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Columnists

FRED FIRST: Approaching the Longest Night

Yes, you’re right—if you’ve even noticed—that this space has been neglected for some weeks now, and it has been hard to figure out where and how to jump back...

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

Shirley Padgett Lester of Vinton went to her heavenly reward October 4. Below is the...

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,...

MIKE KELLER: The Story of The Very Unlucky Penny

Sometime long ago, it must have fallen out of someone's pocket near the top of our front stairs. It probably rolled around on the...

LUCKY GARVIN: Home Sweet Home

A tree was cut down; momma squirrel fled in terror leaving two surviving offspring. They were bought to Sabrina. She checked them over.  They...

H. Bruce Rinker: A Novel Infection

(Associated Fake News Press); 1 April 2020,1200. Did you hear the dreadful news that medical authorities have their first unconfirmed case of a viral infection...

BARBARA LEACH: At Home In The Garden

In our new normal, I am torn between my economic fears (wanting to be out there supporting our business community) and the knowledge that...

Initial Cure Proving Worse Than Disease For SWVA

In 3-4 months the worst of the Covid-19 virus spread will be over. Way over. The stores and businesses that didn’t close for good will be...

STUART REVERCOMB: We Will Greatly Miss The Indefatigable Dick Baynton

EDITOR'S UPDATE: Three days after sending the note that follows (March 17 - his last communication with us) Dick passed away while awaiting the possible...