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FIELD NOTES: Remembering ‘The Shack’
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Whenever I drive into Anson County from the west on U.S. Hwy. 74, I pass a derelict Radio Shack sign in front of the Food Lion plaza in Marshville, and my...
FIELD NOTES: Clotheslines top dryers (except when it comes to underwear)
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Like most boys growing up in Ohio in the ’70s, I was obsessed with football. As one of the least athletic humans ever born, I knew there was no way I would ever...
FIELD NOTES: Geritol and chill
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Have you ever bought a product based solely on product placement in a movie or television show? I hadn't either, until last week. Product placements are when a...
Teaching’s hard, especially about COVID
The author, Brooke Crump, is a lawyer and mom in Mt. Gilead. Another teacher recently asked me if I miss teaching. I said, “No, I could have a trial every day for the rest of my career and it would still be easier than teaching.” But you know what? I miss using...
FIELD NOTES: Garden planning is empowering
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Late last week, I made my final visit to New Beginnings Moravian Garden for 2020. Fittingly, it was an overcast day with a raw breeze and a hint of rain in the...
Field Notes: Keeping Christmas plants alive after the holidays
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Perhaps you received it as a hostess gift, or maybe you bought it yourself to brighten up the house for the holidays; a Norfolk Island pine, rosemary...
FIELD NOTES: Heading north for Christmas
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. On Nov. 12, 1994, my wife Janet and I sat high in the stands of Bowling Green’s Doyt Perry Stadium for what we believed would be the coronation of our alma mater...
FIELD NOTES: All that’s old will be absurd again
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. I’ve never met George Clooney, but I did see him “around town” several times during the spring and summer of 2007. During my first year working for the Greater...
FIELD NOTES: Jesus, Mary, and (occasionally) Joseph
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. I have spent most of the past two days shuttling back and forth between Wadesboro and West Jefferson. Our Rotary Club is selling Christmas wreaths this year as a...
Field Notes: Useless junk I kinda wanted
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. The very first magazine subscription I ever had was to Boy's Life. Although the exact details have grown murky with the years, I'm guessing I started receiving it...
FIELD NOTES: We tend to despise what we monetize
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Some variation of the quote, "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life," has been attributed to everyone from Mark Twain to Marc Anthony. While...
Field Notes: Attractiveness ≠ beauty
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. You've probably seen the quote "Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder" on a T-shirt or a sign, most likely in a bar. The phrase is designed, of course, to...