May 28, 2025
For God’s Sake
Whenever my wife and I visit a restaurant for the first time, we ask our server the same question: what one dish on this menu would make us want to come back? The servers typically smile and cock their heads to the side as they ponder a question they have never considered. Their recommendations rarely fail to satisfy.
May 28, 2025
To the Class of 2025: The future is yours
Graduates, take a deep breath and soak in this moment. You’ve reached the culmination of years of effort, determination, and resilience. Today, as you stand on the cusp of your future, you are not just closing one chapter—you are stepping into a world filled with boundless possibilities, a world waiting for your imprint.
May 27, 2025
Brian Out Loud
It’s the year 2000. I’m at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Philip Rivers is the quarterback of the Wolfpack and there is no shortage of hype around him.
In the press box high above the stadium in a nationally televised game on ESPN, I’m putting together a running game story and just praying I get a phone line connected to my laptop in time to send before deadline that night.
In the press box high above the stadium in a nationally televised game on ESPN, I’m putting together a running game story and just praying I get a phone line connected to my laptop in time to send before deadline that night.
May 21, 2025
The hidden costs of overdevelopment
Growth is a sign of vitality—proof that a community is thriving. But unchecked expansion, often driven by profit rather than thoughtful planning, can wreak havoc on a county’s infrastructure, environment, and overall quality of life. Overdevelopment is a problem that many regions face, as booming populations and business interests push the limits of responsible urban planning.
May 21, 2025
For God’s Sake
Perhaps you’ve had the experience of seeing or hearing a bird fly into a picture window. Our home backs up to a woodlot and birds, seeing the woodlot’s reflection in the kitchen window, attempt to fly to it. Whenever that happens, regardless of the species, I mutter, “Crazy cardinal.”
May 19, 2025
Brian Out Loud
I give the FHSAA credit for getting it right with the baseball postseason this year.
Going to the best-of-three format for the regional tournament was a great idea.
Going to the best-of-three format for the regional tournament was a great idea.
May 14, 2025
For God’s Sake
I used the Waze app on a recent road trip and was a good “Wazer,” reporting and confirming road hazards along the way. “Vehicle on shoulder ahead,” the digital assistant would announce, sounding to me like she was annoyed. Sometimes there was a vehicle and sometimes it was there no longer, and I would dutifully give a status update by selecting the appropriate button. It was on that road trip that I realized that I needed to have my eyes checked. Sometimes I reported that the vehicle was no longer there when in fact it was. I needed a “whoops, my bad” button.
May 14, 2025
Zoning board has had enough
In Florida, zoning boards are statutorily required and used to ensure controlled land development. They review applications for variances, special uses and rezoning requests and send their decisions and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.
May 12, 2025
Brian Out Loud
Nearly 365 days ago, the Jay baseball team was on a field on a muggy night in Fort Myers celebrating its first state championship in more than a half century.
Last Tuesday night in Bonifay, nearly two hours from home, the season came to end as the Royals lost Game 2 to top-ranked Holmes County by a 3-1 score.
Last Tuesday night in Bonifay, nearly two hours from home, the season came to end as the Royals lost Game 2 to top-ranked Holmes County by a 3-1 score.
May 7, 2025
For God’s Sake
With the recent death of Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic Church has scheduled a conclave to begin on May 7. As a former Roman Catholic, now a born-again Christian, and a protestant pastor, I am interested in the conclave’s election process, so I decided to watch the 2016 Oscar-winning movie “Conclave.”