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This iconic photo was from the first Ol Front Porch Music Festival in 2014. The group is Green Creek Bluegrass… Ernest Dunn, Ken Belangia, Jim Baluss and Becky Ackiss. They had originally played together as Green Creek Bluegrass in the 1980’s on the porch of the Ol’ Store owned by Ken and Ernest’s in-laws, Billy and Lucille Truitt. Memories of music played on the now gone Ol’ Store porch were an inspiration to create the festival. The 2025 Ol Front Porch Music Festival carries the tradition on, October 3 & 4.

7:59a As Imelda’s forecast track has moved south, so have the rain predictions. The latest Imelda rain projections are staying south of us:

• Tropical Storm Imelda Tracking Chart
• Tropical Storm Imelda Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Tropical Storm Imelda Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

Starting Wednesday, the sun comes out. Other than stout northeast winds, we have a kind forecast ahead:

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

5:03p While it appears we’re not getting a hurricane visit, there will be some wind this week.

A high pressure system from the north teamed with effects from Imelda (and Humberto) will deliver brisk northeast winds.

Like this:

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast

These northeast winds will be pushing water levels up a foot or two (or three). The usual places (like Hodges St near the harbor) will see flooding.

• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge

2:05p The storm has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Imelda, now 40 mph winds. Imelda is expected to reach hurricane status (75mph) Tuesday… but also forecast to turn east and away Tuesday. The latest:

• Tropical Storm Imelda Tracking Chart
• Tropical Storm Imelda Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Tropical Storm Imelda Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

Under 3 hours left in Heartworks Harborfest online auction. It’s for a grand and noble cause, and there are some fun things.

9:01a Fay Bond celebrates her 102nd birthday today. A party was planned for Lou Mac Park… weather has moved that party to the Oriental Woman’s Club. It’s 3p-7 today, and you’re invited.

8:50a It’s good news for us kids in eastern NC this morning. Future storm Imelda is mostly staying away… the forecast track turning east off the Florida coast.

We are projected to get some rain from the distant pass, maybe a couple inches.

When we smile about a storm going away… it’s going somewhere. There’s a song that says it: one man’s ceiling, is another man’s floor.

A few hundred miles (600) off Beaufort NC, is the island nation of Bermuda. They don’t have such a merry forecast this morning. Bermuda is preparing to get a near visit from major hurricane Humberto, and right after that Imelda.

Sometime today, Tropical Depression Nine will become Tropical Storm Imelda. It is expected to reach category 1 hurricane strength (75mph) on it’s Atlantic journey.

11:07a The potential storm is now officially Tropical Depression Nine, likely to become Tropical Storm Imelda later today.

The forecast track keeps on becoming more favorable, turning east sooner, off the Georgia coast. This track makes it less likely that we would see significant impact from Imelda.

• Tropical Depression Nine Tracking Chart
• Tropical Depression Nine Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Tropical Depression Nine Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

5:45a A couple days ago, models were divided between the storm coming ashore at SC, or being pulled back out to sea.

This morning the official NHC forecast is beginning to favor the “pulled back to sea” prediction.

• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Tracking Chart
• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

While this may be good news, it’s not unlikely this forecast track will change (perhaps significantly) in coming days. The impact of nearby Hurricane Humberto makes this a more challenging prediction.

Note also the storm slows as it nears the SC coast. Storm Nine / Imelda stalling and raining (and raining) is a concern.

Meanwhile, back here in river city: Cloudy and rainy today. And Sunday. And Monday. Add Tuesday.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

5:00p We have a declared storm system, and an official NHC track. Invest 94 is now Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.

It is expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda sometime Saturday, and may just reach category 1 hurricane strength (75 mph) before a South Carolina landfall.

• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Tracking Chart
• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

There is a significant threat of heavy rainfall early next week from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas and into the southern Mid-Atlantic states.

12:05p This afternoon you can have a craft beer, catch some tunes, and learn more about Neuse Neighbors & Prime-Time. They are having a Friendraiser from 4 til 7p at New Village Brewery. Also at the brewery today: La Cocina del Coqui food truck, and Brant Island Strings play the beer garden.

Mariposa Wine Bar & Bakery is open Sat-Sun-Mon. The bakery (w morning coffee) open 7a-10, wine bar 3p-8. Pumpkin cheesecake is among the temptations waiting this weekend. The farmers of the Farmer’s Market show their wares Sat mornings 8a-11 on Hodges near the harbor.

A Taste of Philly food truck at the brewery Saturday, plus TerraTones plays the beer garden. music rained out. Harborfest for HeartWorks Saturday 5:00p until, this year at Heartworks own Safe Harbor Youth Center in Bayboro.

You can attend church outdoors, OUMC holds Sunday services 8:30a at Lou Mac Park. Oriental very much has a most Senior, Senior Citizen. It’s Fay Bond, and she celebrates her 102nd birthday Sunday with a public party at Lou Mac Park, 3p-7. The party is on, but it has been moved to the Oriental Womans Club (to avoid any rain).

Find it all in What’s Happening.

8:33a Humberto became Hurricane Humberto this morning. The storm is expected to become a major hurricane this weekend, but the forecast track keeps it offshore.

Invest 94 is expected to be declared a tropical depression this weekend, then sometime after become Tropical Storm Imelda.

Hurricane Humberto may be part of the story of Imelda.

Those confused computer models…actually do tell a story. Either Imelda comes inshore at the SC coast, OR, Imelda is pulled out to sea by Humberto. The nearby presence of major Hurricane Humberto makes Imelda’s track particularly difficult to call.

• Hurricane Center

2:29p Tonight’s Evening at the Museum talk: Ross Pease presents Aids to Navigation. Red, green, port, starboard. Those things that guide you safely to new harbors.

Ross is an Oriental icon: he worked at the Provision Company, former Harbormaster at Oriental Harbor Marina, a teacher at World Wide Marine Training, and a master at knots and line.

Come out for the presentation & discussion tonight at 6:30p.

11:07a An updated computer model on Invest 94 clearly spells it out. We don’t know.

• Hurricane Center

9:51a Recently there was a fundraiser for Fire Station 19. Tim at Oriental Deli writes in with the impressive results:

8:18a The Atlantic now has Hurricane Gabrielle (bound for the Azores), and Storm Humberto (headed our way~ish, but models show a future turn east and offshore).

The question for our locale: Where is Invest 94 headed?

There are some computer models that show it turning east and offshore, but some show it headed for The Bean. The only safe conclusion this morning is: we don’t know.

There is a huge spread in computer model ensemble predictions, ranging from Bermuda to Florida (and even questions if Humberto and Invest 94 might combine).

To show the spread, here is an animation between those friendly turn-offshore models, and a graphic showing all the models that can’t agree:

The latest from NOAA/NHC on Invest 94:

• Hurricane Center

While Invest 94 (future storm Imelda) may be hard to predict right now, there is one thing one can predict.

Fay Bond’s birthday.

Sunday Sept 28, Fay turns 102. There’s a party at Lou Mac park, and you’re invited.

9:00a Invest 94 has our attention. First, will it become a storm? It looks likely:

If it forms, the next name is probably Imelda (Invest 93 expected to become Humberto). Imelda, an “i” storm.

“i” storms make us a tad nervous. Isabel (2003, 9 ft surge), Irene (2011, 9.5 ft surge).

The latest models suggest Invest 94 (future Imelda), will get within golfing range of Myrtle Beach / Wilmington… and then take a crazy right.

Will it do that? These are early early unofficial models, so maybe probably not. That said, most all the various models currently suggest future Imelda is likely to stay offshore, although it may be barely offshore.

When will we know more? The storm is expected to be officially declared later this week, so Friday or Saturday we could have an official NHC track to go by.

• Hurricane Center

8:22a It’s Wednesday, and Oriental’s Piggly Wiggly has new weekly specials.

Here are the Piglet deals for Sept 24 – 30.

8:50a What’s up on the Atlantic?

Invests 93 & 94 are now being tracked (an “Invest” is a potential storm system).

Invest 93 looks like no concern… it will turn north and then east, kinda like Gabrielle.

Invest 94 is the question. The words from NOAA/NHC:

Here are two very different (unofficial) model outcomes for Invest 94:

(click images for the big view)

Which is true? The wisdom on disparate computer models is they all may be wrong, until they start to more closely agree on the outcome. The models are all unofficial (NOAA/NHC typically does not provide forecast tracks until there is a declared tropical depression or storm).

That said, Invest 94 is a potential stormy visitor. We’ll be keeping track of this one.

• Hurricane Center

5:01p It is now Hurricane Gabrielle, 75 mph, Category 1. The forecast track still keeps Gabrielle far far away, mid Atlantic.

Beyond Garbrielle, there are now two Atlantic tropical waves to watch:

• Hurricane Center

On August 14 cruising sailor Bill Schmitt went for a bike ride to the grocery store. A collision with a vehicle on Broad Street left him with life threatening injuries. He never regained consciousness, dying just over 3 week later. His story is here.

There is now a GoFundMe to raise funds for his funeral.

1:44p On the Old Theater stage, two stand up comics. Sid Davis kicks off the night, then Paul Snyder. 7p, tonight.

At the brewery, Jasmin Tasty Thai is serving, with Shawn Aldridge playing the beer garden.

Saturday morning the Farmer’s Market is on Hodges. The oddly epic Greens Creek Challenge Regatta is on the creeks of Oriental most of the day, all based out of Bow To Stern. Nautical Wheelers has wine tastings Saturday at 2 & 3p. At New Village Brewery… kittens. Purring Angels Cat Rescue has a kitten adoption event, 3-7p. Taylor & Sons BBQ food truck at the brewery, while the Mad Fiddler fiddles in the beer garden.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

Sunny & near 80 both weekend days. Light winds 5-10 Saturday on the Neuse, freshening to 10-15 Sunday.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

On the Atlantic, no real concerns (for the moment). Tropical Storm Garbrielle will reach Hurricane strength over the weekend, but Gabes is staying way away, mid Atlantic. There is a tropical wave being watched, but if development occurs it appears at least a week away.

• Hurricane Center

9:21a Known by fellow sailors as Bill or Will, William Schmitt lived simply… aboard a Cape Dory 27. A bike ride in August left him with injuries from which he did not recover.

More about William’s life is here.

3:14p Tonight’s Evening at the Museum talk: Communications, HAM Radio and the Hunt for Amelia Earhart.

Bill Michne presents… come out for the presentation & discussion tonight at 6:30p.

Maybe there will be an update on the Amelia Earhart case.

9:40a On Saturday, folks will go out on small sailboats, for an annual Oriental tradition. It’s called the Greens Creek Challenge, a regatta for sailboats 20 ft and under. You can steer to more info here.

Friday night comedy comes to the Old Theater stage. Sid Davis opens, then Paul Snyder (one ticket, two separate comedy acts).

Here’s Sid Davis:

The show is 7p Friday, Old Theater.

Storm Gabrielle has 50 mph winds, still forecast to steer way way east of us. There is now only one tropical wave to follow on the Atlantic, just emerging off Africa.

For the first half of September, all quiet on the Atlantic.

Today it is looking a bit different. Invest 92 has become Tropical Storm Gabrielle. Gabrielle is expected to reach hurricane strength, but the forecast track should keep the storm out at sea, even passing east of Bermuda.

There is a a tropical wave located near the Cabo Verde Islands, plus a tropical wave forecast to move off the coast of Africa by Friday. Both have potential to develop into tropical storm systems.

• Hurricane Center
• Tropical Storm Gabrielle Tracking Chart
• Tropical Storm Gabrielle Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Tropical Storm Gabrielle Public Advisory

10:10a The Oriental Cup Regatta is Oct 10-12 – race day Saturday Oct 11.

The info and how to participate at orientalcupregatta.com

8:37a It is said about circus rides and elections.

It’s true about high water too. When will it end?

Thanks to west winds, high waters finally end today:

8:11a Invest 92 is about to hatch. From NHC:

Right behind Invest 92, another tropical wave is just off the coast of Africa:

• Hurricane Center

4:02p The tropical disturbance is now Invest 92, with a 50% chance of being declared a tropical depression (or storm) in the next 48 hours. It’s too early for confidence, but initial models suggest it may stay out at sea:

More info in the Hurricane Center

9:05a A vacant board seat was filled at the September town board meeting. Here’s the meeting report.

8:14a We’ve had 2.35 inches of rain far in September. Almost all of it was overnight: 1.92 inches since midnight.

More rain today likely, maybe Tuesday too:

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge

7:37a That potential storm system, now has a lil’ more potential. From NOAA/NHC:

Here we are… September 15, and not a single named storm on the Atlantic this month. It doesn’t happen often.

The last time there were no named storms by the 15th was 1992. That year, the first named storm, Bonnie, didn’t form until September 18. It was the farthest into September the Atlantic had gone without a named storm since naming began… in 1950.

That record may be broken (or equaled) this week.

3:58p Live tunes, summer movies, and BBQ. You can get it in Oriental this weekend.

Catch Hoff n’ Finch 5:30-8p and grab nachos or enchiladas from Taqueria San Luis from 4-8p, tonight at the Brewery. Down the road, the Mad Fiddler plays the Red Rooster bar starting at 7p.

On Saturday morning, find local creations at the Oriental Farmer’s Market (8-11a).

Saturday evening, pick up BBQ at the Brewery to support PCFLO – Pamlico County Fishes & Loaves Outreach. Noah Jackson Cobb provides live tunes in the beer garden, 6-8:30p. Mariposa is open for wine, charcuterie and desserts 3-8p.

Sunday morning, OUMC holds services riverside in Lou Mac Park at 8:30a. The Old Theater is showing Captain Ron at 3p – admission by donation. Drop by the Oriental Deli from 5-7p to pick up a burger or hot dogs and support the South Pamlico Volunteer Fire Department.

The weekend details, and more, are in What’s Happening.

11:50a Mariposa has new hours starting this weekend: Saturday, Sunday & Monday mornings 7-10a (bakery) and evenings 3-8p (wine bar).

The folks at Casa Que Pasa on Hodges St (aka the taco Tower) are open Fri-Sun, 8a-2p.

Sunny and 80 today… still windy, 10-15 mph from the northeast, with gusts to 25. Winds should get a bit calmer Sunday (10-15 without the brisk gusts), and then finally easy 5-10 stuff next week. Water levels will stay high until winds calm a bit.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge
• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

That tropical wave off Africa is looking a bit more stormish:

• Hurricane Center

11:41a It’s coming to the Old Theater screen this Sunday:

Showtime 3p Sunday Sept 14, at Oriental’s Old Theater.

6:33a Hodges Street will briefly be closed to traffic this morning.

Members of SPVFD Station 19 will raise the flag – flown over the crash site of Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA – and observe a moment of silence at 8:46a.

They commemorate those who died on 9/11.

5:17p September 10 is the historical peak of hurricane season. But not this hurricane season.

There have been no named storms in the Atlantic during the first ten days of September. This hasn’t happened this century… the last time it occurred was in 1992.

The slow September could be about to change:

• Hurricane Center

3:51p David White was a town Commissioner for ten years, from 2013 – 2023.

In Letters to the Editor, White writes about the roles of staff and Commissioners.

10:26a The Pamlico News and TownDock.net are putting together a Candidates Forum for late October.

Both publications co-sponsored the last Candidate Forum, when there were also 11 candidates: 9 for Commissioner and 2 for mayor. That was in 2013.

The forum is October 23, 6-7:30p at The Old Theater. Pamlico Community College President Zac Schnell is the moderator. Later this month, residents will be asked to submit questions for the candidates. It is free to attend.

Invitations were emailed to candidates from TownDock and The Pamlico News. An RSVP is requested by 5p Thursday, September 11.

Thursday evening’s The Gathering has been cancelled. The next one is schedule for Tuesday Sept 22.