Opinion & Editorial

Photo by Yuan Yang

Photo by Yuan Yang

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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.

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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

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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.’”

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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.

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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.
For the last year I had the opportunity to learn how to play the carillon on Clemson’s campus. Like Quasimodo, I would climb the famed clocktower to play the bells for everyone in earshot.

For the last year I had the opportunity to learn how to play the carillon on Clemson’s campus. Like Quasimodo, I would climb the famed clocktower to play the bells for everyone in earshot.

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Dear Old Clemson

News Staff
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
I always tell people that while I may be a first-generation Clemson student, I am a third generation Clemson fan.
Photo by Aiden Craver

Photo by Aiden Craver

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Riding the wagon of life

Dan Moorehead
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
I imagine that when I was born I climbed into this rickety old wagon. The wagon was meandering down this rutted dirt road and was somehow being pulled by something that I just couldn’t quite see. Then I saw that there were others on the wagon, also.
Photo by Gemma Evans

Photo by Gemma Evans

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Born with only two speeds is a blessing and a curse

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Hearing “no” can do one of two things. The two-letter word can discourage you or encourage you. Over my almost 75 years, positive reactions to negative rejections have been a cornerstone of my life.  That’s why I’ve decided to update my 2009 version of Thank you for telling me NO!
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.