Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday. It's a time when I feel like I have some kind of unwritten permission to slow down, breathe, really see the people around me and give some thought to all the things I have to be so grateful for.

This week, Milli and I chat about the personal struggle we sometimes have to be grateful and we'll share a few strategies for practicing intentional gratitude. We're also very excited to share some really bad quality audio from our wedding reception this past weekend of a few of our friends and family answering the question, "Name some things you're grateful for?"

It's hard to believe that though I performed in the lounge there for 12 years, it' now been 27 years since I last sang at beautiful Benmiller Inn.

I will be forever grateful for the people I met and the memories I made in that wonderful refuge and especially for the memories Milli and I made there together last May, when we celebrated our wedding brunch there.

Our guests this week are Sales & Marketing Manager, Linda Street and General Manager, Monique Wijnsma. I hope you'll join us as we chat about:

* Benmiller Inn's past, present & future

* A big, upcoming anniversary

* A very interesting man that Phil (Boomer) met there

* A live song from the studio

* And more ...

I first knew Glen McNeil as my best pal's Uncle when I was a kid growing up on Mary Street in Goderich. My buddy Neil often invited me to his grandparents farm north of Goderich, to catch frogs in the crick and watch his Uncle Glen milk cows.

These days, many people know Glen and Vanda McNeil for their dairy operation, Heather Holme Holsteins. Many more have come to know Glen as the Warden of Huron County for the past three years.

In this episode:

* A bit about the history of this amazing dairy operation.

* Family including Glen's parents Cliff and Evelyn.

* The importance of farm succession planning.

* Things that make farm life good in 2023 and the evolution of dairy farming since I first knew the McNeil family more than 50 years ago.

This week, we're going to stroll through the mind of our resident Millennial. If you've been wondering about some new music to listen too or what TV show you might like to binge this Fall, have a listen as we discuss that and a lot more.

Also this week, a chat with our friend Christine Brandt about an amazing event that supports the Walkerton Hospital Foundation ... Run4Health, now in it's 13th year.
We're all over the place but super glad you're here with us this week :)

We're excited to have an old friend in the studio today to chat about what has been an incredible music career. He's hit many curve balls in his 40+ years of making music while staying true to who is. And, he's showing no signs of slowing down.

From growing up in Hanover to CKNX where we first met in the early 80's, to the process of writing, recording and performing and the state of the music business in 2023, we hope you'll enjoy our chat with the most awarded independent country artist in Canada, Jamie Warren.

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." ~ Albert Einstein

We are beyond grateful for the teachers in our lives who poured their hearts and souls into planting the seeds in our hearts and souls that helped us grow and become so much of who and what we are.

In this episode, Milli and I would like to introduce you to a couple of local teachers and friends of ours who practice the art of teaching and consider themselves beyond blessed to plant and nurture the seeds of learning and awakening in our kids.

We celebrate the return to classes this week with Susan and Eric Varillas and student Keira Schaefer. We will chat about teaching, learning and all the challenges and joys that come with it.

*For reference, here is a link to the song we mention at the end of our chat. I get that it may sound a little dated to you but it's a story that still gives me all the feels: Harry Chapin - "Flowers Are Red"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cVpkzZpDBA

One of my favourite quotes about wine comes from Robert Louis Stevenson who once said, "Wine is bottled poetry." Who can argue with that?!

This week it's another great local hidden gem for us all to discover.

Kelsey Trotter and Branden Chaffe are here to talk wine and all the great things we can find at Hessenland Inn and Schatz Winery near St Joseph between Bayfield and Grand Bend.

"Love can build a bridge, between your heart and mine - Love can build a bridge ... don't ya think it's time, don't ya think it's time?"

Those are the some of the lyrics to the 1990 hit song “Love Can Build a Bridge" by the Judds.

Love did build a bridge way back in 1885 on Little Lakes Road, about 9 km west of Goderich. Ball’s Bridge, also known as “the Bridge that Love Built”, is one of the most beautiful and romantic landmarks in Ontario.

138 years later, the bridge is still bringing people together. Sadly this time, it's to try to save and preserve the irreplaceable culture, history, agriculture and biodiversity of the bridge and surrounding area.

Our guests today are Rebecca Garrett and Jennifer Morris. Join us as we discuss the fight to Save Historic Ball's Bridge & Little Lakes Road.

He has been many things in his lifetime: a broadcaster, actor, speaker and MC as well as a husband, dad and grandfather and friend to many. He's a native of Harriston and at 76 still works at all these things and uses his spare time to be a Senior Manager of Market Development for one of Ontario's Largest construction firms.
He's also kind, funny, grateful and I like to think ... my friend.

This week ... the life and times of Neil Aitchison with a highlight on one of his great loves (and mine) live theatre and Drayton Entertainment.

I've interviewed many celebrities in my time so I was surprised when I found myself feeling a little nervous to talk with Loreena McKennitt.

, platinum and multi platinum sales ... awards in 15 countries on 4 different continents ... Juno Awards, Grammy nominations, 14 million records sold or this induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Whatever it was, she had me feeling at ease in just moments and I think you'll hear why in our conversation.

She's a delight and she's coming to Goderich this Saturday evening (12th) to the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival.