When you’re going on a trip, the day you travel to your destination is always very tiring. I had been up very early, traveling to the Atlanta airport and finding my way to the correct gate in the international terminal. 

Many years ago, when I answered the call to teach, I chose middle school because I know students face challenges during this time. I was available to guide them in the right direction when needed. I specifically wanted to teach six-grade so I could assure parents that we would take care of t…

Greetings from under the Gold Dome. Although the legislative session concluded April 1, we continued our work with the Governor’s office in hopes of getting our bills signed into law. Per Georgia law, Governor Kemp is given 40 days after the session adjourns to either sign or veto proposed l…

There have been a lot of tassels turned over the last week. Students have graduated from kindergarten, from high school, and from college. 

Do you like change? Some of us like it while others, like me, prefer things to stay exactly the same. As I wrap up my teaching career this week, I will have to admit, it is truly bittersweet. The change will be good; it is ordained by God, but still I leave behind a season of life where I bu…

It was a year and half ago when I began to entertain the idea of leaving daytime teaching. Although I don’t’ think I had the courage to go through with it. Then the Lord sent me to a pre-retirement meeting, and little did I know, He set me up!

I got the first three stamps in my Georgia Farm Bureau Farm Passport on Saturday with stops at Jaemor Farms at Banks Crossing, Jaemor Farms in Alto and Moon Farms Country Market at Colbert in Madison County. I bought strawberries, strawberry jam, salsa, pound cake and lots of vegetables.

Dear Editor:

Sometimes we need a special person to love us, show us they care, and walk down the road of life with us.

As Mother’s Day approaches my prayer is that we will take a moment and reflect on a mother’s love. I was lucky to have my mom for 24 years, and I still miss her so much. I also recognize that God has placed a number of godly women in my life. I think we will all agree, that one of God’s grea…

“Ladies first,” my grandson Nate said as he stopped at the front door for his sister, Rylee, and me to go into the house. I tried to get both of them to go in front of me since it was raining, but it wasn’t happening.

Words can change the atmosphere of your life. Words are so powerful. Be positive in what you say and it will change your attitude. In Proverbs 16:24, It says, “Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

As I tossed my left leg over the dirt bike, and awaited further instructions, I was so ready to take my first ride in many years. Honestly it isn’t as fun as it used to be, or maybe I’ve lived long enough to know I am not invincible. Still it brought back many memories of my youth.

Just past midnight on Thursday, April 1, the 2021 legislative session came to close as the Speaker and Lt. Governor declared, “Sine Die!” Sine die is a Latin term meaning “without assigning a day for further meeting.”  The final two days of session were action packed as we gave final passage…

I recently remembered a nursery rhyme that I’d heard many years ago. I had not thought of it until I spent the week with my 18 month old granddaughter. She is one of a few girls in our family.

It’s amazing how our lives can change so drastically in a week’s time. Although, none of us have ever felt the brunt of change like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dear editor:

Monday, March 15, brought us to the 10th week of this year’s legislative session as we concluded the week with legislative day 35. With only 5 legislative days until the conclusion of the 2021 session, we have been working until late in the evening reviewing bills within our respective commi…

There is nothing better than a fresh slice of vine ripe tomato between two slices of bread on a summer day at lunchtime. Tomatoes are probably the most widely grown home garden addition in the state of Georgia.

I know we all have been really thirsty at one time or the other. Once I was baked in the hot Florida sun, walking for what seemed like miles. Then I had to put on a life jacket and ride on a boat and to say the least, I was parched! I didn’t think I was ever going to get enough water.

Monday, March 8, brought Legislative Day 28, “Crossover Day,” and the beginning of the ninth week of our legislative session. It was hectic under the Gold Dome as Crossover Day is a crucial deadline in that it is the last day for bills to pass out of the legislative chamber from which they o…

Dear Editor:

Summer used to be my all-time favorite season. What’s not to love about summer? I’m sure it became my favorite season as a young person because school was out, Six Flags was open, and I knew our family vacation was just around the corner. Besides that, I didn’t have to go to bed early becaus…

Week eight legislative update from Rep. Erwin

There are influences all around us. In earlier times, we were influenced by our friends, family, and co-workers. With social media and video games at our finger tips, we have more things to impact our lives.

We returned to the Gold Dome to resume our legislative work Monday, February 22. This day also marked the halfway point of the session which means our “Crossover Day” deadline is quickly approaching. Crossover Day is extremely important as it is the last day any bill can pass out of its resp…

I was talking to a small group of ladies and many expressed anxiety or fear of the unknown.  One lady was going to walk into a courtroom. Another was trying to prepare for an exam, but she was so tired by the end of the day, she struggled to retain any information that she studied. While ano…

It is hard to believe that we have already completed five weeks of this year’s legislative session. It was a busy week as we continued to review legislation in our respective committees as well as voting several bills out of the House chamber. Last week focused largely in part on the protect…

I walked up to this lady, and I could tell she was troubled. It wasn’t long before she began to share her heart to me. She is trying to rebuild her credit, but she couldn’t get approval for a secured credit card.

It was Friday afternoon; I met Chris at home; we threw the suitcase in the car and we were off. We were in a race with time to spend every single minute we could with our grandchildren, Nate, 3, and Rylee 1. As we cruised to South Georgia, we talked about the past, and we both agreed, this i…

Thursday, February 4, officially brought to a close legislative day 12 of our 40-day session. The pace has picked up tremendously as more and more bills made their way through the committee process. Multiple packages have been presented to address areas of concern such as economic developmen…

Eight people were charged last week by the Banks County Sheriff's Office. They include the following:

Dear Editor:

As of Friday, January 29, we successfully completed legislative day eight of 40. Last week we picked up the pace as several House committees held their first meetings, both virtually and in-person, to begin the process of vetting proposed legislation.

The most consistent call that I receive last spring and early summer was a torrent of calls about sharp thorns in yards that were ruining the outdoor fun we all crave as the weather warms up. The culprit was a winter annual weed called burweed, sometimes called spurweed or stickerweed.

Dear Editor: It's time to turn the page and ask the question: “What do we want for our country, our state our county this year."

I wake to the honking sounds of a flock of geese outside my window. I can also hear the clear high-pitched whistle of some of the younger birds in the flock.

Dear editor,