Growing up ‘Smoky Mountain’ style

Some children enjoy swings sets and merry-go-rounds in the backyard of their city homes.  As mountain children in the 1940s and 50s, we were privileged with the opportunity to explore the majestic forests surrounding our establishments and create our own brand of wonderland.

Anabaptist tradition turns 500

Whenever a natural disaster strikes in the U.S., some of the first groups to be on the scene to help clean up, repair and offer assistance are the Mennonite Disaster Service and the Amish.

Bear fight made the news

A story of a bear/dog/human fight reported by whoever was the Snowbird correspondent for the Andrews Sun reveals just how remote and wild Graham County was in the early 1900s. On the evening of Saturday, May 24, 1913, a large bear broke into the spring house at the D.K.

Grateful for the love of a woman

Mark Twain wrote, “Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.

When should the courts intervene?

Law and order?  Ba, humbug!  The courts, however, have not been asleep at  the switch when the Constitutional birthright citizenship was terminated by an executive order. Agree or not, the order from President Trump was blatantly against the law and was summarily shot down by two courts so far.

How to create a natural Valentine

One February many years ago found a small boy in a dilemma over Valentine’s Day, which was swiftly approaching.  It seems that he had become smitten with a severe case of “puppy love,” over a beautiful little girl that lived in his neighborhood.

‘Mercy Now’

The first time I heard country singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier’s song “Mercy Now,” I was astonished. You may not have heard of Gauthier, but many popular country music stars have recorded her songs. A recovered alcoholic, songwriting was part of her journey to get and stay sober.

'Miss you, Shally’

My life changed in ways I had no idea it could on April 18, 2022. That’s the day Shalimar Daniels and her infectious laughter moved into the Kamps’ home.  How do you sum up any life in a few words, let alone a life lived to the fullest like Shalimar’s?

Age of accountability

From a very young age, I knew that the big Bible – which sat on mama’s coffee table – held the secrets of life.  Even before I could read, I remember thinking that if I could learn what was in that book, I would never want to know anything else.

An open letter to President Trump

Mr. President, You have won the election and it was determined to be fair. Please remember that much of the country did not vote for you.  We would ask that you represent all American people, not just those you call your people. Now all Americans are your people. The Commander-in-Chief of the U.