By Melany Dawn Crouse | Lincoln Tribune

LINCOLNTON - On Saturday, those in attendance at the 2010 Hog Happenin' were treated to all kinds of different activities including stunt drivers.

Pictured above are Jason Miskiewicz and Roger Keeber demonstrating their abilities on a very hot Saturday morning in downtown Lincolnton.

Photos by Melany Dawn Crouse for the Lincoln Tribune and ImageOneNC.

Author, Mises Institute scholar challenges conventional wisdom

By Carolina Journal Staff

RALEIGH — People of all political persuasions have been asking why the American economy sank to such depths in 2008 and 2009. Some blame the deregulation of the Bush years. Thomas Woods, senior fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute, offers a different perspective. The author of the book Meltdown: A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy Tanked, and Government Bailouts Will Make Things Worse discussed the economy with Mitch Kokai for Carolina Journal Radio. (Click here to find a station near you or to learn about the weekly CJ Radio podcast.)

Congressional Democrats returning this week to the Washington they control will confront an embarrassing pile of unfinished budget business after spending the winter and spring blowing deadline after deadline.

With many Democratic lawmakers running for their political lives five months before the fall elections, even relatively simple tasks such as helping the jobless and preventing cuts in Medicare payments to doctors are hanging — victims of the ever increasing anxiety over annual trillion-dollar-plus deficits.

By Warren Shiver

The music for a number of hymns of the early church was written by William H. Doane. These included, “Pass Me not O Gentle Savior”, "Near The Cross," "Savior More Than Life To Me," “Rescue the Perishing”, “I Am Thine O Lord” and many others. For almost a century the music for gospel hymns for most protestant hymn books were many of those composed by Dr. Doane. It has been said that not a place that has been civilized on this earth; has not felt the influence of Dr. Doane’s music. But, Dr. Doane was a businessman. The writing of music with him was an avocation. It is interesting to note that in the writing of hymns, is the rule rather than the exception.

by Wilson Casey

1. Is the Book of Philemon in the Old or New Testament or neither?

2. Whose first verse is, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God"? Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

3. Which "Mount" provided a contest scene between Elijah and the prophets of Baal? Calvary, Sinai, Bethel, Carmel

By Kevin Starr | County Extension Director
NC Cooperative Extension Service

LINCOLN COUNTY - Sometimes clients will call and say something like “this is a dumb question” before they ask something. But when it comes to seeking information, there really aren’t any dumb questions. There are basic questions but those are just as important as others.

I was reminded recently that we sometimes assume too much when talking about our own area of expertise. A friend told me she was reading a recent column of mine and really didn’t understand what I was talking about until well into the column. This person is extremely well-versed in her own highly technical subject matter.

BP ads apologizing for Gulf oil spill earn it more criticism than sympathy

An apologetic advertising campaign by BP PLC for the oil spill polluting the Gulf of Mexico is going over about as well as the tar balls and rust-colored froth washing ashore in the Florida Panhandle.

The new radio, TV, online and print ads feature BP CEO Tony Hayward pledging to fix the damage caused by an undersea gusher of crude oil unleashed by an April 20 drilling rig explosion that killed 11 people.

A containment cap that sucked some of the oil from a blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico offered a small sign of progress for a region that has seen its wildlife coated in a lethal oil muck, its fishermen idled and its beaches tarnished by the nation's worst oil spill.

BP chief executive Tony Hayward told the BBC on Sunday that over the last 24 hours, the cap placed on the gusher near the sea floor trapped about 420,000 gallons of oil. It's not clear how much is still escaping — an estimated 500,000 to 1 million gallons of crude is believed to be leaking daily.

By Jason Saine

LINCOLNTON Ron Butler, a Lincoln Tribune volunteer citizen journalist, sent us this photo of he and his wife, Melinda, as they enjoyed 4 days at Atlantic Beach over the Memorial Day weekend.

If you would like to share your vacation photos throughout the summer, send them to publisher@lincolntribune.com .

Please also include a phone number for verification.

Enjoy the Summer!

Two New Jersey men who allegedly intended to kill American troops were arrested Saturday at a New York City airport before boarding flights on their way to join a jihadist group in Somalia, a newspaper reported.

Mohamed Hamoud Alessa, 20, and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, 26, were arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport before they could board separate flights to Egypt and then continue on to Somalia, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported. The newspaper cited officials familiar with the details of the arrests who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

Profile America -- Sunday, June 6th. This is June Dairy Month, observed since 1937 -- noting the quality and nutritional benefits of refrigerated dairy products. As part of the observance, two dairy oriented festivals in the Midwest are winding up today. One is the Milk Days Festival in Harvard, Illinois, expected to have drawn 100,000 people by the time it closes this evening. Not too far north, in Little Chute, Wisconsin, the Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival is on. Both festivals feature parades, contests, arts and crafts, music, and, of course, food.

New Harley Dealership in Lincolnton?

By Ron McCann

Lincolnton: Not really... But bikes, bikers, biker babes and barbeque were in abundance Friday and Saturday in downtown Lincolnton for the annual Hog Happenin' gathering of motorcycle owners and barbeque teams. This event draws visitors from across the area and is expected to attract 5,000 to 7,500 this weekend.

The event is free to the public, but there are entry fees for certain shows, events and the barbeque cook-offs.

(All photos Copyright by Ron McCann. Click "Read More" for additional photos)

A Gaza-bound aid ship was just a few dozen miles (kilometers) from the blockaded Palestinian territory early Saturday, and was being tailed by three Israeli naval boats, a pro-Palestinian activist told The Associated Press.

The activists' latest attempt to crack the blockade will test Israel's resolve as it faces a wave of international outrage over its deadly takeover of another aid ship earlier this week.

The Israeli military had no comment on its plans.

Flyers hang on to beat Blackhawks 5-3 in Game 4; even Stanley Cup final at 2 wins apiece

In a series that has felt like a swap meet with the way the Flyers and Blackhawks have traded goals, Philadelphia found itself with some extra room to work with in the third period of Game 4.

Then the Chicago Blackhawks roared back, reminding the Flyers and their nervous fans how tight and fast-paced these Stanley Cup finals have been.

Mike Richards, Matt Carle and Claude Giroux all scored first-period goals and Philadelphia withstood a late surge by Chicago to beat the Blackhawks 5-3 on Friday night. With two straight home victories by a total of three goals, goalie Michael Leighton and the Flyers have bounced back to tie the series at 2.

John Wooden, college basketball's gentlemanly Wizard of Westwood who built one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports at UCLA and became one of the most revered coaches ever, has died. He was 99.

The university said Wooden died Friday night of natural causes at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he had been hospitalized since May 26.

Jim Wooden and Nancy Muehlhausen issued a statement shortly after their father died, saying, "He has been, and always will be, the guiding light for our family.

Rickie Fowler in front after shooting 66, tying 36-hole record at Memorial; Woods to make cut

Rickie Fowler, the new kid in golf, gave himself a chance Friday to be the next kid to win on the PGA Tour.

The 21-year-old Fowler ran off three straight birdies late in his round for a 6-under 66 to tie the 36-hole record at the Memorial Tournament and take a three-shot lead over Justin Rose into the weekend at soggy Muirfield Village.

Fowler was at 13-under 131. That tied the tournament record set by Scott Hoch in 1987.

Safety Kleen to sponsor the Carolina Clash and Clash South

Wingate, NC - The Carolina Clash and Clash South announced Friday that Safety Kleen would become part of their racing family for the 2010 season.

“We are very excited about the opportunity at hand with both the Carolina Clash and Clash South” said Mr. Judy. “I really like what Safety Kleen stands for as a company and what they’re doing for the environment day in and day out. They are a genuine company doing their best to help clean up the environment” said Alex Cummings, Marketing and Public Relations for the Carolina Clash and Clash South.

PUMPKIN CENTER – Pumpkin Center Intermediate School held a ribbon cutting for its walking track and a special dedication of its butterfly garden on Thursday, June 3. The butterfly garden was dedicated in memory of Anna Brooks, a fourth grader at the school who died on April 16.

Pumpkin Center Intermediate teacher Donna Belk received a NC Beautiful’s Windows of Opportunities Grant made possible from Duke Energy Foundation. The grant was used to plant the butterfly garden along the school’s new walking track. Flowers were planted to attract butterflies and to observe the natural occurrence of the butterfly life cycle. This fall, the students will participate in the monarch tagging program.

Photo: Josh Allen, a third grader in the class of Jennifer Ellis at Pumpkin Center Intermediate School, places a painted rock in the school's new monarch butterfly garden on Thursday. The garden was dedicated in memory of Anna Brooks, a fourth grader at the school who died in April. Josh is one of her cousins.

DALLAS - The Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties announces that it will be moving to a new location, 120 Roechling Street, Dallas, NC 28034. This will also be our mailing address.

Roechling Street is located on 321 N, from I-85 South take exit 17 for US-321/US-321 N toward Gastonia/Lincolnton, turn left at US-321 N/N Chester Street. The building is located on the right after Tommy’s Drive in, 2708 Gastonia Dallas Highway.

Jimmie Johnson has seven career starts in the Daytona Prototype division of the Grand-Am Rolex Series, all at Daytona International Speedway. That's about to change.

Always eager for seat time on a road course, Johnson is splitting time this weekend between the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International on Saturday and the Sprint Cup race on Sunday at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania.

"It's going to be a bit of a challenge time-wise, but I'm very excited to have this opportunity, so hopefully it all works out," said Johnson, who will co-drive the No. 99 with Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty for Gainsco/Bob Stallings Racing. "The big thing is the timing of it. There's a good chance I'll only have 10 minutes of practice in that thing before I get in it and have to race it."

Fayetteville -The Carolina Clash and Clash South would like to welcome R2C Performance to their ever growing racing family. “I am happy to announce today that R2C Performance will be the new Heat Race Sponsor for the 2010 season for both the Carolina Clash and Clash South” said Alex Cummings, Marketing and Public Relations for the Carolina Clash and Clash South. “R2C Performance Air Filter Systems are some of the best products available on the market today and we are glad to be partnering with an up and coming company like R2C”.