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Columnists

BOB BROWN: A Rose

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) wrote many memorable lines including, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” a literal and botanical truth. Juliet lamented Romeo’s Montague name, her...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Hey, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Shut The H*ll Up

According to the second half of Ecclesiastes 3:8 (paraphrased), there is a time for peace...

FRED FIRST: Can You Hear Me Now?

Yes, I have not said much lately, here at the one month mark. Ann has lived...

BECKY MAUPIN: Moms’ Needs Always Come Last—And That Has to Change

You’ve probably heard the phrase “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” but if you’re...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Greta Thunberg’s Warped Sense Of Justice

TIME magazine's Person of the Year in 2019, Swedish child-woman and virulent antisemite, Greta Thunberg,...

SCOTT DREYER: Letting Go

In what is becoming a Roanoke Star annual tradition around New Year's, here is a poem by unknown authorship, "Letting Go." To let go does...

RANDY HUFF: Christmas at Tinker Creek

“Self-forgetfulness is tremendously invigorating.” If we spend “every waking minute saying hello to ourselves” we'll never learn a thing. I had a goal this year...

BOB BROWN: Why Not Write?

What and how we write tells us about how we think.  Rational thinking sets us apart from creatures who rely alone on instinctual drives...

MELINDA MYERS: Take A Break In Nature

Holidays are filled with lots of food, presents, and busy schedules.  A walk in nature is a great way to burn calories, combat stress,...

BOB BROWN: The Gift of Christmas

At the conclusion of our recent Zoom Bible study, Stuart asked, “Are there any requests for prayer today?”  Among the 11 requests, one stuck...

SERWAN ZANGANA: Islamic Political System Unable to Represent Diversity

The 2024 Riyadh concert and fashion shows are another gate opening and welcoming to the liberalism in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Royals are gradually...