For many years, Christmas was prime time for Harry Musselwhite, the longtime senior lecturer in music at Berry College and one of the most popular voices in Northwest Georgia. He moved to New Mexico six years ago where he's stayed very busy in the music, acting and the production business as well as becoming a podcast mainstay.

On Thursday, we arranged for Harry to join us to update friends in Northwest Georgia on his multiple passions (he filmed an episode of the Peacock Network's new MacGruber now streaming) as well as started another business. 

We spent nearly 19 minutes reconnecting with Harry who, as always, is both informative and entertaining. While much of the chat is about acting and music production, you'll hear some great takes on Northwest Geogia, on Nelle Reagan's famous "gang's all here" Christmas episodes, one of Harry's favorite Berry traditions and some other local memories (and names).

The Knights of Columbus Labor Day Barbecue returns Monday, Sept. 6, to the Rome Civic Center  with some key changes to keep guests and volunteers safe. 

Mel Thomas, the grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 4410 of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and barbecue co-chair Jim Powell join Hometown's John Druckenmiller to talk about staging one of Rome's culinary highlights.

A quick summary of the impact of the first round of storms at midday Thursday, including hard-hit Cedartown, and a look at what forecasts expect tonight and overnight. 

The last time we did a podcast, former Floyd County Sheriff Tim Burkhalter and the Rome Ga. Cares crew had boots on the ground in Louisiana helping hurricane victims there. We actually did a "pregame" and "on the ground" series of podcasts which became the most listened to in our first season. And it was a great first season with more than 47,500 "listens."

Now we're preparing for season two -- and it will be different. Our goal is to add video for those who prefer to see some faces and maybe some images. We'll do that by using Zoom technology, which allows us to interview area newsmakers using the safest COVID protocols. We'll record these Zoom interviews and make them available on our new YouTube channel. 

You'll also be able to listen to the broadcasts in more traditional podcast formats such as on Anchor, Apple and all the others. The broadcasts will be available via one quick click from our websites as well as all our social media. 

Our second season is part of our celebrating 17 years of Hometown Headlines. Our website went live on Jan. 28, 2004, and we weren't sure we'd be around to celebrate 17 weeks much less 17 years. We thank you and our advertisers for making that possible.

We'll get back to work learning more about the Zoom options and making it all work on YouTube and the podcast platforms.

Stay tuned.

A caravan of hurricane relief supplies, donated by Floyd County residents for victims of Hurricane Laura, left our area on Monday, Sept. 21, for the hard-hit community of Beauregard Parish. 

On Wednesday, we talked with Beauregard Sheriff Mark Herford about the storm itself (gusts of 140-145 mph), extensive damage (28,000 structures, minor to major) and the loss of basic power and water services in the storm's wake. 

Herford says the community is recovering and was so appreciative of the trucks filled with relief supplies collected from Rome and Floyd County to help his community. 

The Rome Ga Cares team remains on the ground, distributing cleaning gear, fans, water and treats for the kids -- even as the remnants of another storm, Beta  -- trigger new flood concerns there. The Rome team is doing fine, Sheriff Tim Burkhalter says -- adding that they're getting to taste a whole lot of boudin (a sausage-like specialty) and other local cooking during their breaks. 

Floyd County Sheriff Tim Burkhalter joins us to talk about the seventh mission of Rome Ga Cares, this time to Beauregard Parish, La., to help the community recover after being devastated by Hurricane Laura. 

After speaking with Beauregard Sheriff Mark Herford,  Burkhalter says the community is in major need of Box fans, tarps, infant care (diapers, food, formula), small toys or stuffed animals for children, and cleaning supplies to fill the buckets we will be taking them. 

You can drop off those donations at two locations now through Sept. 18, at North Rome Church of God off Broad Street, or Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church. Volunteers will unload it from your vehicle from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The final day to donate is Sept. 18 and crews will leave Sept. 21 to distribute relief items.

You're also welcome to donate $75 for a cleaning kit or whatever amount you'd like. To do so, click the sheriff's website/Rome Ga Cares.

Burkhalter and Rome Ga Cares already have assisted six other communities hit by hurricanes in recent years, from Texas to Florida to North Carolina.  He commend the community's giving spirit and said Rome/Floyd County has developed a strong reputation of helping others in need.

Record hospital admissions. Enduring the second deadliest month of the pandemic (with two days to go). Soaring positive test results. 

And some still want to use our students as political collateral?

That choice is yours. Our "leaders" have had six months -- half a year -- to respond to the pandemic. They failed.

Do what's best for your child.

For five blistering days, most of what we heard about was face coverings -- also known as masks. Yes votes, no votes, "education," "marketing plans," litigation, masks having some imaginary connection to the state's economy and for reasons that should be criminal -- politics as well.

All over as simple a thing as trying to save lives -- our own, our friends, our family, our community.

By Friday, most of us were numb and confused. The adults needed to take control. They did so in such a way that any executive order signed by a one-term governor trying to bully local governments would have the impact of a dying fly.

The private sector stood up and won't be seated any time soon. Starting with Starbacks and later including Walmart, Sam's Club, Kroger, Publix, Target, Kohl's, Lowe's and Home Depot, some of the biggest names in retail make it easy for all to understand: Wear a mask or stay out of our stores.

By midday Friday, Harbin Clinic did the same, requiring all patients and visitors to all offices to wear masks during the entirety of their stay. We expect others to follow. And soon.

Does the private sector have the clout? You bet.

Now's the time for the locals, the moms-and-pops to step up as well. 

Today's top headlines:

• Downtown Rome 'special' police unit to patrol for speed, noise and related issues following surprise meeting Wednesday.
• 16 patients with COVID-19 in Floyd, Redmond, up 2 from Tuesday. A record 2,946 new cases Wednesday in Georgia. Statewide, more than 700 deaths in June.
• Georgia Health News: As state cases surge, 1,500-plus healthcare workers urge Kemp to require masks in public.
• Rome committee to discuss naming a citizens panel to study monuments in Myrtle Hill; it is a follow-up to June's emotional Forrest debate.
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• Independence Day: Armuchee Ruritan Club has flags flying; timely new flag at Saint Mary's School thanks to Coosa Valley Credit Union. Plus: Fireworks, parades on the way.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Heat index of 98 today; low 90s over the Independence Day weekend; rain chance 20% to 50%.
• Truett's Chick-Fil-A Sports Report: Atlanta Braves to pay minor leaguers through July.

Rant of the Day: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes to our Hometown community:

After today, we reducing our rants, newscasts and podcasts. They're not going away; we're just doing fewer of them. We already have two podcasts scheduled for later this month.

And on Facebook, we're retiring our Hometown Headlines page and switching to a Hometown group. We've been swamped with toxic comments in recent months that we don't care to read or edit. Under this new format, we'll be able to put those comments in a collective time out while still serving our readers and advertisers.

Both changes are effect Friday. We're not going anywhere; we have much more on the way.

Today's top headlines:

• 14 patients with COVID-19 in Floyd, Redmond hospitals on Tuesday; 4 others awaiting test results. Second Polk resident dies. Local positive tests jump by 53 from Monday.
• 2020 season of the Rome Braves -- and minor league baseball -- officially canceled. What Braves' fans need to know.
• Health: State again rejects Floyd's bid to offer adult open heart surgery.
• Business: Home sales down 20.5% but prices mixed for Northwest Georgia homebuyers, sellers in May vs. a year earlier.
• Independence Day 2020: Fireworks, parades still on tap although some events have been canceled. What to know.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Maybe a half-inch of rain today, more storms possible. Independence Day: 89 with a 40% rain chance.
• Truett's Chick-Fil-A Sports Report: New look, focus for Berry College athletics online.

Rant of the Day: What time is it? Cryin' time.

Few were surprised to hear the 2020 Rome Braves season was officially canceled -- as well as that of 159 other teams in North America. What makes this even sadder: At least 40 communities will see their teams lose Major League affiliation by year's end. Some will go away. Others will be hammered by pandemic-related losses.

The Rome Braves are "safe" and are due to return in 2021 to a recently upgraded stadium. But that is not helping the fans who made State Mutual Stadium their home each spring and summer. 

Add in the economic blow to Floyd County and it really hits home. 

Today’s top headlines:

• 13 in Floyd, Redmond with COVID-19; state adds 123 more. Monday sees 2,207 new cases in Georgia. Kemp extends public health state of emergency, safety protocol.
• Cartersville man now faces murder, three other counts following Sunday evening shooting.
• Politics: District 14 GOP hopefuls John Cowan, Marjorie Taylor Greene in televised debate July 19-20. Floyd Democrats set virtual meeting for Thursday.
• Business: Prime downtown Rome spot on the market for $450,000 — with parking.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Another steamer on the way with a heat index of 98. Rain possible on Independence Day, that evening.
• Truett’s Chick-Fil-A Sports Report: Amid pandemic, a centennial celebration for the Negro Leagues. MLB camps open Wednesday.

Rant of the Day: "Upon further review ..."

Keep a sharp eye on your sports feeds in coming days -- even if you don't like what you're about to read. Or hear.

So what have we seen and heard -- all from reputable news and sports media?

• Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals says no thanks to Major League Baseball's shortened season, which technically starts with training camps on Wednesday. At least one other Nats' player has joined him.
• Other MLB teams are reporting players and coaches who have tested positive, including Minnesota.
• And as our colleague John McClellan points out, the most recent extension of social distancing and other pubic health protocols by Georgia's governor overlaps with the first weekend of high school football scrimmages. We imagine they'll find a way to properly social distance to comply but it will be tough.
• And should we worry that Fulton County Schools has opted to delay its start of the new year by a full week -- so far.
• High schools in Gwinnett County also report four coronavirus cases -- we hear a mix of players and coaches -- and the Georgia High School Association again is reminding schools to report positive virus tests.
• On Monday, we saw the first official report that a football conference -- the storied Ivy League -- was thinking of switching football to spring.
• Some college football teams already are canceling nonconference games.
• At Clemson, 37 players, coaches and staff have tested positive for the coronavirus. That follows the report from LSU.
• In Alabama, the loss of The Tide could cost the state more than $2 billion. A study from 2015-16 concluded Tuscaloosa alone could see $25 million in game-weekend revenue vanish with each game canceled.
• Some NBA players are skeptical of the season set to resume, including a lifestyle in the Disney bubble throughout the run.

So who do we blame? We see it as a rushing penalty. Too many governors, Georgia's included, preached the need to reopen our state. On Monday, Brian Kemp extended the state's public health emergency until Aug. 11. That includes much-less stringent social distancing rules as well. He's busy taking selfies with him wearing a mask and urging Georgians to do the same. That's way short of what other governors are doing -- ordering masks if you're in public.

And yet, the sports machines of America continue to hype the hype about sports being back. Yes, but so is the coronavirus.