A necessary evil
Lynne Stevens
Thank goodness for tax day!
Bet that got your attention.
Yes, it’s the time of the year to file for that refund.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Opinion
Deus ex machina: ‘God from the Machine’
Eric Reece
Do you know your favorite hit country or worship songs may be a creation of Artificial Intelligence? There may be a name or group attached as it rises in the charts, but it is completely generated by AI.
Monday, March 9, 2026
Breaking down ‘shrinkflation’
Lynne Stevens
Every day, it seems we go to our local grocery store and see higher prices and shrunken boxes that are tall – but skinny.
We buy a box and open it to see the bag is half-full; only to be told it is sold by weight not volume.
Monday, March 9, 2026
Older American Program employees (from left) Edna Woods, Jura Mae Jordan, Winnie Cook and Chester Bradshaw. Photo by Marshall McClung/The Graham Star
‘Older American Program’ experienced growth
Marshall McClung
* Part 2 of a 3-part series
Soon after it began, the senior citizen workforce at the U.S. Forest Service began to grow rapidly. We were allotted 41 slots and kept them filled.
Almost no one quit unless their health prevented them from working any longer.
Monday, March 9, 2026
The hovering
Maeburl Tincher
In the mountains of western North Carolina, life has long been shaped by distance: the distance to town, to neighbors and especially to a doctor, when something went wrong.
For generations, mountain families learned to endure illness and trust God when help was far away.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Raisin’ young’ins in today’s world
Scott Kamps
After over 20 years of raising young’ins (five of my own), I’ve learned a few things.
Some of the things my wife and I did we weren’t 100% sure we were doing right, but looking back now, I am glad we did.
Navigating youth sports is a challenge nowadays.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Climate change affecting local ecosystem
Lynne Stevens
“Pack your stuff folks, we are moving North,” said the Asian tiger mosquito to the Kissing bug (Triatoma), two blood-sucking, disease-toting insects who are migrating and extending their residence to North Carolina.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
‘Walk for Peace’ captivated country
Eric Reece
I was fascinated by the response of crowds of people who came out to support the recent Buddhists monk’s Walk for Peace.
From Fort Worth, Texas, they walked through North Carolina heading to Washington. Events of their walk for peace was covered by the news media.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
This photo from February 1973 shows the U.S. Forest Service's "Operation Mainstream" standing in front of a heliport that the crew had built near the Cheoah Ranger Station. Pictured (from left) are Mike Rogers, Clyde Daniels, Lyle McKeldry, Jake Buchanan, Willie Phillips, Vasco Stewart, Wayne Waldroup, Olie Williams, Jess Holder, Bill Marr, Wade Holder, Arvil Waldroup and foreman Marshall McClung. Photo courtesy of The Graham Star Archives
‘Older American Program’ was living history
Marshall McClung
* Part 1 of a 3-part series
In 1973, a work program that employed senior citizens began with the U.S. Forest Service – both here and nationwide.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Reckless words cause harm
Scott Kamps
Words are vital in every conflict.
When used rightly – and kindly – words promote understanding and further agreement/unity. When misused, words aggravate offenses, driving people further apart.
Thursday, February 12, 2026