Almost immediately upon entering its present headquarters, Ryan Oliver, knew he’d soon need more space for the constantly growing STEAM education centre, Pinnguaq. It took a few years, but Oliver, Pinnguaq’s CEO, found it – steps away from his home in Lindsay. He tours us through the soon-to-be three-storey headquarters of this national success story, which delivers digital training to youth and adults. Oliver expounds on the renovations, but also on the vision this building’s overhaul will help...
Mar 22, 2023•32 min•Ep. 86
There’s been a lot of water cooler talk – (and talk beyond water coolers) – about workplace romances, lately. A certain Toronto mayor (actually, now former mayor) helped inspire those conversations. What are – and what could be – the legal ramifications of workplace relationships? What rules, if any, can an employer use when it comes to relationships in the workplace? Lawyer Calvin Chan, of Wards Lawyers, explains in this special bonus episode.
Mar 16, 2023•15 min•Ep. 85
Cindy Snider says it’s not that unlike what NHL teams do to attract free agents. But her wooing work with the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative is all about recruiting much-needed family physicians to the C of KL. Walt Radda’s cartoons bring smiles and laughter to many, including readers of The Advocate Magazine. And his art also recently earned him a province-wide award. Reaboro residents for years loved retrieving their mail from their nearest post office – inside a neighbour’s house. But ...
Mar 05, 2023•32 min•Ep. 84
It’s our third anniversary! And we’re rolling with another great episode. And speaking of rolling....The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce is hoping a dozen or so bicycles will roll into town this Spring as a new bike share program. Chamber executive director Allyssa Adams tells us what it’ll take to make that two-wheel dream come true. Our city's artists create art. Wonderful art. But selling that art can often be a challenge for any artist. So the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is holding a self-promot...
Feb 16, 2023•29 min•Ep. 83
Behind the poise, confidence and omnipresent, constant contributions to his community, Jason Ward was hurting. And hiding. In this special episode, he opens up, for the first time with local media, about his struggles with mental health and addiction – and how, for years, he managed to conceal his pain from friends and even loved ones. Until he couldn’t. The now-retired lawyer also shares what his road to recovery looks like, and how his long-standing, commitment to “giving back,” – which includ...
Jan 30, 2023•40 min•Ep. 82
Shannon Roszell’s website compares her music to that of other musicians. But, really, the Fenelon singer-songwriter has a refreshingly unique sound – brash, commanding and sometimes dark - that is all her own. Zack Steele knows birds. Specifically, he knows how to keep them away from collisions – and sure death – against pane glass windows. He’s using those super hero skills to help make Fleming College’s Lindsay campus officially bird-friendly. A Place Called Home doesn’t just depend on monetar...
Jan 17, 2023•45 min•Ep. 81
Our show covered a lot of ground in 2022. Literally, in some cases, with stories that had us following a trapper in search of beavers. And an interview with two your artists who transformed a ho-hum Lindsay alleyway into a wonderful mural you can walk on. There were conversations with neighbours about their special relationships to fishing – (including the ice kind) – a rebuilt 1982 motorcycle and even spoons. We spoke to a new mayor, lawn bowlers, singer-songwriters, standup comedians, civic le...
Jan 02, 2023•32 min•Ep. 80
Two years ago, Kevin Fitzpatrick did that thing so many of us were forced to. He pivoted, quickly learning how to deliver a church service into an on-line camera lens. Those skills will serve him well for Christmas 2022. But he’s also embracing a new hybrid version of delivering a sermon – with much of his congregation watching on screens in their individual homes, and some taking it all in the old-fashioned way – from the pews in front of him. In the wake of what it calls an “emergency” the Tri...
Dec 16, 2022•32 min•Ep. 79
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence leads, ultimately, to December 6 – The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes marked Day 1 with the Wrapped in Courage Flag Raising Ceremony held at City Hall. We captured some of the voices – and emotion – of that special ceremony. Sean Jamieson steers a lot of the conversation towards the important people in his life. But when we do manage to we get the uber humble – and super-t...
Nov 30, 2022•34 min•Ep. 78
More than 20 years ago, our host said good-bye to a big part of his life – a motorcycle. He never expected to see his beloved Yamaha 650cc again – until an interesting coincidence connected him to its new owner. And when our host agreed to revisit that part of his life, he discovered an even more special relationship between that special Seca and its new owner (and expert motorcycle rebuilder) Jim Goudie. A mural you can walk on! But it’d be a slow walk, so that you can take in its splendour. We...
Nov 19, 2022•37 min•Ep. 77
They’re new. Again. And this version of bricks on Lindsay’s main street does look great. But what’s the story behind the crumbling ones that were installed just a short time ago and had to be replaced? The city’s Juan Rojas, Director of Engineering and Corporate Assets with the C of KL, meets us – on said sidewalk – to explain. Jennifer Lopinski of APCH says she was expecting, maybe, some kind of donation when she was contacted by a charity group that was ceasing operation. But not THAT big a do...
Nov 01, 2022•35 min•Ep. 76
The City of Kawartha Lakes has a new mayor. And The Advocate Podcast was at the Victoria Park Armoury as results officially rolled in and displayed via a giant screen. Doug Elmslie was there, too. We spoke to the former Ward 3 councillor - and now mayor-elect - moments after he learned he’d been elected to the City’s top job.
Oct 25, 2022•5 min•Ep. 75
He said he’d be a two-term mayor, and he kept that promise. Andy Letham looks back on eight years at the helm of City Council – and offers some advice for his soon-to-be successor. Bobcaygeon’s Jennine Profeta gathered some friends for a girls night out. But not just any friends - but improv, standup and sketch comedian friends. The result: Girls Night Out (note the caps, this time) returns to the Lakeview Arts Barn. Are tiny homes really a viable solution towards solving a housing crisis? Alici...
Oct 16, 2022•43 min•Ep. 74
It’s remarkable that a documentary has never been done about our cherished Highland Cinemas and its compellingly unique founder and operator, Kinmount’s Keith Stata. Film maker, Matt Finlin, aims to change that. The director shares his very personal inspiration behind creating “The Movie Man.” Penny Barton-Dyke spent 18 years as executive director of The United Way - a role she cherished and will dearly miss in retirement. None of the members of The 100 Men Kawartha Lakes saw it coming. Indeed, ...
Oct 01, 2022•32 min•Ep. 73
Unlike elementary and secondary schools in Ontario, universities and colleges have considerable autonomy in setting their Covid rules. Omemee native Madeline McColl describes, first-hand, some very stringent rules at her university. Who ya gonna call when that contractor didn’t do the job to your liking? Or if the client doesn’t wanna pay? Calvin Chan of Wards Lawyers explains how and when contractor/client disputes should involve the law. A new art exhibit celebrating First Peoples opened in Bo...
Sep 14, 2022•38 min•Ep. 72
Sure, you can hold a cycling event virtually and raise lots ‘o money for a worthy cause like A Place Called Home. But the real thing is wayyyy better. A cyclist participating in the recent return to the in-person Kawartha Lakes Classic Cycling Tour explains why. The upcoming back-to-school won’t be like the one 2019. But it’s way better than the one in 2021. And let’s not even discuss 2020? Wes Hahn, Director of Education for the TLDSB, explains what students and parents can expect for the 2022 ...
Sep 01, 2022•34 min•Ep. 71
The C of KL is hosting a free EV info day Saturday August 20 – your chance to see some of the non-gas sipping cars up close and ask questions. But our host got his own green test drive and info session, courtesy of EV owner Ginny Colling. Secondary school teacher Cat Duvall interrupted her summer to…teach! But not summer school. Duvall is a volunteer – and then some – with Teacher Mentors Abroad. And we hear from two entrepreneurs who – thank goodness – are bringing coffee (and couches, we hope!...
Aug 17, 2022•27 min•Ep. 70
We head to Norland TWICE. Once to check in with Kawartha Public Library’s Lyndsay Heffernan for a new Well Defined word. And again to learn about a special public garden project that promises peace, relaxation – and a fountain! An alley walkway by any other name is just a strip of pavement. Until it’s transformed into a mural. That’s the plan, explains Melissa Wemyss of Wards Lawyers, whose office is right next to this art-in-waiting. Not long after Jenna Warren found her artistic voice as a sta...
Aug 02, 2022•32 min•Ep. 69
There have been more than a few false starts for touring musicians these past few years. But this time, it’s full-steam ahead, right? Not just LOCAL shows, right? Well, maybe not FULL steam ahead. But so far, not stops at least. Cameron-based singer songwriter Cassie Noble chats with us, mid-tour, about a return to the more familiar. Sure, that cottage holds many warm, family memories. Want that feeling to continue after mum and dad bequeath it to you and your siblings? Lawyer Karissa Ward offer...
Jul 15, 2022•39 min•Ep. 68
What a way to kick off Canada Day! A full episode dedicated to musical artists, Kayla Mahomed and Nathan Truax - partners in dispensing some great country music. And we’re talkin’ DEEP country, here. The singer songwriters sit down with our host to discuss their appreciation and downright love for a musical genre at it rootiest. (Yes, that may be the first time you’ve seen “genre” and “rootiest” in the same sentence). And they’ll explain how it not only brought them together on stage, but (spoil...
Jun 30, 2022•35 min•Ep. 67
Yes, those numbers are dropping. But it’s still really out there. And so so many people – more than ever - have been getting it. Despite it not being quite as severe (Thanks, vaccines!) what should you do if you get it? Who do you call? When’s it okay to come out of quarantine after getting it? (And, by now, you know what we mean by “it,” right?). Medical officer of health Doctor Natalie Bocking explains all. They may not be cuddly. But they still need homes. Or, rather, they need barns and work...
Jun 13, 2022•28 min•Ep. 66
The 1980s. Flared hair. Howick Jeans. Top Gun. Mix tapes. A super special time, right? And even MORE special if you attended high school in Lindsay, right? RIGHT? Members of a very exclusive Facebook page would say so. We hear from one of them, as well as the guy who launched the little group page that became NOT so little very quickly. The Advocate Magazine hosted a debate for candidates looking to represent our riding in the upcoming provincial election. We were there and bring you their openi...
May 30, 2022•38 min•Ep. 65
First things first: call ‘em lawn bowling BOWLS, not balls. Rhys Warren, of the Lindsay Lawn Bowling Club explains why – and does his darndest to recruit our host as a member. Will he succeed? That deposit you made on that house purchase isn’t the Get-outta-the-deal card you might think it is. Lawyer Calvin Chan, of Wards Lawyers, dispels a common myth. Lyndsay Heffernan of the KLPL tells us about another super cool borrowing program (hint: not books) AND brings us a new Well-Defined word. Need ...
May 14, 2022•41 min•Ep. 64
So, you’re happy you got that dog two years ago, knowing you’d have much ‘o time to bond together at home. But what happens now that you’re back at that pre-2020 workplace? Dog expert/trainer/breeder/groomer Julie Corlette tells us what both you and pet should expect during this back-to-daily separation. Knockin’ ‘em down was the easy part. Convincing critics that removing those tall walls outside Lindsay’s former jail was the right choice, well that took a bit more work. And now that they’re do...
May 02, 2022•34 min•Ep. 63
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 – c...
Apr 15, 2022•41 min•Ep. 62
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 w...
Apr 01, 2022•34 min•Ep. 61
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.
Mar 22, 2022•18 min•Ep. 60
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 bu...
Mar 15, 2022•35 min•Ep. 59
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...
Mar 02, 2022•37 min•Ep. 58
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 det...
Feb 15, 2022•32 min•Ep. 57
