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OLF SITE MOVED TO PAMLICO SOUND: Aircraft Carrier stops ICW traffic. NewsExtra

I'M JOINING SAIL-MART: Eddie's last Column. Hard Aground With Eddie Jones

NEW POLICE CHIEF SWORN IN: Jeff Casassa takes the oath - then gets out to meet residents. The Story

CROAKERFEST THEME UPDATE: The search continues. The Story

I KNOCK ON WOOD: Making time for the important stuff. Hard Aground With Eddie Jones

VET SAVES DOG FROM FIRE: A dog-door rescue. The Story

ORIENTAL'S NEW POLICE CHIEF: Meet Jeff Casassa. The Story

THE DINING ROOM: Pamlico Players comedy / drama opens. The Story

WAS IT A TORNADO?: Wind storm Tuesday causes damage. The Story

WHAT'S IN THE WATER: County water issue flows into Oriental. The Story

PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS: Old Village and Harborfront areas a concern. The Story

STEW N BREW: Almost 100 folks at the art gallery fundraiser. The Story

MAKING A CRABPOT: The Baldree brothers show us how it's done. Ben Casey Photo Essay

THANK YOU: From the family of Bob Deaton. Click here

SAM BITES WAVES: Finding a new home at The Provision Company. Pet Of The Month

POLICE CHIEF UPDATE: Selection process to take a few more weeks. The Story

ONE LESS COMMISSIONER APPLICANT: Joe Valinoti bows out. The Story

BOB DEATON DIES AT AGE 52: Founder and President of Deaton Yacht Service. The Story

THE TIDES THAT BIND: A look back at a 1994 visit to Oriental. Hard Aground With Eddie Jones

CROAKERFEST THEME SEARCH: Creative TownDock readers called for help. The Story

ADOPTING SPARKY: Sparky needed some help and a song. Pet Of The Month

NEW TOWN COMMISSIONER?: Not yet - here are the letters of the applicants. The Story

BAGPIPES INVADE ORIENTAL: Authentic Scottish weather - cold & wet. The Story

TOWN MEETING REPORT: No leash law, commissioner position still open. The Story

ANIMAL ORDINANCE: The law that is on the books. The Story

DOG LEASH LAW?: We interview two dogs. The Story

WYATT'S USED TRUCKS: The town is selling some well used trucks. The Story

RESTORING A SAILBOAT: It is the subject of "London Goes To Sea".  The Nautical Bookshelf

NINA, SCOW SCHOONER: A freighter from another era. The Shipping News

2004 OUT THE DOOR: Eddie toasts 2004's "finest" moments. Hard Aground With Eddie Jones

FLUKE: A winter novel takes you to warmer places.  The Nautical Bookshelf

2ND AVENUE PUBLIC HEARING: Does closing an unused street give away town property? The Story

DOCK CAMOUFLAGE: Hunters and a dead duck. The Shipping News

YEAR END HELP: Help others, help your taxes. The Story

POLICE CHIEF WANTED: Andy Griffith types encouraged to apply. The Story

MARNY MUIR: A much loved Oriental resident has passed away. The Story

DYAD'S DIESEL: Engine failure brings a Canadian crew to town. The Shipping News

SNOW IN THE VILLAGE: Views of a rare snow day. The Story

MULTI-UNIT MORATORIUM VOTE: A key vote Tuesday night. The Story

NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS REPORT: Recommendations made to Oriental Planning Board. The Story

PINING TO GO SOUTH: I've got the turkey trots. Hard Aground With Eddie Jones

MULTI-UNIT DEVELOPMENT TO GET MORE SCRUTINY: Special Use Permit now required. The Story

FERRY SERVICE RETURNS: A The ferry is back Thursday - still no word on the cause of the accident. The Story

DOROTHY WHIPPLE TO BE THANKED BY TOWN: A public thanks for 10 years of Tree Board service. The Story

BIG EARLY VOTE IN PAMLICO COUNTY: A quarter of registered voters choose early voting. The Story

PREPARING TO VOTE: Many vote early this year. The Story

FERRY CRASH AT CHERRY BRANCH: Minnesott Beach / Cherry Branch Ferry is closed - repairs may take weeks. The Story

GOLDEN RINGS: Giffy has been coming to Oriental since 1952. The Shipping News

UNDECIDED VOTER FOUND: One man in Oriental will decide the election. NewsExtra

A SPECK ON THE SEA: Great voyages in tiny boats.  The Nautical Bookshelf

I'M INCOMPETENT, IGNORANT: But that's not why I lost my job. Hard Aground With Eddie Jones

1,000 BICYCLES: The NC Cycle cross-state journey comes to Oriental. The Story

BILLBOARD RESTRICTIONS: A majority of county commissioners voted for the off-premise sign ordinance. The Story

REPORTS FROM THE BIKE TRIP: Russ Stewart calls in with daily updates. The Story

TEAM PAMLICO: Four local bicyclists on the trip. The Story

REMEMBERING LUCILLE TRUITT: Thoughts from author Bland Simpson. The Story

MISS LUCILLE IS GONE: Lucille Truitt passes at age 77. The Story

BICYCLISTS COMING OCT 9: Preparing for over 1000 visitors. The Story

BIKES, PADDLES, SAILS: The common thread. Song Of The Paddle

RAFFLE CONTROVERSY: A concerned reader seeks Salty's wisdom. Ask Salty

COUNTY SIGN ORDINANCE: Proposed ordinance to restrict off premise signs. The Story

ORIENTAL CUP 2004: Action photos, woman overboard, race results. The Story

HIGH WATER PLAY TIME: A few inches of water can be fun. The Story

KETCH "SECOND WIND": A 40 ft floating home for a decade. The Shipping News

A BOAT RIDE EVERY DAY: Meet Tucker - Mr. September. Pet Of The Month

ACOUSTIC MUSIC NIGHT: A once-a-month jam session. The Story

MULE WOODY UPDATE: Bernie Harberts mule trip continues - in Arkansas. The Story

LETTER FROM HURRICANE FRANCES: A sailor at anchor during the storm. TownDock Letters

THE RUDDER TREASURY: A collection of small boat wisdom.  The Nautical Bookshelf

PAMLICO TRIATHALON: Arapahoe Charter Students Triathlon Team. The Story

CHOOSING A MAN: Salty's guide to village love. Ask Salty

A warm Friday night was perfect for Acoustic Night on The Bean porch. About 40 folks sang, danced and toe-tapped to to the hard workin' Acoustic Night musicians.

April 9, 2005

The water is a bit high this morning (check HarborCam)....north winds blow Pamlico Sound waters back into the Neuse River and up goes our level. The marine forecast calls for 25-30 mph NE winds, with a small craft advisory.

On tap today - the Pamlico Biz`Fair 10a-3pm at the Pamlico Primary School in Bayboro, and the NSA is having its annual flea market in the West Marine parking lot.

April 7, 2005

OK TownDockers - pull out your social calender.

Friday night is Acoustic Night at The Bean - bring an instrument or just come down to listen from 7 til 9pm. Come Saturday it is time to "Keep The Dough In Pamlico" - the chamber is having its annual Business Fair from 10a til 3pm at the Pamlico Primary School in Bayboro. More info in What's Happening.

April 6, 2005

Last nights public hearing had a few less people than the week before - but still about 100. More people spoke this time in favor of the high buildings, however the majority in the room again clearly were supporting height reduction. The commissioners were not swayed, and voted against reducing the height.

The vote against reducing the height in the MU-1 (older part of the village) 3 1/2 feet was voted down 5-0. The recommendation to reduce height 2 1/2 feet was voted down 3-2. Commissioners Midyette, Harris and Bohmert voted the measure down, with support for the planning board recommendation coming from commissioners Moat and Wagoner. A full report on the meeting will be online Thursday.

April 3, 2005

A packed public hearing Tuesday showed commissioners a public strongly against the tall buildings recently built in Oriental. We have the story...

April 2, 2005

A reminder that the public hearing held Tuesday will be continued next Tuesday April 5, 7pm at the fire station on Straight Road. Well over 100 people jammed the standing room only meeting this past Tuesday, and the sentiments were strongly against the higher building height limits now in force. No decision was made by the board, choosing to instead continue the meeting April 5. A full story on the meeting online Sunday.

April 1, 2005

The TownDock.net NewsExtra team has learned that the controversial Navy OLF landing site up in Washington County is no longer a threat. Instead the Navy has chosen to locate an aircraft carrier in the Pamlico Sound. We have the story.

Eddie Jones column writing days for TownDock.net appear to be over - he has accepted a position with Wal-Mart's sailing team. The final Hard Aground With Eddie Jones.

March 29, 2005

Tonight could be one of the most well attended Oriental town meetings on record. The subject is a public hearing on the height issue and other proposed changes to the GMO (Growth Management Ordinance). The Planning Board has recommended reducing the height in the older part of the village. The meeting is tonight, 7pm at the fire station on Straight Road.

Friday Oriental's new Police Chief was made official - Jeff Casassa was sworn in at Town Hall...and he then went out to meet residents. Click here for the story...

March 25, 2005

The new Police Chief gets sworn in today at Town Hall. Following that, new Chief Jeff Casassa is coming down to The Bean from aprox 10:45am til 11:45am. You can come on down and meet the new Police Chief - and during the hour of "Meet The Chief" The Bean has agreed to provide free coffee. Come on by...

The search for the perfect 2005 CroakerFest theme continues - check out the latest.

Paddlers should mark down April 30 on their calendars for the 2005 Pamlico Paddle...this year the event will explore remote Goose Creek. It will be some beautiful paddling - more details coming on TownDock Sunday.

March 22, 2005

Frequent visitors to Village Hardware know you can’t get but a few steps inside the door before Ken Davis would ask if he can help you. Whatever your need, Ken would listen then lead you to the right aisle. We are sad to report that Ken died Saturday. He was 81.

While we knew Ken as the man that would help us at the hardware store, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps both during World War II and Korea, and was a graduate of the FBI Academy.

Ken was father-in-law of Village Hardware owner Linwood Stowe. Our sympathies go out to the Stowe family. Memorial service is 11am today at Oriental Methodist Church.

March 18, 2005

We are pleased to see a forecast for 60 degree temps for the weekend. Even the cold temperature appreciating members of TownDock.net think this has been a bit much for mid-March.

Eddie Jones March column made us stop and think about taking time. Take the time to read Hard Aground.

More Croakerfest theme ideas continue to flow in - be brave and check 'em out.

This is the last weekend for "The Dining Room" at the Old Theater - shows Friday & Saturday nights plus a Sunday matinee.

March 17, 2005

Happy St Pats to ya. Wear some green if you have it...like Harbormaster Ross Pease ("Saint Ross") did in this TownDock archive file photo.

TownDock readers are showing their sick puppy creative side in droves. Click here for all the latest Croakerfest theme ideas. You can still send in your idea too....

March 16, 2005

Tuesday might have been just another day in the village. But then a barn caught on fire...fire trucks rolled...and veterinarian Sherri Hicks had to rescue a dog. The problem was is that the regular human sized doors were locked - but that didn't stop Sherri. Click here for the story...

March 15, 2005

Now you look like a pretty smart person. Yeah you....the one behind the keyboard. I'll bet you're creative too. I thought so. I'll bet you could come up with a great theme for the 2005 Croaker festival.

March 14, 2005

Second time may the charm. After a long process the Town Of Oriental named a new Police Chief Friday - his name is Jeff Casassa and TownDock.net visited with him over the weekend - click here for the story.

March 10, 2005

New York has Broadway, but Oriental's high fashion theater district is at Broad & Church Streets - the Old Theater. Tonight is the opening of "The Dining Room" - the brave Pamlico Players let TownDock.net visit a rehearsal.

March 9, 2005

A sunny, calm beautiful day dawned on the village. It wasn't that way yesterday, as high winds and a possible tornado touched down. There was damage and debris - here is the story with photos.

The Oriental Dragon tipped in the wind storm Tuesday. We got lots of email from HarborCam viewers worried that the dragon had been damaged....but the Dragon lives.

Al Privette went out in a kayak and gave it a jab with a paddle...the dragon came back up looking proud.

March 8, 2005

Update 11:50am - Holy High Winds Batman! This TownDock.net staffer stayed online right through Hurricane Isabel....but the gust a few minutes ago felt more violent than anything felt in that hurricane (it may have been the direction as well as the strength). The Oriental Weather Station recorded 64 mph at 11:41am today....the wind was right from the west. We have reports of roof damage around the village. The National Weather Service has high wind warnings in place today through 4pm.

8am - High winds are upon the village this morning...they are from the southwest which causes low water ( northeast high winds by comparison tend to bring flooding). The marine forecast includes a gale warning...we recorded 42 mph at 6:25am at the Oriental Weather Station.

Oriental’s water, let’s be honest, has never been a pleasant drink. Certain palates here at TownDock.net have preferred the taste of the county water. So, we should be happy at the news that for 40 days, Oriental will be getting its water from the county. Thing is, the county water has some issues with elevated levels of trihalomethanes. More on the water front - click here.

Should the height limit be rolled back in the old part of the village? It is among the topics being reviewed in recommendations from the Oriental Planning Board - here is the report.

This weekend is the debut of "The Dining Room" by the Pamlico Players at the Old Theater. We will have photos from rehearsal online later this afternoon, but meanwhile learn more in What's Happening.

\March 2, 2005

If your busy social calendar is still open Friday night, come on down to Acoustic Night in Oriental. It's a bit chilly to make music outside, so The Bean is staying open late and letting us come inside. Acoustic night is when folks just come on down with an instrument and jam. Join us Friday night at 7pm. Next week a new play opens at the Old Theater...something is always goin' on in our little town...check What's Happening.

This past Saturday the Circle 10 Art Gallery held its annual fundraiser...the "Stew n Brew". This year there was even home grown brew....

March 1, 2005

Ben Casey recently visited with the Baldree brothers of Arapahoe, and learned how to make a crabpot. Great photos and a coastal education too.

The family of Bob Deaton passed along a thank you and asked us to share it with TownDock readers - click here.

February 28, 2005

5:50pm Update: Still no Police Chief in Oriental, and the process is likely to take a few more weeks. Click here for the story.

How 'bout a story that has both prison and Neuse River swimming in it? Meet Sam - February's Pet Of The Month.

7am Update: The last day of February has strong northeast winds hitting the village, with the typical vulnerable spots getting high water. It would be a brave boater that headed out today - check out the Marine Weather Forecast.

February 25, 2005

One of the six applicants for Town Commissioner yesterday bowed out in a letter to Town Hall. Click here for the story.

The funeral for Bob Deaton is at 2pm this afternoon at Oriental Methodist Church. Deaton passed away unexpectedly earlier this week - it is fair to say that the village is still in shock.

On tap this weekend - the "Stew & Brew" at the Circle 10 Gallery Saturday 11a -2p. Twelve bucks gets you a bowl of soup (and there's lots), homemade bread, killer chocolate brownies, wine, tea....AND a piece of art.

Saturday night at 7:30p the "oldies" are being played at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oriental....these oldies date from about the year 1500. More info in What's Happening..

February 22, 2005

We are saddened to report the death of Bob Deaton, long time owner and President of Deaton Yacht Service. Bob died from a heart attack at age 52. Our sympathies go out to Bob's family, and to the family of employees at Deaton Yacht Service.

Word spread quickly through the village, as many could hardly believe the news. Click here for more about Bob Deaton...

February 18, 2005

Hmmmm...no big concerts or plays in the village this weekend. You'll just have to sit on the dock, the porch...or in the cockpit...and watch the water (inland readers may have to rely on HarborCam).

Looking ahead - the Pamlico Music Society has a mid week concert on tap. String band Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem appear Wednesday February 23 7:30pm at the Old Theater - more info in What's Happening.

Readers have been sending in their ideas for the 2005 Croakerfest theme - the festival's organizers are searching for a theme and you could be the creator. Read more...

February 17, 2005

TownDock "Hard Aground" columnist Eddie Jones has been contributing to TownDock.net for a couple years....but his column's beginnings go back to Coastal Cruising magazine some 15 years ago. This month Eddie sent in a "re-run" - a column from 1994. It captures a certain spirit from a visit to Oriental....one that we hope (wish?) one can still feel. The description of a visit to the now gone 'Ol Store will tug at your heart...

February 16, 2005

The search is on for a Croakerfest theme for 2005. Get in your best creative mode and click here.

February 15, 2005

Deep fog over the village this morning....it is one of those mornings where it was kinda foggy at 7am....and totally fog soup by 8am.

The Pet Of the month crew has promised a pet for every month in 2005....so today we introduce Miss January (the crew reports a great Feb pet story before month's end). The newest Pet Of The Month involves adoption, fundraising, high tech medical help and even a song....meet Sparky.

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