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At the age of 17, Brooklyn, New York, native Vincent Simonetti enrolled in the U.S. Navy. He gave up working in his father’s grocery store and playing baseball for an even higher calling – to serve his country. Just recently, on his 98th birthday, members of the American Legion and Oak Island Veterans of Foreign Wars recognized his GOOD service by honoring the World War II combat veteran, who now lives with his family in St. James. |
| In his service days, Simonetti boarded the USS Circe, an attack/transport ship, and became part of the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific. He served in the pivotal battle of Okinawa during the war and helped carry soldiers and sailors to the battlefields from San Francisco and Pearl Harbor. |
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His ship was unofficially credited with downing two Japanese kamikaze bombers while the bombs and gunfire above deck were just part of his daily experience. Fellow veterans viewed it as a really GOOD opportunity to honor Simonetti with a plaque and medal, They also hosted a dinner and provided toasts all around for one of the dwindling number of World War II veterans who are still around. Simonetti said he wants to get together again on his 100th birthday. Read the original story in this week’s State Port Pilot. |
Do you have a “happy story” about good people doing good things in the community that you'd like to share with your fellow readers? Submit your uplifting idea or anecdote for Below the Fold to hello@stateportpilot.com. |
New News |
Here’s what we’re working on for next week’s |
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 | NOTHIN’ BUT NET Southport Elementary fifth-grader Joseph Pierce advances to the state championship round of the Elks free throw shooting contest. IN A ZONE St. James is considering a new zoning district that will provide more flexibility to developers, property owners and town officials. CAN IT Changes are in store for at least one local municipality when it comes to what items can be recycled and what cannot be included on the list. COMING SOON Southport planners assign a review committee for the Shoppes at Dutchman Village, a restaurant and retail project near Rivermist. DECISION South Brunswick High wrestler Lily Prendergast wins her 100th career match. We’ll have photos and video of her milestone moment. OAK ISLAND Oak Island council has its plate full when preparing for the fiscal 2024 budget, looking at paid parking, sand tax, garbage fees and more. |
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The State Port Pilot’s long-running column, Not Exactly News, was a weekly assemblage of various local-interest items. They’re GOOD reminders of what life was like in our corner of the world and we’re excited to re-present them here. Enjoy! |
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From The State Port Pilot – Wednesday, February 1, 1950 |
The huge camellia bush in the front yard of Captain and Mrs. J. I. Davis has provided cuttings from which literally thousands of new plants have been grown. Most of this work has been done by Orton Nursery, and has resulted in a recognized variety known as the “Capt. Ikey Davis.” Next door in the yard of the Newton home is a white variety which blooms unusually early. It, too has surrendered many cuttings, none of which has bloomed early as the parent bush. Must be the soil and the climate. There is a lot of interest in the Lions Club dance here Saturday night, and those who have heard the orchestra say that it is really good. If the River Road project fails to get in the February letting of the State Highway commission, then it will surely be let at the March meeting. That is from a reliable source. |
| W.H. Tharpe of Winnabow has an interesting collection of old coins, one of them being a Columbian Exposition half-dollar which he had with him on a trip to Southport Monday. He also had a half-dime, a very thin silver coin. Note to collectors: Don’t make the mistake of trying to play this old gentleman for a sucker. He probably knows more about their value than you do. Fog which was of London-like density here Monday reminded local citizens of conditions a few years ago when fog and smoke frequently made travel along the highways of the county go at a snail-pace. They have started working on a road to connect the new Southport cemetery with the new highway, and when it is completed we predict that it will be a very popular loop route for pleasure drivers. |
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January 27: International Peanut Brittle Day: Some people believe that the history of peanut brittle begins in the southern states of the USA, which makes sense because that’s where peanuts were first known to be cultivated.
January 28: International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day serves as a reminder to never forget the horrors of the past and to strive for a more just and peaceful world.
January 29: National Carnation Day. A lesser-known holiday that has been celebrated for more than a century, National Carnation Day pays honor and respect to this flower, as well as remembering US Presidents who died while in office.
January 30: National Draw a Dinosaur Day. Over the years, adults and children alike have fallen in love with the imagination, fantasy and history that comes along with dinosaurs. Fire up your imagination, and draw a dinosaur.
January 31: National Hot Chocolate Day. Enjoy a cup of steamy hot chocolate on a cold winter day! Hot chocolate provides a delicious and sweet treat that warms the body and the heart.
February 1: National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Historically avoided for reasons such as being “unladylike,” or myths as ridiculous as being bad for the reproductive system, sports have now been shown to provide a number of positive impacts on girls and women.
February 2: Groundhog Day. Even before it was official there is record of this day being observed in the US as early as 1840 as recorded in a private diary. 1866 was the first time it was recorded in a newspaper.
FOMO? Did you miss a previous edition of the GOOD NEWSLETTER?
We’ve got you covered! Check out the archive here.
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Reader Photo Showcase |
We're excited to present three new images for your photo showcase. This week we received two shots of the contrails from SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 15th, along with a twilight shot from Oak Island featuring the ruins of what must have been a very impressive sand castle. Thanks to GOOD readers Jeff Sawvel, Lisa Everett, and Vanessa Davison for contributing these great images! We're grateful for everyone who has shared their pics with us – we look forward to showcasing more next week! |
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Submitted by Jeff Sawvel. |
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Submitted by Lisa Everett. |
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Submitted by Vanessa Davison. |
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We're trying something new here in the Photo Showcase – no more restrictive photo prompts! We’re encouraging all our GOOD readers to send in any interesting photos you want to share – new photos, old photos, whatever you have. We look forward to seeing what you come up with and thank you for sharing your creativity with us. |
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Recipe of the week |
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It's soup season!
There is nothing better on cold winter days than a delicious bowl of hot, hearty soup! My favorite go-to is Zuppa Toscana because it's easy, quick, and versatile with many substitutes that work in a pinch. For example, I've used kielbasa instead of Italian sausage, spinach instead of kale, gnocchi instead of potatoes, whole milk instead of heavy cream... whatever I happen to have on hand! Paired with some crusty bread... mmm-mmm-mmm! |
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INGREDIENTS
• 1 pound Italian ground sausage – spicy or mild to taste
• 4 tablespoons butter
• ½ onion – diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 4 – 5 yellow potatoes – cubed
• 3 teaspoons salt – or to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 4 cups chopped kale
• chopped bacon or bacon bits
• grated Parmesan cheese for topping – optional DIRECTIONS
Brown the sausage in a large pot and transfer to a towel-lined plate to drain, set aside. In the same pot, add butter and sauté onions until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for another minute being careful not to burn it! Add chicken broth, water, potatoes, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Boil until potatoes are tender. Stir in the kale and heavy cream, add back the sausage, and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes. Garnish with bacon and Parmesan cheese. Click here for a printable recipe card. |
| Recipe of the Week
Each week we present a new recipe and we’d love to feature yours! Submission deadline is noon, Wednesday. | |
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This week's pet of the week is Onslow, and he is beyond cute!
Seriously, look at this picture... is it weird to keep a photo of someone else's dog in your wallet? Asking for a friend... Special thanks to Jen Newsman for sending us this adorable photo.
And don’t forget, all of you GOOD readers out there are invited to send in your own pet photos. They’ll be featured every week right here. To view all our past pets of the week head over to the GOOD Newsletter pet showcase. |
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| The Pet of the Week Showcase
We want your pet photos! Each week we feature a new pet submitted by you, our GOOD readers. The deadline is noon, Wednesday. | |
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See the complete collection in our Pet of the Week Showcase Gallery! |
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Before you go, why not take a few more minutes, refill your coffee and take on our "Spot the Differences" challenge? This week, we've taken a photo from the January 25th edition of Scales & Tales, our fishing and outdoors column by the one-and-only Capt. Jerry Dilsaver. Pictured are St. James Fishing Club anglers Craig Thompson, Sal Simonetti, Rich Badis and Tony Celeste after an offshore fishing bonanza in the Black Jack area. Read Capt. Jerry’s report at stateportpilotcom. We’ve made eight alterations to the original image. See if you can spot the differences between the two images and test your observational skills. Click to get a closer look and check your guesses with the key at the end of the newsletter. Good luck! |
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It’s Friday! Presented by Up Your Arts, here’s the weekend line-up, full of music and activities for everyone. |
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Friday, January 27 |
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5th Anniversary Celebration: Matt Booth @ Makai Brewing Company (OIB) Skyler @ Ocean Crest Pier Mark Loren @ The Joyce (Leland) Mike McManus @ Oak Island Moose Lodge Port City Comedy @ Southport Tap & Cellar
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Saturday, January 28 |
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5th Anniversary Celebration: The Apron Strings @ Makai Brewing Company (OIB) Live music (TBD) @ The Grape and Ale Scott Riley @ The Joyce (Leland) The Fossil Rockers @ Oak Island Moose Lodge Deep Creek Soul @ The Tiki Tavern Live music (TBD) @ The Pub of Southport The Doorsmen @ Second Wind
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Sunday, January 29 |
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“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein |
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Spot the Differences Answer Key |
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1. different soda can 2. shirt color 3. pants 4. gloves 5. faces swapped 6. sunglasses moved 7. water hose. 8. Bruce! |
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Like it digital?If you've made it to this point of A GOOD NEWSLETTER, we're thinking that you might appreciate our weekly digital edition of the newspaper,
The e-Pilot. | |
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Have a really GOOD weekend! |
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