For the past few years I have posted this over Memorial Day Weekend. It's the strongest memory I have from my newspaper life at the Jacksonville Daily News in North Carolina, the home of Camp Lejeune, the largest Marine Corps installation on the East Coast. I'll always remember. The vase is still with me. ---- … Continue reading The green vase
Community
Accepting Elon president’s final challenge to support education
Historically, Elon University President Leo M. Lambert closes commencement on a Saturday in May with a challenge to the freshly minted crop of graduates. It's called a charge for the class of that particular year. Saturday in front of the Alamance Building on campus he issued his final one for Elon grads. See the video … Continue reading Accepting Elon president’s final challenge to support education
A pre-emptive strike in the school budget debate
Corrected on May 18 to change the proposed funding percentage for ABSS. They came in a variety of shapes, sizes, genders and ethnicities. Some were parents, most were teachers or in education, a few were students and a few were business leaders who want to support a better community in Alamance County. At least one, … Continue reading A pre-emptive strike in the school budget debate
The debate to advance the ABSS strategic plan, even a little bit, will be a hot one
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
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
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
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
Living in the red-meaty part of the health curve
A lot of people in Alamance County are fat, drink too much, don’t get all the exercise they should, actively ignore healthy foods and have bad mental health days. On more occasions than they can count, many just don’t feel good. I know, join the club, right? Zack’s hot dogs with Cheerwine taste good. Who … Continue reading Living in the red-meaty part of the health curve
It began with a bake sale . . .
Four years ago today I got another in a series of lessons regarding people – that they’re much better on average than most give them credit for. Of course it’s easy to see how anyone can be confused. Judging by what I see on social media, humanity made its last stand months and months – … Continue reading It began with a bake sale . . .
Madison's Avenue 