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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: Pork Wraps with Tomatillo Salsa

by Leigh Sackett Time to start the New Year on the right foot with healthy eating! The first step is to know your weakness....

The Real Reason for The Work By Ed Dunnington

"Well, that movie ruined the story!  It was nothing like the book." Perhaps you have spoken those words or have heard them from...

Spread A Little Joy Whenever You’re Able

When I think back to Christmas, the memories are almost all good - especially the scent of the tree, covered with ornaments and...

Words for The Departing Son

by Lucky Garvin Son Ches was leaving home for college. His mom, distraught for many reasons, not the least of which was distance,  more...

Recipe of the Week: Black-eyed Pea Salad

by Leigh Sackett A little luck is certainly welcome in this world. So I will eat some black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. But we...

A Weekend Routine For Unconventional Living

by Robert Adcox Everyone has a weekend routine. For some, it involves washing dishes before starting the day. For others, playing Hearts online and...