Feature stories - The LocaL

From the Bottom to the Top

Posted on January 22, 2025January 22, 2025 by Editor - the Local

By Frank Etheridge Talk about a glorious full-circle moment. When the raucous, untamed spirit of Ma Rainey takes the same Springer stage where the “Mother of the Blues” first performed 125 years ago at age 14, she rightfully returns as a now-iconic genius finally given her due. While Columbus native Gertrude Pridget (1886-1939) has long enjoyed critical acclaim, it wasn’t until America’s Cultural Reckoning of recent years, which allowed for new voices such as Black…

Deorio’s – The Good Times Ain’t Over After All

Posted on January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 by Editor - the Local

The savory smell of pizza wafts across Columbus as a local favorite returns. By Natalie Downey Deorio’s restaurant has been Columbus’ family-friendly pizza joint for decades, a welcoming spot which, for many, became a regular part of their lives. When its doors closed in 2017, the community was dismayed to lose not only one of its favorite pizza places, but also the smiling faces of Deorio’s owners and staff who were, many say, like family….

That’s a Wrap

Posted on January 8, 2025January 8, 2025 by Editor - the Local

Local Film – Image by Charley Windham

Nutwood Winery

Posted on November 18, 2024March 3, 2025 by Editor - the Local

Your Journey to a Wonderland of Good Tastes Awaits By Natalie Downey Tucked into a lush valley, surrounded by vineyards and some of the oldest pecan trees in Georgia, Nutwood Winery nestles quietly into its home spot in LaGrange. Georgia is known for many things, but wineries aren’t typically one of them. Owners Neil and Trish Liechty say the idea to open a winery came about while they were sitting on their porch. “Neil was…

Made to Order

Posted on October 24, 2024March 3, 2025 by Editor - the Local

Uptown’s Fall Food Truck Festival serves up the goods, raises funds for vital community programs. By Frank Etheridge Over the last couple of decades, Uptown Columbus has transformed from a no-options food desert into a blooming onion of a mecca for foodies. This delicious change comes in large part due to the diligent efforts of the nonprofit entity Uptown, Inc. that not only champions the people and places inside this historic, yet vibrant, downtown corridor…

The Food Mill – Food Farmacy

Posted on October 9, 2024October 9, 2024 by Editor - the Local

Brings More to Community with New Shared Kitchen By Natalie Downey Small businesses bring a sense of ownership and belonging to a community. Purchasing from a neighbor’s business feels more personal than buying from a large corporation, and in supporting our local small business owners, we in turn support the community as a whole. But starting a small business comes with many challenges, and The Food Mill’s latest program seeks to help entrepreneurs through those…

Making a Mark

Posted on September 2, 2024September 2, 2024 by Editor - the Local

The Fountain City Tattoo Expo Returns Thomas Randall started out just trying to right a wrong. What he wound up creating was the Fountain City Tattoo Expo., a successful, growing celebration for the local community now in its fourth year. By Frank Etheridge In order for Columbus, Georgia to finally arrive as a host city for a proper tattoo show, things had to change. First, there was an antiquated local law that made it illegal…

Bottoms Up!

Posted on September 2, 2024September 2, 2024 by Editor - the Local

The Bottom serves up good times to good people in new upscale dive-bar atop the Wicked Hen in Midtown. By Frank Etheridge Like all great bartenders, Whit Prophet is quick with a joke. “Well first off, I got bills to pay,” he quips during a late-afternoon shift last month when asked what motivates him to get up and go to work everyday. “No, actually, I do enjoy bartending. It’s a passion. I enjoy meeting people….

The Great Create –

Posted on September 2, 2024September 2, 2024 by Editor - the Local

A DYI for the Times By Natalie Downey For many of us, the past several years have instilled a desire to learn how to be more self-sufficient. Whether it’s the current cost of products or simply the desire for simpler, more natural ingredients, a growing trend towards doing-it-yourself has led to a community of people sharing ideas, skills, and experience. The Great Create is a DIY festival where you can explore the world of self-sustainability…

Kenny Gray – “My Southside”

Posted on August 12, 2024September 2, 2024 by Editor - the Local

Mythmaker By Mamie Pound Every photograph you see is a document of 1/100th of a second. The photographer engages the shutter to capture what’s in front of him, and for that brief moment, he is blind. The result is the product of a chain reaction, only set in motion by the photographer once he pushes that button. It’s a bit of performance art – magic really, according to Kenny Gray, whose collection, “My Southside,” will…

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