Bill Mintiens

A liberal rant recorded in 2020....

Newville PA has essentially been a "dry" town since Prohibition back in 1933. This May 2021 residents will vote on whether to change the liquor law and become a "wet" borough. So what do residents think about this change? Listen to this 7-minute podcast and learn a little history about this quaint township - and how getting "wet" may change the borough. (This podcast is an extension of an article I wrote recently for Carlisle's Sentinel newspaper.)

Until Heaven Then My Friend; Life's Journey For Your Beloved Dog by Tana Osborn Osborn lives in Montana, is an assisted living nurse, and author of a book called "Until Heaven Then My Friend: Life's Journey For Your Beloved Dog." Bill Mintiens talks with Osborn about why she wrote the book, how she dealt with her own grief, and why she believes that all dogs go to heaven. Total running time: 7:30

2014 - Homeless in Crook County Oregon Ever Wonder What It's Like? Somehow the message that the economy was improving never made it to the homeless population in Crook County. Numbers are increasing and services can't keep up with the need. Bill talks with two people in Prineville Oregon about how they came to be homeless, what it's like to live on the street, what challenges they have on a daily basis, and what resources they have tapped to help them get out of the cycle of homelessness, drug addiction, and jail. Listen to this podcast now (8:41 total time) and learn what it's like to be homeless in a rural community in Central Oregon.

June 2015 - Ochoco National Forest (Oregon) Restoration Collaborative - Part 2 The Collaborative tours the Bailey Butte Fire Site In this episode the Collaborative takes a tour of the Bailey Butte Fire which burned 8,000 acres of Ochoco National Forest in 2014. Experts in fire behavior and forest restoration discuss, at various stops during the day, how fire affected the forest and how smart restoration practices may diminish the effects of future fires. 9:21 total time.

2015 - Ochoco National Forest Restoration Collaborative - Part 1 - Addressing and Resolving Impassioned Gridlock The Ochoco National Forest Restoration Collaborative is a group of diverse stakeholders who started meeting in 2012 at the request of co-conveners, Prineville's Mayor at the time Betty Roppe and Crook County Commissioner Ken Fahlgren. The group works on forest and watershed restoration within the Ochoco National Forest in Central Oregon. Listen to this 8-minute podcast to hear how groups, seemingly at odds with each other over forest management issues, are working together for the common good of the forest and surrounding communities.

October 2015 - Woodgrain Millwork in Prineville Oregon recently closed its mill after a roof collapsed under the weight of heavy ice and snow. The company has no plans to reopen the facility meaning that upwards of 200 people are losing their jobs. This in a county with over 10.2% unemployment, high poverty and homelessness. Listen to this podcast and hear the voices of affected workers. Total time: 8:02

Jeanna Som is the Executive Director of Carlisle PA's Summer Program for Youth (SPY.) I recorded this podcast with Jeanna as part of the article I wrote for the (Carlisle) Sentinel newspaper's "Inspire" edition Feb. 28, 2021. A woman with a big heart, listen to this podcast and be inspired to help those kids that are less fortunate than you.

This is the first episode of Cumberland County Chatter, a new podcast show featuring interviews with inspirational, and sometimes controversial, people who live in Cumberland County Pennsylvania. Sara Agerton is the only woman, and only Democrat, on the Mechanicsburg Borough Council. At 41 Agerton is committed to making her voice, and others' voices, heard in order to make the community a better place to live. (about 15 minutes)

Steve Bloom is the former Pennsylvania State House Representative (2010-2018)who then ran unsuccessfully for a US Congressional seat in 2019-20. A man who's life goal has always been to "make a difference" in peoples' lives, Steve is one of those people you can hold up as a role model. Listen to this 30-minute interview to learn more about Steve's life and what he's up to these days. (This interview was the basis for my profile article in The Sentinel Newspaper, Carlisle PA, December 2020.)

Of course you've been in a Walmart. And, of course, you have an impression of Walmart's target consumers. And you've likely heard both positive and negative media stories about the giant corporation. But have you ever worked in a Walmart store? I have a "temporary" job at one in Redmond Oregon. Listen to this short story (3:30) and learn about my experience.

This short poem is about playing catch with your Dad in your backyard - and how the body ages over time. Many men can relate to this memory. I hope you enjoy it.

Tired of celebrity endorsements on TV commercials? So am I. Listen to this 2-minute rant - and maybe it will keep you from screaming at the TV....

In this 2:00 minute dialogue I describe why I'm mad as hell -- and you should be too. But it's also motivated me to get involved and make a difference.

Marie Kondo is a force of nature -- and an inspiration to many homeowners. Unfortunately she upended my household -- and I'm not thrilled. Listen to this short story and you'll understand why.

I have something in common with NBC's Chuck Todd. We're likely both not proud of it -- but there it is. Listen to this three minute piece and see if, you too, have something in common with Chuck.

Inspired by the "word jazz" artistry (and now-deceased)Ken Nordine, this piece combines soft jazz with a short riff on morning routines.

Jive radio is a commercial-free network of stations created by a fascinating guy by the name of Jeff Cotton. If you're a baby boomer, or just someone interested in learning about someone who was working with bands like the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Starship and Bonnie Raitt - you need to listen to this 8-minute story. Originally published in June 2019 in the Bend Oregon-based newspaper, The Source Weekly, this story is sure to please people who dislike the commercial-laden format of "regular" radio stations (or even public radio formats.)

Welcome to Prineville People, conversations with people about Prineville Oregon. I’m your host, Bill Mintiens, and the program today is one that’s sure to tug on your heart strings. Two of my guests are with CASA here in Prineville. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates - Ordinary citizens from all walks of life who have dedicated themselves to protecting the rights of children who have been removed from their parents’ home. Gaylynn Kerns is the Program Coordinator for Crook County and Meriah Smith is a CASA volunteer and peer mentor for new volunteers.

Don Fearrien is a 92 year-old WWII veteran, cowboy, leather braider, painter, and poet who lives in Prineville Oregon. Born and raised on a ranch in Northern California, Don vividly recalls his father running horse pack strings for the miners in the California hills. Don wrote this poem based on his vivid recollections of those times. (A photo of Don and a written version of the poem can be found on the Facebook page "Prineville People.")

Part 2 in a series of podcasts about the Ochoco Forest Restoration Collaborative. In this episode the Collaborative takes a tour of the Bailey Butte Fire which burned 8,000 acres of Ochoco National Forest in 2014. Experts in fire behavior and forest restoration discuss, at various stops during the day, how fire affected the forest and how smart restoration practices may diminish the effects of future fires. 9:21 total time.

The Ochoco National Forest Restoration Collaborative is a group of diverse stakeholders who started meeting in 2012 at the request of co-conveners, Prineville's Mayor Betty Roppe and Crook County Commissioner Ken Fahlgren. The group works on forest and watershed restoration within the Ochoco National Forest in Central Oregon. Listen to this 8-minute podcast to hear how groups, seemingly at odds with each other over forest management issues, are working together for the common good of the forest and surrounding communities.

Woodgrain Millwork in Prineville Oregon recently closed it's mill after a roof collapsed under the weight of heavy ice and snow. The company has no plans to reopen the facility meaning that upwards of 200 people are losing their jobs. This in a county with over 10.2% unemployment, high poverty and homelessness. Listen to this podcast and here the voices of affected workers. Total time: 8:02

Host Bill Mintiens talks with two people in Prineville Oregon about how they came to be homeless, what it's like to live on the street, what challenges they have on a daily basis, and what resources they have tapped to help them get out of the cycle of homelessness, drug addiction, and jail.

Jack Marsicano just turned 97. He's a WWII vet and survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7th, 1941. Listen to this podcast (6:43 total time) and hear what one American hero thought about his time in the service, and how he survived Pearl Harbor.

The Still Memorial Weekend is a weekend full of horse riding events that takes place on the Crooked River National Grassland near Prineville Oregon every May. Charlotte & Cole Still were longtime endurance riders and the events honor their legacy of promoting the sport. This 8-minute podcast was recorded during the events in May 2014.

The City of Sisters faces challenges not unlike those in the well-known children’s book The Little Engine that Could. The underlying theme is the same — a stranded train is unable to find an engine willing to take it over difficult terrain to its destination. Only the little blue engine is willing to try and, while repeating the mantra "I think I can, I think I can," overcomes a seemingly impossible task. The City of Sisters has yet to find its little blue engine. For about the past seven years the community has struggled to find the right mix of economic “drivers” to sustain and grow the local economy. It may not be obvious to those driving through but the beautiful little town of about 2,000 people in the high desert of Central Oregon is working hard to find the right engine. It hasn't been going so well.

James “Cole” Still passed away peacefully on February 1st, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 93. Born in Cassville, Missouri on June 4th, 1919, as a young man Cole worked as a farmer and milk truck driver and married the love of his life, Charlotte Constance Cole, on October 21st, 1942. Drafted into the Army, Cole was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to Missouri. Cole and Charlotte were married for 70 years until Charlotte’s recent passing on December 2nd, 2012. A resident of Prineville since 1948, Cole worked for Consolidated Pine for 40 years, retiring in 1988. He also was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church since 1950, serving as a Deacon for 55 years. Cole’s passion for horses and endurance riding was well known throughout the Pacific Northwest. President of the Prineville Ridge Riders for 50 years, Cole served as the ride manager for the Prineville Endurance Rides for 40 years. Cole received the prestigious Ambassador Award in 1994 from the Pacific Northwest Endurance Rides for his dedication to the sport. Locally Cole’s passion for riding and horses earned him the honor of serving as the Grand Marshall for the 2000 Crooked River Roundup.