BY MILES LAYTON
A round-up of things in northeastern North Carolina…
For folks who remember, we started this column to talk about happenings, places and personalities in our region. That column was published each week in the Chowan Herald and was inspired by the “Seen and Heard” column written J. Edwin Bufflap, editor and founder of that newspaper, RIP. On that note, through this column we seek to reincarnate the vision of Herbert Peele, formerly longtime editor and owner of the Daily Advance, RIP, who penned the column “Peelings.”
Much of what this ink-stained wretch is inspired by comes from the golden age of those two newspapers. If you have news tips, send them to albemarle.observer@gmail.com
First up, Camden County has renewed its contract with Wolfestein, LLC, ran by former state Senator, Bob Steinburg, to represent those folks in Raleigh. Edenton Town Council will discuss whether to renew his company’s two-year contract with the Town for professional services as a lobbyist at an upcoming meeting.
A conservative Republican, Steinburg served as a state representative for three terms and about two terms as a senator.
Since leaving the Senate in July of 2022, Steinburg has been a strong lobbyist, bringing home millions for northeastern NC.
In other news, Melody Perdue is the new rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edenton. Perdue comes to Edenton from the Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church at Virginia Beach.
Perdue is an experienced worship leader, military (and clergy) spouse and mother of five. She is married to The Rev. Hayes Perdue, an Episcopal priest and U.S. Navy chaplain.
Perdue earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Grove City College in Grove City, PA and a Master of Divinity degree from Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago, IL. She has additional training in youth ministry and pastoral care from The Lazarus Center in Ambridge, Penn.; The International School of Service in Cincinnati, Ohio and The Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Penn. She has served churches as a youth and worship leader in Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
When I went to church the other day to pray, I met Perdue in the sanctuary. Very nice person. I look forward to hearing her sermons.
St. Paul’s has been searching for a rector for about two years. The last permanent pastor was Malone Gilliam – I miss references to 90s alt rock in his sermons. These days Gilliam is preaching at St. George’s in Nashville.
Speaking of church news, if a newspaper can publish a game recap and scores from Friday night’s football games, it can certainly provide information about church happenings great and small. Think about it – thousands of folks from across the region attend church each week, so if we can get add church news, maybe we can get more people in the pews. Send any church news to albemarle.observer@gmail.com
Perquimans County
In other news, Perquimans High School Pirates’ seniors Catherine Howell and Jaylynn Nelson were selected as Rotary Students of the Month for November at a recent meeting in Hertford. Howell is a top-notch volleyball player and Nelson is an amazing football player.
Hertford will have its annual Grand Illumination of the Christmas tree between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. tonight (Friday) downtown by the courthouse. Seeing the tree lit up should put anyone in the Christmas spirit.
Want some good chili – then to the Hertford United Methodist Church’s Grand Illumination Chili Dinner between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. tonight (Friday). Tickets can be purchased at the church office and are $8 per person. Join the church before, during, or after the festivities in our fellowship hall for a delicious chili dinner with toppings, cornbread, cookies, and beverages. For information, call the church office at 252-426-5467.
The Christmas parade will be at 2 p.m. Saturday – theme is “Rocking around the Christmas tree.”
Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City’s Christmas parade “A Harbor Hometown Holiday” kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Westover Street (beside the Enfield Ballpark) traveling East along Ehringhaus Street, going North on Road Street, then East along Main, and finishing up at Waterfront Park. The Parade Quiet Zone will begin at the corner of E Church Street and S Water Street and end at the stoplight at Ehringhaus and Water Street.
The Albemarle Chorale’s holiday concert, “A Christmas Offering,” will be held at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Road St., Elizabeth City. The concert, which features old and contemporary holiday songs, lasts about 2 hours.
Chorale Director Linwood Winslow is also the choir director and organist for the Up River Friends Meeting church in Belvidere and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hertford.
Accompanist Jackie Copeland is the music director for Edenton Baptist Church. The Albemarle Chorale’s members are from Belvidere, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Hertford, Merry Hill and Tyner.
At their Edenton concert, Winslow noted that the song selection reflects his 20 years as director.
Tyrrell County
Columbia has lots of activities planned ahead as part of its River Town Christmas festivities such as the Christmas Tree lighting tonight (Friday) at 6 p.m. at the Courthouse Square. Columbia’s Christmas parade starts at 2 p.m. Saturday with line-up to begin at the high school. For more information, see the Tyrrell County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.
Speaking of Tyrrell County, Nathan (Tommy) Everett was elected as Chairman with Jordan Davis as Vice Chair at Tuesday’s meeting of the Tyrrell County Commission.
Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft has a new executive director – Gretchen Schermerhorn, who has nearly 20 years of experience in the fine arts and crafts sector.
Schermerhorn’s previous roles include serving as Artistic Director at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, where she developed and oversaw impactful exhibitions, workshops, and residencies. Most recently, as Executive Director of the Southern Graphics Council International, Schermerhorn achieved growth in membership and social media engagement and successfully managed an international printmaking conference.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft, I am delighted to welcome Ms. Gretchen Schermerhorn to the position of Executive Director. Gretchen brings to us a strong background in arts organizational management, and a deep knowledge of craft. Her previous positions as executive director, as well as artistic director make her superbly qualified to lead us forward. With her experience and insight, we look to strengthen our commitment to the regional, national, and international craft communities, as well as the local community. Gretchen’s outgoing personality and enthusiasm will allow her to integrate smoothly and guide us in new challenges. So, a huge ‘Welcome’ to Gretchen! Stay in touch with Pocosin Arts to find out what comes next!” C. James Meyer, President of the Board posted to social media.
Chowan County
Check out the nicely decorated Christmas trees in front of the Cupola House, courtesy of the Cupola House Foundation and organizer Vonna O’Neill.
Edenton Tea Party Chapter is but one of the organizations responsible for the Christmas Trees at the Cupola House. We are not responsible for the entire event… we have one tree there, like many other organizations who come together to make this display possible!
The Edenton Tea Party Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is among many of the groups who decorate a tree every year. Kellogg’s is the main contributor of the beautiful trees and we’ve head that the Edenton Chowan Optimist Club helps out.
Edenton’s Christmas festivities, which coincide with the tree-lighting ceremony, will take place Saturday.
Activities include:
- Free Breakfast — 9-11 a.m. Edenton United Methodist Church, 223 Virginia Road, Edenton.
- Rudolph Run — 8:45 a.m. 1-mile fun run (untimed); 9 a.m. 5K run. Starts at 210 E. Water St., Edenton. Rudolph Run 5K proceeds will benefit Aces Booster Club, helping support all Aces sports programs and activities.
- Kickoff to Christmas 2024 — 4-8 p.m. Colonial Waterfront Park, 510 S. Broad St., Edenton. Tree lighting and Santa’s arrival are scheduled to be at 5:30 p.m.
- 2nd Annual First-Responder Christmas Cook-Off — 4:30 p.m. on Edenton’s downtown waterfront. Stop by and vote for your favorite.
- 2024 Edenton Flotilla — 6 p.m. at Edenton Bay, visible from downtown Edenton. Boats line up at the Old Fish Hatchery Dock (directly across from Edenton Bay Marina). To join the event, fill out the form here.
Lastly, the 43rd annual Christmas Candlelight Tour will be between Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in Edenton.
Tickets sold out in October, but … the Christmas Candlelight Tour is a self-guided evening walking tour that visits decorated private homes and public sites in historic Edenton. Steinburg’s home on South Granville Street is one of the many amazing places featured as part of the tour.
The theme of Saturday (Dec. 14) Christmas parade in Edenton is Tinsel & Teapots. Line-up begins at the Edenton Village Shopping Center (N Broad St) at 9 a.m. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. and goes to the waterfront.
Camden County
South Mills Christmas parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, on Main Street.