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Columnists

BOB BROWN: The American Flag

All my life, I’ve loved the American flag. I was taught there is something special about our flag, that it is never trampled upon in war or peace, and...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: There Is No Need For A U.S. Ground War In Venezuela

The easiest way to overthrow Nicolás Maduro, the narco-terrorist dictator of Venezuela, is to finance an insurgency....

SCOTT DREYER: Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving today, and along with Canadians in October, are the only people on...

DAWN CUSTALOW: Pocahontas Reframed and Thanksgiving

I just returned from the 9th annual Pocahontas Reframed film festival 2025 in Richmond, VA,...

SCOTT DREYER: “Forgive Me When I Whine”

This poem, of unclear authorship, reportedly comes from the dark Great Depression days of the...

Roanoke County Registrar Is Daughter of Democratic Committee Chairperson

In the wake of the highly unusual and divisive 2020 elections, I used this column to ask some questions about some of the irregularities...

SCOTT DREYER: End the Johnnymander!

In March 1812, the Boston Gazette ran a cartoon showing “a new species of monster”--”The Gerry-mander.” It made fun of a contorted voting district...

MIKE KEELER: I’m Gonna Sell You A Book

As we head to the holidays, here’s my year-end gift to you: I’m gonna sell you a book. But first let me tell you about...

SCOT BELLAVIA: Before I Forget

I have a website on which I’ve linked all my articles for The Roanoke Star as well as others I’ve written. The site is...

JAMES FINCK: Christmas 2021 – The Need To Forgive

As I have considered how I wanted to end this year, I knew I wanted to try to bring a message of hope and...

MELINDA MYERS: Bring a Bit of Spring Color Indoors

Pot them up, give them a chill and enjoy spring flowering bulbs indoors or outside on a patio, deck or porch. This is a great...