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Cycle NC is underway in Oriental. This is the scene Friday morning near Lou Mac Park. Over 1,000 cyclists are in Oriental for the weekend… it’s an event that comes to Oriental every 3 years.

10:26a Cycle NC, a weekend movie-making challenge, and the Gospel, Blues & Rockin’ BBQ. It’s in Oriental this weekend.

Every three years, Cycle NC brings over a thousand cyclists to town. It’s happening this weekend. The cyclists ride around the county on routes from 15 – 100 miles. They all start and end at Lou Mac Park.

Visit the Provision Company today for a beer tasting from Shortway Brewing Company, 3-4:30p.

Friday (tonight), The Old Theater launches the Village Weekend Movie Challenge. Find out what it takes to make a movie in a weekend. Rules, registration, and deadlines – learn it all and get signed up tonight at 5p.

Fusion Foods, a new food truck, is at the brewery this evening from 4-8p. Big Jim Kohler plays the Beer Garden from 5:30-7p.

Down the road behind the Silos, George Bailey takes the stage at 7p.

Saturday morning is the Oriental Farmer’s Market on Hodges Street, 8-11a.

Head to the Silos between 1-10p for the Gospel, Blues, and Rockin’ BBQ. Five groups including the Gospel Ensemble, Jill & Shane Harris, and The Southern Hellcats perform throughout the day. Bring your chair for this free event.

Visit Mariposa for fresh baked goods in the mornings and wine & charcuterie boards in the evening, Sat, Sun & Mon, 7-11a and 3-9p. Broad Strokes Gallery features their April Artists of the month and are open all weekend: Fri & Sat 10a-5p, Sun 11a-4p.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

9:40a There are a thousand~ish bicyclists in town. Most are riding what appear to be… bicycles.

At least one couple are bicycling something that might look more like a Formula 1 car. TownDock (and canine crew) talked with David Wall and Barbara Gaylord:

TownDock did check out the VeloMobiel web site. If you’re wondering, they list for about $10,000 euro (a bit more in $).

The bicyclists have mostly great weekend weather ahead. Sunny and upper 80s today and Saturday. Sunday may include some rain (70% chance).

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

Round-the-world sailor Josh Kali is back at sea, returning Oriental aboard his 19 ft sailboat Skookum. He writes in:

The route home:

2:59p Local artist Betty Brown has used Oriental as the subject of her work for decades. Now 74 years old, she is selling her original sketches, prints & notecards for 50% off, or buy one, get one free.

“I’d rather see my art in homes that love Oriental than stored away.”

You can find, and buy, Betty’s work at New Village Brewery and Mariposa’s. Learn more here.

9:34a We are just a week way from an event that brings out the bright-eyed hunter scavenger in all of us. It’s the Town Wide Yard Sale, Saturday May 2.

You still can get your yard included, but better do it soon. Call Marsha Paplham at 252-675-5142‬.

Early next week, a map of all the yards is created. That map will be available on TownDock.

3:22p Josh Kali (onboard 19 ft MiniGlobe raceer Skookum) has departed the Bahamas, making his way back to our town.

Josh sent this note earlier today:

Scroll down on this page to see Josh’s track. We’ll update that track tomorrow, after he has some new miles under his keel.

7:40a No taco truck at Triton Yachts today… but taco time is coming tomorrow. A note from Julie @ Triton Yachts:

Yesterday’s high was 63. Today warm returns… highs near 80.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

4:44p Circumnavigator Josh Kali still hopes to be back in Oriental late this month. He is at anchor in the Bahamas today, waiting for better weather:

Scroll down this page to see his route home.

1:50p $10,000. What might you do with an extra ten grand?

The $10,000 Golden Raffle is part of the 2026 Hope Regala, set for May 8 & 9.

Proceeds from the Regala support the mission of Hope Clinic, to bring healthcare to the medically underserved in Pamlico County.

If you go for one of the 10k Golden Raffle tix, your odds are better than in most drawings. You have a 1 in 200 chance of winning $10,000 when you get a $10k Golden Raffle ticket – click here.

11:57a The 2026 Oriental In-Water Boat Show was April 10-12. Here’s the report.

10:25a Two days. A genre. A prop… and a surprise element.

From it all… you make one film.

It’s the Village Weekend Movie Challenge. (formerly the 48 Hour Film Festival).

The kickoff meeting is Friday, April 24, 5p at The Old Theater. Participating teams will be assigned a film genre, a required prop, and a surprise element that must be included in their movie. Teams have until Sunday, April 26 at 5p to plan, write, film, edit and submit a completed short film.

The film entries will be screened at The Old Theater May 1 – 3.

Have a look at previous year’s films.

4:27p At 1p today, it was 80. Then the wind switched north… cold air is coming in.

It’s now 60, with a low tonight forecast for the mid 40s.

click image for the big view

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

4:19p Round-the-world sailor Josh Kali is at sea, returning Oriental aboard his 19 ft sailboat Skookum. He messages TownDock that he has just tucked in at Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas:

3:44p We’re in touch with Josh Kali, the round-the-world sailor (on a 19 ft boat) making his way back to Oriental. Josh was headed to Fort Pierce FL, to avoid bad weather (scroll down to see the route). He’s having to rethink that:

Most cruising sailors would start the “iron genny” in such a situation. Not an option on a MiniGlobe 19 – it’s pure sailing.

1:12p Tonight Hank, Pattie & The Current bring their “soulgrass” to the Old Theater stage. At the brewery, Nottaband in the beer garden, with the Taqueria San Luis food truck serving. At The Silos / Red Rooster, Shawn Aldridge. You should have guessed it: tonight is Trivia Night at the Oriental Womans Club.

Saturday is Arbor Day in Oriental: At 10a the Tree Board hosts a tree planting and pruning demonstration at 309 High Street. Saturday morning, the Oriental Farmer’s Market provides produce and more from 8-11a. Mariposa salutes chocolate this weekend, both at the morning bakery & evening wine bar.

Wine Tastings, 2 & 3p at Nautical Wheelers, showcasing South African wines. Noah Jackson Cobb plays at New Village Brewery’s beer garden, along with the La Cocina del Coqui food truck.

The Old Theater’s presentation “Messing About in Boats: 60 Years in NC’s Land of Water” for Sunday has been postponed. New date TBD.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

10:29a Round-the-world sailor Josh Kali is returning to Oriental. The current guesstimate ETA, late April.

Bad weather en-route has caused Josh to re-route to Ft. Pierce, Florida… wait for a good forecast there… and then sail to Beaufort NC. He writes in this morning:

Here’s the latest track:

11:21a Garland Fulcher Seafood on Hodges St is open today, til 5p. The seafood store will be open Friday, closing at 4p, so staff can attend the visitation for family member Sherrill Styron, who passed away April 11.

The store will be closed Saturday, for the funeral of Sherrill Styron.

7:25a Calling All Artists: Broad Strokes Gallery invites you to an non-juried Open Exhibition in May. Display your work – whatever the medium – at Broad Strokes Gallery. First piece is free, second is $25. Find out more by stopping in at the Gallery at 730 Broad Street.

4:14p John Rahm reports from the road:

11:00a Garden harvesters wanted. From Pete Flood:

Here’s the garden:

If you’d like to help with the harvest, text Jim Kellenberger at 919-621-0362 or Pete Flood at 919-622-4542.

10:17a Tomorrow, Thursday April 16, is Pamlico Community College’s inaugural AI Fest.

This free event runs from noon to 6:45p and the community is invited. There are AI-training workshops designed for three audiences – small business owners, educators & administrators, and general community members – a panel discussion on the future of AI, as well as food trucks and live music.

Schedule details at this link.

9:50a Stormy weather. War. Stock market futures. Sometimes we need a simple break from it all.

Bernie Harberts sent in this sunrise photo this morning. Onboard SV Grit (a Nimble 24), 6:29a on the Neuse:

9:15a This morning round-the-world sailor Josh Kali is diverting his path to Florida to avoid bad weather (the weather is bad enough that there are reports of cruise ships changing their routes). He is still returning to Oriental on SV Skookum, just getting a diversion from the sea.

The word from Josh:

That would put Josh back in Oriental about the 29th. Sea schedules are guesstimates.

Click here to see a plot of where Josh is.

4:22p Sherrill Styron served Oriental as both Mayor and Commissioner. He led Garland Fulcher Seafood on Oriental’s harbor for four decades.

Sherrill passed away a few days ago, age 83. More about his life is here.

Josh Kali, aboard 19 ft SV Skookum, is diverting to the Bahamas for a few days to avoid some unpleasant weather at sea. This may change his Oriental arrival to late April.

Readers who have sailed small boats offhsore, know how schedules have to adapt to the sea.

9:19a Round-the-world sailor Josh Kali is returning to Oriental. Guesstimate date, April 22. But sailing in the Atlantic doesn’t always match up with a schedule. Add to that, Josh is sailing a 19 ft boat.

Josh sent this note in this morning:

If there is a Bahamas diversion, that will change those dates. TownDock will keep the tracking chart updated, as Josh gets closer. Whatever day he ends up arriving, will be a big day in Oriental.

Here’s the latest track on Josh:

Tuesday morning Josh is about 665 nautical miles from Beaufort NC.

10:33a One day every year, folks in town bring out treasures, ready to send them off to new homes. It’s called the Town Wide Yard Sale, set this year for Saturday May 2.

To get your yard of stuff included, call Marsha Paplham at 252-675-5142‬.

A few days before the event, a map of all the yards is created. That map will be available on TownDock.

8:50a The boat show weekend brought boats and folks to downtown Oriental. Bucolic weather every day (word is that it was a record Friday gate).

No major events this coming weekend (phew). But there’s not too much rest.

The following weekend, April 24-26, is Cycle NC. That means over a thousand (last time it was 1,400) cyclists become part of Oriental for the weekend.

Here’s a look at the 2023 and 2017 Cycle NC events in our town:

• NC Coastal Ride 2023

• Cycle NC 2017 In Oriental

9:41a Sad news to share on a Sunday morning: Sherrill Styron has passed, age 83.

A true village icon, Sherrill served his town in multiple roles. Styron is a past Oriental mayor and town commissioner, and the long time owner of Garland Fulcher Seafood on Oriental’s harbor.

4:34p The Oriental In-Water Boat Show is happening all weekend. Open until 6p tonight, 10a-6p Saturday, and 10a-3p Sunday.

Tonight, Taqueria San Luis is at the Brewery until 8p. Mac & Dave perform in the beer garden 6-8p.

Mariposa serves fresh baked goods Saturday, Sunday, & Monday 7-11a, and charcuterie & wine flights in the evenings, 3-9p. ‘Second Sunday Soup’ is on offer from 11a-2p.

Saturday morning visit the Oriental Farmer’s Market at the other end of Hodges Street (in front of Marsha’s Cottage) from 8-11a.

Get your dog microchipped or vaccinated against rabies Saturday, 8a-11a at the County Courthouse in Bayboro for $10. Broad Strokes Gallery features their artists of the month: watercolorist Jack Hurley and ceramicist Terry Swanson. Open 10a-5p Fri & Sat, 11a-4p Sun.

Saturday afternoon, Jasmine Tasty Thai serves at the Brewery from 2p-8p, Brant Island Strings plays in the beer garden from 4-7p. Donate to the PAWS 4 Pamlico fundraiser while you’re there, from 4-7p.

Saturday evening at 6p, Raleigh’s own WolfPack Polka Band plays at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. It’s the first annual Polishfest. Dinner includes pierogi, kielbasa, beer and wine. Get your tickets at Marsha’s Cottage or online.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

11:42a Boats on land, and in the water. Everything for your boat (electronics, sails, line, etc). There’s a beer garden. And the Nautical Flea Market.

The 2026 Oriental Boat Show opens at noon today. Here’s the schedule:

• Fri noon to 6p. Admission $10 (includes rest of weekend)
• Sat 10a to 6p. Admission $10 (includes rest of weekend)
• Sun 10a to 3p. Admission $5

6:45a High low 70s today, 80 Saturday, mid 70s Sunday.

At this moment, Mom Nature just might like us. Perfect boat show weekend weather ahead:

Summer’s heat is on the way… temps in the upper 80s late next week.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

5:30p Tonight’s The Gathering meeting has moved to the back room at Brantley’s. Hodges Street (in front of The Bean) is closed for the Oriental In-Water Boat Show.

8:27a Water levels are down a foot from yesterday’s high… and Hodges Street is again dry. The wind forecast for the weekend indicates water levels won’t be coming back up. All good for the boat show.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Oriental Water Level Gauge
• Oriental Weather Station

2:52p They capsized. Some even went aground. Nineteen sailing teams came from all over the United States and even Canada… all to sail in SailPack 2026 in Oriental. Here’s the report.

There’s a cliche that says “it takes a village.” Sometimes it’s not just a cliche. A lot of volunteer effort and generosity comes together to make the SailPack Regatta happen every year.

NC State Wolfpack coach Dana Magliola writes in with thanks.

10:35a The Oriental In-Water Boat Show has some changes and new things for this weekend.

New is the Beer Garden… complete with stage and live music at the very location where the “Old Store” was decades ago (behind Beth Frazer Real Estate). The Nautical Flea Market has moved to the parking lot adjoining Marsha’s Cottage, across from Oriental Marina Inn.

It all looks like this:

click image for the big view

8:35a Oriental’s Piggly Wiggly rolls out new weekly specials every Wednesday.

Here are the Piglet deals for Apr 8-14.

6:25a This morning awakens to northeast winds, with a 20-25 knot forecast on the Neuse. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Thursday morning.

Water levels are up:

Fortunately winds will be calmer for Friday, and become southerly by Friday night. That should pull those water levels back down for this weekend’s boat show.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Oriental Water Level Gauge
• Oriental Weather Station

4:07p FYI, the Piglet’s summer hours are now in effect: 7a – 9p, 7 days a week.

8:11a While you wait on more SailPack photos, a request for volunteers from the folks at NC Cycle, happening April 23 – 26:

We have 3 rest stops Friday, 4 Saturday, and 3 Sunday and still need many volunteers so thanks for your help too. Volunteers primarily pass out and restock the items we provide, but equally important is they enjoy talking to the cyclists about the area. We need 6 or more volunteers for each shift which are about 3-4 hours. All volunteers get a free t-shirt.

Sign up to volunteer for the NC Coastal Ride in Oriental here.

Oriental resident Judge Jimmy Ragan passed away at the end of March. His family sends thanks to the community for their support. Read their letter here.