Opinion

Farm scenes – such as this one of haystacks, in a field on Hares Creek – were common during the “hayday” of farming in Graham County. Photo by Marshall McClung/The Graham Star

Farm scenes – such as this one of haystacks, in a field on Hares Creek – were common during the “hayday” of farming in Graham County. Photo by Marshall McClung/The Graham Star

Graham County fact list

Marshall McClung
Thursday, June 9, 2022
* Final of a 10-part series This is the final of a series of historical stories about Graham County. This series was from a history project I did at age 14, in 1958.

Band-Aids and root causes

Scott Kamps
Thursday, June 9, 2022
The tragedy in Uvalde, Texas has increased debates about how to address the issue of mass shootings and how to best protect schoolchildren. The desire to do something is understandable, but just doing “something” isn’t wise – we need to be effective in our efforts to protect children.

Remember, you are not alone

Eric Reece
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Moses – a great prophet and lawgiver throughout his life – suffered from anger issues, anxiety, depression and doubt. We can identify with his despair when he cried out to God, “What shall I do for this people?

Enough is enough

Roger Carlton
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Twenty-seven school shootings have taken place, as well as more than 200 mass shootings. Enough is enough. Some members of Congress and state legislators have their hearts and prayers going out to the victims and their families as a pre-packaged response. Enough is enough.
With the completion of U.S. Hwy. 129 in 1931, travel between Tennessee and Graham County was possible by automobile, such as this 1929 Model A Ford.

With the completion of U.S. Hwy. 129 in 1931, travel between Tennessee and Graham County was possible by automobile, such as this 1929 Model A Ford.

U.S. 129 linked Graham with Tennessee

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 26, 2022
* Part 9 in a series With the advent of public works in Graham County, activity at once started on the construction of good roads. It wasn’t until 1931, however, that Tapoco could be reached from Tennessee by automobile.

Glad to homeschool my kids

Scott Kamps
Thursday, May 26, 2022
When people find out that my wife and I homeschool our kids, I usually explain it by telling them that I didn’t want my kids to get smarter than me.

Consider both sides of abortion

Roger Carlton
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Margaret Atwood wrote a very popular book about reproductive rights and a totalitarian future. In “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Aunt Lydia says, “There is more than one kind of freedom. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom too. Now you are being given freedom from.

United we stand, divided we fall

Eric Reece
Thursday, May 19, 2022
It was during a great meeting (3-day revival) that a Mennonite minister – Martin Boehm – preached about how the Lord saved him. It came about one day, as he was plowing his field. He realized he was lost and prayed for salvation.
The Whiting Lumber Company came to Graham County in 1910.

The Whiting Lumber Company came to Graham County in 1910.

Lumber companies and dams

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 12, 2022
* Part 8 in a series With the coming of the railroad to western North Carolina came  lumber companies, seeking the excellent timber from the forest. In 1910, the Whiting Manufacturing Company came to Graham County and bought thousands of acres of timber land.