Elizabeth City gave new meaning to the term "launch pad" when it pressed the button on a 20-block Wi-Fi hotspot, June 18 at a kick-off party at Mariners' Wharf Park. This BYOD (bring your own device) event attracted quite the crowd, as the community checked out the new EC-Net for themselves. Now visitors can too! Ideal for finding tourist-related info on attractions, restaurants, shops and lodging, the downtown hotspot is transmitted in a 20-block area that runs from Water to Road streets, and from Ehringhaus to Elizabeth streets. The project was spearheaded by the Elizabeth City | Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission, with support from InteliPort, Vector CSP, the Wells Fargo Foundation, Twiford EC Main, LLC, and Elizabeth City Downtown Inc. with funding from an ElectriCities' Smart Communities grant facilitated by the City of Elizabeth City. Next time you're in town, give EC-Net a whirl!   

Hot enough for you? When the mercury rises, cool down with these easy EC outings that are sure to keep you calm, collected-and entertained.  

• Watch a classic American movie by the water's edge at the Mariners' Wharf Film Festival. Tuesdays @ 8:30 p.m. through July. 
• Shop, shop and shop a little more. It's a great excuse to be out of the sun, while nabbing some cool finds. 
• Tool around town on Port Discover's new eight-passenger Surrey (with the fringe on top).
• Meander, in cool comfort, through the Our Story exhibit at the  Museum of the Albemarle, as you explore more than 400 years of the region's history.
• Forget firing up your stove or oven. For dinner, head to one of our delicious little eateries. 
• Enjoy a river-front breeze as you shop for fresh fruits, vegetables and homemade goodies at the Downtown Waterfront Market. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
• We've got movies just for the youngsters during the Kids Flicks series at Mariners' Wharf, July 25 and Aug. 22 @ 8:15 pm
• Step out with our First Friday ArtWalk series, the first Friday of the month. 
• Catch the Music on the Green series at Mariners' Wharf, featuring terrific local musicians and bands. Tuesdays, July 29 through Sept.16 from 6-8 p.m.  

What is your background-and what inspired you to open a book store in downtown Elizabeth City? 

My background was in a technical field. I led the top global technical team for Foxboro-Invensys, a process control company. That's a far cry from the bookstore world, yet customer service is number one, whatever position you have.

Page After Page hosts a number of store events, such as author signings, kids' activities and the new Vibes & Verse. Tell us about this new event.

Vibes & Verse is a newly-named monthly event that we re-worked to combine poetry and music. We decided on the combo when attendees of our yearly poetry bash asked us to have more frequent events. Last year we started the 2nd Friday's Music event, as a few of our visiting authors were musicians as well. Since the book signings included music, it attracted many area musicians as well as readers. So it was a natural fit to merge the music and the words. And not just poetry; it can be a reading from a book as well. We love change! 

For visiting authors, what attractions and sites do you recommend they frequent while in town?

Well, of course our H.A.S. (history, arts and science) attractions. But typically, our authors are here for the signings and then off to another venue. On Saturdays, they can always take in Elizabeth City's Downtown Waterfront Market, across the street. And we recommend local restaurants, entertainment and events if they are here overnight.

What is the secret to the store's success?

It's no secret-we love our customers! We are an indie bookstore that is fortunate to have a very loyal customer base and fantastic employees. We have the support of the Southeastern Independent Booksellers Association and the American Booksellers Association, which have new promotions and ideas to share. We are on Facebook and Twitter, and our store website (new one debuts this month!) allows customers to buy online. We are always changing it up and trying new things. Finally, we are customer driven. As long as they come, we will be here. 

Who is your favorite author?

I can't even answer that question anymore! I'm like the hair dresser whose hair is always a mess. I used to read all the time. Now, I have to be in book groups, so I read at least one book a month. Since I've owned this store, going on nine years, I no longer have a favorite. I love so many! I do have a favorite book though, Pillars of the Earth, and World Without End by Ken Folliet. It's a series--big fat books, but well worth the time.

To find out why Susan is passionate about keeping Elizabeth City's
downtown vibrant, read the full interview on the Discover Elizabeth City website.