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Today's Opinions

  • Best and worst of 2008: Trends

    I promised I’d be back with more “best and worst” of the year. This time, I’ve decided to take on the trends of 2008.

    From “going green” to vampire books and movies, and from presidential slogans to penny-pinching, it was definitely a memorable year—for both good and bad trends.

    Best: I’m all for the trend of making good movies for kids and adults. “WALL-E” was one of the best movies I’ve seen in years, and it was highly entertaining for my daughter as well.

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  • Beach rentals still a bargain

    To the editor: This is a reply to the Gastonia reader’s letter last week about rising rental rates at Holden Beach.

    First is my disclaimer: I once rented my beach property at Holden Beach, but I haven't done so in more than 10 years, so I gain no benefit from higher rentals.

    Costs of owning beach property have risen dramatically. A vacuum sewer system has been installed for our convenience and the significant cost has been passed on to the homeowners for installation and higher water bills.

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  • Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

    In the spirit of the holidays, knowing many readers have faced difficult times during the past year, we reprint “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” to spread Christmas cheer.

    Eight-year-old Virginia Hanlon penned the original letter, and it appeared in the New York Sun in 1897.

    Veteran newspaperman Francis Pharcellus Church wrote the response. Since it’s creation some 111 years ago, the piece has become history’s most reprinted editorial.

    “Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.

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  • This year’s gift?

    To the editor:

    This year’s gift to give to you,

    Has no ribbon, wrap or bows.

    There’s no box or tissue to discard.

    There’s no “dust collector” to show.

    This year’s gift I give to you,

    Can be kept and given away.

    It’s something that you can’t leave,

    But take wherever you go or stay.

    This year’s gift I give to you,

    It’s a wonderful eternal treasure.

    I received it quite a few years ago,

    I happily regift it, with pleasure.

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  • Look for a silver lining in disappointments

    Some view disappointments as a prelude to failure; others view disappointments as stepping stones to success.

    Most major achievements are born out of failure and disappointments. The space program failed many times before it succeeded. Experimental space rockets crashed and fell back to earth before a reliable space carrier was developed.

    Most medical cures are products of multiple test tube failures.

    The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers failed before they succeeded. Michael Jordan spent six years in the NBA before he won his first championship.

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  • Tell board members to support planetarium

    To the editor: If you’ve been reading the Beacon recently, you must know that the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation and Ingram Planetarium are in the midst of a capital campaign that we are pleased to report has received broad based community support.

    Dozens of individuals, organizations, businesses, the county, our school system and other municipalities have endorsed us, and in many cases, provided funding. I mention this because at some recent Sunset Beach town meetings, comments were made that implied the community was not supporting our efforts.

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  • Supports Shallotte Middle

    To the editor: With all the negative publicity Shallotte Middle School has received, I was considering sending my child to a private school. Not wanting to separate her from friends, I decided to give it a try, while keeping the private schools on the back burner.

    Although we are only four months into the school year, I am pleased with my child’s repertoire of teachers.

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  • Upset about detention center

    To the editor: My name is James Saunders. I’m writing to you in regard to the many inmates being held here in the Brunswick County Jail for weeks, even months at a time, after being sentenced to the N.C. Department of Corrections.

    [At the time of writing this letter], I will have been here for 17 days waiting to be shipped.

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