HeyJaredWhat'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.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 10
- Latest publication
- Sep 15, 2026
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- Earliest in this view
- Jul 8, 2026
Latest episodes
Grants, Getting Around & Good Things Growing (opens the original)
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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 righ
Ponds, Paris & Pigskins (opens the original)
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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 C
Hope, Home & Hometown Happenings (opens the original)
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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: giv
History, Healing & Hot Happenings (opens the original)
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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
Trails, Tie-Dye & Transformation (opens the original)
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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
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