Latest News
Field Notes: Balloon animals
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Until a few weeks ago, the intrigue and excitement generated by balloons came mainly in the form of animals crafted by street performers. The use of balloons in international...
FINANCIAL FOCUS: Smart moves for investors after a down 2022
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Michael Hayes, your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Many investors were glad to see the end of 2022. But what’s ahead this year? And what moves can you make in response to last year’s results? To begin...
Field Notes: Hemp is not what you might think
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Shortly after moving to North Carolina in 1995, I was driving in a remote area of the eastern part of the state. It was a quiet two-lane road and I was enjoying a fine fall day....
Field Notes: Once upon a time in the West
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Superheroes have been popular for decades, and movies based on the exploits of Batman, Superman and Captain America go back nearly to the dawn of talking cinema. Still, to the...
Field Notes: Only her hairdresser knows for sure
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. A couple of weeks ago I wrote a column about Jonny Quest, a favorite TV show of my youth. One of my readers called me out in the comments for sloppy writing, and after rereading...
Field Notes: Aren’t we all nepo babies?
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Brandon Cronenberg's new movie, "Infinity Pool," opened last week to solid reviews and decent box office receipts. It's a bloody horror film about wealthy travelers...
Field Notes: ‘The Mystery of the Lizard Men’
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. I streamed a lot of videos over the past two weeks during my recovery from COVID and associated quarantine. Everything from a surprisingly engaging documentary called "The...
Each one, reach one
The author, Andell McCoy, is a teacher, life coach and expressive artist. That's her artwork featured above. TodayLet’s get more excitedin our livessee and choose to be vivid, vibrant, boldand beautiful colors,start with thinkingI am! Wake up and...
Field Notes: The Redskin Special
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. There is a trend on the internet where people post videos of food "hacks" for popular restaurants. Some show ways you can get more for your money by ordering things in a...
Miracles still happen
By Earl Poplin The day before Veterans Day, the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Gilead received a message from Tyler Kramer, who identified himself as a veteran and an archeology student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu. He had...
Field Notes: Pointed in the right direction
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. In last week's column, we explored the similarities between the channels and fine-tuning of analog television and an effectively run nonprofit economic...
‘At no point was the garden formed as part of the appearance board’
Editor's note: The following letter was sent to Town Clerk Amy Roberts by Community Garden leader Mary Poplin this morning (Jan. 4, 2023) following last night's Town Board meeting, during which board members were confused about the relationship of the garden and the...