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George and Mary Duffie, at a winter dance, 1956. George and Mary retired to Oriental in 1988. George passed suddenly in 2011. Mary passed late this November, her Celebration of Life service is Saturday Dec 6 in West Columbia, SC. Learn more about Mary Duffie here.

3:00p A concert, a Corvette Rally, and a celebration of community service. It’s happening in Oriental this weekend.

Tonight at at the Brewery, grab a Döner sandwich at Tanja’s German Street Food from 5-8p.

Sweet potato pie is standing by at Mariposa, open Sat-Sun-Mon. The bakery (w morning coffee) open 7a-10, wine bar 3p-8. Saturday the Oriental Farmer’s Market is open from 8-11a on Hodges Street. El Taco Loco serves at the Brewery from 4-8p. While there, you’re invited to celebrate Leslie Kellenberger’s work with the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival from 4:30-6p. She helped co-found the event in 2014.

Sunday, the Coastal Corvette Owners meet at noon at Lou Mac Park in support of the Marine Corps League Oriental Dragon Detachment Toys for Tots drive. At 3p, Hoff ‘n’ Finch take the stage at the Old Theater playing their Christmas Concert.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

Sometimes, a pastor is just a regular human. Anne Sims (in a non-pastoral role) had asked for donations to thank the Town Staff and send them (and their spouses) to Beary the Hatchet in New Bern to blow off some steam.

She writes in with an update:

1:03p Volunteers are desperately needed for the Spirit of Christmas Luminaria. They’re the lighted bags that get placed along the streets of Oriental.

And they don’t happen without help from folks like you.

Volunteers are needed for luminary creation, deployment and retrieval. They’ll need trucks and trailers for that last bit.

Here’s the schedule:

• Pre-lighting candles: Dec 9, 400 Ragan Rd, 12noon
• Luminary assembly & deployment: Dec 12, start at 400 Ragan Rd, 1 – 4p
• Luminary lighting: Dec 12, 5p
• Luminary collection: Dec 13, 8a

You don’t have to volunteer for each event. Find the one that works for you and be there.

There are no sign up sheets, but Marsha at Marsha’s Cottage would like to know what days you’re available. Contact her here: 252-675-5142.

1:47p Throwing trash in the town’s green waste containers? Video cameras are watching. No Christmas lights on telephone poles this year on Broad St, and a road repair fund is started.

It’s all in the November Town Meeting report.

7:25a It’s cold. It’s clear. Muck is being dredged.

An update on Whittaker Creek Channel dredging from Dan Allen:

Sunrise on Whittaker Creek, Dan Allen photo.

12:37p Today marks 89 trips around the sun for Jimmy Gray.

If you see him out and about, wish the young man a Happy 89th Birthday.

9:23a Spirit Of Christmas in Oriental is almost here… it’s Dec 11-13.

You can still participate in Spirit. To enter the parade (it’s Saturday), fill out this form. The theme for this year’s parade is “Let It Snow.” There is a kayak and paddled boat flotilla Friday night. To enter, call Larry Summers @ 252-675-0467.

For the Tree Of Names & Lights, download this form.

For all other things Spirit, contact Marsha Paplham (of Marsha’s Cottage), 252-675-5142.

Oh dear. You may want to check your horoscope.

Rover too… TownDock serves up weekly Pet Horoscopes.

8:41a Rain yesterday: 2 inches. Town may be wet, but sunshine & dry dry today will make it all better.

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

11:20a Morning temps were just in the 40s Thanksgiving morning.

That didn’t stop some 150 souls from showing up and pedaling ‘round town… the 2025 Thanksgiving Morning Bike Ride, aka the Turkey Pedal.

11:01a Today has that endless wet feel. Since midnight, 1 1/4 inches of rain.

It’s wet most everywhere on the east coast:

click the radar image for the big animated view

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Weather Radar
• HarborCam

Oriental History Museum’s newest exhibit Olde Christmas – Toys & Decor of Yesteryear opens today with a reception (and snacks) from 1-4p.

Tonight at the Brewery: Taqueria San Luis serves from 4-8p.

It’s What’s Happening in Oriental.

7:05a Brrrr. It’s 30 degrees. Thirty.

High today just mid 40s. Sunday promises warmer stuff.

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

11:50a Thank you to all the thermally brave souls who came out for the Thanksgiving morning bike ride. TownDock Analytics estimates 150. A lotta smiles.

There is no shortage of Christmas music. But is there a Thanksgiving song?

Yup.

6:18a A partly sunny day ahead. Just might be right for a bike ride.

Here’s the Turkey Pedal route (it starts at 9a on Hodges by the town dock / Bean):

Most businesses in Oriental take Thanksgiving off… but not all.

Open Thanksgiving Day: Piggly Wiggly 7a – 1p, Provision Company 9a – noon, The Bean 7a – noon.

8:46a Astrologist Salty Celeste wanted Thanksgiving off. We said OK, but do a special two day Thanksgiving horoscope for the day before.

Be careful what you ask for:

Salty made it happen – Thanksgiving Horoscopes.

Your t-shirt wardrobe gets a chance today… sunny & mid 70s ahead. Cooler air coming: Thanksgiving day sunny & mid 50s, Friday just mid 40s.

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

1:25p Spirit Of Christmas in Oriental is Dec 11-13. There’s lights, a parade, a flotilla.

And there are Spirit of Christmas Luminaria. It happens with help from folks like you.

Volunteers are needed for luminary creation, deployment, and retrieval, including trucks and trailers.

Here’s the schedule:

• Pre-lighting candles: Dec 9, 400 Ragan Rd, 12noon
• Luminary assembly & deployment: Dec 12, start at 400 Ragan Rd, 1 – 4p
• Luminary lighting: Dec 12, 5p
• Luminary collection: Dec 13, 8a

You don’t have to volunteer for each event. Find the one that works for you and be there. There are no sign up sheets, just show up and help. For more information, contact Marsha, 252-675-5142.

7:17a Planning to bake for Thanksgiving?

There may be an easy way out. Soon. The Gourmet Bake Sale 9a-1p today at St Peter’s.

If you need a pie, word is getting there by 9a can avoid a kerfuffle over a pumpkin pie shortage.

12:37p Giving Tuesday is Dec 2 this year. With Thanksgiving in the air, and that spirit of being thankful, TownDock is getting out ahead of the Dec 2 date.

It’s a 2025 updated list of local charities. If you’re giving this year, give locally.

9:50a It’s a new week, and Salty C delivers Pet Horoscopes.

There’s daily horoscopes for humans, too.

Sunny and low 60s today. Thanksgiving Day is forecast to be cooler, but sunny & dry.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

7:56a Step up your game… thanksgiving stuffing from a bakery. Spotted @ Mariposa this morning:

10:12a Thanksgiving week in Oriental has arrived. Thanksgiving related happenings:

Today, Thanksgiving Community Dinner @ St. Thomas Episcopal Church. 3:30p, free, you’re invited.

Tonight, Community Thanksgiving Worship @ St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 7p, y’all are invited. Multiple area houses of worship join in an evening of ecumenical prayer and music. The Pamlico Chorale sings.

Tuesday, the Barbara Chasse Gourmet Bake Sale @ St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 9a – 1p. Pies and gourmet baked goods.

The Thanksgiving morning bike ride. Thanksgiving @ 9a, meet on Hodges St by the town dock / Bean. Not a Spandex event. Plaid & turkey hats are AOK.

Open Thanksgiving Day: Piggly Wiggly 7a – 1p, Provision Company 9a – noon, The Bean 7a – noon.

12:21p Mom Nature is being a bit too generous with the unpleasant weather supply today. That said, the rain is forecast to be less likely this afternoon.

It’s a busy weekend ahead.

Jorge Pease has been creating a campground in Whortonsville for a couple years. Today Jorge invites all for an Opening Party for Hidden Orchard campground, a space for RVs and tent camping. Even if it is wet out there, there is a huge roof to hang out under… where life will be dry. Free burgers 2:30p – 4:30p (or until) today. BYOB.

Jasmine Tasty Thai food truck at the brewery today. Saturday Mariposa Bakery & Wine bar is open (Sat, Sun & Mon mornings 7-10a (bakery) and evenings 3-8p (wine bar). The bakery is featuring holiday deserts: Pumpkin, apple & pecan pies.

A Food Drive for PCFLO Saturday. The Pamlico Poker Run combines driving and gaming. Wine tastings Saturday, 2 and 3p at Nautical Wheelers: Andy Woolgar leads the tastings. Taqueria San Luis food truck Saturday at New Village Brewery.

Sunday Hoff n Finch play at Casa Que Pasa (also called the Taco Tower). A free Community Thanksgiving dinner Sunday at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Sunday evening 7p is a Community Thanksgiving Worship at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, featuring the Pamlico Chorale.

Find it all in TownDock’s What’s Happening.

8:37a Kinda odd weather today. It’s a warm front moving through, which will deliver warmer stuff Saturday. Sunday and Monday will be beautiful autumn dry.

Any rain today is more likely before noon ~ 1pish.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

On the Neuse today almost calm, winds to maybe 5 knots. Saturday not much more, 10 knots.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast

This past Tuesday was the monthly town meeting… TownDock’s Laurie Stahlmann was there:

The last town meeting for the existing town board shown above (Commissioners Litzenberger, Overcash and Winfrey and Mayor Belangia. Commissioners Crosser and Price were absent).
The meeting included: A favorable report from Cindy Randolph, CPA on the annual audit, a road repair reserve fund was approved, plus a request for Oriental residents on Broad Street to string up holiday cheer.

Coming next week, a complete report on Tuesday’s town meeting.

3:22p Oriental Rotary has a Poker Run this weekend. They tried to have one back in October, but we got rains and flooding and hints of divine punishment. It was rescheduled for another day.

That day is this Saturday, high noon, starting at Town Hall in Minnesott Beach. It’s open to any type of car, motorcycle, or motorized vehicle with at least two wheels. More info on the Pamlico Poker Run here.

We’ve run this before. It’s too silly not to run again. Here’s what it looks like at a Poker Run start:

1:10p Sometimes, a pastor is just a regular human. Anne Sims writes in (in a non-pastoral role):

Do your best to put visions of an axe throwing pastor aside.

8:44a Here’s the agenda for tonight’s town meeting. The meeting is at 6p, Oriental Town Hall.

Just in case you have other entertainment plans, TownDock reporting crew will be at the meeting.

Didn’t freeze last night… the overnight low was 35.

Sunny & 60~ish today, then highs near 70 for the rest of the week.

Deep introspection. Opportunities expand. Intuitive insights.

It’s all in today’s Salty Celeste horoscopes.

4:22p Freeze warning if effect for tonight. It may sneak just below freezing… the forecast low 31.

11:07a The Wednesday Night sail goes on hiatus for the cooler months, returning in spring.

However, Open Sailing on Monday’s continues all year. Open Sailing at Bow to Stern means sailing friendly Cape Dory Typhoons. Today is an example of a perfect November day for a sail.

Jim Edwards writes in:

Oriental’s Town Board meets Tuesday Nov 18, 6p at Town Hall.

A new board was elected on Nov 4, but that board doesn’t begin their new duties until the Dec 9 meeting, when they will be sworn in.

Earlier Tuesday, a most different endeavor. You’ll learn to paint.

Folk art artist Charlie Frye invites y’all to painting class at Nautical Wheelers, 2-4p. Charlie will lead and inspire you in folk art painting, while the Wheelers keep pouring wine. Read on…