Front Porch Chats

To learn more about our EMPOWER program and to watch a video of some of our incredible students from previous program, please visit our blog.Applications are open to sophomores in February each year, so make sure to ask your high school counselor about our program if you're in Crawford, Macon, Marion, Peach, Schley, Talbot or Taylor County, or set a calendar reminder to come back and check our blog for the application to open! https://flintenergies.com/empower Credits:Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine”Performed by: ReveilleWritten by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%)Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

In this episode, you'll discover how Laquita McCrary started the Youth Leadership program at Flint Energies back in 2013. We'll discuss where it all began and how it's evolved to serve our communities and ignite the next generation of leaders in Central and Southwest Georgia!Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: ReveilleWritten by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%)Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

It's April in Perry-dise, so that means it's time for the annual Dogwood Festival in downtown Perry, Georgia!Join us for a lot of fun, great live music, shopping and plenty of activities in the heart of Perry on Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13. Learn more about the festival and get updates on the Dogwood Festival website, on the Dogwood Festival Facebook page, and the Dogwood Festival Instagram page! You can also pre-order your festival t-shirts and art prints to ensure you get one from the ⁠Dogwood Festival website⁠. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: ReveilleWritten by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%)Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

In March of 2025, our country - including multiple locations in Georgia - is celebrating Lafayette 200 years after his historic journey through our area. Learn about reenactments and events in our service area celebrating Lafayette in Georgia! Crawford County Historical SocietyCheck with your local area historical society for more information or reach out to the ⁠Lafayette in Georgia⁠ for help. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: ReveilleWritten by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%)Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

Flint Energies' Agriculture Specialist, Matt Denton, shares about the work Flint does with our farms, FFA students, and industry to support agriculture in the region. Learn more about the Wiring Contest we discuss in this episode here. To learn more about the scholarships we discuss, including our FFA and 4-H college scholarships, click here. You can also share all of these resources from our ⁠⁠blog⁠⁠. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

In this months podcast, Flint Energies' Manager of Community Development, Jay Flesher, shares the history, details and future of Flint's FireStarter FABLab. The FABLab provides community access to equipment and training to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and STEM education. Learn more about the FireStarter FABLab online and follow the FireStarter FABLab on Facebook. Read more about the FireStarter FABLab on our ⁠blog⁠. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

This season on Front Porch Chats, enjoy the Voices of Flint, featuring stories from our communities. You can find past episodes and articles of Front Porch Chats on our blog. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

In this months podcast, we're discussing how the Flint Energies Foundation is transforming communities and how you can join us! The Flint Energies Foundation proves that small change, when combined with big hearts, can create monumental change. Join the movement today and see just how far your pennies can go. Together, we're making our communities stronger—one rounded-up bill at a time. It's easy to be part of this life-changing effort. Sign up for Operation Round Up here. If you're part of an organization in need of support, submit a grant application here. Read more about the Flint Energies Foundation on our blog. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

While Massee Lane Gardens is known for the one of the world's finest collections of camellias (and I highly recommend you go during camellia season in February and March), there are other treasures in the gardens you can enjoy year-round. In this episode you'll lean about the national headquarters for the American Camellia Society. Learn more about the gardens, become a member, and plan your visit by going to their website. Also enjoy pictures from the gardens on our blog here and here! Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

Americus, Georgia, is a town rich in history and full of life, thanks to the Americus Visitor's Center and the Downtown Americus Main Street Program. Together, they bring an array of exciting events and activities to the area, drawing visitors from near and far to experience Sumter County. For more information on these events and others, be sure to follow Visit Americus and Downtown Americus on social media. https://visitamericusga.com/ https://www.facebook.com/visitamericus https://www.downtownamericus.com/ https://www.facebook.com/downtownamericus Plan your visit and discover all the excitement Americus has to offer this season! Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

In this podcast episode of Front Porch Chats, you'll learn about all the exciting events and activities happening in Perry! There are many people working hard to create a vibrant community in Perry, Georgia. The city offers a variety of things to do for residents and tourists alike. Make sure to follow Visit Perry on Facebook, Visit Perry on Instagram, and sign up for information so you don't miss a thing on Visit Perry's website. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Flint Energies on Facebook⁠⁠⁠ to get the latest details on our podcast, important updates from Flint Energies, and details on our grants, scholarships and community programs. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

In this podcast episode of Front Porch Chats, you'll learn about the restaurants and shops in downtown Buena Vista, in addition to upcoming events and activities. There are many people working hard to create a vibrant community in Buena Vista, Georgia, and it shows. Learn more about their events, restaurants and shops on the Marion County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. Enjoy an article on our Front Porch Chats blog featuring this conversation. ⁠ ⁠⁠Follow Flint Energies on Facebook⁠⁠ to get the latest details on our podcast, important updates from Flint Energies, and details on our grants, scholarships and community programs. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

In this podcast episode of Front Porch Chats, you'll learn about events, activities, and shops in Plains, Georgia, the home of President Jimmy Carter. Friends of Jimmy Carter works hard to maintain a vibrant community in Plains. Learn more about their events, programs, and the latest information on their website or join their Facebook group. Read the article, "Fireworks with a President" in this month's issue of Georgia Magazine. ⁠Follow Flint Energies on Facebook⁠ to get the latest details on our podcast, important updates from Flint Energies, and details on our grants, scholarships and community programs. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

In this podcast episode of Front Porch Chats, you'll learn about Flint Energies' Bright Ideas Grant for Teachers. It's now live, and you can get all the details, tips, and deadlines on today's podcast interview. Apply for the Bright Ideas Grant on our website. The grant application opens June 3, 2024 (so that means it's live NOW)! Our early bird deadline is Friday, September 6, 2024. Final deadline is Friday, September 20, 2024. Contact Blair Brown with questions. Blair's contact information can be found on the Bright Ideas page. Follow us on Facebook to get reminders on deadlines. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

Learn all about the details and history of the Georgia JugFest coming up on Saturday, May 18, 2024. To stay up to date on all the details, follow the Georgia JugFest Facebook page, Roberta-Crawford Chamber of Commerce and Crawford County Historical Society. In the ⁠May issue of Georgia Magazine, you'll also find an article on the festival! Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

We just finished up our inaugural year of the EMPOWER Youth Leadership Program, and what a year it has been!  In this bonus podcast episode, I interview Flint Energies' CEO and President, Jeremy Nelms, and we talk about the importance of leadership development for these students and our communities. If you'd like to hear what our EMPOWER kids have to say about the program, make sure to go to our blog to see a video featuring some of our students! In the May issue of Georgia Magazine, you'll also find an article on this program and the impact it's had on our communities. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

It's that time of the year again. It's strawberry season and thousands eagerly anticipate the annual Georgia Strawberry Festival. The festival transforms the town of Reynolds into a strawberry wonderland, paying homage to the sweet harvest and the values that define this close-knit community. Each year, the festival is on the fourth Saturday in April in Reynolds. This year, the Georgia Strawberry Festival will be on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Learn more about The Georgia Strawberry Festival, access applications, and see all the details here. You can also follow The Georgia Strawberry Festival's Facebook page to stay up to date.

Georgia's longest yard sale is coming up quickly from Barnesville to Brunswick. Peaches to the Beaches is not only a fun weekend event, but it's also making a huge impact on our communities. In today's podcast, learn more about Peaches to the Beaches, what is it, and where it's located. For additional information or to be a vendor, go to the Peaches to the Beaches official website or to their Facebook page. Read our Front Porch Chats and learn more about festivals, events and places to see in Central and Southwest Georgia. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

The power of public art and beauty is amazing. While I've always appreciated beautiful murals and artwork, I never realized how powerful it can truly be until I moved back to my hometown. In today's podcast with Marian McLemore of Flint Energies, we discuss the Rural Murals grant program and how it is helping to revitalize rural Georgia. If you are interested in applying for the grant, please visit the Rural Murals page to find out more about what areas are eligible and how to proceed. I will never look at a mural or public art installation the same again, and after listening to our chat today, I bet you won't either! If you go to one of the towns we mention in today's podcast, take a picture with the mural(s) in that town and share it with us! Read our Front Porch Chats and learn more about festivals, events and places to see in Central and Southwest Georgia at https://www.flintenergies.com/chats. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine"Performed by: ReveilleWritten by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%)Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)

A production of Flint Energies, your local Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Front Porch Chats brings you along while we share interesting events, places to go, important programs and hidden gems located in central and southwest Georgia. Grab a glass of iced tea while we chat for a spell. Welcome to our very first episode of Front Porch Chats. Today, I'd like to introduce you to our podcast so you'll know what to expect. This past year, Flint Energies offered me a position that was the perfect blend of economic and community development, creativity, and event planning. Over the past year, I've developed a blog called Front Porch Chats, focusing on events, places, and life in rural, central, and southwest Georgia. I am pleased to share that starting on February 6th, 2024, Front Porch Chats is expanding its reach as a podcast in addition to our blog. On this podcast, I'll introduce you to some of the best festivals, events, businesses, art, culture, and places that Central and Southwest Georgia have to offer. Read our Front Porch Chats on our website and learn more about festivals, events and places to see in Central and Southwest Georgia at https://www.flintenergies.com/chats . Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: Reveille Written by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%) Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)