The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

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Editorial: The Echo’s Opinion

Echo Staff
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Thumbs up and down   Hot. Muggy. Even before the first official day of summer (June 21) folks were wondering just how high the temperature will get this year. There’s nothing we can do about the weather, but we can do our part to keep Oglethorpe County a beautiful, friendly and safe place to live.
Oglethorpe County Commissioner Tracy Norman (from left), owners Blake and Shannon Bailey, and Crawford Mayor Seavy O’Neal prepare to officially open The Grove at Bailey Farms last Saturday. The new venue is on the site of the former Nix farm, which was owned by Aubrey Nix, who died in 1989. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Oglethorpe County Commissioner Tracy Norman (from left), owners Blake and Shannon Bailey, and Crawford Mayor Seavy O’Neal prepare to officially open The Grove at Bailey Farms last Saturday. The new venue is on the site of the former Nix farm, which was owned by Aubrey Nix, who died in 1989. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

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Baileys say ‘I do’ to vision, open wedding venue

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Shannon and Blake Bailey were driving through Oglethorpe County on a Sunday 2½ years ago when they found the old Nix farm.   “We pulled up and I said this is the place, and Blake said what are you talking about,” Bailey said.
Paige Hill Murphy recently harvested this fallow buck in New Zealand. Her job with Huk allows her to travel places like Mexico and New Zealand. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Paige Hill Murphy recently harvested this fallow buck in New Zealand. Her job with Huk allows her to travel places like Mexico and New Zealand. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

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Oglethorpe native always ready for next hunting trip

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Oglethorpe County native Paige Hill Murphy has traveled across the world hunting different species of animals.   She recently completed the Wild Turkey World Slam, which means she’s harvested all four U.S.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

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News Roundup: Landfill hours to change on July 3

News Staff
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Staff Reports The Oglethorpe County C&D Landfill will have new operating hours starting on July 3, Commission Chair Jay Paul said.   The new hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours will remain the same: 8-11:45 a.m.   The landfill will remain closed on Sundays.
New Oglethorpe County branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe and outgoing branch manager Austin Jenkins were the guests of honor at a party hosted by staff and library supporters last week. Jenkins had been the branch manager since 2016. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

New Oglethorpe County branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe and outgoing branch manager Austin Jenkins were the guests of honor at a party hosted by staff and library supporters last week. Jenkins had been the branch manager since 2016. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

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Ratcliffe takes over for Jenkins as library branch manager

Avni Trivedi
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Katherine Ratcliffe is the new branch manager at the Oglethorpe County Library, replacing Austin Jenkins, who is joining the Athens-Clarke County Library.    Jenkins has worked with the Oglethorpe County Library for the past 10 years.
Jeanne Jones staffs the Community Day tent during last year’s Fourth of July celebration at Bryan Park. Community Day is held just before the start of the school year to give supplies to students and help prepare them for the school year. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Jeanne Jones staffs the Community Day tent during last year’s Fourth of July celebration at Bryan Park. Community Day is held just before the start of the school year to give supplies to students and help prepare them for the school year. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Community Day returns to help kids prepare for school

Avni Trivedi
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Community Day will return for another year of fun, outreach and community support from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department.
Paula and Keith Wagnon, the husband and wife team that owns Buds ’n Bows Flower Shop in Crawford, have decided to temporarily close their shop to take care of their mothers. The shop has been open since 1995. (SHANNON MORAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Paula and Keith Wagnon, the husband and wife team that owns Buds ’n Bows Flower Shop in Crawford, have decided to temporarily close their shop to take care of their mothers. The shop has been open since 1995. (SHANNON MORAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Buds ’n Bows to remain closed through Aug. 1

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Keith and Paula Wagnon, who own Buds ’n Bows Flower Shop in Crawford, have temporarily closed their store to attend to family matters.

Crocheting with Care: Virginia Sanders serves others with her craft

When Sanders founded the group in 2016, she wasn't expecting it to attract 25 women. It began with three people. Then with the help of weekly Facebook posts on the group Covered with Love Lexington Ga, it expanded. 

 

Leading all the crocheters is a time-consuming job. It requires answering phone calls, organizing meetings, supporting members and planning events like the annual taco party on Cinco de Mayo. She volunteers time and money. Everything is donated; they don’t receive any help from the church, and when they have to buy something, the group votes on it.

 

“I’m still overwhelmed with the response that has come and how much it has grown,” Sanders said. “It sometimes surprises me.” 


 

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Dink NeSmith, chairman of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy, Inc., holds the awards that were given to The Oglethorpe Echo at the an- nual GPA Convention on June 9. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Dink NeSmith, chairman of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy, Inc., holds the awards that were given to The Oglethorpe Echo at the an- nual GPA Convention on June 9. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

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Echo receives 9 awards in newspaper contest

News Staff
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
The Oglethorpe Echo earned nine section and individual awards in the Georgia Press Association's annual Better Newspaper Contest.   “The story of The Oglethorpe Echo was a highlight of the Jekyll Island event,” said Dink NeSmith, chairman of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy Inc.
(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

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Opinion Column: Jekyll Island: A gem among our Golden Isles

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Millions of Georgians would probably ask, “Who was Melvin Ernest Thompson?”   Four times in the past week, I passed over the M.E. Thompson Bridge. And each time, I said, “Thank you, Melvin Ernest Thompson.”   M.E. Thompson, Georgia’s 70th governor, didn’t serve long.