(First airdate: September 12, 2017) Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Teresa Hoffman, owner of the Port Townsend Athletic Club. She didn’t set out to own a fitness club. But thanks to hard work, determination and a couple of angel investors, she’s built the Athletic Club into a healthy and growing business. This mother of five spends part of her “off” time tending to eleven horses with her youngest daughter.
(First airdate: August 29, 2017) Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews the popular Port Townsend artist Michael Hale. Michael’s paintings have served as posters for several Wooden Boat Festivals and the Uptown Street Fair. He has also published a fantasy book. But he’s perhaps best known for his Port Townsend Portfolio, a series of paintings that captures the soft colors of early morning light on the street of Port Townsend. Michael has given KPTZ permission to use one image – “Rainy Morning on Water Street” – to represent Our Town on our web site.
(First airdate: August 15, 2017) THE SECRETS OF SEWING FROM STEVE BERGSTROM. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Steve Bergstrom, the owner of Bergstrom’s Sewing Machines. It’s a traditional business that has helped several generations of Jeffersonians. Steve includes a lesson with every sewing machine and he’s always there if you need a little consultation about your quilt, or your tutu for that matter.
(First airdate: August 1, 2017) MIKE GAEDE: A MAN WITH AN ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Mike Gaede, the new owner of the experimental farm, Rain Coast Farms. Mike’s life is one adventure after another. Previous careers include park ranger, builder of carbon fibre racing yachts in New Zealand, fisheries biologist, general contractor and even dog sled runner on Alaskan glaciers. Rain Coast Farms, with its 32 varieties of tomatoes and endless varieties of other fruits and veggies, is his latest challenge. Master Gardeners already know and love Rain Coast, and Mike’s going to give it more of a public face.
(First airdate: July 18, 2017) Eating Beef and Dirt from Short’s Family Farm. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Roger Short, the owner of Short’s Family Farm in Chimacum. After decades as a traditional dairyman, Roger converted to grass-fed beef. He passionately believes in the health benefits of grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef. Jefferson County foodies agree with gusto. Short’s other line of business is selling “magical soil.” He sells some to a New Yorker who repackages it (to eat) and sells 4-oz. packages for $107. Roger sells it for considerably less to local gardeners and most of them don’t even eat it.
(First airdate: July 4, 2017) DRIVING DOWN THE SUPERHIGHWAY OF AMERICAN DREAMS. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Robin Bergstrom, owner of Bergstrom’s Antique & Classic Autos. Robin sells vintage cars and extraordinary dream cars – such as the one that one Oscar winner had customized to the point where the door posts were carved into replicas of his treasured Oscars. But the shop is selling much more than cars: it’s an emporium of the all-American obsession with motor vehicles. It’s as much a museum as a shop and plenty of Robin’s personal collection is not for sale. Enter the door to “petrolomania,” a fantasy world suitable for any man cave (or woman cave, for that matter).
(First airdate: June 20, 2017) FIGHTING FOR JOBS ON THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Brian Kuh, executive director of EDC Team Jefferson. Visitors have long fantasized about starting their own company here on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. But few manage to get past the daydream stage. Brian and his team at the Economic Development Council are working behind the scenes, helping entrepreneurs turn those dreams into reality.
(First airdate: June 6, 2017) HOW MANY WIFI SHED BOYS ARE THERE? Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Ned Schumann, the founder of olympus.net, the Olympic Peninsula’s own ISP (Internet Service Provider). Schumann offers tips on how to improve your security and privacy online. But he also notes that generally you get what you pay for: if you pay for an internet service or application, you are the customer. But if it’s free – you are the product. And, yes, you can be a wifi shed boy and mooch “free” internet service. But, as he explains, there are certain risks.
(First airdate: May 23, 2017) THE CASE FOR BETTER HEALTH CARE. Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Mike Glenn, the CEO of Jefferson Healthcare. Careful scrutiny of the demographics of Jefferson County is driving the hospital to focus on cardiology, oncology, orthopedics and dermatology. And while the national debate on healthcare continues, hospitals such as Jefferson Healthcare are trying to focus on improving care.
(First airdate: May 9, 2017) THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’ – FOR A LONG, LONG TIME!
Our Town Host Maryanne McNellis interviews Colleen Swantner & John Shortess, the team behind Puffin Shoe Repair. Puffin has been a fixture in Port Townsend since the early 1970s. It’s the place to go to save your favorite cowboy boots, dancing shoes, or even leather jackets or guitar cases.
