Community

Briarpatch Farm will host its annual Songwriter Night on April 18 to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Putnam. CONTRIBUTED

Briarpatch Farm will host its annual Songwriter Night on April 18 to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Putnam. CONTRIBUTED

Briarpatch Farm to host Songwriter Night benefiting Putnam Habitat

Briarpatch Farm will host Songwriter Night on Saturday, April 18, 2026, benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Putnam and bringing the community together for an intimate evening of live music and storytelling in support of local housing.Held inside Briarpatch Farm’s working barn, the event will feature...
Children’s author Andrea Cassell recently released her fourth children’s book, Kibby the Underdoodle. CONTRIBUTED

Children’s author Andrea Cassell recently released her fourth children’s book, Kibby the Underdoodle. CONTRIBUTED

Lake Country author releases 4th ‘Kibby’ book

Lake Oconee resident and five-time award-winning author Andrea Cassell recently released her fourth children’s book, Kibby the Underdoodle.In this uplifting series, Cassell teaches life lessons as seen through the eyes of her dog, Kibby.Kibby’s new story demonstrates to children that no matter what...
The Smithsonian Institution’s “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” traveling exhibit will debut in Eatonton with a soft opening for educators on April 20, and then open to the public from April 25 to May 31. CONTRIBUTED

The Smithsonian Institution’s “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” traveling exhibit will debut in Eatonton with a soft opening for educators on April 20, and then open to the public from April 25 to May 31. CONTRIBUTED

‘Voices and Votes’ to explore Georgia women’s suffrage

Did you know Georgia was the first state to reject the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, giving women the right to vote?
Licensed speech therapist Kay Jones (red dress), owner of Lake Oconee Speech Therapy, cuts the ribbon flanked by her husband and son as other members of her Lake Country community cheer the official opening of her facility at 951 Harmony Rd., Ste. 103, Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Licensed speech therapist Kay Jones (red dress), owner of Lake Oconee Speech Therapy, cuts the ribbon flanked by her husband and son as other members of her Lake Country community cheer the official opening of her facility at 951 Harmony Rd., Ste. 103, Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

LOST helps local kids find their voices

After working more than four decades in Georgia’s public schools, licensed speech therapist Kay Jones thought she had retired for good.
Reasha Daniels (third from right) and several other Putnam County women recently visited a youth detention center for girls in Macon to distribute dresses for a Valentine’s Day dance. CONTRIBUTED

Reasha Daniels (third from right) and several other Putnam County women recently visited a youth detention center for girls in Macon to distribute dresses for a Valentine’s Day dance. CONTRIBUTED

Pretty Girlz Fitness promotes prom dress drive

What started as a simple Facebook post has turned into a community-wide effort to make prom dreams come true for dozens of local teens.Reasha Daniels, owner of Pretty Girlz Fitness in downtown Eatonton, is wrapping up her first-ever prom dress outreach and said the response has exceeded anything...
Alice Walker

Alice Walker

Eatonton’s Walker understands voter rights

Alice Walker’s dedication to voter rights began in Putnam County.The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Color Purple recalls a time as a young girl when she and her father walked to a Putnam County polling place — a tiny, white-owned store “in the middle of nowhere.”As he went to cast his first...
“Moving People are Moving Targets,” is a painting by UGA grad Janie Geisler and one of 20 works in “Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists,” to be presented April 20 to May 29 at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art in rural Buckhead. CONTRIBUTED

“Moving People are Moving Targets,” is a painting by UGA grad Janie Geisler and one of 20 works in “Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists,” to be presented April 20 to May 29 at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art in rural Buckhead. CONTRIBUTED

STMA to host traveling State Art Collection

The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (STMA), one of just a handful of single-artist museums in the country, has been selected to host “Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists,” Georgia’s traveling State Art Collection.
L-R: Steve Ruzika, Nancy DiSpirito, and Becky Smith, GCFP board members, standing in front of the Pantry’s mission statement. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Steve Ruzika, Nancy DiSpirito, and Becky Smith, GCFP board members, standing in front of the Pantry’s mission statement. CONTRIBUTED

GCFP expands services with on-site health care partnership

The Greene County Food Pantry (GCFP) has announced the launch of new on-site health services for GCFP neighbors, in partnership with the Lake Country Rural Health Initiative.
Greg and Anna Lawton with ATLAS scholarship recipients, honoring Greg’s legacy of mentorship, faith, and investment in Greene County students. CONTRIBUTED

Greg and Anna Lawton with ATLAS scholarship recipients, honoring Greg’s legacy of mentorship, faith, and investment in Greene County students. CONTRIBUTED

ATLAS opens applications for Atlas scholarship

ATLAS Ministry is proud to announce the establishment of the ATLAS Greg Lawton Scholarship, a meaningful tribute to the life, legacy, and lasting impact of Greg Lawton and his wife, Anna.In 2016, the Lawton Family partnered with ATAS to establish the Lawton Family Scholarship with the heart to...
OPAS scholar and youth choir member Helen Garcia stole the show. CONTRIBUTED

OPAS scholar and youth choir member Helen Garcia stole the show. CONTRIBUTED

OPAS Winter Ball a big hit at Ritz-Carlton Reynolds

The Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) hosted its annual Winter Ball Jan. 31 at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.The evening’s headliner, legendary singer and cultural preservationist Michael Feinstein, gave a masterful performance demonstrating his command of American popular...