Middle Georgia Times

05/30/2026

Georgia’s cattle industry contributes over $2 billion to the state’s economy. And while more than one million cattle called Georgia home in 2024, cows, bulls, and oxen aren’t the only animals found on Middle Georgia’s farms. Some farmers here raise ostriches — the largest and heaviest living birds on Earth, capable of running over 40 miles per hour.

These remarkable flightless birds have been farmed worldwide for thousands of years for their eggs, feathers, skin (used for leather), and meat. Ostriches are omnivores that feed primarily on plants — leafy greens, roots, grasses, fruits, and succulents — but will also eat lizards, frogs, mice, and insects. Because they have no teeth, ostriches swallow sand and pebbles to help grind food in their stomachs.

So the next time you think of Georgia farming, don’t just picture rolling pastures full of cattle — picture something a little more unexpected. Right here in Middle Georgia, these ancient, extraordinary birds are thriving, adding yet another fascinating chapter to our state’s rich agricultural story.

[Sources: Wikipedia.com "Ostrich"; cattledaily.com "Cattle Farming in Georgia: Complete Guide to Peach State Livestock Success"]

05/29/2026

WEEKEND EVENTS: There are lots of fun things to do this weekend, including attending the opening of Middle Georgia's newest water park, listening to live music, and shopping.

Read all the details on the Middle Georgia Times website (link in comments)!

Pictured is one of the beautiful statues erected over a grave site in Macon's historic Rose Hill Cemetery (Photographer Nate Weeks)

05/28/2026

ANCIENT MYSTERIES: Archaeologists aren’t exactly sure why Native Americans built Rock Eagle 1,000 to 3,000 years ago in what is now Putnam County, but this large rock structure, as well as nearby Rock Hawk, is thought to have been created for religious reasons.

The earthwork is made up of thousands of pieces of quartzite, a metamorphic rock originally made of pure quartz sandstone, arranged in the shape of a large bird.

Rock Eagle is 102 feet across from head to tail and 120 feet wide across the wings. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its historical significance. Rock Eagle is the second oldest Indian mound in Georgia.

Scholars began studying the structure in 1877, and University of Georgia archaeologist A.R. Kelly excavated most of Rock Eagle in the 1930s. The excavations found a single set of human and animal bones along with a projectile point, and it is unknown whether these are related to the effigy.

The distinctive stone tower where visitors can view Rock Eagle was built by CCC workers in the 1930s. Visiting Rock Eagle is free of charge, and the surrounding park is over 1,000 acres.

A bronze marker erected in 1940 by the Georgia Society Colonial Dames of the XVII Century says in part, “Tread softly here white man for long ere you cam strange races lived, fought and loved.”

Rock Eagle, like Rock Hawk, the Ocmulgee Mounds, and other ancient sites located around Georgia, remind us of the many mysteries from the past and present, and they should continue to be protected and preserved for future inhabitants of Middle Georgia to learn from and enjoy.

Sources: Wikipedia.com “Rock Eagle”; New Georgia Encyclopedia “Rock Mounds and Structures”.

05/27/2026

MACON TRAILS: NewTown Macon and Macon+Bibb County have announced a Phase I approval for a Recreational Trails Program grant that will extend the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail through Riverside Cemetery.

The project plants to link the Riverside Cemetery Trail to a future pedestrian bridge connecting to the decommissioned GDOT bridge over the Ocmulgee River, a boardwalk over wetlands, and protections for old-growth trees, according to NewTown Macon.

NewTown Macon and Macon+Bibb County are excited to announce Phase I approval for a Recreational Trails Program grant to extend the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail through Riverside Cemetery! 🎉

This connection has been part of the Trail Master Plan - Vision Plan for years. The project will link the Riverside Cemetery Trail to a future pedestrian bridge connecting to the decommissioned GDOT bridge over the Ocmulgee River, with ADA accessibility, a boardwalk over wetlands, and protections for old-growth trees. 🥾

Want to share your thoughts on this project? Comment below or email [email protected]. 💬

The Macon Area Transportation Study (MATS) survey in the comments also includes a section for trail input, making it another great way to share your feedback on public transportation planning and investments! 🚴‍♀️

05/27/2026

The pileated woodpecker is just one of the unique animals that you might see in Middle Georgia, and it is the largest woodpecker normally seen in North America.

The distinctive bird is almost completely black on its back and wings, with a white chin and dark bill. The female of the species has a less extensive red cap on its head than the male does.

Pileated woodpeckers like dense, mature forests, woodlots, and parklands, but have adapted to survive in suburban areas with trees and parks. These woodpeckers feast on carpenter ants in fallen trees and stumps, among other insects that live in trees.

The drumming these birds do by pecking trees is used to proclaim their territory, and they often choose hollow trees to make the sound resound even more.

The 1940’s cartoon character Woody Woodpecker was thought to be based on a pileated woodpecker, though Woody’s call was based on the acorn woodpecker.

Sources: Dunn, Jon L., et al. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America. National Geographic, 2008.; Wikipedia.com “Pileated woodpecker”

05/26/2026

Many shopping experiences are full of identical shelves or racks filled with items for sale, but not at Bass Pro Shops’ Sportsman’s Warehouse in Macon.

From the ceiling to the walls, there are interesting things to look at, including a small plane suspended from the ceiling, a large fish tank full of fish, and even what appear to be buildings.

Bass Pro Shops is a sports goods retailer that sells hunting, fishing, camping, and outdoor recreation equipment, clothing, and more.

Bass Pro Shops’ company headquarters, its first store, and the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium are located in Springfield, Missouri.

Multiple Yelp reviews for this business include mentions of employees trying to get shoppers to sign up for Bass Pro Shops’ rewards card or purchase a vacation/timeshare, while other reviews mention some shoppers’ difficulty in finding employees to help.

Other shoppers left reviews mentioning the store’s wide selection of items, the friendliness of employees, and the clearance section located at the back of the store.

As with all things in life, opinions vary about the experience of shopping at Bass Pro Shops’ Sportsman’s Warehouse in Macon, but one thing is for sure: there are many unique sights to be seen at this retailer.

05/26/2026

MUSIC: Live music fans can enjoy a variety of talented acts at venues large and small all across Middle Georgia this week.

Read more in the latest Jim Webb's Middle Georgia Live Music Report on the Middle Georgia Times website:

https://middlegatimes.com/g/macon-ga/n/377320/jim-webbs-middle-georgia-live-music-report-bob-and-blenders-acoustic-campfire

Pictured: Bob Lennon and his band performing at JBA in Downtown Macon

05/25/2026

This week Middle Georgians will honor the fallen on Memorial Day, play bingo for prizes and bragging rights, and much more.

Read all the details in the Middle Georgia Times website: https://middlegatimes.com/g/macon-ga/n/377248/weekday-adventures-heart-georgia-honoring-fallen-plant-bingo-trivia-and-more

Pictured below, Rock Eagle, an ancient stone effigy shaped like a bird in Eatonton, was built by Native Americans approximately 2 to 3 thousand years ago!

Archaeologists are uncertain why the ancient inhabitants of Middle Georgia built this structure, but thankfully, it has been protected and preserved, and it reminds us of the many mysteries and wonders to be found in our region.

05/24/2026

Memorial Day, which falls on Monday, May 25th this year, is a day to honor and mourn U.S. military members who died while serving.

The first Memorial Day occurred in 1868 and honored Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War. Middle Georgia has more than its fair share of often young men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. Sergeant Rodney Maxwell Davis was one such hero who served with great distinction.

Davis fought during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty in 1967.

Davis was born in Macon in 1942 to Gordon and Ruth Davis and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1961.

During Operation Swift, Davis and his unit, Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, were attacked by a large contingent of North Vietnamese fighters. Some of the platoon was pinned down in a trench, and Davis encouraged the men one by one while also returning fire. At some point during the battle, an enemy soldier threw a hand gr***de into the trench. Davis heroically and without hesitation jumped on top of the gr***de to protect his fellow soldiers and was tragically killed in the process.

Davis was survived by his wife, Judy, and their two daughters, Nichola Davis and Samantha J. Davis-Steen, as well as his grandson, Tyler Steen (who went on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles).

After Davis’ body was returned to the U.S. for burial, he was buried in historic Linwood Cemetery, an all-black cemetery, due to the City of Macon not allowing African-Americans to be buried in the city limits at the time.

Around 2010, a group of Marines visited his gravesite and found a rotting wooden monument at Davis’ grave. This began a process where civilians and Marines raised over $60,000 to build the monument seen in this video.

During this Memorial Day, may we all remember the horrors of war, both on the young people often on the front lines and the civilians caught in the crossfire.

Coming from a long line of soldiers who fought in battles from WWII to Afghanistan, I have seen the mark that such traumatic experiences can leave on even the strongest people.

My greatest hope is for a future where we can use intelligence, wit, diplomacy, and our shared humanity to avoid catastrophic wars. It would be the most fitting tribute for all those who have sacrificed themselves throughout the history of our nation.

Source: Wikipedia.com "Rodney Maxwell Davis"