Eat This! Drink That!

On a blustery day, Canadian - and even more geographically specific - Victoria author Jean Paetkau talks about her book "Blood on the Breakwater". Paetkau reveals the title of her upcoming sequel is "The Sinking of Souls" with a storyline that also is based locally. To be released in September 2024 you will find it on Amazon and local booksellers like the elegant and acclaimed Munro's on Government Street and Bolen Books in the Hillside Centre. Have a listen to this conversation which also delves into the writing process.

Hugh's Room is Toronto's destination for live jazz, folk, Canadian, emerging artists and world music. Executive Director Michael Booth shares the history of Hugh's Room, how and where it started, as well as what unfolded just before COVID. Now in it's own space in Broadview 200 or so guests can find a comfortable place to listen to vocal and instrumental performances... in great acoustics. The one time church now also has a bar featuring Ontario craft beer for your added pleasure! Make it your next destination when visiting Hog Town.

Alex and Annie Bowers moved to Canada almost a year ago now. This is their first full winter, and boy are they having adventures. Between a broken snow shovel, slick roads, being stuck in the driveway and now snowmageddon they have lots to write home about. They have supplies and firewood so are prepared for nature to bring on more. Right now they can just hunker down. Hugh and Alex also talk about the impact of winter on battlefronts as Alex is a military historian.

Officially the Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts... has a new Executive Director. Shannon Ketchabaw was most recently at Meals on Wheels and knows how to get things done. We have a conversation about Alzheimer's and Dementia generally and then the programs offered here in North Eastern Ontario. Much of our dialogue is on the changing demographic of Canada, the effects of an aging population, and the rising number of those identified. By 2050 that figure is staggering!

With a long list of publications I came across another Gerontologist in my "backyard" and with her interesting in both teaching the next generation as specifically her research on dementia I just had to reach her. With our demographic shift we better encourage more gravitation to understanding (and planning for) aging and specifically how to mitigate the impacts of dementia.

Sober October... Dry January? Kristian Kielmayer and I have a conversation about the post-holiday season and wine consumption. We also romp around the Hungarian wine regions and the importance of not just pouring from the bottle, but seeing the landscape and knowing the geography of wine growing countries.

Not posted to Spotify before, but I am certain this episode made it air (CKLU 96.7FM) some time in the summer of 2023. You will hear the wind in the trees, the sound of children playing, and even lawnmowers. Yes, recorded outdoors it is the full conversation with Birgit Pianosi. Dr. Pianosi now teaches at Cambrian College. She is a Credentialed Professional Gerontologist (Aging Specialist) with more than 20 years experience advocating for older adults and their loved ones.

I met Dr. Rob Graham at a Northern Ontario Angels hosted event for the North Bay entrepreneur and investor community. Dr. Graham spoke about Techno-Resiliency and delivered samples of his research and observations contained in his guidebook “Mandate to be Great.” He prefaced his keynote talk with how we can maximize "... existing resources and team efficiencies, while minimizing costs and complexities." Here he speaks about the environment of education and how we have to get off the conveyor-belt of "techno-lust" including the empty pursuit of the next great thing.

Now with only 10 per cent of his vision remaining Gary Leclair reminisces about his hobbies, life and military experiences. A noted wood carver of song and water birds, he talks about his award-winning miniatures. The life-like representations are crafted with such precision they truly look like they have just landed or are ready to fly away.

With the motto "We Serve" Rachel and Cyril Southwell collect assistive devices that make people's lives better. There are many reasons to join a service club. Twenty-two years ago, the wife-and-husband team Rachel and Cyril Southwell found the Lions to be their volunteer sweet spot. Devices that can improve quality of life is their special interest, said Cyril Southwell. “Wheelchairs, shower chairs, walkers, these are just some of what we collect and redistribute to anyone who has need. “Physiotherapists may call, and we will even go to the hospital to deliver.” Do you have a walker, walking frame, or wheelchair that could be part of this program? Call Rachel at 705-929-7940 or email her at rachelsouthwell681@gmail.com.

You can hear the passion in Chef's voice. We talk about her food journey, but more specifically about her start, growth and expansion of the canned goods line Scout. Trained on PEI and then working in British Columbia (and elsewhere) she certainly earned her cred in kitchens across the country and around the world. Listen to the stories of how Scout began and what high quality products it offers today... in cans!

New to the position Rudy Buttignol is President of The Canadian Association of Retired Persons. He speaks about the importance of CARP in the national Canadian social and political landscape as well as at the chapter/local level. We talk about the value retired persons bring to community and how through decades of contributions - and the earned wisdom - senior citizens have an importance in decision-making and bring value to today and Canada's tomorrow.

Everyone has a passion project. On (or near) retirement Dann Kingsley discovered the world of beer, ales, lagers, pilsners (the list is much longer) and specifically craft beer. Call it micro-brewing and you get the sense this is the circle of artisanal lagers and IPA lovers. Add sours, and smoked and well that community just got larger. Known as The Sudbury Beer Guy Dann Kingsley has a hand in production at 46North and continues to expand his knowledge with national, continental, and international travel.

If you love ales, lagers, stouts, porters, IPA (and double that) then Knowhere has to be on your map. Bill Crumplin, a retired geography teacher, naturally would be a publican who offers both a destination and a place reference as in "You know where"! He and Kaitlin (Lutyk) also have seasonal cocktails and a menu that can satisfy the hunger spectrum from brunch to the late night growlies.

What a wonderful opportunity to talk with Brad St. Croix about Canadian military history. There is definitely more to learn about our country and everyone who has had a role to play in making us who we are today. Delve a little deeper and find stories that are intriguing and bigger than the single paragraph in our high school history books.

Sure, you must see the Parthenon and tour the city of Athens, but around the corner from the 1896 rebirth of the Olympics is a spectacular museum. Should I be more specific and call it an Art Gallery? It is an assemblage of marvelous "modern" pieces. There are two floors of impressionism, plus more levels of internationals and nationals housed in a purpose built space. Come walk through the collection based on items, objects, and art, originally purchased by Elise and Basil Goulandis. Thank you to the administration, including Katerina Voussoura for organizing an amazing tour under the direction of "Costas" Konstantinos.

We should all have a hobby. Grant Trayner speaks enthusiastically about his quest for the perfect (or may be just a really good expression of) hot dog. The bun, the wiener, the condiments, the freshness... all these (and more) factor into Grant's evaluation. I think I need to go to an arena, a baseball game, or just a roadside food truck and meet Grant on his hunt.

Avenue Road in Toronto has so many different uses and neigbourhoods. Just north of Eglington is the Toronto Coin Shop where you will find John. John is our guest today and we talk about collecting, buying and selling of coins and currency. Numismatics is the topic of this episode. I learn it is more than the appraisal and collection of rare coins. John shares his passion for this most fascinating hobby... and for him a profession.

I have been wanting to have a conversation with Amy for some time. Stopping at Salute Coffee or Old Rock Coffee I was aware that somewhere there was a source for the amazing foodstuffs showing up in their showcases. Yes, dressings, wraps, salads, and even desserts trace their path from Good Grab on Kelly Lake Road. Though much of her sales are wholesale there is a storefront... the only place you can purchase her mind-blowing Cashew-Caesar dressing. Go visit!

Chef/Owner Mark Gregorini launched Verdicchio Ristorante some 3 decades ago and now his pasta project - ANIKO Pasta Artigianale - is ready to roll. I visited him to see the custom crafted machines in action. Using the best semolina and duck eggs his pasta is perfect. The bronze dies, under pressure deliver unique and signature shapes. His stuffed raviolis will have your guests asking "Where did you get these?" and "Can I have some more?" Join Mark and Hugh for a dialogue on the world of food manufacturing, bespoke Italian dining, and ingredients that are now available locally.