Shwananigans

  The 22nd Annual Peony Festival held at the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens located along the Oshawa Creek, close to the Children’s @ 155 Arena St.

  This festival offers a variety of entertainment as well as street meat. There were many different artisan venders, nurseries and of course the Famous Peonies.  It was incredibly busy. Great weather and a great community event. Thanks to all who participated as well as all who showcased their talent on Shwananigans.  I would like to state that the musicians were great, sadly my audio was a bit muffled but it was very nice.

Thank you:

Swing Street Band

https://swingstreetband.ca/

Adam Crossman

https://www.adamcrossman.ca/

Mad Mudder Studio

https://www.facebook.com/TheMadMudder/#

Peony Festival Oshawa

https://www.oshawa.ca/explore-play/city-events/peony-festival/

Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens

https://www.oshawa.ca/explore-play/parks-and-trails/gardens/oshawa-valley-botanical-gardens/

Ep 15 Durham Region Roller Derby

Andrea attends the home opener of the Durham Region Roller Derby (DRRD). There are 2 matches, Bout 1 is the “Competitive League” of the DRRD vs The Nickel Belt and Bout 2 is the “Select League” of the DRRD vs The Nickel Belt.   All team players had creative names like Code Blue, The Librarian, Glitch, Recklessness, Murphys Law, Hard Korr and also Cory just to name a few. The competition in both bouts was fierce. The event had a Medieval theme and there were cosplay, Concessions and activities. I had a great time.

  One of the concessions were from 8-Bit Beans. In editing I was not able to emphasize DRRD member “Glitch” explaining her arcade but it is an arcade with a café where they also sell coffee. Lots of fun!

https://www.8bitbeans.com/

DRRD Links:

https://www.facebook.com/DRrollerderby

https://linktr.ee/drrollerderby?fbclid=IwY2xjawRId6JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4bW54elNXTDZlcTlQQ0Zjc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgxReZsrcEIvDTY9CmwOkEluzGtADA1fxks7rex80i31yVoJhpogPLLVTsi5_aem_WL1GVSxGSHA3sA2oxz8Llg

[email protected]

What Andrea Is Watching:

Paranormal Seekers venture into Wildwood Sanitarium Restoration Project. Again, while they are the “Paranormal Seekers” of Durham Region, their YouTube handle is Par Eh normal. Here is the link.

https://www.youtube.com/@ParEhNormalPodcast

Destination Oshawa, is presented on the Bell Fibe app. It is a mockumentary about a group of government workers in tourism trying to make Oshawa one of the Top 5 Cities in Canada. At this point they are 4 episodes in and I am enjoying it.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKGAEYISfmo

https://tv1.bell.ca/fibetv1/shows/destination-oshawa/

Where to Watch:

• On Demand: Bell Fibe customers can find it on Channel 1 or Channel 1000.
• Fibe TV App: Available for streaming on iOS and Android devices, as well as smart TV platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google Chromecast.
• Web Browser: If they are logged into their Bell account, they can watch directly at tv.bell.ca.

Andrea gets frustrated with life. She decides to get out in the nice sunshine and go for a walk.

Places we pass bye include:

Brunos Barber Shop

https://www.facebook.com/Brunoshaircut/#

The White Apron (TWA)

https://www.thewhiteapron.ca/

By surprise she gets a free tour of the Bond Street Event Centre

https://www.bondst.ca/

There are incredible treats and eats inside 70 King St. We just did a quick tour but we will go back for more insight on another episode.

https://www.marketat70king.com/

On today’s episode Andrea speaks with Oshawa City Councillor Derek Giberson (Ward 4). As a professional musician and politician, we explore music and community.

Derek Giberson- Vocals and Keyboards

  Councillor Giberson is also the bandleader of popular local Funk band “The Professors Of Funk”.

https://www.facebook.com/ProfessorsOfFunk/#

Previous Bands:

Horshack (Classic Rock)

The Julian Taylor Band

Collabs:

·       Sass Jordan (Canadian Rock)

·       Emmanuel Jal (rap, pol. activist)

·       Andrea Ramolo (Folk)

·       Shakura S’aida (Blues, Folk)

·       Trish Robb (Folk Country)

Oshawa Tourism Channel on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@oshawatourism7620?app=desktop

DTO Website

https://www.oshawa.ca/business-development/downtown-oshawa/

We also cover life as a city Councillor.

https://www.facebook.com/DerekGibersonCommunity/

https://www.oshawa.ca/city-hall/city-council/council-members/

Today we also say “See you later” to my lovely and beautiful co-host, Shelly.  No drama or nothing serious. Shelly is just very busy with work and family life. Shelly, I will miss you and you have an on-going open invitation to join me back here at Shwananigans.  I wish you all the best and look forward to our off-camera hangs!

  Having said that we are open to a new co-host. We have no money, no budget just my phone and a love of fun, community and silliness.

 Shelly and Andrea visit the Coffin Creek Café. This is a horror themed café full of horror themed nostalgia, frights and tasty delights.  They also sell their coffee online as well as offer a variety of unique gifts. To be honest, the scariest view in this episode was my witchy hair! Also, due to Audio difficulties, we just haaaaad to 😊 go back a second time, talk about a dreadful mistake, but that is why our hair and outfits are different, no weird witchcraft or sorcery or anything to see here folks. Only a great time was had. I give it 2 cold dead thumbs up! A great place for a date, a hang (teehee) or if you need a great cup of coffee. Don’t forget to look for the secret room!

https://www.coffincreekcoffee.com/

Shwananigans Ep-11-The Paranormal Seekers Show Description

  Shelly and Andrea speak with our local ghost-hunters/historians known as the Paranormal Seekers.

  These experts engage in conversation about experiences with spirits. The Paranormal Seekers offer insight into their experiences and how they investigate areas where spirits may be found.

  They hold live events where the public may join them.

Their work is incredibly interesting and engaging. Please visit their website @

http://www.theparanormalseekers.ca/

And if you would like to contact them you can just click on the ghost or email:

[email protected]

They are also available on social media.

Seekers, The paranormal. The Paranormal Seekers-A Haunting Is History Waiting To be Heard. The paranormal Seekers. The Paranormal Seekers. 2025. Logo .

Shwananigans Ep-11-The Paranormal Seekers Show Description

  Shelly and Andrea speak with our local ghost-hunters/historians known as the Paranormal Seekers.

  These experts engage in conversation about experiences with spirits. The Paranormal Seekers offer insight into their experiences and how they investigate areas where spirits may be found.

  They hold live events where the public may join them.

Their work is incredibly interesting and engaging. Please visit their website @

http://www.theparanormalseekers.ca/

And if you would like to contact them you can just click on the ghost or email:

[email protected]

They are also available on social media.

Seekers, The paranormal. The Paranormal Seekers-A Haunting Is History Waiting To be Heard. The paranormal Seekers. The Paranormal Seekers. 2025. Logo .

  Andrea was hoping to have a tour of the Old Simcoe Street United Church. With its Gothic Revival style Andrea set out on a mission to learn more about the Church and its history. What Andrea discovered is that it is now being used by the Back Door Mission.

The Back Door Mission offers services and support to those in need.  It joins both social and health care services for those experiencing homelessness.

Links:

https://www.backdoormission.ca/

https://discoverhistoricoshawa.com/listings/simcoe-street-united-church/

https://www.insauga.com/as-old-as-canada-oshawas-simcoe-street-united-church-to-hold-final-sermon-april-14/

References:

Hendry, Glenn. As Old as Canada, Oshawa's Simcoe Street United Church to hold final sermon April 14. 14 March 2024. Images . 25 November 2025.

Museum, Oshawa. Heritage Oshawa Places of Warship . 2025. Photos and Document . 25 November 2025.

Ontario, Kings Printer for. Ontario Heritage Trust . 2025. Images. 25 November 2025.

Poverty, Back Door Mission for the Relief of. Back Door Mission: Who We Are. n.d. Document. 25 Novemeber 2025.

  Andrea was hoping to have a tour of the Old Simcoe Street United Church. With its Gothic Revival style Andrea set out on a mission to learn more about the Church and its history. What Andrea discovered is that it is now being used by the Back Door Mission.

The Back Door Mission offers services and support to those in need.  It joins both social and health care services for those experiencing homelessness.

Links:

https://www.backdoormission.ca/

https://discoverhistoricoshawa.com/listings/simcoe-street-united-church/

https://www.insauga.com/as-old-as-canada-oshawas-simcoe-street-united-church-to-hold-final-sermon-april-14/

References:

Hendry, Glenn. As Old as Canada, Oshawa's Simcoe Street United Church to hold final sermon April 14. 14 March 2024. Images . 25 November 2025.

Museum, Oshawa. Heritage Oshawa Places of Warship . 2025. Photos and Document . 25 November 2025.

Ontario, Kings Printer for. Ontario Heritage Trust . 2025. Images. 25 November 2025.

Poverty, Back Door Mission for the Relief of. Back Door Mission: Who We Are. n.d. Document. 25 Novemeber 2025.

Hosts Shelly and Andrea attend the Merry Market.   There were games and entertainment for all ages. A chance to meet and greet Santa and the Grinch.   While enjoying holiday cheer with fellow Oshwanians.  Thank you, City of Oshawa.

https://www.oshawa.ca/explore-play/city-events/bright-and-merry-market/

Sam Ninan, Violinist

https://mahaonam.ca/artist/julia-taylor/

The Circus Drummer

https://www.facebook.com/theCircusDrummer/#

The next day is Santa’s Parade of Lights

What makes Oshawa’s Santa Clause parade so unique is that it is held at night. It is festive and fun with floats, music, dancing and of course some Shwananigans.

Unfortunately, this year due to weather conditions the parade was cancelled. We experienced thunderstorm conditions, and the city did not want to take any chances with there being thunder and lightning, so I understand.

Luckily here at Shwananigans, we are used to changes in the schedule.

I will be reciting one of my favorite stories from the past, while enjoying a nice hot cup of Nescafe coffee.