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Memories of Amazing Grace
Memorial Day has always fit so richly in our lives; like an old familiar tune that dances in our head and brings a smile to our lips, enfolding us in warm memories of times long past. As a child I remember thinking the place and the services only another one of those solemn Baptist affairs held at a country church in Prince William County, Virginia. I thought the backdrop of grassy hillsides and chirping birds were just for the deceased. ...
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Highlights of the proposed state budget
I would like to ask everyone to keep the people of Oklahoma in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks after that state has been ravaged by tornados. Oklahoma faces a long road to recovery but I know they will have the support of all of America. The Senate version of the budget was released Sunday, May 19. This column will be dedicated to the budget. This week in Raleigh: - Bills in this section are not necessarily endorsed by S...
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Prayers for Oklahoma
Devastation can open our eyes quickly to what’s important. Amid the bickering over the IRS scandal and the accusations flying over what actually occurred in Benghazi came a vicious and deadly tornado that swept away entire blocks from an Oklahoma City suburb Monday, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Even as the storm ripped apart people’s lives, it served to open the eyes — or at least we hope it did — to millions of others who w...
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Kandid Katie
A couple weeks ago, I was sitting and talking with this woman about a friend of hers who was on dialysis. She was concerned because her friend wasn’t considering a transplant. Knowing my previous experience, I definitely could speak to her with some authority about what I went through. I could talk endlessly about my transplant and how it has opened up a world of possibilities for me, but I certainly can’t speak for everyone. For multiple r...
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Keeping our nation’s promises to veterans
Eastern North Carolina has strong ties to our nation’s military. Over 55,000 veterans from World War II through Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war in Afghanistan reside in the Seventh Congressional District. Our retired service members deserve our nation’s steadfast support. As a Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have fought to ensure that our veterans receive the services and care they have earned and deserve. Efforts I...
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Cleaning up a mess
As you read this column, you are probably going to think, “Mac, I thought you were smarter than that.” Well, I thought I was, too. I had heard, and I’m not going to say where, that if you sprayed Roundup on your grass in the dead of winter, you can kill the weeds in your yard and not the grass. (Some of you are already thinking, “Oh no, you didn’t.” Oh yes, I did.) Most of you probably know about Roundup. The technical term for the product ...
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Busy week with crossover deadline
This week has been extremely busy with the crossover deadline Thursday, May 16. This deadline is self-imposed on the General Assembly with the goal of ensuring that their legislative sessions end as quickly as possible. Also, I would like to remind everyone that the Legislative budget is expected to be released soon. This week in Raleigh: - Bills in this section are not necessarily endorsed by Sen. Jackson. HB 428 - North Carolina Schoo...
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Sampsonians respond in a big way
It has been said that the things we have in common are far greater than the differences that often separate us. That is never truer than when one looks at the way this community gives back to those who are less fortunate. No matter the cause, Sampsonians respond, and they respond in a big way. Last weekend’s U.S. Postal Service-led Stamp Out Hunger campaign is the latest in a string of examples we could use of that giving. On Saturday, ...
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Take advantage of the opportunity
I know you’re supposed to emphasize the point you want to make at the conclusion of a column. But I’m going to do it now because I want to make sure you get it. Today is Mother’s Day. Hopefully, you will, or have already, visited and spent time with your mother. If not, at least phone her. You need to take advantage of the opportunity. I’m sure there are a lot of people reading this who wish they still had that opportunity. And I am one of th...
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Duplin parent upset over prom denial
To the Editor, Recently, my son was invited to escort a young lady, who is a student at East Duplin High School, to her senior prom. He was looking forward to going to the prom of the school that he had graduated from the year prior. I was mortified when I received a call from the young lady’s mother telling me that my son had not been “approved” to attend. I had never heard of such. When I told my son, he was both shocked and upset. The mo...
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This week in Raleigh
I want to let you all know that the Senate version of the budget will be coming out soon. I will dedicate an entire (column) to the budget once that happens. This week in Raleigh: * Bills in this section are not necessarily endorsed by Senator Jackson. • HB 149 - Caylee’s Law/Report Missing Children An act to make it a criminal offense to fail to report the disappearance of a child to law enforcement. Caylee’s Law was sent to Gove...
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Don’t wait … Register those cuties!
There are some 60,000 people living in Sampson County. Many of them are children, a large percentage of whom are between the ages of birth to 9 years old. All of them are cute. Don’t believe it? Just visit our website at www.clintonnc.com and click on the link to our Cutest Kids Contest and you’ll see what we mean. In just a week, there are 20 of the most precious faces, mischievous smiles and bright eyes staring back at you from those who’...
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Kandid Katie
My mother is probably one of the hardest working people you are ever going to meet. She just doesn’t know what sitting still is for. Even if she attempts to rest at the end of the day, she is already contemplating what she can get up and do rather than sit down. I, for one, do not have this problem. That gene just never developed fully in my DNA. I guess it is not a bad thing that she likes to get up and go. To be honest, without her endles...
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The only Mother’s Day is now
A sassy southern sun brushes the morning air clear of leftover foggy memories; slowly it polishes the sky to a sparkle, nature and time gently merge for another great overture of life. Perhaps the week of Mother’s Day has always been this unique. I know it is forever linked with the memories of the past. Warm, fuzzy pictures wrap like ribbons round and round in my mind. “Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit; and from thy own thoug...
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Recycling success
Recycling fever has caught on in the city of Clinton, and the growing participation rate can mean nothing but good things for the environment. The city’s recycling program has gone through its share of growing pains over the past few years, but this latest effort has the mark of success written all over it, and that’s thanks to the hard work of city staff, including public works director Jeff Vreugdenhil, and the hundreds of residents who a...
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