High Looks Towards 2026
Contributors Gather
Mayor Hackney High discusses growth with Chamber Director Susan Creed, Town Manager Corey Gooden and Attorney John Moorehead
BAYSIDE BAKERY & BOARDS OPENING ON S. BROAD
JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
There is ‘Good News’ happening on the corner of S. Broad Street and East King Street. Bayside Bakery and Boards will be filling the town with the aroma of fresh baked goods soon. The new owners, Patrick and Heather Sexton live in Bulls Bay in Columbia. Heather is the baker and managing owner and Patrick, Heather’s major cheerleader, may be recruited for dish duty as needed.
“I love Edenton Bay, I live in Bulls Bay where I’ve been dreaming of this opportunity. I live in a community where some of the most amazing women I’ve ever met live and have encouraged me to also follow my dream. They may be biased, they have love my baked goods,” Heather said.
Heather will be baking breads, pastries, cupcakes, NY style cheesecake, pies and bagels. They will also be creating bread boards.
“I want to offer a place for the community and visitors to come,sit down and enjoy great baked goods and wonderful customer service,” expressed Heather. “I love baking and even more than that I love the joy it brings to those who eat my baked goods. I want this to be a happy place for all. A place that when you walk in the door the smell hits you and then you take that first bite of your treat and your soul wants to dance.”
As an experienced baker, Heather has been in the service industry for over 30 years and this will be her first time as the owner. The goal is to have the bakery open on Wednesday, February 4, the week prior to Valentine’s Day.
“We will be opening the week before Valentine’s Day and have everything you could need and more for your favorite valentine. We will also have a variety of merchandise available for purchase. Come check us out and let us become one of your Happy Places,” Said Heather. “I’d like to give a huge thank you to the overwhelming support of the local community especially Tomat GreyBeards, My Custom Swag, Polka Dot Palm, Broad Street Bazaar and Broad Street Diner just to name a few. Not to mention all of the patrons of this amazing town. How blessed are we to be a part of such a wonderful welcoming community."
GRAND OPENING SEASON IS HERE
STAY UPDATED. WE WILL SEND YOU ALL THE GRAND OPENING NEWS. LAST YEAR MANY RESIDENTS MISSED TEN GRAND OPENING CELEBRATIONS...
LET THE NEW YEAR BEGIN
THANK YOU FARMERS MARKET VENDORS & VOLUNTEERS
Well, that was some break, right? Everything slowed down in town for almost a week. Vonna O'Neil said it best the other day while the Cupola House Holiday Christmas Tree Garden was being dismantled. "If you want to take a break in winter, you need to leave town," was Vonna's take on slow- down- January, in Edenton. Coincidently the events began to flow into my email box as soon as the New Year was upon us. Activities have arrived.
Throughout the month there are a few choices to keep busy.
For mom's and the little ones the Shepard-Pruden Library offers Playgroup meetings on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. through the Chowan/Perquimans Smart Start Partnership.
Smart Start is a public/private early childhood initiative to help all North Carolina children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Smart Start services are targeted for children 0-5 years and their families; the goal is to make sure child care is of high quality and affordable. Smart Start also strives to make child care accessible to those who need it. Providing referrals to child care centers or homes are also included in Smart Start activities.
The Playgroups will be meeting at the Perquimans County Library in January and in February will return to Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library.
If you feel as though you may have dropped a stitch or two during 2025, 2026 offers a chance to regain your crochet skills as beginners crochet with the Chowan Senior Center Stitchers will be held January 10 and again on January 24 from 10:30 – 12:00 p.m. on both dates. Attendees are required to bring their own yarn and hooks.
Oh, shucks, the long awaited yearly Steamers Oyster Roast is still a month away. The event takes place on February 7, and although still a month away, tickets may be purchased at the Steamers office or from a board member.
If a farm stand business is in your future, you may want to take advantage to the NC Extension Cooperative's Highway Harvest, Your Guide to Roadside Success. The classes run through January and February.
The Charlie Creighton Memorial Poker Tournament takes place on February 24. Tickets are limited to 100 so act fast. Net proceeds are going to be split fifty-fifty with the Chowan Hospital Foundation. Tickets are $125.00. The event is being held at Bulteridge Farm. Dinner at 6:00. The game beings at 7:00.
The Edenton Farmers Market has gone through an upgrade in 2025 thanks to Market President Mary Wolfe and her team of dedicated volunteers and vendors. The new pavilions raise the market's presence to a new level. The market has become a place of community where friends meet and greet over fresh produce, flowers, artisan products and crafts. Edenton residents and area visitors are fortunate, Edenton Farmers Market is open year round on Saturday. The Wednesday Farmers Market begins in the spring, which does not seem that far off.
Enjoy the New Year...
FARMERS MARKET FEATURES AND UPDATES
SEND THE EDENTON SOCIAL LIGHT TO MY EMAIL BOX
THANK YOU CHIEF LaFON & THE ENTIRE EPD
GRAFFITI VANDAL SOUGHT
When Edenton Police Chief David LaFon explained the Edenton Social Light news boxes had been vandalized with graffiti I was surprised such a thing could happen in our quiet town. I was even more surprised when Chief LaFon explained he and his graffiti crew had erased the vandalism from the news boxes and a variety of other locations totalling close to thirty spots in town that needed attention.
While the graffiti vandal was surprising and a break from small town norm, the fact we have a police chief and department that not only keeps an eye out for crime, but literally cleans it up. That should be highly commended.
The press release from the Edenton Police Deparment is below.
In the early morning hours of Saturday, December 27, a widespread incident of vandalism occurred throughout the downtown area. The graffiti was not discovered until daybreak, when officers and community members began noticing the damage. After reviewing available video footage, the Edenton Police Department pinpointed the activity to approximately 2:30 a.m.
One individual tagged and defaced more than 30 locations within the town limits.
We take acts of vandalism very seriously. These actions impact the safety, appearance, and pride of our community, and such behavior will not be tolerated in Edenton. The Police Department is actively investigating this incident and is committed to holding those responsible accountable.
Please see the photo above of the individual believed to be involved in this incident. We are seeking assistance in identifying this person.
If you have any information that may help, please contact:
Chief David LaFon at 252-482-5144 ext. 103
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UPCOMING EVENTS JANUARY, FEBRUARY
HONORING REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING
Edenton Steamers Annual Oyster Roast
Edenton Steamers Annual Oyster Roast
Edenton Steamers Annual Oyster Roast
Edenton Steamers Annual Oyster Roast
Edenton Steamers Annual Oyster Roast
Roadside Success at NC Extension
Edenton Steamers Annual Oyster Roast
Tuesday Playgroup Inviting Neighbors
Tuesday Playgroup Inviting Neighbors
Learn the Drop Stitch Technique Chowan Senior Center Stitchers
Tuesday Playgroup Inviting Neighbors
I
Charlie Creighton Memorial Poker Tournament
Learn the Drop Stitch Technique Chowan Senior Center Stitchers
Learn the Drop Stitch Technique Chowan Senior Center Stitchers
Learn the Drop Stitch Technique Chowan Senior Center Stitchers
Learn the Drop Stitch Technique Chowan Senior Center Stitchers
Learn the Drop Stitch Technique Chowan Senior Center Stitchers
HAPPY NEW YEAR, WHAT A YEAR IT WAS
New Year's 2026 quietly arrived in Edenton last evening and although bears were dropped in New Bern, crabs in Washington, the tea pot nor bar glasses dropped at midnight in Edenton.
The reason behind this quiet yearly change was obviously the packed holiday calendar of 2025.
Yes, Wednesday night was quiet. Larry and Mary Jo Sellers closed down The Kraken at around 7:00 p.m. Malcolm shuttered Edenton Bay Trading early for a Wednesday night, but that could be considered trivial considering it was New Year's Eve. Waterman's, Carrozza and the Herringbone hosted small gatherings throughout the night. Again, residents were recovering from a packed calander of activities.
December was one of the most active months of the year, however, in writing the year in review, I realized the entire year was full of more activities than all of the towns surrounding Edenton had combined. For the lengthy year in review – and I didn't add it all – sorry if I left something out – click the link below.
In the meantime I want to thank everyone who contributed to making Edenton such a special place and all of our readers, both in print and online. Here's looking towards a healthy, happy and prosperous 2026.
FOR THE YEAR IN REVIEW
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CANDLELIGHT TOUR DOES IT AGAIN
EDENTON'S HOLIDAY ELEGANCE & STYLE WELCOMED VISITORS
Edenton's elegance in both lavish and casual styles where on display throughout town last weekend as a dozen proud owners opened their homes and lifestyles for over 2000 visitors to experience one step at a time. Whether awed by walls framed in history or styled like Hockney one of the main attractions where the bare walls of the Cupola House and the stories being uncovered like the plaster between the laths. Docents Jonathon Tobias and Russell Corker greeted guests throughout the afternoon sharing bits of knowledge recently discovered within the walls.
Since the restoration of the original woodwork began, the bare bones of the building and dismantling of the plaster covering them was a preservation archeologist's dream, of which Edenton is becoming known.
The Candlelight Tour was a wonderful holiday opportunity to tour some of the most historic homes in town decorated in festive lights and holiday decor. Edenton’s 44 annual Candlelight Tour showcased homes along the Edenton's waterfront on Blount Street, West King and Pembroke Circle on Friday and Saturday December 12 and 13. The Hayes Farm was also on a separate ticketed tour.
Guests were greeted by home owners, family members and friends and shared stories of their homes and unique architectural characteristics. Homes on the tour represented a number of periods in history and offered guests a glimpse into the lives of Edenton residents. Paintings throughout many of the homes included notable Edentonians of the past.
The Edenton Historical Commission worked throughout the year to select and collaborate with homeowners on this wonderful holiday event. It is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year and this year’s theme was “Once Upon a Christmas”.
Marsha Creighton and Carey Stegal worked closely with the homeowners and Bonnie Pierce and Kathleen Towers coordinated the arrangements to bring the theme to life. Walking into some of the homes was a rendition of a a living Christmas Card.