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Mayor Lanier Rhodes before the Ticket to Ride begins. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Mayor Lanier Rhodes before the Ticket to Ride begins. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

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Union Point shines with Firefly Fest, Ticket to Ride

Leigh Lofgren
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
The annual Firefly Trail Ticket to Ride got underway in Union Point Saturday with cyclists from across Georgia taking in the scenic sights along the trail. This event was hosted by the Union Point Downtown Development Authority and Firefly Trail Inc.
Putnam County High School junior December Arnett was among several students displaying her work last week as part of the “Putnam Model” of education. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County High School junior December Arnett was among several students displaying her work last week as part of the “Putnam Model” of education. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Spencer Grant provides university insight to PCHS students

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
To help acknowledge the approaching end of a more-than-three-year, $400,000 Spencer Grant, Putnam County High School held a special event on March 11 to showcase some of the projects students recently completed as part of the “Putnam Model” of education.
Popular GWM presenter Sheryl “Mac” McCollum (left) and mystery writer Wanda Morris will be prominently featured April 4-5 at the downtown Eatonton museum’s Southern Fried Crime Conference and Retreat. CONTRIBUTED

Popular GWM presenter Sheryl “Mac” McCollum (left) and mystery writer Wanda Morris will be prominently featured April 4-5 at the downtown Eatonton museum’s Southern Fried Crime Conference and Retreat. CONTRIBUTED

GWM presents mystery-crime author conference

News Staff
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
A quick check of the best-seller lists confirms the immense popularity of mysteries and crime stories. And there’s no better mecca than Eatonton for anyone who loves a good thriller.
This house at 364 Porter St. in Madison was built by a local furniture merchant about 1847, but now sports a Victorian-era look, including a large porch, gingerbread trim, and shingled gables from about 50 years later. CONTRIBUTED

This house at 364 Porter St. in Madison was built by a local furniture merchant about 1847, but now sports a Victorian-era look, including a large porch, gingerbread trim, and shingled gables from about 50 years later. CONTRIBUTED

MMCC presents spring tour of homes

News Staff
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
This year, the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center (MMCC) will present its popular “Madison in May Tour of Homes” on May 16 and 17.
Gov. Brian Kemp (front center) accepts a symbolic $5 billion check from Amanda Dyson-Thornton, executive director of the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. MMCVB Executive Director Jennifer Rosa León is at top right of the main staircase before it turns right. CONTRIBUTED

Gov. Brian Kemp (front center) accepts a symbolic $5 billion check from Amanda Dyson-Thornton, executive director of the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. MMCVB Executive Director Jennifer Rosa León is at top right of the main staircase before it turns right. CONTRIBUTED

MMCVB contributes to state tourism celebration

News Staff
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Tourism leaders from across Georgia gathered in Atlanta on March 5 to celebrate the return of Tourism Day at the Capitol. The event highlighted tourism's role in Georgia’s economy, which is tied to agriculture as the state’s top industry.
The Supper Club

The Supper Club

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GWM Interview: Lydia Menzies

Lydia Menzies
Thursday, March 13, 2025
“True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests," Eleanor Roosevelt wrote.Hosting whisperer Lydia Menzies’ new book, The Supper Club, could be the complete textbook on how to ensure your guests know they received your best.
Richard Garrett (right) answered audience questions following his “Forgotten Music of Georgia and Beyond” presentation at The Plaza. CONTRIBUTED

Richard Garrett (right) answered audience questions following his “Forgotten Music of Georgia and Beyond” presentation at The Plaza. CONTRIBUTED

Garrett gives music history lesson at The Plaza

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Richard Garrett, co-owner of Dot-2-Dot Inn and recently elected as Putnam County’s District 2 Commissioner, presented “Forgotten Music of Georgia and Beyond” Sunday afternoon at The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton.
The Plaza announced a bonus performance of “The Color Purple,” scheduled for 2 p.m. March 30, though ticket sales were not yet available online as of press time. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The Plaza announced a bonus performance of “The Color Purple,” scheduled for 2 p.m. March 30, though ticket sales were not yet available online as of press time. IAN TOCHER/Staff

‘The Color Purple’ to return to The Plaza

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
A musical version of “The Color Purple,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Eatonton native Alice Walker, completed a five-show run Sunday afternoon, playing to near-sold-out crowds for each performance at The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton.
The “Four Old Broads” cast includes (back row, l-r): Greg Tantum, Gail Wilkes, Heath Burton, Sherry Shutze, Erin McCurry, and Suzanne Vest, and (front row, l-r): Kathy Wardlow, Cindy Helms, Debbie McCown, Rusty Faulk, and Carol Grant. CONTRIBUTED

The “Four Old Broads” cast includes (back row, l-r): Greg Tantum, Gail Wilkes, Heath Burton, Sherry Shutze, Erin McCurry, and Suzanne Vest, and (front row, l-r): Kathy Wardlow, Cindy Helms, Debbie McCown, Rusty Faulk, and Carol Grant. CONTRIBUTED

LCP to present ‘Four Old Broads’ at Festival Hall

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Lake Country Players is bringing “Four Old Broads,” a comedy by Leslie Kimball set in a madcap nursing home, to the stage at Festival Hall in downtown Greensboro.The show runs nightly from March 20 to 22 at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee performance scheduled for March 23.
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