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Nearly every day at sunrise, the ‘morning crew’ gather at the corner of South Ave and Vandemere St to watch the sun rise over the Neuse. (Kevin O’Neill photo)

12:31p It’s a low-maintenance weekend in Oriental. Here’s what’s happening:

Tonight, grab a cheesesteak from Capone’s: A Taste of Philly at the Brewery and hang in the beer garden to hear Ken Belangia sing Wayfaring Stranger. Food starts serving at four, Ken sings at 6. At the Silos / Red Rooster, Mac MacWilliams plays starting at 7p.

Saturday, check out the Farmer’s Market at 8a, La Cocina del Coqui Food Truck at 4 and Hoff ‘n’ Finch at 6 at the Brewery.

Sunday morning at 8:30a, it’s Sunday Services river side at Lou Mac Park. Mariposa’s Second Sunday lunch is a choice of three shrimp entrees, 11:30a-2p. Uncle Mann’s Food Emporium serves 2-6p.

Broad Strokes Gallery is open all weekend, featuring August artists Dodi & John Grosser. Mariposa has fresh baked goods in the morning, 7-11a and wine flights & charcuterie in the afternoons & evening, 3-9p.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

9:41a Oriental History Museum continues their Summer Speaker series with retired archaeologist Leslie Mead.

Leslie talks about artifacts that wash up after a storm, what you can find while beachcombing along the Neuse, and what you can learn from your finds.

Leslie’s talk starts at 6:30p. The event is free, donations always accepted.

At 6p at The Bean, it’s The Gathering, where folks of all (or no) faiths come together to discuss matters of religion & spirituality.

Los Gordos Food Truck is at New Village Brewery tonight, 4-8p.

Stay cool today, if you can. There’s a heat advisory in effect until 8p this evening. Highs mid-90s, heat index up to 108. Southwest winds at 5-10 mph.

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

11:14a El Taco Loco Food Truck will not be at Triton Yachts today; they’re having mechanical issues.

8:38a TownDock.net used to have caption contest in the early days … back in 2002. Tuesday, it was revived on a whim, and has proven popular.

It’ll keep going for the rest of today. Here are some of the early entrants, to give a bit of inspiration to others:

• “Take me home, country road.” Pat Terry
• “I surely could use a fire hydrant.” Hank Ausband
• “If anyone asks, we were never in Ohio.” Lisa Millington
• “…told him not to take that left.” Gil Fontes
• “Ride like the wind.” David White

Have a caption you’d like to share? Send it to info@towndock.net

Tuesday’s monthly Town Board meeting lasted less than an hour.

Commissioners discussed the impending State Wide Ferry Toll, voted to use the Eastern Carolina Council of Government to help with the search for a new Town Manager, and discussed the town’s liability regarding the Spirit of Christmas and other events.

The newly passed State budget requires tolls be collected on all ferry routes. Currituck-Knotts Island, Bayview-Aurora, Hatteras-Ocracoke and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferries were previously toll free.

The budget mandates the establishment of a $150 pass for residents of 20 coastal counties. Tolls will begin January 1, 2027. NCDOT has not yet established a fee for non-residents or for one-way ferry use.

Listening Sessions are planned. NCDOT will be at Pamlico Community College on September 2, from 6-8p, in the Delamar Center, 5049 S Highway 306.

This is not the first time the idea of ferry tolls were floated, or even included in the budget. It happened in 2012, 2013, and most recently in 2023. Here’s a brief timeline of TownDock.net Ferry Toll Coverage:

• 2012: How Pamlico County Got Stuck with Ferry Tolls
• 2012: Governor Purdue Stops Ferry Tolls
• 2013: Fight Renewed Against Ferry Tolls
• 2013: Guest Column: The Cost of Ferry Tolls
• 2023: Fighting the Ferry Tax. Again.

8:17a Yesterday’s late afternoon thunderstorm dropped a little over 3 inches of rain.

There’s no rain in today’s forecast, but there is a Heat Advisory from 11a-8p. Highs will be in the mid 90s, heat index up to 107.

This evening is the monthly Town Board meeting. Commissioners meet at 6p at Town Hall.

On the agenda: the search for a new Town Manager and a response to the NC General Assembly’s intent to levy ferry tolls

Read tonight’s agenda here.

9:54a The average age of Oriental’s local Dragon Boat crew, The Oriental Dragon Masters, is 69. It’s a fifty-fifty ratio of men to women.

And at this weekend’s Dragon Boat Festival, they posted their best time ever – 1 minute 19 seconds for 300 meters – and took Gold in the Community Division. To put that into perspective, the best time for the winning team in the Military Division was 1 minute 15 seconds.

They also took home a dragon boat head. A traffic jam at the dock had the Dragon Masters jockeying for space and accidentally decapitating the dragon boat on the dock. Here, it sits with the winners at Mariposa after the race.

There were 4 divisions and 16 teams in all, including a military crew and several younger community crews. Here are the results:

Community Division
• Oriental Dragon Masters – Gold
• River Dunes Dragons – Silver
• New Kids on the Dock – Bronze
• One Legged Wonders

Military Division
• Golden Koi – Gold
• Chesty Pullers – Silver
• Devil Dog Dragons – Bronze
• Neuse Winds Freedom Riders

Cancer Division
• Chemo Kazes – Gold
• Dragons With a Cause – Silver
• Awakened Dragons – Bronze
• Healing Dragons

Survivor Division
• Babes in a Boat – Gold
• JoJo Workin’ – Silver
• Wave Makers – Bronze
• Hospice of Pamlico Dragons

1:23p Dragon boats, watermelons, and Extra-Terrestrials. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure weekend in Oriental.

Friday night at the Brewery it’s Tanja’s German Street Food and tunes from Yard Sail.

Saturday’s Farmer’s Market, 8-11a, has fresh greens and fresh cut flowers. The Dragon Boat Festival at Grace Harbor in River Dunes runs at 9a-3p.

Marina Sushi & Korean Cuisine invited you to their Grand Opening with a complimentary buffet 11a-3p and regular dinner service 5-9p. Located at 518 S Water Street next to Oriental Harbor Marina.

Head to the Pamlico County Library for the Book Nook book sale, to see adoptable kittens, or to donate food to the Pamlico Pet Food Pantry from 11a-1p. Or do all three.

Visit the Oriental History Museum’s newest exhibition about the Neuse River, 1-4p. Cousins Maine Lobster serves and the Big Jim Kohler band plays at the Brewery, noon -7p and 6-8:30p respectively.

Oriental United Methodist Church holds their Sunday Morning Riverside service in Lou Mac Park at 8:30a. Uncle Mann’s Food Emporium is at the Brewery, 2-6p.

Classic movie “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” plays at the Old Theater at 3p. (Play the trailer below to refresh your memory.)

Wander down to the Bond house (at Neuse and Ragan Rd) for the 56th annual Watermelon Cutting at 4p. Everyone is welcome.

Stroll through Broad Strokes Gallery’s August exhibitions, Saturday 10a-5p, Sunday 11a-4p.

Get your fresh baked goods from Mariposa Saturday, Sunday, & Monday 7-11a, and charcuterie & wine flights in the evenings, 3-9p.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

12:46p Water lines around town are getting valves either replaced or introduced. That means workers on the roads and a potential for slight interruption in water service.

Here’s schedule from Town Hall:

Crews are working near the following addresses:

• Thursday: 307 Ragan Rd and 1210 Lupton Dr.
• Friday: 254 Straight Rd.
• Monday: 1279 and 1300 Gilgo Road, 1403 Broad St.
• Tuesday: 801 Midyette, 900 and 1101 Broad St.

10:06p Storyteller Dale Montgomery usually puts his talents to use in October, telling the ghost stories of Oriental.

Tonight, he tells the stories of the Neuse River’s travelers. From early Native Americans and 18th century German refugees, to the the logging boats and traveling theater showboats of the early 1900s.

You’re invited to hear the stories, and see the photos and artifacts at the Oriental History Museum, tonight at 6p. Dale’s presentation with Q&A runs 6:30 – 7:30p. It’s free, though donations are always welcome.

Grab dinner from Thai Street Bites at the Brewery from 4-8p.

11:49a Carefully structured plans may be required for your upcoming Oriental weekend.

Not only are several dragon boating teams descending on Grace Harbor for the Dragon Boat Festival from 9a-3p, but there’s also the annual Bond Watermelon Social.

For the last 56 years, the Bond family has brought in Bertie County watermelons, sliced them up, and served them to every one that showed up on their lawn.

Enjoy your watermelon under the tents at the corner of Neuse Drive and Ragan Road, starting at 4p Sunday afternoon.

Today, grab a taco salad from El Taco Loco Food truck at Triton Yachts, sail with crews of the Wednesday Night Sail at 5p, or perform for the crowds at Open Mic Night at the Silos at 7p.

11:10a This morning, a soft rain fell across the village. More is on the way, with thunderstorms likely this afternoon.

In 1950, Ray Bradbury published the short story “There Will Come Soft Rains.” It’s about a smart home, taking care of an absent family, 76 years in the future: today, August 4, 2026.

Hear Leonard Nimoy read it here:

7:15a At the beginning of the month, Broad Strokes Gallery has open studio hours: where artists set up their work and paint in the gallery.

It’s happening today from 9a-noon, and you can go watch, ask questions, or find out how to join the next one.

Check out the new featured artists while you’re there. Every month, Broad Strokes Gallery displays the work of one (or two) new artists and as well as a new student artist from local schools.

This month’s artists are John and Dodi Grosser, and student artist Baileigh Jones.

70% chance of thunderstorms today and Tuesday. Highs near 80. Winds are out of the south at 5-10 mph, gusts up to 25 mph.

Tonight at 7p, Pamlico County Commissioners hold the first of their two monthly meetings. Find the details along with tonight’s agenda here.

3:03p Happy weekend. Highs forecast to stay just below the 90s.

Tonight at the Red Rooster, Mike Bramble starts up at 7. At the brewery, Ken Belangia in the beer garden, while the Taqueria San Luis food truck serves.

Mariposa is closed this weekend Aug 1-3 (back in action Sat Aug 8). Broad Stokes Gallery presents the August Artist of the Month: John & Dodi Grosser and Student Artist Baileigh Jones. Meet the Artists Saturday 2-5p at the gallery. At New Village Brewery, Shawn Aldridge plays the beer garden, while All About Churros food truck serves.

Sunday morning, there’s riverside church service 8:30a at Lou Mac park. Uncle Mann’s Food Emporium truck at the brewery Sunday 2-6p.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

10:01a Marcel Lafond visited Oriental on his way through the Great Loop. His Loop trip almost didn’t happen; he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2020.

A brain implant changed his prognosis, and now the boat designer is mapping out his second Loop while still finishing his first.

Learn more about Marcel and his MacGregor 26 Prospector in The Shipping News.

10:10a: Tonight, meet the folks who protect the waters of the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico Rivers: the Sound Rivers Riverkeepers.

Presented by the Oriental History Museum, the presentation will be at The Old Theater at 6:30p.

Find out about the history of Sound Rivers, how the Riverkeepers work at the local and state level to keep it clean, and the work they carry out after incidents, floods, and storms.

This is a free event, donations are always welcome. Presentation is followed by a Q&A. Doors open at 6p.

Capone’s A Taste of Philly is at the Brewery tonight, 4-8p.

12:37p It’s a new week, and Salty Celeste delivers up Pet Horoscopes.

There’s daily horoscopes for you human readers, too.

10:01a Artist Charlie Frye invites y’all to painting class at Nautical Wheelers, Tuesday 4-6p. Charlie will lead and inspire you to paint a pelican, while the Wheelers keep pouring wine. Read on…

9:18a High in the mid 80s and no high heat index in sight. Given July’s hot, rainy weather so far – today is down right pleasant.

There is a chance for rain later on, but the rest of the week looks (comparatively) manageable with temps near 90.

Out on the Neuse, winds are out of the south at 5-10 knots. Chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

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

1:45p It may be wet, but no cause for whining at today’s wine tastings @ Nautical Wheelers. They go on, dry and happy under the carport.

10:22a The Charity Dinghy Poker Run is still on – just without the dinghies (adapting to today’s weather).

Head over to the Tiki Bar and get your ‘land hand’; $10 per hand or 3 hands for $25.

Check out the ongoing Silent Auction under the tents, and grab a free lunch (with purchase of poker hand) courtesy of the Rotary Club.

Hands are on sale until about 1230 – 1p. Bid on the live auction at 1:30p.

The Dinghy Poker Run is fundraiser put on by Oriental’s Nautical Collective of Sailing Clubs. Proceeds benefit Pamlico youth sailing, swimming lessons and nautical activities.

4:21p Yes, it’s raining. And yes, it will rain tomorrow. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the weekend; it will be hot again soon enough.

There’s a new food truck at the Brewery tonight: Thai Street Bites, 4-8p.

Saturday, it’s the 19th Annual Charity Dingy Poker Run. It’s starts at the Tiki Deck. Poker hands go on sale at 9:30a, the Run begins at 11a. You don’t have to have a boat to play. The Run is happening rain, or shine; dress appropriately.

Join Nautical Wheelers at 2 & 3p for a wine tasting with Andy Woolger of Elephant Corner Wines.

Taqueria San Luis is at the Brewery, 4-8 and Ken Belangia plays 6:30-8p.

OUMC holds their Lou Mac Park Riverside service at 8:30a Sunday. At the Brewery, it’s Sunday Funday Field Day, 3-6.

It’s the last week of Broad Strokes’ Gallery’s exhibit The Medicine of Beauty, Saturday 10a-5p, Sunday 11a-4p. Visit Oriental History Museum for their exhibit about the Neuse: Rollin’ on the River.

Mariposa has fresh baked goods Saturday, Sunday, & Monday 7-11a, and charcuterie & wine flights in the evenings, 3-9p.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

The Sound Rivers Swim Guide tests local waters for bacteria and lets you know whether or not those waters are safe for swimming. This week, five sites failed. Once of them is Pierce Creek in Oriental.

Click here for the Swim Guide press release.

3:32p If you need a Rotary tent, the normal phone # is out. The Oriental Rotary Club writes in:

7:25a Keith Bruno is the owner of Endurance Seafood, located just over the Oriental Bridge. He lives and works on the Neuse River.

TownDock.net interviewed him back in 2020. Take a look:

Meet Keith tonight at the Oriental History Museum, 802 Broad St. The event is free and starts promptly at 6:30p.