All in Columns
When Angie Reid and Karen Nethercutt approached me with a proposal to reread and correct errors in Lt. Alonzo Etheridge Bell’s diary, I had mixed emotions. I felt flattered they believed I could manage this task. I had misgivings I could complete what others had already attempted. Still, I took on the charge with excitement and trepidation.
We were very blessed to have had a super mild spring this year, but never fear the summer has arrived, The heat is on!! These healthy-ish sweat treat options contain fresh fruit, Greek yogurt and more. Hope you will enjoy!
In North Carolina, the political label “conservative” is more popular than the terms “liberal” or “progressive.” In the most recent John Locke Foundation poll, for example, 46% of likely voters described themselves as conservatives, with 25% picking the liberal label and the rest either “moderate” or nothing at all. If we broaden out to include all North Carolinians, not just those who reliably vote, the gap shrinks a bit. But conservatives still form a plurality — and they significantly outnumber liberals.
On Friday, September 8, the Fifteenth Annual “Wings Over the Neuse” fundraiser is set to take place. This year the Neuse Foundation board members are praying for clear, cool skies with no hint of hurricanes.
Competition drives human beings to persevere and excel even in the face of significant adversity. History is the story of the past, defined by people and events who have shaped our world into what it is today. The combination of competition and history is at the heart of the National History Day contest.
Okra is beginning to show up at your local Farmers Market and roadside stands and when it is ripe and ready it is also quite abundant. Okra is either one of those vegetables that you love or you simply love to hate. Known for its scrubby texture when overcooked, okra is actually crunchy, crisp, and absolutely delicious when handled properly.
Now that July 4 has come and gone, I want to share one of my supreme irritations. As I drive from place to place, I see any number of displays of the U.S. flag. I am sure those who fly the flag do so out of respect for the flag and love for our country.
Many of you have seen me use the term "Long Session," this year. In North Carolina, our state legislature operates on a two-year period known as a "biennium," with Long Session taking place on the odd numbered years and Short Session for the even numbered years.
Every summer, my favorite day of the year comes around, the Fourth of July. It is a day filled with my favorite things to celebrate our nation’s independence. Many of us go to the beach, watch fireworks, spend time with friends and family, laugh at “put it in reverse Terry” memes, and so much more! Just as the fireworks light up the sky, your vote can illuminate the path toward ensuring our nation’s values and principles.
Everyone can celebrate Juneteenth and Independence Day. Both holidays are significant holidays in the United States and hold special places in American history. They carry their own meaning. However, in a society increasingly fixated on labels and categorizations, it is crucial to recognize that the true essence of these holidays lies not in their assigned titles, but in the power, they hold to unite and empower individuals of all backgrounds.
Tomorrow marks the 247th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Over the years, this document seems to have become a “classic” in the sense Mark Twain used that word. Twain defined a “classic” as something people praise but do not read.
The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. I love the fireworks, going to the beach, hotdogs, and everything else that comes with the holiday. It’s hard not to get swept up in all the celebrations and excitement of this day. There is also nothing quite like the comradery that occurs on this holiday.
I spent the second semester of this past school year teaching English online for a Christian academy. My ninth and tenth graders were a mix of students enrolled in the virtual academy and students who attended other Christian schools that lacked sufficient numbers of high school students to justify the expense of hiring a teacher for each subject area.
Fresh or frozen, blueberries are a favorite spring and summer snack; they also pack a lot of nutritional punch into one little bite. Blueberries are low in calories, but high in fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K. Blueberries are 85% water, provide 14% of your daily fiber, a boost of heart-helping antioxidants and are only 80-84 calories.
On November 23, 2021, I loaded my handgun to potentially defend my family for the first and, hopefully, the last time in my life. Due to Covid, our children had to stay home from school, but one positive outcome was the installation of exterior security cameras around our home. At 2:00 AM, our Ring camera notifications woke me up. With one eye barely opened, I noticed a figure walking across our driveway. Once I jumped up, this man stood 15 feet from one of my daughter’s bedroom windows.
