Meet Ken and Wilda Hopper, founders of Bird's Eye Outfitters in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. They aren’t just launching kayaks—they’re launching a movement to reconnect people with nature. From kayaking through the Soo Locks to snowshoeing by lantern light, their mission blends outdoor adventure with health and community connection.

• What it’s like to kayak through the Soo Locks (yes, it’s legal!)
• How Bird’s Eye is promoting mental and physical health through trail building and nutrition
• The hidden gems of Chippewa County for adventurers of all levels

Bird’s Eye Outfitters

107 E Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Website: birdseyeoutfitters.com

Facebook: Facebook

Outhouse Consortium (nonprofit)

Website: outhouseconsortium.org

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What if wine could be simple again?

No jargon. No pressure. Just good wine, made for you—and maybe even by you.

We sit down with Brett Scharnhorst, owner of Vinomondo Winery in Fort Gratiot, Michigan. From his unexpected career shift from IT project management to winemaking, Brett shares how Vinomondo is creating something truly unique: a DIY wine experience where customers can taste, bottle, and label their own creations.

Recently voted Detroit’s Best of the Best for Wine, Vinomondo is more than a winery—it’s a place where community, creativity, and really good wine come together.

Whether you're a seasoned wine lover or someone who's never had a drop, this conversation will leave you curious, inspired, and maybe even ready to craft your own blend.

Address:

4505 Lakeshore Road, Fort Gratiot, Michigan

Website:

vinomondowinery.com

Social Media:

• Facebook: Vinomondo Winery
• Instagram: @vinomondowinery
• X (formerly Twitter): @vinomondowinery

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Find us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/totalmichigan

Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichigan

Xavier DeGroat doesn’t just want awareness—he wants acceptance. Diagnosed with autism at age four, Xavier has faced bullying, misunderstanding, and judgment. But instead of retreating, he built something powerful. In this episode, we dive into Xavier’s story of persistence, courage, and advocacy. From meeting world leaders to launching the nation’s first Autism History Museum, Xavier’s journey is one of bold steps and even bolder dreams.

In this episode, we cover:

• Overcoming bullying and misunderstanding in childhood
• Building the Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation
• Starting the first Autism History Museum in the U.S.
• Advocacy, independence, and pushing beyond limits
• Xavier’s vision for autism acceptance in the workplace and beyond

Links:

Website: https://xdafoundation.org

Tour Link: https://xdafoundation.org/museum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xavierautismfoundation

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Find us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/totalmichigan

Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichigan

Before his song You Ain’t Pretty hit the Top 40 on the Billboard country charts, Nate Barnes was clocking in at a nuclear power plant in Michigan. In this revealing interview, Nate shares his journey from small-town South Haven to Nashville’s country music scene—and how faith, family, and trades work shaped every step.

In This Episode:

• Why Nate spent over a decade in skilled trades before pursuing music full-time
• How a spiritual moment during a church service changed his career path
• What it felt like hearing his music on the radio for the first time
• The powerful story behind his new album Holding You
• Why he believes the most honest songs come from hard-earned experience

Links:

Website: https://www.natebarnesmusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natebarnesmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natebarnesmusic

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@natebarnesmusic

Music Platforms: Available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music

Gary Johnson, a lifelong educator and music historian, is the founder of the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame and the curator of a stunning exhibit at the Historical Museum of Bay County. From teaching Michigan’s first junior high rock history class to curating world-class displays, Gary's passion for rock and roll has inspired generations.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The founding and evolution of the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame
• Iconic Michigan artists featured in the Hall of Fame, from Motown legends to garage rock icons
• How Gary designed and installed museum exhibits using original posters, memorabilia, and rare artifacts
• The deep connection between cars, music, and Michigan culture
• Behind-the-scenes stories like the infamous “Fake Zombies” scandal and the influence of Frankie Lymon on Motown artists

Exhibit Location:

Historical Museum of Bay County

Address: 321 Washington Avenue, Bay City, MI

(Located next to Bay City’s historic City Hall building)

Website:

www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com

Facebook:

Michigan Rock and Roll Legends

Museum Website:

Historical Museum of Bay County

A heartfelt journey from logistics to layers of dough, Maria Otto left a thriving corporate career to rediscover her joy in the kitchen. In this episode, she shares the emotional, practical, and often humorous twists that led to the creation of Little Pastry Shop in Bay City. From baking pies at a golf course to quitting her executive role to reconnect with her daughter, Maria’s story is about finding your way back to what matters most—flour, family, and faith in yourself.

Links:

Address: 401 Center Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708​MapQuest+1Great Lakes Bay CVB+1

Phone: (989) 450-7956 ​Great Lakes Bay CVB+1MapQuest+1

Website: www.lpastryshop.com​

Facebook: Little Pastry Shop Facebook Page​

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichigan

When most people visit a museum, they walk through history. But aboard the USS Edson, you're walking inside it. In this episode, Navy veteran and lifelong Bay City resident Bill Randall takes us deep into the hull of a Vietnam-era destroyer—now a floating museum—and deeper still into the heart of what it means to serve, remember, and preserve.

From scavenging radar systems through old-school bartering (“we traded a torpedo for it”) to turning the ship into Michigan’s most haunted Halloween attraction, Bill and his dwindling crew of volunteers have spent over a decade keeping this legend alive—one paintbrush stroke, one ghost story, one overnight scout trip at a time.

More than a warship, the USS Edson is now a living monument, a place where memory, education, and community collide—moored just off the Saginaw River.

Links:

USS Edson Website: https://svnsm.com/

USS Edson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ussedsonmuseum

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Find us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/totalmichigan

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In this episode of Total Michigan, we dive into the story of Lonnie Paser, owner of Artisan Urban Bistro in Saginaw. With a deep love for food and community, Lonnie transformed her restaurant into more than just a place to eat—it’s a movement. From using locally sourced ingredients to launching a weekly ‘Grateful Pasta’ night that raises funds for nonprofits, Lonnie shares how small businesses can create a huge impact. Tune in to hear how this world-traveling chef turned entrepreneur is feeding both stomachs and souls.

• How Lonnie transitioned from retail and travel to restaurant ownership.
• The importance of sourcing locally and how it strengthens communities.
• How ‘Grateful Pasta’ nights have raised funds for nonprofits for over three years.

Links & Resources:

• Visit Artisan Urban Bistro: Facebook Page
• Address: 417 Hancock Street, Saginaw, MI
• Phone: (989) 401-6019
• Support the Grateful Pasta Nights: Follow their Facebook for updates

• Subscribe to our Email Newsletter: https://totalmichigan.com/join/

  Find us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/totalmichigan

  Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichigan

Show Notes:

01:00 - Introduction

04:00 - Lonnie’s journey: from world traveler to small business owner

:07:00 - Reinventing herself and entering the restaurant industry

:14:00 - How sourcing locally builds a stronger community

20:00 - What inspired ‘Grateful Pasta’ nights and how they help nonprofits

23:00 - The impact of giving back and how small efforts make a big difference

25:00 - How to support Artisan Urban Bistro and visit the restaurant