The Chatham News + Record

A Taylor family photo discovered by Antonio Austin as a part of his genealogical research.

Ch@t: 8th-generation Pittsboro native reflects on history, heritage

During Black History Month, the News + Record is featuring discussions about issues related to the African American experience in our Chatham Chats. This week, we speak with historian Antonio Austin, … more

2/24/21

A chocolate cake is a wonderful complement to a meal — or by itself.

Curious Cook: Chocolate is the answer

The question? Irrelevant. There are two absolutes concerning this confection. Everyone who tastes it asks for the recipe. And, every time someone makes it for the first time, they panic; … more

BY DEBBIE MATTHEWS, The Curious Cook | 2/17/21

In this file photo, members of Chatham County's two NAACP chapters involved in an effort to memorialize the six victims of racial terror lynching in Chatham stand on the steps of the PIttsboro courthouse. This same group was involved in the creation of the Community Remembrance Coalition. Front row, from left: Armentha Davis, Mary Harris, Larry Brooks and Mary Nettles. Middle row, from left: Vickie Shea, Cledia Holland and Linda Batley. Back row, from left: Glenn Fox, Wayne Holland, Carl Thompson and Bob Pearson. Pearson, a retired attorney and diplomat who lives in Fearrington Village, was responsible for getting the effort started.

CH@T: Inspired by ‘a conviction that our country was better than its worst days’

During Black History Month, the News + Record is featuring discussions about issues related to the African American experience in our Chatham Chats. This week, we speak with W. Robert Pearson about … more

2/17/21

Internal conflict of ‘Nomadland’ mars thematic promise

Lying somewhere between anguish and admiration, “Nomadland” couches itself as a sober tour d’horizon of the contemporary American condition and enduring American … more

BY NEIL MORRIS, CN+R Film Critic | 2/15/21

Sunday sides collide

I love a thrift store. It’s like wandering into Aladdin’s cave. Sometimes that cave is empty and smells funny. But sometimes … Sometimes. Sometimes that darn cave is chock-full of … more

BY DEBBIE MATTHEWS, The Curious Cook | 2/10/21

Chatham Community (East) Branch of the NAACP President Mary Nettles (right) and West Chatham NAACP President Larry Brooks (2nd to right) at an event calling for justice last July, sponsored by the nonprofit organization Community Remembrance Coalition Chatham.

Ch@T: Chatham’s NAACP branches speak out on history, change

During Black History Month, the News + Record is featuring discussions about issues related to the African American experience in our Chatham Chats. This week, we speak with Mary Nettles of the … more

2/10/21

A rendering of N.C. Freedom Park, which will be built in downtown Raleigh.

Ch@T: A way to recognize the struggle of slavery, Jim Crow and discrimination in N.C.

During Black History Month, the News + Record will feature issues related to the African American experience in our Chatham Chats. This week, we speak with Chatham County resident David Warren, who … more

2/3/21

Potato salad is a treat, just about any way it's prepared.

Curious Cook: Hopelessly devoted to spuds

“Warts and all.” When I write a column that’s what I give you. Good or bad, embarrassing or not, you get it all. Just sayin’. On an unrelated note, if my house caught on fire and I … more

BY DEBBIE MATTHEWS, The Curious Cook | 2/3/21

‘One Night in Miami’: A dynamic fictionalized overview of a real divide

In playwright/screenwriter Kemp Powers’ seminal “One Night in Miami,” Cassius Clay, mere hours removed from winning the heavyweight boxing title, mulls his impending decision to join the Nation … more

BY NEIL MORRIS, CN+R Film Critic | 1/28/21

Ch@T: Health Department’s director talks vaccination frustrations, successes

Mike Zelek, the director of Chatham County’s Public Health Department, and his staff have been working non-stop to provide information to county residents about the vaccine ... more

1/27/21

It ain’t easy eating with no green. But it can be done.

Because of the pandemic, but more compellingly, because when it ain’t quite payday and we’ve eaten all the flashy, expensive grub, I’ve taken it as a personal (and pecuniarily necessary) … more

BY DEBBIE MATTHEWS, The Curious Cook | 1/27/21

Chatham’s top doc: ‘Don’t be fooled’ by COVID numbers. It’s still a significant threat.

Compared to other counties across North Carolina, the numbers found on Chatham’s “COVID dashboard” look positive. But don’t be fooled, says the county’s top physician. Dr. Andrew C. … more

1/21/21

Mulligan a standout in potboiling revenge flick ‘Promising Young Woman’

A movie thriller for the #MeToo movement writ large, “Promising Young Woman” is like a bit of stale “Hard Candy,” the 2005 film also premised around vengeance against a sexual predator that … more

BY NEIL MORRIS, CN+R Film Critic | 1/13/21

Pork chops — regardless of how you prepare them — are a tasty focal point of any meal.

Curious Cook: A meat for thee

“I like pork chops.” For my particularly lowkey husband, that statement is the equivalent of a fireworks and marching band declaration. I grew up eating chops made with the store-bought … more

1/13/21

Ashleigh Glover of Chatham Counseling & Wellness.

Leaning into the ‘new adventure’ of 2021

How are your New Year and life resolutions coming along? This week, we talked about that subject with Ashleigh Glover, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate, whose personal experience … more

1/7/21

A finished dish of Chicken San Francisco.

Petey’s annual birthday tradition

For some reason, Petey doesn’t want me to sing “Happy Birthday” to him on his birthday. He does, however, want me to cook for him. Every year I make him an easy, yet complicated dish: … more

1/7/21

Carey Mulligan stars in 'Promising Young Woman.'

Mulligan a standout in potboiling revenge flick ‘Promising Young Woman’

Mulligan a standout in potboiling revenge flick ‘Promising Young Woman’ PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Grade: C + Director: Emerald Fennell Starring: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison … more

BY NEIL MORRIS, CN+R Film Critic | 1/7/21

Holiday chat with a pastry goddess, part 2

This week, Julie Jengali is our holiday dessert guru. I gave her a list of common N.C. desserts and she, in turn, gave me some garnish ideas to turn the presentation up a few notches. She also … more

BY DEBBIE MATTHEWS, The Curious Cook | 12/30/20

Blundering ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ is a long, hacky, joyless sequel

Late in “Wonder Woman 1984,” during a climactic scene in which the titular Amazon warrior princess confronts the baddie de jour with the consequences of his diabolical actions, the soundtrack … more

BY NEIL MORRIS, CN+R Film Critic | 12/30/20

Viola Davis, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Glynn Turman and Chadwick Boseman star in 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,' now streaming on Netflix.

Brilliance of Boseman, Davis shine in powerhouse ‘Ma’

With a raw emotionality that leaps off the page, the prose of playwright August Wilson finds its apt allegory in Tennessee Williams. While Williams spoke from his Southern upbringing, Wilson lends … more

BY NEIL MORRIS | 12/24/20

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