-
No loyalty these days on where kids attend school
BY KYLE LOVERN Consolidation has gobbled up all the smaller and close-knit high schools we had in past years. That said, it seems there is no loyalty on where kids attend school these days. Much of this concerns sports and kids wanting to play for a different program. Teenagers these days will even go to…
-
UFO hearing by Congress was historical
BY KYLE LOVERN Whether you are a skeptic or believer, this past Wednesday morning (July 28) was a historical time for the United States. For those of us who believe there is something to all of the UFO (unidentified flying objects) sightings and stories over the last 75 years, it was an important and powerful…
-
Do deaths come in threes? Appalachian superstitions and omens
BY KYLE LOVERN Many of you have probably heard about certain superstitions in our region. I’ve always found these interesting and at times, believable. The superstition of deaths coming in threes is often traced from the Appalachian region of the United States to the beliefs of Scots-Irish ancestors in Europe. My wife and I have…
-
Where’s the beef? Some want to do away with red meat
Fake meat is not for me BY KYLE LOVERN The political discussion around meat consumption has become increasingly divided in recent years. I just don’t think our government officials should debate our food. I believe they have more pertinent issues they should be worried about. But it is a debate that seems to divide the…
-
Eating healthy costs more than junk food
BY KYLE LOVERN There was a hit novelty song in the 1970s titled “Junk Food Junkie,” written by Larry Groce, who resides in Charleston. “And I pull out some Fritos corn chips, Dr Pepper and an Ole Moon Pie, Then I sit back in glorious expectation Of a genuine junk food high.” That is just…
-
Summers and Fourth of July of youth
BY KYLE LOVERN The Fourth of July holiday was always a fun time when I was growing up. My sister Karen and I were recently reminiscing about those lazy (and recently hazy) hot days of summer. School had been out for over a month, which was a great thing as far as I was concerned.…
-
Remembering a few old country sayings
BY KYLE LOVERN Growing up in Mingo County, I always got a kick out of many old country sayings. My dad always had a few – many that have stayed with me to this day. There are times I find myself using some of them. Some sayings I heard while just sitting back and listening…
-
Remembering the boys of summer
BY KYLE LOVERN Growing up in Nolan, it would be a big surprise if you didn’t play baseball and softball. You could have called us the “boys of summer.” We were known for having good softball teams. Those were some of the best times and my greatest memories of growing up in this little hamlet…
-
Be proud to live in Appalachia
BY KYLE LOVERN I was talking to an old-timer a few years back, interviewing an elderly person for a story. She lived deep in at the top of a mountaintop above what we call a “holler.” As you might imagine, the view of the mountains was just fantastic. As we sat there and gazed over…