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Opinion

  • New leaders should reflect on past

    To the editor: The following excerpt is written by Rev. William J.H. Boetcker from the turn of the century. Its relevance to today’s political climate is quite evident.

  • Yes, Virginia, there are Christmas...

    To the editor: A mother sat next to the fireplace lost in thought. Three years ago that day, her oldest child left and never returned home.

    A year later, her other child, next to the oldest, joined his brother in heaven. Her sadness echoed through the house. She did what all mothers do when they are hurting—she called her mother.

    “Please pray for God to comfort me. I just feel so broken. I know that he has reassured me over and over that the children are with him, but I am sure that he understands the heart of a mother.”

  • Mother enjoys week of firsts with...

    Last week proved to be a week of firsts for my son. It began with trip to the dentist and culminated with a Christmas parade and ride on a double-decker carousel.

    Last Thursday, I was extremely nervous—much more nervous than my son, who would be the one in the dentist’s chair. How would I keep him still for the exam? What if he bit the dentist? What if we had to wait a long time before our appointment?

  • Our close encounters with the...

    Since 1973, around Christmas time, I have dressed up in an authentic Santa Claus suit and experienced joy with countless children and adults at home and overseas.

    This story shares highlights of a wonderful hobby.

    The Origin of St. Nicholas

    A credible account appeared in The Brunswick Beacon on Dec. 20, 2007, titled “The history behind the real Saint Nicholas; Yes there is a Santa Claus” by Dewey Simpson, Special To The Beacon.

  • Shopped till I got a Black Friday...

     

     

    LAURA LEWIS

    There are three things I vowed never to do in this life: Go bungee-jumping (I still haven’t), eat beets (I still don’t) and wait outside on cold concrete in the wee hours waiting to buy some fool thing on Black Friday.

    Well, two out of three ain’t bad.

  • Thinks incident should be handled...

    To the editor: In reference to Frank Smith’s letter: “Unhappy with Police Department.”

    Just to make a point of Mr. Smith’s letter, I did some research regarding his statement that the Shallotte Police Department allegedly said a crime had not been committed since no money changed hands and an investigation would not be warranted.

    I researched the North Carolina General Statutes and a partial reading of Article 19, False Pretenses and Cheats, states:

    “Obtaining property by false pretenses:

  • To give or not to give, and the...

    A hood that was pulled up from a sweatshirt covered his head. To block the uncharacteristically cold wind that was blowing, he had a jacket tightened around him.

    From beneath it I could see that familiar red apron indicating he was standing in the cold for a good reason—he was a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army.

  • Can we afford to ‘Buy...

    Can you imagine cutting strangers’ credit cards, walking around malls dressed as zombies or getting together with friends to drive shopping carts around in a conga line at a local discount store?

    Those are a few of the ideas Adbusters, a nonprofit organization of anti-big business types, suggested for what they call “Buy Nothing Day,” a protest movement on the day after Thanksgiving.

  • Now is the time to keep campaign...

    This week several elected officials representing Brunswick County Commissioners, the register of deeds, county coroner and the Brunswick County Board of Education were sworn into office.

    As they stood before family, friends, government leaders and their constituents, for many the moment highlighted the hard work each of these invested into getting elected.

  • Friends of Library say thanks

    To the editor: The Southport/Oak Island Friends of the Library would like to extend a huge thank you to the community and all our dedicated volunteers for their overwhelming support during our second annual Friends of the Library Week Oct. 19-25.

    Friends of the Library supports and works with the local libraries to help provide books and various needed supplies not included in the county budget for our community libraries, as well as volunteers to help the local libraries in any way needed.

  • Are you a saint?

    To the editor: As we just experienced “All Saints Day,” I ask you: are you a saint? I am.

    Before anyone who knows me heads to the phone to call me a heretic or a hypocrite, let me explain. It is not because of any good works I have done.

    It is because of God’s authority in His Word that tells us what a saint is.

    We in this world call a person a saint if they display devout and sacrificial service for a church or a cause. God describes a saint as one who has received Christ as Lord and Savior.

  • Talents may be wasted here

    To the editor:

    Re: John Heidtke’s column in Nov. 27 issue of the Beacon.

    As a retired law enforcement officer (FBI 1969-1994) and resident of Brunswick County, I enjoyed your column, “Decent People versus Criminals and Thugs: Who Will Prevail?”

    With all due respect to your interest and research into the subject as it concerns Brunswick County (with which I totally agree), I believe your energies might be best directed elsewhere.

  • Changing with the times is not...

    I love a good board game.

    For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved games. Before I started school, I’d play board games with my Nanny nearly every day. I’d play all day if she were up for it.

    The farthest back I can remember is playing a version of Memory. Scrabble was always a favorite of ours, as well as a game called, “It’s Only Money,” which makes me think that’s where my shopping addiction began, but that’s another column.

  • Saying goodbye to a distinguished...

    Brunswick County lost one of its most distinguished native sons Oct. 28.

    Joseph A. Gore, a Supply native, was born in 1930 to G. M. Gore and Amelia Bryant Gore. He graduated from the public schools of Brunswick County in 1948, earned a bachelor’s degree from Livingston College and served as a medic with the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division from 1953-55.

  • Uptight about the economy? Seek a...

    “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand…”

    Henry David Thoreau

    1817 – 1863

    The beauty of attending Holden Beach Chapel is we hear a different preacher every Sunday.

    Last Sunday, we enjoyed a lively Quaker pastor sporting a long white beard. His refreshing sermon was pertinent to the joy found through leading a simple lifestyle, something we surely need more of these days.

  • Widow is ready to move on

    To the editor:

    I owe so many people my gratitude and apologies. I spent so much time reacting out of anger, hurt, and pain. I have now let go of my pain, anger and hurt.

    My deepest apologies to everyone who stood in my angry line of fire. Thanks for your love, care, kindness, and patience.

    I owe the most gratitude and apologies to my husband, Adam Bradshaw. I was blessed and fortunate when I met Adam. I found someone I could trust with my heart, life, all that I have and all that I am.

  • Holden Beach Causeway Streetscape

    To the editor:

    Being a local Realtor and traveling down the causeway almost daily, I have wondered what our causeway area would evolve to be.

    My family and I moved here in 2000 and other than minor fluctuations of business owners occasionally drifting in and out of leased space of existing buildings, there has been minimal change.

  • Decent people versus thugs: Who...

    Recently, at my request, a senior Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office sergeant escorted me on a late night visit to seven residential areas the department identifies as priority drug enforcement targets.

    They are listed in the article I wrote about the “ride along” experience.

    A trusted friend of mine approached me in church wearing a grin that reminded me of a possum eating peanut butter through a screen door.

  • Season’s hottest toys...

    At more than two feet long, it might be a little difficult to squeeze Spike the Ultra Dinosaur inside your busy shopping cart this holiday season, but if you’re a parent who is intent on getting your child one of the season’s top holiday gifts, you might want to plan ahead for this one.

    According to besttoysguide.com, Fisher-Price’s Spike is one of the must-haves of the season. The green plastic dinosaur comes complete with a remote control that, when activated, enables Spike to move and sound like the real thing.

  • Memorial service offers hope for...

    I sat quietly as the names scrolled across the big screen in the front of the church. Some names I didn’t recognize, but most names I did.

    The names were names of those lost to murder, drunk driving and domestic violence, and the gravity of the evening was not lost on this reporter. Many of the names I recognized because I had reported on their deaths.

    I knew when and how these victims were taken from their families, but for the first times in many of their stories, I saw the people left behind in the wake of their senseless deaths.

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