Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 6,480 HOMES
Saying Goodbye to “Olde Salem”
Columbia Senior Wins National Writing Awards
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
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f the walls of Historic Salem United Church of Christ could talk, what would they say? Would they recall when the first German-speaking people gathered in the building for worship in 1803? Would they remember when the cornerstone of the present building at 324 Walnut St. was laid in 1860? Or would they celebrate the day the first woman was elected to the church council in 1949? As Columbia’s oldest church, Salem UCC has impacted generations of people who came together to celebrate their Christian faith in an open and affirming space. But all good things must come to an end, and on May 24, the church - affectionately known as “Olde Salem” - held its last service. “This church has meant so much to this community over the years,” said pastor Mark Harris. “I have no doubt that there will be an empty See “Olde Salem” pg 5
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
To the People I’ve Lost The fact that I will never get to meet you keeps me up at night A tragic loss in which I will never truly understand because you died before I was born Your daughter, my mom, sees you in me The hair cut short and the interest in reading If we could’ve met, would we have been close?
Before the sun is fully up on Saturday mornings, women gather behind Columbia Christian Fellowship to flip tires, drag ropes and push themselves through grueling outdoor workouts. Minutes later, sweaty and exhausted, they sit around a campfire sharing stories about faith, struggles and life. For the women of Chromium Tribe, the challenge is the point. The group combines physical fitness with spiritual encouragement,
These are the words that begin “To the People I’ve Lost,” a poem written by Columbia High School senior Aster Hjelm. Earlier this spring, Aster won both a gold medal and the American Voices Award at the national level in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. More than 110,000 students from across the country entered more than 335,000 original works of art and writing for the competition, said Aster’s teacher, Lindsay Mellon. The poem is a deeply personal recollection of the people who’ve gone before her and the ways their presence is still felt, Aster said. “Through internal reflection, my poem examines how everyday objects can have generations’ worth of stories behind them,” she said. “Personally, the objects that I value the most in my life are ones I have received from the people I love, but they’re often associated with the people I have lost too.” Aster recalled that the day she
See Sisterhood pg 3
See Writing pg 2
Members of Salem UCC hold items showcasing the history of the church. Photo by Cathy Molitoris
C WM
Sweat, Strength and Sisterhood BY CATHY MOLITORIS
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VOL LXVII • NO 11
Chromium Tribe members during a recent workout. Photo by Cathy Molitoris
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