What's Up Big Rapids?

What's Up Big Rapids?

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What's Up Big Rapids? episodes

  • Hope, Halloween & High-Flying Geckos

    Halloween is almost here, and Big Rapids has a busy weekend ahead! ๐ŸŽƒ

    This week we're joined by Dena Durante from Hope House Free Medical Clinic, an organization celebrating 20 years of providing free healthcare to uninsured members of our community. Dena shares how retirement led her right back to helping people, what services Hope House offers, and why more people need to know this valuable resource exists.

    Then Danette Doyle from the Pioneer Group stops by to talk about the Skeleton Skurry, Halloween festivities, and everything happening downtown this weekend. Chris is preparing to defend his Pumpkin Rolling Championship, and the competition is heating up!

    Plus, we talk about the Flannel Comedy Tour, a new men's support group, Light Up the Night, flying geckos, power-tool pumpkin carving, and robots that are becoming increasingly difficult to defend.

    โฑ๏ธ Timecodes

    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome

    1:00 โ€“ TikTok algorithms & what our spare accounts say about us ๐Ÿ“ฑ

    3:00 โ€“ Two months left in 2026. What's your plan?

    4:10 โ€“ Recapping Brendan Lemon's comedy show ๐ŸŽค

    6:30 โ€“ Pumpkin Rolling Championship preview ๐ŸŽƒ

    8:09 โ€“ Thanks to Amy & Bridget from Life Resources

    9:00 โ€“ Featured Creature: Flying Gecko from E&E Tropical Fish ๐ŸฆŽ

    12:00 โ€“ Welcome Dena Durante from Hope House Free Medical Clinic

    13:30 โ€“ From retirement back to helping people: Dena's story

    16:45 โ€“ Where is Hope House located?

    19:00 โ€“ Celebrating 20 years of free healthcare for uninsured neighbors โค๏ธ

    22:35 โ€“ Medical care and spiritual support

    23:30 โ€“ How to volunteer or donate to Hope House

    24:50 โ€“ Clinic hours & making an appointment

    26:40 โ€“ Welcome Danette Doyle! Skeleton Skurry & Halloween costumes ๐Ÿ‘ป

    35:00 โ€“ Chris defends his Pumpkin Rolling Trophy Saturday at 11 AM ๐Ÿ†

    37:00 โ€“ Trunk or Treat starts at 10 AM ๐Ÿฌ

    38:30 โ€“ Artworks banner contest is open

    40:00 โ€“ A new men's group focused on depression & connection

    41:30 โ€“ Light Up the Night at the Castle in Canadian Lakes

    43:10 โ€“ Knicks championship rings? ๐Ÿ’

    47:30 โ€“ A sound-wave fire extinguisher?

    49:30 โ€“ Detroit Lions celebrate a false start in style ๐Ÿˆ

    50:40 โ€“ Carving pumpkins with power tools. Thanks, Dom.

    52:00 โ€“ Robot News: Four-armed flying robots with rifles?! ๐Ÿค–

    53:50 โ€“ Three-year-old soccer phenom gets ejected โšฝ

    56:45 โ€“ Outro & goodbye

    ๐Ÿ“ฃ Hashtags

    #WhatsUpBigRapids

    #BigRapidsMI

    #HopeHouseFreeMedicalClinic

    #SkeletonSkurry

    #SupportLocal

    58 min
  • Babies, Bingo & Brewery Comedy

    We've got two sets of guests, a whole lot happening around town, and Episode 100 is sneaking up on us!

    First, Amy Grandy and Bridget Roberts from Life Resources Northern Michigan join us to talk about the free services they provide to new and expecting parents. From parenting classes and ultrasounds to diapers, clothing, and other essentials, their organization has been helping local families for decades. This year alone, they've provided more than 1,500 free parenting classes and distributed over 29,000 diapers!

    Then we welcome comedian Brendan Lemon, fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and headed to Cranker's for the Flannel Comedy Tour. We talk about performing in New York City, the strangest places to do stand-up, and how a guy living in Manhattan ends up doing comedy in West Michigan breweries.

    Plus, Chris is surviving the real estate market, Pat attempts to explain Rod Wave, Ferris brings home the Anchor-Bone Trophy, and Dom has found robots that look like they're protecting humanity by threatening it.

    โฑ๏ธ Timecodes

    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome! Episode 100 is getting close ๐ŸŽ‰

    1:21 โ€“ Chris vs. the housing market ๐Ÿก

    1:55 โ€“ Hand of Giants at SpeakEZ, Pat's Detroit adventures & Rod Wave

    3:56 โ€“ Ribbon cuttings at Cottage Inn & Tommy's, plus Chamber After Hours

    6:35 โ€“ Featured Creature of the Week from E&E Tropical Fish ๐Ÿ 

    8:40 โ€“ Thanks to Jon & Kevin from Michigan Works!

    10:20 โ€“ Welcome Amy Grandy & Bridget Roberts from Life Resources Northern Michigan

    13:34 โ€“ Why Amy loves Big Rapids & the free services available to parents

    15:00 โ€“ 1,500+ parenting classes, 29,000+ diapers & memories of early parenthood ๐Ÿ‘ถ

    17:00 โ€“ Free ultrasound services & nearly 50 years in Big Rapids

    20:00 โ€“ How to help: Diapers, formula, clothing & donations

    26:25 โ€“ Volunteering and supporting Life Resources

    28:00 โ€“ Music Bingo at Crusted Creations ๐ŸŽถ

    28:55 โ€“ GFWC's 4B's fundraiser at Artworks

    29:30 โ€“ Fall Fest & Skeleton Skurry on Halloween ๐ŸŽƒ

    33:17 โ€“ Welcome comedian Brendan Lemon from the Flannel Comedy Tour! ๐ŸŽค

    40:00 โ€“ From New York City to West Michigan brewery comedy

    43:20 โ€“ The weirdest places to perform stand-up

    44:45 โ€“ Flannel Comedy Tour at Cranker's: Thursday at 7 PM

    50:00 โ€“ Going all-in on comedy, acting & life in Manhattan

    52:32 โ€“ Where to find Brendan Lemon & the Flannel Comedy Tour

    53:05 โ€“ Good Samaritan returns nearly $1 million in misplaced cash ๐Ÿ’ฐ

    54:30 โ€“ Robot News: Why do our robot protectors look so terrifying? ๐Ÿค–

    57:16 โ€“ Ferris beats Grand Valley for the Anchor-Bone Trophy! ๐Ÿˆ

    58:05 โ€“ Outro & goodbye

    ๐Ÿ“ฃ Hashtags

    #WhatsUpBigRapids

    #BigRapidsMI

    #LifeResourcesNorthernMichigan

    #FlannelComedyTour

    #SupportLocal

    59 min
  • Jobs, Jobseekers & Jack-o'-Lanterns

    Looking for a job? Trying to hire someone? Or just wondering what resources are available to help local businesses grow?

    This week we're joined by Jon Eppley and Kevin Welch from Michigan Works! West Central to talk about connecting people with jobs, helping employers find and train workers, and making sure businesses know about grants and programs they might be missing out on. We also get into the changing expectations of today's workforce, the role AI plays in job hunting, and some upcoming opportunities for the community.

    Plus, Chris celebrates the High Strung Steel album release, Chipotle gets a new opening estimate, we remember a beloved library pet, and Pat somehow discovers a version of fantasy football involving Pokรฉmon.

    And yes, Chris is preparing to defend his Pumpkin Rolling Championship. Again.

    โฑ๏ธ Timecodes

    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome

    1:30 โ€“ Thanks to Melanie & Linda from GFWC

    2:10 โ€“ High Strung Steel album release, indoor markets & Ferris football ๐ŸŽป

    4:00 โ€“ Lucas Armand signs with the UFC! Pat issues a correction (please don't hurt him) ๐ŸฅŠ

    6:03 โ€“ Featured Creature: Blueberry Tetra from E&E Tropical Fish ๐ŸŸ

    8:00 โ€“ Want to advertise on WUBR?

    8:20 โ€“ Welcome Jon Eppley & Kevin Welch from Michigan Works! West Central

    10:00 โ€“ 10 years of helping people find jobs and businesses find employees

    12:00 โ€“ Connecting employers with grants, training & state resources

    16:20 โ€“ Chris' hiring struggles: Is there a better way?

    17:45 โ€“ Finding qualified workers & teaching workplace expectations

    19:45 โ€“ How important is AI in today's job search? ๐Ÿค–

    20:50 โ€“ Neighborhood Resources Expo โ€“ November 13

    23:30 โ€“ 20 Under 30 nominations are open!

    25:50 โ€“ How to connect with Michigan Works!

    27:45 โ€“ Remembering Quilliam Shakespeare, the library's beloved pet โค๏ธ

    29:30 โ€“ Chipotle opening update: January 2027? ๐ŸŒฏ

    31:10 โ€“ Cardinal Basketball Kโ€“6 camps begin November 7 ๐Ÿ€

    31:55 โ€“ Mecosta Osceola Victim Services Unit needs volunteers

    34:00 โ€“ MOISD Career Center 50th Anniversary Open House

    34:30 โ€“ New businesses, ribbon cuttings & what's coming to town

    36:50 โ€“ GFWC's 4B's fundraiser at Artworks

    37:40 โ€“ Is Halloween candy getting too expensive? ๐Ÿฌ

    39:00 โ€“ Skeleton Skurry 5K & Downtown Fall Fest โ€“ October 31 ๐ŸŽƒ

    41:00 โ€“ Chris defends his Pumpkin Rolling Championship! ๐Ÿ†

    41:50 โ€“ Pokรฉmon fantasy football? Pat has reached a new level of nerdiness

    42:55 โ€“ Dom's videos: Hero geese, Meijer & disembodied robot hands

    46:50 โ€“ Ferris vs. Grand Valley & Hand of Giants at SpeakEZ Lounge ๐Ÿˆ๐ŸŽธ

    47:45 โ€“ Outro & goodbye

    ๐Ÿ“ฃ Hashtags

    #WhatsUpBigRapids

    #BigRapidsMI

    #MichiganWorks

    #SupportLocal

    #BigRapidsEvents

    49 min
  • Fish, Fundraisers & Fall Fun

    This week we're joined by Melanie Rey James and Linda Telfer from the GFWC Big Rapids, a group that's been quietly making things better around town for 55 years.

    We talk about the organization's history, the many local projects and charities they support, and the story behind Ryco the Recycling Fish at Hemlock Parkโ€”including how Ferris welding students helped turn the idea into reality. And if Ryco eats enough cans and bottles, he may eventually get a fish friend somewhere else in town.

    Plus, we recap the Jim Crow Museum opening, congratulate Chad Coon, preview a packed couple weeks of fall events, and Chris discovers he has absolutely no idea what a bonbon is.

    โฑ๏ธ Timecodes

    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome

    1:25 โ€“ Beautiful fall weather, Bronner's & library book club ๐Ÿ‚

    3:20 โ€“ Celebrating the opening of the Jim Crow Museum

    5:00 โ€“ Congrats to Chad Coon on his bare-knuckle debut! ๐ŸฅŠ

    7:13 โ€“ Featured Creature: Savannah Monitor ๐ŸฆŽ

    9:30 โ€“ Welcome Melanie Rey James & Linda Telfer from GFWC

    16:00 โ€“ 55 years of supporting charities & Big Rapids projects

    19:00 โ€“ How Ferris welding students helped create Ryco the Recycling Fish ๐ŸŸ

    24:00 โ€“ Could Big Rapids get another recycling fish?

    25:20 โ€“ The 4B's fundraiser: Bags, Baubles, Bonbons & Bites

    27:17 โ€“ How to join GFWC & get involved

    28:35 โ€“ Thanks to Melanie & Linda!

    31:10 โ€“ Book club at the library tonight ๐Ÿ“š

    32:25 โ€“ Indoor Pop-Up Market at The Banded Raccoon

    33:00 โ€“ High Strung Steel album release party this Saturday! ๐ŸŽป

    35:40 โ€“ Life After Death Museum & Gift Store opening

    37:15 โ€“ Rhythm & Roots Celebration at Williams Auditorium

    39:30 โ€“ New arcade hours at Crusted Creations ๐Ÿ•น๏ธ

    40:35 โ€“ Free Women's Self Defense Class at Ferris

    41:30 โ€“ Skeleton Skurry + Chris defends his Pumpkin Rolling trophy ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿ†

    42:45 โ€“ Robots, a Taco Bell ultramarathon & the ageless Al Roker

    46:15 โ€“ A 95-year-old grandfather tackles his bucket list โค๏ธ

    48:40 โ€“ Outro & goodbye

    ๐Ÿ“ฃ Hashtags

    #WhatsUpBigRapids

    #BigRapidsMI

    #GFWCBigRapids

    #SupportLocal

    #FerrisState

    50 min
  • Careers, Chameleons & Community Connections

    This week we're learning that the Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District is a whole lot more than the Career Center.

    Superintendent Steve Locke and Assistant Superintendent Amanda Kimball join us to talk about everything happening at the MOISDโ€”from career and technical education to special education, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, creative opportunities for students, and the Career Center's upcoming 50th anniversary celebration. We also tackle the old โ€œtrades vs. collegeโ€ debate and why it really doesn't have to be one or the other.

    Plus, the new Jim Crow Museum opens, High Strung Steel prepares to release an album, Big Rapids gets a bird walk, the theater is working on Screen 3, and a family of bears steals a Honda for popcorn. Apparently.

    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome
    1:10 โ€“ The new Jim Crow Museum opens today!
    2:10 โ€“ Pat's staycation becomes a work-from-home-cation
    3:05 โ€“ High Strung Steel album release party โ€“ October 10 ๐ŸŽป
    4:45 โ€“ Thanks to Pastor Ross Scheer
    5:30 โ€“ Featured Creature: Veiled Chameleon ๐ŸฆŽ
    8:30 โ€“ Welcome Steve Locke & Amanda Kimball from the MOISD
    13:00 โ€“ The MOISD is much more than the Career Center
    16:00 โ€“ Dolly Parton's Imagination Library & the MOISD's role ๐Ÿ“š
    20:50 โ€“ We need more beloved humans. Somebody check on Willie Nelson.
    22:05 โ€“ Career Center 50th Anniversary Open House โ€“ October 20
    26:00 โ€“ Technical training vs. university: Why does it have to be either/or?
    29:00 โ€“ Special education, micro-businesses & opportunities through age 26
    34:00 โ€“ Looking for a career change? The MOISD is hiring
    35:00 โ€“ Pork For a Purpose raises another $50,000 for local charity! ๐Ÿ‘
    35:40 โ€“ Big Rapids Theater hopes to have Screen 3 ready for the holidays ๐ŸŽฌ
    36:45 โ€“ MOTA & WISE team up to Fill the Bus
    37:00 โ€“ Bird walk with ornithologist Joe Lipar ๐Ÿฆ
    39:00 โ€“ Skeleton Skurry supports Angels of Action ๐ŸŽƒ
    39:40 โ€“ Homecoming wins for Ferris & Big Rapids!
    40:40 โ€“ Nintendo 64 turns 25: GoldenEye, anyone? ๐ŸŽฎ
    42:50 โ€“ Dom's internet: Bears carjack a Honda for popcorn ๐Ÿป๐Ÿฟ
    46:50 โ€“ Thanks to our guests & goodbye!


    #WhatsUpBigRapids
    #BigRapidsMI
    #MOISD
    #SupportLocal
    #CommunityConnections

    48 min
  • Growth, Groundbreakings & Geckos

    Thereโ€™s a lot being built around Big Rapids latelyโ€”and this week weโ€™re talking about one of the biggest projects underway.

    Our guest is Pastor Ross Scheer from Res Life Church, where construction has begun on a roughly 30,000-square-foot expansion. Ross talks about whatโ€™s driving the churchโ€™s growth, why the additional space is needed, plans for a 1,000-seat sanctuary that could host touring artists, and the unusual partnership that helped reshape the church over the last several years.

    Plus, Pat runs a personal-best 5K, Chris picks up trash, Burlington prepares to open, a semi takes an unexpected trip through the Super 8, Ferris celebrates Homecoming, and Dom introduces us to another robot with absolutely no survival instincts.

    โฑ๏ธ Timecodes

    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome

    1:00 โ€“ Who should we have on WUBR next?

    1:30 โ€“ Groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, Pat's fastest 5K & Chris picks up trash

    4:30 โ€“ Thanks to Megan Eppley

    5:30 โ€“ Featured Creature: Crested Gecko ๐ŸฆŽ

    7:20 โ€“ Welcome Pastor Ross Scheer from Res Life Church

    10:00 โ€“ Does God care who wins football games? Lions fans need answers ๐Ÿˆ

    11:00 โ€“ What makes Res Life different?

    12:20 โ€“ Breaking ground on a 30,000-square-foot expansion

    13:00 โ€“ 1,400โ€“1,500 people on a typical Sunday morning

    15:00 โ€“ What's behind the growth?

    17:00 โ€“ Why not every church is right for every person

    18:05 โ€“ How long has the expansion been in the works?

    19:00 โ€“ Shoutout to Big Rapids Public Schools

    20:00 โ€“ A 1,000-seat sanctuary & possibilities for touring artists ๐ŸŽถ

    21:15 โ€“ Creating more room for youth programs

    23:00 โ€“ โ€œChurch isn't a building you walk into, but a family you belong to.โ€

    24:15 โ€“ WUBR is looking for a new intern or partner! ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

    25:00 โ€“ An unlikely Texas partnership that changed Res Life

    30:00 โ€“ โ€œYou don't need permission to do good.โ€

    30:30 โ€“ When will the addition be finished?

    32:30 โ€“ Construction means some temporary inconvenience

    33:00 โ€“ Connecting with Res Life from home

    37:00 โ€“ Services, small groups & getting connected

    39:45 โ€“ Ross, Dom & Pat's morning workout crew ๐Ÿ’ช

    42:30 โ€“ Thanks, Pastor Ross!

    44:30 โ€“ Ferris law enforcement students, Special Olympics & the game-ball run

    45:50 โ€“ A new dog boarding business comes to town ๐Ÿ•

    46:50 โ€“ Burlington opening + $5,000 for Brookside Elementary

    47:40 โ€“ A runaway semi crashes through the Super 8 ๐Ÿ˜ณ

    50:20 โ€“ Ferris Marching Band documentary at Big Rapids Theater ๐ŸŽบ

    51:40 โ€“ Ferris Homecoming weekend! ๐Ÿถ

    52:12 โ€“ Jim Crow Museum grand opening next Wednesday

    55:00 โ€“ Skeleton Scurry, Fall Fest & the Pumpkin Roll ๐ŸŽƒ

    57:40 โ€“ Dom's videos: a pet lion & a robot defeated by a doorstep

    59:23 โ€“ Happy Autumnal Equinox ๐Ÿ‚

    1:00:00 โ€“ Outro & goodbye

    ๐Ÿ“ฃ Hashtags

    #WhatsUpBigRapids

    #BigRapidsMI

    #ResLifeChurch

    #FerrisState

    #SupportLocal

    1 hr 1 min
  • Grants, Getting Around & Good Things Growing

    This week on Whatโ€™s Up Big Rapids, we're talking about how some of the behind-the-scenes work at City Hall eventually turns into real improvements you can see around town.


    Our guest is Megan Eppley, grant writer for the City of Big Rapidsโ€”and Chris' former co-host from the Live Big Rapids days. Megan explains what a grant writer actually does (after Chris attempts the kindergarten version), how new walking and biking audits could shape future improvements, and how residents can get involved right now.


    Plus: football, car washes, Chipotle windows, Chalk the Walk, Save the Ponds, the upcoming Jim Crow Museum opening, and Dom finds us two mice boxing in a subway. Journalism.


    โฑ๏ธ Timecodes


    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome

    1:00 โ€“ Why Chris still loves working in real estate ๐Ÿก

    5:27 โ€“ Lions football & Pat's happy place ๐Ÿˆ

    6:35 โ€“ Thanks to Rick Hatkowski & Save the Ponds

    7:00 โ€“ Featured Creature: Albino Gator Gar ๐ŸŸ

    9:19 โ€“ Welcome Megan Eppley from the City of Big Rapids

    10:00 โ€“ The Live Big Rapids reunion!

    11:30 โ€“ English + fundraising + Big Rapids = grant writer

    12:30 โ€“ Chris attempts to explain grant writing like a kindergartner

    17:00 โ€“ AARP grants & walking/biking audits ๐Ÿšถ๐Ÿšฒ

    18:00 โ€“ What has Chris learned scootering around town?

    19:45 โ€“ How do walking audits actually work?

    23:00 โ€“ Spot a bad or missing sidewalk? Here's your chance to speak up

    25:00 โ€“ How today's feedback could shape future city projects

    26:30 โ€“ Big Rapids Walking Passport challenge

    28:34 โ€“ Following city projects & updates

    29:30 โ€“ Want to participate? Megan will even hook you up with BR swag

    30:30 โ€“ Thanks, Megan!

    30:48 โ€“ Former Bulldog Zach Sieler continues making Big Rapids proud ๐Ÿˆ

    31:15 โ€“ New community fitness programs

    33:00 โ€“ Tommy's test washes, Chipotle has WINDOWS & Voter Registration Day ๐ŸŒฏ

    34:21 โ€“ Business After Hours at Schuberg's

    34:55 โ€“ A very busy Saturday: Res Life 5K, Rotary cleanup & Chalk the Walk

    36:50 โ€“ Recycle Fish dedication at Hemlock Park ๐ŸŸ

    37:40 โ€“ Save the Ponds groundbreaking

    37:57 โ€“ Brothers Blue Jean Ball benefiting OBK

    38:45 โ€“ Winter boat & RV storage at the fairgrounds

    39:14 โ€“ Should The Banded Raccoon become a cartoon? ๐Ÿฆ

    40:40 โ€“ New Jim Crow Museum grand opening

    44:15 โ€“ A folding iPhone?! ๐Ÿ“ฑ

    46:50 โ€“ Taco Bell Girl, subway mouse boxing & man vs. robot โ€” Dom's internet strikes again

    51:25 โ€“ Thanks & outro


    #WhatsUpBigRapids

    #BigRapidsMI

    #SupportLocal

    #CommunityStrong

    #DowntownBigRapids

    53 min
  • Ponds, Paris & Pigskins

    Labor Day is behind us, football is officially back, and this week we're digging into a piece of local history that goes all the way back to 1881.


    Our guest is Rick Hatkowski, Chair of the Save The Ponds Committee, who joins us to talk about the past, present and future of the historic Paris Fish Hatchery. We get into the story behind the ponds, those famous red milk cans, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the years of work that have gone into preserving and improving this unique piece of Mecosta County history.


    Most importantly, the work is becoming reality: the groundbreaking ceremony is Friday, September 18 at 3 PM, followed by activities from 6โ€“9 PM.


    Plus, Ferris has TWO #1 teams, Tommy's Car Wash is opening, Liberty Tax is coming to town, Sisterfolk closes out the Thursday night concert series, and Pat tries to convince Chris that professional sports have meaning.


    โฑ๏ธ Timecodes


    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome

    1:34 โ€“ Labor Day recap: Bulldogs, sickness, Raised on Radio & hundreds of hot dogs

    5:50 โ€“ Football is BACK! Fantasy report & Chris questions the meaning of professional sports ๐Ÿˆ

    8:00 โ€“ Want to help WUBR with our weekly reels? We're looking for some help!

    8:20 โ€“ Featured Creature: Leopard Gecko ๐ŸฆŽ

    10:25 โ€“ Thanks to Pastor Mark Robb & Lisa David

    11:05 โ€“ Welcome Rick Hatkowski from Save The Ponds

    12:00 โ€“ The Fish Hatchery story begins in 1881

    20:00 โ€“ Groundbreaking celebration โ€“ September 18

    27:30 โ€“ What's the story behind the red milk cans? ๐Ÿฅ›

    30:00 โ€“ A romantic afternoon under the Eiffel Tower... in Paris, Michigan ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท

    36:30 โ€“ Break ground now, cut ribbon later

    38:10 โ€“ How you can support Save The Ponds

    38:55 โ€“ TWO #1 Ferris teams! Volleyball & Football ๐Ÿถ๐Ÿ†

    41:09 โ€“ Liberty Tax is coming to Big Rapids

    44:30 โ€“ Tommy's Car Wash soft opening ๐Ÿš—

    45:14 โ€“ Sisterfolk closes out Thursday nights at Pocket Park ๐ŸŽถ

    48:03 โ€“ Chad Coon's bare-knuckle fight โ€“ September 19 ๐ŸฅŠ

    49:07 โ€“ Dom's feel-good internet finds: bears, buckets & football science

    52:50 โ€“ Western vs. Michigan ends in confusion ๐Ÿˆ

    55:40 โ€“ Another great week in Big Rapids

    56:00 โ€“ Outro & goodbye


    #WhatsUpBigRapids

    #BigRapidsMI

    #SaveThePonds

    #ParisMichigan

    #SupportLocal

    57 min
  • Hope, Home & Hometown Happenings

    September is here, Ferris students are back, football season is kicking off, and there's plenty happening around Big Rapids.


    Our main guest this week is Pastor Mark Robb from Connect Church, who shares a remarkably personal story about his own experiences with abuse, homelessness, addiction and incarcerationโ€”and how those experiences shaped his desire to help people who are going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. It's ultimately a conversation about something pretty simple: giving people hope.


    Then Lisa David from Band of Locals joins us to preview this year's Big Rapids Labor Day Festival and everything happening downtown.


    Plus: the Recycle Fish debate, High Strung Steel at Pocket Park, Cottage Inn reviews, baby dragons, robot videos and somehow a recumbent bicycle gets mistaken for Jimothy.


    โฑ๏ธ Timecodes


    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome

    1:00 โ€“ What's everybody saying about the Recycle Fish sculpture? ๐ŸŸ

    2:55 โ€“ Hello, September. Take a breath.

    3:45 โ€“ Welcome back, Ferris students! ๐Ÿถ

    4:25 โ€“ Cardinals & Bulldogs football kicks off ๐Ÿˆ

    5:18 โ€“ Chris wraps up his busiest music month of the year ๐Ÿฅ

    7:00 โ€“ Chris would like to sell your house. Yes, yours. ๐Ÿก

    7:47 โ€“ Pat's Pork For a Purpose recap ๐Ÿ–

    8:45 โ€“ Remembering Jess McCallie โค๏ธ

    10:35 โ€“ Featured Creature: Desert Agama baby dragons ๐ŸฆŽ

    13:45 โ€“ Thanks to Dr. David Pilgrim

    15:30 โ€“ Welcome Pastor Mark Robb from Connect Church

    17:20 โ€“ How did Mark end up in Big Rapids?

    21:30 โ€“ Mark shares his story of abuse, homelessness, addiction & incarceration

    24:25 โ€“ Sometimes giving someone hope can change a life

    26:02 โ€“ What's happening at Connect Church?

    32:30 โ€“ How to learn more & get connected

    33:25 โ€“ Is that Jimothy on the White Pine Trail? ๐Ÿšฒ๐Ÿฆ

    34:28 โ€“ High Strung Steel at Pocket Park + album news ๐ŸŽป

    35:45 โ€“ Tony Halchak at Pocket Park Friday ๐ŸŽถ

    36:38 โ€“ Labor Day weekend at The Banded Raccoon

    37:50 โ€“ Surprise second guest: Lisa David from Band of Locals

    42:55 โ€“ Everything you need to know about the Labor Day Festival

    45:45 โ€“ The official WUBR Cottage Inn review ๐Ÿ•

    48:00 โ€“ Robots, weighted pull-ups, Wile E. Coyote & rescued puppies โ€” thanks, Dom

    52:45 โ€“ Top Gun: Maverick at Roben-Hood Airport โœˆ๏ธ

    53:40 โ€“ Thanks to our guests โ€” and 86 episodes of WUBR! ๐ŸŽ‰

    54:22 โ€“ Outro & goodbye


    #WhatsUpBigRapids

    #BigRapidsMI

    #SupportLocal

    #CommunityStrong

    #WhatsHappeningBR

    55 min
  • History, Healing & Hot Happenings

    This week we had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. David Pilgrim, founder and director of the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University.


    Dr. Pilgrim takes us back to the beginnings of the museum, explains what Jim Crow actually means, and gives us a look inside the incredible new facility being built right here in Big Rapids. More importantly, we talk about why studying difficult history matters, how we can get better at having uncomfortable conversations, and the role the museum hopes to play for generations to come.


    As Dr. Pilgrim put it: โ€œThe trick is not to stop talking about it, itโ€™s to talk about it better.โ€


    Plus, Chris is still on the road with the Michael Allman Band, Pat and Brandi celebrate 16 years, we recap Tie Dye Festival, meet a Spotted Congo Puffer, and run through another packed list of things happening around town.


    โฑ๏ธ Timecodes


    0:00 โ€“ Intro & welcome

    0:55 โ€“ Catching up: After Hours, touring & a busy week

    2:00 โ€“ Thanks to Paul Griffith & Friends of the White Pine Trail

    3:15 โ€“ Hand of Giants at Tie Dye Festival

    4:12 โ€“ Happy 16th anniversary to Pat & Brandi! โค๏ธ

    5:35 โ€“ Pork For a Purpose this Saturday

    6:05 โ€“ Featured Creature: Spotted Congo Puffer ๐Ÿก

    7:40 โ€“ Welcome Dr. David Pilgrim

    9:08 โ€“ Chris' first experience at the Jim Crow Museum

    10:35 โ€“ Why is the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris?

    12:05 โ€“ Creating uncomfortable but important conversations

    13:30 โ€“ โ€œWitness, understand and healโ€

    14:28 โ€“ A new space dedicated to sharing stories

    15:20 โ€“ There's never a bad time to learn history

    16:45 โ€“ Putting Ferris in the national conversation

    17:53 โ€“ Where did this journey begin for Dr. Pilgrim?

    19:48 โ€“ What exactly was Jim Crow?

    22:36 โ€“ The museum's mission as an educational institution

    24:25 โ€“ The importance of listening to other perspectives

    25:29 โ€“ โ€œThe trick is not to stop talking about it, it's to talk about it better.โ€

    25:55 โ€“ The first piece Dr. Pilgrim collected โ€” and why he broke it

    27:41 โ€“ An antique dealer who changed his perspective

    30:06 โ€“ Shoutout to the Museum of Sexist Objects

    31:18 โ€“ How did the new museum become a reality?

    33:18 โ€“ The museum will begin accepting pieces again

    34:42 โ€“ The team behind the project

    35:37 โ€“ Choosing the location and designing the building

    37:07 โ€“ How to support the museum & what to know before visiting

    39:18 โ€“ Come with an open mind

    40:39 โ€“ How exactly do you build a museum?

    44:17 โ€“ Thank you, Dr. Pilgrim!

    44:50 โ€“ Peter Jordan at Pocket Park ๐ŸŽถ

    45:35 โ€“ Balsam Brothers at the Bandshell

    45:55 โ€“ Free pudding at Whipped & Dipped!

    46:40 โ€“ Big Dam Bike Ride cancelled

    47:00 โ€“ Pork For a Purpose โ€“ August 29 ๐Ÿ–

    47:19 โ€“ Big Rapids Labor Day Festival

    48:00 โ€“ R2 ResRun26 โ€“ September 19

    49:39 โ€“ Skeleton Scurry 5K coming Halloween ๐ŸŽƒ

    49:55 โ€“ What's being built behind Cardinal Stadium? ๐Ÿ‘€

    51:20 โ€“ Chalk the Walk โ€“ September 19

    52:28 โ€“ Congrats to WUBR T-shirt winner Skylar Callendar!

    53:00 โ€“ Brothers Blue Jean Ball โ€“ September 19

    54:00 โ€“ Remembering Dolly Parton & Tim Curry

    55:55 โ€“ โ€œ9 to 5โ€ at the Changing of the Guard

    57:00 โ€“ Robot Olympics get weird ๐Ÿค–

    58:20 โ€“ Outro & goodbye


    #WhatsUpBigRapids

    #BigRapidsMI

    #JimCrowMuseum

    #FerrisState

    #SupportLocal

    59 min

About What's Up Big Rapids?

From the publisher's feed

Locals Chris Jane and Pat Brooks share the latest weekly happenings and events important to Big Rapids, Michigan, and the surrounding areas.