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Loran Smith

Stories by Loran

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Fredericksburg makes you feel at home

Features column

The founding of Fredericksburg, Texas, came about in 1846 owing to German influence, and you may still hear Texas German-a dialect spoken by the original settlers — in the streets.

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Bum Phillips finds peace on his Texas ranch

Not far from Goliad, Texas, a town of nearly 2,000, is the cutting horse ranch of Bum Phillips, the colorful National Football League coach who is remembered, among other things, for his wearing of cowboy boots on the sideline and for his wide-brimmed Stetson, except for games played indoors.

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The hot dog, oh what a treat

You won’t find any health food advocates suggesting that you eat more hot dogs. In fact the advice you will get from those who know best is to stay away from them.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Scott finally ends Aussie’s Masters curse

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith looks back on just how special Adam Scott's Masters was to the game of golf --- and the nation of Australia.

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Paper, fire, coffee ... a perfect morning

Features column

We are about to leave the chill of winter’s hangover — not with regrets, but with anticipation of spring’s sunshine and balmy temperatures, which will offer more opportunity for outdoor recreation.

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MASTERS COLUMN: Masters fans unlike any others

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith, who is covering The Masters all this week, takes a closer look at the fans who flock from all over the world to Augusta this time of the year.

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MASTERS COLUMN: The legend of Ben Hogan will never be forgotten

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith, who is in Augusta all week at the Masters, takes a look back at former champ Ben Hogan's mastery.

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MASTERS COLUMN: Hard to forget Masters win by Georgia’s own Tommy Aaron

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith, who is spending all week at the Masters, looks back on the thrilling win by Georgia's own Tommy Aaron 40 years ago.

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MASTERS COLUMN: Some things about the Masters I hope never change

Herald Guest Columnist, who will join Herald writer John Millikan at The Masters this week, looks back on some of the more memorable moments in Masters history, while hoping the things that helped create those moments never change.

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Spring training an annual pilgrimage

Features column

If you are a baseball player, you get to wear your uniform all your life. When he quit managing the Dodgers, you still would see Tommy Lasorda in his familiar No. 2 at Vero Beach every spring-before the Dodgers lit out for Glendale, Ariz., jilting a community which had supported the team and provided limitless incentives for decades.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Masters week brings tradition, memories

Herald guest columnist Loran Smith writes about the Masters golf tournament, which begins Thursday and brings a sense of nostalgia to Augusta.

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Russ up for the job as Uga IX

With spring’s refreshing atmosphere — accented by soothing breezes and the fragrance of colorful blooms — gaining momentum, Russ, the Georgia mascot, is enjoying the outdoors on East 58th Street, where he lives in Savannah.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Americus loses true hero with former coach Hightower’s recent passing

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith looks back on the life of Americus coaching legend Jimmy Hightower, who was laid to rest recently after losing his battle with throat cancer late last week.

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Where is the charm today?

Features Column

When you spend time on the road, you often have time to reflect, reminisce and recall the past. One of the things which brings emotional satisfaction is to drive into the countryside, accompanied by the signal of a country music station.

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Webster truly a Dawg for all seasons

Features column

A conversation with Fred Webster is a reminder that we all fall in one of two categories: you are either growing old or someday you will be. If you’re in the latter grouping, the former will come sooner than you think.

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Charleston maintains a laid-back pace

Steeped in history, energized by tradition, and boasting students who matriculate at three local colleges, Charleston, S.C., doesn’t have a skyline-until a cruise ship slides up to the docks and empties a boatload of tourists.

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Stripling’s full of down-home flavor

When Stripling’s, the everything-under-one-roof store developed by Ricky and Lisa Hardin, the sausage-making family from Warwick — that south Georgia town where it is best to obey the speed limit — decided to franchise with a Watkinsville address, they wanted just the right family to partner with.

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COLUMN: Six decades later, Morocco still a Georgia hoops legend

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith writes about Zippy Morocco, a former Georgia basketball player who was recently recognized for breaking the SEC scoring record 60 years ago.

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COLUMN: There will never be another like Albany's Durward Pennington

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith looks back on the life of former Albany High and UGA football star Durward Pennington, who died this week at the age of 73.

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Altamaha River should be cherished by Georgia

LUMBER CITY — This town got its name because, in these parts, there once existed the largest sawmill in the South. That, I’m sure you agree, makes sense. It is best known, however, for something else.

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Adele chose good works over Easy Street

Features column

In the course of one’s life there is exposure to the good and bad. The overachievers and the ne’er-do-wells. The ordinary and the elite.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Musial was one of baseball’s classiest heroes

As a tribute to recently deceased St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial, Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith looks back on the life and career of Musial, while also recounting the impact the one visit they shared together had on him.

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Country icons of yesteryear still endure

This time of the year brings about something of a down time for the Grand Ole Opry. The historic spectacular of WSM Radio does not go into hibernation in January but there is less interest in the Opry in the first month than at any time of the year.

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Rye whiskey’s making a big comeback

Features column

In the shank of a recent evening as winds from a Midwestern front signaled that temperatures would be dropping precipitously in this part of the country, Mat Garretson, a Georgia boy, was waxing with warm emotion in his voice about the resurgence of interest in rye whiskey.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: It's time for some Bulldog Bowl History

Herald Guest Columnist and former UGA sidelines reporter Loran Smith relives one of the more memorable Bulldog bowl games in history.

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My mother a part of the greatest generation

For years, I thought that my mother would become a Centenarian, but after 98 years and eight months, she recently succumbed to the ravages of old age.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Tubby Smith as good as it gets in college basketball

Herald guest columnist Loran Smith writes about current Minnesota men's basketball coach Tubby Smith, who has brought high expectations to the Big 10 program.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Royal was the ultimate salt-of-the-earth football coach

Loran Smith remembers legendary Texas coach Darrell Royal.

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South Dakota hospitality hard to beat

Returning to South Dakota stimulates so many redeeming emotions. I am beside myself as I take in familiar sights including the state Capitol, the abundant Canada geese which flock here this time of the year and congregate en masse by the Capitol lake, the nearby Missouri River and thoroughfares crowded by businesses and commercial entrepreneurs — as they are in every other community from Kennebunkport to Laredo.

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COLUMN: Sure glad Rambo plays for the Dogs

Albany Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith looks back at the huge impact UGA standout safety and former Seminole County star Bacarri Rambo has had during his career, which will end either tied or in first for the most interceptions in Bulldogs history by the end of the season.

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Who’s picking up the Czech?

Nothing like a little humor to make your day. Good humor travels with the greatest of alacrity these days, which means that happening upon a fresh collection of humor is soon gone with the wind.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Yes, I said it --- Jarvis Jones for Heisman

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith makes his case for UGA star LB Jarvis Jones to become the first college player on defense in 15 years to win the Heisman Trophy.

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Computers sometimes offer too much information

As a high school student, I was always interested in geography, although I can’t remember taking more than one course.

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Fly fishing from the master in Blue Ridge

BLUE RIDGE — It is always good to return to this mountain community where tourists like to hang out. Anytime of the year is a good time to come to Blue Ridge, especially now with the leaves turning and everybody enjoying the opportunity to put another log on the fire.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Patience pays off in college football — just ask Beamer

Herald guest columnist Loran Smith writes about Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and his success in college football, which didn't come immediately.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Season isn’t over for UGA

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith writes about the Bulldogs' need to put Saturday's loss to South Carolina behind them.

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October is the best month in the year

October should last longer. How nice it would be if it could be renewed. Make it endure, make those comfortable temperatures linger.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Super smart scheduling may put UGA on path to title

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith lauds Georgia’s crafting of the 2012 football schedule that pushed its meeting with South Carolina back to further in the season.

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A leisure drive offers cherished attraction of history

FULTON, Mo. — Stopping at the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library on the campus of Westminster College is like finding an oasis in the desert.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Watson continues to be fan favorite on PGA Tour

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith writes about former Georgia golfer Bubba Watson and his popularity with fans.

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‘Home on the Range’ can be found in middle Georgia

In those formative years of the past, my imagination would always run rampant with the words of certain songs with which I became familiar by listening to the radio. One was “Home on the Range.”

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Missouri fans sure know how to host a football game

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith writes this week that while Missouri lost to his beloved Bulldogs over the weekend, the town --- and their fans --- were gracious losers and still made sure all those who came had a good time.

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I am thankful for my neighborly mom

My mother is 98-years-old and has a clear mind but limited mobility. We have round-the-clock-care for her in the northwest corner of Johnson County in a community known as Buckeye.

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I am thankful for my neighborly mom

My mother is 98-years-old and has a clear mind but limited mobility. We have round-the-clock-care for her in the northwest corner of Johnson County in a community known as Buckeye.

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LORAN SMITH: Remembering the old days

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith looks ahead to college football season and all that’s in store with a playoff on the horizon, while also remembering how things used to be.

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Tim Chapman knows how to sell his point of view

At the Players Café, Tim Chapman, whose business success and Florida residency make good tax sense, was reminiscing about his time at Georgia. He was in a grateful mood, as he usually is.

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Down House maintains the spirit of Darwin

Features column

It took an effort, but the conclusion was that it was worth it to find my way to both Charles Darwin's home and his birthplace, which are approximately 150 miles apart.

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Dinner with friends always rounds out a day

Preston, England, is my final destination of a fortnight which began in London, where I arrived in time to see the televised singles final at Wimbledon with English friends.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Only winner at Open was Royal Lytham

Herald Guest Columnist Loran Smith wraps up his week-long stay across the pond covering the British Open for The Albany Herald with a look back at Sunday’s unpredictable finish that saw Adam Scott blow a big lead on an unforgiving Royal Lytham course and hand the Open's Claret Jug to Ernie Els on a silver platter.

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LORAN SMITH COLUMN: Quiet morning in Lytham offers fans a chance to reflect

Herald guest columnist Loran Smith writes about the scenic town of Lytham, which is hosting the British Open.

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