Life - Musings, Reflections and Stories

"I Have No Hometown" - "The Fossilized Honeycomb" - "Stillness"

"I Have No Hometown" - "The Fossilized Honeycomb" - "Stillness" I talk about residing in small Northern Ontario communities: Matabitchuan, Goward, Hunta, Abitibi Canyon and with some that are no longer in existence. Most were “Hydro” “towns.”   This memoir was published in 2009 - HighGrader Magazine in three separate issues.  I read a short story about “Fraserdale” by Dennis Oleskevich (2015)  and two excerpts about my parents by: Jean Ellis (“Memories” (2010) and “hydro history” by Isabel Wilson (“life in the colonies-the dam towns”(2011); I read my short story, “The Fossilized Honeycomb” (2011); and read my poem, “Stillness” (2008)

Encounters At Bell Mansion-a play; to raise awareness for MMIWG

March 2, 2024: trigger warning for this episode on my podcast of specific derogatory words and a scene of sexual violence in my play, “Encounters at Bell Mansion.”  Published in 2015 in HighGrader Magazine.  This play is also to raise awareness about the crisis: “MMIWG” – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.    Disclaimer: Disclaimer Note from author: Joanne K. Beaudry-Larocque:  This play “Encounters at Bell Mansion” is purely a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely and entirely coincidental, unless historical figures.  This play’s story and some characters are fictitious.  Certain historical names, long-standing institutions, agencies and public offices are mentioned, but some of the characters involved (besides the historical names) are wholly imaginary.  This is a work of fiction. 
 

Michael Brovac - IPEX Syndrome to Basketball Coach

Michael Brovac - IPEX Syndrome to Basketball Coach
Near death during most of his young life because of a medical condition called:  IPEX Syndrome, Michael Brovac is a survivor.  He and his younger brother, Cameron were hospitalized most of their lives.  After a bone marrow transplant and then undergoing chemo with having cancer, Michael, is healthier now and currently works as a Life Coach, Trainer & Public Speaker.  He, also currently works with a professional basketball team in player development and leadership skills.  Unfortunately, his younger brother, Cameron died when he was much younger of the same medical condition.  In memory of his brother, Michael has also created an organization and is CEO of:  “CAM-O” – where his goal is to inspire others; help children in hospitals who might need mentoring; and or may need emotional help with the goal to have a healthier outlook of their life and to never give up.  If you or your organization, would like Michael Brovac to be your guest speaker, please reach out to him on his website:  www.cam-o.ca; or contact him through Facebook or Intragram.  I am truly inspired by this young man, who with the help of his parents and kind mentors along the way, Michael had made the conscious decision to change his life around to be healthier, mentally and physically.  Thank you, Michael Brovac for being my guest on my podcast:  “Life-Musings, Reflections and Stories.”  February 29, 2024.  www.buymeacoffee.com/joannelarocque

Mandarin Valentine-my published story, Feb. 14, 2024 - Love phrases

February 14, 2024: History of St. Valentine's Day; my published story, "Mandarin Valentine" (sorry for the laughter-Lol!); Love Phrases; Valentine reflections & thoughts. 

Daniel Vincent- From Seizures to Brain Operation to Success

Daniel Vincent - Seizures from Epilepsy to the 11th person in the world to undergo a brain operation to Success and a happier positive life.  

ep.Jan.22,'24-The Pencil Drawer, blended family, Life-cerealbox,AlligatorTears,

Jan.22,2024-my published story about our blended family-"The Pencil Drawer", our song, "Alligator Tears", our twins on "Life" Brand cereal boxes, C.M.T.C.;  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/joannelarocque 

Pappy's Dance-my story and Nanny's Eulogy

I learned how to waltz with my grandfather, Raphael Mallette at age six in 1962; my story, "Pappy's Dance" was written December 1998 and published.  My grandmother, "Nanny"  Lina's (Lynn Dupuis-Mallette) Eulogy written by me - one year later.  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/joannelarocque

Jan.15,2024-MLK Jr. Day; history of slavery; "Anaiah" my published story

In Honour of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, today on January 15, 2024, I talk about Martin Luther King Jr. and about the history of slavery in North America:  Canada and the United States.  I also read my twice published story, "Anaiah" and the history of the church in Oro-Medonte - north of Barrie, Ontario. Canada. 

Christmas episode-Dec.2023-Memories and Songs

December 25, 2023 – Christmas Episode- with Mike & Jo – (recorded Dec.19,2023) time: 01:22:45:  Final podcast episode for the year of 2023 – with more new episodes with new guests  in January 2024 :)...xo This Christmas episode for December 2023 is with my husband, Mike Larocque and myself, Joanne Beaudry-Larocque.  This episode is a collection of stories of our memories from past Christmases with our grandparents, parents, with our own blended family with six kids, a pile of grandkids and greatgrandkids and chosen  brothers, sisters and chosen family and friends. :) xo The latter half of this Christmas episode is Mike performing songs he recorded in video which is on his and my personal Facebook profiles; and on Mike’s business Facebook page:  At Home Country-Performers: Mike Larocque & family; and on his Instagram and also on his YouTube channel. :) xo The songs are:  1. We Wish You A Merry Christmas;   2. Silent Night;    3. Jingle Bell Rock;    4. White Christmas;     5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town;    6. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer;      7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus;     8.  Feliz Navidad;     9. Silver Bells;      10. Blue Christmas;     11. Here Comes Santa Claus;     12. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree and then an encore of:  “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.”  :) xo Thank you to all of you for listening to my podcast. I am so grateful and appreciate everyone who took the time to be my guests and to all of you, my dear listeners.  We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  And Happy Holidays and Blessings to All.  God Bless You. xo

Kevin Shea-Hockey Hall of Fame - Dec.4, 2023

December 4, 2023:  Kevin Shea – works at the Hockey Hall of Fame, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.   Kevin is an author of twenty books about ice hockey and hockey legends.  He’s met so many amazing hockey players and then in his previous career while in the entertainment business, he has met some interesting celebrities, musicians, performers and bands and we also chatted about his radio career. For the initial first part of our podcast episode, Kevin talks about his early years, where he attended the University of Windsor, in Windsor, Ontario.  Then the next section of the podcast was about his radio career as a radio announcer, production manager and music director.  He worked in radio in Windsor, North Bay and in Ottawa, Ontario and also in Montreal, Quebec.  We talked about Bob Woods (who became a politician); Rick Nelson, Daniel Harvey and other radio announcers. We then, moved onto his next career in the Entertainment business while he worked in Promotions for RCA Records, then Warner Records and then, MCA, which is now Universal Music Group.   Kevin shared some fun stories about meeting Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston and Kenny Rogers and a bunch of amazing bands including his story to help Kurt Cobain’s band, Nirvana get their “grunge music” onto the Canadian radio stations. The balance of my podcast with Kevin is about his work with the Hockey Hall of Fame in the various duties such as:  overseeing the Education Program and Editorial; and he is also involved with the Leadership program working with Indigenous youth and also of his work as a teacher of Hockey History at Seneca College and online at Laurentian University and Canadore College. He talks about Wayne Gretzky who is the world’s greatest goal scorer as the former professional ice hockey player and former head coach; Kevin talks about other hockey legends such as: Tim Horton; Don Cherry; Bill Barilko, Rocket Richard and so on.  We could’ve talked extensively about the “whose who” in the hockey world.   Kevin also volunteers his time raising money for cancer research working closely with the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Ontario “Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer” where $30 million dollars have been raised so far. To end this podcast, we talked about Kevin’s writing career as he authored (20) twenty books about hockey and hockey legends. To contact Kevin, you can find him on Facebook as: Kevin Shea;   also he has his own website at:    kevinshea.hockey.com;      you can also email Kevin at:  Kevin_shea@rogers.com; and you can order his books online wherever you order books.  To visit the Hockey Hall of Fame, it is located at:  30 Yonge Street (Yonge & Front St.,) Toronto, Ontario where you can find revolving displays of hockey items and a collection of historical hockey artifacts.  Even Wayne Gretzky still visits there.  Reach out to Kevin for any hockey related stories or questions.  Thanks, Kevin for being my guest.