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 "sc...

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...

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 ....

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...

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 Toot...

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 sha...

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...

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 All...

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 t...

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 t...

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...

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 c...

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 gui...

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...

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 reside...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Tim Murton , the acclaimed artist and "monster maker" behind Elora's legendary Monster Month . This annual event, which Murton started 28 years ago, has become a beloved tradition in Centre Wellington . In this episode, we sit down with Tim right in the heart of downtown Elora, coffee in hand, to explore his journey from a sought-after scenic designer in...

Get ready for the biggest month of the year! This episode is your definitive guide to all the ghoulish fun happening for Monster Month in Elora and Fergus . 🎃 The month is packed with family fun: from the Monster Month kick-off at "The Awakening", Magic Show Matinee and Comedy Hypnosis to the thrilling Salem Frights hell ride, Pumpkin Day, Monster March and more! Don't miss a single scare! Here's...

Step into the world of spooky fun! Join us as we explore the magic behind Sensational Elora's Monster Month, from its monstrous origins to the community spirit that brings it to life. This episode features an exclusive interview with Barbara Lee from Sensational Elora, the organization behind Monster Month. She explains how this month-long event celebrates all things Halloween and the "dark side w...

Get ready for a jam-packed episode! Elora Fergus Podcast hosts Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy and Ryan Joyce dive into a couple of major events coming to our community this week and next! First, Barbara shares all the details about the inaugural Zehrs All Clubs Day —a unique new event uniting local service groups to combat food insecurity and bring our community closer together. Then, Ryan takes us into...

What if you could walk straight into a fairytale? That's exactly what Enchanta delivers right here in Centre Wellington—and this episode takes you behind the scenes of this one-of-a-kind experience. Here's what you'll discover in this episode: 🌲 How Enchanta transforms the forest behind the Sportsplex into a glowing, multi-sensory fantasy realm. 🧚 The inspiring origin story—born out of lockdown...

Step right up—it's almost fair time! 🍂🎡 The Fergus Fall Fair is back, celebrating 188 years of agriculture, community, and family fun. In this special episode, Ryan and Barb sit down with Russell Gammon, one of the region's most passionate voices in agriculture, to uncover why this fair is more than just rides and cotton candy—it's a living tradition. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: 🎃...

Fall is almost here, and there's a ton happening in Elora, Fergus and the surrounding areas! Tune in as we give you a rundown of all the can't-miss events coming to Elora and Fergus in September 2025.  From antique cars to steampunk costumes , and goats to family fun, we've got your social calendar covered. We'll also tell you about a few free events you can attend and give a special shout-out to...

Were you there for the 80th anniversary of the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games? Join us as we recap our experience at one of the biggest events of the year. We'll take you back to the Friday night Tattoo ceremony, where we celebrated the four pillars: pipes and drums, heavy events, dance, and heritage.  We'll also share highlights from our interviews with  Outlander star Charles Vanderva...

Why is a podcast a must-listen for anyone who loves Elora, Fergus and the surrounding communities?  In our very first episode, we're pulling back the curtain to give you the inside scoop on our new show.  Hosts Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy and Ryan Joyce explain how they'll provide on-demand community information, behind-the-scenes insights, and local secrets.  You'll also get to know a little more abo...