Opinion

By Mike Ruffin

My family had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day rituals during my childhood. Interestingly, though, even though my parents were the kind of Christians who were at the church every time the doors were opened, none of our rituals involved the worship of God for the sending of Jesus into the world. [Full Story »] 

Each year while reviewing the hundreds of letters to Santa we receive, I am amazed at how many of the standards from my youth are still popular. Girls are still very much into Barbie and even the Easy Bake Oven. Boys still want BB guns and Legos still have a large following. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

Those who end up in the small room outfitted in old church pews behind Door 34 take long, varied roads to get there.

My most recent trip was last week. I arrived at Door 34 in a state van.

Four reporters took a prison perimeter road through a high security checkpoint. There were heavily armed corrections officers in tactical gear everywhere. The prison was on lockdown.

It was eerily quiet as we approached the red door with the number 34 emblazoned upon it in white paint. Beyond the door is Georgia’s death chamber. [Full Story »] 

By Dink Nesmith
Athens Banner Herald

“You meet the nicest people on a Honda.” Remember that advertising slogan? That was before Hondas had four wheels in America. The commercials always featured happy people scooting around on their motor bikes. I’ve never owned a Honda with two or four wheels but I’ve discovered some mighty nice people where they park those big red fire trucks.

There’s something about firemen that fascinates kids. I’ve never met a firefighter – man or woman – who wouldn’t take time to let a little one explore his or her fire hall and climb up into one of those shiny trucks. When our younger son Eric was barely talking, he’d tell you, “I’m two fire engines old.”

That’s why I could relate to Carter Sanborn’s love of everything to do with firefighting.

In October I introduced you to Carter, who lives in Ashburnham, Mass. [Full Story »]