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Christmas trees can tell a story all their own

Local Columns

There is something about the soft, steady glow of a Christmas tree. Have you ever taken the time to notice? Christmas trees can tell a story all their own. No matter what city, what town you may live in, if you were to walk past the windows of each and every home on any given block, you would see that no two stories are quite the same. In some living rooms, the trees stand tall, triumphant. The floor beneath is nearly hidden from view. These are the homes where wrapped boxes are stacked high. Each gift contains a curled ribbon and bows to add to the anticipation. Tags ...

Thinking about the gifts that really matter

Local Columns

I had a quick conversation with my mom Friday morning about the approaching Christmas holiday. We’ve not really done much this season, for various reasons, outside of baking some cookies, and I know it’s bothering her. She mentioned not really getting much for anyone as far as gifts, as she doesn’t really know what anyone wants or needs. To be honest, it’s something I’ve struggled with, as well. It’s hard to know what people already have, and there are only so many coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, hats, etc. before you get overrun. I always like to get something useful ...

History in the Hills: Christmas time is here

Local Columns

Christmas time is finally here. It always seems like a long time coming. In our house, we usually start to decorate early because we have family visiting around Thanksgiving that we generally don’t see before the big day. Our tree was put up, (this year two of them) and because we moved recently, we needed to go through all the decorations and find new places for them, which is always a fun time. Opening boxes of decorations is always a trip down memory lane for me because the sight of these things brings back many memories of those who have given them to us over the years. We ...

May your beloved Christmas traditions never fade

Local Columns

I’ve been on this planet, barreling around the sun for nearly six decades. My people, the so-called Generation-X, were the last to experience the low-tech, analog world, and the first to experience the explosion of digital technology and its pervasive encroachment on everyday life. As a member of this gap-bridging generation, I can say, without a doubt, that technology ruined Christmas. At least part of it. And it’s not the simple rose-colored glasses of childhood memories. It really did ruin it. Recently, through the magic of the Roku streaming service, my wife and I watched ...

Give to help others

Editorials

Life is getting busy now, with Christmas just a few days away. Activities are starting to pick up, ranging from shopping to baking to family get-togethers and other events that consume so much of our thoughts and time. Please don’t let the hustle and bustle become overwhelming and take over this year. Instead, take a moment or two to reflect. Look at your family and friends, neighbors or even the average passerby. Some might be struggling through unemployment and could be finding it difficult to take care of their basic necessities. Even those who have full-time jobs might find ...

West Virginia still not making the grade

Editorials

A gift of good news came for the state this week, in the form of the American Society of Civil Engineers “2025 Report Card for West Virginia’s Infrastructure.” The Mountain State’s grade has improved from the last grade it received, in 2020. Now the dose of reality: The grade improved … to a D+; and marks for bridges and wastewater have not budged. Category grades included a C+ for solid waste; a C- for aviation, public parks, rail and roads; a D+ for bridges, broadband, dams, drinking water, energy, levees and ports; a D for hazardous waste, inland waterways, transit and ...