Jerry Smith
that the change is true in every aspect of every phase of life in Gordon County.
A good example is the W.C. Bryant Parkway beginning with intersection at South Wall St. at Burger King on the corner and Rite-Aid Drug across the street. The street then runs in front of Georgia Bank and Trust and ends at Hwy 53 where the new First Bank of Calhoun is on the corner. There are other prevalent landmarks along the way, but these will suffice to make my point. As a rule, we are inclined to think that is the way it has always been on the land in that section. One of the pleasures of my present days is telling people when I was young, I pulled a cotton sack across the spot where we were standing. Those were the days before Walmart, Calhoun Community Church, K-Mart and Belmont Baptist Church. There was one big cotton field from Highway 41 (South Wall Street) to near the railroad.
In the recent Heritage issue, there was a picture that some took great pleasure in suggesting the staff (Editor Brandi Owczarz particularly) could not recognize the difference between a bale of hay and a bale of cotton. It was a matter of personal joy reading Brandi’s explanation and response to anyone who would object. It was a case of my often quoted position from an ancient philosopher when he said, “It is better to be ignorant of a matter than to half know it.” In this case, it
Zell Miller died last Friday. The great statesman has been honored this week. There is little I can say to add to the compliments and praise leaders of our state and nation have bestowed upon Georgia’s own Zell Miller. Volumes have been written and the testimony of three Presidents testifies to the outstanding qualities of the man.
What I can do is tell what the former Governor of Georgia did that enriched and will continue to enrich the lives of us common citizens of Georgia. It was Miller who gave birth to the Hope Scholarship, making it possible for thousands to go college who otherwise would not have gone.
House Speaker David Ralston said it best when he stated, “One of the greatest governors of the 20th century in this state, he gave Georgia hope and many young people for generations will benefit from his vision.”
The man from the mountains of Georgia never strayed from his convictions. We all need to read about him and his career. I want to find and hear the country song he wrote “You can’t ration nothing (That I ain’t done without).” To the Community of Calhoun: As members of the family of Helen and Douglas Molzahn who died tragically on a road in your town on the evening of March 9th this year, we wish to thank you for the outpouring of love and concern you showed to their daughter, Cathi Smits, when she and her husband arrived from Michigan to claim their bodies. From the moment they were met at the Atlanta airport by the shuttle driver you provided, she told us that they felt surrounded by love. From the motel clerk, the highway patrol, the coroner, and funeral director, they all guided them gently through the process of facing the unthinkable. Your town displayed genuine compassion and they shared the love you gave them over and over at last Saturday’s celebration of Helen and Doug’s life. With deep gratitude, Chuck & Cathi Vaaler Wildwood, Missouri