A couple of weeks ago I got a phone call from Alamance County Commissioner Amy Galey. She wanted to talk about something written on this site a couple of weeks ago, “In need of education about following a strategic plan.” The call was a first since I moved from newspapers to higher education but not … Continue reading The debate to advance the ABSS strategic plan, even a little bit, will be a hot one
Author: madisontdawg
Destination Alamance County: We have more visitors than expected but there’s room to grow
"In your opinion what are the three greatest things to do in Alamance County for visitors in the following areas” . . . (The survey question then goes on to list things like family activities, food, history and shopping.) I was briefly stumped on the very last one, adventure. Adventure? Adventure?? Adventure??? So, the first … Continue reading Destination Alamance County: We have more visitors than expected but there’s room to grow
Wicked sad news: Why I like to support the little guys
My grandfather owned a hardware store in a little town somewhere between Winston-Salem and the Virginia state line. For years his store carried just about anything people in Walnut Cove, North Carolina might want. Yes, “Mr. Boley,” as he was known to townsfolk, sold basic hardware stuff -– nails, hammers, nuts, bolts, washtubs and paint. … Continue reading Wicked sad news: Why I like to support the little guys
Profiles in Gutlessness: Racists among us
Some headlines this week: “Red Sox apologize for racial taunts toward Orioles player,” Burlington Times-News and a few hundred other newspapers and websites around the nation. “Sigma Phi Epsilon used racial slur towards black student, according to sources,” Elon News Network. “Racism prompts Elon professor to return to Canada,” Elon News Network. “Trump on Civil … Continue reading Profiles in Gutlessness: Racists among us
In need of education about following a strategic plan
A friend of mine from my newspaper days is touring university campuses with his daughter, who is a high school senior. They drove here the other day from Gastonia to take a look at Elon University. Their reaction to the campus? "This place is amazing," the dad told me. "I had no idea." That's a … Continue reading In need of education about following a strategic plan
The Sazerac special: ‘This whiskey-beer is very good’
While there is some dispute about whether the Sazerac is America's oldest cocktail, it can be generally agreed upon that it's very much a New Orleans tradition. After all, the drink isn't in high rotation on cocktail lists at many North Carolina restaurants. What I find is most people haven't heard of it at all, … Continue reading The Sazerac special: ‘This whiskey-beer is very good’
Mission almost impossible on Tax Day 1989
A memory that reveals just how much times have changed. 11:30 p.m., April 15, 1989 . . . I have no idea why I volunteered to do it, but somehow I found myself standing outside the main Burlington Post Office branch off Maple Avenue as the clock wound toward midnight on Tax Day, 1989. No … Continue reading Mission almost impossible on Tax Day 1989
Can anyone over 30 be trusted with emojis?
Am I way too old to use emojis? Well, maybe. Deep down, I sort of knew this already. This isn't because I have a violent reaction every time I see someone on social media compose sentences, paragraphs or stories using nothing but tiny computer-generated illustrations. This isn't exactly an old fart "get the hell of … Continue reading Can anyone over 30 be trusted with emojis?
Poignant moment: ‘What is the county doing?’ about health issues
Selling public health, community wellness or even health insurance as sexy topics for college students is akin to offering spinach and Brussels sprouts sandwiches at a Super Bowl party. There usually aren’t many takers. So it wasn’t a huge surprise Tuesday night that attendance at our third and final Community Connections forum for this school … Continue reading Poignant moment: ‘What is the county doing?’ about health issues
There’s always a but ….
The other day I wrote to a friend of mine. The email was slugged: “I don’t want to be that guy, but …” Yeah, there’s always a “but.” My observation was about what was otherwise an outstanding newspaper story in the Burlington Times-News the other day about death penalty cases in North Carolina – how … Continue reading There’s always a but ….
Madison's Avenue 