Big Rapids is buzzing this week — with Championship Weekend, new development across town, and one of the fastest-growing sports in the country taking center stage.

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, we send our thoughts to those affected by recent flooding, celebrate community efforts like Rotary’s highway cleanup, and check in on exciting progress around town — from the new Chipotle build to Tommy’s Car Wash taking shape.

Our guest this week is Scott Lacourse, president of the Big Rapids Pickleball Club. Whether you’re brand new or already hooked, Scott breaks down how the sport works, why it’s exploding in popularity, and how anyone can jump in and play.

We also preview a packed weekend of events, highlight ways to get involved this spring and summer, and somehow end up debating the shared universe of the Jetsons and the Flintstones.

Just another week in Big Rapids.

0:00 – Intro & welcome
0:55 – Chris heads to Cincinnati + new interns join the show
3:05 – Flooding update & community support 🌊
5:07 – Rotary cleanup + Chris sits in with Kelly Quinn Blues Experience 🥁
5:45 – Chamber After Hours recap + Chipotle & Tommy’s Car Wash updates 🏗️
7:45 – Featured Creature: Banana Ball Python 🐍
11:25 – Thanks to Toastmasters guests
13:15 – Guest intro: Scott Lacourse (Pickleball Club) 🥒
14:51 – First introduction to pickleball
18:10 – Playing across different skill levels
19:30 – “Up and Down the River” explained
22:10 – Club size and growth
23:45 – Is pickleball just for seniors?
25:45 – How to get involved (and cost)
27:05 – Future of the club and the sport
28:45 – Drop-in session details
30:25 – Where to find more info (Facebook)
31:55 – Thanks to Scott for joining us
32:40 – Perry & State construction update 🚧
33:45 – Championship Weekend preview 🏆
36:45 – Banded Raccoon indoor market (last of season)
37:30 – Karaoke for a Cause 🎤
38:35 – Farmers Market returns May 8 🌱
39:05 – Free pop-up medical clinic at Ferris
40:20 – Pocket Park music series kicks off May 29 🎶
41:45 – Back to the Bricks (June 5) 🚗
42:30 – High Strung Steel at the Sawmill (May 2) 🎸
43:35 – Dom’s Corrections: pickleball growth, robots & Wrestlemania 🤖
48:25 – Jetsons vs Flintstones debate 🤯
49:26 – Outro & goodbyes

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