The Joy Show! The Current for Dec. 16, 2020
Today on The Current:
In a special show, we take a break from the hard news of 2020 to celebrate some of the ways people have found joy this year, and how they've helped bring happiness to others.
We hear from singer-songwriter Alex Cuba, who performed at the Latin Grammys in Miami last month and has been going "snow-plunging" at his home in Smithers, B.C.
Plus, when carpenter Kelly McCann tried to help his neighbour Jane McClair fix the deck of her N.S. home, he realized the entire house had severe structural problems. So the community banded together — to build Jane a new home.
Then, Canadians have been taking up some new hobbies to while away the pandemic, but would you consider jumping into Lake Ontario in December? Cait Faulkner and Greg Arbour have taken up winter swimming — they join us to discuss what possessed them.
And when heavy snow hit Newfoundland in January, Cortney Barber started the Facebook group Neighbours in Need - Newfoundland to help people who were struggling or stranded. Barber tells us how the group has continued right through the pandemic, and group member Sheldon Crocker says he might not be alive without it.
Plus, for a few years now, Janice Wabie's family has turned old trampolines into giant, illuminated dreamcatchers, with lights synced to music. She tells us where she got the idea, and why she wants to make more.
Then, former CBC Radio host Mike Finnerty swapped his microphone for an apron last month when he moved to London to become a cheesemonger. He tells us about following your passions, how his new job is going, and his favourite cheese right now: Langres.
And remember Esther the Wonder Pig? Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter thought they were adopting a micropig in 2012 — but Esther grew to about 295 kilograms and stole hearts across the world. It's been a tough few years for Esther, who had medical issues in 2018 and 2019. Jenkins is here to tell us whether 2020 was any better.