TOURISM BOARD NEWS

01/14/2008 – Oriental Tourism Board members and local volunteers are seeking generous homeowners who will open their hearts and bedrooms to some of the estimated 600 bicyclists expected here for a statewide ride in April.

Oriental Commissioner Candy Bohmert, the town's liason to the Tourism Board, said the event is being handled "the Oriental way."

"There's a long history in town of people opening homes for artists, musicians, and those in need. It's one of those things that makes this town special," she said.

The bicyclists will be in town April 11-13 as part of Cycle NC’s Spring Weekend Ride.

Tourism Board member Dottie Miller is coordinating the residental room list for the event along with county resident and local businesswoman Flora Moorman of Down East Destinations. The two "will come up with a price to charge the riders so that that volunteers will get a fee for their generosity," Bohmert said.

Anyone willing to provide a room for the bicyclists should contact Miller at dmtouronc@gmail.com or call 252-249-2803, she said. The riders will be in town for two nights.

Oriental has some 60 or 70 hotel and B&B rooms and those already have been reserved by the riders – or soon will be, tourism officials said. Camping sites also are being planned, but as many as 150 of the bicyclists will want rooms in private homes.

01-10-08 – The Oriental Tourism Board meets Jan. 30 at the Town Hall for its regular monthly meeting. Time and agenda to come.

The meeting follows a joint meeting with Town Businesses and Merchants held on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at M&M's to discuss a Tourism Plan and the board's goals for 2008.

Tourism Board Members are Katy Pugh, Judy Wayland, Marlene Miller, Dottie Miller and Town Board Liasion Candy Bohmert. Ms. Pugh is chairwoman of the board.

For more on the upcoming meeting or to be added to the agenda, please contact katypugh@aol.com

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