“The Captain Class”; by Sam Walker; 333 pages; Random House, 2017. Sam Walker began with one simple question. Through his research, the quest took a new direction. By the time he had completed his journey Walker had produced something both intended but also serendipitous. The outcome is both ironic and coincidental. That’s a rather sloppy … Continue reading Book review: The Captain Class
Month: July 2017
Southern Comfort revisited
A few years ago this question was raised for some fool reason. “How Southern are you?” At first, it was hard to know what to make of such a thing. The question itself was a little off-putting to say the least. After all, you're either Southern or you ain't. Pretty simple really. To even raise … Continue reading Southern Comfort revisited
How I survived summer camp in the Village, maybe even thrived — a little
Every day during the Summer in the Village camp at Elon University we opened our class of rising eighth and ninth-graders by asking them to write a brief essay or short commentary about a subject selected the night before. We gave them 10 minutes or so to write and then all were asked to read … Continue reading How I survived summer camp in the Village, maybe even thrived — a little
Flashback Friday, special edition: The return of Harold Owen
I wrote this editorial in August of 2015, shortly after then-Burlington City Manager Harold Owen called me to let me know he planned to retire. He called me again the other day to let me know he might be seeking a return to city government, but this time as an elected member of Burlington's City … Continue reading Flashback Friday, special edition: The return of Harold Owen
Throwback Thursday: Importance of July 20, 1969 lost on new generations
This is a column from 2014 on the anniversary of the historic landing on the moon. --- How I came to be talking about the moon landing of 1969 to a group of third-graders whose parents weren’t even born when it happened, was sort of an accident. After all, I’m seldom in the company of … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: Importance of July 20, 1969 lost on new generations
A glimpse of a next generation of voters
Suddenly, I don’t feel so anxious about the long-term future of the nation. I’m in the second week now of a two-week volunteer morning gig with the Village Project summer camp at Elon. It’s a cliché to say I’ve learned as much from the 12 to 14 rising eighth and ninth-graders in our class as … Continue reading A glimpse of a next generation of voters
Throwback Thursday: 1968 revisited — only we elected George Wallace this time
I wrote this a year ago for the Times-News in Burlington, North Carolina when the nation was on fire -- shootings were rampant, political turmoil was everywhere and we seemed on the precipice on a major cultural shift. A year later here we are only in this reality America elected George Wallace. This is the … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: 1968 revisited — only we elected George Wallace this time
Summer camp in the Village
Monday I got my summer camp T-shirt. Like the dork that I am, I pulled it immediately over the button-down shirt I put on before leaving home in the morning. Not the best visual impression on a crew of rising eighth and ninth graders, I suspect. I'll do better Tuesday. This T-shirt -- without the … Continue reading Summer camp in the Village
In the labyrinth at Elon
Shortly after my spouse started working at Elon University in the fall of 2012, she mentioned a permanent labyrinth located on campus, not too far from her University Communications office in Truitt Hall. It got her attention as a pathway to pause, reflect or meditate. That is, after all, what it’s there to do. She … Continue reading In the labyrinth at Elon
Fourth of July flashback: Newspaper people should not serve food
The date was July 4, 1999. I was working for the Jacksonville Daily News, a newspaper on the North Carolina coast that serves Onslow County, Camp Lejeune and Carteret County. And by serve, I mean news. Food, well ... Before going further, note that the events you are about to hear occurred before there were … Continue reading Fourth of July flashback: Newspaper people should not serve food
Madison's Avenue 