CHAPEL HILL - This missive was received from Joey Davis, Republican candidate for the NC House of Representatives (District 66):

I am deeply saddened by last night's events in Chapel Hill.

ROCKINGHAM - As part of the ongoing mission of the Richmond Observer to provide expansive coverage of current events, breaking news and/or items of immediate interest garnering attention across the state and/or nation, we offer these specific links that relate to reflections on life in general - and "regrets" in particular - as compiled by Patrick Allan of LifeHacker.com.

ROCKINGHAM - Two rising juniors started school a bit early this year as they joined the class of 2020 at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) August 11. Robert (Kevin) Aiken and Joshua (JJ) Bruce set their sights on NCSSM admission as ninth graders, taking the most challenging courses, earning honors and taking the SAT as sophomores. 

A constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system, NCSSM was the first of its kind in the US-- a two-year, public residential high school focused on technology, science and math. Located in Durham, tenth grade North Carolinians are eligible to apply for the coveted positions through a competitive review process.

ROCKINGHAM – According to FEMA, there have been 59 fatalities from house fires in the state this year. 

Richmond County has been fortunate, according to Fire Chief Harold Isler. The county had no fatalities or injuries in the 548 calls that Rockingham’s fire services answered last year. 

Even so, there are a few measures that residents can take to continue that trend and help keep their loved ones and property safe.

CONCORD - We all have memories of the summers of our childhood.  The sun rose early, the days were long, and we could play outside until dark.  But, of all my summer memories, my most cherished is of the time I spent with my Uncle Dan at the Catawba Worm Tree. 

For several weeks in early summer, Uncle Dan and I met each morning at the tree; first to see if there were worm eggs, and then to wait for them to hatch.  

Now that the eggs had hatched I worried if Uncle Dan would still come to the tree each morning.  I waited on the front porch hoping to see him walking down the driveway to the tree. When I did, I was overjoyed and rushed out to join him.

ROCKINGHAM – The youth baseball team sponsored by Rockingham Fire Department wrapped up a successful season with a team party at their sponsor’s home, the Lawrence Street Firehouse. 

On Tuesday, July17th, the fire department hosted the 11 players from the Rockingham Parks and Recreation nine and 10 year-old division and their families to celebrate the team taking the title for the regular season. The boys finished with a nine and two record but were eliminated from the tournament in the first round.

WILMINGTON - Ed was nervous. 

Today’s performance was going to be the biggest of his career and he knew he would just die if it didn’t go well. 

The same sentiment applied to the other two members currently riding with Ed on the way to the venue. 

Their vehicle, which Ed was navigating, was packed to the brim with all the various props and instruments the group would need to perform properly.

HAMLET - After graduating from blue jays and squirrels, I started looking at the Sears catalog dreaming of a shotgun.  I had exceeded the capabilities of the Daisy BB gun and the Savage .22 and now I needed a shotgun.  I was hoping old Santa would bring me one of those Mossburg bolt actions that were on a Ted Williams checklist I had been staring at in the catalog, but Santa knew an H&R .410 single shot was what I really needed.

HAMLET - We should all love bees.  Bees give so much to the world as they pollinate our food supply, and ask for little in return.

If you are a backyard beekeeper, you may not want to admit it, but you love your bees! We fondly call them the “Girls” and decorate their hives in many colors with childlike designs to brighten our backyards.

ROCKINGHAM - During the month of July, various merchants, eateries, and service people in Downtown Rockingham will be participating in “Christmas in July.”   Christmas decorations will be plentiful and there will be specials and gifts galore.  An enticing array of possible winnings will also be available through the Christmas in July Raffle, so take your mind off of the heat and join the fun.