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December 2024 Events, Resources and Volunteer Opportunities in Pamlico County, NC

December 2024 Events, Resources and Volunteer Opportunities in Pamlico County, NC

November 30, 2024

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]

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1

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.) Have questions before you go? Contact Doug Carmichael at [email protected], 3-4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2

Pamlico County Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (monthly)

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

Arapahoe Charter School Library book fair! Stop by daily from December 2-6, 8-3:30, and don't miss our Family Night on Tuesday, December 3, 5:30-7:30.

The Pamlico County Historical Association & Museum will hold a December SnapShot meeting featuring a presentation about the Cherry & O’Berry Hospital in Goldsboro, NC. This presentation will provide a historical overview and connection to the Goldsboro State Hospital (Cherry/O'Berry Hospital) from 1918-1947 through the lens of Superintendent Dr. Frank Whelpley. Dr. Whelpley’s family owned and enjoyed a log cabin on the Neuse River at Kennels Beach from the 1930’s until Hurricane Ione in 1955. As an avid fisherman and a photographer, Dr. Whelpley captured images of eastern North Carolina on film, 7 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. Not sure how to sail? They’ll pair you with an experienced sailor. Afterwards, hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks. Check in and get your boat assignment at 5 p.m., leave the docks at 5:30 p.m. Return at 7:30 p.m. for refreshments and socializing. (Bring a snack and drink to share). 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.

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 3

Arapahoe Charter School Library book fair! Stop by daily from December 2-6, 8-3:30, and don't miss our Family Night on Tuesday, December 3, 5:30-7:30.

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, DECEMBER 4

Arapahoe Charter School Library book fair! Stop by daily from December 2-6, 8-3:30, and don't miss our Family Night on Tuesday, December 3, 5:30-7:30.

Wednesday Night Sail Race. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Which ever is more upwind, Garbacon or Adam’s Creek, is the weather mark, round the other as the leeward mark and finish at Oriental 1. VHF Channel 78a for communications. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 5:30 p.m.

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5

Oriental Town Commissioners meeting, Town Hall. Open to the public, 6 p.m.

Pamlico County High School Velveteen Play 7 PM – 8:30 PM

Arapahoe Charter School Library book fair! Stop by daily from December 2-6, 8-3:30, and don't miss our Family Night on Tuesday, December 3, 5:30-7:30.

Acoustic award-winning duo Ryanhood performs the Christmas program, “A Winter’s Evening,” at the Old Theater in Oriental, Friday, Dec. 6.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6

Pamlico County High School Velveteen Play 7 PM – 8:30 PM

PCHS Basketball Washington County (3 games) HOME 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Arapahoe Charter School Library book fair! Stop by daily from December 2-6, 8-3:30, and don't miss our Family Night on Tuesday, December 3, 5:30-7:30.

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.

Who Lived in Pamlico County First? Native Americans of Pamlico CountyNew Exhibit runs through mid-January 2025 at Oriental's History Museum. Native Americans of the Algonquian tribes lived in this area long before white men came to these shores. The Museum's new exhibit explores their history, culture, and living environment. On display will be our collection of artifacts coming mostly from the shores of the Neuse River, tossed up during storms and collected by local residents. Oriental's History Museum is located at 802 Broad Street. Hours are: Friday 11-3, Saturday 1-4. Admission is always free, donations gratefully accepted. For more information contact us: [email protected].

Acoustic award-winning duo Ryanhood performs the Christmas program, “A Winter’s Evening” at the Old Theater in Oriental, presented by the Pamlico Musical Society at 7:30 pm. Tickets $30, available in Oriental at Nautical Wheelers in Oriental and New Bern, and online at pamlicomusic.org . The duo will also conduct an “Informance” – music, stories, Q&A – free and open to the public earlier the same day at 11 a.m. hosted by Prime Time, at the Oriental United Methodist Church, 404 Freemason Street.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7

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

Purring Angels Cat Rescue is at New Village Brewery, Come out, grab a beer, and cuddle a cat or kitten at the Kitten Adoption Event. If you can’t make it but still want to check their adoptable kittens and cats, visit them their site on PetFinder. New Village Brewery is on the corner of Broad and Church Streets in Oriental. 3-6 p.m.

The Old Theater presents The Boomerangs: A Very Boomy Christmas. The Boomerangs are a nostalgic trio from New Bern, performing a musical and visual concert of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. A Very Boomy Christmas is a comedic production, a nostalgic look back at the Christmases of yesteryear. Traditional sing-alongs plus humorous holiday tunes from a trio of professional performers. This holiday show is appropriate for all ages. Box Office opens at 3p; doors open at 3:30. Wine and soft drinks available by donation. Tickets: $20 available at Nautical Wheelers in Oriental and New Bern or online at this link. They may be available at the Box Office on the day of performance. For additional information call 252-249-0477, 4 p.m.

The Pamlico Arts Council presents Lip Synco, a Holiday Challenge, at The Silos in Oriental. Please bring non-perishable food for Loaves and Fishes. Free! 7 p.m.

The Old Theater in Oriental presents The Boomerangs: A Very Boomy Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 7.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9

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

Oriental’s decorating contest for the Spirit of Christmas runs throughout December, but is judged Monday, Dec 9 – Wednesday, Dec 11. Residential categories are Most Traditional, Most Whimsical, Most Nautical, Most Light and Most Decorated Business. Winners are announced Friday, December 13, at the engineless flotilla and star lighting on Hodges Street.

The One-Off Book Club meets the 2nd Monday of every month, at the Perry Griffin Foundation House. Nelda Coats and Nancy Piner invite you to join them in the continuing discussion of Wake Up Grateful, The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted, by Kristi Nelson. 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.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10

PCHS Basketball Holmes (4 games) HOME 4 PM – 9 PM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11

PCHS Basketball West Carteret (4 games) HOME 4 PM – 9 PM

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

Thursday, Dec. 12

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12

Oriental celebrates The Spirit of Christmas the second weekend in December, Thursday, Dec 12 – Saturday, Dec 14. 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. The parade is Sat Dec 14 at 1 p.m.Register to enter the parade online here.

The Gathering, at The Bean in Oriental. You’re invited to check out The Gathering – a new group sponsored by Oriental United Methodist Church to make space for community and conversation in a non-traditional setting. There’s no hard sell – just a place to gather and talk. Call 252-249-0213 or email [email protected]. 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13

The 2024 Spirit of Christmas Engineless Flotilla is at 5 p.m. (unless the weather turns). Engineless & sail-less vessels (kayaks / canoes / dinghies / paddleboards / etc) festoon themselves and their craft in lights and other seasonal decorations, and make their way into Oriental Harbor at dusk. To participate, meet at the Oriental Wildlife ramp (301 Midyette St, Oriental, NC 28571) at 4:30p, launching at 4:45p and paddling into Oriental Harbor at 5p. Arrival time depends on how long it takes to set up your boat. You’ll have help at the ramp if you need it – just get there early. If you are coming from another launching area please plan on being able to enter the harbor at 5:05p. Call Larry Summers @ 252-675-0467 if you have any questions about the event. No engines or sails, please. For safety, please wear life vests and carry whistles. It’s a short paddle, but much of it (especially returning) is in the dark.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14

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

Gingerbread House Decorating Contest at Brantley’s Village Restaurant. Leave your creation on the tables at the front of the room by 10 a.m. for judging. Judges Decision will be made by 11:00 am. Bragging rights and a trophy gift will be awarded to the winner!

Pamlico County Library Book Sale, the Friends hold monthly book sales at the white trailer (annex) located behind the current library. Open from 10:00am to 2:00pm on the second Saturday of each month. Take as many books as you wish and donate what you can...no set prices. We look forward to seeing you! 10-2 p.m.

Spirit of Christmas parade in Oriental, 1 p.m. Register to enter the parade online here.

The Provision Company in Oriental hosts a beer tasting from 1:30 p.m.The Provision Company is at 305 Hodges Street at the corner of South Water (just a few steps from the harbor).

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

The Old Theater presents Christmas with Bryan Mayer 3:00 p.m. Box Office opens 2:00p; doors open 2:30p. Wine and soft drinks available by donation. Tickets: $25 ($20 for Old Theater members, military, and students with ID) available at Nautical Wheelers in Oriental and New Bern or online at this link. Tickets may be available at the Box Office on the day of the performance. For more info call 252-249-0477.

Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Old Theater in Oriental.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16

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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19

The Pamlico Community Band performs a free holiday concert at St. Peter the Fisherman. This hour-long concert is free to attend. Insider tip: You get a free cookie at the end of the concert. St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church is at 1149 White Farm Rd, Oriental, NC 28571, 7 p.m.

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

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

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

Pamlico County Christmas Parade, Bayboro. Contact office for more info
252-745-4240 [email protected], 3 p.m.

Noah Jackson Cobb performs at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 5-7 p.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27

PCHS Basketball Hurricane Classic Holiday Tournament HOME 12/27/2024, 5 PM – 12/28/2024, 9 PM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28

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

PCHS Basketball Hurricane Classic Holiday Tournament HOME 12/27/2024, 5 PM – 12/28/2024, 9 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve

Ring in 2025 on Hodges Street in Oriental at 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

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 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.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

*Spirit of Christmas Luminaria – Michelle Brooks, Chair of the Luminary Committee, is asking for help fundraising for this year’s luminaria. 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: Dec 10, Toucan Grill, 4:30-6:00p
• Sand bag fill: Dec 12, Station 19 Fire House, 2-5p
• Bag assembly: Dec 13, Station 19 Fire House, 9a – noon
• Luminary deployment: Dec 13, start at Station 19 Fire House, 1 – 4p
• Luminary lighting: Dec 13 Follow Map, 5p
• Luminary collection: Dec 14, Follow Map, 7a

You don’t have to volunteer for each event. Find the one that works for you and be there. There are no sign up sheets, just show up and help. For more information, you can contact Michelle at [email protected] or at 252-525-5261.

*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

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