Elora Fergus Podcast

This episode we're talking with the Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador, Dillon Bernier about this years' Fair postponement, the local impacts, and how we can stay connected with the Fall Fair and Fergus Agricultural Society.  Listen Here. https://bit.ly/33Ee5Kv 

What does back to school look like in Centre Wellington during COVID?  What are the new procedures and steps our school boards and schools are taking? With huge thanks to Barbara Evoy and Cogeco, we share this interview with Upper Grand District School Board Superintendents Gary Slater and Carlo Zen.  Show Links: https://bit.ly/2RfapsN

Today is a big episode! Three guests from the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games join us and give their unique perspectives and feedback from this year's Wee Digital Ceilidh!   Show Links: https://bit.ly/2DNNr8O   We start the conversation with Elizabeth Bender, the Fergus Scottish Festival Coordinator who shares the online response, feedback from the community and the local events. We discuss Elizabeth's personal favourite moments, a few special emails, and what it all means for the future of the Fergus Scottish Festival.   Finally, we are joined with Festival Vice President, Stephen Cole. Stephen's design work can be seen all around town and with the Festival's brand. He's behind the new Fergus logo, the Fergus Scottish Festival's brand and familiar signs all around Centre Wellington. Stephen discusses how the Festival is changing, the importance of volunteering and how you can get involved.

Today I'm chatting with the Fergus Scottish Festival Coordinator, Elizabeth Bender about the upcoming digital Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games.  (Show links: https://bit.ly/2Xx0YIB  )  This year would have marked 75 years of tradition in Centre Wellington, but Elizabeth calls this year “74.5”  :) On this episode, we chat about the recent tough decisions, what it means for the future of the Festival, plus we get insight for what to expect at this year's digital celebration, the Wee Digital Ceilidh (pronounced “Kay-lee”) If you ask Google “What's a Scottish Ceilidh?” you discover it's a traditional social gathering. I asked twice and was told, “...simply means a social visit.”  The Festival Scottish Festival and Highland Games present this year's Wee Digital Ceilidh to their faithful patrons, guests, and over four hundred volunteers who contribute their hard work and time year-after-year.   The result of their efforts has given our community an amazing gift that brings over 24,000 people to Centre Wellington in a single weekend. This year they hope to do the same-- albeit virtually.   Trusted traditions modernized.  

Today on the Elora Fergus Podcast we're talking with Fergus Bagpiper Extraordinaire, Peter Hummel aka Peter Piper.  In this episode, we chat about Peter's music interests before the bagpipes, his introduction to the pipes and his Greek family upbringing.  https://bit.ly/32GzqE5  Since the start of this pandemic, Peter has stepped outside and played his pipes in tribute to healthcare and front-line workers.  We talked about where the inspiration came from and one of the biggest surprises that have come from his daily tributes.   Peter shares his journey from growing up outside Niagara Falls, Ontario to living and working in Fergus with his family for over twenty years.  He also shares his meaningful Scottish discovery. We talk about postponing the 75th Annual Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games and we both share a little insight and behind the scenes sneak-peak into the upcoming Wee Digital Ceilidh. Peter also shares a few of the passion projects and where he volunteers his services, plus two great behind the scenes Riverfest stories.   I think you're really going to love this episode! 

Today on the Elora Fergus Podcast we're chatting with the one and only, Barbara Evoy!  She is the host of her own TV program on Cogeco and radio show on the Grand 101.1.  She is also of not one, but two books and she's involved in all corners of our community. https://bit.ly/390yH1v  Barbara is a self-proclaimed performer at heart.  She's ambitious and hardworking.  She is also the victim of abuse and Barbara uses her experiences to help inspire others.   As a kid, Barbara moved around to various Canadian cities before eventually settling into The Township of Centre Wellington where she has become a leader, communicator and performer. Oh, and “Citizen of the  Year”  too :) I think you're really going to enjoy this episode with Barbara Evoy

Today on the Elora Fergus Podcast, I'm talking with Mary Lloyd! She is a Wellington County Councillor and local business owner.   Mary Lloyd is the owner of Sensational You located downtown Fergus and Wellington County Councillor for Ward Five. She is a well-known leader who has dedicated a lifetime to the betterment of our community.   So, where does her spark come from? Mary suspects it might be a trait passed onto her from her a father and mother. Listen now to hear why!   I really enjoyed this chat with Mary Lloyd and I know you will too! Show Links: https://bit.ly/2O3fkLK   

Today on the Elora Fergus Podcast, we're talking with Jackie Ranahan and if you're interested in Groves Community Hospital, impacts of the new hospital, operating a local business, female entrepreneurship or strong community leadership, I think you're really going to enjoy this episode.   If you are a local business owner, Jackie has some great thoughts and advice that's to Centre Wellington.   She is the owner of Mach One Communications, a design and branding firm and also runs Centre Wellington Ball Hockey and Royal City Ball Hockey with her husband.   Jackie is a mover and shaker in Centre Wellington.  Over the years she has served the community in multiple ways and various roles including Past-President of the Rotary Club and Past-Chair Groves Foundation. She has also recently started a new venture into coaching, personal development and helping others find their next steps.   I put Jackie on the spot and asked her to share three local businesses that are inspiring her and asked her to share some of the biggest challenges she's faced as a female entrepreneur.  Jackie shares some of the struggles starting her first business and advice for other women.   And with the big day approaching, the hospital is on a lot of our minds.  Jackie is the Board Chair for the Groves Memorial Community Hospital so we start this episode to clarify the three different organizations, major milestones over the past ten years, and the economic opportunities that our fancy new hospital is already providing.   This is a great chat, let's get started! Here's Jackie Ranahan, a local business owner and an inspiring leader in our community. Show Notes https://JackieRanahan.com Jackie Ranahan Instagram Mach One Communications Centre Wellington Ball Hockey Download 6 (FREE) Virtual Elora & Fergus Backgrounds

In this episode, host Ryan Joyce chats with Lori Arsenault, Groves Hospital Foundation Executive Director. They discuss exceeding $20 million dollar goal, how that money is spent, Aug 9 hospital opening, local impacts and more.   Subscribe to the Elora Fergus Podcast and listen now!

On this episode, host Ryan Joyce talks with Patti Boutin owner of the Elora Mercantile. We discuss here families origins from a tiny Quebec village famous for whales and how she ended up in Elora, plus reopening and the feedback, changes to the store, Jennifer Lopez trivia, and so much more. http://EloraFergusPodcast.com

Host Ryan Joyce chats with Peter Mohr, owner of multiple local area businesses including Shoetopia and SaniMist.  He is also the owner of Entrepreneur Counsel which provides business and development coaching for entrepreneurs and he's a member of the Centre Wellington Economic Development Task Force.  They discuss reopening and feedback from customers, changes for local businesses, new cleaning procedures, and will all these change last?  

In this episode, host Ryan Joyce talks with Deb Dalziel, Tourism & Destination Coordinator for the Township of Centre Wellington. They talk about Elora & Fergus re-opening during the pandemic, movies and TV shows filmed in Centre Wellington, two big wins at Festivals & Events Ontario, and so much more! http://EloraFergusPodcast.com

In this episode, host Ryan Joyce chats with Director of Hospitality, Sales & Marketing at Grand River Raceway, Katie Giddy. They discuss the local COVID-19 impacts to Elora and Fergus, how Grand River Raceway and Grand River Agricultural Society have been supporting Centre Wellington businesses, plus Katie shares insight into the new six million dollar entertainment facility and more. Listen here!

In this episode, Ryan Joyce chats with Janet Etherington, owner of The Cellar Pub & Grill in Elora. Janet discusses the community support during COVID-19, expected changes, missing swans and kitchen stay home activities for parents.

Welcome to the Elora Fergus Podcast with your host Ryan Joyce.  Learn about the podcast, what you can expect and just little about your host.  Listen Now  Visit the Elora Fergus Podcast http://eloraferguspodcast.com Learn more about Ryan Joyce https://ryanjoyce.com  

In this episode, Elora Fergus Podcast host Ryan Joyce chats with the award-winning columnist, Kelly Waterhouse. Her weekly column "Write Out Of Her Mind" for the Wellington Advertiser is an honest look into her life here in Centre Wellington.   We chat about a range of topics from what her family is looking forward to most after COVID-19, what they are doing during the pandemic and her process for writing. All this and more on this episode of the Elora Fergus Podcast.   On this episode with Kelly Waterhouse from Wellington Advertiser   Kelly shares what her family is doing during this COVID-19 pandemic and what they are most looking forward to doing after its over. How Kelly reliefs stress and why she has a lacrosse net in her backyard (note: no one in her family plays lacrosse) Kelly shares some of the pandemic impacts at the Wellington Advertiser She shares her process for writing a weekly column Advice for writers and more!

In this episode, Elora Fergus Podcast host Ryan Joyce chats with the owner of the Fergus FreshCo, Patrick Anderson. We chat about the toilet paper shortage, possible changes to the grocery industry, has shopping habits returned and much more. Listen Now!   On this episode with Patrick Anderson from Fergus Frescho   Patrick talks about the local toilet paper shortage Has shopping habits returned in Centre Wellington? What impacts might we see on the store and it's layout Will Fergus Frescho return to 24 hours? The things you need to know about purchasing alcohol What Patrick is most looking forward to after COVID impacts Has Patrick worn a kilt, eaten haggis or played the bagpipe?

In this episode, Elora Fergus Podcast host Ryan Joyce chats with the owner of the Brew House on the Grand, Denis Craddock. We chat about how the Brew House might change because of the pandemic, he shares what the response has been like from the Elora & Fergus community, and more. Listen Now   On this episode with Denis Craddock from Brew House on the Grand   Have their been any food availability issues? Who does the signs at the Brew House? Denis' drink of choice to mix and to drink Brew House is famous for trivia, how does Denis with three local trivia questions? Has Denis eaten haggis? How they are explaining COVID pandemic with their two-year-old son and more!

In this episode, Elora Fergus Podcast host Ryan Joyce chats with the owner of Centre Wellington Remedy RX, Rachel Luther.   Rachel shares two items everyone should have in their medicine cabinet, one thing Rachel would remove from medicine cabinets across Centre Wellington AND which doctor has the worst handwriting she's ever experienced!   On this episode with Rachel Luther from Centre Wellington Remedy's Rx   One item Rachel would remove from every medicine cabinet in Elora-Fergus The oddest home remedy Rachel's ever heard that actually might work What isolated village without road access was Rachel born and raised What doctor's handwriting who was so bad, Rachel had to call her-out The two questions Centre Wellington residents are asking during this COVID-19 outbreak Two things Rachel would add to every Centre Wellington resident's medicine cabinet What activities is she doing with her kids? Tip for parents who are homeschooling for the first time And more...

In this episode, Elora Fergus Podcast host Ryan Joyce chats with Fergus Lions Club President, Margaret Murray. They talk about 2020 Fergus Home Show cancellation and impacts, what Fergus Lions Club is doing virtually, plus local Scottish culture vs Scotland, haggis and more. Listen here:   On this episode with Margaret Murray, President of the Fergus Lions Club   "Totally challenging times" and the virtual future of Fergus Lions Club The moments leading up to the cancellation of the 43rd Annual Fergus Lions Club Home Show Has the Fergus Home Show been cancelled before? What Fergus Lions is doing virtually in the community PLUS: The terms Margaret negotiated with herself upon emigrating to Canada What do her Scottish friends and family think of Centre Wellington? Projects she's working on during #StayHome Margaret's worst Scottish swear word The must-have secret sauce for Haggis and more!