Community

Note the absence of man-made Lakes Sinclair and Oconee on this hand-drawn, 19th century map of Putnam County. CONTRIBUTED

Note the absence of man-made Lakes Sinclair and Oconee on this hand-drawn, 19th century map of Putnam County. CONTRIBUTED

History of democracy in Putnam County: Before 1800

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
“Don’t know much about history,” was the opening line to Sam Cooke’s 1960 No. 2 hit song. Why should you care about the history of Putnam County? It can make you a more informed citizen with a stronger sense of belonging to a community.
Bagpipers and drummers play a major role during the service. CONTRIBUTED

Bagpipers and drummers play a major role during the service. CONTRIBUTED

Magic of the Scottish Bagpipe coming to First Presbyterian

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
The 6th annual Scottish Heritage Sunday on May 17 is fast approaching at First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, where once again the unmistakable sound of the bagpipe will echo through downtown Greensboro.The history of the bagpipe stretches back more than 3,000 years.
From The Plaza stage, Arch Smith described the rich history of Rock Eagle and its onsite 4-H Center in Putnam County. CONTRIBUTED

From The Plaza stage, Arch Smith described the rich history of Rock Eagle and its onsite 4-H Center in Putnam County. CONTRIBUTED

OSHM presents Rock Eagle retrospective

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
The Old School History Museum hosted the latest installment of its “Sunday at the Museum” lecture series on May 3 at The Plaza Arts Center, where guest speaker Arch Smith presented “Rock Eagle: The Evolution of the Land and Her People.
CONTRIBUTED

CONTRIBUTED

GWM invites local writers to ‘Paint Between the Lines’

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Georgia Writers Museum is inviting local writers to submit a story, scene, poem, or essay of no more than 300 words — shorter works are welcome and encouraged — for local visual artists from The Artisans Village to use as inspiration for original artwork.
The Augusta Symphony under the direction of Maestro Dirk Meyer provided the accompaniment for OPAS’ recent tribute concert to Motown and The Philly Sound. CONTRIBUTED

The Augusta Symphony under the direction of Maestro Dirk Meyer provided the accompaniment for OPAS’ recent tribute concert to Motown and The Philly Sound. CONTRIBUTED

OPAS Brings Motown and The Philly Sound to Lake Country

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
The Oconee Performing Arts Society continued its remarkable season with a high-energy celebration of Motown and the Philly Sound, delivering an evening filled with familiar hits, polished showmanship, and the kind of world-class artistry that has become an OPAS hallmark.
SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

MadFest kicks off Spring

Skyla Morris
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Main Street Madison hosted its annual spring festival, Madfest, on April 25 in the town park. The free event is one of the city’s more popular recurring festivals and takes place each April, with numerous vendors, food trucks, and live music on the park’s lawn and throughout the surrounding area.
Lake Oconee Humane Society Board President Barbara Gniewek (left) and Central Georgia USA Pickleball Ambassador Kelley Chitwood joined in making the announcement April 18, of raising more than $11,000 for animal care and advocacy in Lake Country. IAN TOCHER/ Staff

Lake Oconee Humane Society Board President Barbara Gniewek (left) and Central Georgia USA Pickleball Ambassador Kelley Chitwood joined in making the announcement April 18, of raising more than $11,000 for animal care and advocacy in Lake Country. IAN TOCHER/ Staff

Putnam pickleball tourney benefits LOHS

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
More than 100 pickleball players and supporters gathered April 18 for the second-annual Pickleball to the Rescue tournament at the Putnam County Recreation Center near downtown Eatonton.
Kyle Cullars (center, holding scissors) completes the ribbon cutting for Surcheros, a new Tex-Mex restaurant alongside Hwy. 44, near the Thunder Pointe neighborhood on Lake Oconee. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Kyle Cullars (center, holding scissors) completes the ribbon cutting for Surcheros, a new Tex-Mex restaurant alongside Hwy. 44, near the Thunder Pointe neighborhood on Lake Oconee. IAN TOCHER/Staff

New Tex-Mex dining option opens in Lake Country

Ian Tocher
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Georgia-based Surcheros Tex-Mex restaurants celebrated the grand opening of its newest location Monday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce.
L-R: Dr. Tyler Franks, Dennis Ruff, Greene County SOTM Jailen Ruff, Shanaye Ruff, and Dennis Ruff Jr. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Dr. Tyler Franks, Dennis Ruff, Greene County SOTM Jailen Ruff, Shanaye Ruff, and Dennis Ruff Jr. CONTRIBUTED

Rotary recognizes several new SOTM honorees

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties recently recognized its Students of the Month for April: Omarion Butts of Putnam County High School, Audrey Hicks of Gatewood Schools in Eatonton, Domonique Shelton of Greene County High School (GCHS), and Brenlee Brown of Lake Oconee Academy.
“Stand Strawng,” Brian Danson’s welded metal sculpture, is his contribution to “Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists, Georgia’s State Art Collection,” a traveling exhibition appearing April 20 to May 29 at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art. CONTRIBUTED

“Stand Strawng,” Brian Danson’s welded metal sculpture, is his contribution to “Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists, Georgia’s State Art Collection,” a traveling exhibition appearing April 20 to May 29 at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art. CONTRIBUTED

Eatonton artist in state exhibit at STMA

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Brian Danson, an artist from The Artisans Village Guild in Eatonton, has contributed a metal sculpture as part of “Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists, Georgia’s State Art Collection,” a traveling exhibition from April 20 to May 29, at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (STMA) in rural Buckhead,...
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