By Miles Layton

A round-up from God’s country…

First news comes from Elizabeth City: Carolina Feed and Seed is under new owners – The Plant Park. 

“We are in the process of cleaning up around the building.  There are some places in the building that are in really bad shape, so I don’t want the public thinking this will be opening any time soon. …  We will work on it as we can and as money allows, but there won’t be any major changes anytime soon. We are just thankful to have the opportunity,” said Suzanne Stallings, owner of The Plant Park and the Carolina Feed and Seed Building.

Story’s photo comes from the Pasquotank County GIS Office.

Built in the late 1940s, that building/property has been around forever and a day.

From the real estate ad: Own a piece of Elizabeth City’s history with the Carolina Feed and Seed. This iconic building/business was one of Elizabeth City’s finest, servicing farmers, gardening supplies to livestock and more! It first began as a co-op and quickly migrated to serve the surrounding agricultural community. Restore this piece of history for future generations. Carolina Feed & Seed has also been an artist’s delight for years; paint a ”new” picture on canvas with your vision!

Ad listed the 1.02-acre property for sale at $150,000.

According to county records, the property was assessed at $119,500.

Next, a well-placed source said a Bojangles is coming to Edenton.

Let’s be clear – Bojangles isn’t super-duper confirmed yet – but I have good sources.

Per Town Manager Corey Gooden, “At this time, all I can say is that there was a major special use permit (MSUP) applied for that has a quick-service-restaurant (QSR) on it. I want to see what the meeting details contain before I say any more about a specific brand.”

Gooden added, “Once we have a site plan for the TRC process, we can gladly share the business name. We are waiting for that to come in at anytime.”

Per the results from the 51st annual Edenton Peanut Festival Battle of the Bands, held at John A. Holmes High School, Bunn High School earned the day’s highest score and was named “Band of the Day.” Aces Band Director said the competition was rained out about halfway through, so only four of the eight bands were able to compete.

How did the Aces do? Because they are the home team, they don’t compete in this exhibition.

According to the race results posted online and from the Social Light: Mark Cagle, 57, of Belhaven won the men’s division of the 15K Nutty Challenge (a combined 10K and 5K) with a time of 1:04:31.46. Ryland Elliott, 38, of Edenton took second at 1:06:33.52, and Stafford Beasley, 32, of Windsor placed third at 1:06:43.31.

On the women’s side, Jennifer Struchen, 54, of Edenton won in 1:23:30.95, placing her eighth overall. Jill Moncla, 33, of Elizabeth City was second at 1:24:48.24, and Julie Stutts, 52, of Rocky Mount finished third at 1:35:43.81.

Next, Baron’s Pub is slated to open this week at the old Oyster Bar by the marina in Edenton. I’m told the folks managing the restaurant know a lot about the food and beverage industry, so I can’t wait to eat there. Owners/Managers are associated with the Baron’s Pub in Suffolk, which serves good food. Based on its marina location, Baron’s Pub may grow into a place like the television show “where everybody knows your name” – Cheers.

Gravestones at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church are to be cleaned starting this week. When I need a moment of peace and solace, I walk through that graveyard reading the stones, maybe saying a silent prayer for the dead that they be forgiven of their sins and go to heaven. Lot of old stones, some with intricate carvings on marble.

If you haven’t read our story, well, Chris Evans’ last day as a Chowan County Commissioner is Nov. 1. Evans is a good guy and an effective commissioner. Since Evans is a Republican, the local party will decide who best to serve as the next commissioner — that name will be sent to the County Commission for approval. Presently, there are 5 Republicans and two Democrats serving on the commission. Once upon a time, Democrats were the majority on the commission and in local politics, as in the rest of Eastern NC, but that’s changed, more or less, in recent years. Democrats have changed as much as Republicans in the last 40 years in this end of the state.

Back to Evans – a few things: a member of the choir at Rocky Hock Baptist – maybe see him singing in this video.  

Born and raised in the Rocky Hock community, Evans has been working as a realtor for Carolina East in recent years. For more, see our story here. 

Meanwhile, across the Sound in Columbia, the Scuppernong River Festival is Saturday. Looks like a great festival with plenty of entertainment and things to do and see.  

Harbor Towns – I wonder how that’s doing these days. I’m hearing different things about how the project may be stalled – not a lot of progress to report… I sense a disturbance in the Force.