Connect with Grit & Grace 2026: Nancy Hasty & Latilda Hughes-Neel

Every community has stories worth preserving. Some are passed down around kitchen tables, shared on front porches, or remembered at family reunions. Others find new life on stage.In this episode of the HWY 331 Podcast, Kerri Parker sits down with award-winning playwright and director Nancy Hasty and producer and musical director Latilda Hughes-Neel to explore the heart behind Holding Our Own, this year's original Grit & Grace Folklife production.Built from the real voices and lived experiences of Walton County residents, Holding Our Own celebrates the resilience, humor, faith, family, and enduring connections that define our community. Nancy and Latilda share how oral histories become theater, why preserving local stories matters, and what audiences can expect when the curtain rises.Whether you've called Walton County home for generations or recently discovered its unique character, this conversation is a reminder that our greatest treasures aren't just the places we love—they're the people and stories that continue to shape them.Holding Our Own performs July 10–19 in Freeport, Santa Rosa Beach, and DeFuniak Springs.For the complete performance schedule, venue locations, and links to purchase tickets online, visit the HWY 331 Calendar of Events at HWY331.com.If you enjoy this episode, be sure to follow the HWY 331 Podcast and help us continue connecting Walton County through thoughtful storytelling.