How many of us have either grown up in a town or moved to a new town and took the time to look into the history of that place? My guest for this episode of my podcast IT’S A MIX does just that. Doctor Tom Hanchett came to Charlotte NC in 1981 to document older neighborhoods for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. I got to meet him when I interviewed him for my cable access TV show Small Town Stories. He was working as the staff historian at the Levine Museum of the New South. He worked there for 16 years. We will chat about his background, Charlotte old and new, and his book sorting out the New South City: Race, Class and Urban Development in Charlotte 2nd edition. He chose to call his episode “Making History In Charlotte.” Thanks for checking out It's A Mix. I'm your host Della Freedman.

Host/Producer:  Della Freedman

Audio Engineer:  Leah Smith

Original Music:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

In 2015  I had the good fortune to be given the opportunity to go to New York City to direct a one act play near Broadway for a play festival.  I'm very proud, we came in second. And I can now say I directed something in Manhattan. During that experience, I got to meet several really talented actors from New York. We have continued getting to know each other through social media. One of those actors is Peter Quinones. I discovered through his posts on social media that he also helped during 9/11. I felt that I should ask him to share his story. And that is what you're going to hear in this episode of It's A Mix we’re calling EMBRACING THE JOURNEY.

Hi this is Della Freedman your host of It's A Mix . In this episode we have a little bit of an interesting turn about. Several months ago my friend Jane Kusterer said she thought it would be interesting to hear about my life on my podcast. Usually I'm the one doing the interviewing and finding out about other people and what they're doing. In real life I'm a fairly modest person who normally doesn’t talk about myself that much. I just go about my day doing whatever it is I have to get done. However, Jane asked if she could interview me. Since I have known her a very long time, I agreed to the interview. So, on the last month of the 2nd year of doing the podcast, going into year three, here I am. Jane and I decided to call this episode TURN ABOUT IS FAIR PLAY.  

Host/Producer:  Della Freedman

Audio Engineer/Editor:  Leah Smith

Original Music:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

Sponsor:  Charlotte Murder Mystery Company

Special Guest Interviewer:  Jane Kusterer

In episode 22 of the podcast It’s A Mix we will find out about the Community Culinary School of Charlotte. We will chat with Chef Ron Ahlert, Executive Director and Anne Lambert, Director of Development to get an in depth look at how it came to exist, what its initial goals were, where they are now in accomplishing those goals and what's ahead for the future of the school. The school serves a very definite purpose providing workforce development training and job placement assistance for adults who face barriers to long term successful employment. Let’s jump into the conversation. I'm Della Freedman, your host of It's A Mix.

Website for Community Culinary School of Charlotte:  https://communitycullinary.org

Here’s a link of a YouTube video about the School:   https://youtu.be/W9hDoTj5dLE

Host/Producer of It’s A Mix:  Della Freedman

Audio Engineer/Editor of It’s A Mix:  Leah Smith

Original Music for It’s A Mix:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

Find us wherever you find your podcasts.  We are also on Instagram

In this month's episode of my podcast It's A Mix, we get a guided tour of the town of Nenagh in Tipperary Ireland. Our guide is Kevin Whelan. I met Kevin on a Zoom meeting which I produced as part of my Works in progress events. It was a series where I brought together people I knew to share their creative talents with an audience on Zoom. Kevin was one of the audience members. I discovered through his friend who was performing what Kevin did in Nenagh. That is how all of this came about. You will hear from Kevin and when I post this on YouTube you will also be able to see Kevin giving us a guided tour on three individual videos. The YouTube link will be posted in the liner notes for the podcast. Sit back and relax and enjoy your tour of Nenagh Ireland.

Host/Producer:  Della Freedman

Audio Engineer:  Leah Smith

Original Music: Smile Decay (Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker)

YouTube Link:  https://youtu.be/SoA9dUMFLBU

Facebook for Kevin Whelan:  Kevin Whelan Walking Tours also Nenagh Castle

In this month’s episode of “It’s A Mix” podcast, we will hear from Keith Rhyne, the Site Manager for a spectacular venue in Statesville, North Carolina called The Historic Sharpe House.  We will find out about the Sharpe Family and how the Sharpe House came to be built and also of the Town with its interesting history. Keith will explain how he has transformed the way events are created there and how he was inspired by the many Victorian aspects of Downton Abbey, down to training the young men who work there as footmen and servers.

They can work with folks on many types of events.  My Company, Charlotte Murder Mystery Company (a sponsor of “It’s A Mix”) has performed for many fundraisers for the Sharpe House.  If you are interested in more information:

[email protected]

704-682-7508

Keith Rhyne

This was recorded virtually via Zoom - February 2021

Della Freedman:  Host/Producer

Leah Smith: Audio Engineer/Editor

Pete Freedman and Mindy Barker:  Original music from Smile Decay

In this month's episode of my podcast It's A Mix I interviewed Stephanie May Fausto. She's a fifth generation circus performer and a fourth degree black belt in Taekwondo. Being the oldest athlete in the division at 30 years young training primarily over Zoom and making the best of her apartment living room training space, Stephanie May Fausto won the Bronze at the 2020 Online World Taekwondo Championships.  A quote from Miss Fausto “I've been a fan of Team M for years. I feel honored to be a part of the community program and the team's success throughout the years.  Earning a medal for Team USA is as important as earning a medal for my team.” She won the Bronze Medal in the over 17 female freestyle division. Congratulations Stephanie May Fausto . Let's see what she has to say About her family's years as circus performers as the Fausto Scorpions with Ringling Brothers and throughout Europe, and about her Taekwando Championships. I'm Della Freedman your host of It's A Mix.  

This episode was recorded via Zoom December 2020

Stephanie Fausto World Championship Video:

https://youtu.be/569DLEdmwo0

Fausto Scorpions performing at Grand Canyon University:

https://youtu.be/NFOEsb32_Rs

Producer/Host:  Della Freedman

Audio Engineer/Editor:  Leah Smith

Original Music:  Pete Freedman and Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

In this month's episode of it's a mix We'll hear from 5 people who are also friends of mine about where they were in their lives last November 2019, what they've gone through and experienced this year 2020 and what they're hoping for in 2021. We'll hear from George who is a voice actor and voiceover coach in Pineville North Carolina. He has lived in the Charlotte area since 1998. We also have Jeanene who works in public radio she is a mother, Girl Scout leader and an occasional singer and theater performer. She resided in Charlotte for 18 years and is now in Chapel Hill. Lillie is an actress, voiceover talent and uses her voice to help those who are still silent. Rashunda is a US Air Force veteran and a local actor in the Charlotte area. Even though a lot of horrible things have happened in 2020 she is optimistic that things will improve.  And, Douglas is a longtime resident of Charlotte. In addition to his software firm Einstein's legacy V 2.0, he is also a member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission. Let's just jump in and hear what they have to say. I'm your host Della Freedman and this is it's a mix.

Della Freedman - Host/Producer

Leah Smith - Audio Engineer/Editor

Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker - Original music by Smile Decay

Hi this is Della Freedman your host of It's a Mix. Being an on-air radio announcer at a public radio station has been a big part of my life for the past 30 years. I remember many years ago I had a second cousin from my mother's side of the family who was on the radio as a music announcer but for a commercial radio station. So it was a lovely surprise when I recently discovered that my first cousin Linda’s son Mike Antonellis is also a radio announcer. He is in the sports field and does play by play reporting.  With what's going on in the world currently with Covid I thought it would be a good time to interview him and see how it is directly affecting sports and his job.

Comment from the Leah, our Sound Engineer:

What a cool interview! This brought back some good memories of watching the Paw Sox at the new Charlotte stadium with my best friend before she moved. We were fully decked out in red sox gear, hah!

Della Freedman: Host/Producer

Leah Smith: Audio Engineer

Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay:  Music

Mike Antonellis:  Guest

Hi this is Della Freedman your host of It's a Mix. In one's lifetime you're very lucky to find one good friend that you can count on. But to find five really good friends who have been with you through great times and sad times for 46 years, that's not only unusual, but it's a real blessing. I have been fortunate enough to be that lucky. We met in a dance class. We've seen our families grow and grow up. Some of us have experienced the loss of a loved one, or dealt with an illness. But through it all, we have been there for each other. I recorded us chatting away about our experiences and what we mean to each other. I did this firstly so that we would have a record of our memories. And Secondly to share our memories with others in this episode of the podcast. As I always do with my guests, I asked the girls what we should call this episode. It was unanimous. This episode is SIX FRIENDS FOREVER. Thanks for tuning in. Again, this is Della Freedman your host of the podcast It's a Mix.

Host/Producer/Director:  Della Freedman

Audio Engineer/Editor:  Leah Smith

Music:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

Original Music for this Episode:  The Wish (written by Leann Marshall and remixed and accompaniment by Pete Freedman

Sponsor:  Charlotte Murder Mystery Company