It’s the view from The Silos mailbox, highway 55 rooster perspective.
Monday July 14, 2025
10:20a The shrimp are running. Sunday night shrimpers were on the Neuse in numbers. Big trawlers and little ones.
Neuse River brown shrimp will begin to show up for sale. Keith Bruno (actually Zac) caught a bunch, but says he is almost out this morning.
It’s hot. Highs near 90, heat index (feels like) about 100. Later this week, even hotter.
The folks at Tidewater Grain are looking for both full time summer help and after school part time help. A high school student could fit. Tidewater is growing and selling rice (and other grains) right here in Pamlico County. It’s an
impressive home grown operation. More info here.Friday July 11, 2025
1:34p Tonight at New Village Brewery, Big Jim Kohler starts up @ 6p, with Capone’s A Taste of Philly food truck serving dinner. Down the road, Ken Belangia plays the Red Rooster, 7p.
Saturday is the first day of the weekend for Mariposa, the wine bar & bakery. Saturday has become the main day that Mariposa sells bread: many kinds including sourdough, French, ciabatta rolls, etc. Mariposa is open Sat – Mon, 6a-11a (bakery) and 3p-9p (wine bar).
Saturday at the brewery Uncle Fred’s Food Truck. He’s everywhere: Ken Belangia plays the beer garden. Sunday at the brewery, work on your best New England accent: Cousin’s Maine Lobster Food Truck serves noon-5p.
A couple events for your calendar: The Parrothead Regatta (from New Bern to Oriental) is Saturday July 19. The Dinghy Poker run is July 26.
No tacos this weekend… or for a few weeks. A note from Pete & Martha Newman:
Casa Que Pasa has had a great spring and summer, except for the excessive heat in the food trailer.
We’ve decided to close for a few weeks in order to focus our attention on the new Taco Tower. We’re so excited to be bringing indoor/outdoor dining with incredible views of the pond, the harbor, and beyond. We will also be expanding our menu. We’ll see you in mid-August…
Muchas Gracias… Hasta Luego!
Wednesday July 9, 2025
2:32p It almost rained on the fireworks. But it didn’t. There was rain before, rain after. But sometimes things shine your way… the fireworks show Saturday night got a perfect dry spell.
10:14a Five Commissioner seats and one for Mayor – the sign up period for Oriental’s elected officials is open.
So far there are three names in the hat for Commissioner: Bonnie Crosser, Greg Bohmert, and Iris Cooper. Crosser is an incumbent, having served one term. This will be the third run for Bohmert; he ran in 2017 & 2023. Cooper is the newcomer.
5:55a Hold onto your hat: gusts up to 25 knots / 30 mph this afternoon & tonight.
Those winds will be from the south & southwest. Water levels will be staying lower.
Sunday July 6, 2025
11:02a Tropical Storm Chantal is inland… and downgraded to Tropical Depression Chantal.
That’s it for Chantal being tracked by the National Hurricane Center… the remains of the storm are now primarily a rain event, west and inland of our lil’ town.
Saturday July 5, 2025
5:53p The threat of rain has pushed Sunday’s morning riverside Community Worship Service inside.
The service will now be at the United Methodist Church at 9:30a, at the corner of Freemason Street and 3rd Ave.
12:20p Dark clouds over Oriental Harbor Marina:
8:11a Rain is likely this afternoon, but the parade looks like it will just sneak in while the world is dry(ish).
Tropical Depression Three has been upgraded – now Tropical Storm Chantal, with max 40 mph winds The forecast track has the system going inland at the South Carolina coast, and should stay west of us. We may get a bit wet from the edge of Chantal.
Friday July 4, 2025
5:32a That low pressure off Florida is now Invest 92, on the Atlanta near the Florida/Georgia border. Invest 92 isn’t expected to become much of a storm, with initial tracks taking it inland and west of us. It does look like it might rain on Charlotte.
Thursday July 3, 2025
7:23a Commissioner. It could be your new title.
6:02a That low pressure system off Florida is still being watched by NOAA /NHC. Now a 50% chance of development, but models are not suggesting a significant storm would emerge:
An area of low pressure is forecast to develop along a weakening frontal boundary near Florida or the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States by early this weekend. Environmental conditions appear only marginally conductive for some slow development, but a tropical or subtropical depression could form in this region over the weekend or early next week while the system drifts northward or northeastward. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible across portions of the southeast U.S., particularly across the west-central Florida coast.
As is typical for summer forecasts, there is a chance of rain most every day in the next few days. July 4 (Friday) upper 80s, and Saturday should be mostly sunny. There is a 50% chance of afternoon showers, but that should allow the parade (starts at 10a) to sneak by before any wet visits.
Light 5-10 knot stuff on the Neuse today and Friday, then a bit more spirited winds 10-15 Saturday.
Tuesday July 1, 2025
There’s a parade coming this Saturday. Paul Fairbank has been the village Parade Master for a long time. He says he is going to retire:
The new Parade Masters are Bobbi & Phil McKenney. You can learn more about the parade & the Croaker Festival at
croakerfestival.comSunday June 29, 2025
2:10p The tropical depression in the gulf has been upgraded & gets a name. It’s
Tropical Storm Barry, a modest system that will stay at the Mexican coast.
Meanwhile, a low pressure system stretching from Florida to the NC coast has some storm development potential:
The words from NOAA /NHC:
Towards the end of this week into next weekend, an area of low pressure could develop from a remnant frontal boundary near or along the southeastern U.S. Atlantic or Gulf coasts. Some gradual tropical or subtropical development could occur thereafter as it drifts slowly just off the U.S. coastline.
10:02a Today is a special day in Oriental: it’s a key day for New Village Brewery.
The brewery celebrates it’s 8th year anniversary.
There’s a BBQ potluck this afternoon. Food served around 2:30-3ish. Local musicians will be jamming 2:30-4:30p.
You’re invited.
Wednesday June 25, 2025
3:17p House Bill 442, which would have banned shrimp trawling in the Neuse & Pamlico Sound, will not pass. It was killed in caucus today… it never came up for a vote.
The measure had passed the NC Senate last week by a wide margin, but it was a last minute addition to another bill. There may be reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue, but adding a substantial law change to another bill at the last minute didn’t sit well with many.
Yesterday about a thousand fishermen converged in Raleigh, voicing their opposition to the proposed shrimp trawling ban.
Fighting the bill were representatives that don’t usually work together, but on HB 442 they found common ground.
Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort (who also represents Pamlico County) stated earlier “This [bill] is going to die a quick, painful death or we’re going to die trying.” Working also to fight the bill was Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford. Harrison supports environmental causes, but argued in this case that the shrimping ban is not an environmental policy.
Local shrimping will continue.
9:01a It used to be a Hardees.
7:50a Storm Andrea is no more… she was just officially a storm for half a day. Now, a “remnant low.”
Andrea was the first official storm of the 2025 season. Here are the storm names on tap for 2025:
Tuesday June 24, 2025
5:01p HB 442 will not be voted on today. Some think the crowd in Raleigh may have convinced enough house members to oppose the bill, others fear that they are just waiting a day for the vote. Fisherman Keith Bruno was there:
After a full day of either being ignored or placated and being told what they thought we would want to hear I now have more mistrust in the process than ever.
They will not vote today.
The collective thinking of the commercial sector is that they don’t want to make a decision with such a crowd outside.
The scene outside the legislature:
3:34p We’re waiting on word from Raleigh re the NC House voting on HB 442, which would ban inshore shrimp trawling (this includes the Neuse River & Pamlico Sound). At one point today over 1,000 people were at the legislature, protesting the proposed bill.
No vote yet.
1:38p Invest 90 has been declared as Tropical Storm Andrea, the first Atlantic storm this season. Andrea is mid Atlantic, heading away from us, and will have a short life.
10:12a Sent in a few minutes ago from the legislature building in Raleigh… a seafood truck with a message parked on Jones Street:
8:01a As word of a proposed ban on inshore shrimping spread, some local governments are expressing concern.
Monday afternoon’s high reached 98 degrees. The Oriental Weather Station shows the rising thermometer:
Today and Wednesday, hot highs in the mid 90s, with heat index numbers above 110.
Monday June 23, 2025
7:52a Back in May, NOAA /NHC predicated an “above average” hurricane season. The headlines last week (on breathless sites) were “slowest hurricane season start in 20 years”.
The hurricane season officially began June 1, but today is just the fourth day of summer 2025.
Storm season has barely started.
Out in the Atlantic this morning is the first sniff of a 2025 tropical storm system. Invest 90 might become a storm, but it’s not coming our way:
Disorganized showers and thunderstorms are about 600 miles east of Bermuda. An increase in thunderstorm activity could result in the formation of a short-lived tropical depression today. By Tuesday, this system is expected to encounter less favorable environmental conditions, ending its opportunity for development. The system is forecast to move northeastward around 10 mph, remaining over the open central Atlantic.
• Formation chance through 48 hours…high…70 percent.
• Formation chance through 7 days…high…70 percent.
Here in river city, a brutal day ahead. We are forecast to see upper 90s today, heat index near 110. Tuesday & Wednesday mid 90s, more high humid heat index #s.
Sunday June 22, 2025
9:05a Julie Williams is a rising star in Nashville. Today, she’s coming to Oriental. Have a listen:
Showtime 4:30p at the Old Theater. They’ve got the air conditioners humming.
More info here.7:17a The forecast is slightly less worser. But still hot. Those from a different latitude might say too hot:
Mariposa bakery is open this morning. Mariposa hours are a little different: Open 3 days a week as follows: Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Bakery hours: 6a – 11a, Wine bar hours: 3p-9p.
Friday June 20, 2025
1:58p It’s the first weekend of summer. It’s Silospalooza.
Sample the brews of Birdsong and Wicked Weed breweries today at the Provision Company, 2-4p.
Friday night, get a cheesesteak sandwich at the Brewery from Capone’s: A Taste of Philly from 3-8 and head to the beer garden to hear Back Pocket Buddha, from 6-8:30p.
Catch local favorites Harbor Sounds at Stonewall Methodist Church at 6:30p – rumor has it this may be one of their last performances.
Sailors participating in the Ocracoke Regatta anchor or raft up at Indian Island Friday night. Start is Saturday morning.
Watercolorist Karen Noll Schaff, is exhibiting at Broad Strokes Gallery as their June artist of the month.
Start Saturday at the Oriental Farmer’s Market on Hodges Street by the harbor. Sample French wines at Nautical Wheelers at 2 & 3p.
Silospalooza starts at 2:30p, featuring five bands,
BBQ plates, and a pizza eating contest. Entry is free.
Jasmine Tasty Thai serves at the Brewery Saturday night from 4-8p, the Mad Fiddler plays from 6-8:30p.
Sunday morning the Oriental United Methodist Church holds service at the riverside, 8:30a at Lou Mac Park.
Grab a bite from Captain Jim’s Fresh Seafood at the Brewery, 1:30p-4:30p.
Award-winning singer & songwriter Julie Williams plays at The Old Theater at 4:30p.
7:50a This is it. The first official day of summer 2025.
Today is the summer solstice, the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In proper scientific terms, today the North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day (most sunlight) and shortest night of the year.
You look confused. Maybe y’all need a pretty diagram:
It all sounds OK, until you look at the forecast. It’s about to get hot. Stinkin’ hot. Monday and Tuesday forecast to get close to 100.
Thursday June 19, 2025
2:12p Oriental’s History Museum closes its current exhibit, “Oriental’s Remarkable Women”, at the end of June.
Tonight the Museum holds a reception from 7 – 9p to say “goodbye” to the exhibit and to the legacy of those women who changed the face of this town and the county. You’re invited. Light refreshments served.
Oriental’s History Museum is at 802 Broad Street, open: Friday 11-3 and Saturday 1-4. Admission free with donations gratefully accepted.
Wednesday June 18, 2025
10:14a If you’re trying to reach Dr. Hicks at Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital, you’ll need to use their alternate number: 252-515-6044.
There are problems with their main phone line. They expect phone service to be restored Thursday afternoon.
6:22a It’s Wednesday, and Oriental’s Piggly Wiggly has new weekly specials.
