What's Up Big Rapids?

This week we welcome Laura Currie, Executive Director of The Comfort Home, to talk about hospice care, the work the Comfort Home is doing for local families, and how the community helps make it all possible. In just a few short years, they've helped nearly 200 people, and Laura shares some insight into the important work of end-of-life care. Plus, we celebrate Veteran’s Day, congratulate the B...

This week we're welcoming AMVETS Post Commander Jake Reichert to talk about the changes happening at the local post and the effort to make it a more welcoming place for veterans, families, and the entire community. Jake shares the story behind his time in the Marine Corps, the improvements happening at the post, and some creative ways to honor veterans—including custom-painted ceiling tiles. W...

Halloween is almost here, and Big Rapids has a busy weekend ahead! 🎃 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...

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...

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 int...

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 Park—including how Ferris welding students helped turn the idea into reality...

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 MOISD—from career and technical education to special education, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, creative opportunities for students, and the Caree...

There’s a lot being built around Big Rapids lately—and this week we’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 what’s driving the church’s growth, why the additional space is needed, plans for a 1,000-seat sanctuary that could host touring artis...

This week on What’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 Rapids—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)...

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...

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 incarceration—and how those experiences shaped his desire to help people who are going through some...

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 mat...

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, Chris is back from a run of shows with The Michael Allman Band, school is about to start, and somehow tie-dye season is upon us. Our guest is Paul Griffith from Friends of the White Pine Trail, and this one turned into a really interesting history lesson. We talk about the effort to pave and improve the trail, the restoration of the Depot, the railroad that once...

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, we catch up on everything happening around town, from trivia wins and dream gigs to new businesses finally opening their doors. Our guests are Liz Prescott and Alex Ashley from Pork For a Purpose, who share the incredible story behind one of Mecosta County's favorite community fundraisers. We talk about how it got started, the families it's helped over th...

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, Chris shares stories from playing with the Kelly Quinn Blues Experience at Horrocks, the crew recaps helping with the Res Life livestream, and we remind everyone that High Strung Steel is back at the Sawmill this Saturday. Our guest is Tyler Huntey, who talks about the incredible momentum happening in Stanwood, why investing in small communities matters, and how...

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we catch our breath after another busy summer weekend, swap fair stories, talk movies, and spend some time appreciating one of the things that makes Big Rapids unique—its public art. Our guests are Carrie Weis and Steve Gove from the Public Art Collective , who share how the organization got started, why public art matters, and the story behind the new book high...

It's Chicken BBQ week in Big Rapids! This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, we talk summer heat, golf, county fair week, Five Below, and somehow find time to laugh at a picture of Dom dressed as a giant chicken. Our guest is Kim Easler, Executive Director of Angels of Action, who shares what it takes to organize one of the community's biggest fundraisers, how the organization continues to grow...

Summer keeps rolling in Big Rapids! This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , the guys recap the Fourth of July festivities, debate whether they've officially become too old to get excited about fireworks, and somehow end up talking movies again. Our guest is Tara Braun , Executive Director of International Studies at Ferris State University and outgoing Rotary President. It's a fascinating conv...

Happy (almost) Fourth of July! This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we celebrate America's 250th birthday, recap a fantastic ArtStock weekend, talk summer heat, golf, weddings, and all the events filling up the calendar. Our guest is Mark Brejcha —retired military officer, longtime educator, and Director of Michigan Boys State. He shares his remarkable journey from Big Rapids to military servic...

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we're squeezing the show in early before one of the busiest weeks of the summer. Chris is headed off for his 20th straight year serving with Through the Roof Disability Ministry, Pat is filling his calendar with golf outings, and Big Rapids is packed with events as we head toward Independence Day. Our guests are Jennifer Thede and Bonnie Clark from TNR Mecos...

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we catch up on summer concerts, birthday parties, movie nostalgia, and a whole lot of community momentum. Our guest is Tyler Schuberg , lifelong Big Rapids resident, fourth-generation business owner, Chamber President, and apparently a seven-time insurance sales champion with a surprisingly good Macho Man Randy Savage impression. We talk about what makes Big Rap...

Summerfest is in the books, the Golden Glizzy has a champion, and Big Rapids is rolling full speed into summer. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , the guys take a breather from guest interviews and catch up on everything happening around town. From the massive success of Summerfest and Back to the Bricks, to new businesses taking shape, summer concerts kicking off, and some truly questionable vir...

Summer has officially arrived in Big Rapids, and so has one of the busiest weekends of the year. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we celebrate Dom's 50th birthday , preview Summerfest , debate the upcoming hot dog eating contest , and welcome Sarah Dixon and Matt Schneider from the newly formed Regional Chamber. We dig into why the new Chamber was created, what it hopes to accomplish, and h...

Big Rapids is officially in full summer mode. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we cover everything from road trips and Korean BBQ to a growing list of events, projects, and momentum across the community . We’re joined by Jennifer Faris Jones , Director of Explore Big Rapids, who breaks down how the Chamber, DBA, and Explore Big Rapids all work together , and what’s being done to bring more visi...

Big Rapids is hitting that early summer stride — and this week’s episode covers a little bit of everything. Chris recaps a trip to the Chicago Drum Show , Hand of Giants gets ready to open for Saving Abel , and the guys try to make sense of Detroit sports and… whatever was going on with nutrition in the 80s 😄 This week’s guest is Luke Wyckoff , a National Geographic photographer and Ferris alum w...