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Columnists

ANDY PITZER: “Look Mom! No iPhone!”

A very interesting visually recorded interview showed up on my feed the other night. In 1966, several British adolescents were interviewed about their vision of the future (circa year...

FRED FIRST: There And Back Again

RECAP: I would be able to visit southwest Virginia again–home for almost 40 years, and...

SCOT BELLAVIA: Am I Proud to Be an American?

How proud are you to be an American? I posted that question on Facebook a few...

BOB BROWN: “Portraits of the Human Person”

On the night of June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump said all seven B2 Bombers...

BECKY MAUPIN: The After Bedtime Search

Picture this: You manage to get everyone fed and the dinner aftermath cleaned up. Then...

SCOTT DREYER: Christmas Reflections–Joseph and Refugees

At this time of year, we often hear songs telling us "I'll be home for Christmas" and "There's no place like home for the...

Roanoke County Registrar Is Daughter of Democratic Committee Chairperson

In the wake of the highly unusual and divisive 2020 elections, I used this column to ask some questions about some of the irregularities...

SCOTT DREYER: End the Johnnymander!

In March 1812, the Boston Gazette ran a cartoon showing “a new species of monster”--”The Gerry-mander.” It made fun of a contorted voting district...

MIKE KEELER: I’m Gonna Sell You A Book

As we head to the holidays, here’s my year-end gift to you: I’m gonna sell you a book. But first let me tell you about...

SCOT BELLAVIA: Before I Forget

I have a website on which I’ve linked all my articles for The Roanoke Star as well as others I’ve written. The site is...

JAMES FINCK: Christmas 2021 – The Need To Forgive

As I have considered how I wanted to end this year, I knew I wanted to try to bring a message of hope and...