Captain Frederick Marryat was a Royal Navy officer and a novelist. He is noted today as an early pioneer of nautical fiction, particularly for his semi-autobiographical novel Mr Midshipman Easy (1836). He is remembered also for his children’s novel The Children of the New Forest (1847). In addition, he developed a widely used system of maritime flag signalling, known as Marryat’s Code. From 1832 to 1835, Marryat edited The Metropolitan Magazine. Additionally, he kept writing novels; his biggest success came with Mr Midshipman Easy in 1836. He lived in Brussels for a year, travelled in Canada and the United States, and moved to London in 1839, where he was in the literary circle of Charles Dickens and others. He was in North America in 1837 when rebellion broke out in Lower Canada, and served with the expeditionary force sent to suppress it.
Source: Wikipedia
Macie Moon
Frederick Marryat
Elderly Nutrition Meal Planning
Taking care of individuals goes beyond offering company or help with tasks. Their well-being and quality of life are significantly impacted by nutrition as well. As we grow older, our bodies experience transformations that influence the nutrients we require, and dealing with these shifts necessitates consideration in meal preparation. These alterations involve a metabolism, a decreased muscle mass, and a weakening ability to intake nutrients. Protein becomes crucial for preserving muscle mass and strength. It frequently needs to be consumed more adequately by seniors. Maintaining bones is critical for health as we age; bone density decreases over time and can lead to osteoporosis risk factors, making calcium and vitamin D essential in our diet.
Additionally important is ensuring digestion. Preventing constipation as we age—a task that fiber rich foods can help with effectively. As we age further into our years, some vital nutrients like Vitamin B12 become more challenging for our bodies to absorb despite their importance in sustaining energy levels and neurological well-being. Heart health and blood pressure regulation are areas where enough potassium and magnesium are crucial in maintaining optimal bodily functions. Furthermore, staying well hydrated is equally vital since our ability to sense thirst tends to decline with age, making it easier for seniors to become dehydrated without realizing it.
Making meals doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on keeping things simple while ensuring they are packed with nutrients and flavor! For breakfast options that are both delicious, you could try topping with some fresh berries and nuts to support your heart health and digestion or scrambled eggs paired with spinach and whole grain toast for a protein-packed kickstart to your day! When it comes to lunch choices that are both balanced and convenient, consider enjoying a warming vegetable soup with quinoa or lentils or treating yourself to a grilled chicken salad featuring leafy greens drizzled with olive oil. Easy meals that hit the spot! At dinnertime or supper time, one may enjoy baked salmon with steamed broccoli and sweet potatoes, which offer omega-3 fats for brain well-being
and crucial nutrients from veggies; at the time, turkey meatloaf paired with mashed cauliflower presents a low-carb variation on a traditional favorite dish for comfort food lovers out there! As for munching options to keep folks satisfied throughout the day with little effort in the kitchen? Consider Greek yogurt drizzled with honey and sprinkled with chia seeds, or indulge in some hummus alongside baby carrots or slices of bell peppers.
When it comes to managing restrictions, health reasons such as diabetes, food allergies, and high blood pressure require consideration of what you eat. People following low-sodium diets need to find alternatives to salt, like using herbs and spices such as garlic or rosemary for flavor without compromising taste. Choosing frozen vegetables over canned ones is an option. Diabetic-friendly meals typically consist of grains, proteins, and veggies while watching for portion sizes to avoid added sugars. Individuals with difficulty chewing foods may turn to options like mashed veggies or soups that are easier to consume. Caregivers should carefully check ingredient labels. Explore alternatives, like almond milk for those with food allergies or sensitivities to dairy products, or opt for free grains such as quinoa or rice.
Taking steps can make caregiving easier. Help seniors eat well consistently by planning meals and making weekly menus for a balanced diet while reducing last-minute worries about food preparation. Cook in batches to save time during the week by preparing meals and storing leftovers. Engaging seniors in meal prep stimulates them mentally and boosts their sense of independence. Keeping an eye on their nutrition guarantees seniors the correct portion sizes and nutrients to prevent overeating or undereating.
Ensuring seniors’ well-being involves effectively providing them with nutrition tailored to their dietary requirements and limitations to boost their overall health and happiness. Though it may require some effort in meal preparation, the positive impact on their quality of life makes it a fulfilling component of caregiving for the elderly.
Every man paddles his own canoe.
Frederick Marryat
THE STATE OF FOOD IN AMERICA
WHAT’S IN YOUR DIET?
LWarren Green can be reached at warreng9241@hotmail.com
ast time I mentioned drilling deeper into this plague of contaminated commercial food. I thought I’d be focusing on Listeria, now it seems E-Coli and Salmonella outbreaks are popping up everywhere. So, instead if being specific , since specifications and descriptions are all over the place I’ll refresh our memories of the big three food poison culprits.
Listeria is often linked to ready-to-eat ( RTE) processed foods. These foods include deli meats of which Boar’s Head Provisions are a major supplier and can become contaminated during processing and packaging. Boar’s Head Provisions has permanently closed its Jarrat, Virginia plant because of all the infractions and the many deaths. Personally I’d be reluctant to consume any deli meat from any brand. .
E-Coli recalls are massive and even includes organic carrots distributed by major brands such as Costco’s , Trader Joe’s , and Whole Foods. The fact that they are organic is particularly troubling. I suspect its occurring on the packaging end. My career was food safety including the EIS ( Epidemic Intelligence Service ) and I’ve always been perplexed on how such massive amounts of produce can be contaminated by an intestinal bacteria.
Salmonella and E-Coli are the most common sources of food poisoning in the U.S. food chain and in general most will recover after a few days. The exception is E-Coli strain 0157.147. which can be fatal. The current food supply requires serious diligence particularly since most of our food is imported.
Warren Green is a 30 year member of the Institute of Food Technology, A HAACP (hazard analysis critical control point) Instructor with a Bachelors degree in Nutrition Science.
Nest time we’ll look at some of the lesser forms of food poisoning, and what in the world happened to the food supply that was by far the best on the planet.
If you want to build your brand, Scott is the first person to call.
Brenda Armitage Armitage Home Sales Team
Certified septic system installation and repair
Lot clearing Stormwater management
Bulkheads, piers, and floating dock
installation & repairs
Bulkhead backfilling
Rock / gravel driveways
Concrete / asphalt driveways
Asphalt parking lot striping
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
French drain work
Driveway piping
Commercial / residential grass
cutting and bush hogging
Ditch work / swells
Light demolition
SPCA of Northeastern North Carolina 252-338-5222
SPCA Sponsored by Perry Auto Rollie
Christmas Is a Stocking Stuffed With All Kinds of Things
by: Wanda Rossman
This year has passed quickly. The older you get, the faster time seems to slip away, and this year is no exception. But here we are, in the heart of the holiday season. It’s Advent, a time filled with the cheerful sound of jingling bells, the glow of twinkling lights, the joy of family, the excitement of festivities and traditions, and the wonder of wide-eyed children.
Worldwide, the holiday season and Christmas bring many customs and traditions. We are familiar with the traditional British Christmas, which we’ve somewhat adopted in the USA—except for my beloved Christmas cracker. The crackers are a festive table decoration that pulls apart with a loud snap to reveal a trinket, a joke or fortune printed on a small piece of paper, and a silly Christmas hat.
It’s interesting to discover other traditions. In Western Orthodoxy, the gift-bearing St. Nicolas (of Myra) arrives on the eve of December 5th. As St. Nicolas is the patron saint of children, in the Netherlands, children put out a shoe filled with carrots and hay for St. Nick’s horse and, in turn, receive large chocolate letters. As an aside, I was always grateful my name starts with a “W” and not an “I.”
In Iceland, thirteen Yule Lads roam around two weeks before Christmas, visiting children with presents. The mischievous lads have names like Sausage-Swiper, Candle-Stealer, Gully-Gawk, Doorway-Sniffer, Spoon-Licker, Curd-Gobbler, and a sinister lad named Window-Peeper. While these
Carolina Critters By
Laird
names are seemingly disconcerting, we sip a beverage of raw egg, cognac, heavy cream and nutmeg, nail large socks to a mantelpiece, and kiss under a semi-parasitic plant.
So, whether you are in Japan feasting on KFC, intricately carving radishes in Mexico, roller skating to church in Venezuela, sharing wafers with your pets in Poland, or decorating your tree with spiders and webs in Ukraine, I wish you a most blessed season filled with the “sugary goodness” of faith, light, and peace.
Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2025!
A Striking Beauty....Proceed with Caution!
As my friend Mark Symons and myself drove down Drummonds Point road in Edenton I noticed a good sized snake coiled up right in the middle of the road and yelled out “Slow down Bro, I think that was a big Copperhead”! He backed up quickly for me to jump out and scoot the snake safely off the road before it became roadkill. As I ran up on it I knew immediately this was no Copperhead but a beefy Timber rattlesnake coiled up on the warm pavement! Wow, what incredible markings on this gorgeous male Timber rattlesnake! Timber rattlers aka Canebrake rattlesnakes are the most common rattlesnakes in North Carolina. They are normally not very aggressive and are reluctant to bite or even rattle. The rattle on the end of the tail is made of keratin which is the same protein that makes up human hair and fingernails. The rattle consists of interlocking segments of keratin scales when threatened the Rattler shakes its tail which causes the segments to press together causing a loud rattling sound to warn off predators.
Timber rattlers normally grow up to over five and a half feet long are very thick and heavy bodied snakes and are reported as big as 7 foot long. The venom of the Timber is arguably the most toxic of all pit vipers in the United States and can be deadly to humans, but bites by Timbers are rare. The Timber has a very large range across the US as far as southern Canada to the North and Flor-
ASSESSMENTS FOR DUI/DWI SUBSTANCE ABUSEEDUCATION/COUNSELING RELAPSE PREVENTION FAMILY EDUCATION
ADET Class DWI / DUI Groups
Ms. JoAnn R. Kaminski Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, CCS, ADC
For people who want to become a drug and alcohol counselors call and ask for Joann. Complete preparation for substance abuse counselor Certification recognized in 42 states and 15 countries
ida to the South. They are incredible climbers and have been found 80ft high in a tree! The Timber eats a large variety of animals including rats, mice, squirrels, birds, lizards and amphibians. They are considered ambush predators and lay quiet and coiled awaiting its prey to pass by in front of them to strike quickly to inject venom into their prey which immobilizes them.
There are three varieties of Rattlesnakes in NC which are the Timber/Canebrake, Eastern Diamondback and Pygmy. All three species are protected in NC under the NC Endangered Species Act. Rattlesnakes are extremely important ecologically and have wrongly developed a bad rep, sadly causing their demise coupled with massive habitat loss. Rattlesnakes females normally have 5 to 20 live bearing births (not eggs) and they live approximately 20 years in the wild and over 30 years old in captivity. So, if you’re lucky enough to happen across one of these amazing reptiles, proceed with caution and give them space but admire their incredible coloration and size from a safe distance. Any snakes found in our area should be reported to www.HerpMapper.org and great info about reptiles and amphibians in NC can be found at www. ncparc.org.
Frederick Marryat
by Pastor Greg Brinson
Some encounters in our life change everything! How about when that encounter is with God? A divine visitation is when God brings a man or woman into a practical encounter with His presence, glory and power. It is God’s intervention or appearance in your life, your situation, or your circumstance. The Bible is full of them! One of those encounters is part of the Christmas story that is found in the gospel of Luke, “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (1:26-28 NIV).
One thing that I hope will permeate your heart this Christmas season and going into 2025 is that nothing is impossible with God! Mary’s world was about to change forever. A baby does indeed change everything. However, this wasn’t just any baby. The angel told Mary “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-33). The world would indeed change because of the birth of the One who isn’t from this world. The same can be said of our life.
I can certainly understand why Mary would be troubled by this announcement from the angel. It is important to remember that God’s is faithful, and He goes along with us during whatever we may face in life. The angel told Mary, “The Lord is with you” (v.28) It is so good to know that we are not alone. The Bible says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).
Mary asked the angel “How will this be since I am a virgin?’ (Luke 1:34) How could this possibly happen? God makes the impossible; possible! A.W. Tozer said, “God is looking for those with whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things that we can do by ourselves.” Hosw many of you have texted the abbreviation “NP” (No Problem!). What we deem to be impossible
is no problem for God. Mary’s question isn’t from a heart of unbelief but a question of the means to accomplish it. So how would this happen to Mary? “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
Mary responded to the angel by saying “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Folks, that is the response we need to have to what the Lord does in our life. May God’s will be done in our life. Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve. You will find that your greatest joys in life will be when you are serving others with God’s love.
In addition to blessing Mary with the promise of his presence God also puts someone in Mary’s life to encourage her in her time of need. He will do the same for you. The Bible says, “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:36-37). Mary had great news to share with Elizabeth. She would be expecting, and she would be carrying Jesus the Savior of the world.
Followers of Jesus can live with great expectations because we carry his presence by the Holy Spirit. God is still encountering people with his presence in many ways. God will birth something significant in your life. One way is through his presence by being born again. You will not receive a better gift for Christmas then receiving God’s gift of salvation. The Bible says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:9,10,13). Today is a great day to be forgiven and saved!
Let’s be like Mary and share the good news of Jesus with others.
Merry Christmas!
They Always Seem to be on the Ball. Ed Williams Jx Motorsports
I’m blessed to have the opportunity to be the pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Elizabeth City -1363 US Hwy 17 S (Southside Plaza). We worship every Sunday morning at 10:00. My email address is newhopepreacher@yahoo.com . I’m on Facebook Live every Wednesday night at 6:30 for “Wednesday in the Word” & also on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. for our weekly worship service. I’m also helping with Tradewinds Media and you can reach me for that at gbrinson.tradewinds@gmail.com
“Scott and Ken are awesome to work with and I highly recommend using Tradewinds to advertise.
Haley Guenther Albemarle Eye Center, PLLC
The local chapter of the National Federation of Republican Women “Northeast Carolina Republican Women” includes 7 counties: Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans. We meet the 2nd Saturday of each month at various locations in 1 of the 7 counties.
For More information, please e-mail janice.craig@aol.com
White lies are
to black ones.
Frederick Marryat
All lies, white or black, disgrace a gentleman, although I grant there is a difference: to say the least of it, it is a dangerous habit, for white lies are but the gentleman ushers to black ones.
Frederick Marryat
“More Blessed To Give”
Acts 20:35 “…, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
In this passage of Scripture, Paul the Apostle is instructing a group of church elders before he continues his journey to Jerusalem, where he was soon arrested and taken away eventually to Rome.
Paul reminds the men of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ who once said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Jesus lived a life that was the epitomy of giving and sacrifice. Jesus didn’t just die on the cross for the sins of mankind, He was a living sacrifice every day of his life here on Earth. When you study the life of Christ, you will see a life that was lived for others rather than for himself. Jesus gave of His time, His energy, His talent, His possessions, and He did this without an ounce of bitterness.
If you have any advertising that needs to be done, please stop by Tradewinds Media and see how they can help you.
Sue E Bingaman Everything Leggings with Sue
By: Pastor Jon Nettesheim
Jesus did not have the greatest food to eat, the nicest clothes to wear, nor did he even have a house to sleep in! Matthew 8:20 “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
In the midst of yet another holiday season, let this be a time in your life that you spend more effort giving than you do receiving. Do not waste this opportunity to give to others and to those in need. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Thank you for reading! If I can ever be of any help, please don’t hesitate to give me a call at (252) 6981005.
Elizabeth City Baptist Church ”
Community Care Collaborative receives $10,000
ELIZABETH CITY – The Community Care Collaborative (CCC) an impact program of the Albemarle Area United Way has been awarded a $10,000 matching grant from a donor advised fund of the Northern Albemarle Community Foundation to fund the ongoing work of assisting our neighbors. CCC provides assistance to local residents facing temporary emergency crisis. Since officially launching in 2019, CCC has already assisted over 2,000 households and invested over $700,000 with an average of $475 per case across Pasquotank, Camden, Perquimans & Gates Counties.
The goal is to obtain $10,000 in contributions from individuals or businesses by December 31, 2024 in order to secure the $10,000 match. Donations can be mailed to AAUW at P.O. Box 293, Elizabeth City, NC 27907 or made online at www.aaunitedway.org by selecting Community Care Collaborative
“These funds will be critical to enabling us to continue the good work of aiding our neighbors, especially in the wake of the pandemic and inflation challenges”, exclaimed Executive Director Bill Blake. He’s extremely encouraged about their chances of achieving the required match. Many folks in the community have heard about the good work the team of CCC volunteers currently led by Alexandra Lekki has been doing. “I have no doubt folks will contribute to support our friends and neighbors.”
Knowing their gift could be doubled fuels many donors’ personal contributions. Being able to lend a helping hand is both a privilege and responsibility. “We are so thankful for the generosity of this matching donor”, said Blake. “I’m confident others in our community will step up to be a blessing to those in need, especially during this holiday season. CCC is so grateful for all past, present and future donors as well as volunteers.” Thank you for loving your neighbors the United Way!
###
About Albemarle Area United Way: Albemarle Area United Way is a not for profit
organization fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of residents in the Albemarle area. For more information on how you can give or to volunteer please call us at 252-333-1510, visit us online at albemarleareauw.org or like us on Facebook.
Honey Bees and Their Beekeepers, Working Throughout Winter
Honey bees, in their short, 4-week lives, work continuously all summer, maintaining their colonies, collecting pollen, nectar and to make their food, guarding against predators, taking care of their young, and more.
“Winter bees,” special bees born in the autumn and able to live longer, are responsible for keeping the hive (and particularly their queen) alive until spring. Honey bees do not hibernate in the winter, but their work slows down. They do this by huddling in a tight cluster, and shivering—vibrating their muscles to generate heat. They also seal off all cracks and crevices in the hive to keep wind out, to better maintain the heat within the hive. Throughout the winter month the bees will eat the honey that the “summer bees” made and stored for them.
For beekeepers, work in the bee yard—or apiary—slows down. The hives still are routinely checked to ensure that there is enough food for each colony. If not, sugar (barely moistened sugar formed into a brick) is placed inside the hive on the top which the honey bees use as food if their honey supply runs out. Some beekeepers add pollen substitutes to help the bees get a mix of protein and carbohydrates. Since the ideal temperature for a bee hive (summer or winter) is between 94 and 96 degrees, it is imperative that the beekeeper not open the hive on extremely cold days, open it only when absolutely necessary, and close it back up as quickly as possible, to help reduce temperature loss in the hive. In some areas that have particularly harsh winters, beekeepers will add insulation to the hives to prevent heat loss.
While honey bees are not active in the winter, that is not the case for the beekeeper. It is a time to shift gears and start work on beekeeping equipment and supplies. During winter months, beekeepers take stock of hive bodies (the boxes you see in fields), frames and other equipment to see what, if anything needs repairing or replacing. Hive bodies are repaired, cleaned thoroughly, perhaps repainted, and stored for use in the spring. New equipment is
either made or purchased to be ready for the start of the season. The beekeeper will review the year’s journals for each colony to help plan for the next season. Will a new queen be needed—if so, can I purchase one locally? Should the colony be split—if so, do any of my fellow beekeepers need bees? What supplies, medicines, equipment will be needed? This will ensure that a proper plan of action is ready in the spring for each colony, and purchases made over the winter will ensure that any products will be available when needed.
Bees and beekeepers, each working each season to ensure the continuation of the colony.
If you are interested in becoming a beekeeper, or know someone who might be, the Beekeepers of Chowan County (BoCC) will be hosting an “Introduction to Beekeeping” school on February 15 and 22, 2025. The program will provide the knowledge and skills to start your beekeeping journey, from honey bee biology to obtaining and installing honey bees, pest and disease management, seasonal hive management, and products of the hive. If you are interested, contact Robin Mayer, President, Beekeepers of Chowan County, at robinmayer1@aol.com for details.
The Cobra Effect and Other Unintended Consequences
Sometimes, even with the best intentions, the expected outcomes do not materialize. One example, among many, is exemplified by the (in)famous true story of the Cobra Effect. When the British government ruled India, the decision was made to decrease the cobra population. To incentivize the local villagers to kill cobras, the British officials paid a bounty for each cobra carcass that was turned into the regional collection station. The equation went something like this: Monetary incentives for cobra carcasses = Fewer deadly cobras + Happy locals with money in their pockets as an incentive to kill to kill cobras. The campaign was a rousing success at first. The monetary rewards were so lucrative that the locals began to breed cobras (each female cobra lays 20-40 eggs per clutch) in order to collect the reward.
The government caught wind of the exploitation of the cobra population scheme and stopped the rewards for cobra carcasses. Because the rewards were stopped, the cobra breeders released their captives into the wild, significantly increasing the cobra population beyond what it was prior to the eradication program. Even though you probably do not offer rewards for cobra carcasses, you may be encouraging equivalent results with your company’s safety incentive programs. If you offer gifts or monetary bonuses for zero injuries in the workplace, research shows that employee injuries are often not reported because reporting injuries, as is required, would disqualify them, their bosses, or their department from receiving or reducing a safety bonus. It is also referred to the “Bloody Pocket” syndrome where hand injuries (the most common) are concealed in the pocket so as to hide
Be Glad
By Madison Julius Cawein
Be glad, just for to-day!
O heart, be glad!
Cast all your cares away!
Doff all that ‘s sad!
Put of your garments gray
Be glad to-day!
Be merry while you-can; For life is short
It seemeth but a span Before we part.
Let each maid take her man, And dance while dance she can:
Life’s but a little span
Be merry while you can.
the occurrence. OSHA strongly discourages monetary bonuses for no injury campaigns for this reason. A better approach is to incentivize safe work practices, recognize employees following established procedures, or cash awards for improving the safe work practices and removing hazards from the workplace. You may think you are encouraging people to work safely by rewarding no injuries, but in doing so, you may find your company safety program overrun by snakes.
Give us a call today to discuss what Vortex EHS, LLC can do to partner with your organization to implement required training, evaluate injury-reduction approaches, and to improve regulatory compliance for your company.
(252) 287-3730 vortexehs@outlook.com
American Legion Post 84
American Post 84, Seth E. Perry, is excited to announce plans to construct its future home in 2025, marking a significant milestone in its dedicated service to Pasquotank County. This achievement comes after years of steadfast fundraising efforts, including the Post’s popular food sales at the River City Flea Market and Music on the Green in downtown Elizabeth City, NC. The Post will continue its unwavering mission to assist homeless and financially distressed veterans while remaining a non-alcoholic post, proudly supporting NA, AA, and veterans in recovery. This endeavor reflects the Post’s deep commitment to its community-focused initiatives, made possible by the generous support of the people of Pasquotank County. Thank you for helping us make a lasting impact on the lives of our veterans and their families.
Frederick Marryat
Arliss Watford Featured
by: Wanda Lassiter, Curator, Museum of the Albemarle
Wood plays an essential role in many cultures. Carved wood can be seen as art, a form of self-expression, or for utilitarian purposes. Carving traditions begin with a simple piece of wood. Human forms, animals, and symbols are intricately carved as means of cultural identity and daily and religious life. Some whittle, requiring dexterity and control; craftspeople see wood as their inspiration. The Museum of the Albemarle’s Crafted from Wood exhibition allows the visitor to explore, experience, and engage with these modern wood crafts to learn how carvers use wood to express their culture, religion, profession, and identity or to connect to their communities.
Hertford County resident and World War II veteran Arliss Watford (1924-1998) crafted children’s toys, his childhood dog, religious themes, farmers, animals, likenesses of important historical figures, and his family members. Watford’s life included
“Dog Chasing Man up a Tree,” 1989
“Slim Pickins,” 1986
work as a dry dock worker, bricklayer, and television and furniture repair person. A self-taught wood carver, Watford crafted many items from cedar, with some also from cypress and poplar. He noted sometimes the inspiration was “spontaneous.” Several of his carvings are ritual figures invoking African traditions.
In 1998, Watford’s achievements in woodworking earned him the North Carolina Folk Heritage Award. Examples of Watford’s work can also be found at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh and the American Folk Art Museum in New York.
Learn more about Arliss Watford and other craftspeople by visiting the Museum of the Albemarle, especially the Crafted from Wood exhibition. The exhibit closes at the end of 2026.
Crafted by North Carolina Folk Heritage Award winner Arliss Watford. “Hand Carved by Arliss Watford 1989” is carved into “Dog Chasing Man up a Tree.”
Image courtesy North Carolina Museum of History
Image courtesy North Carolina Museum of History
The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 S. Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC. (252) 335-1453. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays and State Holidays. Serving Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties, the museum is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural and economic future.
You can always count on Scott & his staff at Albemarle Tradewinds to get your message out & get it right! Friendly, courteous & easy to work with. Call them if you need to spotlight you business. Sarah Weeks Hertford Printing & Signs
Arliss Watford, circa 1998
The Kingfisher
By William Henry Davies
It was the Rainbow gave thee birth, And left thee all her lovely hues; And, as her mother’s name was Tears, So runs it in thy blood to choose For haunts the lonely pools, and keep In company with trees that weep. Go you and, with such glorious hues, Live with proud Peacocks in green parks; On lawns as smooth as shining glass, Let every feather show its marks; Get thee on boughs and clap thy wings Before the windows of proud kings. Nay, lovely Bird, thou art not vain; Thou hast no proud, ambitious mind; I also love a quiet place That’s green, away from all mankind; A lonely pool, and let a tree Sigh with her bosom over me.
Solution on page 17
ACROSS
1. F, unit of electrical capacity
6. *Buche de Noël, e.g.
9. What influencers do?
13. Yemeni’s neighbor
14. Another word for Tokyo
15. Singer Ross of “Where Did Our Love Go” fame
16. Laundry room fire hazard, pl.
17. Much of it about nothing?
18. Furnish with a fund
19. *”A Bad Moms Christmas” actress Bell
21. *Tiny Tim creator
23. Tibetan ox
24. Khrushchev’s domain
25. *Goo on real Christmas tree
28. Sketch
30. *Poinsettia’s motherland
35. “____ ____Good Men”, movie
37. Brussels’ org.
39. Plant fungus
40. Reluctant
41. Klutzy
43. *”It’s beginning to look ____ ____ like...”
44. Domains
46. Bog down
47. Oxen connector
48. Under epidermis
50. Mums’ mums
52. Over, poetically
53. Alleviate
55. ____ Mahal
57. *Tanne in “O Tannenbaum” (2 words)
61. *It is feliz to Feliciano
65. Radioshow host: “Hello, you’re ____ ____”
66. Knot-tying vow (2 words)
68. Dispatch boat
69. Carthage’s ancient neighbor
70. *Egg___
71. Oil lamp dweller
72. Fishing poles
73. Bigheadedness
74. Painter Degas
DOWN
1. Lore people
2. Mideast ruler
3. Hindu princess
4. Jittery
5. Farthest from point of origin
6. Ground beef description
7. Like Lemmon and Matthau together
8. Merchandise
9. Swim’s alternative
10. Dwyane, once of Miami Heat
11. Any day now, to Shakespeare
12. Swerves
15. King’s order
20. Increasing
22. Philosophy ending
24. Undo, as in strings
25. Green side
26. Before, in the olden days
27. J.M. Barrie’s Pan
29. “Howdy, ____!”
31. Internal picture
32. Meltable home
33. Singer Sam of “Twistin’ the Night Away” fame
34. Weasel’s aquatic cousin
36. *”Last Christmas” band, with !
38. Edible pod
42. Busybody, in Yiddish
45. Mountain range
49. Certain fraternity house letters
51. Cruel
54. Île de la Cité river
56. Tripped the light fantastic
57. *Number of ghosts in “A Christmas Carol”
58. *”He’s Just Not That ____ You”, movie
59. Police’s surprise
60. Habitual twitches
61. Not happening (2 words)
62. Minor bumper damage
63. “Heat of the Moment” band
64. Opposite of talker?
67. *The Grinch’s Max
R.O. Givens did a banner for our business fast..high quality..great price. Highly recommended!!! -- Angel Brady
HANGMAN
“Scott directs his energy to meeting the needs of his audience. He is fully vested in building community and has the knowledge and skills to do so.”
Russ
Haddad Core Development LLC
MOA Museum Shop Seeks New Owner
After 15 successful years, Mary Temple is ready to relinquish ownership of the Museum of the Albemarle’s popular Museum Shop—creating a great retail opportunity for the right entrepreneur.
“I just feel like it’s time to retire,” said Temple. “There are so many things I want to do, including spending more time with my grandchildren.”
Temple, with a business partner, Lisa Winslow, took over the operation of the museum shop in 2010. Since 2013, Temple has run the business on her own.
The Museum Shop offers an eclectic mix of works by local artisans, including pottery, jewelry, and textiles. A good selection of local history books is a big draw to customers, as well as the popular Bertie County Peanuts line, and locally grown honey. The shop is a popular spot for shoppers looking for that perfect graduation or birthday gift.
This is a unique entrepreneurial opportunity. Because of the Museum Shop’s location within the museum,
the business bears few utilities costs. That’s right— there are no electric, water, or climate control expenses. Temple pays the museum $400 in rent every month, as well as covering the shop’s internet and WiFi expenses. Such an incredibly small outlay of expenses guarantees maximum profits.
Another plus—there is no “bricks and mortar” building to maintain; maintenance to the shop’s retail space is the responsibility of the museum.
Also, the shop’s location within the museum guarantees a steady stream of foot traffic.
Asked what kind of person she would like to see take over the Museum Shop, Temple says, “Someone with a lot of energy and ideas, and good knowledge of social media. Someone who is familiar with the history of the area, and, hopefully, with a love for this part of the state. That person would be ideal.”
For more information, call 252-333-7125.
Albemarle Pregnancy Resource Center
While the United States has entered a post Roe era, we recognize that the battle for life is not over. The Albemarle Pregnancy Resource Center & Clinic will continue our efforts to support women and families dealing with unintended pregnancies and uncertain sexual health situations. Since 1988 APRCC has provided free services including: pregnancy testing, STI testing, limited obstetric ultrasound, options education, parenting classes, prenatal vitamins, post abortion counseling and material support to tens of thousands of individuals in northeastern North Carolina. Our goal remains to provide truthful and accurate information so that women can make informed, life affirming decisions regarding both their pregnancies and sexual health.
For more information, please contact our CEO, Dee Spruce at dspruce.aprc@gmail.com
Dee Spruce
CEO
Scott does a great job connecting the community with partner services and offerings.
Heidi O’Neal Northeastern Workforce Development Board
Bailey’s Best
“The best in fashion trends and cosmetics finds.”
The Holiday shopping season is upon us, and I want to share some of my favorite small businesses with you. You can mark a gift off your shopping list for everyone while stopping by these great stores. Shopping small helps to grow your local economy and make an impact on a local family’s life.
-Bijoux Vibes (Women’s Boutique)- 104 S Poindexter St Elizabeth City, NC
-Kitchen Kuriosities (New and thrifted kitchen goods)- 613 B E Main St Elizabeth City, NC
-Pine & Porch, Inc. (Craft beer and wine, interior/exterior home decor)- 105 E Colonial Ave Elizabeth City, NC
-Harbor Pharmacy and Gifts (Local gifts)- 400 E Main St Suite A Elizabeth City, NC
-Copper Canyon Soap Co. (Homemade soap, candles, and
home cleaners)- 507 E Main st Suite C Elizabeth City, NC
-All That Glitters Jewelry (Jewelry and women’s clothes)- 406 S Griffin St St A-4 Elizabeth City, NC
- Nicholson House Gift Shop (Women’s boutique and gifts)1500 Belvidere Rd Belvidere, NC
-North No. 4 (Modern classic gifts for everyone)- 215 S Broad St Edenton, NC
-Polka Dot Palm (Boutique gifts and clothes)- 300 S Broad Street Edenton, NC
-Simply Stated Boutique (Women’s boutique)- 318 S Broad St Edenton, NC
-The Style Palette (Women’s boutique)- 437 S Broad St Edenton, NC
“Unique and of great social value to NC “
- Leon Adams
Criminological Associates, Inc.
Gentle reader, I was born upon the water - not upon the salt and angry ocean, but upon the fresh and rapid-flowing river.
Frederick Marryat
Frisco Native American Museum Displays “Blanket Toss”
If you needed to see far into the distance but had no binoculars, would it occur to you to gather a group of friends and create a trampoline? Early native Alaskan hunters did just that. Using tanned seal skin or walrus hide, Inuit tribal members created a large “blanket” with ties on the edges for holding. They would gather around the blanket, grasp it tightly and a member of the tribe would stand in the middle. The holders would stretch and relax the blanket, throwing the person into the air—sometimes as high as twenty feet. It provided a way to see miles down the horizon—even if the glimpse was brief. Although historians generally agree that the blanket toss has its roots in hunting, some suggest the practice was more of a ritual than an actual strategy. However, there is consensus that once hunters developed easier ways to gather food, the tradition was adopted as a game for gatherings and celebrations. It has continued to modern times.
One of the best known celebrations is the Nalukataq (meaning “to throw or to toss up) Spring Festival in northern Alaska. The blanket toss can go on for hours, and anyone can take a chance with bystanders nearby to catch wayward landings.
“We are most fortunate to have a wonderful sculpture of an Inuit Blanket Toss in the museum,” said Joyce Bornfriend, Director. “ It was created in the early 1900’s and donated to the museum by the renowned artist, Retha Gambaro.”
The museum is located on Hatteras Island and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 AM —5:00 PM., For more information, visit the museum at www.nativeamericanmuseum.org or contact them at 252-995-4440.
Artists: Talmage and Justin Dunn
Medium: Mixed
Talmage and Justin are a father-son duo for this piece. While usually the two artist have completely different mediums and style, this is a rare collaboration of the two artists. It’s Talmage who started the artistic and crafty nature that was passed down over time to his son. Justin his first memory of seeing the fun and power of art in his father:
“I remember when I was in elementary school, and we had a project of a big poster board. I think we were drawing things we find in the woods or something like that, and I remember having to find a picture of a frog to put on the poster. My dad said, “why dont we just draw it?” That thought had never occurred to me and I wasn’t even aware that was possible. I remember my dad then drawing a perfect frog sitting on a stump. I was so amazed and so proud of that frog. From that day on i started thinking much differently. First, i can draw whatever i need. Second, art projects are going to be the way i get through school. After this i started drawing and making things all the time and used that skill to get through high school and college.”
by: Joyce Bornfriend
Talmage is still painting every day. He hangs his work in several galleries and also does commission work. He recently has been making unique homemade cards as well. You can visit his work on Instagram at taldunn
Justin has been a professional illustrator and working full time with it for the last 5 years. He has illustrated over 40 childrens books, several graphic novels, board game art, he has served clients such as McDonalds, Dyson, Chic-fil-a, TV Guide, and Bic. He has also been the Art Director on a film. You can find his work in these places:
Website:
com
Pan-Seared Scallops With Christmas Accents For A Perfect Meal
By: Rosie Hawthorn
For my December entrée, I wanted something elegant, yet simple to make, and colorful, with a nod to the season. Seared scallops are the star of this meal, highlighted with the Christmasy accents of a red cranberry salsa and a pomegranate infused butter sauce along with a green parsley and pistachio pesto.
A few months back, I introduced you to a new (to me) culinary technique called beurre monté, translated as “mounted butter.” You literally “mount” the dish with butter, but not just any type of butter. Beurre monté is a finishing sauce that’s used to add a silky richness, a luxurious polish, and a touch of elegance to whatever you’re enhancing with it.
The basic beurre monté ratio is 3 parts liquid (generally water) to 8 parts butter. Since I’m usually just cooking for two, I halve the amounts. I also change the liquid from water to something with flavor. For a Christmas spin, I’m using pomegranate juice for my liquid to give the beurre monté both flavor and color. I’ll also be using the ruby red pomegranate arils as jewel-like accents on my scallops, along with two accoutrements – a lovely green parsley and pistachio pesto and a tart, bright red cranberry salsa. You’ll have plenty of the pesto and salsa left over, so I’ve got at great use for that too – as dips for my homemade seasoned and toasted tortilla triangles.
The scallops take only minutes to cook, so I’m starting on the dips and the seasoned tortilla chips first. That’ll give you something to munch on while you’re preparing the beurre monté and the scallops.
Parsley Pistachio Pesto
1 cup roasted pistachios
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice and zest of one lemon
2 cups chopped parsley
1 cup neutral olive oil (I use Bertolli’s Extra Light Olive Oil.)
Pinch kosher salt
To roast pistachios, place on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake at 350° for about 10 minutes. Let cool.
Put pistachios, garlic, lemon juice and zest, and parsley into food processor and pulse several times. Slowly drizzle in olive oil with motor running until smooth and pourable. Season to taste with salt.
Cranberry Salsa
1 cup cranberries
Zest and juice of 1 mandarin orange and 1 lime
2 TB sugar
1 TB chopped red onion
1 tsp minced jalapeño (or more, to taste)
1 TB chopped cilantro (or more, to taste)
Pulse all ingredients.
Seasoned Tortilla Chips
1 package small (7”) flour tortillas (20 count)
3-4 TB each oil and unsalted butter
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Cayenne
Thyme
Oregano
Cumin
Using 3 large baking sheets, place a tablespoon each of oil and butter on each sheet. Place in a 300° oven to melt.
While the tortillas are in a stack, slice the round into eighths.
Take each tortilla wedge and dredge both sides through combined oil/ butter mixture and lay on sheets.
Sprinkle a little of each seasoning over the tortilla wedges. Place in a 300° oven and bake about 15 minutes, or until nicely tanned, rotating trays halfway through. Remove from oven and let cool.
I also like to serve Parmesan Rounds with my scallops. They give a nice flavor and crunch to the meal.
For more recipes, tours of my garden, and the occasional travelogue, please visit with Rosie at KitchensAreMonkeyBusiness.com. For any culinary questions, e-mail me at Rosie Hawthorne@gmail.com.
Using a good quality Parmigiano Reggiano, grate the cheese onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet into small rounds using a mold or tin. Your rounds should be about ⅛ inch thick. Bake in a 400° oven about 7-8 minutes, rotating halfway, until golden. Let cool.
Next up is the beurre monté. Beurre monté is simply butter mixed into water (or other liquid), but the inner workings can be a bit complex. It’s a method of heating and melting butter in a liquid while still maintaining the emulsion. A bit of chemistry here: Butter is a solid emulsion of fat and water. When you melt butter, the emulsion breaks, meaning the fat and water separate and become thin and oily. Beurre monté is butter that is simultaneously melted and rebuilt into a new emulsion by constant whisking in the hot water. The whisking breaks the fat into droplets which get dispersed throughout the liquid, thickening the mixture, turning it rich and silky. Temperature is important. The liquid, must be simmering, but not boiling, and the butter must be well-chilled. This way, the butter melts slowly so its fat droplets are incorporated into the liquid and the water doesn’t evaporate so much that you don’t have enough to keep the fat droplets separated. In the Christmas spirit, I’m using pomegranate juice for my liquid, giving it a nice reddish color, and I’m saving the gem-like arils for accent.
For the beurre monté:
The basic ratio for beurre monté is 3 parts water to 8 parts butter, but I’m cooking for only two, so I’m halving it. And instead of water, I’m using pomegranate juice.
1 pomegranate
1 lime
About 6 TB unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces, chilled
To prepare the pomegranate: Halve the pomegranate and take each half and spank it with a wooden spoon over a bowl like it’s been a naughty pomegranate. The arils and juice will come right out. Pick out any of the white cartilage that falls out and discard. Drain the juice to use for the beurre monté and save the seeds. (The pomegranate arils are also a lovely and unique addition to coleslaw.) I found that
one pomegranate produces 2 tablespoons of juice, so for taste’s sake, I added in a tablespoon of lime juice.
Take the 3 tablespoons of juice, pour into a small pan, bring to a boil, turn back to a simmer, and gently simmer until you’ve reduced it to about 2 TB of liquid. To this, I’ll be incorporating about 6 TB butter.
Maintaining a very gentle simmer, add 1 piece of butter at a time and cook, whisking constantly, until butter melts, 20-30 seconds. Continue the process, 1 piece of butter at a time, whisking vigorously, until all butter is incorporated and sauce has the consistency of thin gravy. Take off heat and either use immediately or cover and keep warm. Beurre monté can be kept warm over the lowest possible setting for up to 4 hours, but if simmered too long, the emulsion will break. It cannot be cooled and reheated in emulsion form, but you can always just heat it back up and use it as a seasoned melted butter.
For the scallops:
To prepare the scallops, remove that tough little muscle on the side of each scallop and discard.
Rinse the scallops and pat completely dry.
Lightly dust the scallops with cornstarch and freshly ground pepper.
Film a heavy bottomed skillet with oil and add a heaping tablespoon of butter. You want the temperature about 400°. Working in batches, place in the scallops, one at a time, being careful not to crowd the pan. Leave the scallops alone. Resist the temptation to skittle them around in the pan. Let cook on first side for 2 minutes, tong the scallops over, and cook for a minute on the other side. Remove from pan. Continue with next batch.
To serve:
Plate scallops along with Parmesan crisp, add a small spoonful of the pesto and salsa, drizzle with beurre monté, and sprinkle some pomegranate arils and toasted pistachios around for good measure.
Merry Christmas and enjoy.
Parmesan Rounds
The Civil War Vampire of South Mills
Perquimans Paranormal visits a spot in Camden County in North Carolina, following a lead about happenings connected to local tales and lore with the help of EVP gear; they are surprised when they hear a clear and well-spoken voice claiming to be a vampire who has been present in the region since the Civil War era. The entity discloses itself as a “compassionate predator” that feeds solely upon those at death’s door.
During the Civil War era, it drew sustenance from the fallen soldiers who met their demise at the Battle of South Mills and spilled their blood on the surrounding grounds. Throughout the century, with the increase in car accidents and incidents of gun violence, the vampire evolved its habits to persist in its practices. It believes its deeds are acts of benevolence paving a path for those destined not to endure.
When inquired about its location, the group observes an occurrence in the vicinity: a dark silhouette appearing in the shrubbery across a clear field near the Battle of South Mills (Camden). Although its shape is momentary, its existence is unquestionable, sending chills down the spines of those investigating.
Perplexing as it may be, Perquinans Paranormal Investigators are left with more uncertainties than clarity after this encounter. Is the entity genuinely benevolent? Does it hide motives beneath its charm and perceived righteousness? What other mysteries lie hidden in the fields and forests of Camden County concerning the presence of the undead in our midst?
So, If you’re driving at night along a lonesome country road around midnight and you have the misfortune of a car accident, as you wait for the ambulance, keep telling yourself it can’t happen to me.
What is the purpose of man?
A class taught at St. George’s in Edenton by the dean of our Carolinas Deanery posed the question (1) “What is our goal in being a Christian?”—which begs the question (2) “What is a Christian?”—which leads to the question (3) “What does it mean truly to be human as God intended?”— which results finally in the question (4) “What is the purpose of man?”
The purpose of man, Eastern or Orthodox Christianity teaches, is “theosis” (the Greek equivalent of the Latin “deification”)—what John Wesley called “sanctification,” and what some Wesleyan successors also call “holiness.”
Although Orthodox Christianity often describes salvation by abridging this to three steps (“catharsis” & “theoria” & “theosis”), its fuller recounting can involve six steps—and, in both cases, generally known by their classical Greek terms.
1st is “metanoia” (Greek for a change of mind, or a change of heart), or repentance thus, from one’s fallen way of life.
2nd is “catharsis,” or purification, from one’s disordered passions (or thus from “hamartia,” one’s sinful ways).
3rd is “praxis” (practice) or “orthopraxis” (right practice), thus right habits & right conduct (and including prayer).
4th is “phronema” (a mindset; or an attitude or disposition), a term used to signify the attainment of an orthodox mindset, thus a mind set on spiritual things rather than on fleshly or worldly things—& so now allowing the final steps.
5th is “theoria” (fundamentally meaning “seeing a view”; or therefore meaning an “illumination”), a term describing an increasingly close communion with God.
—This “theoria” or “illumination” is described (at Matthew 5:8) in Jesus’ renowned series of teachings the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
6th is finally the resulting “theosis” itself—or deification, or holiness, or sanctification: thus, leading a Christ-like life.
—This “theosis” is, from the same Sermon on the Mount, again (Matthew 5:48) Jesus’ own bidding: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
As recounted in our July article here, Orthodoxy sees these
Beatitudes (Matt. 5: 1–12) as the “Ten Commandments of the New Testament” and so even sings them most Sundays.
This work of these six steps (especially “praxis”), which we offer in synergy with God and His grace, is cited by St. Paul and by our Lord and throughout the New Testament:
“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1); “Fight the good fight of faith” (I Timothy 6:12); “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, acquit you like men, be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13); “continue in the faith; we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22); “I press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14); “He that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22); “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (II Timothy 4:7).
Thus man was created in (Genesis 1:26) both the “image” & the “likeness” of God; but while man has retained always the “image” of God, he lost his “likeness” to God at Adam’s fall: and it is this “likeness” that Christ teaches us to recover—and which His Crucifixion, His Harrowing of Hell, & His Resurrection, enables us to choose & strive to recover.
In this process we learn (Matthew 22: 37–40) Jesus’ “first and great commandment” and His “second like unto it”: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”; and “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
And thus finally, in this Christ-like life—the truly human life that God intends for man—, by His grace and by the Holy Spirit, the Christian can bring to others God’s peace and healing and a reconciliation to Him.
And so our dean reminded the class here of the renowned quotation by St. Seraphim of Sarov, teaching the value of living in the Holy Spirit as he did: “Acquire the spirit of peace; and around you, thousands will be saved.”
(—The Orthodox Church is the older Eastern Christianity, vs. the later Western form, of Protestantism & Catholicism.)
If you have any advertising that needs to be done, please stop by Tradewinds Media and see how they can help you.
Sue E Bingaman
Everything Leggings with Sue
St. George’s Orthodox Church
212 East Church Street mail: P.O. Box 38 Edenton, N.C., 27932 telephone no. 482-2006
Saturdays 5:00 pm: Great Vespers (concluding by 6:00 pm)
Sundays 9:35 am: The Hours’ Prayers & psalms 10:00 am: Divine Liturgy or Typica & homily
Other services please telephone 482-2006 for these dates & times
Eastern Christianity
The Orthodox Church is the original Eastern Christianity from the Holy Land, of interest to those who might prefer an older Christianity than the later Western forms Protestantism & Catholicism.
Premier Trailers
Premier Trailers RTO Succes
Gary and his team at Premier Trailers are the champions of exceptional customer service. They are dedicated to working through the NC DMV on behalf of their clients with efficiency and ease. Recently, a young man, passionate about his new hobby of drift racing, walked into Premier Trailers. He urgently needed a trailer to transport his prized car between races. With his first race fast approaching and racing fees piling up, he needed a high-quality trailer at an affordable price, and he needed it quickly.
He found the perfect solution thanks to Premier Trailers’ incredible RentTo-Own program. He could secure the trailer he needed without breaking the bank by putting down just a few hundred dollars and agreeing to manageable monthly payments. The Rent-To-Own option proved ideal, allowing him to hit the road and get to his next race on time. Gary and his friendly, helpful staff ensured the young racer had everything he needed, showcasing their commitment to going above and beyond for their clients. Premier Trailers is the go-to destination for anyone needing a reliable trailer, with a team always ready to help.
The Currituck Chamber of Commerce provides a resource for businesses, newcomers, and visitors to Currituck and the surrounding area. We invite you to check our upcoming events calendar each month for networking opportunities, member promotions, career opportunities, and fun things to do in the area.
Grace Market Ribbon Cutting
By Beloved Haven’s
We are excited to announce that the Currituck Chamber of Com-
merce
recently partnered with the Beloved Havens Grace Market to celebrate the grand opening of Grace Market. Congratulations to the entire team at Beloved Havens and their expansion and continued success.
We look forward to their continued growth and their ongoing contributions to the region!
You can visit them at 155 Survey Road, Moyock, NC 27958 (252) 339-6304
While Frosts Come to Only Sing
By Joseph Grimes
While frosts come to only sing; So, will the silence of morning duties bring. Where Sun’s fellow-rise, of heat that comes and goes; Until the morning frost leaves its glaring woes.
Scott and his publications with Trade Winds provide our little corner of the world with valuable and timely insights and information.
Tom Brennan O’Brennan Photography
Captain Harl Pease’s Medal of Honor
In 1942, a United States Army Air Corps captain is awarded a Medal of Honor. Captain Harl Pease’s bravery during an attack on an enemy-held airdrome had left many astounded.
Pease wasn’t supposed to be present for that August 7, 1942, attack near Rabaul, New Britain. The plane that he’d been flying the day before had lost an engine, but Pease scavenged another damaged aircraft and made it serviceable—sort of. He’d worked for hours to patch that plane together, and he’d joined his squadron at 1 o’clock in the morning.
A little thing like an unserviceable B-17 Flying Fortress bomber wasn’t going to keep Pease down!
Even after Pease’s effort, at least one officer thought that he “had no business in the show.” And another pilot objected that Pease was trying to join the mission with a “defective plane.” But the squadron’s commanding officer knew that every bomber was needed. Pease would be allowed to participate.
Every crew member on his plane that day was a volunteer, joining the effort even though Pease’s plane wasn’t really up to par.
It would prove to be a death sentence. But these brave airmen didn’t go down without a fight. And they made an invaluable contribution along the way.
Pease worked wonders with that barely serviceable plane during the mission that followed. When the American squadron came under attack by Japanese fighters, Pease was “on the wing which bore the brunt of the hostile attack,” as his Medal citation describes. Nevertheless, “by gallant action and the accurate shooting by his crew, [Pease] succeeded in destroying several Zeros before dropping his bombs on the hostile base as planned, this in spite of continuous enemy attacks.”
Unfortunately, the already inadequate plane had taken even more damage. Witnesses saw Pease jettisoning a burning bomb bay fuel tank. He and his crew went missing in action and, for a time, it was believed that he’d been shot down.
He received the Medal of Honor in December 1942, but he was also presumed dead. As it turned out, there was more to Pease’s story.
By Tara Ross
After the war, American authorities discovered the crash site for Pease’s plane. They also heard from eyewitnesses. Pease didn’t die on August 7, as everyone had thought. Instead, he’d parachuted out of his plane, along with one of his crewmen. Both men were captured by the Japanese and taken to a POW camp.
They wouldn’t stay there long. Early in October 1942, the two men were led out of that camp, and they were forced to dig their own graves nearby. Afterwards, the Japanese beheaded them. A Roman Catholic missionary witnessed these events, and he finished burying the Americans.
Two brave young men, dying all alone in enemy territory. Hopefully they at least had the satisfaction of knowing that they’d accomplished their mission, against all odds.
P.S. In an interesting side note, Pease once had the opportunity to help evacuate General Douglas MacArthur from a difficult situation. MacArthur refused to join Pease, apparently believing the pilot too young or the plane too unstable (or both). Naturally, that is a story for another day.
Tara Ross is a mother, wife, writer, and retired lawyer. She is the author of The Indispensable Electoral College: How the Founders’ Plan Saves Our Country from Mob Rule,Enlightened Democracy: The Case for the Electoral College, co-author of Under God: George Washington and the Question of Church and State (with Joseph C. Smith, Jr.), & We Elect A President: The Story of our Electoral College. She is a constitutionalist, but with a definite libertarian streak! Stay tuned here for updates on pretty much anything to do with the Electoral College, George Washington, & our wonderfully rich American heritage.
The Many Hidden Costs of Tariffs
By: Benjamin Seevers
Tariffs are not going anywhere in 2025. There is no indication that the protectionist rhetoric embraced by President-elect Donald Trump has changed; in fact, the evidence suggests that tariff policy will worsen. Given this climate, it is important for economists to make the case for free trade.
Of course, tariffs raise the price of tariffed goods and benefit domestic manufacturers at the expense of domestic consumers and foreign producers. These drawbacks are well known. However, there are also some less well known effects of trade restrictions.
For example, Gordon Tullock, in his 1967 paper “The Welfare Costs of Tariffs, Monopolies, and Theft,” lists a number of costs that are not typically considered. Tullock states, “Collection of a tariff involves expenditure on customs inspectors, etc., who do the actual collection and coast guards who prevent smuggling.” Essentially, the government spends money on stopping tariff dodgers. If the government did not have a tariff policy, then this money could have remained in the hands of private actors.
If the government spends money on preventing tariff dodging, then it follows that people will try to get around these barriers. Tullock continues, “Further, customs brokers are normally hired by the shipper to expedite the movement of their goods through customs.” This could take a variety of forms. Importers may expend resources on smuggling, or they might hire a lawyer or a lobbyist to help get around these barriers legally.
Additionally, the revenue from tariffs may be wasted. Tullock states:
Suppose further that the revenues raised by this tax are completely wasted, building tunnels, for example, which go nowhere…The people buying the product pay more than the cost, but no one benefits from the expenditure. The funds are not transferred because no one benefits from the existence of the tax. The whole economy is poorer…by the whole amount of wasted resources.
In the above case, the tariff revenues have little benefit outside of the political factors that motivated the tariff. In this situation, the taxpayers do not receive any government-provided goods in return. In reality, not all of the tariff revenue is wasted. Some benefit is derived from government taxation via public spending despite the undesirability of taxes. Whatever the tariff revenue goes towards, however, will likely involve some level of waste. Perhaps a significant level. If the tariff revenue was not extracted in the first place, then the funds would have stayed in the private sector where they would have likely been utilized more efficiently.
There are also costs associated with lobbying, as Tullock points out. Domestic manufacturers gain monopolistic advantages associated with import tariffs, so they are willing to pay some price for that advantage. This price tends to come in the form of lobbying expenditures—a practice known as rent-seeking. Again, these expenditures would not exist if not for tariffs.
The domestic steel industry has historically supported tariffs on foreign steel through lobbying. As OpenSecrets reports, “During the first part of the 2000s, the industry strongly pushed—with some success—trade policies that were decried by critics as protectionist, including a tariff on imports.” In the absence of tariffs, lobbying spending would be much lower, and domestic manufacturers would
5 tips to battle the bugs this cold and flu season
(BPT) - Cold and flu season typically runs from October to May, but with summer colds, COVID outbreaks, RSV and allergies, it’s a pretty safe bet that you and your family may be dealing with a variety of symptoms of one kind or another, no matter the season.
Given this year-round battle against illness, the ever-rising costs of medications can put a strain on your wallet and cause confusion as to how best to guard against all of those various bugs out there.
“It’s vital for families to get reliable information on how to prevent illnesses, especially during cold and flu season when many bugs are at their worst, and what to do if they do come down with something,” said Preeti Parikh, Executive Medical Director at GoodRx, the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S. “This includes information about how to get the best price on any medications they need.”
That’s where GoodRx comes in. It is an online platform that does double duty. GoodRx can save you up to 80% off retail prices of medications, plus it offers trusted information on the myriad health conditions that families deal with. GoodRx’s articles, written by a team of doctors, pharmacists, health economists and public health experts, provide you with authoritative and trustworthy answers to your most pressing health questions so you can make better decisions for your family’s health.
When it comes to navigating cold and flu season, Dr. Parikh offers the following tips to prevent illness and manage treatment if you do become sick.
* Get vaccinated. Everyone should get their flu shot and COVID booster by the end of October, and these shots can be done at the same time. It’s the most important thing you can do to prevent illness, not only for yourself, but for vulnerable people in your community, such as children, the elderly and people with chronic conditions.
* Older Americans should investigate the RSV vaccine. All Americans aged 75 and older should receive one dose of the RSV vaccine. Adults aged 60 to 74 with serious chronic conditions, pregnant women, and young babies may also need to get vaccinated. Work with your healthcare provider to determine if the vaccine is best for you.
* Wash your hands. Everyone should practice good disease prevention! Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and sneeze or cough into your elbow.
* Protect others. If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to the office or out shopping or dining. If you must go out, wear a mask to help avoid passing those bugs around.
* If you do become sick, GoodRx can help you save on treatments, including antibiotics that can treat your infection, cold medications to help with symptoms, and
spend on more productive enterprises rather than trying to obtain monopolistic advantages.
As demonstrated by Tullock, the costs of tariffs are greater than typically understood. In addition to compromising the global division of labor, they also lead to waste in a number of other ways, as outlined above. To create a strong and healthy economy, it is paramount that Trump cease imposing new tariffs, and if he is willing, revoke those that have already been enacted.
antivirals, which can shorten the duration or alleviate the symptoms of your illness. On average, GoodRx users save $34 on cold and flu treatment medications.
So, how do the savings work? It’s actually very easy. Just go to GoodRx.com or the mobile app and type in the name of the medications you have been prescribed. You’ll get a listing of local pharmacies and their prices. Choose the lowest one, and a coupon will pop up. Bring your phone with you to the pharmacy and show the coupon to your pharmacist to get the lowest possible price on your medications.
To arm yourself with information about how to battle the bugs, and ways to save at the pharmacy, visit GoodRx. com/go/fluseason.
Matters of The Heart
By: Pat Throckmorton
“You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:15 NIV
The word justify is key to this verse. Justify: defend, excuse, rationalize, explain, and validate myself-my behavior to men. The ability to justify has been polished to a fine art by politicians. Am I any different? I may look good on the outside, but what is really in my heart? To whom does the truth matter most, man or God? Man judges us by our outward appearance, while God judges us by our hearts. How foolish to justify ourselves to man while our odious inside is clearly visible to God.
“Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, ‘Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?’” Matthew 9:4 NIV. Take note they did not say these things out loud; instead, they were murmurings and sudden thoughts within their hearts. He knows all thoughts we have within.
So, what really is in my heart? Am I honest with myself? Is there jealousy, prejudice, anger, or evil in my heart? Look at your situation. Is there someone by whom you feel threatened or intimidated? The recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left nineteen children and two adults dead is incomprehensible to me. The eighteenyear-old male that committed this atrocity; what, when, and how did he arrive at this wicked emotional level? Had he been hurt so badly that he wanted to evoke as much pain as possible in many people? Only God holds the answer to that. “The Lord knows the thoughts of man.” Psalm 94:11a NIV.
What about prejudice and discrimination? “My brothers,
as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here is a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” James 2:1-4 NIV.
The measure of respect you show to one should not be based on outward appearances. What counts with God are the secret feelings you have in your heart, the thoughts and feelings only about which you know. After all, there is only one Heaven, and the poorest Christian will be accepted there equally with the rich. The Apostle James gives us practical ways to live a Christian life; the application is up to us.
Now look toward those who deceive themselves and find God’s instruction in the Book of Luke. We know the impetus of your heart can have lasting consequences. “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in Heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. Luke 12:33-34 NIV. Luke 21:34 warns us to “be careful” in the end times, “or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.” God wants your heart focused upon Him. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” Matthew 22:37.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the
Nothing succeeds like Equity
YLORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
We each have our own beliefs. I have my own personal walk with God; I am responsible and accountable for what I say and do and what I think. When times are good, it is easy to say and do the right thing. When disaster or pandemonium strikes, it is not relatively so easy. That is when I must lean heavily on my faith in God, for He knows my heart; He knows my needs, and He has the big picture.
My prayer is this: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
717-215-9703 www.hedgerandhedger.com
By: Ray Hedger
ou have often seen the expression “Employee owned” on billboards, ads, signs and other references to a business. The phrase typically means that the subject business, usually a corporation, has instituted an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) whereby its employees are periodically awarded shares of stock in their employer. Employers who institute ESOPs do so in recognition of the fact that giving employees “a piece of the pie” as part of their compensation package engenders loyalty and improves productivity.
ESOPs are “tax qualified plans” that are expensive to create and maintain. In addition, if the business is not a public company with a market for its securities, the business must commit to providing “liquidity” to employees by purchasing the stock that employees are awarded under the ESOP at the stocks’ fair market value when the employee elects to sell. This “put” obligation can be onerous.
By reason of the foregoing, ESOPs are normally feasible only for companies with annual revenues well into seven figures. However, the means exist for smaller companies to secure for their employees the motivational advantages of equity awards without the baggage attendant with ESOPs. Among the alternatives, stock option plans are in the forefront.
A stock option plan is simply a procedure whereby a company’s board of directors grants to employees of the board’s own choosing options to purchase the company’s stock at the fair market value thereof on the date of grant. Stock option plans, unlike ESOPs, are not tax qualified plans and are not subject to anti-discrimination requirements.
If the exercise price of options granted under the stock option plan are at the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, there are no current tax consequences to the company or grantees. Most options granted to employees will qualify as “incentive stock options” under which any appreciation in the stock would not be taxed upon option exercise, but only when the stock is sold. Thus, stock options plans may be a tax advantageous means of motivating employees with equity without the complexity of tax qualified plans or the liquidity obligations of ESOPs.
Our firm would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you alternative methods of providing equity incentives to your employees.
Northeast North Carolina Family History - Christmas decorating traditions…
By: Irene Hampton - nencfamilyhistory@gmail.com
Apologies for the one picture that didn’t make sense in last month’s column - it was meant for this month’s and I’m not quite sure how it slipped in! Every year just before Thanksgiving, Whalehead in Historic Corolla is decorated for the Christmas season. On Friday and Saturday evenings between Thanksgiving and Christmas an hour-long Christmas Candlelight tour is offered. Tickets go on sale early in October and sell out quickly, especially for the Thanksgiving weekend, which is often disappointing for people as the tour can only accommodate two groups of 15. The first day of sales this past October resulted in over 120 spaces being reserved! BUT you can take the regular tour any weekday and see the house decorated for Christmas. The idea for decorating comes from drawings Edward Collings Knight, Jr. left in his hunting log books. That’s what the picture that I accidentally submitted last month represented.
Some of his drawings seem to be inspired by local plant life. Ivy and berries and evergreens of different sorts. That, for the most part, is what is reflected in the decorations in the museum. There are five decorated Christmas trees throughout the house in the library, Mrs. Knight’s bedroom, the Starkey’s room (Mr. Knight’s valet), the servant’s dining room and Mr. Knight’s office. I’ll try to include a photo of a Christmas tree from Mr. Knight’s office taken a few years ago.
Trying to identify Christmas decorating traditions from the early 20th century was a little underwhelming. The traditions of places like Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia or Tryon Palace in North Carolina are certainly available but not the right time period. Same with Old Salem and Moravian traditions which are easily found.
In an article in last year’s December issue of The Carolina Journal entitled “Surprising ways NC has shaped how the world celebrates Christmas,” Joshua D.Glawson lays out some interesting information. North Carolina is the second largest producer of Christmas trees after Oregon and has sent more Christmas trees to Washington, DC as the official White House tree than any other state. That total hit 16 when one from the western part of the state was selected for this Christmas. That’s a fact I loved to ask visitors about during the Candlelight tour. Unknown to me was that North Carolina is the second largest producer of poinsettias in the country.
Earthworms: Well-Grounded
No living thing lives in an environmental vacuum. There are both enhancing relationships and limiting associations. One organism that often flies below the radar is the earthworm. Earthworms belong to the biological phylum Annelida or segmented worms. According to some sources, there are between 50 – 300 earthworms per square yard of US cropland. These subterranean critters are remarkably successful at what they do, including reproduction and soil processing. Earthworms are largely responsible for nutrient recycling by digesting decaying matter into readily available soil nutrients, thereby increasing microbial activity that frees micronutrients for plant uptake. Earthworm activity also facilitates water infiltration by establishing burrows that act as channels for surface water transport, water filtration routes, and expanding pathways for plant root travel as they migrate below the surface. As beneficial as earthworms are, all is not wonderful in worm world and the impact they have on different ecosystems. About 12,000 years ago as the glaciers were receding from the northern latitudes here in the USA, there were no existing populations of earthworms in those areas.
“The poinsettia plant was named after South Carolinian Joel Roberts Poinsett, who originally brought the plant from Mexico to the US. In the early-to-mid 1800s, poinsettias were commonly used as interstate roadside decorations between western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and down through South Carolina. And, since the plant became popularized in the region, it has remained a Christmas tradition in North Carolina, which then supplies them for many regions of the country.”
The tradition of Christmas in July began in Brevard, North Carolina at Keystone Camp, an all-girl’s camp, in July of 1933. Not an officially recognized holiday but certainly an event that takes place in a variety of forms across the country every summer.
Wishing everyone an enjoyable holiday season with lots of family and friends where I KNOW you will be recording memories in one of the many forms available for future generations to learn from. And hope you enjoy the pictures from Whalehead’s Christmas decorations inspired by E. C. Knight, Jr.
by: Coy Domecq chdomecq@hotmail.com
Northern hardwood forests developed a growth pattern dependent upon leaf litter and the slow degradation of forest floor organic matter. As time passed and international trade developed, non-native earthworm seafaring hitchhikers were unintentionally deposited on our shores by ships from Europe. These non-native species colonized the previously earthworm barrens and changed the local ecosystem. The hardwood forests of the north were negatively impacted by the new earthworm activity as now leaf litter detritus was processed at a much faster rate and the growth pattern of trees were unable to quickly adapt to the relatively rapid release of soil nutrients. One result of this change was weaker, less extensive, therefore less supportive root systems. As these changes occurred, other plant species filled the void (as all biological systems do.) and gained competitive advantage over those trees negatively impacted by the earthworm activity. The takeaway is that local earthworms are instrumental to successful gardening, but non-natives are far less beneficial, and even detrimental, to northern forests.
Irene Hampton earned a certificate in Genealogy from Brigham Young University and worked as the Genealogical/Local history Researcher for the Pasquotank-Camden Library for over 12 years. She has also abstracted and published “Widow’s Years Provisions, 1881-1899, Pasquotank County, North Carolina”; “1840 Currituck, North Carolina Federal Census” and “Record of Marriages, Book A (1851-1867) Currituck County, North Carolina”. You may contact her at nencfamilyhistory@gmail.com.
Habitat for Humanity by Jane Elfring
We recently received two very generous grants for our home repair program. The NC REALTOR Association awarded the Albemarle Area Association of REALTORS a $25,000 grant on our behalf and the Elizabeth City Foundation presented us with $10,000. We also recently received $1000 from Christ Episcopal Church. All of these monies will be used to finance our repair program for low-income seniors.
Our volunteers are currently repairing two homes for local families. One involved repairs to the kitchen floor which had been damaged by water. In the course of doing those repairs, we learned that joist supports were missing under the house. These were added and weatherstripping was also added to both the front and rear doors of the house. The exterior access door was installed as were handicap accessible door handles. We are currently waiting for an estimate to replace the tub with a step-in shower and high toilet.
There were also extensive plumbing repairs that needed to be done for another homeowner. After these repairs were completed, we repaired the sheetrock in the living room and outside of one of the bathrooms. The exterior door jams also needed to be replaced due to water damage. We will also be repairing closet shelving units.
Both of these repairs were completed with assistance from Coast Guard personnel assigned at The Aviation Logistics Center. We are always looking for volunteers to help us with these projects. We can use people of all skill levels on these repair jobs.
We also need volunteers to join our Board of Directors. Current officers are: Josh Mirrotto (President), Lindsey White (Vice-President), Norma James (Treasurer), Jane Elfring (Secretary), At-Large-Fran Sutton, Ann Thomas, Erica Ramjohn and Letitia Evans. Our success if due to the efforts of this board. If you would like to join us, contact Josh Mirrotto at joshuamirrotto@gmail.com for further information.
Alan Lomax’s Folk Legacy
Alan Lomax is widely known for safeguarding and honoring folk music traditions. He was born on January 31st, 1915, in Austin, Texas, and spent his life capturing the songs of individuals—songs that could have easily been forgotten over time. Through research in the field and recordings of these gems, Lomax shed light on the richness and variety of human creativity and has left a lasting impact on global cultural legacies.
Alan Lomax started his career in the 1930s with his father, John Avery Lomax, a folklorist, by working at the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library of Congress. They journeyed through the Southern United States, recording types of music, like work songs, spiritual ballads, and blues, reflecting a changing nation’s evolving voices. During his journey into music exploration, Alan met musicians such as Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) and Muddy Waters. Their music preserved cultural heritage and showcased their talent to a broader audience. Alan’s ability to discern authenticity and his admiration for the artists he worked with from others allowed him to establish relationships with those he met.
Lomax gained fame in the United States for his contributions to music. His influence reached far beyond the country’s borders following World War II. Drawing on his perspective vision, he embarked on journeys across Europe and the Caribbean to document folk music from various cultures worldwide. His motivation stemmed from the belief that folk music was a portal into a community that shared experiences and values by capturing its challenges as moments of celebration and heritage. Lomax discovered songs in Italy and Spain, such as the British Isles, that showcased a deep tie between traditional practices and the evolving styles in America. He saw these
recordings as threads in a fabric of human artistry—a cultural dialect emphasizing the widespread nature of folk customs.
Lomax was a figure in the field of technology who employed recording gadgets to document live performances in their original settings—a groundbreaking method during that era. The raw and genuine nature of these recordings provided an insight into the fabric of the various communities he traversed. As his career progressed,d Lomax transitioned to using video to capture the environments where music flourished—ranging from gatherings and religious ceremonies to impromptu street shows. His ambitious initiative, The Global Jukebox, beautifully embodied his vision. The database lets you explore music and dance traditions worldwide by linking them based on themes and patterns, which reveals the cultural connections that unite people globally.
Lomax’s impact resonated across generations of musicians and scholars alike. His recordings shaped the folk revival movement of the 1950s and 60s and left an indelible mark on artists such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger. By bringing folk music into the spotlight for mainstream audiences, Lomax helped bridge the gap between tradition and creativity, ensuring that people’s authentic voices endure through time. In addition to his contributions, his work highlighted the significance of preserving culture amidst a changing world.
Alan Lomax may have left us in 2002; however, his impact lives on through the collection he assembled during his lifetime. The Alan Lomax Collection is stored at the Library of Congress and the Association for Cultural Equity. It is a repository of recordings, research, and photographs. It remains an asset for researchers, mu-
sicians, and individuals captivated by tales of humanity. Lomax’s endeavors reflect the richness of our differences in a world that’s becoming more uniform. Alan Lomax’s recordings do more than document music; they also embody the essence of the individuals behind the music. Uphold a sense of cultural identity and heritage for generations to come. Alan Lomax was known as a “ collector of songs” who bestowed upon us not melodies but also a bond to our shared humanity.
by Pastor Dan Bergey
Have you ever met someone at their lowest point or during their biggest struggle? It might be a death of someone, illness, or other difficulty. I recently met a person whose spouse had a heart attack and needed immediate surgery. I asked if I could pray for them, and they agreed. As I ended the prayer, I asked if they were going to be okay, and the response was, “Yes, now that I have received my strength back.”
The Psalmist wrote: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” Psalm 28:7 While this verse is prayed over my children and grandchildren often, I can’t help but ponder the emotional rollercoaster I see in individuals today. Our world needs men and women who can learn what a resilient lifestyle looks like and lives like. Resilience is simply a successful outcome of adaptation through a difficult experience and is fought in our emotional, mental, and physical arena. These successes build character, give confidence and competence in and through that experience. The power gained in coping through those experiences gives us a connection with others who suffer along with a contribution of encouragement to help others through it. This often builds the sense of community in many small towns across the United States.
In my life, I have seen incredible resiliency in two groups of people, and it is my prayer that these examples will encourage you as well. The first group of people is my own family: my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. I often tell stories of things that I have seen and heard of their life experiences, and I witnessed firsthand the results of their resiliency. Things like spouses dying in childbirth and at young ages, stillborn babies, drowning, illness, and disease. What helped to build resiliency in them through all of this?
The second group of people are those who I have read about in the Bible. I will pick just two for this article because they are examples of the two common themes of resiliency that I have found help me too. The first is Joseph. He was ridiculed and made fun of as a young boy by his brothers and then sold into slavery. I do not have the space in this article to name everything that happened to Joseph in his life, but each success and
failure helped to strengthen his resolve. This resolve found a voice when he had the opportunity to get revenge on his brothers. “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:5 Do you desire to live a resilient life? Then learn how to forgive yourself and others God’s way.
The second person in the Bible is Daniel. Despite all the things Daniel did for the kingdom where lived as a slave, still others hated him enough to put him in a den of lions to be killed. After spending the night in the lion’s den, the king came to check on Daniel and found him alive and unharmed. Daniel’s response to the king that morning was this: “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before God; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” Daniel 6:22 I have seen, learned and put into practice the power of forgiveness by putting my faith and trust in God.
With these examples from the Bible like Joseph and Daniel, along with those that I have known personally, I want to pass on to you that even in a world of hurt and pain, with struggles and heartaches that seem to have no way to overcome, YOU can live a life of resiliency with faith in Jesus Christ through the power of His forgiveness. Even if we have not yet met, you are already prayed for. May God bless you richly.
newlifecurrituck@gmail.com
Office - 252-453-2773
Church websitenewlifecurrituck.org
Dan Bergey - Senior Pastor pdbjar5@gmail.com
One Last Question
by Ron Ben-Dov
Copyright all rights reserved
Who am I that you love me so
That you answer my every prayer
And answer all my questions
You take the time to light my path
Show me the truth and give me life
I know I am a sinner, saved by grace
The grace that only comes from you
Freely given, not what I’ve earned
So I give you all of my thanks
And give you all the honor and glory
All my praise, for only you deserve
And ask you one last question
Who am I that you love me so?
Starting this coming Sunday, January 3, 2024 @ 8 PM Eastern Standard Time, on albemarletradewinds.com tune in for Time with Ron the Poet for a half hour of Christian poetry, music, testimonies, teachings and messages.
53rjbd@gmail.com
The author was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 12, 1953. Moved to New York at the age of five, and became a U.S. citizen at the age of eleven. Graduated from George Washington High School in New York City. In 1972, enlisted in the U S Navy and was discharged in 1975. Was a merchant seaman from 1982 through 1988. In between, dug ditches, washed dishes, sold used cars, and even drove a cab. Graduated from Elizabeth City State University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Was a Motor Fuels Tax Auditor for the State of North Carolina, an IT Control Specialist for Gateway Bank/Bank of Hampton Roads and retired at the end of 2015. Currently a radio show host on Tattered Christian Soldiers and Carolina Footsteps radio
Author of the following books:
Faith Based Poetry
Inspiration by God, Perspiration by Ron
Inspiration by God, More Perspiration by Ron
Inspiration by God, Even More Perspiration by Ron
Inspiration by God, Perspiration by Ron, Volume IV
Scan QR Code for more of Ron’s Bio and Books.
1730 NEWBOLD-WHITE HOUSE ~ Oldest brick house in NC!!
Our final article BUT still much to share!
By the time you read this LAST article from us, the now 20-years-old Periauger will have participated in Hertford’s Christmas parade.
Don’t forget that our Gift Shop is open for your holiday shopping. In addition to gifts you will also find gently used HOLIDAY décor. We’ve got everything from toys and books for kids, jewelry for Mom, decorative Fall and Christmas serving pieces, ornaments, books about local history….actually, there’s so much variety I’m hard pressed to name it all! Open on Friday/Saturday December 6-7 and Friday/Saturday December 13-14 from 10am to 3pm. Hope to SEE you!
Another Don’t Forget is Colonial Christmas on Thursday, December 19, from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Music in the historic 1730 Newbold-White House, caroling, Gift Shop open for that 11thhour present, light food and desserts and the Yule Log!
Hope you’ve enjoyed our articles and will visit the oldest brick house in NC – find us at: www.perquimansrestoration.org and FaceBook
“Scott directs his energy to meeting the needs of his audience. He is fully vested in building community and has the knowledge and skills to do so.”
Russ Haddad Core Development LLC
Grief Share is a support group to help you move through the grief process. A Grief Share support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way. To learn more and find a support group location go to www. GriefShare.org
By: Senator Norman Sanderson, Senate District 1
“How Do I Thank Thee, Let Me Count The Ways”
My wife Linda quoted this scripture to me before Thanksgiving and I have been pondering it since then. I have asked myself the question of whether I am as thankful as I could be and am not very pleased with the answer. Let me explain.
Sunday morning before Thanksgiving, my wife, daughter and her husband and my youngest grandson drove 2.5 hours to attend my family cookout to celebrate the holiday. This trip has become sort of a tradition over the las 6-8 years and I look forward it. A great opportunity to see my brothers and sisters and their spouses, nieces and nephews and family friends. About 40 people altogether. I had thought that sometime during our time together, we could gather as a group and give every person who wanted to participate a chance to share something they were thankful for. As you might guess, it did not happen. Children scattered to play outside, adults were having conversations in small groups and before we knew it, it was time to start our return trips home. On the way I was thinking about a missed opportunity and promised myself that I would do better next time.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, our local family with friends, gathered again to share a meal and celebrate. This time, my daughter suggested that we gather as a group and give thanks. Again, things got sidetracked. We missed another opportunity to share with each other how God has blessed our family.
I am realizing how easy it is to think, talk and complain about the things I don’t have or don’t like and forget about how much God has truly blessed me and my family. I am committing to change my priorities. I want the first thing out of my mouth to be praise and thankfulness to Him. I
want to share with you 3 verses from a song by Johnson Oatman I learned many years ago. I intend to make it my theme song in the future:
“Count Your Blessings”
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessing, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged, God is over all: Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
We all remember the parable of the 10 lepers. All ten called out for Jesus to heal them. He proclaimed healed and instructed them to go and present themselves to the Priests who would declare them clean. One came back to give Jesus thanks for healing. Jesus asked the one, were there not 10? Where are the nine? The answer, they did not come back. Jesus told the one leper, your faith has made you well. I don’t know what became of the nine. May we all remember to be like the one? “Thank You Jesus”. Please enjoy the approaching Birth of Christ.
Please continue to pray for our friends and family in the West. They are special people. If God puts it on your heart to help, please do. It will be you who receives the blessing.
Local Bass Fishing Team Gets Invite to 2024 FOM National Championship
The North Carolina East Fishers of Men Firefly Weeknight Series held their first tournament of the 2025 season on the Pasquotank River Friday, October 18, 2024. The weather was sunny and mild with temperatures in the low 70’s with a stiff breeze out of the northeast at 10-20 mph which created lower than normal tidal conditions. 10 teams participated in the tournament and all teams attended the pre-tournament meeting.
The meeting was started with a prayer and our FOM Chaplain, Kenneth Wallace, providing the message. Kenneth spoke about “Little Faith”. He started by reading from the Gospel of Mathew chapter 14vs. 22-31 which describes Jesus telling the disciples to get into a boat and cross over to the other side of the lake ahead of him while he sent the people away. Jesus went to the mountain to pray alone. With the boat several hundreds of yards from the shore, the winds and the waves began to make their journey difficult. Between three and six o’clock Jesus came to them walking on water and the disciples were terrified. They thought it was a ghost and began to scream because they were afraid. Immediately Jesus told them to calm down because it was he. Peter decided that if it was Jesus, to have him walk out on the water to him. Jesus told Peter to come and he got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Peter noticed the strong wind and the waves and began to sink because he was afraid. He shouted “Lord save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out and caught hold of
Peter and said to him “you have so little faith! Why do you doubt?” Kenneth explained the word Oligopistos, which is Greek, and means little faith. Kenneth asked the FOM members about the times when we have little faith in our lives such as when we have difficult times with our jobs, family, illnesses, finances, etc. He went on to explain that God knows our desires and needs and he will never give up on us and we should definitely not give up on him. Kenneth went on to explain that we need to trust God for the long haul because not only does the word Oligopistos refer to the size of one’s faith but also the duration. This means that we need to keep the faith and let God’s plan play out. He ended by explaining if we have enough faith to step out, we need to have faith to see it through. Kenneth ended in prayer praising God for giving us faith and thanking him for this ministry.
After reviewing the rules highlights, our fishermen set out on the Pasquotank River in search of the winning catch. The fishermen found the bite to be a very tough with low water conditions and the fish in that fall transition period. There were only 18 fish weighed for a total 44.6 pounds. 18 of the fish were released back into the water for 100% release. The average number of fish per team was 1, average weight per team 4.46 pounds and the average fish weight was 2.48 pounds. When the teams came to the scale, Trent Nixon, fishing solo without his father Kirk Nixon, had the winning 3 fish bag that weighed 12.65 pounds with a 6.31 pound kicker fish which was also the
Big Fish for the tournament. Second place was awarded to Chris Meads and Zachery Meads who brought five fish to the scales that weighed 9.17 pounds. Third place was Pat Seigh fishing solo without his partner Isaiah with 2 fish that went 8.37 pounds with a 6.30 pound kicker.
We would like to thank all those who helped with making this tournament a success, especially Kenneth Wallace, Gary Sawyer, and Eric Ball as well as all our fishermen. We also would like to thank all the Fishers of Men sponsors; Bass Cat, Mercury Outboards, Realtree Fishing, Power Pole, Firefly Outdoor and Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Spiderwire, TH Marine and X2Power.
To fish the 2025 Fishers of Men NC East Series contact Pat Seigh at 757-641-4990
Daycation Page
Daycations are events that make a great one day family getaway.
We live in a fun region that always has something going on, and we pick events that we think are the most interesting. If you have an event you wish to list, email it to: br549@modernmedianow.com before the last Wednesday of the month. Please include a description, date, time, location, and a picture. Also, contact information in case folks have any questions.
Very knowledgeable in getting the word out about your business!
Sherwin
Gaddis Juggernaut Systems Express
First Friday ArtWalk, - Downtown Elizabeth City
Every First Friday of the month many art studios and businesses in downtown Elizabeth City are open from 4:00 pm until 7:00 PM-ish for our First Friday ArtWalk! Guest artists along with food and music abound as businesses remain open later and the downtown streets come to life. Come down to see all of our local creativity; stay to dine or sip at one of our 28 independently owned pubs, coffee shops, and restaurant options downtown.
Comments? E-Mail br549@modernmedianow.com
C.
Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc
December 1- December31
Downtown Elizabeth City is a truly magical place when everyone decorates their stores and windows for the holidays. Wander downtown with our ballot list and view the beautifully decorated holiday windows, then vote for your favorite. Talk about classic holiday nostalgia! It’s a fun way to experience the downtown area and see and shop all the businesses.
Ballots will be available at all participating locations and at the information kiosk at Mariners’ Wharf Park, or you may print the ballot from this event when it is posted in the discussion.
For more information contact Elizabeth City Downtown Inc. at (252) 338-4104
VFW POST 6060, 1433 N. ROAD ST., ELIZABETH CITY, NC 252-338-2828 TRIBUTE AT VETERANS PARK 222 N. WATER ST., ELIZABETH CITY 7 DECEMBER, NOON Please join us for this Honorable Tribute. The ceremony will be brief. The Post will be serving light refreshments after. All are welcome.
WILLIAM
JACKSON
William C. Jackson, Elizabeth City, NC
Navy Petty Officer 3 rd Class, USS West Virgina Killed in Action, 7 December, 1941, Pearl Harbor
Visit us for our annual Holiday Open House: A Colonial Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 7!
Visitors can step back in time and experience a colonial Christmas through seasonal hands-on activities and games. Watch the Albemarle Express model train as it travels around the Albemarle region and stops at county landmarks in each of the thirteen counties represented at the museum.
Receive a keepsake bell to highlight your visit to the Albemarle Express! The museum will also be decorated with Christmas trees from thirteen counties.
Petting Zoo onsite from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Lori Meads
(252) 331-4054
lori.meads@dncr.nc.gov
Date and Time Saturday, Dec 7, 2024 12pm - 8pm
Location Town Point Park Waterside Drive
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
The 11th Annual Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas Market brings a winter wonderland to Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront on Saturday, December 7th. Welcome the holiday season with a visit from Santa while you shop from local artisans and cozy up to the Yule Log Bonfire with a seasonal cocktail or warm beverage. The event, including Santa visits, is free and open to the public.
Pippen
Frederick Marryat
Revisiting of the Alien and Sedition Acts
Donald Trump’s election as president has caused a stir by proposing a reenactment of aspects of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 – measures introduced during President John Adams’s administration to suppress opposition at that time in history. Originally enacted out of apprehensions regarding the French Revolution and diplomatic relations with France in the century, Federalists later manipulated these laws for gain against their Republican opponents. The consequences were felt quickly and left a lasting mark on the nation. Their involvement contributed to the downfall of the Adams administration, nearly decimating the Federalist Party entirely. In accounts, we learn that when a political group expands its power far and tries to silence opposing opinions too often, it often backfires and ends up hurting the party taking action more than the ones they were trying to influence.
Could history repeat itself as we reflect on the past and ponder Trump’s proposal to reinstate these laws as a tale about the dangers of hubris reemerging in current governance?
The Alien and Sedition Acts were four legislations passed by a Federalist-dominated Congress in 1798. They consisted of the Naturalization Act, the Alien Friends Act, the Alien Enemies Act, and the Sedition Act. The acts intended to denounce publications criticizing the government or its representatives, thereby limiting expressions in the press. The acts mainly targeted supporters of the Democratic-Republican Party led by Thomas Jefferson. The Federalists contended that these laws were crucial in safeguarding security during anxiety about influence and internal unrest sparked by the French Revolution. Nonetheless, in reality, the Sedition Act was employed to suppress views. Several known Republican editors and even a Congressman named Matthew Lyon from Vermont languished in confinement under this law. Interestingly, Lyon managed to get re-elected to Congress while incarcerated, which demonstrated dissatisfaction with the practices of the Federalists. The severe crackdown on
What is Presbyopia?
TBy: Scott Perry
freedom of speech was met with disapproval. The exposure of the Federalists as authoritarian rulers triggered a response that would soon significantly impact the election results.
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison responded to the Alien and Sedition Acts by writing the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions secretly to criticize the Acts as going against the Constitution and supporting states’ rights instead. They argued that the federal government had gone far in its actions and stated that states had the power to reject laws that were not constitutional. While not all states agreed with these resolutions then, the idea of nullification began to gain traction. This paved the way for conflicts over the balance of power between the government and individual states.
After the 1800 election results, Adams lost to Thomas Jefferson in a transition of power between opposing factions—a significant event in American history’s narrative framework. The Federalists encountered repercussions that tarnished their image and eroded their standing within the public eye; accusations of imposing on individual freedoms and displaying haughty behavior contributed to their downfall and hindered any chances of resurgence.
Then, a century later, during World War I and the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, the Democratic Party found itself repeating history by passing the Espionage Act and Sedition Act in 1917 and 1918 to suppress dissent and criticisms of actions. The laws made it unlawful to hinder conscription efforts or voice dissent against decisions made during the war, which could incite disloyalty among the populace. Wilson’s time as president of the country’s leadership position when significant events took place, like apprehending individuals opposed to the war effort along with socialists and representatives from labor unions, caused a stir among the eye and history books. One notable event that stood out during this period was the detainment of Eugene V Debs, who served as a figure in the Socialist Party and even made a bold move by running for president despite being incarcerated.
By: Albemarle Eye Center
he gradual loss of your eyes ability to focus on near objects is called presbyopia (pronounced prez-by-opia). It typically occurs as a person enters their 40’s making it one of the most common aging conditions of the eye. For some it is very annoying and can negatively impact their daily activities.
The primary reason this occurs is because the natural lens inside the eye becomes less flexible with time. This loss of flexibility reduces the eye’s ability to change focus both in terms of speed (changing focus from far away to up-close quickly) as well as overall focusing power (maintaining clarity on an object up close). Since the lens does not flex as well as it did, light is not focused properly on the retina (the lining on the back of the eye that absorbs light).
For most people, it is a gradual process that worsens over time, typically years. However, I have had a few patients over the years report it seemed to happen almost overnight.
There are several things that we do to compensate for these difficulties including increasing font size on screens, increasing ambient lighting and screen brightness as well as holding things farther away (or not so close). In addition, many patients turn to either over the counter reading glass-
es or change their distance prescription glasses to bifocal, trifocals, or progressive lenses.
During that time, many citizens in the U.S. expressed dissatisfaction with how the Wilson administration dealt with differing opinions and became increasingly concerned about limitations on freedom of speech. This situation had consequences for the Democratic Party, leading to a triumph in the 1920 election and setbacks for Democrats in Congress. The Espionage and Sedition Acts hurt the party that enacted them by diminishing support.
Trump’s discussion of the Alien and Sedition Acts raises an issue about the dangers of consolidating power aggressively and silencing dissenters—a concern that has lingered throughout history. When political parties attempted to tighten their grip and silence opposing views in the past, consequences followed, as seen with the Federalists and Democrats during the Wilson era. Should the Republican Party move to suppress dissent similarly, they could face a similar predicament.
When faced with division and perceived risks in dealing with issues of control and differing opinions on a storyline’s direction, the temptation to limit opposing views can be appealing. Yet history teaches us that such actions often backfire by fueling resistance and rallying support against those in authority. Throughout history, American voters have shown an aversion to overreach and remain committed to safeguarding liberties.
The occurrences related to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 and the Espionage and Sedition Acts of 1917 and 1918 offer insights that attempts to suppress differing opinions often do not yield the intended results but erode faith in those in power and incite opposition movements that may lead to their downfall over time as demonstrated throughout history by political arrogance through stifling dissent and limiting freedoms, which could serve as a cautionary tale, for leaders today. During the Wilson era and beyond, the Federalists and Democrats encountered trials that gave them insights through their experiences. The critical question is whether the current Republicans will heed these lessons or take risks as they seek power in today’s landscape.
Recent advances in managing presbyopia have revolved around lens implants and eyedrops. Lens implantation, typically at the time of cataract surgery, offers patients the ability to choose an implant that helps not only with distance vision but allows for an extended depth of focus with near tasks, including computer and reading.
Even more recently, the FDA approved the first eyedrop, VUITY® (Allergan) to help mitigate the effects of presbyopia on a patient’s daily activities. Studies show VUITY® can improve computer and reading ability with less dependency on glasses. Not every patient is a candidate for an implant or VUITY®, so it is best to consult with your eyecare provider during a comprehensive, dilated eye exam. More advances in eyedrops are expected in the coming years as more companies bring products to market.
Aging changes to the eye can be scary and negatively impact daily activities. With recent advances, and more to come, presbyopia is proving not to be as difficult to manage as in years gone by.
