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

Welcome to our October Events page for Pamlico County! If you have something to include or see a needed correction, please email: [email protected]

^{SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1}

Pastor Anne of Oriental United Methodist Church, Father Bruce of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and Reverend Adam Christiansen of Pamlico Presbyterian Church hold The Blessing of the Animals at the Labyrinth on South Ave, across from Lou Mac Park in Oriental. All pets and animals are welcome. Bring your cats, dogs, birds, and more. Blessings have and can be given to horses, lizards, hogs, snakes, spiders – whatever your animal companion may be. Children are welcome to bring their stuffed animals for a blessing. Clergy ask only that they are on a leash or properly contained. 2 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. Hours are: Friday 11-3 and Saturday 1-4. Admission is always free, donations gratefully accepted. For more information about the museum: [email protected]

Cycling from Oriental. Rides start at 8:30am from the Bean from spring to fall, as the weather permits. 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]

^{MONDAY, OCTOBER 2}

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

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

^{TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3}

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.

Funnels of Love will be at the State Employees Credit Union, 11 a.m- 6 p.m

^{WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4}

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

Wednesday Night Sail Race. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. There is a warning horn at 1725 (usually) and again at the start. 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. The race starts at 1730 GPS time.

^{THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5}

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

PCHS Volleyball at PCHS vs. East Carteret, 4:30 p.m.

^{FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6}

The 9th Annual Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival in Oriental. Walk around town and hear dozens of musicians playing on porches. Cap the Saturday off with a band headlining on the Riverfront Stage near Lou Mac Park. Line-up is here.

Pop-up exhibition from Down in the County with a silent auction—place a bid on framed images of Pamlico County during the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival!! At The New Village Brewery, 12-9 pm. (Auction winner announced 9:30 p.m Saturday evening) 

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

The Village Gallery welcomes October’s artist of the month, Sue Henry. The Village Gallery is at 300 Hodges St. in Oriental. Join the Village Gallery for an artist’s reception from 2 – 5 p.m.

Live music at The Red Rooster Pavilion (behind the Silos in Oriental). TerryLynn Melody plays on the Bantam Stage, 7 p.m.

PCHS Homecoming Football Game vs Camp Lejeune, 7 p.m.

^{SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7}

The 9th Annual Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival in Oriental. Walk around town and hear dozens of musicians playing on porches. Cap the Saturday off with a band headlining on the Riverfront Stage near Lou Mac Park. Line-up is here.

Silly Socks Story time at the Pamlico County Public Library at PCHS, 11 a.m.

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

Cycling from Oriental. Rides start at 8:30am from the Bean from spring to fall, as the weather permits. In the fall, the start time switches to 10:00am. 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]

Karaoke at Squidders Bait n Tackle in Vandemere, read about it here, 7 p.m.

The County Opry Fall Bazaar, 9874 Hwy 55 East, Grantsboro. Read more about The County Opry here! 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

^{SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8}

Cycling from Oriental. Rides start at 8:30am from the Bean from spring to fall, as the weather permits. 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]

^{MONDAY, OCTOBER 9}

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

PCHS Volleyball vs. Ayden-Grifton, 4:30 p.m.

^{TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10}

PCHS Volleyball v/s Jones, 4:30 p.m.

^{WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11}

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

Mystery Book Club meeting at the Pamlico County Public Library in Bayboro (at PCHS). 5 p.m.

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

Wednesday Night Sail Race. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. There is a warning horn at 1725 (usually) and again at the start. 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. The race starts at 1730 GPS time.

^{THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12}

Paint a Pumpkin Contest for Teens at the Pamlico County Public Library at PCHS, 3 p.m.

PCHS JV Football v/s East Carteret, 6:30 p.m.

^{FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13}

The 2023 Oriental Cup Regatta is set for the weekend on the Neuse. The Cup continues as a cooperative effort between Oriental’s three sailing clubs: ODC, SCOO & NSA. Register at the Cup web site: orientalcupregatta.com.

Live music at The Red Rooster Pavilion (behind the Silos in Oriental). the Stagger Brothers plays on the Bantam Stage, 7 p.m.

Trail of Terror held by the Triangle Volunteer Fire Department (and food plates sold by the Boy Scouts). 204 Fourth St, Bayboro, $10 per person. 7 p.m.-12 a.m.

Brant Island Strings in the Beer Garden, music at The New Village Brewery, 5-7:30 p.m.

^{SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14}

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

Astronomer/astrophotographer, Garnett Leary will a present solar astronomy at the Pamlico County Public Library (PCHS). You will learn solar safety, an equipment overview, and get to see the Sun live through a dedicated solar telescope. A special treat will be a partial solar eclipse taking place between 12-2 pm.

Cycling from Oriental. Rides start at 8:30am from the Bean from spring to fall, as the weather permits. In the fall, the start time switches to 10:00am. 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]

Karaoke at Squidders Bait n Tackle in Vandemere, read about it here, 7 p.m.

The 2023 Oriental Cup Regatta is set for the weekend on the Neuse. The Cup continues as a cooperative effort between Oriental’s three sailing clubs: ODC, SCOO & NSA. Register at the Cup web site: orientalcupregatta.com.

The 9th annual Oriental Classic Car Show—check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. Trophies awarded at 2:30 p.m.

PCHS Band Competition (White Oak High School, 1001 Piney Green Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28546)

The Vanessa Rubin Quartet is coming to the stage as the opener to the Pamlico Musical Society’s 2023-2024 season . The group will perform at the Old Theater in Oriental, NC. Tickets are $25 and are available at Nautical Wheelers or online here. In addition, the band will conduct an “informance” - music, stories, and Q&A - on the same day at 2 pm at the Holt’s Chapel Community Center, 136 Janiero Road, free and open to the public. Come out for Prosecco on the porch at the Old Theater before the show to celebrate the opening of a brand new season, 7:30 p.m.

^{SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15}

The 2023 Oriental Cup Regatta is set for the weekend on the Neuse. The Cup continues as a cooperative effort between Oriental’s three sailing clubs: ODC, SCOO & NSA. Register at the Cup web site: orientalcupregatta.com.

Cycling from Oriental. Rides start at 8:30am from the Bean from spring to fall, as the weather permits. 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]

^{MONDAY, OCTOBER 16}

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

^{WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18}

Anime/Manga Appreciation for Kids (ages 8-12) at the Pamlico County Public Library at PCHS, 5 p.m

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

Wednesday Night Sail Race. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. There is a warning horn at 1725 (usually) and again at the start. 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. The race starts at 1730 GPS time.

PCHS Cross Country-Conference Championship at PCHS, 4 p.m.

^{THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19}

Open jam session at Pamlico Community College. It’s open to all. Bring your instrument – or voice – or maybe only a chair to just come to listen to the harmonies. It all happens in PCC’s Delamar Center Auditorium. PCC is on Hwy 306 between Grantsboro and Arapahoe, 6 p.m.

^{FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20}

Spooky Movie-Outdoor Movie at Pamlico County Public Library (at PCHS) Bring some snacks, your favorite blanket, and get cozy in the library for a winter family movie night. We provide popcorn! Call the library at (252) 745-3515 for more information. 7:30 p.m.

Haunted Trail Hayride at Moors Swamp It’s the first year of a haunt that will benefit our local horse and animal rescue, Horses of Pamlico. Come out and enjoy a hay ride and festivities each night to raise money for such a great organization. 135 Moore's Swamp Road, 6-10 p.m.

PCHS 35th Class Reunion for the class of 1988. It is not too late to take part of our 35th class reunion. It will be October 20th - 21st at PCHS. We would love to see and enjoy one another in one place. The final deadline to pay for the event is October 2nd. Email for information [email protected], 7 p.m.

Live music at The Red Rooster Pavilion (behind the Silos in Oriental). the Brant Island Strings plays on the Bantam Stage, 7 p.m.

Trail of Terror held by the Triangle Volunteer Fire Department (and food plates sold by the Boy Scouts). 204 Fourth St, Bayboro, $10 per person. 7 p.m.-12 a.m.

PCHS Football Home v/s Jones at PCHS, 7 p.m.

^{SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21}

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

Sketch Book Club for Kids and Teens at the Pamlico County Public Library at PCHS, 11 a.m.

Cycling from Oriental. Rides start at 8:30am from the Bean from spring to fall, as the weather permits. In the fall, the start time switches to 10:00am. 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]

Karaoke at Squidders Bait n Tackle in Vandemere, read about it here, 7 p.m.

Trail of Terror held by the Triangle Volunteer Fire Department (and food plates sold by the Boy Scouts). 204 Fourth St, Bayboro, $10 per person. 7 p.m.-12 a.m.

Try a lot of chili and help the Old Theater raise funds. The 15th Annual Chili Cook-off is at the Oriental Marina & Inn on the harbor in Oriental. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

An Evening with Pamlico NAACP with Pamlico youth dancers and a concert by vocalist Alisa Mike, $10 at the Pamlico Community College in Grantsboro, 6-7:30 p.m.

PCHS Band Competition Topsail High School, 245 N St Johns Church Rd, Hampstead, NC

Mad Fiddler performing in the Beer Garden, music at The New Village Brewery, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The Psycho 48 Bike Race is in the county again! Race for 50 miles OR 48 HOURS!!! Officially a RAAM qualifier! Register at the link, 150 rider limit. Read more about this annual race here.

^{SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22}

Cycling from Oriental. Rides start at 8:30am from the Bean from spring to fall, as the weather permits. 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]

Goose Creek Island Homecoming Service at the Goose Creek Island Community Center, 145 Schoolhouse Rd, Hobucken, all are invited and dinner to follow. Please bring covered dish for all to share. 10:30 am.

The Psycho 48 Bike Race is in the county again! Race for 50 miles OR 48 HOURS!!! Officially a RAAM qualifier! Register at the link, 150 rider limit. Read more about this annual race here.

^{MONDAY, OCTOBER 23}

The Psycho 48 Bike Race is in the county again! Race for 50 miles OR 48 HOURS!!! Officially a RAAM qualifier! Register at the link, 150 rider limit. Read more about this annual race here.

^{TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24}

Pressing Pause: Contemplative Practices for 21st Century Living – Reverend Dr. Anne Sims leads this three part series. You do not have to have a religious affiliation to join.Sponsored by PrimeTime. To register for these events, contact Debora Steenson at 252-675-0909 or email [email protected] 2-4 p.m.

^{WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25}

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

Trendy Reads Book Club at the Pamlico County Public Library at PCHS, 5 p.m.

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

Wednesday Night Sail Race. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. There is a warning horn at 1725 (usually) and again at the start. 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. The race starts at 1730 GPS time.

^{FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27}

Live music at The Red Rooster Pavilion (behind the Silos in Oriental). the Dr. Paul plays on the Bantam Stage, 7 p.m.

PCHS Football Home v/s Northside-Pinetown at PCHS, 7 p.m.

Trail of Terror held by the Triangle Volunteer Fire Department (and food plates sold by the Boy Scouts). 204 Fourth St, Bayboro, $10 per person. 7 p.m.-12 a.m.

^{SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28}

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

Trunk-or-Treat and Halloween Party at the Pamlico County Public Library at PCHS, 11 a.m.

Cycling from Oriental. Rides start at 8:30am from the Bean from spring to fall, as the weather permits. In the fall, the start time switches to 10:00am. 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]

Trail of Terror held by the Triangle Volunteer Fire Department (and food plates sold by the Boy Scouts). 204 Fourth St, Bayboro, $10 per person. 7 p.m.-12 a.m.

Goose Creek Island’s Fall Harvest Festival with games, a cake walk, haunted house, escape room, food, silent auction and face painting. $5 adults, $3 kids. 145 Hobucken School Rd, Hobucken, NC 28537, 5 - 9 p.m.

Karaoke at Squidders Bait n Tackle in Vandemere, read about it here, 7 p.m.

The Witches of Silverbrooke present the 6th Annual Witches’ Crawl in Oriental. The witches perform the Witches’ Dance and take donations for a different charity every year. This year, they dance to benefit Friends of the Pamlico Library and their effort to construct a new library building. Donations can be made at the event to any participating witch or online at pamlicofol.org. If writing a check, please make out to FOL (Friends of the Library). There is a ‘Little Witches Performance’ at 5:45p. The Silverbrooke Witches perform at 6, 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m. at the corner of King & First Streets in Oriental.

^{SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29}

Cycling from Oriental. Rides start at 8:30am from the Bean from spring to fall, as the weather permits. 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]

^{TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31 Halloween}

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

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

“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 6:30-6:70p. 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 7p 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

*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

Down in the County has its own Instagram page! Check us out @downinthecounty To see my work, check out my Instagram page @andreabruce 

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