Happy Thanksgiving

Just wanted to wish anyone who may take a second to check out this blog a Happy Thanksgiving. And if you can, help out someone who is less fortunate this year.

That's all. See you next time.

Halloween

Halloween is just days away and I have yet to figure out if I'm dressing up or not.

Many people would say that I'm scary looking enough as it is without a costume. So is it worthy it?

I have an idea, but it may be a last-minute throw-together thing. I'll post a photo later if it pans out.

I would like some suggestions. Does anyone have a low-budget costume idea? It doesn't necessarily have to be for me. It could be something that anyone could use at the last minute.

Let us know. Thanks.

Shake or Not?

I've had the sinus blues that seem to be going around at the moment.

One question: When someone comes up to you and goes to shake your hand and you're sick, do you shake?

I had two instances today where I didn't and explained the situation. I remember watching this on "Seinfeld."

I think I made the right decision. I guess you could salute or tip a hat if you're wearing one.

What do you think?

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

I know I'm a little late at posting the "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" story, but here is a little highlights of my recent trip to Wilmington.

I've always talked about visiting our neighbors down east, but we've never gotten around to it.

My dad was part of the hundreds of thousands of school children throughout the state that

donated their change to bring the USS Battleship home to Wilmington.

The Battleship is big. It was amazing to see how the sailors lived at sea, with the various departments and amenities on board.

Here's a nice photo of me aboard the Battleship (below).

And one last photo of the Battleship itself (below).

I may add more from the trip and the many experiences in the coming days, so stay tuned.

But as they say, there's no place like home.

MDA Telethon

This weekend is the annual MDA Telethon. Read my thoughts on this year's event, the fact that Jerry Lewis is not involved in it, and an update on a story I reported on in 1999. See how a 7-year-old affected by muscular dystrophy is doing now at 19. Coming in Sunday's Stanly News & Press.

Elvis

Today is the day Elvis supposedly died.

Although some news outlets are reporting that a certain presidential candidate wished him a Happy Birthday earlier today.

Candidates have to watch themselves and what they say, but it has to be stressful on such a grand stage. I guess anyone could have made that mistake. What do you think?

Facebook and Twitter

We are in a new era when it comes to reporting news. We don't just focus on the newspaper itself. While it remains the core product, a vital one I still enjoy, we also focus on the amenities of the website -- thesnaponline.com -- as well as post information to The Stanly News & Press Facebook page and our Twitter account -- stanlynewspress.

But as addressed in today's issue of The SNAP, are there bad sides to social media? We looked at the subject of Facebook and the Stanly County Schools, and also questioned whether teachers should be friends with students. We even have a poll question on our website that asks people to weigh in on that subject.

I was close with some teachers at West Stanly, but I don't think I would have friended any on Facebook, if it had been around then. I am friends on there now and have even written stories and columns about past teachers. But it is different. We aren't in the same scenario.

Maybe I'm wrong. If I am, I am sure someone will let me know. There's plenty of times to be friends when school ends.