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