Opinion

Later this year, I will republish a book, “Thank you for telling me NO!” This is one of the stories.

Later this year, I will republish a book, “Thank you for telling me NO!” This is one of the stories.

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Opinion Column: ‘No’ can be a big motivator

Dink NeSmith
Thursday, April 6, 2023
The old brick building looked like a school and smelled like a school. At least it did in my 13-year-old mind. I can still smell the oil-soaked floors and hear the squeaking boards, from when principal James E. Bacon — in his big black wingtips — tromped up and down the hall of Jesup Junior High.
On a chilly Saturday night, we enjoyed Larry Walker’s hospitality and the warmth of his fireplace. With me, from left, are former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, Larry and Danny Carpenter. (Janice Walker/The Oglethorpe Echo)

On a chilly Saturday night, we enjoyed Larry Walker’s hospitality and the warmth of his fireplace. With me, from left, are former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, Larry and Danny Carpenter. (Janice Walker/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Opinion Column: Four friends and a fireside chat

Dink NeSmith
Saturday, April 1, 2023
You can’t buy what we savored.   No way.   The March winds were straight out of Iceland. When you stepped inside, your teeth — upper and lower — were still tap-dancing on each other.    Brrrrrrrr.    But our host had the solution.
Mylee Simmons (from left), Macayla Hull and Malia McCalla compete in the Miss Oglethorpe pageant on Saturday. (Shelby Wingate/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Mylee Simmons (from left), Macayla Hull and Malia McCalla compete in the Miss Oglethorpe pageant on Saturday. (Shelby Wingate/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Editorial: Plenty to do in Oglethorpe

News Staff
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Bored?   You shouldn’t be. Not in Oglethorpe County.    It’s spring and there’s plenty to do in our community.    Take a look at these photos, which are just a sampler of what’s happening.    Have you ridden by Bryan Park lately? The recreation department is in overdrive.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Editorial: Thumbs up and down

News Staff
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Life is a roller coaster. Emotions take wild rides. It’s the same with opinions and our thumbs. We flash two thumbs up when we see and hear of things that make us happy.  And when we know of situations that are disappointing, we turn our thumbs down.
Bayard, son of Eric and Connell NeSmith, will be 11 on May 17. But the birthday that excites him the most is his 16th, when he will get the keys to Sweet Pea, a 1969 Chevy pickup. (Dink NeSmith/Oglethorpe Echo)

Bayard, son of Eric and Connell NeSmith, will be 11 on May 17. But the birthday that excites him the most is his 16th, when he will get the keys to Sweet Pea, a 1969 Chevy pickup. (Dink NeSmith/Oglethorpe Echo)

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Sweet Pea, love at first sight

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Remember when Linda Ronstadt belted out her hit song “Just One Look?”   Yeah, just one look.   That’s all it took for the blond-haired, blue-eyed tyke to fall in love. I’m not talking boy-girl, puppy-love infatuation. Oh, no. The affection was for “I can’t wait until I’m 16, and I can drive.”

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Editorial: Thumbs up and down

News Staff
Sunday, March 19, 2023
When the General Assembly is in session, you can be assured politicking and arm twisting are in overdrive. Things are busy under the Gold Dome in Atlanta. But that’s not the only place where folks are in high gear. Look around Oglethorpe County and Northeast Georgia.
H.G. (Pat) Pattillo introduced me to places on the globe to where I had never been. A favorite destination was his beachfront ranch in Costa Rica. A typical afternoon horseback ride would include climbing up a flattop water tower to watch the orange panorama of a Pacific sunset. Next would come a race back to dinner at Hacienda Pinilla. As this photo by his son-in-law Glenn Cohen shows, HGP lived up to his motto: “Ride hard or eat my dust.”

H.G. (Pat) Pattillo introduced me to places on the globe to where I had never been. A favorite destination was his beachfront ranch in Costa Rica. A typical afternoon horseback ride would include climbing up a flattop water tower to watch the orange panorama of a Pacific sunset. Next would come a race back to dinner at Hacienda Pinilla. As this photo by his son-in-law Glenn Cohen shows, HGP lived up to his motto: “Ride hard or eat my dust.”

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Opinion Column: Pattillo had vision, guts to do right thing

Dink NeSmith
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Years ago, a reporter was peppering Henry Ford with questions. Repeatedly, the automotive pioneer replied, “I don’t know.”    Frustrated, the journalist asked, “How can you be so successful and know so little about your operation?”   With a smile, Ford said, “See this button?

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Opinion Column: Remembering times that the FBI came knocking

Dink NeSmith
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Imagine a steel-vault door clanging shut, and then you twist the combination dial several times. Just to be sure, you spin the knob one more time. Satisfied, you walk away.    That’s the way it was when I confided in Mary Durden. God rest her soul.

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Opinion Column: Georgia Power got ‘gold mine’ … we got the ‘shaft’

News Staff
Friday, February 24, 2023
The headline read: “Southern Co. reports huge rise in profits.” The subhead reported: “$1.1 billion jump noted despite big financial hit from Vogtle delays.”  I’m not against Georgia Power or its parent, the Southern Company, making ample money. Profits are essential for staying in business.

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Opinion Column: Who’s ready to join The Echo adventure?

Dink NeSmith
Friday, February 17, 2023
How many times have you heard, “If you fail to plan, plan to fail?”   By nature, I’m a planner. Before I leap, I typically know where I’m going to land.   Well, most of the time.   I also embrace the notion that if it weren’t for the last minute, some of the best things would never happen.