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.
All by Mike Parker
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.
Mike Parker: To honor King’s memory, work for education and justice
The Protestant reformer John Calvin once lamented, “If they had only to looked into my books.” Calvin came to know the pain of being a symbol. The reality of what he thought and taught was buried beneath interpretations imposed on him by others.
Mike Parker: ‘American Revolution Roundtable’ holds first meeting on Jan. 14
As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches, the newly formed American Revolution Roundtable will hold its first meeting beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Queen Street Deli in Kinston.
Mike Parker: Family vacation: time for relaxing, bonding
Around 15 years ago, our family began a tradition of taking the week after Christmas as a time for a family vacation. For a dozen years or so, we traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC. This year, our destination was much closer – Atlantic Beach, NC.
Mike Parker: Some considerations as we enter the New Year
As we come to the beginning of a new year, most of us give at least a little thought to making some New Year’s resolutions. I gave up on making New Year’s resolutions because I never could stick to most of them. Of course, one of my resolutions always was to lose weight. I read a recent article that said we should not make such a resolution because we will end up being unhappy, unsuccessful, or both.
Mike Parker: A deep dive into ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’
During the past few days, I heard two versions of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” One is the traditional carol that dates from the late 18th century. The other is a more modern adaptation that replaces the various gifts of the original version with the gifts that come through the Lord Jesus.