Letter to the Editor: Freedom Riders morph into Freedom Readers

Dear Editor,Sixty-five years ago, almost exactly at this time of year, seven Black and six white activists calling themselves the Freedom Riders left Washington, D.C. on a bus together, determined to sit together at lunch counters throughout the South.However, the Bull Connors of the South reacted...

Letter to the Editor: Denying quarry benefits claim

Dear Editor,In response to the Putnam Stone paid advertisement in the May 14 Eatonton Messenger titled “Smaller Quarry, Big Benefits,” my reply is simple: “No Quarry, Bigger Benefits.”Citizens should understand that reducing the size of the quarry does nothing to reduce traffic and road damage,...

Crane: Big win/win on Winn Way

Raising a child with special needs and cognitive delays teaches you to appreciate better—and find cause for celebration in—the many small victories of daily life.

Rich: The thief

The email from my literary agent popped up.

Yarbrough: Keep talkin’ Southern, y’all

I’m a little late getting around to this, but there is a survey out by a group called Writing Tips Institute, a website that teaches people how to write correctly.According to the survey, 51% of Georgians would like our dialect protected by law.

Letter to the Editor: National Peace Officer Memorial Day

Dear Editor,Friday, May 15, is National Peace Officer Memorial Day.In accordance with federal law and in observance of this day, the flags at the Putnam County Courthouse, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, PCSO Lake Oconee Precinct, Lake Sinclair Marine Patrol Station, and Lake Oconee Marine Patrol...

Benjamin-Smith: Faith is a means of daily renewal

Once more, I am wandering and wondering. Each and every day is different, and what a blessing that is. Every day looks different, and each day brings forth new happenings and renewed ones.First, my head is still whirling and whirling and whirling. Why?

Yarbrough: Random thoughts on some random subjects

I would like to say I hate it when I’m right, but Jiminy Crickets, I am right so much that if I spent all that time hating myself, I wouldn’t have time to hate broccoli.

Story: A mother’s story

It is a line that Tink and I quote often, always with a shake of the head. We will carry it to our graves.A dear friend of ours — a successful entertainer from a storied family — had a cruel mother who left her children to figure out food, school, and life for themselves.

Yarbrough: Political silly season upon us

Welcome to Silly Season, when our intrepid public servants—and those who aspire to be—dominate our TVs with ads, clutter street corners with yard signs, press the flesh while we’re trying to enjoy breakfast at our favorite diner, flood our mailboxes with flyers, and go online to ask us for money.As...