ROCKY HOCKS IN BUNCH'S
Rocky Hocks in bunches at Bunch’s is the word on Broad St.
Coincidence or not, the first crop of Rocky Hock Melons and the Summer Solstice crossed paths last Friday when gold was harvested from Rocky Hock Cantaloupe fields.
While the solstice brought in a stifling summer so far, the mouth watering sweetness of Rocky Hock Cantaloupes are now being tossed off the truck like the King and His Court Softballs, stacked high for a moment, until customers deplete the pickings.
On Saturday a steady stream of Rocky Hock followers ventured to Bunch’s to partake in a Cantaloupe season opening ritual.
Mark, Michelle and Hunter Bunch are the current bunches of Bunch’s to own the operation, acquiring it two years ago from it’s original owner, area icon Wilbur Bunch. It’s difficult to think of Rock Hock Cantaloupes without thinking of the name Bunch.
Bunch Family Farms have been growing Cantaloupes for generations. The melons are exceptionally sweet, many say, because of the sandy soil Rocky Hock offers. The Bunch’s also cultivate the melons on plastic to protect them from the rain.
Thanks to the Bunch family Rocky Hock melons are recognized for their sweetness across the country in many grocery stores.
Speaking of grocery stores, if the one your shopping in doesn’t have the selection of produce your cook book recipe requires, fill your plate and feed your palate with a selection of multi-colored carrots, fresh zucchini and yellow squash along with a wide variety of other vegetables and berries. Plus, it’s been verified, the tomatoes taste like tomatoes.
GATHERERS GAZE AT GLIMPSES OF TOWN'S TARNISHED JEWEL
THE VALET HAD THE NIGHT OFF...
Dawson Tyler's Baby Blue Packard convertible, parked in front of the Hinton Hotel was the perfect property prop as a crowd of Edenton's curious graced the lobby of another of the town's memory archives to hear about the hotel's future.
Stepping into the future while taking a seat back in time, residents were excited to see the various concept boards placed throughout the space offering a glimpse of what is about to come.
The Down East Preservation team invited residents and business owners to the presentation.
A work in wonderment for the past years since the county offices vacated the space years ago, the future of the Hinton looks promising for the town, residents and visitors.
The impromptu cork popping by Burton Swain at the precise moment Dawson Tyler was highlighting a future Hinton feature, along with monogrammed boxed stick matches, monogrammed cocktail napkins, high styled silver vases overflowing with flowers, and champagne bubbles doing the same, set the stage for the hotel's future. The bare bones lobby was in itself a work of art, filled with people visualizing what once was and what the vision will become.
NOTE: For a video of the entire evening, including Tyler’s presentation, Mayor Hackney High’s encouraging words and photos of the event click the link. For the entire story pick up a copy of the summer issue of the Edenton Social Light.
GET THE WHOLE HINTON HOTEL PICTURE
Daughters of the American Revolution Award Tea Town Trolley
Preservation, Women in Arts, America 250 and Community Service Awarded, New Members Take the Oath
It was a day celebrating community service as the Edenton Tea Party Chapter of the DAR recognized area volunteers and organizations for contribution to the community.
DAR Regent Bonnie Thuma Henn welcomed the guests and honorees to St. Paul’s Parish House for the luncheon.
“Good morning and welcome to our Annual May Awards Luncheon. It is my pleasure and honor to welcome you as Chapter Regent. We will be recognizing the recipients of the Community Service Award, Community members and Chapter members in honor of their service to DAR and the community.”
Henn went on to highlight the preservation progress taking place at the Cupola House.
“The Excellence in Historic Preservation award is a Chapter award, recognizing a local organization that has demonstrated excellence in historic preservation. This award is being presented this year to the Cupola House Association”, explained Henn. “We have all been following the story of the return of the historic woodwork sold to the Brooklyn Museum in 1918. While the sale marked the loss of this woodwork, it also marked the formation of North Carolina’s first community led preservation association. Fast forward to today, we are recognizing the effort of the Cupola House Association and the return of this woodwork to its rightful place, at the Cupola House.”
Vonna O’Neil, President of the Cupola House Association accepted the award. Many Edentonians know or have seen Rae Ohlert strolling through town during special events dressed in period attire. Not only is she highly recognized during these events, she was also recognized last week at the celebration luncheon.“One of the stars of this celebration was Rae Ohlert and we are recognizing her today. The “Women in the Arts” is a National recognition award may be presented to a deserving member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in acknowledgement of her outstanding work in the arts,” said Henn. “For this year’s award, a photo montage representing the collection of historic costuming completed by Rae was reviewed by National Chair and National Vice Chairman. Rae’s work in historic costuming was deemed worthy of this recognition. It is an honor to present this award to Rae with our thanks for all the amazing wearable works of art she shares as well as her talent in oration, song and crafts that elevate each of our events throughout the year.”The Tea Party Chapter also received high praise and accolades and many first place awards at the State Conference. Those recipients included Sally Francis Kehayes – 250thEvent Chair, Sandy Sperry– Grave Marking Chair, Clara King – Chaplain; Melanie Gibbs– Recording Secretary and Americanism Chair, Candace Roth–Registrar ;Anne Rowe – Historian, Celeste Maus Librarian, Rae Ohlert– American Heritage Chair, Bonnie Pierce – Community Classroom Chair, Lisa Laws– Conservation Chair, Robin Mayer – Constitution Week Chair, Leatha Fisher–DAR Good Citizen Chair, Nancy Olver–DAR Magazine Chair, Cynthia Herlong – DAR Schools Chair, Katherine Ingram -Service to America Chairman, Jean Kuchta, Pamela Oliviera, Martha Smith, Julie Elmore, Kim Gowager – Treasurer, Reva Hinson, Kay Caveney and Claudia Dodson."Today we are honoring those who were a part of bringing the Edenton “Tea Party Trolley” to life. This 10-month continuing event captured the imagination of all… they transported visitors and residents alike to 1774 and we could truly imagine what it must have been like to be there with those brave 51 ladies and those who supported their cause," said Henn. The regent went on to introduce and honor Amelia Bond, Gena-Erin Copeland, Elizabeth Corker, Russell Corker, Kay Currin, Chris Grimes, Lisa Laws, Rae Ohlert, Anne Rowe, Nancy Sorensen, Kathleen Towers and Tommy Wood.New DAR members Nonna Smith and Sandra Williams took the new member oath closing out the ceremony,
MONUMENTAL EVENTS OVER THE PAST YEAR
NAACP HONORS DARNELL WHITE
A surprise presentation went to Chowan County NAACP President Darnell White. The award was presented by Stella Brothers for White’s undaunted dedication to the
THE KADESH STEEPLE RISES TALL
Many have contributed to Edenton’s founding foundation and it’s rich history includes a significant contribution by the African American
FANNIE A. PARKER CELEBRATES
FANNIE A. PARKER CELEBRATES
The Fannie A. Parker Women's Club celebrated their W. Albemarle St. Clubhouse's 47 Anniversary and the club's 79 years of service.
Orville and Wilbur would be proud to know 17 John A. Holmes High School students completed the Ace’s Aviation Camp at Northeastern Regional Airport on Thursday and finished four days of introduction to aviation. They took off with memories of flight and visions of flying higher.
The experience may have changed JAHHS Junior Patrick Godwin’s course.
“I have been thinking about a number of career options,” said Patrick Godwin a fall Junior, “I am definitely interested in becoming a commercial pilot. From the knowledge I gained from this week’s experiences, I realize that this is very possible.”
The camp was a joint initiative in conjunction with the Northeastern Regional Airport and in partnership with JAHHS, Main Street Edenton, the Edenton Chowan Education Foundation and the Edenton Chamber of Commerce. The group sponsored the aviation camp to help promote aviation careers in the state of flight.
North Carolina’s program aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration ACE Academy.
"The ACE Academy was a great opportunity to expose High School students in Chowan County to all of the career opportunities in Aviation. We were able to get each student flight time as well as expose them to maintenance and discuss the career path to become a military aviator or commercial pilot. The ECSU Aviation program was the highlight for me, their 4-year program allows for students to receive word class instruction and then move into a career as a commercial pilot or maintainer with many of the major commercial airlines through an ongoing partnership with the school. We're excited to refine what we started this year and offer an even better program next year," said Executive Director Main Street Edenton Ches Chesson.
The shortage of aviation sector professionals has raised concerns over the past years and the FAA is looking ahead by providing young people the opportunity to explore and pursue the many rewarding careers available in the aviation sector.Program support came from the Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy Grant Program, supporting aerospace and aviation workforce development in North Carolina.
“In addition to flying and practicing on the flight simulator, the students heard from pilots and learned about airplane mechanics. We went to the Coast Guard Base and took a tour of ECSU's Aviation Program. We wrapped up the week with a drone demonstration and a bit of friendly competition between the students on Thursday,” said Edenton-Chowan Chamber Executive Director Susan Creed.
The Academy provides unique summer aviation education programs for students interested in aviation and aerospace. A wide range of aviation career exploration experiences were offered focusing onScience, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
It was an opportunity for local students to be introduced to a wide range of aerospace careers.
“This was a great experience. The flight simulator gave us a real life experience,” said Emma Toney, a fall Freshman. “We are even going to learn how to fly a drone”.
Thousands of students across the country attend each summer where they are introduced to a wide range of aerospace careers. Some exciting careers that can explore at ACE Academies are Air Traffic Controller, Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Aerospace Engineer, Professional Pilot, Airport Management, Airport Planner along with other career information.
“Our ACE Academy aviation camp was a huge success. This was an incredible opportunity for these students to gain experience and exposure to various aviation related careers and we are thrilled to be a small part of it. Thank you to our partners, Town of Edenton, Main Street Edenton, and JAHHS,” said Creed.“A big thank you to all who provided the experiences for these students. This camp was made possible through a grant from the NCDOT.”
The students had the opportunity to visit Elizabeth State University Aviation program. Due to the demand for aviation related positions, Delta, Jet Blue and American Airlines have created incentives for college aviation students. Current students enrolled in the four year college program are getting offers for positions in their sophomore year in college, allowing them to have a direct line to the many openings in the aviation field.