The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net
In January 1996 a newspaper was born with the name “The Tri-County Journal,” covering the Georgia counties of Marion, Schley and Webster. Birthed by Richard and Michelle Harris, this beacon of free press sharing information and truth has since grown to include Chattahoochee County, with the longer title of “The Tri-County Journal and Chattahoochee Chronicle.” You might wonder, what’s my drift? Well, it concerns the seemingly chance movements of people, new jobs, the budding of friendship, and then separation as folks move on to other endeavors.
When I met Richard he was a young reporter with “The Northeast Georgian” in Cornelia, which was printing my columns. From the first I was impressed by him and his wife, Michelle. Not only was one handsome and the other beautiful, but both were “straight arrow” people, open, earnest and energetic. More than many young people they shared a vision and felt they had a purpose in life, and meant to contribute something worthwhile along life’s way. Today they have an energetic pre-school student in the family, Andrew (Drew), who looks like and acts like a chip off the “old block.”
A vision took form and off Richard and Michelle went to Buena Vista, on a venturesome mission to begin a new newspaper. Then I really did not visualize maintaining contact with them as in my Air Force travels I have met and regrettably separated from many likeable people. However, for some reason Richard liked my columns and later began to print them in his weekly newspaper. Nearly 11 years went by without us meeting in person again. Once, just a year ago my wife and I went to the Okefenokee Swamp and on the way home we swung by way of Buena Vista to see Richard. However, we chose the wrong day and he was away taking care of newspaper business.
Wonder of wonders, all that changed and this past Wednesday evening (4-26-06) about 7 p.m. Richard drove into our driveway! He was here for a couple of days fishing and relaxing away from his very
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Could he really relax around me?
We hit it off as if ten years or so had not passed. Florine and I enjoyed Richard’s brief stay. On the next two mornings he and I arose early, got coffee and breakfast, then went to the home of J.B. Addis, a good friend of mine, who also likes to fish. From there we rode in J.B.’s truck and fished from his boat in a local lake that normally produces some good fishing. We caught several small bass and a few good bream and shell crackers, but as luck would have it the moon phase was wrong, bass were bedding but bluegills were not, and a cold, east wind blew. Still, surrounded by the beauty of spring and in good company, we all thoroughly enjoyed those two days.
On Thursday afternoon I took Richard on a quick visit to see Aunt Thelma and Jessie Mae in Clayton, and then we drove up the mountain to Germany Valley where I grew up on a farm. There we chatted with my brother Jack and Judy, his wife. After that we drove up US 441 to near Dillard and ate shrimp at a good restaurant. It was a quick but enjoyable outing with Richard and he got a brief look at my “old stomping grounds.”
As we waved goodbye to Richard on Friday afternoon, I mused on the way events occur in life and why and how folks become friends. I am drawn to honest, direct people of any age who look for opportunities, work hard and make their own way through life. I thought of other dear friends, some not seen in years, yet friendship ties remain strong to this day. They live in places like Antioch, Calif., Bend, Ore., Brighton, Colo., Grove City, Pa., and Pensacola, Fla. How we became friends and shared thoughts through the years could fill a book.
I also thought of how important it is for news sources to keep people informed with truth and fairness. In a free country citizens must be informed with true and balanced news and information so they can make wise choices. Only informed, caring citizens can keep this precious freedom for future generations. We cannot allow self-serving politicians and judges to decide for us what freedom and democracy is and we must keep the Constitution true to its original intentions. Thus Richard Harris and other publishers, editors and reporters like him serve a vital part in keeping citizens informed and able to keep our nation on course.
Better fishing next time, Richard!