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Columnists

A Life Well-Lived: Shirley Padgett Lester (1947-2025)

Shirley Padgett Lester of Vinton went to her heavenly reward October 4. Below is the powerful eulogy her daughter Kelly Kiser wrote and calmly delivered at the memorial service...

BOB BROWN: How the White House Functioned With a Diminished Biden “Presidency”

Permit me to think out loud as an old-fashioned person who respects authority, history, and...

JOHNNY ROBINSON: The Gratitude Perch

On the old road up Mill Mountain, part of Roanoke’s fabulous greenway system, there’s a...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Sometimes President Trump Needs To Think Before He Speaks – Part II

Contrary to what President Trump believes, I think that Lakanwal was adequately vetted before September 2021,...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Sometimes President Trump Needs To Think Before He Speaks – Part I

I read an article in the New York Post written by Ryan King on November 27 entitled...

DEBORAH FAIRCHILD: 4 Tips For Ambitious Young Women At The Dawn Of Their Careers

The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a double whammy for young women eager to launch their careers. Young people in general have had their job...

MELINDA MYERS: Dress Up Your Landscape with Winter-Inspired Container Gardens

Clear out your fall containers and make room for some winter greenery.  These planters are sure to brighten those dreary winter days and add...

SCOTT DREYER: When Green is Yellow and Some Votes Count More

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet...

PATRICK RUSH: Things To Consider When Buying A Second Home

Owning a second home can provide retirees – or even younger families – a mountain retreat or a house at the beach for those...

SCOT BELLAVIA: We Are Not the Exception

Cancer patients or parents of a child with cancer attest to never expecting it to happen to them. The same goes for car accidents...

SCOTT DREYER: An Election Warning From South America

(...) but if your eyes are no good, your body will be in darkness. --Matthew 6:23 (GNT) I write this on Dec. 4. It is exactly one...