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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,...

Raymond Berry- One of Life’s MVP’s

by Joe Kennedy For me, one of the peak moments of the recent NFL Super Bowl occurred after the game when a lean, brown-haired...

Ask the Nature Lady: Wildlife “Break-ins”

by Marlene Condon People often write to ask me about critters getting into their homes.  The problem is usually that animals are being attracted...

Its Been 99 Years Since Congress Officially Got Its Fingers Into Your Wallet

byMike Keeler The Founding Fathers feared it. They were so concerned that the government would abuse the power of taxation, or that some states...

More From My Study Of Time: Creating A Calendar

by Mary Jo Shannon Calendars are essential for organizing our lives. We usually have several – one in the kitchen to keep track of...

Valentine’s Day . . . What Does It Mean?

by Hayden Hollingsworth Of all our celebrations Valentine’s Day may be one of the most obscure in its origin.  It is shrouded in mystery...

“What Is A Capable Kid?”

by Keith McCurdy A parent came in recently with an article citing that the adolescent brain is not fully developed until 25.  Is this really...