BOGUE SANTA TOUR 2026
Santa Tour 2026
Santa is coming to the Town of Bogue!
Santa and his elves will be traveling through the neighborhoods of Bogue on Thursday, December 17th beginning at 6:00 pm.
Listen for the sirens – that’s how you’ll know he is getting close to your area.
He will be handing out goodie bags for all the children, so be sure to step outside and wave as he goes by!
Summer Reading Program – Carteret County Public Library System
Summer Reading Program – Carteret County Public Library System
The Carteret County Public Library System will launch its 2026 Summer Reading Program, “Unearth a Story,” on Saturday, June 13. The program combines reading activities, educational programs, and a community donation drive benefiting local seniors, giving families opportunities to learn, explore, and give back throughout the summer.
Designed for all ages, the Summer Reading Program encourages children to continue reading and learning while school is out. This year’s theme explores the world of dinosaurs, fossils, and prehistoric life through reading challenges, science programs, art activities, and special events at library branches across Carteret County.
“Our Summer Reading Program helps children stay engaged with learning, encourages a lifelong love of reading, and gives families an opportunity to spend time together at their local library,” said Library Director Dorothy Howell. “We are excited to offer programs that inspire curiosity, creativity, and discovery throughout the summer.”
Families can kick off the summer reading season with dinosaur-themed activities, hands-on learning opportunities, and interactive displays at county library branches across the county.
In partnership with Carteret County Senior Services, the library system will also host a community donation drive throughout the summer. Participants can earn special reading program tracking stamps by donating items that support programs and services for local older adults.
Donation boxes will be available at library branches throughout the county. Requested items include:
- Household necessities: Paper towels, facial tissues, dish detergent, hand soap, laundry detergent, trash bags, and cleaning supplies.
- Personal care items: Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and body wash.
- Recreation and entertainment items: Paperback books, word search books, crossword puzzle books, candy, and snacks.
Featured programs this summer include educational performances, science demonstrations, animal encounters, and hands-on art activities, including:
- Magician Dana Hill (July 8): A family-friendly magic show featuring storytelling and audience participation at the Western Branch.
- A Pirate Encounter (July 15): A special storytime program at the Bogue Banks Branch featuring a pirate character and photo opportunities for children.
- North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (July 20): An educational program introducing participants to native North Carolina reptiles and their habitats.
- Bright Star Theater (July 29): A live educational performance at the Beaufort Branch featuring history, science, and life-sized dinosaur puppets.
- A Time for Science (July 30): A hands-on fossil discovery program presented by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at the Newport and Western branches.
- Modern Pop Art with Michael Albert (August 4-6): An interactive art workshop using recycled materials at the Newport, Beaufort, and Bogue Banks branches.
“We want the Summer Reading Program to be an opportunity for people of all ages to connect with their libraries and support their community,” said Millie Sparks, Program and Outreach Coordinator. “Whether you are a year-round resident or visiting Carteret County this summer, we invite you to join us.”
The 2026 Summer Reading Program is made possible through the support of Friends of the Library groups throughout Carteret County and the Kiwanis Club of the Crystal Coast.
The program is open to residents and visitors of all ages and is designed to encourage reading, learning, and community involvement throughout the summer months.
For a complete schedule of events, branch hours, and registration information, visit www.carteretcountypubliclibrary.org or contact your local library branch.
Carteret County Food Assistance
Carteret County Food Assistance
Summer break is supposed to be a time of fun and making memories, but for many families, it also means a much bigger grocery bill. When school is out, the breakfasts and lunches that children normally receive at school have to be provided at home, and with food prices already high, it can be a real struggle. If you or someone you know is feeling the pressure of food instability this summer, you’re not alone. If you need assistance, please click on the link below for local places offering help.
Need Help with Food? ¿Necesita ayuda con la comida?
To locate resources: Text FOODNC to 877-877 or text COMIDA for Spanish. Carteret County Department of Social Services (252) 723-3181
DEQ Flood Resiliency Public Information Session
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint program (Blueprint) will hold a public information session on March 25 at 6 p.m. to provide an overview of the state’s science-based and stakeholder-driven flood mitigation planning initiative. Members of the public are invited to attend virtually via Webex.
The meeting will also provide information on the program’s online decision support tool and the ongoing development of River Basin Action Strategies.
The Blueprint is designed to support the planning, evaluation, and implementation of flood resilience strategies. It is the largest proactive statewide flood mitigation investment in North Carolina history, equipping local governments, the state and supporting organizations with data, tools and processes to guide strategic investments to reduce flood risk, fund priority projects and address gaps in mitigation efforts.
Since 2024, the Blueprint has funded 81 flood resilience projects totaling more than $40 million in the six river basins designated by the NC General Assembly: Neuse, French Broad, White Oak, Tar Pamlico, Cape Fear, and Lumber.
The online decision support tool, or Blueprint tool, is a data- and model-driven GIS-enabled web application designed to:
•Provide users with accurate, data-driven flood risk and vulnerability assessments
•Allow users to explore, develop and define flood resilience actions
•Help users to evaluate and prioritize effective flood resilience actions
The program will also deliver a River Basin Action Strategy for each basin. The action strategy will include a set of projects and funding strategies aimed at reducing flooding, lessening damage, and strengthening communities’ long-term resilience – their ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover quickly from future disasters.
There will be a Q&A session at the public information session. Questions can also be submitted via email to blueprint@deq.nc.gov.
Event: NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint Public Information Session
When: Wednesday, March 25, 6 p.m.
Join via Webex: https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=m1e4c9ef1d0647e6928d442190ce486e5
Meeting Number/Access Code: 2438 419 0160
Meeting Password: blueprint (25837746 when dialing from a phone)
Join by telephone: +1-415-655-0003 US Toll
DEQ Flood Resiliency Blueprint to hold public information session