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n the back of the Inland Waterway Provision Company, behind the dry goods and near the racks of Gill foul-weather jackets, is the The Dragon Shoppe. There are kite dragons, blown-glass dragons, hanging dragons, and figurines of dragons – looking either cute or fierce depending on your preference.

The Dragon Shoppe in the Inland Waterway Provision Company.

But the most important dragons are in a three ring binder near a rack of t-shirts.

Inside is a collection of dragon designs begun in 1984 by then resident Betsy Bik. Betsy was the owner of Oriental Screen Prints and each year, she created a new interpretation of Oriental’s favorite mascot. And each year, the community was invited to name the new beast.

Genoa was dragon of the year in 2013.

The dragon ‘Grace’ on a green t-shirt.

Betsy wasn’t the only artist who made the designs; one year there was a contest and some artists were invited to submit their renditions.

2017 was the last naming of the dragon. That one was called Truitt.

Truitt was the last named dragon in the collection.

But now the Provision Company has taken over the care of the Dragons of Oriental collection. And they have found an unnamed dragon:

A dragon without a name. But you can help.

The staff at the Provision Company want your help finding a name for the new dragon. Send your suggestions to iwpc@dockline.net

And while you’re at it, you can wander into The Dragon Shoppe, take a look through the binder, and order a dragon shirt (in the color of your choosing) for yourself.

Other dragons for your consideration. You can order anyone you want on the color shirt of your choice. Click for the big dragon view

More dragons for your consideration. And more still at the Provision Company. Click for the big dragon view

The Inland Waterway Provision Company is located at the corner of Hodges St and Water St. They can be contacted at 252-249-1797 and at iwpc@dockline.net.

Posted Tuesday June 23, 2020 by Allison DeWeese