Opinion

Was Kirk a Christian martyr?

Scott Kamps

Thursday, September 25, 2025

The fact that Charlie Kirk was assassinated to make a political point is beyond question. Officials and investigators (not legacy media, talk show hosts, or conspiracy charlatans) have said “leftist ideology” from “dark corners of the internet” clearly motivated the accused shooter.

What is going on?

Kevin Hensley

Friday, September 19, 2025

I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but there is an evil lurking in our country right now – the likes of which our democracy has never seen. Has our nation seen its fair share of tragedies, lack of justice and unspeakable acts since establishing its independence some 249 years ago?

Cheesequire and the preacher

Marshall McClung

Friday, September 19, 2025

An article in the Nov. 19, 1879 issue of The Charlotte Observer tells of a meeting between Cheesequire – a Cherokee who lived in the Ground Squirrel community of Graham County – and Dr. A.W. Miller, a Presbyterian minister. Miller was on an evangelical tour of the western North Carolina mountains.

Milennial saint

Eric Reece

Friday, September 19, 2025

During some of my time as a minister, I have heard plenty of church discussions about “young people.” If they would be more committed, attend more and give more, then the church would grow. It is as if all the causes of the problems of the church are the fault of the younger generation.

A name carries a lot of weight

Eric Reece

Thursday, September 4, 2025

There was a recent church merger in Tennessee. One church's building was in need of a lot of repairs and the other church had plenty of space, so it made sense to join together as one congregation. The churches selected a new name and everyone was excited about moving forward.

'Hooty-Hoo Mountain'

Marshall McClung

Thursday, September 4, 2025

The "Hooty Hoo Mountain" kids. From left are Marley Carpenter, Bella Carpenter and Daylon Anderson. I recently had the pleasure of talking with three young people who spend a lot of time in the woods. I was glad to know that there are kids who still do that.

Latresa Phillips, Barbie Adams, Pricella Andrews-Maury and Kim Waldroup (from left) pose with Beatles statutes during the writer's overseas trip earlier this month.

Traveling the British Isles with Friends

Latresa Phillips

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Even though the distance between the United Kingdom and Robbinsville is 3,915 miles, it feels like home. I have been blessed to travel the world. Seeing the iconic sights of countries and observing their culture gives me such a feeling of wonder and kinship.

Members of the Graham County 4-H Club recently completed a hike near I.U. Gap. All names are listed from left in each row. Standing in front is Marley Carpenter. Middle row is Abel Buchanan, Nikki Stewart, Raelee Phillips and Kenlyn Powell. Back row is Ben Frederick, Heather Frederick and Hoot Gibbs. Photo by Randy Collins/Graham County Cooperative Extension

4-H walks through history

Marshall McClung

Thursday, August 21, 2025

A few years ago, the Graham County 4-H Club decided to start a program to get young children off the couch where they spent much time texting on their phones and into the woods. A hiking club was started with guided hikes by 4-H leaders, extension service and volunteers.

Put your trust in the Lord

Eric Reece

Thursday, August 21, 2025

I was always taught it could take a new minister a good 10 years before they earned people’s trust. That is a long time in the life of a minister, when the average church stay is 3-7 years. In any profession, you can work hard to build trust and are always trying to earn it.

Corena's watch

Maeburl Tincher

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Corena’s watch once disappeared and gave the writer of this column quite the scare. Big families were a way of life and the main social hub of the builder generation. Shaped by The Great Depression and World War II, they took life very seriously and took very good care of what they had.