Dodging the Titanic, The Jewel of North Bay's Waterfront & The Story Behind Vis-à-Vis
Published 25 days ago • 4 min read
Discover The Von Doeler Ranch Origin Story!
Echo Podcast Roundup
How a Missed Trip on the Titanic Led to a 100-Year-Old Ranch
What do a missed voyage on the Titanic and a single curly horse have to do with one of Northern Ontario’s most beloved ranches? Elana von Doeler sits down with Lisa and shares the story behind her family’s ranch: a beautiful ranch built by hand, powered by horses, and shaped by generations of hard work and heart.
The Von Doeler Ranch is more than just land and animals. It’s a legacy built on resilience, family, and love for what they do.
The Future Jewel of North Bay’s Downtown Waterfront Area
In this episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Brannyn Hale from Green Vision Developments to discuss Vision Park North, a transformative waterfront condo development that’s set to reshape the downtown and waterfront of North Bay.
Brannyn shares the years-long journey behind this project, what makes this development unlike anything else in the region, and how it was designed for northern Ontarians.
The Story Behind Vis-à-Vis: North Bay in Deed & Tale
In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, longtime pillar of the North Bay community Peter Handley shares the inspiration behind his newest book, Vis-à-Vis: North Bay in Deed & Tale.
We talk about how the project came together, how he chose who to interview, what surprised him most, and why capturing local stories is more important than ever.
Trappers win with dramatic OT goal, Trojans move to 2-0, and Lakers Homecoming
West Ferris SS took on St. Joseph-Scollard Hall CSS last Friday in Week 2 of the NDA Football season. We have highlights and an interview with SJSH coach Kyle Quinlan.
In Girl’s basketball, the Chippewa Ravens hosted the SJSH Bears. Jackson chatted with the Bears head coach, post-game, to look ahead to what is in store this season.
We also have boy’s volleyball highlights, Lakers Homecoming results and highlights from the u18 Trappers season opening weekend.
Scan the QR code or click the Homewood Suites by Hilton North Bay to book today!
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Types of Leadership: Pt. 2
On this week's episode, let’s dive further into the topic of types of leadership with our guests Gisele Hebert and Chantal Voyer. Listen in on their journeys, challenges and how they have adapted to different types but remain true to their authentic selves.
Nick’s Pepper, An Emotional Wedding, & how NAKED is this GUN?
Nick brought with him a special pepper. Ben tells us a story about a machete and a snake. Drew made a game about modern movies referencing the past. And all these boys discuss their favorite dumb jokes from the recent Naked Gun movie.
Ideas wanted for open space behind North Bay Museum, public input session set for Thursday
Credit: BayToday.ca
The open field behind the North Bay Museum is taking centre stage in the City’s next round of waterfront development.
On Thursday, residents are invited to share their ideas for the space at the first in-person public input session. The meeting runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Capitol Centre Spotlight Lounge (second floor). The City of North Bay says the session will help guide design work for the property, part of the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan.
That original plan set out a long-term vision for the waterfront, with a focus on recreation, tourism, and community events. The current focus is on the large open space that sits between the splash pad/playground and the Dionne Quints Museum...
Truth and Reconciliation Day is for facing hard truths, say two local Indigenous leaders
Credit: Nugget.ca
Hundreds made a march from Lee Park to the Kiwanis Bandshell at the North Bay Waterfront on Tuesday morning. It was made to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
For former Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod, who in 2024 was appointed Chiefs of the Lake Huron region of the Anishinabek Nation to advocate for their First Nations, this day presents some hard truths for Canadians.
“It is a day of reflection; it is a day of celebration; it is a day of awareness and education. I love coming out to these things, and I think they serve a really good purpose, but we have to take it a step further,” says McLeod...
North Bay city council approves new expenses policy
Credit: CTVNews.ca/northern-ontario/north-bay
As it awaits multiple investigations of Mayor Peter Chirico’s controversial use of the corporate credit card, city council in North Bay has approved a new expenses policy.
The new policy is the first update to expenses rules in more than a decade. But with Chirico’s credit card use under investigation by the integrity commissioner, the Ontario Provincial Police and Ontario’s Inspector General of Policing, Coun. Sara Inch said a new policy should wait.
“I feel the timing isn’t right, with investigations underway. Adopting new rules could undermine public trust,” said Inch, at Monday’s special meeting. She withdrew her name as a seconder to the motion to approve the policy, saying information they receive from the investigations could help inform a new policy...
Nearly $134,000 was raised at the 19th annual Our Hospital Walk/Run on Sunday. Proceeds are supporting state-of-the-art medical equipment and services at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC). 530 people took part or volunteered this year.
To mark the city’s Centennial, participants wished the city a happy birthday, enjoyed cupcakes, and reflected on the more than 100 year history of healthcare and hospital services in our region...
The Costs of Hospice Care, Advancing Outdoor Education, & the NDA Football Finals is Set! Echo Podcast Roundup Provincial Support and Fundraising with The Nipissing Serenity Hospice This week on Echo Essentials, Chris sits down with Bernadette Lindsay, Fund Development Coordinator at the Nipissing Serenity Hospice, to uncover the financial truths behind hospice care in Ontario. From eye-opening budget gaps to community fundraising efforts, Chris and Bernadette dive into what it really takes...
The Devastating Impact of Food Insecurity in 2025 Echo Podcast Roundup Checking in with The Gathering Place In this week’s episode of Echo Essentials, we go behind the scenes at The Gathering Place—North Bay’s frontline solution to food insecurity. Chris Piekarski visits The Gathering Place to sit down with Board Chair Peter Gregory and Operations Manager Alicia Smith to unpack the truth about who really uses the service, how they’ve slashed costs by 31%, and why sustainable monthly donations...
What's Next for the Trout Lake Watershed Development Study? Echo Podcast Roundup What Froze Development on Trout Lake for 40 Years? In this episode of Echo Essentials, Chris sits down with the City of North Bay’s Planning Manager Beverley Hillier to unpack the long-awaited Trout Lake Watershed policy review. Beverley reveals the reason why lot creation was frozen in the 90s, what 400+ new lots could mean for Trout Lake, and how phosphorus, septic systems, and shoreline buffers are now at the...
