BATON ROUGE — Boots, pumpkins and a story about finding family. Episode 12 of Positively BR is covering a little bit of everything, from getting ready for a big country music weekend to finding creative ways to stay active this fall.

Host Angelica Butine is heading to Rancher Hat Bar to design a custom hat just in time for Boots on the Bayou, sharing a heartwarming story about a local couple who found their forever family through adoption, and learning how to turn fall decorations into workout equipment.

Plus, we’re checking out Lay’s new holiday-inspired potato chip flavors and sitting down with the man behind WBRZ’s social media, Jase Stafford.

Boots, hats and a big weekend in Gonzales

Boots on the Bayou is taking over Gonzales Oct. 24-25, and the right outfit is part of the fun. We’re stopping by Rancher Hat Bar in Baton Rouge to create a custom hat that’s ready for a weekend of country music.

Angelica starts with picking the style, then its on to accessories. 

Founded in January 2023 by Shantelle and Kenny Girard, Rancher Hat Bar started with a vintage camper trailer, a modest startup budget and a vision to give traditional custom hat-making a modern twist.

The goal was about more than selling hats. The couple wanted customers to be part of the design process and leave with something uniquely their own.

At Rancher Hat Bar, customers can personalize their hats with details and accessories that reflect their style, turning a western staple into a one-of-a-kind statement piece.

After years of trying, couple finds their forever family through adoption

After five years of trying to have children, Rev. Merton Wilcox and his wife received a call about two years ago that would change their lives.

The St. Amant-area couple was asked to foster a little girl. On Oct. 19, they learned they had been approved to adopt her, marking a major milestone in their journey to parenthood.

The family celebrated the news at an adoption ceremony at the Gonzales courthouse, bringing years of hope and waiting to a new chapter together.

The little girl's grandmother also shared a message about the importance of adoption and giving a child a loving home.

We’re sharing their story and the journey that led this couple to the family they had been hoping for.

Read the full story from WBRZ: After years of trying, couple finds their forever family through adoption.

Put your pumpkins to work this fall

Pumpkins are a staple of fall decorating, whether they’re sitting on the front porch or waiting to be carved. But before you let those decorations sit around the house, why not put them to work?

Angelica is teaming up with Cayden Jiluso, a trainer at Planet Fitness, to demonstrate simple at-home exercises using a pumpkin as a weight.

The workout includes pumpkin crunches, torso rotations, side bends and squats — movements that add a seasonal twist to a home fitness routine.

Whether you're holding a pumpkin to your chest during crunches or using it for controlled twists and squats, we're showing how to make your fall decorations part of your workout.

You don't need a gym full of equipment to get moving. Sometimes, the workout inspiration is already sitting on your porch.

Lay’s brings Thanksgiving flavors to the chip aisle

It isn't even Halloween yet, but Lay’s is already looking ahead to the holiday dinner table.

The brand is introducing five limited-time flavors inspired by holiday favorites as part of its new “Holi-LAY’S” lineup.

Starting Oct. 25, Lay’s Cheddar Scalloped-Style Potatoes and Roasted Holiday Turkey chips will hit shelves nationwide. The first flavor takes inspiration from the creamy, cheesy side dish, while the second brings roasted turkey and gravy flavors to the snack aisle.

Lay’s Maple Bacon is scheduled to arrive Nov. 8, combining sweet maple and smoky bacon flavors.

For those with a sweet tooth, two chocolate-covered varieties are also on the way. Lay’s Wavy Milk Chocolate and Wavy Dubai-Style Dark Chocolate, featuring dark chocolate and pistachios, are scheduled to arrive at select retailers on Dec. 1, with availability expanding in 2027.

The limited-time lineup puts a holiday twist on the classic potato chip, offering flavors inspired by everything from Thanksgiving dinner to dessert.

The Lay’s section reflects the company's official Oct. 19 announcement, including all five flavor names and their release dates.

Getting to know the man behind WBRZ’s social media

You see the posts, videos and updates across WBRZ’s social media platforms, but who helps bring that content to life?

Angelica sits down with Jase Stafford, the man behind WBRZ’s social media, to talk about his role, what goes into connecting with viewers online and the person behind the posts.

From creating content to keeping viewers connected with what's happening around the community, we're getting to know another familiar face behind the scenes at WBRZ.

Watch Episode 12 of Positively BR on YouTube and listen on Spotify. New episodes drop every Friday at noon, highlighting the people, places and experiences that make the Capital Region special.