Series to explore “Land Before the Waters”

The official Oconee County slogan of “Land Beside the Water” derives from a Cherokee word.  Starting next month the Oconee Public Library and the Oconee Heritage Center are starting a series of meetings to highlight the impact of three man-made lakes:  Hartwell, Keowee and Jocassee.  The series is called “The Land Before the Waters.”  There is the hope, according to library director Phil Cheney, that Oconeeans can start a conversation to reflect on their history and to help the next generations understand how things used to be.  Recalling what it was like for families who were approached about selling their land to make way for power projects make for a story to be recorded for the oral history repository at the Heritage Center in Walhalla.  The first program takes place Thursday, April 21 at the Walhalla Library and will feature Dr. Chris Manganiello, policy director for the Georgia River Network.