CUPOLA HOUSE MARKET ADDS ARTISAN TOUCHES
NUT RUNNERS RUN UNDER BRIGHT AUTUMN SUN
CUPOLA HOUSE BARE WALLS SPEAK VOLUMES AS GATHERERS DISCUSS HISTORIC DISCOVERIES
EDENTON'S PEANUT FESTIVAL WEEKEND REVIEW
THE NUT RUN BEGAN THE DAY
It was a Norman Rockwell day. The sun rose Saturday with a soothing light wind. The streets of Edenton woke up early to be greeted by over 100 people on Water Street geared up for the first annual Peanut Festival Running events including a 10K at 7:00 a.m. followed by the 5K run at 8:30 a.m.. Dressed in their green peanut run shirts, the runners ranged from grade-school aged kids to grandma and grandpa running the charming streets of Edenton. Dogs, kids in strollers and some preferring to stroll added to the delightful morning activities.
THE MARKET DREW A CROWD
CUPOLA MARKET
In conjunction with all the peanut festival activities the Cupola House Market once again fascinated onlookers and shoppers with a variety of crafts and artistry. The market was filled with over a dozen booths focused on artisan and craftsman products. The Cupola House booth featured their special holiday ornaments, beautiful linen towels, while the Cupola Garden Club offered cuttings and seed packs from native plants. The Edenton Woman’s Club, the Edenton DAR and Edenton Historical Commission’s Visitors Center also featured many interesting and special items. Matt Markoya of Old North Colony Pewter "had their best show ever". Annette Ringeisen booth and felting art creations by Cloth&Twine were annual booths returning for the third year event. The Cupola House was open with Docents giving free tours of the first floor construction being prepped for the return of the original wood work. It was a beautiful day for a harvest market and the Cupola team did an excellent job pulling together a wonderful selection for early holiday shopping.
THE PEANUT PARADE
THE PARADE
The sun rose brightly on the 50th annual Peanut Parade as participant started their march down S. Broad Street. Lined with families eager to engage in the parade festivities. Leading the parade, the John A. Holmes HS band's music was a teaser for battle of the bands later in the day. Dressed in their full band regalia, they looked ready to host the Battle of the Bands regional competition starting at 2:00 p.m. that afternoon at the High School.
Parade participants included a line of tractors, a few historic pieces of Earl's peanut harvesting equipment. School groups cheered on the crowd, historic cars and trucks, the JROTC Color Guard, and the Chowan Senior Center Line Dancers danced their way down Broad St. The Chowan County Fair Queen and Princess made an appearance and many, many, more groups and businesses joined in the parade. The famous Planter's Nutmobile was a special feature.
The Peanut Parade and Festival committee worked for months to coordinate the day's events which included the Nut Runs, 50th Annual Parade, the Cupola Market, the educational festival on King Street including the kids sack races and run awards, the music on porches and additional Farmers Market activities. The committee’s goal was to bring back this historic community event and to embrace the fall harvest. It’s all been captured for you to view on the Peanut Day Parade video.
THE PEANUT SACK RACES
KID SACK RACES
There’s nothing more fun to watch than small children attempting to win a peanut sack race.
Following the peanut parade, runners and peanut parade watchers meandered down East King Street to enjoy food vendors and educational booths focused on peanuts. Guests gathered on the historic courthouse greens to celebrate the morning race winners and to give kids an opportunity to compete in a peanut sack race. Broken down into age groups, the kids hopped their way across the green and back. It was hilarious to watch their racing skills.They all seemed to have a terrific time attempting the confined feet, feat.
PERQUIMANS TOPS BAND BATTLE, ACES PERFORMANCE
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Annually, the John A. Holmes High School sponsors the ‘Battle of the Bands’ bringing together over a dozens regional high school marching bands. Each school’s band created three musical numbers incorporating color guard choreography and twirling, adding visual elements to each of the performances. Awards were given to schools by size classifications. Family members and students cheered and showed support for their schools. John A. Holmes hosted the event and were not part of the competition, however, they did perform the finale.
The Perquimans High School band captured the cowboy in us all. "It’s not our first Rodeo” the band's theme was proven at this event. Perquimans High School Prinicpal Mickey Drew said, “Congratulations to our Marching Pirates on their fantastic performance at the Peanut Festival competition. The PCHS band earned first or second place in every category including 3A first place band and Band of the Day across all divisions. Great job by all."
Praise & Appreciation Shown and Shared at Annual Banquet
It seems Brooklyn, NY, and the town of Edenton have two great things in common, the historic Cupola House woodwork and Brooklyn native Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Edenton Police Cpl. Dominick Romano.
While the Cupola House moldings are historic, Romano holds Edenton’s future in his hands and sees his responsibilities as a daily opportunity and obligation to be of service.
Before Cpl. Romano was awarded the night’s top honors, Edenton Police Chief David LaFon presented the Cpl. With the Chowan Edenton Optimist Club Youth Award.
Chief LaFon highlighted Romano’s constant concern and caring for the youth in the community and his continued outreach of service for those in need.
Outside of his full time position, Romano focuses on food insecurities, clothing the needy and providing enjoyment for kids with toys by organizing food, clothing and toy drives during the holiday season. Romano has been known to tackle small obstacles with big acts of kindness, purchasing a fishing rod for a youngster and teaching him how to fish.
Aside from the double honors Romano received the evening was filled with appreciation foe everyone in the room.
Past American Legion Post Commander Bob Oliveria welcomed the crowd and opened the evening introducing Chowan County Commission Vice-Chair Larry McLaughlin followed by Chowan County Sheriff Edward Basnight introducing the agencies. Chowan County Clerk of Courts Dwayne Goodwin introduced the evening’s guest speaker DA Jeff Cruden. Cruden went on to thank everyone for their support and assistance in keeping the citizens safe.
Before the awards were presented the chefs in the Legion’s kitchen prepared a million dollar meal of perfectly grilled 16 oz. Rib-eye Steaks, baked potato and salad. The John A. Holmes High School JROTC cadets served the meal, with the exception of the Edenton Police Department who were each served by Edenton Town Manager Corey Gooden.
For the highlights of the evening enjoy the videos.
SENIOR CENTER STITCHERS KNIT FOR WARMTH
The Chowan Senior Center Stitchers have been working tirelessly knitting hats and scarves for veterans for Project Gratitude. The group’s year long project was built on yarn donations that were made into hats and scarves and donated to the NC State Veterans Home in Kinston NC.
“We are donating the scarves and hats in memory of Marcie Ashton,” said Deborah Hamrick. “She was one of the original members of the group. She has done a lot over the years keeping the crochet group together.”
The group made a total of 36 single hats, 3 single scarves and 14 sets of hearts and scarves.
"The Chowan Senior Stitchers would like to thank everyone who donated yarn to help this cause. We accept donations of yarn especially #4 acrylic yarn. We welcome future donations," said Hamrick.
The Project Gratitude Knitting Project is a yearly initiative for the Senior center Knitters.
THE KNITTERS GATHERED
The Chowan Senior Center Knitters include pictured ,Deana Winslow, Karen Murray ,Mary Burke,
Connie Robertson,
Nancy Webb,
Deborah Hamrick,
Jessica Copeland,
Deborah Skinner.
Knitters not pictured include.
Elizabeth Plunkett, George Bitar,Reva Hinson, Tracy Smithers,Heidi Gnos Kuban,April Valentine.