UPDATE: I first posted this on Jan. 28 after learning that U.S. Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina was placed in Hospice care. Today he passed away, his family announced. Rest in peace Walter. My condolences to the family and friends of Rep. Jones. Peace to you all. ------------------------- I saw over the weekend that … Continue reading UPDATE: Congressman Walter Jones: Humility in a town of arrogance
Column archive
By the numbers: The journey continues into year three on Madison’s Avenue
A little more than two years ago I posed a question to my friends on Facebook. I stated that I planned to begin a writing project online via a wordpress blog. What should I call it? Quickly the folks who responded rallied around a particular name. I provided a suitable photo befitting an alleged writer … Continue reading By the numbers: The journey continues into year three on Madison’s Avenue
Christmas in Danbury, where time stands still
I wrote this in 2003 when I was with the Jacksonville Daily News. Still little has changed in Danbury in terms of appearance. There are some tweaks here and there. And the downtown area, what there is of it, was revamped across from the courthouse into a fantastic Arts Place. Over time it took the … Continue reading Christmas in Danbury, where time stands still
Family histories, unwanted surprises, and don’t call me Meredith
History has dark corners. I think most are aware of this, even if they choose to ignore it. Ignorance is always easier. Family histories are particularly tricky. This is because the narrative is controlled, handed down generation to generation, until it becomes a specialized truth. And some things are just flat ignored, falling in the … Continue reading Family histories, unwanted surprises, and don’t call me Meredith
A legacy sealed by an assassin’s bullet
I wrote this in 2013 for the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John Kennedy. First published in the Burlington Times-News. I think this toon appeared with it. The conspiracies are still out there after all these years. For those who find themselves in Dallas, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is well … Continue reading A legacy sealed by an assassin’s bullet
Still thankful for our big, beautiful (and growing) monster
We created a monster. It’s called “The Big Dinner.” Now, what came to be known as “The Big Dinner” didn’t start out that way. Not by a longshot. Eight years ago when this snowball was put in motion by my spouse, her sister and her oldest brother it was relatively small. You couldn’t exactly call … Continue reading Still thankful for our big, beautiful (and growing) monster
Checks and balances, balances and checks: Just where are the adults?
I wrote this two years ago for publication in the Burlington Times-News on Nov. 8 2016 -- the date of the last presidential election. I think most know what happened there. And the folks who don't know haven't paid attention to much of anything in a long time anyway -- print, TV, online, family, friends, … Continue reading Checks and balances, balances and checks: Just where are the adults?
The Little College that Could, eventually did
This is a column I wrote for the Burlington Times-News in August, 2016, before I moved my career from newspapers to writing for higher education at Elon University. I thought about this the other day when the university held an inspirational inaugural week for its ninth president, Dr. Connie Ledoux Book. I remembered writing this … Continue reading The Little College that Could, eventually did
From the archive: Remembering the tragedy and miracle of Bill Gentry
This would have to be among the last columns I produced in my long newspaper career and it tells the sad and oddly inspiring story of one of the best athletes in Alamance County history whose life was altered by cruel fate. I wrote this on the occasion of the death of Bill Gentry in … Continue reading From the archive: Remembering the tragedy and miracle of Bill Gentry
Growing up with football and growing concerned about football
This is a column I wrote nearly five years ago -- February 2013 -- about my youth football days -- fun but tough -- and what I believed then and now to be the future for American football. It probably doesn't have one in its current form. A few high school teams in North Carolina … Continue reading Growing up with football and growing concerned about football
Madison's Avenue 