Second Chances and a Home Reborn - Judge Doug Robinson - Pullman Moscow and Beyond Ep. 5
From the Courtroom to Klemgard Road: Doug Robinson on Military Service, Second Chances, and Rebuilding After Fire
A conversation with retired Whitman County District Court Judge Doug Robinson about his life in the military, on the bench, and on the Palouse. Doug traces his path from growing up in California to studying psychology at Pacific Lutheran University, attending Gonzaga Law School, and serving as an Air Force attorney. He discusses building a legal career in Pullman, becoming Whitman County’s first contract public defender, and serving 18 years as a district court judge. He shares his approach to accountability and rehabilitation, including assigning self-help books and book reports as conditions of probation, and reflects on a military career spanning more than 37 years, including air-defense responsibilities following September 11. The conversation also explores the story behind two antique fireplace mantels from Montgomery, Alabama, before turning to his home outside Pullman. Doug recounts the 2004 fire, living in a fifth-wheel during the nearly three-year rebuild, and creating a gathering place for family. He explains the home’s insulated concrete construction, natural stonework, salvaged hardwood flooring, custom railings, and distinctive windows, along with the woodpecker problem that inspired its later shake-style siding. Stories about horses, donkeys, springs, and life on the property round out the conversation.
00:00 Introduction to Judge Doug Robinson 00:34 Growing Up in California 01:45 College and the Path to Law 04:10 Family Connections to WSU and Pullman 05:40 Psychology and Life on the Bench 09:25 Whitman County’s First Contract Public Defender 11:25 Serving as an Air National Guard Attorney 12:05 September 11 and Air Defense Responsibilities 15:55 A Military Career Spanning 37 Years 17:20 Family Military History and Dreams of Flying 18:56 The Story Behind the Antique Mantels 21:13 Reflections on Being a Judge 22:19 Second Chances, Drug Court, and Book Reports 27:25 The Original Home and Property History 29:25 The Fire of May 2004 30:17 Rebuilding with Insulated Concrete Forms 33:04 Three Years of Construction and Fifth-Wheel Living 34:23 New Roof, Carport, and Other Improvements 35:24 Woodpeckers and the New Shake-Style Siding 37:40 Nine Acres, Horses, and Donkeys 38:38 Natural Springs and the Property’s Water Systems 42:21 Bedrooms, Living Spaces, and the Craft Room 43:26 Genuine Stonework and the Quartzite Patio 44:48 Hardwood Flooring Salvaged from the Fire 46:29 Custom Railings and Local Craftsmanship 47:13 Angled Windows and Natural Light 49:03 A Gathering Place for Family 49:41 Pellet-Stove Heating and Final Thoughts
MLS 295512 Listed by Jordan Vorderbrueggen Woodbridge Real Estate
Custom Cookies, Small-Town Life, and Food Network - Casey Bates - Pullman Moscow and Beyond Ep. 4
From Atlanta to the Palouse: Casey of Casey Bakes Creates on Custom Cookies, Small-Town Life, and Food NetworkA conversation with Casey, a Georgia native now living in Colton on the Palouse with her husband Nick, whose Bates family roots are well known in Whitman County. Casey compares small-town life to Atlanta, misses Southern staples like barbecue and fried chicken, and describes visiting family in Georgia and her mom’s casino trips. She explains her custom decorated sugar cookie business, Casey Bakes Creates, detailing her design process, tools, drying times, typical three-day turnaround, busy seasons, and corporate and event clientele, plus storage, freezing, and limited shipping due to Washington cottage-baking rules. Casey recounts launching her business just before COVID, pivoting to DIY cookie boxes, then rebuilding locally with strong demand for custom cookies. She also shares her experience being cast for Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge, including filming logistics and on-set constraints, discusses burnout and the realities of entrepreneurship, and outlines future plans such as in-person and potentially online classes.00:00 Moving to the Palouse01:04 Meeting Nick and Marriage02:08 Colton Life and Food03:55 Family Visits and Landscape05:18 Cookie Business Origins06:46 Design Process and Timing09:05 Busy Seasons and Clients12:11 COVID Pivot and Growth14:25 Restarting in Washington16:15 Ingredients and Flour Hunt19:43 Food Network Casting Call22:31 Filming in Burbank25:35 Competition Pressure and Builds27:43 Meet the Competitors28:17 Practice and Wardrobe Woes29:04 90 Minute Kitchen Chaos29:57 Missing Ingredients and Timers31:00 Royal Icing On the Fly32:57 Social Media and AI Replies34:29 Shipping Laws and Limits35:33 Small Business Reality Check37:28 Burnout and Staying Inspired40:14 Themes to Quit and Comfort TV41:24 Control Issues and Getting Help42:55 Teaching Classes and Scaling46:58 Brand Style and Market Trends50:27 Vendor Collaboration and Wrap Up
Just Do It: Pullman's Hardest Working City Employee - Megan Vining - Episode 3
WSU alum Megan Vining shares why she and her husband chose to raise their family on the Palouse after graduating from Washington State University, and how she worked her way from intern to leading the City of Pullman’s Recreation Department. Megan previews what’s ahead for Pullman’s recreation programs, offerings, and goals in 2026 and beyond.
