Life of St. Olga

As this year’s Native American Heritage Month comes to a close, we have exciting news from the Orthodox Church of America. Olga (Arrsamquq) Michael (1916-79), of the Yup’ik tribe of Alaska, became the 14th North American Orthodox Christian saint – and the only woman honored.

Decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving

On the Sunday after Halloween, my kids counted eight houses with Christmas lights on the way to church – on Nov. 5! It seems that decorating for Christmas comes earlier every year, even before Thanksgiving now. Is this a good thing?

Civil War reached remote areas

Even as far removed from national events as present-day Graham County was during the time of the Civil War, one would have thought it could have escaped an event that claimed 620,000 lives -- or almost as many Americans dead as in all the other wars the United States has fought in combined.

Autumn life

Autumn life is beautiful, many colors to behold. We watch with great expectancy for each color to unfold. We stand in awe of its beauty and linger while we can, And thank our Heavenly Father for his goodness toward man.

Amazing Grace!

Have you ever heard of the hymn, “Faith’s Review and Expectation?” You may know it by its first two words, “Amazing Grace!” The timeless hymnal celebrated its 250th anniversary earlier this year.

You can’t fix getting old

Sometimes, aging leads to grief, anxiety – even despair. Others fight the aging process with everything they’ve got. With another perspective, stuntwoman Kitty O’Neil said, “Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life.

Double take caused by changing colors

I do not remember a fall season that I have experienced that is so beautiful. Maybe I was more aware this year of the beauty of the fall colors. Having lived most of my life in the mountains, it used to be a nuisance to fight the heavy traffic that comes with the beautiful fall colors.

A family journey to the Renaissance

My family and I recently went back in time, where people feast on turkey legs; try to find a seat for the jousting tournament; and speak in an English accent. My sister, Bethany Goodman is the instigator for any fun family trip or activity. She’s very extroverted and likes to go out and explore.

Tipton family: early county settlers

Some of our early families to settle in Graham County were living in Cades Cove long before coming here, when the area became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1936.

Time to paint the town pink

As the month of October comes to a close, everyone is quick to move into the holiday season. The jack-o-lantern light flickers to a smolder. The empty candy wrappers collect in the trick-or-treat bags.