Holiday brings time for love

Last week, I read a phrase that gave me a good laugh. It said, “January was a tough year, but we made it.

EDITORIAL: Blue Ridge vote ignores citizens, Georgia law

Hiding behind a cloak of secrecy and turning their backs on the principle of Georgia’s open meetings law, Blue Ridge’s elected officials have adopted a resolution seeking annexation of several miles of two highways.

Magazine can’t define happiness

There it was on the cover of an aging copy of Prevention magazine: a teaser headline that said, “How to be 40 percent Happier (Seriously).” Underneath were other teasers: “No-Cook Dinners,” “Cure Wrinkles,” and an exclusive titled “Lose Your Belly, Eat More Fat.

Don’t judge the whole barrel

Some stories that you read in The News Observer are harder for us to report than others. That’s become some are simply hard to stomach, some because of the dark cloud they cast over the entire community and some simply because we know how people will react, whether that reaction is justified or not.

EDITORIAL: Cities set pace Fannin County should follow

Hats off to the members of the Blue Ridge City Council for increasing the pay for the city’s police officers.  In their January meeting, council members voted for a pay scale that will help the department hire and retain the best officers to serve and protect the city’s citizens.

Details fade with time’s passing

Did you know the more you recall an event the more your mind misconstrues the details? An easy way to understand this is by referring to a game of telephone. If you’re unfamiliar, telephone involves whispering a message into the ear of someone in line beside you.

Don’t throw out that old radio

We’re a throw away society. If something breaks or grows old it goes out with the trash so it can be replaced by something new and shiny. The idea that anything can be fixed faded into history a long time ago.

EDITORIAL: McCaysville’s look rests with alcohol decisions

McCaysville residents need to pay very close attention if they want to have any input into the future atmosphere of the city. At a workshop last week, the city’s council members heard a lengthy list of requests to change the city’s alcohol ordinance.

EDITORIAL: Fannin County owns ultimate pig-in-a-poke

With every shovel full of information that is dug up on Fannin County’s plans for the old Whitepath Fab Tech building, the financial hole gets deeper for taxpayers. And each new bit of information discounts previous information in some way.

Yoga, pilates both offer benefits

H ave you ever wondered about the differences of yoga and pilates? The two practices share many similarities including developing and honing a better mind, body, soul connection. They both are low impact and will build long, lean muscles with great core strength and mental focus.