Elora Fergus Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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 !

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:

• 🎃 The fascinating history of the Fergus Fall Fair dating back to 1837.

• 🐑 What makes this fair unique, from sheep-shearing demos to wildlife rescue showcases.

• 🌱 How 4-H builds leadership, confidence, and skills—and why it's not just for farm kids.

• 🐄 The story of a celebrity cow named Vanilla (yes, really!).

• 🙌 The vital role of community volunteers who keep this 188-year-old tradition thriving.

Whether you're a longtime fairgoer or planning your first visit, this episode will get you excited for one of Centre Wellington's most beloved events.

👉 Don't miss an episode—subscribe today and share your feedback with us at eloraferguspodcast.com.

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 the people and organizations who make these things happen. 

In this episode:

• Dates and details for the Antique Classic Car Show and the Cogs and Clockworks event. 
• A preview of the Fergus Fall Fair, including its focus on agriculture and family involvement. 
• Information on the "furry" and fairy-themed event, Enchant. 
• A special mention of the free family picnic day sponsored by local service clubs.

Subscribe to our podcast and tell a friend.

Connect with us and listen to more episodes at eloraferguspodcast.com

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 Vandervaart and former soccer player Steven Caldwell, and reveal what it was like to be at the incredible Bay City Rollers concert. 

Takeaways:

• A personal take on the 80th Fergus Scottish Festival, including a recap of the Friday night Tattoo ceremony and its historical traditions.
• Highlights from key interviews with Outlander star Charles Vandervaart and TSN sportscaster Steven Caldwell.
• An inside look at the excitement of the Bay City Rollers concert, which packed the Sportsplex with over 10,000 people.
• Recognition for Elizabeth Bender, the executive director, and the 400 volunteers who made the event possible. 

Subscribe to our podcast and tell a friend.

Connect with us and listen to more episodes at eloraferguspodcast.com.

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 about your hosts and how they are a reflection of the community. 

In our first episode:

• Discover the purpose of the Elora Fergus Podcast and its focus on on-demand community information for Fergus, Belwood, and the surrounding areas.

• Learn how the show is a perfect opportunity to get behind-the-scenes insights and sneak peeks into local events and hidden gems.

• Meet your hosts Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy and Ryan Joyce, and their deep-rooted connections to the community. 

• Find out why the podcast is designed to be short, informative, and evolve with listener input.

Subscribe to our podcast and tell a friend.

Connect with us and listen to more episodes at eloraferguspodcast.com.

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.

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 the movie industry to the creative force behind our local Halloween spectacle .

• From Film to Monsters: Tim worked as a scenic designer for movies like The Piano and Resident Evil before starting his monster-making journey

• The Origin Story: His doctor advised him to do something "crude" for himself, which led to him creating his first ghouls and hanging them on his house.

• The Power of Creativity: Tim finds it "really refreshing" to be around the "plasticity of mind" of young, creative people . He believes Halloween gives everyone the license to be creative and express their fears and desires without judgment.

• Balancing Scary and Funny: The key to his monsters is a simple pattern of "scary faces" that also make people laugh. He views his art as a way to prepare people's spirits for the dark months of the year with a sense of humor .

• A Cultural Responsibility: Tim felt a responsibility to continue Monster Month after people knocked on his door asking for the monsters when he didn't put them up one year. His biggest fear is for the event to become too commercial.

• The Future of Monster Month: Tim hopes the event will become a "festival of creativity" that others who love and support it will continue for years to come.

All this and more! 

Don't forget to subscribe to the Elora Fergus Podcast and follow us on social media!