The Advocate Podcast – Stories from Kawartha Lakes

Episode #30 - Y or N to ATVs on Lindsay streets? Innovative farmers get support – the financial kind. Taking textile recycling to next level. Project 116 + is A-1. A well-defined new word.

Will ATVs be permitted on certain Lindsay streets? Should they? We hear arguments from both sides leading up to a City meeting May 4. Sydney Topfer helped steer a donation drive to send art supplies to indigenous communities across Canada. Will Project 116 + make a return? Here’s hoping. The area’s landfills now accept textile recycling. How’d that happen? And why? And who’s paying for it? And does it mean you can finally part with that mauve polyester shirt with the wide lapels? Got a great but unconventional, yet innovative idea for your farm, and ya just need the $upport? A new program with the CFKL might just be your backer. And our host apologizes for his recent mistake. But not really. Oh, and music by Dunsford’s Nathan Truax and a new word from the KLPL’s Lyndsay Bowen!

 

 

Episode #29 Ops’ epicentre sticks around. Hockeyville Caygeon still a winner. Divorce Act explained. Sydney sings and thrives in post-secondary.

After much debate, city councillors opted to keep the OPS community Centre standing – albeit with a few differences. Councillor Patrick O’Reilly brings us the back story on how that beloved building avoided the wrecking ball. Bobcaygeon may not have been crowned Canada’s Hockeyville for 2021. But the town’s champions, like Kathleen Seymour-Fagan, still see this as a win. Never easy. Always heart-wrenching. But recent changes to the Divorce Act should make the transition smoother, explains Wards lawyer Alex McLeod. Doin’ post-secondary on-line ain’t fun. But it can be done. Even if you’re studying musical theatre. Lindsay’s Sydney Harwood-Jones says it takes perseverance, a positive attitude – and a performer’s expertly-trained imagination.

Episode #28 Kid music makers. Croissants at your door. Post vaccine dinner conversations. Doing right by donkeys.

Pam and Wally Koekebakker are a super busy, community-minded, socially-conscious couple. But they still, somehow, find time to care for (previously unwanted) donkeys. Mickaël Durand didn’t let shutdowns keep his croissants (and all his wonderful baked goods) out of the hands of far away loyal customers. He loaded up, buckled up and hit the road – and was pleasantly surprised at what he got, too. Wondering what that post vaccine rollout chat might be like with that friend or family member who doesn’t share your choice? Yikes. The CMHA’s Jack Veitch offers some advice on how to, um, manage that potentially volatile conversation. There’s much more than a gym and basketballs and craft tables at the Boys and Girls Club. Like, a state-of-the-art recording studio managed by, like, a real professional recording artist. Good enuff’ for grownups, but built for kids!

Episode #27 Survey saaayyysss! Housemen’s home-made music. Geocaching in Kawartha Lakes. Ward on wrongful dismissal Part 2. A Well Defined new word. Sienna’s picture photo finish.

The KLPS wants your input to help shape its future. Chief Mitchell and Sgt Hagarty explain why. The Housemen are three stay-at-home dad musicians, proud that this status fuels their lyrics. We found – without a GPS – Trevor and Ted, a father-and-son team of geocachers who tell us what draws them to this high-tech treasure hunting. There’s a lot of emotion in a wrongful dismissal case – from all parties. Lawyer Jason Ward explains how that can influence a decision in part 2 of this topic. Kawartha Library’s Lyndsay Bowen returns with a new word that our host was actually familiar with. (Hint: his Franco-Ontario roots helped). The Advocate Magazine’s Sienna Frost explains what went into capturing, via her camera lens, the women in our March issue.

 

Episode #26 - Habs and Hab Nots. Fleming’s Rocchi rocks (internat’l) bird feeder assignment. The LAB’s Great Outdoors. Theme music – how d’you do that?

Three Lindsay-area die-hard Hab fans commiserate with our host, a fellow lover of all things Canadiens – (note the spelling, eh) - about cheering for the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge in Leafs country. Fleming teacher Ann Rocchi’s students aren’t in the classroom. But that only made it easier to teach them about birds in Canada – and India! The Lakeview Arts Barn always seems to be doing something – safely, creatively, smartly - during the pandemic. Including mounting a play in the snow.

Our theme and musical bridges are very much the backbone of the show. Hop in our time machine and we’ll take you back to when – and how – Gerald Van Halteren made that musical magic happen.

Wards of Wisdom #6 - Court rooms and juries

Courtrooms with juries are slowly inching back to business. What effect is this having on how the law is administered during Covid? Monique Meloche is a lawyer who specializes in civil litigation and injury. She explains that this popular perception – disputes being settled in the courtroom with a jury - isn’t as common as we might think. 

EPISODE #25 - Vaccine hesitancy. Ken Reid’s talking trees. Rebecca stands up for laughs. Outdoor theatre in Fenelon. Birthday wishes, too!

Vaccines are set to roll out in the C of KL and if you’re reluctant or outright opposed, Doc Gemmill understands – but also presents a strong case to roll up your sleeve. It’s still a nice walk in the park. But KRCA has made it even nicer with....talking trees? Yup. Rebecca Reeds returns to her hometown – virtually, that is.  She’ll deliver the goods she’s spent almost 10 years honing – a smart, polished and funny standup act in support of the Food Source. The Grove Theatre in Fenelon doesn’t have four walls or a roof. And doesn’t need them. Its launch this summer will be much more than just an outdoor performance venue, too.

And hey!  It’s our birthday! Listeners call in to wish The Advocate Podcast a Happy First.

EPISODE #24 - Owen on hockey. Darryl on Close Kicks. Vicky’s on on-line values. Pam on meeting Soroptomist challenges during a shut down.

Yeah, he’s only 10. But Cameron’s Owen Hargrave and his hockey hot stovin’ belies his age. Strumbellas bass player Darryl James takes a kick at a solo project – and his Close Kicks scores! Can’t browse inside Vicky’s Values? Well, now you can browse it virtually. With your computer. Using a mouse. And a browser. Get it?

Service clubs have had a hard time, well, serving their community these days. But there is optimism out there. And Pam is one optimistic Soroptomist.

EPISODE #23 - Haleigh’s Vaccine. Fresh FueLL’s fresh start. Eviction notice new rules. University now, sure. But campus residence now? Why? New word from Lindsay’s Lyndsay.

Lindsay’s Haleigh Wallace was happy to roll up her sleeve for the vaccine. Yes, that vaccine. She describes it like no other needle-in-arm experience. In a good way! Evictions during Covid demand new, and oft-changing, rules. Lawyer Jason Wards makes a cloudy situation, well, not cloudy.

Who uproots their restaurant to a new and bolder location during a pandemic? Luis and Leanna say they were undeterred. And now tacos and coffee are closer to the North Ward.

It’s one thing to stick it out in post secondary and its new, if even temporary, on-line format. But why live in – and pay for – campus residence while, ahem, “attending” classes? A student who’s living it has his reasons – and they’re worth hearing.

And who doesn’t want to expand their vocabulary? Lyndsay Bowen of Kawartha Public Library increases our word power. Oh, and an opening sketch inspired by those, ahem, beloved 70s sitcoms.

EPISODE #22 - New Year’s Dwayne. Unique Little Theatre. Spare change? Rookie hunter.

Lindsay native Nick Rose of Dwayne Gretzky talk about his band’s 2020 version of ringing in the new year with a live concert. Some challenges, sure. But that annual show must go on – with good streaming bandwidth. Advocate Editor at large Nancy Payne discusses a personal encounter that inspired her January feature article. Jason Bain is new to hunting – but quick to appreciate what it’s giving him. Can live theatres survive in the face of the past year’s challenges? Two actors with the Lindsay Little Theatre think it can, think it can. And should.