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Marvin Bullock is on a mission: travel scenic Route 70 using the original paper maps. He started in Atlantic, North Carolina, a tiny town on Core Sound. He stopped in Pamlico County along the way. Here’s his story.

2:10p The tropical depression in the gulf has been upgraded & gets a name. It’s Tropical Storm Barry, a modest system that will stay at the Mexican coast.

Meanwhile, a low pressure system stretching from Florida to the NC coast has some storm development potential:

The words from NOAA/NHC:

More info in the Hurricane Center

10:02a Today is a special day in Oriental: it’s a key day for New Village Brewery.

The brewery celebrates it’s 8th year anniversary.

There’s a BBQ potluck this afternoon. Food served around 2:30-3ish. Local musicians will be jamming 2:30-4:30p.

You’re invited.

3:17p House Bill 442, which would have banned shrimp trawling in the Neuse & Pamlico Sound, will not pass. It was killed in caucus today… it never came up for a vote.

The measure had passed the NC Senate last week by a wide margin, but it was a last minute addition to another bill. There may be reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue, but adding a substantial law change to another bill at the last minute didn’t sit well with many.

Yesterday about a thousand fishermen converged in Raleigh, voicing their opposition to the proposed shrimp trawling ban.

Fighting the bill were representatives that don’t usually work together, but on HB 442 they found common ground.

Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort (who also represents Pamlico County) stated earlier “This [bill] is going to die a quick, painful death or we’re going to die trying.” Working also to fight the bill was Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford. Harrison supports environmental causes, but argued in this case that the shrimping ban is not an environmental policy.

Local shrimping will continue.

9:01a It used to be a Hardees.

It took years of planning and fundraising… now it’s the Pamlico County Library.

7:50a Storm Andrea is no more… she was just officially a storm for half a day. Now, a “remnant low.”

Andrea was the first official storm of the 2025 season. Here are the storm names on tap for 2025:

• Hurricane Center

5:01p HB 442 will not be voted on today. Some think the crowd in Raleigh may have convinced enough house members to oppose the bill, others fear that they are just waiting a day for the vote. Fisherman Keith Bruno was there:

The scene outside the legislature:

3:34p We’re waiting on word from Raleigh re the NC House voting on HB 442, which would ban inshore shrimp trawling (this includes the Neuse River & Pamlico Sound). At one point today over 1,000 people were at the legislature, protesting the proposed bill.

No vote yet.

It reached 97 degrees in downtown Oriental today. We’ve now “cooled off” to 95. More of the same is forecast for Wednesday.

1:38p Invest 90 has been declared as Tropical Storm Andrea, the first Atlantic storm this season. Andrea is mid Atlantic, heading away from us, and will have a short life.

• Tropical Storm Andrea Tracking Chart
• Hurricane Center

10:12a Sent in a few minutes ago from the legislature building in Raleigh… a seafood truck with a message parked on Jones Street:

8:01a As word of a proposed ban on inshore shrimping spread, some local governments are expressing concern.

Among them, the town board of Oriental, who Monday passed a resolution opposing the proposed bill.

Monday afternoon’s high reached 98 degrees. The Oriental Weather Station shows the rising thermometer:

Today and Wednesday, hot highs in the mid 90s, with heat index numbers above 110.

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

7:52a Back in May, NOAA/NHC predicated an “above average” hurricane season. The headlines last week (on breathless sites) were “slowest hurricane season start in 20 years”.

The hurricane season officially began June 1, but today is just the fourth day of summer 2025.

Storm season has barely started.

Out in the Atlantic this morning is the first sniff of a 2025 tropical storm system. Invest 90 might become a storm, but it’s not coming our way:

• Atlantic Tropical Storm Outlook

Here in river city, a brutal day ahead. We are forecast to see upper 90s today, heat index near 110. Tuesday & Wednesday mid 90s, more high humid heat index #s.

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

9:05a Julie Williams is a rising star in Nashville. Today, she’s coming to Oriental. Have a listen:

Showtime 4:30p at the Old Theater. They’ve got the air conditioners humming. More info here.

7:17a The forecast is slightly less worser. But still hot. Those from a different latitude might say too hot:

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

Mariposa bakery is open this morning. Mariposa hours are a little different: Open 3 days a week as follows: Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Bakery hours: 6a – 11a, Wine bar hours: 3p-9p.

1:58p It’s the first weekend of summer. It’s Silospalooza.

Sample the brews of Birdsong and Wicked Weed breweries today at the Provision Company, 2-4p.

Friday night, get a cheesesteak sandwich at the Brewery from Capone’s: A Taste of Philly from 3-8 and head to the beer garden to hear Back Pocket Buddha, from 6-8:30p.

Catch local favorites Harbor Sounds at Stonewall Methodist Church at 6:30p – rumor has it this may be one of their last performances.

Sailors participating in the Ocracoke Regatta anchor or raft up at Indian Island Friday night. Start is Saturday morning.

Watercolorist Karen Noll Schaff, is exhibiting at Broad Strokes Gallery as their June artist of the month.

Start Saturday at the Oriental Farmer’s Market on Hodges Street by the harbor. Sample French wines at Nautical Wheelers at 2 & 3p.

Silospalooza starts at 2:30p, featuring five bands, BBQ plates, and a pizza eating contest. Entry is free.

Jasmine Tasty Thai serves at the Brewery Saturday night from 4-8p, the Mad Fiddler plays from 6-8:30p.

Sunday morning the Oriental United Methodist Church holds service at the riverside, 8:30a at Lou Mac Park.

Grab a bite from Captain Jim’s Fresh Seafood at the Brewery, 1:30p-4:30p.

Award-winning singer & songwriter Julie Williams plays at The Old Theater at 4:30p.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

7:50a This is it. The first official day of summer 2025.

Today is the summer solstice, the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In proper scientific terms, today the North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day (most sunlight) and shortest night of the year.

You look confused. Maybe y’all need a pretty diagram:

It all sounds OK, until you look at the forecast. It’s about to get hot. Stinkin’ hot. Monday and Tuesday forecast to get close to 100.

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

2:12p Oriental’s History Museum closes its current exhibit, “Oriental’s Remarkable Women”, at the end of June.

Tonight the Museum holds a reception from 7 – 9p to say “goodbye” to the exhibit and to the legacy of those women who changed the face of this town and the county. You’re invited. Light refreshments served.

Oriental’s History Museum is at 802 Broad Street, open: Friday 11-3 and Saturday 1-4. Admission free with donations gratefully accepted.

10:14a If you’re trying to reach Dr. Hicks at Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital, you’ll need to use their alternate number: 252-515-6044.

There are problems with their main phone line. They expect phone service to be restored Thursday afternoon.

6:22a It’s Wednesday, and Oriental’s Piggly Wiggly has new weekly specials.

Here are the Piglet deals for June 18 – 24.

11:27a Julie Williams.

In 2023, she was named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country.

In October 2024, Billboard named her the Country Rookie of the month.

In 2025, she’s playing The Old Theater in Oriental. Have a listen:

You can hear her this Sunday, June 22 at The Old Theater at 4:30p. Find out more, and how to get tickets, here.

8:03a Rainy. Humid. Bleh. That would be the grumpy commentary.

Cheer up, Bunky. You don’t need to water your lawn.

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

6:32p Saturday night we got 2 inches of rain. Add another quarter inch this afternoon. The weather summary:

If you need a bit more detail:

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

7:01a Oriental has a bakery, now in its second month. This morning scones, cinnamon rolls and donuts are among the temptations.

Mariposa Bakery & Wine Bar is open 3 days a week as follows: Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Bakery hours: 6a – 11a, Wine bar hours: 3p-9p.

Summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21, but Mom Nature may not need that calendar. Hot~ish today, partly cloudy, upper 80s.

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

Tropical Storm Outlook? Nothin’ goin on. Yet.

Coming up later this month, at the summer solstice… it’s Silospalooza, Saturday June 21. It all starts at 2:30p and goes til late. Astute readers (like you) will know Silospalooza is at… The Silos.

Five bands will play… Post 12 Band (90s alternative rock), Smokehouse (classic rock), The Pauls (acoustic 90s rock), Southern Hellcats (50s/60s rockabilly) and then Bridge Atlantic (rock, girl vocals). Y’all write it down on your kitchen calendar.

Meanwhile, this weekend. Big Jim Kohler plays tonight at the brewery, with Tanja’s German Street Food truck out front. At The Silos/Red Rooster, Mike Bramble on stage.

Saturday morning the Farmers (and semi farmers) will show at the Farmer’s Market on Hodges St, 8a-11a. Mac plays the brewery beer garden Saturday evening, with all About Churros food truck serving. Sunday at the brewery its Capt Jim’s Fresh Seafood Truck, 1-5p.

Sunday evening, have a chill pill… join the group walk at the Labyrinth, 7:30p.

It’s all in What’s Happening..

Some boat interiors have dark teak. Bronze. Not this one.

Down below on SV Mysto, one is greeted with flower power painting… and a disco ball. Meet sailor Claire Forehand and her rejuvenation of a Newport 27 sailboat.

For the past few weeks Harborcam has been a bit limited. The view was blocked by vertical fronds from a palm tree growth spurt.

This week Jay Jones (and a hand saw) agreed to rescue the view. Thanks Jay – once again Harborcam can see the harbor.

11:58a Oriental’s Community Labyrinth is in need of a little polish.

Completed in 2019, the Labyrinth is open to the public 24/7. It’s seen several town festivals, severe weather, and thousands of footsteps. A bit of restoration work is needed to make it ready for the next several years of use.

The Oriental United Methodist Church’s Labyrinth Committee is looking for volunteers who have an hour or two (or more) to donate to the cause.

On the To Do list: cleaning, re-staining, and waxing. The whole project is estimated to take about ten days, weather dependent. Not everyone will work every day.

If you would like to help out, contact the OUMC office at 252-249-0213.

2:34p It’s an almost summer weekend in Oriental. The folks at Nautical Wheelers host two kinda big deal wine events. Today is a South African Braai… BBQ food and real South African winemakers there to talk and drink wine. Saturday is a Wine Showcase. Both are ticketed events… more info right here.

New Village Brewery has BokaNinas Pacific Island Fusion food truck today. The Mad Fiddler was gonna play tonight, but rain has moved his fiddlin’ to Sunday. Red Rooster rained out tonight.

Saturday & Sunday the Oriental Dinghy Club hosts the Dragon’s Breath Regatta, all headquartered by the harbor on the Oriental Marina grounds. At the brewery Jasmine Tasty Thai serves, with Terratones playing in the beer garden.

Sunday the brewery is open (this continues all summer), with Capt. Jim’s Fresh Seafood Truck, and the Mad Fiddler rosin’ uop the bow Sunday afternoon.

Sunday evening go for a peaceful stroll with the group walk at the Oriental Labyrinth.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

8:55a It may be spring, but summer~ish weather is with us. Partly sunny and low 80s today (some rain may visit tonight), the sunny and low 80s Saturday through Monday. Mid 80s Tuesday. Mid to upper 80s Wednesday – Friday.

On the Neuse 10-15 today, but tonight & Saturday morning looks a bit intimidating: West winds 15 To 20 knots, gusts to 25. Saturday afternoon should ease to 10-15, Sunday calms down to 5-10, Monday even lighter winds.

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

Tropical Storm Outlook? All is calm.