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Frugal Family: Get poppin’ with this healthy snack
As I have shared in previous columns, my family has decided to live a healthier lifestyle in an effort to help our son. We have cut out gluten, dyes and unhealthy foods from his diet and we’ve seen how a healthier diet has made a huge positive impact on our family. However, the healthier lifestyle comes at a cost and it can take a huge hit to the family budget. I found a secret to my son’s favorite snack this week that is not only cheaper, ...
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Our View
Cole Withrow was arrested April 29 for possession of weapons on an educational property (Princeton High School). That is a fact. It turns out it was one of the few facts reported in the media over the last two weeks. Story after story consistently had three parts: Withrow was arrested, statements by “family friend” Kim Boykin and a statement from Johnston County Schools reiterating that they must follow the law when it comes to student and ...
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Good books you won’t see on Bookwatch
Here are some important new books you will not learn about on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Bookwatch. Before I explain, let me tell you a little bit about the books. Popular novelist Clyde Edgerton’s “Papadaddy’s Book for New Fathers: Advice to Dads of All Ages” is based on what he has learned as the older father of three young children. He will be 69 on May 20. Edgerton embraces the opportunities young children present to an older parent an...
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Frugal Family: Let the good times roll
Being the crazy planner that I am, I started thinking about my son’s birthday party. I always say that planning ahead can save you a lot of money. My son wants a train birthday party and so the search is on for ways to have a successful party without breaking the bank. One of the first ways I found was my recent purchase of paper products. During an after Easter sale, I found basic blue plates, cups and napkins for less than $1 per package....
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Remember to thank our military this May
As the end of May nears, families prepare for barbecues, graduation parties, and a day away from work on holiday. But, let’s take time to remember our military this month as well. May is Military Appreciation Month and we have so much for which to be thankful. Not only do our men and women in uniform keep us safe, but we have some amazing Americans at home that do more than their share to help our service members. Military Missions in Act...
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American democracy still a revolutionary idea
There was a pretty remarkable moment last week at the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. All five living U.S. presidents made an appearance together, an amazing testament to our system of government. Former President Bill Clinton even said, “I like President Bush.” That’s not something you hear every day from members of opposing parties. The biggest lesson to take away from last week’s ceremony, thoug...
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Celebrating the end of the Charlotte curse
What is one thing we can do for Charlotte now that that former Mayor Pat McCrory has been elected governor of North Carolina and his successor, Anthony Foxx, has been nominated for U.S Secretary of Transportation? We can stop referring to the Charlotte mayor’s job as a dead end or curse for politicians aspiring to statewide or national office. It might take some getting used to. The previous three Charlotte mayors who tried for statewid...
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Frugal Family: How to save money on eating healthy
Recently our family has decided to eat healthier. To help benefit our son, our family has decided to follow the Feingold Diet, eat organic items and also give up gluten. This can be an expensive endeavor. However, we have found ways to cut costs even living the healthy lifestyle. One of the best ways to living a healthy inexpensive lifestyle is to cook from scratch. Don’t buy processed foods and follow simple recipes on the internet. Proc...
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Letter to the Editor: Protect our courts
Dear Editor, As former Republican and Democratic governors, we often disagree. But here’s one area where we agree: North Carolina’s courts must be protected from the corrosive influence of special-interest campaign money. Judges in North Carolina run for election; that can lead to the awkward situation of judges raising large campaign donations from those who appear in their courts. To prevent possible corruption, North Carolina began...
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You Decide: How should NC fund roads?
My father was born in 1922 on a farm in rural Ohio. Horses and carriages were as common as cars. When the first road was built it was tolled, meaning only those who paid the gatekeeper at the entrance to the road could use it. This is how early roads were financed. If you used a road, you paid for it, on the spot! In economics, we call such payments user fees. But as car ownership expanded and road usage boomed, stopping drivers at every ...
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Keep our grandfather’s fire burning
“Everybody in North Carolina should have heard that speech.” Someone had just heard Tom Lambeth’s recent remarks to the North Caroliniana Society, which was presenting him with its annual award for service to our state. Lambeth, longtime former executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, used the occasion to talk about some of the people and some of the stories that help define North Carolina and its history for him. Lambeth...
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Frugal Family: Saving money at yard sales
My family hosted a yard sale this weekend at our home. While I love selling my things at yard sales, I also love yard sale shopping. I am proud to say that my entire dining room set, my son’s bed frame, a family room chair and several dressers in my home are yard sale finds. Yard sales are a great place to find things for affordable prices. However, if you wish to save money at yard sales, you must plan ahead. Before you start your yard s...
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Eastern North Carolina eating, the literary way
There are hundreds of reasons to celebrate Georgann Eubanks’ third and last in her “Literary Trails of the North Carolina” series. Follow her travels in the just released “Literary Trails of Eastern North Carolina,” and you will have the most enjoyable and efficient survey of authors and literary connections in that region. But one of my favorite parts of her books are the descriptions of the places where literary-connected people eat. ...
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Frugal Family: Saving money on books
Do you love to read, but don’t have the budget to spend much on new books? You don’t have to break the bank when looking for a great book. One of the best places to get a great book is the area library. You don’t have to spend a dime and you have a massive array of selection. The Wake County Library System does charge $25 annually to its members from outside of the county; however, this is a fraction of what you could pay retail if you read...
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Our view: A vote for transparency
Local residents don’t need to be schooled on what happens when elected officials do government business out of the sunlight. That is how the Wake County Board of Education dismissed Tony Tata as the superintendent without public input. Yet, there is a bill in the state Senate now that would make it easier for local governments to erect a wall between themselves and the public. Senate Bill 186 would allow governments to post public notices...
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