Sometime in 1983 while on my first reporting job after college my then-new friend and newspaper colleague Fletcher Waynick told me about something I thought was pretty interesting. He thought it would make a pretty good story and I agreed. It was my first lesson in "you never know what you might find in the … Continue reading A first lesson in you never know what you might find
Author: madisontdawg
Fear of Alzheimer’s and having an important conversation
We don't always watch TV together at our house anymore. New technology probably made this inevitable. We had only one TV in our house for the first dozen years of our married life. That was by design. We figured with just one TV we would have to share more and talk more. It was, and … Continue reading Fear of Alzheimer’s and having an important conversation
A source of Inspiration at Elon
I work in a place with dozens upon dozens of hidden gems. Some are in plain sight. Others are more difficult to find. And a few exist in the background just waiting to be discovered. The Thursday Inspirations at Elon University aren't a secret, at least not to faculty and staff. We receive weekly reminders … Continue reading A source of Inspiration at Elon
The billions of thank yous I owe Mom
This is a column I wrote in 1997 with the Jacksonville Daily News -- published on Mother's Day, May 11. I'm still thanking my Mom, by the way. ---------------------------------------- My mother was a journalist. She was apparently pretty good at it too. At least the North Carolina Press Association thought so. They gave her an … Continue reading The billions of thank yous I owe Mom
The separation of law enforcement, justice and politics
The two least surprising pieces of news out of Election Day in Alamance County were the following: First: Incumbent District Attorney Pat Nadolski lost to challenger and one-time colleague Sean Boone in the Republican primary. And second: Subsequently Nadolski was not immediately available for comment about it. Absolutely no politician wants to talk to the … Continue reading The separation of law enforcement, justice and politics
Throwback Thursday: Ric Flair used to date a girl from Richlands
Another in a series of recently unearthed columns written for the Jacksonville Daily News last century, Feb. 23, 1997 to be exact. This one was sparked by what else, a random newsroom conversation. I'm still friends with the major players and Richlands -- pronounced Rich-lands -- is still the center of the known universe (I … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: Ric Flair used to date a girl from Richlands
Baseball’s latest record achievement is hardly a hit (updated)
I haven't seen the final figures but unless something weird happened Monday, April 30 the month will make history for hitting futility in Major League Baseball. For the first time in modern history, baseball players on the Major League level will strike out more times than they recorded a hit during a month. See the … Continue reading Baseball’s latest record achievement is hardly a hit (updated)
Shame on display (Updated with more details)
My longtime friend Lisa Ashmore messaged me Sunday night with a question. She noted the recent opening of the new Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Incarceration as well as the National Memorial for Peace and Justice both in Montgomery, Alabama. While exploring the website for these two joined projects -- one marking the horrifying legacy … Continue reading Shame on display (Updated with more details)
Throwback Thursday: The story of the Potato Salad Kid
A few weeks ago I ran across an old manila folder containing a collection of columns I wrote for the Jacksonville Daily News more than 20 years ago -- 1997 in fact. Because I still like a few of them, I'll share one or two over the next few weeks. Today I'm offering one first … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: The story of the Potato Salad Kid
A county politician’s education karma; or, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Lashley
I know Bill Lashley. I don't know him well, but I have spoken to him several times over the years. He's always unfailingly polite and often complimentary when I have encountered him. He is engaging, doesn't mind a laugh and is friendly to passersby the times I've watched him at Fourth Fridays in downtown Burlington. … Continue reading A county politician’s education karma; or, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Lashley
