Opinions & Ideas
THE HOGANSVILLE HOME NEWS
USPS S2040
A 6rmts lialian
Millard O. Grimes, President
MI HAI
PtmUSmR/ADvlaSmG Dm'rOR
JOHN Kau.
Assocta PtmUSHFMEDrrOR
RoB IhCHUON
ASSmTq" EDrroR
JAYNE N
BUSINESS MANAGER
Phone (706) 846-3188. Fax (706) 846-2206
P. O. Box 426
Hogansvflle. Georgm 30230
Another Year
Just Flew By
It's hard to believe that
we will soon be ringing in
another year. Like everyone
else, I've just been able to
write 2001 on my checks and
now I've got to begin writing
2002. Evidence that another
year has flown by.
This past year was one
for the history books with a
number of large stories
around the nation. However,
the one incident that will be
most remembered and will
go down in history is
September 11. Even now,
months later, we are still
mourning the loses and a lit-
tle worried that this might
happen again. It will be well
into 2002 before we really
begin living life in America
as we once did. However,
even then we will remember
September 11 and our hearts
will sink as we remember
those who died on that day
for no reason or purpose at
all.
As we reflect on 2001 and
begin making plans for 2002,
it's easy to see how time has
just flown. Much has hap-
pened in personal life this
past year, and a lot has hap-
pened at the newspaper
office. The thing that has
affected me most this past
year, I think, was losing two
staff members and friends.
Cleta Young and J. Dan Stout
have been missed by myself
and the entire staff.
While thinking about all
the things that happened in
2001, and realizing that these
deaths have really had an
effect on my life, I wanted to
take time to remember them
both, say how much they
meant to me, and pass along
some of the things I learned
from them.
Cleta is no doubt in heav-
en today and the other angels
are in awe of her beautiful
smile. Cleta was always smil-
ing. She never let things in
Lord does
not promise us a
tomorrow, so we
must live each day
as if it were our
last."
most about him. He always
had something witty to say
and, although he had kind of
a dry sense of humor, he was
very comical. He liked mak-
ing people laugh. He told me
one time that when other peo-
ple laughed, no matter what
was bothering him, it made
him feel better. Dan was a
good friend as well. You could
ask ham to do anything and
he was always willing to help.
Even if you didn't ask, he
would volunteer to "help
out." Dan was not one to com-
plain. Just days before his
passing, although he was not
feeling well, he never com-
plained. He went about his
everyday life like always,
making other laugh. I have a
drawing at home Dan did of
my grandson for me last
Christmas. It will always
serve as a reminder of his
friendship. Another resolu-
tion for 2002, try and be more
like Dan and keep the world
laughing.
So, as 2002 begins with it
comes closure for 2001.
While 2001 has left us with
some pretty painful memo-
ries, it has taught us some
pretty valuable lessons as
well. With the September 11
her personal life affect how tragedies and the passing of
she was viewed by others) mytwo friends, there is one
When she was going through thing that I know to be true.
a rough time, she would still ' The Lord does not prom-
greet you with a.smile. She iusatomorrow, sowemust
gave the best hugs. I had to
have one of her hugs a week
just to keep going. Cletaloved
people and always found
something good to say about
everyone she knew. The fact
is, she was the kindest, most
caring and nurtering pgrsons
I've ever met. One of my res-
olutions for 2002 is to be more.
like Cleta. I want to meet the "
world head-on every day with
smile on my face and joy and
peace in my heart, just like
Cleta Young.
J. Dan was comedian.
That's what I'll remember
liveach day as if it were our
last3.\\;We must cherish fami-
ly, fr" iends and all the mem-
ories that go along with them.
Happy New Year to
everyone. It is my hope that
when I write my column for
2003, we will have happier
memories to write about.
Heck, I just hope that I have
a column in January 2003. If
I do, that means the Lord has
seen fit to allow me survive
another year, keep my health
and most importantly, my
job.
See yall in 2002.
'IMI,- HOGAr.iSVIL HOME NEWS is published weekly by the Star-Mercury
Publishing Company, a division of Grimes Publicatiolas, at 3051 Roosevelt Highway,
Manchester, Georgia 31816, USPS 6204)40, Subscription rates by mail: $18 in
Troup, Harris or Meriwether Counties; $26 a year elsewhere, Prices include all
sales taxes. Periodical postage paid at Hogansville, Georgia 30230.
FoR su'mgnor cMI (706) 846-3188 or write to Circulation Manager, Star
Mercu D' Publications, P. O. Box 426, Manchester, Georgia 31816.
P¢IMg,'TI: Send address changes to P. O. Box 426, Hogansvil!e, GA 30230.
STr
Publisher and Advertising Director ............................................................... Mike Hale
Assttale Pubhsher and Editor ........................................................... John Kuykendall
Business Manager ................................................................................ Jayne Goldston
Assistam Editor ...................................................................................... Rob Richardson
Staff Writers .......................................................................... Bryan Geter, Billy Bryant
Assistant Advertising Manager. ................................................................. Laurie Lewis
Advertising Sales ........................................................................................ Linda Lester
Comtxing ........................................................................ Vaiinda lvery. Lauren King
Legals ...................................................................................................... Jayne Goldston
lssman .......................................................................................... Wayne Grochow,i
Pressrtxm .......................................................................... David Boggs, Larry Colleges
Coax Omc-xHs
Preside, nt ............................................................................................. Millard B. Grinms
j,. •
\\;tce President .................................................................................. Charlotte S. Grimes
Sretary .......................................................................................... Laura Grimes Cofer
Treasurer. ...................................................................................... Kathy Grimes Garrett
Legal Counsel and Assistant Secretary .............................................. .James S. Grimes
PAGE 4 - HOGANSVII2 HOME NEWS - DEC. 27, 2001
We Preach Our Own Funerals
I went to a funeral serv-
ice recently in Ashburn for
one of our longtime employ-
ees, Austin Saxon. Austin
had worked for us almost 20
years and had been associ-
ated with the Wiregrass
Farmer for more than 50
years. He loved his news-
paper, his friends, his com-
munity and his church.
Austin was a newspaper
editor from the "old school."
He could write hard news,
features, sports, editorials,
you name it. One year in
Georgia Press Association
competition he won first
place for his personal col-
umn in both the humorous
and serious categories.
One request Austin had
when planning his funeral
was that he be buried with
a Wiregrass Farmer in one
hand and a reporter's note-
book in the other. That
request was fulfilled.
Austin was a Methodist.
He taught Sunday School
for years at First Methodist
Church, and was also a
leader in the MYF for about
as many years. The Sunday
School class he taught was
named in his honor. Those
in the church who had either
been in Austin's Sunday
School class or MYF group
were asked to stand and it
seemed that half of the
packed sanctuary rose to
their feet.
Another request of
Austin's was that his pastor
"preach" during his serv-
ice. Let me tell you, that
Methodist preacher sound-
ed like a Southern Baptist
preacher as he laid out the
plan of salvation for all
those present.
While driving back
home after the service, I
told myself that there must
be a lesson to be learned
from such a beautiful funer-
al. And I am sad to say, there
is a lesson to be learned, a
parallel to be drawn.
The lesson to be learned
is that the only time a lot of
people will consider Christ
is at a funeral, at the pass-
ing of a loved one.
Then they want some
poor ole preacher to stand
and say some appropriate
words over the dearly
departed. And the preach-
er is wanting to tell them
that ole heathen busted Hell
wide open and if they don't
change, that's where they're
going.
Furthermore, the
"We "fix the
story ourselves. As
the tree falls there
must it lay."
preacher wants to suggest
to the family that they get
the bartender to say a few
words over their loved one,
for the bartender knew him
far better than he did.
Rev. Bob Laws said at an
evangelism conference sev-
eral years ago that he was
asked one day if he would
conduct the funeral of a
young man who had recent-
ly passed away. The family
had asked if they could have
the funeral at the church.
Brother Laws asked the
family if the young man was
a member of the church.
The family replied, "No."
He asked the family if the
young man was a Christian.
The family again replied,
"No." Brother Laws then
asked the family, "Well, why
do y'all want to make him
miserable by taking him in
death where he did not want
to go in life?"
I think Brother Laws
was a little bold in what he
said, but I can understand
where he was coming from.
I would bet that he con-
ducted the service, and that
his sermon was on salva-
tion.
Let me close today by
leaving you with this
thought. Preachers do not
preach funerals. But every
day of our life we preach
our own funeral. We "fix the
story ourselves. As the tree
falls there must it lay."
Austin Saxon preached
his own funeral by the life
that he lived and the many
good things he did for his
community, his friends, his
church, and for God's
Kingdom. And you better
believe we are doing the
same. Happy Holidays! l!
Curing After-Christmas Blues
One of the most popular
songs at Christmas time says,
"It is the most wonderful time
of the year."
Most people would agree
to the validity of those lyrics,
but if those words are so right,
why do experts say the day
after Christmas is probably
the most depressing day of
the year?
We can find the reason in
why people deem this the
most wonderful time of year.
TO THOSE who only look
forward to exchanging gifts
and meeting with family, the
day after Christmas can be
most depressing.
The gifts" have been
opened, the family has gone
home, and all that is left is the
mess to clean up.
When the angel said to the
shepherds, "Behold I bring
you good tidings of great joy,"
the joy was meant to last more
than just one day.
THE REASON a lot of
people suffer from post
Christmas depression, is
because their joy comes from
the wrong source.
The happiness that comes
from things is only tempo-
rary, while the joy promised
by the angel is permanent.
The joy that only lasts as long
as there are presents and
family is not the joy prom-
ised the shepherds in Luke 2.
Real abiding joy isn't
based upon things or circum-
stances.
THE JOY that abides in
the hearts of people does not
have to be driven with the
wind nor does it have to be
tossed like a ship upon the
sea.
The joy that lasts is not
based upon gifts that tear up
or wear out, but on someone
far more reliable and valu-
able.
In Luke 2, the angel went
on to say in verse 11, "For
unto you is born this day in
the city of David, a Saviour
which is Christ the Lord."
True joy is based upon
"The joy that
lasts is not based
upon gifts that tear
up or wear out, but
on someone far
more reliable and
valuable."
Jesus and not jingling bells.
The joy that Jesus can
bring is as real on Christmas
day as the day after.
The cure for the after
Christmas blues is realizing
it is the Christ of Christmas,
which brings joy, not the cus-
toms of Christmas.
Real joy is not dependent
upon circumstances.
THIS IS a lesson that
Jesus had to instiU into the
hearts of his very own disci-
ples.
After Jesus had sent his
disciples into the ¢ities and
towns to preach "the good
news of the kingdom, they
returned with much joy
because of the power and
influence they exhibited. It is
in the response of Jesus to
that joy that the secret of true
joy can be found. Jesus said
in Luke 10:20,
"Notwithstanding in this
rejoice not, that the spirits
are subject unto you; but I
rather rejoice, because you(_
names are written in
Heaven."
True joy does not depend
upon what we will get on
Christmas, but true joy
depends upon what we have
already been given in the
birth of the Christ child. I
!
A Blessing You Won't Soon Forget
This year the Manchester
Empty Stocking helped over
250 families in the area to
have a much merrier
Christmas. Thanks to the vol-
unteer efforts and the gen-
erosity of people, churches
and businesses over the tri-
county area, many little chil-
dren awakened with squeals
of delight, as their parents
smiled with happier hearts.
When I lived in the
Manchester area, my famfl" y
and I attended West End
Church. One year my pastor,
Brother Bill West, asked if I
would like to help with the
Empty Stocking deliveries. I
hesitated, and he said,
"Sylvia, I know that you want
to be with your family on
Christmas Eve, but if you will
take just a couple of hours in
the morning to help, I prom-
ise you a blessing you won't
soon forget!"
Well, that was when I was
still driving my old GMC
pickup, Doozy II, so how
could I refuse? And also, my
good neighbors, Tommy and
Nell McWilliams were the
coordinators back then, and
I knew it would be well organ-
ized.
Early on Christmas Eve
morning, we all met at the
church. My partner and I
loaded up ole Doozy II with
the clothing and goodies that
our church had collected,
then went to the pick-up point
in downtown Manchester to
get the Christmas boxes and
food. And we were on our way.
We made several deliver-
ies, and it seemed to make the
people very happy, and I was
feeling pretty good about
helping to do this.
Then when we went for
our last delivery, we drove up
to a small ramshackled house,
and knocked on the door.
When no one answered, we
knocked louder and called
out.
A weak, but pleasant,
voice answered "Come in."
As we walked into the house,
we entered a cold darkened
room, with very little furni-
ture, like a couple of chairs
and a table. And from a mat-
tress on the floor, a very pret-
ty and very pregnant young
woman raised up on her
elbow and smiled at us.
Standing at the window was
a cute little boy of about three.
He was looking out and laugh-
ing at a little bird scratching
in the cold ground for food in
the bright sunshine.
The young woman smiled
at us, and - as we women will
do - asked us to excuse how
things looked, that she had
been sick, and that her hus-
band had gone out to see if he
could get the electricity
turned on.
We explained our mission,
showed her the food and told
her of the wrapped gifts for
her little boy. With tears in
her eyes, she thanked us, say-
ing, "Oh, this is so sweet. We
really do appreciate it. We
just ain't been able to man-
age this year." We talked a lit-
fie while and left.
My partner and I didn't
talk much on the way back to
the church, but we did hug,
and expressed with smiles,
"Aren't we glad we did this?"
Then I drove back to the
pick-up point to report in. Mr.
Bob Tribble was still there.
He always donated one of his
buildings for the volunteers
to use to organize and sort out
the boxes.
I told Mr. Tribble of our
deliveries, and especially of
our last stop. I turned to leave,
and he called out to me. As I
turned around, he said,
"Sylvia, I have a couple of
extra boxes here. Two ladies
wouldn't take theirs; they said
to give them to somebody who
needed it more."
He hesitated, then
grinned and said, "Do you
think you can find somebody
who could use it?"
Could I ever! I thanked
him, he put the box in my
truck, and I went back to my
last stop.
The husband was back by
now, and he was unloading a
used refrigerator.
He was just as receptive
as his young wife had been,
and thanked me profusely.
They definitely could use the
extra food, and this box was
marked for a lady, so she had
some gifts of her own now[
And I left with a smile,
and in my heart, a little more
thankful for my own bless-
ings.
Brother Bill was right.
Support Local Chan'ties
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
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