Snohomish Storytellers

What if a place could honor your favorite memories while giving you room to make new ones?

For Wayne Mascotti, that idea is at the heart of F.R.E.D's—a new business in the familiar space that holds decades of Snohomish stories. The owner of Cathouse Pizza joins us to share how he and his family found their way to town, why its people kept them here, and how an unexpected opportunity became a deeply intentional undertaking.

From tributes to the people who came before to nostalgic touches alongside a vision of his own, Wayne shares his approach to honoring the history of F.R.E.D’s while creating something new. It’s a story about food, friendship, and making room for the memories still ahead.

Snohomish Storytellers is a program of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association, a nonprofit Main Street organization working to preserve, promote, and strengthen the heart of Snohomish. Through conversations with the people who shape our community, the podcast celebrates our shared history, local identity, and the stories still being written.

Learn more at historicdowntownsnohomish.org and follow along on Instagram at @snohodowntown

What if the best way to find your community is simply to show up for it?

Since moving to Snohomish nearly a decade ago, Kelli Toomey has continually found ways to get involved—from owning a small business on First Street and becoming a local realtor to supporting community events, youth programs, education, and HDSA. Today, she serves as co-chair of HDSA’s Fostering Community Committee, a role that feels practically written for who she is and what she values.

In this chapter of Snohomish Storytellers, we explore outreach through Kelli’s experiences connecting people, inviting participation, and helping others find their place in the community. Kelli believes volunteering is one of the best ways to meet people, build lasting relationships, and discover where you belong—and her story shows what can happen when we choose to show up.

Snohomish Storytellers is a program of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association, a nonprofit Main Street organization working to preserve, promote, and strengthen the heart of Snohomish. Through conversations with the people who shape our community, the podcast celebrates our shared history, local identity, and the stories still being written.

Learn more at historicdowntownsnohomish.org and follow along on Instagram at @snohodowntown

Season 5 of the Snohomish Storytellers Podcast is officially in bloom! In our season premiere, Sheila and Maygen sit down with Alicia Schwede, floral designer, educator, and owner of Fleurs Creative in Downtown Snohomish. Alicia shares how she fell in love with Snohomish, built a 26-year career in the floral industry, and created a downtown studio centered around teaching, creativity, and bringing people together.

We also get the inside scoop on Snohomish in Bloom, a brand-new event coming to Downtown Snohomish on September 12th. Alicia shares how a simple idea to “decorate First Street in flowers” has grown into a community-wide celebration featuring floral art installations, local vendors, classes, a dahlia show, and more. Tune in for a conversation about flowers, entrepreneurship, community collaboration, and finding new ways to make Downtown Snohomish bloom.

Snohomish Storytellers is a program of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association, a nonprofit Main Street organization working to preserve, promote, and strengthen the heart of Snohomish. Through conversations with the people who shape our community, the podcast celebrates our shared history, local identity, and the stories still being written.

Learn more at historicdowntownsnohomish.org and follow along on Instagram at @snohodowntown

This month, the Snohomish Storytellers sit down with Ingrid Harten, owner of the iconic Snohomish Bakery and one of the most dedicated people in the history of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association.

Ingrid has been part of HDSA’s story through nearly every chapter—from pioneering the local Main Street program here in Snohomish to achieving accreditation and building the organization we know today. Along the way, she has served in nearly every officer position, chaired committees, helped guide the organization through a pandemic, and remained steadfast in her vision for a vibrant and thriving downtown.

The best part? Ingrid is still along for the ride, continuing to lend her experience, energy, and unwavering commitment to the place she loves.

Hear the story of a bakery owner, community leader, Main Street pioneer, and true champion for downtown Snohomish. For Ingrid, dedication is always the main ingredient.

Inspired by Ingrid’s story? Stop by the Snohomish Bakery, support the local businesses that give downtown its character, and consider how your own time, talents, or participation could help shape its future. Whether you attend an event, volunteer, become a member, or simply show up for the places you love, Ingrid’s example reminds us that a thriving downtown is built by people who choose to stay involved. Check out HDSA to discover more!

If you love innovation, community investment, and delicious baked goods, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Snohomish Storytellers, hosts Sheila and Maygen sit down with Lauren Anderson-Porter, the founder of Grain Artisan Bakery in downtown Snohomish—a beloved dedicated gluten-free bakery known for high-quality pastries, sourdough, and a strong community-first approach. Lauren shares her inspiring journey from baking out of necessity for her son’s first birthday to building a thriving brick-and-mortar bakery on First Street.

You’ll hear how Lauren grew from a WSDA Cottage Foods permit to farmers markets, to commercial kitchens, and finally into her own storefront—opening in November 2020 after a successful community-backed Kickstarter. Along the way, she talks candidly about what it takes to run a food business with slim margins, why transparency matters, and how Grain is working to make allergen-friendly baked goods more accessible through community partnerships.

• How Grain Bakery grew from a cottage kitchen to a storefront in downtown Snohomish
• Why farmers markets (Snohomish + Capitol Hill) were key to building a loyal customer base
• The realities of running a small food business: pricing, margins, staffing, and sustainability
• How Lauren approaches business growth with a “Point B exists—I’ll figure out how to get there” mindset
• What it means to lead with transparency (and why customers respond to it)
• How Grain used Main Street America / American Express grants to invest in equipment, systems, and community impact
• Grain’s partnership with the Snohomish Food Bank to provide gluten-free, dairy-free vegan scones

Lauren — Founder of Grain Artisan Bakery, downtown Snohomish Lauren shares her background moving from the Midwest to Washington, her early years hustling through markets and custom orders, and how relationships in the Snohomish community helped open the door to a permanent storefront.

Podcast Presented by the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association.

Keith Stocker, fourth-generation farmer and owner of Stocker Farms, shares the story behind one of Snohomish’s most beloved destinations. From the early days of local farms embracing agro-tourism to the collaboration that helped put Snohomish on the map, Keith offers a behind-the-scenes look at the land, legacy, and creativity that continue to shape the valley. He also gives us a peek at what’s new at Stocker Farms this year, including speed dating, car shows, and fresh ways to welcome visitors into the story.

Just like Snohomish spring weather, podcast plans don’t always go exactly as expected… and this month’s episode is the perfect example. While we originally had another guest lined up, we’re excited to bring you a delightful surprise instead — Trent DeVerter, owner of Red Trux and the very person who helps make this podcast happen behind the scenes.

In this episode, Trent steps out from the producer’s chair and into the guest spotlight to share his journey from corporate America to small business ownership — with a meaningful detour through volunteer leadership and graduate studies in communication. If we had to describe Trent in one word, it would be advantageous — someone who sees opportunity, builds connections, and shows up in big ways for his community.

You’ll also notice a surprise swap-out at the host mic… an up-and-coming podcaster in the making? We’ll let you be the judge. 

This episode may be arriving one week later than planned, but we promise — it was worth the wait. We hope you enjoy this unexpected and inspiring conversation. 

 Some people volunteer, some people serve, and then there are people like Terry Lippincott— a retired middle school teacher turned civic force of nature. Terry is one of Snohomish’s newest City Council members and a longtime champion of community life, having served 12 years on the Planning Commission. She’s also the president of Friends of the Library, a member of the Lions Club, the Carnegie Foundation, the Giving Circle of Women Taking Over the World—and that’s just what we managed to write down.

But titles only tell part of the story. Terry is a community connector, someone who understands the power of relationships and uses her social capital to bring the right people into the right rooms at the right time. In our conversation, she shares what she’s learned about volunteer stewardship, leadership, and how strong communities are built—not by a single hero, but by people who know how to invite others in.
If you’ve ever wondered how things actually get done in Snohomish, or what it takes to sustain volunteer-driven organizations, this episode is a masterclass.

Basically… if something meaningful is happening in Snohomish, Terry probably had a hand in it. 

 In this episode, we sit down with Melody Clemans, one of the founding members of the Snohomish Carnegie Foundation and a steadfast steward of one of our town’s most beloved landmarks. Melody’s story is one of quiet determination and deep love—proof that some things are worth fighting for, even when the timeline stretches longer than anyone expects.

After more than 20 years of dedication, Melody saw her vision realized as the Carnegie building once again became the heart of Snohomish—a place where core memories are made, the community gathers to celebrate, and legacy continues to live on.

This conversation reminds us why the work we do matters—not just for ourselves, but for generations yet to come. Our actions, care, and persistence ripple outward in ways we may never fully see, shaping lives and stories far beyond our own. 

In this special FAQ episode of Snohomish Storytellers, we’re answering your most common questions about HDSA and downtown Snohomish. From events and advocacy to preservation, partnerships, and placemaking, we’re pulling back the curtain on how downtown works, why it matters, and how this community comes together to keep it thriving. Whether you’re a business owner, resident, volunteer, or just a curious Snohomie, this episode is your guide to the heart of downtown.