Gladys McCarthy is a scientist, a chocolatier, an entrepreneur, owner of “Glad’s Chocolates”, a barn dance host, and a drummer! I meet Gladys in her idyllic setting just outside of Kindersley, Saskatchewan. Gladys returned to the family farm where she lives a very fulfilling life.
Kindersley resident Eleanor Smith shares her stories of an inspiring teacher, her own career as an educator, stories of a tragic murder, and a mysterious rock. Eleanor is an historian, and a lover of words.
Deer and antelope play, telephones made from barbed wire fences and toy electric chairs that work! These are some of the stories you’ll hear from my two guests Bud Thomson (not Anderson! sorry Bud! Electric chair for the host?), and Bill Warrington as we wind our way through the farmlands of Alsask and Loverna, SK in a truck.
Over a dozen men from Kindersley and area join me for an hour of great fun as we reminisce about the good old days.
The Gravelbourg community players join me on stage at the Renaissance Gaiety theatre and share their personal stories of reinvention which led them to finding passion in the theatre. These folks are an inspiration for anyone who wishes to follow a dream.
Born of previous musical events in the area, this year launches the premier of the Radisson Music Festival. A vision fully realized by my second guest, Radisson town councillor and musician Gerald Wiebe. My first guest is a fresh new musician on the Saskatchewan music landscape. At 18 years old, Avery Fairbrother has caught the eye (and ears) of the towns of Borden, Radisson and beyond. He’s ambitious, smart, articulate and great with numbers!
When driving through the farm fields of Saskatchewan, I’ve always been curious as to why abandoned barns and shacks are left barely standing, ready to return to the soil. I find them oddly beautiful structures and each one is like looking at a house of cards ready to tumble. Why not knock them down and clear the area?
In an upcoming SaskScapes podcast I spent an afternoon driving around my guest, Bill Warrington on his family farm. I asked him this very question. The next thing I knew Bill was cutting across his own wheat field, me bumping along beside him in his white truck, and then we came to a stop.
There stood (or rather leaned) an old wooden house. Bill is so proud of his family history and in 2011 had a plaque erected to honour the Warrington family homestead built one hundred years earlier. This was the home in which Bill’s ancestors lived, 13 children raised in this small shack! We mused about the pressure of having to get along under cramped quarters.
And in that moment, I realized why many of these dishevelled monuments are left standing. Within their toppling walls there are family stories to be remembered. How many of these landmarks are left standing to preserve the past? It was also pointed out to me, that in many cases they provide shelter for wildlife. I’ll never look at them quite the same way again.
Myrna Dey is a Canadian author residing in Kamsack, SK. Her novel “Extensions” was voted “people’s choice” for the 2011 Scotia Bank Giller Prize. Myrna talks about the experiences that have influenced her writing – from growing up in a “bookish” household, to living in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Guyana, and more.
Esterhazy resident, Ralph May, proudly shows off one of Saskatchewan’s treasures which has received a National heritage designation – The Esterhazy flour mill. In the second part of this podcast, I’m joined by two other local residents, Jim and Ray, who share stories of growing up on a farm during some of the most difficult years of the depression, and the joy to be found in living the simple life.
Florie Gray is Esterhazy’s second oldest citizen as of 2014 and she joins me in her first podcast recording ever. Florie takes me on trip down memory lane, discusses how the world has changed since she was young, sings her favourite song for me, and experiences her first “selfie”!