Benjamin-Smith: Just one step away

I am constantly wondering about things, but over the past few weeks, I've had to put the brakes on and really think. I believe my brain isn't used to thinking that much.First, the annual Mothers Against Crime banquet was held, with approximately 100 people helping us celebrate 34 years of service.

Yarbrough: Trying to deal with Artie Fishel Intelligence

RING! RING! RING!“Hello. Dick Yarbrough speaking. How may I direct your call?”“Dick, it’s me. Artie.”“I’m sorry. Artie who?”“Artie Fishel, you harebrained humanoid. Of Artie Fishel's Intelligence. You surely remember me.

Rich: Aunt Fairy

Every time we sing “Precious Memories” at church or at a funeral, I think of my daddy’s Aunt Fairy, who raised him.His daddy beat him. His mama left him.

Yarbrough: Reminder of privilege, responsibility for these words

As if this job isn’t hard enough already—trying to get nouns and verbs to agree (and trust me, they can be very disagreeable)—I have learned that this column is now the subject of regular dissection by a group of discerning ladies in Dalton.

Letter to the Editor: Quarry complaints continue

Dear Editor,Last week’s full-page paid advertisement from Putnam Stone in The Eatonton Messenger details where they locate 700 active mines, including 150 rock quarries, in Georgia.

Letter to the Editor: More quarry concerns

Dear Editor,In less than 30 days, on July 2, the Putnam County Planning & Zoning Commissioners will attempt to vote again on the rezoning request made by Hans Dawson and Putnam County Stone LLC for 917.78 acres on Dennis Station Road to become an open-pit mine.As homeowners in District 4 since...

Yarbrough: Elections not over ‘til they’re over

The good news is that the primary elections are over. The bad news is the primary elections are not over—we now have runoffs. Then it will all be over, except it won’t be.

Rich: World War II heroes

Tink and I were at lunch recently with a friend who began talking about his grandfather’s bravery and the medals he earned during World War II.When the war began, his grandfather was initially deferred because he was in college. A few months later, he was drafted.

Tocher: Voting integrity matters beyond elections

With primary election results arriving this week — unfortunately, after press time for The Eatonton Messenger — voters in Putnam County and across Georgia will once more be relying on the integrity and accuracy of the election process.Most of that trust is naturally tied to politics.

Letter to the Editor: More than just ‘Voices & Votes’

Dear Editor,May’s Historic Preservation Month coincides with another important celebration approaching in July, as the United States prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary — the semiquincentennial.Locally, Putnam County has already begun marking the occasion by hosting the Smithsonian...