Yesterday, I checked my Bladenboro High School ‘Weaver ’56’, annual yearbook, the year I graduated. Just enjoy ‘flipping thru’ from time to time, reminiscing, wonder if so and so is still alive. … Best I could tell, about 58 or so graduated and about half of them are alive. I also checked the list of […]

Ever asked if you are a Republican or Democrat? One of my Sunday School classmates shared recently that when he was asked that question, his reply was I am a Methodist. … I hope and pray I live long enough to see our nation more united than is currently the situation. Guess the last time […]

Checking schedule for Bladen County public schools, Board of Education meets Monday … open house on August 22 and students begin new school year, Monday, August 26. Lu Mil Vineyard invites you to come pick your own bucket of grapes today, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. That would be after Sunday morning church and […]

Ever get something on your mind … worry for a while, then when everything is exposed, all is well? … Feels good. Ever considered seeking public office? I did, years ago. Served as county commissioner from ’74 to ’82. Decided to ‘not seek’ reelection. Great experience … no desire for another day. I never dreamed […]

Special election for US House of Representatives, District 9 will be held September 10, 2019. Check Bladen County Board of Elections for more info. Candidates are, in alphabetical order: Dan McCready – Democrat Jeff Scott – Libertarian Allen Smith – Green Dan Bishop – Republican Just vote and be ready to accept the results, whatever. […]

Been on the road for a few days and soooo happy to be home again. Mentally and physically tired. … Do not remember going to bed last night …. ever have such an experience … slept well … but, woke up tired … more mental than physical. Actually attended a telephone conference sponsored by NTCA, […]

Temps in the 90s for a few days … chance of thunderstorms and some rain today. On the road again … headed home. Church Billboards Too cold to change sign … Message inside. Tweet others as you would like to be tweeted. Having troubles sleeping? Try one of our sermons. Spring is here – I’m […]

The ‘thud’ you may have heard yesterday was the stock market crashing, could go lower today … for whatever the reason. Checking in on the progress of MacKenzie Gore, former Whiteville lefty who signed for a ‘pot full’ of money to pitch for the San Diego Padres. He has had a sensational year, only one […]

Elizabethtown’s Minor League All Stars lost 7-3 Sunday, but like the Bladen County All Stars a week ago, you represented us well. We are proud of both teams. How many youngsters played Dixie Youth baseball this year, and when it was time for the best to play the best, we had two teams in the […]

Alabama 2, North Carolina 0 in the AAA Dixie Youth Minors World Series game played in Rustin, Louisiana last night. Today, North Carolina (Elizabethtown) vs Louisiana, game time, 4:30 p.m. Last night’s game was all about great pitching stopping good hitters. Line score … Alabama 2 runs on 5 hits. For North Carolina, 0 runs […]

Elizabethtown’s Dixie Youth team arrived safe and sound in Rustin, Louisiana and are preparing for game 1 against Alabama (Montgomery) tonight, 9 p.m., Bladen County time. The game is expected to be televised on HiCast Sports Mobile App in conjunction with JockJive Sports. Game may be free … not sure. HiCast is advertising a 7-day […]

Elizabethtown All-Stars left yesterday for Louisiana. The Dixie Youth Class AAA (Minors) team will represent North Carolina in the World Series. Their first game is set for Saturday, 9 p.m. ET. Their opponent … Alabama. We wish them well, in their travel and on the field. The big ‘thud’ yesterday was the drop of several […]

Another Dixie Youth team, coaches, moms and dads and other supporters, are either on the way or already in Louisiana for the AAA (Minors) World Series. Play begins this weekend. High school fall sports practice underway, or will be shortly … football, tennis, soccer … maybe more. Did you watch the Democratic presidential candidates debate […]

Bladen County Dixie Youth Pre-Majors team lost twice yesterday in Louisiana and will be heading home. After two wins, the team lost to South Carolina and a close game to Alabama. Congratulations to all concerned, players and coaches Les Hill and Kendall Kelly, all involved with the team. They end their play 2-2 in the […]

Bladen County’s Pre-Majors All-Star team 13, Laurel, Mississippi 3. Bladen County is one of three unbeaten teams remaining in the Dixie Youth World Series being played in Sterlington, La. Sports Complex. Local team plays two games today, first at 1 p.m., Louisiana time (2 p.m. Bladen County time). If they win, play again at 8 […]

North Carolina (Bladen County) 4, Louisiana (Monroe) 2 in the opening round of the Dixie Pre-Majors World Series in Sterlington, La. Bladen County will play Laurel, Mississippi today, 2 p.m. on Field 1. The game will be streamed on Ispn.live. Actually, I had some difficulty streaming yesterday’s game … think it was operator error. … […]

This is a huge day for local sports fans… Bladen County Dixie Pre-Majors baseball team will play their first World Series game today. Opponent is Monroe, Louisiana, game time is 11 a.m. The game is being played in Sterlington, Louisiana … and plans are for it to be streamed live on Ispn.live. Not sure about […]

Remember when politics was ‘front page’ news for a short period of time, every couple of years? With the aid of the Internet (social media) and all the 24 hour news sources, it never ceases. FTC fined Facebook an unprecedented $5 billion because of privacy breaches. The $5 billion fine is, according to some sources, […]

The medical professionals do well assisting senior citizens… Love this weather. High yesterday 84. Today, sunny, windy with temps in the upper 80s, overnight lows in the 60s. Temps will gradually rise to the low 90s by next Tuesday and Wednesday. Checked my rain gauge following Tuesday’s storm. Recorded about an inch at the Hester […]

It’s an exciting time for a couple of local Dixie baseball teams. The Bladen County team begins play in Louisiana this weekend and the Elizabethtown minor league team departs for the same location a week later. Donations still needed for both teams. When teams reach the national level, I am told there is no support […]

It’s been a while since I have witnessed so much excitement about Dixie Youth baseball. Two local teams headed to Louisiana, one leaving in the next day or so and another a week later. The Bladen County Dixie Majors team begins play Saturday, July 27 and hopefully will be playing thru Wednesday, the 31st. Contributions […]

Much activity revolving around youth baseball and softball and playoffs and raising $’s to assist in travel related expenses. A great experience for many. Shane Lowry, an Ireland native won the British Open with a -15 score for the 72 hole event. Tommy Fleetwood was his nearest challenger at -9. Americans, for the most part, […]

Treat your family to BBQ and Chicken plate after church today and help a good cause. Plate lunches available at the Harrelson Farm headquarters. Proceeds will assist with travel expenses for the Bladen County Pre-Majors baseball team as they head to Louisiana for the World Series Dixie Youth baseball tournament that begins play Saturday, July […]

Filing for municipal elections ended at noontime Friday, busy time at the Bladen County Board of Elections. All the results are on our Politics page. … About as much activity as seen in recent years. Bladenboro, Elizabethtown and White Lake incumbents have opposition. Tar Heel Mayor Roy Dew is unopposed and Sam Allen filed for […]

Filing for municipal election ends at noon today. Check our political page for candidates as of Thursday afternoon. All have a full slate, except Tar Heel. No one had filed for town council or mayor. Bladenboro, Clarkton and White Lake have attracted incumbents and newcomers. Filing fee … $5. And, 12:01 p.m. today will be […]

Summer Jams Concert Series continues this evening (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) at Goldston’s Beach, White Lake featuring Pink Slips. It’s free courtesy of local sponsors and the Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce. All are invited. I realize I am beginning to sound like a broken record, but just a few hours left to file […]

Filing deadline for municipal elections fast approaching, and numerous positions with no candidate. … Deadline is noon Friday, July 19. Filing fee, $5. I followed, with great interest, the story of the lady ‘snatching’ her own child from a nursery in Bladenboro. Fortunately, all ended well, so far. Pray for all concerned. Sunset Jams concert […]

I among men most richly blessed … just need to remind myself occasionally. Think back 10 days to a couple of weeks ago, when we walked outside, could hear a crackling sound, grass brown and little hope of it changing. Then a few showers and all around, the grass is green, all over again … […]

If you have been praying for hot weather, maybe you need to take a break. Forecast for the next week or so expected to be in the mid 90s, with triple digit heat values. One bright spot, a slight chance of rain, like 20% daily. Former Whiteville Wolfpack pitcher moved up to Double-A Texas team. […]

Weather continues to be big news … flood in portions of Bladen yesterday, especially around White Lake, zero to a few tenths in other areas. Extremely hot weather forecast for the next few days … temps in the 90s, heat index in triple digits. Plan accordingly. Celebration continues for Elizabethtown Dixie Youth baseball team preparing […]

CONGRATULATIONS to the Elizabethtown Dixie Youth AAA Minors team. They swept a doubleheader yesterday (Friday) over previously unbeaten Stanly by identical 6-4 scores to win the state championship and will advance to the nationals in Louisiana, first time since 1982, I am told … 37 years ago. The tournament was played in Dunn. And there […]

We received a little more rain yesterday, more is needed. 60 percent chance for today (Friday), tonight and Saturday. All associated with thunderstorms. Highs for the next few days in excess of 90 degrees. Greed is the root of all evil. Hasn’t changed over the years. From the ‘did you know department’ … that suicide […]

Some of America’s greatest business folks, men and ladies, are farmers. They deal with the good and the bad and keep on farming. They also may be some of our biggest gamblers. Planting seed, along with fertilizer, using expensive equipment, and hope and pray for a good crop. Dixie Youth playoff activities continue, and more […]

Nearly 2 inches (1.92) of rain recorded Tuesday at the Curtis Brown Airport near Elizabethtown with highs in the 80s. Today (Wednesday), high near 88 and a 60% chance of rain. Over the next few days (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) 90 degree temps return with rainfall in the 40% to 60% range. Sunday, hot, 95 […]

Bladen is a busy place! Dixie Youth action continues and more is on the way. John Clark has it all covered on our Sports page. A reminder, a new tournament will be played beginning this weekend at the Clarkton Dixie Youth Baseball Complex. It’s the Dixie Youth Majors D2 State Tournament, and all are invited […]

Mackenzie Gore lived up to his billing in the Futures Game played in Cleveland Sunday night. It was the best of the American and National League minor leaguers and after walking the first batter he faced, Gore was on target, picking the base runner off at first, then faced two more batters, easy outs … […]

I look forward to holidays, spending time with family and friends. But, also look forward to returning to my regular routine. At the church I attend (Wesley’s Chapel UMC, near Elizabethtown), I look around at the congregation. Many I would have never met had we all not decided this place of worship is where we […]

White Lake fireworks were very good Friday night, a day late due to inclement weather. Speaking of the weather, Thursday rainfall totals in local areas ranged from near none to 4 inches or more. Had one report of a quarter of an inch, several in the 3 to 4 inch range. We are thankful, but […]

Thankful for the rain, sorry it caused the July 4th fireworks at White Lake to be postponed. The rain was so badly needed and hopefully there will be more over the next few days. The chance of more over the next 3 or 4 days is in the 60% to 70% range. So how much […]

Thursday is July 4th and we celebrate “the legal separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain in 1776 (actually occurred on July 2), when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great […]

Reminder … Sidewalk Sale in Elizabethtown continues thru Saturday, July 6. Town of White Lake is holding a Community Meeting Tuesday, July 9 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to provide an update on the ‘Lake’ Water Restoration Project. It will be the first of several planned on ‘Understanding White Lake and its Management Challenges.’ […]

A new week, a new month and more hot weather, welcome to Bladen… Temps are expected to range from low 90s to 100 degrees every day this week. Best chance for rain … 20% on Wednesday, 30% Saturday and 40% Sunday. Sidewalk sale continues in Elizabethtown, all week long… Fireworks at White Lake Thursday, July […]

We close out June today with little hope of cooler temps, or measureable rainfall. Looking at the week ahead, temps thru Saturday are expected to be in the mid 90s to 100 degrees on Wednesday. Our best chance of rain is Thursday (Independence Day), a 30% possibility. Average high temp for July is 89, average […]

A short time at White Lake refreshes the body, mind and soul. No doubt thousands will enjoy the lake experience during the upcoming July 4th holiday week. Water is wonderful, not as much as in some years, down due to lack of rainfall … but still great … and a reminder of fireworks on the […]

Today … the Annual July 4th Sidewalk Sale begins in Elizabethtown. Bargains galore, inside and out at numerous locations. The 3rd Annual Aim for a Cure fundraiser for ALS will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at Allen Brothers Hunting Preserve. Activities for all ages. One Main Event will be a 3D Archery Tournament. Events begin at […]

Reminder — Community meeting this evening, 7 p.m., at Centerville Baptist Church in Kelly. Purpose of the meeting is to provide updated info related to the White Oak Dike Levee System. Bladen County Commissioners and members of the Kelly Dike District Committee are expected to be at the meeting and all are invited. Last year […]

Robo calls slowed for a few days. FTC is investigating and have charged a few businesses and individuals, but don’t think it will last long. New Bojangles in Elizabethtown seeking employees … info on sign at Poplar Street location. When will they open? No idea. Remember Nell’s BBQ? Was located on site currently occupied by […]

Bladen County Commissioners will hold a Community Meeting in Kelly on Thursday, 7 p.m. at Centerville Baptist Church to provide an update on information related to the White Oak Dike Levee System. County commissioners and members of the Kelly Dike District Committee are expected to attend. All are to be commended in attempting to ‘work […]

A reminder of the 3rd Annual Bladen County Aim for Cure fundraiser Saturday, June 29 at Allen Brothers Outdoor Clubhouse. A fundraiser for ALS research and survivors. The main event is a 3D Archery tournament. Google Allen Brothers for more info. They are located at 3062 Cabbage Road, Bladenboro. Promises to be a fun event […]

Tuesday night’s annual meeting of the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at Lu Mil was impressive. Numerous deserving, local folks honored and long time Executive Director Dawn Maynard officially resigned. See article on our news page. Some area folks received rain Tuesday afternoon. In our area, never arrived … there is still a need. […]

According to the calendar, we are near summertime, arrival date is Friday, June 21 at 6:01:45 a.m. Sunset will be at 8:30:32 p.m. Add it up, the length of the day is 14:28:46 (hours, minutes, seconds). Temps are expected to be summer like. Friday’s weather forecast, sunny with a high near 92. Between now and […]

Internet has changed the way we communicate. Enjoyed the numerous praises of fathers as I did for mothers on Mother’s Day. Children praising dads, moms praising husbands, but none better than the Bill Storms family of Bladenboro celebrating Father’s Day on his 100th birthday. Someone shared how much more was spent on Mother’s Day, compared […]

Happy Father’s Day… What is a father? Thought I knew, but decided to check Webster’s dictionary, and here is what I discovered. 1. a male parent 2. a person regarded as a male parent, protector 3. God 4. a forefather, 5. an originator; founder; ancestor; forebear There were others, like, to act like a father, […]

BladenOnline was ‘down’ most of yesterday. Last report was someone ‘hacked’ the website. One of the hazards of being online. But, the good outweighs the bad. Thanks to Charlotte Smith and others. Today, we bid goodbye to a lady who has spent a lifetime quietly providing a valuable service to members of Dublin Baptist Church […]

Thankful for the rainfall. Most areas, could use more. Forecast includes a 40% chance today, and 80% chance for Wednesday and Wednesday night. Crops looking better, especially corn. Father’s Day Sunday, lest you forget. Congratulations, one more time, to graduates at every level. For those going into the work place, should be more opportunities than […]

Oh, the rain has been great, much needed and we could use more. Rainfall has been spotty, at best. Total rainfall at the Curtis Brown Airport weather station has recorded less than 3/4 of an inch, about 3 or 4 miles west, maybe southwest, where I live, we have recorded over an inch. … OK, […]

Happy Sunday … some rain in Bladen County, amounts depend on location. As of 8 a.m. Sunday, the weather station at the Curtis Brown Airport in Elizabethtown had recorded nearly a half inch. … More is needed. Prospects for additional appear to be pretty good, if the current forecast is correct. 80% today, 70% Monday, […]

A late night tweet from President Trump indicated the U.S. has reached an agreement with Mexico that heads off the start of tariffs on Monday. One tweet down, no doubt, more to come. We’ve come a long way … remember when we sent messages on a penny post card. Still no rain, well, no measureable […]

Kinda all over the board today … Love one-liners. … When in doubt – abstain. We hear about drug dealers, maybe not the names until an arrest, but we know folks all around us accused of using or dealing in drugs … But, there is much good going on as well. … Churches and individuals […]

The chance of rain over the next week is in the 30% to 70% range daily, with the best chance Friday. Several days the forecast is from a quarter to a half inch. The shower last week was good, but much more is needed. The Bladen County Committee of 100 will hold their annual meeting […]

When driving, especially nighttime, I am constantly looking for a deer to jump into the roadway. …Ever have that thought? Not sure why, just thinking out loud. Apparently construction is underway on the new round-a-bout at the intersection of NC 41 and NC 410, near Bladen Community College. A recent trip to Lumberton from Elizabethtown […]

Ever imagine being an office holder of one of the top branches of government, President, leader of the US Senate, House of Representatives, or maybe Governor? Since none of us are, if you were advising at either level … what would be the topic of your advice or question be? How about another a North […]

Yesterday was a beautiful day … checking today’s forecast, a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Highs in the upper 80s, with winds as high as 17 mph. Stats for BladenOnline for the month of May 2019: Page Views: 262,513 Visits: 104,472 Both down slightly … but changes […]

We can close the door on May 2019, one of the driest months ever in Bladen County … hot & dry, now we move on to June. We did get some rain, vastly different totals depending on your location. Two-tenths at the Curtis Brown (Elizabethtown) Airport National Weather Service location. Sons #1 and #2 reported […]

What a difference a few months makes. Rainfall totals for Bladen County over a three day period in mid-September was 36 inches, a full 3 feet of water. Came with Hurricane Florence and we all know about the damage in Bladen, especially in the Kelly area. Compare with current conditions. Guess it’s feast or famine. […]

Yesterday was about as hot, weatherwise, as we see in this area. At 3:45 p.m., the National Weather Service, Curtis Brown Airport reporting station, reported 100 degrees. The weather stats are recorded every 20 minutes, then every 3 hours. Apparently, the temp reached 101 degrees between reporting times, based on the three-hour report. Remember years […]

Happy Memorial Day … Remember the reason for the day. NASCAR and Indy racing, exciting yesterday, both well attended … Simon Pagenaud was the Indy winner and Martin Truex Jr. won the 600 mile race in Charlotte. Despite hot weather, a large crowd expected at White Lake today. Water is clear, but a little low […]

We are in the middle of a heat wave … and more on the way, according the National Weather Service. Today, (Sunday), Sunny and hot, high near 98, Memorial Day (Monday), Sunny and hot, high near 98, Tuesday, Mostly sunny and hot, high near 98, Wednesday, Sunny and hot, high near 100, Thursday, Mostly sunny, […]