Interesting Things with JC #514: "53 Skateparks in One Day" Matt Kaleta and his friends from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada set a world record skating 53 skateparks in one day.

Interesting Things with JC #509: "Harry Chapin & Jim Connors" - In this unique and profound 33-minute interview, we're given a window into the world of #HarryChapin and #JimConnors, two iconic figures in the music and radio industries. Jim Connors, renowned as the morning host at #WJET in #Erie, #WMEX in #Boston, and #WYSL in #Buffalo, had a keen eye for talent, significantly influencing the careers of numerous artists, including the gifted singer/songwriter Harry Chapin.

The discussion opens with how they first met in the Boston area, blossoming into a friendship that deeply influenced Chapin's early career. This interview not only highlights their personal bond but also delves into the creative process behind Chapin's third album, #ShortStories, released in #1973. The album features the international hit #WOLD, which brilliantly captures the intricate demands of the radio business while echoing a universal yearning for a more grounded, ordinary life. This song not only resonated with #radio personalities but also reportedly inspired #HughWilson to create the beloved #TV show #WKRP in #Cincinnati.

Further enriching this conversation, Harry Chapin shares the inspiration behind his hit song "Taxi," revealing the emotional depth and personal experiences that fuel his songwriting. The dialogue explores the struggles and successes within the music industry, highlighting the pivotal role of authenticity in creating music that genuinely connects with listeners. Chapin's approach to songwriting seeks to mirror the emotional authenticity of artists like Jacques Brel, whose profound impact on French music is well recognized.

Both Chapin and Connors discuss the importance of maintaining artistic integrity, even in the face of commercial pressures and the challenges of controversial lyrics. This segment sheds light on their views of the music industry, emphasizing the value of telling genuine stories and staying true to one's artistic vision.

Throughout their careers, both men have navigated the complexities of fame and the music industry, always striving to keep a strong connection with their audience and to remain grounded despite external pressures. This dialogue is a must-hear for anyone interested in the intricacies of songwriting, the history of radio broadcasting, and the enduring impact of genuine musical storytelling.

Interesting Things with JC #433: The name "Plains Indian Sign Language" (PISL), also known as "Hand Talk," "Plains Sign Talk," and "First Nation Sign Language," refers to a trading language used by several Plains Nations in what is now central Canada, the central and western United States, and northern Mexico.

Interesting Things with JC #432: "Jack Johnson" is one of the most significant heavyweight champions of all time.

Interesting Things with JC #431: Marconi starts the first commercial "Wireless Telegraph Service" across the Atlantic Ocean, linking Nova Scotia and Ireland.

Interesting Things with JC #339: "Paul Bunyan" - Once upon a time, a large man named Paul Bunyan existed. Bunyan was a lumberjack who traversed the country with his blue ox, Babe. Paul Bunyan's tales are legendary and an integral part of American folklore.

Interesting Things with JC #305: "Avrocar" was developed as part of a secret U.S. military project carried out in the early years of the Cold War, for vertical take off and landing, travel at mach 4, and it looks like a flying saucer.

Interesting Things with JC #254: "Arctic Circle Daylight". In summertime, the sun is always above the horizon at the North Pole, circling the Pole once every day. It is highest in the sky at the Summer Solstice, after which, the sun starts to sink towards the horizon, until it falls below the horizon, at the Fall Equinox.

Interesting Things with JC #241: “The Flying Scotsman” - Mr. Alan Pegler brought the "Flying Scotsman" with a train of three British passenger cars, to the United States in 1968, traveling from Coast to Coast as an exhibition to promote global British exports. The details of the trip would forever change Pegler, as the fate of the train was unknown at the time!

Interesting Things with JC #222: "The Château Laurier" is said to be haunted by the ghost of Charles Melville Hays, the president of the company that built the hotel. Hays died on the Titanic, 12 days before the hotel's opening. The Châteauesque rooflines of several federal government buildings in Ottawa, Canada were inspired by the commanding presence of this hotel.

Interesting Things with JC #220: "The Great Auk" - While the Great Auk wasn't technically a penguin, it certainly looked like one, and in fact, it was the first bird to be loosely called a penguin. One significant difference, is that true penguins are restricted to the southern hemisphere, especially the fringes of Antarctica. The Great Auk lived along the farthest reaches of the northern Atlantic Ocean.

The Yukon is home to Canada’s westernmost point, which is on the border of Alaska. The day is designed to coincide with The Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous, a festival in Yukon’s capital, Whitehorse. The event specifically revolves around the Yukon Gold Rush period of the 1890’s. Yukoners take pride in the skills needed to perform such muscular tasks as chopping wood and wielding axes and chainsaws.

Hudson Bay has less gravity as compared to the rest of the world. You will officially weigh less than you would anywhere else in the world.

In the Province of Manitoba, Canada, at a creatively named business called "A Maze in Corn", you can visit the home of the Guinness Book of World Record’s Largest Snow Maze!