People & Places EXTRA: Recent Episodes
WNCT-TV
A weekly look at the people and places around Eastern North Carolina that make the region a great place to live. Join WNCT Anchor Ken Watlington each week as he takes us on a journey around the East.
Host Ken Watlington catches up with Pitt County native Rachel Harris who just finished a solo drive from Mexico to Alaska. The 22-year-old shares some of her travel experiences and how her journey is inspiring others. Plus, Rachel details some of the things that can go wrong when you're out and about in the wilderness and what trip she hopes to make in the future!
Brewery 99 owner Pete Frey is the first two-time guest on the podcast. Host Ken Watlington catches up with Pete to talk about Brewery 99's new 2,500-square-foot taproom and all the unique things visitors will find if they come for a visit.
Host Ken Watlington travels to Washington, NC to sit down with the owner of a century-old home that is now a boutique hotel called The Ell Hotel. After transitioning out of the US Army, Ellen Brabo found herself searching for a career in hospitality. Learn more about that, what her hotel has to offer guests and how she's become invested in the Washington community.
Host Ken Watlington chats with author Bethany Bradsher about her book "The Big Rock: Inside the Stakes Hunt for the Elusive Million-Dollar Marlin." Hear why she decided to write about one of the east coast's biggest fishing tournaments and find out what will be the focus of her next sports-related book.
Host Ken Watlington visits the Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum on the outskirts of Greenville. He chats with two board members, Holly Hoag and Sharon Arnold, about how this remarkable living history exhibit got started, some special events planned for the holidays, and how you can get involved and either visit or volunteer.
He's the man behind the #PlatformForGood movement across Greenville. Host Ken Watlington chats with restaurant owner Yordanys "Jay" Bastardo about coming to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic and opening two restaurants, the challenges he faced when he took ownership of Greenville breakfast staple Harvey's and how he uses his platform to help those in need across the community.
The latest stop on our "Brew To You" tour highlighting eastern North Carolina craft breweries is historic downtown Wilson. Host Ken Watlington chats with husband-and-wife team of Ryan Witter-Merithew and Mahalia Breen, owners of Casita Brewing Company. From ENC to Vermont to Europe and back home, Ryan and Mahalia talk about their journey and how they're now impacting Wilson.
The “Brew To You” tour is back, highlighting the impact craft breweries are making across Eastern North Carolina. The latest stop was in historic Washington. Host Ken Watlington chats with Tim Jackson and Belinda Summerlin, owners of Two Rivers Alehouse. Learn more about the brewery's beginnings, something unique they're serving up and the overall excitement about the future of downtown Washington.
Host Ken Watlington sits down with Matt and Lindsay Shortway, owners of Shortway Brewing Company in the Carteret County town of Newport. They talk about their roots in the military, why Newport was their choice to live and work, and how they're using the brewery to make a difference in their community.
Host Ken Watlington chats with Sammy & Desta Hudson, the folks behind The Refuge in Greene County, a camp aimed at giving children from all walks of life a chance to have fun. The Hudsons are also foster parents and talk about their experiences with Methodist Home For Children in getting assistance in their efforts to foster.
When you think of a French bakery, Paris likely comes to mind. Maybe New York City. But probably not tiny Farmville, North Carolina. Host Ken Watlington visits Café Madeleine to chat with owner Coleen Starling about the bakery's roots and impact on Farmville, her love of croissants and much more!
Take me out to the ball game! Host Ken Watlington visits the North Carolina Baseball Museum in Wilson to chat with museum volunteer Quintin Gilfus. Learn more about what's on display and some of the great history of baseball in the Tar Heel State. Plus, what you can do to help the museum's expansion efforts.
Take me out to the ball game! Host Ken Watlington visits the North Carolina Baseball Museum in Wilson to chat with museum volunteer Quintin Gilfus. Learn more about what's on display and some of the great history of baseball in the Tar Heel State. Plus, what you can do to help the museum's expansion efforts.
The podcast goes vintage with a trip to an antique store called The Alley On Cooper. Host Ken Watlington chats with the owners, and husband and wife, Jeff & Anita Cox. Learn more about why they decided to open up in Winterville and the uniqueness of their building. Plus, how Anita's upbringing shaped the path she's on today.
From cooking barbecue in the backyard to owning a food truck to opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant, it's been a busy few years for Gorham's Cafe owner Ernest Gorham. Host Ken Watlington chats with Gorham about his success, his inspiration, and his plans for the future.
Host Ken Watlington is "Spilling The Sweet Tea" this episode with Kinston native Carlena Davis. With half a million followers on TiKTok, Davis discusses how she uses the platform to share her love of cooking. Plus, she shares the story of how a recent video she made to shine a light on her hometown went viral around the world.
Host Ken Watlington heads to Snow Hill, NC to visit the Farmer and the Dail Southern Bakery and Kitchen for a conversation with owners Zac and Stacy Bailes, a husband and wife team who opened the restaurant in 2017. Learn more about how they got their start, the growing success of the restaurant, their vision for the future and what each thinks of what it's like to own a business with your spouse.
Host Ken Watlington sits down for a conversation with Chris Barber, chair of the Rehoboth Church Preservation Society in Roper, NC. Rehoboth Church first opened in 1853 and still holds several services a year. Find out more about the passion Chris has to keep the historic church part of the community and how you can get involved and help
With the holiday season here, host Ken Watlington visits Ayden.-based non-profit N.C Packs 4 Patriots to chat with director Barbara Whitehead as the group gathers and packs care packages to send to active duty service members worldwide. Learn more about how Packs 4 Patriots got started and how you can get involved.
Host Ken Watlington visits the first winery in Pitt County, Seven Pines Vineyard & Winery. Owner Philip Guy talks about how he got into the wine business, how he and his wife do everything by hand and why North Carolina is one of the best places in the world to grow grapes.
This episode heads to Kinston, where host Ken Watlington catches up with Travis Harper, owner and bartender at Stanley's Saloon. Travis details his travels to all 50 states and to countries around the world and how he hopes to share stories of his wanderlust with the patrons at Stanley's in a unique way.
Host Ken Watlington catches up with the executive director of the Aurora Fossil Museum in Beaufort County, NC. Since the late 1970's the Aurora Fossil Museum has been a destination for people from all over eastern NC and beyond. Learn more about a new campaign they're working on to bring the state fossil to license plates in NC and how you can help sustain the museum for future generations.
Host Ken Watlington chats with ENC business owner and author Inez Ribustello. The Tarboro native worked at Windows On The World in the World Trade Center from 1998-2001. She details her experiences of 9/11 and the aftermath in a new book called "Life After Windows."
Host Ken Watlington and special guest Brian Bailey from WNCT 9 On Your Side Sports discuss Greenville, NC native, and ECU quarterback Holton Ahlers. After shattering records in Little League Baseball and high school football, Ahlers is now poised to do the same at East Carolina.
Eastern North Carolina barbecue is the focus of this week's episode as host Ken Watlington catches up with Gary Manning, the new owner of Shaw's Barbecue House in Wiliamston. Gary explains why he got out of construction to chase a life-long dream of running a restaurant. Plus, how he's mixing barbecue tradition with a contemporary flair, like their popular barbecue egg rolls!
Host Ken Watlington visits Social House Vodka and the new PumpHouse 1906 in Kinston, NC to chat with founder/president Cary Joshi and events manager Dean Daughety. Learn more about Social House's beginnings and the company's growth into North Carolina's top local vodka brand. Plus, the history behind The PumpHouse 1906 and why the facility means so much to Kinston.
Host Ken Watlington catches up with Giuseppe & Angela Amato, the owners of La Casetta Italian Restaurant in Bethel, NC. The restaurant opened in the small town of 1,600 people back in 2002 and has garnered a huge following along the way. They talk about why they moved from Sicily to eastern N.C. to open the restaurant and why they think it's become a destination for food lovers in the area. Plus, hear from a few customers on why they love the food and the family atmosphere.
The "Brew To You" tour wraps up with a stop in Kinston, NC. Host Ken Watlington sits down with Trent Mooring, co-owner of one of North Carolina's most recognizable craft beer brands, Mother Earth Brewing. They talk about the company's expansion to spirits, hard seltzer, and even the hotel business. Plus, how Mother Earth shifted to making hand sanitizer at the start of the COVID pandemic. Ken also heads across town to chat with Big Game Brewing owner/brewer Aaron Avery about "The Beer Barn's" success in ENC.
The "Brew To You" tour stops in historic Beaufort, NC, and Fishtowne Brew House. Host Ken Watlington sits down with Fishtowne co-owner Joey McClure and head brewer Schuyler Munden. The pair talk about how their friendship led to opening a craft brewery, how important it is to make a variety of beers so customers can find something they like, what it's like being part of the craft beer boom in eastern North Carolina, and why Schuyler says he's "making beer and spreading cheer."
The "Brew To You" tour continues with a stop at Brewery 99 in New Bern, NC. Host Ken Watlington catches up with Brewery 99 owner and brewer Pete Frey to talk about the brewery's beginnings, the story behind the name Brewery 99, and expansion plans in the future. Also, Pete talks about what it's like working with a certain employee - his father - who moved to town to help get Brewery 99 up and running.
In this episode, Ken explores the growing craft beer scene in Winterville, NC, a suburb of Greenville, with guests Benjamin Self of Local Oak Brewing Company and Chuck Smith of Nauti Dog Brewing Company. The pair talk about how their businesses fared during the pandemic, the excitement of an influx of craft beer lovers to Winterville, and their hopes and dreams for the town's future. Plus, details on how the two breweries located just one block apart are planning something special together for the fall.
In the inaugural episode, Ken goes in-depth with Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery owner and founder Paul Philippon. They touch on Paul's roots in the craft beer industry, how he ended up starting his business in tiny Farmville, NC, and how he feels about several people who used to work for him branching out and starting their own craft breweries in eastern North Carolina. Plus, Paul talks about his brewery's unique specialty - dark beer.
News Anchor Ken Watlington shares the origins of the People and Places feature and introduces a new podcast where you'll get to know more about characters showcased in the weekly segment on WNCT-TV in Greenville NC. New episodes every Thursday.