Meet the Artists at MERA - theHumm November 2022

Meet the Artists at MERA - theHumm November 2022

The largest room at MERA (McDonalds Corners and Elphin Recreation and Arts) is the original one-room school, now named Dean Hall in honour of Ankaret Dean, one of MERA’s founding members and still an active volunteer. Today, with its high ceilings, wainscoted walls and good lighting, the hall lends itself well as an art exhibition space. MERA has happily promoted it as such for several years, featuring local artists in shows that change monthly. On Sunday, November 6, MERA welcomes photography lovers to an Art Show and Meet the Artist event featuring the Perth Photographic Society.

The Perth Photographic Society is a group of like-minded photographers from in and around Perth, Ontario. The group came together in 2021. Members come from different backgrounds and different life experiences with photography. They also have diverse interests in terms of the genre of photography that they either favour or pursue. Interests include such things as nature photography, macro photography, still life, sport and street photography, drone photography, portraiture, composites and photo artistry. Interests can also include anything else that offers an interesting or technical challenge or a unique shooting opportunity.

Most importantly, society members share a passion for creating wonderful images. This shared objective is achieved through a combination of in-camera shooting, studio setups, computer-based post-processing and the use of various print media and image presentation formats. By sharing their individual interests and skills through meetings and photographic outings, they help each other grow and develop as photographers.

The exhibition is titled “Everything and Anything” to reflect the variety of images that are included. This exhibition is the second one for The Perth Photographic Society. The first was in the gallery at Studio Theatre Perth earlier this year.

Members of the Perth Photographic Society include Graeme Crabb, Robert Feduke, Don Farrow, Craig Greenwood, Jean-Denis Labelle, Len Modderman, Bruce Raby and David Zimmerly.

You are invited to join The Perth Photographic Society at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners (974 Dalhousie Concession 9A) on Sunday, November 6 from 2–4pm to meet the artists, view their works and purchase that “must have” piece. To arrange to see the exhibition at times other than the Meet the Artist event, please contact Wayne Stryde at gwstryde@outlook.com .

 

Ranelle Larocque — Headed for Success! - theHumm November 2022

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

Couture milliner Ranelle Larocque creates bespoke headwear and hats designed to turn heads — towards the women wearing them. At Queen Bee Millinery in Perth, each artwork — and that is what they are — is an exuberant celebration of beauty and fashion and joy. Larocque lives for the moment when a client finds the perfect hat that brings out her personality and a spontaneous smile inevitably appears on her face. She loves helping women feel beautiful. That is Larocque’s special......

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HO HO HO — It’s Time to GO!
Sketchy Santa All Set for Take Two
- theHumm November 2022

Don’t miss Humm Team Productions’ Sketchy Santa! Another hilarious evening of adult entertainment is headed your way to get you in the holiday mood. Almonte’s Old Town Hall is gearing up for six riotous performances of Sketchy Santa — Holiday Shorts between November 11 and 19. The production is brought to you by the same dedicated group of local writers and performers that knocked your socks off in 2019 with their sold-out phenomenon Who Stole Christmas from Mississippi Mills. No one, an......

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Anne of Green Gables - theHumm November 2022

By Jacqueline Ramsey

Perth Community Choir is back! Auditions were conducted in June and the response was gigantic — resulting in one of the largest casts yet for the yearly fall musical. It seems everyone is raring to come back on stage — some new faces and some familiar faces — all ready to entertain.

Anne of Green Gables was written by L.M. Montgomery in 1908. One would have to have been born under a rock to not know this beloved character. A young Anne is taken in by a brother and sister living on Pr......

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The Art of Bel Angeles - theHumm November 2022

An exhibition by Bel Angeles entitled Beyond and Behind: Diversity, Community, Visibility and Invisibility will be on display from November 2–30 at Concave Gallery in Codes Mill, Perth. There will be an opening reception on November 5 from noon to 4pm.

The artist writes: “I wanted to push myself to find my own language for this show. With incidents of intolerance showing up in parts of society, I wanted to showcase a diversity of styles, textures, stories and backgrounds. It feels impo......

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Arts Carleton Place’sItty Bitty Craft & Art Sale - theHumm November 2022

By Stephanie Stevens

Arts Carleton Place presents the 2022 Itty Bitty Art & Artisan Sale on November 12 and 13 from 10am to 4:30pm at the Carleton Place Arena.

The fall is extra colourful this year in Carleton Place — with vibrant yellows and oranges and stunning reds. It’s as if the world around us was painted with thick acrylics and we’re immersed in a beautiful landscape worthy of framing. Immerse yourself in even more beautiful artworks by attending the Itty Bitty Craft and Art Sale this ......

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A Red Plaid Shirt - theHumm November 2022

From November 6 to 12, the Rural Root Theatre Company proudly presents A Red Plaid Shirt at The Northwind Wireless Fibe Centre in Constance Bay. It tells the tale of two friends filling the void left from retirement in different ways. Marty decides he wants to explore the open road on a Harley while Fred wants to pay more attention to his health, inventing many new ailments along the way. With “subtle redirections” from their wives and a creative solution to a very unusual problem......

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Showing the Local Love for the Holidays! - theHumm November 2022

By Kris and Rob Riendeau

Here at theHumm we’re big on local economies. The retail and service businesses in the small towns that we cover play a huge role in the cultural life of those towns. Each store, restaurant, or small enterprise attracts and serves a particular clientele — some inside the community, some from outside. Some businesses host their own special events; others join together with local festivals to make the whole experience more vibrant. Many provide support in cash or in kind to local initiatives. All of them add their own particular flavour to the delicious mix that is small-town Ottawa Valley.......

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Sonnish — an Interview with Author Mary Capper - theHumm November 2022

By John Pigeau

Mary Capper’s grandmother was not a terribly likable person. To Mary, Milly was “the old battle-axe,” and that was about it. Frankly, Mary held little interest in knowing more about Milly’s life. That changed in 2012, when Mary’s mother passed away and Mary inherited a box of old papers and photos she’d never seen before.

What she saw and read, she found compelling. In this patchwork of memories there was, it emerged, far more to he......

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Millworkers’ Staircase Recognized with Award - theHumm November 2022

The Ontario Historical Society is pleased to present the 2021-22 Dorothy Duncan Public History Award to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for their Millworkers’ Staircase and Riverwalk project. The Dorothy Duncan Public History Award is presented to an outstanding public history project delivered in Ontario.

The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, in partnership with the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, put considerable effort into planning, coordinating and executing this complex pro......

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Lest We Forget… - theHumm November 2022

The annual November 11th Remembrance Day Ceremony has played a major role in Canada since 1931. Every year, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Canadians gather in memorial parks, churches, community halls, workplaces, schools and homes to stand in honour of all who have fallen.

In continuing with this tradition, the local organizing committee consisting of members of the local Legion Captain A. Roy Brown Branch #192, are in the planning stages of conducting a normal......

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“I’m a Lumberjack…” - theHumm November 2022

By Glenda Jones

The song of the chainsaw is heard in the land getting in the winter’s wood. Backend-heavy pick-up trucks haul trailers with wood piled as high as it can be pitched. The rental shop is redolent with the smell of oil and guys getting chains, renting splitters, needing gloves. It’s all in anticipation of the first flurry when woodstoves can be fired up for winter.

For 28 years we too have been out in our woods with our little tractor and trailer, happily cutting up the stuff we can hand......

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The Ghost Train Pulls into the Station - theHumm November 2022

By Katharine Coleman

In Maine near the Canadian border there’s a legend of a phantom locomotive sweeping through a peaceful village leaving death in its wake. One night (Friday, October 13, no less) a silly man stops a train so he can retrieve his hat and accidentally strands six passengers at Clearvale Station, where this phantom locomotive is legend. The stationmaster wishes them to leave so he can go home. He warns them that the station is haunted — telling them the story of the ghost train that will come tha......

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8th Anniversary Showat Sivarulrasa Gallery - theHumm November 2022

From November 9 to December 30, Sivarulrasa Gallery is delighted to present their 8th Anniversary Show! Their biggest show of the year, covering all three sections of the Gallery, will feature works by 28 artists from coast to coast. Owner Sanjeev Sivarulrasa is thrilled to showcase sculpture, paintings, drawings, photography and mixed-media works in many sizes and suitable to many budgets — a festive time of year to add to your collection or start a new one.

The G......

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Sale Away at St. Andrews! - theHumm November 2022

By Kris Riendeau

St. Andrews United Church in Pakenham will host Ottawa’s The fiVe Woodwind Quintet on Saturday, November 26 at 7:30pm. Local composer David Sale has arranged a wide variety of folk and classical music from seven countries for the quintet to perform. Since I have the good fortune to be in a local choir that has sung several of David’s beautiful arrangements, I contacted him to find out more about this very special musical event.

theHumm: Can you tell me a bit about your m......

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Make Christmas Magic!
Buddy the Elf Comes to the CP Town Hall Stage
- theHumm November 2022

By — Stephanie Stephens is a coproducer of Elf the Musical

The Mississippi Mudds are bringing Elf the Musical to the Carleton Place Town Hall stage this holiday season, with shows running from November 25 to December 3.

Elf the Musical is based on the New Line Cinema film that first exploded into popular culture in 2003 and quickly turned its main character, Buddy, in his yellow tights and kelly-green elf-jacket, into a Christmas season icon. Every year families watch and rewatch the movie as a Christmas tradition, alongside classic holiday movies such a......

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Nick of TimeChristmas Craft Show - theHumm November 2022

Perth’s Nick of Time Christmas Craft Show is back for 2022! Come find the perfect Christmas gift for all your special people on Saturday, December 3 from 10am to 3:30pm in Perth’s Crystal Palace, located in downtown Perth right beside the Tay Basin.

This year’s show features a great lineup of new artists and artisans as well as many returning favourites. Expect to find gourmet chocolate, fashion accessories, fine woodworking, unique pottery, jewellery, photography and much more. The ......

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There’s No Place Like Perth!
Experience the Magic of the Season
- theHumm November 2022

Perth Tourism invites you to explore all that the town has to offer this holiday season. Enjoy a weekend in Perth and take some time for yourself to unwind and indulge. With over twenty events planned throughout November and December, the holiday spirit will be sure to surround you while you stroll the streets and explore the beautiful old-world charm of the town.

Bursting with carefully curated boutiques and shops, you’ll easily be able to find gifts for everyone on your holid......

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Union Hall Community Builders’ Craft Fair - theHumm November 2022

By Linda Camponi

After a fun and successful event last year, Union Hall is pleased to be hosting its second annual Community Builders’ Craft Fair on Saturday, November 5. In addition to raising funds for the Hall’s ongoing renovations, we have invited other charities and non-profits to join us at the event to raise awareness and much-needed cash for their enterprises.

The Union Hall Community Centre, a registered charity, was erected in 1857 and continues to be the hub of the community which bears its name. Funde......

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Once Upon a Christmas…
Beautiful Downtown Perth Prepares for Holiday Shoppers
- theHumm November 2022

During the holiday season, when the air is crisp and the snow starts to fall, Downtown Heritage Perth comes alive with small town holiday magic. The Perth BIA is planning a special event on Saturday, November 26 called “Once Upon a Christmas”.

“Take a step into your own Hallmark-style story and visit us in Downtown Perth for Once Upon a Christmas,” says Sherry Crummy, Marketing Consultant for the Perth BIA. “We’ll have activities throughout the downtown, starting at 10am and running until 5pm. T......

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Small Works Event at Perth Gallery - theHumm November 2022

The Small Works Event at the Katherine Muir Miller gallery in Perth is returning for its second year! Come by the gallery from Thursday, November 3 to Sunday, November 13 for a unique event that will bring 23 artists together in one space with affordable prices and set sizes.

The Katherine Muir Miller Gallery will host a reception day for the Small Works Event on Saturday, November 5 from 10am to 6pm. Refreshments of wine and cheese will be offered throughout the day, and all are welc......

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WCAS Holiday Sale - theHumm November 2022

The West Carleton Arts Society is delighted to announce that its holiday sale “Artistic Creations” will return this fall! From December 2–4, this exhibition and sale will showcase the creative talents of more than 25 artists and artisans from the Ottawa region. The annual show is presented at St. Paul’s United Church in Carp.

This show has been held for seven years, and after missing the last two years, the artists and artisans are thrilled to be able to con......

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MERA’s Annual Christmas Fair
Support Community Arts on November 19
- theHumm November 2022

The Annual MERA Christmas Fair returns this year! Come on out to the Schoolhouse at 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A in McDonalds Corners on Saturday, November 19 from 9am to 3pm. Patrons can socialize and warm up by the outdoor bonfire with a cup of hot cider.

This year’s Christmas Fair features homemade jams and jellies by Barb Flynn, handwoven fashions by Heather Sherratt, jewellery by PJ Wilson, fine chocolate by Ludwig, Blue Moon Fashions by Nicola Webb, handcrafted brooms by Raphael Kerem, cornhusk dolls by Marilyn Nicholas-Dahan, cutting and charcuterie boards by Barry Russell, as w......

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Sing a Song of Gladness and Cheer! - theHumm November 2022

By Jane Stott

Scrooge! The Musical is the biggest show we have ever attempted here at Perth Studio Theatre. From its inception it became apparent to all of us that it would take a community to put on a musical of this magnitude. Over 30 youth and adults will be entering from all over the theatre, perhaps coming from the wings or down the aisle singing from edge of the stage, disappearing mysteriously into the dark, and possibly sitting right next to you in the audience. It might be your pharmacist that you see ......

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A Recipe for Christmas - theHumm November 2022

By Glenda Jones

“When we were kids…” What parent hasn’t uttered that phrase with a sentimental nod to the golden past and simpler times? Arlene Stafford-Wilson has captured that nostalgia perfectly in her latest book, Lanark County Christmas. It could be a recipe book for creating an old-fashioned country Christmas, replete with fragrant trees culled from the wild and handmade decorations. Over fifty personal Christmas memories will pull you back to that magical time.

These stories from all over L......

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Pakenham Holiday Hop - theHumm November 2022

By — Submitted the Business Association of Pakenham

Pakenham has long been known for its artistic background and is home to many artisans and makers who seek a slower pace in life. Our Holiday Hop seeks to “bridge” those artisans with their community, so we are starting a new tradition by highlighting the incredible things being made right here in our backyard! On November 26, Pakenham will be hosting an inclusive, community-driven and fun Saturday event. We want to share our gem of a community with our neighbours, so come on ov......

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Riverguild Turns 45! - theHumm November 2022

By Kenna McCall

If you live in Perth, have a cottage nearby or just like to go there for a drive, chances are you have visited Riverguild. Riverguild Fine Arts and Crafts has been an institution in Perth for 45 years. Situated in the heart the main shopping area on Gore Street, it remains the one-stop destination for original handmade arts and crafts.

Although the establishment of Riverguild in 1977 was noteworthy, there were other things going on in Canada at that time. Pierre Trudeau was Prime Mi......

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Local Colours
Fine Art Show with Guest Artist Gordon Coulthart
- theHumm November 2022

Local Colours is excited to announce a two-day Art Show and Sale on November 19 and 20 from 10am to 4pm at the Lombardy Agricultural Hall, located at 6 Kelly Road in Lombardy.

“We are thrilled to be able to showcase our local fine art group,” says Nora Brown, “which is very diverse in many different media”. The Local Colours Fine Art Group meets weekly to support and encourage one another and to experiment with new methods, all of which will be on display at the Art Show and Sale.

Local Colou......

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TNIM presents Deathtrap - theHumm November 2022

This November, Theatre Night in Merrickville (TNIM) will present their production of Deathtrap, written by Ira Levin, which is aptly described as a play within a play, where all is not as it seems to be.

The opening scene introduces the audience to Sidney Bruhl, an established playwright who hasn’t had a good idea in years. He’s been living off his wife Myra’s money for far too long, and it’s all run out. Sidney desperately needs a spark of creativity in order to regain hi......

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Meet the Artists at MERA - theHumm November 2022

The largest room at MERA (McDonalds Corners and Elphin Recreation and Arts) is the original one-room school, now named Dean Hall in honour of Ankaret Dean, one of MERA’s founding members and still an active volunteer. Today, with its high ceilings, wainscoted walls and good lighting, the hall lends itself well as an art exhibition space. MERA has happily promoted it as such for several years, featuring local artists in shows that change monthly. On Sunday, November 6,......

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An Easy, Cheap and Effective Way to Help Cool a Warming Planet - theHumm November 2022

By Chandler Swain with Sue Brandum

If you are feeling daunted by the scope of the climate crisis, Climate Network Lanark has an idea you will love — something easy, cheap and effective.

It sounds like an old idea. But when we understand its impact and how it helps our big existential crisis on our beautiful little blue planet, you may be inspired to really get into it.

It’s composting!

Don’t roll your eyes. Putting organic waste (kitchen and yard waste) into our landfills is one of the larger Lanark County c......

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Just Good Compost - theHumm November 2022

By Will Affleck

You’ve heard of the “Farm to Table” movement, but have you heard of “Table to Farm”?

I owe many of you wonderful community-focused Humm readers an apology. In last month’s article, “The Importance and Power of Compost” (p. 20), I outlined the many environmental harms caused by placing organics into the landfill, and the corresponding benefits that result from composting. Then, after briefly discussing the hassles and limitations of the back yard bin, I abruptly ended the article with an unsatisfying “If only there was another way ...”. I know that many of you haven’t slept for the las......

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Stand and Applaud - theHumm November 2022

By Glenda Jones

For over 18 years, the Almonte Lectures have provided monthly evenings of education through the winter. When the originator of the Almonte Lectures, Don Wiles, retired in 2015, Warren Thorngate valiantly took on the huge task of finding seven lecturers per season to keep the programme running. However, he too deserves to retire after organizing nearly sixty lectures.

Warren is a Professor Emeritus in Social Psychology at Carleton and other universities, as well as a recognized authority ......

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Almonte Lectures: The Torch Is Passed! - theHumm November 2022

By Jane Ellens

When the new committee for Learning Again in Almonte approached Warren Thorngate for his wisdom regarding the delivery of educational programmes, he was unbelievably generous with his time and his advice. Little did we know that within six months he would be approaching us to bring Almonte Lectures under our umbrella in order for him to retire to other adventures. We agreed with some trepidation, but are now very excited about the events we will be bringing you this winter.

One of Learning Again in Almonte’s goals is to not only maintain the quality of offerings of both our predecesso......

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SchoolBOX Auction is Full of Fun! - theHumm November 2022

Almonte’s “little charity that could” is still at their mission of “making education possible” for kids — but their work is now focused on supporting Indigenous kids and youth on-reserve in Northern Ontario!

SchoolBOX’s online auction goes live on Tuesday, November 1 at 32auctions.com/SchoolBOX with creative experiences and items like a visit to a goat farm in Almonte for you and your family, a round-trip WestJet flight for two, co......

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2022 Gift of Art Show & Sale - theHumm November 2022

The artists of the Kanata Civic Art Gallery invite you to the 2022 Gift of Art Show & Sale to be held Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20, from 10am to 5pm.

With over thirty members, the Kanata Civic Art Gallery has been in the community for thirty years and continues to be a staple of the Ottawa art scene. As a juried gallery, the standards are set high and you will see some of Ottawa’s finest artists. This 2022 show will host artists of long standing ......

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The Valley Roots of 260 Fingers - theHumm November 2022

By Chandler Swain

260 Fingers has been a much anticipated and significant visual art exhibition on the Ottawa art scene for nearly two decades. After a 2-year hiatus it returns this November 11-13 at the Glebe Community Centre. The exhibition was created to provide a showcase for the award-winning ceramic art being made in the region. It now includes artists from all over Ontario and Quebec, such is its reputation.

Artists from Lanark County have been fundamental in the creation of this exciting ......

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Sandy Claus Stocking Drive - theHumm November 2022

By Sylvie Powell

Just as turkeys were being turned into soup, the Lanark County Food Bank was already gearing up for its 14th annual Christmas Stocking Drive.

Last year long-time volunteer co-ordinator Sandy Schappert passed on the torch and in her honour, and to thank her and her husband for dreaming up this wonderful program, the campaign has been re-named the Sandy Claus Stocking Drive. 

The Schapperts are the spirit behind the campaign, an idea that began when Sandy’s late husband Hank remarked while volunteering at the Food Bank that recipients often said, “this is the onl......

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The Town Singers are Back! - theHumm November 2022

By Susan Burke

All the members of the Carleton Place Town Singers are excited to be back singing every week. We have had two changes. Paul Norris moved to the far north and Laurel Tye has taken over as director. Peter Brown has taken another position and Michael Costello is our new accompanist. We are happy to have past members as well as a number of new members of the choir. We are having a great time at each rehearsal!

Many of you will know Laurel Tye from her work with the Mississippi Mudds over the past 30 ......

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Project FeederWatch
Let’s Hear It for Citizen Science!
- theHumm November 2022

By Lise Balthazar

I would never go as far as to say that the pandemic and the lockdown that resulted from it had some positive effects; so many lives were tragically lost. But the fact remains that birdwatching and bird feeding quickly became favourite activities among thousands of people forced to stay home — and that can be called a positive development in more ways than one.

Birdwatching is good for the mind and for the soul. It can also generate another activity that leads to collecting very impor......

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Turpin’s Trail Returns to Carleton Place - theHumm November 2022

The Celtic-Folk band Turpin’s Trail returns to Carleton Place for a concert on November 12. Members of this Kingston-based band play over a dozen instruments and sing traditional songs as well as original tunes. They have played all over eastern Ontario and Atlantic Canada, including Newfoundland. Visit turpinstrail.com to hear their music and find out more about them.

For this show they will also feature their new member — Jessica......

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Arria Deepwater is In Between SpacesLocal Disabled Queer Author Featured as Only Canadian Contributor in Anthology of Disabled Writers - theHumm November 2022

By Arria Deepwater

As someone living with an invisible debilitating chronic illness since childhood — an illness so invisible it has no test, an illness so invisible it is diagnosed only through careful evaluation of experience and excluding every other possibility — I have come to understand that my disability exists primarily through story.

Maybe that’s the writer in me talking, but I’ve been navigating this terrain for forty years now, and I keep being led back to the same place. Story is the path my di......

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What Now, Lanark County? How to End Gender-based Violence in our Community - theHumm November 2022

Pamela Cross, a Canadian feminist lawyer and women’s advocate, was deeply involved with the Renfrew County Coroner’s Inquest, which investigated the 2015 murders of three women — Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam. Murders committed by the same man who had had a relationship with all three women.

Pamela will be the keynote speaker at the “What Now, Lanark County?” event taking place on Friday, December 9 at 6:30pm at the Almonte Old Town Hall.

Pa......

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Community Foundation Establishes Indigenous Youth Award - theHumm November 2022

The legacy of Residential Schools in Canada has many asking how they can help with Reconciliation. The Perth and District Community Foundation has chosen to create an Indigenous Youth Award in partnership with Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures bursary program. Indspire, founded in 1985, is a national Indigenous charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

Each year, the PDCF Indigenous Youth Award of $4,000 will be granted to an Indigenous student pursuing st......

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