A Wednesday morning meeting played out like a State of Sampson County Address turned court proceeding as county administration delivered an exhaustive review of the budgetary process, current financial and staffing challenges, employee compensation and an outlook that will see Sampson continue to face impacts administrators say, while serious, are similar to what is being experienced by other local governments.

CLINTON — During the month of August, at the turn of the new fiscal year, Sampson Community College (SCC) bid farewell to six longtime directors of the SCC Foundation: John Baxter, Roland Hall, Gary Mac Herring, Lethia Lee, Merrie McLamb, and Amelia Surratt. Their departure comes after the Foundation Board’s decision to adopt new policies in 2020, limiting terms for their directors to three years and the opportunity for re-election to two additional terms.

Do you know and pray for Good Samaritans who heed the call to be CAREGIVERS? Writing about people who serve selflessly while giving care in rest homes, hospitals, facilities, and homes where people need partial or around the clock care fills my heart with appreciation and honor for Caregivers who share God’s love while looking after them.

On Monday, Sept. 19, the Clinton Lions Club was privileged to have as their guest, District Governor 31N Mayra E. McCloud and Zone Chairman Derick Mitchell. District Governor McCloud who also serves as state chair of The ‘Technology for the VIPs’ made a presentation about new innovations for the visually impaired. One innovation is EnChroma glasses for people who are color blind. Lions officials cited a statistics that 1 of 12 males and 1 of 200 females are color blind, equating to 2/35 students in a classroom. Many people go into adulthood before realizing they are color blind. Only 11 states test children for color blindness. A simple widely available test can determine this. Another innovation is the WeWalk, a revolutionary smart cane with smartphone. This traditional white cane has sonar and GPS navigation capability, guiding users to public transportation and advising one what’s around. McCloud also demonstrated eSight,, the most advanced and versatile enhanced vision device. It looks like a visual gaming device one wears, however it has much more capabilities for the visually impaired, benefitting over 20 different eye conditions, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, optic atrophy, retinal detachments, nystagmus and more. Pictured, from left, are: Bill Miller (who has a WebWalk in hand), Travis Joyner, James Blackmon, McCloud, Vernon Clifton, Sara Pleasant (who is wearing the eSight device), Dan Holland, Don Wrench, Pam McGuirt, Steve Cox, Kay West, Nick West, Lee West and Zone Chairman Derick Mitchell.

(The public reports listed below are provided by the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office and the Clinton Police Department.)

Are you in need of something quick and easy for dinner? This recipe can be assembled in less than 10 minutes with ingredients you have on hand. It can be prepared in the morning (or the evening before and left in the fridge overnight) and will be ready when you get home from work. It’s also very versatile! Any variety of cream-based soups will work in this recipe: cream of chicken, cream of celery, cream of mushroom, etc. You can also substitute any part of the chicken, with or without the bone, for chicken breasts, just keep in mind that removing the skin can help decrease saturated fat and calories.

Among the crucial knowledge that is needed if one is to have an eternal home in heaven is the fact that there is just one body. The truth is, most who claim Christianity clearly understand that there is only one body of Christ found in the pages of the New Testament. In what is often called the seven-plank platform for Christian unity, the very first of the seven one’s is “there is one body” (Eph. 4:4). We often make the argument that if there can be more than one body, there can be more than one Lord, Spirit and God for that same text says there is just one of each. It has be argued that though Eph. 4:4 does say there is one body, it does not say there is just one body. This is true, but other passages do show the singularity of the body. Paul said that we are all baptized into one body (I Cor. 12:13). Just a few verses later he stated, “But now are they many members, yet but one body” (I Cor. 12:20). In the epistle to the Ephesians, Paul said that the Lord is the savior of “the body”, using the definite article which denotes just one. Many are the times such definite article is used in reference to the body of Christ. Just about any who have studied the Bible with any effort to understand will agree that there is just one body. However, having that intellectual knowledge and making application of it is not the same thing.

Hubb’s Farm is open for business, and this year the Sampson staple is celebrating its 15th year of operation in the heart of the county. Fittingly, as the temperature dips and fall begins, so does the season for Hubb’s, which opens Saturday, Sept. 24, for the public to once again enjoy its famous maze, pumpkin patch, farm animal encounters and nature trail. The season will extend until Nov. 5. Hubbs, located at 10276 N. US 421 Hwy. Clinton, will hold hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays in September and November, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays in October and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays throughout the season. The farm will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tuesdays are reserved for special events, schools and group tours and the Hubb’s in closed on Mondays. All tickets are sold online. For details, visit www.hubbsfarmnc.com.

Hello my dear readers! Today is a beautiful day and we are all so grateful here at the Garland Center!