Here’s more commonality between Carteret and Pasquotank

What else do we need to learn about Pasquotank County, N.C., which is so far north that it almost touches the Virginia border? 

It’s important information, because Carteret and Pasquotank counties are now linked within the boundaries of the state senate’s new, far-flung 1st District.

How about this for starters? Both Carteret and Pasquotank host U.S. Coast Guard facilities, bases and stations. Furthermore, both counties share great affection and a deep respect for their rich Coast Guard heritage…and proudly welcome Coast Guard families into their midst, benefiting from their involvement and participation in local affairs and activities. 

Elizabeth City, the county seat of Pasquotank City, has earned distinction as an official “Coast Guard City.” Similarly, Carteret County, holds equal status as an official “Coast Guard Community.”

(Since Carteret County has Coast Guard units at Fort Macon/Atlantic Beach and at Emerald Isle, it made perfect sense for the county government here, working in partnership with the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, to apply for the “community” classification.) 

To date, only 29 U.S. municipalities/counties have been approved by the U.S. Congress to be designated as Coast Guard “places.” Wilmington, N.C., is included on this list. 

Elizabeth City has received national acclaim for its “Rose Buddies” tradition that started in 1983 and has put the city on the map as the “Harbor of Hospitality.”

 

One Sunday after church, two of the city’s most extroverted residents – Fred Fearing and Joe Kramer – decided to host an impromptu wine and cheese party for boaters visiting the recently completed docks at Mariners’ Wharf. 

Kramer clipped roses from his yard, and Fearing collected wine, cheese, crackers and cups. They organized a boaters’ reception on the Pasquotank River waterfront for 17 transient boaters who had docked that day in Elizabeth City. Most were moving up or down the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway). 

This was the start of a popular local tradition, and the volunteer harbor ambassadors – both men and women – named themselves the “Rose Buddies.” 

The Kramer family transferred Joe’s rose bushes to fertile land adjacent to Mariners’ Wharf after he died, so the pubic could enjoy the beautiful blossoms. 

Carteret County merchants are committed and dedicated to extending the “hand of hospitality”…but how do we capitalize? This is an opportunity that needs to be noodled.

  

Museum of the Albemarle

 Carteret and Pasquotank counties have “sister state museums” that are units of the N.C. Museum of History – the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City and the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. 

Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), founded in 1891 as a “normal school for African-Americans,” is now part of the 16-campus consolidated University of North Carolina System. More than 2,000 students are currently enrolled at ECSU.

 

Offering the only four-year collegiate aviation education program in the state, the ECSU School of Science, Aviation, Health and Technology is highly regarded. The program includes a fleet of 10 aircraft for flight training. 

Additionally, the university and Coast Guard are partnering to enable upper classmen to pursue careers within the Coast Guard. They can directly enter officer candidate school upon graduation. 

College of The Albemarle (COA), established in 1961 in Elizabeth City, claims to be “the first comprehensive community college in North Carolina,” and now also operates three branches across the region.

 

(Just so you know…“all things Albemarle” are named after George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, one of the original eight Lords Proprietors of Carolina, appointed in 1663 by King Charles II.)