I’m on a short summer break and will be back on August 26rd!

Most folks know Dowdell’s Knob as one of FDR’s favorite picnic spots—but not everyone knows about the B-25 bomber crash that happened there on a foggy October night in 1953.

In this solo episode, I share the powerful true story of a plane crash and the 19-year-old sailor who miraculously survived. Nearly 60 years later, the community came together to honor the five men who were lost—and the one who lived.

This week, I’m joined by author Chris Skates to talk about his historical novel, Moonshine Over Georgia — inspired by true stories from his grandfather, who served as a revenue agent during Prohibition right here in West Central Georgia.

Chris dives into the real history behind the book, talks about our local legends that shaped it, and reflects on what makes our town so special. He brings the past to life — and his love for Pine Mountain really shines through.

Check out his work here: Chris Skates on Amazon
And check out his YouTube station here: https://www.youtube.com/@chrisskates1038

Once upon a time, you could buy a brand-new Ford right here in downtown Pine Mountain. In this episode, we trace the story of Wisdom Motors, the town’s longtime car dealership — from its start in 1917 to its final days in the ’80s.

PLUS — don’t miss our Memory Lane segment featuring Pope Davis, who just turned 101. Pope shares his memories of growing up in Chipley, including a humorous story about his wife Evelyn’s early days as a cook..

And be sure to stop by the Chipley Historical Center Open House this weekend for their new exhibit, Harris County Cooks in the 1940s.

In this episode, I’m sharing two special stories from Pine Mountain’s rich past.
You’ll hear how President Franklin D. Roosevelt thought he pulled off a brilliant deal when he bought a mule from the legendary Uncle Henry Kimbrough — a classic tale of true “horse trading.”
And I’m excited to introduce a new segment called Memory Lane, where longtime residents share stories in their own voices. Today, you’ll hear Pope Davis share Pine Mountain’s golden secret.

Today’s episode isn’t your typical history lesson. This amusing and wildly creative tall tale about the origin of Chipley is steeped in Southern charm, touched with a little moonlight magic, and — let’s be real — packed with more than a few questionable facts. It’s 100% storytelling, 100% fun, and absolutely unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Experience the magic of small-town life in the 1950s—where friendly faces, simple pleasures, and a little bit of mischief were all part of growing up. Join Mr. Bo Hastey as he shares his stories about life in Pine Mountain, from classic teenage pranks to the unforgettable charm of a bygone era.

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Did you know there’s a female World War II veteran buried in the Pine Mountain City Cemetery? I didn’t, until I spotted the gravestone of Mary Hastey Hewitt during a stroll through the cemetery. That one moment sent me down a rabbit hole of questions. Who was she? Before I knew it, my little walk had turned into a full-on search for answers. And in today’s episode, I share what I found.

Learn more about our Citizen of the Year, John Willis. From his work with the Boy Scouts and charitable endeavors, John’s contribution to Pine Mountain is widespread and so meaningful. We are so honored that he lives in Pine Mountain.

And don’t miss it! Two events are right around the corner. Our Town Trivia is on Tuesday, January 21st at 11:30 a.m. at Unique Expressions and all of the questions will be from this podcast – so study up! And back by popular demand, the wildly popular . . . Taste of Pine Mountain. I will see you strolling through Pine Mountain on Friday, January 31st at 6:00 p.m. Get your tickets through the chamber via https://www.harriscountychamber.org/tastepm.

Did you know that Pine Mountain used to have a Coca Cola Bottling Plant right in downtown? It was located where the Chipley Historical Center stands today. Even though the plant is long gone, there’s some really great things happening on the site. You can participate in an architectural dig on Saturday afternoons from 1 to 4 with our local archeologist and volunteer extraordinaire, Patrick Severts. And drum roll please . . . the Chipley Historical Center received a grant from Norfolk Southern RR and will use it to refurbish the caboose’s exterior, starting this month!