There is no feeling in a workplace quite like the one when a colleague is taken in the prime of life by either accident, incident or unspeakable disease. For the Burlington Times-News in the spring of 2013 the culprit was No. 3. It was tough to watch how quickly cancer swallowed Mike Wilder, a longtime … Continue reading Still in Mike Wilder’s corner and still helping those battling cancer
Community
Something to be proud of
I wrote this editorial for the Burlington Times-News on the occasion of the first Alamance Pride festival in 2015. On Saturday the group will hold its third in downtown Burlington. Happy birthday to a more inclusive day in the Burlington, North Carolina community. This area still has its bumps in the road but this event … Continue reading Something to be proud of
Reality crashes in America’s Land of Make Believe
I traveled to Las Vegas for the first time in August of 2001. I’ll always remember the date because approximately a month later I would learn that the bastard terrorists who commandeered jet airliners then used them as missiles on Sept. 11, 2001 were on the infamous Vegas Strip at roughly the same time we … Continue reading Reality crashes in America’s Land of Make Believe
Ultimate truths, wisdom and baseball
A few years ago at the annual Friends of the Alamance County Library Book Sale I uncovered a real treasure. It's a book about ultimate truths. It's a book full of wisdom for the ages. It's a book brimming with best practices of every description. And it's a book published in 1951. And it's a … Continue reading Ultimate truths, wisdom and baseball
Honoring Elon football coaching legend Red Wilson
I stopped by my old newspaper office for a visit on Thursday. Bob Sutton, the longtime sports editor for the Times-News asked me what I might know about a reunion at Elon this weekend around the season-opening football game with Charleston Southern. "Nothing," I told him. Bob proceeded to fill me in. Apparently a group … Continue reading Honoring Elon football coaching legend Red Wilson
Something in the air: Ah yes, the annual Fall Book Sale
Friday I walked up to the small tent set up outside the basement entrance to May Memorial Library in Burlington. "I can shop at the Fall Book Sale today if I join the Friends of the Library, correct?" I asked the two women operating in the makeshift shade on a sunny afternoon. "Aren't you a … Continue reading Something in the air: Ah yes, the annual Fall Book Sale
‘Black Coach’ revisited: Before ‘Remember the Titans’
“Black Coach”; by Pat Jordan; 1971; The Cornwall Press, Inc.; 248 pages. Late summer was dissolving into early fall the first time I walked into Burlington Memorial Stadium to watch a high school football game involving Walter Williams High School. The year was 1985. I began working as a sports writer for the Burlington Times-News … Continue reading ‘Black Coach’ revisited: Before ‘Remember the Titans’
In context: Still disconnected, by choice
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This post has been edited to reflect updated information available later on Wednesday. --- Do a Google search today for Alamance County Commissioner Tim Sutton. Make sure to add the Alamance County commissioner part in order to avoid confusion with the movie director of the same name. Here's what you find. He's famous. … Continue reading In context: Still disconnected, by choice
The disturbing disconnect of a county politician
Very little surprises me anymore. After all, I spent years upon years dealing with public officials of every kind: Small, medium and large; sober, drunk or stoned; and most frequently animal, vegetable or mineral. I spoke to hundreds, probably a few thousand, people on the phone who expressed variations of warped or circular logic. There … Continue reading The disturbing disconnect of a county politician
Riding out the eclipse
The last total (or nearly total) eclipse occurring over North Carolina that I recall with much clarity was the first one. I don't remember exactly what year and attempts to figure it out are muddled with conflicting information. Some say 1970. Others have written 1974. I've seen a few other options, too. Let's just say … Continue reading Riding out the eclipse
Madison's Avenue 