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Columns

  • 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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  • Are you getting scanned or opting out when flying next week?

    The day before Thanksgiving, this year, falls on Wednesday, Nov. 24.

    Experts claim it’s the most traveled day in the entire 365. If you’re among those who choose to take a plane ride next week, be prepared for a little longer wait time than you’re used to.

    They say for domestic flights, arrive at the airport an hour and a half early. But in case you haven’t heard, there’s a “national protest day” taking place that might extend those security lines a little longer than usual.

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  • Watch out for deer, dear drivers

    In that great ledger of the deerly departed comes a recent report about the odds of a driver hitting one in a state-by-state account.

    So far, it ain’t lookin’ good for Dasher, Dancer and the gang this season in North Carolina.

    According to a press release issued last month by State Farm Insurance, the likelihood of a vehicle colliding with a deer (and vice versa) within the next 12 months in this state is 1 in 147.

    This compares to 1 in 13,011 in Hawaii, the lowest ranked state, and 1 in 42 in top-ranked West Virginia.

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  • Not sure if someone works for the Beacon? Feel free to call and ask

    It has been brought to our attention that in recent months some individuals may be misrepresenting themselves as Brunswick Beacon employees in our community.

    We have had calls indicating individuals have appeared at community events and local businesses saying they are from The Brunswick Beacon, but we do not believe they are.

    Concerned citizens have indicated there may have been people shooting photos at community sporting events improperly saying they are Brunswick Beacon employees.

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  • Farewell, Madame Speaker. Man up, Mr. (presumptive) Speaker-Elect

    San Francisco could have represented both London and Paris in Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Tale of Two Cities” last week.

    It was the best of times as the San Francisco Giants clinched the World Series title after defeating the Texas Rangers four games to one.

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  • Teeth gritting, jaw clenching and mental coin tossing my way to the polls

    As a journalist, I take my right to vote seriously. 

    It would be hypocritical to be involved with issues of newsprint dedicated to telling candidates’ stories, challenging contenders, sponsoring forums and encouraging people to vote and then not go out and vote myself.

    So I do my part to show up at the polls each Election Day. I thought about doing early voting this year, but I think there’s something more exciting about going to the polls on Election Day.

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  • So much good news taking place at Brunswick County Schools

    Everywhere I turned last week, good news seemed to follow.

    I love visiting schools, and I love good news, so last week was a win-win. Covering the education beat definitely keeps me busy, but I always tell teachers to let me know of any events going on at the school. If my schedule will allow time, I’ll be there. From class projects to student accomplishments, I cover them all.
    Last week was no different. In less than two days, I spent time at three different schools in the county and was equally impressed with what was going on inside.

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  • News spin-meisters strike again

    The one-year anniversary meeting of the Concerned Citizens of Carolina Shores two weeks ago kicked off just like a party.

    It was an anniversary celebration, after all, with members of the political action committee feeling and looking festive.

    Everyone who moseyed through the door of the big meeting room at the Calabash fire station was greeted with big smiles and cheery how-dos—even the one-person media in attendance, also known as me.

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  • I thought it could be the most impressive, compact medication packaging ever

    For the last several years I’ve suffered from chronic back pain coupled with an inability to sleep regularly at night. 

    It doesn’t help I spend far more of my time at a desk working than I do exercising. It’s a problem that keeps compounding itself.

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  • Brunswick County voters put their opinions where it matters—in the ballot box

    When it comes to elections, I tend to be a bit of a hypocrite. I complain about how much extra work it is, how I can’t wait until Nov. 3, when the elections are behind us.

    But, at the same time, I live for this. Yes, I’m tired, I’m cranky, and most of all, I’m sick of dealing with candidates, but I love it.

    In fact, as much as I say I can’t wait for elections to be over, I hate it more when they finally do come to an end.

    I’m actually a little sad when they end, believe it or not.

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