Small-business Owners Must Protect Their Futures

If you’re a small-business owner, you think a lot about today. Is your cash flow sufficient … today? Are your products and services competitive … today? Are you confident in your marketing and advertising efforts … today? And because you are so focused on today, you may be neglecting a key aspect of tomorrow – your retirement. Specifically, do you have a good retirement plan for yourself? 

Given that your personal finances are so tied up with your business, your plans for the business will obviously greatly affect your financial situation when you retire. Whether you want to transfer the business to another family member, sell it outright to someone else, or possibly just wind it down, you’ll need to plan ahead and consult with your legal and tax advisors.

 However, you can take steps now to help ensure you can enjoy a comfortable retirement. You have access to a variety of retirement plans appropriate for small-business owners, including these:

• Owner-only 401(k) – This plan, also known as an individual or a “solo” 401(k), is available to self-employed individuals and business owners with no full-time employees other than themselves or a spouse. As the owner, you can contribute to your plan as both an employer and an employee; your total contribution limit for 2016 is $53,000, or $59,000 if you are 50 or older. 
  
• SEP IRA – If you have just a few employees or are self-employed with no employees, you might consider a SEP IRA. You’ll fund the plan with tax-deductible contributions, and you must cover all eligible employees. (Employees themselves cannot contribute.) You can contribute up to 25% of compensation, up to $53,000 annually. (Contributions for a self-employed individual are limited to 25% of compensation minus one-half of self-employment taxes.) And you can fund your SEP IRA with many different types of investments. Plus, you can establish a SEP IRA for 2016 until April 17, 2017. 
  
• Defined benefit plan – Pension plans, also known as defined benefit plans, have become less prevalent in recent years – but you can still set one up for yourself if you are self-employed or own your own business. This plan has high contribution limits, which are determined by an actuarial calculation, and as is the case with other retirement plans, your contributions are typically tax-deductible. 
  
• SIMPLE IRA – As its name suggests, a SIMPLE IRA is easy to set up and maintain, and can be a good plan if your business has fewer than 10 employees. Still, while a SIMPLE IRA may be advantageous for your employees, it’s less generous to you, as far as allowable contributions, than an owner-only 401(k), a SEP IRA or a defined benefit plan. For 2016, your annual contributions are generally limited to $12,500, or $15,500 if you’re 50 or older by the end of the year. You can also make a matching contribution of up to 3% of your compensation.

You need to establish a SIMPLE IRA between Jan. 1 and Oct. 1 of any year. In fact, if you’d like to set up any of the retirement plans we’ve looked at, don’t delay. The sooner you open your plan, the more years you will have to contribute – and, as you know, time is often an investor’s best friend.

                   Discover the difference personal attention can make!   

  

Edward Jones

Tonight at 10pm on Tradewinds Radio - Going back to the Moon? The Crater Good from SETI

Listen in here :
http://carolinatradewindsradio.com

 It was “one giant leap for mankind,” but the next step forward may require going back.  Yes, back to the moon.  Only this time the hardware may come from China.  Or perhaps Europe.  In fact, it seems that the only developed nation not going lunar is the U.S.

Find out why our pockmarked satellite is such hot real estate, and whether it has the raw materials we’d need to colonize it.  A new theory of how the moon formed may tell us what’s below its dusty surface.

Tonight 9 pm Tradewinds Radio - Farm in a box

Listen in here:
 http://carolinatradewindsradio.com

There are plenty of challenges to food production, including access to land, the availability of clean water, and, the right infrastructure so that the farm can be functional and productive for months and years to come, for example, access to electrical power for irrigation pumps, a cooler for appropriate post harvest handling, and so much more. Today we are exploring the intersection between ecology and technology in the form of a company that has developed a complete off-grid toolkit for operating a farm anywhere there is some land and some water.

Guest:

Brandi DeCarli, Founding Partner, Farm from a Box, 

Founding Partner, Farm from a Box

2017 Bear Festival Downtown Plymouth

No matter what age or interests a person has, almost everyone loves bears! It is a little known fact that the biggest black bears on the planet and the highest black bear densities in the world are not found in Canada or Alaska, but in coastal North Carolina! Mild winters, abundant crops and extensive forests and swamps are the reason that 700 lb. black bears are not uncommon. To celebrate our bears and educate our guests about this important North Carolina native, the historic Inner Banks town of Plymouth is hosting the 3nd annual North Carolina Black Bear Festival on June 2-4, 2017. Everyone who attends is guaranteed to see bears and learn about these magnificent animals through a variety of events, including black bear tours on public and private property, as well as the opportunity to see captive bears.

The NC Black Bear Festival has over 30 activities that includes black bear tours in the wild as well as captive bears for everyone to see. There will be live wolves, birds and snakes to see as well. There is a 5K “Run with the Bears”, “Bear Necessities” Paddle event, Black Bear Photography Workshop, presentations by the NC Black Bear Biologist, a mechanical black bear ride (like a mechanical bull), Lazy River Tubing, Knockerball, water ski show, free boat rides on the Roanoke River, helicopter rides, a children’s bear train ride, Bear Fest Pageant, Baby Bear Contest, Dan the Animal Man, live music and Reflections of the Roanoke Fireworks Show. Food and craft venders, as well as many conservation organizations will be attending Bear Fest.

In 2015 the NC Black Bear Festival won the “Rising Star” award for the best new festival in NC. Last year the NC Black Bear Festival was recognized as “Event of the Year” for the State of North Carolina!!! More than 14,000 people from 12 states and several foreign countries were on hand for the event. As a result, the town is now becoming known as Bear Town, NC.

Another result of the success of Bear Fest was the opening of a new black bear museum in Plymouth, called Bear-Ology. The goal of the museum is to create a permanent year-round black bear education and discovery center. It includes a 30 seat theatre with state-of-the-art Blue Ray Surround Sound and features a 17 minute film written and produced by Tom Harrison. Blake and Emily Scott from Star Track Studios in Washington, (who created the Refuge Series for UNC TV) provided all the filming and editing.

Don’t miss this award winning festival happening on June 2-4 in Plymouth – “where traffic ends and adventure begins!”

Contact:

Tom Harrison

Email: info@ncbearfest.com

PO Box 706

Plymouth, NC 27962

Phone: 252-793-6627

Stella Knight Attorney

Local Voices Unfiltered at 9pm - Next Evolution Wrestling with the Velvet VOiced Vax

Listen in at 9pm Here

http://carolinatradewindsradio.com

Tonight on the local voices program at 9pm - Velvet Voiced Vax - Next Evolution Wrestling

Listen in here at 9pm
http://carolinatradewindsradio.com

Indoor Air Quality - Spring Check Up Mold Remediation in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems

Indoor Air Quality - Spring Check Up

Mold Remediation in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems

(Harry Cannon is a mold product patent holder and owner of Dwelling Management Solutions)

Hello! I am Harry and I will be contributing a series of monthly Mold related articles. The first relates to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). IAQ refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns. Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.

Spring is an optimal time to assess your home for the usually unseen presence of indoor mold. Indoor mold can sometimes be detected by the presence of smelly or stuffy air, dirty central heating and air cooling equipment (including in and around vents), and areas where books, shoes and other items become moldy (usually in closets). An easy and effective way to detect odors in your home is to step outside for a few minutes. Upon re-entering the home see if you can detect musty, mildewy or stuffy odors.

Mold remediation involving a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system should be done only by professionals experienced in working with HVAC systems. Professionals may have several different methods and techniques for approaching HVAC remediation. As with the rest of a mold remediation project, professional judgment is required. An HVAC system found to be contaminated with mold should be turned off and not used until the system has been remediated.

Using a mold-contaminated HVAC system may spread mold throughout the building and increase the exposure of building occupants. The HVAC system should be remediated when the home can be vacant for a period of at least 4-6 hours. The best way to de-contaminate your system from mold is to have it fogged with EPA approved mold chemicals such as those produced by Mold Defender.

My company, Dwelling Management Solutions (DMS), is your local (NE-NC) Mold Defender applicator (see ad below). We encourage your questions/feedback regarding this and any other mold related issues. You can communicate with me directly via the “Chat” function at www.dwellms.com. Or http/www.facebook.com/dwellms/

River City Flea Market and Downtown Merchants

Graceland

Down and Dirty Carpet

Daycation May 26, 27 and 28

Art in the Albemarle Area -- by Talmage Dunn

The Seaside Art Gallery's 26^th International Miniature Art Show exhibition in Nag's Head, NC is currently taking place. Entries from all over have been coming in to this show. If you get the opportunity, please take the time to go and view the many beautiful pieces of miniature artwork on display.

The 20^th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show in Dare County is also currently underway.. This show features an interesting mix of artwork. The art will be on display at the Dare County Arts Council in Downtown Manteo April 30 – May 30. These are just two of the wonderful art displays that we offer here in the Albemarle area.

The Albemarle Senior Games has its Silver Arts show and competition has taken place. Stop by the Perquimans Art League gallery and view the different works of art on display. North Carolina is the only State Senior Games that offers a Silver Arts competition. There are exhibitions in the Visual, Heritage, and Literary Arts. The Literary Arts category is represented with Short Stories (fiction), Essays, Life Experiences, and Poems. The Heritage Arts category includes Basket Weaving, Knitting, Stained Glass, China Painting, Rugs (hooked, braided, and woven), Needlework, Jewelry, Woodcarving, Quilting, Tole/Decorative Painting, Woodworking, Weaving, Tatting/Needlelace, crocheting, Pottery (hand-built/thrown), and wood Turning. The Visual Arts category includes Acrylics, Mixed Media, Drawing, Oils, Photography, Sculpture, Pastels, and Watercolor. As you can see there is an opportunity to be involved no matter what your art form. There is also a performing arts category that includes Comedy/drama, Vocal, dance, Instrumental, and Line Dance. Contact your local County Senior Centers for more information or go to our website: albemarleseniorgames.org.

SPLASH is coming in May. The opportunity to view and learn from artists all around the country will be here in Elizabeth City, NC. Be watching for the local information to be forthcoming. For information about SPLASH, contact Carolyn Peel at carolynpeel2400@gmail.com.

Watercolors open up a wonderful world of painting for the beginning artist. Again, as I have often stated, begin with a subject you like. It causes you to have a vested interest in your painting. Once you begin to paint.... you begin to look at your surroundings differently. I always have a small 3” x 5” or 4” x 6” frame with me. I will hold it up against my surroundings and before-you-know-it, Voila!! A painting idea jumps out at you. I was on a recent fishing trip down by the river in Chesapeake, Virginia. A place known as Bob's Fishing Hole. I was sitting on a dock by the river bank, patiently(?) waiting for a bite and looked over the river at the railroad trestle crossing the river. I held up my frame …. and a painting was conceived ! I went home and lightly sketched my idea out on a piece of watercolor paper and began to paint.

This is the painting I have included this month. It is the trestle that spans the river at Bob's Fishing Hole.. It is a 3” x 5” miniature watercolor painting. It was a relatively easy painting to complete. Now it's time for yoy to try. Start simple, take yoyr time, and paint, paint, paint!

Feel free to contact me by e-mail bowhuntor@yahoo.com or by phone 252-267-5437. Talmage Dunn, Artist.

What's Cooking?

Need Construction Work?

Jakes Outdoor Adventures

On March 28, 2017 the Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted the following regulations for the 2017 Virginia Cobia Season. There will be a 40 inch total length minimum size with a one fish per person limit with a three fish per boat maximum. Also only one fish can be over 50 inches with the boat creel limit. The season will be from June 1^st through September 15, 2017. Also no gaffing of fish will be allowed at all and there will be a mandatory reporting requirement through a free state permit. The Captain and/or Boat Owner will be responsible for reporting the Cobia catch. Once again thanks to the selfless work of Jonathan French and Billy Gorham for all their hours of work, lobbying and researching to saving the North Carolina and Virginia Cobia Seasons for 2017!!

However the fight is far from over because the now that 2017 is settled, we have to take a look at 2018. ASFMC has already agreed to complimentary management, meaning in layman's terms that ASFMC will give them quota and Catch data (620,000 pounds.) ASFMC will split that up and assign state by state quotas. For example, VA might get 310K, NC 260K, and then Georgia and South Carolina would 25K each. Then each state sets their own regulations. The catch is, when they estimate that the quota is hit, they close the fishery. No notice at all. That is why making sure that the next stock assessment is done fairly and gets a larger overall quota for GA-NY is so critical. The problem is that stock assessment won't be complete for several years. In that time ASMFC will operate using the 620K quota. I will be posting updates for this continued fight. When Jonathan French or Billy Gorham ask for your support in making public comment on Federal Websites, or contacting your Congressman or Senators via a phone call or email, or attending a meeting or public hearing, I will be putting out this call for action on my Facebook Page-- Jakes Outdoor Adventures. Please check my page,and answer this call for action if you wish to continue fishing for Cobia. We have shown that a grassroots effort works so let’s keep up the fight!!

Speaking of Billy Gorham-- with Cobia season beginning in full swing in North Carolina and the season approaching in Virginia now would be a good time to grab a handful of Gorham’s Bowed Up Handmade Cobia Jigs. I am a firm believer of these great jigs, and I put them to the test last year on the boat and the pier. Billy pours the heads for each one of these jigs and uses the best materials when he hand ties them together. He has a variety of jig head styles and colors that will make any Cobia attack it. Help support a local businessman who fought long and hard for your right to be able to fish for Cobia last year and this year.

The 51 House

Chowanoke History -- by Duvonya Chavis

American Indians are often referred to as hunter gatherers. While this may have been partially true for some Indian tribes, the Chowanokes did not live from hand to mouth. Their Indian villages had an agricultural system that incorporated the planting and harvesting of crop several times throughout the planting season. This method sustained them through the winter months until planting season came around during the spring.  For example, various types of corn or maize were strategically planted during different stages of growth in March, April, and May. A variety of corn with different colors such as red, blue, yellow/streaked and white was planted and depending on the type of corn planted, a harvest could be expected anywhere from 11 to 14 weeks later.  We no longer see the red or blue corn varieties grown locally anymore, though efforts are currently underway to bring this variety back to the area in our Native communities.

During the planting season, Chowanoke women maintained small garden plots throughout the village entirely by themselves. However, large communal corn fields and the Chiefs’ garden were maintained jointly by men and women. The men would till and prepare the grounds while the women usually harvested the corn and would shell and dry the corn on mats. This preserved the corn and allowed it to be stored during the winter season. Corn was also often pounded into Rockahomine meal and used to make bread.

Corn was planted in a strategic manner to allow room for beans, peas, squash, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds to grow. Squash and pumpkins provided cover for the ground to control the weeds and corn stalks provided a pole for beans to grow on. Hence when grown together, “the three sisters” had a symbiotic relationship and provided nutrients and benefits for the other.

Now is the season for planting corn, squash and other vegetables. Planting techniques used by the Chowanoke Indians may indeed prove to be beneficial to those who are willing to give this method a try.

Broadstreet Counseling

Albemarle Plantation Marina

Vasquez Painting and Home Improvement

How To Know Your Pet Groomer Is Doing a Good Job

Our family pets are very important to us. We spend thousands of dollars every year taking care of them as a valued member of our families. As such, we seek out the best nutrition we can afford, look for the most competent veterinarian we can find, look for pet sitters who are caring and loving for those times we have to leave our pets behind. The same care should be taken when it comes time to look for and pay for grooming services. In an industry that is, at the moment, unregulated, it is up to you to find a groomer who is skillful, knowledgeable, caring, and detail oriented and who adheres to industry standards when it comes to grooming your pet. As an example and a fair analogy, would you go to a beauty salon and have your hair cut, or color applied, artificial nails applied, facial, manicure, or pedicure by a salon that does not have skilled, competent, knowledgeable technicians that adhere to industry standards? Probably not. Not knowingly anyway. So why a grooming salon? Here are some things to look for in a salon and a groomer to feel good about leaving your beloved pet in their care.

First and foremost, does the salon allow you to observe any part of the grooming process of your dog? If not, think twice. (More on this later.)

Is the salon clean and in good repair? Even during busy times, it should be relatively clean.

Are kennels or holding cages clean?

Are the tools and equipment that the groomer uses clean?

When the groom is over, has your pet’s paw pads been shaved clean of long hair?

Are the nails trimmed appropriately and grinded smooth? Nails should be trimmed every two weeks to maintain proper length. Ideally, the nails should not touch the ground when all four paws are flat on the ground. If they do touch, they are too long and need to be minutely shortened every week until proper length achieved.

Is their sanitary area appropriately shaved clean without leaving a huge “bulls eye” appearance around the rectum? On long haired breeds, is the tail shaved clean a half inch to an inch from the rectum to prevent soiling of long hair?

Unless a part of the breed standard as with poodles or part of a creative groom, are transition lines from short to long hair smooth and well blended?

On long haired breeds, has the flew been shaved clean to prevent odor?

Have the ear canals been plucked or shaved free of hair inside and then cleaned? Do the ears smell and look clean inside? Has excessive hair been removed from the inside ear leather or from in front of the ear canal?

These are some of the hallmarks of a talented, thorough, and competent groomer and a thorough grooming job. That being said, as with any human being, mistakes or forgotten elements of a groom will happen, but should not be routine. Regarding observation of grooming of your pet, admittedly it becomes more difficult to groom your pet with mom or dad close by. Pet simply want to be with the person they know the best. Ask your groomer if they have an observation area away from your pet’s view. If not, you should be allowed to observe if you wish. Just bear in mind that it will be more difficult for your groomer and the groom may not be quite as good.

Mike Sanders

East Coast Equipment

Shop Sears Elizabeth City

Danielles Boutique

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Award

U.S. News & World Report Ranks Local, Non-Profit University 1^st Place in Country in Two Categories

In 2017, for the second year in a row, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University was ranked as the #1 University in the United States for Online Degree Programs, as well as #1 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans by the U.S. News & World Report. ERAU is a private, non-profit, and regionally-accredited institution with over 130 locations across the globe, including a campus in Elizabeth City. The campus, which opened in 2006 on the U.S. Coast Guard Base, helps to meet the academic needs of active-duty and support personnel. The university offers a diverse range of technical degrees, including Aeronautics, Technical Management, Homeland Security, Engineering, and Unmanned Systems Applications, as well as a wide variety of other degrees.

The U.S. News & World Report's ranking on Best Colleges is a highly sought-after endorsement. Each year, college and university administrators across the nation keep their fingers crossed in the hopes that their institution will receive a top ranking. The ranking of a university is important because not only can a high ranking influence a student's school choice, but it may also impact the decision of employers who seek the best-trained employees, particularly in highly technical fields.

Within the ranking process, U.S. colleges and universities are categorized into four types of institutions: National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges. Academic quality is assessed for several indicators associated with academic quality and student success. Each school is then assigned a weighted score based on seven measures that will be entered into the ranking formula: Graduation and Retention Rates (22.5%), Undergraduate Academic Reputation (22.5%), Faculty Resources (20%), Student Selectivity (12.5%), Financial Resources (10%), Graduation Rate Performance (7.5%), and Alumni Giving (5%). Schools are then ranked based on their scores within each category.

“If you want to get an unbiased opinion on education quality, you should consult the U.S. News & World Report. If you want to gauge the quality of the academic support services a school offers, you need to go on an unannounced visit to the college or university you would like to attend,” said Dr. Judy Drago, Director of the Elizabeth City Campus.

Working on the USCG Base and want to know more about programs at ERAU? Stop by the Elizabeth City campus in Building 62. No appointment is necessary. You can also email (elizabethcity@erau.edu), or call the office (252-331-2225), and we'll work with you to find the right degree program for you!

Celebrating All Things Potato at the N.C. Potato Festival

Celebrating All Things Potato at the N.C. Potato Festival,

May 19-21 in Elizabeth City, N.C.

Bring the family and a hefty appetite to downtown Elizabeth City for the NC Potato Festival the weekend of May 19-21. It’s a potato-laden celebration of non-stop action, activity, and entertainment all weekend long.

Enjoy rides, games, food and fun!  There will be a USCG Search/Rescue demonstration over the water and the Coast Guard Cutter Ibis will be docked at the waterfront giving tours. Many of the downtown businesses and restaurants will also be open and participating in the events. 

            The festival is a tribute to our local agricultural heritage and one of the state’s most important crops – the potato.

Great live music is a signature aspect of the festival.  The Coteries and The Railers will perform at the festival’s opening night Kickoff Party on May 19. Other performances over the three-day event are Dark Water Rising, Sara Jane McDonald and SweetFire, John Emil, and Delta Son. The Church Sisters will close out the festival on Sunday.

            Don’t forget the ‘tater-related activities for all ages, including the popular National Potato Peeling contest where festival-goers can cheer on peelers, ‘Little Miss Tater Tot’ Contest, Cornhole Tournament, Street Fair and Dance, fireworks, antique tractor and potato equipment exhibit and auto and bike show.

Sign up for the Coast Guard Enlisted Association’s 5K Fun Run/1 Mile Walk on Saturday morning at 8:00 am. The run starts and finishes at Charles Creek Park.

The festival starts with a kickoff party on the evening of May 19 at 5:00 pm and runs until 11 pm. The festival continues Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.

Toyota of Elizabeth City, Nissan of Elizabeth City, Perdue, EC Convention & Visitors Bureau, Bojangles, and SKYY-4 are the premiere festival sponsors. FMI and a complete lineup of events and entertainment check the festival’s Facebook page or visit www.ncpotatofestival.com.

Shop Footprints Christian Resources

Daycation for May 19, 20, and 21 Look at all the events in our region this weekend!

Health and Nutrition Strategies for Cancer Survivors and Everybody Else - WHAT'S IN YOUR DIET?

In an earlier article I advised that federal regulations now allow beef heart meat and partially deffated chopped beef (pink slime) in ground beef, without identification. That's a remarkable policy change and I thought it needed further analysis. For simplification, we'll use the very popular hamburger , who's standard of identity includes ground beef. Beef heart meat is an organ meat/variety meat/offal, and is made of internal organs and entrails of a butchered animal. Hamburgers are limited to 30% fat, some of which can be added.

As high risk as a hamburger is, its unimaginable that the aforementioned components would be permitted. But in fact, according to the current USDA standard of identity, a hamburger can be made entirely of beef heart meat, beef fat and pink slime.

Let's go deeper. In an earlier article I disclosed that since the mid-nineties genetically modified rBGH (bovine growth hormone) has been permitted in dairy cattle, which causes inflammation, and necessitates antibiotics. I shared that the United States is the only developed country in the world that permits the consumption of products with the hormone. Since our trading partners don't permit the import of such products into their country, our citizens are the primary consumers of beef products with rBGH. So, it's reasonable to assume that there are hamburgers in the United States food chain made from components that may include: beef heart meat, pink slime, beef treated with rBGH and beef fat. The ingredient statement could still have the single ingredient “beef”.

I thought it was time to revisit lead in our nations plumbing. We were informed during the Flint, Michigan outbreak that the water wasn't treated. The treatment they were referring to is PHOSPHATE .

Here's the deal. Homes and municipal plumbing built prior to 1987 are likely to have lead service lines and pipes. Over the years minerals (phosphate) in the water have built up in the water lines. The mineral buildup in the plumbing is called scale. That scale is supposed to keep the lead from the pipes, out of the water. That's the code. The standard operating procedure.

EPA language says new pipes, solder, and faucets should meet EPA lead-free standards. EPA language should be, lead-free standards MUST be complied with. “Should”, in government speak leaves wiggle room. No penalty. That very same PHOSPHATE is used in all cured meat and poultry products, and products with a solution statement, to retain water reducing shrinkage. Water is cheaper than meat. Phosphate doesn't degrade and what doesn't remain in your body becomes the very same scale in plumbing lines.

I promised to provide info on the subtle handling statement change that was just encouraged by the USDA. I identify it as encouraged because “use by dates” are not mandatory. Prior to the encouragement, their literature asserted “Do not buy food past the sell-by, use-by or other expiration dates”. The language has been modified to “best if used by “ in an effort to reduce waste. If I get some time, I'll check the federal register to see what the justification was, and who lobbied it.

Finally, I'm very encouraged by The College of the Albemarle's announcement regarding agriculture courses in our region. I'm positive the agriculture initiatives of COA and ECSU will reduce the brain drain and bring much needed clean food enterprises to the region. Even the Veteran Administration is getting involved. The desire of these young folks to respond to the huge demand for clean food is exciting and palpable.

Remember, let food be your medicine. But, that doesn't work if the food is dirty, or fake.

Joe Forbes Law

Downtown Elizabeth City Association

Shop Janets in South Mills

Keep Calm and Ramp On

This month’s feature is a follow-up to the preceding article highlighting wild onions. There is one such subterranean bulb that justly deserves its own mention and that is the glorious ramp. The ramp is also known as wild leek or wild garlic, and for good reason. For those of us in the know, the mature bulb of the ramp harvested just following the disappearance of the winter snows and eaten raw, rewards the successful forager with a sensation of sublime buttery texture, a scallion-like crunch and an incredible lingering pungent taste of mild garlic. This is my absolute favorite edible harbinger of spring. A note of caution is required – This is not the food of choice just prior to engaging in close contact pursuits with non-ramp consumers.

Other than eaten raw, the ramp traditionally finds itself being fried along with potatoes, scrambled with eggs, and baked into cornbread. It also serves as a fine accompaniment to boiled greens.

The ramp is celebrated in the Appalachian regions. Ramp festivals abound in the mountainous areas of Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee. The Cherokee, Ojibwa, and Iroquois native tribes maintain use of ramps as part of their diet and as a medicant. The plant is regarded as a rare delicacy in some Canadian provinces and protected as a threatened species in some areas.

The prime ramp season is woefully short and the taste of preserved ramps doesn’t hold a candle to the fresh leaves and bulbs, so enjoy them while you can.

Uniform Express

Page after Page

Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce

Well, after a few false starts, spring has come to Perquimans County and with it flowers, sunshine and lots and lots of exciting things to do. Geoff Chaucer began his Canterbury Tales by commenting that the onset of spring inspires people to get out and do things. He might have been talking about us, there are so many events coming up in the next month.

Let’s see, the Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce just had the Business Expo and Job Fair on April 27^th – did you hear my podcast about it? I may seem biased, but that podcast was a tremendous opportunity to get the word out about the Expo and I cannot recommend it enough! It was wonderfully effective, too. I got comments from people who stopped by our booth at the Expo who had heard the podcast.

I hope that you got a chance to stop by the Expo because it was great! We had lots of vendors and lots of visitors, lots of great food at the evening Chef Challenge! Lots of fun, in fact. A great kick-off for the spring!

The first weekend in May, anyone looking for something to do will be absolutely spoiled for choice. The Carolina Moon Theater in downtown Hertford is presenting The Old People Are Revolting by Devon Williamson Friday May 5 & Saturday May 6th at 7 PM and Sunday May 7^th at 4 PM. It’s a madcap romp involving the residents of a retirement village who decide to form their own kingdom when the governing council decides to take away their utilities discount. I think it’s the only play in exitance in which a civil protest involves Renaissance costumes, juggling balls and maple trees, but I may be wrong. You should Google it to make sure. There will be craziness, video effects, not-quite sword fighting and the Renaissance Consort (you know, that one that plays at the Cupola House during the Edenton Pilgrimage) will be playing during the intermission. At any moment, Morris dancing might break out, so be ready!

That same Saturday, May 5^th, the Perquimans County Restoration Association is holding its 26^th Annual Garden Party on the Clubhouse Lawn at Albemarle Plantation from 2 pm -5 pm. It is guaranteed to be a gala affair with music by the Wayne James Trio, elegantly attired ladies in lovely hats and generous and genteel conversation. Then, on Sunday, April 7^th, The Albemarle Chorale will be presenting A Musical Picnic at the Museum of the Albemarle at 4 pm! What a weekend it will be.

All that is just the beginning. The Perquimans County High School’s FFA and Agriculture Classes are scheduling a grand opening of their Farmer’s Market; the high school theater is presenting Peter and the Starcatcher the second weekend in May and the Perquimans Arts League is giving a Card & Game Party on May 16^th from 1-4 at the Perquimans County Recreation Center. Memorial Day will be here before we know it, schools will begin to hold graduation ceremonies and the summer will be upon us!

Enjoy a busy and event-filled spring!

The Treasure Hunter

Clear Water Pools

Swimmee and Son Sunrooms

George and Company

In case you missed the Local Voices program here is a link to listen on demand

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This Saturday (May 6th) at River City Flea Market

 "Come join us at River City Flea Market this Sat. May the 13th. Camden Country Store will have fresh Spring flowers for your gardens. Turbett Family Farm brings certified and inspected local farm grown fresh poultry and pork. Jimmy G's will be providing fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from as well. Help us as we expand and grow our Farmer's Market ".