"You've really got a nice little town, and so many good things going on. The people are so friendly," are remarks made by some of our thousands of visitors to Colquitt each year.

Yes, thousands of people, from mostly the tristate area of Alabama, Florida and Georgia visit our town to see Swamp Gravy plays, the folk life play of Georgia, and MayHaw, another Cotton Hall production that has become almost as famous as the Swamp Gravy. That's just the productions that go on each year.

People from all over the nation also visit our town to see the large murals around Colquitt. We are Georgia's first mural city. Visitors talk about Georgia's monument to the American Indian as they photograph the large statue of the Indian at the Chamber of Commerce building.

Since I work a good bit of the time, the Liberal office is the source for information to people walking or riding on Main Street. Just last Saturday, we had different visitors coming by the office asking how to get to Emerald Lake RV Resort, Helen's, Tarrer Inn and Moby Dick. They all wanted to know if the food was good. I can always, unequivocally answer in the positive on all of eating establishments, including Hardee's which just remodeled, The Mayhaw Cafe, The Captain's Cup, Subway, China Buffet, Powerline, and Trawick's Grill. We could be the eating place in the South.

We are well known for our entertainment, the arts, and our eateries just can't be beaten.

This past week, we attended a funeral of a friend held at the local football stadium because our churches could not hold the crowd, and we have some large churches.

My pastor asked if I was going to be cremated when I pass?

I told him that I hoped my wife would honor my wishes, but under Georgia law, the surviving spouse has the final say. I told him that although I had several things that could kill me, I was feeling quite well for a boy my age.

My pastor said, "When you pass, we will have a two week celebration."

I'm not sure to this day just how to take that. I know I will be in a better place, but I'm shocked that my friends will celebrate my leaving for two weeks.

We attended the wedding of one of our employees and the grandson of some close friends. Our employees are always like our family.

I don't like to go to weddings, but my first wife suggested that both the bride and the groom's folks were our friends, and I should go. I'm glad I did. It was a lovely wedding that I will remember each time I see the happy couple.

I could tell the minister was a bit nervous. I wasn't sure if it was because he was in a city church with such a large crowd and he thought he might ought to take up a collection or have an altar call. He did forget to seat the congregation after the couple came down to be joined in holy matrimony. We eventually just sat down as he was starting the ceremony.

Then, the groom asked the minister, "When am I going to get to kiss the bride?

The preacher, said, "Now."

He didn't have to say it twice. The boy had his priorities in order.

It was an enjoyable wedding ceremony, watching and wondering what the flower girl and ring bearer were going to do next. It was a delicious reception. Those folks know how to put on a feed.

Did I mention that it was a mixed wedding? The bride's pastor was from a Baker County church, and the groom's pastor was from a Colquitt church.

Maybe it will work out. I married one of those Baker County women some 54 years ago. We are still working on it. She will never leave me. If she does, her mother, Uva, my dog Bleu, and I are going with her.

There are some things like some politics that are not nearly perfect in Colquitt and Miller County, but all in all, I can't think of any place, or any people I had rather be a part of.

It’s been said that Colquitt was really the site of the Garden of Eden just before the fruit eating.