Fred Fearing - Rose Buddy
by grandmaR
Fred, a former USPS employee and a friend now deceased started the Rose Buddys in Elizabeth City. Willard Scott when he heard about the pair, gave Fred his a Rose Buddy golf cart.
Fred instigated the free docks, and the custom of a wine and cheese party about 4:30 or 5 each evening when there are 5 or more new boats at the free docks. In the summer and early fall, each lady from the boats gets a rose (thus the Rose Buddy name). The Rose Buddies have rose bushes at the dock, and also have some at the Welcome Center on the Dismal Swamp Canal. Later in the year the ladies get a cotton boll and become a "cotton pickin' Carolinian"
In the afternoon, Fred comes by in his golf cart and takes note of how many cruisers there are and invites them to the party, which is held behind the WaterWorks mall. He doesn't like you to be late, so pay attention to the time.
The idea is to get people off their boats and talking to each other and sharing experiences. Because otherwise, we tend to be a bit isolated, especially those who are saving money by anchoring out instead of coming into marinas.
Fred gives a speech at the party, and asks the cruisers to sign a book. Unfortunately, sometimes the cruiser's book disappears, so he no longer brings the book to the party.
MM 51.0 Free Dockage and a Rose Buddy party
by grandmaR
Elizabeth City has 2 nights (48 hour) free dockage at the public docks - primarily for boats going north or south on the ICW through the Dismal Swamp Canal. If the weather is bad, no one will kick you out though. We've never stayed more than 2 days.
Fifteen boats can be accommodated. The number on the slip shows the width of the slip so you can pick one that you will fit in. Catamarans go over on the Waterworks side, or in some cases on the restaurant dock.
Depths are about 12 feet which is plenty for anyone who's been through the Dismal Swamp.
The pilings wiggle in the current a bit but they withstood Isabel. After Hurricane Isobel, the finger piers had to be rebuilt and Elizabeth City did suffer some damage to store fronts etc.
The finger piers are quite short and low, so at high tide, I have to have a milk crate or stool on the finger pier in order to get off. Some folks just climb over the bow directly onto the seawall. There are water connections (check the drinking fountain), but there is no power available. Bathrooms (but no showers) are available in Waterworks when it is open.
The Chamber of Commerce will let you bring in your laptop to do email, but crossing the street is an adventure in itself, and if you can wait until you get to the Alligator Marina, it is easier there.
If there are more than 4 new boats at the docks, the Rose Buddies will hold a wine and cheese party on the river side of Waterworks in a tent. (see the Local Custom tip)
On the History of Flight Trail
by grandmaR
The story of the anniversary of Orville and Wilber's Flight at Kitty Hawk includes Elizabeth City. Wilber traveled on the Norfolk-Southern to Elizabeth City because it was the rail head (the end of the line) and served as the gateway to North Carolina. To get from here to the Kitty Hawk, he hired a boat from captain Israel Perry and the trip took 4 days. Orville joined his brother about 2 weeks later.
They returned Elizabeth City fairly often to get supplies as it was the only urban center of activity at the turn of the century.
Three years ago, the Elizabeth City FIrst Leg of Flight Committee began placing historical markers around town where the Wright brothers visited, bought materials etc. The markers includ the former train depot, the Arlington Hotel site, Mariner's Wharf, the former site of The North Carolinian on Main Street, the site where the Kramer Mill Company stood, the former N.G. Grandy Co., and the Tar Heel newspaper building.
The trail also includes information about the tours of TCOM (lighter than air manufactuer)south of Elizabeth City on the Pasquotank, and the Coast Guard station which is also on the Pasquotank.
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Elizabeth City from the Pasquotank
Theatre in the afternoon
Their ad in "Images"
Magic Eye, Carellen and Ephemeral coming through
