Train enthusiasts ride for love, not for speed and comfort

   There’s something exhilarating about riding on a train. Amtrak’s intercity trains are often slower, bumpier, more expensive and late, but I still like them.    Maybe it’s because my dad was a brakeman and then conductor on a freight train, and I sometimes went to work with him when I was a kid.

Fund our libraries

   For many of us, one of our first memories is going to the library for story time. And, as we got older, our use of the library evolved.    Most recently, our local libraries had volunteers help hundreds of people with preparing their taxes.

Letters to the Editor

Out of the mouths of leaders To the editor:    When reading recently the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, I came across this verse, “But now you must also put off all of these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” (NKJ Version Chap. 3, V.

We’re all mad here

   It fascinated him.    Every year, we’d both fill out a bracket for the NCAA Tournament. He’d study watching the selection show, talking on the phone with his dad and friends, comparing the teams.    I’d watch, and cluelessly pick teams.

Worth celebrating

   Local businesses are the heart of our community. If they do not thrive, our community as a whole will not thrive.    Local businesses are what support our youth sports and programs, and many parents of children participating in those activities either own or work at local businesses.

Letters to the Editor

Why the Hands Off rallies? To the editor:    Saturday around the country and also overseas there were Hands Off rallies. We had one in Gainesville with about 800-plus people.    Why were so many people protesting what is happening in our government? Many reasons e.g.

Springtime makes me smile, sneeze

   Ahhhhhhh, April is here.    What’s your favorite season of the year?    Each has its highlights, but I vote for springtime.    Spring is when you can shuck your sweater and feel the warmth of what’s to come. Well, let me back up.    Spring flirted with us in mid-March.

Cheers and jeers

Thumbs up    To the Raider Soccer teams on maintaining an undefeated season so far. Go Raiders. Thumbs up    To Sen. Bo Hatchett for pushing a domestic violence bill that allows victims to contextualize their case before a courtroom.

Letters to the Editor

Supporting democracy To the editor:    My thanks to all of you who have spoken out in support of our democracy.  Sometimes, I feel like I am the only person in Habersham County thinking our democracy is being disemboweled.

Thinking about 1925, 2025

By Billy Chism      A number of years ago, while browsing in a used bookstore on St. Simons Island, I found a thick volume titled: “American Newspaper Annual and Directory - 1926.”    I carefully lifted the heavy book from the shelf, noting it was in fair condition.