Yesterday – Sunday, June 15 – marks the 250th anniversary of George Washington’s appointment from the Second Continental Congress to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
All tagged mike parker
Mike Parker: ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ takes off again
I had a break from high school graduations after my oldest four grandchildren earned diplomas. Courtney was first, followed by Haley, Taylor, and Jaxen. Jaxen’s graduation coincided with COVID, so he had no real commencement ceremony until he finished his degree at Johnston Community College. As you may recall, I call my first four grandchildren “The Old Guard.”
Mike Parker: Beware ‘smishing’ toll texts
Just Thursday I received three threatening text messages regarding my non-payment of tolls. All came from different email addresses, but instead of coming as emails, the messages were delivered as text messages to my phone.
Mike Parker: Celebration recognizes conservation education
On Wednesday evening, I had the joy and privilege of attending the 2025 Annual Education Celebration sponsored by the Lenoir Soil and Water Conversation District.
Mike Parker: When a plan comes together
As the fictional Col. John “Hannibal” Smith, leader of the A-Team, was known to say: “I love it when a plan comes together.” These words best describe the intense effort and planning that goes into making Kinston’s BBQ Fest on the Neuse a success year after year. This year marked the 44th year our city has put on the festival.
Mike Parker: Early May – My wife’s favorite time
May is my wife’s favorite month. Within two weeks, Sandra has two big days. May 1st is her birthday. The second Sunday is Mother’s Day. So, for two weeks, she is the queen – the center of the universe for each day’s celebration.
Mike Parker: BBQ FEST takes aim at world record
Kinston is gearing up for our area’s largest festival of the year – BBQ Festival on the Neuse. On part of Thursday and Friday and all-day Saturday, the extended Herritage Street downtown area will be packed with activities for all ages.
Mike Parker: First 2025 ‘Breakfast on the Boat’ set for Saturday, April 26
The CSS Neuse Foundation is hosting this year's first “Breakfast on the Boat” on April 26, 2025. The food will be ready by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at the CSS Neuse II, the replica gunboat in dry-dock at the corner of Herritage and Gordon streets.
Mike Parker: An Evening Out with ‘The Old Guard’
Last Wednesday evening, I was blessed to eat dinner with three of my older grandchildren. Those of you who have read my column for years will remember that I have two sets of grandkids. The “Old Guard” are my first four: Courtney, Haley, Taylor, and Jaxen. The “Young Guns” are the last eight: Isaiah, Abby, Alex, Ben, Hannah, Laney, Alli, and Luke.
Mike Parker: Fourth Renaissance Faire transports back in time
The Lenoir County Fairgrounds may not have a TARDIS or Star Trek Transporter, but during April 12 and 13, you can be whisked back in time to when King Arthur ruled from Camelot and his knights took their place at the roundtable.
Mike Parker: The Outer Banks ‘Paul Revere’
As we come to the close of Women’s History Month, I want to share the Outer Banks story of a midnight ride that came just a few months after Paul Revere’s ride to warn the patriots that the British were coming.
Mike Parker: 2nd annual ‘Spirit of Lenoir’ Festival set for April 12
Nothing warms the heart and stirs the soul like gathering with friends, family, and neighbors for a night of faith-filled music under the stars. The 2nd Annual Spirit of Lenoir Christian Music Festival will be held on Saturday, April 12 at Pearson Park in Kinston.
Mike Parker: Grifton Lions ready to roar for First Responders
Back in September of 2024, I wrote a column about the Grifton Lions Club planning an appreciation day for first responders. That day is quickly approaching. In fact, the “First Responders Appreciation Day” will kick off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, at the Grifton Train Depot.
Mike Parker: Karate Madness! offers magical competition
The magic takes place at the Little Union Academy of Martial Arts – but the competition will take place in the gym at Kinston High School from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 22.
Mike Parker: Brace yourself: Busy weekend coming up!
For those who complain that “there’s nothing to do in Kinston,” brace yourselves for this coming weekend.
Mike Parker: Association of Congregations hold concert to support Bible History class
Since 1942, the high school in Kinston has had a Bible History class. By 2017, all three public high schools were offering the course. The Bible History class in our area is the longest-running public high school Bible class in the entire state.
Mike Parker: Celebrating our 53rd anniversary
Three years ago, Sandra and I celebrated our Golden Anniversary. After tomorrow – February 18 – we will start plodding toward 54.
Mike Parker: The Poet of Love and Liberty
If you visit Pittsboro, NC, you are likely to pass George Moses Horton Middle School located at 79 Horton Road. This school bears the name of a man who had been a slave – and became a poet.
Mike Parker: From slavery to freedom to writer
When I was still teaching, I came across an interesting narrative I had never seen before – a chapter from a book written by an Igbo child who was abducted, held in slavery in Africa, and then sold as a slave in the New World.
Mike Parker: SMS2025 offers insights into marketing through AI and Social Media
I came into this world at a time when the foundational ideas of computer technology were in its infancy. I was born in 1950 – just a decade after the race for computer dominance began. In 1939, George Stibitz, a scientist at Bell Labs, produced the “Model K” Adder using relays and circuitry that provided proof of concept for applying Boolean logic to the design of computers.