𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟴𝟰𝟮 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆?
From Ether to Empowerment: The Legacy of Crawford W. Long and the Power of Local Libraries
What if the secret to transforming your business, learning a new skill, or finding a creative solution to a tough problem was tucked away in a quiet corner of your town?
During this episode of North Georgia Business Radio, host Phil Benelli sits down with Marina Bleach, Director of the Crawford W. Long Museum and Manager of the Jefferson Public Library. Together, they uncover the legacy of a small-town Georgia doctor who changed the world — and how his spirit of curiosity still shapes communities today.
Dr. Crawford W. Long may not be a household name, but he should be. In 1842, right in Jefferson, Georgia, he performed the world’s first painless surgery using ether. His discovery didn’t just revolutionize medicine — it was born from close observation, experimentation, and a deep desire to help others. It’s a legacy of learning, humility, and persistence that still resonates.
That same spirit lives on in places like the Jefferson Public Library, where Marena and her team bring bold, creative programming to life every day. From legal resources and job tools to toddler proms, goat storytimes, and free access to ancestry.com and language-learning apps, the library is a modern-day engine for empowerment.
Marena shares how libraries aren’t just about books — they’re about connection, opportunity, and showing up for your community. With a team that’s not afraid to try something new (or a little wild), Jefferson’s library has become a gathering place where ideas grow and people thrive.
This episode is a reminder that innovation doesn’t always come from boardrooms or big cities — it often starts in small towns, with people who care. It’s also a love letter to those doing the work behind the scenes, making sure everyone has a chance to learn, dream, and build something meaningful.
Tune in, be inspired—and maybe even visit your local library. Who knows what you’ll find?
Connect with Marena and the Teams at the Crawford W. Long Museum and the Jefferson Public Library:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marena-bleech-691941137/
https://www.facebook.com/crawfordlongmuseum/
https://www.prlib.org/jefferson
https://www.facebook.com/jeffersonpubliclibrary/
https://www.instagram.com/jeffersonlibrary/
https://www.tiktok.com/@thejpl
Connect with Phil Bonelli:
https://www.facebook.com/Hopewell-Farms-GA-105614501707618/
https://www.instagram.com/hopewellfarmsga/
https://www.hopewellfarmsga.com/
Connect with Beau Henderson:
https://www.facebook.com/RichLifeAdvisors
https://www.facebook.com/NorthGARadioX
This Segment Is Brought To You By Our Amazing Sponsors
Hopewell Farms GA
Roundtable Advisors
RichLife Advisors
Regions Bank
Highlights of the Show:
00:31 – 02:21
Phil introduces Marina Bleach, highlighting her roles and setting the stage for a lively discussion about local legacy and learning.02:21 – 07:14
Marina shares the history of Dr. Crawford W. Long and how he revolutionized medicine by introducing anesthesia through ether.08:32 – 09:16
Details on the Crawford W. Long Museum’s hours and what visitors can expect when they visit.10:53 – 12:46
Phil praises libraries as one of America’s most underappreciated resources; Marina discusses how the Jefferson Library serves the community.12:46 – 15:06
Creative library programs: cursive classes, Chromebook lending, and even seed libraries.15:06 – 17:25
Goats, pigs, and flamenco dancers—how the library keeps things fun and educational, even if there’s “goat poop on the floor.”22:34 – 23:50
Marina’s personal reading journey and how working in a library helped cultivate her love of books.27:39 – 28:26
Introduction to Libby and Kanopy—free digital library tools for streaming media and audiobooks.32:23 – 33:36
Discussion on legal resources, ancestry.com access, and Mango language learning through the library.33:56 – 34:53
How the Jefferson Public Library is funded and why local support is essential for its success.
