Yarbrough: An awakening on sleep deprivation

You never know what you are going to discover in the process of churning out columns.

Smith: Viva Las Vegas

Early morning brings time for reflection and inspiration—a time to assess your environment, connect with humility, and graphically underscore positive thinking. Makes one wonder if such moments ever came about for Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao, the Unabomber, and Al Capone.

Chancey: How to have the best Christmas ever

The Christmas rush is in full throttle and the pressure is on to get it all done before December 25th. I admire those wise folks who make Christmas purchases all year long. Of course, if I was smart enough to purchase gifts ahead of time, I’d probably forget where I hid them.

Smith: Mark Richt

LAS VEGAS – Not sure how many halls of fame Mark Richt will become a member of, but there are a few which have not yet been established such as “The Nice Guy Hall of Fame,” and the “Gentlemen’s Hall of Fame.

Rich: The dried flowers

Sentiment is not something I was taught. It was born in me. Both my parents were hardscrabble Appalachian folks where sentimentality was a luxury that could be afforded no more than new, wool coats for the entire family or a simple, gold wedding band for my grandmother. But me?

Letter to the Editor: Understanding influence and appreciating performance

Dear Editor, Last week’s excellent “S” is for Sheriff's story about Sheriff Howard Sills could easily be the introduction to the book that I believe will eventually be written.

Crane: Georgia winning water wars

Though a long way from the Dust Bowl Droughts of 1924-1927, and again from 1930-1935, which contributed to national food scarcity and further complicated the Great Depression, Georgia is in a state of continuing drought, which looks increasingly like the drought of 2007.

Letter to the Editor: Grateful for ‘Jurors’ recognition

Dear Editor, I was so happy to see you at The Plaza for PAPA’s last performance of “12 Angry Jurors.” We appreciate more than I can tell you, the coverage that appeared in this past week’s edition.

Rich: Southern Gothic Murder (Final Installment)

Seton Tucker is the reason that I all a sudden packed a suitcase on Sunday night and said, casually, to Tink, “I’m going to South Carolina for the Murdaugh trial tomorrow.” He chuckled. “Be safe.” He is used to my spontaneous ideas. He never interferes or tries to make sense.

Letters to the Editor: Giving Tuesday is next week

To the Editor and people of Putnam County, Giving Tuesday for this year is Nov. 28, a globally focused day meant to reimagine a world based on shared humanity and generosity.