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Election Day is Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025 with polls open from 6:30a to 7:30p. Residents of Oriental vote at Fire Station 19 on Straight Road.

See who is on your ballot plus the address of your Election Day polling location:

1. — Click here to open the N.C. State Board of Elections voter lookup page.

2. — You only need to enter your first and last names as they appear on your voter registration record. If you have a fairly common name such as Sue Smith, you should also select your county. Check the box “I’m not a robot.” Click “Search.”

3. — Click on your name to see a profile of your registration, including your precinct’s Election Day polling place and the jurisdictions you live in.

4. –On the page with your registration profile, go to the box below the words “Sample Ballot,” and click on the letter/number to the right of the current Election date.

You can not register to vote on Election Day. Curb-side voting is available for those with disabilities or illness.

Open Mic Night is live at the Silos Wednesday nights. The music begins at 7p.

Bring your instrument, your voice, or both. Music is upstairs in The Silos.

The Silos is at 1111 Broad St Extension, Oriental, NC.

You’re invited to help create prayer shawls at Oriental United Methodist Church. The group meets Thursday mornings from 10-11:30a at the church to crochet or knit shawls or lap robes and pray for the recipients of them.

The weekly gatherings have brought together people from all walks of life and faiths. (And even non-knitters; if you don’t know how to knit, stop on by and get a lesson and join in.) Contact Leigh Price at 919-219-2446 with any questions.

Do you already know some French but hesitate to speak it, or struggle to understand it in conversation? Join with other francophiles to practice and improve your French skills in an Intermediate French Conversation Group beginning Nov. 6.

The group meets on the first and third Thursday, 2-3p, at the new Pamlico County Library, 13896 NC 55 in Alliance in the community room at the rear of the building.

Marsha Luhrs and Melanie Fluharty are the volunteer leaders, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. There is no fee but registration is recommended. Participants do not have to attend every session. For questions and to RSVP contact Marsha at marluhrs@gmail.com or call/text 252-617-5960.

The 2025 Oriental Cup Regatta is rescheduled for the weekend of Nov 7-9 out 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.

A look at past Oriental Cup Regattas:
• A Storm, A Ripped Sail, and a Trophy Cup
• Bodacious. TrailerTrash. Victorious.
• The 2021 Oriental Cup Regatta

The Craven – Pamlico Regional Library Book / Tech Mobile is in Oriental on Friday, November 7, 10a – noon at the Piggly Wiggly, then at Arapahoe Town Hall from 2-4p.

The Book / Tech mobile brings books, wifi hot spots, and laptops you can check out with your library card. While there, you can use the Book / Tech Mobile’s free wifi and stream free movies on Hoopla – a library app you can use on your phone. Learn how to access over 600 free educational classes, and learn more about the Library’s free resources.

Don’t have a library card? You can get one while you’re there. Have a book to pick up at the library? Call ahead and have the Book / Tech Mobile bring it to you. (If you check out your books at the Book / Tech Mobile, you have 30 days to keep them instead of two weeks.)

The Book / Tech Mobile visits Oriental & Arapahoe on the first Friday of every month.

The Pamlico County Regional Library is located at 603 Main St, Bayboro, NC 28515. Have questions? Call the Library at 252-745-3515.

Saturday is the Oriental Farmer’s Market, from 8a – 11a on Hodges Street near the harbor.

Find fresh microgreens, honey & eggs, handmade soaps, candles, fishing gear, handmade wooden toys, seedlings, and more.

Vendors set up by The Provision Company.

As always, market is weather permitting.

The Oriental Woman’s Club is hosts a Fine Art and Craft Festival on Saturday Nov. 8, 2025 from 9a to 1p. There are vendors providing woodcrafts, jewelry, fabric arts (including a quilting demonstration), pottery, paper works and more.

OWC will have home-baked cookies by the pound as well as individually priced-baked and canned goods. Cash or check only. The Oriental Woman’s Club is at 1007 Gilgo Road.

The Old Theater presents Academy Award–winning classic Out of Africa, Sunday, Nov 9, 3:00p.

Based on the memoir by Karen Blixen, Out of Africa (1985) stars Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in a visually stunning love story set against the backdrop of colonial Kenya. The film captures the beauty, heartbreak, and adventure of a life fully lived.

Showtime: 3:00p – Doors open at 2:30p. Admission by donation ($10 suggested) Free popcorn.

TownDock.net sponsors the 2nd Sunday Cinema series with the Old Theater.

Open Sailing @ Bow To Stern, continues Mondays at both 3 & 5p.

Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Bring your friends and enjoy an evening on the water. Not sure how to sail? They’ll pair you with an experienced sailor. Afterwards, you can depart, or hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks.

Now two time options: Check in and get your boat assignment at 3p or 5p.. Return after your sail for refreshments and socializing. $25 per person, or $40 for both sessions.

Let them know you’re coming by registering here.

Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information Info@BowtoSternBoating.com. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here.

The One-Off Book Club meets the 2nd Monday of every month.

Next meeting, November 10 at 4p, at the Perry Griffin Foundation House.

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.

Oriental’s monthly Town Board meeting is now on the second Tuesday of the month.

Town Commissioners meet at Town Hall at 6p, Tuesday, November 11.

Town Board meetings are open to the public.

Agenda posted when available.

You’re invited to join The Gathering, 6p at The Bean, on Oct 27.

Update: The Gathering is adding a second monthly date, meeting on the second Thursday of the month (Nov 13) as well as the fourth Monday (Nov 24).

Sponsored by the Oriental United Methodist Church, The Gathering offers a non-traditional setting for open discussions on faith, beliefs, sacred texts, and the history weaving it all together.

Questions are welcome and often lead discussions. There is a very brief devotional thought and moment of silence at the end of the session.

No religious affiliation required or expected. All are welcome. If the water gauge reaches two feet, The Gathering moves to Brantley’s.

For more information, call 252-249-0213 or email asims@nccumc.org.

Grammy-nominated bluegrass band Authentic Unlimited plays Saturday November 15 7:30p at the Old Theater, presented by Pamlico Musical Society.

Authentic Unlimited blends traditional bluegrass with a fresh, modern edge, delivering a timeless sound. The band has multiple International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards. With regular album releases and an active touring schedule, Authentic Unlimited continues their impact on the bluegrass scene.

Listen to Authentic Unlimited:

Tickets $30, available at Nautical Wheelers in Oriental & New Bern, and online at pamlicomusic.org.

The group also conducts an “Informance” – music, stories, Q&A – free and open to the public, Nov 15, 11a at Oriental United Methodist Church.

The Pamlico Musical Society is a non-profit organization bringing musical entertainment, enrichment, and education to Pamlico County. To learn more call 252-617-2125 or visit www.pamlicomusic.org.

The third and fifth Thursdays of the month mean open jam session at Pamlico Community College, starting at 6p.

It’s open to all. Bring your instrument – or voice – or maybe only a chair to just come to listen. It all happens in PCC’s Delamar Center Auditorium. PCC is on Hwy 306 between Grantsboro and Arapahoe. All levels of unplugged playing welcome.

For more info, contact Denise McDermott 252-249-1851 ext 3113 dmcdermott@pamlicocc.edu.

Oriental celebrates The Spirit of Christmas the second weekend in December, Thursday, Dec 11 – Saturday, Dec 13.

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 13 at 1p. Register to enter the parade here.

The 2025 Spirit of Christmas schedule will be published about a week before the event.

Until then, check out last year’s event coverage:
• The 2023 Spirit of Christmas Parade
• The Nativity, A few Carols, and Lots of Lights

Touch a dragon for good luck…. Be out on Hodges Street on December 31 to ring in 2026 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 8p, the second around 11:30p 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.

Scenes from Dragon Runs past:
• A Dragon Rolls Through Oriental New Year’s Eve
• Dragons Run on Hodges – New Year’s Eve 2019 into 2020
• Two Dragons and a Croaker – New Year’s Eve 2018 into 2019

The 32nd annual Instead of Football Regatta is January 1, 2026

A sailing alternative to TV, and a loosely organized one at that, it’s become an Oriental New Year’s tradition. Sailors meet at noon on Monday, Jan 1 at Oriental marker #1 (SC1). Warning horn is at 11:55a.

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. The first skipper that asks for directions or instructions will be drawn, quartered, and forced to walk the plank.

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.

Check out the event from years past:
• A Hazy Instead of Football Regatta
• Forty+ Boats on New Year’s Day
• Instead of Football Regatta 2019

The SailPack Interconference Regatta is scheduled for April 4-5

The SailPack has hosts invitational regattas in Oriental – its coastal training waters or “2nd home” as coach Dana Magliola puts it. The Sailpack Regatta in Oriental is an official interconference event recognized by the ICSA, the governing body of college sailing. There are 18 collegiate teams participating in two days of sailing.

FJ sailboats and support are provided by Oriental’s Bow To Stern Boating.

Take a look at previous Sailpack Regattas:
• 2024 Sailpack Regatta
• SailPack 2023: The Year of the Capsize
• 2022 SailPack Regatta

It’s become one of the biggest and most successful in-water boat shows between Annapolis and Savannah. The 2026 Oriental Boat Show — The Best Small Town Boat Show In America —is April 10-12.

This 3-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday show is organized by the Oriental Rotary Club and is the place to see boats and gear for boats.

The Oriental Boat Show typically has about 100 exhibitors of nautical goods and services. Dealers and brokers bring in boats on land and to the slips at Oriental Marina & Inn. For more info, contact boat show organizers via email at oncboatshow@gmail.com.

Find out more about the Oriental Boat Show at orientalboatshow.com.

You’re invited to join in and play Pickleball even if you’ve never played the game before.

During fall, winter and spring, the Camp Caroline gym hosts a dozen sessions of pickleball each week, typically on this schedule (as of Aug 11, 2025):
Beginner/Novice Training: W, Sa 8-10a
Intermediate Play: M, W, F , Sa 10a-noon
Advanced Play: Sa, Su 1-3p; Tu, Th, 10a-noon
Women-Only Play: Tu, 1-3p
Evening Open Play: W, 5-7p
Int/Adv/League Practice: M, W 1-3

Reservations are required for all sessions. Signup information here.

Camp activities limit play at Camp Caroline in the summer, but free outdoor play occurs often on the town courts at Lupton Park, and is arranged using TeamReach.com, group code 864230.

TownDock’s coverage of the local growth of pickleball can be found here.

Oriental Rotary Club meets every Monday at Brantley’s Village Restaurant starting at 6p. The club does good things throughout the community… from Scholarships for Pamlico County Students to the Oriental in-water boat show and Oriental classic car show too.

For info about the club and meetings contact membership chair Jim Kellenberger, 919-621-0362.

If you want to rent a tent, table or chairs call the Rotary order line at 649-3725. More info about Rotary at www.orientalrotary.org

Own a Cape Dory? Then you’re invited to join the Cape Dory Sailboat Owner’s Association – Carolina’s Fleet.

Their mission is to advance the sport and enjoyment of sailing; to promote the education, technical interest, and knowledge of their members members; and to foster and enjoy a welcoming collegial fellowship and social environment among the owners of Cape Dory Sailboats.

The CDSOA hold quarterly meetings that include presentations on a range of topics: from sailing techniques to technical topics. Presentations are geared toward skill improvement and enjoyment of the Cape Dory.

CDSOA also hold rendezvous and fleet cruises throughout the year for all members.

To learn more about the CDSOA and to join the Carolinas Fleet visit CapeDorySOA.org, and click on the “New Members Sign Up” link. There you will also find a link to the CD forum, a huge database of information on Cape Dory sailboats.

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday from 7-8:30p at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church.

The band performs three concerts per year: in the spring, opening of the Fourth of July Croaker Festival, and Christmas.

All levels and ages of musicians welcome. Auditions not required; just show up with your instrument. Our focus is the joy of making and sharing music while having fun.

For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental.

The Pamlico County Library hosts a mystery book club the second Wednesday of each month at 5p.

Each month a novel selected from the winners of the annual Edgar Awards will be discussed.

Have you been wanting to learn to play a musical instrument? Have you started learning to play ukulele on your own but want to be a part of a group? Then UHOOs may be just the group for you…

The UKULELE HOALOHAs of ORIENTAL, better known as the UHOOs, meet every Tuesday from 2-4p at OUMC (404 Freemason Street). New members are welcome to join.

There are ongoing classes for beginners and intermediates. To sign up for classes, Contact Claudia Bemis at csbemis@yahoo.com. To join UHOOs, contact Judy Styron at cjstyron@embarqmail.com.

The UHOOS focus on having fun while singing and playing together, and periodically perform at events.

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

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

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, and by letting their collective voices be be heard to influence positive change.

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

Find yourself a bargain at the Hospice Thrift Shop in Bayboro – across from the Pamlico High School. Hospice Thrift is open 10a to 4p Monday-Friday and 10a-4p on Saturday. All of the proceeds go to support Hospice of Pamlico County.

Donations of gently used clothes, housewares, small appliances, knickknacks, bedding, books, office supplies and more are always appreciated and may be dropped off during shop hours at the store. For more info, contact the store manager at 252-745-5033.

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon from 3-4:30p. 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 Dougcarmichael@embarqmail.com.

In just a few years, the prayer shawl ministry at Oriental United Methodist Church has knitted or crocheted more than 1650 shawls for those in need. The group meets Thursday mornings from 10-11:30am at the church to crochet or knit shawls and pray for the recipients of them.

The weekly gatherings have brought together people from all walks of life and religious faiths. (And even non-knitters; if you don’t know how to knit, stop on by and get a lesson and join in.) Contact Leigh Price at 249-1361 with any questions.

The NAACP of Pamlico County holds its regular monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month at 6p at the 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 nellie98@embarqmail.com or Hattie Harrell, 1st Vice President truesister2@yahoo.com

Oriental Mayor Sally Belangia holds office hours from 8-9a on Wednesdays at Town Hall. It’s a chance for constituents to talk with the Mayor. Appointments not necessary.

On the third Tuesday of the month the Craven/Pamlico Beekeepers Association meets to talk bees at the Craven County Cooperative Extension Center. The informal “Bee Social” gets underway at 7p. The actual meeting starts at 7:30p and is open to the public. More on CPBA and local beekeeping at their website. The Craven Cooperative Extension Center is at 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern.

Concerned about your drinking? Help is available.

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 Craven/Pamlico Hotline: (252) 349-0898.

Al-Anon – for those worried about someone with a drinking problem – meets Tuesday at 7p at 403 Mildred Street. 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 pageese@yahoo.com or Katherine Hudson at 252-745-4510 for information about the date, time and location of the next group meeting.

The Minnesott Mens’ Golf Association holds a Golf Tournament every second Saturday of the month.

Tee time is 9:15. Call the Golf Shop at Minnesott (252-249-0813 and press ‘1’ for the Golf Shop) for more information about joining the MGA. Fees for golf as well as the tournaments.

Any Marine on active duty, retired, or honorably discharged with ninety days of active service is invited to join the Oriental Dragon Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

The group meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1800 for dinner — meeting begins at 1900 — at the Oriental Fire Station 19 on Straight Road in Oriental. The Dragon Detachment participates in Toys for Tots, Spirit of Christmas, Croakerfest, the Marine Corps Birthday, as well as national initiatives.

For additional information on joining this detachment, contact Commandant Marty Musella at 252-249-0694. Semper Fi.

Share ideas with fellow anglers. The Lower Neuse Anglers Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month, at 6:30p. They meet at Brantley’s restaurant every month on the second Tuesday at 6:30p, and welcome members and non-members alike. For more info, contact Bob Dillard at gbobdillard @ gmail.com or 704/236-4716

The Oriental Paddle Group goes out kayaking on Friday mornings, setting out from the Wildlife Resources Commission ramp at the end of Midyette Street at 9a. Come and join the group, led by Larry Summers and Bill Hines as they paddle up nearby creeks. One benefit of these jaunts is the birds you can see. As Liz Lathrop of the Pamlico Birders group put is, “We have had interesting birds each time. The birds are not as skittish when you approach in a noiseless kayak.”

Call Bill Hines by Thursday evening prior to let them know you’ll be joining Friday morning: 252-571-0264.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 6 – 7:00p 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.

If you love to sing, the Chorale is the place to spend a few hours every Monday. Everyone is welcome. For more info, contact Carla Byrnes at 745-4793 or 670-4960.

When you go to the bank, you can help the food bank feed those who don’t have enough to eat.

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.

The Oriental Woman’s Club holds its meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 1pm at the clubhouse at 1007 Gilgo Road.

Guests are welcome. Meetings include refreshments, a special speaker and short business session.

OWC is a service club focused on community service, as well as state, national and international concerns of women and children. The OWC awards several scholarships annually to Pamlico County High School and Arapahoe Charter School graduating seniors who continue their education at the college level.

For more information about club activities and membership, check out orientalwomansclub.org.

The Pamlico Amateur Radio Society meets at Brantley’s Village Restaurant at 9am on the last Saturday of every month (except June). They invite all HAMS and those interested in amateur radio to attend. For additional information, please call Bill Michne WM3X, drmichne73@gmail.com, 252-249-1175 or visit our website at N4PRS.org.

Friends of the Pamlico County Library meets at the library on Highway 55 in Bayboro. This is the group of folks who help sustain the library. For info, call 252-745-3515.