Growing Guelph

Lauren Martin - Cool Aunt Creatives - Building Spaces to Play

This one is a long one (and a fun one). My conversation with Lauren Martin, founder of Cool Aunt Creatives, clocks in at just over two hours and covers a huge range of ideas about community, creativity, and what it means to keep building a meaningful life after school. Lauren shares her Guelph origin story, how exploring downtown shaped her early connection to the city (including a shared love for the now-gone Dis-a-Rays), and what it was like navigating that post-university chapter of moving away, coming back, and trying to find real community as an adult. We also dig into her pandemic-era reset, learning new creative skills through trial and error, and how all of that eventually led to Cool Aunt Creatives, its workshops, and its bigger event universe. We talk about: - Coming to Guelph for school and choosing to stay - Making friends as an adult and building “third spaces” - Learning new hobbies, making mistakes, and pushing through discomfort - The meaning behind “Cool Aunt” and the ethos of the brand - Why structured play matters, especially for adults - Cool Aunt Creatives workshops, markets, and the kind of makers Lauren loves to work with - Fairy & Iron and building a fantasy world that continues across events - Creating dance spaces for adults that are joyful, structured, and not overly competitive Connect with Cool Aunt Creatives: Website: https://coolauntcreatives.com/ [https://coolauntcreatives.com/] Events calendar: https://coolauntcreatives.com/events-calendar [https://coolauntcreatives.com/events-calendar] Workshops: https://coolauntcreatives.com/workshops-1 [https://coolauntcreatives.com/workshops-1] Cool Aunt Jr: https://coolauntcreatives.com/cool-aunt-jr-summer-camp [https://coolauntcreatives.com/cool-aunt-jr-summer-camp] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coolauntcreatives/ [https://www.instagram.com/coolauntcreatives/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coolauntcreatives/ [https://www.facebook.com/coolauntcreatives/] More links (including other platforms): https://linktr.ee/coolauntcreatives [https://linktr.ee/coolauntcreatives] Thanks for listening! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Steph Clarke - Guelph Tool Library - A Downtown Beacon for DIY

This episode is a sequel! Sort of. Last time I spoke to Steph Clarke from the Guelph Tool Library was in episode 3 in November of 2024 of this podcast. This time, I’m in-person with Steph Clarke, now the Community Engagement Manager at the Guelph Tool Library in the Old Quebec Street Shoppes. We talk about how the Tool Library has grown since our first Zoom chat, how local artists have helped transform the space into a welcoming community hub, and the impact the library is having through programs like the Free Hub and free bike repairs. We also dig into what’s next, including Repair Cafés, Seedy Saturday with Yorklands Green Hub, the Brush Battle fundraiser, and the Free To Read book sale supporting Books for Inmates. LINKS: Guelph Tool Library: https://guelphtoollibrary.org/ [https://guelphtoollibrary.org/] GTL Calendar (events): https://guelphtoollibrary.org/calendar/ [https://guelphtoollibrary.org/calendar/] Repair Café info: https://guelphtoollibrary.org/repair-cafe/ [https://guelphtoollibrary.org/repair-cafe/] Seedy Saturday (Wellington County event page): https://www.wellington.ca/calendar/seedy-saturday-hosted-guelph-seed-library-yorklands-green-hub-and-guleph-tool-library [https://www.wellington.ca/calendar/seedy-saturday-hosted-guelph-seed-library-yorklands-green-hub-and-guleph-tool-library] Seedy Saturday workshop schedule (Yorklands): https://yorklandsgreenhub.ca/seedy-saturday-2/ [https://yorklandsgreenhub.ca/seedy-saturday-2/] Brush Battle tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/brush-battle [https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/brush-battle] Free To Read (book sale): https://guelphtoollibrary.org/free-to-read/ [https://guelphtoollibrary.org/free-to-read/] Thanks for listening, you can reach me with comments or suggest a guest at GrowingGuelph AT Gmail dot com! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Katherine Hauser - Ward 6 City of Guelph Councillor - Connecting Residents to Council

Councillor Katherine Hauser represents Ward 6 on Guelph City Council, stepping into the role through the city’s appointment process. With deep local ties and a community-first perspective, Katherine brings a grounded approach to public service and a focus on helping residents understand how municipal decisions get made. In this episode of Growing Guelph, we talk about what it was like to join council mid-term, what she’s learned so far inside City Hall, and what she wishes more people knew about the realities of council work. We also dig into her goals for Ward 6, what she’s prioritizing in the months ahead, and the best ways for residents to connect, share input, and get involved. Connecting with councillor Katherine: Email - katherine.hauser@guelph.ca [katherine.hauser@guelph.ca] by phone number at: 226-821, and then breaking this number up for the purposes of not assisting any spam bots which might want to skim the these show notes, the finally four digits are one one, two six. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Meg Forestell-Page – Guelph Public Library – Tools for a Connected Community

EPISODE DESCRIPTION: In the final episode of my three-part series with the Guelph Public Library, I speak with Meg Forestell-Page, Manager of Public Service, about the wide-reaching and innovative ways libraries are expanding access and building community across Guelph. Meg walks me through her role at the library and the many ways her team helps meet evolving needs in our digital and social world. We explore how the library supports digital equity, offers personalized tech help, and helps residents stay informed and safe in an age of rapid information and online scams. I also talk with Meg about the incredible range of resources beyond books—including the Library of Things—and how the library remains a flexible, inclusive third space for everyone in Guelph. Topics we discuss: * The Guelph Wellington Digital Equity Coalition * Digital skills programming and scam awareness * Reaching underserved and equity-deserving communities * Innovative collections like the Library of Things * How the library is adapting to the future of AI and information overload * The library’s role in building empathy, access, and community RELEVANT LINKS: * Guelph Public Library – About Us - https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/about-us.aspx [https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/about-us.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Guelph Public Library – Programs & Events - https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/programs-events/programs-and-events.aspx [https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/programs-events/programs-and-events.aspx] * Library of Things – Guelph Public Library - https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/collections/library-of-things.aspx [https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/collections/library-of-things.aspx] * Guelph Wellington Digital Equity Coalition - https://guelphchc.ca/gwdec/ [https://guelphchc.ca/gwdec/] * Guelph Public Library Strategic Plan - https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/strategic-plan.aspx [https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/strategic-plan.aspx] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Dan Atkins & Michelle Campbell – Guelph Public Library – Beyond Books

EPISODE DESCRIPTION: In part two of our three-part series with the Guelph Public Library, we sit down with Dan Atkins, CEO, and Michelle Campbell, Deputy CEO, to explore the deeper public value that libraries bring to our community. Together, we discuss their paths into library leadership, the challenges and opportunities they’ve encountered, and how the Guelph Public Library continues to evolve. From the launch of their new strategic plan to the vision behind the soon-to-be-built Central Library, Dan and Michelle reflect on what it means to serve a diverse and growing city like Guelph. We cover: * How the library decides where to invest time and energy * Innovative ways the library is expanding what it offers to the public * Why access and belonging remain central to their mission * How libraries balance being inclusive spaces while meeting public expectations * Their hopes for the future of the library and its role in community building This episode highlights the leadership behind one of Guelph’s most vital institutions and how libraries continue to shape the social and civic fabric of our city. RELEVANT LINKS: * Guelph Public Library – About Us - https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/about-us.aspx [https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/about-us.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Guelph Public Library Strategic Plan 2025–2028 – From Barriers to Bridges: - https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/strategic-plan.aspx [https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/strategic-plan.aspx] * Guelph Central Library Project (via City of Guelph) - https://guelph.ca/city-hall/planning-and-development/city-building-projects/baker-district/ [https://guelph.ca/city-hall/planning-and-development/city-building-projects/baker-district/] * Recent news article on Dan Atkins, new CEO: - https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/familiar-face-is-the-new-new-ceo-of-guelph-public-library-9877362 [https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/familiar-face-is-the-new-new-ceo-of-guelph-public-library-9877362] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.