WEDNESDAY EDITION - March 4, 2026
Eagle’s Landing • Stockbridge • McDonough • and Beyond
🦅 Good Morning. The Eagle has landed. Grab your coffee and get caught up on what’s happening in our neck of the woods!
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Morning Eye Opener News
Tales From The Perch: Green Front Cafe
Eye Know Trivia
Eye On What’s Ahead
Dad Joke of The Day
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👁️ Morning Eye Opener 👁️
CURATED NEWS & UPDATES
Georgia Tax Relief Plan Could Mean Savings for Henry County Families
HENRY COUNTY - Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed a new state budget that includes about $2 billion in income and property tax relief, along with investments in transportation, education, and mental health programs. The plan also includes funding for projects like expanded I-75 express lanes in Henry County and a new needs based scholarship program for Georgia students. Read More From WALB News
Filling Up in Henry County May Soon Cost More
HENRY COUNTY - Gas prices across metro Atlanta are rising as tensions in the Middle East push global oil prices higher, and analysts say drivers could see even steeper increases in the coming days. For residents of Henry County who rely heavily on commuting along I-75 and nearby corridors, the spike could mean paying noticeably more at the pump this week. Read more in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tales From The Perch
A Legacy Served Daily: The Restoration of Green Front Cafe
Diane and Tony with a portrait of Carrie Mae, honoring her lasting legacy in Stockbridge.
STOCKBRIDGE - Diane Miller did not buy Green Front Cafe to make a fortune. She bought it to protect its legacy.
When she talks about preserving the building and what the neighborhood could become, there’s a twinkle in her eye. It’s not nostalgia. It’s vision. She saw possibility in a place others didn’t.
When Diane first walked into the small wooden house that once fed Stockbridge’s Black community, it was in rough shape. Floors buckled. Termites had settled in. The roof was one storm away from collapse.
“It was a piece of Black history that I felt if someone did not intervene, it would be lost,” she said.
The cafe began serving as a restaurant in 1947 under Carrie Mae Hambrick, who cooked and fed the neighborhood for 60 years. Diane and her husband Tony Strachan made their decision at the closing table. They would reopen it not to chase profit, but to honor Carrie Mae’s memory.
Today, plates of candied yams, greens, and fried fish move steadily out of the kitchen. Tony, who led the renovation and now serves as chef, uncovered beautiful wood beneath years of neglect and painted the small wood-frame house green again, just as it had been in the 1940s.
One afternoon, when a couple expressed disappointment that dessert had run out, Tony disappeared into the kitchen. By the time they finished their meal, a fresh dessert was ready. That’s the kind of place this is.
Carrie Mae Hambrick’s descendants have even visited. They’ve eaten the Southern comfort dishes and Jamaican flavors that are now on the menu, grateful the building still stands.
Diane hopes the city recognizes the importance of preserving this historic corridor, which she calls the Stockbridge Heritage District.
Some people open restaurants. Diane reopened a piece of history.
Eye Know Trivia
True or False: Henry County once had more Christmas tree farms than any other county in Georgia, making it one of the state’s most important areas for locally grown holiday trees.
👇 Answer at the end of today’s issue
📅 Eye On What’s Ahead 📅
CURATED EVENTS LIST
📅 Thursday, March 5, 2026
Motorcycles, live music, food, and raffles come together for a lively community Bike Night at Sweet Auburn BBQ, with a portion of proceeds supporting local first responders. 5:00pm-9:00pm.
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026
Residents are invited to meet deputies, ask questions, and connect with local law enforcement during a relaxed Coffee and Conversation gathering hosted by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. 20 Henry Parkway. 9:00am - 11:00am
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026
Start your Saturday with fresh air, movement, and community connection at the McDonough Walking Club’s Weekend Wellness Walk. Hosted at Sandra Vincent Children’s Memorial Park. Lace up your sneakers and join the walk at 8:30am, 355 Jonesboro Rd
The Little Standard Co. Grand Opening | McDonough
Celebrate the opening of The Little Standard Co., a new children’s clothing boutique. Enjoy giveaways, refreshments, prizes, and family-friendly activities. A great chance to welcome a local business and enjoy a lively community morning. 10amMaker’s Market Spring | Stockbridge
Shop local makers, enjoy food trucks, and discover unique handmade finds at this community-driven spring market bringing creatives together in Stockbridge. 10:00am-3:00pmHCAC Jr Tank Pitch Competition | Stockbridge
Cheer on Henry County youth as they pitch original business ideas during this free community event focused on entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Merle Manders Conference Center. 11:30amHenry County Schools Certified Educator Job Fair | Hampton
Looking for a career in education. Meet hiring teams, explore opportunities, and learn how you can make a difference for local students. Dutchtown High School Commons, 149 Mitchell Rd 9:00pm-11:30pm
📅 Thursday, March 12, 2026
Ladies and Men’s Night Out St Patrick’s Edition | McDonough Square
Downtown merchants bring festive energy to the Square with specials, games, trivia, and photo ops inspired by St Patrick’s Day. Expect a fun night of shopping, strolling, and community vibes. McDonough 5:00pm-9:00pm
📅 Sunday, March 8, 2026
Creature Feature Wildlife Program | Stockbridge A park ranger-led program at Panola Mountain State Park introduces families to native animals through an engaging educational session that may include live wildlife & fun learning about local ecosystems. 2:00pm-3:00pm
📅 Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Bring your pup along for a fun community event featuring dog-friendly treats, activities, and a chance to meet other local pet lovers. 1:00pm-3:00pm
📅 Friday, March 13, 2026
Fall Line Beer Tasting and Small Bites | McDonough
Enjoy a relaxed evening tasting curated beers paired with small bites in an intimate downtown setting. Ideal for date night or a laid-back night out with friends. $35 McDonough 6:30pm
📅 Saturday, March 14, 2026
Luella High Hosts First Annual Community Food Fest | Locust Grove
Food trucks, pop-up vendors, live music, and family fun come together on the Luella High School campus for a community celebration that supports the school. 1:00 pm-10:00 pmAtlanta Spring Craft and Vendor Market | Locust Grove
Browse handmade goods, local vendors, and seasonal finds during this outdoor spring market at Tanger Outlets, featuring a wide variety of creative small businesses. 10:00am-4:00pmLeather & Lace Field Party at The Smith Family Ranch | Stockbridge
Get ready for a high-energy night dance party under the stars. Expect DJs, dancing, celebrating, and a bold leather and lace theme that promises a lively crowd. The Smith Family Ranch, 1950 E Atlanta Rd Starts at 5:00pm
WORTH THE TRIP
Atlanta Science Festival | Atlanta
All month long in March, the Atlanta Science Festival brings hands on experiments, live demos, and interactive events to venues across the city. A fun and brain-boosting Worth the Trip outing for families, date nights, or anyone who loves discovering something new.Georgia Food and Wine Festival | Atlanta
A multi-day celebration of Southern flavors, chef tastings, and curated wine pairings that spotlight the best of Georgia’s culinary scene. A delicious Worth the Trip experience for food lovers who enjoy sipping, sampling, and discovering something new. March 27-29Atlanta Blooms at the Atlanta Botanical Garden | Atlanta
Spring takes center stage as the Garden celebrates its 50th anniversary with more than 14,0000 tulips, daffodils, and seasonal blooms across the Great Lawn. This limited Super Blooms display is perfect for photos, peaceful strolls, and a colorful Worth the Trip escape during peak bloom season in March and April.Private Stranger Things Filming Locations Tour | Atlanta Area
Explore real-life Hawkins on a guided tour of Stranger Things filming locations across metro Atlanta. Fans can visit iconic spots from the series while learning behind-the-scenes stories and production secrets during this unique ongoing, Worth the Trip experience.
Spotlight Your Business or Non-Profit Here!
Are you a local business or nonprofit making a difference here in Henry County? We’d truly love to hear your story. The Eagle Eye Digest is all about celebrating the people, organizations, and purpose driven work that help our community grow and thrive.
A feature in The Eagle Eye Digest puts your mission in front of engaged neighbors who care about supporting local businesses, meaningful causes, and the leaders behind them. If you’d like to be considered for an upcoming spotlight, click the button below and share what you’re building.
😂 DAD JOKE OF THE DAY
Why do crabs never volunteer?
Because they're shell-fish." 😄
TRIVIA ANSWER
True. According to the Georgia Christmas Tree Association, Henry County historically had more Christmas tree farms than any other county in Georgia, thanks to its many family-owned choose & cut farms such as Yule Forest in Stockbridge. 🎄