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It may be just a green House in Mesic – but the siding does look a bit shamrock-ish.

Wednesday March 17, 2010

9:10a Our sympathies go out this morning to Charlotte and Charlie Garrett – Charlotte’s mother Anna passed away peacefully Monday at age 84. Anna was the subject of a Ben Casey column years ago – and in that column Anna’s life had a message for all of us on How To Look At Life.

6:05a – Alert To Ferry Users: The Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach Ferry will be running an abbreviated schedule from 8a to 2:30p today. They say it isn’t a St Pats celebration – but rather to allow the U.S. Coast Guard annual inspection of the Motor Vessel W. Stanford White.

The normal schedule will resume this afternoon with the 2:45 p.m. runs from both sides of the route.

The following departures will not take place:
There will be no 8:15 a.m., 9:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15 p.m., and 1:45 from Cherry Branch; and
There will be no 8:45, 9:45, 10:45, 11:45, 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 from Minnesott Beach.

St. Patrick’s Day just isn’t St. Patrick’s Day ‘round here unless you see Patrick. Visiting sailor Patrick (seen at right on a Bean visit) has real Irish roots, the accent to match and an impressive smile. Happy St Pat’s Day!

Spring-like weather in the forecast – highs near 60 today and Thursday – and 70 for Friday.

Tuesday March 16, 2010

4:10p Your plans to get across the Neuse River tomorrow may have to be modified. We got word this afternoon from the NC Ferry Division that it is canceling — for tomorrow only — the 8:45a, 9:45a, 10:45a, 11:45a, 1:15p. and 2:15p departures from Minnesott Beach as well as the 8:15a, 9:15a, 10:15a, 11:15a, 12:15p and 1:45p runs from Cherry Branch.

That’s happening so that the US Coast Guard can conduct its annual inspection of one of the ferries, the MV W. Stanford White. As of 2:45p, two ferries will again be carrying passengers and cars as the schedule returns to normal. This is for tomorrow — Wednesday March 17 — only.

Monday March 15, 2010

12:10p Pamlico County Commissioners hold a public hearing tonight on an updated emergency medical services plan, including a proposal to establish a second county ambulance station, this time, at the Oriental fire station.

The New Bern Sun Journal reports that nobody — no one — showed up for the last public hearing on this issue a few weeks ago. Take Two for that public hearing is tonight. It will likely be of interest to those in Oriental who have been asking for an ambulance to be situated closer by so that patients can be whisked to the hospital faster. If you plan to speak, be forewarned, there’s usually a sign-up sheet you have to get your name on before the meeting starts at 7p. (Charlie Hall of the Sun Journal also reports you can make your views known by calling the County Manager, Tim Buck, at 745-3133.)

7:32a Looks like we get a chance to dry out. That Oriental Weather Forecast gives us days and days of clear-ish skies and temps in the 50’s and 60’s. Ah, spring…

Of course, when it does rain, it’s great to capture that fresh water in order to use later. A few years ago, the Cooperative Extension Service taught a workshop about rainbarrels and what’s more, made them available for sale at a really cheap price. They’re doing it again, this time for $40 a barrel in a fundraiser for Pamlico’s 4H kids. Signing up early is key to getting your barrel. You can read about it here.

Sunday March 14, 2010

Now look Elmer, it isn’t hard – just set that clock ahead an hour and you’ll be right with the world. With the beginning of daylight savings time today the sun will be with us later in the day – sunrise is 7:17a, sunset 7:12p. We “lose” an hour though… that’s why you may feel a bit grumpy this morning as you stumble out for coffee.

The fed govt expanded daylight saving time in 2007 – they said it was to save energy. Maybe that’s true, but early this morning it isn’t making sense. Daylight savings time begins on the second Sunday in March and continues until the first Sunday in November.

Not quite as warm today but still a sunny afternoon forecast with highs near 60.

On the water winds 15-20 today in the Pamlico Sound marine weather forecast – but look out for gusts to 30 knots coming Monday night and Tuesday.

80 runners took to the streets of Oriental Saturday in the 7th running of the Lucky Charms Challenge – click here for the story.

Saturday March 13, 2010

Good morning, and what a good and busy day it’ll be….

The Farmers’ Market’s kicking things off — amid the produce and other food this week, a few of the vendors will be selling veggie plants so you can grow your own. While you’re out there, cheer on the runners and walkers in the Lucky Charms Race. Meanwhile, some folks you see this morning may be running with a pot of chowder in their hands, to get to the cook-off in time. Tonight the Madison Singers are at a Pamlico Musical Society concert at the High School, and the St Pat’s day dinner — with Murphy Family music — is at St. Peters. Details for everything are in What’s Happening.

And yeah, there’s some rain in the Oriental Weather Forecast but it’s not the cold, bone-chilling rain of recent months. Look at today’s high.. it’s near 70!

Friday March 12, 2010

4:51p There are questions about rain and the Chowder cook-off. Here is the deal – it will go on, rain or shine. There will be tent(s) – and if there is a cool rain the chowder will keep you warm. Come on out either way….

9:23a Along with warmer temps, the weekend has lots going on in Oriental. Friday Flicks tonight at the Old Theater, the Saturday brings The Lucky Charms Race, Chowder Cookoff and the St Patricks Corned Beef Dinner – see all the local goings on in What’s Happening.

Rain in the forecast, but some sun should poke through Saturday and even more so Sunday afternoon.

Thursday March 11, 2010

12:45p Governor Perdue speaks at PCC 2p today – to hear the speech online click here. TownDock.net will be at the event and have photos online during the speech.

5:40a The Gov is coming to our little county today. NC Governor Beverly Perdue speaks today at Pamlico Community College – the subject is education. Perdue will emphasize her “Career and College – Ready, Set, Go” initiative. The event starts at 2p and is open to the public. The Delamar Center seats 650 and the school is advising guests to arrive early.

For those unable to attend, TownDock.net will stream the speech audio live online – check back here for the link after noon.

Tuesday March 9, 2010

Spring keeps raising its head a bit more – temps today near 70 in the Oriental forecast.

The service for Betty Brandon is set for this Saturday 11am at Bryant Funeral Home. More about the life of Florence Elizabeth Betty Brandon – click here.

Saturday March 6, 2010

9:14a Here in the village, a sad note. Betty Brandon passed away this morning, at age 88. Betty is already very much missed…

6:09a We’ve received some notes of sorrow after reporting the death of Charlotte Castro, the 2-1/2 year old daughter of Molasses Creek musicians Lou Castro and Marcy Brenner. The Ocracoke Island Journal has some more information. Included in there is an address or two, for those who may want to send condolences to Marcy and Lou who have played in Oriental not only as part of Molasses Creek, but as their own duo, Coyote.

Molasses Creek played at Oriental’s Old Theater last night with a couple from Wilmington standing in.

It’s late in coming, but we may be on track for spring with this weekend’s Oriental Weather Forecast. Feed that spring fever… get out and absorb it.

The Farmers’ Market’s happening this morning. Eggs, desserts and some transitional winter-to-spring plants to tuck in to the ground.

Meanwhile, Pamlico County’s Girl Scouts have a few more boxes of cookies to sell. Sherry Meador says they’ll be selling them out in front of Miss Ruth’s Town-n-Country starting at 9a. Sherry notes that the cookies “freeze well.”

Friday March 5, 2010

Condolences go out to Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro, known to Pamlico Musical Society audiences as the band, Coyote. They are also part of another Ocracoke band, Molasses Creek, and were to be in Oriental tonight for a performance. Marcy and Lou’s 2-1/2 year old daughter, Charlotte, passed away this week. There is a funeral this morning in Ocracoke. While Marcy and Lou won’t be performing tonight, they wanted the rest of the band to do so.

Julie Rahm, who has organized tonight’s concert says that a duo from Wilmington, the Barnraisers, will perform with Molasses Creek. The show, a fundraiser for the Red Cross, is sold out.

A warming trend is here. Upper 40’s today and the Oriental Weather Forecast gives us temps in the mid-60’s by Sunday. On top of that.. this warmth comes not with rain but with clear skies. Good weather to get out and do things. More in What’s Happening.

Wednesday March 3, 2010

3:27p Oriental’s Town Board met last night, mostly in open session. We have the rundown of what went down, here.

6:40a 6:42a While there may be the threat of snow, temperatures are above freezing – little accumulation is likely. Weather Radar indicates that most of the moisture has moved past us and is heading north. The Oriental forecast has a cloudy day ahead with a high around 40.

This might be a day not to be on the water – the Pamlico Sound marine forecast has gusts up to 45mph possible, with a gale warning in effect until 1pm.