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This week, January 15 – 17 at New Village Brewery:

New Village Brews:
• Lili’s Breakfast Stout

NC Guest Breweries on tap:
• Brutopia , Shortway Brewing, Pilot Brewing Co, Deep River Brewing Co, Crank Arm Brewery, Blowing Rock Brewery, Mason Jar Lager Co, Raleigh Brewing Co, Durty Bull Brewing, Railhouse Brewery

• Deep Fake IPA and Bravus Peanut Butter Dark (both non-alcoholic) for those doing dry January

Food Trucks:
Thu 1/15: Uncle Mann’s Food Emporium, 3-8p
Fri 1/16: Taqueria San Luis, 4-8p
Sat 1/17: La Cocina del Coqui, 4-8p

New Village Brewery hours: Thu – Sat 2p-9p

Mariposa Wine Bar & Bakery provides fresh baked goods & coffee in the morning, then evenings charcuterie boards, wine and desserts.

Saturday is the main day that Mariposa sells bread (all kinds: sourdough, French, ciabatta rolls, etc.)

This weekend:

Desserts
Cheesecake, carrot cake, and ginger apple icebox cake.

Mariposa is closed from 3 to 6p Sat Jan 17 for a private party, reopening at 6p for regular business.

Hours: Saturday, Sunday & Monday mornings 7-10a (bakery) and evenings 3-8p (wine bar).

Saturday is the Oriental Farmer’s Market, from 8a – 11a on Hodges Street near the harbor.

Find fresh microgreens, honey & eggs, handmade soaps, candles, fishing gear, handmade wooden toys, seedlings, and more.

Vendors set up by The Provision Company.

As always, market is weather permitting.

You’re invited to Prasada Yoga Studio Saturday, Jan 17 at 2p at 705 Broad Street (upstairs) in Oriental.

Come as you are to:
• tour the studio
• meet the teachers
• ask questions
• learn what yoga is (and isn’t)
• what to expect when you take a yoga class
• learn about the history of the studio
• hear from local students

All new studio attendees are treated to a free introductory class to experience the benefits of yoga. Want more information? Email prasadayoga23@gmail.com.

Five tales of O. Henry adapted by Bill Hand of the North Carolina History Theater. Friends, Lovers & All That Other Stuff happens Saturday, Jan 17 at 7:30p and Sunday, Jan 18 at 3p.

NCHT has adapted five short stories, each with a different director:

Box Office opens one hour before the show and doors open half hour before showtime. Admission is $25, or $20 for Old Theater members, military, and students with ID. Tickets can be purchased online here or at the door.

Typhoon Sailing @ Bow To Stern, Mondays at 3p.

Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Bring your friends and enjoy an evening on the water. Not sure how to sail? They’ll pair you with an experienced sailor. Afterwards, you can depart, or hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks.

Check in and get your boat assignment at 2:45p. Return after your sail for refreshments and socializing. $25 per person.

Let them know you’re coming by registering here.

Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information Info@BowtoSternBoating.com. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here.

Pamlico County Board of Commissioners meets Tuesday evening, Jan 20 at 7p at the Pamlico County Courthouse. This meeting is open to the public.

The meeting is in the Patsy Sadler Room at 7p, in the Courthouse Annex, unless there is a larger crowd. Then meetings are held in the second floor courtroom. The Courthouse is at 202 Main Street, Bayboro, NC 28515.

The meeting agenda is here.

The Pamlico Board of Commissioners meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month (this meeting is on Tuesday due to a public holiday Monday).

There’s a food truck in town Wed Jan 14. El Taco Loco is at Triton Yachts Boat Yard, out front, 11am until.

Grab a taco or two for lunch.

Going forward, El Taco Loco plans to visit Triton Yachts every Wednesday.

Open Mic Night is live at the Silos Wednesday nights. 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.

You’re invited to help create prayer shawls at Oriental United Methodist Church. The group meets Thursday mornings from 10-11:30a at the church to crochet or knit shawls or lap robes and pray for the recipients of them.

The weekly gatherings have brought together people from all walks of life and 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 919-219-2446 with any questions.

The Old Theater’s Annual membership meeting is Sunday, January 25 @ 3p at The Old Theater.

Previous members and new members are invited to attend. Prospective members will have an opportunity to join before and after the meeting. There is social time with refreshments from Mariposa before the meeting.

The Board of Directors will present a review of 2026 events and share their vision going forward. A question/answer session will provide members an opportunity to provide input and ask questions. Entertainment afterward by the Notta Band with Tom (Mac) McWilliams, George Bailey and Dave Holt.

Eighty years ago, The Old Theater was the local movie theater. Many residents remember when movies cost a quarter and popcorn was a dime. The theater has always been a cornerstone of life in Oriental.

The 501©(3) non-profit organization is grateful for the support of its members in maintaining the building and renovating the inside for the comfort of the public. All memberships and donations are tax deductible.

You’re invited to join The Gathering, 6p at The Bean, on January 26.

The Gathering meets twice monthly, on the second Thursday of the month (Jan 8) as well as the fourth Monday (Jan 26).

Sponsored by the Oriental United Methodist Church, The Gathering offers a non-traditional setting for open discussions on faith, beliefs, sacred texts, and the history weaving it all together.

Questions are welcome and often lead discussions. There is a very brief devotional thought and moment of silence at the end of the session.

No religious affiliation required or expected. All are welcome. If the water gauge reaches two feet, The Gathering moves to Brantley’s.

For more information, call 252-249-0213 or email asims@nccumc.org.

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. It all happens in PCC’s Delamar Center Auditorium. PCC is on Hwy 306 between Grantsboro and Arapahoe. All levels of unplugged playing welcome.

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

Special Olympics Pamlico County invites you to the ‘Go Freezin’ for a Reason’ Polar Plunge on Saturday, January 31.

Plunge into the Neuse River from the town beach (aka John Bond Beach aka Minuscule Beach) to help raise money for Pamlico County Special Olympics. Your support helps provide Special Olympics athletes with all they need to experience the joy of sports.

All it takes is $50 and a bit of nerve to participate. Sign-in (or register the day of) between 11a – 1p, lunch and prizes at noon – 1:30p, plunge begins at 2p.

The town beach is on Neuse Drive between Ragan Rd and Vandemere St. Questions? Email pamlico@sonc.net

The musical comedy Mamma Mia comes to the Old Theater, Sun Feb 8 3p.

Using the music of ABBA, Mamma Mia tells the story of about-to-be-married Sophie and her quest to find out the identity of her father – by inviting her mother’s three past loves to Sophie’s wedding.

Showtime: 3p – Box office opens at 2p, doors open at 2:30p. Admission by donation ($10 suggested). Free popcorn.

Oriental celebrates the Chinese/Lunar New Year with a Dragon Run on Saturday, February 21.

The Chinese Dragon and team are bringing on the new year – 2026 is the “Year of the Horse.” (We’ve been in the Year of the Snake.) The Dragon makes its run on Hodges Street by the harbor at 2:00p. Throughout the day local restaurants and the Piggly Wiggly will have Asian food specials.

Since unofficially adopting the Dragon as a symbol for the Town of Oriental in the 1960s the running of the Dragon has occurred on New Year’s Eve and on special occasions throughout the year. For the last fiftteen years there has also been a Dragon Run for the Chinese New Year.

Kids are welcome to march along with the Dragon. Bring pots and pans to make a little supportive noise along with the Drumming Dragons.

For more info contact Larry Summers 252-675-0467

Check out previous Chinese New Years in Oriental:
• Chinese New Year Parade 2023
• Chinese New Year 2019 – Year of the Pig
• 2018 Chinese New Year in Oriental

The SailPack Interconference Regatta is scheduled for April 4-5

The SailPack has hosts invitational regattas in Oriental – its coastal training waters or “2nd home” as coach Dana Magliola puts it. The Sailpack Regatta in Oriental is an official interconference event recognized by the ICSA, the governing body of college sailing. There are 18 collegiate teams participating in two days of sailing.

FJ sailboats and support are provided by Oriental’s Bow To Stern Boating.

Take a look at previous Sailpack Regattas:
• 2024 Sailpack Regatta
• SailPack 2023: The Year of the Capsize
• 2022 SailPack Regatta

It’s become one of the biggest and most successful in-water boat shows between Annapolis and Savannah. The 2026 Oriental Boat Show — The Best Small Town Boat Show In America —is April 10-12.

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 typically has about 100 exhibitors of nautical goods and services. Dealers and brokers bring in boats on land and to the slips at Oriental Marina & Inn. For more info, contact boat show organizers via email at oncboatshow@gmail.com.

Find out more about the Oriental Boat Show at orientalboatshow.com.

The 12th Annual Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival is set for Oct 2 & 3, 2026.

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.

More info at olfrontporch.org

The 2026 performers will be announced in spring 2026. Meanwhile, check out the 2025 schedule here: olfrontporch.org/schedule

• Fingerpickin’ Champions & Bluegrass New Yorkers
• Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival 2022
• The 2019 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival – headliners The Way Down Wanderers

Oriental’s monthly Town Board meeting is on the second Tuesday of the month, but January’s meeting has been moved to the same day as the Town Board Workshop.

Town Commissioners meet at Town Hall at 9a, Thursday, December 29.

Town Board meetings are open to the public.

Agenda posted when available.

You’re invited to join in and play Pickleball even if you’ve never played the game before.

During fall, winter and spring, the Camp Caroline gym hosts a dozen sessions of pickleball each week, typically on this schedule (as of Aug 11, 2025):
Beginner/Novice Training: W, Sa 8-10a
Intermediate Play: M, W, F , Sa 10a-noon
Advanced Play: Sa, Su 1-3p; Tu, Th, 10a-noon
Women-Only Play: Tu, 1-3p
Evening Open Play: W, 5-7p
Int/Adv/League Practice: M, W 1-3

Reservations are required for all sessions. Signup information here.

Camp activities limit play at Camp Caroline in the summer, but free outdoor play occurs often on the town courts at Lupton Park, and is arranged using TeamReach.com, group code 864230.

TownDock’s coverage of the local growth of pickleball can be found here.

Oriental Rotary Club meets every Monday at Brantley’s Village Restaurant starting at 6p. The club does good things throughout the community… from Scholarships for Pamlico County Students to the Oriental in-water boat show and Oriental classic car show too.

For info about the club and meetings contact membership chair Jim Kellenberger, 919-621-0362.

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

Own a Cape Dory? Then you’re invited to join the Cape Dory Sailboat Owner’s Association – Carolina’s Fleet.

Their mission is to advance the sport and enjoyment of sailing; to promote the education, technical interest, and knowledge of their members members; and to foster and enjoy a welcoming collegial fellowship and social environment among the owners of Cape Dory Sailboats.

The CDSOA hold quarterly meetings that include presentations on a range of topics: from sailing techniques to technical topics. Presentations are geared toward skill improvement and enjoyment of the Cape Dory.

CDSOA also hold rendezvous and fleet cruises throughout the year for all members.

To learn more about the CDSOA and to join the Carolinas Fleet visit CapeDorySOA.org, and click on the “New Members Sign Up” link. There you will also find a link to the CD forum, a huge database of information on Cape Dory sailboats.

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 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 OUMC (404 Freemason Street). New members are welcome to join.

There are ongoing classes for beginners and intermediates. To sign up for classes, Contact Claudia Bemis at csbemis@yahoo.com. To join UHOOs, contact Judy Styron at cjstyron@embarqmail.com.

The UHOOS focus on having fun while singing and playing together, and periodically perform at events.

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

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.

The Pamlico Progressives 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, and by letting their collective voices be be heard to influence positive change.

Pamlico Progressives meet as needed. All are welcome to join. For more information, follow on Facebook or 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.

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 Craven/Pamlico Hotline: (252) 349-0898.

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, 6 – 7:00p 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.

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.