Marshall's Dark Horse Brewing plans its annual Spring Smokeoff around BBQ, beer and a charitable connection. That's the plain again in 2025, with a portion of the $25 entry fee to support Marshall Area Community Services (MACS) on May 3.

Now under the Livonia-based Benchmark Beverage umbrella, Dark Horse will also be the brew site for its sister brewery Brew Detroit. 

Benchmark Director of Corporate Development Bruce Kridler tells Community Matters why Marshall and Dark Horse were appealing for the family-owned brewery - as well as what they have planned for this year's Spring Smokeoff

Episode Resources
Dark Horse Brewing Co.
Benchmark Beverage Co.

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 and PM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

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

Michigan's 45th District Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) chairs the House Judicial Committee, this after Republicans regained control after the November 2024 election.

In this update with Community Matters, Lightner talks about the role of the Judicial Committee, and her view as chair.

Lightner also touches on the continued fight against Fentanyl, the House GOP roads plan and her trip to tour Ford's BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall - something about which she remains lukewarm.

Episode Resources
Rep. Sarah Lightner’s website
Other episodes with Rep. Lightner

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 and PM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

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

When Brian and Joleen Robins learned their teenage daughter might be facing a lifetime of health challenges, they braced for what that could mean.

But, as Brian tells Community Matters, what happened next was not the outcome that was expected. In fact, it resulted in the Rings Ministries free transportation program. It provides free refurbished vehicles to needy families - especially single moms - in the Battle Creek area.

Episode Resources

Rings Ministries 

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.

In 2025, Creating Dementia Solutions is looking deeper into what The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care has indicated are ways people can reduce their risk of dementia.

Lancet includes addressing depression as one of those potential factors which could help a person reduce dementia risk. But, is it really depression a person is contending with? Creating Dementia Solutions asked Dr. Sean Field, clinical director at Summit Pointe, for some guidance.

Episode Resources
The Lancet Commission Risk Factors for Dementia

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

In a wide-ranging interview, Battle Creek Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kim Carter returns to Community Matters. This time, Carter offers insight into how possible department of education restructuring at the national level could affect Battle Creek.

The superintendent also updates listeners on a bond request which will not result in a tax increase, as well as a new school building set to open - and a series of listening sessions she plans with the community.

Episode Resources

More Info: 2025 BCPS Bond

Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

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.

Battle Creek's S.A.F.E. Place - which stands for secure area family environment - has evolved over the years to meet the immediate daily and safety needs of those escaping intimate partner violence.

CEO Ellen Lassiter Collier underscores that the organization's mission also includes helping those who have escaped a human trafficking situation.

That's exactly the type of organization Two Men and a Truck is looking to support with its "Movers for Moms" campaign. So says Claire Bouwens, marketing director with the southwest Michigan-based moving franchise.

The campaign, through May 7, 2025, provides drop-off locations for basic needs items to support those in a transitional space between trafficking or domestic violence and a new life.

Episode Resources

S.A.F.E. Place Resources and Donation Link

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.

Battle Creek's Trinity Community Development and Neighborhood Center has a mission to "improve the quality of life" in the Trinity neighborhood.

That means doing so simply by providing a place for various groups to meet. It also means connecting the underserved with what they need, such as food.

Trinity Executive Director Jessica Lamson visits Community Matters to talk about a benefit concert May 9, 2025 which will help support the center and its programs, through both attendees and sponsors. 

Episode Resources

Trinity Community Development and Neighborhood Center (donate)

Purchase Tickets or Sponsor Three Men and a Tenor

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.

Republican representatives in Michigan see a way to fund road repairs in Michigan by reallocating funds in the state budget, among other ways. As is, the proposal would take away some economic development funds and put them toward road repairs.

Bridge News reports the so-called SOAR (Strategic Outreach Attraction Reserve) Fund would lose money and Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credits would be targeted.

So does Battle Creek's economic development authority - Battle Creek Unlimited - see big problems attracting new business if that were to happen? BCU CEO Joe Sobieralski takes a pragmatic approach in discussing it with Community Matters.

Episode Resources

Bridge Michigan: Michigan House passes GOP roads package without Democratic counter-proposal in sight

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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate about 12 percent of the U.S. population is diabetic. Millions of them are undiagnosed.

You may have heard some diabetic folks have been able to go off of their diabetes medications after changing their health in ways like losing weight and eating healthier.

On this Oaklawn Health Matters, Certified Diabetes Educator and Education Specialist Jason Cole talks about whether or not someone with diabetes can actually reverse their diagnosis.

Episode Resources
Oaklawn Hospital website and Diabetes Education

About Oaklawn

Oaklawn was founded in 1925 as a 12-bed hospital in a residential home, funded by a group of visionary philanthropists. Now, almost ten decades later, we’ve evolved into a highly regarded regional health care organization, licensed for 77 acute care beds and a 17-bed inpatient psychiatric unit. We’ve continued to be an independently owned not-for-profit hospital, with our main campus residing on the same site as the original hospital, providing facilities, equipment and technology that are usually only found at larger health systems. We enjoy a reputation for advancing medicine and providing compassionate, personal care. Our service area includes Calhoun County and parts of Branch and Eaton counties with a medical staff of more than 300 providers representing over 55 specialties. For information, visit www.oaklawnhospital.org.

Oaklawn Health Matters is produced by Livemic Communications.

Battle Creek's Cereal City Concert Band will play in Schladming, Austria in July 2025 on the invitation of the 2025 Mid-Europe Wind Band Music Festival.

The band plans two more fundraising events to support the trip: Finley's restaurant in Battle Creek on April 30, 2025 will donate a portion of its proceeds that night for 30 or more tables. Another event is planned for May 31, 2025 at the Downtown Church, 135 Hamblin Avenue.

The band also plans to perform its Austrian concert in Battle Creek as part of a performance on April 27, 2025. Click to hear more details.

Episode Resources
CCCB Website
CCCB Donations Site
Community Matters: Cereal City Concert Band Invited to Perform in Europe

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.