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Sunrise on the Neuse, onboard MV Liz.

2:14p Docking is a fairly simple task… when there’s no breeze. Or current. Or other boats around. Or people watching you.

Damn. There usually is a bunch of the above.

Bunky, you might need a little more knowledge.

Saturday morning, join a free online seminar on docking sponsored by the NCO (Nautical Co-Operative of Oriental). Captain John Rahm gives the presentation. It happens at 9a, Saturday morning – from the comfort of your own home. Register by emailing ncoseminars@gmail.com.

Captain John Rahm also writes the Captain’s Blog on TownDock.net. He’s talked about docking before. Brush up on your knowledge and get your Saturday morning questions ready:
• Docking: Getting Underway
• Docking: Returning to Your Slip

11:50a If you’re looking for the El Taco Loco food truck at Triton Yachts, they were running a little late today.

Boatyard owner Blair Cooper says they should be up and ready to serve in the noon hour.

8:18a Churches in Oriental are collaborating today, Ash Wednesday. Oriental United Methodist Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Oriental First Baptist Church and St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church.

• 8 – 10a, Walk up or Ashes-to-go (Drive Thru), The Bean Coffee Shop on Hodges Street
• 12noon, Ash Wednesday Service, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 402 Freemason St
• 12noon, Ash Wednesday Service, St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 1149 White Farm Rd
• 6p, Ash Wednesday Service, Oriental First Baptist Church, 605 Broad St
• 7p, Ash Wednesday Service, Oriental United Methodist Church, 404 Freemason St

2:11p Today is the Chinese New Year. While Oriental waits to the weekend to celebrate (Dragon Run Saturday), Salty Celeste couldn’t wait.

For 2026, Chinese New Year Animal Sign horoscopes.

11:08a Late last summer Michael North passed away. He was 74. Michael was an outdoorsman, had his own construction company, and helped found the Marine Corps League Dragon Detachment in Oriental. More about his life here.

That same Marine Corps League Dragon Detachment has news today.

They conduct the annual Toys for Tots program in Pamlico County.

Program Coordinator Martin Musella writes in about their 2025 Toys for Tots campaign.

10:50a Water is again on tap. From Town Hall:

9:59a Times are tough. No water (briefly). From Town Hall:

Beautiful fog out there. It should lift, with a partly sunny day ahead. Today about 60, Wednesday look forward to a luxurious 70.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

1:38p Cycle NC visits Oriental every 3 years. 2026 is that year.

During the weekend of April 24 – 26, hundreds of cycling enthusiasts will make Oriental their home base as they take part in rides throughout the county. Rides are between 11 – 100 miles long.

Fancy showers and bathrooms are trailered in. Some cyclists will set up tents, others RVs, and still others will overnight in local hotels.

Hope Clinic is pairing some cyclists with local lodging and they need your help. From Hope Clinic Executive Director Yolanda Cristiani:

Click here for the full press release.

If you’re ready to sign up, click here for the Cycle NC Host Housing Form.

9:09a It might get to 60 today. You lucky valentine.

11:55a Depending on your view of the world, you might need to be extra careful today … or it’s just another Friday.

You’d think that would be enough.

But you’ve got a little pressure too. Bill Wheeler writes in:

Either way, it’s sunny with a high about 50, Saturday gets to 60.

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

12:33p A few weeks ago, Ellen Ryder posted an ad with a simple request: give her your unused cat things.

The community had cat things – like this Cattasaurus cave – to give.

Ellen wrote in with thanks. Read her letter here.

Though there’s rain today, there’ll be sunshine tomorrow through Saturday.

Daily highs between 50-55 degrees, low nighttime temps between 30-40.

Over at the Silos, it’s Open Mic Night. Music starts at 7p upstairs.

11:35a Tonight is the monthly Town Board meeting, 6p at Town Hall.

January’s Town Board meeting was unusually late in the month, happening January 29 and rolling the meeting and a workshop into one.

Commissioners discussed rules of procedure, ordinances, and promoted Officer Bill Wichrowski to Chief of Police. Here’s the report.

10:18a Sad news to share. A town fixture, Max, has passed on.

A Chocolate Labrador retriever, Max was Fire Chief (and Bean owner) Eric Kindle’s dog. Max was often seen walking with Eric, or walking about town with Sigrid Overcash (Eric’s Mom).

Here’s Max digging in on some ice cream @ The Bean:

In February 2020, Max was Pet Of The Month.

7:27a It’s 28 degrees this morning. By noon it will be near 60.

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

2:42p The windy & cold weather has today’s food truck at the brewery cancelled. FYI, it’s OK to bring food to the brewery… they are open til 9p tonight.

10:37a Brisk winds on the Neuse have stopped the ferries:

The Neuse marine forecast: Rest of today, northwest winds 20 – 25 knots, gusts to 35. Waves rough.

9:44a It feels warmer than it is today… somthin’ about that kind sun.

Cold tonight and Sunday night… but a warm break is on the way. Sunshine and 60 coming Tuesday.

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

Live music, a student arts festival, and the start of the Winter Sailing Seminars. They’re happening this weekend.

Tanja’s German Street Food is at the Brewery tonight from 5-8p. Across the street, The String Revolution plays at The Old Theater at 7:30p, courtesy of the Pamlico Musical Society.

Mariposa opens Saturday morning, 7-10a and evening 3-8p. Also open Sunday and Monday.

Saturday morning at 9a is the first of the Winter Sailing Seminars: the 10 Commandments to Tie up a Boat, presented by John Rahm. The series is presented over Zoom. Email ncoseminars@gmail.com to get the link.

The Polar Plunge is happens Saturday at 11a, moved from Oriental to New Bern.

Saturday evening, Capone’s: A Taste of Philly is at the Brewery from 4-8p.

Sunday afternoon, the Oriental Woman’s Club invites you to view the Pamlico County Student Arts Festival from 1-3p.

At 3p, The Old Theater screens the musical Mamma Mia! Admission by donation.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

7:05p There is a thin layer of ice crystals on the ground. Caution… slippery stuff.

4:18p As Oriental continues its return to regular operating hours, food trucks are back at the Brewery.

Tonight, it’s A Taste of Philly, from 5-8p.

And inside, the Brewery’s own Lili’s Breakfast Stout is on tap.

10:39a Several years ago, TownDock.net added something new to site: a better weather radar. It used information from NOAA to deliver weather information in a simple and elegant format.

Yesterday, the source TownDock has used for years stopped working.

We’ll find an alternative, but it may take a few days to find it and get it coded to work on the site. Until then, NOAA’s radar images are being used so we have some form of weather radar.

3:45p Weather has triggered another change in plans for Pamlico Community College:

1:56p The Silos is adjusting their hours tonight – they’ll close at 7p. From owner Chris Daniels:

8:36a Freezing temps caused some water lines around town to spring a few leaks. The problem is finding them. From Town Manager Miller:

Town Hall is at 252-249-0555.

8:25a Normal slowly coming back to town. The Pig is back to regular hours, 7a-8p. First Citizens Bank too, 9a-5p. The Bean will be on slightly shorter hours this week, 8a-5p.

7:27a Trash pickup is happening today. Roll out those barrels. Just trash, not recycling.

Town Hall will open at 10a.

5:09p From Pamlico County:

3:37p Foxes, ice covered creeks, and snow drifts. Readers caught all of these in their photos of the weekend snow storm.

Check it out here.

Pastor Anne Sims writes in with gratitude for the community of Oriental.

She thanks Officer Bill Wichrowski, Mark Norman, and all who show up when neighbors are in need. Read it here.

2:03p The Cherry Branch/Minnesott Beach ferry is back in action:

From Pamlico Community College:

Wednesday appears like things will be returning to semi-normal in the village. The Piglet plans to be back to normal hours: 7a – 8p.

Cabin fever may have gotten to some residents. A group of Pickleball players cleared off the courts at Lupton Park for a game.

8:21a First Citizens Bank is back today, open 12noon – 4p. Brantley’s 11a – 6p today. M&Ms Cafe, 11a-until.

7:50a Life is returning to a bit more normal (wise folk do say normal is over-rated).

Oriental got 13” of snow, there were reports of 17” at Minnesott Beach. OK, this was fun. When will it go away?

Its getting up to the mid 40s today, and again Wednesday. It should be above freezing here by mid-morning. Serious melting on the way.

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

7:34a A change in plans for Town Hall today. From Town Manager Diane Miller:

No ferry either.

Neighbors on Audubon put the snow to good use Monday:

More snowy weekend pics coming.

3:16p Town Hall will be on a 3 hour delay Tuesday. Trash will be picked up Tuesday. GFL has decided not to run their trucks tomorrow, meaning trash will not be picked up Tuesday.

Recycling will be collected the following two Mondays; Feb 9 & Feb 16.

1:59p The Piglet will close at 4p today, with plans to open at 8a Tuesday.

From Pamlico County:

1:08p Jonathan Weis of Jonathans Automotive Repair writes in with a report on local road conditions:

10:07a Village Hardware is open. Stainless screws and semi-true stories available.

9:00a The Pig is open.

8:39a The Bean really is open. The bank is closed. Pecan Grove Marina is closed, asking boaters to not even try visiting the docks. No ferry.

Overnight low in Oriental, 14.

Roads are icey icey.

12:51p Town Hall is closed Monday. No garbage or recycling pickup Monday either.

Pamlico Community College closed Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 2 and 3.

12:10p The Provision Company on Hodges St is open today, til 4p. Among items they have that you might need: space heaters, wine, beer, quiche. Plus chocolate & peanuts.

10:27a Nautical Wheelers is closed today (both Oriental and New Bern locations).

9:55a Piggly update – the Piglet is closed today. The company hired to clear the parking lot can’t do it, so no Piglet today (Billy had driven in from New Bern).

9:40a Billy has arrived at the Oriental Piglet, scheduled to open at 10a.

The Pig parking lot should get cleared (Highway 55 getting to it is not so cleared).

9:27a From a few minutes ago… the TownDock drone’s eye view:

8:12a High waters have not been an issue. They peaked last night at less than 2 feet. Winds are brisk, but now from the northwest, and forecast to become west late Monday (which will lower waters further).

• Oriental Water Level Gauge

No ferry today, as one might imagine.

8:08a The official TownDock measuring tapes finds 11” in some spots, 13” in others.

This looks like a foot of snow. More snow is coming down now.

This morning Highway 55 was not plowed. It is a state road, so at some point, it should be.

6:50a Welcome to February, you lucky reader.

High today upper 20s, low tonight 9. Nine.

4:12p Five inches of snow measured in downtown Oriental. More coming down.

The forecast is still for 8-12, possibly more.

Snow photos coming Sunday… send yours in to news@towndock.net.

2:58p The Pig closed at 2p. The Silos closing at 3p. Mariposa wine bar closed tonight.

Pamlico County has officially declared the weather situation as a state of emergency.

Thoughtful readers can do their part – don’t drive if you don’t have to. And if you do drive, drive slowww. Don’t be a dumb@$$.

10:36a It’s just a normal snow day in Oriental. Snow is coming down…maybe a half inch so far. Likely a foot to come.

From Nautical Wheelers:

They are cookin’ today at The Silos:

More snow day biz opening info… scroll below.

9:50a Special snow day horoscopes from Salty Celeste.

7:37a It’s fun out there (if you’re calibrated in a certain way). Very light snow so far… but it is out there.

We are still in a 8 to 12 inch snow forecast zone (with the possibility of up to 15”). The heavy snow isn’t expected til tonight.

No ferry today:

If you have last minute food prep to do, the Piglet is open (til 5p today).

7:08p Business hours this weekend are in flux, as folks adapt to the weather. Here’s what we know:

Piggly Wiggly hours posted above.
Saturday: The Bean will open 7:30a, until TBD. Mariposa will open 7a. Brantley’s will be closed. The Silos will open at 11a, until TBD. Ricks BBQ open 11a-6:30p, weather permitting. The Provision Co open Sat 9a-5p, Sun 10a-2p.

Businesses are welcome to email info@towndock.net with this weekend’s open hours info.

4:10p NOAA/NWS Newport NC has issued a flood / water level graphic for the weekend that is good news:

This has our fair village at just 1-2 feet. We’d like this to be right, but planning on the potential of 3-4 ft still seems wise.

3:42p Oriental’s Piggly Wiggly has special snowstorm weekend hours:

• Today: Normal hours, open til 8p.
• Saturday: 7a – 2p
• Sunday: 10a-2p
• Monday: Normal hours, 7a – 8p.

3:40p No food truck today at New Village Brewery, and the brewery is closed Saturday.

3:10p. Cherry Branch suspended ferry runs just 15 minutes ago. Now there is a new announcement: the ferry is running, but on an amended schedule:

3:03p Will water levels rise this weekend? Yes… how much is the question. 2-4 feet forecast, expecting 3-4 feet may be wise.

Northeast and east winds cause maximum wind tide in Oriental. We’ll get northeast tonight, north Saturday and Saturday night. North winds push water levels up, too.

The good news is come Sunday winds will be northwest, probably meaning static water levels (not going up or down too much).

From the Neuse marine forecast – just the winds for the next few days:

• Tonight: Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to 20 – 25 after midnight. Gusts to 30 knots.
• Saturday: North winds 25 To 30 Kt, gusts to 35.
• Sat Night: North winds 25 to 35 knots, increasing to 30 to 40 after midnight. Gusts to 50.
• Sunday: Northwest winds 30 to 40 knots, gusts to 50, diminishing in the afternoon to 25 – 30 knots, gusts to 35.
• Sun Night: Northwest winds 20 to 25 knots, diminishing to 15 – 20 after midnight.
• Monday: Northwest winds 10 to 15.

2:54p From Cherry Branch Ferry Operations:

7:58a Up to a foot of snow expected. Add to that, 50 mph wind gusts:

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

6:55a For those of you looking forward to taking the Polar Plunge – and those looking forward to watching the plunge – the event has been postponed because of the weather.

From organizer Jessie Aldridge:

The new event is in Lawson Creek Park, February 7. The updated information is here.