Made In Walker

Walker’s New City Manager

Walker is growing quickly, and growth has a way of turning “city hall” into something personal. We’re joined by Shay Gallagher, the new City Manager for the City of Walker, Michigan, to talk about what the job actually demands and why Walker’s stability and momentum made the opportunity impossible to pass up. Shay shares where he’s from, how his career path led through other communities, and what he learned before stepping into this role. We also break down the city manager role in plain English: the mayor and city commission set the direction, and the city manager leads the staff that delivers the work. That includes the unglamorous but essential parts of local government like roads, finance, water and sewer, labor issues, and the daily coordination that keeps services running. Shay  explains why strong department leaders matter and how he balances staying informed with letting experts do their jobs. Public safety becomes the heart of the conversation as we talk about the city’s push to modernize fire services toward a 24/7 fire department, building on Fire Chief Rusty Shoultz's vision after a heartbreaking loss. We dig into what it takes to fund and sustain that shift, what station upgrades might be needed, and how improved fire protection can influence an ISO rating that may lower insurance costs for both residents and businesses. We also look ahead to strategic planning, trail connectivity, the new library opening, and the opportunities and challenges tied to future road funding. If you care about how Walker makes decisions as it grows, this is a must-listen. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review with the topic you want us to tackle next. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

How Peppinos Built A 50-Year Family Legacy In West Michigan

Peppinos is a name most West Michigan locals recognize, but the origin is pure Standale: one shop, a family hustle, and a neighborhood that has transformed around it. We’re joined by Joe DiLeonardo as Peppinos celebrates 50 years in business in 2026, and he takes us back to the earliest days, when the drive felt long, the back lot still had trees, and a kid could grow up learning the rhythms of a pizza kitchen. Along the way, we swap memories of Walker landmarks and how a local restaurant becomes part of a community’s personal timeline.  We dig into the real reasons long-running restaurants survive when so many don’t. Joe shares how Peppinos stays consistent by investing in people and refusing to let quality slide, from grinding their own cheese to keeping core ingredients made from scratch. We also talk about adapting to modern realities like volume demands and post-COVID challenges without abandoning what made the pizza special in the first place, including the operational shift from old-school deck ovens to equipment that can keep up.  The conversation widens into the next generation and what growth looks like when it’s driven by family passion: catering, the Peppino's Hospitality Group, an event center, and West Side Social. Joe also lays out blunt, practical entrepreneurship advice for anyone starting a business in Walker, Michigan or anywhere else: the first 5 to 10 years take real sacrifice and being all in. We wrap with details on the 50th anniversary celebration, including half-off 14-inch pizzas and free pizzas for the first families at the Standale location. If you enjoy local business stories, family business leadership, and the craft behind great pizza, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find Made in Walker. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

Safety Town Comes To Walker

Your child might know the rules, but would they remember the steps when their heart is racing? Safety Town is finally coming to Walker, Michigan, and we sat down with Jenna Wilmers to explain why this hands-on kids safety program can make a real difference for families. A late-night 911 call from her little brother became the spark, and it turned into a community effort to give local kids practical skills they can actually use.  We break down what Safety Town in Walker looks like: a half-day summer program at Zinser Elementary with a life-size street-style setup where kids can ride bikes and practice road safety in a safe environment. From there, children rotate through age-appropriate lessons that cover bike safety, fire safety, weather safety, water safety, vehicle safety, and home safety. One of the most memorable features is a smoke-filled trailer experience supported by the fire department, helping kids learn how to move and think clearly in a simulated emergency without the risk.  You’ll also hear how city teams like police, fire, and DPW partner with local businesses to make the program possible, what ages the sessions are designed for, and where organizers want to take Safety Town next as it grows year after year. We also share what the Walker Community Engagement Committee does and how volunteer residents help bridge the gap between the community and city services.  Listen now, share this with a parent in Walker, and subscribe for more local stories. If you have questions or ideas for future topics, leave a review and send us a note. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

Inside Walker’s New All-Star Cheer Gym

A new all-star cheer gym has landed in Walker, Michigan, and it’s built on a simple idea with big consequences: Family Over Everything. I’m joined by FOE All-Stars owner Tank Johnson and head coach and co-director Brayden to talk about why they opened the doors, what they want athletes to feel the moment they walk in, and how a sports facility can become a real community hub. We break down what all-star cheer actually is for anyone who only knows sideline cheer: high-level tumbling, stunting that involves real strength and precision, and routines where trust is non-negotiable because the music doesn’t stop when something goes wrong. Braden shares the story of how a middle school dare turned into a scholarship journey and a coaching career, plus what it’s like helping athletes find the role that fits them, whether they love flips, lifting, flying, or simply being the steady teammate everyone counts on. We also get practical about programs families are searching for right now, including spring training sessions, upcoming tryouts, and the opportunities around stunt, now an NCAA championship sport with growing scholarship potential. Tank explains why FOE designed the building for the reality of busy families, with a parent room, cameras, homework space, kitchen access, and even a spot to take a private meeting. If you care about youth sports in West Michigan, cheerleading training, tumbling classes, stunting fundamentals, or college cheer pathways, this conversation offers a clear look at what FOE is trying to build in Walker and beyond. Subscribe for more local stories, share this with a family who’s exploring cheer or tumbling, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What would make a gym feel like home to you? If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

Passing The Torch At Sobies

A local butcher shop can feel like a utility until you realize it’s also a meeting place, a fundraiser engine, and a thread that holds a neighborhood together. That’s why the ownership transition at Sobie Meats in Walker, Michigan matters, and why we wanted to talk about it while it’s still fresh and real. Host Nicole DiDonato is joined by original owner Tim Sobie and new owner Amy Jones for an honest look at what changes, what stays, and what it takes to protect a community institution.  Tim shares the personal turning point that made retirement urgent, how he and his family thought through selling versus closing, and why Amy felt like the right person almost instantly. Amy opens up about stepping into the meat industry from a different background, learning quickly, and leading with humility while the existing team keeps the day-to-day running strong. One of the biggest takeaways: continuity is built on people, and this handoff works because the staff stays, the culture stays, and the trust stays.  We also talk about community giving as part of the Sobie's identity, from supporting first responders and veterans to Amy’s passion for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan and Beautiful You by Profile. Looking forward, Amy wants to keep the hometown feel while exploring careful modernization, including potential online ordering that doesn’t erase the in-store experience. If you care about small business succession planning, local food, and what keeps Walker’s local businesses thriving, this conversation will stick with you.  Subscribe to Maiden Walker, share this with a neighbor who loves local businesses, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s the local shop you’d fight to keep in your community? If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY