Snohomish Storytellers

What if a place could honor your favorite memories while giving you room to make new ones? For Wayne Mascotti, that idea is at the heart of F.R.E.D's—a new business in the familiar space that holds decades of Snohomish stories. The owner of Cathouse Pizza joins us to share how he and his family found their way to town, why its people kept them here, and how an unexpected opportunity became a deepl...

What if the best way to find your community is simply to show up for it? Since moving to Snohomish nearly a decade ago, Kelli Toomey has continually found ways to get involved—from owning a small business on First Street and becoming a local realtor to supporting community events, youth programs, education, and HDSA. Today, she serves as co-chair of HDSA’s Fostering Community Committee, a role tha...

Season 5 of the Snohomish Storytellers Podcast is officially in bloom! In our season premiere, Sheila and Maygen sit down with Alicia Schwede , floral designer, educator, and owner of Fleurs Creative in Downtown Snohomish. Alicia shares how she fell in love with Snohomish, built a 26-year career in the floral industry, and created a downtown studio centered around teaching, creativity, and bringin...

This month, the Snohomish Storytellers sit down with Ingrid Harten, owner of the iconic Snohomish Bakery and one of the most dedicated people in the history of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association. Ingrid has been part of HDSA’s story through nearly every chapter—from pioneering the local Main Street program here in Snohomish to achieving accreditation and building the organization we know...

If you love innovation , community investment , and delicious baked goods , this episode is for you. In this episode of Snohomish Storytellers , hosts Sheila and Maygen sit down with Lauren Anderson-Porter , the founder of Grain Artisan Bakery in downtown Snohomish —a beloved dedicated gluten-free bakery known for high-quality pastries, sourdough, and a strong community-first approach. Lauren shar...

Keith Stocker, fourth-generation farmer and owner of Stocker Farms, shares the story behind one of Snohomish’s most beloved destinations. From the early days of local farms embracing agro-tourism to the collaboration that helped put Snohomish on the map, Keith offers a behind-the-scenes look at the land, legacy, and creativity that continue to shape the valley. He also gives us a peek at what’s ne...

Just like Snohomish spring weather, podcast plans don’t always go exactly as expected… and this month’s episode is the perfect example. While we originally had another guest lined up, we’re excited to bring you a delightful surprise instead — Trent DeVerter, owner of Red Trux and the very person who helps make this podcast happen behind the scenes. In this episode, Trent steps out from the produce...

 Some people volunteer, some people serve, and then there are people like Terry Lippincott— a retired middle school teacher turned civic force of nature. Terry is one of Snohomish’s newest City Council members and a longtime champion of community life, having served 12 years on the Planning Commission. She’s also the president of Friends of the Library, a member of the Lions Club, the Carnegie Fou...

 In this episode, we sit down with Melody Clemans, one of the founding members of the Snohomish Carnegie Foundation and a steadfast steward of one of our town’s most beloved landmarks. Melody’s story is one of quiet determination and deep love—proof that some things are worth fighting for, even when the timeline stretches longer than anyone expects. After more than 20 years of dedication, Melody s...

In this special FAQ episode of Snohomish Storytellers, we’re answering your most common questions about HDSA and downtown Snohomish. From events and advocacy to preservation, partnerships, and placemaking, we’re pulling back the curtain on how downtown works, why it matters, and how this community comes together to keep it thriving. Whether you’re a business owner, resident, volunteer, or just a c...

This month on Snohomish Storytellers , we sit down with Snohomish Mayor-Elect Aaron Hoffman for an open and candid conversation. As with any passionate community, opinions about leadership vary, many are excited, others are cautious, and at HDSA, our mission remains the same: to support connection and work collaboratively with our city leadership, whoever is in office. In this episode, we ask Aaro...

Candy? Cars? Community? The Snohomish Storytellers chat with Snohomish Police Chief Nathan Alanis to uncover how Snohomish police mix safety with sparkle. From trick-or-treating chaos to the glittering lighted car parade, we dive into the ways law enforcement shows up for the community—not just in emergencies, but for fun too. Tune in for stories, laughs, and a peek behind the badge!

The Snohomish Storytellers welcome Fire Chief Don Waller and Fire Marshal DJ Hill from Fire District 4. Together, they unpack how the district operates, their unique roles, and why fire prevention is especially critical in a historic downtown. From Knox boxes to the delicate balance between fire safety and economic vitality, this episode highlights first responders as true community partners. You’...

The Snohomish Storytellers are back for Season 4—and now… with VIDEO! 🎥 Yep, you can watch us in action or keep enjoying us the traditional way in your earbuds. To kick things off, we welcome Washington State Senator John Lovick to the studio. Senator Lovick shares stories from his time as a State Trooper right here in Snohomish County, how those experiences shaped his path to representing the 44...

Mac is back! Fan favorite Mac Bates returns to help us close out Season 3 and share his newly published book, First Street Stories . First joining us in January 2023 as our first guest of the new year during Season 1, Mac now returns as the final guest of Season 3. In this episode, he brings more charming tales of growing up in downtown Snohomish in the 1950s and ’60s—this time enriched with histo...

What is a Main Street, really? And why does it matter? In this powerful episode of Snohomish Storytellers, we’re joined by Lydia Felty of Washington State Main Street and Norma Ramirez de Miess, a National Main Street consultant (yes, that’s a real and incredible job!), to explore the story behind the Main Street movement. We unpack what it means for Snohomish to be a designated Main Street commun...

In this special episode, Maygen and guest host Ken Coman help tell a tale straight from the heart of Snohomish: The First Street Story. Joining them are Nova Heaton, Public Works Director, and Heather Thomas-Murphy, City Administrator. From what lies beneath the sidewalks to the dreams taking shape above, discover where First Street has been, where it’s headed, and how you, the community, are the...

The Snohomish Storytellers welcome back their first repeat guest, Mayor Linda Redmon. After 2 years, Linda shares with us what she has learned, what she is most proud of, and what keeps her motivated to continue serving the city that she loves so much. Take a listen and learn about what’s happening in the city and where Linda sees our future, together. This episode is supported by the Historic Dow...

With Women's History Month as the perfect backdrop, this month on Snohomish Storytellers, our Executive Director, Maygen Hetherington, takes a turn on the "other couch." Maygen shares what HDSA’s Main Street Accreditation means for our downtown businesses, insights on the First Street Master Plan, and how HDSA helps keep downtown Snohomish a positive asset for our entire city. This episode is supp...

Kickoff Time with Anthony Sardon: The Future of Soccer in Snohomish & Beyond! The Snohomish Storytellers sit down with Anthony Sardon, Coaching Director of Snohomish United Soccer Club, for a deep dive into the beautiful game—right here in our backyard and beyond! ⚽️ Get the inside scoop on the inaugural season of Snohomish United USL 2, set to electrify the pitch this spring, plus an exclusi...

Storytelling is the most powerful communications tool in history and is universal to the human experience. Here in our little corner of the universe, Snohomish, we have a strong sense of community and heritage founded in the whispers of yesterday's stories and the narrative of what is being written today. Snohomish Storytellers captures this through organic conversation between Snohomies - former,...

This month, the Snohomish Storytellers welcome the HDSA Programs and Communications Manager, Denya Ardis. Denya shares her story about how she discovered Snohomish and ultimately, found her way to the HDSA team. There is a lot to learn, not only about Denya, but also the work we do within our organization and how we serve those who live, work, and play in the historic downtown district! Thank you...

The Snohomish Storytellers are happy to share the brightest light in Snohomish, Courtney Evans of Board and Brush. Full of life and light, Courtney will make you excited to be in downtown and inspire you to discover all the FUN to be had here. Courtney is a problem solver and finds the hidden gems throughout downtown Snohomish and throughout her life. We hope you find yourselves as inspired as we...

Our guest for the Snohomish Storytellers this month is Tim Cross, Public Works Operations Manager for the City of Snohomish. You may not know it but some of your most cherished memories downtown might have been thanks to the work of his department. Learn more about Tim, the world of public works, and how partnerships like these are vital in all things Main Street.  This episode is supported by the...

In this episode of the Snohomish Storytellers podcast, we sit down with retail sales consultant Rachel Morgan, who shares her expert insights on creating authentic sales experiences. Rachel dives into how retailers can foster meaningful connections with customers and drive sales without the "salesy" approach. Tune in to learn how genuine engagement can lead to lasting success in retail and how las...