Opinion

It's called judgement

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in Opinion

Wednesday, March 16. 2016

By Walter Geiger

With the publication of each and every issue of the newspaper you hold in your hand, judgement is required as to which stories and photos are used and how much space and emphasis they are given.

Each story is different and weighed on its own merit but there are some overall basic tenets we adhere to.
[Full Story »]

Shared experience

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, March 9. 2016

By Mike Ruffin

My good wife and I have attended a lot of concerts over the almost four decades of our marriage.

We got off to a rough start, though. In early 1979, about half-way through our first year of marriage, the band Boston was scheduled to play at the Macon Coliseum. [Full Story »]

Decision Day

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Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, March 2. 2016

By Walter Geiger

It’s decision day again.

If you have not already done so, today is your last chance to help winnow the field of presidential candidates by voting in Georgia’s Presidential Preference Primary. I will cast my ballot and I hope you will, too.

Voting is a right and a privilege – one that we could lose if enough of us fail to exercise it.

This has been the most interesting presidential campaign I can remember for a lot of reasons. The main reason is Donald Trump. [Full Story »]

Great for God

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, February 24. 2016

James C. Marable, M. Div.
[email protected]

When one thinks of popular culture, greatness is typically defined in terms of accomplishment, financial wealth, popularity, privilege and power leading to some means of notoriety and fame. A truer view of greatness, albeit less popular, centers on someone’s lasting significance as it relates to serving and elevating someone else. [Full Story »]

I sure hope so

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, February 24. 2016

By Mike Ruffin

I had a really neatand that’s not a term I use very often - experience a few Sundays ago. I’ve been the fill-in preacher at The Rock Baptist Church for a few months.

Prior to my engagement there, my only connection to the town of The Rock (let me add, for my young readers, that the town is not named for former world champion professional wrestler and future Academy Award-winning actor Dwayne Johnson) had been the carpet that my parents bought there, back when I was a kid and The Rock had a carpet store. [Full Story »]

A good life

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, February 10. 2016

By Mike Ruffin

I’ve been thinking about what makes for a good life. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about what constitutes a good life in this vast, diverse, and fascinating world in which we live. I’m well into the sixth decade of my life. I don’t presume that I’ll have another thirty years to live after I hit sixty, Lord willing, in 2018. I do, though, find myself thinking of my life falling into three sets of 30 years. [Full Story »]

Scarlett, Elvis and Businessperson of the Year

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, February 3. 2016

By Walter Geiger

Thirty years ago last month this gorgeous girl came in and applied for a job at The Herald Gazette at our old office on Market Street. She was recommended by her husband, a man I hold in high regard and who worked just down the street. I took a long look at her. Then I took another long look at her. Then I thought to myself well there is no way in the world Laura is going to hire her. [Full Story »]

Ruffin's renderings: Live forever

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, January 27. 2016

By Mike Ruffin

Hank Williams died in 1953, Buddy Holly in 1959, Patsy Cline in 1963, Sam Cooke in 1964, Otis Redding in 1967, Janis Joplin in 1970, Jim Croce in 1973, Elvis in 1977, and John Lennon in 1980. They were all popular singers who died at a relatively young age. [Full Story »]

Walks through cemetery reveal mysteries

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, January 20. 2016

Mondays are deadline day at our office. The pace is hectic as we put the final touches on two community newspapers.

When the work is done and the final pages have been sent to press, I am prone to change clothes and go for a walk. My favorite place to conduct this cardiovascular stress-relieving activity is Greenwood Cemetery. [Full Story »]

Kids don’t belong on four-wheelers

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, January 6. 2016

Comments (2)

I’m going to make some people mad with this column but, in the wake of another tragic fatality, I feel like I have to get it off my chest.

I like to hunt and fish as much as anybody but I don’t like four-wheelers. I never have. [Full Story »]

The new year will be what you make it

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, December 30. 2015

After the greens, rice and peas are eaten and after the last bowl game has ended; after the last toast is made, the list of resolutions finalized and sleep beckons, the new year will lie before you. People fawn all over themselves making promises to those selves and others with regard to changes they will make in the new year. Just as the road to hell is paved with good intentions, every January evening is littered with broken resolutions. [Full Story »]

A warm welcome on a cold night

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, December 16. 2015

It was the last soccer game of a long, hard season. Due to defections and injuries, Livia Lanier, our youngest, and her teammates played it without any substitutes.

This was a make-up game played on a cold Tuesday night near Parkview High School in Gwinnett County. [Full Story »]

Of football coaches and pastors

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, December 9. 2015

Comment (1)

By Mike Ruffin

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or keeping up with the crazy things that presidential candidates say (which would leave you no time to keep up with anything else), you know that Mark Richt is no longer the head football coach at the University of Georgia. I understand the move, but I also hate that it happened. [Full Story »]

Help needy local kids this Christmas

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, December 2. 2015

Barnesville-Lamar County has a wellearned reputation as a community full of folks with big hearts who give generously for good causes when called upon.

Tough economic times may have cut into how much some of us give but the willingness to give has not abated. [Full Story »]

I thank God!

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Wednesday, November 25. 2015

By Mike Ruffin

The Apostle Paul, writing to his beloved friends in Philippi, said, “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3).

Here in this week of Thanksgiving, I want to thank God for people.

I thank God for my parents, the late Champ and Sara Ruffin, who provided me with life and love. I thank God for the people of my hometown of Barnesville, who gave me a wonderful place to grow up.
[Full Story »]