A Company of Fools Presents
The Tempest - theHumm July 2022

A Company of Fools Presents
The Tempest - theHumm July 2022

After two long years, a Company of Fools returns with its Torchlight Shakespeare in the park Summer Tour. This summer they present The Tempest, touring to over 40 local parks throughout Ottawa and beyond.

A stellar cast of Fools both new and old, with a few puppets thrown in for good measure, play 13 different roles to tell one of Shakespeare’s most magical stories. Bring your picnics, your lawn chairs, and even your dog to this ideal summer evening experience for the entire family!

Shows all start at 7pm, and there are several scheduled for locations in the Ottawa Valley, including July 7 at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners, July 14 at Maplewood Park in Oxford Mills, July 29 at Alexander Grove in Stittsville, August 2 at the Swing Bridge in Burritts Rapids, and August 11 at The Diefenbunker Museum in Carp. The full schedule is available at fools.ca . Admission is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $20 per person.

About The Tempest

Join us in 1920’s New Orleans, where magic and music come alive in the bayou. Set in The Big Easy, our re-imagining of The Tempest features curious crocodiles, tricksy spirits, handmade instruments and a jazz-inspired musical score.

Exiled to a deserted island twelve years ago, Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, plots his revenge on the man who usurped his throne: his own brother, Antonio. As a ship bearing Antonio draws closer to the island, Prospero uses all his wit and mystical powers to ensure he can enact his plan of reclaiming his power and establishing his daughter, Miranda, as princess in a rival kingdom. But in order to do so, Prospero must confront his true enemy — himself. Grappling with freedom and forgiveness, will Prospero be able to see what truly matters before it’s too late?

About the Fools

Best known for our Shakespeare in the Park series, we tour 90-minute versions of Shakespeare’s hits to community parks across Eastern Ontario.

We believe that it doesn’t matter where you live, how much you make, or how old you are: theatre should be accessible to everyone! All our performances are for pass-the-hat donations, family-friendly, and our tour to community parks means we bring the theatre to your neighbourhood.

Over the last thirty years we’ve developed our signature foolish approach to staging Shakespeare. We work with a small cast of six actors to embody fifteen different characters within a production and employ styles of slapstick, mask and puppetry to create a family-friendly experience. We help first-time theatregoers discover their love of live performance through our foolish approach to storytelling!

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, bug spray, picnic, and your sense of humour. Pass-the-hat donations are collected at the end of the performance and can be submitted in the form of cash, credit card, cheque, or bars of gold. Find more details at fools.ca .

 

Dave Card — He Lives Up to his Name - theHumm July 2022

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

We say someone is a real card when they go out of their way to amuse and surprise us — the expression comes from the 19th century, and is based on playing cards that all had illustrations of characters with distinct personalities. Wood sculptor Dave Card more than fills the bill (another idiom from the 19th century). Card is a dedicated artist continuously striving to create whimsical woodland characters with distinct personalities to make......

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Explore Perth During Stewart Park Festival Weekend - theHumm July 2022

The Downtown Heritage Perth BIA is proud to bring the Stewart Park Festival back after a two-year hiatus. This July marks 30 years of celebrating community by bringing a stellar lineup to this year’s festival, taking place on July 15, 16 and 17 in downtown Perth!

This popular festival offers you an opportunity to enjoy talented Canadian and international artists, just steps away from the historic downtown. With two stages in the park, this free festival is available to everyone a......

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Hummingbird Celebrates 10 Years! - theHumm July 2022

Hummingbird Chocolate, one of the world’s leading chocolate makers, will host a grand opening celebration at its new location in Almonte at 476 Ottawa Street on Saturday, July 9 from 11am to 4pm.

At the height of the pandemic, Hummingbird embarked on a robust investment by building a new 10,000-square-foot production facility, retail shop and café. Part factory, part experiential chocolate centre, the contemporary space also includes a tasting room where they will hold worksh......

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OUTERBRIDGE — Clockwork Mysteries
Canada’s Grand Masters of IllusionReturn to the Station Theatre in Smiths Falls
- theHumm July 2022

The world-class magic show OUTERBRIDGE — Clockwork Mysteries returns to the Station Theatre in Smiths Falls from July 1 through October 1. Shows take place on Fridays at 7:30pm, and on Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are $28.20 plus HST and

Eventbrite fees at outerbridge.eventbrite.com .

Critics across the globe have hailed Ted and Marion Outerbridge as “a master of Illusion” (CBC-Radio Canada), “champions of magic” (Be......

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There is Bad Bloodin Dry Stone… - theHumm July 2022

… and a lot of it is being spilled! The sheriff is out of town with his posse chasing a bank robber — but was there even a robbery? The only deputies left to maintain law and order are Hank and Percival Potts. Hank is a drunk and Potts cannot even ride his pony, Butterscotch. Thank goodness for the arrival of… The Lone Rider.

Dry Stone is a town full of people with secrets. Why is the Lone Rider really here? Whose hand is holding the latest murder weapon? Is Rose a “self......

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Midsummer Herbfestis Back in White Lake! - theHumm July 2022

After two years of virtual events, Herbfest is back in person and better than ever! Taking place on Sunday, July 31, this celebration of healthy living brings fabulous local artisans, farms and other vendors to the stunning grounds of the historic Waba Cottage Museum and Gardens in White Lake. Live music, workshops and tours offer visitors from across Ottawa and the Valley a vibrant outdoor festival experience.

In past years, over 2000 people have made Herbfest the event of the summer......

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Bloomfest Garden Art Show and Sale - theHumm July 2022

Mark your calendar for the third week of July when the display gardens and daylily field at Whitehouse Perennials are in full bloom. This is the fourth season for the Bloomfest Garden Art Show, and the number of participating artists has grown to seventeen. The display gardens and daylily field are a beautiful venue to showcase garden art. Beginning on July 21, the work of the artists will be installed throughout the three display gardens and the daylily field. It will remain in p......

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A Company of Fools Presents
The Tempest
- theHumm July 2022

After two long years, a Company of Fools returns with its Torchlight Shakespeare in the park Summer Tour. This summer they present The Tempest, touring to over 40 local parks throughout Ottawa and beyond.

A stellar cast of Fools both new and old, with a few puppets thrown in for good measure, play 13 different roles to tell one of Shakespeare’s most magical stories. Bring your picnics, your lawn chairs, and even your dog to this ideal summer evening experience for the entire family!

......

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History Comes Alive in Middleville - theHumm July 2022

Live History, a Governor General’s award-nominated international touring theatre company that produces site-specific customizable mysteries around the world, will present A Timeless Gathering at the Middleville Museum on July 9.Performances of this interactive mystery event will take place at 1pm and 3pm, and are designed for ages 12 years and older. Tickets are $20 each, available at the Middleville and District Museum (Visa, Mastercard, cash or cheque) or by contacting Dawn Morrison at 256–4997. Payment can also be made by e-transfer to

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Spotlight on the Mississippi Mudds - theHumm July 2022

By Judith Scott

The time: early 1973. The place: a quiet little Ontario town beside a beautiful river. We are eavesdropping on a group of friends who are enjoying a vaudeville show; a fundraiser organised by the Ladies Auxiliary to the Chamber of Commerce. Jan Ferguson leans in to her friend Mary Lomax and says: “We could do something like that here!” After the show, Mary insists that they find the director Dan Darling and ask advice. His response is: “you get me the people and I will get you the show......

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Three Shows at Sivarulrasa Gallery - theHumm July 2022

Sivarulrasa Gallery has increased their exhibitions program! The Gallery now features three rotating shows in their Gallery I, Gallery II and Gallery III — all at 34 Mill Street in Almonte. All shows can be seen in-person during their regular hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11am to 5pm, and Sundays from 11am to 4pm.

From June 22 to July 29, the Gallery is presenting George Horan: Boundaries, a solo exhibition of new paintings by Newfoundland-ba......

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Tarts & Arts in the Park
Welcome Bakers, Artisans and Crafters!
- theHumm July 2022

The Rotary Club of Arnprior is hosting its first annual Butter Tart Festival to be held on Saturday, August 27 in the beautiful Robert Simpson Park on John Street N. in Arnprior, overlooking the historic Ottawa river. The park will be in spectacular full bloom at this time of the year. It will be a great way to wrap up your summer, enjoying everyone’s favourite — butter tarts — as well as relaxing by the water and taking in the entertainment and various vendor displays.

The Festival wi......

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Connie Kaldorto Perform in Perth - theHumm July 2022

Harmony Concerts is bringing Juno award-winning folk icon Connie Kaldor to Studio Theatre Perth on July 2. Connie comes from Saskatchewan and is one of Canada’s finest songwriters. She has toured around the world, won Junos, and is a member of the Order of Canada as well as winning a Western Literature award. She has done it all as an independent; writing, singing, performing, building her following one song, one show at a time. She is the author of three award-winning CD books for children. She......

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Third Annual Radiothon to Support Local Land Trust - theHumm July 2022

The Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT) is a volunteer-based charity committed to ensuring that wild landscapes are protected for us, our children and grandchildren. MMLT stewards ten wilderness properties (over 3,200 acres) in the region — some of which it owns, other lands on which it has a Conservation Agreement with the landowner.

Over the past few years, people have turned to nature by the thousands and the Land Trust has been pleased to welcome them to four properties with t......

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Garlic in Perth Again! - theHumm July 2022

The Perth Lions Garlic Festival is thrilled to announce that the 23rd annual Garlic Festival is a go! After having to cancel the festival for the last two years due to Covid, the Committee is putting together what they feel will be one of their best events yet. They will be highlighting vendors (many are returning), birds of prey, music, food, fun, and of course, lots of garlic! Check them out at perthgarlicfestival.ca ......

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5 Wednesdays in July - theHumm July 2022

By Wendy Whitaker

Mississippi Mills is growing so quickly, and because of that and the isolation from Covid, I sometimes feel like I am walking in a strange town with nary a familiar face. Do you ever feel like that? Or are you new to the area and looking to connect with more people in this friendly town? 5 Wednesdays in July is the perfect solution!

For years now, on every Wednesday in July, friends, neighbours, families and visitors have gathered in Augusta Street Park in Almonte from 6pm on......

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Setting the Stage for Puppets Up! - theHumm July 2022

By Heather Phaneuf

What happens when preparing for the fantabulous return of Puppets Up!, taking place from August 12-14 in Almonte? Well, there are parallel realities when magic is being planned and this is no exception. Zoom meetings were held, puppies were whelped, babies were born, families and friends reunited, volunteers jumped into unknown territory and continued to shine, scripts were written, sets designed, sponsors came forward, puppeteers agreed to come to the party. You’re about to experience it all —......

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“The Fortunate Son” —An Interview with Jim Bryson - theHumm July 2022

By John Pigeau

Some songs make you cry. In a good way. Maybe those who were fortunate enough to see and hear Jim Bryson play at the Perth & District Library this past May will remember the lovely track that got to me: Talking Trash, it’s called, and it features some truly beautiful lyrics almost whispered over a hypnotic soundscape of tinkling piano and stumming guitar. 

Let’s stop talking trash, Jim sings. Let’s stick to the facts. Let’s think of the kids so they know we have their backs. Let’s stop......

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Auditions for Scrooge! The Musical - theHumm July 2022

On Monday, July 4 from 4–9pm, Studio Theatre Perth is holding auditions for Scrooge! The Musical. Written by Leslie Bricusse, the show is based on the Charles Dickens classic, and was adapted for the stage in 1992, from the 1970 musical film starring Albert Finney. Please arrive at 4pm for an introduction to the show, and to sign up for an audition slot following the orientation. This production will be directed by Carolee Mason with musical direction by Brad Mills, and performance dates are from November 24 to December 4.

Studio Theatre is seeking performers who can sing, dance and a......

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Paper, Paint & Patterns
An exhibit at the Mill of Kintail Museum
- theHumm July 2022

Almonte artist Linda Hamilton has taken inspiration from watercolour paintings by R. Tait McKenzie in the museum’s collection to create a series of paper wildflowers.

McKenzie was born in Ramsay Township in 1867. He was a childhood friend of Almonte’s other notable famous figure, Dr. James Naismith. After a long and successful career as a doctor, teacher and sculptor, McKenzie was slowing down. He returned to Almonte and bought the property that would become the Mill of ......

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Experience a Summer Full of Fun as Events Return to Perth - theHumm July 2022

Following several years of cancellations due to the pandemic, Perth Tourism is thrilled to see the return of a number of events this summer.

The renowned Stewart Park Festival is back from July 15-17, celebrating 30 years of music and community. Offering an incredible weekend of music, great food and amazing vendors, this three-day, by-donation music festival takes place right in the heart of downtown Perth in Stewart Park. Showcasing both international and Canadian artists, the event i......

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Two Doc Winery
Retired Almonte Doctors Welcome You to their Winery in Prince Edward County!
- theHumm July 2022

By Kris Riendeau

The Humm team recently received an intriguing call from our friend and former family doctor Anne Oldfield. It turns out that Anne and her husband (fellow former GP Cecil Rytwinski) recently purchased a well-established vineyard in Prince Edward County! As newly-minted owners of Three Dog Winery threedogwine.com , they have joined forces with a few friends and family members to take on this exciting challenge. We definitely wanted to fin......

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You Can Learn Again in Almonte! - theHumm July 2022

By Christy Carlson

“Learning Again in Almonte” will be offering exciting courses to make learning fun this fall. A new planning committee has been working with the library and has enlisted three dynamic instructors to start off this new season of classes.

Tony Belcourt is the founding president of the Native Council of Canada and is recognised internationally at the United Nations and other organizations. He will be offering four two-hour classes on subjects including “Indigenous Ceremonies — U......

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The Torch Bird - theHumm July 2022

By Lise Balthazar

If summer had an official bird, it could be the Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula). With his glowing colours and vivacious song, this flashy bird is the embodiment of summer’s bright sunny days; after all, the word “oriole” comes from the Latin aureolus, meaning “golden”. The first part of the bird’s name comes from Lord Baltimore, the 17th century founder and patron of the Maryland colony, whose coat of arms bears the colours proudly displayed by this beautiful songbird.

Baltimore orioles spend th......

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The Weeding Rampage - theHumm July 2022

By Glenda Jones

I was in the garden yesterday lamenting the chewed zinnia and marigold seedlings, when I turned around to find the bladderwort and wild asters have inundated the hostas until I can hardly see them. That happened overnight, I swear. The wild bluebells are everywhere, invading the lilies, poking through the phlox, hiding the roses even. And what’s with the hops vine? I’d need a machete to chop that thing back. What’s not supposed to grow is lush; what’s supposed to be lovely is languishing!

I’ve g......

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Summer Reading Club - theHumm July 2022

The Perth & District Library is pleased to launch this year’s TD Summer Reading Club — Canada’s biggest bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, all interests and all abilities. This free program is co-created and delivered by more than 2,000 public libraries across Canada. It celebrates Canadian authors, illustrators and stories. It’s designed to inspire kids to explore the fun of reading their way — the key to building a lifelong love of reading.

The Perth Librar......

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Bereavement Support Services in Our Area - theHumm July 2022

Community volunteers are now providing bereavement support services within Lanark County. Bereavement Support Lanark County (BSLC) is a newly formed group of independent, well-trained volunteer grief facilitators whose mission is to provide peer bereavement support and education.

As anyone who has experienced grief knows, the journey of learning to live with that grief can be overwhelming and difficult. Feeling alone and/or uncomfortable about sharing your grief with family and friends is common. Grief shared IS easier. BSLC’s vision is to walk with those on their journey so that they......

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Good Companions - theHumm July 2022

By David Hinks

Declarations such as “carrots love tomatoes”, “beans and onions are natural enemies”, “beets love cabbage” and “potatoes don’t like cucumbers”, offered without any scientific evidence, drive me to distraction.

I have always found that our spring season is so very short that I am hard-pressed to get the soil prepared, let alone try to get everything planted at the appropriate time. Factor in crop rotation, companion planting, the vagaries of weather forecasting and whether the moon is waxing or wa......

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New Memoir by Former Priest & NDP Candidate - theHumm July 2022

By Rick Prashaw

I have long loved libraries and indie bookstores.

On a drive to Almonte last month, I delivered my second memoir, Father Rick, Roamin’ Catholic (Friesen Press 2022) to an affable Ann Shea at Mill Street Books, later giving my “elevator pitch” to the Almonte Public Library staff.

“The 70-year ‘crooked, straight’ faith memoir of a former priest and then proud Dad to his trans son, mixing mischief, irreverence, and biting commentary on the troubles in the Catholic Chur......

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Climate Action and Provincial Politics
A Potentially Powerful Force for Action on CNL’s Climate Plan
- theHumm July 2022

By Chandler Swain

It is well documented that doing what is necessary to keep the planet hospitable for us and our grandkids could be really prosperous and rewarding. There are tons of high-paying jobs and interesting fulfilling new kinds of work that are increasingly needing to be filled. We really don’t need to be supporting development at any cost. For example, the proposed Hwy 413. It was disappointing that this was a high point in the Conservative campaign. Just think what could be accom......

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Bob and Thora - theHumm July 2022

By A tribute Fern Martin

The community of Mississippi Mills has recently said “Good-bye” to a very special couple, Bob and Thora Pugh. After almost 67 years of marriage, they managed to exit within two weeks of each other — a final demonstration of their devotion.

Pakenham was blessed when they and their four children moved from Montreal to the area in 1970. I highly recommend that you read their obituaries in the June 17 issue of the Millstone News. Their individual accomplishments are truly astounding.

Bu......

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Want to Help Make the Magic?

Volunteer for Puppets Up!
- theHumm July 2022

Puppets Up needs your talents and energy! Organizers are assembling the team that will volunteer during the three-day event itself (five days if we count set-up and tear-down). If you can volunte......

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