Opinion & Editorial

Photo by Jochen van Wylick

Photo by Jochen van Wylick

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Thanks to the men behind the scenes

News Staff
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Fifty eight years stand between the establishment of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Mothers in the United States have been awarded the honor since 1914, but Father’s Day was not recognized as a national holiday until Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.
Photo by Elan smith

Photo by Elan smith

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Jekyll Island: A gem among our Golden Isles

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Millions of Georgians would probably ask, “Who was Melvin Ernest Thompson?” Four times in the past week, I passed over the M.E. Thompson Bridge. And each time, I said, “Thank you, Melvin Ernest Thompson.” M.E. Thompson, Georgia’s 70th governor, didn’t serve long.
Todd London (left) stands next to his son Benjamin London (right), who is holding a very happy Baylor Kate.

Todd London (left) stands next to his son Benjamin London (right), who is holding a very happy Baylor Kate.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

A first-time perspective on Father’s Day

News Staff
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
This Father’s Day will mean more to me this year than any other year. Back on November 11, 2022 (which was also my 24th birthday), my wife Madison and I walked into AnMed Women’s and Children’s Hospital at around 7 a.m. for her to be induced.
Photo by Ardian Lumi

Photo by Ardian Lumi

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Looking to dance on the depot again

News Staff
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
When it comes to events in Hartwell, I am loyal to a fault and a traditionalist.  My father and I have attended Cars & Guitars religiously over the years, while my mother and I typically take a quick lap around the Pre-4th Extravaganza annually.
Photo by Yuan Yang

Photo by Yuan Yang

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

What is fueling Georgia Power’s rate increases?

News Staff
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
If you happen to be a Georgia Power Company customer, I have some good news and some bad news. Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. Your bill is going up $16 per month starting June 1. That’s on top of what you are already paying for your service. And the good news?
During the first several years of our almost 54 years of marriage, Pam and I lived in a 12-foot-by-40-foot New Moon mobile home. The monthly payments were $61.83. This photo was taken after the 1968 UGA homecoming game. We were married on Aug. 23, 1969. We moved to Jesup in 1971. When we were expecting our first child, we bought a 100-year-old house. The payments were $98 per month.

During the first several years of our almost 54 years of marriage, Pam and I lived in a 12-foot-by-40-foot New Moon mobile home. The monthly payments were $61.83. This photo was taken after the 1968 UGA homecoming game. We were married on Aug. 23, 1969. We moved to Jesup in 1971. When we were expecting our first child, we bought a 100-year-old house. The payments were $98 per month.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

High rent opens door to 56 years of friendship

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Wearing a starched white uniform and toting bedpans in 1967, I learned from the nuns of St. Marys Hospital how to make $1 million. All I had to do was work 1 million hours. By the time I was a senior at UGA, I discovered how to cut that requirement in half. My new job paid double—$2 per hour.
Photo by Charles DeLoye

Photo by Charles DeLoye

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Congratulations to the Class of 2023

News Staff
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
This Friday will mark a special occasion in the lives of more than 200 of Hart County’s finest. Graduating from Hart County High School is a milestone that is worth celebrating, and it is an achievement that will not diminish in significance over time.
Watson Mill State Park is one of Oglethorpe County’s signature historic landmarks. If you talked to the people splashing in the water below the bridge, they’d probably say, “This is what you call summertime ‘quality of life.’”

Watson Mill State Park is one of Oglethorpe County’s signature historic landmarks. If you talked to the people splashing in the water below the bridge, they’d probably say, “This is what you call summertime ‘quality of life.’”

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Here’s a list of my favorite ‘things’

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Under a protective cap of possum-blond hair sits a mental jukebox. Sometimes it plays songs. Other times, there’s just background music and a voice, scrolling down a list of things that make me smile. A while back, I was smiling — watching martins do aerobatics around the tower of gourds.
Dawson Baker stands in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy during Easter weekend. The Colosseum was constructed during the first century A.D.

Dawson Baker stands in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy during Easter weekend. The Colosseum was constructed during the first century A.D.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Telling stories of Italy for years to come

News Staff
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
I have been running at full steam ahead since the beginning of the year. I have completed my student teaching, taken a trip abroad, graduated college and officially moved back to Hartwell.