The Lenoir County Fairgrounds may not have a TARDIS or Star Trek Transporter, but during April 12 and 13, you can be whisked back in time to when King Arthur ruled from Camelot and his knights took their place at the roundtable.
All in Columns
Evelyn Dove Coleman: A Perspective...
Years ago, as I saw the tears at the end of former President George W. Bush's tribute to his late father, former President George H.W. Bush, I related to that son. His father died at the age of 94, and my father, William Lee Dove, died at the age of 94. Ninety-four seems like a long life such as Psalm 91 promises. But it still can feel way too short.
Kristy Kelly: Go hard for your own backyard
What should have been an exciting announcement about Kinston rising to the occasion and becoming a finalist for the 2025 All-American City Award turned into a gathering of the Out-of-Towner-Hater Club—egged on by people too disillusioned to see what’s in front of them.
Lesley Rigsby, RN: Words
Growing up, how many of you remember hearing someone say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? How untrue is this statement. Words can heal and bring forgiveness or divide and cause discord. Our words can absolutely hurt others as well as ourselves.
Bucklesberry, Back in the Day: Early Settlers–The Herrings (Part 2)
Hailing from Bertie County, N.C., the Herrings were among the first early settlers and landowners of Bucklesberry. Brothers Abraham, John, Sr., and Samuel Herring were issued land patents and surveys from 1738 to 1747 that totaled 1,525 acres.
Mike Parker: The Outer Banks ‘Paul Revere’
As we come to the close of Women’s History Month, I want to share the Outer Banks story of a midnight ride that came just a few months after Paul Revere’s ride to warn the patriots that the British were coming.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Cabbage the Budget Friendly Vegetable
If you are only adding cabbage to your menu on St. Patrick’s Day or for slaw with your seafood suppers, you are surely missing out! Cabbage is an affordable veggie that adds flavor to lots of recipes.
Mike Parker: 2nd annual ‘Spirit of Lenoir’ Festival set for April 12
Nothing warms the heart and stirs the soul like gathering with friends, family, and neighbors for a night of faith-filled music under the stars. The 2nd Annual Spirit of Lenoir Christian Music Festival will be held on Saturday, April 12 at Pearson Park in Kinston.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Cottage makes a come back
Cottage cheese has made a comeback. Cottage cheese recipes have become an unexpected viral social media trend, with good reason, cottage cheese is high in protein and calcium and is delicious and adaptable.
Evelyn Coleman Dove: how to handle hurts
I once heard someone say that the best way to handle being hurt is to express it. Keeping it bottled up on the inside only adds to the hurt. Well, true that it may be, sometimes expressing your hurt causes others to also feel hurt.
Mike Parker: Grifton Lions ready to roar for First Responders
Back in September of 2024, I wrote a column about the Grifton Lions Club planning an appreciation day for first responders. That day is quickly approaching. In fact, the “First Responders Appreciation Day” will kick off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, at the Grifton Train Depot.
East Carolina University, located in Greenville, traces its origins to the East Carolina Teachers Training School, which came into existence amid substantial controversy in 1907. After competing with seven other localities, Greenville was chosen as the site for the campus, largely because of Pitt County's offer of 243 acres and $100,000 for a new facility.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Favorite Mardi Gras Recipes
Who needs a trip to Louisiana to enjoy the food and flavors of Mardi Gras? Much like the Mardi Gras celebrations the foods are full of spirit and the bold flavors of Cajun and Creole.
Mike Parker: Karate Madness! offers magical competition
The magic takes place at the Little Union Academy of Martial Arts – but the competition will take place in the gym at Kinston High School from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 22.
Kristy Kelly: My kids broke everything... including my will to be the better person
My eldest son and I were talking about spanking the other day, a conversation that came with its own form of punishment—memories of my parenting mistakes.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
You don’t have to be Irish to get in on all of the fun celebrating St. Patrick’s day. The holiday is celebrated on March 17th and began in Ireland as the feast of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, the date is the anniversary of St Patrick’s death in 461. Irish immigrants brought the holiday to the United States and Americans were introduced to the traditions of celebrating.
Mike Parker: Brace yourself: Busy weekend coming up!
For those who complain that “there’s nothing to do in Kinston,” brace yourselves for this coming weekend.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Revisiting the Mediterranean Diet
Many years ago, the Mediterranean Diet jumped into popularity showing up as clearly the best way to eat to increase your longevity. A true “Mediterranean Diet” consists mainly of fruits and vegetables, seafood, olive oil, hearty grains, and other foods that fight against heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
Bucklesberry, Back in the Day: Early Settlers–The Herrings
The proven patriarch of generations of present-day Suttons in Lenoir County was John Sutton (1720/30-bef. 1773). An early settler of Bucklesberry, he arrived around 1745-1750. Not the only settler, though, nor the first, evidence suggests that ancestors of the Herring family line of Lenoir County preceded John Sutton's arrival.
Kristy Kelly: I’m not financially stable enough for a felony
Being in a woman in her 40s is like playing emotional roulette. Which level of crazy are you going to get when you act foolish toward me? Spin the wheel and find out!