Down in the County
Posts
December 2023 events, resources and volunteer opportunites in Pamlico County

December 2023 events, resources and volunteer opportunites in Pamlico County

Andrea Bruce
November 30, 2023

Welcome to Down in the County! We are a weekly publication focusing on the people and history of Pamlico County, NC. This is our monthly events page.

If you have something to include or see a needed correction, please email: [email protected]

Ned Ferris waits for the sunrise along the Oriental waterfront.

^{_{You make Down in the County happen.}}

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

Toys for Tots, Wednesday the 13th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday the 14th, Noon- 7 p.m. at Camp Seafarer. DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS DECEMBER 1. (Applications at Pamlico County Schools, Pamlico Partnership for Children, Pamlico County WIC, Pamlico County DSS and Pamlico County Community Health Center) Donations Are Needed—The Pamlico News at 801 Broad St. in Oriental is a drop-off site.

Kids Fun Day at Harbourside Garden Co., 15495 NC Highway 55, Bayboro, 9 a.m.- 5p.m.

The Pamlico Community Band performs a free holiday concert at St. Peter the Fisherman. Come listen to your seasonal favorites. This hour-long concert is free to attend. St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church is at 1149 White Farm Rd, Oriental, NC 28571, 7:30 p.m.

Pamlico County Public Library Book/Tech Mobile Visits Oriental at the Piggly Wiggly, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Arapahoe Town Hall, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Oriental’s History Museum presents a retrospective of the artwork of Lucille Styron Truitt. Some pieces will be available for sale. Lucille was a self-taught artist. For over 40 years, Lucille painted local landscapes, fishing vessels, harbors, and the coastal fishermen at work. Mayor Sally Truitt Belangia, Lucille’s daughter, will be on hand Saturday, greeting visitors and answering questions about Lucille and her painting career. Lucille’s work will be on display through January 27, as the museum’s Fall Special Exhibit. The Oriental History Museum is at 802 Broad Street. Admission is always free, donations gratefully accepted. For more information about the museum: [email protected], Hours are: Friday 11-3 and Saturday 1-4 p.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

Holiday Craft Bazaar at the Grantsboro-Silverhill Volunteer Fire Department, 35 NC-306, Granstboro, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.

Breakfast with Santa Claus at the Hobucken Community Center, 145 Hobucken School Rd. Picture with Santa, cookie decorating, Christmas Crafts, 8 - 11 a.m.

Christmas Vendor Fair, Pamlico County High School, 601 Main St. Bayboro, Vendors, Booster Clubs and Food Trucks, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Cycling from Oriental. In the fall, the start time switches to 10:00 a.m. Saturday’s ride is about ten miles, at a conversational pace. Those who wish to can continue on a longer route at a faster pace in a single paceline format Just show up with bike and helmet and you’re off! Questions? Contact Keith Gapen at [email protected]

The Village Gallery welcomes December’s Artist of the Month, Pappy Khouri. The Village Gallery is at 300 Hodges St in Oriental, open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Wed – Sun. The Gallery displays the art of more than 30 member and consigned artists. For more information, call 252-249-0300 or visit villagegallerync.com. Come meet the artist Saturday, 2-5 p.m.

Pamlico Musical Society welcomes countertenor Terry Barber, performing his holiday program ‘Christmas Presence’, to The Old Theater in Oriental. There’s also a free “informance” – a music, stories, and a Q&A session – hosted by Prime Time at Oriental United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. earlier in the day. Prime Time will hold a reception directly after in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets to the evening concert are $25 and are available at Nautical Wheelers at 411 Broad Street in Oriental, and 202A Craven Street in New Bern. Or purchase your tickets online here. Old Theater performance is at 7:30 p.m.

Fisherman’s Swap Meet, Carolina Bay Outfitters, 8288 Highway 306, Arapahoe, 11 a.m- 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

Christmas Cantata at Stonewall Methodist Church, 6 p.m.

Cycling from Oriental. In the fall, the start time switches to 10:00am. The Sunday ride is fast, with pace and distance decided by the riders, usually between 15-17 mph for 25-30 miles in a single paceline format. Just show up with bike and helmet and you’re off! Questions? Contact Keith Gapen at [email protected]

The Old Theater presents: Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1. Box office opens at 2:00p. Doors open at 2:30p. Movie starts at 3:00p. Admission $8, Old Theater members, children under 17, and military $7. Includes FREE popcorn. Candy and drinks by donation. All proceeds go to benefit The Old Theater, a non-profit organization, located at 609 Broad Street Oriental, NC, 3 p.m.

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon from 3-4:30 p.m. 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 [email protected]

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4

Pamlico County Board of Commissioners meeting, Courtroom on the second floor of the Pamlico County Courthouse, Bayboro, 7 p.m. (bi-monthly)

Pamlico County Board of Education Meeting, 507 Anderson Dr, Bayboro, NC 28515, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (monthly)

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 4 – 5:30 pm 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.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5

Pamlico County High School Holiday Band Concert, PCHS, 7 p.m.

Oriental Town Commissioners meeting, Town Hall, 8 a.m.

A Caregiver’s Support Group meets the 1st Tuesday of the month, in the coffee room at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oriental. All caregivers invited. Contact Ann Clement, [email protected], 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6

Coastal Belle’s Holiday Open House, 13529 NC-55, Bayboro, 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.

Create an Ornament Drop-in Event at the Pamlico County Public Library at PCHS, 3 - 6 p.m.

Mystery Book Club at the Pamlico County Public Library, Each month we discuss a novel chosen from the winners of the Edgar Award. The Edgar Awards are named after Edgar Allen Poe. They were established in 1954 and are the premier awards for mystery writing each year. 5 p.m.

Open Mic Night at the Silos in Oriental. The music begins at 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7

Block Builders for Kids at the Pamlico County Public Library (at PCHS), 3:30 p.m.

Pamlico County High School Holiday Band Concert, PCHS, 7 p.m.

The Tree of Names and Lights goes live at Lou Mac Park. It remains up until New Year’s Day. The tree is an Oriental tradition, revived in 2019 by unofficial Oriental historian Grace Evans. It honors and memorializes residents and loved ones (people and pets). Grace’s daughter Meta Jones continues the tradition for her late mother.For a $5 donation, one candle ornament with the name of your loved one is hand made and placed on the Tree of Names and Lights in Lou Mac Park. A red bow on the candle means ‘In Honor of’, a green bow is ‘In Memory of’. Donations go to a different charity each year. This year, donations go to support the Oriental History Museum. Please send all information (In Honor or In Memory, and the name) and your donations to:  The Tree of Names & Lights 301 Midyette Street Oriental, NC 28571  Make checks out to: The Tree of Lights

Have your donations in to Meta by Monday, December 4 to get them on the tree before the lighting. Names will be posted online after the first of the year, 5 p.m.

Oriental celebrates The Spirit of Christmas Thursday, Dec 7 – Saturday, Dec 9. Luminaria line the streets of Oriental. Businesses host open houses to say thank you to the community. There’s a live Nativity, several choirs performing Christmas favorites, a lighted (engineless) flotilla in the harbor, the lighting of the Star at town dock #1, a parade along the main streets, the lighting of the Tree of Names and Lights in Lou Mac Park, and the Light Up Oriental decorating contest for residents and businesses. Town Dock article about it here.

The Pamlico County Democratic Party meets ‘virtually’ on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 5:30p. For more information on attending, email [email protected]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8

Pamlico County High School and Middle School Holiday Choral Concert, 7 p.m.

Pamlico County Schools basketball vs Havelock, PCHS, 4 p.m.

Lip Sync contest at The Silos in Oriental. Pamlico Arts Council hosts ‘Holiday Lip Syncho’. Bring non-perishable food items to donate to Pamlico Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry. This is a free event. Proceeds from People’s Choice voting benefits Pamlico Arts Council, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

The Holt's Chapel Community Center Christmas Social. Join us and invite family and friends for an afternoon of sharing your talents, carols, fun, food and more... 🌲🌲🌲. 2 p.m.

Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.

Santa Party at the Pamlico County Public Library (PCHS), 11 a.m.

Gingerbread House & Cookie Decorating for kids, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental. Sponsored by the Pamlico County Arts Council, 9 a.m.

Santa Arrives at Minnesott Golf & Country, reservations required. Call early to make reservation 252.249.6323, 12 p.m.-2 p.m.

The Jingle Bell Fun Run, just before the Spirit of Christmas parade at 1 p.m. Adults, children, pets … all are invited to participate in this casual run (no bicycles, please).The 2 mile course starts at the parking lot of Village Health & Fitness. Holiday dress/decor is encouraged. Registration cost is donation only (any amount, even $1). Proceeds benefit Hope Clinic. Sponsors Village Health & Fitness are located at 1006 Broad Street, Oriental, 10 a.m.

The Live Nativity is 3:30 p.m. at Oriental United Methodist Church

Spirit of Christmas with Hoff’n’Finch at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 2-5 p.m.

Spirit of Christmas with Hoff’n’Finch at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 2-5 p.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon from 3-4:30 p.m. 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 [email protected]

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 4 – 5:30 p.m. 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.

Advent Service at Small’s Chapel Christian Church in Arapahoe, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12

Advent Service at Small’s Chapel Christian Church in Arapahoe, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13

Chair Yoga at the Pamlico County Public Library, PCHS, 10 a.m.

Pamlico County Basketball vs West Craven, PCHS, 4 p.m

Open Mic Night at the Silos in Oriental. The music begins at 7 p.m.

Advent Service at Small’s Chapel Christian Church in Arapahoe, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14

A Charlie Brown Christmas Play by Pamlico County High School, 7 p.m.

Teen Craft Corner at the Pamlico County Public Library. This event is intended for teens and young adults. This month we will make slime, 3:30 p.m.

Gingerbread Palooza at the Pamlico County Public Library (PCHS), 4 p.m.

Santa rides through Oriental with Station 19 Fire Department Dec 14, 15, & 16. Santa visits a different neighborhood each night from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. (Station 19 will try to visit as many streets as possible though weather/emergencies/street size may prohibit getting to everyone). The neighborhood schedule is: Friday 12/14: Other side of the bridge (Sail Loft, Raccoon Run, Horton etc.), China Grove, Janeiro Rd, Teaches Cove, Kershaw Saturday 12/15: Village of Oriental, Midyette St, Silverbrook, Blackwell Point Sunday 12/16: White Farm, Dolphin Point, Orchard Creek, Pamlico Rd, River Dunes. Rain date is December 17, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15

A Charlie Brown Christmas Play by Pamlico County High School, 7 p.m.

Teen Gaming Time at the Pamlico County Public Library (ages 13-19) Come to the library to play on our Nintendo Switch or Wii. We have a variety of games for you and your friends to choose from. You can bring your own device and games. We also have a wide selection of board games available, 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

Pamlico County Christmas Parade. This year’s theme is Candyland Christmas, 4 p.m.

Purring Angels Kitten Adoption at The New Village Brewery, 3-6 p.m.

Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

Christmas Caroling in Oriental with OUMC, St. Thomas, Piece Chapel AMEZ and Holts Chapel AMEZ with meal to follow. Carolers to meet in the Narthex at 2:45 p.m.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18

NAACP monthly meeting, 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 [email protected] or Hattie Harrell, 1st Vice President [email protected], 6 p.m.

A Christmas Gathering at the Oriental United Methodist Church. Carols, cocoa and a light meal. Gather with our community. RSVP to Pastor Anne, [email protected], 6 p.m.

Pamlico County Board of Commissioners meeting, Courtroom on the second floor of the Pamlico County Courthouse, Bayboro, 7 p.m. (bi-monthly)

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 4 – 5:30 p.m. 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.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

Public Hearing for proposed shellfish lease in Pamlico County, Pamlico County Courthouse, courtroom, Bayboro, 6 p.m.

Anime-Manga Appreciation for Kids at the Pamlico County Public Library (ages 8-13) Feel free to bring something to share with the group like trading cards, your favorite series, your favorite drawing, etc. We will play an Anime-Manga game, try food that is often showcased in Anime-Manga, and more. When the program is over you can browse our extensive Anime-Manga collection and take some books home! This month we will make our own trading cards! For even more fun, bring your own card collection for show and tell, 5 p.m.

Open Mic Night at the Silos in Oriental. The music begins at 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

Loom Club for Kids & Teens at the Pamlico County Public Library (Recommended for ages 7+) This program is great for those who already love to make loom masterpieces, or those who would like to learn, 3 p.m.

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. They seek to let our collective voices be heard to influence positive change. They meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 4:00 at the Pamlico County Heritage Museum at 10642 NC-55, Grantsboro, NC. All are welcome to join them. For more information, call Diane Lemieux at 802-318-1083, 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23

Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.

2022 at the Oriental United Methodist Church

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Oriental United Methodist Church, 7 p.m.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 25 Christmas

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26

The Pamlico County Republican Party meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month 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, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27

Chair Yoga at the Pamlico County Public Library, PCHS, 10 a.m.

Open Mic Night at the Silos in Oriental. The music begins at 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29

Noah Jackson Cobb performs at The New Village Brewery, 5 p.m

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30

Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31

The Running of the Oriental New Years’ Eve Dragon. There are two runnings – both starting and finishing at Hodges and South Water. The first run starts at 8 p.m., the second around 11:30 p.m. and in recent years has had not one but two dragons as the Chinese dragon joins in on the late run. Bring pots, bring pans: make your own music for the dragon. After the end of that second dragon run, stick around the Hodges Street waterfront just a few minutes more: at midnight, the Oriental Croaker will drop at Town Dock to welcome in the new year.

RESOURCES

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 7:30 pm. (a great meeting for new members).

At St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 402 Freemason Street in Oriental, Sunday at 7 p.m.

“If you want to drink, that’s your business… If you want to stop drinking, that’s ours.” Alcoholics Anonymous New Bern Hotline:(252) 633-3716

Al-Anon – for those worried about someone with a drinking problem – meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. at 403 Mildred Street in Oriental. 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 6:30-6:70 p.m. 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 7 pm. 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 [email protected] or Katherine Hudson at 252-745-4510 for information about the date, time and location of the next group meeting.

*People living with Parkinson’s Disease in and around Pamlico County now have a support group. Pamlico Parkinson’s Network provides a place to talk, as well as learn what those with PD can do – and what’s being done – to deal with the still-incurable condition. PPN meetings are open not only to people with Parkinson’s but also to those who care for – and about them. For more info, contact Dave at [email protected], Kim at 670-8987

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

*Children’s Theater Workshop is seeking local children to play angels, wisemen, and other roles in the Live Nativity performed during the Spirit of Christmas in Oriental. This production is led and directed by teens who participate in the Summer Theater Workshop. Here is the full list of rehearsals and are held at the Oriental United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall:

Sat 12/2: Casting Call and Rehearsal 1p-2p Tues 12/5: Rehearsal 4:30-5:30p Thurs 12/7: Rehearsal 4:30-5:30p Friday 12/8: Dress Rehearsal 4:15-5:15p Saturday 12/9: Arrive at 2:45p on Saturday for the 3:30p performance.

Just drop in for the first rehearsal, but if you can’t make it then, email the Children’s Theater Workshop at [email protected]. You can also call or text Children’s Theater Director Yolanda Cristiani at 828-421-7981.

Oriental United Methodist Church is at 404 Freemason St. in Oriental, NC.

* Spirit of Christmas Luminaria – Michelle Brooks, new Chair of the Luminary Committee, is asking for help fundraising for this year’s luminaria. All funds donated to the Luminaries will be used to purchase white bags, candles & glass votives, and cellophane bags & sand.

Donations can be made by cash, check made out to The Spirit of Christmas – with “Luminary” in the memo, or by Venmo.

Volunteers are needed for all phases of luminary creation, deployment, and retrieval, including block captains for deployment, trucks and trailers, and clean 5 gal buckets for sand collection. The full Luminaria schedule with info is here.

• Bag folding: 12/5, Toucan Grill, 4:30-6:30p  • Sand pick-up: 12/6, 400 Ragan Rd, 1-3p • Bag filling & candle pre-lighting: 12/7, Station 19 Fire House, 12:30p – 3p • Bag assembly: 12/8, Station 19 Fire House, 9a – noon • Luminary deployment: 12/8, start at Station 19 Fire House, 1 – 4p • Luminary lighting: 12/8, 5-7p • Candle replacement & lighting: 12/9, 5-7p • Luminary collection: 12/10, Station 19 Fire House, 1-3p

For more information, contact Luminary Chair Michelle Brooks at [email protected].

*The Neuse Neighbors Network (NNN) needs you. NNN is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to helping local seniors age in place. NNN volunteers choose the type and timing of the tasks they can help with. There are no fixed commitments and you can meet new people. For more information on volunteering or becoming a member, call 252-665-8807 or email [email protected]

*Vennie Himbry is looking for land or a building to be donated to her non-profit called the Bayboro Development Center to help people who have been incarcerated in the county get back on their feet. Contact Vennie at [email protected]

*Child Advocates Needed: The NC Guardian ad Litem Program for Judicial District 3B (Carteret, Craven and Pamlico Counties) is recruiting volunteer Guardian ad Litem Child Advocates. We provide training and support for this important role as the "voice of the child" in court. When a petition has been filed alleging that a child has been abused or neglected, the Guardian ad Litem Child Advocate is appointed by the Judge to do an independent investigation of the child's circumstances, get to know the child and their wishes, and provide information in court about what is truly in that child's best interest. To learn more about how you can make a difference in the life of a child, go to www.volunteerforgal.org or call us at 252-639-3232.

*Pamlico County Senior Services needs more volunteers to help build handicap access ramps at the homes of some of Pamlico’s older residents. Senior Services provides the materials while volunteers led by Tim Balfour construct one ramp every month. Contact Tim at 745-3247 to offer a hand for the next project.

*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.

*Horses of Pamlico is looking for volunteers to visit the horses or help with farm repairs. They would like to have regular volunteers who can commit to at least one day a week. No experience with horses necessary. Must sign a waver. Text Sharon Vandiford for more information, 252-474-7838

Donate and become a vital part of growing a visual and written history of the county.

Down in the County has its own Instagram page! Check us out @downinthecounty or on Facebook here. You can see my work on Instagram at @andreabruce.

Reply

or to participate.