Second Saturday on the Square set for July 9

By John EllisThe Pike County Arts Council will host the next Second Saturday on the Square concert Saturday, July 9 at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public and will feature US, a foursome from Griffin, who put a folksy, funky spin on modern hits. The event will be held next to the Zebulon Post Office since the courthouse grounds are undergoing upgrades. The PCAC hosted the first concert of the season June 11, featuring local musical talent as well as a short awards program for local high school students. The concert series is free to all and the festivities can be heard around the courthouse square each Second Saturday of the summer months.The Due South Band took the stage first, performing several songs written by Bennie Rose of Pike. The band was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014 and played many bluegrass-style songs for the audience on the courthouse square. Members include Rose on guitar and vocals, David Thompson on mandolin and vocals, Dan Kilgore on bass and vocals and Gary Crenshaw on banjo and vocals. In between one of their songs, Bennie Rose told about how he and his wife Tammy were originally from Pike County, Kentucky and that there are also towns named Zebulon  and Williamson in that county. He and Tammy moved from Pike County, Kentucky in 1988 and lived in Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas before moving to Pike County, Georgia in 2002. He said it felt like moving back home as everything is about the same except for the coal mines.After The Due South Band played their first performance, high school literary teacher Lori Bush presented Literary Awards to three students, including Stephen Brentlinger, Valerie Gales and Tuesday Hurt. MC for the event George Ingram then presented an award to Bush in appreciation for her service to students and the community.The PCAC Junior Players took the stage next, with a performance of their ‘˜Geronimo’ show. A fairly large audience brought folding chairs and enjoyed the show. All members of the community are invited to the July 9 show.