The best way for me to describe the writing of Pat Conroy is to say his words had a way of drawing you into his story. Sometimes the words would take you by the hand and gently guide you into captivating scenes of breathtaking beauty. Other times they wo

We hear frequent references in the news to the Federal Reserve (or the “Fed,” as it is more commonly called). Yet, for many individual investors and consumers, the way the Fed affects their lives is a bit cloudy. So, let’s clear the air. Decisions by th

Led by the spirit of Halloween and the gloomy gray skies overhead, I decided to venture out last Thursday to do a little mid-morning adult trick or treating. Rather than go house-to-house in search of holiday treasures, I went from bin-to-bin at Bargain

Ready to get your spook on? In honor of Halloween, I thought it would be fun to share a few ghost stories from around the Pee Dee. There is little or no truth to any of these tales, although I’m sure some out there would swear on their mother’s grave that

As you’ve likely read in financial headlines recently, interest rates are falling. So, what does that mean for you and your finances? Here are some factors to consider. Your existing debt may be more manageable. A rate cut by the Fed may cause interest ra

It would be hard to misinterpret the unbridled enthusiasm of Catherine Ritch as anything but a passion for the Navajo people. The Stallings, N.C. resident and author of more than two dozen books spoke to a gathering of the Florence Sidney Lanier Literary

I learned something new this week while attending a funeral service for an unclaimed veteran at Florence National Cemetery. Having served as a pastor for several years, I have officiated many funerals. At least two have been with military honors. I have

Three local authors have recently had their work published. James Austin of Lake City had his 16-page book, “Transforming Minds: Turning Setbacks Into Opportunities, Vol. 1,” published by Amazon Digital Services in May. The self-help book is available fo

Today it’s common for Americans to spend two, three or even four decades in retirement. This means people have ample time to relax and achieve a bucket list of dreams. However, the flip side is that retirees need to ensure they have enough savings to last

By Bob Sloan Editor If you want to learn about resiliency, just ask a farmer. Resilience means knowing how to cope in spite of setbacks, or barriers, or limited resources. The farmer knows how to persevere and endure through hard times. Resilience is a

It appears Sam is in need of a lesson in loyalty. When Sam’s Club handed Frank Eason his pink slip on July 17, officials at the retailer’s corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., probably didn’t give it a moment’s thought. One has to wonder what the

Like many people, social media and I have a love-hate relationship. I hate, and hate is a word I rarely if ever use, all of the venomous, opinionated, self-centered comments people make without considering for a single moment the harm it could inflict. I

Making small talk before church Sunday last, the conversation turned toward the ever-so-slow eminent doom of Hurricane Dorian. “Hey Tommy, I’ve got a question for you,” I quizzed a local cattle farmer. “What do you do with your cows during hurricanes?” H

So please tell me, what’s all this fuss about a chicken sandwich? I mean, really? Three weeks ago Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen began selling a new chicken sandwich in its restaurants. Since that moment, our world has not been the same. People have scarfed u

If Darlington Raceway, the fabled “Track Too Tough to Tame,” had a fifth turn, it would be into the parking lot of the neighboring and just as legendary Raceway Grill. “The Grill,” as it’s referred to by most locals, has been serving meals for as long as