#still waiting for an orthodox jewish girl rep

[hindahoney]

Today, I Became A Woman: Recent Jewish Representation in Disney

[otterandterrier]

Here's a list of sapphic books I've enjoyed for Femslash February and Valentine's Day 🥰🏳️‍🌈

romance

A Little Light Mischief Former scoundrel turned lady's maid falls for her employer's companion. This was my first foray into wlw period romance. Absolutely loved it, it packs a lot of UST, steam and feels into a short novella!

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics (Feminine Pursuits, #1) Olivia Waite's wlw historical fiction stole my heart. All of her books mention background queer characters too. This one is about a lady astronomer who falls in love with her widowed patron as they break down barriers in science and art. Smart and hot!

The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows (Feminine Pursuits, #2) The widowed owner of a printing business must call for the help of a beekeeper trapped in a fake marriage. Middle aged women falling in love!! Being gay!! Looking after bees!! Having sex!! Defying expectations!!

The Hellion's Waltz (Feminine Pursuits, #3) A pianist who hates swindlers tries to stop a swindler from swindling. Literally "be gay, do crimes"! Less UST and build-up than the other two, but still hot and sweet and socialist propaganda. There's poly rep too.

The Romance Recipe Restaurant owner hires reality star chef to help revive her restaurant (boss/employee), full of UST and good discussions of bisexuality. It has no less than five sex scenes.

Something to Talk About Celebrity romance with an age gap and boss/employee dynamic, deals with sexual harassment in Hollywood. Veeery slow burn with one smut scene.

The Falling in Love Montage YA, set in Ireland, our heartbroken protagonist doesn't want to fall in love so her new crush proposes a trope-filled summer fling. Plenty of making out but no smut. Very cute for anyone who enjoys the silliness of romcoms!

Perfect Rivalry Medical romance between rival overachievers who love gaming! Neurodivergent and multicultural rep, everybody is queer! Wholesome and hot.

In the Event of Love Second chance love / friends to lovers, Hallmark holiday movie vibes. Even planner heads back to her hometown after a PR disaster and reunites with her ex-turned-into-a-lumberjane childhood friend. Tooth-rottingly sweet and spicy.

For Her Consideration A heartbroken email ghostwriter is asked to meet with the cute celebrity she's writing for. Plus-size and multicultural rep, everybody is queer. It has a lovely found family theme and lots of spice.

Honeymoon for One The protagonist somehow forgets to cancel her honeymoon after calling off her wedding, goes on a solo adventure to Canada anyway and meets a cute ski instructor she does not get along with. Very sweet and with a couple of tender smut scenes.

drama

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo An aging Hollywood star hires a little known reporter to share the true story about her seven husbands - and her one true love. This one broke me.

Yerba Buena Follows the journeys of two girls whose families are impacted by addiction, and until their paths cross in LA. Deals with themes of identity, changes, growing up, grief, and healing with another person. Warnings for drug abuse, death, underage sex.

Milk Fed This one is a complicated story about a woman dealing with the fatphobia, body dysmorphia and eating disorders, and what happens when she falls for the Orthodox Jewish woman who sells her froyo. It's a tough and weird read - there's also homophobia, parental trauma, sexual fantasies, religious issues.

fantasy

Siren Queen A Chinese American girl willing to do anything to become a star in pre-Hays Code Hollywood. Really thoughtful urban fantasy novel about race and queerness and the Hollywood dream.

These Witches Don't Burn A teenage witch must work with her ex to find out who's working to destroy their coven, while trying to date the new cute girl in town. This one is way angstier that it seems!

[the-record-columns]

March 13, 2019: Columns

The truth always fits...

By KEN WELBORN

Record Publisher

I have been accused of many things in my life—many of which are true—including driving way too fast sometimes.

However, a far older and slower Ken is now criticized for the exact opposite fault—driving too slowly, much to the dismay of other drivers who have spoken volumes to me with their middle fingers.

However, one of my favorite stories is about a speeding ticket and my trip to court with my daddy, the preacher, C. S. Welborn.

It was in the late 80’s, and as I was traveling on U.S. 421 North in Yadkin County one day. I was running very late and desperately trying to make up lost time.  And, yes, I got pulled by a N.C. State Trooper who announced to me that it took several miles to catch me because I was going so fast. 

When I asked just how fast, he said I was clocked at over 80 mph when I went by him and he thought I had sped up after that.  I explained my predicament of being late and asked that, if he was going to write me a ticket, would he do so quickly.  He assured me a ticket was forthcoming and returned forthwith with a bit of a charitable tone, writing me up for only 79 mph in a 55 mph zone.  I was still heartsick—my license was going to be gone.

On court day, I took my dad with me to drive me home if I had to surrender my driver’s license on the spot.  In Yadkin County Court that day, I had lots of company and Judge Samuel Osborne had heard a ton of (very lame) excuses, none of which seemed to matter to him that day.

"Guilty."

"Guilty."

"Guilty."

They were dropping like flies, and then it was my turn.

"How do you plead?" I was asked. 

"No contest." I replied. 

"Wait a minute," Judge Osborne said, peering over his glasses. "Mr. Welborn, do you mean to tell this court that you were speeding?" 

I nodded yes, afraid to speak.

Judge Osborne continued, "...have you noticed that you are the only one here today who was actually speeding?"

I just stood there.

The trooper told the judge I had not been a problem, and when asked what I had to say for myself, he told the judge, "He said he was in a hurry."

Folks laughed until the judge glared down at them.

"Mr. Welborn, you haven't had any other tickets recently, have you?"

"Well yes, I got one 65 in a 55 and another 55 in a 45."

I had started feeling a bit better until I had to admit to the other two tickets, and the courtroom remained quiet for what seemed like an eternity. It was probably only about two minutes.

"So you were speeding, huh?" 

I again nodded.

Judge Osborne then went on to say, "Mr. Welborn, this court appreciates hour honesty. You are hereby convicted of running 65 in a 55 zone, go downstairs and pay a $15 fine and court costs. You can keep your driver's license."

    I even got the girl in the Clerk's office to take an out-of-town check—it was truly my day.

   But, best of all, my daddy was beaming.  On the way home he must have said a half-dozen times, "Son, I've always told you that honesty is the best policy."

    As ever, Pa was right.

  Obscure Diagnosis

By EARL COX

Special to The Record

Yes, we’re in flu season but that’s not the sort of disease to which I’m referring.  What I’m talking about is immune to any sort of preventive measures and has survived for thousands of years.  Antisemitism, the irrational hatred of the Jews, is a rising epidemic which is spreading around the world.

In Europe, the word “Jew” is used as a curse word.  Antisemitism in France has increased by 74% in the past year and just a few days ago at a carnival parade in Belgium, one of the floats depicted two giant Orthodox Jewish figures sitting on bags of money with two mice on their shoulders.  In the U.S. and around the world, there is an unprecedented rise in hate crimes directed at Jews. According to a recent Gallup World Affairs survey, in the United States support for Israel among liberal Democrats is at its lowest level of only 43%.  There is a fine line between what constitutes antisemitic speech and mere criticism of Israel.  Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat and one of two newly elected Muslim women to the U.S. Congress, recently made statements that equated support for Israel to having a traitorous-like allegiance to a foreign country (as though one cannot be both pro-Israel and a patriotic American at the same).  America and Israel have always had a close relationship based on our shared Judeo-Christian values – something the three newly elected congresswomen, among other Democrats, would like to change.  What Omar is attempting to do is form an idea in the minds of those who buy into her rhetoric that it is treasonous to be an American Zionist.  Very few people are aware of what the “cursed” Jews have contributed to America’s founding and continue to contribute today to making the world a better place.  A history lesson is in order here. 

Our sweet land of liberty owes a debt of gratitude to a little known and unsung Jewish hero named Haym Salomon.  Just what did he do that was so special that the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in his honor?  Almost singlehandedly, Haym Salomon gave the financial resources needed to finance the American Revolution and keep our new nation afloat.  In today’s dollars he gave the equivalent of tens of millions of dollars to the government which, at the time, did not have any power of taxation.   Born in Poland, this 32 year old Jewish immigrant landed in New  York in 1772 where he quickly set up shop as a merchant and trader in foreign securities.  George Washington was counted among his friends. In addition to financing the American Revolution, Salomon gave loans to many of our founding fathers to include Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, James Madison and other prominent statesmen.  Some historical accounts say he charged no interest on these loans while others say he charged interest well below the market rate at that time. Haym Salomon knew what it was like to be at the top of the mountain as well as at the bottom.  At one point the British confiscated all of his property and forced him to flee penniless.  Nevertheless, he recovered and went on to help lay the financial foundation upon which Robert Morris, under the direction of Congress in 1781, established the Bank of North America.  Salomon recruited other financiers to support the bank, he located purchasers for “government bills of exchange” which are similar to today’s Treasury Notes, and who even loaned their own money to the government.   Jewish businessman Haym Salomon helped equip America’s soldiers and gave generously to military regimens.  He was never repaid the money he loaned to the government thus when he died in 1785, he was impoverished leaving his wife and four children with overwhelming debt.  Shortly before his passing, Mr. Salomon was responsible for having a “religious oath test” removed from the Pennsylvania state constitution which paved the way for non-Christians to hold public office.  I sincerely doubt our newly elected Muslim Congresswomen know this obscure fact of American history – that they owe their positions within the government of the United  States to a JEW who was willing to take risks for the building of a nation which valued life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Not only do we owe a debt of gratitude to this marvelous Jewish patriot for his vital contribution in the founding and funding of our great nation, but we continue to owe the Jews a debt of gratitude for their many contributions today in science, technology, medicine and agriculture, making the world a better, safer and healthier place for us all.  

   A Ruby Moment

By CARL WHITE

Life in the Carolinas

Good stories have a way of evolving and often lead to more good stories and that what happened this week.

We had just wrapped up a TV segment on 6th and Main Restaurant in North Wilkesboro. In addition to learning about the great food, we learned about the journey of the current owners, Jimmy and Heather Forester. We also learned about the house that was built in 1903.

It’s a colorful story that over the years has touched countless people. The house was first home to a dentist and then later was home to Richard Tipton “Tip” McNeill, his wife, Glady, and their children. McNeill was a co-owner of the local Coca-Cola Bottling company. He also served multiple terms as the mayor of North Wilkesboro.

As time passed, the McNeill family took in borders that stayed upstairs and this apparently planted a seed that would inspire the next owners.

Henry and Queenie Douglas would open the Douglas Inn that would be home to many over the years.

While doing research for the segment, I talked with John Kilby, Sr. with Yadkin Valley Ford, which is the current oldest continuously in-operation Ford dealership in North Carolina.  John shared with me that his mother was born at the Douglas Inn and so was his mother’s sister and their crib was a drawer.

John was gracious and agreed to be part of the segment open by driving me to 6th and Main in one of his great vintage cars. We waited for a sunny day and John did not disappoint.

The Douglas Inn would close in the 80’s.

Steve and Melody Critz would be the next owners. I visited with Steve, who is now living in Statesville. He shared the story of the work and time required to update and bring the house to life as the “Greetings from the Heart” gift shop and “The Tea Room.” Steve had saved a box of pictures from that time which included before, during and after construction. These pictures were valuable in our segment production.

In the box, he also had pictures of Pat McNeill Day, who was the daughter of Richard Tipton McNeill. In one photograph, he was sitting on the porch steps holding baby Pat. He also had a photograph of Pat enjoying “The Tea Room” many years later.  

While Steve loved the people, the time required to run a gift shop and restaurant was not to be a long-term endeavor.

It would next transform into “The Old Wilkes Plantation” which was operated by Fred and Peggy Bumgarner.

After five years, the house would again welcome new owners. Skip Phillips with Shirley Faw brought a new look and feel to the building as 6th and Main was introduced to the world.

Current owner, and Skip’s niece, Heather worked at the restaurant from the start. As time passed, one day Skip and Heather had a conversation which would lead to the eventual transition of new ownership of 6th and Main. Heather and Jimmy Forester became the new owners. They made a few changes including expanding catering services, and while they are always busy, they love the food business and love the people they serve.

They even have a cool ghost story.

And then, I visited with Ruby Felts Pennington and her daughter, Vivian. Conversations with Ruby are always gentle and kind. We talked about all sorts of things. She shared with me how she would be moving to an assisted living facility and how she was looking forward to making new friends. I told her about the 6th and Main story that we just wrapped up.

Not long after our visit, Vivian called and said that Ruby ask her to drive by 6th and Main. Well, as it turns out she actual lived at the Douglas Inn for one year! The year was 1947, Ruby was 16 and she worked at Cress Five and Dime. The room and board were $6 a week.

One day she was working on the window display and a recently discharged Navy man, John Ralph Pennington, came walking down the street. They made eye contact and Ruby told me he said, “Hello good looking.”

Even after all these years, I could still hear the excitement in her voice. Ruby was smitten and before long she had herself a Navy man who was also a bluegrass musician.

He was part of a group that played live on local WKBC Radio. Rudy and her friends would go to the radio station and watch them sing.

Ruby and Ralph would get married and have many wonderful years together. If she had not been staying at the Douglas Inn and working at the Cress, would they have met?

One house built in 1903 has nurtured families, provided shelter, nourishment, entertainment and celebrations for who knows how many!

That’s one heck of a house if you ask me…

  Carl White is the Executive Producer and Host of the award-winning syndicated TV show Carl White’s Life In The Carolinas. The weekly show is now in its 10th year of syndication and can be seen in the Charlotte market on WJZY Fox 46 Saturday’s at noon and My 12. The show also streams on Amazon Prime. For more information visit www.lifeinthecarolinas.com. You can email Carl at Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com.