Washington the Magazine Holiday 2016

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Here's to

Holidays Pam Pack Pride Remembering the 1956 WHS football team

Pieces of the past

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Area churches rich in history Hearty holiday recipes

HOLIDAY 2016 WASHINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

2 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

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IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURES & DEPARTMENTS COLONIAL ERA

IN EVERY ISSUE

18

6 8 16 38 50 52 56 58 64 66

Relic of the past: Bath’s St. Thomas Church holds generations of colonial history

18 DECK THE HALLS 26

Home for the holidays: Christmas a host of traditions for Washington Park couple

Publisher’s Note The Scene What's in Store What's to Eat Cast a Line Dining Guide Word on Wine Calendar Why I Love Washington Advertiser Index

26 HISTORIC GEM 32

Stories of faith: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church relates a rich history of Washington

32 WHAT'S TO EAT 38

Season's stuffings: Holiday dishes make meals more festive

38

44 4 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

REMEMBERING A LEGACY

ON THE COVER

44

Smilax, magnolia leaves and other fresh greenery decorate the exterior of Bradshaw’s home during last year’s Christmas Tour of Homes. Unfortunately, the nutcracker succumbed to flooding in the Bradshaw’s basement during Hurricane Matthew.

See Home for the Holidays, page 26.

Long blue line: 1956 Pam Pack team still a mark of greatness

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NOTE FROM ASHLEY

A nod to days past

C

lose your eyes and imagine Christmas for the early parishioners of St. Thomas Church in Bath.

It was a simpler time when the church walls were formed in the early 18th century. No Black Friday doorbusters. No trips to the grocery for forgotten cranberry sauce. No cross-country redeyes to visit the in-laws. No re-gifted fruitcakes. No boxes of tangled twinkling lights.

Instead a few hymns, maybe a dance or two. Perhaps a plain candle in a window dressed with evergreens.

Over hundreds of years, Christmas traditions have changed, but the spirit remains, much like the history of St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

You need not close your eyes to picture

relics from the church’s earliest days. Visual cues remain to trace a remarkable history rooted in the colonial era. Turn to page 18 and turn back the pages of time.

Less than 25 miles from St. Thomas is another Beaufort County church rich in history and faith. Time has tested the structures at St. Peter’s Episcopal, but the church and it’s people have persevered.

The church grounds stand as a Washington landmark. Look back on the stories behind the arches and stained glass on page 32.

The fireplace isn’t the only place emanating warmth this season. For Washington Park couple Bettie Bonner and Derris Bradshaw, it’s all about Christmas traditions like homemade ornaments on a live tree, fresh hanging garland, turkey, casseroles and apple pie. Come home for the holidays on page 26.

Though it’s been 6o years, the memories for Bartow Houston are as swift and strong as those explosive halfbacks that rolled through defenses around the state for the famed Pam Pack squad of 1956. The ballplayers, the coach and the community that supported them occupy a special point in the Long Blue Line of Washington Pam Pack history. Follow it back a ways with the boys in blue on page 44.

I hope you enjoy this exploration of some rich local history in our winter issue, a nod to days past. From our family to yours, merry Christmas and happy new year.

Ashley Vansant, Publisher

We would love to hear what you think about Washington the Magazine. Email us at news@ Write thewashingtondailynews.com or write to P.O. Box 1788, Washington, NC 27889. Letters chosen for publication to us may be edited for length and clarity. All submissions become the property of Washington the Magazine.

6 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

Publisher Ashley Vansant Editorial Kevin Scott Cutler Caroline Hudson Michael Prunka Vail Stewart Rumley Contributors Richard Andrews Alexis Davis Virginia Finnerty Meredith Loughlin Will Preslar Chris Rawls Advertising Director Carol Crittendon Marketing & Sales German Llodrat Cecilia Prokos Spencer Stanley Amy Whitaker Distribution Sylvester Rogers Art Direction Jason Scott Contact information Washington the Magazine P.O. Box 1788 Washington, NC 27889 Advertising inquiries 252-946-2144 Ext. 221 Subscriptions & change of address 252-946-2144 Washington the Magazine is published six times a year by Washington Newsmedia, LLC. Copyright 2016, Washington Newsmedia, LLC HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 7

THE SCENE Pickin' on the Pamlico A sold-out event, Pickin’ on the Pamlico is Washington’s and the Washington Harbor District Alliance’s annual celebration of the bounty from the river. People from near and far came down to the waterfront to eat steamed crabs and shrimp along with the all the fixings, and wrapped up the night with music and dancing. Extra points went to those who dressed themselves, and their tables, for the affair.

Laura Darre and Garleen Woolard

Richard Smoot and Alan Mobley

Dan Thomas and Rick Mariani

Ray Midgett, Karen Kutchera and Hazel Arnold

Scott Campbell and Bill Sykes

Frankie and Kathy Waters

8 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

Lynn Whittingdon and Laura Darre

Calvin Street and Kimberly Jackson

Tim and Donna McLawhorn

Luciana and Cris Mota

Louise Hall, Paul Hutchinson, Michael Spero and Abbie Mota

Virginia Finnerty and Harold Robinson

Francheska and Tyrone Outlaw

Hope and Bob Ceres

Kim Cooper and Kara Crawford

Benzy Moskowitz and Erin Finnerty

Melvin Daniels, Lindo Moore, Michelle Moore and Dominique Hill HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 9

THE SCENE Taft Bradshaw art exhibit opening Artist Taft Bradshaw had his work on display, as part of Arts of the Pamlico’s firstever, one-artist exhibit, which opened Sept. 8 and ran through Oct. 13 at the Turnage Theatre Gallery. Supporters attended a pre-opening event the evening of Sept. 6. Taft Bradshaw’s cousins, Washington Park residents Derris and Bettie Bonner Bradshaw, sponsored this art exhibit, which featured many different styles of paintings.

Derris Bradshaw, Bettie Bonner Bradshaw, Taft Bradshaw, Anne Bradshaw and Raney Jones

Sadie Fowle, Alexis Davis, Hazel Arnold and Alli Greene-Sands

Patricia Mansfield, Michael Mansfield and Marti Buchanan

Sharon Johnston, Pat Hill and Brenda Woolard

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Pat Hill, Olivia Roberson, Jane McCotter and Sallie Scales

Tom Archie, Bet Archie, Toby Alligood and Trish Alligood

Dewey and Barbara Walker

Hope and Heroes Walk On Sept. 15, Beaufort County residents came out for the annual Hope and Heroes Walk at Cypress Landing Golf Club.

By walking the 3-mile or 1.3mile tracks, participants were able to honor loved ones with cancer and raise money for the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center. A celebration of survivors, the Hope and Heroes Walk also featured a pizza party and music by Never 2 Late.

Tim Lancaster, Sarah Taylor, Jeremy Shadle and Mary Jane Cooke

Louise Hoar and Pat Marchesani

Pansy Champion, Cynthia Barret, Mary Jane Cooke and Carole Lawler

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 11

THE SCENE OUT AND ABOUT

Fit for Fashion Russell’s Men’s Shop and Fitness Unlimited held the inaugural “Fit for Fashion” fundraiser Sept. 29 at Washington Civic Center.

Featuring food, drinks and a live fashion show, the event was organized to raise money for youth group BOCO Wyldlife. Local residents gave their best model strut down the runway to the delight of the crowd.

Amy Ward, Andrea Dixon, Pam Ward, Joan Meyland and Sally Love

Juanita Latham, C.J. Roberts and Lillian (Lil) Roberts.

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A.J. Maxed, Barbara Dell Carter, Alicia Vosburgh

James White, Matt Haselden, Wayne Woolard, Megan Barr and Phillip Water

Mike Lobos and Paul Spruill

Keith and Gale Travis

Michelle Hooper and Colston Lyons

Scott Dail, Summer Dail, Kara Whitley and April Schmidt

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 13

THE SCENE “Blacklands Treasure” book signing The North Carolina Estuarium hosted a book-signing event Sept. 7, starting at 5 p.m. The event highlighted the recent release of “Blacklands Treasure,” a collection of history and stories about life in the Albemarle-Pamlico peninsula, named after its rich, blacklands soil. Authors Cy Rich Jr., Joe Landino and Steve Barnes were on hand to answer questions, tell some of the stories and sign book copies.

Steve Barnes, Cy Rich, Joe Landino, Philip McMullan Jr. and Ken Cherry

Bill Zachman, Jackie Woolard and Blount Rumley

Mirian Keech and Barbara Wilkerson

Bet Archie and Janice Rich

Bob Rich, Janice Rich, Trish Alligood and Dr. Toby Alligood

14 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

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WHAT’S IN STORE

A piece of

Washington

WRITTEN BY CAROLINE HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY WILL PRESLAR

WARM OR COLD The later months of the year bring oscillating temperatures and leave residents perplexed about what to wear. Outsmart Mother Nature and get ready for whatever weather comes your way with a fleece vest by Charles River Apparel. Add monogramming for a personal touch. These vest are available in multiple colors at The Blue Crab Monograms on West Main Street in Washington. Vest $44.99.

LITTLE STYLES This holiday season, get the little ones something special to keep them cool but cozy. Between eye-catching plaid, whimsical polka dots and soft-colored animal patterns, there are plenty of Mudpie outfits from which to choose. These and other stylish options are available at The Blue Crab Monograms on Main Street in Washington. Plaid and polka dots $33.99, elephant $30.99

FIERY PERSONALITY With Christmas around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what gifts to give that special someone. Get the man in your life this stylish Southern Marsh duo of soft fleece and stylish plaid. Surprise a special lady with a Southern Tide pullover, as trendy as it is soft to the touch. With these options, Christmas morning will be a gift-giving to remember. Outfits are available at Russell’s Men’s Shop, near the corner of Market and Main streets in Washington. Pullover $115, plaid shirt $78, fleece vest $79.

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GET COZY Colder weather means it’s time for cozy clothing. This set of Simply Noelle pajamas comes with a cute-ascan-be pajama top, socks and matching eye mask, all of which are featured in bright, plaid patterns. You’ll never want to change out of it. Pick one — or two — sets up at Cottage Junkies, located on North Market Street in downtown Washington. Pajama set $39.99.

JOYFUL SEASON The most wonderful time of the year is approaching, and with it comes splashes of bright red and deep green. Celebrate the Christmas season with locally made throw pillows or a festive, Primitives by Kathy ornament to adorn the three. These and more are available at Little Shoppes on West Main Street in Washington. Pillow $7.50, ornament $4.95.

DAYS OF CHRISTMAS Between shopping for gifts and nailing down holiday travel plans, the 25th will be here before we know it.

Keep track of the days and add a little cheer to the countdown with Creative Co-op ornaments. They are available at South Market Antiques, located in downtown Washington on West Main Street. Ornament $5.

ON THE GO The end of the summer months doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to nautical trends. Keep memories of cruising on the Pamlico alive with this navy-and-whitestriped fashion statement. It’s stylish and roomy enough for your essentials without being bulky. This Viv and Lou bag is available at Blue Crab Monograms on West Main Street in downtown Washington. Bag $44.99.

STATEMENT PIECE Make a statement with this handcrafted, Egyptianinspired necklace, which is sure to turn heads in a sea of dull, winter tones. The combination of dark and light crystals offers the right amount of sparkle and mystery. Made by Sue Beck, this design will debut in various colors throughout this season. It is available at Lemonade Art Gallery, located on Main Street in downtown Washington. Necklace $109.

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 17

COLONIAL ERA

CAROLINE HUDSON

Bath’s St. Thomas Church holds generations of colonial history STORY BY CAROLINE HUDSON | PHOTOS BY MEREDITH LOUGHLIN 18 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

ow could a small c h u r c h b o d y, seemingly with all the odds against it, grasp such a pivotal piece of history?

Not only a piece of North Carolina history, but that of the entire nation.

Hailing back to the 17th century, the history of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath is intertwined with that of the early colonies in America.

In 1696, the County of Bath was established, and soon after, St. Thomas parish was born — a congregation with no physical church, no minister to lead, but all possessing a dedicated love for God nonetheless.

By 1701, the small parish was said to be meeting in surrounding homes, and within the next five years, the people even designated a small plot of land to be farmed by a minister, whenever that position was filled. Despite the odds, the St. Thomas congregation was determined to have a lasting effect.

And last it did.

In a 1734 letter, church members wrote to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts: “We are now building at our own proper Costs a

Opposite page: Older than the Liberty Bell, the Queen Anne’s Bell was first cast in England in 1732 and later recast in 1872. With its warm, loud bellow, the bell may have been purchased with money from Queen Anne’s bounty. This page: St. Thomas Episcopal Church was constructed in 1734, although the congregation came to be many years before then. It is recognized as the oldest church building in the state.

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 19

It is the most exciting thing that I have ever done in my job. To think when I go in there, the people that have sat in those pews and worshipped all of those years, and to try to imagine what it would be like.

To the side of the old sanctuary stands the Civil Warera Harding Chapel for All Ages. It was originally attached to the main church and served as a vestry room and bell tower. Upon its musty hardwood floors lies a lone Bible, representing the chapel’s generations of spiritual service.

20 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

small church (being the only one in the whole Province), but we fear our abilities will be far short of completing and adorning the same as becomes the temple of God.” Defying the odds, a physical church was born that year, and the church walls are a testament to fortitude, laid 2 feet thick in a Flemish Bond pattern. Many of the original floor tiles have been restored, once donning pictures of flowers or dragons, but now bearing only the scratches and unavoidable damage from hundreds of parishioners’ feet shuffling across them. In the past, the tiles could be upended and reset after burying the dead below the floor.

“It is the most exciting thing that I have ever done in my job,” said the Rev. Diane Tomlinson, who currently serves as the church’s 51st rector. “To think when I go in there, the people that have sat in those pews and worshipped all of those years, and to try to imagine what it would be like.”

Other relics of the past include the Queen Anne’s Bell, located to the side of the old church building and boasting an age older than that of the Liberty Bell. Originally cast around 1732, the bell was also recast and enlarged in 1872.

A few steps away from the Queen Anne’s Bell is a somewhat-eerie stone bust hailing

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 21

Although the St. Thomas property holds many graves, some of the oldest ones include these colonial remains discovered on land owned by warden Edward Salter. Another 18th-century grave lies inside the sanctuary — that of Margaret Palmer, who suffered from “the feverest Bodily Afflictions brought on by Change of Climate” and passed at age 44.

from the 1500s. Nicknamed the “Stone Bishop,” the bust, with his watchful eyes, came from the Longleat House in Wiltshire, England, owned by the Earl of Bath, who once served as a Lords Proprietor in the colonies.

According to Josie Hookway, a longtime church member and history expert, St. Thomas underwent major renovations about every century, from the 1750s, to the 1840s and 1930s.

There were smaller renovations complementing the larger ones. In the 22 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

1950s, the Rev. A.C.D. Noe paid some of the local boys 5 cents per stone to bring the ballast rocks from the nearby port to construct the low wall along the road.

Hookway said there also used to be stairs leading up to a pulpit, near where the modern-day pulpit is now, for optimum speaking power, but termites destroyed the woodwork. The acoustics, however, could not be destroyed, and even today, a quiet voice can ring out against the walls and spread warmly across the pews and listeners’ ears.

St. Thomas’ is also no stranger to hurricanes, its roof having been blown off by storm winds, but nothing would keep the parishioners from rebuilding and repairing their beloved church.

Tomlinson said the modern-day congregation is continuing that tradition by launching a capital campaign to fund a 1,200-square-foot expansion of the parish hall and renovating the sacristy.

St. Thomas’ close relationship with history is not taken lightly, and efforts to preserve that history occur

An ivy-covered stone figure stands guard outside of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, its eyes undoubtedly possessing knowledge of generations of parishioners. The figure, located behind the church sign, is easy to miss in its emerald camouflage.

PHOTO BY CAROLINE HUDSON

It is the most amazing experience. I pinch myself when I come over the bridge every day.

parallel to the efforts to keep pushing forward.

Church members carefully preserve a variety of items from the colonial era, such as a silver chalice given to the Rev. John Garzia by the Bishop of London in 1738, and a circa-1740 candelabrum reportedly presented to the congregation

by King George II. “It is the most amazing experience,” Tomlinson said of her time in Bath. “I pinch myself when I come over the bridge every day.”

As St. Thomas Episcopal Church moves into the future, its walls seem more prepared than ever to stand for many generations to come. An important part of Bath’s history, it’s an even more pivotal part of colonial history.

As Hookway puts it: “It’s just history, isn’t it?”

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 23

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Christmas a host of traditions for Washington Park couple STORY BY VAIL STEWART RUMLEY PHOTOS BY MEREDITH LOUGHLIN

This page: Bettie Bonner Bradshaw’s collection of handmade ornaments stems from a tradition started by her mother, Elizabeth Britt, when Bradshaw was a child. Opposite page: A 10-foot fresh evergreen always decorates the Bradshaw’s Washington Park home come Christmas.

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I have never had an artificial

HOLIDAY HOME

tree, and I never will. The ornaments on the tree, most of them are very special.

here’s nothing like having a home on display to the public to prompt a person to go all out for Christmas.

But when Bettie Bonner and Derris Bradshaw were asked to volunteer their home for Arts of the Pamlico’s annual Christmas Tour of Homes last year and invited hundreds of strangers into their home, they simply did what they normally do — their traditional Christmas decorating.

When it comes to decorating for the holiday season, the Bradshaws go big with 10 feet of evergreen taking over a corner of the living room every year.

“I have never had an artificial tree, and I never will,” Bradshaw exclaimed.

“The ornaments on the tree, most of them are very special.”

Bradshaw’s family lived in Raleigh when she was a child, and the handmade ornaments were a treat from a mother to her daughters. Cartoon characters such as Snow White and her seven dwarves, Snoopy characters and more, cut from wood by a fellow St. Michael’s church member, and painted HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 27

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Opposite page: An evening drive down Riverside Drive in Washington Park presents a display of festive decorations, capped off by the Bradshaws’ home at the corner of Riverside and Walnut Street. This page: Christmas greenery may mean something different to Washington Park residents.

Here the view from the Bradshaw’s front porch shows the beauty of the small municipality.

by his wife, the ornaments decorate the Bradshaw tree to this day.

“Mother would go stand in line at 7:30 in the morning at the church bazaar to get the ornaments for my sister and I. …

I decorate the tree myself. I do the lights and everything, because nobody does it to suit me. Doesn’t that sound awful?” she laughed.

There are other personal Christmas touches in the handstitched needlepoint

ornaments, as well as stockings for her and Derris that hang from the mantel in the living room — a project that took her 15 years to complete, but finalized for their first Christmas in their Washington Park home.

“I love to do, but I would never use anything but fresh greenery, inside and out,” Bradshaw said.

She described hanging garlands of fresh smilax on the house outside — an

adventure for her and her husband as they both climbed a ladder to set about decorating the home’s exterior.

“I thought, ‘You know, we’ve lost our minds’ — two 78-year-old people up there on this ladder,” she laughed.

The Bradshaws moved into the circa1915 house at the corner of Riverside Drive and Walnut Street, and celebrated their first Christmas there, in 2012.

Besides painting rooms and replacing HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 29

parts of the floor — made of quarter-sawn oak with mahogany inlay along the outer edges of the room — the Bradshaws have had to do surprisingly little to create a home that reflects their style. Art is everywhere. Bradshaw is an artist herself, but nearly all of the paintings hanging throughout the house are by fellow artists. Color, too, is prevalent.

“I have always loved color. I don’t wear beige. I wear color because I would look dead and dried up if I wore beige,” Bradshaw laughed.

Shades of rich blues and cheery yellows decorate the living and dining rooms, while warm peach walls greet visitors upon entrance.

It’s a home for windows and sunlight, where the view of the Pamlico River across Riverside Drive through open blinds is a focal point from all angles.

“I don’t believe in covering the windows up when you live on the water,” Bradshaw said.

And the holidays bring the extended family together to not only enjoy that view, but to enjoy a traditional

Traditions abound in the Bradshaw home, including these two needlepoint stockings Bettie Bonner Bradshaw handstitched for her and husband Derris.

30 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

sit-down Christmas meal, complete with all the family favorites.

“We have the traditional Christmas dinner. We have it the Saturday before Christmas, and that’s the whole family,” Bradshaw said. “Turkey, rice and gravy, and we stuff the dressing in the turkey. Isn’t that what your momma did?”

The whole family is upward of 20 people, and last year involved a host of side dishes and desserts: collards, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese (a must, Bradshaw says), a bourbon-soaked applesauce fruit cake, which she makes in the second week of November, son Knox’s apple pie and daughter Mar y Havens’ pecan pie, made from Julia Rumley’s recipe.

“And I cooked enough quail for 25 people. Let me tell you, that’s a lot of dang quail,” Bradshaw laughed.

While Bradshaw said she loves the traditions of cooking and decorating that come along with Christmas, it’s having the whole family gathered around that truly makes the holiday worthwhile.

Art is prevalent in the Washington Park home, and this seasonal piece, a Christmas rabbit, was hand-sculpted by Ellen Roberson.

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 31

HISTORIC GEM

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church relates a rich history of Washington STORY BY CAROLINE HUDSON PHOTOS BY MEREDITH LOUGHLIN

32 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

Standing near the entrance to St. Peter’s Chapel Garden is a statue of St. Fiacre, the patron saint of gardeners. St. Fiacre is also invoked in the healing of cancers and other diseases. The Chapel Garden was dedicated on June 29, 1973.

erhaps one of the richest parts of Washington’s history is found in its faith.

With 19th-century homes, old railways and buildings aged in time, Washington has no shortage of architectural history, but it’s stories behind such architecture that tell much more.

One of these historical gems is St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, founded in 1822 and located on North Bonner Street. With its sprawling property of the old and new, stained-glass windows twinkling in the sunlight, formidable towers seeming to scratch the sky, and Gothic-style arches, St. Peter’s serves as a register of generations of parishioners.

The church wasn’t always the magnificent layout it boasts today. In its early years, the St. Peter’s congregation shared a “free church” space with the Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians.

Soon after, the congregation built its own facility facing Main Street and the “free church” was given over to the Baptists for sole use.

“That church was used until the Civil War, when it caught fire and burned,” church member and historian Betty

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 33

This page: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, located on North Bonner Street in Washington, was founded in 1822. The chandelier hanging above the altar was rescued from the remnants of a church fire in 1864. Opposite page: With its breathtaking stained-glass visages of biblical stories and Gothic-style arches, St. Peter’s is a work of art in itself. Its beauty is easily hidden from the street, but look beyond the low-lying branches, and one is awestruck by the masterpiece.

Cochran said. “Now, it was not burned in the same fire that the Massachusetts regiment, or the Union troops, when they burned Washington. … There was a citizen who was burning some papers — this was in 1864 — and the fire got away from him.”

As for the church bell, once keeping vigilant watch in the tower, there are two narratives attached to its fate, according to Cochran.

The first suggests that the bell was 34 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

buried in ashes after the tower crumbled in the heat of the flames. A church member was said to have pulled it from the ashes and resold it to help pay for the rebuild.

The second story suggests that the congregation took down the bell during the Civil War, so its metal could be used to make cannons for the Confederate Army.

“I believe that story more than I believe the first,” Cochran said.

Two items were carried out and salvaged after the fire, however: a baptismal fount, which a sole member carried out in a divine overcoming of inhuman strength, and a chandelier, which now hangs above the altar of the modern sanctuary.

The Episcopalians began rebuilding their church in 1867, and construction was completed in 1873.

One of Cochran’s favorite details is the discovery of 1830s-era graves, which were

PHOTO BY CAROLINE HUDSON

A series of architectural plans from October 1984 detail the renovations completed by Dibble & Associates and architect F. Guy Wilson on various aspects of St. Peter’s Episcopal, including wainscoting in the sanctuary, the boiler room, the kitchen ceiling and Gardner Hall.

found upon the addition of the church’s narthex in 1884.

“It is not easy to get under there. I have been under there and have seen those graves,” Cochran said.

St. Peter’s underwent some other changes over the next couple of decades, including the addition of wainscoting, pews of pine lumber and Geisselr lights before electricity caught on. In 1890, a vestry room was added, and in 1893, the roof and bell tower were remodeled.

36 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

“In the early days, the pews were owned by the families,” Cochran explained. “In the early days, also, the floors were bare, and they covered them with feed sacks.”

In 1919, the congregation purchased a pipe organ to honor the Rev. Nathaniel Harding, who served as rector from 18731917. In 1925, the building of the church wall around the property’s edge began, and in 1927, a parish hall and Brown Memorial Chapel was added.

Unfortunately, the church building

was dealt another blow after a fire started in the boiler room in 1935 — right below the prized organ.

“The steam from the fire caused the leathers and ivory keys of the organ to come unglued,” a report reads. “The (Washington Daily News) article took note that the Rev. Gardner summoned worshipers to Brown Chapel for the 8 a.m. service while the fire was still burning.”

The congregation has since installed another organ.

One of the most breathtaking aspects of St. Peter's is its stained glass windows. Featuring bold colors and a soft glimmer as the sunlight shines through, these windows give the church an ethereal atmosphere.

The Rev. George Gardner, mentioned in the news article, served the church from 1920-1950, and is the namesake behind the church’s Gardner Hall. His mark on the congregation’s history is still noted today.

“Mr. Gardner was a very, very talented singer, and he brought unbelievable, I’m told, music into the church, and there was an organist (Edmund Harding) at the same time who was the son of the Rev. Nathaniel Harding,” Cochran said.

“Ever ybody knew Edmund Harding because he was an after-dinner speaker and traveled all over everywhere. … In fact, he died when he was away to give speeches.”

St. Peter’s would endure yet another fire in 1958, which destroyed the parish hall, but after rebuilding that and undergoing more renovations in 1985, the church completed All Saints’ Hall and a day school in 2005.

As St. Peter’s continues to age, holding onto some incredible stories within its walls, the church is also collecting new stories. With each generation, a new record is born.

In a written history of the church, Cochran describes it best: “This history of St. Peter’s Church is a love story. It is the story of the love of our Savior, working in our daily lives; it is the story of the love of the people to build, rebuild and preserve this visible symbol of their faith; and it is a story told with love and admiration.”

PHOTO BY CAROLINE HUDSON

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 37

WHAT'S TO EAT

SEASON'S STUFFINGS Holiday dishes make meals more festive STORY BY KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER PHOTOS AND FOOD PREPARATION BY VAIL STEWART RUMLEY

F

ew people can resist the temptations offered by Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

The holiday season is the perfect time to "cheat" on your diet; after all, that's what bulky sweaters are for.

While turkey, ham and roasts take center stage, no dinner would be complete without an assortment of side dishes. In this issue, we are happy to share a few recipes that should be perfect complements to any meal.

Savory holiday stuffing and oyster dressing are local favorites, as are sweet potato biscuits and butternut squash soup.

Add a spinach and artichoke casserole, glazed acorn squash and Christmas rice to your menu for a different twist, while sweet potato and apple casserole combines two favorite fall flavors.

And no gathering is complete without mouthwatering desserts; here, we offer up apple nut cake and harvest apple pie.

As usual, our recipes appear courtesy of the Washington Daily News' Pamlico Pantry collection of cookbooks published by area churches, schools and nonprofit organizations.

Enjoy!

38 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

Roasted Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Alexis Davis 2-3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 coarsely chopped onion; 1 cup roughly diced carrots; 6 whole garlic cloves, peeled; 1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks; 1-inch chunk of fresh ginger, peeled; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; fresh ground pepper to taste; 1 (3-pound) butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded; 8 large sage leaves; 6 cups chicken broth, plus more if needed; 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon white pepper; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder (Jamaican style is good); a dash of ground cloves; a dash of fresh grated nutmeg; a dash of cayenne pepper; 1/2 cup dry sherry or marsala; 1/2 cup half and half.

Yield: Eight dinner-size servings, and can easily be doubled.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Drizzle olive oil into large roasting pan. Add onion, carrots, garlic cloves, sage leaves and a pinch of salt.

Toss until coated in oil. Place squash halves flesh side up on the chopped vegetables.

Sprinkle squash with more oil and additional salt, and grind pepper to taste over all. Roast in preheated oven until squash is tender and easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 1 hour. Allow vegetables to cool a bit.

Scoop out squash flesh and place in roasting pan with roasted chopped vegetables. Transfer mixture into large stock pot. Stir in chicken broth, spices and vinegar. Place pot over high heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low; slowly simmer to blend flavors, 45-60 minutes.

Remove from heat.

Blend until very smooth with an immersion blender, three to four minutes. If soup seems too thick, add a few tablespoons of water or chicken broth. Stir in sherry, a pinch of salt (or to taste) and more cayenne if desired. Stir in half and half just before serving and heat through. Serve with warm, crusty bread.

Notes: If the pan starts to get too dark while veggies are roasting, add a little water to the pan. The spice amounts are open to interpretation. Start here and add more cinnamon, cumin and cayenne if you like a bolder flavor. The soup is great made ahead and reheated. If you do, warm slowly over low heat, and you may need to add more liquid as it becomes very thick when cool. Wait to add the half and half until just before serving.

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 39

Oyster Dressing

Pam Hodges Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, Washington 2 (16-ounce) packages herb-seasoned stuffing mix; 1 quart oysters with juice; 4 ribs chopped celery; 2 tablespoons chopped sage; 1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth.

Mix all ingredients well except chicken broth. Place in greased 9-by-13 inch glass dish. Pour chicken broth over dressing. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Check dressing after 20 minutes. Watch to ensure it doesn't get too dry.

Yield: eight to 10 servings.

Spinach & Artichoke Casserole

Athy Cooper Arts of the Pamlico/Beaufort County Arts Council 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese; 1 stick butter; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 (14ounce) can artichoke hearts, cut up; 3 (10ounce) boxes frozen spinach, cooked and drained; breadcrumbs; grated cheese.

Mix cream cheese and butter in pan on low heat.

Add lemon juice; When this has all melted, add spinach and artichokes and mix well. Place in 2-quart casserole. Top with breadcrumbs and grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbling.

Yield: eight servings.

Glazed Acorn Squash

Wendy M. Wallace Smyrna Original Free Will Baptist Church, Blounts Creek 1 acorn squash; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 2 tablespoons maple syrup.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut squash lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Bake, cut side down, for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and turn over squash. Spread with butter and drizzle with syrup. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Return to oven for one to two minutes. Serves four.

Christmas Rice

Vicki Paul The Wilkinson Center, Belhaven 1 cup uncooked rice; 2 cans chicken with rice soup, undiluted; 1 1/4 cups water; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 stick butter, cut into

40 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

Harvest Apple Pie

Judy MacAdam Grace Lutheran Church, Washington 1 (1 pound, 4-ounce) can sliced pie apples, or five Granny Smith apples sliced thinly; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 3 tablespoons flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1 (8-ounce) can whole cranberry sauce; 1 unbaked pie shell with top crust.

Mix together the apples, sugar and spices. Add and mix in gently the cranberry sauce. Pour mixture into pie shell and cover with top crust and seal thoroughly. Bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes until brown and bubbly.

This pie would be attractive with a lattice top.

Sweet potato biscuits and sweet potato and apple casserole pieces; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 large bell peppers, diced; 1 small jar chopped pimentos, undrained; 4 ounces sliced mushrooms, undrained.

Mix together soup, rice, water, salt, butter, onion, bell peppers, pimentos and mushrooms.

Pour into a greased 2-quart casserole dish.

Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 45 minutes to one hour, stirring several times while cooking.

Sweet Potato & Apple Casserole

Chris Sadler First Free Will Baptist Church, Washington 3 small sweet potatoes; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted; 3 large apples; 1/4 cup water; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

Cover potatoes in water and boil for approximately

20 minutes or until done. Cool, peel and slice potatoes. Peel apples and slice. Layer apples and sweet potatoes in a 2-quart baking dish. Combine sugar, butter, water and cinnamon. Pour over sweet potatoes and apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, basting after 20 minutes with broth. Yields six servings.

Apple Nut Cake

Delores Mayo Hodges Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church, Chocowinity Cake: 1 cup oil; 2 cups sugar; 3 eggs; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 3 cups plain flour; 3 cups chopped raw apples; 1 cup chopped nuts; 2 teaspoons vanilla.

Mix eggs, sugar and oil together. Then add other ingredients. Bake in a prepare tube pan for 35 to 40 minutes at 325 degrees.

Topping: 1 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup evaporated

milk; 1 stick butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Mix and cook over medium heat for two to three minutes. Pour over cool cake.

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Kathryn Brake St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Bath 2 cups cooked sweet potatoes, cooled and whipped; 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour; 1 cup sugar; pinch of salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 cup vegetable shortening; 1/4 cup milk.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt and soda together; blend in shortening until well mixed. Stir in sweet potatoes then slowly add milk to form a ball.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. The biscuits can be spoon-dropped or kneaded lightly on a floured board and cut out. Bake 12-15 minutes. These are wonderful cut small and filled with small slices of country ham.

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 41

One in a series of features about former Beaufort County Community College students who have gone on to achieve success in their chosen fields.

S

BCCC

ucceSS Stories Jackson Lancaster

Real Estate Broker, Coldwell Banker Coastal Rivers Named to the Coldwell Banker “30 Under 30” List Associate’s Degree in Business

Jackson Lancaster of Washington earned an Associate’s Degree in business from BCCC in 2015 and right away began his career as a real estate broker. Since then he has made his mark in local real estate and recently was named to the prestigious “30 Under 30” list of young real estate professionals drawn from 85,000 Coldwell Banker professionals working in 47 countries around the world. He has managed this success while attending ECU full-time.

“This is a monumental achievement for Jackson and we could not be more proud of him,” said Gerri McKinley, broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Coastal Rivers Realty.

The rising star graduated from the Early College High School at BCCC in 2015. The program allows students to finish after five years with both an associate degree and a high school diploma. At the end of his fifth year he started taking real estate courses to get licensed and then moved immediately into working on a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at ECU while working as a broker at Coldwell Banker. “It shouldn’t take too much longer because of all the classes I got out of the way [at BCCC],” he says of his ECU studies.

While at BCCC, Lancaster served as president of the Student Government Association and was an ambassador for the BCCC Foundation. As the SGA president, he was also an ex-officio member of the BCCC Board of Trustees.

To learn how you can become one of the many BCCC success stories, visit our website at www.beaufortccc.edu or call Admissions at 252-940-6237.

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42 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

Beaufort County Community College

5337 US Hwy. 264 East, Washington, NC 27889 252-946-6194 • www.beaufortccc.edu

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firstsouthnc.com HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 43

LEGACY TEAM

STORY BY MICHAEL PRUNKA | PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY BARTOW HOUSTON ixty years ago, a legendary Washington football team blazed the trail for the future of Pam Pack football.

It outlined a path later followed by the likes of the 2014 state runners up, and set the bar for success.

The 1956 Washington football team was a perfect 44 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

storm. The team was coming off of a two-win season a year prior — its worst under storied coach J.G. “Choppy” Wagner. There was a silver lining, though.

The majority of the team’s starters were set to return the following year.

1956 Pam Pack team still a mark of greatness

(First row, from left) Ronald Alligood, Ward Marslender, Larry Aldridge, George Kelley, Skybo Langley, Marshall Singleton, Ben McHorney, Lee Tankard and Jess Harrington. (Middle row, from left) Doug Currier, Zoph Potts, Dickie Jones, Steve Cochran, Fritz Tanner, Earl Daniels, Eddie Knott, Duke Watson and Bartow Houston. (Back row, from left) Durwood Dixon, Carl Jones, Donald Ambrose, Paul Leggett, Graham Singleton, Rusty Hodges, Billy Carter, Billy Gilgo, John Ratcliffe and Jimmy Silverthorne. The 1956 Washington football team was coached by J.G. “Choppy” Wagner, Bill Sweel, Pete Everett and Emory Bush. Not pictured: Jack Warren and Joe Hassell.

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 45

We just collectively decided that we have to do everything we can to go out of here in a blaze of glory. We rolled, and rolled, and rolled and rolled.

They returned, and did so with a vengeance. The Pam Pack pummeled its regular-season competition en route to a 9-0-1 record. The lone blemish saw Washington and New Bern battle to a scoreless draw in front of one of the largest crowds to ever fill Kugler Field, which housed the team before the school built its own stadium.

The offense operated as efficiently as any team to don the navy and white before or since. It started up front with an intimidating offensive line that, with the exception of one junior, was comprised entirely of seniors.

46 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

“We just collectively decided that we have to do everything we can to go out of here in a blaze of glory,” said Bartow Houston, who was a senior halfback in 1956. “We rolled, and rolled, and rolled and rolled.”

There were two juniors in the backfield: quarterback Ward Marslender and fullback Steve Cochran. Along with Cochran, Houston and Fritz Tanner, also a senior, rounded out one of the most formidable rushing attacks of their generation.

The trio of backs combined to pound opponents for over 3,000 rushing yards and almost 40 touchdowns that season.

Bartow Houston poses in front of Kugler Field, which housed the 1956 Pam Pack team. Washington packed Kugler Field, which now hosts recreation athletics, on multiple occasions en route to the title game.

PHOTO BY CHRIS RAWLS

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 47

The friendships you make are long lasting. Like I’ve told the kids speaking to them out at the high school; you’re part of the Long Blue Line.

Sally Cox, the 1962 Washington High School homecoming queen, gives J.G. "Choppy" Wagner a kiss on the cheek. Wagner was beloved for not just his work on the gridiron, but also for all he did for the community.

They were recognized as such at the time, too. John Morgan, then serving as the sports editor of the Washington Daily News, wrote, “Fritz Tanner, Bartow Houston and Steve Cochran comprise one of the most explosive and possibly the fastest backfield in the state of North Carolina.”

The regular-season dominance left Washington with its sights set on the postseason. It blanked Henderson, 13-0, in the East Carolina Stadium. Then, on a cold Thanksgiving evening in front of over 3,000 people in Clinton, the Pam Pack railroaded an undefeated Rockingham club, 38-0.

48 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

The boys punched their ticket to the state championship, advancing further than any other Pam Pack squad ever had.

They were set to travel westward to the small town of Canton.

“We had kids that had never been to Raleigh,” Houston said. “Some had never been west of Raleigh.”

That’s where it all ended. In front of more than 7,000 fans, Washington trailed the mighty Western Class AA champions, 6-0, halfway into the third quarter. A miscue on defense allowed Canton to escape a third-and-long scenario, and the Pam Pack fell, 33-6.

“A bunch of big, hefty bruisers who were tough enough to power their way into a state championship game slumped on the benches in the Pam Pack dressing room last night and wept,” Morgan wrote after the game.

Houston remembers one of his teammates telling him, “Now I know what those teams we beat so bad felt like.”

“Were they better than we were that night?” Houston asked. “Yes they were.

Would it have been different had we been able to meet on a neutral field? Maybe somewhat different, but they were good.”

The 1956 Pam Pack team knew it had set a bar that season. It was the first time

Fritz Tanner, Steve Cochran and Bartow Houston made up one of the most talented backfields in Washington football history. Houston and Tanner played halfback, with Cochran operating as the fullback. The three pounded opponents for over 3,000 rushing yards and nearly 40 touchdowns in 1956.

the team had earned a berth in the state championship. The players who made it possible set offensive and defensive precedents along the way.

Starting at the top, Wagner was more than just a model football coach. He was a model for all members of a school’s community. In addition to coaching, Wagner also served as the athletic director and assistant principal.

“He was somewhat laconic,” Houston said. “He did not do most of what he did by talking. He had a presence. … He was a supporter of the Methodist church here. He was always present in the youth

Sunday school classes.”

He even stepped up one season when Washington needed a basketball coach.

Wagner’s influence on the team was apparent in that the Pam Pack was less of a team and more of a family. Of course, it’s a concept that’s been around since the dawn of competitive sports.

This Washington group perfected it.

“I think we had 25 or 26 players on that team. Eight of them have now passed away. That’s almost a third,” Houston said. “… The friendships you make are long lasting. Like I’ve told the kids speaking to them out at the high school;

you’re part of the Long Blue Line. You can bump into someone any place in the country, and if they know you’re a Pam Packer, there’s a bond.”

In over a century on the gridiron, Washington football has plenty of tradition. The Pam Pack was an institution before the 1956 team, but that squad added a new legitimacy to it.

Pam Pack history continues to be written each year. Sport Sawyer led Washington back to the promised land in 2014 with at least a little help from the proverbial trail of breadcrumbs left by the legendary 1956 group.

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 49

CAST A LINE

Fishing the most underrated season of the year

F

all fishing on the Pamlico can only be characterized as the most underrated season of the year for good fishing.

I’ve had some of my most amazing and memorable experiences in the late fall.

December and even January are very pleasant months and very fishable, too.

Being out on the water fishing year-round gives me a unique perspective on weather. I rate winter weather in terms of harshness, not necessarily with recorded statistics. Many days in December and January are actually quite pleasant, with proper gear of course.

February is a different animal altogether.

March can go either way.

It can have days as brutal as February and as nice as a beautiful spring day in late April. Cold temperatures typically work in your favor by congregating the fish in areas where they can feed in comfort. If you can find those areas, then you have a great chance to have an amazing day of fishing.

As temperatures cool in the late fall, our fish tend to “hunker down” in areas where they can find two very

STORY AND PHOTO BY CAPT. RICHARD ANDREWS important characteristics that are crucial for their winter survival: food and relative warmth. I wanted to say “abundant food” instead of “food,” but I want to illustrate a point, especially for the more cold-intolerant speckled trout.

Speckled trout need to be close to a food supply in the colder months; however, the food (by food, I mean baitfish species that are present in our estuary in the winter) must be just abundant enough for them to feed occasionally. Because their metabolism slows so much in the winter, speckled trout don’t feed every day.

They will feed heavily on days that are warm and sunny, and on cooler, darker days, they’ll just hang around and not expend much energy.

Striped bass or rockfish, our other abundant winter fare, behave much differently in the colder months. They are coldwater fish, inhabiting much of the water from the MidAtlantic States north to New England. They thrive in cold water, and feed much more aggressively and regularly than speckled trout.

This year, we are blessed with an extremely abundant stock of juvenile stripers. There are more young stripers in the estuary than most people have

50 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

Two gentlemen haul in the limit of speckled trout from the Pamlico River. This season is underrated for fishing, but can be bountiful.

ever seen. Most of these stripers were born on the spawning grounds of the Roanoke River in Weldon. That river system can be so productive that it can have a dramatic effect on the numbers of stripers in the Pamlico River and its tributaries.

We have much ahead of us, as we move into the late fall fishing season on the Pamlico.

I am optimistic that we’ll have

really good speckled trout and striper fishing. Get out on the water, and explore during the most underrated seasons in our local waters.

Capt. Richard Andrews is a resident of Washington and the owner of a local year-round guide service offering fishing excursions on the Pamlico and nearby rivers. He can be reached at 252-945-9715 or richard@tarpamguide.com.

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DINING GUIDE

52 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 53

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HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 55

WORD ON WINE

Champagne, the original bubbly

F

WRITTEN BY VIRGINIA FINNERTY

or some, sparkling wine is reser ved for celebrating special occasions; for others, it’s their drink of choice regardless of the occasion.

However, it is without a doubt the wine of celebration, and you’d be hard pressed to argue that any other wine is as linked with celebration, joy and festivity as bubbly. It is used at weddings, anniversaries and all types of special occasions commemorating milestones and achievements. Champagne, the original sparkling wine, has launched countless ships as well as toasted billions of special events. Its meaning and appeal are universal, and during holidays it seems appropriate any time.

Even though before the mid-1600s, Champagne as we know it did not exist, the wines from the region have been linked to joy and celebration over 1,000 years before. In the fifth century, Clovis, the first king of the Franks, converted to Catholicism. His baptism took place in Reims and was celebrated with wines of the region.

Later Reims became the spiritual capital of medieval France with 29 kings being crowned there between 1027 and 1825.

Sparkling wine, like many other great inventions, was not the desired end product. A great deal of time and effort was spent tr ying to avoid bubbles — it was actually considered a sign of poor wine making. Although the “invention” of sparkling wine cannot be attributed to one person,

56 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

many are known to have contributed to its evolution such as Englishman Christopher Merrett, who in 1662 wrote that the secret ingredients were sugar and molasses. Dom Pérignon and Frere Jean Oudart in France used grape blending to help capture the bubbles and introduced the use of corks. In the early 1900s, French engineer Eugene Charmat developed a different method for creating sparkling wine. The Charmat method is the process in which the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in large stainless tanks instead of individual bottles and is bottled under pressure in a continuous procedure.

Yeast and sugar are added to build pressure and produce carbon dioxide, then the yeast and sediment are removed and the wine is bottled and aged for that fabulous bubbly taste.

This practice, although patented in 1907 by French winemaker Eugene Charmat, was first studied by the Italian enologist Federico Martinotti.

Champagne is the “original” bubbly and can only be called Champagne if the wine is produced in the Champagne region of France. However, these days there are delicious bubblys produced in many different areas of France as well as all over the world.

Personally, sparkling wine is my drink of choice and I subscribe to the motto: When in doubt … drink bubbly!

Virginia Finnerty is the owner of Pamlico House Bed & Breakfast and its in-house wine shop.

GLORIA FERRER BLANC DE BLANCS NON-VINTAGE SPARKLING WINE (CARNEROS, CALIFORNIA)

flavors, supple, lively mouth-feel

12 percent Pinot Noir. It features

This sparkling wine pairs well with

seafood, fried foods and Asian

nice focus, density and length.

seared scallops, baked halibut

dishes.

DOMAINE STE. MICHELLE NV BRUT (COLUMBIA VALLEY) This sparkler is made mostly from Chardonnay, with the addition of

and clean, crisp finish make it the ultimate celebratory wine. Enjoy it on its own and with caviar, sushi,

and fresh oysters. For cheese, pair

WOOP WOOP NV THE CHOOK SPARKLING SHIRAZ (SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA)

alongside a rich Brie or soft goat

ENZA PROSECCO (ITALY)

cheese.

Crisp and refreshing with perfectly

Change things up with this darkly

JAUME SERRA CRISTALINO BRUT CAVA NON-VINTAGE SPARKLING WINE (SPAIN)

for pairing for almost any cuisine

with still Shiraz — it’s especially

Its fresh, toasty nose, beautiful

meats and cheese from the Veneto

good with barbecued chicken.

citrus, green apple and mineral

region or with pasta or seafood.

hued, intensely fruity bubbly. Pair it with the same foods you’d serve

balanced acidity, Enza is the perfect or occasion. Try it as an aperitif accompanying traditional Italian

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 57

CALENDAR

OUT AND ABOUT NOVEMBER

All month

BCTMA Jam Turnage Theatre Beaufort County Traditional Music Association’s open jam Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Musicians and fans are encouraged to attend and play.

There is no admission fee. www. bctma.org.

Nov. 17

Gumbo Lily Turnage Theatre 7 p.m. Gumbo Lily is a unique band from Carteret County that combines sounds from the sand and salt water of Coastal NC with the western badlands. The band has performed at many coastal festivals and venues. 252-946-2504 for more information.

Nov. 18

Ronnie McDowell Turnage Theatre 7 p.m. $35 main; $25 balcony.

Country music star Ronnie McDowell brings his string of hits to Arts of the Pamlico’s Turnage Theatre.

252-946-2504 for tickets or more information.

Nov. 19-20

Visit Santa at the Santa Hut Main Street, Washington

Call 252-975-2529 or go to www.hunterspointenc.com/Events. html for more information.

Pay Santa a visit every Thursday and Friday in December from 5 to 7 p.m.

Nov. 19

A Night at the Opry Tar Heel Variety Theater, Chocowinity 7:30 p.m. Featuring Chad Delph & The Country Revivers, Jeffrey Williamson as George Jones, Dana Lewis, Angie Lewis, Brian Williamson and other special guests.Tickets $12. 252-975-2117 for more information.

Nov. 26

Turkeymon Scavenger Hunt Goose Creek State Park 10 a.m. Meet at the park office to “hunt” for turkeys and turkey signs in the park. Bring your phones and take pictures of the turkeys you find. The winner will receive a prize. You will also learn critter stalking techniques.

This program is great for all ages.

DECEMBER

All month

BCTMA Jam Turnage Theatre

Nov. 19

Chocowinity Christmas Parade and Expo Chocowinity 10 a.m. Start the Christmas season with the Chocowinity parade and Christmas Expo at the fire station. Expo opens at 7 a.m.

Nov. 19

African American History Tour Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum 10 a.m. Learn about this unique part of Washington’s history. 252833-0995 for more information.

Dec. 1

Thanksgiving Weekend Blast Hunters’ Pointe Sporting Clays

Beaufort County Traditional Music Association’s open jam Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Musicians and fans are encouraged to attend and play.

There is no admission fee. www. bctma.org.

Harbor Walk of Lights Stewart Parkway Take a walk along the waterfront to see boats decked out with holiday lights and decorations. Every night until Christmas, starting Dec 1. 252947-1487.

58 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

Dec. 2

“The Perfect Tree” Turnage Theatre 7 p.m. $5. Come tour the festival of trees at your community theater and watch this short WRAL-TV documentary about North Carolina’s Christmas tree industry and follows trees from fields to living rooms and even to the Blue Room of the White House. Popcorn, cold drinks, beer and wine sold prior and during the event.

Dec. 2-3

Kris Kringle Craft Show Washington Civic Center Do some holiday shopping with local artists and crafters. From noon to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 252-946-6208 for more information.

Dec. 3

Hometown Holidays Downtown Washington Featuring the Washington Christmas parade, Toys for Tots campaign, merriment and festivities. Call 252947-1487 for more information.

Forestry Festival Goose Creek State Park 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Goose Creek State Park will hold a Forestry Festival in celebration of the 100th anniversar y of the N.C. State Park System. There will be presentations by N.C. Forestry and park staff. This event will include tar kiln demonstrations, hikes and other activities. There will also be long leaf pine seedlings available for planting in restoration

areas of the park and also available to take home.

Messiah community sing Turnage Theatre Beaufort County Choral Society Christmas sponsored community sing of Handel’s Messiah, 7 p.m.

252-946-2504 for more information.

Tar Heel Christmas Show Tar Heel Variety Theater, Chocowinity Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show starts 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12. 252975-2117 for more information.

Dec. 4

Bath Christmas Parade Historic Bath 2 p.m. Beaufort County’s largest Christmas parade takes place in the state’s oldest town. Call 252-9233971 for more information.

Raleigh Ringers Washington High School Performing Arts Center 3 p.m. The Raleigh Ringers is an internationally acclaimed, advanced community handbell choir based in Raleigh. Since its founding in 1990, the Raleigh Ringers has been dazzling concert audiences with unique interpretations of sacred, secular and popular music, including famous rock ‘n’ roll tunes arranged just for handbells. 252-946-3354 for ticket information.

Dec. 8

Senior Dance Washington Civic Center 7 p.m. Singles and couples over 50 are welcome to come and dance the night away. Admission is $8.

50/50 drawing. Door prizes. No alcohol/no smoking/no children.

Dec. 9

“Songs of the Season” Turnage Theatre Beaufort County Choral Society’s

Santa owes money to the Easter Bunny Mafia. The elf Tinsel is here to save the day … well, sort of. Community theater tickets are $10. Cold drinks, wine and beer for sale prior to and during event. Dinner option Dec. 17 plus $15; starts at 6:30.

Dec. 18 show is a matinee at 3 p.m.

Dec. 17

Campfire Cooking Goose Creek State Park 4 p.m. To wrap up our 100th year in N.C. State Parks, come to the park for a campfire program. Meet at the amphitheater near the end of the campground to learn fire building skills and some basic campfire cooking. Here’s to 100 s’more years!

Tar Heel Christmas Show Tar Heel Variety Theater, Chocowinity annual free Christmas concert, 7 p.m.

252-946-2504 for more information.

Dec. 10

“Polar Express” Turnage Theatre Showings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his adventure he learns about friendship, bravery and the spirit of Christmas.

Belhaven Christmas Parade Belhaven 3 p.m. Help ring in the holidays with this one-of-a-kind Christmas parade.

Drop the Kids and Shop Brown Library, Washington 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take the kids to the library for Christmas movies and popcorn and get yourself a little shopping time. 252-947-1487.

Christmas on the Underground Railroad Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum

Meet at the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum. Free. Call 252-833-0995 for more information.

Joan & Joni Turnage Theatre 7:30 p.m. A musical tribute to Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell performed by modern singer/songwriters Allison Shapira and Kipyn Martin. 252-946-2504 for more information.

Tar Heel Christmas Show Tar Heel Variety Theater, Chocowinity Doors open at 6:30; show starts 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12. 252-9752117 for more information.

Christmas Open House Historic Bath Noon. Visit the site’s historic homes decorated in Colonial Revival Style. Enjoy music and refreshments. Morning activities with historic homes open from noon to 4 p.m. Free. 252-923-3971 for more information.

Dec. 11

Basics of Prescribed Burning Goose Creek State Park 2 p.m. Fire is a valuable tool in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. We will talk about the reason why we burn, how we burn and how it can benefit the landscape. Meet at the visitor center.

Dec. 11

Aurora Christmas Parade Aurora

Doors open at 6:30; show starts 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12. 252-9752117 for more information.

Dec. 18

Edward Christmas Parade Edward 3 p.m. Visit the south side of the Pamlico River for some holiday cheer.

Dec. 19-21

3 p.m. Visit the south side of the Pamlico for some holiday cheer.

Dec. 17

Drop the Kids and Shop Brown Library, Washington 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take the kids to the library for Christmas movies and popcorn and get yourself a little shopping time. 252-947-1487.

Dec. 16-18

Tinsel Almost Sorta Saves Christmas Turnage Theatre 8 p.m. A farcical comedy where

Holiday Hayrides Downtown Washington Holiday Hayrides courtesy of Raised in a Barn Farm. Wagons will run every 30 minutes from 5:30 to 9 p.m. each night, weather permitting.

252-945-6153.

Dec. 23

The Embers featuring Craig Woolard Turnage Theatre 7:30 p.m. $20 tickets. Cap off the seasonal events with a Christmas performance by hometown star Craig Woolard and beach music kings The Embers. 252-946-2504 for tickets or more information.

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 59

May your holidays be joyful and bright.

Enjoy all the good moments that come with the season.

Your friends at Allstate wish you the best this holiday season and look forward to serving you in 2017.

AssureVest Insurance Group ryanwhitford@allstate.com

252-946-3904 700 W. 15th St. Washington

252-792-8131

1121 Walmart Dr. Williamston

199559

Call or stop by for a free quote. © 2015 Allstate Insurance Co.

GREENVILLE TOWN COMMON

60 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY 2016

Visit the Tideland EMC Timeline at www.tidelandemc.com/history HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 61

35 cents a day Call 252-940-4200 for a subscription

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Y’ALL COME BACK

Why I love Washington

A vacation feeling every day WRITTEN BY ALEXIS DAVIS | PHOTO BY VAIL STEWART RUMLEY

I

grew up in the landlocked Midwest, but every couple of years my parents packed the family into the yellow station wagon and, armed with a road atlas, off we went on the long drive to Ocean City, Maryland. We'd rent a cottage and for one Coppertone-scented, sunburned, sand-in-the-sheets week we lived on the water. Everything about that week was different from real life: hearts were lighter, strangers were friendlier, lunch was a picnic and dinner was fresh, salty seafood. Days were lazy, evenings full of breezes, music and the breathtaking sight of the sun setting on the water.

Something about a sunset on the water makes you slow down and breathe a little deeper, and feel a certain peace. For me, that feeling is inextricably woven into that “vacation” state of mind.

My introduction to Washington, North Carolina, came on a warm June Saturday. My husband had accepted a job in Greenville, and life was about to change dramatically for us and our daughters. We weren’t sure how this was going to work, and we all felt unsteady. On this day we were meeting a real estate agent to look at houses. We were strangers with no clue what to expect, or what Washington was about. We turned onto Stewart Parkway, and there it was: the water!

As we drove around Washington, treated to an informed narrative about who’s who, what’s what and where’s where, we had our first glimpses of the Washington we would come to love. The charming Historic District shops and restaurants, Mac Jones Seafood, laid-back island-

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Alexis Davis

themed Backwater Jack’s looking out over the river, beautiful Washington Park with its Spanish moss-draped waterfront and graceful homes and streets, the smell of salt in the air and of course, everywhere, the water.

But perhaps the one feature that was more striking to us than the river was the warm and welcoming people we met. They treated us like friends, and we truly are

friends today. The combination of this jewel of a town, its every facet informed by the river, and the friendly and genuine locals won our hearts. And for me, it evoked that happy feeling of vacation.

Washington is truly a special place. I’m grateful daily to live here, and watching a stunning autumn sunset on the river from Stewart Parkway, I still have that vacation feeling today.

HOLIDAY 2016 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 65

ADVERTISER INDEX Acre Station Meat Farm, 53 Andrea Heekin/CB Coastal Rivers Realty, 51 Arendell Parrott Academy, 43 Arts of the Pamlico, 66 AssureVest Insurance Group, 60 Beaufort County Community College, 42 Beaufort County Police Activities League, 15 Big Bargain Furniture, 24 Bloom Women’s Apparel, 24 Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, 66 Coldwell Banker Coastal Rivers Realty, 3 Daughtridge Patio & Hearth, 60 Dellinger’s Pawn, 24 Diane Edwards/CB Coastal Rivers Realty, 15 Dr. Lee Lewis, DDS, PLLC, 61 Eastern Radiologists, 55 El Charrito, 52 Executive Personnel Group, 62 Eye Care Center, 63 Farm Bureau Insurance, 63 Feyer Ford, 5 First South Bank, 43 Fitness Unlimited, 51 Gail Kenefick/CB Coastal Rivers Realty, 55 Gentiva, inside back cover Gerri McKinley/CB Coastal Rivers Realty, 51 GoldenWay Home Care, 51 Liftavator, inside front cover Lone Leaf Gallery, 15 Mauri Evans/State Farm Insurance, 54 Moore Aquatic & Fitness Center, 54 Meeting Place Café & Catering, 53 Nan McLendon/The Rich Company, 43 No Wake Zone Grill, 53 PotashCorp Aurora, 54 Rod and Jordan Cantrell/Edward Jones, 60 Scott Campbell/Century 21, 65 Servpro, 61 Sloan Insurance, 24 Southern Nest Antiques, 24 Stewart’s Jewelry Store, 7 Tayloe’s Hospital Pharmacy, 55 The Rich Company, 62 Tideland Electric, 61 Vidant, back cover Vinny’s Pizza and Subs, 52 Washington Harbor District Alliance, 25 Watai Dojo, 62 Zaxby’s, 52

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