Samaritan’s Purse is launching a new program for married military couples called ‘Operation Heal Our Patriots’. The new ministry will provide couples who have a military spouse with injuries suffered while in service with a weeklong marriage retreat in Alaska. Operation Heal Our Patriots marriage retreat is open to all current and former military service members. Participants will be selected through referral process. RnR www.samaritanspurse.org
Tropical Depression Beryl is tracking up the Carolina coastline Wednesday Morning and will likely become a tropical storm once again by this afternoon as it heads out into the Atlantic. Flood Watch is in effect for eastern NC with some areas getting soaked with 3 to 6 inches of rain today. Some of the Coastal cities effected:Kinston,New Bern,Havelock,MoreheadCity, Emerald Isle, Kill Devil Hills,Kitty Hawkand Nags Head
Nebraska couple ‘compliments’ each other by wearing matching outfits. Keys to success: Love and Respect. Mel and Joey Schwanke have been married for 65 years. And they have worn matching outfits for 35 years. The couple say that they use their matching outfits to “enhance” their relationship, which has been going strong for 65 years. “We’re of the old school where you get married once and that’s it,” said Schwanke. “We’ve been together 24 hours a day at work and at home. KETV reports that the couple has been wearing matching outfits for 35 years. Mrs Schwanke picks out the ensembles, which often have a floral theme, because the couple owns and operates a successful flower shop inFremont. “We joke that we’re connected by velcro because we do everything together,” said Schwanke. The two have 146 custom-made matching outfits which typically match Joey’s dress with Mel’s tie. Mrs Schwanke said the keys to her marriage’s success are love and respect. “To this day, if he does something for me I thank him, she says. “If we run into each other, we say excuse me. We fully respect each other and consider each other with every decision we make.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/29/married-couple-wears-matching-outfits_n_1552467.html?view=print&comm_ref=false
The entire Blue Ridge Parkway is finally back open, for the first time in several years. While there is still some ongoing construction zones, there are NO detours in the entire 469 – mile stretch of the road. http://myfox8.com/2012/05/28/entire-blue-ridge-parkway-open-for-first-time-in-years/
Wrightsville Beach is considering a NO smoking ban…the first of its kind at any beach in North Carolina. The Star News of Wilmington reports that a resident-led petition to ban smoking at Wrightsville Beach was approved by the New Hanover County Board of Elections, meaning that Wrightsville Beach leaders can either approve the ban or put it up for a vote by the whole town. Proponents say the ban would help keep the beaches clean and safe. http://myfox8.com/2012/05/28/wrightsville-beach-mulls-1st-nc-beach-smoking-ban/
A new Gallup poll finds that 46% of Americans say that they are “total conservatives” when it comes to economic issues. 38% are social conservatives. 20% consider themselves ‘liberal’. Around 32% of Americans fall in the middle, describing themselves as ‘moderate’ on the economy. RnR
Is your town the ‘most interesting town’ in America??? You can enter the Reader’s Digest ‘America’s Most Interesting Town’ contest through May 31st. Share personal stories and photos that illustrate what makes their town special. You could win a $1,000 dollars and have your special town featured on the cover of an upcoming issue of Reader’s Digest magazine. www.readersdigest.com/america
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake claiming at least 10 lives in Northern Italy. This is the second earthquake to hit northernItalyin just ten days. CNN
How to Keep Younger Students Motivated During the Final Weeks of School. www.edutopia.org/motivation-final-weeks-school
The current principal at Ledford High School, Bill Butts, will retire at the end of June after a 30 year career in education. The 53 year old started his teaching (and coaching) career at Ledford High School. In the late ’80s, Bill went to North Davidson High School for 19 years before coming back to Ledford in 2005. http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20120528/NEWS/305289995/1005?Title=Ledford-principal-calls-trip-in-education-rewarding
Art back in the classroom. A proposal backed by State Senator Pete Brunstetter (R- Forsyth County) would add a new arts component to High School graduation…and would likely provide state funds for more art teachers in the classroom. www.journalnow.com
