TO THE EDITOR:

To all my friends and neighbors in Washington-Wilkes ...

When the great and powerful Wizard of Oz granted the Tin Man a heart, he advised him that "a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."

If this wisdom is true, then I must have the biggest heart in the State of Georgia.

Six years ago when I moved to Wilkes County, I never imagined or expected the wonderful reception that I would experience. Thank you for the friendship and the love that you have shared. I leave here a better person and hope that I can carry with me all that I have learned.

Thank you.

LAWRENCE HYDE (Mr. Hyde has moved to Savannah.)