Episodes

"We are not makers of history. We are made by history." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. I've had a personal fascination with history most of my life and it was always a favourite subject in school so I'm pretty excited to chat with David Armstrong, President of the Huron County Historical Society. We will chat about the many ways that we, here in Midwestern Ontario, have been made by our history. We'll discuss the Society and what they do, our Indigenous and European roots, some upcoming historica...

It's that time of year again when most of us just can't wait to get outside and get all the pretty things growing again. As sometimes happens, a small labour of love can grow into a force to be reckoned with and such is the case with Greyhaven Gardens. It began more than 34 years ago as a small vegetable growing operation and greenhouse and has evolved into a MUCH larger and well loved independent, family run, garden centre. This week we're chatting with owner Michelle Greydanus about: humble beginnings, surprise careers, family, flowers, workshops, Mother's Day, Christmas, the new store, the future and ... Beavertails? Join us for a fun and enlightening chat about this beautiful oasis in Londesboro.

It's been a popular spot for a very long time. People stopped at the corner of Queen Street and Dinsley in Blyth, as far back as 172 years ago! This week we're going to chat about some of the history of this iconic place, a place that's had a few official names over the years but few, if any of us, know or have ever used those names. Manager Ang Cullen joins us to talk past, present and future of the legendary Blyth Inn, or let's just call it what we've always called it ... The Boot!

We realize that we featured Blyth Festival in episode 2 of our 65 show adventure, but some things are so great you just have to go back and check in again. This time, artistic Director Gil Garratt tells us about the history of the theatre itself, it's mission and the new Harvest Stage. After that, a brief synopsis of 6 exciting plays coming to Blyth this summer as we all celebrate 50 seasons. ***** Since 1975, the Blyth Festival Theatre has put all Canadians and certainly rural Canadians centr...

I've been very lucky in my career to meet and interview a lot of well known people, so why was I so nervous about this one? Perhaps it's because, as the bassist for Gordon Lightfoot for 55 years, Rick Haynes has been an integral part of the soundtrack of my life. In this episode: * Being a career musician was not the plan * An encounter with Duane Eddy * Who was Gordon Lightfoot to Rick? * Musicians & Chemistry * Gord's legacy * The Lightfoot Band * Rick's favourite Li...

Milli had an idea to create a few podcasts under the sub-heading of "Pockets of Peace." To seek out some hidden, peaceful gems in Midwestern Ontario and I loved the idea. I'm sure it's no coincidence that the first place we thought of was Bayfield Lavender. We'd set out on a bit of a photo adventure one day last summer and through a series of fortunate events, ended up at this beautiful oasis just outside of Bayfield on Porter's Hill Line. We could feel the anxiety leaving our bodies as we strolled about this peaceful, sustainable, small scale lavender farm. We're excited to share it with you today as we sit down for a chat with owner operator, farmer, creator ... Gemma James Smith.

When we set out on this journey more than a year ago, we thought we would be focussing on a lot of places and things that we find amazing about Midwestern Ontario and we hope we're doing that to some extent. What it seems to have evolved into though, is a podcast that's more about people. We say often that everybody has a story and we've come to love the stories. In this episode, we chat with a guy who stepped into a very difficult role last year after the town of Goderich lost it's second may...

Husband, father, farmer, mayor, author, writer, playwright, broadcaster, storyteller ... Just a few of the things our guest has been called in his life. Dave Scott is also known as a man who loves his hometown of Seaforth. In this episode, we will chat about the Scott family legacy in the Seaforth area, a couple of books he's written on his passion for hockey, old plowing matches, his friendship with Stompin Tom and the highly successful play that came out of that and a new podcast we're all wo...

This week, our sweetest adventure yet, as Milli and I hit the road for a few live "on location" chats. First we'll visit our friends Ben and Brianna at Coastal Coffee near Kintail then move to Cranston Farms Maple Syrup for a quick catch up with Ivan. After that a stop at Robinson Maple Products for a chat with Kevin Snider before returning to the studio meet up with Barry Mulvey from The Belmore Maple Syrup Festival. We love our live on location chats with all the ambient sounds of maple syru...

Today were meeting up with an old high-school friend of mine, Marianne Hogan who has been a big part of the transformation of the former St. Joseph's Church into the Kingsbridge Centre. We'll get the story on how the historic church and rectory was purchased and turned into a spot that would host community gatherings, concerts and performances, rental options and a lot more. Also joining Milli and I, a very good friend of ours, Cheryl Prashker, who wears many hats including Percussionist for th...

As a boy, I was hockey obsessed and growing up in Goderich meant I had access every year to the grand-daddy of all hockey tournaments. Young Canada Week began in 1950 as a one-day, 12-team competition for peewee age players and over the years it grew into an exciting and important part of the fabric of Goderich and area. It would go on to draw players like: Paul Henderson, Darryl Sittler, Brad Park, Ron Ellis, Goderich's own Larry Jeffrey and Gary Doak and yes, Wayne Gretzky ... and many more. ...

I have memories of Listowel Paddyfest that go back to the early 90's but of course it's been around a lot longer than that. This week, Paddyfest chairman Ben Zavitz tells us just how far back it goes, who started it all and some of the things we can look forward to this year. One of those things is a concert with an amazing singer/songwriter out of Mildmay who is currently taking the world by storm with hit songs like "Love (The Sweater Song) , "Old Dirt Roads" and "Home Less". Owen Riegling jo...

If you understand the title of this week's podcast, you probably had a great childhood. We didn't really plan it this way, but today's episode is perfect for Family Day! From his days playing road hockey on King Street in Blyth to World Championship teams, Justin Peters is here to talk about the importance of the "families" he's been a part of on that journey: his birth family, the teams, the friends and the county/hometown he still has so much love for. Also: * Career highlights * People an...

In 2015, her life was forever changed when, while biking, she was hit by a car as she trained for a triathlon. Her new life in a wheelchair meant relearning so much of what she and most of us take for granted. Everything from having a shower, to cooking, to tucking her kids in at night ... to putting on her socks. The journey through that, hard to imagine darkness, led her to a place where she made the decision to shine light on it all. This week we're joined in the studio by a strong woman, wi...

Most of us have a teacher or two that's made a difference in our lives. Someone who met us where we were at the time and then helped us to become the best version of ourselves. I've told stories for much of my life about a select group of remarkable educators whom I owe, so very much too. In most cases it's a lot less to do with the actual content of the classes I was in and a lot more about finding out who I was, exploring that and finding joy in a life I was born to live. I'm almost giddy to have this man on the show today. There's no doubt in my mind or I'm sure, in the minds of 1000's of students he's taught in his lifetime, that he, was born to be a teacher. Today on "A Life That's Good" ... Mr. Smallwood. "Little Seahorse" Bruce Cockburn ©1976 *Used with permission

It's one of our favourite places to eat in Midwestern Ontario. Fancy enough that it can be a special occasion and casual enough that it can be just because, it's Part 2 Bistro, on the Square in Goderich. With beginnings in Blyth it has matured into a great place to seek a little refuge from the world and to just sit and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and first rate food. Peter Gusso is here today: husband, dad, chef and friend. We'll talk about growing up in Bluevale, travelling through the UK,...

A bonus episode this week! One of the things that makes life so good for us in Midwestern Ontario is live music AND some of the amazing venues we get to enjoy artists in ... like the Blyth Memorial Community Hall. It's especially great when world class performers recognize the beauty, the sound quality and the intimacy of some of our performance venues like Blyth where this Sunday evening, The Jim Cuddy Band will play. We were lucky enough to have a quick phone chat with Jim this week. He is,...

Husband - Father - Teacher - Principal - Actor - Musician - Wedding Officiant - Volunteer - Story teller - Friend and King of the Shuffleboard table. In my 6+ years of sharing story telling duties and tours with Papa Floyd at Cowbell Brewing in Blyth, I've heard, "Hey he was my teacher or principal" ... "I loved him" ... hundreds of times. Today on the podcast, one of my favourite people, Floyd Herman (Papa Floyd to many) Where it started, how it's going and what's next for this human that makes life so good for so many in Midwestern Ontario.

Milli and I are wrestling with a couple of things these days: A little seasonal melancholy and some screen addiction. One of our action points this year is to read more. With that in mind, there are a lot of great local authors and we're going to chat with two of them on this episode. Sally Walker has accomplished a lot in her life including the realization of a life long dream to write a novel which she made happen through the Covid lockdown. It's called 101. AND Shannon Talbot has a story we...

Do you ever look around at the technology or modern tools we use to live our lives in 2024 and wonder, which of these things will someday find its way into a museum? On the pod today: Senior Curator, Elizabeth French-Gibson - Marketing & Branding Coordinator, Amy Zoethout and Sinead Cox, Curator of Engagement & Dialogue. Our focus is the Huron County Museum. We'll talk about the history of the museum itself, the history within, why that's so important and some of the things that once upon a t...

After our Christmas special last week, we got a little lazy and decided to kick back a bit this week and try to be fully present at our many family and friends get togethers. It was a wonderful week of laughs, love and togetherness. This week, it's just you, Boomer and Milli! We're looking back on a few highlights of 2023 and forward with some hopes and dreams for 2024. Also: * A few of the celebrity deaths that impacted us in 2023. * Top 8 habits of the world's happiest people * And, a few...

We're making the show available a day earlier this week because it features a lot of music we thought you might enjoy while driving, making dinner, wrapping presents or doing any of the things that go with this magical time of year for you. These are not studio quality recordings but rather a group of incredibly talented people sitting around the kitchen table chatting about life and singing songs we love of the season. Much love and thanks to our guests who gave us the greatest present we cou...

This week, Winnipeg native Sahadev Banejee chats with us about the dream of owning a winery and how he and his wife set about making that happen. In the process they fell in love with Huron County and all it has to offer their young family. They also make one of our favourite wines ;) Episode 40 is all about family, friends, wine and a life that's good.

Fincher's. It's been there my entire life and and has evolved over the years from a "smoke shop" at one point to a place for books, gifts and hobbies. As a kid, I used to buy plastic car and airplane model kits there, which of course, made it one of my favourite stores in town. Funny how you think you know a lot about a place just because it's been there your whole life, but I learned a lot about this family run business while chatting with my old friend, Tom Fincher. This week: * The history...