In this episode, I talk with local historian Brad Steinecke about the role that the Fairforest Creek has played in Spartanburg's history, from before Europeans to the present. Join us as we "float" downstream in anticipation of trail being developed there, highlighting particular places that help us understand our place in time.

In this episode I try to tell the story of Spartanburg BCycle, the PAL bike-share initiative that launched in 2011 and celebrate ten years in operation this year. I talk with some of those who were involved in the launch, and those who are still with the program as we look back and look forward at Spartanburg BCycle.

n this episode, I talk with Kelly Thorvalson and Joyce Harrison of the South Carolina Aquarium about the Aquarium's Litter Free Digital Journal, an app being used statewide to allow volunteers to keep track of what kinds of trash they are picking up. there are all kinds of uses of the data, including influencing policies around plastic. And of course we talk about how you can get involved. Contact Joyce Harrison: [email protected]

In this episode I talk with Jennifer Candler, Communication Manager at Spartanburg Water, and Tariq Caudle, PE teacher at Dawkins Middle School. We talk about World Water Day and all the reasons why water is an important part of any community. Tariq is the Health Coordinator at Dawkins Middle We talk their Rethink Your Drink campaign, an initiative of the Eat Smart Move More Spartanburg chapter, and how they replaced all their conventional water fountains with bottle fillers as a result of its success.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Alyssa Handelsman of Wofford College, and Tonja Smith and Channing Houser of Ruth's Gleanings and Foodshare Spartanburg, about a project undertaken by one of Dr. Handelsman's classes to inventory kitchens in Spartanburg that are available to the community. We talk about the importance of the project notably for cooking, but for community building.

In this episode, host and PAL Trail Coordinator Ned Barrett and PAL Executive Director Laura Ringo trade questions and answers about the work we're doing expanding the Daniel Morgan Trail System. We talk about the past, present and future of the system: how we got here and where we're going.

In this episode, PAL Executive Director Laura Ringo interviews our usual host, Ned Barrett, about his 2020 running project where he ran every street in the city of Spartanburg. We talk about why I decided to do it, some of the things I learned about the city, and how others might undertake the same or a similar project to get to know where they live. You can find photos and text on Instagram @15minutesfromhome.

In this episode, I talk with several volunteers at the Newt Hardie Birthday Bash, celebrating the birthday of Newt Hardie by clearing invasive species from the Converse Heights ravine. Many thanks to the Trees Coalition and to Keep One Spartanburg Beautiful for their partnerships.

In this episode, I talk with Brad Steinecke, assistant director of local history at the Spartanburg County Public Library. Brad has a wealth of knowledge of Spartanburg's many layers of history; we talked about the development of the community that the Mary H. Wright Greenway passes through, and an interesting connection it has to the area around the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail. We also hit on the story of Vanderbilt Road, along which the new Three Creeks Trail passes. Let's consider this the first of a periodic series delving into Spartanburg's rich history. 

n this episode, I talk with Amanda Mathis, newly named executive director of the Spartanburg Area Conservancy, better known as SPACE. SPACE is our local land trust, and owners and operators of the Cottonwood Trail Preserve, the Glendale Preserve and the Chinquapin Preserve. After Amanda introduces herself, we talk about SPACE's 30th anniversary celebration, why 31 is just as important, and what's in store for SPACE for the next 30 years.