community

The front side of the historic Beth Salem Presbyterian church sits on Sunday, September 6, 2026 in Lexington, Georgia. The church received new federal grants in August totalling $25,000 to fund restoration of the Church’s structural, electrical and aesthetic issues. (Photo/Caroline Feagin)

The front side of the historic Beth Salem Presbyterian church sits on Sunday, September 6, 2026 in Lexington, Georgia. The church received new federal grants in August totalling $25,000 to fund restoration of the Church’s structural, electrical and aesthetic issues. (Photo/Caroline Feagin)

Lexington puts $25,000 grant to work at Beth Salem

Caroline Feagin
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
New grants are giving Lexington a chance to preserve the history of Beth Salem building, ensuring it can serve as a communal space for weddings, concerts and Christmas celebrations.
The monks walk through Oglethorpe County on Sunday afternoon. (Photo/Steven Colquitt)

The monks walk through Oglethorpe County on Sunday afternoon. (Photo/Steven Colquitt)

Monks walk for peace

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Wingate Downs received a surprise call Saturday from the group of Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington. They needed a place to stay that night after traveling from Oconee County. He jumped at the chance.
Corie and Josh Robinson have been married 13 years and have three children. She is the director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center and he’s the EMS director in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Gabrielle Gruszynski)

Corie and Josh Robinson have been married 13 years and have three children. She is the director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center and he’s the EMS director in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Gabrielle Gruszynski)

Meet the Robinsons: Josh, Corie balance family, public service

Gabrielle Gruszynski
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Josh and Corie Robinson’s 13-year marriage began in an unlikely place.  “We met at an assisted living facility,” said Corie Robinson, director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center. “I was working (there), and it’s (where) his grandfather lived.”
Rob Findley and Jillian Moore organize food at last year's Thanksgiving lunch at the Colbert-Benton Guest House. Organizer Flo Hix said 300 people were served in 2024.

Rob Findley and Jillian Moore organize food at last year's Thanksgiving lunch at the Colbert-Benton Guest House. Organizer Flo Hix said 300 people were served in 2024.

Colbert-Benton House to host community lunch on Thanksgiving Day

Katherine Davis
Thursday, November 20, 2025
More than 300 people came to eat Thanksgiving lunch last year at the Colbert-Benton Guest House.  This year, owner Flo Hix is hoping for 500. “The idea is about community,” she said. “Especially people who are alone at the holidays. It’s nice to have them have somebody to talk to.”
Crawford resident Erica Lillard helps her daughter, Clementine, make a pirate hat during Homeschool Hangout at the Oglethorpe County Library on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Photo / Drew Bearden)

Crawford resident Erica Lillard helps her daughter, Clementine, make a pirate hat during Homeschool Hangout at the Oglethorpe County Library on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Photo / Drew Bearden)

Homeschool Hangout gains traction at library

Drew Bearden
Thursday, October 2, 2025
For years, homeschool families in Oglethorpe County had to travel to neighboring counties for alternative schooling programs or enrichment activities.
Philomath Presbyterian Church has been a prominent structure in Philomath since the mid 1800s. In the early 2000s, the Philomath Church Preservation Association was created to restore the church and its preserve its longstanding history. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Philomath Presbyterian Church has been a prominent structure in Philomath since the mid 1800s. In the early 2000s, the Philomath Church Preservation Association was created to restore the church and its preserve its longstanding history. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Beloved Philomath Presbyterian Church preserves history, unites community

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Driving along state Route 22, it’s hard to miss the historic buildings and Southern architecture on the two-lane road.  Stretching for just a mile in the southeastern corner of Oglethorpe County, the unincorporated community of Philomath might be small, but it carries a large history.
The garage doors sit open at Salem Fire and Rescue's main station in Lexington, Georgia, on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. An expansion to the station was completed in October 2024. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The garage doors sit open at Salem Fire and Rescue's main station in Lexington, Georgia, on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. An expansion to the station was completed in October 2024. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Expanded station should meet Salem’s needs for ‘30 years’

Katherine Davis
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Salem Fire and Rescue is using a 4,000-square-foot expansion to more effectively respond to emergencies and lower insurance in its response area. The primary fire station on Davids Road, originally constructed in 1988, was built to hold only two fire trucks. Most recently, it housed three.
Children learned about dental hygiene at the Oglethorpe County Library Family Health Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Using a toothbrush and a dry-erase marker, participants cleaned drawings of teeth as a visual lesson in proper care. (Photo/Maura Rutledge)

Children learned about dental hygiene at the Oglethorpe County Library Family Health Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Using a toothbrush and a dry-erase marker, participants cleaned drawings of teeth as a visual lesson in proper care. (Photo/Maura Rutledge)

Glenn, library help connect residents with resources

Maura Rutledge
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Kendarious Glenn saw the need for health care aid in his hometown and decided to return to Oglethorpe County after furthering his education.
Owner and founder of Strickland Pride Produce, Kendall Strickland, stands behind the counter of his storefront location at 1129 Athens Rd, Crawford, GA. Strickland originally began his business from a successful roadside stand on E Main St. in Lexington, GA. This past Friday, the community joined him in celebrating one year in his storefront location. (Photo / Lilly Stone)

Owner and founder of Strickland Pride Produce, Kendall Strickland, stands behind the counter of his storefront location at 1129 Athens Rd, Crawford, GA. Strickland originally began his business from a successful roadside stand on E Main St. in Lexington, GA. This past Friday, the community joined him in celebrating one year in his storefront location. (Photo / Lilly Stone)

Putting down roots: Strickland celebrates 1 year in storefront

Lilly Stone
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Eleven-year-old Austin Qualls and his mother, Angela Qualls, take a 30-minute drive once a week from Washington to Strickland Pride Produce in Crawford.   The weekly journey has become routine for the mother and son since the store opened its doors just over a year ago.