A few days ago, I was rummaging through the various drugstore aisles that contain the medicines and cures you can buy without a prescription. I was looking for a particular eyedrop that the eye doc said would help control the agony of pollen in the eyes since the recent monsoons hadn’t completely eliminated the issue. more

North Carolina teachers put in hundreds of hours into their profession. Their work extends far outside the walls of a classroom; they support our state’s children at sports games, band performances, and church programs. They are the glue that holds our schools and communities together. more

The News + Record asked individuals on either side of the tree protection at Chatham Park discussion to write a 750-word opinion piece of the subject. Elaine Chiosso is the Executive Director of … more

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."  more

There were many celebrations of Earth Day over the weekend, including at the church where I serve as pastor. We held a blessing of animals that was open to the wider community. All sacred occasions should include food, and we offered (per theme) animal cookies, goldfish crackers and cheddar bunnies. more

All along life’s journey are signposts and mileposts that mark important points on that journey. While some are unique to an individual, many others are ones we have in common with most every … more

In Chatham County Schools, there was a survey in 2017 that recorded 34% of those students feeling “hopeless” almost every day. more

Due to the lack of proper facilities, some Chatham residents are forced to run on high-traffic roads, or bumpy trails that seem ready to twist your ankle at any moment. more

My education was supposed to keep an eager yet foolish chaplain, such as myself, from sticking his foot in his mouth while attempting to minister to a Hindu patient or a Jehovah's Witness family more

The late Paul “Bear” Bryant was famous for a number of things. And a story went around for awhile that after he died, his widow moved to Chapel Hill so she could get as far away from big-time college football as she could. more

For my family and many of yours, the holiday season is the best time of the year. From decking the halls to exchanging gifts with loved ones and friends, our joyful holiday traditions serve as a … more

Mr. Webster, in his book of words, defines “tradition” as “an inherited, established or customary pattern of thought, action or behavior” and as “the handing down of … more

My favorite childhood concept was the do-over. Whether shooting hoops or swinging a baseball bat, sometimes I needed a second chance. Maybe a third or fourth! Adults, however, are less receptive … more

In an extraordinary move, Special Counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court on Monday to rule on President Donald Trump's claim that he is immune from prosecution for election interference. The … more

Here in the last week of the year, one might reflect upon the highs and lows of 2023 or look to the future by making resolutions. One might also have one’s hands full of the endless tasks … more

All the gifts are gone from under the tree and soon my better half will throw out the cedar tree our son cut from his pasture land and brought to our house so we could have a “real” tree … more

On the weekend of June 29 – July 2, two different groups of activists gathered at the Marriott in downtown Philadelphia. One group spent the majority of the weekend outside the building … more

The “P” word? There’s a word I’m hesitant to use for fear of scaring people off — polarization. In fact, when I see the “P” word in a news story, I contemplate heading for the exit myself. It-is-just-such-a-polarizing word. Viscerally, I find myself reacting as I would to a charged four-letter word except … It doesn’t have four-letters. more

Some few years ago Better Half and I had a screened-in back porch added to our humble dwelling. It started out to be a deck but somewhere between starting and finishing, we had the inspiration of why not make it a screen porch. more

Bob Marley’s distinctive song immediately came to mind when I learned that July 28 is National Buffalo Soldier Day — instituted in 1992 by Gen. Colin Powell at the dedication of a memorial in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Like many suburban white kids of my generation, I thought Marley was cool; I had no idea about the political subtext of the reggae star’s song. more