YARBROUGH: Remembering the good who die too young

On Sept. 13, 2008, we got a call while at St. Simons that our grandson, Zachary Earl Wansley, had collapsed and died during a training run while preparing for the Atlanta Marathon. Zack was the epitome of a scholar-athlete.

CRANE: There’s a new speaker in town

State Representative Jon Burns (R-District 159) of Newington in Effingham County, is not new to the State House, having joined the body in 2005. Nor is he new to leadership, having served as GOP House Majority Leader since 2015.

RICH: The power of friendships

It happened the other day. I was reminded of the richness of my life because of the treasure trove of long, lasting friendships. Kim called to tell me about running into a mutual friend. Bridget called to ask for a small piece of advice.

CRANE: At times we need uncomfortable truths

By the late 1970s, the famed, nearly 50-foot tall Cyclorama painting of the Battle of Atlanta during the Civil War was moldy, wet and rotting in places, slowly making its way toward a landfill somewhere.

YARBROUGH: Happy birthday to a special ‘seminary of learning’

The year was 1785. Thirteen states composed the Confederation Congress. Thomas Jefferson was appointed U.S. Minister to France and John Adams, U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

RICH: To see the thunder

There is a scripture in the Bible. As far as I know, it is not in all translations of the Bible. But this I know for certain: it is in the King James Version. When I was 10, perhaps 11, Daddy preached the scripture from the roughhewn pine pulpit in the tiny one-room mountain church we attended.

Letter to the Editor: Belton bids farewell

Dear Editor: It’s been the honor of my life serving the good people of Newton and Morgan Counties. It’s a testament to your generous hearts that you could so thoroughly welcome me and my family, even though we’re not from here.

Letter to the Editor: Long overdue

Dear Editor: By the time you read this, President Joe Biden will have made his first visit to our southern border, attended the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico City, and likely is aggressively promoting a new immigration reform plan. In response, I have to ask so why now?

CRANE: Musings from the left coast

My first visit to California in the late 1980s was part of an ill-fated love connection.

YARBROUGH: Some words of advice to a great-grandson

Dear Cameron Charles Yarbrough, Well, it’s that time of year again when your great-grandfather dispenses a little advice that he wishes he had received when he was your age. This annual letter began when your father and his cousins were tykes.