Oglethorpe Echo

Brown to host first summer tourney

Owen Warden
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Oglethorpe County head basketball coach Larry Brown has a busy summer schedule planned.   Brown and the Patriots — who went 14-14 and 3-3 in Region 5-A Division I last season — will host both a summer camp and a summer tournament, the latter for the first time ever.
Eric Schmidt (center) stands with four students from his first year of teaching last week. All four (from left): Wanda Colquitt, Brenda McCormack, Schmidt, Tim Poole and Andrea Ash work with Oglethorpe County Schools. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Eric Schmidt (center) stands with four students from his first year of teaching last week. All four (from left): Wanda Colquitt, Brenda McCormack, Schmidt, Tim Poole and Andrea Ash work with Oglethorpe County Schools. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Schmidt retires after 38 years of teaching

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
When Eric Schmidt’s father-in-law asked him years ago when he was going to be promoted to administration, Schmidt responded that he loved teaching and the classroom and could never give it up.   When Schmidt hit the 30-year retirement mark, he said he still wasn’t ready to leave the classroom.
Members of the Oglethorpe County Board of Education, representatives from Southern A&E and Parrish Construction Group, Superintendent Beverley Levine, Principal Katie Baldwin, and students throw dirt with their shovels. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Members of the Oglethorpe County Board of Education, representatives from Southern A&E and Parrish Construction Group, Superintendent Beverley Levine, Principal Katie Baldwin, and students throw dirt with their shovels. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Ceremonial start for new school

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Oglethorpe County Schools had more to celebrate than the last day of class on May 24.   The Board of Education, teachers, students, parents and elected officials gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new K-5 elementary school.

BOE’s Cherry resigns

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Oglethorpe County District 1 Board of Education member Collin Cherry has resigned from his position, effective last week, to pursue the school system’s transportation director position.
Lexington’s Tom Thon has played a variety of roles in movies, TV and on the stage. He also has a photography business and sells photos at the Rowdy Rooster. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Lexington’s Tom Thon has played a variety of roles in movies, TV and on the stage. He also has a photography business and sells photos at the Rowdy Rooster. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

A role to play

Morgan Quinn
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Tom Thon makes his way through Linda Parish’s backyard before settling into a wicker chair on the porch.    “People here become your friends instantly,” he said.
Blane McFarland (third from left) signed to play baseball at Thomas University in Thomasville last week. McFarland was Oglethorpe County’s team MVP this spring when he led the Patriots with 67 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched and sever- al offensive categories, including average (.355), home runs (five), RBIs (23) and tied for the team lead with 23 runs. He was first-team all-region DH, as voted by the region’s baseball coaches. Also pictured (from left), assistant coach Brice Bonner, head coach Kris Patel.

Blane McFarland (third from left) signed to play baseball at Thomas University in Thomasville last week. McFarland was Oglethorpe County’s team MVP this spring when he led the Patriots with 67 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched and sever- al offensive categories, including average (.355), home runs (five), RBIs (23) and tied for the team lead with 23 runs. He was first-team all-region DH, as voted by the region’s baseball coaches. Also pictured (from left), assistant coach Brice Bonner, head coach Kris Patel.

Defense shines in spring game

Owen Warden
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Oglethorpe County football showcased its new 3-4 defense by shutting out Chestatee in a spring game matchup that finished scoreless on May 18.   The game, which was the team’s final spring event, featured an untraditional format in the first half.