No Skipping

Good morning, Spalding County!

The other day, I was sitting in my truck watching steam rise from a cup of coffee while scrolling through Spotify, trying to decide what music I wanted to hear. Instead of jumping between playlists, I did something I had not done in a long time. I picked an album and listened to it straight through.

No skipping to the hits. No searching for the song that perfectly matched the moment. Just track one, followed by track two, all the way to the end.

A friend and I had recently been talking about how quickly we have grown accustomed to getting exactly what we want, the moment we want it. There was a time when hearing your favorite song meant waiting for it to come on the radio. Watching a television show meant being in front of the screen when it aired.

Technology has removed a lot of those inconveniences, and I am certainly not volunteering to bring most of them back. But I do wonder whether we lost something when we stopped having to wait. Anticipation made things feel more rewarding. The parts in between were not always wasted time. Sometimes they were part of the experience.

I do not have it all figured out, but I am trying to resist the urge to skip ahead quite so often. Sometimes it is worth letting the album play and enjoying the ride.

- Chad

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THE DIGEST

Griffin-Spalding Schools Prepare for the Start of a New Year

Griffin-Spalding County Schools is getting ready to welcome students back for the 2026–27 school year with open houses and a community volunteer effort planned before the first day of classes. Elementary schools will hold open houses Wednesday, July 29, followed by middle and high schools Thursday, July 30. Both sessions will run from 3 to 7 p.m., giving families an opportunity to meet teachers, visit classrooms and prepare for the year ahead. The district is also inviting local residents, businesses and community organizations to participate in its Day One in the District initiative Monday, August 3. Volunteers will be stationed at schools across the county to greet students and employees as they arrive and help create an encouraging start to the new school year. You can signup to volunteer here.

Local Students Put Engineering Skills to Work at SCTC Robotics Camp

High school students from Griffin and Ola High School spent a week designing, building and programming robots during Southern Crescent Technical College’s VEX Robotics Camp on its Griffin campus. Participants worked in teams to construct robots, develop competition strategies and test their designs through scrimmages and a mock tournament. The camp introduced students to computer-aided design, engineering principles, programming and the process of improving a machine through repeated testing. Members of the Gremlin Robotics Foundation led the activities and helped students troubleshoot problems while strengthening their teamwork and communication skills. Students also learned about SCTC-sponsored robotics teams at Griffin, Ola and Jackson high schools, giving them an opportunity to continue competing during the school year. The camp is part of the college’s effort to prepare local students for future careers in engineering, technology and advanced manufacturing.

UGA Griffin Young Scholars Complete Summer Research Program

Twenty high school students from 13 schools across eight counties spent the summer conducting research through the Young Scholars Program at the UGA Griffin Campus. The interns worked alongside university faculty and staff before presenting their findings during the program’s Poster Presentation Day. The summer also included several activities outside the laboratory. Students visited Beat the Bomb for an interactive escape-room challenge, competed in an indoor field day and created UGA-themed paintings during a session with Stache Studio. The program concluded with a conference and closing ceremony at the University of Georgia’s Athens campus, where the Griffin students joined participants from the Athens and Tifton programs. The Young Scholars Program gives high school students an early look at university research while helping them build presentation skills and explore possible academic and career paths.

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’

FRIDAY

Griffin Farmers Market
When: Friday, July 24, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: The weekly Griffin Farmers Market returns to the Kiwanis Fairgrounds with locally grown produce and other regional goods. Shoppers can expect a rotating selection that may include fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, boiled peanuts and seasonal items. The market is hosted each Friday by UGA Extension Spalding County.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

SATURDAY

Block Party and School Supply Giveaway
When: Saturday, July 25, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: DeVotie Baptist Church is hosting its annual community block party with free food, games and backpacks filled with school supplies. Families can stop by for a morning of activities while helping children get ready for the approaching school year. Backpacks and supplies will be distributed at no cost while available.
Where: DeVotie Baptist Church, 1355 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223

The Ultimate Slime Party
When: Saturday, July 25, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: Auntie Joy’s Storyhouse and Poppi June are teaming up for a hands-on slime-making experience for children ages 2 to 13. Each child will make custom slime and receive a Poppi June coloring book, crayons and additional surprises. Tickets are $20 per child and cover one hour of activities, with families selecting a time slot when reserving their place.
Where: Auntie Joy’s Storyhouse, 802 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Storytime and Snacks
When: Saturday, July 25, 10:00 AM
What: City Park Community Center is holding a storytime and snack gathering for children ages 4 and younger. The morning offers parents and caregivers an easy indoor activity where younger children can listen to a story, enjoy a snack and spend time with other families from the community.
Where: City Park Community Center, 641 Camp Northern Road, Griffin, GA 30224

Splash-A-Palooza Celebration
When: Saturday, July 25, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
What: Spalding County Leisure Services is bringing back Splash-A-Palooza for its second year at the county Aquatic Center. Families can cool off in the pools and enjoy an afternoon built around swimming and summer fun. Admission to the celebration is free.
Where: Spalding County Aquatic Center, 561 Rehoboth Road, Griffin, GA 30224

16 Troub First Annual Back-to-School Bash
When: Saturday, July 25, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Obligated to Eat Records is hosting a community back-to-school celebration at Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park. The afternoon will include free school supplies, free food, live performances and activities for local children and families. The event is scheduled to continue through the early evening.
Where: Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park, 1301 Cowan Road, Griffin, GA 30223

Tribute: A Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band
When: Saturday, July 25, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Atlanta-based band Tribute will bring the music of the Allman Brothers Band to the Griffin Opera House. The eight-piece group performs the band’s blend of Southern rock, blues, jazz and country using vintage equipment and arrangements designed to recreate the sound of the original recordings and concerts. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the performance begins at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Pigs on a String
When: Saturday, July 25, 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM
What: Pigs on a String will perform the music of Pink Floyd during an evening concert at The Garden Beer Garden and Venue. The show is presented by Interstellar Echoes and is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. Gate admission is $5.
Where: The Garden Beer Garden and Venue, 314 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

SUNDAY

City of Griffin Update and Historical Society Luncheon
When: Sunday, July 26, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
What: The Griffin-Spalding Historical Society’s July program will feature Griffin City Manager Jessica O’Connor discussing current city projects and local government developments. Steve Ledbetter will also join the discussion panel. Tickets include lunch and admission to the program and cost $25 for Historical Society members or $30 for nonmembers.
Where: Bailey-Tebault House, 633 Meriwether Street, Griffin, GA 30224

UPCOMING

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

FRIDAY

82° 🌡️ 73° | ⛈️ | 95% | SSW 6 mph

SATURDAY

84° 🌡️ 71° | ⛈️ | 80% | WNW 6 mph

SUNDAY

91° 🌡️ 70° | 🌦️ | 50% | WNW 7 mph

THANKS!

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

There is always more happening around Spalding County than any one person can keep up with, and that is exactly why I put this publication together. My goal is to slow things down for a few minutes, gather the stories worth knowing and make it a little easier to feel connected to the place we call home.

If something in today’s issue helped you discover a local event, learn something new or simply pay a little more attention to what is happening around you, send it to a friend or neighbor who might enjoy it too. That is still the best way the Grapevine grows.

Have an event, news tip or local story I should know about? Reply to this email. I personally read every message. Local businesses interested in reaching Spalding County readers can reply here as well or email griffin@welldiem.com.

Have a great weekend and don’t forget to enjoy the ride!