I don't usually reflect on the Past but sometimes it's good to look back. Today I want to reflect, not only on the past but also on the present and the future, and on the sanctity and wondrousness of life.
All in Columns
John Hood: Sales Tax to Fund State Highways
When the North Carolina General Assembly enacted its budget revision for the 2022-23 fiscal year, it contained a major change in how the state funds roads.
Mike Parker: CSS Neuse Interpretative Center brings back ‘female spies’ theater
On Friday, August 5, and Saturday, August 6, the CSS Neuse Interpretative Center will host its fourth annual dinner theater focusing on female spies during the Civil War. Last year the dinner theater drew more than 160 guests, so organizers decided to host the program for two nights this year to prevent crowding.
Raney Rogers: Featured artist Manor Nobles to hold artist talk
Smart Gallery, 210 N. Queen St. in Kinston is hosting an Artist Talk Thursday, July 28th at 6pm. Our featured artist is Maner Nobles, a woman who has had a long, very interesting life and career that has brought her to where she is presently – someone who is finally able to have the time and creativity to devote to painting, one of her first, true loves.
Chadwick Stokes: Passion for History
Passion is an indescribable feeling that drives people to accomplish their life goals and pursuits. How else does one explain the accomplishments of past figures, such as the Wright Brothers or Sir Walter Raleigh?
Cooking with Tammy: Don’t Judge a Tomato by Its’ Color
When visiting your local Farmer’s Market and roadside stands, be sure to seek out the Heirloom tomatoes like German Johnson or Purple Cherokees, they are often the ugliest tomatoes but they also often the tastiest!!
John Hood: Government Got COVID Mostly Wrong
I’m a liberty-minded conservative, not an anarchist. I think government is inevitable and necessary but its legitimate scope and practical competencies are rather limited. The many public-policy failures during the COVID-19 pandemic illustrate the point well.
Reece Gardner: Immigration will play role in upcoming election
The immigration "open borders" issue will play a prominent role in this year's election. This fact has been highlighted many times in newspaper editorials throughout the country, and by other various media outlets.
John Hood: Three Education Facts You Should Know
I have strong opinions about education policy in North Carolina and beyond. Maybe you’ve noticed! I’ve also been researching and writing about the subject for a very long time. During my first stint as a newspaper reporter in 1986, I covered raucous debates about a potential merger of school districts in Nash County, Edgecombe County, Rocky Mount, and Tarboro. My first syndicated columns on education policy ran in state newspapers a few months later.
Mike Parker: Filling a house with family – finally – after COVID
Every other year on the July 4th weekend, the descendants of Henry S. and Lady Belle Parker gather for a family reunion. Before this year, our last reunion took place in 2018. We set the next reunion for 2020 – and then 2021. Each time, COVID interfered. We decided to shoot for this July and finally made the reunion a reality.
Maheylah Colie: What is Journalism?
Heart racing and blood-pumping excitement, fueled by determination and ambition to get a good story, were how I was introduced to the world of journalism at a young age. My teachers were derived from fictional movies and comics like Louis Lane and April O’Neil, who were the reflection of journalism.
Dan Perry: The direction of the Democrat Party
As a registered “unaffiliated” voter, I’ve tried to be opened minded about my voting priorities. I readily admit that I tend to be on the conservative side on most political issues. The basic reason being that in my opinion it was the conservative, common sense forward thinking of our founding fathers that formed the background for making us the greatest country the world has ever known.
Cooking with Tammy: Summertime Grilled Appetizers
It’s summertime and outside grilling and chilling is the way to go! This season has been a scorcher, so you may want to cook and eat light! Enjoy an appetizer and some fresh cooked vegetables or a side salad to keep you cool! Generally choosing an appetizer can be a great diet trick, the portions and plates are smaller and you will eat less. If you are still hungry, order a side salad to help fill your tummy.
John Hood: Housing Demand Will Stay Strong
For much of the past year, housing markets were ablaze in many parts of North Carolina. Motivated buyers were flush with cash and armed with low-rate loans. Agents were desperate for inventory to sell. Sellers gasped and smiled as competing offers soared upward. Builders broke ground on as many new projects as available labor and materials allowed.
Reece Gardner: I appreciate you
Well, we are into another July 4th Week and it might be an ideal time to let our families and friends know that we appreciate them. As I have said before, I am convinced that three of the most important words in the English language are "I appreciate you."
Jonathan Hoover: Theological Patriotism
Over the last few years I have become increasingly patriotic, but I have struggled with how Christians should publicly display their patriotism given the divisive nature of our culture. For many years I wanted to separate my patriotism from my Christian faith as if they were two completely different belief systems. In one sense that is obviously true, but I will argue here that American patriotism is tied to Christian theology.
Mike Parker: Fourth of July show we need to return to the basics
July 4th is the day we celebrate the birth of our nation. In 1776, Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies had a population of around 3 million people. These colonies had no army – just militias composed of citizen-soldiers. They were facing one of the world’s best-trained and most professional armies.
Cooking with Tammy: Fourth of July Food Fare
Celebrate the birth of our great nation this Holiday with food that celebrates the Red, White and Blue!!
John Hood: Voter ID Should Have Been Settled
Movie sequels are almost always worse than the original films. Notable exceptions, such as this summer’s Top Gun: Maverick, merely prove the rule. For every Empire Strikes Back, there’s a Highlander 2: The Quickening, Halloween Kills, and Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol.
Dan Perry: The recent Supreme Court reversal of Roe v Wade
In light of the recent Supreme Court reversal of Roe v Wade, I have a message for three individuals: