About The Eatonton messenger. (Eatonton, Ga.) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 4, 2025)
» Your hometown newspaper since 1861 The Eatonton Alessenger THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 | A5 APOLOGY A story In the Aug. 28 edition of The Eatonton Messenger (“Pilot, dog killed ...," A6) contained insensi tive, overly descriptive language about a plane crash victim. Smith Communications omitted the offending phrase from subsequent publications and apologizes for its inclusion. Putnam Past Letters to the Editor LAST YEAR, SEPT. 5, 2024 Appreciate neighbors and PCSO response Dear Editor, My husband and I have been residents of the Bluegill community for over 15 years. For most of that time, our neighborhood has been a safe and peaceful place to live. Unfortunately, that changed a couple of months ago when we experienced a series of mail thefts and a few break-ins. In response, our neighbors came together to share information on a community Facebook page and look out for one another. One of our neighbors even started conducting night patrols in his golf cart. Thanks to the community’s vigilance and the swift response of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the suspects were apprehended, as detailed in the Aug. 28 edition of The Eatonton Messenger. I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the community efforts and to praise the outstanding work of Sheriff Sills and his department. The professional and timely actions of those deputies have restored our sense of security. It is reassuring to know such a dedi cated team is tirelessly working to protect our commu nity. Thank you to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office for your hard work and unwavering dedication. Our community and county are safer because of your service. Sincerely, Jennifer Ray A grateful resident of the Bluegill Community, Putnam County Is seeing believing? Dear Editor, We all know the old saw, “seeing is believing,” suggesting the evidence of our eyes and ears is the best guide to reality. But do we follow it? More than 300 lawsuits against the Trump admin istration have resulted in nearly 200 orders finding its actions to be illegal. President Trump sent thousands of troops into our cities, alleging a non-existent crime emergency. Reports show troops picking up trash in parks. Meanwhile, the administration fired experienced FBI and Department of Justice officials and replaced them with Donald Trump loyalists. Trump administration cabinet-level officials share one credential: blind loyalty to President Trump. Bobby Kennedy, with no relevant expertise or education, is issuing orders contrary to scientifically based best prac tices. The result? Extreme risk to every aspect of our health, safety, and well-being. President Trump cancelled efforts to counter unprec edented carbon-emission driven fires, floods, and heat waves and transition to cheaper, safer renewable energy. He is gutting federal emergency response capabilities to boot. Trump and his supporters in Congress took trillions of dollars away from providing vital health care and nutrition for millions of Americans and gave tax bene fits to the wealthiest Americans, thereby increasing the national debt by trillions. Do Americans understand the irresponsible and dangerous actions of President Trump and of those who support them, people like Congressman Mike Collins? Do Georgians and our fellow Americans believe the evidence of their own eyes? Is seeing believing? President Trump is counting on all of us being blind and failing to do so. Bruce Menke Athens The journey back continues Bill Crane One Man's Opinion I have learned from others on these pages and elsewhere not to bury the lede, so, as of Aug. 13, 2025, for the moment and the present,! am cancer free! Generally in good health most of my life, with the exception of a long-standing chronic medical condition (ulcer ative colitis), I received word the day after my birthday, Jan. 31, 2025, that a small, shiny speck in my sigmoid colon, suspected to possibly be a cyst or precan- cerouslesion and due for some later attention and removal, was identified via pathology as a rapidly growing, highly malig nant and rare cancer. Though Adenocarci noma of the colon is not unusual, roughly 25 percent of the cancer cells in my sample were signet ring cells, a hard-to-kill and rapidly metastasizing cancer which almost never starts in the colon, versus other organs. Besides being a novel birthday gift, the surgeon I selected to help me remove the tumor and the cancer, as well as later my oncologist, were both initially convinced I would have this deadly cancer elsewhere in mybody as well ... we just had not found it yet. I will spare you the details (as I chose to do then); however, should you Google or bring AI around to educate you on Stage 3b, it’s high risk. The prog nosis was not great. After a second colo noscopy confirmed the pathology and significant growth in the tumor, my surgeon expressed an urgent need for surgery, as well as removal of the entire large intestine. Right there, Dr. CiCi Zhang of Northside Cancer Center and Northside Hospital convinced me that radical surgery, in a matter of days, was the only logical option. That surgery on March 7 was long and complex, but I had an excellent surgeon and care team and healed quickly, departing Northside at just over the 10-day-stay mark. I dropped almost 25 pounds and became acquainted with several new medications and a few medical devices as I planned to begin life anew, minus the body’s largest organ. My daughter and her husband took me in and helped care for me and worked to keep me from overdoing it during my own rehab. The visits, prayers, kindwords, gifts, texts, phone calls, emails, letters, and later hugs in public from complete strangers, all kept me from ever feeling for even one moment alone on this journey. Shortly prior to the arrival of my third grandson,Cohen Daniel Carson on April 25, I took leave of the Carson’s home.I was still learning how to handle my ileos tomy and the related MORE JOURNEY » A6 Following disappointing losses in the season's first two games, the Gatewood Gators (1-2) stormed back with a dominating 40-0 performance at home in Eatonton Friday night against the Loganville Christian Academy Lions. "I'm going to hand it to my guys now. We had a good week of practice, and they haven't lost confidence in that, haven't lost faith in what we do," Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff said immediately following the win. FIVE YEARS AGO, SEPT. 3, 2020 Melissa Swindell has been on the job as the new executive director of the Georgia Writers Museum (GWM) in Eatonton for three weeks now, but to hear the Decatur native talk about upcoming projects, her list indicates a director that has been on the job much longer than three weeks. "I'm excited to be here," Swindell said last week. "The board is very enthusiastic about the museum, and I'm excited about the volunteer work. We have a great foundation." 10 YEARS AGO, SEPT. 3, 2015 Walter C. Rocker Jr., an Eatonton resident and local businessman of more than 50 years, has decided to run for mayor of Eatonton. "In response to numerous pleas by local residents, Walter C. Rocker Jr. will draw upon his experience as a businessman and county commissioner to 'Move Eatonton Forward,'" said a news release issued Monday by his campaign representative. 25 YEARS AGO, SEPT. 7, 2000 The Lady War Eagles once again continue their winning streak as they increased their record to 6-0. The Lady War Eagles did a successful job Tuesday as they defeated Hancock Central 24-7. As demonstrated by the final score, a great effort was put out by the entire team. 50 YEARS AGO, SEPT. 4, 1975 Gatewood School roared into the 1975 football season Friday night by defeating Flint River Academy, 51-0. This first-year team from Woodbury was rather hapless as Gatewood's three years of experience showed throughout the game. 75 YEARS AGO, SEPT. 7, 1950 Machinery was set in motion to restore the Eatonton Co-operative Creamery to its former position as major outlet for all Putnam County milk. A committee of nine stockholders met with the Board of Directors in what was described as the most determined and businesslike session ever held on creamery affairs. 100 YEARS AGO, SEPT. 4, 1925 A well known citizen of Eatonton seeing several bales of cotton lying in the streets near the Wall's Warehouse this week stopped, looked, and declared that he did not know whether he felt like weeping or shouting with additional declaration that if he just had the spare pocket change he would buy the cotton just to look at it year-round. Said the Eatonton citizen, "Cotton is beginning to come in and to pass through town in the good old-fashioned way once more, and it does me good just to sit and watch the fleecy staple passing." PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH African American men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than other men Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in men. More than 99% of prostate cancers occur in men over age 50. Approximately 1 in 8 men in the United States will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Charles Person, a true American hero, was an activist till the end. His last speaking engagement was right here in Greene County Georgia. His last act was as a Democrat at a Republican gathering... SHOW OF UNITY. That was bold! POLITICS IS DIVIDING OUR COUNTRY BY RANDALL HARMAN was truly a period of systemic racism in the south in our country. This was what existed in America 65 years ago. Now it’s politics that’s dividing our country. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the U.S. after lung cancer. Prostate cancer accounts for 14% of all new cancer cases in the United States. This September, Putnam General Hospital will offer FREE PSA blood test for men 45 and older to help detect prostate cancer early - quick, simple, and could save your life. No appointment needed Monday-Friday | 8 AM - 5 PM September 2 - 30, 2025 Check in at the Front Information Desk The Freedom Riders ACTIVIST-a person who campaigns to bring about social or political change. kmon Letdcknow ‘ @LetDCknow • Nonprofit organization Awaken a Complacent Nation www.facebook.com/letDCknowl www.letdcknow.orqr" 101 Lake Oconee Parkway Eatonton, GA 31024 Scan to see how easy PUTNAM GENERAL HOSPITAL @NavicentHealthatner
