The Advocate Podcast – Stories from Kawartha Lakes

Episode #53 Rebecca’s return. (Almost) 100 men. Big house warming gift. Hang on to that spoon.

Spoons is a game made famous – locally, anyway – at IE Weldon Secondary School. It was put on hold for a few years because, well, you know. But it’s back and a couple of students dish on its role with bringing back some normalcy to school halls.

She’s been a touring professional standup comedian for the better part of a decade. But Rebecca Reeds has never performed in her hometown of Lindsay. That changes with an upcoming show at the Pie Eyed Monk. Buying that first house – even a modest one – can be so out of reach. Which is why more parents are helping out – with huge financial gifts. But lawyer Ryan O’Neill explains it should involve more than just writing a cheque to that son or daughter.

So so close! The Hundred Men of Kawartha Lakes has been a bit of misnomer – with just slightly less than 100 members. But that’s about to change, a confident Richard Gauder, of the local do-good group, explains.

 

Episode #52 Value added Saturdays. A Kinmount fair book. LLT returns - again. Chamber change.

Just like a real retail outlet, Vicky’s Values has evolved its pricing scheme – but in a different, more accessible way to meet its clients' needs. Oh, and  the store, which supports Womens Resources, is back to being open on Saturdays! Cuz that’s what real retail does! Guy Scott gathered hundreds of photos and newspaper articles of days gone by for a new book about his beloved Kinmount Fair. Lindsay Little Theatre’s return means different things for different people. A veteran LLT director, as well as an actor making her return – after a couple of decades – share their thoughts. The Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director. By her own admission, she can talk up a storm – and that’s a good thing for this gig. Meet Allyssa Adams.

SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE!

The last time we featured a bonus episode was at the very beginning of the pandemic. Its focus was on, you guessed it, the pandemic.

Well this second ever bonus episode offers something much less dour – at a time when we’re (fingers crossed) cautiously edging toward the end of all.....this.  In fact, this bonus episode is downright uplifting. A conversation with one of our country’s most beloved comedians – who just so happens to have a unique connection to Kawartha Lakes.

Episode #51 Theatre takes a pass on vax pass. ECO-conscious eatery. Vax and kids and parents and the law. Beukeboom on why Martin is makin’ it.

Before it opted to keep or ditch the vax pass, the Flato Academy Theatre sought input from its patrons. And the winner is....envelope, please.

And speaking of vaccines...for children of separated parents, who gets to decide if they get the shot or not? Hmm...maybe it’s not a parent at all. Lawyer Ryan O’Neill explains. Restaurants are bracing for new, stricter rules when it comes to single use plastic. But for one Lindsay eatery, that change started long ago. Our host, a die-hard Habs fan, is buoyed by his team’s new, yet inexperienced, coach. Can that winning streak last? What’s the magic of this rookie coach? Former pro – and still a threat on the local old-timer’s rec league ice – John Beukeboom imparts some first-hand wisdom.

Episode #50 Farming for rookies. Disaster Trust Fund volunteer recruitment. Megan Park’s movie Fallout steps up to challenge. A well-defined new word.

The Victoria County Disaster Trust Fund is there, on site, to assist and support families in need while they watch their homes perish. But the agency’s now facing its own challenges. Andrew Rafton makes the case for joining an important group of volunteers who offer a unique service. So, ya think wanna farm? Best to get some guidance before you decide to dig in, eh. The City of Kawartha Lakes has a free webinar series that can help you plough through that process.  When she wrote and directed the HBO-Max/Crave film The Fallout, Megan Park admits its theme is far removed from the experience of her own school years in Lindsay. Which makes this smart, thoughtful – and riveting – movie, which examines the trauma following a horrific tragedy at a U.S. school, that much more impressive. The writer/director describes how – and why – she found inspiration to create a movie that is a New York Times Critic’s Pick.

 

Episode #49 Big screen’s return. Fishin,’ while (almost) freezin’? Family farm transfers done smoothly. Careful! Don’t turn left, yet! Close Kicks music.

What a roller coaster it’s been for every movie theatre in Ontario. Thank goodness the seats are comfy, at least! But despite the bumps, Lindsay Century Cinema’s Sheila Dominic and Bill Howell have ensured the ride was as smooth as possible in the beloved local theatre.

It’s more than just handing over the keys to the tractor. Lawyer Karissa Ward offers some wisdom in passing on the family farm to the next generation.

On one of the coldest days of the winter, four newbie ice fishers were not deterred. And actually ‘catching’ fish was only part of the truly Canadian experience, eh.

Ever been on Kent Street heading west from Angeline and tried  to turn left? Yikes. Maybe that experience serves as a metaphor – and some HILARIOUS radio theatre – for what we’re all dealing with right now. (But not forever). And some great music by Lindsay’s own Close Kicks.

Episode #48 Balsam-cool rink. Coby’s Wellness milestone. KLPS recruiting. Sweetman music. Banana chat.

The KLPS, like all police services, can now cast that net extra wide when recruiting new officers. Inspector Kirk Robertson describes how that “net” – (as in, INTERnet) - is being used for its current search – and what boxes the local police service now looks to check when finding the best candidates. Stephanie Lange looked beyond the edge of her backyard on Balsam Lake when she and dad Mike and her fella Aaron wanted a rink. Hint: It meant an extra-long hose. The Summit Wellness Centre in Coboconk recently reached a summit of sorts – a pretty significant fundraising milestone! Musician Christopher Sweetman’s debut CD may have taken a few years – okay decades – to come to fruition. But the wait was worth it – for him and his fan!

And our host chats with….a piece of fruit. Wait, what?

Episode #47 Deja school all over again. Beaver problem? Maybe. Wild pigs problem? Definitely. Wanna run for city council? Think it through. Music by Chris Sweetman

Wild pigs are knocking on our back door. In fact, the unwelcome invaders may already be here. And the city wants to huff and puff and blow that problem down before it gets too serious. Beavers, conversely, do belong here. But how and when should we co-exist with the rodents? Our landowner-host seeks guidance from someone in-the-know of all things genus Castor. Post secondary students are back to school – if by school, we mean in front of a screen. Again. We hear from several students from the C of KL who are studying at different institutions across Canada about this roller coaster year – again.

Hey, a gig as a city councilor isn’t ALL fame, fortune, glamour, red carpets and autographs. Pat O’Reilly, who is not running again, offers some non-partisan wisdom. Call it a veteran councilor offering job counsel.

Episode #46 The Year in review. Stella Panacci chat and music.

What a year, eh? Yeah, we know everyone says that ‘round this time. But, really, this time: what a year, eh? We take you on that trip through an oft-tumultuous, challenging 2021 via the voices and sounds of our program these past 12 months. And it wasn’t, as you’ll hear, all gloom – there were some real high points, too.

But just soze we know fer sure that you’ll heave a pleasant sigh once you’ve turned off your listening device, part 2 of this episode features music and conversation with one of our newest members to Kawartha Lakes – the super-talented and engaging Stella Panacci.

Episode #45 The OTHER stories of Kawartha Lakes. Cultural centre feasible? A “sign” of a really great game. EVs OK in C of KL.

Electric vehicles are the future. But are they a realistic future for longer commutes and conditions we experience here? An early EV adopter's opinion is not so shocking. A feasibility study might just lead to a cultural centre. But Kawartha Art Gallery’s Susan Taylor says she’s hoping it’ll be for more than just artists. When Cameron’s Sara Walker created a book of short stories from local authors, she had one proviso – the stories had to be about Kawartha Lakes in the autumn. Lindsay’s Emily Nichol somehow found time while studying at the University of Victoria to create a game with an astrology theme. And all “signs” point to it becoming a huge international success. Music by new neighbour, Stella Panacci now of Omemee. A new word courtesy of Kawartha Library’s Lyndsay Bowen. And our host gets a boost.