Crane: Are we becoming pirates now?

Back around 2012, off the coast of West Africa, a combination of poverty, weak governments ashore, and lightly regulated traffic on international waters led to a rash of acts of piracy against cargo, leisure, and cruise lines.

Rich: The South’s American queen

A reader from Minnesota recently wrote and, in her email, she mentioned that she lives near where the Mississippi River begins.There is no greater, more besotted fan of the Mississippi than I. Of course, I had questions.Where does it start?How deep and wide is it?

Yarbrough: Turning down all those dukedoms

I got a lot of mail encouraging me to take the job as Duke of York, which I appreciated. I thought long and hard about it, but decided to take my name out of the running. I hope you aren’t disappointed, but looking back, I believe it was the right decision.

Benjamin-Smith: Wandering down memory lane

Another busy month, and I absolutely loved each and every fast-moving minute.The days I work (Thursday and Friday) at the Uncle Remus Museum have been busy and great. I meet people there who are visiting Eatonton from all over the world.

Crane: Cryptocurrency’s kryptonite

Here’s a story of the high-flying funny money that flew too close to the sun … and then ...There are times in life when a moment crystallizes in your mind, and increasingly, at least for me, you can anticipate when the latest hot topic is about to jump the Shark.

Smith: I’m Thankful

I’m always reminded at Thanksgiving that we should first be thankful for Thanksgiving itself, because it gets us in the mood for Christmas.

Rich: Dill and me

It was in the Springtime, some 20-odd years ago, that I was headed to the Georgia coast for a speaking engagement.My phone rang. This was in the glorious days before texting had rudely invaded our lives.The most beautiful, lilting voice replied to my “Hello?

Tocher: ‘Saw it with my own eyes’ may no longer count

It’s no longer science fiction or even something to eventually get used to; artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay, already racing ahead, though plenty of us are feeling more than a little apprehensive about what that means for everyday life.

Yarbrough: Let’s show our thanks first

I guess I need to check my calendar. I had assumed this was Thanksgiving Week, but according to the television ads, it’s Christmas already — or “the Holiday season,” for the politically correct.There is just one problem. I haven’t yet had the chance to express my gratitude or to tell you why.

Letter to the Editor: Wreaths Across America

Dear Editor,I am writing to urge our community to show its robust support and volunteer for a crucial annual event: Wreaths Across America, this year on Saturday, Dec. 13.