building on left). Open Meeting Tuesdays from 6:30-6:70p. Women’s Group Saturday 6:30p.

Narcotics Anonymous – A group atmosphere which provides help from peers, and offers an on-going support network for addicts who wish to pursue and maintain a drug-free lifestyle. Never Alone – meets Wednesday at 7p at Alliance United Methodist Church, 687 Main Street in Bayboro.

For a list of other meetings in Pamlico County, including Narcotics Anonymous, click here.

The Pamlico Survivors of Suicide Support Group (SOS) is a free support group for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide. Whether it happened recently or decades ago, all are welcome to attend these sessions which are led by experienced counselors.

Contact Branson Dunn at 304-839-4131 pageese@yahoo.com or Katherine Hudson at 252-745-4510 for information about the date, time and location of the next group meeting.

The Minnesott Mens’ Golf Association holds a Golf Tournament every second Saturday of the month.

Tee time is 9:15. Call the Golf Shop at Minnesott (252-249-0813 and press ‘1’ for the Golf Shop) for more information about joining the MGA. Fees for golf as well as the tournaments.

Any Marine on active duty, retired, or honorably discharged with ninety days of active service is invited to join the Oriental Dragon Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

The group meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1800 for dinner — meeting begins at 1900 — at the Oriental Fire Station 19 on Straight Road in Oriental. The Dragon Detachment participates in Toys for Tots, Spirit of Christmas, Croakerfest, the Marine Corps Birthday, as well as national initiatives.

For additional information on joining this detachment, contact Commandant Marty Musella at 252-249-0694. Semper Fi.

Share ideas with fellow anglers. The Lower Neuse Anglers Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month, at 6:30p. They meet at Brantley’s restaurant every month on the second Tuesday at 6:30p, and welcome members and non-members alike. For more info, contact Bob Dillard at gbobdillard @ gmail.com or 704/236-4716

The Oriental Paddle Group goes out kayaking on Friday mornings, setting out from the Wildlife Resources Commission ramp at the end of Midyette Street at 9a. Come and join the group, led by Larry Summers and Bill Hines as they paddle up nearby creeks. One benefit of these jaunts is the birds you can see. As Liz Lathrop of the Pamlico Birders group put is, “We have had interesting birds each time. The birds are not as skittish when you approach in a noiseless kayak.”

Call Bill Hines by Thursday evening prior to let them know you’ll be joining Friday morning: 252-571-0264.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 4 – 5:30p at The Oriental United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The Chorale performs in concert at least four times a year, including Spirit of Christmas weekend and opening the Croaker Festival.

If you love to sing, the Chorale is the place to spend a few hours every Monday. Everyone is welcome. For more info, contact Carla Byrnes at 745-4793 or 670-4960.

Oriental Rotary Club meets every Monday at Brantley’s Village Restaurant starting at 6p. The club does good things throughout the community….from scholarships to road clean-up, and they produce our wonderful in-water boat show and classic car show too. For info about the club and meetings contact Beth Obenshain @ 919-932-0874. If you want to rent a tent, table or chairs call the Rotary order line at 649-3725. More info about Rotary at www.orientalrotary.org

Handy with a hammer and nails? Pamlico County Senior Services needs more volunteers to help build handicap access ramps at the homes of some of Pamlico’s older residents. Senior Services provides the materials while volunteers led by Tim Balfour construct one ramp every month. Contact Tim at 745-3247 to offer a hand for the next project.

When you go to the bank, you can help the food bank feed those who don’t have enough to eat.

Pamlico County Fishes And Loaves is collecting canned goods and has a drop-off point inside First Citizens Bank in Oriental. Fishes and Loaves is a cooperative effort of a number of churches and organizations in Pamlico County working to provide food to the hungry.

The Oriental Woman’s Club holds its meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 1pm at the clubhouse at 1007 Gilgo Road.

Guests are welcome. Meetings include refreshments, a special speaker and short business session.

OWC is a service club focused on community service, as well as state, national and international concerns of women and children. The OWC awards several scholarships annually to Pamlico County High School and Arapahoe Charter School graduating seniors who continue their education at the college level.

For more information about club activities and membership, check out orientalwomansclub.org.

The Pamlico Amateur Radio Society meets at Brantley’s Village Restaurant at 9am on the last Saturday of every month (except June). They invite all HAMS and those interested in amateur radio to attend. For additional information, please call Bill Michne WM3X, drmichne73@gmail.com, 252-249-1175 or visit our website at N4PRS.org.

Friends of the Pamlico County Library meets at the library on Highway 55 in Bayboro. This is the group of folks who help sustain the library. For info, call 252-745-3515.