chuckles
Chuckle of the Issue: Raise
Mark walks into his boss’s office. “Sir, I’ll be straight with you. I know the economy isn’t great, but I have three companies after me, and I would like to respectfully ask for a raise.” After a few […]
Year: 2013
feature
The Strange-ness: Tar River Banshee
The banshee, known as a messenger of death, is known for its wailing and shrieking. While its origins are mostly Irish, banshees have been reported in several countries including the US — and NC has one too. The […]
feature
A Little Bit of History: Twin County Museum and Hall of Fame
Thanks to the Twin County Museum and Hall of Fame, online at www.twincountyhalloffame.com, local residents can learn about people who made an impact here. One local football player is Jimmy Clack, inducted into sports Hall of Fame in 2006. […]
editorial
“First World” Problems
By Kay Whatley and Nicole Banks References to the “third world” bring to mind images of families living in crude dwellings, undernourished people, and poor-quality water supplies. This term has been used for decades and dates back to […]
feature
Shades of Grey: Paperwork
Some situations are viewed in black and white; right and wrong. Yet, many people think situations also have a grey area where solutions are not so easily discerned. This is not just about the choices people make, but […]
state-nc
The Strange-ness: Mysterious Activity in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
By Frank and Kay Whatley A deep crack was discovered July 12th slicing a Blue Ridge Parkway road in two. The feet-deep fissure, caused by weather, led to the road’s closure. This road closure northeast […]
feature
The Strange-ness: Cougars of Eastern NC
In our May 15, 2011, newspaper issue, we reported on the Glen Alpine NC search for a large cat seen repeatedly in the area by residents and police patrols. Reports from their local police described the […]
filmindustry
CBS’s Under The Dome Premiere
CBS’s Under The Dome Premiere 2013 Photo Gallery The Premiere of CBS’s Under The Dome was held Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Wilmington NC. Hosted at the beautiful Thalian Hall, the event included time for […]
feature
A Little Bit of History: Country Doctor Museum
Driving along US 264, a signpost announces the Country Doctor Museum. Locals and visitors alike may be intrigued by this sign, and decide to take the Bailey NC exit and check out this history museum. According to […]
food
Raleigh NC March Against Monsanto 2013
Raleigh May 25, 2013 “March Against Monsanto” Photo Gallery
business
Rocky Mount Improvements: Getting Buildings Back to Business
By Frank and Kay Whatley It’s recycling on a large scale: renovating last century’s buildings and bringing life and light back to downtown areas. Decades ago, as the buildings decayed and businesses fled to flashy […]
editorial
The Good News/Bad News…Vultures Abound
An abundance of road kill, and warm weather, means an abundance of vultures hanging around this winter. Turkey vultures (red headed) clean up road kill alongside the slightly more aggressive black vultures (black headed). Serving […]
editorial
Recording Family Memories
By Kay Whatley When my Grandmother, Ruth, was in her 90s, we started recording her telling stories of her life. She had written some down during her life. We got her on tape talking about her early life. […]
local-nc
Yard Waste Collection Improves with New Vehicle
By Brian Bowman, Town of Knightdale Starting in March, a new yard waste collection truck will circle Knightdale, North Carolina. The truck includes a special claw system for picking up branches and bags of grass clippings. Half […]
feature
The Strange-ness: Mice, Parachutes and the US Air Force
In the North Pacific Ocean, several thousand miles West of Hawaii and East of the Philippines, lies the small island of Guam. In Guam, mice laced with acetaminophen are being air-dropped to control brown tree snakes. The US […]
editorial
Save by Buying Used Video Games? Maybe. Maybe Not.
Rumor has it that the next generation of video game consoles will be much more restrictive. Games will be tied to a specific console. Reselling games could come to be seen as a type of “piracy” and be […]
editorial
“Dear Brothers” — a Letter from Pope Benedict XVI
From the Vatican, February 10, 2013: I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the […]
feature
Shades of Grey: Shopping
Some situations are viewed in black and white; right and wrong. Yet, many people think situations also have a grey area where solutions are not so easily discerned. This is not just about the choices people make, but […]
editorial
Of Cabbages and Kale
Contributed by Connie Schultz, Extension Master Gardener/Composter (Johnston County Extension Services) “The time has come,” the Walrus said, “to speak of many things; of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings….” (excerpt […]
chuckles
Chuckle of the Issue: Hearing Test
A man was talking to the family doctor. He said, “Doc, I think my wife is going deaf.” The doctor replied, “Well, we can do some testing. But here’s something you can try on her to test […]
feature
The Strange-ness: Chemtrails
Contributed by Chris Chappell By now everyone has seen crisscrossing streaks of white clouds trailing behind jet aircraft, stretching from horizon to horizon, eventually turning the sky into a murky haze. Our gut tells us these […]
state-nc
The Strange-ness: Fish Kill Reported at Masonboro Island
State environmental officials reported on January 11, 2013, hundreds of thousands of dead Atlantic Menhaden fish at Masonboro Island in Wilmington NC. The dead fish are along the Masonboro Island beaches and in the water, stretching over a […]
feature
The Strange-ness: US Government Decides Not To Build Death Star
By Kay Whatley, Editor Did you know that any American can start a petition for change? On petitions.whitehouse.gov, you can sign or start petitions for the issues you’d like to see the government address. Any petition reaching 100,000 […]
editorial
Things We Did: Riding the Rails in NC
By Kay Whatley Like many families, ours has spread across the country. With my oldest daughter living all the way on the West Coast, visits are tough. Luckily, she recently made a trip to Boston MA, bringing her […]
feature
The Strange-ness: Living without Food
Prahlad Jani lives in India and is in his mid-80s. He claims to have lived without eating food or drinking water since 1940. Breatharianism is a concept where believers think that the energy of the sun is […]
movies
Carmike 10-Wilson Movie Review of the Issue: The Hobbit
By Frank and Kay Whatley For this issue, we reviewed The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. This film is the first of three films retelling the story of Bilbo Baggins. The films follow the story line […]