How would you describe Oriental to someone who has never been here?
Charlie Overcash: Oriental is a charming village with very friendly people. We offer waterfront activities, boating, great restaurants, festivals of all kinds and we are friendly. Oriental is a favorite vacation destination. We are close to many unique attractions such as a fossil museum, a maritime museum, a state port, a royal governor's palace and many more. We are a hub where you can stay to enjoy our village yet have a wide variety of other interests close by. Oh yes, did I mention that we are friendly?
Allen Price: Have you ever had a dream where you lived in a small waterfront town that has no stoplights? Walk, ride a bike or golf cart to the restaurants, bank, hardware store, deli, shops, post office, grocery store, ice cream/coffee shop, art gallery, museum, churches or the water front? Fish from the town pier? Watch shrimp boats come in and unload their catch? Sail, fish, power boat, kayak, paddle board, be in a play or be in a musical group? Buy shrimp, fish, crabs, oysters and seafood from local fisherman? A town where restaurants, shops, and other businesses are locally owned where the owner is a friend and neighbor? Weekends filled with fun events? Go to the fitness center to work out or play tennis/pickle ball in the park? Take your kids to the beach or park to play? You know your neighbors and they know you. Have a problem and your neighbor will take care of it. A place where you meet a visitor every week and make a new friend. Congratulations you are in Oriental, NC.
Dianne Simmons: I usually tell my friends, relatives and anyone who asks that Oriental is a fishing/sailing village on the River Neuse. It is a center for outdoor life. It’s beautiful, calm and flat - perfect for cycling, kayaking, sailing, birding and walking. We have dramatic sunsets, lovely dawns and friendly people.
I am often asked what one does in Oriental. I have to laugh and say that sometimes it’s hard to say, but that the day goes by so quickly and evening finds me always behind in what I set out to accomplish.
There are good restaurants, (I’m sure I never fail to mention fried-chicken Thursdays at Brantley’s) a charming coffee shop on the harbor, frequent festivals and a top-notch musical society that brings wonderful musicians to town. We have a theater group, an arts council, book clubs, bicycle groups and residents who have a wealth of life and work experiences.
When my nephews were younger boys visiting Oriental from the big city, they called it paradise. I call it home.
David White: Perfect in all ways and no better place to live!!!! Come visit and you will quickly understand the beauty and appeal Oriental has to offer.
J. Martin Barrow: Oriental is a great place to live and visit. We owned a residence in Minnessott Beach since 2003 and enjoyed our time in Pamlico County. We have also enjoyed all Oriental has to offer including the shops, the old theater, waterfront, and restaurants. We always looked forward to events like Croakerfest, the Spirit of Christmas celebration, along with the other festivals and events in Oriental and attended most. When we contemplated where we wanted to spend our retirement, we decided Oriental was the place to be and never looked back. We enjoy our friendly neighbors, merchants, and reasonable governance.
Sally Belangia (Candidate for Mayor): It is the most beautiful place in the world. It is a wonderful place to live, to retire, to raise your children, and enjoy our Neuse River and surrounding creeks. We are unique because we have sailboats, commercial fishing boats, recreational boats, and small businesses along with people who have retired from all over the Country. I remember when we had 100 people and today the total is over 900. If you come to Oriental you must learn to waive and speak to everyone because we are a friendly town, after all, we are known as the "Sailing Capital of North Carolina." We all work together by supporting our local churches, community organizations, businesses, festivals, arts, music, and all other events of our community and county.
