Lure of the Lake

Deano Cantrell of Freedom Boat Club - Still Making Waves, From Oconee to Sinclair

It’s funny how fast time moves. Four years ago, almost to the day, I sat down to record the very first episode of Lure of the Lake. At the time, I didn’t know if anyone would listen, whether I’d figure out what I was doing… or whether I was just a guy with a microphone and a high confidence level! Fittingly, my very first guest was Deano Cantrell from Freedom Boat Club of Lake Oconee. Well, four years later, both the podcast and Freedom Boat Club have grown significantly! Since that first episode, we’ve watched Lake Country continue to grow, boating explode in popularity, and Freedom Boat Club become a huge part of the lake lifestyle for so many people here at Oconee. And now, Deano is preparing for another big chapter — expanding operations into Lake Sinclair. So today’s episode is part reunion, part celebration, and part look ahead at what’s next. We’ll talk about how boating has changed over the last few years, crazy things that happen around docks when you hand people the keys to a boat, why the boat club concept keeps growing, and what the boat club’s expansion into Sinclair means for local boaters! And along the way, we may also reflect on how things have changed and evolved around here. One thing’s for sure, Deano and I have become and remain close friends and we both look forward to the next 4 years! So whether you’re a longtime listener, a boating enthusiast, or just someone who loves hearing how local businesses evolve and grow, this is going to be a fun one! Guest: Deano Cantrell Website: https://info.freedomboatclub.com/dp/LakeOconee Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/

Udderly Local: The Tradition of the Putnam County Dairy Festival with Glenda Ridley

These will be published with your show on Spotify, Apple, etc. exactly as written, please bear that in mind as you format them with emojis, bullets, etc. Today on Lure of the Lake, we’re talking about one of those wonderful community traditions that proves some events are so much more than a date on the calendar. Every year, the Putnam County Dairy Festival brings people together in the heart of Eatonton for a day filled with family fun, local pride, food, vendors, entertainment, a parade, the Terrapin Trot, and plenty of reasons to remember why this community is so special. But the Dairy Festival is more than funnel cakes, festival shirts, and finding the best spot along the parade route, although, let’s be honest, those are all noble pursuits. This festival is rooted in Putnam County’s history and heritage. For generations, dairy farming helped shape this area, and the festival continues to celebrate that heritage while bringing families, businesses, volunteers, and visitors together for one of the most anticipated events of the year. And behind it all is the Pilot Club of Eatonton, a group of dedicated community servants who work year-round to help make this event happen. Festivals like this do not magically appear overnight. They are built by people who care, who serve, and who believe that traditions matter. Today, we’ll talk with Glenda Ridley, the godmother of the Dairy Festival, about the history, what visitors can expect this year, what goes into planning an event of this size, and why this long-standing celebration continues to mean so much to the community and beyond. Guest: Glenda Ridley For more information on the 2026 Dairy Festival: Website: https://putnamcodairyfestival.com/ Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/

Beyond The Ballot - Thoughtful Conversations With Candidates Focused On The Future, Not The Fighting

Today’s episode is a little different, and important... As we approach upcoming local elections, we wanted to create something that feels increasingly rare… a space for thoughtful, respectful conversation about the future of Putnam County. This is not a debate. There are no rebuttals. And you won’t hear candidates speaking about one another. Instead, each candidate, in contested races for County Commissioner in District 3 & 4, and County Commission Chair, have been invited to share their own vision, their priorities, their plans, and what they believe the future of this community can look like. Our goal is simple: to give you, the listener, a clear and positive way to hear directly from those who are asking for your vote… so you can make an informed decision based on ideas, leadership, and vision. We’ll hear briefly from each candidate individually, with the same format and a consistent set of questions. So whether you are on the lake, in the car, or at home, we’re glad you’re with us. Let’s meet the candidates now! For more information on our Putnam County Candidates: District 3 Candidates: Erin Olson: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CMLzQXrMW/?mibextid=wwXIfr George Hooker: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588004236702 Bill Vargo: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551224158412 District 4 Candidates: Jennifer Ray: https://www.votejenniferray.com/ Paul Gardner: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572042872519 County Commission Chair Candidates Steve Hersey: https://www.votestevehersey.com/ Charles Gray: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551461069468 Podcast Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/

Leadership in Action - The Class That Raised The Bar!

Today’s episode is about leadership, community, and what can happen when a group of people decides that a real need deserves a real response. Recently, the 2026 Leadership Putnam Class celebrated graduation at Rock Eagle, marking the end of a program designed to help emerging and established leaders better understand our community, build lasting relationships, and discover new ways to serve. But this class did far more than simply complete the program. They left a lasting mark. As part of their class project, they took on a major need for Putnam General Hospital: replacing a commercial HVAC unit. Now, that may not sound glamorous at first, but in a hospital, reliable climate control is not a luxury. It is essential for patients, staff, equipment, and care. What began as a need turned into an extraordinary community effort. This Leadership Putnam class raised more than $140,000 to make that replacement possible. That is not just impressive. That is transformational. Joining me today are three of the class members behind that successful project: Jackson Embry, Amanda Taylor, and TJ McElhenney. We’ll talk about their Leadership Putnam experience, what they learned, how this project came to be, how the class rallied the community, and why programs like Leadership Putnam matter so much to the future of Putnam County. This is a story about service, teamwork, and leadership in action; leadership as influence, not position. And in this case, that influence helped bring comfort, support, and critical infrastructure to one of our community’s most important institutions. Guests: Amanda Taylor, Jackson Embry, TJ McElhenney For more information on Leadership Putnam: Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce Phone: 706-485-7701 Chamber of Commerce Website: https://eatonton.com/ Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/

Chip Bell - Voices, Votes & You! A Smithsonian Exhibit Arrives in Putnam County!

What if I told you that one of the most important stories ever told… isn’t finished yet—and you’re part of it? Right now, in Putnam County, something remarkable is happening. A traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution has made its first stop in Georgia—not in Atlanta, not in Savannah—but right here in our own backyard. It’s called Voices and Votes: Democracy in America… and it’s far more than a walk through history. This exhibit brings to life nearly 250 years of the American experiment—how a nation built on the idea of “of, by, and for the people” has been shaped, challenged, tested, and reimagined by every generation. But what makes this truly special… is that it doesn’t just tell the national story. It tells our story. Alongside the national exhibit is a powerful look at the history of democracy right here in Putnam County—real people, real voices, and real moments that have helped shape this community in ways most of us have never fully seen or understood. And here’s the thing—this isn’t a passive experience. It’s interactive. It’s engaging. It might even challenge the way you think about your role in the ongoing story of this country. Because democracy isn’t something that just happened. It’s something that continues to happen—through action, through participation… and through people. Today, I’m joined by Chip Bell of the Georgia Writers Museum to talk about this incredible exhibit, why it matters right now, and why this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community. So whether you’re a history buff… a curious learner… or just someone who wants to better understand the story we’re all living in— You’re going to want to hear this. And more importantly… you’re going to want to experience it. Guests: Chip Bell, Georgia Writers Museum Board of Directors For more information: Georgia Writers Museum Voices & Votes Website: https://www.georgiawritersmuseum.org/voices-and-votes/ GWM Website: https://www.georgiawritersmuseum.org/ Phone: 706-991-5119 Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/