Shush! with Debi - Puyallup Library Podcast

Episode 35: Dulce Cafe and Chicanos Mexican Food Truck owner Yonilda "Yoni" Morales Debi chats with Yonilda "Yoni" Morales of Dulce Cafe and Chicanos Mexican Food Truck. Yoni shares her experience opening her first coffee shop, Dulce Cafe, in downtown Puyallup in May of 2025. She brings a Mexican flare to traditional Pacific Northwest coffee, crafting exciting fusion drinks as well as offering novel takes on Mexican sweets. Her family runs a long-standing Mexican food truck just down the street and she discusses juggling two small businesses. Learn more about Dulce Cafe: https://www.dulcecafewa.com/

Episode 34: Puyallup Daffodil Princess Kennedy Boyd Debi sits down with Kennedy Boyd, one of Puyallup's very own Daffodil Princesses. Kennedy shares her academic aspirations of becoming an OB-GYN, the people who most inspire her, and the quest to become a Daffodil Princess, where winning the title is only the beginning. Learn more about the Daffodil Festival and becoming a princess here: https://thedaffodilfestival.org/so-you-want-to-be-a-princess-everything-you-need-to-know-about-daffodil-selection/

Episode 33: Christine Seymour and Laura Ross of The Ethel Gathering Group Debi chats with Christine Seymour and Laura Ross of The Ethel Gathering Group. The Ethel promotes social connections and organizes activities to help senior women combat loneliness and isolation. The Ethel Gathering Group of Puget Sound covers the west side of Washington from the Canadian border to the Oregon Border. Christine and Laura plan events and offer outreach to new members of The Ethel and infuse their efforts with the experience and hope they have from overcoming hardships in their own lives. To learn more about The Ethel Gathering Group of Puget Sound: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ethelgatheringpugetsoundwa/ To learn more about The Ethel project itself: https://www.aarpethel.com/gathering-groups

Episode 32: Robin Bradford, Collection Development Librarian at Pierce County Library System Debi sits down with Robin Bradford, Collection Development Librarian from Pierce County Library System. Robin selects and purchases adult fiction titles for all the branches of Pierce County Library System. She shares her love of reading and some of the experiences that led her to a librarian career. If you have wondered what goes into the selection of books in a large library system, Robin is the one to ask. To learn more about Pierce County Library System: https://mypcls.org/

Episode 31: Elizabeth Lamber, Program Director of Dreams Work at Farm 12 Debi has a heartfelt discussion with the Program Director of Dreams Work at Farm 12, Elizabeth Lambert. Elizabeth shares poignant stories of being lifted up by others during hard times in her early life. She now pays that forward by helping women learn job and life skills, find childcare, and access mental health resources via the Step By Step and Dreams Work programs at Farm 12 in Puyallup, WA. Farm 12 offers farm-to-table food while providing work opportunities and training to those in need. To learn more about Dreams Work and the Step By Step Program: https://www.stepbystepfamily.org/ To find out about Farm 12, their menu, and their mission: https://www.farm12.org/

Episode 30: Superhero Librarian and Author Nancy Pearl Debi chats with superhero librarian and author Nancy Pearl, the only librarian to have her own action figure. Nancy's storied life as a Seattle librarian and writer includes publishing multiple books, a stint as a professor at the University of Washington, talk shows on PBS and NPR, and being named 2011 Librarian of the Year. She reminisces with Debi about running book clubs, her childhood library influences, humorous encounters at work, and her top titles to read today. To learn more about the life of the fascinating Nancy Pearl: https://www.knkx.org/people/nancy-pearl https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Pearl https://www.nationalbook.org/people/nancy-pearl/ To read about Nancy's action figure: https://mcphee.com/pages/history-of-the-librarian-action-figure To see all the books Nancy has written or collaborated on: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/67412.Nancy_Pearl

Episode 29: Travel Q&A - Part Three of a Special Series on Traveling the World and Close to Home Debi presents the third and final episode in her summer travel series. She and her travel librarian guest, Paul, answer questions submitted by library patrons during the library's Summer of Travel event. Debi and Paul dish about the best places to travel locally and abroad, give tips on how to save money on the road, and answer intriguing trivia about animals and places of the world, plus a whole lot more. Puyallup Public Library offers travel resources of all types. Visit our website to learn more: http://www.puyalluplibrary.org

Episode 28: Meeker Mansion - President Shelly Schlumpf and Curator Holly O'Brien Debi sits down with Shelly Schlumpf and Holly O'Brien, some of the team who run the Meeker Mansion in Puyallup. Shelly is the President of the Puyallup Historical Society at Meeker Mansion and Holly is the museum's curator. They share stories about the origin and preservation of the mansion, future plans for expansion, and exciting events to come. To learn more about Meeker Mansion: https://www.meekermansion.org/ To find out about the Ezra's Hops Gala event on August 16, 2025: https://www.meekermansion.org/hopgala

Episode 27: Travel Tips & Tricks - Part Two of a Special Series on Traveling the World and Close to Home Debi hosts part two of three special travel-themed episodes. In this episode, Travel Tips & Tricks, seasoned library staff travelers share the best travel ideas and hacks for everyone, from families to solo travelers and from globetrotters to local road trippers. Puyallup Public Library offers travel resources of all types. Visit our website to learn more: http://www.puyalluplibrary.org

Episode 26: Travel Tales - Part One of a Special Series on Traveling the World and Close to Home Debi hosts the first of three special travel-themed episodes. In this episode, Travel Tales, seasoned library staff travels share some of their favorite and funniest stories from their trips. There may even be a celebrity sighting! Puyallup Public Library offers travel resources of all types. Visit our website to learn more: http://www.puyalluplibrary.org

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, interviews Sara White, Youth Services Consultant, and Tien Triggs, School and Digital Support Librarian, both from the Washington State Library, in part three of three special episodes. Sara White and Tien Triggs work together to provide training, ideas, programming, and financial support to school libraries and their librarians across Washington. Their grants help fund learning initiatives, STEM events, and teen internship programs. They share insight into their important work and the impact it has on local communities. Learn more about the Washington State Library: https://www2.sos.wa.gov/library/

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, interviews more of the wonderful staff of the Washington State Library in part two of three special episodes. The staff of the Washington State Library provide a stunning variety of historical, archival, reference, and public support services. They sort and organize cultural heritage information, provide access to unique and rare documents, and work to make knowledge and learning available to all Washingtonians. The staff members each share a small piece of what they do every day to bring value to everyone. Plus, stay tuned for two bonus book reviews from Debi's good friend Helena Caughlan following the main interviews. Visit the fabulous websites mentioned in this episode: Washington State Library https://www2.sos.wa.gov/library/ LinkedIn Learning (via our digital resources page) https://www.cityofpuyallup.org/892/Apps-and-Online-Resources Washington Digital Newspapers https://www.washingtondigitalnewspapers.org For the book titles mentioned in the reviews: The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, interviews some of the wonderful staff of the Washington State Library in part one of three special episodes. The staff of the Washington State Library provide a stunning variety of historical, archival, reference, and public support services. They sort and organize cultural heritage information, provide access to unique and rare documents, and work to make knowledge and learning available to all Washingtonians. The staff members each share a small piece of what they do every day to bring value to everyone. Visit the fabulous websites mentioned in this episode: Washington State Library https://www2.sos.wa.gov/library/ Digital Public Library of America https://dp.la/ Washington Rural Heritage Archives https://www.washingtonruralheritage.org/

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, chats with artist and Girl Scout leader Meghan Darby. Meghan is a Puyallup artist who specializes in digital art and is the creator of Puyallup Library's mascot, Otter B. Reading. Meghan has lifelong ties to scouting and shares stories of running a troop and her own time in the group as a child. To learn more about the Puyallup Library and its programs, follow on social media: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/puyalluplibrary/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PuyallupLibrary/

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, interviews Dr. Pooja Tandon and Dr. Danette Glassy. Doctors Tandon and Glassy are pediatricians and proponents of the value of outdoor time in the development and happiness of children and their caregivers. They discuss their book, Digging Into Nature: Outdoor Adventures for Happier and Healthier Kids, which covers the earliest stages of growth often missed by other works. The doctors and Debi share stories of the outdoors and naturing in the Pacific Northwest and talk about nature-centric solutions for busy families. Visit their website, Project Nature, at this link: https://www.projectnaturewa.com/ To learn more about their book and the American Academy of Pediatrics, visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/AAPbooklink

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, speaks with retired union rep and history buff William "Bill" Johnston. Bill recounts fascinating tales of his father's history in World War II, sharing letters written while he was stationed on a minesweeping vessel. He discusses his long ties to the Tacoma and Puyallup areas and his many years spent as a union rep. In his retirement, Bill works as an usher at the State Fair and he recalls colorful anecdotes about people watching. To learn more about the Washington State Historical Society, mentioned in this podcast, click the link below: https://www.washingtonhistory.org/

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, speaks with retired librarian and teacher Karen Chapman. Karen shares tales of growing up in the 1930s and 40s, attending a one-room school house, and childhood shenanigans. She fondly remembers the people who inspired her to become both a librarian and a teacher and a career dedicated to schools in the Puyallup area and support of the Puyallup Fair. Learn more about careers with Puyallup Schools here: https://www.puyallupsd.org/careers

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, speaks with Puyallup School District Social Worker Jane Upshaw. Jane talks about her family and community ties to the Puyallup area, discusses the virtues of patience and listening, and shares her experiences finding purpose in lifting up others.

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, speaks with Honorable Judge Andrea Beall, Presiding Judge for Puyallup Municipal Court. Judge Beall describes her journey from lawyer to judge and shares stories of family, her time in the Puyallup area, and her favorite book. After the main interview, stay tuned for a fun chat with Library Assistant Emily, who dishes about her adorable cats and shares several of her favorite reads for fantasy and sci-fi enthusiasts. Learn more about Puyallup Municipal Court: https://www.cityofpuyallup.org/558/Court

Puyallup Public Library's Outreach Coordinator, Debi, speaks with Gordon Chisholm, volunteer for the Heritage Quest Research Library in Puyallup. Gordon tells stories from his family's military history, discusses the importance of truth, and shares the harrowing trials and tribulations of the Heritage Quest Research Library over the years. Heritage Quest is a genealogical reference center where anyone can search through over 16,000 printed materials, access heritage databases, and receive live assistance from experienced researchers in discovering your own family history. It's conveniently located near downtown Puyallup, in the Wanna Cupcake Bakery plaza, at: 2102 E Main Ave #105, Puyallup, WA 98372 Learn more at: https://www.hqrl.com or by calling (253) 863-1806