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STAYIN’ ALIVE FALL FUND DRIVE!

Our Town

Sara Penhallegon and Her Baby Bison

(Airdate: March 21, 2023) Maryanne interviews Sara Penhallegon, the brains and heart behind Center Valley Animal Rescue. Literally thousands of animals – both wild and domestic – have been rescued by Sara and her team. When that confused coyote somehow wandered into the hospital, it was Sara who rushed in to tranquilize and ultimately stitch her up. There’s also that bison who was born to a starving mom. The newborn bison was hand-fed largely by Sara. Not surprisingly, he now thinks Sara is his ‘mom’. That means when he gets lonely, he sometimes breaks out of his quarters and heads for mom’s living room where he was nurtured back to health. He now weighs upwards of 700 pounds and is still a growing boy! Sara’s stories are amazing. But she needs donations to her non-profit to continue her mission.

Heidi Haney, owner of The Tipsy Gypsy

(Airdate: February 21, 2023) Maryanne interviews Heidi Haney, owner of The Tipsy Gypsy, a mobile bar service. Heidi was a party girl & model in her 20s. But then she fell in love with a cowboy in Dallas. She ended up managing restaurants such as the Olive Garden in Texas. But her mother was in Sequim and she missed the Pacific Northwest. After stints running other businesses on the Peninsula, she decided she wanted to be her own boss. A class at the EDC prompted her to write a business plan. The Tipsy Gypsy, a mobile bar service, was born and licensed in 2018. Heidi and her crew now handle events for the Maritime Center, Raincoast Farms, and other major organizations. In addition, the Tipsy Gypsy is hugely popular for weddings, retirement parties and other milestone events. Business is booming. Post-Covid (maybe), it’s party time!

#216 Lisa Zelinsi, Pharm Made

(Airdate: February 7, 2023) Maryanne interviews Lisa Zelinsi, founder & CEO of Pharm-Made, a fledgling company that makes plant-based health and beauty products. Lisa tries to create products that are sustainable, organic and uses plants from our local forests and farms. Her background as a pharmacist helps shape her formulas. But she creates products to fill real-world needs & problems – her grandmother’s dry, cracked heels inspired her to make an ointment called “Saturate.” Her mother-in-law’s arthritis resulted in her creation of “Joint Salvation.” Her products are featured in some local shops & spas. They are also online at pharm-made.com.

#215 The Adventuress

(Airdate: January 24, 2023) Maryanne McNellis interviews Catherine Collins, Executive Director of the non-profit foundation Sound Experience which owns and operates the beautiful classic schooner The Adventuress. The 133-foot ship was built way back in 1913 as a pleasure craft. But she spent decades as a working vessel before being designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1988. It took millions to restore her to her original glory. The Adventuress is now dedicated to environmental education in the Puget Sound. Covid shut down operations for a while. But Catherine and her team predict that the 2023 season will open as scheduled. Hundreds more kids will experience life at sea aboard The Adventuress.

#214 Dr. Joseph Myerson

(Airdate: January 10, 2023) Maryanne interviews Dr. Joseph Meyerson, plastic surgeon & hand surgeon at Jefferson Healthcare. He initially wanted to become a veterinarian but med school & brain surgery seemed much more appealing. Then he discovered the infinite variety of the field of plastic surgery. It meant over 12 years of medical training & taking on a huge load of student debt. Dr. Meyerson doesn’t do strictly “cosmetic” surgeries. But he does repair faces that are damaged by fire or cancer. He does “reconstructions” literally from head to toe. He calls it “getting people back on the spectrum of normalcy.” His work inspires gratitude from patients and their families.

#213 Nancy Erley, Sailor and Global Adventurer

(Airdate: December 13, 2022) Maryanne interviews Nancy Erley, a remarkable sailor who has circumnavigated the globe twice. She grew up in the Midwest, but Girl Scout membership ignited the dream of becoming a sailor. Her main passion at the University of Washington was the sailing team, although she did study enough to graduate. One adventure led to another until sailing around the world became an achievable dream. Each round-the-world sail took five years. The all-female team had amazing and occasionally terrifying adventures. There was the night near the top of Australia when the sea was alive with poisonous snakes. No one slept that night! Nancy remains quite active in the boating community here and regularly speaks at industry events. She also teaches many classes, specializing in teaching female students.

#212 Mike & Heather Harbin, Mo-Chilli BBQ

(Airdate: November 29, 2022) Maryanne interviews Mike & Heather Harbin, owners of barbecue joint Mo-Chilli. Although Heather’s a local girl, the two met in the Washington DC area at a training course to become insurance agents. They ultimately moved to Texas, Mike’s home base. They had successful careers in insurance, but Mike had barbecue on his mind. His passion for just the right recipe soon had him competing in barbecue cook-offs. That led to selling the stuff from their driveway. They decided to move back to Port Townsend for family reasons. It’s a leap, but they decided they could make a living selling barbecue here. Their custom-built food truck was made to exact barbecue specs. Before they opened full time on Sims Way in March 2022, they captured many fans by moving the truck from event to event. Not too many entrepreneurs opened businesses during the Covid era. But their gamble seems to be paying off!

#211 Mary Critchlow, Pickleball Queen

(Airdate: November 1, 2022) Maryanne interviews Mary Critchlow, a driving force behind the spread of pickleball in Port Townsend. Mary’s a lifelong “jock.” In addition to teaching physical education for decades, her hobbies include ice hockey, hiking, skiing, soccer and close to every other active sport available. She’s been a pickleball fan for quite a while. Interestingly, she says it was the Covid era that caused the international lift off of pickleball. It’s an active outdoor sport that can be played by all ages. Grandparents play children or even teenagers. The equipment’s cheap and the rules are pretty simple. The Port Townsend Pickleball Club now has over 200 members. Courts are open at the Port Townsend Courthouse, the Mountain View Campus and even the high school. The sport is also red hot regionally in Sequim and Port Angeles. Even Tom Brady has purchased a team of his own!

#210 Mitch, the Trapper

(Airdate: October 18, 2022) Maryanne interviews Mitch Draper, aka “Mitch the Trapper.”  Otters devastating your boat? Raccoons nesting under your deck, trying to make lunchmeat of your cat? There is now a licensed Wildlife Control Officer for Jefferson & Callam Counties. Contrary to popular belief it is ILLEGAL to capture a wild animal and drive it miles away. State research has determined that about 90% of such relocated animals starve a slow, painful death. Mitch is licensed and tries every humane method possible to get rid of the animals — loud music, strong smelling peppers, etc. Sometimes there is a “final solution.” but even that is tightly regulated by the state. Mitch is a local guy, grew up in Brinnon, and has hunted since he was a kid. Now his hunting has become professional. He can be contacted at [email protected].

#209 Carol Hasse, PT Port Commissioner

(Airdate: October 4, 2022) Maryanne McNellis interviews Carol Hasse, PT Port Commissioner. Carol sailed into Point Hudson in the early 1970s with her commune on the boat they built. She was immediately smitten with the town and rather quickly moved here. She had grown up in a small town on the Columbia River. One year of college was enough to convince her that activism on global issues was her path. By the time she hit PT, she had traveled extensively – hitchhiking through 23 countries. Sailing was her passion, so she worked as crew on global adventures. Once here, Carol soon opened Hasse & Co, a sail loft in Point Hudson. She was one of the early forces behind the creation of both the Wooden Boat Festival and the Maritime Center. Over the years she has served on the board of both organizations. She sold her business to the Shipwright’s Coop in 2021. She’s now channeling her incredible energy into her position as Commissioner for the Port of PT. She wants to preserve our working waterfront and is determined to make it happen.