Opinion & Editorial

An aerial photo of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp. Photo credit: Shutterstock, Inc.

An aerial photo of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp. Photo credit: Shutterstock, Inc.

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Okefenokee tug-o-war is long way from over

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
The opposing sides are not barefoot on Jekyll Island’s beach, but there’s a definite line drawn in the sand. Feet are dug in, and muscles are straining. On one side is an Alabama mining company and its fleet of high-powered lobbyists.
Former University of Georgia quarterback, two-time National Champion and Heisman finalist Stetson Bennett IV was arrested for public intoxication Sunday in Dallas, Texas.

Former University of Georgia quarterback, two-time National Champion and Heisman finalist Stetson Bennett IV was arrested for public intoxication Sunday in Dallas, Texas.

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Some advice for my friend Stetson Bennett IV

News Staff
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Fame and fortune come with a cost. As a celebrity, when you are placed on a pedestal, encased in glass, your private and public lives are in full view. Sunday morning in Dallas, Stetson Fleming Bennett IV learned a most unfortunate lesson, thanks to his stardom and poor decision making.
Photo by Chander R

Photo by Chander R

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I remember how fast you could run

Dan Moorehead
Friday, January 27, 2023
“I remember how fast you could run.” Those were the words that a longtime friend said to me recently. We were having lunch together, not talking about anything in particular, perhaps reminiscing a bit when he said it.
Chandler LeCroy (left) and Devin Willock (right) were killed in a wreck on Barnett Shoals Road in Athens in the early morning on Jan. 15. Photo credit: Athens Banner-Herald.

Chandler LeCroy (left) and Devin Willock (right) were killed in a wreck on Barnett Shoals Road in Athens in the early morning on Jan. 15. Photo credit: Athens Banner-Herald.

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Triumph, tragedy in Bulldog nation

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Charles Dickens, circa 1859, said it best in A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times … it was the worst of times.”  One hundred and sixty-four years later, the novelist could have been talking about the Bulldog Nation over the past weekend.
Having advanced from walk-on quarterback to superstar, Stetson Bennett played his last game for the Georgia Bulldogs on Monday night in California’s SoFi Stadium. The sixth-year senior won his fifth Offensive Player MVP award in the last five playoff games, including the CFP National Championship game’s 65-7 thrashing of TCU. Bennett threw four touchdowns while amassing 304 yards through the air. No. 13 also rushed for two more scores. Coach Kirby Smart said that was probably Bennett’s best game ever. Now m

Having advanced from walk-on quarterback to superstar, Stetson Bennett played his last game for the Georgia Bulldogs on Monday night in California’s SoFi Stadium. The sixth-year senior won his fifth Offensive Player MVP award in the last five playoff games, including the CFP National Championship game’s 65-7 thrashing of TCU. Bennett threw four touchdowns while amassing 304 yards through the air. No. 13 also rushed for two more scores. Coach Kirby Smart said that was probably Bennett’s best game ever. Now m

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My advice to Stetson was wrong

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. I could say it 100 more times, and “wrong” would be the right assessment. After last year’s thrill of Georgia’s winning its first national championship in 41 years, I had some advice for Georgia’s quarterback Stetson Bennett IV.
Photo credit: Jan Tinneberg

Photo credit: Jan Tinneberg

Thank you and farewell

Dan Hunt
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Next week’s issue of The Hartwell Sun will be the last in which my name is listed as publisher/editor. My wife and I have decided to return closer to home, a little south of Raleigh, North Carolina, for personal reasons.
From a walk-on quarterback to a Heisman finalist, Stetson Bennett has already had a legendary UGA career. Leading the Bulldogs to a come-from-behind victory over Ohio State’s Buckeyes in the New Year’s Eve Peach Bowl, No. 13 was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) on offensive. Making the presentation was Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl president and CEO Gary Stokan. Counting last year’s semifinal and national championship games—plus the SEC championship game—that makes four times the six-year senior has been

From a walk-on quarterback to a Heisman finalist, Stetson Bennett has already had a legendary UGA career. Leading the Bulldogs to a come-from-behind victory over Ohio State’s Buckeyes in the New Year’s Eve Peach Bowl, No. 13 was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) on offensive. Making the presentation was Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl president and CEO Gary Stokan. Counting last year’s semifinal and national championship games—plus the SEC championship game—that makes four times the six-year senior has been

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‘Old Lady Luck’ wore red and black on New Year’s Eve

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
“Dawgs on top! We were gone. I gave up. You did, too. We were out of it and gone. Miracle!” If you were barking for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1980, you know who growled those words in Jacksonville. And you know where you were on Nov. 8, 1980, when Buck Belue hit Lindsay Scott—over the middle—and No.
Dawson Baker, center, marches alongside his father Kevin Baker, left, and mother Lisa Baker, right, during Senior Day festivities at Clemson University before kickoff versus the University of Miami.

Dawson Baker, center, marches alongside his father Kevin Baker, left, and mother Lisa Baker, right, during Senior Day festivities at Clemson University before kickoff versus the University of Miami.

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‘Orange’ you glad it happened?

News Staff
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
It was once said that everything that has a beginning has an ending. This is a lesson that I learned recently in a rather difficult way, but to tell you that story, I need to tell you a few other stories first.
Pictured above is the original Sun article highlighting the giant inflatable Spongebob prior to its theft from the roof of Burger King.

Pictured above is the original Sun article highlighting the giant inflatable Spongebob prior to its theft from the roof of Burger King.

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# Throwback Thursday

News Staff
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
1955: The Hartwell Sun reported that despite near freezing temperatures, thousands of people lined Hartwell’s streets for the annual Hart County Christmas Parade making it one of the largest-attended parades yet held.
Pictured above is the Rock Springs Baptist Church float, one of many that traveled through the streets of Hartwell during Sunday’s annual Christmas Parade.

Pictured above is the Rock Springs Baptist Church float, one of many that traveled through the streets of Hartwell during Sunday’s annual Christmas Parade.

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We can, have done better

News Staff
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
I have been in attendance for or participated in the Hartwell Christmas Parade for the last 15 years or so, and while I have been away at school, I have made it a point to make the drive home to take in the sights and sounds of the parade.