Welcome to Season 2 Episode 2 of Five Star Talks! In this episode, Carl met with Dave Critchlow of Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary in Athens, MI. Dave talks about his family and the tours/demonstrations at the Alligator Sanctuary. He explains some of their training techniques: how they teach alligators their names, to come to him on command, and crate training the gators. Dave discusses how they separate and house the alligators, the story of his favorite alligator, Godzilla, and how they have collected their alligators. Carl admits this is one of the best tours he's ever been on! We hope you enjoy. https://alligatorsanctuary.com

This week Carl spoke with Adam Cloutier, the new Vice President of Academics at Glen Oaks Community College. They talked about Adam's background, education, and journey to Glen Oaks. Adam also spoke on the different opportunities Glen Oaks offers to students beginning as early as high school; including Career Technical Education (CTE), Dual Enrollment, and Middle College (MC). Adam shared with us the history of how Glen Oaks Community College found their home in Centreville and is located on Nora Hagen's (a local school teacher) family farm. We hope you enjoy. Glen Oaks Community College

www.glenoaks.edu

Susan Crosson Accounting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpNmcFzy6-4&t=52s

Hi everyone, in this episode, I spoke with James Gray from Farrand Hall. We talked about his upbringing near Chicago, his circuitous route to get here, and how Farrand Hall started out for him and Jacob.We spoke about the high-end dinners that they’ve been offering for the last several years. Their current and ongoing expansion, their farmers market and their Saturday Cafe, open every Saturday this season from 8 to 2 .James and I talked for well over two hours.I just kept going off on different tangents, so I tried to pair it down to something that people would hopefully find interesting.I had hoped to get this out much sooner, but the summer just got away from me. So without further ado here it is. I hope you enjoy.www.farrandhall.com

This episode I spoke with my good friend Tim Taylor. Tim is the creator, facilitator, and head honcho of The Magic City Grill Fest, formally known as The Big Green Egg Fest. https://www.magiccitygrillfest.com We spoke about Tim’s involvement and philanthropy all over our little town and in his birth city of Chicago. We talk about his involvement with The Palmer Lake Flotilla, The Lake Board, his charity trivia nights, and the Colon American The Legion. Of all of my friends, Tim is he one guy that I believe could have truly been a successful full time comic. We hope you enjoy. :) https://www.magiccitygrillfest.com

https://www.colontownshiplakeboard.com

This week Carl speaks with Susan Frook from: On Broadway Community Theater in Union City, They speak about theater, upcoming shows, bringing some of her shows back to Colon to the Grand Magic Theater in Colon, ....and Susan's hippie days :) We hope you enjoy. You can find Susan and On Broadway Community Theater on Facebook at: https://m.facebook.com/people/On-Broadway-Community-Theater/100083544785198/?hc_ref=ARRY979fiR7PkhQRsbLMEYqwjBFRxkRRLLnqoKWuhfpjs5drlE4NeA1hiEgapOK0VGM&ref=nf_target

This week Carl speaks with his good friend Jay Blackwell. They discuss his multifaceted entertainment career from music, renaissance fairs, juggling, fire breathing, knife throwing, to magic and more.

In season, Jay can be found performing at Sterlini Magic and Theater. Come on out this summer and watch a great performer and a great guy right here in Colon, MI!

We hope you enjoy.

Links to Jay’s activities:

https://www.ebay.com/str/oddduckbooksandcurios

https://sterlinitheater.com

This week Carl spoke with Rachel Kowalski, the new Superintendent of Colon Community Schools.   They talked about her upbringing on the east side of the state, her time as an educator in Florida, and her enthusiasm toward becoming a part of our town. Rachel also spoke on upcoming projects, several parental involvement activities in the very near future, and ways they are working on to have greater outreach to the community. We hope you enjoy.