Opinion & Editorial

As chairman of Athens 96, top left, I worked with 28 volunteers to coordinate the community’s involvement in the Games. Top right, my leg of the torch run was in Stephens County. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 1996 Olympics, the Athens torch run was re-enacted. Above, I’m with Billy Payne, left, and former UGA football coach and athletic director Vince Dooley at the anniversary celebration.

As chairman of Athens 96, top left, I worked with 28 volunteers to coordinate the community’s involvement in the Games. Top right, my leg of the torch run was in Stephens County. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 1996 Olympics, the Athens torch run was re-enacted. Above, I’m with Billy Payne, left, and former UGA football coach and athletic director Vince Dooley at the anniversary celebration.

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Let the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad begin with memories

News Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
T he closest that I’ve ever been to Paris is 4,364 miles. That was squirming in Mrs. Lois Collins’ eighth-grade French class. Correction. On a Delta flight in 1999 to begin a three-week Middle East Travel Seminar (METS), our plane touched down in Berlin.
Do you hear me now?

Do you hear me now?

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Do you hear me now?

News Staff
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
God, before writing this article, I pray your blessings and comfort to the family of the man who died and the others wounded in this horrific tragedy that occurred this past Saturday night in Pennsylvania.
Performers, sponsors made Freedom Celebration a success

Performers, sponsors made Freedom Celebration a success

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Performers, sponsors made Freedom Celebration a success

News Staff
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
To all of our sponsors I want to say thank you for your financial support, because without you, the Freedom Celebration 24 music festival would have never made it to Royston.  Thank you to the sponsors that made in-kind donations.
America, we need to look in the mirror

America, we need to look in the mirror

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America, we need to look in the mirror

News Staff
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
By Dink NeSmith When you are 75 years old, reality stares you in the face. You know that you have more days behind you than ahead.  And following the July 13 assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, I pray for the days ahead for our grandchildren’s generation.
Sparky, the family’s Treeing Walker hound, spies the fixings for Tallulah chocolate on the NeSmiths’ backyard deck in Habersham County. (Photo by Heather NeSmith)

Sparky, the family’s Treeing Walker hound, spies the fixings for Tallulah chocolate on the NeSmiths’ backyard deck in Habersham County. (Photo by Heather NeSmith)

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Time to crank the ice cream churn

News Staff
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
By Dink NeSmith   A childhood treat was going to a Howard Johnson’s restaurant, climbing on a stool and staring at the sign touting 28 flavors of ice cream. And trying not to drool while I decided which one to ask Myrtice Warren to scoop and stack on a sugar cone.

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Me and Myles

News Staff
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Myles Robert Godfrey and I were in diapers the first time we met. I think Myles had soiled his, but I didn’t say anything. After all, he was just a month-old. I was a year old. It was inevitable that Myles and I would see a lot of each other over the years.
Court ruling ends U.S. republic

Court ruling ends U.S. republic

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Court ruling ends U.S. republic

News Staff
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Citizens of the United States may want to circle July 1, 2024, on their calendar and label it “The End of the United States Republic.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

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‘All men are created equal’

News Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
In honor of our nation’s 248th birthday Thursday, we offer excerpts from the Declaration of Independence.   IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
Janie Clark Richard (above) enjoyed the family history displays at Saturday’s Juneteenth celebration at the Spring Street Gym.

Janie Clark Richard (above) enjoyed the family history displays at Saturday’s Juneteenth celebration at the Spring Street Gym.

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More history is good

News Staff
Thursday, June 27, 2024
The Springview Heights community in Lavonia hosted our county’s first celebration of the Juneteenth holiday Saturday.