Time to buy a car? Short of buying a house, this is one on the most important purchases you will make. It’s also one that you might be making several times through your life, comprising of thousands – sometimes tens of thousands – of dollars. Monday, October 15, 2018
I don’t think there is a mother out there who hasn’t baked cookies for their children or some other reason. Jaime Stephens bakes cookies and cake pops and it has turned into a side business for her. Sunday, October 14, 2018
Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Don’t be cryptic. You don’t have to be rude, crass, or insulting in order to be direct. Simply state you need to, then stop talking. There’s no need to “beat a dead horse”. Friday, October 12, 2018
One of the challenges facing teenagers in our community and everywhere is how to function effectively in a digital world. A majority of teens spend about nine hours a day with a smartphone in their hands. And the result is not incidental: loneliness, anxiety and teenage obesity are more prevalent than ever before. Wednesday, October 10, 2018
People will follow leaders they trust. One of the simplest ways for leaders to gain and maintain followers is to lead with integrity. In order to lead with integrity, you may have to deny yourself some of the pleasures that others claim to experience. But, in the end, it’s worth it. Friday, October 5, 2018
It was standing room only at the rally against the incorporation of Denver Monday night (Oct. 1st) at the East Lincoln Community Center. Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Do you know how much money you have in your checking account? If you keep your checkbook balanced, answering that question becomes easier. Monday, October 1, 2018
They did not complain... That was their unseen gift to her... She is thankful that they did not... Did not teach her to complain... Sunday, September 30, 2018
Our fall vacation was scheduled for Myrtle Beach the week after all the rain and wind subsided. As a precaution we called the Myrtle Beach Travel Park to see if we were going to be able to take our vacation or not. Sunday, September 30, 2018
When you’re leading people, leading projects is part of the deal. It goes hand-in-hand with running a business or an organization. As such, projects tend to make up most of the short-term and medium-term activities that take up our day-to-day energies. Friday, September 28, 2018
This is a heavy multi answer question... She keeps cards in her home... She has files of cards... Get well, birthday, sympathy, etc... She likes to send them... Sunday, September 23, 2018
Somebody recently told me, “Most people have 4,000 weeks on this Earth…and that’s it.” Four thousand weeks. Wow. If you’re young that may seem so far away. But, if you’re old that may not seem very long at all. Friday, September 21, 2018
Common wisdom says that you should start saving for retirement as soon as you can. Why do some people wait decades to begin? Nearly everyone can save something. Even small cash savings may be the start of something big if they are invested wisely. Monday, September 17, 2018
Judge wrote this article in 2011 about her mother who had Alzheimer's. We ran it last year and since Judge has had shoulder surgery and is recuperating we are repeating some of her earlier articles. We hope it will interest people who are dealing with this subject. Sunday, September 16, 2018
We’ve all heard about preppers who stock up on supplies in case something bad happens that puts them off the grid. Thanks to Hurricane Florence, most of us became preppers ourselves, stocking up on water, nonperishable food, matches, batteries, medications and other supplies. Saturday, September 15, 2018
Being an effective leader requires being innovative. How do you do that today and tomorrow, right where you are? Look around, listen to what people are saying, and pay attention to your everyday life. Friday, September 14, 2018
She did not know anything about cancer, but she knew a lot about her Grandmother. Grandma was the sweet lady that she had known for the past 16 years. Sunday, September 9, 2018
Lots of people have said over the years, “publicity is publicity”. It’s all about how you use it. Meaning, if you know what you’re doing, you can convert negative publicity into positive. Friday, September 7, 2018
My hairstylist is right about more than just my hair color… Pinterest is the devil. While she was referring to hair color and styles, I found it to be true for those cute farmhouse motifs and do-it-yourself recommendations. Wednesday, September 5, 2018
I know it’s September, but if you’re like me, 2019 began months ago with a scheduled dental appointment, club meetings and conference dates. By early August, my notes for the coming year were bunching up on the margins for December. Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Can a child inherit an IRA? The answer is yes, though they cannot legally own the IRA and its invested assets. Until the child turns 18 (or 21, in some states), the inherited IRA is a custodial account, managed by an adult on behalf of the minor beneficiary. Monday, September 3, 2018
She came into the world in February 1942... By spring she was old enough... Old enough to be outside rocking... Rocking in Grandma's arms... Sunday, September 2, 2018
Because the VA does not do a good job explaining their benefits and processes, Veterans often fall for scams. Filing a VA claim is pretty simple if you understand the process. The best approach is to see a County Service Officer to help you with the process. Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Listening to the discussion at the Village of Denver incorporation meeting Thursday night (Aug. 23rd), this reporter was reminded of a book he read years ago while in college. I told supporters of the proposal afterward, "the horse is dead." Sunday, August 26, 2018
“But it is Free Mama.”... That was her statement... Statement to her Mama... “No Darling. Nothing is free”... Was Mama's statement back... Sunday, August 26, 2018
Of all the back-to-school advice parents need to share with their kids and students need to read and understand, this article may be the MOST important. Friday, August 24, 2018
If you are going to succeed as a leader in business or in an organization, there must be a positive, aggressive spirit about what you do. Finding the right balance between too laid back and too intense is important. Friday, August 24, 2018
You fumble through pockets, bags and check your surroundings and suddenly realize the horror: your brand new cell phone has vanished. Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Is student loan debt weighing on the economy? Probably. Total student loan debt in America is now around $1.5 trillion, having tripled since 2008. Monday, August 20, 2018
Recently, my family and I had the pleasure of hunkering down on some really good food at dinner with friends. “Tah Dah! Come enjoy what we’ve prepared for you!” Low Country Boil! Friday, August 17, 2018
California’s fire season has been a record-breaker. This latest wildfire, dubbed the Holy Fire, has had me keenly interested. Photos of a suburban neighborhood showed thick smoke billowing from hills overlooking the area where our son and family lived less than two years ago. Tuesday, August 14, 2018
A second information meeting about incorporating the Village of Denver will be held Wednesday evening at the East Lincoln Community Center. Tuesday, August 14, 2018
As Ryan and Katie talked about what they wanted to do for their vacation they decided to go to the Bahamas. Ryan spent a week researching the Bahamas and in March he booked their flights on Expedia. Then he booked the excursions they would take during their week there in July. Sunday, August 12, 2018
What is your personality type? Are you INTJ, ENTJ, ISFP, ESFP, etc.? There are 16 different types that you could be, and your particular type comes from what makes you tick. Friday, August 10, 2018
Blue-green algae and the red tide aren't just Florida problems. That state's governor declared a state of emergency in June after massive fish kills on the southwest coast and a loss of tourism income resulting from algae in the ocean. The state slowed releases of water from Lake Okeechobee and other locations on the St. Lucie River--and that made the algae problem there even worse. But it isn't just a Florida problem. Wednesday, August 8, 2018
If you’re like me, you’ve spent most of your working life in Catawba County. I hadn’t thought much about that until I attended docent training at the Museum of History on the Square in Newton. That’s where “The Way We Worked” will be exhibited from Aug. 10-Sept. 18. Tuesday, August 7, 2018
First, look at your expenses and your debt. Review your core living expenses (such as a mortgage payment, car payment, etc.). Can any core expenses be reduced? Investing aside, you position yourself to gain ground financially when income rises, debt shrinks, and expenses decrease or stabilize. Monday, August 6, 2018
In the year 2018 there are many questions... Lots of answers... Some fit and some do not... People think back to other times... Why are people so different now... Sunday, August 5, 2018
The inchworm is a simple looking, yet profound little creature. At first appearance, you may think, “My what a tiny thing. It must take it forever for it to get from here to there.” Friday, August 3, 2018
There’s lots of discussion on social media about the reinvigorated effort to incorporate Denver. This has resulted in the usual and predictable flaming, and lack of useful exchange. Monday, July 30, 2018
She looked out the window... New people moving in across the street... Trucks in the drive way... Items being moved... Hot and humid... Chocolate cookies would be nice... Sunday, July 29, 2018
Last week I had lunch with two of the ladies I worked with when I worked at Mecklenburg Medical Group in Charlotte, N.C. It had been a little over 20 years since we last saw each other. Sunday, July 29, 2018
In 2001, while traveling overseas, I was talking with a couple of people in a neighborhood. They were lamenting about not having enough money to buy necessities, let alone to build a small house they wanted and needed for their growing family. Friday, July 27, 2018
On Friday, July 13 I stepped into a house built by my 9th great-grandfather, Benjamin Balch. No, I am not making this up. The Balch House, located in coastal Beverly, Mass., dates to 1679 and is one of the oldest wooden houses in North America. Tuesday, July 24, 2018
The median retirement age for an American woman is 62. The Federal Reserve says so in its most recent Survey of Household Economics and Decision-making (2017). Sixty-two, of course, is the age when seniors first become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. Monday, July 23, 2018
She was young then... She is old now... Back then she was unsure of her future... Now she can look back and... And see smiles and tears... Sunday, July 22, 2018
Being above the chronological age of “younger”, there is no longer only a Purist part in me. Having experienced joy, excitement, sadness, anger, death of loved ones, dreams, broken bones, and sickness (just like you have), there is now a Realist part that also resides in me. Friday, July 20, 2018
Death is always unexpected. Even when you know someone's passing is imminent, that final moment comes as a shock, a jolt to your senses. My good friend Pudge Cornwell's passing was very unexpected. He will be missed. (1 comments) Thursday, July 19, 2018
