Tar Heei. Towns
Oriental
I his small, peaceful community in southern Pamlico ( xninty is
much more chan jusc the ‘sailing capital of North Carolina.’
To gel to Oriental, one musl In¬
going there. That is. this
small 'hoi e village must Ire
one's uliiinatc destination, as
von do not arrive there on your way to
somewhere else. Oriental is at the end
of the road.
And appropriately so. for once having
arrived, a visitor is usually content to
remain and quietly alrsorb the ambiance
of this peaceful community of approxi¬
mately 700 residents in southern Pamli¬
co (anility.
To the uninitiated. Oriental seems a
strange name lor a Southern coastal set¬
tlement locals explain this with a story
that vai ies slightly depending on the
teller.
Л
Fedeial iiunsporl steamship sank in
1862 neai Bodie Island. The transom
bearing its name. Orirnlal, was carried
(or washed) ashore and found hy Relrcc-
ca Midgett, wile ol the town's first scttlci.
“Unde I .mi’ Midgett. The nameplate
was eventually nailed to a tree at an
intersection in die heart of the village.
Ovei time it lieramea landmark that res¬
idents lefcrred to when giving di-
irc lions: “Co down here to the Oriental
sign and turn left." Or “It'salrout hallway
down to the Oriental sign." Finally, with
the routing of a post office. Oriental
became the official name. Now. even
outsiders latniliai will the locale find it
appropriate, as the village has the sim¬
ple. translucent beauty of a rare pearl.
I. orated 80 miles east of New Bern
whole the Neuse River empties into
Pamlico Sound, Oriental, known to
many as “the sailing capital of North Car¬
olina." has an appeal that reaches
beyond just boating enthusiasts.
It's nestled comfortably beneath tow¬
ering pine*, hardwood and pecan trees.
Home to longtime residents and new-
Comets alike, its |»cople are friendly and
low-key. welcoming transients who swell
This seme al the harbor area is probably
Ihc busiest you 'll see things get in Oriental.
its population during the annual ini-
station ol "Miowbirds" south.
While doi ked I'm a night or two at
nearby inaiiuas, the cruising coininuni-
tv most of them live-almards — walk
and bi« v< le leisurely through the town’s
shady, tree-lined stieets. answering
friend!) hellos and accepting sincere
invitations to attend Sunday sciviccs at
local congregations. A small park over¬
looking the livei is the setting for one
denomination's services «luring «he
summci ami alii acts a Ixiaiiug commu¬
nity whose- casual attire is appropriate at
the open-aii worship.
Many of the locals take their living
directly from the water, cither as fisher¬
men. sin impel soi Ixi.ttwi iglits. Catches
change with the seasons, and those foi
whom the watei does not provide a liveli¬
hood simplv enjoy the bounty ol the sea
— fish, blue < i ah, shrimp, oysters, eel.
conch, clams. Reading a cookbook ol
community favorites is like a journey
into another country, so far removed is
it from the gcneially accepted coastal
Tai Heel hue of deep-fried seafood,
potatoes and hush puppies.
In ad«litoii to the seafood packing
houses, with shrimpboats docked along¬
side. there aie local marinas, boatyards,
where < misers «an 'haul out." the p«>si
oilier, a hank, hardware stores, grocers.
restaurants, two motels, several bed and
breakfasts and a variety ol small special-
iv shops.
If tlicic aie needs these cannot meet,
one must travel 10 miles inland to Bay-
boro. the Pamlico Countv seal, or fur¬
ther into New Bern. But shore life is sim¬
ple and good, and shot t trips away from
the water aie consideied miiioi incon-
vcnienccs.
Throughout the year holidays arc cel¬
ebrated with enthusiasm. Al midnight
each Dcceuihci 81. a dragon parades
through the stieets to welcome the new
year. Residents and visitors of all ages
gather at the main waterside thorough¬
fare wheie the children are transformed
into the Ol icnlal di.igon — inarching or
stumbling along under its colorful
canopy with the assistance *>f adult fam¬
ily members. A police cai lca«ls the way.
siien at half hirer and blue light flash¬
ing. F.vrryonc who is not a pail of the
dragon follows Ix-hind. making as much
noise as possible with anything from pot
lids to kazoos. Tile parade is short, and
its panic ipants quickly disperse at its
end.
I'hc Croakei Festival in early July may
Im- the best known < >i icnlal celebration.
On the weekend neatest July -I. the town
swells with mei ivmakei s. and the accom¬
panying festivities aie the culmination
ol months ol planning hy local citizens.
Following a mid-morning parade,
booths of all sorts open along the water-
front. A local canvas shop sells "croaker
hats." which make the wearer look as if
there’s a hiightlv colored fish sitting
atop his head.
During summer. Oriental becomes a
haven f«u those looking to get some
wind in thru sails. Known as the "sailing
capital of North Carolina,’ its Pamlico
Sound waters play host to all sorts of sail¬
boat competitions and races. Mostly,
though, you’ll find dozens ol recre¬
ational sailors enjoying the Oriental
waters on a tvpical summer’s day, look¬
ing to get away from it all.
Whether the season is Christinas or
Independence Day. Oriental's unique
charm is enhanced by the surrounding
coastal plain. Hardwood and evergreen
replace the live oaks that thrive farther
south. Spanish muss is less visible. Attrac¬
tive houses with well-kept lawns border
a network ol canals where small boats
dock almost under the highway. Thiiv-
Thc Suir/Januai) IWI
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