Pine Mountain, Then and Now

All Aboard Man O’ War is a ride back into mid-century Georgia, when Pine Mountain was still Chipley and the Central of Georgia Railway’s streamlined Man O’ War carried passengers between Columbus and Atlanta in air-conditioned comfort. We’ll talk opening day in 1947, what made the train feel “fancy,” and the best detail of all: the Man O’ War’s birthday celebrations—complete with cake and photo-wo...

Step back in time with me at Sunnyside. In this episode of Pine Mountain, Then and Now , we’re exploring the story of how Sunnyside began as a school and, over the years, grew into the Sunnyside Community Center — and why it still matters to Pine Mountain today. I sat down with Lou Brackett , and she helped bring the history to life with the kind of details you don’t find in a textbook. If you’ve...

In this episode of Pine Mountain, Then and Now , we’re celebrating one of my favorite kinds of small-town stories: the cats in the stores. Meet Arnold , the delightfully plush “Boss Cat” at The Cat’s Meow, and Bob , the black-and-white hardware store pro with his own red T‑shirt, a loyal fan club, and very firm opinions about dogs. It’s funny, sweet, and 100% Pine Mountain—proof that sometimes the...

Come with me back to 1949, when Pine Mountain Valley got a rare and unforgettable visitor — the circus, in town for one night only. In today’s episode of Pine Mountain, Then and Now , Charlotte Smith Winsness is joining me to read a chapter from her book, titled “The Circus Comes to Town.” The story is set in a place many of us can picture — near the crossroads of Highway 116 and 354, close to whe...

There’s more to the Trains Mural than meets the eye. It’s filled with clever easter eggs and personal touches hidden in plain sight. In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at its secrets, the artists behind it, the recent buzz it’s been getting, and the effort underway to restore it for future generations.

In this episode of Pine Mountain, Then and Now , I talk with Cindy Bowden and Whitney Ligon about an exciting new initiative—the Georgia Black History Trail. Their goal is to unite all 159 counties in Georgia through a statewide trail that connects significant Black history landmarks and stories, creating a valuable resource for citizens to explore and better understand our shared history. It’s a...

This week, I’m sharing a heartfelt story called “Santa Lives at Western Auto,” written by longtime Pine Mountain Valley resident Charlotte Smith Winsness . Back in the 1940s and 50s, Christmas magic didn’t come from online orders—it came straight through Western Auto, where Sears Roebuck packages arrived like little miracles. It’s a sweet, nostalgic reminder of small-town Christmases, familiar fac...

Episode 30 is here, and this one’s a little different. I’m sharing a bit about myself and a whole lot about why I love Pine Mountain—the people, the stories, and the sense of home you can’t quite put into words. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to listen and celebrate this special milestone with me.

This episode is full of heart! I talked with Mary Ruth Mullins about the DARlings , the singing group from our local DAR chapter, and what their music means to our community. And yes — you’ll get to hear them sing. I recorded their rehearsal of “It Is Well With My Soul,” and it’s included in the episode. Settle in for something beautiful.

This week on Pine Mountain, Then and Now, we travel back to 1895 — when Pine Mountain was still called Chipley — and a moonless summer night turned sinister. What began as a small-town dispute over firecrackers exploded into one of the most infamous feuds in local history. Listen as I share the true story — with a few dramatic twists just in time for Halloween — of pride, vengeance, and a scar tha...

Today I’m sharing my interview with Amy Skinner — many of you know her as the creative force behind the Pine Mountain Art Alliance (PMAA)! In this episode, Amy talks about the PMAA, plus two exciting events coming up: the grand opening of the ArtSprout Gallery with a ribbon cutting on October 18 at 2:00 p.m. , and the Plein Air Event happening right here in Pine Mountain on October 25 . Tune in an...

In this episode, Polly Waters shares the story of The Silver Bells , a circle of widowed women in Pine Mountain, GA who gather each week to share lunch, laughter, and community. Their bond is a beautiful reminder that joy and connection can always be found around the table.

Season 3 of Pine Mountain, Then and Now kicks off with the story of the Man O’ War Trail —once a busy railway line, now a 13.4-mile path connecting our community. I’m joined by Dawn Hiers of Chipley Cycle , who shares how she and her husband built their downtown bike shop into a hub for cyclists of all ages. And in the Memory Lane segment, the late Pope Davis recalls a 1937 fireworks explosion in...

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 wh...

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 pas...

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 sto...

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...

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. 4o

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...

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 S...

Listen to a few hilarious ads from the Hamilton Journal between 1880 and 1920. You’ll hear cures for clean blood, gray hair and dandruff. Don’t miss the beauty tips and an ad for an illustrated marriage and health guide. I can only imagine! And the big event is this weekend! The Pine Mountain Christmas Parade and Festival is on Saturday @ 11:00 a.m.

Today I share the history of the building in town that was built in 1892, and still has the cash register, hand crank elevator and wood floors inside. There’s so much history to the building, including what you could buy at the store back in the day, and some of it will surprise you. You’ll appreciate Cat’s Meow even more after you listen to today’s episode.