It's here....ish! It's Season 1, Episode 0 of Climax - The Podcast, Love Letter to a Small Town! No guests, just a little introduction to the thoughts, motives and inspirations behind the creation of the show and insight into why the show will have "seasonal" releases.

It's the tip of the iceberg for this Podcast exploring the people and places in one of the most unique small towns in the world, Climax, Michigan!

C-S Fight Song

Season 1, Episode 0 - We All Start Somewhere

SURPRISE! As we all prepare for the formal launch of Climax - The Podcast, Love Letter to a Small Town in January 2023, here is a little treat, The Climax - The Podcast Christmas Special! 

It's a trip in the time machine with Musical Guests including longtime Climax resident Bea Weessies as well as the 1994 and 1996 Climax - Scotts High School bands under the direction of the famed Diane Stoddard.

Enjoy this trip down memory lane, and Merry Christmas, everyone!

The Christmas Special

It's finally here, Season 1 Episode 1 of Climax - The Podcast, Love Letter to a Small Town! The show formally kicks off with "Song of The Lark," a wonderful conversation with the longest tenured educator in Climax-Scotts Community School, Lark Murphy. 

Be sure to like, follow and subscribe to the show on our various platforms, all of which can be found at our LinkTree here: https://linktr.ee/climaxthepodcast

S1, E1 "Song Of The Lark" with Lark Murphy

Today, we are throwing the clock back 90 years! Join us for a visit to the 1930s and get first person accounts of what life was like as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse from longtime Climax resident, Gertrude Carver. You'll also hear from Bethel Ebinger and a number of other beloved members of the community some still with us, some who've passed away. We are SO grateful for the work of Prairie Historical Society through the years so we can bring the town's rich history back to life through this Podcast!

Don't forget to check out our LinkTree for all the ways to listen to and support the show as well as find our YouTube Channel with even more Climax history, available here: https://linktr.ee/climaxthepodcast

S1, E2 "One-room Schoolhouse" With Gertrude Carver, Bethel Ebinger + More!

In Season 1, Episode 3 "Huzzah for The Shopkeep," Kevin is joined by Mark Sinclair as well as Amanda Sinclair. Enjoy this conversation as Mark tells tales of the history of the Sinclair family in Climax as well as well over 100 years providing groceries and other essential items to the community through four generations of Sinclair's Market.

Don't forget to like, follow, subscribe and support at all our links available through the Climax - The Podcast LinkTree, available here: https://linktr.ee/climaxthepodcast?

S1, E3 "Huzzah For The Shopkeep" with Mark Sinclair

In this Mini-Sode, Kevin shares one of his favorite stories of the late Lois Joslyn and how she may have saved Kevin and his cousin Suzanne from a "drug rap."

S1, A Mini-Sode "Mrs. J Saves The Day!"

Season 1, Episode 5 "A Meeting in The Middle" brings Julie Tiller to Climax - The Podcast. Julie and Kevin talk about Julie's lifetime in and around the Climax-Scotts Community and Julie's deep ties go all things C-S. And, of course, there is LOTS of talk about Founders Day 2023, the latest "Meet Me in The Middle" is shaping up quite nicely!

As always, we appreciate your listening and support of the show. All ways you can support the show can be found at our website climaxthepodcast.com

S1, E5 "A Meeting In The Middle" with Julie Tiller

Last week, we lead with the father. This week we bring you the son! At 89 years young, Dewayne Drallette, Jr. joins Climax - The Podcast telling many tales of many people and many places from almost 90 years living in Climax and being part of the Climax-Scotts Community! This one will equally tickle your funny bone and tug at your heart strings learning just how much being part of this community means to Dewayne!

To support, like, follow and subscribe to Climax - The Podcast, be sure to visit our website at climaxthepodcast.com.

S1, E7 "Fresh Dairy Air" with Dewayne Drallette, Jr.

It's quite fitting that one of the oldest citizens to ever live in Climax sets a new record for longest episode to date! Originally recorded April 7, 1989, this Interview with guest hosts Peggy Jenkins and Theta Taylor covers the life and times of Lydia Nickerson, a lovely lady from Climax, Michigan who lived to be 104 years old! Lydia's name is synonymous with 4H and the many ways it helped develop local youth! 4H is talked about in great detail as well as a great many other topics to boot!

As always, get every episode and support this show by visiting our website at climaxthepodcast.com

S1, E8 "Head, Heart, Hands, Health" with Peggy Jenkins, Theta Taylor and Lydia Nickerson

One of the most requested guests for Climax - The Podcast joins this week and next in our first ever two parter! People throughout the last seven decades may know this man as a family member, friend, neighbor, army buddy and more. But to the vast majority of our audience, he's either their beloved Physical Education teacher or their legendary Baseball coach. And, in many cases, this man is both! 

Enjoy Part 1 of this interview with Bob Weessies, Jr.!

S1, E9 "Ever Spiffy, Ever Sporty" Part 1 with Bob Weessies, Jr.

It's Part 2 with one of the most requested guests for Climax - The Podcast! People throughout the last seven decades may know this man as a family member, friend, neighbor, army buddy and more. But to the vast majority of our audience, he's either their beloved Physical Education teacher or their legendary Baseball coach. And, in many cases, this man is both! 

Enjoy Part 2 of this interview with Bob Weessies, Jr., and be sure to subscribe to your favorite feed and support the show over at climaxthepodcast.com.

S1, E10 "Ever Spiffy, Ever Sporty" Part 2 with Bob Weessies, Jr.

It has been a LONG time coming, and this return Episode offers a little insight as to why! This is Episode 11, and Climax - The Podcast is BACK, and here to stay, bay-bay!

This Episode offers a few major updates  of what's been going on the last few months and serves another big purpose - to test our feeds to make sure this all uploads correctly before we are back with our first interview in ages October 5 with Jim and Charlene Longman.

Don't forget to subscribe at your favorite podcast feed at climaxthepodcast.com.

E11 - "We Are BACK Bay - Bay!"

It's a love story that begins at Chicken Charlie's and still burns bright to this day. True icons of the Climax-Scotts Community in Jim and Charlene Longman join Climax - The Podcast this week. And as you will hear, their love story is not just with each other and their family. It truly is an everlasting love with their friends, neighbors and the entire population spanning generations in our beloved hometowns.

Enjoy Episode 12 and do not forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast service, all feeds available at our website climaxthepodcast.com.

E12 - "In Love Since Chicken Charlie's" with Jim and Charlene Longman

It's time this week for another trip down the road to Scotts, MI. Our destination is on 36th St., right in the heart of town! We set up the microphones inside the famed Scooters Malt Shoppe and Travelling Treats and that is where we talked to business owner, Cindy Bristol. 

Cindy covers a wide range of topics from her background and what lead to raising her family in the Climax-Scotts Community to acquiring her business in 1990 to proving her detractors and naysayers very wrong as her business has stood the tests of time. 

Make sure you do not miss a beat with Climax - The Podcast by subscribing to any of our feeds at climaxthepodcast.com. And please support our parent business Climax-Scotts Digital Network at climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com

E15 - "Ice Cream Social" with Cindy Bristol

This week, Climax - The Podcast delves back into the archives of Prairie Historical Society for this second episode in our Salute to Veterans Series. 

In 2000, PHS filmed a series of interviews with Climax-Scotts area veterans, hosted by Dewayne Drallette, Jr. In these installments, we hear stories from time in the armed forces, fighting for our freedoms and our county, this week from longtime Climax resident, Frank Bowman, Sr.

TRIGGER WARNING:

The Salute to Veterans Series honors war veterans from the US Armed Forces from active combat. These are often sharing literal war stories. Though the mood of Climax - The Podcast is often light and jovial, some topics covered in this series may be troubling to some listeners.

E16 - "Salute To Veterans Series" with Frank Bowman, Sr.

As the C-S Panthers move into battle with their opponents Adrian Lenawee Christian this Saturday in MHSAA Playoff action, the students of Ms. Wright's High School Journalism Class took the lead in producing this "Panther Playoff Special" with guest, Varsity Football Player Luke Lawrence.

It was a difficult assignment for the Journalism Students and Luke, and everyone did great! It's a big weekend, and even bigger GO PANTHERS from all of us at CSDN.

Stay tuned after Luke's segment to learn more from Journalism Students on what they've been working on and what they're looking forward to as their own content will soon be shared with the world.

Don't forget to like, share and subscribe on your favorite podcast feed. All options are available at climaxthepodcast.com

E17 - "Panther Playoff Special" with Luke Lawrence and Members of Journalism Class

This week, Climax - The Podcast brings you Part 1 of Kevin's conversation with current Climax Village President, Jim Cummings. Jim has lived quite a storied life from his humble beginnings in the Battle Creek area to touring the world plying his musical talents to opening state of the art recording studio, Soundstage I Productions right here in Climax. Learn about all these things and a whole lot more!

And don't worry, when you hit the end of this episode and have a taste for more on that final topic, we'll pick up right where we left off next week, so make sure to hit those subscribe buttons, available on all your favorite podcast services. You can you can find them all at climaxthepodcast.com.

As mentioned in this podcast, Jim's full bio from GHS Strings can be found here: https://www.ghsstrings.com/users/8063475.

E18 - "It Takes A Village President" Part 1 with Jim Cummings

This week, Climax - The Podcast brings you Part 2 of Kevin's conversation with current Climax Village President, Jim Cummings. Jim has lived quite a storied life from his humble beginnings in the Battle Creek area to touring the world plying his musical talents to opening state of the art recording studio, Soundstage I Productions right here in Climax. Learn about all these things and a whole lot more!

If you missed Part 1, don't fret! All our Episodes are archived online. You can you can find them all at climaxthepodcast.com and on all major podcast platforms.

As mentioned in this podcast, Jim's full bio from GHS Strings can be found here: https://www.ghsstrings.com/users/8063475.

E19 - "It Takes a Village President" Part 2 with Jim Cummings

This is a very special Episode of Climax - The Podcast. Out a day early due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, this week, CTP is all about The Gilbert Family and how "Together, We Can Make a Difference" at this weekend's People Helping People Craft Show at Climax-Scotts Jr/Sr High School.

Guests this week include Legendary C-S Teacher and Coach Kevin Langs, Current C-S Varsity Football Head Coach/Athletic Director/Dean of Students Tyler Langs, C-S Community Schools Public Relations/Communications Director Heather Wechsler and PHP Difference Maker Julie Tiller. And every part of each conversation speaks to the wonderful impact to our community of Angela, Andrew, Logan and Ashlynn Gilbert.

We hope to see as many people s possible this Saturday, November 25, 2023 at the Craft Show. If you are unable to attend, you can still support through Climax-Scotts Digital Network outlets, and 100% of funds raised this holiday weekend will be donated to the Gilbert Family. Details in this podcast and at climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com/suppot.

E20 - "Together, We Can Make A Difference" with Kevin & Tyler Langs, Heather Wechsler & Julie Tiller

On this edition of CTP - Extra, High School Journalism Class students Liam LaSala and Chace Elmer take to the mics with Billy Felton.

This is the premier episode of Scoops and Hoops with Liam and Chace with their guest, Billy Felton talking about the upcoming Boy's Basketball game this Tuesday, November 28 at Galesburg-Augusta.

Please subscribe and check out all future episodes of Climax - The Podcast and CTP - Extra, always available at climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com

CTP - Extra - Scoops and Hoops with Liam LaSala, Chace Elmer and Billy Felton

A bit later than usual this week, so thanks for your patience in waiting for Episode 22, the latest in our "Salute to Veterans Series" with previous Podcast guest Dewayne Drallette, Jr. interviewing Larry Jenkins! From the archives of Prairie Historical Society, Larry details many events from his time in service to our country.

Trigger Warning: The Salute to Veterans Series is unfiltered and uncensored, first-hand experience from Climax-Scotts Community Military Veterans from their times at literal war for our country. Though the mood of Climax - The Podcast is typically light and jovial, these episodes will cover topics that may not be suitable for all listeners.

For all past episodes and to subscribe to your favorite podcast feed, please visit climaxthepodcast.com. For all things going on with Climax-Scotts Digital Network, please visit climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com.

E22 - "Salute to Veterans Series" with Larry Jenkins

She just finished her Masters in Music Education this year, and we are super lucky to have her at Climax-Scotts at the helm of the music department and even luckier to have her on this week's Episode of Climax - The Podcast. It's C-S Music Teacher Karla Evans! Learn a bit about Ms. Evans' path to Climax-Scotts as well as the many goings-on in the C-S Music world, in particular this Thursday's upcoming Winter Concert!

Also this week, special guest host Jackie Longman joins the show. Stay tuned after this week's Main Event with Karla to hear a pretty ridiculous story about Kevin's recent experience in a supposed "casting call" for a reality "tv" show. 

Make sure to like, share, subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. All our feeds can be found at climaxthepodcast.com.

E23 - "Hitting The High Notes" with Karla Evans

In this edition of Scoops and Hoops with Liam LaSala and Chace Elmer speak with Varsity Lady Panther Basketball Players Ashlynn Gilbert, Holly Talbert and Addy Reeves. The girls discuss their recent victory in their season opener again Comstock. This episode also has pre and post-game interviews covering the home opener against Athens.

Please keep in mind, these CTP - Extra Episodes are projects of students at Climax-Scotts High School who have never done this kind of project before. These episodes and their creation is education for the students and are not intended to be perfect. There will be audio, editing and other technical issues and episodes will be published as-is. 

The goal is not to be perfect, but to have the students get better and more confident with each episode. 

Thanks for listening and supporting the projects of Journalism Students at Climax-Scotts High School and Climax-Scotts Digital Network.

Scoops And Hoops - The Early Season With The Lady Panthers

A brief, but important message for all the listeners and supporters out there in Climax - The Podcast land. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a safe and joyous holiday season to you all, and than you for all your support over the last year. 

We'll be off next week and back after the first of year.

E24 - "Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas, and A Happy New Year!"

It's been a while since we returned to the "Salute to Veterans Series," and we're happy to bring back even more stories from war heroes from our community's storied past. 

This week, thanks to the archives at Prairie Historical Society, we are able to once again hear the voice and stories of the late Bill Middleton. Bill was a longtime Climax resident who also served at Climax-Scotts Community Schools Superintendent from 1965 until his retirement in 1978. Bill passed away in 2006, but thanks to the work of PHS through the years and small miracles of modern technology, Bill is back with us, if only for a moment. 

Make sure to like, share, subscribe and review on your favorite podcast platform or listen directly at climaxthepodcast.com. 

And please support our parent organization, Climax-Scotts Digital Network. For more information, please visit our website at clilmaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com

E28 - "Salute To Veterans Series" with Bill Middleton

Plans changed up for this week's episode of Climax - The Podcast with the announcement February 7 of the impending retirement of current Village of Climax President, Jim Cummings. 

We didn't think Jim would be back so soon after his recent appearances just a few months ago. But we felt it important with significant news such as this for the community that we give Jim a platform to share as much information as he is able.

Learn a bit of the "why" as well as timelines when changes take effect for the Climax Village Council.

Make sure you subscribe to Climax - The Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. All links are available at climaxthepodcast.com.

Please also check out the website of our parent nonprofit organization, CSDN at climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com.

E29 - "Retirement Village" with Jim Cummings

This week, Climax - The Podcast sets up shop inside Peace Community Christian Church in Climax with our guests, Pastor Noah and Anne Miller. For the last four years, the Millers have become much a part of the Climax-Scotts Community, working hard to share their faith and friendship. Learn about their path to living in Climax, how Peace Community Christian Church came to be here in town and lots more!

Make sure you subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms or visit climaxthepodcast.com and listen directly.

Please also support our parent organization at climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com

E30 - "Fueled By Faith" with Pastor Noah and Anne Miller

This week, CTP delves back into the archives of Prairie Historical Society with the next installment of the "Salute to Veterans" Series. In this edition, Dewayne Drallette, Jr. interviews longtime Climax resident, Maynard Piper, detailing Maynard's time serving his country, protecting his community back home.

Make sure you're subscribed on your favorite podcast feed. They're all available for you to select at climaxthepodcast.com.

Please support our parent organization, Climax-Scotts Digital Network at climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com, csdigitalnetwork.org or on the Spaces by Wix App with FRE invite code "CSDN24."

E31 - "Salute To Veterans Series" with Maynard Piper

This isn't your typical episode of Climax - The Podcast. This week, Jackie Longman returns as co-host as she and Kevin tell a storied tale, largely only know to Climax-Scotts High School students from the mid to late 1990s. Today, the share "Birth of a Holiday - The Legend of Beam Day."

Join Jackie and Kevin as they do their best to paint the scene of 1996 C-S High School and how with but one simple expression from Joel Case followed by an amazing response by the teacher gave birth to a holiday, still celebrated by many all these years later. 

Sit back, relax and hopefully get a laugh out of the ridiculous story that is the origin of Beam Day!

E32 - "Birth of a Holiday - The Legend of Beam Day" with Jackie Longman

Ok, ok, so it's a little bit of cheating for the host to ask his parents on the show, but this week, they aren't mom and dad. They're PHS Treasurer, Sharon Harvey and PHS President, Patrick Harvey and they're joining Climax - The Podcast to discuss 40 Years of Prairie Historical Society. 

Listen and learn about hard work that has been done, spanning four decades of local volunteer work and nearly 200 years of local history. Learn what sorts of information you can find in the History Room and more about the upcoming website, prairiehistoricalsociety.org, launching March 21. 

Be sure to check out our parent organization at climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com and our archives, available on most podcast platforms as well as climaxthepodcast.com.

E33 - "40 Years of PHS" with Patrick and Sharon Harvey

Just for you, loyal listeners of Climax - The Podcast, here is one of the all-time top requested guests of the show. With a teaching career spanning 42 years, 40 of those as the quintessential Math Teacher for Climax-Scotts High School, the legendary Doug Robinson joins us for Episode 34. 

Learn oh, so much about the life and times of Mr. Rob before, during and after his record-setting tenure at C-S School. There's a lot to learn and many laughs to be had along the way!

To access our archives and all our podcast feeds, please visit climaxthepodcast.com.

Please also support our parent organization at climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com

E34 - "The DR is In" with Doug Robinson

It's been a bit since we've done an Episode from the Archives of PHS, so we hope everyone enjoys another instance where through the magic of modern technology, Climax - The Podcast lets you hear voices from beloved members of the community who've long since passed.

This week, it's stories of "Antique Crime" along the railroads as told by Niles Hagelshaw. Niles passed away in 1986 at the age of 87. Learn more about Niles in the front part of this show before we dive into the restored recording.

Past Episodes of Climax - The Podcast are available in the archives at climaxthepodcast.com.

Please support our parent organization at climaxscottsdigitalnetwork.com.

E35 - "Antique Crime" with Niles Hagelshaw

After a few weeks off, we are back with the latest Climax - The Podcast. This week, it's a trip down memory lane of growing up in the Climax-Scotts Community and a lesson in training racing horses with lifelong resident, Danny Roe! Learn about Danny's time growing up in Climax, his time in the military and his lengthy career in training race horses!

All this and updates on the future of the show as well as the Climax-Scotts Digital Network at more!

Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, all links available at climaxthepodcast.com.

E36 - "Off to the Races" with Danny Roe

In our first Episode in a while, we are back with one of the most unique success stories of a Climax-Scotts Community Schools grad there is! Welcome back with Episode 37 - "From Small Town to Big Leagues" with Devo Doxey. 

Devon shares stories of his time growing up in Climax to getting his feet wet in the pool of sports media production to his current role working with one of the most recognizable sports brands on Earth. 

Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss new episodes when they drop. Download on whatever app or feed you like from the many available at climaxthepodcast.com.

E37 - "From Small Town to Big Leagues" with Devo Doxey

Climax - The Podcast, Love Letter to a Small Town tells the tales of the unique history and marvelous and entertaining stories behind notable people and historic landmarks of Climax, Michigan, the neighboring town of Scotts, Michigan and the ecosystem of Climax-Scotts Community Schools.

Hosted by 1998 C-S Graduate Kevin Harvey

Climax - The Podcast

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