What happens when you realize time with your kids at home is running short — and how do you chase a career you love without losing yourself in the guilt?

Caroline Frost is the Development Director for Junior Achievement of Georgia in Northwest Georgia, a wife, and a mom of three. She sat down with us to share her Dalton story — from growing up here and graduating in a class of 26, to chasing something new in Dodge City, Kansas, to coming home with a fresh appreciation for Southern hospitality and the green hills of Northwest Georgia. Caroline opens up about falling into nonprofit work by accident, the mentor who believed in her before she believed in herself, and what it looks like to balance a career you're passionate about with raising three kids across very different stages of life. We talk about mom guilt, imposter syndrome, social media vs. reality, the power of having just one mom friend, and why the queso at El Maguey is impossible to beat.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Caroline's realization that the high school drop-off was harder than kindergarten — because time is passing fast
• Erika's editor's letter concept of "deep time" — we can't control the future, but we can make a huge impact in the present
• Caroline's brief but memorable stint in Dodge City, Kansas, complete with tumbleweeds and a meatpacking plant downwind
• How a chamber internship and a social media video series led Caroline away from counseling and into philanthropy
• The power of mentorship: how Anna Adamson empowered Caroline to step into development work, even when Caroline didn't think she could
• Caroline's husband comparing following Anna Adamson's role to "following Nick Saban"
• Junior Achievement's massive reach — over 11,000 students and 1,600 volunteers last year, including 900+ from Dalton State
• Full-circle moments: former JA students now returning as Dalton State volunteers
• What JA BizTown and Finance Park actually look like inside the Discovery Center — a simulated Northwest Georgia village with storefronts, a train tunnel, and nods to the carpet industry
• Shonda Rhimes' perspective: when you're doing one thing well, you're not doing the other — and that's okay
• Joanna Gaines' story about dropping her daughter at college and the guilt wave that followed — and her daughter's response: "Mom, you taught me I can build anything"
• Jennifer Garner's rule: never apologize to your kids for having a job
• Caroline's son's favorite home-cooked meal: "homemade" chocolate chip cookies (from Toll House) and "homemade" pizza (frozen)
• Lauren's reminder about social media vs. reality — even the gorgeous homemade pizza posts have kids eating Kraft Mac and Cheese off-camera
• Why having even one mom friend you can be honest with changes everything
• Caroline's pick for favorite thing in Dalton: the queso, specifically at El Maguey's downtown

CHAPTERS

0:55 — Meet Caroline Frost

1:32 — Motherhood and Time

3:42 — Caroline's Dalton Roots

5:24 — Leaving Home and Kansas

9:06 — Missing the South

11:12 — Finding Junior Achievement

14:50 — Mentorship and Leadership

20:38 — JA Impact and Footprint

24:38 — Inside BizTown and Finance Park

28:12 — Get Involved With JA

28:27 — Volunteering and Tours

29:14 — Balancing Work and Mom Life

31:13 — Mom Guilt and Role Models

34:41 — Home Life Is Humbling

38:27 — Social Media vs. Reality

40:48 — Finding Your Mom Community

44:12 — Dalton Favorites and Queso

45:53 — Follow JA and Final Thanks

RESOURCES

• Junior Achievement of Georgia 
• JA of Northwest Georgia on social media

FOLLOW THE SHOW

Instagram: @behere.dalton

Facebook: Here Magazine

LinkedIn: Here Local Media

Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

The Love of Here challenges the idea that northwest Georgia has nothing to do by sharing local stories that matter. You don’t need a bigger city—just a better lens.

What happens when a college president decides that higher education shouldn't just be about degrees — it should be about building a community from the ground up? Dr. John Fuchko, president of Dalton State College, sits down with hosts Lauren Sneary and Erika Mosteller to share how he landed in Dalton, why he sees the college as an economic and cultural engine for Northwest Georgia, and what's driving unprecedented growth and collaboration across the region's educational institutions. From record enrollment numbers and nationally ranked student experience to a groundbreaking charter school initiative that blends classical education with Finnish learning models, Dr. Fuchko makes the case that investing in education is really about investing in people — and that the best way to predict a community's future is to look at how it educates its children. Along the way, the conversation covers everything from coffee shops in libraries to the power of a good story, the art of professional etiquette, and why reading fiction might be the most practical leadership skill there is.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Dalton State College has grown approximately 30% over four years, from about 4,500 students to nearly 6,000 — unusual growth in higher education
• Full-time tuition and fees are just $2,030 per semester, and the college distributes over $1 million annually in private scholarships
• The college ranked #1 in the country for student experience by the Wall Street Journal, and is #11 among regional public colleges in the South per U.S. News
• Nearly 1,800 students per year participate in real-world learning — internships, STEM research, and clinicals
• The annual economic impact of Dalton State College on the community is approximately $167 million
• Dalton State and Georgia Northwestern Technical College raised $8.3 million together for the Northwest Georgia Promise scholarship, covering tuition and fees for high-achieving students across eight counties
• Articulation agreements between Dalton State, GNTC, and Georgia Highlands College allow students to transfer between institutions with zero credit loss
• The newly renovated Roberts Library features the Rage Cafe, driving library visits from ~300 to ~1,200 per day
• A planned $11 million expansion of the Ken White Health Professions Hall aims to address Georgia's projected 10,000-nurse shortage
• The Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia — one of the first locally approved charter schools in Georgia in over a decade — will open in fall 2027 at the Boys & Girls Club, combining classical education, dual language immersion (English/Spanish), and Finnish-based individualized learning
• The Whitworth Distinguished Chair in Classical Education was established at Dalton State thanks to the Whitworth-Brown family, with Dr. Aquina Sterling serving in the role
• Dr. Fuchko recommends balancing leadership reading with fiction to develop compassion, humility, and joy

CHAPTERS

1:17 — How He Landed in Dalton

2:26 — Vetting the Community

4:18 — Dalton State Highlights

5:04 — Affordability and Scholarships

8:31 — Donors and Campus Legacy

11:24 — College as Economic Engine

13:13 — Workforce Talent Pipeline

17:33 — Collaboration with GNTC

23:00 — New Campus Projects

26:55 — Roadrunner Experience Vision

28:14 — Critical Thinking Matters

29:40 — Integrated Learning Goals

30:42 — Etiquette and Belonging

32:36 — Charter School Vision

37:50 — Reading and Story Love

41:55 — Enrollment and Lottery Steps

44:50 — Favorite Dalton Moment

47:26 — Book Recommendations Wrap

Resources Mentioned

Dalton State College

Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia

Books Recommended by Dr. Fuchko

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership by Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal

FOLLOW THE SHOW

Instagram: @behere.dalton

Facebook: Here Magazine

LinkedIn: Here Local Media

Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

What happens when a Tennessee girl moves to a small Georgia town and discovers it's the perfect place to become an entrepreneur — twice? That's exactly what happened when Janie Hayes relocated from Murfreesboro to Dalton. What started as a move closer to her husband's family quickly turned into a journey of community engagement, business ownership, and a profound rethinking of what it means to be rich. Janie sat down with us to share how a neighborly text message ("Ready, set, quit our day jobs") launched Nickel & Hops, a mobile beverage trailer serving mocktails, coffee, and dirty sodas — and how that first leap gave her the confidence to open Studio Bend, a Pilates and yoga studio in downtown Dalton. Along the way, she opens up about the losses that reshaped her relationship with time, the beauty of gathering women together, and why Dalton's size, location, and people make it a place she'll never leave.

HIGHLIGHTS

• How a single TikTok of a coffee trailer turned into buying a green beverage trailer within weeks
• Why Patterson Farms townhomes were the gateway to putting down roots in Dalton
• The Chamber of Commerce's role in giving Janie the confidence to become an entrepreneur — she credits it for about 80% of her entrepreneurial leap
• The story behind the name Nickel & Hops (it's the founders' maiden names — Nicholson and Hopper!)
• How the rising non-alcoholic beverage trend found its way into the business plan organically
• Why opening a Pilates studio required less red tape than a food trailer — just a trip to City Hall
• Three Pilates studios opening in Dalton at the same time, each offering something different — and why Janie sees that as a win, not competition
• Erika's emotional first class at Studio Bend, complete with free tomatoes on the table and women of all ages moving together
• Solo parenting a toddler and two businesses while her husband travels for work — and the grace that makes it possible
• How losing two brothers and her father reframed time as the most valuable asset she has
• Janie's refreshing take on social media: wake up, post what's on your mind, and let authenticity do the marketing
• The Canopy Flooring connection that transformed Studio Bend's aesthetic — discovered through an Instagram comment
• Why Janie says Dalton has "the coolest women in the world" but many of them don't know about each other yet
• Nickel & Hops heading to Freeman Springs Farm's pumpkin patch in Rocky Face for nine weekends this fall
• Studio Bend opening a smoothie bar on September 1st, open 7 AM to 1 PM Monday through Saturday
• A favorite Dalton day: closing up the studio, walking to Baja Coop for a bowl, and picking up her son from school around the corner

CHAPTERS

0:00 — Welcome And Guest Intro

1:21 — Moving To Dalton

2:37 — Finding Home In Patterson Farm

4:08 — Chamber Sparked Entrepreneurship

5:09 — Nickel And Hops Origin

6:48 — Mocktails And Event Vibes

7:28 — Launching Studio Bend

9:29 — Community Inside The Studio

10:45 — Balancing Business And Motherhood

12:43 — Loss Changed Her View Of Time

15:49 — Getting Into Pilates As Owner

17:37 — Pilates Philosophy

18:12 — Social Media Magic

19:39 — Designing the Space

21:07 — Gathering Women Together

23:20 — How to Find Them

25:23 — Favorite Dalton Picks

28:27 — Women Only Vibes

30:07 — Warm Wrap Up

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Nickel & Hops on Instagram - @nickelandhops

Studio Bend on Instagram and Facebook 

@thestudio.bend 

Studio Bend

Believe Greater Dalton

FOLLOW THE SHOW

Instagram: @behere.dalton

Facebook: Here Magazine

LinkedIn: Here Local Media

Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

What does it take to make a small city a place people choose — not just to work, but to stay, to raise kids, and to build something that lasts? Anna Adamson has been wrestling with that question for years, and the answers are more layered than you might expect. From bringing a Junior Achievement Discovery Center to the smallest community in the country to ever open one, to poring over housing data that explains why Target never came to town, to piloting construction technology that can frame a house in a single day — Anna's work with Believe Greater Dalton and the Florin Capital Development Corporation sits at the intersection of data, relationships, and long-term vision. We trace her unlikely path back to Dalton, unpack the housing challenges facing the region, tour the projects going vertical right now, and explore the Vision Dalton Master Plan that could reshape the urban core. Along the way we talk about the "jewels" that make Dalton extraordinary, why connection is the real theme of this conversation, and where to find the best oysters in town.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Anna's circuitous route back to Dalton: born in Atlanta, raised in Dalton, high school in Chattanooga, college in Texas — and a boyfriend from Dalton that pulled her back
• How her father's career pivot from Arthur Andersen to building The Farm Golf Club shaped her eventual path into community development
• Six years at Junior Achievement and the realization that workforce preparedness starts in the classroom
• Dalton opening the JA Discovery Center as the smallest community in the country to do so — serving roughly 15,000 students per year
• The housing study that uncovered aging housing stock, no new multifamily since the early 2000s, and lasting damage from the 2008 recession
• "Retail follows rooftops" — why population decline and stagnant growth affect everything from school funding to restaurant options
• Hamilton Village: how land donated by Mohawk became an innovative workforce housing development
• A pilot using structurally insulated panels to frame and dry-in a house in a single day, funded by a grant and low-interest loans
• The Vision Dalton Master Plan: 40+ stakeholder interviews, two public meetings, a public survey, and engineering vetting of potential sites
• Why planning is about controlling the quality of growth, not stopping it — from wider sidewalks to tree-lined corridors
• The "jewels in a crown" metaphor from Dr. Venable: Dalton State College, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, a regional healthcare system, and interdisciplinary arts — all in a community of about 100,000 people
• Anna's favorite Dalton things: Friday nights at Burr Park with live music and dancing across generations, breakfast at the Oakwood, and oysters and an old fashioned at Cyra's

CHAPTERS

2:11 — Meet Anna Adamson

4:58 — Big Picture Vision

6:28 — Junior Achievement Journey

7:48 — Discovery Center Impact

9:45 — Shift to Housing Work

11:21 — Why Believe Greater Dalton Matters

13:25 — Housing Challenges Data

20:14 — Projects Going Vertical

24:45 — Dalton Secret Sauce

30:14 — Planning Fears Answered

35:49 — Food Scene Favorites

37:03 — Why She Came Back

39:07 — Final Thoughts and How to Connect

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Believe Greater Dalton

FOLLOW THE SHOW

Instagram: @behere.dalton

Facebook: Here Magazine

LinkedIn: Here Local Media

Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

Have you ever met someone who doesn't just love a place, but sees its people, its potential, and its story all at once? That's exactly who we're sitting down with today.

Lauren and Erika welcome Allyson Coker — former Executive Director of Believe Greater Dalton and current Executive Director of the Whitfield Health Care Foundation — for a conversation about roots, reinvention, and what it really takes to build a community. Allyson shares her family's deep ties to Dalton (including her dad's tenure as mayor), her winding career path from Washington D.C. politics to Fiji Water's early days, and how she found her way back home to raise her kids. She opens up about being a "professional dot connector" behind projects like Walton Fields housing development, and gets personal about her own breast cancer diagnosis and how it's shaping her current work launching a mobile mammography unit through the Peeples Cancer Institute. It's a warm, honest conversation about faith, family, philanthropy, and why Dalton keeps pulling people back home.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Allyson's family roots in Dalton, including her father's 12 years as mayor
• Her unconventional career path: D.C. politics, the Michigan governor's office, and joining Fiji Water as employee number five
• How she landed the role that became Believe Greater Dalton, and the "dot connector" philosophy that guided her work
• The story behind Walton Fields, a housing development inspired by a trip to Gainesville
• Coming back to Dalton in 2002 to raise her kids close to family
• Her new role at the Whitfield Health Care Foundation and the stories she's uncovering there
• Her personal stage-zero breast cancer diagnosis and how early detection saved her
• Details on the new mobile mammography unit launching through the Peeples Cancer Institute, including a $1 million matching gift campaign
• Hamilton Medical Center's recognition as Georgia's top heart hospital
• Balancing a blended family of five kids with a demanding career in community work

CHAPTERS

2:07 – Why Dalton Matters

4:26 – Career Journey to Believe

7:29 – Building Believe Greater Dalton

8:48 – Dot Connector Mindset

9:56 – Housing Win: Walton Fields

13:33 – Dalton Getting Cooler

15:27 – Coming Home for Family

17:41 – Remembering Peeples Stories

18:55 – Foundation Role and New Stories

19:41 – Mobile Mammography Mission

22:04 – Navigating Screening Barriers

23:20 – Keeping Care Close to Home

24:33 – Heart Program Growth and Awards

26:05 – Philanthropy Makes It Better

27:50 – How to Book and Give

28:43 – Favorite Dalton Thing

30:44 – Balancing Family and Calling

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Vitruvian Health (https://www.vitruvianhealth.com)
• Believe Greater Dalton

FOLLOW THE SHOW

Instagram: @behere.dalton

Facebook: Here Magazine

LinkedIn: Here Local Media

Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

What  does it take to build a hometown people can't seem to leave? In this episode, we sit down with David Aft, President of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, to talk about what he calls the "Dalton differences": short commutes, civic engagement, and a town full of people who showed up planning to stay a few years and never left. From building Burr Park with a single donor's million-dollar check to reviving the historic Dalton Depot, David shares the stories behind Dalton's transformation — plus a few unexpected moments from his travels that prove Dalton's reputation truly does get around.

HIGHLIGHTS

• David shares how he moved to Dalton in 1996 for a job with the United Way and never left
• The "Dalton differences": short commutes and how that time gave him decades with his family
• David's philosophy on civic engagement — you don't start at the top, you just start showing up
• The origin story of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia and David's nearly 24-year career there
• How the foundation grew from $7 million to over $100 million in assets and has made 1,000+ grants in the past year alone
• The story behind Burr Park: how a conversation with donor Jean Burr led to a $1 million gift and a decade of community events
• The renovation of the historic Dalton Depot in partnership with Barrett Properties
• A memorable run-in with a stranger in the Toronto airport who knew Dalton for its senior softball scene
• David and his wife Paulie's story of opening Dave and Paulie's Art Emporium
• David's reflections on watching the next generation — including his own son and Lauren — grow up and stay rooted in Dalton
• David's favorite thing about Dalton: its growing trail system and vibrant downtown

CHAPTERS

1:00 — Meet David Aft

2:03 — Moving to Dalton

3:28 — Dalton Differences

5:01 — Career in Community

7:26 — Civic Engagement Mindset

9:25 — Community Foundation Origins

12:28 — Grants and Growth

17:33 — Burr Park Story

24:58 — Depot Revival and Stories

26:40 — Unexpected Dalton Moments

34:13 — Favorite Dalton Things

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia  https://www.communityfoundationnwga.org/
• Dalton Depot https://visitdaltonga.com/directory/name/dalton-freight-depot/
• Dave and Paulie's Art Emporium
• Dalton Brewing Company
• Scoops Ice Cream

Follow the show:

Instagram: @behere.dalton

Facebook: Here Magazine

LinkedIn: Here Local Media

Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

Ever wondered what it takes to put a small county on the map — not to mention get the attention of Hollywood, HGTV, and out-of-state investors in the process?

On this episode of the Love of Here podcast, Lauren and Erika sit down with Barry Gentry, president of the Murray County Chamber of Commerce, to talk about how one "wrong turn" led to a mission of building up Murray County from the ground up.

Barry shares the real story behind Murray's growth — from landing a Taylor Sheridan film production and HGTV star Chip Wade's tree house Airbnbs, to recruiting national retailers, building a new hospital, and creating a slogan ("Hurry to Murray!") that's stuck ever since. It's a candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation about grassroots economic development, believing in your community before the world does, and building something for the next generation — not just for today.

Highlights

• Barry's journey from a chamber in Iowa to becoming president of the Murray County Chamber of Commerce
• How Murray County landed a Taylor Sheridan production (Rescue) and became a hotspot for HGTV star Chip Wade's Airbnb developments
• The behind-the-scenes story of investing in a retail recruiter to bring in brands like Dunkin', Waffle House, and Factory Connection
• Major healthcare investment coming to Murray County from Hamilton and AdventHealth
• The origin story of the "Hurry to Murray" slogan
• A look at downtown Chatsworth's revival, driven by local investors like Holly Myers
• New restaurant openings, including a wood-fired concept from Brooklyn transplant Dominic Napolitano
• The growth of the Murray Arts Council and community-sponsored music events
• Why Barry believes you have to "build for the youth" to sustain a community long-term
• Upcoming events: the Teardrop Marathon, Black Bear Festival, and Dancing with the Murray Stars fundraiser
• The economics of shopping local and why it matters for community wealth
• Murray County's ambitious housing growth plans, including 1,000 new homes and affordable housing developments

Chapters

1:12 – Meet Barry Gentry

2:51 – Why Murray County

5:31 – Hollywood and Chip Wade

11:02 – Getting Murray on the Map

12:07 – Retail Recruitment Wins

15:26 – Discovering Murray Outdoors

16:00 – Here Murray Magazine News

17:07 – Downtown Chatsworth Tour

18:50 – Investors and New Restaurant

21:28 – Downtown Restaurant Buzz

22:10 – Wood Fired Game Changer

22:35 – Arts Council Momentum

23:50 – Chamber Events Community

25:36 – Can't Miss Murray

26:57 – Grassroots Local Wins

28:01 – Hurry to Murray Origin

31:19 – Build for the Youth

33:28 – Teardrop Marathon Boost

35:55 – Fall Festivals & Fundraisers

38:22 – Regional Partnerships & Daycations

39:58 – Housing Growth & Affordability

41:34 – What's Next

Resources Mentioned

• Murray County Chamber of Commerce https://www.murraycountychamber.org/
• Red Eyed Rooster https://redeyedroosterco.com/
• Murray Arts Council https://www.murray-arts.com/
• Crown Craft Market https://crowncraftmarket.com/
• Teardrop Marathon http://www.teardrophalf.com/

Follow the show:

Instagram: @behere.dalton

Facebook: Here Magazine

LinkedIn: Here Local Media

Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

What happens when a sport becomes the soul of a city? That's exactly what you'll discover in this conversation with Juan and Todd, co-hosts of Monday Night Futbol — the show that has been hyping local soccer players and chronicling Dalton's rise as Soccer Town, USA for five seasons. From the Mexican League games of the early '80s to FIFA-size fields, Atlanta United scouting visits, and a World Cup viewing party at Burr Park, this episode traces the full arc of how soccer became Dalton's identity — and where it's headed next.

Highlights

• The Mexican League started in Dalton as early as 1982–83, making it one of the earliest organized adult soccer communities in the region
• Young players — some as young as 15 — played against 30-year-old men in the Mexican League, and that competition is what forged Dalton High's championship pedigree
• Dalton's first state soccer championship was in 2003, and from 2013 onward they've won nearly every year
• In 2021, Dalton, Southeast, and Coahulla Creek all won state championships in the same year — with four local teams in the finals total
• Monday Night Futbol started in 2022 after a 2021 post-championship celebration at Dalton Brewing Company sparked the idea
• The show's mission is simple: hype local kids and give them a platform they deserve
• Club soccer — particularly North Georgia Soccer Association (NGSA) and CFC Futbol Correcaminos — has been the pipeline for college and pro opportunities
• Atlanta United's Academy scouts come to Dalton monthly; players like Omar Hernandez have made it to the pro level and continue to give back to the community
• The Atlanta United Foundation partnered with Dalton for one of the first 10 Mini Pitches installed in Georgia, with a goal of 100 statewide by the World Cup
• The girls' game is the next big wave — with NGSA launching their girls academy about four years ago and Kahula Creek making the first girls' state final from the area
• High school rivalries have largely dissolved thanks to club soccer, where former rivals now play alongside each other on weekends
• Juan and Todd's World Cup picks: Spain to win it all; they both want Mexico and the USA to exceed expectations
• World Cup watch parties in Dalton: Dalton Brewing Company (all USA and Mexico group stage matches) and Burr Park on June 27th

Chapters

0:28 — Soccer Vibes

1:00 — Meet the Guests & Jerseys

3:38 — Dalton Rival Schools and Early Soccer Days

5:33 — How They Got Into Soccer

6:10 — Mexican League Roots in Dalton

9:35 — Dalton Dynasty and the Soccer Culture Shift

12:12 — Soccer Facilities and Community Investment

13:03 — The Magical 2021 Sweep

16:18 — Origin of Monday Night Futbol

17:53 — Early Episodes and Growing Audience

19:47 — Mission to Hype Local Kids

21:49 — Co-Hosts and Show Evolution

24:36 — Dalton Talent Pipeline and Club Soccer

26:23 — National Titles Buzz

27:20 — Club Soccer Changes Everything

29:18 — Soccer Town USA Momentum

30:15 — Stadium Dreams and City Plans

31:01 — The Taco Bell Fields Origin Story

33:02 — Mini Pitches and Local Heroes

35:19 — Rivalries Fade, Club Unites

37:08 — The Girls' Game: The Next Wave

40:18 — College Pathway & Recruiting Tips

41:07 — World Cup Picks and Underdogs

43:04 — Where to Watch in Dalton

43:59 — Socials and Show Shoutouts

45:23 — Why Dalton: Closing Thoughts

49:49 — Final Thanks and Wrap

Resources Mentioned

• Monday Night Futbol — Follow on Facebook and Instagram: @WDNNMondayNightFutbol
• Monday Night Futbol Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@elliottmediatv
• Dalton Brewing Company (DBC) — World Cup watch parties for all USA and Mexico group stage matches; daltonbrewing.com
• North Georgia Soccer Academy (NGSA) — Local club soccer program for boys and girls
• Heritage Point Soccer Complex — Dalton's FIFA-size soccer facility
• Kick’N Clips — Local soccer shop that lent Todd a jersey for the episode

Follow the show:

Instagram: @behere.dalton

Facebook: Here Magazine

LinkedIn: Here Local Media

Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

What makes the city you hated become the place you call home — and then spend years working to make it that way for everyone else?

That's the quiet, powerful question at the heart of this conversation with Marisa Kelley, president of the Dalton-Whitfield NAACP. Marisa arrived in Dalton in 2014, hated it (her words — two thumbs down), and couldn't find her community. Fast forward 12 years, and she's one of the most visible, invested leaders in the city, organizing what may be the largest two-weekend Juneteenth celebration in the country. We talk about what changed, how the NAACP's work is for everyone, and why Juneteenth is one of the most American celebrations there is.

Oh, and we also celebrate a little milestone of our own: one year of Hear Local Media.

Highlights

• Marisa arrived in Dalton in 2014 and hated it — no community, no places that felt like hers. Downtown's revitalization was the turning point that made her want to stay.
• She became NAACP president after a friend told her she was "a little too passive" — and she took that as a challenge she never told anyone about.
• The Dalton-Whitfield NAACP is open to everyone regardless of race — $30/year membership, meetings the 4th Monday of every month at 6:30 PM at the community center.
• The NAACP's vision is an inclusive community rooted in liberation, where all persons can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination.
• Dalton's Juneteenth celebration is in its 8th year and may be the largest two-weekend Juneteenth event put on by a single organization in the country.
• Nana's Family Fun Day is named in honor of Ms. Debbie Madden, a vendor from the very first celebration who passed away from breast cancer — a beautiful tribute to the person who planted that seed.
• Marisa explains the real history of Juneteenth: why the Emancipation Proclamation didn't actually free anyone, what Union General Granger's arrival in Galveston meant, and why formerly enslaved people started celebrating just one year later — in 1866.
• The Pan-African flag colors explained: red for the blood shed for freedom, green for the richness of the earth and looking forward, black for Black people and unity worldwide.
• Marisa's favorite thing about Dalton? The people — specifically those who are intentional about doing the work to make it better, not just talking about it.

Chapters

0:37 – One Year Milestone

1:17 – Meet Marisa Kelley

3:30 – Dalton Love Overflowing

4:00 – Her Path to Dalton

5:25 – Finding Community

6:42 – Downtown Turning Point

9:17 – Burr Park Connections

10:12 – NAACP Leadership Journey

12:21 – Mission and Vision

14:22 – Get Involved and Juneteenth

16:09 – Events and Service

16:28 – MLK Service Projects

17:16 – Hot Dogs, Hoodies & Haircuts

18:05 – Juneteenth Gets Bigger

18:46 – Origins in Kansas

19:59 – Spades and Fish Fry

21:56 – Nana's Family Fun Day

22:53 – Parade, Concert & Gala

23:44 – Juneteenth History Explained

26:48 – Symbols, Food & Flags

29:32 – Dalton Favorites & Farewell

Resources Mentioned

• Believe Greater Dalton — YouTube channel featuring Marisa and community members: youtube.com/@BelieveGreaterDalton
• Dalton-Whitfield NAACP — Follow on Facebook and Instagram for event updates and meeting info

Follow the show:

Instagram: @behere.dalton

Facebook: Here Magazine

LinkedIn: Here Local Media

Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!