Welcome back to another episode of The Community Connection Podcast – Lockdown Edition! We’re not sure what episode that we’re on or what day it is, but we ARE back for your entertainment. We also talk about how to celebrate Easter Quarantine style.

Each new week of quarantine throws us all some curveballs, Rachel had a few issues with some appliances, but she discovered that you can in fact make bread in a crockpot if your oven breaks!

Clayton plans on spending Easter dying eggs with his girls. Nathan’s family goes all out for Easter and makes their own wooden Easter baskets as a family tradition. Rachel will be using her crockpot for any meals for the foreseeable future and there is talk of an Easter Egg hunt with pugs..stay tuned!

One thing we all agree on, is that we will be live streaming Easter Sunday Service online. We will link our churches below.

If you don’t plan on cooking for Easter, there are plenty of restaurants in Kalamazoo offering Easter Dinner to-go! Check out the Kalamazoo Menu Group on Facebook for updates.

SPOILER ALERT for the next episode “What is Clayton’s relationship with the City Commission…” tune into the next episode to find out!

Welcome back to another episode of The Community Connection Podcast – Lockdown Edition! In this episode we keep you entertained with everything from date night in, video games, to favorite family movies and Netflix shows.

Clayton’s family is connecting through movies & popcorn, and each family member gets to pick a favorite and they narrow it down from there. They also dusted off the WII Console and are playing games! Rachel and her husband are catching up on favorite TV shows with their 4 dogs, specifically NOT Tiger King, but let’s be honest, we are all intrigued and might have to break down and watch it for research purposes for another episode. Rachel, being an influencer, finds out what the hype is all about with ‘Fluffy Coffee’ Have you tried it? Nathan is living the single life and has a new found love for Play Station and has been brushing up on his shooting skills with Call of Duty, and shooting Skeet on is 30 acres of property.

We want to know what your favorite Movie, TV Show, or Video games are! Leave a comment on our Facebook page and let us know what is keeping you and your family entertained.

Welcome back to another episode of Foodie Friday- Lockdown Edition. With the uncertainty of which restaurants will continue to stay open, we decided to switch up Foodie Friday and share some of our favorite foods and recipes to help keep you entertained while at home. We didn’t stop at just food- you can get the kids in on the action with DIY Slime and Playdough!

In this episode, we take a glimpse into Nathan’s Puerto Rican heritage and learn about plantains, AND that Clayton CAN cook despite him saying otherwise. In fact, his Bacon Cheeseburger Chili is award winning! Clayton’s breakfast option is sure to put a smile on your face (listen to our episode to find out what that is😊). Nathan’s Chocolate Protein Pancakes might not have all of you smiling, but it is a great option for everyone out there trying to stick to a healthy routine. You might even get the kiddos to hop on board with this recipe with the name alone “Chocolate Pancakes”.

Rachel gives us some options for DIY Play Dough and Slime to keep the kids entertained in and out of the kitchen. She also shares her favorite family recipe for Jambalaya. We want to see YOUR favorite recipes and hope that you will join in and share a recipe on our Facebook Page!

If you are still interested in dining out and supporting our local restaurants, we have linked a few Facebook pages that are always being updated for Carry-Out options.

Welcome back to another episode of FOODIE FRIDAY! In this week’s episode we talk about Maui Poke located in Kalamazoo. If you have been keeping up with our episodes, you know that Nathan is cultured in most food - except poutine. Clayton is still learning. NO, we don’t mean Pokémon, Clayton. Just remember Poke (pronounced “poh-kay”) rhymes with Okay! Rachel still can’t decide her favorite Poke bowl but it starts with salmon and tuna.

Maui Poke opened in Kalamazoo a little over 8 months ago. If you’re not familiar with Poke Bowls, just think of it as deconstructed sushi, in a bowl. Maui Poke offers 3 different size bowls. First, pick your base: Sushi Rice, Brown Rice, Mixed Greens, or Zucchini Noodles. Add Protein. Fruit/Veggies. Choice of Sauce.

Not sure what you want? They have some Signature bowls to choose from that they have created, or you can make your own. Options for proteins include Octopus, tuna, salmon, shrimp, scallops, tofu and more. Even if you aren’t into the sushi, they offer vegetarian options, too! Maui Poke also offers Boba Tea, Smoothies and desserts including Mochi and Ice Cream with your choice of toppings.

You can dine in, order to go, or they partner with UberEats for delivery if you are in the Kalamazoo area!

We have a special edition of Foodie Friday this week for St Patty’s Day! In this episode we cover a few fun spots to celebrate in Three Rivers and Kalamazoo, including a family friendly option (Fisher Lake Inn).

Let’s start off our Irish tour with Malloy’s Pub located off of Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo! They are West Michigan’s first ever Whiskey Ladder Bar. Malloy’s offers over 100 different bottles of Irish Whiskey, Whiskey, and Bourbon – and each one requires a ladder to reach them- how cool is that? Don’t judge the quality of their cocktails because they are located in a strip mall – they are actually quite fantastic and well crafted! They use local spirits and some that are very unique and hard to find. You can create your own whiskey flight, or order up a craft cocktail. They also offer wine, beer, and other liquors if you aren’t feeling the Luck of the Irish.

Next up, we have O’Duffys Pub. It doesn’t get more Irish than that! Located downtown Kalamazoo in the Vine neighborhood, O’Duffys is a local favorite on St Patty’s Day. They have perfected the pour of a Guinness Beer and offer your typical Pub Food. Located in a historic 110 year old building it has a true Pub feel. There are no TV’s here so you can enjoy the company of everyone around you. The back bar is a beautiful piece of history and built from one of the original bar makers in the industry dating back to 1890-1915!

Last but certainly not least, Three River’s very own, Fisher Lake Inn. The celebration goes on all day long from lunch until dinner. If you have been, then you know that they love to decorate for every Holiday and St Patty’s day is no exception. The owners are Notre Dame fans -GO IRISH- and this just might be their favorite holiday to celebrate. Fisher Lake Inn decorates the entire restaurant from ceiling to floor in shamrocks and anything green. Be sure to come dressed up for the occasion- from the obligatory funny St Patty’s Day t-shirts to kilts, they have seen it all! They will offer drink specials, shamrock beads, and have one of the best Rueben Sandwiches!

No matter how you celebrate, please drink responsibly!

In this dramatic episode Nathan & Clayton sit down and discuss the upcoming H.S. Musical 'MAMMA MIA' with Director, Jennie Miller:

-Jennie goes from shy to theater, from theater to a love of performing

-TRCP history for Jennie, and their recent show

-Three Rivers High School proudly presents, the recently released: MAMMA MIA! featuring the iconic music of ABBA

-Student driven decision to do MAMMA MIA!

-Tickets: $10/adult, $5/student

-Tickets available for purchase at: Preferred Insurance Services, Ridgeway Floral & Gifts, or TRHS

-Get cultured...come see MAMMA MIA featuring ABBA

-Enjoy this family friendly version

-Cast & Crew of 60+

-Lots of fun, singing and dancing

-Don't miss this piece of Pop Culture

-Clayton's Daughter Gwen is in it

-Jennie's Daughter Emily is in it

-TRHS PAC March 12, 14, 15 and 20, 21, 22

-Shout out to Superintendent Ron Moag & Principle Carrie Balk for supporting the arts (especially the theater), more musicals to come!

- GET YOUR TICKETS!!!

Welcome back to the 4th episode of our Mini Podcast Series, FOODIE FRIDAY! In this week’s episode we talk about Saugatuck Brewing Company Kalamazoo. Nathan and Clayton learn what Poutine is and how spent grain is made. We finally stumped the ever so cultured Nathan with that one!

Saugatuck Brewing Company originally started in Douglas, MI back in 2005 (near Saugatuck, MI). They are dedicated to the entire experience of craft; from creative food to unique beers. Where else can you find a Neapolitan Milk Stout? Yes, just like the ice cream, you get all of the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and its award winning.

Saugatuck Brewing Company recently opened a second location downtown Kalamazoo (formerly known as Gonzo’s) and offers 16 rotating taps. Don’t worry, they still offer the famous Vanilla Porter, only now it’s made with REAL vanilla. The food at the brewery is also pretty fantastic and covers the basics from appetizers, burgers, pizzas, salads, and even a Vanilla Porter ice cream float for dessert. Their pizzas are particularly unique. After the brewing process, there is a byproduct called spent grain. Saugatuck Brewing Company saves that grain and repurposes it in their pizza crust. They offer house specialty pizzas or you can build your own with toppings ranging from traditional pepperoni to pulled pork and BBQ sauce. Their Poutine is one you don’t want to miss. It may be foreign to Nathan, but if you have tried it, you KNOW. French fries, cheese curds, gravy, and don’t forget to top it off with a fried egg.

While they offer many varieties of beer on tap and delicious food, Saugatuck Brewing Company is also family friendly and they do offer a kid’s menu so you can make it a family outing.

We sat down with the the owner of Lowry's Books & More and the Mayor of Three Rivers, Tom Lowry:

-Lowry's opened in 1993

-Although he loved it out East, the Midwest is Home

-Surprise...he's a book geek, since he was a kid

-The energy on Main St is the highest in his 27 years here

Partly do to new restaurants, and Allie Jane's Boutique

-Main 3 things to find at Lowry's

New books

Used books (2,000+, second largest in MI)

Small Toy Store

-Recommended reads...

-Open Mic Night at Lowry's (Poetry & Music)

First Tuesday of the month, 7-9pm, 1 hour open & 1 hour performer (10-50 people)

-Tom Talks...they're coming back

-Mayor Lowry 1995-2007, 2011-current

-City Commission (what do they do?)

Oversee ordinances

Set budgets

Set Policy

1-Mayor

2-At Large Commissioners

4- (1/District) Commissioners

-Extra Mayor Duties

Run Meetings

Sign on behalf of the City

Can officiate weddings within the city

-Commissioners are independents

-Let's focus on what we have in common

-Tom can be found in his store usually 7 days a week

-Although Lowry's is "too big for a town our size"...Lowry's does what they can, to keep people in town and make a day of it.

Welcome to the 3rd episode of our NEWEST Mini Podcast Series, FOODIE FRIDAY! Nathan and Clayton are still learning new things about Restaurants provided by Social Media Influencer, The Kalamazoo Foodie. In this episode we talk about a restaurant in the Portage area called Kelvin & Company. What is more American than BBQ? We can’t think of anything! We find out that Clayton loves brisket, Rachel’s favorite is pulled pork, and Nathan is still on the search for some authentic Carne Asada.

Kelvin and Compnay was an idea for fast-service, amazing food that turned into an ‘Urban BBQ’ concept by owner and Executive Chef, Mark Nieuwenhuis. All of their meats are slow-smoked to perfection in-house daily. The brisket is slow cooked for over 18 hours! Their meat options include brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and sausage. You can also choose from 7 different styles of BBQ sauce. Kelvin and Co also boasts some pretty amazing side dishes that are also made in-house. Rachel is still trying to bribe them for the recipe to their newest side dish, Pimento Cheesy Potatoes. They also make some killer baked beans, mac n cheese, jalapeno mac n cheese, broccoli salad, coleslaw, collard greens and corn bread.

Aside from the BBQ, Kelvin and Co also offers sandwiches, salads, and tacos. Not into meat? You can try their BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich. Jackfruit is a dense and fibrous fruit and many say that its flavor resembles pulled pork when cooked, which is why it works so well for a Vegetarian Pulled Pork Sandwich! #TheMoreYouKnow

Kelvin and Company has 2 locations, the newest is located in Portage and the other in Kalamazoo. You can dine in, grab take-out, and they also offer catering.