Opinion
Here’s to a stronger sense of community in 2025
In listening to the tributes regarding the death of President Jimmy Carter, a phrase from his inauguration speech struck a chord: “…. individual sacrifice for the common good.”
Community support helps feed the hungry
To the Editor:
The Maggie Valley United Methodist Church wishes to thank the community for their overwhelming support of our Holiday Boutique and Bake Sale that was held on December 7. This fun annual event raised over $10,000. All proceeds will help sustain our two long-standing food ministries: Shepherd’s Table and the Food Pantry.
Holiday china and an ode to Christmas
Several weeks ago, I read an article listing a number of holiday traditions that are disappearing, such as caroling, writing Christmas cards, setting the table for a formal dinner and shopping for gifts in person as opposed to online. At the time, I’d just written a column about shopping locally, which is something I believe strongly in and put into practice as much as possible.
Complaints aren't founded in truth
It is very hard for me to continue listening to the ongoing issues of housing when I know we have codes to follow that are set forth by the international/North Carolina building, electrical, plumbing and fire safety codes. My general contracting company and electrical contracting company have worked with everyone to help with people affected to gain some type of normal life during and after the storm.
A lesson in how lies lead to dangerous outcomes
Facts, once unassailable, have become, well, difficult to quantify. People make up or repeat lies, especially on social media platforms and other online spaces, and people believe them, think what they read or hear is true, is a fact. As it turns out, those lies can be dangerous. We’ve all witnessed it at the national level, but it’s also happening right here in Western North Carolina.
GOP’s rationale for power grab just doesn’t wash
When they are challenged on their authoritarianism, North Carolina Republicans’ most frequent ploy is to retrieve grievances from decades ago. The party is run by a coterie of legislators who suffered years of irrelevance and disrespect at the hands of the eastern North Carolina Democratic machine, and these people still enjoy resurrecting Democratic misdeeds to justify their own malfeasance.
Slow down, spread the joy
To the Editor:
I appreciate Scott McLeod’s sage advice to relax for the upcoming Christmas day and following New Years. One of the problems with the way our society celebrates this time is it depends too much on “the one big day.”
Four hundred miles from home, signs of hope
Glass half full, that’s me. Lots of good folks out there doing good things. We had a couple of gentle reminders of this on Monday.
I’m hunkered down on a drizzly day in the cabin of our boat, which is docked at Duck Creek Marina in Bridgeton, North Carolina. That’s just across the Neuse River from New Bern for those familiar with the Carolina coast.
Viewing the holidays from a different lens
Like everything in life, the holiday season is about perception. On one hand, you can view it as a commercialized frenzy or you can see it as a time to slow down and reflect, or maybe a little of both. I tend to fall in the combined category, but it hasn’t always been that way.
