As the old saying goes, “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could.”
I was raised in a neighboring rural county and followed my brother Jim to Oglethorpe County after he married a local girl.
Some say if you weren’t born here, you’ll never be a local. I feared the old mindset that only birth gives true local status and I wouldn’t fit in. Nothing could have been further from the truth, as I was welcomed by everyone.
That was 1976. I have never once regretted that decision.
On my 50th anniversary as a resident, I was recently asked to list 50 reasons why I love Oglethorpe County.
Here is my list of why I love living in our special community.
I would like to encourage you to start your list and send it to The Oglethorpe Echo (editor@oglethorpeecho.com) so we can share it with our readers.
You might just be reminded that there’s no place like home!
1. The stone walls on Church Street in Lexington.
2. Our beautiful historic courthouse.
3. The Firefly Trail in Maxeys.
4. Traffic jams in Oglethorpe County usually involve a tractor.
5. The passion of Barbara Cabaniss.
6. Short walks to Shaking Rock Park.
7. Enjoying music on the lawn at Meson Park.
8. Any drive over the Watson Mill covered bridge.
9. Historic Smithonia brick barns.
10. Historic Oglethorpe and Tom Gresham keeping our stories alive.
11. Neighbors completing the delivery when a package ends up at the wrong house.
12. Delores Hines’ boiled peanuts on gamedays in the fall.
13. Getting fresh produce from Kendall at Strickland’s Produce.
14. The winding drives down Wolfskin Road.
15. Being a part of the chamber of commerce and saving the Crawford Depot.
16. Our rural country living and its slow pace.
17. Michael White’s leadership at the recreation department.
18. Dink NeSmith and UGA Grady College journalism students saving The Oglethorpe Echo.
19. Community volunteers who always step forward to help.
20. The Historic Jail in Lexington.
21. The many historic homes in the county.
22. Beverley Levine elevating our school system.
23. Our volunteers at The Oglethorpe Echo.
24. Picking and grinning Thursday nights at G Brand BBQ.
25. Being connected to the Firefly Trail race series.
26. The good work of the Lena Wise Center.
27. The talented members of Arts! Oglethorpe.
28. The beauty of only having one traffic light in the county.
29. Our senior center and its wonderful staff.
30. Fall deer season and its boost to our local economy.
31. Back roads and beautiful farm lands.
32. Cruise-In car show at the courthouse.
33. Talking to your neighbors on morning walks.
34. Our many talented local artists.
35. Christmas in Oglethorpe.
36. Living next door to the historic Beth Salem Church.
37. Catherine Drewry and her work with Community Christmas.
38. Fourth of July celebration at the rec department.
39. Linda Parish’s nonstop community spirit.
40. Local businesses supporting our community.
41. Any 5-minute stop becomes a 30-minute conversation.
42. Being given the opportunity to serve my community.
43. Lexington’s 19th century architecture.
44. Neighbors sharing vegetables from their gardens.
45. Community volunteer fire departments.
46. Jason Booth and Deadwood Guitars.
47. Melanee McGee and Oglethorpe Children’s Academy.
48. Watson Mill Bridge State Park.
49. Old fashion Christmas at Beth Salem.
50. Watching my grandkids grow up playing in Meson Park.
Ronnie Boggs is the chairman of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy Inc. He lives in Lexington.