Made In Walker

If you’re confused by headlines but serious about finding a home that fits your life, this conversation brings the noise down to human scale. We sit with Scott Zokoe of the Zokoe Team to unpack how Walker’s market evolved from pandemic bidding wars to a steadier, still seller-leaning landscape—and what that actually means for timing, price, and sanity. The goal isn’t hype; it’s clarity you can act on.

We trace the arc from...

A bottleneck that lasted decades is finally gone, and you can feel the difference the first time you cross it. We bring together MDOT’s John Richard and Walker City Engineer Scott Connors to unpack how the new Fruit Ridge Bridge and interchange deliver safer travel, smoother access to jobs, and real options for people walking and biking. From two skinny lanes to a five-lane span with a 14-foot path and smarter ramp alignments, this...

Skip the tired script about success requiring a four-year degree. We sit down with Daniel and Jose Gonzalez of Preferred Flooring to explore how a hands-on trade can become a vehicle for purpose, community, and a resilient career. From weekend gigs as kids to leading complex healthcare installations, their path shows how craftsmanship, discipline, and training turn “just a job” into a calling.

We dig into what makes hospit...

Some names turn into anchors for a whole community. Trevor Slot is one of those names. We open the door to his life through vivid memories, honest grief, and the living legacy he left inside the Walker Police Department and within the hearts of his daughters. What you’ll hear isn’t a eulogy—it’s a map for how kindness, humor, and everyday presence can shape an entire city.

Captain Brandyn Heugel and Sergeant Robin Malley p...

Every time a police officer responds to an emergency call, a firefighter races to a blaze, or a snowplow clears your street after a winter storm, there's an unsung team of experts making it all possible. In this fascinating conversation with Ben Willcome, Walker's Fleet Services Supervisor, we pull back the curtain on the critical but often invisible work that keeps our city vehicles running.

Ben and his three-pe...

Mayor Gary Carey delivers his State of the City Address for 2025, highlighting "acceleration" as this year's theme to reflect the increased velocity of growth and development in Walker. Public safety remains a top priority with exceptional community engagement from police and fire departments resulting in a 22% decrease in major crimes over two years despite the city's rapid growth.

• The Fruit Ridge Br...

The bridges we build, the roads we travel, and the paths we create literally shape how our communities grow and connect. In this enlightening conversation with Senator Mark Huizenga, we dive deep into the infrastructure projects that have transformed Walker from the ground up.

When it comes to the Fruit Ridge Bridge project, persistence proved powerful. After eight years of advocacy that spanned from Walker City Hall to Wa...

What makes someone leave the warmth of the Gulf Coast to lead a fire department in Michigan? For Russell Schoultz, Walker's new Fire Chief, it was the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a community that immediately felt like home.

Chief Schoultz brings an impressive 34-year public safety career to Walker, including extensive experience with hurricane response, disaster management, and leading statewide ope...

Growing older doesn't mean giving up independence, purpose, and connection. Discover how Senior Neighbors of Kent County is transforming the aging experience for adults 60+ throughout our community, including right here in Walker.

Suzanne Callahan, President of Senior Neighbors, takes us inside their comprehensive approach to enhancing seniors' lives through two key service areas: personalized support and vibrant...

Police-community relationships often fluctuate like a rollercoaster, affected by events across the nation in ways most professions never experience. Yet in Walker, Michigan, a unique partnership between electrical contractor Feyen ZyIstra and the Walker Police Department is creating a stable foundation of trust and connection through their annual National Night Out block party.

When Feyen ZyIstra  moved into the former Fai...

What makes a community thrive when others struggle? State Representative Carol Glanville pulls back the curtain on Walker's remarkable growth story in this revealing conversation about public service, community development, and the power of meaningful collaboration.

Representative Glanville's path from Walker City Commissioner to state legislator offers fascinating insights into how local government experience sh...

Tim Horvath doesn't just design graphics for race cars - he creates brands, builds relationships, and offers sanctuary in a high-speed world. The founder of HD5 Designs opens up about his remarkable journey from a kid in the fourth turn at Berlin Raceway to a nationally recognized force in motorsports design.

"I'm full throttle, passionate, loving, caring, go-getter that just lives life by seconds at a time,...

What happens when a community decides to take care of its own? The HOPE Collaborative—Helping Others Prosper Every Day—represents a powerful answer to that question. This grassroots initiative brings together Walker's businesses, schools, churches, and police department to create an interconnected web of support for families and individuals in need.

Born from conversations between Zinser Elementary Principal Brooke Jo...

From the humble beginnings of a basement typewriter repair shop to weathering a global pandemic, Noordyk Business Equipment stands as a testament to family business resilience in Walker, Michigan. 

Will Noordyk takes us through his family's remarkable journey, starting with his grandfather who returned from Army service in 1946 with typewriter repair skills that would launch a business dynasty. The story unfolds acros...

Step inside one of Walker's most vibrant community hubs with Mary Kay Sherman, Facilities Director at the Walker Ice and Fitness Center. Having served since six months after the center opened more than 25 years ago, Mary Kay offers an insider's perspective on how this multi-purpose facility has evolved from a new building with a memorable Gordie Howe ribbon-cutting into the pulsing heart of community connection.

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Walker's chaplains serve dual roles supporting both law enforcement officers and community members in times of crisis. The volunteer chaplains work 24/7 to provide emotional and spiritual support during and after traumatic incidents.

• Chaplains primarily listen and provide a calming presence during stressful situations
• First responders are "normal people" deeply affected by the trauma they regularly w...

Three friends turned their home brewing passion into a thriving community hub during one of the most challenging periods for small businesses in recent memory. When Lost Art Brewery opened its doors in July 2020 amid pandemic restrictions, founders Austin, Mike, and Brad couldn't have predicted that loyal customers would show up in snowmobile suits to drink beer on their outdoor patio during freezing Michigan winters. But this...

What happens when a teenage promise becomes reality? In this heartwarming conversation with James Dewinter, we explore the remarkable journey of a local entrepreneur who transformed from a 14-year-old ice cream shop employee to the proud owner of Walker's beloved Double Dip Depot.

James shares the serendipitous timing of purchasing his business in February 2020—just weeks before COVID changed everything. While many bu...

In this engaging episode of "Made in Walker," we sit down with Tyler Glass and Mitch Harkema, community resource officers at the Walker Police Department. They share insights on how their role extends beyond traditional policing; it's about building genuine connections with the community. Tyler and Mitch reveal their strategies for fostering a sense of trust and collaboration, particularly through an inventive use of...