Funding cuts affecting local healthcare

We are fortunate in Robbinsville to have Appalachian Mountain Health right in town. Towns of our size often don’t have comprehensive healthcare open to all on a sliding-fee scale and accepting Medicaid.

‘We know the woods have eyes’

The Smokies are ancient, full of mystery and suspense.  Graham County itself is uniquely ambiguous. Rugged and remote, its boundaries lie within the realms of both the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest.  It’s virtually a forest within a forest. The lands are primal and dark.

A look back at All Saints Day

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.”  “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Early in my ministry, I was invited to speak at a number of Decoration Sundays.

Scarecrows once guarded crops

Most scarecrows today are used in fall and Halloween decorations. Photo by Marshall McClung/The Graham Star The history of scarecrows dates back as far as 3,000 years to the ancient Egyptians, who used scarecrows made from reeds to scare off flocks of birds – such as quail – from the grain fields.

Forgiveness and justice: Part 2

Tension between forgiveness and justice was displayed at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.  The dichotomy between Erika Kirk’s powerful “love your enemies” speech with Stephen Miller’s “destroy our enemies” speech led many to say Christians must decide between one or the other.

Early families chose backwoods

Early families that came to present-day Graham County seemed to prefer the deep woods; the farther back, the better it seemed to suit them.  Kurt Orr, told me of one family that lived miles back in the woods on Deep Creek, in the northern part of Graham County. Elsbury Carringer, (Sept.

Helene: one year later

It has been over a year since Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern United States on Sept. 27, 2024. We still are witnesses of the effects and know the recovery will take years – if not decades.  I read of the 1916 and 1940 flood in western North Carolina.

Forgiveness and justice: Part 1

On Sept. 21 – before attempting my weekly nap – I tuned into Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.  I ended up watching all five hours – and I’m still astounded by what I saw. President Trump described the service, “like an old-time revival.

Fire lookout vital to county

William “Bill” Nothstein was an early forest ranger on the Cheoah Ranger District. He was interviewed by Dr. Louis Silveri of the Southern Highlands Research Center in 1976.

9-8-8 is a Noble cause

Walter Scott’s book Ivanoe, a Romance was an influential book about chivalry.  Chivalry was the code followed by the medieval knights of old. They lived a life of bravery and generosity based on Christianity and a high moral code.  Ivanhoe popularized the legend of the Black Knight.