Our Town

(First airdate: August 27, 2019) Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews Cameron Roberts, a local boy who came back from the big city to take over the local institution, Dogs A Foot. Cameron and his Thailand-born wife have ambitious plans for the culinary scene here. They want to keep Dogs A Foot pretty much the way it was when Cameron was growing up. But they want to add a few family-friendly ventures to the prime corner on Water Street. Shaved ice? Ping pong? They are also freshening up Manresa Castle, serving Asian fusion food and elaborate cocktails in the classic bar and restaurant there. The Castle is once again a happening place with comedy shows, burlesque and even (upcoming) paranormal events.

(First airdate: August 13, 2019) WAYNE CHIMENTI: CREATING SAILORS & SUCCESS STORIES. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Wayne Chimenti, director of the Community Boat Project and former skipper of the Adventuress. For years Wayne has been instrumental in helping to rescue troubled teens through maritime training. He calls that course “beautiful chaos”.  But now he’s onto a new program called “Shelter From the Storm”. It’s designed to teach practical construction skills to young adults (18 to 25) who haven’t found their footing. Among other projects, they are building tiny homes. Most of them are what Wayne gently calls “housing insecure”, so being able to essentially build shelter is a huge step towards a productive and financially secure future.

(First airdate: July 30, 2019) Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Steve Heigel, the owner of PT Paddlesports. Steve rents everything from kayaks to standup paddle boards from his location near the Marine Science Center at Fort Worden. The thrills of being out on the water include regular sightings of eagles, otters and sometimes even dolphins. He’s a stickler for safety and all of his clients must wear safety gear. Steve watches the weather and tides like a hawk and makes sure everyone’s enjoying the full maritime experience. When he’s not running tours and supervising trips, Steve’s racing kayaks. Steve and his wife, Amy, successfully completed the recent Race to Alaska…well, they completed the 70/48. That race is from Tacoma to Port Townsend. Participants must row or paddle 70 miles in under 48 hours.

(First airdate: July 16, 2019) Our Town host Maryanne McNellis, interviews Ken Collins, PUD Commissioner & founder of Marrowstone Vineyards. Ken had wanted to relocate to the Olympic Peninsula for decades, but couldn’t financially swing it until he retired from his first career as a counselor and social worker. After moving to Marrowstone, he says it was probably “misplaced ambition” that got him into the wine business. He worked hard to turn his stunning five acres on Marrowstone Island into a working vineyard. But he’s since sold the vineyard and turned his attention to our Public Utility District (PUD). In addition to his role as Commissioner on the Jefferson County PUD he’s also on the board of the state-wide industry group. He’s pitching hard to get funds to improve internet access in rural Jefferson County.

(First airdate: June 18, 2019) Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews Dick Schneider, who runs the Orchid Recovery Program out at Raincoast Farms. A lifetime ago Dick was a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley. He relocated to the Olympic Peninsula to retire. But life in the slow lane didn’t sit well with a guy used to excitement. His interest in the food chain led to starting Raincoast Farms. It’s an experimental farm designed to help farmers increase their yield and quality. Farmers all through the region came to rely on him to guide them to raise fabulous fruit. The farm expanded beyond tomatoes, of course. Somehow someone asked him to save an orchid that was clearly on its last legs. He then became entranced with the tropical flower.  One thing led to another and now, with two greenhouses full of orchids, he donates orchids to a wide range of charities such as hospice, the Dove House, and even individuals recovering from surgery or disease.

(First airdate: June 4, 2019) Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Rae Kala Stier, who’s now an Occupational Therapist for Jefferson Healthcare. Her passion for dance once led her to West Africa. She incorporated some of those African movements into an innovative hospital program called “Dance With Parkinsons.” It’s a rare exercise therapy session accompanied by live music. Rae’s story includes years of living in Baja, Mexico on a school bus or sailboat with husband and two small children. But, interestingly, as the kids got bigger the boat got smaller. The kids began to crave a “regular” life with things like school and soccer practice. That’s when the small “hippie tribe” moved to Port Townsend.

(Reprise airdate: May 7, 2019) DANIEL EVANS: RACE BOSS OF R2AK. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Daniel Evans, Race Boss for the upcoming R2AK (Race to Alaska). This eclectic event is now in its 5th year. It has expanded and evolved. Now there’s a race from Tacoma to Port Townsend called the 70/48 – that’s 70 miles in 48 hours. Not all that difficult? Well, the boats must be people powered – no motors, no sails – just muscles and grit. The main event is the 750-mile R2AK. Sails are allowed, but there are no motors of any sort. And don’t get eaten by a bear (that’s on Daniel’s business card too!). There are amazing feats of guts and glory. One guy made it all the way to Alaska on a standup paddleboard.

(First airdate: April 23, 2019) PETE SEXTON: PEDAL POWER FOR PORT TOWNSEND. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Pete Sexton, the owner of bike shop The Broken Spoke. Pete says Port Townsend is an ideal biking town – it’s small, compact and has many hills. Even the aging demographic works for a bike shop – the popularity of “e-bikes” (electric bikes) is soaring. Today’s e-bikes are half the weight of their predecessors and the battery lasts significantly longer. The Water Street shop sells, rents and even repairs bikes. And, by the way, the mechanics there can also repair walkers, wheelchairs and even golf carts. Pete notes that the shop definitely caters to the youth market. It sells Trek bikes – aerodynamic road bikes, from carbon race machines to refined aluminum models. You’ll see them flying like the wind around Jefferson County.

(First airdate: March 26, 2019) LANCE BAILEY: BUILDING A BIGGER & BETTER PORT TOWNSEND.Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews Lance Bailey, Port Townsend’s Development Services Director. Whether you want to build a new apartment complex or remodel your home, all permits and approvals run through Lance and his team. Construction is at a historic high with over 900 permits issued in both 2017 and 2018. This year is on track to be even even higher. Growth or no growth? It’s a touchy issue. Lance is under a lot of pressure as demand grows for big subdivisions, apartments, affordable housing, tiny homes, ADUs and even single-family homes on in-fill lots.

(First airdate: March 12, 2019) CAROLINE CULBERTSON: A LIFE ON STAGE AND OFF. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis, interviews Caroline Culbertson, who is now known for her wildlife art. But for much of her career, Caroline was an actress. She traveled around the country, appearing in stage productions both large and small. She has fond recollections of days performing in the Catskills in New York State (affectionately called the ‘Borscht Belt’) and not-so-fond memories of being mugged at knife point in New York City. She now makes her home on the Olympic Peninsula where nature’s beauty turned her artistic nature to painting.