What's Up Big Rapids?

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

What's Up Big Rapids? is a news podcast hosted by What's Up Big Rapids, with 86 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

What's Up Big Rapids hosts What's Up Big Rapids?, a news show with 86 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #36

  Ponds, Paris & Pigskins

  Sep 9, 202656 minS2

  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 6–9 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. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:34 – Labor Day recap: Bulldogs, sickness, Raised on Radio & hundreds of hot dogs 5:50 – Football is BACK! Fantasy report & Chris questions the meaning of professional sports 8:00 – Want to help WUBR with our weekly reels? We're looking for some help! 8:20 – Featured Creature: Leopard Gecko 10:25 – Thanks to Pastor Mark Robb & Lisa David 11:05 – Welcome Rick Hatkowski from Save The Ponds 12:00 – The Fish Hatchery story begins in 1881 20:00 – Groundbreaking celebration – September 18 27:30 – What's the story behind the red milk cans? 30:00 – A romantic afternoon under the Eiffel Tower... in Paris, Michigan 36:30 – Break ground now, cut ribbon later 38:10 – How you can support Save The Ponds 38:55 – TWO #1 Ferris teams! Volleyball & Football 41:09 – Liberty Tax is coming to Big Rapids 44:30 – Tommy's Car Wash soft opening 45:14 – Sisterfolk closes out Thursday nights at Pocket Park 48:03 – Chad Coon's bare-knuckle fight – September 19 49:07 – Dom's feel-good internet finds: bears, buckets & football science 52:50 – Western vs. Michigan ends in confusion 55:40 – Another great week in Big Rapids 56:00 – Outro & goodbye #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SaveThePonds #ParisMichigan #SupportLocal

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  Episode #34

  History, Healing & Hot Happenings

  Aug 26, 202659 minS2

  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: “The trick is not to stop talking about it, it’s to talk about it better.” 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. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 0:55 – Catching up: After Hours, touring & a busy week 2:00 – Thanks to Paul Griffith & Friends of the White Pine Trail 3:15 – Hand of Giants at Tie Dye Festival 4:12 – Happy 16th anniversary to Pat & Brandi! ❤️ 5:35 – Pork For a Purpose this Saturday 6:05 – Featured Creature: Spotted Congo Puffer 7:40 – Welcome Dr. David Pilgrim 9:08 – Chris' first experience at the Jim Crow Museum 10:35 – Why is the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris? 12:05 – Creating uncomfortable but important conversations 13:30 – “Witness, understand and heal” 14:28 – A new space dedicated to sharing stories 15:20 – There's never a bad time to learn history 16:45 – Putting Ferris in the national conversation 17:53 – Where did this journey begin for Dr. Pilgrim? 19:48 – What exactly was Jim Crow? 22:36 – The museum's mission as an educational institution 24:25 – The importance of listening to other perspectives 25:29 – “The trick is not to stop talking about it, it's to talk about it better.” 25:55 – The first piece Dr. Pilgrim collected — and why he broke it 27:41 – An antique dealer who changed his perspective 30:06 – Shoutout to the Museum of Sexist Objects 31:18 – How did the new museum become a reality? 33:18 – The museum will begin accepting pieces again 34:42 – The team behind the project 35:37 – Choosing the location and designing the building 37:07 – How to support the museum & what to know before visiting 39:18 – Come with an open mind 40:39 – How exactly do you build a museum? 44:17 – Thank you, Dr. Pilgrim! 44:50 – Peter Jordan at Pocket Park 45:35 – Balsam Brothers at the Bandshell 45:55 – Free pudding at Whipped & Dipped! 46:40 – Big Dam Bike Ride cancelled 47:00 – Pork For a Purpose – August 29 47:19 – Big Rapids Labor Day Festival 48:00 – R2 ResRun26 – September 19 49:39 – Skeleton Scurry 5K coming Halloween 49:55 – What's being built behind Cardinal Stadium? 51:20 – Chalk the Walk – September 19 52:28 – Congrats to WUBR T-shirt winner Skylar Callendar! 53:00 – Brothers Blue Jean Ball – September 19 54:00 – Remembering Dolly Parton & Tim Curry 55:55 – “9 to 5” at the Changing of the Guard 57:00 – Robot Olympics get weird 58:20 – Outro & goodbye #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #JimCrowMuseum #FerrisState #SupportLocal

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  Episode #33

  Trails, Tie-Dye & Transformation

  Aug 19, 20261h 20mS2

  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 ran through Big Rapids, and how the trail continues to affect businesses and development around town. Plus, we finally announce the winner of the WUBR T-shirt design contest, run through a packed end-of-summer calendar, and Pat gives us his extremely important Cottage Inn order. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:10 – Tie-dye shirts & the upcoming Tie Dye Festival 2:12 – Chris' shows with Michael Allman 4:45 – Pat's week 6:00 – Business After Hours at The Banded Raccoon 8:00 – First day of school is almost here! 8:50 – Shoutout to Pork For a Purpose 9:21 – Featured Creature: The Oranda 12:34 – Welcome Paul Griffith 12:45 – Paul's background & how he ended up here 16:24 – What is the Casanova? 18:06 – When the Casanova was a bowling alley 19:35 – Getting involved with Friends of the White Pine Trail 22:00 – The push to pave the trail 25:23 – Let's talk about the Depot 26:02 – The Depot transformation 27:30 – How the Depot was purchased from the DNR 28:58 – A look at the Depot in 1913 31:22 – Shoutout to Einstein Cycles 32:40 – Mapping the White Pine Trail 35:53 – Michigan Trails Magazine features the Depot 38:50 – The remonument effort 41:28 – New culvert project 44:19 – Who pays for trail improvements? 46:26 – Appreciating the people who make projects like this happen 47:50 – Thanks to Paul for joining us 50:15 – How to connect with Friends of the White Pine Trail 51:30 – Six new businesses located along the trail 53:58 – Where to learn more 55:27 – The 460-mile Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad 57:15 – WUBR T-shirt contest WINNER: Skylar Calendar! 1:02:40 – Ferris students are coming back to town 1:03:20 – Burlington & Cottage Inn are hiring 1:03:40 – Pat's Cottage Inn order 1:05:07 – Planet Fitness closing briefly for new equipment 1:07:36 – Welcome new BRHS Athletic Director Cole Andrews 1:08:10 – The city wants your feedback on future projects 1:09:30 – What should WUBR be talking about? Tell us! 1:11:09 – Lisa Carol at Pocket Park 1:11:35 – John Hayes at Pocket Park Friday 1:12:30 – Big Dam Bike Ride 1:13:30 – Pork For a Purpose 1:13:50 – Big Rapids Labor Day Festival 1:14:50 – Recreating White Chicks with strangers 1:16:04 – Scott Steiner's son brings wrestling to the football field 1:17:03 – Qdoba is back! 1:19:50 – Outro & goodbye #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #WhitePineTrail #SupportLocal #ThingsToDo

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  Episode #32

  Purpose, Pork & Positive Things Happening

  Aug 12, 202651 minS2

  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 the years, and why this event continues to bring people together. Plus: Cottage Inn is officially open, Burlington is on the way, Raised on Radio is coming to Pocket Park, and somehow Jimothy the raccoon returns... with a friend. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 0:53 – Chris' dream gig playing drums with Michael Olmen 2:15 – Thanks to Chad Coon for joining us last week 3:46 – Why joining the Chamber is worth considering 5:30 – Pat's championship trivia team 7:50 – Featured Creature: Freshwater Stingray 11:25 – Guest intro: Liz Prescott & Alex Ashley (Pork For a Purpose) 11:42 – How Pork For a Purpose got started 13:45 – How much has been raised? 14:20 – The families and causes it's helped ❤️ 15:25 – Favorite part of putting on the event 16:45 – What else happens at the pig roast? 17:42 – How to attend and get involved 18:26 – Pork For a Purpose is August 29 19:27 – Volunteer opportunities 20:39 – The moments that make it all worthwhile 21:39 – Liz shares her family's deeply personal connection to the event 23:55 – Returning home to Michigan 24:55 – Pork For a Purpose merchandise 26:47 – Other upcoming events 29:07 – Thanks to Liz and Alex 30:26 – Something new is coming to the east side of town 31:17 – Planet Fitness temporary closure 31:55 – Burlington opening update ️ 32:16 – Cottage Inn is officially open! 33:24 – Raised on Radio at Pocket Park 34:34 – Final Bandshell concert of the summer 34:55 – The Andrews at Pocket Park 35:10 – Tire Recycling Event ♻️ 35:22 – A packed August 15: Baker Auto Carnival, Stanwood Summerfest & Jurassic Park at the airport 37:27 – Angels of Action Back-to-School Giveaway 38:18 – Business After Hours at The Banded Raccoon 39:39 – Big Dam Bike Ride 42:52 – Labor Day Festival preview 43:57 – Jimothy gets a friend named Johnmothy 44:41 – Nicolas Cage as John Madden? 45:50 – Soccer celebration... interrupted 47:50 – Introducing Liz and Alex to Jimothy 48:35 – Pumpkin Spice season is back ☕ 50:00 – Outro & goodbye #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong #PorkForAPurpose

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  Episode #30

  Small Towns, Big Dreams & Summer Nights

  Jul 29, 202656 minS2

  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 the Chamber of Commerce is helping create opportunities for businesses and families alike. Plus: concerts, movie giveaways, Jurassic Park at the airport, bike rentals, wrestling, recycling, and somehow... a viral raccoon named Jimothy. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:00 – Chris plays Horrocks with the Kelly Quinn Blues Experience 2:40 – WUBR helps with the Res Life livestream 4:05 – Movie ticket giveaway winner announced! ️ 5:30 – Have you seen High Strung Steel yet? 6:42 – Featured Creature: "Piglet" the Fly River Turtle 8:45 – Guest intro: Tyler Huntey 11:55 – Tyler's path to the Chamber of Commerce 14:10 – Why regional collaboration is working 15:05 – Chamber Investor Drive & Quiz Bowl at Crankers 17:50 – Stanwood's surprising resurgence ✨ 19:00 – How one relationship led to downtown investment 21:00 – New indoor play place for kids 25:40 – White Pine Bike Rentals opens 29:30 – Why invest in a small town? 33:00 – Help preserve Stanwood's history 36:40 – Stanwood Summerfest preview 39:05 – Thinking about starting a business? The Chamber can help. 40:10 – This week's live music lineup 41:57 – Dueling Pianos giveaway at The Peaks 43:15 – Jurassic Park movie night at Roben-Hood Airport 44:20 – Business After Hours at The Banded Raccoon 44:50 – Meet Jimothy the viral raccoon 48:30 – Youth Wrestling Tournament 49:25 – Tire Recycling Event ♻️ 51:15 – Spider-Man premiere & Comic-Con excitement ️ 55:17 – Outro & goodbye Hashtags #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong #ShopLocal

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