For the past week, Sandra and I have experienced some of the fall-out from decisions made regarding the coronavirus.
All in Columns
Jon Dawson: La Grange teen attacked by chair
Last Tuesday I walked in the door and the first thing I hear is "I don't think anything is broken".
St. Patrick: The man behind the holiday
Today you will probably see a great deal of green. Most of us find wearing some bit of green better than getting pinched for not wearing that color on St. Patrick’s Day.
Reece Gardner: Positive recognition
One of the many discoveries I made during my years of Dale Carnegie teaching was that one of the greatest desires of human beings is to feel important, whether at any level of achievement or at any age. Sometimes we tend to overlook that even the young and the very young need positive recognition.
Mike Parker: 6th Annual Stew and Brew supports G.I. Joe’s
Six years ago Mother Earth Brewing partnered with G.I. Joe’s Living Military History Museum to support the efforts of this museum to honor veterans, past and present. On Saturday, March 14, Mother Earth is sponsoring the 6th Annual Stew & Brew.
John Hood: Virus response fits government’s role
The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China, and its subsequent spread around the globe, have produced serious consequences — medical, social, and economic. Thousands have already died, including dozens in the United States. Many more are seeking testing and treatment, putting tremendous strain on hospitals and clinics. Responding to such events is a core function of government in a free society.
Jon Dawson: Kinston man delays flight over hot dog
At this point, even the nuttiest cashew in the jar would have immediately given up their quest for a Varsity hot dog, no matter how great Lewis Grizzard made them sound. But not Earl.
Mike Parker: What lies ahead for the Freedom Classic?
For the first time in 10 years, the annual Freedom Classic baseball competition between teams from the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy had to be canceled in Kinston. Mother Nature played a mean trick by dumping the only snow we are likely to see this season on our area the evening of Thursday, Feb. 20. The coaches from Navy and Air Force moved this year’s competition to the home field of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. But what about the preparations and sponsorships of this year’s Freedom Classic? Will sponsors get their money back?
Justin Barnett: Shorts and flip-flops at church
I know someone is thinking about the popular argument “If you went to visit the president of the United States or the Queen of England, don’t you think you’d wear a suit and tie?” Maybe so, but not if the POTUS was my dad or the Queen was my mom. When Christians are gathering to worship, we gather to worship our Heavenly Father. We are not meeting with a strange dignitary. We are meeting with someone we have a loving relationship with. He knows our every thought. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and His concern is not your clothing. His concern is with your heart.
Reece Gardner: Music that transcends generations
I have been a basic country music fan all my life, but some music is just simply GOOD music. The success of a song is often determined, not just by who performs it, but who wrote it. There is power in music, folks, especially when it comes from the heart.
Jon Dawson: Man's cologne wilts artificial plants
On Saturday I received a letter that had the potential to change the course of my life, the lives of my loved ones, and the lives of those freeloading, barnacle-like friends of mine who are always asking me to cosign for them.
Mike Parker: Keep reactions to coronavirus in perspective
We Americans seem given to overreaction. The recent coronavirus is a perfect example of how some in our news media, bent on sensationalizing every “crisis,” can strike fear even into the hearts of supposedly stalwart Wall Street Traders.
Reece Gardner: The sword of defense
There are many who maintain that since there are so many different kinds of weapons among the populace that we should just use the term "Sword" to bring them all into the discussion arena. Let's do that now: There is nothing inherently good or bad about a sword. The quality of sharpened steel may be determined by whether it's in the hands of a surgeon or a bandit.
Jon Dawson: Tax Deductions, snow and a dog eating collards
I approached Today Show weatherman Al Roker at an outdoor taping and asked if it was true that he owned stock in Sunbeam bread and Maola milk. Within seconds, Al's security team escorted me to the NBC gift shop. I was coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement and given a free "juice" flask bearing the likeness of Kathie Lee and Hoda.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Cauliflower comeback
For those of you who think that cauliflower is only delicious if eaten under a blanket of cheese, think again! Cauliflower has made a comeback on the menus of family-style restaurants and favorite eateries as an alternative to the higher-carb potato.
Visit the ‘Front Porch’ and enter the storytelling experience
The Front Porch is an artistic depiction of the place where much oral history was transmitted in the South, a project funded through the Z Smith Reynolds Inclusive Public Art Grant. From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, you can share in the Front Porch experience at the 1901 Building, located at 129 N. Queen Street. Earl Ijames of the North Carolina Museum of History will host the event, and he will be a presenter, as well.
John Hood: Sanders would hurt state Democrats
The confusing jumble that was the 2020 Iowa caucuses proved to be a very public disaster for Hawkeye State Democrats, national party leaders, and the campaign of former Vice President Joe Biden. It was also a disaster, although not yet as public a disaster, for another group: North Carolina Democrats such as Gov. Roy Cooper.
Reece Gardner: I once walked 17 miles and met Jack Hankins
Sometimes we aspire to things we are not prepared to handle, but which very well might come into fruition for us later. How Jack Hankins (eventually) hired me.
Jon Dawson: The bright side of the Tar Heels' basketball season
I was drawn into Tar Heel basketball at an early age through the Voice of the Tar Heels Woody Durham. As many of you may know, Durham could make drying paint sound compelling. I'm also a fan of his successor Jones Angell, who along with his partner Eric Montross has made even this abysmal season nearly digestible.
Mike Parker: Freedom Classic pits Navy against Air Force this weekend
For the 10th straight year, Historic Grainger Stadium will host one of the fiercest battles of the 2020 baseball season as baseball teams from the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy face each other in a three-game competition for bragging rights.