All too often, the phrase “local history” used to be synonymous with “boring.” I think that’s changing.

Candy Crowley remembers the moment when she realized Barack Obama might have a chance to become President of the United States.

What would the Flying Nun say about the new art museum in Roanoke?

“Democracy used to be a good thing,” former North Carolina Senator Jessie Helms once declared, “but lately it has gotten into the wrong hands.”

If Europe had been allowed to vote in the most recent U.S. presidential election, Barack Obama’s victory margin would have been a lot wider.

The economy JA teaches kids about is providing a real-life lesson.

We tend to treat politics like sports events in our society. Election Day reminds us that there’s an important difference.

There are times when being the only general columnist on this newspaper becomes a little challenging. Because my face appears with what I write (for better or worse), many people see me as their gateway into print. On top of that, I’ve made a lot of acquaintances in 30 years here, and they often send me suggestions of things to write about, which I value greatly.

For Mark Russell, answering the question ‘What is India like?‘ is no mean feat.

I learned an important lesson early in my newspaper career when I drove out to cover a shooting at a trailer park.

In winning the President of Us mock election last week, Marvin “Buddy” Crews did what all successful politicians do — he appealed to his base.

For the class of ‘78, high school felt a lot like middle school.

On the eve of the sixth annual “Historic Ghosts of Lynchburg” walking tour organized by the Lynchburg Historic Foundation, foundation director Sally Schneider admitted to being somewhat haunted by the weather forecast.

For Bo Henson, it must have been like attending his own funeral — except that he left the James River Conference Center on Oct. 11 feeling more alive than ever.

This Kenyan headmaster knows learning is about more than the amenities.

According to Beth Brown, there are those who simply can’t let go of the Civil War.

I think I’m seeing something happening here, something good. Of course, what do I know? I’m just a columnist for a small newspaper in a largely overlooked part of Virginia.

I had thought our “President of Us” contest would provide some clues as to how the citizens of Central Virginia regard the pressing national issues. Instead, it gave me an insight into how and why people vote.

There is this weird symmetry between Ernie Pyle and Gary Morrison. And in the end, Morrison couldn’t resist it.

Vote early and vote often, as Mayor Daley used to say.

Ricky Bomar to the rescue.

Rick Ouimet thought he had died and gone to heaven. So to speak.

I understand. If you’re part of perhaps 85 percent of the Americans who will vote in the November presidential election, you’ve already made up your mind.

These days, Royal Jones is surrounded by things she finds painful to look at.

As a minister, Chuck McGhee never liked to ask for money. “I’d let the church elders do that,” he said. “It made me uncomfortable.”

If your definition of “news” is something that happened yesterday, this isn’t it. But it was news to me — and as a columnist, that makes it fair game.

Azar Nafisi’s focus has always been the human heart, not the human head.

No, I’m not talking about the horse-like animals with black and white stripes that are often eaten by lions.

Ask Cosette Conaway about her T-shirt.

I grew up with — and, obviously, survived — the 18-year-old drinking age.