Closing down school buildings for many months last year — and offering poorly planned and executed virtual schooling as an inadequate substitute — proved to be a disaster for North Carolina children, families, and the education system itself.
All in Columns
After attending funerals, my mother used to say, "Give me my flowers while I live." I came to understand that she meant to treat her with love and kindness and respect while she could hear and see her flowers. The loved ones lying in the caskets could not see all the beautiful floral arrangements stretched across the front of the church or chapel.
Reece Gardner: Count your blessings
Life is a gift, so before we say an unkind word we need to think about those who can't speak; Before we complain about the taste of our food, we need to think about those who have nothing to eat; Before we complain about our companion, we need to think of someone who is crying out to God FOR a companion; Today, before we complain about life, we need to think about someone who went too early to Heaven; Before we complain about the distance we have to drive, we need to think of someone who has to walk that distance;
Mike Parker: CSS Neuse II holds ‘Breakfast’ on Saturday, October 16, 2021
For the second time this year, the CSS Neuse Foundation is hosting “Breakfast on the Boat.” The event will begin around 7 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16 at the CSS Neuse II, the replica gunboat. As usual, “Breakfast on the Boat” features scrambled eggs, bacon, link sausage, grits, biscuits, and a beverage. All foods except biscuits are prepared on the grounds next to the CSS Neuse II. Tables will afford social distancing.
Tammy Kelly: Fall casserole round up
Casseroles, in America, represent the efficient, inexpensive, one-dish meal, made to stretch ingredients and feed a lot of folks! They are almost always easy to fix and serve and are known as great comfort foods. When casseroles first became popular many were not the healthiest option but today there are some great recipes to choose from that are super great for your family’s healthy meal plan!!
Reece Gardner: Three situations we face today
Folks, we all want to be positive in our outlook on life, and indeed there is a lot to be positive about, locally, Statewide, and nationally. But some things have occurred on the national and international scene during the past 9 months that in many ways are puzzling and hard to understand.
John Hood: We All Win When We Argue
In the England of the early 20th century, there were no two writers more dissimilar than G.K. Chesterton and George Bernard Shaw. Chesterton was a conservative who wrote literary essays, a long-running newspaper column, and the popular Father Brown series of detective stories. Shaw was a socialist whose famous plays include Man and Superman, Saint Joan, and Pygmalion, from which the popular musical My Fair Lady was later adapted.
Mike Parker: Beware latest Medicare scam – and hang up
Telemarketing crooks have developed a new way to attempt to scam people on Medicare. I was unaware of this scam until I answered a call that my caller ID identified as “N Carolina Call.” The woman on the line said she was from Medicare and was calling to see if I had received my new secure Medicare card. According to the caller, the new card was green – and was microchip-enabled to prevent scams. Of course, she said she needed to verify some of my information.
Tammy Kelly: It's pear season!
Fresh pears are abundant this time of year and you certainly do not want this nutritional treat to go to waste. Why pears, because nutritionally they are a great choice!
John Hood: Biden decline prompts three questions
When President Joe Biden’s approval numbers began to plummet in early August, driven by public disgust with the disastrous American withdrawal from Afghanistan, hopeful Democrats suggested that as the news cycle moved on, Biden would recover.
Reece Gardner: ID requirement is not a novel idea
Just recently, on September 17, a 3-judge panel of the Wake County Superior Court ruled 2-1 that North Carolina's Voter ID Law violates the State Constitution and cannot be put in force. These two judges wrote that the attorneys defending the law failed to prove that it was not discriminatory.
John Hood: Mayberry fans seek solid ground
Mount Airy is a real place. Mayberry is fictional. But in the minds of its many millions of fans, Mayberry is a real place, too — not a physical location but a moral one. A place where mistakes earn people second chances, not everlasting scorn. A place where parents teach their children the virtues of honesty, responsibility, and compassion — and sometimes get schooled themselves in those same virtues by those same children.
Mike Parker: flyExclusive increases investment at NCGTP
More good news is coming from the North Carolina Global TransPark. flyExclusive, the fifth-largest private jet charter service in the United States, is constructing a new 24,000 square-foot facility at the GTP. flyExclusive operates a point-to-point private jet service.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Fall is the season for apples!
Even though it still feels more like summer, fall is definitely on the way, and fall means fresh NC apples! We grow a wide variety of delicious apples here in NC and even though we don’t grow too many of these in Eastern NC, you can generally find them at most farmers markets!!
Mike Parker: Marker dedication and concert set for Sept. 25
A special part of Kinston’s history is going to be recognized on Saturday, Sept. 25. At 4 p.m. that day, the African American Heritage Commission of Kinston/Lenoir County will unveil a marker commemorating the listings Kinston had in The Negro Motorist Green Book. This book, compiled by Victor H. Green, provided a list of places that African American travelers could go to eat, spend the night, shop, and have their cars serviced and repaired.
John Hood: Income and poverty facts matter
The income of the median American household fell by nearly 3% last year as the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent regulations shuttered many businesses for months, closed others for good, and forced still other employers to cut back on hours and wages for the people they still employed.
Reece Gardner: Take time to travel!
Three very special young ladies are traveling in Italy this week and I want to highlight some of their experiences. These ladies are my Daughter Jessica, my Grand Daughter Rachel, and a special friend, Carla Gray. They are all extremely busy in their everyday business and personal lives. Jessica holds a very important position with Natural Stone Services headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga., and she also is a leader in her church and community. Rachel is also a very busy young executive, and Carla stays on the move as well. So if you are planning to travel, don't let your busy schedule keep you from doing so.
Mike Parker: Choir of nurses 'Not Giving Up'
I am not a big fan of America’s Got Talent, but Sandra, my wife, wanted me to watch the finale of this year’s competition. I acquiesced and took my seat to watch. I subscribe to the motto: “Happy wife – happy life.” Some of the acts I enjoyed. Others, I tolerated.
BJ Murphy: LCPS Chairman Bruce Hill Admonishes Parents for Contacting Him
At the September 13th Lenoir County Public Schools board meeting, Chairman Bruce Hill admonished the public on when it’s appropriate to contact a school board member. He cited a chain of command, the need to go straight to the source, and emphasized the school board’s primary goal is to be policymakers. However, Mr. Hill seemingly chastises parents, guardians, and stakeholders for attempting in any type of way to hold school board members accountable. In an eye-opening statement, Mr. Hill says about the school board, “[we] aren’t as versed in education” and “we as board members we don’t know what goes on at the schools.”
Tammy Kelly: Fresh flounder – catch and cook them while you can
The N. C. Division of Marine Fisheries has adjusted the recreational and commercial seasons for 2021 to ensure a sustainable fishery. The recreational flounder season will open September 1 and close September 14 in internal and ocean waters of North Carolina. So, like I said catch and cook them while you can!!