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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

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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

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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,...
More than 130 golfers turned out April 13 for the annual “Teeing Up for Kids” Golf Tournament, a day centered on both competition and community impact. CONTRIBUTED

More than 130 golfers turned out April 13 for the annual “Teeing Up for Kids” Golf Tournament, a day centered on both competition and community impact. CONTRIBUTED

Community unites at ‘Teeing Up for Kids’ golf tournament to support youth programs

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
More than 130 golfers gathered on April 13 for a day of competition and community impact at the annual “Teeing Up for Kids” Golf Tournament, an event focused on raising support for youth development programs.
The Cuscowilla Fore Good Tournament Steering Committee and Habitat for Humanity of Putnam team celebrated a successful tournament, raising more than $134,000 for HFHP’s planned Carter Crossing affordable housing development. CONTRIBUTED

The Cuscowilla Fore Good Tournament Steering Committee and Habitat for Humanity of Putnam team celebrated a successful tournament, raising more than $134,000 for HFHP’s planned Carter Crossing affordable housing development. CONTRIBUTED

HFHP Cuscowilla tourney raises $134k

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Proceeds from the Cuscowilla Fore Good Un-Classic Golf Tournament on April 19 raised $134,500 to support initial construction for Habitat for Humanity of Putnam’s (HFHP) 30-acre affordable housing community.
Skyla Morris/Staff

Skyla Morris/Staff

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Students, volunteers participate in Special Olympics

Skyla Morris
Thursday, April 23, 2026
The Morgan County Charter School System (MCCSS) held its annual spring Special Olympics ceremony on April 16 at Morgan County High School. Students of all ages spent the sunny Thursday morning participating in activities, including on-field relays, bouncy houses, cornhole, and more.
L-R: Neighbors Helping Neighbors board member and Beds for Kidz volunteer Ted Duty, NHN Executive Director Allyn Rippin, Ace Home Center co-owner Ted Callaway, NHN President Bob Massey, and Beds for Kidz Director Stu Scherer. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Neighbors Helping Neighbors board member and Beds for Kidz volunteer Ted Duty, NHN Executive Director Allyn Rippin, Ace Home Center co-owner Ted Callaway, NHN President Bob Massey, and Beds for Kidz Director Stu Scherer. CONTRIBUTED

NHN announces Ace Home Center partnership

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Inc. (NHN) announced last week a new partnership with Social Circle Ace Home Center to serve as the exclusive lumber provider to NHN’s Beds for Kidz program.
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