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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,...

Recipe of the Week: A Meal For You!

I often want to put a whole meal with all its recipes in the Happy Chef, instead of just one recipe. But there...

Mighty Fine Fishing with Frank

“My dad first took me fishing here when I was ten,” says Frank with that trademark grin and gleam in his eye. “So you’ve been...

Mother Nature or Father God?

In a recent Bible study group, a participant was reflecting on the volcano in Iceland that not long ago spewed ash and debris...

One Man’s Treasure Indeed

China provides the U.S. with lots of inexpensive goods.  In return, the U.S. sells back to China many high-end luxury products. Here's a case...

A Perspective on Teachers

It’s that time again – back to school season.  Nearly every advertisement is telling us about hip new fashions and clever new school...

Groundhogs, Bananas, Bluebirds, Peanuts and Other Miracles

It’s a reasonable question to ask: Why do groundhogs love a tropical fruit, bananas? Why do monarch butterflies set forth on...