Community

With husband Steve at her back, Compassion Café owner Lisa Tubbs wields the scissors for a ribbon-cutting ceremony arranged by Robbie King (behind bow) of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With husband Steve at her back, Compassion Café owner Lisa Tubbs wields the scissors for a ribbon-cutting ceremony arranged by Robbie King (behind bow) of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Compassion Café delivers coffee, connection, community

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 2, 2025
When Lisa Tubbs moved to Putnam County in 2019, she never imagined she’d become the owner of a bustling new coffee shop.“Absolutely not.
Lisa Conner speaks at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art’s annual meeting. CONTRIBUTED

Lisa Conner speaks at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art’s annual meeting. CONTRIBUTED

STMA hosts successful annual members meeting

News Staff
Thursday, October 2, 2025
The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (STMA) welcomed guests to its annual members meeting on Sept. 21, followed by a reception honoring STMA members, patrons, and sponsors.
Women dominated the crowd at Upscale Resale, where donated, gently used, high-end pieces of jewelry, purses and carryalls, some clothing, and even a collection of fine jewelry was available for purchase to support local food pantries. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Women dominated the crowd at Upscale Resale, where donated, gently used, high-end pieces of jewelry, purses and carryalls, some clothing, and even a collection of fine jewelry was available for purchase to support local food pantries. IAN TOCHER/Staff

‘Upscale Resale’ making a difference in Lake Country

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 2, 2025
When Connie Karpinsky organized the first Upscale Resale fundraiser in 2018, she could not have imagined how quickly it would grow.“We’ve done one every year except for 2020 because of COVID, so this is number seven,” she said Sept.
Jerry Stapp, Ernie Ceccato, Greg Haas, Paul Nickel, Chris Wolf, Ed Zaucha and Jerry Nicholson with some of the golf equipment going to Bunkers in Baghdad. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Jerry Stapp, Ernie Ceccato, Greg Haas, Paul Nickel, Chris Wolf, Ed Zaucha and Jerry Nicholson with some of the golf equipment going to Bunkers in Baghdad. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Knights of Columbus contributes to Bunkers in Baghdad

Leigh Lofgren
Thursday, October 2, 2025
The Knights of Columbus were at Christ Our King & Savior Catholic Church on Sept. 27, packing up more than 1,000 golf clubs, 11,000 golf balls, bags, and more for Bunkers in Baghdad.
Ronda Rich/Columnist

Ronda Rich/Columnist

Rich: The light of wisdom

Ronda Rich
Thursday, September 25, 2025
By the time I was 21, my good parents had taught me much of what they knew. And, that was a lot. Some of it had been hard learned in the mountains, some came from town life, and some were just born in them.
Doug Denholm hits a shot out of the bunker onto the green. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Doug Denholm hits a shot out of the bunker onto the green. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Winners named from 2025 Oconee Cup

Leigh Lofgren
Thursday, September 25, 2025
This year’s Oconee Cup between Team Cross and Team McCleave was played once again over three days in stunning weather at Great Waters on The National and Richland golf courses.
Rylie West

Rylie West

LOA celebrates Homecoming 2025

Skyla Morris
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Lake Oconee Academy recently held its Fall 2025 Homecoming Week, featuring a parade, door decorating contests, and the presentation of the 2025 Homecoming Court.Earlier this year, LOA designed shirts for September’s National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month to honor the late Dr.
The annual Taste of Eatonton event on The Plaza lawn serves up a wide variety of tasty dishes at an affordable price from several local eateries. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The annual Taste of Eatonton event on The Plaza lawn serves up a wide variety of tasty dishes at an affordable price from several local eateries. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Taste of Eatonton serves up local flavor next month

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Eatonton’s most flavorful evening will return next month when Taste of Eatonton, hosted by the Eatonton- Putnam Chamber of Commerce, takes over the grounds outside The Plaza Arts Center.
L-R: Georgia Pacific Madison-Plywood employees stand alongside Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce President, Shey Daniels, and accept the 2024-2025 Business of the Year award. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

L-R: Georgia Pacific Madison-Plywood employees stand alongside Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce President, Shey Daniels, and accept the 2024-2025 Business of the Year award. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce hosts annual meeting

Skyla Morris
Thursday, September 18, 2025
The Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting at Empire Mills on Sept. 11.During the occasion, the Chamber acknowledged multiple highlights from the past year and announced the 2024-25 Business and Community awards of the year.
First-place team: The Harris Build Co.

First-place team: The Harris Build Co.

Kickin’ for the Kingdom raises more than $21,000

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Grace Fellowship’s inaugural Kickin’ for the Kingdom was a success thanks to the support of local businesses and generous individuals. The event raised more than $21,000 to support missions to Zambia, the Dominican Republic, and Sevierville, Tenn.Six teams came together Sept.
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