Contributing columnist Joan Collins explains her decision to step back from her 16-year role on the board of directors of the Pea Island Preservation Society Inc. and focus her energy on documenting her ancestors’ Coast Guard service.
Commentary
Summer is near, yet far from simply ‘Dog Days’ for fishing
Maybe for some the time is right for dancing in the street, but during the next few months, the informed angler will know where to be, what to take and when to get there.
Turn unused space into Butterfly Highway, Pollinator Pit Stop
Wide-open spaces were once rich with all kinds of grasses and flowering plants — a vital feast for pollinators, but as people moved in, habitat was lost, and now it takes extra effort on our part to create corridors for birds, butterflies and bees to travel.
‘Believe in things that you don’t understand, then you suffer’
“Superstition ain’t the way,” as Stevie Wonder wisely observed, and the same holds true when fishing. Just don’t bring bananas.
Recalling George Barnes, first Jockeys Ridge superintendent
Sam Bland pays tribute to his recently deceased friend, George Grantham Barnes, who, as Jockeys Ridge State Park’s first superintendent, leaves indelible footprints in the park’s constantly shifting sands.
I grew up on this coast; I won’t watch right whales disappear
Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales face a crisis they can’t outswim — and a recent move by the federal government threatens to make a dire situation even worse.
When did what we now know as weeds become … weeds?
A weed, by definition, is a plant growing where it’s not wanted, but when did we decide that colorful, beneficial, medicinal or otherwise useful species are not desired? Spoiler: It was not all that long ago.
Heed Al Lindner’s tip: ‘Limit your kill, don’t kill your limit’
Consider the famous angler’s advice, what it means and how it should influence and inform decision-making when fishing.
Dumb stuff happens while fishing, don’t let it happen to you
Remember “That Thing” that happened “That Time” while fishing that still comes up in the context of significant events? Right. Here are some examples to avoid.
Ancient awareness: Moon phases and when to plant each crop
Human activities, including the chosen dates for religious holidays, animal behavior and the movements of all the water on the planet are in some way tied to our cyclical views of our nearest celestial neighbor, and so are our planting schedules.
Just when you thought it was safe to … explore fishing on film
When you love movies and you love fishing, it’s only natural that you count movies about fishing among your favorites, and here are some of mine.
Don’t hate the pines but Pollen-palooza ’26 is now upon us
One day, you’ll be standing at your window, minding your own business, watching plants start to green up, and then the blast of springtime begins, but it’s hard to see why there’s so much of it.
Dress for success when fishing or else you might get burned
When you spend outside all day fishing, you have the opportunity to get a sunburn, unless you’ve learned to choose appropriate attire.
Sharing is caring, but beware of nonnative, invasive plants
Sharing the beauty of plants is only human, but these days we can all do the research necessary to avoid a gorgeous green gift that becomes an invasive monster.
March arrives, nature says, ‘let’s party!’, spring fishing begins
Robin Williams’ description of the season is in keeping with the celebration of saltwater and freshwater species that springtime supplies.
Native versus non-native: To plant or not to plant?
Though it’s tempting to plant a rainbow of non-native plants, consider what introducing a new species will do to your garden.
