June 11, 2026
Children enjoy playing on an inflatable slide at Oglethorpe Children's Academy 20th anniversary celebration in Crawford on Friday. The center opened in 2006 and is the county’s only daycare center. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Thursday, June 11, 2026
On a normal day, Oglethorpe Children’s Academy is winding down by 4:30 p.m. This past Friday afternoon, however, the academy resembled a massive community reunion.
Pageant winner Rachel Lowry receives flowers after being announced as Ms. Quiet Oaks 2026. Family members and friends of the Quiet Oaks community volunteered to help run the event, and Lowry will advance to the state-level pageant in Atlanta in August. (Sarah Nanos/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Surrounded by friends, family and local officials, Stephanie Mattox-Nation gets ready to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of The Local Spot, a new restaurant in Crawford, on Friday morning. The business, located at 1185 Athens Road, has a few unique appetizer options, such as Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and dill pickle and cream cheese bombs. (Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Countryside Manor serves as a venue for weddings, celebrations and community events in Winterville. Co-owner Claudia Reit said major startup costs included commercial insurance and property taxes, adding she shopped around to find the best insurance coverage for the venue. (Emilie Sullivan/The Oglethorpe Echo)
What happens when a public university partners with a community newspaper? A beautiful collaboration and a reminder of all the things local news is meant to be: personal, rewarding and impactful.
To those who serve The Echo.
To those who read The Echo.
To those who believe in local news.
This documentary was directed by Julianna Duennes Russ and produced by Leighton Dancy, in collaboration with the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication and The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy, Inc.
Special thank you to: Ralph Maxwell, Dink NeSmith, Amanda Bright, Andy Johnston, Lori Johnston, Trisha Bearden, Lourdes Tompkins, Blake Campbell, Kathleen deMarrais, Jamie Lewis, Barbara Cabaniss, Delbra Kendrick, Zachary Leggio, Adriana Cascio, Libby Hobbs, Jesse Wood. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.
Stanley Lattimore returns to OCHS as the wrestling coach, taking over for Steve Mason. Lattimore will also serve as the defensive line coach for the football team. (Submitted Photo)
New Oglethorpe County High School boys basketball coach Dayon Toomer, shown with his fiancé Antorya and children Carson and Cionni, was hired on April 28. Toomer's eldest children, Chassity and Mason, aren’t pictured. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Defensive back Nicah Pass reaches for the ball during football practice on May 15. Pass, a senior, plays alongside his brother, Zion, a sophomore. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
