Politics is a touchy subject. Everybody has ideas on how everything should be run, and generally, people are not especially kind to each other regarding politics. And we can all agree that, as a …

Morganton has always been a refuge for various cultures. From the Mayan population, the people I come from, to the Hmong people, Morganton has been a safe space for various cultures and races. Being …

A hero is someone who is recognized and celebrated for their achievements or acts of bravery. An unsung hero is someone who goes unnoticed for their contributions; someone not well known but who …

In my many years of youth ministry, I organized and supervised numerous youth-led mission trips: From the town in Pennsylvania where they play the Little League World Series to the town in New Jersey …

It was called the ‘Sunshine Protection Act'; a bill introduced in 2022 that would have made Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent. Unanimously approved in the Senate, the bill, however, did not pass …

This week's column marks one year since I started my job at The Paper. In this year, many things have changed in my life. From getting accepted to NCSSM, being put on city committees, and winning a …

I was planning on writing a totally different article this week. During my research for this other column, I stumbled upon vouchers. If you read my columns, you probably know that I am not a voucher …

“It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.” — J. R. R. Tolkien Una Reep has had a full, interesting life. And don’t get her started on Burke County:  “My people are from here, the …

“This increase in the life span and in the number of our senior citizens presents this Nation with increased opportunities: the opportunity to draw upon their skill and sagacity. It is not enough …

Hello again, Burke County! As I said in my last column, I hope my name becomes familiar to you as The Paper has agreed to let me keep writing! Only the future will tell if this was a smart decision …

For the last several months, I’ve been pondering the age-old question “Do our pets go to heaven when they die?” My precious cat Lucy is nearing the end of her more than 19-year life because of …

It has been said many times that, really, local elections are the most important, and I agree – the effect on me day-to-day, local elections-school board, county commissioners, mayors, etc.-- …

I have always wanted to be active in my community. From a very early age, my parents instilled in me the values of hard work and service to the community. One of the ways I serve my community is by …

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. Carter …

Hannah Clark is a 26-year-old who has lived her entire life in Morganton.  She is a graduate of Freedom High School and Lenoir-Rhyne University.  Since 2019, she has been a nurse in the …

I believe in synchronicity, a phenomenon that most of us have experienced at one time or another. A certain number pops up wherever you go; an old friend you haven't seen in 35 years calls the same …

How does a retirement project beget a lifestyle change? A whole new way of thinking and living? One year ago, I compiled a list of projects to undertake during retirement. Nine months into that …

As a young youth minister I used to take my groups up to the Baptist Lifeway Conference Center, beautifully located at the top of that winding mountain portion of I-40 that peaks right before Black …

February is American Heart Month, so to celebrate, here are some tips for protecting your ticker. Approximately 16 million individuals in the U.S. are dealing with coronary heart disease, the most …

The first thing anyone really notices about me is my name, “William Williamson.” I hope this double name becomes familiar to you as you see the signature photo for my new monthly column here at …

“I don’t get no respect!” That famous one-liner from the late comedian and actor Rodney Dangerfield always brought a chuckle when paired with some of his famous quips like “I played …

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” — Martin Luther King …

Edward Bland has been a “Young Artist” with the Palm Beach Opera in Florida since 2022. He has an impressive list of accomplishments in his field: As an undergraduate he was regional and state …

I was standing at the bakery counter at Ingles Sunday afternoon in Marion when the realization of what I had done washed over me in an icy wave of panic. In the midst of a conversation with my …

There’s a lot to learn in early elementary school. And for an educationally challenged person it’s tough.   You got letters. Upper case AND lower case. If you’re left handed you have to …