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Columns

  • The only drink I need this summer

    I realize there are more pressing concerns about what Brunswick County residents are drinking, but that is a topic for a different section of the paper.

    I have a beverage issue that has needed addressing for a good long time now. Since summer officially arrived June 21, it’s time to strike while the temperature is hot.

    Four summers in Brunswick County plus another four decades of living in the South haven’t swayed me on the merits of sweet tea. No matter how sweet or cold it is, there will always be the limitation that it is made of tea.

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  • Tale of unpleasant roundabout experience gives some readers pause

    Writing last week about my ugly experience June 2 at one of Brunswick County’s roundabouts generated some good response from readers — actually, a bit more than I expected, considering staff writers Laura Lewis and Brian Slattery each had written columns two years ago about roundabouts and how to maneuver through them. It looks like the subject still strikes a nerve.

    Lest anyone mistake my position, let me go on record saying I’m pro-roundabout.

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  • A grateful neighbor gives thanks for help after fire

    By Lin Ferrari

    Guest Columnist

    My name is Lin Ferrari and I’d like to take a moment to thank a lot of people. Some of you we know, and we thank you, but there are so many people who have helped my family and me who we do not know. You have all been so wonderful to us and such a blessing. Thank you so very much.

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  • Funding cuts reduce juvenile diversion, dropout prevention programs

    By Bonnie Jordan

    Guest Columnist

    Brunswick County Schools recently notified Communities In Schools that funding to support CIS programs was being reduced for the coming school year by 44 percent.

    With less than 90 days until the new school year begins, this leaves the Action for Success Dropout Prevention program facing staff reductions, thereby reducing the number of students served, as well as decreasing the range of services provided.

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  • District 17 House update

    By Rep. Frank Iler

    Guest Columnist

    The North Carolina House of Representatives was busy last week. We honored a beloved deceased former member of the House, we passed a major regulatory reform bill and we had a special House page helping us for the week.

    While the full Appropriations Committee chairs and top leaders from the House and Senate put the finishing touches on the 2017-19 state budget, both chambers got busy on the bills that remain to be handled. We were assured we were close to having a final budget on which to vote this week.

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  • District 17 House update

    By Rep. Frank Iler

    Guest Columnist

    Last week in the North Carolina House of Representatives, we worked into the night in budget conference meetings with the Senate, we debated and passed a controversial gun bill, and we passed an energy bill almost unanimously.

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  • Education lottery offers chance to ‘dream a little’

    By Alice Garland

    Guest Columnist

    Perhaps it’s a dream of doing something fun, learning to scuba dive or going to Disney World. Maybe it’s a desire to help someone, paying for a new kitchen for your mother or donating to a good cause. Or it could be giving someone the gift of education.

    Over and over again, when you talk to someone about why they play the lottery, they mention they have fun thinking about what they would do if they win. They talk about their dreams.

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  • You decide: Are changes ahead for state pensions?

    By Dr. Mike Walden

    Guest Columnist

    My wife has now been retired for 10 years. She taught elementary school for 32 years, usually putting in 12- to 14-hour days when classroom time, after school grading and lesson plans are included. She was a teacher for so long that many times she taught the children of former students. She took pride in the accomplishments of her pupils, and even today is thrilled to see some of them — of various ages — about town.

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  • Give me a break, please — not the brakes

    Hello, again! I’m back from my week-long column hiatus, which was prompted by two reasons.

    1. I was recovering from a root canal — only my second ever, but on the same tooth, and it didn’t go as well as the first. I’ll leave it at that.

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  • On Campus with BCC: Celebrating the college’s best day of the year

    By Dr. Susanne Adams

    Guest Columnist

    Commencement ceremonies are community celebrations characterized by applause, whistles, hugs and flowers. Family, friends, teachers, and peers recognize milestone achievements of loved ones and honor outstanding accomplishments of select students, teachers and educational leaders.

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