Advertise on podcast: Hometown Escanaba

The All-Star members of the House Band are paying their respects to the band's founder today with a tribute concert today in Ludington Park. Kevin Chown passed away this month after a lengthy illness. He started the House Band to be the house band at the House of Ludington. Wednesday nights became a regular gig, with the band playing 121 straight Wednesdays until the House of Ludington burned in December. Dave Potvin, who drummed with Chown in the House Band, says it was a blessing to be able to play with him.

Kevin Chown has been a part of my radio program for six years. Each week he would come in to talk about music, life and his vision for Escanaba. Cancer took his life this week at the age of 56. He seamlessly transitioned between the world and national stage as a musician and his hometown. Today, his sister Amy, Marvin Szukalowski, Joe Hellberg, Mark Woerpel and Pete Ammel reflect on the life and music of Kevin Chown.

Elmer’s County Market is bringing the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to the Ludington Street Cruise car show in May. Elmer’s General Manager and LSC Committee member Kurt Strassler says the Wienermobile will be at Elmer’s on Friday, May 29, in the parade that evening, and at the car show on Saturday. This is in addition to the Smokey and the Bandit re-enactors, Eastbound and Down, presented by Edward Jones.

Jeff Lampi, Escanaba Water Wastewater Superintendent, and Darren Pionk, Project Manager at C2AE, provide an update on construction on Ludington Street and other parts of the community. Milling is set to begin Thursday and Friday. Ludington Street from 6th to 8th Streets is added to the closure.

Bay College graduation is May 9. College President Nerita Hughes tells us what that means for the students and what their futures might hold. Hughes is also preparing for a legislature luncheon May 1 that will highlight the college's Manufacturing Innovation Center. And, Hughes is serving on the American Association of Community Colleges board.

Gallery Director Kate Oman and Education Coordinator Noah Johnson talk about upcoming classes at the Bonifas Arts Center, the show in the gallery, Spring raffle and need for art and craft vendors to register for Escanaba LogJam Music Festival.

The band ToHuBoHu is going to be taking on a different sound when they play at Leigh's Garden Winery this weekend. John Beck says he will be playing the grand piano at the winery. A bit different from the electric keyboard and guitar that he normally plays. Joining him will be Bruce Cassell on tuba and Dave Potvin on drums. ToHuBoHu will be playing from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Enhance Escanaba is working to raise 75-thousand dollars through the Patronicity website by June 30 to fund a refrigerated outdoor ice rink. Board President Karen Moore says if the goal is met, the project will qualify for a matching grant through the Public Spaces Community Places program, along with an additional 25-thousand dollars in accessibility funding. Mary Gail Blaiser remembers the days when outdoor rinks were popular throughout the city and hopes this rink will encourage skaters again to enjoy the outdoor activity.

Phil Lynch joins us on a Monday morning to spin records on the turntable. He has a new used watch that is uniquely significant. Mike Markwell shares some recognitions he has received. Justin Lauscher brings us up-to-date on the Ludington Street Cruise.

As Ludington Street closures expands, Sue Parker, chair of the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority, says it is important to connect with downtown businesses. She also talked about upcoming events like Spoil Mom Week, Ludington Street Cruise and Escanaba LogJam Music Festival.

Jane Lynch with the Escanaba Public Library talks about all of the activities planned for May. It includes a poetry reading night and celebration of the Winter Little Library program. Plus, Lynch is getting ready for the Live on the Lawn music series this summer.

Sign up for Ludington Street Cruise car show will be available this weekend at the GreenTree Auto Styling car show. Cruise Chair Justin Lauscher talks about how to register for Ludington Street Cruise. The event will be May 29 and 30. It includes Smokey and the Bandit reenactors Southbound and Down sponsored by local Edward Jones financial advisors and Rhino Dino to measure horsepower.

Marvin Szukalowski is getting ready to go fishing but first we are taste testing a passion he is once again creating, a pizzasty. Al Ettenhofer says there is still time to get tickets for U.P. Whitetails' Spring Banquet. Bill Cook talks about his new book, Beyond the Crest. It details his journey along the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail and explores how that experience shaped his perspective over the following five decades.

The story of the man who gave $3.65 million to the Escanaba School District's scholarship fund has caught school officials by surprised. School Superintendent Coby Fletcher says they had no contact with the 1947 Escanaba graduate before Dr. David Millard Locke passed away last year. Locke contributed the funds in the name of his mother, Catherine Locke Livermore who taught at the Escanaba schools for more than 30 years and raised her son as a single mom.

BayCon kicks off its fifth year on Friday at Bay College. This is the first year the pop culture convention will be held for two days. Organizer Dave Laur says that is because the event continues to grow. BayCon celebrates everything from vintage video games and comics to cosplay and celebrity culture. There will be more than 100 tables at the event along with celebrity guests and game rooms. It will be held Friday, May 1, from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.