Definitely Not the Opera

Dads tell bad jokes, wipe runny noses and are full of surprises

We're celebrating Father's Day with tales of dads who imparted valuable life lessons, made surprising and out-of-character decisions and rose to the challenge of managing a house full of kids.
This week, it's all about the dads.

We're celebrating Father's Day with tales of dads who imparted valuable life lessons, made surprising and out-of-character decisions and rose to the challenge of managing a house full of kids.
Airdate Saturday, June 14, 2014

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When Maggie Estey's dad let the kids decide between new siding for the house or a trip to Disneyland, you can imagine what they picked.

But their dad made sure their memories would be about much more than the Magic Kingdom.  





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Alyssa Croft's new study has found that when fathers help out around the house, they can expand their daughter's career goals. 








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Frank Verpaelst shares the story of how his father took some extra time to put on his Sunday best, despite the fact that his hand was gushing blood. 










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Growing up, Cecilia Latorre's dad was a strict, traditional, Latin father.

So when teenage Cecilia and her equally sneaky sister were caught breaking into The Exhibition by their dad, the last thing they expected him to do was join in.









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Raising kids is never easy, but imagine having six, all between the ages of one and 11!

Kitchener lawyer
Mark Kok  shares stories on how he tries to manage his brood through the chaos of diaper changes and soccer practices. 








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When Kenny Phelps realized his dad was in the final stages of Alzheimer's, it was hard to communicate with him.

So the musician wrote the song, "You Were Young," for his father. He played it for him in the hospital...and at his funeral.  








Robert Bruce is 93 years old and a  Métis  veteran of World War Two. Though he wasn't on Juno Beach that day, he has a strong connection to D-Day, and distinct memories of the war. Stories his son, Don, only heard thanks to CBC's D-Day anniversary coverage.

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Ian Rowe heard that parents were some of the unhappiest people in the world. So during the birth of his first child, he tests that hypothesis.

We share his story as recorded in front of a Vancouver audience at the awesome storytelling event run by Rain City Chronicles.











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Ten years ago, JJ Lee became the father of twins. And he learned how to do all the dad stuff - how to change their diapers, give them baths, feed them and play with them.

But JJ didn't really appreciate what it means to be a father until one cold November day when the boys were three years old.





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Growing up, Alexandra Kimball had an incredibly difficult relationship with her father. But after her dad suffered a paralysing stroke, Alex and her father found an unexpected silver lining. 





DNTO's Weekly Playlist
Adam Cohen - "We Go Home"
Kathleen Edwards - "Change the Sheets"
New Pornographers - "Brill Bruisers"
Patti Page - "Detour"
Fitness Club Fiasco - "Goldmine"
The Speakeasies - "You Were Young"
Sarah Slean - "After the War"
Shotgun Jimmie - "Everything is Everything"
Sarah Harmer - "Oleander"