Lure of the Lake

Today, we continue talking with a guest who brings a wealth of knowledge and a fascinating career journey to our conversation: Mark Engel. Mark is originally from Minnesota, though he grew up in Park Forest, a suburb of Chicago, famously developed for World War II military families.... His extensive background in journalism began early, working at radio stations during high school and college. He...

Today, we're honored to have a guest who brings a wealth of knowledge and a fascinating career journey to our conversation: Mark Engel. Mark is originally from Minnesota, though he grew up in Park Forest, a suburb of Chicago, famously developed for World War II military families.... His extensive background in journalism began early, working at radio stations during high school and college. He the...

Today we continue our conversation on community and public service with Paul Van Haute. Paul grew up just outside the Philadelphia area, where he attended Villanova University, part of a long family tradition. He later had a career in the military which he describes as "awesome"! He served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne, 21st Chemical Company.... He was stationed on a remote, one-square-m...

Today, I’m thrilled to have a guest who has a deep understanding of community and public service: Paul Van Haute. Paul grew up just outside the Philadelphia area, where he attended Villanova University, part of a long family tradition. He later had a career in the military which he describes as "awesome"! He served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne, 21st Chemical Company.... He was stationed...

Today’s guest knows a thing or two about helping people relax, recharge, and live well—right in their own backyard. Rich Feggler is part of the team at Georgia Spa Company, one of the region’s leading providers of premium hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, and wellness products. What makes Georgia Spa Company especially unique? It’s employee-owned—meaning everyone, including Rich, has a stake in the com...

Today’s guest is someone who plays a key role in shaping the future of Greene County, Georgia. David DuBois serves as the Director of Economic Development, where he’s focused on attracting new businesses, supporting local employers, and creating long-term opportunities for growth throughout the county. With a strategic vision and a passion for community impact, David works every day to ensure Gree...

What do Dolly Parton, Putnam County and reading have in common? You’ll find out on today’s show, as Cathy Mize & I talk about Putnam Reads. Putnam Reads has a mission to ensure the availability of quality books in the home so that parents can read to their children. The group was previously part of Ferst Readers, but is now partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has helped to...

Sometimes you meet people who are very interesting, then sometimes you meet people who have lived a fascinating life, almost like a movie! That is a great description of my two guests today! Till & Renee von Ruexleben now live at the lake, but their path to get here started in Germany, and led them on a life adventure that included Breckinridge, Tampa and an eight-week RV trip of over 20,000 m...

Sometimes you meet people who are very interesting, then sometimes you meet people who have lived a fascinating life, almost like a movie! That is a great description of my two guests today! Till & Renee von Ruexleben now live at the lake, but their path to get here started in Germany, and led them on a life adventure that included Breckinridge, Tampa and an eight-week RV trip of over 20,000 m...

If you’ve driven Highway 44 in Putnam County in recent weeks, you’ve no doubt noticed the very large clearing of land near the Ace Hardware. And even if you haven’t seen it, you’ve probably heard about the new Publix and accompanying project.  In the spirit of keeping the community informed and up to date on the numerous new and exciting developments in the area, Adam Shaifer is here with me today...

Continuing the conversation: Today’s guest is a man whose story reads like a modern-day Acts of the Apostles—complete with overseas mission work, a deep calling to serve, and a heart on fire for building community through faith. Brandon Groome's journey began not in a pulpit, but on the mission field—where he and his wife Rena dedicated their early years to bringing hope and the message of Jesus t...

Today’s guest is a man whose story reads like a modern-day Acts of the Apostles—complete with overseas mission work, a deep calling to serve, and a heart on fire for building community through faith. Brandon Groome's journey began not in a pulpit, but on the mission field—where he and his wife Rena dedicated their early years to bringing hope and the message of Jesus to underserved corners of the...

What do God, Community Impact and Pickle Ball have in common? You’ll find out today as I talk to Mike Palombo, Assistant Pastor at Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church. We will discuss how the Church’s mission of loving God, loving one another and loving the community is in the forefront of everything they do, including building and offering pickle ball courts to the public! You’ll love how the words c...

When it comes to interesting topics and guests on Lure of the Lake, today is no exception! Rich Grandy is here with me and we’re going to discuss a rapidly growing topic, the future of EV charging, where it is and where it’s going. Rich is a partner in a company called EcoKruz, a company that provides & installs charging stations, not just for your home, but for commercial locations, vacation...

Welcome to part 2 of this special episode of Lure of the Lake! If you have been here for any length of time, you have probably heard of ATLAS Ministry, but do you really know the important work they do for our kids? Do you know what ATLAS stands for? After today, you will know all of that and so much more! I am talking with Ryan Gibadlo, the Executive Director for ATLAS Ministry for the last sever...

Welcome to today’s exciting episode of Lure of the Lake! If you have been here for any length of time, you have probably heard of ATLAS Ministry, but do you really know the important work they do for our kids? Do you know what ATLAS stands for? After today, you will know all of that and so much more! I am talking with Ryan Gibadlo, the Executive Director for ATLAS Ministry for the last several yea...

Welcome back to Lure of the Lake! If you have ever been curious about how the business of medical marijuana works, or specifically how it originated, in Georgia, you are truly going to enjoy the show today! I am talking with Gary Long, a visionary partner at Botanical Sciences, Georgia’s pioneer in medical marijuana. Gary’s groundbreaking work is paving the way for cannabis to become a key player...

Welcome back to Lure of the Lake! If you have ever been curious about how the business of medical marijuana works, or specifically how it originated, in Georgia, you are truly going to enjoy the show today! I am talking with Gary Long, a visionary partner at Botanical Sciences, Georgia’s pioneer in medical marijuana. Gary’s groundbreaking work is paving the way for cannabis to become a key player...

Not a day goes by that multiple articles & offers appear in my inbox promising products & services that make us feel better, look younger or live longer! It’s difficult to know which ones are worth considering, which ones are a waste of money and which ones are outright dangerous. To help us with all of that and more is my guest, Dr. John Vu. Dr. Vu graduated from Mercer University School...

I’m truly excited for you to meet my guest today! His story blends leadership, passion and a love of history and music. His accent will quickly give away that he is from the UK, and he’ll share the story of how he came to the United States and ultimately to Eatonton, Georgia! Richard Garrett is a dedicated professional, entrepreneur and community leader with a long and successful career. His journ...

I’m truly excited for you to meet my guest today! His story blends leadership, passion and a love of history and music. His accent will quickly give away that he is from the UK, and he’ll share the story of how he came to the United States and ultimately to Eatonton, Georgia! Richard Garrett is a dedicated professional, entrepreneur and community leader with a long and successful career. His journ...

At this time of year, many of us are thinking about our health and wellness. Sadly, too many of us struggle to establish and maintain healthy habits that could literally change of lives! My guest today is one of the best at helping you do just that! Dr. Gater is no stranger to the lake community! She has been around the area for 20 years, has worked in the ER, provided care for the underserved pop...

At this time of year, many of us are thinking about our health and wellness. Sadly, too many of us struggle to establish and maintain healthy habits that could literally change of lives! My guest today is one of the best at helping you do just that! Dr. Gater is no stranger to the lake community! She has been around the area for 20 years, has worked in the ER, provided care for the underserved pop...

My guest today is an interesting individual who chose a unique occupation! Terrell Abernathy is the Putnam County Tax Commissioner; better know as the Tax Man! There is no escape from paying taxes… death and taxes, as they say…but what goes on during the entire process? We will talk about how it works, how the tax bill is created, collected and what happens when someone doesn’t pay their tax. Befo...

My guest today is an interesting individual who chose a unique occupation! Terrell Abernathy is the Putnam County Tax Commissioner; better know as the Tax Man! There is no escape from paying taxes… death and taxes, as they say…but what goes on during the entire process? We will talk about how it works, how the tax bill is created, collected and what happens when someone doesn’t pay their tax. Befo...