James May-June 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 4
P U B L I S H E R ’ S M ES SAG E
TOURISM, EDUCATION , TH E USA’S 250T H & SIPPIN’ LOCAL
id you know that Georgia’s
tourism and hospitality industry is the second-largest economic contributor to our state? And it’s
tied to our No. 1 industry agriculture
through the lodging and food sectors. In fact, in 2023 visitor spending
reached a whopping $46.3 billion, contributing to a total economic impact
of $79.7 billion, with distinct spending
trends in rural and urban areas.
Consider, too, that just the iconic
Masters Tournament at the Augusta
National Golf Club drew over 200,000
visitors. Metro Atlanta, however, is
in a league all its own. There are big
sporting events that host teams from
around the country and world that are
being held this year and in 2026 that
will draw untold millions of fans.
Judging from the many positive
quotes staff writer Patrick Hickey
compiled regarding the sheer volume
of people coming into Georgia and
the revenue generated, it’s clear that
when we invest and support tourism,
everybody wins.
D
OUR EDUCATION FOCUS
There are many fine universities
that Georgia can be proud of, and this
issue features three— the University
of Georgia, Mercer University and
Middle Georgia State University. It was
especially enjoyable to visit my alma
mater to interview UGA President Jere
Morehead and to roam around the
campus. We feel it’s important to share
with readers the success and progress
achieved at these schools and many
others we’ll feature in the future.
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JAMES M AY/JU N E 2 02 5
REFLECTING ON THE USA’S 250th ANNIVERSARY
The Georgia Historical Society
is working with state leaders and
others on a program to celebrate next
year’s 250th anniversary of our country’s independence. In this context,
we publish an essay by the Society’s
senior historian Stan Deaton on “the
shot heard ‘round the world” on April
19, 1775— the battles of Lexington and
Concord— that triggered the American Revolution. This ultimately led to
the establishment of a constitutional
republic and a prosperous private
enterprise economic system that is the
envy of the world.
In anticipation of the 250th celebration, President Donald Trump
signed an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American
History.” It begins:
“Over the past decade, Americans
have witnessed a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our nation’s
history, replacing objective facts with
a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth. This revisionist
movement seeks to undermine the
remarkable achievements of the United
States by casting its founding principles
and historical milestones in a negative
light. Under this historical revision, our
nation’s unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights and human
happiness is reconstructed as inherently
racist, sexist, oppressive or otherwise
irredeemably flawed. Rather than fostering unity and a deeper understanding of
our shared past, the widespread effort to
rewrite history deepens societal divides
and fosters a sense of national shame,
disregarding the progress America has
made and the ideals that continue to
inspire millions around the globe.”
The president continues, “It is the
policy of my Administration to restore
Federal sites dedicated to history, including parks and museums, to solemn
and uplifting public monuments that
remind Americans of our… unmatched
record of advancing liberty, prosperity
and human flourishing.”
History records the ups and
downs of civilizations. In America’s
case, though, we should look “upward.” Pundit George Will perhaps put
it best: “Americans who fear a rancorous plod toward America’s 250th
birthday should remember: 250 years
ago, the nation knew much worse.
Then it healed, passed through the
furnace of another Civil War, then
resumed its zigzag but upward path
toward a more perfect Union.”
Our sippin’ local readers’ poll
For our annual Sippin’ Local feature, James conducts an online survey
asking readers to vote for their favorite
Georgia brewery, distillery and winery— and we received more responses
than ever! Our winners come from
different areas and have very different
origins. Two things they share, though,
are loyal customers and success. We
feature a story about each winner,
plus list the top 10 vote-getters in each
category. And staff writer Baker Owens
writes about the care and craft these
places put into making their products.
PHIL KENT CEO & PUB L I S H E R
