An ode to Folkmoot and to Rolf
I was in New Zealand when Rolf Kaufman passed away a couple of weeks ago. The Folkmoot international dance festival that…
Read More
Taking out tyrants this way can’t be celebrated
The United States cannot keep breaking the rules of international law and then congratulate itself for the results. That is…
Read More
What trees will you plant?
This past Sunday at church, someone quoted the old Greek proverb, “A society grows great when old men plant trees…
Read More
It’s out there, you just gotta look
I never got his name, but the New Zealander who had offered to fix one of my fellow traveler’s bicycles seemingly…
Read More
Some pre-Lent thoughts: fasting and feasting
Some people eat to live, and others live to eat. I fall into the latter camp, which is why I’ve…
Read More
You can’t un-melt the melting pot
Growing up, watching Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Universe were exciting times in our house. My sister and I…
Read More
‘A civilization to be proud of …’
“Here’s why the original neocon thinkers — people such as Irving Kristol, James Q. Wilson, Jeane Kirkpatrick, and Daniel Patrick…
Read More
A great leader grows roots, not weeds
EvenAfterAll this timeThe sun never says to the earth,“You owe me.” LookWhat happensWith a love like that,It lights theWholeSky. This poem…
Read More
The sad reality of a post-truth country
The first thing is to tame the rage so that you do not live in it all the time. Or…
Read More
Maybe what Americans need is a hot beverage
A steaming beverage and good conversation mend most worries and heartaches, or at the least, lighten the emotional burden. Every fall…
Read More
Something about those black bears
We love our bears here in the Smokies. It’s estimated there are around 15,000 in the four-state area surrounding the…
Read More
A new type of energy for 2026
I was once a real sucker for the New Year’s Eve hoopla — toasting with champagne and making grandiose resolutions, but…
Read More
Don’t expect better results with same choices
Western North Carolina is a region defined by resilience. Mountain communities have endured floods, factory closures, rising housing costs and…
Read More
Administration puts military in a tough spot
Recent events make it clear why senators warning military personnel about the dangers of following illegal orders was so very…
Read More
The brazen closing of WCU’s voting site
The utter guile of this state’s GOP leaders to rig elections in their favor should cause a hue and cry…
Read More
Advent: A different take on the holiday season
In late fall, after all the Halloween candy has been consumed and the fall décor removed from store clearance aisles,…
Read More
The oath that guards our republic
In the cacophony of politics, one truth must remain clear: America’s armed forces swear allegiance not to a man, not…
Read More
Forest bathing: slow down and immerse yourself
Count me among those who are proud that Jackson County has two fully accessible certified forest therapy trails, two of…
Read More
Cherishing memories of the old ways
It was a Friday afternoon a few weeks ago, and I was chafing. Perhaps you saw me. I was that…
Read More
Social connection is a lifesaver
What’s the point of human existence if we’re not part of something bigger than ourselves? Our need for connection is…
Read More
Moves to silence the press are concerning
To the Editor: I write as a concerned citizen of Western North Carolina to draw attention to the growing encroachment…
Read More
Food is the ultimate tie that binds
About a month ago, my neighbor sent a text asking if I wanted some of her fresh basil which was…
Read More
The unlawful use of force
The recent history of international relations is fraught with examples where the sanctity of law has been compromised for political…
Read More
Ancient wisdom prevails over modern bravado
If you’ve never been exposed to Daoism (commonly known as Taoism), now may be the time to intentionally engage with…
Read More
A call to action in WNC
October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time to raise our collective consciousness about family violence in our community…
Read More
Ten minutes with Rep. Edwards is very revealing
To the Editor: Last week I met with the Rep. Chuck Edwards of the N.C. 11th District for a short…
Read More
Don’t be fooled by force, be fueled by power
Force is not the same as power. Jesus exuded power. Nelson Mandela exuded power. Mother Theresa exuded power. Our current…
Read More
Dictators love to blame ‘The Boogeyman’
President Donald Trump recently cast the Democrats as “the party of hate, evil, and Satan.” This incendiary language serves a…
Read More
How being authentic can unite us
There for a minute, the world-at-large and its illusion of doom almost forced me into a chrysalis. I was on…
Read More
Despite tepid D.C. response, the work goes on
It was a time and a place, and now that place is gone. Or is it? I came across some…
Read More
To move forward, we must look back
Last September, my family was gearing up for our first “leaf season” (and apple season, and hayride season, and football…
Read More
A love letter to friends across the aisle
Dear friend, We are living in tumultuous times, and I’m writing to say I am sorry. I know I’ve done…
Read More
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will be ugly for Jackson County
To the Editor: Last week at the Jackson County commission meeting, we heard some truly disturbing news about the ways…
Read More
‘High vibe’ is the truest way forward
There are people who elevate the energy in a room and those who deflate it. Some folks radiate joy and…
Read More
Tit-for-tat gerrymandering wars won’t end soon
Congressional redistricting — the process of drawing electoral districts to account for population changes — was conceived by the Founding…
Read More
The time of year for new beginnings
Can you feel it? Can you see it? The slightest bit of crispness has crept into the air. A tiny…
Read More
A mission to make sure local news survives
A large majority of U.S. adults (86%) say they at least sometimes get news from a smartphone, computer or tablet,…
Read More
We have more power than we realize
I once spun my wheels searching and seeking an experience outside of myself or something big and expansive to find happiness.…
Read More
Find time to stop in the woods and breathe
It started as a ripple softly lapping against my back as I pulled into the driveway of our quiet mountain…
Read More
A win for open records, a warning to charter schools
A judge’s ruling earlier this month that ordered Shining Rock Classical Academy — a charter school in Haywood County —…
Read More
Finding our authentic selves isn’t selfish
As I age and evolve, I realize more and more why it’s so important to be fully authentic, not only…
Read More
The basis of moral behavior is innate
To the Editor: What I dislike about the American Christian Right is what I dislike about Jeff Minick’s book review…
Read More
Hands off our parks, our foreign guests and our narrative
To the Editor: In compliance with Executive Order 14253, an official sign has now been posted in the Oconaluftee Visitors…
Read More
July 4 in a polarized, politicized era
Can my patriotism be politically neutral, separated from my country’s actions if I disagree with those actions? Can it be…
Read More
Celebrate our country, not the president
Growing up, my family spent every July Fourth at Ocean Lakes Campground in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We had a…
Read More
RFK Jr. promotes dangerous vaccine misinformation
As a retired physician assistant who devoted a long career to public health in Macon County, I am deeply concerned…
Read More
Leaving FRL just doesn’t make sense
Citizens and constituents of Sylva, I’d like to offer you an apology. In fact, I owe you two. All Sylva…
Read More
Common sense needed in library debate
I have supported libraries in WNC for over 12 years and been a lifelong library patron. I support all viewpoints…
Read More
Aligning with the blue zones
With each passing year, I think more and more about the longevity of life. When I was young, I couldn’t…
Read More
Cheers to 26 years of Smoky Mountain News
My office is cool and our building on Montgomery Street in Waynesville is quiet. Almost everyone who works at The…
Read More
