Growing up in Carroll County, I spent many hours writing with papers and pens in my room. The love of writing and newsprints has been a lifetime enjoyment for me. This month marks my twentieth fifth anniversary of writing columns beginning in November 2000 for this newspaper. Through the years, there have been arrays of events, from community topics, politics, and a host of current events with all the challenges that come with it. Back when I began writing for this paper two decades ago, I was alongside many columnists that are no longer with us, Rev. Harvey Overstreet and Ethel Donahoo. They brought their community to a full-scale conversation that was so local from the 407 News and Hebron News.
Reading newspapers is a good habit that can provide a great sense of educational value. It carries information about politics, economy, entertainment, sports, business, and industry. Being a reader of the newspaper, it will not only enhance your knowledge about the community you live in, but it will likewise improve a better understanding of where your community has been through history and is headed in the future.
For many people reading newspapers makes their days more complete. Through writing this column over the years, I am aware that there are a variety of opinions each of us have. Different opinions are good, it helps people to think, I know for me it is good to hear different opinions through columnists. It makes me aware of a broad range of information.
Through the years I read several columnists on a regular basis, among them Wyatt Emmerich, Sid Salter, and Tim Kalich.
Reading newspapers will improve your knowledge in general and it will be easy for you to relate to other people who often talk about current events and politics. Through newspapers, you will have a clear idea and understanding of what is happening in your country and the whole world.
Last month, October 5-11, 2025, was 85th annual National Newspaper Week to promote the newspaper industry and highlight the role of local journalism in providing important information, fostering civic engagement, and strengthening communities. This month as I mark a quarter of a century with this newspaper as a columnist, I appreciate all the readers and your support. While looking to the future with more writings to come, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to be a columnist for the past twenty-five years here at Montgomery Publishing Company.
Ken Strachan serves as the mayor of North Carrollton, is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League board of directors, and serves a North Central Mayors Association president.
