Town Retailers Appreciate Local Support
Main Street loyalty and support keeps small towns thriving. In Edenton's case, it's Broad St. loyalty and support and that support has proven to be fantastic over the past months. Guess what? The cool temperatures at OBX
are enticing as the sidewalks are hotter than usual with less soles to absorb the heat.
Momentum is key to continued growth. Support builds momentum.
Speaking of momentum, regular supporters of Edenton’s local business community are Larry and Mary Jo Sellers. One morning last week I greeted Larry at the Edenton Coffee House. He was at the big table, a local spot where many start their day. I happened to be downtown, later that afternoon, stopping into the Kraken Coffeehouse for an ice tea and there was Larry supporting another business. We gave each other a nice wave and said, “Nice to see others supporting a new business.”
When proprietor/Chef Kristopher Bateman of Downtown Roots decided to open its doors, starting this past Sunday, I stopped in to see how he was doing and who was enjoying his lunch but Larry with his wife Mary Jo. Larry gets it.
On these extremely hot summer days and rain-soaked storms of late, it’s a challenge for the merchants and restauranteurs to determine staffing, product ordering and most importantly to maintain their hours of operation when the streets are empty. So when your honey says, “What's for diner tonight," make it a point to suggest one of the nice restaurants in Edenton. It makes a difference and helps to keep downtown Edenton healthy.
Mary Jo and Larry Sellers as guest bartenders at a Herringbone Fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clu
Cooler Weather, Edenton Comes Alive
With the cooler weather this past week, it started to feel a bit like fall. It been a very warm and wet summer and it'snice to feel a bit of coolness in the air. The Steamer games have come and gone but the Farmers Market and Bunch farm stand is filled with harvested veggies, sure to please.
I have also noticed an upswing in town activities for August starting with the Friday night stroll on South Broad Street tonight and the Chowan Art Council opening party tonight featuring Chet McAteer. Read about his art on the front page of ESL online. His art exhibit will be up for the month of August. Its National Lighthouse day Saturday. Take the tour of the Roanoke River Lighthouse from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and hangout for the Saturday night free Sounds of summer concert waterside, at ColonialPark, featuringThe Bonafides. They're a terrific group of friends from New Bern, having a blast while playing songs they love. Local Surf Wind and Fire owners Danny and Sheila Batten are members of The Bonifides. Get ready to do some dancing.
This week is also about FIGS. Spruill Farm in Roper, in conjunction with the Peanut Factory has scheduled a 5K run, fig tasting and yoga at the farm both Saturday and Sunday. The details are on the hone page.
On Tuesday August 12 at 5:30 p.m fig enthusiasts will have the opportunity to support the Peanut Factory fundraiser event aboard the Albemarle Queen. The fundraiser features Cheryl Orr providing appetizers and her special Fig cocktail.
It looks like we'll be free of rain for the weekend events. So it's time to get out and socialize, catch up with friends and have some fun. Let’s embrace August by enjoying the fruits of the summer and a semi-sunny weekend ahead.
SOCIALLY SPEAKING SPRING IS HERE
WARM WEATHER BROUGHT EVERYONE OUT
The overnight the chill of winter went elsewhere as warm winds arrived in Edenton heating up the streets on Saturday.
"This is a lot better than last weekend when we were freezing on the corner," said Edenton Hot Dog Company co-founder Kim Davis.
Kim and Hot Dog connoisseur husband Mitch have turned the corner of S. Broad and King St. into 'Hot Dog Corner' serving a healthy line of hot dog enthusiasts throughout the day on Saturday. The traffic from corner to corner was apparent as hot dogs and baked goods from Bayside Bakery literally went hand in hand.
Further up S. Broad St. the Farmers Market was packed with many taking advantage of the Girl Scout Cookie sales at the market until Thin Mint Season ends in Mid-April.
There's much to be said about the Cupola House and Hayes Farm volunteer gardeners, however, on Saturday town employees took to the beds around town filling them with colorful pansies and other spring flowers brightening the town.
Although were we teased over the weekend, the warmer weather is here for a few days and then, the chill may return. If you are looking for a heart warming experience, stop into the Chowan Arts Council before March 15. Until then, the Drawn to Art children's art exhibit is on display and is a must see for anyone interested in youthful art. The display is terrific and offers an insight into tomorrows future Patrick Dablow.
Enjoy spring. Get downtown, go for a walk and watch the flowers bloom, daily, in the Cupola House Garden...
You have to have loved seeing those shopping bags in the hands of shoppers throughout the day on Saturday.
Springtime in Edenton is always filled with the anticipation of upcoming events and activities.
One of Edenton’s most treasured bi-annual spring events is Easels in the Garden, sponsored by the Cupola Association, April 17 and 18. Ticket holders are welcomed into a dozen homes and public gardens where local and regional Plein-Air artists create paintings while guests meander around the gardens and converse with the artists. Two new home gardens have been added to this year’s line-up. Guests will also enjoy ‘Art in Bloom’ where paintings from the Chowan Art Council, CAC, will be interpreted into floral arrangements by local florists. A private cocktail reception will be held Friday, April 17, for ticket holders at the CAC. Following the reception, guests are encouraged to addend the spring Boogie on Broad. The Tams are the featured entertainment, with four number one singles, over a million records sold, and one of the most-played regional hits of all time, they are legends of soul, R&B, and beach music.
On March 20 and 21, the Elizabeth Vann Moore Foundation along with the Edenton Historical Commission, with generous support from the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation, are sponsoring the Edenton Preservation Seminar, Innovating Preservation in Small-Town America.
Over 125 guests are anticipated to attend from Edenton and across the country to listen as twelve lecturers discuss Edenton’s rich colonial history. The event will have specific focus on the town’s current preservation projects including North Carolina’s earliest building, The Cupola House, dated by dendrochronology to 1718, with original woodwork recently returned from the Brooklyn Museum; and the inspiring 1897 Kadesh AME Zion Church. In addition to these properties tours will be conducted of St. Paul’s Church and Hayes Farm. Tickets for the event are sold out.
On Saturday, March 21, guests can enjoy American Idol Crystal Bowersox at the Peanut Factory. Bowersox is American singer-songwriter, independent mom and author. Placing second on American Idol in 2010, Crystal has been touring nationally and lives in Nashville, TN. For more information contact: https://thepeanutfactory.org.
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A DARlightful Luncheon
When I arrived home from the DAR luncheon, I told my husband “The meatloaf was the closest I’ve had to our renowned sun-dried tomato meatloaf.” I am sure the St. Paul’s meatloaf recipe is well protected by Priscilla Sharpe who was in charge of the luncheon but if you ever have an opportunity to try it, it was delicious.
This past week it was my pleasure to join DAR Regent, Bonnie Henn at the organization’s May awards luncheon. The Edenton Tea Party Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, NC Society gathered to honor the many individuals who contribute their time and talents to community historic efforts.
Cupola House Association President Vonna O’Neill accepted “The Excellence in Historic Preservation Award” for the Cupola House Association. O’Neill and the association are known their dedication and vision in preserving the Cupola House and grounds, along with returning the original first floor woodwork to the property after spending time in Brooklyn. Period wardrobe enthusiast, Rae V. Ohlert was recognized for “Women in the Arts” for her ever changing historical wardrobe of period costumes. The “Community Service Award” was given to 19 recipients for their unwavering volunteerism during the many historical events over the year including Docents of the Edenton Town Trolley, the Candlelight Tour and the Pilgrimage.
Nona Smith and Sandee William, took the DAR oath as they became the 96 and 97 newest members of the Edenton Tea Party Chapter. Other members were honored with NC State and national DAR awards. State awards included first place awards for both the Independence Day and the Edenton Tea Party 250 Commemorative Events. The Chapter also received “Best Americanism Program” and the “Tricolor Chapter Achievement Award”, a top state award designation of achievement demonstrating excellence across several categories.
It was a celebratory day of awards and appreciation to its membership and outside individuals who strive to preserve and protect Edenton’s American History.For more ‘good news’ and photo coverage of the event in the printed summer issue of the Edenton Social Light premiering in June.
Karen Foley