About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 28, 2025)
Banks County News www.BanksNewsTODAY.com Banks County’s Legal Organ WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025 $1.00 • Homer, Banks County, GA 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • 16 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements • Vol. 59 No. 33 Republican women to meet June 5 Regan Box and Dr. Tako- sha Swan will be the guest speakers when the Banks County Republican Party meets on June 5 at Homer City Hall, located at 943 Historic Homer Highway, Homer. The gathering will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the meet ing to start at 7 p.m. Box is a candidate for U.S. Senate, while Swan is a candidate in the Georgia lieutenant governor’s race. For more information, contact Martha Ramsey, 706-654-6263 (text) or by email at mgramsey@wind- stream.net. Maysville to meet June 2 The Maysville City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 2, at the meeting room located in downtown Maysville. The work session sched uled for May 22 was can celled. Inside: Graduation Section-- Pages 1-3B, 8B Blind Squirrel Talking; Love of community, friendship lead women to start podcast Kim Wilmoth and Lulu White, two longtime friends with a shared love for sto rytelling and their charming hometown of Maysville, de cided to start a podcast as a way to spend more time to gether and create something meaningful. Both were looking for a creative outlet that felt both fun and pur poseful—something they could build side by side. The idea of a podcast felt like the perfect fit: casual, conversational, and packed with potential. Their love for Maysville runs deep. From the qui et city park to the histor ic downtown with its old storefronts, Kim and Lulu see beauty and story in ev ery corner. They also know that not everyone sees what they see. Through their podcast, they want to high light Maysville’s bright er spots—its community events, local artists, small businesses, and everyday folks doing extraordinary things. “Each episode is a win dow into the soul of the town, offering listeners a glimpse of what makes Maysville more than just a dot on the map,” Wilmoth said. Equally important to them is honoring Maysville’s rich and often overlooked histo ry. Whether it is tales of cot ton gins, stories of the Rail road Depot, or the legacy of small-town businesses that once thrived, Kim and Lulu take pride in uncovering and retelling these narra tives. By blending personal anecdotes with historical in sights, they create a podcast that feels like sitting on a front porch with friends— nostalgic, heartfelt, and full of life. The women said that in sharing Maysville with the world, they have deepened their own appreciation for it and brought others along for the journey. Whenever Kim and Lulu get together, it is like open ing the floodgates of con versation. As best friends with years of shared experi ences, inside jokes, and mu tual curiosity, they can talk for hours—often without ever finishing a single sto ry. Their chats zigzag wild ly, starting with something like a new shop in town and somehow ending in a debate over who grows the best to matoes. Focus is never then- strong suit, but laughter, ex citement, and energy? They have those in abundance. It quickly became clear that staying on a single top ic was nearly impossible for them. Every conversation branches off into ten more, and trying to rein it in felt unnatural. Rather than fight it, they decided to embrace the chaos—that delightful, unpredictable rhythm that defines their friendship. That’s when the name “Blind Squirrel Talk” came to life. “It is the perfect metaphor for our style: darting from idea to idea, chasing what ever catches their attention next, but usually stumbling on something brilliant or profound by sheer acci dent,” White said.. “Blind Squirrel Talk” isn’t just a name—it was a celebration of how then- minds work together. The women say that it reflects the joy they find in each other’s company and the spontaneity that makes then- conversations so genuine. The heart of the Blind Squirrel Talk podcast has always been about connec tion. Kim and Lulu say that the goal is simple but pow erful: to help everyone in the community get to know each other. “Maysville, like many towns, has been growing and changing, with new faces arriving all the time,” White said. “While growth brings energy and possibili ty, it can also make it harder to feel truly connected. Through the podcast, Kim and Lulu say they see an opportunity to bridge those gaps—to create a space where longtime locals and new residents alike could feel seen, heard, and part of something shared. In many ways, the pod- cast is their version of “front porch sitting”—a tradition they believe the world can use a lot more of. It’s that old-school sense of com munity, where you wave at passersby, share a story, ask about someone’s day, and maybe even get into a good-natured debate about who makes the best fried chicken in town. “That kind of casual, hon est connection is rare in to day’s fast-paced world, and it’s something Blind Squir rel Talk tries to revive, ep- = TALK - Photo by Angela Gary Lula White (left) and Kim Wilmoth (right) have a podcast, Blind Squirrel Talk, focusing on the people of Maysville. You can subscribe to the podcast on youtube. isode by episode,” Wilmoth said. Each conversation, whether it’s with a local artist, a business owner, or just a neighbor with a great story, becomes a way for listeners to meet someone they might not have other wise. Kim and Lulu believe that when you know the people around you—when you hear their voices, their stories, and their laughter— it’s easier to care, to under stand, and to feel like you belong. “The two Blind Squirrels (Kim and Lulu) may jump from topic to topic, but at its core, it always comes back to the same mission: build ing a community where ev erybody knows everybody, or at least gets the chance to try,” White said. Guests on the podcast have included Danette Flint, a comedian who has trav eled the globe sharing her wit and wisdom. Financial advisor Kelsey McKnight of Edward Jones, who of fered insight and guidance, helping listeners navigate their way toward financial success. The show also featured the soulful Zach Haines, a talented sing er-songwriter and veteran whose music—and heart— are both impactful and un forgettable. Eric Busby, director of Construction for Northern Data Group/Ar- dent Data Centers, offered a glimpse into the world of cutting-edge infrastructure at Maysville Business Park. Local legends also take cen ter stage, including May or Richard Presley, whose leadership and candor reso nate deeply, and the beloved Jerry Parr, whose incredible stories and vivid anecdotes keep audiences captivated. “And of course, no ep isode would be complete without Scott Harper, whose tales are so uniquely Mays ville that only a true native could confirm them,” Smith said. “Every guest brings something special, and ev ery episode is sure to bring a smile.” Since Kim and Lulu free ly admit they’re a little tech nologically challenged, they knew from the start they’d need some help turning their lively conversations into a polished podcast. That’s where Lee Davis Studios came in. With his expertise in sound production and edit ing, Lee took Blind Squir rel Talk from a fun idea to a professional, listenable reality. “Lee is the quiet force be hind the scenes—adjusting levels, trimming tangents, and making sure every ep isode sounds just rigsaid. ht,” Wilmoth Though he tends to stay in the background, Lee is an essential part of the Blind Squirrel team. His techni cal know-how and steady hand allow Kim and Lulu to focus on what they do best: talking, laughing, and connecting with the com munity. “In many ways, he’s the unsung hero of the pod cast—the one who makes sure that every squirrelly detour finds its way back home,” Wilmoth said. With over 50 episodes un der their belt, Kim and Lulu have no plans of slowing down. Blind Squirrel Talk continues to be a labor of love and a celebration of the people who make Mays ville and the surrounding community special. They’re always on the lookout for interesting voices, local legends, hidden talents, and everyday folks with a great story to tell. You can find their podcast on YouTube and check out Blind Squirrel Talk. “Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel and share it with your friends and neigh bors,” White said. “It’s a fun, meaningful way to stay connected and get to know the incredible people who make up your community. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to the area, there’s something for every one on Blind Squirrel Talk.” If you know someone who would be a perfect fit for the podcast, you can reach out to Kim at Wilm- oth.KimDrew@Gmail.com MAILING LABEL Memorial Day program in Homer 8 0 487 9 1 4 1 4 3 1inhewenuuss 136 032 059 1 fc Photo by Angela Gary Crosses were placed on the lawn of the historic courthouse in Homer and in Veterans Park in observation of Memorial Day. Visitors attending the Memorial Day program Monday morning are shown looking at the crosses. See story and photos on Page 4A.
