Happy Thanksgiving!!

Fairfield Inn and Suites Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
Elizabeth City, NC November 15, 2007 – Jennifer Palestrant, President of the Chamber of Commerce presided over the Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies held at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Elizabeth City, NC. Present at the ceremony were: Mayor Charles L. Foster, Cecil Perry, Chairman Pasquotank County Commissioners; Wayne Harris, Executive Director of A.E.D.C; Russ Haddad, Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau; John Pharr, President of Strand Development Company, LLC, and Charles Diliello, General Manager of the Fairfield Inn and Suites, Elizabeth City, NC. Also present were several community and business leaders as well as hotel owner representatives from the McPherson and Morrisette families.

The ribbon cutting ceremony kicked off the Business After Hours sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The event was highly attended by Chamber of Commerce members. Jamie Koch, Membership Director for the Chamber of Commerce stated “It was one of the strongest Chamber events for the year.”

On behalf of the ownership of the hotel, Arthur McPherson who is President of M&M Hospitality stated “We are very fortunate to live in a community that has been so supportive in the development of this project.” McPherson continued by recognizing and thanking all contributors and partners that worked with them on the project.

Charles Diliello is the General Manager of the new hotel. Charles is originally from Cortland, New York and has lived in Elizabeth City for the past 3 years with his wife, Dawn. Charles has been in the hospitality industry for 15 years starting out as a front desk clerk and moving up the chain as a front office manager, task force for Hudson Hotel Management, Assistant General Manager, and the General Manager in the Outer Banks of North Carolina where he won Hotel of the Year three years in a row.

An innovative new offering from Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites Elizabeth City features a variety of enhancements to guest rooms and public areas, as well as the addition of distinctively designed suites. In addition to the standard rooms, guests may choose from three types of suites, ranging from the Studio Suite, Whirlpool Suite and Two Room Suite. All suites feature separate living and sleeping areas, 32” Flat Screen LCD TV’s in both living and sleeping areas, iHome speaker system for use with guest’s personal iPod units, coffee maker, mini-refrigerator and microwave, and both wired and wireless high speed internet access. Additional in-room amenities include an ergonomic desk chair, hair dryer and free local calls. The hotel is the latest hotel to offer Marriott’s luxurious bedding package, which features plush mattresses, custom comforters, crisp linens, fluffy pillows, and a fresh, white look.

A complimentary continental breakfast is available each morning in the lobby area. Other hotel amenities include an indoor swimming pool with whirlpool spa, exercise room, valet laundry service, business center and on site Market, offering snacks, beverages and convenience foods. The hotel also offers 880 square feet of meeting space to accommodate small meetings and functions of up to 60 people.

Launched in 1987, Fairfield Inn has become a leader in the value-priced category. With more than 500 properties throughout the United States, guests can rely on Fairfield Inn to meet their lodging needs wherever their travels take them. Fairfield Inn participates in the company’s award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent guest program. Members earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage for dollars spent at more than 2,500 Marriott hotels worldwide.

For more information or reservations, call the Fairfield Inn & Suites Elizabeth City hotel directly at 252-333-1003, call the Fairfield Inn toll-free number at 800-228-2800, contact a travel agent or visit the web site at http://www.fairfieldinn.com/.

Headquartered in Myrtle Beach, SC, Strand Development Company LLC currently operates 25 hotels in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. All hotels are operated through franchise agreements with Marriott, Hilton, Choice Hotels International, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Wingate Inn, Super 8, Microtel, and Best Western International. Strand Development continues to provide strong industry expertise in all aspects of the hotel business and is a proven leader in driving ownership’s return on investment and customer satisfaction.

The Chocolate House debuts specialty bar

ELIZABETH CITY’S LATEST INDULGENCE
The Chocolate House debuts specialty bar

(Elizabeth City, NC, November 20, 2007) – One local business owner is flavoring God’s goodness with a dash of the Harbor of Hospitality® for a recipe of success.

Kathy Dowdy, owner of The Chocolate House on Water Street, is ready to release a new souvenir Elizabeth City candy bar. The bar comes in three chocolaty flavors – white, milk and dark – and will be available for sale December 1.

“Chocolate is proof that God’s goodness is still in the world,” the candy bar wrapper emphasizes.

The wrapper contains a blurb touting The Chocolate House and Elizabeth City’s attributes. It also contains the city seal and the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau logo.

Dowdy, who opened The Chocolate House downtown earlier this year featuring gourmet French chocolate, is working with the CVB to create a label that includes photos of the community. Those bars are scheduled to be released in the spring.

“I have always dreamed of creating a specialty chocolate bar featuring my city,” Dowdy said.

Russ Haddad, CVB Director, said the chocolate bar is unique and is a great gift item during the holidays. His office also plans on using a later version of the bar as a promotional piece sending it off to motorcoach operators, travel writers and group meeting planners.

“We plan on using the chocolate bar as a calling card for Elizabeth City,” Haddad said.

For more information about ordering Elizabeth City chocolate bar, contact The Chocolate House at 252-334-9YUM (9986).

For more information regarding Elizabeth City, contact the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 252-335-5330 or info@discoverec.org.

Save the dates, July 24-27, 2008 huge NAFEX.org fruit growing conference in Elizabeth City

North Carolina Cooperative Extention - Pasquotank County Center will host 100-150 fruit growers from all the USA and Canada in Elizabeth City from July 24-27, 2008. Itineraries for tours and group meetings with indoor presentations, catered meals, an evening pig picking, and other events will be finalized around Christmas. Stay tuned and save the dates!

Visit www.NAFEX.org for more information about the North American Fruit Explorers organization with very low membership fees and lots to offer anyone interested in growing fruit as a hobby or commercially for income.


Written by: Tom M. Campbell, Agricultural Extension Agent, Pasquotank County

Museum Features Designer's Workshop

MUSEUM FEATURES DESIGNER’S WORKSHOP
Catch the Christmas spirit at the Museum of the Albemarle for the Christmas Designer’s Workshop, Saturday December 8 from 10am ‘til 1:00 pm. Enjoy a day at the Museum constructing your own holiday decoration with a coastal theme! Save $5.00 by registering by Nov. 26. The workshop is an adult event and the fee includes instruction, materials and a delicious lunch! Don’t worry-no decorating skills required! Call 252-335-1453 or visit our website to register.

The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 South Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC. Serving Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties, the museum is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums. Department of Cultural Resources, State of North Carolina. History Happens Here!

Elizabeth City Events November 23rd - 29th

Elizabeth City Events November 23rd - 29th

Below are the events that are happening within this coming week here in Elizabeth City. Hope to see you all there! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

November 23, 2007
Holiday Celebration
Downtown Elizabeth City
6:00 pm
Admission: FREE
Peggy Langley
252-338-4104

November 23, 2007
Holiday Season Kick Off
Page After Page Bookstore
Complimentary Hot Chocolate & Story Time to be held after the Lighting of the Christmas Tree
Admission: FREE
FMI: 252-335-7243

November 29, 2007
Think About It Thursday - Hidden Colors
Port Discover
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Admission: FREE
252-338-6117

For a bigger listing of the events going on in Elizabeth City please go to this website.

UTRF Elizabeth City Show!!!

Posted By: Under the Red Flag
Hosted By:: Under the Red Flag e-mail
When: Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Where:: ECSU Fine Arts Center Auditorium
ECSU
Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909 United States
View Map

See Under the Red Flag perform in Elizabeth City....For FREE!

Under the Red Flag will be performing for FREE at the ECSU Fine Arts Center for Derrick’s senior showcase.

The Fine Arts Center can be located by entering the second ECSU entrance (not the main one). This is the entrance closest to the Coast Guard base, and where they installed the new stop light on Halstead.

Special Guests "Lo and Behold" will also be opening!

Come on out for a night of Metal and Mayhem! The band (UTRF) will be moving to Phoenix come January, so come see 'em while you still can!

News from Port Discover

Port Discover Hosts NC Museum of Natural Sciences for Fossils and Prehistoric Life, Dec. 8
Elizabeth City, NC -- Port Discover will host naturalists from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for its Second Saturday Science program, “Fossils and Prehistoric Life”, Saturday, December 8. Children will investigate how fossils are formed and discover how scientists use them to study animals and the world of the distant past. They will also have the opportunity to search for their very own fossils to take home. Naturalists will also have live animals that are studied today to learn about prehistoric life. Programs are scheduled for 9:30 am and 11:00 am and, due to limited space, reservations are required.

Second Saturday Science programs are geared toward 1st through 5th grade children. The program is free, thanks to the program sponsor, Gateway Bank. Please call 252-338-6117 to register.

Port Discover is located at 613 East Main Street, Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Port Discover’s hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Programs can be arranged at other times for special groups. For more information call 252-338-6117 or visit http://www.portdiscover.org/.

Port Discover is a community-based, non-profit organization, established to enhance the public’s understanding and enjoyment of science through engaging programs, activities, and exhibits. Elizabeth City State University along with the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce initiated the project that has attracted broad community support, including Elizabeth City Morning Rotary, College of the Albemarle, Albemarle Hospital, Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools. Port Discover is also a member of the NC Grassroots Science Museum Collaborative.

Pasquotank Arts Council Signs Construction Contract

(Elizabeth City, NC Nov. 5, 2007) - The former “Bee Hive” Department store will soon be a center of activity again as the long-awaited renovation of the building for an arts center is about to get underway.

The Pasquotank Arts Council announces that it has signed a construction contract with A.R. Chesson Construction Co., Inc. The total cost of the renovation project of the historic downtown building is a little more than $3 million.

“We’ve waited a long time for the project to begin, and now it’s really happening,” PAC Executive Director Lisa Winslow said. “When this project is finished, it will be a cornerstone of activity for everyone in the community.”

A pre-construction meeting was recently held at the former department store, and once work begins it is expected to take about a year to be completed. A combination of local donations, tax credits and grants have made the project possible.

PAC bought the Lowry-Chesson building at 514 Main Street in 2002 from Preservation North Carolina. Prior to that, the Elizabeth City Historic Neighborhood Association took control of the building after the roof collapsed in 2000 while PNC held it in trust.

The Lowry-Chesson building was built in 1897 as a commercial rental investment property by Dr. Freshwater D. Lowry. It displays Tuscan-inspired Italianate details in its two-story brick arches with grouped windows. The upper stories contained rental offices and the “Academy of Music,” the city’s first opera house.

Once the renovation concludes, the first floor of the building will house the arts council’s gallery and offices. The second-floor theater will be restored for a variety of performances, including Encore Theatre Company shows, and other events such as meetings, weddings and reunions. The former office spaces will be used for the Pasquotank School of the Arts programs and other rental opportunities.

“We envision this facility to be multi-functional with something going on all the time,” Winslow said.

For more information about the Pasquotank Arts Council and its programs call (252) 338-6455.

Contact: Lisa Winslow, Executive Director, Pasquotank Arts Council
Phone: 252-338-6997 Email: lisaw@pasquotankarts.org

Museum Celebrates "A Coastal Christmas”

Come to the Museum of the Albemarle Saturday December 1st from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm after Elizabeth City’s Holiday parade, and participate in “A Coastal Christmas”. Make your own special coastal ornaments to celebrate the season! Call the Museum’s Education Department at 252-335-1453 or visit http://www.museumofthealbemarle.com/ for more information.

The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 South Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC. Serving Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties, the museum is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums. Department of Cultural Resources, State of North Carolina. History Happens Here!

Invitation to the Pasquotank Arts Council Gallery's Annual Gift-a-Rama & Holiday Open House

For more information on the Pasquotank Arts Council Gallery, their Annual Gift-a-Rama, Holiday Open House and/or their other events then please call 252-338-6455. Also, check out their website.

Page After Page Monthly Update

News from the Page After Page Bookstore -

They are busying themselves at the store as surely all of you are with holiday preparations - its exhausting but tons of fun!!! They can't wait to get started on our holiday window decorations this year - but would hate to rush the season.... in due time though!! Santa of course is busy letting them know what books and toys children and adults want to see under the tree this year - Let them help you fill your list!!

For your Holiday shopping convenience, they are also open Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm thru November & December.
Letters to Santa - they will be sending letters to Santa again this year - it was so popular last year that they will have to make a cut off date of December 17th for the last letter received - so please be sure to include your name and address so we can be sure the cards will get received on time!!!

Recommended Reads
Page After Page has added a new display to the store - Staff Reads - so check out their ever changing display of what their staff is reading now!!! Ask their staff as they can always suggest a good book or two!!

Crossroads Cafe - by Deborah Smith - Excellent fiction romance, how our lives can change so quickly - set in Western NC.

The Electric Church by Jeff Somers - This book absolutely rocks. This is the kind of book that they should make into a movie. It's kind of like "Blade Runner" meets "The Matrix" meets "Cowboy Bebop".

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane - Intense exciting suspense mystery - keeps you captured until the end!!

For more information on Page After Page Bookstore and their events please call 252-335-PAGE (7243) or check out their website.

The Search For Blackbeard's Flagship at the Museum

The Museum of the Albemarle invites visitors to join in the Search for Blackbeard’s Flagship The Queen Anne’s Revenge now through January 6 with a display of the artifacts recovered at the purported wreck’s site.

In 1718 according to various letters and depositions, Blackbeard ran both his flagship The Queen Anne’s Revenge and a smaller sloop aground off present day Beaufort Inlet. In November 1996, the commercial salvage company Intersal, Inc. reported the location of an unidentified shipwreck at the Inlet. Many researchers believe the remains to be the famed Queen Anne’s Revenge.

On display at the Museum of the Albemarle are artifacts, graphics panels and a video of the discovery and the history surrounding it. Call the Museum at 252-335-1453 or visit http://www.museumofthealbemarle.com/ for more information.

The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 South Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC. Serving Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties, the museum is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums. Department of Cultural Resources, State of North Carolina. History Happens Here!