Area Information
A little more about Vandemere located just off the Intracoastal Waterway.......
At first glance it is easy to place Vandemere, North Carolina into a stereotypical category—
quaint, sleepy little fishing village. Anyone that takes a moment to really observe this
Pamlico County town quickly realizes it is a vibrant community with a proud history.
If you want to raise a quick smile from a Vandemerian just say that you have "passed
through" their town. Vandemere is a destination, not a pass through. Generally speaking,
you end up in Vandemere because you intended to. Since the town is located on a
peninsula that pokes out into the Bay River, it is only occasionally that a visitor comes by
water and leaves by land or vice versa.
This "Village By The Sea" lives up to its name. Arriving in Vandemere by water gives you a
snapshot view that hasn’t changed significantly during the twentieth century. The large
expanse of waterfront is graced with picturesque fishing trawlers docked just down the
street from stately homes. The Norman Rockwell quality of the main street, Pennsylvania
Avenue, gives way to green farm fields. There is no question that fishing and farming are
the economic anchors of the community.
There are historical references to Vandemere as early as 1699 when it was mentioned in a
treaty with the Bay River Indians. In 1874, Vandemere became the second town in Pamlico
County to incorporate. Sometime around 1870 a Dr. Delon Henry Abbott arrived in
Vandemere and took an active part in developing businesses that would
support a larger community. In partnership with others he held interests in a sawmill,
gristmill, store, storehouses, lumber and even a schooner by the name of "O.H. Folly".
The current population of Vandemere is around three hundred and fifteen people according
to the state records. This statistic cannot convey the sense of community these residents
have. Some towns have a tendency to talk about "born heres, been heres and come heres",
not Vandemere. Stopping and talking to the villagers you will find that they are from all over
the country. They have been drawn by the easy sense of familiarity you get when you
spend time in Vandemere.
'Ocracoke Island' from CNN.com
Travel News
Ocracoke Island tops best beaches list
POSTED: 1:15 a.m. EDT, June 11, 2007
RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) -- Move over, Florida and Hawaii. Your beaches are no
longer the best.
The nation's best place to get a tan and enjoy the ocean's waves in 2007 is North Carolina's
Ocracoke Island, a place so remote that even people in the offices of "Dr. Beach" -- Florida
International University professor Stephen Leatherman -- didn't know where to find it on the
map. Ockracoke Island is located only 25 nautical miles from Vandemere Creek.
"It's not the end of the world, but you can see it from here," Leatherman said from Ocracoke,
the first beach not in Florida or Hawaii to earn the top spot in his annual ranking of the
nation's top 10 spots on the shore.
Technically, it's Ocracoke Life guarded Beach that is the nation's best. But Leatherman said
there's little that separates those 300 yards of postcard-perfect sand from the rest of the
island, almost all of which is protected from development as part of the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore.
At first glance it is easy to place Vandemere, North Carolina into a stereotypical category—
quaint, sleepy little fishing village. Anyone that takes a moment to really observe this
Pamlico County town quickly realizes it is a vibrant community with a proud history.
If you want to raise a quick smile from a Vandemerian just say that you have "passed
through" their town. Vandemere is a destination, not a pass through. Generally speaking,
you end up in Vandemere because you intended to. Since the town is located on a
peninsula that pokes out into the Bay River, it is only occasionally that a visitor comes by
water and leaves by land or vice versa.
This "Village By The Sea" lives up to its name. Arriving in Vandemere by water gives you a
snapshot view that hasn’t changed significantly during the twentieth century. The large
expanse of waterfront is graced with picturesque fishing trawlers docked just down the
street from stately homes. The Norman Rockwell quality of the main street, Pennsylvania
Avenue, gives way to green farm fields. There is no question that fishing and farming are
the economic anchors of the community.
There are historical references to Vandemere as early as 1699 when it was mentioned in a
treaty with the Bay River Indians. In 1874, Vandemere became the second town in Pamlico
County to incorporate. Sometime around 1870 a Dr. Delon Henry Abbott arrived in
Vandemere and took an active part in developing businesses that would
support a larger community. In partnership with others he held interests in a sawmill,
gristmill, store, storehouses, lumber and even a schooner by the name of "O.H. Folly".
The current population of Vandemere is around three hundred and fifteen people according
to the state records. This statistic cannot convey the sense of community these residents
have. Some towns have a tendency to talk about "born heres, been heres and come heres",
not Vandemere. Stopping and talking to the villagers you will find that they are from all over
the country. They have been drawn by the easy sense of familiarity you get when you
spend time in Vandemere.
'Ocracoke Island' from CNN.com
Travel News
Ocracoke Island tops best beaches list
POSTED: 1:15 a.m. EDT, June 11, 2007
RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) -- Move over, Florida and Hawaii. Your beaches are no
longer the best.
The nation's best place to get a tan and enjoy the ocean's waves in 2007 is North Carolina's
Ocracoke Island, a place so remote that even people in the offices of "Dr. Beach" -- Florida
International University professor Stephen Leatherman -- didn't know where to find it on the
map. Ockracoke Island is located only 25 nautical miles from Vandemere Creek.
"It's not the end of the world, but you can see it from here," Leatherman said from Ocracoke,
the first beach not in Florida or Hawaii to earn the top spot in his annual ranking of the
nation's top 10 spots on the shore.
Technically, it's Ocracoke Life guarded Beach that is the nation's best. But Leatherman said
there's little that separates those 300 yards of postcard-perfect sand from the rest of the
island, almost all of which is protected from development as part of the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore.
| "Here, you have 14 miles of unspoiled, undisturbed barrier beach," said Leatherman, director of Florida International's laboratory for coastal research. "Where do you find that in the world?" Ocracoke is at the southern end of the Outer Banks, the fragile chain of barrier islands along North Carolina's coast known as the "graveyard of the Atlantic." Accessible only by boat or private plane, there are only about 800 full-time residents of the island where the pirate Blackbeard met his untimely death at the hands of the Royal Navy in 1718. "People shouldn't come here to play golf, and don't come here for the Hilton spa or something like that," Leatherman said. "They're not going to find those things here. What you will find here -- it's like going back in time with very quaint, small inns. It's my favorite getaway island beach. And it's definitely that." Ocracoke has been a favorite of "Dr. Beach" for years -- he ranked it No. 3 in 2006 and No. 2 in 2005. By winning this year, it will be retired from consideration, along with other past champions. "Obviously, it's a great honor to be put up at the top of the heap," said Julia Howard, the administrator for the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society, who has lived on the island for 35 years. Leatherman ranks beaches on 50 criteria, using a 1 to 5 scale. No beach has ever gotten all 250 points, and Ocracoke ranked somewhere in the 230s, he said. The sand, for example, isn't lily white, so it lost points there. He considers only swimming beaches, which leaves out those along the Maine and Oregon coastlines, where the water is just too cold. Beaches with lifeguards get high points, as do those that balance the natural environment and the built environment. "I'm just a stickler for detail," he said. "There's no perfect beach by the rating criteria, but there are so many great ones." Earning the No. 1 ranking on the "Dr. Beach" list is usually a tourism booster. When the north beach at Florida's Fort De Soto was named the best in 2005, Leatherman said, the number of hits on a related Web site jumped in one day from 1,000 to 10,000. But the remote nature of Ocracoke and its place as part of a national seashore should spare the island's 25-foot sand dunes, topped by sea oats, from an onslaught of beachcombers. "When things are inundated with people, it isn't quite the same place any more," Howard said. "We hope people who do come here would honor our beauty and keep it looking the way it does for a long time." Bay River, in northern Pamlico County, is providing some of the best waterfront lot opportunities in the Inner Banks. As one can see from the aerial photos, Bay River is deep, provides great water views and yet, also gives the boater protection from the pounding winds and waves that can be experienced on the Pamlico Sound.... Vandemere Creek - Vandemere Creek, on the north side of the Bay River, is being developed. A few communities have been platted and lots sold, and several more are on the way. Vandemere Creek is one of the deepest and most protected creeks in the area, but with quick access to the Bay River, the ICW and the Sound. When fully developed, this area will have premium waterfront lots from $300,000 up. There is an opportunity now to acquire some of these lots in the mid $200,000 range. 'Oriental' At the mouth of the Neuse River on Pamlico Sound is the village of Oriental. Although Oriental is in the far east area of coastal North Carolina, its name has nothing to do with its location or relationship with the Oriental. The town was named by the wife of Oriental's founder and first postmaster. She saw the name on the transom name board of a steamship that sank off Hatteras in 1862. The name board washed ashore and was displayed in a residence in Manteo where she was visiting. She learned that the steamship, headed from New York to blockade the Wilmington harbor, was in the service of Union forces when it sank during the Civil War. Passengers and crew aboard were saved, but the steamship was never salvaged. Its legacy is preserved in the name of the village now known as the "Sailing Capital of North Carolina." Back in the 1870s, Louis B. Midyette escaped a gale by anchoring his sailboat in the waters of Oriental. While there he went ashore, climbed a tree and fell in love with the beautiful landscape and waterfront. When he returned home to Dare County, Midyette persuaded others to join his family and move to the area. Since that time, sailors from across the globe have followed "Uncle Lou's" example and have made Oriental "The Sailing Capital of North Carolina." Today it is estimated that the town is home to 900 permanent residents and roughly 2,700 sailboats, sport fishing boats and commercial trawlers. New Bern, North Carolina the ideal vacation spot for sun seekers and history buffs alike. Our two major cities, New Bern and Havelock, blend the past with the present, beckoning visitors from around the world to sample our rich history. New Bern, the second oldest town in North Carolina, is situated where the Trent and Neuse Rivers meet. New Bern abounds with history around every corner with over 150 historic landmarks, the magnificent Tryon Palace, Birthplace of Pepsi and a 157,000-acre national forest. The centerpiece, Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens, is the restored home of British Royal Governor William Tryon, built in 1770. While in New Bern, visit the Birthplace of Pepsi, The Firemen's Museum,and Bank of the Arts. Stroll through our downtown filled with specialty shops and restaurants, or relax on a historic Trolley Tour. For a change of pace, New Bern sailing on our endless rivers is relaxing. Golf at one of the excellent championship courses in the New Bern and Havelock area. Camp or hike in the 157,000-acre Croatan National Forest. Heritage Tours Recognizing its unique position in North Carolina’s history, Craven County has developed a series of 4 walking tours focusing on New Bern’s heritage. Self-guided brochures and signage guide visitors as they step back in time. It’s an educational experience, but, equally important, it’s fun! Plus it allows you to proceed at your own pace aided by descriptive literature and meticulous research. Traveling further down Highway 70 East you will find Havelock.Cherry Point, home of the world's largest Marine Corps Air Station DRIVER’S LICENSE: All new residents who plan to drive must obtain a N.C.drivers license within 30 days of establishing a permanent residence here. Most newcomers, unless they drive commercial vehicles, will want a Class C license, which permits operation of personal cars and small trucks. If you drive a motorcycle, you’ll also need a motorcycle endorsement. North Carolina has switched from four-year to five-year driver’s licenses. Until the change is complete, licenses will vary in length from four years to eight years. To get a license, apply in person at a driver’s license office and take the vision, sign recognition and written tests. (It will help to study the Driver’s Handbook available at DMV offices.) When you apply, present your current out-of-state license or two other accepted forms of ID, as well as proof of liability insurance from an insurer licensed in North Carolina. You’ll also need to supply your Social Security number. (NOTE: If you are paying for your license by check, the address on your pre-printed check must match the address on your new driver’s license.) Locations: Pamlico County: For dates and locations call the Greenville DMV at 252-830-3456. New Bern: Any weekday at the Driver’s License Office, 2106 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, 252-514-4734 MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION You must register your vehicle before the reciprocity agreement between North Carolina and your former state expires (usually 30 days). Registration is renewed annually. To register your vehicle, apply in person at the license plate agency and present your title (unless title is held by a lien holder) and a valid registration card from your former state. If your title is held by a lien holder, you must provide the lien holder’s name and address on a state form for title release. You also must present proof of vehicle liability insurance at or above minimum standards. Fees due when you receive N.C.registration include title and registration fees and highway use tax. The DMV registration office will accept a check. You must also get a vehicle safety inspection within 10 days of receiving your N.C.license plate. This can be done at any state-authorized inspection station. Inspection is required annually. The state does not levy sales tax on motor vehicles. However, NC counties assess property taxes annually. Your car will be registered when you receive your license plate and you’ll receive a bill in about three months. Location: Register any weekday at the License Plate Agency, Lupton's Highway 55 Stonewall, N.C. NEW CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING: Building Permits Pamlico County Building Inspector Pamlico County Courthouse 202 Main Street, Bayboro Phone: (252) 745-3861. Docks & Bulkhead Permits Pamlico County Building Inspector Pamlico County Courthouse 202 Main Street, Bayboro Phone: (252) 745-3861 E911 Addressing Emergency Management/E911, 252-745-4131 NEWSPAPERS Pamlico News (Published Weekly) 406 Broad Street, Oriental Phone: (252) 249-1555 Online at: www.pamliconews.org/pamliconews/ Sun Journal (Published Daily) 3200 Wellons Blvd., New Bern Phone: (252) 638-8101 Ext. #231 Online at: www.newbernsj.com/ Raleigh News & Observer (Published Daily) Phone: (800) 522-4205 POST OFFICES: Vandemere, N.C. Phone: (252) 745-5889 Bayboro NC Hwy. 55, Bayboro, N.C. Phone: (252) 745-4641 Alliance NC Hwy. 55, Alliance, N.C. Phone: (252) 745-4524 Oriental Broad St., Oriental, N.C. Phone: (252) 249-0454 Refuse Removal: Waste Management Phone: (252) 699-6330 GDS Phone: (252) 638-1366 REFUSE REMOVAL: Municipal services within most incorporated towns. Refer to your phone book for a refuse removal companies if you do not have municipal services. UTILITIES, PHONE & INTERNET SERVICE Cable & Satellite TV Time Warner of Pamlico 84 Gatlin Road, Bayboro Phone: (252) 745-5842 Online at: www.twceastnc.com Refer to your phone book for satellite service providers. Electric: Progress Energy Customer Services Phone: (800) 452-2777 Online at: www.progress-energy.com Tideland Membership Corp. 10948 NC Hwy. 55, Alliance Phone: (252) 745-4127 Online at: www.tidelandemc.com Propane Gas Eastern Propane Alliance Phone: (252) 745-7346 Jenkins Gas & Oil Bayboro Phone: (252) 745-5842 Telephone & Internet Service Embarq, Residential Customers Phone: (252) 633-9011 Refer to your phone book for cell service providers. Water: Pamlico County Water Dept. 102 N. 4th Street, Bayboro, N.C. Phone: (252) 745-5453 (NOTE: A copy of your deed will be required in order to get service.) VOTER REGISTRATION: To vote, you must be 18 years or older, a legal resident of the county where you register and a U.S. citizen. You also must register at least 25-30 days before an election (the exact deadline varies for each election). Location: Register any weekday at the Board of Elections Office, Pamlico County Courthouse, 202 Main Street, Bayboro, N.C. 252-745-4821. |
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