Established in 1954, The Arc of of Calhoun Country has a long tradition of helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live fulfilling, independent lives within their community. Executive Director Clare Tanner talks to Community Matters about how The Arc continues to evolve in providing advocacy and supports for this community.

Episode Resources

The Arc of Calhoun County Website

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Community Matters highlights upcoming events presented by the Downtown Battle Creek Zine (DBCZ)!

In this update, Nick Buckley shares ideas for local events happening in October and December, 2025.

Episode Resources
Follow DBCZ on Facebook

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Anna Rogers, Marketing & Communication Engagement Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton in Battle Creek, reflects on the hotel's first year of operation, their successes and the importance of making people feel welcome.

While discussing their event space resources and fine dining options, Anna is excited to announce a new change coming with reservations starting December 1, 2025. Check out the Double Tree by Hilton Battle Creek Facebook page for information on all their upcoming events, including a chance to meet Santa on Saturday, November 22, from 3:00-5:00 for a fundraiser benefiting the Lakeview and Harper Creek Dance Teams. 

Episode Resources
DoubleTree by Hilton Battle Creek Website

DoubleTree by Hilton Battle Creek Facebook Page

Phone: (269) 380-0320

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Tammy Mills, Director of Marketing and Communications for the United Way South Central Michigan (UWSCMI), joins us on Community Matters to discuss their end of year holiday fundraising campaign and how Calhoun County residents can help direct donations to impact their local community. 

Tammy also discusses resources available to residents through the UWSCMI, like the Program Assistance Center, and the launch of their new Community Connect online community which aims to bring together community members, volunteers, donors and partners for a more engaged conversation about resources. 

Episode Resources

United Way South Central Michigan Community Connect Website

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

The South Michigan Food Bank - which provides food to the hungry in 8 Michigan counties including Calhoun - continues to respond to a growing need while threats to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding continue.

The on-again, off-again potential cuts to the largest federal anti-hunger program in the U.S. has the State of MIchigan working to take up the slack. Still, the 2025 federal government shutdown and increasing costs overall have Executive Director Peter Vogel and his team delivering emergency food assistance on top of their normal operations.

Episode Resources
South Michigan Food Bank website

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Summit Pointe, the Calhoun County Community Mental Health (CMH) organization which provides behavioral health care to some of the county's most vulnerable residents, is sounding an alarm over potential changes at the state level which could affect how it delivers care.

Summit Pointe CEO Jeannie Goodrich joins Community Matters to discuss changes to how the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) organizes CMH sectors in the state, as well as the potential to privatize some functions of the CMH health care delivery process.

Episode Resources
First Step Psychiatric Urgent Care Center
Second Wave Media: Community mental health advocates take stand against privatization plan

Michigan Advance: Court affirms legality of competitive bid restructure plan to Michigan’s mental health system

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

We're not sure it's an actual word, but "floof" seems to describe best our good friend Gadget the cat, the focus of our Wiggly Tail update this time from the Humane Society of South Central Michigan.

Gadget is a young, domestic long hair male cat who is black and white. He's all up to date on his vaccinations and he is neutered. HSSCM Executive Director Jessica Gilbert tells us all about him - and his perfect environment - in this Community Matters update.

Episode Resources
Humane Society of South Central Michigan website
Gadget on Petfinder
More Wiggly Tail episodes

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

It's a longstanding tradition in Battle Creek: The annual Christmas parade - a gift to the community by the Harper Creek Optimist Club.

Folks line the streets on a Saturday in November (typically the Saturday before Thanksgiving) to watch the procession of local participants stir up the Christmas spirit - along with some hometown pride.

After setting a participation record in 2023, Organizer Stephanie Cornish returns to Community Matters ahead of the 2025 event with news of how the parade continues to grow significantly in participation.

Episode Resources
Battle Creek Christmas Parade Facebook Page
Battle Creek Optimist Club Facebook Page

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Veterans Helping Veterans in Battle Creek, the organization which cut the ribbon on the gift of a building at 209 East Michigan in summer 2025, has hit its stride helping veterans get set up in new residences after homelessness.

Vice President Rick Stover returns to Community Matters to talk about their organized system of gifting donated furniture, housewares and toiletries to veterans who are reestablishing households after being homeless. Stover estimates more than 3500 veterans have been assisted by the organization's "hand-up" philosophy and service.

But, Stover says, the organization is also realizing something many property owners can understand: They need tens of thousands quickly for a big-ticket repair.

Episode Resources
Veterans Helping Veterans Website
Veterans Helping Veterans: 269-966-5764

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

While its students were settling back into their school-year routines in September 2025, Lakeview School District announced a national honor for Minges Brook Elementary School: The "America's Healthiest Schools" award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

At the same time, the district announced its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and its 2025 Community Spirit Award recipient. Superitendent Dr. William Patterson talks about all of it on this episode of Community Matters.

Episode Resources
Lakeview School District

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.