Life on Orcas Island with Edee Kulper

An Interview with Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms

Epitomizing American roots music, Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms are "some of the most compelling musicians making country roots music in America today." They tour as a duo as well as with the Caleb Klauder Country and the renowned Foghorn Stringband, "the present-day gold standard for real-deal hard-hitting genuine old-time American string band music, with nine albums, thousands of shows, over 20 years of touring under their belts, and an entirely new generation of roots musicians following their lead." Caleb and Reeb are cofounders and co-organizers (along with local phenom mandolinist Tashi Litch) of Orcas Island's newest annual festival called OrcasFest ~ The Eastsound Music Ramble, coming back to Caleb's childhood home and sharing the talents of other musicians who play on small stages all around our little village. This weekend (May 28-31, 2026) is its second festival year.

An Interview with Christine Jennifer

A crisis consultant for 30 years, Christine is a communications advocate helping clients find their voice in navigating complex systems, communicating their priorities, and becoming more creative and effective advocates for themselves and/or their kids in systems like education, family court, special needs services, and long-term care planning. She has worked in executive management as well as start-ups, and her extensive background has ranged from freelance journalism, PR/marketing/branding, nonprofit work, fundraising, and disaster relief for the the Red Cross to having a garden design business and being the president of a large horticulture farming operation in California for 10 years. Christine has two adult children – a son currently getting his Masters in Divinity and a daughter who owns The Happy Cat with coworker and mentor Gina Minoia, which combines retail with rentable office space in the Airport Center.

An Interview with Tish Knapp

An hour of poetry every morning is the way Tish Knapp begins her day. She is a book author, former Orcas Island High School English teacher for 26 years, writing group host, and matriarch of a blended family with 7 children. Tish embodies individuality, a passion for life, a love of fellow man, and she radiates joy. Listen to KIXP and you'll hear Tish reciting poetry on the air!

An Interview with Mandy Randolph

She pioneered Wednesday in the Woods and Farm-to-Classroom during her 20+-year teaching stint at the public school, and has been a real estate agent for 13 years at T Williams Realty. Mandy was born and raised here and is one of the warmest, most helpful, resourceful human beings you'll ever meet. She's an absolute idea machine, and makes the most of every moment she has with each person, each situation, and each opportunity.

An Interview with George Merrill

Son of a printer in a Mormon family, stockbroker in his 20s, printbroker, self-taught CD-ROM maker, marketing consultant and owner of a design/advertising agency for 10 years, father of 8 children, oilfield worker, and owner of a custom woodworking business (frames, tables, furniture, etc.) called Old Goat Creative, George's experiences have run the gamut. The desire to sail around the world brought him to Orcas Island...