Bridging The Gap

Welcome to Bridging the Gap, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce podcast. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Nicole Nichols, a registered nurse, yoga instructor, author, and owner of Bit of a Stretch Yoga and Wellness in St. Charles. Nicole shares how a studio name that started as a joke became a real space on Main Street, why she stepped away from more than 25 years of nursing to focus on wellness, and how her classes and recovery services meet people exactly where they are.In this episode, we cover:Growing up in Knoxville, Iowa, and settling in Madison County more than nine years agoBurnout after 30 years in healthcare and a return to yogaTeacher training and opening the studio in June 2023How the name Bit of a Stretch came to beFlow, sculpt, barre, chair yoga, meditation, and restorative classesChair yoga for strength, balance, and staying independentThe infrared sauna dome and lymphatic compression suit for recoveryWhat to expect at your first class, props included and no flexibility requiredBreath work, meditation, and why breathing changes how you respondA Caring Neighbors Circle grant for an AED, knee mats, resistance bands, and a seed fundRest without guilt, small daily habits, and taking the napAdvice for anyone afraid to turn a passion into a businessHer books, Real Life Is Lifeing, the companion journal Coming Back to Yourself, and The Body Gets a VoteAn author signing at Tiger Lily Cafe in St. Charles on November 4Whether you are brand new to yoga, looking for a gentler way to build strength, or thinking about taking the leap on your own dream, this conversation is a reminder that you can begin right where you are, right here in Madison County.Learn more and connect:Bit of a Stretch Yoga and Wellness: https://www.bitofastretchwellness.comBit of a Stretch on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bitofastretchwellness/Madison County Chamber: https://madisoncounty.comIf you enjoyed this episode, follow the show and share it with someone who is ready to come back to themselves.Thanks for supporting the people and businesses that make Madison County home.

Welcome to Bridging the Gap, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce podcast. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Dr. Teri Formanek, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the hand and upper extremity, who sees patients through Madison County Memorial Hospital in Winterset and in Greenfield. Dr. Formanek shares how a farm kid who started in business ended up in orthopedics, why he traded big city practice for a slower pace in rural Iowa, and what care is now available close to home, including total shoulder replacements, wrist arthroscopy, and more.In this episode, we cover:- How a farm background and a first orthopedic rotation led to a career in orthopedic surgery- A fellowship focused on the hand and upper extremity- Moving from Cedar Rapids and Des Moines practice back to rural Iowa- Seeing patients in Winterset three days a week and in Greenfield on Tuesdays- What orthopedics covers beyond broken bones- Common conditions like carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, and arthritis- When to stop waiting and come in, with the six week rule of thumb for acute versus chronic problems- Total and reverse total shoulder replacements now offered in Madison County, with most patients home the same day- Wrist and elbow arthroscopy, thumb arthritis surgery, and minor nerve repairs done locally- How surgery decisions are made, and when surgery is the most conservative option- How technology and arthroscopy have changed recovery- Why local specialty care matters for patients with limited mobility- Time with patients, farm life, gardening, and six grandkids- The planned new surgery building at the hospitalWhether you are dealing with hand pain, thinking about a shoulder replacement, or just curious what specialty care looks like close to home, this conversation shows the value of caring for neighbors right here in Madison County.Learn more and connect:- Madison County Memorial Hospital and Madison County Health Care System: https://www.madisonhealth.com- Dr. Teri Formanek: https://www.madisonhealth.com/physicians/teri-s-formanek-m-d/- Madison County Chamber: https://madisoncounty.comIf you enjoyed this episode, follow the show and share it with someone who could use specialty care close to home.Thanks for supporting the people and businesses that make Madison County home.

Welcome to Bridging the Gap, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce podcast. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Megan Barrett about two Covered Bridge Festival favorites: the Kids Zone and the Sunday parade. Megan shares how the Kids Zone moved indoors to The Warehouse on 2nd (included with festival admission), why the corn box never gets old, what families can expect from yard games and a walk-in cold air balloon, and how the Sunday parade comes together for clubs, businesses, and neighbors lining the route.In this episode, we cover:- Kids Zone as a long-standing family tradition at the festival- Indoor activities at The Warehouse on 2nd, included with festival admission- Corn boxes outside and why kids love them- Face painting with Winterset Art Club inside the warehouse- Arcade games, foosball, pinball, giant Jenga, bags, pickleball, and a small bounce house for littles- Walk-in cold air balloon experience near the Kids Zone- Nursing and diaper changing space for families with infants- Planning time of about 45 minutes to an hour in the Kids Zone- Sunday parade staging back at Winterset High School and free entry for participants- Horses, tractors, classic cars, and three marching bands in this year's parade- How neighbors, clubs, and businesses join the paradeWhether you are bringing kids for a warehouse break or staking out a parade spot on Sunday, this conversation is a friendly preview of two of the festival's most loved traditions.Learn more and connect:- Madison County Covered Bridge Festival: https://www.exploremadisoncounty.com/covered_bridge_festival/- Parade information: https://www.exploremadisoncounty.com/covered_bridge_festival/parade/- Madison County Chamber: https://madisoncounty.comIf you enjoyed this episode, follow the show and share it with a family planning their Covered Bridge Festival weekend.Thanks for supporting the people and businesses that make Madison County home.

Welcome to Bridging the Gap, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce podcast. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Jared McDonald, Director of the Madison County Historical Complex (History on the Hill), to preview what visitors will find just south of the Covered Bridge Festival grounds. Jared walks through the free museum weekend, the Civil War reenactment and encampment, horse and wagon rides, shuttle access from the square, and why hands-on history sticks with kids long after festival weekend ends.In this episode, we cover:- Free admission at the museum, mansion, and outbuildings during festival weekend- Civil War reenactment and encampment with reenactors from Iowa and nearby states- Canvas tents, campfires, medical tent, infantry, cavalry, and cannon demos- Interactive rifles and blanks, with loud cannon fire families should expect- Saturday 4:00 p.m. and Sunday noon skirmishes (about 30 to 40 minutes)- Shuttle from downtown Winterset Square to the Complex about four blocks south- Horse and wagon rides around the Complex grounds- Saturday evening popcorn, s'mores, night fire, and dusk cannon- Why living history beats reading alone for kids and adults- Local Civil War connections and items inside the museum- Where to find schedules at historyonthehill.comWhether you are a festival regular or a first-time visitor, this conversation is a warm invite to walk up the hill, meet the reenactors, and connect with Madison County history in person.Learn more and connect:- Madison County Historical Complex (History on the Hill): https://historyonthehill.com- Madison County Chamber: https://madisoncounty.comIf you enjoyed this episode, like, comment, and subscribe. Share it with a neighbor heading to Covered Bridge Festival weekend.Thanks for supporting the people and places that make Madison County home.#MadisonCountyIA #WintersetIowa #SupportLocal #CommunityHeritage #Podcast #CoveredBridgeFestival #HistoricalComplex #CivilWarReenactment #HistoryOnTheHill #IowaHistory #SmallTownIowa

Welcome to Bridging the Gap, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce podcast. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Jennifer Frease of the Covered Bridge Festival Committee to preview Madison County's signature October weekend on the Winterset courthouse square. Jennifer shares how a childhood cider booth turned into years of volunteering and vendor planning, what it takes to welcome more than 17,000 guests downtown, and why the festival still depends on partners, sponsors, and over 200 volunteers.In this episode, we cover:- What the Covered Bridge Festival feels like for first time visitors- Second full weekend in October hours, Saturday late night, and the Sunday parade- Why the festival sits inside Winterset Square with local retailers- More than 140 food and artisan vendors plus diverse entertainment- Saturday 5 to 7 p.m. headliner hours and a walk in balloon from Indianola Balloon Classic- Kids Zone, corn box, warehouse activities, and family friendly stops- Rotary covered bridge bus tours and Covered Bridge Preservation Association booth- Planning that starts the Sunday night after festival and ramps up in January- Friday vendor load in logistics and power generators for food trucks- Security, city and county partners, shuttles, and Historical Complex events- Economic ripple across Winterset and nearby Madison County towns- 2026 festival royalty Bill and Mary Seibert of St. Charles- Volunteers, sponsors, and how to plug in for next yearWhether you are a local who never misses festival weekend or a visitor planning your first trip, this conversation is a warm look at the people who keep Madison County's covered bridge tradition going.Learn more and connect:- Madison County Covered Bridge Festival: https://www.exploremadisoncounty.com/covered_bridge_festival/- Madison County Chamber: https://madisoncounty.comIf you enjoyed this episode, like,