Sidewalk Talks

In this Sidewalk Talks episode, we chat with Anne Bruzewski, CEO of Go Great Lakes Bay, about tourism, community pride, and the time we first met—when a truck collided with the I-675 bridge. Ann shares her path from Findlay, Ohio to Northwood University to joining Go Great Lakes Bay in early 2020 as COVID and Midland’s dam breaches forced major pivots. We also break down what a CVB/DMO does and how tourism benefits Saginaw residents.Listen to our conversation by watching the video below, or by subscribing to Sidewalk Talks wherever you listen to podcasts!00:00 That time the truck hit the bridge02:45 Annie the Mentor05:59 Scuba and Swimming06:51 From Ohio to Michigan08:57 Choosing Hospitality11:23 Career Path to CVB12:57 Joining During COVID13:47 Shutdown Shock and Pivot14:53 Flood Response and Housing17:00 Regional Leaders Step Up17:49 Why Join Go Great20:10 Visitors Benefit Residents21:37 What Go Great Lakes Bay Does24:25 What Sets Region Apart27:57 Tourism to Talent Pipeline29:39 Community Hospitality Mindset32:10 Visit Go Great Closing 

Saginaw’s Surprising Link to the 50-Star American Flag (and a Handyman Who Puts Family First)In this Sidewalk Talks episode, Phil chats with Ryan Schramm, owner of Schramm's Services, a handyman business that focuses on painting but also tackles plumbing, electrical, and general contracting. Our conversation takes a fascinating turn when Ryan reveals his uncle, Saginaw-native Bob Heft, designed the 50-star U.S. flag as a high school project in 1958. At the time, there were only 48 states, but Bob had a hunch that two more states would be added and in 1959, Alaska and Hawaii became our 49th and 50th states.Bob created the 50-star flag by cutting up a 48-star flag his parents had received as a wedding present, and the design was later selected by President Eisenhower to serve as the United State's 50-star flag. Also notable considering the date: when Bob signed flags, he only signed them at Ground Zero. Ryan talks to us about his uncle, shows us memorabilia and more in this can't-miss episode! 00:00 Mic Check Banter00:53 Meet Ryan Schramm02:09 From Painting to Handyman03:46 Family First Business04:42 Foster Care Roots05:58 Dad Life Priorities09:34 Uncle Behind the Flag10:33 How the Flag Was Chosen15:16 What the Legacy Means17:06 Showing the Memorabilia20:33 Flag Raising Honor22:02 Find Schramm Services22:37 Final Thanks and Wrap

THE CIVITAN WILL LIVE AGAIN! Eugene "Fookie" Seals has purchased The Civilian Recreation Center in downtown Saginaw with the goal of restoring back to its role as a valuable community center. He grew up nearby, played basketball and attended summer programs there , and credits the center with helping launch his path to professional basketball. Seals says the Seals Group began pursuing the building in 2019 and finalized the purchase a few weeks ago. Plans include abatement first, then restoring the existing building with two renovated gyms, a stage, a computer room, and a cafe-style area, plus arts training and outdoor camps, with phase one projected at 18–24 months. 00:00 How Fookie Got His Name Name01:01 Why Civitan Matters02:09 Growing Up at Civitan03:22 Basketball Built Here05:41 Safe Spaces for Kids07:53 Idea to Revive Civitan10:56 Buying and Due Diligence11:54 Renovation Reality Check14:17 Vision for the New Hub18:22 How You Can Help19:22 Wrap Up and Next Steps

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we chat with Saginaw musician Indigo Connolly about motherhood, music, and music education! Along with being a performer, Indigo also created My Music Matters, an organization dedicated to highlighting local artists and providing more representation in music education in the Great Lakes Bay area. She also teaches piano and voice lessons out of Indigo Music Studio Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Indigo00:34 Motherhood Reality Check02:17 National Anthem Spotlight03:28 Early Music Roots05:02 Why Performing Matters06:57 Music School and Juries08:15 Designing Her Own Major10:16 My Music Matters Mission13:55 Musicians Deserve Pay15:31 Teaching Kids Music16:50 Let Kids Explore18:18 Why Music Education19:13 Music Saved My Life21:13 Why Music Education Matters22:32 Discipline and Teamwork23:32 The Tone Deaf Myth25:19 Egg Timer Discipline Story28:10 Accountability for Creatives33:14 Confidence and Finding Your Voice36:59 Building the Artist Incubator40:43 Where to Connect and Closing

On this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we meet the jump rope master Giovanni Jamall Jackson—an entertainer from Saginaw who jump ropes, teaches ballroom dance, performs Motown, and acts—and talks about how he started jump roping in 2019 as a stress reliever during a period of depression. Giovanni explains what he loves about jump rope and shares how freestyling, viral TikTok views, and growing social media contacts led to America’s Got Talent reaching out. He then gives me a jump rope lessonn: sizing the rope to the waist, proper form, reps, and progression from basic jumps to side swings, criss-cross, releases (flip and catch), and advanced moves like the “awesome” and triple unders. Watch the episode here, or listen wherever you listen to podcasts!Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Giovanni Jackson01:17 Life in Saginaw01:30 Jump Rope Origins03:02 Going Viral and AGT04:31 Why Jump Rope Works05:05 Tricks and Routines05:58 First Public Videos07:26 Jump Rope Basics 10110:30 Level Up Side Swing12:28 Criss Cross Mastery14:32 Release and Catch17:22 Advanced Freestyle Moves20:54 Where to Follow Giovanni21:19 Final Thoughts and Wrap