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OBSERVATIONS
March 27, 2020 |
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RAYS OF HOPE FROM THE SETTING SUN
Cornell Cox posted this remarkable photograph on Facebook, taken from the front of his residence on South Smithfield's Vermont Street as the sun broke through the clouds late Wednesday afternoon. The trees may look like fall colors but it's actually the setting sun's golden rays giving them this unusual springtime hue. The uplifting scene is a reminder that seasons come and go, and so should the coronavirus.
 Wingate Lassiter |
Our schools need a permanent plan
for "distance learning" by students
One good thing coming out of the coronavirus threat is the provision of tools for online "distance learning" by students in our public schools.
Johnston County school administrators have been scrambling to set up those capabilities, which appear to be in place as this week draws to a close. A fine example of what needs to be done was Thursday's distribution of Chromebooks to Smithfield-Selma High School students who lack those computers in their households.
What we need is a statewide program to make sure students everywhere have such access to "digital learning."
My daughter teaches middle-school social studies in Gwinnett County, Georgia --- a booming suburban area outside Atlanta. They've had this stuff in place for three years now, set up so students won't miss school because of bad weather or some other unforeseen circumstance (like a coronavirus outbreak).
In other words, there are no "snow days" in Georgia's schools anymore.
It's time for North Carolina to catch up.
A reader's invitation for comforting recipes
This suggestion was directed to the editor from Ken Langston of Smithfield:
While
listening to too many coronavirus news reports, it
struck me that everyone needs some comforting thoughts
to survive the crush of negative news. What better
comforts people than the thoughts of food and memories
of certain dishes they have enjoyed or associated with
better times?
This led me to think that you could possibly "give some comfort" to readers of the Sun by seeking out their favorite food memories of the Smithfield area. Perhaps recipes could be shared as "Smithfield Heritage Comfort Foods." Some that came to mind for me:
•
Mrs. Carroll's peanut-butter bars from the Smithfield
School cafeteria.
•
Batt Johnson's barbeque chicken and hushpuppies.
•
Fred's hot-dog chili recipe.
•
Chocolate pie from the Town and Country Restaurant.
•
Fried chicken from Peterson's Grocery.
•
Mrs. Sellers's french-fried onion rings from the In and
Out Grill.
•
Chili from Thornton's Grill in Four Oaks.
There
is a whole generation of folks that remember those
dishes and another generation that is going to miss
those historic tastes. Maybe some of the descendants can
share the recipes with the public to re-create those
dishes.
FAQs about coronavirus and food handling
Speaking of comfort food, "Extension Answers COVID-19 Food & Family FAQs" (Frequently Asked Questions) arrived in my e-mailbox late Thursday afternoon from the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Service (it's still "Agricultural Extension" for us old-timers).
I've seen lots of online links to coronavirus facts and advice, but here's one generated locally that addresses some pertinent questions about buying food from the grocery store or a take-out restaurant. I recommend your checking it out>
Creative messaging for SSS students
As
I was leaving Smithfield-Selma High School after visiting
with Principal David Allen and his staff on Thursday, I
came across this message near the entrance from the
school's student parking lot: "CAREER & COLLEGE DREAMS
START HERE." Inside the letters' outlines are logos of
numerous colleges and universities popular in our region.
Hopefully effective messaging, I'd say.
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