I have memories of Listowel Paddyfest that go back to the early 90's but of course it's been around a lot longer than that. This week, Paddyfest chairman Ben Zavitz tells us just how far back it goes, who started it all and some of the things we can look forward to this year.

One of those things is a concert with an amazing singer/songwriter out of Mildmay who is currently taking the world by storm with hit songs like "Love (The Sweater Song) , "Old Dirt Roads" and "Home Less". Owen Riegling joins us to talk about growing up in a small town, family, friends, writing/singing from the heart and life on the road.

If you understand the title of this week's podcast, you probably had a great childhood.

We didn't really plan it this way, but today's episode is perfect for Family Day! From his days playing road hockey on King Street in Blyth to World Championship teams, Justin Peters is here to talk about the importance of the "families" he's been a part of on that journey: his birth family, the teams, the friends and the county/hometown he still has so much love for.

Also:

* Career highlights

* People and coaches who made a difference

* His new role with the Ottawa Senators

* Are the goal posts really a goaltenders best friend?

In 2015, her life was forever changed when, while biking, she was hit by a car as she trained for a triathlon. Her new life in a wheelchair meant relearning so much of what she and most of us take for granted. Everything from having a shower, to cooking, to tucking her kids in at night ... to putting on her socks.

The journey through that, hard to imagine darkness, led her to a place where she made the decision to shine light on it all. This week we're joined in the studio by a strong woman, wife, mother, friend and founder of Sawchuk Accessible Solutions, Julie Sawchuk.

Most of us have a teacher or two that's made a difference in our lives. Someone who met us where we were at the time and then helped us to become the best version of ourselves.

I've told stories for much of my life about a select group of remarkable educators whom I owe, so very much too. In most cases it's a lot less to do with the actual content of the classes I was in and a lot more about finding out who I was, exploring that and finding joy in a life I was born to live.

I'm almost giddy to have this man on the show today. There's no doubt in my mind or I'm sure, in the minds of 1000's of students he's taught in his lifetime, that he, was born to be a teacher.

Today on "A Life That's Good" ... Mr. Smallwood.

"Little Seahorse" Bruce Cockburn ©1976 *Used with permission

It's one of our favourite places to eat in Midwestern Ontario. Fancy enough that it can be a special occasion and casual enough that it can be just because, it's Part 2 Bistro, on the Square in Goderich.

With beginnings in Blyth it has matured into a great place to seek a little refuge from the world and to just sit and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and first rate food.

Peter Gusso is here today: husband, dad, chef and friend. We'll talk about growing up in Bluevale, travelling through the UK, Bistro beginnings, and the love of food and cooking!

A bonus episode this week!

One of the things that makes life so good for us in Midwestern Ontario is live music AND some of the amazing venues we get to enjoy artists in ... like the Blyth Memorial Community Hall.

It's especially great when world class performers recognize the beauty, the sound quality and the intimacy of some of our performance venues like Blyth where this Sunday evening, The Jim Cuddy Band will play.

We were lucky enough to have a quick phone chat with Jim this week. He is, of course, a founding member of one of Canada's preeminent bands, Blue Rodeo, and as mentioned, his solo band.

We talked about how music has been a compulsion in his life, early inspirations, the creation of "Blue Rodeo" and "The Jim Cuddy Band" ... and a few surprises :)

Tickets for Jim's show in Blyth this Sunday: www.blythfestivalcom

Husband - Father - Teacher - Principal - Actor - Musician - Wedding Officiant - Volunteer - Story teller - Friend and King of the Shuffleboard table.

In my 6+ years of sharing story telling duties and tours with Papa Floyd at Cowbell Brewing in Blyth, I've heard, "Hey he was my teacher or principal" ... "I loved him" ... hundreds of times.

Today on the podcast, one of my favourite people, Floyd Herman (Papa Floyd to many) Where it started, how it's going and what's next for this human that makes life so good for so many in Midwestern Ontario.

Milli and I are wrestling with a couple of things these days: A little seasonal melancholy and some screen addiction. One of our action points this year is to read more. With that in mind, there are a lot of great local authors and we're going to chat with two of them on this episode.

Sally Walker has accomplished a lot in her life including the realization of a life long dream to write a novel which she made happen through the Covid lockdown. It's called 101.

AND

Shannon Talbot has a story we think will inspire you. Her book is called Breaking Free: Stop Holding Back, Start Being You: Your Guide to Creating the Career & Life of Your Dreams.

The dreams, the work, the joy of writing in episode 44.

Do you ever look around at the technology or modern tools we use to live our lives in 2024 and wonder, which of these things will someday find its way into a museum?

On the pod today:

Senior Curator, Elizabeth French-Gibson - Marketing & Branding Coordinator, Amy Zoethout and Sinead Cox, Curator of Engagement & Dialogue.

Our focus is the Huron County Museum. We'll talk about the history of the museum itself, the history within, why that's so important and some of the things that once upon a time, made life good.

After our Christmas special last week, we got a little lazy and decided to kick back a bit this week and try to be fully present at our many family and friends get togethers. It was a wonderful week of laughs, love and togetherness.

This week, it's just you, Boomer and Milli! We're looking back on a few highlights of 2023 and forward with some hopes and dreams for 2024.

Also:

* A few of the celebrity deaths that impacted us in 2023.

* Top 8 habits of the world's happiest people

* And, a few resolutions for 2024.