#Liberty McManus

[coffee-n-ocs]

Exosis (Music OCs): Lita McManus (2014)

The drummer, and second vocalist of the band 'Exosis', and the younger sister of Duke, the young mother is protective of her daughter, especially because her ex-boyfriend wants nothing to do with the child. Usually dressing in black and red, Lita is passionate, loving and rebellious but at times can be hot-headed and dangerous.

"Motorcycle accident, the wheelchair's temporary, the memory's permanent."

Name

Full Legal Name: Angelita Liberty Dawn McManus-Bull First Name: Angelita Meaning: Either a Spanish diminutive of 'Angela', or in Lita's case, a combination of 'Angel' and 'Lita', 'Angel' from the medieval Latin masculine name 'Angelus', which was derived from the name of the heavenly creature, itself derived from the Greek word 'Angelos' meaning 'Messenger', and 'Lita' which is the usual short form of names ending with 'Lita'. Pronunciation: AYN-jel-ee-tah Origin: Spanish, English Middle Name(s): Liberty, Dawn Meaning(s): Liberty: Simply from the English word 'Liberty', derived from Latin 'Libertas', a derivative of 'Liber' 'Free' Dawn: From the English word 'Dawn', ultimately derived from Old English 'Dagung' Pronunciation: LIB-er-tee, DAWN Origin: English. English Surname(s): McManus, Bull Meaning(s): McManus: Anglicized form of Irish 'Mac Maghnuis' meaning 'Son of Mághnus', the Irish form of 'Magnus', a Late Latin name meaning 'Great' Bull: From a nickname for a person who acted like a bull Pronunciation: mac-MAN-us, BUWL Origin: Irish. English Aliases: Angelita McManus, Angel McManus, Lita McManus, Liberty McManus, Dawn McManus, Angelita Bull, Angel Bull, Lita Bull, Liberty Bull, Dawn Bull Nicknames: Angel, Angie, Lita, Libbie Titles: Miss

Characteristics

Age: 33 Gender: Genderfluid. She/Her & They/Them Pronouns (rarely uses He/Him Pronouns) Race: Human Nationality: Dual Nationality, American & English Ethnicity: White - 1/2 British - 1/2 American Birth Date: 10th January 1981 Sexuality: Demisexual Religion: Raised Christian, Wiccan Native Language: English Spoken Languages: English, Spanish, French, Japanese Relationship Status: Single Astrological Sign: Capricorn Face Claim(s): [Self-Insert] Taylor Momsen, Annie Lennox, Kathleen Hanna, Nia Lovelis, Halsey

Geographical Characteristics

Birthplace: Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, England, UK Current Location: 'On Tour'

Appearance

Height: 5'6" / 167 cm Weight: 150 lbs / 68 kg Eye Colour: Blue Hair Colour: Blonde Hair Dye: Bright Red (at the start of the story), various shades & colours at different times Body Hair: N/A Facial Hair: N/A Tattoos: 30 (28 small tattoos which make up her arm tattoos, 2 bigger pieces on her back) Scars: IV scars, C-section scar Clothing Style: Mainly black, grey & red, gothic & geeky, graphic T-shirts, jeans, leggings, hoodies, heavy makeup & lots of jewellery

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None Alcoholic, Smoker, Drug User: Rarely drinks (as she is usually the designated driver) Illnesses/Disorders: Autism (Diagnosed as Asperger's), Social Anxiety (Mild-to-Severe), Dysmenorrhea (Period Pain Condition) (, also begins the story recovering from an accident which left her in a wheelchair) Medications: Mefenamic Acid tablets Any Specific Diet: None (but she does eat a lot of junk food)

Relationships

Affiliated Groups: Exosis Friends: Viola Wilbur, Winona Tomahawk, Duke McManus Enemies: None Noted Yet Mentor: None Significant Other: None Previous Partners: Mason Winter (34, Ex-Boyfriend) Parents: Jasper McManus (66, Father), Brook Sergeant (67, Mother, Née Bull), Rosaire Sergeant (68, Step-Father) Parents-In-Law: None Siblings: Archer McManus-Bull (36, Brother) Siblings-In-Law: None Nieces & Nephews: None Children: Ember McManus-Bull (13, Daughter) Children-In-Law: None Grandkids: None Other Notable Relatives: None

Notes

Occupation: Self-Employed Artist & Writer, Stay-At-Home Mother Tropes: (These are purely theoretical for how I would write her)

Colour-Coded For Your Convenience: Usually dresses in Black, Grey & Red

Fat and Skinny: The Skinny to Duke's Fat

Gasshole: She burps, a lot, but is the type to apologise for doing so

Motor Mouth: Lita talks fast and often has to be reminded to slow down, she gets faster when she's worried/stressed/anxious

Sir Swears-A-Lot: For a mother with a teenage daughter, she drops a lot of f-bombs

Trademark Favourite Food: Coffee & Chocolate

-Design to come in group pic-

[spray10101]

Christmas Book Haul

I know that I’m a month late but here are all the books I got for Christmas in 2022. I do plan on reading all of the theses eventually. Don’t know when I will though. Hopefully by the end of the year.

[marjaystuff]

Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee Interview

Memorial Day should be about honoring those who lost their lives while defending this country. Two books have recently been published that highlights the War in the Pacific during WWII where America fought against Japan. The first book by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee, titled, The Long March Home, is a fictional account of how three friends enlisted and were sent to fight in the Philippines.  After reading that account, readers will want to understand and educate themselves about this part of the War that has taken a backseat to the European Theatre.  To comprehend everything people should read To the End of the Earth by John McManus, non-fiction book three of the Pacific War Trilogy. 

The Long March Home opens with Pearl Harbor, moves to the American defeat in the Philippines by the Japanese in 1942, the Bataan Death March, the POW camp O’Donnell, the transporting of POWs to Japan with the “Hell Ships,” and the aftermath. It is a story of friendship, courage, sacrifice, and love between three friends Jimmy, Hank, and Billy, as they struggle to survive and return safely back home.

Both books include graphic descriptions of what Americans POWs were made to endure by the Japanese. Many people do not know about the horrid conditions, and the brutality of the Japanese to the American POWs. During Memorial Day Americans can reflect on the bravery of these heroes who died because of Japanese brutality.

Below is an interview with Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee

Elise Cooper:  With Memorial Day coming up how do you feel?

Marcus Brotherton: “Memorial Day serves as a poignant reminder that freedom is not free. Liberty is extremely costly. Courageous men and women have laid down their lives for us, and because of their gift we are able to live lives of purpose. The day prompts gratitude, humility, and new resolve.”

Tosca Lee: Memorial Day, for me, is an important reminder to reflect on every part of American life that I hold dear, the price that was paid for freedom, and how I might best honor and celebrate that liberty with gratitude and purpose in my daily life. 

EC: How did you get the idea for the story?

MB: The idea started in 2008. I had been the writing partner for Lt. Buck Compton, one of the original Band of Brothers. He wrote a book, Call of Duty.  He would have a clear memory of the events that happened during WWII.  He talked about the difficult conditions he faced but remarked “at least I was not fighting in the Pacific.  Those guys had it rough.” This stayed with me for years. I interviewed veterans from the Pacific in 2013.  I also read a book about veterans who had to participate in the Bataan Death March. I decided to write a novel about it because I wanted to immerse the readers and to shine a light on these veterans.

TL:  We wanted to shine a light on these unsung heroes of the Pacific Theatre. The personal stories they told us were extraordinary. Readers gain insight of what family members have gone through.  It has been such an honor to write about the price these people paid.

EC:  What was the process?

MB:  I worked on a manuscript for seven years by myself. I brought in a collaborative writer, Tosca Lee. We were familiar with each other’s writing style.

EC:  Did you write military books before this one?

TL: I did not but did write historical fiction. When Marcus called, he told me about the book concept of having three young friends serving in the Philippines and having to go through the Bataan Death March. I never heard of it.  I was very ignorant of what goes on in the Pacific theatre. 

EC:  We all know about the Nazi atrocities but not a lot of people know about the Japanese atrocities?

MB:  Yes.  They tortured, killed, and bullied the American POWs.  We wanted to help shine the spotlight on this. There is a scene when the characters are on the Bataan Death March.  After a man collapses another solider tries to help him. “One of the guards marching alongside his column runs toward them…he kicks the wounded man to the ground, lifts his rife, and blasts the Good Samaritan in the head.”

TL:  The atrocities that did happen were inspired by true accounts. There is a book quote where a Japanese officer tells one of the characters, “We allow you to live but you have chosen a fate worse than death.  If you do not obey or prove yourself, you will be shot.”

EC:  There were a Filipina who fought the Japanese?

TL:  Felipa Culala was real. She was fighting for the freedom of her country along with allied soldiers. 

EC:  What role did the Bataan Death March have in the story?

TL:  We start before the Death March, about four months earlier. Those who survived the Japanese invasion were subjected to the March.  Those who survived the March had to endure some 41 months of captivity. We wanted to show what life was like before the march, during the march, and after the march. This includes the Hell Ships where the American POWs were transported to Japan. Looking back, it is incredible to think how any one person could survive all of this. 

EC:  Why Claire, the female lead in the story who is the love interest back home?

MB:  It became important because the story of the march itself is very difficult. It is hard to plunge a reader into that amount of horror for a long time.  Claire’s story lifts the reader up every so often.  Through her we were able to show the difficulties on the home front during the War years. 

TL:  The scenes with her are about every fourth chapter.  It is meant to give a reprieve. The importance of the backstory, the coming-of-age story, and the romance is meant to heighten the stakes personally for the guys and gives an important reprieve of what the boys went through.  It is not just war-war-war all the time.

EC:  The three characters Jimmy, Billy, and Hank-how would you describe them?

TL:  Billy is the jokester, the younger brother figure, a happy go lucky person. Billy represents lost potential and lost innocence. Hank is the “bad boy,” a rule breaker, the one everyone looks up to.  Jimmy is a “good boy,” a rule follower, who stays out of trouble. Through them readers do not see black and white, issues are not clear, but have an ambiguity. 

MB:  This book raises an important question about friendship. We wanted to explore how far would you go for your friends. 

THANK YOU!!

[blackcrowing]

@kiaqtexistuku

I WOULD LOVE TO!!! THANK YOU FOR ASKING!!

Ok! So this particular image has several different issues happening simultaneously. I'll go over each of them individually since there is so much going on.

The first is pretty obvious, which is the inclusion of the astrological signs which are obviously of Greek origin. Now there is nothing inherently wrong with having cross cultural influences in your personal practice but this smacks of "all cultures do the same things/are the same" with no real recognizable distinctions (which is especially confusing and damaging to newbies such as yourself with no points of reference). This also applies to the fibonacci sequence section at the bottom which.... I don't even know what they were trying to go for there...

Next, we'll look at the association with the Ogham/Ogam and months, sometimes seen framed (as its implied here) as the 'celtic astrology.' This is a complete fabrication originating with Robert Graves, who unfortunately is still heavily cited in the pagan community despite almost all of his work being presented as historical fact but being almost exclusively fabrications and various cultural appropriations. If you're interested in a more indepth look at this subject I suggest Peter Berresford Ellis' article. At the end of the day we have no idea what astrological ideas or practices might have been used by the Druids, we just have no information to go off of, though we do have the megalithics which offer some insight to astrological ideas held by Bronze age inhabitants of the Islands (but this culture predates and is separate from what we think of as THE Celtic culture).

Next thing we'll look at is one of my personal largest pet-peeves, the idea that each Ogham/Ogam means a corresponding plant. This is heavily perpetuated by Robert Graves, but truely originates in the manuscript Auraicept na n-Éces. It's believed to date back to the 7th century but the oldest copy of which still in existence being dated to the 12th century, which is about ~6 centuries after the language was primarily used (especially outside of a Christian context). I say all that to say that the "primary" text we have for Ogham/Ogam is heavily removed from the cultural context it originated in and was recoppied MANY times by monks trying to make the information they're coping relevant and understandable to their 'modern' audience and known to take liberties with that goal in mind. Modern linguistic scholars have repeatedly "debunked" the idea that the Ogham/Ogam are all related to a specific plant, ironically starting with Robert Graves' own grandfather. Some of these top scholars include but are not limited to Charles Graves, Robert MacAlister and Damian McManus.

Lastly, we have the wheel of the year, which is a creation that came out of the revivalist period in the 60s-70s and is primarily Wiccan in thinking. It is a frankenstein type creation from a collection of Northwestern European pagan traditions, mostly focused on the Celtic fire festivals (Samhain, Imbolg, Lughnasadh, Bealtaine) but combining aspects from Germanic traditions that had similar agricultural festivals and adding the Solar holidays (Summer/Winter Solstices and Spring/Autumn Equinox) with spiced up (and in some cases racist in origin) names and again combined or created traditions that are all ultimately marketed as an 'ancient' tradition.

Please feel free to ask if you have anymore questions or would like clarification or more resources on anything in particular!

[100yearoldcomics]

January 29, 1922 Bringing Up Father by George McManus

TOP PANEL: [ID: Maggie, Nora and Jiggs stand on the railing of a departing cruise ship waving goodbye to Europe. Maggie weeps into a handkerchief, Jiggs looks overjoyed and tips his top hat. /end] Maggie: Good-bye, dear old France and England. Jiggs: If youse come over to America, look me up at Dinty Moore's.

MAIN COMIC: [ID: Jiggs and Dinty walk down the street. Dinty has his arm around Jiggs. /end] Dinty Moore: So you're sailin' for New York! Gee! If I had the money, I'd go with you! Jiggs: I'll tell ye what I'll do, Dinty. I'll take ye in a trunk an' nobody will know it.

[ID: Jiggs and a deckhand carry the trunk with Dinty inside up the gangplank onto the ship. /end] Deckhand: My word, what ever is in this trunk? Must be solid. Jiggs: It's a good thing the trunk is locked, fer if Dinty heard that remark, he'd be out an' fightin'!

[ID: Up in their cabin, Maggie eyes the trunk suspiciously as Jiggs happily leans back on it. Their dog barks at it. /end] Maggie: Mercy, where did that trunk come from? Jiggs: It's a new one I bought. I got cigars in it. Fifi: Wuf! Wuf!!

[ID: Maggie calls a cabin boy in. Jiggs is unpleasantly shocked. /end] Cabin Boy: Did you ring, Mum? Maggie: I did!! Take that trunk down in the hold. It makes Fifi nervous. Bring me the check for it. I'll be out on deck. Jiggs: Oh! Maggie!!

[ID: Jiggs literally kicks Fifi out of the cabin. /end] Jiggs: Git out of my sight. If it hadn't been fer you an' your barkin', everything would have been all right.

[ID: Jiggs meets up with the ship's captain at the bow. /end] Jiggs: Say, Captain, I've got a trunk down in the cellar of your boat. I wanna git it. It's got a friend of mine inside. Captain: We've been putting trunks in the hold all day. I'm afraid you'll have a hard time finding it, but we'll try!!!

[ID: In the ship's hold, Jiggs is confronted with the sight of stacks upon stacks of trunks. /end] Jiggs: HELLO, DINTY. SPEAK UP. WHERE ARE YOU? Captain: I hear him, but I can't locate him.

[ID: Jiggs walks up to Maggie, reading a book under a blanket in a deck chair. /end] Jiggs: Maggie, darlin', I'm gonna walk around the deck. Kin I take Fifi with me? Maggie: That's the first intelligent thing you've said today!

[ID: Jiggs directs Fifi down into the hold. /end] Jiggs: Now, git down in the hold an' find Dinty, or you'll never see the Statue of Liberty.

[ID: The captain looks on as Jiggs climbs over trunks to get to his trunk - Fifi stands beside it, barking. /end] Captain: Any luck!! Jiggs: I think so. Unless this soup-hound is kiddin' me. Fifi: WUF!!

[ID: Jiggs drags a weary Dinty out of the trunk to meet the Captain. /end] Captain: Can you pay his fare? Jiggs: I haven't a penny. Me wife has all me money. She won't give me a cent. I'm sorry I found him. Dinty: I'm nearly starved. I ate all the camphor balls in the trunk.

[ID: Jiggs sits on a pile of coal while Dinty shovels it into the ship's furnace. /end] Jiggs: Really, Dinty, I thought the Captain wuz a friend of mine. Dinty: Huh! Look what I got to do fer six days on account of your thinkin'.

[kevrocksicehouse]

Pete Postlethwaite who’s not so much angry as disappointed, would have been 75 today. A few of his films.

Giuseppe Conlon in In the Name of the Father. D: Jim Sheridan (1993). As the father of an Irish hippie (Daniel Day Lewis) whose confession under torture for a pub explosion causes the police to arrest him as well, the veteran English character actor is both stoically angry at the miscarriage of justice and pettishly aggrieved with his son (Sheridan took factual liberties to have them share a cell) When his health is failing and he despairs that he’ll leave his wife behind Day Lewis says “Look, you are not going to die alright? If you do, sure I can look after Ma alright.” “You think I’d leave Sara in your care?” he replies, rallying, “You haven’t the maturity to take care of yourself, much less your mother.”

Kobayashi in The Usual Suspects. D: Bryan Singer (1995). We don’t find out who criminal mastermind Keyser Soze is until the end of the movie but the task of getting across his frightening malice falls to Postlethwaite and with a glowering menace he does just that. “Get your rest, Gentlemen,” he tells the criminals he has muscled into a job, “The boat will be ready for you on Friday. If I see you or any of your friends before then, Miss Finneran will find herself the victim of a most gruesome violation before she dies. As will your father, Mr. Hockney, and your Uncle Randall in Arizona, Mr. Kint. I might only castrate Mr. McManus’s nephew, David. Do I make myself clear?”

Danny Ormondroyd in Brassed Off. D: Mark Herman (1996). In a tragicomedy about a mining community decimated and dispirited by a pit closure, Postlethwait is a brass band leader trying to keep his people together as the town falls apart. Their competition and victory in a competition, for a change isn’t put forth as an end to their troubles. I’m usually not keen on films that end with long exhortations but Postlethwaite’s speech at the end. “Us winning this trophy won’t mean bugger all to most people” he starts. “But us refusing it – like what we’re going to do now – well it becomes news doesn’t it?” He goes on to tell the story of how Thatcher’s government destroyed their industry “all in the name of progress. And for a few lousy bob. Most of these men lost the will to win a while ago. But when it comes to losing the will to live, to breathe, the point is – if this lot were seals or whales, you’d all be up in bloody arms. But they’re just ordinary common-or-garden honest, decent human beings. And not one of them with an ounce of bloody hope left. Oh aye, they can knock out a bloody good tune. But what the f— does that matter? And now I’m going to take my boys out onto the town.” It’s less an inspirational speech than a howl in the dark, and Postlethwaite doesn’t miss a note.

[insidewarp]

New York governor Andrew Cuomo is urging the exemption of mugshot photos and arrest booking information from public disclosure under New York’s freedom of information laws. This is understandable, given the impressive montage that might be made from mugshots of one-time Cuomo aides, advisors, and associates now on their way to prison, but it nevertheless raises serious civil-liberties issues around press freedom and public information—and it seems like yet another gubernatorial pander toward the Democratic Party’s crime-coddling Left.

Bob McManus

https://www.city-journal.org/cuomo-mugshot-ban

[heavyweightnation]

NCAA Division 2 Wrestling Rankings

NCAA Division 2 Wrestling Rankings

125 Pounds- Cole Laya (West Liberty)Nick Daggett (UNC Pembroke)Joe Arroyo (UW- Parkside)Christian Wellman (Ashland)Paxton Rosen (Central Oklahoma)Christian Meijia (McKendree)Isaiah Delacerda (Adams State)Trenton McManus (MSU Mankato)Jacob Dunlop (Gannon)Josh Portillo (Nebraska-Kearney) 133 Pounds- Tyler Warner (West Liberty)Garrett Vos (St. Cloud State)Tanner Cole (Central Oklahoma)Wesley…

[patriotsnet]

Why Do Republicans Support The Death Penalty

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/why-do-republicans-support-the-death-penalty/

Why Do Republicans Support The Death Penalty

A Change In Philosophy

Do You Support The Death Penalty? Public Opinion POLL Released

Conservatives have been slowly turning away from the death penalty for years, as high-profile innocence cases have helped frame capital punishment as a problem of out-of-control big government.

In January 2000, after a series of exonerations of people who had been sentenced to death, the Republican governor of Illinois, George Ryan, declared a moratorium on executions. At the time, Texas Gov. George W. Bush was running for president, and the national press questioned whether an innocent person had faced execution under his watch; soon after, his fellow Republicans in the state legislature voted to make DNA testing more available for prisoners.

From 2014 to 2019, Republican support for the death penalty, as opposed to life sentences, dropped from 68% to 58%, according to Gallup Polls. Republican legislators in Nebraska voted to repeal the punishment in 2015, although the states residents then voted to bring the punishment back.

Some lawmakers have been motivated by anti-abortion arguments about the sanctity of human life and stories of Christian redemption on death row. Others talk about the cost to taxpayers. South Dakota state Sen. Arthur Rusch previously served as a judge in a capital case.

When I look at a bill, I dont see color at all. I look at an individual and say, If an individual commits a crime of this nature, should they be put on death row or not? he said.

Abortion Deliberately Ends A Human Life

To treat abortion-minded mothers and abortionist as murderers is not a wild stretch. In Ohio, many believe this is appropriate, and that the woman and abortionist who knowingly violate natural and written law should be punished for ending a human life. Setting that punishment is not easy.

It is plain that abortion ends the life of an innocent human person, who has committed no wrong, has no right to a defender, and is afforded no due process or given the benefit of appeals. She can be destroyed by the whim of a pregnant woman and abortionist. By contrast, the death penalty ends the life of a guilty person, who has willfully committed a known wrong, and was afforded all the due process possible before being put to death.

To see these versions of ending a life as categorically different, and to abhor the first and support the second is not hypocrisy. To some, it is common sense.

Executions Are Mostly A Red

Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected on Wednesday to issue a moratorium on the death penalty in California, granting reprieves to the hundreds of people on death row. By signing his executive order, Newsom will lower the countrys death row population by a quarter.

The move isnt particularly surprising considering the Democrats record as an elected official he was an early proponent of same-sex marriage as mayor of San Francisco and considering Californias politics. Nor should it be surprising that President Trump weighed in Wednesday morning to oppose Newsoms move.

Defying voters, the Governor of California will halt all death penalty executions of 737 stone cold killers, Trump said. Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I!

The death penalty is not a new entrant to the political culture wars, but in recent years, the partisan split on the issue has widened. A Pew Research Center poll completed last year found that a small majority of Americans support the death penalty but that those views were split by party. More than three-quarters of Republicans support executions while only about a third of Democrats agree.

Among the groups most supportive of the issue are white evangelical Protestants; more than 7 in 10 support the use of the death penalty.

In 2014, support for the death penalty among Democrats dropped under 50 percent in Pews polling, the first year in which that happened.

Read Also: Who’s Right Democrats Or Republicans

Republican States Have Most Prisoner Executions

Thirty-two states have the death penalty on their legal code. Republican-dominated states have performed an enormous majority of U.S. prisoner executions since 1976. Of the 1,359 executions since that date — the number reported by the Death Penalty Information Center as of Dec. 18, 2013 — 1,110 occurred in Republican-dominated Southern states. About one-third of those sentences were in Texas, where 508 death row inmates have been put to death in the past 37 years. Twelve people who were eventually proved innocent were released from the state’s death row during that period.

references

Conservatives And The Death Penalty

Some conservatives including Michelle Malkin, Jay Sekulow, and me oppose capital punishment. But most conservatives and Republicans support it, and their support hasnt really softened over the years, as Charles Fain Lehman demonstrates at the Free Beacon. In 2000, 70 percent of Republicans supported it. In 2009, 70 percent of Republicans did. And in 2018, again, it had 70 percent support. The drop in crime rates, changes in the composition of the party, the publicity about people taken off death row after years on it: None of it seems to have caused Republicans to budge.

You May Like: Republican Primary Popular Vote Totals

George Bush On The Death Penalty

Former President Bush is a supporter of the death penalty, though he does believe that DNA testing should be implemented before the death penalty is used. He stated, In America, we must make doubly sure no person is held to account for a crime he or she did not commit, so we are dramatically expanding the use of DNA evidence to prevent wrongful conviction. He also supported funding the use of DNA testing for use in death penalty cases. During Bushs time as governor of Texas, the state had the most executions in the nation. When asked about this number, Bush responded, I do believe that if the death penalty is administered swiftly, justly and fairly, it saves lives. My job is to ask two questions. Is the person guilty of the crime? And did the person have full access to the courts of law? And I can tell you, in all cases those answers were affirmative. Unlike some other Republicans, who support the death penalty for the sake of victims and their families, Bush supports it as a means to prevent future crimes. He has stated, I dont think you should support the death penalty to seek revenge. I dont think thats right. I think the reason to support the death penalty is because it saves other peoples lives.

The Latest From Washington

When Congress returns from its Memorial Day recess, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer says the chamber will take up measures to set national standards for elections, which, at least for federal elections, would override state laws that limit voting. Republicans are expected to filibuster the proposals.

The bills the Democrats support aim, in part, to overturn several Supreme Court rulings that, as David Savage wrote, have tilted election law in favor of the Republicans.

Biden and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito continued on Wednesday to try to chip away at the impasse on infrastructure spending. The gap between the two sides remains very wide, however, as Eli Stokols reported, and patience has begun to wear thin at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Doyle McManus looked at the rewards for getting COVID-19 vaccinations that some states are offering. They may help get the U.S. to its vaccination goals, but lotteries alone probably wont do the trick, he wrote.

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Barack Obama On The Death Penalty

President Obama is a supporter of the death penalty in certain cases, stating, I believe that the death penalty is appropriate in certain circumstances. There are extraordinarily heinous crimes, terrorism, the harm of children, in which it may be appropriate. However, he voted against expanding the death penalty in cases of less severe crimes during his time as a state legislator. He does not believe that the death penalty prevents crime, but rather believes that these crimes simply deserve such a punishment. Obama states, While the evidence tells me that the death penalty does little to deter crime, I believe there are some crimesmass murder, the rape and murder of a childso heinous, so beyond the pale, that the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage by meting out the ultimate punishment.

Obama called the incident in Oklahoma deeply disturbing, and has asked for a review of execution policies across the country. A Justice Department spokesperson has stated that the department will expand this review to include a survey of state-level protocols and related policy issues.

Republican Views On Death Penalty

New Coalition supports death penalty repeal

About 81 percent of Republicans favor the death penalty, making up a majority of Americans who support the practice. Republican supporters often argue that capital punishment deters murder because no one wants to face the consequence of death, an assertion the American Civil Liberties Union reports is not based on fact. Although some question the morality of sentencing a human to death, those in favor of the death penalty argue the punishment is morally acceptable for certain crimes, such as rape or murder.

Recommended Reading: Republican Wear Red Or Blue

Why Does The Republican Party Support The Death Penalty And Oppose Abortion The Reason Is Economics Not Ethics

The recent experience with the novel coronavirus and the economic effects of the shutdown gives us all an opportunity to calculate how much the pro-life party values life. Approximately 30 million Americans lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic. The shutdown if continued through the phased reopening without being rushed will save perhaps 1 million American lives. It follows that to the politicians who wished to end the shutdown in the early summer, one life to them is worth not more than about 30 jobs. It also explains the Republican fascination with the death penalty. If the average death penalty case costs about $100,000 to try, which we can evaluate as equal to roughly 2 jobs for a year, but if only one out of every 40 people convicted of a death penalty crime is actually executed, then each execution produces roughly 80 jobs, a very decent return on investment from this coldly capitalist point of view.

Arguments Against The Death Penalty Haven’t Changed

Antonio has urged an end to the death penalty in Ohio since taking office in 2011, without much support from Republican lawmakers, though her bill last session had two Republican co-sponsors.;

Its time for the state of Ohio to take the compassionate, pragmatic and prudent step to abolish the death penalty, which has been found to be expensive, impractical, unjust, inhumane and even erroneous, Antonio said.

Backers of the bill noted the legal process in death penalty cases takes decades, and the resulting costs are more expensive than the cost to keep inmates in prison for life. Huffman noted that a life sentence without parole or early release offers “no easy way out” for a killer.

Life in prison is a terminal sentence,” Huffman said. “It gives families the assurance that the person who murdered their loved ones will spend the rest of their natural life behind bars.”

They pointed to disparities in the administration of capital punishment for people of color and the possibility of putting those innocent of crimes to death.

Wrongful convictions happen at every level of the criminal legal system, but when there is a life on the line, the system has to work, said Hannah Kubbins, executive director of Ohioans to Stop Executions. The 170-plus exonerees are living proof that it doesnt.

Granted, the arguments against the death penalty havent changed. But, Antonio said, there’s been a shift in Ohio and nationally.

Reporter Anna Staver contributed.

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Differing Views Of Death Penalty By Race And Ethnicity Education Ideology

There are wide ideological differences within both parties on this issue. Among Democrats, a 55% majority of conservatives and moderates favor the death penalty, a position held by just 36% of liberal Democrats . A third of liberal Democrats strongly oppose the death penalty, compared with just 14% of conservatives and moderates.

While conservative Republicans are more likely to express support for the death penalty than moderate and liberal Republicans, clear majorities of both groups favor the death penalty .

As in the past, support for the death penalty differs across racial and ethnic groups. Majorities of White , Asian and Hispanic adults favor the death penalty for persons convicted of murder. Black adults are evenly divided: 49% favor the death penalty, while an identical share oppose it.

Support for the death penalty also varies across age groups. About half of those ages 18 to 29 favor the death penalty, compared with about six-in-ten adults ages 30 to 49 and those 65 and older . Adults ages 50 to 64 are most supportive of the death penalty, with 69% in favor.

There are differences in attitudes by education, as well. Nearly seven-in-ten adults who have not attended college favor the death penalty, as do 63% of those who have some college experience but no degree.

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COVID-19 restrictions protected Californias economy, and its now poised for a euphoric rebound, according to the UCLA Anderson quarterly forecast. As Margot Roosevelt reported, Californias economy shrank less than the U.S. average during the pandemic year, and the UCLA forecasters expect the state to add jobs faster than the country as a whole.

California, however, also had huge problems delivering unemployment benefits to those who lost their jobs. As Sarah Wire and Patrick McGreevy wrote, a new report by the U.S. Department of Labors inspector general chronicles missteps by a dozen state unemployment agencies around the country, including California, which left millions in the lurch.

Meantime, state lawmakers considered requiring $7 billion in COVID-19 bonuses for healthcare workers. As Melody Gutierrez reported, hospitals, which estimate they would have to pay about $4 billion, strongly opposed the plan. On Thursday, the state Assembly .

Lawmakers to pay for programs to prevent gun violence, McGreevy reported. The measure fell short of the two-thirds vote it needed.

San Luis Obispo County delivered a sizable block of signatures on petitions to recall Newsom. Faith Pinho looked at how COVID restrictions helped fuel the recall drive in a decidedly purple region.

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Can The Death Penalty Be Fixed These Republicans Think So

A growing number of conservative lawmakers want to overhaul capital punishment, or end it.

Two years ago, a group of Republican lawmakers toured the death chamber in Oklahoma, which has been responsible for more executions per capita than any other state in the last half-century. They took in the jet-black gurney straps, the phone connected to the governors office and the microphone used for last words.

The hair rises on the back of your neck, said state Rep. Kevin McDugle. A few legislators couldnt be in the room very long.

They continued on to death row to see Richard Glossip, who has spent more than two decades in solitary confinement, facing execution for a 1997 murder. Glossip says he had nothing to do with the crime, and a growing number of conservative lawmakers believe him.

I just remember putting my hand up on the glass, McDugle recalled, and he put his hand up, and I said, You’ve got people fighting for you. Keep your head up, brother.

As Oklahoma officials seek to resume putting prisoners to death later this year, McDugle has pursued bills in the state legislature to help those on death row prove their innocence, knowing Glossip could be among the first facing execution.

My fear is some people will be executed before we pass a bill, McDugle said.

Kansas House Members Conservative To Liberal Support Abolishing The Death Penalty

C.J. Janovy

Wilma Loganbills son David was murdered in 1989 in Wichita. Afterwards, I wanted to hurt the person who murdered my son in the same way that he hurt me. But I never wanted him dead. My son wouldnt have wanted that, she said in a pamphlet called Voices of Kansas: Murder Victims Families Speak Out Against the Death Penalty.

If you were looking for a group of 34 members of the Kansas House who represented the best hope of bipartisanship that mythical yet evasive unity some people say they want right now you could would find it in the list of sponsors for a bill thats most likely going nowhere this year.

Rui Xu

In one sense, this does not appear to be a pressing issue for Kansas. Nobodys been executed in the state since 1965. The U.S. Supreme Court outlawed the death penalty in 40 states in 1972, but the Legislature re-instated it in 1994. Ten men are now awaiting this punishment.

In another sense, though, its a situation maybe the only one where lawmakers whose political views are widely divergent have found common cause based on principle.

Some of them are bringing strong voices against abortion and they dont see much difference in the abortion issue and this death penalty issue, Schreiber said of his co-sponsors. Some see it as social justice issue like I do, where, is this the right thing to be involved with deliberately executing people?

We make a mistake and theres no redress on that, he said.

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Stanley: A Conservative Viewpoint On Ending The Death Penalty

Bill Stanley

This is a Virginia Department of Corrections undated photo of the gurney used for executions at the Greensville Corrections Center in Jarratt.

I am a conservative Republican, and I am against the death penalty.

During the ten years I have been privileged to represent the 20th District in the Virginia Senate, I have consistently opposed efforts to expand it. That may seem counter-intuitive for those who assume conservatives must support the death penalty as a key component of Republicans tough on crime stance. In my view, you can be tough on crime, be a conservative Republican, and be against the death penalty for both moral and legal reasons.

Opposition to capital punishment is not just a personal belief of mine, but is consistent with my conservative principles. This reasoning is based upon three basic principles: my strong faith in God and the gift of life; my appreciation that our judicial system is not infallible; and my firm belief that capital punishment empowers the government with an awesome authority to which it is not entitled.

In theory, the death penalty makes sense: people who commit heinous acts forfeit their right to live. And as human beings, vengeance has become a part of our emotional lexicon in seeking justice for the unconscionable murder of another human being. However, the death penalty in practice is not that simple.

[100yearoldcomics]

April 2, 1922 Bringing Up Father by George McManus

TOP PANEL [ID: Jiggs stands next to a foppish man with slicked down middle-parted hair and glasses. /end] Singer: I'll sing "In My Old Kentucky Home." Jiggs: Oh! That's all right, I thought you wuz gonna sing in here!

MAIN COMIC [ID: Jiggs carefully sneaks down the stairs through the foyer. /end] Jiggs: This is the first chance I've had today to make a get a-way, an' I'll have to make it snappy!

[ID: Maggie leans out of the window, chatting with another housewife walking down the street. /end] Maggie: How do you do, Mrs. Brown? Are you going to the Smith's reception tomorrow? Mrs. Brown: Yes indeed, I just got a new dress and I wouldn't think of staying away.

[ID: Jiggs struts happily out of the house. Maggie leans out of the window and grabs him by the back of the collar. /end] Jiggs: By golly! I didn't think I'd git out as easy as this. Maggie: !!

[ID: Maggie hangs Jiggs up onto a coat rack in the foyer. /end] Maggie: Now you hang there until I get my hat and coat on. You are going shopping with me.

[ID: Jiggs walks sadly down the street with Maggie, who holds him by the tails of his suit jacket. /end] Maggie: Walk ahead. I'll keep a good hold onto your coat! You'll not get away from me, you worm. Jiggs: I wish I wuz in jail so I would have a little liberty.

[ID: Maggie and Jiggs enter the department store. Maggie speaks with a clerk behind a desk, while Jiggs stands by the escalator. A sign next to it reads, "Take ESCULATOR to men's clothing department" /end] Maggie: I'd like to see the very latest in men's ties. Jiggs: ?

[ID: Jiggs slips off his jacket while Maggie admires a selection of ties. /end] Clerk: Now there is a tie that would look well on anybody. Maggie: Then I guess my husband can wear it. Jiggs: If I kin just git on this esculator, I git away.

[ID: Jiggs hangs his jacket up on a nearby coat rack. Maggie, unawares, keeps hold of the tails. /end] Clerk: That tie goes well with a dark coat. Maggie: It's very pretty. Jiggs: I wouldn't miss that party at Dugan's if I had to go with out a coat.

[ID: Jiggs rides up the elevator away from Maggie. She's still distracted by the ties. /end] Clerk: Just a moment, I want to show you some more. Jiggs: I hope he shows her a million of 'em. The longer she stands there, the better.

[ID: Jiggs tries on a different, lighter-patterned coat upstairs. Another clerk appraises his looks. /end] Jiggs: This coat will do. Charge it. Now how kin I sneak out of here? Second Clerk: You can go down the fire escape!

[ID: Maggie turns around and finds Jiggs missing. She leans onto the sales counter with shock. /end] Clerk: Pardon me, did you lose something? Maggie: The brute, he got away!

[ID: Jiggs stands on a street corner, slapping himself with embarrassed disbelief. A nearby traffic cop drops his baton in shock. /end] Cop: What's the matter, Jiggs? Jiggs: Ow! I left my money an' ticket to Dugan's party in me coat an' Maggie has the coat.

[myuntoldstory]

Harry Potter | Samhuinn

AO3 | FF.net

A little thing for my favourite couple for Halloween. This one was interesting for me to write because I learned about some culture and traditions and that’s always a fun thing. Also learned some things about my writing habits. Also have additional author’s notes tacked on this story that’s too long for the post so if you’re interested then just click on the links!

Now, on to the thing!

Enjoy.

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Sirius Black/Mary Macdonald

Warning: N/A

Word Count: 3, 275

Samhuinn

The Forbidden Forest was peaceful tonight. Overhead, the nearly full moon casted its silver spotlight over the grounds while the stars shined brightly in clusters for anyone who cared to look. Deep within the woods was a lazy melody of noises, adding to its magical ambience. There was no sense of the eerie or the horrifying, as was the forest’s reputation. It was just the sky, the sounds, and the trees. Perfect in its own way.

Sirius pocketed his hands and smiled. The scenic route was a good decision. A shame his mates couldn’t be with him. Their duties called them back to the castle and so, being the only free man, Sirius took the liberty to explore the fringes of the forest before returning. After where he had just been, some fresh air and a renewed appreciation for the living world were a sought after change.

Suddenly, a flash of light caught the corner of his eye. Turning to the source, he saw a faint veil of orange light touching upon some of the trees ahead. He frowned. In a place where students were forbidden to explore and the teachers rarely visited, it was a curious sight.

Tilting his head to one side, he planted his hands on his hips. Should he look? He glanced at the direction of the castle, pursing his lips as he actually considered being good and returning. But then a grin stretched his lips wide. Not today. He already broke the rules anyway. Without hesitation he made his way towards the light. Quietly. Carefully. With every metre he crossed the glow grew brighter. Soon he caught the buzzing of muffled conversation and laughter. There seemed to be a clearing ahead. He moved faster. What would he see? Centaurs? Sirius smirked to himself. Perhaps he’d get lucky and discover of group of Veelas native to the forest.

He was close. Now, he heard snippets of conversation underneath rambunctious laughter. The line of trees thinned; through them he glimpsed embers dancing upwards and dissipating before reaching the sky. Silhouettes blocked the sight of the embers every so often, but he couldn’t discern to whom they belonged to. He found a tree closest to the perimeter of the clearing. He hid behind it, keeping most of his body behind the trunk as he peeked.

In the centre was a tall bonfire. Surrounding it were alternating rings of cushions and food. There were eighty or so people dressed in cloaks; they sat on the cushions, ate the food, and mingled with the others. However, strangely, the first two rows closest to the fire were undisturbed.

Sirius frowned. What’s happening? What were they? Hogsmeade villagers? Strange… forest people of the forest? Death Eaters? He shuddered at the last thought. Voldemort’s most lethal worshippers sneaking into Hogwarts grounds just to gather around some bonfire? Stupid. These people didn’t feel like Death Eaters anyway. In spite of that, though, more than half of the gathering had their hoods down, but he couldn’t recognise any of the exposed faces.

Hang on.

Sirius squinted. Four rows away from the bonfire, laughing with a group, was Benjy Fenwick. It was definitely him. He couldn’t mistake that face nor could he miss the golden boy grin that was Fenwick’s signature. Then just behind Benjy was another student Sirius recognised: Melanie Macmillan. She was staring intensely inside a tea cup in front of Nancy Abbott, another student. All tension now left Sirius. Well, definitely not anything dangerous. Not Veelas either, sadly.

He crossed his arms, watching, trying to understand. Now just begged the question of what in the bloody hell they’re all doing. It seemed like an ordinary gathering… just with unordinary details—like the cloaks and the set up. It resembled a cult. Sirius stewed in his own questions and theories, frustrated that the urgent need to satisfy his curiosity was quelled by the fact that if he barged in and started demanding answers he’d be in trouble… or inducted.

A few minutes passed and nothing interesting happened. Sirius yawned, eyes following Macmillan and contemplating on returning to the castle when he recognised someone else. He straightened, attention captured and heart quickening in excitement. Unbeknownst to him, the corners of his lips were stretched wide in a grin.

It was Mary.

She walked past Macmillan. His gaze followed her now as she said a brief greeting before approaching a group containing two more people he recognised: Professor Ophius, the Astronomy teacher, and Professor McManus, the Muggle Studies teacher. Well, then… it may not be a cult with teachers involved—perhaps just a very strange excursion? As Mary entered the group she was welcomed by exuberant greetings and hugs by the others, the teachers incredibly friendly in talking to her.

A sense of novelty settled over Sirius. In the darkness the fabric of her cloak looked black, but he had a feeling it was actually blue. She had her hood down, hair gathered on either side of her shoulders. She looked the same… but somehow different. Unreachable. This Mary was different to the one he knew. After knowing her for years there were still parts of her he didn’t know. It was disconcerting—for reasons that eluded him. He watched her, discomfort spreading throughout his body as she talked and laughed, especially whenever Ophius said something. He pressed his arms harder against himself.

She stayed with the group for a while. After, she moved on. Every move was with grace, ethereal in the dark of the woods. Was it because of the cloak or has she always moved that way? With every group or person she passed she was greeted with genuine happiness. To Sirius’ detriment, however, she stopped by Fenwick’s group. Sirius scowled when they embraced, Fenwick looking a little too happy to hold her. He took her hand when they separated, facing her palm towards him. He said something and Mary laughed.

He looked away. He tried to watch the rest of the gathering, but every so often his eyes returned to her and each time he found her still talking to Fenwick his mood soured more. Finally, to his relief, McManus gathered the crowd to her. Silence fell as she and Ophius addressed them. After the speech, the professors waved their wands. Jars gathered before them and floated in front of each person in the crowd. Mary and a few others got more than two. With a flick, the professors then took out smaller flames from the bonfire and placed them within the jars. While the crowd closed the lids, the professors portioned the leftover food and handed them out too. After some final words the group dispersed as McManus led out of the clearing while Ophius remained behind.

People were going his way. Sirius hid behind the trunk, the darkness covering him as people started to walk past his tree, their jars of fire illuminating them. He waited for Mary, but didn’t find her. He finally saw her when he dared peek again, walking towards his tree too.

Perfect.

He intercepted her. She yelped at his sudden appearance. He lunged and cut her off by pressing the tips of his fingers against her mouth. Her lips were soft against his skin… but he didn’t get the chance to appreciate that as teeth chomped on a good portion of his palm. Hard. “Ow!” he hissed, yanking back his hand. “What the fuck—”

“Who the bloody hell are you!?” Mary demanded.

“Shhh—Merlin. Macdonald, it’s me.” Sirius held onto her shoulders. “It’s me.”

“Sirius?” she grabbed one of the jars and held it between them. He grinned at her and she gasped. “God, Sirius!” she released the jar. It bobbed in the air as she took his hands and rubbed his recently bitten palm. “Bugger. I am so sorry.”

“You’ve got some jaws on you,” he chuckled. Her hands were warm. Gentle.

“Can’t say you didn’t deserve it,” she said, raising a brow at him. “What are you even doing—”

Suddenly, she leaned towards him and sniffed. He leaned back. “What?”

“Godric.” She recoiled. “You smell like rotten food and dung.”

“Do I?” Sirius took a whiff of his collar and frowned.

She’d stopped rubbing, but still held onto his hands. “What have you been doing?”

“Ah. Just been to Nick’s death day—”

“Mary!”

Fenwick appeared before them with his own floating jar of fire. Sirius looked at him, smirking as Fenwick’s golden boy grin seemed to freeze on his face. He looked at Sirius, then at Mary, and then at their hands. Her fingers twitched in his, but before she could disengage, he held on tight.

“All right, Fenwick?” Sirius asked, smiling innocently at the boy.

“Black,” Fenwick said. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

“Yep,” he agreed.

“Right…” Fenwick drawled hesitantly. Then, slowly he turned to Mary. “I thought I’d walk you back.”

The nerve of this prick. Sirius could just imagine a golden retriever’s tail wagging between Fenwick’s legs. He turned to Mary, raising his brows, suppressing a grin when she squeezed his hands too tightly. She smiled apologetically at Fenwick. “Very kind of you, Benjy, but, uhm, I need to have a chat with Sirius so…”

“I see.” The disappointment was so clear in his voice it was laughable.

“But I’ll catch you tomorrow, yeah?”

Oh, that tail wagged that much faster. “Of course!”

She beamed. “Good. Be careful on your way back.”

“You too.”

Sirius looked at Fenwick at his warning tone and received a steady gaze from him. He winked. “Bye, Benjy.”

“See you.” Fenwick moved on. Sirius scowled as he watched Fenwick’s back disappearing into the darkness. He then turned to Mary, smiling more genuinely.

“Are you completely mad?” Mary said, dropping his hands.

“Not completely,” he quipped.

She sighed and shook her head, moving on. “What are you even doing here?” The fire jars floated around her like some sort of portable lights. She was not the only one; the rest of the crowd were ahead, only identifiable by their gently bobbing fire jars that occasionally illuminated the nearby trees.

“Witnessing a bizarre ritual.” He grinned unapologetically when Mary gave him an unamused glare. “What about you?”

“Taking part in a bizarre ritual, I suppose,” she sighed.

“Seriously,” he said, tapping one of the jars gently. “What was that?”

Mary breathed deeply. “Samhuinn celebrations.”

“Saw—what?”

“Samhuinn.”

“Sah-heen?”

“Merlin—Samhuinn!”

“Sow-ween?”

Mary snorted. “Close enough.”

Sirius beamed. “So… what’s Samhuinn?”

“Seriously?” Mary looked at him in surprise and he nodded. He wasn’t joking; now that there was someone to answer all his questions he was wasting no time. “Well,” she huffed, “it’s a magical holiday. Celtic. We celebrate the dead, the spirits, and the coming winter. There’s a bonfire, as you saw, and… let’s see… divination, food, games, human sacrifices—”

“Human sacrifices!?”

“Yeah,” Mary said, face frighteningly straight. “Hogsmeade provides them, see—criminals, though. We don’t want to set any innocent lives on fire.”

Sirius stared at her, jaw slack and eyes wide. “Please tell me you’re joking.” Mary looked at him and held his gaze. For a few, tense minutes neither of them said anything. Sirius was so close to believing her when her passive mask cracked and a smile shined through. He sighed and pushed her. “Come on, Macdonald, I’m serious.”

“Hello, Sirius, I’m Mary.”

He pushed her again. “Stop.”

She laughed. “All right—sorry.”

“What is it, really?”

“It’s what I said—minus the human sacrifices, of course.”

“Okay.” It sounded… normal. “I’ve never heard of it before, though.”

“No?” Mary smiled. “We learned about it in History of Magic.”

“Really?” Sirius thought back to all the lessons he bothered to attend... none of them ring a bell about Samhuinn. Then again, when he did attend all he ever did was sleep and copy off Remus’ notes after.

“Mhm.”

“I…” why was he feeling embarrassed? “Honestly, though, whoever paid attention to Binns?”

“True,” she laughed. “Generally, not many in the Wizarding World know about it. Same with the Muggles. If you’re Celtic, you’d probably know. If you’re related or know someone who is then you have a good chance.”

“Are you Celtic?”

“Sure—on my father’s side.” She shrugged. “If my nan was to be believed.”

“Huh.” He knew about the Celts and the Druids from Remus’ notes. But he barely remembered what he learned. It’d make sense for some members of the magical community to have other magical blood in them—similar to how some families in France have Veela blood. Pureblood families were never proud to make such claims unless it referred to powerful figures. Godric knew his mother was adamant of their relation to Slytherin or Morgana. He glanced at Mary and the fire jars bobbing around her. “What’s with the fire?”

She caught his gaze. “These?”

He tapped one of the jars. “Yeah. The bonfire too.”

“Sacred fire,” she answered. “Back in the old days the Druids light great bonfires in villages during Samhuinn. Hearths in every home are doused and relit with the embers of the sacred fire. The Druids imbued it with magical protection, see, and it bonded the villagers together.”

“So why bring it back with you?”

“For my mates.” she chuckled. “Protection spells are now easier to cast so this is just normal fire, but bringing it back to my mates and the Gryffindor fireplace is a nice gesture so why not, you know?”

“I see.”

Silence fell between them. They were finally out of the forest. The castle loomed close ahead of them. Sirius looked around and saw the rest of the gathering more clearly. Behind them, the bonfire was no longer visible, save for the faint glow of orange on the tree tops. He looked at Mary and saw that she was nibbling on the leftovers: apples, nuts, cheese, cold meat and pastries. She caught his eyes and smiled, presenting him the food. He smiled back and took a slice of apple. Up ahead, he could already see the doors.

“You mentioned being at Headless Nick’s party?”

“Hmmm?” Sirius saw her looking at him still. “Yeah.”

“Where was it this time?”

He snorted. “One of the empty greenhouses.”

“Ah,” she giggled. “Just you?”

“Nah. I was with James and the others.”

“Why are you alone, then?”

He grinned at her. “Decided to take the scenic route.”

She nudged him. “Stumbled into quite a scene, didn’t you?”

“Yeah,” he laughed, “an interesting one.”

“Yeah?”

“Absolutely.” Sirius wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pressed her tightly against his side. “Never saw anything like this before. Honestly, I thought I was witnessing a cult at first.”

“Oh…” she looked down at herself and chuckled. “Yeah. It’s all part of tradition, though.”

They reached the entrance. Before them the rest of the crowd had gathered, waiting. The double doors were opened to get as much of the people in as possible. Professor McManus and some others were on either side of the doors, ushering the crowd in. Sirius managed to blend in as he joined the people trickling inside. He waited for Mary to come through and together they set off to Gryffindor Tower.

“You know, it’s too bad,” Mary said.

“What is?”

“That not many people know about traditions like these anymore.”

Sirius looked at her and saw her smiling wistfully. “Why’s that?”

“Oh, just… you know, the opportunity to learn and celebrate our roots.” She shrugged. “Magic is, after all, nuanced in any place.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You know Ilvermorny, yeah?”

“The American school? Of course.”

“Professor Ophius taught there for a year.” She smiled. “Did you know that though they’ve incorporated Native American magic that their roots were actually Irish?”

“That… I didn’t know,” Sirius admitted.

“Yeah,” she replied excitedly. “He visited the Australian school once too—can’t remember the name. They had their roots from here too. But he says there’s a difference between the innate origins of magic and transferred magic.”

He listened to Mary gush—there was no other word for it—about Ophius’ great knowledge of the magical world. He noticed her eyes sparkling, hands moving animatedly, and the hint of pink on her cheeks. His chest constricted and the words that came out of his mouth were sarcastic. “Ophius sure does go around.”

“He does. He is amazing—his stories, I mean. His stories are amazing.”

“Huh.” He intoned. “Why was he there? Is he Celtic too?”

“Oh, no,” Mary chuckled. “No, he’s supervising. Professor McManus, though, is.”

“I see.”

“But it’s good to see someone non-Celtic joining. Magic is to be shared, after all.” Her expression softened. “He’s appreciative of our differences so it’s nice.”

“Do you fancy him or something?” That… was not something he meant to say. His mind was trying to come to terms with what was happening, but the words escaped him instead. Without his permission. He nearly cringed when she flinched and looked at him in panic. In his own panic, he couldn’t give her anything except a passive expression.

“W-why do you ask?” she squeaked.

Might as well see it through. “The way you talk about him.”

“Well, no, Sirius, I don’t…” she trailed off as he stared at her. He’d never seen anyone’s face go that red before. It was bloody brighter than the flames. “Erm…. Okay. Maybe. A tiny bit. But that’s because for a professor he’s… you know… amazing.”

He smirked. “You called him amazing. Twice.”

“What about it?” She shot back.

“I… am amazing,” he replied. Casually. They finally reached the hallway leading to the portrait. Sirius didn’t even realise they had arrived. It was a little fun poking Macdonald with the proverbial stick and seeing her reactions—though they were at his expense.

“Not really,” she said.

“Not really!?” Sirius gasped, placing a hand over his heart. “My, Macdonald, I am hurt.”

She snorted. “Stop being a prick and you’ll definitely be amazing.”

“When have I ever been a prick?”

“A while ago. With Benjy.”

Sirius nodded, though he did smirk at the memory. “Right.”

They arrived. Mary said the password and the Fat Lady let them through. With a bow, Sirius let her go first. The fire jars trailed behind her as she took his offer. He followed after her, finding her waiting for him as he emerged. As usual, the common room was bustling with people. Sirius wondered if his friends were here and itched to go, but at the same time he didn’t want to leave Mary. He wanted to keep talking to her. “So…”

“I’m sure you want to find your friends,” she said, smiling at him.

He smiled back, sheepishly. “Yeah…”

“Right, hang on.” She reached for one of the fire jars and handed it to him. “Here.”

He held onto the jar. “I thought this was for your friends?”

She winked. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

That caught him off guard. He blinked, words failing him for a second. “Y-yeah…”

“Then I wish this winter is kind to you.” She held his hand and squeezed.

He stared at her, a little shell shocked at her kindness. “Oh, t-thank you—for the fire and… and everything.”

She beamed. “Have a good night.” With that, she turned and made her way to the fireplace.

“Night…” he mumbled, watching her. A strange warm feeling settled in his chest as he glanced down at the fire she had given to him. Unbeknownst to him, the corners of his lips stretched in a smile; he pulled the jar close to his chest as he turned to make his way to the seventh boys’ dorm.

[dtadventures]

The truth about justice.

“We are so concerned with our freedom of speech that we forget that our speech should bring freedom” Pastor Joe Smith.

The truth is, we as American Christians spend so much of our time fighting for our freedom to practice our faith rather than resting in our freedom in Christ to love others. In my opinion that is a dangerous place to be. What would it look like if we fought for our liberty as much as we fought for justice of others. We as American Christians have assumed the role as “freedom fighters” when it comes to prayer,leaving the “Christ” in “Christmas” or gun control. We hold our crosses high when faced with what we perceive to be an attack on Christianity, while ignoring one of the biggest calling God has for the church.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

What are we gonna do with that word, JUSTICE? How are we going to fight for it? Is there a wrong or right way to fight for justice?

The truth is, the world doesn't need more sermons or cool music or even at one week missions trip. What world needs is real people who are sold out for Christ really reaching out and fighting for others. Hashtags won't solve anything. Tweets and blogs (like this one) are just a stepping stone to making awareness.

I believe the reason that injustices and tragedies hit us hard is because we know deep inside that, that isn't the way the world is suppose to function. We all know that when something is unfair or wrong that, that isn't purest condition that world is suppose to be in. Whether you believe in God or not, God is the author of justice. It is very close to His heart. Being completely just is a part of God’s character. And since He is the author and the ultimate source of justice shouldn't those who carry the banner of His name also carry the responsibility of providing that justice.

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

If you are Christian you have a RESPONSIBILITY to fight for justice. You honestly can't be a loving person and not desire justice for all people. After reading the book of Amos and  I began to understand how serious God takes this. Amos 2:6-7 states

“This is what the Lord says:“For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent.They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed...”

The first time I read this I was surprised. I have always been told that the God of the old testament really focused on rules and the law. However, He is loving as He is just. I do agree that these things are true, however,  the verses in Amos, some in Proverbs, and other parts of the entire Bible actually holds serving the poor at a high value. The value the God has placed on the least of these is so high that He punished those who refuse to do it.

I believe that church should be a place of safety and refuge. My hope is for your church to be dedicated to healing hearts and discussing issues. If not, that is a problem. Going on with business as usual is damaging to both the congregation and the gospel. I kept reading comments about people not wanting to discuss politics or social justice issues in church. Jesus understood the political climate affected his people's everyday lives. He didn't ignore politics and just focused on the gospel but he matched his words with actions of love. He understood that the political climate affected how people interacted with each other. He spoke up when necessary. He dove into the uncomfortable situations and sometimes illegally loved people. Jesus broke the law a bunch of times in the name of love. Jesus’ actions not only were a vibrant sign of love but they were also political statements (not intentionally ). However, issues concerning race, inequality, etc aren't merely political, there are people are actually dying because of our refusal to speak up. Let that sink in. Yes, people make awful choices, however, we as a church aren't called to be silent while others are being oppressed.

If the American church fails to show up at the table and step up in our country, then God won't be apart of the conversation or solution. I hear time and time again, “Jesus is the answer,” and it is getting to the point where people are no longer believing it because they never see Jesus through our actions. That to me scares me. Hashtags only do so much. Reposting other people’s words provide no sympathy. Changing your profile picture isn't going to provide food or shelter for victims of domestic violence or end world hunger or even provide for your friends and family in need.The fact that so many people who aren't believers are disgusted with the events that are took place in Charlottesville means that God's fingerprints and heart is in all of us. We all inherently know that our world isn't suppose be a place a of violence, hate, hunger, and death.

It breaks my heart that the church is claiming that we need to come together and seek unity when in the same breath criticize others for risking their lives for the sake of others. It also frustrates me to read people insult people who are asking and are trying to answer the question, “what should we do?”, and are looking for solutions. Even if you don't agree with how they do it, I recommend just supporting those people because they are  brave warriors that are reflecting God's heart. If you are not a protesting type, that's fine, then call your senator. If you hate politics, support and volunteer at non-profits.You don't have to be a person who goes to rallies and protests but you have to be a person who stands for what's right.

God is the deliverer and restorer. God is in the business of delivering His people from awful situations. Throughout the Old Testament He worked tirelessly to restore the Israelites back to the promise land even when then go astray. Even more so, He is in the business of restoring the entire world back to order. God also used people like Jonah (when he finally got over his hatred) to deliver the Ninevites out of sin. With that in mind the question is, are you going going to join Him?

“The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state,” [Martin Luther] King wrote in Strength to Love, a sermon collection. “It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.” -Pastor Erwin McManus.

[the-record-obituaries]

June 5, 2019: Obituaries

 Christine Felts

Christine Davis Felts, the matriarch of the Felts Family went home to be with the Lord, June 1, 2019 at Westwood Hills Nursing Facility. She was born March 19, 1936 to Luster and Beulah Davis in Lenoir, N.C.

     She went to work at an early age to help her husband make a living. They soon bought a grocery store in Thomasville N.C. and built that business from ground up. Then 52 years ago they moved to Wilkes County with their two daughters and purchased a grocery store in McGrady, N.C. She then helped build that business into a thriving grocery, snack bar and gas business. While they were building this business she managed to keep her family on the road spreading the Gospel in song, while faithfully serving the church and community. She always enjoyed visiting the sick. She never failed to make herself available to help with any needs whether it was food, prayers, visiting or just going in and cleaning a house. Mrs. Felts was preceded in death by her parents.

     Mrs. Felts is survived by her husband of 66 years, J.C. Felts; daughters Cathy Felts Bumgarner and spouse Garey, Vicki Felts Carty and spouse Tim all of North Wilkesboro; six grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; two sisters; and a brother.

     Funeral services were June 4,   at Mountain Valley Baptist Church in McGrady with Rev. Ronnie McManus, Rev. Curtis Herring and Rev. Jason Bumgarner officiating. Burial   followed in Cane Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.  Flowers will be accepted.   Memorials may be made to Cane Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Cane Creek Church Road, McGrady, NC 28649 or to Mountain Valley Baptist Church, Cane Creek Church Road, McGrady, NC 28649.  Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

     The family would like to express our gratitude to all the family and friends who have visited our wife and mother in the last 4 ½ years at Westwood Hills Nursing Facility. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of Westwood Hills for their kind, gentle, loving care of our wife and mother during this difficult time. A special thank you goes out to Sandra Monney for making it possible for us to leave in her loving hands.

     Pallbearers were Tim Carty, Junior Greene, Anthony Minton, Tim Benson, Sterlin Church and Bobby Lovette. Honorary pallbearers will be Garey Bumgarner, Seth Lovette.

  Daniel Wingler, 70

Daniel Richard Wingler, age 70, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Carolina Caring Hospice in Newton. He was born April 22, 1949 in Wilkes County to Richard Filmore and Dorothy Coltrane Wingler. Mr. Wingler was a member of Liberty Grove Baptist Church. He loved antique cars and enjoyed fishing, traveling and motoring. He was preceded in death by his parents.

     Surviving are his wife, Sylvia Adams Wingler; brother, Douglas Wingler and spouse Kathy of North Wilkesboro; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Linda Adams of Austin/Traphill.

     Funeral service was June 4,  at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Gilreath officiating. Entombment followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family has requested no flowers. Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, PO Box 1603, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

     Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

 Dorothy Shealy, 73

Dorothy Louise Anderton Shealy May 28, 1946- June 1, 2019

     Heaven gained a saint as Dottie Shealy, age 73, passed away peacefully in her home in Mulberry, North Carolina on June 1, 2019 surrounded by family. For the past three years she lived with advanced cancer and was a model of dignity, strength and grace during a challenging time.

     Dottie was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee and grew up in Decatur, Alabama, the eldest of four daughters to Margaret Schoonmaker Anderton and Clebie Arnel Anderton. Faith and family were the cornerstones of her life.

     She attended the University of Alabama prior to her marriage to Frank in 1965 and moved to Mulberry, North  Carolina in 1976. She attended Salem College, earning a Master's Degree in Sociology in 1983. Throughout her adult life she served her community by directing the daycare center at Wilkes Community College as well as working for Smart Start and the school district. Dottie volunteered many hours at the Crisis Pregnancy Center and was an active member of Baptist Home Baptist Church.

     Dottie enjoyed an active retirement with many family vacations on adventures like hiking through the Grand Canyon, national parks, beach trips and many Kenyan Safaris. Dottie and Frank served as missionaries in Honduras, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brazil, Russia, Peru, and several extended trips to Kenya, where she touched many hearts and formed lifelong friendships.

     Dottie is survived by Frank Shealy, her loving husband of 54 years; daughter Stacy Shealy Cantrell of Huntsville, AL (Chris), daughter Sandy Shealy Edwards of Birmingham, AL (Alan); son Jeff Shealy of Greensboro, NC (Juliana); daughter Susan Shealy Utting of San Diego, CA (Paul); sister Ginger Shelton of Decatur, AL (Kyle), sister Jeannie Bryan of Fairhope, AL (Ed); sister Faye Willingham of Decatur, AL; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Tolbert and Sherry Snoddy; nieces and nephews, Kyle Shelton Jr., Michael Shelton, Brent Shelton, Craig Bryan, Leslie Bryan, Kenny Willingham, Kerry Willingham, and Kurtis Willingham, Robin Davidson Caine, Lori Pullen, Tracy Snoddy, Danny Snoddy, Kelley Snoddy Ward.

     Dottie had a special relationship with her 9 grandchildren and will live on in the hearts and memories of Jacob Tillman, Justin Tillman, Kayleigh Cantrell, Steven Edwards, Andrew Edwards, Camila Shealy, Marina Shealy, Sophia Utting and Alexandra Utting.

     A home-going celebration was held at Baptist Home Baptist Church on  June 2nd.   There will be a private graveside ceremony at Roselawn Cemetery in Decatur, Alabama.

     In lieu of flowers please donate to any of the following organizations, which held a special place in Dottie's heart:

Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center, 301 8th Street, North Wilkesboro NC 28659;

Seeking a Reason for Hope Ministries, c/o Jeff Pinkerton, 223 Azalea Lane, Wilkesboro, NC 29697; and Heshima.org, Providing Dignity for Children with Disabilities in Nairobi, Kenya.

     Special thanks to the medical staff at Wake Forest Baptist Health - Wilkes Medical Center, Forsyth Medical Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Wake Forest Baptist Hospice Care at Home.

  Everette Lyall, 72

Mr. Everette Lyall, "Jr." better known as Junior, age 72 of Millers Creek, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

     Funeral services were June 2,  at Arbor Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Susan Pillsbury-Taylor and Rev. Dr. Ed McKinney officiating.                     Mr. Lyall was born July 18, 1946 in Wilkes County to Everette Lyall, Sr. and Lola Hazel Bauguess Lyall. He was retired as owner of Lyall Harley Davidson and Carolina Cycle Supply and was the former oldest dealer member of the Harley Davidson Dealers Association in N.C. For several years, Junior and his wife Betty owned and operated Cookies n Cream in the Wilkes Mall.  Junior gave greatly to his community working with the American Children's Home and serving as secretary of the Junior Order. He was a member of Arbor Grove United Methodist Church where he was a charter member and officer of the Arbor Grove United Methodist Men, Superintendent of Church School, Church School Teacher and served as the church Finance Committee Chairman, and served on the Building Committee for the new Fellowship Building. Junior spent some time in the classroom teaching at Fairplains Elementary School.  

     He was preceded in death by his parents.

     Mr. Lyall is survived by his wife; Betty Sue Shepherd Lyall of the home, two sons; Dr. Gregory Lyall and wife Mandy of Clemmons and Kevin Lyall of Winston-Salem, a grandchild; Pierce Lyall, a sister; Betty Lou Lyall Miner of Hickory, a brother; Marsh Lyall and wife Pat of North Wilkesboro and several nieces and nephews.  

     Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Arbor Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 480 Shepherd River Road, Millers Creek, NC 28651 or American Children's Home 3844 NC Hwy 8, Lexington NC 27292.

 Daniel  Clonch, 46

Mr. Daniel "Shane" Clonch, 46, of Wilkesboro, passed away on Sunday May 27, 2019.

     Shane was born on Tuesday October 5, 1972 in Caldwell to Roger Lane Laws and Barbara Cecilia Clonch.

     Shane loved his children and enjoyed spending time with his best friend Mark Bare. Shane was also a member of the bands Life Long Hate and Armed for the Fall.

     Shane is preceded in death by his father and step father Roy Bare.

     Shane is survived by his mother, Barabara C. Clonch of Millers Creek, daughters, Sierra Nicole Clonch, Skylah Shay Clonch, Telsa Kay Clonch all of Wilkes County; sons, Zerek Sage Clonch, Danek Shadd Clonch also of Wilkes County; sisters, Leatrice Ann Clonch of Millers Creek; brother Cecil Gordon Bare and wife, Amanda of Purlear.  

     The family conducedt a memorial service on May 30, at The Church of God of Union Assembly in Wilkesboro.

     In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes P.O. Box 396 Morvain Falls, NC 2865 to help with final expenses.  

     Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Clonch Family.

  Gladys Handy

Gladys Grace Shumate Handy of Roaring River, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 26, 2019. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family while they serenaded her with many of her favorite gospel songs and reading of scripture.  She was lovingly cared for by her sons and daughters as her health declined. She was visited daily by friends and extended family members. Psalm 116:15 says "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints".

     Funeral services were May 29,  at Middle Cross Baptist Church with Pastor Jason Whitley, Pastor Donnie Shumate and Pastor Joe Sturgill officiating.   Burial was at Middle Cross Baptist church cemetery.  

     Gladys was born to the late Charles "Charlie" and Mamie Lowe Shumate on May 10, 1928.

     Gladys was the widow of Lonnie Caldwell Handy with whom she was married for 63 years.

     She was preceded in death by her husband, two daughters; 11 month old Clara Belle Handy and Peggy (Steven) Knox, a great grandson; Caleb Benfield, two sisters; Mable (Elder Fred) Shumate Dillard and Irene (Rayford) Shumate Handy Crouch and her brothers; Tracy (Faye) Shumate, Paul (Hazel) Shumate, Clay Shumate, Jimmy Shumate and Conard (Louie) Shumate.

     She is survived by her children; Joyce (Bobby) Handy Faw of Hays, Marie (Milton) Handy Jolly of North Wilkesboro, Carl (Tammy) Handy of Roaring River, Mary (James) Handy Minton of Hays, Ray (Deborah) Handy of North Wilkesboro.

     Gladys has fourteen grandchildren; Shelly (Bob) Faw Benfield, Alisa (Chris) Faw, Dawson, Kristina (Monroe) Faw Hawkins, Jeff (Christy) Jolly, Michael (Amanda) Jolly; Wendy McKeenan, Tim (Tara) Handy, Matt (Angel) Handy, Amy (James) Williams; Kurtis (AnnaLisa) Parker, Logan Parker, Robbie (Melissa) Martin, Stacee (Adam) Whitley, and Stephanee Lee, forty-two great-grandchildren and  seven great-great grandchildren making five generations, also several special nieces and nephews.

     Gladys worked in the cafeteria of Roaring River Elementary School and was a homemaker. She had a strong love of family and her faith was extremely important to her.  Her life verse was………"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15, which was also her testimony throughout her life. Going to church was her greatest joy.   She was a charter member of Middle Cross Baptist Church in the Rock Creek community and was also their oldest member. She was faithful to her church as long as her health allowed and would cry on Sundays when she was not able to attend.  She especially loved her Pastor Bro. Jason Whitley and wife Elaine, and her Senior Adult Sunday Class that was taught, for years, by Bro. Earl Alexander and which is now taught by her son Ray Handy. Gladys grew up in the depression years and learned to be frugal at an early age.  She lived a simple and humble life. She liked to use things until they were worn out or rusted out and only then would they be thrown away. She was a skilled seamstress who made items of clothing for all of her children while they were young. She quilted blankets and sewed handmade items for all of her grandchildren.  She was an avid gardener especially loved helping her son Carl with his garden which they were both blessed by sharing with others. She particularly loved roses and hens and diddles. She enjoyed collecting antique glassware, hens on nest and thimbles from around the world. One of her favorite pastimes was chatting on the phone with family and friends and she always did what she could to help others.

     She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, she left a legacy that will last for generations to come; you can say hers was a life well lived.

     Special thanks to Wake Forest Care at Home Hospice; Pauline Watts, Megan Cheek, Ashley White, Kimberly Bush, Ben Lankford and retired Hospice Nurse, Judy Kirk.

     Flowers will be accepted or memorials may to Gideon's International North Camp, PO  Box 1791, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or Middle Cross Baptist Church Building Fund, 2305 Rock Creek Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.

   Geraldine (Gerry) Haynes Elledge, 87

Geraldine (Gerry) Haynes Elledge, 87, passed away after a long illness on Sunday, May 26, with her loving family by her side.

She was born to Alma Macy Haynes and Hayes Haynes in Jonesville, NC on March 5, 1932. She graduated from Jonesville High School and then Grace Hospital in Morganton, NC, as a registered nurse. She began her forty-one year nursing career at the old Wilkes Hospital and then at the current Wilkes Regional Hospital. She specialized in Labor and Delivery, assisting with the birth and care of thousands of newborns. She often gave the on air "Stork Report," a feature on WKBC radio.

Throughout her life, children of all ages were drawn to her, and she had a unique talent for calming their fears and tears. Many friends, neighbors, and members of her Mountain View Baptist Church family affectionately refer to her as a second mother because of her influence on them as children and adults. She was known for her kindness and for always serving others before herself.

She met her husband, John Sherman Elledge (Jack) on a blind date. The couple married in 1956, lived in North Wilkesboro, and then built a house on Haymeadow  Road in Hays where they have lived since. She was "the best mother in the world" to four children: John (Johnny) Sherman Elledge Jr., Martha Carol Elledge, Elizabeth (Beth) Haynes Elledge Gossett, and Amy Maria Elledge. She was the beloved grandmother of eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Gerry loved to read and passed this love of reading onto her children. She often would read late into the night, when she wasn't staying up late to cook, sew, or prepare for holiday celebrations. She loved to garden and created bouquets from her roses and zinnias. She established and landscaped a memorial garden for her daughter Amy. She was a talented homemaker, known for her love of cooking and baking. Her cookies, cakes, salsa, homemade strawberry jam, ice cream, and spaghetti sauce were favorites of her family, and she baked bread almost every week for decades. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren have fond memories of what they called G-bread. She collected dolls and displayed them in her home. Her nursing class held a reunion every year for over seventy years that she attended and was a highlight of her year. She enjoyed picnics and camping trips on the Blue  Ridge Parkway, trips to The Great Smoky Mountains area, and enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States and to Mexico, especially after her retirement. Over the past twenty years she created scrapbooks for all her children and grandchildren and for special occasions such as her husband Jack's fishing trips. In her final years she was accompanied by her loving and loyal protector, her dog Ace.

She was an active church worker at Mountain  View Baptist Church, and she established a church library and served as the librarian for many years. She quietly gave monthly donations for many years to over ten charities and organizations that helped the poor, and she had a special place in her heart for the homeless and the efforts of Habitat for Humanity. She was a role model of Christian virtue to her children, and her whole life was a lesson in service to others and humble kindness.

Geraldine Haynes Elledge was preceded in death by her parents, Hayes and Alma; a brother, Vess Haynes; and daughter, Amy Maria Elledge.

She is survived by her loving husband, John (Jack) Sherman Elledge Sr.; son, John Sherman Elledge Jr. and daughter-in-law Ellen (Ellie) Koch Elledge; daughters, Martha Carol Elledge, and Elizabeth (Beth) Haynes Elledge Gossett and son-in-law Jason Gossett; sister, Sue Haynes Tharpe; grandchildren, Jacob Gabel, Cody Gabel, Candace Gabel Nelson, Jessie Gabel, Caleb Gossett, Connor Elledge, Tristan Elledge, and Aden Gossett; six great-grandchildren, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

The family thanks all the nurses, doctors, and other caregivers over the past year; the employees and volunteers of Hospice; friends, neighbors, church members, and all the thoughts and prayers from churches and co-workers of the family.

A private burial ceremony will be on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Mountlawn Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2:00 pm, at Mountain View Baptist Church in Hays with Rev. Julius Blevins and Rev. Brian Blankenship officiating. A visitation will follow after the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, Gerry requested donations be made to Habitat for Humanity in her name. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

   Lucy Christine Church Gambill

Ms. Lucy Christine Church Gambill went home to be with Jesus and her two beloved sons, Christopher and Hobert "Craig" Gambill, on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Wilkes Senior Village.

Lucy was born Friday, October 14, 1932 in Wilkes County to the late Doctor Loran Church and Nora Ellen Brown Church.

Lucy was a beautician and retired as a seamstress from Tom Thumb Glove.  She was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing rummy, and cooking. She loved spending time with family and friends.  Lucy was also the first Miss North Wilkesboro High School when she was a teenager.

Including her parents, she was preceded in death by: two sons, Christopher Daniel Gambill and Hobert "Craig" Gambill; an infant sister, Inez Church; sister, Elsie Church Adams and her husband, William Grant Adams.

Those left to cherish her memory include:  her daughter, Tina Gambill Blankenship and husband, Paul Travis Blankenship of Mt. Pleasant; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

The family would like to give special thanks to our Wilkes Senior Village family and dear friends, Grace Cooper and Linda Hamby for all of your love, support, and care.

The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro. Pastor Paul Siceloff will officiate.

Condolences may be sent to: www.adamsfunerals.com.

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes and cremation services is honored to be serving the Gambill Family.

  Leo Prevette, age 73

Leo Prevette, age 73, of Roaring River, passed away Friday, May 24, 2019 at his home. He was born June 10, 1945 in Wilkes County to Oakery Marcus and Sallie Durham Prevette. Mr. Prevette was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patty Harris Prevette; son, Marcus Prevette; five brothers; and three sisters.

Surviving are his son, Gary Scott Prevette and companion Diane Terry of Yadkinville; daughters, Jeannie Lynn Moore and spouse Tommy of Salisbury, Tina Annette Baker of Winston Salem; sisters, Geraldine Whitaker of Moravian Falls, Jalie Billings of Roaring River; grandchildren, Dustin Taylor Holcomb, Paige Noelle Maltba and spouse Josh, Austin Cody Cahill and spouse Amber all of Roaring River; great grandson, Brantley Ryan-Dean Chastain of Roaring River; numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Tony McCann officiating. Burial will follow in New Light Baptist Church # 1 Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Miller Funeral Service from 12:00 until 1:00 on Tuesday, prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

  Tommy "Tom" J. Coffey, age 74

Tommy "Tom" J. Coffey, age 74, of Purlear, passed away Friday, May 24, 2019 at his home. Tom was born October 22, 1944 in Wilkes County to Joshua "Nick" and Mabel Parsons Coffey. He was a retired truck driver for L&L Machinery and Bassett Walker, driving most of his adult life. He attended Davis Memorial Baptist Church and enjoyed watching NASCAR, bee and squirrel hunting. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Ruth Coffey; three sisters, Josephine Porter, Hallie Crenshaw, and Grace Coffey; and a brother, Wade Coffey.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Soots Coffey of the home; son, Tommy Junior Coffey and spouse Mary Doris of Millers Creek; two daughters, Susie Adams and spouse Bo of Millers Creek, Brenda Stanley and spouse Barry of North Wilkesboro; two grandchildren; and one great grandson;

Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 27, 2019 at Davis Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Hadley Triplett officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Davis Memorial Baptist Church from 12:00 until 1:00 on Monday, prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted. Memorials may be made to Davis Memorial Baptist Church, 311 Red Top Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

[nightmare-afton-cosplay]

Philly Home on America’s Oldest Residential Street Is the Most Popular This Week

realtor.com

A historic property sitting at the end of Elfreths Aly—the oldest residential street in America—in Philadelphia is this week’s most popular home on realtor.com®. It’s listed for $1.2 million.

Built in 1703, the home is a National Historic Landmark and within walking distance to shops, restaurants, galleries, and historic sites such as the Liberty Bell.

The history is visible in the listing photos, even below ground! “The basement is like a fortress,” says listing agent Ryan McManus. “It was used as a root cellar.”

Other clues to the two-bedroom home’s rich history include the now inoperable outhouse just off the kitchen.

Elfreths Aly with its cobblestone streets is a year-round tourist attraction and homes in the area rarely go on the market, says McManus. The current owners have had this property for more than 30 years.

But not everyone was looking for 18th-century properties this week.

Other homes you clicked on include a Bucks County, PA, mansion with fire damage that’s headed to auction; a four-story, Mediterranean-style mansion in Florida with water views and private beach access; and the Washington estate once owned by department store magnate D.E. Frederick.

So whether you are a Yankee doodle dandy, shopping for a family home in Tennessee, or just want to dream about living lavish on the beach, there’s something in this week’s top 10 just for you. Take a look!

10. 151 NW Highland Dr, Shoreline, WA 

Price: $4,750,000 Why it’s here: This historic estate was built in 1931 by architect Lewis P. Robert for D.E. Frederick, owner of department store chain Frederick & Nelson. The 15,000-square-foot, 10-bedroom, and 6.5-bathroom chateau is built entirely of concrete. It includes a Venetian room that was transported in its entirety from an Italian castle. The original crystal chandeliers, antique paintings, and Otis elevator are just a few of the perks that come with the home.

Shoreline, WA

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9. 200 Cherry Dr, Franklin, TN

Price: $290,000 Why it’s here: The price and prime location just outside downtown Franklin is what makes this three-bedroom home so appealing. Built in 1970, the split-level home has been updated throughout and is conveniently close to freeway access.

Franklin, TN

realtor.com

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8. 1517 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 

Price: $324,900 Why it’s here: Built in 1920 and fully remodeled, this home has granite countertops, modern fixtures, and a fenced backyard. Its heart pine wood flooring has been refinished.

Nashville, TN

realtor.com

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7. 226 Windcrest Dr, San Antonio, TX

Price: $169,900 Why it’s here: This three-bedroom ranch house was built in 1959 and has nearly 1,500 square feet of living space. Located just a short distance from Randolph Air Force Base and major freeways, the home has a two-car garage, a new roof, and a new HVAC system.

San Antonio, TX

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6. 160 Burnet Rdg, Fort Thomas, KY 

Price: $182,000 Why it’s here: The updates throughout make this cute brick ranch a big draw. Built in 1917, the two-bedroom home boasts light and airy interiors with wood floors, a roomy kitchen, and new lighting. Outdoors, the exterior railing and landscaping are new, while the front porch and mature trees shroud the home in privacy, making it a serene retreat.

Fort Thomas, KY

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5. 9 Exeter St, Danvers, MA

Price: $559,900 Why it’s here: This seemingly plain ranch home recently received an incredible makeover, including new plumbing in the kitchen and baths, a new water heater, new electric and heating systems, windows, and roof. Originally built in 1960, the four-bedroom home is now modern and stylish.

Danvers, MA

realtor.com

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4. 322 Water View Dr, Franklin Lakes, NJ

Price: $1,950,000 Why it’s here: Familiar to all who enjoyed the drama of the first seven seasons of “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” the custom-built estate of Jacqueline Laurita just had another price cut. While Laurita has left the show, she hasn’t been able to unload her mansion. Yet

Franklin Lakes, NJ

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3. 5781 Stoney Hill Rd, New Hope, PA

Price: $700,000 Why it’s here: Up for auction, this mansion has fire damage and is being sold as is. Built in 1989, the six-bedroom home measures over 5,500 square feet. Sitting on over 10 acres, the home comes with an attached three-car garage and a detached three-car garage with second-floor storage. There’s also a pool and a woodworking shop.

New Hope, PA

realtor.com

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2. 4720 Ocean Blvd, Destin, FL

Price: $5,999,000 Why it’s here: This gorgeous seven-bedroom, Mediterranean-style beach house has four levels and incredible water views. Upgrades include an elevator, covered patios on each floor, a private courtyard, private beach access, and media room.

Destin, FL

realtor.com

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1. 139 Elfreths Aly, Philadelphia, PA 

Price: $1,200,000 Why it’s here: This remarkable home dates to 1703 and sits at the end of Elfreths Aly, the oldest residential street in the country. The two-bedroom, one-bathroom home is a National Historic Landmark and is filled with reminders of its storied past.

Philadelphia, PA

realtor.com

The post Philly Home on America’s Oldest Residential Street Is the Most Popular This Week appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

from https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/historic-philly-home-on-oldest-residential-street-most-popular/

[gw-thesis]

Why I feel it’s most important to address the gospel and present it as the basis of my work. 

This has been what my world revolves around I can’t shake my focus on to anything else. Nothing else can fascinate me more than what I continue to learn about God. Everything I learn, I receive differently seeing it from an eternal perspective. Like Erwin McManus, I’m a people observer and all these waves of the world I can’t be swept up in, although it affects me and I do care, its different. The freedom and liberty, transformation and peace, the joy and hope and oh the love of Christ, truly knowing Him is something I can’t shake. And knowing He calls to be in relationship with everyone regardless of their background and all these writings are people being sent out to share what they have experienced. So either I tell my testimony, share others’ testimonies or continue the message with a different method. In the movie Risen, the centurion asks Peter, “So what are you going to do now?” and Peter responds “What else can I do now?” (roughly paraphrased). And I think that’s roughly where I’m at. I don’t know what else to do or what else to share or explore. 

It’s ideal for right now because I see we’re in this climate of people taking on spirituality as a more common thing. Yoga is being introduced more, hearing mindfulness and consciousness, therapy is talked about more, less stigmatized than once was. And this is a time where people are speaking more about this, people’s position on faith shift. It’s a higher number of people being “spiritual” rather than “religious” which is like two things. An element of renouncing faith to a more secular sense or secularism acknowledging self or spirit. It’s more known as agnosticism but the problem with agnosticism is just an on the fence thing, it’s very unstable and has not much grounding.

What has happened as similar as in Galatia, the gospel has been watered down and Paul responds to this in Galatians 1 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+1&version=NIV]. When the Gospel is watered down, there is no difference from that or any other story. And we just add another story to the mix of stories we already have come across that don’t point to truth. The series of important reasons of the gospel are in this read [http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-galatians-1.htm]. And we see how it changes so many; in music especially as seen here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUO_r_Le5EE] but people have walked away but it was a beginning of them finding their voice. Though some have been consistent in that voice and even praised for it in the secular world like Alicia Myers - I Want To Thank You and TRAMAINE - FALL DOWN (SPIRIT OF LOVE) both mentioned in that video. We then see artists today, like Lauren Daigle, Kanye West who are more known and unapologetic in sharing their faith. And in their sharing of their faith, there is an introduction to a grounding in the spiritual quest. Because this spiritual quest or journey is all abstract in their description and it looks a certain way that people are just acknowledging spirituality but its not grounded in anything. Meaning this unnamed place can be good but just as easily can be bad because no definition has been established. So in introducing a foundation, this helps for stability and direction. In a world claiming to be found in spirituality but lost on the grand scheme. 

[being spiritual]

- https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/09/06/more-americans-now-say-theyre-spiritual-but-not-religious/

- https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/01/21/americans-spirituality/

- https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/05/christians-remain-worlds-largest-religious-group-but-they-are-declining-in-europe/

- https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/11/10/16630178/study-spiritual-but-not-religious

[agnosticism]

- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/youre-not-agnostic-youre-an-atheist_b_4675638?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANzmcw5P6ySYn0X0ONsInQjsw5be16RoGf5OOFzC4u06afz9N7zyssMSTLf5AA2_dLlTGzKWkWXodEJhy3-5G7Rk1ErHPrzcpcbCZW9-rAEe4R4ItqqtQzoQc_c9XrennQHj0gpDj-bKegVgYlVi-xuocinKdlYQDLEJp7Vp9yhL

- https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/may/21/agnostic-islam-faith

- definitions: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/

[davidoespailla]

Philly Home on America’s Oldest Residential Street Is the Most Popular This Week

realtor.com

A historic property sitting at the end of Elfreths Aly—the oldest residential street in America—in Philadelphia is this week’s most popular home on realtor.com®. It’s listed for $1.2 million.

Built in 1703, the home is a National Historic Landmark and within walking distance to shops, restaurants, galleries, and historic sites such as the Liberty Bell.

The history is visible in the listing photos, even below ground! “The basement is like a fortress,” says listing agent Ryan McManus. “It was used as a root cellar.”

Other clues to the two-bedroom home’s rich history include the now inoperable outhouse just off the kitchen.

Elfreths Aly with its cobblestone streets is a year-round tourist attraction and homes in the area rarely go on the market, says McManus. The current owners have had this property for more than 30 years.

But not everyone was looking for 18th-century properties this week.

Other homes you clicked on include a Bucks County, PA, mansion with fire damage that’s headed to auction; a four-story, Mediterranean-style mansion in Florida with water views and private beach access; and the Washington estate once owned by department store magnate D.E. Frederick.

So whether you are a Yankee doodle dandy, shopping for a family home in Tennessee, or just want to dream about living lavish on the beach, there’s something in this week’s top 10 just for you. Take a look!

10. 151 NW Highland Dr, Shoreline, WA 

Price: $4,750,000 Why it’s here: This historic estate was built in 1931 by architect Lewis P. Robert for D.E. Frederick, owner of department store chain Frederick & Nelson. The 15,000-square-foot, 10-bedroom, and 6.5-bathroom chateau is built entirely of concrete. It includes a Venetian room that was transported in its entirety from an Italian castle. The original crystal chandeliers, antique paintings, and Otis elevator are just a few of the perks that come with the home.

Shoreline, WA

realtor.com

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9. 200 Cherry Dr, Franklin, TN

Price: $290,000 Why it’s here: The price and prime location just outside downtown Franklin is what makes this three-bedroom home so appealing. Built in 1970, the split-level home has been updated throughout and is conveniently close to freeway access.

Franklin, TN

realtor.com

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8. 1517 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 

Price: $324,900 Why it’s here: Built in 1920 and fully remodeled, this home has granite countertops, modern fixtures, and a fenced backyard. Its heart pine wood flooring has been refinished.

Nashville, TN

realtor.com

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7. 226 Windcrest Dr, San Antonio, TX

Price: $169,900 Why it’s here: This three-bedroom ranch house was built in 1959 and has nearly 1,500 square feet of living space. Located just a short distance from Randolph Air Force Base and major freeways, the home has a two-car garage, a new roof, and a new HVAC system.

San Antonio, TX

realtor.com

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6. 160 Burnet Rdg, Fort Thomas, KY 

Price: $182,000 Why it’s here: The updates throughout make this cute brick ranch a big draw. Built in 1917, the two-bedroom home boasts light and airy interiors with wood floors, a roomy kitchen, and new lighting. Outdoors, the exterior railing and landscaping are new, while the front porch and mature trees shroud the home in privacy, making it a serene retreat.

Fort Thomas, KY

realtor.com

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5. 9 Exeter St, Danvers, MA

Price: $559,900 Why it’s here: This seemingly plain ranch home recently received an incredible makeover, including new plumbing in the kitchen and baths, a new water heater, new electric and heating systems, windows, and roof. Originally built in 1960, the four-bedroom home is now modern and stylish.

Danvers, MA

realtor.com

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4. 322 Water View Dr, Franklin Lakes, NJ

Price: $1,950,000 Why it’s here: Familiar to all who enjoyed the drama of the first seven seasons of “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” the custom-built estate of Jacqueline Laurita just had another price cut. While Laurita has left the show, she hasn’t been able to unload her mansion. Yet

Franklin Lakes, NJ

realtor.com

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3. 5781 Stoney Hill Rd, New Hope, PA

Price: $700,000 Why it’s here: Up for auction, this mansion has fire damage and is being sold as is. Built in 1989, the six-bedroom home measures over 5,500 square feet. Sitting on over 10 acres, the home comes with an attached three-car garage and a detached three-car garage with second-floor storage. There’s also a pool and a woodworking shop.

New Hope, PA

realtor.com

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2. 4720 Ocean Blvd, Destin, FL

Price: $5,999,000 Why it’s here: This gorgeous seven-bedroom, Mediterranean-style beach house has four levels and incredible water views. Upgrades include an elevator, covered patios on each floor, a private courtyard, private beach access, and media room.

Destin, FL

realtor.com

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1. 139 Elfreths Aly, Philadelphia, PA 

Price: $1,200,000 Why it’s here: This remarkable home dates to 1703 and sits at the end of Elfreths Aly, the oldest residential street in the country. The two-bedroom, one-bathroom home is a National Historic Landmark and is filled with reminders of its storied past.

Philadelphia, PA

realtor.com

The post Philly Home on America’s Oldest Residential Street Is the Most Popular This Week appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Philly Home on America’s Oldest Residential Street Is the Most Popular This Week