On this episode of Discover DeSoto, Alicia Exantus chats with fellow Patterson Foundation consultant, Sherry Oehler.
Though Sherry lives in Manatee County, her work has brought her deeply into the heart of DeSoto through a special assignment with the DeSoto Digest Newsletter team. Together, Alicia and Sherry explore what it means to tell stories that connect residents, community leaders, and organizations, painting a fuller picture of life in DeSoto County.
Throughout the episode, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how the newsletter comes together, the importance of sharing local voices, and the ways community-driven communication strengthens trust and connection. Both Alicia and Sherry reflect on the joy of highlighting everyday residents and the impact of giving them a platform to be heard.
As always, Discover DeSoto reminds us that building community starts with listening. Each story shared not only informs but also inspires, weaving together the shared aspirations of DeSoto County’s people.
Timestamps
- 00:43 - Introduction to Sherry, Consultant with The Patterson Foundation.
- 01:38 - Sherry shares what is special and different about the DeSoto Digest Newsletter.
- 02:43 - Sherry goes into detail about her “Paper Route” and the different stops she makes in the community when dropping off paper copies of the DeSoto Digest Newsletter to her 22 distribution sites.
- 07:10 - Sherry focusing on “Making the Invisible Visible” by highlighting leaders in the community that she comes into contact with when handing out the DeSoto Digest newsletter.
- 14:30 - Shery describes how TPF works in ways others are not doing, can not do and will not do and how her paper route is a demonstration of that.
- 18:25 - Sherry informs listeners about her Discover DeSoto Gem: Three Tree Brewing Company.
- 24:20 - Sherry wraps up this episode by sharing a couple more community leaders and the love she has for this amazing community.
Links to Learn More
- Three Trees Brewing Company
- My Paper Route Blog by Sherry Oehler
- Blog: Discover DeSoto: Connecting Community Through the DeSoto Digest Paper Route with Sherry Oehler
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