My grandmother died at 102 years young. She lived on her own until the final week when she moved to hospice. My mom died at 82 years old. Amazingly, she only outlived her mom by 7 months.
All in Columns
Neuse Regional Libraries awarded Library Services and Technology Act grant for digital learning centers
Neuse Regional Libraries (NRL) are excited for the opportunity to implement the Digital Learning Centers: Opening the Door to Accessibility project thanks to a $44,595 LSTA grant made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Mike Parker: Time to seriously consider term limits for elected officials
What do Chuck Grassley, Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, Chuck Shumer, Hal Rogers, Chris Smith, Steny Hoyer, Dick Durbin, Marcy Kaptur, and Mitch McConnell all have in common? They are the 10 longest serving members of Congress – and each one has served 40 years or more in the U.S. House or U.S. Senate.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Protect Your Kidney Health, Top Foods for Prevention
According to the World Health Organization, Kidney Health is at the forefront of the current health agenda. CKD or Chronic Kidney Disease is often undiagnosed and therefore untreated. Kidney function is closely related to heart disease and can affect heart health
Kristy Kelly: Kinston doesn't need performative outrage
Yesterday, I witnessed a handful of adults berate the city council and call for the reallocation of police funds because an officer allegedly abused his power and was caught on video doing so. The police department gave a canned “we are investigating the issue” statement, and the mayor co-signed their message by way of copy and paste.
Kristy Kelly: Who turns on the heat in July?
I thought I was the adult—until the adult child touched the holy grail: the thermostat.
Mike Parker: Library ‘Friends’ begins a new year
Several years ago, I served on the board of directors of “Friends of North Carolina Public Libraries.” Known by the acronym FONCPL, this statewide organization promotes the interests of 384 public libraries and tens of thousands of library friends.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: North Carolina peach season has arrived ahead of schedule
According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, due to our exceptionally warm weather a bumper crop of high-quality has arrived earlier than usual. Peaches typically peak during July, but many peach farmers are already selling fresh ripe early peach varieties. Warm weather tends to make the peaches ripen not only earlier but faster so don’t wait to pick your peck of peaches!!
BJ Murphy: Wisdom, Regret, and the Time We Have Left
The older you get, the wiser you are. The trouble is, you’ve got less time to implement that wisdom.
Faith Forward with Jason McKnight: GPS for a Great Marriage
I’ve married 45 couples over the last two decades. It’s a joy to help a man and woman stand before God, family and friends, and step into a whole new life: oneness, family, covenant from God. You’d think, since God gave humans the gift of marriage, it would be filled with power, ease and endless delights. In reality, it is a LOT of hard work.
Mike Parker: Kinston & Lenoir County to Remember WWII Heritage
Although I never met Floyd Dawson of La Grange, my wife Sandra's father, we have a photo of him and a fellow soldier standing in front of an ambulance. Sandra’s father was part of a team that went to the front lines of World War II to pick up the wounded and take them to the nearest field hospital.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Extension Master Gardeners of Lenoir County Children’s Garden
If you missed the Business After Hours at the Extension Master Gardeners of Lenoir County’s Children Garden (Children’s Garden), you really missed out! Great food, with a summer-time theme, as well as great fellowship was had by those that attended! Many exclaimed how amazing the garden space is, and how they cannot wait to visit again and bring their children, grandchildren, etc.!
Bucklesberry: Early Beginnings: Summary
According to a 1924 news story published in The News and Observer of Raleigh, Bucklesberry was purportedly opened to colonization in the early nineteenth century. This article claimed settlement commenced in 1825 by brothers John Sutton (ca. 1779-1848) and Hardy Sutton (1803-1861).
Kristy Kelly: Living with Adults (Who Used to Be Your Kids)
Living with adult children is the fastest path to prison for a parent just trying to stay sane.
Mike Parker: ‘Wings Over the Neuse’ seeking sponsors
When the first “Wings Over the Neuse” fundraiser occurred, I was not part of the CSS Neuse Foundation Board. In 2009, board members decided to do something special to raise funds to place a monument for Alton “Doc” Stapleford to recognize and honor all the work and supervision he provided during the construction of the CSS Neuse II.
Neuse Regional Libraries Awarded Cannon Foundation Grant for the La Grange Public Library
Neuse Regional Libraries Awarded Cannon Foundation Grant for the La Grange Public Library: Opening the Door to Accessibility Project
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Quick and Easy Summer Seafood Suppers
Enjoy the bounty of the season without spending a lot of time cooking over a hot stove with these quick and easy seafood recipes. From shrimp to scallops and salmon to crab, these recipes will make using the seasonal harvest from our crystal coast, a breeze! Hope you will enjoy your dinner and support our fishermen!!
Faith Forward with Jason McKnight: The Greatest Gift you can give your kids
As a friend and I ran together, he made a comment that has stayed with me. We were discussing our kids and family, and he said, “The greatest gift you can give your kids is emotional health.”
Kristy Kelly: It’s not personal. It’s self-preservation
“You never invite me to your house,” and, “You never come to mine when I invite you,” are two complaints I hear more than I care to admit.
Mike Parker: Juneteenth and the end of slavery
Last Thursday, many observed the latest federal holiday – “Juneteenth.” The term “Juneteenth” is the compression of “June Nineteenth” – the day in 1865 that Union Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. Roughly 250,000 enslaved people received their freedom that day.