The Advocate Podcast – Stories from Kawartha Lakes

Episode #78 Pinnguaq’s new perfect place. Local real estate’s real story. Embracing Jays. New word.

Almost immediately upon entering its present headquarters, Ryan Oliver, knew he’d soon need more space for the constantly growing STEAM education centre, Pinnguaq. It took a few years, but Oliver, Pinnguaq’s CEO, found it – steps away from his home in Lindsay. He tours us through the soon-to-be three-storey headquarters of this national success story, which delivers digital training to youth and adults. Oliver expounds on the renovations, but also on the vision this building’s overhaul will help achieve for Kawartha Lakes and beyond.

We hear lots about the ups and downs of the real estate market – on a national level. But how much of that applies locally? We seek the wisdom of local realtor Chelsea Boyd for the answers. Baseball – and specifically the Jays – has long been special to Sandi Gauder. But it was especially comforting these past three years. She tells us why, leading up to the team’s season opener.

Who doesn’t want to increase their word power? Cuz words are good and stuff. And Lyndsay Heffernan of the KLPL has a good one. So good, in fact, that’s it's Well-Defined. (Hey! That's also the name of one of our show's most popular segments!)

And we bit a fond farewell to.....

Bonus Episode – Wards of Wisdom – Workplace Relationships

There’s been a lot of water cooler talk – (and talk beyond water coolers) – about workplace romances, lately. A certain Toronto mayor (actually, now former mayor) helped inspire those conversations. What are – and what could be – the legal ramifications of workplace relationships? What rules, if any, can an employer use when it comes to relationships in the workplace? Lawyer Calvin Chan, of Wards Lawyers, explains in this special bonus episode.

Episode #76 Dr recruiting. Reaboro mail pick-up. LFH music. Walt’s wonderful cartoons

Cindy Snider says it’s not that unlike what NHL teams do to attract free agents. But her wooing work with the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative is all about recruiting much-needed family physicians to the C of KL. Walt Radda’s cartoons bring smiles and laughter to many, including readers of The Advocate Magazine. And his art also recently earned him a province-wide award. Reaboro residents for years loved retrieving their mail from their nearest post office – inside a neighbour’s house. But that came to an end, recently. Marnie Callaghan shares what this means to her and her Reaboro neighbours. And we’ve got music from great local band, Looking for Heather – whose members are looking to you to help them play an esteemed music festival this summer. We’ll tell you how. Hint: It’s super-easy and quick and free!

Episode #75 Cycle Sharing. Heritage saving. Artist helping. And a Happy 3rd to us!

It’s our third anniversary! And we’re rolling with another great episode. And speaking of rolling....The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce is hoping a dozen or so bicycles will roll into town this Spring as a new bike share program. Chamber executive director Allyssa Adams tells us what it’ll take to make that two-wheel dream come true.

Our city's artists create art. Wonderful art. But selling that art can often be a challenge for any artist. So the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is holding a self-promotion and marketing workshop to help artists get their art to market – their market. KLAC’s new marketing manager, Tim Crouch, tells us what attendees can expect – and explains the unique relationship between art and business.

Hey, maybe it’s much more than just an older home or building. Maybe it’s rich with history and heritage. And it needs to be protected. Emily Turner, with the City’s heritage planning department, debunks a few myths about heritage designation and expounds on our past’s importance to our community’s present and future.

Episode #74 Jason’s Journey

Behind the poise, confidence and omnipresent, constant contributions to his community, Jason Ward was hurting. And hiding. In this special episode, he opens up, for the first time with local media, about his struggles with mental health and addiction – and how, for years, he managed to conceal his pain from friends and even loved ones. Until he couldn’t.  The now-retired lawyer also shares what his road to recovery looks like, and how his long-standing, commitment to “giving back,” – which includes sharing this deeply personal chapter of his life - has not waned.

Episode #73 Roszell’s really distinct sound. A bird-friendly Fleming. More mugs for APCH, please. Well Defined wacky weather word.

Shannon Roszell’s website compares her music to that of other musicians. But, really, the Fenelon singer-songwriter has a refreshingly unique sound – brash, commanding and sometimes dark - that is all her own. Zack Steele knows birds. Specifically, he knows how to keep them away from collisions – and sure death – against pane glass windows. He’s using those super hero skills to help make Fleming College’s Lindsay campus officially bird-friendly. A Place Called Home doesn’t just depend on monetary donations. They need mugs! (And bowls and forks). APCH’s Jennifer Lopinski tells us how we can re-home those items to the shelter’s home.

Crazy winter so far, eh! We got a word to describe that up-and-down weather. Well, the KLPL’s Lyndsay Heffernan does – as well as the detes on a brand new branch in Bob!

 

Episode #72 Year in Review

Our show covered a lot of ground in 2022. Literally, in some cases, with stories that had us following a trapper in search of beavers. And an interview with two your artists who transformed a ho-hum Lindsay alleyway into a wonderful mural you can walk on. There were conversations with neighbours about their special relationships to fishing – (including the ice kind) – a rebuilt 1982 motorcycle and even spoons. We spoke to a new mayor, lawn bowlers, singer-songwriters, standup comedians, civic leaders to name just a few.

There were stories that uplifted, inspired and/or challenged us.

We kick off this New Year with an audio retrospective of some highlights of some of these stories that define us and our community in unique ways.

Episode #71 Hybrid style Christmas church service. Unqualified teachers wanted. Ken Reid’s illuminating concept.

Two years ago, Kevin Fitzpatrick did that thing so many of us were forced to. He pivoted, quickly learning how to deliver a church service into an on-line camera lens. Those skills will serve him well for Christmas 2022. But he’s also embracing a new hybrid version of delivering a sermon – with much of his congregation watching on screens in their individual homes, and some taking it all in the old-fashioned way – from the pews in front of him.

In the wake of what it calls an “emergency” the Trillium Lakelands District School Board is relaxing some of its hiring requirements for the foreseeable future. So, even though you may not have a teaching degree, but feel you have the goods to deliver the goods – in a good way - as a supply teacher, the school board will consider you as a candidate.

You’ve seen the pictures. How can you not? They’re everywhere. And we get the story behind Ken Reid’s illuminating forest that has been lighting up your social media feeds.

Episode #68 Special Flag Raising. Predator Investigators. Jamieson music heads to Academy.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence leads, ultimately, to December 6 – The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes marked Day 1 with the Wrapped in Courage Flag Raising Ceremony held at City Hall. We captured some of the voices – and emotion – of that special ceremony.

Sean Jamieson steers a lot of the conversation towards the important people in his life. But when we do manage to we get the uber humble – and super-talented – singer songwriter to talk about his music, and what informs it, we meet an inspiring musician and overall, genuinely nice fella. He performs December 3^rd at the Flato Academy Theatre as part of “You Can Come Back,” which includes Looking For Heather, The Ditch Lilies and Goodnight Sunrise.

Think you got what it takes to be an investigator? We’re talkin’ bout a different kind of investigator, here, too. One the requires rubber boots.

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Episode #67 Story of the Seca. Mural unveiled. Julian Taylor Part 2

More than 20 years ago, our host said good-bye to a big part of his life – a motorcycle. He never expected to see his beloved Yamaha 650cc again – until an interesting coincidence connected him to its new owner. And when our host agreed to revisit that part of his life, he discovered an even more special relationship between that special Seca and its new owner (and expert motorcycle rebuilder) Jim Goudie.

A mural you can walk on! But it’d be a slow walk, so that you can take in its splendour. We were there for the unveiling this unique Kent Street alleyway artwork.

And we’ve got part 2 of our conversation with singer-songwriter – and deep thinker – Julian Taylor.