Eat This! Drink That!

A neighbour handed me a book. Something out of my normal reading spectrum. I was captivated by the content. Dan Rocheleau recounting of his career arc includes undercover work as well a his later years in the OPP motorcycle cadre. I think you will find it fascinating and a a bit like seeing things you don't want to know about. Be prepared to learn about organized crime and its tentacles.

After year of COVID disconnect Kristy Rousseau and I just happened to overlap at the library. Naturally I asked what she is working on these days. "Operation Smile" was her answer. I just had to find out more! In this episode you will hear about how Canadian doctors, local nurses, and so many others share energy and time to change children's lives.

Julie Aube insists I don't beat around the bush. So this podcast is called "Where to Die"! This conversation takes place at the Hospice in Sudbury. Specifically the site is called The Maison McCulloch Hospice. Julie and I have last talked some years ago. The building is the largest of its kind in Ontario. The recent 10 bed expansion doubled the facility's ability to help individuals and families in the last days of a daughter', a father's, a grandparent's, living.

Join me on this visit to talk about Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Collections Specialist at the Toronto Public Library Reference Library, Jessie Amaolo shares her knowledge of the depth of contents (books, manuscripts, photographs, paintings, letters...) in the collection. On the mantlepiece a pipe, and Deerstalker ready for Holmes and Watson to go sleuthing.

Retired Sudbury couple Susanne and Roger Couture love to travel. They are organizing trips that include more than sun and sand (in fact their next trip is Iceland... pack a sweater) and often has an ecological aspect. They have developed a relationship with EF Tours and we have a conversation about the values and safe travel focus of this company no matter the destination.

Matt Bonin found solace and purpose in swimming. He has set himself some incredible goals. Starting out as essentially a non-swimmer he rapidly took on personal challenges. There were specific goals and you can discover part of the story here and do a deep dive into his book "Light from Darkness" released March 2024.

Have you considered floating? I cannot recall exactly what lead me to the experience, but it is more than a decade since I had my first session. At that time there were two facilities in Sudbury. Marcel Petruzzelli is the General Manager (Victoria/Westshore) of Float House Victoria. He kindly offered to agree to a conversation on the topic on "Sensory Deprivation & Floatation" and wide ranging observations from general to personal.

Rita Pereira has a butcher shop in the Mercado do Bolhão (Porto, Portugal) where you will find dry aged beef, chickens, other delights... but on the righthand side there are two amazing "eat now" options. Carpaccio and Tartar (with her own secret ingredients). She is fun to talk with: engaging, full of energy, and passionate about what she delivers. You can request wine directly from a booth about 10m away. All very civilized!

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.