In this episode of the WWN podcast, funeral director Alan Austin reflects on his unexpected journey from Detroit to Cambridge City, where he now leads Waskom Capitol Hill Chapel and serves as an active community leader. From his family’s deep roots in the funeral business to his own calling to serve others, Alan shares how […]
In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, we talk with Karen Bays-Winslow, who left the big city behind in Oklahoma for small-town Cambridge City and discovered the warmth of local community. As Director of Cambridge City Public Library, she’s navigating funding challenges while championing libraries as vital community spaces where study groups, GED […]
In this episode of the Western Wayne News Podcast we talk with Kate Glen, co-owner of The Two Sisters: Books and More, located in Richmond’s Depot District. Kate shares how she and her sister turned a lifelong dream into a welcoming community space that’s as much about connection as it is about books. From hosting […]
In this episode of the WWN podcast, Aaron Nell reflects on the meaning of home, the power of the natural world, and the enduring value of connection — whether through music, friendship, or justice work. From kayaking the Whitewater River to bicycling around the country to coordinating prison education programs, Aaron shares a deeply personal […]
Like her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents before her, Judy Huddleston has spent her whole life actively involved in the local community. It wasn’t something she was taught, it was just “normal” life. That spirit of contributing has flowed through her career as a teacher, her volunteer work and her post-retirement role as a proofreader with […]
Farming roots run deep for both Lisa and Eric Stickdorn, who grew up on family farms in Ohio and Indiana. Today, the couple runs a 190-acre cattle operation known as Brookstone Terrace Farm while taking advantage of high speed internet access to run that business efficiently. In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, […]
“I find that we’re the perfect size. We’re not too big, not too small. And people can find connection here.” Lauralee Hites once thought that being successful meant leaving Wayne County. Now she knows better, and in this episode of the WWN podcast she shares her story with Kate, reflecting on the importance of small […]
After 35 years, Dan Merkamp has gotten pretty good at teaching. He went from a kid learning how to make every sound possible on a taped-together trumpet, to a young man surrounded by mentors whose wisdom has stuck with him. These days, he has stepped wholeheartedly into the role of mentor himself, and considers it […]
Mike Emery was the last man standing at another area newspaper until he joined the Western Wayne News in 2022 as a reporter and layout editor. In this episode of the WWN podcast, Kate talks with Mike how and why he became a journalist, the importance of building trust with sources, the ways layout and […]
Clayton Smith has been an educator for more than 20 years, and is currently the Middle School Principal at Northeastern Wayne School Corporation. When he sat down with Kate on this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, he shared his love for Wayne County and his passion for teaching the next generation about its […]
