Opinion & Editorial

Ma could have known Bragg’s Alabama people

By Dink NeSmith   Only Samuel Clemens could have been Mark Twain. Hal Holbrook came close, impersonating him. Many use Twain’s words, costumes and a pound of makeup to try to trick us. But they are ordinary mortals playing the part of a Mississippi River legend who will never be duplicated.

Normalizing hate hurts everyone

Our View: Good Changes

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited for saying, “the only thing that is constant is change,” meaning that our lives and the world around us are always shifting and transforming. Nothing really stays the same. Change doesn’t have to be feared. Change can be positive.

He wanted God to teach him something

Taking a hike to ease stress

By Denise Etheridge I rebooted my brain and recharged my batteries on Sunday. I took a walk in the woods. I’ve been getting a bit stressed out lately, working overtime trying to balance increased job responsibilities and family obligations.

OUR VIEW: Early voting is underway

There’s been a lot of Letters to the Editor lately opining on our rights as U.S. citizens. But what about our right to vote? It seems too many Americans take this right for granted, while in other nations the right to vote is denied their citizens.

Dealing with turkeys

By Kristi Casey I used to have a terrible temper. In my senior year, I recall my friend V telling me on a near-daily basis, “Don’t let the turkeys get you down,” as I raged about one person or another. I hated the phrase. “Turkeys” seemed too innocent a de- scription for the fools tormenting me.

Newspapers are soul, conscience of community

By Dink NeSmith Preachers and columnists are expected to say something. And sometimes, they repeat their messages. This is National Newspaper Week. You may recognize parts of this “sermon.” Flash back to 1958. I considered myself a 10-year-old businessman, investing my money to make money.

Grace and cheesecake

By Denise Etheridge I was reminded last weekend how fortunate I was to have had two lovely German ladies in my life.

Cunningham causes a scene

By Emory Jones My pet pig, Cunningham (AKA North Georgia’s most theatrical pig) is so wound up about taking part in the upcoming play, “Cheever,” down in Clermont, he can’t stay still in his stall. He’s been celebrating ever since.