Opinion

Break the monopoly on public education

Scott Kamps
Thursday, March 2, 2023
People often debate what we can do to change the world. As we see our nation and culture descend further into perversion and selfish excessiveness, those of us who still value virtue – the good, the true, and the beautiful – often wonder if we can do anything to stem the tide.

Early fire lookouts often primitive

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 2, 2023
The early forest-fire lookouts – sometimes referred to as “Sentinels of the Forest” – were often buildings constructed of rough lumber by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and contained little of the comforts of home.

Ash Wednesday

Eric Reece
Friday, February 24, 2023
This year, Ash Wednesday is Feb. 22. It is the first day of the season of Lent in the Christian faith. The church started the tradition in the ninth century.
The Cole Carver Cabin, located off Massey Branch Road.

The Cole Carver Cabin, located off Massey Branch Road.

Land records a source for history

Marshall McClung
Friday, February 17, 2023
Land records – especially older ones – are a good source of local history. This is especially true if you are looking for information on a certain area. That was the case when Hoot Gibbs and I decided to look up the history of a tract of land located in the Massey Branch area.

Paying tribute to African American hymns

Eric Reece
Thursday, February 9, 2023
February is Black History Month. Over the years, I have had the privilege to worship in many African-American churches. As a brother in Christ, they always treated me with honor and respect. There, I first heard the “old lining-out” singing.

Never underestimate the power of the words you use

Scott Kamps
Thursday, February 2, 2023
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” So goes the saying many of us learned in our youth; but anyone who has lived long enough knows the old adage is far from accurately conveying life’s experience in our world.

Civil War left local mysteries

Marshall McClung
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Even though what is now-Graham County did not see any large-scale battles during the Civil War, it certainly did not escape roaming gangs of outlaws – such as the Kirkland Bushwhackers: Captain Tim Lyons, whose group went by the name of Company C, Third Tennessee Mounted Calvary.

A good start

Eric Reece
Thursday, January 26, 2023
In the early years of the Methodist Church in Robbinsville, ministers were often appointed one year at a time. As some churches used to say, “We get the newly-wed or nearly-dead preachers.” Rev. Oscar F.
The Lady Knights’ collaboration of Katie-Lyn Gross, Kensley Phillips, Zoie Shuler and Delaney Brooms (from left) broke the 4x400, indoor-track school record Jan. 11 at Swain County, clocking in with a time of 4:34.98. The previous mark was 4:45.20, set by Ashlyn Waldroup, current coach Kaitlyn Carringer, Meghan Myler and Shawnda Martin during the 2015-16 season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Lady Knights’ collaboration of Katie-Lyn Gross, Kensley Phillips, Zoie Shuler and Delaney Brooms (from left) broke the 4x400, indoor-track school record Jan. 11 at Swain County, clocking in with a time of 4:34.98. The previous mark was 4:45.20, set by Ashlyn Waldroup, current coach Kaitlyn Carringer, Meghan Myler and Shawnda Martin during the 2015-16 season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

400 meters, 4 segments: 1 record obliterated

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 20, 2023
I’ve often called the 4x400 relay the “most exciting five minutes in sports.”  Maybe it is because after three-plus hours, the competition draws a track meet to a close. Maybe it is because it comes after the single-longest track event of the day: the 2-mile run.