I’m addicted to scary things. By that, I mean I do a lot of things that would scare most people.
All in Columns
Meet Me: Shayla Nguyen
My fingers shook while I wrote “Monster by Nicki Minaj” on the karaoke sign-up sheet. I mean, what could go wrong? As I stood on stage, my gaze was glued to my feet as the heavy beat dropped. The crowd hushed, watching me in slight confusion as I looked at everything but the 50+ faces in front of me.
Faith Forward with Jason McKnight: Screens & Better Kids
You’d never give a martini to a seven-year-old. No good parent would. Why? Because young minds take time to develop, and we all know that alcohol inhibits that development. America’s drinking age is 21 for just this reason: it takes more than two decades for brains to mature such that they can handle safe consumption of alcohol.
Kristy Kelly: Holiday fatigue
When asked what I’d wanted for Mother’s Day, my answer was simple: To be left alone.
In previous years, I had done all the work to make sure my children were able to give me the Mother’s Day they thought I deserved, and quite frankly, every year it was annoying and exhausting.
Mike Parker: When a plan comes together
As the fictional Col. John “Hannibal” Smith, leader of the A-Team, was known to say: “I love it when a plan comes together.” These words best describe the intense effort and planning that goes into making Kinston’s BBQ Fest on the Neuse a success year after year. This year marked the 44th year our city has put on the festival.
Jean Hill: A Day for Mothers
As we approach Mother’s Day on Sunday May 11, let us rejoice in the opportunity to celebrate the most selfless and nurturing individuals in our lives. Whether you choose to honor your Mother on this day by giving her flowers, cards, money, jewelry, a special meal, family gatherings, or completing special chores for her, remember that the love and appreciation we show her is a reflection of the boundless love and devotion she has showered upon us
Evelyn Dove Coleman: Happy Mother's Day
As I listened to several friends discuss their plans for Mother's Day celebrations, it struck me how varied they were. Plans ranged from dining in fancy restaurants to outdoor extended family cookouts. One involved a surprise. She didn't know where her children were taking her for brunch because her son told her they didn't want her to know in advance.
Kristy Kelly: A journey through the crowd
Depending on how one quantifies success, the BBQ Fest on the Neuse was either a resounding triumph or a disappointing flop. From the viewpoint of an author hoping to sell books, it may have felt like a failure. But as a columnist, the festival renewed my confidence and reminded me why it's important to keep talking about mental health.
Mike Parker: Early May – My wife’s favorite time
May is my wife’s favorite month. Within two weeks, Sandra has two big days. May 1st is her birthday. The second Sunday is Mother’s Day. So, for two weeks, she is the queen – the center of the universe for each day’s celebration.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Strawberries, the Sweetest Treats!
The strawberries are finally here, the first real tasty sign of spring, and aren’t we ready?? The juicy red berries hold the title of the most popular berry in the world. They are also quite versatile; you can enjoy them straight out of the patch, or in strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, strawberry jam, and so much more.
Bucklesberry, Back in the Day: Other Early Settlers
Ancestors of present-day Sutton and Herring descendants of Lenoir County were among the first settlers of greater Bucklesberry in the early to mid-1700s. Joined by many others, an extensive online search (primarily at NClandgrants.com) identified 131 archived deeds and surveys dated 1729 to 1759 for tracts of land in or near Bucklesberry.
Faith Forward with Jason McKnight: Fear carries a bullhorn
Every grade school field day has the same fixture: That one person in charge—usually the PE Teacher—with the bullhorn to amplify their voice so all will hear.
Mike Parker: BBQ FEST takes aim at world record
Kinston is gearing up for our area’s largest festival of the year – BBQ Festival on the Neuse. On part of Thursday and Friday and all-day Saturday, the extended Herritage Street downtown area will be packed with activities for all ages.
Kristy Kelly: The day mom disappeared
At about 3:45 AM, I knew I was in no condition to go to work. I held off as long as I possibly could before calling out—because calling in sick always makes me feel guilty. I flipped my phone over to keep the light from waking me and crawled back under the covers. That was the calm before everyone else’s very bad day.
Evelyn Dove Coleman: The Cage Lock
Years ago, my cousin-by-marriage told me about a story that imitates real life. It is called "The Howling Man" and was an episode in The Twilight Zone series.
Mike Parker: First 2025 ‘Breakfast on the Boat’ set for Saturday, April 26
The CSS Neuse Foundation is hosting this year's first “Breakfast on the Boat” on April 26, 2025. The food will be ready by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at the CSS Neuse II, the replica gunboat in dry-dock at the corner of Herritage and Gordon streets.
Mike Parker: An Evening Out with ‘The Old Guard’
Last Wednesday evening, I was blessed to eat dinner with three of my older grandchildren. Those of you who have read my column for years will remember that I have two sets of grandkids. The “Old Guard” are my first four: Courtney, Haley, Taylor, and Jaxen. The “Young Guns” are the last eight: Isaiah, Abby, Alex, Ben, Hannah, Laney, Alli, and Luke.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Bugs isn’t the only one who can benefit from carrots!
Bugs Bunny loves carrots but we should too! It is common knowledge that eating carrots is great for your eye sight, but they have so much more to offer! Believe it or not it is carrot season in North Carolina, generally we think of carrots mostly at Easter, but carrots are readily available year round and very good for you!!
Kristy Kelly: When Did Life Get So Weird?
In what feels like another life, my days were strategically planned around working the required eight hours, and then going home to tend to little humans in various stages of chaos. I understood the assignment. As long as they didn’t die of starvation or filicide, I was doing a good job. That was my parenting barometer — survival.
Mike Parker: Fourth Renaissance Faire transports back in time
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.