🍇 An Informed Citizen

Good morning, Spalding County!

An informed citizen has a better chance of keeping out of trouble than an ignorant one. The same is true of a town. A place runs better when its people know what is being built, what is being planned, what is worth attending, and what changes may soon arrive at their doorstep. Useful knowledge does not merely satisfy curiosity, but helps a person order his affairs wisely.

In earlier days, such knowledge traveled by conversation across porches, counters, and pews. Now it is scattered to the wind, buried in agendas, tucked into Facebook posts, and hidden on websites few have the patience to inspect.

That is one reason the Griffin Grapevine exists. To gather the useful bits, lay them out plainly, and save you the trouble of digging for them yourself. A well-informed citizen is not only harder to fool, but better prepared to make the most of the place he or she calls home.

- Chad Robert

Most skincare works on the surface. Aramore goes where real aging begins: the basal layer of the skin, where new cells form. Backed by decades of research from Harvard and MIT scientists, Aramore is the first topical system designed to support skin’s NAD+ — the molecule your cells rely on for repair, energy, and resilience.

As NAD+ naturally declines with age, visible changes follow: dullness, uneven tone, fine lines, and loss of firmness. Aramore’s unique complex of NAD+ precursors, ketones, and fatty acids helps replenish cells at the source for skin that acts healthier and younger.

Clinically shown to improve tone, radiance, smoothness, and firmness as soon as 28 days.

Get 20% off your first order with code NEWSLETTER20.

Shop Now & Save

Construction is underway on a new 24,000-square-foot bus maintenance facility for the Griffin-Spalding County School System, a project aimed at strengthening student transportation across the district. Designed by PBK Architects and built by Bowen & Watson, the facility will create more room for bus repairs, maintenance, staff training, and day-to-day transportation operations. District leaders say the added space will help improve efficiency while supporting bus safety and reliability. The project is being funded through E-SPLOST, the local education sales tax used for school capital improvements without raising property taxes. School officials described the new facility as an investment in transportation staff, district operations, and the safe daily movement of students.

Spring programming is in full swing at Spalding County Leisure Services. Youth and adult sports leagues are registering now, and pickleball courts are active across multiple locations. Disc golf is available for those wanting a low-key outdoor option, and the Quarry's Edge trails at Sportsman's Lake offer a great escape for walkers and trail runners. The 50 Forward senior center continues programming for active adults. Browse the full catalog and register online at secure.rec1.com/GA/spalding-county-parks-and-recreation/catalog, or call 770-467-4750 for details. There's genuinely something for everyone this season.

Plans for 115 E. Solomon St. have shifted after community feedback and a closer structural review. Spalding County will now preserve the building’s facade and front half, while demolishing the rear portion to connect with the county annex. Originally slated for full demolition due to major roof and electrical issues, the 1946 building drew concern from residents and local historians who urged preservation. After clearing out the interior, officials discovered shared structural walls that made partial preservation feasible. The project will now move forward with a hybrid approach, balancing safety needs with maintaining part of the building’s historic presence in downtown Griffin.

This is a busy Monday on the government calendar, with four boards convening across Spalding County and Griffin. The day opens at 10:00 AM with the Spalding County Land Bank Authority meeting for their regular session. The Land Bank works on returning distressed and tax-delinquent properties to productive use, so it's worth a look if property and development issues are on your radar. That afternoon, the Spalding County Board of Commissioners convenes for a work session at 3:00 PM. Then the evening gets active: the Griffin Planning and Zoning Board holds its regular meeting at 6:00 PM at City Hall, and the Spalding County Board of Commissioners reconvenes the same evening at 6:00 PM for a Special Meeting.

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.

UGA Author & Chef: Valerie Frey — “Cooking Wild in the Southeast”

When: Tuesday, April 21, 6:30–7:30 PM
What: Join UGA food scientist and author Valerie Frey for a book talk and cooking demonstration featuring wild foods from the Southeast. Frey blends scientific insight with culinary creativity, making this a great event for food lovers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone curious about foraging and cooking. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Free to attend.
Where: UGA Stuckey Auditorium, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Downtown Playground Groundbreaking

When: Tuesday, April 21, 10:00 AM
What: This project represents a continued commitment to creating welcoming, family-friendly spaces in the heart of our community. The new playground will provide a place for children to play, families to gather, and neighbors to connect for years to come.
Where: Located beside the Welcome Center, 143 North Hill Street, Griffin 30223

Prayer Luncheon hosted by Spalding Sheriff’s Office

When: Tuesday, April 21, 12:00–1:00 PM
What: The Spalding Sheriff’s Office will host a prayer luncheon at the Kiwanis Club of Griffin Center. RSVP is required, and the cost is $5 per person.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Main Street Players: “Keep on Laughing” Comedy Night

When: Wednesday, April 22, 7:30–9:30 PM
What: Enjoy a full evening of live comedy from Griffin’s own Main Street Players. “Keep on Laughing” features local performers delivering two hours of laughs, characters, and community theater fun. Tickets are available at ticketstothecity.com or by calling (770) 229-9916.
Where: Main Street Players Theatre, 115 N. Hill St, Griffin, GA 30224

Main Street Players: “Keep on Laughing” Comedy Night - Encore Performance

When: Thursday, April 23, 7:30–9:30 PM
What: If you missed Wednesday’s show or want to see it again, Main Street Players returns with an encore performance. Expect the same lineup of live comedy and local talent. Tickets available at ticketstothecity.com or by calling (770) 229-9916.
Where: Main Street Players Theatre, 115 N. Hill St, Griffin, GA 30224

Party in the Park With Public Safety

When: Thursday, April 23, 4:00–6:00 PM
What: The community is invited to enjoy a FREE hotdog plate, popcorn, games, face painting, dance music, and more.
Where: Raymond Head Park, 1012 Beck Street, Griffin, GA 30224

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.

75° 🌡️ 46° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 N 10 mph (9 knots)

77° 🌡️ 49° | ☀️ | 10% | 💨 E 6 mph (5 knots)

80° 🌡️ 55° | ⛅ | 10% | 💨 W 5 mph (4 knots)

82° 🌡️ 55° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 SW 5 mph (4 knots)

Thanks for reading the Griffin Grapevine. The goal here is simple: be the one email you can open twice a week and walk away knowing what's going on in Griffin and Spalding County, without hunting through Facebook groups and news sites to piece it together.

Best way to help the Grapevine grow? Forward this to a friend, a neighbor, or that one relative who somehow knows every piece of town gossip before anyone else. Use the referral link up above, and here's the fun part: get three people to sign up through your link, and you or someone you love gets a birthday shoutout right at the top of the newsletter on the big day.

Got something worth sharing? Maybe something happening on your street, at your church, in your business, or at your kid's school? Reply to this email and it lands straight in my inbox. A lot of what ends up here starts with a reader saying, "hey, you should know about this."

Enjoy your week, Griffin