Opinion

Summer with a shepherd

Friday, August 25, 2023

I spent most of the summer of 1974 on the Ashley National Forest in Utah, on a fire-prevention detail. I was assigned to the Duchesne Ranger District and the ranger station was in a town of the same name that was about the size of Murphy back then. This ranger district covered over 157,000 acres.

Celebrating establishment of Labor Day

Eric Reece

Friday, August 25, 2023

Labor Day became an official federal holiday in 1894. Since that time, communities across America have celebrated the sweat and hard work of people who have built our country. Like many in North Carolina, I grew up in a mill town that had hosiery, textiles and furniture factories.

The recent surge in rainfall across the area has inflicted costly damage. Trees and power lines were downed as part of a Saturday thunderstorm; another heavy outpour late-Monday resulted in a section of the Cherohala Skyway at Tennessee mile marker 4.5 being washed away.

Stormy summer

Marshall McClung

Thursday, August 17, 2023

The 1933 song “Stormy Weather” would certainly be a fitting one for Graham County this summer. Between June 1 – Aug. 14, there has been rain on 34 days – with storms on 23 of those days. Saturday was no exception, as rescue squads, the N.C.

Ideology often undermines expertise

Scott Kamps

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Many bemoan that the death of expertise will lead to destruction of democratic society – but is it possible an overemphasis on specialization will actually be our undoing? I’m grateful for much expertise. In our day of gadgets, conveniences and medical progress, we rely on many experts/specialists.

The Graham County 4-H group at Whig Meadows. From left are Hoot Gibbs; Cheslyn Orr; and Ben, Heather and Nathan Frederick. Photo courtesy of Randy Collins

Whig Meadows has historic past

Marshall McClung

Thursday, August 10, 2023

During the past few years, Hoot Gibbs and I – along with Randy Collins – have been taking Graham County 4-H members and some parents on hikes. During that time, we have visited waterfalls, grassy balds and other local points of interest.

The painting over the baptism pool at Sweetwater Baptist Church is just one of many beautiful pieces of artwork hanging in sanctuaries across Graham County. Photo courtesy of Sydney Varajon/Contributing Photographer

Sacred folk art

Eric Reece

Thursday, August 10, 2023

There was a time in the Christianity where a separate building was used for baptisms. In the period between the Seven Councils and the Middle Ages, a round or five-sided building was built next door to the cathedral as the place to administer the sacrament of baptism.

Why are experts so hard to trust?

Scott Kamps

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Tom Nichols’ “The Death of Expertise” rightly emphasizes the need to avoid the cynical skepticism of experts rampant in our society and strive to humbly learn from others. The glaring shortcoming of the book is he inadequately addresses the principal reason for the high distrust of experts.

Graham Star Contributing Writer Latresa Phillips (left) recently took the trip of a lifetime – and was blessed enough to have a family member (her cousin, Angelia Keever) tag along for the European experience.

Cousins take on Europe

Latresa Phillips

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

We all have that one cousin.

‘Summer Serenade’ hit different

Marshall McClung

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Benny Carter wrote the song “Summer Serenade” in August 1980. He does mention a few things in the song that we rural folks can relate to, such as the rain, wind and the heat of the summer sun. Beyond that, I am not sure if he knew much about life on a country farm.

School Spirit

Eric Reece

Thursday, July 27, 2023

In just a few weeks, Graham County Schools will be starting back. In many rural communities, the local school is both the pride of the community and the institution that binds us together. We may not agree on religion or politics, but we all can agree on supporting our Black Knights.