Small Towns: Unscripted

Welcome back to Small Towns Unscripted, where we dive deep into the heart and soul of our communities, one personal story at a time. Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by Scott Hutchinson—or as many of you might know him, Hutch. Scott, a dedicated husband and father of four, calls beautiful Wapato Point in Manson home, alongside his loving wife, Amy. Originally from Seattle and raised in Boise,...

Welcome back to Small Towns: Unscripted, where our mission is to help the Lake Chelan community truly know each other, rather than just knowing of each other. Today, we're honored and delighted to welcome a guest whose life story is beautifully woven into the very fabric of our town—Erleyne Jackson. Erleyne has called Chelan, Washington, home for an incredible 80 years, having moved here with...

Today's guest on Small Towns: Unscripted is a name known far beyond the borders of the Lake Chelan Valley but his story starts right here, in the heart of our small town. Born and raised in Chelan, Jim Beeson is the kind of man who makes you proud to say you're from the same place. The son of John and Lorita Beeson, Jim grew up with both sets of grandparents nearby, a tight-knit family t...

Rod Cool – A Legacy of Leadership, Agriculture, and Heart If you grew up in rural Washington and ever zipped up a blue corduroy FFA jacket, odds are the name Rod Cool means something to you. For nearly four decades, Mr. Cool didn’t just teach agriculture—he built programs, cultivated communities, and mentored thousands of students across the state, leaving behind a legacy that will live far beyond...

🎙️ Welcome back to Small Towns Unscripted, where we dig deep into the people and stories that define life in rural communities. Today’s guest is a man whose name may not always make the headlines—but whose work has profoundly shaped the future of land ownership and rural life across Washington State. Known affectionately as “The Godfather of Land Planning,” Dan Beardslee, PLS, has spent more than...

Small Towns: Unscripted | Guest: Luke Wall In this week’s episode of Small Towns: Unscripted, we sit down with Luke Wall — Executive Director of Only7Seconds, a nonprofit movement that began in the heart of North Central Washington and has since inspired schools, communities, and individuals across the country. Born and raised in Pateros, Luke has returned to his small-town roots to raise a family...

Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we’re joined by someone who has dedicated her life to serving Manson and the Lake Chelan Valley — Aurora Flores. Born in Texas, Aurora’s journey took her through California, and eventually to Manson, Washington — a move that came after her husband Val’s service at Fort Lewis while in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. Since arriving in Manson in 1989, Aurora has...

On today’s episode of Small Towns Unscripted, we welcome two men whose friendship and values reflect the very soul of the Lake Chelan Valley—Mason McClellan and Konnar Stevens. Friends since preschool, these two have walked very different paths—military service and heavy equipment, entrepreneurship and ministry—but they remain bound by their roots, their character, and their shared love for the pl...

In this heartfelt episode of Small Towns Unscripted, we sit down with Dr. John Wall and Kristin Wall—two beloved figures whose roots run deep in the Chelan Valley. John, a longtime chiropractor and Chelan High School sports alum, reflects on growing up in a small town, building a practice dedicated to holistic wellness, and the legacy of service passed down from his father and shared by his brothe...

Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we’re joined by Fletcher Ellingson — a speaker, mindset coach, and best-selling author of The Practice of Feeling Good. With over 25 years of experience in personal development, Fletcher has guided thousands toward powerful shifts in health, wealth, and relationships. Raised in Centralia, Washington, his journey has included everything from theater and Biblical stu...

This week, we sit down with Dale England, a fourth-generation Lake Chelan Valley native whose story is deeply rooted in family, service, and the orchards of Manson, Washington. Raised on his family's apple orchard—where his mother was born—Dale stepped up alongside his siblings to run the operation after their father was injured fighting a fire. Since then, Dale has worn many hats: decorated...

In this episode of Small Towns Unscripted, we sit down with Steve Stamps, a lifelong Chelan resident whose life bridges two of the region’s proudest traditions—agriculture and athletics. Steve shares his journey as a multi-generation orchardist, growing up working alongside his father, Jim Stamps, who moved the family from Arkansas to the Chelan Valley in 1949 and ventured into apple farming in Ma...

Welcome back to Small Towns Unscripted, where we honor the stories that have shaped our small towns across generations. Today, we welcome Larry McFadden—a name that carries decades of local history, heart, and hometown pride. Larry’s family roots run deep in the valley. The McFadden's first arrived in Manson on May 23rd, 1934, escaping the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma and planting themselves firmly...

Welcome to Small Towns Unscripted, where we share the voices and stories that shape the heart of the Lake Chelan Valley. As the hosts of Small Towns Unscripted, we were incredibly honored to sit down with two remarkable community pillars—Jim and Judy Wall. From apple orchards to boardrooms, courtrooms to community halls—Jim and Judy’s journey is a rich blend of public service, dedication to the la...

Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we sit down with a man whose life reflects honor, devotion, and deep small-town roots — Les Hair. Born in Spokane, Les went on to serve our country as a Navy pilot, completing three tours in Vietnam during 11 years of military service. But perhaps his greatest adventure began when he married Jane, a Lakeside native and lifelong educator. Together, they returned to...

Welcome back to Small Towns: Unscripted, where we dive deep into the lives of the people who shape our communities—their struggles, their triumphs, and the connections that bring us all together. Today’s episode is one of resilience, love, and the power of lifelong friendships. We’re joined by three remarkable individuals: Jim Oscarson, a dedicated golf pro who has faced the unimaginable loss of h...

Join us as we sit down with Richard Uhlhorn, a true Renaissance Man of Lake Chelan! A Manson High School graduate, Richard has worn many hats—photographer, writer, journalist, historian, scientist, entrepreneur, and adventurer. Since 1988, he has been capturing the stories of our valley through his work at the Chelan Mirror, GoLakeChelan, and now All Things Lake Chelan, where he continues to docum...

Meet Karl & Debbie Word! What are the odds of two people living nearly identical lives before finally crossing paths? Karl and Debbie Word’s story is one of fate, resilience, and deep community roots. Karl grew up in Brewster, Debbie in East Wenatchee. Both dropped out of school in their sophomore year, married young—Karl at 17, Debbie at 18—each marriage lasting exactly eight years before end...

We are honored to welcome three generations of the Precht family to Small Towns: Unscripted—Andy Precht, the original owner and guiding force behind Precht Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Services; his son, Kevin Precht, the current owner; and Kevin’s nine-year-old son, Cash Precht, who already carries the professionalism and dedication of a future leader.  For decades, the Precht family has...

High school sweethearts who reconnected after time apart in college, Marrian and Diane Peebles built a life together through resilience, love, and an unwavering commitment to family and community. Marrian embodies hard work, versatility, and a true entrepreneurial spirit—not only as an apple farmer but also as a dedicated public servant. He didn’t just plant roots in the orchards; he spent decades...

Welcome to another episode of Small Towns: Unscripted! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce two truly iconic figures from the Lake Chelan Valley—Jim and Marge Sackett. Jim and Marge embody hard work and dedication, having embarked on a journey that led them through various paths and places before they found their true passion right here in this beautiful valley. Their story is one of resilience—a te...

"Dancing with Disaster" by Mark Evans is a gripping memoir that chronicles his journey from a childhood spent on the shores of Lake Chelan, where his father ran a marina, to becoming one of the most accomplished unlimited hydroplane racers of the 20th century. Evans shares the highs and lows of his life at over 200 MPH—highlighting his humble upbringing, the devastating loss of his fathe...

Bill Nickell—better known around Lake Chelan as “Papa Nickell”—has been a local icon since moving to town at just nine years old. From serving in the U.S. Air Force (and making the Air Force baseball team in Germany and Spain) to becoming a beloved community fixture, Bill’s journey is filled with humor, sports, and unwavering dedication. Whether delivering packages with a smile, cracking jokes, or...

Meet Lars and Joanne Strandberg in this heartfelt episode of Small Towns: Unscripted. After growing up in different states, their lives intertwined when Lars was in flight school. He became a Marine Corps helicopter pilot, and flew CH-53 Super Stallions during three deployments. Together, they navigated military life, raised two children, and eventually moved to the Chelan Valley in 2008. Since th...

Meet Viki Downey, a true Lake Chelan legend with a lifelong passion for the water. From teaching swim lessons and safety to both children and adults for 27 years to saving countless lives as a lifeguard at the state parks, Viki’s story is one of passion, dedication, and joy. As she embarks on retirement, she reflects on her journey, her challenges, and her unwavering commitment to living in alignm...