News+Updates
From the editor, February 2024
Frequent readers may recall that 2023 began with the death of my wife, Susan, from dementia. A column here about my reaction to her passing generated tremendous response. Read more
Jan 20, 2024
From the editor, December 2023
A recent conversation with a friend brought to mind the fact that I have very few physical photographs of my childhood or of my family. I have photos of my daughters, my granddaughters, and of my late wife. But none of Nana, my maternal grandmother. Read more
Nov 25, 2023
Major change at Cherokee museum
“This new museum — this new direction, this new identity — looks quite different than the one WNC and Smokies-country residents may remember." Read more
Oct 9, 2023
From the editor, October 2023
The hundreds of hours I spent sitting with my maternal grandmother listening to her stories left me with an indelible memory of her memories. Nana—May Penland Ray—was born in 1889 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Read more
Oct 1, 2023
Dollywood ranked top amusement park in the world
"We don’t do what we do to earn awards, but we’re not going to turn them down either!" Read more
Sep 12, 2023
Highland Games this weekend in High Country
This marks the 67th year for the historic celebration of Scottish ancestry and heritage. Read more
Jul 7, 2023
From the editor, June 2023
I’ve thought about trying to write today’s column several times, but this is my first attempt to put words to the page for this particular task. It isn't easy. Read more
May 29, 2023
Photo Essay, June 2023
Our readers share their photos of summer activities Read more
May 29, 2023
Viewpoint
From the editor, February 2024
Frequent readers may recall that 2023 began with the death of my wife, Susan, from dementia. A column here about my reaction to her passing generated tremendous response. Read more