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Hearts and ashes
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. This year, a celestial twist of fate brings a rare and noteworthy alignment as Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine's Day. The confluence of...
Gardening for Picky Eaters in General
In the quest to encourage picky eaters to embrace a variety of vegetables, the garden offers another secret weapon: the fresh, raw taste of just-picked produce. Often, vegetables eaten straight from the plant can be a revelation in flavor and texture compared to their...
Escaping the grind, ignoring the grit
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Rolling hills bathed in golden sunshine, quaint towns dripping with small-town charm and folksy accents, and communities bound by strong,...
Gardening for Picky Young Eaters
I am a mom of a picky eater. And I bet a lot of y’all are too. It’s developmentally appropriate for small children to hesitate on unfamiliar foods. In the realm of picky eaters, vegetables often top the list of “no-go” items, much to the dismay of parents and...
Warming Up to Change & New 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map is an important tool for gardeners and farmers across the country. It guides them in determining which plants are most likely to thrive in a specific location. These zones are based on the...
When letters were sophisticated
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. By 1978, the riding lawnmower my father had purchased from Buckeye Mart a decade earlier was beginning to show its age. It could be challenging...
Permaculture is Popular Again
Permaculture is an ancient yet ever-evolving concept and it is taking root among local gardeners and environmental enthusiasts alike and gaining popularity fast. This sustainable approach to agriculture and lifestyle embraces the harmony of nature, aiming to create...
Is Big Brother really just Big Tech?
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The window on the mountain is closed today. It's a little warmer than it's been the past week, but it's still winter-like in the High Country....
The Secret Life in your Soil
Beneath the rolling hills of the Piedmont in North Carolina, a secret world thrives, right here in Montgomery County. This world is the soil, a complex ecosystem teeming with life that's often overlooked. In the Piedmont's clay-rich soils, an unseen community of...
Back to school
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The window on the mountain is frosted over this morning. The radio mentions snow flurries a few miles to the west, but it's just cold and damp...
PaperWorks’ closing explained
By Kyle Poplin One of Mt. Gilead’s biggest employers, PaperWorks, announced it’s closing at the end of March and 74 people will lose their jobs. Emily Granholm, senior human resources manager at PaperWorks in Mt. Gilead, explained the decision: “Mt. Gilead is a great...
It hasn’t always been easy to stay dry
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The window on the mountain is being lashed today with heavy rain and wind gusts of 50 mph. It is dry inside, but I'd hate to be out in those...