UGA

Kathleen deMarrais poses for a photo outside the Rowdy Rooster, which she owns with Jamie Lewis, in Lexington on Nov. 4, 2025. DeMarrais has won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Studies Association (AESA), a research organization for educators she has been involved in since the 1980s. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Kathleen deMarrais poses for a photo outside the Rowdy Rooster, which she owns with Jamie Lewis, in Lexington on Nov. 4, 2025. DeMarrais has won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Studies Association (AESA), a research organization for educators she has been involved in since the 1980s. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Rowdy Rooster owner honored for lifetime of teaching, research, service

Susanna Johnson
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Some residents may have noticed the Rowdy Rooster was closed last weekend.  That’s because Kathleen deMarrais was heading home from New Mexico with a new honor —  the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Studies Association (AESA).
Retired University of Georgia entomology professor and former extension specialist Dr. William Hudson reaches for a female Joro spider on Nov. 4, 2025, in Winterville, Ga. Known for their docile nature, Joro spiders have never been recorded harming humans. (Gabrielle Gruszynski/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Retired University of Georgia entomology professor and former extension specialist Dr. William Hudson reaches for a female Joro spider on Nov. 4, 2025, in Winterville, Ga. Known for their docile nature, Joro spiders have never been recorded harming humans. (Gabrielle Gruszynski/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A sticky web they weave

Gabrielle Gruszynski
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Big, brightly colored and impossible to miss, Oglethorpe County residents are spotting Joro spiders everywhere this fall.  “It’s just a crazy density,” said Elmer Gray, University of Georgia entomologist and Arnoldsville resident.
Izzy (left) and Tania Marler enjoy bonding over baking for Three Dogs and a Girl Bakery. Izzy serves as CEO and Tania assists with tasks, such as posting on social media. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Izzy (left) and Tania Marler enjoy bonding over baking for Three Dogs and a Girl Bakery. Izzy serves as CEO and Tania assists with tasks, such as posting on social media. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Homemade happiness

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Three Dogs and a Girl Bakery in Winterville embodies Izzy Marler’s mission of inclusion.  A graduate of the Destination Dawgs program at the University of Georgia, Izzy bakes and sells artisan, breads, treats and pastries alongside Tania Marler, her mother, from their Winterville home.
Maurice Freeman, a Patriot state champion in the high jump in 2012, now coaches the boys track team.

Maurice Freeman, a Patriot state champion in the high jump in 2012, now coaches the boys track team.

Freeman makes impact in return to alma mater

Hank Tatum
Thursday, March 14, 2024
George Gresham remembers coaching Maurice Freeman on the Oglethorpe County track and field team over a decade ago. So, when Freeman returned to Oglethorpe County, after a track career at the University of Georgia, Gresham was quite pleased.   “He came back,” Gresham said.
The original UGA staff included (from left) Thomas Ehlers, Alden Lisse, Sarah White, Mackenzie Tanner, De Turner and Julianna Russ. Not pictured: Maddie Brechtel. They reported for The Oglethorpe Echo from October 2021 to last January. (Sarah Freeman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The original UGA staff included (from left) Thomas Ehlers, Alden Lisse, Sarah White, Mackenzie Tanner, De Turner and Julianna Russ. Not pictured: Maddie Brechtel. They reported for The Oglethorpe Echo from October 2021 to last January. (Sarah Freeman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Echo celebrates year of partnership

Nimra Ahmad
Thursday, November 3, 2022
When Andy Johnston, soon-to-be editor of The Oglethorpe Echo, got a call from his boss one Friday afternoon in September of 2021, he thought he had done something wrong. But that was, in fact, the last thing on Charles Davis’ mind.
Dean Legge/Dawg Post (Submitted Photo)

Dean Legge/Dawg Post (Submitted Photo)

Opinion Column: Bennett can’t hide his gridiron DNA

Dink NeSmith
Friday, September 23, 2022
Viewers saw it on TV. Maybe you did.    I didn’t see Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV throwing up during the South Carolina game.   Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart knew about it, but No. 13 wasn’t about to bench himself. He’s a Bennett. Stetson IV is a competitor.
Members of the University of Georgia Extension Office includes, from left, Shanna Reynolds, county extension coordinator/ag and natural resources agent, Brenda Mattox, administrative assistant, Breanna Jackson, 4-H program assistant. Brad Averill, family and consumer science agent, and Marcus Eason, 4-H youth development agent. (Submitted Photo)

Members of the University of Georgia Extension Office includes, from left, Shanna Reynolds, county extension coordinator/ag and natural resources agent, Brenda Mattox, administrative assistant, Breanna Jackson, 4-H program assistant. Brad Averill, family and consumer science agent, and Marcus Eason, 4-H youth development agent. (Submitted Photo)

UGA Extension Office to host open house event

Kate Hoffman
Thursday, August 18, 2022
The University of Georgia Extension Office will host a drop-in open house from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 55 Oglethorpe Drive in Crawford.
Quarterback Stetson Bennett and a tenacious defense led Georgia to an Orange Bowl victory over Michigan and berth in the CFP national title game. (Submitted Photo/ Tony Walsh, UGA Sports)

Quarterback Stetson Bennett and a tenacious defense led Georgia to an Orange Bowl victory over Michigan and berth in the CFP national title game. (Submitted Photo/ Tony Walsh, UGA Sports)

UGA fans celebrate Orange Bowl

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Anne Whitehead Garner, a University of Georgia football fan since she was just 2 years old, remembers watching Charley Trippi and Frank Sinkwich take the field decades ago.
Stetson Bennett IV never doubted where he wanted to be a college quarterback. Growing up in South Georgia, his heart was set on UGA, as family photos confirm. (Submitted Photo/Bennett Family)

Stetson Bennett IV never doubted where he wanted to be a college quarterback. Growing up in South Georgia, his heart was set on UGA, as family photos confirm. (Submitted Photo/Bennett Family)

Opinion Column: Stetson scores one for dreamers

Dink NeSmith
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Long before he could shake a red and black pompom, Stetson Bennett IV was destined to be a Georgia Bulldog.     Three days before the future quarterback was born in 1997, his mom was sitting in Sanford Stadium, shaking her red and black pompom. Both of No.