| About That Teacher Shortage |
With school about to start for 2022-2023, there are teacher shortages all over. Lincoln County Schools need 22 more certified teachers, Gaston County needs 80. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were still 377 short as of Tuesday. Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, President and Executive Director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina says the biggest reason is pay. While state legislators were patting themselves on the back for giving teachers a raise, Dr.Wolf says, it's just not enough.
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
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August 9, 2022 11:46
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| Nothing Says VBS Like Popsicle Sticks, Cherry Kool-Aid |
Recently, Southern Living Magazine ran an article about Vacation Bible School being a mark of growing up Southern. I disagree. Bible school was very much a part of my Midwestern upbringing, and I sense the same for other parts of the country.
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
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August 7, 2022 13:26
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| Is Loosening Standards a Step in the Wrong Direction? |
Most readers are by now familiar with Florida's decision to allow veterans and members of their families t become teachers in that state's schools with little or no education training. In North Carolina, a debate has also surfaced on requirements for those involved in early childhood education.
Monday, August 8, 2022
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August 7, 2022 07:30
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| The Retirement Reality Check |
Decades ago, there was a book entitled What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School. Perhaps someday, another book will appear to discuss certain aspects of the retirement experience that go unrecognized - the “fine print”, if you will.
Monday, August 8, 2022
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August 7, 2022 07:32
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| Many Questions---No Answers |
When did America get so dysfunctional... She used to think the word dysfunctional... Dysfunctional was over used... Maybe misunderstood... But now she thinks it is underused...
Sunday, August 7, 2022
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August 4, 2022 10:35
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| My America 2022 |
She still flies the American flag on the pole... But she knows that America is a different... Different place in 2022...
Sunday, July 31, 2022
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August 7, 2022 06:55
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| Officers Shouldn't Have to Handle Some Situations |
The bodycam video of two incidents involving Gastonia Police and a homeless man last October were released this week. The incidents point up the need for a backup system for law enforcement officers, too often called upon to deal with situations they aren't prepared to handle.
Friday, July 29, 2022
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July 28, 2022 09:38
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| Bonjour, Jean. Comment Vas-Tu? |
If you took French in the 1960s, chances are this dialog is burned into your memory: Bonjour Jean. Comment vas-tu? (Hello, John, How are you?)
(1 comments)
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
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July 22, 2022 11:04
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| The Behavior Gap And Your Financial Health |
Many people miss out on higher returns because of emotionally driven decisions, creating a behavior gap between their lower returns and what they could have earned.
Monday, July 25, 2022
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August 7, 2022 06:58
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| Mama's Adventure |
It was 1964... Columbia, S.C... Her Mama's husband, Jim was out of town... Navy Reserve in Charleston, S.C... Charleston for the weekend...
Sunday, July 17, 2022
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July 30, 2022 18:25
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| Supreme Court Will Consider NC Redistricting |
If you thought the US Supreme Court's reversal of its previous Roe v Wade decision had far reaching potential consequences, 'you ain't seen nothin' yet!' While a decision won't come soon enough to affect this year's election, it's likely to have major importance in the election of 2024.
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
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July 12, 2022 06:53
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| Please Don't Make Alexa Sound Like The Dead |
I don’t own an Alexa personal assistant, but if I did, I surely wouldn’t want her to replicate the voice of a dead relative.
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
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August 7, 2022 07:02
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| Should You Downsize For Retirement? |
You want to retire, and you own a large home that is nearly or fully paid off. The kids are gone, but the upkeep costs haven’t fallen. Should you retire and keep your home? Or sell your home and retire? Maybe it’s time to downsize.
Monday, July 11, 2022
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June 25, 2022 08:48
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| Relationships |
We all have relationships... Some relationships are good... Some relationships are less than wonderful...
Sunday, July 10, 2022
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July 18, 2022 08:59
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| Be Careful |
If you are a senior citizen trying to get some help with the cost of your prescriptions, be careful! Some of those who say they can help may instead take your money and provide you with nothing.
Thursday, July 7, 2022
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July 6, 2022 12:10
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| A "Convenia-nt" Solution For Cats |
Do your cats ever have the sniffles? Do they suffer from intermittent upper-respiratory infections, leading to an occasional nasal drip? If so, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about a Convenia-nt solution.
(1 comments)
Thursday, July 7, 2022
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July 6, 2022 10:03
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| Update from Sen. Alexander |
This is an update from North Carolina State Senator Ted Alexander, who represents Lincoln and Cleveland counties and the northwestern corner of Gaston County (effective this year) in the NC General Assembly, provided this update.
Thursday, July 7, 2022
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July 6, 2022 11:18
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| Friends And Friends |
The word “friends” covers many thoughts... She was 80 now... She was sitting on her porch... Thinking about 80 years of friends... Now that was an interesting subject...
Sunday, July 3, 2022
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July 12, 2022 00:00
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| Congratulations on Your Retirement |
Today (Friday July 1st) for the first time since November 2014, Kelly Atkins is not Lincoln County's County Manager. His retirement, after 32 years of service in a variety of positions, including the last eight as County Manager, became effective yesterday.
Friday, July 1, 2022
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July 31, 2022 11:43
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| Kelly Atkins: Letter to the Citizens |
Kelly Atkins has served Lincoln County in various roles for over 31 years, the last eight of those as County Manager. He is retiring from County employment effective this Thursday (June 30th). When he announced his pending retirement in February, we suggested that rather than us talk about his time with the County, he express himself in a letter to the citizens.
Thursday, June 30, 2022
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July 31, 2022 11:44
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| Stars Aligned To Birth Two Music Legends 80 Years Ago |
Apparently the stars were aligned in June 1942. As World War II blazed, two of the most legendary composers of our lifetime were born: Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson.
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
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June 26, 2022 11:01
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| Couples Retiring On The Same Page |
The Social Security Administration currently projects an average retirement of 18 years for a man and 21 years for a woman (assuming retirement at age 65). So, sharing the same vision of retirement (or at least respecting the difference in each other’s visions) seems crucial to retirement happiness.
Monday, June 27, 2022
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June 25, 2022 08:41
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| After-Thoughts on Roe v Wade |
The US Supreme Court reversed a previous decision dating back to 1973 this past week, overturning a precedent set by the Roe v Wade decision.
Sunday, June 26, 2022
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June 28, 2022 15:52
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| She Saw But Did Not See |
She rocks in the chair and remembers... Remembers the wonderful memories... Memories made with those loved Grandparents...
Sunday, June 26, 2022
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July 2, 2022 04:32
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| Sky Valley Music Camp |
Aunt E's friend owned and operated the camp... They had two weeks to get her there... It was in the N.C. Mountains... Uniforms were exchanged for blue jeans... “Big Blue” suit case was filled again... Off she went...
Sunday, June 19, 2022
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June 26, 2022 01:07
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| Air Travel Best Suited For The Birds |
Recently, while I was checking in to a flight at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the security line stretched the length of the Departures lobby. After two years of COVID restrictions, folks are eager to get out of Dodge while the getting’s good.
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
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June 22, 2022 21:12
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| Why Don't All Affluent People Become Wealthy? |
Some people are better off economically at 30 or 40 than they are at 50 or 60. In some cases, fate deals them a bad hand. In other cases, bad decisions and inaction are to blame.
Monday, June 13, 2022
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May 1, 2022 10:58
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| Long Time Ago |
In the 40's children were protected... There were no TVs... There were no I phones or I pads... No evening news about killings... Children had less to worry about... Children worried but about things... Things like missing the Lone Ranger Radio show...
Sunday, June 12, 2022
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June 19, 2022 09:50
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| Chairman Mitchem Should Not Resign |
By now, we assume that almost everyone knows that Carrol Mitchem, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, was arrested Wednesday night (June 8th) for driving while impaired. Some have called for his resignation because of the arrest. We do NOT believe he should resign.
Saturday, June 11, 2022
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June 10, 2022 08:41
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| Pride In Self |
She was a little girl in 1950... Her Mother was going to work... Her Mother's first job... Her Mother was 31 years old... Her Mother was so proud of herself...
Sunday, June 5, 2022
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June 13, 2022 22:37
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| Yoder Map A Window On Early Catawba County |
Few things intrigue me as much as old maps, and the 1886 chart of Catawba County is no exception. The poster-sized drawing was rendered by Rev. R. A. Yoder and sponsored by the county school board.
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
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May 26, 2022 11:12
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| How Market Cycles Can Impact Retirements |
Sequence of returns can play a role in your overall portfolio.
Monday, May 30, 2022
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May 1, 2022 10:52
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| Grandma's Porch |
She sat on her porch... She drank her coffee... She watched her wild birds eating... She enjoyed the spring day...
Sunday, May 29, 2022
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June 4, 2022 08:57
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| Timing |
Life is all about timing... Timing is not always something... Something we can manage... No matter how hard we try...
Sunday, May 22, 2022
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May 30, 2022 23:33
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| Picking Strawberries A May Adventure |
Nothing says May quite like fresh strawberries. And no, I’m not talking about packages of berries in the produce section. I mean the ones you pick yourself.
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
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May 15, 2022 09:33
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| Are You Retiring Within The Next 5 Years? |
What to focus on as the transition approaches.
Monday, May 16, 2022
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May 1, 2022 10:47
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| Rules --- Thank You |
Rules made her life easier... Born into a family who had rules... She learned early that rules were good... She did not like to be in trouble... Learn the rules... Follow the rules... Stay out of trouble... Simple...
Sunday, May 15, 2022
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May 30, 2022 23:34
