Sweet Tea & History

If you’re a foodie like myself, then you may genuinely appreciate that I saved this episode for the season finale of Sweet Tea & History. Farm-to-table really rose in popularity some years ago and one factory and restauranteur has taken that concept to heart. Jessica Little is a co-owner of Sweet Grass Dairy in Thomasville. It’s a cheese manufacturing facility that produces some delicious, award-winning cheeses right here in South Georgia. But it doesn’t stop there. Sweet Grass Dairy also has a restaurant in the heart of the Rose City and it’s called... The Cheese Shop. So if you want to know more about a cheesy South Georgia treasure, where you can buy the award-winning cheeses or just want to get a taste of Thomasville, make sure to listen to this week's episode of Sweet Tea & History.

War reenactments are pretty popular in the south. From all different decades, the U.S. has been the battleground for many conflicts. And to bring life to our history are the people who dedicate their time, effort and energy to knowing the details of the battles so they can bring them back to life. Whether you're in it for the opportunity to experience history first-hand, just want an excuse to go camping (albeit in historically accurate dwellings) or just want to see a battle up close, war reenactments offer a way for kids, teens and adults to see history up close and in person. And the reenactors love getting a chance to teach people about the way life was years ago. So join me in getting to know the people who help bring history to life on a battlefield in South Georgia's own backyard. 

If you want, need or are looking for a weekend getaway, Lakeland is a great option in South Georgia! Banks Lake, the Milltown Murals, a butterfly garden and so much more. And the thing is, the city is right at the intersection of Highway 129, Route 221 and Highway 135. So if you've traveled through South Georgia, it's possible you've already driven through Lakeland. But if you weren't looking for all of the southern charm the city offers, you may have missed it. However, there's a lot to love about Lakeland whether you're a fan of classic cars, fishing at a beautiful Lake, enjoying the history and beauty of the Milltown murals or just looking for some homegrown products. 

Life has changed a lot over time, especially with today’s modern conveniences, but have you ever wondered what life was like before the Technological and Industrial ages? Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s (ABAC) Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton offers the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the life of those who lived long before us.  Come with me on a journey through time led by the museum's director, Garrett Boone, and a man who knows just about everything, Johnny Johnson. The two of them dive into the wonderful world of the museum from its events to its store to its hands-on immersive experiences during the time of our ancestors. So what's happening at the museum? What can you expect when you visit? And what makes it so uniquely sweet and interesting? Find out on this week's episode of Sweet Tea & history.

Since it’s the week of Halloween when this episode goes live, I thought an episode on ghost stories would be absolutely perfect! So, this week’s episode comes from Baker County, near Newton, on a road deemed by locals as “Seven Churches Road.” It was a dirt access road that was off of Hardup Road in Albany years ago, that has since grown over. However, while the road may be gone, the ghost stories from it live on. So, whether you like ghost stories, just want to hear about a couple of kids (who are both now adults) getting scared in the woods or are just feeling the Halloween vibe, then take some time to listen to this week’s episode of Sweet Tea & History! 

Civil War veterans, both Union and Confederate, are buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Georgia, something you won't find just anywhere. But there's a reason why you'll find it in Fitzgerald. When it comes to having a unique history, Fitzgerald is rich with stories, but the most fascinating one may just be how the town was built. Founded by a Union soldier after the Civil War, the city itself is an example of what happens when people come together despite their differences. While some southerners may have been reluctant about giving Union soldiers land to build a city, the story ends with both Confederate and Union soldiers marching side-by-side in celebration. But why was a Union soldier looking to build a city in the heart of the south? What happened when tons of them started showing up in South Georgia? And how did everyone end up marching together? Find out on this week's episode of Sweet Tea & History.  

Fitzgerald, Ga. is known for its chickens. Possibly because they aren't your average chickens but are actually a surviving bloodline of the Red Junglefowl that was brought over to the U.S. But it also may have something to do with the fact that they run free in the city and are protected under a city ordinance. And of course, there is the fact that the city is currently in the process of building the world's largest topiary chicken that will also be an Airbnb. So, the birds are most definitely a part of the town and are even celebrated every year with the Wild Chicken Festival. But they weren't always a city favorite and led to some pretty packed city commission meetings. So, how did they become a staple of Fitzgerald? Why were they brought to the U.S. in the first place? And how have they survived? Find out on this week's episode of Sweet Tea & History.

This week, Host Krista Monk spoke with Phoebe Putney Health System President and CEO Scott Steiner. In the final episode of the podcast series, the two discussed how far Dougherty County and South Georgia have come since the beginning of the pandemic. They also talked about the vaccine, how many shots Phoebe has distributed and what the future looks like when it comes to the coronavirus. So, what does Steiner see as the next steps for Phoebe and the community? Find out in this week's episode of the Voices of COVID-19.

This week, Host Krista Monk spoke with Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler about his extremely unique perspective on the pandemic. As the man responsible for handling those who have passed, he was also the one to manage the large number of people who died from COVID-19 when the county was one of the hardest-hit areas in the world. From having to manage more bodies than our morgue was built for, to having to explain to loved ones that the bodies of those who died couldn't be released until a COVID test had come back, to getting calls from people all over the world about how to manage during the pandemic, Fowler played a huge role when Dougherty County was hit so hard. So, how did he get through it? Find out on this week's episode of the Voices of COVID-19.

This week, Host Krist Monk spoke with Greg Edwards, the district attorney for the Dougherty Judicial Circuit. The two discussed how the virus has backlogged cases, how his office is addressing the caseloads that continue to pile up and even the D.A.'s first interaction with COVID-19. So, just how many cases are still waiting to see their day in court? Find out on this week's episode of the Voices of COVID-19.