Guest Column: Newnan's caring spirit
By Harry C. Mickleboro Jr.Austell
My wife, Gwen, and I were in Newnan for the visitation of a dearly departed friend. As we were leaving McKoon Funeral Home, it was getting dark. We missed the turn trying to get onto Interstate 85. We ended up on a remote stretch of Georgia 34.
I tried to turn around in a dark parking lot of a closed auto business. In trying to exit the lot, I misjudged the exit ramp and slid head first into a rather deep ditch, leaving the car in a perilous position with the back wheels off the ground. While we were trying to find our roadside assistance number and retrieve our cell phone, a vehicle pulled up in the parking lot.
While waiting, a sheriff’s car pulled into the lot followed soon by a police cruiser. Both wanted to know if they could help. I explained that towing help was on the way, so they left. Mr. and Mrs. Garner went home.
It was cold so my wife and I decided to go across the street and wait in a market at the service station. There was no place to sit, but soon the proprietor brought two stools so we could sit at the window and watch for the wrecker to arrive.
While waiting, a car pulled into the market/service station. A very large man got out and approached us. He asked if we needed help. He said he had four big sons with him, and he thought they could lift our car out of the ditch. I thanked them, but told them the tow truck was on its way.
A short time later, a large truck advertising lawn service pulled up and the driver asked if we could use some assistance. He said he had a log chain and could pull us out. Again, I thanked him and explained the situation.
In a few minutes, we walked back across the street because it was about time for the tow truck to arrive. Mr. Garner had come back to the lot to check on us and the tow truck, which he did by making another phone call.
The tow truck, Mobley’s Wrecker Service, arrived. After hooking up a chain to the rear of my vehicle, they eased it out of the ditch onto level ground. The driver inspected the front end and said it looked like only superficial damage to the plastic bumper and grill. He thought it was OK to drive. He then volunteered to lead us out to I-85, which he did.
Boy! What a plethora of Good Samaritans. If these people are representative of the folks in Newnan, it must be a wonderful city in which to live. Long live your caring spirit.
