Advertise on podcast: Elora Fergus Podcast

Summer in Elora and Fergus is about more than just the Gorge—it's about the hidden treasures right under our feet (and sometimes in the mud!). In this special roundtable episode, hosts Barbara Evoy and Ryan Joyce are joined by Gracie Klutz and Peter Mohr for a deep dive into making the most of the sunniest months in Centre Wellington. Whether you're looking to keep the kids engaged without the "school" label or seeking a quiet morning by the river, this episode is packed with low-cost, high-joy local inspiration. In this episode, we explore: Summer "Un-Schooling": How to foster curiosity and entrepreneurship through nature and local community programs. The Art of the Hunt: From photography "colour hunts" to the fascinating world of Mudlarking along our historic riverbanks. Local Landmarks: Why the Pierpoint trail and the "new roller coaster" on Highway 6 are on our radar. The Pool Dilemma: Peter Mohr shares the cold, hard (56°F!) truth about pool maintenance in Canada. Creative Vision: What kind of public art would the team create if there were no limits? (Think giant glass, tiny watercolours, and termite-proof pipers). Listen in for a reminder that the best summer memories don't have to cost a cent—they just require a little bit of curiosity.

As British Columbia officially pulls the plug on the twice-yearly clock change, we're asking: why is Ontario still stuck in the past? This week, Ryan joins us from Aruba (where they've already figured it out) to debate why we're still "springing forward" and "falling back" in Centre Wellington. We dig into the health impacts, the historical "farming" myths, and why your sleep schedule is still at the mercy of New York and Quebec. Plus, we talk tropical travel, the ultimate HBO binge-watch list, and a quick update on the future look of the show.

With a record-breaking amount of snow in Ontario, Centre Wellington is officially a winter wonderland—whether we like it or not ! This week, Ryan Joyce and Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy talk about keeping sane during the deep freeze and look ahead to an action-packed March . In this episode: The Big Snow: Barb explains why she's a "snow chaser" and how this is the most snow Fergus has seen in 15 years . Winter Binge-Watching: How we're staying warm indoors, from Barb's movie picks (Steele, The Trap, and The Rip) to Ryan's deep dive into The Gilded Age and Game of Thrones . The Groundhog Verdict: We break down the conflicting predictions from Wiarton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil—and why Ryan is feeling a bit pessimistic about an early spring . Community Leadership: Meet the new board presidents for the Fergus Scottish Festival (Christine Denbeck) and the Fergus Agricultural Society (Denise Cancadan) . March Break for the Kids: * Fergus Grand Theatre: A specialized theater program for ages 10+ . Elora Centre for the Arts: The "Wild Canada" March Break Camp (hurry, only 14 tickets left!) . Wellington County Museum: The "Nature Detectives" daily drop-in programs . Big Night Out: Grab your tickets for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Retro Prom on March 28th at the Arris Valley Golf and Country Club . Volunteer Alert: Our local festivals are looking for help! If you want to meet new people and give back, now is the time to get involved .

Love is in the air (along with a bit of "Love Boat" nostalgia) as Ryan Joyce and Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy celebrate Valentine's Day on the Elora Fergus Podcast . Whether you're celebrating a 76-year marriage or just trying to survive a first date, Valentine's Day is almost here! In this episode: Sweet Memories: We talk about the "worst candies on the planet"—those chalky conversation hearts—and the childhood thrill of handing out Care Bears cards in the classroom . The Cinnamon Heart Tradition: Barb shares a heartwarming memory of the plastic hearts her mother filled with tiny cinnamon treats every single year . Memorable Dating Disasters: * Barb recounts a date with a Porsche salesman that ended with both of them "feeling sick" only to run into each other at the bar an hour later . Ryan shares a "romantic" (and slightly startling) story involving a Spanish accent and a broken glass. Join the Fun: What is your most memorable date story? Tell us on Facebook or Instagram! Barb might even dig out some 30-year-old cinnamon hearts for the best story (don't worry, they never change form!) .

What if one of Elora's most famous natural landmarks almost disappeared forever—and was saved by an Italian explosives expert who refused to blow it up? In this episode, Pat Mestern returns to unveil the dramatic, little-known history behind the Tooth of Time. What You'll Learn The surprising tale of TWO "Teeth of Time"—one in Fergus and one in Elora (and what happened to each). Why the Elora Tooth of Time was nearly destroyed in 1903, and the unlikely hero who stepped in to save it. The dangerous, high-stakes repair job completed in just two weeks using ropes, aging trees, and daring crews. How First Nations peoples used the area as a traditional meeting place long before settlers arrived. The Tooth's ongoing legacy, from early repairs through major reinforcements in 1927 and 1980. Rare stories of people climbing and standing on the Tooth when water levels were low. Why this landmark remains one of the most photographed and beloved symbols of Elora today. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave your feedback at eloraferguspodcast.com. Your support helps us keep celebrating the stories that shape our community!

What if one of Fergus' most respected doctors also had one of its most shocking secrets? In this episode of the Elora Fergus Podcast, Ryan and Barb sit down with beloved local historian Pat Mestern, who brings to life the remarkable — and sometimes unbelievable — story of Dr. Abraham Groves, one of Canada's early medical pioneers and one of Fergus' most unforgettable characters. Join us as Pat shares rich memories, family stories, and firsthand historical details you won't hear anywhere else. Biggest Takeaways Who is Pat Mestern? How Fergus' most celebrated historian was destined for this work since childhood — and the mentor who set her on the path. What Fergus looked like decades ago - Pat paints a vivid picture of the town before restaurants, developments, and even paved roads. The extraordinary career of Dr. Groves - Including his role in one of the first appendectomies in North America, his innovations in hygiene, and his surprising approach to transportation. Fergus' own medical pioneer - His mill, his private hospital, and his early experiments with electricity. The controversial side of history - The truth about body snatching, autopsies at the poor house, and the local story many still whisper about. Personal stories from Pat's family - How her grandmother's friendship with Dr. Groves offers rare insight into his personality, compassion, and tragedies. Unexpected quirks - From a pet alligator to his unforgettable wagon — the details that make Dr. Groves larger than life. 👉 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts at eloraferguspodcast.com.

What does it look like to turn unimaginable loss into lasting impact? In this deeply moving episode of the Elora Fergus Podcast, Ryan and Barb sit down with Jessica Hill — mother, community advocate, and founder of Team Addy — to honour the life of her daughter Addison (Addie) and share the powerful journey that followed her diagnosis with a rare childhood cancer. This conversation is filled with love, grief, resilience, and hope — and it's one you won't soon forget. In this episode, you'll hear about:  • Addie's incredible spirit, compassion, and strength during her nine-month battle with angiosarcoma • How a missed diagnosis led Jessica to become a fierce advocate for biopsies and early detection • What sarcoma is — and why awareness and funding are still urgently needed • How Team Addy has raised over $800,000 in just three years to support childhood cancer research • The community events, concerts, and grassroots efforts powering real change • Why "no one fights alone" is more than a saying — it's a movement This episode is a tribute to a remarkable young person and a reminder of what's possible when love fuels action.   💛 Enjoying the show? Subscribe, share, and leave your feedback at eloraferguspodcast.com — your support helps us continue telling the stories that matter most in our community.

What if a nearly complete mammoth skeleton was discovered in Fergus… and then deliberately reburied — its location still unknown today? Local historian Pat Mestern joins Ryan and Barb for a jaw-dropping journey into one of the region's most mysterious and fascinating historical tales. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The unbelievable story of the mammoth (or mastodon!) skeleton discovered on the Allerdice farm Why the bones were secretly reburied — and why no one can find them today How a bottomless bog, vanishing deer, and an ancient gorge tie into the mystery Why crucial family journals and letters holding the story disappeared What Pat uncovered while researching James Webster, Thomas Young, and early Fergus history The strange connections between kettle lakes, shifting soil, and prehistoric creatures If you love local lore, historical puzzles, or tales that make you say "Wait… WHAT?" — this episode is for you.   Enjoying the show? Subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts at eloraferguspodcast.com — your feedback helps us uncover even more local stories!

Elora's 'Star-burst' lights & Fergus's Riverwalk are ready! Get all the holiday event dates, from Sip & Shops to the Santa Claus Parade! Hosts Ryan Joyce and Barb Eveleigh sit down with Melinda from the Fergus BIA and Maclean from the Elora BIA to wrap up the spooky season and jump straight into the magic of the holidays in Centre Wellington. Following the success of "Monster Month" in Elora and the "Witch Folk Pantry Market" in Fergus , the focus shifts to shopping, lights, and community cheer! In this episode, you'll learn about: Elora's Holiday Events: The Starlite Shopping event is spread over four nights—Thursday, November 20th, 21st, 27th, and 28th . The town will be lit up with new starburst lights that create the feeling of "walking under the stars". Fergus's Holiday Events: The season kicks off with the tree lighting on the Riverwalk, followed by the Late Night Sip and Shop on the first two Fridays in December (5th and 12th). The shops are open from 6 to 9 PM and feature carolers, the Beavertail food truck, horse and carriage rides, and Santa at the Red Door. Santa Claus Parade: The popular Lions Club Santa Claus Parade brings thousands of people to downtown Elora on November 29th. Community Spirit: Maclean and Melinda discuss their BIA's new collaborative goal to work together, embracing the spirit of "one township" and moving past the old Elora vs. Fergus rivalry . Local Businesses Spotlight: Melinda shares a word about her store, The One and Only, which features Canadian-made artisans and products , and Maclean reveals the origin of his restaurant's name, The Evelyn (named after his wife's grandmother and middle name). Don't miss two pop-up holiday segments of What the EF and more!

What really brought 15 years of Riverfest to an end? In this special episode, Ryan and Barb sit down with Spencer Shewan and Mayor Shawn Watters for an open, behind-the-scenes conversation about the sudden and emotional decision to close the chapter on one of Elora's most beloved events. In this episode, you'll learn: The real economic pressures—from rising costs to shifting public spending—made the festival unsustainable. How post-COVID audience habits have changed, and why mid-sized festivals everywhere are struggling. The surprising surge in volunteer support—and why even that wasn't enough to keep Riverfest afloat. The lasting legacy of unforgettable performances, community moments, and the people who built Riverfest from the ground up. What this means for other local festivals across Elora, Fergus, and the region. Heartfelt reflections from the founders and organizers on standout memories and the festival's evolution. 💬 Enjoyed this episode? Have thoughts to share? Subscribe and send us your feedback at eloraferguspodcast.com — we'd love to hear from you!

The stunning Elora Centre for the Arts has a new 3500 sq. ft. addition! Hear the surprising origin story, the 'ghost hunters' that visited, and the exciting grand reveal dates! Join Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy and Ryan Joyce as they chat with Lianne Carter, the Executive Director of the Elora Centre for the Arts, for an exclusive look at the massive progress on their expansion project . Lianne reveals that the project, which has been underway for years, surprisingly started with the simple, yet critical, need for accessible washrooms. This catalyst quickly steamrolled into a much bigger dream, fueled by grants and a partnership with architect Edward Thomas of SRM. In this episode, you'll discover: The initial challenge of carrying kids in wheelchairs up to the second-floor classroom . How the dream evolved to include a beautiful atrium, servery kitchen, and community use space, driven by the need to stop turning away inquiries. Details about the impressive 3500 square feet of new space, including the accessible washrooms, kitchen, and event areas. The history of the circa 1856 building—which used to be a school—and the upcoming Heritage Canada-funded display telling stories about its history, the river, and local figures like David Boyle and the Group of Seven . A fun What the F segment where Lianne confirms: Yes, the Elora Centre for the Arts is haunted!  Details on the current matching donation challenge (ending November 15th) to reach the funding finish line. The date for the first public opening in the renovated gallery space: November 16th, 2-4 p.m.. Don't miss this insightful conversation about community, history, and the future of the arts in Centre Wellington. Find out how you can contribute or visit the space at the Elora Centre for the Arts website.

Beyond the Poppy: Learn the proper protocol, what the Fergus Legion does year-round, and how its new Riverside Events Center serves Centre Wellington! Join hosts Ryan Joyce and Barb Evoy as they sit down with Randy Graham, President of the Fergus Legion Branch 275. With the Poppy Campaign (starting the last Friday in October) and Remembrance Day fast approaching, Randy highlights the Legion's central role in honouring our veterans. Learn the proper protocol for wearing the poppy: it should be worn on the left side over your heart and taken off at sundown on November 11th. In this episode, you'll hear about: Remembrance Services: Details on the Fergus Cenotaph parade (departing the Legion around 9:40 AM on the 11th) and the Belwood service held on the Sunday before Remembrance Day. New Initiatives: Discover the "Red Shirt Program" (which comes from the acronym Remember Everyone Deployed) on Fridays, and the "No Stone Left Alone" initiative, encouraging families to decorate a stone for a veteran's grave. The Riverside Events Center: Get the scoop on the Legion's space, now known as the Riverside Events Center, and its availability for community use—from celebrations of life to a future wrestling event . Joining the Legion: Randy explains how the Legion is changing to become a welcoming service club for everyone, noting it's the largest service club across Canada. The Fergus Legion is focused on remembrance, supporting veterans and their families, and the education of youth. Don't miss this important conversation about a pillar of the Centre Wellington community !

The costumes are packed away, but the community spirit is just warming up! This week, we're swapping spooky scares for steaming soup as we wrap up one of Centre Wellington's biggest-ever events and look ahead at a November packed with community connection, giving back, and great films. Join us as we share our personal, behind-the-scenes highlights from Monster Month and give you your essential guide to all the local happenings in Elora and Fergus this month. In this episode, you will discover: Our top three personal highlights from Monster Month, including the biggest surprises at the Monster Mash & March. The scoop on Sensational Soup Off & Empty Bowls, and how you can support the Centre Wellington Food Bank on November 2nd. The full schedule and essential details for the inaugural Elora Adventure Film Festival (November 6–9). Details on the upcoming Damn Good Comedy Show at the Fergus Legion. A respectful reminder of the Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11th and a note on how the Poppy Campaign is now going digital. A special shout-out to the Collaborative Women of Wellington County and how they're supporting local female entrepreneurs. And more!

Step right up for the final terrifying ride! We chat with Darryl Magierowski, the mastermind behind Salem Frights, about 11 years of scares, the terrifying new "Hell Ride" attraction, and why this might be their last season! Join Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy and Ryan Joyce as they welcome the creator of the legendary Salem Frights, Darryl Magierowski, to the podcast! Darryl pulls back the curtain on over a decade of dedication to frights and reveals the intense details of this year's haunted attraction—which might be the most intimate and terrifying experience yet! In this spine-tingling episode, you'll hear about: 11 Years of Frights: The origin story of Salem Frights, including Darryl's childhood passion for building haunts and how he continuously experiments to enhance the scares. The Village of Salem: Stories from past haunts, including the famous "nun hallway" jump scare and the immersive "Village of Salem" theme. Introducing "Hell Ride": The new 10-minute dark ride experience for 2025, inspired by a "crazy laughing clown" and Coney Island freak shows, designed for small groups of four to maximize the terror. The Future of Fear: Darryl shares why this year's expanded, eight-night run might be the last season for Salem Frights due to the massive six-month time commitment. Your Chance to Win! Listeners can enter a ticket giveaway for two pairs of passes to experience "Hell Ride" for themselves. Don't miss the inside scoop on the most terrifying attraction in Centre Wellington! Like and subscribe for your chance to win tickets!

The October 7th Centre Wellington Town Hall was a deeply passionate affair, highlighting the struggle between a "close-knit" community's concerns and the realities of immense tourism pressure. We go inside the packed Jefferson Elora community hall, where residents gathered to confront polarizing issues like rapid growth and infrastructure strain. Mayor Shawn Watters addressed significant resident frustration and the surge in tourism. The biggest news confirmed at the meeting? Reiterating the paid parking system for tourists to manage the impact of over 750,000 annual visitors. Plus, we discuss the Mayor's biggest surprise and his call for "respectful dialogue". Co-hosts Ryan Joyce and Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy (speaking independently of her Councillor role) break down how residents can best approach staff and council for education and understanding of the municipal process.