Connecting Polk County

Well, folks, we have made it to the finale of Season One of Connecting Polk County here on Anchor.fm! This has been an absolutely fun project that has worked very well to continue to bring awareness to some of the projects, services and most importantly - people - that Polk County, Missouri has to offer! I have loved every minute of getting to bring this podcast to you and getting to interview so many fun and unique individuals and organizations in our wonderful community that I am sad to see it come to a close, but it must, for now. To wrap up Season One, we bring back our friend Abby Hovey, program coordinator for the Summer Lunch Program. This grant-funded program has been in operation since July 5 and has provided well over 300 FREE meals to local youth in our community! Now, Abby has been with us before, but we wanted to get an update on how the program is progressing at the Cribbs Youth Park and to get some insight into her success and how the program came into being! So, stick around and join us as we close Season One of Connecting Polk County! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Thank you, Connecting Polk County Land! Six months in, we've hit our twentieth episode! It's been quite a ride and a whole lot of fun! In episode, we chat with newcomer Mike Hanley with Alps Pharmacy in Springfield. Even though Mike is coming to us from Greene County, he and his pharmacy have formed a very important partnership with the Polk County Health Center and the Polk County Senior Tax Board to provide diabetic shoes to senior citizens! If you are a senior who suffers with diabetes or care for one, you aren't going to want to miss this very important episode! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

In this episode of Connecting Polk County, we welcome Melissa Rohrbach, licensed professional counselor and owner of Rohrbach Services and The Spot. Melissa gives us a heads up on an upcoming fundraiser being held right here in Bolivar and what raising funds will mean for The Spot Community Center, located at 302 West Jackson. So, join along as we get to know one of the newest guests to our podcast making a strong difference in the lives of people in Bolivar and Polk County! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Community Connections focuses a great deal of time on substance abuse when away from the podcast and we had a wonderful opportunity to meet with and learn from Pastor Tom Johnson. Pastor Tom is the founder of Sling-n-Stones Ministries in Polk County. We had a fantastic chance to hear about the great work Sling-n-Stones is doing in our community to help our neighbors suffering from all sorts of addictions, from drug and alcohol abuse to sexual addictions and marital insecurities. We also had the chance to hear Pastor Tom's own testimony on how he kicked drug addiction with help from Jesus Christ. Join with us as we hear an uplifting testimony and hear of more of the good works being done in and around Polk County, Missouri! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

As we roll into episode 17 of Connecting Polk County, we turn two returning friends Quincy Young and Laura Jenkins from the Polk County Library! Quincy and Laura join me today to discuss the always popular and successful Summer Reading Program held annually at your local library. With this summer's theme of "Oceans of Possibilities", we find out all about the exciting challenges and prizes offered by the Library this summer. We learn new information on how to participate in the this year's challenge and also get a first hand look at a grant just awarded to one of our most important partners! With some tropical Caribbean music in to start us off, we invite you to strap on some goggles, put on your swim trunks and flippers and take a dive with the Summer 2022 Polk County Library Summer Reading Challenge! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

In this episode of Connecting Polk County, we have our friend Carol Bookhout, Education Coordinator from the Polk County Health Center back with us. We discuss the pressing issue of the nationwide formula shortage which isn't sparing Southwest Missouri. Also in this episode we talk about services offered at the Health Center and a new program coming for seniors and those with diabetic needs! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Changing gears away from human services, I'm joined by our friend Brent Watkins as we quench our appetites and focus on Community Connections' economic pillar as we sample delicious calzones from Rocco's Pizza. We enjoy a great conversation with some even greater food and discuss retro toys, the city-wide garage sale, children's economics and Missouri Beef Days! Thanks to Rocco's Pizza for baking us up some delicious self-contained pizzas, aka "Calzones"! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

In another trip back to Bolivar High School, we meet with Mrs. Ashley Clift and the BHS SentrePact class. This group of outstanding high school upperclassmen take a positive and progressive spin on the traditional high school economics class and work together with our community to help growing businesses thrive and become successful! This group is really one-of-a-kind but has big future plans for Southwest Missouri. Take a listen and find out about all of the new and exciting prospects this neat group of young adults have for our local economy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Today we dig back into the vault and talk with Sandra and Cindy with the Families Anonymous Group, the first of its kind in Polk County! These ladies have a heart and passion for helping folks in need in our community, and they've created a brand-new group that focuses on bringing help to, not those who are suffering from addictions themselves, but to their families and support persons. Listen today and learn how you can find some help and support for yourself if you are helping and supporting someone you love! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Excitement abounds at the Bolivar High School as the year begins to draw to a close. Few are more excited right now than the ladies of Tara Akins's Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) squad. These local high school students have worked extraordinarily hard throughout the academic year and overcome various challenges to win the Missouri regional competition, and now will progress to the National Qualifying event held in sunny San Diego, California this summer! Join us as we support our local FCCLA students as we learn about how this group discovered the road to success and where they expect to go in life! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Many folks have strong opinions about law enforcement and the state of criminal justice in the United States, but many don't realize they can actually take advantage of opportunities to see what goes on in local policing operations. Detective Justen Hoover with the Bolivar Police Department joins us (again) this week as we discuss the state of law enforcement in Bolivar, including hiring operations and recruiting, mentalities that come along with a career in law enforcement and the fantastic program the City of Bolivar has implemented to help lure bright, intelligent and talented people into a career with the City. Strap on that seat belt, slow down in those school zones and keep your eyes peeled for cops, as we talk with one of our own this week on the Connecting Polk County Podcast! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

We are joined today by guest Richard Conn, Coordinator for ProjectThrive at Community Outreach Ministries. Richard brings a wealth of information to us about this new, free, grant funded program that works to pair up job seekers and employees with mentors and employers in the Polk County area. This program is being provided by a grant awarded to COM, and gives great experience and knowledge to persons wanting to improve their vocational abilities and resume. Besides being free, the best part is participants can be eligible to receive $100 just for completing the course! Listen in today and share this episode with your friends and neighbors any anyone who is looking to improve themselves and their employability! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

In this week's episode we welcome on Jayme Raynor, Community Development Director and Matt Moncado, Chief Operating Officer for the Good Samaritans Boys Ranch in Brighton, Missouri. We take a fantastic voyage in learning about the history and beginnings of this wonderful organization doing tremendous good for young men and women in Polk County and all around the Ozarks. Come along with us as we hear about the growth of this organization and just how far they reach when working with young people who have come into their care due to instances of trauma, abuse and neglect as they work to transform these kids into well-rounded, responsible adults! Matt and Jayme also give us a peek into the interior workings of the Ranch and let us know what programs they are offering and tell us exactly how we can help them be successful in their mission! We also announced a partnership between Community Connection and the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in the form of a matching donation campaign up to $500 running through the month of April! So jump on with us as we hear some good news from our good friends at Good Samaritan Boys Ranch. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

We get a great dose of running news as we are joined by Katie Black, SBU junior and Communications major and a member of the new Hands and Feet Club at Southwest Baptist University. Katie brings us a wealth of information regarding the good work this new club is doing for those in need throughout Bolivarland and Polk County, as well as exciting news regarding a 5K race being held at SBU on April 30th! So join us as we welcome Katie into the Connecting Polk County family and work with her to help continue to make our county and city a great place to live, work and serve! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Hold on to your eardrums and seats as we get a rousing introduction inspired by P.T. Barnum and meet our newest guest, Deanna Counts from the Center for Human Services! Deanna gives a wonderful introduction to her organization and solidifies herself as one of our newest recurring guests. Hear information on how they are working with their client base (known as "consumers") and how they strive to give independence and a sense of community to those they serve. Also, we discuss how to help this organization and their consumers achieve these goals. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Just a quick note about an upcoming event from SBU! Join us April 30th for the Hands and Feet Club as they hold the Run 2 Raise 5K, a benefit run for Community Outreach Ministries. Registration to enter is totally free and they will be selling t-shirts for $15! So don't wait; scan that QR code and get signed up today! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Today we get a wealth of information from our friendly neighborhood resident health educator, Carol Bookhout from the Polk County Health Center. Carol made the treacherous cross-building walk down to discuss some of the lesser known programs our local Health Center has to offer. We discuss WIC and its benefits for new parents, the upcoming exciting Walking Day event in April at Citizens Memorial Hospital, fried green beans from Dusty Bob's on Broadway and our brand new anti-smoking and smoking cessation program! So join us today as we hear the happenings around town as we Connect with Polk County. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

In a follow up to our earlier podcast with Brent Watkins, we talk with Rick Davis, Polk County Emergency Management Director. Mr. Davis handles emergency planning, preparedness and response for the unincorporated Polk County and works closely with county municipalities and public safety entities. We gain some great insight into the workings of his agency in Episode 5 of Connecting Polk County. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

On today's episode, we have a fun sit-down with the Ladies of the Library: Director Colleen Knight and Quincy Young, Cataloger for Adult Services for the Polk County Missouri Library. We have a great discussion regarding the upcoming summer reading season, an exciting bit of information regarding expansion of our Bolivar library branch and services provided by the library system that you just might not realize exist! Plus, we take a fun walk back into the 1980s with today's audio clip (featuring everyone's favorite book-loving television host from PBS!) So, join us for Episode 4 of Connecting Polk County! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

We know it's been quite a while, but we were able to have a super fun guest come in and knock out a new podcast episode today! Join us as we talk severe storms with Bolivar's Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Brent Watkins! Chief Watkins chats with us on a variety of topics from tornadoes, drills, Charlie Brown and Chris Farley. Click the link below and download our latest episode and share the link with all of your friends! Help us spread the message about the Connecting Polk County podcast! (We are sorry about the audio imbalances. With a new program, we are still working through the bugs and issues.) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

In this quick episode, I discuss upcoming guests for a special two-part series about Substance Abuse and Poverty levels in Polk County.  We'll discuss recent academic reports regarding various kinds of poverty and public perception on the family in Southwest Missouri with special guest Jenn Coleman with Early Intervention Services. Detective Justen Hoover from the Bolivar Police Department will be here to discuss poverty and its relation to crime and substance abuse in our community.  Also, Dr. Kurt Bravata will join us from the CMH Addition Recovery Center to discuss the structure of substance abuse and paths to recovery.  Join us for all of these guests and more as we work together to keep Connecting Polk County.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support

Hey, thanks for joining us on this, the first official episode of Connecting Polk County! Now, I know this episode is a little different than what we plan to have a little later on. The audio sounds a little different than it will and it's just me talking (and I know, I ramble. Just call me "The Rambler". I do think this is a good chance for our brand new listeners (which is all of us right now) to have a chance to get the feel for how some of the episodes will air. We want this to be as inclusive and open to everyone, so it's very important that everyone shares this show around and helps us get the word out. We want to work to keep changing lives right here in Polk County and we simply cannot do that if we don't hear your voice! So, if you're interested in joining us for a show, please feel free to email me at brian.way@connectpolk.com so we can get you scheduled! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/connectingpolkcounty/support