Grateful You Are Here

Good morning, Spalding County!

The Griffin Grapevine exists because it should not be this hard to know what is happening in your own hometown. There is always more going on around Spalding County than most people realize. New businesses are opening, schools are looking for volunteers, local organizations are planning events, and county leaders are meeting to make decisions that shape the community. The information is out there, but it is scattered across Facebook pages, government calendars, websites, and word of mouth.

Most people do not have time to search through all of that every week. That is why I started the Grapevine. I wanted to create one place where you could sit down with a cup of coffee and quickly understand what is happening around you.

The Griffin Grapevine is my attempt to help more of those stories reach the people who live here. It is here to help you discover something new, find somewhere to go, and feel more connected to the place you call home.

I am grateful you are here to read it.

- Chad

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THE DIGEST

Oversized Load to Move Through Griffin

Drivers in Griffin should expect possible delays on July 27th, as an oversized load moves through the city. The transport is scheduled to begin on East Broadway Street before continuing toward Jackson Road. Because of the size and slower speed of the shipment, traffic may be temporarily affected along the route as crews guide it through intersections and other tight areas. Residents who regularly use East Broadway or Jackson Road may want to allow extra travel time or consider an alternate route while the move is underway. Spalding County released the notice in advance so drivers and nearby businesses could prepare for the temporary disruption. The exact timing of the move may depend on road and traffic conditions.

Medical Equipment Donation Drive Set for August 14

Friends of Disabled Adults and Children will hold a home medical equipment donation drive on Friday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fifty Forward, 885 Memorial Drive in Griffin. Residents can donate gently used mobility and medical equipment, including canes, walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, shower chairs, bedside commodes, patient lifts, and pediatric equipment. FODAC technicians clean, repair, and prepare donated items before making them available to people recovering from illness or injury or trying to remain independent at home. Donation receipts will be available during the event, along with information about FODAC’s equipment programs and services. The organization also operates a Griffin location at 235 Emlet Drive.

GSCS Opens New School Year with Districtwide Celebration

Griffin-Spalding County Schools brought more than 1,400 employees together for its annual Back-to-School Celebration ahead of the 2026-27 school year. Student leaders helped welcome staff and served as emcees, while three longtime transportation employees opened the program with music. The event also featured a keynote address from educator and leadership coach Jimmy Casas. Several district employees were recognized during the celebration, including the 2026 Classified Employees of the Year, Counselor of the Year, Media Specialist of the Year, and school-level Teachers of the Year. Spalding High School teacher Jane Burke was named the district’s 2026-27 Teacher of the Year and received a cash award along with free Chick-fil-A for one year.

CIVIL NEWS

Monday begins at 8:30 AM with a Spalding County Board of Commissioners Special Called Meeting. Special-called sessions are used when commissioners need to address county business outside the regular meeting schedule.

Tuesday the City of Griffin Commission opens with a Workshop Meeting from 9:00 AM to noon at One Griffin Center, 100 South Hill Street. Workshops give commissioners more time to discuss city business before formal action. The commission returns at 6:00 PM for its regular meeting, where official city business and votes take place.

Also Tuesday at 6:00 PM, the Spalding County Planning Commission meets in Room 108 of the Courthouse Annex, 119 East Solomon Street. This is the meeting to watch for proposed rezonings, plats and other land-use matters affecting unincorporated Spalding County. It begins at the same time as the City Commission meeting, so residents interested in both will have a scheduling conflict.

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.

The Official Griffin Grapevine Hometown T-Shirt

Griffin Grapevine is where local stories, familiar faces, and hometown pride come together and now you can wear that spirit. This soft Comfort Colors tee features a richly illustrated tribute to Griffin, Georgia on the back, with irises, railroad tracks, peach, sweet tea, and classic Doc Holliday hat. Wear it around town, to community events, or anywhere you want to represent the people and stories that keep Griffin connected.

Shop the Griffin Grapevine tee and wear your hometown pride.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

MONDAY

Night Owl Knitters
When: Monday, July 27, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: The library’s evening knitting group gives local crafters a place to bring a project, settle in, and spend a couple of hours working alongside others. It is open to experienced knitters and people still learning their way around a pair of needles, and no registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Chess Club for Kids and Adults
When: Monday, July 27, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Kids and adults can drop by the library for a few friendly games of chess, whether they already know the openings or are still learning how the pieces move. It is an easy Monday-night outing for families, students, and anyone looking for a quiet challenge away from a screen.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

TUESDAY

Earth, Blooms, and Buzz: Buggin’ Out
When: Tuesday, July 28, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: UGA Griffin is wrapping up its summer nature series with a morning devoted to the small creatures doing important work all around us. Participants will explore the garden, meet live insects from the campus bug zoo, learn how insect specimens are preserved, and get a look inside research labs or greenhouses. Advance registration is available through the event page.
Where: UGA Research and Education Garden, 129 W Ellis Road, Griffin, GA 30223

Music Bingo at Nic McKay’s Irish Pub
When: Tuesday, July 28, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
What: Music Bingo replaces numbered balls with familiar song clips across six rounds covering the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, country, and crowd-pleasing sing-alongs. It is free to play, with pub gift cards awarded during the evening, making it an easy downtown option for friends looking for dinner, drinks, and a little competition.
Where: Nic McKay’s Irish Pub, 133 S Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

WEDNESDAY

Family Storytime at the Library
When: Wednesday, July 29, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
What: Parents and caregivers can bring younger children to the library for an afternoon built around stories and early literacy. It is a short, simple outing that gives kids a chance to enjoy books with other local families before the summer schedule gives way to the new school year. No registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

THURSDAY

Family Storytime at the Library
When: Thursday, July 30, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
What: The library offers a second storytime Thursday morning for families who prefer an earlier outing. Younger children can enjoy books and time with other kids while parents and caregivers get an easy indoor activity before the day heats up. No registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Active FAITH
When: Thursday, July 30, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
What: New Salem Baptist Church’s weekly walking and exercise group is open to people of all fitness levels. The evening combines movement, fellowship, and Bible study without the pressure of a formal workout class. Children may attend with parental supervision.
Where: New Salem Baptist Church, 57 Bicycle Road, Griffin, GA 30223

UPCOMING

Legends of Rock - 10 Tributes, 1 Band
When: Friday, July 31, 8:00 PM
What: The Griffin Opera House is bringing Legends of Rock to downtown Griffin for a high-energy tribute show built around classic 80s and 90s rock. The band covers hits from Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses, Journey, Poison, Van Halen, and more, making this a strong pick for anyone who wants a loud, familiar, throwback concert night close to home. Tickets are available through the Griffin Opera House event listing.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 N Hill Street #200, Griffin, GA 30223

Family Summer Fishing Derby 2026
When: Saturday, August 1, 8:00 AM
What: Spalding County Leisure Services is hosting its 4th Annual Family Summer Fishing Derby, giving local families a morning to bring their poles, bait, buckets, and lawn chairs for a little friendly fishing. Up to six family members may participate together, and registration is available in person, by phone, or online through the Spalding County Parks and Recreation catalog under fishing. For more information, call Treavase Bowie at 770-467-4750.
Where: 1301 Cowan Road, Griffin, GA 30223

The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience
When: Friday, August 14, 8:00 PM
What: Bobby Miller brings a full Michael Jackson tribute show to the Griffin Opera House with a performance built around the music, dancing and stage presence of the King of Pop. The production recreates the feel of Michael Jackson’s live concerts and features familiar hits from throughout his career. It is designed for longtime fans as well as anyone who never had the chance to see Michael Jackson perform in person. Tickets are required.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 North Hill Street, Suite 200, Griffin, GA 30223

WEATHER

MONDAY

93° 🌡️ 74° | 🌦️ | 30% | NW 5 mph

TUESDAY

96° 🌡️ 77° | ☀️ | 0% | W 5–10 mph

WEDNESDAY

92° 🌡️ 71° | 🌤️ | 0% | W 5 mph

THURSDAY

92° 🌡️ 70° | ☀️ | 0% | NW 5 mph

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Griffin Grapevine.

This publication works best when it reflects the full community, and many of the stories you read here begin with someone taking a moment to send me a tip, share an event or point me toward something worth knowing about. If there is something happening around Spalding County that deserves more attention, reply to this email. I personally read every message.

And if today’s issue helped you learn something new, find somewhere to go or feel a little more connected to home, send it to a friend or neighbor. That is still the best way the Grapevine grows and reaches more people across the county.

Local businesses interested in reaching Spalding County readers can reply here or email griffin@welldiem.com.

Have a great week, and take care of each other!