community

The Winterville Community Garden is a city-sponsored space for gardeners to rent soil beds and grow fresh produce. Four beds are dedicated to providing produce to local food banks. (Submitted Photo)

The Winterville Community Garden is a city-sponsored space for gardeners to rent soil beds and grow fresh produce. Four beds are dedicated to providing produce to local food banks. (Submitted Photo)

Winterville Community Garden cultivates produce, generosity

Sara Micale
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Gardeners sow the seeds of plants, but also the spirit of generosity, at the Winterville Community Garden.      Founded in 2013 and located near Pittard Park in Winterville, the garden is a city-sponsored space for people to rent beds of compost and soil mix for growing produce.
The Commercial Bank CEO Mike Sale (middle), meets with 4-H Americorps volunteer Kayla Latimer (left) and Oglethorpe County 4-H Agent Marcus Eason (right) to present a donation check to Oglethorpe County 4-H. The Commercial Bank gave the donation to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the local business. (Submitted Photo)

The Commercial Bank CEO Mike Sale (middle), meets with 4-H Americorps volunteer Kayla Latimer (left) and Oglethorpe County 4-H Agent Marcus Eason (right) to present a donation check to Oglethorpe County 4-H. The Commercial Bank gave the donation to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the local business. (Submitted Photo)

Bank's donation leads to 4-H scholarship fund

Sarah Myers
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
The cost for a child to attend 4-H summer camp is the highest it has ever been, but a new Oglethorpe County 4-H summer camp scholarship fund has been created to help.
Arnoldsville City Councilman Danny Sniff (left) gestures toward Mayor Pro Tem Danny Morcom (far right) at the Arnoldsville meet and greet last Friday at No. 3 Railroad Street. Both men are running for mayor, but have shown respect and goodwill toward each other. “Am I endorsing Danny?” Sniff said. “To some degree, yes.” (photo/ Elena Acosta)

Arnoldsville City Councilman Danny Sniff (left) gestures toward Mayor Pro Tem Danny Morcom (far right) at the Arnoldsville meet and greet last Friday at No. 3 Railroad Street. Both men are running for mayor, but have shown respect and goodwill toward each other. “Am I endorsing Danny?” Sniff said. “To some degree, yes.” (photo/ Elena Acosta)

Arnoldsville, county leaders make most of meet and greet

Elena Acosta
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
    As Katherine Ratcliffe and Babs DeArmond of the Oglethorpe County Library walked into No. 3 Railroad Street last week, they received a unique welcome from the owner, Mary Nouri.    “Y’all are just in time for the catastrophe!
Community Day was a big draw in 2022, thanks to vendors, food trucks, bounce houses and free school supplies. This year’s event is planned for Saturday, Aug. 5. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Community Day was a big draw in 2022, thanks to vendors, food trucks, bounce houses and free school supplies. This year’s event is planned for Saturday, Aug. 5. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Emergency trucks, bookbag handouts among Community Day highlights

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
“Touch-a-Truck,” one of the main attractions of Community Day, allows kids — and adults — to interact with emergency vehicles and meet first responders.
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)

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.
Basil Terhune’s photo series capturing the story of life at Caribe United, Tamita Brown’s farm, was one of two Echo pieces receiving honorable mentions for INN’s Insight Award for Visual Journalism. (Basil Terhune/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Basil Terhune’s photo series capturing the story of life at Caribe United, Tamita Brown’s farm, was one of two Echo pieces receiving honorable mentions for INN’s Insight Award for Visual Journalism. (Basil Terhune/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Echo recognized for dedicated journalism through awards, funds

Emily Rose Hamby
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
The outcome of the University of Georgia’s partnership with The Oglethorpe Echo, established in the fall of 2021, has been anything but lackluster.
McKenzie Spooner assists residents with planning and zoning issues, and permitted activities in her role as county planner. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

McKenzie Spooner assists residents with planning and zoning issues, and permitted activities in her role as county planner. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Q&A: County planner McKenzie Spooner settles into role

Katie Tucker
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Q: You grew up in neighboring Wilkes County — what are the similarities you see between Wilkes and Oglethorpe?    A: I have lived in Wilkes County since I was 2 years old, (but) having attended pre-K through 12th grade in Oglethorpe County…my mom was a teacher in the county..
Wayne Loggans is selling pumpkins at his Crawford home every weekday and Saturday until he sells out. Miniature pumpkins, pictured here, are handed out to kids who stop by. (Photo/Ashley Balsavias)

Wayne Loggans is selling pumpkins at his Crawford home every weekday and Saturday until he sells out. Miniature pumpkins, pictured here, are handed out to kids who stop by. (Photo/Ashley Balsavias)

Crawford Halloween display aims for smiles, not scares

Ashley Balsavias
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Wayne Loggans has decked out his Crawford yard with Halloween inflatables for nearly a decade and adds more every year, but this is the first year he is selling pumpkins.    His property at 496 North St. is populated with 23 Halloween inflatables, which Loggans set up himself.
Artist Mary Ann Cox, who works on a new pastel still-life at her studio during the Art Crawl, took advantage of the event to meet new folks.

Artist Mary Ann Cox, who works on a new pastel still-life at her studio during the Art Crawl, took advantage of the event to meet new folks.

Crawl introduces county to artists

Nimra Ahmad
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Painter Mary Ann Cox moved to Lexington in 2019, right before the pandemic, so she wasn’t able to meet as many people as she would have liked. So last week’s Art Crawl was an opportunity to make acquaintances and new art patrons.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

News Roundup: Community Christmas requests donations

News Staff
Friday, September 23, 2022
Community Christmas of Oglethorpe County co-director Catherine Drewry said the organization is accepting toys, clothes and monetary donations as it begins to prepare for the holiday season.   “We’re hearing about more and more families who need help,” Drewry said this week.