Conversations on The Road

It was quite a year in Montreal and Canada – that year of 1967.

The 100th anniversary of Confederation. An all-Canada Stanley Cup Final marked the end of the 6 team era in hockey.

And then there was Expo.

Expo 67 was a World’s Fair in Montreal. But it represented so much more.

Bill Bantey, a freelance journalist based in Montreal, worked for the CBC back then. In our first Canadian content podcast we talk with him about just what Expo meant then and what it means 40 years later. 

 

 Expo 67 [9:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On May 12, 2007, actress Katharine Hepburn would have turned 100 years old.

To remember her and some 25 years since the film On Golden Pond hit the scene, we spoke with Pierre Havre, a one-time New Hampshire Innkeeper who until recently ran “On Golden Pond Tours”. He speaks with us about the impact of Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda,  Jane Fonda and their award winning movie upon Squam Lake and us years after the filming.

 

 On Golden Pond [15:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The earliest American settlers discovered corn and were taught by Natives how to grow, grind and cook this then unfamiliar grain.

Paul Drumm from the Kenyon Corn Meal Company of Usquepaugh, RI speaks with us about the legend of Johnnycake and their role in the Bay State – for example this year marks the 140th annual Johnnycake Breakfast at one Rhode Island church.

By the way, here is “The 6 Minute Secret for Quick-As-Mix Johnnycakes” (From the Kenyon Corn Meal Co.):

1. Mix 1 cup of corn meal, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt.

2. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Mix well. Batter will be thick.

3. Drop by tablespoonful on any well greased fry pan or griddle. Medium hot – 380 dgrees for electric pans.

4. Do not touch or turn over for 6 minutes.

At 6 minutes, turn over and cook for about five minutes. This will yield 8-10 golden brown Johnny Cakes every time. For thin crisp Johnny Cakes, thin batter with milk or water – about 1/2 cup. Cook as above.

For free recipes or info about Johnnycakes, you can write or call: Kenyon Corn Meal Co., 21 Glen Rock Road, Usquepaugh, RI 02892; (401) 783-4054; http://www.kenyonsgristmill.com

 

 johnnycakes [13:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As a follow-up to a Left Jab Radio interview on XM Radio about the Tucson Mariachi Conference, Jose Ronstadt engaged in a conversation on the road with us.

Ronstadt, a cousin of Linda Ronstadt, is a TV anchor in Southern California and longtime emcee of the Tucson event.

Our conversation went into the historical origins and present day status of Mariachi, as a musical art form and as a window into culture.

It was interesting to hear Ronstadt describe how the Tucson conference has been an important catalyst in reinvigorating mariachi in both the American Southwest and in Latin America.

In addition to this podcast, Ronstadt can be heard speaking about the Tucson International Mariachi Conference at the Left Jab website: http://www.leftjabradio.com

 

 Jose Ronstadt [10:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download