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Like so many other music groups in the area, the Kanata Choral Society started to rehearse Christmas music back in September when the thought of cooler weather was a real help. But now the time has come to deliver the products of those long rehearsals and warm the audience with a melodious mixture of old and contemporary music of this season.
The first performance takes place on Sunday, December 9 at 3pm at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Alta Vista Drive, where the Kanata Choral Society together with the Church Choir, the Ottawa Catholic School Board Chamber Choir and the Ottawa Wind Ensemble will present a Benefit Concert for the Heron Emergency Food Bank and the Red Cross Tornado Relief Fund.
The second concert is the Kanata Choral Society’s annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 15 at 7:30pm. The title is “Sound the Trumpet!”, and it takes place at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, located at 20 Young Road.
For this concert, the choir will be accompanied by brass and soloists performing Buxtehude’s Wachet Auf. Buxtehude was a renowned Danish composer and organist who lived from 1637 to 1707, and there is a famous story about the young composer J.S. Bach walking 200 miles to hear him playing the organ. Following that piece, the choir moves slowly through the ages to more contemporary music like Howard Cable’s hilarious arrangement of The Twelve Days of Christmas for brass and choir. And of course the audience will get a chance to sing as well.
The soloists for this show will be Kati Auchinleck (alto), Yanik Gosselin (tenor), Hyung Sung (bass), Ken Iles (trumpet and flugelhorn), and Cameron Walker (trumpet). There will also be a silent auction and reception following the performance.
Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door for adults; $ 15 for seniors; and $10 for students 13 and up. Children 12 and under are admitted free. They are available at Granata Music (18-1568 Merivale Road), Värdera Café (6081 Hazeldean Road, Stittsville), online at <kanatachoralsociety@hotmail.com> and at the door. For more information, please visit <kanatachoralsociety.ca> or phone 592–1991.
Christmas comes early each year for Sandy Schappert, and her wish list isn’t the usual fare. She’s the spirit behind the Christmas stockings filled with toiletries distributed through the Lanark County Food Bank—The Hunger Stop each year.
There are lots of collections for children and even ongoing programs for seniors, but while volunteering at the food bank Sandy’s late husband Hank noticed a need for something for adults. In many cases, these are the parents of children who receive toys and Christmas baskets. Sandy turned to members of her church (St. James Anglican), and the little idea just grew and grew. Today a number of churches have been joined by second-hand stores, businesses and more recently individuals in this unique act of giving.
The collection of toiletries and the stockings themselves starts early. Clients of the food bank can only shop for one food order a month, so distribution of stockings starts at the end of November to ensure each and every adult can get a stocking in time. For some this is the only gift they receive, and many say that they save it so they have something to open on Christmas morning.
So thoughts and actions are already underway to ensure that everyone has a Merry Christmas this year. If you’d like to donate stockings, toiletries or even the funds to fill stockings, please contact Sandra Schappert at <sandyhank@bell.net> or 492–1006 and she’ll make sure your generosity puts a smile in someone’s heart this Christmas.
I have a friend who begins posting photos of Buddy the Elf on social media — in July. I have another friend who is now, in late November, up to her eyeballs in chopped dried cranberries, happily making enough “booze-y” fruitcakes to feed — and possibly intoxicate — several hockey teams. Last week another friend practically lost her mind with glee when she heard Netflix had just added Love, Actually to its list of heartwarming holiday flicks. Yes, the Christmas spirit is strong with some, and if that’s true of you then you’ll likely be terrifically happy to hear about all the wonderful things happening in Perth this wintry holiday season.
To get everyone in a great mood, BarnDoor Productions presents Hansel & Gretel, an all-new Christmas panto sure to please the whole family with its “messy, crazy fun.” This extravagant production features a cast of fourteen performers, plenty of music, an original script, beautiful costumes, a pantomime horse and even a bear; and it promises to have you in a belly-aching heap of helpless laughter. Hansel & Gretel (or The Crumbs Don’t Fall Far from the Loaf) runs December 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7:30pm and December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 2pm at the Full Circle Theatre. For more information, including where and how to get tickets, you can visit <barndoorproductions.ca>, or call 267–1884.
If you find yourself nostalgic for Christmases past, you can experience the delightful sights, sounds and smells of holidays gone by at the Perth Museum as they present Home for the Holidays throughout the month of December. You can go back in time at the Museum daily from 10am to 6pm. Please note this living bit of history will be closed December 25, 26 and 27.
On Friday, December 7, it’s time to get crafty. From 4–9pm at the Best Western Plus Perth Parkside Inn and Spa, you can shop like an Olympic champion for everyone on your list at The Everything Craft Event. Hosted by the Midnight Makers, this evening features craft goods, craft beer and craft eats. Over 25 vendors will set up shop with their wares, and you can drink and snack while you shop, and maybe even sneak in a delicious meal at the Parkside Bistro. Admission is by donation, and the first thirty attendees will receive a swag bag.
You’ll have another chance to buy Christmas presents from local vendors and artisans on December 15 at The Ladies of the Tay Christmas Market. That event runs from 10am to 3pm at the Royal Canadian Legion on Beckwith Street. There will be a lunch counter, as well as lots of Christmas cheer.
Now, did you happen to hear that Santa’s coming to town? That’s right. He’ll first visit Perth during the Santa Claus Parade on December 1, but if you miss him there you can meet up with him for breakfast at Michael’s Table on the morning of December 9. Does Santa eat sugary cookies for breakfast? Only one way to find out! And don’t forget your camera, because this is a fun and relaxed way to have your kids’ photos taken with jolly ol’ fella. You might wish to call early (267–0008) to make reservations.
Then on Saturday, December 15, Santa — who is one busy lad this time of year — is coming to the Crystal Palace. He’ll be there bright and early at 10am, and children can line up to sit on his lap and have a little heart-to-heart with Saint Nick. Parents are welcome to take their own photos if they wish. The Stewart School Junior Choir will perform, and there will be free hot chocolate and candy canes for all. Two reminders from the good people at Perth Tourism: there are no washrooms at the Crystal Palace (the closest are the public washrooms on the south side of Town Hall), and the Palace will be open later on that evening for anyone wanting to view all the magnificent Christmas trees at night.
To me, nothing sounds quite as lovely at the holidays as a talented choir — or two — singing joyful Christmas songs. Under the direction of Shelley McLaren, the Men & Women of the Tay will combine this year to present a Christmas Joy Concert on December 9 at St. James the Apostle Anglican Church. The audience is invited to join in too, as the choirs perform a variety of music from beautiful traditional arrangements to up-tempo seasonal songs. A freewill offering will be accepted. The concert starts at 2pm.
Anyone care for a classy afternoon tea? If so, you are most fortunately in luck, as the folks at Crossroads Tea Room will host For the Love of Downtown Christmas Tea on Sunday, December 9 at the Best Western Plus Parkside Inn and Spa. There will be a live pianist, prizes for best attire, and the Bistro bar will be open. Tickets are $40, which includes gratuity and a glass of champagne, and they’re available at Crossroads Tea Room (267–2152). Tea will be served at 2pm, ladies and gentlemen.
It might be after Christmas, but kids big and small won’t want to miss Jingle Boots: The Big Yellow Holiday Show at the Studio Theatre on December 28. Join the Big Yellow family — Splash, Boots, Charlie, Chef Brock Lee, and Jumping Jack Granny — as they celebrate the holidays. This is an interactive show, so dress in your coolest yellow and blue attire and be ready to dance and sing along to all the holiday classics as well as some Splash ‘N’ Boots originals. Tickets are available at Tickets Please, 11 Gore Street East, online at <ticketsplease.ca>, or by calling 485–6434. The big show starts at 2pm.
If you’re looking to make plans for New Year’s Eve, keep in mind the Perth Manor is planning a marvellous and classy evening in their elegant Tapestry Dining Room, including a delicious 6-course meal (featuring beef Wellington), a champagne toast, and live piano music by Perth’s own Valerie Leavitt. Reservations are required, so give them a call at 264–0050.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
You are warmly invited to an Advent Carol Service at St. James the Apostle Anglican church in Perth on Sunday, December 2 at 4pm, which starts with a candlelight procession. This year, for the first time, both the Junior and Youth Choirs will join the Senior Choir and we look forward to hearing them all. The season of Advent allows us to step aside and quietly wait for the coming of Jesus Christ — both to celebrate his arrival on Earth as a baby two thousand years ago, and to prepare for his coming again at the end of time.
These themes run through the service, which is both solemn and joyful, and starts with the Youth Choir singing The Advent Litany. A procession with candles follows with the singing of The Matin Responsory by Palestrina, which sets the tone. “I look from afar; and lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth. Go ye out and meet him…”
The choirs continue around the church singing and bearing candles. There are several pauses for scripture to be read, the darkness gradually recedes until the church is filled with light, and the coming of Christ, the Light of the World, is proclaimed in the last reading.
The prayers and music reflect the scripture, and the twin themes of looking forward to Christ’s birth and his coming again. Hymns this year include Come, thou Redeemer of the Earth, When the King Shall Come Again and Tell Out, My Soul. Anthems include O Come Emmanuel by the Youth Choir females, The Cherry Tree Carol by the Senior Choir, and If ye would hear the Angels Sing with both choirs.
St. James’ Church is located on the corner of Drummond and Harvey Streets in Perth. Travelling west on Highway 7, turn left at the first traffic light as you enter Perth. For more information, contact the church office at 267–1163 or email <stjamesperth@gmail.com>.
Open House at Carriageway
On Saturday, December 15, everyone is invited to Almonte’s Carriageway Studios for a very special open house. Located at the back of the carriageway that leads from Mill Street to the Barley Mow, this artists’ collective is a hive of activity — and home to a delicious new business!
Drop in from 10am to 5pm that day to meet resident artists. You’ll find wonderful works by Dawn Walker (who designs and creates pretty paper goods, note cards, gift tags, notebooks, calendars and prints, and will also give some letterpress demonstrations); Marie-France Gosselin (of L’Atelier Weaving Studio, who will be demonstrating weaving); Sarah Jaynes (of Mississippi NORTH, who will be painting and also displaying her prints, notecards and original art); and Meed Barnett (who creates hand-forged copper wearable art and framed watercolours and pastels). Christine Turnbull (of Turn Weft and Spin too) will demonstrate spinning on wheel and spindles, and you’ll find her hand-woven wall hangings, tapestries and wearable art, as well as Jeremy Ford’s pottery (JB FORD studio). Clare Carty, Carriageway’s newest addition, will be selling fresh cold-pressed juice and introducing her Little Mississippi Juice Company.
This multi-talented troupe will be joined by guest artists Pat Caffery (embroidery-based fibre art pieces), Penni Caffery (photography with embroidery), Megan Duffield of Duffield Design (locally-made sustainable clothing for women), Jay Ferrin of Studio Three Sevens (original paintings and prints), and Luc Lafontaire of Luna’s handmade creations (a selection of handmade wooden décor and kitchen gear, as well as handspun dyed yarns).
There will also be snacks, in addition to the fresh juice and all that wonderful locally-made art. For more information, find Carriageway Studios on Facebook.
Times Gone By Studio
Artists Brent McGillivray and Maureen Bennett have combined their unique styles to form the new Times Gone By Studio in Perth. They offer beautiful, original art works, and high quality prints.
A graduate of Architectural Technology at Algonquin College, Fine Arts at the Ontario College of Art, and Printmaking at the Alberta College of Art, Brent McGillivray is a member of the Directors Guild of Canada who works as a set designer and art director in the film industry in Toronto. His website states that: “I record through photography many vanishing historic sites and graphics. These inspire me to create paintings of disappearing urban and rural artifacts.”
In 2014, after thirty years of working in quilting, stained and fused glass, Maureen Bennett broadened her “love of colour” through a new medium — painting with acrylic. She explains that: “Having spent time in Algonquin Highlands, Georgian Bay and Nova Scotia, each distinctive landscape greatly influenced my paintings.”
Find Times Gone By Studio at 48 Craig Street in Perth, or visit them online at <timesgonebystudio.com>.
Gallery 106 Pops Up in Arnprior
After driving by the vacant storefront at 106 John Street N. in Arnprior several times, artist Richard Gagne decided that it would be a great location for an art gallery. Richard approached well-known local artist Kevin Dodds and asked him if he would be interested in helping out, and Dodds agreed to curate and give Richard advice. Within three weeks the pair had attracted 35 artists (most of whom are from the Ottawa Valley area) to participate and share their art in a pop-up gallery in the two-storey space.
Richard says that they are starting with a two-month pop-up, but that they do have the option of continuing beyond the end of December. He adds: “we are getting requests daily from artists that want to be part of this gallery, but the walls got filled so fast that there is simply no more room.” All artists participating in the gallery also donate a percentage of all their sales to the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation. Find out more at <gallery106.ca>.
This is my first time submitting to the Speaking Volumes column and I am excited to be part of the December issue. This is my favourite time of year but it does come with its drawbacks: mainly the fact that I eat too much, drink too much, and inevitably grow tired of socializing. In order to plan mini-escapes and soothe my self-loathing soul, I am gathering a cache of diversions to help me be nice instead of naughty.
Fortunately, Cormoran Strike is back to keep me out of trouble. Lethal White is the fourth mystery by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling). With the help of his assistant Robin, war veteran and private detective Cormoran solves crimes from a shabby private detective agency in London. I know this description sounds like a formulaic mystery, but the characters and writing are so compelling that you will get hooked. If you have not read this series yet, start with The Cuckoo’s Calling and you can send me a thank-you note as this series will keep you out of trouble for the entire holiday season.
On November 27, Louise Penny’s Kingdom of the Blind will be released. Rather than London, the Armand Gamache mysteries take place in and around Three Pines, Quebec; a fictitious town based on a mishmash of locations in the Eastern Townships. The stories are always filled with relatable, charming characters, fresh baguettes, fine wine and grisly murders. The drool-inducing descriptions of food may force you to visit your hidden stash of chocolate too many times, but you will at least be thankful to live in Eastern Ontario, far from the Eastern Township murder sprees. Chief Inspector Gamache has solved crimes in thirteen previous books, so this may be your answer to avoiding winter altogether.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty will also be part of my Christmas hibernation kit. I am swayed by the description: “Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever?” Although I was not blown away by Big Little Lies, I loved the television series. It may sound like a superficial read but I tend to dive into fluff when the going gets tough. Please don’t judge me.
Yes, it’s true that politics and family may not mix, but I’m still going to a hide away with a copy of Rick Mercer Final Report. Though the political landscape feels like low-hanging fruit for a political satirist, I believe Mercer will deliver an intelligent, hilarious and timely summary of the past year in politics. This book also includes his greatest rants, which might be the best medicine to forget how you freaked out because your inconsiderate child/husband/dog ate the LAST HAZELNUT LINDT BALL!!
In keeping with being nice, I am also thinking of ways to keep my immediate family out of trouble. One of my sons will get a copy of the late great Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential. Hopefully the shocking tales from the hellhole of kitchens will put a cork in his complaints about working at a fast food restaurant. My other son will receive Cujo: The Untold Story of My Life On and Off the Ice, because Curtis Joseph’s tales from his difficult childhood will surely make me look like a saintly mother. Finally, my beloved husband will be honoured with the 736-page doorstop Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin. This may be the answer to ensuring a peaceful and quiet 2019.
I cannot end this article without including a recommendation for kids. Mary Lumsden of Mill Street Books in Almonte introduced me to The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith back in September. This book was published ten years ago but the recently released YouTube video of a grandmother reading the book has revitalized this story about a three-legged donkey. I don’t have a toddler in the house, but I will buy a copy just to bring laughter to this holiday season.
Mills Community Support is looking for a few keen people to help form a core group to start work on an Age-Friendly Mississippi Mills project. A launch event was held last month at the Almonte Old Town Hall with the “architect” of the United Nations’ Age-Friendly Cities program, Dr. Louise Plouffe, and Bonnie Schroeder, a knowledge broker on the Age-Friendly Communities program from Age-Friendly Ottawa. Seniors and citizens of all ages attended this event, as did staff from agencies serving seniors, new council members and our new mayor.
What we found is that Mississippi Mills is already a long way along the path toward Age-Friendly designation. “Building age-friendly communities is very much a journey as it is a destination. An age-friendly community provides accessible and inclusive built and social environments where older adults can enjoy good health, participate actively and live in security,” shared Dr. Plouffe.
When assessing whether a community is “age-friendly” there are eight areas of interest to consider: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings, Transportation, Housing, Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation and Employment, Communication and Information, and Community and Health Services.
Here in Mississippi Mills the 2016 census shows us that 21.3 percent of our population is between 65 and 85 years of age and 2.8 percent are over 85 years of age. Our stats show that the proportion of seniors living in Mississippi Mills is higher than in Ottawa or than the national average.
If you are interested in seeing this project take flight in Mississippi Mills and want to be on our email list for periodic updates, share your contact information with Jeff Mills <jmills@themills.on.ca>. If you would like to apply to join our core steering group, please send a paragraph or two about your interest in the project to Jeff. Please note that space is limited.
An age-friendly community is friendly for all.
Almonte’s downtown has a Main Street which isn’t, a Bridge Street which is, and a “High Street” which is actually named Mill Street. The term High Street is a metonym for a street on which are located the defining businesses of a town — not to say all, or even the biggest businesses, but those which in aggregate can define the character of a town as well as its basic functions.
In Britain, High Street is actually the most common street name and its meaning is well understood; in Almonte, Mill Street refers to the town’s history but has functionally become the High Street. Populated with shops, banks, service providers and other businesses (including a real bookstore!), and with adequate parking nearby, Mill Street also has some attractive architecture (the old Post Office, not the new one) and notably a café, North Market, which is the proper subject of this article.
For those already familiar with North Market, it is located in a space formerly occupied by “Palms”, whose owner, having decided to move on to other pursuits, approached Rick and Amanda Herrera about taking over her already established practice. It was a good choice on both sides but not without its challenges. The Herreras are both veterans of the food service sector who refer to having their own place as the “evolution of a dream”. An established business comes with the expectations of its customers as to both style and substance — hence the need to cater to established tastes. The good news is that the standard of quality allows both creativity and flexibility so that Amanda and Rick have been able to put their stamp on the establishment while maintaining and growing the client base.
The seating space at North Market has an unusually high ceiling and is well lit without being harsh — it is informal and inviting to patrons who wish to meet over beverages and light refreshments as well as those who would have lunch. The vibe is casual comfort. A chalkboard display of items available is constantly changing depending on season, market availability and the kitchen’s ability to generate new ideas. From sampling and word of mouth, Weetabix is pleased to note that North Market has, in the short time it has been open, found its feet and is well on its way. Plans are afoot to extend hours to dinner service and add a liquor license.
There is substantial takeout traffic and that highlights another aspect of the business — catering. Basically, catering is takeout with service but not quite. First of all, the nature of the orders tends to be more elaborate and, obviously, in most cases there are multiples of each item. Sounds easy, but just as running a restaurant kitchen is very different from a domestic kitchen, catering makes organizational and execution demands that define it as a business unto itself. The Herreras have experience in both arenas and the energy and skill to combine them within the same operation. Staffing can be a challenge due to the swing loads on the catering side — especially for orders wanting full service! This is where having experience in the business is essential, since extra help is often needed.
If you are planning an event, a special dinner or just want a break from your normal domestic routine, consider the advantages of having professionals who will cater to your whims and desires — at least in the food and beverage realm. An additional benefit of having a dinner catered by skilled professionals is exactly that — they are almost certainly better at it than you are! Car ads warn of the dangers of amateur performance, and home cooking has risks that are easily avoided by engaging professionals like the Herreras. Another advantage is that you can preview your options by ordering items such as the deviled eggs or falafel at the restaurant before committing. Amanda will be happy to work out a detailed proposal and plan of execution. Both delivery and pricing are assured in advance, and the quality of the food will be outstanding. Weetabix has enjoyed some of their work and recommends serious consideration be given to use of this resource. Even for a small dinner party it is a low-stress and cost-effective route to a superior outcome — and one that does not require you to do a post-party clean up. Full service and good service! Take a look at <northmarketalmonte.com> where both the Café and catering offerings are on display and note that the menu for the Café is frequently updated — sometimes even in mid-day as items run out or are added. It is a guide, but flexibility is called for and substitutions may open new gastronomic possibilities. If a particular desire is frustrated, you should consider it an opportunity; the food is good and the venue relaxed and conducive to its enjoyment.
Another aspect of North Market is the Herreras’ dedication to the local community and to local farmers and artisanal producers. They also have given prominent display to some interesting art. Should you be inclined to thinking about mechanics, take a look at the large table supported on chains. North Market is open seven days a week — which is good, since lunch happens every day. Enjoy!
It is difficult to believe that almost a year has passed since the last Goulbourn Male Chorus Christmas Concert, but this year’s event — taking place on December 8 — is fast approaching and the men are fine-tuning their repertoire. Choral music enthusiasts from the Valley and Ottawa West are making the GMC concert an annual event. There is something about the deep, rich tones of a male chorus that is warm and comforting and sets off the Christmas season with just the right mood!
This year the chorus welcomes back as their guest performers the Interlude Piano Trio (Sandra Allan on cello, Jackie Morris on violin and Bonnie MacDiarmid on piano) as well as soprano Skye MacDiarmid. These artists have performed with the GMC previously and are well appreciated by the audience. In addition to the guest artists there will be other performances from members of the chorus — including the a capella group Men of Note.
With such a wide range of music there is something for everyone, and as usual there will be opportunities for the audience to join in and give voice to some popular Christmas pieces. The musical program ranges from A Christmas Madrigal to the jazzy Come and See the King, from the light-hearted Nutcracker Jingles to the beautifully combined arrangement of Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring and Silent Night – and much more!
As in the past, the concert will be held at the acoustically superb Trinity Presbyterian Church on Richardson Side Road in Kanata. The concert starts at 7pm on Saturday, December 8. Tickets are $15 each and can be obtained from chorus members, online at <goulbournmalechorus.com> or at the door.
Just before the big day, Nicolas Klaus is in Holiday Court — being sued by Krampus over the ownership of Christmas. If Krampus wins the case, then Christmas will be tossed into the dark ages. No longer will children wake up to treats and toys, but instead there will be plenty of coal and kidnappings! Can Klaus save his holiday? What will become of Christmas?
Find out on Saturday, December 15 when the comedy troupe Adventure in Your Ear brings their production of ’Twas The Trial Before Christmas to the Almonte Old Town Hall. This unique Christmas story (which contains some adult humour) will be performed in the style of a live radio play by cast members Benoit Chartier, Edith Chartier, Martin Couto, Myles Rourke and Cory Tibbits (who has performed at several Puppets Up events in the past). Also appearing will be Puppets Up alumnus Allan Martin as The Narrator.
There will be two shows on the 15th — one at 6pm and a second at 9pm. Tickets are available for $12 online through the Facebook event page <facebook.com/aiyepodcast>. They can also be purchased at the door for $12, and will be available soon at local retailers. $2 from every ticket sold will be going to The Hub!
Adventure in Your Ear is a comedy troupe that performs original stories in the style of Old Time Radio Plays. They have been performing in the Ottawa area at local venues for over a year.
The Perth Citizens’ Band will be holding its annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 18, starting at 7:30pm. This year marks the 26th year of this event, which once again will be held at St. James Anglican Church, located at the corner of Drummond and Harvey Streets in Perth.
The longstanding tradition of the Christmas Concert at the church was revived in 1993 by conductor Brian Tackaberry. From the 1920s to 1940s the band had previously played concerts during the Christmas season.
Guests for this year’s event will be Perth’s Town Crier Brent McLaren, as well as The St. James Four. The St. James Four hails from Perth and brings you familiar but fresh sounding jazz from an earlier era. It features Val Leavitt on piano, Peter Woodwark on stand-up bass, Rebecca Worden as vocalist and on clarinet and Jim Wright as drummer.
The annual Christmas Concert will feature a variety of sacred and popular tunes familiar to guests of all ages. Admission for the evening is $5 per person or $10 for families. For more information visit the band’s website at <perthband.ca> or phone 256–4221.
Closing in on the first anniversary of her inaugural Ottawa Valley Rag Bag Cabaret, Rachelle Elie is planning to end the year with a double-barrelled bang. On December 29 she presents a Lady Rash New Year’s Comedy Bash at the Grand Hotel in Carleton Place, and then on December 31 she will host a New Year’s Rag Bag Cabaret at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte. theHumm caught up with her to find out more about her busy schedule.
theHumm: It’s been about a year since you burst onto the scene with your first New Year’s Rag Bag Cabaret at the Almonte Old Town Hall. Have you been surprised by the reception these events have had in and around your new hometown?
Rachelle Elie: I was definitely surprised to sell out the Town Hall in Almonte a week before New Year’s last year and again for Valentine’s Day. Having produced shows in Toronto for twenty years I know how difficult it is to sell out any show in a big city. I’d assumed it would be the same in small towns, so it was very unexpected. I’d been warned that small towns are often last-minute so I’d prepared to be panicked… it was a treat to sell out a week before! That said, since New Year’s last year I’ve produced Rag Bag Cabarets in Orleans, Carp, Carleton Place and Arnprior and I am seeing that, no matter where you are, never assume that it’ll be a sell-out. Last year we did a show on Canada Day weekend and I realized many people go away in the summer so that’s not an ideal time for a show. I’ve learned a lot doing so many Cabarets in one year, and the big lesson has been that less is more.
Who have been some of your favourite Rag Bag guests over the past year?
I feel so honoured that Mike MacDonald drove out to Almonte from Ottawa to perform at the Rag Bag last Valentine’s Day. No one could have predicted his passing, but I know that when he died everyone who saw him that night realized how special that really was. To have shared the Old Town Hall stage with such a comedy legend was a real honour and I am still so sad that he is gone. I don’t have any other favorites right now because most of the artists in my shows are people I have been working with for years and I chose them to be in the show because I love what they do. That said, I am grateful that many of my colleagues are willing to drive from Toronto to be a part of the show.
Who is on the roster for your upcoming shows?
I am still putting together the line-up. I have asked the Canadian Chorus to come back because they are amazing, and I have booked Michael Freedman — a hilarious comic from Ottawa, who is also a chiropractor. It will be a rock star audience, that is for sure! I am thrilled to be back in Almonte at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for the New Year’s Rag Bag Cabaret on December 31. And on December 29, I’ll be producing the Lady Rash New Year’s Comedy Bash at the Grand Hotel in Carleton Place, and that will be me stepping away a little from Cabaret and producing more comedy shows.
Looking ahead to next year, what are your performance hopes and dreams? Any thoughts of bringing back Joe, or performing S#!t I’m in Love With You Again in this area?
As much as I adore Joe, I’m committed to focusing on my stand-up career. I’ve promised myself to put my characters aside for a bit. I just found out I am doing the prestigious HUBCAP Comedy Festival in New Brunswick in Feb 2019 so for the next few months I’ll be prepping for that festival. I’m working on a new stand-up show called Lady Rash that I hope to premiere at the fringe this summer, but who knows — I may do a preview in Almonte!
Tickets for the two upcoming shows are available locally or on Eventbrite — visit <crowningmonkey.com> for more details.
There are lots of reasons to visit your local museum this December! The Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum is all decked out for Christmas, and has some special displays of locally made fur coats and blankets to cozy things up.
The Postcards of the Past exhibit continues all winter long, and the Museum will be adding Christmas and New Year cards for two upcoming events.
The Christmas in Carleton Place House Tour takes place on December 1 and 2, and the Museum is a bonus stop on the tour. Get your tickets soon as this event sells out fast (there will be free cookies and cider too!).
Drop in on December 15 to celebrate the season at the Christmas Open House. Enjoy live music, more Christmas goodies, and shop at a Pop-Up Vintage Shop for one-of-a-kind gift items.
Did you know the Museum also carries a good selection of local history books? Come in and shop for your favourite history buff. What about a Historical Society Membership as a unique gift idea? The Museum also carries the beautiful Carleton Place 200 calendars — get yours soon and celebrate 2019 all year long!
Finally, do you know the connection between Carleton Place’s Roy Brown and Snoopy? Best come in and get the details! Kids can play our fun Spot the Snoopy hunt and win a prize!
The Museum is located at 267 Edmund Street in Carleton Place. Visit <cpbheritagemuseum.com> for more details.
Presented by the Mississippi Mudds, Gilbert and Sullivan’s marvellous musical The Mikado runs at the Carleton Place Town Hall on November 30 and December 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30pm, and on December 2 and 9 at 2pm.
Tickets are $22 from Tickets Please (485–6434,
tickets@ticketsplease.ca, or ticketsplease.ca/TheMudds.html). For more information on this and other Mudds productions, please visit <mississippimudds.ca>.
With the holiday season on its way, Newfoundland’s Ennis Sisters have announced their 9th annual Christmas Tour. This year the Juno award-winning trio will once again bring their highly-acclaimed show to select venues across Canada, including a stop in Perth on Friday, December 7.
Sisters Maureen, Karen and Teresa deliver one of the finest family Christmas shows in the country. They combine original songs, holiday classics, humorous recitations and Irish step-dancing to create an evening that’s sure to ignite the true holiday spirit. While their tightly-woven harmonies produce a sound that only siblings can achieve, the multi-award-winning sisters also move audiences to tears with their hilarious banter and poignant seasonal sentiments.
The Ennis Sisters were born and raised on Irish Newfoundland tunes. Throughout their childhood, if their parents weren’t making music, it was coming through the radio — particularly the Irish radio shows that aired on Saturday and Sunday mornings. There was no escaping the traditional music all around them. “When we first began singing for an audience, these were the songs we sang. It’s what came easiest and most natural, and still does,” says Karen.
Some say it’s in their bones to sing; that their beautiful harmonies and powerful voices reflect the very strength of the Atlantic itself. “That’s all we knew growing up,” says Maureen. “Newfoundland is a unique province, and because of this we have a different perspective of our surroundings.”
With multiple accolades — a Juno Award, SOCAN Award and multiple East Coast Music Awards — the Ennis Sisters have proven themselves to be gifted musicians. Maureen is a guitarist, Karen plays the tin whistle and flute, and Teresa plays the bodhran. Their Christmas tour has been an annual event since their album Christmas on Ennis Road landed them their own holiday special on CBC television.
A portion of the proceeds from the Perth show will go towards Stewart Park Festival, a free community festival held each July in Perth. “It’s a great feeling knowing we’re helping to make a difference to communities across the province, especially this time of year,” explains Karen Ennis. “It’s always amazing to see people come together in the true spirit of Christmas.”
The Ennis Sisters Christmas show will take place in Perth at 7:30pm on December 7 in the Mason Theatre at PDCI. Tickets are $30 from <ticketsplease.ca>, the Visitor Centre at the Perth Museum, or by phoning 485–6434. The show is sponsored in part by Magenta Mortgage Investment Corporation.
This show has become a Christmas tradition you won’t want to miss — a wonderful way to greet the holiday season!
The Local Colours Fine Art Group warmly invites you to their first annual Christmas Gift Show, taking place on Saturday, December 8 at McMartin House in Perth. The show and sale will run from 9am to 5pm with all the artists in attendance to welcome you. Sample some delicious festive treats while browsing original fine art and one-of-a-kind pottery, felted items, greeting cards, jewellery and more. The group’s resident author and illustrator will be on hand to autograph her recently published Christmas book, The Shaman Queen.
Come early and find something for everyone on your gift list! The group is also proud to be supporting Build a Mountain of Food and will be accepting cash donations on their behalf.
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. A healthy local economy is an essential component to a healthy community.
It is with this in mind that we bring you theHumm’s 18th annual Gift Giving Guide. Our hope is that you’ll find two kinds of inspiration in the many lists that appear throughout this month’s issue. As you peruse the “Gifts for Coffee & Tea Lovers”, “Gifts for Environmentalists” and “Gifts for Funky People”, we hope you’ll discover the perfect present for everyone on your list. But we also hope that you’ll be inspired to investigate even more of the independent, locally owned and run businesses throughout our coverage area. In doing so, you’re likely to encounter not only friends and neighbours, but also some old-fashioned small town peace and joy at this potentially hectic time.
If you’ve been reading theHumm for a while, none of this is news to you. You’ve been shopping locally and feeling pretty good about it. So how about putting your mouth where your money is? When you find a local service or establishment or product that gives you joy, let your friends and neighbours know (and perhaps bestow a kind word upon the owner or employees as well!). That kind of investment is so much more powerful and useful than outrage and despair when a beloved business closes its doors.
The gifts we buy locally do double-duty by giving pleasure to the recipient and at the same time supporting the business of a friend or neighbour. If the gift happens to be fair-trade, environmentally-friendly or made by a local grower or artist, then it does triple-duty! We would like to thank the participating merchants for taking the time to send in their Gift Giving Guide suggestions, and to thank our readers for shopping locally and thereby supporting both the shops and our paper.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy holiday season, and a local New Year!
This is the description of a pantomime, according to Dictionary.com. Many folks who are unfamiliar with the genre mistakenly think there will be no talking, but the opposite couldn’t be more true. There is also singing and dancing, and an important part of the panto experience is audience participation. We polite Canadians are reluctant to shout out at a show, but it is expected here! You MUST boo the baddies and cheer on the goodies. The ex-pats in the audience will lead you along!
This year, the Station Theatre takes on a classic French fairy tale in Beauty and the Beast by Ben Crocker. Featuring audience favourites such as the Dame, a principal boy who’s a girl, and a trusty animal sidekick (Felix the poodle, in this case), this show is hilariously funny and touchingly tender at the same time. Jessica Parsons plays Rose, also known as Beauty, daughter of Ma Pamplemousse (Mike Adams) and sister to the earnest Jacques (Jen McCloskey). While on a trip to seek riches to help her starving family, Ma is caught by the fearsome Beast (Josh Rutherford) who is actually Prince Christophe. He was cursed by the evil witch Malabelle (Maya Gordon) to live as a foul and loathsome creature, but perhaps Beauty can find some small part of him that remains human. Beauty goes to live in the castle, meeting some delightful talking furniture and castle sprites. Aided by the resourceful Capucine (Bethany Duberville), Ma, Jacques and Felix set off to rescue Beauty from the clutches of the beast.
In true British tradition, this panto will leave your sides aching with laughter. A very busy chorus line supports in multiple roles as the cast entertains grandparents and grandchildren, moms, dads and families of all kinds. Superbly built innovative sets complement the action, along with a new pyro effects machine and glorious costumes made by veteran costume designer Sue Adams.
This will be director Emily Duberville’s fifth time at the helm of the Station Theatre’s holiday panto. With lots of songs to learn and dance steps to perfect, there is a lot of rehearsal required to make things look flawlessly fun. But coming from a British family, Emily grew up with the true form of pantomime in her homeland. Her parents, who are both very involved with the production, also have their memories of pantomimes. And judging by the number of British accents that have ordered tickets over the phone, they’ve got a good thing going!
Come out for a taste of Britain and a true Christmas tradition. You won’t be disappointed.
In order to allow for more families to attend this show — it is, after all, a very family-friendly one — there will be matinées on both the Saturday and Sunday show days. There will be 7:30pm performances on December 7, 13 and 14; and 2pm shows on December 8, 9, 15 and 16. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and can be purchased with cash at Special Greetings (8 Russell Street in Smiths Falls), online or by phone (283–0300) with credit card. If tickets are still available, they can be purchased 30 minutes before showtime at the door, with cash. For more details, visit <smithsfallstheatre.com>.
Rhythmfoot on December 21
To end the 2018 music series, the Station Theatre is pleased to welcome Ottawa Valley favourites Rhythmfoot on December 21. This very talented family has deep roots in stepdancing and fiddling. Frank Leahy is part of the very popular Leahy family, and his wife Chandra is a former Canadian stepdance champion. The two of them, along with their six talented children, will share an evening of Rhythmfoot with the audience. And for clarification, Rhythmfoot is just that: rhythm through music, dance and song! Don’t miss this wonderful family show with lots of Christmas carols as well as other songs, dances and instruments to get you ready for the holiday season. Tickets ($30 for adults and $15 for students) are on sale now (see above for details on how to get yours).
A group of neighbours who knit are warming hearts throughout our community this holiday season. The twelve residents of Tay Valley Township have knit many creations for the Lanark County Angel Tree for Seniors Program. This program is organized by community volunteers and the Primary Care Outreach to Seniors (PCO) team of the North Lanark Community Health Centre — a part of Lanark Renfrew Health & Community Services. The Angel Tree allows members of our community the opportunity to give anonymous gifts (maximum $25 value) to seniors registered in supportive community programs or living in nursing homes throughout Lanark County. The first name and wish list of each senior is written on a tag, which is placed on a Christmas tree at one of several locations.
The neighbours, who gather monthly to knit and enjoy each other’s company, were inspired to knit items for the program by one of their own — the remarkable Mrs. Wilma Winton, who celebrated her 91st birthday this November.
Wilma, who has generously given countless hand-knitted items to multiple community causes over the years, donated several beautiful shawls to the Angel Tree in 2017 after learning about the program from a friend. “When Wilma suggested knitting for the Seniors’ Angel Tree at our June meeting, we thought it was a great idea,” commented Joanne Tilston. The ladies knit throughout the summer and fall, creating a beautiful collection of hats, mittens, scarves, shawls, soft face clothes, and a lap blanket. They also collected a generous financial donation and some lovely purchased gifts for inclusion in the program.
The care and intention with which these ladies crafted their creations can be sensed when holding the finished items. In giving their creations, they are sharing both the item and that spirit with the individual who will receive the gift. Speaking with the knitters, it is clear that they feel they are getting as much joy in giving the items as the seniors will in receiving their lovely creations. Joanne Tilston noted that: “knitting for the program gave us a goal to work towards. It feels good to know that we are sharing with people in our community.” Many of the knitters are seniors themselves: “We are seniors helping seniors,” commented Marguerite Bradley.
Sitting in the cozy living room of Mrs. Winton’s home on the night the ladies gathered to donate their creations to the Angel Tree (watching them laugh, swap knitting tips, show off new creations and knit for others), it is clear that they have quietly created something special at the end of their country road. Building a caring community, one stitch at a time.
Started in 2014 with the enthusiasm and leadership of community volunteer Sherrie Seward-Humby and the PCO program, the Lanark County Angel Tree for Seniors program has grown every year to reach more seniors (with 700 gifts given to date), as individuals, community partners and businesses get on board. This year, trees are located at the North Lanark Community Health Centre in Lanark Village, Home Hardware in Perth, Canadian Tire in Carleton Place, Special Greetings in Smiths Falls, and Tay Valley Municipal Office in Tay Valley Township. There is also a Virtual Tree available online where individuals can sign up and give a gift that they can bring to a specified drop-off location. The last day to bring gifts to any of the locations is Saturday, December 8. The gifts are then delivered to seniors through a network of helping hands.
For more information about the program, or to sign up via the Virtual Angel Tree, please visit the Facebook page “Angel Tree for Seniors – Lanark County” or call 259–2182.
The Ottawa Valley Food Cooperative Inc. (OVFC) is celebrating ten years in operation with an indoor market and a “meet the producers” event at the Rankin Culture and Recreation Centre in Rankin on December 8 from 10am to 2pm. The event will provide an opportunity for existing members and interested consumers to sample some of the fabulous local foods and goods available in the Ottawa Valley. There will be goods for sale and a hot lunch will be available for purchase.
Positive Customer Feedback
Members report that the Ottawa Valley Food Co-op is the best of every farmers’ market combined, and provides year-round access to hard-to-find products such as naturally-raised meat, artisan bread and year-round local vegetables through their online order system. They are currently offering a three-month trial membership for new consumers who want to try out the OVFC’s offerings before purchasing a lifetime $50 membership. Sign up now and order in December, January and February.
The Ottawa Valley Food Cooperative is a non-profit business that links local producers and artisans with consumers in the Ottawa Valley via an online farmer’s market. Customers can order monthly from a wide range of local and handmade products for delivery to a local pick up depot.
The Co-op supports local food, seasonal eating, farmers’ markets, farm gate sales, food literacy and food events. It recognizes the value of relationships that connect consumers and producers in building resilient, local food systems. OVFC activities are guided by core values of healthy communities, environmental stewardship, social justice and vibrant local economies. To learn more or to check out the co-op’s offerings, please visit <ovfc.ca>.
The Naismith Men’s Shed is pleased to announce it now has a place to call home — or at least, to call its Shed!
The Shed membership has completed its quest to be an active group in the Mississippi Mills community and has signed up to volunteer at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area, which is owned and operated by Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA). This will be a symbiotic arrangement, giving the Naismith Men’s Shed access to the Mill’s Gatehouse to hold their meetings, as well as custodianship of the shed structure adjacent to the parking lot.
Shedders look forward to working with MVCA operations staff by undertaking tasks within their capabilities and also helping to stock the R. Tait McKenzie and Dr. James Naismith Museums’ gift shop with handmade crafted items.
Shedders plan to continue their twice-monthly breakfasts at Mamma’s Place in Almonte, while the Mill provides a place for member drop-ins and workspace for hobbies and crafts.
Included in this is the signing of a use agreement with the owners of the Mirabelli woodwork shop in Appleton village. The arrangement will allow shed members to use the space during normal working hours, throughout the year, to pursue more complex carpentry work and other crafts.
“It has been an exciting eight months for Naismith Men’s Shedders,” says Shed Leader Dave Steventon. “The members have worked hard to develop the Shed from a simple idea in the spring to what you see today: all the necessary tasks completed to establish the Naismith Men’s Shed as a functional, worthy participant in the Mississippi Mills community. It gives over thirty shed members purpose, and a string of guys to call friends, either in the social environment of breakfasts (shedders love to eat!), retirement home drop-ins, social gatherings at the Mill gatehouse, or while pursuing crafts and hobbies at its Mill of Kintail shed, Mirabelli workshop or during community projects”.
“Experiencing depression through loneliness or isolation is more lethal for men than heart attack or stroke,” Dave adds. “With over 2000 sheds worldwide, the Men’s Shed movement, and in this case the Naismith Men’s Shed, meets the needs unique to men to find support through socializing with other men and doing guy things.” Anyone in the community is invited to visit <naismithmensshed.ca> to learn more about the movement.
You are invited the annual Nine Lessons and Carols service at St. James the Apostle Anglican Church in Perth on Sunday, December 16 at 7:30pm. The joint choirs of St. Paul’s and St. James, directed by Brad Mills and Peter Woodwark, will lead the singing. Guests this year are the St. Paul’s Handbell Choir, directed by Ann McMahon, who will be playing the bells before the service, including Carol of the Bells, Angels We Have Heard on High and The Holly and the Ivy. So come early — you can also get a good seat at our most popular service of the year!
Where did the idea of this service originate? In 1880, the Bishop of Truro in Cornwall, England, created a Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols based on ancient sources, for use in the wooden building that served as his cathedral. This service, with some adaptation, is still used in Anglican churches and cathedrals around the world, most notably at Kings College in Cambridge, England.
Our service starts with a haunting solo of the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City before the choirs come down the aisle with everyone joining in the other verses. The Reverend Kenneth Davis then bids the congregation to “hear the message of the angels and, in heart and mind to go unto Bethlehem and see the babe lying in a manger,” and “to pray to God for the needs of the whole world and all his people; and for peace upon the earth”.
The Christmas story is told in nine Scripture readings including Adam’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the faith shown by Abraham, and the Prophet Isaiah foretelling the coming of the Saviour. The story continues with the Gospel accounts of the angel Gabriel breaking the news to Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus and visits by the shepherds and wise men. In the final reading, St. John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation — of God becoming a human being.
The music draws from a wide repertoire. A Little Child is Born has 15th century words in a 20th century arrangement by Malcom Archer, and a modern arrangement of Lo, How a Rose e’er Blooming by David Blackwell combines 16th and 19th century words with a 14th century melody. New this year is Pete Churchill’s thrilling arrangement of the Sans Day Carol, which has a gentle South African feel and features “scat” singing and chromatic shifts in harmony. The traditional Cornish melody is set against a jazz-waltz rhythm, giving a contemporary twist to this Christmas classic. As well, the choirs will sing Silent Night with the Handbell Choir. Let All the Angels of God Worship Him from Handel’s Messiah will be a preview of the joint choirs’ upcoming Spring Concert on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 7:30pm at St. Paul’s. The Handbell Choir will also play The Huron Carol.
The congregation will have plenty of opportunity to sing their Christmas favourites, including It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, O Come all ye Faithful, Away in a Manger and Joy to the World, set to modern but not unfamiliar arrangements.
St. James’ Church is located on the corner of Drummond and Harvey Streets in Perth. Travelling west on Highway 7, turn left at the first traffic light as you enter Perth. For more information, visit <stjamesperth.ca>, contact the church office at 267–1163 or email <stjamesperth@gmail.com>.
The bell has rung, and classes are out until the beginning of January for Learning in Almonte participants. Four successful courses have wound up, having entertained and educated 120 eager learners.
In January one course is on the agenda so far. Warren Thorngate, Professor Emeritus of Psychology will present The Psychology of Decision Making. This course will offer insight into the factors involved in decision making, and may present avenues for achieving good outcomes, be they economic or personal. Should you come? That’s one decision that’s easy to make: YES! This course will run on Thursday afternoons from January 10 to February 14, 1:30–3:30pm at the Almonte library.
For the spring term, two diverse subjects will be presented. On Tuesdays from February 26 to April 2, Heather Loube will revisit Greece, looking at the animal imagery in Greek legend, art and history. The second course may turn out to be interactive. Ottawa historian Phil Jenkins will present Good Idea to Good Read, a ten-step programme to writing and publishing any type of story from memoirs to mysteries. This is not a writing course per se, but rather the route one would take to get a work published. Mr. Jenkins has presented this course at Carleton and found that many people had stories worth telling but no idea where to begin. He guarantees there won’t be homework, but many are eager to share, and there will be room for that as well. As an aside: Phil plays guitar and may include song writing too! This course runs from February 28 to April 4.
The final course of the session deviates from the regular Learning in Almonte format. Local singer/song-writer and consummate musician Ian Douglas will present All About Music. The course will be given in the evenings, from 7–9pm at the library. More details on this course will be forthcoming in the spring. In addition, it will tie into the last lecture of the Friday night Almonte Lectures when Elaine Keillor will speak on Canadian Women in Music. Ian’s course runs from April 17 to May 22.
The fee for all courses are $75, payable the first day of class. However, pre-registration is essential as space is limited. Register by contacting <cmapsimon@gmail.com>. Further details are available at <learninginalmonte.ca> or by calling 256–6739.
The 12 Days of Christmas don’t start until December 25, but since winter’s definitely here to stay I thought you might all need to know about the 12 Days of Holiday Happiness happening in Mississippi Mills.
On Friday, December 7, you can share that warm fuzzy feeling with a few thousand neighbours and friends at Light Up the Night — taking place from 7–10pm in downtown Almonte. Head down to Mill Street and be delighted by a variety of performers providing entertainment for all ages, not to mention glorious fireworks and a visit from Santa!
Don’t miss Santa’s favourite day on Saturday, December 8 when he’ll appear at the Pakenham Santa Claus Parade! Pack a thermos of hot chocolate and head downtown at 1pm for an old-fashioned festive parade, followed by hot chocolate, hot dogs and public skating at the arena. That very evening, Almonte in Concert presents Project Aria’s Christmas Home. The description alone is enough to make me run out and buy my tickets right now: “A cozy house, a fire crackling on the hearth, the scent of pine and spice… this is a time for friends and family to reconnect and gather around the piano to share music and stories, filling the warm air with laughter and love. Partake in this very special ambiance with the always-versatile Guy Few on trumpet, soprano Leslie Fagan, and pianist Stephanie Mara as they celebrate the holidays in a festive mix of traditional carols, jazzy Christmas songs, classic Christmas stories, and even some sing-alongs.” Find out more at <almonteinconcert.com>.
I think we should count December 8 thrice (that means “three times” in holiday-speak) on our list of 12 special days, because there’s also an Almonte Farmers’ Market Holiday Market taking place at the Almonte Community Centre from 9am to 2pm. All your favourite vendors (plus special invited guests) will be there to help with your holiday entertaining and gift-giving!
Sparkly lights will brighten up the evening at the Almonte Santa Claus Parade — an annual favourite for adults and children alike! On Sunday, December 9, the parade starts at 5pm the Almonte & District Community Centre and travels down Mill Street, around town and back again.
And I’m gonna count December 9 twice in my “happy day” list, because the Valley Voices Community Choir cordially invites you to come warm up after the Almonte Santa Claus Parade with warm drinks, great stories, and beautiful music for the whole family. Their annual Christmas concert takes place at the Almonte United Church (106 Elgin Street). Doors open at 7pm and the concert starts at 7:30. Choir members look forward to singing for you and telling Christmas stories. Tickets are available at Baker Bob’s or at the door for only $10, and partial proceeds from the concert go to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. What a great way to finish off the weekend!
Then on Saturday, December 15, bring the whole family to the Mill of Kintail between 11am and 3pm to enjoy wagon rides, a nature scavenger hunt, holiday music, crafts, photos with Santa and more! The Kintail Country Christmas is becoming a wonderful holiday tradition — a delightful antidote to crowded malls and frenzied festivities.
December 15 gets counted as “twice as nice” too, because that selfsame evening you can head over to the Almonte Old Town Hall to catch ’Twas the Trial Before Christmas. Intrigued? Well you should be! Take a look at the article on page 21 to find out more.
December 16 brings The Big Sing to the Almonte Old Town Hall — find out more about this participatory musical fundraiser for The Hub on page 12 of this issue.
There’s a very special event taking place on Thursday, December 20 at 7pm at the Almonte Old Town Hall — the Riverwalk Holiday Variety Fundraiser! Featuring Sage Age Theatre, the Ukulele Ladies, the Valley Voices Community Choir and Cratur Celtic fiddle band, this two-hour family-friendly variety show will include holiday music, comedy skits, poetry, Christmas carols and a whole lot of fun. This festive occasion will leave you feeling warm, cozy, and excited for the holiday season! Performances will be created, performed, and donated by local community groups with all proceeds raised to support phase two of the Almonte Riverwalk project and the rebuilding of the Millworkers’ Staircase on Coleman Island. Come hungry and have dessert! Canteen goodies will be provided by the Riverwalk Advisory Committee for donations before the show and at intermission. Tickets are $15 from the Almonte OId Town Hall. For more information, please contact 256–1077 x22 or <tmaclaren@mississippimills.ca>.
You’ve got another chance to stock up for your holiday feasts on December 22 from 10am to 4pm at the Christmas Market at Rock-n-Horse Farm <rocknhorsefarm.ca>. Featuring food (baking, meat, produce, preserves, ferments) and artisanal gifts (pottery, wood and more), there will also be hay rides, barn tours, lunch and a kids’ craft table.
To round out the month, don’t forget to grab tickets to the New Year’s Eve Rag Bag Cabaret — see page 14 for all the deets.
So that’s a dozen days (well, events!) for you, but of course you can get your fill of holiday happiness any old day, simply by visiting the friendly local shops, restaurants and attractions of Mississippi Mills. But you knew that, because you read theHumm.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Singers of all stripes, ages and abilities are invited to The Big Sing! Taking place on Sunday, December 16 from 2-4pm in the Almonte Old Town Hall auditorium, this event will raise funds for the ongoing renovations of The Hub in Almonte. The Hub is all about community, and one of the oldest and best-known ways to celebrate community is to sing — together. Doors open at 1:30pm and singing begins at 2pm sharp, so come early to get a spot. Because the entrance is by donation, there are no advanced tickets, and all proceeds go to The Hub. This will be a first-come, first-served event. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Let’s fill the hall with singers (capacity 200-ish).
What will we sing? Songs in English, as well as songs from other parts of the world, that can be learned through call-and-response, in two- to four-part harmony, with no need for sheet music. You’ll be surprised at how quickly a room full of willing singers can make beautiful music together. The session will be led by Jennifer Noxon of Almonte’s Rhythm & Song Community Choir. Jennifer has been leading choir sessions in Almonte and beyond for three years. The emphasis in her sessions is on improving one’s musical ability, building connections with others, and having fun. Wear comfy shoes and bring your own drinking water, you will want it. Seating will be available for those who need to sit.
Participants will also be able to purchase tins of homemade Christmas goodies, the proceeds of which will go to the renovation project.
“The Hub does so many amazing things for our community, on so many levels,” says Jennifer. “In the last few years I’ve been watching as community singing and participation in choirs of all kinds has soared across Canada. People are looking for ways to connect with others. An event like The Big Sing! seemed a natural fit and the right timing.” In fact, Choral Canada has released data on a recent national survey that suggests choral music, not hockey, is Canada’s national pastime. The survey showed that 3.5 million people (or 10% of the population) have sung in a choir at some point during the last year. To put that in perspective, that number would surpass Toronto’s population (2.7 million) by 800,000 people.
For those new to the area, the Almonte Community Co-ordinators (ACC) has been a not-for-profit tradition since 1974, dedicated to serving the most vulnerable in their community through the revenue generated from their three stores: The Hub and Hub’s Rebound, and more recently The Hub’s Pop-Up Shop. The ACC was founded by women, for women and their families.
The Hub has a long history in downtown Almonte. It opened its doors at 66 Mill Street in May of 1974 and operated there until suffering a devastating fire in 1997. In 1998, the Royal Bank of Canada sold them The Hub’s current location at 118 Mill Street for $1. If you haven’t heard already, the ACC’s current project is to have the building renewed, repaired and reopened in early 2019.
For more information, please visit <thehubalmonte.com> or <jennifernoxon.com/thebigsing>. Questions? Email Jennifer at <randsalmonte@gmail.com>.
Please note: this is a participatory event for willing singers! There is no audience component.
Plant it and they will come! Birds and other critters, including humans, that rely on shelter and nourishment from trees. Much has been written about the disturbing number of trees that we have lost over the years, but despite this, we humans love trees… and we can do our part to increase their numbers.
It has been shown that their mere presence makes us feel calmer, happier and more creative. Trees and shrubs enhance our properties, often boosting value. And we all know that trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce breathable air. On top of all that, one of the best things about these magnificent plants is that they add to the beauty of the world. Bottom line is, we simply can’t have too many trees!
So when you are thinking about Christmas gifts this year, you could go and buy the latest gadget or gizmo that will, over time, wear out or outlive its usefulness, or you could contribute in a very real way to the health of our planet, thrill your recipient and help a local charity at the same time. Win, win, win!
Imagine giving your favourite people a living legacy. Can you picture a future where you are picking apples off the tree you give your infant granddaughter and baking a pie together with the bounty? How about a stately sugar maple for your son and daughter-in-law who just bought their first home together? Or maybe your spouse would love a couple of highbush cranberry shrubs for your backyard that will attract beautiful songbirds to watch as you enjoy your morning coffee. Perhaps someone close to you is bereaved. Wouldn’t it be lovely to plant a tree — perhaps a majestic oak — in memory of their loved one that they can forever call “Grandpa’s tree”?
As you make your way through your Christmas gift list, why not visit the 2019 Hub Hospice Palliative Care (HHPC) Tree Sale website at <hubhospicetrees.com>.In response to suggestions from the public, this year features a lot more shrubs and ornamentals, along with some very exciting fruit-bearing trees such as the Winter Banana Apple!
Order soon for best selection. When you place your orders, you can download and print a nice little gift card to pop under the tree on Christmas morning. HHPC is so grateful for the ongoing support shown by the people of this wonderful community. They are happy to bring you this opportunity to buy great quality trees and shrubs, at great prices. Merry Christmas!
About Hub Hospice Palliative Care
Hub Hospice Palliative Care is a not-for-profit registered Canadian charity funded through donations and targeted fundraising initiatives. They are a “Hospice without walls,” providing compassionate in-home support for adult clients and their families who have received a life-threatening or terminal diagnosis. Services are provided in the North Lanark area by a trained volunteer, in a confidential, respectful and client-centered manner under the supervision of a registered nurse. Visit <hubhospice.com> for information or to request the support of a visiting volunteer.
A few years ago, I wrote a column warning about the dangers of purchasing a MISO (Musical-Instrument-Shaped Object). With the holiday buying season here, I thought it might be a good idea to revisit this topic, and hopefully save our readers from making a potentially costly mistake.
Before I proceed any further, I’d like to share an important piece of advice with you: please don’t buy an instrument for a student without first asking for their teacher’s advice. Seeing an instrument advertised at a great price is tempting, but more often than not you risk ending up with an expensive and shiny doorstop. I have been in the game a long time and have seen just about everything. That being said, here are a few true stories.
A parent picked up a saxophone for their child at an estate sale, got a presumably fantastic price, and asked me to look it over. I took a look and knew immediately that repairs on this instrument were going to be costly. I advised the parent to send it to my repair technician, who confirmed my suspicions. The saxophone needed a complete re-pad, alignment, and cleaning. The estimate for this work was $600, and my technician let the parent know that they advised against doing the work, because the market value for this used horn was only about $300. I’m not sure where that saxophone is now, but what I do know is that it isn’t being played and enjoyed.
My second story involves another saxophone. This used instrument was found online for a ridiculous price. The instrument needed a complete overhaul. Rather than pay to have the work done, the parent ordered a new set of pads and springs from eBay and decided to fix the instrument themselves because they were “pretty handy”. While I admire industriousness, overhauling a saxophone is a very complex job. Instrument technicians go through rigorous training to achieve their certification, and their reputation (and livelihood) depends on them doing quality work. I’m sure you’ve guessed that this instrument never made it into an eager student’s hands.
Both of these situations could have been avoided by simply asking for buying advice. With that in mind, here are a few things to keep in mind before you decide to put an instrument under the tree:
Don’t buy an instrument at the same store that you buy your groceries or tires. These are MISOs that look pretty but are very poorly made, and are often unrepairable;
Don’t always go for the shiniest horn. Some of the best instruments in my inventory at school look they have been through a war. Decades ago student instruments were often made with quality metals and more durable parts before the flood of “outsourced” instruments reached North America;
After speaking with your child’s teacher, call a reputable music store and find out about their new and used options. A reputable dealer will give you honest advice, because they have a reputation to uphold;
If you decide to make your purchase online from a buy and sell group, please ask your child’s teacher for advice. I often refer ads like this to my repair technician and/or fellow musicians to get their thoughts.
Buying an instrument for a student is a wonderful thing. To avoid ending up with a MISO, I believe that the advice presented above should help steer you in the right direction. You’re welcome!
Art… and Soul
A few weeks ago an artist friend of mine in Ottawa called to tell me we had to feature artist/animator Valerie Fulford in theHumm. Fulford had just spoken at her art club, and so impressed them with her art, her story and her personality that my friend couldn’t wait to tell me about her. After brief online research, we needed no further encouragement.
Valerie Fulford is an accomplished artist/animator/teacher who, at the stage of life when most of us are taking down our shingles, embarked on the biggest challenge of her life. In April of 2016 Val noticed a Facebook posting recruiting artists to realize a novel film concept. As the 2019 Guinness Book of Records testifies, the Oscar-winning film Loving Vincent became the world’s “First fully oil-painted feature film.” Each of the film’s 65,000 frames is an oil painting on canvas rendered by 124 artists in Vincent van Gogh’s iconic broad-stroke painting style, based on 85 of the master’s original oil paintings.
Validation
The selection process was nerve-wracking. After applying online, Valerie sent in her portfolio and was contacted for a Skype interview. She was rewarded with a grueling, three-day-long painting and technique test at the project’s main studio in Gdansk, Poland. Her reward for passing with flying colours was three weeks of intense training to prove she could master the animation software and the subtleties of fully painted animation, colour and style matching needed to work on the film.
As an “older woman,” her selection from among some 5,000 applicants, almost all of whom were younger, was an incomparable triumph after years of increasing invisibility in other aspects of her life and artistic career. The greater triumph was going the course. Working with a dedicated team at a small studio near Athens, Greece, she survived and eventually celebrated the fruits of five months of a heavy workload under intense pressure in difficult working conditions. Valerie estimates that she invested approximately 1000 hours towards the film, averaging about 60 hours a week and more towards the end.
On her website at <valfulford.com> she writes, “…(we) were fuelled by a strong desire for the film to succeed. We all understood we had a staggering amount of work to get finished if we wanted the film to succeed. We were a team in every sense of the word and close friendships were made… with such a looming deadline and the stress of getting the work done, we pulled together.” Fulford is still feeling some physical discomfort from the experience (shoulder, hands, neck), but she has no regrets. She looked radiantly happy as she told me, “it was the ultimate ‘taking-me-seriously’ moment of my life.”
The film’s US Facebook page claims: “It took 6,500 tubes (265 gallons) of Royal Talens oil paint to bring Loving Vincent’s 94 minutes of hand-painted animation to the screen.” Loving Vincent was the brainchild of Polish director and painter Dorota Kobiela, who writes this in praise of her painters: “…and it wasn’t just me that had to love Vincent. Our team of painters were painstakingly painting 65,000 frames of oil painting, spending up to ten days painting a second of film, moving each brush-stroke frame by frame. That takes a lot of commitment, a lot of respect for his work… I am proud of my painters (over 60% of whom were women), my actors and my crew. They believed in an undertaking that many considered crazy — to paint an entire film in oil-paints on canvas by hand.” There is a marvelous 22-minute video on the process at <youtube.com/watch?v=ec4DCgn4Gt8>.
Trial and Tribulation
It wasn’t always a team effort for Fulford. She overcame a challenging upbringing. As the only child of parents who were eighteen when she was born, she was left to fend for herself a great deal of the time. Her art became her way to cope with life. It gave her a way to explore her emotional landscape, and her mother both encouraged and challenged her. She remembers vividly how she practiced her drawing skills after her mother critiqued an early effort as “very childish, Val.” By the time she attended Brookfield High School in Ottawa, she was the go-to artist for posters, yearbooks and stage sets.
Her father’s disciplined rise from high school dropout to entry-level clerk in the Public Service to Assistant Deputy Minister of Revenue Canada inadvertently resulted in an educational experience she never anticipated. A naïve Valerie was only seventeen when her dad took the family to London to study England’s Value-Added Tax in preparation for his Governor General Award-winning role in implementing Canada’s GST. Because she had decided to apply to OCA (Ottawa College of Art), Valerie already had an art portfolio that secured her immediate acceptance at the well-reputed Hornsey College of Art in London. In spite of a difficult male-dominated environment, she graduated in 1975 with a BA Honours in Graphic Design. She remembers with gratitude a special tutor, Roger Law, who taught, encouraged and inspired her. Law went on to become co-creator of the satirical TV puppet show Spitting Image, and he is still inspiring artists: “If you can draw, you can steal from anywhere; you can do anything you want; be anything you want… the sky is the limit.”
Fulford returned to Ottawa and became a scientific illustrator, doing contract work for the National Museum of Canada. Two weeks before her first son was born she was working from specimens at the Experimental Farm. Her painstakingly beautiful watercolours appear in Freshwater Molluscs of Canada by Dr. Arthur Clarke and in a book about ferns and the flora of the Yukon by Dr. William Cody.
In Toronto she and her first husband owned and operated a gift store, but eventually sought a simpler life and moved to Picton where she became involved with the local arts community. Since 1992 her paintings have been shown and collected in Canada and the U.S. and her portraits have been commissioned by corporations and for personal collections.
Luck Be a Lady
By the time she landed in Cape Breton she had become a very accomplished landscape artist in chalk pastels and oils. In 2009 she was selected as one of Nova Scotia’s “Contemporary Landscape Artists” for the book titled From Land to Sea by Dee Appleby. She worked as a nighttime call centre operator to make it possible to paint by day. Another major factor in her happiness today is that she then reconnected with the first love of her life — the “boy she had a crush on in high school.”
Dennis Paul moved to Sydney from Vancouver to join her, and Valerie’s luck continued. Due to an unexpected opening, she received an invitation to teach Art Fundamentals as a member of Sheridan College’s Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design, and the couple moved to Hamilton. When Fulford was accepted for the Loving Vincent project, the College enthusiastically supported her by finding others to teach her classes.
Yet again Lady Luck smiled, and about a year ago Valerie received an inheritance from her paternal grandmother. It did not take long for Dennis and her to start planning to indulge their mutual disinclination towards regular work. As she happily quoted to me: “working doesn’t really work for me.” That said, she has done a heck of a lot of it. Now settled in a quaint house on the bank of the Clyde River south of Calabogie, she is near to her sons and her father. Dennis and she have just invested in a small camper and plan on seeing more of the world from close quarters with her equally adaptable, long-time canine companion Betty. And after years of excelling at and teaching representational art, she is blithely experimenting with painting abstracts. Watch for it, and visit her website to learn more about her and the fascinating Loving Vincent success story.
Amber and Craig Hall never started out wanting to make a great profit on roasting coffee. Instead, the couple aspired to make great coffee that could change the world. This year they are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Equator Coffee Roasters with their 40-employee team. While doing so, they are recommitting to delivering fair trade, organic and locally roasted coffee from their Almonte roasting, café and training centre headquarters to customers across Eastern Ontario.
“It sounds like a ridiculous business model at first glance, but we pay double the current global market price for our ethically sourced coffee beans,” explains Craig. “The reason we pay more is that today’s coffee prices have plummeted below the cost of production for small-scale farmers. 25 million farmers and workers depend on the coffee industry. We believe these people deserve a sustainable livelihood. While we can’t prevent corporate coffee conglomerates and other roasters from exploiting farmers in developing countries with unfair prices, we are adamant that our farmers and their workers benefit from growing fair trade organic coffee of the highest quality.” Adds Amber: “accepting the status quo means farmer families go into deep debt to get their product out while holding on to hope that higher prices next harvest will offset the loss. But history shows that all too often the impact of debt for small-scale coffee farmers is a deep and daunting hole that takes years to climb out of. Our producer partners deserve better than that, as does the future of the drink we all depend on and love.”
Bucking the status quo on coffee prices in favour of the livelihoods of farmer families in developing countries like Congo, Nicaragua, and Honduras is being embraced by a committed customer community. A sustained sales education program that extends to social media channels ensures that small independent cafés and gift shops as well as large grocery store chains understand that they are part of making a difference on a global scale.
In addition, thousands of individual Equator coffee shop patrons in the Ottawa area enjoy nine varieties of coffee (and teas) in Equator’s Westboro, National Arts Centre and Almonte cafés — from the “Mufferaw Jo!” organic dark roast Central American blend to “Congo SOPACDI” single-origin beans offering tasting notes of dried dates, nougat, honey sweetness and a citrusy finish, farmed by an 11,493-farmer organic-certified cooperative in Africa.
“We’re grateful for our all of our customers,” says Craig. “They’ve proven willing to support Equator’s steady growth over twenty years, and we in turn have been able to support coffee farmers and several other worthy causes in coffee-growing regions and beyond.”
For example, in 2016, Equator Coffee Roasters was honoured to receive a Best Ottawa Business (BOB) Award for Best Performance in Philanthropy. The award nomination was made by SchoolBOX, one of several charitable organizations supported by the Almonte-based company. SchoolBOX builds schools and provides educational support materials to the coffee-growing country of Nicaragua. Equator Coffee Roasters’ support has so far built three classrooms and funded over 15,000 educational packages. Another classroom build is planned for November 2019. The company also supports:
Love Made Real, to provide homes for orphans, feeding programs and installation of wood stoves and solar lights to improve health and quality of life in Guatemala;
On the Ground, for sustainable community development in farming communities in Congo;
Coop Coffees Roya Relief Fund, to help coffee farmers deal with the Roya Leaf Rust problem using methods such as re-planting, organic fertilization or intensive organic training programs in Central and South America.
Closer to home, Equator Coffee Roasters provides ongoing support to many local community groups, churches, schools, sports teams and charitable organizations. Through the sale of Equator coffee, these organizations retain the profits to fund their programs. Equator also donates thousands of cups of coffee and gives away bags of their beans to help organizations raise money for local causes.
With a business that they note is “still in its early 20s”, Amber and Craig are motivated to further expand their business and community contributions through fair trade, organic and locally roasted coffee. In the last twelve months they cut the ribbon on their NAC/CNA café in Ottawa, and doubled the size of their Almonte headquarter building to include a wood-fired pizza oven, training centre and community meeting space. They are also actively mentoring new café owners, restaurants and stores interested in making the world a better place, one cup at a time.
Over time yoga has come to mean a different thing to almost everyone. For some, it is simply a physical practice to strengthen the body, to stretch and lengthen the muscles. Some people turn to yoga to connect with community, while for others it’s the spiritual practice guiding the physical postures. For still others, it’s a simple opportunity to reconnect with their breath and return to a place of quiet and calm not always easily attainable in our increasingly busy lives. At the heart of all these reasons, yoga reminds us to care for ourselves, every aspect of ourselves, in a way that is non-judgmental and whole.
When we look at health over time, we inevitably notice an increase in a number of autoimmune diseases, heart disease, chronic pain and various other illnesses. At the same time, people are realizing the importance of practices that help our bodies to heal. There is a science behind the postures and the exercises, allowing us to understand the true benefits of the practices which continue to be researched today. Yoga dates back 5000 years ago in India, and the postures were designed to strengthen the body, increase circulation and balance the glandular system. Yoga has continued to survive as an integral scientific system of caring for the body to retain and improve health through a person’s lifetime. Today, with current work and family demands, we need these practices more than ever.
Yoga has grown and matured into a tool and a practice to manage stress and transform the body. Some of the many benefits include building physical strength, detoxification, revitalization of our internal organs, balances hormones, increasing energy and teaching us to de-stress from our ever-increasing pace of life. Yoga reminds us to slow down. Classes are carefully modified to be accessible for bodies of all ages and stages of life, honouring you exactly where you are on your journey to health and wellness.
In our community, Rising Sun Yoga and Wellness in Almonte has begun a new chapter in their story under the ownership and management of Amber Young. The studio is now operating as Surya Daya Yoga and Wellness, pronounced Surya (SÜR-yah) Daya (Day-yah). Auni Milne of Sumack Loft has also created a beautiful new logo which perfectly encapsulates the vision of the studio. Surya means sun in Sanskrit, honoring the lineage of yoga back to its roots in India. The energy of the sun opens space for you to grow into your full potential. In yoga we practice Sun salutations, or surya namaskar — a sequence of postures and breath awareness to stretch and lengthen the muscles of the body, flush the internal organs, and release negative energy to welcome in a positive influx, balancing the body and the mind. Daya simply means compassion, the place we want you to connect with inside of yourself every time you come to your practice.
Part of our mission at Surya Daya Yoga and Wellness is to hold a safe space for the students that come, to release tension and grow, supported in community and by our team of respectful teachers. We offer you yoga the way nature intended, without judgement, honouring you exactly as you show up every day. Our teachers offer many styles of yoga including Hatha, Kundalini, Yin, Restorative, Pilates, Somatics and gentler practices, as well as private classes and workshops to help support you on your journey. We teach from our hearts with a guiding principle of compassion, and our hope is to help you find that deeper place within of peace, health and vitality.
Surya Daya Yoga & Wellness is located at #7–14 Mill Street, in Almonte’s Heritage Court. They can be reached at 451–2891 or <info@suryadaya.ca>, and you can find more details at <suryadayayoga.com>.