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.
