Although I missed the deadline to submit a column for The Paper’s Mother’s Day edition, I couldn’t let the national observance of godly mothers completely go by without an accolade to my …

Whisper Smith and Jacob Cioffoletti are the current Program Directors for The American Adventure and Service Corps (TAASC). They became directors in 2020 when the founder of TAASC and their mentor …

Ma & Pa Kettle on the road again for a long April weekend. Destination Chattanooga. Google Maps drive time 4.5 hours. My superbly curated itinerary called for a noon departure and 4:30 p.m. …

Tracy Ollis Hicks had a 30-year career teaching in Burke County Schools and has been serving churches throughout our community in music ministry roles for over 40 years. She has lived in Burke County …

One of the reasons my grandparents came to Morganton in the '90s is because of the mountains that tower over our town. The hills reminded them of the geography of their hometown in Guatemala. As a …

Over the years I started and guided many different groups in ministry to single adults. Back then, before internet dating and our current vibrant downtown venues, Morganton was a difficult place for …

Drug use has been a big problem in America for a while. Since the Industrial Revolution, people have been using mind-altering substances, but as science has advanced, so has drug usage, as synthetic …

When I was in fifth grade, my class took a field trip to Catawba Meadows Park for the annual Environmental Field Day for fifth graders from around the county. I still remember this field trip from …

Happy Easter! And Chag Pesach Sameach! With the holidays of Easter and Passover, springtime is a time of rebirth, reflection, and renewal. I have received a few emails from folks asking about the …

If you have been keeping up with Burke County news or have recently talked with any frustrated young adult, our beloved Nature’s Playground is squarely in the midst of a housing crisis.  This …

The topic of mental health has been at the forefront of many conversations in recent years. Whether connected with family struggles, veterans’ support, children's development, homelessness, etc., …

Growing up, my sister was an active participant in gymnastics and ballet. She would perform at the CoMMA and practice her dances at home. I was never much of an “artsy” person growing up. I …

ChatGPT came out almost exactly a year and a half ago. Created by OPENAI, ChatGPT was the first of its kind and has exploded in popularity, bringing in 1.6 billion visits per month. That is almost …

EDITOR’S NOTE: This vignette is an educational moment in American history.  It is about those who made a difference during the Revolutionary War era and how they served our country. During the …

First, An Epigraph The "coastal grandmother" style is a fashion and lifestyle aesthetic. It gained popularity through social media, mostly TikTok. It embraces the serene lifestyle associated with …

I have known many interesting, unusual people in my life. Mr. Charlie G. has got to be one of the most outrageous. He could be irritating, irascible, and downright infuriating, but was consistently …

Some dogs are made for walking with their human companions, and some are not. Some dogs contribute to an energetic walk, and some leave their humans exasperated. During a recent visit with my …

Rebecca Myrick Poteat is currently serving as Organist/Accompanist at First Baptist Church of Morganton. She has had extensive service in music ministry at a variety of churches before FBCM. Becky …

My culture has always been an important part of who I am. Recently someone asked me what makes me me. I responded by saying my culture. My Mayan parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. have …

I went to Morganton Day School, a K-8, tiny, private school. And by tiny, I mean microscopic. Everyone in the grade was always in one classroom together, and my grade was the biggest the school …

College is a topic I have written about a couple of times in this column, possibly because of how soon I will apply (in the fall), or because seniors have just finished getting their decisions. I …

In what promises to be a memorable gala concert that she herself calls “a dream come true,” musical artist Alfreda Gerald returns to her hometown after a stellar performing career to headline the …

I’m hopeful that as of writing this column we’ve made the jump into spring. I’m done with cold but love these cool mornings and evenings. I can feel my cravings for richer, warming wines …

Occasionally, a generation will experience an exceptional person who has the needed innate talents for the time.  Such a person was Henry Knox.

Several church youth camping/rafting trips blend together in a kaleidoscope of images, some of them regrettable, but there is one I that will live in infamy. We had enjoyed a trip down the Nantahala …