BY: CLAIRE MULLEN Back–to–school is a ritual of sorts for children and parents alike.  For my family, it has become tradition since the early preschool days for each of our two kids to make a rare and much-anticipated solo Target run with mom to purchase their school supplies.    This momentous occasion is the one time a year that I say […]

The year was 1973, and the newly constructed, state-of-the-art YMCA on Fort Bragg Road was the talk of the town.  Jim Lewis, the Y’s executive director, and Program Director Sandy Saunders were tasked with staffing the aquatics department.  As fate would have it, a Terry Sanford High School junior, quite aptly named Gwen Poole, walked […]

By Claire Mullen There’s a whole lot of buzz around the Cape Fear Botanical Garden these days. And no, it’s not just the bees. While there’s always been something exciting to see and do year round, there are some recent extra-special additions to our garden that you simply must go and experience for yourself. The […]

I will never forget my favorite bicycle.  It was a Christmas gift surprise from my grandparents, and I can vividly remember being led down their long hallway, into their garage and discovering my shiny new Schwinn in all her glory – a big, festive bow tied between the handlebars.  I was so proud of my sleek new “big-kid” ride.  I’d […]

By: Claire Mullen There is a Hallmark version of Mother’s Day.  It begins on a lovely spring day with Daddy sneaking out of bed as soon as he hears little footsteps coming down the stairs to allow the day’s honoree the forgotten luxury of sleeping in.  While Mama pretends to rest through the banging and clanging coming from the kitchen, her clan […]

By Claire Mullen  As of today, the day I’m sitting down to write, there are two confirmed coronavirus cases in Cumberland County.  By the time you read this column, there likely will be more. Who knows how many? Our circumstances will have changed even more drastically than they already have.  I like to think that […]

By Claire Mullen   It’s February, and, much like the flu, love is in the air.  Our family’s Christmas decorations are still tarrying in their plastic containers on the dining room floor, yet we’ve blown through more Little Debbie heart-shaped snack cakes than I care to admit.   Many of you have already carved out some […]

By Anna Hiltibidal  By joining 4-H programs in Cumberland County, my family has had a wonderful opportunity to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. We have found that 4-H takes pride in leading our school-age kids to achieve progress in their own lives while learning to work well with others.  My family is a part of the Junior Master Gardener 4-H […]

Prior to recording a deed, the buyer should discuss with their attorney how they should take title to the property. The question of ownership interest is extremely important and is posed throughout the purchase process beginning with the sales contract and loan application, if funds are being borrowed to purchase the property.  My experience as a real estate closing attorney has been that many buyers do not […]

By Tiffany Haywood  In a family where four of our six children have birthdays in the middle of the busiest holiday seasons of the year, survival is key. Here a few tips I’ve learned to keep my holiday cheer intact when birthdays and holidays collide.    Be Flexible  Tip: Be willing to move party dates around. Scheduling […]

By Crissy Neville  A pretty new puppy or cuddly kitten under the Christmas tree may sound like the perfect Christmas present for that someone special. However, unlike most gifts, furry friends are not so easy to return or exchange after the holidays are over if your gift idea is not the right fit.  It is […]

By Catherine Pritchard  The family that has fun together is more likely to want to spend time together.  One way to plan for fun is by holding regular Family Game Nights.  With a little preparation and imagination, Family Game Night can become a tradition that everyone looks forward to, whatever their age. Games can be elaborately difficult or ridiculously […]

By James Johnson  ’Tis the season. Soon the entrances to supermarkets and the street corners at busy intersections will be graced with the familiar sight of members of the Salvation Army, bells in hand, asking for whatever pocket change one has available so that money can go toward helping those suffering through poverty during the coldest months of […]

By LaShonda Sousa  Calling all juniors and seniors! I have been lucky enough to find what I believe will be my home away from home for the four years that follow my graduation from high school next June. For those of you like me, who are planning on attending a university and living on campus your first year, the stress of […]

By Courtney Phillips  Cynthia Ross of CP Ross Designs stays busy year-round planning and creating décor for parties, weddings and special events.  For the Christmas season, she allots time to decorate several local homes and businesses.  One home always gets particular attention at the holidays – the Haymount cottage that Cynthia shares with her husband, David, and their cat, Prancer.  Just after Halloween, Cynthia starts […]

By: Catherine Pritchard Sometimes a recipe grabs your imagination because it just seems like it should be good. Maybe it has tasty-sounding ingredients. Maybe the picture with it is pretty. Maybe its name sounds appetizing.  But if you’re cooking a special meal for the holidays, it’s good to know that the recipes you’re using have been tried and found true, over and over again.  Below, you’ll […]

By Kelly Twedell  Four years ago, Stephanie Bostock started painting full-time as a result of a very personal and powerful life-changing event.  “Back in 2014, I learned that I had stage IVA thyroid cancer,” she said.  After surgery and treatment, she was consumed by fear that the cancer would return.  It was an overwhelming time. “I had to get a grip and focus on […]

By Catherine Pritchard  Years ago, a visitor brought John and Kay Poulos a gift – a bit of root from a fig tree in the Greek village where John was born.  They planted the root in their back yard and it sprouted into a large healthy tree.  Decades later, the tree continues to thrive and […]

BIRDFEEDERS        The phone screen read “Hoose.”  When Hudson was still just a little tyke, he loved playing with Pokémon cards. He had hundreds. I never caught on to the game, so as a cursory observer, I simply noticed that all of the figures had Asian names. I told him that as many […]

By James Johnson There are countless little moments that add up to remind us why we do the things we do. For Tiffany Walker, who serves as director of family services for the nonprofit veteran service program Endeavors (formerly “Family Endeavors”), a very recent moment stood out to her. “There was this one little boy […]