For the past 22 years, I have shared the pleasure with all Statesboro Herald readers of Kathy Bradley’s column being an enjoyable/interesting/educational and often inspiring slice of every other Thursday/Sunday.

And since Kathy has been writing her column for the Herald since 1996, I’m sure some of you have been loyal readers for all those 30 years. (She did take a two-year break in the mid-2000s.)

On June 11, I received an email from Kathy that I dreaded, but knew, would one day come.

“I am writing to share with you that my column scheduled for (September 3) will be my last. August 22 will be the 30th anniversary of my first offering as a regular columnist and my 70th birthday is coming up in October. It is, as they say, time.”

So, Kathy’s column in the September 3, 2026 – today’s – edition of the Statesboro Herald is her final original one on a regular, bi-weekly schedule.

However, at my request, Kathy has agreed to select one of her columns from the past three decades that we will publish once a month. Also, Kathy is welcome to submit any columns/articles anytime the spirit moves her. While I hope that spirit is active, there are no more deadlines.

Last week, Kathy and I sat down for a lengthy interview about how she came to be a regular columnist for the Herald, her passion and motivations for writing and I even asked her to select a favorite column from the 700+ she has written for the Herald.

In next week’s Lifestyles section, I will share an edited version of our interview along with Kathy’s favorite column.

When I received Kathy’s email in June about ending her column, I wrote back to her:

“To say your bi-weekly column will be missed by our readers, and me, is a vast understatement. It is part of the Statesboro Herald’s identity and impossible to replace. That is not an understatement.”

While I am confident this won’t be the last of her original writing to appear in the Herald’s pages, please enjoy Kathy Bradley’s final column – for now.