A Time of Pure Magic

Not that long ago, we were swatting gnats and complaining about the heat and not a drop of rain.

Who would have thought then that we would ever be shoveling snow to get to our mailboxes?

There have been flurries during my lifetime – but absolutely nothing in comparison to the hometown winter wonderland many of us found ourselves in for the first time this past week.

Honestly, I am not a fan of cold weather; however, I am of the positive mindset if it’s going to be this dang cold – let’s get some snow to enjoy out of it for a few days!

Since last Tuesday, I have seen photos of many other downtowns throughout Georgia – and I can honestly say, they pale in comparison to Historic Downtown Blakely. The Court Square’s historic architecture and unique character dusted in snowflakes looked like something straight out of a Hallmark movie or Thomas Kinkade painting. Everything about the Early County Winter Storm 2025 photos was calm and pleasant. There was such pureness and magic within each of them that it felt like a whole other world. Whether it be through the joyous smiles of the young and old alike or the shimmering of the light reflecting from the Courthouse as the snowflakes fell, a sense of pure magic radiated from them.

Similarly to the perfect timing of the snow fall, we can compare the revitalization of our community. It’s all about the timing. The right mixture of elements and temperature aligning to create something magical.

A few weeks ago, I was giving a tour of Downtown Blakely to guests from Athens and we decided to walk instead of drive. (Disclaimer: In the world of economic development, we cannot “spill all the beans” about projects until the timing is appropriate to do so. Fingers crossed I can write a follow-up story about those two guests in the next coming weeks. If the timing is where it’s meant to be – this story will come full circle.)

Within the 1.5 hours it took us to walk each side of the Court Square, including the side streets and to Rodeo’s Grill & Cantina, I swear to you, the entire town turned into Mayberry. The weather was nice. Not too hot or cold, and just enough chill in the breeze to remind you it wasn’t quite springtime yet. Not one semi or unmuffled vehicle came around the Courthouse and the vultures decided to roost on the other side of town that day. Several vehicles stopped to let us cross the street, a few of them even rolled down their windows to say “Hello or Welcome to Blakely!”

Folks were waving and shouting friendly compliments. My favorite encounter was at the Hall Drug Co. Drive-Thru. I had been telling the two ladies about Birdsong Peanut Company having the largest peanut shelling facility in the Southeast right there in downtown and how Blakely is considered the “Peanut Capital of the World,” while motioning to the peanut monument.

As we were about to cross over to City Hall, a man in a King Ranch pulled up. Sometimes when this happens, no matter if you are home or visiting somewhere else, there is a bit of worry about what might be said. But once again, there was that pure magic. “Welcome to Blakely! Ya’ll just out sight-seeing? This is one of the best towns to be in. I was born in Dothan, Alabama. I stayed there for a total of three days and I’ve been in Blakely, Georgia ever since!” Being from this community was truly a privilege to this man and it showed as he boasted over it. He told us to make sure we shopped at all the small businesses too. He didn’t know us and we didn’t know him – but boy, we sure felt welcomed.

No playwright could have scripted it more beautifully. Both ladies agreed, Blakely was one of the most friendly communities they’d ever visited – and believe me when I tell you, these ladies have visited a lot of Georgia Downtowns. Never once did they mention anything remotely negative about it. It was even compared to becoming its own version of Dahlonega, especially at Christmastime. All they saw were tangible possibilities in a destination anyone would be proud to do business in and call home. Again, the timing was right – and Early County showed its true magic through the people who live, work, and play there everyday.

Last week, I wrote about there not being a magic wand – and I stand by that. There is no wand; however, there can be “magic” and it can be found throughout the community in many different ways. There were many who didn’t believe it was possible to see over 5 inches of snow in Early County. Those of us who were in The Brickyard Market less than thirty minutes before closing, know otherwise…

It rarely happens and the last time was over 50 years ago – but it still “beat the odds” and happened. The timing was right where it needed to be and the “rare” and “impossible” became real.

Obviously, we can’t control the weather and make it snow at least once a year to boost morale, but we can create magic through the belief in a thriving future. The good news is that we have the ability to create magic all year long – not just on rare occurrences. Whether or not we liked the snow, we really needed it to make us believers and see for ourselves it can happen in Early County too.

Shared with permission from The Early County News