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Todd Smith (from left), Mark Atkins and Katie Armour welcome folks to Nature Harvest Meat Company’s grand opening celebration for its custom processing/in-store meat counter season on Feb. 10. Atkins, the owner of Second Chance BBQ, collaborated with Nature’s Harvest to cook meat for customers at the event. (Gianna Sandy/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Todd Smith (from left), Mark Atkins and Katie Armour welcome folks to Nature Harvest Meat Company’s grand opening celebration for its custom processing/in-store meat counter season on Feb. 10. Atkins, the owner of Second Chance BBQ, collaborated with Nature’s Harvest to cook meat for customers at the event. (Gianna Sandy/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Second Chance BBQ, Nature's Harvest team for grand re-opening

Sarah Myers
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
From the farm to the butcher to the barbeque, it takes a collaboration of local farmers and business owners to bring custom-processed meat to Oglethorpe County.

WATCH: 11th Annual Firefly Cruise-in

The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 11th Annual Firefly Cruise In Sunday, Sept. 25th. The family-friendly car show took place at the Courthouse Square in Lexington. Read the full…

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Thomas McNair, a veterinarian with Wilkes County Veterinary Services, analyzes bull semen quality at an Oglethorpe County Extension event in Rayle last Friday. (Submitted photo)

Thomas McNair, a veterinarian with Wilkes County Veterinary Services, analyzes bull semen quality at an Oglethorpe County Extension event in Rayle last Friday. (Submitted photo)

No bull: BSEs can help save money

Erin Kenney
Friday, September 30, 2022
Local cattle farmer Daniella Adams took her bull in Friday for a routine breeding soundness exam, or BSE.    He didn’t pass.   While this might sound alarming for those unfamiliar with BSEs, the result, while not ideal, is also proof of the exam’s value.
Oglethorpe Animal Clinic receptionists Karla Wallace, left, and Renee Evans, right, give TLC to a stray dog while waiting to re-house the animal earlier this month. (Basil Terhune/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe Animal Clinic receptionists Karla Wallace, left, and Renee Evans, right, give TLC to a stray dog while waiting to re-house the animal earlier this month. (Basil Terhune/The Oglethorpe Echo)

On front line for pets

Basil Terhune
Thursday, September 29, 2022
WATCH: On front line for pets: Inside the Oglethorpe Animal Clinic   Oglethorpe Animal Clinic provides general care to the animals and beloved pets of the county.
Laura Pallas and Cameron Phillips's daughter, Savannah, runs through the vast produce fields with the family's two dogs. (Kate Hoffman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Laura Pallas and Cameron Phillips's daughter, Savannah, runs through the vast produce fields with the family's two dogs. (Kate Hoffman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Agritourism seeks new revenue

Kate Hoffman
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
District 4 Commissioner Will Brown anticipates that agritourism could be discussed at the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 7.
Crews from Oglethorpe County Public Works, including Tommy Wood in the dump truck and Logan Gabriel in the loader, clear debris from Brown’s Chapel Road. (Submitted Photo)

Crews from Oglethorpe County Public Works, including Tommy Wood in the dump truck and Logan Gabriel in the loader, clear debris from Brown’s Chapel Road. (Submitted Photo)

Crews clean up after wind, rain

Julianna Duennes Russ
Thursday, January 6, 2022
County and utility crews spent the early part of this week clearing roads and restoring power throughout Oglethorpe County following storms early Monday morning.   Rayle EMC confirmed 6,200 outages were reported in the 10 area counties it serves.
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners voted to extend the use the Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) for another six months. The QRV is equipped like an ambulance but can’t transport patients. (Submitted Photo)

The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners voted to extend the use the Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) for another six months. The QRV is equipped like an ambulance but can’t transport patients. (Submitted Photo)

County keeps rescue truck

Maddie Brechtel
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Oglethorpe County’s emergency quick response vehicle (QRV) will be around another six months.   The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners voted to extend the project — after a lengthy discussion — during its monthly meeting on Monday.
Fred Gretsch has branched from his family’s heritage in the musical instrument business and opened G Brand BBQ in Crawford. (Photo/Sarah White)

Fred Gretsch has branched from his family’s heritage in the musical instrument business and opened G Brand BBQ in Crawford. (Photo/Sarah White)

Making his own mark in the BBQ biz

Alden Lisse
Thursday, January 6, 2022
A well-known musical instrument company with 138 years of family ownership in its history has ties to a barbecue restaurant in Crawford.   Gretsch Music has manufactured guitars and drums since 1883, which have been sold to celebrities and music fans alike for generations.