Mecosta County Podcast (Sept. 13-14, 2025)

This week takes us to Mecosta County, where you can find stunning rolling hills perfect for senic drives, fresh water lakes to fish on, and one exciting university where you can study both gaming and hospitality. So just where the heck is Mecosta County? Tune in to find out.

You probably do know where Mecosta is, but not as a county. It's the home seat to Big Rapids, and to Ferris State University. We talk about both on this episode of Behind the Mitten, kicking off the show with the vivacious Dr. Bill Pink, President of Ferris State University. We always enjoy hearing what is new on campus, and we'll just say that Ferris does not disappoint. From exciting new buildings, including a unique gaming arena, to innovative majors that you won't find anywhere else, Ferris stands poised to create a great new generation of Michiganders. And did we mention that the Ferris State Bulldog's were the National Football D2 Champs last year? We didn't? Don't worry, Dr. Pink will.

Next, we head to local icon Schuberg's restaurant for both burgers and great conversation. We meet Josh Pyles, local man about everything, who shares upcoming events from both Big Rapids Parks and Recreation and the downtown business association, because he works with both. He's really looking forward to October 25 for Fall Fest a family friendly event featuring inflatables, trunk-or-treating and more.

Amanda Starkey and Jenifer Faris Jones from the Mecosta County Visitors Bureua stop by to talk fall with y'all. Turns out that Mecosta County is the perfect spot for gorgeous fall drives, whether you are in a car or on a motorcycle, which these two ladies are fans of and own and ride themselves. They share some of their favorite roads to travel, as well as why this community has had a hold on their hearts their wholes lives.

Finally, we have two absolute Ferris firecrackers on, Amy Dorey, associate professor in Hospitality Management and Dr. Karyn Kio, also an associate professor in hospitality. We discuss why this major is so important to Michigan tourism, some of the innovative ways they engage their students, as well as their top spots to visit in Mecosta County. The Inn at Rustic Gate employs many Bulldogs in their hospitality journey, they both really like The Peaks at Canadian Lakes, and they give a super shoutout to the Big Rapids Culver's, where students go to learn systems that work. Thank you ladies for preparing our next generation of workers, they are in excellent hands.