Smith: Love of the game

In Athens earlier this week, I timed a trip uptown via Lumpkin Street to immerse myself in the phalanx of students, watching them cross the street all the way to the bottom of the hill and up past Joe Brown Hall toward the canopy of trees of North Campus.

Smith: Darryl Jones

Here in Columbus, the waters of Georgia’s most romantic river — the musical Chattahoochee — bring a lively atmosphere to a vibrant populace bent on creating a city that combines work and play, making it not only an attractive destination but also a place to put down roots.

Smith: Lexington, Kentucky

Flying into Bluegrass Field has always been emotionally intoxicating — even before you tour a distillery upon disembarking. There is something special about Kentucky “Horse Country,” which reminds you this environment is as rare as a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle.

Smith: Tom Cousins

There are many Biblical references to incompatibility in the afterlife for those who accumulated wealth on earth, and while no living person, sinner or saint, knows what awaits, I believe Tom Cousins will be in the quarters reserved for the most special of people.

Smith: Summer’s heat

High temperatures, which have overwhelmed us lately, seem to be more intense and more enduring than I can remember. You notice, however, that those who work outside appear to be carrying on with a “business as usual” demeanor.

Smith: Kirby’s kickoff

I have been monitoring the start of each season of Georgia football for almost seven decades. There was never a time when there was not a rush of adrenaline accompanying that first day of practice.Yesteryear, the players reported on Labor Day weekend.

Smith: Commissioner Tyler Harper

Near Ocilla is the home of Tyler Harper, Georgia’s commissioner of agriculture, who is more than an established politician.

Smith: Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker, nicknamed “the goal line stalker” by Dan Magill, may have been the greatest Bulldog ever when it came to that particular talent. He also may have been the best when it comes to accentuating the positive.

Smith: Jeff Wallace

There is more to the Jeff Wallace story than you probably know. First, there is his wife, Sabina, who, like Jeff, was a star athlete at UGA — both on scholarship — track for her, tennis for him.

Smith: Wimbledon memories

As the action intensifies at Wimbledon, the world’s oldest tennis championship charms and inspires, and leaves you smitten and overwhelmed. That is how this great venue and its revered tournament affect this partisan.