When most people think about going to church on Sunday morning, they picture pews, stained glass windows, and a traditional sanctuary.

But what if church looked a little different?

What if your Sunday morning began with a beautiful sunrise over Lake Oconee, the gentle sound of water lapping against the shore, and a worship service where some people arrive by car… and others arrive by boat?

That’s exactly what’s happening at Camp Collinswood on Lake Oconee, where a unique ministry known as Boat Church is creating a new way for people to connect with their faith, their community, and God’s creation.

My guest today is Pastor Zack Martin of Madison First United Methodist Church. We’ll talk about his journey into ministry, what brought him to our area, and how a pastor from Madison found himself helping launch one of the most uniquely Lake Oconee worship experiences you’ll find anywhere.

We’ll also explore the story behind Boat Church, why it’s resonating with people from across the lake area, and how this casual, welcoming service is reaching people who may never have felt comfortable walking through the doors of a traditional church.

Whether you’re a person of faith, someone searching for community, or just curious about what happens when church meets lake life, I think you’re going to enjoy this conversation.

Guest: Rev. Zack Martin - Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Madison

Website: https://madisonfumc.com/first-boat-church-service/

Email: office@madisonfumc.com

Phone: 706-342-3325

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/

Today’s episode is one that I believe will resonate with a great many people in our community, because whether we realize it or not, almost all of us are walking through some season of aging care… either for ourselves, our parents, a spouse, or someone we deeply love.

My guest is Abbie Vogt from A-Bridge Aging Life Care Management, a practice dedicated to helping older adults and their families navigate the often complicated, emotional, and overwhelming world of aging care.

And let’s be honest, most families are not fully prepared for it.

Questions about healthcare, independence, memory concerns, safety, living arrangements, and long-term planning can quickly become stressful and emotional. Add in adult children living in different cities, busy schedules, and a healthcare system that can feel incredibly complex… and it’s easy for families to feel lost.

That’s where Abbie and her team come in.

In this conversation, we’ll talk about what Aging Life Care Management actually is, the warning signs families shouldn’t ignore, how to preserve dignity and independence as we age, and why having an advocate and guide during these seasons can make all the difference.

This episode isn’t about fear. It’s about preparation, compassion, and helping people age with dignity, support, and peace of mind.

So whether you’re caring for aging parents, thinking about your own future, or simply trying to better understand the journey ahead, I think you’ll find this conversation incredibly valuable.

Guest:

Abbie Vogt

Website: https://abridgecare.com/

Phone: 706-810-3203

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/

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/

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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/

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/

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/

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/

You know, one of the things I’ve learned from doing this podcast… is that the health of a community isn’t just about hospitals or doctor’s offices.

It’s about information. It’s about access. And most importantly… it’s about the conversations we’re willing to have.

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time at the Lake Oconee Health Fair, surrounded by some incredibly knowledgeable professionals, researchers, and providers who are right here in our region, doing work that is not only impressive… but in many cases, life-changing.

And as I listened to these keynote speakers, I found myself thinking something pretty simple: More people need to hear this.

Not just the folks who were in the room that day… but all of us.

So today, you’re going to hear a couple of those conversations, a glimpse of what’s happening in the world of health and wellness right here around Lake Oconee.

But more importantly… this is the beginning of something new.

We’re launching a new podcast called Health at the Lake ,where we’ll be sitting down with doctors, specialists, and experts to talk about the issues that matter most… especially as we age, but really for anyone who wants to live better, longer, and with a higher quality of life.

No fluff. No confusion. Just real conversations with people who know what they’re talking about.

So think of today as your preview…

A front-row seat to the kind of insight that could make a real difference in your life, or in the life of someone you care about.

Guests:

Linda Kimbell; MPH, LCSW-G

For more information:

Lake Country Medical Group

Website: https://lakecountrymedicalgroup.com/

Phone: 706-484-4004

Dr. Clayton Wing, MD

For more information:

Athens Orthopedic Clinic

Website: https://athensorthopedicclinic.com/provider/clayton-w-wing-md/

Phone: 706-549-1663

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/