FOLKS FROLICKED AT FIG FESTIVAL FUN RAISER RAISING FUNDS FOR FUTURE FIG FESTIVALS AND FUN FEATURES AT THE FACTORY
Chef Cheryl Orr FIGured the crowd of Peanut Factory supporters would enjoy a fig or two
Julia Townsend and Adam Lincoln wrapped up a weekend of festively celebrating figs with a fundraising celebration aboard the Albemarel Queen Tuesday evening. The third annual Fig Festival weekend activities began on Saturday with a 5 K run and continued throughout the weekend with a cooking demonstration Sunday afternoon by renowned Washington , NC Chef Jamie Davis.
The annual event is held at the Spruill Conservatory Farm in Roper, NC and is one of the projects managed by Townsend and Adams.
The Peanut Factory, Inc. is an artist residency and community arts program located in a 1932 peanut processing mill in Edenton, North Carolina. Founded in 2013, it has since hosted about 20 artists and poets and managed a variety of community events.
GO FIGURE...
THE EDENTON SOCIAL LIGHT, GOOD NEWS & FEATURE STORIES IN YOUR EMAIL BOX WITH OUR COMPLEMENTS. WE FIGURE IT'S A SWEET DEAL...
Socially Speaking, Karen Foley
FEED THE HUNGRY FARM NEEDS WELL FED HANDS...COMMUNITY CALL TO PICK
This is an opportunity to make a positive difference.
While we may live in a ‘commercial food desert’ we’re fortunate to be surrounded by farms, many growing produce. Rocky Hock’s nationally renowned Bunch’s Produce comes to mind immediately. You can almost smell the melons on Rocky Hock Rd. Yet, within our community we have families, especially children and seniors, facing hunger risk due to food insecurities.
While the Edenton-Chowan Food Pantry plays an important role in resolving hunger problems and easing concerns, there is a grass roots effort that planted seeds on Morristown Rd. that has grown into Feed the Hungry Farm.
The crops are abundant at the farm, raising another problem. Rob Slaughter and Michael Moore’s farming success created a growing challenge. So we’re raising a call for help.
For the past two weekends Slaughter and Moore have been calling all volunteers to help get the crops off the vine. The heat has caused havoc with the farm and the volunteers. Next week is critical to the crops.
Thefarm was established in 2024 by Slaughter and Moore in partnership with the Heritage Associationto support the community food pantry. On Saturday morninglocal volunteers were in action at the farm. Anne Rowe arrived early and picked two bushels, however, the heat kept many away.
Koko Wooly, a first time farm volunteer picked two bushel baskets of red and green peppers of which there was an abundance.
All of the produce picked at the Feed the Hungry Farm is donated to the Edenton-Chowan Food Pantry.
The many rows of ripening melons, squash, cucumbersand corn arestill in neatly planted rows, waiting to be picked.
Everyone’s calendar is packed, busy with family and summer activities. If your July 19 is empty, consider picking a basket of peppers, or a wagon of Cantaloupe, ears of corn, tomatoes, and squash. The morning picking begins at 8 a.m. and lasts until 11 a.m..Volunteers can arrive and leave at theirpleasure. This is a great opportunity to bring the family together and get picking with each other. A great summer lesson for kids and teens to understand giving back to the community and what it takes to get a tomato to table.
Make an event out of it. Get your employees together, pack a picnic and go for a picking picnic. A team building experience.
If you can make it, make sure to bring a largehat and bottled water. Ask any farmer, getting your hands dirty in Eastern NC, dirt is a great feeling, especially when you are making a positive difference.
The Edenton-Chowan Food Pantry provides nutritionalassistance to food insecure families living in Chowan County, with a focus on at-risk children. The Food Pantry serves300 household and 235 senior adults each month. They also oversee the weekend meal program for over 200 children attending Edenton Chowan Public Schools. The Children’s Summer Nutrition Program, serves hundreds of meals to children between mid-June and mid-August each year. The Food Pantry counts on the food from the Feed the Hungry Farm, and the so the farm relies on volunteers to help harvest. Next Saturday, the crops are in dire need of picking. Come for an hour or stay for a few, you will be providing a great service to our community. Make a farm day of it...Don’t worry the Farmers Market is open until1 p.m. so you can make it back for their celebration.
Editor’s note: If it’s raining, the event will be cancelled. Use your best judgment for your health in association with the heat. Bring water and a big hat. For questions, please call Mary Morris at 252-482-6585 at the Chowan County Cooperative Extension or email mary_morris@ncsu.edu
GOOD NEWS in BOXES
You may notice throughout Edenton there are Edenton Social Light boxes in a few locations. Make sure to pick up the latest Summer Issue of the Social Light. Send us your email and we will put you on our complimentary subscription list. You'll receive good news regularly.
TIMBERMILL WIND WINS A BUNCH OF PRAISE
COMPANY HITS A HOME RUN WITH TWO LOCAL GRANTS
APEX CLEAN ENERGY CONTINUES COMMUNITY SUPPORT
COMPANY CONTINUES TO SUPPORT LOCAL INITIATIVES
The rain held off long enough last Saturday evening just before the Edenton Steamers took the field for Timbermill Wind representatives Richard Bunch, Win Dale and Tyler Finley to hit it out of Historic Hick’s Field when they presented two $5000 checks to Edenton Farmers Market President Mary Wolfe and Edenton Chowan Food Pantry Amanda Howell.
Both community organization play an important role in feeding Edenton and Chowan County residents. The Farmers Market also plays an important role in the branding of Edenton and has grown into a weekly Wednesday and Saturday destination for many neighboring towns. Many visitors and vendors cross county lines to take advantage of the fresh produce, local crafts, baked goods, cheeses, ice cream and fresh, local eggs.
The impact the Edenton Chowan Food Pantry has on the community is monumental in its constant challenge to help those with food insecurities. However, they offer programs to help. The food pantry is open every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Our Summer Nutrition Program ensures that kids and families have access to healthy, nutritious food all summer long,” said Amanda Howell “There’s no appointment needed, just come by, the program is open to any student enrolled in Edenton Chowan Schools.”
The Farmers Market also has the grant targeted to food insecurities.
“The Edenton Farmers Market was awarded the $5000 to help individuals and families who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchase fruits and vegetables from local farms. Funded by Apex Clean Energy, the grant allows the Edenton Farmers Market to double the buying power of "SNAP customers using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards,” said Mary Wofe. “SNAP customers are working individuals, senior citizens, the disabled, and others, all trying to feed their families as well as possible. The Market will be able to match every dollar an EBT customer spends on fresh farm eggs, fresh local honey, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits, nurturing a healthier community.”
While the vendors offer a wide variety of wonderful tangible productseveryone can either taste, touch, feel and find essential in one way or another. Wolfe’s product is the magic she continually performs in growing the market.
Wolfehad the pavilion vision up her sleeve for sometime and suddenly, like magic, Broad St. had another new attraction. The beauty of the pavilions are traffic stoppers to first time passers-by, they also serve a practical purpose cooling the property, attributed to the number of fans throughout the pavilions and the shade they offer the vendors, each now with their own vignettes.
Edenton Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In the photo:
Steamers Manager Lauren Baker , Timbermill Wind representatives Win Dale and Tyler Finley, Food Pantry representative Amanda Howell and Richard Bunch of Timbermill Wind.
FARMERS MARKET FESTIVAL ATTRACTS RECORD CROWD
FRESHNESS FILLS THE AIR, SHOPPING BAGS AT MARKET
The Edenton Farmers Market’s crowd increases in size weekly. On Saturday the Farmers Market Summer Festival was a farm fresh gathering of fresh produce, fresh flowers, freshly baked pies, breads and pastries, local residents, visitors and travelers driving miles to get a taste of Edenton.
Local artisans and crafters were in abundance.
Amy Nixon and Beth Evans proprietors of Mil Fork Flowers brought bucket after bucket of freshly cut blossoms and made more hand crafted bouquets than one could image.
The flowers on display on Saturday attest to the fact they both have green thumbs, most likely sore green thumbs on Sunday.
Mill Fork Flowers stems from Mill Fork Farm, growers of fabulous strawberries. Amy and Beth’s husbands each prepared a section of land to garden. The results are in the pictures.
Aside from flowers, the market also had some fresh figs that sold out quickly. If you were looking for a colorful rooster planter, Hooked by Linda might be the place to find exactly what you were looking for. They are terrific. Some claim they get lonely if they’re not in pairs…
The Farmers Market Festival was a taste of what to come throughout the summer. The pavilions are work as cooling stations, making browsing and spending an hour or so, very comfortable in the summer heat.
ECU Health Chowan Hospital Awards Over $95,000
23 Local Community Organizations Receive Grant Funding
ECU Health Chowan Hospital awarded $95,500 in grant funding to 23 non-profit organizations across the region as part of its Community Benefit Grants Program. These funds were formally presented during the Annual Community Benefit Grants Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
The selected organizations offer programs that support ECU Health’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina communities.
“ECU Health Chowan Hospital is proud to invest in these vital non-profits,” said Jennifer Harriss, Development Manager. “Their work in health education, wellness, and prevention makes a meaningful impact on citizens throughout our region.”
Hospital President Brian Harvill expressed his appreciation for the recipients: “We’re grateful for the incredible contributions these organizations make. More than 25,000 area residents will benefit from the services these grantees provide. I’m honored to be part of a health system that truly values local partnerships.”
This year’s grant recipients serve communities in Chowan, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.
THE GRANTEES
Top row standing left to right: Kahla Hall, ECU Health Community Benefit Grants Director; Amanda Howell, Edenton-Chowan Food Pantry, Laura Rollens; Albemarle Commission; Mary Wolfe, Edenton Farmers Market; Liz Reasoner, Food Bank of the Albemarle; Bethany Buttram, Perquimans County EMS; Kim Stites, Open Door Food Pantry; Jennifer Harriss, ECU Health Chowan Hospital Development Manager; Lilah Byrum, Perquimans Schools Foundation; Karen Clough, Tyrrell County Food Pantry; Bill Blake, Albemarle Area United Way; Susan Nixon, Chowan/Perquimans Smart Start.
Botton row sitting left to right: Beverly Mason, Hyde County Non-Profit Private Transportation; Elizabeth Mitchell, Boys & Girls Club Edenton; Dee Spruce, Albemarle Pregnancy Resource Center; Wanda Stallings, Albemarle Regional Health Services; Mary Morris, Chowan NC Cooperative Extension; Lorri Barrett, Albemarle Area United Way.
SUNFLOWERS LOVE THE SUN, YOU GOTTA LOVE SUNFLOWERS
YEOPIM RD. SUNFLOWER STAND STILL OPEN
While the heat has taken its toll on area crops, the Smiths' Sunflower Honor System Flower Stand is still open for business. The Smiths' summer project is coming to close. So the heat may be too hot to handle, nothing makes you look cooler than walking in the door with a bouquet of Smiths Sunflowers. Get 'em while they last....
SISTERS of STRENGTH RECOGNIZED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE, YOUTH OUTREACH
We have all heard the saying, “It take a village to raise a child”. The Sisters of Strength understand that raising a child is not solely the responsibility of the parents, but rather a shared effort within a community. Edenton is fortunate to have twelve very focused women who are members of the ‘Sisters of Strength’. Their mission is ‘Empowering youth and building a strong community through unity, inspiration and service’. These women walk their talk and provide guidance and support for the youth in Chowan County. They were recognized for their community service on Saturday, July 26th at the first annual Soul Food Music Festival along the Edenton waterfront. Many of these ladies work for the Chowan Recreation Department which also works directly with the community's youth.
Many if the projects completed this past year benefit all members of the community in one way or another.
The organization provided scholarships to five local students while also supplying hygiene bags for the youth. They visit nursing home and help with ‘A Day with Santa’; collecting money and toys for needy children. The group partners with the Edetnon Chowan Recreation Department, the A-list for cancer awareness program and regularly assist senior citizens attend the 'Senior Prom'. VOter registration, Relay for Life, and Walk for Hunger are just a few of the groups the Sisters of Strength support.
A highlight of the group's accomplishments were providing 45 therapy dolls to Nursing homes; and the list goes on. These ladies invest their time and talents working hard with Chowan/Edenton’s children with special programs, events and fund raisers. They understand that a child’s development is shaped not only within their home but also their interactions and relationships outside of the home.
The ladies that were recognized inlcude: Gloria Wadsworth, President; Gwen Brown, Vice President; Mary Williams, Secretary, Jamie Bowers, Treasurer; Karen Ames, Treasurer; Rose Cooper, Asst. Treasurer; Mechell Anthony, Mary Rayner; Patrice Bell; Alice Bunch; Sharon Bunch; Sadie Riddick.
Aside from recognizing the Sisters of Strength. Greg Bonner, Mitch Stanley, L.J. Baily and Torrence Tripp were also recognized. The Homeboys distributed water to those braving the heat, the humidity and the knatts that joined the crowd For more information on the Sisters of Strength or to donate to one of their projects 757-679-9920.
The Homeboys cooled it down with cold a water give away
GREGORY BONNER, MITCH STANLEY, L.J. BAILY & TORRANCE TRIPP
TWO UNFORGETTABLE HOURS ABOARD THE ALBEMARLE QUEEN
Preparing to board...
