Articles list - theHumm September 2023
Diana Jackson — Eclectic Creativity - theHumm September 2023
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
Whether she’s sculpting in clay or silver, painting impressionistic acrylic abstracts, or designing new gardens or printed circuit boards, Blakeney artist Diana Jackson brings an extraordinary wealth of creativity to her chosen task. From her own words at her website dianajackson.ca : “There’s no better way to wake then to open your eyes and be eager to dive into a day of work where creative opportunities abound and po......
Paddle and Parade Partyin Lanark Highlands Free Event with Special Guest Appearance by Sarah Harmer - theHumm September 2023
Sarah Harmer is coming to Lanark Highlands, making a special guest appearance on September 16 as part of the Reform Gravel Mining “Rock” Tour of Ontario this summer. Harmer will appear between 3:30 and 5pm on an outdoor stage at Wheelers Maple (1001 Highland Line in McDonalds Corners), along with other local musical luminaries and guest speakers. But that’s not all! Arrive early and participate in a ceremonial paddle around nearby Barbers Lake.
Attracting local supporters, mu......
It’s Time to Hitthe Back Roads! North Frontenac Back Roads Studio Tour - theHumm September 2023
Get ready for the tenth annual North Frontenac Back Roads Studio Tour, taking place on the weekend of September 23 and 24. This year there will be 25 artists exhibiting in 15 different locations from one end of North Frontenac Township to the other. From Cloyne, through Fernleigh and Ardoch, on to Plevna, then Ompah, Snow Road and Mississippi Station, the tour wends its way through some of the loveliest wild countryside in Ontario, at possibly the most beautiful time of year.
The 22 re......
Fibrefest: A Festival of the Fibre Arts - theHumm September 2023
Come out to the friendly town of Almonte on September 9 and 10 for the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum’s 28th annual Fibrefest almontefibrefest.ca . Taking place at three locations — the Almonte Community Centre, the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum and the Almonte Old Town Hall, admission to Fibrefest is only $8 per day and grants access to all sites. Local guilds will demonstrate spinning, knitting, weaving, rug-hoo......
Westporch Festival 2023 - theHumm September 2023
Come to Westport on Saturday, September 23 from noon to 9pm for the return of the popular Westporch event, where visitors and residents meet businesses on front porches around the village for fun, food and fabulous entertainment!
Westporch is a free outdoor walking tour of Westport, as front porches become a showcase for regional artists, musicians, activities and treats.
This year’s event will feature 15 porches with live music and entertainment throughout the day. ......
Sundance Artisan Show Free Outdoor Show on Labour Day Weekend - theHumm September 2023
Celebrating its 17th year, the Sundance Artisan Show invites you to spend time along a beautiful riverbank setting with 40 local artists in Maberly, Ontario during Labour Day weekend.
Peppered across two acres of forest, field and riverfront will be a diverse group of creators specializing in various art forms: pottery, wood, sheet metal, stained glass, artisan soaps, fibre art, jewellery, clothing and blown glass, to name a few. The artists have been working hard ov......
Spirits of theCounting House Paranormal Investigations at the Museum… - theHumm September 2023
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Are you intrigued by the paranormal? If so, Spirits of the Counting House is your chance to learn about paranormal investigations! The Counting House, now the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM), has been in use for over 150 years. It’s seen many people come and go, but have any of them lingered? Join G.H.O.S.T. Canada and Nightwatchmen Investigative Team as they look into this very question on Saturday, September 16.
They will be teaching a workshop from 3–5p......
Friends of MMPLFall Book Sale - theHumm September 2023
The Friends of Mississippi Mills Public Library are holding their annual book sale in Almonte from October 20–22. September is the month to go through your books and bag the ones you would like to donate to the book sale. The funds raised from the sale will go towards supporting and expanding the programming in both the Almonte and Pakenham branches of the library.
Already this year the Friends are proud to have been able to help cover the cost of the children’s summer programming. They also hope to be able to allow both branches of the library to expand programming in the coming mont......
Learn Again in Almonte this Autumn - theHumm September 2023
Learning Again in Almonte welcomes back popular presenter Tom Shoebridge with a course entitled Exploring the Magic of Cinema. Commencing September 14, participants will view six films followed by informed discussions where participants share their insights and reactions. While the titles are a secret, they include Canadian and international features and one remarkable feature-length documentary. Prepare to broaden your experience of cinema! Reserve your seat by registering now at
Raise Funds for a Good Cause (and Many Paws!) Arnprior Humane Society’s Fall Fundraisers - theHumm September 2023
By Submitted the Arnprior & DistrictHumane Society
The Arnprior & District Humane Society is proud to be a No Kill shelter for cats and dogs in our community.
We provide a safe haven for lost, abandoned and neglected animals. We ensure that all critters in our care are provided shelter, food, veterinary attention and lots of tender loving care. Our dedicated staff and volunteers labour each and every day to keep animals safe until they find their forever home.
We are not funded by government. The daily operation of the sh......
A Meal for All - theHumm September 2023
By David Hinks
I recently enjoyed a great breakfast and stimulating conversation organized by a community group with a mission. “A Meal for All” is a relatively new initiative created by an enthusiastic group of volunteers in Almonte. Breakfast is served every Thursday from 8:30–11:30am at the Community Presbyterian Church at 111 Church Street in Almonte. Breakfast is free and everyone is welcome. A free will donation may be made.
Food insecurity is a reality for many throughout Mississippi Mills. A report by......
MAG Artists’ Studio Tour Popular Tour Returns on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 - theHumm September 2023
It’s been a while, but the Merrickville Artists Guild (MAG) Studio Tour returns at the height of autumn for one weekend only – September 30 and October 1 from 10am to 5pm each day.
For the past two years MAG chose caution, particularly for participating artists and studio visitors, with a hiatus on in-person tours. Now it’s time for local artists to throw open the studio doors and welcome the public back again, as has been the tradition since 1985!
This year’s 22 participants are eager to......
The Colours of the Bells - theHumm September 2023
If you think that a drive through the country on a crisp Fall morning will stir your senses, there is no better place to drive than to the Perth Farmers’ Market, especially on the morning of Saturday, September 30. Not only will the pungent sights and smells of autumn be found wafting through the air, but the sounds drifting out of the Crystal Palace will further enhance the experience.
The “Belles of St. Paul’s” are delighted to return to this locale to play pieces that were learned for the Ontario Guild of English Hand Bell Ringers Festival in Kingston last spring. It has been said ......
CAMMAC Chorus Performs in Arnprior - theHumm September 2023
By — Rosalind Spencer is President of CAMMAC OttawaGatineau, and Cochair of CAMMAC Ottawa Valley
On September 10 at 3pm, the CAMMAC Ottawa Valley chorus will perform their annual choir concert in the spectacular cathedral setting of St. John Chrysostom Church in Arnprior.
Now in its 70th year, CAMMAC (Canadian Amateur Musicians / Musiciens Amateurs du Canada) draws choristers for a summer choir from up and down the Ottawa Valley, including Pembroke, Cobden, Almonte, Pakenham, Carleton Place, Arnprior, White Lake, Waba, Braeside and Sand Point.
This year the concert showcases......
Help Interval House to Help Youth Survivors - theHumm September 2023
The increased demand for youth support services at Lanark County Interval House and Community Support indicates the pressing need for interventions and programs that address the specific needs of these young individuals who have been exposed to family violence. By providing comprehensive protection and support services, LCIHCS can help youth survivors and those at risk of violence to break the cycle of abuse and prevent future instances of harm. In addition to direct support services, public education and awareness-raising initiatives in schools play a crucial role in preventing and addre......
A New Season for Almonte in Concert World-Class Music in anAcoustically Exceptional Venue - theHumm September 2023
By — Maureen Nevins is the Artistic Director of Almonte in Concert
Once again, it is time to mark your calendars for another season of brilliant music performed by an array of exceptional artists. Discover new favourites and hear masterpieces and classics you love. There will be something for everyone’s ears to enjoy!
The series opens on October 28 with pianists Agne Radzeviciute and Dmitri Levkovich. These young artists boast international careers as soloists and as a duo. On the program of this piano extravaganza: works written for 1 to......
We’ve Seen the Future - theHumm September 2023
By Glenda Jones
If I’d known then (1960) what I know now, I’d not have fallen for the old adage that girls could only be teachers, nurses or secretaries. Maybe I’d have been brave enough to have donned a hard hat, visi-vest and boots, and become a forestry student. However, those were the days when forestry people were all men. Forest firefighters were enlisted among the guys in the bar. If you were old enough to drink, you were old enough to get your butt out the door and protect your community. All y......
Artisan Village at the Falls - theHumm September 2023
By Kris Riendeau
Artisan Village at the Falls is a funky new endeavour housed in a fabulous building in the heart of downtown Smiths Falls. Committed to providing a space for creative thinkers to explore and express their art, the Village’s retail artist studios provide a place for painters, sculptors, jewellers and other creators to showcase their work. They also offer rental space for individuals and groups looking for a place to get creative. theHumm dropped by with some copies of our August issue and ended......
Public Pottery Studio Opening in Athens - theHumm September 2023
The Clay Studio Collective (CSC) is set to open this fall in Athens, Ontario as a permanent public pottery studio for all ceramic artists in the Leeds & Grenville Region.
The Collective is an enthusiastic group of potters that will run and share the pottery studio. Membership is either monthly, hourly or event-based to attend classes and workshops. Once open, their facilities will offer a staggering amount of equipment, with ten pottery wheels, kilns, hand building equipment and storage space......
The Seven Gifts — Good News! - theHumm September 2023
By Submitted Mississippi MillsAll My Relations
Mississippi Mills All My Relations (MMAMR) is delighted to report that we have reached our fundraising goal of $130,000 for our Seven Gifts Truth and Reconciliation project! The generous support of local individuals, businesses and organizations in our community has been vital in helping us reach this goal. We would also like to acknowledge the funding received through the many grants that aided this immense project to come to fruition. These include the Canada Legacy Fund, Cana......
Mississippi Squares Dancing in a Vibrant Community - theHumm September 2023
By Vince and Debbie Guthro
Mississippi Squares, a vibrant and spirited square dancing club, has been a dynamic part of the community since its inception in 1986. Nestled in the heart of Lanark County, this lively club draws its name from the nearby Mississippi River and Lake. It’s an area rich in community spirit, and Mississippi Squares has embodied this spirit for decades.
Offering a warm welcome to all, Mississippi Squares has evolved into one of the most prominent members of the Eastern Ont......
Explore Art in the Madawaska Valley Local Artists Open Their Doors During Popular Autumn Studio Tour - theHumm September 2023
With fall colours on full display, the majestic landscapes of the Madawaska Valley transform into a natural work of art at this time of year. It’s easy to understand why so many artists and artisans are drawn to this rugged yet beautiful part of the world. Their art and their inspiring surroundings will both be on display during the two-day Madawaska Valley Studio Tour, taking place on September 30 and October 1. It’s the perfect opportunity to take in the spectacular scenery and experie......
Talking Across Difference How Can We Have Conversations that Bring Us Together? - theHumm September 2023
By Deborah Conners, PhD
Conflict in communities, in families and among friends seems increasingly visible, and the resulting separations can be painful. How can we have conversations that bring us together rather than drive us apart? Many of us were raised in families and communities where disagreements were pushed under the rug, or the “answer” imposed by a parent or community leader. Being able to engage in conversations from different points of view without ending up making the situation worse is a skill that is desperately needed in our communities today.
Would you like more skills for engaging in diffic......
Literary Evenings in Almonte Presented by Mill Street Books at the Almonte Library - theHumm September 2023
Almonte’s Mill Street Books is delighted to present a series of literary evenings with favourite authors from near and far this autumn. They will take place from 6:30–8pm at the Almonte Branch of the Mississippi Mills Public Library and are free of charge, but registration is required at missmillslibrary.com .
An Evening with Roy MacGregor is first on the roster, on Wednesday, September 13 from 6:30-8:30pm. Come spend the evening......
Community Theatre Expo - theHumm September 2023
If you have ever participated in, or even been curious about community theatre, here’s your chance to find out more about it! On September 9 from 10am to 5pm at the Osgoode Community Centre, a group of local troupes are holding a Community Theatre Expo. This free event is open to all ages and features acting and production workshops, ongoing demonstrations, and information about local theatre companies. There’s even a costume photo booth, a video puppet show and face painting for kids!
Worksho......
Back to School Portraits Supporting the Mississippi Mills Public Library - theHumm September 2023
Stephanie de Montigny, owner of Pure Natural Portraits, has put together an exciting event for a great cause. This year’s annual Back to School portrait event will be held on September 10 at the Almonte branch of the Mississippi Mills Public Library (MMPL), where children can enjoy a day of portraits and exploring educational opportunities in celebration of the new school year, all while supporting the local library. All proceeds from the registration fee will be donated to MMPL ......
Two Terrific Tributes - theHumm September 2023
This autumn, Dream Rock Promotions presents two terrific tribute bands at Perth’s Farrell Hall. Both are 19+ events that start at 8pm, and tickets can be purchased from Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434) for $34 plus fees (or at the door, if available, for $39).
On September 23, Bootleg Creedence presents the timeless sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty solo albums. Based on the shores of southern Georgian Bay, they may not have been Born on the Bayou, bu......
Expressions of Art - theHumm September 2023
The West Carleton Arts Society is delighted to announce that its signature show, Expressions of Art, is returning this fall! Taking place on October 7 (8am to 4pm) and 8 (10am to 4pm), this exhibition and sale will showcase the creative talents of more than thirty top artists from the Ottawa region, all selected through a formal independent jurying process. The show has been held annually for more than 25 years, and is currently presented at the Carp Agricultural Hall.
Valley Players AlmonteArt and Community at Play - theHumm September 2023
By Submitted the VPA Board
It is with much pride and excitement that we are announcing a re-launching of Valley Players Almonte!
Valley Players Almonte (VPA) is a theatre of and for our community, led through the inspiration and efforts of the volunteers who comprise our theatre family. We are committed to providing high quality, inclusive, and diverse theatre for Almonte and the Ottawa Valley, with at least two productions per year. We are starting with It Had To Be You in December 2023 and moving to an imme......
Perth Autumn Studio Tour - theHumm September 2023
Mark your calendars for a captivating weekend of artistic immersion at the 31st annual Perth Studio Tour. Taking place over the Thanksgiving weekend on October 7 and 8, this year’s tour offers a unique opportunity to explore a myriad of artistic expressions at four rural stops, while also spotlighting the talents of emerging artists.
For over three decades, the Perth Autumn Studio Tour has been a testament to the vibrant creativity that defines the community. As the tour cele......
Come Sing with Us! - theHumm September 2023
By Pauline Cherry and Kris Riendeau
If you love to sing but prefer not to perform, have we got a choir for you!
We are a small community choir based out of Almonte, some of whom have been together for about 13 years. Currently our members come from Almonte, Perth, Kanata, Carleton Place, Pakenham and Arnprior.
Since we are not a performing choir, but rather a workshop and teaching choir whose repertoire includes several genres of music, we are able to tackle some of the more challenging choral music because we don’t have to prepare for concerts. As a choir comprising many seniors, we know that “music makes you smar......
Kingston WritersFest Celebrating the 15th Anniversary in Grand Style - theHumm September 2023
By John Pigeau
In late September, the Kingston WritersFest will be celebrating its 15th anniversary with a terrific lineup of exceptionally talented authors, as well as a focus on “the art of the word beyond the printed page.”
The theme of this year’s festival is “Unbound.”
“We wanted this year’s theme to highlight the fact that written art is not relegated to one style, one form of print — it is alive in song, screen and stage, it defies genre, it is playful, experimental, weird and wonderful,” Festi......
Glorious Gloria Gopher New Statue along Almonte’s Alameda - theHumm September 2023
By Heather Phaneuf
If you walk, run, ride or dream along the Almonte Alameda, take time to stop and inhale not just the fresh air but the stories all around you. Wonder how a gopher, a much-loved puppet character, earned a classical bronze statue from friends in the community.
There have been rumours for months, but that’s all behind us now! Just there, facing the recreational trail beside the children’s section of the local library, Gloria Gopher has been bronzed, patinated and raised on a class......
Capturing a Moment: Nat Capitanio at MERA - theHumm September 2023
For the month of September, the art of Nat Capitanio will be on display at the MERA Schoolhouse. You are invited to McDonalds Corners for the show’s opening event on September 9.
Nat has been an artist all his life. His family immigrated to Canada from Italy when he was three years old. He showed an interest in art, and especially drawing, from an early age. He attended a three-year intensive arts course at the Central Technical School in Toronto. There, he challenged himself by learning ar......
A Country Music Mission Harmony Concerts Presents Freddy Vette & His Rhinestone Plowboys in Perth - theHumm September 2023
On September 23, Harmony Concerts kick-starts their 2023/24 season at Studio Theatre Perth with a performance by Freddy Vette & His Rhinestones Plowboys. This show is sure to appeal to country fans in the Valley, as their goal is “keeping traditional country music alive, one hit at a time!” theHumm reached out to Freddy to find out more about their upcoming show.
theHumm: I love that you describe traditional country music as “crying steel guitar, heartbreak harmonies, r......
Generous Helpings A Safari Dinner Fundraiserfor The Hunger Stop - theHumm September 2023
By Denise Beaulne
Almonte has grown over the last few years, and so have the needs of the Lanark County Foodbank — The Hunger Stop, especially as we’ve seen food prices soar. Sounds like a perfect opportunity to reignite the Almonte Safari Dinner fundraiser.
A safari dinner (or progressive dinner) takes the form of a dinner party in which each successive course is prepared and eaten at the residence of three different hosts, all within a ten-minute drive of the Almonte Old Town Hall, where one of......
The Pied Piper of Pizza… and Organs! - theHumm September 2023
By Robert Sneyd
A native of California, Dave Wickerham first played with an electronic organ at four years of age, and was at the pipe organ six years later. While living in Arizona for twelve years from his early teens, he became assistant organist at three Organ Stop Pizza restaurants. Emerging as a gifted entertainer, he graduated from university having studied classical organ for six years.
Moving to the Chicago area in 1984, he carried on this “work and play” duet: staff organist at Pipes and Pizza, a......
Rideau Artist of the Year Competition Everyone is Welcome to Watch the Artistic Fun! - theHumm September 2023
On Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and 10, Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum will host the 2023 Rideau Artist of the Year Competition. Spectators are invited to the picturesque grounds of the museum, where artists will be creating original works that capture the beauty of Smiths Falls — where industrial heritage meets the natural landscape — in the tradition of en plein air art making.
For more information, please contact Megan McIlvenna by calling 283–6311 o......
Hope Requires Action! Climate Network Lanark Presents 5 Do-able Ones - theHumm September 2023
By Chandler Swain
This summer we have witnessed the Climate Crisis in relentless action across the planet. For decades, climate scientists have clearly predicted exactly what is happening with our increasingly violent weather. It’s caused by rising temperatures. Simple as that. Greenhouse Gases are keeping the heat in. Burning fossil fuels is responsible. More than ever, citizens are wanting to act to slow the progress of the devastation.
I attended the Climate Network Lanark (CNL) Strategic Planning......
May 9 Family Paint Party: Paint Nite
May 11 - 12 Art in the Attic
May 11 Engelbert Humperdinck & Tom Jones Tribute
May 11 'May'hem at the Mill: Music by Open Road
May 16 MMLT Talk & AGM
May 16 Perth Tay Lioness Lions Fashion Show
May 21 - 24 Having Hope at Home
May 23 Family Paint Party: Paint Nite
May 24 Birds of a Feather
May 25 Henry Norwood
- David Desormeaux — A Journey ofJoy and Discovery
- Art in the Attic A Tradition Continues on Mothers’ Day Weekend
- A Planet is a Poem
- Electrify Lanark Forum Explore Local Electrification and Decarbonization on May 18
- The Harmonies of Haydn & Bruckner
- A Litany of Literary Events from ARW
- Volunteer with Almonte Celtfest!
- The Start Rocks the Chaffey’s Lock Hall
- The Playing Hooky Day
- May Events at MERA
