Ponderings by Dan Ponder

I recently had the pleasure of attending the reception and ceremony naming the Amphitheater at the Gouge Performing Arts Center after former Auburn Mayor, Bill Ham, and his wife, Carol.  It is a fitting tribute honoring a couple that has done so much for Auburn, not just during their 20-year tenure as Mayor and First…

My friend and I had lunch at Pannie-George’s Restaurant last week.  He was in line ahead of me and said without hesitation, “I will have three thighs”.   I was impressed because I usually limit my own order to just two thighs (when my wife is not with me).   As we sat at the…

Occasionally someone will ask me what the secret is to having a successful career.  What advice would I give some budding entrepreneur or someone just beginning to climb the corporate ladder?   The answer has probably evolved for me as I built a company and eventually retired.  However, now there is no hesitation with my…

Over my many years of playing the organ and piano in church, one of my favorite times was on Sunday evening at the Presbyterian Church in Donalsonville.  The evening service was informal and followed a covered dish supper every Sunday night.  That is right.  A covered dish supper each week of the year. Over time…

I went out on the boat just minutes before the sun was to set.  The sky was clear, the air cool and crisp, and the lake as smooth as glass.  The orange glow along the horizon reflected on the water.  I turned off the motor and let the boat drift as the sunset slowly gave…

I headed down to Compass Lake early last week.  After watching the projected cone of Hurricane Ian for several days, I could not take the pressure any longer.   It took me two years to quit talking about Hurricane Michael.  I was going to be better prepared this time around. Over the course of two…

The older you get the more milestones of various sorts come your way.  Some are personal.  Some have to do with your family and friends.  Others relate to significant dates related to institutions that are important to you.  We all have markers along our journey. This past week, Mary Lou and I were honored to…

Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote about our trip to State College, PA when our Auburn Tigers played the Penn State Nittany Lions.  It was the first road trip that Mary Lou and I had taken since the arrival of Covid, and it did not disappoint. Mary Lou and I joined our friends, Ed…

By now, most Americans have seen more television about the British monarchy than they ever knew existed.  No doubt that the United States has had a fascination about Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family.  Indeed, the entire world seems to recognize the role this extraordinary woman has played not only the United Kingdom’s history,…

It was a special Labor Day weekend.  Mary Lou and I enjoyed having all our grandkids at Compass Lake plus my mother and one daughter and son-in-law.  Family gatherings are always special and should never be taken for granted.   Labor Day and Compass Lake never happened together while I was growing up.  It was…