Podcasts about ellijay

A Fork in the Road is back for Season 8, with new stories celebrating the people, places, and traditions behind what Georgia grows, makes, and eats. This season, David Zelski visits the apple orchards of Ellijay, a hidden alpaca and llama rescue in Atlanta, North Georgia wine country, and a South Georgia pitmaster putting peaches, blueberries and pepper jelly to work in his barbecue. We'll also hear the story of Athens craft beer pioneer Terrapin and meet Georgia entrepreneurs finding new ways to turn homegrown ideas into something uniquely their own.

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOThere's something unusual surrounding Ellijay, Georgia—and it goes far beyond local legend. In this episode of The Grave Talks, the team behind Unknown Ellijay—Brad Kennedy, Luke Pilgrim, and Ellis Treece—share what led them to explore one of North Georgia's most quietly active paranormal hotspots.Through their docuseries, they've documented real accounts of unexplained encounters, from sightings in the dense Appalachian woods to stories tied to homes and land with long, unsettled histories. What drew them in wasn't just the stories themselves, but how often they seemed to repeat—and how many people were willing to share similar experiences.As they discuss their work, they explore the line between folklore and firsthand encounters, and why some places seem to hold onto more than just history.Because sometimes, what's hiding in plain sight isn't trying to stay hidden at all.#TheGraveTalks #UnknownEllijay #Cryptids #BigfootSightings #Dogman #HauntedSouth #ParanormalDocumentary #AppalachianMystery #SupernaturalEncounters #ParanormalPodcastLove real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!There's something unusual surrounding Ellijay, Georgia—and it goes far beyond local legend. In this episode of The Grave Talks, the team behind Unknown Ellijay—Brad Kennedy, Luke Pilgrim, and Ellis Treece—share what led them to explore one of North Georgia's most quietly active paranormal hotspots.Through their docuseries, they've documented real accounts of unexplained encounters, from sightings in the dense Appalachian woods to stories tied to homes and land with long, unsettled histories. What drew them in wasn't just the stories themselves, but how often they seemed to repeat—and how many people were willing to share similar experiences.As they discuss their work, they explore the line between folklore and firsthand encounters, and why some places seem to hold onto more than just history.Because sometimes, what's hiding in plain sight isn't trying to stay hidden at all.For more information, visit their website at sozobearfilms.com and watch the series on their YouTube channel by clicking here.#TheGraveTalks #UnknownEllijay #Cryptids #BigfootSightings #Dogman #HauntedSouth #ParanormalDocumentary #AppalachianMystery #SupernaturalEncounters #ParanormalPodcastLove real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

August 8, 2026- Sandra interviews Renae Blair founder of Blair Haven Farm and Equine Rescue and Sanctuary in Ellijay. The organization does great work helping and adopting out horses and is in need of fosters right now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailHousing can feel like the one problem no small community can solve, especially when the town is growing, prices are climbing, and every public meeting feels personal. We sit down with Tiffany Watson, executive director of Gilmer County Family Connection in Ellijay, Georgia, to unpack how a local coalition took on workforce housing and stayed the course long enough to see 50 new apartments become real homes.Tiffany walks us through the play-by-play: the steady drumbeat of calls from families who cannot find a long-term rental, the way short-term rentals reshaped the local housing stock, and the “everyone knows everyone” dynamics that make change feel risky. We get specific about what worked including building a cross-sector stakeholder table, applying to the University of Georgia's Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH), using a housing study and community survey to ground the work in data, and choosing language like “workforce housing” to reduce stigma and keep the conversation focused on local needs.You'll also hear the hard parts leaders rarely say out loud: getting shouted down at zoning meetings, facing misinformation, and deciding whether the stress is worth it. Tiffany shares what kept her going, how they educated the public with simple Q&A materials and civic group talks, and what success looks like now that the Overlook at Ellijay is opening with a leasing process built to follow fair housing rules while serving the local workforce.If you care about housing affordability, rural community development, coalition leadership, and practical strategies that actually move the needle, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a fellow community leader, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so more people can find the show.Tiffany Watson – BioTiffany Watson has deep roots in Ellijay, Georgia, and proudly calls the community home. She graduated from Gilmer High School and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Reinhardt University in 2002, graduating Cum Laude.Tiffany serves as the Executive Director of Gilmer County Family Connection, where she works alongside community partners to support children and families across Gilmer County. Her work focuses on bringing people together, strengthening local resources, and helping families access the support they need. She is also involved in regional initiatives, including Building a Region of Resilience (BRR), supporting efforts that promote stability and resilience across the community.In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Tiffany has served in various community and service roles. She became Treasurer of the Present Hope Ministry Board in 2014, supporting efforts that provide education and food to children in Haiti. Tiffany served as Board Chair of the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce in 2023 and as Chair of the Georgia Apple Festival in 2024. She presently serves on the Gilmer County Department of Family and Children's Services Board and has been actively involved in the Gilmer Initiative for Community Housing (GICH), where she serves as Chair, helping lead local efforts to expand housing opportunities and strengthen community development.Tiffany considers her most important role to be that of a mother to her three sons. Her child's health challenges led her to advocate for families of medically complex children, sharing a parent's perspective at medical conferences and legislative meetings to highlight the impact of childhood illness on families.Get in touch with Tiffnay: gilmerfc@outlook.com Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions  How Ann  can help:·        Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.·        Help you create a strategic plan that doesn't stress you and your group out, doesn't take all year to design, and is actionable.·        Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.·        Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.·        Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.·        Speak at your conference or event.Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.   Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

July 18, 2026-Sandra interviews Sarah Paulk, founder of Smithwick Station fawn rehab in Cherokee County about the work they do rehabilitating fawns. She also updates a fawn rescued recently in Ellijay after its mother is impaled on a pool fence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 1, 2026--Sandra interviews Steve Dusek, pastor of The Orchard Church in Ellijay about their new location. The beautiful new church building is finally complete, and members will be moving everything out following a brief final service at the old location Sunday. The first service at the new building on Highland Parkway will be August 9th at 9am and 11am. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I spent last week in a cabin outside Ellijay, Georgia, a couple of hours north of here. I'd thought about doing something more epic with my one week away, driving out to Chaco Canyon or somewhere like it, and then realized I'd spend most of the week driving and arrive exhausted. So, a cabin. I went to work on the nonfiction book I've been close to finishing and then taking apart again more times than I care to admit.I brought a lot of music gear with me too, just in case the writing didn't go. Turns out that having only so much time is its own kind of help. I didn't play much.This week's episode came out of that.I want to talk to two people. The first has never written a book and can't get past the question of who am I to do this. No platform. A few hundred people on Facebook, half of them from high school. Write the thing and you're speaking into the wilderness. The second already wrote the book. It came out, it did fine or it didn't, and now they're quietly wondering whether it was worth what they gave it.Here's the honest part, and I think the honest version is more useful than the pitch. Books don't make people famous anymore. Even really good ones. That's most of the reason the Big Five look for authors who already have an audience, because they aren't in the platform-building business so much as the fire-to-it business. But a book is still a different form of distribution, and it reaches people who will never find you in a feed. Somebody they trust hands them a copy and says you should read this. That's a door your other work doesn't open.So the question I've landed on isn't whether you should write a book. It's whether you want to inhabit the identity of someone who writes. If you want somebody to read your one book, shouldn't they be able to see that you're a person who writes?I also get into why three-year and five-year plans have never worked for me, what David Perell's 250,000 subscribers actually took in years, why a book that doesn't sell in its first year is the moment most people quit and the wrong moment to do it, and my own fairly fragmented record of sticking with anything.The difficulty in life is the choice.If you're sitting on a manuscript, a proposal, or an idea you can't shake loose, Crossroads Publishing Group is my press. Editorial, design, print, ebook, audio, distribution. Take a look at crossroadspublishing.group and see what you think. If you decide it isn't for you, that's a real answer and a fine one.I also coach writers toward the harder part, which is hearing yourself into committing to the thing you actually want to do. That's a conversation, not a purchase.And I'm taking on a handful of new projects this fall. If you know someone with a book they keep almost writing, or a story you know is worth telling, send them my way or just send me their name. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Howdy, neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control. If you've lived around Jasper or traveled down Highway 53 in Pickens County for more than five minutes, you've probably caught yourself staring off toward the trees, admiring that stunning, glowing pink structure tucked into the foothills. I'm talking, of course, about the world-famous Tate House—or as a lot of folks around here like to call it, the “Pink Palace”. Now, usually when I'm writing to y’all, I'm talking about termites, carpenter ants, or the sneaky mice that try to make a home in your crawlspace when the mountain weather turns chilly. But living and working right here in North Georgia, I believe in taking care of our community and appreciating the rich history we're standing on. And folks, you won’t find a grander piece of local history than Colonel Sam Tate's marble masterpiece. Built on Solid Georgia Marble (And Built to Last) Construction on the 19,000-square-foot Neo-Classical mansion began back in 1921 and wrapped up in 1926. Colonel Samuel Tate—president of the Georgia Marble Company—didn’t build his home out of standard brick or pine framing. He went straight to the source right underneath his feet. The mansion was constructed using rare, hand-picked pink Etowah marble. The story goes that Colonel Sam personally selected matching pink slabs for the exterior walls, floors, and interior fireplaces. A Bug Man's Take: When you build a house out of solid Georgia marble, subterranean termites don’t stand a chance against those exterior walls. Though I can tell you from experience as a Certified Pest Control Operator, even a marble palace has wooden roof rafters and grand gardens that need a watchful eye! From Mountain Mansion to North Georgia Gem Over the decades, the Tate House has worn a lot of hats: The Family Era (1926–1955): Home to Colonel Sam Tate and later his heirs. The Restoration Era (1974–1985): After falling into disrepair, it was saved and lovingly restored over a 10-year effort, securing its spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Today: One of the premier wedding, event, and holiday tour destinations in all of Georgia, surrounded by century-old oak trees and flowing fountains. It's an absolute landmark for Pickens County. Whenever friends or family come to visit from out of town, driving them past the Tate House is always right at the top of my list. Protecting Your Own Castle Right Here in Jasper Whether your home is a 19,000-square-foot pink marble estate or a cozy mountain cabin in Jasper, Talking Rock, or Ellijay, your house is your castle. And just like the caretakers who preserve the historic Tate House, every homeowner around here needs to protect their investment from wood-destroying organisms and unwelcome pests. If you ever suspect pests are trying to crash your home—whether it’s termites in the foundation or critters in the attic—you don’t have to tackle it alone. Give me a call or text at 770-823-9202 for a free inspection. And remember Fred’s Personal Guarantee: If you hire us and you aren’t 100% HAPPY after 30 days, we’ll keep coming back and retreating for FREE until you are. If you’re still not happy, I’ll give you back every penny plus an extra $25.00 for your time and trouble. Period. Enjoy our beautiful North Georgia mountains, take a drive past the Tate House this weekend, and as always—let me be YOUR bug man! The post Pickens County's Historic Tate House first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

On this Monday Morning Quarterback edition of The Morning Rant, Dave Garner and Big John Davis recapped a busy Fourth of July weekend, including their appearances at the Jasper and Ellijay parades, John serving as Grand Marshal in Ellijay, and the strong sense of community support throughout North Georgia. The show featured discussions on sports superstitions, local high school football culture, and the growth of WPGY and its partnerships with local businesses. They also broke down major sports topics, including Team USA's World Cup matchup with Belgium and the controversial reversal of Folarin Balogun's red card, Norway's upset of Brazil, Wimbledon, and the Atlanta Braves' recent struggles heading into the All-Star break. Throughout the show, they emphasized community, the positive experiences international soccer fans are having in America, and their excitement for the future growth of The Morning Rant and Sports Pig Radio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Monday Morning Quarterback edition of The Morning Rant, Dave Garner and Big John Davis recapped a busy Fourth of July weekend, including their appearances at the Jasper and Ellijay parades, John serving as Grand Marshal in Ellijay, and the strong sense of community support throughout North Georgia. The show featured discussions on sports superstitions, local high school football culture, and the growth of WPGY and its partnerships with local businesses. They also broke down major sports topics, including Team USA's World Cup matchup with Belgium and the controversial reversal of Folarin Balogun's red card, Norway's upset of Brazil, Wimbledon, and the Atlanta Braves' recent struggles heading into the All-Star break. Throughout the show, they emphasized community, the positive experiences international soccer fans are having in America, and their excitement for the future growth of The Morning Rant and Sports Pig Radio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Rant kicked off its Freedom 250 and Fourth of July weekend celebration live from Bradley’s Bar and Grill in East Cobb, with hosts Dave Garner and John Davis reflecting on the show's growth and upcoming expansion to a two-hour format beginning in August. They discussed the excitement surrounding the World Cup being hosted in the United States and Atlanta's role in the event, upcoming Independence Day festivities in Ellijay, and the station's expanding sports coverage, including the likely addition of Alabama football broadcasts. The show also touched on the Atlanta Braves' recent struggles and bullpen issues, debating whether the team is simply average or in need of significant changes before the trade deadline and All-Star break. Throughout the program, the hosts celebrated their loyal audience, local partnerships, and the continued growth of the Sports Pig brand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Morning Rant featured an extended and heartfelt conversation with former Georgia Tech player Damien Burke, focusing on the importance of lifelong relationships, mentorship, and the lasting impact of legendary coach Bill Curry. The hosts shared stories about the Georgia Tech family, staying connected through traditions like annual golf trips, and how strong personal relationships have helped generations of players in their careers and lives. They also discussed the changing landscape of college athletics, including NIL, women's sports opportunities, and Clemson rowing through the experiences of Burke's daughter. Mixed in were previews of Fourth of July festivities, local events in Ellijay, and reflections on the growth of the Morning Rant and Sports Pig community, making for a show that celebrated friendship, sports, and the value of investing in people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Morning Rant featured an extended and heartfelt conversation with former Georgia Tech player Damien Burke, focusing on the importance of lifelong relationships, mentorship, and the lasting impact of legendary coach Bill Curry. The hosts shared stories about the Georgia Tech family, staying connected through traditions like annual golf trips, and how strong personal relationships have helped generations of players in their careers and lives. They also discussed the changing landscape of college athletics, including NIL, women's sports opportunities, and Clemson rowing through the experiences of Burke's daughter. Mixed in were previews of Fourth of July festivities, local events in Ellijay, and reflections on the growth of the Morning Rant and Sports Pig community, making for a show that celebrated friendship, sports, and the value of investing in people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Rant kicked off its Freedom 250 and Fourth of July weekend celebration live from Bradley’s Bar and Grill in East Cobb, with hosts Dave Garner and John Davis reflecting on the show's growth and upcoming expansion to a two-hour format beginning in August. They discussed the excitement surrounding the World Cup being hosted in the United States and Atlanta's role in the event, upcoming Independence Day festivities in Ellijay, and the station's expanding sports coverage, including the likely addition of Alabama football broadcasts. The show also touched on the Atlanta Braves' recent struggles and bullpen issues, debating whether the team is simply average or in need of significant changes before the trade deadline and All-Star break. Throughout the program, the hosts celebrated their loyal audience, local partnerships, and the continued growth of the Sports Pig brand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra interviews Rebecca Harrell with Ellijay Paws in Need about the annual Lasagna Cookout and fundraiser at Buckley's winery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra interviews Jan Murphey, founder of the new North Georgia Mountain History Center in Ellijay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra interviews Bryan Bogue, director of the Victory Christian Center in Ellijay on the upcoming Apple Capital Paddle Battle pickleball tournament in a few weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra interviews Sylvia Harris, President of Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter, talks about their annual fundraiser Wolfstock in downtown Ellijay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monday edition of The Morning Rant covered a wide range of sports topics, led by excitement surrounding the ongoing World Cup and Atlanta's role as a host city, including Canada's dramatic stoppage-time win over South Africa and anticipation for Team USA's upcoming match. The hosts also discussed Victor Hovland's playoff victory over Scottie Scheffler at the Travelers Championship, the Braves' recent struggles and possible roster changes, Wimbledon getting underway, and early college football storylines as Week Zero approaches. Closer to home, Big John Davis was announced as the Grand Marshal of Ellijay's July 4th parade, and the show previewed a busy holiday weekend of broadcasts and community events, wrapping up with thoughts on the Buffalo Bills' decision not to honor O.J. Simpson in their new stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monday edition of The Morning Rant covered a wide range of sports topics, led by excitement surrounding the ongoing World Cup and Atlanta's role as a host city, including Canada's dramatic stoppage-time win over South Africa and anticipation for Team USA's upcoming match. The hosts also discussed Victor Hovland's playoff victory over Scottie Scheffler at the Travelers Championship, the Braves' recent struggles and possible roster changes, Wimbledon getting underway, and early college football storylines as Week Zero approaches. Closer to home, Big John Davis was announced as the Grand Marshal of Ellijay's July 4th parade, and the show previewed a busy holiday weekend of broadcasts and community events, wrapping up with thoughts on the Buffalo Bills' decision not to honor O.J. Simpson in their new stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, comin’ to you straight from our beautiful little corner of the North Georgia Mountains. If you’re like most folks living around Jasper, Ellijay, or Pickens County, you love the fresh air, the mountain views, and the changing seasons. But let’s be honest—living up here means we share our neck of the woods with a whole lot of critters. Now, I've been crawling under houses in this red clay for a long time, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that most homeowners aren’t pest experts—and that’s okay. You’ve got plenty of other things to worry about. But you do want to protect your home, your family, and your four-legged friends from damage and nasty diseases. The trouble is, bugs and rodents are sneaky. They don't always walk through the front door and introduce themselves. Usually, they leave a trail of breadcrumbs. If you notice any of these 5 warning signs around your property, it means the eviction notice is long overdue and you need to get a professional out there right now. 1. The Dreaded “Coffee Grounds” (Cockroach Droppings) If you open up your kitchen cabinets or look behind your toaster and see what looks like a spilled pile of black pepper or tiny coffee grounds, don’t reach for the mug. That's cockroach frass (pest droppings). Roaches love dark, warm, humid spots near water. If you’re seeing their droppings out in the open, it means their hidden hiding spots are completely full and they’re expanding their territory. 2. Mud Tubes on Your Foundation Wall Up here in Georgia, we have a major battle with Eastern Subterranean Termites. These sneaky little devils eat your home from the inside out. Because they need moisture to survive, they build pencil-sized tunnels made of mud and saliva to travel from the red dirt up into your wooden framing. If you see these little mud veins running up your concrete foundation or in your crawlspace, do not brush them away and forget about it. That is an active highway into your home’s structure. 3. Strange Noises in the Night (Scratching and Scuttling) When the mountain wind quietens down at night and you hear scratching, chewing, or tiny pitter-patter footsteps right above your head or inside your drywall, you’ve got roommates that aren’t paying rent. Mice, rats, squirrels, and even bats love to take advantage of small gaps in our mountain siding or rooflines. Once they get into your attic or walls, they start tearing up insulation for nesting material and gnawing on electrical wires—which is a massive fire hazard. 4. Mysterious Wood Shavings (Frass from Carpenter Ants) Unlike termites, carpenter ants don't actually eat your wood for food—they chew through it to build giant galleries and nests for their colonies. As they hollow out your support beams or window frames, they push the leftover debris out of the nest. If you spot tiny piles of clean, powdery sawdust (often mixed with dead bug parts) at the base of your baseboards or out on the porch, you’ve got an active construction crew destroying your wood framing. 5. Hollow-Sounding Wood or Sagging Drywall If you tap on a door frame, a windowsill, or a baseboard and it sounds completely hollow—or worse, your screwdriver easily pokes right through the paint—the damage is already done. Termites and wood-boring beetles leave the outer layer of wood or paint completely intact so they stay protected, completely hollowing out the inside. Similarly, if you notice your drywall looking slightly blistered or sagging, it can mean pests are tracking moisture right through your walls. Fred’s Golden Rule: Termite and pest control work is serious business. It involves your home, your family, and your pets. If going with the cheapest price just to save a few bucks is all you’re looking for, we are definitely NOT the company for you. Cutting corners in this business can end up being something you seriously regret later on. Listen… I want to be YOUR BUG MAN! I want the chance to earn your business. If you’re noticing any of these warning signs, don’t wait until a small problem turns into an expensive nightmare. I am so confident in our team that I offer an unmatched personal guarantee: If you hire me to get rid of your pest problem and you aren’t 100% happy at the end of 30 days, I'll keep treating your home for FREE until you are. And if you’re still not satisfied, I'll give you every penny of your money back, plus an extra $25.00 for your trouble. No one else would dare make you that offer. Give me a call or text today at 770-823-9202 and let’s set up a FREE Complete Termite and Pest Inspection and Audit. (And hey, if you mention you read this article, I’ll take $25.00 OFF your very first service!) Have a great day, neighbors!The post 5 Warning Signs You Need Pest Control Right Now In Jasper first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

JBS USA plans to close two facilities in Pennsylvania and Tennessee and a portion of another Tennessee site in a move expected to eliminate more than 2,000 jobs. According to a WARN Notice, the company will lay off 1,485 workers at its beef production facility near Philadelphia. ABC 24 Memphis reported that the closure of the value-added Empire Packing site in Tennessee will affect 208 jobs. Additionally, JBS-owned Pilgrim's Pride plans to close Chattanooga's harvesting operation and lay off 348 employees, as part of a $75 million expansion in Ellijay, Georgia.JBS said its nationwide network would absorb production from the Philadelphia and Memphis locations. Meanwhile, Pilgrim's said its changes will increase harvesting and portioning capacity in Georgia, enabling the facility to produce a broader mix of boneless chicken products. The company will continue to use Chattanooga's deboning infrastructure to support the expansion and added that the project would not impact the region's grower base.JBS USA said the closures represent a strategy focused on modernization, growth and long-term competitiveness. CEO Wesley Batista Filho [FEEL-oh] stated that the company is “investing where we are growing and making difficult adjustments where needed.”JBS Beef North America reported an adjusted operating income loss of $279.4 million in its Q1 2026 earnings report, compared to a $158.4 million loss a year ago. The segment said rising live cattle prices outpaced the change in cutout values due to limited cattle availability. It also cited continued restrictions on live cattle imports from Mexico.#JBS, #PilgrimsPride, #FoodManufacturing, #Manufacturing, #ManufacturingNews, #Layoffs, #FactoryClosure, #FoodIndustry, #MeatProcessing, #BeefIndustry, #PoultryIndustry, #SupplyChain, #Workforce, #IndustrialNews, #AmericanManufacturing, #Operations, #BusinessNews, #Production, #FactoryJobs, #IndustryNews

Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, comin’ to you straight from our beautiful little corner of North Georgia. Now, if you've listened to my podcasts or read my articles before, you know I'm usually talkin’ to you about things that scurry, buzz, or try to eat your home from the inside out—like those sneaky subterranean termites or attic-dwelling bats. But today, I want to talk about something else that's been dug deep into this red clay for a long, long time: the history of our very own hometown, Jasper, Georgia. You see, I've been in the pest control business around here for years, and one thing you learn when you're crawling around under old structures is that a town's history is a lot like a good foundation. If you don't understand what it's built on, you’re missing the whole story. So let’s take a little stroll down memory lane and look at how Jasper became “The First Mountain City.” The Early Days and Foundational Stones Long before any of us were here, this beautiful land at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains was home to the Cherokee Indians. They stewarded these hills and valleys until the tragic events of the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. Fast forward a bit to December of 1853, and the Georgia legislature decided to slice off pieces of Cherokee and Gilmer counties to create Pickens County. Now, the folks in charge needed a county seat, and they picked a spot right in the exact geographical center of the county. In 1857, that little spot was officially incorporated as the town of Jasper. We were named after a real-deal Revolutionary War hero, Sergeant William Jasper, who famously lost his life saving his regiment’s flag at the Siege of Savannah in 1779. A Little Fun Fact: Our county, Pickens, was also named after a Revolutionary War hero—General Andrew Pickens. So we've got patriotism baked right into our names! A Town Divided: The Civil War Era Now, here's a piece of history that a lot of folks don’t know, and it shows the independent streak of our mountain ancestors. When the Civil War rolled around in 1861, Pickens County was deeply divided. We didn’t have the big plantations or the slave economy of south Georgia; we were mostly independent mountain farmers. In fact, local leaders actually voted against secession. To show you just how stubborn and brave those mountain folks were, when Georgia decided to leave the Union, a group of local citizens raised the U.S. Stars and Stripes flag right in front of the county courthouse in Jasper. And get this—they guarded it day and night, keeping it flying for nearly a month after the state seceded! Throughout the war, Jasper was occupied by both Union and Confederate troops at different times, and it was a rough, rocky road for the citizens living here. The Two Booms: Rail and Marble After the war, Jasper grew pretty slowly. By 1880, the census recorded only 146 people living here! If you walked down the street back then, you’d see a log jail, a couple of churches, a brick courthouse, and a lot of log cabins. But then came 1883, and two massive things changed Jasper forever: The Marietta and North Georgia Railroad chugged into town. The Georgia Marble Company started booming over in nearby Tate. Suddenly, we weren’t just an isolated mountain village anymore. The railroad gave us a way to ship out the local timber, cotton, and most importantly, that world-famous Pickens County marble. The Capital of Pure Stone Our local marble isn’t just any old rock. It’s some of the purest, most beautiful stone in the world. If you've ever been to Washington, D.C., you've probably looked right at a piece of our home—Georgia marble from our county was used to build the Lincoln Memorial, parts of the U.S. Capitol, and more than half of the monuments up there! Locally, you can see it everywhere, from our historic 1949 courthouse to the famous Tate House built out of rare pink marble. [ THE JASPER TIME-LINE ] 1853 ── Pickens County formed out of Cherokee/Gilmer. 1857 ── Jasper officially incorporated as a town. 1861 ── Union flag flown at courthouse in defiance of secession. 1883 ── Railroad arrives; the marble industry explodes. 1920s── Expansion of Georgia Marble Co. keeps Jasper afloat. 1940 ── Amicalola EMC brings rural electricity to the hills. 1990s── GA 515 expansion connects Jasper to Atlanta. Keeping the Heritage Alive Through the Great Depression, the collapse of the cotton industry, and the turning of the centuries, Jasper held onto its small-town heart. We went from a tiny mountain outpost to a bustling city of over 4,000 residents today. We celebrate that rich history every single year during the first full weekend of October at the Georgia Marble Festival. If you've never been, you're missing out on great music, incredible stone carving, and some of the finest folks you'll ever meet. A Message From Your Local “Bug Man” You see, neighbors, knowing where we come from helps us appreciate what we've got today. Jasper has survived wars, economic crashes, and changed from a tiny railroad stop into the beautiful, thriving community we love. It’s a tough, resilient town. But you know what isn’t resilient? A house that's being eaten up by pests! While we're proud of our historic wood and marble buildings, those old-growth timbers are exactly what Eastern Subterranean Termites look at and think, “Mmm, buffet!” And with our high humidity and warm mountain summers, those critters are looking for a place to set up their own historic homestead right inside your crawlspace. Listen… I want to be YOUR BUG MAN! I've been protecting the homes and history of Jasper, Ellijay, and Blue Ridge for a long time. I don’t believe in cutting corners, because cutting corners just means the bugs come back—and that's not how I do business. My “Make You Happy” Personal Guarantee: If you hire me to get rid of your pest problem and, at the end of 30 days, you are not 100% HAPPY, I will come back and retreat your home for FREE. And I'll keep treating it for FREE until you tell me you ARE happy. If that still doesn’t do it, I'll promptly and politely give YOU back every penny of your money, plus an additional $25.00 for your time and trouble… period. So, let’s keep Jasper beautiful, historic, and completely bug-free. If you hear something scratching in your walls or you're worried about termites invading your home’s foundation, give me a call today at 770-823-9202. Tell ’em you read my history article, and I'll even take $25.00 OFF your very first service! Until next time, neighbors, take care of your home, enjoy our beautiful mountain history, and let's keep those tails waggin’! — Fred Talley Owner/Operator, Faith Pest Control Jasper, GAThe post Jasper Georgia, The History of My HomeTown first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

A North Georgia expedition turns intense when Scott and Sheila Granger of Squatch Fishing Outfitters capture one of the clearest thermal videos yet of a massive upright figure moving through the woods only yards away from their group.The next morning they return to the exact location and uncover a trail of huge tracks, fresh tree breaks, and signs something large had been feeding nearby. As the conversation unfolds, the stories get even stranger: campers waking to hands pressing on tents, rocks thrown into camp, guttural growls moving through the darkness, daylight sightings near Ellijay and Jasper, and unexplained activity deep in the mountains.Scott and Sheila also share what happened while hosting Expedition Bigfoot's Mireya Mayor and Russ Acord, why activity across North Georgia feels more active than ever, and the eerie encounters they experienced in Land Between the Lakes involving thermal anomalies and possible Dogman activity.This episode is packed with firsthand accounts, wilderness tension, and some of the most compelling recent Bigfoot activity discussed on Bigfoot Society.Resources:  https://www.tiktok.com/@squatchfishingoutfittershttps://www.facebook.com/SquatchFishingOutfittershttps://www.youtube.com/@squatchfishingoutfittersBinnall of America episode referenced: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jSflstWfIBhuL7XvMO6Gz?si=Atshi7APTK2LFxJFs81ZrA

From hometown roots to major college sports decisions — can a local hoops star thrive back at Georgia Tech? Dave Garner and Big John Davis deliver laughs, hot sports takes, Braves nostalgia, Ted Turner tributes, and real talk on player health in this lively Friday Happy Hour edition live from Ellijay. Dave’s X Account: https://x.com/DaveGarner777 Big John Davis X’s Account: https://x.com/JohnDavis_65 Will’s X Account: https://x.com/wil24cooper www.sportspigradio.com Facebook Android App ios App Instagram YouTube Advertise With UsWant to reach loyal, engaged listeners who support local businesses? Advertise on our shows and put your brand in front of the right audience. Click below and an account executive will contact you. Advertise with Us Chapters00:00 Introduction and Live Setup at Ronnie Thompson Ford 02:03 Big John Returns Home to Ellijay 04:12 Local News and Dealership Stories 06:32 Braves Talk, Travel, and Ted Turner Tribute 13:04 Random Braves Players and Classic Memories 16:51 NHL and NBA Playoffs Discussion 22:53 Dale Murphy, Warren, and Childhood Braves Stories 31:22 Patrick McVeigh on Jackson’s Georgia Tech Commitment 43:11 High School Baseball Final Four and Local Talent 49:03 Upcoming Show at Bradley’s Bar and Grill 55:30 Pickleball Craze and Community Events 59:40 College Football Expansion, NIL, and Bowl Games 01:15:16 NFL Player Health, Concussion Settlement & 88 Plan 01:28:08 Top Atlanta Athletes Discussion and Closing ThoughtsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From hometown roots to major college sports decisions — can a local hoops star thrive back at Georgia Tech? Dave Garner and Big John Davis deliver laughs, hot sports takes, Braves nostalgia, Ted Turner tributes, and real talk on player health in this lively Friday Happy Hour edition live from Ellijay. Dave’s X Account: https://x.com/DaveGarner777 Big John Davis X’s Account: https://x.com/JohnDavis_65 Will’s X Account: https://x.com/wil24cooper www.sportspigradio.com Facebook Android App ios App Instagram YouTube Advertise With UsWant to reach loyal, engaged listeners who support local businesses? Advertise on our shows and put your brand in front of the right audience. Click below and an account executive will contact you. Advertise with Us Chapters00:00 Introduction and Live Setup at Ronnie Thompson Ford 02:03 Big John Returns Home to Ellijay 04:12 Local News and Dealership Stories 06:32 Braves Talk, Travel, and Ted Turner Tribute 13:04 Random Braves Players and Classic Memories 16:51 NHL and NBA Playoffs Discussion 22:53 Dale Murphy, Warren, and Childhood Braves Stories 31:22 Patrick McVeigh on Jackson’s Georgia Tech Commitment 43:11 High School Baseball Final Four and Local Talent 49:03 Upcoming Show at Bradley’s Bar and Grill 55:30 Pickleball Craze and Community Events 59:40 College Football Expansion, NIL, and Bowl Games 01:15:16 NFL Player Health, Concussion Settlement & 88 Plan 01:28:08 Top Atlanta Athletes Discussion and Closing ThoughtsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Howdy again, neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control. You know, living here in Jasper, we're lucky to be just a stone's throw away from some of the best mountain traditions in the world. If you're looking for a reason to pack up the family and head a little further north this August, I've got just the ticket for you. It's time for the 76th Annual Georgia Mountain Fair up in Hiawassee! A Mountain Tradition Like No Other From August 14th through August 22nd, 2026, the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds will be buzzing with excitement. It's about an hour and fifteen minutes from us here in Jasper, and let me tell you, it is well worth the drive. Here's what's cooking at the fair this year: The Music: Anderson Music Hall is going to be rocking! They've got Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone on the 14th, the legendary Vince Gill on the 15th and 16th, and Casting Crowns closing things out on the 26th. The Pioneer Village: This is one of my favorite parts. It's like stepping back in time to see how our mountain ancestors lived—complete with moonshine making, cider squeezing, and blacksmithing demonstrations. The Carnival Midway: If you've got kids (or you're just a kid at heart), the rides open a day early on August 13th. Puppy Pals Live: As a man who loves a happy dog (you know my slogan—Keepin' the Tail Waggin'), I'm excited about this America's Got Talent act featuring rescued pups performing stunts. Don’t Bring the “Fair” Back Home With You Now, speaking of “mountain traditions,” there's one we'd all like to do without: summer pests. While you're out enjoying the funnel cakes and the fresh mountain air, those North Georgia ants, roaches, and termites are looking for their own fairground—and they usually pick your crawlspace or your kitchen pantry. This time of year, with the humidity high, things like Subterranean Termites are more active than ever, and Stink Bugs are just waiting for a chance to move in. Listen… I want to be YOUR BUG MAN! I've been in this business for years, and I'm not just a Georgia State Certified Pest Control Operator; I'm a neighbor who cares about your home. Whether you’re in Jasper, Blue Ridge, or Ellijay, I treat your house like it's my own. My “Make You Happy” Personal Guarantee I don't believe in cutting corners, because cutting corners leads to bugs coming back. That's why I offer the best guarantee in the business: If you hire me to get rid of your pest problem and, at the end of 30 days, you are not 100% HAPPY, I will come back and retreat your home for FREE. If you're still not happy, I'll give you back every penny of your money, plus an additional $25.00 for your time and trouble. Period. So, go on up to Hiawassee, ride the Tilt-A-Whirl, and eat your fill of fair food. But if you come home and find that the ants have started their own “Pioneer Village” in your cabinets, you give me a call. Call me at 770-823-9202. Let’s get those bugs out so we can keep those tails waggin’! See you at the fair, Fred Talley, Owner/Operator Faith Pest Control, Jasper, GA 770-823-9202 PS. Don't forget—mention you saw this notice and I'll take $25.00 OFF your first service!The post Georgia Mountain Fair is Coming to Hiawassee first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

Live from a rainy pub in Ellijay, GA, Dave Garner and Big John Davis deliver two hours of unfiltered sports talk, heartfelt grandparent stories, and local flavor. Matt Olson’s clutch heroics spark Braves debates, while Big John shares lifelong friendships, Gilmer County memories, and the upcoming John Davis Golf Classic. Special guests discuss high school hoops talent and the shifting college athletics landscape. Dave’s X Account: https://x.com/DaveGarner777 Big John Davis X’s Account: https://x.com/JohnDavis_65 Will’s X Account: https://x.com/wil24cooper www.sportspigradio.com Facebook Android App ios App Instagram YouTube Advertise With UsWant to reach loyal, engaged listeners who support local businesses? Advertise on our shows and put your brand in front of the right audience. Click below and an account executive will contact you. Advertise with Us Chapters00:00 Introduction and On-Location Banter 03:00 Big John on Grandkids and Family Life 08:45 John Davis Golf Classic Details 15:10 Braves Talk: Matt Olson Heroics 28:00 College Football Scheduling Changes 47:00 Memory Lane with Big John 51:40 Patrick McVeigh on Recruiting and Local Hoops 01:04:00 Zach Anderson Joins – Flag Football & Basketball 01:25:00 Wrapping Up Braves Debate and Local SportsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from a rainy pub in Ellijay, GA, Dave Garner and Big John Davis deliver two hours of unfiltered sports talk, heartfelt grandparent stories, and local flavor. Matt Olson’s clutch heroics spark Braves debates, while Big John shares lifelong friendships, Gilmer County memories, and the upcoming John Davis Golf Classic. Special guests discuss high school hoops talent and the shifting college athletics landscape. Dave’s X Account: https://x.com/DaveGarner777 Big John Davis X’s Account: https://x.com/JohnDavis_65 Will’s X Account: https://x.com/wil24cooper www.sportspigradio.com Facebook Android App ios App Instagram YouTube Advertise With UsWant to reach loyal, engaged listeners who support local businesses? Advertise on our shows and put your brand in front of the right audience. Click below and an account executive will contact you. Advertise with Us Chapters00:00 Introduction and On-Location Banter 03:00 Big John on Grandkids and Family Life 08:45 John Davis Golf Classic Details 15:10 Braves Talk: Matt Olson Heroics 28:00 College Football Scheduling Changes 47:00 Memory Lane with Big John 51:40 Patrick McVeigh on Recruiting and Local Hoops 01:04:00 Zach Anderson Joins – Flag Football & Basketball 01:25:00 Wrapping Up Braves Debate and Local SportsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!There's something unusual surrounding Ellijay, Georgia—and it goes far beyond local legend. In this episode of The Grave Talks, the team behind Unknown Ellijay—Brad Kennedy, Luke Pilgrim, and Ellis Treece—share what led them to explore one of North Georgia's most quietly active paranormal hotspots.Through their docuseries, they've documented real accounts of unexplained encounters, from sightings in the dense Appalachian woods to stories tied to homes and land with long, unsettled histories. What drew them in wasn't just the stories themselves, but how often they seemed to repeat—and how many people were willing to share similar experiences.As they discuss their work, they explore the line between folklore and firsthand encounters, and why some places seem to hold onto more than just history.Because sometimes, what's hiding in plain sight isn't trying to stay hidden at all.For more information, visit their website at sozobearfilms.com and watch the series on their YouTube channel by clicking here.#TheGraveTalks #UnknownEllijay #Cryptids #BigfootSightings #Dogman #HauntedSouth #ParanormalDocumentary #AppalachianMystery #SupernaturalEncounters #ParanormalPodcastLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOThere's something unusual surrounding Ellijay, Georgia—and it goes far beyond local legend. In this episode of The Grave Talks, the team behind Unknown Ellijay—Brad Kennedy, Luke Pilgrim, and Ellis Treece—share what led them to explore one of North Georgia's most quietly active paranormal hotspots.Through their docuseries, they've documented real accounts of unexplained encounters, from sightings in the dense Appalachian woods to stories tied to homes and land with long, unsettled histories. What drew them in wasn't just the stories themselves, but how often they seemed to repeat—and how many people were willing to share similar experiences.As they discuss their work, they explore the line between folklore and firsthand encounters, and why some places seem to hold onto more than just history.Because sometimes, what's hiding in plain sight isn't trying to stay hidden at all.For more information, visit their website at sozobearfilms.com and watch the series on their YouTube channel by clicking here.#TheGraveTalks #UnknownEllijay #Cryptids #BigfootSightings #Dogman #HauntedSouth #ParanormalDocumentary #AppalachianMystery #SupernaturalEncounters #ParanormalPodcastLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

What happens when Easter plans get disrupted—and the deeper meaning still shines through? In this special Easter edition of Saturdays with Sandra, Sandra Parrish talks with Pastor Steve Dusek of The Orchard Life Church in Ellijay about shifting Easter celebrations due to weather and why Easter remains the cornerstone of the Christian faith. From outdoor services and egg cannons to the cross, resurrection, and abundant life, this heartfelt conversation explores how Easter transforms lives, restores hope, and reminds us why living right still matters. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or download our app to stay connected! The Orchard Life Church Saturdays with Sandra www.1011thepulse.com ios App Android App Advertise with Us Advertise With UsWant to reach loyal, engaged listeners who support local businesses? Advertise on our shows and put your brand in front of the right audience. Click below and an account executive will contact you. Advertise with Us Chapters00:00 Welcome and Easter Introduction01:05 Changes to Outdoor Easter Plans02:20 Why Easter Matters More Than Christmas03:20 The Cross, Resurrection, and Abundant Life04:45 How Easter Transforms Daily Living06:05 Service Times and How to WatchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pickleball players, this one’s for you—because this tournament is about more than just winning points. Sandra Parrish talks with John Holland, tournament coordinator for the Mountain Mayhem Pickleball Tournament in Ellijay, about how a fast-growing sport is making a real impact. They discuss how the two-day event brings players from multiple states together to raise funds for Appalachian CASA, supporting foster children across North Georgia. From tournament details and registration to sponsorship opportunities and community impact, this episode highlights how fun, competition, and purpose collide on the courts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or download our app to stay connected! Saturdays with Sandra www.1011thepulse.com ios App Android App Advertise with Us Mountain Mayhem PicklballSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring is Popping in North Georgia—And So Are the Bugs! **By Fred Talley, Faith Pest Control** Well, neighbors, it's that time of year again. The daffodils are peeking out, the Coosawattee is flowing high, and if you look closely at the sunny side of your house here in Jasper, you'll see exactly what I'm seeing: **The bugs are waking up.** Up here in the North Georgia Mountains, our spring is beautiful, but it's also the “Grand Opening” for every creepy-crawly that's been hitching a ride in your insulation or hiding under your leaf litter all winter. At **Faith Pest Control**, we're already getting the calls. Here's what's shaking off the winter slumber and heading your way this month: ### 1. The “Big Three” of Spring Home Invasions While everything is waking up, three pests usually lead the charge into our North Georgia homes: * **Ants (Especially Odorous House Ants):** They're thirsty and hungry. As soon as the ground warms up, scouts start looking for a sugary snack in your kitchen. If you see one, there are a thousand more following that scent trail. * **Termites:** This is the big one. Spring is “Swarm Season.” When we get those warm days right after a spring rain, subterranean termites send out winged “swarmers” to start new colonies. If you see what looks like flying ants inside your house, don’t wait—give us a call. * **Carpenter Bees:** If you've got a wooden deck or cedar siding, you know the drill. These “flying drill bits” are waking up to hover around your eaves and start boring those perfectly round holes. ### 2. The Overwintering “Wake-Up Call” Remember those **Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs** and **Kudzu Bugs** that disappeared back in November? They didn’t leave; they just went into your attic and wall voids. Now that the sun is hitting your siding, they think it's summertime. They'll start crawling out of your light fixtures and vents, looking for a way back outside. > **Fred's Pro Tip:** Don’t squish ’em! You'll end up with a literal “stink” and a stain on your carpet. Vacuum them up and toss the bag. ### 3. Mosquitoes and Ticks are Checking In With the spring rains filling up every discarded pot and low spot in the yard, the mosquito larvae are ready to go. And if you're out hiking the trails around Bent Tree or Big Canoe, the ticks are officially active. It only takes one warm week for them to climb to the top of the tall grass waiting for a host. ### How to Get Ahead of the Spring Rush You don't have to wait until you're outnumbered to take action. Here's what you can do right now: * **Clean Those Gutters:** Clogged gutters are a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a “highway” for ants to get into your roofline. * **Mulch Mindfully:** Keep your pine straw or mulch a few inches away from your foundation. Piling it right against the house is like laying out a welcome mat for termites. * **Check the Seals:** Look at your door sweeps and window screens. If a breeze can get in, a bug can too. Let Faith Handle the Rest At **Faith Pest Control**, we know the North Georgia terrain because we live here. We don't just spray and pray; we look at the biology of these mountain pests to stop them before they get a foothold in your living room. Whether you're in Jasper, Ellijay, or Blue Ridge, we're ready to help you enjoy the spring without the “uninvited guests.” Give us a shout, and let's get your home protected. **Happy Spring, everybody!** The post Spring is Popping in North Georgia—And So Are the Bugs! first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

We generally think about independence and self-autonomy as good things, but the Bible teaches that reliance upon self is synonymous with a rejection of the Lord's rule. In this sermon, Pastor Davis explores 1 Samuel 8, Zechariah 9:9-17, and John 12:12-19 to highlight the enslavement which results from refusing the Lord as our True King. The good news is that Jesus, on Palm Sunday, proved that he is the Better King we need, and he is faithful to restore us to both the authority and blessings of God. Enjoy “Palm Sunday: The Lord Himself is Our King” from Autumn Ridge Community Church in Ellijay, GA.

The “Kudzu Bug” Invasion: What You Need to Know in North Georgia By Fred Talley, Faith Pest Control If you've lived around Jasper, Ellijay, or anywhere in the North Georgia Mountains for more than a few years, you've probably noticed a “new” neighbor that's making itself right at home. I'm talking about the Kudzu Bug (Megacopta cribraria). Now, we're used to ladybugs and those pesky Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs, but these little guys are a different breed of nuisance. If you've seen small, olive-brown, square-shaped beetles clustering on your white siding or swarming your soybean crops, you've met the Kudzu Bug. Where Did They Come From? They aren’t from around here. They first showed up in Georgia back in 2009—right down the road in Hoschton—and they've spread like wildfire across the Southeast. They're named after their favorite snack: Kudzu. Since we've got plenty of “the vine that ate the South” up here in the mountains, the Kudzu Bug thinks North Georgia is a five-star buffet. Why Are They a Problem for You? While they love kudzu, they don't stop there. Here's why they're a headache for homeowners in Jasper and beyond: The Smell and the Stain: Just like a stink bug, if you squish a Kudzu Bug, it releases a foul-smelling defense chemical. Even worse? That liquid can actually cause a mild skin burn or “stain” your skin and your home's siding. The “Home Invasion”: As the weather starts to cool down in the fall, these bugs look for a warm place to spend the winter. They love light-colored surfaces (like white or beige siding) because they soak up the sun. Once they find a gap in your windows or trim, they'll crawl inside by the hundreds. Agricultural Impact: If you're a farmer or gardener, watch out. They love legumes—specifically soybeans and snap beans. They can do some real damage to a crop if left unchecked. How to Keep Them Out At Faith Pest Control, we believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here is what I recommend for my North Georgia neighbors: Seal the Gaps: Take a look at your doors and windows. If you see light coming through, a Kudzu Bug can get through. Use a high-quality caulk to seal cracks and replace worn-out weatherstripping. Check Your Screens: Make sure your window screens are tight and don’t have any holes. Don't Squish ‘Em: If they get inside, don’t reach for the fly swatter. Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to suck them up, then empty the bag or canister into a bucket of soapy water. This avoids the smell and the staining. Professional Perimeter Treatment: The best way to stop an invasion is to stop them before they ever get inside. We apply a specialized exterior treatment that creates a barrier they can’t cross. We're Here to Help Living in the North Georgia Mountains is a blessing, but the bugs can be a chore. If you're tired of seeing these brown specks all over your beautiful home, give us a call at Faith Pest Control. We know the Jasper and North Georgia area like the back of our hand, and we know exactly how to handle a Kudzu Bug problem. Stay bug-free, neighbors!The post The “Kudzu Bug” Invasion: What You Need to Know in North Georgia first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

Big names, small town charm! Join Sandra Parrish as she chats with Brian Bogue, director of Victory Christian Center, about their upcoming concert featuring Leanna Crawford, Riley Clemens, and Madison Watkins. Discover how this small-town venue attracts top Christian artists, offers affordable family entertainment, and serves the community with more than just music. From pickleball to summer camps, there’s something for everyone at Victory Christian Center! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or download our app to stay connected! Saturdays with Sandra www.1011thepulse.com ios App Android App Advertise with Us The Sisterhood Tour is coming to Ellijay! Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Sandra’s Welcome01:05 Upcoming Concert Details with Brian Bogue02:19 How Victory Christian Center Attracts Big Artists03:45 Community Programs Beyond Concerts04:33 Ticket Info and Final ThoughtsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheriff Brian Patterson steps away from the badge and into the microphone full time as Sasquatch Odyssey explodes beyond anything he ever imagined. Part Five picks up with the podcast in full swing, and the witnesses are lining up from every corner of the South and beyond to finally tell the stories they have been carrying in silence for decades.It starts in the mountains of northeast Georgia with a seventy-three-year-old retired logger named Earl Hutchins, a man who kept his mouth shut for forty-five years about what stepped out of the timber near Clayton in the fall of nineteen seventy-eight. His story breaks something open.The emails start flooding in from across the region, and Patterson finds himself recording encounter after encounter from witnesses who never had anyone willing to listen. A retired schoolteacher from Ellijay describes the thing that came screaming out of the Chattahoochee National Forest and changed the way she felt about the woods forever. A fishing guide from Everglades City recounts the night a pair of glowing eyes tracked him across the water in the Ten Thousand Islands. A teenage girl in Oconee County, South Carolina watched something unfold from a rhododendron thicket while her daddy's bluetick hound shook itself half to death against her leg.The stories stretch across state lines and keep coming. Arkansas. Tennessee. Virginia. A coon hunter and his cousin tree something in the Ouachitas that no lantern light should ever have revealed. A family of four flees a Cherokee National Forest campsite at three in the morning. A state trooper on Skyline Drive watches something cross a two-lane highway in three strides and never tells a soul.Then the podcast goes national and the picture gets bigger. A Lummi Nation elder speaks of the Ts'emekwes his people have known for thousands of years. A woman in the Hocking Hills of Ohio locks eyes with something standing between the trees in broad daylight and never hikes again. From Louisiana to Alaska to Hawaii, the encounters pile up, and Patterson starts to understand that this is not a regional phenomenon. It is everywhere. When the show crosses international borders, the scope becomes staggering. A First Nations man from British Columbia reminds the world that his people gave us the word Sasquatch in the first place. A Russian researcher describes a shape moving through snow in the Pamir Mountains. An Australian prospector watches something vanish from a waterhole in the outback. Sherpas in Nepal, scientists in China, guides in the Amazon — every culture, every continent, every corner of the wild world has a name for what lives in the places humans do not go. But it is the deep encounters that change everything. A hospice nurse in rural Kentucky describes the night something appeared at her dying husband's window and hummed him into his final moment of peace. A lost hiker in the Gila Wilderness receives images in her mind that lead her back to safety. A former Army Ranger wakes paralyzed in the Big Thicket while something rifles through his thoughts like pages in a book. These are the stories that keep Patterson up at night and force him to ask whether these creatures are something far stranger and far more profound than anyone has been willing to consider. By the end of Part Five, Patterson is two years into full-time podcasting with over three hundred interviews behind him and patterns emerging from the noise. The creatures follow corridors. They move with the seasons.They choose when to be seen. And a small but undeniable percentage of encounters suggest something beyond biology, beyond what any scientific framework can currently explain. The podcast has crossed a million downloads. The community is growing. The world is slowly waking up. And somewhere out in the deep woods, something is watching back.Email BrianGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

Hey there, neighbors. Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control. If you're reading this, there's a good chance you just walked into your kitchen, flipped on the light to grab a glass of water, and saw something scurry across the counter. That sinking feeling in your stomach? I get it. We take a lot of pride in our homes here in Jasper, and seeing a roach feels like a personal insult. But before you go out and buy every bug spray on the shelf at the hardware store, let's take a breath and talk about a game plan. Here is exactly what you should do if you spot a “uninvited guest” in your kitchen. 1. Identify Your Enemy Not all roaches are the same. Up here in North Georgia, we usually see two main types: The Smokeybrown or American Roach: These are the big ones (sometimes called “palmetto bugs”). They usually live outside and wander in by mistake. The German Cockroach: These are smaller, light brown, and have two dark stripes on their heads. These are the ones to worry about. They live indoors, multiply faster than you'd believe, and love your kitchen. 2. Clean Like You've Never Cleaned Before Roaches aren’t just there for the scenery; they're there for the buffet. To get them out, you have to starve them out. Wipe the crumbs: Check under the toaster, inside the microwave, and in the cracks of the stove. Dry it up: A roach can live for a month without food, but only a few days without water. Fix that leaky faucet and don’t leave standing water in the sink overnight. Seal the snacks: If it comes in a cardboard box (like cereal or crackers), move it to a sealed plastic or glass container. 3. Clear the Clutter Roaches love cardboard and paper. It's like a luxury hotel for them. If you have a stack of paper grocery bags or old Amazon boxes tucked between the fridge and the wall, get rid of them. You're removing their “hiding spots” and making them feel exposed. 4. Be Careful with the “DIY” Sprays I've seen it a thousand times: a homeowner buys a “bug bomb” or a heavy-duty spray and soaks the kitchen. The problem? If you have German roaches, those sprays often just scatter them. They'll run deep into your walls or into your electrical outlets, making the problem much harder for a professional to fix later. Fred's Pro Tip: If you see one, don’t just spray it and walk away. Try to see where it's running to. That’s the entry point we need to seal or treat. When to Call in the Pros If you see one roach during the day, it usually means there are a lot more hiding in the shadows. At Faith Pest Control, we don’t just “spray and pray.” We look for the source, use baits that the roaches take back to the nest, and make sure they don’t come back. We're your neighbors, and we want you to feel comfortable in your own kitchen again. Whether you're in Jasper, Ellijay, or Blue Ridge, we've got your back. Stay safe, stay dry, and keep those counters clean!The post Don't Panic, But Don't Wait: A Kitchen Survival Guide from Faith Pest Control first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

Sheriff Brian Patterson steps away from the badge and into the microphone full time as Sasquatch Odyssey explodes beyond anything he ever imagined. Part Five picks up with the podcast in full swing, and the witnesses are lining up from every corner of the South and beyond to finally tell the stories they have been carrying in silence for decades.It starts in the mountains of northeast Georgia with a seventy-three-year-old retired logger named Earl Hutchins, a man who kept his mouth shut for forty-five years about what stepped out of the timber near Clayton in the fall of nineteen seventy-eight. His story breaks something open.The emails start flooding in from across the region, and Patterson finds himself recording encounter after encounter from witnesses who never had anyone willing to listen. A retired schoolteacher from Ellijay describes the thing that came screaming out of the Chattahoochee National Forest and changed the way she felt about the woods forever. A fishing guide from Everglades City recounts the night a pair of glowing eyes tracked him across the water in the Ten Thousand Islands. A teenage girl in Oconee County, South Carolina watched something unfold from a rhododendron thicket while her daddy's bluetick hound shook itself half to death against her leg.The stories stretch across state lines and keep coming. Arkansas. Tennessee. Virginia. A coon hunter and his cousin tree something in the Ouachitas that no lantern light should ever have revealed. A family of four flees a Cherokee National Forest campsite at three in the morning. A state trooper on Skyline Drive watches something cross a two-lane highway in three strides and never tells a soul.Then the podcast goes national and the picture gets bigger. A Lummi Nation elder speaks of the Ts'emekwes his people have known for thousands of years. A woman in the Hocking Hills of Ohio locks eyes with something standing between the trees in broad daylight and never hikes again. From Louisiana to Alaska to Hawaii, the encounters pile up, and Patterson starts to understand that this is not a regional phenomenon. It is everywhere. When the show crosses international borders, the scope becomes staggering. A First Nations man from British Columbia reminds the world that his people gave us the word Sasquatch in the first place. A Russian researcher describes a shape moving through snow in the Pamir Mountains. An Australian prospector watches something vanish from a waterhole in the outback. Sherpas in Nepal, scientists in China, guides in the Amazon — every culture, every continent, every corner of the wild world has a name for what lives in the places humans do not go. But it is the deep encounters that change everything. A hospice nurse in rural Kentucky describes the night something appeared at her dying husband's window and hummed him into his final moment of peace. A lost hiker in the Gila Wilderness receives images in her mind that lead her back to safety. A former Army Ranger wakes paralyzed in the Big Thicket while something rifles through his thoughts like pages in a book. These are the stories that keep Patterson up at night and force him to ask whether these creatures are something far stranger and far more profound than anyone has been willing to consider. By the end of Part Five, Patterson is two years into full-time podcasting with over three hundred interviews behind him and patterns emerging from the noise. The creatures follow corridors. They move with the seasons.They choose when to be seen. And a small but undeniable percentage of encounters suggest something beyond biology, beyond what any scientific framework can currently explain. The podcast has crossed a million downloads. The community is growing. The world is slowly waking up. And somewhere out in the deep woods, something is watching back.

There's something strange stirring in the mountains of North Georgia—and it's not just folklore. Unknown Ellijay, a chilling new docuseries from award-winning Sozo Bear Films, delves into the shadowy corners of Ellijay, Georgia, where cryptids, spirits, and legends refuse to stay hidden. Hosted, directed, and created by Brad Kennedy and Luke Pilgrim, alongside editor Ellis Treece, this series explores real-life local encounters with the unexplained, from tracking Bigfoot in dense Appalachian woods to haunted homesteads and terrifying tales of the elusive Dogman. These aren't just campfire stories—this is the paranormal, hiding in plain sight. What's really lurking in Ellijay? Find out why this small town might be the South's best-kept supernatural secret.Today on the Grave Talks, Brad Kennedy, Luke Pilgrim, and Ellis Treece discuss their docuseries “Unknown Ellijay.” This is Part Two of our conversation.For more information, visit their website at sozobearfilms.com and watch the series on their YouTube channel by clicking here. #UnknownEllijay #HauntedGeorgia #EllijayGeorgia #AppalachianParanormal #CryptidEncounters #BigfootSightings #DogmanStories #ParanormalDocuseries #SouthernHauntings #RealParanormalLove real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

There's something strange stirring in the mountains of North Georgia—and it's not just folklore. Unknown Ellijay, a chilling new docuseries from award-winning Sozo Bear Films, delves into the shadowy corners of Ellijay, Georgia, where cryptids, spirits, and legends refuse to stay hidden. Hosted, directed, and created by Brad Kennedy and Luke Pilgrim, alongside editor Ellis Treece, this series explores real-life local encounters with the unexplained, from tracking Bigfoot in dense Appalachian woods to haunted homesteads and terrifying tales of the elusive Dogman. These aren't just campfire stories—this is the paranormal, hiding in plain sight. What's really lurking in Ellijay? Find out why this small town might be the South's best-kept supernatural secret.Today on the Grave Talks, Brad Kennedy, Luke Pilgrim, and Ellis Treece discuss their docuseries “Unknown Ellijay.” For more information, visit their website at sozobearfilms.com and watch the series on their YouTube channel by clicking here. #UnknownEllijay #HauntedGeorgia #EllijayGeorgia #AppalachianParanormal #CryptidEncounters #BigfootSightings #DogmanStories #ParanormalDocuseries #SouthernHauntings #RealParanormal Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

Alright, let’s talk about finding a good place to hang your hat around Jasper, Georgia. Fred Talley here, from Faith Pest Control, and I’ve seen a lot of homes and a lot of neighborhoods in my time. When I’m not wrangling bugs, I’m often asked by folks, “Fred, where’s the best spot to settle down around here?” It’s a good question, and one that deserves a good answer. Now, Jasper itself, it’s got a charm you can’t beat. It's that classic North Georgia small-town feel, with the courthouse square, the local shops, and a real sense of community. But what folks are often looking for are those neighborhoods and developments that offer a little something extra, a bit of that mountain air and a peaceful setting, while still being close enough to town for convenience. One of the first places that always comes to mind when you talk about popular spots is **Big Canoe**. Now, this isn’t just a neighborhood; it’s practically a mountain community all its own. You’ve got miles and miles of hiking trails, beautiful lakes for fishing and boating, golf courses that are just stunning, and a real emphasis on nature. It’s a gated community, so there’s a sense of security, and the homes there range from cozy cabins to larger, more luxurious mountain homes. It's a place where people really embrace the outdoors. I’ve been in many homes in Big Canoe, and you can just feel the tranquility. Of course, with a place like that, you’ve got your homeowner’s association fees, and it’s a bit of a drive from the main shopping centers, but for many, that peace and quiet is well worth it. Then you have areas like **Bent Tree**. Similar to Big Canoe in many ways, Bent Tree is another established, gated community that offers a lot of amenities. They've got a great golf course, tennis courts, a clubhouse, and that same beautiful mountain scenery. It attracts a mix of retirees and families looking for that active lifestyle in a secure setting. The homes here are varied, with a good number of properties offering those expansive views that make living in the mountains so appealing. Again, it’s about that balance of privacy and access to recreation. Moving a little closer to the heart of Jasper, you’ll find some lovely developments that are popular with folks who want to be closer to town amenities but still enjoy a nice setting. **The Preserve at Sharp Mountain** is one that comes up often. It offers a more traditional neighborhood feel, with well-maintained homes and a sense of community. It's close enough to jump into Jasper for groceries or dinner, but it still feels removed from the hustle and bustle. Another development that's seen a lot of interest is **Eagles Watch**. This one often features homes with larger lots, giving residents a bit more space and privacy. It’s got that beautiful North Georgia landscape, and the homes are generally well-built. It's a good option for those who want to feel like they’re in the country without being too far from town. Now, for those who are looking for something a bit newer, or perhaps a development that's still growing, there are always new projects popping up. But the established ones, the ones that have a track record of happy residents and well-kept properties, those are the ones that tend to have staying power. It's also worth mentioning that people are increasingly looking at areas just outside of the main hubs of Jasper, Ellijay, and Blue Ridge. Places like **  near Tate or Ball Ground** can offer more land for your money, and you can still be within a reasonable drive of all the conveniences. These might not be formal “developments” in the same way as Big Canoe or Bent Tree, but they are popular areas where people are building or buying homes because of the natural beauty and the more rural feel. When you're considering a move to any of these areas, it's important to think about what's most important to you. Are you looking for a vibrant community with lots of organized activities? Or do you prefer a more secluded, private retreat? Do you need to be within walking distance of shops, or is a scenic drive part of the appeal? And of course, no matter where you choose to live, you’re going to want to make sure your home is protected. That’s where Faith Pest Control comes in. From ants in the kitchen to termites in the walls, we've got you covered. We know these mountains, we know the critters that come with them, and we know how to keep them out of your beautiful new home. We've serviced many of the homes in these popular developments, and we always appreciate seeing how people have made these beautiful areas their own. So, to wrap it up, if you’re looking at the Jasper area, keep Big Canoe and Bent Tree in mind for that full-on mountain resort experience. For a more traditional neighborhood feel close to town, look at places like The Preserve at Sharp Mountain or Eagles Watch. And don’t discount the areas just outside the main towns if you’re looking for more space and a quieter, more rural setting. Whatever you choose, just remember to enjoy the beauty of North Georgia. It's a special place, and finding the right neighborhood to call home here is a great decision. And when you do, give us a call at Faith Pest Control. We’ll make sure your home is as comfortable and pest-free as it can be.The post Searching for Jasper Georgia Homes first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

This week on That Would Be Rad, we're joined by the creative duo and founders of Sozo Bear Films: Luke Pilgrim and Brad Kennedy - as they share the story behind their latest mini-docuseries, Unknown Ellijay.Set in the quiet mountain town of Ellijay, Georgia, the series explores the eerie legends, paranormal encounters, and cryptid sightings that have haunted the area for generations. From ghostly tavern tales to whispers of the elusive Dogman — and yes, even stories of Bigfoot lurking in the North Georgia mountains - Luke and Brad take us behind the scenes of filming, revealing the strange stories, fascinating characters, and spine-tingling moments they uncovered along the way.We dive into everything from their creative process and challenges on location to bigger questions about belief, skepticism, and how folklore shapes the identity of a community. Whether you're a lifelong believer in the unexplained or just curious about the stories that keep people looking over their shoulder at night, this episode is packed with chills, laughs, and plenty of rad conversation.So grab your lantern, settle in, and join us as we step into the shadows of Unknown Ellijay.Be sure to check out SOZO BEAR FILMS docuseries on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SozoBearFilmsRAD WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR SHOW:

Check out the pilot episode hereBecome a Parajunkie today for ZERO ADS ALWAYS!Here's the link to Episode IIThis week on The Most Haunted City on Earth, we sit down with filmmakers Luke Pilgrim and Brad Kennedy of Sozo Bear Films to talk all things cryptid, creepy, and Appalachian. These talented storytellers just released a new paranormal docuseries called Unknown Ellijay, diving into Bigfoot sightings, Dogman encounters, ghostly legends, and the dark history of North Georgia. If you've ever wondered what lurks in the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains… this episode is for you.We talk about the inspiration behind the series, the challenges of capturing real people's stories without judgment, and the surprising overlap between ghosts, cryptids, and interdimensional theories. Plus, we swap some wild paranormal stories of our own (including a haunted hotel we definitely recommend investigating).

There's something strange stirring in the mountains of North Georgia—and it's not just folklore. Unknown Ellijay, a chilling new docuseries from award-winning Sozo Bear Films, delves into the shadowy corners of Ellijay, Georgia, where cryptids, spirits, and legends refuse to stay hidden. Hosted, directed, and created by Brad Kennedy and Luke Pilgrim, alongside editor Ellis Treece, this series explores real-life local encounters with the unexplained, from tracking Bigfoot in dense Appalachian woods to haunted homesteads and terrifying tales of the elusive Dogman. These aren't just campfire stories—this is the paranormal, hiding in plain sight. What's really lurking in Ellijay? Find out why this small town might be the South's best-kept supernatural secret. Today on the Grave Talks, Brad Kennedy, Luke Pilgrim, and Ellis Treece discuss their docuseries “Unknown Ellijay.” This is Part Two of our conversation. For more information, visit their website at sozobearfilms.com and watch the series on their YouTube channel by clicking here. Become a Premium Supporter of The Grave Talks Through Apple Podcasts or Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/thegravetalks) There, you will get: Access to every episode of our show, AD-FREE! Access to every episode of our show before everyone else! Other EXCLUSIVE supporter perks and more!

There's something strange stirring in the mountains of North Georgia—and it's not just folklore. Unknown Ellijay, a chilling new docuseries from award-winning Sozo Bear Films, delves into the shadowy corners of Ellijay, Georgia, where cryptids, spirits, and legends refuse to stay hidden. Hosted, directed, and created by Brad Kennedy and Luke Pilgrim, alongside editor Ellis Treece, this series explores real-life local encounters with the unexplained, from tracking Bigfoot in dense Appalachian woods to haunted homesteads and terrifying tales of the elusive Dogman. These aren't just campfire stories—this is the paranormal, hiding in plain sight. What's really lurking in Ellijay? Find out why this small town might be the South's best-kept supernatural secret. Today on the Grave Talks, Brad Kennedy, Luke Pilgrim, and Ellis Treece discuss their docuseries “Unknown Ellijay.” For more information, visit their website at sozobearfilms.com and watch the series on their YouTube channel by clicking here. Become a Premium Supporter of The Grave Talks Through Apple Podcasts or Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/thegravetalks) There, you will get: Access to every episode of our show, AD-FREE! Access to every episode of our show before everyone else! Other EXCLUSIVE supporter perks and more!

From logistics nightmares to groundbreaking special editions, Brandon Lowe takes us behind the scenes of Squadron's evolution into a new era for model enthusiasts. After logging countless miles between trade shows and completing their tenth move in twenty years, Squadron has finally settled into their Chattanooga headquarters, transforming their operation and expanding their customer offerings.The relocation story reveals why shipping logistics became the primary driver behind Squadron's move. "If we had to pick one reason to move, that was it," Brandon explains, detailing how the small-town postal facilities in Ellijay simply couldn't handle their volume. Now with dedicated large-vehicle pickups daily, Squadron can focus on growth rather than delivery headaches.After a year of transition, Squadron's 2,500 square foot retail space is now welcoming visitors Monday through Friday. For many customers, seeing the warehouse's 20,000 square feet of inventory has become an experience in itself: "It was kind of funny. He had been there for a good little while, so I just said, 'hey, would you like to see the warehouse?'... and I took him to the other 20,000 square feet beyond the 2,000 he was looking at."The conversation shifts to Squadron's innovative community-building initiatives. Their Eagle Club provides enhanced benefits including reduced shipping thresholds, while a private Facebook group connects customers sharing projects and techniques. Brandon's philosophy shines through: "Hopefully it becomes a community of modeling friendship."The most exciting revelation concerns Squadron's groundbreaking partnership with the IPMS Nationals host chapter. For the first time ever, they're creating official convention exclusive model kits featuring the show logo. The first announced exclusive, a MiniArt P-47D Razorback, represents something completely new for the hobby. "I hope that it helps the show in general, in the sense that there's something here that I can only get here," Brandon explains, drawing parallels to comic convention exclusives.Through shipping challenges, tariff uncertainties, and continuous innovation, Brandon's passion for the modeling community remains unwavering: "The customers in the hobby industry are some of the nicest, most understanding people I have ever met." Visit Squadron's retail space, tune into their Wednesday night livestreams, or meet them at the IPMS Nationals to experience firsthand how they're reshaping the hobby landscape.SQUADRON Adding to the stash since 1968Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Give us your Feedback!Rate the Show!Support the Show!PatreonBuy Me a BeerPaypalBump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed BarothAd Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" BairMike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.

What happens when two retired law enforcement officers move to the mountains of North Georgia — and encounter something they can't explain? In this unforgettable episode of Bigfoot Society, Jeremiah Byron sits down with Scott and Sheila Granger of Squatch-Fishing Outfitters to unpack a whirlwind of strange events, from whoops in the night to a full-on bluff charge in the woods. You'll hear how a single Bigfoot expedition turned a skeptic into a believer, what happened when rocks started flying at their campsite, and why their own home may be ground zero for Bigfoot activity in Georgia. With stories from Ellijay to Rabun County, this episode dives deep into one of the most active Sasquatch regions in the country — and the couple who now leads others into the mystery. Whether it's tree knocks, growls, clicking sounds, or a Bigfoot who mimics “shave and a haircut,” you won't want to miss a second of this mind-bending tale from the southern Appalachians.Resources:Squatch-Fishing Outfitters - https://www.facebook.com/SquatchFishingOutfittersTiktok channel for SFO - https://www.tiktok.com/@squatchfishingoutfitters