Eastern Carolina Council

11/06/2023

Congratulations to the Town of Beulaville, Town of Maysville, and Pamlico County!

: ’s Community Development Office recently awarded an additional $42.3 million to bring affordable housing to hurricane-impacted communities in North Carolina. The five grant recipients were awarded financing for single-family homeownership development or multifamily housing rehabilitation or construction outside of the 100-year floodplain.

Learn more about the Affordable Housing Development Fund program and the third-round awardees: https://bit.ly/3sjJ7HG

North Carolina Department of Public Safety NC Emergency Management Lumber River Council of Governments Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Scotland County, NC Town of Maysville Jones County NC Eastern Carolina Council Duplin County Government Town of Beulaville North Carolina Housing Finance Agency Southeastern Community Action Partnership, Inc

11/01/2023

November is National Caregiver Month. The 2023 National Caregivers Month them is " " and it is a time to celebrate Family Caregivers across America and enables all of us to:

-Raise awareness of family caregiver issues
-Celebrate the efforts of family caregivers.
-Educate family caregivers about self-identification.
-Increase support for family caregivers.
-Reduce feelings of isolation.

For information about county National Family Caregiver Month events contact your local Senior Center for further information.

10/31/2023

ECC is hosting a workshop on the Community Rating System and the National Flood Insurance Program on Tuesday, November 14th at 2:00 p.m. (This workshop was originally scheduled in September but had to be rescheduled.

David Holcomb, ISO/CRS Specialist, is contracted by FEMA to do fieldwork on the Community Rating System (CRS) and will co-present the hybrid training session (you can participate virtually or in-person).

The training session will focus on 3 NFIP goals:

• Provide flood insurance to property owner,
• Encourage flood loss reduction activities by communities, and
• Save taxpayer’s money.

To register for the training, visit: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=gppuxoyab&oeidk=a07ek20vrr7715b32de.

10/31/2023

10/31/2023

The Eastern Carolina Council hosted the last of 3 disaster resiliency workshops in our region on October 30th in Morehead City. With these workshops, we are helping communities identify and prioritize resiliency projects. Thank you to our partners at Working Landscapes and Croatan Institute! Also, thank you to Carteret County Government for hosting us at the Crystal Coast Convention Center, and thank you to the participants of all 3 workshops for their active participation!

Participating local governments will receive a short, user-friendly report that summarizes their project plan ideas and provides targeted funding opportunity recommendations and digital geospatial maps. We look forward to following up with them!

10/30/2023

WHO IS A CAREGIVER? In simple terms, a caregiver is a person Paid or Unpaid who tends to the needs or concerns of a person with short- or long-term limitations due to illness, injury or disability. The term “family caregiver” describes individuals who care for members of their family of origin, but also refers to those who care for their family of choice. This could be members of their congregation, neighbors or close friends. Family caregivers play a significant role in health care, as they are often the main source of valuable information about the patient. The things that define being a caregiver, such as helping a parent purchase and organize their medications or taking a friend to their doctor’s appointments, just seems like simply doing what needs to be done when someone needs help. Are you a Caregiver? Come out to our events on November 7 to help get support you may need.

10/29/2023

One of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. workforce involves Americans over the age of 75.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/americans-over-75-working-more-than-ever-who-are-they/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6i&linkId=244778897&fbclid=IwAR1uIJkYIsa6tuCKCh_zavlYCZmlrqzk9WAmYOG8GV6yAChjc6kUgs2Mq-4_aem_Ac2ceMcqoqhh2c_Nu0Cpew4Ouoj0SYvTEGHFeGNsZ9dhAPBjN63JuFPXpIcKFn2c_Vc .

One 78-year-old says he loves his profession and can't imagine stepping back from his work. "I'll retire in a wooden box," he said.

10/27/2023

Eastern Carolina Council Area Agency on Aging staff attended the City of New Bern Benefit and Wellness Fair today at West New Bern Recreation Center. City Employees received information for older adult services, caregiver programs, the Ombudsman Program, and fraud prevention.

10/26/2023

ECC Executive Director David Bone attended the quarterly gathering of Pamlico County municipal and county leaders on October 26th. It’s always good to learn more about what is going on in communities across the region and to talk about ECC’s resources and programs! Thanks to Pamlico County for coordinating the meeting and to the Town of Oriental, NC for hosting!

10/25/2023

Want to learn more about the EPA and NC DEQ Brownfields Program and resources? ECC will have a workshop on November 15th at 10:00 a.m. To register for this program, use the QR code on the flyer or go online at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=gppuxoyab&oeidk=a07ejznb4b0c0dd37d8.

10/25/2023

The Eastern Carolina Council, in partnership with the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments, Working Landscapes, and Croatan Institute hosted the 2nd of 3 regional disaster resiliency workshops in the ECC region on October 24th. (2 workshops were recently held in the Upper Coastal Plain region.) With these workshops, we are helping communities identify and prioritize resiliency projects.

Thank you to the participants, and thank you to the Town of La Grange, NC for hosting us at the La Grange Community Center! Also, thank you to UCPCOG’s Ben Farmer for helping us facilitate the workshop!

An additional workshop will be held on Monday, October 30th from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City.

10/24/2023

The Eastern Carolina Council of Governments, in partnership with the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments, Working Landscapes, and Croatan Institute, hosted the 1st of 3 disaster resiliency workshops on October 23rd. With these workshops, we are helping communities identify and prioritize resiliency projects.

Upon completion of the workshop, local governments will receive a short, user-friendly report that summarizes their project plan ideas and provides targeted funding opportunity recommendations and digital geospatial maps.

Additional workshops will be held:

• Tuesday, October 24th from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the La Grange Civic Center in La Grange, and

• Monday, October 30th from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City.

Thank you to participants, and thank you to Jones County NC for hosting us at the Jones County Civic Center!

10/23/2023

ECC is once again offering a free 2-day grant writing workshop November 7-8, 2023. ECC members are invited to register for this workshop by using the QR code on the flyer. Register today!

10/21/2023

Congratulations to Duplin County Senior Services, Greene County Senior Center & Services, and Wayne County Services on Aging on their successful 2023 Walk to De-Feet Dementia.

10/19/2023

ECC hosted the Eastern Carolina Transportation Summit on October 19, 2023 in New Bern, and we had a terrific event! The theme was, “Investments in Transportation - a Driving Force in Economic Development“.

Participants received updates on the US-70 (Future I-42) and US-17 corridors, we had great panel discussion about the importance of transportation investment to various industry sectors, and NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins provided the keynote address. Additionally, we received intermodal updates (including Airport, Rail, Ferries, Transit, and Bike/Ped) and a presentation on the City of Wilson’s Microtransit initiative.

Thank you to our speakers, panelists, participants, and sponsors (Craven County, TranSystems, JMT Engineering, Colliers Engineering and Design, and Coastal Carolina Regional Airport)! Also, a big thank you the ECC staff who did such a fantastic job plan and hosting this event!

10/16/2023

The Eastern Carolina Council of Governments Welcomes Larry Faison as Regional Planning Director. Welcome, Larry!

10/13/2023

At our October 12, 2023 ECC General Membership Board meeting, we received a presentation from Thomas Chang of Carolina Senior Care, which is building a PACE facility in New Bern to serve the region. PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a managed care program for older adults. The program helps seniors avoid nursing homes and instead receive the care and services necessary to help them be safe, comfortable, and healthy while living in their own community. The PACE program allows seniors who need nursing home care to continue living in their homes as long as possible. The facility is expected to be open in the Fall of 2024.

For more information about PACE programs in NC, visit https://www.ncpace.org/PACE-Programs-in-NC.

10/11/2023

The Hill-Jones House Circa 1855, Cedar Point, North Carolina.

The 150-year-old "Octagon House" sits on property that was originally granted by King George I to Thomas Lee in 1714. This land was once an Indian camping ground - evidenced by shell beds and pottery found along the banks of the sound. In 1765, William Hill, from Lunenberg County, Virginia, purchased what had become known as the Cedar Point Plantation – hundreds and hundreds of acres on the White Oak River near Swansboro, then part of Carteret County.

In 1778, William's son Isaac Hill (c.1750-1814) married Elizabeth Hatch (ca.1758-1819) daughter of Revolutionary War Lt. Col. Lemuel Hatch and Mary Fonville. Besides being a mariner, Captain Hill also operated a sawmill and saltworks.

One of Isaac and Elizabeth's sons, John Hatch Hill, born in 1778, grew up on the plantation. On April 17, 1806, he married Hannah Fuller. Hannah died in April of 1823. John then married Hannah’s sister, Catherine Dudley, in August of the same year. Catherine died in October, making Hill a widower twice in the same year. In January 1825, John married his third wife, Abigail Ward.

James Noe House circa 1828
John Hatch Hill became a colonel while serving in the Carteret Militia. Col. Hill was a member of the General Assembly (1814-1815) and served as sheriff, coroner and clerk of court of Carteret County. In 1837, Col. Hill purchased the house at 112 Moore Street in Beaufort (now plaqued James Noe House circa 1828, at public auction for only $500). Col. Hill died the same year and was buried in the Old Burying Ground in Beaufort. His last will and testament lists children Catherine, Gaston, Edward and Cicero Ward Hill.

Their son Cicero Ward Hill became a physician and practiced in Beaufort—perhaps using the 112 Moore Street house as his office.

Col. Hill’s son Edward returned to Cedar Point in 1855 and built the octagonal house on the old family property. The house, possibly built by shipwrights* before the Civil War, was never finished to include a wrap-around porch.

The Hill-Jones House was handed down to it's last owner, John S. Jones who inherited it from his mother Mary Hill Jones , daughter of Edward Hill - the builder.

Even though in disrepair before it's 2001-2004 restoration, the house was built to endure. When built, timbers were cut from choice trees, while copper nails were dipped in oil to rustproof them. The two-story house, built on a brick foundation, is topped with a large cupola which serves to light the upper landing between staircases.

The wide halls still divide the house, both up and down - with staircases going up from both the front and back entrances. There are still six rooms on each floor - some square, some triangular, with four large chimneys arranged so that each room has a fireplace.

In the Hill family for so many generations, the house was donated to the Masons in 1999 and meticulously restored to retain the character of this 1855 structure. A house that was built by enslaved laborers and witnessed the Civil War will now be used as the centerpiece of a retirement community and summer camp.

📖 http://beaufortartist.blogspot.com/2008/01/beauforts-connection-to-octagon-house.html?m=1

10/11/2023

Find out where to grab dinner, drinks, and dessert; enjoy live music or a show; and take an end-of-the-evening stroll in this historic coastal city.

10/06/2023

The Duplin/Greene/Wayne Walk to De-Feet Dementia will be here soon. You still have time to support this effort. If you are unable to participate at the walk event, you can always donate an in-kind item or give financially. For more information contact Duplin County Senior Services and speak with Melisa S. Brown or Frankie Hobbs at 910-296-2140.

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2dwtdd/account/1560465/

10/05/2023

The Eastern Carolina Council (ECC) welcomes 7 new members! ECC is grateful to these communities and all member communities for their trust and support!

10/05/2023

Register today for the Eastern Carolina Transportation Summit at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=gppuxoyab&oeidk=a07ejym2bkj7a4d13d7.

10/04/2023

Today's spotlight is in honor of Pepsi's 125th anniversary! : Pepsi, originally named "Brad's Drink" was invented in the City of New Bern, NC Government in 1898!
To learn more about and the birthplace of Pepsi, visit: https://visitnewbern.com/new-bern-downtown/
📷: Visit New Bern, North Carolina
Craven County NC, Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, New Bern, NC, North Carolina Main Street Center, Greater Downtown New Bern, NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

10/04/2023

More impactful news for our region!

NC East Alliance is excited to announce it has been awarded a $15 million appropriation from the NC legislature to continue to develop the new STEM East “Industry In Schools” initiative as a public/private partnership with industry to support the development of a new K-14 teacher training system in NC East’s 29 county region. Read more here: https://conta.cc/3EZjSNG

09/30/2023

Are you searching for a career with an excellent benefits package? Do you want to join a team focused on providing exceptional customer experiences? Visit www.onwasa.com/jobs to learn more about joining the ONWASA Team!

09/29/2023

Great news for our region and state! Thank you to our Legislators and everyone who had a hand in making this happen!

The new building is set to be complete by the year 2026.

09/29/2023

The Alzheimer's Association is offering in person and live webinars throughout the month of October. Education programs include:
-10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
-Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
-Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors
-Alzheimer's Education and Community Resources for Lenoir County
-Living with Alzheimer's Disease for Younger-onset
-Home Safety

09/28/2023

ECC's Transportation Summit will be on October 19th. Register today at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=gppuxoyab&oeidk=a07ejym2bkj7a4d13d7.

09/28/2023

09/28/2023

09/27/2023

09/26/2023

Have you ever done something so ridiculous that you wanted to kick yourself? Here’s one solution! 😂 Circa 1940-1960, check out this photo of Tom Haywood and his Kicking Machine, which was a fun and popular roadside attraction located in Croatan, NC.

The kicking machine is featured in our exhibit, North Carolina A to Z.

09/24/2023

From strawberries to muscadines to swine, discover five farms where you can enjoy the bounty of eastern North Carolina.

09/19/2023

This week is National Fall Prevention Week. The theme this year is “From Awareness to Action”. Use the link to take the Fall Free Check Up Quiz to see what your risk of falling is. It will tell you ways to prevent a future fall or things you should continue to do. Make sure to check in the rest of this week for tips on how you can prevent falls!
https://www.standingstrongnc.org/

09/16/2023

It was recently announced the Eastern Carolina Council and ECC Area Agency on Aging (AAA) received a 2023 NADO Impact Award for our Regional Technology for Seniors Program! We greatly appreciate this recognition as a testament to the partnership we have with our communities and providers. Proud of our team!

We also take this opportunity to celebrate and congratulate our colleagues in other councils of government who were recognized for the great work being done in their regions.

https://www.nado.org/2023-impact-award-recipients/?fbclid=IwAR1UgpHDUyT6nETcta5H8GvOk7d2Iql58DKBHpIqs4-19JSgdNTekSxAqd0_aem_Af4DQ04rYYvpkY_hea2oOsCw5fMOx47tB5_qTKDH6Lp8stE160mcF5eHTfPROUSvkOQ

Announcement of 2023 NADO Impact Award recipients.

09/16/2023

Join the North Carolina Department of Information Technology on September 21 to learn more about available services and resources. There will also be a brief Q&A session at the virtual local government town hall meeting.

Register now: https://ow.ly/NKUU50PLOGo

09/15/2023

Here's a WITN report about the partnership between the City of New Bern, NC Government and Eastern Carolina Council with Project Lifesaver. The technology used in this program can provide peace of mind for families with a loved one who may be prone to wandering (due to cognitive issues such as Alzheimer's, Dementia, etc.). A small wristband or ankle bracelet containing a battery and transmitter allows your loved one to be tracked in the event they wander off...increasing the chances they'll be found quickly and before potential impacts such as weather or injury.

New Bern Fire-Rescue and the New Bern Police Department have partnered with the Eastern Carolina Council Area Agency on Aging to implement “Project Lifesaver”, an international search and rescue program designed for at-risk individuals who are cognitively impaired and prone to wandering.

09/15/2023

Welcome to ECC's newest members - Craven County NC, Jacksonville North Carolina Government, Town of La Grange, NC, Town Of Magnolia, NC, City of New Bern, NC Government, and Onslow County Government!

The Eastern Carolina Council (ECC) is a multi-county, local government, planning, and development organization. Our mission is to improve the region’s quality of life by providing planning, economic development, and senior services to local governments and area residents by maximizing resources and collaborating regionally.

For more information about the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments, visit https://eccog.org/.

12/23/2022