As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, I embark on a series of personal columns detailing my journey toward improved mental well-being.
All in Columns
Jessica Anderson: How Does Your Garden Grow?
I’ve seen them all tilled up in the side yard, perfectly organized in rows in raised beds, thrown into open space in the flower bed, or even in a collection of mismatched pots on the back deck!
Mike Parker: The 'Fourth' was with us
Saturday, May 4th, was a special day for my family. At 11 a.m., granddaughter Haley received her Bachelor’s degree in Archeology from East Carolina. Haley graduated “Summa Cum Laude” – “with highest honors.” Her granddad – me – received my undergraduate degree “Thank you, Lawdee.”
Lesley Rigsby: Words have lasting effects
Have you ever had someone tell you, “You can’t do that, or you’re not going to make it”? I still remember my first-grade teacher saying to me, “You can’t do that.” The words we speak have lasting effects. They can build a person up or they can quickly tear them down.
Kristy Kelly: Rock bottom resilience
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, I embark on a series of personal columns detailing my journey toward improved mental well-being.
Mike Parker: Girl Scout Troop chosen to distribute biking helmets
In 2007, the North Carolina Department of Transportation began a program called the “Bicycle Helmet Initiative.” The primary goal of the Bicycle Helmet Initiative is to reduce child and youth bicycle fatalities and serious injuries, including head trauma.
Theresa Parker Pierce: Swimming Lessons
As the weather warms up, my thoughts drift to swimming in the summer. I grew up in Kinston, North Carolina but spent weekends and summers in Swansboro on the White Oak River in an old Air Stream trailer. Water safety was not optional.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Kentucky Derby at Home
Celebrate the 150th running of the legendary Kentucky Derby at home with your own “Run for the Roses” themed party! The Kentucky Derby makes for the greatest of all theme parties, from the invitation, to the hats, and the julips and red roses to the menu. Here are some recipes for serving traditional Derby snacks!
Mike Parker: “A Snapshot of Kinston & Lenoir County during WWII” debuts May 10
“A Snapshot of Kinston & Lenoir County During WWII,” Cliff Tyndall’s eagerly anticipated new book, will debut on Friday, May 10, with a series of activities hosted by the Queen Street Deli. The book signing will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Shrimp, The “Most” Popular Shellfish
Seafood, and many of types of seafood are consumed in larger amounts when the weather warms up, most of us still do not eat as much seafood as is recommended. Here are some suggestions for changing that and some reasons to start with shrimp.
Kinston EPIC Center Director Lesley Rigsby shares inspiring journey
Hello everyone, I am Lesley Rigsby, the new center director at the EPIC Center in Kinston. I was born and raised in Kinston and love this town. I have been a registered nurse for 19 years in the Family Birth Center at UNC Health Lenoir, here in Kinston, and have dedicated my career to educating and caring for pregnant women.
Mike Parker: ‘Clara Barton’ celebrates National Nurses Week
On Thursday, May 2, the Friends of the CSS Neuse Museum will combine education and celebration as the CSS Neuse Civil War Museum hosts a first-person presentation by Carolyn Ivanoff on Clara Barton. The program will begin at 6 p.m.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Wake Up Your Taste Buds with the Fresh Bounty of Spring
Spring is here and it’s time to revitalize your taste buds with the fresh bounty of the season! Use fresh seasonal produce for dinners are also low in calories and high in fiber, which is a key combination if you’re looking to maintain a healthy weight. Sheet pan recipes, pastas and veggies, and fruit and chicken salads, are always a favorite. Hope you will find these recipes bright and delicious!!
Aunt Jemima: Don't believe everything you see on TikTok
A video on the social media platform TikTok was shared with me where a content creator criticized PepsiCo for altering the iconic Aunt Jemima logo, one of the longest-running logos and trademarks in the history of American advertising.
Mike Parker: Join us for ‘Breakfast on the Boat’ on Saturday, April 20
This Saturday, April 20, the CSS Neuse II will host its first public “Breakfast on the Boat” for 2024. “Breakfast on the Boat” is one of the Neuse Foundation’s smaller fundraisers to help raise money to support the Neuse II.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: It’s Strawberry Picking Time
We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the fresh juicy local strawberries and they are finally here!! Strawberries are a super fruit; they are packed with antioxidants and essential nutrients that can reduce inflammation. They also support heart health, boost cognitive function, aid digestion and help regulate blood sugar. Strawberries are also super versatile for adding some sweetness to snacks, desserts, and even main dishes.
Mike Parker: Poet featured at April 18 ‘Artist Talk’
Stephanie Brea is a poet whose work centers on community engagement. She will be the featured artist at the “Artist Talk,” scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at the smART Gallery at 210 North Queen Street. What choice could be more fitting for National Poetry Month?
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Why Add Asparagus
Asparagus is popping up, and I do mean popping up, this interesting vegetable grows straight up, and can pop up to almost a foot. Most asparagus you will see is green, but there are other varieties you may sometimes see, white, which is more delicate and difficult to harvest, and purple, which is smaller and fruitier in flavor. No matter the type you choose, asparagus is a tasty, versatile vegetable that can be cooked in lots of ways or enjoyed raw in salads.
Kristy Kelly: Jolene is the devil, but not for the way you think
I listened to Beyonce’s version of “Jolene”. While I liked it better than the original, I couldn’t figure out what it is that bothered me about it. I’ve secretly judged Dolly Parton for the song “Jolene”. Born in 1979, I barely made the cut to call myself Gen X, so I’m young enough to accept throughout history women believed themselves to be powerless, and old enough to realize how little collective power women had. It’s because of songs like Jolene.
Dr. Travis Towne: Celebrating April as Financial Literacy Month
As a high school educator entrusted with teaching students about personal finance, I have a message: we need your help to prepare our youth for their financial futures.