Asks Us To Remember

Good morning, Spalding County!

Before Memorial Day became the unofficial start of summer, it began as something much quieter and more solemn. In the years after the Civil War, communities across the country started gathering to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, flags, and prayers. It became widely known as Decoration Day, a simple name for a meaningful act of remembrance.

Over time, that tradition grew into the Memorial Day we know today, a national day set aside to honor the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States military. So while this weekend may bring cookouts and a little extra time with family, it is also worth pausing for the reason behind the long weekend. Some holidays are about celebration. This one asks us to remember.

- Chad Robert

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THE DIGEST

Spalding County to Honor Fallen Service Members at Memorial Day Ceremony

Spalding County will gather Monday morning to honor those who gave their lives in service to the country. The annual Memorial Day ceremony is set for Monday, May 25, at 11 AM at Veterans Memorial Park on Memorial Drive in Griffin. VFW Post 5448 is coordinating the event with support from several local groups, including Spalding County Parks and Public Grounds, Griffin High School JROTC, Boy Scout Troop 8, Marine Corps League 1196, Haisten-McCullough Funeral Home, and Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. This year’s keynote speaker will be Major (Ret.) John Alderman, who commanded E Troop, 108th Cavalry when the Griffin unit deployed to Iraq in 2005. The ceremony will also include remarks from Griffin Mayor Doug Hollberg and a “Missing Man” helicopter formation by pilots from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. Bleachers will be available, but attendees may bring chairs. Inclement weather location is the Senior Center.

UGA Griffin Celebrates 33 Graduates With Brick Ceremony

UGA Griffin celebrated the Class of 2026 with its Spring Graduation Celebration and Brick Ceremony on May 6, honoring 33 graduates from four UGA colleges represented on the local campus. This marked the 39th graduation celebration held at UGA Griffin, where more than 700 students have now completed their degrees. As part of the campus tradition, each graduate is recognized with a brick bearing their name and class year, which is installed in the walkways around the Student Learning Center. The ceremony included remarks from campus leaders, a keynote message from Chick-fil-A leader Tracy Roper, and reflections from graduate Madeline Choate. Afterward, graduates, family members, and friends gathered for a reception inside the Student Learning Center.

Elle’s Way Extension Opens

The City of Griffin recently celebrated the completion of the Elle’s Way Extension Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 14. The project improves the connection between Blanton Avenue and North 3rd Street, giving both drivers and pedestrians a better route through the neighborhood. Work included a new 24-foot-wide paved city street, concrete curb and gutter, a five-foot sidewalk, stormwater improvements, and sanitary sewer upgrades. City leaders said the project is part of Griffin’s broader effort to improve infrastructure, strengthen neighborhood connectivity, and make local streets more accessible. Mayor Doug Hollberg said the extension helps bring neighborhoods together and improves quality of life for residents. The project began on Jan. 5 and was finished ahead of its expected May 25 completion date.

DUMP SCHEDULE

Monday & Thursday: Carver (610 Carver Rd) and Woodroof (4245 Old Atlanta Rd) 11am-7pm

Tuesday & Friday: Blalock (5756 Newnan Rd) and Cabin (3865 Jackson Rd)
11am-7pm

Saturday: All centers open 7am-1pm (plus Akin for bulky items only)

Sunday & Wednesday: Closed

Got big stuff? The Akin Collection Center (841 S McDonough Rd) is for bulky items only—no regular household garbage. Open Saturdays 7am-1pm.

All centers closed on county holidays.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

FRIDAY

Griffin Farmer’s Market 2026
When: Friday, May 22, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: UGA Extension Spalding County hosts its weekly Friday farmers market with produce, honey, boiled peanuts, and other local goods. A good stop for residents looking for fresh items and a low-key community outing before the holiday weekend.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224.

Drop-In Clay Play at ’stache studio
When: Friday, May 22, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
What: A drop-in hand-building clay activity with no tickets or reservations needed. Participants can make one main project or two small projects with kiln-fired clay, and the return visit to glaze or paint is included. This is not a pottery wheel class.
Pricing: $35 for 1.5 lbs of clay
Where: ’stache studio, 116 S. 6th Street, Griffin, GA 30224.

Griffin High School Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony
When: Friday, May 22, 7:00 PM
What: Griffin High School will celebrate the Class of 2026 at Memorial Stadium. The district says the ceremony is planned outdoors on the field; families should monitor GSCS updates in case weather causes a delay, and the district advises ponchos or raincoats but no umbrellas. A severe-weather makeup window is listed for Saturday, May 23, as early as weather permits.
Where: Memorial Stadium, 310 E. Poplar Street, Griffin, GA

Celebrate Recovery at Carver Road Baptist Church
When: Friday, May 22, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: A weekly Celebrate Recovery meeting for people seeking faith-based support around hurts, habits, and hang-ups. A useful local option for anyone looking for a structured recovery community before the holiday weekend.
Where: Carver Road Baptist Church, 334 Carver Road, Griffin, GA 30224

SATURDAY

Nu-Metal Art Show
When: Saturday, May 23, 5:00 PM
What: Lucky You Tattoo Emporium is hosting a Nu-Metal Art Show at Piedmont Brewery Griffin. The event will feature local artwork, music, drinks, and food from the brewery. Guests can view the art, enjoy the atmosphere, and may even have the chance to take home pieces from participating artists. The host notes that the show is open to everyone, but the artwork and music are geared toward a specific nu-metal style and may include specific imagery.
Where: Piedmont Brewery Griffin, 129 S. 6th Street, Griffin, GA 30223

SUNDAY

Five Below Grand Opening Weekend
When: Sunday, May 24
What: Five Below is celebrating its grand opening weekend in Griffin with deals, activities, trivia, and prizes throughout the weekend. The event listing also mentions free drawstring bags while supplies last. A simple stop for families or anyone wanting to check out the new store during its opening weekend.
Where: Five Below, 1649 N. Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WEATHER

FRIDAY

84° 🌡️ 65° | ⛈️ | 40% | 💨 SE 5 mph

SATURDAY

81° 🌡️ 65° | ⛈️ | 90% | 💨 SW 5 mph

SUNDAY

84° 🌡️ 66° | ⛈️ | 80% | 💨 Light/variable

MONDAY (Memorial Day)

83° 🌡️ 66° | ⛈️ | 90% | 💨 Light/variable

THANKS!

Thanks for spending part of your day with the Griffin Grapevine.

This project works because people in Griffin and Spalding County keep showing up for it, reading it, sharing it, sending in tips, and helping their neighbors stay a little more connected to what’s happening here. I’m grateful for that every week.

Before you head into the long weekend, one small favor: send today’s issue to one person who likes knowing what’s going on locally. A friend, neighbor, coworker, parent, grandparent, or anyone who has ever said, “I wish I had known about that.” Every new reader makes the Grapevine more useful for everyone.

For the updates that can’t wait until the next issue, follow the Griffin Grapevine on Instagram and Facebook. That’s where you’ll find last-minute events, schedule changes, cancellations, reminders, and local notes worth knowing.

Have a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy the time with your people, and take a moment to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

P.S. A few sponsorship spots are opening for local businesses that want to reach Griffin Grapevine readers. Interested? Reply to this email or reach me at griffin@welldiem.com.