It seems that every day we are reminded of the evil in our world, so much so that we might overlook the goodness all around us. In that spirit, I decided to look for some acts of kindness on display, and I found that they are in abundance.
All in Columns
John Hood: Don’t buy myth about voter turnout
Republicans in much of the country enjoyed significant success during the 2021 election cycle. They elected a GOP governor in Virginia, almost elected one in New Jersey, won several important judicial races in Pennsylvania, and even elected their first Republican candidate to local office in Seattle (city attorney) since the 1980s.
Mike Parker: Reader poses a pertinent question about phone scammers
I had several readers comment about my Oct. 4 column concerning the latest Medicare scam. The caller asks if the older person on Medicare has received the latest Medicare chip-enabled green Medicare card. Of course, the scammer needs to verify the information to get the new secure card to the person.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Healthy 30-Minute Meals
During the Holiday rush between Halloween and New Year’s Day, we often neglect our nutritional goals. One easy fix is to plan healthy meals that will not take more than 30 minutes to prepare!!
John Hood: Public conflicted on housing markets
As they witness rapidly escalating costs for building, buying, and maintaining homes, the vast majority of North Carolinians clearly want their leaders to do something about affordable housing.
Reece Gardner: Animals are a blessing!
Today I want to talk about how we are blessed by animals around us and how we need to let them know we care. Joe Exum put the organization "Friends of Man's Best Friends" together a few years ago and great numbers of animals have been given quality lives as a result of his effort, and the efforts of his dedicated associates who give freely of their time, money, and expertise in the promotion of this noble cause.
Mike Parker: Salute! offers tribute to America’s veterans on Nov. 5-6
If my calculations are correct, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Salute! tribute to American veterans. The first column I wrote about this celebration of American service personnel appeared on Nov. 11, 2002. The context makes clear that the 2002 celebration was not the first.
Colon Cancer: What you need to know
Colon cancer, also known as bowel cancer, colorectal cancer, or rectal cancer, is any cancer that affects the colon and rectum. The colon is the last part of the digestive tract and located closest the rectum. Risk factors for colon cancer include:
Tammy Kelly: Don’t Toss Your Fall Decorations – Cook Them!!!
I love Fall decorating, the colors, the use of fresh materials, all of it, but it’s really sad that one of the most nutritious fall vegetables is often only used for decoration and often overlooked for a healthy addition to your menu!! Besides being great for decorating, and the only vegetable that is carved and lit up, this low-calorie squash is rich in potassium and loaded with beta-carotene (a powerful antioxidant), and its natural sweetness brings flavor to baked goods without any added guilt.
John Hood: Polls should be scaring Democrats
If you were reading this column a year from today, just days before the 2022 midterm elections, I’d tell you that North Carolina Democrats were about to experience a catastrophe.
Reece Gardner: Happenings of Inspiration
Happenings of inspiration occur frequently in all our lives, but unfortunately, we are often too busy to notice them. Here are a couple of True-Life examples of inspiration that I hope you will enjoy.
John Hood: Medicaid expansion remains unwise
North Carolina lawmakers are reportedly considering some form of Medicaid expansion as part of a final budget deal with Gov. Roy Cooper that would also bring tax cuts and other free-market policy gains on key issues.
Mike Parker: Project aims at beautification, pollination, and education
Circle Oct. 30 on your calendar and plan to “bee” at the Lenoir County Farmers Market for an exciting and unusual program.
Cooking with Tammy: The Teal Pumpkin Project
Celebrating Happy Halloween next week means a week full of sweet treats and candies. Certainly, one night a year it’s okay to splurge, but if you are hosting your own Halloween party here are some spooky treats that will make Halloween safe for those suffering from severe food allergies!
Reece Gardner: Everyday is a gift
Today I want to talk about TIME, which is a very interesting thing. We can't stop it, slow it down, turn it off, or even adjust it, and we certainly can't bring it back. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is uncertain. We may look ahead to a full year's block of time, but we really have no guarantee that we will experience any of it.
John Hood: Surge in violence merits response
It is, nevertheless, violence against people that most affects public perceptions. And in North Carolina, I’m sad to say, violent crimes are surging.
Mike Parker: October is ‘Domestic Violence Awareness Month’
On average, one in three women and one in four men in the United States will experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. One in 10 high school students experienced physical violence from a partner in the last year alone.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: The Very Surprising Spaghetti Squash
If you're a big pasta fan, it might be time to try a different type of spaghetti: spaghetti squash. Spaghetti squash is a yellow-orange vegetable harvested in early fall. When cooked, the inside of the squash can be shredded into long, thin strands similar to angel hair noodles, and can be used in comparable ways.
John Hood: School closures were a mistake
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.
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.