Mideast deaths spell trouble for U.S.
 

Mideast deaths spell trouble for U.S.

To the Editor: The British issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917 supporting the “establishment in Palestine of a national home…
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Here’s to being woke rather than a MAGA

Several months ago, I was having lunch with a friend and the topic of politics came up, specifically how bitterly…
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This conservative says it’s OK to disagree

I wish to respond in a general way to the two columns on the Opinion page of the Dec. 27-Jan 2024…
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GOP once knew what honor meant
 

GOP once knew what honor meant

To the Editor: I recently finished reading Liz Cheney's book “Oath and Honor.” Liz Cheney represented Wyoming in the U.S.…
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Leaning into the momentum of a new year

I love the energy surrounding a new year. Why are beginnings so enchanting? Perhaps it’s the hope and anticipation of the…
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We’re the lucky ones; we live here

As I think ahead to 2024, I can’t help but feel so lucky to live here, in these mountains. 
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Editors help us with perspective
 

Editors help us with perspective

To the Editor: Newspaper editors and owners have an important role in our local communities and for us readers.
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What libraries do is so important
 

What libraries do is so important

To the Editor: Libraries are an important part of any community. In addition to books, they provide numerous other resources…
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A lot to look forward to in 2024

If 2024 were a table laid out before you, how would you imagine it: a beautiful, feast-laden smorgasbord of rich…
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All different, all the same, all over again

Once upon a Christmas, our children came creeping down the stairs before dawn like little burglars.
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Nostalgia’s great, but ditch the rose-colored glasses

Like a lot of middle-aged-to-older Americans during the holiday season, I’m a person with a healthy nostalgic streak.
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We of the pale blue dot never learn

My Christmas wish is that every artificial light on earth gets turned off for 24 hours between Christmas Eve and…
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Christmas – finding beauty in the mess

It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than a week away. With more gifts to buy, a Christmas puzzle partially…
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A sickness in the soul of America
 

A sickness in the soul of America

To the Editor: The Eagles rock band has interpreted life in America over the last five decades. Yet, the lines…
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Acts of kindness are always welcome
 

Acts of kindness are always welcome

To the Editor: Believe it or not, there was a time within my life – and I’m 87 years old…
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Adjusting to life in a meat locker

I’m trying my best to get this column out to you, but it’s not as easy as it seems. My…
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It only takes one person to change a life

Many years ago when I was an educator, my school was tasked with reading a book titled “The Cycle of…
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Comment

Knife fights over deck chairs
 

Knife fights over deck chairs

To the Editor: The world as we know it is changing dramatically. We have entered the era of the polycrisis…
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Comment

 

A lesson from First Lady Rosalynn Carter

“Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.”  — David McCullough Jr. 
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Important freedoms are under siege
 

Important freedoms are under siege

To the Editor: We now live in a free country. We cherished the freedom to worship as we choose; the freedom…
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Can our democracy survive?

It’s clear from numerous reports out of Congress that most, if not all, Republicans think Donald Trump is a buffoon…
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‘If I am still here in 11 more days …’

My birthday is tomorrow. When my dad reached this same age, he had 10 days left to live. I remember…
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Human gratitude runs deep in our DNA

Over 10 years ago, I was part of a cohort at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church who read a book…
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Simple, meaningful stories often overlooked

I once wrote a story about a couple in Jackson County who had been living off the grid for decades. They…
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Comment

Burning bush has a high price
 

Burning bush has a high price

To the Editor: A recent letter gave some very good advice: get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Nature has so…
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Comment

 

Times have changed, and that’s a good thing

As an adolescent male in the 1970s, you didn’t tell your other male friends you loved them, not at that…
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Comment

 

Women are allowed to change their mind, right?

You have been together a month, maybe two. It was whirlwind and all, that electric “getting to know you” phase…
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Israel not helping its cause
 

Israel not helping its cause

To the Editor: Why are Israeli warlords bombing children’s hospitals and killing hundreds of children and babies? 
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Comment

We need to deal with the bully
 

We need to deal with the bully

To the Editor: “No person shall be a senator or representative in Congress, or elector of president or vice-president, or…
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Comment

 

Wildfires a reminder of Nature’s power

A severe drought. A moderate but steady wind that’s coming from the north and very dry. Parched leaves swirling everywhere. 
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America’s founding deserves our gratitude

In her classic novel “Little Women,” Louisa May Alcott has her character Margaret gaze bitterly at the family’s frostbitten garden…
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Finding ways to slow down time

I’ve been wondering lately how to slow down time. If you’re a parent, I’m sure you would agree there’s a…
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Does anyone really like Daylight Savings Time?

I guess they must exist, these people who actually like setting their clocks back an hour for daylight saving time, these…
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Comment

Military leaders need to speak up
 

Military leaders need to speak up

To the Editor:  It isn’t often that I feel vindicated, but my hat is off to Max Boot at The…
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Comment

I’ll be supporting Waynesville incumbents
 

I’ll be supporting Waynesville incumbents

To the Editor:  Regarding the Oct. 25 article, “The heart and soul of Waynesville is on the ballot,” I was…
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Comment

It’s time to grab your hardhat
 

It’s time to grab your hardhat

To the Editor: As yellow falling leaves and cool, dry air are floating into the mountains, it signals to knowledgeable…
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Comment

Conservation wins big in 2023 budget
 

Conservation wins big in 2023 budget

To the Editor: The new 2023 state budget will pump more than $100 million annually into land and water conservation.
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Comment

Reality still eludes Trump’s base
 

Reality still eludes Trump’s base

To the Editor: This is a reply to the September 20 letter to the editor titled, “Rule of law proven…
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