Welcome to Osgoode Community Chronicles - Introductory Episode

Hello and welcome to the very first episode of Osgoode Community Chronicles.

I’m your host Tracey D’Aviero and I’m so excited that you are here. I’m excited to be here myself.

I have been trying to find my place in the community and I really think this is it. I hope you agree!

Many of you may know me as Tracey Blanchfield, I’ve been married to my husband Tony D’Aviero for almost 30 years so you’ve had time to get used to the new name, but in a small community like ours, we often still refer back to our maiden or family names. I know I do all the time.

I have lived in Osgoode all of my life … well, almost all of it. My relatives have been living in what was called West Osgoode since the 1830s. My father was born on what is now called Blanchfield Road, and after he married my mom they briefly lived in Ottawa where my sister and brothers were born, before moving us all out to Lion Street in Osgoode village.

Let’s just say I don’t remember living anywhere else. Tony and I are still living in the village with our son Owen. I wouldn’t live anywhere else!

Now although the podcast is called Osgoode Community Chronicles, it will not be just about the village of Osgoode. I like to think lots goes on here, but probably to get enough content for a weekly podcast would consist mostly of peeking through my neighbours windows and we have to draw the line somewhere!

We will be covering Osgoode and area – and that area doesn’t have ward or road boundaries. We are going to talk about the communities that we are living in – news and events, history, local businesses, community voices, and a whole lot more. And I’ll bring it to you from my home in Osgoode village.

Why a podcast? I’ve hosted a weekly podcast for my business for more than 2 years and I love the way that it is accessible to the people who want to tune in whenever they like. A podcast is just a radio show that you can listen to anytime you want – from anywhere you want.

So whether you are a current resident of our area, or a former resident, you can listen in, and I hope you do.

I myself have been involved in a number of community groups over the years and here is what my vision of Osgoode Community Chronicles is: a hub for local organizations and groups to get the word out about their events, a spotlight on local businesses and their products and services, a dive into our area’s rich history and the families that have come here and stayed, or simply passed through, an account of the community leaders who have helped to shape and build our communities through their businesses or other community initiatives, and a place where stories that make up the history of our rural communities can be shared and passed on to our future generations.