Business View- Spring 2022

BUSINESS

Chairman's club Thank you for your generous support and commitment to the community!

legacy investors

trustee investors

Visionary investors

Chamber Staff Maggie Milner President president@eatonton.com

Michael A. Payne Investment Engagement Director membership@eatonton.com

Lacey Cummings Destination Development & Marketing Manager

Table of Contents Chairman's Message.................................................................................................4

tourism@eatonton.com

Contributing Photographer: Brock Creative Company

Board of Directors....................................................................................................5 President's Message..................................................................................................6 Q1 Events...................................................................................................................7 Investment Update...................................................................................................8 2022 Calendar of Events..........................................................................................................9 Member Benefits/Renewals...................................................................................................10 Farmers & Merchants Bank................................................................................11 Destination Update................................................................................................12 Meet the Visitor Center Receptionist.............................................................................13 2022 Sweet Tee Off..........................................................................................................14-15 Catching up with Business Investors..........................................................16-17 Rock Eagle 4-H Center..................................................................16

Mission Telling the story of our community to promote and support economic prosperity and tourism Vision To be an organization that serves, encourages, and represents the Eatonton-Putnam community.

Lake Oconee Life............................................................................17 Investor Events Q1 2022..............................................................................18-19 Dairy Festival..........................................................................................................20 Checking in with Community Partners.....................................................23-28 Eatonton Mainstreet......................................................................21 Plaza Arts Center...........................................................................22 Leadership Class of 2022............................................................23 Gatewood Schools...........................................................................24 CTAE- Putnam County High School..........................................25 CGTC: Putnam County Campus.................................................26

Cover Image Trailer axels stacked at Manley Metalworks.

The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 4088 108 W. Marion Street Eatonton, GA 31024 706.485.7701

Message from the Chairman Maddie Atkinson

What a year it has been.

As we turn the corner of the first quarter in 2022, I want to thank all our investors for supporting the Chamber through the last couple of years and through all of the changes that we have endured. Even though it is only March, I hope that you have been able to join us for one of the many programs that our staff has implemented, some with the help of some of our great investors. If you have, you see the energy that our staff has and the passion they seek for the future. I am very excited to see the rest of the programs that are ahead of us.

One of the events that sticks out in my mind is the Women in Business Luncheon. This was a presentation where I left feeling empowered, motivated, and refreshed. I was proud of the other women and men in our community who came out and I hope they felt the same way I did.

If you are a new chamber investor or haven’t been to an event in some time, I encourage you to come out and get involved. I promise you will find so much eagerness and liveliness with our staff and your fellow investors! If you don’t feel comfortable attending, reach out to a board member or chamber staff member and we will be more than happy to introduce you!

I hope to see you at our upcoming events and look forward to showcasing our new programming for 2022.

Maddie Atkinson Board Chair

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BUSINESS VIEW

Board of Directors

2022

Maddie Atkinson Chairman

Mckenzie Davenport Vice Chairman

Jason Green Treasurer

CUSCOWILLA

FOWLER FLEMISTER CONCRETE

EVERGREEN DEVELOPMENT CO.

Jesse McMillen

Cynthia Wallace

THE PEOPLES BANK

WALLACE & KING ALGIN REALTY

Sandra Hudson GEORGIA POWER COMPANY

Dr. Haley Lance

Dr. Jameelah Gater

Tommy Jeffords

MAGNOLIA MEDICAL GROUP

LAKE OCONEE URGENT & PRIMARY CARE

BLASINGAME, BURCH, GARRARD, ASHLEY P.C.

Amy McElhenney FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK

Justin Strickland

Christina Hinz

TRI-COUNTY EMC

PUTNAM COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEM SPRING 2022

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Message from the President Maggie Milner

Grateful, thankful, and blessed. That's how I'm feeling after the close of our first quarter in 2022. After a full year of brainstorming, researching, and innovating, each decision and plan was made with an intention to support and grow our organization, beginning with how we can best serve our Investor businesses' needs. We spent significant time as a staff, developing our brand, and structuring our programming based on the feedback we had received.

After two years of near-dormancy, being able to implement the new slate of programming we worked hard to build out and plan for has been rewarding, to say the least. I've seen our staff, board, and community step up and rise to the challenge of promoting our Chamber and Investor Businesses in new ways. As we progress throughout the year, we are consciously evaluating the feedback we gather to most effectively deliver the needed outcome.

Part of that progress is making sure we continue to provide up-to-date and accurate information about what is happening in our community and we are most able to do so through the support of our Investors. Building strong partnerships has been part of the backbone of our work and we realize more and more each day how crucial the relationships among our many entities are in creating the healthiest community. We have a beautifully diverse community and we hope our programming speaks to its creative and unique needs.

For those that have joined the Chamber family, thank you. For those considering it, we welcome you.

For those who are unfamiliar and uncertain, we are here to answer your questions and help you tap into your peers, neighbors and soon-to-be friends!

Maggie Milner President & CEO

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BUSINESS VIEW

FIRST QUARTER EVENTS

2022

February 2022 Business After Hours J.V. Dell P.C. Century Bank

Business Breakfast Series: State of the City & County 1/11/2022

March 2022 Business After Hours Rotary Club of Greene & Putnam

Job Fair & Career Expo 3/15/2022

Business Breakfast Series: State of Healthcare in Eatonton & Putnam County 3/8/2022

Power Lunch Empowering Women in the Marketplace 2/23/2022

SPRING 2022

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INVESTMENT UPDATE

Michael A. Payne, Investment Engagement Director It's hard to believe that the first quarter of 2022 is complete and as I reflect on the past three months, I'm very proud of everything our staff has accomplished. In my last Investment Engagement Update, I stated that "we would be delivering the best year of events and offerings to our Investors and Community in 2022". 398. That is the total number of people that have attended events during the first quarter and I couldn't be more pleased. It is an amazing feeling to see so many people enjoying the new programming that we researched and worked to put together for the Investors and the Community!

The new Investor Engagement materials have been going out as Investors come up for renewal and the response to the updates has been amazing. A big shift this year is the number of sponsorships that we are offering and I'm glad to see so many Investors taking advantage of the many opportunities to market their business through the Chamber! We still have sponsorship opportunities available, If you're interested please contact the office and I will gladly go over everything. I want to sincerely thank all 95 Investors that have renewed during the first quarter, as well as, welcome four new Investors to the Chamber!

Since 1979, the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce has served the Eatonton and Putnam business community by providing unparalleled support for our Investors and working tirelessly to strengthen our community. The business community is, at its core, the backbone of our organization and the driving force in making our region a thriving one. We acknowledge and appreciate that the foundation of our success is built upon you and your commitment to our mission.

We are extremely grateful for your continued support and always value your voice!

Michael A. Payne Investment Engagement Director

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BUSINESS VIEW

2022 Events calendar

Looking to get plugged in? We invite you to connect, engage, and grow with us in 2022. Be sure to check the Chamber's website regularly, sign up for the weekly E-Newsletter to get updates or follow the Chamber's Facebook or Instagram page for up to date information.

july

January 11 Business Breakfast Series State of the City & County 24 Chamber Town Hall Meeting 27 Business After Hours

february 10 Business After Hours 23 power lunch: women in business

6 Ambassador Committee Meeting 25 chamber town hall meeting 26 Business After Hours

august 3 Ambassador Committee Meeting 4 Business After Hours 23 power lunch: social media marketing

september

march 8 Business Breakfast Series: State of Healthcare 11 JOB FAIR 23 Business After Hours Harbor Club

1 business after hours 6 business breakfast series: state of workforce development 7 Ambassador Committee Meeting 16 non-profit expo-Plaza Arts Center

april 6 Ambassador Committee Meeting 7 Business After Hours-BankSOuth 27 power lunch: non-Profit resource development

may 4 Ambassador Committee Meeting 5 Business After Hours: Investor Appreciation Oconee Springs Park 10 Business Breakfast Series: State of BUsiness Development

june 1 Ambassador Committee Meeting 13 Sweet tee off golf tournament Harbor Club

october 3 5 6 23

taste of eatonton Ambassador Committee Meeting business after hours power lunch: financial literacy

november 2 Ambassador Committee Meeting 3 business after hours 7 annual dinner & awards celebration Rock Eagle TBD business breakfast series: state & federal legislative update Plaza Arts Center

december 7 Ambassador Committee meeting

SPRING 2022

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RENEWALS 1st Quarter 2022

WELCOME & THANK YOU Please join us in welcoming our First Quarter 2022 New Investors and thanking our First Quarter 2022 Renewal Investors!

NEW INVESTORS

RENEWALS Augusta Health

Habitat for Humanity Putnam

BankSouth

Harmony Pet Resort

Bill& Jennie Sharp

Heartwood Acres

Blackwell Furniture

Heather L. Kennerson CPA

Blasingame, Burch,

Hinton Construction Inc.

Garrard & Ashley P.C.

Historic Piedmont Byway

BlueStem

Holloway's Ace Hardware

Bo Trawick-State Farm

Houseman Pest Control

Bug House Pest Control

Interfor

C&M Masonry Contractors

J.V. Dell P.C.

Calvert Custom Homes

Joe's Roofing

Cement Technology

Kristine R. Moore Tarrer, LLC.

Century Bank & Trust

Lake Oconee Ace Hardware

Cowles Clinic

Lake Oconee Area Builders

Craig Massee Insurance

Association

Crowe Marine, Inc.

Lake Oconee Dentistry

Cuscowilla

Lake Oconee Lutheran Church

David Giddens, CPA

Lake Oconee Presbyterian

Dreambuilt Homes

Lake Oconee Rental

Dutton Construction, Inc.

Magnolia Medical Group

Eatonton Housing Authority

Mansfield Cares

Eatonton Medical & Surgical

Mercer Medicine

Eatonton Presbyterian Church Middle Georgia Consortium, Inc. Eatonton Putnam

Middle Georgia Timber

Historical Society

Oconee Cabinets

Eatonton Service League

Oconee Climate Control

Edward Jones Teresa Doster

Oconee Communications

EPWSA

Oconee Performing Arts Society

Erika Reade LTD

Oconee Valley Healthcare

Exchange Bank

Pilot Club Of Eatonton

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Precision Approach LLC

Ferst Readers Inc.

Purchasing Alliance Solutions

First Baptist Church

Putnam County Extension

First Franklin Financial

Putnam Jasper Support Services

Eatonton First United

RF Designs

Methodist Church

Rich Hardin Construction

Gary McElhenney

Rock Eagle Technology Park

Gatewood Schools

Rotary Club of Greene & Putnam

Georgia Writers Museum

Savannah Court of Lake Oconee

Goodwill

ServPro

Gregory Bridge Company

Sinclair Custom Awards

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BUSINESS VIEW

Skyline Construction Services Steffen Thomas Museum TCH Watersports The Cutting Edge Glass & Mirror The Gailey Law Firm The Insurance People Tim Broyles-State Farm Tom & Sandra Rosseter Tri-County EMC Twin Bridges Landing U.S. Breaker, Inc. Universal Forest Products Uncle Remus Museum Wallace & King Real Estate Williams Funeral Home Young-Jones Dental Center Zaxby's

National Bin Cleaning 133 Sammons Industrial Pkwy Eatonton, Ga 31024 (706) 800-2467 Business Investor Fishtales 1001 Village Park Dr. Suite 103 Greensboro, Ga 30642 (706) 453-4497 Business Investor Smith Communications, Inc. 100 N. Jefferson Ave Eatonton, Ga 31024 706-485-3501 Executive Investor Pam & Clayton Lancaster Friends of the Chamber

SPRING 2022

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DESTINATION UPDATE

Lacey Cummings, Destination Development & Marketing Manager Events are Back The first quarter of 2022 has proven to be even more exciting than we could have imagined. It is hard to believe that months have passed as we have had so many events happening in the area to fill our calendar. It is so promising to see programming, both big and small, return to Putnam County. These events not only provide the community with things to do but also attract thousands of visitors to the area every year.

Spring Break Travel Aside from event-specific travel, visitors to the area continue to grow to a neverbefore-seen level. Spring break travel is well upon us as of mid-March, and if it is an indicator of what our summer will look like, the lakes will be fuller than ever. We are incredibly lucky to have such a great place that people from across the country choose to visit out of all the great destinations out there.

New Spring Items Last summer we started producing items that highlight Eatonton and Putnam County for both the community and visitors who stop in our Visitor’s Center. We will have a new line of spring items soon including free stickers, stainless steel bottle openers, glassware, and mens hats. These items are in addition to the grey Eatonton t-shirt, 31024 cutting board, blankets, and more.

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BUSINESS VIEW

Meet Our Visitor Center Receptionist Curry Hoats

Hi there! My name is Curry Hoats, and I am the current part-time receptionist for the Eatonton- Putnam Chamber of Commerce. I am a senior at Georgia College & State University pursuing a degree in mass communication with a minor in theater. I plan on graduating in August of 2022. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in strategic communications or public relations.

My day-to-day at the Chamber varies depending on what is going on that specific day or week, but on an everyday basis, I answer phone calls, emails, and greet visitors. I assist those who are new to or visiting the Eatonton area. I answer any questions they may have and offer suggestions in hopes of meeting their needs. I can always look forward to something new and exciting happening at the Chamber, and I have truly enjoyed meeting many individuals throughout my time here.

During my time at the Chamber, I have been afforded many opportunities to put my mass communication skills to the test. One of my favorite tasks has involved assisting with event planning and coordination. The Chamber's 8th Annual Sweet Tee Off Golf Tournament is the most recent large-scale event I have had the pleasure of helping organize. I aided in the design of flyers, info sheets and press releases. I also assisted in the creation and organization of the Winter 2021 and Spring 2022 Business View magazines. I was also put in charge of the creation and planning of the Chamber's "Throwback Thursday" social media content. Along with social media, I have helped update website content for the Chamber, the visitor's center and Georgia's Lake Country by writing blog posts, constructing itineraries and updating event calendars. Pictured below are springtime-themed Putnam County stickers I designed which are now available for free in the visitor's center.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Lacey, Michael, and Maggie. They have allowed me to gain real-world experience while teaching me so much in the process. I look forward to the rest of my time at the Chamber!

SPRING 2022

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The 8th Annual Sweet Tee Off golf tournament is right around the corner!

This year, the tournament will be Monday, June 13th at the Harbor Club on Lake Oconee golf course.

Previously, the Sweet Tee Off was held at Cuscowilla, and as we and the hundreds of golfers who played with us throughout the years have enjoyed the course, we are excited to provide a new experience to our golfers.

The day will begin with registration and breakfast (the bloody mary bar by Lake Oconee Life is back again this year) then time to get some practice in at the driving range before the shotgun start.

Lunch, sponsored by the Paxis Group, will be delivered on the course and to make sure no one goes thirsty, we will have 12 holes with beverage booths, free for all golfers. In addition to that, we will also have a beverage cart sponsored by Interfor, on the course throughout the entire tournament.

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BUSINESS VIEW

After tournament play has concluded, all golfers and sponsors are invited to the 19th hole sponsored by Central Georgia Technical College and Exchange Bank in the Harbor Club Clubhouse. We will have hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar open during the awards ceremony. We will be giving out lots of great prizes for 1st-3rd place tournament winners.

We have limited availability for teams, so be sure to register through the link on the Chamber's Facebook page or contact us at membership@eatonton.com.

2022 sweet tee off sponsors: All American Services of Georgia BankSouth Billy Webster Century Bank & Trust C.G.T.C. Exchange Bank Farmers & Merchants Bank Interfor US Inc. JV Dell PC Lake Oconee Life Magnolia Medical Group Mercer Medicine Paxis Group print & sign solutions Responsive Technology Partners Sandra Shurling -REMAX SERVPRO The Insurance People tim broyles state farm Tri-Co-Go Wallace & King Realty Yellowstone Landscape Make sure your business or organization is a part of the fun, register on the Chamber's Facebook page or contact the office at membership@eatonton.com.

SPRING 2022

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CATCHING UP WITH A LEGACY INVESTOR Rock Eagle 4-H Center

How long has the business been around and how it did get started?

Rock Eagle 4-H Center was established in 1955.

How has your business grown over the years?

We continue to offer facilities to compliment the statewide Georgia 4-H program. Over the years we have offer programs to the community as well as providing event space for various user groups across the south.

What are some goals your organization has in mind looking towards the future? Is anything exciting coming in 2022?

We look forward to providing safe and enjoyable programs to our guest and community. As we continue to move through the COVID-19 pandemic, Rock Eagle 4-H Center continues to prioritize our guest’s safety.

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BUSINESS VIEW

The business environment in Putnam County is ever-changing, how does your business contribute to the Putnam County community?

We offer event space, catering options, as well as community events for participants of all ages.

Rock Eagle 4-H Center also provides employment opportunities for those in the Putnam County community.

From the Chamber Staff: Rock Eagle 4-H Center, is an invaluable resource to the Chamber, as well as, Eatonton and Putnam County, and the State of Georgia. Rock Eagle 4-H Center aids in the facilitation of several of the Leadership Putnam activities and hosts several of the Chamber's larger events. We are very grateful to have a partnership with the local leadership and are grateful for the opportunity to be able to work with Executive Director, Matt Hammons, and the wonderful staff.

CATCHING UP WITH A LEGACY INVESTOR

Lake Oconee Life

What are some goals your organization has in mind looking towards the future? Is anything exciting coming in 2022?

We are very excited to announce we now offer year round advertising and special event promotional packages. If you missed getting into our 2022 Local's Guide Book, we now offer a digital version that lives on our homepage, plus you get access to our newsletters, The LO Down and Making Waves plus our popular social media platforms.

How long has the business been around and how did it get started?

I moved to the Lake Oconee area in November 2013 and struggled to find information online for local businesses, fun things to do, and summer camps for my four year old daughter. I purchased the domain LakeOconeeLife.com in January 2018, added an event calendar and started scouring the community in search of events I could add to our calendar. Next, I decided to share my hours of summer camp research in the form of a blog post. To make it easier for our followers I started our weekly newsletter packed full of fun things to do and handy community information. It wasn't long before the Lake Oconee residents depended on us to provide them with great local information. We added LakeSinclairLife.com in January 2020 just in time for the pandemic to hit and close everything down in Milledgeville.

Lake Sinclair Life is experiencing healthy growth in 2022 and is quickly becoming a trusted resource for locals and visitors of Lake Sinclair as well.

How has your business grown over the years?

Lake Oconee Life has seen significant growth since we launched in 2018 thanks in part to COVID . With people from New York, Atlanta, Florida and California seeking somewhere they could get away to - they found us online.

We received phone calls, text messages, and DM's asking us questions about real estate agents, home-watch companies, where to rent boats, and so much more. We now average 12,000-15,000 monthly page views on our website (double that during the month of July), over 100 pages of our website are indexed on page 1 of Google, 6,000+ newsletter subscribers, and 7,500 Local's Guide Books are absorbed into the community every year. Lake Sinclair Life is growing too, we experience 5000 monthly page views on the website, over 1000 email subscribers, and the Lake Sinclair Life: The Local's Guide are pretty popular at Lake Sinclair.

The business environment in Putnam County is everchanging, how does your business contribute to the Putnam County community?

We are a free resource for locals and visitors to find realtime community information for fun things to do, places to eat and businesses they can trust.

From the Chamber Staff: The Chamber is grateful to have Lake Oconee & Lake Sinclair Life-Lynward and Holly Lindsey as Legacy Investors. Having an advocate like Holly who is a prior Chamber Employee out in the community encouraging all businesses to invest in the Chamber is amazing! Holly and Lynward always volunteer to be present and help at events and they also assist the Chamber with advertising through their multiple ventures.

SPRING 2022

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BUSINESS VIEW

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1st Quarter 2022

1. Reynolds Lake Oconee Linger Longer Invitational - March 20-22 2. The Glen at Lake Oconee Village's Mardi Gras Party - March 2 3. Calligraphy Class at The Artisans Village Art Gallery - March 10 4. Lake Oconee Area Builders Association's The Big Event - March 19 5. Putnam Christian Outreach, Inc.'s St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt - March 17 6. Georgia Writers Museum "Meet the Author" with Bestselling Author Patti Callahan Henry. - January 14 7. Exchange Bank Customer Appreciation Day - February 14 8. The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art "A Day at STMA" Field Trip February 25 9. FERST Readers of Putnam County "Seuss on the Loose" - March 5 10. Gatewood School's Varsity Basketball hosts "Breakfasts and Baskets" - February 23 11. The Cottages at Woodland Terrace's Valentines Day Party February 14 12. The Plaza Arts Center Rendition of "These Shining Lives" - March 3-5 13. Putnam County High School's Living History Museum - March 8 14. Putnam County Primary School Celebrates the 100th Day of School - January 24 15. Harbor at Harmony Crossing's Valentines Day Party - February 11 16. Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony at Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club - March 1

SPRING 2022

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The Dairy Festival

Returns

It has been two years since the Dairy Festival has graced the streets of downtown Eatonton. The Pilot Club of Eatonton is ready to have the festival back on Saturday, June 4th of this year, with even more dairy-themed celebrations than before. We have put together a list of six experiences you can’t miss this year.

Dairy Festival 5k Road Race New for this year’s festival, the Dairy Festival 5k Road Race will feature a one-mile fun run around downtown Eatonton starting at 7:30 am and the traditional 5K starting at 8:00 am. The morning starts early, but so does the fun. Get to see historic downtown Eatonton before all of the festivities begin.

Dairy Queen The original “Dairy Queen” has graced the Dairy Festival almost since the beginning of the festival itself. The queen of the Dairy Festival will be crowned at the Jr. Miss & Dairy Festival Queen Pageant on May 7th at 6:30 pm at the Plaza Arts Center.

Free Ice Cream The average high temperature for June is almost 89 degrees, so no doubt it will be a hot, steamy Saturday. Cool off with free ice cream provided

by Mayfield ice cream. Festival-goers have the opportunity to get a fudge pop, ice cream sandwich, or any new flavors that may be available this year.

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BUSINESS VIEW

Parade & Tractor Show One of the most popular attractions of the Dairy Festival, the parade features a variety of floats highlighting the Putnam County dairy industry.

The parade also features many vintage tractors, paying homage to the past farmers of the area.

Kids can expect to get enough candy to last them at least the entire festival. This year, the parade will start promptly at 10:00 am.

Shop Hundreds of Local Vendors Shopping from local artisans means finding all kinds of unique goods in our very own town square. Booths open at 9:00 am and will be open all day until the festival ends at 4:00 pm. There will be plenty of time to look through every booth carefully to make sure everyone gets a Dairy Festival souvenir.

Milking Exhibit Keeping up with all of the dairy-themed fun. It is only appropriate to feature the inspiration for it all, the dairy industry in Putnam County and throughout Georgia. One of the most- interesting exhibitions of the day is the live milking exhibit of a professional dairy cow. Volunteers will step visitors through the process of milking a cow and how dairy products get from farm to table.

CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Mainstreet Eatonton

by McKenzie Cardwell- Chairman- Mainstreet Advisory Board

Have you heard what’s going on downtown? Have you seen what they are doing downtown? What are you doing this weekend; want to meet up downtown? I think we all have asked at least one of these questions over the past year. My name is McKenzie Cardwell and I actively serve as the chair of the Eatonton Mainstreet Advisory Board. Our current advisory board is made up of eight local members dedicated to working towards our mission to preserve and enhance the historical and cultural character of Eatonton through economic development.

I cannot express how full my hometown heart gets when I see people flock to downtown Eatonton. One of my favorite memories of the past year was during our Mistletoe Market late last year. I vividly remember the busy morning of market day. Vendors arriving, tents going up and so much handmade merchandise including crafts, art, food, and clothing getting stocked for a crowd we would have never expected. About halfway through the day, I remember sitting with my grandmother and fellow advisory board member, Amelia Logan, and our Eatonton Mainstreet manager, Lauren Singleton, saying how proud I was to be part of that day. That was the icing on the cake to a sweet, sweet year in downtown Eatonton.

As a member of the advisory board, it is our job to determine how we can bring the heartbeat back to Eatonton. Becoming part of the Eatonton Mainstreet has opened my eyes to so many amazing things about downtown Eatonton. Have you ever just walked around and taken it all in? Our downtown is absolutely stunning, and it continues to grow with every new business and new restaurants that breathes life into our beautiful, historic buildings.

Looking forward to 2022, Eatonton Mainstreet is excited to share that feeling with everyone who visits downtown!

Along with several new restaurants and new businesses opening this year, the Eatonton Mainstreet event calendar starts with the Magnolia Market which is quickly approaching on April 16, 2022. With more than a dozen events already planned, I know we are gearing up for a monumental year of memories to be made and memories to be shared. After all, there is something for everyone including music and movies on the city stage, shopping at locally-owned stores, great food, and delicious drinks at one of the upcoming restaurants, what more could we ask for?

On behalf of the Eatonton Mainstreet Advisory Board, we look forward to seeing you soon and are excited to share the experience of Downtown Eatonton with you!

SPRING 2022

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Plaza Arts Center

by Taylor Hembree- Marketing Director

The Plaza Arts Center making dreams a reality

By Taylor Hembree, Marketing Director Create. Cultivate. Celebrate. Three simple yet powerful words. These three words are what guide The Plaza Arts Center. Located in the heart of Lake Country, The Plaza has become a central gathering place over the years. A place for fellowship with friends during meetings held in the board room, a place for laughing at the Plaza Alliance for the Performing Arts’ (PAPA) plays, a place for seeing new music in the theater, a place for learning about history in the Old School History Museum, a place for making new friends at summer camp — The Plaza is a true mainstay in the Lake Country community.

With those three words, The Plaza is bringing that hope to the Lake Country.

Cultivate: A place for lifelong learning with an ongoing partnership with Putnam County Schools. Educating the youth in the community is the ultimate mission at The Plaza.

There are several offerings that are currently happening for arts education. These include Second Saturday Crafts which is free to the public, Coffee Houses, an intimate stage for high schoolers and young adults to perform in a safe setting, and this summer we have summer camps: Camp Broadway, Art Camp and a Broadway Intensive. For more information on the summer camps or other educational opportunities, call The Plaza at 706-923-1655.

Celebrate: A unique place for parties, weddings, meetings and other celebrations. The Plaza is the perfect backdrop for any gathering. Whether hosting an outdoor wedding or an indoor reception, The Plaza has affordable options to fit any budget. Rental rates are online at plazacenter.org.

Create: Providing first class performances and talent to entertain the family year round. From hometown star, Matt Rogers, doing his album release concert at The Plaza to Master Classes at the local schools with renown pianist Barron Ryan, 2022’s lineup is not one to miss.

Some highlights at The Plaza this year include: Rumours, a Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band—this band sells out everywhere they tour, A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band, The Longest Road: Eagles Tribute band and coming back again this year, Take3 Trio — a pleasant surprise for audiences. Ticket prices vary and can be purchased online at plazacenter.org.

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BUSINESS VIEW

The Plaza is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which began as a dream. The dream was to renovate a dilapidated schoolhouse and that’s just what the founding committee did. The renovation took ten years from conception to completion, and the center opened to the public in March 2008. From what was a dream to currently allowing kids to explore their dreams, The Plaza continues its legacy of bringing arts to the community.

CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Leadership Putnam Class of 2022 Leadership Putnam is a program offered by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. The program has been in existence since 1990; however, the Class of 2022 is the first to experience the reinvigorated program. The program consists of a group of students diverse in age, gender, race, and occupation. Each month, a full day is devoted to educating the class on a component of the community: Non-Profit Organizations, Government, Business Development, Education, & Recreation.

As a proud member of the Leadership Putnam Class of 2022, I have had the privilege to meet monthly with my class members to learn about each other, the community, and how we can become better leaders within our community. We began our journey with a day filled with introductions to Non-Profit Organizations within our area followed by a local weekend retreat to gain a better understanding of ourselves and each other. After all, one of the graduation requirements is to complete a class project for the betterment of our community. The retreat developed our class into a team. Designed and organized to take a step back from our day-to-day demands and activities, we were allowed a period of concentrated discussion, focused thinking, and collaboration. From our new-found knowledge of the many Non-Profit Organizations in our area, their purposes, goals, and needs, we selected to fundraise for the Putnam County Veterans Wall of Honor Park as our class project.

by Rachel Harvey - Class Project Chair

Located in downtown Eatonton, the park includes six honor walls bearing brick tiles inscribed with the names, branch of service, and dates of service of those who have served our country. The head wall bears the words: “Putnam County Veterans Wall of Honor Park,” with the crests of the five Armed Forces. Since its inauguration, this tribute has fallen into disrepair. The mission is to restore the important community head wall to its former glory and draw attention to the sacrifices made for our nation by so many local families. We want to honor and remember our local American heroes who have defended our freedom in the past and continue to do so today.

In closing, I would be remiss if I did not share the greatest impact Leadership Putnam has had on me personally. Our community requires the attention of its citizens to care for it and each other. There is an abundance of service opportunities. JustServe.org is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations may be posted, and volunteers may search for places to serve in the community, providing opportunities to help those in need and enhance the quality of life in the community. I encourage members of our community to utilize this site so that we may become more connected and unified with each other. Volunteering your time, an irreplaceable commodity, paves the way to increasing mutual understanding, correcting misconceptions, and building new friendships. A little change here and a few hours there will quickly add up to make a real difference. Many hands make light work.

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Gatewood Schools Nestled in the historic small town of Eatonton, Georgia is Gatewood School, a K2-12th grade, college-prep school with Christian values. Our mission is to provide the best educational opportunities available in a nurturing, Christian environment while instilling life-long characteristics of faith, honor, integrity, and loyalty. We are dedicated to forming well-rounded men and women who are prepared for college and post-collegiate life.

With the accelerating speed of change in the world, Gatewood encourages and instructs students to be adaptable, creative, problem solvers who will enhance our future. We celebrate the unique gifts of each child and foster their creative passions. Bible classes are offered with a full-time chaplain on campus. Not only will your child become familiar with the content of the Bible, but they will also use those lessons and apply them to better understand the world around them. Students join in a shared purpose, to know that they are part of something bigger than themselves. We are committed to our community and seize opportunities to be of service and take care of those less fortunate.

Schools like Gatewood are a community in themselves; we are like family providing emotional and spiritual support. Parents are an integral part of our community through extensive volunteerism in many aspects of the school, the classroom, athletics, fundraising, faculty and staff support, admissions, marketing, and more. We teach children to be compassionate and empathetic, and we teach that every child was created by and is a gift from God. Our upperclassmen mentor our younger students.

Gatewood is mission-driven to sharpen student minds, deepen faith and develop talents.

Gatewood boasts 51 athletic state championships in 51 years. We offer 28 electives, dual enrollment, AP classes, arts (fine and performing), and competitions (literary, academic, and musical). Our students can participate in community organizations such as Anchor Club, Interact, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and YoungLife.

Congratulations to Gatewood’s graduating class of 2022 (32 students); 100% will attend four year universities and colleges! 93% play sports at Gatewood. 94% are involved in community service organizations. 89% are HOPE eligible. 64% are dual enrolled. 22% are second generation Gators. 78% chose to make our school their family. One graduate is a 3rd generation Gator! Our graduates live in 26 states and 5 countries. May your light continue to shine, Gatewood Gators!

Contact our admission director, Libby Rainey for more information! Lrainey@gatewoodschool.com, 706-4858231 x 1300. We are a member of GISA, and are accredited by SACS, SAIS, and with quality by GAC. 24

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Career, Technical, & Agricultural Education

by Christina Hinz- Putnam County High School

The Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop visited Baldwin County March 28-April 1. The Mobile Workshop was hosted at Baldwin County High School 155 GA-49, Milledgeville, GA 31061 each day from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm. As the host site, Baldwin County worked with Jones, Monroe, Putnam, and Wilkinson counties CTAE directors to identify students that would benefit from learning more about Georgia’s most in-demand professions. The Industrial Authorities have partnered with both WorkSource areas to ensure the success of this event.

The need for skilled workers has never been greater. All industry sectors were already feeling a void in the workforce from a large number of individuals approaching retirement that has now been exacerbated by vacancies left from the global pandemic. WorkSource Macon-Bibb (WSMB) and WorkSource Middle Georgia (WSMG) in coordination with the Governor’s High Demand Career Initiative (HDCI) and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) have been focused on identifying creative ways to backfill the workforce pipeline to help address these vacancies through the region’s youth.

The 40-foot open-air trailer features five highly interactive simulations of Georgia’s most in-demand skilled professions, including commercial truck driving, health care, plumbing, welding, and robotics. Utilizing the latest digital and virtual technology, each simulation places students directly into a skilled profession where they learn important career information and complete skills challenges.

Additionally, the initiative focuses on changing the mindsets of students, parents, and educators on the importance of skilled trades.

Along with the mobile workshop, the Be Pro Be Proud website promotes 15 skilled professions with 10 percent or more growth potential and links to training and area industries that are hiring within these professions. Students can “Join the Movement” on beprobeproudga.org, which connects students with education and career opportunities.

Most recently, WorkSource Macon-Bibb (WSMB) and WorkSource Middle Georgia (WSMG) partnered with the Cherokee Office of Economic Development to bring the state-of-the-art, interactive Be Pro Be Proud mobile workshop to middle Georgia. Be Pro Be Proud is a movement focusing on bringing a new generation of pride, progress, and professionals to Georgia’s skilled workforce.

In addition to the Be Pro Be Proud Trailer, Central Georgia Technical College, Middle Georgia State, Fort Valley State University, Georgia Military College, and Georgia College State University will be on-site to connect a student’s career path with the necessary training that is needed to be successful. There will also be industry partners on-site to discuss potential employment opportunities and recruiters for those that are interested in learning more about these industry sectors in the military.

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CHECKING IN WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Central Georgia Technical College- Putnam County Campus Central Georgia Technical College’s (CGTC) Adult Education Program (AEP) is specifically designed for adult learners who have different needs, backgrounds, and skills. Our goal is to help adults age 16 and older gain literacy skills to reduce poverty, secure sustainable employment and livable wages in high-demand careers, and improve public access to community resources. In addition to reading, writing, and math instruction, classes offered include digital literacy, financial literacy, and employability skills, all free of charge to students.

CGTC’s adult learners are now able to choose how they want to earn their high school equivalency (HSE). Students can choose to complete the General Education Development (GED®) test, the HiSet™ exam, or the Career Plus High School (CPH) Equivalency, which offers the flexibility to earn a HSE without the stress of a high-stakes test. The College also offers Integrated Education and Training (IET) which is a rapid up-skilling program designed to prepare students for a career and earn industry-recognized certifications in hospitality and tourism the opportunity to prepare for a career and earn free certifications in Hospitality and Tourism (ServeSafe, OSHA 10-Hour and First Aid/CPR) or Warehouse Distribution and Fundamentals (Forklift, OSHA and First Aid/CPR).

The IET program can take as little as three weeks and is also no cost to the student.

Local AEP students will be placed in one of three academic areas: Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE), or English as a Second Language (ESL). ABE provides instruction for reading readiness, basic mathematics skills, and an introduction to writing and basic grammar.

Students attend classes at our Putnam Center Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with a choice of morning, evening and online classes.

ASE delivers instruction in reading, science, social studies, writing skills, and mathematics. This level will develop the skills necessary for the completion of the GED®, HiSet™, and CPH. 26

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The ESL program offers instruction for students who want to learn to speak English or develop a deeper understanding of the English language. To be eligible for ESL classes, students must have a valid picture ID and must be a citizen of the US, a legal permanent resident 18 years or older, a qualified alien, or be lawfully present in the United States.

There are scholarship opportunities to cover the costs of testing fees for Putnam County students. The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counites and the Putnam Family Connection Collaborative generously help students each year. CGTC is grateful for the support of these two organizations.

If going back to school was a promise that you have made to yourself at some point, the right time is now.

Decide to start; help yourself and show others that with a willingness to learn, it’s never too late. Visit www.centralgatech.edu or call 706-923-5000 to get started.

Written by: Kimberly Hicks-Grable is the Regional Lead Instructor for Central Georgia Technical College’s Adult Education Department. She is the lead teacher for Baldwin and Putnam Counties. Kimberly has served in this capacity for the past 21 years. Mrs. Hicks-Grable started her career at CGTC in December of 2000, after working three years at in the public school system as a Spanish and English teacher. She currently serves as secretary of the CGTC Faculty Advisory Committee, member of the Baldwin and Putnam Family Connections, and board member for Communities in School. Kimberly is an active member of Peeler Chapel Baptist Church.

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