Celebrate the Holiday season with those in your “quarantine bubble” by enjoying a special leisurely brunch featuring classic and seasonal dishes. Pick the perfect recipes to share with your family and friends.
All in Columns
Who was the real St. Nicholas?
At this time of year, we are bombarded by images and music that celebrate the Christmas season. One of those images appears in the form of a rotund man with a long white beard who is dressed in a fur-trimmed red suit. We call him Santa Claus.
Reece Gardner: US Supreme Court decision based on jurisdiction, not merit
The ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court denying Texas' motion to file a Bill of Complaint alleging voting irregularities by the states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin was based mainly on the claim that "Texas did not demonstrate a judicially recognizable interest in the matter." So this ruling by SCOTUS was apparently based on the jurisdiction and not the merits of the case, which may embolden the challengers to continue their efforts.
Mike Parker: The real vote for President takes place today
Despite all the hoopla and caterwauling that surrounded the Nov. 3 General Election, the real election for U.S. President takes place today when electors gather in their specific states to cast ballots for our nation’s highest office.
John Hood: Let candidates control their message
When U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis narrowly won reelection against Cal Cunningham, the two candidates had collectively spent $78 million. That’s a large number. But it was dwarfed by the $221 million spent on the race by groups other than the two campaigns.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Cranberries aren’t just for sauce and garland!
It’s not a secret that berries are really good for us, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, are all packed with fiber, antioxidants and many other super nutrients. Often overlooked until Holiday season are cranberries, nope they aren’t just for cranberry sauce and garland!!
Travis Towne: Fueled by faith and the C.A.R.S. program
In the summer of 2019, Billy Jarrell felt a call to start a new ministry focused on bringing automotive technicians and other “car geeks” together in a way that not only made spiritual connections but also allowed them the opportunity to serve others with their talents. The C.A.R.S. mission focus is to live out Colossians 3:17 “and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Reece Gardner: Controversy concerning our recent Presidential election
Today I want to write about the ongoing controversy concerning our recent Presidential election. Folks, some have attempted to make this a partisan issue, but that is not what it's all about. Representatives of BOTH major parties are now coming forward in the cause of justice and for the preservation of our Republic, to tell what they saw on Election Night and to bring to light supposed irregularities that have occurred.
Jim Perry: Gov. Cooper rips broadband money away from rural NC
On Sept. 3, a bipartisan supermajority in the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $30 million for rural broadband to help rural areas impacted by the pandemic. The next day, Gov. Roy Cooper issued a press release, taking credit for our work, with the following statement: “This budget followed my recommendations on school enrollment funding and invested in important areas like high-speed internet access…” Seventy-five days after the legislation passed, and 74 days after Gov. Cooper touted the investment, his administration quietly ripped this money and broadband from the hands of rural North Carolinians.
John Hood: Will you take the vaccine?
Despite the current spike in COVID-19 infections and deaths, there is good news on the not-so-distant horizon. Three effective vaccines are in the pipeline. Some North Carolinians — those battling coronavirus on the frontlines as well as those put at greatest risk by infection — will being vaccinated in the coming weeks.
Mike Parker: You ‘otter’ have seen their faces at the Aquarium
Sandra and I invited Lydia and “the littles,” Laney, 9, and Luke, 6, to spend a week with us at Peppertree Resort at Atlantic Beach. Since both children are doing their schooling virtually, all we needed to school them was a decent high-speed internet connection. I had already checked Peppertree’s Wi-Fi and it was plenty fast.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Oyster season!
When the weather picks up a crisp chill, that’s one of the first signs that it’s time to pull out the steamer pots and shucking knives, because Oyster season is finally here!! Oysters really are one of the sea’s most perfect foods. You can pick one up straight from the ocean, shuck them, and enjoy them raw. The saltier the better for me!! But they are best known for their sweet, briny flavor.
Reece Gardner: It's the season for love and forgiveness
Well, another Thanksgiving observance has come and gone, and I hope you had a wonderful time. As I mentioned in last week's Column, I had the wondrous opportunity to spend a few days with my wonderful children & grandchildren, and blessings abounded. And now we can all look forward, you and I, to Christmas and the love and laughter we will once again have the opportunity to experience. One of my favorite movies of all time is "It's A Wonderful Life."
John Hood: When shorthand gets it wrong
If the Republican Party were only the party of white men, it would never win an election. When discussing electoral matters, we all tend to use the political equivalent of shorthand. It’s a handy tool. We use it to identify the tipping point that determines electoral outcomes — the bellwether county, the interest group with shifting allegiances, the decisive issue that turned the tide.
Mike Parker: Season gives a reason for strengthening family ties
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.
Kristy Bock: Behind the words-Thanksgiving Idioms
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.
BJ Murphy: A reminder of why we back the blue
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.
Reece Gardner: We have a lot to be thankful for
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.
Dr. Escabi: The nostalgia of the diaspora
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.
Mike Parker: 2020 ‘Citizen of the Year’ works to improve our community
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.