NPR’s Ailsa Chang talks with Robert Klara, senior editor for Adweek, about the best and worst Super Bowl commercials — which are often more memorable than the big game itself. From All Things Considered
Adorable 3-year-old leads his pre-K class in lunchtime prayer From USA Today.
By Doug Creamer
About once a month a group of retired teachers gathers in Stanly County for lunch. I taught at North Stanly and South Stanly for about eight years of my career. Somehow when this group meets, I get an invite to join them. Retirement has some benefits.
When I taught in Stanly County I was young and energetic, but I was green. I had one bit of wisdom in my youth: find those who are excellent in their field and hang around them. Learn and glean everything you can from them. I did that. I found the best teachers, the ones with the best reputations, and spent time with them.
One of the most important things I learned early in life was to always do my best on the job. It doesn’t matter if the boss is watching, do your best. Later in my career, I had a principal tell me that she didn’t need to formally observe me to know if I was doing my job. She said that all she had to do is walk past my door and she always saw me engaging with my students.
The retired teachers met for lunch last week. Two things struck me about the conversation around that table. The first was when the thought circulated that they felt they could not teach and engage students today. I looked at them and said, “No, you would still be great. Students today still need the same things you gave them when you were in the classroom. They want to be noticed. They need to be loved. They want to be encouraged to pursue their dreams. They want to be challenged to raise the bar. They want people who believe in them and have hope for their future.”
I agreed that today’s students have many more distractions. I agreed that the educational system seems overly focused on testing. I agreed that the individual freedoms that teachers once had have evaporated. But I still believed that these great teachers could still have an impact on the next generation.
The other thing that impacted me as I listened to them talk was how powerfully teachers had impacted their lives. They were discussing various Catawba College professors. They remembered details about their college teachers that impacted and changed their lives. They remembered specific assignments they completed. They remembered certain tests and even specific questions from those tests.
As I sat and listened I began to wonder how many of our students have the same memories about us. Do our students remember tests or certain activities we did in class? Did the things I said or did have lasting impacts on my students? Do students reflect on what we did in my room like these teachers were remembering their college professors?
I have run into former students through the years, and they always have stories about things that happened in my room. Most of the memories are of something funny. They all remember the Golden Rule of Business: Treat every customer the way you would want to be treated if you were the customer. It was the last question on every test.
I hope I impacted my students with the most important thing of all, God’s love. I know that I am an imperfect person, but I hope that in spite of that, God’s love showed through my life. What we become in life is nowhere near as important as who we become. I wanted to help my students develop high moral standards, learning how to choose right from wrong, seeing the impact of doing good deeds, and how a kind and encouraging word can change someone’s day.
THE most important thing in life is having faith in God. We will all stand before His throne and have to answer for our lives. The key question will be: Did you ask Jesus to be your Savior? If the answer is no, all the good things you have done in your life will not change your destination. We also have to live for Jesus. Is your life a reflection of His love?
I want to encourage you to make the most important decision in your life today. Ask Jesus to be your Savior. No one knows if today will bring a tragic ending to your life. Don’t put this critical decision off. You may not get a moment right before you pass to ask Him into your life. Ask now and live for Him every day. Who knows what kind of legacy you can leave behind if you make the choice to follow Jesus?
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
JONESVILLE, N.C. —
A 94-year-old man from Yadkin County just revealed a little-known secret: He’s s a multi-millionaire.
“He’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, and he’s just a true American story,” Michael Smith said. From WXII TV station. – Great video!
By David Freeze
My favorite event of the year happens on Sunday afternoon. As a participant, volunteer and eventually race director, I have wanted to build an interesting race every year that attracts runners and walkers of all abilities to Salisbury.
This will be our first Winter Flight year as a Runner Friendly Community, a national designation that fewer than 60 cities nationwide have. I hope you’ve noticed those signs near the major entrances to Salisbury. Something just fits when these words are mentioned together; Salisbury, runners and doing good things for the community.
For 37 years, Winter Flight has been one of the best races in the southeast, attracting some amazing athletes. The female course record is still held by a former Olympian, Joan Nesbitt of Chapel Hill. But the races are about all the people who choose to take their own time to run or walk in Salisbury to help support those of our neighbors who need it most.
The historic 8K course is challenging, but I hear every year about those who have done most of the 37 events. Just last year, we had participants from Hawaii, California and five more states. None of them had a chance to win either the 8K or the 5K, but they came for the experience and the final result of supporting the homeless.
Last year, Winter Flight’s three events raised a record $12,000 for
Rowan Helping Ministries. Our goal from day one of planning was to top
that total with Sunday afternoon’s event.
Careful purchasing, thoughtful best practices, and lots of community
partners make me think we can do it. At least 35 community partners, led
by title sponsor New Sarum Brewing Company, all help us in the effort.
And lots and lots of runners and walkers from near and far add the final pieces to pull it all together.
Kyna Grubb, Executive Director at Rowan Helping Ministries said, “Winter Flight is an opportunity for a generous and compassionate community rallying together to ensure those who are hungry, homeless, or hurting are not forgotten. The success of this event makes it possible for many of our most fragile citizens to have a safe space to rest, with a roof over their head and the resources needed to overcome challenging obstacles in their life and find stable housing. The Salisbury Rowan Runners Club is an amazing partner helping to feed our neighbors and ensure families in Rowan County no longer have to wonder where their next meal will come from or make a choice to warm their home or have a nutritious meal. From serving in Jeannie’s Kitchen to hosting races, Salisbury Rowan Runners Club demonstrates concern backed by action for our community’s health and happiness.”
Bottom line, if you enjoy some time outside, want to test yourself with exercise and just enjoy helping a good cause for a reasonable fee, Kyna and I would love to see you join us at Catawba College’s Goodman Gymnasium to sign up for one of three races. If you don’t want to run or walk, just come out and support those who do. The 8K is open to runners of all abilities. The 5K Health Run and Walk is open to anyone. The course is much easier with only one real hill. Finally, the half-mile fun run is open to anyone of any age or ability and it is held on the Shuford Stadium track.
Registration is available at www.runsignup through Saturday night, at the City Park Recreation building on Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. and at Catawba’s Goodman Gym from noon to 2 p.m. More information is available at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org or 704-310-6741.
Every 5K and 8K participant gets an incredible commemorative hoodie and a chance at some awesome awards. But better yet is the chance to know that you and a bunch of your friends and neighbors contributed to something much bigger.
I can’t wait to see you at Catawba on Sunday.
By Doug Creamer
For many years on Saturday night we would listen to Garrison Keillor on the radio. He had a program called “The Prairie Home Companion.” It was a two-hour variety show that we enjoyed. My favorite part was when he told a story about a fictional town out on the prairie.
He always began the story with, “It’s been a quiet week…” Then he would launch into all the happenings in this fictional town. There was always humor and something going on down at the church, or maybe the little cafe. The story was always clean, filled with faith, and funny.
I guess I was thinking about this because as I reflected back on my week, it feels like it has been a quiet week. What I mean is that there haven’t been any major events. That’s good. Some folks I know are dealing with big things. I know friends who have lost loved ones and others who are fighting cancer. I know some who are fighting the awful bug that is going around and others who are at the hospital.
I’ll take my quiet week. Don’t get me wrong, I have been busy. I’ve been working on my websites, working on developing a class that I hope to be able to teach, and teaching my Chinese children on the internet. Sometimes, while it feels quiet, it seems busy.
I had to get my old vehicle running again; it was time for the inspection. I tried jumping it, but the battery was too far gone. I got a new one and she cranked right up. I drove it around for a while the other day; she is purring like a kitten again.
There were a few highlights in the week. I took my brother out for his birthday lunch. I won’t say which one it was, but we had fun. It was great to laugh and talk with my OLDER brother. On my way home, I stopped in at East Davidson. I got to see several colleagues and talk with some friends. I miss seeing my work friends on a daily basis.
Date night this week was at a special restaurant in town. We went to say good-bye to one of our favorite servers there. He got a new job and it was his last night. The dinner was great, but so was the opportunity to wish him well.
I had a great conversation with a former student this week. She is helping with my website design. We got to talk and share about our lives, the ups and downs. I love to hear how steady her faith is no matter what comes her way.
I was blessed to spend time with the pastor and his family this week. Whether we are going over the routine things about the church, sharing hopes and dreams, talking through some challenges, or just laughing and cutting up in the office after church on Sunday…I’ll say it again, I feel blessed. His family makes me feel like I am a part of their family.
You see, quiet weeks are still filled. No matter how busy or quiet a week might be, spending time with God has to be a priority. With the nice weather we had recently, I was spending time quietly on my porch or going for walks. I feel lazy on cold, wet days, but just because it is difficult shouldn’t keep us from our Father.
I saw several pictures recently on Facebook of friends with their children asleep on their chest. That’s the kind of closeness that God wants with us. Some of my best conversations with the Lord occur with my head on my pillow. It’s quiet and the distractions of life are removed. I can hear His voice and curl up in His love. God wants to be that intimate with us. If He knows the number of hairs on our heads, He is already intimately acquainted with us. We need to open our hearts and become more aware of Him.
I want to encourage you to draw close to God. Crawl up in His arms. He wants you close to His heart. I know the importance of awe and respect for the Almighty. I try to worship Him as exuberantly as King David did. He deserves it. But I want that closeness so I can hear God call me His son and Jesus call me brother and friend. God’s love is more profound than any of us can understand, but I want to be immersed in it. I encourage you to run into your Heavenly Father’s arms.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, was hit by a powerful blizzard – A video from USA Today
Sleep is a time suck. If you multiplied the average recommended number of hours we should sleep in a day—eight for a typical adult—by the number of days in an average lifespan (78.8 years in the United States), that would amount to about 9,587.3 days. That’s one third of your life spent unconscious. From Get Pocket
If you ever find yourself falling through ice, what are the immediate steps to take in order to get out? A video from Accu-Weather and USA Today
By Ann Farabee
I sneaked out early, before the family woke up. I was going to beat the crowd to the mall at a very busy time of year. I had a store in mind where I knew I could find a special gift for a special three year old.
I got the best parking spot. I suppose that was a plus.
I wasn’t wearing my PJs — but some may have thought I was.
Nope. I was there for one item. In and out quickly. Get what I came for. Head home.
Being inconspicuous was my goal.
But there she was: THE GREETER.
She was definitely glad to see me.
“Are you ready to get a magical adventure started?” she asked.
I made eye contact, gave a ‘half smile’ and buried my head among some items for sale, as I whispered, “I’m just looking.”
She cheerfully pointed out a couple of things she thought I would love, told me to enjoy my adventure, and to let her know if I needed her.
I hurriedly grabbed the item I wanted and walked to the other side of the store.
There she was. Greeter #2. Excitedly smiling, she said sweetly, “Good morning! Oh, I love what you picked out!”
I stopped. I glanced back toward Greeter #1 on the other side of the store. She waved. I then looked again at Greeter #2, who continued to beam with excitement over what I had picked out to purchase.
I gave up. I smiled. I talked with them about the item I was getting for my granddaughter.
I had switched over to a good mood. It really was simple. It was a lot more fun, too.
Against the wishes of my ‘stony’ heart that morning, I had given in and allowed myself to have a magical adventure – not because of the stuff in my bag – but because of the greeters in the store.
I felt I left with more in my heart than I had in my shopping bag.
Later, I decided to ask if I could become a greeter at church. They let me. Apparently, they were unaware of my poor attitude in the mall.
I love being a greeter. I say hello, have conversations, shake hands, get hugs, meet new people, answer questions – and offer them a peppermint – or two.
I have yet to ask, “Are you ready to get your Sunday morning spiritual adventure started?”
If I did, I think they would all smile and say, “Yes.”
The power of a smile and a hello.
You can use it anywhere.
It cheers people up.
It establishes good relationships.
It sets a positive tone.
It’s contagious.
Be a greeter.
Ann is a speaker and teacher. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com