As 2025 draws to a close, I have realized how much complaining I have heard – and done – this year. I confess that fault to my shame. I have so much in my life that brings me joy. Yet, too much of the time I focus on the negatives.
All in Columns
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Start the New Year Off Right with Healthy Habits and New Recipes
The new year means a clean slate, a time to set new goals and make positive changes. The best way to take the first step is to start with small daily mindful changes. One of the biggest mistakes we often make to set our goals to high too fast. Here are a few healthy habits to add to your resolution.
Jason McKnight: 14 Faith Forward – A Shepherd’s Life
“Who’s your favorite character in the Christmas story?” A great question. Well, aside from Baby Jesus, who we all probably should name! Many reverence Mary for her quiet faith and willingness to obey, or Joseph for his stepping up when needed. Others love Zechariah and Elizabeth or Simeon, or even the Wise Men.
Mike Parker: What do you want for Christmas, Dad?
Sometime around Thanksgiving, children begin firing the question that never seems to end until Christmas Day.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Comforting Seasonal Soups for the Holidays
There is nothing more appealing on a chilly day than a warm hearty bowl of soup, and the holidays are the perfect time to enjoy one. With company coming soup is an easy filling option to make ahead or to quickly assemble. Pair with a grilled cheese or some saltine crackers and everyone will leave happy!
Mike Parker: Has the Spirit of Christmas Past died?
The National Retail Federation released its annual holiday forecast on November 6, predicting retail sales in November and December will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024. That figure translates into total spending between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Happy Holiday Appetizers!!
Bring in the holidays with your “tribe” of friends and family with some delicious and “mostly” healthy Holiday appetizers. Your guests will scoop up these tasty starters to give you energy to make to the big day!!
Evelyn Dove Coleman: Sonya Stocks Davis Is a Wise Judge
When Governor Josh Stein appointed Sonya Stocks Davis to the District Court bench, it was a proud moment for the Kinston/Lenoir County community. I knew Judge Davis' parents before I met her. Her father was Chester Stocks who helped to mold many 4-H youth for decades. Her mother is Mallie Stocks who broke the mold in community service by serving on so many boards and committees. Their dedication to Kinston must have rubbed off on their daughter.
Kristy Kelly: The Tampa Experience
I’m starting to understand all the Florida jokes. From fog that seemed unfazed by the sun to a power outage in a parking garage, my day was one long string of minor inconveniences that managed to feel much bigger than they were. It really did start with wearing the wrong shoes.
Mike Parker: Christmas brightened hearts in Kingston
What DID Christmas look like around these parts 263 years ago, before the Revolution and our struggle for independence? At that time, this area was part of Dobbs County and pledged its allegiance to King George III.
Evelyn Dove Coleman: Fonda's Attitude About Death
Jane Fonda talked to Michelle Obama on her podcast about how she feels about dying. Jane has been famous for decades and had famous parents also. In the podcast, she spoke matter-of-factly about believing in living fully and accepting that one day this life as it is ends. Her attitude is one of logic.
John Hood: Independent audits serve the public interest
During my first reporting job in the nation’s capital, I read a lot of fantasy. No, I wasn’t goofing off. And no, I’m not making a lame joke at the expense of politicians, bureaucrats, or The Washington Post. Not today, anyway.
Kristy Kelly: What a Cruise Ship Taught Me About Global Views of America
If I had judged the year by how it began, I would have written it off before it even got started. January dragged me into 2025 while I was sick, exhausted, and quietly wondering if my body was about to fail me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. Nothing felt steady. Nothing felt hopeful. I thought I was bracing for the worst year of my life.
Jason McKnight: 14 Faith Forward – The Oldest, Most Important Structure in the World
I stood in the kitchen of a centuries-old farmhouse northwest of London, England. My host was a man of means and had renovated this large home to be comfortable and modern. He pointed to the thick ceiling beam running the length of the room and, with a twinkle in his eye, said to me, “That beam is older than your country.” Indeed.
Mike Parker: Harmony Hall schedules ‘Christmas Open House’ this Sunday
History aficionados will have an opportunity to visit the oldest structure in Kinston from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, when Historic Harmony Hall opens its treasures to interested members of the public.
Hickory Grove Church (3)
Before Hickory Grove Church was built in 1860, and decades before their congregation was established, Bucklesberry had no local church. The few options available were miles away and required long commutes. In his 1810 profile of the physical and social infrastructure of Lenoir County, former Kinston Commissioner John Washington (1767-1827) noted there were only a handful of organized churches at the time, which in his words included:
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Recipes from Super Saturday at the Lenoir County Farmers Market
It was a great day at the Lenoir County Farmers Market in downtown Kinston on November 22. The market hosted numerous extra vendors and special guests the Howard Sisters, Vivian Howard and Leraine Howard Tolston went Nuts! Each Chef shared a favorite recipe using nuts.
Evelyn Dove Coleman: The Sadie Hawkins Dance Concept
Years ago, I wrote a book as a project of PathChoice Ministry called "Let Him Find You." I used a platform called CreateSpace to write the book and design the cover. The cover is a scene of one of my favorite places to visit with visible ocean waves. After I wrote this book, Amazon acquired CreateSpace.
Kristy Kelly: Bracing for the worst, gave me the best
If I had judged the year by how it began, I would have written it off before it even got started. January dragged me into 2025 while I was sick, exhausted, and quietly wondering if my body was about to fail me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. Nothing felt steady. Nothing felt hopeful. I thought I was bracing for the worst year of my life.
Mike Parker: Take Time to Be Thankful
The lyrics of an old hymn once common in churches were written by William D. Longstaff in 1882. “Take Time to Be Holy” emphasizes the importance of spending time in prayer and communion with the Lord. As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I think we also need to “Take Time to Be Thankful.”