Mary and Dave Weldy’s story begins long before The Culinary Apple became a landmark in downtown Chelan. Originally from Western Washington, they spent years building careers in the gift and trucking industries before deciding they wanted a different pace of life — something rooted in community, creativity, and the values they grew up with. That desire led them to Chelan in the early 1990s, where they found both opportunity and a place that felt like home.

In 1996, they purchased The Harvest Tree and began transforming it into what would become The Culinary Apple — a welcoming, experience-driven kitchen and gift store that blended nostalgia with innovation.

Mary’s background as a wholesale gift representative gave her exceptional product intuition, merchandising skills, and a natural ability to create a warm retail environment. Dave brought operational strength and the steady leadership that came from years in the trucking industry. Together, they grew The Culinary Apple into a destination known for unique kitchenware, gourmet foods, locally produced wines, and their famous homemade fudge. For visitors and locals alike, their store became a place to browse, sample, laugh, and share stories — a true reflection of the Chelan Valley’s spirit.

After decades of building a business that touched thousands of lives, Mary and Dave retired from daily operations in 2019. Today, they enjoy traveling, gardening, cooking, and remaining involved in the community they helped shape. Their journey is one of small-town entrepreneurship, risk-taking, reinvention, and deep community connection — a story that mirrors the heart of the Chelan Valley itself.

To hear the full journey — the early struggles, the leap of faith, the lessons learned, and how The Culinary Apple became what it is today — tune in to this episode of Small Towns Unscripted. It’s not just the story of Mary and Dave Weldy… it’s the story of what can happen when two people follow their passion and pour it into a small town they love.

Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we’re honored to sit down with someone who embodies exactly what this show is about—people who show up, lean in, and make a lasting impact on the Lake Chelan Valley.

Rod Brooks was born and raised in Lake Stevens, Washington, back when it was still a one-stoplight small town—long before the growth that reshaped it into what it is today. His family's story is rooted in grit, migration, and the pursuit of something better.

Rod’s mom grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, in a farm family hit hard by the Dust Bowl. They left everything behind, moved west to Washington, and—like so many families searching for a new start—set up an Army Surplus tent in a relative’s backyard until they could build a life here.
His dad was born in Saskatchewan, Canada and eventually relocated to WA. He spent his youth supporting his family with seasonal work—farming part of the year, and picking apples in Chelan, Cashmere, and Wenatchee in the off-season. The Brooks family work ethic runs deep.

Rod carried that forward into a long and successful career as a marketing executive, including many years as Chief Marketing Officer at PEMCO Insurance, before retiring and shifting his time toward purpose-driven community work.

He and his wife, Cindy, first found Lake Chelan in 2003, when they bought a small cabin on the south shore shortly after —never imagining how deeply this valley would become home. Three years before retiring, they bought what would become their full-time residence, and after stepping away from the corporate world, they moved here full-time and dove headfirst into community life.

Rod didn’t just move to Chelan—he invested in Chelan. He jumped right in, serving on community boards, showing up for local causes, and becoming a familiar face at countless valley events. He helped support the launch of the Lake Chelan Community Center, and his leadership continues to add tremendous value to the people who call this valley home.

One of Rod’s most meaningful contributions is something he created himself:
The Grandpa Project—a volunteer program that pairs older men with school children to provide guidance, connection, and positive male role models. This work has inspired local families, teachers, and retirees alike, and has become a standout example of how one idea can build community across generations.

Rod shares much of this journey on his personal platforms—his writing, photos, and reflections about life in Chelan, service, and the power of showing up.


Today, we get to hear the story behind the work, the family history behind the man, and the heart behind the project.

Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we’re honored to share the story of a woman whose life reflects resilience, gratitude, deep roots, and the heart of the American Dream.

Maribel Cruz — the Executive Director of the Community Center in Chelan — was born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in the Puget Sound area, where she graduated from Kamiak High School in Mukilteo. Later, she earned her degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. A first-generation Mexican American, Maribel grew up in a big, loud, loving household shaped by generations of hard work, faith, and family. With three older brothers, a younger sister, and a mother who was the eldest of ten siblings, her life was filled with cousins, tías and tíos, grandmothers, big dinners, and endless food. In the Cruz home, you were never hungry — and to this day Maribel’s love language is feeding people with joy.

Her family’s journey from a small town in Mexico to the border cities of Juarez and El Paso is a testament to courage and conviction. They worked tirelessly to carve out opportunity, and her father ultimately secured a long, honorable career with Boeing, never missing a day of work in nearly 30 years. That unshakeable work ethic — loyalty, humility, and responsibility — is the Cruz family heritage and still shapes Maribel today.

Though she once imagined she’d return to Texas after high school, life had a better story in mind. A young high-school romance that grew into a lifelong partnership with her husband, Chris, set her on a new path. Together, they’ve created a life anchored in loyalty, consistency, and community — a family strengthened by their faith and guided by a shared desire to serve others. After many years of visiting Chelan to spend time with family, Maribel and Chris made it their full-time home in 2022 — a move that felt natural in every way.

In their own ways, both Maribel and Chris contribute to the heartbeat of the Chelan Valley. Maribel through her leadership as the Executive Director of the Community Center, and Chris through the welcoming atmosphere of his barbershop — a place where people come not just for haircuts but for conversation, connection, and a sense of belonging. Together, they embody what it means to unite a community one relationship at a time.

Professionally, Maribel brings nearly twenty years of experience in business management, program development, and community engagement. She spent more than two decades serving the City of Seattle — proudly calling herself a “transportation nerd” — before stepping into her role leading the Community Center here in Chelan. She is passionate about building genuine connections, empowering others, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. Fluent in Spanish and deeply connected to her Hispanic roots, she carries a special heart for the Valley’s underserved populations and works tirelessly to ensure every voice has a place at the table.

Outside of work, Maribel treasures time with her husband Chris and their two teenagers, Christian and Ariemi. She loves long summer evenings by the lake, hosting family and friends, walking their two boxer dogs and frenchie, and creating moments of joy — both big and small — wherever she goes.

Maribel is helping build exactly what our podcast believes in: connection. A place where people from every background, income level, and origin can collide, feel welcome, and truly belong.

The future is bright for the Cruz family.
And it’s brighter for Chelan because Maribel is here.

We’re grateful for the time we spent together on this episode and deeply admire her story, her heart, and the impact she’s making.

Kyle Plew’s story is woven deeply into the fabric of the Lake Chelan Valley. He first moved to Chelan in second grade before his family relocated to Boise, Idaho, where he completed middle and high school. After graduation, Kyle headed to Southern California to attend Biola University, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He married his high school sweetheart, Darlene, and the two began their family there, welcoming their first daughter, Aubrey.

After seven years in Los Angeles serving as a youth pastor, Kyle felt a strong pull back to the place he considered home. He and his family returned to the Chelan Valley, where he became the youth pastor at North Shore Bible Church in Manson and coached both girls’ and boys’ basketball at Manson High School. Their youngest daughter, Olivia, was born soon after.

For more than 20 years, Kyle poured his life into youth ministry and led Celebrate Recovery before stepping into his current role as Senior Pastor at RealLife Lake Chelan. His heart for service stretches beyond the walls of the church. He is a founding member of Thrive and Chelan Valley Hope and has also served as Board President. Kyle envisioned a community space where people could gather, connect, and receive support—an idea that led to the creation of the Seven Acres Foundation and the development of the Lake Chelan Community Center. Stage 1 is now complete, with Stage 2 on the horizon.

🎙 Small Towns Unscripted – Episode Featuring Chris Cruz

This week, we sit down inside Valley Barber Shop with its owner, Chris Cruz — a man whose story is about far more than cutting hair. Chris has created a space built on community, friendship, and faith, where people come not just for a haircut, but to feel seen and connected.

Chris and his wife, Maribel, moved to Manson in June of 2022. Shortly after arriving, he realized the town didn’t have a true barbershop. Instead of seeing that as a problem, he saw it as an opportunity to plant roots and serve the community. What began as a business quickly transformed into a gathering place for conversations, relationships, and shared stories.

In this episode, Chris shares his journey of growing up with his mom on the Tulalip Reservation in Washington before eventually moving to Mukilteo. He talks about meeting Maribel in eighth grade, how they became high school sweethearts, and the life they have built together. Chris opens up about the struggles he’s faced, the turning points that shaped him, and how he ultimately found his faith.

Today, Chris and Maribel are raising their two children, who both attend Chelan High School. He also reflects on how Valley Barber Shop became more than just a local business — it became a hub of community life, a place where people come for a cut but leave with connection.

#smalltownsunscripted#realpeoplerealestories #morethanabarber #mansonwa #ChelanWA #lakechelan #FaithAndCommunity #overcommingstruggles #FaithInAction #localbusiness #PNWstories

Welcome Doug and Kelly Allen to Small Towns Unscripted.

In this heartfelt episode, Doug and Kelly invite us into their lives — a story of deep roots, resilience, and redemption. Doug shares his Washington heritage, from grandparents who grew up in the state to his mother, born in Mount Vernon, who later settled in Poulsbo, where Doug was born. His father worked as a PUD lineman for Puget Power before passing away when Doug was just 14. Doug found solace in family, the outdoors, and the mountains. His great-uncle, a founding member of Stevens Pass, helped shape his love of hard work and adventure. Some of Doug’s fondest memories are of summers at Lake Chelan, where that same great-uncle owned one of the first homes with a cabana, purchased in 1959 — a home Doug and Kelly later bought in 2010, keeping that legacy in the family. Now retired from a lifelong career in construction, Doug reflects on a full-circle journey and still enjoys water skiing on the lake he’s always loved.

Kelly was born in Georgia and grew up a proud military brat, moving every couple of years before her father’s stationing in Germany led her and her mother back to her mother’s roots in Pinedale, Wyoming. Her grandparents were large cattle ranchers nearby in Cora, Wyoming, where Kelly learned the values of grit, faith, and family. Today, she channels that same spirit into the Kelly Allen Agency in Chelan — an insurance firm that puts people first, tailoring every plan with personal care. Working alongside her daughter, Hailey Allen, Kelly continues to grow the business nationally, grounded in trust and heart.

Together, Doug and Kelly open up about one of life’s deepest heartbreaks — the loss of their son, Dean, at a young age. They share their experience of living life after tragedy and how faith carried them through unimaginable grief. To honor and keep Dean’s memory alive, they established the Dean Allen – Shine On Scholarship Fund, which commemorates Dean’s life and positive impact on the community by awarding scholarships to local students who continue to shine on. Kelly also shares how God’s guidance inspired her to begin writing a book — one meant to help others walking any path of grief.

Their story is one of love, loss, legacy, and the quiet power of small-town life — where history, family, and faith continue to shape the future.

This week we sit down with David Rogge, a man whose life reflects compassion, integrity, and genuine care for others. Raised as a Navy brat traveling coast to coast before graduating from La Conner High School, David earned football scholarships to Everett Community College and Central Washington University, where he studied Allied Health Sciences.

He came to Chelan in the winter of 1979–80 as the administrator of Regency Manor, eventually building and managing 17 assisted living facilities across Washington and Oregon. David fostered a true family atmosphere within his company—so much so that at one point, his employees actually picketed other workers in the industry who wanted to unionize because they were so proud of and loyal to the environment he had created. His leadership proved that when you care deeply about the people you work with, they in turn care deeply about what they do.

A lifelong Seahawks fan, “Voice of the Goats” on KOZI in the 1980s, and later a commentator alongside Dennis Rahm, David has always been a part of the heartbeat of Chelan. After retiring in 2005, he continued giving back—working with Jerry Isenhart and GoLakeChelan, owning Sweet Temptations candy store, and serving as Vice President of the Chelan Valley Housing Trust.

A devoted husband, father of four adopted children and two children he loves as his own, and a proud grandpa, David is often seen walking through town, greeting neighbors, and soaking in the valley he loves so much.

Join us for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about family, leadership, loyalty, and a life dedicated to caring for others—both personally and professionally.

In this special episode of Small Towns Unscripted, we journey deep into one of the most remote and captivating corners of Washington State — Stehekin, nestled at the headwaters of Lake Chelan. Among the apple trees of the historic Buckner Orchard, now part of the National Park Service, we sit down with two remarkable women whose lives reflect the true heart and heritage of this valley: Peggy Courtney and Wendy Garfoot.

Peggy Courtney, the only daughter among six brothers in the iconic Courtney family, grew up surrounded by the rhythms of Stehekin life — pack trains, barges, and a family legacy that helped shape the community for generations. From the Stehekin Valley Lodge to the modern ferry system, the Courtneys have been integral to connecting this mountain valley to the outside world. Homeschooled in this remote setting, Peggy’s musical path eventually led her to Nashville, where she once opened for Willie Nelson. A gifted singer-songwriter, she continues to share her love of storytelling and song, keeping alive the soul of Stehekin through her music and deep roots in the land.

Wendy Garfoot first arrived in Stehekin about 50 years ago with her late husband, Phil Garfoot, who worked for the National Park Service. Together they lived at and helped care for the Buckner Homestead, preserving the orchard and heritage of one of the valley’s most cherished landmarks. Wendy has spent decades contributing to the community — from her stewardship of the land to her work as a healer and friend to many who call Stehekin home. Her son, Brun Garfoot, continues the family’s connection to the region as part of the next generation carrying Stehekin’s legacy forward.

Join us for this heartfelt conversation surrounded by the whispering apple trees — a celebration of music, heritage, and the enduring spirit of life at the headwaters of Lake Chelan.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Small Towns Unscripted.

Today, we dive into the incredible hometown journeys of Amy Mack and Jason Olcott—two Chelan Goats whose paths started in very different places but eventually intertwined in the most unexpected ways.

Jason grew up in South Seattle before life’s twists brought his family to Lake Chelan, where he traded city life for Friday night lights, farm science classes, and the small-town community that would shape his story. From running the legendary Shot of Gratitude pub to creating Chelan’s own Righteous Bloody Mary, Jason’s journey is full of grit, humor, and that signature Olcott flair.

Amy, on the other hand, was born with sunshine in her soul and raised right here in Chelan. With two great dads, a family legacy in restaurants, and a childhood spent at the iconic Lakeview Drive-In—a true cornerstone of the Valley—Amy’s story is deeply tied to community, tradition, and hard work. She went on to travel the world, live abroad in Germany, gain decades of restaurant experience in Alaska, and eventually carry forward the Lakeview Drive-In legacy into its third generation.

What makes their story even more special? Jason and Amy were once high school acquaintances, reconnecting years later as friends and pen pals, before life brought them back together to build businesses—and a life—side by side here in Chelan.

This episode is about family legacies, small-town roots, big adventures, and the undeniable pull of Lake Chelan that keeps calling people home. 🌄

Join us for this fun, nostalgic, and inspiring conversation with Amy Mack and Jason Olcott.

Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we’re joined by Joe Heinlen, owner of Lake Chelan Adventures and one of the valley’s most trusted fishing guides. Joe moved to Chelan in 1996 from the small town of Toutle, Washington—where he experienced the eruption of Mount St. Helens. After 17 years with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, he retired in 2009, but his passion for fishing led him into guiding in 2003, and he’s never looked back.

While many people think fishing on Lake Chelan is just a summer pastime, the reality is it’s a year-round sport—and Joe has spent between 250 and 300 days a year for decades out on the water. From Lake Trout and Salmon to the uplake Cutthroat fishery he helped develop alongside Mark Lipincott, Joe has truly dedicated his life to this lake. He’s also been deeply involved with the health department and Fish & Wildlife to preserve Chelan’s incredible fishery.

Now, as Joe and his wife prepare to sell their home and spend more time with family, including his brother and four grandkids he can’t wait to take fishing, he joins us to reflect on a remarkable run. Get ready to be educated, entertained, and inspired by a true sportsman—and a good man.