L-R: Putnam County Habitat for Humanity Marketing and Development Manager Katherine Mahlberg, Habitat ReStore Manager Vicki Cottrell, and Executive Director Murali Thirumal are looking forward to Songwriters Night, April 18 at Briarpatch Farm in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Habitat for Humanity of Putnam Executive Director Murali Thirumal, Tri-County EMC Communication Specialist Anna Smith, HFHP Marketing & Development Manager Katherine Mahlberg, and HFHP Board Chair Linda Moore at a check presentation last Thursday. CONTRIBUTED

Bidding was vigorous for Atlanta Hawks tickets and a two-night golfing stay at Reynolds Lake Oconee. CONTRIBUTED

Helping to toss the ceremonial first shovelfuls of dirt alongside Standish Avenue was Putnam County Commission Chairman Bill Sharp (left), beside soon-to-be homeowner Tawana Ellison and her four-year-old daughter Gracelyn. IAN TOCHER/Staff

A good-sized crowd was on hand last Thursday for the official opening of Habitat for Humanity of Putnam’s new ReStore retail outlet. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With tiny Journiee Burnney peering out from the center, her mother Ikeirra beside her was joined by (l-r) Habitat board member Linda Moore, builder Clark Harper, Eatonton Mayor John Reid and other family members as they each tossed a ceremonial shovelful of dirt for the World Habitat Day groundbreaking.

Throwing the first shovelfuls of dirt were (l-r): Bill Gower of Farmers and Merchants Bank, Habitat for Humanity’s Bucky Kahl, soon-to-be homeowner Camille Hyman with baby Carmoni, Habitat’s Jennifer Ishee, Eatonton Mayor John Reed and electrician Clay Lloyd. Hyman’s parents’ home is shown on the right. IAN TOCHER/Staff