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Even when July 4th falls in the middle of a week you can count on fireworks displays, flags hanging, neighbors gathering for cookouts, watermelons being sliced and just maybe you might find someone cranking homemade ice cream
Even when July 4th falls in the middle of a week you can count on fireworks displays, flags hanging, neighbors gathering for cookouts, watermelons being sliced and just maybe you might find someone cranking homemade ice cream
 
Driving through North Carolina's countryside this time of year is both good for the soul and a reminder of the importance agriculture plays in our state
Driving through North Carolina's countryside this time of year is both good for the soul and a reminder of the importance agriculture plays in our state
 
"Whoever thought I was going to live so long," my 96 year old mother asked? She isn't alone
"Whoever thought I was going to live so long," my 96 year old mother asked? She isn't alone
 
Every Saturday night our family would gather round the black and white TV to watch the latest Perry Mason episode
Every Saturday night our family would gather round the black and white TV to watch the latest Perry Mason episode
 
With all the recent activity regarding immigration we decided to repeat the column we wrote following a visit to Ellis Island, New York in 2011. It is relevant today
With all the recent activity regarding immigration we decided to repeat the column we wrote following a visit to Ellis Island, New York in 2011. It is relevant today
 
How do you identify yourself? You might begin by stating whether you're male or female, or the age group you are in. Or you might identify by race, sex, religion, where you live or your profession. Throughout recorded history humans have been tribal. We need to belong, to identify with others, to ha
How do you identify yourself? You might begin by stating whether you're male or female, or the age group you are in. Or you might identify by race, sex, religion, where you live or your profession. Throughout recorded history humans have been tribal. We need to belong, to identify with others, to ha
 
After hearing what is apparently taking place in our General Assembly we have to ask why we even need 170 members in the General Assembly
After hearing what is apparently taking place in our General Assembly we have to ask why we even need 170 members in the General Assembly
 
Started by legendary NC State basketball coach Everett Case, the event was sold out. Long after the game was over, as freshly showered players were leaving, a shady character sidled up to an NC State star. The Wolfpack player had been given money to throw the game so the other team would win
Started by legendary NC State basketball coach Everett Case, the event was sold out. Long after the game was over, as freshly showered players were leaving, a shady character sidled up to an NC State star. The Wolfpack player had been given money to throw the game so the other team would win
 
The legislature comes to Raleigh Wednesday for the "short session" and opening day promises to be far more exciting than most years
The legislature comes to Raleigh Wednesday for the "short session" and opening day promises to be far more exciting than most years
 
The selection of Peter Hans to head our state's Community College System was expected, especially after it became known that Governor Roy Cooper, House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger jointly wrote a letter to the selection committee making it clear Hans was their choice
The selection of Peter Hans to head our state's Community College System was expected, especially after it became known that Governor Roy Cooper, House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger jointly wrote a letter to the selection committee making it clear Hans was their choice
 
55 years after graduation members of our high school class reunited to reminisce and renew friendships. I wrote this piece for our hometown newspaper and it got so much comment I thought I would share it with you in hopes it stirs memories of your own formative times
55 years after graduation members of our high school class reunited to reminisce and renew friendships. I wrote this piece for our hometown newspaper and it got so much comment I thought I would share it with you in hopes it stirs memories of your own formative times
 
What should we expect when we invest $150 million in reading programs for our elementary students? I'm not sure what the objectives were, but I am pretty certain the results weren't what anyone wanted
What should we expect when we invest $150 million in reading programs for our elementary students? I'm not sure what the objectives were, but I am pretty certain the results weren't what anyone wanted
 
If you could wave a magic wand and make one change that would provide the greatest benefit to rural North Carolina what would it be? I've been intrigued by that question ever since it was first posed during a panel discussion on rural issues
If you could wave a magic wand and make one change that would provide the greatest benefit to rural North Carolina what would it be? I've been intrigued by that question ever since it was first posed during a panel discussion on rural issues
 
"You ain't from around here, are you?" This question may not be grammatically correct but it is an increasingly accurate observation about our state. According to the Carolina Population Center
"You ain't from around here, are you?" This question may not be grammatically correct but it is an increasingly accurate observation about our state. According to the Carolina Population Center
 
I knew Lynn was good. I just didn't know how good, until I read that Lynn Good's total compensation package had doubled in the past two years
I knew Lynn was good. I just didn't know how good, until I read that Lynn Good's total compensation package had doubled in the past two years
 
This week was Sunshine Week, not that we saw a lot of it, either meteorologically or metaphorically. What we got for the start of the week was dark clouds, some wind and even snow. Some might say it was symbolic of a week designated to shine the light on the need for open government
This week was Sunshine Week, not that we saw a lot of it, either meteorologically or metaphorically. What we got for the start of the week was dark clouds, some wind and even snow. Some might say it was symbolic of a week designated to shine the light on the need for open government
 
The "help wanted" sign is popping up all over North Carolina, and while it is a good sign of a healthy economy, it also portends some larger problems
The "help wanted" sign is popping up all over North Carolina, and while it is a good sign of a healthy economy, it also portends some larger problems
 
"Pay me now or pay me later, but pay me you will," said the guy selling Fram Oil Filters in the 1970s TV commercials. I remembered those ads as I listened to the presenters at this year's Emerging Issues Forum
"Pay me now or pay me later, but pay me you will," said the guy selling Fram Oil Filters in the 1970s TV commercials. I remembered those ads as I listened to the presenters at this year's Emerging Issues Forum
 
The latest Elon University Poll contains disturbing, but not surprising results. More people know the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers than the names of either of our U.S. Senators
The latest Elon University Poll contains disturbing, but not surprising results. More people know the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers than the names of either of our U.S. Senators
 
Prayers and condolences are no longer enough," chanted students gathered in Raleigh to protest gun violence
Prayers and condolences are no longer enough," chanted students gathered in Raleigh to protest gun violence
 
It feels like the 2017 session of the North Carolina General Assembly has lingered longer than grandma's Christmas fruitcake and the fruits and nuts have grown stale and distasteful
It feels like the 2017 session of the North Carolina General Assembly has lingered longer than grandma's Christmas fruitcake and the fruits and nuts have grown stale and distasteful
 
Should those receiving public benefits be required to do anything in return? It's not a new question, but one that is resurfacing today
Should those receiving public benefits be required to do anything in return? It's not a new question, but one that is resurfacing today
 
When you reach a milestone it is wise to pause and reflect on the journey that brought you there
When you reach a milestone it is wise to pause and reflect on the journey that brought you there
 
What could possibly be more important than knowing that the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink is safe? Public safety is one of the major functions of government
What could possibly be more important than knowing that the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink is safe? Public safety is one of the major functions of government
 
You don't have to be a meteorologist to understand that the gathering storm clouds are threatening the 2018 elections
You don't have to be a meteorologist to understand that the gathering storm clouds are threatening the 2018 elections
 
As the New Year unfolds there are at least a dozen leaders likely to play a big role in public policy issues in 2018
As the New Year unfolds there are at least a dozen leaders likely to play a big role in public policy issues in 2018
 
Our legislators are due to return to Raleigh on January 10th, another continuation of the 2017 session they just can't seem to conclude
Our legislators are due to return to Raleigh on January 10th, another continuation of the 2017 session they just can't seem to conclude
 
Mike hated Christmas. Not the true meaning of the season but the frantic rushing around spending money just to be able to say you got the person a gift he or she wouldn't use and would most likely end up at the thrift store. Mike's wife wanted him to enjoy the season, but to no avail
Mike hated Christmas. Not the true meaning of the season but the frantic rushing around spending money just to be able to say you got the person a gift he or she wouldn't use and would most likely end up at the thrift store. Mike's wife wanted him to enjoy the season, but to no avail
 
For most of the 241 years since North Carolina adopted its first Constitution there have been arguments about the proper balance and separations of power between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government
For most of the 241 years since North Carolina adopted its first Constitution there have been arguments about the proper balance and separations of power between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government
 
There are moments when you just know that history is being made and the recent revelations of sexual misconduct and harassment indicate we are in such an historic time
There are moments when you just know that history is being made and the recent revelations of sexual misconduct and harassment indicate we are in such an historic time
 
CNBC, the cable business news channel, predicts that North Carolina will be selected as the site for Amazon's second headquarters
CNBC, the cable business news channel, predicts that North Carolina will be selected as the site for Amazon's second headquarters
 
Every two months North Carolinians throw away enough trash to fill dumpsters, lined back to back, across the entire length of Interstate 40. Our 10 million residents generate some 12 million tons of trash each year
Every two months North Carolinians throw away enough trash to fill dumpsters, lined back to back, across the entire length of Interstate 40. Our 10 million residents generate some 12 million tons of trash each year
 
For the first twenty years of my career I was a radio broadcaster in Greenville, Wilson, Elizabeth City, Fuquay-Varina, and later Raleigh and Durham
For the first twenty years of my career I was a radio broadcaster in Greenville, Wilson, Elizabeth City, Fuquay-Varina, and later Raleigh and Durham
 
Tourism is a major revenue generator in North Carolina, creating more than 200,000 jobs and contributing almost $23 billion to our economy
Tourism is a major revenue generator in North Carolina, creating more than 200,000 jobs and contributing almost $23 billion to our economy
 
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