Like most organizations, the Wheat Swamp Ruritan Club fought to maintain some sense of normalcy during the Year of COVID. After Gov. Cooper issued his “shelter in place” order, the club did not meet for several months.
All in Columns
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Traditional Thanksgiving desserts made easy
Thanksgiving is on the way, and while it may look a little different, don’t skimp on your traditional favorite desserts! Since you may be entertaining smaller groups, you may want to make desserts easy an in smaller amounts!! Here are some easy ways to get your favorite tastes without all of the extra time and trouble, some may even be a little lighter!
Mike Parker: Inaugural ‘Opportunity Bowl’ honors late North Lenoir grad
This Saturday when football teams from Eastern Kentucky University and Western Carolina University lace their cleats and adjust their chin straps, they will take the field for the kick-off of the inaugural Opportunity Bowl. This football game has ties that reach all the way from Richmond, KY, to Kinston and Lenoir County. The game will be played in memory of Dr. Sheila Davidson Pressley, a 1985 graduate of North Lenoir High School. Kickoff of the inaugural Opportunity Bowl is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at Roy Kidd Stadium in the Blue Grass state and will air live on ESPN3.
John Hood: Let’s disagree more constructively
When the Associated Press and other news organizations asked North Carolina voters for their perspectives on the just-concluded 2020 elections, there was no shortage of disagreement.
Reece Gardner: Success can be found here at home
Sometimes many of us feel that success stories come mostly from areas far away from where we live, but that is really not the case. For example, on my television show this week I have several guests who are highly accomplished and who originate their accomplishments right here in our part of the world.
Mike Parker: The article that sparked the Adkin Walkout of 1951
This Friday, Nov. 20, marks an important day in the history of the struggle for educational equality in Lenoir County. Sixty-nine years ago on that day, students in grades seven through 12 at Adkin High School walked out and marched to protest inequities foisted upon African-American students.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Pecans – the southern supernut!
The pecan is the “original” supernut, especially in the south. Pecan trees are abundant all-over eastern North Carolina and dropping now. The much sought after nut is a complex whole food, packed with multiple health-promoting nutrients and bioactive compounds. Each delicious pecan is a nutrition powerhouse.
Reece Gardner: The Election is Over. Or is it?
Every legal vote should be counted but that, according to many investigative agencies, just did not occur in this election. We must stop this from ever happening again. One observer probably had it right when he said, as millions of ballots were being sent out without regard to authenticity, "The fix is in." If we deny ourselves the right to free and fair elections, we will be headed in the direction of many third-world countries whose people are governed by a handful of despots who govern by force without regard to the will of the people.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Don’t overlook the rutabagas!
Rutabagas grow with great success in our area, but they are a vegetable that is often overlooked. Rutabagas are a root vegetable that is often mistaken for a turnip but are actually less bitter and really does look and cook very differently.
How being ‘BFBs’ led to a high school diploma
Several years ago, Bruce Williamson met Harry Osborne at Southwood Christian Church. As their friendship deepened, they discovered they have a number of interests in common. Perhaps the most important interest they shared is fishing. Instead of becoming BFF, these two became BFB – Best Fishing Buddies.
Reece Gardner: The importance of laughter
Of all living creatures only we have the gift of laughter, and it's ours to use whenever we choose. So I'll cultivate the habit of laughter. I'll smile, and my digestion will improve. I'll chuckle, and my burdens will be lightened. I'll laugh, and my life will be lengthened. That's the great secret of long life, and now it's mine.
John Hood: Elections are a soap opera
By no means do I mean to suggest that the 2020 elections aren’t momentous. I have spent much of the past two years talking about them. But whatever happens this year, the republic will survive. Claiming otherwise is wrongheaded and dangerous.
BJ Murphy: So, about last month...again
At the October 5th Kinston City Council meeting, the elected members unanimously approved two motions allowing city employees new vacation days for June 19 and Election Day. With roughly less than five minutes of discussion, both motions passed.
The City of Kinston has 378 positions on payroll and have about 350 positions filled at this time. Let’s assume all 350 are eligible to vote. If 70% take the time to vote, that will equate to approximately 245 employees exercising that right. Since 61.2% have already cast their ballots in our area, it would mean about 214 employees have already done so.
Based on historical numbers, the cost per vote on Election Day (31) is roughly $1,729, plus time and a half for our police, fire and other essential employees.
John Hood: Democrats may fall just short
Whatever happens, North Carolina’s legislative contests will be part of an important but underreported national story of partisan battles over control of state governments going into 2021 — a pivotal year when COVID-era budgets will be set, states will struggle to emerge from the COVID recession, lawmakers will fashion post-COVID changes in education and health-care policy, and new sets of legislative and congressional districts will be drawn around the nation, usually (but not always) by state legislators.
Mike Parker: This year’s Salute! events determined to honor veterans
As with everything else affected by the COVID pandemic, the annual Salute! festivities have been modified to allow us to honor veterans while practicing behaviors that help prevent the spread of the virus.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: North Carolina sweet potatoes
In 2019, NC Sweet Potato production was valued at $ 647,736,000, and provided over 70% of the nation’s sweet potatoes. NC remains the leading sweet potato producer in the United States. North Carolina’s Official Vegetable is the sweet potato.
Algenon Cash: Fact vs Myth - What has Trump done for Black America?
Politicians are notorious for making wild claims or exaggerating what they have done on behalf of those who elected them. President Trump is a master of puffery and routinely makes false or misleading statements about his political accomplishments. But one claim has gotten the attention of Black voters, a loyal Democratic voting bloc; some Black voters are questioning the president's assertion that he has "done more for the Black community than any other president."
Jane Phillips: Kinston and the Spanish Flu pandemic - 1918-1919
I’ve read that 1918 was one of the worst years throughout recorded history. The First World War was raging in Europe while an unseen enemy, the Spanish Flu, was spreading across the earth. The illness began in the spring and seemed to subside during the summer months. It lasted until late 1919 and consisted of “waves” of varying intensity.
The first victim of the Spanish Flu Pandemic I have found in Kinston was in late summer 1918. The victim was State Sen. William Durward Pollock. In October the height of the Spanish Flu Pandemic was in full swing in Kinston. Three died that first week. There were some days when 15 to 20 victims died.
Reece Gardner: Make your voices heard
As you know, Early Voting will continue through Saturday, with Election Day falling on Tuesday, November 3. There are many very important contests to be decided this year. Let's make our voices heard!
Mike Parker: A simple question with no simple answer
Many domestic violence victims fear if they attempt to leave, their abuser’s actions may become more violent, even lethal. Many women have no idea that programs such as SAFE in Lenoir County exist. Before a woman can leave a dangerous situation, she must have somewhere she can go – and somewhere she can take her children.