The official 5th season of the Fort NOT Lost in the Woods Podcast begins March 3rd. In this pre-season episode, learn all the ways you can be involved in the show this season. Also, we check in with with Delinda Giles from the Fort Wood Community Spouses Club.
To contact the show email tracy@oquinnmarketing.com or text 417-650-6057.
The Fort NOT Lost in the Woods Podcast is a production of O’Quinn Media.
— Automated Transcript —
**Tracy:** Welcome to another episode of the Fort Not Lost in the Woods podcast. I am your host, Tracy O’Quinn.
As those of you who are regular listeners know, I do this podcast in seasons. I also do a few special episodes throughout the year, but the official 2026 season of the Fort Not Lost in the Woods podcast begins March 3rd and runs through August. So, I guess you can consider this episode a little warm-up for the official season, which begins in a couple weeks.
Today on the episode, I sit down with Delinda Giles from the Fort Wood Community Spouses Club. But before we get to that interview, I just wanted to talk to you about a couple of things.
So, when I started this podcast, my main focus was to highlight the people and places of the Fort Leonardwood area. Now, I consider that area to be not only Pulaski County, but our closest neighboring counties as well. And occasionally this season, I plan to focus on some day trip destinations that you might find interesting as well. So, I’m really looking forward to that.
Many of you do stop me when I’m out and about and you’ll mention a show topic or a guest that you think I should have on. And I have to be honest, I always think, that’s a great idea. And then 30 minutes later, I think, wait, who did they say again? So, I do my best, but I would just like to invite all of you, if you have a person or place that fits that criteria, that and you know, you find them interesting. Well, most likely others are going to love to hear their story as well.
So, please let me know about them and just email me at tracy@oquinnmarketing.com or you can text the show. Just save this in your phone under FNLW, Fort Not Lost in the Woods, and text anytime. 417-650-6057. That’s 417-650-6057. That contact information will also be listed in the show notes of this episode, so you can access it later if needed. Just don’t hesitate to reach out. I really do want to hear from you. I love hearing from you all.
Now, on that same note, I want to thank you so much for the growth of this show over the past several years. It still amazes me. I cannot believe how much it’s grown, how wonderfully loyal you all are. I, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love.
We have some very exciting things in the works and it’s going to be a big year for this show, I think, but also O’Quinn Media in general. We’re growing and expanding and I am so here for it. I’ll be telling you more about some exciting things in the near future, but I felt like I should probably mention this now before things get crazy.
I do want to mention, if you’re a business owner or manager, and you’re a regular listener of the show, I may have some advertising opportunities that you’d be interested in. Now, I normally don’t like to talk about that aspect of things on this podcast. I also limit the number of advertisers that are included in the show for a few reasons, but this year we’re expanding and we do have some additional opportunities. So, reach out if you think you’re a good fit.
One last thing, before we jump into the interview with Delinda. If you love this podcast, do me a favor. And I’m not one to ask for favors, so don’t make me do this in vain, please. Whatever app you are listening on, could you go and give us a five-star rating? Just go to Fort Not Lost in the Woods podcast, whatever app you’re listening on, and just give us a rating. And even better, if you have a couple extra minutes, maybe a quick review would be lovely. I would love to hear it. This really does help other people find the show, which obviously going to help us continue to grow. Always a share on your social media would just make my day. So, thank you for that.
If you are not in our Fort Not Lost in the Woods private group on Facebook, go and send a request to that group. It’s private for a couple reasons. One, I can’t stand negativity. Like, it’s just, I just can’t stand it. So, I would rather not have that opened up to just anyone. If you have an interest in this area or this podcast, you can live anywhere, be anywhere, and still have an interest in this area or enjoy the podcast. I’d love to have you in that group. So, just go send a request to join that and I will definitely approve it. Again, it’s the Fort Not Lost in the Woods private group on Facebook.
Okay, that’s enough begging for now. We’re going to jump into this episode. I will see you all back here March 3rd. I cannot wait. Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your day. I am so grateful for each and every one of you.
### Interview with Delinda Giles
**Tracy:** Thank you for joining me for a special episode of the Fort Not Lost in the Woods podcast. And I say a special episode because the actual podcast season starts March 3rd, but we’re doing a special episode just a little bit early. And in addition to kind of telling you about some of the things that are going to be coming up on the podcast, we’re going to take this first section of the podcast to talk about a really cool event.
And it just, the way the timing worked out, it was like it happened right before the season started and I really wanted to get it into an episode. So I thought, well, we’re going to kind of do a little special pre-season episode type thing. So, with me today with the Fort Wood Community Spouses Club, you’re the public relations chair, but you’re also so many more things, Delinda Giles. Thank you so much for joining me.
**Delinda:** Oh no, thank you for coming in special for us. We appreciate it.
**Tracy:** Well, it’s kind of cool because we actually did an episode with you all, you and Carrie back right before the big craft fair in December, right?
**Delinda:** Yes.
**Tracy:** And so the season was actually over, but you reached out and we kind of did a special episode for that. So, we kind of ended the season with you and we’re starting it with you. So, how did the craft fair go, by the way?
**Delinda:** Actually, it was a really big success. We ended up raising over $16,000 that will go to grants and scholarships. It was great attendance. Lots of people came out shopping. It was a great way to kind of end up the year with some holiday cheer.
**Tracy:** Yeah, and a lot of, I don’t want to say homemade things, but you know, a lot of handmade things and a lot of things that are a lot different and…
**Delinda:** Unique.
**Tracy:** Yeah, yeah, very nice. You mentioned the scholarships. So, the money that is raised through the Fort Wood Community Spouses Club’s efforts goes to your community grants and scholarships. Can you kind of explain that a little bit?
**Delinda:** Yeah, although we’re a social club at our original origins, philanthropy is the biggest part and the heart of the club. And we work all year to support community grants and scholarships. That’s what we do. And we do two main fundraisers, and now you’re talking to us about both, the craft fair and what’s coming up with the basket auction. And it’s all to support that. 100% of the proceeds go to that every year.
**Tracy:** That’s a lot of work. How many people do you have working, you know, do you have a team of folks working on these events? Or that that’s a lot of work.
**Delinda:** It is. My favorite tagline is that we’re small but mighty. We do have a board of governors that is about 13, 14 strong. But we have a huge group of volunteers and the spouses that make up the members of our club that help as well. But the main planning mostly stays, I guess at the at the board level.
**Tracy:** Yeah, yeah. So, the Spouses Club, I’m assuming, how how long has not the Fort Fort Wood Spouses Club, but Spouses Club in general? Like when did all of that start?
**Delinda:** I don’t even know if I could tell you what the origin of it was. It’s been around for as long as I’ve known any part of the military. I’m an army brat myself.
**Tracy:** How long have you been involved in a Spouses Club or, you know, in general?
**Delinda:** I think I joined my first one right after I married my husband back in ’99. So it’s been a long time. But my mom was an army spouse.
**Tracy:** Oh, okay.
**Delinda:** We were always there to support what she was doing. Volun-told into it a lot of times.
**Tracy:** Yeah, I know about that. No military background here, but I know about volun-told.
**Delinda:** Yes, yeah. So, I mean, Spouses Clubs have been around a really long time. I think the one here since around 1977, as far back as I’ve been able to research it. So, they’ve been here for quite a long time.
**Tracy:** I would think that would just be a a great source of support for people that get it, that know what you’re going through, that live the lifestyle, and you know what I mean, just to to be involved with something like that.
**Delinda:** I think it’s nice to know that most places that you go, there’ll be one.
**Tracy:** Right.
**Delinda:** So, when you start over as we do every couple of years, you at least know where you can start. That’s a certain level of comfort I think in that.
**Tracy:** And there’s people, you know, people like me that have super deep roots. I can’t fathom what you all go through. Like, I know, I mean, I’ve heard the stories and I know, but I can’t understand that, you know, the starting over all the time. So, it must be great to have a group of people that totally get it.
**Delinda:** It is, and it’s kind of odd because I don’t think I could imagine living in one place.
**Tracy:** Right, right. I’ve had this conversation with people before and they’re like, what? So, really, you just have always been around here?
**Delinda:** It’s like, yeah.
**Tracy:** It’s like, yeah, I mean, I do venture out.
**Delinda:** I love the idea of it. It just, I’ve never experienced it.
**Tracy:** Right. And it it’s so cool to have these conversations with people because I also love the idea of just, I bet the world seems so much smaller to you because even, okay, for example, social media. Just my social media, I have people from all over because I have met, became friends with and became close to people that are in the military. So, in just that way, my world has gotten smaller. So, I’m sure you have people all over the world that are just really close friends of yours and it just social media kinds of brings it all together and makes it a smaller world.
**Delinda:** Definitely makes it easier to stay in touch.
**Tracy:** Yeah, that’s cool. That’s so cool. Well, so Community Grants and Scholarships, trying to raise some money, which is what we want to talk about your next big event and I’m so excited for this. The Fort Wood Community Spouses Club 2026 Roaring Hearts Speak Easy and Basket Auction coming up Saturday, February 28th. Tell me all the things.
**Delinda:** It is going to be so much fun. We are trying to transport people back to the Roaring 20s.
**Tracy:** Yeah.
**Delinda:** So, I think prohibition, uh flappers, the Charleston, uh it’s just going to be a hopefully a nice immersive experience with a healthy dose of fun for a good cause.
**Tracy:** Yeah, exactly. You know what I like about the Roaring 20s? I was doing a little bit of research, trying to figure out what to wear. They actually had sensible shoes back then. You know, so I’m looking at, I’m like, I don’t have to worry about being cute. Like, they are the kind of shoes that you would, you know, you wouldn’t typically just go buy those unless you wanted something sensible. And so I’m like, this is great.
**Delinda:** I haven’t even looked at the shoes and I’ve been worried about the dress.
**Tracy:** I think they call them Mary Janes or something. I don’t know, anyway.
**Delinda:** I love it.
**Tracy:** Yeah, I was looking. I’m like, okay, they’ve got a small heel, not too big, not too crazy and they look like, you know, they’re pretty sturdy. So, this is going to be great.
**Delinda:** I love that. And I love that you’re already looking at dressing up because we do want people to dress up.
**Tracy:** It is not in my comfort zone. I did order a dress and it came and I knew it was out of my comfort zone, but it it it’s just it’s shorter than what I I can deal with. So, then I started looking through my closet and I found another one that’s not totally Roaring 20s style, but it’s close enough. It’s sequiny and it’s got little stringy things hanging on it and it’s close enough. So, I’m like, okay, if I pair that with those sensible shoes, I’ll be all right.
**Delinda:** And put the right headband on.
**Tracy:** Yes, that’s what I’m thinking. Dress it up however you want, right?
**Delinda:** Exactly.
**Tracy:** Yeah, it’s going to be a lot of fun. So, how are ticket sales going? Do you have and how does that work? Because I know there’s different levels, right?
**Delinda:** Yeah, there are because we do have speak easy games to play and they’re totally for fun. There’s no monetary value. We cannot do additional playing chips on site just because of regulations. So, there are levels that you can, when you purchase your ticket, decide what level you want to play at. And so they can find those online on the event website, which is fwcsc.com and then go to the basket auction page. And that will link you to everything you need to know. But you can pick the level that you want to play and then come in and play some of the games, participate in the wine and whiskey pull, which I think is going to be really fun. They’re doing it with Plinko this year.
**Tracy:** When I read that, I was like, what exactly is that?
**Delinda:** We have donations of bottles, all different kinds of spirits. There’s a lot of wine, whiskey and bourbon, but there could be other things in there as well. And you purchase a chance to play Plinko. It’s $25 and you can get anything from just a regular bottle of wine to a top shelf surprise. And the the bottles are wrapped, so it’s a little bit of a mystery.
**Tracy:** Oh, so you don’t know. Oh, that sounds so much fun.
**Delinda:** No. So, it’s a little bit of a mystery. And you get to unwrap it after you win it. You can play as many times as you want because it’s a guaranteed win. Everybody is guaranteed to win when you play.
**Tracy:** That sounds like so much fun. I love that.
**Delinda:** It is. It’s a lot of fun. And then if you want to get a little mischievous, you can arrest your friends because we’re doing jail and bail this year.
**Tracy:** Oh, how fun.
**Delinda:** Have you ever been to an event that did a jail and bail?
**Tracy:** You know, it’s funny because throughout my career, I’ve been invited so many times to do that and it always freaked me out a little bit and I didn’t do it. But I’m in I’m I’m here for it this year. I actually am thinking about some people that I know that are going that need to be thrown in jail. So, this should be fun.
**Delinda:** Well, you definitely should be thinking about issuing your warrant. You can do it ahead of time.
**Tracy:** Oh, you can do it ahead of time.
**Delinda:** When you buy your tickets, you’ll get your e-receipt in your email and it will have a link in there to take you to the page where you can issue a warrant. You’ll find out all about it. Now, if you feel like you might be targeted by some people.
**Tracy:** Oh yeah.
**Delinda:** I can offer you some insurance.
**Tracy:** That’s that’s what’s always happened to me right there. Yes.
**Delinda:** So, you can buy either a get out of jail free card, which is like a one-time, like think Monopoly, right?
**Tracy:** Okay, perfect.
**Delinda:** One-time use, you burn it, you’re done. But you could also get the untouchable pass, which means that yes, you might get prop walked, but you never get put in jail.
**Tracy:** But you have. You get prop walked. No, you’re great.
**Delinda:** No, you’re great. You you’ll get walked over, the sheriff will come get you and walk you to the jail. But if you have your untouchable pass, you don’t actually spend any time.
**Tracy:** Oh.
**Delinda:** In the clink.
**Tracy:** How much fun is that?
**Delinda:** But you have to pre-purchase those. They are not available at the event.
**Tracy:** Okay, gotcha.
**Delinda:** So, keep that in mind if you feel like you might be a popular target. Maybe look into an untouchable pass.
**Tracy:** Yeah, that has always happened to me is people want to put me in jail.
**Delinda:** Yeah, I’ve been given a forewarned notice. There’s already a warrant out for me.
**Tracy:** I bet you. I bet you need one of those untouchable passes for sure. So, they can find out everything on the website about the basket auction. And is there a set number like, does it sell out? Is there a set number of tickets?
**Delinda:** Well, yeah, because, well, we are at the Nutterfield House, so we’re very lucky this year that we can have a bigger event than we did last year. We just kind of outgrew our last venue. We’ll probably top at 300. Ticket sales are going really well right now. So, if you want to come, I would definitely encourage you to go ahead and get your tickets now because that will let us know a day or two before the event publicly if we can tell anybody they can come in at the door. Last year there were very few left that we could actually support some walk-ins and we did have walk-ins. But I would encourage you to get them in in advance. And also because if you need a base pass, you’re going to want to go ahead and arrange for that.
**Tracy:** Ah, that’s what I was going to ask you is how that works. So.
**Delinda:** On the website, we cover that. There’s an entire section on how you can get your base pass for Fort Leonardwood. It’s actually really easy. It’s just really good to do it ahead of time, just because they’ll email you when it’s ready. And instead of standing in line that night doing all the paperwork, you can just go in there, pick up your pass and go straight onto base. But it’s all on the website. We made sure that it was broken down really easy for everybody to understand. It’s a lot easier than people think it is. I think they’re intimidated by it, but it’s really easy.
**Tracy:** Okay, perfect. And everything kicks off at 6:00, right? And and like you said, it’s going to be at the Nutterfield House. How long does the event usually last?
**Delinda:** It’s a good couple hours. You’re going to come in and we’ll do a half hour, 45 minutes, just cocktail hour, let everybody kind of come in, get settled, find their seats. The baskets, uhm auction, the silent part is open right away. You could play the wine and whiskey pull, uh go issue your warrants and that’ll get you going. But about an hour and a half in, uhm things really start to kick off and when the live auction starts, that’s kind of I think the main part of the event. I would say plan to be there anywhere from 6 to 9, almost to 10. Just depending on how long the auction goes. The live auction could get a little crazy.
**Tracy:** I’m going to have to take a nap that day. I can tell already. I’m usually in bed by like 8.
**Delinda:** It’s a good nap for good reason. It’ll be good. It’s a good exhaustion.
**Tracy:** All right, one more time, give us that website so people can go and find out all the information.
**Delinda:** Absolutely. Go to www.fwcsc.com and there’s an entire page devoted to the basket auction and also to grants and scholarships too because if they want to learn more about why we’re doing it.
**Tracy:** Sure.
**Delinda:** We cover all of that too.
**Tracy:** Well, thank you all for all the hard work you’re doing because I know there’s a lot that goes into this. A lot of love goes into things like this. Sometimes I think people don’t realize how much work it is. So.
**Delinda:** They don’t.
**Tracy:** Delinda Giles, thank you so much from the Fort Wood Community Spouses Club. I appreciate you making time to come in and I know you’ve been traveling and been very busy and I appreciate you being able to come in and make time to do this. And it’s a great way to kick off our season this year of the Fort Not Lost in the Woods podcast.
**Delinda:** Well, we can’t thank you enough for having us in again.