A love letter to Appalachia
Editor’s note: This article first appeared online at the website “100 Days in Appalachia.” Meredith McCarroll is from Waynesville, went to…
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The problem of childhood hunger can be fixed
A recent town hall in Cullowhee laid out a heartbreaking problem in our public schools, as well as a sensible solution.…
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Embrace the ideals America stands for
I know that many people are so upset with the state of politics and division in our country that they struggled…
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Lessons learned in the wilderness
My last column was written just before I returned from Wilderness Trail. I’m not sure what propelled me to sign…
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Beneath the traditions, let’s consider our democracy
When our three children were young, we had a regular July 4 tradition. For probably about 15 years, we would…
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American democracy’s last stand
I was raised in a rural, conservative-leaning county with two working parents and six busy kids. My mother was a nurse…
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Into the wilderness we go
When this column is published, I’ll be emerging from five days in the wilderness of Southwest Virginia. A group from…
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Let’s get real about ‘school choice’
There are some things John Hood (SMN, May 29) and his ilk don’t want you to think about in their…
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You got this, you know you do
One of the best things about marriage is the abundance of opportunities for continuous learning. For example, I did not…
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Finding meaning in life’s twists and turns
I recently experienced a visual about worrying. It was a mountain where the highest point is the peak of worry.
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Looking forward to SMN in 2049
This week SMN is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a business. As we mark the milestone, this industry is changing…
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School choice isn’t a conspiracy
North Carolina is becoming a national leader in expanding choice and competition in education. For some North Carolinians, this is…
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Billionaires, public education and vouchers
Despite stiff opposition, the N.C. Senate voted this month to double the funding for Opportunity Scholarships to boost enrollment in privately run…
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When history really does repeat itself
Recently someone described me as a “longtime columnist for the Smoky Mountain News,” which made me realize I’ve been sharing…
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To be a moderate takes real courage
One good thing about being skeptical of your own opinions is that if the wrong candidate wins you can reassure…
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Change is coming, and things will change
What happens when the those with the most chips in the game only have a partial stake in it? In…
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Sorry, fertilized eggs are not living beings
It is time to have a fact-based discussion about the biology and history of our knowledge about human reproduction. Much…
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Pray for the best, prepare for the worst
After what Haywood County has been through does anyone want to think about the hurricane season from June 1 to…
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Local food is the best choice
If you need a reminder of the sweet soul of humanity, visit your local farmers market on a Saturday morning.
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PlottFest not just about canines
PlottFest 2024 will be held at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds Saturday, April 27th from 9 a.m. until 10 p..m.…
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Single-use plastics need to be addressed
When I began my role as the French Broad Riverkeeper nearly 20 years ago, I was wide-eyed and eager. I…
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The hamster wheel of human well-being
I’ve become fascinated with studies and lifestyle changes focused on longevity and biohacking. A few recent “revolutionary health and wellness…
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Celebrating libraries means ending book bans
I’m no extremist. I like discourse with people who hold opposing viewpoints. You can sway me with sound arguments. I…
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Enjoying the Madness
It’s March Madness, and as a graduate of North Carolina State University, I am thoroughly enjoying it. We Wolfpack fans…
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Are the ‘deniers’ practicing better science?
I don’t deserve to be called a scientist, but maybe I’m at least a fringe scientist after spending 50 years doing…
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Former public servants send a strong message
We folks over 70 often make mistakes — forgetting and confusing names, places, dates. So when Joe Biden mistook President…
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Taking time to strengthen my gratitude muscle
Gratitude has become something of a buzz word and because of that, it seems that some people roll their eyes…
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One year later, Canton displays remarkable progress
The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep,…
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Challenging false claims and legislative barriers
As keepers of our traditions and sovereignty, we vehemently oppose any attempts to exploit or appropriate the rich cultural legacy…
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Finding alignment on the anniversary of COVID
Many folks seem out of alignment these days, and I’ve been thinking about why that may be. The uncertainty and…
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Wastewater monitoring offers reliable health data
If you want to know whether COVID-19 infections are rising or falling, look to the sewers. Wastewater monitoring (also known…
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Electoral College’s value is underestimated
In this election year of 2024 I want to discuss two controversial topics: the Electoral College and two-senators-per-state rule.
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Why humanity needs heroes and villains
Many of us at The Smoky Mountain News have written novels, are in the process of writing a novel or…
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Got comma issues? I can help with that
I really don’t like telling people that I teach English for a living. Maybe it’s different for you, but my…
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Cherokee courts ‘underserve’ the EBCI’s members
My name is Raymond D. Large III, Esq., known to most as Rady [Ray-Dee]. I am an Appalachian-American, an attorney…
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Working together to raise good conversationalists
Recently, I was asked to speak to a leadership class at Tuscola High School and although flattered, I wondered if…
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Humans are entirely unworthy of our dogs
We hoped he’d die in his sleep, that we’d find him curled up in the bed in that old, familiar…
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Coming down from the mountain
This past weekend, I served as a cabin leader for Winter Retreat, an annual youth event hosted by First United…
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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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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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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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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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