Community

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the dynamic show begins at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $35 and $15 for students. CONTRIBUTED

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the dynamic show begins at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $35 and $15 for students. CONTRIBUTED

BOOM! Trio ft. Lahavi coming to cultural center

The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center presents BOOM! Trio ft. Lahavi on Saturday, April 4, at the Center’s historic auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the dynamic show begins at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $35 and $15 for students.
The Jazz Legacy Project, led by drummer Justin Varnes, will feature the life and music of Louis Armstrong on May 14, at Festival Hall in Greensboro. CONTRIBUTED

The Jazz Legacy Project, led by drummer Justin Varnes, will feature the life and music of Louis Armstrong on May 14, at Festival Hall in Greensboro. CONTRIBUTED

JLP to present music of Louis Armstrong

As part of its 2026 Jazz Series, Greensboro’s historic Festival Hall will present its second of four scheduled shows this year by The Jazz Legacy Project (JLP) on May 14, featuring the music of Louis Armstrong, Pops: The Father of Jazz.
 Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar

Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar

Lamar and the power of reconciliation

Born in 1825 in Putnam County, on the banks of the Little River, Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II was the son of a Milledgeville attorney and state judge. He was later educated at Emory and came of age as America was tearing itself apart.
L-R: Chuck Brake of the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge, SCI Director-at-Large and Chapter Vice President James Lakeman, Georgia SCI Chapter President Lester Richardson, and SCI Chief Operating Officer Louie Cole greeted veterans as they entered the Honoring Our Heroes event earlier this month at Briarpatch Farms. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Chuck Brake of the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge, SCI Director-at-Large and Chapter Vice President James Lakeman, Georgia SCI Chapter President Lester Richardson, and SCI Chief Operating Officer Louie Cole greeted veterans as they entered the Honoring Our Heroes event earlier this month at Briarpatch Farms. CONTRIBUTED

Inaugural ‘Honoring Our Heroes’ event draws crowd

The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International (GCSCI), in partnership with the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge and Mike and Kathy Adams Rainey, organized a night of “Honoring Our Heroes” on March 14 at the Raineys’ Briarpatch Farms in Putnam County.
Putnam County students at all levels will soon benefit from the efforts of the relaunched Putnam Education Foundation. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County students at all levels will soon benefit from the efforts of the relaunched Putnam Education Foundation. CONTRIBUTED

‘Putnam Proud’ motivates Putnam Education Foundation

The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) Foundation announced early this month that it has officially relaunched as the Putnam Education Foundation (PEF).Originally established in 2019, PEF underwent a strategic evolution to better serve as the premier philanthropic partner for PCCSS.
Guests enjoy the cocktails at the 2026 St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital fashion show. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Guests enjoy the cocktails at the 2026 St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital fashion show. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

St. Mary’s shines bright in the runway lights

More than 200 people enjoyed a night of fashion, community, and philanthropy as St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation hosted its biannual fashion show fundraiser, Legacy of Style, Feb. 26 at Lake Oconee Church.
Surrounded by friends and family, Kirtsten Thompson (with scissors) officially opened her new store, Saving Grace, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted last Saturday by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. CONTRIBUTED

Surrounded by friends and family, Kirtsten Thompson (with scissors) officially opened her new store, Saving Grace, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted last Saturday by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. CONTRIBUTED

Saving Grace brings faith-focused retail to Eatonton

Saving Grace, a new faith-based retail shop in downtown Eatonton, held its official ribbon-cutting Saturday morning, hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce.The shop, owned by Kirsten Thompson, opened for business Feb.
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.
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? And the state did not officially ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution until 1970?
Surrounded by members of Putnam County High School’s Servant Leadership Class, Georgia author Nic Stone (center) relaxes at the Georgia Writers Museum after making a presentation last Friday night about her young adult book, Dear Martin. CONTRIBUTED

Surrounded by members of Putnam County High School’s Servant Leadership Class, Georgia author Nic Stone (center) relaxes at the Georgia Writers Museum after making a presentation last Friday night about her young adult book, Dear Martin. CONTRIBUTED

PCHS students host bestselling author

Each year, the Putnam County High School (PCHS) Servant Leadership Class presents a capstone project in its role as the Jr. Board of Directors for the Georgia Writers Museum (GWM).