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Column
Sherry
Lewis
The Banks County News- September 1, 1999
 Remembering all the good
times
It was a normal Monday night. I arrived
home late from a meeting and was planning to relax for a few
minutes before getting down to work.
I checked my messages and caller ID and noticed that I had a
call from Northeast Georgia Medical Center. I didn't get too
alarmed because I had a message from a woman who is a nurse and
I thought she was calling me from work. As my messages continued
to play, I heard my Dad's voice. "Just wanted to let you
know that Mama had a stroke today." The words that he spoke
were enough to catch my attention but the tone of his voice is
really what got to me. My dad, the strong conservative type,
was about to cry. "It doesn't look good. Keep her in your
prayers," he continued.
I guess at that moment my mind traveled back to my days as a
child. She was a feisty redhead who was going to speak her mind
no matter what. Which (other than the red hair) actually sounds
like me some of the time. Over the years, she has become somewhat
frail, but she still has a sharp mind and a shrill voice that
says exactly what she thinks.
But traveling back in time, I must admit that we have had some
good times. Being somewhat materialistic, I thought of one of
the best days I ever had with Mama Langford. I remember her driving
from Gainesville to Buford to pick me up in her pink-and-white
car. It was the summer before I entered first grade and we were
off for a day of buying school clothes. I remember that she bought
me several dresses and, if I look back in my yearbook, I find
myself wearing one of them in my first grade picture.
I also remember when she and my aunt Rita would pick me up and
take me to Six Flags. At that time, this was a special treat
and I would lie in bed counting the hours until morning and our
adventure would begin. Today, I look at a trip to Six Flags as
corporal punishment.
Also, Mama Lang took great pride in keeping my hair cut. She
was not just her granddaughter's hairstylist; she was a beautician
by profession. She worked at Belk's in Gainesville for years
and later at J.C. Penney's at Lakeshore Mall. She usually cut
my hair during one of our many Sunday afternoon visits, but on
other occasions I got the royal treatment at the salon.
Thinking back over the years, it makes me happy and it makes
me sad. I spent a lot of time thinking about the things I wish
I had said and the things I wish I had done for her. I'm going
to keep the faith and just maybe I'll have the chance.
Sherry Lewis is news editor of The
Banks County News.
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Editorial
The
Banks County News
September 1, 1999
Time to move forward on road
Webster's Dictionary defines charity as "spiritual love
for others...The virtue by which we love God above all other
things and our neighbor as ourselves...Tolerance in judging other
people."
It's quite ironic that "Charity" is the name of a road
in Banks County where neighbors are at war with each other. Deputies
have been called out to the road numerous times and one man has
been arrested for allegedly hiring a hit man to kill a couple
in the neighborhood.
The feud stems from whether Charity Road is private or public.
The board of commissioners has been pulled into the middle of
this feud, but their decision is not likely to end the bitterness
among some of the residents of the road.
The BOC has pledged to make a decision on the matter within the
next two weeks. While everyone might not agree with what they
decide, everyone needs to accept it and move forward. There are
far more serious concerns in our county and nation than whether
or not the county will maintain this road.
Letters
to the Editor
The
Banks County News
September 1, 1999
Thanks for help in Baldwin
Dear Editor:
I am very thankful to mayor Mark Read and the Baldwin City Council,
Rep. Jeannette Jamieson and anyone else who worked to allow those
small children in Baldwin to attend their neighborhood school.
Our school situation in Georgia is totally unfair to many families.
There are situations where families pay taxes to two counties
and have to pay for their child to attend the nearest school
of their choice.
We desperately need a change. In a letter Congressman John Linder
states: "We need school choice in America. You should be
able to take your child and your education dollars to a private
school if you wish. Unfortunately, the existing regime focuses
too much on boundaries and not enough on solutions."
If anyone agrees with me on this, then contact your representative.
We can all make a difference.
Sincerely,
Laura Wilbanks
Baldwin
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