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The Great Lakes Odyssey Radio Hour is broadcast on NPR (National Public Radio)

s3.e3. GREAT LAKES ODYSSEY Radio Hour – A Tasty Stew of Culture

The Great Lakes Basin is the bowl in which a tasty stew is served – a savory dish of mixed origins, each ingredient flavored and enriched by those around them, wonderfully paired with beer and good company.

Mike Williams, Brand Coordinator of Great Lakes Brewing Company, Ohio’s original craft brewery, tells the story of Cleveland’s cultural diversity through the role of beer.
Jon Magnuson of The Cedar Tree Institute explains how it is providing services and initiating projects in the areas of mental health, interfaith collaboration, and the environment.
Taras Manzie and Rob Dokuchie, owners of Lake of the Woods Brewing Company, with operations in Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota, where place is paramount to its awesome folks.

Featured music: Kingston Trio
Music beds: Pierre Schreyer & Ian Clark. Rusty McCarthy.
Theme music: Ray Bonneville. Rusty McCarthy.
Painting: Field Hands by Graham Thomas

s3.e2. GREAT LAKES ODYSSEY Radio Hour Music Credits

Title – Big Five Water (GLO Theme)
Artist / Composer – Ray Bonneville

Title – Sneaky Train
Album – Behind The Times
Artist / Composer – Redwood Central

Title – Took A Train
Album – Fork In The Road
Artist / Composer – Andy Chillman & The Chillmen

Title – St. Mary’s River Fantasy (GLO Theme)
Album – Nocturnes
Artist / Composer – Rusty McCarthy

Title – Road To Freedom
Album – The Kingston Trio #16
Artist – Kingston Trio
Composer – John Stewart

Title – Leaving Lerwick
Album – Heat Of The Moment
Artist – Pierre Schryer & Ian Clark
Composer – Willie Hunter

Title – Cape Clear
Album – Heat Of The Moment
Artist – Pierre Schryer & Ian Clark
Composer – Traditional

Title – Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Artist – Fisk Jubilee Singers
Composer – Traditional

Title – My Train
Album – Brothers In This World
Artist / Composer – Blackburn Brothers

Title – Freedom Train
Album – SoulFunkn’BLUES
Artist / Composer – Blackburn Brothers

Title – Talk To Me
Album – Brotherhood
Artist / Composer – Blackburn Brothers

Title – Thank You Mother
Artist/ Composer – Eugene Smith

Title – Bobby’s Blues
Album – SoulFunkn’BLUES
Artist/Composer – Blackburn Brothers

Title – Hey Hey
Album – Brothers In This World
Artist/Composer – Blackburn Brothers

Title – Old Jim Comfort
Album – Skin & Bones
Artist / Composer – Whiskey Jack

Title – Southbound Passenger Train
Album – Skin & Bones
Artist / Composer – Whiskey Jack

Title – Big John McNeil
Album – Skin & Bones
Artist / Composer – Whiskey Jack

Title – Fiddle Medley
Album – Stories and Songs of Stompin’ Tom
Artist / Composer – Whiskey Jack

Title – Cryin’ Holy
Album – Skin & Bones
Artist / Composer – Whiskey Jack

Title – Farm Song
Album – Skin & Bones
Artist / Composer – Whiskey Jack

Visit: raybonneville.com

Visit: rustyandmaja.com

Visit: alwoodblues.com

Visit: fhwgs.org

Visit: blackburnbrothersmusic.com

Visit: whiskeyjackmusic.com

Visit: brucekempphotography.net

This program produced by GLOW Radio Partners in venture with The Borderline Events Co.

Inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Great Lakes Odyssey is a multi-national effort to strengthen and explore our relationship with the natural wonders known as the Great Lakes.

In this part of the project, we have created a multi-part audio series looking at the way the Great Lakes shape our lives, our livelihoods, our health and our culture.

50 years ago, folks in the media and elsewhere were ready to declare the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie “dead.”

The thought so appalled citizens in Canada and the United States, they forced their national governments to act.

Because, of course, the Great Lakes shape the life of both Canada and the United States. And, of course, the Great Lakes are a single system stretching from Duluth to Ottawa and down the St. Lawrence seaway. What happens to any of the Lakes will soon happen to the others.

So, the politicians of 50 years ago negotiated the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, “for the purpose of restoring, protecting and enhancing the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes basin.”

50 years later, we can see the agreement worked. We see more fish, cleaner water, and less pollution. Unlike the early settlers and colonials, who mostly saw the Lakes as a resource to tap, we now recognize, like the First Nations, the Lakes are part of our identity. They shape our relationships, our songs and celebrations of place, the way we eat, how we play, and what we make, or sell, or harvest.

50 years since the wake-up call of a burning river, Great Lakes Odyssey wants to learn how we live and love, hurt and restore the incredible gift which is the Great Lakes.

We will explore Great Lakes art and artistic expression, and meet the artists, writers, musicians who make it. We will also dip into Great Lakes history and lore – and learn from the people who have been here the longest and know it the best: The People of the Three Fires, the Anishinaabek.

On our Odyssey around the Great Lakes, we will also hear from people working to prevent poisonous algal blooms or stop the spread of invasive species. We will meet visionaries undoing decades of development that hardened shorelines, emptied marshes and wetlands, and destroyed critical spawning grounds. We will talk to people working to ensure all beings have access to pure drinking water.

Because none of us can live without pure drinking water.

In this wondrous place we call the Great Lakes, we know we are blessed by these Sweet Water Seas. We claim them as our H.O.M.E.S. as the emotionally accurate mnemonic says. They are Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior, and they are our HOMES.

As long as humans have lived in, and of and through the Lakes, people have told stories about them, sung about them, and gloried in this great gift of the long departed Ice Age. Left by glaciers thousands of years ago, they are the World’s storehouse of fresh water. If they are drained… or ruined… or damaged, they can never be replaced.

So, as we travel around the Great Lakes basin, we want to see how we are doing – what we are doing – how we’re feeling and what we’re learning as we try to live as lovers and restorers – and children and family – of the being whom the Anishinaabek call Nayaano-nibiimaang Gichigamiin, the five freshwater seas.

We hope to galvanize, inspire, and motivate you to strengthen, support and steward the Great Lakes to a beautiful and healthy future.

So please join us on this magical, dare we say “magical mystery tour” of the Great Lakes basin and Great Lakes culture.

Date:30 November 2025 .

GS Entertainment & Design is proud to announce our Toystock “Rock the Cause”
event is back! 10 bands in 10 hours on Sunday November 30th starting at 12pm
and going until 10pm at The Grand Gardens located at 1324 Great Northern Road.
We will be showcasing some of Sault Ste. Marie’s most talented musicians young
and old playing an array of music! This year’s performers include: The Associates,
The Reeves, Sunday & the Broken Hearts, Mike Haggith, Elly McWatters, Separate
Wayz, HeadFirst, Jupiter Marvelous, Out & Out Country and Bone Yard 225.
Admission into Toystock is by donation of new or gently used toys, puzzles, games,
books, gift cards, new mitts, scarves, hats, grooming items, non-perishable food
items, or a monetary donation. All of the proceeds from the event will be donated to
our local Christmas Cheer campaign to help kids and families who are less fortunate
at Christmas.
This is a family event so please bring the children! Santa Claus as well as some
other special guests will be there and will be available for photos. We will have
volunteers doing temporary tattoos, face painting, a children’s arts and crafts area
and much more.
Sault Transit Stuff A Bus will be on site for the day! Every year, near the end of the
day, you, the crowd help us stuff the bus full of your donations that we collected
throughout the event!
This year Toystock turns 12! Throughout the years we have donated tonnes of toys,
food and money to our local Christmas Cheer campaign and in doing so, have made
many families extremely happy. With your donations and support we want to make
this the biggest and best Toystock to date! Join us and show your support for this
much needed cause! Knowing you are putting smiles on families faces in our
community at Christmas will be one of the best gifts you will receive!

Date:27 November 2025 .

Welcome to the Jade Yurich experience!

Hello! Film was my first love. I studied at Brock University, where I developed a strong foundation in film theory and cultural analysis. Over the past decade, I’ve built a multifaceted career as a Producer, working across development, production, and post-production.

Comedy is my second love, and for the last five years I’ve been deeply committed to refining my voice and craft as a storyteller. My work spans television series, feature films, web-series, music videos, commercials, and a growing slate of online content—each project driven by my passion for creating stories that resonate, entertain, and connect.

Date:26 November 2025 .

(All recordings and compositions played on this podcast performed by Lois Veenhoven Guderian)

Apostle Paul writes: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” (1 Corinthians 12: 4-7). Within the congregation, there are diverse groups with diverse needs. New Apostolic Church offers care for all souls through Programs. Our ministers proclaim and advocate the gospel of Christ to each diverse group. Through listening, sympathizing with personal concerns and praying, our ministers provide soul care. One feels loved because someone cares. This is comforting and brings about peace and courage to carry on. Soul care is also about sharing faith and knowledge to help each person grow in faith.

Wanda Dinter, music leader of The New Apostolic Church in Sault Ste. Marie, works to make music a central part of the spiritual experience with its congregation. To that end, Wanda connected with Lois Veenhoven Guderian, based in Lake Zurich, Illinois, near Chicago, to have Lois visit the local church to educate the leaders of the group as to how best present and teach the music.

Lois has spent a lifetime devoted to children and youth in schools and teacher education. Her efforts in research, publication, and education have resulted in new models of arts education, teacher preparation, and international programs. In recent years, she has developed a unique and effective learning community approach to educator preparation that has received national attention and interest. Under Lois’ effective model of experiential learning in music education, school educators, children and youth in schools, professors of education, and pre-service higher education students work together at a school site as a community of learners.

“Nurturing the musical and creative potential of my fellow humankind continues to be the focus of my life work. I am thankful for a life so rich in human interaction under the framework of music education.”

Running time: 30 minutes.

Date:26 November 2025 .

S3.E10: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES

Found around the world in the most obscure corners, they may be lands with higher vibrations. They may also be ancient locations where phantoms lurk to tell their tales. Maria, with Fidgal, invite Maria Schmidt, Chief Experience Organizer and Tour Curator of Mysterious Adventures Tours, to guide us through travel experiences of a supernatural dimension. Are we ready to explore?

Visit: mysteriousadventurestours.com/home/

Visit: facebook.com/MysteriousAdventuresTours

THE NEW NORMAL PODCAST – Maria Iuliano with Fidgal

Maria guides a successful business called Fidgal, named after Maria’s guardian angel. They met when Maria was 5 years old.

Maria is a Peace Therapist, graduated with Honours in Peace and Conflict Studies from Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology. With this knowledge, along with her expertise in the afterlife and her ability to see auras, Maria helps others find and create peace in their lives.

Visit: fidgal.com

“I am free to tour around the world.”

Date:25 November 2025 .

S3.E9: ARLENTA

Each of us have angels always at work for our well being. Connecting with them is up to us, it’s a choice we have to make. Arlenta is the runner angel that guides Maria’s spirit beings, organizing and coordinating and making plans come to fruition. Arlenta is about getting results for Maria. With Fidgal, Maria’s guardian angel, Arlenta are on a mission for Maria’s best interests. Arlenta lets us in on a relationship we can all develop if we put our trust in our angels. Are there questions for Arlenta?

THE NEW NORMAL PODCAST – Maria Iuliano with Fidgal

Maria guides a successful business called Fidgal, named after Maria’s guardian angel. They met when Maria was 5 years old.

Maria is a Peace Therapist, graduated with Honours in Peace and Conflict Studies from Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology. With this knowledge, along with her expertise in the afterlife and her ability to see auras, Maria helps others find and create peace in their lives.

Visit: fidgal.com

“I hear my valley of angels and I listen to them.”

Date:18 November 2025 .

Shelly Nelson Bond has long been a writer as part of her academic career as a Professor in the Child and Youth Care Program at Sault College. And now she is a published author (Tagona Press) of her first children’s book, Daisy’s Journey, a compilation of three short stories that explore some of the mental health issues children and youth face that are now so prevalent in contemporary society. The illustrations that populate the book were first sketched by Shelly and with the help of her friend, painter and musician, Raymond Gassi, enhanced and then animated through the work of the Tagona Press graphics team.

Shelly has also written Grandparents’ Day, a journaling book, and is currently working on a non-fiction book, Beyond The Behaviour: Living With OCD.

Shelly studied Psychology at Algoma University, graduated 2010, and gained her Masters in Adult Education. Shelly calls Sault Ste. Marie her home but is originally from Hilton Beach on the shores of north Lake Superior.

Date:18 November 2025 .

The Speak Easy Podcast evokes the spirit of fearless conversation and honest debate. Like the hidden bars of the Prohibition era, this podcast creates a space for unfiltered political discourse – where ideas flow freely, perspectives clash respectfully, and nothing is off the table. With co-hosts Robert Peace and Josh Vierimaa offering both seasoned insight and fresh perspective, The Speak Easy invites listeners into a conversation that is as bold as it is accessible.

Episode 10 11/25 – “Canada Strong” Budget 2025

Robert and Josh break down the 2025 “Canada Strong” federal budget, outlining the major highlights while locking horns over what qualifies as wise investments versus outright foolish spending.  No floor crossings – just a fast, funny look at how this budget will shape Canada’s next year.

Robert Peace is a longtime political strategist, media producer, and community advocate based in Sault Ste. Marie. With decades of experience advising leaders, running campaigns, and building grassroots initiatives, he brings sharp insights and a deep understanding of politics at every level.

Josh Vierimaa is an 18-year-old political consultant and rising voice in Canadian conservatism. As a strategist for both provincial and federal Conservative campaigns in Sault Ste. Marie, founder of the Conservative Youth at Algoma University and President of the Students’ Union, Josh brings sharp political instincts, a deep love of history, and a fresh generational perspective to The Speak Easy podcast.

Date:15 November 2025 .

(Editor’s Note: This conversation happened in May 2024. Raymond passed away in October 2025.)

Raymond Gassi has spent a life expressing his ideas by creating music with voice and guitars, and painting with the brush on canvas. The visual artist has taken up more of Raymond’s energy in his latter years, for a myriad of reasons, but music always remains dear to his soul.

Raymond paints subjects in a variety of styles, always challenging himself to discover what lies in his creative being. The painter finds parallels to singing and songwriting, areas that inform the process and that find expression in the brush strokes. The results are part of his journey that seeks a spiritual higher ground.

 “Ideas shape our lives. As a story teller, they are the seeds from which it all begins. As words give shape to breath, art gives shape to ideas.”

Date:15 November 2025 .

In Johnny Barban’s own words:

“Out With The Old” is my first EP album, in-fact my first ever professional recording, and I decided to call it “Out With The Old”. It is a compilation of some of my favourite originals I have written over the last 20 years and each song has a significant story and meaning. I wanted to just get these songs out there, and share what I can with those who want to hear. So here you go, I hope you enjoy!

Musicians on the album are all friends and people I have played with. Awesome people and talented musicians. Special thanks to Dustin Jones who helped me out big time with the direction that I took these songs, super talented guy with a great ear for music and just an all-around awesome dude! Made this recording thing a blast!

Marshall Jaaskelainen – bass, mandolin
Greg Simpson – drums
Byron Jaaskelainen – fiddle, vocals
Jason Gasparetto – vocals
Angela Duncan – vocals

I grew up in a small town called Sault Ste Marie in Northern ON. I have always had a love for music, my first instrument was a ukulele. In my earlier memories of childhood, I remember my parents’ friend who was boarding with us, and he was a great guitar player. He and my dad would always play and sing for me. My grandfather was a great musician and played in the Big Bands when he was younger. I used to love listening to his stories and even more listening to him play his saxophone.

In elementary school, once I was big enough to push down the strings, I picked up my dad’s guitar and started playing and singing along. I remember Dad had a Gordon Lightfoot chord book and I picked it up and learned every song in it. As a kid who loved music, I was always singing and making up my own songs. I started taking piano lessons at a young age, which really helped me learn the theory behind music.

Once I got to high school I really enjoyed music classes, my guitar teacher was great and developed in us an interest in the good classic tunes; stuff by guys like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Beatles, Clapton, and Stevie Ray. I started writing my own songs and performing them for family and friends. My interest in music continued to grow and develop over time.

I started jamming with guys on a fairly regular basis in high school and in college, and played with many talented musicians over the years, all the while writing more and more of my own songs along the way. I have also been involved for many years playing music and leading a team at the church I grew up in, at different coffee houses, and of course numerous campfires and parties. I love playing and always bring a guitar with me everywhere I go.

Bringing us up to the present; I have been playing with the same group (mostly) for quite a few years now, sometimes ‘Ange’ then ‘Johnny and the Revelators.’ My wife asked me what I wanted to do as a new year’s resolution this year and my answer was “the same as usual, exercise more, eat healthier” and her reply was “ no, something for you!” I thought of my music right away. I have had many of my music friends who have recently recorded and I figured why shouldn’t I? I decided I was going to record my own EP album. I am a husband, a father of two awesome beautiful girls and a small business owner – so my time was limited. It has been a journey… but we are here!

Website: www.johnnybarban.com
Instagram: @johnny.barban

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

Date:13 November 2025 .