Columns

I’m not sure how old I was when I realized that there are many definitions of the word meeting. I couldn’t have been too old because that lesson usually comes early in life. People meet to discuss any number of things, and I’d be the first to admit that productive meetings can accomplish miracles. During my teaching career, I spent years in a mixture of meetings: faculty meetings, parental meetings, both as teacher and parent, planning meetings, and every other kind known to the educated man. [Full Story »] 

Just the other day I was listening to a friend of mine opining about the need for honest politicians and this brought to mind the story about Diogenes, the ancient Greek philosopher. It seems Diogenes was walking around town in the middle of the day and shone a light into the face of everyone he passed. Finally, someone asked, “Diogenes, what are you looking for?” and Diogenes replied, “I am looking for an honest man.” This ancient philosopher seemed to be implying there is no such thing as a completely honest man and I tend to agree. Now don’t get me wrong for I am as honest as the next person and more honest than most but I am not running for reelection to anything. If I were I might have to delay the aforementioned statement until I was out of office or at least out of the running for one. [Full Story »] 

The popular column, Tales from the Altamaha, authored by T. Ross Sharpe and published several years ago in the Lyons Progress, has been brought to life in recent years by the talented playwright and actress Laurie Jo Upchurch, an endowed cast of gifted actors, and the outstanding River Rat Revue Band. The increasingly popular production begins April 4 and runs through April 13 at the Blue Marquee Theater in Lyons. [Full Story »] 

A friend emailed me a letter to the editor that appeared in The Iosco County News Herald in Michigan recently. This letter is simple, to the point and questions the double-standards of our society. While I may not agree with all points the writer expresses, the letter is certainly thought-provoking: [Full Story »] 

In the early years of my life, I’d don my red flannel pajamas that Mama made for me and climb into Daddy’s lap for a story. After he finished The Gingerbread Man, I could usually talk him into reading The Three Bears and maybe even one more—unless Mama came along and interrupted our reading session by ordering me off to bed. [Full Story »] 

It seems one can hardly watch the news anymore without hearing about a school teacher having an affair with a student. Usually it is a good looking female teacher waylaying an unsuspecting young man but I can’t say the same for their young male victims and this puzzles me. I never had a vivacious lady teacher when I went to school or maybe it’s just that my mind was on possum nests and bream beds back then. [Full Story »] 

People have said that you can’t have fun and be a Christian. They are just plain wrong. Some of the funniest incidents in my life have occurred since I recommitted my life to serving God. Below are a couple stories of some of these funny incidents: [Full Story »] 

When’s the last time you pulled over to use a payphone? If you did today, you probably couldn’t find one. Many people are even disposing of their landlines in favor of cell phones. I have mixed emotions about this modern day device, but society is completely addicted to it. [Full Story »] 

I had to go over to Waycross one day a few January’s back to pick up some rabies vaccine from the health department. I was accompanied by a friend, Capp, who can attest to the validity of the following tale.
As I stated, it was January but it was very warm and had been unseasonably so for many days. We were just east of Douglas on 158 when we ran into a road construction project. Just as we got to the flagman he flipped his sign for us to stop and we did. It was going to be a long wait. [Full Story »] 

You know Washington reminds me lately of kindergarten students on the playground taunting each other with, “I know you are, but what am I.”

For the first time since 2009 the Gross Domestic Product of our country shrunk in the 4th quarter of 2012 (October – December). Granted it is was only 0.1 percent, but that is a drastic drop from the 3rd quarter in 2012 when the GDP grew at a rate of 3.1 percent. [Full Story »] 

February 3, 2013, has arrived and young men’s fancy has turned to football. Young women’s, too. The whole country’s, or so it seems. The nation stands in unison and turns its eyes toward Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Along with many others, Scott Petty and the CBS news team are out there, have been for several days now. I hope all you local people were ready. We Ellises certainly were. [Full Story »]