Old mowers, good friends

Harris Blackwood isn’t sure how much Macon remembers him.

But he will never forget Macon.

“It’s a city rich in history, from the Civil War to Otis Redding and Little Richard,’’ he said. “I appreciate that so much more now.’’

No, he won’t forget the history – or the food.

“My car knew the way to Len Berg’s, Fincher’s and Nu-Way,’’ he said, laughing.

Harris lived and worked here in 1984 and ’85 as a reporter for WGXA-TV, Channel 24. He also served as the station’s sports anchor until former Georgia quarterback John Lastinger was hired.

“I’m the one who taught John Lastinger how to shoot and edit video,’’ he said.

He also used to play the organ for Mercer basketball games.

He has another claim to fame now. Harris was recently named community editor of The Times in Gainesville, where is building a reputation as a newspaper columnist. He has twice won the Joe Parham Trophy as the state’s top humor columnist. Parham was an editor and columnist for the Macon newspapers for more than 30 years.

(The Times has still another Macon connection. Mitch Clarke, a former reporter for The Telegraph, was named editor in Gainesville earlier this month. Clarke has been director of university communications at Georgia College & State University.)

Harris does, indeed, have a funny side. He’s a delight being around, and we’ve shared many laughs together. He’s a bit mischievous, and there’s a bit of him that refuses to grow up.
For years, he would call an Atlanta television station whenever there was a threat of winter weather and report that Tift College was closed. He then would watch the news to hear them report it. Of course, the college in Forsyth closed its doors in 1986.

Harris is active in his community. He's a deacon at his church. He's married with four children. And he told me Thursday he has the “best job in the world.’’ His first book, “When Old Mowers Die” is about to go into its second printing at Indigo Publishing/Henchard Press in Macon.

I asked him if he had a web site, and he laughed. It seems that harrisblackwood.com has already been taken by a folk singer in Portland, Ore., named Haris Blackwood, spelled with one ''r.''

So if you’re interested in the book, or just catching up with Harris, you’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way – write him or pick up the phone. He can be reached at 1-800-395-5005. His e-mail is hblackwood@gainesvilletimes.com