ThisHereWow!: Recent Episodes
Dean Hollin
A fluke of nature? Some dumb luck? One might suggest that the stars somehow aligned and created some crazy gravitational pull. Or maybe – just maybe – one of its founders, a century and a half ago, made some sort of deal and sold their soul…? Whatever the reason, beloved South Georgian Bay (from here on in, casually referred to as “SGB”) has somehow ended up with more than its fair share of extraordinary people, places and things!
Dean Hollin – entertainer, broadcaster, music historian, and longtime resident of SGB – has decided it is high-time to draw some well-deserved attention to the various “wows” that reside right here in this undeniably above-average locale – thus the birth of a brand new podcast -- “This Here Wow!”
Each weekend’s episode will feature just the best guests, chit-chatting with Dean about just the best stuff – stuff that’s right here – right under everyone’s noses!
There’ll be artistic ‘wows’ , entertainment ‘wows’, food, libation, and attraction ‘wows’ – great outdoor ‘wows’. He’ll chat with and about local notable ‘wows’ – a veritable plethora of colourful, stylish and flavourful ‘wows’. Each week! Promise!
Now don’t misunderstand – Dean’s not committed to featuring average, every day, run-of-the-mill people and topics that might evoke from his listeners a mere “alright then…” or a “well, isn’t that nice…” sort of reaction. Heck no! He’s all about bringing guests and topics to his show that will make his audience sit up and go “Wow – I have all that right here in SGB!?!” (And that is why Dean calls the show “This Here Wow!”)
So -- whether you’re a resident of SGB, or a visitor to SGB – or maybe a visitor thinking seriously about becoming a resident of SGB – “This Here Wow!” is the quintessential podcast for tapping into the various who, what & where ‘wows’ that seem to be so darn plentiful in South Georgian Bay! And there you have it!
On this episode of This Here Wow! Dean chats with longtime SGB resident and business owner, Dr. John Miller who’s work with Andrew Siegwart is resulting in so many positive strides forward for the local LGBTQ+ community, it’s hard to keep track! The upcoming Collingwood Pride Festival and the recent installation of a Rainbow Crosswalk are just two of the ‘wows’ discussed in detail.
On this week’s episode of This Here Wow! Dean darts all around SGB revealing wows within wows – that once all have been taken into consideration – add up to one great big WOW! Some newer, some older, “the same, but different” – each one bringing their own unique stamp to the SGB landscape. At the end of the day (or the beginning, in most cases) a best-bet might be a favourite bag or basket, and a sensible pair of shoes!
On this episode of This Here Wow! Dean chats it up with two ‘transplants’ – whose entirely independent and unrelated journeys getting here to South Georgian Bay have been anything but typical. What they do have in common is a sweet satisfaction and sense of excitement that both are bringing to the SGB community!
On this episode of This Here Wow! “…the Import Section” – Dean gets a bit more than he expected – musically speaking. A local Artistic Director, whose approach to programming his 2021 summer season is so impressively broad, not only ‘wows’ Dean, but conjures up memories of beloved days of his youth, when a trip to the city always included an hour or so at his favourite record store!
On this week’s episode of This Here Wow! host, Dean Hollin, gets a bunch of the ins and outs – learning more than he ever expected, from a local artist – about the centuries-old art of basket weaving – (and how appropriate is this, considering it’s Victoria Day Weekend) – using “the Queen of basket-making material” – willow. And if that weren’t enough, he gets waist-deep in conversation with a local go-to, when it comes to just about anything regarding Thornbury’s famous “Fishway”.
If a good belly-laugh is what you’re looking for, a solid dose of Kevin Hart, Monty Python, The Second City, Ellen DeGeneres, or the like will probably do the trick. But, if making your gut just plain happy is the goal, a shot of two of what a local SGB-er has been brewing and bottling is probably a much better way to go! On this episode of This Here Wow! Dean gets a rather complete and passionate explanation on fermentation!
On this episode of This Here Wow! Host, Dean Hollin, chats with Erica Angus – Executive Director of Theatre Collingwood. A bit of a “Captain” she is – steering ship “Live Theatre” through a storm called “Covid-19”. Long before the storm hit, her actions and guidance were worthy of applause – of late, however, she’s been earning herself – in my humble opinion – a standing ovation!
On this episode of This Here Wow! host Dean Hollin chats with local artist/cartoonist Jeff Wilson – who having recently been recognized by the newspaper industry for his talent – talks at length, and rather humbly, about his career in cartooning, animation and the like.
In this episode of This Here Wow! host, Dean Hollin, is feeling inspired by his two truly exceptional guests. One is a local artist who has created an ever-growing outdoor gallery of her art that invites meandering and is oh-so perfect for the times – the other, not merely a survivor but an incredible example of unwavering determination and resolve.
On this episode of This Here Wow! – host, Dean Hollin, chats about two extraordinary structures found at opposite ends of SGB whose functions – while entirely different in nature – have relied on more than a bit of glass for their rather exceptional service and success. A local educator enthusiastically gushes about the house of glass she currently oversees – and an entirely charming and knowledgeable authority on local statuesque beacons of stone and glass, lovingly guides us through the intimate details of one that resides right here in SGB.
On this episode of This Here Wow! Dean chat with noted black history authority, Janie Cooper-Wilson about all that we might have to learn from historic gravesites. He also chats with local choir director “Kimductor” about diving into virtual concerts – staying synchronized – and getting to the finish line with nary a scratch. Henry also adds a thing or two…
This week on The Here Wow! Dean reflects on just a few of the people, places and things that continue to make life in SGB so very “Safe in Sound” as it were. Guests include a more than century old room with some of the best acoustics you could ask for – a voice that’ll give you goosebumps – and a labour of love that continues to offer area musicians a place to record their talent…
On this edition of This Here Wow! Dean’s guests include a Wasaga Beach man who’s convinced that a creative economy is the way to go – and is helping to lead the way there. He spends some time with Collingwood’s recently appointed Poet Laureate – who is just so darned charming and so very talented. He also gives a posthumous ‘shout-out’ to an individual who was an immense supporter of the arts – especially theatre – if ever there was one!
On this edition of This Here Wow! Dean’s guests include a gentleman whose efforts with the Canadian Down Syndrome Society certainly helped to getting the United Nations to proclaim March 21st as World Down Syndrome Day. He chats with Kyle and Sam – a couple of individuals living here in SGB, with Down Syndrome – both of which impress the bejeebees out of Dean. Lastly, all get to enjoy the fruits of a truly worth-while labour – all about a house in the SGB community that is not really a house at all – but a home.
On this episode, Dean chats with a musician and educator who's been stringing along students for well over a decade -- an artist whose connection with water is so very evident in her work -- and about one heck of a trail that's well-worth exploring.
On this episode of This Here Wow! -- Dean celebrates International Women's Day with a handful of truly inspiring, difference-making ladies!
In this launch episode of This Here Wow! Dean chats with his first batch of “wows” – about getting fat and getting out to play,…building vs. throwing…and how a trio successfully wrangled up a bunch of chefs and other artists.