Memory lane
While rearranging some of the junk I store in my basement, I came across some real treasures. Well, treasures to me anyway. There, tucked away in the bottom of an old box, I found my old yearbooks from Gamewell-Collettsville High School. Needless to say, that was the end of my “clutter busting” for the day. For a sentimental older fool like myself, looking through my annuals was a treat that simply could not be delayed. I poured myself a cup of hot coffee and settled in for the afternoon.

Mothers have wings
While rummaging through a box a junk my oldest son left upstairs, I found a little plaque I gave him for Christmas. It reads, “My mom's a travel agent for guilt trips.” That message was a joke because my son often accuses me of using guilt to control him. For example, if I want him to attend a family get-together, I say, “I know everyone would enjoy seeing you, but if you don't think you can manage going, it's OK.” (His interpretation: I'm going to look bad if I don't go and it's really not OK.)

Caldwell's first automobile accident
Many people remember Charles Pegram, who operated the Printing House on West Avenue for many years. Prior to that time, he worked for the “Lenoir News-Topic” and he shared items of interest in a column entitled “Mirrors of Caldwell.” The April 7, 1931, edition gives an interesting item of history for those of use who like to know about Caldwell County “firsts.”

Randon thoughts
Today, using a little baseball terminology here, I'm going to throw you a bit of a change up and deal you a random thought column. Seems painfully appropriate since most of my thinking is done in an unorganized, helter skelter, brain in the blender manner anyway. My condition can be directly traced to the consumption of too much transfat. Or it could be allergies. Or maybe global warming. You pick the malady. I'll just type.

A visit to the Draco community
A few days ago I visited a community in Caldwell County that I had never visited before-Draco. I went at the invitation of the Bethel Advent Christian Church. It was their monthly church supper, a time of fellowship, devotion, and sharing of information.

A day in the life
Not so many days ago a sweet little lady ran over me with her shopping cart while I was maneuvering through a local grocery store. She was so nice it was just impossible to get mad at her, especially since she was nice enough to wet a paper towel so I could clean the blood off my slacks. The whole ordeal wasn't really her fault since most shopping buggies tend to have minds of their own. As we were chatting, it dawned on her that I was, as she phrased it, “that man in the newspaper.” Since that description could easily apply to any of those unfortunates whose pictures appear on the “most wanted” section of the paper each week, I quickly clarified my identity for her. After making sure I wasn't on the run because of some malfeasance, she introduced herself and asked me a question.

As true today: People hate taxes
Taxes are always a hot topic. On May 4, 1931, a headline in the “News-Topic” was “Williams Admits Cause Now Lost” with a sub-topic “Says Luxury Tax Forces, Claiming Bare Margin In Senate Have Won Victory.”

Suggestions for helping the Earth
From time to time you'll pick up a newspaper and find an article where some environmentalist is quoted as believing there are just too many people in the world. I've heard the Rev. Jesse Jackson solemnly declare it. Ted Turner, former husband of Jane Fonda and renowned mental Goliath, was the latest to state such a concern. Too many people equates to too much pollution, you see, and someday that pollution will cause the sun's rays to penetrate the ozone layer and broil the entire population as one might broil several billion corndogs.

Needing the bread of life
Food helps hold families together. That's the advice I give when the book is passed around at bridal showers. Eating together, or at least knowing that food is waiting on the stove, gives a good reason to be home. Of course, I'm assuming food will always be available.

Although I've heard the name “Gypsy Smith,” my knowledge about him was limited. I knew he was an evangelist with a gypsy background, but I was not familiar with the details. When I was reading the April 1931 “News-Topic” I learned that the evangelist had preached in Lenoir.
I did a little research to get the background on the man. I learned that there were two evangelists named Gypsy Smith, father and son. It was the son, Gypsy Smith Jr. who preached a revival in Lenoir in 1931. However, the promotional material stated that his father, Gypsy Smith Sr., had preached in Lenoir on two previous occasions, and that the son had led a local revival in 1920.

Caldwell communications
A few weeks ago, out of the goodness of my “big as a tractor tire” heart, I took the time to create sort of a mini-dictionary consisting of some colorful phrases and words that are used primarily here in Caldwell County. I did this to help the many who are moving into our area to be able to relate more succinctly with the natives. Today, I'd like to add just a few words and their definitions to our little dictionary. Some of these may well be exclusive to Caldwell and maybe a couple of mountain counties. I do this not only to help our newcomers but to add more proof that I truly am a sweetheart of a fellow.

Preserving peace of mind
Americans are apprehensive for many good reasons lately. The teeter-totter economy, the presidential election, the on-going war in Iraq, and gas prices that continue upward are concerns people carry with wrinkled foreheads and heavy hearts. I've heard the phrase “God only knows” frequently in the past few months.

The legacy of W.W. Scott
I've read many of the writings of W. W. Scott in my attempts to learn the history of Caldwell County. My friend, the late Allan Poe, gave me some information about the man that I used as a basis for this column some years ago. Recently I found two columns about him, one written about this death and the other about his funeral. There is some duplication of material, so I am presenting the highlights.

Whoa man! That guy's pregnant
Thomas Beatie is pregnant. Yes, you read right. A man named Thomas, who hails from Oregon, allows he is five months pregnant. Perhaps a little background would be helpful here.

Another gold standard
“Pure gold does not fear furnace.” - Chinese proverb

A brief, but rich history
When one hears the word “history” the mind usually conjures up things that are years, even centuries old. But we must remember that everything has a history, be it many years or only a few days.

Any ideas?
From time to time I tend to need a little help coming up with an idea for a column. Luckily, I have a network of friends and family members who come to my aid when I find myself faced with such a dilemma.

Camping's for the birds
My girls came up with this great plan on how to spend the upcoming summer.

More than green beer
Not many of us Caldwellians claim Irish ancestry, only 5.5 percent in Lenoir by U.S. Census Bureau reports. Granite Falls and Hudson are higher with 7.2 and 7.1 percent respectively. Those numbers aren't high enough to warrant a St. Patrick's Day parade much to my dismay.

Burke County and the writings of Larry Clark
It certainly isn't news to anyone that Burke County is our neighbor and one of our parent counties. Their history is so closely tied with ours, that when a new book about that county comes along, those of us interested in the history of Caldwell County are compelled to read it. Larry R. Clark contributes history articles to the Morganton newspaper, and some of these articles have been compiled under the title “Burke County, North Carolina: Historic Tales from the Gateway to the Blue Ridge.”

Considering mortality
We are all going to die. I know, you don't have to tell me. That's not the ideal way to kick off a column that is supposed to focus on the tickling of the funny bone yet it is, nonetheless, a fact. A fact, incidentally, I get reminded of three of four times a week nowadays when I go to the mailbox. Those fun loving guys and gals up at the A.A.R.P. are relentless when it comes to trying to sell me life and/or health insurance. I don't get it. If they know I'm nearly 55 and, due to my many health-ravaging habits, could easily become gravely ill or even assume room temperature any moment now, why would they want to insure me?

Storms of life
The radio weather forecast I heard while driving to work one day last week called for tornadoes. That's right - thunderstorms with possible hail, high winds, and tornadoes, not exactly a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Remembering a big ugly visitor to Dudley Shoals 10 years ago, I shuddered at that forecast.