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Columnists

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Is Phase Two Of Trump‘s Peace Plan In The Gaza Strip Doomed To Fail? – Part I

Phase one of Trump‘s twenty-point peace plan in the Gaza Strip, which began on October 9, called for a ceasefire, cessation of military operations, along with a hostage and prisoner...

FRED FIRST: Approaching the Longest Night

Yes, you’re right—if you’ve even noticed—that this space has been neglected for some weeks now,...

A Life Well-Lived: Shirley Padgett Lester (1947-2025)

Shirley Padgett Lester of Vinton went to her heavenly reward October 4. Below is the...

BOB BROWN: How the White House Functioned With a Diminished Biden “Presidency”

Permit me to think out loud as an old-fashioned person who respects authority, history, and...

JOHNNY ROBINSON: The Gratitude Perch

On the old road up Mill Mountain, part of Roanoke’s fabulous greenway system, there’s a...

RANDY HUFF: Plain And Simple

“Deeper bonds meant creating obligations," she said. "I longed for a group whose members needed and made demands on each other." Do we know what...

SERWAN ZANGANA: Rep. Rashida Tlaib Does Not Represent Americans

Ever since she was elected to the House of Representatives, Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) has been boastful and conceited about being an elected official of...

SCOT BELLAVIA: When Lightning Strikes Twice

There is a coincidence I have heard from Christians remarking that the preacher spoke on the very same Bible passage they were contemplating in...

FRED FIRST: Things Are Looking Up . . .

Where the Sidewalk Ends (November 29th post) began a topic that loomed like a new chapter just ahead of me (and you, the reader). But Covid...

MELINDA MYERS: Include Gardening in Your New Year’s Resolution

The New Year is filled with resolutions that usually involve dieting and exercise.  Gardening is a great way to help accomplish those two resolutions,...

SERWAN ZANGANA: A Quick Look At Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the psychiatric disorders that occurs in some people for many reasons. It can be caused by living...