Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast

On this Episode of the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, hear about the EPIC Discovery Center in Grand Island, Nebraska, where children, teens, and adults can enjoy playing and learning through hands-on STEAM-based activities, plus camps, special programs, and more! Hear about how collaborative efforts helped to make this dream a reality, some of the challenges along the way, and why this is a...

On this Episode of Foundation Fridays featuring the Ravenna Area Vision Fund thanks to the Nebraska Community Foundation, FAC members Ashlin Behrendt and McKenzie Behrendt talk to host, Sheila Jenkinson, about how small towns can create vibrant, connected communities through intentional efforts. They share about their area, collaborative efforts, youth engagement, and how they believe unrestricted...

On this episode of Amelia on Assignment with guest host Amelia Hakl, you'll hear from Frank Kovacs, a high school senior from Minden. Hear why Frank feels it's important for youth to get involved in their community, plus some of the things he's enjoyed while working with the Minden Legacy Fund.  Host of the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, Sheila Jenkinson, asked Amelia to select and interview...

On this episode of Foundation Fridays, thanks to the Nebraska Community Foundation, we meet a member of the Fairmont Legacy Foundation Fund to talk about some of the things this newer affiliate fund in this small Nebraska village located in Fillmore County have been up to since it's start in 2024. Listen in to this honest conversation as host, Sheila Jenkinson, interviews Shelia Lauby about the Co...

On this episode of Growing Nebraska & Beyond on the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, hear from host Sheila Jenkinson, and Chris Mason, Executive Director and President of Sparc: Sac County Development. This is part one of their walk-through of a Midwest Travel Network FAM Trip with other selected travel content creators.  On this one, hear about the Rustic River Winery and Vineyard, Soak'd - a...

On this episode of Amelia on Assignment with guest host Amelia Hakl, you'll hear from Ryker Schroeder, Junior at Wayne State College, and Miri Johnson, a high school sophomore  at Boyd County Schools from Spencer, about their involvement within their hometown communities. Find out why Ryker feels called to continue to help with the Bertrand Youth Advisory Committee, and Miri enjoys helping the Spe...

On this Special Shoutout Episode, Host Sheila Jenkinson talks with Nebraska Community Foundation Co-Directors of Network Learning, Maggie Smith and Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, about the NCF Communities Bus Tour they went on exploring common courage in several NCF affiliate fund locations across the state. Part three includes Albion, Petersburg, Neligh, and Newman Grove. You can hear more about the in...

On this Foundation Friday episode, thanks to the Nebraska Community Foundation, we're going to find out about the Axtell Community Fund! You'll hear about some of the things this Nebraska village is known for and about what this NCF affiliated fund has been up to since it's start almost a decade ago, including a cadet program, their annual "Heart of Our Hometown" event, a summer lunch program and...

On this episode of the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, hear about some things to see and do in Kearney, Nebraska. Bobbi Dickerson, Marketing Coordinator for Visit Kearney, and host Sheila Jenkinson talk about the World Theatre, Downtown Kearney on the Bricks, the Musuem of Nebraska Art, annual events and much more! Listen where on your favorite podcast platform! Thank you for the likes, follo...

On this episode of Amelia on Assignment with guest host Amelia Hakl, you'll hear from Elle Sudbeck, NCF Hometown Intern and Junior at Wayne State College, about her passion for her hometown and her work with the Hebron Community Fund. Host of the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, Sheila Jenkinson, asked Amelia to select and interview youth who attended this year's Nebraska Community Foundation...

On this new episode series, host of the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, Sheila Jenkinson reflects on her mug collection, where and why they made it into her cupboard, and the mood or memory that makes her grab it on any given day. These are short little spotlights, just for fun. Episode number one had to be about the 9 to 5 mug in tribute to Dolly Parton. You can find all of the episodes: Gro...

On this Special Shoutout Episode, Host Sheila Jenkinson talks with Nebraska Community Foundation Co-Directors of Network Learning, Maggie Smith and Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, about the NCF Communities Bus Tour they went on exploring common courage in several NCF affiliate fund locations across the state. Part two includes Clarkson, Columbus, and St. Edward. You can hear more about the incredible com...

On this episode of Sheila's Shoutouts, you'll hear about a place in Lincoln where chocolate is in season year round, a gift shop in a downtown space in Norfolk that is packed full of fun and unusual finds, and a beloved cake shop in Grand Island that has coffee and pastries, too!  Remember to follow, love, subscribe, and review on your favorite podcast platform and social media! Thanks for listeni...

On this episode of Growing Nebraska & Beyond, it's back to Illinois as Sheila walks through the second part of her recent familiarization trip to Chicago Southland with Scott Rude, Public Relations Manager for Visit Chicago Southland. You'll hear about their breakfast at a retro-inspired restaurant in Homewood, a place to find hand-made chocolates and ice cream in Lansing, an award-winning brewery...

On this episode of Foundation Fridays thanks to the Nebraska Community Foundation, we explore the inspiring story of Byron, Nebraska, a small town of under 100 residents. Father-daughter members of the Byron Community Foundation Fund, Tyler and Natalie Tietjen, talk about innovative projects like their community center, the community grocery co-op, the new pickleball courts, a new trail ride durin...

On this Special Shoutout Episode, Host Sheila Jenkinson talks with Nebraska Community Foundation Co-Directors of Network Learning, Maggie Smith and Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, about the NCF Communities Bus Tour they went on exploring common courage in several NCF affiliate fund locations across the state. Part one includes the host site of Albion and the first stop on day one in Leigh. You can hear m...

On this second episode in 2026 through Visit Knox County, you'll hear host, Sheila Jenkinson, and Visit Knox County Tourism Director, Stacy Miller, reminisce about some of their recent outings in this beautiful hidden gem in Northeast Nebraska. From the scenery with rolling hills, rivers, a beautiful lake, and more, to fun places to eat and unique stays, they cover just another small part of what...

On this special episode of Foundation Fridays on the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, thanks to the Nebraska Community Foundation, Becky Ries and Todd Mekelburg share useful information and answer lots of questions about planned giving in light of August, which is "Make A Will" month. They talk about why to consider leaving a legacy, different ways to do so, some misconceptions, where and when...

On this episode of Sheila's Shoutouts on the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, find a special place to shop florals and gifts in Creighton, plus a place to get leaded in the Historic Haymarket District in Lincoln, and a special shoutout to a few Northeast Nebraska small businesses that helped make a special day even better. Listen to this episode and over 220 back episodes wherever you love to...

On this episode of Foundation Fridays thanks to the Nebraska Community Foundation, you'll hear from this father-daughter duo about the Exeter Area Community Foundation Fund. Hear about the community and surrounding area, things to see and do there, some of the grant-funded projects, and more as Alan Emshoff and Taylor Kahlandt share their enthusiasm for the future of their Nebraska small town. Lis...

On this episode of the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, explore the natural beauty of Cherry County and Valentine in the Nebraska Sandhills with guest Regina Osburn, Cherry County Tourism Director. Listen in as Regina and host, Sheila Jenkinson, go over just a few things they experienced during Sheila's recent stay there. You'll hear about waterfalls, camping, outfitters, plus the Nebraska Sta...

On this episode of the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, Sheila chats with with Becky Rother and Mary Berlie as they talk about the annual concert series as Railside Plaza comes alive for Hear Grand Island. They talk about the collaborative effort it takes and the community support it takes to bring such a big event to the area. You'll also hear about an annual parade that is very well known! F...

On this episode of the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, hear about some things to see and do in Kearney, Nebraska. Host, Sheila Jenkinson, talks with Bobbi Dickerson, Marketing Coordinator for Visit Kearney about some of the things Sheila experienced while in town including the Kearney Water Trail, the Archway Museum, the American Automobile Experience, Yanney Park and much more!  https://visi...

On this episode of Foundation Fridays on the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, thanks to the Nebraska Community Foundation, Sheila hears from two members of the Rock County Community Fund, Kayla Fischer and Leah Hagan. Hear about their community center, their school, and so many more community building projects in this beautiful small town in the Nebraska Sandhills. They also talk about how the...

On this episode of Growing Nebraska & Beyond, Sheila walks through the first part of her recent familiarization trip to Chicago Southland with Scott Rude, Public Relations Manager for Visit Chicago Southland. You'll hear about their luxurious, but made-for-anyone stay at the very new Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino Resort, plus the charm and vibrancy of the Village of Homewood. As a pre-FAM fo...