Mr. Wilkins: A name which shall live in Pleasantville infamy. A name which nearly anyone who attended middle school at PCSD holds with both reverence and fondness. Why? Because Mr. Tom Wilkins is the kind of teacher you remember. The kind of teacher who has high expectations for his students, but who also has high hopes for his students. 

Mr. Thomas Wilkins has been teaching English at Pleasantville Middle School for 27 years. Ask any PCSD middle school alumni what they remember about Mr. Wilkins, and they'll give you at least one story, if not many, that will make you laugh and say, "I wish I had a teacher like that."

We sit down with Mr. Wilkins to talk about his career in teaching and why he has chosen to teach middle school for nearly three decades. He shares advice for parents and community members to help us understand this age group better. 

We also share our personal memories with Mr. Wilkins and reminisce a bit about how things have changed and the greatest challenges middle school students are facing today. 

We had a BLAST talking with Tom and hearing his philosophy on life and teaching! We know you'll enjoy hearing it too! And hey, let's make common sense common again! 

Don't fall asleep, or you're cooked! (see our guide to GenZ speak here)

Tara Williams is a Pleasantville girl through and through and she is BACK to her hometown as the Pleasantville Community School District's Activities Director. Tara sits down with us to talk about being a life-long learner, how athletics helped keep her on track in high school, her faith, family, and so much more! 

Whether you've just met Tara this year or you've known her since pre-school, you'll love hearing her perspective and laughing along with us as we hear all about her journey to where she is today. 

Other links:

PVILLEYI Building Project

If you would like to help the Goodale family, you can find ways to do that here. 

If you would like to watch the prayer night video mentioned in this podcast, you can watch it here. 

Eric Goodale, the self-proclaimed mayor of Beech, has lived in the Pleasantville area for nearly two decades now. He and his wife Brenda have raised their three children: Elizabeth, William, and Grace, in the Pleasantville Community School District. After working for Youth Homes for 20 years, Eric began working at The Well in Knoxville, where he serves people in crisis and in need every day. His expertise in care for others earned him a spot on Pleasantville Youth Initiative's board from day one. 

Recently Eric underwent emergency brain surgery and was confronted with a possibly terminal cancer diagnosis. This news shocked everyone who knows and loves Eric and the Goodale family, and the community's response was immediate. Prayer gatherings and meal trains began. But so did a lot of questions. Questions like, how could this happen to such a good person? Why would God allow someone who does such good things to suffer in this way? 

Eric has been sharing his story and his faith with his community from the moment of his diagnosis, which as of this podcast posting, was only three weeks ago. His joy has been so evident that people have been reaching out to him for encouragement, love, and reassurance. 

We wanted to give Eric a platform to answer some of the questions the community has been asking him, and asking God. 

This podcast is longer than usual, but we felt it was important to let Eric share his story fully (or as fully as possible in little less than two hours). 

You will be blessed by Eric's story, his faith, and his perspective. 

We're back with a new episode featuring some pretty AWESOME Pville Class of 2023 grads Olivia Anthony and Craig Fallis! This episode is full of awesome advice and lots of laughs! 

Pville Founding Father descendent Liv and Self-Proclaimed Mama's Boy Craig sit down with us to talk about the transition from high school to college. Leaving home isn't always easy, and coming back to your hometown isn't always easy either. These two share their perspective on their first year and share advice for upcoming graduates who will be walking that path in the future. Their thoughts on what it's like to go from a small school where you know everyone to a big college is pretty interesting! 

In addition, Craig and Liv share about their long friendship and the people who have been major influences in their lives. Craig credits "Mama Jeanie" Gilderbloom for some important life lessons and Liv shares about how her mom has demonstrated grace and taught her to live a life of kindness. 

Other things discussed:
Hurricane Debbie
Lisa Bluder
Pville History
Barb Wilson
Pametha
Career Paths
Life Changes
Making Friends

This is a must listen episode. ENJOY! 

Madilyn Rowson is a senior at PHS and the captain of Pleasantville's first ever girls wrestling team. We got to sit down with her and talk all things wrestling! We discuss how the sport has impacted her and what she loves most about it. We also talked about how Girls Wrestling is confronting the long-held and deeply rooted stigmas around weight and body image. Girls Wrestling is only in its second year as a sanctioned sport in the state of Iowa, and it is growing rapidly! We are so proud of Madilyn's courage, leadership, and willingness to share her heart and her faith with anyone who needs it. Let's Go Trojans! 

We're back with another Jennie and Emily Chat! We like to throw these in between interview episodes whenever we can. In today's episode, we talk about the ingredients of Pumpkin Spice and just WHY it might be so addicting (lookin at you nutmeg). We share the results of the buzzfeed quiz: "What Cozy Fall Sweet Treat Matches Your Personality" (you can take it here). And we do an improvised commentary on the verse of the day from the YouVersion Bible App, which happened to be Hebrews 6:11.

Also, we try what is supposed to be the most difficult tongue twister in the english language. Hmmm.... Enjoy! 

Summer is over and we are BACK with another Ope There It Is interview! If you don't know Mike Fust, you'll want to after this chat. Mike is hilarious and full of love for the Pleasantville Community.

We talk about, well, a LOT. This interview was a long one. But as you listen, you'll see why! Mike has a lot of good things to say about Youth Ministry, Fine Arts, and so much more. And trust us when we say, you will ENJOY listening. Prepare yourself for many side conversations that are sure to make you laugh.

Mike is co-host of a podcast called "Live From The Path". We LOVE this show and had to add in one of our favorite Live From The Path Segments: Dear Live From The Path, in which a "Dear Abby" letter is read as if it was sent to the co-hosts, and they give their answers. They then compare their answers to the answer that was given by the "expert". We had to give it a try!

A little about Mike:
He and his wife Jerra have two girls, Grace and Ella. They have lived in Pleasantville for about 10 years now, calling it home. In that time they have come to serve both as volunteers and supporters of Pleasantville Youth Initiative, the Pleasantville Fine Arts Boosters, the Webb Shadle Library, and much more. Mike also leads a small youth group gathering that meets Wednesday nights at the library. 

We are so grateful to call Mike friend! We hope you enjoy this interview!

Emily and Jennie sit down with PHS alum and Pleasantville native Lindsay Phipps! She tells us about growing up in Pleasantville, her time with Lois Turnage as a mentor on the PHS Dance Team, her years at Central College, and her current role in Discipling other women in the Christian faith.  We discuss how God's calling in our lives takes us on unexpected turns, and how He equips us for the work He calls us to. 

We had a great time chatting with Lindsay! Pleasantville women: If you are interested in doing one on one Discipling with Lindsay (there is not cost), email us at pvilleyi@gmail.com and we will connect you with her. 

Jennie and Emily discuss the beloved and ever trending Girl Scout cookies. They answer a listener question: "If you were a Spice Girl, what would your Spice Girl name be?". And then they get serious for a gosh darn second and talk about the recent Asbury Revival that many of you may have heard about.  

Here are a few links we mention in the podcast:

NY Times Article on Asbury Revival: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/23/us/kentucky-revival-asbury-university.html

Pleasantville Girl Scout Troop Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/gstroop624

Jennie and Emily sit down with Pleasantville Wrestling Coach and all around great guy Chad Rowson, aka the 1996 Class 2A 160lb State CHAMPION! Chad shares with us about wrestling, his career as a Park Ranger, clarifies a whole bunch of details about the DNR and conservation for Jennie, and walks Emily through the process of removing skunk "essence" if you are accidentally sprayed.  Enjoy!!

We're rolling into the new year with a very special Christmas Break interview with Emily's son, Bryce, and Jennie's daughter, Adoniah (Addie). We discuss New Years resolutions, December birthdays, and fudge. Bryce and Addie also share their favorite devotionals, Emily and Bryce debate who is actually at fault for Bryce being called "The Late Kid" at school, and more! 

Enjoy! 

In this episode, Jennie and Emily talk about the first Thanksgiving, How mean Santa is on the classic Rudolph, and the season of Advent! 

Trick or Treat! Emily and Jennie discuss Halloween costumes, favorite candy, and then interview the one and only CAROL BEIER! Born and raised in Pleasantville, Carol is a staple in the community and the reason MANY of us can read. Her teaching career focused on early education (Pre School, Kindergarten, T-K). After retiring, Carol was elected to the school bored just as the 2020 global pandemic hit. She is also a 4th Generation member of Fairview Christian Church, the beautiful little church under the bridge just outside of town. Carol told us about her background, gives advice for parents, explains the role that faith has played in her life,  reminisces about a middle school dance in the "Cafetorium", and more! 

You're sure to enjoy learning more about this incredibly kind and super funny Queen of Pre-K! 

In this episode, Jennie and Emily chat about topics relating to Biblical Hospitality. They share about their early cooking mishaps, talk about what the Bible says about hospitality, and how it impacts how they interact with others. They also discuss Mary and Martha (spoiler: Martha IS NOT the worst). 

This episode is at times light-hearted and at times faith heavy. Enjoy! 
Scripture: Romans 12; Romans 12:13

Challenges for listeners:

• Cook a meal or bake something for someone.
• Invite people to your home.
• Show hospitality to people in closest proximity to you first. 

Emily and Jennie discuss Homecoming and then have their very first interview with practice run Michael Koenig, aka Jennie's husband, who is also super smart and stuff. We think he's a crop doctor or something? 

...In all seriousness, we do discuss Michael's journey, a few of the people who changed the direction of his life, and how important it is to have mentors that help direct you! 

Welcome to "Ope, There it Is!" a podcast where we search for the gems hidden inside ordinary, every day, small town people. God has designed each of us with unique gifts. Often these gifts go unnoticed because they are hidden deep down within. 
All it takes is a bit of digging and then, ope! there it is!
 
We, Jennie Koenig and Emily Caulkins, are co-founders of Pleasantville Youth Initiative in Pleasantville, IA. This podcast will have a little of this, a little of that, and interviews with local folks who are blessing their community in big ways. 

On this episode,  you'll hear the who, what, when, where, and why of this podcast.  We talk a bit about the queen, our favorite seasons, and about why we believe in our small town.