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Remember the meaning of the holiday

Christmas is officially only a few days away, and while the stress of the holiday is certainly surrounding me on numerous sides, I also am trying to find some aspect of seasonal joy to celebrate whenever possible. I have some shopping taken care of, and had purchased cards with every intention of sending them out. I’m attempting to hand deliver a few of those cards, but the few hitting the Postal Service most likely will arrive after the holiday. The tree isn’t up at the moment. I’m hoping to take care of it this weekend, if possible. There are some decorations in place, ...

Reflections on the Christmas Eve of 1933

In the era of President-elect Donald J. Trump, many remain anxious about the coming new year. The nation’s capital is seen from the heartland like a 21st century Sodom and Gomorrah. But a step back in time captured in the 1971 TV Christmas special “The Homecoming,” set in the Great Depression on Christmas Eve 1933, introduced viewers to a family called the Waltons. with a brood of youngins including the oldest, John Boy, who aspired to be a newspaper writer, and the youngest of the boys wearing knickers sharing a story about squeezing a little duck. When families gathered to ...

Christmas will not be Christmas this year

We blinked, and now, it is Christmas. Although in my house, we are doing something a little different this year for the holiday. We aren’t having it. What I mean is that yes, we will be celebrating Christmas on Wednesday because, well because it’s Christmas. How can you not acknowledge Dec. 25 as the day in which Jesus was born? It’s the most precious moment there has ever been or ever will be, and no truer words will ever be said. But what I mean to say is that we will not be doing the whole Christmas-tradition thing we have always done before. And I am honestly ...

History in the Hills: Merry Christmas

I can’t believe that Christmas is right around the corner. These past few months have just raced by. It seems that as I get older, time moves even faster. Probably it has to do with having an active family. My son is in basketball and my daughter just finished dancing in the Nutcracker ballet through her studio. Each one of those activities requires a large time commitment. I don’t know how my wife manages to get everything done that needs to be completed before the holidays in addition to taking care of the kids and navigating these extra activities. From baking cookies, ...

Kicking off the year with a state park

Long-time readers of this column may recall previous commentaries about my interest in West Virginia’s state park system, especially may years-long quest into the Very Important Parks Person program. I still have nine parks to visit before receiving my patch, and, hopefully, that’s something I can get back into in the coming year. West Virginia’s state parks are as varied as the state’s geographical regions. Some are small, with a few trails and recreational offerings, perfect for an afternoon picnic or day visit, while others are established with connections to the state’s ...

Electric magic!

Could anything be more important to us, or less thought of, than the supply of electricity we use everywhere and every day? Electricity transformed humankind. It lengthened our days for both leisure and work. It has made it infinitely easier to prepare food, while making food so much tastier. It warms us and cools us. It allowed for truly miraculous progress in medicine, science, and exploration. It revolutionized engineering and made the computer, telephones, television, and airplanes possible. It has allowed us to reach for the stars and beyond. It expanded our ability to obtain an ...