A couple from Muskegon, who started dating in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, shared the story behind the special rocks that became a symbol of their love. 

GUESTS: 

Maggie and Ben Reinhard

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

A couple from Muskegon, who started dating in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, shared the story behind the special rocks that became a symbol of their love.&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
Maggie and Ben Reinhard
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>

Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.

To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.
To share a story or submit your questions, head to <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund

On Hand

Your Stories: Love rocks

For many a Michigander, Petoskey stones are way more than just a cool looking rock. They’re a physical reminder of happy memories of Michigan summers past. The Petoskey shares a name with the Northern Michigan city, but their distribution–and the story they tell us about our state’s ancient history–is a lot bigger. On this episode of On Hand, we talk to a couple of rockhounding experts about everything you need to know about our state stone. 

GUESTS: 

Scot and Jennifer Wack, co-authors of Rockhounding: A Beginner’s Guide to Rock Hunting Around Lake Michigan and co-owners of the NorthPort Trading Post

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

For many a Michigander, Petoskey stones are way more than just a cool looking rock. They&rsquo;re a physical reminder of happy memories of Michigan summers past. The Petoskey shares a name with the Northern Michigan city, but their distribution&ndash;and the story they tell us about our state&rsquo;s ancient history&ndash;is a lot bigger. On this episode of On Hand, we talk to a couple of rockhounding experts about everything you need to know about our state stone.&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
Scot and Jennifer Wack, co-authors of Rockhounding: A Beginner&rsquo;s Guide to Rock Hunting Around Lake Michigan and co-owners of the NorthPort Trading Post
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>

Can you find Petoskey stones outside of Petoskey?

A listener shares his story about the lessons in tenderness, abundance and connection a forgotten cherry tree gave him. 

GUEST:
Andrew Harmon originally from Rockford, MI but spent many of his young adult years living in Grand Rapids. He now lives in Boston, MA. 

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

A listener shares his story about the lessons in tenderness, abundance and connection a forgotten cherry tree gave him.&nbsp;
GUEST:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Andrew Harmon originally from Rockford, MI but spent many of his young adult years living in Grand Rapids. He now lives in Boston, MA.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

 Your Stories: The Giving Cherry Tree

Come July, cherries are everywhere here. Sweet. Sour. Deep maroon, golden yellow and even blush pink. Michigan is the second largest grower of cherries in the nation and we're home to the National Cherry Festival. But why?

In this episode we tell you the story of our favorite little stone fruit, the cherry. How did it get here? And how did Michigan become synonymous with cherries?

GUESTS:

Chris Reiser, president for the Peter Dougherty Society.
Nikki Rothwell, 2025 Cherry Industry Person of the year and Michigan State University's extension specialist in tree fruit integrated pest management. 
Jim Eckerle, farmer and owner of Eckerle Farms in Leelanau County & Suttons Bay.
Zach Eckerle, grandson of Jim Eckerle and future owner of Eckerle Farms.

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

Come July, cherries are everywhere here. Sweet. Sour. Deep maroon, golden yellow and even blush pink. Michigan is the second largest grower of cherries in the nation and we're home to the National Cherry Festival. But why?
In this episode we tell you the story of our favorite little stone fruit, the cherry. How did it get here? And how did Michigan become synonymous with cherries?
GUESTS:
Chris Reiser, president for the Peter Dougherty Society. Nikki Rothwell,&nbsp;2025 Cherry Industry Person of the year and Michigan State University's extension specialist in tree fruit integrated pest management. Jim Eckerle, farmer and owner of Eckerle Farms in Leelanau County &amp; Suttons Bay. Zach Eckerle, grandson of Jim Eckerle and future owner of Eckerle Farms.
<hr>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>

Your Stories: Love rocks

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