Local Food

Visit Edenton to present Sounds of Summer on July 22nd

Edenton, N.C. — Visit Edenton, the county’s Tourism Development Authority, is proud to
announce their upcoming waterfront event, “Sounds of Summer,” slated for Saturday, July 22,
from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. In a fresh take on the beloved Music and Water Festival, organizers have
crafted a lively summer spectacle that celebrates Edenton’s coastal heritage and love for good
music. Attendees are encouraged to sail up to the waterfront in their boats or come land-side
with blankets and chairs to lounge on the lawn.

Summer is here with boating season in full force. Boaters in Edenton can bask in the sunshine, fish for a local catch, or cruise to nearby waterside towns. Unlike other places within North Carolina’s crowded intracoastal waterways, boaters in Albemarle Sound, one of North America’s largest freshwater sounds, can experience relative solitude. Locals and visitors can dock and dine at mouthwatering eateries such as The Landing at Mackeys and Edenton Bay Oyster Bar

To keep afloat and enjoy the open water without incident, be sure to follow these 10 important boat safety tips.

1. Wear life jackets: Regardless of the size or type of boat, all passengers should have properly fitting lifejackets that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Life vests are mandated by North Carolina law for anyone under 13 years of age. Many boating fatalities result from drowning among boaters not donning a life jacket. Life jackets can help people stay afloat in choppy waters and prevent hypothermia when unexpected circumstances arise.
2. Stay alert. Drinking and boating are a dangerous combination. Alcohol is a leading cause of boating accidents. Kyle Barkley who serves as the Senior Officer with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission underscores the need to avoid boating while impaired. “Unfortunately, many individuals think because they are on the boat, laws of drinking and operating are different. If an individual is operating a vessel impaired, they are subject to arrest like on the road.”  
3. Avoid navigational hazards. Like driving a car, it is important to remain attentive while steering clear of other boats, kayaks, and paddleboards. Watch out for submerged stumps, trees, rocks, or floating driftwood, especially following a storm or flooding incident. Be aware that some waterways are particularly shallow or have bridges that may become more difficult to traverse in rising waters.
4. Keep an eye to the sky. Monitor the forecast and changing weather conditions. Even a nice day can rapidly unravel as wind and rain arrive. Avoid boating in stormy conditions when the brackish waters can cause a boat to capsize. Return to dock immediately if lightning or high winds unexpectedly arise. Sergeant of Marine Patrol, Brian Long advises, “My Grandfather always told me if you see a dark cloud go in. Good advice.”
5. Maintain communication and have a float plan. Tell someone ashore when you are leaving and when you plan to return home. Boats can register a Maritime Mobile Service Identify (MMSI) number that is connected to radio and GPS in the case of an emergency. That will enable rescue crews to find your boat if in distress. Volunteer firefighter Kim Ringeisen explains, “MMSI numbers are used with DSC (Digital Selective Calling) radios and AIS (Automatic Identification System) units, like a cell phone number.  The best for recreational boating is a handheld or mobile marine radio. Have it set to scan channels 9 and 16, as well as set the weather alert. Although not required in recreational boats under 65.5 feet long, a Very High Frequency (VHF) Marine Radio allows instant communication between your boat and other boats, marinas, bridges, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). It is the primary means of communication on coastal waters and has many characteristics which make it preferable to a cell phone, CB Radio, or other means of communication. Most VHF Marine Radios also have instant access to NOAA weather forecasts, 24 hours a day.”
6. Invest in a carbon monoxide detector. Engines can emit carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that cannot be seen or smelled but is deadly.
7. Wear sunscreen and bug repellant. Be sure to cover skin thoroughly and reapply sunscreen often to avoid sunburn. Biting insects are commonplace in this region and can interfere with enjoyment. Spray on a natural repellant to keep the pests at bay.
8. Bring plenty of water and emergency supplies onboard. Stay hydrated while boating and drink water even before you feel thirsty to prevent heat exhaustion. Recreational boater Robert Bucciere says “It is best to be prepared for anything. If you end up being out longer than expected it is wise to have extra water, nutritional snacks, and medications.”
9. Avoid propellor strikes by sitting in appropriate boat seating as Barkley explains. “At the bottom of an outboard motor is a rotating, sharp piece of metal that can spin upwards of three thousand revolutions per minute and can cause lacerations and worse. We stop boat after boat every year with boaters ‘bow riding,’ meaning sitting on the fronts of boats with limbs or even entire bodies hanging over the gunwale of the boat. This puts boaters at greater risk of falling overboard and being run over by the boat and struck by the prop, causing serious injury or death. It would somewhat be the equivalent of riding a vehicle on a highway and hanging out the window without a seatbelt on, except if a boat runs you over after falling out, there will be a propeller spinning at three thousand RPMs or more.”
10. Follow the law. Each state has specific rules and laws for boaters. North Carolina boating laws can be found by going here: N.C. Wildlife Boating Laws & Safety

I can’t believe it’s been almost 15 years since I moved from a small town in North Eastern Pennsylvania to a small town in North Eastern North Carolina called Edenton. Fresh out of college and the first time making a life outside of PA. I found Edenton on the map and knew I was going to live here before even visiting. I promised myself a year before my nomadic spirit carried me elsewhere and 15 years later I’m still here.

Let me tell you why- It is steeped in tradition and rich history, occupied by kind and diverse community, possesses people that truly take pride in and care for where they live, boasts stunning views and cultural panache, and most of all houses an array of people from all over the country that are drawn to its spirit and beauty. It’s reminiscent of Gene Kelley’s Brigadoon with an atmosphere that would make Andy Griffith proud.

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, the Albemarle Area Chapter of the Model T Ford Club International (MTFCI) toured the Perquimans and Chowan County northern back roads for its annual Spring Tour.

The Chapter is one of the MTFCIs over 100 chapters worldwide and covers eastern North Carolina up into southeastern Virginia and west past Greenville.

Participants for this tour came from Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Moyock, Winterville, Hobbsville, and the local area. We also welcome Model A Ford participants, as many participants have both a Model T and A.

The tour left Hertford and went north above Center Hill and back down to Edenton for lunch at the “The Herringbone “, the newest restaurant on the waterfront, occupying the historic 1890s Edenton Ice Company building adjacent to the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse.

After lunch, participants were treated to a fascinating demonstration of the tire retreading process at the Colony Tire Retreading Facility. The staff at the facility gave a thorough presentation of all the steps involved in the retreading process, which was particularly impressive given the facility’s daily volume of deliveries from some 40 outlets.  

With the tour winding down and the skies starting to look ominous, the vintage convoy journeyed by the Burnt Mill Road route to the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department building. The group ended the tour with the Chapter’s traditional “End with Ice Cream “ celebration and farewells until the next time.

For further information on Model T activities, contact Bron Prokuski at bronprokuski@mediacombb.net, who contributed this article and information.

Some facts about the iconic Model T:

• The Ford Model T, produced between 1908 and 1927, was one of the most popular cars in history, with over 15 million manufactured at the Michigan plants. The car’s affordable price and ease of maintenance made it accessible to the masses and helped to transform America’s transportation landscape. Production reached a rate of 9,000 to 10,000 cars a day, only surpassed by the Volkswagen Beetle in 1972. Cars were also manufactured in Britain, Ireland, Denmark, and Canada.
• A four-cylinder engine, making 20 horsepower from 177 cubic inches that could run on gasoline, kerosene, or ethanol – up to 20 mpg, with a max speed of 45. No balanced crankshaft, and with a magneto flywheel.  Electric starting offered as optional in 1918, then standard.
• The T has a reverse gear, a low-speed gear, and a direct drive. Braking is on the transmission, and the brakes on the rear wheels are service/parking/emergency brakes only
• A typical annual MTFCI Annual Tour will draw over 300 Model T’s for several days of touring.  The 2023 Tour will be in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

The foundation of cooking great barbecue, or any protein for that matter, is the ability to cook to perfect moisture and tenderness.  Moisture and tenderness are very much related.  Cook your protein too long and you’ll cause all of the intermuscular fat and collagen to evaporate, resulting in dry meat.  Undercooked proteins are unsafe to eat and can be tough and dry because those same fats and collagens haven’t had time to properly break down.