NEW! CHECK OUT OUR WEEKLY EVENTS UPDATES HERE! And add your own!

Take a look through our calendar of events sourced from every corner of Pamlico County…enough to keep you busy for sure. Also, at the bottom of this long page is an important list of resources and volunteer opportunities. If you have something to include or see a needed correction, please email: [email protected]

_{You make Down in the County happen.}

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1 New Year’s Day

The 32nd annual Instead of Football Regatta. Sailors meet at noon on Monday, Jan 1 at Oriental marker #1 (SC1). Warning horn is at 11:55 a.m. Marks are: Adams Creek #1, Garbacon #7, finish at Oriental #1 (SC1). Sailing direction/course change announced on Channel 72 prior to start. There are no rules or sailing instructions. There is a Mandatory Skipper’s Meeting after the race at 3p at The Silos (race cancelled or not). Bring a nautical or fun gift or re-gift for the drawing…all boats participating are included. Must be present to win. For more information contact Todd Cox at 802-999-7572.

Open jam session at Pamlico Community College, the first and fifth Thursday of every month. It’s open to all. At the PCC Delamar Center Auditorium. PCC is on Hwy 306 between Grantsboro and Arapahoe. All levels welcome. For more info, contact 252-249-1851 ext 3113 [email protected] 6 p.m.

Intermediate French Conversation Group. The group meets on the first and third Thursday at the new Pamlico County Library, 13896 NC 55 in Alliance in the community room at the rear of the building. For questions and to RSVP contact Marsha at [email protected] or call/text 252-617-5960, 2-3 p.m.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

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.

PAMLICO PARTNERS FOR DEMOCRACY Meets on every 1st Friday @ 2:00. Heritage Center, Grantsboro. All party affiliations welcome Gain new perspectives on the challenges we are facing and our coalitions of resistance. Hear from 3 speakers, between the ages of 30 and 50, who are coming to share their point of view. 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

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

Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon. You’ll find them in Lou Mac Park in Oriental 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.) Contact Doug Carmichael at [email protected], 3-4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JANUARY 5

Pamlico County Board of Commissioners meeting, The meeting is in the Patsy Sadler Room in the Courthouse Annex. If there is a larger crowd, the meetings are held in the second floor courtroom. The courthouse is at 202 Main Street, Bayboro, NC 28515. Here are notes from the last meeting. 7 p.m. (bi-monthly)

The Oriental Rotary Club meets every Monday at the back room of Brantley’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.

Open Sailing with Bow To Stern every Monday in Oriental. Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Afterwards, hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks. Let them know you’re coming by registering here. $25 per sailor for the evening. Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information [email protected]. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here, 3 and 5 p.m.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 6-7 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, JANUARY 6

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental, 7-8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7

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

Wednesday Night Sail Race on the Neuse near Oriental. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Just like a real race. This allows those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Questions? Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 1700 GPS time.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

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

Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11

Violin-guitar duo ArcoStrum comes to the River Dunes Harbor Club presented by Pamlico Musical Society. ArcoStrum is violinist Strauss Shi, a three-time international competition winner, and guitarist TY Zhang, the first and only Chinese classical guitarist to win the Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition. Light hors d’oeuvres. Tickets $40, available at Nautical Wheelers in Oriental & New Bern, and online at pamlicomusic.org at 4:00 p.m., concert at 4:30 p.m.

At the Old Theater in Oriental, 2nd Sunday Cinema: Blazing Saddles. An American classic satirical Western comedy (1974) directed by Mel Brooks, starring Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, Slim Pickens, and Madeline Kahn. Roger Ebert called it, "a crazed grab bag of a movie that does everything to keep us laughting except hit us over the head with a rubber chicken." Admission is by donation. 3 p.m.

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon. You’ll find them in Lou Mac Park in Oriental 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.) Contact Doug Carmichael at [email protected], 3-4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JANUARY 12

NAACP monthly meeting, Senior Service Building in Alliance, 6 p.m.

The Oriental Rotary Club meets every Monday at the back room of Brantley’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.

The One-Off Book Club meets the 2nd Monday of every month at the Perry Griffin Foundation House in Oriental. After reading 2 books: Life Worth Living, a Guide to What Matters Most by Volf, Croasmun and McAnnally-Linz, and Wake Up Grateful by Kristi Nelson, the book club is now focusing on topics about life and living. The topic is emailed to participants each month in advance, but it’s not necessary to prepare in order to attend. New attendees are most welcome. If you have any questions, contact Nelda Coats 252-639-1616 or Nancy Piner 252-670-2615, or just show up at the Perry Griffin Foundation House, 300 High Street, Oriental, 4 p.m.

Open Sailing with Bow To Stern every Monday in Oriental. Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Afterwards, hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks. Let them know you’re coming by registering here. $25 per sailor for the evening. Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information [email protected]. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here, 3 and 5 p.m.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 6-7 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, JANUARY 13

Oriental Town Commissioners meeting, Town Hall. Second Tuesday of every month. Open to the public, 6 p.m.

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental, 7-8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14

The Pamlico County Library hosts a mystery book club the second Wednesday of each month. Each month a novel selected from the winners of the annual Edgar Awards will be discussed. For more info please contact the library at 252-745-3515. Pamlico County Library is located in Bayboro, 5 p.m.

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

Wednesday Night Sail Race on the Neuse near Oriental. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Just like a real race. This allows those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Questions? Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 1700 GPS time.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15

Intermediate French Conversation Group. The group meets on the first and third Thursday at the new Pamlico County Library, 13896 NC 55 in Alliance in the community room at the rear of the building. For questions and to RSVP contact Marsha at [email protected] or call/text 252-617-5960, 2-3 p.m.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
Sunday, January 18 at 3:00

Friends, Lovers & All That Other Stuff, a new play at The Old Theater. A stage adaptation of five O Henry short stories adapted by Bill Hand, President of NCHT. O Henry's stories are notable for their humor, poignancy and their twist endings that always take readers by surprise. Each of the five tales will be directed by a different person. Tickets here. 7:30 p.m.

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

Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

Friends, Lovers & All That Other Stuff, a new play at The Old Theater. A stage adaptation of five O Henry short stories adapted by Bill Hand, President of NCHT. O Henry's stories are notable for their humor, poignancy and their twist endings that always take readers by surprise. Each of the five tales will be directed by a different person. Tickets here. 7:30 p.m.

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon. You’ll find them in Lou Mac Park in Oriental 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.) Contact Doug Carmichael at [email protected], 3-4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JANUARY 19 Martin Luther King Jr Day

Pamlico County Board of Commissioners meeting, The meeting is in the Patsy Sadler Room in the Courthouse Annex. If there is a larger crowd, the meetings are held in the second floor courtroom. The courthouse is at 202 Main Street, Bayboro, NC 28515. Here are notes from the last meeting. 7 p.m. (bi-monthly)

The Oriental Rotary Club meets every Monday at the back room of Brantley’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.

Open Sailing with Bow To Stern every Monday in Oriental. Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Afterwards, hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks. Let them know you’re coming by registering here. $25 per sailor for the evening. Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information [email protected]. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here, 3 and 5 p.m.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 6-7 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, JANUARY 20

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental, 7-8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21

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

Wednesday Night Sail Race on the Neuse near Oriental. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Just like a real race. This allows those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Questions? Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 1700 GPS time.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22

PAMLICO PROGRESSIVES INDIVISIBLE, Meets monthly, on the 4th Thursday, 5:00-7: @ Silos downstairs. Join like-minded people to talk about saving democracy, your social security and your country. Come to GOOD COMPANY at Silos, downstairs, eat pizza, meet your neighbors and talk in a safe space.  All party affiliations are welcome. Sponsored by Pamlico Progressives Indivisible.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24

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

Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

Pamlico Support Group of Autism Society of NC - Monthly Meeting. The Pamlico Support Group of Autism Society of NC and the Pamlico County Library are working together to provide monthly support meetings to those with autism and their family members. 11am – 12:30pm

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon. You’ll find them in Lou Mac Park in Oriental 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.) Contact Doug Carmichael at [email protected], 3-4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JANUARY 26

The Oriental Rotary Club meets every Monday at the back room of Brantley’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.

Open Sailing with Bow To Stern every Monday in Oriental. Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Afterwards, hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks. Let them know you’re coming by registering here. $25 per sailor for the evening. Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information [email protected]. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here, 3 and 5 p.m.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 6-7 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, JANUARY 27

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental, 7-8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28

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

Wednesday Night Sail Race on the Neuse near Oriental. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Just like a real race. This allows those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Questions? Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 1700 GPS time.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29

Open jam session at Pamlico Community College, the first and fifth Thursday of every month. It’s open to all. At the PCC Delamar Center Auditorium. PCC is on Hwy 306 between Grantsboro and Arapahoe. All levels welcome. For more info, contact 252-249-1851 ext 3113 [email protected] 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

Special Olympics Pamlico County invites you to the ‘Go Freezin’ for a Reason’ Polar Plunge. Plunge into the Neuse River from the town beach (aka John Bond Beach aka Minuscule Beach) to help raise money for Pamlico County Special Olympics. Your support helps provide Special Olympics athletes with all they need to experience the joy of sports. It takes $50 and a bit of nerve to participate. The town beach is on Neuse Drive between Ragan Rd and Vandemere St. Questions? Email [email protected] Sign-in (or register the day of) between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., lunch and prizes at noon – 1:30 p.m., plunge begins at 2 p.m.

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

Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

RESOURCES

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

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 as needed. All are welcome to join them. For more information, follow them on Facebook or call Diane Lemieux at 802-318-1083

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 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]

*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 construct one ramp every month. Contact Tom Newman at 252-671-4811 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

Down in the County has its own Instagram page! Check us out @downinthecounty

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