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
Past imperfect
Throwback Thursday column: Son of a son of a son of a Confederate veteran
This is a newspaper column I wrote in the summer of 2014 when this issue of Southern heritage and Confederate flags and statues was raised. Yes, it comes up every so often and has for the past 120 years -- about the time the urge to put up Confederate statues began long after the Civil … Continue reading Throwback Thursday column: Son of a son of a son of a Confederate veteran
The Arts Place in Stokes County, new look for an old haunt (with photo gallery)
Nothing much changes in my hometown. With a few exceptions the Danbury, North Carolina of today doesn't look substantially different than it did 50 years ago. Some of the older houses are gone, a tragedy in terms of historic value. One is the old Taylor house, where my great-grandparents lived. My great-uncle let it run … Continue reading The Arts Place in Stokes County, new look for an old haunt (with photo gallery)
Political aspirations . . . thanks but no thanks
A few weeks ago I had an exchange on Twitter. It came during the often contentious debate over public education funding in Alamance County, it was a fight the pro-education folks – let’s call them the “good guys” – lost by a whisker to forces that, well let’s face it, have a stake in forging … Continue reading Political aspirations . . . thanks but no thanks
Fourth of July flashback: Newspaper people should not serve food
The date was July 4, 1999. I was working for the Jacksonville Daily News, a newspaper on the North Carolina coast that serves Onslow County, Camp Lejeune and Carteret County. And by serve, I mean news. Food, well ... Before going further, note that the events you are about to hear occurred before there were … Continue reading Fourth of July flashback: Newspaper people should not serve food
Remembering The great Tim Duncan
In my life I've only had a handful of favorite NBA players, usually they don't overlap. A favorite is, after all, a favorite. All shared a few characteristics in common. They played the game the right way, they played it well, they conducted themselves professionally, they were intense and refused to back down. And yeah, … Continue reading Remembering The great Tim Duncan
What’s that smell? Of school bathrooms, hygiene and memorable speeches
A headline in today’s Burlington Times-News caught my eye. It was stripped across the front page and looks to be in about 70-point type. Not quite WAR DECLARED or NIXON GUILTY, but not that far off. Here’s what it said. Board considers cleanliness Not exactly “Stop the presses!” kind of material but still pretty interesting. … Continue reading What’s that smell? Of school bathrooms, hygiene and memorable speeches
And another light goes dark …
When I was a newspaper editor, that time dating all the way back to eight months ago, we had loyal readers who fit into too many categories to adequately list here. Let's just say it was a diverse bunch who either loved us, hated us, or didn't really care one way or another as long … Continue reading And another light goes dark …
Jane Bachman Wulf: A name I always remember
I was out of college nearly seven years and in journalism for six of them when I got the audacity to write a letter to Sports Illustrated in search of a job. I was working as a sports writer for the Burlington Times-News at the time -- 1988 -- and was going nowhere fast. Back … Continue reading Jane Bachman Wulf: A name I always remember
Throwback Thursday column: Memories of two leaders and their sacrifices
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I wrote this column in June of 2015 upon the death of J.A. Freeman, the longtime educator, first principal at integrated Cummings High School and a political leader. It reminded me of a similar figure from my youth growing up in Stokes County -- John L. Hairston. When I heard last Sunday about … Continue reading Throwback Thursday column: Memories of two leaders and their sacrifices
Madison's Avenue 