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| ISSUE# 044 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026 | HENRY COUNTY GA |
Good morning, Henry County! Happy Earth Day! ☀️🌿
Today is a good day to slow down and notice what's been there all along.
Today's Tales from the Perch takes you to Arabia Mountain, where park ranger and mycologist Darling Ngoh is helping people see the forest in a completely different way. Hint: it starts at the roots.
We've also got a major Highway 81 expansion moving forward, a sharp drop in health coverage across Georgia, the governor's race heating up ahead of early voting, and a Henry County parks leader reflecting on a career worth celebrating.
A few local Earth Day events are listed below, too. Get outside today if you can.
Let’s get into it! 🦅
Highway 81 Expansion Moves Forward in Henry County
HENRY COUNTY — A major project to widen Highway 81 is moving ahead, aiming to ease traffic as the county continues to grow. The plan will expand the road to four lanes and could impact more than 100 nearby properties. For drivers, it’s a sign that relief is coming, though not without some disruption along the way. Read more at Henry Herald
Georgia’s Governor Debates Start This Weekend. What Henry County Voters Should Know
GEORGIA— Georgia’s governor’s race is heating up, with several candidates across both parties vying for the seat ahead of the May primary. The Atlanta Press Club will host debates April 26–28, just as early voting begins April 27. None of the major candidates are from Henry County, but the outcome will directly impact local issues like schools, growth, and infrastructure. For voters here, it’s a chance to hear where candidates stand before heading to the polls. Read more at Georgia Recorder
Health Coverage Drops Across Georgia
GEORGIA — Health insurance enrollment under the Affordable Care Act is dropping sharply in Georgia, with coverage falling from about 1.5 million people to roughly 950,000 this year. That steep decline is raising concerns, especially for rural hospitals that rely on insured patients to stay open and provide care. Read more at Georgia Public Broadcasting
A Career of Community: Parks Leader Reflects on Growth in Henry County
HENRY COUNTY — A longtime Henry County parks leader is reflecting on a career spent growing programs and expanding spaces for a rapidly changing community. From youth activities to senior programs, the department has evolved to meet the needs of residents across the county. For locals, it’s a reminder that parks play a bigger role than recreation; they help bring the community together. Read more at Henry Herald
Darling Ngoh is in his element, sharing the forest’s hidden harvest and the stories growing just beneath the surface.
“I need to tell people about this.”
That’s the moment Darling Ngoh remembers clearly.
It happened on a quiet hike, not long after he moved to Georgia. He had been studying data science, thinking in patterns and systems, when something in the forest finally clicked. He spotted a mushroom, traced it down to the roots, and saw what he calls “that root mycelium connection.” In that instant, the forest stopped being scenery and started being a network.
“Literally, the mycelium itself is the nervous system… this is how trees are communicating,” he says.
Ngoh, a park ranger at Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, now spends his time helping others see what’s been there all along. The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area spans 40,000 acres, with some parts stretching into Henry County, making it a backyard escape many locals don’t even realize they have access to.
But he’s not pointing people to the big sky or towering trees. He’s showing them the quiet world underneath. The one you only notice when you slow down.
“You’re looking at the roots, the stump, the ground. You’re walking a lot more cautiously.”
Darling Ngoh leading a workshop, breaking down the hidden world of fungi and helping others see the forest in a whole new way.
That shift, he says, changes people.
“By the end… they feel really inspired. They say it’s refreshing. They had no idea.”
He’s seen it happen again and again. Kids who start off restless become focused, carefully scanning bark and soil. A group of older hikers once came looking for medicinal answers and left, he says, as “holistic enthusiasts,” sending him follow up emails about natural healing.
Even the skeptics soften.
“Mushrooms just aren’t all bad. They are really cool. They really help us.”
For Ngoh, it’s never just about mushrooms. It’s about connection. To science. To nature. To something bigger that feels, as he puts it, “almost too beautifully designed.”
His own tours are currently paused while he finishes school, but the mountain is still open. Ranger-led hikes continue throughout the week, offering anyone a way in.
“The biggest thing,” he says, “is just get outside… and commune with nature.”
Because once you see it, really see it, you don’t walk through the forest the same way again.
Plan Your Visit
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
📍 Address: 3350 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038
📞 Phone: (404) 998-8384
🕒 Hours: Closes soon · 9 PM · Opens 7 AM Wed
🌐 Website: Visit the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area online for events and guided hikes
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arabiamountain_nha/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArabiaMountainNationalHeritageArea/
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Line Dancing 📍 Stockbridge Merle Manders Conference Center, 111 Davis Road, Stockbridge, 🕐 6:00 PM · Free. An evening of music, movement, and community fun.
Henry County Game Night 📍 Via 14 Restaurant · 14 E Main St, Hampton
🕐 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM · Free. A casual game night open to the community. Food, drinks, and a social vibe.
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
Meet Our City Manager — Georgia Cities Week 📍 Stockbridge City Hall (1st Floor) · 4640 North Henry Blvd, Stockbridge 🕐 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM · Free
An opportunity to meet City Manager Shawn Edmondson, ask questions, and connect with local leadership in an informal setting.
Cozy Cat Café — Cochran Public Library📍 Cochran Public Library · 174 Burke St, Stockbridge 🕐 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Free · Kids & Teens. A pop-up cat café experience where kids and teens can meet adoptable cats in a relaxed, café-style setting.
Business After Hours — Strong Rock Christian School 📍 Strong Rock Christian School · Locust Grove 🕐 5:30 PM | Henry County Chamber event Network with fellow business professionals at this after-hours gathering hosted at Strong Rock Christian School.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
🎡 Spring Georgia State Fair 📍 EchoPark Speedway · 1500 Tara Place, Hampton 🗓️ April 24 – May 3, 2026 Tickets at georgiastatefair.com The Georgia State Fair is back in Henry County for 10 days of family fun!
Community Ice Cream Social — Georgia Cities Week📍 Clark Community Park · 111 Davis Rd, Stockbridge 🕐 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM · Free. A laid-back community gathering with ice cream, conversation, and an easy way to connect with neighbors.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Test of a Man — Shaquille O'Neal & Henry County Sheriff's Office 📍 Grace Baptist Church · Stockbridge 🕐 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Free · Registration required An impactful conversation featuring Dr. Luedie O'Neal, focused on guiding, mentoring, and uplifting young men in the community. Bring your sons and family. Registration is free at TestOfAMan.com.
Yellow Pollen Street Festival 📍 Downtown Hampton · 11 E. Main Street N., Hampton, Saturday, April 25 · 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Free. Downtown Hampton comes alive with local artisans, homemade goods, food trucks, live music, and family fun. Stroll through historic downtown, explore the eclectic shops and eateries, and soak up the community spirit that makes Hampton special.
🌎 Earth Day Celebration 📍Locust Grove Henry County Water Authority. 🕐 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Free Celebrate Earth Day with the Henry County Water Authority at this family-friendly event focused on conservation and protecting local water resources. Expect hands-on activities, educational exhibits, and simple tips on how to make a difference right here in your community.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Creature Feature — Panola Mountain State Park 📍 Panola Mountain State Park · 2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge 🕐 2:00 PM · Free program | $5 parking. Join a park ranger for a free educational program spotlighting the native animals that call Panola Mountain home.
Full List of weekend events coming up, check out this Friday’s WEEKEND EYE
Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣
What do you call a sleeping dinosaur? A dino-snore!
That's your Earth Day briefing, Henry County
What happens close to home matters more than we sometimes stop to notice. Go outside today if you get the chance. Share The Eagle Eye Digest with a neighbor who should be keeping an eye on things, too.
See you tomorrow!
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 👁️🌿