🍇 Small Counterweight

Good morning, Spalding County!

I’ve been reading an interesting book lately about what it means to flourish. Not just get through the week, not just check the boxes, but actually live. One idea the book mentions is something called the Baader-Meinhof effect. It is the strange little trick our brains play where, once we notice something, we suddenly start seeing it everywhere. You learn a new word, then hear it three times in the next two days. You start thinking about buying a certain truck, and suddenly half the vehicles on the road seem to be that exact model. You notice one thing, and your mind begins scanning the world for more of it.

That can work for almost anything. Good, bad, or neutral. And I think that matters, because a lot of what gets pointed out to us each day is negative. Bad news, national drama, frustrating headlines, online arguments, things that are broken, things that are getting worse, things we should be mad about before breakfast. After a while, it can train us to look around with a certain kind of lens. Not because everything is terrible, but because terrible is what we have been taught to notice first.

So here is my small counterweight to that. Below, you’ll find some of the good things happening around Griffin: places to go, people showing up, events worth knowing about, and little reminders that life here is still full of positive things. Hopefully, as you head into the weekend, you’ll start seeing more of them too.

- Chad Robert

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The Georgia Department of Agriculture and USDA designated Spalding County as a primary natural disaster area on April 27, joining 19 other Georgia counties added to the list amid worsening drought conditions. Local farmers are now eligible for Farm Service Agency emergency loan assistance. The same week, Georgia EPD declared a statewide Drought Response Level 1, with more than 98% of the state in severe, extreme, or exceptional drought. Georgia's annual statewide burn ban begins May 1 and runs through September 30, layered on top of Spalding County's local burn ban issued April 23. Local water supplies remain in good shape. Heads Creek Reservoir is full, and the Dr. Brant D. Keller Reservoir sits about 1.5 feet below full pool.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Griffin native CJ Allen with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday, April 24. The 6'1", 230-pound linebacker capped a three-year career at Georgia with First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC honors in 2025, leading the Bulldogs with 88 tackles. Across his college career, Allen recorded 205 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. "It means a lot," Allen told Colts reporters after the pick. "I take it as a badge of honor. That's what I came to Georgia to do." Spalding County's next NFL Sunday just got a lot more interesting.

This past weekend, the Griffin Gun Club hosted the 4-H Northwest District Qualifier for modified trap shooting, drawing more than 110 middle and high school students from Henry, Walton, Morgan, Hall, Lamar, and Barrow counties. Students who qualified will move on to the state competition at the Georgia National Fair in Perry on May 9. Modified trap is a youth shotgun event where students shoot at 25 clay targets launched by an electric machine. Junior competitors in grades 6–8 must hit 16 targets to qualify for state, while senior competitors in grades 9–12 must hit 20. Tie scores are broken with a more difficult “true pair,” where two targets are thrown at the same time. The qualifier is part of Georgia 4-H’s Project S.A.F.E., which uses shooting sports to teach safety, teamwork, responsibility, and discipline. For more than 30 years, the Griffin Gun Club has served as a host site for the district event, giving generations of young shooters a place to compete and build those skills.

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.

Griffin Farmer's Market

When: Friday, May 1, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: Shop fresh local produce, honey, boiled peanuts, and other locally sourced goods at the Griffin Farmer's Market, hosted weekly by UGA Extension Spalding County. A friendly way to start the weekend and support local growers. Free to attend. Questions? Call the Spalding County Extension Office at 770-467-4225.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Megan Woods in Concert at Griffin First Assembly

When: Friday, May 1, 7:00 PM
What: Catch Christian artist Megan Woods live at Griffin First Assembly for an evening of worship and original music. A great mid-week reset and a welcome reason to get out of the rain. Check the church website or Facebook page for ticket and seating details.
Where: Griffin First Assembly, 1380 N. Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223

Griffin Ballet Theatre: "All You Need is Love" featuring The Return

When: Friday, May 1, 7:30 PM
What: Enjoy Griffin Ballet Theatre's 2026 "All You Need is Love Project," an evening of dance set to The Beatles, performed alongside live tribute band The Return. A signature spring show in downtown Griffin. Tickets available through Griffin Ballet Theatre.
Where: Griffin Auditorium, 100 South 6th Street, Griffin, GA 30223

NALO's Toolbox: Build Your Emotional Toolbox in Recovery

When: Saturday, May 2, 10:00 AM
What: Join NALO for a free, in-person workshop building practical emotional skills for the recovery journey. Open to anyone in recovery, family members, and supporters. Coffee and conversation included. RSVP through Eventbrite.
Where: 222 Meriwether Street, Griffin, GA 30224

CrossPointe Christian Academy Presents "Cinderella"

When: Saturday, May 2, 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM
What: Watch students from CrossPointe Christian Academy bring Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (Enchanted Edition) to the Griffin Opera House stage. A family-friendly afternoon of music, magic, and a little glass slipper drama. Tickets on sale on FreshTix.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 N. Hill Street #200, Griffin, GA 30223

Griffin-Spalding Historical Society Derby Party & Fundraiser

When: Saturday, May 2, 4:30 PM
What: Bring your hat and your appetite to the Mary Smalley Garden at the Bailey Tebault House for the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society's Kentucky Derby viewing party. Food, music, fashion, and "the most exciting two minutes in sports" - all in support of GSHS programs.
Where: Bailey Tebault House, 633 Meriwether Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Griffin Ballet Theatre: "All You Need is Love" (Night 2)

When: Saturday, May 2, 7:30 PM
What: Last night to catch Griffin Ballet Theatre's "All You Need is Love" tribute to The Beatles, with live music from The Return. Same dancers, same band, same downtown stage. A perfect rainy-day excuse for a night out.
Where: Griffin Auditorium, 100 South 6th Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Live Music at The Garden / Venue 314

When: Saturday, May 2, 8:30 PM
What: Pull up a chair at The Garden Beer Garden for an evening of country and southern rock from Southern Crescent Band. A relaxed downtown patio set with food and drink available on site. 21+.
Where: Venue 314, 314 E. Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Georgia National Travel and Tourism Week Summit Kickoff

When: Sunday, May 3, 4:00 PM
What: Kick off Georgia National Travel and Tourism Week at the Griffin Regional Welcome Center. The summit celebrates Georgia's destinations and the people who run them. Relevant for anyone working in hospitality, retail, or local marketing. Tickets via Eventbrite.
Where: Griffin Regional Welcome Center, 143 N. Hill Street, 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.

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Thanks for reading the Griffin Grapevine. I appreciate you taking a few minutes to keep up with what is happening around Spalding County.

If you know a friend, family member, or neighbor who would enjoy knowing what’s happening around town, forward this email to them and encourage them to subscribe. Every new reader helps the Grapevine become a stronger local resource for the community.

And if you see something happening around town that people should know about, just hit reply and let me know. A new business opening, a community event, or something that simply caught your attention, I would love to hear about it. Some of the best tips come from people who are out there noticing things in real time.

Have a great weekend!

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