The Georgia Traveler Team wants to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Remember to drive safely when traveling around the state this holiday weekend! New episodes of Georgia Traveler will resume December 18th with "The Holiday Tour of Georgia."
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
The Georgia Traveler Team wants to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Remember to drive safely when traveling around the state this holiday weekend! New episodes of Georgia Traveler will resume December 18th with "The Holiday Tour of Georgia."
Friday, November 20, 2009
Welcome Valarie Edwards!
You’ve seen her hunt ghosts at the Windsor Hotel in Americus for the “Ghost Tour of Georgia”. She’s rolled up her sleeves to make fruitcake with the monks at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers for the “Made in Georgia Tour”. She has explored Westville in Lumpkin for our “Historic Tour of Georgia”. This weekend, you can see her visit Andalusia, the home of author Flannery O’Connor in Milledgeville for the “Book Tour of Georgia”. But who is Valarie Edwards?Red is her favorite color, she’s saving up to buy a Shih Tzu, she was born wearin
g heels, and considers chocolate and wine the only true food groups. Valarie was born in New York City. And like a true New Yorker, she speaks a little Spanish, less Italian and even less Yiddish. She has lived in Hong Kong and the Phillippines, but considers the San Francisco-Bay Area her hometown.A 1997 graduate of Golden Gate University’s School of Arts And Letters, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In 1999, she received her Master of Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley. She has been a Reporter for Georgia Public Broadcasting Radio since 2007 and in 2009, joined her television colleagues for “Lawmakers”, our coverage of the Georgia General Assembly. Her hard work un
der the gold dome resulted in a 1st Place award from CapitolBeat (National Association of Statehouse Reporters) for her coverage of the Home Mortgage Crisis.In May 2009, she officially joined the Georgia Traveler team and hit the road, exploring the Empire State of the South. We’re excited that Valarie has joined the team and hope that you’ll welcome her if you should see her in your community.
Welcome our newest Georgia Traveler, Valarie Edwards!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
This Week: Book Tour of Georgia
This week the Georgia Traveler team embarks on a Book Tour of Georgia. Peach State authors have made their mark in the literary world, from grand epics to stories of little critters. We journey to a few places you can learn about these legendary Georgia talents.
Georgia Traveler 305, The Book Tour of Georgia, premieres Friday, November 20th at 9:00 PM on GPB, then repeats Saturday, November 21st at 7:00 PM and Wednesday, November 18 at 7:30 PM.
For more information about those upcoming episodes, check out our website at:
http://www.gpb.org/georgiatraveler/
Georgia Traveler is produced in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Check out the new Georgia Tourism website at http://www.exploregeorgia.org/
Georgia Traveler 305, The Book Tour of Georgia, premieres Friday, November 20th at 9:00 PM on GPB, then repeats Saturday, November 21st at 7:00 PM and Wednesday, November 18 at 7:30 PM.
For more information about those upcoming episodes, check out our website at:
http://www.gpb.org/georgiatraveler/
Georgia Traveler is produced in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Check out the new Georgia Tourism website at http://www.exploregeorgia.org/
Behind the Scenes: Flannery O'Connor on the Book Tour
Our upcoming episode of Georgia Traveler that premieres this weekend is all about Georgia authors. It's called the "Book Tour of Georgia" and highlights only a few of Georgia's many, many talented authors. Included in our program are Joel Chandler Harris, Margaret Mitchell, Jessica Green and Ted Hafer (authors of The Grit Cookbook), and Flannery O'Connor.
Georgia Traveler co-host Valarie Edwards takes you on a journey to Milledgeville, where Mary
Flannery O'Connor spent most of her adult life. Here's a picture of Valarie on the front porch of Andalusia, the O'Connor family farm. Andalusia has been preserved as a museum by the Flannery O'Connor Andalusia Foundation.
Born in 1925 in Savannah, Flannery was the only child of Regine Cline and Edwin Francis O'Connor. The family lived in a three story home on Lafayette Square, just steps away from Savannah's Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Her childhood home is also a museum managed by the Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home Foundation.
After a brief residence in Atlanta beginning in 1938, the O’Connor family
moved in 1940 to Milledgeville to live in the Cline family home on Greene Street. Flannery's father, Edward, died of lupus early in 1941, and Mrs. O’Connor and Flannery continued to live in the Milledgeville family home along with Flannery’s aunts. It was in that home on Greene Street that Flannery continued to live while she attended Peabody High School and Georgia State College 
for Women, which is now Georgia College & State University. The University is home to the Flannery O'Connor collection. Here's a picture of our photographer Mitch Zastrow in the Flannery O'Connor Room, shooting footage of one of Flannery's typewriters.
Flannery O’Connor left Milledgeville in 1945 to attend the State University of Iowa. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree after two years but remained in Iowa for another year before going to the Yaddo Foundation's artist colony near Saratoga Springs, New York. Afterwards she lived in New York City where she was introduced to Robert and Sally Fitzgerald, with whom she lived for over a year in Ridgefield, Connecticut. During this time she was writing her first novel Wise Blood. In late 1950 Flannery O’Connor began to exhibit
symptoms of lupus, the disease that had killed her father. Her health forced Flannery to return to Milledgeville in 1951, where she and her mother moved to the family farm, Andalusia, where Flannery lived for thirteen years, until her death in 1964.
Georgia Traveler visited GCSU and spoke with Professor Bruce Gentry, the Editor of the Flannery O'Connor
Review. We then visited Andalusia and spoke with Craig Amason, Executive Director of the Flannery O’Connor Andalusia Foundation. Here's a picture of Valarie and Craig as they walk some of the grounds at Andalusia. The farm's original 21 acres have been recently augmented 
to include nearly 500 adjoining acres, which have been set aside as a nature preserve. There are nature trails with signage about some of the types of trees on the property as well. This is definitely an excellent outdoor activity for literary buffs!
Back in the city limits of Milledgeville, you can hop a hospitality trolley that leaves from the headquarters of our good friends at the Milledgeville Convention and Visitors Bureau on West Hancock Street and see other Flannery highlights, like the Sacred Heart Catholic Church where O’Connor and her mother attended Mass daily.
You can catch our segment on Flannery O'Connor in Georgia Traveler 305, the Book Tour of Georgia this Friday, November 20 at 9 PM, Saturday, November 21 at 7 PM and Wednesday, November 25 at 7:30 PM.
We hope you enjoy the segment as much as we enjoyed our visit to Milledgeville. Until my next Behind the Scenes post, this is Executive Producer Ashlie Wilson wishing you pleasant journeys... from the beautiful front porch of the Andalusia farm!
Georgia Traveler co-host Valarie Edwards takes you on a journey to Milledgeville, where Mary
Flannery O'Connor spent most of her adult life. Here's a picture of Valarie on the front porch of Andalusia, the O'Connor family farm. Andalusia has been preserved as a museum by the Flannery O'Connor Andalusia Foundation.Born in 1925 in Savannah, Flannery was the only child of Regine Cline and Edwin Francis O'Connor. The family lived in a three story home on Lafayette Square, just steps away from Savannah's Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Her childhood home is also a museum managed by the Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home Foundation.
After a brief residence in Atlanta beginning in 1938, the O’Connor family
moved in 1940 to Milledgeville to live in the Cline family home on Greene Street. Flannery's father, Edward, died of lupus early in 1941, and Mrs. O’Connor and Flannery continued to live in the Milledgeville family home along with Flannery’s aunts. It was in that home on Greene Street that Flannery continued to live while she attended Peabody High School and Georgia State College 
for Women, which is now Georgia College & State University. The University is home to the Flannery O'Connor collection. Here's a picture of our photographer Mitch Zastrow in the Flannery O'Connor Room, shooting footage of one of Flannery's typewriters.Flannery O’Connor left Milledgeville in 1945 to attend the State University of Iowa. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree after two years but remained in Iowa for another year before going to the Yaddo Foundation's artist colony near Saratoga Springs, New York. Afterwards she lived in New York City where she was introduced to Robert and Sally Fitzgerald, with whom she lived for over a year in Ridgefield, Connecticut. During this time she was writing her first novel Wise Blood. In late 1950 Flannery O’Connor began to exhibit
symptoms of lupus, the disease that had killed her father. Her health forced Flannery to return to Milledgeville in 1951, where she and her mother moved to the family farm, Andalusia, where Flannery lived for thirteen years, until her death in 1964.Georgia Traveler visited GCSU and spoke with Professor Bruce Gentry, the Editor of the Flannery O'Connor
Review. We then visited Andalusia and spoke with Craig Amason, Executive Director of the Flannery O’Connor Andalusia Foundation. Here's a picture of Valarie and Craig as they walk some of the grounds at Andalusia. The farm's original 21 acres have been recently augmented 
to include nearly 500 adjoining acres, which have been set aside as a nature preserve. There are nature trails with signage about some of the types of trees on the property as well. This is definitely an excellent outdoor activity for literary buffs!Back in the city limits of Milledgeville, you can hop a hospitality trolley that leaves from the headquarters of our good friends at the Milledgeville Convention and Visitors Bureau on West Hancock Street and see other Flannery highlights, like the Sacred Heart Catholic Church where O’Connor and her mother attended Mass daily.
You can catch our segment on Flannery O'Connor in Georgia Traveler 305, the Book Tour of Georgia this Friday, November 20 at 9 PM, Saturday, November 21 at 7 PM and Wednesday, November 25 at 7:30 PM.
We hope you enjoy the segment as much as we enjoyed our visit to Milledgeville. Until my next Behind the Scenes post, this is Executive Producer Ashlie Wilson wishing you pleasant journeys... from the beautiful front porch of the Andalusia farm!
This Weekend in Georgia
The Holiday Season is almost upon us. Here are a few events to get you in the holiday mood this weekend.
Candlelight Tour Festival
November 20 - 22, 2009
Warm Springs, Georgia
Visit the city FDR made his second home! Discover the Magic of Christmas in Warm Springs as the Village is transformed into a glowing wonderland of lights. Horse and buggy tours are available as visitors shop by candlelight and hear carolers and musicians serenade the streets. Restaurants and shops keep extended hours November 20, 21, and 22 to help you find that unique gift for a special someone. More information is available here. While visiting Warm Springs, be sure to visit Roosevelt's Little White House. Visitors can tour FDR's home away from home and discover why President Roosevelt retreated to Georgia to try to recuperate from his polio. Here's their website for more information.
Magical Nights of Lights
November 21 - November 22, 2009
Lake Lanier Islands
Known as the world’s largest animated light extravaganza, the seven-and-a-half mile driving tour features giant illuminated characters that are comprised of millions of twinkling and moving lights. After the tour, visit the Holiday Village for amusement rides, pony rides, marshmallow roasting, holiday shopping, and a visit with Santa Claus. For more information, visit the Lake Lanier Islands website. Georgia Traveler's Keely Muse and her husband, Wynn, will be visiting the Nights of Lights in an upcoming episode of Georgia Traveler, The Holiday Tour of Georgia. Look for it on GPB in December!
Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival
November 21 - 22, 2009
Thomasville, Georgia
Candlelight Tour Festival
November 20 - 22, 2009
Warm Springs, Georgia
Visit the city FDR made his second home! Discover the Magic of Christmas in Warm Springs as the Village is transformed into a glowing wonderland of lights. Horse and buggy tours are available as visitors shop by candlelight and hear carolers and musicians serenade the streets. Restaurants and shops keep extended hours November 20, 21, and 22 to help you find that unique gift for a special someone. More information is available here. While visiting Warm Springs, be sure to visit Roosevelt's Little White House. Visitors can tour FDR's home away from home and discover why President Roosevelt retreated to Georgia to try to recuperate from his polio. Here's their website for more information.
Magical Nights of Lights
November 21 - November 22, 2009
Lake Lanier Islands
Known as the world’s largest animated light extravaganza, the seven-and-a-half mile driving tour features giant illuminated characters that are comprised of millions of twinkling and moving lights. After the tour, visit the Holiday Village for amusement rides, pony rides, marshmallow roasting, holiday shopping, and a visit with Santa Claus. For more information, visit the Lake Lanier Islands website. Georgia Traveler's Keely Muse and her husband, Wynn, will be visiting the Nights of Lights in an upcoming episode of Georgia Traveler, The Holiday Tour of Georgia. Look for it on GPB in December!
Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival
November 21 - 22, 2009
Thomasville, Georgia
And finally, for those festival fans among us, be sure not to miss the 14th annual Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival in
And those are just a few ideas for things to do in the Peach State this weekend. For more ideas, visit ExploreGeorgia.org, a great website operated by our production partners at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Behind the Scenes: Madison on the Historic Tour
This weekend, you'll have the opportunity to watch Georgia Traveler's "Historic Tour of Georgia". That program will be broadcast Friday, 
November 13 at 9 PM, Saturday, November 14 at 7 PM and Wednesday, November 18 at 7:30 PM. In the show, we feature The Smith House in Dahlonega as our Food Find, Family Fun can be found at Westville in Lumpkin, Our Local Legend is The Prison Museum & Last Meal Cafe in Ashburn and our Getaway is the lovely, historic Madison, Georgia! Just to the left is a picture of the Morgan County Courthouse which sits on the downtown square. As you may know, Madison is often called the "town too pretty to burn" because it escaped the torches of Sherman's army during the March to the Sea. The reality is that Madison was home to Joshua Hill, a pro-Union Senator, who resigned his seat in the US Senate at the 
beginning of the War Between the States despite his opposition to succession. He returned home to Madison and so was able to intervene on the towns behalf with General Slocum when Sherman's Army was razing the countryside. Here's a picture of co-host David Zelski in front of the Joshua Hill Home, which has been preserved, like many of the town's antebellum homes. You can find out more about Joshua Hill by visiting the Madison Morgan Cultural Center's exhibit about the history of Madison. As a matter of fact, the MMCC is a great place to begin any visit to Madison. Our new friend Patricia DuBose is the Marketing Manager there and helped our production team in so many ways!
November 13 at 9 PM, Saturday, November 14 at 7 PM and Wednesday, November 18 at 7:30 PM. In the show, we feature The Smith House in Dahlonega as our Food Find, Family Fun can be found at Westville in Lumpkin, Our Local Legend is The Prison Museum & Last Meal Cafe in Ashburn and our Getaway is the lovely, historic Madison, Georgia! Just to the left is a picture of the Morgan County Courthouse which sits on the downtown square. As you may know, Madison is often called the "town too pretty to burn" because it escaped the torches of Sherman's army during the March to the Sea. The reality is that Madison was home to Joshua Hill, a pro-Union Senator, who resigned his seat in the US Senate at the 
beginning of the War Between the States despite his opposition to succession. He returned home to Madison and so was able to intervene on the towns behalf with General Slocum when Sherman's Army was razing the countryside. Here's a picture of co-host David Zelski in front of the Joshua Hill Home, which has been preserved, like many of the town's antebellum homes. You can find out more about Joshua Hill by visiting the Madison Morgan Cultural Center's exhibit about the history of Madison. As a matter of fact, the MMCC is a great place to begin any visit to Madison. Our new friend Patricia DuBose is the Marketing Manager there and helped our production team in so many ways!
The Traveler crew actually visited Madison on two occasions- once on May 1 for the "Madison in May" tour of homes and again on June 24 during the Madison Morgan Cultural Center's Chamber Music Festival. Here is a picture of co-host David Zelski with Christine Lambert, the gracious hostess of Hilltop. The home was built in 1832 and has been in the Lambert family since 1922. Hilltop was originally an L shaped house with three rooms down stairs and three rooms above. There are three chimneys which makes the home have six fireplaces. There's a fireplace in all of the original rooms. Chris told us that the rooms more or less are 20 by 20 square and the ceilings are 12 feet high. Definitely a sight to see- we hope Hilltop is on future Tours of Homes. Another beautiful home, which is just outside of Madison city proper, has 
been in the Ainslie family since 1870. Ardenlea is the farm of Andrew Ainslie's Scottish-born great-grandfather, who actually fought for the Union Army and camped on the property when Slocum's troops came through the area. After the War, Ainslie left Sandusky, Ohio and came South to Madison. There have been six generations of Andrew Ainslies to live on the property... and four generations of Ainslies still live in the Madison area. The current Andrew Ainslie that resides at Ardenlea is an accomplished gardener. Just look at these beautiful flowers!
We had such a lovely time in Madison. Hope you might have the time to visit there soon!Wednesday, November 11, 2009
This Weekend in Georgia
The weekend approaches once more, and here are some tips on how to spend it--Georgia Traveler Style!
The Pink Pig
Saturday, November 14 - Sunday, November 15, 2009
Lenox Square, Atlanta
All aboard for the Pink Pig! Macy's 56-year-old tradition continues this year at Lenox Square in Atlanta. Kids young and old will thrill to the unforgettable experience of riding in Priscilla. There is a small fee involved, and portions of the proceeds go to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Click here for more information on dates and times. Georgia Traveler's David Zelski takes a ride on the Pink Pig on an upcoming episode, "The Holiday Tour of Georgia," which is set to premiere Wednesday, December 16 at 7:30 PM on GPB.
Cumming Steam, Antique Tractor, and Gas Engine Exposition
Friday, November 13 - Saturday, November 14, 2009
Cumming Fairgrounds, Cumming
The Steam, Antique Tractor, and Gas Engine Exposition takes you back in time as you gaze through the various forms of antique farming equipment. There's also a cotton gin, sawmill, and shingle mill! With interactive displays of how all the machines and tractors work, you'll be leaving here with a whole new realm of information! For details, here's the website.
Sportman's Festival
Friday, November 13, 2009 Downtown Warrenton
Hunters and fishermen won't want to miss their very own festival. The Sportman's Festival is being held this Friday, November 13 in Warrenton and will feature sporting vendors, exhibitors, demonstrations, and Okenfenokee Joe! There will also be a turkey shoot, big buck contest, and gun raffle. There will also be great food, a children's carnival, and Smokey the Bear! Okefenokee Joe is the host of several popular GPTV-produced documentaries including Swampwise and The Joy of Snakes. For more information visit the website.
And those are just a few ideas for things to do in the Peach State this weekend. For more ideas, visit ExploreGeorgia.org, a great website operated by our production partners at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
The Pink Pig
Saturday, November 14 - Sunday, November 15, 2009
Lenox Square, Atlanta
All aboard for the Pink Pig! Macy's 56-year-old tradition continues this year at Lenox Square in Atlanta. Kids young and old will thrill to the unforgettable experience of riding in Priscilla. There is a small fee involved, and portions of the proceeds go to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Click here for more information on dates and times. Georgia Traveler's David Zelski takes a ride on the Pink Pig on an upcoming episode, "The Holiday Tour of Georgia," which is set to premiere Wednesday, December 16 at 7:30 PM on GPB.Cumming Steam, Antique Tractor, and Gas Engine Exposition
Friday, November 13 - Saturday, November 14, 2009
Cumming Fairgrounds, Cumming
The Steam, Antique Tractor, and Gas Engine Exposition takes you back in time as you gaze through the various forms of antique farming equipment. There's also a cotton gin, sawmill, and shingle mill! With interactive displays of how all the machines and tractors work, you'll be leaving here with a whole new realm of information! For details, here's the website.
Sportman's Festival
Friday, November 13, 2009 Downtown Warrenton
Hunters and fishermen won't want to miss their very own festival. The Sportman's Festival is being held this Friday, November 13 in Warrenton and will feature sporting vendors, exhibitors, demonstrations, and Okenfenokee Joe! There will also be a turkey shoot, big buck contest, and gun raffle. There will also be great food, a children's carnival, and Smokey the Bear! Okefenokee Joe is the host of several popular GPTV-produced documentaries including Swampwise and The Joy of Snakes. For more information visit the website.And those are just a few ideas for things to do in the Peach State this weekend. For more ideas, visit ExploreGeorgia.org, a great website operated by our production partners at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
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