Squash is in abundance this time of year…these healthy vegetables seem to be less affected by a shortage of rain than some others. Squash is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol and Sodium.
All in Columns
Venita Wright-Blake: Let’s celebrate!
“Let’s celebrate!” I often look forward to gathering together with others to celebrate lived experiences. Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones are all reasons to rejoice. Parents have parties to celebrate children’s birthdays. Couples go out to dinner to celebrate wedding anniversaries. Families come together to applaud their high school and college graduates. Communities come together to celebrate holidays.
Bucklesberry, Back in the Day: Hickory Grove Church (15)
From nearby Duplin County, Rev. James D. Cavanaugh (1837-1904) was a Baptist minister who dabbled in politics. He lost his 1882 race for a seat in the N.C. House of Representatives. In October 1883, Hickory Grove chose him as pastor to succeed Rev. B. W. Nash:
Kristy Kelly: A day that ends in Y
We were supposed to be married on Friday the 13th on the rooftop of The O'Neil, but due to rain, we were married in front of an antique bank vault that fit our vibe just the same. Our first camping trip ended in a flash flood where we almost died. Our second cruise was rerouted due to civil unrest in Haiti. Our third cruise was held off port due to mutant fog, and then Tampa had a power outage at the port.
Mike Parker: A significant anniversary took place on Sunday
While many of us have been focused on America’s 250th anniversary as we celebrate the Declaration of Independence and remember the war that followed, we would be remiss to forget that this year also marks the 251st anniversary of one of our most important institutions.
Evelyn Dove Coleman: Rest, Keith
I sat stunned after receiving a phone call letting me know that our cousin Jacques O'Keith Cobb had passed away the day before. I think I was in shock. Keith and I had just exchanged text messages about a week or so before. He had just read the Mother Jones Magazine article I was in on April 30th, and he said "Who is that pretty lady?" I texted back "You're so sweet." Had absolutely no clue of what was coming.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Bring On the Flavor with Summer Onions
Onions are the perfect addition to so many dishes, including sauces, soups, stews, stir-fries, meat dishes and salads, or even alone. Onions are naturally polarizing due to their strong bite when fresh, but they can easily be transformed into a sweet, rich flavor.
Mike Parker: Time to support ‘Wings Over the Neuse’ once again
I was not on the CSS Neuse Foundation Board when the first “Wings Over the Neuse” fundraiser took place. In 2009, board members decided to raise the funds needed to place a monument to Alton “Doc” Stapleford to recognize and honor all the work and supervision he provided during the construction of the CSS Neuse II.
Evelyn Dove Coleman: The Howling Man
In a story by Alfred Hitchcock, there came up a bitter thunderstorm. A driver's car stalled so he knocked on the door of a Monastery to seek shelter. He was allowed in out of the harsh rain but he was warned to leave as soon as the storm abated.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Fresh local raspberries
This week I was gifted some fresh local raspberries from our Horticulture Specialist and it prompted me to do a little raspberry research. Raspberries will give you a sweet, tangy burst of summer flavor. Raspberries are also packed with antioxidants, fiber and multiple essential vitamins.
Hickory Grove Church (14)
Hickory Grove's Baptist years were well documented by journalist Samuel Ivey (S. I.) Sutton (1834-1904), a Bucklesberry resident and charter member of the Church. His local news column often reported Church happenings that were picked up and carried by other newspaper outlets.
Mike Parker: The most important stockpile lies between your ears
I was reading through some of my old columns when I came upon one I had written in January 2011 – my last semester of teaching at Farmville Central High School. I wrote:
Evelyn Dove Coleman: Memories When Most Needed
One day I sat in my recliner and hit replay on a video over and over. I'd had a difficult day at dialysis and didn't feel too good as usual. But when I read Mike Parker's column in the Neuse News newspaper, he had included a link that had music I used to sing in Sunday School as a child. Leaning on the everlasting arms. Are you washed in the soul-cleansing blood? There's wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Make the Most of Your Summer Produce
Extend the life of your favorite fresh summer produce by incorporating them into spreads, dips and butters. For years I have made apple butter in the fall, but it never occurs to me to use other fruits and vegetables that are ripening to make spreads and butters to enjoy. I have enjoyed homemade garlic butter and even made a strawberry butter. The fresh fruits and vegetables help to brighten many recipes from savory to sweet.
Kristy Kelly: Tammy's Kitchen deserves to be seen
Tucked beside the Lenoir County Farmers Market sits a red building with a lot of promise.
BJ Murphy: What Washington and Lincoln Taught Me About Leaving Things Better
Every major military holiday, I make it a habit to study something about our nation’s history, especially military-related topics. This Memorial Day was no different. I watched docuseries on Washington and Lincoln, back to back, and came away struck by the same thing each time: imperfect men, impossible circumstances, and a temperament that outlasted both.
That got me thinking about legacy in a way I hadn't expected.
Veteran Column: Veterans Honoring Veterans with Honor Flags
The VFW post 2771and other volunteers help place American Flags upon our veterans’ graves. We place them on three graveyards in Kinston. We place about 2500 flags each year. We go on about a week before Memorial Day and pick them back up the weekend after Memorial Day.
Mike Parker: Has ‘Memorial Day’ become just another three-day weekend?
Believe it or not, today is not Memorial Day. May 30 is the real Memorial Day. On a good calendar, you will see a notation that says of today, May 25, “Memorial Day observed.” Sadly, despite the calendar’s notation, few will observe the spirit of Memorial Day today.
Evelyn Dove Coleman: Memorial Day Weekend Has A Purpose
Observing the Memorial Day Weekend has a somber purpose. It is set aside to honor the memory of those in military branches who died while in service to our country. It is a weekend to remember the cost of freedom for the United States of America.
Kayleigh Quinerly: I am your 2026-Magic Mile Media Intern
I am a content creator, a connector, a beauty enthusiast, and someone who genuinely believes that young people have something powerful and impactful to say.