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There are a lot of interesting videos about North Bay floating around the web. One thing for sure, nobody pronounces Duchesnay Falls as we do.

Here’s one by The Average Tourist that lists 10 things to do here. The account has 22,000 subscribers and the Gateway City episode has been viewed more than 6,000 times during the past four months. And check out this one by Leonard Shea who documented 10 reasons people love North Bay. He has 19,000 subscribers and its been viewed 22,000 times over two years. Of course, the City of North Bay has a growing collection as well. This one explains the upside of paperless billing.

Joking aside, we’re interested in viewing any kind of video about North Bay you’ve seen on YouTube or Vimeo, whether it’s historic or modern. Do you know someone who produced a cool video? It would be interesting to put a library of them together. Email links to [email protected]

(In the newsletter email, click on the Echo Essentials logo for the updated website version, past editions and subscription form.)

Top Shelf

• How do you rate council’s first year?
• Journalistic minefields have to be crossed

Today’s Foresight

The North Bay Choral Society presents Night of Wonder, A Holiday Concert at St. Andrews Church next weekend, at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10. In this photo, they are singing in Diegel Park at the downtown Christmas Tree in 2021.

Echo Essentials

How do you rate
council’s first year?

Johanne Brousseau has attended every city council meeting since losing last year’s North Bay mayoral race by a five percent margin to Peter Chirico, who garnered 724 more votes than her 6,855. She’s undecided about running again for either mayor or councillor, but she’s been keeping notes and has some advice for council members as they head into another set of budget deliberations and their second year in office.

Brousseau, who had served as chairperson of council’s community services committee 2018 to 2022, was interviewed this week by Small Town Times about her recent North Bay YMCA Peace Medal honour. She earned it by organizing the Tour de Trout fundraiser for the Strong Kids Campaign, specifically so more youth can receive swimming lessons. They raised $37,000 over eight years. See that portion of the interview on the North Bay Echo Community Podcast Network HERE.

After talking about the award, which was presented Monday (coincidently the same day her sister Chantal Brousseau received the North Bay Rotary Club’s ‘Unsung Heroes Service Award‘), Brousseau was asked about her observations in the council chamber. She had notes and advice for the council members. See the hour-long chat HERE.

If you have a comment about North Bay council’s first year of a four-year term, email [email protected]

Journalistic minefields
have to be crossed

On Tuesday, the To North Bay With Love podcast features journalistic perspectives as host Lisa Boivin talks with BayToday reporter Stu Campaigne and Echo Essentials editor Dave Dale.

The conversation touched on the issues involved with covering the Sheldon Forgette case, with the local politician charged with domestic disturbance-like allegations in the midst of last year’s municipal election. Campaigne wrote about the charges and covered the court proceedings, which ended recently with the Crown unable to prove its case in front of a judge. And Dale interviewed Forgette about his platform despite the charges before election day and then again last month when the former deputy mayor spoke out about a council issue.

Both Campaigne and Dale said they felt some “trepidation” about getting involved, although for different reasons. Campaigne and BayToday had to decide if it was fair to cover such charges against a council candidate when they likely wouldn’t if it was an unknown member of the public. Once they did, it was a matter of following it to the end. As for Dale, it was a matter of not judging him before he had his day in court.

#988 will be a life saver

There is now a three-digit, toll-free national suicide crisis hotline for people who are struggling or know someone in crisis. Dial #988 for a trained responder at any time of day or night every day of the week. More than 200 people in Canada attempt suicide each day, with 12 of them lost forever (about 4,400 a year).

Today’s Zen Suggestion: There are plenty of examples of people doing good deeds and caring for others. They take place all around us. Start keeping track of them and make a social media post this weekend about how great people can be. You can go back to being a crabapple next week.

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:

Thursday’s episode of 2NBWL is about the true meaning of friendship and how fun it is to play with swords. The 24th episode of To North Bay With Love podcast with host Lisa Boivin features the #fiftytwocoffees interview with Bobby Ray. It’s a fitting topic because the 2NBWL show is much like the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce program that matches members up with members for a short networking meeting. Haven’t listened to all of the shows? We have a handy directory HERE.

The Frontline:

On this week’s episode, Ben and Kortney are joined by a pair of imports from the North Bay Battalion, Alex Cajkovic and Ihnat Pazii. The duo discuss coming to North Bay, hockey experiences across the pond, languages, cultural changes, ice fishing and a whole lot more.

Cogeco/YourTV:

• Check out the 77th Lions Children’s Christmas Telethon on Cogeco this Saturday 12 noon to 7 p.m.
• The second part of the Mike Gelinas interview with John McGale (who passed away last year) is out now and airing on YourTV. The next one is Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m.
• North Bay’s Santa Claus Parade will air throughout the month of December.
• Char’s Kitchen & Now You’re Cooking have new episodes out as well running weekdays at 11:30 a.m. Queen’s Park Report will have a new episode starting Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

Backroads Bill:

Get your favourite pair of rubber boots out as Bill takes us through the best hiking trails in Ontario. He tells us all about interpretive signage and how it can enhance your experience and all of the volunteers who help to keep these trails intact for people to enjoy.

How far north can you drive a vehicle in Ontario (without using winter roads)? Find out in last week’s Backroads Bill podcast. In other episodes this month, Bill and his road trip partner Brian Emblin share their quest to find the four corners of the province and Finding the Geographic Centre of Ontario.

Events Echo

Link to website donation page HERE.

Friday, Dec. 1

Saturday, Dec. 2

• Christmas Dinner and Dance Party featuring The Hurricanes at West Ferris Legion. Fundraiser for the North Bay Santa Fund. Cocktails at 4 pm, dinner at 5 pm, silent auction and dance to follow. Call 705-476-0566.
• North Bay Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 222 McIntyre St. East, The Kennedy Building
• Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre – Matilda (The Musical) at the Capitol Centre 1 and 7 p.m. $25 a seat.
• Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team (12-1) hosts the University of Toronto (8-4) at 7 p.m. (first of two at Memorial Gardens, second game Sunday at 2 p.m.)
• 77th Lions Children’s Christmas Telethon on Cogeco/YourTV Saturday 12 noon to 7 p.m.
• MONOWHALES at Lou Dawg’s on the www.highroadrecords.ca stage. Local opener Peach Pact gets started at 8ish.  Doors at 7 pm. Physical tickets can be purchased at Lou Dawg’s for $20 or through Eventbrite.
• 14th annual Cookie Walk at Emmanuel Church 395 Lakeshore Drive 10 a.m. to noon. Pre-order for pick up 705.474.2116
• Indigenous Winter Market at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre on Cassells Street, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Craft & Vendor Show at Community Living North Bay 741 Wallace Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Winter Boot Campaign by Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay accepting donations 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption (garages). Also accepting sponsors for winter boots and apparel. For more information, please contact Leah at 705-472-5687 or email at [email protected].

Sunday, Dec. 3

• North Bay & Area Potters’ Guild annual Holiday Sale at 123 Delaware (former Voyageur Inn) 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Brunch and Browse at Lou Dawgs 12 noon to 4 p.m.

(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 Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m., and early Friday morning.

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].