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Redesigning the GOP

As Donald Trump continues his restructuring and redesigning of the Republican Party, GOP exiles impatiently plot and prepare for the day of their return. They bedeck the screens at MSNOW and numerous podcasts, but lack the influence they would prefer over Democrats. They stress constitutional issues and bewail Trump’s outrages on immigration, but still hold conservative opinions on the budget and foreign policy, which are out of step with most Democratic constituencies. They long for a return of “Compassionate Conservatism,” the George W. Bush style, with its edgy, aggressive ...

Events to highlight history of Elkins

Kump Education Center is planning a fall series of lectures about the history of Elkins. The first speech on the geological history of Elkins by Dr. Jim VanGundy will be held on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Learning Lab at Kump Education Center. Dr. VanGundy was a professor of geology on the Davis & Elkins College faculty. Since he retired, Dr. VanGundy has been traveling and writing about scenic West Virginia. The second ddition of his book, "The Nature and Scenery of the West Virginia Highlands: With a Motorist’s Guide" is available now. His talk will help citizens understand the ...

Back to school in Barbour

Hello from Barbour County! School starts for Barbour County students on Aug. 21. Things will look a little different this year, as the middle schools in the county will be merging together for school at Philip Barbour. Many things will be different, from different bus routes, new classrooms, different teachers and more. Let's try to be understanding. Best wishes to students, teachers, and parents for a great year. This year, Barbour County schools will be providing free breakfast and lunch for all students.  A healthy meal helps to make a healthy mind. Belington Idol is coming ...

‘Park Ranger’ leaders like coming to the rescue

I was fortunate to be with leaders from Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois. I presented on “Park Ranger Leadership.” The fable centers on a person who gets lost hiking in the woods. He immediately starts working hard to get back on track. He tries to retrace his steps, look at the location of the sun, searches for moss on the side of a tree, etc. After 30 minutes or so, a park ranger appears. The ranger shares he has tracked the hiker with a satellite, and then leads him to safety. The hiker thanks the park ranger and sends a nice note to the park service ...

Trump’s foreign policy issues

George Wallace, during his 1968 Independent presidential campaign, mocked the Republican and Democratic parties for not having "a dime's worth of difference" between them. Although he meant it in a totally different context, it does resonate in 2026, particularly as it relates to foreign policy. After Donald Trump, along with Israel's prime minister, launched air strikes against Iran in February, Democrats and Republicans generally supported the war. Then the consequences and miscalculations began to emerge. Although Democratic leadership seemed positively giddy over the "decapitation" ...

Tale of Two Towns Continues

Last week my column told how Elkins and Richwood were important towns to my family a hundred years ago. This week the focus is updated from the significance of timber to the importance of tourism in the Monongahela National Forest. Today the glorious forest region attracts both artists and tourists. The natural beauty and botanical diversity of our Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area (AFNHA) is helping to give wider recognition to nine towns in the Mon Forest Towns Partnership (MFTP). This national heritage area includes nine Mon Forest towns: Cowen, Davis, Durbin, Elkins, ...