North Bay lost a dynamic part of its community fabric with the passing of Ralph Diegel this week. A veteran, businesses owner, Rotarian, Legionnaire, downtown icon and family man, Ralph was just three years shy of the Century Club. Read the tribute written by local historian Nestor Prisco HERE and check out the coverage at BayToday, the Nugget and a Small Town Times video interview recorded last year. And he had a great sense of humour: “Just remember, half the lies you hear are not true.”

 

Top Shelf

• Talking about mental health issues helps everyone
• There’s more to journalism than meets the eye

 

Today’s Double Take
on Allan Hirsh’s cartoon

 

Echo Essentials

Chat4Chad begins
life-saving conversations
people need to have

Wade Ringler and Mark Deacon shared an important truth in today’s 2NBWL podcast: Everyone is either dealing with their own difficulties in life or is connected to someone who is struggling … or a loved one who lost the will to continue.

“Everyone has their struggles, you know, from varying degrees and levels of severity. You know, it’s important to know that no one’s walking through life untouched,” Wade said, after describing how his big brother Chad took his own life last year. Mark talked about his son, who is hospitalized with psychiatric issues, and what that has taught him.

And podcast host, Lisa Boivin, shared her own feelings on the issues surrounding mental health, with her father’s severe bouts of depression laying a formative foundation. Her introduction to the conversation set the tone of the show, which helps promote the Chat4Chad Gala Fundraiser being held May 25.

“One of the main things that Wade Ringler and Mark Deacon talked about was the fact that we need to have more conversations about mental health. So stick with us because this was a much needed conversation, just the start, I hope, of many, many conversations to come,” she says. “if nothing is said, then nothing gets done.”

There’s more to
local journalism
than meets the eye

Local BayToday reporter Stu Campaigne joins Scott and Dave in today’s episode of the Echo Essentials Podcast to talk about recent articles he wrote about a movie studio that closed up soon after starting, laying off 44 employees, and a property near Powassan with a seniors residence that is being sold for unpaid municipal taxes.

Links to the articles are in the video description.

They discuss how local journalism holds the various levels of government, businesses and the people involved with them accountable so citizens know what is happening in their community. It is especially important, Stu says, when those businesses access provincial grants, loans or programs that help finance operations … including when they lease properties to public entities such as colleges.

Today’s Zen Suggestion: If you feel uncomfortable when someone shares their life story, that could mean you have something to share that’s been buried deep within your callous, cold heart. Just saying.

 

Sponsor

Thanks to our sponsor Services. Visit yourhomeservices.ca and mention “Echo Podcast” to get your first 3 months of your water heater rental free  *some restrictions may apply*

Echo Network

To North Bay With Love:

Wendy Clute-Smith, of Nipissing Wellness, talks to Lisa about ‘What to do if you don’t have a doctor’ and other aspects of the Ontario Health Team concept.

There are more than 50 episodes of the 2NBWL podcast to check out HERE.

Frontline:

NEW! Watch the Frontline’s latest podcast about the NOJHL playoffs on the Echo Network website page HERE.

The North Bay Mitsubishi After Action Report starts live immediately following the final whistle of each Battalion home game. Harrison Clements and Ben Long break down all the action and react to player and coaches comments fresh off the ice. Catch the discussion after Friday’s game against the Mississauga Steelheads. Until then, listen to the convo after the Barrie Colts game last night HERE.

Cogeco:

Catch the next North Bay Battalion game against the visiting Mississauga Steelheads Friday night at 7 p.m. Rotary At Home TV Bingo is on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Lions At Home TV Bingo on Sunday’s at 7 p.m.

Watch for new episodes of Music North Bay Style with host Mike Gelinas on YourTV. Here are some air dates for several guests:

Mike Foisy:
Mon, Mar 25, 2024 21:30:00
Wed, Mar 27, 2024 13:30:00
Sat, Mar 30, 2024 13:30:00

Brian McDowell:
Tue, Mar 26, 2024 13:30:00
Thu, Mar 28, 2024 13:30:00

Jason Lamoureux:
Wed, Mar 20, 2024 13:30:00
Wed, Mar 20, 2024 14:30:00

Backroads Bill:

Adam Shoalts joins the podcast to talk about his novel “Alone Against the North” and his journey that has culminated in him being one of the greatest explorers of Canada. Adam is a 4 time best selling author and has led many expeditions including for the Royal Canadian Geological Society.

Find out more about Adam here: https://adamshoalts.com/

Follow the Backroads Bill podcast in video form on the North Bay Echo YouTube channel, this website under the Echo network, Spreaker or Spotify.

Echo Essentials Podcast:

You’ll like this short clip from the interview with Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield where Dave asks the Budget Chief her position (before being elected and after) about the West Ferris arena.

Wingspan Entrepreneur:

Wingspan Entrepreneurs by Joel Arndt is all about financial issues and provides the inspiration and information to lift your business to the next stratosphere.

He was featured this week on RFP Presents, see the video podcast HERE.

There are seven episodes of the Wingspan podcast so far. Check out the audio-only show on our website network page or follow on Spotify. If you have an established podcast and want to capitalize on extra eyeballs and episode promotion through the Echo network, email [email protected] to start the process.

Cheap Seats:

Rated as “Explicit”, the 37th episode of Cheap Seats is entitled: Whoopsie Doodles, Sidewalk Anxiety, & Have You Heard The ECHO?

Cheap Seats is an eclectic conversation between best friends, Drew and Nick, who love talking about movies and whatever else comes to mind.

Small Town Times:

This doesn’t happen often … Dave Dale will be at the Northgate Shopping Centre on Saturday afternoon reading his latest poem ‘I won’t remember her’ at about 2:30 p.m. It’s  part of the Conspiracy of 3’s literary presentation in the On The Edge Fringe Theatre Workshops and Arts Market. See the poster at the bottom of this newsletter.

 

3-Day Events Echo

Wednesday, March 20

• Take the Lead, Equine Assisted Learning, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 394 Highway 654, Callander. For more info, contact Paige Lockton at [email protected]
• NU360 Speaker Night, learn about exciting research, at the NUSU Student Centre, 6 to 8 p.m., RSVP HERE
• North Bay Battalion hosts the Barrie Colts at 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 21

• OutLoud North Bay presents Recipes for Kids – Cooking for Kids 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Super Fun Time Trivia at Moose’s Cookhouse 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Snowed In Comedy Tour at the Capitol Centre at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 22

• North Bay is hosting a FIRST Robotics competition with 32 teams from across the province confirmed to attend the March 22 to March 24 public event at Nipissing University in the R.J. Surtees Student Athletic Centre
• The Capitol Centre presents Irish Mythen at 7:30 p.m.
• North Bay Museum opening reception for Service Clubs exhibits 1:30 p.m.
• North Bay Battalion host the Mississauga Steelheads at 7 p.m.
• Gateway City Brewery presents Gary Davison and his daughter Leah as a special guest at 7 to 10 p.m.
• Lou Dawg’s presents the J. Houston Band at 8 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, March 23

• Lou Dawg’s presents Jesse Thomas at 8 p.m.
• WKP Kennedy Gallery presents Life Drawing Sessions 1 to 3 p.m. $10 and bring your own supplies
• North Bay Farmers’ Market at 222 McIntyre (The Kennedy Building) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• The North Bay Public Library presents Digital Creator North Bay for a stop motion workshop 1 to 3 p.m. It’s free for ages 11 to 17.

 

(For more events further out on the calendar, check Tourism North Bay’s comprehensive events listing guide. On Facebook, check out Creative Industries North Bay or check out their December newsletter HERE.)

First-time reader? Sign up for this free newsletter HERE. We publish Tuesday and Thursday.

If you have something to add to the discussion or an idea for one of Echo’s podcasters or affiliates, email Content Director Dave Dale at [email protected].

SUBSCRIBE NOW

…..

The North Bay Sports Hall of Fame’s 43rd Annual Induction and Awards Dinners are being held Saturday, April 27 and Saturday, May 11, both at the Davedi Club.

Inductees for April 27 are: Chris Bonany, Ken Cox, Len Gushe, Steve McLaren, and Isabelle Sauve. Inductees for May 11 are: Dominique Bouchard, Ann-Renée Guillemette, Sue Knight, Gary Kraft, John Loyst, and Brian Murray.

See the BayToday story for the list of award winners. Tickets are available from Larry Tougas at 705-303-8104 or any Hall of Fame Board Member. Tickets are also available at the Davedi Club by calling 705-474-4190.