All in Columns
Fresh basil is one of the best parts of summer. It’s a great plant to grow at home because it is low maintenance and from July to September there is always abundance. Basil is refreshing and remarkably versatile. It can liven up a pasta sauce or salad, even a cocktail or dessert. There’s pretty much nothing that that you can’t pair with basil.
Some things bear repeating, or at least expanding on, and that's what I am doing today. We recently celebrated Mother's Day, and now Father's Day is coming up on June 19. I want to look at this Day both from the perspective of a son as well of a dad.
Juneteenth is a shortened version of “June Nineteenth.” This date in 1865 marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX, to take control of the state and make all enslaved people freed. “Juneteenth” is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.
This week our community will host a number of activities designed to remember and celebrate the end of slavery.
Did you know that North Carolina growers produce as many as 70 different varieties, each with its own unique flavor? Although the Sandhills region is known for peach production, consumers can find growers all across the state. Peaches are a warm weather favorite and you will find they taste best June-August in parts of the South.
You should receive a mailer from the Friends of the Library in the next week or so. The mailer includes a brochure and a return envelope that makes joining or rejoining the Friends easy. When you receive the mailer, please send in a check for membership dues for the 2022-2023 year.
Summer is coming and once again Neuse Regional Libraries are offering its communities fun and educational programs for children, teens, and adults. The "Choose Your Own Summer Adventure" program is a six-week summer reading program focused on engaging children and their families in the library.
Neuse Regional Libraries are committed to building community through our Library programs and offering events and forums that reflect the diversity of our local residents. In support of these goals, we will be offering our second annual Coming Together program series and Juneteenth celebration.
The tragedy that occurred last week at the school in Texas was horrific in every way, and our hearts go out to the many who are now suffering from this awful occurrence.
Soon it will seem like we have a never ending supply of zucchini squash, and while it is terrific sauteed, it is too much to eat every day.
During the COVID years, I experienced palpable disappointment. My grandson Jaxen graduated from Clayton High School – but Sandra and I could not attend. Granddaughter Courtney received her Associate of Nursing Degree from Pitt Community College – but we could not attend. Granddaughter Haley received her Associate of Arts degree from Pitt before transferring to East Carolina – but we could not attend.
We are a blessed bunch here in Eastern North Carolina, the Crystal Coast is just down the road and that means we are only a short distance away from fresh local seafood! Being close by also means our local markets are able to carry only the freshest seafood as well. It’s always time for sweet, salty Carteret County Shrimp. Give these recipes a try!
Let's talk today about setting a good example for others. Over the years I have had the opportunity to hear multitudes of presentations, and many of them highlighted that truth.
From 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, the Kinston Music Park will offer fun and Funk as the African American Heritage Commission of Kinston and Lenoir County hosts its fifth edition of the Funk Festival. The park is located at Spring Hill and South Queen Street in Kinston. The Community Council for the Arts, Visit Kinston, and the North Carolina Arts Council also support this event.
Fruit or a vegetable? Technically the cucumber is a fruit because it contains the seeds to reproduce, but typically cucumbers are grouped and grown with veggies due to their use. But if you are a cucumber lover does it really matter? Cucumbers may not boast having the highest nutritional value of some other fruits and vegetables but it still has many of it’s own merits! Check it out!
Although there hasn’t been any public discussion regarding it, once again, there is an increase in pay for the mayor and members of the council being proposed in this year’s budget. This isn’t to say that the increase isn’t justified, my concern is that once again potentially controversial items are being presented in the budget that haven’t been formally discussed. Whether it’s the more than $100 million annual operating budget for the city, or a $6.3 million allocation from the federal government, each line item deserves thorough inspection and candid conversations about how they align with our priorities — especially one that has proven time and time again to ruffle feathers.
I’ve expressed my desire with the mayor and members of the council for us to have dedicated meeting time to talk about our city budget and finances, but aside from Councilwoman Felicia Solomon, the other members of our board haven’t shared that desire.
It has amused me over the years to see signs prominently posted on building entrances reading, "This is a Gun Free Zone," or "No weapons of any kind allowed on these premises." You may recall the "No Gun Zone" sign prominently posted a few years ago at the entrance to a school in Lakeland, Florida, which made it a clear target for a young man with a demented mind hearing Satan telling him to kill people.
With only a few days left to cast ballots in the 2022 primaries, most North Carolinians are worried and frustrated. Many are furious. Some 62% of voters responding to a recent High Point University poll said the country had “gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track.”
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about several exciting activities taking place in Kinston and Lenoir County. Shortly after that column appeared, I learned of a call for auditions that could help residents end up on “The Road to New York.”
Treat your Mom’s to a delicious morning treat for the whole family! Most of this menu can be done ahead and many of the main ingredients can be found locally grown!
