the county press

"As sunshine poured into the cheerful Rolland Warner hallway, I observed Principal Wyatt Stevens, with his warm and sometimes impish smile, high-fiving chatty middle schoolers as they surged by. Students’ faces lit up as Wyatt shouted to them by name and offered a playful comment or fist bump. Witnessing Wyatt’s interactions with “his kiddos,” I understood why students say, “Mr. Stevens brings this school a lot of joy,” and “he makes me feel like this is my home.” 

"Today, Jessie is 101 – a rare centenarian – and we celebrate her. As I watched Jessie’s journey up and down our hill that day, I found it symbolic. Since her birth in 1924, Jessie has endured 10 decades of ups and downs – life’s challenges – with a fighting spirit, unwavering faith, and ability to “just get on with things.” I asked her why she thinks she’s lived this long.

“I never even thought about it. I never even thought I would live this long. It’s the Lord’s will. It’s just a blessing to be alive.”

"Denis grinned when his wife Lynne playfully referred to herself as “just a barnacle on his boat.” Yet, it is clear the McCarthys are co-captains in their marriage who respect and value each other highly. On a frigid winter’s day, the McCarthys and I gathered round bowls of potato soup while they supplied good company and a heartwarming story. It was a tale of two young people who met randomly, quickly joined forces, and built a successful life that included giving back. Theirs is a decades-long ‘court’ ship highlighted by a recent celebratory event."