Pick Ellijay Podcast PEP TALK

PEP Talk: Ellijay Songwriters Festival 2024

The Ellijay Songwriters Festival is coming up and Ray Green with Ray Dog Productions joins Ron and Asa with all the details. This year, the festival will last two weeks, from May 20 through June 2, with special performances throughout the festival, a VIP Songwriter Welcome Reception, Memorial Day Celebration, 5K Run, Golf Tournament, Car Show, wine dinners, vendor village, shopping, local cuisine, outdoor activities, and fun for the entire family. Listen now and mark your calendars for this celebration of songwriters!

PEP Talk: Chateau Meichtry Vineyard and Winery

This week on the Pick Ellijay podcast, Asa and Ron welcome Bobby McNeill, owner of Chateau Meichtry Vineyard and Winery in Talking Rock. Listen for details on Chateau Meichtry’s upcoming 2024 entertainment line-up. Plus, learn about the popular varieties of wines you can get at Chateau Meichtry.
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PEP Talk: Sips Trail & Wine About Winter

This episode features host Asa Jones in conversation with tourism director Ron Cheslock about the new and improved Sips Trail, now featuring the mobile pass, just in time for Wine About Winter in February. 
Make plans to escape to Ellijay this Groundhog Day weekend to indulge in a delightful array of events, one-of-a-kind experiences, and, of course, local wines amidst the picturesque North Georgia mountains. Why whine about the weather when you can wine about winter?

PEP Talk: Carters Lake Nature Center

In this episode, host Asa Jones and tourism director Ron Cheslock welcome Allen Earhart, operations manager of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, to discuss the newly renovated nature center at Carters Lake, now with interactive displays and virtual reality activities. Through the new activities developed in partnership with Kennesaw State University, as well as summer guided classes, visitors will learn about controlled burning and water safety. Plus, discover the many campgrounds and trails to explore around the area.
 
Learn more at sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Carters-Lake/ or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/CartersLakeUSArmyCorpsofEngineers/.

PEP Talk: 2023 Recap

Happy New Year everyone! In this episode tourism director Ron Cheslock and host Asa Jones take a look back at some of the events discussed on the podcast during 2023. Ron and Asa also take a look at the tourism grants given out. Plus, enjoy a sneak peek at some of the businesses being featured on the Pick Ellijay PEP Talk in 2024.

PEP Talk: Jessica Carmichael and Sari Saroukos of The Falls at Blue Ridge and Picture Perfect Cabins

PEP Talk welcomes Jessica Carmichael and Sari Saroukos of The Falls at Blue Ridge and Picture Perfect Cabins to talk about amenities you can enjoy, including horseback riding, ATV riding, a fine dining chef catering to your needs, and more. From family fun cabins featuring a bowling alley to the most picturesque backdrops for the perfect wedding, The Falls at Blue Ridge luxury wedding and event venue and Picture Perfect Cabins has the adventure you’re looking for.
The Falls at Blueridge (URL)
Facebook: The Falls at Blueridge
Picture Perfect Cabins (URL)
Facebook: Picture Perfect Cabins

PEP Talk: Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears

Gerald Hodge of Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears joins us for this week's episode to discuss everything you need to know for hibernation season. We cover the hibernation process, ​cubs born during hibernation, ​humans' effects on bears, and more unique stories about black bears in the Southern Appalachian region.
The mission of Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears is to reduce conflict between bears and humans, ​advocate through proactive education outreach programs, and increase public awareness about coexisting with black bears. Listen in and visit AGFriendsOfTheBears.com to learn even more about the Appalachian black bears in your own backyard.

PEP Talk: Damon Gabriel & Davis Lacey

This week we welcome Damon Gabriel of Artful Ellijay and Davis Lacey of Ellijay Cigar Lounge back to the studio.
Damon discusses Artful Ellijay’s recent “Best of Georgia” Home & Garden Shopping award from Georgia Business Journal, plus, how he and his team plan to celebrate the prestigious win. Damon also gives us a sneak peek of what’s in store for 2024.
Davis reflects on Ellijay Cigar Lounge’s successes so far since opening its doors in 2022, as well as upcoming specials for the remainder of the year.

PEP Talk: Pam Burns, executive director of the Gilmer Arts Playhouse in downtown Ellijay

In this week’s Pick Ellijay podcast, we welcome Pam Burns, executive director of the Gilmer Arts Playhouse in downtown Ellijay. The Playhouse hosts the return of perennial favorite Atlanta Pops Orchestra on Sunday, December 10, as the orchestra continues its seventy-five year legacy of enriching communities throughout the southeast with live performances of popular orchestral music. Also on The Playhouse’s calendar are Sip and Paint sessions with artist Maria Sarmiento on December 16 and 19. See more upcoming events at The Playhouse at gilmerarts.com/gilmer-arts-events/.
 

PEP Talk Rewind

We’ve selected some of your favorite clips and episodes for this look back at 2023—featuring Wyatt Espalin, Robin & Afton Salmon of Surrender Hill, Danny Myrick, Abbey Prieto, Irene Witt, Adina Elfaituri, Christine Cleberg, and Lynn Robey.