Boyle - Discover Ontario

M y career in radio began by chance in 1987, when a radio salesman by the name of Bob Rowe arrived at my place of business. Bob and I exchanged some words and quickly realized that we had quite a lot in common. As a journalist I had written several books, and Bob had spent a career in public relations. In other words our meeting was a synchronicity, to say the least.

Bob commented on my voice and asked me if I had ever worked in radio. I said no, but I had studied broadcast journalism at one time. He then asked me if I might consider working in radio as a broadcaster. I hadnt really thought about it, but I asked him what he had in mind. He stated that the station he worked for, Classical 96.3 and 103.1 FM, had a spot to fill after the Saturday noon-hour news. A brief commentary, three minutes in length, would do the trick. He added that I could highlight people, places, and events going on in Ontario. In fact, they could call the show Discover Ontario with Terry Boyle. Bob felt that a show of that nature would prove to be an asset to the station.

Wow, was my only reply.

Bob asked me to write some copy and come down to the station and record a demo tape. In those days the radio station was located in a small plaza in Cobourg, Ontario. After some consideration, I proceeded to write a show and tape a demo. It was a hit and I was suddenly on air.

This book, Discover Ontario , is a collection of radio shows spanning 1987 to 1997. I have attempted to select informative, interesting, and thought-provoking shows for your reading pleasure. Some stories have been brought up to date with a note at the end.

The book includes stories like that of Project Magnet, which was a Canadian government top-secret mission during the 1950s involving the study and observation of unidentified flying objects.

Buried treasure always seems to appeal to the metal-detector enthusiasts, and the mystery of Long Point should attract some interest. A chest of gold was buried there by trader David Ramsey, shortly after he killed three Aboriginal people during a drunken binge.

Then there is Dr. Troyer, who was convinced that he was being kidnapped at night by witches. In order to procure some safety from these creatures he designed and built a witch trap. This apparatus is now on display in the museum in the town of Simcoe.

Creature features are always a hit. Here youll find a show about a water snake measuring thirty feet in length and fifteen inches in diameter sighted in Lake Ontario off the shore of St. Catharines. Or, how about the seven-foot alligator that attacked a young girl at Fraser Lake near Bancroft in September of 1925?

Discover more about the Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull (a feature in the last Indiana Jones film) that was found in the ancient City Of Fallen Stones. What is this ancient relics connection to Ontario?

There are stories of the paranormal, flying saucers, and alien visits. Read about the attempted murder that took place at Ravensworth in Cobourg or the fatal Whitby shooting of a telegraph operator.

Enjoy historical profiles of communities such as Collingwood, Sarnia, Southampton, Cornwall, Brooklin, Scugog Island, and Kincardine, to name a few.

Whatever your cup of tea, Discover Ontario will delight and entertain you. I hope you enjoy reading the book as much as I loved writing and narrating the stories on radio.

I have increased the length of some radio shows from their original format to give you a more complete understanding of the subject matter than could be done in my three-minute limitations on air.

Since my decision to take a break from radio, Classical 96.3 and 103.1 FM has grown into a much larger radio station with expanded listenership and geographical presence. The old studio in Cobourg is long gone, along with some of the wonderful people I met and with whom I worked. The station is now located on Queen Street in downtown Toronto.

As for my good friend Bob Rowe, he has passed on to the other side. I have dedicated this book to him in honour of our time together and for his remarkable kindness and friendship.

Enjoy.

Terry Boyle

B urks Falls, Ontario