It's a Fact -- Sweet People Live in Georgia

“Do y’all need some help in figuring out where to eat around here?” asks Doug, a Kroger employee. Doug’s eagle eyes recognized our Little League logoed clothing and figured that we were in Warner Robins for the Southeastern Regional Tournament. 

For the next 15 minutes, the former Atlanta chef described Nu-Way, a diner that has offered the “best all-way wiener” and slaw dogs since 1916; Old Times Buffet that serves southern fresh vegetables; and the best seafood restaurant in middle Georgia that has 18 tables and whose name and location are secret to locals.  But Doug is from Georgia, and he’s sweet, so you can bet we know where it is. 

Apparently, Georgia grows the sweetest people by the bushelful to ensure that there are hundreds of volunteers to help when the Little League Southeastern Region tournament begins.

There are golf cart drivers on call from early morning to late evening to ferry fans to and from parking lots and the stadium; a cadre of the most patient gift shop staff you’ve ever had the pleasure to meet; a grounds crew that prepares the field before and after each of the daily four games; and someone, somewhere that I would like to shake hands with who makes the best  sweet iced tea on the planet. All but five people operating the tournament are volunteers.

Monday, Reston National plays West Virginia at 4 p.m. Both teams are 1-1 in pool play, and whoever has the hottest bats and finest pitching and tightest defense will go on to a Wednesday semifinal game. 

Let’s hope that the sweetness we’ve encountered this week rubs off on our boys in Warner Robins, GA.

Go Reston National!