Off The Gravel Road
Off the Gravel RoadRobb Ellis is a husband, father, grandfather, educator, tradesman, and public servant with a deep-rooted commitment to small-town life and hands-on learning. Born in Los Angeles, California, Robb moved to Vermont in the 1980s, where he began his first career in law enforcement. After retiring from the field, he transitioned into the plumbing and heating industry—eventually becoming a technical trainer at FIA, where he now helps shape the next generation of skilled trades professionals across New England. Robb’s journey has taken him through Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and now New Hampshire—where he and his wife Kristen...
Leadership on the Trail: Inside National Youth Leadership Training
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In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Nova Johnson sits down with Adam Yelcin, youth course lead and Order of the Arrow member, to explore one of Scouting’s most transformative experiences — National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT).
Adam shares what makes NYLT so unique, from the immersive weeklong structure to the powerful lessons in communication, teamwork, and servant leadership. Listeners will hear how the course empowers Scouts to lead both in their troops and in life, and how youth staff help shape the next...
Back to Gilwell: Why Wood Badge Still Matters
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On this episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Malachi Reed sits down with Stephen Gousie and Jerry Cross from the Spirit of Adventure Council to explore one of Scouting’s most powerful traditions — Wood Badge.
More than just a training course, Wood Badge is a deep dive into teamwork, communication, and servant leadership — lessons that reach far beyond Scouting. Stephen and Jerry share stories from their own experiences as participants and staff, the humor and challenges of leading adults through “learning...
The Outdoor Citizen: Scouting a Path to Stewardship
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In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Robb Ellis sits down with John Judge, Scout Executive of the Spirit of Adventure Council, former CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and author of The Outdoor Citizen.
From his early days teaching environmental science at camp to leading some of New England’s most respected outdoor organizations, John shares how Scouting builds more than skills — it builds resilience, leadership, and community stewardship.
Together, Robb and John explore the idea of “Outdoor Citizenship” — the belief that spending t...
Rusty’s Barnstead: The Two Cents That Built a Town
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In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, we sit down with George “Rusty” Krause — a lifelong Barnstead resident whose name is woven through the town’s fire service, fields, and civic life.
Rusty has worn more hats than most folks could fit on a rack: engineer, farmer, fire chief, horseman, and now fire warden and public servant. He’s a man with a great sense of humor, a big heart for community, and a knack for telling it like it is — which is probably why I’ve lean on him as a sounding...
“Grades, Growth, and What They Really Mean — A Student’s Talk with Assistant Superintendent Matt Jozokos”
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What do grades really mean? Why do we take so many tests? And how do schools decide what “progress” looks like?
In this student-led episode of Off the Gravel Road, Barnstead Elementary student Aurora sits down with Assistant Superintendent Matt Jozokos to unpack the world of grades, assessments, and learning. From state testing to effort vs. ability, Aurora asks the honest questions that every kid — and parent — wonders about.
And stay tuned until the end, when Aurora’s mom, Renée, joins the conversation to share a parent’s point of view...
A Parent Who Builds: Nicole & Chloe Leonard on Family, Work, and the BES Renovation
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In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, we bring both the parent and student voice to the microphone. Nicole Leonard, Human Resource Coordinator and Project Manager Assistant at Milestone Engineering & Construction, shares what it’s like to support the Barnstead Elementary renovation behind the scenes while also being a BES parent.
Joining her is her daughter, Chloe, a sixth grader and classmate of student co-host Amity Authier. Together, they talk about balancing work and family, the excitement of seeing the new gym and science la...
From Patrol Car to Select Board: Art St. Laurent’s Pittsfield Story
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In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb sits down with Art St. Laurent, owner of Art’s Ammo & Firearms, longtime law enforcement officer, and first-year Selectman in Pittsfield, NH.
Art shares what it was like serving as a hometown police officer for 20 years, how his shop has become a gathering place for the community, and why he’s passionate about youth firearm safety programs at TL Storer and his work as a New Hampshire Hunter Education instructor.
Together, Robb and...
Leading by Example: From Dairy Farm to Trades with Thomas Fung
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Thomas Fung’s journey is a story of leadership in action. From long days on his grandparents’ dairy farm in upstate New York to summers on staff at TL Storer, Thomas learned early that true leadership means hard work, responsibility, and service to others. As an Eagle Scout and valedictorian of a technical high school, he carried those lessons into the skilled trades—now thriving as an HVAC technician with AccuTemp. Beyond his career, Thomas continues to lead by example, volunteering weekends at camp and inspiring the next generation to explore Scouting and the tr...
Rumbles, Education, and Community Change with Kristi Hikel
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In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb sits down with Kristi Hikel—former Barnstead Elementary assistant principal and now principal of Moultonborough Central School. Together, they explore Kristi’s journey from PE teacher to school leader, the lessons she’s carried from Barnstead to Moultonborough, and how transparency, vulnerability, and a “farm strong” mindset shape her approach to education.
The conversation touches on:
The challenges of school funding and teacher retention in small New Hampshire townsFinding balance between tradition and change in both education and ScoutingLessons from horses, barns, and...Building the Future of BES: Inside the School Renovation with Milestone
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In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, we bring trades, kids, and community together to highlight the renovation at Barnstead Elementary School. Sixth-grader and co-host Amity Authier sits down with Brett Hupfer (Job Superintendent) and Matt Beaulieu (Project Manager) from Milestone Engineering & Construction to ask the questions every student is curious about: What exactly is being built? How long will it take? What’s the biggest machine on site?
Brett and Matt walk us through the gymnasium addition, new science labs, classrooms, and even a...
A Life Stirred by Service and Flavor: Michael Minot on Scouting, the Marines, and Community Roots
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From the Marines to the post office, from the kitchen to the American Legion, Michael Minot has always found ways to serve. In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Michael shares how scouting shaped his youth, why he chose the Marine Corps, and how food became his universal language. We talk about family, balance, community, and his role as Postmaster of Barnstead and treasurer of Post 42. It’s a conversation about flavor — in cooking, in leadership, and in life — and a reminder that our small-town “chili bowl” is made heartier when each of us adds...
SOAR News & Highlights: Emi and Amity Take the Mic
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This week’s SOAR News is brought to you by our student hosts, Emi and Amity! Tune in as they share updates from around Barnstead, including Parks & Rec projects, upcoming events like Trunk-or-Treat, the exciting Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL) program for sixth graders, and the latest happenings at the Oscar Foss Memorial Library. Plus, catch the Select Board agenda, school sports highlights, and a peek at this week’s enrichment activities at TL Storer.
With Calvin’s Worm Family as our sponsor, you’ll hear the community news delivered with energy, creativi...
LorrenJoyce Farm: Family, Land, and Community
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On this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb Ellis sits down with Amy Matarozzo of LorrenJoyce Farm in Barnstead, NH. From milking her first cows as a child to building a farm from scratch with her husband Brian, Amy shares a journey of perseverance, community, and love for the land. Together, they’ve raised Jersey cows and Hereford beef, homeschooled their children, and served as leaders in the New Hampshire Farm Bureau.
Amy opens up about the hurdles of being a first-generation farmer, the daily rhythm of balancing chores with ho...
The Art of Conversation: SOAR Kids Take the Mic
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In this special episode of Off the Gravel Road, we sit down with our SOAR after-school kids to kick off “the art of conversation.” From summer adventures and first-day-of-school stories to a few surprises, these quick chats capture the energy, honesty, and humor of our youngest voices. This is just the beginning—soon the kids themselves will be leading the interviews and sharing stories on stage for family and community. Tune in for a heartwarming glimpse into the next generation finding their voice
“A Life Well Built: My Father, Bob Ellis”
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In this very special episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Robb Ellis sits down with his father, Bob Ellis, to capture a remarkable life story. From growing up in Massachusetts with deep roots in Prince Edward Island, to serving in the Coast Guard, building a career in construction and consulting, and even running the Arlington Inn in Vermont, Bob shares the experiences that shaped him across nearly nine decades.
Alongside tales of hard work and adventure, he reflects on 57 years of marriage, raising three sons, and the pride of watching...
“Shaping Barnstead: Roots, Growth, and Community with Nancy Carr”
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In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, we sit down with Nancy Carr—planning board chair, town moderator, and longtime community leader. From childhood memories of gravel roads and ice skating on the river, to the explosive growth of Locke Lake Colony, to preparing Barnstead for its 300th anniversary, Nancy offers a heartfelt look at how small towns evolve while holding on to their roots.
She shares stories of family traditions in civic service, the challenges of balancing growth with preservation, and the importance of local democracy at to...
Casting Lines & Lessons with Camdon Drolet
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In this special Off the Gravel Road staff spotlight, we sit down with Camdon Drolet, our newest SOAR team member. At just 14, Camdon has already reeled in tournament wins, earned a black belt in Okinawan karate, and balanced school, sports, and family life with a drive well beyond his years. From teaching kids how to fish for the very first time, to learning patience on the water, to chasing his passion for bass fishing on the tournament circuit, Camdon shares insights, humor, and a glimpse of the future he’s...
Kids at camp - Charlotte and Eleanor
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Introduction: A Summer of Cows, Soil, and Curiosity
This episode of Off the Gravel Road invites listeners into the joyful, curious, and surprisingly profound world of two young campers—Charlotte and Eleanor—who attended Cow Camp at TL Storer. The conversation begins with host Robb Ellis setting the scene: TL Storer is a place where children from the local community gather for day camp activities like fishing, hiking, and arts and crafts. But this year brought something new and transformative—a focus on cows, soil, and the interconnectedness of land stewardship.
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School Finance on the Edge — From Claremont to IEPs to Forest Classrooms
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What happens when a school district runs out of money just days before the first bell? In Claremont, NH, families are finding out the hard way. Facing a $1–5 million deficit, the school board cut 19 newly hired teachers and paraprofessionals before they even started, saving $1.8 million but leaving educators and students reeling.
And Claremont isn’t alone. Pittsfield overspent its budget by $1.9 million. Timberlane and Merrimack Valley slashed millions more. Behind these headlines lies a deeper story: the rising cost of special education and a broken funding mode...
Roots and Reasons
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Off The Gravel Road: Introduction and Community Programs
In the inaugural episode of Off The Gravel Road, host Robb Ellis introduces himself and shares his journey from Los Angeles to New England, where he now spearheads various community programs. Rob details the impactful initiatives such as the SOAR afterschool program, Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL), the National Safe Tractor Machinery Operation Program, and Cow Camp. These programs focus on teaching hands-on skills, conservation, soil health, and fostering a sense of resilience and discovery in young people. The episode also touches on the...
Off the Gravel Road Podcast Trailer
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