Be more like Tutu

The world has lost another treasure with the death of Bishop Desmond Tutu: the South African priest, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Bishop Tutu joined the church triumphant Dec. 26, at the age of 90.

New Year’s customs: greens, jowl and peas

Eating black-eyed peas, hog jowl and collard greens on New Year’s Day has long been a custom, especially in the rural south. The custom stems from the belief that eating all three ensures good luck in the coming year.

I have a few good years left as a storyteller

The plan was simple: Find a house in western North Carolina, sell a house in eastern North Carolina, move during a pandemic, uproot our 16-year-old from his life and friends … and find a job.

Remember kindness as we enter New Year

I am reminded of the guy who slipped and fell down a flight of stairs. He stood up, shook it off and said, “I’m glad that’s behind me.” The year 2021 is almost behind us. While along the way there have been many blessings and joys, there is also great sadness.

Predictions for 2022

Please answer this question: will 2022 bring the end of democracy as we know it? It is clear that we have become a nation of angry people polarized and paralyzed by an inability to compromise; egged on by opportunistic influencers who are enabled by an unregulated devil we call social media.

Moving on

Hey folks, I’ve got some news to share with you. As The Graham Star heads body into 2022, they will be doing it without me, as I will have officially left the paper by the time you read this column.

In search of the wise men

* Editor’s note: This column originally appeared in the Dec. 13, 2001 edition of The Graham Star. One mystery that continues to surround Christmas and the birth of Christ is the visit by the Wise Men.

Joy incarnate

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As an avid supporter of cliches, I use this with no shame. It is most accurate to recognize that this truly is a time of wonder. We fill our days with joy, singing, gift-giving, and holiday cheer. I submit to you that this is right and good.

Biden, Putin, Kennedy, Khrushchev

This column was to be about Bob Dole. He was a WWII hero grievously wounded to the point of losing the use of his arm. Bob Dole ran for Congress as a Republican from Kansas. He served honorably for 36 years. He unsuccessfully aspired to the presidency. We should all honor Bob Dole.

God is with us

If a guy named Arius had succeeded, our Christmas celebrations would be a lot different. Arius was a 4th century priest in Alexandria. At the time, the Christian church was struggling to understand the nature and person of Jesus Christ. There were many competing ideas.