🌱❤️🎉 Fresh Starts, Full Focus & February Fun | What’s Up Big Rapids – 2.4.26

February is here, and the guys check in on New Year goals, weekend adventures, and a surprisingly controversial food discovery that may or may not change salads forever. With Dom away on a missions trip, Kenzie is back behind the producer desk, and the show rolls on with plenty of laughs, community updates, and a meaningful guest conversation.

This week features a great discussion with Jennifer Knowles from Special Olympics of Michigan, joined by athlete Nick, sharing how the organization supports athletes and families — and how the community can get involved, including the upcoming Polar Plunge.

You’ll also find a packed rundown of Festival of the Arts events, live music, theater progress, classes, workshops, and ways to stay connected during the heart of winter.

0:00 – Intro & welcome
1:20 – Welcome to February! How are those goals going?
3:10 – Chris discovers the “salad genius” combo: French + Ranch 🥗
4:51 – Chris reviews Mission: Impossible 🎬
5:50 – Pat’s near-miss at the Euchre tournament (pasta prize consolation) ♠️
6:40 – Weekend recap: concerts, Festival of the Arts & more
7:40 – Dom on a missions trip; Kenzie returns to the producer chair 🎙️
8:20 – Banded Raccoon indoor vendor market (Feb 21, 10–2)
8:55 – Summerfest vendor applications now open 🌞
11:00 – Major theater progress update 🎭
12:13 – Featured Creature of the Week: The Rope Fish 🐟
14:45 – Super Bowl Sunday predictions 🏈
16:50 – Guest intro: Jennifer Knowles (Special Olympics of Michigan) & athlete Nick
18:45 – What Special Olympics is all about ❤️
23:15 – How fundraising supports athletes and programs
24:50 – Jennifer shares a personal story about her son Andrew
27:00 – How to get involved as a volunteer, supporter, or athlete
28:15 – Polar Plunge preview (jump optional!) 🧊
31:33 – FOTA update: Alfred Hitchcock Movie Sampler (Thursdays in Feb)
33:27 – Ukulele classes with George Arndt start Friday 🎵
34:38 – Youngman and Oldmen perform at Immanuel Lutheran Church
35:00 – Artworks workshops: Zentangle art & blackout poetry ✍️
35:45 – FSU Drama presents Scenes and Songs at Toppings
36:45 – Learn to make viral videos with Levi Arrington 📱
39:02 – Immediate Family film screening (Feb 11)
40:27 – BRHS Drama presents Queens (Feb 6–7) 🎭
41:20 – Daddy Daughter Dance (Feb 13) 💃
41:47 – Winterfest at Cran Hill (Feb 15) ❄️
43:30 – Studio remodel DIY update 🔨
44:35 – Comedy Night at The Peaks (Feb 20) + Glitterball Gayla fundraiser ✨
46:41 – Glitter & Sawdust continues live music series at Quinn’s (Mar 7)
48:41 – FSU Dance Team hosts kids skills clinic 🩰
49:50 – Dom’s Corrections (via Kenzie): FRANCH dressing & Rope Fish facts 🤓
52:35 – Goodbyes & outro

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🐾❄️🎨 Frigid Days, Full Hearts & Festival Season | What’s Up Big Rapids – 1.28.26

This week’s episode of What’s Up Big Rapids starts on a tender note as Chris and his family say goodbye to a beloved four-legged friend. From there, the conversation moves through the very real challenges of sub-zero temperatures, frozen pipes, and winter wear-and-tear — balanced by gratitude, creativity, and a reminder of just how much is happening in our community right now.

We’re joined by Dr. Scott Cohen, who helps pull back the curtain on the Festival of the Arts — how it began, what it takes to pull off, and why Big Rapids continues to attract incredible talent year after year. With more than 70 events over the next month, this episode is a great reminder that winter doesn’t mean slowing down — it just means finding new ways to gather.

Along the way, we celebrate uplifting moments in sports, highlight local music and arts, and share plenty of opportunities to get out, support one another, and stay connected.

0:00 – Intro & welcome
1:01 – Remembering Loosey, a very good dog 🐾
6:00 – Sub-zero temps cause real problems for rentals & pipes ❄️
9:10 – Thanks to Budd Greenman & everyone at the High Strung Steel show 🎸
9:30 – Studio remodeling, This Old House style 🔨
12:00 – Pat gets another tattoo during a family milestone 💉
13:00 – Sports update: UFC, Super Bowl & Belichick legacy 🏈
16:35 – Uplifting Moments:
• FSU grad Shawn Smith named Super Bowl Head Ref
• Kaydyn Blanchard sets all-time basketball scoring record 🏀
19:45 – Guest intro: Dr. Scott Cohen, Festival of the Arts 🎨
21:40 – Scott’s journey to Big Rapids & life after retirement
25:00 – Music as a shared language around the world 🎶
27:45 – How Festival of the Arts came to be
31:15 – What “Town & Gown” really means
32:45 – Connection between Artworks & FOTA
34:03 – How Big Rapids attracts top-tier talent
35:45 – What kinds of events to expect this year
39:35 – Bob Craig Quartet, Sat Jan 31 at Immanuel Lutheran 🎼
42:35 – Festival kickoff & over 70 events in the next 30 days
48:50 – Bird City Week & Hitchcock film feature 🐦
51:00 – Encouragement to get out and support local arts
54:54 – Featured Creature: Pixie Bullfrog 🐸
57:50 – Pioneer People’s Choice voting now open 🗳️
59:04 – Live music returns to Quinn’s Music (Sat at 3pm) 🎶
1:00:00 – Free sledding day, Euchre tournament & more this weekend
1:02:15 – Daddy Daughter Dance (Feb 13) 💃
1:03:15 – BRHS Drama presents Queens (Feb 6–7) 🎭
1:06:00 – Public Arts Collective sculptures & murals around town
1:07:48 – Comedy Night returns to The Peaks 😂
1:08:30 – Dom out for two weeks; Kenzie fills in 🎙️
1:09:10 – Dom’s Corrections: cold facts, Caitlin Clark & more 🥶
1:11:43 – Outro & goodbyes

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🎸🐡🏙️ Frozen Furnaces, Fiddle Traditions & Downtown Momentum | What’s Up Big Rapids – 1.21.26

Winter is testing everyone this week — from furnaces and fitness goals to snow-packed weekends — but Big Rapids keeps moving forward.

Chris battles studio heating issues, Pat bounces back strong after illness, and the guys talk habits, health, and why sticking with change takes longer than people think.

This episode features a fantastic deep dive into local music history with Budd Greenman, the new owner and steward of Quinn’s Music. From fiddle traditions and instrument repair to the return of live music and lessons, it’s a conversation rooted deeply in the culture of Big Rapids.

You’ll also hear updates on the new theater, Festival of the Arts, winter events, student programs, and plenty of ways to get involved locally — even if you don’t leave the house much in January.

0:00 – Intro & welcome

1:20 – Furnace problems in the studio (thanks ELI HVAC!) 🔥

2:55 – Quitter’s Day explained: why habits take longer than you think 💪

5:05 – Pat rebounds from illness with gym & volleyball 🏐

6:05 – From Schuberg’s lunches to the salad bar: slow progress counts 🥗

6:58 – Thanks for a successful first vendor market at The Banded Raccoon 🦝

8:35 – New theater updates: aiming for a Spring Break opening 🎭

11:40 – Featured Creature of the Week: Pea Puffer Fish 🐡

14:05 – Guest intro: Budd Greenman, new owner of Quinn’s Music 🎸

15:35 – A brief history of Quinn’s Music in Big Rapids

18:05 – What is a luthier? Budd explains instrument building & repair

19:30 – Falling in love with traditional music

20:54 – The origins of High Strung Steel

21:20 – North American fiddle traditions explained

22:45 – Why Budd gravitates toward 150–200+ year-old instruments

25:45 – Live music returns to Quinn’s (Jan 31) with Stanley & Quiggle 🎶28:35 – Music lessons return to Quinn’s Music 🎼32:05 – Strings & Things event at Festival of the Arts: instrument setup tips

33:35 – High Strung Steel at the Sawmill this Saturday (free show!)

34:45 – Crossroads launches an e-sports program for students 🎮

38:15 – Fat Tire Bike Race at St. Ives supporting Angels of Action 🚴

41:00 – Cran Hill Winterfest dates announced ❄️

42:48 – Elks Euchre Tournament supports Comfort Home ♠️

44:42 – Festival of the Arts kicks off Jan 30 🎨

50:10 – BRHS Drama presents Queens Feb 6–7 🎭

51:27 – FSU Arts & Lecture Series hosts filmmaker Denny Tedesco 🎬

53:40 – Daddy Daughter Dance at the Middle School 💃

55:21 – Next week: Festival of the Arts leadership joins the show

56:00 – Polar Plunge preview for Special Olympics 🧊

56:45 – Sarah Dixon hired as new Big Rapids Regional Chamber leader

59:00 – Dom’s Corrections: habits, spring training & Prairie Home Companion

1:01:50 – Farewell & goodbyes with Budd Greenman

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❄️🔥🏙️ Cold Roads, Hot Takes & Downtown Updates | What’s Up Big Rapids – 1.14.26

Two weeks into the New Year and the guys are still standing — mostly. Chris is sticking with his goals, Pat fights through illness to make his co-ed volleyball game, and winter driving stories remind us all why Michigan roads demand respect.

This week’s episode is packed with Big Rapids news, updates, rumors confirmed, and plenty of laughs — including a near-miss on the freeway, a first-time snow driving story, and a surprise reversal of a past WUBR award.

We also cover major local updates like new businesses opening, fundraisers, arts and culture events, live music, and yes… Dunkin’ Donuts is officially coming to Walmart ☕👀

0:00 – Intro & welcome
1:18 – Two weeks into New Year goals & co-ed volleyball 🏐
4:55 – Chris survives icy freeway chaos to paint a mural honoring Bob Weir 🎨
11:40 – Pat’s first time driving in the snow ❄️
13:30 – Camp Brethren Heights hosts free Winterfest Sledding Day (Jan 31) 🛷
14:25 – Sneaker giveaway update 👟
15:25 – Featured Creature of the Week: Sulcata Tortoise 🐢
17:40 – CONFIRMED: Dunkin’ Donuts is coming to Walmart ☕
18:40 – BIGGBY fundraiser for Middle School Drama (Jan 22) 🎭
19:25 – The Banded Raccoon officially opens + indoor vendor market 🦝
20:53 – Chipotle delayed again… optimism fading 🌯
21:28 – Jim Crow Museum nearing completion 🏛️
23:05 – Threads North exits town — award rescinded, Treetops Tattoo takes the crown 💉
26:00 – Chamber update + new DBA leadership 🤝
27:12 – Comedy Night at The Peaks (Jan 16) 😂
28:10 – Y-102 Bridal Show at The Peaks 💍
29:11 – High Strung Steel releases free recording + Sawmill show 🎸
31:30 – Live music returns to Quinn’s Music (Jan 31) 🎶
35:10 – Euchre Tournament at the Elks for Comfort House ♠️
37:00 – Festival of the Arts season kicks off 🎨
39:50 – FSU Arts & Lectures hosts filmmaker Denny Tedesco 🎬
41:25 – Daddy Daughter Dance (Feb 13) 💃
42:18 – Polar Plunge coming up for Special Olympics 🧊
43:50 – Dom’s Corrections: Bob Weir & Grateful Dead facts 🤓
46:13 – Outro & goodbye

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❄️🥗🎒 Snow Days, Salads & Season Two Begins | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 52 (1-7-26)

Season Two is officially underway! 🎉

Chris, Pat, and Dom kick off 2026 with snow days, salads, new goals, and a whole lot happening around Big Rapids. Chris is one week into New Year goals (and surprisingly enjoying salads 🥗), while Pat spends his weekend working on his newest downtown venture, The Banded Raccoon 🦝.

Our first guest of 2026 is Austin Bancroft, Director of Camp Brethren Heights, who shares his journey from the Navy to leading one of the area’s most beloved camps — plus details on sledding days, rentals, and how the camp serves the community year-round.

We’ve also got:
🏀 Rec volleyball & basketball updates
🎭 Comedy, music, and events at The Peaks & Sawmill
🎶 Live music returning to Quinn’s Music
🃏 Euchre for a cause
🧊 Polar Plunge planning
👀 And yes… a Dunkin rumor

Season Two starts exactly how Season One ended — full of stories, laughter, and Big Rapids pride.

0:00 – Intro & welcome to Season 2 🎉
1:25 – Chris is 7 days into New Year goals (salads included) 🥗
5:08 – Back-to-back snow days for the kids ❄️
6:05 – Pat works on The Banded Raccoon downtown 🦝
8:00 – Lions season ends — a sad but peaceful goodbye 🦁
8:48 – Pat coaching basketball & Pistons hopes 🏀
9:35 – Co-ed Rec Volleyball starts this week 🏐
10:05 – Chris reviews Over the Top (very unprepared) 🎬
12:45 – Featured Creature of the Week (E & E Tropical Fish) 🐠
14:30 – Guest intro: Austin Bancroft, Camp Brethren Heights 🎙️
15:45 – Austin’s journey from the Navy to Big Rapids 🇺🇸
22:45 – Camp amenities & rental opportunities 🏕️
25:10 – Free sledding day at Camp Brethren Heights (Jan 31) 🛷
28:45 – “Everybody comes from somewhere” — Big Rapids stories ❤️
30:40 – Bulldog Spirit Day at the Eisler Center (Jan 12) 🐾
31:50 – Rumor of the Week: Dunkin at Walmart? 👀☕
35:00 – 2026 goal: creating iconic Big Rapids artwork 🎨
36:40 – Dom heading to Nicaragua ✈️
38:48 – Live comedy at The Peaks (Jan 16) 😂
39:25 – First event at The Banded Raccoon (Vendor Pop-Up Jan 17) 🛍️
41:18 – Y-102 Bridal Show at The Peaks (Jan 18) 💍
43:20 – High Strung Steel at the Sawmill (Jan 24) 🎸
44:45 – Live music returns to Quinn’s Music (Jan 31) 🎶
46:15 – Euchre tournament at the Elks for Comfort House ♠️
48:00 – Polar Plunge for Special Olympics (Feb 28) 🧊
50:55 – Dom’s corrections (IMDB + volleyball officials needed) 🤓
56:00 – Outro & goodbyes 👋

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🎉🎮🎅 One Year In, WUBR Awards & Only in Big Rapids | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 51 (12-31-25)

It’s our one-year anniversary episode — and what a ride it’s been. 🥹🎉

We kick things off with a Christmas greeting from Santa Claus himself, then take a moment to realize something kind of wild: 51 episodes, dozens of guests, and a full year of telling Big Rapids stories together. Dom even crowns us the “Regis and Kathie Lee of Big Rapids” (we’ll take it).

From ice storms and snowboarding at Caberfae 🏂 to retro video games 🎮, Christmas gifts that hit you right in the feels, and the surprising stat that only 44% of podcasts make it past three episodes — this one is equal parts gratitude and joy.

Then we roll out the FIRST-EVER WUBR AWARDS 🏆
Favorite Guest. Segment of the Year. Event of the Year. Rumor of the Year. Only in Big Rapids Moment. Accidental Moment. Community MVP. And more.

We close it out by looking ahead to 2026, new goals, and a promise that Season Two is going to be even bigger than the first. ❤️

0:00 – Christmas greeting from Santa Claus 🎅
0:25 – Intro & happy one-year anniversary to WUBR 🎉
1:50 – 51 episodes in the books! Dom dubs us the Regis & Kathie Lee of Big Rapids 😂
3:00 – Ice storms, power outages & snowboarding at Caberfae 🧊🏂
5:00 – Chris sells a house the day after Christmas — rentals needed! 🏡
5:40 – Pat’s surprise seafood boil & Xbox Christmas 🎮🦞
7:45 – First video game systems you played & owned 🎮
11:00 – Duck Hunt gun trivia 🤯
11:55 – Dom started with Intellivision… moment of silence 😅
14:08 – Chris gifts his son a 20,000-game handheld 🎮
14:57 – Chris’ first console ever: GoldenEye on N64. Legendary. 🕶️
16:00 – Christmas gifts recap & Chris becomes a reluctant Ugg convert 👢
18:00 – Pat gives Jordans & a bicycle to his mom — tears were shed ❤️🚲
20:35 – Dom gifts Elevation Worship tickets & finally gets his dream multitool 🎶🔧
23:40 – Podcast longevity stats — WUBR is heading toward top 5% 🎙️
27:10 – 🎉 WUBR AWARDS BEGIN 🏆
28:33 – Favorite Guest of the Year
32:21 – Segment of the Year
34:28 – Event of the Year
39:50 – Uplifting Moment of the Year
42:00 – Community MVP of the Year
43:27 – Breakout Business of the Year
46:36 – Big Rapids Rumor of the Year 👀
49:44 – Most Likely to Only Be Talked About Online
53:30 – Only in Big Rapids Moment of the Year
58:10 – Accidental Moment of the Year 😂
1:00:00 – New Year’s resolutions & hopes for 2026 🎯
1:05:25 – Season Two confirmed — and it’s going to be bigger 🚀
1:06:55 – Outro & goodbye 👋

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🎄🏆🎂 Championships, Christmas Pland & Birthday Candles | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 50 (12-24-25)

It’s Christmas Eve on What’s Up Big Rapids, and the vibes are exactly what you’d hope for. 🎄❤️

We kick things off by celebrating the 2025 D-II National Champion Ferris State Bulldogs 🏆, then shift into full holiday mode with gifts, gratitude, and a little birthday chaos — because yes, it’s Pat’s birthday, and being a Christmas baby is… complicated. 🎂🎄

Chris recaps powerful Christmas services at Rez Life, a very late night at the Musician’s Christmas Party that raised money for local veterans, and the guys reflect on holiday traditions, movies that still (or don’t) hold up, and what it means to close out the first full year of WUBR.

Add in Lions frustration 🦁, fake Olive Garden rumors 🍝, New Year’s Eve plans 🎉, icy roads ❄️, and a preview of the first-ever WUBR Awards, and you’ve got a cozy, end-of-year episode made for Christmas week listening.

0:00 – Intro & congrats to the 2025 D-II National Champion Bulldogs 🏆
1:25 – Merry Christmas! Chris gifts plaques for a year of WUBR 🎄
3:00 – It’s Pat’s birthday! The struggle of being a Christmas baby 🎂😅
5:58 – Christmas services at Rez Life were incredible ✝️
7:50 – Musician’s Christmas Party recap (fundraiser for VFW & Amvets) 🎶🎖️
10:06 – Lions continue to disappoint Pat 🦁💔
12:32 – Boxing talk: Jake Paul loss 🥊
16:08 – Photoshopped Olive Garden rumor fooled way too many people 🍝😂
19:40 – New Year’s Eve party at The Peaks 🎉
21:28 – Chris plans a snowboarding trip with family 🏂
22:20 – Does Ernest Saves Christmas still hold up? 🎬🎅
24:20 – Holiday movie watchlists 📺
25:30 – Family traditions: Chinese food & the movies 🍜🎥
26:57 – Roller rink & library events over Christmas break 🛼📚
27:50 – Pat’s birthday wish: a White Christmas ❄️
29:22 – Icy road conditions — be careful out there 🚗
30:00 – New Year’s goals: Chris plans to work out daily 💪
36:12 – Tease: First-ever WUBR Awards next week 🏆
36:56 – Merry Christmas & thank-yous from the crew ❤️
37:50 – Outro & goodbye 👋

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🎄🏔️❤️ Anniversaries, Angels & A Dawg Dynasty | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 49 (12-17-25)

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, it’s a true holiday mix of music, marriage, miracles, and community care. 🎄

Chris recaps the latest conditions at Caberfae Peaks, a big weekend show with High Strung Steel, and—oops—realizes on-air that he forgot his 21st wedding anniversary. 💍😬 We celebrate big news for Hand of Giants, debate the cultural importance of Ugg boots, and talk frozen real estate markets as winter settles in. ❄️

Our featured guests are Jeffrey Auguste and Harley Rogers from Our Brother’s Keeper, who share powerful insight into homelessness in our community, how local agencies work together, and how you can help—especially during the coldest months of the year. ❤️

Add in Ferris State heading to the national championship AGAIN, Christmas services, New Year’s Eve plans, Polar Plunge prep, and what to do with the kids during holiday break—and you’ve got a heartfelt, hope-filled holiday episode.

0:00 – Intro & Welcome 👋
1:50 – Caberfae Peaks conditions + High Strung Steel at the Sawmill 🎿🎸
3:00 – Chris forgets his anniversary… 21 years married! 💍😅
4:21 – Hand of Giants lands a song in a movie?! 🎬🎶
6:45 – Ugg boots: ugly or perfection? 👢🤔
8:13 – Pat preps the house for Christmas 🏠🎄
9:35 – Chris is way behind on outdoor decorations 😬
11:30 – Is the real estate market frozen? 🏡❄️
12:12 – Christmas services this weekend — join us at Rez Life ✝️
13:35 – Musician’s Christmas Party lineup: HSS & Hand of Giants 🎶🎄
16:00 – Guests: Jeffrey Auguste & Harley Rogers from Our Brother’s Keeper ❤️
20:50 – What it takes to stay at OBK & winter dangers outdoors 🧤
23:30 – How agencies collaborate to help those in need 🤝
25:25 – OBK hosts Thanksgiving dinner at Angels of Action 🍽️
27:07 – How the public can get involved 🙌
29:05 – Trends in local homelessness 📊
31:20 – Progress toward a larger OBK facility 🏗️
33:16 – Uplifting Moment: FSU heads to the national championship AGAIN! 🏆🐾
35:29 – Parking lot work near Family Farm & Home → future carwash 🚗
36:04 – Pat celebrates a huge personal workout streak 💪
39:13 – Christmas services at Rez Life (5 options!) 🎄
40:47 – New Year’s Eve at The Peaks 🎉
45:00 – New Year’s goals: Chris wants to get healthier 🏃‍♂️
45:30 – BR Polar Plunge seeks sponsors (Special Olympics) 🧊
46:35 – Holiday break fun for kids: rink, library, sledding 🛷
50:00 – Jeffrey’s journey from Haiti → Indiana → Big Rapids 🇭🇹❄️
53:15 – Harley shares why Big Rapids became home 🏡
54:50 – Dom’s Fun Fact: Oranges in Christmas stockings 🍊
56:30 – Coming up: First Christmas episode + first-ever WUBR Awards 🎁🏆
57:19 – Outro & goodbyes 👋

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🎿🎄🎸 Snow Days, Sled Hills & Season’s Greetings | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 48 (12-10-25)

It’s our first Christmas season as a podcast, and Big Rapids is officially in full holiday mode. ❄️🎄

Chris kicks things off with opening weekend at Caberfae Peaks and some serious sledding at Crossroads, while Pat spent the weekend wrenching on cars and celebrating birthdays — and then had his mind absolutely blown by his first Trans-Siberian Orchestra show. 🤯🎸⚡

We talk snow days, Christmas movies, Stranger Things theories, and give shoutouts to the Ferris Bulldogs volleyball and football programs for another great season.

PLUS — holiday events everywhere:
✨ Home for the Holidays
🎸 High Strung Steel this Saturday at the Sawmill
🎶 The Musicians Christmas Party on December 23
🥳 New Year’s Eve at The Peaks
🍞 Farewell to Two Cheesy Guys (but 3 Girls Bakery to the rescue!)

And in our Uplifting Moment of the Week, Pat gets unexpected help from a random “street angel.” ❤️

A warm, cozy, funny holiday episode — perfect for a snow day.

0:00 – Intro & welcome 👋
2:05 – Opening weekend at Caberfae + Crossroads sledding 🎿🛷
5:11 – Surprise snow day! ❄️
6:17 – Pat’s weekend: mechanic mode & birthday parties 🔧🎉
7:28 – Pat sees Trans-Siberian Orchestra for the first time 🤯⚡🎸
9:53 – Our first Christmas as a podcast! 🎄🎙️
11:20 – Shoutout to Ferris volleyball & football 🏐🏈
13:02 – Stranger Things talk + favorite Christmas movies 📺🎅
26:50 – Two Cheesy Guys closing. 3 Girls Bakery taking over menu 🧀🍞
27:48 – Home for the Holidays is TOMORROW at 5pm 🎄✨
29:20 – High Strung Steel at the Sawmill this Saturday (Brian’s Suitcase at 7, HSS at 8) 🎸🎶
31:08 – Musicians Christmas Party Dec 23 at the Eagles 🎄🎸🎤
33:20 – New Year’s Eve at The Peaks: Comedy, music & food 🥳🎉
34:08 – Thanks to last week’s guest, Coach Jake Schumann 🥎
35:30 – Thanks to everyone who supported Giving Day ❤️
36:42 – Uplifting Moment: Pat meets a street angel 😇
38:09 – Dom’s weekend in California 🌴✈️
39:35 – Dom’s corrections 📚
41:23 – Thank yous & outro 👋

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🎄🦁🥎 Wicked Weather, Winning Wives & Winter Softball | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 47 (12-3-25)

It’s December in Big Rapids, which means snowstorms, tree lightings, Santa sightings, and a whole lot of community magic. ❄️🎄

This week, Chris & Pat kick things off with a recap of seeing Wicked: For Good, surviving (or avoiding) the Turkey Trot 5K, and cheering the Lions through Thanksgiving. Then Chris talks about performing alongside Santa Michael at Reed City’s tree lighting — with the mayor literally ringing sleigh bells. 🎅🔔

The guys honor two MVP wives:
🏅 Shavon wins another pickleball gold
🎉 Brandi celebrates her birthday like a champ

PLUS! A fantastic guest this week: Ferris State Softball Head Coach Jake Schumann, who shares insights from a 25-year coaching career, recruitment at Ferris, the effects of NIL on softball, and details on their January benefit dinner filled with amazing auction prizes. 🥎🔥

Stick around for firefighters raising awareness, Christmas bazaars, concerts, Santa schedules, and even the lighting of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Park. (Yes… our Paris Park.) 🎄🗼

A warm, energetic, community-filled episode to kick off the holiday season.

0:00 – Intro & welcome 👋
2:04 – Weekend recap: Wicked: For Good 🌪️🎭
5:00 – Did Pat & Dom run the Turkey Trot storm run? 🏃‍♂️❄️
6:45 – Lions Thanksgiving recap + halftime show 🦁🦃
9:40 – Chris & Santa sing at Reed City tree lighting 🎅🎶
10:00 – Shoutout to Shavon (pickleball gold!) & Brandi (happy birthday!) 🎉🏅
11:33 – Sports talk → Introducing Coach Jake Schumann 🥎
15:04 – Career highlights from 25 years of coaching ⚾✨
17:15 – How Ferris softball recruits new players 🔍
21:30 – How the team has evolved since Coach arrived 🔥
22:45 – NIL challenges & changes in softball 💰🏟️
23:30 – Softball benefit dinner on Jan 10th — big auction items! 🎟️
34:18 – Uplifting moment: Firefighters & No-Shave November 🚒
36:35 – Theater update 🎬
39:30 – Live Nativity at Cran Hill ⭐🐪
40:30 – Sip & Shop at The Peaks (Thu–Fri) 🛍️
41:09 – St. Mary/St. Paul Christmas Bazaar 🎁
42:04 – Voca Lyrica, HSS, & Musicians Christmas Party concerts 🎶
48:09 – Eiffel Tower lighting at Paris Park (!!) 🗼🎄
49:35 – Coffee with a Cop at Belle’s Coffeehouse ☕👮
50:20 – Updated Santa visit schedule 🎅
51:05 – Home for the Holidays next Thursday! 🎄
53:40 – Dom’s corrections: Rivalry flashbacks 🏈
54:50 – Outro and goodbye 👋

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