JAMES HENRY MORGAN GANG, LEON GODWIN & THE DWEEBS ENTERTAINED EDENTON THANKS TO MAIN STREET EDENTON

Visitors to the Cupola House restoration project may notice scaffolding, tools, and workers throughout the historic landmark, but much of the most important work is taking place overhead and behind the scenes.

A team from Preservation Works Ltd., specialists in traditional plaster and masonry restoration, is currently applying historically appropriate plaster finishes throughout the house as part of the ongoing restoration effort. The craftsmen have traveled from Pennsylvania and Florida to complete the highly specialized work. The plaster restoration follows the recent reinstallation of historic woodwork by the team led by preservation artisan Andrew Ownbey, marking another major milestone in the ongoing restoration of one of Edenton's most iconic historic homes.

According to Preservation Works master plasterer Patrick Webb, the process involves much more than simply repairing walls and ceilings.

"Our goal is to create a seamless finish throughout the house while respecting nearly 270 years of history," Webb said. "Every room presents different challenges because we're blending original materials with repairs and renovations from different periods, but when we're finished, visitors will see a beautiful, unified result."

The Cupola House, built in 1758, has undergone numerous repairs and renovations over the centuries. As a result, the restoration team is carefully integrating new lime-based plaster with materials added during later restoration efforts, including work completed during the twentieth century.

"The final finish will be a traditional lime-based plaster and lime wash, very similar to what would have been used when the Cupola House was built in 1758," Webb said. "It's a process that takes time, but it's the right way to preserve a building of this significance."

The restoration project providing valuable hands-on experience for future preservation professionals. Among those assisting on the project is Robert Mason, a student at the American College of the Building Arts, one of the nation's few colleges dedicated to teaching traditional building crafts.

Mason learned about the project through a professors and traveled to Edenton to spend several weeks working alongside experienced preservation crafstmen.

"I've always been interested in historic buildings, and projects like this show how much skill and knowledge goes into preserving them correctly," Mason said. "Every day here has been a learning experience."

The plaster restoration is expected to take approximately four to five weeks to complete. Once finished, the work will provide an important foundation for the continued restoration of the Cupola House, helping ensure that one of Edenton's most treasured landmarks remains preserved for future generations.

As restoration moves on, the project serves as another reminder that preserving history often depends on the expertise of craftsmen whose skills connect today's communities with the techniques and traditions of the past.  

 Last Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m., more than 30 students in grades three through five stepped off a school bus and entered the Northern Chowan Community Center in Tyner. They were greeted by an enthusiastic team from the Chowan After School Plus Program, along with three high school volunteers and several parents ready to help guide the students through a day of fun and learning.

This marked the final week of the summer program, and organizers planned a full schedule of activities designed to keep students engaged while encouraging creativity and exploration.

The day before, many of the students visited the Edenton Farmers Market, where they enjoyed hot dogs provided by the Edenton Farmers Market. Mitch Davis, owner of the Edenton Hot Dog Company served up the kids a great lunch. The students toured the market, learned about gardening and composting, explored local plants, and enjoyed a fun lunch with friends.

Earlier in the week, the group traveled to a planetarium, sparking a fascination with space that continued back at the Community Center. Program coordinators transformed the classroom with astronauts, planets, and large wall posters illustrating the solar system. Waiting at each student's seat was a watercolor art project featuring an astronaut soaring through space. The day would also include games and recreation time in the gym.

Ariah, a participant in the program, shared her excitement about the planetarium visit.

"It's like a big dome all around you, and I could lean back in my chair and see the constellations," she said. "It teaches you about space, the sky, the stars, and the planets."

During the school year, the Chowan After School Plus Program meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at D.F. Walker Elementary School. The program is organized through the Chowan County Recreation Department and supported by grants and community partnerships.

Students participating in the summer program also had access to free dental services. A portable dental office was set up in one corner of the gymnasium, allowing children to receive preventive dental care while attending the program. Through a North Carolina public health initiative, students could receive dental sealants, a protective coating applied to permanent molars that helps prevent cavities. Diane Holland of Chowan County and Jennifer Buck of Greenville worked with students throughout the process, with funding provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Health.

During the school year, the program operates from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., providing homework assistance, educational enrichment, and recreational activities. For working parents, it offers a safe and supportive environment after school. Beyond academics, students learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and creativity. Many participants are also involved in programs offered through the Boys & Girls Club.

Hi everyone. Enzo here. Darryl's in Raleigh this weekend and although he tried to catch Toy Story 5 at a local cinema, they wouldn't allow an adult unaccompanied by a child in to see the film, so he asked me to fill in for him. This is my report.
Maybe the best way to begin a review on  this film is with a story. There was a young. girl who was "with child"--two identical twin boys. Knowing that she would not be able to provide her sons with the lives they deserved,  she sadly gave them up for adoption--one to an Arab family who named their new son Amahl and the other to a Spanish family who named their son Juan.  Eighteen years later, the girl, now happily married with her own family,  receives a letter from Juan in which he encloses a photo and tells her how happy and healthy he is, and thanks her for her sacrifice many years earlier. She is thrilled to hear from Juan but appears sad at the same time. When her husband asks her why, she says that she would love to see how Amahl had grown as well.  "I don't know why you're so sad", he tells her--"if you've seen Juan, you've seen Amahl".
Sorry. It's a joke that's been making its rounds in my doggy circle, but it acts as a nice segue into my review of Toy Story 5.  The franchise's recurring premise, which hasn't really changed since the original came out in 1995, revolves around the meaning of being a toy, the fear of being replaced or outgrown, and the concepts of family and friends. Toy Story 5  explores the existential struggle of toys—specifically Jessie, Buzz, and Woody—trying to remain relevant in a world where children are increasingly drawn to interactive tablets like "Lilypad". Toy Story 5 emphasizes the values of tangible imagination, human connection, and what it means to truly be a "real toy". 
This is not to say that if you've seen one Toy Story installment, you've seen them all.  Each film has been a critical and box office success as they all reflect deeply emotional and bittersweet experiences, such as when Jessie comes to terms with her past abandonment, while at the same time delivering the franchise's trademark humor and charm.
The film resonated with me. I enjoy Darryl's company and the endless number of toys he's given me, but what I look forward to most are our daily walks when I can re-engage with Baxter, Bear, Bruce and my other canine colleagues in town. No day is complete without a butt sniff that re-establishes the friendship and bond that we share. And that is the enduring message of the Toy Story franchise--that is, love and connection are not finite, but expand when we are willing to share them. 

ENZO ADACHI