Alright Athens Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/alright-athens ALRIGHT ATHENS: Tell Us Your Story! A podcast featuring the people of Athens and Limestone County, Alabama. Each story is as unique as the people themselves, but they all reveal the character, the culture, and the distinct voices of a classic Southern community. Entertaining. Thoughtful. Poignant. Listen to these sound snapshots from our latest Library Voices podcast series. From Athens-Limestone Public Library. © 2025 Athens-Limestone County Public Library 080f034b-9ee1-5a48-8341-1adec8c6e72c no en Sat, 25 Jan 2025 12:58:37 -0600 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:07:36 -0600 https://www.alcpl.org/podcasts/ https://img.transistor.fm/H5RRXKAI5DF6jLdGbBoAZul9HBGIwv0ALSSMDbLb6YY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzM2NzcxLzE2Njk5/MDc2NDUtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Alright Athens https://www.alcpl.org/podcasts/ episodic Athens-Limestone County Public Library ALRIGHT ATHENS: Tell Us Your Story! A podcast featuring the people of Athens and Limestone County, Alabama. Each story is as unique as the people themselves, but they all reveal the character, the culture, and the distinct voices of a classic Southern community. Entertaining. Thoughtful. Poignant. Listen to these sound snapshots from our latest Library Voices podcast series. From Athens-Limestone Public Library. ALRIGHT ATHENS: Tell Us Your Story. Southern culture, personal stories, Southern communities, Athens, Alabama, entertainment, nostalgia, Southern life, Athens-Limestone Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library tech@alcpl.org No No Remembering Vietnam: A Conversation with Thanh Boyer and Frank Grose 10 10 Remembering Vietnam: A Conversation with Thanh Boyer and Frank Grose full ecb0aaa1-9201-4f8d-97a0-baa3d9fe0ddc https://share.transistor.fm/s/505a2a11 Frank ‘Max’ Grose was 21 years old in 1967 when he was sent to Vietnam to serve in the 147th assault support helicopter company known as the Hillclimbers. He piloted his Chinook helicopter in and out of dangerous missions to supply troops fighting on the ground. In 1973, as the last U.S. troops pulled out and the country fell under Communist regime, many Vietnamese families made the difficult decision to leave their country in search of a better future. Enter 12-year-old Thanh Boyer: a Vietnam boat refugee who braved the treacherous waters of the South China Sea, both physically and mentally, to finally land in her newly adopted home in America. In Athens, Alabama. 
Together, for the first time, Frank Grose and Thanh Boyer share their Vietnam experiences and the work they have done since to help veterans who returned home bearing the scars of war. 

Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/    

If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay     

]]> Frank ‘Max’ Grose was 21 years old in 1967 when he was sent to Vietnam to serve in the 147th assault support helicopter company known as the Hillclimbers. He piloted his Chinook helicopter in and out of dangerous missions to supply troops fighting on the ground. In 1973, as the last U.S. troops pulled out and the country fell under Communist regime, many Vietnamese families made the difficult decision to leave their country in search of a better future. Enter 12-year-old Thanh Boyer: a Vietnam boat refugee who braved the treacherous waters of the South China Sea, both physically and mentally, to finally land in her newly adopted home in America. In Athens, Alabama. 
Together, for the first time, Frank Grose and Thanh Boyer share their Vietnam experiences and the work they have done since to help veterans who returned home bearing the scars of war. 

Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/    

If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay     

]]> Sat, 25 Jan 2025 12:58:37 -0600 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 2548 Frank ‘Max’ Grose was 21 years old in 1967 when he was sent to Vietnam to serve in the 147th assault support helicopter company known as the Hillclimbers. He piloted his Chinook helicopter in and out of dangerous missions to supply troops fighting on the ground. In 1973, as the last U.S. troops pulled out and the country fell under Communist regime, many Vietnamese families made the difficult decision to leave their country in search of a better future. Enter 12-year-old Thanh Boyer: a Vietnam boat refugee who braved the treacherous waters of the South China Sea, both physically and mentally, to finally land in her newly adopted home in America. In Athens, Alabama. 
Together, for the first time, Frank Grose and Thanh Boyer share their Vietnam experiences and the work they have done since to help veterans who returned home bearing the scars of war. 

Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/    

If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay     

]]> Thanh Boyer, Vietnam, Vietnam refugees, Vietnamese boat people, refugees,Vietnam War, Saigon, veterans, Vietnam veterans, helicopters, Vietnam veteran reunions, SOAR, PTSD, Army Air Corps, Chinook helicopters, Vietnam - Armed Forces, Military life, Vietnam War - Aerial operations, Helicopters – American – Vietnam, Chinook Military transport helicopter, Athens, Alabama, Athens-Limestone Public Library, Athens, Alabama No Thanh Boyer: From Vietnam to Athens, AL 9 9 Thanh Boyer: From Vietnam to Athens, AL full ce26ee16-f3a0-45b5-9825-9da2ed0efca3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/42fca14e July 18, 1980, Thanh Boyer arrived in Athens, Alabama as a Vietnamese Boat refugee. She was 12 years old. This is her story - a journey of courage, pathos, humor, and single-minded determination to bring the rest of her family to America. 

 Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/    

If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay    

]]> July 18, 1980, Thanh Boyer arrived in Athens, Alabama as a Vietnamese Boat refugee. She was 12 years old. This is her story - a journey of courage, pathos, humor, and single-minded determination to bring the rest of her family to America. 

 Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/    

If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay    

]]> Fri, 10 May 2024 14:02:50 -0500 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 2485 July 18, 1980, Thanh Boyer arrived in Athens, Alabama as a Vietnamese Boat refugee. She was 12 years old. This is her story - a journey of courage, pathos, humor, and single-minded determination to bring the rest of her family to America. 

 Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/    

If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay    

]]> Thanh Boyer, Vietnam, Vietnam refugees, Vietnam boat people, refugees,Vietnam War, Saigon, veterans, Vietnam veterans, helicopters, veteran reunions, Athens, Alabama, Nostalgia, Family Story teller, Athens-Limestone Public Library, Athens, Alabama No Joel Mize: World War II Military Family 7 7 Joel Mize: World War II Military Family full 8dd6b3ec-bba0-4201-a9c7-11fa651aa2c1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/eeb66453 Joel Mize is the son and nephew of five World War II veterans representing the U.S. Army, Army Air Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marines Corps. Growing up they were his personal heroes, along with his grandmother, the matriarch of the Putnam family. Deeply patriotic, she worked in the support staff of the Muscle Shoals nitrate plant in World War I and in Mobile's Brookley Air Base during World War II. She set the tone for her sons to follow, and they served both in the European and Pacific fronts as well as in Occupied Japan. In this podcast Joel Mize talks about their war stories and the legacies they left to a young boy coming of age in the postwar era. 

Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/    
http://www.alabamaveteransmuseum.com/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay   

]]> Joel Mize is the son and nephew of five World War II veterans representing the U.S. Army, Army Air Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marines Corps. Growing up they were his personal heroes, along with his grandmother, the matriarch of the Putnam family. Deeply patriotic, she worked in the support staff of the Muscle Shoals nitrate plant in World War I and in Mobile's Brookley Air Base during World War II. She set the tone for her sons to follow, and they served both in the European and Pacific fronts as well as in Occupied Japan. In this podcast Joel Mize talks about their war stories and the legacies they left to a young boy coming of age in the postwar era. 

Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/    
http://www.alabamaveteransmuseum.com/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay   

]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2023 14:02:18 -0500 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 1313 Joel Mize is the son and nephew of five World War II veterans representing the U.S. Army, Army Air Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marines Corps. Growing up they were his personal heroes, along with his grandmother, the matriarch of the Putnam family. Deeply patriotic, she worked in the support staff of the Muscle Shoals nitrate plant in World War I and in Mobile's Brookley Air Base during World War II. She set the tone for her sons to follow, and they served both in the European and Pacific fronts as well as in Occupied Japan. In this podcast Joel Mize talks about their war stories and the legacies they left to a young boy coming of age in the postwar era. 

Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/    
http://www.alabamaveteransmuseum.com/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay   

]]> U.S. Army, Army Air Corps, U.S Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, World War II, World War I, Occupied Japan, Combat, Military diaries, Postwar Japan , War in Japan, War in Europe, European Allied Forces, War stories, American, Family story-teller, Diaries, Veterans, Athens, Alabama, Stories of World War II, Nostalgia, Athens-Limestone Public Library, Athens, Alabama No Frank Grose: Vietnam Chinook Helicopter Pilot 8 8 Frank Grose: Vietnam Chinook Helicopter Pilot full 9440fcf4-e372-42e3-a16e-5aec44e8fb03 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4972dc05 Frank ‘Max’ Grose served in the 147th assault support helicopter company in Vietnam, known as the Hillclimbers. He was 21 years old when he got to Vietnam in 1967 and tasked with flying a Chinook helicopter in and out of dangerous sorties to aid troops fighting on the ground. In this podcast he recounts, in riveting detail, missions where mere seconds and inches meant the difference between life and death.

Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/   
http://www.alabamaveteransmuseum.com/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay     

]]> Frank ‘Max’ Grose served in the 147th assault support helicopter company in Vietnam, known as the Hillclimbers. He was 21 years old when he got to Vietnam in 1967 and tasked with flying a Chinook helicopter in and out of dangerous sorties to aid troops fighting on the ground. In this podcast he recounts, in riveting detail, missions where mere seconds and inches meant the difference between life and death.

Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/   
http://www.alabamaveteransmuseum.com/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay     

]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2023 14:01:50 -0500 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 1727 Frank ‘Max’ Grose served in the 147th assault support helicopter company in Vietnam, known as the Hillclimbers. He was 21 years old when he got to Vietnam in 1967 and tasked with flying a Chinook helicopter in and out of dangerous sorties to aid troops fighting on the ground. In this podcast he recounts, in riveting detail, missions where mere seconds and inches meant the difference between life and death.

Links:
https://www.alcpl.org/   
http://www.alabamaveteransmuseum.com/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay     

]]> Vietnam, Army Air Corps, Chinook helicopters, Vietnam - Armed Forces, Military life, Vietnam War - Aerial operations, Helicopters, Helicopters – American – Vietnam, Chinook Military transport helicopter, Chinook, Veterans, Family story-teller, Veterans, Athens, Alabama, Personal stories, Nostalgia, Athens-Limestone Public Library No Gene Keith: Athens Art Instructor 6 6 Gene Keith: Athens Art Instructor full a8c07967-317d-4f02-9e35-e1c6f0d3e9b3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9a70e7d6 Gene Keith, retired Athens art teacher, taught his students much more than art: for thirty four years, he also gave them lessons in life.  He reflects on his career and we get a a glimpse of why his creative and thoughtful approach to teaching made him a student favorite. Since retiring, Gene's avocation has been genealogy research and learning about his family history here in Alabama.

Library Links
https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay  

]]> Gene Keith, retired Athens art teacher, taught his students much more than art: for thirty four years, he also gave them lessons in life.  He reflects on his career and we get a a glimpse of why his creative and thoughtful approach to teaching made him a student favorite. Since retiring, Gene's avocation has been genealogy research and learning about his family history here in Alabama.

Library Links
https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay  

]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:52:16 -0500 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 1021 Gene Keith, retired Athens art teacher, taught his students much more than art: for thirty four years, he also gave them lessons in life.  He reflects on his career and we get a a glimpse of why his creative and thoughtful approach to teaching made him a student favorite. Since retiring, Gene's avocation has been genealogy research and learning about his family history here in Alabama.

Library Links
https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay  

]]> Southern culture, personal stories, Southern communities, society, conversations, art, art instructor, elementary art, Athens, Alabama, personal stories, entertainment, nostalgia, Southern life, Athens-Limestone Public Library No Fred Smith: Looking Back 5 5 Fred Smith: Looking Back full d544fb3c-5b96-4e84-a490-35334d3f026a https://share.transistor.fm/s/147e180f Fred Smith has lived in Limestone County all of his life. He remembers a slower, gentler time and describes his life growing up in 1950's Athens. He looks back at a time when everyone knew their neighbors and no one locked their doors because "you just couldn't think of a reason why not." He also talks about his first job at the old Ross Hotel just off the Athens Square.

Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay 

]]> Fred Smith has lived in Limestone County all of his life. He remembers a slower, gentler time and describes his life growing up in 1950's Athens. He looks back at a time when everyone knew their neighbors and no one locked their doors because "you just couldn't think of a reason why not." He also talks about his first job at the old Ross Hotel just off the Athens Square.

Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay 

]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:28:04 -0500 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 932 Fred Smith has lived in Limestone County all of his life. He remembers a slower, gentler time and describes his life growing up in 1950's Athens. He looks back at a time when everyone knew their neighbors and no one locked their doors because "you just couldn't think of a reason why not." He also talks about his first job at the old Ross Hotel just off the Athens Square.

Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay 

]]> Southern culture, personal stories, NIneteen Fifties, Nineteen Sixties, Ross Hotel, Southern communities, society, conversations, Athens, Alabama, personal stories, entertainment, nostalgia, Southern life, Athens-Limestone Public Library No Louis Rossignolo: from Sicily to Athens, AL 4 4 Louis Rossignolo: from Sicily to Athens, AL full 705b6d53-274e-47aa-890a-655787be7770 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8bbac16e At age 5, Louis Rossignolo looked up at the skies from a farm outside Sicily to see American and German planes dropping bombs during World War II. At the time, Limestone County was not on his radar. Lou relates his story of how he came to America and why he thinks Athens, Alabama is the best place to live.    

Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay 

]]> At age 5, Louis Rossignolo looked up at the skies from a farm outside Sicily to see American and German planes dropping bombs during World War II. At the time, Limestone County was not on his radar. Lou relates his story of how he came to America and why he thinks Athens, Alabama is the best place to live.    

Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay 

]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2023 13:43:54 -0600 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 658 At age 5, Louis Rossignolo looked up at the skies from a farm outside Sicily to see American and German planes dropping bombs during World War II. At the time, Limestone County was not on his radar. Lou relates his story of how he came to America and why he thinks Athens, Alabama is the best place to live.    

Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay 

]]> Southern culture, personal stories, Southern communities, society, conversations, Athens, Alabama, Sicily, Italy, personal stories, immigrants, World War II, entertainment, nostalgia, Southern life, Athens-Limestone Public Library No Helga Stover: from Bavaria to Athens, AL 3 3 Helga Stover: from Bavaria to Athens, AL full b3c1c122-81d9-42d8-ac05-9ce0b545108a https://share.transistor.fm/s/59588fac Helga Stover came to America from Germany in 1956, settling in North Alabama in 1964. Though initially in "culture shock" Helga's is a story of adaptation and embracing life both in Madison and Limestone County. She also talks about Limestone County's original Germantown  - a thriving community started by German immigrants back in the 1890's.   

Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay 

]]> Helga Stover came to America from Germany in 1956, settling in North Alabama in 1964. Though initially in "culture shock" Helga's is a story of adaptation and embracing life both in Madison and Limestone County. She also talks about Limestone County's original Germantown  - a thriving community started by German immigrants back in the 1890's.   

Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay 

]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2023 11:46:19 -0600 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 738 Helga Stover came to America from Germany in 1956, settling in North Alabama in 1964. Though initially in "culture shock" Helga's is a story of adaptation and embracing life both in Madison and Limestone County. She also talks about Limestone County's original Germantown  - a thriving community started by German immigrants back in the 1890's.   

Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
 Music from Pixabay 

]]> Southern culture, personal stories, Southern communities, society, conversations, Athens, Alabama,Germantown, personal stories, immigrants, World War II, entertainment, nostalgia, Southern life, Athens-Limestone Public Library No Paul (P.I.) Irons: Athens Firefighter 2 2 Paul (P.I.) Irons: Athens Firefighter full 6efb4c60-78a4-4849-892b-02d0f650ad80 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3698df42 They call him P.I. Paul Irons. A veteran firefighter who responded to fire alarms in Athens for over 40 years. In that time he developed a rapport with both his men and his community. In this episode he recounts a fiery rescue with a divine intervention. P.I. unfolds stories about the dangers, risks, and rewards that came from serving people in his favorite town. 

 Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay 

 

]]> They call him P.I. Paul Irons. A veteran firefighter who responded to fire alarms in Athens for over 40 years. In that time he developed a rapport with both his men and his community. In this episode he recounts a fiery rescue with a divine intervention. P.I. unfolds stories about the dangers, risks, and rewards that came from serving people in his favorite town. 

 Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay 

 

]]> Sat, 10 Dec 2022 09:41:35 -0600 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 1035 They call him P.I. Paul Irons. A veteran firefighter who responded to fire alarms in Athens for over 40 years. In that time he developed a rapport with both his men and his community. In this episode he recounts a fiery rescue with a divine intervention. P.I. unfolds stories about the dangers, risks, and rewards that came from serving people in his favorite town. 

 Library Links
 https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay 

 

]]> Southern culture, personal stories, firefighters, fires, Southern communities, Athens, Alabama, entertainment, nostalgia, Southern life, Athens-Limestone Public Library No Leah Oakley: Squirrel Goes Berserk! 1 1 Leah Oakley: Squirrel Goes Berserk! full 8684a3b3-9e29-4036-a8d1-f0223c9903c5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9d5013b5 Leah Oakley, resident of Athens, Alabama, is recovering from back surgery when an unexpected visitor pays a call. The Day the Squirrel Went Berserk song by Ray Stevens comes to life when a "big one" gets trapped inside her home. Desperation sets in when her calls for back-up fall on deaf ears. Her only hope comes from one Mr. Critter Catcher but he lives far away and makes no promises. Leah tells this true and funny story!

Library Links
https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay 

]]> Leah Oakley, resident of Athens, Alabama, is recovering from back surgery when an unexpected visitor pays a call. The Day the Squirrel Went Berserk song by Ray Stevens comes to life when a "big one" gets trapped inside her home. Desperation sets in when her calls for back-up fall on deaf ears. Her only hope comes from one Mr. Critter Catcher but he lives far away and makes no promises. Leah tells this true and funny story!

Library Links
https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay 

]]> Tue, 06 Dec 2022 16:13:09 -0600 Athens-Limestone County Public Library Athens-Limestone County Public Library 799 Leah Oakley, resident of Athens, Alabama, is recovering from back surgery when an unexpected visitor pays a call. The Day the Squirrel Went Berserk song by Ray Stevens comes to life when a "big one" gets trapped inside her home. Desperation sets in when her calls for back-up fall on deaf ears. Her only hope comes from one Mr. Critter Catcher but he lives far away and makes no promises. Leah tells this true and funny story!

Library Links
https://www.alcpl.org/
 
If you would like to share a story, please call the library at 256-232-1233 or email apitt-leif@alcpl.org for more information.
Music from Pixabay 

]]> Southern culture, personal stories, comical stories, Southern communities, squirrels, story tellers, Athens, Alabama, entertainment, nostalgia, Southern life, Athens-Limestone Public Library No