Living


Hearth and Home

Publisher's note: The article below, which Author John Hood feels compelled to share his unique and continued culinary predilections, appeared in his daily column in his publication, the Carolina Journal, which, because of Author / Publisher Hood, is inextricably linked to the John Locke Foundation.

RALEIGH In this season of political claims, counterclaims, and calling of names, separating truth from error or falsehood can be a challenge. When in doubt, apply the Bacon Test.

(Okay, let me p... (read more)
Publisher's note: The article below appeared in John Hood's daily column in his publication, the Carolina Journal, which, because of Author / Publisher Hood, is inextricably linked to the John Locke Foundation.

Doing final page layout and proofing on my book. So no fresh DJ today. Here's a review I wrote in 2005 of someone else's book. Hey, we authors gotta stick together.

RALEIGH Those who know me know that I am inclined towards spicy food. When at the sub shop, I order the spiciest deli m... (read more)
Salmon is best appreciated when sauteed in a buttery sauce of common herbs and served on a clean plate. If prepared properly everything else is secondary; even the abundance of a perfect craft beer - the same beer that sustained me throughout the process.

This Christmas Day, with my home full of family and friends, I will drink my craft beer, and I will prepare this wonderful salmon dish, but there will be one change - I will double the recipe. Hmmm, I wonder should I double my consumption ... (read more)
A traveler passing through downtown Washington during its cool season might presume they had fallen upon a ghost town. When skies are gray, shop windows are dim and pedestrians scarce.

From November to March, most Beaufort County citizens enter a sort of hibernation phase, causing downtown businesses to keep even more limited hours than usual and downtown organizations to stop hosting their many attractive festivals.

When spring arrives and the stir-crazy people of Beaufort County emerge fro... (read more)

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Travel

Gazing at the fire - Burning by the water

As I am oft to repeat myself, the off season in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - the dead of winter - is a special time. Not only are the rates for lodging much lower, the ambiance within one's personal beach relationship is made ideal with the absence of people, and thus the natural environs made, simply, more natural.

While I always accentuate the positive, there are two negatives: less daylight, yet nearly an hour longer since the Winter equinox, ... (read more)
In March, 2010 and 2011, I spent a few wonderful afternoons on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and inside a few of the Smithsonian Museums along that storied strip of mostly treeless ground between the united States Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. One afternoon was clear and blue, and two afternoons were overcast, with one a real gully washer.

Generally, I like being outside on the National Mall to walk about and just visually drink in the Greek Revival architecture, much of it inspired... (read more)
"I do believe it. I do believe it's true."

And so it goes in Paul Simon's "At the Zoo," within the fine collection of tunes in the Simon and Garfunkel classic album, "Bookends," released in 1968, and so it is for me when I am ever close to the Woodley Park neighborhood in northern Washington, DC. When I'm in that area, I always go to the Smithsonian Zoological Park - the "National Zoo," if only for a mere hour, and sometimes less.

If you do not have to park your car, and I always walk to th... (read more)
Publisher's note: This a continuation of "Every Picture Tells a Story ... Don't It:" On the Road - The Colorful Shenandoah, Chapter III. It was a good trip, as exemplified in this journal.

This is the time of year when Autumn unfurls its brilliant colors. There is a chill in the air, and often that change of season can be breathtaking. This was not necessarily the case on this trip; however, the weather was seasonally brisk, the sky clear, and roads clear of all obstructions. With all that ... (read more)

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A Historical Perspective

Publisher's note: The article below appeared in John Hood's daily column in his publication, the Carolina Journal, which, because of Author / Publisher Hood, is inextricably linked to the John Locke Foundation.

RALEIGH On this date in 1771, two large groups of armed North Carolinians were camped about six mile away from each other in what is now Alamance County. A force of some 1,000 state militia, led by North Carolina Gov. William Tryon, had come to suppress a popular revolt known as the Re... (read more)
Publisher's note: The author of this fine report is Troy Kickler, director of the North Carolina History Project (NorthCarolinaHistory.org), who is a contributor to the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

RALEIGH "The mining interest of the state is now only second to the farming interest." So wrote a reporter from the Western Carolinian of Salisbury in 1825. There was enough demand by 1830 for a Charlotte-based Miners' and Farmers' Journal to begin publication.

Like many remarkable ev... (read more)
Publisher's note: The article below appeared in John Hood's daily column in his publication, the Carolina Journal, which, because of Author / Publisher Hood, is inextricably linked to the John Locke Foundation.

RALEIGH Most of the John Locke Foundation's work - our research program, our journalism and communications services, our outreach events - focus on the present and future. They are intended to inform policymakers and politically active North Carolinians about the major issues affectin... (read more)
If you ever get the chance to visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, you will be forever affected by what you see and learn there, and you will be moved by a quote you see hanging near one of the exhibits. It is a quote by Martin Niemoller which reads:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I d... (read more)

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Health and Fitness

For Immediate Release:

GREENVILLE, NC Vidant Health announced today that Dr. David Herman, current president and chief operating officer, will assume the role of chief executive officer beginning July 1. Dave McRae, current chief executive officer of Vidant Health, will remain with the organization, serving in an emeritus role, while completing the transition of responsibilities.

"We are excited about this transition," said David Womack, chair of the Vidant Health Board of Directors. "This i... (read more)
For Immediate Release:

Washington, NC The Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center is hosting its 6th annual Cancer Survivors Day event on Sunday, June 10th at First Church of Christ. Doors will open at 1:30. The event, sponsored by the Shepard Cancer Foundation, is a local celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day, which is held each year in many communities around the world. This symbolic event demonstrates that life after a cancer diagnosis can be a reality. Survivors Day is a celebration of li... (read more)
For Immediate Release:

Safe Sitters - Better Sitters Today, Better Parents Tomorrow

Washington, NC Vidant Beaufort Hospital will once again offer the Safe Sitters babysitting program this summer. Safe Sitters is a medically accurate program that teaches boys and girls ages 11 to 13 how to handle emergencies when caring for children. The program teaches safe and nurturing child care techniques, behavior management skills, and appropriate responses to medical emergencies.

The program is f... (read more)
For Immediate Release:

Washington, N.C. The staff of the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center is pleased to welcome radiation oncologist, Dr. Robert McLaurin to the practice. Dr. McLaurin joins Dr. John Inzerillo and Physician Assistant, Nicole Davia in caring for cancer patients in a 15-county region of eastern North Carolina.

Dr. McLaurin received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College Of Medicine and completed a residency in radiation oncology at the Baylor College of Medi... (read more)

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It's Personal

I know there are many wonderful mothers residing in this region, however, my personal best is my wife, Lynn, and for good reason.

She has raised our four children: Brandia, Meredith, Stanhope and Anna from birth, and has selflessly given much of herself to do so.

Our children will grow older and wiser with time on their side, but they will never experience anything again resembling the unconditional love that was showered upon them by both of their parents, but especially by their sweet, lov... (read more)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 the Southside High School Senior, Sarah Edwards, past away after her car and a log truck collided on Chandler Road. Chandler road is just off of Highway 17 towards Craven county. I knew the Edwards for many years; I knew Sarah when she was just a little girl when I was friends with her older sister Heather Edwards. I remember going to their home and going to little Sarah's birthday party at Wichards' Beach. She was a very fun loving kid and her prospects of pursuing cu... (read more)





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