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Columns

  • Winners announced in Brunswick 365 photo contest

    For the past two years, we at The Brunswick Beacon have asked readers to submit photos depicting their unique views of Brunswick County for our annual photo contest. Aptly named Uniquely Brunswick County, submissions showed the area’s beautiful beaches, local landmarks and wildlife.

    This year, we were looking for something different. We wanted to know how our readers see Brunswick County 365 days a year. This year has been interesting. With a rare snowfall and record rainfall, it seemed the photo opportunities in 2010 were endless.

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  • Bridge brings own brand of brouhaha

    Just when you thought it was finally safe to cross the Intracoastal Waterway on a deluxe, no-waiting-required high-rise bridge, a whole new can of worms crawls out.

    First and foremost, since the new $40 million-or-so span officially opened to traffic Nov. 11, was the wreck that occurred within 24 hours at its mainland entry, spurring some townspeople to demand installation of a traffic light there.

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  • Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature we prefer it warm

    In 2007 when I had the opportunity to come to Brunswick County, I also had a chance to leave the U.S. and get a taste of the newspaper business in Canaada.

    Know much about Edmonton, Alberta, Canada? 

    It’s beautiful, with rolling flat fields of bright yellow canola in the summer. The sky stretches forever, and white fluffy clouds seem to be within reach. If you tiptoe just high enough, maybe you can jump up and touch one. 

    Summers in Alberta are enticing.

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  • Limit politicians’ terms in office so it doesn’t lead to terms in the penitentiary

    Talk about a slap on the wrist (not to mention a colossal waste of taxpayer money).

    Our dear former governor, known across the state as the “education governor,” but known affectionately around these parts as “Sleasley,” Mike Easley pleaded guilty to one felony count of certifying a false campaign report in state court last month.

    One count, $1,000 fine, no jail time—that’s apparently your punishment if you’re a former governor.

    Rubbish!

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  • Programs such as Head Start help kids get an early start on learning

    We’ve had several stories and editorials lately about how many people in our community need help especially during the holidays.

    This isn’t something new. There have always been people in our community who need a little extra assistance, especially families this time of year.

    It reminds me to count my blessings because I was one of those kids myself. 

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  • Cyber Monday girl not up for the hassle that is Black Friday

    I have always loved to watch game shows on TV, but I never expected to find myself in a real-life version.

    One of my favorites was always “Supermarket Sweep.” Three teams took turns to guess the price of items and win 10 seconds to build up a lengthy sweep time. The big sweep, as it was called, was a free-for-all, where one person from each team tried to fill his or her shopping cart with the most expensive items in hopes of having the highest grocery bill at the end.

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  • Do-it-yourself travel has its privileges

    My idea of an ideal vacation used to involve air travel and a nice hotel.

    Those were the good ol’ days, pre-dating terrorism plots posed by the likes of Osama bin Laden & Co., a murky economic outlook and a resurgence of bedbugs.

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  • Victims provide support for one another during cycle of grief

    When you lose someone you love in a tragic, sudden, violent way, you spend a lot of time thinking about how you feel.

    In the days and weeks and months that follow a loss, you wonder if you’ll ever survive the weight of the grief you feel—the anger and the hurt and sadness that clings to you.

    As time passes, your brain tells you that you should be coping better—that the pain should be less and the reflection of good times more.

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  • Thanksgiving musings from a thankful columnist—political and otherwise

    Instead of writing about all the ways House Speaker-turned minority leader Nancy Pelosi has ruined our country, I thought I’d share what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, in keeping with the spirit of the season.

    After all, the fact that she is no longer House Speaker come January is reason enough for all of us to be thankful this holiday season.

    I guess that’s one. Here are a few more, in no particular order.

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  • The year is creeping closer to a close; we’re looking ahead to 2011

    It’s hard to believe next week Brunswick County residents will be headed out to local stores to try to find the best and hottest deals of the holiday season.

    How is it already November? Can you believe the end of the year is almost here?

    Here at The Brunswick Beacon, we’re already looking forward to what we’re going to do in 2011.

    From planning special sections and projects to setting individual and team goals, we’ll be spending the next few months determining what we do well and what we can do better.

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