All in Columns
Family is not merely people related in the here and now. Family stretches back into the mists of history and forward into the unknown future. Strengthening family ties is one of the most important achievements we can ever accomplish. Those family ties are essential to what we are, what we were, and what we will be.
As a writer, I am always interested in the history of words and expressions. While some are steeped in the darker sides of history, many are just expressions that have withstood the test of time. Today I wanted to highlight a few Thanksgiving idioms, like “A Blessing in Disguise”, “I’m Stuffed”, “Going Cold Turkey”, and more.
Defunding the Police has been one of the most controversial topics of 2020, stemming from the wake of high-profile cases involving concerns of racial profiling or cases of police brutality. While some calls for Defunding the Police mask redistributing money from police budgets to social programs, others are a bit more blatant by defunding police departments altogether.
Fast forward to this past week in La Grange, where 31 policing agencies descended on our area. They came with helicopters, heat-seeking devices, K-9s, SWAT teams, armored vehicles, and more. Tax dollars well spent to protect our community from harm. Imagine living near Kennedy Home or Banks School Road in an era where Defunding the Police wasn’t a phrase but a policy.
Well, we are blessed with another Thanksgiving week, and all of us have a lot to be thankful for. I am blessed to have the opportunity to spend some time with my children and grandchildren - Daughter Jessica and Son-in-Law Bob and Son Reece & Daughter-in-Law Lisa, along with our grandchildren, Rachel, Davis, Patrick & Shea, and Tessa.
Sitting on the “balcón" (what we call the porch in Puerto Rico) and talking to family members while the "coquí" (a tiny, yet loud frog) sings in the background. Enjoying the food we grew up with. Visiting the old stomping grounds and admiring how much things have changed, either for progress or dilapidation. Having flashbacks of all the happy and sad memories brought by sights, sounds and smells that we have had to leave behind. For many of us that have had to relocate, the rush of emotions that engulfs us can be overwhelming.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
