Columnists

COLUMN: Every newsroom in America needs one of these

Journalists are wary of throwing anything away, whether it’s full notebooks, old keyboards or computer monitors with dead pixel lines. We value history, continuity, the utility of things that are a little banged up but still have a spark in them. 

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Micah Johnston poses for a standard headshot wearing a green jacket and tie.
COLUMN: Bibb County’s Olympic history

What it means to be an Olympian to these local athletes

Gris-Triv’ #1: Test your local knowledge

Every couple of weeks in The Macon Melody, I will give you a multiple choice test on Macon and Middle Georgia trivia.

A man with a beard and short hair, wearing a light gray polo shirt, is standing and smiling in an indoor space under construction. In the background, there are several people working and cinder block walls with "LEVEL UP" painted in blue on a green section of the wall.
Local man to bring back an iconic Bibb County skating rink

Joel Shiver plans to reopen the Bibb Skating Arena as the Level Up Family Entertainment Center, with roller skating in addition to laser tag, an arcade and more.

A sign at Macon Speedway welcomes race fans, declaring it "The Coolest Bullring in the Country!" The sign features the Macon Speedway logo with a bull's head. Behind the sign, there are bleachers with advertisements for local businesses, including "One Source," "Mattie's Bar & Grill," and "Herald & Review." A red building and fencing are visible in the foreground.
Macon, Illinois shares connection Atlanta manager Brian Snitker

Macon, Illinois is one of our five American sister cities, and a little sister, for sure. The population is 1,177, making it roughly 130 times smaller than its Georgia kin. 

Micah Johnston poses for a standard headshot wearing a green jacket and tie.
COLUMN: Misery, arguments and all, fandom matters

Being a fan is fun, and it's what makes a sport more than just a game.

Two men stand on a baseball field, smiling at the camera. The older man on the left is wearing a red polo shirt and glasses, and has his hand on the shoulder of the younger man beside him. The younger man is wearing a black shirt with the "Marriott" logo and is holding a trophy and a framed photo of a baseball team. Trees and part of the baseball field are visible in the background.
A coach and a ball player reconnect, 28 years later

In 1996, Terrance Toomer was one of the boys Ed Grisamore coached on the Vine-Ingle

A sunset over a lake with several boats creating ripples on the water. The sun is low in the sky, casting a golden reflection on the lake's surface. The sky has a mix of clouds, and the shoreline is lined with trees and a few houses. The scene is calm and serene.
COLUMN: The importance of knowing where you’re from

It intrigues me how where you’re from is hardly static. Highways, airplanes and the world wide web have shrunk distances, erased regional dialects and smoothed out many of our unique wrinkles. Folks remake themselves every day.

An older woman with short gray hair and glasses is smiling in front of a tall white water tower. The water tower has the text "MACON City of Maples" with a red maple leaf. The woman is wearing a light green shirt with a floral pattern. The sky is clear and blue with a few small clouds.
Missouri’s Macon hopes to grow, along with its signature trees

Welcome to Macon, Missouri, our sister city from the “Show Me State.’’ And there is plenty to show off here. Like our town, it is a community steeped in rich history and good vibes. 

Missing Busbee ring ‘a good story,’ 25 years later

It's a story that just gets better with time. "It’s those kinds of acts that reinforce what our marriage was built on."

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