Opinion & Editorial

Keynote speaker Billy Payne (left) sat by Mrs. Orlean Castronis, 99, widow, of Coach Mike Castronis.

Keynote speaker Billy Payne (left) sat by Mrs. Orlean Castronis, 99, widow, of Coach Mike Castronis.

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There’s something special about those Wally’s Boys

News Staff
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
G-Day kickoff for the 2023 Georgia Bulldogs was not until 4 on Saturday afternoon. But before 8 that morning, a special group of Dawgs started filling Athens Country Club’s banquet hall. They are celebrated as “Wally’s Boys,” Bulldogs who strapped on helmets for Coach Wally Butts.
This 1963 Associated Press photo shows Arnold Palmer helping Jack Nicklaus slip into his first of six Masters green jackets. As high school freshmen, Pete Hires and I joined Arnie’s Army to march in the golf gallery at the Augusta National Golf Club. On that Sunday, we watched Palmer, the 1962 winner, award the young Golden Bear his first green jacket—golf’s Holy Grail.

This 1963 Associated Press photo shows Arnold Palmer helping Jack Nicklaus slip into his first of six Masters green jackets. As high school freshmen, Pete Hires and I joined Arnie’s Army to march in the golf gallery at the Augusta National Golf Club. On that Sunday, we watched Palmer, the 1962 winner, award the young Golden Bear his first green jacket—golf’s Holy Grail.

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Times have changed since the 1963 Masters

News Staff
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Jesup’s Sand Greens Golf Course was a million miles from the Augusta National Golf Club. But a Trailways bus took a buddy and me to Augusta in a little over three hours. I had as much business being at the Masters golf tournament as a hippo trying to hula-dance.
Photo by Kanashi

Photo by Kanashi

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Chiropractor puts smile on dog’s face, a spring in his step

News Staff
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Otto is not your ordinary dog. For starters, he’s a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a sophisticated little pooch with a big heart. Queen Elizabeth owned a passel of them. You may have seen them on TV, parading around the palace grounds with their stubby legs like they owned the place.
Photo by Chris Liverani

Photo by Chris Liverani

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Adverse Childhood Experiences

News Staff
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
In the late nineties the Kaiser institute completed a study called the ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experience) study.
Photo by Gemma Evans

Photo by Gemma Evans

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‘No’ can be a big motivator

News Staff
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
The old brick building looked like a school and smelled like a school. At least it did in my 13-year-old mind. I can still smell the oil-soaked floors and hear the squeaking boards, from when principal James E. Bacon—in his big black wingtips—tromped up and down the hall of Jesup Junior High.
Photo by Daniel Lerman

Photo by Daniel Lerman

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If you think you have it bad, dear, just look around

News Staff
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Once upon a time, the Hasidic story goes, a poor man went to a wise rabbi with a complaint. “I’m going crazy,” the man said. “I’m living in a small house with my wife, six children and my mother-in-law, and there’s no room to move. I’m going to have a nervous breakdown.”
Bayard, son of Eric and Connell NeSmith, will be 11 on May 17. But the birthday that excites him the most is his 16th, when he will get the keys to Sweet Pea, a 1969 Chevy pickup.

Bayard, son of Eric and Connell NeSmith, will be 11 on May 17. But the birthday that excites him the most is his 16th, when he will get the keys to Sweet Pea, a 1969 Chevy pickup.

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Sweet Pea, love at first sight

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Remember when Linda Ronstadt belted out her hit song “Just One Look”? Yeah, just one look. That’s all it took for the blond-haired, blue-eyed tyke to fall in love. I’m not talking boy-girl puppy-love infatuation. Oh, no. The affection was for “I can’t wait until I’m 16, and I can drive.”
Photo by Arnaud Jaegers

Photo by Arnaud Jaegers

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Pattillo had vision and guts to do right thing 

News Staff
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
On March 10—at Decatur Presbyterian Church—I delivered H.G. Pattillo’s eulogy. In research for my 96-year-old friend’s service, I came across this column that was first published on Jan. 9, 2013. HGP taught me so much.