We are All in this Together - theHumm June 2020
We are All in this Together - theHumm June 2020
By Wanda MacDonald
In small communities like ours, you just need to ask for help and people step up. And everyone is definitely doing just that!
Mississippi Mills Together — or MMTogether for short — is one way that our community has stepped up to support one another during these challenging times. With a commitment to both local businesses and residents, MM Together has raised funds locally to do just that. And now, in partnership with Carebridge Community Support, we are seeing the results of this community energy. In addition to raising funds, MMTogether has several strategies to bring support and relief to those in need.
The Circle of Care project is designed to reach out to community members who are isolated, anxious or alone. In collaboration with local businesses and residents, gift cards are being purchased and donated. Through residents and volunteers, messages of support and encouragement are sent to those who may be particularly impacted during these times.
Family Fun Packs are designed to support families with children from the ages of 3 to 12, particularly families who are struggling financially during this challenging time. Entertaining gift packages will be provided to bring joy to children and parents alike.
Senior Packages will bring happiness to seniors who could use a boost. Living through the pandemic has cut off social contacts for everyone, and seniors may find themselves particularly isolated. A small gift to reach out will bring a positive glow to their day.
For several weeks, Carebridge and MMTogether have provided Grocery Delivery for residents who are challenged to get to the grocery store. They can call in their order and have groceries delivered to their homes through a network of volunteers.
Grocery Vouchers are available for those who are financially stretched and could benefit from a bit of relief.
Delicious Takeout Dinners are available for those in need. Working with local restaurants, a wonderful meal is delivered to your home to give a spark of relief to those feeling particularly overwhelmed.
MMTogether is supporting production of Masks made by a group of community volunteers. The masks are available to residents, either with a donation or free of charge for those finding their budget is tight.
These projects are all provided in partnership with our local businesses. In doing so, MMTogether supports them too.
Need help? Call the MMTogether confidential phone line at 343–571–2312 or email mmtogether@carebridge.ca and let us know which program would benefit you.
Looking for ways to support these efforts? None of this would be possible without many supporters, including generous donors, businesses and volunteers. If you are able to provide financial support, please go to carebridge.ca to donate.
Carebridge exists to respond to community needs — jumping in and figuring out what needs to be done. We are so grateful for everyone’s support.
Carebridge Community Support connects and is a catalyst for fostering stronger, caring, person-centred communities across Lanark County by working together to meet the needs of seniors, adults with developmental disabilities, and those who need affordable housing.
Where to Find the June Humm - theHumm June 2020
We’re heading out to deliver the June issue of theHumm! Because things have changed a wee bit since the last time we did our distribution, here’s a list of the places we will be trying to deliver to. Hours and more information can be found at the links. Happy Humm hunting!
Almonte:
Dandelion Foods dandelionfoods.ca
Don’s Meat Market donsmeatmarke......
Jeff Wallace — Wallflower Turned Art Auctioneer! - theHumm June 2020
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
A new artist is blossoming in our midst. Rising to the COVID-19 challenge, Burnstown artist and businessman Jeff Wallace is discarding his anonymity and charging into the fray, determined to make a positive contribution. But first, introducing:
Jeff Wallace — Artist
Wallace has only recently arrived in a place in his life where his first love, art, is able to play a bigger role. As Forrest Gump’s mama always said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You......
COVID, Kids, & All the Feelings - theHumm June 2020
By Nicki Gallo
There’s this exercise that I like do when I work with kids. It helps us to explore how our feelings are something that we experience in our bodies as well as our minds. First, I give the child a piece of paper with the outline of a person. I ask them to colour the location on the body where they feel certain emotions and match it with a colour. For example, they may feel red/anger in their hands: “I’m so mad I could punch someone!” Or feel yellow/nervousness in their bellies: “I have b......
Supporting Local Artists: In Person and Online! - theHumm June 2020
By Miss Cellaneous
The good news for area art lovers is that many local galleries have been able to re-open — most with reduced hours and all with extra safety precautions in place. We highly recommend a visit to Almonte’s General Fine Craft generalfinecraft.com and Sivarulrasa Gallery sivarulrasa.com , Riverguild Fine Crafts in Perth ...more
PRIDE of Place An interview with Michael Rikley-Lancaster - theHumm June 2020
Michael Rikley-Lancaster is the Curator of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum and a member of the group that was planning to launch the first-ever Mississippi Mills PRIDE Week this June. We contacted him to find out how both the Museum and MM Pride are faring.
theHumm: Since becoming Curator, you (with the assistance of your staff, board and numerous volunteers) have made many improvements to the Museum and have hosted incredible exhibitions by artists from......
Talking Transformation An interview with Noé Charron - theHumm June 2020
Noé Charron is a 22-year-old non-binary trans woman (who uses both she/her and they/them pronouns) who started her transition while growing up in Almonte and working at Baker Bob’s. We contacted her to find out how her transitioning was perceived and received by the community, and what advice she has for people who want to try and foster a more welcoming and compassionate atmosphere.
theHumm: As an employee at Baker Bob’s, you were one of my only examples of someone who......
Embers of Hope Embracing Life in an Age of Ecological Destruction and Climate Chaos - theHumm June 2020
By Kris Riendeau
Bonita Ford is a co-founder of Permaculture Eastern Ontario and author of the new book Embers of Hope: Embracing Life in an Age of Ecological Destruction and Climate Chaos. We contacted her to find out how this book came to be, and how she hopes it can help us all to “nurture the small forces that may radically transform our world”.
theHumm: You had me from the title, because hope seems to be one of the most precious “commodities” — albeit one that isn’t for sale ......
Ice Cream Contest!Play “Passport to Brain Freeze” - theHumm June 2020
By Sarah Kerr
Hello again friends! I hope you and your littles are ready for a 3-month summer “vacation”. But one from the ’50s without camps, daycares or programmed sports… and for many, juggling working from home. Sounds idyllic, right? Okay, this doesn’t exactly sound like vacation, but if there’s any advice that I can offer it’s that the summer of quarantine begins now!
Yes, you may be wondering if I’m the minister of education to declare something like that, and to be clear… no I am not. But as the d......
Almonte, Spirit of Place A New Book from Photographer John McQuarrie - theHumm June 2020
John McQuarrie is a photographer and publisher of the recently released book Almonte, Spirit of Place. We contacted him to find out how his most recent book came to be, and how the current lockdown is affecting its reception in the community.
theHumm: Your photos are stunning — can you tell us a bit about your training and background?
John McQuarrie: Like many working photographers, I simply consumed print and online tutorials along with each advance in imaging......
A Time of Transformation - theHumm June 2020
By Kris & Rob Riendeau
Welcome back to the print version of theHumm! We are thrilled to return to this format, and we sincerely hope that this issue finds you well. As you might imagine, it is a bit different from our ......
Faces & Fabric of a small town during pandemic - theHumm June 2020
As the community grapples with a pandemic that is radically reshaping every aspect of public and private life, we are striving to capture the historic shift through the eyes of everyday people in M......
Lots of Time to Plant! - theHumm June 2020
By David Hinks
Missed planting the vegetable garden on the May 2-4 weekend (well it was a bit early this year)? Do not despair if you haven’t planted your entire vegetable garden yet. It is not at all too ......
KITCHEN at Sivarulrasa Gallery An Exhibition in Partnership with the Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum - theHumm June 2020
Until July 10, Almonte’s Sivarulrasa Gallery is pleased to partner with the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum to present KITCHEN, an exhibition that elegantly combines wo......
Rural Root Zooms into Spring with Couples - theHumm June 2020
At its best, community theatre brings together people from all walks of life to share ideas and create friendships. This has been Rural Root Theatre’s strength since 2005, and they have no intent......
PRIDE in the Valley! - theHumm June 2020
Here’s an overview of PRIDE plans (as of press time) across the Ottawa Valley. We recommend following these groups on Facebook, because things may change and activities may be added as it becomes......
Role Models for Rough Times James Naismith and John McLendon - theHumm June 2020
Just as we were going to print, stories about the death of George Floyd started hitting the news and social media. theHumm doesn’t report on breaking news, but we thought this information about a......
Bike Boom The Resurgence of Cycling in Uncertain Times - theHumm June 2020
By John Pigeau
Following a national trend, business at local bike shops is booming.
“A hundred percent, absolutely,” says Pete Wood, owner of Heritage Bikes in Perth. “A lot of people are finding that......
“Trishaw” Crowdfunding Campaign Launched - theHumm June 2020
With support from Lanark County Council and several local businesses, Cycling Without Age Lanark County (CWALC) has taken the next step by launching a $7,000 crowdfunding campaign with the goal o......
Back to the Books! - theHumm June 2020
By Karen DeLuca, Librarian
The past few months has certainly been posing a challenge to readers everywhere.
For some it has meant exploring those long-forgotten books neatly displayed on bookcases at home. For others ......
Enough’s Enough! - theHumm June 2020
By Glenda Jones
We’ve been behaving ourselves and “staying the blazes home” for the past twenty-eleven weeks. It’s been fine up to this morning, when I scared myself half to death looking in a mirror. Who kidnap......
We are All in this Together - theHumm June 2020
By Wanda MacDonald
In small communities like ours, you just need to ask for help and people step up. And everyone is definitely doing just that!
Mississippi Mills Together — or MMTogether for short — is one wa......
The Power of Tech Shabbats - theHumm June 2020
By — Kris Riendeau
Back when COVID-19 was just a gleam on the social media horizon, Rob and I listened to an intriguing podcast while delivering the February issue of theHumm. Presented by The Long Now Foundation, ......
Food Truck Evolution - theHumm June 2020
By Sebastian Weetabix
Months ago Weetabix asked his loyal readers “what starts with ‘F’ and ends with ‘uck’?”, and the correct answer had no apparent connection to the spread of a virus or a fundamental change in the ......
Cinema Therapy, Books and Guided Meditations Finding Some Peace in a Pandemic - theHumm June 2020
By John Pigeau
In the midst of this dreadful pandemic, people are having to cope with all manner of new challenges. We’re a resilient bunch though, and so far many of us have improvised rather well. Meeting up ......
Business-to-Business Support A Full-Circle, Feel-Good Story - theHumm June 2020
By the Fulton’s team
When Shirley Fulton-Deugo, owner of Fulton’s Pancake House & Sugar Bush, got together with the team from Almonte’s Dairy Distillery, little did she know great things were in the makin......
Mar 16 Winter Tree I.D.
Mar 16 Suzie Vinnick in Concert
Mar 17 St. Paddy's Day with The Celtic Kitchen Party
Mar 21 JW Jones Band
Mar 22 Art in the Manor
Mar 23 Kingston Choral Society Chamber Choir
Mar 29 Jason Kent
Mar 30 Andrew Hyatt
Apr 5 Maria Doyle Kennedy
Apr 5 - 6 Maple Weekend
- Peter Wood — Painting Is His Anchor
- Blue Skies — and Suzie Vinnick — in the Community
- Kingston Choral Society Chamber Choir to Perform at St. Paul’s, Perth
- Is it Time to Embrace a “Buy Canadian” Approach to Books?
- Hints of Spring Art Show
- Waterwalker Film Festival in Almonte
- Friends of the Tay Watershed AGM
- Hub Vintage Sale
- The Birds are Back in Town! MMLT’s Birdhouse Auction Returns
- A Forest, a Family, and a Tree