Guests at the inaugural Hats, Horses & Helping Hands Derby fundraiser to benefit Neighbors Helping Neighbors arrived in their Derby best, sporting colorful hats and seersucker suits while sipping traditional mint juleps at Putnam County’s Lake Oconee Equestrian Center. CONTRIBUTED

Mixtape has performed at historic theaters, festivals, performing arts centers, and major events nationwide. CONTRIBUTED

Eatonton’s Jim Marshall (right) accepted a commemorative wall clock upon retiring after more than 40 years as a board member for the Georgia Association for Volunteer Administration. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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