All in Columns
Digitally archived land records have recently come to light that unequivocally confirm that the settlement of the Bucklesberry area began in the early 1700s. A total of 131 deeds and surveys dated 1729 to 1759 prove Bucklesberry was opened for colonization fully a century before the traditionally held year of 1825.
Fall is the time to welcome juicy, sweet pears to your farm markets, and turn this healthy fruit in hot crisps, flakey pies, and hearty salads. Generally, pears are in season in Eastern North Carolina from about August to October. If you have a pear tree in your yard or on your farm, cherish it. The weight of the fruit combined with the strong winds brought in by hurricanes and other storms, can really do some damage pear trees, especially aging ones.
Peanuts are currently being harvested and if you are lucky enough to be able to snag some fresh green peanuts, you are lucky. Did you know that North Carolina farmers, produce approximately 102,666 planted acres of peanuts, which equals about 441 million pounds?
I received a text from a friend on Wednesday that posed a disturbing question: “Hi Mike, can this be true? Almost half of all homeless are foster kids who aged out of the system?”
Can’t you always envision a fresh bright pink slice of watermelon whenever you think of summer?? There are hundreds of varieties of watermelon across the country, my favorite this summer has been the Black Jack, beautifully red, seedless and the perfect size! Growing in popularity and this summer’s star has been the very sweet yellow watermelon.
As parents, our job is to help “grow our kids up.” We focus on sleep, food, school, athletics, homework so they can grow strong, advance through life.
As I was looking through some of my old columns, I found one from 24 years ago on the subject of – drum roll – artificial intelligence. The column addressed one critic’s response to the film: “A.I. – Artificial Intelligence.” Bart Kosko, then a world-renowned expert in the field of artificial intelligence, attacked the film not for its plodding plot or bleak vision of the cruelty of human against defenseless robotic creatures. Instead, Kosko makes several assertions based on what seemed fuzzy logic at best.
National Farmers Market Week, established 26 years ago, is celebrated each year during the first full week of August, August 3rd – 9th, 2025. This annual celebration was established by the National Farmers Market Coalition to highlight the vital role farmers markets play in the nation’s food systems.
A recent study identified 131 patents and surveys archived at NClandgrants.com for tracts of land geographically located in the greater Bucklesberry area of Lenoir County. Dated 1729 to 1759, these records named 92 settlers that represented 64 surnames, proving the settlement of Bucklesberry began long before 1825, the year it was previously purported to have been opened up for colonization.
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.
Too often when we think about the American Revolution 250 years ago, we do not stop to ponder just how long the colonies struggled against the efforts of the British Crown and Parliament to control, even suppress, the colonials. History has a way of becoming compacted in our minds.
It’s time for summer squash and you can find many varieties at the local Farmer’s Market! Squash and Zucchini have a taste and texture that can be adapted to many different types of recipes, from traditional Southern, to Italian or Greek Style. No matter the way you like to eat and prepare your squash, this spring and summer veggie packs a load of health benefits.
My grandmother died at 102 years young. She lived on her own until the final week when she moved to hospice. My mom died at 82 years old. Amazingly, she only outlived her mom by 7 months.
Neuse Regional Libraries (NRL) are excited for the opportunity to implement the Digital Learning Centers: Opening the Door to Accessibility project thanks to a $44,595 LSTA grant made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
What do Chuck Grassley, Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, Chuck Shumer, Hal Rogers, Chris Smith, Steny Hoyer, Dick Durbin, Marcy Kaptur, and Mitch McConnell all have in common? They are the 10 longest serving members of Congress – and each one has served 40 years or more in the U.S. House or U.S. Senate.
According to the World Health Organization, Kidney Health is at the forefront of the current health agenda. CKD or Chronic Kidney Disease is often undiagnosed and therefore untreated. Kidney function is closely related to heart disease and can affect heart health
Yesterday, I witnessed a handful of adults berate the city council and call for the reallocation of police funds because an officer allegedly abused his power and was caught on video doing so. The police department gave a canned “we are investigating the issue” statement, and the mayor co-signed their message by way of copy and paste.
I thought I was the adult—until the adult child touched the holy grail: the thermostat.
Several years ago, I served on the board of directors of “Friends of North Carolina Public Libraries.” Known by the acronym FONCPL, this statewide organization promotes the interests of 384 public libraries and tens of thousands of library friends.
According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, due to our exceptionally warm weather a bumper crop of high-quality has arrived earlier than usual. Peaches typically peak during July, but many peach farmers are already selling fresh ripe early peach varieties. Warm weather tends to make the peaches ripen not only earlier but faster so don’t wait to pick your peck of peaches!!
