Make the most of the fresher-than fresh produce that can be found this season at Farmers Markets, Roadside Stands, and even at the grocery store. You cannot go wrong by choosing fresh field peas for summer side dishes, dips and salads.
All in Columns
Kristy Bock: Paying the price of ignorance
The term loan shark carries a negative connotation. On television, he’s the guy who sends his goons after people who don’t pay what they agreed to pay. In real life, he’s a business that lends money to high-risk recipients. Where there is a need for revenue, there will always be someone, somewhere, ready to lend it. The lender doesn’t loan money out of the goodness of their own heart. It’s a business decision made with profit in mind. The government has decided that all lending institutions must pay for the predatory loan practices of others.
Reece Gardner: Strong sovereign nations allow individuals to flourish in the fullness of life intended by God
Sometimes, by looking back on things that were said and done in the past, we can get a better sense of how we should look at things as they are being done in the present.
John Hood: State Politics Snaps Back Toward Normal
This year’s U.S. Senate race in North Carolina is shaping up to be a highly competitive and expensive one — which should surprise no one who’s lived in our state or watched our politics for more than an instant.
Mike Parker: What do teachers wish parents would do?
As this new school year begins, a certain group of people have far more influence on the education of children than they think – parents. Years ago, I read an article from the NEA’s Family-School-Community Partnership Training that outlined “Ten Things That Teachers Want Parents to Do.” This wish list deserves repeating.
Kristy Bock: Owning my hypocrisy
The first interaction I had with law enforcement happened before I reached double digits in age. The sight of a police vehicle became synonymous with losing all that was familiar to me. While the fault was not the cops, they bore the brunt of my ill content. I spent years doing all that I could to never have to be in the same place as a cop.
Cooking with Tammy: Bee Friendly, Celebrate National Honeybee Day
National Honey Bee Day, the third Saturday in August, was started in 2009, when a small group of beekeepers petitioned for and obtained a formal proclamation from the USDA honoring honeybees and beekeeping.
Reece Gardner: Harshly spoken words
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me." I have used these words previously, and we all have heard them before, but we know there isn't much truth in them. Words can indeed hurt and even, in some cases, leave scars that may last for a lifetime.
John Hood: Prejudice Makes Us All Worse Off
RALEIGH — Prejudice is morally wrong. It’s also immensely foolish, producing self-inflicted wounds for individuals, companies, and communities.
Mike Parker: School buses will be rolling soon: Please be alert and obey the law
On Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, just after 7:30 a.m. on Icard Ridge Road in Alexander County, a car traveling south crossed the center line and plowed into a school bus bound for West Alexander Middle School. The crash resulted in injuries to 13 students and the bus driver. Twelve children sustained only minor injuries, but one student was in critical condition. The driver of the car was charged with driving while impaired and crossing left of center.
Chadwick Stokes: English Colonies of the New World - Roanoke
The greatest mystery in American history took place right here in North Carolina. The story of how 118 English colonists simply vanished without any trace has become a legend in its own right as an important piece of our history as a state. There are several theories about what may have happened to the ill-fated colony, but there has to be clear, definitive evidence to reach any conclusion. The answer to the centuries-old question may never be answered.
Cooking with Tammy: Fresh Corn
Before fresh corn makes it’s exit, many of you are feverishly shucking and freezing it to savor that freshness throughout the year! While we all know nothing is yummier than corn on the cob with a little butter and salt, there are lots of other healthy ways to enjoy this season’s harvest!! Corn is fresh from the field right now and in abundance at your local Farmer’s Markets.
La Grange Public Library Gears Up for Fall Program Rollout
The past six weeks at the La Grange Public Library have been bursting with adventures in outer space and back in time during this year’s 2022 Summer Reading Program. The La Grange Public Library had a total of 87 registered participants who read a combined 34, 675 minutes. Children that read at least 600 minutes received a gift card to Ava Rae’s Ice Cream Shoppe in La Grange.
John Hood: Cooper Defends Racial Discrimination
Because I am an inveterate optimist who likes to think the best of other folks, I’m going to assume for the sake of the following argument that North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and former governors Jim Hunt, Mike Easley, and Bev Perdue sometimes sign documents they’ve not closely read.
Senator Jim Perry: More energy means lower prices
Inflation and economic uncertainty are hurting small businesses and consumers, who must pay more for essential everyday goods. Energy prices are a particular sticking point, with the national average still up 32.75% from last year. Businesses are feeling the pain of increased transportation costs that translate into the price of goods, municipal transportation fleets are blowing by set fuel budgets, and everyday Americans flinch as they put gas in their tank on their way to work.
Mike Parker: Where have all the teachers gone?
Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, president and executive director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina, published an interesting article in the Neuse News. She began by citing two school administrators who said they could not get applicants for their vacant teaching positions.
Cooking with Tammy: Fresh Okra, Abundant in the South
Drought nor heat can hold back a high okra yield, this hardy vegetable is much more water tolerant than most of your garden vegetable plants, and they prefer full sunlight, conditions which are pretty common in southeastern North Carolina!
John Hood: How to read this column
One of the consequences of writing a syndicated column on politics and public policy for more than a quarter of a century is that I am constantly told what I think and why I think it.
Reece Gardner: Reflect on things that really matter
With all the rancor and bitterness in our world today (Recession, Border Crisis, crime, Etc.), it would probably help if we stepped back a minute and reflected on things that REALLY matter in this world. To do that I want to re-visit and expand on a Column I wrote several years ago about Kevin Schull's experience.
Pink Hill Public Library’s Back to School Bash and other free programs for all ages
The past year has seen many changes at the Etta Jones Turner Public Library (Pink Hill Public Library) and we look forward to continued growth, both in our library and throughout the community. Through our programs and outreach, we hope you’ll join us as we offer new and exciting opportunities for our patrons.