Welcome to Classic City Rewind! Start Here!
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
Release Date: 12/02/2025
10. Historian & Author: Charlotte Thomas Marshall
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
Historian & Author: Charlotte Thomas Marshall “The Tangible Past of Athens, Ga.” From a small town in southwest Georgia to becoming one of Athens' most dedicated historical preservationists, Charlotte Thomas Marshall's story begins with a chance meeting at a covered dish dinner in 1966. What started as a simple conversation about avoiding political arguments with George O. Marshall, Jr. Professor of English led to a whirlwind romance, marriage in four months, and a lifelong commitment to uncovering the hidden stories of Athens, Georgia. When the Athens Junior Assembly assigned...
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09. The Story of Jimbo Laboon :A Legacy Built on Service & Connection
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
JImbo Laboon : Growing up on King Avenue in the 1950s meant freedom to explore forests where Athens Regional Medical Center now stands, spending countless hours at the YMCA on Broad and Lumpkin, and learning life lessons from community leaders like the legendary Cobern Kelley. For Jimbo Laboon, those formative years in Athens shaped not only his character but also his remarkable journey from a textile mill financial officer to bank president and one of Georgia's most respected community leaders. From watching his father and grandfather run their welding and...
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08. Derrick Floyd From Final Four Glory to Boys and Girls club Hero
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
From Final Four Glory to Boys Club Hero Derek Floyd's Athens Story From the basketball courts of Miami to the Final Four stage at Syracuse, then to 36 years mentoring children at the Athens Boys and Girls Club, Derrick "Big D" Floyd's story weaves together athletic achievement with profound community impact. His path from highly recruited guard to beloved youth advocate reveals how one person's calling can shape generations of young lives. Growing up in a single-parent household with four siblings, Floyd learned early about accountability, academic excellence, and showing up for family. These...
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07. Gene Dixon: The History of the Twilight Bike Race. A Racing Event that helped Revitalized Downtown Athens,Ga
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
Gene Dixon : The History of the Twilight Bike Race. A Racing Event that would help Revitalize Downtown Athens. In 1974, Athens, Georgia had four serious cyclists. Downtown was virtually empty after business hours, with just one restaurant and maybe two bars serving the community. Fast-forward fifty years, and the city pulses with energy every April as thousands gather for one of America's premier cycling events—a transformation that began with one man's vision to showcase cycling as a spectator sport. Gene Dixon arrived in Athens as a young entrepreneur ready to open the city's first...
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06. Barbara Dooley's Wild Ride Through Georgia Football
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
From a small rental unit near the botanical garden where cars with mysterious occupants cruised the streets, to becoming one of Georgia's most beloved first ladies of football, Barbara Dooley's story reveals the grit, humor, and determination that defined an era when coaches' wives did everything themselves. Barbara's path from Birmingham to Auburn wasn't conventional—following a high school boyfriend who promptly forgot her existence once she arrived on campus. But that twist of fate led to meeting a young Marine-turned-football coach named Vince Dooley at Sunday Catholic services. Their...
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04. Bill Hartman Shares His Athens Story. From Dearing Street to Sports Broadcasting Legend.
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
Bill Hartman Shares His Athens Story. Growing up on Dearing Street in Athens during the 1950's meant running freely through the neighborhoods where traffic was scarce and friendships formed the foundation of childhood adventures. For Bill Hartman, those early years shaped not only his love for this Classic City but also set the stage for a remarkable broadcasting career that would span decades. From working the cash register at Hodgson's Pharmacy to assisting Coach Dan Magill in the press box, Bill's Athens roots run deep. His story weaves together personal memories of swimming at the YMCA,...
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05. Bill Hartman (Part 2) Hidden Athens Stories
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
Bill Hartman Reveals Hidden Athens Stories From the moment Bill learned that the University of Georgia didn't actually begin in 1785—despite what the famous arch suggests—he found himself questioning everything he thought he knew about his hometown. The truth? Athens didn't even exist when the university was chartered, and the first students didn't arrive until 1801. What You Can Expect from This Episode This conversation reveals how retirement can spark unexpected passions while uncovering the fascinating stories hidden in plain sight throughout Athens. Bill's enthusiasm for sharing...
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03.Jenny Sligh & Kitty Culpepper Appointments @ 5
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
The Story Behind “Appointments at Five” Fearless Women Who Made It Happen. What happens when two Southern women decide to chase their passion for antiques across the Atlantic Ocean? Sometimes the most extraordinary businesses begin with a simple leap of faith and Jenny Sligh and Kitty Culpepper’s story proves that adventure and determination can create something truly magical in Athens, Georgia. In this captivating episode, we explore how two friends transformed their love for beautiful things into Appointments at Five a beloved antique shop that served the Athens community...
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02. Dan Aldridge Early Aviation in Athens, Ga. The Story Of Ben Epps
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
From Scrapbook Mysteries to Aviation History Dan Aldridge Rewrites Georgia's First Flight. What happens when a simple newspaper article about an aviation anniversary leads to rewriting history? Sometimes the most extraordinary discoveries emerge from casual moments—and Dan Aldridge's quest to verify a single date became a decade-long investigation that challenged everything we thought we knew about Georgia's first flight. The Mystery Behind the Date Dan shares his fascinating research process, from discovering contradictory newspaper clippings to finding witness accounts that made no...
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01. Chot Johnson Built More Than Homes She Built a Revolution
Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek
What happens when an 18-year-old from Atlanta arrives at the University of Georgia a year early and meets a future NFL star in a 7:30 AM English class? Sometimes the most extraordinary stories begin with the simplest moments—and Charlotte "Chot" Johnson's story is proof that life's unexpected turns can lead to remarkable destinations. In this compelling episode, we explore how a young woman who never planned to stay in Athens became one of the pioneering female builders in Georgia. Chot's path from Patriots wife to construction trailblazer reveals the determination and vision required to...
info_outlineWelcome to Classic City Rewind! Where we uncover the people, places and events that have shaped Athens, GA. I’m your host, Lesley Platek!
What started as a young girl with an 8-millimeter camera in 1960s Atlanta has become something much bigger—a mission to preserve the stories that make Athens, Georgia extraordinary. When my parents chose to buy a movie camera instead of a couch, they taught me something profound: the only way to stop time is to film it.
After moving to Athens in 1992 with a three-year-old son, a three-day-old daughter, and a car packed with dreams, I discovered this wasn't just another college town. This was home. From teaching tennis at Athens Country Club to creating life documentaries, from competing in the Ironman World Championships to becoming vice president at Grandfather Mountain, every experience led me back to one truth—stories matter.
Classic City Rewind was born from this passion. It's my way of giving back to the community that shaped my family and honoring the voices that built this incredible place we call home.
In this inaugural episode, you'll discover why preserving our community's history isn't just about looking backward—it's about creating a foundation for future generations. From the woods behind my childhood home in Atlanta where Civil War battles once raged to the emotional speeches at Athens Country Club's 100th anniversary, these moments connect us across time.
Every Tuesday, we'll sit down with Athens' most influential voices—historians, business owners, local legends, and neighbors who made quiet but lasting impacts. This season features incredible guests like Charlotte Johnson, Lauren Smith, Dan Aldridge, Gene Dixon, and Peter Dale, each sharing stories that shaped our city's character.
Whether you've lived here forever or just discovered Athens, this podcast is your invitation to rediscover what makes our community so special and timeless. Because the past isn't just history—it's the heartbeat of the community we call home.