Can you complete the following statement?

Oriental, North Carolina is:
    A) A sleepy little fishing village
    B) The "Sailing Capital of North Carolina"
    C) A developing "arts center"
    D) All of the above

Few people that know Oriental would argue with you if you answered "all of the above". Every day visitors are discovering and rediscovering the many faces of Oriental, North Carolina.

Located on the wide shores of the Neuse River, not far from Pamlico Sound, Oriental was originally discovered by one Louis B. Midyette in the 1870’s. Legend says that "Uncle Lou", as he was known, anchored his sailboat in the protected waters of Oriental, at the mouth of Smith Creek, to escape a gale. He was sailing from New Bern back to his home in Dare County where he was a farmer and a fisherman. Storytellers claim that the next morning Lou went ashore and climbed a tree. He was captured by the beautiful landscape and all of the waterfront created by the many creeks. He returned home to persuade others to join his family in moving to the area. But the story doesn’t stop there…

History seems to repeat itself every day. Modern day sailors are discovering Oriental and following in Lou Midyette’s footsteps. Conveniently located along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Oriental is a popular stop for "snowbirds" cruising south for the winter or heading north for the summer. Many residents will tell you that their first visit to Oriental was by water while cruising coastal North Carolina and that they too decided to make Oriental their home. This continuous infusion of sailors, the extensive waterfront created by the river and creek systems and the numerous large marinas have caused Oriental to be branded the "Sailing Capital of North Carolina". This is quickly confirmed by looking out at the water where you are likely to see members of The Sailing Club or Oriental, The Oriental Dinghy Club, The Neuse Sailing Association and many other sailors enjoying the typically great sailing conditions. Upon hearing this story, most people want to know-- How did Oriental get its name?

The United States Post Office Department established a post office here back in 1886. Ol’ Lou Midyette was named postmaster of what was then known simply as Smith’s Creek. This prompted the need for a formal name for the rapidly growing village. Lou’s wife, Rebecca, had the nameplate from the sunken ship "Oriental". The Oriental was a Federal transport steam ship that sunk in a storm off Bodie Island during the Civil War. It was decided that Oriental would be a good name for the village… after all, they already had the sign! That was just the beginning or Oriental’s flair for creativity. Today the village boasts a thriving art colony. Art lovers can be satisfied with a wide selection of offerings in both fine arts and the performing arts. Exhibits are held in town throughout the year and continuously at galleries. The Pamlico County Civic and Cultural Center is housed in the "Old Theater" and serves as the home of the Pelican Players. Both amateur and professional theatrical and musical productions can be viewed there.