What's old is new again

Looks like I picked the wrong week to go on vacation. My first time off in two years was a bit surreal, as I spent quite a bit of the break trying to piece together what unfolded in the court of public opinion at the Graham County Community Building on July 16.

Sentinels of a time past

Far back in the coves of Graham County are lonely sentinels.  I am speaking of stone chimneys, usually the only thing still standing of what was once a family home place. I am still amazed of just how far back in the woods some of the early families chose for a building site.

Field of potatoes

I never met a potato I didn’t like.  You can bake, fry, boil, mash, hashbrown or scallop them, and I enjoy them anyway they are prepared. I was always glad when Dad told me to dig up a mess of taters and wash them, because I knew I would be eating them soon.

The Frenches and snowflake adoption

* 1st in a 2-part series C.S. Lewis rightly wrote, “There are no ordinary people.” All human beings have inherent value, but some people stand out. I met Stuart French – a studious, long-haired seventh-grader who whooped me anytime we played Madden football – about 20 years ago.

Old Roughy

N.C. Forest Service Ranger John McKeldrey fought many fires on Old Roughy. Photo courtesy of N.C. Forest Service Old Roughy is a mountain located along U.S. 129, some six miles north of Robbinsville across from the town of Santeetlah.

Speak up

As a child, I was watching my grandfather plow with his mule. He would plow a row and holler, “gee,” or “haw,” and turn and plow another.  I asked my father why Papa plowed with a mule when he had a tractor? My father said, “He had a foot in both worlds.

Transparency is key

Several months ago, I scrambled to take down all the equipment used to livestream a meeting through our  Facebook page. The Graham County Board of Commissioners had entered a closed session, which meant it was time for yours truly to head to the lobby.

Happy times spent in Daddy’s garden

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of summer is green grass, blue skies, plenty of sunshine and daddy’s garden.  He used to say, “I grow vegetables and Ada grows blossoms – but vegetables taste better than blossoms.

Young Adult Conservation Corps benefitted county, forest service

In 1977, the federal government began a program known as the Young Adult Conservation Corps. The purpose of this program was to provide one year of employment for young people 16-23 years of age on forest conservation projects.

Welcome Father Wasswa to WNC

The Rev. Father Joseph Wasswa has been appointed by Bishop Michael T. Martin of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, to serve as the Parochial Administrator of Holy Redeemer Parish in Andrews and Prince of Peace Mission in Robbinsville.  He will begin his work here on Tuesday, July 8.