By Jimmy Booth

Special to The Citizen

Peachtree City’s early years of planning and development had caught my attention. Returning to Fayette County in 1965 after graduating from college and working at a couple of small newspapers, I moved in with my parents when they bought a home in Peachtree City. Two years later, Margo and I were married, and she and I made our home in Peachtree City.

It had always been my dream to give Peachtree City its own newspaper when the time was right. This “new town” had developed a character all its own, and I felt it needed a newspaper especially designed to reflect that character.

On Aug. 7, 1974, after months of planning and preparation, Margo and I launched THIS WEEK in Peachtree City. We introduced the first issue at a preview champagne party at our office on the Tuesday night before the first Wednesday edition.

A large crowd had gathered for the occasion, and I’ll never forget the excitement of coming in straight from the printer with the bundles of papers and watching everyone there grab and read their new newspaper.

THIS WEEK received overwhelming acceptance from the community from its beginning and throughout the time we published the paper.

[Editor’s note: Jimmy Booth, after selling his newspaper in the early 1980s, founded a public relations firm in Peachtree City. After retirement, he now lives in Dahlonega, Ga.]