Ponderings by Dan Ponder

We are often surrounded by people who have done some extraordinary things during their lives.  Many times, we take them for granted.   I have spent most of my adult life around such men in this community that fought during World War II.   I know the stories of many and don’t know the stories of even…

“Welcome to the last Sunday School Assembly”, the leader said this past Sunday morning in church.  Given our congregation is one that travels a lot during the Summer months, I thought it must be a hiatus until school was back in Session. It was only when it was stated that the morning assembly had been…

There is no biblical context to the title of this week’s article, nor am I talking about Bear Bryant for the Alabama football fans who still hold the Bear as somewhere between divine being and saint. No, I am simply talking about my latest observations from the dock at Compass Lake, watching the youngsters do…

I have often wondered about the point when something I consider extraordinary becomes common to someone else.  When does a brain surgeon first go into an operation without thinking about their task other than as just another day at the job?  When does a teacher first begin a new class year without really thinking about…

Television has been a changing art form over the almost 90 years of its existence. No one would deny its role as an entertainment vehicle over the past several generations.  It has brought news from around the world into our homes and influenced how we spend our money through its paid advertising.   Perhaps its…

There is no doubt about it; Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  There are not many places where a near desert and a rainforest exist with an hour’s drive of each other. In some places you will find pristine sandy beaches.  A few miles down the road, the waves crash against…

I am not talking about being 50 years of age.  Unfortunately I am way past that celebration.  No, I am talking about the completion of my longest held bucket list item.   This article comes to you from the balcony of my hotel in Hawaii, the 50th state that I have been able to visit. I…

There are not many cities of any size that go through the changes that Donalsonville has seen in the past sixteen months.  By end of May, citizens will have seen a new Mayor, City Manager, Fire Chief and Police Chief.   This type of turnover can often be a sign of turmoil, but in this case,…

Duke is the king of NCAA basketball.  Spring football is giving a tantalizing hint to the fans of Southern college football.  Baseball is off to a quiet start, but is giving a predictable buzz to those that still consider this sport “America’s Game”.     Given the way that soccer is expanding in our schools, it…

Yogi Berra, one of the best catchers to ever play baseball, was named Most Valuable Player in the American League three times.  As a player, coach or manager, Berra participated in an amazing 21 World Series, winning 13 of them. Despite his success in the sport at the highest level for several decades, many today…