The Kingstonian Podcast

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This episode of the Podcast profiles a musician, who leads a group of dedicated players – all playing hand bells.  

Janet McDonald is the director of the “Limestone Ringers”, a hand bell choir based at Edith Rankin Memorial United Church, located at the west-end of Kingston.  Hand bells trace their evolution back to the big bells in the spires, pulled by long ropes, back in the late 1600’s, in the British Isles.  
These days, the “Ringers” perform in churches, primarily, with a repertoire of sacred and popular music.  Promoting the choir, incorporating new music, and bringing like-minded bell ringers together – all part of Janet’s passion for her role.

For more information on the "Limestone Ringers", contact Janet at [email protected] 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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One can make a film; or watch a film.  One can also debate the meaning of film with friends.  But there are a precious few who have a certain passion for films and how they relate to politics and pop culture – a passion that involves putting those thoughts to paper.  Our guest is one such individual; his name is Stephen Lee Naish.  Stephen’s latest book is “Screen Captures’ – a collection that explores film sagas, actors, directors, and the fans that watch them.  In this episode, Stephen and host Dave Cunningham talk about that book and how his writing career evolved.  We also spend a little time talking about whether ‘reading a book’ is still as popular a pastime as it once was.

This episode was recorded in mid-October 2022. 

Follow Stephen on Twitter @riffsandmeaning or
on Instagram with the handle @colour_and_sound_abstracts

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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In this episode we speak with a politician, who, like most others, wasn’t always a politician.  He was/is a scientist – an individual passionate about integrating the theoretical with the practical.   Ted Hsu served a term as the Member of Parliament in Ottawa representing the constituency of Kingston & the Islands (Ontario).  After a break, he now represents the same citizens as the Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament in Toronto.  Dealing with climate change has always been high on his agenda, influenced by his ongoing conversations with his family.  

Hope you enjoy the conversation and if you do, please share, and subscribe.

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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After a 31-year career as a policeman in Scotland, and 7 years in the corporate security industry before being made redundant, Willie Nicol wasn’t quite ready to retire.  His wife had an idea.  Realizing that he had spent much of his life helping people, she suggested he take a more direct approach.  He then retrained and started his own business as a Personal Development Coach.  Host, Dave Cunningham met Willie on an online networking seminar and thought his story did merit a longer conversation.  This virtual chat took place in mid-September 2022, with Willie at his home in Loans, Scotland and Dave in Kingston, Ontario.  This episode explores his passion for continuing his mission to help – one person at a time. 

For more information, go to willienicolcoaching.com 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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Before he became the most produced playwright in the history of the country; before he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his body of work; and before he moved to Fredericton, Norm Foster lived and worked as a radio broadcaster for CKWS in Kingston, Ontario.  That was back in the mid-seventies.  It was in New Brunswick that he developed his passion for writing plays.  Now, with some 70+ productions to his credit, it is said that on any given day of the year, one of those plays is either in rehearsal or in performance somewhere in the world.  

Forty-five years ago, Norm and host, Dave Cunningham, both worked at that radio station.  In mid-September 2022, they both got together virtually for this conversation.

For more information. Visit his webpage; www.normfoster.com 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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I don’t think it matters where you live.  You’ll be out at some music venue and a singer comes out on stage, a local performer, moves up to the mic, and wow! “Why haven’t I heard that voice before?”  

My guest in this episode has had music as part of her DNA since she was a child.  She began by participating in a well-known local choir; took advantage of any ‘open-mic’ session she could; and studied music and voice at the post-secondary level.

These days, music is her life’s work – she sings, teaches and composes her own music.  

There are some great singer/songwriters in almost every community around the world; artists who love to get on stage and share their music.  Our role is to get out and listen!

This is one person’s story.  Our guest is Savannah Shea.

For more information on Savannah, you will find her on Instagram - @savannahsheamusic .

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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You may have heard that a radio station in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, celebrated its 100th Anniversary in early October 2022.  CFRC is a campus/community station, located on the campus of Queen’s University.  Over the years, some of the volunteer staff have chosen to use their time at CFRC as a learning opportunity; a chance to hone their skills and pursue a career in professional broadcasting.  In this episode we profile one such individual with a passion for radio. After attending Queen’s, and CFRC, RICK CHOMA eventually got a position at CKWS Radio as a part-time broadcaster, covering the overnight shifts on the weekends.  Over a 20+ year career, Rick worked at five different stations, in the same city, doing something different at each one.  Follow that journey in this conversation with host, Dave Cunningham.   

 Songs we spoke of, but didn’t play:

·       Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)

·       Mama Let Him Play – Doucette

·       Make Me Do Anything You Want – A Foot in Coldwater

·       Signs – Five Man Electrical Band

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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This episode is a little different.  The Podcast does not normally profile an organization or an institution but when a radio station reaches its Centennial, you need to acknowledge it.  And when it’s a campus/community station, you need to spend some time talking about it!     

STEVE CUTWAY is the longest-serving station manager at CFRC, having spent some time before that volunteering as a student at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario – which where the station is located.  And that’s where he and I met, some 50 years ago!  We don’t cover the entire century, but do talk about the ‘beginning’, the people and the experience.  

Check out Steve's online show at https://mushroomfm.com 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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Years ago, Vicki Keith woke up in the middle of the night and decided that marathon swimming was going to be her sport; she pulled down her copy of the Guinness Book of World Records and focused on some milestones she felt she could achieve.  In 1988, she became the first person to swim across all five of Canada’s Great Lakes in the space of 61 days.  She has 16 world records to her credit and has now dedicated her time to coaching swimming for youth with physical disabilities, and their able-bodied siblings. 

Here is our conversation with Vicki Keith.

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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Gord Hunter has been passionate about animals since he found that wounded garter snake as a kid.  He's always had pets and now he helps look after many, many more everyday as the Executive Director of the Kingston Humane Society.  He joins host, Dave Cunningham, to talk about that passion, and how the Humane Society is rebuilding after COVID.  
He is also passionate about writing and gets to demonstrate those skills with his blog on the Society's web page - stories about various animals he has come to know, and the Society itself.  And, oh yes, he has written about people as well, people who have no direct connection to the KHS - Doug Gilmour and Bruce Springsteen, for instance.
All of that in this episode of THE KINGSTONIAN PODCAST - Season 6!

For more information about volunteering & donations, send Gord an email:
[email protected] 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

Follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram,  & Threads 

Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm)