TO THE EDITOR:

I am writing in hopes that this letter will bring awareness to the person in our neighborhood that is perhaps unaware of the effect they are having on others.

Plant something

TO THE EDITOR:

Some people think that due to the drought, they should not plant at all. This is not true. Changes in water restrictions now allow more flexibility for homeowners and gardeners.

We must not be 'drop-wise and bucket foolish' to paraphrase an old saying. Groundcovers, turf, trees and shrubs help keep our watersheds healthy by reducing flooding, pollution and erosion. Plants are critical to reducing the impact of development and pavement on rivers and streams. And let's not forget that vegetation, especially trees, and especially trees in our cities, reduces the heat island effect and improves air quality.

Besides the environmental benefits, everyone understands and appreciates the beauty and value landscaping adds to our homes and property.

Spring is here. I encourage everyone to plant something. Horticulturists at nurseries and garden centers are available to help customers select plants, instruct them on how to prepare the soil, how to mulch, and how to efficiently and adequately apply water. Selecting the right plants and installing them properly will greatly reduce the amount of water your home landscape needs. Yes, gardening during times of drought may require a little more research and even a little more creativity and effort, but it is worth it.

The benefits of planting trees, shrubs and other plants are enormous. You will feel better, too, knowing that you are helping the environment, providing homes for wildlife, making Georgia more beautiful, and providing shade and oxygen for thankful generations to come.

Sincerely,

Tommy Irvin

Railroad days

The 8th Annual Railroad Days Festival will be held in Camak, Ga. on Sat., April 5 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Vendor applications are available at 706-465-1904 or www.camak srailroaddays.com.

For well over a year now, someone is shooting a gun within 75 yards of our home at all hours of the night and early mornings. The shots are close enough that they rattle the pictures on our wall and wake us up from a dead sleep. This occurs four to five times per week and sometimes several times per night.

For my husband and I, this has become more of a nuisance than anything else. Unfortunately, for our youngest son, it has become horrifying. He has Down Syndrome, along with sleep apnea, acid reflux disease and aerophagia- all of which interrupt his sleep on a frequent basis.

It is emotionally terrifying for him. There are many nights when we finally get him to sleep that he is abruptly awakened by the gunfire and then it is almost impossible to get him back to sleep.

Because he attends school in Columbia County, he has to get up very early, and the shooting robs him of important sleep. As a direct result of this, we have had to put him in a special program through the school to receive home-bound instruction for days that he misses. Therefore, this will cost Greenbrier Middle, his teacher and us a lot of time and money.

We have made numerous calls to the sheriff's office, but due to the randomness of the shooting, they have not been able to catch the person.

I hope perhaps the shooter will read this letter and realize the impact of what he/she is doing. I can't imagine anyone would do such a thing and not think it would be disturbing to others.

If the intention has been to aggravate and annoy us, you have succeeded. But you have also succeeded in emotionally damaging a little boy that is disabled. So please stop!

Sincerely,

DEBRA KINNEY

Class info needed

Attention: Lincoln County High School Class of 1989. Plans are being made now for our 20-year class reunion. Your contact information is needed as soon as possible. Please email your name, address, telephone number and email address to lincolnclassof1989@yahoo.com.