{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"04. Bill Hartman Shares His Athens Story. From Dearing Street to Sports Broadcasting Legend.","description":"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, taking cross-country trips with Cobern Kelly and the Y Boys on a school bus, and making the pivotal decision to switch from advertising to broadcasting after walking into an air conditioned building with a new television studio on a hot spring day.  What You Can Expect From This Episode This conversation reveals how Athens shaped one of Georgia's most respected sports broadcasters while offering glimpses into a bygone era when neighbors knew each other and children explored their world with remarkable freedom.  Here are 5 key insights you'll gain from this episode: *Discover how childhood friendships on historic Dearing Street influenced a future broadcasting legend.  *Learn about the evolution of television sports reporting from film editing to digital technology . *Hear the touching story of how Larry Munson's voice honored Bill's father at his funeral service.  *Understand how a chance encounter with air-conditioned building and televison equipment changed everything. *Experience what Athens was like when Five Points was the heart of the community and trust ran deep.  A Legacy That Spans Generations Bill's connection to Athens extends far beyond his own childhood memories. His family's presence in the community dates back to 1934, when his parents arrived as freshmen at the University of Georgia. His father's football career, coaching tenure, and larger-than-life personality left an indelible mark on Athens history. From the Old St.Mary's Hospital on Milledge Avenue to the Mathis Apartments on Lumpkin Street, every corner of Athens holds a piece of the Hartman family story. Whether you're a longtime resident curious about Athens' past or someone new to town seeking to understand what makes this community special, Bill's memories offer a window into a era when life moved at a different pace and connections ran deeper than we often experience today.       ","author_name":"Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/600495","html":"