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Field Notes: 9/11 changed us forever. So will COVID-19.
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Last Friday, many people took to social media describing where they were that fateful morning 19 years ago. Most Americans alive that day recall, with great...
Field Notes: These boots are made for working
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. On Labor Day, I drove out to the new Riverbend Village development at the intersection of I-485 and N.C. 16, northwest of Charlotte. Twenty years ago, that area...
Walking the Land: ‘These are the friendliest dragonflies I’ve ever seen!’
The author, Becky Dill, is an amateur naturalist, photographer and Paw barista. On Tuesday, my husband and I took a break from walking the land and paddled the river instead. Several years ago we purchased two kayaks, with accompanying equipment such as paddles, life...
Mt. Gilead Town Manager Robert ‘Bob’ Jones’ bio
Special to the Speckled Paw Times Robert “Bob" Jones began his career in local government after serving 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Among the medals he earned in his military service are the Air Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and the...
Montgomery Co. Hall of Honor seeking nominations for inaugural class
Editor's note: The following is a press release from Mongomery County Schools. Designed to be a source of learning, inspiration and hope for everyone in the community, the Montgomery County Hall of Honor is seeking nominations for its inaugural class of inductees. ...
Gigantor, from caterpillar to moth
(Editor's note: Below is a modified script of Amelia Poplin’s 4-H presentation which won first prize in her 8-10-year-old age group in Anson County and second place in the statewide competition. ) Hi, my name is Amelia Poplin and today I will be talking about...
Field Notes: The last day of summer
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. For the first 18 years of my life, give or take, summers were clear-cut and closely tied to the school year's beginning and end. And for virtually all of those...
Field Notes: Communication is key in small-town government
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Anyone who has spent time working for, with or around small-town government will recognize many of the characters in the 2019 documentary “Tread.” The film tells...
Field Notes: Law finally catches up to gooseberry kingpin
The author, John Marek, is a writer and executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. I arrived home one day last week to find an IMPORTANT, OFFICIAL BUSINESS letter from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture in my mailbox. I knew it was...
Field Notes: You belong in Poughkeepsie
The author, John Marek, is executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. I was at my favorite BBQ place the other day, waiting for my pickup order, when the soulful strains of a lonely saxophone wafted from the radio behind the counter, followed by...
Once-abandoned cemetery gains support
The author, Steve Bailey, is outreach coordinator at the Anson County Historical Society. The mission of the Friends of Old Westview Cemetery Inc., led by founder and president Rose Sturdivant Young, is to continue to provide maintenance for this once-abandoned...
Field Notes: A year of observations, insights and silliness
The author, John Marek, is executive director of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Today marks the first anniversary of my weekly Field Notes column in the Speckled Paw newsletter. Five hundred words, give or take, every week for the past year. When one of...