Canada, As I See It

Today, I go back over 100 years, to look at the life of a Canadian pioneer in the world of Motion Pictures.   She was the winner of the 1928-9 Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Coquette – one of the first talking pictures.   She was a leader. All actors today can look to Mary Pickford for what she did, and how she accomplished it.   Check out my site – https://whorpole.ca , whe...

Back in January, on Episode #98, I told you of the passing of the last Dionne Quintuplet. Today, I expand on that – giving you the whole story, both happy and sordid. The event was celebrated – as it should have been, but also so completely botched on so many levels, that I cringe when I think about it.   Join me, as I tell you the whole story of the Dionne Quintuplets.   Check out my site – https...

I'm a little early with the post this week. Saturday nights aren't what they used to be... One of my favourite shows as I was growing up was “Royal Canadian Air Farce” (yeah, I was an odd kid). I didn't understand a lot of the humour (especially the political stuff) – but there was something about it that dragged me in.   This week, I look at politics and the comedy troupe that told us about it, a...

Another street festival – more fun to be had – and a Canadian who has dedicated his life to bringing you the music and the fun that is the base of these events.   For a good time, check out “Oktoberfest 2027” and mark your timetable for next year.   ***** If you would like to be a part of my podcast, please send me a recording of you saying, “This podcast is produced by the Fireside Chat Club of C...

No joke. This week, I am REALLY AM talking about two Canadians and game shows. We're everywhere – haven't you noticed??   You may not recognise their names, but they were THE people you knew...who were there to laugh, smile, and give you an entertainingly good time, when I was a kid – and before!   There are links to the shows that they brought to us at my website. Go to https://whorpole.ca   ****...

Everyone loves a countdown. Did you ever sit by the radio – usually at the end of the year, and listen to your favourite DJ count down the most popular songs?   Well, this one isn't about music, this one is about people. Everything I talk about is Canadian – and this list is not about the ones you know, but the ones you may NOT have known were Canadian.   Let me know what you think about the list....

A street festival that has turned into a world phenomenon. A show that suspends reality, time, and in some cases gravity!   Cirque du Soleil. You may have heard of it, you may have not.   One show is all you need to get you hooked.   This week, I take a look at Canada's version of the new circus.   ***** If you would like to be a part of my podcast, please send me a recording of you saying, “This...

This week – I am introducing a new element to the podcast. I begin looking at a dark side of the country: Canada's Cold Cases This week – one of the oldest – The Murder of Janet Smith. The music I am using for the background of this episode is called “This Place Has Never Known Some Love”. Here is a link to the artist and this song. https://uppbeat.io/t/clemens-ruh/this-place-has-never-known-some-...

And we're back. Today, I take a look at Labour Day – and how it came to be.   I will also give you a heads-up on what I'm looking to do this year on the podcast.   *****   If you would like to be a part of my podcast, please send me a recording of you saying, “This podcast is produced by the Fireside Chat Club of Canada”, and you can be the first voice that people around the world, hear every week...

You must have noticed that practically every other person wandering the streets is wearing a very colourful jersey, or has their country's flag flying from their car – or the latest thing – shaped flags draped on the hood of their car... If not, you need to get out and experience the phenomenon that is currently taking over cities all across the country – and that is the phenomenon of the World Cu...

You've heard the “before and after”... This week WE (yes, Caroline joins me this week) tell you about our week on the Disney Dream.   To be clear, this is not a paid sponsorship (though wouldn't it be nice if it were?) - this is just our view of what we experienced while cruising from Spain to Italy and back.   Perhaps this can give you an idea of what it's like to sail on a ship captained by Mick...

We were now firmly settled in Europe. You know, some of the biggest stress about this whole thing wasn't what would happen during our vacation, but making sure that we actually made it to the cruise port in time! The ship would not wait for us!   This week, I give you the story about where we visited during our cruise. And, everything was JUST so spectacular, and impressive as I had imagined it wo...

And here's the reveal. We took a big trip. A trip that will require a couple of weeks to detail.   Join me, as I tell you about our arrival at the first location on our European Vacation. (I know, you can just hear the music...can't you?)   Check out the links at my site: whorpole.ca     *****   If you would like to be a part of my podcast, please send me a recording of you saying, “This podcast i...

There's a unique way that Canadians see things. Every country has their “way” - that's how it all works - but due to our proximity to the USA, we are influenced by how they do things. It's not even a choice – but a result our lives and families being so closely intertwined. Today, I look at why that might be. AND, I let you in on the secret that I've been teasing about.   Check out the links at my...

Road Trips.   Short and sweet this week. Well, this explanation part is short. It's spring, and it's time to get out on the road, and enjoy the beautiful land that you live in. For us, it's Southern Ontario, and this week, I'm telling you about one of the options that can help you with that exploration.   Check out the links at my site: whorpole.ca     *****   If you would like to be a part of my...

Diners. You wouldn't think that Toronto would have many of them. Where would they put them? Well, unfortunately – there is room for one more.   Today, I take a look at Canadian Diners – but the trigger for this week's topic is the closing of one of the city's longest surviving restaurants – The Patrician Grill. I have a link at my website for a news story which was recorded on the day that we dine...

Ah, the life of a Canadian kid.   The light starts dropping at 4pm. Dinner is had by 6pm, and you REALLY hope it wasn't going to be poached fish in milk, or liver and onions...   There was just time to watch a bit of TV, and maybe get your homework done, before the game started at 8. You didn't know it at the time, but you were listening to history being made. The “scintillating saves”, the “Savar...

This is a musical week. I talk about a gentleman who wrote the song that brings pride to every Canadian who sings it, and a gentleman who wrote music that we all know...whether we know it or not...and had the best.singing.voice.ever.   Calixa Lavallée and Leonard Cohen. I just realized that their initials are the same...but reversed. I didn't plan that...honestly. Calixa and Cohen – sounds like a...

This week, my stream-of-consciousness gene kicks in. It all started with “one little spark of inspiration”, and a name, and I was off.   A little nod to a new podcast I'm listening to now – Dropping Names. One thing led to another, and boom, I have a podcast.   AND, a proposal for a Canadian version of “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”... The Garber Effect. Let me know what you think!   *****   I'm sti...

Every once in a while, I check on the numbers of the podcast. So, we're looking at those.   AND, I submit to you a theory that I have that looks at a potential perfect storm that could happen, when it comes to all of Toronto's professional sports teams.   AND, an update on the Blue Jays game that I reference on the pod – oh boy, what a game. Reminiscent of a bit of the world series run – the Blue...

Today, I'm talking about the Montréal Canadiens, the NHL team. It's been a bit of a crazy week for me – I'll tell you more in the podcast.   And to answer the question that I started in the podcast – Montréal did, in fact beat the New York Islanders, 7-3.   Check out “not me”, not watching the Canadiens playing “last night” on TV, on my Instagram feed - https://www.instagram.com/firesidechatcoc/ I...

Today's podcast is not about my mother.   Well, that's because her name was Shirley, and well, she would never have used that phrase.   No, today I am speaking about a Canadian who worked his way up through the entertainment trenches to arguably achieve his greatest success in his later years.   Today, I take a look at the life of Leslie William Nielsen.   *****   I'm still looking for your storie...

My voice is almost back. I'd say it's at 75% I'm calling on my buddy Ryan to help out again, but I'll be there too!   This week, it's all about comfortability. Just taking it easy with what I know.   Hockey and movies.   I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a few paragraphs that I can read) to me at the SAME address you can use, if YOU wa...

My colds are like leap years. I get one a year, and every four years, I get a doozy. This isn't a leap year though – I guess I'm on a Winter Olympic schedule...   This week, I enlisted the help of some AI, both on the writing-side and the recording-side.   I will not be changing to this method for the podcast, this is just to give my voice a rest.   Just for funsies, I also asked Google AI to crea...

It's the last day of the Winter Olympics. There's also snow on the ground. And sometimes, I get to stay at home. Wishful memories of when I was young. Today, I look at a few “cooler” Canadian things...   I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a few paragraphs that I can read) to me at the SAME address you can use, if YOU want to be a part o...