Recent Newsletters
When prices rise, working families feel the squeeze
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Whatever your thoughts about the causes of the recent surge in inflation, it would be hard to argue that prices of everyday goods and services...
Reach for the sky with pole beans
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Green beans are among the most accessible, reliable and productive vegetables a gardener can plant. They thrive in, and generally improve, a...
Finding your fit: Exploring rural churches
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Under any circumstances, choosing a church can feel like a daunting task, but for newcomers to a rural area the typical issues of theological...
We Need You at the Mount Gilead Gathering Garden!
Many of you know that I help organize and run The Gathering Garden (TGG), Mount Gilead’s Community Garden in the heart of downtown. This organic community garden is not just a plot of land where plants grow; it's a vibrant, inclusive space where our neighbors come...
Living with Japangst
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The 1980s were a period of dramatic economic transformation in the United States. As the smokestacks of American industry sputtered, a new...
Sourcing Native Plants is Worthwhile but Difficult
Embarking on the journey to incorporate more native plants into your garden is a commendable and environmentally conscious decision. However, finding these plants can often pose a challenge, especially when trying to source them sustainably and ethically. The golden...
A RESOLUTION HONORING ROBERT “BOB” LOWDERMILK
The following resolution was read aloud by Mayor Sheldon Poplin Morley at the April 2 Town Board meeting:
The war of the pears
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. I moved to North Carolina in late February 1995. A couple of weeks after I arrived, the trees along the streets of our suburban neighborhood...
Poison Ivy is One of Our Most Misunderstood Plants
Poison ivy, a plant often met with a mix of fascination and dread, holds a unique place in the natural world and in our gardens. Known scientifically as a member of the sumac family, this plant is a native species that plays a significant ecological role despite its...
Have you any dreams you’d like to sell?
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Like many writers, I keep a notebook and pen on the nightstand next to my bed to jot down ideas that come to me in the middle of the night....
The Benefits of Using a Hayfork in the Garden
Conventional wisdom says we need to till our garden every season. Maintaining healthy soil is paramount for the flourishing of plants. While tilling has been a traditional approach, an alternative method known as forking offers a less disruptive yet highly effective...
The drop-bed pickup that wasn’t
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. It's Halloween, 1990. “Ice, Ice Baby” is the No. 1 song in the country, “Rosanne” is the most popular show on television, the Cincinnati Reds...