Small Towns: Unscripted

Small Towns Unscripted

Welcome to Small Towns: Unscripted, a podcast celebrating the heart of the Lake Chelan Valley community. Whether you're new to the area or from families who arrived here on covered wagons, this is a space for voices of all ages and backgrounds. We believe every connection, old or new, weaves a unique thread into our shared lives. Through authentic conversations, we aim to honor stories, bridge generational gaps, and foster genuine relationships. Join us in building a stronger, more vibrant community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Our mission is to build relationships.

  1. 1d ago

    Living Strong at 98: Ron Huffer's Legacy of Family, Coaching, Education and Mentorship

    Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we have the privilege of sitting down with a gentleman who has lived through nearly a century of American history, witnessed incredible changes in our world, and, perhaps most importantly, helped shape the lives of generations of young people right here in the Lake Chelan Valley. Mr. Ron Huffer will celebrate his 98th birthday next month, on November 16th. Born in 1928, Ron grew up in Caldwell, Idaho, when it was a small farming community of approximately 3,500 people. He was raised during the Great Depression, a time when families learned the meaning of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance. At one point, his father worked three different jobs to support the family. Ron developed a love for sports at an early age, thanks in large part to his father's passion for baseball. He went on to play football, basketball, and baseball in high school, eventually attending the University of Idaho, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, participated in the Intercollegiate Knights, and spent two years in ROTC. His own dreams of playing baseball eventually changed when bursitis in his throwing arm limited his ability to compete. But sometimes life's unexpected turns lead us to where we're truly meant to be. For Ron, that calling was education, coaching, and mentoring young people. His journey eventually brought him to the Lake Chelan Valley in 1957, where he taught and coached in Manson, helping lead the basketball team to its first state tournament appearance in 1962. He later served as a principal and coach in Entiat before moving to Chelan, where he continued teaching and coaching basketball, baseball, and track. Over the years, Ron held a variety of jobs, from working in agriculture to selling cars, but I suspect if you asked him what mattered most, it wouldn't be the jobs he held or the money he earned. It would be the students he taught, the athletes he coached, the friendships he built, and the people he helped along the way. Think about that for a moment. Nearly 98 years of life. From growing up during the Great Depression to witnessing the incredible changes in technology, education, sports, and our communities, Ron has experienced a world that most of us can only read about in history books. And what makes today's conversation so special is that we're not just talking about history. We're sitting down with someone who actually lived it. Ron, it is truly an honor to have you with us today. Thank you for the years you've dedicated to our communities, for the young lives you've influenced, and for sharing a little of your remarkable journey with us. Welcome to Small Towns Unscripted, Mr. Ron Huffer!

  2. Oct 2

    From Tech to TLC Marine: A Love for Chelan, Creating Jobs and Investing in Community

    Today on Small Towns Unscripted, Nicole and I sit down with someone who brings an incredible amount of optimism, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit to the Lake Chelan Valley, David Donovick. David is the owner of TLC Marine, a business he purchased from longtime owners Tony and Liz Hawkins and that will celebrate 30 years in business next year. But what makes David’s story so interesting is that he isn't content to simply own a successful business. He continues to look for ways to grow it, diversify it, create year round work for his team, and invest back into this community. TLC Marine in Manson has expanded well beyond traditional marine services into equipment and powersports, tractors, forklifts and diesel work. David has added construction services, is expanding into boat building right here in Chelan, and recently purchased Glacier West, giving TLC a full service boat yard in the downtown Chelan area. And behind all of that growth is something I really respect about David: his commitment to his people. He works hard to provide year round employment, competitive wages, full medical and dental benefits, and stability for the families who depend on those jobs. But David's path to Chelan wasn't exactly a straight one. His dad was a commercial fisherman, and David experienced at a young age what it meant to have a father gone for long stretches of time working. Tragically, his dad passed away at sea at only 54 years old. That experience helped send David in a very different direction professionally. He spent roughly 20 years in the technology world, launched startup companies and built a successful career in Seattle. But through all of it, his heart kept pulling him back to Lake Chelan. His first place here was about as simple as it gets. Emerson Acres, with one solar panel, two car batteries, a wood stove, water pumped from the lake and an old school generator. And he loved it. For years, David commuted back and forth to Seattle because he knew this was ultimately where he wanted to build his life. Once he finally made Chelan home, he worked diligently to find a way to become a small business owner here, raise his family here and contribute to the community he had fallen in love with. Today, we're going to talk about that journey, the growth of TLC Marine, bringing boat building back to a community with a rich marine history, creating good year round jobs, and what David believes Chelan needs as it continues to grow. And with 20 years in technology, we're also going to get his perspective on something that's changing incredibly fast, artificial intelligence. What does AI mean for businesses and jobs? How insulated is a community like Chelan? And in an increasingly technology driven world, why might genuine person to person relationships become more important, not less? David says he feels like the luckiest man in the world to be raising his family here. I think by the end of this conversation, you'll understand why we're pretty lucky to have him here too. David Donovick, welcome to Small Towns Unscripted.

  3. Sep 25

    No Roadmap Required: Jake Lodwig & Paint, Inc.

    On this episode of Small Towns Unscripted, Nicole and I sit down with 25-year-old Jake Lodwig, a young entrepreneur who has called the Chelan and Manson area home since he was eight years old. Jake graduated from Manson High School, and like a lot of young people, his path after graduation wasn’t exactly a straight line. He considered getting his real estate license, spent some time pursuing modeling and talent work in Seattle and California, and eventually found himself back home trying to figure out what came next. That next step started with a job painting for a local contractor. About a year later, Jake decided to take a chance on himself and started his own company, Paint, Inc. Five years later, Paint, Inc. has become a growing local business right here in the Lake Chelan Valley. Jake will be the first to tell you that building it hasn’t come with a perfect roadmap. It’s been a wild ride filled with mistakes, lessons, relationships, long days, and a whole lot of learning along the way. And that’s part of why we wanted Jake on the podcast. Small towns are filled with talented people who are really good at what they do, but doing great work and building a successful business aren’t always the same thing. We want to see local entrepreneurs like Jake succeed—to help shine a light on the people who are willing to take the risk, build something of their own, employ local people, serve their community, and hopefully thrive doing it. But there’s more to Jake than painting. He’s developed a real interest in financial markets and futures trading, reads regularly about finance, philosophy, and psychology, and when he’s not working, you’ll probably find him golfing, dirt biking, snowmobiling, working out—or hanging out with his charcoal Lab, Odin, who Jake refers to as his son. What makes Jake’s story interesting to us is that he represents a younger generation trying to build a life and a business right here in a small town—without necessarily having the entire roadmap figured out. Today we’re going to talk about growing up in Manson, life after high school, taking the leap into business at a young age, building Paint, Inc., some of the successes and mistakes along the way, and what Jake sees for his future here in the Lake Chelan Valley. Jake, welcome to Small Towns Unscripted.

  4. Sep 18

    Pouring Everything Into a Dream | The Family Behind Tipsy Canyon Winery

    On this episode of Small Towns Unscripted, Nicole and I sit down with Mark and Tami Garvin and their daughter, Lexi Garvin-Sargent, the family behind Tipsy Canyon Winery in Manson. This episode also has a special personal connection for me. Lexi is married to Ryan Sargent, the son of one of my very good friends, “Everyone’s Bud” Bill Sargent. I've known the Sargent family for years, so getting to sit down with Lexi, Mark, and Tami and share their family's story makes this episode especially meaningful to me. Their story didn't start with wine. Both Mark and Tami spent more than three decades working at Boeing before realizing their longtime dream of retiring to the Lake Chelan Valley. Their connection to the area goes back decades, beginning with family trips to Banks Lake and eventually a place at Sun Cove, where Lexi spent part of her childhood. Lexi went on to graduate from Washington State University, studying hospitality and business management, and then worked for several large hotels in Seattle. Eventually, the pull of North Central Washington brought her back. She continued her education through an 18-month winemaking program and internships with two wineries in Napa Valley, gaining hands-on experience that would become an important part of the family's future. When the family made the decision to purchase land in Manson and create what would become Tipsy Canyon Winery, that dream became a true family undertaking. Today, Lexi serves as President of the company and works alongside her dad, Mark, in the winemaking operation. Together with Tami, the three of them have poured their heart, sweat, time, and money into building this business from the ground up. And their story is especially important to us this year. Businesses throughout the Lake Chelan Valley have endured an incredibly difficult summer, with wildfire and smoke dramatically impacting tourism during the months when many local businesses make a significant portion of their income for the entire year. For Tipsy Canyon, the impact went even further. Smoke damaged their 2.5-acre vineyard crop, forcing the family to purchase juice from outside the valley—an unexpected but necessary expense so they could continue making wine locally and taking care of their daily customers and wine club members. But when you spend time with Mark, Tami, and Lexi, what stands out isn't the adversity. It's their commitment to their family, their staff, their customers, and the experience they've created. Tipsy Canyon sits in a beautiful setting above Roses Lake, only about ten minutes from downtown Manson. It may not be on the main drag, but that's part of what makes it such a great place to spend an afternoon. Grab some food in town or pack a picnic and bring it with you. Bring the dog. Watch a WSU or Seahawks game. Meet up with friends, have a family gathering or company lunch, or simply find a spot to relax and enjoy the setting. They offer wine, beer, and several non-alcoholic options, and their wine club may be one of the more flexible and customizable clubs you'll find in the valley. One thing Mark, Tami, and Lexi made very clear during our conversation is that their staff is one of their greatest assets. They've worked hard to create a place where everyone feels welcome, whether you're a longtime wine club member, a local stopping by after work, or visiting Manson for the first time. And that's really what Small Towns Unscripted is about. We want to tell the stories of the entrepreneurs, families, employees, and small businesses that make our communities what they are. After the summer we've experienced in the Lake Chelan Valley, we also want to do our part to remind people just how important it is to get out and support these locally owned businesses. So take a few minutes and get to know the family behind the wine, hear how Tipsy Canyon came to be, and learn why Mark, Tami, and Lexi continue to believe in what they're building right here in Manson. This is Small Towns Unscripted with Mark and Tami Garvin and Lexi Garvin-Sargent of Tipsy Canyon Winery. TipsyCanyon.com

  5. Sep 11

    Real Estate: Unscripted #2: The Wildfires, Insurance Realities & Navigating Shifting Markets

    In this episode of Real Estate: Unscripted on Small Towns: Unscripted, Russ McClellan and Nicole Turner dive into the real-world factors shaping the local real estate market across Chelan County and North Central Washington. From the immediate economic and tourism impacts of wildfire season to the growing complexities of homeowner’s insurance and appraisal challenges, Russ and Nicole break down what buyers and sellers need to know right now. Plus, they share insights on creative deal structuring, navigating changing contract laws, and why having experienced, localized guidance matters more than ever. Topics Covered in This Episode: • How wildfire season and smoke impact tourism, local businesses, and destination buyers • The critical role of homeowner’s insurance and the truth many buyers and sellers are dealing with. • Overcoming appraisal hurdles and navigating distorted short-term comps • Creative financing, rate buydowns, and negotiation strategies in a shifting market • Navigating complex land development, code requirements, and evolving forms

  6. Sep 4

    Mary Lynn Thompson: Making the Lake Chelan Valley Home, Giving Back & Supporting Local Business

    She couldn't have known then that the place she discovered as a 19-year-old would eventually become such an important part of her life. Mary Lynn went on to work her way through the University of Washington, earning a bachelor's degree with a double major in Communications and English. Professionally, she built a career around something she seems to have always understood naturally—bringing people together. From community programs and fundraising to marketing, strategic partnerships and major events, Mary Lynn eventually spent more than 13 years as Director of Events & Experiences for Windermere Services Company, helping create events and experiences that connected thousands of people. But Lake Chelan never really left her. In 2017, she bought property here herself. And in 2023—decades after that first trip across the mountains with her little sister looking for sun and fun—Mary Lynn finally made the Lake Chelan Valley her permanent home. Today, as Executive Director of the Manson Chamber of Commerce, she's taken a lifetime of experience in marketing, events, relationships and community building and brought it to a town she first fell in love with at 19 years old. So today we're going to go back to the beginning. Growing up in a big family on Mercer Island when it still felt like a small town. Chasing four brothers around the backyard. The influence of her parents and the work ethic they instilled in her. Working her way through college. Building a career around bringing people together. Those early trips to Lake Chelan. And ultimately, why she chose Manson—and what she believes the future holds for the community she now represents. Mary Lynn, welcome to Small Towns Unscripted.

  7. Aug 28

    Dr. Bob Jankelson: The Visionary Who Brought Italy to Chelan | Tsillan Cellars

    There are certain people who don't simply live in a community—they help shape what that community becomes. And today on Small Towns Unscripted, we have the privilege of sitting down with one of those people. Dr. Bob Jankelson’s story begins on an original Washington family homestead, where he and his twin brother were raised by their grandmother without running water or indoor plumbing. It was there, doing farm chores, that Bob learned a philosophy that has followed him throughout his life: you can choose to enjoy the work in front of you—or you can choose not to. Bob chose to enjoy it. That work ethic would take him a very long way from that family farm. He graduated with honors from the University of Washington Dental School, built a remarkable career in dentistry and medical research, founded Myotronics Research, authored textbooks and scientific articles, developed groundbreaking medical technology, and ultimately delivered more than 600 lectures at medical and dental universities around the world. But then came Lake Chelan. Bob first fell in love with this valley as a University of Washington student in 1957. Nearly four decades later, he retired here—and instead of simply enjoying retirement, he began looking at what was happening to the community around him. Chelan's small orchards were disappearing. Bob believed that if this valley was going to preserve its agricultural heritage, it needed another chapter. His answer was grapes. Beginning in 1998, he started purchasing distressed orchard properties along Chelan's South Shore, eventually assembling 127 acres. And in 2000, he began creating what would become Tsillan Cellars. Today, Tsillan Cellars is one of the defining destinations of the Lake Chelan wine industry—recognized as Washington Winery of the Year in 2020, with Sorrento's earning international recognition as a destination restaurant. But I think the more important part of Bob's story is what all of that represents. Long before Lake Chelan became known as a wine destination, Bob saw what this valley could become. He believed agriculture could be preserved rather than abandoned, that tourism could extend beyond the traditional summer season, and that world-class wine, food, music, architecture and agriculture could all come together right here in Chelan. Now, approaching his 88th year, Bob is thinking about something else: stewardship—and what it means to pass the baton to the next generation. So today isn't just a conversation about Tsillan Cellars. It's about growing up on a Washington homestead. It's about science, entrepreneurship, agriculture, risk, vision and reinvention. It's about watching Lake Chelan change—and having the courage to help shape that change. And maybe most importantly, it's about what we leave behind when it's finally time to hand that stewardship to somebody else. This is exactly the kind of story Small Towns Unscripted was created to tell. Dr. Bob Jankelson, welcome to Small Towns Unscripted.

  8. Aug 21

    Fire, Family & Second Chances: Ryan Peterson’s Apple Cup Story

    Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we’re sitting down with someone whose story is really about family, resilience, gratitude, and finding your way back home. Our guest is Ryan Peterson, who, along with his wife, owns and operates one of Lake Chelan’s longtime restaurant institutions — the Apple Cup Cafe. Ryan was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, and moved around the country quite a bit as a kid. His dad, Larry, worked in the hospital industry and would move from place to place helping turn operations around. But restaurants were already in the Peterson family. Then one day, Ryan’s grandfather, Bud Peterson, called his dad and told him there was a restaurant for sale in Chelan. That restaurant was the Apple Cup Cafe. Larry and Diane Peterson took a leap of faith, bought the restaurant from Don Keller, and moved their family to Chelan. Ryan was seven years old, and for a while they even lived in an apartment behind the restaurant. As a kid, Ryan remembers the perks pretty well — pancakes, burgers and milkshakes — and growing up during the summers in Chelan was about as good as it gets. But like a lot of kids from small towns, at 18 Ryan couldn’t wait to leave. His journey after Chelan included some difficult years. Ryan is very open about struggling with addiction at a young age. Eventually, his dad stepped in and did what was essentially an intervention, telling him it was time to get treatment. Ryan listened — and it changed the direction of his life. He’s now been sober for 16 years. That experience eventually led Ryan to help open addiction treatment facilities, where he did a little bit of everything — painting walls, answering phones, and even driving what he affectionately called the “Druggy Buggy,” taking people in treatment to events, appointments and wherever else they needed to go. Eventually, Ryan found his way back home. At 27, he and his wife took their own leap of faith and bought the Apple Cup Cafe. They became partners in business and in life, and today they’re raising three kids — a daughter and two sons. And then life tested them. They survived COVID and the enormous challenges it created for the restaurant industry — and then the Apple Cup caught fire. Ryan and his wife initially planned to rebuild, spending tens of thousands of dollars on design and planning before realizing that taking on that level of debt simply wasn't the right decision for their family. So they adapted. Ryan kept his staff working, the community helped them find a temporary home at the Community Center, and eventually Ryan and his wife created a new home for the Apple Cup — with a waterfront setting, outdoor dining, and a new chapter for a restaurant that has been part of Chelan for generations. Ryan will tell you he likes challenges. They motivate him to work harder, evolve and keep moving forward. But when you really talk to him, what stands out isn't the restaurant or even everything he's overcome. It's gratitude. Gratitude for his wife, his three kids, his family, his employees, and the community he once couldn't wait to leave — but was fortunate enough to come home to and raise his own family in. Ryan is humble, genuine, hardworking, and not afraid to talk about the difficult parts of his story. And that’s exactly what Small Towns Unscripted is all about. Ryan Peterson — welcome to the show.

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About

Welcome to Small Towns: Unscripted, a podcast celebrating the heart of the Lake Chelan Valley community. Whether you're new to the area or from families who arrived here on covered wagons, this is a space for voices of all ages and backgrounds. We believe every connection, old or new, weaves a unique thread into our shared lives. Through authentic conversations, we aim to honor stories, bridge generational gaps, and foster genuine relationships. Join us in building a stronger, more vibrant community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Our mission is to build relationships.

Information

  • Creator
    Small Towns Unscripted
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    94
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Small Towns: Unscripted
  • Show Website
    Small Towns: Unscripted