This is a poem, or it could be called a tribute, to a man who legally was my brother-in-law but who I considered a brother. Joe Pescarino, 8/5/1941 to 3/25/2022, was 80 when he passed. Joe's influence on people was enormous. He was truly a genius in many areas - from set styling to wardrobes to cooking to weaving and much more - Joe had an eye for …

This is a personal (and amusing) story about endurance horseback riding on the Crooked River National Grasslands outside Prineville Oregon. But it's really about facing your fears in life. When we have guides and mentors in life it's a lot easier accepting challenges. My mentor was my uncle-in-law Cole Still. A man of few words with a vast knowledg…

Ermal F Phillips (1930 - 2011) was raised in rural Missouri where he learned how to farm and ranch. A family man, he lived his life according to the values he believed in - hard work, caring for your family, and biblical principles. This was how he measured men - and himself. He was my hero - and my father-in-law.…

It's 2014 and, like many parts of Oregon, Prineville is suffering economically. Most affected are those women and men in need of basic shelter, food, and safety. Redemption House Ministries, headed by the now-deceased Greg Sanders, was committed to helping people in need. Listen to this 11-minute audio story and think about how your community is de…

Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant, author, and TV presenter. In 2019 she starred in a Netflix special "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" and in 2021 she had a follow-up special called "Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo." She became very popular (and I suspect wealthy) but I was not a fan.....Af Bill Mintiens

We're bombarded with celebrity endorsements and, maybe like you, I've had enough!Af Bill Mintiens

Walmart by Bill MintiensAf Bill Mintiens

A liberal rant recorded in 2020....Af Bill Mintiens

Newville PA has essentially been a "dry" town since Prohibition back in 1933. This May 2021 residents will vote on whether to change the liquor law and become a "wet" borough. So what do residents think about this change? Listen to this 7-minute podcast and learn a little history about this quaint township - and how getting "wet" may change the bor…

Until Heaven Then My Friend; Life's Journey For Your Beloved Dog by Tana OsbornOsborn lives in Montana, is an assisted living nurse, and author of a book called "Until Heaven Then My Friend: Life's Journey For Your Beloved Dog." Bill Mintiens talks with Osborn about why she wrote the book, how she dealt with her own grief, and why she believes that…

2014 - Homeless in Crook County OregonEver Wonder What It's Like?Somehow the message that the economy was improving never made it to the homeless population in Crook County. Numbers are increasing and services can't keep up with the need. Bill talks with two people in Prineville Oregon about how they came to be homeless, what it's like to live on t…

June 2015 - Ochoco National Forest (Oregon) Restoration Collaborative - Part 2The Collaborative tours the Bailey Butte Fire SiteIn this episode the Collaborative takes a tour of the Bailey Butte Fire which burned 8,000 acres of Ochoco National Forest in 2014. Experts in fire behavior and forest restoration discuss, at various stops during the day, …

2015 - Ochoco National Forest Restoration Collaborative - Part 1 -Addressing and Resolving Impassioned GridlockThe Ochoco National Forest Restoration Collaborative is a group of diverse stakeholders who started meeting in 2012 at the request of co-conveners, Prineville's Mayor at the time Betty Roppe and Crook County Commissioner Ken Fahlgren. The …

October 2015 - Woodgrain Millwork in Prineville Oregon recently closed its mill after a roof collapsed under the weight of heavy ice and snow. The company has no plans to reopen the facility meaning that upwards of 200 people are losing their jobs. This in a county with over 10.2% unemployment, high poverty and homelessness. Listen to this podcast …

Jeanna Som is the Executive Director of Carlisle PA's Summer Program for Youth (SPY.) I recorded this podcast with Jeanna as part of the article I wrote for the (Carlisle) Sentinel newspaper's "Inspire" edition Feb. 28, 2021. A woman with a big heart, listen to this podcast and be inspired to help those kids that are less fortunate than you.…

This is the first episode of Cumberland County Chatter, a new podcast show featuring interviews with inspirational, and sometimes controversial, people who live in Cumberland County Pennsylvania. Sara Agerton is the only woman, and only Democrat, on the Mechanicsburg Borough Council. At 41 Agerton is committed to making her voice, and others' voice…

Steve Bloom is the former Pennsylvania State House Representative (2010-2018)who then ran unsuccessfully for a US Congressional seat in 2019-20. A man who's life goal has always been to "make a difference" in peoples' lives, Steve is one of those people you can hold up as a role model. Listen to this 30-minute interview to learn more about Steve's …

Af Bill Mintiens