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

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

The 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.
With his wife, Debbie, and Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce President Robbie King alongside, restaurateur Kyle Cullars prepare to cut the ribbon for his family’s third Surcheros franchise, with a fourth coming soon in Perry. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With his wife, Debbie, and Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce President Robbie King alongside, restaurateur Kyle Cullars prepare to cut the ribbon for his family’s third Surcheros franchise, with a fourth coming soon in Perry. IAN TOCHER/Staff

New Tex-Mex dining option opens in Lake Country

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 29, 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.
Putnam County District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney (left) and County Chairman Bill Sharp congratulate County Manager Paul Van Haute (center), who received the Jerry R. Griffin Excellence in Public Service Award on Saturday in Savannah. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney (left) and County Chairman Bill Sharp congratulate County Manager Paul Van Haute (center), who received the Jerry R. Griffin Excellence in Public Service Award on Saturday in Savannah. CONTRIBUTED

Van Haute honored at annual ACCG conference

News Staff
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute received the Jerry R. Griffin Excellence in Public Service Award this past weekend during the annual conference of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) in Savannah.
OPAS will continue its Unplugged series this year on May 1, when it welcomes the Augusta Symphony to the First Methodist Church in Greensboro for “Let’s Groove Tonight: Motown & The Philly Sound.” CONTRIBUTED

OPAS will continue its Unplugged series this year on May 1, when it welcomes the Augusta Symphony to the First Methodist Church in Greensboro for “Let’s Groove Tonight: Motown & The Philly Sound.” CONTRIBUTED

OPAS: Unplugged

News Staff
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
This past Sunday at 3 p.m., the Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) presented a captivating installment of its OPAS Unplugged series, offering audiences an intimate and artistically rich chamber music experience.
The Plaza Alliance for the Performing Arts (PAPA) presented “Play On!” a literal comedy of errors that still has one more weekend’s worth of laughs to deliver. GORDON COLUMBINE/Staff

The Plaza Alliance for the Performing Arts (PAPA) presented “Play On!” a literal comedy of errors that still has one more weekend’s worth of laughs to deliver. GORDON COLUMBINE/Staff

PAPA presents ‘Play On!’ at The Plaza

Gordon Columbine
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Last Thursday, audiences at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton were treated to a lively and thoroughly entertaining production of “Play On!” by Rick Abbot, presented by the Plaza Alliance for the Performing Arts (PAPA).
L-R: Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties recently named Scott Hoersten and Jordan Aycock (right) as its monthly sales leaders, while Traci Johnson was named RLOP Sales Executive of the Month for the 15th consecutive time. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties recently named Scott Hoersten and Jordan Aycock (right) as its monthly sales leaders, while Traci Johnson was named RLOP Sales Executive of the Month for the 15th consecutive time. CONTRIBUTED

NHN announces Ace Home Center partnership

News Staff
Wednesday, April 22, 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.
“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
Wednesday, April 22, 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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