Around 15 years ago, our family began a tradition of taking the week after Christmas as a time for a family vacation. For a dozen years or so, we traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC. This year, our destination was much closer – Atlantic Beach, NC.
All in Columns
Weekly Addiction Recovery Meeting at Jackson Heights OFWB Church
For much of my life I battled addictions. Drug and alcohol abuse led me to some extremely dark places. Looking back, I’m grateful that there were some good Christian people that helped me when I was at my lowest.
Kristy Kelly: Overwhelmed with gratitude
If I could have any superpower, what would it be? This question was asked during a recent video project I worked on. Without hesitation, or much thought, I said invisibility. I’ve spent a lifetime perfecting the art of blending in—being seen but not noticed. True invisibility held a deep appeal.
Bucklesberry, Back in the Day: Early Settlers-The Suttons
An article published in The News and Observer in 1924 reported that Bucklesberry was opened to colonization in 1825. This claim has been debunked, based on two land documents stored at the State Archives of North Carolina. Having recently come to light, one is a land patent dated 1738 that explicitly named Bucklesberry.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Happy New Year Holiday Appetizers!!
Bring in the New Year with your “bubble” 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 ball drop!!
Mike Parker: Some considerations as we enter the New Year
As we come to the beginning of a new year, most of us give at least a little thought to making some New Year’s resolutions. I gave up on making New Year’s resolutions because I never could stick to most of them. Of course, one of my resolutions always was to lose weight. I read a recent article that said we should not make such a resolution because we will end up being unhappy, unsuccessful, or both.
Mike Parker: A deep dive into ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’
During the past few days, I heard two versions of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” One is the traditional carol that dates from the late 18th century. The other is a more modern adaptation that replaces the various gifts of the original version with the gifts that come through the Lord Jesus.
Evelyn Dove-Coleman: Holidays Are Upon Us!
I woke up and looked at the calendar to find that we are just a few days from the holidays.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Celebrate the Holidays with Festive Drinks
‘Tis the season for chocolate, cream, juices and warm spices. Savor the festive moments with these holiday-inspired punches and warm drinks. The first two are favorites of family and friends, I know you will enjoy! Feel free to cut the sugar in the recipes or use a substitute.
Mike Parker: Watching the Buckeyes in the ‘Shoe'
This story begins more than half a century ago. I entered Ohio State University in Fall 1968 and attended 12 straight quarters to finish my B.A. in English after the summer quarter of 1971. In August of that year, I moved to Kinston.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Foods to make and take
The Holidays are a terrific time to say a big thanks and, of course, Merry Christmas to friends, family, teachers, and co-workers. What better way than to give the gift of food! Here are several ideas—some you may have seen before, but they are still great!
Mike Parker: Raleigh CWRT honors ‘Save Wyse Fork Battlefield Commission’
At the November meeting of the Raleigh Civil War Roundtable, the organization recognized and honored the efforts of the Save Wyse Fork Battlefield Commission with the annual T. Harry Gatton Award.
Lesley Rigsby: Obedience
Have you ever been asked to do something that you felt you were not qualified to do or something way outside your comfort zone? Maybe you were asked to give a speech to a large group of people, or presented with a job or task you felt you were not qualified to do.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Tired of Thanksgiving Leftovers?
Did your turkey outlast your Thanksgiving lunch? Are you on dressing and mashed potato overload? No problem, try a new gourmet turkey sandwich, a healthy turkey salad or stir your turkey with some vegetables! There are so many ways to use leftovers; never let them go to waste. You certainly have free rein over the recipe ingredients to change or make additions according to your leftovers!
Kristy Kelly: Happiness is a struggle
Mental illness has a way of warping even the mundane into something darkly comedic.
I have spent my entire life planning to survive. That’s it, to survive. At first, I survived on instinct, then anger, and finally out of spite. When stress is a comfort zone and anxiety is a security blanket, normalcy becomes subjective. Apparently, I can now turn happiness into abject terror.