Eat This! Drink That!

Idylwylde may be one of Northern Ontario's best kept secrets.  Golf and curling may be two of the key elements of this country club, but really the positive social circle it generates for members and guests is what has ensured its validity for over a century. I speak with the team leaders who manage the dining, bar, and catering aspects that enrich the experience.  Daily operations, special events, corporate retreats, and weddings are definitely part of our conversation.  

Rachel Mantas, Executive Director, Friends of Killarney, talks about programs in the Park and more specifically activities and adventures scheduled for February 2023 Family Day weekend. Of course she talks about summer canoeing and camping, spring hikes around various lakes, and fall colours, but reminds us that this jewel in the provincial park system is open all four seasons.  

Many things have been born of the Pandemic.  Home breadmaking (and specifically sourdough) was not just to keep us busy; for some it became a business.  Meredith has a family history and lifelong love of kitchens and baking.  Walking in the steps of both her Grandmothers she saw not just then need for bread, but a desire to eat better bread. Her distinctive loaves can be found in and around Sudbury under the now launched banner of Hazel & Rosemary.  A nod to those who came before she strives for authenticity, aroma, and flavours that will make you a fan of what she does. 

Cookbooks have a way finding a route to my kitchen.  This one was a little different because it had recipes for cooking with Cannabis.  I just had to reach out to chef and author Laurie Wolf to ask her how to do it. Generous with her time and years of learning I think we will have more conversations in the future.  Listen and just enjoy her enthusiasm for the topic.  

Not just because listeners may pledge to a "Dry February" but the topic of staying sober is being discussed openly and more frequently in 2023.  Alcohol can -and does - ruin lives and impact friends, family and society. Not just a question of "abuse" and overindulgence, for some complete abstinence is the only route to regain life and control.  Listen to my conversation with Valerie Fremlin... she is alcohol free for 5 years.  

I think we should know more about the insect world.  Sault Ste Marie's Entomica team believes this passionately.  Join Hugh as he talks with Chris and Devin about this wonderful museum and that work they do to expand your knowledge of the living world.  

The opening of the Canadian north to exploration and connectivity really accelerated with the arrival of air transport. Any lake, river, ice, or field could now be a landing spot. Robert Downes, Merchandise and Customer Care Manager, at the Canadian Bushplane Hertiage Centre talks about this with host Hugh Kruzel.  The value of this collection of 26 aircraft and other artifacts is enhanced with video and specialized planes that demonstrate the role of fire in forest health, as well as how wildfires are controlled... as our understanding of this improved. 

Do you know what a hospice does?  How they can support you, your loved ones, your family.  Listen to the conversation with Julie Aube at the Sudbury Hospice and learn about all they do. 

Known far and wide The Blue Saints are a drum and brass marching band.  Find out how long they have been offering not just a musical and visual experience, but education and opportunity to younger members of the Sudbury community.  

Air passenger rights have perhaps become more of a hot topic following the surprise rapid uptick of summer 2022 travel. No doubt the Christmas triple whammy of an appetite for going anywhere, staffing shortages, and weather, put baggage issues - cancellations and more - on the front page of newspapers across North America. In airports chaos reigned over the holiday season.  Stranded passengers understood about storms, but 36 hour (as reported by Globe and Mail Dustin Cook and Oliver Moore) delays and backlogs were unfortunately common and painful.  WestJet cancelled 1,640 flights between December 22-25.  Some individuals and families using SouthWest or Sunwing experienced even longer waits mostly for repatriation. Lack of quality information and updates was cited as a primary frustration. This episode of QOL features a conversation with Gabor Lukacs, President and founder of the non-profit  Air Passenger Rights, a Canadian advocacy voice for education and awareness.  

Carie-Lynn Hotson speaks about her recently published book "Knowing Who You Lead" on this episode of QOL.  In the context of QOL we discuss how this can affect leaders and employees. Recent pressures to find employees - and retain them - are addressed, but this is quite a wide reanging dialogue on how knowing staff can be beneficial in helping everyone maximize potential... and even finding the leaders of tomorrow.   

Located at 66 Cedar in downtown Sudbury Raven Rising makes chocolate that respects the ingredients.  Chef Tammy Maki knows where the components are sourced and looks for indigenous elements that compliment the flavour experiences.   She offers products from this storefront but also through the e-commerce platform ravenrising.ca.  Recognized award-winning Chef Maki has an extensive history as in some of the best restaurants throughout Canada.  

The pleasure of seeing Lisa grow her audience and influence has reflected a rising awareness of the importance of "health" in our work and personal lives.  Over this last decade she has shared a message of hopefulness and wellness.  As individuals and corporations we have begun to acknowledge that health & safety, and health & hapiness are so important to vitality and longevity.  Join this conversation that touches on both the past and current impact of COVID, and how we can seek and find joy in out lives. 

Locally sourced ingedients - including caccao - from the estate of Lars Soderstrom combined with exotic Spice Islands flavours and this story could just be about the end result; a product.  Lars shares more from his perspective as an entreprenneur and - of course - we talk quality of life!

Visits to California are usually punctuated by exclamation marks.  In this case a stay in a home in the middle of its own vineyard is the bonus.  The interview with Rafael Maldonado explores their family history, the story of the home and the cultivation of the vines.  Mostly planted with Syrah Rafael describes his wine-making journey with enthusiasm and - as we know - with any real estate, location is key: his east and west aspects are also different drainage and soil types.  Come with me to just outside Solvang, in the Santa Inez Valley, and meet Maria and Rafael. 

Located in the Food Court at Elm Place Sudbury this is quite a gem.  I was delighted to be able to interview Mohammad Abdollahzadeh who is chef/owner.  Very good food for take-out.  Amazing flavours.  

There is hope the Pandemic is on decline.  Sleep was disturb when we entered - the disruption of schedules was part of this - and over the last 18 months we formed new patterns.  Now new anxiety from return-to-work, return-to-school, and return-to-travel, is again condensing sleep, changing sleep, altering behaviours.  Dr. Katharina Lederle shares her expertise in the field of sleep, fatigue in general, talks about her updated book "Sleep Sense" and proposes ways to realign to changing circumstances.  

You know Cara's Convenience on Lorne for the great sandwiches, pick-up pastas, and subs.  Originally Cara's Rocket Luncher was out at events, activities, exhibitions... you know "have wheels, will travel." Well COVID put an end to all that.  Now on site at 1055 Lorne the Rocket Luncher is transformed from a deli on wheels to burgers, fries, poutine, pogos and more.  Yes, even hard ice-cream.  Starting August 9th Pickerel will be featured on the menu.  Julien tells us all about plans for the rest of summer 2021. 

Dr. Katharina Lederle's specialty is the analysis of sleep and fatigue.  She delivers workshops on what to do to counteract sleep disturbance and deprivation.  Her book "Sleep Sense" is available at Amazon, Indigo and other online retailers.   Over the last few years Dr. Kat has appeared on this show and podcast, but now with COVID-19 her thoughts on sleep, and sleep hygiene are even more valuable.

Catherine Schmuck started her career on ships.  She "graduated" from short-order to head chef on tankers and freighters sailing the Great Lakes and east coast.  2 decades on the land running her own Creperie on the slopes of Mt. Tremblant she now has returned to the water.  The cookbook features reliable recipes that you can replicate dependably.  Listen to Catherine tell how the book developed and, yes, the photography is done by her too.  Google Ship to Shore Chef or type www.shiptoshorechef.com to pre-order