As parents, our job is to help “grow our kids up.” We focus on sleep, food, school, athletics, homework so they can grow strong, advance through life.
All in Columns
Mike Parker: ‘A.I.’ back in the spotlight
As I was looking through some of my old columns, I found one from 24 years ago on the subject of – drum roll – artificial intelligence. The column addressed one critic’s response to the film: “A.I. – Artificial Intelligence.” Bart Kosko, then a world-renowned expert in the field of artificial intelligence, attacked the film not for its plodding plot or bleak vision of the cruelty of human against defenseless robotic creatures. Instead, Kosko makes several assertions based on what seemed fuzzy logic at best.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Celebrate National Farmers Market Week – Visit Your local Farmers Market
National Farmers Market Week, established 26 years ago, is celebrated each year during the first full week of August, August 3rd – 9th, 2025. This annual celebration was established by the National Farmers Market Coalition to highlight the vital role farmers markets play in the nation’s food systems.
Bucklesberry: Early Beginnings: Summary (cont.)
A recent study identified 131 patents and surveys archived at NClandgrants.com for tracts of land geographically located in the greater Bucklesberry area of Lenoir County. Dated 1729 to 1759, these records named 92 settlers that represented 64 surnames, proving the settlement of Bucklesberry began long before 1825, the year it was previously purported to have been opened up for colonization.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Okra, the South’s Polarizing Vegetable
Okra is either one of those vegetables that you love or you simply love to hate. Known for its scrubby texture when overcooked, okra is actually crunchy, crisp, and absolutely delicious when handled properly.
Mike Parker: Colonies’ last-ditch effort to avoid revolution
Too often when we think about the American Revolution 250 years ago, we do not stop to ponder just how long the colonies struggled against the efforts of the British Crown and Parliament to control, even suppress, the colonials. History has a way of becoming compacted in our minds.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Versatile and Vibrant: Easy Yellow Squash Recipes
It’s time for summer squash and you can find many varieties at the local Farmer’s Market! Squash and Zucchini have a taste and texture that can be adapted to many different types of recipes, from traditional Southern, to Italian or Greek Style. No matter the way you like to eat and prepare your squash, this spring and summer veggie packs a load of health benefits.
Faith Forward with Jason McKnight: Giving back to the ones who gave us life
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.
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).