Dear Cameron Charles Yarbrough: For the past 15 years, I have taken the opportunity at the beginning of the New Year to share some advice — first with your dad and his cousins and now with you, my great-grandson. I hope you don’t mind and will bear with me. You would probably rather be playing with your Legos and I understand that but maybe something in this letter might make … [Read more...] about January 6, 2015: To Cameron Charles Yarbrough: Some Advice From An Old Man
Columns
December 29, 2014: Potato Bowl Already Looking Like the Highmark for 2015
I had just returned from the local toxic waste site where I had disposed of my holiday fruit cakes and was busy cramming my Christmas tree down the garbage disposal (don’t ask), when I heard a knock at the door. I figured it was the Environmental Protection Agency coming to talk to me about polluting the toxic waste site with fruit cakes. Imagine my surprise to see a little … [Read more...] about December 29, 2014: Potato Bowl Already Looking Like the Highmark for 2015
December 22, 2014: I Wish I Had Been There. In Bethlehem
These words are dedicated to the memory of my friend, the late Otis Brumby, Jr., publisher of the Marietta Daily Journal, who encouraged me to run this column each Christmas season. It is also dedicated to those who believe. I wish I had witnessed the birth of the baby Jesus in that humble setting in a lowly manger. Was it really as cold that night as it is sometimes depicted … [Read more...] about December 22, 2014: I Wish I Had Been There. In Bethlehem
December 15, 2014: Friendships Are Truly The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Maybe it’s the fact that I have more days in the rearview mirror than I have ahead of me, but at this special time of year I am more aware than ever of the gift of friendships. Friendships are always the correct size, the right color and don’t require a set of instructions on how to operate them. They are truly the gift that keeps on giving. Friends won’t walk away from you … [Read more...] about December 15, 2014: Friendships Are Truly The Gift That Keeps On Giving
December 8, 2014: Commission Director Says Progress Being Made In State’s Charter School Efforts
You may recall that I vigorously opposed passage of a constitutional amendment in 2012 creating the State Charter School Commission that would allow an alternative method for authorizing charter schools in Georgia. You may recall, also, that the amendment passed handily. So much for my vigor. My primary objection to the amendment was a concern that for-profit charter school … [Read more...] about December 8, 2014: Commission Director Says Progress Being Made In State’s Charter School Efforts