Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018 by Cooke NC

Albemarle Fall 2018

Pirates of the

Albemarle

Local novelist Toby Tate draws on the Blackbeard legend in his thriller â&#x20AC;&#x153;DIABLEROâ&#x20AC;? (and he's not the first Albemarle author to pen a tale of the notorious pirate)

Inside

P i rat es, pi rat es a nd more pi rat es . . . plus peca ns

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On the

Cover Toby Tate, a novelist who lives in Elizabeth City, enjoys the refreshing breezes from the Pasquotank River at Mariners' Wharf Park.

Photo by Ercmy Tillmon

Contents What were pirates really like?

Historic EC house awash in Blackbeard legend

Edenton recalls the notorious Blackbeard

Blackbeard provides intriguing backdrop for novel

These 'pirates' spread hope rather than terror

Historical Marker

Native nuts are nutritional bonanza

Calendar

Back Porch

38 Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

ALBEMARLE MAGAZINE

is a publication of The Daily Advance, an Adams Publishing Group newspaper 215 S Water Street Elizabeth City, NC 27909

EDITORIAL 252-335-8117

Publisher/ Executive Editor Mike Goodman Editor Reggie Ponder Correspondents Anna Goodwin McCarthy Rebecca Bunch Toby Tate Corinne Saunders Photography Ercmy Tillmon Reggie Ponder

PRODUCTION Samuel Alvarado

ADVERTISING

Advertising Director Sean O’Brien Account Representatives Rich Houghton Lisa Bailey Bev Alexander

Front Porch

Ahoy, Matey! Welcome to the Fall 2018 edition of Albemarle Magazine. Eastern North Carolina has long been a hotbed of pirate history and fascination with pirates. East Carolina University has a pirate for its mascot. And in our own area Perquimans County High School also calls its teams “the Pirates.” We have gone all out for pirates in this issue in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the death of Blackbeard, who was killed off Ocracoke on Nov. 22, 1718. So who was Blackbeard, really? Was the pirate a ruthless murderer, a folk hero, or something else entirely? Corinne Saunders spoke to a number of historians to sketch as accurate a portrait as possible of Blackbeard and other Golden Age pirates. It turns out one of the things that is known for sure about the Golden Age pirates is that not a lot is known about them, even after centuries of fascination and research. That fascination is undeniable, however, and one of those bitten by the Blackbeard bug is novelist Toby Tate, an Elizabeth City resident who imagines a remarkable conclusion – or continuation – of the Blackbeard saga in his novel “DIABLERO.” Tate takes us inside the mind of an author as he recalls the trip to Ocracoke where the first seeds of the idea for the novel were planted. Another question that prompts long con-

versations, and maybe even arguments, around these parts is, Was Blackbeard ever in Elizabeth City? Or how about Edenton? Anna Goodwin McCarthy delves into the Elizabeth City question in her article about the town's Old Brick House, which has been tied to Blackbeard in legend. Rebecca Bunch, staff writer for the Chowan Herald, takes on the Edenton question and other facets of Blackbeard history and legend. I wasn't content to let Corinne, Anna, Becky and Toby have all the fun, though, so I wrote my own pirate-themed article. Well, sort of. I actually interviewed Dan Smith of Maritime Ministries about the way the organization uses sailboats as a tool for sharing the Gospel. They aren't pirates, exactly, but we'll call them pirates for Jesus and count that as close enough. Dan took me sailing on the Pasquotank River as part of the research for the story, which was almost too much fun to even be considered work. But that's really what we do at Albemarle Magazine. We have fun learning about and celebrating this region, which is so full of history and interesting people, and we invite you to come along with us. The historical marker this month commemorates Lemuel Sawyer, a Camden native who wrote “Blackbeard, a Comedy in Four Parts.” We're not sure whether pirates ate pecans or not, but if they did they would have been enjoying a healthy snack. Our food feature this month is on pecans.

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See Albemarle Magazine at DailyAdvance.com Albemarle Magazine is a publication of The Daily Advance, The Perquimans Weekly and the Chowan Herald.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

Charles Ewen, an archaeologist on the faculty of East Carolina University, stands near the top of the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse Green during a visit to Edenton over the summer. Ewen delivered a lecture at the courthouse on the history of Blackbeard and other pirates of Blackbeard's era.

What were pirates really like? A Life of Infamy By Corinne Saunders

Guts, gold and glory. Arrr! Friends or foes, scum or folk heroes, pirates unquestionably still ignite imaginations. From Halloween costumes to the East Carolina University mascot to a national park, pirates have retained their popularity long after the Golden Age of Piracy ended in 1726. The Jean Lafitte National Park in New Orleans is named after a French pirate with whom the U.S. government contracted to help fight against the British. Pirates were “thugs,” said Joseph Schwarzer, director of the three-site North Carolina Maritime Museum System. “Rather than face the unpleasant reality, it’s been spun in a way that creates the image of epic adventurer,” he said of pirate tales. Schwarzer postulates that people are drawn to the romanticized version for “escapism: A way of looking at things not so much as they were but as you’d like them to be.”

Charles Ewen speaks about Blackbeard to an audience at the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse.

“We have sort of a rosy view of them…(but) they’re actually terrorists when you look at them historically,” agreed Charles Ewen, a professor in ECU’s anthropology department and director of ECU’s Phelps Archaeology Laboratory. Pirates are largely misunderstood, opined Mary Ellen Riddle, education curator at Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras. Oftentimes, becoming a pirate was more lucrative and offered better treatment than working on the water in a civilian or military capacity. Some pirates overthrew a vessel where they had been mistreated as ship-hands; other times, men formerly employed in military service found themselves without work or other skills when the war ended and turned to piracy as a matter of necessity. Riddle created an exhibit about the “cycle of violence and how piracy perpetuated itself” that opened in April and runs through March 2019. The exhibit explains how pirates seizing a ship would approach under the Jolly Roger flag—symbolizing, “surrender or die”—and ask the crew how their captain treated them. Pirates would plunder more moderately if the captain treated his crew well and plunder more and punish the captain physically if not. “I think (people) don’t understand how they were treated and why they became pirates,” Riddle said. “I think they just think they were evil people and wanted to do evil things. I think they don’t understand in many cases it was a matter of necessity. It’s like society created them then didn’t take responsibility for it. “As an educator, you’re always hoping to educate,” she continued. “I hope people would look beyond the Hollywood aspect of the subject and see the cause and effect and how it affects society—and possibly relate it to modern day.” Pirates didn’t just seek gold, bury their treasure, walk the plank or wear clothing that set them apart from any other seaman, said Ewen, who has given several talks on the realities of piracy. There was only one documented instance of a pirate burying his treasure, and that was Captain William Kidd, who promptly returned to retrieve it. “People are constantly looking for buried treasure, (but) there isn’t any,” Ewen said, explaining pirates spent the booty as quickly as they could. Working on the water a few centuries ago was extremely dangerous. People lost limbs and eyes regularly, so peg legs and eye patches never automatically signified a person was a pirate. “Unless you really

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

“I think (people) don’t understand how they were treated and why they became pirates. I think they just think they were evil people and wanted to do evil things. I think they don’t understand in many cases it was a matter of necessity. It’s like society created them then didn’t take responsibility for it.” – Mary Ellen Riddle

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Charles Ewen's slide asks: “How Can We Celebrate Blackbeard?”

Charles Ewen's slide wonders aloud whether we should be celebrating Blackbeard.

knew who you were looking at, it was hard to tell the difference whether you were looking at a (regular) sailor or pirate,” Ewen stated. Pirates generally lived short, “miserable existences,” he added. How much of our pirate knowledge is myth and how much is truth is hard to determine. Written under the alias Captain Charles Johnson, the 1724 novel A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates set into motion much popular pirate lore; actual historical records from that time are hard to find. Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel Treasure Island and numerous Hollywood productions (think Errol Flynn movies and the Pirates of the Caribbean series) have only compounded myths and misperceptions. “They’ve taken (pirates) out of historical context and placed them in the position of almost the antihero—those that rebel against society to try to right wrongs,” Schwarzer said. “Those things make great children’s literature but don’t really stack up in terms of reality.” Pirates were at work during the times of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Records of piracy date back to 1300 BCE but likely occurred before then, Schwarzer said. “The reality is, as long as there’s been maritime trade, there have probably been pirates.” These included “some pretty amazing female pirates,” Schwarzer noted. Ching Shih (Cheng I Sao) was a prostitute-turned-pirate who had a knack for business and military strategy, ending up commanding up to 1,800 ships and 50,000-plus pirates in the early 1800s, according to history.com. Grace O’Malley, an Irish pirate, led 20 ships and famously met with Queen Elizabeth I in person to negotiate. Pirates continue to operate today off the coast of Somalia because it would cost more to police them than to pay them off, Schwarzer explained. With companies now shipping in such bulk, paying pirates a $2-3 million ransom every

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

The Museum of the Albemarle presents our: now and again is considered an acceptable loss, compared to the tens of millions of dollars it would take carriers to install armed guards. The dynamics of piracy remain the same. Intercepting the movement of a valuable commodity to turn a personal profit doesn’t take much brainpower, Schwarzer stated: “I have a boat; I have a sword, and he doesn’t.” Why people turn to piracy is a more complex issue. Based in the failed British colony of the Bahamas, the Golden Age pirate leaders had substantial numbers of crewmen and often joined forces. “Unlike their pirate predecessors, they were engaged in more than simple crime and undertook nothing less than a social and political revolt,” Colin Woodard wrote in his 2007 book The Republic of Pirates. While pirates didn’t hesitate to sell slaves— Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was a French slave ship when he seized it—runaway slaves also were documented as becoming pirates themselves. Several biracial men worked their way up to become full-fledged pirate captains, according to Woodard. The pirate gangs of 1716-1726 were sometimes viewed as folk heroes and were powerful enough to threaten entire colonies; they repeatedly blockaded South Carolina. Slave ships were desirable vessels for pirates, Ewen said. Roomy and fast, the ships were intimidating when cannons were added. “You wanted a big, scary boat so you don’t have to shoot (boats you want to heist),” he explained. “You sail up and they’d just give up.” This year marks the 300th anniversary of the demise of Blackbeard, the most notorious Golden Age pirate for North Carolinians. “We really don’t have a good handle on him, his name or where he’s from,” Ewen noted. Records start just two years prior to Blackbeard’s 1718 death. He could have hailed from England, Jamaica or Bath, North Carolina, and his name could have been spelled Edward Teach, Thatch or Tach, just to name a few, as spelling was then phonetic and volatile. Blackbeard could have been beheaded before or after dying; records conflict. Blackbeard was almost certainly a pirate prior to 1716, though. “You just don’t become a captain overnight; you have to come up through the ranks,” said David Moore, curator of nautical archaeology for the North Carolina Maritime

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Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

“Spotswood wasn’t a popular governor. Catching Blackbeard was like catching Osama bin Laden; it made you a political fortune.” – Charles Ewen

Museum’s Beaufort location. Moore attributes Blackbeard’s success to his nickname and to his skill at self-promotion. The “bloodthirsty image” was effective—likely untrue—publicity. “Not one document actually points to him or his crew actually killing anyone until the final battle, where people were killed on both sides,” said Moore, who has researched shipwrecks and Blackbeard extensively for 35 years and was involved in the 1996 finding of the Queen Anne’s Revenge. Blackbeard’s activities were likely sanctioned by then-North Carolina Colony Governor Charles Eden. “If there wasn’t any direct collusion between the men, Eden was almost certainly turning a blind eye to what Blackbeard was doing,” Moore said. Eden’s righthand man in government, Tobias Knight, was charged but pardoned for possessing sugar from Blackbeard’s last prize (seized ship) and for having documented correspondence with the pirate. The permissiveness was born out of economic necessity. Now a cash cow for the state with tourism, the Outer Banks then greatly inhibited access to the colony. Lacking the accessible deep-water ports South Carolina and Virginia

boasted, North Carolina was repressed economically. Comparing the residents of Charleston and Norfolk to small-town folk in eastern North Carolina, “they were just richer people, and to a great extent still are,” Moore said. Particularly around the Bath area, residents welcomed the pirates and their “cheap, black market goods” that were hard to otherwise obtain. It was the Colony of Virginia’s Governor Alexander Spotswood who sent Royal Navy Lt. Robert Maynard and Capt. Ellis Brand to eliminate Blackbeard. “Spotswood wasn’t a popular governor,” Ewen noted. “Catching Blackbeard was like catching Osama bin Laden; it made you a political fortune.” Moore believes people are drawn to pirates for much the same reason as they are to gangsters or other famous criminals. “They didn’t follow normal rules and regulations of society; they went out of their way to profess a certain freedom that was not shackled by the same,” Moore said. They did this “knowing full well that if they were caught they would do what they called in that day ‘dance the hempen jig,’” meaning death by hanging. Most rigging and rope was then made of hemp, he explained.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

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Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

Pirates of the

Albemarle

Historic Ec house awash in

Blackbeard legend

Is it true? Do you live in Blackbeard’s house?” JEB Stuart recalls being asked these questions as a young boy by his curious classmates who were eager to hear about the famous pirate and his escapades in Elizabeth City. With the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s death, the legend continues today as people ask Stuart about the Old Brick House where he grew up by the Pasquotank River.

By Anna Goodwin McCarthy Photos courtesy of JEB Stuart

This is a photo of the house from the early 1940s.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

“It has been in our family since 1943,” said Stuart. Stuart’s sister, Julia Peters, and her husband, Tommy, now live in the Old Brick House located at 182 Brick House Lane in Elizabeth City. Stuart said he remembers people frequently driving to his house and even attempting to search for Blackbeard’s treasure at his home when he was growing up. “We would have people drive in the driveway and drive back out,” said Stuart. Stuart said he is unsure of when this tale began, but there were at least three stories that helped to solidify the Old Brick House as a local legend. “People began embellishing these stories,” said Stuart. “It is just something that evolved.” Stuart said people believed Blackbeard had a “secret hiding place” in the home. The home did have a secret hiding space, which was converted by Stuart’s parents, John and Eleanor, into a coat closet. Stuart said people often had these spaces in their homes to hide valuables or themselves in the case of a home robbery.

Another myth people told was that Blackbeard had an escape tunnel built from the house to the river. Stuart said his mother told him that a previous owner of the home would charge people a small fee to show them Blackbeard’s tunnel. Stuart said in actuality the perceived tunnel was simply a well for livestock that was kept under the house. One of the most prevalent stories was that of a blood stain that is in the house. Stuart said the blood stain did not come from Blackbeard’s actions. Stuart said he believes the stain occurred when the Murden family owned the house. Stuart refers to “In Ancient Albemarle,” by Catherine

This interior photo shows the secret, hidden closet in the Old Brick House.

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Albertson with the story that a duel took place at the home involving a Murden family’s kinsmen. The intriguing story involved a romance with a suitor who was not approved of by the young woman’s family and her brother challenging the suitor to a duel which resulted in the suitor’s blood staining the floor. Stuart said the blood stain remains on the floor, but “you have to look real hard.” Stuart said other stories included that the initials ET were in carved into stone at the house, This added to the mystery as Blackbeard’s name was Edward Teach, and his initials were ET. With the many stories that were told about the Old Brick House, Stuart said he does not believe there is any possibility that it was Blackbeard’s home or that Blackbeard even came to the area. According to his research, Stuart said the Murden

family, not Blackbeard, actually built and owned the home. “I hate to be the spoiler,” said Stuart. Stuart said from his own research of documents passed from previous owners, he believes the Old Brick House was built after Blackbeard’s death in 1718. While Stuart said he is unable to confirm an exact date, he believes the home was built at some time between 1735 to 1760. He said the handwritten property maps of the 1700s could have added to the legend with the word Murden being mistaken for Murder. A retired educator and principal, Stuart is giving a presentation at the Museum of the Albemarle in September titled, “Blackbeard and the Old Brick House: The Enduring Legend.”

This photo shows the Old Brick House around 1915.

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Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

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Edenton recalls the notorious Blackbeard By Rebecca Bunch Photos by Reggie Ponder

The allure of Blackbeard the Pirate remains as strong as ever 300 years after his death.

Erica Smith, assistant site manager at the Historic Edenton Visitor Center, one of the sites chosen to display the traveling exhibit developed by staff at the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources in Raleigh, said close to a thousand visitors have come in to see the exhibit since its recent opening. The exhibit will remain on display to the public locally through Sept. 30. It was loaned as part of Chowan County's 350th Anniversary celebration. “We have had over 900 people come through the Visitor Center since opening the Blackbeard exhibit,” Smith said. “People have come from all across the state and parts of Virginia just to see this traveling exhibit. For some, this is the first time they have ever visited Edenton.” “It is a really well done exhibit, lots of artifacts, interactives for children, and the exhibit panels are very informative,” she added. “It's a very special exhibit to have in our town and, we think, will be the exhibit of the year in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard's notorious adventures along the North Carolina coast.”

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

This replica of the Queen Anne's Revenge is part of an exhibit at the Historic Edenton Visitor's Center.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

This display at the Historic Edenton Visitor's Center includes artifacts from the Queen Anne's Revenge.

Andrew Cole, interpretation coordinator and collections manager for the Visitor Center, predicted that upon arrival children and adults alike would find something of interest in the exhibit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The thing about Blackbeard and pirates in general is that they attract interest from people of all ages,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In connection with the exhibit we also have some activities, such as an exhibit scavenger hunt for kids and a Queen Anne's Revenge-themed archaeology activity as well.â&#x20AC;? Cole added that while there are no guided tours planned for school students or other groups, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We highly encourage the public to come check it out. I believe the exhibit will have something to offer both kids and adults alike.â&#x20AC;? Smith, who attended this summer's official opening of the exhibit held in Bath, where the notorious pirate made his home when not at sea, said although there is no documentation that Blackbeard ever visited Edenton, he remains connected throughout time to the historic community through Gov. Charles Eden for whom the town was named. During his lifetime Blackbeard was widely rumored to have been befriended by the governor, who was accused of not doing enough to quell piracy in the region. Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, was discovered in 1996 near the Beaufort Inlet where it had remained since running aground centuries ago. Smith, who is a native of eastern North Carolina, worked at Historic Bath prior to moving to Edenton and has a longstanding familiarity with the public's fascination with Blackbeard, his life and times.

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“Growing up in eastern North Carolina, it's hard not to have heard the tales of Blackbeard the Pirate,” she said. “When I worked at Historic Bath, people would come from all over the world just to see the small town that Blackbeard once called home.” Smith said that people had been fascinated by the exploits of pirates long before the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies made popular by actor Johnny Depp caught the public's attention. Among the best known of the pirates, Blackbeard was particularly known for his penchant for braiding his long, black beard into small pigtails, then tying the braids with ribbons of various colors. And just before going into battle he is said to have tucked fuses under the brim of his hat that would burn about a foot an hour, creating curling wisps of smoke which enabled him to create a frightening image that struck fear in the hearts of the crews of ships he and his men attacked. For weaponry, he was known to wear a sling that held multiple pistols as well as sporting assorted pistols and daggers around his waist. The fascination with pirates remains as strong today as it has ever been. “I think it's because there is a certain romance in burying booty marked by a bloody X on a map and making your enemies walk the plank,” Smith said. “There is something so timeless about piratical behavior – living the lawless life, stealing from the rich, sticking it to 'The Man'.” The free, self-guided exhibit will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Those interested in more information about the exhibit are welcome to contact Erica Smith at 482-2637 with questions.

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Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

Pirates of the

Albemarle

Blackbeard provides intriguing backdrop for novel By Toby Tate

Edward "Blackbeard" Teach had always claimed that he was in league with the Devil. Even his flag, emblazoned with a horned skeleton clutching an hourglass in one hand and a spear in the other, struck fear into his intended victims. A man who could create a persona that still intimidates and terrifies us over three centuries later is great source material for any would-be author, including me. I first got the idea for writing my Blackbeard-themed novel, DIABLERO, while visiting Ocracoke Island, where Teach was said to have met his grisly end at the hands of a British Navy lieutenant by the name of Robert Maynard. Legend has it that after killing Teach in battle, Maynard removed the pirate's head and ordered it hung from the bowsprit. He then ordered the body thrown overboard. It is said that, much to the crew's dismay, the headless corpse swam around the ship three times before sinking into the murky waters of the Atlantic. So I began thinking: what if it was all true? What if Teach really was in league with Satan? What if he made a pact to gain himself riches and power? That would explain a lotâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; his charismatic persona, his rise to the top in such a short span of time, his ability to conquer and dominate, and yet rarely did he commit acts of violence. I began doing research into various cults and superstitions in which Teach and his contemporaries could have

been involved, and one that stood out was a mythological creature called The Death Defier, or Diablero. Diablero was said to be a shaman (one who practices black magic) who had walked the Earth since the beginning of time, who required its followers to sacrifice an unwilling human to satiate its need for spiritual energy, energy that could only be obtained by consuming living souls. In my novel, Teach decides he wants the power possessed by this shaman. He murders the shaman and the demon immediately overcomes Teach, taking control of his mind. When Teach is finally killed, his body rests at the bottom of Ocracoke Inlet until someone in our century decides to bring him back from the grave for personal gain. That, of course, turns out to be a very bad idea since Blackbeard was never one to be controlled by any man. The fact that he was still possessed by a demon makes matters worse for the newspaper reporter and his estranged wife, a park ranger, who are tasked with trying to stop Teach from raising the elder gods and sending the world into chaos.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

In case you can't tell, I incorporated a bit of H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos into my story for the simple fact that I am a huge fan and it fit the story quite well. Most of DIABLERO takes place in modern times as our heroes chase Teach and his cohorts from Williamsburg, Va., to Charleston, S.C., Miami, Fla., and finally to the Caribbean—all places Blackbeard was known to have frequented. I always felt that Blackbeard as a person was misunderstood, perpetuated by movies like “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” He wasn't the cold-hearted monster that many make him out to be. He only created that persona in order to gain compliance from his victims. It is said that not only was he was a hopeless romantic when it came to women, he would nurse his own crew back to health when they were injured or sick. True, he could also be cruel, but that was only a part of his personality, not the man as a whole. I took it upon myself to paint a complete picture of the man in DIABLERO, to make Teach more than just a caricature of a bloodthirsty pirate. While admittedly he was a criminal, Blackbeard was a real man, with real feelings and aspirations and from most accounts, he was not only reviled, but also revered. Editor's note: DIABLERO is published in paperback and eBook by Permuted Press and is available at Page After Page bookstore in Elizabeth City and is available to order from bookstores and online at Barnes & Noble.com, Amazon.com and other retailers.

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Dan and Kathy Smith are partners in sailing, ministry and life. Photo by Reggie Ponder

By Reggie Ponder

t first glance, the sailors who are active in Maritime Ministries could hardly be more different from old-time Pirates such as the legendary Blackbeard. Just to make a thumbnail assessment of each group, the pirates regularly committed robbery and even, when they deemed it necessary, murder. Pirates intentionally dressed and carried themselves in ways intended to terrorize seagoing ships.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

The campus of Mid-Atlantic Christian University stretches along the Elizabeth City waterfront as seen from the Pasquotank River. Photo courtesy of Maritime Ministries

They also paid attention to details such as the number of cannons on their own ship and the overall appearance of their ship in order to amplify the terror-inducing potential as they approached another vessel. But Maritime Ministries does essentially the opposite in every respect. The group's Christian sailors don't steal, they give. And they don't kill, they seek to be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ, who famously said of himself that he had come that people might have life

and have it more abundantly. And Maritime Ministries works to approach people in ways that are friendly and gracious, building positive relationships rather than inducing terror. The boats themselves are used as bridges to connect Maritime Ministries crew members with other sailors and their families. So you wouldn't naturally compare what Maritime Ministries does now to what pirates did then.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

But Dan Smith of Maritime Ministries, who heads up the development office at Mid-Atlantic Christian University and also works closely with Maritime Ministries in its symbiotic relationship with the school, is not entirely uncomfortable with a pirate comparison if it serves the overall mission – and sometimes it does. In particular, Maritime Ministries uses one of its boats – the 32-foot, 45-year-old wooden custom cutter “Paloma” – as a child-friendly “pirate

ship” at boat shows, Smith explained during a recent short sail on the Pasquotank River in another Maritime Ministries boat, the 31-foot Island Packet “More Beyond.” Smith said children are drawn to Paloma because it has an old-time wooden look that reminds them of a pirate vessel. Maritime Ministries have taken that thought and run with it, offering tours of the boat and distributing pirate-themed coloring books or other pirate paraphernalia to the kids and dressing in pirate garb. It's a simple way to connect with people and begin a conversation, according to Smith. The parents are glad their children are having a good time and the conversation affords the Christian sailors an avenue to talk about their Gospel-centered motivation for being at the show. Maritime Ministries does not keep a tally of decisions for Christ as many missions organizations do, but Smith is confident the group makes a difference by planting Gospel seeds and he sometimes does see someone commit their life to Christ through the work of Maritime Ministries. “We do a lot of hoeing and seeding,” Smith said. One of the ways they approach the work is through providing hospitality for boaters at the MACU dock as part of the community's Harbor of Hospitality tradition and also offering hospitality and help to other boats they meet in various places they sail to. “We do a lot of crisis intervention,” Smith said, noting that is based on the example of Jesus, who regularly reached out to people and met needs in their lives. As they work in crisis intervention they also pray that God will open up opportunities to pray for people and with people, Smith said. “We are praying for divine appointments,” Smith said. “God has opened so many doors for that.” Maritime Ministries on its website describes what it does as “Serve. Share. Sail.” That approach is further explained on the website in terms of four functions: •Ser ve the local church by facilitating adventure and discipleship through use of sailboats on the water-

ways, rivers and seas •Ser ve the cruising community in practical and tangible ways, being “salt and light” •Shar e the Gospel with all that we come in contact with •U se our boats as conversation openers and as a methodology to make new friends who may share our passion for the sea. Smith said that just as the Christian Motorcyclists Association uses members interest in and passion for motorcycles as a gateway to a Christian witness with bikers, Maritime Ministries lets people use their passion for sailing as a gateway to ministry with other sailors.

Dan Smith prepares to bring More Beyond back into the dock at MidAtlantic Christian University. Photo by Reggie Ponder

Dan Smith steers More Beyond down the Pasquotank River on a recent sail. Photo by Reggie Ponder

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

“We gain credibility with sailors by sailing,” Smith said. 'We're sailors because God has just given us a passion – that's who we are. But we are Christ's first.” While the relationship between MACU and Maritime Ministries is not a direct partnership, the two mesh well together. Having the Maritime Ministries presence on campus “gives students an opportunity to see that not everybody does ministry in the way that you think they do,” Smith said. People find different ways to use their passion in ministry, he said. Sometimes, Smith said, “I call it 'a pirate for Jesus.'”

"We're sailors because God has just given us a passion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that's who we are. But we are Christ's first. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dan Smith

The rising sun shines through the rigging of a Maritime Ministries boat. Photo courtesy of Maritime Ministries

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Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

Lemuel Sawyer's legacy is linked to the notorious pirate Blackbeard because he wrote a play about the pirate. Sawyer is memorialized by a highway historical marker on U.S. 158 in Camden, south of the intersection with Country Club Drive. Sawyer, who died in 1852, was a Camden native who served in the N.C. General Assembly and later in the U.S. Congress. Sawyer graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and practiced law in Elizabeth City. But Sawyer was best known for his works of history, biogaphy and drama. In 1824 Sawyer published “Blackbeard, a

Comedy in Four Parts.” Sawyer indicated at the time that the work was based on historical fact. The play was never staged. Neither was a second play he wrote, “The Wreck of Honor.” Despite not being brought to the stage, “Blackbeard, a Comedy” reportedly was wellreceived by contemporaries who bought the play and read it. Some historians believe “Blackbeard, a Comedy” was the first play ever written and published by a North Carolina native. Sawyer was married three times. After his death in Washington, D.C., Sawyer's body was brought back to his native Camden for burial.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

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Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

Native nuts are nutritional bonanza Mary M

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Pecan trees not only contribute to the charm of towns like Edenton, Hertford and Elizabeth City, they also yield one of the healthiest snacks you can eat. Mary Morris, Chowan County Cooperative Extension director, noted pecans are loaded with anti-aging antioxidants, high in dietary fiber and contain 19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and zinc. A serving size consisting of about 20 halves has only 196 calories. “A handful of pecans will offer you a hunger-fighting snack with lots of the good fats that your body needs,” Morris said. Katy Shook, a horticulure specialist with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service who works out of the Chowan County Cooperative Extension Office, said there are commercial pecan

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

growers in the area. “Most have direct sales, but the public can search for sources through the NC Pecan Growers Association at www.ncpecans.org or the N.C. Department of Agriculture at www.ncfarmfresh.com,” Shook said. “People can check with their local farmers markets, too.” Shook said if you plant your own pecan tree you should expect to wait five to seven years to develop a crop. And Shook pointed out that “in order to get a crop, a home gardener should plan on managing the tree including pruning, fertilizing, and pest control.” It's also important to select the right tree to plant, she said. “People can contact their local Extension office for more information on growing pecans in North Carolina,” Shook said.

Calendar 20 FA L L

SEPTEMBER

Through Sept. 30 Blackbeard Traveling Exhibit To commemorate the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard's adventures along the North Carolina coast, the place where he was ultimately brought to justice, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is showcasing a traveling exhibit that includes artifacts representing weaponry, nautical tools and personal items recovered from his wrecked flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge (QAR). The exhibit will be at the Historic Edenton Visitor Center, 108 North Broad Street, throughout the month of September and admission is free. The visitor center is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Questions, call 482-2637 or email natalie. harrison@ncdcr.gov.

Monday, Sept. 17 Armchair Traveler Series In celebration of Chowan County's 350th anniversary, the 12th annual Armchair Traveler Series will highlight significant areas of the community's heritage. The event will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. upstairs at the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library in downtown Edenton for â&#x20AC;&#x153;School Days: Chowan Schools History and Buildingsâ&#x20AC;?. Learn of the local schools' beginnings and get an overview of the school system's history. Rob Jackson, superintendent of the Edenton-Chowan Schools, will present this free program, sponsored by Friends of the Library. Questions, call the library at 482-4112.

19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Elizabeth City COA campus in the Performing Arts Center. Perusal scripts, full rehearsal schedule and additional information are all available now (24 hour check-out) from the COA Performing Arts Center box office in D Bldg. Contact: 335-9050 if you have any questions. Thursday, Sept. 20 Opening of Restored 1825 Jail Edenton Historical Commission announces the Grand Opening of the Restored 1827 Chowan

County Jail at 4 p.m. Everyone invited. Discussion and refreshments to follow. Special recognition of longtime Chowan County Jailer, Earl Goodwin. Friday, Sept. 21 Baby Show/Expo Deadline Pre-registration for the Baby Show/Expo is now underway. The event will be Saturday, Oct. 6 from 9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the K.E. White Center. Visit: CHKD.org/Classes to register as a participant or exhibitor. Exhibitor registration deadline is Sept. 21 and participant registration

Crabdaddy Festival Guests enjoy the placid setting of Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg. Sanctuary Vineyards presents the Crabdaddy Festival Saturday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Camelot rehearsals College of the Albemarle will conduct rehearsals for Camelot every Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting Sept. 17 and ending Oct.

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Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

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Saturday, Sept. 22 Crabdaddy festival Sanctuary Vineyards presents the Crabdaddy Festival Saturday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All you can eat steamed crabs and sides. Tickets are $40 per adult, $20 for children ages 6 to 12 and $500 for VIP tables. Purchase tickets at sanctuaryvineyards.com or any Cotton Gin location.

October 26, 27 & 28, 2018 Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Knobbs Creek Recreation Center 200 E. Ward St., Elizabeth City, NC Cafe’ on-site provided by Circle II Restaurant Weekend Pass General Admission $5 Seniors & Students $4 Groups (10 or more) $4

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Monday, Sept. 24 Cupola House Speaker Series Judge Tom Newbern will be the featured speaker for this program upstairs at the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library in downtown Edenton. His topic will be “Furniture and Architecture of North Carolina's Roanoke River Basin”. A reception will be held at 5 p.m.; this free program will begin at 5:30 p.m. For more info, call the library at 482-4112 or email smwh20@gmail.com. Tuesday, Sept. 25 Chamber Business Expo The Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce and Piedmont Natural Gas will present the 28th Business Expo at the K.E. White Center, Tuesday, Sept. 25. The Community Day event will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Business Night event will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Booths are available for $350 for Chamber members, $450 for non-members. Applications available at http:// files.constantcontact.com/ 41b3f2c6201/03d000a2-684c4d77-8fdc-c5b58fca1fd2.pdf. Chowan County Regional Fair “Celebrating 350 Years of Regional Growth” is this

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

year's fair theme as Chowan County celebrates its 350th anniversary. As part of the anniversary celebration the fair will highlight the county's heritage through exhibits, activities, amusement rides and entertainment with great food at the American Legion Fairgrounds in Edenton. The fair runs today through Saturday, Sept. 29. For more info, call American Legion Post 40 at 482-5642 or 482-4057, email info@chowanfair.com or visit www.chowanfair.com. Friday, Sept. 28 Chamber golf classic The Currituck Chamber of Commerce hosts their Annual Currituck Golf Classic Friday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Carolina Club, located at 127 Carolina Club Drive in Grandy. $400 for a four person team and that includes range balls, cart, scoring and dinner. Contact: 453-9497 or email: juanita@ currituckchamber.org Saturday, Sept. 29 Live Your Dash 5K This race will take place from 8-11 a.m. starting at the Elizabeth Vann Moore Park (formerly Queen Anne Park) on East Water Street adjacent to the Hayes Bridge. Our course will take you through historic Hayes Plantation in Edenton where you will get to run off-road through fields on flat dirt roads. Be sure to join us for the after-party where we will have live music and some of the best barbecue you will ever eat. Cost, $25. Hosted by the George and Alex Foundation. For registration info, follow us on Facebook. Restoration Jollification Perquimans County Restoration Association will hold

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a Jollification celebration of nine historic sites and homes in the New Hope Township at the Newbold-White House, Saturday, Sept. 29 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Contact: 426-7567 or 331-4026. Sunday, Sept. 30 Cupola House Celebration Join the Cupola House Association as they celebrate their 100th anniversary with a Membership Appreciation Event at noon in the 1758 Cupola House Gardens in Edenton. This is a members-only event, but all are cordially invited to join our association to be included in this wonderful celebration. Membership information can be found at www.cupolahouse.org. Colonial displays, speakers and a North Carolina Pig Pickin' are just a few of the planned events. Questions, email khstage@yahoo.com or visit www.cupolahouse.org.

October

Monday, Oct. 1 Armchair Traveler Series In celebration of Chowan County's 350th anniversary, the 12th annual Armchair

Traveler Series will highlight significant areas of Chowan's heritage. Today's program will focus on â&#x20AC;&#x153;African American Life in Antebellum Edenton. Come join us today from 5:30-6:30 p.m. upstairs at the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library in downtown Edenton as we explore the different jobs that African Americans held in Edenton before the Civil War, their contributions to the historic landscape, and their experiences living within a system of slavery. Presented by Natalie Harrison, Historic Edenton State Historic Site Program Coordinator and Historic Interpreter. Free program; sponsored by Friends of the Library. Questions, call the library at 482-4112.

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Wednesday, Oct. 3 Bluegrass festival Mountain Music by The Sea presents the 2018 Bluegrass Festival Wednesday, Oct. 3 through Oct. 6 at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. Single day tickets are $45 and tickets for all 3 days are $125. For more information or to buy tickets call 423-3039 or visit online: bluegrassisland. com

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

Thursday, Oct. 4 CAC Clayton Art Show Join the Chowan Arts Council in downtown Edenton as they feature the work of artist Leanne Clayton. The opening reception will take place today at 5:30 p.m. at the CAC Gallery. The show will be open for public viewing daily from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Questions, call the gallery at 482-8005 or visit www.chowanarts.com. Friday, Oct. 5 Tribute to Frank Jones A musical tribute to Frank Jones will be presented at Edenton Baptist Church from 6-8 p.m. The event will include a lasagna dinner followed by a concert featuring the music of Nancy Jones and String Quartet, Gabriel's Men, Mighty Termighties and Kosmos. Tickets are on sale now at $25 per person; checks should be made payable to the Knights of Columbus. All proceeds will assist Frank Jones, owner of the Downtown Cafe and Soda Shoppe with costs associated with a double lung transplant. Sponsored by St. Anne Women's Club and Knights of Columbus with thanks to Edenton Baptist Church for the generous use of their facility. Questions? Call 482-0655.

Art walk The First Friday Art Walk will be held Friday, Oct. 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Elizabeth City. Drop the kids off at Port Discover, 611 E. Main Street, before the Art Walk. Please have children checked in by 6 p.m., as the events at Port Discover are structured. Saturday, Oct. 6 From Pirates to Peanuts From Pirates to Peanuts: 350 Years of Chowan County will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Historic 1767 Chowan County Courthouse Green. For more information on this event and other upcoming events in Edenton and Chowan County, please go to VisitEdenton. com. Pace with an Ace The first ever Pace with an Ace 5K Run/Walk will be held in Historic Downtown Edenton starting at 8 a.m. at Elizabeth Vann Moore Park (formerly known as Queen Anne Park), 210 East Water Street. Organized by the John A. Holmes High School Cross Country team, the event meanders through Historic Hayes Plantation. Cost, $20 on or before Sept.

Chamber Business Expo The Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo offers information and networking for local businesses and residents. Photo by Thomas J. Turney

23 and $25 on or after Sept. 23. Make checks payable to John A. Holmes Cross Country and mail to John A. Holmes, PO Box 409, Edenton, NC 28932. Questions, call 482-8426 or visit www. runtheeast.com. Monday, Oct. 8 Armchair Traveler Series In celebration of Chowan County's 350th anniversary, the 12th annual Armchair Traveler Series will highlight significant areas of Chowan's heritage. Today's program will focus on “The 1733 Moseley Map: An Edenton Found Treasure” Presented by professors from East Carolina University, this map of coastal North Carolina includes details of land formation, of rivers, creeks, and waterways back of the sounds. There is a wealth of names of the chief settlers and larger plantations of Albemarle Sound and the rivers flowing into it. Come join us today from 5:30-6:30 p.m. upstairs at the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library in downtown Edenton. Free program; sponsored by Friends of the Library. Questions, call the library at 482-4112. Thursday, Oct. 10 Camelot College of the Albemarle presents Camelot Thursday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.; Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. on the Elizabeth City campus of COA. Tickets are $19.50 for adults, $18.50 for military and seniors 62 and older, $9.50 for college students and children and $16.50 for groups of 10 or more. Contact: 335-9050 for tickets or more information.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

Friday, Oct. 12 Armchair Traveler Series Today's program, which starts at 6 p.m., will focus on “Local Fare: Foods of Chowan County”. Enjoy an evening of foods “close to home” paired with carefully selected beverages as Chef Leslie Lippincott and her College of the Albemarle Culinary Arts students join forces with Malcolm King, owner of Edenton Bay Trading Company. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at the library. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Questions, call the library at 482-4112. Saturday, Oct. 13 Scuppernong river festival The 27th Annual Scuppernong River Festival will honor Tyrell County’s Heritage with fun, festvities and fireworks on the Columbia waterfront and down town streets. There will be a parade, food, water activities, entertainment, arts and crafts, helicopter rides, amusement rides and a concert. For more details call 796-2781. NHS class reunion The Northeastern High School Class of 1988 will hold its 30th class reunion at the K.E. White Center, Saturday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. Cost is $60, $120 for a couple. Contact: 336-609-0011. Make payments out to: NHS Class of ‘88 P.O. Box 41257 Greensboro, NC 27404. Saturday, Oct. 20 Pumpkin Painting Day – Join Historic Edenton State Historic Sites for face painting, lawn games and, of course, pumpkin painting! Pumpkins are $5 each and proceeds help HESHS fund more and more community events. First come, first served until the pump-

kins are gone! All supplies provided. Face painting included with purchase of a painting. This event will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at the historic 1767 Chowan County Courthouse Green in Edenton and from 4-6 p.m. in downtown Edenton. Questions, call (252) 333-0655. Fri. and Sat., Oct. 19-20 Ghost Walk

This year's Ghost Walk will include all new venues and features. Guides will lead you through Historic Edenton as tales are told every half hour from 6:15-8:30 p.m. starting at the Historic Edenton Visitor Center, 108 North Broad Street. Tickets are $10 each and will be sold through the Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce, 482-3400. Questions, contact the chamber

office or email win.dale@ edenton.nc.gov. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/300YearsOfHaunts. Thursday, Oct. 25 Edenton Tea Party Anniversary Edenton Historical Commission celebrates the 244th Anniversary of the Edenton Tea Party with Dr. Jeffrey and Catherine Ward Bishir, North Carolina's Leading

Lady of Architectural History. Come join us at noon for this free program that includes a box lunch. Advance tickets required. To reserve yours, call the Penelope Barker House at 482-7800. State's Oldest House Birthday Celebrate the 300th Birthday of North Carolina's Oldest House with the Edenton

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Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

Candlelight Tour Gil Burroughs directs members of the Albemarle Chorale in singing holiday carols during the Caroling in the Courthouse event that is part of the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour.

Historical Commission at 304 East Queen Street. Discussion and Colonial food will follow. No charge. Monday, Oct. 29 SPLASH Arts of the Albemarle hosts the SPLASH Plein Air Paint Out Competition Monday, Oct. 29 through Nov. 3. Awards Reception will be held Nov. 2 at 4:45 p.m. Cupola House Speakers' Series Former Edenton resident and Cupola House Board member Peter Rascoe will be the featured speaker. His topic will be “The History and Life of Pirate/Colonel Quinn”. Rascoe, who currently serves as the town manager of Southern Shores in Dare County, was previously county attorney and county manager for Chowan County. He is a retired Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard ®, where he also served prior to his retirement as a deputy to the Historian, Atlantic Area, U.S. Coast Guard. He is a current member of the NC Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and was also a founding member of the Albemarle Chapter of the SAR. His talk will focus on the Revolutionary War British Invasion of Edenton

led by traitor and former Captain Michael Quinn, NC Line of the Continental Army. This free program will take place upstairs at the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library in downtown Edenton. A reception will be held at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 5:30 p.m. Questions, call the library at 482-4112 or email smwh20@ gmail.com.

November

Friday Nov. 2 Art walk The First Friday Art Walk will be held Friday, Nov. 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Elizabeth City. Drop the kids off at Port Discover, 611 E. Main Street, before the Art Walk. Please have children checked in by 6 p.m., as the events at Port Discover are structured. Holiday boutique/gallery rehang Arts of the Albemarle hosts an Entire Gallery Rehang, bring in your holiday items Friday, Nov. 2 through Nov. 10. Their Holiday Boutique opens Friday, Nov. 23. Bring in new work and pick up any unsold work Nov. 23 through Dec. 1.

Thursday, Nov. 8 Boys and Girls Club Exhibit The public is invited to join the Chowan Arts Council for a Boys and Girls Club Exhibit and Gallery Opening in celebration of Chowan County's 350th Anniversary. The opening reception will take place today from 5:30-7 p.m. The exhibit may be viewed through Nov. 30 during Gallery hours, daily from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, call the Gallery at 482-8005, email cacedenton@gmail.com or visit www.chowanarts.com. Friday, Nov. 9 NHS class reunion Northeastern High School Class of 1973 will hold it’s 45th Class Reunion Friday, Nov. 9 at the Villa Restaurant and Nov. 10 at Island Breeze Caribbean Restaurant. Cost is $50 per person or $75 for couples. Make payments to Katrina Johnson-Spence; send to 1400 Walker Ave., Apt. 54, Elizabeth City, NC 279095551. Tuesday, Nov. 13 Rocky Hock Christmas Show The Rocky Hock Playhouse's Christmas production of “Christ the Savior is Born” will include a lunch buffet at Leon Nixon Catering on Virginia Road (Hwy. 32) in Edenton. Shows will continue through Dec. 18. For show times and other information, call Nixon's at 482-4621 or visit www. rockyhockplayhouse.com. Friday, Nov. 30 Christmas Tree Lighting and Flotilla Come help us kick off the holiday season in downtown Edenton with a joyous Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. and a colorful Flotilla of boats along Eden-

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

ton Harbor at 6 p.m. Local children's choirs perform as everyone awaits a visit from Santa Claus. Questions, call (252) 333-0655, email jennifer.harriss@edenton.nc.gov or visit www.mainstreetedenton.com. Fri. and Sat., Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Rocky Hock Opry Christmas Show Join in the spirit of the holiday season with Christmas music and comedy performed by the cast of the Rocky Hock Opry. Shows will take place in the John A. Holmes High School auditorium in Edenton at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets, $10 each. Proceeds benefit Chowan-Perquimans Relay for Life to aid in the fight against cancer. Questions, call (252) 333-8567.

December

Sunday, Dec. 2 Albemarle Chorale Christmas Concert Come enjoy beautiful Christmas selections performed by the Albemarle Chorale at 4 p.m. at Edenton United Methodist Church on Virginia Road. This year's concert theme is “In Bethlehem”. For more information, contact Christine Sclafani at 221-8057 or email mtsclafani2@gmail. com. Friday, Dec. 7 Art walk The First Friday Art Walk will be held Friday, Dec. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Elizabeth City. Drop the kids off at Port Discover, 611 E. Main Street, before the Art Walk. Please have children checked in by 6 p.m., as the events at Port Discover are structured.

Saturday, Dec. 8 Edenton-Chowan Christmas Parade Enjoy the floats, boats, horses and holiday cheer starting at 10 a.m. as the parade winds its way along North and South Broad Streets. For additional information, call 482-3400, email win.dale@edenton. nc.gov or visit www.edentonchamber.org. Friday, Dec. 14 Caroling in the Courthouse – Historic Edenton State Historic Sites will be hosting Caroling in the Courthouse with the Albemarle Sounds under the direction of Gil Burroughs from 6-7 p.m. Come and enjoy your favorite Christmas songs in the Historic 1767 Chowan County Courthouse, 117 East King Street, during this free public program. Questions, call the Historic Edenton Visitor Center at 482-2637, email edenton@ ncdcr.gov or visit www. nchistoricsites.org/iredell/ iredell.htm. Fri. and Sat., Dec. 14-15 Cupola House Open House – Visit the Cupola House to admire the beautiful Christmas decorations of this restored 18th century home. Hot wassail, cookies and Renaissance music add to the ambiance of this traditional holiday celebration from 1-5 p.m. The Cupola House is located at 408 South Broad Street in downtown Edenton. To find out more, call 482-2637, email edenton@ncdcr.gov or visit www.cupolahouse.org. James Iredell Groaning Board From 1 to 5 p.m. both days, the Historic Edenton State Historic Sites will be hosting the James Iredell Groaning Board with help

from the Edenton Tea Party DAR and the James Iredell Association. There will be so many cookies and other holiday treats that the table will “groan” under the weight. This free public event will take place both days from 1-5 p.m. Questions, call the Historic Edenton Visitor Center at 482-2637, email edenton@ ncdcr.gov or visit www. nchistoricsites.org/iredell. htm. Savories by the Sound The Penelope Barker House Welcome Center on the downtown Edenton waterfront is your Christmas Candlelight Tour Weekend headquarters. Delicious eggnog and special treats await your arrival from 1-5 p.m. Call 482-7800 for details or email info@ehcnc. org. You can also visit www. ehcnc.org. Confection Perfection/ Sweets by the Sound Enjoy delicious holiday treats from 1-5 p.m. both days at the Chowan Arts Council Gallery in downtown Edenton during this year's Candlelight Tour Weekend. For more information, call the gallery at 482-8005 or email cacedenton@gmail.com. 37th Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour Come enjoy Edenton at its loveliest during the 37th annual Christmas Candlelight Tour presented by the Edenton Historical Commission both days from 4-8 p.m. Tickets $30 in advance; to reserve yours, call 482-7800 or visit www. ehcnc.org

den County Senior Center’s Rails and Sails trip is underway. This trip will be Monday through Saturday, Sept. 3-8. Cost is $799 per double-occupancy berth. Contact: Jasmine Wilson at 335-2569. Center Players enrollment Enrollment for the Center Players’ fall semester continues through Sept. 5. Find more information online at www.artsaoa.com/centerplayers. Chowan seniors’ Dover trip Reservations for the Chowan Senior Center Dover Downs Hotel and Casino trip is underway. This trip will be Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 18-20. Cost is $175 per person for 2 people in a room, $275 for singles. Deadline to sign up is Aug. 13. Contact: 4822242 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ECSC reunion The “Last College Seniors” of Elizabeth City State College will host their “Golden Class Reunion” Friday through Sunday, Oct. 26-28. For information about alumni events or planning a class reunion, call 335-3224.

Museum beaches exhibit Museum of the Albemarle’s new “Memorable Sands” exhibit will be on display through Nov. 11. The exhibit features images from African-American beaches in the region, including Chowan Beach in Hertford County, Bias and Hargraves Beaches in Currituck County, Bogues Beach in Pasquotank County and Seaview Beach in Virginia. 4-H craft workshop Pre-registration for the Currituck 4-H crafting workshop for youth ages 7-12 is underway. The workshop will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $10. To pre-register visit: http://go.ncsu.edu/ 4hcraft2018. Contact: Stephanie Minton at 232-2262 or email stephanie_minton@ ncsu.edu. NYC Christmas trip The Chowan Senior Center will host a New York Christmas trip, Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 19-21. Cost is $1,015 per person. A balance of $515 is due Sept. 21. For more information, contact: 482-2242.

Museum Beach Exhibit The Chowan Beach resort in Hertford County is the subject of Museum of the Albemarle's latest exhibit, Memorable Sands. It's an exploration into the African American beach resorts of the region.

ONGOING

Rails and sails reservations Reservations for the Cam-

Photo courtesy Museum of the Albemarle

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

Back Porch The photo that accompanies this column is my version of what has been described as the most-photographed view in Edenton. That might not continue to hold true now that the Roanoke River Lighthouse is firmly in place at its new home on the Edenton waterfront, but for years visitors to the town would almost invariably opt for a shot of the Penelope Barker House Welcome Center across the water from just behind the cannons. There are variations of the picture. Sometimes people actually stand right next to the cannons, so they don't make it into the frame. Other times stand back a bit farther and get the base of the Courthouse Green in the photo. It's a captivating image of the Prettiest Small Town in the South, and it's hard to resist capturing the image to share with friends and family with the exclamation, “Look where I was!” And that's where I was – well not just Water Street, but the Town of Edenton as a whole -- for nearly an entire day on a recent Saturday. For four years I worked in Edenton and had a chance to see those sights every day. I never really took it for granted, either. It always remained a joy and delight.

Now that I only get back to Edenton occasionally, though, I am more aware than ever of what a special place it is. Many of you who live in other nearby communities have been dropping by Edenton for years and know all about it. For those of you in Elizabeth City or elsewhere in the area who have not made it over to Edenton, I want to encourage you to make the short trip and find out what you've been missing. You'll be glad you did. Speaking of what we've been missing, I had the chance to go for a sail on the Pasquotank River with Dan Smith as I was working on a story for this edition of the magazine. I had not realized how much I had missed sailing until I got out on the water. It's one of the best feelings in the world. And it had been a while. It was at least seven years ago that I went sailing the last time before that. Now that I see that written down I don't feel like much of a sailor. But there are ways to remedy that, and I'm living in the right place to do it. Thanks for joining us and see you in November for the holiday-themed issue.

Albemarle Magazine Fall 2018

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