Andrew Taylor-Troutman

The Southern Branch of the Orange County Library System in Carrboro has been open since February, but this week was my first visit. I was biding my time while my car was being repaired up the street. I was tempted to work in one of the cubicles on the far side but found myself tucking my laptop under my arm and meandering.

I’ll leave it in the capable hands of Art Chansky to assess the potential of this year’s Tar Heel men’s basketball team after scouting the Blue and White scrimmage last Saturday. I’m here for the concessions.

I met Rodney and his wife, Shirley, shortly after we moved into the manse, and he strolled down the road to say hello. He was a bald-headed, big-bellied man who carried a walking stick and wore a radiating smile.

It is self-evident to me that America has always had multiple and contrasting truths. Throughout our nation’s history, there have been moments when these competing truths have clashed violently. But there’s hope to be had, and I found a piece of that hope in a beloved local restaurant.

When I first moved to Chapel Hill, a neighbor down the street shook my hand and introduced himself as a firefighter at Ground Zero on 9/11. He then handed my youngest son, who happened to be standing next to me, a plastic NYFD hat.

I was moved by the recent Chapelboro feature about Piedmont Health and the Program of...

On Wednesday, I cried at the news of the school shooting at a church in Minneapolis. I cried in grief for the children and their families, but I also had tears of anger. Why do these school shootings keep happening?! I don’t know why.

The talk of the town is that the students are back! As much as I enjoy the slower pace of summer, the students bring energy and life. They fill the sidewalks and the streets. They walk, bike, and ride scooters. I catch flashes of their smiles and hear snatches of their conversations.

My family and I shared a potluck dinner at church with my friend from Afghanistan. Attempting to engage his two young children, I asked, “What’s your favorite animal?”