Edenton Joins the Great Southeast Pollinator Census
Grab a pencil, find a flower and get ready to count.
Grab a pencil, find a flower and get ready to count.
Edenton residents will have an opportunity Saturday morning to become citizen scientists while helping researchers learn more about the health of pollinators across the Southeast.
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census Counting Event will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Cupola House Gardens, 408 S. Broad Street in Edenton. The local event is being held in conjunction with the Chowan County Extension Service and is open to everyone.
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a regional citizen-science project designed to provide researchers with a snapshot of pollinator activity. This year's census takes place Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21–22, across participating Southeastern states. No scientific background is necessary.
In fact, participating is surprisingly simple.
Counters select a blooming plant and watch it closely for 15 minutes, recording each insect that lands on the flowers. Every landing is counted and the insects are divided into just eight easy-to-recognize groups. The results are then submitted and combined with thousands of other observations from across the Southeast.
What Are We Looking For?
Participants don't have to know the name or species of an insect. They simply place each visitor into one of these eight categories:
Bumble Bees — Large, round and fuzzy, usually with familiar black-and-yellow bands.
Carpenter Bees — Large, robust bees distinguished by their shiny, hairless black abdomen. They are often seen hovering near wood.
Honey Bees — Slender, amber-and-brown bees. Pollen baskets can often be spotted on their hind legs.
Small Bees — Tiny native bees, including sweat bees and others generally less than a half-inch long.
Wasps — Smooth-bodied insects with a narrow waist, often displaying bright yellow markings.
Flies — Look for two wings, large eyes and short antennae. Some flies are convincing mimics of bees and wasps.
Butterflies & Moths — Easily recognized by their broad, scaled wings and coiled feeding tube or "tongue."
Other Insects — Beetles, true bugs and just about anything else that stops to visit the bloom.
One helpful identification trick: flies generally have big eyes and short antennae, while bees and wasps have longer antennae and a more defined waist.
The information collected during those short 15-minute observations adds up. During the 2025 census, 27,048 people counted 500,402 insects across five states. North Carolina participants alone recorded 139,626 insects. Butterflies and moths were the largest category across the entire census, followed by bumble bees and small bees.
Beyond gathering valuable scientific information, Saturday's Edenton event offers families an opportunity to slow down and take a closer look at a world that is often buzzing around us unnoticed.
Participants will learn about pollinators and native plants while exploring the historic Cupola House Gardens, and children's activities are also planned.
Pollinators play an essential role in the natural environment and our food supply. Bees, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps and other insects carry pollen from flower to flower, allowing plants to reproduce and produce fruits and seeds. By recording which insects are visiting which plants, ordinary citizens can help scientists better understand pollinator populations and the habitats that support them.
And for Saturday's census, being a scientist only takes 15 minutes.
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census
Saturday, Aug. 22
9:30–11 a.m.
Cupola House Gardens
408 S. Broad Street, Edenton
Everyone is welcome.
The Edenton/Chowan Back to School Bash was a “BLAST!”
Moms with young students enjoying the day at the Back to School Bash
Kids and parents enjoyed a warm August Friday afternoon at Edenton’s Waterfront Park, filled with fun activities, community involvement and, of course, the opportunity to pick up a new backpack and school supplies for the coming school year.
The efforts of the Edenton-Chowan Educational Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce, with enthusiastic assistance from town services including Edenton Electric, Public Works, the Police Department, Fire Department and EMS, along with local service organizations, came together to provide families with a wide range of experiences and activities.
“This is always a fun event for Public Works and the Police Department to engage with young people and their parents,” said Police Chief David LaFon. “Our departments enjoy the opportunity to contribute our time and funds to help produce this important Edenton-Chowan event.”
There were plenty of booths where both children and parents could learn about community programs and services, including Smart Start, ECU, Sister Strength and NCWorks. The Police Department, along with the Home Boys organization, fired up the grill and provided hot dogs for everyone.
For the kids, there was no shortage of things to do. They climbed in and out of a police car and school bus, met local police officers, had their faces painted and, of course, enjoyed the bounce house.
This year, students were divided by grade level to select the school supplies appropriate for their classrooms. Congressman Don Davis stopped by the event and joined volunteers in helping children make their selections.
By the end of the afternoon, the Back to School Bash could easily be called a success, with plenty of smiles, full backpacks and students ready for the start of another school year.
But the fun wasn’t quite over.
As the Back to School Bash began winding down, the final Sounds of Summer concert of the season was just getting started. As the sun began to set over Edenton Bay, music took center stage with Connected Jazz providing a fun, casual evening of music—and even a little dancing.
This year’s concert moved waterfront to a new location near the Barker House, providing a beautiful backdrop for the final Sounds of Summer performance.
It was a fitting way to end a busy day at the waterfront—and a great send-off to summer for parents and students preparing to head back to school.
Edenton-Chowan Schools Kick Off New Year with Convocation
School, Home, Community Shape New Year
If the spirit inside the Edenton-Chowan Public Schools Convocation Friday, Aug. 14, was any indication, the district is ready for the new school year.
The 2026-27 Convocation welcomed teachers, administrators and support staff for a spirited gathering that was part pep rally, part recognition ceremony and part reminder of the important connection between schools and the community.
Superintendent Tammi Ward introduced this year’s theme: “School, Home, Community.”
The message was simple: all three must work together to give students the best opportunity to succeed.
“Students should never have to choose between the community that shaped them and their dreams,” the presentation emphasized. “We believe they can do both.”
The morning began with breakfast provided by the Rocky Hock Baptist Men, followed by a welcome from the Edenton-Chowan Board of Education and an invocation by Board of Education member Sharronne Battle. The John A. Holmes JROTC presented the colors. Tracy White recognized schools, special guests and new members of the ECPS team.
Representing the “School” portion of the program was Jonathan Spears, a 2024 graduate of John A. Holmes High School. Spears spoke about the teachers who influenced and encouraged him and helped shape his decision to pursue a career in accounting. Now entering his third year of college, he thanked several former teachers by name for the difference they made in his life.
The “Home” portion offered a parent’s perspective. Sara Del Carmen Gonzalez Preciado spoke about the importance of keeping parents informed about their children’s progress, particularly families who are still learning English. She shared some of the challenges she has overcome and emphasized the value of educators taking the time to explain a child’s progress and successes and to encourage parents along the way.
The “Community” portion brought local organizations into the conversation, with Susan Creed representing the Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce and Brooke Rich representing the Edenton-Chowan Education Foundation. Their participation reinforced the day’s central message that educating young people extends beyond the classroom and depends upon partnerships throughout Chowan County.
There was plenty of fun mixed in with the message. Staff members competed in games and challenges, including a lively “Rock, Paper, Scissors” competition that brought participants to their feet as the field narrowed to the final winner.
The remainder of the convocation included recognition of ECPS employees through the district’s annual “Of the Year” awards, including teachers, principals, support staff and other outstanding employees. Ward also presented the district’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, followed by a Global Ready Teacher spotlight, closing activities and convocation trivia.
It was a high-energy start to a new school year — and a reminder that while teachers and students will soon return to their classrooms, education remains a partnership between school, home and community.
Help Make a Difference JOIN 'RAINES' ARMY'
Some legacies are measured not by how long someone was here, but by the lives they continue to touch.
Raines was a very happy, adventurous and incredibly intelligent child. He died two months and two days shy of his second birthday, and much of his life was spent at the hospital.
He loved Edenton, the beach, the Durham Ronald McDonald House and Duke Gardens. His best friend was his sister, Reid. His favorite songs were “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and “The Wheels on the Bus.” When he grew up, he wanted to be a mail truck.
Near the end of his life, every morning he would walk outside and say, “It’s a beautiful day.”
Raines also changed the children’s hospital at Duke. He enjoyed drawing pictures for other patients and delivering them like mail. Now, on the stem cell transplant floor, all rooms have a “mailbox,” and there is one at the clinic as well, so patients can keep in touch with each other.
Raines changed the world even though his life was remarkably short. One of the most profound lessons Raines taught me was to practice gratitude religiously and to appreciate all the little blessings of everyday life.
He was also tough as nails. He endured shots in his eyes, countless chemotherapy drugs, more than 60 surgeries and a stem cell transplant. In his final act of love for life and mankind, he donated his brain, eyes, spine, spinal fluid, blood and a skin tissue sample that are now available to researchers around the world.
Raines was born with a spontaneous genetic mutation commonly called RB1. It caused him to have bilateral retinoblastoma, which is essentially cancer in the globes of both eyes.
About 300 to 350 cases of retinoblastoma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Retinoblastoma accounts for approximately 3% of childhood cancer cases. There is a 96% survival rate for retinoblastoma patients to the age of 15, and nine out of 10 patients are cured.
Unfortunately, because the treatments involve chemotherapy, these patients often develop secondary cancers later in life, and their life spans can be shorter than normal. For many patients, it also affects their vision. Raines was blind in his right eye.
Raines’ retinoblastoma, however, was very unique because it metastasized to his spinal fluid and caused cancerous tumors throughout his brain and spinal cord. This was incredibly rare, and I believe there are fewer than 100 recorded cases of this happening in human history.
The median life span once retinoblastoma metastasizes like this is about six months. Raines made it 10 months.
At the end, however, there was not even a clinical trial for which he qualified, so we completely exhausted all treatment options. What we found in our journey with Raines was that simply having options provided hope. When we exhausted those options, it was devastating.
His priceless donation is of little value without the funds to actually engage in the research, which is why we started Raines’ Army—to raise funds for brain, eye and spinal cancer research.
Help Continue Raines’ Legacy
On September 19, we invite you to join us for the 2nd Annual Raines’ Army Fundraiser in honor of our sweet Raines.
Pediatric brain cancer changes the lives of far too many children and families. We can’t change Raines’ story, but together, we can help change someone else’s.
Every ticket purchased is more than admission to an event—it is a promise to keep fighting, to keep remembering and to keep believing that one day no family will have to endure the heartbreak of pediatric brain cancer.
Please come, bring your family and friends, and help us fill the room with love, hope and purpose. Your support means more than words can express.
Buy your tickets today and help us continue Raines’ legacy of making a difference.
Because every child deserves a future, and every act of kindness brings us one step closer.
https://givebutter.com/.../raines-army-inc-first-annual...
Annual lighthouse day brings visitors to edenton
THE END OF OAK STREET ... one of the more entertaining offerings of the summer
By Darryl Adachi
Those moviegoers who saw the first installment of the Jurassic Park franchise in 1993 may remember what Jeff Goldblum said when he first came upon a massive pile of triceratops droppings: “That is one big pile of #&%@.” One might immediately have the same preconception of The End of Oak Street without even bothering to see it—and that would be unfortunate. The film surprisingly turns out to be one of the more entertaining offerings of the summer. When the collective audience reaction to various scenes consists of gasps, laughs, and applause, you have to concede that, for some at least, this is a movie worth seeing.
The Odyssey demanded that we settle into a classical account of the trials and tribulations of a man who spends 10 years struggling to return home. In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, we are expected to experience Peter Parker’s existential crisis as he wrestles with his purpose in life. With The End of Oak Street, however, all we are asked to do is grab some popcorn and a Coke, sit back, and be entertained for 90 minutes. And you can tell when people have been entertained: they leave the theater chatting and laughing about some of the movie’s sequences.
Granted, some Hollywood creative director may have put his career at risk by suggesting that the studio produce a film about an entire 1980s Midwestern neighborhood being transported 200 million years into the past by a cosmic event, leaving one family desperately trying to avoid becoming dinner for dinos. Warner Bros is having a tough year, and perhaps that helped encourage the studio to greenlight what could easily be dismissed as an absurd premise.
But in a cinematic world where we are repeatedly asked to suspend our disbelief—think about virtually any film in the Marvel, Mission: Impossible, or Fast & Furious franchises—a movie like The End of Oak Street can make perfect sense. Wormholes transporting people from one millennium to another? Key characters continually, and literally, escaping death by the skin of a T-Rex’s teeth? It all works if what you are looking for is an opportunity to escape the “real” world, however you may define it.
The film also carries a distinctly Spielbergian spirit. Spielberg was always able to get remarkable performances from children in crisis while emphasizing the importance of the love that binds a family together, even in the worst of circumstances.
The plot is simple. A neighborhood gets swallowed up and transported back to prehistoric times. Mom and Dad are dealing with marital problems, and the kids are fully aware of them. The family is then forced to summon its courage and work together to survive the threat of horrifying man-eating creatures. In the end, they find a way to escape and emerge as a stronger family as a result.
We have seen variations of this story told in countless formats before, but what carries The End of Oak Street throughout is its clean, polished, solid blockbuster feel. The creature effects may rely heavily on CGI, but they also give us scientifically accurate dinosaurs, complete with proto-feathers rather than the traditional scaly-reptile design.
It will be interesting to see how the movie fares at the box office. It has opened against two of the biggest films of the summer, both of which are still going strong and generating impressive ticket sales. The Odyssey and Brand New Day will inevitably draw potential audiences away from Oak Street, so it remains to be seen whether word of mouth can carry the film through its second and third weeks.
I hope it does. The End of Oak Street does a surprisingly good job of adding something different to the summer movie slate—an offering that is, at times, both thrilling and genuinely engaging. And sometimes, that is all a summer movie needs to be.
Make Sure to stop by to watch the progress of nature...
From Caterpillar to Butterfly at the Cupola House Nursery
There is a small miracle of nature taking place in the gardens of the Cupola House.
Each year, special nursery boxes are set up in the gardens to provide a safe place for caterpillars as they make one of nature’s most remarkable transformations—becoming butterflies. Caretaking this annual project are Jonny and Barbara Springfield, who diligently watch over the nursery boxes and their tiny residents as the transformation unfolds.
The butterfly life cycle begins when an adult butterfly lays its eggs on a host plant. From those eggs emerge larvae, better known as caterpillars, whose primary job is to eat and grow. When the caterpillar reaches the proper stage, it forms a chrysalis, or pupa. Inside, an extraordinary biological process called metamorphosis takes place as the caterpillar’s body is reorganized and develops into an adult butterfly. When the transformation is complete, the butterfly emerges, allows its wings to expand and dry, and eventually takes flight.
Providing a protected environment during these vulnerable stages can help shield caterpillars and chrysalises from predators and other dangers.
Butterflies are more than beautiful visitors to the garden. As they travel from flower to flower feeding on nectar, they can help with pollination, while both caterpillars and butterflies are important parts of the food web. Their presence can also be an indicator of a healthy habitat with the plants and resources needed to support wildlife.
Thanks to the watchful eyes of Jonny and Barbara, visitors to the Cupola House gardens have an opportunity to see nature at work—from a tiny caterpillar tucked safely inside its nursery to the moment a beautiful butterfly is ready to spread its wings. And perhaps the most magical moment comes at the end, when local children can gather in the gardens to watch the newly emerged butterflies be released and take their first flights into the Cupola House gardens. We will keep everyone informed as this transformation takes place to release the butterflies from the nurseries.
Edenton Welcomes Dog Eared Books to South Broad Street
Dog Eared Books Brings the Independent Bookstore Experience to Edenton
Edenton readers have a new place to browse, discover and talk about books with the arrival of Dog Eared Books, an independent bookstore bringing 11 years of bookselling experience to town.
Owners Carrie and Nick brought Dog Eared Books to Edenton after operating the shop for 11 years in Palmyra, New York, just outside Rochester. Carrie, an avid reader who had already spent 15 years working in the library industry, decided it was time to turn her love and knowledge of books into a business.
It wasn't necessarily the easiest time to open an independent bookstore.
“When we opened in 2015, bookstores were failing at an astronomical rate,” Carrie recalled.
Dog Eared Books survived and developed a loyal following, in part by learning what its customers wanted to read — something Carrie now looks forward to doing all over again in Edenton.
“I know what the people of Palmyra want to buy,” she said. “It's going to be a learning curve to see what the people of Edenton want to buy.”
Fiction is a particular favorite, and the shelves include mystery, fantasy, historical fiction and today's popular genres, along with nonfiction, history and other selections. New books arrive almost daily, and the inventory will continue to evolve based on what Edenton readers are buying and requesting.
The store also carries used books, most of which initially made the trip south from customers in Palmyra. Dog Eared Books purchases used books from customers for cash or offers a larger amount in store credit, giving readers an opportunity to trade a finished book toward their next read.
“We like our used-book experience to feel like the new-book experience,” Carrie explained. “If you can't afford a new book, you can still get a great book at a reasonable price.”
That philosophy extends to young readers. Dog Eared Books carries everything from board books for the youngest children through chapter books and young-adult titles, with used children's books priced at no more than $3.
The bookstore is very much a family affair. Nick helps with the business, while Carrie's mother, Jane, also lends a hand. Jane lives conveniently in the apartment directly above the bookstore, making it easy for her to help when needed.
The shop is already becoming part of Edenton's reading community. The Edenton Book Club is purchasing its selections through Dog Eared Books, and local authors are welcome as well. The store has space devoted to their work, and authors whose books meet the store's guidelines can submit them for consideration through a form on the Dog Eared Books website. The store purchases accepted books rather than taking them on consignment, with the possibility of author signings in the future.
For Edenton, the arrival of Dog Eared Books also represents something increasingly valued by readers: the experience of a true neighborhood bookstore. Independent booksellers offer something an online search can't easily duplicate — a person who listens when you say what you enjoyed last time and can walk you over to a shelf and suggest what you might love next. Small bookstores can become gathering places where readers exchange ideas, children discover the pleasure of choosing their own books and local authors find a place on the shelf.
So far, Carrie and her family are enjoying their new hometown.
“Love the town,” she said. “The people are so welcoming. You have everything here — the weather, the architecture, the water, all these great little shops and the museums.”
And then there is another Edenton attraction they've been diligently exploring.
“The food,” Carrie added. “We're eating our way through one restaurant at a time.”
Dog Eared Books is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours may evolve as Carrie and Nick learn the rhythms — and reading habits — of their new hometown. Located at 419 South Broad Street, Edenton
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Weather -Aug.21- Aug. 27
Historic Edenton, North Carolina
7-Day Weather Outlook — August 21–27, 2026
Friday, August 21
⛈️ Cloudy and humid with thunderstorms
High: 89°F • Low: 76°F
Heavy thunderstorms are possible, with locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds. This is one of the days to keep a close eye on changing conditions.
Saturday, August 22
⛈️ Cloudy, humid with heavy thunderstorms
High: 85°F • Low: 74°F
Another unsettled day. Periods of rain and thunderstorms could produce locally heavy downpours.
Sunday, August 23
🌦️ Cloudy and humid; scattered thunderstorm
High: 90°F • Low: 70°F
Warm and muggy with a thunderstorm possible, but there should also be breaks in the wet weather.
Monday, August 24
🌤️⛈️ Partly sunny; afternoon storm possible
High: 88°F • Low: 68°F
A somewhat better day with periods of sunshine, although an isolated afternoon thunderstorm remains possible.
Tuesday, August 25
🌤️ Partly sunny and humid
High: 84°F • Low: 69°F
Currently looking like the week's nicest day, with lower temperatures and considerably less storm activity.
Wednesday, August 26
🌦️ Morning thunderstorms, then some sunshine
High: 85°F • Low: 70°F
A couple of thunderstorms are possible early before conditions improve somewhat later in the day.
Thursday, August 27
⛈️ Mostly cloudy with strong afternoon storms possible
High: 83°F • Low: 71°F
Showers may develop during the morning, followed by a greater risk of thunderstorms during the afternoon. Some storms could become strong.
Edenton, Chowan County
Cloudy and humid with a heavy thunderstorm; thunderstorms can bring flash flooding and localized damaging wind gusts
🌟 Weekly Outlook Summary
A changeable late-August weather pattern settles over Edenton this week. Friday and Saturday appear to be the wettest days, with periods of thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall possible.
Conditions improve somewhat Sunday into Monday, although isolated storms remain possible. Tuesday currently stands out as the best outdoor day, with partly sunny skies and a high only in the mid-80s.
The unsettled pattern returns Wednesday and especially Thursday. Thursday bears watching as the current forecast indicates the possibility of strong afternoon thunderstorms.
One welcome change is the temperature. Unlike the oppressive heat we've experienced recently, most afternoon highs this week should remain in the middle to upper 80s, with overnight temperatures dropping into the upper 60s and lower 70s by early next week.
🧭 Weekly Weather Headlines
- ⛈️ Heavy thunderstorms possible Friday
- 🌧️ Wet and stormy Saturday
- 🌤️ Improving Sunday into Monday
- ☀️ Tuesday looks like the week's best day
- 🌡️ Noticeably less extreme heat
- ⛈️ Strong storms possible again Thursday
Edenton Tea Party DAR Gathers for Late Summer Social
PROCLAMATION FROM MAYOR HACKNEY HIGH
PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF BETH SKINNER TAYLOR
WHEREAS, the Town of Edenton has long been distinguished by the leadership, service, and dedication of the women of our community; and
WHEREAS, the storied history of female leadership in Edenton began on October 25, 1774, with the Edenton Tea Party, led by Penelope Barker and joined by fifty other courageous women, marking the first political protest organized by women in America; and
WHEREAS, the Edenton Tea Party Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was named in honor of this historic event; and
WHEREAS, Beth Skinner Taylor has continued this proud tradition of female leadership and has devoted her life to serving her community, her state, and the Edenton Tea Party Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution; and
WHEREAS, since 2014, Beth Skinner Taylor has worked tirelessly to honor the Vietnam veterans of Chowan County, and in 2019, she led the Edenton Tea Party Chapter of the DAR in participating in the Wreaths Across America program; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, Beth Skinner Taylor received the Outstanding State DAR Member Award in recognition of her exceptional efforts to honor and thank Vietnam War veterans; and
WHEREAS, for more than twenty-five years, Beth Skinner Taylor, along with countless others, has helped organize the annual Independence Day Celebration at the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse in Edenton, a celebration that has received numerous first-place awards for outstanding Independence Day celebrations in the nation; and
WHEREAS, in 2026, Beth Skinner Taylor was selected as a recipient of the national DAR “Women in History” award, recognizing women who have made significant contributions to their communities, their states, and their nation; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, W. Hackney High, Mayor of the Town of Edenton, do hereby proclaim and declare August 10, 2026, as
BETH SKINNER TAYLOR DAY
in the Town of Edenton, and ask all citizens to join me in honoring and celebrating Beth Skinner Taylor for her selfless dedication, extraordinary service, and enduring commitment to the betterment of our community, our state, and our nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the Town of Edenton this 10th day of August, 2026.
A TEA PARTY GATHERING
Members of the Edenton Tea Party Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution gathered Monday evening for their late summer social at Edenton Bay Trading Company. Around 40 people attended the event, including several members’ husbands, who were welcomed by Chapter President Bonnie Henn.
Five new members were presented with their DAR pins during orientation and introduced to fellow members. Pictured above, from left, are Rebecca Soule, Marcella Camic, Brittany Underwood, Cheryl Orr and Sheila Lane Shelton.
A special part of the evening’s program was a tribute to longtime DAR member Beth Taylor. Edenton Mayor Hackney High presented Taylor with a proclamation recognizing her leadership, her work on behalf of veterans and her 27 years of service chairing the DAR’s annual July 4th ceremony and Reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Karen Foley, publisher of the Edenton Social Light, also recognized Taylor’s years of service by presenting her with a photo book commemorating Edenton’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary on July 4. The historic celebration marked Taylor’s final year chairing the annual ceremony. Foley also presented her with a framed photograph of Taylor surrounded by her family during the celebration.
Founded in 1890, the Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer service organization dedicated to three primary objectives: historic preservation, education and patriotism.
For the Edenton Tea Party Chapter, the evening offered an opportunity to welcome new members while honoring a longtime member whose decades of service have helped carry those ideals forward in the community.
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