What's Up Big Rapids?

What's Up Big Rapids
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entertainment News
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. 4d ago

    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 Pokémon. And yes, Chris is preparing to defend his Pumpkin Rolling Championship. Again. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:30 – Thanks to Melanie & Linda from GFWC 2:10 – High Strung Steel album release, indoor markets & Ferris football 🎻 4:00 – Lucas Armand signs with the UFC! Pat issues a correction (please don't hurt him) 🥊 6:03 – Featured Creature: Blueberry Tetra from E&E Tropical Fish 🐟 8:00 – Want to advertise on WUBR? 8:20 – Welcome Jon Eppley & Kevin Welch from Michigan Works! West Central 10:00 – 10 years of helping people find jobs and businesses find employees 12:00 – Connecting employers with grants, training & state resources 16:20 – Chris' hiring struggles: Is there a better way? 17:45 – Finding qualified workers & teaching workplace expectations 19:45 – How important is AI in today's job search? 🤖 20:50 – Neighborhood Resources Expo – November 13 23:30 – 20 Under 30 nominations are open! 25:50 – How to connect with Michigan Works! 27:45 – Remembering Quilliam Shakespeare, the library's beloved pet ❤️ 29:30 – Chipotle opening update: January 2027? 🌯 31:10 – Cardinal Basketball K–6 camps begin November 7 🏀 31:55 – Mecosta Osceola Victim Services Unit needs volunteers 34:00 – MOISD Career Center 50th Anniversary Open House 34:30 – New businesses, ribbon cuttings & what's coming to town 36:50 – GFWC's 4B's fundraiser at Artworks 37:40 – Is Halloween candy getting too expensive? 🍬 39:00 – Skeleton Skurry 5K & Downtown Fall Fest – October 31 🎃 41:00 – Chris defends his Pumpkin Rolling Championship! 🏆 41:50 – Pokémon fantasy football? Pat has reached a new level of nerdiness 42:55 – Dom's videos: Hero geese, Meijer & disembodied robot hands 46:50 – Ferris vs. Grand Valley & Hand of Giants at SpeakEZ Lounge 🏈🎸 47:45 – Outro & goodbye 📣 Hashtags #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #MichiganWorks #SupportLocal #BigRapidsEvents

  2. Oct 7

    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 Park—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. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:25 – Beautiful fall weather, Bronner's & library book club 🍂 3:20 – Celebrating the opening of the Jim Crow Museum 5:00 – Congrats to Chad Coon on his bare-knuckle debut! 🥊 7:13 – Featured Creature: Savannah Monitor 🦎 9:30 – Welcome Melanie Rey James & Linda Telfer from GFWC 16:00 – 55 years of supporting charities & Big Rapids projects 19:00 – How Ferris welding students helped create Ryco the Recycling Fish 🐟 24:00 – Could Big Rapids get another recycling fish? 25:20 – The 4B's fundraiser: Bags, Baubles, Bonbons & Bites 27:17 – How to join GFWC & get involved 28:35 – Thanks to Melanie & Linda! 31:10 – Book club at the library tonight 📚 32:25 – Indoor Pop-Up Market at The Banded Raccoon 33:00 – High Strung Steel album release party this Saturday! 🎻 35:40 – Life After Death Museum & Gift Store opening 37:15 – Rhythm & Roots Celebration at Williams Auditorium 39:30 – New arcade hours at Crusted Creations 🕹️ 40:35 – Free Women's Self Defense Class at Ferris 41:30 – Skeleton Skurry + Chris defends his Pumpkin Rolling trophy 🎃🏆 42:45 – Robots, a Taco Bell ultramarathon & the ageless Al Roker 46:15 – A 95-year-old grandfather tackles his bucket list ❤️ 48:40 – Outro & goodbye 📣 Hashtags #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #GFWCBigRapids #SupportLocal #FerrisState

  3. Sep 30

    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 MOISD—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 “trades vs. college” 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 – Intro & welcome1:10 – The new Jim Crow Museum opens today!2:10 – Pat's staycation becomes a work-from-home-cation3:05 – High Strung Steel album release party – October 10 🎻4:45 – Thanks to Pastor Ross Scheer5:30 – Featured Creature: Veiled Chameleon 🦎8:30 – Welcome Steve Locke & Amanda Kimball from the MOISD13:00 – The MOISD is much more than the Career Center16:00 – Dolly Parton's Imagination Library & the MOISD's role 📚20:50 – We need more beloved humans. Somebody check on Willie Nelson.22:05 – Career Center 50th Anniversary Open House – October 2026:00 – Technical training vs. university: Why does it have to be either/or?29:00 – Special education, micro-businesses & opportunities through age 2634:00 – Looking for a career change? The MOISD is hiring35:00 – Pork For a Purpose raises another $50,000 for local charity! 👏35:40 – Big Rapids Theater hopes to have Screen 3 ready for the holidays 🎬36:45 – MOTA & WISE team up to Fill the Bus37:00 – Bird walk with ornithologist Joe Lipar 🐦39:00 – Skeleton Skurry supports Angels of Action 🎃39:40 – Homecoming wins for Ferris & Big Rapids!40:40 – Nintendo 64 turns 25: GoldenEye, anyone? 🎮42:50 – Dom's internet: Bears carjack a Honda for popcorn 🐻🍿46:50 – Thanks to our guests & goodbye! #WhatsUpBigRapids#BigRapidsMI#MOISD#SupportLocal#CommunityConnections

  4. Sep 30

    Growth, Groundbreakings & Geckos

    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 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. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:00 – Who should we have on WUBR next? 1:30 – Groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, Pat's fastest 5K & Chris picks up trash 4:30 – Thanks to Megan Eppley 5:30 – Featured Creature: Crested Gecko 🦎 7:20 – Welcome Pastor Ross Scheer from Res Life Church 10:00 – Does God care who wins football games? Lions fans need answers 🏈 11:00 – What makes Res Life different? 12:20 – Breaking ground on a 30,000-square-foot expansion 13:00 – 1,400–1,500 people on a typical Sunday morning 15:00 – What's behind the growth? 17:00 – Why not every church is right for every person 18:05 – How long has the expansion been in the works? 19:00 – Shoutout to Big Rapids Public Schools 20:00 – A 1,000-seat sanctuary & possibilities for touring artists 🎶 21:15 – Creating more room for youth programs 23:00 – “Church isn't a building you walk into, but a family you belong to.” 24:15 – WUBR is looking for a new intern or partner! 🎙️ 25:00 – An unlikely Texas partnership that changed Res Life 30:00 – “You don't need permission to do good.” 30:30 – When will the addition be finished? 32:30 – Construction means some temporary inconvenience 33:00 – Connecting with Res Life from home 37:00 – Services, small groups & getting connected 39:45 – Ross, Dom & Pat's morning workout crew 💪 42:30 – Thanks, Pastor Ross! 44:30 – Ferris law enforcement students, Special Olympics & the game-ball run 45:50 – A new dog boarding business comes to town 🐕 46:50 – Burlington opening + $5,000 for Brookside Elementary 47:40 – A runaway semi crashes through the Super 8 😳 50:20 – Ferris Marching Band documentary at Big Rapids Theater 🎺 51:40 – Ferris Homecoming weekend! 🐶 52:12 – Jim Crow Museum grand opening next Wednesday 55:00 – Skeleton Scurry, Fall Fest & the Pumpkin Roll 🎃 57:40 – Dom's videos: a pet lion & a robot defeated by a doorstep 59:23 – Happy Autumnal Equinox 🍂 1:00:00 – Outro & goodbye 📣 Hashtags #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #ResLifeChurch #FerrisState #SupportLocal

  5. Sep 15

    Grants, Getting Around & Good Things Growing

    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), 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. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:00 – Why Chris still loves working in real estate 🏡 5:27 – Lions football & Pat's happy place 🏈 6:35 – Thanks to Rick Hatkowski & Save the Ponds 7:00 – Featured Creature: Albino Gator Gar 🐟 9:19 – Welcome Megan Eppley from the City of Big Rapids 10:00 – The Live Big Rapids reunion! 11:30 – English + fundraising + Big Rapids = grant writer 12:30 – Chris attempts to explain grant writing like a kindergartner 17:00 – AARP grants & walking/biking audits 🚶🚲 18:00 – What has Chris learned scootering around town? 19:45 – How do walking audits actually work? 23:00 – Spot a bad or missing sidewalk? Here's your chance to speak up 25:00 – How today's feedback could shape future city projects 26:30 – Big Rapids Walking Passport challenge 28:34 – Following city projects & updates 29:30 – Want to participate? Megan will even hook you up with BR swag 30:30 – Thanks, Megan! 30:48 – Former Bulldog Zach Sieler continues making Big Rapids proud 🏈 31:15 – New community fitness programs 33:00 – Tommy's test washes, Chipotle has WINDOWS & Voter Registration Day 🌯 34:21 – Business After Hours at Schuberg's 34:55 – A very busy Saturday: Res Life 5K, Rotary cleanup & Chalk the Walk 36:50 – Recycle Fish dedication at Hemlock Park 🐟 37:40 – Save the Ponds groundbreaking 37:57 – Brothers Blue Jean Ball benefiting OBK 38:45 – Winter boat & RV storage at the fairgrounds 39:14 – Should The Banded Raccoon become a cartoon? 🦝 40:40 – New Jim Crow Museum grand opening 44:15 – A folding iPhone?! 📱 46:50 – Taco Bell Girl, subway mouse boxing & man vs. robot — Dom's internet strikes again 51:25 – Thanks & outro #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong #DowntownBigRapids

  6. Sep 9

    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 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

  7. Sep 2

    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 incarceration—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. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:00 – What's everybody saying about the Recycle Fish sculpture? 🐟 2:55 – Hello, September. Take a breath. 3:45 – Welcome back, Ferris students! 🐶 4:25 – Cardinals & Bulldogs football kicks off 🏈 5:18 – Chris wraps up his busiest music month of the year 🥁 7:00 – Chris would like to sell your house. Yes, yours. 🏡 7:47 – Pat's Pork For a Purpose recap 🐖 8:45 – Remembering Jess McCallie ❤️ 10:35 – Featured Creature: Desert Agama baby dragons 🦎 13:45 – Thanks to Dr. David Pilgrim 15:30 – Welcome Pastor Mark Robb from Connect Church 17:20 – How did Mark end up in Big Rapids? 21:30 – Mark shares his story of abuse, homelessness, addiction & incarceration 24:25 – Sometimes giving someone hope can change a life 26:02 – What's happening at Connect Church? 32:30 – How to learn more & get connected 33:25 – Is that Jimothy on the White Pine Trail? 🚲🦝 34:28 – High Strung Steel at Pocket Park + album news 🎻 35:45 – Tony Halchak at Pocket Park Friday 🎶 36:38 – Labor Day weekend at The Banded Raccoon 37:50 – Surprise second guest: Lisa David from Band of Locals 42:55 – Everything you need to know about the Labor Day Festival 45:45 – The official WUBR Cottage Inn review 🍕 48:00 – Robots, weighted pull-ups, Wile E. Coyote & rescued puppies — thanks, Dom 52:45 – Top Gun: Maverick at Roben-Hood Airport ✈️ 53:40 – Thanks to our guests — and 86 episodes of WUBR! 🎉 54:22 – Outro & goodbye #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong #WhatsHappeningBR

  8. Aug 26

    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: “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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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    What's Up Big Rapids
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © What's Up Big Rapids
  • Show Website
    What's Up Big Rapids?