2/3-4/12 Train show New Bern
Seventeenth Annual Train Show, Sat: 10:00am - 5:00pm and Sun: 10:00am - 4:00pm at the Sudan Temple, 403 East Front Street, New Bern. Sponsored by the Carolina Coastal Railroaders. For details call 252-638-8872

2/3-5/12 Carolina Chocolate Festival
To be held at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. Prepare to pamper yourself in decadence at the 10th Annual Carolina Chocolate Festival being held at the Crystal Coast Civic Center February 3-5, 2012 at Morehead City. Featuring vendors from around the state and beyond, the festival provides lovers of mankind's best-loved desserts – chocolate. From chocolate cakes and tortes to chocolate bars and ice cream, the event offers more than a sampling of everything chocolate. Organizers are putting the finishing touches on other activities that will please everyone this year from cooking demonstrations, to dinners and spa treatments. "The whole family can participate in one or more of the activities we have to offer." says Porter Wilson, President of the Carolina Chocolate Festival. The Chocolate Festival was created by the late John Green, who envisioned non-profit groups working together, hand-in-hand, to organize an event as partners, and in turn reap the benefits. http://www.carolinachocolatefestival.com/

2/4/12 CPC Field Trip
Cameron, NC to photograph painted barns.

2/4/12 Tryon Palace—Free Day
Free Day: In Search of Independence, selected areas of Tryon Palace North Carolina History Center and Historic Area, sponsored by the Harold H. Bate Foundation. For details call 252-639-3500

2/9/12 Art Walk New Bern
Artwalk Downtown New Bern. For more information call 252-638-2577. Artwalk at the New Bern Farmers Market, 5:00pm - 8:00pm. For details call 252-633-0043

2/10-24/12 Art from the Heart—Carteret County
This two-week exhibition and sale of original, innovative and traditional works by area artists occurs each year in mid-February, with the opening reception on the Friday night before Valentine's Day. The Arts Council of Carteret County organizes and funds this fine-arts event. Any artist can place up to three pieces in the show. Combined with an annual exhibit of work by area school children, this exhibition is a great opportunity for art lovers to view and buy original oils and acrylics; water media; photography and computer generated art; glass, stone, fiber arts and other three-dimensional artwork; pastels and drawings; and mixed media. Proceeds benefit the artists and the Arts Council. Admission is free.

2/11/12 CPC meeting 9:30 AM Centenary United Methodist Church
Instructional--hand painting of photos. Mini-comp. subject: Faces. Just-for-fun: self portrait.

3/10/12 CPC meeting 9:30 AM Centenary United Methodist Church
Guest speaker TBA. Mini-comp subject: Groups. Just-for-fun: Out of Bounds Photo effect. Using a tutorial, pick a photo of your own and recreate this effect. http://www.agaraga.com/photoshop-tutorials/oob/ or http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/breakout/breakout.htm

3/17/12 Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival Emerald Isle
From 9am-5pm at the Emerald Plantation shopping center.

3/17/12 Civil War Adventure DayNew Bern Battlefield Park (Taberna)
Civil War Adventure Day, 9:30 AM to 2 PM Civil War Adventure Day, A Children’s Commemorative Event Civil War Adventure Day is a family event for 70 children, ages 6-12, and their adult family members. From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (registration begins at 10:00am), this day is filled with learning activities and living history. Civil War re-enactors in their encampment add an authentic dimension, interacting with participants and their families. The Battle of New Bern was March 14, 1862. 2012 is the 150th anniversary of the battle.

3/24/12 North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.
"A Living History: Occupied Beaufort, 1862" Downtown Beaufort will transform into a Civil War town! See vignettes of navy, artillery, cavalry and infantry reenactors. At the Maritime Museum children's activities, weapons demonstrations, and infantry drills will interest the entire family. There is rumor of a Confederate prison break! Visit the temporary exhibit and discover Beaufort's importance to the naval war effort. Tour the town on a double-decker bus with Beaufort Historic Association and end your day with an evening cannon firing at Fort Macon State Park. Most activities are free – call NCMM for more information (252) 728-7317

3/24 CPC Field Trip
Durham Magic Wings

4/6-7/12 Pig Cookin’ Contest Newport
At the Newport Town Park 200 Howard Blvd Newport. Pig Cookin is the largest whole hog pig cooking contest in the USA All money raised goes back to the community to non-profit organizations. For more information, contact Jim Bristol, 252-241-3488, fleetman@eastnc.twcbc.com

4/7/12 to 5/20/12 Biltmore Estate Festival of Flowers
Billed as “80 acres of gorgeous” the Biltmore Estate is a wonderful place to visit, but will be even more so when the flowers are in bloom. Biltmore's gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, are alive with color as spring arrives. Enjoy special events and the beauty of tulips, azaleas, and countless other flowers during Festival of Flowers.

4/13-14/12Spring Historic Homes & Gardens Tour New Bern
www.newbernhistorical.org New Bern Historical Society On April 13 and 14, homeowners will open their doors so the public can visit some of the most beautiful and interesting homes in New Bern’s historic district. The 2012 Spring Historic Homes & Gardens Tour will provide a behind-the-scenes look at 13 homes and gardens that are important to our town’s past and present. Patrons will tour the living quarters of these homes, learning about the original architecture, renovations, and furnishings. In addition to the homes and gardens, many downtown houses of worship will be open for tours, with some offering musical performances.

4/14/12 CPC meeting 9:30 AM Centenary United Methodist Church
Spring Competition.


4/21 CPC Field Trip
Nautical--Pea Island/Bodie lighthouse

4/21/12 Fort Macon State Park
150th Civil War Reenactment of the Battle of Fort Macon
Living History events will be performed throughout the day by soldiers of the North and South. Flag talks, Civil War music, Civil War uniform talks, musket firing demonstrations, drills and children's activities are a few of the programs being performed. The bombardment and surrender of Fort Macon will be reenacted at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Starts at: 9:00 a.m - 4:00 Meet at: Fort

Night Cannonade
On April 21, 1862 a large body of Federal troops could be seen in the darkness up the beach of Bogue Banks toward Fort Macon. Fort Macon State Park will reenact the continuous artillery fire that dispersed the Union troops and drove them away. Spectators will be able to experience the sights and sounds of the bombardment just as the people of Beaufort and Morehead City thronged the waterfront areas watching the dazzling spectacle of the night bombardment 150 years ago.
Starts at: 8:00 p.m. Meet at: Fort

4/22/12 Fort Macon
150th Civil War Reenactment of the Battle of Fort Macon
Living History events will be performed throughout the day by soldiers of the North and South. Flag talks, Civil War music, Civil War uniform talks, musket firing demonstrations, drills and children's activities are a few of the programs being performed. The bombardment and surrender of Fort Macon will be reenacted at 1:00 p.m. Starts at: 10:00 a.m. - 4:0 Meet at: Fort

4/23/12 Fort Macon
Artillery Firing. Meet at the fort to view the firing process of a Civil War cannon. Starts at: 10:00 a.m. Meet at: Fort

4/24/12 Fort Macon
Artillery Firing. Meet at the fort to view the firing process of a Civil War cannon. Starts at: 10:00 a.m. Meet at: Fort

4/25/12 Fort Macon
Artillery Firing. Meet at the fort to view the firing process of a Civil War cannon. Starts at: 10:00 a.m. Meet at: Fort

Observance of the 150th Anniversary of the Bombardment of Fort Macon
Meet at the fort to commemorate the 1862 bombardment of Fort Macon by Union forces, and the men of both sides who fought and died in the siege of Fort Macon. Starts at: 4:00 p.m. Meet at: Fort

4/25-29/12 Beaufort
8th Annual Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend. Great wines plus the food of Coastal Carolina's finest restaurants are a perfect pairing. Visit this quaint seaport town of Beaufort in grand style while attending tastings, seminars, dinners, wine and cheese pairings and much more. Each year this event gets better and better, confirming the increasing appreciation of fine wines in North Carolina and around the country: A not-to-be-missed culinary experience. For more information, call 252-728-5225 or visit www.beaufortwineandfood.com .

4/27-28/12 Mount Olive Pickle Festive in Mount Olive
http://www.ncfestivals.com/events/eventdetails.asp?event=519

4/28/12 Portsmouth Island
Portsmouth Island Homecoming Portsmouth VillageCape Lookout National SeashoreNC(252) 728-2250. This heritage event celebrates the history of Portsmouth Village on the Core Banks and is usually celebrated on even-numbered years. Now an Historic District in Cape Lookout National Seashore, Portsmouth Village is just south of Ocracoke Inlet. Access is by boat only. Every one from residents to first timers are invited....read more

5/5/12 CPC Fieldtrip
Duplin Winery

5/5/12 Beaufort Wooden Boat Show
Location: N.C. Maritime Museum, Beaufort. The Wooden Boat Show of the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort was the first and is the largest gathering of wooden watercraft in the Southeast. This is not a commercial show. Instead it is a full day of scheduled demonstrations, talks and races that attract people who share an interest in the art, craftsmanship and history of wooden boats. Enthusiasts race radio-controlled boats in the pool on the Maritime Museum patio, and the public is given an opportunity to sail in traditional North Carolina boats. Admission is free. Call 252-728-7317 for more information

5/12/12 CPC meeting 9:30 AM Centenary United Methodist Church
Instructional--basic flash photography concepts. Mini-comp subject: Shadows. Just-for-fun: Achieve a stenciled wall effect using one of your photos and this tutorial: http://www.befunky.com/explore/2010/06/achieve-a-stenciled-wall-effect-with-your-own-photos/