Malthus Maligned

Last week’s edition of The Graham Star carried a column entitled “Malthusian Malfeasance.

Memories of an early county ranger

John McKeldrey served as the Graham County Ranger with the N.C. Forest Service for 31 years, from 1953-84.  Christy Clayton – Forest Management Clerk at District 9 headquarters in Sylva – was instrumental in providing information for this story.

Malthusian Malfeasance

In recent weeks there have been a number of people noticing the serious concern of low birth rates.  To that, I say amen. Low birth rates are a significant problem for a society and the problems will compound over generations if people continue to have less children.

Saddleback has stood the test of time

Pastor Rick Warren and his wife Kay began Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. in 1980.  The church kept outgrowing its space and moved numerous times before settling at its present campuses.

Cancel the cancel culturists

Cancel culture is a phrase that we are hearing more and more.  Politicians accuse each other of cancelling. Advocacy groups and lobbyists try to win over politicians by cancelling opposing lobbyists and advocacy groups. Deranged people or just plain haters cancel people in mass shootings.

Stop kidney stones through healthy diet

Many Americans suffer from kidney stones each year. It is estimated that 1-in-10 people will have a kidney stone at some time in their lives.  The prevalence of kidney stones in the United States increased from 3.8 percent in the late 1970s to 8.8 percent in the late 2000s.

Straight arrows in a crooked world

“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, are the children of one’s youth.”   This biblical metaphor is likely a foreign thought to the modern world. It seems odd – possibly – to consider your children as a weapon.  In a decadent world, it seems like the battles are over.

Railroads once common in Graham County

Although Graham County has been without a railroad for a number of years now, thanks to the logging industry, there were once a number of them to be found here. Porterfield and Grandlin built the Porterfield Gap Railroad on Little Snowbird in 1897 and operated a sawmill at Long Bottoms.

President Biden’s proposals for the future

President Biden’s first 100 days are done.  The world has not come to an end and there have been some improvements.  More than 100 million people are fully vaccinated as promised. Science and expertise seem to be back in favor for making policy.

Membership is down, no matter which religion you believe in

In the New Testament, the Greek word for church is “ecclesia,” which means a called out assembly or gathering of people.  Most churches have membership vows, which include common beliefs and a covenant to join with others to worship and support.