Vonna O'Neill withEDENTON POLICE CHIEF DAVID LaFon
Former President celebrated for helping bring historic woodwork home
For Vonna O’Neill, historic preservation has never been simply about protecting an old building. It is a commitment—a promise to carry the dreams of earlier generations forward.
That commitment was celebrated during a gathering in the Cupola House gardens honoring O’Neill for more than 21 years of service to the Cupola House Association, including four years as its president.
The evening included tributes from association leaders, a proclamation from Edenton Mayor W. Hackney High Jr. and the presentation of gifts recognizing O’Neill’s lasting contributions to one of Edenton’s most treasured landmarks.
Much of the evening focused on an accomplishment once thought impossible: the return of the Cupola House’s original 1758 interior woodwork after 106 years at the Brooklyn Museum.
“Vonna believed we could get it back, and she worked diligently to make that happen,” Sam Dixon said.
Dixon recalled how O’Neill helped bring together a delegation that traveled to New York to meet with Brooklyn Museum officials. She then continued pushing the project forward as the historic woodwork was carefully removed, packed, transported down Interstate 95 and returned to Edenton.
Reproduction woodwork was removed from the house, allowing the original panels and architectural elements to be reinstalled in the rooms for which they were created.
“That is something that no one ever thought was possible,” Dixon said. “Because of Vonna, it became a reality.”
Dixon also recognized the devotion of O’Neill’s late husband, Denny O’Neill, who previously served as president of the association. Together, the couple spent more than a decade caring for the house, welcoming visitors, supporting historical scholarship, raising funds and doing the everyday work required to protect the landmark.
“They didn’t simply serve the Cupola House,” Dixon said. “They loved it. They nurtured it, and they made sure it was shared with the public.”
O’Neill became emotional as Dixon spoke of her husband and the devotion they shared.
“Vonna, you brought everybody together to make this happen,” Dixon said. “You kept the dream alive.”
Flora Hall Wood Davis, the association’s incoming president, thanked the organization’s members and those who laid the foundation for its preservation work.
“It is going to be the future that will carry this forward for the next 100 years,” Davis said.
She also recognized the state funding that supported the recent restoration work and thanked Ed Goodwin, Robert Leath and the craftspeople and preservation specialists who helped return the original woodwork to its historic setting.
“What an amazing piece of history we are all living to see, witness and be a part of,” Davis said. “It is indeed a miracle.”
Although grant funding made the restoration possible, Davis reminded those gathered that members and donors remain the heart of the organization. Their contributions pay the bills and support the continuing maintenance and preservation of the house and gardens.
Mayor High then read a proclamation recognizing O’Neill as a civic leader, preservationist and advocate who has devoted many years to enriching Edenton’s history, heritage and character.
The proclamation cited O’Neill’s pivotal role in returning the original woodwork, her leadership in establishing a task force for the house’s long-term preservation and her creation of the Cupola House Community Christmas Tree program.
It also recognized her service to the Friends of the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library, the Albemarle Chorale, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
High proclaimed Sept. 20, 2026, as “Vonna O’Neill Day” in Edenton.
Sam Dixon and the association presented O’Neill with a custom Cupola House etched platter honoring her “unwavering dedication” to the preservation of the Cupola House and her service as association president from 2022 to 2026.
Karen Foley, publisher of Edenton Social Light, presented O’Neill with a keepsake book filled with photographs, memories and tributes collected from people who have worked alongside her.
O’Neill accepted the honors while directing much of the credit toward the board and the many people who supported the association.
“This isn’t done in a vacuum,” she said. “I had the great honor of having just a fabulous board. They all worked. You don’t get here without having people who are dedicated.”
O’Neill described preservation as a commitment to see dreams through and never lose hope. Efforts to reclaim the woodwork stretched back decades, she said, including letters written to the Brooklyn Museum during the 1960s and a campaign later renewed by her husband.
When Edenton representatives learned in 2023 that returning the woodwork might finally be possible, the association did not yet have the necessary funding. That uncertainty did not weaken their resolve.
“If we had to mortgage our houses, it didn’t matter,” O’Neill recalled.
She compared that determination to the actions of the Edentonians who came together in 1918 to purchase the deteriorating Cupola House and save it from possible demolition.
O’Neill said the Cupola House is the only American building of its era known to have recovered and reinstalled its original woodwork.
She then challenged everyone present to bring two or three new members into the association, stressing that preservation must remain a shared community responsibility.
“Love is like a chain reaction,” O’Neill said. “With the Cupola House, for me—and probably for a lot of you—it is a love story.”
That love was deeply intertwined with her life with Denny, who continued working on Cupola House projects until just days before his death.
“It meant that my husband lived five more years than initially thought because he was committed to the Cupola House,” O’Neill said. “He worked on Cupola House things up until 10 days before he passed away. Now, that’s commitment.”
As she prepared to pass the leadership of the association to Davis and her board, O’Neill assured the membership that the historic property would remain in dedicated hands.
Her presidency may have ended, but the legacy celebrated that evening will remain visible inside the Cupola House—in the original woodwork returned to its rightful home and in a community inspired to continue protecting it.
“I will always love the Cupola House,” O’Neill said.
THE CAPITAL PIZZA TAVERN IS NOW OPEN
The Capital Pizza Tavern in downtown Edenton is open, serving pizza , wings, salads and sandwiches....
NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS
THE CAPITAL PIZZA TAVERN IS OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS
THE GUYS FROM KELLOGG'S ENJOYED THEIR SUB SANDWICHES
OUR SALADS....
ARE THE FRESHEST IN TOWN. ENJOY A VARIETY OF SALADS, SUBS AND OF COURSE, PIZZA...
EVENTS THAT BROUGHT CROWDS THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND...
HISTORIC EDENTON TRIVIA NIGHT
About 100 people gathered at the Edenton Bay Trading Company on Sept. 17 to put their knowledge of local history to the test during a Constitution Week trivia night.
The event, “Pour Me a Fact: Historic Edenton Trivia,” invited teams to answer questions about Edenton’s past. The lively turnout filled the business, owned by Malcolm and Debbie King, with neighbors ready to compare answers and share a few stories of their own.
Hosted by FOSHE Edenton, the evening offered a lighthearted way to mark Constitution Week. Edenton’s history provided plenty of material for the questions, while the team format gave participants a chance to learn from one another along the way.
For an event built around the past, the crowd of about 100 made one thing clear: Edentonians still enjoy coming together to celebrate their town’s story.
DAR SPONSORED BELLS ACROSS AMERICA
The Edenton Tea Party Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a Constitution Day ceremony Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Hugh Williamson Memorial in Elizabeth Vann Moore Park.
The ceremony brought attention to both the Constitution and a monument that took more than two decades of local effort to build. In a history of the memorial prepared for the event, Beth Taylor traced the project to an idea Virginia Wood presented to the DAR chapter about 26 years ago: honoring Hugh Williamson, a signer of the U.S. Constitution who lived in Edenton.
According to Taylor’s account, Wood and Taylor presented the proposal to the Chowan County commissioners, who approved the project. Commissioner appointments followed in 2002, and a design for the memorial received approval in 2003. The effort lost its funding in 2009 during the recession, but regained momentum in 2015 when Mayor Roland Vaughan and State Historic Sites Director Bob Hopkins supported placing the monument in Elizabeth Vann Moore Park.
Taylor wrote that Frank Parker prepared a design, cost estimate and site plan. Funding was announced in 2016 after the North Carolina General Assembly approved the project. The monument was installed in April 2017 and dedicated on Constitution Day that year.
“Two words best describe this project — patience and perseverance,” Taylor wrote in her history. She credited Wood’s vision and the work of many others with making the memorial a reality.
This year’s program included remarks by chapter Regent Bonnie Henn and Constitution Day Chair Caroline Butler, a wreath laying, and a presentation by guest speaker Dick Mayer titled The Life and Times of Hugh Williamson. Sandra Williams, the chapter’s chaplain, offered the devotion and benediction.
FRIDAY FOODS, FINDS, & CAPITAL UPPER CRUST
FRIDAY FOODS, FINDS, & CAPITAL UPPER CRUST
The Capital Pizza Tavern gave Edenton a taste of what is to come Friday evening, serving pizza and wings to town residents and visitors at Friday Foods & Finds on South Broad Street.
Members of the tavern’s team were on hand to answer questions about the menu and the restaurant’s upcoming opening. The business is preparing for a soft opening around Oct. 3.
The Sept. 18 event brought food trucks, music and downtown shopping together to enjoy the gateway evening for a busy weekend. Residents caught up with friends while critiquing pizza and wings, while visitors had a chance to explore the shops and businesses nearby.
Friday Foods & Finds is supported by Main Street Edenton, Visit Edenton and Surf, Wind and Fire.
BACON & EGGS @ MARKET PIG PICKIN'
FRIDAY FOODS, FINDS, & CAPITAL UPPER CRUST
Pulled pork and playful costumes brought neighbors together at market last Saturday. The Edenton Farmers Market served a Community Pig Pickin’ on Saturday, Sept. 19, with free food, local vendors and two women dressed as bacon and an egg adding a little humor to the day.
Lee’s Hill Top Farm cooked the pork for the community meal. The small family farm is based in Oxford, North Carolina, where the Lee family has farmed for five generations. The family began raising its own beef, pork, lamb and chicken, along with seasonal vegetables
to offer healthy foods.
Market vendors offered produce, baked goods, seafood and artisan goods. Many also volunteered behind the scenes to help make the meal possible. The free event was funded by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina.
The market’s next celebration, its Community Appreciation/Fall Festival, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
LIVE YOUR DASH, RAINES' ARMY MAKES THE DAY
LIVE YOUR DASH, RAINES' ARMY MAKES THE DAY
Edenton turned out for two gatherings honoring young lives and the work being done in their names. Photos from both events show strong crowds, though attendance figures were not available to confirm whether either set a record.
Children lined up near the starting line alongside adult runners and walkers for the George and Alex Memorial Foundation’s annual Live Your Dash 5K and Fun Run. The event remembers friends George Parrish and Alex Boehling while supporting scholarships for John A. Holmes High School graduates. In the foundation’s history, George’s mother, Mary Boehling, said the scholarships recognize students who reflect the boys’ character, values and accomplishments.
At a separate gathering for Raines’ Army, supporters filled an outdoor space to remember Raines and stand with the family and friends carrying his legacy forward. Raines died shortly before his second birthday after extensive treatment for retinoblastoma. His family’s account remembers a happy, adventurous child who loved Edenton, the beach and his sister Reid. It also recalls how he drew pictures for other young patients at Duke and delivered them like mail.
The two events had different settings, but the turnout at each showed how Edenton continues to gather around families and causes close to the community.
FIVE FREEDOMS OF AMERICANS
LIVE YOUR DASH, RAINES' ARMY MAKES THE DAY
As part of the America 250 celebration, Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library presented The Five Freedoms of Americans, a one-act play written by Lisa Laws, during its Colonial Day program on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Laws set the play in Edenton in September 1789, as Americans considered the protections that would eventually become part of the Bill of Rights. By bringing together characters based on actual residents of the period, the production gave its audience of approximately 25 adults and children an opportunity to explore the freedoms protected by the First Amendment through a conversation rooted in Edenton’s past.
Laws portrayed Lydia Boyd Bennet, one of the women who signed the 1774 Edenton Resolves, while Edward Stiver played her husband, William. Scarlett Pfannenstiel appeared as their daughter, Margaret, and Phenyx Dickson-Kratz portrayed their son, Henry.
Donterrio Rogers played ...
Naturalization Ceremony at Historic Courthouse...
...WELCOME
New American citizens took the Oath of Allegiance on Thursday, Sept. 17, in a courthouse that has stood since before the United States declared its independence.
The naturalization ceremony was held at the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse. U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle administered the oath and later presented certificates to the new citizens, according to the event program.
The Albemarle Chorale performed the national anthem. Members of the John A. Holmes High School JROTC posted and retired the colors, while Beth Taylor, representing the Daughters of the American Revolution, offered welcoming remarks.
For those taking the oath, the ceremony marked the final step toward U.S. citizenship. For Edenton, its setting gave that moment a connection to the nation’s beginnings: The courthouse was already standing when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
The program closed with congratulations to the new citizens of the United States.
Town News
ADACHI RECOMMENDS 'TONY': Banderas could be nominated for real Oscar
By Darryl Adachi
Anthony Bourdain described his younger self as “spoiled, miserable, narcissistic, self-destructive and thoughtless.” Indeed, in Tony, currently playing at the Taylor, the young college student Anthony Bourdain is depicted as all of these—so much so that for the first thirty minutes of the film, you keep asking yourself, “Why are you still here?” Young Anthony was, in short, a jerk—not that this should necessarily determine whether you stay for the entire length of a film. After all, there are antiheroes who lack traditional qualities such as moral courage or integrity but still manage to draw an audience’s sympathy and support. (Think no further than Timothée Chalamet’s role in Marty Supreme.)
That said, I, along with the rest of the moviegoing audience, decided to stay. After a somewhat slow start, the film picks up after Tony arrives in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the summer after his first year at Vassar. With no money, no place to stay and no friends, he has little choice but to take a dishwashing job at a local restaurant. Lazy, incompetent and disinterested at first, he plies his trade in exchange for a place to sleep, free meals and a few dollars a week.
About midway through the film, you begin to get a sense of where the story is headed as Tony observes his colorful co-workers in the kitchen. It turns out to be his initiation into the culinary world. Chief among them is Chef, played by Antonio Banderas in a commanding and quietly moving performance. Chef takes Tony under his wing and begins to mentor him. Unknown to Tony, who initially has little respect for him, Chef is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world’s premier culinary college, and was once on the Michelin track. (When Tony first hears this, he assumes Chef once worked for the Central Intelligence Agency.)
It is never revealed exactly how or why Chef ended up in Provincetown, working in a small, nondescript restaurant, other than that “it was his own.” Chef is not ashamed of where he is. He is thankful for the cards he has been dealt and believes that God is watching over him. You like him. Banderas lends considerable weight to the movie, and I personally think his performance is worthy of Oscar consideration.
A bond begins to grow between Chef and Tony as Tony is given responsibilities beyond dishwashing. In an effort to impress a girl he knows, Tony wants to learn how to prepare a special dish and enlists Chef to help him. It is in this sequence that we first see Tony at the very beginning of his culinary career.
An accident in the kitchen brings the evening to an abrupt end, and we see Chef distraught as his business is destroyed. It is here that Tony takes another turn in his life, looking to care for someone other than himself by launching an event that ultimately saves the restaurant.
This film could have been darker, given what awaited Anthony’s future. But by keeping the story centered on just one summer in his young life, the film leaves us, in a way, with hope for Tony. You find yourself happy for him and for the decision he makes to pursue the culinary arts as his life’s work. We see a Tony who has matured to some degree and is finally becoming honest with himself and with others.
Toward the end of the film, Chef suggests that Tony begin calling himself by the more adult name “Anthony.” The only person who calls Tony “Anthony” is his mother.
“Smart woman,” Chef says.
Dominic Sessa plays the role of young Anthony Bourdain and does an admirable job. This is only one of a few films in which he has appeared and his first leading role. Another noteworthy performance comes from Leo Woodall, who plays Tony’s unhinged kitchen mate and poor role model, Sal. Sal’s misjudged actions ultimately open the door for Tony to take on a larger role at the restaurant.
The film overall has received positive reviews, including a 95% score from Rotten Tomatoes. There are no monsters to fight or buildings to swing from in this movie, but Tony turns out to be every bit as satisfying a moviegoing experience as the blockbusters that preceded it this summer.
MORE TOWN NEWS
Chowan Senior Center Month
September is Senior Center Month, a fitting time to recognize the important role the Chowan Senior Center plays in keeping area seniors active, connected and engaged in their community.
Under the guidance of Chowan Senior Center Program Director & Coordinator Sandra Taylor and her staff, the center at 204 E. Church Street has become far more than a place to stop by for an occasional activity. A North Carolina Certified Senior Center of Excellence, its mission is to enhance the quality of life for senior adults — something reflected in a September calendar filled with opportunities for fitness, friendship, education, recreation and even adventure.
One of September’s particularly valuable additions is a beginner-friendly self-defense class designed for senior adults. Taught by Rommel Cortezano, classes are scheduled Sept. 11 and 25 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., as well as every Monday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. The program offers seniors an opportunity to learn practical personal-safety skills while also building confidence and remaining physically active.
Community Pig Pickin'
The Edenton Farmers Market has always been about much more than buying fresh produce. It is about neighbors supporting neighbors, local farmers and artisans sharing what they produce, and volunteers giving their time to create a welcoming gathering place for the community.
On Saturday, September 19, that spirit of giving will be on full display when the Farmers Market hosts a free Community Pig Pickin’ during its regular Saturday market.
Under the leadership of Edenton Farmers Market President Mary Wolfe, volunteers and market vendors work throughout the season to keep the market thriving. For this special Saturday, many are going a step further, volunteering their time and bringing side dishes to accompany the pork being prepared by Lee’s Hill Top Farm.
Food will be served free to the community from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. There is no charge for anyone who would like to stop by and enjoy a meal.
The Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with vendors offering the locally grown and produced goods shoppers have come to expect, including fresh produce, baked goods, seafood and artisan items.
Events such as the Community Pig Pickin’ demonstrate just how much Wolfe, the market’s volunteers and its vendors contribute to Edenton. Week after week, their efforts provide a place for local growers and makers to sell their products while creating a gathering spot where residents can visit with friends, meet their neighbors and support local businesses.
The special community meal is made possible with funding from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. The Edenton Farmers Market extends its appreciation to the sponsors, Lee's Hill Top Farm, participating vendors and the many volunteers whose generosity makes the day possible.
Come hungry, shop local and enjoy a Saturday with your neighbors — September 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Edenton Farmers Market.
Kayaking Offers a Different View
Kayaking Offers a Different View
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Edenton’s waterfront, but perhaps one of the best is from the seat of a kayak.
Visitors and locals don’t even need to own one. The Town of Edenton offers kayaks, canoes and paddleboards for rent at the harbor, providing an inexpensive and easy way to get out on the water and see Edenton from an entirely different perspective. The Town says the equipment is available daily from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
And the price makes it an outing almost anyone can enjoy. A single kayak rents for just $5 an hour, while a two-person kayak is $7. Canoes are $10 an hour and paddleboards $5. For those looking for a longer adventure, all-day and overnight canoe and kayak options are also available.
Launching from the waterfront puts paddlers alongside some of Edenton’s most familiar landmarks. From the water, the Roanoke River Lighthouse, historic waterfront and shoreline take on a completely different appearance. The Town Harbor specifically promotes the rentals as a way for people to explore both the harbor and neighboring creeks.
One of those waterways is Pembroke Creek, where another kayaking experience awaits.
Pembroke Creek Park, at 716 West Queen Street, includes a boardwalk and dedicated kayak and canoe launch and is open from dawn until dusk. The Pembroke Creek paddling trail winds through several miles of water bordered by mature trees and offers access toward Edenton Bay. It is rated for beginner/intermediate paddlers with an easy-to-moderate difficulty level.
Wednesday evenings have also become a chance for local kayakers to simply get together and enjoy the creek. Last Wednesday, paddlers in bright green kayaks could be seen making their way along Pembroke Creek, enjoying the quieter water, the scenery and one another’s company.
It is an easygoing reminder that kayaking doesn’t have to be a major expedition. Sometimes it is simply an opportunity to get outdoors with friends and spend an hour or two enjoying one of Edenton’s greatest natural assets.
We walk beside the water, dine overlooking it and photograph its sunsets.
Every once in a while, it’s worth picking up a paddle and actually getting out on it.
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