1
00:00:02,036 --> 00:00:04,803
(cheering & applause)
2
00:00:04,871 --> 00:00:07,506
A gorgeous little town in
haliburton county
3
00:00:07,574 --> 00:00:10,542
With close proximity to
dozens lakes, and rivers.
4
00:00:10,610 --> 00:00:13,879
In fact, your town straddles
the mighty gull river.
5
00:00:13,947 --> 00:00:16,615
The gull river was once
famous for moving logs
6
00:00:16,683 --> 00:00:19,351
During the heyday of
the logging industry.
7
00:00:19,420 --> 00:00:22,054
Now, the gull is more
known for moving
8
00:00:22,122 --> 00:00:25,057
Inner tubes, kayaks, and canoes.
9
00:00:25,125 --> 00:00:28,260
I'm told that around
100,000 people come here
10
00:00:28,262 --> 00:00:30,128
Every summer to do
everything from
11
00:00:30,197 --> 00:00:34,099
Lazy drifting, to tackling
your world class
12
00:00:34,101 --> 00:00:36,869
Competitive whitewater rapids.
13
00:00:36,937 --> 00:00:39,404
(cheering & applause)
14
00:00:39,473 --> 00:00:42,574
However, things have not
been so harmonious
15
00:00:42,642 --> 00:00:45,010
With the river in recent years.
16
00:00:45,012 --> 00:00:48,280
The gull river has gone from
moving logs to moving kayaks
17
00:00:48,348 --> 00:00:50,248
To moving into
your basements.
18
00:00:50,317 --> 00:00:51,817
(laughing)
19
00:00:51,819 --> 00:00:56,989
You guys had what they call a
hundred years' flood in 2013.
20
00:00:57,057 --> 00:00:59,791
- And 2017...
- (laughing)
21
00:00:59,860 --> 00:01:02,761
- And 2019.
- (laughing)
22
00:01:02,830 --> 00:01:05,430
The gull river moved
into your basement
23
00:01:05,499 --> 00:01:06,932
Three times
over seven years.
24
00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:08,633
That's less like a river,
more like your son
25
00:01:08,702 --> 00:01:10,068
With a fine arts degree.
26
00:01:10,071 --> 00:01:12,104
(laughing)
27
00:01:12,106 --> 00:01:14,306
When you grow up in a
small town in newfoundland,
28
00:01:14,374 --> 00:01:16,942
You see the people have a sense
of humour about hard times.
29
00:01:17,010 --> 00:01:18,243
Check, check.
30
00:01:18,245 --> 00:01:20,278
I turned that into a career
and hit the road.
31
00:01:20,281 --> 00:01:22,214
[announcer] mr. Johnny harris!
32
00:01:22,216 --> 00:01:24,383
Now I'm on a mission to
find the funny in the places
33
00:01:24,451 --> 00:01:28,453
You'd least expect it,
canada's struggling small town.
34
00:01:28,522 --> 00:01:31,723
Towns that are against the
ropes but hanging in there.
35
00:01:31,725 --> 00:01:34,359
Still laughing in
the face of adversity.
36
00:01:34,428 --> 00:01:36,294
This is minden, ontario.
37
00:01:36,363 --> 00:01:40,332
♪
38
00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:43,969
(cheering & applause)
39
00:01:44,037 --> 00:01:45,938
I don't want to
speak ill of the gull.
40
00:01:46,006 --> 00:01:49,441
It's just that sometimes
your river, not unlike myself,
41
00:01:49,510 --> 00:01:52,177
It gets full of itself and
breaches certain boundaries.
42
00:01:52,245 --> 00:01:54,479
(laughing)
43
00:01:54,548 --> 00:01:57,782
But even despite the floods,
people flock here to minden.
44
00:01:57,851 --> 00:02:00,185
And not just tourists,
people want to buy here.
45
00:02:00,253 --> 00:02:01,720
Sometimes I wonder
if the floods make it
46
00:02:01,788 --> 00:02:05,324
Easier to sell real estate.
"cottage for sale in minden."
47
00:02:05,392 --> 00:02:08,427
"oh... Is it by the water?"
"pfft, sometimes."
48
00:02:08,495 --> 00:02:10,962
(laughing)
49
00:02:11,031 --> 00:02:13,565
- Woo!
- (applause)
50
00:02:13,633 --> 00:02:17,068
♪
51
00:02:17,071 --> 00:02:19,238
If information is power,
but the power's out,
52
00:02:19,306 --> 00:02:21,072
Who do you call
during a flood?
53
00:02:21,075 --> 00:02:24,376
Your town communication
officer, emily stonehouse.
54
00:02:24,444 --> 00:02:26,912
(cheering & applause)
55
00:02:26,980 --> 00:02:28,914
She got here in 2018.
56
00:02:28,982 --> 00:02:30,215
She missed the
first two floods,
57
00:02:30,283 --> 00:02:32,217
But was just in time
to get her feet wet.
58
00:02:33,987 --> 00:02:36,788
I actually moved right
into that house right there.
59
00:02:36,856 --> 00:02:39,391
I was settling in, I had
my first little garden.
60
00:02:39,459 --> 00:02:41,226
I was really becoming
part of the community.
61
00:02:41,228 --> 00:02:43,461
My heart was just getting
fuller and fuller with
62
00:02:43,530 --> 00:02:44,963
Everything we had here
and then,
63
00:02:45,031 --> 00:02:46,632
Our community flooded.
64
00:02:46,700 --> 00:02:48,733
So, from those windows,
you can look out,
65
00:02:48,736 --> 00:02:51,069
And I was literally watching
the water creep up
66
00:02:51,137 --> 00:02:53,171
Closer and closer to my house.
67
00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:55,140
This is something I've heard
from a lot of people in town,
68
00:02:55,142 --> 00:02:57,442
That, that feeling,
you're watching the water rise,
69
00:02:57,510 --> 00:02:59,344
Come towards you.
Is this happening?
70
00:02:59,413 --> 00:03:01,780
And, I can relate. I had the
exact same experience -
71
00:03:01,848 --> 00:03:06,084
Very similar experience,
okay... I, ah...
72
00:03:06,152 --> 00:03:08,286
I backed up a toilet,
gave it a second flush,
73
00:03:08,355 --> 00:03:09,955
And the water's rising,
the waters'--
74
00:03:10,023 --> 00:03:12,958
No, this can't be happening.
At a party, not my own home.
75
00:03:13,026 --> 00:03:14,559
Line up of people
waiting to get in.
76
00:03:14,562 --> 00:03:17,195
I'm watching the water rise.
This can't-- no, god!
77
00:03:17,264 --> 00:03:19,631
Anything but this.
78
00:03:19,699 --> 00:03:21,366
Actually, no,
probably worse for you guys.
79
00:03:21,435 --> 00:03:23,702
You couldn't just jump out the
2nd storey window and run away.
80
00:03:23,770 --> 00:03:25,037
(laughing)
81
00:03:25,105 --> 00:03:26,905
[emily] so, I was the
communications officer at
82
00:03:26,907 --> 00:03:29,207
The time and, what I had
to do is make sure that
83
00:03:29,276 --> 00:03:31,476
Effective communication went
out into the community so
84
00:03:31,544 --> 00:03:33,912
People knew what was going on.
That's the most important thing,
85
00:03:33,914 --> 00:03:35,747
Is that everybody's
on the same page.
86
00:03:35,815 --> 00:03:38,283
She was impressed by the way
the town jumped into action.
87
00:03:38,352 --> 00:03:40,052
This is the third flood,
of course.
88
00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:41,720
There was a plan
of attack in place.
89
00:03:41,788 --> 00:03:43,555
People know what to do now.
90
00:03:43,623 --> 00:03:45,490
[emily] you have all of the
people of the community
91
00:03:45,558 --> 00:03:48,393
Who are just stepping up
to be volunteers.
92
00:03:48,462 --> 00:03:51,229
There are people serving
food in different places.
93
00:03:51,232 --> 00:03:53,999
There are trucks
going by with sandbags.
94
00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:55,934
Everybody is
helping everybody out.
95
00:03:56,002 --> 00:03:58,670
Still, it was harrowing
and exhausting.
96
00:03:58,738 --> 00:04:01,840
As communications officer,
she worked 48 days straight,
97
00:04:01,908 --> 00:04:04,075
Often with huge stretches
with no sleep.
98
00:04:04,078 --> 00:04:05,343
It was crazy.
99
00:04:05,346 --> 00:04:07,279
It was nothing like I've
ever experienced before.
100
00:04:07,347 --> 00:04:10,415
And after a particularly
long shift, I did come home
101
00:04:10,483 --> 00:04:12,517
And my whole front yard
had been sandbagged,
102
00:04:12,585 --> 00:04:14,386
And I don't know
who did it. (laughs)
103
00:04:14,454 --> 00:04:15,821
She was still
relatively new.
104
00:04:15,889 --> 00:04:18,023
She said whoever did it
probably didn't even know
105
00:04:18,091 --> 00:04:20,158
That she lived there
or even who she was.
106
00:04:20,227 --> 00:04:21,359
Now, I thought
that's pretty cool.
107
00:04:21,428 --> 00:04:22,761
That's like the minden
twist on welcoming
108
00:04:22,829 --> 00:04:24,229
Somebody to your community.
109
00:04:24,297 --> 00:04:26,064
You don't leave a
pie on the porch.
110
00:04:26,132 --> 00:04:28,300
You leave sandbags
along the retaining wall.
111
00:04:28,368 --> 00:04:31,436
(laughing & applause)
112
00:04:31,504 --> 00:04:34,306
Mindenites have become
efficient now at flood relief,
113
00:04:34,374 --> 00:04:36,374
But still,
it's like every spring,
114
00:04:36,443 --> 00:04:38,610
Everyone now
has that anxiety.
115
00:04:38,679 --> 00:04:40,379
And you'll see the water
come up and you're kind of
116
00:04:40,447 --> 00:04:41,713
Holding your breath,
you're holding your breath,
117
00:04:41,715 --> 00:04:43,081
And then all of a
sudden, it's may,
118
00:04:43,149 --> 00:04:45,717
And you're like,
okay, I think we did it.
119
00:04:45,719 --> 00:04:47,319
I think we made it
through this year.
120
00:04:47,321 --> 00:04:48,720
I found that a
bit heartbreaking.
121
00:04:48,789 --> 00:04:50,589
It's like, does that mean
you guys can't get excited
122
00:04:50,657 --> 00:04:52,624
About spring like
the rest of us?
123
00:04:52,692 --> 00:04:54,392
I feel like canadians
deserve that.
124
00:04:54,461 --> 00:04:56,394
After a canadian winter,
you should be able
125
00:04:56,463 --> 00:04:58,396
To get excited about spring.
126
00:04:58,399 --> 00:05:00,299
You get a warm day in
April, you should think,
127
00:05:00,367 --> 00:05:02,200
"oh, sweet,
break out the sandals."
128
00:05:02,202 --> 00:05:04,002
Not, "shit, break
out the sandbags."
129
00:05:04,004 --> 00:05:06,938
(cheering & applause)
130
00:05:17,250 --> 00:05:19,284
You know, in a town that's
had to pick up the pieces
131
00:05:19,352 --> 00:05:22,754
And put them back together,
isn't it fitting that I talked
132
00:05:22,822 --> 00:05:26,891
To a couple who own and operate
a jigsaw puzzle company?
133
00:05:26,894 --> 00:05:28,860
Brigitte gall and
michael bainbridge.
134
00:05:28,929 --> 00:05:32,431
(cheering & applause)
135
00:05:32,499 --> 00:05:34,532
They spent a lot of time
in minden, loved it,
136
00:05:34,601 --> 00:05:36,768
Thought it would be a great
place to raise their daughters.
137
00:05:36,837 --> 00:05:39,604
Eventually they committed,
they bought a house.
138
00:05:39,672 --> 00:05:41,907
Fast forward a couple years
and the first flood.
139
00:05:41,975 --> 00:05:45,911
I was home with the girls,
and it was raining.
140
00:05:45,979 --> 00:05:47,946
Raining, raining, raining.
We're right on the river.
141
00:05:48,014 --> 00:05:50,048
And I'm seeing the water
coming up and coming up.
142
00:05:50,116 --> 00:05:52,917
Brigitte is at the front window
looking at the water rise--
143
00:05:52,986 --> 00:05:55,220
Stop me if you've
heard this one, folks.
144
00:05:55,288 --> 00:05:58,423
Watching the water rise
and come towards her house.
145
00:05:58,491 --> 00:06:00,325
It's getting darker,
and it's getting later,
146
00:06:00,393 --> 00:06:02,994
And I'm going back and forth and
I'm trying to call michael.
147
00:06:03,062 --> 00:06:04,396
She can't get
michael on the phone.
148
00:06:04,464 --> 00:06:06,665
He's a photographer,
working in rochester.
149
00:06:06,733 --> 00:06:08,900
The girls are
upstairs, asleep.
150
00:06:08,968 --> 00:06:10,702
The house is
surrounded by water.
151
00:06:10,770 --> 00:06:12,237
Now I'm starting to realize,
152
00:06:12,239 --> 00:06:14,038
Oh, my god, I gotta
get out of here.
153
00:06:14,107 --> 00:06:16,608
And before she leaves,
she makes a facebook post.
154
00:06:16,610 --> 00:06:18,109
She was gonna
upload a video,
155
00:06:18,178 --> 00:06:20,111
But the river was streaming
faster than she could.
156
00:06:20,114 --> 00:06:22,180
(laughing)
157
00:06:22,248 --> 00:06:23,848
So, I'm, I'm in rochester.
158
00:06:23,917 --> 00:06:26,451
My publisher shows me her
ipad with a picture of
159
00:06:26,453 --> 00:06:30,054
Our driveway with the water
coming up to the truck.
160
00:06:30,123 --> 00:06:32,057
Imagine you find out
your wife and kids are
161
00:06:32,125 --> 00:06:34,692
Fleeing your home on facebook.
162
00:06:34,761 --> 00:06:36,328
What do you do,
give it a like?
163
00:06:36,396 --> 00:06:38,730
- Seems insensitive.
- (laughing)
164
00:06:38,798 --> 00:06:41,366
And now I'm backing out
of the driveway and
165
00:06:41,434 --> 00:06:44,402
I'm realizing, oh, my god,
how deep the water is,
166
00:06:44,471 --> 00:06:45,703
And it's cold.
167
00:06:45,706 --> 00:06:47,539
She can't see the
surface of the road.
168
00:06:47,607 --> 00:06:49,073
She knows there's
ditches on either side,
169
00:06:49,142 --> 00:06:50,475
But doesn't know
where they are.
170
00:06:50,544 --> 00:06:53,578
She said to keep herself and
the girls from freaking out,
171
00:06:53,580 --> 00:06:55,647
She said, "okay, girls,
we're gonna sing a song."
172
00:06:55,649 --> 00:06:57,682
In that strange high voice that
you sometimes get
173
00:06:57,750 --> 00:07:00,719
When you're like, [high pitch]
"hey, ladies! Let's sing!"
174
00:07:00,787 --> 00:07:02,120
And it sounds so cheesy,
175
00:07:02,189 --> 00:07:05,323
But the only thing that
came to my head...
176
00:07:05,392 --> 00:07:06,825
Was 'oh, canada'.
177
00:07:06,893 --> 00:07:08,693
So, there she is in the flood,
in the dark,
178
00:07:08,762 --> 00:07:10,528
In the truck,
the girls are singing.
179
00:07:10,531 --> 00:07:11,997
She's got tears
streaming down.
180
00:07:12,065 --> 00:07:14,833
She's singing 'oh, canada',
as the water's-- I doubt it
181
00:07:14,835 --> 00:07:17,202
Was with a glowing heart
she did see thee rise.
182
00:07:19,973 --> 00:07:21,740
Of course, after the flood,
183
00:07:21,808 --> 00:07:24,209
Brigitte and michael sat
down and they discussed it.
184
00:07:24,277 --> 00:07:25,510
And, what if it
happens again?
185
00:07:25,578 --> 00:07:27,412
And, do we stay
or do we move?
186
00:07:27,414 --> 00:07:29,714
There was a lot of, you know,
practical things to consider,
187
00:07:29,782 --> 00:07:32,384
But one thing brigitte said was,
she was so impressed by
188
00:07:32,452 --> 00:07:34,419
The way the community
supported each other.
189
00:07:34,488 --> 00:07:37,388
They embraced us when
we needed them most.
190
00:07:37,457 --> 00:07:39,691
They helped in
every possible way.
191
00:07:39,759 --> 00:07:42,527
And to leave
felt like, well...
192
00:07:42,595 --> 00:07:45,563
It would be like a betrayal of
everything that had happened.
193
00:07:45,632 --> 00:07:47,565
Like, you don't want to
bail on your neighbour.
194
00:07:47,568 --> 00:07:50,268
Bail's a poor choice
of words, I'm sorry.
195
00:07:50,337 --> 00:07:53,004
Bail with your neighbour.
Maybe that's the motto.
196
00:07:55,242 --> 00:07:57,375
But as far as the
puzzle company goes,
197
00:07:57,444 --> 00:07:58,877
They had some friends over.
198
00:07:58,945 --> 00:08:02,380
For three days, we had 8 friends
circling our kitchen table
199
00:08:02,449 --> 00:08:04,649
Working on this,
this van gogh puzzle.
200
00:08:04,717 --> 00:08:05,884
And at one point,
brigitte and I
201
00:08:05,886 --> 00:08:08,052
Found ourselves standing back
and thinking...
202
00:08:08,121 --> 00:08:09,754
It was like the same thought
bubble, boop, boop, boop.
203
00:08:09,822 --> 00:08:10,989
- Exactly.
- Ah...
204
00:08:10,991 --> 00:08:12,257
Maybe that's what we do.
205
00:08:12,325 --> 00:08:14,192
They thought, my god,
jigsaw puzzles.
206
00:08:14,260 --> 00:08:17,228
Perfect for cottage country,
do you know what I mean?
207
00:08:17,297 --> 00:08:21,032
It doesn't require wifi,
or electricity, or sobriety.
208
00:08:23,570 --> 00:08:25,070
So, next thing you know,
now we have a puzzle company
209
00:08:25,138 --> 00:08:27,906
And this is how we stay.
210
00:08:27,974 --> 00:08:29,941
Michael showed me a
little bit of the process
211
00:08:30,009 --> 00:08:32,811
Of making puzzles.
He made a puzzle of me.
212
00:08:32,879 --> 00:08:35,780
Basically, there's a template
made out of razor blade.
213
00:08:35,848 --> 00:08:38,683
Then he rolls it through a
machine that exerts 750 tons
214
00:08:38,751 --> 00:08:41,753
Of pressure, punches the card
down through the razor blade,
215
00:08:41,821 --> 00:08:44,222
Comes out the end
in 504 pieces.
216
00:08:44,290 --> 00:08:45,690
I hadn't seen my face
that cut up
217
00:08:45,692 --> 00:08:47,359
Since I taught myself to shave.
218
00:08:50,163 --> 00:08:51,796
- Look at that.
- There you go, my friend.
219
00:08:51,864 --> 00:08:52,864
Thank you.
220
00:08:52,932 --> 00:08:54,833
And that's it,
I'm officially puzzled.
221
00:08:54,901 --> 00:08:58,937
I always figured I was,
but now it's official.
222
00:08:59,005 --> 00:09:02,040
I think, I don't know.
I'm never sure.
223
00:09:02,108 --> 00:09:07,078
♪
224
00:09:07,146 --> 00:09:08,546
I couldn't visit minden
without stopping by
225
00:09:08,615 --> 00:09:10,481
The most famous
building in town.
226
00:09:10,550 --> 00:09:12,650
I went over to the
dominion hotel and
227
00:09:12,719 --> 00:09:15,053
I had a chat with owner,
shawn chamberlin.
228
00:09:15,055 --> 00:09:17,889
(cheering & applause)
229
00:09:17,891 --> 00:09:20,158
The d, as locals
like to call it.
230
00:09:20,226 --> 00:09:21,993
The dominion hotel has
been around longer than
231
00:09:22,062 --> 00:09:23,428
The dominion of canada.
232
00:09:23,496 --> 00:09:25,663
This building
opened in 1865.
233
00:09:25,666 --> 00:09:26,898
Wow, wow.
234
00:09:26,900 --> 00:09:31,736
1865, the d was erected.
That's 155 years.
235
00:09:31,804 --> 00:09:33,838
I thought if your d was erect
for more than four hours,
236
00:09:33,906 --> 00:09:35,273
You're supposed
to call a doctor.
237
00:09:35,341 --> 00:09:38,743
(laughing & cheering)
238
00:09:38,812 --> 00:09:41,446
So, three major floods
in seven years.
239
00:09:41,514 --> 00:09:43,781
Did you stay open for business
while all this was going on?
240
00:09:43,850 --> 00:09:46,250
We did.
We actually had customers
241
00:09:46,319 --> 00:09:48,853
Come to our back door here
with their canoes.
242
00:09:48,922 --> 00:09:50,555
So, they boated
to our back door,
243
00:09:50,623 --> 00:09:52,256
That's how much
water was here.
244
00:09:52,325 --> 00:09:54,526
Shawn said he's had
people finish their stint
245
00:09:54,594 --> 00:09:57,562
Sandbagging and row up
to the back door
246
00:09:57,631 --> 00:10:00,064
Of the dominion,
in canoes, in rowboats.
247
00:10:00,133 --> 00:10:01,532
(laughing)
248
00:10:01,601 --> 00:10:04,569
I wonder, if someone comes
to your bar in a rowboat and
249
00:10:04,571 --> 00:10:07,038
Drinks too much, is that a
dilemma for a bartender?
250
00:10:07,107 --> 00:10:08,873
Do you know what I mean?
It's like, okay, I'll serve you,
251
00:10:08,941 --> 00:10:10,575
But you're gonna have to
leave your oars with me.
252
00:10:10,577 --> 00:10:13,311
(laughing)
253
00:10:13,313 --> 00:10:16,047
[shawn] this is the unofficial
hub of information.
254
00:10:16,049 --> 00:10:18,516
During the floods,
we had people calling in
255
00:10:18,585 --> 00:10:20,718
To take a temperature
on the town.
256
00:10:20,787 --> 00:10:24,722
One day, alone, I tracked
172 phone calls.
257
00:10:24,725 --> 00:10:25,623
Really?
258
00:10:25,692 --> 00:10:26,958
His staff was frustrated.
259
00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:28,159
No one could get
any work done,
260
00:10:28,227 --> 00:10:29,594
They're all tied
to the phone.
261
00:10:29,662 --> 00:10:31,396
So, shawn,
who's a bit old school,
262
00:10:31,464 --> 00:10:33,731
Had to break down and do
something that he didn't
263
00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:37,335
Want to do, he bought a
cordless phone for the bar.
264
00:10:37,337 --> 00:10:38,770
- (laughing)
- no choice.
265
00:10:38,838 --> 00:10:40,872
He had to get
with the times.
266
00:10:40,940 --> 00:10:43,408
If the times were like,
late 80s, early 90s.
267
00:10:43,476 --> 00:10:45,243
(laughing)
268
00:10:45,311 --> 00:10:47,278
Heaven forbid, but if
there is another flood,
269
00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:49,080
I think he might break
down and get a pager.
270
00:10:49,082 --> 00:10:50,882
(laughing & cheering)
271
00:10:59,459 --> 00:11:00,525
Here in minden,
you know,
272
00:11:00,593 --> 00:11:02,960
You can get beers
from boshkung brewing,
273
00:11:02,963 --> 00:11:06,331
Famously delicious ice cream
from kawartha dairy,
274
00:11:06,399 --> 00:11:08,533
Or you can get a soft
serve at river cone.
275
00:11:08,601 --> 00:11:10,368
But if you're looking
for something old,
276
00:11:10,437 --> 00:11:13,071
And something new,
and something tasty too,
277
00:11:13,139 --> 00:11:16,574
Look no further than minden's
antique store, slash,
278
00:11:16,642 --> 00:11:19,977
Thai food restaurant.
From suwan's thai cuisine,
279
00:11:20,046 --> 00:11:21,813
Suwan khambduang.
280
00:11:21,881 --> 00:11:27,952
(cheering & applause)
281
00:11:28,020 --> 00:11:30,555
- Hi, suwan, how are you?
- Hi, johnny, how are you?
282
00:11:30,623 --> 00:11:32,457
It's nice to
finally meet you.
283
00:11:32,459 --> 00:11:34,259
You're kind of
famous in this area.
284
00:11:34,327 --> 00:11:35,560
- (laughs)
- yes.
285
00:11:35,628 --> 00:11:37,595
Suwan moved to minden
with her husband, ron.
286
00:11:37,597 --> 00:11:39,297
Ron owns the antique shop.
287
00:11:39,365 --> 00:11:41,666
I start to work with
him a little bit and,
288
00:11:41,734 --> 00:11:44,902
I say, I don't think I
can do the antiques.
289
00:11:44,971 --> 00:11:47,205
I can do, but it's not
my thing, I said, yeah.
290
00:11:47,207 --> 00:11:49,340
She wanted to make
thai food for people.
291
00:11:49,408 --> 00:11:51,542
That's what she'd been
doing professionally
292
00:11:51,545 --> 00:11:53,211
From the age of 14.
293
00:11:53,213 --> 00:11:56,781
And ron said, "oh, thai
food's never gonna go."
294
00:11:56,783 --> 00:11:58,950
I said, "thai food will go."
295
00:11:58,952 --> 00:12:02,220
Ron was a bit more weary.
He knew she was a great cook,
296
00:12:02,222 --> 00:12:05,790
But wasn't sure if thai food
would take off in a small town.
297
00:12:05,858 --> 00:12:10,027
Well, turns out he
couldn't have been more-ron.
298
00:12:10,030 --> 00:12:12,363
(laughs)
299
00:12:12,431 --> 00:12:14,899
Oh, when the
first day we opened,
300
00:12:14,968 --> 00:12:16,768
People just line up
to the door.
301
00:12:16,836 --> 00:12:19,771
The first day she opened,
people just flooded the--
302
00:12:19,839 --> 00:12:21,572
Bah, sorry,
poor choice of words.
303
00:12:21,575 --> 00:12:23,074
(laughing)
304
00:12:23,142 --> 00:12:26,444
People were pouring-- no.
305
00:12:26,512 --> 00:12:29,947
So many people came that
you couldn't find a seat.
306
00:12:30,016 --> 00:12:31,549
She ran out of seats.
307
00:12:31,617 --> 00:12:33,685
We don't prepare
to get this busy.
308
00:12:33,753 --> 00:12:35,887
I said, "I don't have no seats."
I said,
309
00:12:35,955 --> 00:12:38,122
"if you can find a chair,
you can have the seat."
310
00:12:38,125 --> 00:12:40,291
And they went downstairs,
looked for the chair,
311
00:12:40,359 --> 00:12:41,592
And they find a chair.
312
00:12:41,661 --> 00:12:43,728
- From ron's shop.
- That's right.
313
00:12:43,796 --> 00:12:45,663
One person went over to
ron's antique store and
314
00:12:45,732 --> 00:12:47,665
Took a chair from there.
315
00:12:47,733 --> 00:12:49,600
This sounds a
bit brazen to me.
316
00:12:49,603 --> 00:12:50,902
Anywhere there was
somewhere to sit,
317
00:12:50,970 --> 00:12:53,237
Somebody was sitting.
I think even the toilet.
318
00:12:53,306 --> 00:12:56,374
Next thing it was like,
"suwan, make mine extra spicy.
319
00:12:56,442 --> 00:12:57,942
Might as well,
I'm already here."
320
00:12:57,944 --> 00:13:00,678
(laughing)
321
00:13:00,746 --> 00:13:03,414
She said, you know, the
restaurant that she has now,
322
00:13:03,482 --> 00:13:05,250
It's her dream
set up, you know.
323
00:13:05,318 --> 00:13:08,085
It's popular, but small
enough that she can manage,
324
00:13:08,088 --> 00:13:09,554
She can do the cooking.
325
00:13:09,622 --> 00:13:12,757
And what she loves about it,
no haggling over the price.
326
00:13:12,759 --> 00:13:14,192
She said that's what
she hated the most
327
00:13:14,260 --> 00:13:15,393
In the antique store.
328
00:13:15,395 --> 00:13:17,795
Like, okay, this is
100, 100 dollars.
329
00:13:17,864 --> 00:13:20,165
And people would say,
"can I give you...
330
00:13:20,233 --> 00:13:24,068
...30 bucks or $20?"
I say, "oh, I can't do this."
331
00:13:24,136 --> 00:13:25,903
She didn't want to
negotiate with people so,
332
00:13:25,906 --> 00:13:27,605
That's not the case
in her restaurant, okay.
333
00:13:27,673 --> 00:13:29,574
Pad thai, $16.
334
00:13:29,576 --> 00:13:33,244
Noodles are soft, price is firm.
335
00:13:33,246 --> 00:13:35,980
Want me to sweeten the deal,
order some dessert.
336
00:13:35,982 --> 00:13:37,582
Mango sticky rice, 6 bucks.
337
00:13:37,650 --> 00:13:41,919
(laughs & applause)
338
00:13:41,988 --> 00:13:44,555
♪
339
00:13:44,624 --> 00:13:45,690
- Hey, guys.
- How are ya?
340
00:13:45,758 --> 00:13:47,425
- Good, how you doing?
- Very well.
341
00:13:47,493 --> 00:13:50,161
I was impressed to hear about
minden's pride festival.
342
00:13:50,229 --> 00:13:52,330
(cheering & applause)
343
00:13:52,398 --> 00:13:55,199
Attended last year
by over 2,000 people.
344
00:13:55,268 --> 00:13:57,602
I talked to a guy
who helps organize,
345
00:13:57,604 --> 00:14:00,238
But his drag queen character,
plum vicious,
346
00:14:00,306 --> 00:14:03,241
She's the real big wig,
real big wig.
347
00:14:03,243 --> 00:14:05,710
I sat down and had a
chat with shawn smandych.
348
00:14:05,712 --> 00:14:09,213
(cheering & applause)
349
00:14:09,282 --> 00:14:11,249
First year was literally
just a picnic, and then
350
00:14:11,251 --> 00:14:15,720
It just grew quite quickly into
being more of an event.
351
00:14:15,788 --> 00:14:17,922
Pride is growing
exponentially and has had
352
00:14:17,924 --> 00:14:19,924
Huge support from
this small town.
353
00:14:19,992 --> 00:14:23,394
They organize a burlesque ball,
there's street performers,
354
00:14:23,396 --> 00:14:25,930
Food vendors,
people are dressing up.
355
00:14:25,998 --> 00:14:27,932
They first gave shawn a
call when they were
356
00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:31,102
Throwing around the idea of
drag queen story hour.
357
00:14:31,170 --> 00:14:33,738
Now, drag queen story hour
is a growing phenomenon
358
00:14:33,806 --> 00:14:36,641
In bigger cities, where drag
queens come in and
359
00:14:36,643 --> 00:14:39,577
Read kids' stories to kids
in public libraries.
360
00:14:39,579 --> 00:14:41,412
They asked shawn
to participate.
361
00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:44,315
He agreed so, he got
done up as plum vicious.
362
00:14:44,383 --> 00:14:46,451
♪
363
00:14:46,519 --> 00:14:49,187
Shawn said he's never been into
the subtle side of drag.
364
00:14:49,255 --> 00:14:53,157
I mean, plum vicious is
an extraordinary getup.
365
00:14:53,226 --> 00:14:54,992
I'm thinking, in a
rural ontario town?
366
00:14:55,061 --> 00:14:57,595
Like, are they ready for
this up here, like...?
367
00:14:57,663 --> 00:14:59,730
So, I said,
"let's just see."
368
00:14:59,799 --> 00:15:02,833
And he comes in full regalia,
and he said, of course,
369
00:15:02,902 --> 00:15:06,037
It's the youngest kids who
aren't phased by this at all.
370
00:15:06,105 --> 00:15:09,707
They were exceedingly
engaged and interactive,
371
00:15:09,776 --> 00:15:12,076
Completely onboard
the whole time.
372
00:15:12,144 --> 00:15:14,378
You know, you'd ask a question.
They were just right there.
373
00:15:14,447 --> 00:15:17,682
They were firing back at you as
fast as you could say anything.
374
00:15:17,750 --> 00:15:20,284
For kids who were like
me with attention issues,
375
00:15:20,287 --> 00:15:23,020
That's gotta be-- just have
somebody spectacular
376
00:15:23,023 --> 00:15:25,690
To look to keep you engaged.
377
00:15:25,758 --> 00:15:27,858
I mean, when we got
read to in kindergarten,
378
00:15:27,927 --> 00:15:29,027
There was none of that.
379
00:15:29,095 --> 00:15:31,496
There was no big hair
and massive lashes,
380
00:15:31,564 --> 00:15:33,297
Jewelry, we had
none of that.
381
00:15:33,366 --> 00:15:35,399
We had none...
We had nuns...
382
00:15:35,468 --> 00:15:37,402
We had nuns!
383
00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:42,674
He, he told me, you know,
there was this one gentleman
384
00:15:42,742 --> 00:15:45,409
Who came up and wanted to
get a picture with plum.
385
00:15:45,478 --> 00:15:47,845
He said this gentleman might
have been 80 years old.
386
00:15:47,847 --> 00:15:49,513
And he goes, "do you mind
if I have a photo with you?"
387
00:15:49,516 --> 00:15:50,915
And I said,
"well, of course."
388
00:15:50,983 --> 00:15:52,249
And he says, "the whole
reason I want to have this is,
389
00:15:52,252 --> 00:15:54,385
I want to show my kids
and my grandkids that
390
00:15:54,387 --> 00:15:56,253
No matter who they are
and what they become,
391
00:15:56,322 --> 00:15:57,956
I'm totally cool."
392
00:15:58,024 --> 00:15:59,523
I thought my grandfather
was cool for pulling
393
00:15:59,592 --> 00:16:01,926
A quarter out from
behind my ear.
394
00:16:01,928 --> 00:16:03,394
But to me, there's a
grandfather who's
395
00:16:03,463 --> 00:16:04,929
Really embracing change.
396
00:16:04,931 --> 00:16:06,431
Oh!
(laughing)
397
00:16:08,935 --> 00:16:11,202
And I think between
minden pride and story time,
398
00:16:11,270 --> 00:16:13,137
Being exposed and open to
something like this
399
00:16:13,206 --> 00:16:15,006
Allows the kids to see that,
you know what,
400
00:16:15,074 --> 00:16:17,341
Yeah, it's okay to be just
who you are in your own skin,
401
00:16:17,410 --> 00:16:18,676
Whatever that is.
402
00:16:18,744 --> 00:16:20,711
But I think the cool thing
about minden pride is,
403
00:16:20,780 --> 00:16:24,081
It's gotta be a game changer for
kids to see that firsthand,
404
00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:26,283
And not just to see
shawn and the performers,
405
00:16:26,352 --> 00:16:28,386
But to see it supported
by the community.
406
00:16:28,454 --> 00:16:29,787
And now,
maybe it's not like,
407
00:16:29,789 --> 00:16:32,090
Oh, you know, there's this
world out there somewhere,
408
00:16:32,158 --> 00:16:33,624
Where what I'm
feeling is okay.
409
00:16:33,692 --> 00:16:35,960
Maybe it's, you know,
it's okay here.
410
00:16:35,962 --> 00:16:37,128
Woo!
411
00:16:37,196 --> 00:16:39,397
(cheering & applause)
412
00:16:39,465 --> 00:16:42,967
I can't wait 'til minden pride
has a full-on pride parade.
413
00:16:42,969 --> 00:16:44,969
I mean, a town that
has this many floods,
414
00:16:45,037 --> 00:16:46,704
Your floats are
gonna be fabulous.
415
00:16:46,706 --> 00:16:48,373
(laughing & applause)
416
00:16:56,949 --> 00:17:00,718
When I heard there was world
class paddling happening here,
417
00:17:00,787 --> 00:17:03,320
I didn't want to
leave until I saw it.
418
00:17:03,323 --> 00:17:06,323
Who better to show me the
gull whitewater rapids than
419
00:17:06,326 --> 00:17:09,427
Canada's whitewater woman,
claudia van wijk.
420
00:17:09,495 --> 00:17:11,662
(cheering & applause)
421
00:17:11,664 --> 00:17:13,864
Claudia is ten-time
422
00:17:13,933 --> 00:17:16,801
Canadian national whitewater
kayaking champion.
423
00:17:16,869 --> 00:17:19,270
- (cheering)
- in a row, that's incredible.
424
00:17:19,338 --> 00:17:21,672
Usually, in whitewater kayaking,
there's a lot of turnover.
425
00:17:21,740 --> 00:17:24,475
(laughing)
426
00:17:24,544 --> 00:17:29,113
This river is so special
because it's narrow.
427
00:17:29,181 --> 00:17:33,451
So, it has forced the
water to go faster...
428
00:17:33,519 --> 00:17:34,786
- Is that right?
- And, it's...
429
00:17:34,854 --> 00:17:36,387
...Revered around the world.
430
00:17:36,389 --> 00:17:38,622
Claudia's not only a
champ of the sport,
431
00:17:38,691 --> 00:17:40,224
But a huge advocate for it.
432
00:17:40,226 --> 00:17:42,660
She lobbied hard to have
whitewatering included at
433
00:17:42,728 --> 00:17:44,895
The 2015 pan am games,
which, of course,
434
00:17:44,964 --> 00:17:46,430
Were held in toronto.
435
00:17:46,499 --> 00:17:49,300
Organizers said, "no, no, no,
minden's too far away."
436
00:17:49,368 --> 00:17:52,603
And it actually took two years
of a lot of bureaucracy.
437
00:17:52,671 --> 00:17:56,440
I sat around many board tables,
and we were able to
438
00:17:56,443 --> 00:17:59,777
Host the canoe slalom
here on the gull.
439
00:17:59,845 --> 00:18:02,246
She fought hard for it.
Eventually she won.
440
00:18:02,314 --> 00:18:05,316
So, of course, who did they
ask during the torch relay
441
00:18:05,384 --> 00:18:08,052
To bring the torch
down the gull rapids?
442
00:18:08,121 --> 00:18:09,954
Canada's whitewater woman.
443
00:18:10,022 --> 00:18:13,057
(cheering & applause)
444
00:18:13,126 --> 00:18:16,660
After chatting on the river,
it was time to take the plunge.
445
00:18:16,663 --> 00:18:19,530
Left, right,
nice and vertical.
446
00:18:19,532 --> 00:18:21,632
Okay!
447
00:18:21,700 --> 00:18:23,768
[johnny] we get going, she tells
me she's gonna control the
448
00:18:23,836 --> 00:18:26,270
Steering back there, but
I had to keep paddling.
449
00:18:26,338 --> 00:18:28,506
I was responsible
for forward momentum.
450
00:18:28,574 --> 00:18:30,274
I thought the river was
taking care of that just fine.
451
00:18:30,342 --> 00:18:31,509
(laughing)
452
00:18:31,577 --> 00:18:33,878
So, we're zipping
along and, you know,
453
00:18:33,946 --> 00:18:38,282
I think we're doing well and
then we get to the otter slide.
454
00:18:38,350 --> 00:18:41,385
Woohoo!
Here's the big one!
455
00:18:41,387 --> 00:18:43,554
[johnny] oh, man!
456
00:18:43,623 --> 00:18:45,122
To me, it was a
bizarre experience.
457
00:18:45,191 --> 00:18:47,925
I've never gone
downhill on water.
458
00:18:47,993 --> 00:18:51,228
My whole life, the only water
I've ever been in, horizontal.
459
00:18:51,297 --> 00:18:52,830
(laughing)
460
00:18:52,832 --> 00:18:56,167
But then you hit what they
call the standing waves.
461
00:18:56,235 --> 00:18:59,904
Woo! That's it!
Reach over the waves!
462
00:18:59,906 --> 00:19:02,373
You're doused in water.
It's in my eyes, in my mouth.
463
00:19:02,441 --> 00:19:04,241
I'm spitting it out, I'm trying
to remember what she said.
464
00:19:04,310 --> 00:19:05,342
Keep paddling.
465
00:19:05,411 --> 00:19:06,744
So, I get back at
it and, of course,
466
00:19:06,812 --> 00:19:09,413
You hit the second
standing wave, doused again.
467
00:19:09,481 --> 00:19:11,448
- Woo!
- Ha-ha-ha!
468
00:19:11,517 --> 00:19:12,483
Third standing wave,
I felt like,
469
00:19:12,551 --> 00:19:14,518
Oh, my god,
still standing waves?
470
00:19:14,521 --> 00:19:16,687
- (laughs)
- oh!
471
00:19:16,755 --> 00:19:20,925
Still standing waves!
472
00:19:20,993 --> 00:19:24,061
That's what you
should call them!
473
00:19:24,130 --> 00:19:26,597
- Hey, how'd it go?
- He's a true canadian!
474
00:19:26,666 --> 00:19:28,666
- He knows how to paddle.
- Great job, johnny.
475
00:19:28,734 --> 00:19:29,833
- Well done.
- Thanks, guys.
476
00:19:29,836 --> 00:19:30,834
Woo!
477
00:19:30,903 --> 00:19:32,670
(laughing)
478
00:19:32,738 --> 00:19:35,239
♪
479
00:19:35,308 --> 00:19:37,675
Minden's a place where you
can piece together a puzzle
480
00:19:37,743 --> 00:19:39,810
Or go to a party for pride.
481
00:19:39,878 --> 00:19:42,446
Where flood relief folks can
row to the d and
482
00:19:42,514 --> 00:19:44,548
Buy beers from
canoe at high tide.
483
00:19:44,617 --> 00:19:45,849
(laughing)
484
00:19:45,852 --> 00:19:48,452
Paddling and ice cream
and exotic thai dishes...
485
00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:51,388
Or stories for kids as
read by plum vicious.
486
00:19:51,457 --> 00:19:53,123
- Woo!
- (applause)
487
00:19:53,126 --> 00:19:55,893
In the times of emergency,
anxiety was high.
488
00:19:55,895 --> 00:19:57,895
Surely, the
stakes were high too.
489
00:19:57,963 --> 00:19:59,730
In fact, the steaks couldn't
be higher if you had
490
00:19:59,798 --> 00:20:00,965
A cow on the roof,
491
00:20:01,033 --> 00:20:02,533
Which come to think
of it, you do.
492
00:20:02,601 --> 00:20:04,335
(laughing)
493
00:20:04,403 --> 00:20:06,871
Your backs are
strong from sandbagging,
494
00:20:06,939 --> 00:20:09,206
Even though it sometimes
makes them stiffen.
495
00:20:09,275 --> 00:20:11,542
But in minden, you don't
go bail on your neighbour.
496
00:20:11,610 --> 00:20:13,711
Grab a bucket and
go bale with 'em.
497
00:20:13,779 --> 00:20:15,479
Thanks for coming
out to the show, minden.
498
00:20:15,548 --> 00:20:19,883
(cheering & applause)
499
00:20:19,952 --> 00:20:22,886
It gave me a whole new
level of pride in minden.
500
00:20:22,955 --> 00:20:26,323
For being a really small town,
they've got a huge heart.
501
00:20:26,326 --> 00:20:27,725
- And now we go in?
- Eh, whoa, whoa!
502
00:20:27,793 --> 00:20:29,593
Just kidding!
(laughing)
503
00:20:29,596 --> 00:20:34,265
♪
504
00:20:34,267 --> 00:20:35,833
I had an idea
for your pad thai.
505
00:20:35,901 --> 00:20:37,768
What if you called it,
paddle thai?
506
00:20:37,836 --> 00:20:39,537
♪
507
00:20:39,605 --> 00:20:41,038
- Paddle thai?
- Like a canoe paddle.
508
00:20:41,106 --> 00:20:42,172
- Like a kayak.
- Okay, okay.
509
00:20:42,241 --> 00:20:43,407
- Like a joke.
- Mhm.
510
00:20:43,476 --> 00:20:46,244
Not a very good joke.
But a joke, nonetheless.
511
00:20:46,312 --> 00:20:47,811
♪
512
00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:48,913
You know what my
favourite part was?
513
00:20:48,981 --> 00:20:50,281
Hm?
514
00:20:50,349 --> 00:20:51,649
How johnny really managed
to pull all the pieces
515
00:20:51,717 --> 00:20:53,484
Of the puzzle together.
516
00:20:53,486 --> 00:20:55,319
Yes, yes, very funny.
517
00:20:55,387 --> 00:21:03,527
♪