Ted has a mystery guest today!

Don't be intimidated. Behind that stern face, and pointing finger is actually a humble guy.

Yes, he loves America.

But he also loves apple pie and ice cream.

And, he loves to play his Bango and sing.

And he has a story to tell. Hopefully we will listen.

Hi

Like a pin ball, Mark and Ted bounce from issue to issue.

Some issues impact North Idaho...some do not.

All offer deep insight. Well, not all.

Some topics include:

The helicopter that almost landed on Mark.

Mark dispels rumors that he got married many times this summer.

The need for local officials to more aggressively address the foreign truckers in our area.

Why Moyie Springs is trying to annex Mark's neighborhood. (Ted almost fell asleep on that one)

How schools are improving in the area, making Mark consider returning to school.

Mark shares his love for Taylor Swift, and Ted senses some jealousy issues.

Foster, Mark's faithful canine companion, goes under the knife and gets a facelift. But Mark was unable to get a 2 for 1 special for himself.

Afterwards Ted reflects on his runaway horses and Jesus' thoughts on friendship.

All this and so much more.

Steve and his family share a passion for helping others.

God has led them on this mission, literally.

It's a mission, and a business, that helps provide a life requiring need for everyone.

Ned is the ace reporter for the local newspaper and he has decided to unplug his word processor, at least for a while, and move back to his home in Texas.

Ned has decided to spend some time with family and friends, whom he has missed a lot the past year.

He is open to the possibility of returning to North Idaho some day, as he really does like the people and area.

He will especially miss the nearby wildlife refuge, where he often retreated to gather his thoughts and rekindle his soul.

Ned discusses some of the many stories he covered for the newspaper, and gives some insights and shares some stories behind those stories.

Remember "Goose" from the first Top Gun movie with Tom Cruise? In many ways, Mike Peterson is Goose!

Mike talks about his days as a top gun naval aviator fighter pilot while helping Ted achieve an important Trifecta!

Mike explains how the guy in the front seat of his jet was really just his chauffeur!

Nicknames for his fighter groups included: The Ghost Riders, The Jolly Rogers, The Black Lions, and The Bounty Hunters.

Over time the grind of three Middle East wars and various scary moments began to drag on Mike.

At first Mike was full of hubris and pride but a specific "pucker" moment (he actually had several) caused him to reevaluate his purpose in life. The impact of his many missions began to make him question if God would forgive him.

The birth of his special needs daughter also caused him to lean more into scripture.

His transition from military life to civilian life led him to a closer relationship with Jesus.

Being a strong conservative, one of the more humbling and difficult experiences for Mike was when he became school board president for a liberal school district in Colorado.

He has now formed a consulting group where his team of former navy fighter pilots apply what they learned in military aviation to help businesses and individuals with leadership and organizational skills.

Phillip joins Ted to discuss his dreams and his mission.

Phillip is working hard in preparing to be Jesus' hands and feet. He has learned to fly and be an airplane mechanic...all to serve the Lord.

Missionary Flights International in Florida is a Christian based aviation ministry serving as a lifeline to missionaries in the Caribbean, and that is where Phillip is going!

The plan is specific and concrete. The dream is divinely inspired. The sky is the limit (literally).

Now Phillip needs financial support to make it all come together.

He is not asking for a hand-out, but a hand-up, as he reaches for a future of helping others and making a difference.

The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round...early in the morning!

The local school district, and maybe every school district, is looking for bus drivers as the new school year approaches.

If you want to be a school bus driver, this is the podcast for you!

Harold & Mike have about 40 hours experience between them as school bus drivers but are now retired.

Imagine being by yourself, driving with 60 kids behind your back, while navigating snowy roads, and watching for deer and elk. What could go wrong?

Stories abound. Some funny and some not so funny.

Bottom line, it is very worthwhile...but you have to love kids.

Harold and Mike talk about how the job could be better. How the job has changed over the years. And what it takes to be a good school bus driver.

Ben and his wife Carrie visit Ted in studio to discuss a variety of topics.

These include:

Ben's life in the navy during his multiple deployments to the gulf region.

Keeping his ship mates safe from Sea Snakes.

Meeting his wife Carrie after she had an accident driving a Seattle city bus...on her 2nd day on the job!

His long time involvement with the VFW in the Seattle area and now here in Bonners Ferry.

How and why they moved to Boundary County.

Their new mission of starting a Veterans Outreach Center here in North Idaho.

Helping veterans feel welcomed and complete as they transition from military to civilian life.

Fair Manager Jaycee Atkins is busier than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs as she counts down the weeks and days to this year's Boundary County Fair.

It is a new job for Jaycee, and she is full of enthusiasm and ideas for the fair and the fairgrounds.

But, Jaycee is not new to the fair. She has been active in 4-H and many agriculture and community related activities almost all her life.