The Woerner's Corner

2018-01-29T17:29:00.006-05:00

Recent Snows Stir Memories

January 23

Twice in the last month the rare sight of flakes filling the air and white frozen crystals covering the landscape became temporarily part of our lives in the local area. The two winter incidents have stirred a mountain of memories.

There is no doubt children of today appreciate and enjoy when snowfall interrupts their normal school routine. I am not sure, however, if it has the same meaning as it did to the children of 40 years ago. Those were days when there was no Facebook, Twitter or any other social media outlets.

The closest we came to a computer was a bulky Tandy model from Radio Shack that provided basic functions.

Without those things to entertain us, and with only three channels on most of our televisions, we depended on things like snow to keep us occupied and out of our parents’ hair. Living in North Carolina we treasured even the hope of winter precipitation.

The possibility often sent children in Dunn and other areas of the community in the 1970s and 1980s scrambling for the phone, and I don’t mean the ones in our pockets.

We would quickly reach for the rotary-dial handset on the wall and dial what we called time service. The five digits 2-8021 would quickly get us the local time and temperature. We prayed to hear the temperature was approaching the freezing mark.

These days, now 40 years later, that number is the same, except you have to dial the full seven digits. It even sounds like the same voice it did so long ago.

If we heard a temperature in the range of 32, hope began to rise.

Snow, of course, was the precipitation of choice, but we weren’t that picky. A good ice storm closed school just as well. In the South you take what you can get.

We often attempted to sled during rare winter storms if there was enough snow, but that often ended in a muddy mess quickly as the snow quickly eroded when temperatures climbed back up to the freezing mark.

There were many other snow activities that became part of our lives during the winter months. Snowball fights were always fun, until you became the victim of a ball of ice constructed by a devilish younger brother.

Snow cream was always a favorite treat; you just had to be careful there were no yellow streaks in the Eagle Brand concoction of sweetened snow. Some wondered about acid rain damaging our young bodies, but we survived lead paint, drinking directly from hoses and riding in cars with no seat belts. A little polluted snow wasn’t a real threat.

There were also the assortment of snow creatures and structures that often graced our lawns. Snowmen, snow angels and snow forts appeared briefly before the always-potent Carolina sun caused their quick demise.

Life in Dunn now is not that much different than it was in the early 1980s. It is still a small-town community with great people just enjoying their lives. Technology has changed our lives, but for the most part things are pretty simple.

When it comes to snowstorms, things are very similar. Residents scramble to grocery stores in search of bread and milk. Many head to local filling stations to top off their tanks. And we get alternative heating methods in place. Snow is still a novelty we enjoy only a few times a year. Tom Woerner is a reporter with The Daily Record. Reach him at 910 230-2038 or twoerner@mydailyrecord.com.

LIfe Observations

2017-11-26T13:25:00.000-05:00

To:Tom Woerner

‎Nov‎ ‎20 at ‎11‎:‎25

One of the requirements of a local columnist is to simply observe the things around us and offer our editorial comment, it just kind of what we do. Some times the things I observe are ordinary and pass through my mind without event but some get my mind to wondering.

For example, last night I noticed a cattle crossing sign on a Harnett County roard and I had to wonder just what those signs say about we as humans.

This is particularly true when it comes to wild animals such as deer, or in the great north where my in-laws live, moose, which seem to torture local drivers this time of year.

Are we, as humans, arrogant enough to think we can control where wild animals cross the road? Once we pass the signs are we secure enough to let down our guard against antler carrying car insurance nightmares thinking our wild friends will respect the space we have reserved for them to cross?

I understand the idea of the signs, to provide general safety information in areas where it is more likely to see deer. But, especially during the season when our headlights freeze these living obstacles just long enough to plow into them, we should observe a constant level of alertness. Doing so may prevent a deer collision or something worse.

Running into a large cow would certainly be more troublesome.

Totally unrelated, but I have observed in close to 50 years now of putting on shoes each day there is an interesting phenomenon. The next time you tie your shoes notice that when you complete one shoe, the other is invariably noticeably looser.

More times than not, tying one shoe is a sure enough way need to tie the other one. Don’t ask me to explain it, I report the news, that doesn’t necessarily mean I understand the reasons for it.

Anyone who knows me at all knows I am not a scientist or a mathemtician but I have noticed that at times the same number means different things.

Common sense tells you that 69 degrees feels the same all year, right?

Explain then why in the summer that number “comfortably cool” while in January the same temperature is well below the comfort threshhold for many, sending them scrambling in their grandmother’s cedar chest to find a blanket.

People who think nothing of putting their thermostat at that level in the summer, refuse to do so six months later for fear they might “freeze to death.”

Numbers also have a different perspective as we age. Again, 365 days a year is exactly the same amount of time when you are 2 as it is when you are 52. However, I realize as I approach that age how right my parents and grandparents were when they said life is short and that time moves faster as we grow older.

As a child Christmas “took forever” to come. In those days my brothers and I would spend days circling things with flourescent markers in the Sears and Roebuck Wishbook and dreading the long wait to see if Santa respected our wishes.

Looking back I realize “Santa” did a pretty good job keeping the three of us happy on Christmas morning. This is my chance to publicly thank him.

Now, the Christmas boxes don’t seem to have time to gather on them before we are reaching for them again. First with children, and now grandchildren, my wife and I struggle to find enough time in the holiday season to at least try to help Santa fill out his list. The forever of our childhood seems to be the flash of a second in our adult professional and personal lives.

The 12 years it took to complete our school years now seem like the blink of an eye as we watch our children and grandchildren age. It is hard for me to even believe that my children’s have their own children who are approaching school age. Just another of those many things I don’t understand but I will keep reporting them and trying to comprehend.

2017-11-10T16:42:00.003-05:00

Our Own Type Of Hurricane

Those of us in Eastern North Carolina know about hurricanes. Almost all of us have experienced them, but those of us with grandchildren know a different kind of storm, one we welcome but also one that requires a few days of rest when it leaves the area.

A look around my house on a recent Sunday sparked my thoughts on this issue. My wife and I hosted our granddaughter as we do any time we get the chance, but a look around our home showed there were consequences.

Anyone who has grandchildren knows that two days of a grandchild in the house equals at least one day of house cleaning, picking up and restoring some kind of normalcy.

Like most hurricanes, this storm left a path of destruction. The family of Barbie and Ken lost almost everything. I found Barbie’s shoes in the tub drain. I found part of Ken’s hand tossed across the bathroom floor. The pair’s family pet was on his back, feet in the air with a confused look on his face.

Furniture from the Barbie and Ken house was scattered throughout our house, only to be discovered by a grampa stumbling around the house in the middle of the night. That is something a lot of us do as we approach the half-century mark.

Hard plastic bedroom furniture is a hazard to us in the grampa club. Just trust me, stepping on a miniature kitchen chair is not something one likes to repeat.

The kitchen of our house took a major hit from the storm. Carrots, celery and other items used in a joint project to make vegetable soup are probably still in some corners or on top of the stove. I am not sure a 5-year-old chopping celery would pass OSHA codes but when she uses those eyes on gramma it’s just not fair.

It works on grampas as well. The words “can I please” might gain her access to the nuclear codes if we had them. Her personal safety was not endangered so if she wants to cut celery, no harm done. Don’t judge us until you look into those eyes.

Signs of the hurricane still abound outside the home. Sand from the sand box is scattered about. Some of it was transported to far corners of the yard by the poor dog who wasn’t able to escape the turmoil completely, though she tried her best.

Sand box toys quickly became obstacles for my riding mower. Some of them probably won’t be found until next year when I bring the mower out for the first time. If not then, they will be found when they stick out of the one snow we receive in January of February.

All this to say that we welcome this storm any time at our house. There is an old saying that the two best things in the world to grandparents are headlights coming and tail lights leaving when grandchildren come to visit. I now understand those words even more and I look forward to seeing the headlights coming again. Next time we will just batten down the hatches a little better.

Tom Woerner is a reporter with The Daily Record. Reach him at (919) 607-3714 or woernertmw @yahoo.com

2017-10-05T21:55:00.001-04:00

There is a column that has been floating in my head for many years and positive response to an earlier column prompted me to go for it, offering, perhaps, unique perspectives on a Hollywood classic.
Most people think of “The Wizard of Oz” as a kid’s movie, as one of the classics of its genre. They are right, but if you listen closely there is an array of interesting, wise comments by those characters who skipped down that yellow brick road.
One of the truest remarks in the film comes in an early scene. As Dorothy and Toto strolled toward the Emerald City, the Scarecrow popped up.
Dorothy asked him, “If you don’t have a brain, how can you talk?” The main stuffed with straw said, “Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t they?”
Once again approaching the forbidden waters of “politics in the corner,” I will just say go to Washington, D.C., and look around, you might see how true that statement is.
It also applies to many we encounter in our daily lives.
Dorothy perhaps uttered the most classic words of this great film when she said, “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.”
That is so true. How many of us at times told our parents, “I am getting out of this town.” Many never get out of their parents’ basements while and others go on to successful lives right in that same town.
Simply put, most of us realize that where we are is not always that bad and that the grass isn’t necessarily greener on the other side of the fence.
Another classic came at about the same time in the film when Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home.”
My friend in the blue plaid dress was so right. Everyone has somewhere to return to, somewhere to hide from the world at the end of the day. That embrace by a family member or greeting from a beloved pet never gets old.
The Wizard, addressing the Tin Man, said, “A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.”
Ironically, my mother wrote similar words in my high school graduation card. When we all take that final ride in a long black car, the mark of our success will be how many people notice. Physical things we accomplished will be left behind.
Again, out of the mouth of the great Oz, speaking to the Cowardly Lion, “Not having fear isn’t brave, it’s foolhardy. Any real hero knows fear.”
There is no doubt Capt. Fulton Lanier felt fear the night he died a hero when his plane crashed in World War II. More than 80 percent of people who flew that route didn’t return. He knew the odds were against him.
There were hundreds of troops on boats heading to Normandy who, without a doubt, had unthinkable fear. As moving targets for German snipers on a wide open beach, who wouldn’t?
All of us have moments in our regular lives that require stepping past the line of fear and into the realm of action to deal with a difficult problem.
As the Wizard said, “The difference is a real hero overcomes his fear.”
I like the words of the Tin Man as Dorothy is about to leave. He said, “Now I know I have a heart because I know it is breaking.”
Through the loss of loved ones, the ending of relationships and general disappointments of life, we have all felt the dull pain in our chest that comes with a broken heart.
There are so many other words from this film that can provide good advice for all our lives, too many to address here. Watching the film, listening to the characters will always be enjoyable and often educational. Though I have watched it multiple times, eventually I know I will enjoy it again.

2017-09-20T19:45:00.001-04:00

Anyone who has written a regular column knows at times it is difficult coming up with ideas, so this week I got a little help. I decided to examine some of the quotes of the great Yogi Berra and look at how they apply to our normal life.

The second anniversary of Yogi’s death at the age of 90 two years ago is an appropriate time to honor his words. There are too many “Yogisms” to fully examine them all, but some really give good lessons about life.

Anyone who knows me knows my favorite Yogism is “If you don’t go to other people’s funerals, they won’t come to yours.”

Though those words are funny, there is a lesson in this classic. We should have respect for people in general and particularly those who have passed on. Perhaps the Yankee great was telling us the only way to gain respect is to give it.

Another saying I found last week really struck an issue that is close to my heart. It is one we don’t seem to teach our next generation.

“I tell the kids someone has to win and someone has to lose, just don’t fight about it,” Yogi said.

The generation that has been growing up being taught everything is fair and everyone gets a “participation” trophy is learning a dangerous way to think.

An even better comment on that issue came from Bill Gates during a graduation speech. “Life isn’t fair, get used to it,” he said. That says it in a nutshell.

Yogi once said, “When you get to a fork in the road, take it.” In other words you have to consider all aspects of a problem and make a decision. The best way to get nowhere is to do nothing.

On a similar line, he once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you might end up some place else.” In other words, plan on how you want to proceed in all aspects of life.

I have to wonder if another quote from Yogi applies to our current president. He once said, “Even Napoleon had his Watergate.”

President Trump may not realize it, but he can crumble like anyone else. Any man who thinks he is invincible may find out he is not.

I like another Yogism. He was so right when he said, “If the world was perfect, it wouldn’t be.”

What a boring world we would have if none of us made mistakes. We all try to avoid them, but human nature always prevails.

A few other sayings that just bring a smile. “You better cut that pizza into four pieces because I can’t eat six.”

Another, “No one goes there anymore, it’s too crowded.” I could tell a story of at least one Harnett County business where this directly applies.

“Never answer an anonymous letter.” That is kind of why most letters without names don’t appear in newspapers. If people want to exercise their First Amendment rights they should have the nerve to take responsibility for their words.

I couldn’t write a column about the great philosopher without quoting his most famous words: “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” Well, this column is over for this week.

Tom Woerner is a reporter with The Daily Record. Reach him at (910) 230-2038 or twoerner@mydailyrecord.com.

2017-06-23T14:00:00.001-04:00

And The TOMMY Goes To:

Though the time constraints of life have limited my column writing in recent days, the wild world of sports is bringing me out again. It is once again time for me to recognize recipients of the annual TOMMY Awards. This annual ritual is my way to recognize the people, places and things going on in the sports world that are getting my attention at the present time
And the TOMMY’S Go To:
The TOMMY For Dad of the Year In the Sports World Goes to Phil Mickelson.
Hats off to Lefty for passing up the temptation to fill the missing hole in his trophy case to go to his daughter’s graduation. There is no doubt My man Phil lies awake at times wondering when he will earn the prestigious title of U.S. Open Champion. He probably has nightmares about losing by one stroke to Payne Stewart at Pinehurst or shanking balls to the left off his driver in another attempt which cost him that title.
Those in the area will remember that Mickelson carried a pager with him in 1999, prepared to leave the tournament if his wife went into labor. He finished and only missed a title because of one of the greatest moments in North Carolina Sports History, Payne Stewart’s miraculous putt for par that handed him the title. His daughter Amanda was born shortly there after. It is no surprise that his love for his daughter once again took over predominance for the future hall of famer. Maybe Karma will pay him back with a title at Shinnekok Hills next year.

The What the Heck is Going on TOMMY also goes to Tiger Woods. My attention is once again drawn to the golf world following the arrest of Tiger Woods. As he has for years, Tiger keeps his health a secret but that secret was let out of the bag with his arrest and admission of having a problem with prescription pills.
Its hard to feel sorry for a guy who had the whole world in his hands and millions of dollars in the bank but beneath all that he is human. He needs our prayers that some how the can get his life back together.
The TOMMY for Bad Policy relating to young people goes to the NCAA.
Fact is "college" athletics is a joke these days. Students used to go to college to get educated and play sports on the side. Now athletes go to college to play and attend class on the side, maybe. I doubt the One and Dones who got NBA contracts this week spent little or no time in classroom. That is tragic. Its time for major reform when it comes to college athletes.

2016-01-11T22:22:00.003-05:00

Prediction.
trying hard to stay up but I think Clemson is on the way to a National Championship. Alabama is historically good, but tonight it looks like the trophy is going back to South Carolina.

2015-12-23T14:14:00.001-05:00

Dream Season Could Make History

I have made every effort to watch Carolina Panthers games as their streak of unbeaten games continues. I have come to the conclusion that the possibility of a an undefeated season and a Super Bowl win are real possibilities.
That possibility comes to me because of several realities. The first is that Cam Newton is now one of the top five if not top two quarterbacks in the league.
As much as I don’t like Tom Brady and the rest of his team that repeatedly disregards rules of the game, I have to admit he is likely the best play caller and field general in the league. He no doubt has one of the stongest arms in history, and certainly in today’s league.
Cam is gaining on him in all areas of his game. His size makes him a formidable weapon when he uses his legs. He can see over lineman and find open receivers repeatedly. I only wish he would tone down the taunting and showmanship after touchdowns. I have to admire his response to those questioning those antics when he said “If they want to keep me from celebrating touchdowns, they should keep me out of the end zone.”
As another old saying goes, “It ain’t bragging if its the truth.”
Cam Newton is only one reason for the outstanding season
As is the case with any team who has not loss, there are many pieces to this puzzle. Most notably Luke Kiechley is probably the best linebacker in the game. It is amazing how the man finds either the football on any given play. He is willing and able to deliver hits to slow down the advance of said ball when ever it is necessary.
A solid offensive line makes life easier for big number one. Offensive backs have only limited effectiveness without good linemen in front of them.
There are many other factors.
The fact that playoff tickets sold out in less than 10 minutes shows that Charlotte residents and fans from around the region are ready to support this group of players. It shows they support the group as they head for the playoffs. If destiny prevails and the Panthers and Patriots end up facing each other in the Super Bowl, lets hope the Cats show a little revenge for what happened the last time the two met in the big game.
Lets hope the ride continues, and even if a regular season loss sneaks up on them lets hope the Lombardi trophy finds a place on a shelf in the Panthers corporate offices in the near future.

2015-12-02T14:45:00.001-05:00

Sports World also gives thanks

Most people alive in the America today can think of things they are thankful for. That also applies to sports teams, individuals and organizations and her is what I think some might appreciate the holiday season.

• Just the view of this blogger, but I would guess any team not on the NFL schedule to play the Carolina Panthers or New England would be thankful for that. The two teams seem destined for a Super Bowl rematch. Prediciton from The Corner. The two continue their marches toward a Super Bowl showdown.

• I think Tiger Woods should be thankful that it is the offseason. To say the greatest golfer of the current generation is over the hill is well, the truth. He showed brief glimpses of his old self in The Masters this year, but for the most part it was another season of failure.
It might be time for Tiger, once again battling the effects on his body of torture like training regiments, to do one of two things, move up to the senior tour or move forward into the role of father of his two children. He clearly cannot compete with the Jordon Spieth and Ricky Flowers generation.

• Every team that doesn't play the Golden States Warriors on any given day should be very thankful. Who knew that when Stephen Curry was sinking three pointers for Davidson college he would one day be an all star on an undefeated NBA team. Hard to imagine any team running extended undefeated strings in the modern age of competitive sports. That gets the attention of anyone with even a little interest in the NBA.

* East Carolina Pirate fans should be thankful for Coach Ruffin McNeill, and not so thankful for the higher ups that just fired him. As a graduate of this institution, I personally thank the coach. There were good years. A little bad luck this year should not have resulted in the coaches firing.
East Carolina has enough trouble getting recognized at the national level. We don't need this kind of decision making by the athletic director's off. To Coach Ruff, good luck and God speed.

Its TOMMY Time

2015-07-15T23:49:00.001-04:00

And The TOMMY goes to: The list of things in the world of sports that gets my attention at the current time.

So here we go:
The TOMMYs go to:
* I will get this one of of the way early but the Your Name is Still Bruce TOMMY goes to Kaitlyn Jenner. The Corner has never been about politics and that is not changing now but I was seven years old when Bruce Jenner won the gold medal in the decathalon. No matter what the now Ms. Jenner says or does, in my mind he, or she, will always be the long haired guy in red white in blue throwing a javelin on a box of Wheaties. Dresses, makeup and high heels can’t change that. I am not judging the woman for her choices, merely saying taking that win in Montreal all those years ago is still the way I choose to remember you.
* The Little Engine that Could TOMMY goes to Tiger Woods. Come on big guy, you are just a few steps from taking that next major. In his prime Tiger was the best golfer in history not named Nicklaus. Now golf fans hope to see that red shirt walking up 18 one more time to bring home a title. I think you can, I think you can!
* The Tiger Who? TOMMY goes to Jordan Spieth. This young man is inching towards history. A win this weekend at the old course at St. Andrews and the PGA championship gets real interesting. It would be ironic for someone to win the Grand Slam while Tiger is still playing.
* The TOMMY for Class Act of the Year goes to major league baseball. Putting Pete Rose on the field at this year’s All Star game made the day. It would be hard to have an all star game in Cincinatti without Charlie Hustle being part of it. He will always be number 14 in the program and number one in the hearts of Cincinatti baseball fans.
* The Best Athlete of the Year TOMMY goes to American Pharoh, making him the first non human to hang a TOMMY in his award closet. Winning horse racings Triple Crown is an amazing accomplishment. I hope he is now enjoying his time in the pasture. Those of us alive may never see that done again.

VP chimes in

2015-01-24T13:17:00.000-05:00

Entry number 2 on my list of quotes involving the New England Patriots and their alleged Deflategate affair.
"Personally, I like my balls a little soft," Vice President Joe Biden.

Whole lot of smoke here, thinking there might be something to it. Former quarterback Troy Aiken made a good point. He said that there is no way someone on the team was purposefully deflating footballs without the quarterback knowing about it. Makes sense to me.

Deflate gate

2015-01-22T22:03:00.000-05:00

With the risk of being a little on the risque side, have to laugh at Tom Brady's comments on what is becoming known as Deflategate. For those who don't know Brady and his New England Patriots are accused of purposefully deflating footballs during the AFC playoffs last week.
When asked about it Brady predictably said he is innocent.
"My balls are perfect every game," Brady said.
Lot of smoke here and frankly Brady and his coach don't convince me. I have to believe there is something to it. Looks like the Super Bowl refs need to learn how to check ball pressure.
Another reason to dislike the Patriots. Prediction from The Corner, Seattle wins big!

Heroes getting few and far between

2015-01-12T23:35:00.000-05:00

The greatest generation, for sure

I had the experience of attending the funeral of a World War 2 veteran today and it made me realize a few things. More than anything it made me appreciate heroes who are slowly disappearing.
I only had the privilege to meet Roland Johnson on a few occasions. That was my loss.
I never had the opportunity to hear about Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge from someone who was there. I never heard about charging against German lines, with deadly machines pointing at the invading American heroes.
I never heard about serving on the other side of the world from family in a era when the only communication was a letter written and delivered to loved ones days, weeks and even months from when pen was first applied to paper.
I never had the chance to hear first hand accounts of things movies were literally made about.
The fact that Mr. Johnson was 98 years old makes a point. Many of the soldiers who served with him have long since left this world. The few who are still here won't be for long. Our opportunity to thank them are quickly dwindling.
There is a reason this generation of heroes is called the Greatest Generation. It is doubtful any other generation can even compare. It is doubtful if the reincarnation of Adolph Hitler arises that those 20 year olds now living could accomplish the task their fathers and grandfathers did. It is in some ways scary to think some day they might have.
I lost my opportunity to thank Mr. Johnson, at least while we are on this earth, for his service to his country and these thoughts posted in my tiny little corner of the Internet are a meager attempt to do so. I hope if I see another member of the greatest generation, I won't make the same mistake again.

Remembering 9/11

2014-09-09T14:26:00.002-04:00

This column first appeared in the Harnett County News in Sept. of 2011. Written in memory of those died on that horrible and historic day. Note the video to the right

Where were you?

By Tom Woerner

Editor

The tenth anniversary of a day that will forever change history is coming up in a couple of weeks and it is an appropriate time to reflect on that awful day when America was attacked on our home soil for the first time in more than 50 years.

The words of the Alan Jackson country hit say it best. The words are “Where were you when the world stopped turning that September Day.” Most of us will never forget.

Like Pearl Harbor of a previous generation almost every American who was old enough to remember 9/11 knows exactly where they were when news of terrorist attacks came from our televisions, radio stations or computers.

I can see the exact place on the floor of this room where I now sit where I froze in place when someone told me a plane had hit the World Trade towers. I can look around the corner where a co-worker and I stood, silently praying people could get out of the second tower after the first one had collapsed.

It was only minutes before we started calling friends and family members making sure all were OK. Some rushed to the schools to be with their children trying to explain the unexplainable. Others of us waited for news with so many questions.

Where was President Bush? We prayed our leader was not in danger himself. We found out almost no one in the world knew. History would show he quickly left a Florida classroom where he was speaking to go into hiding, making his way to different locations on Air Force One.

Where was the next attack going to occur? The first answer was a Pennsylvania field where brave heroes forced the crash of an airliner on its way to tear into the White House or likely the Capital. America will never knew what the brave band of air travelers, turned into amateur warriors, prevented. A direct strike on the Capital would have likely frozen the American government in place and killed many of our lawmakers. Chaos in the nation’s capital would have quickly turned to gridlock.

Through all of this mystery and speculation those of us in the news business slipped back into work mode as we basically started the paper over again even past the normal deadline. Each staff member took a different role. One of mine was talking to someone on the phone who watched the disaster unfold from afar.

It is hard to believe it has been ten years since that horrible day. It is unbelievable that American soldiers are still fighting the war Osama bin Laden started. The only unfortunate thing about the demise of bin Laden at the end of a Navy seal rifle is that he never saw the final demise of his organization.

Every citizen in this country should remember the motto of those of us with an interest in history. It is absolute fact that if you don’t remember the past you are doomed to repeat it.

Americans need to realize the unthinkable, another attack, may well be in the planning stages. We should never forget the brave firemen who lost their lives going into those doomed buildings. The citizens who died, in what have been a living hell, in unthinkable fear have to be remembered.

America is winning the war on terror but we must never move to the state of complaceny that opened the doors for our enemy the first time.

2014-08-01T11:10:00.000-04:00

TOMMY time once again

By Tom Woerner

The world’s greatest sports network, ESPN, beat me to the punch this year with their annual presentation of the ESPY awards but since I am the boss in this tiny little corner of the Internet, I can present the annual TOMMY awards on my own time schedule. Below are some of the things that have gotten my enough attention to earn TOMMYs this year.

I have been thinking about this TOMMY for a while, anyone with any interest in the world of sports hasn’t had another option, but the TOMMY for Biggest Idiot of the last 100 years, has to go to Donald Sterling. Mr. Sterling in fact gets a lifetime TOMMY, to be permanently displayed with dishonor.

The former, lets hope it stays that way, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers was set up by a jealous wife and girlfriend but the things he said about African Americans was beyond out of line. The way he insulted a race that made him a millionaire multiple times over is beyond disgusting. The way he attacked basketball icon Magic Johnson is an embarrassment.

And in a related TOMMY, the NBAs Adam Silver gets the TOMMY for Best Performance of a Sports Commissioner. The man who took over for the legendary David Stern did as my favorite comedic character Barney Fife would say, and nipped the Donald Sterling situation in the bud. He made a clear statement that he won’t tolerate the nonsense of racism in his league.

Anyone who is involved with the NBA will know that this young man means business. It will prevent further problems in the future.

The TOMMY for best Hall of Fame Class This Century goes to this year’s class. It doesn’t get better if you are a Braves fan with Joe Torre, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and Bobby Cox going through the doors at Cooperstown.

Only us true Braves fans remember Torre’s stand with the team when during that we all know as “the bad years” Torre managed the one year the team made it to the playoffs in that awful period of the 1980s. It was a little light in a grim period for Chief Nok a Homa and the boys. True fans of that period will know exactly that that means.

Glavine, Maddux and Cox speak for themselves. The only Atlanta hero missing is John Smoltz and his time is coming. Those four and their teammates made the statement “Wait til Next Year” obsolete for Braves fans. Every year was next year with an unprecedented series of division championships.

We were no longer the laughing stock of the college dorms when we refused to give up our allegiance to the team. Thirty years later the words “wanna bet” are still a joke from college dorm mates in relation to the Braves. Enough said on that.

The TOMMY for Best Reunion with your home town goes to Lebron James. When James announced four years ago he was “taking his talents to South Beach,” he immediately leaped to the top of Cleveland’s most wanted list.

Now he took an eraser to his name on that list and immediately became the “prodigal son” who returned. He did it in a classy way which has not always been the case for him. Lets hope next year’s season is as heart warming as his return. Cleveland is desperate for a sports champion and this may be their best opportunity.

Finally, the TOMMY for Best Mystery on a Golf course goes to Tiger Woods. You never know what you are going to get with Woods. Still highly talented, he is always capable of a great win. He has lost the mental toughness more than physical skill. One shot into the woods or the water and he becomes distracted and often down right angry. As long as he doesn’t control his emotions he will have a hard time controlling himself.

The TOMMY for slack sports columnist of the year goes to yours truly. A goal for the future is to put more material through the doors of The Corner. I look forward to the challenge.

2014-06-16T13:18:00.003-04:00

This year's presentation of the TOMMYs is coming later this week. Come back soon, there are lots of things that earned by attention in the sports world in recent weeks!

Ill be back

2014-06-06T11:56:00.002-04:00

It is about this time each year I present the annual TOMMY Awards and though my blog posts have decreased dramatically the tradition will continue. See what has gotten my attention in the world of sports in the near future. Expect a little humor, unique perspective and my analysis of what has happened in the sports world.

2014-03-04T22:01:00.001-05:00

Editor's note. This column is being brought from the archives of the now former publication The Harnett County News.. It is the first in a series that appeared in 2004. The medical condition referenced has been cured by a miracle of God working through surgeons at UNC Chapel Hill. This column is dedicated to those heroes.

A two wheeled perspective

A medical condition now keeps me, at least temporarily, from behind a steering wheel of a car, but the necessity of transportation required me to purchase what is called a skooter, but is really a fancy name for a moped. Riding around town on my new wheels, complete with a camoflage paint job, is providing a new outlook and is teaching me a few things.

The law limits the speed of these vehicles, which are treated in the eyes of the law as a bicycle, to 20 miles per hour. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but it beats making long trips with only my shoes between me and the pavement.

Because I had not driven in several months, when I first got my skooter  it was like being released from a prison cell. I can only wonder what the people thought as I “flew” down the road singing the words to the classic tune “On the Road Again.” 

The first thing I noticed while driving Harnett’s back roads is there are some fast dogs out there. This reality hit me one day driving from Angier. Going along with the sweet whine of my new engine and my helmet on I didn’t notice a dog nipping at my heels. 

The realization came when he literally passed me. I know this because I saw the whites of his eyes when he turned to look at me.

Now my new ride is no race car, but the 20 miles per hour I am allowed should be plenty of speed to out run this four legged friend, right? Trust me, it wasn’t. 

I am not exaggerating when I say that I did not begin to lose him until I hit the top speed of 25 miles per hour. At that speed greyhound want to be finally fell off the pace and went back to his resting place, waiting for his next victim.

It seems funny to me how curious the public is about my ride. I laughed one day when a Harnett County “good ole boy” pulled up beside me and said “Lets see what that thing has got.”

What was this guy thinking? Here he is high in his muddy pickup spitting smoke out of dual exhaust, and being sarcastic about my little moped. I guess it provided a boost for his ego but to me it didn’t matter. Still, I felt like David looking up at Goliath. 

My pride wouldn’t allow me to back down. He reved his engine and I reved mine, and believe it or not I actually beat him from the line. It seems his Goliath couldn’t start off as fast my lightweight David.  He  passed me within seconds, laughing as he did, but that moment of glory was worth putting a tiny dent in his arrogant attitude.

I have also gotten a quick lesson in defensive driving from this experience. It only takes one eighteen wheeled truck passing you on a bridge to make you quickly realize your vulnerability. The rear view mirrors quickly become your best friends.

When I first got the moped I was somewhat humiliated by the experience, feeling like I was something less than those who drove cars. Many moped drivers own their vehicles because of drunk driving offenses and I thought that is what people would think.

Now, I have realize the advantages. After all I bet that good ole boy doesn’t get 100 miles out of each gallon of gas.

Lessons on Science, a real fish story

2014-03-02T21:54:00.002-05:00

There is an old joke about those who love to fish stretching the size of their catch. Many a six inch pan fish has turned into the catch of a life time by the time the story of the catch is related. This afternoon, I had a different kind of fish story and there is no need to stretch anything about it.
The story here is the bonding between a nephew and an uncle, separated for most of the prior's life by the continental United States and half the Pacific Ocean.
When my nephew moved to North Carolina from Hawaii a few weeks back one of his first requests was to go fishing with Uncle Tom so "He can put a worm on my hook." His young mind remembers me doing so now nearly a year ago on another return trip.
This afternoon we didn't have worms so a piece of hot dog sufficed. Last year we caught a nice size catfish, so big I had to spend all afternoon fighting it to get it in the boat. Well, maybe a little fish story there. Sunday, no fish story was needed, the only thing we caught were warm rays of the North Carolina sun.
It was far from a wasted afternoon. I learned that "Uncle Tom I know more than you do because I am a scientist." That little bit of genius came after I put my hand in my pocket and brought it out with a hook in it. I guess a five year old scientist has enough training not to do such a thing.
The five year old scientist said hot dogs are human food, not fish food and that is why we didn't catch anything. Just as good a reason as any I suppose.
Today marked the third Sunday in a row I have spent making up for lost time with my nephew. I am looking forward to finding some fish food and giving it another shot in the near future. Last weekend, said scientist showed me around the natural history museum. There we had to briefly mourn a black widow spider in an exhibit who had passed, we chased butterflies and got a few lessons about dinosaurs. Prior to that the lesson was the difference between the sea gulls and ducks that now battle for attention at the local recreational park.
It was another great way to spend Sunday afternoon. I look forward to many more. I have a lot of science to learn.

And the TOMMY goes to....

2013-06-21T17:50:00.002-04:00

Anyone who has been a regular visitor to The Corner in recent years if familiar with my annual TOMMY Awards. It is my way of looking at things getting my attention in the world of sports. This year it will be ongoing over the next two days as I pick up on sporting action.

The TOMMY for the Happiest Ex Con in the world of sports-Len Dykstra. Not sure what is dumber, hiding baseball gloves to protect them from a bankruptcy case or having a bankruptcy case in the first place when he made millions roaming centerfield at Veterans and and Shea stadiums. He was released from prison on the fraud charges Friday. Hope he enjoys waking up to look out windows and not bars.

The TOMMY for best sporting experience will be the one I have next year. If the golf gods have their way I will once again get a press pass to the U.S. Open. I did it in 2005 and it was a great experience. Next year will be special, watch for Phil Mickelson to get his elusive open title. Look for me to be on the edge of the green when he does it.

The third TOMMY of the Year is one for the second greatest basketball player in history, King James. Okay, you are the best player of a generation. I will give you credit for second place barely beating out Bird and Magic. Michael J. you are not my friend.

TOMMY number four is the Please Let it End TOMMY given to both the NBA and NHL. Someone in those leagues needs to realize no one wants to be in a gym or ice rink when it is 100 degrees outside. Both should follow the lead of college basketball and end in the spring. This year it was more than half way through June when both finished. I am not sure hockey is yet. Lets start playing winter sports in the winter!

We are half way through this year's ceremony and here is number five. The Who knows how it will end TOMMY goes to the New England Patriots. Bill Belichek has decided to let the Tim Tebow tour make its third stop in Foxboro. Surely Tebow knows he will be number two to Tom Brady. Surely he knows Belichek will have his way, what that is concerning Tebow. Somehow I figure they will both end up with a Super Bowl ring at the end of the game.

The TOMMY for best sports mystery, Aaron Hernandez of the Patriots. Looks like he is headed to jail for his role in a murder. Tebow is the least of Belichek's problems.

I have to give a TOMMY this year to all the small market teams making their mark in MLB this year.
Who can't cheer for teams like the Pirates, Reds and Orioles. Everyone knows about giants like the Red Sox, Yankees and Braves, but lets hear it for the little guy.

Its almost TOMMY Time

2013-06-20T22:13:00.001-04:00

Check back this weekend to see the winners of this year's TOMMY Awards, my look at what has gotten my attention in the world of sports. You wont be disappointed!

My granddad and sports

2013-06-11T12:56:00.002-04:00

Some would question how a site devoted to sports writing can be an appropriate place for a memorial column but in the case of my grandfather there is no more appropriate place to honor him. He will be remembered for many things in memorial services this week but in my mind many of those will go back the world of sports.
My challenge in showing the link between Otto Woerner and the world of sports will be limiting it, I could write a book but a few thoughts are below. Pardon me to some who may miss some of my connections to the sporting world.
Granddad was a lover of people and introduced me to hundreds over the years. As a child I met a personal friend of his, Billy Joe Patton. At the time it never occurred to me he was a Master’s legend, nearly winning the greatest tournament in the world as an amateur. As much as anything else he was another of granddad’s friends eating Sunday dinner at the Mimosa Hills Country Club in Morganton.
They are probably enjoying a round of golf in heaven today.
I don’t know what you do with your all your time in heaven but one thing can be assured. This fall granddad will be some where that has a view of Memorial stadium, Lincoln Nebraska.
There never was a bigger fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Granddad was a proud graduate. Maybe he was wearing one of those silly big red Cornhusker hats and gave St. Peter a big “Go Big Red” when he went through the Pearly Gates Tuesday. I will never see a white helmet with a red letter N and not think of him.
Same applies to Baltimore Orioles legend Jim Palmer, he will always be a reminder. That sounds strange but once again granddad’s people skills came through.
I don’t know where but somewhere along the line he ran into Palmer, probably in an airport or in a taxi cab. He struck up a conversation and ended up with a signed baseball for his baseball loving grandson. It is still on my shelf.
I have to put the Hickory Crawdads on the list of granddad reminders. He, I and a few dozen of his friends enjoyed a game, maybe 20 years ago. Being a recent graduate of umpire school I gladly described the details of life for “the men in blue.” Its another precious memory, right there with watching him enjoy the between innings antics of the Barney Fife impersonator or the kids “wrestling” in the blow up sumo wrestling costumes.
Time to stop this now, the keyboard doesn’t react well to tears on it. A remarkable man, and a big sports fan is now in the great bleachers in the sky. Now he can watch any game he wants and will enjoy it. I hope he saves a seat for me.
A Giant Kudos from The Corner is just for you granddad.

Fact of the day

2013-06-04T17:39:00.003-04:00

Proof that the old saying is true, you learn something every day. Just learned that the term "sack" in football was created by Deacon Jones. That is appropriate because he knocked down more quarterbacks than just about anyone. He earned the right to call it whatever he wanted.
Deacon was before my time and he is more of a television star to people my age but there is no doubt he was a great player. May he rest in peace.

Sports Movies are the Best

2013-06-01T20:50:00.002-04:00

Recently heard a sports radio call in show discuss sports movies and it got my mind to thinking of a few of my own favorites. In the method mastered by comedic genius David Letterman, here are my Top Five movies about the games we play. Letterman does a Top 10, but this is a hard subject.

5. Bad News Bears. I don't know this was a favorite of mine as a kid, probably not "Oscar worthy" but just a fun time in the movie theatre for a child of the 70s and 80s.

4. Any of the Rocky movies, except for the last one. These films got better as they went on, through the first four. The world fell in love with the Philadelphia Brawler as he took on opponents like Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang and Drago. Rocky is just a great "guy flick."

3. Major League. How can a film with characters named Wild Thing and Willie Mays Hayes not make this list. The comedy was a hit in my college dorm room and the film is a window into the world of minor league baseball. Lots of fun.

2. Bull Durham. Just the fact I have been in the stadium where this was filmed is a big plus. It is also, by many accounts, a close depiction of what life is like in the minor leagues.

1. Andy my number one sports movie, Rudy. This is one I have watched numerous times and will watch again. Awesome personal touch to a story about the most storied program in college football. Love this film and anyone who likes footballl will love this movie.

2013-04-17T22:11:00.000-04:00

Hats off to the bombers
There haven't been a lot of times in my nearly 44 years that sports has brought me to tears but it almost happened last night. It was the sound of the fans in Yankee stadium singing Sweet Caroline that it did it to me.
I never realized it before but that is the song sung at Fenway Park each game during the eighth inning. Yankee fans were saying in their own special way that they supported the Red Sox and the city of Boston. It was a class act.
Same goes for the Chicago Tribune with its sports page shortly after the bombings. It read Chicago Red Sox, Chicago Bruins and Chicago Patriots. Another unique way of saying "We stand with you Boston."
Over the years of newspaper and Internet columns I have given out numerous "Kudos from The Corner" but these two move to the front of the shelf.
A third Kudos to the organizers of the Boston Marathon. They made it a point to present medals to all those who were unable to complete the race because of the bombings. The explosions don't take anything away from the accomplishment of completing a marathon.
The Corner sends a special blessing to every person affected by this cowardly act.