🍇 Selective Attention

Good morning, Spalding County!

Ever gone to an event with a group, then wondered afterward if y’all attended the same thing?

That happened to me recently. Everyone kept mentioning details I’d missed, while the things that caught my attention barely registered with anyone else. I was sitting there thinking, Did y’all actually go with me?

It’s partly selective attention: our brains focus on certain details while letting others slip past. Apparently, mine requires a group debriefing.

It reminded me why I enjoy putting together the Grapevine. We each notice different pieces of life around Spalding County: a new business, an upcoming event, a neighbor doing something worth sharing.

Your replies and story tips help me see more of this community. Keep them coming. You probably noticed something I missed.

- Chad

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Student ambassadors from all four Griffin-Spalding middle schools shared their views on the new school year with Superintendent Dr. Donald Warren on Sept. 17, bringing classroom perspectives directly to district leadership. The gathering was part of Slices with the Superintendent, a student feedback program served with pizza supplied by Griffin’s Slices Pizzeria. The conversation gave Warren an opportunity to hear how the opening weeks of school have felt to students across the district. The program has a history of connecting students with the superintendent. In August 2024, advisory councils from Griffin High and Spalding High participated in a similar session, asking questions and discussing their school experiences. This week, middle school ambassadors had their turn at the table.

Lonny Harper, Griffin-Spalding’s director of instructional technology, has added a new accomplishment to his résumé: published author. His first book, Peter and the Lost Thing, appears under the name J. L. Harper. Written for middle-grade readers, the adventure combines humor with Christian themes, exploring friendship, forgiveness and grace through a story about being found by Jesus. The school district celebrated Harper’s debut on Sept. 15, alongside its recognition of IT professionals. The book is available through Amazon. Harper’s district responsibilities span Chromebook management, Google services, classroom technology and support for media specialists. His work helps connect students and educators with learning resources. With his first book, he is contributing a story of his own for young readers to discover.

Griffin’s City Park became a meeting place for barbecue fans and history buffs Sept. 12 as the 12th annual Doc Holliday Festival went ahead through intermittent showers. Spurred West reenactors created an encampment highlighting the Southern roots of people who helped shape the American West. Visitors also browsed arts and crafts, enjoyed pony rides and sampled barbecue, with People’s Choice participants tasting entries and voting for a favorite. The hometown connection reaches back to John Henry Holliday’s early life. Born in Griffin, he practiced dentistry on Solomon Street before becoming known across the West. The festival also carries a local purpose beyond entertainment. A portion of its profits is designated for the Spalding Collaborative for Families and Children.

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 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.

Griffin Farmer’s Market
When: Friday, September 18, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: UGA Extension Spalding County hosts its weekly farmers market at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds. Shoppers can browse produce, honey, boiled peanuts, and other offerings while supporting local vendors. A morning stop for picking up ingredients and treats for the weekend.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Green Gate Farm Corn Maze Opening Weekend
When: Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sunday, September 20, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
What: Green Gate Farm opens its corn maze for the season on Friday, inviting families and friends to explore the field together for a fall outing. Admission is $12 for ages 16 and older, $8 for children ages 4–15, and free for children 3 and younger. Prices include tax; card payments carry a 3% processing fee. Strollers are welcome, and children ages 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Where: Green Gate Farm, 51 Camp Road, Griffin, GA 30224

Kiwanis Spalding County Fair
When: Friday, September 18, through Sunday, September 20. Scheduled attractions begin at 5:00 PM Friday, noon Saturday, and 2:00 PM Sunday.
What: The county fair continues through Sunday with carnival rides, food, an acrobatic dog show, a petting zoo, a living statue, and the Kiwanis Kidz Zone. Saturday’s tractor and truck pull runs from noon to 9:00 PM. Attraction hours vary; the organizer’s posted schedule does not specify overall gate closing times.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Moonlight and Magnolias
When: Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, at 7:30 PM; Sunday, September 20, at 3:00 PM
What: Main Street Players presents a comedy about the frantic effort to finish the screenplay for Gone With the Wind. Producer David O. Selznick locks himself in an office with screenwriter Ben Hecht and director Victor Fleming, determined to complete the script in five days. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors ages 55 and older, and $15 for students.
Where: Main Street Players Black Box Theatre, 115 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Landslide: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
When: Friday, September 18, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Landslide brings the music of Fleetwood Mac to the Griffin Opera House for an evening of familiar rock favorites. The tribute show features selections from the band’s catalog alongside songs from its members’ solo careers. Ticket information is available through the event listing.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Walk with a Doc
When: Saturday, September 19, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
What: Cancer Warriors and Spalding County Leisure Services host a community walk with Dr. Turner Grogan and other local medical professionals. The event begins with a short health and wellness presentation, followed by a walk around the park’s pond. Participants can ask questions during the walk, and water will be provided. Free, with all ages and walking speeds welcome.
Where: Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park, Pavilion 2, 1301 Cowan Road, Griffin, GA 30223

Oil Painting Workshop: Fall Lake Sunset
When: Saturday, September 19, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
What: Stache Studio offers a beginner-friendly workshop in the wet-on-wet oil painting technique associated with Bob Ross. Instructor Jessica will guide participants through painting a fall lake sunset. The $72 registration includes three hours of instruction, a 16-by-20-inch canvas, and use of paints, brushes, and an apron. Listed for ages 13 and older.
Where: Stache Studio, 116 South Sixth Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Southern Harm Roller Derby vs. Hard Knox Brawlers
When: Saturday, September 19, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM; doors open at 6:30 PM
What: Southern Harm takes on the Hard Knox Brawlers in a full-contact, flat-track roller derby bout. General admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Limited VIP seating is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Admission also includes skating after the bout, with the rink remaining open until 11:00 PM.
Where: Griffin Skate Inn, 2489 North Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223

Moonlight and Magnolias
When: Wednesday, September 16 – Sunday, September 27. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM.
What: Main Street Players opens its 2026-27 season with Moonlight and Magnolias, a fast-paced comedy set behind the scenes of one of Hollywood’s most famous films. Producer David O. Selznick has halted production of Gone With the Wind because he needs a new screenplay, so he pulls screenwriter Ben Hecht and director Victor Fleming away from their own work and locks them in his office. For five frantic days, the trio survives on bananas and peanuts while racing to rewrite the script. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors 55 and older, and $15 for students. The production runs for two weekends at Main Street Players’ intimate downtown Black Box Theatre.
Where: Main Street Players Black Box Theatre, 115 N. Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

95° 🌡️ 71° | ☀️ | 20% | 💨 2 mph N

93° 🌡️ 69° | ⛈ | 30% | 💨 3 mph NE

90° 🌡️ 69° | ⛈ | 40% | 💨 2–3 mph NE

That’s it for today, Spalding County!

I hope something in this week’s Grapevine caught your attention, like a local story, or an event for your calendar.

And if we end up at the same event, compare notes with me afterward. Based on recent experience, I’ll probably need them.

Thanks for reading and sharing what you notice around town. If someone comes to mind while you’re reading, forward this their way. It’s always good to have another neighbor in the conversation.

Have a great weekend!