By Karyn Seltzer, for New Bern Post: “The Bridges at Union Point” is the 11th novel from Les Pendleton and the first I’ve read by this local author. I’m always searching for a good story and I’m glad I was introduced to Pendleton. I will continue to read his books in succession. This novel, the most recent addition to the Pendleton library, is set in New Bern, and contains references to many local businesses, their owners, and local citizens. Being a New Bern resident, I felt a special connection to the setting and characters. The “Union Point” journey, which spans from in 1986 to theRead More →

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A new traveling exhibit has been created about sites important to, and personal memories about, American travel during the “Jim Crow” era of legal segregation. The Negro Motorist Green Book (Wikipedia article here), published between 1936 and 1966, was both a guide and a tool of resistance designed to confront the realities of racial discrimination in the United States and beyond. The book listed over 300 North Carolina businesses—from restaurants and hotels, to tourist homes, nightclubs and beauty salons—in the three decades that was published. The exhibit highlights a complex statewide network of business owners and Green Book sites that allowed African American communities toRead More →

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In collaboration with The Blood Connection, the Tryon Palace Commission is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, at The North Carolina History Center. The blood-drive will be held indoors in Lawson’s Landing (next to the Museum Store) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Each life-saving blood donation from this event not only supports those in need but will raise $20 for the Tryon Palace Foundation. The Foundation supports Tryon Palace’s programming, education, and restoration needs. The $20 raised from your blood donation will help the Foundation sustain these important programs. To sign up for the blood drive and schedule a time slot,Read More →

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Tried By Fire, Inc., a local nonprofit committed to assisting women newly released from prison who need a safe home while they transition back into the community, has undertaken a fundraiser to support the renovation of My Sister’s House. Launched on Feb. 1, 2021, an appeal is being made for One Thousand One Hundreds in financial donations to raise $100,000 by April 30, the last day of National Reentry Week. “Our campaign for One Thousand One Hundreds is an appeal to the community to support this ambitious project to rehab an 80 year old house in the Duffyfield neighborhood of New Bern,” said the volunteerRead More →

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Craven Arts Council & Gallery presents the Twin Rivers Artists Association and Craven Community College Judged Exhibition in the Main Gallery at Bank of the Arts for the month of March. This exhibition highlights the talents of local artists in our community and helps to encourage networking and artist participation in the Twin Rivers Artists Association. Craven Arts Council & Gallery, 317 Middle St., New Bern, will host an opening reception for the exhibition during the downtown New Bern ArtWalk, Friday, March 12, from 5-8 p.m. The Twin Rivers Artists Association (TRAA) exists to promote and encourage the creation, education, and appreciation of fine artRead More →

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The Craven Arts Council and Gallery in Downtown New Bern present Little Talks, a new lecture series at the Bank of the Arts. This lecture series will be a quarterly event hosting a guest lecturer who is an expert on a specific subject matter. Each lecture will be followed by an open discussion between guests and the lecturer. The first Little Talk will be at the Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle St., on Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 6-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for members and students, $15 for nonmembers, and free for children under the age of 18. Tickets can be purchased atRead More →

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New Bern Civic Theatre is still here after being closed down for most of the 2020 season and is slowly easing back into what is hoped will be a re-opening. The community theater released its annual report today and can be viewed here. “With limitations still in place for performing arts venues, NBCT is focusing on smaller events to keep the community entertained while we navigate through the pandemic,” the community theater said in a statement. “Walk-In Bathtub is ready to help us celebrate the season of love with another Improv-a-Thon in celebration of ‘Galentine’s’ Day, Saturday, Feb. 13 and ‘International Fanny Pack Day’ MarchRead More →

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United Way of Coastal Carolina joins United Way Worldwide and United Way of North Carolina to recognize National 2-1-1 Day on Thursday, February 11. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, people in need can dial, text or message 2-1-1 to access free and crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utilities payment assistance, employment services, veteran services and childcare and family services through this United Way initiative. The trained specialists at 2-1-1 call centers listen, identify underlying problems, and connect people in need with resources and services in their communities. In 2020, 2-1-1 in theRead More →

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When PBS wants somebody with the knowledge of not only the history of New Bern, but also the stories of the people, who do they call?  Native New Bernian Nelson McDaniel, of course. The New Bern Historical Society also turns to Nelson, who will present Voices in the Cause of Freedom, released online on Feb. 24, 2021 at www.NewBernHistorical.org/virtual-programs.  This is a free presentation. “People of New Bern have contributed greatly to the creation and improvement of the United States and the cause of freedom for 300 years,” explains Nelson.  “In this talk we’ll highlight a few of these major contributors to the cause ofRead More →

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Long time New Bern resident and novelist, Les Pendleton, announced the release of a new book, “The Bridges at Union Point.” Most of the characters depicted in the book are actual residents of New Bern. Names familiar to most people are Greg Smith of Mitchell Hardware, Paul Canady of Christ Episcopal Church, and Les Still of WCTI television. There are many other places and people that Les feels gives an aura of realism to the story. The plot involves a decorated United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer from New Bern who is critically injured during a rescue. He loses his career and much of hisRead More →

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