Eastern Living - July 2021

Vidant

town

Tarboro offers historic church walking tour

& Photos by John H. Walker

hurches have been an integral part of Tarboro since the community’s earliest days.

Today, it is estimated that there are about 40 churches in the community, with eight in close proximity to the historic downtown district.

The earliest mention of a church in the area came about 1742, when, according to the Calvary Episcopal Church history, “construction of a small wooden building was envisioned near what is now called Chapel Springs, about eight miles northwest of present day Tarboro.”

The history noted the little church building, named Saint Mary’s, was completed in 1747 and served a small congregation until around 1760 when it burned.

Because the area was part of the English Royal Colony of North Carolina, Saint Mary’s was Anglican and its rector, the Rev. James Moir, reported directly to the Bishop of London.

Following the fire, the little congregation moved into the newly established town of Tarborough, as it was spelled in those days.

Drawing information from the histories of the respective churches as well as from documentation available from the National Register of Historic Places, a timeline of the establishment of Christianity in Tarboro can be plotted.

In the historical sketch of St. James Methodist Church, written by Kate Spraggins in 1955, it was noted that there were only a few Methodists in Edgecombe County in 1760, the year of Tarboro’s founding.

Bishop Francis Asbury’s journals gave accounts of his visits to the county and Tarboro, but mentioned no church building until 1802, when a chapel was erected and dedicated in Tarboro.

Asbury wrote that “Very few of the thirtythree families in Tarboro were in the church. The congregation consisted largely of thirty Africans. The people have more trade than religion, more wealth than grace.”

The Virginia Conference, of which North Carolina was part, met in Tarboro on Feb. 1, 1809, with Bishop Asbury presiding. The Annual Conference Meeting in Tarboro gave some prestige to Methodism and greatly stimulated the work here. It is said that more than 2,000 people attended the two services, with Bishop William McKendree, the first native born American bishop preaching

one sermon and Asbury the other.

The growth of the church was considerable from 1760 to 1815. After Asbury’s death in 1816, Methodism lapsed for a few years and the church in Tarboro went out of existence.

According to Spraggins’ history, the few Methodists left worshipped in the public meeting house.

About 1830 Tarboro was again designated as a part of the Tar River Circuit, and in the same year a new chapel was built. A big camp meeting was held in the community in 1836, and religious interest began to grow. In 1836, the Tarboro church was reported in good standing and from this time on through 1854, the church enjoyed continued growth.

The history of the Methodist Church on the corner of St. James and St. Andrew streets dates to 1855. The new church was finished and dedicated on the fourth Monday in October 1856.

That building was used until the morning of March 14, 1915, when, as Sunday school was in session, it was discovered that the building was on fire. Everyone was safely gotten out, and the members were able to save the furniture, pews and carpet. The furniture and pews are still in use in the present church. Following the fire, worship services were held in the Jewish Synagogue until another building could be erected.

The cornerstone of the new church — which is in use today — was laid in 1916, and the first service was held on Oct. 1, 1918. Thirteen years later, on the morning of Sept. 27, 1931, the church was dedicated.

By the year 1944, more space was needed with an educational building envisioned, and it was open for use in 1953.

According to “The History of the First One-Hundred and Seventy-Five Years of The First Baptist Church,” there was only one house of worship, called the Public Meeting House, in town in 1819.

“Frequently there were conflicts with services held by the Episcopalians. The Baptists would then meet in the old academy in town or in a carpenter’s shop owned by a Mr. McWilliams,” was the way it was described.

It was noted that Elder Joshua Lawrence, a native of Edgecombe County, “frequently visited the town of Tarborough and preached. After the organization of the church, he consented to become pastor of the small Tarborough Baptist Church.”

The small congregation in 1820 made

plans to build a house of worship that would measure 44-feet long and 30-feet wide. The cost was 740 pounds, which was the currency of the time in North Carolina.

The history recounts what it called a contentious period from 1803 until 1828, when there were often heated conversations over the existence of missions.

Lawrence had serious threats made against his life over his opposition to missions and left the church for four-to-six month. During that period, Elder Patrick Dowd of Raleigh, who favored missions, was called to preach by the church.

The missionary element split and formed the Tarborough Missionary Baptist Church under Dowd’s leadership. They built a meeting house near Hendricks Creek, which was later sold to the Negro Primitive Baptist Church.

Bitterness within the church was rife and those who favored Lawrence’s position began calling themselves Primitive Baptists, while the larger group called themselves Missionary Baptists.

On Oct. 7, 1828, Dowd was voted out and Lawrence recalled by the congregation.

Soon after Dowd’s dismissal, he and his supporters took possession of the new church building. Dowd took the building’s keys, but Lawrence took the church’s books.

The majority of members favored Lawrence and since he had the church’s records and the majority of members, he reasserted his claim to the building.

The history noted that the first time the church was referred to as First Baptist Church was in the church minutes of Oct. 13, 1923, having simply been called Tarboro Baptist Church previously.

On Aug. 30, 1924, a mass meeting of the membership was called and a building proposal put forth in the form of a campaign to raise $60,000 over a three-year period. Once $25,000 was raised, construction

could begin.

The last service in the old building was July 12, 1925. It was sold to St. Paul’s Baptist Church and moved in three sections. It still stands today at the corner of Edmondson Avenue and Lloyd Street.

Ground was broken for the new building on July 20, 1826, even though the full $25,000 had not been raised. The new church was opened during the week of June 3-10, 1928 — during the anniversary of the church.

The mortgage was burned on May 20, 1945.

As was noted previously in the history of the First Baptist Church, the Tarboro Primitive Baptist Church in Tarboro developed from a split in the original Baptist congregation and was founded in 1819.

Materials relating to the founding of the church and its records from 1819-1842 are housed in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives at Wake Forest University.

All of the documents are handwritten on loose sheets of paper and are yellowed with some pages stained.

This collection contains dismission letters, a subscription list and financial records for the church building, association letters to Kehukee Primitive Baptist Association, a brief historical account, confession of faith, a church covenant and letters received from Little Conetoe Church (1819, 1838) and a letter sent to Little Conetoe Church.

When discussing the presence of the Episcopal Church in Tarboro, an asterisk is needed at some point in marking the history.

That’s because the religion was found in the region in 1742, earliest of all the organized denominations. The asterisk comes into play when the discussion turns to the actual establishment of churches.

As previously noted, the little congregation moved into the newly established town of Tarborough after the fire and services were conducted in a variety of places, including private homes.

The Calvary history notes that following the American Revolution, the town confiscated the primary place of worship, a secular building that was located near the corner of Saint James and Saint Patrick streets. That parish was called Trinity and

the congregation, already small, began to dwindle further.

After the American Revolution, worship along Anglican lines using a Book of Common Prayer was considered treasonous in the newly formed republic. That’s because a prayer was required for the reigning British monarch.

Even so, the Anglican form and tradition — without the prayer for the monarch — continued with only a few individuals in what is now called the Episcopal Church.

At that point, the name of the parish changed.

Led by the Rev. William Norwood, The Act of Incorporation of Calvary Parish was drawn up and signed by 17 lay men and one woman. The Act reads: “We whose names are hereunder written do consent to form ourselves into an Episcopal Congregation to be designated: the Congregation of Calvary Church, Tarborough. We do further consent to adopt and to be governed by the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of North Carolina.”

Calvary Parish was admitted into union with the Diocese of North Carolina on May 29, 1833, which is considered the date of its founding.

As the history notes, the congregation began to grow and adjoining lots conveyed as gifts formed the present grounds, bound by Church, Panola, East Saint James, and Saint David streets.

Two church buildings have stood on these grounds, which comprise roughly a city block or two acres. The first — a wooden structure completed and consecrated in 1840 — stood within the southwest quadrant of the churchyard. It was deconsecrated in 1929 and later torn down.

The present church building, designed by Englishman William Percival and built by Thomas Coats, also an Englishman,

was begun in 1858, completed in 1867 and consecrated in 1868.

Only 33 communicants comprised the parish at that time, yet the vision of Calvary’s third rector, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Blount Cheshire, insisted on a church building that would accommodate 500. The total cost was approximately $25,000.

The original furnishings in the chancel remain, including the altar, the bishop’s chair, the deacon’s chair and the acolyte stalls.

According to the church history, all are believed to have been fashioned from oak left from building the Confederate ram, Albemarle.

At the time the history was written, the original lectern and pulpit within the chancel were in use within All Saints’ Chapel.

The oil burning standing lamps within the nave, modified slightly and electrified around 1900, are original, as are the pews.

The churchyard is, in itself, a memorial to generations upon generations of both Calvary parishioners and friends and it remains an active burial ground.

Both the building and grounds are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and the building itself is a designated Historic Living Church.

In 1870, Saint Luke’s Mission congregation was formed from the African-American membership of Calvary.

Until 1890, that congregation worshipped in the original wooden church building. It was at that time that church leadership approved the purchase of land fronting Panola Street and located a block south of Calvary.

In 1892, the current church was built.

The two congregations share clergy and occasions throughout the year for worship and fellowship.

St. Paul Baptist Church is an historic African-American Baptist church located at Lloyd Street and Edmondson Avenue.

As previously noted, the church was built in 1871 by the Tarboro Baptist Church. It is a one-story, irregularly massed frame building with multiple gabled wings and a corner tower. It is sheathed in weatherboard with abundant wooden decoration. The interior features a large open sanctuary with a dome and oculus above. It was moved from its original Main Street site to the present location about 1926.

It was listed on the National Register of

Historic Places in 1980.

Eastern Star Baptist Church was a historic Baptist church located at Church and Wagner streets. The church was built about 1875 and was a one-story, carpenter gothic style building. It was built by a Presbyterian congregation, then moved to its final location and used by the African-American Eastern Star Baptist Church starting in 1906.

That building has been demolished and replaced by two modern, brick buildings. The original church bell is located in front of the church.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

What is now known to the community as Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church had its beginnings as the Tarboro Presbyterian Church in 1874, according to “Upon this rock: A history of the first hundred years of Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church.” On May 23, 1909, the church was renamed — and Howard Memorial was born.

It was generally thought after the Civil War that Tarboro had a sufficient number of churches and there was little, if any, need for another denomination.

According to the history, there were no Presbyterians in Tarboro, Edgecombe County or any adjoining county at the time, although there is documentation that the religion had been present in the region as early as the 1750s.

The Rev. Hugh McAden, the first known Presbyterian missionary in North Carolina, came to Edgecombe County in 1773 and wrote of his visit.

But after that, the next mention of the denomination in the county was in 1867.

In 1867, three devout women invited the Rev. P.H. Dalton, pastor of the church in Washington, to come preach in Tarboro. Upon his arrival, he learned that the three — Anna Ragland Stamps, Anna Horne, and Anna Stronach — were the only ones in town who could claim a Presbyterian heritage. He called them “The Three Annas.”

The Methodists provided a meeting space for the preaching service.

Dalton was so pleased at the enthusiasm of the little group that he said he would preach one Sunday a month in Tarboro.

On Oct. 6, 1868, Dalton recommended to the Orange Presbytery that a church be built. A committee was formed to look into the

recommendation, but it took more than five years before something happened.

In 1869, the Town of Tarboro gave the Presbyterians the go-ahead to build a church on the corner of Lot No. 64 in the Old Town Cemetery with the congregation to pay one dollar per year in rent.

By July 1870, $2,500 had been raised by individuals and another $1,000 donated by townspeople.

In 1874, as noted in the history, “A handsome building, designed in Gothic style by ‘The Three Annas,’ and costing $5,500, was built on the southeast corner of St. Patrick and St. James streets.”

The history noted that the church building was ready for services before the church itself was organized.

On Friday, Feb. 13, 1874, the church was dedicated.

Editor's Note: Portions of this article have been taken from the available histories of the churches. In all instances, an effort was made to credit the source.

All these churches are part of the Historic Church Tour under the auspices of the Edgecombe County Chamber of Commerce and Edgecombe Tourism Authority. For more information, go to www.discoveredgecombe. com.

John H. Walker is a staff writer for the Rocky Mount Telegram.

Story by Gene Motley Photos by Gene Motley & Contributed

t’s the child that would be created from the marriage of a coastal wetland and a swamp forest. But don’t go by the brochures, go see for yourself.

It’s Merchants Millpond State Park. 3,500 acres of rural Gates County located just off US 158 east of Gatesville that visitors can take in by watercraft or on foot through the myriad of hiking trails; and not to mention: there are campsites for those who might prefer an extended stay.

The pond’s origin is actually man-made and occurred over 200 years ago in the 19th century when local Bennett’s Creek was

dammed up to provide a commercial oasis that was complete with a timber sawmill, a granary and several markets.

The area attracted merchants from surrounding counties as it became one of Gates County’s centers of trade, thus earning the site its name.

When operations slowed following World War II, the area was sold to developers. One of those developers, nature lover A.B. Coleman of Currituck County – along with the Nature Conservancy years later – donated the millpond to the N.C. Department of Natural Resources and it became a state park in the 1970’s.

“We’ve actually experienced more visitors on our trails (during the pandemic) than we normally would,” said State Park Ranger Jeff Turner, who has worked at Merchants Millpond for 18 years. “With things like movie theaters and such closed down, the amount of foot traffic on our hiking trails has really gone up. We’ve had a lot more visitors in the last year than we would have had if COVID were not here.”

Visitors also come to observe the wildlife, as the pond is home to many different species. Among them, and featured most prominently are the turtles, egrets, herons,

snakes and – oh, yes – alligators. No matter how you participate in union with the wildlife, one has to always be aware.

“We have three of those (gators),” cautions Turner. “The best time to see them is out on the water, but keep your distance. We haven’t had any trouble with them interacting with people, in fact, they are a major attraction.”

Two tree types dominate the landscape: the tupelo and the bald cypress, many of which have Spanish Moss splashed across their branches. The large buttresses on their trunks take in extra oxygen needed to compensate for their underwater roots.

“There are so many trees that pop up, so you don’t get to see a whole lot of people out

there,” Turner observed. “We can have several Boy Scout groups or church groups, out there on the pond, and it’s so spread out that even with all our canoes rented, you still may only see maybe two or three people paddling while you’re out there because it’s so spread out.”

Merchants Millpond has approximately 10 miles of hiking trails of four different lengths; there is also a trail for bicyclists.

From the seven-mile Lassiter Trail, which could take up the better part of a whole day, to the other end of the spectrum and the onethird of a mile trail, Cypress Point, which is also handicap accessible.

In between those two extremes are a couple more pathways of more or less two

miles in length which visitors could take: the Bennett’s Creek Trail and the Coleman Trail. Ranger Turner says most elementary school groups love Cypress Point.

“If you’ve got fifteen minutes I would recommend that trail, if you’ve got two hours I would also recommend it,” Turner says. “I took a school group on a hiking tour of that trail and we spent an hour and a half just exploring and letting them take it all in. Everyone was excited. You could come out here and hike all day.”

Turner says most visitors come from across North Carolina and Tidewater Virginia, and during the weekdays, from the Outer Banks. But it also amazes him the international reputation Merchants Millpond has developed.

“Last year I signed in three different couples from Germany who had no relation to each other, they just wanted to experience an American weekend,” he stated. “We get visitors from the nation’s capital who will make the four hour trip from the Washington, DC area who were there on business. I’ve had folks from Japan and China. Years ago, I met a fellow who’d never heard of Gates County, but he’d heard of Merchants Millpond.”

Another wonderful experience in addition to the uniqueness of being able to paddle 760 acres, is also the camping experience.

One weekend visitor last June, who only gave his name as Garrett, described himself

The area attracted merchants from surrounding counties as it became one of Gates County’s centers of trade, thus earning the site its name.

as a frequent camper and a retired U.S. Navy veteran from the Tidewater area. He attended with family and friends and admitted the pond, and especially its campsites where he was located made quite a favorable first impression.

“It’s my first time here, but I try to go camping at least once a month,” he noted enthusiastically. “I like it because it’s quiet, the campsite isn’t too big, it doesn’t have too many people, but it’s nice. You’ve got the pond where you can go canoeing and kayaking and it’s a very clean campsite and in the summertime the weather’s great.”

As of mid-June, no North Carolina state parks were renting and leasing watercraft because of high demand and limited turnaround time. But there is hope that restriction will ease as the year progresses. However, at most parks, including Merchants Millpond, boaters may at any time bring their own.

“The real pull of the pond, no matter what time of year, is the pond itself: it’s 760 acres fed by 900 acres of swamp,” he noted. “Mosquitoes are almost non-existent because

of the abundance of insects that eat the larvae. Migratory fowl come through in the fall and spring and with an abundance of trees, you don’t get many chances to see people. It’s one of those experiences that it’s hard to duplicate or re-create any place else.”

Merchants Millpond is located in Gates County near Gatesville at 176 Millpond Road and can be reached from U.S. 158, N.C. 32

and N.C. 37. It is approximately 30 miles from the cities of Ahoskie, Edenton, and Elizabeth City and Suffolk, VA. They are open daily and for more information they can be reached at 252-357-1191 or by going online and visiting ncparks.gov.

Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and Sports Director and regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

&

Story

Photos by Sandy Carawan

No matter if one is a return visitor or new to Ocracoke Island — a day tripper, week-long vacationer or just a Spring Breaker when winter’s over — there’s plenty to see and do.

While one can drive around the island by car or rent a golf cart, it is far more efficient and healthier to tour the island by bike or foot.

While Ocracoke Island is a part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and one of many of North Carolina’s greatest attractions, the Ocracoke Lighthouse is one of Ocracoke Island’s finest treasures.

This popular historical landmark attracts multitudes of visitors from all over the United States - as well as the world - throughout the year no matter the season.

Through three centuries, the Ocracoke Lighthouse has not only bore witness to the vibrant sunrises of the Atlantic Ocean, its soothing waves spilling ocean spray upon the rising sun’s reflection, but also the colorful sunsets of the Pamlico Sound, its calm lapping waters receiving the day’s last warmth of the descending sun’s pink, orange and yellow hues.

The Ocracoke Lighthouse has also stood

strong in its watch - not only guiding nineteenth and twentieth century mariners aboard sloops, schooners, brigs and other sailing vessels through Ocracoke Inlet- but it has served as a forewarning during tempestuous weather such as gales, nor’easters and hurricanes as well as the night’s ominous darkness.

Over time, Ocracoke Inlet, situated between Ocracoke Island and Portsmouth Island, not only allowed early explorers to gain access to other islands and parts of the mainland along coastal North Carolina, but it also allowed colonists as well as mariners to gain passage to inland ports via the Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound encouraging trade and ultimately strengthening it as a major shipping port.

But the treacherous waters surrounding Ocracoke combined with violent storms proved difficult for sailing vessels traveling to near and distant ports and often resulted in the loss of captain, crew and cargo.

More than a decade later in 1789, Congress approved an act to construct lighthouses along the Atlantic Coast not only in an attempt to safely guide mariners through dangerous

waters to the different ports, but to encourage and bolster trade and commerce within and outside of the United States.

In late 1789, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation to build a lighthouse on Ocracoke Island. (Until 1845,

Nearly 200 years later, surrounded by cedar thickets, live oaks and island homes, the Ocracoke Lighthouse and the adjacent keeper’s quarters sit upon some of the highest land on the island.

Ocracoke Island belonged to Carteret County then transferred to Hyde County.)

Then, on September 13, 1790, five planters of Carteret County - Henry Garrish, William Howard Jr., John Williams, Joseph Williams and William Williams - deeded to North Carolina with Governor Alexander Martin presiding, a one-acre tract of land for the purpose of building a lighthouse.

The first lighthouse within Ocracoke Inlet was built on Shell Castle Rock, an island also known as Beacon Island, which grew to become an industrious trading and shipping center.

This pyramid-shaped wooden lighthouse was abandoned due to the channels shifting, but it continued in operation until August, 1818. According to newspaper accounts, lightning struck this lighthouse burning it to ashes within minutes as the Franklin rod atop the lighthouse, nearly rusted away, could not reroute the lightning to the ground.

Nearly 200 years later, surrounded by cedar thickets, live oaks and island homes, the Ocracoke Lighthouse and the adjacent keeper’s quarters sit upon some of the highest land on the island.

In 1822, Jacob Gaskill sold this two-acre tract to the U. S. Government for $50 for the purpose of building a new lighthouse. Then, in 1823, Massachusetts architect Noah Porter completed the Ocracoke Lighthouse and the three-room light keeper’s quarters for $11,359.35.

Porter built the lighthouse of brick and covered its exterior walls with a hand-spread

mortar, making its base walls five feet thick and its height 75 feet tall.

Though the Ocracoke Lighthouse is the shortest in height among the other lighthouses skirting the North Carolina coast, it makes up for size by not only being the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina, but the second oldest lighthouse still in continuous operation in the United States.

The lighthouse keepers’ surnames from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries — Harker, Styron, Gaskill, Howard, Smith, Farrow, Hooper, Austin and Burrus — are not only synonymous to Ocracoke Island’s history, but to the people who live there now and make their livelihoods working on the water and the island.

A keeper’s duties included various jobs: hauling lighting products; lighting the lamps; trimming the evening’s wick; refilling the reservoir; polishing the reflectors; and, performing maintenance of the grounds and buildings, especially making repairs due to hurricane damage.

Of course, with the onset of newer technology through the years, modifications were made to the lighthouse’s lighting. The use of whale oil later transitioned to lard and then to kerosene. In 1854, the installation of a fourth-order Fresnel lens allowed the beacon to extend fourteen miles.

Nearly one hundred years later, in 1950, the lighthouse became fully automated with the ease of electric bulbs and an auxiliary motor that would light the tower during power outages.

According to Ocracoke resident and historian Philip Howard, today’s stationary light operates from a 250-watt quartz-halogen marine bulb.

Outside of their regular duties, lighthouse keepers also provided refuge to residents who would wait out a storm and its flooding at high tide in the lighthouse’s winding circular staircase of eighty-six steps such as the hurricane of September 1936.

Through the three centuries, the lighthouse has also undergone various renovations.

In November 1950, according to Ocracoke resident and reporter for The News and Observer Alice K. Rondthaler, the lighthouse’s exterior was sandblasted to remove the old cement and paint to replace it with new cement and paint. She wrote that during the process, “The sandblasting... left the tower a rough raw-red by penetrating to the original brick color.”

During that same year, a new steel spiral staircase replaced the unsafe, rotting wooden stairs.

Nearly 60 years later in 2009, interior renovations were made replacing the cast-iron railings, replacing the rotting window frames, and repainting.

The National Park Service owns and manages the Ocracoke Lighthouse, but the United States Coast Guard oversees its fullyautomated operation.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ocracoke Lighthouse is located at 360 Lighthouse Road and is open year-round. While visitors can visit the grounds, climbing the lighthouse or visiting the keeper’s quarters is not permitted.

From afar or at its base, thousands stand each year in admiration of the Ocracoke Lighthouse, this symbol of safety that has stood through three centuries. Many of the lighthouse’s visitors make their visit a tradition, returning year after year, even through the generations, to have their photograph made with someone special standing in front of an extraordinary historical treasure.

Sandy Carawan is an English Language Arts teacher at Mattamuskeet Early College High School in Swan Quarter and a longtime contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Get outside & roll on North Carolina’s Amazon

Roanoke Outdoor Adventures puts local backwaters out front

Story by Gene Motley Photos Contributed

Sometime in the late 1990s, a small group of people began discussing the idea of paddling the lower Roanoke River by kayak or canoe.

Some locals thought this idea to be novel, but there were also some who thought it to be foolish.

As interest in exploring the Roanoke River increased, a creative and energetic group (Roanoke River Partners, Inc.) was formed and, in time, they would oversee the building

of 14 camping platforms located on the banks and backwaters of both the Roanoke and Cashie rivers.

Soon after the beginning of the platform construction, paddlers from all parts of the country began to show up with their canoes, kayaks, and camping gear; eager to experience this mystical place, sometimes called “North Carolina’s Amazon.”

Still, the more one local outdoorsman heard about the camping and paddling

activities taking place on the river, the more interested he became.

Heber Coltrain, a lifelong “Williamstonian,” (as he refers to himself) has since childhood, possessed an interest in all things outdoors. At the age of 13, he made his first trip down the Roanoke River with his dad. However, his serious exploration of the river began late in his teen years.

“Well, my first impression was fear,” Coltrain recounts. “In the Roanoke River

wetlands you’ve got thousands of acres that are nothing but woods and a secluded area there, so I’m sure that had some appeal, or at least it created some curiosity.”

Most local residents feared the Roanoke River. A few hunters traveled the current swept waters during the winter, in search of deer and wild turkey.

A few determined fishermen, brave enough to tolerate the snakes, deer flies

and mosquitoes, fished the river during the summer.

Otherwise, the Lower Roanoke River was a place to be feared and avoided by many local people. After all, the Native Americans had called it Moratock, meaning “place of death.” It was a name the river had received the oldfashioned way - by earning it.

As Coltrain began to cross paths with paddlers, he soon realized that many of them

needed help. Some would be paddling for the first time, and needed to rent a canoe, kayak, tent, or maybe a camp stove. Many needed help with safely planning their paddle route.

In the fall of 2011, Coltrain decided to begin providing guide and outfitter services to paddlers. He spent over 40 years working in insurance, real estate and as a general securities representative and began to sense that for reasons of health and sanity it was time to start spending more hours outdoors.

After purchasing a few canoes, kayaks,

Providing guide and outfitter service for paddlers on the lower Roanoke River and adjoining waters.

– Brochure, Roanoke Outdoor Adventures

life vests and paddles, he constructed a website outlining the services he offered. Roanoke River Partners Inc. also helped to make paddlers aware that his services were available.

Over the past 10 years, he has assisted well over 1,000 paddlers with their adventure. Some parties have consisted of one paddler, some included as many as 40. They have come from as far away as Canada, Alaska, Washington state, California, Nova Scotia and Europe.

“I tell them to bring a tent, sleeping gear and insect repellent because they’ll be sleeping on the platforms at night and need to keep the bugs off,” he noted. “They also appreciate that I’m just a phone call away and they realize how prudent it is to have somebody somewhere who knows where they are at all times because, after all, anything can happen.”

Though the paddle related activities have provided some income, Coltrain is quick to say that the greatest reward has been the opportunity to meet some of the paddlers.

“There have been those who have come to paddle for their first time, and there have been those who frequently paddle throughout the entire year,” he said. “There are those who have only paddled in eastern North Carolina, and there are those who have paddled all over the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.

“I’ve met environmental scientist, water quality experts, brain surgeons, public school science teachers, Ivy League college students majoring in all types of studies,” he acknowledged. “Also, there are parents with adult children, groups made up of middle age siblings and young parents mostly interested in enjoying some peace and quiet.”

Coltrain states his greatest concern is for paddler safety. He requires all paddlers to wear a personal flotation device. Sometimes, this can require some “strong encouragement,” but the more experience a paddler has, the less the need for discussion about the need to wear a PFD (personal flotation device). Many of them have their own story about how a situation they became involved in might have ended much worse had they not been wearing a that device.

“My most memorable situation was two gentlemen who came one late April and their boat overturned and one of them suffered a bad bout of hypothermia” he said. “If I hadn’t gotten there when I did this could’ve been a really bad outcome.

“They had gotten off-track and instead of calling they tried to get back where they started and fighting that river current became completely exhausted,” he continued. “If I hadn’t been familiar with the area I would’ve had to search for where they were. Instead, I got there in 40 minutes. We got (the man) into a dry sleeping bag and fortunately he recovered and didn’t need hospitalization.”

The many species of birds, reptiles and other wildlife makes the Lower Roanoke River a fascinating place to visit; however, Coltrain will quickly admit that he is equally fascinated with the area’s folklore and rich maritime, Native American and Civil War history.

One will quickly notice the excitement in his voice when he describes life on the river’s bank. Jokingly, he warns his audience that there is a good chance he might tell them much more about the river than they really want to know.

Coltrain has no plans to end his guide and outfitter services anytime soon.

“If the love of the work which one does increases one’s longevity,” then I hope I’ll be sticking around a good long time,” he said with a smile.

Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and Sports Director and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Most likely he’ll continue to help people explore the Lower Roanoke and the Cashie Rivers for quite a while; a veritable Huckleberry Finn.

Get outside & play some golf

Belmont Lake Golf Club is a hidden gem

Story by David Friedman Photos Contributed

There are a group of golf courses up and down the Atlantic seaboard that have become wildly popular amongst those who are willing to take a drive in an effort to use their ‘driver.’

These are public courses that meet the standards required to satisfy a golf aficionado and challenge a competitor. They have to be

worth the drive, but can’t be too difficult to find off the interstate or highway.

Belmont Lake Golf Club in Rocky Mount is one of those golf courses and you don’t even have to drive that far to get to it.

The course, designed by David Johnson Golf Design of Atlanta, Georgia, has won several awards, and its popularity amongst

golfers can be attributed to numerous factors. First and foremost, it features gorgeous G-12 Champion Bermuda greens surrounded by well-maintained rolling terrain containing water, tall trees and a few sand traps. The grass was developed specifically for courses to offer dense greens that can be cut short and maintained precisely.

Putting is hard enough without surprises and the folks at Belmont Lake Golf Club brag the conditions and designs of the course are so good, it might improve your score.

Whether or not the course will really improve scores is up for debate, but those who play it have plenty positive to say about it.

The course offers five sets of tees on each hole so regardless of a golfer’s handicap, or lack thereof, the course can be as challenging as one requires. Beginners are coming off the front tees will be playing almost 4,900 yards through 18 holes. Off the back tees a golfer will be playing almost 7,100 yards so wear comfortable shoes or do what most do and rent a cart.

One of the signatures of a David Johnson Golf Designed course is the compelling choice of risk versus reward it offers its players and this course is no exception.

Those who have the desire to play 18 holes as stress free as possible, can do just that at Belmont Lake Golf Club. Each hole contains a cautious and conservative line of play allowing golfers to keep the extra balls in the bag.

Those in match play, on a quest for birdie or eagle, or maybe just feeling the spirit of Roy McAvoy, the course consistently provides opportunities for more daring players to use strategy and a little of that risk versus reward in an effort to shave a stroke off the score. Those who are unsuccessful may leave a golf ball or two at the bottom of the picturesque 80-acre lake running along the 18th fairway.

The front nine is designed to play like a dance, going back and forth and leaving one to believe they are leading. Hole one is a par4 dogwood right that should leave everyone

feeling good about the start, though the feeling may be fleeting.

Described by regulars as the hardest on the course to par, hole two is also a par-4, but it’s 468 yards off the back tee. If one has any hopes of finding the bottom of the hole in four strokes, they encouraged to stay close to, but avoid, the tree line on the left side of the fairway.

Now that you’ve likely been knocked off your high horse, hole three is the shortest of the course and introduces the first water hazard of the day. It’s 144 yards from the back tee and if the water near the green makes any golfer nervous, there’s space to lay up on the left.

Next comes the first of two par -5’s in four holes. Fortunately each contains and is immediately followed by a hole that provides the player an opportunity to use that risk versus reward strategy previously discussed. It’s as if the course knows it may take a stroke or six from you depending on your style of play, so it gives chances to take some back.

The back nine holes continue the dance the first nine began, beginning with a par-4

The front nine is designed to play like a dance, going back and forth and leaving one to believe they are leading.

that punishes those who try to be greedy and shoot towards the green from tee. It’s followed by a par-5 hole 11 whose green can be reached in two shots if golfers have enough clubs.

The next two holes are long par-4 dogleg lefts that reward players willing to risk the pines to the left of the fairway for a clearer and closer second shot towards the pin. These are followed by a par-3, par-4 and then another

par-3 that allows players to reach green from the tee, but punishes those who come up short with a splash in the pond.

By the time one is finishing a round on the par-5 hole 18 and enjoying the view of Belmont Lake, you may just find yourself wondering why it took you so long to come play the course golfers in Raleigh and Richmond have been driving to for years.

If you are looking for an excuse to get outside and a new course to play, you can take the short drive to Rocky Mount and check out Belmont Lake Golf Club. You’re unlikely to be disappointed.

David Friedman is a longtime contributor to the Bertie Ledger-Advance, The Enterprise, the Chowan Herald and Eastern North Carolina Living.

Story & Photos by Thadd White

oing outside to play means different things to different people.

For some, it’s heading out to a soccer field and kicking the ball around on the pitch, for others it’s getting in a batting cage and sending baseball and softball flying.

But, for some it safely organizing guns and heading out to do shooting sports.

Luckily for those in northeastern North Carolina, there is now a place to safely practice the art of shooting, and – at the same time –spend quality time with friends and family.

The Odom Shooting Range just outside Jackson in Northampton County, provides one of the newest avenues for those who like to get outside and target practice or get guns prepared for the various hunting seasons.

“We are constantly trying to expand our range program,” said N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Shooting Sports Coordinator Josh Jernigan. “Any time we have the

opportunity to do so, we do.”

The Odom Shooting Range basically was a “right time, right place” situation, according to Jernigan. N.C. Wildlife was already involved with the Department of Public Safety, who operated the now closed Odom Correctional Institute, in providing a new boat ramp.

“We knew Odom had a range there and we were already working with them on the boat ramp, so it kind of all worked together,” Jernigan said. “It was simply a case of being in the right place at the right time.”

Odom was built to allow for a rifle range and a pistol range, each with eight stations, according to Range Safety Officer Ricky Taylor.

Those wishing to use the Odom Safety Range can show up any time during the hours of operation, which include Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“To begin with, you have to watch a fiveminute safety video if it’s your first time shooting at a range,” Taylor said. “Those who wish to shoot should bring their own eye and ear protection and their own paper targets.”

Those interested in using the facility can use anything except 50 BMG or tracer rounds. Those are prohibited.

A recent Sunday afternoon saw Assistant Range Safety Officer Mark Whitney welcome a multitude of visitors to the range. There were those who had been there before and others who were making their first visit.

One of those making their first visit was John Brown of Jackson, who took his daughter and grandson to the range for some target practice. Brown said he was happy to have the range in his native county and enjoyed the time spent with his family.

“I really enjoyed all the different shooting benches at the Odom Shooting Range,” Brown

said. “The wildlife officer was very informative and helpful with our group.”

Jernigan said that’s exactly why the shooting ranges – eight in all across the state of North Carolina – were built. He particularly praised the range in Northampton County.

“It’s a great facility. It’s free. You can’t go wrong with it,” Jernigan said. “It’s a free place to target practice and to get outside and enjoy shooting sports.”

The Odom Shooting Range has been open to the public since November of 2019. Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, both Jernigan and Taylor said use of the range had started slowly.

“It’s been slow to start off with, but that’s probably due to the ammo shortage and the pandemic,” Jernigan said. “We don’t know what it will be like eventually because the past two years have been strange times.”

Odom has started seeing more traffic as pandemic restrictions lessen and people have taken to the great outdoors.

It is one of eight, but the only one in northeastern North Carolina. The others include the John Lentz Hunter Education Complex (Richmond County), Flintlock Valley Shooting Range (Montgomery County), Foothills Public Shooting Complex (Cleveland County), Wayne E. Smith Cold Mountain Shooting Range (Haywood County), R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell Shooting Range (Caswell County), Holley Shelter Shooting Range (Pender County) and

wishing to use

Odom Safety Range can show up any time during the hours of operation, which include Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Wake County Firearms Education Training Center (Wake County).

Those wishing to learn more information about each shooting range can go to the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission website (ncwildlife.org) and go under the Outdoor Sports tab and then to Shooting Sports to find links to each shooting range.

Jernigan did say additional shooting ranges were in the process of being built, and that he believes others will follow.

The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission shooting ranges provide a safe, controlled and organized environment for sportsmen and

recreational shooters alike, the website says.

The rules and regulations of the shooting ranges in general, and each specific location can be found on that website.

Jernigan said he encouraged people to take advantage of the shooting range near Jackson –as well as the others across the state.

“100 percent I would encourage people to use the shooting ranges,” he said. “That’s why we build them. We build them to make it affordable for people to enjoy shooting sports.”

The Odom Shooting Range is located at 709 Striper Lane in Jackson.

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Get outside & paddle

Contentnea Creek provides quality family time

Story by Donna Marie Williams

Photos by Deborah Griffin & Contributed

The calm still waters of the Contentnea Creek have provided a plethora of entertainment throughout the years. This is true for Greene County, where the creek remains a prominent source of recreational and family fun.

The creek can be accessed in a number of places including the Caswell Landing of Hookerton and Snow Hill’s Boat Landing, which is currently undergoing significant improvements.

The Boat Landing improvement project

is funded by a $68,000 grant from Duke Energy Progress and $270,000 from N.C. Wildlife.

The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission has also assisted the town in designs and plans for enhancement and land surrounding the creek has been donated for the project.

This has allowed for the town of Snow Hill to conduct improvements at no cost to taxpayers, said Snow Hill Mayor Dennis Liles.

“It’s going to be really nice,” Liles said. “It’s going to add a whole lot to the town of Snow

Hill. Everyone that has used it in the past is going to look forward to it.”

Once complete, the Boat Landing will feature a new concrete boat ramp and 30foot handicap accessible fishing pier.

A cement driveway and added crushed rock will ease the journey into the area and three paved handicap parking spaces and sidewalks are amenities which will be included.

Snow Hill resident Stefan Blixt is “counting down the days” until the completion of improvements at the Snow Hill Boat Landing.

Contentnea Creek has provided his wife, Amy, and daughters, Stefani, 8, and Maia, 6, with a spot to relax, enjoy and bond as a family.

“I feel like it’s a good place for a kid to be a kid. Especially with so much kids are into that takes away from the outdoor stuff. I never have to beg my kids to go out there,” Blixt said.

From swimming to camping and fishing both on and off shore, the Blixt’s family has taken full advantage of the offerings of the Contentnea Creek.

“The area is very well maintained. I’m not worried about stepping on glass when we go into the water. The trails you can go down are big. It’s a really beautiful area,” Blixt said, adding the trees by the creek provide a perfect amount of shade.

“We have tied floats to trees. It’s perfect. The kids can play and we do not have to worry about a real strong current in the creek. The water moves, but it’s not powerful,” Blixt said.

The area wildlife is a huge draw to the area as well.

“I grew up with a huge love for wildlife in general. The creek’s wildlife is evident. You can see beavers, muskrats and it’s not overly crowded. My daughter loves catching frogs and bugs,” Blixt said.

“It’s a beautiful area. I feel like Snow Hill has something special. The people in the area feel like this also,” Blixt added. “Get outdoors and find the beauty.”

Hidden under the surface of the creek’s water are a multitude of fish waiting for anglers.

From needle nose gar, sunfish, bass, bowfin to catfish, the creek’s water supports a diversity of aquatic water life.

Husband and wife Franklin and Rebecca Rouse can testify to that, with Franklin reeling in catfish between 30 to 40 pounds.

They, like others, enjoy spending their days off on the creek’s bank or floating in the water along with their dogs.

“It’s relaxing. I’m out in nature and it’s easy to access. I don’t have to fight trees,” Franklin said.

The evidence of catfish can also be seen when the creek’s waters are low, Blixt said.

“It’s awesome. When the water level is down, it looks like the embankment has been

shot by cannon balls. Those are catfish holes,” Blixt said, adding the creek is a great place to go noodling for catfish.

Dylan Potter of Walstonburg is also a frequent visitor of the boat landing.

“I use the boat landing to launch my kayaks. There’s really no other spot in Greene County to do that beside Hookerton,” Potter said.

“I occasionally walk the trail that runs along the creek and oftentimes, if I’m in town getting a quick lunch, I’ll take my food down there and park and eat in a shaded area, looking out at the water,” Potter said.

Potter is excited for the improvement project to be complete and feels it will add value to an already valuable Snow Hill asset.

“I am really excited about the improvements coming. I have always felt the creek is a huge asset to Snow Hill and Greene County as a whole, but it's often undervalued and overlooked,” Potter said. “One big issue with the old boat landing was the lack of paved areas when it rained the mud made it a little difficult to get back there especially for people on cars.

“I'm also looking forward to a new floating dock because the old one had a slight lean to it and needed repairs, and I think the addition of the fishing pier similar to the one made in Hookerton will be appreciated by people who love to fish and take pictures of the creek,” he added.

Potter also appreciates the area’s history,

From swimming to camping and fishing both on and off shore, the Blixt’s family has taken full advantage of the offerings of the Contentnea Creek.

as the landing was once home to the Snow Hill Billies. From 1937 to 1940, the Snow Hill Billies played in the class D Coastal Plain League. In 1937, they won the league pennant. The team produced well known players such as Aaron Robinson and Al Gettel of the New York Yankees after both players got their start with the Billies. Walter Rabb also got his start from the Billies and went on to serve as the head baseball coach for the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for approximately 30 years.

“It is cool the site has the monument there to commemorate that and that the site is still used for other uses today,” Potter said.

Improvements for the boat landing are expected to be complete at the end of June and future plans of enhancements from the town are in the works.

Donna Marie Williams is a Staff Writer for The Standard and a contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Get outside & disc golf

Ahoskie’s course is one of the best in the region

Story by Sarah Davis Photos Contributed

In the spring of 2016, I was touring Ahoskie with a performer who had presented a program at Creekside Rehabilitation Center.

An Australian native, now living in the mountains of North Carolina, she came to the area yearly, sponsored by Sallie Harrell Jenkins Memorial Library, a branch of Albemarle Regional Library. After her performance that day, she commented that, although she had been coming to the area for at least ten years, she had never seen it, so we went exploring.

Our adventure quickly took us behind the hospital to the area still

known unofficially as “the buy-out” but more officially known as Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex. It was mid-day, and we observed a flurry of activity, mostly walkers of all ages from babies in strollers being walked to those who needed walkers to be there, but several people engaging in what I thought was “throwing frisbees.”

Realizing the frisbees were not being thrown from person to person but to baskets with chains, I knew I didn’t know what was happening. My companion, more worldly-wise than I, recognized disc golf.

Only about three years old then, the Ahoskie Creek Disc Golf Course was just

beginning to attract a following that has grown through the years. Almost any day, several individuals can be spotted honing their skill on the now 22-hole course that features water and wooded play.

Every weekend, many individuals engage in some sort of play, whether official - as in a tournament - or unofficial, just for practice, just for fun. Sundays afford the opportunity for casual rounds in which experienced players are paired with neophytes for instruction. The sport attracts individuals and groups and is great family fun.

Dating from the 1920s, disc golf first

added baskets in the 1970s. As a sport, it continues to grow in popularity, even on college campuses. Although not an NCAAsanctioned sport, it does have club status on many campuses, including East Carolina University, N.C. State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Local enthusiast Steven Futrell plays at ECU and can often be seen on the Ahoskie course.

The local range was designed by Jon Upchurch of Greenville. Upchurch, originally from Ahoskie, first began playing disc golf in 2002. As Ahoskie was planning its course, Upchurch was contacted by his friend, Chris Hammond, who knew of Upchurch’s interest, to help in the design of the course.

Offering him an opportunity to visit “home,” Upchurch jumped at the chance. He continues to visit “home” for play, especially tournaments, such as the Inaugural ECO Tournament, the Big Bear Classic, organized by Jason Clark of Willow Springs and held May 15-16.

Ahoskie was one of twelve courses in eastern North Carolina on this tour which attracted participants from Fayetteville, Jacksonville, Richmond, Raleigh, Goldsboro and Kinston, among other places.

When Upchurch first began playing, there were only seven courses east of I-95; now there are at least 50. Many are the standard 18hole, but others may be larger, such as Ahoskie’s 22-hole, or smaller, such as the Cashie River’s nine-hole.

Courses are both public and private, sometimes built by individuals for their own use, such as Willie Wood’s seven-hole course on his farm in Rockingham. Often, the private ones will be discovered, and individuals are not only willing, but eager to share them with others.

A course can be built relatively inexpensively with each basket costing between $100-$300. On the Ahoskie course, each basket (or hole) is sponsored, mostly by businesses, with Hole No. 18 a memorial to Jon Upchurch’s father, Don Upchurch, known to many as the Voice of Ahoskie for his radio years.

Disc golf is also appealing because of the relatively low expense to the individual. With new discs (and they are not frisbees, differing in size, cup, and weight) available for $10.00 each, one long-time player stated that one could easily play a life-time for $50.00.

Disc golf is great exercise.

According to Doug White, who is essentially responsible for the Ahoskie popularity, playing the course affords a two-and-a-half-mile hike with a purpose, that is if you are good; if not, you may well have a three-mile hike.

White enthusiastically talks of the local interest, saying he has been playing from the beginning (2013) in Ahoskie. Ahoskie has every division except women’s. He is also excited

that he is beginning to see more youngsters involved.

Another local enthusiast is optometrist Dr. Brad Hauser who began playing it once his knees did not favor his tennis playing. He said it is great exercise. Hauser has played at least 150 courses in five or six states and says the Ahoskie course is as good as any and better than most. He particularly comments on the tee pads and general upkeep and maintenance as setting it apart from others.

A year-round sport, appealing - even addictive - to all ages, it makes good use of science as one has to consider the stability of the disc and determine the effect of wind speed and direction.

Several people commented that disc golf has been a friend to disasters or maybe disaster is a friend to it.

The Ahoskie course, as well as several others in eastern North Carolina, came into being because of flood-plain areas after major hurricanes, such as Floyd and Isabel. COVID-19 has increased its popularity because it has given people the opportunity to exercise, even socialize, in a safe setting.

When some Ahoskie citizens think of the area, they recall homes and children’s swing sets, folks walking in the neighborhood, and even some playing frisbee.

The floodwaters washed away the neighborhood, but brought the Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex. People no longer live there, but children still play on swings; folks still walk; some still play frisbee, and some play disc golf.

Come out to the buy-out and have some fun.

Sarah Davis is a retired librarian and regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

A year-round sport, appealing - even addictive - to all ages, it makes good use of science as one has to consider the stability of the disc and determine the effect of wind speed and direction.

Get outside & swim

Bertie Beach provides natural beauty

Story & Photos by Lewis Hoggard

The newest hot spot in Bertie County is Bertie Beach’s part of the “Tall Glass of Water” (TGOW) project on the Albemarle Sound.

On a random Monday in May more than 20 people were out at Bertie Beach. They were enjoying the sun, the sand and the water. While the property is still undeveloped, the natural beauty can be breathtaking.

The property is accessed off Bal Gra Road which ties in to U.S. 17 at the Black Rock Deli intersection on the eastern side of Bertie County. The access road is a dirt road for now, but improvements will come and as U.S. 17 becomes Interstate 87 there will be better

and more direct access to this one-of-a-kind property.

The road or path to the beach winds through a farm and a lowlands area adjacent to a pine forest. One gets to experience some of the wildlife in Bertie County before one arrives to the actual beach. The beach itself is a sandy natural beach with cypress trees growing at and in the water. With shallow water extending fifty yards or more into the Albemarle Sound, it makes a perfect place to wade, play and swim.

The land was purchased a few years ago with the idea to provide public beach access to the citizens of Bertie County. The land had

dropped in price from a listing of $8 million to around $1 million. The money used to purchase the property by the county has been more than recouped in various grant awards since the purchase from state, federal and private sources.

In Bertie County there had been no public access to the Albemarle Sound or Chowan River. Citizens have grown up in the county without being able to use this body of water that they could see. Not everyone is able to afford property on the water or friends with someone who owns property at one of our numerous developments on the water.

The county is planning for the property

to be much more than just water access for our citizens with plans for camping sites, hiking trails, other forms of recreation and maybe a visitors’ center. There are so many possibilities with property.

Bertie County has a Tall Glass of Water project coordinator in Robin Payne. Payne is responsible for writing all the grants that the facility has received and is in the process of receiving. She shared the following information.

“We’re looking forward to construction beginning in the late fall, pending a grant award,” Payne said. “A key element of Phase I is the ADA-access ramp and walkway from the parking area to the beach. Connected to the walkway at the upper level of the beach path will be three restrooms, outdoor showers, water bottle refill stations, a picnic shelter fitting up to eight family-sized picnic tables constructed by Bertie High School Carpentry Class, two miles of hiking trail and primitive campsites. A kayak kiosk will house Bertie County Parks and Recreation kayaks and life preservers.

“The County has also worked with

environmental engineers on stabilizing the shoreline bluff,” she continued. “Folks who have been to the site probably have seen the fallen trees. Our goal is to protect the bluff by planting more cypress trees at the base and vegetation along the top. The fallen trees actually help protect the slope from further erosion.”

Payne said the project includes much more.

“Plans for the remaining TGOW project

With shallow water extending fifty yards or more into the Albemarle Sound, it makes a perfect place to wade, play and swim.

include campgrounds, an event stage and large pavilion, community facility for activities and learning plus an additional five miles of trails,” she said. “The activities at TGOW (yes, a new name coming soon) are focused around enjoying the outdoors, social gatherings and close to home ‘stay-cations.’ TGOW also opens-up opportunities for business development. Travelers will want to buy locally made goods, and they’ll need to sleep and eat good food, all so they can enjoy what Bertie has to offer – good people and a beautiful wide open rural greenspace.”

There are a variety of ways to learn more.

“To keep up to date on our progress please visit the County website www.bertiecounty. nc.gov,” Payne said.

On the property is also an archaeological dig site being conducted by First Colony Foundation that has produced some promising preliminary results that will be shared in the near future after the dig is completed. The ability to gaze out over the Albemarle Sound from the cliff just as the Tuscarora Indians did and the First European settlers did over 400 years ago is a special feeling.

The county’s citizens are looking forward to seeing this property be developed so they can maximize their use of the property while maintaining much of its natural and wild aspects. This land is already a treasured jewel of Bertie County and we expect it to develop into a regional treasure.

Lewis Hoggard is Executive Director of the Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

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Get outside & explore

Goose Creek State Park offers fun along the Pamlico River

Story & Photos by Jim Green

oose Creek State Park offers a wealth of activities for the outdoors enthusiast.

The 1,200-plus acre park, which opened in 1974, is part of the statewide parks system. It is located in Beaufort County on the north

side of the Pamlico River, 10 miles east of Washington on Camp Leach Road.

It is only closed Christmas Day, and no camping is allowed on Christmas Eve.

“Other than that, we are here,” said Doug Lequire, Park Superintendent.

There are no fees to enter the park. Various fees are associated with reservable facilities. There is so much to see and do at the park, depending on one’s interests.

CAMPING

All camping is available year-round.

• The park has 14 primitive tent campsites located at the end of Campground Road within the park. Each site has a fire ring, grill, picnic table and lantern hook, and will accommodate two tents, six people and two vehicles. Water and composting toilets are located within the campground.

• Camper cabins: All cabins have two bedrooms with two sets of bunk beds and a queen bed, 10 receptacles and heating and air conditioning. They do not have water or bathrooms (a bathhouse is by the cabins). Each cabin has a picnic table, fire ring, shepherd’s hook and charcoal grill for use. Guests must bring their own bed linens and pillows.

Smoking is not permitted in the cabins, and pets are not permitted with the exception of service animals. Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-722-6762 or online at www.ncparks.gov.

Rates are $58 per night and available on Fridays and Saturdays. Must be 18 years or older to reserve a site.

“The camper cabins are like really nice tents because if it storms at night, you’re not waking up in a puddle of rain water, and in the middle of summer, you’re not waking up sweating,” Lequire said. “All of the cooking is done outside. It’s great for first-time campers.”

• RV camping: Twenty-two RV campsites are located in the same campground as the cabins. Each site has a tent pad, a fire ring with a grill grate, a picnic table and a lantern hook.

All sites have full hook-ups (water, sewer, electric). For those who want to group camp, the park has two large group-camp areas of approximately 900 square feet of tent space. They each have two fire pits and two grills. Flush toilets and running water are located nearby. Each site can accommodate up to 26 people and must be reserved.

TRAILS

For those who like to hike and explore, the park offers nine miles of walking trails – Flatty Creek Trail, Goose Creek Trail, Huckleberry Trail, Ivey Gut Trail, Live Oak Trail, Long Leaf Trail, Palmetto Boardwalk Trail, Mallard Creek Trail and Tar-Kiln Trail.

“Two of the most popular trails are the Live Oak Trail by the swim beach, and the Palmetto Boardwalk Trail – which allows you to get into the environment without actually being ‘in’ it, because they are going through swamps,” Lequire said.

BIRDS AND WILDLIFE

Goose Creek State Park is a haven for birds, and campers could see anything from marshfowl to barred owls, red-shouldered hawks, ducks, osprey, tundra swans and Canada geese, in addition to frogs, turtles and snakes. Deer are plentiful as well, as are fox squirrels and black bears are also present.

“Animals recognize us as predators, so they try to avoid us at all costs,” Lequire said. “If you encounter anything, they typically want nothing to do with you, so you just have to be careful and watch where you walk.”

Campers are asked not to feed or approach wildlife nor tamper with them in any way, Lequire said.

ON THE WATER

• Boating: The boat ramp at Dinah’s Landing allows for boating, sailing and other water activities such as kayaking and canoeing. Day users can access Goose Creek from Dinah’s Landing; overnight campers access it at the end of Campground Road.

• Fishing: The creek and Pamlico River have plenty of freshwater and saltwater fish, especially in warmer weather. A state fishing license is required.

• Swimming: A sandy swim beach offers access to the shallow waters of the Pamlico River. The swim beach is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day, free of charge. There are no lifeguards; however, life vests are available nearby.

Access is gained by following a short path from the last two parking lots, through the main picnic area.

“The swim beach is very popular and is great for kids because the water is shallow and warm,” Lequire said. “Typically, when it’s a lot warmer, you have to watch out for jellyfish.”

OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS

• Hunting and trapping is prohibited.

• Alcohol is prohibited.

• Fireworks are not permitted.

• Firearms and other weapons are not permitted, except by permit.

• Camping and fires in designated areas only.

• Boating and fishing regulations of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission apply.

• Do not litter. Place trash in their proper receptacles and state law requires aluminum cans and plastic bottles to be placed in a recycling container.

• The removal or disturbance of any plant, animal, rock or artifact is strictly prohibited.

PARK HOURS

• November through February: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

• March-May, September and October: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

• June-August: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

• Visitor Center: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

(Closed Christmas Day)

Goose Creek State Park is located at 2190 Camp Leach Road in Washington. Call 252-923-2191 for more information.

Jim Green is a Sports Writer for The Daily Reflector and a Staff Writer for Eastern North Carolina Living.

Gary 252-217-3938 maccro.maryanne@gmail.com

Office: 252-792-2300 Cell: 252-209-6422 Fax: (252) 792-5200

Williamston, NC

Angela Waters

Broker/Realtorge 118 W Main St. Williamston, NC 27892

Cell: 252-714-9552 Fax: 252-792-5200

Office: 252-792-2300 Cell: 252-217-5364 Fax: 252-792-5200 Janie 118 W Main St. Williamston, NC 27892

N. Mary Anne Corey Crowe, Brokere 118 West Main St. Williamston, NC 27892

Broker/Realtor, Co-Ownerge 118 W Main St. Williamston, NC 27892 Office: 252-792-2300 Cell: 252-802-1234 janie@roanokerealtyteam.com www.roanokerealtyteam.com Office: 252-792-3141 Home: 252-792-3565 Fax: 252-792-4569

Get outside & see the bears

Washington County is home to a large population of black bears

Story by Sarah Hodges Stalls Photos by Sarah Hodges Stalls & Craig Daniels

Some may say there’s nothing to do in rural Eastern North Carolina.

Wildlife lovers beg to differ.

There are three kinds of bears in North America, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. Those are polar bear, brown or grizzly bear and the black bear.

Black bear are the only species found in North Carolina or anywhere in the eastern United States.

According to some sources, Coastal North Carolina is home to the world’s largest black bears and the Albemarle-Pamlico peninsula reportedly has the highest density of black

bears anywhere in the world, averaging four bears per square mile.

People travel from near and far, many armed with cameras and tripods, in hopes of their own encounter with a bear. And we’re not talking Yogi.

Craig Daniels of Farm Life would be

considered a regular bear watcher. He shares his appreciation of wildlife and love of photography with his family and friends, documenting many of his visits on social media.

Bear watching, along with birds and other wildlife, has always been special to Daniels and his family – but the opportunity to be outside took on an even bigger meaning this past year.

“When the world seemed to be at a standstill during COVID, it meant more than ever just to get in my truck with family members - or right by myself - and ride to the refuge to try and find bears, (and other wildlife) to photograph,” Daniels explained.

For Daniels and family, it is a true adventure.

“The great thing about it is you never know what’s around the next turn,” he said.

The refuge Daniels referred to is the Pungo Unit of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

The Pungo Unit is 12,350 acres in size and includes land in Hyde and Washington Counties in North Carolina. The purpose of the Pungo Unit, originally established as Pungo National Wildlife Refuge in 1963, is to provide habitat for migratory, wintering waterfowl.

However, its claim to fame has become its big, furry residents.

Crops grown in the area and throughout eastern North Carolinasuch as corn, sweet potatoes, peanuts, watermelon and much more - are favorite meals for the residential bears.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials, who manage the refuge, remind visitors they should never attempt to feed the bears they have come to watch.

Although feeding the bears could be well intended, this could result in bears losing their fear of people which may lead to them having to be put down.

Additional things to keep in mind when visiting the bears:

Do not get anywhere near cubs. Their mother is usually close by and doesn’t like it;

Try not to startle a bear. They have fair eyesight and hearing and a very keen sense of smell, but can still be surprised sometimes;

Keep all food in a part of the vehicle that will make it difficult for bears to smell, like the trunk bears have damaged unattended vehicles on the refuge while trying to get to food inside.;

Treat trash, and anything else that might smell tasty to bears, the same as food;

And, of course, please take trash out with you.

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the black bear is actually a shy and non-aggressive animal that strives to avoid human contact in most cases.

The Get Bear Smart Society encourages people to get more familiar with the meaning of bear posture to better understand what the animals are really up to.

For example, some mistakenly assume a bear is about to become aggressive when they stand on their hind legs. Experts say this is simply the bears’ way of showing curiosity or seeking more information on what they are smelling or hearing.

According to Cherokee legend, bears are the keepers of dreams.

Locally, bears are the keepers of many photographer’s attentions on a regular basis.

“Areas like the Pungo refuge are drawing more and more people, it seems over the last year or two,” according to Daniels.

He said visitors range from professional photographers to hobbyists.

“It’s a great area to go to see all kinds of wildlife. Black bears are certainly a big draw, but I’ve met several folks that come to photograph different kinds of birds and like myself, photograph anything that presents itself,” Daniels explained.

“Over the last few years I’ve been able to meet people from all over eastern North Carolina, including Onslow County and the Raleigh area. The spring and summer even draw people from other eastern states for the bears as it does during the winter for the tundra swans and snow geese,” he continued.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission provides tips for photographing wildlife on their website, www.ncwildlife.org, under their Outdoor Activities tab.

Reporter’s Note

My husband and I have made numerous visits to the Pungo Unit of the Pocosin National Wildlife Refuge in search of the perfect bear sighting and photo. It is such a peaceful opportunity to view nature and get in photography practice.

We have had a very close call during one visit with one bear. We remained calm and let the bear call the shots during our brief encounter. Simply put, we were between him and a field of corn.

When we stood still and stayed quiet, he calmly went on his way and at no time did we ever feel threatened. Just remember, they are at home – we are visiting.

Please respect their space and they are most likely going to let you take all the photos you want.

Sarah Hodges Stalls is a longtime contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Get outside & hit the trail

Roanoke Canal Trail provides nature in the city limits

Story by Leslie Beachboard

Take a walk on nature’s historic side.

The Roanoke Canal Trail is a seven-and-a-half mile hiking trail running from Roanoke Rapids to Weldon.

According to Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Maintenance Superintendent Ryan Newsome, there are many historical and natural features to be seen while hiking or biking the trail.

“Sections of the trail provide scenic river views, while others travel through wooded areas you typically do not get to experience inside city limits,” he added.

The Roanoke Canal was dug by hand in the early 1800’s, as a way for boats to navigate around the dangerous rapids, known as the “Great Falls” in the Roanoke River.

“The Roanoke River drops over 100 feet

over the span of a couple of miles between Roanoke Rapids and Weldon, creating many hazards for boats seeking to transport goods up and down the river,” said Newsome. “The canal provided much safer passage around the turbulent area.”

During the years the navigation canal was in use, boats were either paddled or poled downstream through the canal, but often

struggled to travel back upstream. A tow path was built alongside the canal, allowing boats to use mules or horses to pull boats along.

According to Newsome, much of this original tow path serves as the present day Canal Trail.

As the railroads were developed in the mid-1800’s, the demand for river transportation diminished, and the Canal saw less and less use.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the Canal was repurposed as a way to generate hydropower, and later, hydroelectric power. It was at this time that the power plant which serves at the Roanoke Canal Museum that demonstrate how water was used to create both hydropower and hydroelectric power.

“Many features from both the navigation canal, and the hydropower,

can be seen along the trail today. Two of the most notable are the aqueduct over Chockoyotte Creek that was built in 1823, and the bulkhead that was built to divert water into the canal,” said Newsome.

One of the three original locks built in the 1820’s still stands outside the museum entrance, and several original culverts can still be seen along the trail. The Canal, the tow path and the Canal structures were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The Roanoke Canal Museum details all of the history that can be seen along the trail. It is currently open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of each week. Admission is $2 for residents of Halifax County, and $4 for non-residents. There are no fees for using the trails.

“The trail as we know it today is due in large part to the chartering of the Roanoke

Many features from both the navigation canal, and the hydropower, can be seen along the trail today.

Canal Commission in 1984. The commission was charged with promoting, developing and maintaining the natural beauty and historic area that is part of the old Roanoke Navigation Canal in Halifax County,” Newsome added.

Sine 1984, the Canal Commission has worked in collaboration with many partners to expand and enhance the trail.

“Thanks to their efforts, the trail provides access to between thirty and forty thousand users per year,” he continued.

Many Boy Scouts have earned their Eagle Scout ranks by completing service projects along along the trail.

Two of the most recent projects included a restoration of the original “middle locks,” and a complete renovation of the area along the trail where a military plane crashed into the river in 1949.

The crash site renovation was done in conjunction with the addition of a new exhibit inside the museum honoring Fletcher Bender, the pilot involved in the crash.

According to Newsome, bicycles are loaned out free of charge at the Roanoke Canal Museum and the Riverside Mill.

“Just walk inside during business hour,

present a valid photo identification, and the staff will get you fitted with the appropriate size bicycle,” he continued.

The trail is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and can be accessed from multiple parking areas along the way.

Many locals and travelers alike find the trail to be the perfect place to take dogs for a walk. It is requested that pets are kept on leashes while on the trail.

Each year, The Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation hosts a half marathon and 5K on

the trail.

“This year, the event will be held on Sept. 25. This is a very unique event that provides a rewarding experience for runners of all skill levels,” Newsome closed.

Information about the event can be found on the website at www.roanokecanal.com or on the department’s Facebook page.

Leslie Beachboard is the Managing Editor for the Bertie Ledger-Advance and The Enterprise. She can be reached via email at lbeachboard@ ncweeklies.com.

wilson

Get outside & play at the parks

Three parks in the same portion of town are a highlight to visitors

Story byAndy Cockrell Photos by Jason Sessoms

The Wilson Dog Park and Toisnot Park are situated beside each other along Ward Boulevard, where it intersects with Corbett Avenue, in the city of Wilson.

Just down Corbett Avenue, separated only by a sliver of marshy woodland, is the Gillette Athletic Complex. These three parks make up a single location where a family or a church group or some friends could gather and easily enjoy a day.

The Wilson Dog Park is one of the nicest facilities for canine recreation that exists. It contains separate, sizable areas for large dogs (over 22 pounds) and small dogs (under 22 pounds).

There are several benches for resting, along with three separate shaded areas with picnic tables where owners can sit while Fido gets his energy out. The park has watering

stations, and waste bag dispensers make it easy for responsible owners to clean up after their dog has done its business.

Both areas have tunnels for pooches to play in and explore. There is a ¼ mile lighted

walking track so that the dog owners can get their exercise as well.

The dog park is efficiently designed, beautifully landscaped and is meticulously maintained. The casual passerby may not even realize that it’s a dog park, because the space is so visually appealing.

Many folks who visit these locations probably don’t know that the dog park is a separate entity from Toisnot Park. That sure doesn’t detract from their enjoyment, and both facilities are part of the city’s parks and recreations system.

A dominant element of Toisnot Park, geographically and visually, is the lake for which it is named. A wooden walkway across Toisnot Lake, part of the parks 1.5 mile walking trail, offers a picturesque setting for picture takers. The lake directly contributes to the

These three parks make up a single location where a family or a church group or some friends could gather and easily enjoy a day.

public’s enjoyment in several other ways.

Locals can be found seated along the shore every day, fishing poles in hand. There is a nature feeding station where park goers can get a little closer to hungry ducks and geese. It’s not uncommon to spot a heron wading in the water, resting or hunting its next meal.

Perhaps the most distinguishing element is the skate park. There are ramps, rails and other features. The skate park would not challenge the most extreme, skilled boarders, but it does hold appeal for beginner and intermediate skateboard enthusiasts.

Situated immediately beside the dog park along the road, drivers regularly slow down to ‘rubberneck’ when there is action going on in the skate park.

There are three separate shelter areas. One is small and without power, the other two are larger – one seats 32 and the other seats 100 – have power and lighting. Grills are available as well.

Families or groups with children can take advantage of three separate playground areas, each with playground equipment and swings. Visitors can easily find open space to set up a game of cornhole (or many other games). The park conveniently has restrooms on both sides of the lake.

The Gillette Athletic Complex is is a short drive from the first two parks. This facility is a showplace for the city, serving as a hub for local soccer and little league baseball/softball games. The main little league field is a replica of historic Fleming Stadium. The complex hosts numerous tournaments at all levels, including NCAA soccer games this past spring.

For the casual outing, though, the complex contributes to the day’s enjoyment by adding new scenery to walk. Also, Gillette offers practice disc golf baskets for those who want to learn the game before adventuring to a ‘real’ course. There are shelters and grills at this location, as well. Finally, a signature component is the all-children’s playground, a large and well-equipped area that is handicapped accessible.

The GPS address for the Wilson Dog Park is 1413 Lawndale Dr E. The address for Toisnot Park is 1500 Corbett Avenue NE. Gillette Athletic Complex is located at 3238 Corbett Avenue NE.

Information about all three locations is available in the parks and recreation section of the city’s website, wilsonnc.org. Or, for more information you can call that department at 252-399-7530.

Andy Cockrell is a contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living magazine.

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Story & Photos by Kelly Grady

Quaint. It’s often an overused cliche’, but will be the first word that comes to mind as you drive into the rural town of Columbia.

Located on the Scuppernong River in Tyrrell County in Eastern North Carolina, one will find delight exploring the wonders of Columbia, a small town with big visions.

Welcoming guests into town is the newly renovated Visitor Center and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. A section of this building includes The Walter B. Jones Sr. Center of Sounds that provides engaging and educational exhibits of river wildlife. An interpretive riverside boardwalk from the refuge to the center of town is a great spot to begin the outdoor adventure.

The boardwalk is an easy one mile walk and promises beautiful scenery with possible sightings of songbirds, waterfowl, bears, deer, snakes, turtles (notably, an increase in spiny soft shell turtles), and yes - even alligators! This area also provides water access for boating,

When finished exploring the refuge, guests will want to follow the boardwalk into the center of town.

Originally the area was an early settlement of the Tuscarora natives. The location and the wilderness of the land helped earn the title of

the “lesser dismal swamp” by early settlers, and this water route soon turned into a transit point for sailing ships.

During this time in the 1790s, the settlement had been established as Elizabethtown. However, to avoid confusion with another town with the same name in Bladen County, the name was changed to Columbia in 1801.

As word of this prosperous land traveled and population increased, it eventually became a major center for forestry, fishing and agriculture.

In particular, the timber was found to be profitable, encouraging several sawmills to develop in the local vicinity.

These mills continued to use sailing ships to transport their products. However, with industry increasing across the country, these sailing ships began transforming into steamships for more efficient transportation.

The Estelle Randall was one of those ships. Unfortunately, in 1910, The Estelle Randall caught fire while docked in Columbia so was cast into the Scuppernong where she burned and sank.

Standing on the boardwalk in front of the Tyrrell County Chamber of Commerce, you can still see the smokestack and netting from the ship during low tide.

If guests continue following the boardwalk, they will find themselves at the Chamber of Commerce in the center of town. As Town Manager Rhett White (wearing a big smile on his face) said, “When you come to our town, be prepared to talk to people!”

Walking from the Chamber, guests find themselves on Main Street, so should plan on spending a few hours exploring what this street and the proud citizens of this town have to offer.

Visitors soon come across the Pocosin Arts School of Fine Crafts, housing a spot for arts and creativity while offering classes for both adults and children. For the artists, or even those who enjoy art, there is something here

As word of this prosperous land traveled and population increased, it eventually became a major center for forestry, fishing and agriculture.

that piques interest.

Don’t pass by the neighbor next door without stopping!

Maggie Duke Antiques might just have the item you’ve been missing all these years. There are many unique items and a must-see for all collectors.

The walking tour down Main Street won’t be complete until guests meet “Hunter Jim” at The Columbia Theater and listen to him talk about the local wildlife. Having been renovated, the Columbia Theater is now a museum reminiscent of the years it operated from 1938 to the 1960s.

Here visitors can see the original film projector, popcorn machine and even a few of the old theater seats – complete with the

bubblegum still stuck to the bottoms. The perimeter of the theater houses antique items from the theater, artifacts recovered from the sunken Estelle Randall, as well as other antiquated items.

The middle section focuses primarily on the farming, fishing and agricultural past. It’s an interesting place for history buffs, so they just might need to take a second trip around this museum.

If visitors haven’t stopped for anything to drink or snack on at this point, Pledger Hardware is the place to shop for some stylish hats, chat with a few of the locals, or just pop in to buy an ice cold soda from the vintage soda machine that has resided in the store since its opening back in 1948.

Of course, if that cold soda doesn’t satisfy, there are some options on Main Street for dining: Sandy’s Place for a quick sandwich, Columbia Crossing for a country buffet, or Tienda Mexicana Peniel serving authentic Mexican food are a few available on the walk.

The atmosphere of Columbia, the unique buildings and churches are so inviting, visitors want to see more Columbia.

And who knows? You may even be lucky enough to have a hometown gentleman and his dog stop to chat and even ask you to take his picture for a magazine!

Kelly Grady is a retired educator and regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Discover the beauty & charm

Horse Riding shapes City Slicker’s Education

By Judy Jeanette Martin Community College

Daija Sams is a self-described “city slicker.”

She grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city. Her dad is an executive in the banking industry. Her mom kept her and her brother involved in numerous educational and recreational activities throughout their childhood.

However, her urban upbringing was dramatically altered when she signed up for a week-long horseback riding day camp as a teenager. As Sams put it, “I loved it!”

It wasn’t long after that experience that Sams was taking riding lessons. By the time she was a freshman in high school, her parents were leasing a horse and encouraging their daughter to pursue her new-found passion for all things equine. By the time she graduated from High School, Sams was ready to pursue a degree in equine related studies.

After researching the equine programs in North Carolina, Sams decided to give the Equine Business and Training programs at Martin Community College (MCC) a try. MCC wasn’t too far from home, it offered training in nearly every aspect of horsemanship, and it was very reasonably priced for the caliber of the training.

Tammi Thurston directs the programs for MCC. She earned her equine degree at Findley University in Ohio and is a multiple Congress and World Champion in quarter horse competition. Once prospective equine students and

their parents meet Thurston, and visit the facilities, they know that MCC’s Equine programs are well-managed and practical in their approach to working in the equine industry.

Thurston said, “Our curriculum is very hands on, and is student run and operated. We designed it so that students experience all facets of running a stable – from fixing fences, to dragging the arena, in addition to training horses.

“They learn essential, everyday skills that will help them manage a breeding farm or operate a training business – from the most basic tasks to showing horses in an arena full of spectators,” she added. “Our students receive a great education for $1,200 per semester. That is compared to $5,000 per semester or more at a private school. I don’t know where else you can get that kind of value.”

Sams, like so many other equine students, was especially drawn to MCC because she would be able to ride up to five days per week and be encouraged to participate in IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) and Open Show teams. Sams really enjoys the showmanship of riding.

Once Sams started the program, she quickly discovered how challenging it was.

By the time she was a freshman in high school, her parents were leasing a horse and encouraging their daughter

things equine.

She said, “MCC’s Equine program certainly weeds out the true horse people. It kept me very busy for two years.”

However, Sams’ hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. She was nominated by her instructors and selected to be MCC’s “Distinguished Equine Student” for 2021.

She said, “I was very surprised when they announced my name during the graduation ceremony.”

And, unlike most college programs, students often have the opportunity to take their best friend home with them. Sams did just that. After two weeks of training a colt named Pilot, she knew that they belonged to each other and purchased him so that they could be together as Sams moves on to her next level of education, the Savannah College of Art and Design in South Carolina.

Starting this fall, Sams will be majoring in the private college’s Equine program and minoring in its Social Strategy and Management in Social Media program. She is especially excited to be joining the college’s nationally ranked equestrian team.

According to Sams, “They consistently rank in the top three performing teams.”

Anyone who loves horses, and are seeking a career in the great outdoors, perhaps as an Equine Athlete, an Equine Camp Counselor/Instructor, a Riding Instructor, or even a Trail Guide, then Martin Community College might be a good fit/ Check it out at www.martincc.edu or visit the Martin Community College Equine Program FaceBook page.

Judy Jeanette is Director of Communications and Public Relations for Martin Community College.

to pursue her new-found passion for all

Home to a little bit of everything...

Like most public venues across the country, the Rocky Mount Event Center was forced to shut down operations in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the return of activity to the event center earlier this year brought a hopeful, cautious return to a semblance of normalcy to downtown Rocky Mount.

“On Valentine’s Day weekend, after getting clearance and presenting our reopening plan to the city manager, we were able to safely reopen for sporting events and we were one of the first venues of our size in the state to do so,” said David Joyner, general manager of the event center. “Since restrictions began to ease, we were able to begin booking small events and small catering events and reopened for our first real sporting event, a youth volleyball tournament that brought in 140 teams on Feb. 12.”

In addition to the volleyball tournament that marked the center's reopening in February, the center also was able to safely host a dance competition at the same time as one of the sporting events in different areas of the building.

“The restaurants and hotels in the area are ecstatic that we’re able to do these events again,” Joyner said. “These events always have

a big economic impact.”

The 165,000-square-foot, $48-million event center opened in October 2018, and it immediately started attracting functions, bringing in $1.2 million in revenue during its first year of operation.

The facility features eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, locker rooms, 17 climbing walls and an aerial ropes course. It also has banquet and breakout rooms, an arcade center and concession areas.

“The Rocky Mount Event Center is a crucial central component of... Rocky Mount’s longterm strategy to redevelop and reinvent downtown Rocky Mount,” Joyner said. “Our team’s focus is to make our facility a soughtafter state-wide destination that provides a unique and excellent experience for sports, entertainment and corporate and social events."

Joyner said as safety restrictions were eased a bit, the facility became the scene of limited-size conferences and meetings.

Joyner said he and the management team also began allowing the use of the Game Day Adventure and Arcade area — except for the foam ball pit — by limited numbers of people on a reservation-only basis.

That setup includes 20 arcade games, 19

climbing walls, a ropes course with 12 different obstacles, an area where one can redeem prizes, four different party rooms, four foosball tables, two pool tables and cornhole games.

“We have just about anything you can think of,” said Jajuan Mabry, the event center’s box office and family entertainment center manager.

Joyner said the facility was opened to tours by limited numbers of officials, event holders and tournament directors, both from inside and outside the state.

“They think it’s one of the most impressive facilities in the state,” he said. “They’re extremely shocked that a community our size has a facility this nice — and they all talk about the versatility of the facility.”

Many of the center's employees had to be furloughed during the pandemic until the facility could reopen.

“Except for the management team and a few hourly staff members, most of our staff had to be furloughed during that time," Joyner said. "During that shutdown period, our management team focused intently on the aggressive marketing and selling of our venue to position us for strong reopening.

“Our strategy was that we knew we had to

Story by Gene Metrick

be ready for whenever we were able to reopen. We’re booked for almost every weekend from now through the summer for sports.”

Before the coronavirus disrupted life around the world, the event center played host to basketball and volleyball tournaments that attracted hundreds of visitors and dozens of teams to the area.

"Our organization, Teammate Basketball, has been fortunate enough to bring youth basketball tournaments to the Rocky Mount Event Center,” said Blake Thompson, Teammate Basketball owner. “(It) is a perfect setting for tournaments like ours.”

Troy Helton, director of Ethos Volleyball Club, organized a two-day tournament in 2019, with 98 teams and more than 1,500 spectators coming to the Rocky Mount area.

“We were really impressed with the management, staff and venue,” Helton said. “The facility is first-class and kept in immaculate condition. The staff was super helpful and kept the parents and players happy all weekend.”

In bringing back the larger events, Joyner said they have had to learn new processes and safety procedures to continue to comply with COVID restrictions. Part of this is participating in training through Count On Me NC, “a public

health initiative that empowers visitors, guests and businesses to help keep everyone safe from COVID-19,” according to the Count On Me NC website.

Despite the lack of activity during the shutdown, employees were still hard at work to expand what the event center has to offer, including the achievement of a new KultureCity verification.

“This is an extensive sensory inclusivity training that taught us how we can be more sensitive to the needs of all of our guests, from those with autism to people who struggle with PTSD and anyone with a sensory-inclusive need,” Joyner said. “We have quiet rooms in our facility and kits with things such as headphones. We want to be accessible to a diverse group of people who have a diversity of needs.”

Over 40 staff members received the KultureCity training, and it will continue to be a mandatory part of training for all new employees. Joyner said that so far, the response from the community has been very positive.

“I’ve gotten messages on LinkedIn and emails from people saying they have loved ones with autism or have autism — and they’re so excited that we’ve taken this step,” he said.

"It was really eye opening for me just how it was for so many people.”

With the facility now at nearly normal operations and a full slate of events and tournaments booked, Joyner said he and his staff are optimistic about the future of the facility.

“One interesting result of COVID is that businesses have had to innovate and adapt — and there are things that we’ve learned and are doing differently that we wouldn’t have thought to do before,” Joyner said. “With the new certifications and safety measures and everything, it’s given us an opportunity to build an even stronger relationship with our local and state tourism partners.

“That’s something that I’ve been really proud of and our community should be proud of, that the Edgecombe, Nash and even Wilson tourism offices, we’ve all met together, and they all work together and use our facility as an anchor. It gives us the chance to be strategic and unified in marketing and deciding our plans to make sure it benefits each county.”

Gene Metrick is Editor of the Rocky Mount Telegram.

OUT ABOUT! &

July 24

Outdoor Concert

BELHAVEN – The Arts of the Pamlico, Beaufort County Administration and the Belhaven Chamber of Commerce will host a Macha Music Outdoor Concert from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24.

The entertainment featured for this concert is Wyldwood, and admission is free. The concert will be held on the Belhaven waterfront.

July 31

Family History and Genealogy Fair

WINDSOR – Historic Hope Foundation will host the 10th Annual Family History and Genealogy Fair titled “The Colonial Origins of Free People of Color in a Racist Culture” with registration from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. and the event starting at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, July 31.

The purpose of the program is to discuss the diverse origins of families in Bertie County from the late 16th Century to their current genealogical connections throughout America. The speakers for the event will be Dr. Warren E. Milteer, Jr. and John M. Bunch.

The expo will be held at the Roanoke Chowan Heritage Center, Hope House Rd. in Windsor. For more information or to register, call 252794-3140, or email info@hopeplantation.org.

Aug. 4

Steamed Shrimp Dinner

MURFREESBORO – The Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce will host a Steamed Shrimp Dinner from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4. The dinner will consist of steamed shrimp, coleslaw, hushpuppies and a beverage, and will be eat-in or takeout.

Tickets are $12 per person, and must be purchased in advance.

The event will be held at 135 Events on Main, 135 Main St. in Murfreesboro.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce at 252-398-4886 or email murfreesborochamber@gmail.com.

Aug. 7

N.C. Watermelon Festival Parade

MURFREESBORO – The N.C. Watermelon Festival Parade will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7.

Line up will begin at 8 a.m. on West Broad St. in Murfreesboro. Enter at Lawrence St. No motorcycles, UTVs or side-by-sides without prior approval.

Entry forms for the parade must be submitted by July 30, and can be mailed to Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce, 116 East Main St. or P.O. Box 393, Murfreesboro, N.C. 27855.

For more information or to register, call 252398-4886, email murfreesborochamber@ gmail.com or visit www.murfreesborochamber. com.

Aug. 12 Senior Dance

WASHINGTON – The Washington Senior Dance will be held from 7 – 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $8.

The dance will be held at the Washington Civic Center, 110 Gladden St. in Washington. For more information, call 252-944-6198 or text 252-364-7264.

Aug. 14

Frozen Jr.

WASHINGTON – The Arts of the Pamlico Broadway Kids will host Frozen Jr. at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14 on stage at the Historic Turnage Theatre.

Tickets are $5 cash and $6 credit card at the door.

Seating is at half capacity, and masks are required.

The theatre is located at 150 West Main St. in Washington.

For more information, call Arts of the Pamlico at 252-946-2504.

Aug. 21

DANCE

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Dance Chapter will host an open dance from 7 – 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21.

The dance will be held at the Historic Turnage Theatre, 150 West Main St. in Washington. For more information, call Arts of the Pamlico at 252-946-2504.

Aug. 26

BoCo Town Podcast Recording

WASHINGTON – The Arts of the Pamlico will

Out & About is a listing of events happening in and around the 12 counties which make up the coverage region for Eastern North Carolina Living magazine. Those wishing to have an event listed should sent it to: Eastern Living, Attn: Out & About, P.O. Box 69, Windsor, NC 27983. Email events to Leslie Beachboard at lbeachboard@ncweeklies.com

Bertie Beach Day is September 4

host BoCo Town Podcast Recording at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26 at the Historic Turnage Theatre.

Admission is free.

The theatre is located at 150 West Main St. in Washington. For more information, call 252-946-2504.

Aug. 28

Macha Music Outdoor Concert

BELHAVEN – The Arts of the Pamlico, Beaufort County Administration and the Belhaven Chamber of Commerce will host a Macha Music Outdoor Concert from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28.

The entertainment featured for this concert is JB & Pam, and admission is free.

The concert will be held on the Belhaven waterfront.

Sept. 4

Bertie Beach Day

MERRY HILL – The Bertie County Public Officials will host Bertie County Beach Day on Saturday, Sept. 4.

The event will feature food trucks, vendors, live entertainment and fireworks.

Sept. 9

Senior Dance

WASHINGTON – The Washington Senior Dance will be held from 7 – 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $8.

The dance will be held at the Washington Civic Center, 110 Gladden St. in Washington. For more information, call 252-944-6198 or text 252-364-7264.

Sept. 18

Macha

Music Outdoor Concert

BELHAVEN – The Arts of the Pamlico, Beaufort County Administration and the Belhaven Chamber of Commerce will host a Macha Music Outdoor Concert from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18.

The entertainment featured for this concert is Squier Red & the Blues Band, and admission is free.

The concert will be held on the Belhaven waterfront.

Sept 18. DANCE

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Dance Chapter will host an open dance from 7 – 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18.

The dance will be held at the Historic Turnage Theatre, 150 West Main St. in Washington. For more information, call Arts of the Pamlico at 252-946-2504.

Sept. 24-25

Carolina Country Stampede

WILLIAMSTON – The 25th Annual Carolina Country Stampede will be held Friday, Sept. 24 and Saturday, Sept. 25.

The event will feature food, vendors and musical entertainment.

Musical entertainment will include The Band of Oz, Billy Dean and Tom Wurth.

The Carolina Country Stampede will be held downtown Williamston.

Sept. 26

A Night of Musical Theatre

WASHINGTON – East Carolina University School of Theatre and Dance will present “A Night of Musical Theatre” on Sunday, Sept. 26 at the Historic Turnage Theatre. The theatre is located at 150 West Main St. in Washington.

For more information, show times and tickets, visit www.artsofthepamlico.org.

Oct. 1, 2 & 3

The

Little Mermaid

WILLIAMSTON – The Martin Community Players will present “The Little Mermaid” Friday, Oct. 1, Saturday, Oct. 2 and Sunday, Oct. 3.

Admission is $8 per person. Tickets can be purchased at Mast Pharmacy in Williamston and Village Pharmacy in Robersonville. The play will be held at Martin County Auditorium, 1260 Godwin Ave. in Williamston.

Oct. 14

Senior

Dance

WASHINGTON – The Washington Senior Dance will be held from 7 – 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $8.

The dance will be held at the Washington Civic Center, 110 Gladden St. in Washington. For more information, call 252-944-6198 or text 252-364-7264.

Oct. 23

Chicken Mull Festival

BEAR GRASS – The Bear Grass Chicken Mull Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 23. The festival will feature food, vendors and more. For more information, visit www.chickenmullfestival.com.

Nov. 11

Senior Dance

WASHINGTON – The Washington Senior Dance will be held from 7 – 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $8.

The dance will be held at the Washington Civic Center, 110 Gladden St. in Washington. For more information, call 252-944-6198 or text 252-364-7264.

Dec. 1-5

The Sound of Music

WILLIAMSTON – The Martin County Players will present “The Sound of Music” Wednesday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 5.

Tickets are $10 for children and seniors and $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at Mast Pharmacy in Williamston and Village Pharmacy in Robersonville.

The play will be held at Martin County Auditorium, 1260 Godwin Ave. in Williamston.

For more information, call 252-661-0609.

ALL IN A Day’s Trip

Get Outside & Explore Fayetteville

Story by Andy Cockrell Photos Contributed

North Carolinians are well versed in traveling to find outdoor adventure and recreation.

After all, the state offers both mountains and coast, and many families still plan annual vacations to spend a week in one of those locations. In between, there are a multitude of lakes and rivers, forests, green spaces and parks for convenient daily enjoyment. For most folks in North Carolina, when a person think’s of the city of Fayetteville the initial association is “military.” For over a century now, Fort Bragg (originally Camp Bragg) has trained and

housed soldiers for every war since World War I. Now the vast base is known as the home of the 82nd Airborne Division and multiple special operations commands.

However, Fayetteville, and its surrounding region, is much more than an Army town. This sandhills city on the Cape Fear River offers an abundance of outdoor adventure, opportunities that are well worth the drive to spend a day exploring new territory and even trying new things.

see Fayetteville in the distance!

The most difficult part of this opportunity is simply having the courage to do it. The jumper goes through a brief instructional class (20-30 minutes) to walk through the entire process and go over basic freefall and canopy skills. After that, its just get in the plane and trust the professional instructor who will be attached to you.

JUMP FROM AN AIRPLANE

The number one bucket list item for so many thrill seekers is skydiving. The Fayetteville area offers the chance to check that item off the list at Skydive Paraclete XP. This business is actually located just a few miles down the road, in Raeford, but from 13,500 feet in the air (that’s over 2.5 miles above the ground, that’s high!) one can easily

It only takes a minute or so to freefall 8,000 feet, then the instructor deploys the parachute at an altitude of 5,500 feet. From there, the canopy descent will take five to seven minutes. If one can convince some brave (or crazy!) friends to join in, there is a discount for groups of three to nine people and an additional discount for groups of 10 or more.

More information is available online at skydiveparacletexp.com, or by calling 910904-0000.

FLY THROUGH THE TREES

If jumping out of a perfectly good airplane is a bit (or a lot!) too radical, Fayetteville offers another fantastic opportunity to get an adrenaline rush.

Zipquest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure is a true gem in Fayetteville’s fun mine. Located at 533 Carver Falls Road, the location feels much more like a mountain forest than a city.

Slick websites and selective photographs can create expectations that lead to disappointment when it comes to ziplining, but that is absolutely not the case with Zipquest. The course covers a large area, and the lines are both high and long going through and over incredible scenes.

My family has shown up to other courses to find that the entire course was visible from the parking lot. Hardly any of the Zipquest course is visible from the office base, and it’s so spread out that you feel like your group is

the only one there.

One can choose from a treetop excursion or a longer waterfall expedition (it’s worth the extra money), during the day or at night for an extra degree of adventure.

And, for the more hardcore seekers, the “swing shot” offers a quicker but more extreme experience. This attraction is

located on the edge of a cliff, the rider is lifted 3.5 stories in the air in a harness and then ‘dropped’ to fall for a moment before swinging out over the cliff.

To learn more, go to zipquest.com or call 910-488-8787.

TAKE IT TO THE WATER

Local enthusiasts have plenty of river and lake spots on which to get their kayaking fix. Spring Lake Outpost makes it easy for the out-of-town traveler to do likewise.

Every Saturday and weekdays by appointment, these fine folks offer twohour excursions on the Little River. The Little River is less heralded than the Cape Fear River, but that has its advantages. The company describes the river as “a tucked away gem... undisturbed.” The Outpost rents single kayaks, double kayaks and canoes, and they provide shuttle transportation as well.

There are also popular themed events throughout the season, which runs from the end of March through the end of October.

To see more of what is offered or book a trip go to springlakeoutpost.com or by call

910-248-3409.

PUT ON YOUR WALKING SHOES

The trip would not be complete without allowing for the most basic yet widely enjoyed outdoor pursuit – hiking. The goto trail in Fayetteville for that activity is the Cape Fear River Trail. This trail is paved, well maintained, and meanders through beautiful marshes and woodlands.

It is important to know that this five-mile trail is not a loop! One terminal end of the trail is at the Jordan Soccer Complex, 445 Treetop Drive (Methodist University). The other end is at Clark Park, 631 Sherman Drive.

REPLENISH THOSE CALORIES

After a day of outdoor fun, you’ll need to fill your belly before heading back home. If you ask Fayetteville residents for a list of the best and most iconic local eating establishments, Southern Coals Country Style Kitchen usually makes everybody’s list.

As the name suggests, the menu is highlighted by a variety of smoked meats: pulled pork, chicken breasts, brisket and ribs, along with plenty of side dish options. Diners can also choose from a variety of appetizers and side dishes. Should you have some room left for dessert, you can top off with a bowl of their sinfully sweet banana pudding.

Southern Coals is open Tuesday through Saturday, staying open until 10 p.m. on Thursday thru Saturday nights. The restaurant is located at 3319-C Raeford Road.

W allace M c a rthur D avis

Story & Photos by Sarah Hodges Stalls

At one time, Wallace McArthur Davis –better known as “Butch” – thought maybe basketball was the sport for him. But baseball was the pleasant surprise that he said “hit me in the face” and launched an adventure he never expected.

He recently talked about his love of the game and career at the baseball field where his career began to shine as a Williamston Tiger.

Born and raised in Williamston, Davis was no different than many kids his age.

“Me and my brothers and cousins, we all played sports,” said Davis. “I played baseball, basketball, football.”

His earliest coaching influences ranged from locally known Ronnie Wynn to future legend Herman Boone.

Davis’ first years in organized baseball were spent in Williamston’s Little League program.

Going through the attic at his mother’s house, Davis recently ran across a treasure from that earliest part of his career.

“Recently I found a couple of pictures of myself with a little league team called the Cops,” he laughed.

They played at the once bustling Police Park, the home field for many up and coming athletes over the years.

As a freshman in high school, Davis was unsuccessful in his attempts to make the baseball and basketball teams. The next year he again tried out for junior varsity baseball and made the team.

His junior year saw a move to varsity, but he was not seeing playing time. It would be a game at Roanoke Rapids where that all

changed.

“Coach (Harold) Robinson asked Coach (Dink) Mills (then head coach), ‘why don’t you give him a chance?’” meaning Davis. “I’ll never forget that,” Davis said. “So he did and the rest was history. He never took me out of the lineup.”

That team finished the season with a state championship. Davis’ senior year resulted in bringing another state championship home to Williamston.

After “two good years,” Davis said he never thought about baseball beyond that point.

“To me it was just a sport that I enjoy doing, that was it,” he said.

Davis is humble when describing his own playing time, but others described Davis as the one teammates wanted at bat when Williamston needed a hit.

Davis played junior varsity football his ninth grade year and varsity football his senior year. He made the junior varsity basketball team at Williamston his tenth grade year and played varsity basketball his eleventh and twelfth grade seasons.

He decided to put a little more time in it

(baseball) and use his athletic skills to continue learning the game.

Davis attended St. Augustine College in Raleigh for a year before coming back closer to home to the East Carolina University baseball program with Coach Monte Little. Davis continued to work at baseball and kept getting better but was surprised when scouts began to come around.

Then came the 1980 draft.

“I had no idea Kansas City had eyes on me,” Davis explained.

He received a call that he was drafted by the team in the 12th round.

His first stop was with Royals Blue, the club’s rookie league Gulf Coast League team. Then 22 years old, Davis played in 61 games in the 1980 season with 235 at bats, 46 runs scored, 74 hits, 17 doubles, four triples, two home runs and 35 runs batted in. He logged 31 stolen bases and was only caught stealing four times.

The 1983 season saw Davis make his way to Kansas City’s AAA team and then came the call players dream of - the call to go to “the show.”

The love of the game has carried one Williamston native through a 40-year career as a player and coach in professional baseball.

He was in his apartment in Omaha when it happened.

He remembers, “I didn’t even have time to get nervous.”

When Davis arrived, troubled pitcher Vida Blue had just been released from Kansas City. Davis inherited his former jersey number 33.

For a time, Davis was one of two former Williamston High School baseball players on the club roster for the Royals as he joined future Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry.

Davis said he soaked up every player he encountered during that time and everything they had to offer.

“I was playing, I’m doing something that I do for fun,” he said of the time. “Here I am in the big leagues.”

Davis still had trouble believing he had made it. But he knew getting there was not the hardest part, staying there would be. He went on to play through the 1994 season, logging games with Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Texas.

“It’s been a dream,” said Davis. “And I’m still living the dream.”

When his time was done as a player, Davis transitioned into the role of coach, where he has been sharing his love of the game ever since, and the lessons of the coaches he encountered along the way.

Two things he has continuously shared with players, just as his coaches shared with him, are two always be on time and always hustle because those are two things he knows they can do.

From 1995 through the 2019 season, Davis has guided countless players in his various coaching roles, including a stint as first base coach for the Minnesota Twins.

Today, Davis is deciding what the next chapter holds for him and the game he loves.

“It’s amazing, because even before I got drafted when I was in college I wanted to coach,” said Davis. With no aspirations of being drafted, he figured coaching after college ball was done would be the next step.

When asked about his favorite ballpark to play in, Davis’ response was priceless.

“All of them, because I got a chance to play on a major league field,” he replied.

The pitcher he dreaded hitting against the most – Tommy John.

“I could never get a hit against him,” Davis laughed.

One thing many may not know about Davis, is he appeared in the 1985 movie “Bull Durham.”

“I had no idea it was going to be that much fun,” he said of the experience.

No matter where the game took Davis, he said his children always knew how to reach him.

Once he made it to the major leagues, Davis said he thought about those who paved the way for him.

“I thought about Jackie Robinson, some of the things he had to go through, the names that they called him. I know this generation could not go through what he went through,” he said.

Davis gets back to Williamston to visit but has called Garner home for many years.

Sarah Hodges Stalls is a longtime contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Grandma’s Kitchen

It seems like really being able to breathe again to get outside and do some of the things we love. We can take vacations and enjoy many other outdoor activities. Some people enjoy fishing, swimming, camping and going to parks or zoos. Some prefer to stay in their own backyard and just relax.

It seems wherever we go and whatever we do, one of the most enjoyable parts of it is good food with friends or family. There is something about sitting around with a plate of food that invites closeness, conversation and laughter.

I remember many years ago going to a McCormick family reunion with my grandmother. It was at a State Park in the Shenandoah Valley. That’s where they were all born and most still lived there. You cannot even imagine how many tables of food were spread and how many different kinds of food. Adults gathered in one spot, teenagers in another and the small ones ran and played. It was a wonderful time. You don’t hear about people having family reunions much anymore and it is regrettable. There is something special about meeting with family members you haven’t seen in a year or two.

My grandmother and I visited the Shenandoah Valley during the summer, taking a day to visit each family but always coming back to her sister Cora’s to spend the night. Still, having the whole family together

at one time was great and there were some who had moved away and came back for the reunions.

But whatever you do this summer, there will be some activities where you need to do some cooking. Camping, fishing, barbecues and picnics at a park may be times you want to prepare ahead. When it is hot, I like to cook things like chicken salad, pasta salad or other dishes you can refrigerate early in the morning and not have to cook later in the day.

If you work, there are some things you can prepare the ingredients for in a couple of hours and then put them together quickly for dinner during the week. Other things, like chicken salad or pasta salads stay good for most of the week in the refrigerator.

If you have salads prepared or ingredients ready to throw together, you can grill the rest of your dinner outside and enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about the rest of the meal.

There is a barbecue sauce I make for ribs or any kind of pork. It takes very little time and is much better than what I have bought from the grocery store. I have a pasta salad with no recipe but will try to write it out for you. A cold dessert recipe I got from someone many years ago is easy to fix and throw in the refrigerator.

Sylvia Hughes with her grandmother, Bertie Dameron.

Barbecue Sauce

pinch of garlic powder or garlic salt

½ cup olive oil

¼ cup lemon juice

½ cup vinegar

¾ cup water

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons yellow mustard

¾ cup catchup

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

good sprinkling of black pepper Whisk all together in a small saucepan.

Bring to simmering boil and cook

10 minutes

Pasta Salad

Two cups of uncooked macaroni. Cook by package directions. While cooking, cut a tomato in small chunks (out of the garden is best)

Place tomato in a rectangular dish. When pasta is done, drain and place on tomatoes while still hot. This way it will soak up the tomato

juice. Sprinkle top of pasta generously with celery seeds. Let sit for about 20 to 30 minutes and add in half a cucumber diced. Add green onions if desired. Salt to taste.

I mix a dressing with mayo and vinegar. I just mix until it tastes to suit me.

Green Stuff

Mix 1 cup of hot water in one package of lime jello (regular size)

Add 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup evaporated milk

Beat two minutes

Blend in:

1 large can crushed pineapple

1 cup of pecans

2 cups miniature marshmallows

Chill until firm

Sylvia Hughes is a retired newspaper editor and columnist residing in Windsor. In addition to three sons, she has a gaggle of grandchildren, many of whom love cooking with her just as she did with her mother and grandmother.

Photos by Thadd White & Lewis Hoggard

White Perch Fishing Tips

Since the weather turned warm and the water temps rose the white perch have been coming on strong.

This past year was a record year for white perch and this year is looking like another one with huge numbers of fish coming to the boat. They are up in the creeks, out in the stump fields and up in the shallows and once you find one then you will find a dozen or more in the same spot.

The main pattern for white perch is to throw up on the flat and bring the bait back to the boat with the fish usually hanging out off the ledges and drop offs in five to ten feet off water. This has put them in the boat for years but with the numbers of fish now you can find them almost anywhere. I have found schools of them on points in creeks and under docks locked onto one single piling.

The main key to catching these fish

This past year was a record year for white perch and this year is looking like another one with huge numbers of fish coming to the boat.

is to continuously cast even if it seems like you are throwing to nothing but open water because you never know when you will run into a school chasing baitfish or moving from one spot to another.

I was doing just that when I caught a fish on an Uncle Jessie lure. When I went back for another I realized there was a log hanging on the drop off just

out of sight. That log put almost one hundred fish in the boat in the next hour.

These types of days don’t happen all the time, but the do happen especially lately with the huge numbers we have in the rivers.

There are a couple of main lures to use when fishing for white perch. One is the Uncle Jessie lure and the other is a white Beetle Spin but what they both have in common is you fish them with a small piece of shrimp on the hook to ensure a good bite. I also like to throw them using light tackle and line to enjoy the fight and I will even break out the little tiny rods for under the docks.

The white perch is a great way to start kids out fishing also simply because they will enjoy the action. You can fish with a bobber and shrimp and the fun will never stop so get out there and enjoy the bite while it last.

Grace & Truth Finding refuge in silence and solitude

BY PASTOR WEBB

The sun warming the back of my neck with my head laid on the window of my dad’s truck. I think back to when I was a kid, and those were the best naps. Remembering how I used to sleep, I would have a kink in my back for days if I were to nap like that again!

I used to love riding my 4-wheeler in the woods, stopping in the middle of nowhere to sit and think.

There is something healing, restoring, about seeing all the “life” that is living without anyone making it happen. There are no computer programs keeping spider webs stretching through the trees. No app replenishes the river with fish. We don’t have to text anyone to make the grass grow.

The world grows and goes without a single demand. Our worlds have become so automated and designed and structured and busy and tiring. There is something about walking outside for just a few moments that brings refreshment.

When Jesus got overwhelmed, he removed himself. He didn’t take a nap or play a video game. He walked up into a mountain.

The mountains of the Galilee area still to this day are a refuge of silence and solitude. Sure, there are more cities today than in Jesus’ day, and still, along those hills, there is plenty of room to spread out and think. Jesus would walk up those hills of grass and stare across the majestic Galilee. In the distance, he saw

the snow-covered Mt. Hermon and fishers sailing or cleaning their nets.

Even from the mountain, he could still see the intensity of human interaction. But only in the distance. Sometimes being alone outside or walking with someone else is so healing.

It was even for Jesus.

How many stories do we see in the Word of God where people are restored after taking time in nature? Elijah was scared to death of Jezebel just moments after the incredible victory on Mt. Carmel. He runs deep into the wilderness to hide, and there God finds him, gives him rest and builds him back up.

When Jesus died, and John and Peter’s

hopes are dashed, we find them fishing. They always found such comfort out on the sea, in the sun, working together.

Jacob heard from God while he was sleeping with his head on a rock. Moses spoke to God in the wilderness, looking at a bush that caught fire. David learned of God’s faithfulness among the sheep in pastures along the side of Bethlehem.

The angels announced Jesus’ coming to people working outside. I mean, even God preferred the Tabernacle to a Temple. Even God wants to be more evident outside rather than inside our walls.

Maybe, the key to becoming unhinged from our stressful life is unplugging ourselves and being re-energized by the source of physical energy, the sun, and reconnected by the source of true life, the son of God.

Okay, I don’t mean to be cheesy, but what if the answer to most problems is leaving them alone to see the life that happens without our working toward it. The sparrows are fed, and the fields are dressed beautifully whether we help or not. Mountains, seas, animals, and the sky are governed by something greater than us.

So, go see something beautiful. I bet there is more beauty in your backyard than on your phone. Go and see for yourself.

Pastor Emanuel Webb Hoggard is Pastor at Askewville Assembly of God. He can be reached via email at pastorwebb@hotmail.com.

MARKER

TRINITY CHURCH

Episcopal. Established about 1732. This building, the third, was erected in 1854, in part with brick from an older church.

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Information courtesy of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Contrary to the information on the marker, Trinity Church (Episcopal) was established in 1833. The eighteenth century date likely pertains to a colonial chapel several miles east. The first record of that church is dated February 2, 1738, when land was acquired for use by the parish.

The present Trinity church, an architectural landmark, was consecrated on May 27, 1855, by Joseph Blount Cheshire (1814-1899). The church was built under Cheshire’s direction. Cheshire received his schooling at the Edenton Academy and the Episcopal School for Boys at Raleigh, which is now known as St. Mary’s. He remained Trinity Church’s rector for thirty-five years until he resigned in 1869 due to poor health. Cheshire beautified the grounds of the church with plants of native and exotic varieties for he was also known to have a love for botany.

In March of 1884 fire damaged the interior of the church. The congregation built a new sanctuary in Scotland Neck, reserving the old church for occasional use. Some of the brick from the outer wall of the original Trinity Church survived the fire and was used to help build the new church.

REFERENCES

Stuart Hall Smith Claiborne T. Smith Jr., The History of Trinity Parish, Scotland Neck and Edgecombe Parish, Halifax County (1955) William S. Powell, ed., Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, I, 392-393—sketch by Jacquelin Drane Nash Catherine W. Bishir and Michael Southern, The Historic Architecture of Eastern North Carolina (1996) Letter from Martha H. Holloman, March 24, 1982, in marker files, North Carolina Office of Archives and History

We had a theme all picked out.

To be honest, we were working on getting stories picked out.

Then things started to change. COVID-19 was beginning to fade from every day status and businesses were opening.

And – this is the big one – people were obviously itching to get outside and do something – anything – that would allow them not to be inside the house.

The result is this magazine where we offer some way to “Get outside and play” in each of the counties we call home.

PARTING SHOTS

So we began discussing the many opportunities to “Get outside and play” that we could put together for this issue. We are blessed to have many, many opportunities to do just that in our 14 counties, so the story choices had to be whittled down.

The result is this magazine where we offer some way to “Get outside and play” in each of the counties we call home. There are a variety of opportunities – from a shooting range near Jackson in Northampton County to the historic lighthouse on Ocracoke Island to a beautiful Goose Creek State Park in Beaufort County.

I guess the amusing part of this magazine for those who know me is that I’m not particularly an outdoor person. Neither am I a person who has interest in shooting sports. Yet, not only did I assign all the stories in this edition, I went out to a shooting range to write my story.

Actually, it turned out to be a lot more fun than I had imagined. I can say Assistant Range Safety Officer Mark Whitney was an excellent host. And both Range Safety Officer Ricky Taylor and Shooting Sports Coordinator Josh Jernigan were extremely helpful.

That’s what we always seem to find here in our 14 counties – people who are helpful, knowledgeable and great fun to talk to when we contact them. We are always grateful for that.

No matter what your particular bent in life, there is something in these 14 counties for everyone to enjoy. Those who have an active lifestyle will enjoy places to go walk or jog like the Roanoke Canal Trail and those who are more sedimentary can go to the Bertie Beach and layout in the sun.

We’ll be back in August with a followup to last year’s Heroes edition where we will introduce you to some of the every day heroes in our communities.

Until next time, remember… all who wander are not lost. Continue joining us as we wander through Beaufort, Bertie, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Tyrrell, Washington and Wilson counties.

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern North Carolina Living, the Bertie Ledger-Advance, Chowan Herald, The Enterprise and the Perquimans Weekly.

Thadd White