On Hand

Michigan is the only state in the country with two distinct peninsulas. How did it come to be this way? We share an episode of the Points North podcast that digs into the history of our states boundary lines. They story of our peninsula "up north" actually begins with a boundary dispute down south - in Ohio. Find a transcript of the episode hereCheck out more episodes of Points North GUESTS: Ryan SchnurrTed LongMarty Herschock Cover photo from: AlgerCounty.gov Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rory McHarg was so intrigued by the trout label on Bell's Two Hearted Ale he tracked down the artist and made a documentary about him. The film is screening in Traverse City May 1-2, 2026. GUEST ON THIS EPISODE: A Two Hearted Tale Take our Michigan Beer Quiz to test your knowledge. Have a question or story for On Hand? Submit here: Online Submission FormCall us: 734-764-7840Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ask just about any beer drinker in the state and they will tell you their favorite Michigan brewery and craft beer. That's because our state has many high-quality breweries to choose from, often ranking high among all states for craft beer culture. But why? And how did it get like this? We break down Michigan's beer history. GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE: Mickey Lyons, journalist, historian, and "barcheologist" Terry Rostic, founder of Black Calder Brewing Co. Larry Bell, founder of Bell's Brewery Got a home brewing story? Are you John Stroh? Have a question for On Hand? Submit here: Online Submission FormCall us: 734-764-7840Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One listener shares memories of going to Angelo's Coney Island through the pages of his journal. Also: Patti Smith's Lafayette meet-cute, and your emails. Have a story for us, or a question about oh-so-Michigan things? Bring it on! Here's our easy-to-use submission form. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ask 10 different Michiganders where the best coney is and you'll get 10 different answers. But where does this dog with meat sauce come from, and why do we call our diners Coney Islands? We dig into the debate about who does coney dogs best, and dig deep into the coney history. GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE: Damon SmithKatherine Yung, Coney DetroitJoe Grimm, Coney Detroit Got a late-night Coney Island story? A family coney dog tradition? Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about Michigan's political history? Do it here: Online Submission FormCall us: 734-764-7840Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund Coney picture: Flickr user Steven Depolo/Flickr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

West Michiganders Kate Lynnes once ran as a Democratic candidate for Congress against GOP incumbent Rep. Vern Ehlers, in an era when the district was deep red. Lynnes and Ehlers had a fine and cordial repertoire, but during a debate their distinct positions on whether medical marijuana should be legal made their political differences glaringly obvious. GUEST ON THIS EPISODE: Kate Lynnes, west Michigan resident and former Democratic candidate for Congress Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about Michigan's political history? Do it here: Online Submission FormCall us: 734-764-7840Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Under the oaks" of Jackson, Michigan, is a birthplace of the Republican Party. But is it THE birthplace? Ripon, Wisconsin, lays claim to the founding of the political party started by abolitionists. But the Jackson Historical Society has the receipts in favor of our Michigan community. GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE: Maurice Imhoff, president, Jackson Historical Society Linda Hass, author and vice president, Jackson Historical Society Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about Michigan's political history? Do it here: Online Submission FormCall us: 734-764-7840Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We recently dug into how the robin become Michigan's state bird, and why it hasn't changed in nearly 100 years. Today, we reveal the result of our state bird poll, and hear from a listener who witnessed the circle of life unfold among the bird gathering at her neighbor's backyard pond. GUESTS: Tracey Walker, West Michigander Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission FormCall us: 734-764-7840Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We learned what goes into a rescue at the Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, what situations require a rescue, and how to not need one yourself. Plus, a secret hack if you want to experience the "dune drop" in a less intense way. Vote in the On Hand state bird poll here!Check out our other state symbols hereRead about the Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, a nonprofit devoted to protecting the species GUESTS: April CampbellJen OwenFrances Heldt Cover photo by Lester Graham Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last episode of On Hand, we dug into why people in Michigan say “ope.” And we found that “ope” likely traces back to European immigrants who settled in the Midwest—long before Midwesternisms were ever a thing. Since then, we’ve heard from a few of you who say our Michigan way of speaking is about much more than just “ope". Today, we’re diving into the Michigan accent, in all its glory. GUESTS: Sue Merritt, a Michigander-turned-Californian-turned-Michigander again Laurie Van Ark lives in Holland, and her family’s roots in Michigan go back to 1866 Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you live in Michigan, you’ve probably heard someone say the word “ope” more than once. Linguists suggest that the term dates back to the very first European immigrants in the Midwest region but how. On this episode of On Hand, we go back to where we first learned about words and speak with a language expert about the origins of “ope” and why we use it. GUESTS: Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last episode of On Hand we theorized that ranch first collided with pizza in Michigan, and maybe even at a high school in Ann Arbor in 1992. Why not? Well one listener, Junebug Harris, says we got it all wrong. He and his wife, Rio, were both dipping pizza - and everything else - in ranch in their high school cafeterias (Northville and Royal Oak, respectively) in the 1980s. Here's further evidence that Michigan teenagers started the pizza/ranch trend - in the mid 1980s - probably because high school cafeteria food wasn't great, but the ranch was on point. Junebug and Rio are musicians with a rockabilly band in southeast Michigan. Check them out! GUESTS: Sean "Junebug" Harris, Gen X pizza/ranch pioneer Rio Scafone, Gen X pizza/ranch pioneer Arrow, Gen Z pizza/ranch legacy inheritor Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are a couple things we know for sure: 1) Michigan is the chain pizza capital of the world. 2) Michiganders love ranch dressing and all creamy dips. So, then, isn't it logical that the pizza-and-ranch phenomenon started in Michigan? We dip as deep as we can into this tangy question, with a crossover episode from Dough Dynasty, our limited-run series on American chain pizza history. GUESTS: - Wesley Taylor, ranch-with-pizza proclaimer - Scott Weiner, NYC pizza tour leader and pizza historian - Alex Beggs, freelance food writer - Vicki Haber, Hidden Valley Ranch brand experience lead Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It turns out that black is not the only unique color you’ll find on Michigan squirrels. We talked to John and Teri Flory about the furry neighbor they called “White Squirrel.” Plus, listener Carolyn Shalhoub tells us about a mischievous squirrel who tried to steal Christmas. You can find some REALLY cute pictures of White Squirrel here. GUESTS: Want to submit a question or story to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Squirrels aren’t a particularly exotic animal. The fluffy rodents are native to 49 out of 50 states. But there’s something that makes Michigan’s squirrels a little different–and it’s their color. Research suggests the state is part of a kind of Great Lakes “black squirrel belt.” On this episode of On Hand, we go looking for black squirrels–and talk to an evolutionary biologist about why Michigan has so many. (Tile photo by Corey Seeman. Check out more of Corey's black squirrel photos here.) GUESTS: Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the reasons the word "Kalamazoo" shows up in so many lyrics is because it's just a fun word to say. Rapper Jamall Bufford writes a freestyle around "Kalamazoo" and talks about creative writing in music. Jamall BuffordBuff1 GUEST: Jamall Bufford, rapper and lyricist Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are dozens of songs that are titled "Kalamazoo" and more still that mention the southwest Michigan city. It's been that way since the early days of music recording, and "Kalamazoo" continues to find its way into songs. Why, though? We dig into this question, with a multipronged answer that takes us through an American musical legacy. Here's a brief playlist of songs that mention "Kalamazoo"Here's a brief playlist of famous uses of Gibson guitars GUEST: Paul Russell, musician (who wrote a song called "Kalamazoo") GUEST: John Thomas, law professor, historian, and author of Kalamazoo Gals Want to submit a question to On Hand? Have a story about Kalamazoo's musical legacy? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The high-intensity beef between Michigan and Ohio State is well-known as the biggest rivalry in college football. We found a story to remind us that even at the height of the conflict, the two teams' legendary coaches weren't always at war. Jeff Weiss, a Michigander who grew up in Bowling Green, tells the story. Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The feud between coaches Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler shaped the way many modern fans think about The Game. But The Rivalry has been fueled by events by much earlier elements, dating back to the founding of the Western Conference in the early 1900s. We trace the history of the rivalry, and the way it's shaped the players and the game. See archival footage of Ohio State and Michigan hereSee a timeline here GUESTS: Michael Rosenberg, senior writer for Sports Illustrated; author of War As They Knew It: Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and America in a Time of Unrest Tyrone Wheatley, coach for the Wayne State Warriors football team; former running back for the University of Michigan; former NFL player Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In response to our episode on the Michigan Dogman, listener Linda Alice Dewey of Leelanau County wrote to us about her supernatural encounter that originated from a secluded, cemetery in Glen Arbor. The interaction resulted in a spirit driven book written by Dewey and co-authored by a ghost. Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.