Community Connection with Rusty https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com Your connection to what’s happening in Southeast Missouri! From community events and local organizations to the people, stories, and conversations shaping our area, we’re bringing you closer to what’s happening right here at home. Tune in for local voices, upcoming happenings, and conversations that keep our community connected.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2026 15:51:06 -0400 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Society & Culture 1440 episodic KZIM KSIM KZIM KSIM No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22626447/Copy_of_Community_Connection_with_Rusty_4_876j8.png Community Connection with Rusty https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com 144 144 Paying for College Without the Sticker Shock: What Missouri Families Need to Know Paying for College Without the Sticker Shock: What Missouri Families Need to Know https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/paying-for-college-without-the-sticker-shock-what-missouri-families-need-to-know/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/paying-for-college-without-the-sticker-shock-what-missouri-families-need-to-know/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2026 15:51:06 -0400 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/9d6949b2-5c66-36db-97b5-06381f56daf4 In this episode of Community Connection with Rusty, Rusty Hendricks talks with Kaitlyn Venta, Strategy Director of Access and Affordability at the Missouri College and Career Attainment Network (MOCAN), about how Missouri families can make college more affordable. With the FAFSA now open, Kaitlyn explains why applying early matters, how families can find grants and scholarships, and how to determine the true cost of attending college beyond the published tuition price. She also discusses Missouri-specific resources like My Scholarship Central, tips for avoiding unnecessary student loan debt, and MOCAN's free Planning and Paying for College toolkit. It's a helpful conversation for high school seniors and parents preparing for the next step in higher education.

]]> In this episode of Community Connection with Rusty, Rusty Hendricks talks with Kaitlyn Venta, Strategy Director of Access and Affordability at the Missouri College and Career Attainment Network (MOCAN), about how Missouri families can make college more affordable. With the FAFSA now open, Kaitlyn explains why applying early matters, how families can find grants and scholarships, and how to determine the true cost of attending college beyond the published tuition price. She also discusses Missouri-specific resources like My Scholarship Central, tips for avoiding unnecessary student loan debt, and MOCAN's free Planning and Paying for College toolkit. It's a helpful conversation for high school seniors and parents preparing for the next step in higher education.

]]> KZIM KSIM false No 826 10 full Street Level - Homelessness Awareness Month Street Level - Homelessness Awareness Month https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/street-level-homelessness-awareness-month/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/street-level-homelessness-awareness-month/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2026 18:21:24 -0400 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/dfc36549-3e43-30bf-900f-0c29471f4c97 On this episode of the Community Connection with Rusty. Rusty sits down with Kathy Kraemer (President) and Nancy Huckstep (Secretary) of Street Level Organization. Street Level's mission is to aid and advocate for those surviving homelessness, providing food, toiletries, survival items, clothing, and other basic necessities. November is Homelessness Awareness Month. We discuss what Street Level is doing with boots on the ground. Events coming up. Challenges they have. And....success stories. How can you help? Donate, volunteer, smile, wave, and pray. Go to streetlevelcape.org. 

]]> On this episode of the Community Connection with Rusty. Rusty sits down with Kathy Kraemer (President) and Nancy Huckstep (Secretary) of Street Level Organization. Street Level's mission is to aid and advocate for those surviving homelessness, providing food, toiletries, survival items, clothing, and other basic necessities. November is Homelessness Awareness Month. We discuss what Street Level is doing with boots on the ground. Events coming up. Challenges they have. And....success stories. How can you help? Donate, volunteer, smile, wave, and pray. Go to streetlevelcape.org. 

]]> KZIM KSIM false No 1528 9 full Climate Change, Environmental Policy, & American Freedom: Author Kevin J. Mooney on Climate Porn Climate Change, Environmental Policy, & American Freedom: Author Kevin J. Mooney on Climate Porn https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/climate-change-environmental-policy-american-freedom-author-kevin-j-mooney-on-climate-porn/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/climate-change-environmental-policy-american-freedom-author-kevin-j-mooney-on-climate-porn/#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:49:10 -0300 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/4c119348-8b26-3f21-adb1-5b49524b23ca On this episode of Community Connection with Rusty, Rusty Hendricks talks with investigative journalist and author Kevin J. Mooney about his new book, Climate Porn. Mooney shares his perspective on climate change messaging, environmental regulations, energy costs, and the legal battles shaping climate policy in America. The conversation explores his concerns about media narratives, government overreach, and the balance between environmental protection, economic freedom, and individual liberty.

Learn more about Kevin Mooney and his work at kevinmooney.info.

Purchase of his book can be done at major book stores or Amazon. 

Link to "Climate Porn" Book on Amazon

Listen to Community Connection with Rusty on KZIM — Our Nation, Your Station.

]]> On this episode of Community Connection with Rusty, Rusty Hendricks talks with investigative journalist and author Kevin J. Mooney about his new book, Climate Porn. Mooney shares his perspective on climate change messaging, environmental regulations, energy costs, and the legal battles shaping climate policy in America. The conversation explores his concerns about media narratives, government overreach, and the balance between environmental protection, economic freedom, and individual liberty.

Learn more about Kevin Mooney and his work at kevinmooney.info.

Purchase of his book can be done at major book stores or Amazon. 

Link to "Climate Porn" Book on Amazon

Listen to Community Connection with Rusty on KZIM — Our Nation, Your Station.

]]> KZIM KSIM false No 1061 8 full Cape West Rotary Auction October 24 Cape West Rotary Auction October 24 https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/cape-west-rotary-auction-october-24/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/cape-west-rotary-auction-october-24/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:23:53 -0300 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/13ac27fa-eb0d-350f-8b28-527ba5e65c42 On this episode of Community Connection with Rusty, we talk with Cape West Rotary about the 61st Annual Rotary Radio Auction, happening Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on KZIM. Learn how the auction supports Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship and local community service projects, what items you can bid on, and how to participate online or during the live broadcast. Tune in and discover how you can make a difference in our community!

]]> On this episode of Community Connection with Rusty, we talk with Cape West Rotary about the 61st Annual Rotary Radio Auction, happening Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on KZIM. Learn how the auction supports Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship and local community service projects, what items you can bid on, and how to participate online or during the live broadcast. Tune in and discover how you can make a difference in our community!

]]> KZIM KSIM false No 1336 7 full VFW Post 3838 - Episode 1 - October 1, 2026 VFW Post 3838 - Episode 1 - October 1, 2026 https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/vfw-post-3838-episode-1-october-1-2026/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/vfw-post-3838-episode-1-october-1-2026/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:46:19 -0300 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/4bf16260-dc16-3307-8cda-f3b06a023c5b George Kunkel and Rodger Brown of VFW Post 3838 stop by the Community Connection with Rusty Podcast. What is the VFW? What are their beginnings? What are they all about? And what options are available now? All of those questions and more are answered in this podcast. They also discuss past events and future events coming up. Plus amenities available to he public. This Episode is powered by Frank Leta Buick GMC.

]]> George Kunkel and Rodger Brown of VFW Post 3838 stop by the Community Connection with Rusty Podcast. What is the VFW? What are their beginnings? What are they all about? And what options are available now? All of those questions and more are answered in this podcast. They also discuss past events and future events coming up. Plus amenities available to he public. This Episode is powered by Frank Leta Buick GMC.

]]> KZIM KSIM false No 1178 6 full Revivify: Farm to Table Event on October 11 Revivify: Farm to Table Event on October 11 https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/revivify-farm-to-table-event-on-october-11/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/revivify-farm-to-table-event-on-october-11/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:33:30 -0300 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/0a2013be-5618-3a58-a847-9d8488c5cb3d Alix Gasser the Executive Director of Old Town Cape stops by to chat about their upcoming event "Revivify: Farm to Table". Will be on Sunday October 11 from 3 to 7 pm. On Spanish Street. Tickets are $100 and need to be purchased by October 9. What is the event about? An outdoor four-course dinner prepared by 6 local chefs using ingredients sourced largely from farmers market vendors. Evening will feature live music, drinks, silent auction, and a wine pull. Catch all the details. What to bring, what to wear, where to go....All of it in this podcast!

]]> Alix Gasser the Executive Director of Old Town Cape stops by to chat about their upcoming event "Revivify: Farm to Table". Will be on Sunday October 11 from 3 to 7 pm. On Spanish Street. Tickets are $100 and need to be purchased by October 9. What is the event about? An outdoor four-course dinner prepared by 6 local chefs using ingredients sourced largely from farmers market vendors. Evening will feature live music, drinks, silent auction, and a wine pull. Catch all the details. What to bring, what to wear, where to go....All of it in this podcast!

]]> KZIM KSIM false No 542 5 full River Heritage Quilt Show Oct. 10-11 at Osage Center River Heritage Quilt Show Oct. 10-11 at Osage Center https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/river-heritage-quilt-show-oct-10-11-at-osage-center/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/river-heritage-quilt-show-oct-10-11-at-osage-center/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:56:05 -0300 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e5b63fda-015c-367c-ba5e-8dc941cf5fd9 Rusty Hendricks sits down with Sheryl Winschel to talk about the River Heritage Quilt Guild’s 2026 Quilt Show & Craft Extravaganza, themed “Oh My Stars!” Featuring more than 100 handmade and traditional quilts, plus vendors, food, appraisals, bed turnings, and scissor sharpening. The show is October 10 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and October 11 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with $5 admission. Get all the details in this edition of the Community Connection with Rusty podcast!

]]> Rusty Hendricks sits down with Sheryl Winschel to talk about the River Heritage Quilt Guild’s 2026 Quilt Show & Craft Extravaganza, themed “Oh My Stars!” Featuring more than 100 handmade and traditional quilts, plus vendors, food, appraisals, bed turnings, and scissor sharpening. The show is October 10 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and October 11 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with $5 admission. Get all the details in this edition of the Community Connection with Rusty podcast!

]]> KZIM KSIM false No 428 4 full Alzheimer Walk Alzheimer Walk https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/alzheimer-walk/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/alzheimer-walk/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:26:50 -0300 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/1b09554a-fefd-3984-ad97-83f3849fe957 Rusty sits down with Madeline Erwin, Walk Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association in Southeast Missouri, and Al Bisher, Contributor and MC, to discuss the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Learn more about the event, where the funds go, how to get involved, and what makes this community event so special. The walk takes place Saturday, October 3, at 9 a.m. at Capaha Park.

]]> Rusty sits down with Madeline Erwin, Walk Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association in Southeast Missouri, and Al Bisher, Contributor and MC, to discuss the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Learn more about the event, where the funds go, how to get involved, and what makes this community event so special. The walk takes place Saturday, October 3, at 9 a.m. at Capaha Park.

]]> KZIM KSIM false No 942 3 full Old Town Cape Old Town Cape https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/old-town-cape/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/old-town-cape/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:58:06 -0300 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/5d3b3d22-c576-3064-a300-d660b2fe2c8e Alix Gasser of Old Town Cape joins Rusty to talk about “Downtown Vacancy to Vibrancy,” a special event happening September 24 from 4-7pm at 12 downtown locations. Hear what the event is all about and how you can get involved in this interview!

]]> Alix Gasser of Old Town Cape joins Rusty to talk about “Downtown Vacancy to Vibrancy,” a special event happening September 24 from 4-7pm at 12 downtown locations. Hear what the event is all about and how you can get involved in this interview!

]]> communityconnectionwithrusty false No 672 2 full SEMO Food Bank SEMO Food Bank https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/semo-food-bank/ https://communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/e/semo-food-bank/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:55:39 -0300 communityconnectionwithrusty.podbean.com/53c98f85-ad7e-392b-841e-9da4fd9ce19a What can our community do to help fight hunger? Heather Collier of the SEMO Food Bank joins Rusty to talk about Hunger Action Month and ways you can get involved in this sit down interview.  

]]> What can our community do to help fight hunger? Heather Collier of the SEMO Food Bank joins Rusty to talk about Hunger Action Month and ways you can get involved in this sit down interview.
 

]]> communityconnectionwithrusty false No 373 1 full