Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / June 13, 2001, edition 1 / Page 2
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MU' Nr\\S-.IOl RNM Kaeford, N.C. June 13, 2001 Viewpoints Curly hair, the poor house and hell transported fivery so oflt-n your past will catch up uith \ou. Such was the case with me with a \oice on the phone said, ■Ra/. 1 ha\en't seen you in 50 years. I am coming: by to see you. Di' anv of you. regardless of age, real i/e how long 50 years seems when someone makes such a statement? A longtime, I tell you. 1 was delighted to see my friend, Kenneth Casey, who lives in Florida and grows palm trees for sale. 1 hope they don't freeze like peaches. Ihe first thing Ken said to me, “ The thing 1 remember about ytm is the curly hair you had." 1 pulled off my hat and replied, “I still have it, it is just not as visible as it once was." I can't ever remember having curly hail, although 1 must have, because the pictures ot my youth show it, surely I didn't go to the beauty shop to have it fixed up. *#*♦* My friend Sam said he would men tion in his column that I was short on fxaches. Folks just don't listen when I tell them the sad state of affairs of my peach crop. Last year, 1 had 2,000 bushels; this season if I am lucky I will have 1(H) bushels. Quite a come down. As my wife tells me, “Your hobby is gtiing to put us in the poor house." I didn't realize there was one. Ifso, w ith a 1( w more years like this one, I will need to Uxtk it up. All this discussion about peaches reminds me of the three men talking ibout the projier position and attitude A View from the Country Raz Autry for prayer. One said, “You should be on your knees with your head bowed with reverence to the Almighty.” Die second man spoke up and said, “Remember that you were created in God’s image. The position in which to pray is to stand up, looking into the heavens into the face of God and talk to Him as a child to his father.” The third man said, “1 know noth ing about those positions, but the fin est prayer 1 have ever did was upside down in a well.” That will get your attention. Therefore, having said the above, 1 will have enough peaches for peach ice cream and we will start serving it on July 4. Come out and celebrate with us. Besides, I know you would like to help a man stay out of the poor house. We will have a few peaches to sell about July 15. No, I am not going to raise the price. The peaches will be the same price as last year. I am not into gauging people. If folks did that to me 1 wouldn’t be back, and I want you to come to see us next year. The only one 1 would charge a heavy price is my preacher, but I can’t get any money out of him. If I did, he would use me as the subject of his sermons. Besides, who can charge the preacher? He may be the link 1 need. The good minister can tell some good stories. He would probably put me in the same category as the two Irishmen who came to America. They stopped in a town and put up at the hotel. The hotel sat right by the rail road. Along about midnight a long freight train came roaring through. Pat jumped up, ran to the window and looked out. The firebox was open and the fire shining and sparks were fly ing from the engine. This one hadn’t more than got by when another came following after it. This one went by and another came along. Pat ran over and shook Mike awake. “Wake up, Mike," he cried. “They’re moving hell; three loads have already went by.” ♦ * ♦ ♦ * There are some strange folks in this world. In the last congressional session, 224 Congressmen voted in favor of a constitutional amendment, allowing prayer in public places. But on the three days preceding that vote in favor of public prayer, only 18, eight and 18 showed up for the Con gressional opening prayers. 1 am going to end this wise column with a good story you have probably heard; if so, enjoy it again. A man had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. An uncle died and left him one million dollars. His family wondered how to break the news quietly to the man. The preacher asked the patient what he would do if he inherited a million dollars. The man said, “I think I would give half of it to the church.” The preacher dropped dead. The shouts and whispers of Mount Rushmore Right now, I am listening to Tom Da.schle, the United States senator, who is taking over as majority leader on this day in Washington. But I am not in Washington. 1 am at Mount Rushmore, in South Da kota, Da.schle's home state. Coinci- dently. I am making my first visit to South Dakota w hile Daschle is back ill Washington taking the reins of pow er. I am watching a film about Gutzom Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore. Senator Daschle is providing the narration for the film. He is telling the story of Borglum's audacious vision of creating a gigantic sculpture on the One on One D. G. Martin side of a mountain. The result of Borglum’s vision and work is a national shrine composed of gigantic sculptures of the heads of four American presidents. The Mount Rushmore image is an American icon, like the flag, the U.S. Capitol, and Uncle Sam. The image of the four presidents carved on a mountainside evokes and expresses a shared na tional pride in our nation’s heritage. There is, by the way, a strong North Carolina connection to Mount Rushmore. Jesse Giles, Borglum’s trusted studio assistant on the Mount Rushmore project, came from our state. But 1 am thinking about Senator Daschle and the irony that, while 1 am at this shrine of presidents in his home state, he is stepping into the spotlight of national politics, becoming the top national Democratic official, and put ting himself in a leading position to run for President himself sometime soon. But, just like North Carolina, South (See MARTIN, page 9A) Single fathers increasingly play new roles 'I hey cook. They clean. They carpool and take of the kids. Move over, June Cleaver — increasingly, single dads are taking on parenting roles and responsibi lities once viewed as best done (on only done) by moth ers. In the triangle and across North Carolina, recently released figures from the 2000 U.S. Census show that households headed by single fathers grew faster than any other kind. In 2(H)0 about 20 percent, or one in five, ot all single parent households was headed by a man. That’s a five per cent increase from 1990, when 15 percent of single-parent households in the triangle were led by a man. Nationally, the increase in the num ber of single dads was more than twice as great as the increase of single mothers. Dr. Barbara Risman, professor of sociology at North Carolina State University and co-chairwoman of the Council for Contemporary Families, a national think tank, says this trend reflects the fact that gender roles are converging. Society no longer sub scribes to the notion that parenting We Get Letters Thanks to supporters, Project Graduation was a success To the Lditor: Project Graduation was once ag.iin a big success. A special thanks to F'irstllealth Fitness Center of Raelord, for hosting Project Gradu ation in their facility. The seniors enjoyed the night with lotsof games, t(x)d. exercising and swimming. The night was enjoyed by all including the volunteers. Our lucky winners of Dell Com- puteis Systems were Benjamin Rigsby and Debbie McPhaul. Debbie also won the computer chair donated by Shaw Office Supplies. Several students went home with prizes totaling over $500 and all re ceived at least two prizes. I wish to thank all the volunteers, Mr. Jenkins, the senior counselor, and especially you the community for all your support and donations: t Aberdeen Coca Cola, Averys Chapel, Buffalo Springs Baptist Literacy needs in county noted Dear Editor, Hoke Reading/Literacy Coun cil will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, June 19 at 6 p.m. in Hoke Public Library. We are inviting the pulilie especially those persons in volved with us as volunteers and/or contributions, to attend. Five new board members and the 2001/2(102 otticers will be elected. Certificates of Apprecia- licMi will be awarded to three out standing volunteers and summa ries ol this year s activities will be given. While the definition of literacy expands, Hoke County’s adult lit- r- f I r a, ,, 1 iv, 1 ,f twenty years ago. However, based on the most widely accepted definition of literacy, more than 70 percent of Hoke County’s adult population is illiterate or functionally illiterate. Hoke Reading/Literacy Council remains focused on those with little or no literacy skills (34 percent). We are expanding to introduce technology and to teach English as a Second Language. Again, we invite you to attend our annual meeting and learn how work ing together we can improve the qual ity of life in Hoke County Your truly, Barbara I Biiii' I , I iiti >t I 'll'' l"i Church, Centura Bank, Dispensing Systems of NC, East Hoke Middle School, Education Management System, Inc., Fidelity Bank, Franks Trading Company, Freedom Chapel AME Zion Church, Full Gospel Temple, Galatia Presbyterian Church Circle #3, George and Caroline Shook, Helen P. Haines, Hillcrest Baptist Church WMU, Hoke County Board of Education, House of Raeford, John D. McAllister and Kinlaw Jewelry ALso, Leach Springs Mission ary Baptist Church, Lippards Auto Parts & Equipment, Lumbee River Electric Membership Company, Mt. Misgah Baptist Church, The News- Journal, Pate Derby Company, Pennsylvania Transformer Tech, Pepsi, Piedmont Cheerwine, Piney Grove Baptist Church, Raeford Kiwanis Club, Robert and Sara Conoly, Ruth Phillips, SilverGrove Missionary Baptist Church, Sprite Barbee, Star Foods, T. B. Upchurch Inc., Tar Heel Hatchery, Teal Oil Company, The Womans Club, Tom's, Upchurch Milling & Stor age, Vance and Gwen McGougan, W.O.W. Camp 118, Wood Furni ture of Raeford and Your Eyes. Sincerolv. I ln|l ' I ( ii I'l" 'III "I 'dill “Seems like an appropriate license plate for a SUV can be organized along gender-spe cific lines, with moms being the caregivers and dads being the bread winners. On the home front, men typically have stronger, more openly affection ate relationships with their children than fathers did in the past. When a marriage or relationship ends, fathers see no reason to keep a distance from their children. If they shared in the parenting duties during the relation- 'ship, the likelihood increases that they will continue to share in them after the (See FATHERS, page 9A) Why is gas SO pricey? By Michael Walden Gas prices are headed for their highest level ever this summer, per haps approaching $2 or more per gal lon. Are the oil companies simply conspiring to get more money from motorists during the peak summer driving season? Is OPEC restricting the supply of oil so gas prices go up? Or is there something more compli cated behind the sticker shock we’re seeing at the pump? First, here’s some good news on gas prices, even though it won’t nec essarily ease today’s pain in our wal lets. Although gas prices have risen over the past 20 years, they haven’t risen as much as other prices. In fact, since 1982, gas prices have risen 30 percent less than other prices. Plus, if the improved fuel effi ciency of vehicles is included, the gasoline costs of driving per-mile have increased 45 percent less than other prices. Gas prices will have to rise to about $2.70 a gallon to set a new “real ’ record. Swell, you say, but this doesn’t help with today’s high prices. So who or what’s to blame? Let’s look at the possible suspects. First up, the oil companies. Are they withholding sup plies to push up prices? Are there oil tankers kept at sea to keep supplies tight? Although these theories make for great stories, they ’ ve been thoroughly investigated many times and found not to hold water (or oil in this case). Plus, the theories defy logic. Why would the oil companies suddenly choose this summer to conspire to raise gas prices? And, if you think there’s a political connection between a new Republi can president and rising gas prices, remember that gas prices dropped throughout most of the 1980s when there were also Republican presidents. Let’s turn to another possible cul prit, OPEC. Has OPEC ignited the jump in gas prices by restricting oil supplies and increasing oil prices? To date, the answer is no. Oil prices are currently under $30 a barrel and are almost rio a barrel lower than their high over the past year. OPEC has wanted to curtail oil supplies to pump up prices, but it has been having trouble policing its agreement (this is a typical problem with economic car tels). Consequently, OPEC oil sup plies are expected to run at about the same level this year as last year. Another possible reason gas prices could be rising is due to increased government taxes or regulations that add to the retail price of gasoline. However, nationally, taxes per gallon of gasoline haven’t changed in the past two years. Though new regula tions or formulating gasoline will add to the cost, these regulations only affect about a third of the gasoline sold in the country. So what’s left? Here’s a clue: Hav ing an abundant supply of oil doesn’t necessarily mean there will be an abun dant supply of gas. There’s a step in- between. Oil must be processed, or refined into gasoline. And herein lies our problem today — the capacity of our country to turn oil into refined gasoline has hit a wall. U.S. refinery capacity has been virtually unchanged lor the past two years. Retinery utilization rates are running at over 95 percent despite the fact that our use of gasoline continues to increase. What this means is that inventories I I " L I I (See GAS, page 9 \) The INews -Journal PRINTEO WITH SOYINK Published every Wednesday by Dickson Press, Inc., Paul Dickson Pres. 119 W. Elwood Avenue ^ Raeford, North Carolina 28376 (910) 875-2121 Call for fax number Home Page: http://www.dicksonpress.com e-mail; NJ|oumal @ coastalnet.com ^Qdurnal@ aol.com Robert Dickson Publisher Ken MacDonald General Manager Pat Allen Wilson Editor Victoriana Summers Reporter Henry L. Blue Production Supervisor Mantise Andrews Press Foreman Sam C. Morris Contributing Editor Teena Jones Advertising Representative Composing Room Staff Robin Thompkins, Sandra Wiggins Postmaster: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 550 Raeford, N.C. 28376 Periodical Class Postage at Raeford, N.C. (USPS 388-260) The News°Journal is sold at these locations Averitte’s Central Ave. Barbee Pharmacy Flarris Ave. Bo’s S. Main St. Butlers Grocery Arabia CVS Drugs 401 Bypass Carthens Grocery. Centre Grove Church Rd. Community Grocery Five Points Daniels' BP 401 Bypass Daniels’ Exxon E. Central Ave. David’s #5 Hwy 20 & Central Edinborough Rest S. Main St. Fast Shop W. Prospect. Ave. Food S. Stop W. Prospect Ave. 401 Express Stop ... E. Central & 401 N. 401 Shop & Save #1 Harris and 401 401 Shop & Save #2 E. Central Ave. G-Mart Hwy 211 E. Graystone Restaurant... E. Central Ave. Hardin’s Rockfish Rd., Rockfish Home Food Supermarket Main St. Howell Drug Teal Dr. J&L Clover Scurlock School Rd. Subscription Form □ New subscription □ Renewal □ Newcomer (3 free months) □ Gift (We’ll notify recipient) Clip, mail with payment to: The News-Journal P.O. Box 550 Raeford, N.C. 28376 Jimmy s Exxon Hwy. 401 N. Lucky Stop 401 and Palmer McNeil’s Grocery Antioch MePhatter’s Grocery 401 Bus/Vass Rd. Miller’s Cash & Carry Dundarrach 0 & J Conv. Marl Old Maxton Rd. Papa’s Pizza Harris Ave. Parks Grocery McCain Poco N. Main St. R&R Grocery Hwy. 211 East Robins Hgts Grocery E. 7th Ave. Short Stop #14 401 & Palmer Short Stop #23 Rockfish Rd.&401 Short Stop #54 Hwy. 401 Bypass Short Stop #64 Hwy. 211 West Short Stop #66 745 S. Main St. Short Stop #68 N. Fulton St. The News-Journal 119 W. Elwood Wagon Wheel Rest 509 Harris Woody’s Rockfish Rd. at King Rd. Zip N Mart 401 N. Rstes (including N.C. tax) In Hoke: One year .. $14 6 months .... $8 Senior Cit . $12 Outside Hoke: One year! .. $17 6 months $9.50 Outside N.C.: One year .. $20 6 months .. $11 (910)875-2121 for more information Subscriber information; Name Address City Phone State .Zip Your name, address (if different from above) Name Address City Phnno State .Zip Letters to Editor policy The News Journal welcomes Letters to the Editor and encourages readers to express their opinions. Letters must be signed and include an address and phone number. The street address and phone number will not be published, but are required so we may verify authenticity. The name of the writer and, in some cases, the town the writer is from will be published at the end of the letter. We reserve the right to edit letters for grammar, as well as those that exceed 300 words. We will not publish letters that we consider to be in poor taste or slanderous. In some cases we may add an editor’s note as a postscript when we believe a correction, explanation or amplification is warranted. We may also, at our discretion, limit the number of times an individual writer may submit a letter for publication.
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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June 13, 2001, edition 1
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