Small Towns, Big Stories: A Conversation with Russ McClellan

When Russ McClellan walked into the Golden Hour Gala at the Lake Chelan Community Center this fall, he expected an enjoyable evening—good people, good food, good energy. What he didn’t expect was to walk out feeling changed. 

Russ, who prides himself on being “in the know” about most things happening around Chelan and Manson, was surprised—and truthfully a little embarrassed—to realize he hadn’t fully understood what the Lake Chelan Community Center was becoming. He knew something was being built, of course. Most people here do. But he didn’t know the vision. He didn’t know the story. And he didn’t know the weight that so many people he cared about had been carrying for years.

“It opened my eyes,” he told me. “I had no idea what was really taking shape.”

That moment of realization matters because Russ is a storyteller. His show, Small Towns – Unscripted, is built around the simple truth that every person carries a deeper story than most people will ever know. At the Gala, he discovered that The Community Center has its own story—a story of grit, setbacks, vision, and a relentless commitment to serving the valley.

From that night forward, Russ has encouraged people who drive by the building every day to stop… walk inside… and look around.

“Most will be surprised,” he said. “Most will be amazed and delighted.”

And that is where our conversation began.

A Hometown Storyteller

The first thing you notice about Russ is how naturally he settles into a conversation. It’s the kind of ease that comes from decades spent listening closely to people—first as a trusted real-estate professional, and now as the creator and host of Small Towns – Unscripted, a growing podcast and video series that lifts up the stories, quirks, and characters that make small-town living so special.

“What I love most,” Russ told me, “is when somebody starts talking, and you realize there’s a whole life behind them that most people never get to hear about.”

Russ has called the Lake Chelan Valley home for most of his life. He’s built a 35-year career helping families find not just houses, but a sense of place. His great-grandmother arrived by covered wagon. His children are fifth-generation residents. This valley is woven into him—and he into it.

Growing up here shaped everything he values—hard work, humility, and the belief that who you are matters more than what you do. “People are the most important thing in life,” he said. That truth guided him home again.

How Small Towns – Unscripted Began

What started as a simple idea—sit down with people, turn on a camera, and talk—has grown into a meaningful catalog of local stories. Russ has now recorded around 50 episodes, each capturing something real: honesty, humility, and the unpolished humanity of life in small towns.

“I started the show because this valley is full of people who have lived through remarkable things,” he said. “I didn’t want those stories to disappear. I wanted to give people a place to tell them.”

Russ’s mission is simple: to help people truly know one another, not just know of each other. He wants to celebrate the individuals who make the valley what it is and strengthen the sense of connection between neighbors. “If one person watches an episode and says, ‘I had no idea they went through that,’ then it’s worth it,” he said.

Lessons From a Lifetime in a Small Town

Russ has three quotes that I’ve heard him use often in his podcasts—words that reflect how he sees the world:

• “Messy is part of the formula for success.”
• “Grace, forgiveness, and generosity must be part of a successful business.”
• “Excitement in the unknown.”

These three guiding ideas mirror The Community Center's very spirit. “Messy is part of the formula for success” reflects the long, winding, and courageous journey it took to get The Community Center built. “Grace, forgiveness, and generosity” describe the way volunteers, donors, and leaders carried each other through the hard seasons. And “excitement in the unknown” captures the moment we’re in now—standing at the beginning of what The Community Center will become. His values and The Community Center's mission run on the same track: creating space where real people, real stories, and real community can grow.

“Life isn’t polished,” Russ said. “People aren’t polished. But that’s what makes them interesting. When you give people space to be honest, that’s when the good stuff comes out.”

And that, he believes, is precisely what small communities do best.

Why The Community Center Matters

This is where Russ lights up.

After the Golden Hour Gala, he understood that The Community Center was not just a building. It’s a bridge:

• between Chelan and Manson
• between generations
• between longtime locals and brand-new locals
• between today’s daily life and tomorrow’s future opportunities

“This valley needs a place where everyone can meet on equal ground,” he said. “A place where you don’t have to buy something to belong.”

He loves that the building has something for everyone—from toddlers tumbling in the Indoor Play Room, to teens at the Boys and Girls Club, teams using the gym, to seniors knitting or playing cards in the lobby near the coffee shop.

“It’s a place that reminds you we’re all part of the same story.”

Russ believes the stories he captures on his show are the same kinds of stories that will unfold inside The Community Center—neighbors connecting, people learning from one another, and the valley’s next chapter being written in real time.

“If you’ve ever been moved by someone’s story,” he told me, “then you already understand why this place matters.”

Words of Encouragement

I asked Russ what he would say to his viewers, friends, and neighbors now that he understands the full story of The Community Center. His answer was simple: get involved in the way that makes sense for you.

And, he emphasized, involvement isn’t just about writing a check.

“Stop in and look around. Discover what’s here. Ask your questions,” he told me. “Then go tell someone what you saw.” Maybe that’s a Facebook post. Maybe it’s a conversation at the barber shop. What matters is that stories get shared—because when stories spread, people act.

“If we each do what we can,” Russ said, “and if giving financially is part of that, then this becomes a place built for all of us, by all of us.”

In a world that often rushes past the small things, Russ reminds us that small towns still matter. Their stories matter. Their people matter. And as long as he keeps the camera rolling, those stories—and the people who live them—will continue revealing the heart of the Chelan Valley.

The Community Center is only at the beginning of its story—and because of people like Russ who are willing to see it, support it, and talk about it, the next chapter will be one the whole valley writes together.

To make a tax-deductible contribution, visit our fundraising page or contact Executive Director Maribel Cruz at maribel@chelancommunity.org.