For a few weeks now, I’ve been formulating a final column to give a proper goodbye to the people and places that made me fall in love with Hart County.
However, when I sat down next to my computer over the weekend to compose this piece, former President Jimmy Carter passed away.
Undoubtedly, it was super hard to get motivated. At the time, I didn’t want to write a column about the town I’ve covered. Rather, I wanted to tell my own Carter story.
But, as I’m sure President Carter would say, there is more work to do and it must go on. So here I am, penning this column, hours before my paper goes to press. A procrastinator till the end.
I’d like to first begin by thanking my uncle, Athens-native Lee Epting, for introducing me to this town so many years ago.
I would spend the summers with my Athens family growing up, and we spent many days sailing on Lake Hartwell in the late 1980s.
Those were truly some of the best days of my life, and they were spent here in Hart County before I ever had dreams of working for The Sun.
Of course there are hardly words for the wonderful staff here at The Sun: Susan Culver, Melissa Frankum, LaDonna Harris and Benjamin London, and Randy Taylor.
I’d also be remised if I didn’t thank our former employees that have left during my tenure: Rachel Black, Vickie Baskins and Angie Rowland.
Each one of these individuals helped shape me as an editor and publisher. I have learned so much from all of them, and I’m so very grateful. They taught me all I needed to know about this town, and always had the background on any story I was chasing down.
I could talk all day about the pubic officials in this county, all of whom generally want the best for your community. But, for the sake of brevity, I’ll limit my comments to just three.
To my fellow Georgia Southern University graduates in county commissioner Jeff Brown, and city manager Jon Herschell, whom I’ve still never seen the two of them in the same room at the same time, I’d like to extend my deepest thanks.
The bond of the Eagle Nation is strong, and both men were always willing to break down the issues before the city council and county commission for me like I was a three-year-old.
Additionally, I’d like to thank city councilman Tray Hicks. While I don’t agree with everything Hicks says, he is a straight-shooter, and always speaks his mind.
But, the reason for my gratitude is the bond we share as men with a speech impediment holding down high profile positions. Keep carrying that flag for us sir, I appreciate it greatly!
Turning to the business community, I want to take a moment to praise Amanda Brown, the new executive director for the Hart County Chamber of Commerce.
When staff turmoil struck that organization last summer, Brown was thrust into in the limelight as the public face of the organization.
Brown did not seek the position she was put into, and stood up and took the bullets that were hurled at the Chamber from everywhere. She did it all with a smile and a calming grace that we all should find admirable.
Brown quickly turned into one of my heroes. She fought adversity back with a kind heart, and should be commended.
Secondly, I’d like to thank Stephanie Walker from Living Down South Realty.
Throughout my sixteen months here, I tried to keep the fact that I lived in Habersham County a secret to everyone outside of my staff.
I met Walker my second week in Hartwell, and knew automatically I wanted her to be my realtor.
But, that meant telling Walker where I lived and where I wanted to buy.
To this day, Walker kept my secret, and graciously commuted to Cornelia any time my wife and I wanted to tour a home.
With Walker’s help, my family bought our dream home back in July, and I couldn’t have done any of this without her.
I also want to give a quick shoutout to my favorite Hartwell restaurant Little Japan, and my favorite waitress Miss Julia.
I love Japanese food, and the one thing that Hartwell has that home does not is a proper Japanese restaurant.
I’d made that place my go-to on Wednesday after the paper went to press and everyone there treated me like family.
Finally, I’m a sucker for good gossip, and some of the best gossip comes from the most random places.
Not to disparage any of the other banks in town, but The Sun banks at Synovus, and every Thursday I head that way to make a deposit.
I’d like to specifically thank Synovus employees Stephanie Martin and Brittany Smith for always taking a few moments to talk shop, and for giving me that good T.
There are so many things I will miss about Hart County, and I hope to visit often.
Thank you all so much for being so kind and welcoming to a kid from Savannah, and I hope you’ll do the same for Rose Scoggins.