Skip to content

opinions

The Pendulum Swings — By John Reed

The Pendulum Swings Last week I attended a function at the Big House intended to raise awareness and funds to make repairs. Live music was provided by vocalist Kelly (Seebeck) Efstathiou and her husband. More than two decades ago, another push was made for the mansion, and music was provided by Mike Edwards, Greg Waters,…

Read More

Bird Feeder — By Tommy Purser

Did I tell y’all about the Christmas present my oldest offspring gave me? Well, if I did, listen up (or read up) I’m fixin’ to tell you again (“fixin’ ”, now there’s a Southern word that makes absolutley no sense to those unfamiliar with Southern dialect. To say I’m fixin’ to do something means I’m…

Read More

The Big House — By Tommy Purser

Some volunteers have gotten together to stage a Dinner at The Big House to raise funds to repair the eyesore deterioration of The Big House. I’ve already bought my tickets and I hope a lot of other people will purchase tickets as well — especially members of the Jeff Davis County Commission. The Big House,…

Read More

Old Dog & New Tricks — By Tommy Purser

Buying a new computer should be easy. Shouldn’t it? Not in the least. I had been hanging on to my old iMac, despite its shortcomings, slowness, and incompatibility with many of the newer programs I want to use. Finally, my old computer just became too incompatible with too many things. I loathe upgrading because doing…

Read More

‘Widespread Public Oppositon?’ — By Tommy Purser

That’s the phrase Joint Development Authority Chair Bo Reese used to describe the opposition to the proposed Brooker Field solar farm the Gainer family and NextEra Energy hope to build in the Brooker community north of Denton. In fact, he used that phrase twice in what appeared to be an attempt to fight the project.…

Read More

Protests — By Tommy Purser

I briefly mentioned last week about a few instances of overwhelming public opposition to issues that have arisen here during my 50-plus years of covering the news Jeff Davis County. This week, I happened upon a folder that has been on my computer desktop for a number of years. It is entitled “Protests.” When I…

Read More

Debbie — By Tommy Purser

When I first moved to Hazlehurst in 1973, a beautiful, accomplished young girl caught my eye. She was Kathy Fales, daughter of Bill and Weta Fales of Fales Furniture Store on Hinson Street. She was 17 years old, deeply involved in the Georgia 4-H program and, in fact, was the state president of Georgia 4-H.…

Read More

A New Day — By Tommy Purser

Tuesday was a happy day at the Hazlehurst City Courtroom. There were lots of smiles, tons of good cheer, positive vibes, amidst a crowd of well-wishers for our new Mayor John Ramay and two new members of the City Council. Family, friends, loved ones and people just interested in the future of our city, and…

Read More

Constant Change — By John Reed

Constant Change This time of year, change is spoken of a lot: new resolutions, new habits, new ways of dealing with old problems. We measure those changes against what we think of as old unchanging constants. In November I buried a family member whose phone number I’d known for 60 years. He was such a…

Read More

Small Town Christmas — By John Reed

Small Town Christmas Following a recent trip to Chicago, I’m reminded once again of the differences between urban and rural life…and those who live there. Cities are great for anonymity. You can literally disappear among the millions. If you want to travel the world, just walk down a sidewalk or take a cab: chances are…

Read More