Nicknames are as Southern as sweet tea

As sure as a South Georgia boy shows up for the second grade snaggle-toothed, he’s going to have a nickname. I didn’t have to wait that long. Before Big Dink ever saw that I had his blue eyes, too, I was destined to be Little Dink. Monikers are as Southern as sweet tea.

Mind guidelines while celebrating

This weekend was supposed to be one of the biggest annual events for the community. It was supposed to be the Pre-Fourth celebration and was going to include a huge arts and crafts festival in downtown Hartwell, a triathlon and a fireworks show over the lake.

State election reporting was too slow

Georgia made national news again on election day because of what have been described as melt downs in the voting process during the primary on June 9.  Mail-in ballots weren’t counted, lines in some places were hours long and many people complained that the entire election was poorly managed.

2005 incident a picture of racial problem

I grew up in a pretty white-bred place.  Cherokee County Georgia in the 1980s and 90s was much less developed than it is now, so I’m sure the demographic makeup has changed drastically, but when I was in high school, Sequoyah High was something like 95 percent white.

Peaceful protest showed Hart's heart

Hartwell showed last week that protests can have an impact, make a point and remain peaceful.  Peace has not been a given in recent weeks as the world has watched America in turmoil following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis under the knee of a police officer.

Horace the mule sank a hopeful sheriff

As the sun was setting over the back side of Long County, a distressed Mrs. George Woods called her veterinarian, Dr. Marvin Satterfield. “Oh, Dr. Satterfield,” she shouted, “you must come quickly to my farm!

Don't let emotions derail Hartwell Lakeside project

It would be a shame to see years of effort on the Hartwell Lakeside project slip away because emotions and political posturing, but it appears that is a possibility.

Waiting for test results is stressful

By CLAY KELLER Covid 19, well maybe?? I have been told that, at times, I can be a little pessimistic. I confess that is an accurate statement. Here’s an example. I worked for the federal government for 30-plus years. In those years I learned two absolute facts.

Sports' return is welcomed news

We want sports to come back. A newspaper just isn’t the same without them.

2020 lessons will help grads soar

The Class of 2020 was dealt a bad hand. Instead of the pomp and circumstance of a formal ceremony and families gathering to celebrate the accomplishment of their graduates, we are wading through the unknown of a pandemic that continues to impact our health, the economy and our daily lives.