Doug Fleming: A Tribute - theHumm June 2019

Doug Fleming: A Tribute - theHumm June 2019

By — Jim Mountain, on behalf of the Festival of Small Halls Board, staff and volunteers

When devoting time for anything to do with communities, one appreciates the work and dedication of amazing volunteers. The true rewards too, are those lasting relationships we forge when working together. Those involved in the music sector share the common bond of the love of live music, and the continued goal of presenting music and performance experiences to appreciative audiences. Then too, there are the special ones — those who make the extra contributions that make a difference. And yes, as lifetimes go, we lose good people.

Doug Fleming was one of these. The Ontario Festival of Small Halls, held in some forty communities across Eastern Ontario, will greatly miss him in 2019. We learned he passed away earlier this month, at age 87. His funeral was held in one of the Small Halls festival’s most beautiful venues — St. Andrew’s United Church in Pakenham.

I met Doug through staging concerts in the acoustically wonderful Almonte Old Town Hall for events such as Almonte Celtfest and other community fundraisers. Doug took me to task one night for a band he deemed too loud for the space, and wrote a scathing review in the local papers — and we became friends thereafter. He was right!

Doug was a regular patron of Small Halls from the festival’s inception. He went beyond though, by organizing a host committee for the Tatlock Hall — a former Presbyterian/United Church moved from Hopetown in 1939, that has been lovingly restored. He applied to host a FOSH concert in 2017 (Old Man Luedecke) and again in 2018 (James Keelaghan) and for these successful concerts Doug was at the door as greeter and seller of tickets for an amazing gift basket of local artisan foods. He was really proud of these shows, and their association with the broader Small Halls festival.

But he went beyond just hosting. Doug has also been a huge fan, and probably attended at least a quarter of the 100+ FOSH concerts over the past five years. In his late 80s, he would show up by himself and take a preferred seat in the front row. You could see that his enjoyment level was absolutely high with every act that hit each stage. Kelly Symes (Festival of Small Halls General Manager), other crew members and I would keep an eye out for him and make a point of making him feel a part of that night’s offering. He always gave a verbal review at the end of the night — and we listened!

Doug was also a faithful attendee and supporter of the excellent Folkus Concert Series, held in Almonte’s Old Town from January onward each year. Sandy Irvin posted this tribute on Facebook when news of Doug’s passing became known: “Doug was the only person I’ve held a seat for at Folkus Concert Series. He called me and said he’d be late because he had a gig. He showed up in a medieval monk’s robes, blessed the crowd, and settled into his usual spot to the left of centre stage. He was a charming man, full of interest in everything and everyone. He never stopped being curious and he loved live music passionately”

The last time I saw him was at our Christmas concerts. A cold, snowy, dark night and a sold-out show in Lombardy along the Rideau — Doug was there early and one of the last to go. He definitely felt part of our broader musical family.

Yep. 2019 Festival of Small Halls will definitely miss his presence and energy. We’ll keep a chair for him.

Our thoughts go to Doug’s family and those close to him.

 

No More FOMO! - theHumm June 2019

By ­­­— Kris Riendeau

You would think that the editor of this area’s Arts & Entertainment paper would have a pretty good handle on the quality of talent out here in the Ottawa Valley. I thought so too, but apparentl......

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Studio Theatre Play Postponed
- theHumm June 2019

By — Melanie Girdwood

Readers Write

Due to circumstances beyond the Studio Theatre’s control, Norm Foster’s comedy The Ladies’ Foursome, originally scheduled to open on May 30, has been rescheduled to open on Thursd......

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Union Hall Fundraising Concert with The Life of Pearls to Celebrate the Summer Solstice
- theHumm June 2019

Sound of the Muse Records recording artists The Life of Pearls will celebrate the summer solstice and present their new 2019 album release and stage show Into the Beautiful Blue at Union Hall at ......

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First Studio Tourfor Art Works! Perth - theHumm June 2019

What is Art Works! Perth and what drew a printmaker, several painters, a glass artist, a sculptor and a woodworker together to establish it?

Art Works! Perth is an organization of creat......

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Celtfest 2019 — What a Line-Up! 
Ashley MacIsaac, Anna Ludlow, Mudmen and Many More!
- theHumm June 2019

Each year, Almonte Celtfest attracts thousands of visitors to the Ottawa Valley for three days of Celtic music, dance and history. The celebration was created in 1997 by three young men — Br......

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Welcome to Almonte, Curious & Kind!
Social Enterprise / Workshop & Performance Space Opens on June 12
- theHumm June 2019

By Kris Riendeau

If you are a long-time Humm reader, the name “Danielle Grégoire” may be familiar to you. Shortly after moving to Almonte in 2007, she kick-started the Lanark County Spoken Word scene — bringing O......

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Happy 200th, Carleton Place! - theHumm June 2019

By — Kevin L. Mallory

Throughout 2019 there will be a variety of special events commemorating the 200th anniversary of Carleton Place. You’re sure to find something to capture the attention of children, adults, visito......

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A Night of Icelandic Music for Planet Youth - theHumm June 2019

By — Brian Turner is a Planet Youth Lanark Steering Committee member

Building bridges is what well-connected communities do, whether it’s to solve a transportation need or to help improve the health and wellbeing of their residents. Carleton Place Town Hall staff ......

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Lessons (and cheeseburgers) from the Dulles Airport - theHumm June 2019

By — Angie Arendt is the Director of Big Stone House in Almonte<bigstonehouse>. Drop in for a coffee and learn more about Big Stone House and the art of sacred living and leading on Sunday, June 2

There is a little pub in Terminal C at the Dulles International Airport that serves up the best hamburgers east of the Mississippi (the U.S. Mississippi, that is). Running along the back wall of ......

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OUTERBRIDGE — Clockwork Mysteries
Magic and Illusion Come to Smiths Falls
- theHumm June 2019

The Station Theatre is bringing world-class magic and illusion to Smiths Falls on Saturday evenings this summer. OUTERBRIDGE – Clockwork Mysteries is a high-energy magical adventure for both adul......

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Smiths Falls’ Brand-New Yoga Festival
RISEat the Falls
- theHumm June 2019

Unleash your inner yogi at a brand-new yoga festival in a town that’s on the rise — beautiful Smiths Falls. On Saturday, June 15, grab your mat, water bottle and a positive attitude and head for ......

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Smiths Falls Triathlon - theHumm June 2019

It all started in Smiths Falls forty years ago when the first triathlon was held along the banks of the historic Rideau Canal. On June 22, the Town of Smiths Falls will once again welcome hundred......

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Indigenous Youth Bring Mission “Home”
SchoolBOX Picnic with Purpose on June 15 in support of First Nations Education
- theHumm June 2019

What do a Mississippi Mills picnic, a school in Nicaragua and a lunch program in the northern community of Wabauskang First Nation have in common?

SchoolBOX Story

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Colours of Nature, Art on the Riverside, Canadiana & More! - theHumm June 2019

By Miss Cellaneous

Colours of Nature at Strévé Design Studio

You are invited to come and enjoy Colours of Nature — works by Canadian artist Linda Banfalvi at Strévé Design Studio and Gal......

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Summer Starts in Mississippi Mills!
Concerts, BusFusion, Porchfest, Dandyfest, Canada Day and More
- theHumm June 2019

By Miss Mills

Each spring, community and cultural events seem to pop up like tulips throughout Mississippi Mills, and this year is no exception. June gets “rolling” right away with the eleventh annual Mississi......

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Bike Month Goes to 11 - theHumm June 2019

Like the amps in Spinal Tap, Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month is going to eleven this June! From its inception, MMBM has envisioned a world that is healthy, active, economically strong and environ......

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Perth Summer Pops Series - theHumm June 2019

The Perth Citizens’ Band, Canada’s oldest continuing town band, is preparing for the 2019 season of its annual Summer Pops Concert Series. These summer concerts in the park have been a longstandi......

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Discover Birds with MMLT - theHumm June 2019

By — Carolyn Piche

Much like some retired humans in our area, songbirds have returned for the season! Unlike most retirees, many of the birds are nesting at High Lonesome Nature Reserve. Anyone who has been to High......

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Spirit of the Drum
Powwow on Turtle Island June 8 & 9
- theHumm June 2019

Smiths Falls will be alive with Indigenous culture on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9, when the town and Smiths Falls & District Collegiate Institute’s (SFDCI) Indigenous Studies Program ......

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Wool Day in Calabogie - theHumm June 2019

By — Johnny Slack

The Calabogie Summer Market is having its first Wool Day on June 22 to raise awareness of the environmental benefits of using wool. This natural renewable fibre can be made into many products suc......

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Art, Jazz & the Garden - theHumm June 2019

Celebrating Canada’s Garden Days, the Rideau Woodland Ramble is pleased to announce that ART, JAZZ & the GARDEN will take place on Saturday, June 15 from 9am to 5pm. Music will be provided by......

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Whiteley and Braithwaite
June 3 Concert at New Life Retreat
- theHumm June 2019

Canadian Jazz and Blues music legend Chris Whiteley is coming to Lanark County on June 3 to perform in the intimate setting of the New Life Retreat’s beautiful living room. Along with his wi......

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17th AnnualAGH Golf Classic - theHumm June 2019

Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation is preparing to welcome golfers to their 17th annual Golf Classic on Friday, June 7 at the Canadian Golf and Country Club. All funds raised duri......

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Curds and Cooks
Back Forty Cheese’s Summer Festival
- theHumm June 2019

Back Forty Artisan Cheese will be hosting their 4th annual summer festival at their Cheese Factory on Saturday, June 29 from 10am to 4pm. Relax along the Mississippi River while enjoying great ch......

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Green Party Meet& Greet in Almonte - theHumm June 2019

By — Chandler Swain

OK friends and neighbours, it’s time to start really thinking hard about who we choose to represent our riding federally this fall. I know, I know, our riding always votes Conservative — but......

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Doug Fleming: A Tribute - theHumm June 2019

By — Jim Mountain, on behalf of the Festival of Small Halls Board, staff and volunteers

When devoting time for anything to do with communities, one appreciates the work and dedication of amazing volunteers. The true rewards too, are those lasting relationships we forge when working ......

...more

Vintage Favourites at The Station Theatre - theHumm June 2019

The Station Theatre is proud to welcome Vili V for the summer concert of their 2019 music series. Vili V is a dynamic and versatile performer. Boasting a comprehensive repertoire from the ‘50s an......

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The Dixie Swim Club
Bringing Belly Laughs to Smiths Falls
- theHumm June 2019

Just as the sun will brighten up the summer skies, the five strong female actresses in this laugh-out-loud comedy will brighten up the Station Theatre this June. The playwrighting team of Jessie ......

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Smart Garden Plans
A Locally-Grown Approach to Garden Design
- theHumm June 2019

It is the time of year when winter-weary gardeners, desperate for a breath of spring, rush into garden centres to purchase cartloads of plants. When they return home they face the challenge of pu......

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“Building” a Business
Ozo Construction Launches in Mississippi Mills
- theHumm June 2019

By — Ozo Construction is a locallyowned and operated construction company servicing the Ottawa and Ottawa Valley area. It is devoted to delivering topnotch services to all customers and to creating emplo

What started off as a part-time business in Cumberland, Ontario has led the husband and wife team of Adam Ozorak and Jessica Cadman back to Jessica’s hometown of Almonte. “Almonte is such a frien......

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A Company of Fools’ Romeo and Juliet - theHumm June 2019

A Company of Fools is back with their Torchlight Shakespeare in the Park series — visiting 36 parks all across Eastern Ontario during the months of July and August. A stellar local cast of Fools ......

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Nettle (or, A Feral Princess Haunting the Edgelands) - theHumm June 2019

By Susie Osler

Horsetail… timothy… mullein… bramble… goldenrod… vetch… elderberry…. My eyes move slowly, feasting on the verdant verge between the willow growing out of the swale draining into the pond close by......

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Classic Theatre Festival
Celebrating a Decade of Award-Winning Hits
- theHumm June 2019

The award-winning Classic Theatre Festival in Perth is hosting a summer-long party in 2019. The Ottawa Valley’s only professional theatre company is celebrating its 10th anniversary season with s......

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Vintage & Antique Toy Sale in Almonte - theHumm June 2019

By — Janet NoyesBrown

When I had my first baby, I had trouble finding simple, safe, well-designed playthings to help keep my active child happy and occupied — toys like the ones I had enjoyed. I was born in England du......

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“Give Me a Dingle” - theHumm June 2019

By Glenda Jones

1117-Y, 1202-L. Those were my telephone numbers when I was six and twelve. I’ve forgotten what I had for dinner yesterday but can remember those numbers! We used to say we were as old as dirt, bu......

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Library Budget Cuts Have ILL Effects - theHumm June 2019

By Erika Heesen

Users of Lanark County’s five public libraries are beginning to feel the loss of the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) program. This well-used delivery service was scrapped after the 2019 Ontario Budget sa......

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Kick-Off to Summer in Perth! - theHumm June 2019

By John Pigeau

June comes unhurried, all barefoot and breezy. The cat’s lazing in a patch of sunlight in the window. On the clothesline, sundresses catch punches of wind. Nearby a bumblebee drones about the Eng......

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Pressing Issues (A Juicy Exposé) - theHumm June 2019

By Sebastian Weetabix

Your faithful correspondent Weetbix returns after a brief absence, and thirsting for novelty in the realm of food and beverages, turns his attention to the subject of juice — or, more accurately,......

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