I wrote this news obituary about my one-time boss and longtime friend Don Bolden for the Burlington Times-News in advance of his death. I was asked if I would take on this assignment so the newspaper would have something substantial in hand when the end came. I sent this to city editor Tom Jones in … Continue reading The life of Don Bolden: Editor emeritus, citizen emeritus
Community
Don Bolden, Jan. 19, 1933-Aug. 2, 2018: There will never be another like him
NOTE: Please follow this link to read the comprehensive obituary story about Don in the Times-News. I walked through the entrance to Alamance Regional Medical Center and headed toward the reception area. I applied hand sanitizer from the nearby dispenser and asked the woman behind the counter which room Don Bolden was in. "He's in … Continue reading Don Bolden, Jan. 19, 1933-Aug. 2, 2018: There will never be another like him
Taking care of business at Elon’s Summer in the Village
They learned about starting a business. They learned about profit and loss. They learned about teamwork. They learned about wages, spending, savings and interest. They learned about the stock market and investments. They learned about shopping, consumption and even philanthropy. They even dabbled in the art of negotiation and the sometimes elusive art of compromise. … Continue reading Taking care of business at Elon’s Summer in the Village
Pizza to go and restaurant gone in Graham
Probably the most disappointing local news item I read over the July 4 holiday weekend was this one in the Burlington Times-News. The headline, "Plans for Eddy Pub owners' Graham Italian restaurant nixed" tells only part of the story. The decision not only knocks the new Eddy Pub restaurant out of downtown Graham but might … Continue reading Pizza to go and restaurant gone in Graham
Remembering Mike: Great tunes for an even greater cause
I have reached an age where I read more news on social media about cancer impacting those around me than about the exploits of their children. That's how it is when you're gaining on age 59. Two years ago this week, we lost my aunt Nancy Kate to cancer. A friend just the other day … Continue reading Remembering Mike: Great tunes for an even greater cause
Playing referee for the ‘national psychosis’
A couple of weeks ago I was having a conversation by phone with my 86-year-old mother. At some point, and I'm not exactly sure how we got there, I told her bluntly, "Mom, people just aren't worth talking to anymore." I was only joking -- in part. She was probably appalled, even though she's known … Continue reading Playing referee for the ‘national psychosis’
Thanks to the county for honoring an important promise
A few years ago, back when I was a newspaper guy and someone seen as worth talking to about important stuff in the community, a group from the Alamance Friends of the Library asked for a sit-down at the Burlington Times-News office. I had no idea what they wanted to discuss but I was more … Continue reading Thanks to the county for honoring an important promise
The leadership to make Alamance County competitive in the modern world
A couple of weeks ago, Alamance-Burlington Board of Education member Brian Feeley made this observation on his political Facebook page: One penny. A one-cent raise to the property tax rate will avoid forced school budget cuts at a time when our county is growing. Someone I respect recently joked that “political leadership” is an oxymoron. … Continue reading The leadership to make Alamance County competitive in the modern world
Deja vu all over again for the county budget and education spending
Tim Sutton told me once that he wasn't too concerned about what his legacy as an elected county leader might be. He simply didn't care. It was an interesting statement that could be taken multiple ways. I have spoken to the longtime Alamance County commissioner dating back to his pre-elected office days -- when he … Continue reading Deja vu all over again for the county budget and education spending
Unlucky seven: The demise of Company Shops Co-op
I saw the headline on Twitter this afternoon and had two immediate thoughts. First. "It's a damn shame." And second, "I knew it." The headline? "Company Shops Market shutting down Sunday." It's a damn shame. Here's how the story on the Burlington Times-News website reads so far. It's a breaking news item and I expect … Continue reading Unlucky seven: The demise of Company Shops Co-op
Madison's Avenue 