Opinion & Editorial

When Athens hosted four 1996 Olympic events—as a presidential ambassador—I had the privilege of hosting Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter in UGA’s Stegeman Coliseum during rhythmic gymnastics competition.

When Athens hosted four 1996 Olympic events—as a presidential ambassador—I had the privilege of hosting Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter in UGA’s Stegeman Coliseum during rhythmic gymnastics competition.

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Happy birthday, James Earl Carter Jr.

News Staff
Thursday, October 3, 2024
On South Georgia’s Corridor Z in 2017, three black SUVs streaked by our older son’s truck.  His wife, Heather, turned and said, “Alan, there goes President and Mrs. Carter. I bet they are headed to the island.” When the SUVs turned into the Friendly Express in Waynesville, Alan pulled in, too.
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Lavonia Chamber of Commerce announced last week that the two organizations will merge as of Jan. 1. It was welcome news and a great thing for Franklin County.

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Lavonia Chamber of Commerce announced last week that the two organizations will merge as of Jan. 1. It was welcome news and a great thing for Franklin County.

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Merger of chambers good news for all

News Staff
Thursday, September 26, 2024
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Lavonia Chamber of Commerce announced last week that the two organizations will merge as of Jan. 1. It was welcome news and a great thing for Franklin County.

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A newspaper worth its salt prints stories without favors

News Staff
Thursday, September 26, 2024
R emember The Waltons on TV?  It was a long-running yarn following the lives of a struggling, Depression-era, God-loving family in the mountains of Virginia.  It might have been a bit too syrupy for some, but we thought it was a nice break from some of the crime shows of the 1970s.

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People vote with their feet

News Staff
Thursday, September 26, 2024
P eople vote with their feet, as numerous studies about migration among the states have shown. But they don’t only do this by crossing state lines. The IRS publishes data every year about migration not only from state to state, but from county to county.
When I entered the business in 1971, one of the first newspaper families that I met were the Maxwells in Oglethorpe County. After graduating from the University of Georgia and a short time working elsewhere, Ralph Maxwell Jr. came home to eventually take over The Oglethorpe Echo from his father, Ralph Sr. Following Ralph’s stroke in recent years, he began to slow down. I was not surprised when he called to tell me of his plans to close the 147-year-old newspaper.

When I entered the business in 1971, one of the first newspaper families that I met were the Maxwells in Oglethorpe County. After graduating from the University of Georgia and a short time working elsewhere, Ralph Maxwell Jr. came home to eventually take over The Oglethorpe Echo from his father, Ralph Sr. Following Ralph’s stroke in recent years, he began to slow down. I was not surprised when he called to tell me of his plans to close the 147-year-old newspaper.

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A newspaper is the glue that holds a community together

News Staff
Thursday, September 19, 2024
T hree years ago, I got a Monday-afternoon phone call. Little did I know that 1,095 days ago my first crack at retirement – about 65 days – was over.  Calling was my friend of a half-century, Ralph Maxwell, editor and publisher of The Oglethorpe Echo.
Safety, protection must start at community level

Safety, protection must start at community level

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Safety, protection must start at community level

News Staff
Thursday, September 19, 2024
With the Lavonia Fall Festival on the horizon, I’d like to issue my perennial reminder to festival vendors and attendees:  A robust presence of a well-equipped and alert police force is a great thing.
The Lavonia Woman’s Club petitioned Andrew Carnegie for funds to build the Lavonia Carnegie Library. The club is looking for new members who want to make a difference in the community.

The Lavonia Woman’s Club petitioned Andrew Carnegie for funds to build the Lavonia Carnegie Library. The club is looking for new members who want to make a difference in the community.

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Join a group of women making a difference

News Staff
Thursday, September 19, 2024
The Lavonia Woman’s Club is hosting a meet and greet on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Lavonia Fall Festival.   We will be welcoming the ladies of Franklin County and surrounding areas to join us there.  Our location will be under a tent on the left side of the Vintage Cup in downtown Lavonia.

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A U-turn

News Staff
Thursday, September 12, 2024
By Diane Toney   I’m making a U-turn, taking the high road  (I hope) to address a boondoggle that is near and dear to me for many reasons. I won’t belabor the horror and sadness I feel for all involved in the Barrow County School System.
Buddy Hart and I enjoyed road trips—short and long. In 2021 Buddy said, “I’d like to see the new Bulldog football facility.” When he saw the poster of Fran Tarkenton, Buddy said, “We played youth-league baseball together back in the day.” Buddy was an outstanding athlete who spent some time at UGA on a baseball scholarship.

Buddy Hart and I enjoyed road trips—short and long. In 2021 Buddy said, “I’d like to see the new Bulldog football facility.” When he saw the poster of Fran Tarkenton, Buddy said, “We played youth-league baseball together back in the day.” Buddy was an outstanding athlete who spent some time at UGA on a baseball scholarship.

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Buddy lit the world with a 1,000-watt smile

News Staff
Thursday, September 12, 2024
By Dink NeSmith   John Hancock’s swirling signature made him more famous than just being one of the signers of the United States Constitution.  Centuries later, you’ll still hear people say, “I need your ‘John Hancock’ right here.
Baylie Jade Phillips has seen the Georgia-Clemson rivalry from both sides. Phillips attended Clemson and twirled with the school’s Tiger Band (right photo) before transferring to the University of Georgia and twirling for the Redcoat Band.

Baylie Jade Phillips has seen the Georgia-Clemson rivalry from both sides. Phillips attended Clemson and twirled with the school’s Tiger Band (right photo) before transferring to the University of Georgia and twirling for the Redcoat Band.

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Franklin in center of border battle between UGA, Clemson

News Staff
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
T he University of Georgia may have more bitter football rivalries, but Clemson is the “border” rivalry.  Northeast Georgia and Franklin County lie right along that disputed border.  The only opponent closer to UGA than Clemson is Georgia Tech, and that’s by only a couple of miles.