Trent-Neuse River Dragon Days Coming to New Bern

COASTAL CAROLINA RIVERWATCH, a newly established environmental group advocating for all the rivers of eastern North Carolina, has announced its plan to host the 2013 Dragon Boat race event in New Bern at Union Point Park. This will be the second time this event, previously sponsored by another group, will be held in New Bern. It is scheduled for July 27, 2013.

Dragon Boat races are exciting! Certainly, they are very enjoyable to watch. For many, real fun comes from paddling one of these 45 foot dragon boats in sync with a drummer’s beat in races with others. Last year, participants found it to be a wet, wild and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Individuals will be able to sign up and join with others and businesses can sponsor a full boat and fly their names and logos in the races. There may be limits on the number of participants, so early sign up is encouraged.

Coastal Carolina Riverwatch, whose headquarters is located in New Bern at 1305 Country Club Road, works to protect all the rivers and streams of eastern North Carolina.  In cases where local river groups exist, Coastal Carolina Riverwatch partners with them in multiple ways. This includes, but is not limited to, providing trained volunteers who fly airplanes in aerial surveillance, taking water samples, professionally capturing video and pictures, attending public hearings and petitioning government officials in support of common issues.  

The mission of Coastal Carolina Riverwatch is to work together, not just with other environmental groups but with community leaders and businesses as well. Its work to restore and protect the rivers of Coastal Carolina is a good business practice that makes dollars and sense. 

Healthy Rivers—Healthy Economy—inextricably linked—that’s the bottom line!

MORE INFORMATION:

Coastal Carolina Riverwatch:

252-514-0629                                           

Email: coastalcarolinariver@centurylink.net  

 

Five Things to Do in My Town...New Bern and Craven County

Kudos to Our State magazine for the series 5 Things to Do In My Town, asking readers to become tour guides and tell everyone what to do when they visit their town and publishing them on their website. http://www.ourstate.com/new-bern/

And kudos to Wendy Card, Susan Cook and Thea Kinkaid for doing just that. Readers can go to it and read a very comprehensive article on what to see and do in New Bern and Craven County. It is an enticement that is very timely in encouraging visitors to come and enjoy all the City has to offer.

When I called the owner of the mega yacht Seafair last year in late October to inquire if they would come to MUMFEST 2012 (Seafair was at the 2011 Seafood Festival) the objective was having a new art venue at MUMFEST that would draw visitors from across the state and showcase our city as a cultural art center.

The festival, originally created as a revitalization strategy to bring people downtown, has continued to do so on a large scale by expanding with the community’s support into a major signature, award winning event with an economic impact of over $5 million.

The big push now is working with the Tourism Development Authority to increase “heads on beds”, i.e. attracting visitors to the festival to stay for a minimum of two, three or four days, filling our hotels, eating in our restaurants, shopping and visiting our museums and attractions.

SeaFair, with three decks and 28 galleries of fine art, jewelry and sculpture, has the potential of helping us reach that goal. Downtown’s reputation as an art and cultural center is burgeoning. Our partnership with the Craven Arts Council & Gallery to kick off the festival festivities with Arts Ahoy, a fundraising art venue aboard SeaFair, moored at the New Bern Grand Marina, will benefit both organizations and reinforce the importance of the arts in this community. The support of many businesses and organizations for this venue and goal is further strengthened by the support of Governor Beverly Perdue and Larry Wheeler, Executive Director of the NC Art Museum who are serving as hosts for the Arts Ahoy First View of the two tier opening.

Several thousand invitations were mailed statewide with an insert inviting people to attend this event and extend their stay throughout the weekend. For the first time on Friday, retailers and artists will host unique art exhibits, lecture series, concerts and more to enhance visitors to take advantage of this outstanding weekend.

Our State’s publication of 5 Things to Do in New Bern couldn’t be timelier, as it is probably a good bet the majority of those who receive our invitation to the October 11 Arts Ahoy event are also Our State subscribers.The website http://www.visitnewbern.com/ offers further encouragement with a Charm package offering discounts for accommodations, shops and attractions.

The article submitted by three of New Bern's biggest cheerleaders, Wendy, Susan and Thea will surely play a major role in helping us reach our goal of enticing visitors to discover a city rich in the arts, culture, history, outdoor recreation and community spirit, festival weekend and beyond.

It takes a village!

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Topsail Schooner WOLF docking in New Bern August 13-16

Topsail Schooner WOLF
Tall Ship Sails and Dockside Tours

 New Bernians will have the thrill of having Tall Ship 74 foot Topsail Schooner WOLF at the New Bern Grand Marina in downtown New Bern August 13-16. Even more thrilling is the opportunity to go on Tall Ship Pirate Sails and Sunset Cruises, August 15-16 from 4:30- 6:00pm and 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Adults $50, children under 12, $25. Free dockside tours of the WOLF are available 15-16, 2:00-4:00pm. Private cruises are also available. Reservations required for cruises call 305-296-9694.

Residents and visitors are also invited to attend the Conch Republic Navy Dockside Reception, August 14, 6:00-7:30 pm. Cost: $10.

Topsail Schooner WOLF, Flagship of the Conch Republic & Florida Keys Vessel history: WOLF is home ported at Safe Harbour Marina in Stock Island Key West and is owned and operated by Key West Packet Lines, Inc. Designated the Flagship of the Conch Republic and the City of Key West, WOLF is patterned after the blockade runners that plied the waters of the Florida Straits, Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean in the 19th century. A Key West icon, the WOLF has been featured in numerous publications, films and documentaries.

WOLF's 2012 Summer East Coast Ambassador Voyage include visits to Beaufort and New Bern, NC, Hampton Roads, VA, Eastport Annapolis, MD, Baltimore, MD, Cape May, NJ, Bristol & Newport, RI, New London and Mystic, CT and other historic ports of call. For more information about the ship go to: www.schoonerwolf.com

How exciting, two major vessels open to the public in downtown historic New Bern…WOLF in August and SeaFair in October.

We’ve come a long way in the past 35 years! Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

The Next Chapter

An invitation from Patti and Tom Reeves, owners of a charming book store at 320 South Front Street in downtown New Bern.

The Next Chapter Books

“SUMMER IN NEW BERN………..RIDE THE TROLLEY, ENJOY MUSIC ON THE DECK AT THE DOUBLETREE MARINA, VISIT OUR NEWEST THEATRE VENUE AT  RATIO’S FRONT ROOM CABARET ON POLLOCK STREET AND BROWSE AT THE NEXT CHAPTER FOR A GOOD BEACH READ!

DURING THE MONTH OF JULY, OUR WALLS WILL BE GRACED WITH PAINTINGS OF SUMMER DONE BY SEVERAL LOCAL ARTISTS INCLUDING LISA BISBEE, MICHAELE ROSE WATSON, JAMES HERRING, BRIDGETTE SWAYNE, GAIL BISBEE, LEE HOOD AND CURT WRIGHT.  WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US IN THE DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT FOR ARTWALK  ON FRIDAY, JULY 13, FROM 5-8PM.  THERE WILL BE LOTS OF ART, MUSIC AND GOOD FOOD---ALL PRODUCED LOCALLY!

ON SATURDAY, JULY 21, FROM 12-3PM , WE WILL HOST A BOOK SIGNING BY A VERY TALENTED AND RECENTLY PUBLISHED AUTHOR, KENNETH CAPPS.  HE WILL BE HERE WITH HIS NEW NOVEL, FORGIVING WATERS.  TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MEET KEN AND GET A PERSONALIZED COPY OF HIS BOOK. 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING THE SUMMER AND SOME “TREASURES” WITH YOU”!

PATTI & TOM

252-633-5774

http://www.thenextchapternc.com/

Tom Reeves, Owner
The Next Chapter Books



MUMFEST ARTZONE

Painting by Dan Nelson - Downtown New Bern

Every year we look for new venues for mumfest to keep it fresh and interesting. Our goal is of course, to produce a festival that attracts thousands to our downtown area. It is also a goal to entice visitors to come back and shop, dine and enjoy our many attractions at a later date. Certainly, as our downtown has developed as a cultural center with an abundance of artists, museums, theatre and other attractions, it is easy to do.

To highlight the many working artists and galleries, this year's mumfest will feature an ARTZONE. Jim Bisbee is chairing a committee to encourage the galleries to have artists working in their studio’s or on the sidewalk in the 300 block of Pollock Street so they can interface with festival-goers, discuss their painting styles and sell their work. It will be listed on the festival map, on the website and in the festival program.

We expect to see a good mix of painting styles, pottery and jewelry being created and other art forms demonstrated which will add to the streetscape and festivities that fill the downtown on this fun-filled weekend.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Downtown Happenings...a medley of entertainment to round out the holiday week

Collison Course – A 60’s Retro (July 6 - 7) features an assortment of short plays, written in the 1960’s by era playwrights. This is part of the Loessin Summer Theatre Festival which will be held in the Cullman Performance Hall at the NC History Center. 8 p.m., $15 for adults, $5 for children. For more information: 252-328-4788.

Bear City Opry (July 7) offers a a night of Country and Gospel Music played the way it used to be played at the Grand Ole Opry. 7 p.m. Masonic Theatre -  $15 at the door, kids under 12 $2. For more information: 252-670-7082.

New Bern Farmer’s Market (July 7)  has a variety of events scheduled each week-end during the month. On the 7^th, the month kicks off with Corn and Country Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hot buttered corn on the cob will be sold as a fundraiser for the market. Classic music from the Market’s own DJ, Ernest Patterson and live music at 10 a.m.

Trent River Coffee House July 8 Asian Games Club of New Bern meets…featured game is Xiangqi (Chinese Chess). Instruction provided. For more information: 252-514-2030

Short Live the Queen,  (July 6 -7)  the newest mystery drama production and dinner by the Athens of the South Productions. A real step back in time, to the 1400’s…a few Shakespearian bits but mainly a fun piece with a mix of dialogue driven comedy, physical comedy and a little swordplay. Stanley Hall (corner of Pollock and Craven Streets).  7 p.m. Tickets $30 for dinner and show, $15 show only. For more information: 252-229-4977.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director