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Letters to the Editor

Volunteerism is a community’s backbone

As I read the editorial from Dr. Heather Biola titled “Elkins Volunteerism is Phenomenal,” Our Town, Inc. was in the middle of its spring project “Sprout Into Spring 2022: Tiptoe Through the Tulips.” Pure volunteerism carries each of these projects. Once again, the West Virginia Wood Technology Center staff and volunteers gave of their time to cut materials. Then volunteers from Our Town transport materials and assemble the final products to be distributed from a downtown space donated in the Seneca Mall. Then community volunteers of all ages gave of their time to create over ...

‘Extraordinary gifts’ of organ transplants

Every day more people join the national organ transplant waiting list. By the end of this week, more than 140 Americans will die because not enough organs are available for transplant. It doesn’t have to be that way. Each day, on average, 100 Americans receive life-saving organ transplants, and thousands more benefit from cornea and tissue transplants. These extraordinary gifts have been selflessly donated by ordinary people who took just a few minutes in a busy day to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. If you have not already done so, I urge you to register. Your ...

What led to the Great Schnockered Rebellion

A great many American Patriots are going a little bit crazy these days. On one side you have folks who believe that interference by Moscow poses a direct threat to our system of government. On the other side are those who wish everyone would stop with all the stupid talk. However it’s critical that we all agree on one thing: We should not ban Russian vodka. According to recent reports, Gov. Jim Justice has had enough of Russian shots, so he banned their shots from stores. Signing a law to enact punitive sanctions against Putin. Enacting a law to prohibit sales of Russian made ...

Reader wants to talk to President

I’ve been told, and have even read, that there is a very good chance that many of the newspapers we read daily all over America find their way to a designated place in or near Washington, D.C. where they are scrutinized and gleaned (mostly by electronic scanners) for key phrases and words that can put people or organizations on a watch list just in case there’s trouble down the road. Facebook, Twitter and many others use this tactic on their members’ accounts to censor them and further their own selfish political goals under the guise of controlling propaganda and dissent. ...

Reader envisions high-level phone call

This is a scenario for my conspiracy theory friends. If there was ever a moment in history it could happen it is now. Feb. 15, 2022 Moscow Interpreter: “Hello. Who’s calling please.” Washington Interpreter: “This is President Biden’s interpreter and he would like to speak with President Putin please. It’s kind of urgent.” Moscow: “Oh! I’m sorry. Mr. Putin is out riding his horse right now. He said he was going to circle Red Square a couple times and pass through the local university grounds before he returns. He will then towel dry his upper torso and put on ...

Lent an opportunity for 40-day fasting

In Western churches, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter, and provides for a 40-day fast, in imitation of Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. Many Christians abstain from animal foods during Lent. However, a meat-free Lent is more than a symbol of devotion to Christ. A meat-free Lent reduces the risk of chronic disease, environmental degradation and animal abuse. Volumes have been written linking consumption of meat with increased risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and more. In a 2007 United Nations ...