Balmy Evening, Cookies, Hot Cider, Holiday Windows
DOWNTOWN SIP & SHOP BRINGS VISITORS FROM DURHAM
The still night air, moderate temperatures and the refreshments offered along the way made for the perfect Sip & Shop this past Thursday in downtown Edenton. As shoppers strolled down South Broad Street, shop windows glistened with tantalizing gift ideas for the holidays. Byrum Hardware’s brightly lit chicken was a shopper stopper. After the last three summer and fall Sip & Shops were basically rained out, it was smiles all around as merchants greeted guests as they shopped.
From the number of bags in hand, locals and visitors to town started their Christmas shopping days before the Thanksgiving turkey was going into the oven. Many were heard commenting on the uniqueness of the stores on Broad St.
Thursday was a Rockwell Holiday Evening as friends and neighbors greeted each other while chatting about the cookies at the bakery. New friendships were created when locals welcomed visitors to town while sipping champagne and enjoying delectables at different merchants.
Residents should be proud of the unique retail selection in a town the size of Edenton. With less than 5000 residents, it is impressive to see the selection and quality offered at our local retailers. Each store has their individual personality and customizes their merchandise for their specific customers, making it a treasure-trove of selection verses shopping in a massive mall of duplication after duplication of product. Shopping local is not only smart when looking for unique products, but also keeps Edenton vibrant and healthy by circulating those dollars in our community.
Aside from daily holiday shopping, there are two additional shopping events, Black Friday, Nov. 28 and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29.
The Word's Out...
While standing in front of Polka Dot Palm on Thursday evening, a couple from Butner and their friend from Miami, Fla. asked me to suggest a restaurant in town. When I handed them a Social Light and a few suggestions for dinner, they commented how wonderful Edenton was and wanted to know the secret to its success. As they asked the question, Patrick Sellers was walking past enjoying an Edenton Sip & Shop. I explained the hard work of the community make Edenton shine. They were planning on visiting the Cupola House on Friday.
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.
A COSTUMED WALK THROUGH EDENTON'S CANDY LAND
HALLOWEEN 2025 ATTRACTS A RECORD CROWD
Edenton transformed itself into an Americana Candy Land Friday evening. An estimated 1000 people, many costumed impersonators, converged on downtown Edenton Friday night in a show of comically joyful entertainment as Broad St. came alive when youngsters of all ages became Dinosaurs, Ghosts, Goblins and Spidermen and woman for a walk through town that will be remembered forever, both young and old.
Merchants along Broad St. opened their doors in a show of candy giving force. Bowls, bags, and boxes momentarily overflowing with a variety of candy and treats were manned by business owners, many made up beyond recognition.
The Town’s First Responders, police and fire, and the town ambassadors were noticeably enjoying the evening, mingling with astronauts and cowboys parading down Broad St. While the evening progressed the police proved they were still on duty, apprehending an unruly skeleton previously at the town’s newest restaurant, The Edenton Hot Dog Company. The Skeleton was laced in the front seat of the cruisers until the event ended.
Once again Main Street Edenton in collaboration with Edenton merchants, volunteers and supporting groups organized an event the envy of cities and towns across county lines.
Whether a local or a visitor Broad St. became host to a neighborhood street party for the very young of all ages. It was night to remember...in pictures below.
We Uncover Good News
STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
REGULATOR MARINE DONATES, ECU BALL PICS
REGULATOR MARINE DONATES, ECU BALL PICS
REGULATOR MARINE DONATES, ECU BALL PICS
FARMERS MARKET APPRECIATION
REGULATOR MARINE DONATES, ECU BALL PICS
REGULATOR MARINE DONATES, ECU BALL PICS
LAW ENFORCEMENT DINNER, AWARDS
REGULATOR MARINE DONATES, ECU BALL PICS
LAW ENFORCEMENT DINNER, AWARDS
Cupola's Wassail Bowl Warms Tour Goers
One of Edenton's Historic Treasures
During the Candlelight Tour weekend visitors and Edentonians had the opportunity to visit one of Edenton's National Historic Landmark, The Cupola House, and savored the annual Wassial Bowl tradition. The building structure was empty as craftsmen prepare for the final phase of the restoration work. The Christmas decor this year was a « Colonial Construction Zone » and featured items that would have been abundant in the eighteenth century such as hemp rope and white pine serving boards. The photos below show the construction tools from the past. The festive presentation included planers, levels, saws, screwdrivers and, of course wassail. The hospitality team that created the event consisted of local journalists, editors, and designers who are passionate about this historic event. Guest were invited to tour the Cupola House and enjoy some Wassail and special delights.
Keep watching EdentonSocialLight.com for updates on the progress at the Cupola House.
FARMERS MARKET CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
The Edenton Farmers market Christmas Festival was packed with holiday shoppers picking up artisan made gifts from over 30 vendors offering local holiday gift ideas, bakery items and one of a kind crafted items. See photos below.
CHAMBER BANQUET, TOWN SOARS
The answer to the question, “how is Edenton doing this” came together Thursday evening in Carey Parrish’s hangar at Northeastern Regional Airportto celebrate Chowan County and Edenton business leaders large and small. The backbone of the the areas economic community and the prosperity and growth it is experiencing was on display.
The annual Chowan Edenton Chamber Banquet was a social success. Carey Parrish donated his plane’shanger with its fresh white walls and a gleamingepoxy floor, accommodatingover 150 government officials and local business leaders including builders, manufacturers, merchants and restaurateurs.
The large hanger doors were opened to a view of the airfield for cocktails on the tarmac where leaders mingled and discussed sidewalk chatter and recent events. Flowing wine wasfollowed by a lovely dinner of Salad, Pasta, Stuffed Pork Loin and Chicken Piccata catered bythe Herringbone Restaurant.The blue and white themed tables were adorned with fresh spring flowers, Herringbone blue- bottled water, white tablecloths with attractiveblue and white floral napkins, almost too pretty to use.
Hats off to Herringbone Manager Michael Bonander and his catering team for a wonderful dinner. The ceremony was filled with well deserved accolades for individuals who have made a positive difference in our business community. Stories, appropriate for summer front porch tale s were abundant. Stuart Proctor shared the challenges faced when a snow storm threw a wrench in his plan for unloading a semi truck full of new inventory. He humorously highlightedlocal businessmenand friends who came out to assist him with an enormous delivery by clearing snow from the street and parking lot and transferring the goods to the store.
Executive Director Susan Creed along with former President Ron Causey spoke on the Chamber’s 2025 accomplishments before the awards were presented for Business Person of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Organization on the Year and Volunteer of the Year. The winners of the awards were Simon Rich, III, Allen Nixon of Nixon Plumbing, Elizabeth Mitchell of Boys and Girls Club and Leonard Small, respectively.
Other awards included the Snooky Bond Excellence in Tourism Award to Belinda Respess of the Taylor Theatre, the Main Street Champion award to Kristy Belton and the Mayors Award for Environmental Responsibility awarded to Dick Meyer of the Interchange Angels..
On Saturday, it appeared people may have been air dropped on to Broad Street waiting for the opening of five new Broad Street businesses. Down East Preservation’s design studio/retail shop, and Carrozza, the new Italian eatery next to the Taylor Theatre were the first to open at 11:30 a.m..
The crowd outside the Brick, formally the Sears building, waited anxiously for fresh brewed coffee at Kraken Coffeehouse. Small children with big scoops of Blue Bell ice cream were first to arrive at Huckleberry’s Ice Cream Shop, located behind Kraken. Coastal Threads attracted a large crowd of spring shoppers excited about the selection of new spring fashion items. With the five new businesses now open, Broad Street is thriving. Both locals and visitors are amazed at the new additions to Edenton’s downtown, making Edenton the destination shopping town of Eastern North Carolina.
A DELIGHTFUL EVEING ON THE TARMAC
WARM WEATHER INVITING FOR VISITORS, RESIDENTS...
WARM WEATHER ENJOYED BY MANY
There was a noticeable increase in foot traffic in Downtown Edenton Saturday, both long and short legged, young and old, locals and visitors were all around town enjoying the sights and unique shopping experiences.
Over the past few weeks less people appeared to be downtown due to vacation, ill health or the quick visit of winter weather last week, keeping many inside. However, warmer temperatures - see the weather outlook below- brought out walkers, many with their the dog and a noticeable increase in out of town license plates bring visitors to downtown.
It doesn't take much to bring Edenton to life. With the first sign of soon to come spring, the Edenton Farmers Market was very busy. Samples of the Inner Banks' Tuscan Bean Soup and Brunswick Stew worked taste bud magic as both culinary delights sold out before the end of the day. Along with the stew and soup, Inner Banks Inn's short ribs also will feed a lot of Edentonians, they were also gone by noon.
Downtown Roots played semi-host to a group of ladies from Virginia, visiting for the weekend. After ordering at Roots, the ladies enjoyed their lunch at Edenton Bay Trading Company before heading to the waterfront and the Penelope Barker House.
Everyone in town continued their unofficial ambassadorships. The ladies commented more than once how friendly and hospitable everyone in town was. It's obviously becoming known for history and hospitality. The week ahead looks more like winter than Saturday, with rain on Sunday and cold weather returning Monday. However, the rain won't dampen the ladies from Virginia. Their plans include a movie on Sunday. They're looking forward to the Taylor Theater experience.
Currently playing at the Taylor: Marty Supreme, starring Timothee Chalamet and Song Sung Blue, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.
KEEP UP WITH EDENTON'S GOOD NEWS
Scholarships Awarded, MLK Honored at Community Gathering
Greater Welch's Baptist Church Hosts Event
County and town officials gathered along with residents and congregation members on Monday, Jan 19 at the Greater Welch's Chapel Baptist Church to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and celebrate his birthday.
Over 200 guests packed the church as the Pentecostal Community Choir under the direction of Gary Outlaw filled the sanctuary with music.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of student scholarships in MLK's name by Susan Brothers and the statement of purpose offered by Mildred Vanterpool.
Rev. William T. Davis focused on King's legacy and accomplishments highlighting King's community advocacy and his mantra of 'power in voting'.
While Pastor Davis was born in Washington D.C. he was raised in Edenton and graduated from the D.F. Waker High School. His bachelor's degree in Political Science from North Carolina Central University has served the Rev. well. Aside from his B.A. he went on to earn a law degree from the same institution. He has led the New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Camden County for forty-one years.
Martin Luther King Jr.has special meaning for the Edenton community. A plaque signifying his visit sits proudly at the site of his rally, the old National Guard Armory on N Broad St.
The inscription on the plague reads as follows-
In December 1962, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited northeastern North Carolina. Arriving in Elizabeth City, the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference spoke at African American churches there and in Hertford en route to Chowan County. On the evening of December 20, Dr. King spoke to a mass rally of 500 people assembled in the armory on this site. The issues advocated by Dr. King were those he advanced across the South from the Montgomery bus boycott of 1956 to his death in Memphis in 1968. With nonviolence as his guiding principle, he envisioned a society in which all people share in the wealth of the earth. The Civil rights leader's visit to Edenton came at the invitation of the Edenton Movement, lead by Rev. F. H. LaGarde, President, and Golden A. Frinks, Executive Director. This organization had been active in the town for several years, counting among its successes desegregation of public facilities.
In 2002, in honor of Dr. King and the fortieth anniversary of his visit to Edenton, the Mayor and Edenton Town Council renamed West Albemarle Street from Mexico Road to Granville Street to Dr. Martin Luther King, Ave.