Bears in North Carolina are usually black with a cinnamon color muzzle

Increasingly, we are seeing bears here in eastern North Carolina. They are mostly in the coastal regions – bears love our coastal Pocosin habitat.

In one of the articles I read, eastern North Carolina was said to have the highest Black Bear population of all the states. There are over 8,000 black bears in the Albemarle region, the largest concentration in North Carolina.

All 100 counties in North Carolina have reported black bear sightings. A 500-pound bear is not at all uncommon and bear biologist, Colleen Olfenbuttel, confirmed that they are seeing “an increased frequency of 700+ pound bears.” All 100 counties in North Carolina have reported black bear sightings.

Bears come in all sizes – remember Mama isn’t far away

When I was a child we had two gardens: one near the house and one early garden down near the woods. Every year, we saw bear tracks in the early garden. My mother told me that they were moving from the Pocosin (upland swamp) to another habitat. In the fall, the tracks went back the other way.

The small Inner Banks town of Plymouth, NC (located on the way to the Outer Banks) has a Black Bear Festival every June. In June the farmers harvest the winter wheat and the bears come out to forage. Bears also like acorns, frogs, fruit, fish, peanuts, seeds and even small mammals. I love that this bear is so trendy eating the dandelions!

This Black Bear is so trendy in his diet of dandelions

Have you seen a bear? If you want to see one, then be sure to pop in at the North Carolina Black Bear Festival in Plymouth, NC, June 5 & 6, 2026.

There will be skydiving bears, biplane rides, pontoon boat rides, Bandits flight formation team, classic air show and more.

Information for the festival tours can be found on the festival website.

The festival promises “relentless food” and great music – something for everyone. Don’t wait too late to book your place and pontoon rides and flight rides!

Hover over Photo to PIN FOR LATER

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

North Carolina Black Bear Festival
Plymouth, NC
June 5 & 6, 2026
Telephone: 252-799-9099
Washington County Travel & Tourism

DISTANCES:

20 miles east of BIG MILL B&B Extended Stay
124 miles east of Raleigh, NC
94 miles south of Norfolk, VA
48 miles east of Greenville, NC

Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay
Williamston, NC 27892
Telephone: 252-799-8787

]]> https://chloesblog.bigmill.com/black-bear-festival-plymouth-nc/feed/ 0 https://chloesblog.bigmill.com/berry-pickin-time/ https://chloesblog.bigmill.com/berry-pickin-time/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:30:28 +0000 http://chloesblog.bigmill.com/?p=657 Strawberry Picking Time

Strawberry picking is a spring tradition in eastern North Carolina. Guests at Big Mill B&B Extended Stay have several great options nearby. For pick-your-own strawberries, visit Griffin’s Farm Market on US 17 in Washington, NC – about 15 miles south of Big Mill – or SouthSide Farms in Chocowinity, roughly 25 miles away.

If you prefer fresh, already picked berries, Ross Farms, 1536 Garrett Road , Williamston, NC, is just 3 miles from Big Mill and offers beautiful, ready to enjoy strawberries.

Discover the best strawberry You-Pick experience while you are here. Pick, weigh, and take home gallons of ripe berries. Then the fun begins? Will it be Strawberry Jam or Strawberry Bread or maybe a great smoothie?

Every year, I try to make sure each of my guests gets a taste of fresh North Carolina strawberries – they’re one of the sweetest parts of spring here on the farm. Strawberry picking is a beloved spring tradition and I, as innkeeper, feel obliged to make sure everyone tastes fresh NC Strawberries.

Folks say berries from different fields have different flavors, and I believe them.

I love making strawberry jam for our Big Mill B&B guests. Don’t think I’m bragging, but my jam is an award-winning Strawberry Jam!  It won best-of-show at our Farm Heritage Fair. And it surely does taste good.

When I was growing up, we would pick the berries, make jam and, on the very same night we ate homemade biscuits with jam and homemade butter. My biscuits aren’t nearly as good as my mother’s were, so I have to buy the frozen ones, but they’re still good.

Growing your own food and buying local is more than a trend in eastern North Carolina – it’s a way of life, and a good one. All around us you’ll find farmer’s markets, roadside vegetable stands, and local folks selling fresh produce straight from their fields. We even have vendors who sell collards right out of the back of a pickup truck. Supporting them keeps our community strong.

Plan to Visit:

• Griffin Farms in Washington, NC 252-721-8277
• Southside Farms in Chocowinity, NC 252-946-2487
• or if you want the berries picked for you, then try Ross Farms in Williamston, NC 252-792-8829 or J&J Farms in Jamesville, NC 252-799-8110

Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay – Peaceful Lodging for Traveling Nurses & Professionals 252-799-8787

Settle into a quiet, fully furnished space at Big Mill Extended Stay in Eastern North Carolina. Our rentals are perfect for traveling nurses, medical professionals, contractors, and guests who need a comfortable home base during long assignments. Enjoy privacy, farm views, and the welcoming charm Big Mill is known for. Three RV rental spaces are also available for extended stays.

2026 is the 47th year that the folks of Piney Grove Baptist Church in the Farm Life Community near Williamston, NC, have been performing this 90-minute outdoor drama of the life and death of Jesus Christ.

North Carolina loves its outdoor dramas. Every year, our hometown folks pour their time and talent into this production that feels every bit as grand as a big city show, sharing a powerful story with all who come to listen.

In its first few years, The Message of Easter was performed on the lawn. Now visitors enjoy the performances in a large outdoor theater that seats 3,000 folks with special lighting, surround sound, and ample parking. And all this is offered at no charge.

Big buses often roll in, and on some nights the crowd reaches into the thousands. If you go, remember the bleachers are hard, and they can get chilly as the night wears on. Take a cushion, a blanket, and a flashlight never hurts.

It is more than amazing what this small community has done – all hometown folks, and many of them are my cousins. “Pilot” was my first boyfriend – he was three and I was two. Billy’s wife Betty Jo says she is tired of hearing that story! (Sadly some of these folks are gone)

(A special thanks to Piney Grove Church for use of photographs)

For information call:  252-792-1342

The Message of Easter drama is just a few miles from Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay 252-799-8787. At this time, we are only taking Extended Stay rentals.

PERFORMANCE DATES in 2026:  This year’s 2026 drama is the 47th year.

Spanish Performance is March 27 , beginning at 8 p.m. 

English performances:  March 28, 29 and April 2, 3, 4, 5 at 8 p.m.  For information about the Message of Easter call 252-792-1342. Remember, spring can be chilly. If our Big Mill B&B Extended Stay guests attend the Easter drama, we send them off with cushions and blankets.

DISTANCES FROM:
110 miles of Raleigh, NC
114 miles south of Norfolk, VA
54 miles north of New Bern, NC
39 miles east of Greenville, NC
8 miles south of Big Mill Bed &Breakfast in Williamston, NC 252-792-8787

Print

Chicken Mull – What Is It?

Course Dinner

Keyword Bear Grass Chicken Mull, Chicken mull, North Carolina chicken stew, old fashioned chicken stew, southern comfort food

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

Author Chloe Tuttle

Ingredients

• 3-4 lb chicken cut into pieces
• 3-4 qts water enough to cover the chicken
• ½-1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
• ½-1 teaspoon cracked red pepper or to taste
• 1 Tbs lard or butter
• 2-3 sleeves Saltine Crackers salted (you will probably use 2-3 sleeves)

Instructions

• Prepare the Broth: In a large stock pot, add several quarts of water, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and a spoonful of lard. Bring to a rolling boil.
• Cook the Chicken: Add the cut-up chicken pieces, making sure there’s enough water to fully cover them. Return to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 1–2 hours, until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone.
• Remove and Shred the Chicken: Take the chicken out of the pot. Strain the broth into a large bowl and set aside. Once the chicken has cooled, remove the skin and bones, then shred the meat by hand - checking carefully for any small bones.
• Reheat the Broth: Wash the stock pot to remove any residue. Pour the reserved broth back in and bring it to a gentle boil.
• Make the Mull: Add the shredded chicken to the boiling broth. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Slowly crush and stir in 2 sleeves of saltine crackers, a handful at a time, stirring constantly until the mull thickens. If it still seems thin, add more crushed crackers until you reach your desired consistency.
• Serve hot with toasted bread or hush puppies. The flavor deepens overnight, so leftovers are even better the next day!
• Yield: 6-7 two-cup servings

Notes

Tips for the Best Chicken Mull:

Use bone-in chicken for a richer flavor.

Adjust the amount of red pepper to your preferred spice level.

For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of milk before serving

How the Bear Grass Chicken Mull Festival Was Born

Q: Who started the Chicken Mull Festival in Bear Grass?

In 2015, Bear Grass locals approached Mayor Charlotte Griffin with an idea: “Let’s create a festival for our town.” Charlotte was intrigued and ready to explore.

Q: Wasn’t there talk of a Moonshine Festival?

Yes! Bear Grass has deep roots in Prohibition-era moonshine—some even call it the Moonshine Capital of the World. But federal red tape made that idea too tricky to pull off.

Q: So why Chicken Mull?

Charlotte shared a story from her grandfather’s tobacco farming days. Back then, farmers had to stay up all night firing the barns to cure the leaf. With little to do, they’d gather around a big iron pot, toss in a chicken and some saltine crackers, and cook up a simple, comforting stew they called Chicken Mull.

I remember my own daddy and Walter Biggs firing the bars right on our farm, but no Chicken Mull. It’s a tradition rooted in hard work, community, and good food – and pure Bear Grass.

It is odd how the tradition didn’t cross Highway 17 into Farm Life where my folks lived. Charlotte did say that her uncle married a Farm Life girl, and he introduced them to Chicken Mull. I don’t remember ever eating Chicken Mull in my youth. In some parts of the south, it is called Chicken Muddle; usually, this has other things in it like tomatoes and peppers. It is difficult to trace the origin of this humble dish.

After the men folks no longer had to fire the barns with wood, they would still cook up a pot of mull at the end of the tobacco season for the “hands” – the folks who worked the fields. Even now, when groups like the Ruritans have a fundraiser, you might see Chicken Mull on the menu.

It seems Chicken Mull is popular in the Carolinas and in parts of Georgia, often popping up in barbecue joints and at church dinners. In some parts of Georgia it is made with milk, but in the Carolinas, it is usually made with water, chicken and saltine crackers. Be on the lookout, or just whip up a batch for yourself.

Don’t miss the Chicken Mull Festival in Bear Grass, NC. It happens every year on the 4th Saturday of October – this year in 2025, it is October 25th.  Check out North Carolina Weekend’s story of the Chicken Mull Festival.

Distances From: Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay

Raleigh, NC  –  102 miles
Greenville, NC  –  20 miles
New Bern, NC  –  55 miles

Quiet rentals for traveling nurses & professionals in eastern North Carolina 252-792-8787

Looking for extended stay lodging in Eastern North Carolina? Big Mill Extended Stay offers quiet, fully furnished rentals ideal for traveling nurses, medical professionals, contractors, and guests relocating to the area. Our accommodations provide comfort, privacy, and Southern hospitality, perfect for short-term and long-term stays. We also have three RV rental spaces.

Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay Williamston, NC 252-792-8787

Jockey’s Ridge isn’t just for climbing – it’s also one of the best places to try hang gliding. Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching folks to fly there since 1974. And yes, anyone can do it.

You start with Ground School, move on to a tethered flight, and then – if you’re feeling brave – you get to soar solo. It’s thrilling, a little wild, and absolutely unforgettable.

When you’re staying at Big Mill B&B Extended Stay, hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge makes for a pretty unforgettable day – 94 miles from our front porch to the launch site – but the views, the thrill, and the bragging rights? Worth every mile.

Big Mill B&B Extended Stay to Jockey’s Ridge Hang Gliding School, 94 miles

To arrange Hang Gliding lessons and experience the freedom of flight over North Carolina’s sand dunes, contact Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head, NC (252) 441-2426 

Big Mill B&B Extended Stay 252-792-8787

Quiet rentals for traveling nurses & professionals in eastern North Carolina

Looking for extended stay lodging in Eastern North Carolina? Big Mill Extended Stay offers quiet, fully furnished rentals ideal for traveling nurses, medical professionals, contractors, and guests relocating to the area. Our accommodations provide comfort, privacy, and Southern hospitality, perfect for short-term and long-term stays. We also have three RV rental spaces.

Griffin’s Quick Lunch – Mom and Pop Diner in Eastern NC

Griffin’s Quick Lunch, just like many Mom and Pop diners in eastern North Carolina, is a landmark. Unfortunately, we are losing many of these cafes; Williamston is lucky to still have Griffin’s.

If you go to Griffin’s, you MUST try the Banana Fritters. These were first made famous at Cobb’s Corner Restaurant; sadly, Cobb’s is gone. A relative who worked at Cobb’s gave the recipe for her Banana Fritters to her son; he later bought Griffin’s, so now they serve these sweet delights. I have the recipe, but like the recipes my mother passed down, it is just a list of ingredients. I am still trying to make this recipe work. When I do, I will post it.

Banana Fritters are a Treat at Griffin’s Quick Lunch

Every day of the week, Griffin’s has a special and locals know what is served on which day. One day they have corned backbone, another day it’s cabbage and ham; and, meatloaf on another day. In wintertime, rutabagas and collards are on the menu.

You MUST Try the Collards and Rutabagas

And of course, the ubiquitous vinegar-based North Carolina pork barbecue is always on the menu. You can see the Menu & Specials here.

Beef Stew is Monday’s Special at Local Favorite Griffin’s Quick Lunch

Griffin’s heyday was when Williamston was a thriving tobacco market. There were four tobacco warehouses downtown and several more on the outskirts. My dad owned the Roanoke Dixie Warehouse, and nephew Barney and I had such fun playing in this big old building. No matter your thoughts about tobacco, those old warehouses had a sweet smell that I still remember.

Folks came into town to sell the tobacco and everyone went to Griffin’s to eat. In the 80s, the Griffin’s owners decided to move to a larger building. No one would go, so they moved back to the old building.

It doesn’t seem to have changed much over the years. My friend Jesse Brown started working there in December, 1948, and he stayed for 56 1/2 years. He said that when he first went there to cook, the restaurant had already been there for many years. He opened at 3 a.m. to start the grits and the collards. Several of the town’s insomniacs joined him at 3 a.m., even though the restaurant did not open until 6 a.m.

If visiting near Williamston, NC, treat yourself to a meal at Griffin’s Quick Lunch.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Griffin’s Quick Lunch

200 Washington St, Williamston NC 27892
Phone: 252-802-4699
Open Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. On Saturday 5:30 a.m. -3 p.m. and Sunday 5:30 a.m -3 p.m. – check hours before you go.