NEW BERN – The Craven Community College (Craven CC) Foundation announces the recipients of the 16th annual Community Fabric Awards (CFA), an event that celebrates leadership excellence and service throughout the region. This year’s recipients are Chuck Tyson for Individual Leadership, Hearne’s Fine Jewelry for Business Leadership and Kelsie McBride for Educational Leadership. Created by the Craven CC Foundation, the CFAs recognize individuals and organizations whose initiative, service and dedication
Area Municipal Leaders Visit FRCE to Discuss Future Growth Heather Wilburn Fleet Readiness Center East MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Local leaders from Carteret County communities visited Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently to learn more about the depot’s current operations and plans for future expansion. A group of 10 elected officials and staff from Beaufort and Cape Carteret toured FRCE facilities as part of a larger visit to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. FRCE
For Immediate Release March 16, 2026 CAROLINAEAST FOUNDATION GRANTS $325,661 TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS (New Bern, NC) – On March 11, 2026, the CarolinaEast Foundation hosted a check-passing event to present thirty-one local organizations with grant money to support their health-related causes. Each cycle, organizations can apply for grant money from the CarolinaEast Foundation that has been donated through the annual Employee Campaign, as well as many community businesses and individual donors. While
Most businesses don't fail from one catastrophic mistake — they erode from a dozen small ones that compound quietly. The Federal Reserve's 2024 Small Business Credit Survey found that uneven cash flow and rising costs remain among the most widely cited challenges for small business owners, with smaller firms showing the weakest recovery. Most of these gaps are fixable — but only once you know where to look.Cash Flow Problems Start Before You See Them Cash flow management means tracking the timing of
Main Gallery: Twin Rivers Artists Association and Craven Community College Judged Exhibition Local artist group to exhibit works at Bank of the Arts Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle St April 2026 Craven Arts Council & Gallery is proud to present the Twin Rivers Artists Association and Craven Community College Judged Exhibition in the Main Gallery at Bank of the Arts for the month of April. This exhibition highlights the talents of local artists in our community and helps to encourage networking
Coastal Carolina Chapter of the National Association of the Blind Event Craven Arts Council & Gallery hosts local chapter promoting inclusivity and accessibility in the artsBank of the Arts, 317 Middle Street April 10 th & 11th Craven Arts Council & Gallery strives to create an environment where the arts are open and accessible to all members of our community. This April, Craven Arts Council & Gallery is proud to host the Coastal Carolina Chapter of the National Association of the Blind, as they host two
Director’s Gallery: The Rat Selfie Project by Jennifer WinterRose Craven Arts Council & Gallery presents a solo Director’s Gallery exhibition from local artist 317 Middle St April 2026 Craven Arts Council & Gallery is proud to present their Director’s Gallery exhibition for the month of April – The Rat Selfie Series by Jennifer WinterRose. This exhibition will feature gouache portraits of WinterRose her pet rats over the years, highlighting personal health battles by focusing on her emotions and
Percy Berry Film Screening Local Racial Conciliation Coalition presents Film Screening on Percy Berry Sunday, April 12 th at 2 pm 30 Park Ln O, Havelock, NC 28532 The Forward Together Coalition is proud to present a film screening on the lynching of Craven County native, Percy Berry on Sunday, April 12th at 2 pm, at New Beginnings Ministry of Faith, located at 30 Park Ln O, Havelock, NC. The coalition will present a 10-minute film created by local filmmaker Francine Robinson, followed by a panel of
George Washington ‘First Oval Office Project’ Comes to Tryon Palace for America 250 (NEW BERN, NC) March 11, 2026 - The Museum of the American Revolution’s First Oval Office Project, featuring a hand-stitched replica of George Washington’s sleeping and office tent which served as the command center for the Continental Army, is coming to the Tryon Palace historic site in New Bern March 26 -28. Tryon Palace is part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). The First
NEW BERN BREAKFAST ROTARY HOSTS BLOOD DRIVE WITH AMERICAN RED CROSS The Rotary Club of New Bern Breakfast invites the public to “Donate Blood & Save a Life!” on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Harrison Center, 311 Middle Street in New Bern. “We are looking forward to partnering with the American Red Cross to host our first Blood Drive in our community,” said Rotary member Gretchen Derda, Chair of Community Service Projects for the New Bern Breakfast Rotary Club. “Every two
NEW BERN – Craven Community College (Craven CC), NC State University, and STEMEast Network will host "Engineering Your Future," a free information session to inspire and prepare local students for rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It will be held Thursday, April 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the STEM Center on Craven CC's Havelock campus. Designed for high school and college students and parents, this hands-on event will provide insights into engineering careers,
GOSPEL AWARD WINNER LUTHER BARNES TO HEADLINE FIFTH ANNUAL GOSPEL FEST IN NEW BERN Tried By Fire, Inc. is thrilled to bring the Fifth Annual Gospel Fest back to New Bern, NC, for another year of community celebration. The concert will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Temple Church, 1500 Kingdom Way, within the main sanctuary. Admission is complimentary, though guests are encouraged to reserve tickets by visiting www.TriedByFireInc.org/events. Donations given freely are
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New Bern Pride Launches Search for Pride Prom 2026 Sponsorships New Bern, North Carolina – New Bern Pride has officially opened its sponsorship search for Pride Prom 2026, with a primary focus on securing a Title Sponsor to serve as the partner for Eastern North Carolina’s most visible LGBTQIA+ event. Now entering its fifth year, Pride Prom has evolved into a regional celebration welcoming hundreds of attendees and functioning as the organization’s largest annual fundraising
CarolinaEast Medical Center Named Among Newsweek’s World's Best HospitalsNew Bern Hospital Ranked in Top 1.8% of U.S. Hospitals (New Bern, NC) – For the eighth consecutive year, CarolinaEast Medical Center is named one of the top best hospitals in the United States by Newsweek magazine in their annual "World’s Best Hospitals" rankings. The 2026 list lands CarolinaEast at 112 out of 6,100 hospitals in the United States. Newsweek is a premier news magazine and website that has been bringing high
Adventure Day at New Bern Battlefield Park is Saturday, April 11, 2026 NEW BERN, NC. Harry Goodman Battlefield Adventure Day, a springtime event for the entire family, is Saturday, April 11 at the New Bern Battlefield Park. A day full of learning activities, period games and living history, it is held annually at the Park, which has been extensively upgraded by the New Bern Historical Society. The event is open to guests of all ages, with special activities for children 6-12 years old. Check-in begins at
March 2, 2026 NEW BERN - Craven Community College (Craven CC) has announced its summer camps for 2026. Eleven camps will be held on the college's New Bern campus and three on the Havelock campus. The 2026 selection offers a wide range of hands-on activities, from 3-D design and welding to hair styling, ceramics, and creative writing. Programs are available for students ranging from rising 3rd through 12th grade. These camps are designed to help students gain confidence, learn real-world
Small business owners in New Bern often face a quiet truth: growth isn’t only about strategy, products, or pricing. It’s also about voice — the ability to communicate ideas clearly, confidently, and persuasively in front of real people. Public speaking is not a “nice-to-have” skill; it is a local-business growth engine. In brief: Strong speaking positions you as a trusted authority in your market Clear verbal communication improves customer understanding and loyalty Confident presentations help win
New Bern Hospital Recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience Plus Six Specialties (New Bern, NC) – CarolinaEast Medical Center has been recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by Women’s Choice Award®. This honor places CarolinaEast among the top 100 hospitals in the nation within its size category, based on number of beds. Additionally, CarolinaEast received top rankings in Knee and Hip Replacement, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Obstetrics,
Call for Entry: The 2026 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition Exhibition featuring the artwork of local, regional and national artists Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle St August and September 2026 The Craven Arts Council is seeking artists for their upcoming biennial exhibition, the Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition. This biennial exhibition is Craven Arts Council’s signature exhibition with over 100 artworks selected out of hundreds of entries. Interested artists can apply through CaFE
Tried By Fire, Inc. is pleased to host the First New Bern Fashion Week & Fashion Show on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Carolina Colours Pavilion, 3300 Waterscape Way. The evening includes hors d’oeuvres catered by the venue’s executive culinary staff, with a cash bar, silent auction, and other special surprises for this fundraising event to benefit My Sister’s House, a supportive transitional home for justice-involved women who do not have safe alternatives for housing when
Craven Arts Council & Gallery hosts concert performance featuring music by music icon, Dionne Warwick 317 Middle Street, New Bern, NC Saturday, March 28 th at 7 pm Craven Arts Council & Gallery (CAC&G) is proud to present their At the Gallery Concert Series featuring the music of Dionne Warwick, performed by Alisa Mike with accompaniment by Dale Moore. Doors open at 6 pm, with a pre-concert talk at 6:30 pm by Lee Purcell. This concert is sponsored by Fraiser Croft, & Ginny Mattern and
Starting a business can feel like learning a new language. Whether you’re launching your first startup or opening a local shop, understanding basic business terms is essential for making smart decisions and communicating with confidence. This guide breaks down key business terminology—explained clearly and practically—to help you build a strong foundation for your entrepreneurial journey. TL;DR If you’re new to business, focus first on understanding these essentials: Cash flow: The movement of
Launching a business is an exciting transition, but it’s also a moment filled with decisions that shape your future. The right investments early on can determine whether you simply survive or thrive in the years ahead. From foundational technology to financial systems and marketing visibility, every choice has ripple effects. Below, we’ll explore core areas where new entrepreneurs should prioritize investment, blending practical tips with resources to guide your journey. 1. Build a Financial Safety
Getting the attention of younger audiences on social media isn’t about trickery or gimmicks. It’s rhythm. Texture. A look that punches before it speaks. Today’s younger users—especially Gen Z—are hypersensitive to inauthenticity and allergic to old-school polish. If your visuals feel templated or detached from the human pulse, they’ll scroll right past you. So, if you want your marketing to resonate—actually resonate—you’ll need to trade in polish for presence. Your goal isn’t just to be seen. It’s to be
Even in the age of online-first everything, storefronts still wield remarkable influence. A strong window display stops a passerby mid-step, lures them with curiosity, and nudges them through the door before they even realize they’ve made the decision. For small business owners, the display isn’t just decoration—it’s strategy. When executed with precision and purpose, it’s a persuasive argument made entirely without words, turning glass into an invitation. Colors and Contrast That Wake Up the
When internal messages fall flat, teams drift. The speed of business demands clarity, not just in what is said, but how it's delivered. Traditional memos and slide decks often leave employees tuning out or missing the point entirely. Visual storytelling, long the domain of advertising and entertainment, has stepped into the boardroom—and not just as decoration. It’s reshaping how teams connect, retain knowledge, and act with unity. Beyond the PowerPoint: Narrative-Driven Design Forget the default
In the post-pandemic churn of shifting priorities and changing customer habits, small businesses are back in a spotlight they never really left—forced to navigate a noisy market without the marketing war chest of larger brands. While big players throw dollars at impressions, small businesses survive on interaction. The edge, however, doesn’t lie in size but in intimacy. The businesses that win are the ones that understand their customers as more than metrics and treat engagement as a two-way street rather
In the competitive world of business presentations, standing out requires more than just a well-designed slide deck. It’s about crafting a narrative that speaks directly to your audience’s needs and preferences. By focusing on strategies that enhance clarity, engagement, and personalization, you can transform your presentations into compelling stories that captivate and persuade. Whether you’re addressing a room full of executives or a diverse group of stakeholders, the key lies in understanding your
In today's digital age, businesses often overlook the impact of traditional mail. Sending personalized letters, thoughtful cards, and eye-catching postcards offers a unique, tangible connection that emails or social media can't replicate. These physical forms of communication leave lasting impressions and foster stronger relationships with clients and customers. By adding a personal touch, businesses can stand out and create meaningful interactions that drive loyalty and engagement.Boosting Customer