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THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL A personal hero becomes a friend Ever so often, life gives you magic. It steals a secret dream that you’ve locked quietly away in your heart and conjures up the perfect potion that turns it into reality in the twinkling of an eye. That’s what happened to me when I met an important childhood hero. Reg Murphy, one of the most esteemed newspaper men of the last half century, grew up in my hometown. At the age of six, 1 knew I was going to be a newspaper reporter. At the age of 10, I found my role model for that career in Mr. Murphy who, at the impressive age of 34, became the editor of the South’s most influen tial and largest newspaper, the Atlanta Constitution. He was the protege of the leg endary editor Ralph McGill, who hand-picked Murphy as * ■ !igi. Angela and Dustin Ryan Murphy, Ryan wedding held in Jacksonville Angela Lindsey Murphy and Dustin Clyde Ryan exchanged wedding vows on Dec. 17, 2005, in a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Fla. The bride is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Timothy James Murphy of Jacksonville. Her grandparents are Tom and Bettye Murphy , Arthur and Waunita Lindsey, all of Jacksonville. The groom is the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Terry Lee Ryan of Orange Park, Fla., and the grandson of Caroline Little and the late W.C. Little of Perry, Chris Ryan and the late Lee Ryan of Warner Robins. The groom’s father offici ated. The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore an original design, hand-sewn by her aunt, Jeanne Payne. Her gown had an off-the-shoulder top with a cathedral train. The lace and beading designs on the gown were hand-sewn. She carried a bouquet of cas cading white roses. Attendants were Dayna Gonzalez of Jacksonville, >o* I \ it about time 1* * I ‘\o <®clean out the 9 or attic and -. _ /"vT- - classifieds? ; * ’ 987 •' CUtf je JJaurttal his successor. When hoodlums kidnapped him in 1974 and held him for a king’s ransom of $700,000, I, just a kid, was riveted to the news reports and wor ried silly. The newspaper paid the ransom and Murphy was found stuffed in the trunk of the car. Safe and unharmed. I breathed a sigh of relief. 1 didn’t want anything hap pening to my hero. To my sadness, Murphy left Atlanta for the San Francisco Examiner. Still, I followed his career over the years as he went to the top job at the Baltimore Sun, became president of the U.S. Golf Association and then President and CEO of the prestigious National Geographic. He was an important inspiration to me. At a young age, I reasoned sister of the bride; Suzanne Sneed of Gainesville, Fla., Julie Adams of Jacksonville, and Amanda Sneed of Middleburg, Fla. Charis Puckett of Augusta was flower girl. The bridesmaids’ dresses, sewn by Betty Glisson, were made of a light mauve satin in a two-piece design. Tyler Ryan of Orange Park, Fla., brother of the groom, was best man. Ushers were Benjamin Owens, Devin Knight, Larry Wise and Jacob Swanson, all of Jacksonville; Brent Blanchette of Orange Park, Michael Murphy of Gainesville, Fla., and B.J. Everidge of Perry. Owen Gonzales 111 was ring bear er. Music was provided by Chuck Anno at the organ, and by vocalists Owen Gonzalez Jr., Pam Padgett, Will Anthony and Jamie Scottson. A reception followed in the church dining room. Following a honeymoon cruise to the Western Caribbean, the Ryans are making their home in Jacksonville. Ronda Rich Columnist that if he could find such journalistic success com ing out of my small home town, I could find it, too. In Mrs. Lovett’s seventh grade English composition class, I wrote an essay on the person I most wanted to meet - Reg Murphy. I got an A on the paper but never got the chance to meet him. Then I got what author and former Good Morning, BPS ■ jPjp^ gsSBP*. •••! Betty and Oscar Hovatter Hovatters celebrate 50 th Anniversary Betty Booth Hovatter and Oscar Hovatter celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary recently. They were mar ried on May 24, 1956. They celebrated on their anniversa ry date with friends at the Swanson in Perry, and again on the following Friday night at another local restaurant. Betty Hovatter is the daughter of Izora Booth of Lenox, and Oscar Hovatter is the son of Ike and Ruby Hovatter of Moatsville, W. Va. RAIL From page 1A as a group knew enough Spanish to converse with him. And once we were able to talk with him his entire personality and demeanor changed. He went from stoic to animat ed as he laughed and joked with all of us. What a cool Italian man! I must share the dreaded thing that happened. You are in a bus or truck and you come upon an overpass you’re not certain your vehicle can clear. Well, John m > Remind your neighbors to recycle and help pre serve our planet’s natural resources. RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE R^CYCL^I Recycling just a little I now can make a big difference for future generations. LIFESTYLE IP' ** n «| ■* ® BB " America producer Squire Rushnell calls a “God wink", otherwise known as a divine coincidence. Before speaking at a lun cheon at the Sea Palms Resort on St. Simons Island, Georgia, I was waiting at a side door for a friend when a lovely woman came in. A compliment from me on her hair - hair is part of the essence of Southern woman hood - began a casual con- took us under an overpass where the bus just barely fit, and something hanging down caught the top of the bus and snagged us. This during rush hour in Pisa! He was able to back out oh-so-slowly as Erika climbed out of the bus and re-directed traffic. And with duct tape and a short delay, we had it back together and were on our way. (You do know noth ing is impossible as long as you have duct tape and WD-40?) Until next week and the final chapter on the trip to Italy, Caio. Sure, We Insure Homes. But Insuring Your Peace Of Mind Is Our Specialty. As a homeowner, you have lots of things to worry about—everything from frozen pipes to theft, That’s why it’s so important to insure your home with a company that you can depend on. At Cotton States, we’ve been insuring homes for residents of the Southeast since 1941. Generations of families, just like yours, have found that Cotton States offers a winning combination-a choice of quality products, competitive rates and dependable, personal service. So stop worrying. Call your local Cotton States agent today to find out more about our innovative homeowner policies and available discounts. Jr HEk versation. “I love your column,” she said. “My husband and I both enjoy it so much.” Then, the woman named Diana, commented, “My husband is from your home town.” “Really? What’s his name?” “Reg Murphy.” My eyes bugged out. My mouth dropped. I was speechless. Diana now says that she didn’t know what to think of the look on my face. Meanwhile, I’m think ing, “My hero, Reg Murphy? He reads my column? And he likes it?” It couldn’t be. I blinked and cleared my throat. “Reg Murphy as in Atlanta-Constitution- Got-kidnapped-National- Geographic-Reg-Murphy?” She nodded and smiled. “That’s right.” Diana, an accomplished g\ I ' BEST From page 1A last day to see the Cassatt exhibition. Free with Museum admission 478- 477-3232; www.masmacon. com AKC AGILITY DOG SHOW Watch pedigreed pups show of their training at the Atlanta Kennel Club’s dog show. July 12 -16, starting at Reaves Arena/Fairview Room at 8 a.m. daily JAZZ FRIDAY Listen to some of Central Georgia’s best jazz in a smoke-free, nightclub atmosphere. July 14: Jazz Friday, 6 - 8 p.m. Macon Museum of Arts & Sciences, 4182 Forsyth Rd., Macon. The featured artist will be LaChun Preston. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be on sale. Make reserva tions for your children to have fun in the activity center by calling 477-3232, extension 127. After this month, Jazz Friday will be presented on the second Fridays of January, April, July, and October. $5 for adult members, $7 for adult non-members, $4 per child in the activity center. 478- 477-3232; www.masmacon. com. Jackie Whitley 1217-1 S. Houston Lake Road Warner Robins, GA 31088 (478) 988-7960 www.cottonstatesinsurance.com Jackie. Wh itley@cottonstates.com SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2006 newspaper executive in her own right, invited me to their house on Sea Island and there, I got the chance of a lifetime. I got to meet my hero. There are many people who own a piece of any suc cess I have in life because they mentored, encouraged, taught or inspired me. Reg Murphy is one of those and I got to tell him that. And since that time, he, Diana and I have spent untold hours in conversation, both intellectual and just down home. From both, I learn and continue to be inspired. And now, unbelievably, 1 call my childhood hero some thing even more important. I call him a friend. Ronda Rich is the best selling author of What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should) and The Town That Came A-Courtin ’. Robins AFB Gala Auction It’s the 21st year of fun in one of the most enjoyable evening events in Middle Georgia. The big event will be on July 15. Come for the food, come for the auction, come to meet your friends or just come to pick out your car! Admission cost: One SSO raffle ticket admits two to great food and a wonderful night out, or pay $25 per person if you prefer not to participate in raffle. Planned for the evening will be: a Taste of Local Cuisine with 30 Middle Georgia Restaurants and Caterers participating. You can snack and graze from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There will be an Open bar early evening and a cash bar later on. The silent auction begins at 6:30 pm with more than 300 items for every taste and interest, The live auc tion begins at 8 p.m. with trips, vacations, jewelry, and, as a grand finale, an auto raffle drawing at end of the night’s live auction There is also a raffle draw ing with a maximum of 2000 tickets sold. Winner gets choice of one vehicle from among four vehicles or $20,000 Cash; Second Place—42 inch plasma TV; Third Place—Apple IPOD hi-fi system. Contact Jimmy Autry, 988-3550 or 988-4636 for further information. Cotton States INSURANCE* Our Most Important Policy Is Trust.® 3C