Random thoughts…
We’re glad Karra Daven port’s heifer was discovered — see Dale’s story on the front page. As we all know, the animal escaped May 12 while at the Washington County 4-H Livestock Show. I wish I could interview the heifer named Sass about her adventures. Maybe they’ll make a movie about that incredible journey someday.
Plymouth Town Council was a good, informative meeting. Felt tamer, so that’s good. Social District – that’s not going to go into effect until much later, maybe this fall, because there’s a lot of steps that need to take place – signs, maps, cups – before anything changes. That means there won’t be a social district in place for the National Bear Festival in June.
I don’t drink. I’d prefer folks not to drink, but I know that’s a personal choice. I think some drinkers are less inclined to pay premium prices for a dixie cup filled with beer within a beer garden or social district. That said, as with tailgates at ECU, there’s probably going to be folks who decide to “pre-game” it before going into the stadium to buy overpriced beer. Edenton enacted a social district in the fall of 2023 – not much changed and I haven’t seen folks carry cups up and down Broad Street. When we lived in Athens, Ohio, that city enacted a social district. People could watch street shows while enjoying an adult beverage – that was nice.
That said, I forget who said this at the council meeting, whether it was Mayor Davis or Council member Donsenia Teel, but yes, alcohol changes folks – no disagreement there – so maybe a social district is not a good idea, possibly leading to situations that could turn out terribly. I guess we’ll wait and see.
Social district or not — let’s hope for responsible drinkers.
Other news, there’ll be a Salute to Service program with speakers Eric Geressy, who is Senior Advisor to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Michael Watley, Republican nominee for US Senate, and Laurie Buckhout, Republican nom inee for congress, on May 30 at Harris Farms. Having folks of national renown coming to Washington County is news.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and din ner is at 6 p.m. There will be a dinner, patriotic music and a flag tribute. Contact Jonathan Sawyer IV for tickets at 252 217-5728. More on this story to come.
In other business, it’s commencement season, so we’ll have a big edi tion planned with seniors’ photos and more for June 3. Congratulations to area graduates!
Former Washington County Commissioner and longtime local attorney Cole Phelps is running for NC Dis trict Court Judge District 2.
I’m glad we have good people like Phelps who are interested in public service. After Yan Weiner applied for one of Plymouth’s Board of Adjustments, I had a conversation the other day with someone about the need for candidates or volunteers or whatever to get active in their hometown — my thought was we need to get back to the days when civic responsibility was expected and considered a virtue.
Get involved – run for office, join local boards or become a volunteer firefighter.
The Right Reverend Robert S. Skirving, outgoing bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, issued a farewell letter to the diocese on Ascen sion Day, May 14, marking the final days of his tenure after more than a decade of service.
Skirving announced his intent to resign in November 2024 and acknowledged in the letter that he had since kept a countdown app on his phone, joking with parishioners who asked how much time remained.
“With just days to go, this will be my last letter to you,” he wrote, offering thanks, an outline of his transition plans, and prayers for his successor.
The bishop expressed gratitude for the welcome he and his wife Sandy received when they arrived in eastern North Carolina in 2014.
“Your kindnesses will be memories that we will always cherish,” he wrote. Skirving said he will formally resign during the ordination of the diocese’s ninth bishop, Bishop-Elect Sarah, on Saturday, May 23.
He and Sandy then plan to travel to Scotland for a pilgrimage to the holy island of Iona before returning to their home in Beaufort.
Closing with a passage from the apostle Paul, Skirving wrote: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth,” expressing hope that he had been “a faithful labor er” in the diocese.
Editor Miles Layton may be reached at mileslayton1969@ gmail.com