It was an extravaganza weekend throughout town, spectacles everywhere,Harry look a-likes all around

Edenton, Livable, Lovable

Is your community Livable and Lovable where two questions discussed at the NC Main Street conference in Mooresville, NC last week. The annual three day event highlighted topics for small towns throughout North Carolina including affordable housing, destination businesses, and the revitalization of Main Streets that have fallen in disrepair. What makes a community live able and love able is was a question that hit home to Edenton.

Edenton Town Manager Corey Gooden and Main Street Executive Director Ches Chesson attended the conference along with Timmy Turner and Kristy Belton.  

Gooden and Chesson were on a panel discussing the benefits of Main Street and how it effected Edenton.  

According to the NC Main Street data, a community becomes livable when critical needs are met, including food security, availability of affordable housing, opportunities for education and healthcare, good jobs and economic growth in a community. A community’sinfrastructure and connectivity to easily access services and resources also adds to convenience and live ability.  

Main Street data surpass ‘live ability’ and focused on ‘love ability’. People love their communities when they offer innovative and inclusive quality-of-life amenities such as arts and cultural experiences, community engagement opportunities, and access to recreation to live a healthy lifestyle, according to Main Street research.

A highlight of the conference was explaining the 15 minute city model. That model offers recreation, grocery stores, local retail, affordable housing and co-work office space all with in the limits of a downtown and each service/activity walkable in 15 minutes.  

Edenton could be considered a model town. Its once  vacant downtown structures are being converted into mixed use and many other retailers have followed. Two new restaurants have opened over the past and the former Carriage is being converted into a new concept scheduled to open soon. Many of the newly renovated spaces have apartments above them and are either occupied or are being used for VRBO rentals. And unlike other towns, Edenton events are a destination draw. Don’t take our word for it, wait until April 11 and watch over 1000 visitors descend on town because they know it is live able and love able. That’s what is so inviting.  

Edenton residents may not know this, but they most likely come in contact with the Edenton Woman’s Club regularly on their jaunts around town. If you have ever enjoyed a Steamer’s game from the Hick’s Field Bleachers, or relaxed at the Chowan Arts Council or commented on the beautiful manicured landscaping at the Courthouse Green, you may have the Edenton Women’s Club to thank.  

For over 80 years, the Edenon Woman’s Club has been supoprting local non-profits and historic preservation for eighty years. Manyu oif those accomlishments and donations through their grant program are catalogued in the digital copies of the Chowan Herald, stored at the Shephard-Prueden Library. By the way, the Women’s Club also contributed to funding making the digitalization of the town’s newspaper possible.

In 1951, theEdenton’s Women’s Club joined  the North Carolina Federation of Woman’sClubs. For the past eighty years, the Edenton Woman’s Club mission has been clearly focused on community service projects. The organization has chairwomen for five key focuses which include Environmental, Health & Wellness, Education including a yearly scholarship program, Artsand Culture and Civic Engagement, working closely with the Edenton Boys and Girls Club.  FOR THE REST OF THE STORY, MAKE SURE TO PICK UP THE PRINTED EDITION OF THE EDENTON SOCIAL LIGHT locally, beginning on April 3 at area downton merchants.  To download the informatin, an application and other pertinent information go to:https://gfwcedentonwomansclub.com/pilgrimage/grants/

One of Edenton’s prized assets is the Edenton Farmers Market and like so many other organizations and businesses in town, the Farmer’s Market is growing. No really, the market building is going to be growing. The exciting news came last week when EFM President Mary Wolfe made the announcement the group received approval from the Edenton Historic Preservation Commission to move forward with plans to construct pavilions as vendor stalls outside the building.  

This will be a huge addition to the market and the town of Edenton. It will offer opportunities for increased vendor participation and will also encourage vendors during the colder months.  

The fact Edenton’s market is open throughout the year on Saturday and on Wednesday  during the season is an addition many towns without a farmers market yearn for with envy.

On top of providing a wonderful selection of fresh vegetables,  artisans crafts, and reasonably priced eggs, the market is an economic stepping stone for vendors looking to expand.
“The market has been an important part of the community providing local farmers, bakers, and other artisan food producers a place to sell their products alongside locally produced artisan crafts. In doing so, the EFM has provided access to healthful, regionally grown and produced food to local residents and visitors regardless of income level,” said Wolfe.  

Now the work begins for Wolfe, the market board of directors and the many vendors serving the community, they need to raise money for the addition. Raising funds for the project is now the top priority.  

“We hope to continue enhancing the area with a set of permanent pavilions in front of the EFM  building as well as along “Produce Row” where our produce vendors set up along Gale St,” said Wolfe.  

Plans call for two structures 12 ft. x 9.5 ft. and two other structures 20 ft. x 9.5 ft. in front facing Broad. St. A 12 ft. x 9.5 ft. and two 20 ft. x 9.5 ft. structures will be along Produce Row. The pavilions will provide a more enjoyable shopping experience, especially in bad weather.  

Here’s the situation. The market board is attempting to raise capital to complete the project.  

“Your financial help can make this enhancement of the EFM property and the town possible,” said Wolfe.

Currently Wolfe and the market board have developed a donation program honoring special donors. Those donating $1500.  will have their names placed on a plaque on a pavilion’s column recognizing the donor.

A $6000. donations is worthy of a 12 ft. x 9.5 ft. pavilion dedicated in the name of the donor. A plaque recognizing the donor will be mounted on the pavilion.  

A $10,000 donation brings the dedication of a 20 ft. pavilion bearing the donors name on a plague on the pavilion.  

Wolfe also wants supporters to know any donations will be appreciated and will bring the pavilions closer to reality. For more information on donating to the pavilion fund contact Mary Wolfe at edentonfarmersmarket@gmail.com.