Around Aurora

Can housekeeping tell if you've slept in the bed? Should you make the bed before checking out? What's the strangest thing someone has left behind? We put all the questions you've secretly wondered about to Amanda Vesterfelt, General Manager of Microtel Aurora. Along the way, she shares insider travel tips, memorable guest stories, and a fascinating look at what it takes to keep hundreds of guests happy every week.

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Aurora filmmaker Beth Evans is gaining national attention with her latest short film, Unit 303, which has been selected for Season 19 of CBC's Short Film Face Off.

After premiering at the prestigious Dances With Films Festival in Los Angeles, the film now has the opportunity to connect with audiences across Canada, and community support could make all the difference.

In this episode, Beth shares the story behind Unit 303, what it means to be featured on CBC, how Aurora residents can help by voting, and what's next as she develops her first feature film and a slate of television projects through Windrun Media.

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Planning a community event sounds fun... until you remember there are thousands of attendees, unpredictable weather, countless moving parts, and no room for error. In this episode of Around Aurora, Special Events Supervisor Shelley Ware and Special Events and Sponsorship Coordinator, Erin Hamilton, share what really goes into creating the Town's signature events. Hear behind-the-scenes stories and memorable mishaps, learn how events support Aurora's downtown businesses and tourism economy, and find out what makes all the hard work worthwhile. 

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From Michelin-starred kitchens to winning Chopped Canada, Chef Marcia Dellepoort has built an impressive culinary career. In this episode of Around Aurora, the chef and co-owner of The Sweet Duchess shares what life is really like behind the scenes, what brought her to Aurora’s food scene, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Plus, Marcia takes on a mystery basket challenge and puts our hosts’ knife skills to the test— you can imagine how that went!

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Join us, as we sit down with filmmaker Sean Cisterna and Aurora resident Anthony Garramone to explore the inspiring story behind Silver Screamers—the award-winning documentary that follows a group of seniors as they take on the challenge of making a horror film.

From filming at Aurora's historic Hillary House to screening at major festivals and Aurora Town Square, Sean and Anthony share behind-the-scenes stories, unexpected lessons and the joy of saying "yes" to new experiences. It's a conversation about creativity, community and proving that it's never too late to try something extraordinary.

🎬 Featuring stories from the making of The Rug, local filmmaking connections and plenty of laughs along the way.

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 What is it about a barber chair that gets people talking? In this episode of Around Aurora, we sit down with the team from 3 Kings BarberShop Studio to explore why barbers often become part stylist, part confidant, and part community storyteller.

From funny customer stories and unexpected life advice and insights into Aurora’s growing downtown barber culture, this conversation offers a candid look at the relationships built one haircut at a time. Plus, we put our guests through a fun round of rapid-fire questions to find out where they stand on fades, beards, coffee, and more. 

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The world’s biggest sporting event is here, and Canada is right in the middle of the action. Join us as former pro soccer player and commentator Jimmy Brennan breaks down Canada’s World Cup journey, the future of the national team, and how the growing love for soccer is inspiring the next generation from local fields all the way to the global stage.

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Follow Jimmy:

Footy Prime The Podcast

Instagram, @jimmy11brennan AND  @FootyPrimeIG 

X, @jimmybrennan11

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In this episode, Vern sits down with Welcoming Arms’ Executive Director, Sally Freitas, for a behind‑the‑scenes look at the volunteers, services, and community spirit fueling one of Aurora’s most impactful support organizations.

In this episode of Off the Cuff, we sit down with Deb Clark, Founder and Owner of Oakridge’s Fashions, a beloved boutique that has been helping women look and feel their best since 1997. Deb shares her journey from a lifelong love of textiles to building a business rooted in individuality, exceptional service, and community support. Discover how Oakridge’s combines style expertise with a personal touch—both in-store and online—and why giving back to Aurora has always been part of their mission. If you’re passionate about fashion, entrepreneurship, or community impact, this episode is for you!

In this episode of Business Mega Lab, we sit down with Garry Lee, Founder and President of Megalab Inc., to explore how his engineering-first approach is transforming the product compliance landscape. From his early frustrations with transactional testing labs to building a state-of-the-art facility in Aurora, Ontario, Garry shares how Megalab became a trusted partner for innovators in automotive, MedTech, and high-tech manufacturing. Learn how his team helps companies accelerate certification, improve prototypes, and launch products faster—with precision, transparency, and collaboration at the core.