The following Articles and Images have been added to the database
This summer has made abundantly clear that the Climate Crisis is out of control, that there is “No Safe Place,” that we are in Code Red. What is less well known is that local municipal governments control or influence half of all greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted through their decisions on roads and buildings; how we move ourselves between home, work, school, and commercial and civic centres; what food we access; and how we construct our buildings, develop our communities and protect, preserve and expand our natural spaces.
The Climate Crisis is THE primary issue of this election. CNL is interested in what you will do, as our MP, not only to act on the national scene, but to ensure that by 2030 — only nine years from now! — emissions from our county are half what they are today.
We have a few questions for you.
As an individual:
What changes have you made in your life in the past few years towards cutting your GHG emissions in half?
What will you do next on a personal level?
What actions have you taken as a volunteer or a professional in the past few years to persuade governments, corporations and individuals to cut their GHGs?
What have you learned recently about climate change that has changed the way you act or think?
As our MP:
Will you lobby your party and the government to ensure that the following actions will be announced, funded and in place by 2025, and will you annually report to your constituents on the status/progress of these climate actions:
Transfer of the $18 billion the government now gives to support the fossil fuel sector to climate initiatives and green technologies (including research and development).
Accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) by announcing interim deadlines, stepping up to the requirement that all new passenger vehicles sold in Canada to be fully electric (or otherwise produce no GHGs) by 2035. Increase incentives for rural EV charging networks.
Mandate that beginning in 2023, all vehicles bought by the federal government and its agencies will be fully electric (or otherwise produce no GHGs and not use blue hydrogen).
By 2023, revise the National Building Code so buildings are built or renovated to LEED or Passive House standards of net zero/low carbon/no natural gas and support net-zero building research and design.
Re-invent a networked electricity system that will provide the power and infrastructure required to electrify our transportation and buildings with sources that are renewable and GHG emission-free. To augment this, provide utility subsidies on an energy basis (i.e., $/kWh say for 20 years) for new solar and wind installations over 5kW.
Ensure that national and locally based food production is ramped up so that hunger is not an issue in Canada, that we cut our dependence on imported foods, and that all Canadians have access to affordable, nutritious foods.
Commit to Nature Based Climate Solutions by extending the current commitment to conserving 25 percent of Canada’s lands and oceans by 2025, to conserving 30% by 2030. Provide incentives to property owners to protect existing vegetation as well as plant new.
Fund climate adaptation and local disaster preparedness programs.
Strengthen and hasten the program to provide loan guarantees to enable County and municipal governments to provide interest-free loans for residential and commercial retrofit audits and renovations that take buildings off all fossil fuels, especially natural gas/methane.
As our MP, how would you work locally to:
Help our local municipal governments cut their own emissions in half in the next ten years? For example, by requiring that all new municipal structures, such as Lanark Lodge, are built to LEED standards and providing 50-50 funds to enable that?
Help our local municipal governments help their constituents cut their own emissions in half in the next ten years? For example, by supporting the development of a micro-transit system in Lanark County? By providing base funding for a local GHG mitigation centre that will provide the information residents and businesses need to act?
We are hoping everyone able to gets out to vote in this critical election and pays attention to the essential issues around Climate that underscore all the issues we have to consider.
We are now in a fight for a livable word for our kids and grandkids. Our chosen MP must be passionate and knowledgeable in order to represent LFK on Climate issues.
Below are the names and websites of the federal candidates for LFK. If you live outside of this riding, you can find information about your candidates at <elections.ca>. Happy engaging!
Conservative Party: Scott Reid (incumbent)
<lanarkfrontenackingston.nationbuilder.com>
Green Party: Calvin Neufeld <calvinneufeld.com>
Liberal Party: Michelle Foxton <mfoxton.ca>
NDP (New Democratic Party): Steve Garrison
<lanarkfrontenackingston.ndp.ca>
PPC (People’s Party of Canada): Florian Bors
<peoplespartyofcanadakingston.ca/florianbors/>
It is that time of the year again — when Almonte is normally crowded with fibre artists and fibre arts enthusiasts. This year, however, due to the limits on social gatherings and with an eye towards public health recommendations, Fibrefest is a primarily virtual Festival of the Fibre Arts.
The market and shopping portion of Fibrefest is postponed until September of 2022, but organizers hope you will join in online, throughout September, to take part in workshops, watch virtual demonstrations, attend lectures sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, and support your favourite fibre artists, all while supporting the Museum. Workshops, demonstrations and lectures will all be taking place online this year. Lectures will be given by Murray Gibson and Donald Stuart, master craftsmen and artists currently exhibiting at the MVTM. Gibson’s tapestries represent an exploration of female literary figures who are textile practitioners, and how their practices affect the fates of others (often men) or of themselves. One of Canada’s leading gold and silversmiths, Donald Stuart’s works are inspired by outstanding Canadian women. Homage is a collection of 40 framed neckpieces as a celebration and tribute to Canadian women. Susan Fohr, a member of Fibreshed, will be speaking about the ways in which the Upper Canada Fibreshed is building networks between farmers, makers, and educators in southern Ontario.
Workshops are also on offer, so you can learn to “Create Depth in your Rug Hooking Designs”, “Needle Felt a Field of Daisies”, “Yarn Paint with Flair”, “Make a Paper Black-eyed Susan”, or “Hook a Tesselating Whimsical Owl”. You can register and find more information about those at <ticketsplease.ca>.
Please visit <mvtm.ca> and <almontefibrefest.ca>, and check Facebook for detailed descriptions of lectures, workshops, and how you can participate.
With vaccination numbers rising and restrictions easing, it is now possible to resume doing what Mississippi Millians do best — gather in community to celebrate local music and food! And with the happy coincidence of there being 5 Wednesdays in September this year, the Neighbourhood Tomato Community Farm is organizing a series of free events in Almonte’s Augusta Street Park called 5 Wednesdays — the Harvest Edition!
Concerts and a Big Sing!
Come on out to the park every Wednesday in September evening from 6–7pm and enjoy a free concert by fabulous local musicians who are champing at the bit to get back on stage. BYOV (bring your own voice) and help kick things off on September 1 with “The Big Sing!” — a Community Singing Event with Jennifer Noxon. Singers of all ages and abilities are invited to come to this socially-distanced, community singing event from 6–7pm. Jennifer Noxon, leader of Almonte’s Rhythm & Song choir, will lead singers through a short vocal and body warm-up, followed by some familiar, and some easy-to-learn songs in unison, two- and three-part harmony. Teaching is done through call and response. It’s all about having fun and connecting with others through music in a beautiful setting. Bring water and a chair if you’d like to sit.
On Wednesday, September 8, the inimitable Allan Brown will host an open mic, and other confirmed performers include Trevor Lubin (Sept. 15) and Peter Brown (Sept. 22). The fabulous group Tripod (Terry Tufts, Beth Tufts and Kathryn Briggs) will wind things up on Wednesday, September 29. There will be no potlucks this year, but you can bring along a snack or picnic, or partake of the fantastic Civitan BBQ (check Facebook to find out which Wednesdays will feature BBQs).
Neighbourhood Tomato Farm
There will also be opportunities to hear about the new Neighbourhood Tomato Farm and Community Garden initiatives, and to contribute donations of fresh produce to the Great Veggie Grow-Off. Donations will be weighed and then donated to the Lanark County Food Bank — The Hunger Stop. The final Wednesday — September 29 — will be Harvest Festival Day. Help build a mountain of fresh produce by the fifth Wednesday in September! Bring your very best fruit and veggies and show them off in a mountain of beautiful food, before they are off to the food bank.
In order to keep everyone safe, organizers will be contact-tracing at the entrances, and asking everyone to wear masks while they are moving around. Hand sanitizer will be provided, and families and friend bubbles are asked to sit together, socially distant from one-another. This beautiful outdoor setting should provide a wonderful venue to safely gather in community and enjoy each other’s company.
For more information about these and other events, follow the Neighbourhood Tomato Community Farm on Facebook.
The 6th annual Delta Harvest Festival will be a two-day event this year, taking place on Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26 from 9am to 4pm each day.
The Old Stone Mill NHS will be open to the public for the first time in two years, and the Old Town Hall will be holding a huge Used Book Sale — a project sponsored by the Delta Mill Society and Rideau Lakes Public Library. Books are sold by donation only, and there are thousands to choose from!
Organizers are also integrating some Maple Syrup Festival events because that festival had to be cancelled for the past two springs. “A Sticky Sweet Event” will be hosted by the Delta Agricultural Society, where they will be serving up pancakes, sausages and maple syrup in the Fair Hall from 9am to 2pm both days. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under. The meal includes all-you-can-eat pancakes plus two sausages, and each additional sausage is $1. Meals will be served in takeout trays so you can take them with you or dine at socially distanced tables and chairs inside and outside the hall. Also on the Fairgrounds will be craft and maple syrup vendors.
Other activities include a Garage Sale at St. Paul’s Community Centre, vendors and Farmers’ Markets set up along King Street, and hopefully music on the street and at the Fairgrounds. The Fire Hall Museum will also be open.
Organizers are still working out all the details, but there will be safety protocols in place to keep both visitors and residents safe. Please make sure to bring your masks.
The beautiful fall colours should be appearing on the trees by the end of September, so it will be a lovely drive to the quaint village of Delta.
For up-to-date information, please visit <rideaulakes.ca> or <deltamill.org>, or find them on Facebook.
You could have the greatest idea, but if you can’t share it, it could die there. Let’s face it, it’s not everyone’s strength and that’s okay. It’s something I want to help with.
Hi there! My name is Meghan Negrijn and I’ve been living in Almonte for the last five years. I’ve been a professional editor since 2008. It’s been my side hustle but now I’m doing this full time. theHumm has given me the opportunity to reach out to you and let you know what I’m working on and what I can offer anyone looking for a little help with their writing.
I’ve got a Master’s degree in archaeology, a certificate in heritage interpretation and a postgraduate certificate in technical writing. One of the things I found the hardest, in both school and work, was watching people struggle to communicate on the page. I decided to go back to school and learn how to do this in the technical field. (Not to brag, but I came in top of my class in editing both semesters!) I really enjoyed the work I did there, learning how to help people convert the technical knowledge they have to something they can share with everyone else.
I’m now a member of Editors Canada and have listings there and on Reedsy. All this means is that I’ve got the experience, and the education, to help people out.
A Good Idea Publications is a way to combine my desire to help other people with their projects and my own writing endeavours. We’re a growing team of dedicated editors with over seventeen years of combined editorial experience. We’ve already edited eight projects this year with at least two more to come. We’ve got space to take on a few more this fall and would really like to encourage people to reach out. Editing isn’t about changing your words. It’s just about helping to streamline them so your message comes across loud and clear. Our rates are very competitive and we look forward to working with you.
If you’re interested, you can reach me directly by email at <m.negrijn@gmail.com> or check out our experience and rates at <agoodideapublications.ca>.
This year, I’ve edited several non-fiction books on forged stamps as well baroque trumpets, and edited and co-written a biography. I’ve had the opportunity to work on several projects for a long-time customer, Susan Jennings. Her novels have included both historical and romance genres. I have also worked on a collection of essays about mindfulness and climate change as well as several memoirs. I’m a regular editor of the Ottawa Independent Writers’ annual anthology.
I wrote and indie published five novels under the name of M Negrijn. Three of them are a science fiction trilogy with a strong female lead. I also released a contemporary romance. My latest publication, Julianne, is a historical novel that explores the fine line between sanity and conformity in Victorian London and Grenada. My next novel will most likely be a return to science fiction, but you never know. I’ve been writing creatively since I was a child and I’ve always got a couple of projects on the go.
When I came to Ontario it was just for a few months to practice French. That was six years ago. I came to Almonte to see the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum with my aunt and fell in love with the town at first sight. I moved here a year later and I haven’t left. I really love this community and the people I’ve met here. It’s something really special.
A Tale of Two Cities, the 1859 novel by Charles Dickens, is set amidst the conditions that led to the French Revolution. Perhaps parallels can be drawn with the present-day world — a reality of which is the growing concentration of wealth in the hands of the very few and the tenuous existence of the bulk of humanity. The end result is that the marginalized population depends in large measure on the volunteer efforts of those who feel drawn to “give back to the community”.
The growing of fresh local produce by local gardeners for the Lanark County Food Bank (branded as “the Hunger Stop”) has been developing over time — the response of the community has been amazing and at times overwhelming. The reality of growing vegetable crops in our part of the world is that we have a relatively short season and a very compressed time to harvest. This creates a challenge for organizations like Food Banks that depend almost completely on volunteer labour, have limited storage for fresh vegetables, and have a very limited capability to process the vegetables. What to do when hundreds of pounds of tomatoes come flooding in?
This is where the two chefs come in: Ian Carswell in Carleton Place and Gwendolyn Neelin in Almonte.
Ian is the owner and chef of the Black Tartan Kitchen in Carleton Place, and Gwendolyn is the owner and chef at Tea and Cake in Almonte. Both have heeded the call to “give back”.
The Black Tartan Kitchen is described on its website <blacktartankitchen.com> as a casual fine-dining restaurant on Bridge Street in Carleton Place, providing an intimate and homegrown experience for any occasion. The restaurant is currently closed for major renovations including a completely new kitchen and an outdoor patio to seat twenty diners. The re-opening is tentatively set for mid-September.
Ian has helped the Food Bank in so many ways. Before the pandemic, Ian was offering cooking classes for Food Bank clients and volunteers; demonstrating, among other things, different ways to prepare seasonal vegetables. When he had to close down because of the pandemic, all of his soups and stews were sent over to the Food Bank. At the beginning of the pandemic, he and his kids were also making bread for the Food Bank.
Ian has often prepared food in partnership with Food Bank volunteers. When the tomato harvest is in full swing and there are far more tomatoes than Food Bank clients are able to take, Food Bank volunteers wash and crush the fresh tomatoes. Ian then cooks them to produce a sauce or chili which is then cooled, all according to Food Safety rules. The end product is then returned to Food Bank volunteers to be divided into 1-litre containers.
Tea and Cake is described on its website <teaandcake.ca> as a quaint, classic tearoom on Mill Street in Almonte run by Gwendolyn Neelin, a barista-turned-baker with a passion for food, tea, and British tradition. The tearoom is currently serving take-out orders only.
The Blakeney Project of the Lanark County Food Bank has been very fortunate to have Gwendolyn’s energy and enthusiasm as part of the Tuesday evening volunteer crew. When she saw our abundant crop of basil, she immediately volunteered to process it into pesto in her restaurant’s kitchen. A couple of weeks later, a few volunteers joined her in her restaurant kitchen — with the end result that over thirty one-cup portions of pesto were frozen and ready for Food Bank clients!
Why do they do it? Ian points to his childhood growing up in Petawawa — a small community with strong social support. He notes that it is within his means and that of his staff to do it, and that his restaurant is just around the corner from the Food Bank — for Ian it is just obvious that this is what one would do. Gwendolyn grew up in a family with a strong tradition of volunteerism. Her grandmother was a founding member of the Ottawa Food Bank and her mother was the chair of MERA in McDonald’s Corners for many years — it is in her genes, and since she is so passionate about food, it’s clear to her that this is how she gives back.
This is something that I have often wondered about. What leads one person to be a tireless volunteer for worthy causes while their neighbour is quite content with their own pursuits? Is it in their DNA? Is it the voices of their parents and grandparents? Does it spring from family traditions?
I think that there are many answers, but I have been very heartened by the range of volunteers that have stepped up to be part of the Blakeney Project. There are many volunteers that are much younger than I — some by several decades!
Constructs at Sivarulrasa Gallery
From September 22 until October 29, Sivarulrasa Gallery in Almonte is pleased to present Constructs, featuring works by artists Eric Walker and Louis Thériault. “Constructs” references the coming together of ideas, concepts and materials to create thought-provoking imagery. The exhibition can be seen in-person during regular Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am to 5pm.
Born in New Brunswick, and now based in Gatineau, Quebec, Louis Thériault’s paintings are inspired by the places where he has lived: the Maritime Provinces in his early years, and the Outaouais region in Western Quebec where he currently resides. Working meticulously with thin coats of acrylic, his subjects are drawn from childhood memories, historical contexts or current events. With a Cartesian spirit, his compositions exploit perspective, geometry and trigonometry.
Born in Halifax, and now based in Ottawa, Eric Walker is a member of the Eastern Woodland Métis Nation, Nova Scotia. Eric has been creating his “painted constructions” — blurring the boundaries of painting, collage, and sculpture — for over three decades. Much of his work is linked to the history and culture of the Maritimes, combining elements of high art with more vernacular forms. His works call attention to collective history by focusing on a mix of commonplace subjects such as ships, trains, government buildings and cities seen from the ground and above.
Check <sivarulrasa.com> for more information about the Vernissage for this show, as the event will be based on evolving health guidelines. Sivarulrasa Gallery is located at 34 Mill Street in Almonte.
Mississippi Mills Art Romp!
The Mississippi Mills Art Romp (with a bit of Chomp and Stomp thrown in for good measure) will take place on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10 from 10am to 5pm daily. This event is a combination of three popular Miss Mills art shows: Crown and Pumpkin, Maple Run and Art In The Attic. Romp through the spectacular autumn leaves to visit ten venues in the Pakenham, Clayton and Almonte areas featuring the works of over 50 artists and artisans. Chomp down on mouth-watering offerings from participating edible artists and local restaurants, and stomp to some music by local musicians at some of the major venues.
Save the date for now, and check these websites (and the October Humm) for more information closer to Thanksgiving weekend: <crownandpumpkin.com>, <mapleruntour.com>, and <almonteartintheattic.wordpress.com>.
Call to Artists
Arts Carleton Place is seeking vendors for their Itty Bitty Art & Crafts Sale, taking place on November 6 and 7. This is your chance to participate in a one-of-a-kind holiday art show and sale that encourages people to look at original pieces of art as affordable and within everyone’s reach at this time of year. Organizers are looking for vendors who produce original small paintings of all media, as well as photographs, jewellery, pottery, blown glass, fused glass, works of wood, or books. The venue has plenty of free parking for visitors and plenty of natural light.
All works must be priced no higher than $150 but there is no size limit. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis with some potential category limits to ensure vendor balance and optimal buyer choice. Only twenty spaces are available, and the registration deadline is September 15. Arts CP membership and applications forms are available online at <artscarletonplace.com> under the tabs “memberships” and “art shows”. Only electronic registrations and prepayment of booth fees will be accepted.
Please contact the show coordinator, Suzanne Deschênes, at <smdeschenes1951@gmail.com> if you have any questions.
This show is presented by Arts Carleton Place and the Town of Carleton Place. A percentage of sales supports emerging art students through Arts Carleton Place’s Bursary Program.
Viewed from any angle, Auni Milne’s life is an ever-evolving adventure. And her art is the same. This multifaceted artist is in the process of adding sculpture to her artistic repertoire, and early results predict another successful phase of this talented woman’s career.
Until recently Auni has augmented her full-time occupation as a graphic designer by drawing with graphite and charcoal, and painting with watercolours and acrylics. Most of her canvases depict her fascination with human and other animal forms and expressions. She receives many commissions for paintings of people and their pets, and some of her most popular works feature domestic and wild animals.
Her belief that “We humans are in fact animals, no more superior or inferior to the other denizens of this beautiful earth,” led to her unusual therianthropy series of mixed media and acrylic pieces that feature animal-headed humans. The notion of shapeshifting appears throughout various cultures and religions over thousands of years. Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and Haida art features mythical gods like Zeus, Horus, Loki and shamans with animal heads, some in the process of metamorphosing. Werewolves still have a following — just check Google. Auni’s pieces are startling, but also evocative — who hasn’t said, “When I come back, I’d like to be a …?” (Bird!) I’m surprised she hasn’t been commissioned to do an inverse piece — a human head on an animal’s body. Now there’s a gift idea!
Milne has been drawing since she could hold a pencil. Her father loves to tell of the time he got a phone call from her daycare staff raving about the Thanksgiving drawing of a turkey that his three-year-old daughter had just produced. Her dad was a professor of architecture; her mother was a teacher, and both were enthusiastic about art. The family coffee table was made out of slate, and chalk was always on hand. Their walls were festooned with drawing paper and she and her two siblings were encouraged to create. Her mom made books of their drawings, and Auni’s talents were generously recognized and nurtured.
She considers her innate representational skill to be a mixed blessing. When she is creating a new piece, and particularly when she is working on a commission, it is always challenging to depict the unique likeness and expression of her subject. Her reward is worth it: “I get an enormous sense of accomplishment and fulfilment when a challenging piece comes together. And when other people find comfort or joy in my work, these feelings are tenfold!”
Go With the Flow
Eureka! This past December she discovered clay. Somehow, she has the same innate ability to sculpt as she has to draw. But for her, sculpting is different — the clay has its own flow and seduces her into going with it rather than needing to control it “to the nth degree” as she does when she’s painting and drawing. Her new whimsical figures (owl, raven, fox, crow…) sculpted with air dry clay are a joy to create, and very popular at her online shop at <theartfulauni.etsy.com>. Milne is happy to add custom details to a wide variety of birds and beasts, such as a stamped name or date or a heart for a special gift. They are, of course, eponymously named Aunimals.
Recently she created a clay sculpture of a human bust with rabbit’s head in a week-long Summer Pottery Camp under the tutelage of ceramicist extraordinaire Chandler Swain. Auni intends to explore this exciting new medium to its fullest, and based on her previous works, her adventure into ceramics should prove very interesting.
Auni acquired her unusual (in North America) name when she was born a twin in Finland. At the time it was a mecca for architects and her Canadian parents had decided to investigate. Then her adventurous family moved to various places in the U.S., returning to Canada in time for Auni to attend school in Chelsea, QC, where she became functionally bilingual. After taking courses at the Ontario College of Art & Design in Toronto, and later at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Art de Bourges in France, she decided to segue instead into the field of graphic design. She got a job in Toronto, got married, and had two children. After her marriage dissolved, she continued to work as a graphic designer and raised her kids.
Eighteen years ago Auni met Kris, who became her wife four years ago, and who is responsible for Auni’s move back to the Ottawa area in 2009. Auni is hugely grateful that she was seduced into exchanging the hustle and stress of Toronto for the idyllic rural life the couple now enjoy with their four cats and two dogs. Our dauntless protagonist then opened Sumack Loft, her own graphic design studio, in the couple’s new home just west of Clayton. Check it out at <sumackloft.com> — the reviews are terrific.
So is their new home. After a series of heartbreaking misadventures (after a furnace accident destroyed most of their belongings, renovations to the building were terminated acrimoniously, followed by the complete destruction of the building by fire), the couple have created a one-of-a-kind, beautifully functional house that is also a museum and an art gallery in an exquisite pastoral setting. The tour was fascinating. You can check it out by making an appointment to visit her studio and gallery in Clayton.
Auni Milne’s work will be displayed on October 9 and 10 during the 31st annual Art In The Attic (AITA) Show and Sale in Almonte Old Town Hall, which is part of the inaugural Mississippi Mills Art Romp! Then on November 6 and 7 she will be at the Itty Bitty Art and Crafts Sale in Carleton Place. Check the back of her Artist Trading Card for contact information and more coordinates.
This fall, Almonte’s SchoolBOX charity is excited to be celebrating its 15th year of “making education possible” for kids. They’re celebrating in a big way: by building an Indigenous library in Kenora with the students and leadership at Gaagakiizhik School and Bimose High School (Kiizhik School). This school is the first of its kind in Ontario — an Indigenous-owned K-12 school serving students from the six surrounding reserves as well as the urban Indigenous population in Kenora. The Bimose Tribal Council repurposed an old catholic school and have taken control over their children’s education, integrating the Ontario curriculum with Indigenous worldview, traditions and values.
Despite the incredible efforts to establish the Kiizhik School in 2015, the school has no library of its own. After travelling off-reserve to school each day, students have to go another 8km across the city just to access books and resources at the Kenora Public Library. During the provincial lockdowns, the teachers found the distance learning program extremely challenging to implement because the majority of students have no books or reading materials at home. The school leadership has invited SchoolBOX to help a youth leadership team to plan, build and install an Indigenous library and outdoor learning center to help “make education possible” for these students in Treaty 3, Northern Ontario. “Research shows that when First Nations have control over educating their kids, students experience higher levels of wellbeing and lower suicide rates,” says SchoolBOX North Director Terri Meekis, who runs the north office from her home in Wabauskang First Nation. You’re invited to get involved and donate at <schoolbox.ca/Kiizhik>.
SchoolBOX is a registered Canadian charity founded in 2006 by Almonte’s Tom Affleck, recipient of the Governor General’s meritorious service cross. The charity broke ground on its 120th classroom build this month and has delivered more than 670,000 notebooks to kids in Nicaragua. After the first decade of work in Nicaragua, SchoolBOX pivoted North in 2017 under Almonte-raised Sarah Kerr’s leadership with the creation of the Wabauskang Learning Center, a now-registered Ontario Services-North library. In 2019 and 2020 SchoolBOX partnered with Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation to repurpose a fire hall on-reserve and install both a youth and children’s library. SchoolBOX North continued providing school lunches and learning equipment to partner First Nation communities in Treaty 3 in 2021 despite the pandemic obstacles with school closures and First Nation lockdowns.
Terri Meekis and Sarah Kerr met while building schools in Nicaragua together, and helped translate SchoolBOX’s mission from Nicaragua to North — Indigenizing their programs to empower First Nations students. The programs work to bring culturally relevant educational resources on-reserve and help to equip Indigenous teachers with the tools they need to revitalize education systems after decades of residential schools.
“The legacy of residential schools persists today,” says Kerr. “We have kids in Ontario who don’t have schools or books in their communities in 2021. The Auditor General found that only 24% of First Nations youth on-reserve are completing high school in four years, and that was before the pandemic exacerbated the disparities. When you have intergenerational families living in one house, it’s impossible to run distance learning — there’s no space, no consistent internet, and no books. I’m so grateful to Terri Meekis for leading the way to a better tomorrow here at home, and we’d love your support as well!”
To learn more about SchoolBOX and its work, visit <schoolbox.ca> or call Sarah Kerr at 647–882–7484.
On Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12, Arts Carleton Place presents their Fine Art Show and Sale at the Canoe Club at 179 John Street. The show runs from 10am to 4:30pm each day, and both parking and admission are free.
As the end of summer nears and the leaves make the transition to the stunning autumn auburns and golds, come out for a feast made up of the beauty and artistry of 22 juried artists from across the region and explore the works of various art makers from our community.
Restrictions will be in place to ensure everyone’s safety. It will be mandatory to wear masks and social distance. The floor will be marked to help visitors and patrons follow the social distancing guidelines, including waiting to advance to the next kiosk only once the spot is vacated. There will be a maximum number of guests and artists at any time. Visitors will also need to sign in for purposes of social tracing; however, this will also make them eligible for a gift basket of goodies! It is highly recommended that all visitors be vaccinated.
There is no admission to enter the Fine Art show, but donations will be accepted for the Arts Carleton Place Bursary Program. Commissions from the sale of each piece will also go directly to the bursary. This program continues to be a valuable award presented to students from both Carleton Place high schools who will be studying the arts at a post-secondary institution in the upcoming year. Local youth have had a difficult time with the limitations of studying at home this past year-and-a-half and amidst the new rules and regulations of the in-school environment, which meant a reduction of arts classes.
If you are interested in purchasing a work of art, you will remove the price tag and take it to the cashier table. Please allow the artist to carefully remove the painting and take it to the wrapping table for you. It is best to not remove or handle the works to prevent damage and breakage. There is a show special of $25 off a total purchase of $400 or more.
Special thanks to the Town of Carleton Place for their assistance in putting on the Fine Art Show and Sale. For more information about Arts Carleton Place, please visit <artscarletonplace.com>.
As the federal Green Party candidate for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, I do not support this election.
There is a common theme to the feedback I receive from people in my community: this election is an unwanted, unnecessary, and irresponsible power play by the Liberal government. Still, the door of opportunity has opened to convert this election into a rallying cry for climate action. We should be grateful for this opportunity, as anyone watching the science (and the wildfires and droughts and floods and climate chaos) knows that we have no time to lose.
I am a daddy to an eight-year-old boy who has spent 15 of the past 17 months at home with me, unable to attend in-person classes due to the pandemic. Like so many, we are still recovering from the psychological and social toll of isolation. We are weary and longing for a return to social stability and a sense of safety in this world, which is not forthcoming as we enter the fourth wave of the Covid crisis, and as we watch the climate crisis intensify.
Now, just as we’re on the welcome cusp of schools reopening in September, as parents are collectively breathing a sigh of relief and as children look forward to seeing their friends once again, Prime Minister Trudeau has triggered a snap election that will be as costly to taxpayers as it will be to human health and the environment.
Campaign launches, fundraisers, rallies and door-knocking threaten to accelerate the spread of the Covid Delta variant, putting our lives at risk, taxing our spent health care workers, and potentially causing more crippling school closures. Voter-courting travel across ridings and across the country is burning up more fossil fuels. Billions of taxpayer dollars are being pledged “if you vote for us” when Canada’s debt has just surpassed a record $1 trillion. Millions are being spent on thousands of plastic lawn signs that will soon be landfill fodder.
All this, and more, from a government that positions itself as a champion of people and planet. And all for a 36-day election that no one wants, simply because some Liberal strategists thought they saw a window of opportunity to seize a majority, which may not even succeed. Such risk, such waste, at a time when we truly can’t afford either.
The silver lining is that this election presents an opportunity at a time of crisis. Voters suddenly have a say in the direction our country will take in the immediate and uncertain future. The IPCC Climate Report released in August was labelled a “code red for humanity.” “We have zero years left,” said one scientist, to make the radical changes needed to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis which will affect every aspect of life as we know it. We can’t wait two or four more years for another election. Now is the time to send the message to the federal government that our only future is a green one.
Voting Green is the protest vote in this election. It won’t change who our next Prime Minister will be, but it will put the climate crisis squarely on the radar of decision-makers whose decisions so far have been merely tinkering around the edges of the disastrous earth-destroying status quo.
The Liberals are financially tethered to pipelines and airlines. The Conservatives voted against adding “climate change is real” to their policy book. The NDP has a hot and cold history with fracking and fossil fuel subsidies. And while these parties are now scrambling to put climate first (in their messaging at least), the Greens were the first to put it first and we’ve never wavered or compromised. Greens are green.
During this time of crisis, facing the dangers of a pandemic, climate catastrophe, and a snap election, let us seize the opportunity handed to us to demand change. It is the gift we can give to future generations, and our obligation as their ancestors. This election, however irresponsible, however costly, may be the most important in Canada’s history.
Four sweet girls bounced into the Almonte Branch of the Mississippi Mills Library one morning in July. They had registered for what they thought was the 3D printing workshop. Turns out that there was a scheduling mix-up, and LEGO robotics Sumo wrestling was on the schedule for the day. With some hesitation, the girls agreed to give the LEGO wrestling a go.
Throughout the three-hour workshop, the girls built their sumo-wrestling robots. They designed their personalised Sumobots using LEGO robotics pieces. Using computers, they learned how to program their robots to move. After some practice, it was Sumo wrestling time!
Berta Abaroa Madrigal, manager of the MMPL STEM programs, describes the day: “And what a surprise, most Sumobot competition participants approach the designing board with the idea of creating an aggressive machine that would push the other bots out of the ring. Instead of that, this group designed bots that would protect themselves from being pushed by building a bouncy ring of caterpillar treads (normally used for caterpillar propulsion instead of as a defensive mechanism) around the bot core. The result was a flexible and extremely successful design that had no match on the sumo mat — it bounced to oblivion all its competitors.”
“The girls had so much fun that their parents called us back to register them for more robotics programs,” Berta adds. “And at the library, we were left wondering about the importance of listening to a variety of voices/perspectives and helping our patrons to step out of their comfort zone to discover how amazing and successful they can be.”
Libraries aim to inspire lifelong learning. STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programming is the ideal way to introduce people to new technology, but robots and 3D printers are expensive. Thanks to funding from the Elizabeth Kelly Foundation, the Mississippi Mills STEM programming has included LEGO robotics, computer coding for kids, and 3D printing workshops. 266 kids attended a STEM program throughout the winter, and according to the evaluation forms, 100% of participants agreed that they had fun. These are excellent statistics, particularly since some of the programs had to be hosted online throughout the pandemic.
The Library continues to expand workshop ideas, and people of all ages are coming out to try something new. In the winter, adults had a chance to wrestle robots in the ring. Registration filled and eight teams built, battled and cheered away for three hours. The night was particularly special for one team because it was their wedding anniversary. We later received a note from the couple stating, “This was by far the funnest thing we have been a part of since Covid. It was absolutely enjoyable from start to finish. The direction that was given was perfect. We were able to build our robot and program it together. It was so fun. As an added touch, the staff of the library had a little gift and card prepared at my husband’s and my station. It was so thoughtful and brought tears to my eyes. I felt very loved by my community! The facilitators were super friendly and helpful and kept things going at a fun pace. I can’t believe I have not tried an event at my library before. It was fantastic!”
The new MMPL Learning workshops provide STEM learning options for all ages. The series started with workshops on crypto-currency and learning to 3D print. These sessions have been posted on the Library’s YouTube channel. Go to <missmillslibrary.com/special-programs> for more information and to link to the videos.
If you are ready to step out of your comfort zone, or are interested in STEM workshops, please check the Library’s website <missmillslibrary.com> and Facebook page.
The Lanark & District Maple Syrup Producers’ Association (LDMSPA) is pleased to announce the launch of a brand-new maple syrup-focused event, Fall in Love with Maple. Taking place between September 25 and October 3, this is a free family-friendly event that invites visitors to discover what’s so amazing about a maple sugarbush in fall, as the leaves on the trees change from green to vibrant yellows, blazing oranges and crimson reds.
During this nine-day event, visitors are invited to take a fall road trip to visit participating sugarbushes and sample maple syrup and maple treats, learn more about maple syrup production, stock up on syrup, and stroll through some of the most beautiful fall scenery in Ontario. It’s a chance to enjoy the beautiful fall weather (while it lasts!).
Fall in Love with Maple is a celebration of the Canadian tradition of maple syrup production, and features activities and specials at participating maple syrup producers in the region. Running from 10am to 4pm daily (with some exceptions for individual sugarbushes), visitors can expect to enjoy sampling sweet syrup and getting an inside look on how this liquid gold is produced.
In Lanark & District, seven sugarbushes will be participating in the event, including Thompsontown Maple Products <thompsontownmaple.ca>, Conboy’s Maple <conboymaplesyrup.com>, Coutts Country Flavours <couttscountryflavours.com>, Fortune Farms Sugar Bush <fortunefarms.ca>, McEwen Acres <mcewenacresfarm.ca>, Oliver’s Mapleworks <oliversmapleworks.com>, and Wheelers Maple Products <wheelersmaple.com>. Please note that some sugarbushes are open weekends only — please check with each destination before heading out.
“We’re very excited to be hosting this new event in Lanark & District,” said LDMSPA President Randal Goodfellow. “Fall is a time of year when sugarbushes are among the best places to see the fall colours and we’re happy to be able to help visitors get out and stretch their legs on the trail and experience maple syrup at the same time.”
For information about what each participating producer is offering and the Fall in Love with Maple event, please visit <ontariomaple.com/fall-in-love-with-maple>.
…And aren’t we glad! September has always been “first day of school”, no matter that school is eons behind us. There’s anticipation for new activities, new connections, and new adventures. For kids, the mere fact they can be in a classroom again must be exciting beyond belief! We were in Staples and school supplies were being tossed in carts, and I couldn’t help sneaking a peak at new pencil crayons, always the best treat for Day One of school.
I’m sure when team sports gear up again, dads won’t even complain about dragging little hockey players to the arena on a Saturday morning, they’ll be so eager to hit the ice. Likewise, we all want to return to our social lives, with theatre, concerts, square dancing evenings, classes of all sorts.
Zoom was a novelty, but soon wore thin without the actual human contact we crave. We were reticent to try it, and certainly knew we didn’t want the video camera displaying our shaggy hairdos and “homey” attire for all to see. It was fun for a couple of times, but didn’t hold our attention like a real meeting or conversation. Further, we learned how easy it was to skip out before the end, something we’d never have done in real life. Discipline became slack, and a couple of times, we “accidentally” forgot to tune in. Confession is good for the soul, apparently.
So while we are heading back where we were, it’s going to take on a new significance. We’re going to have a greater appreciation for those activities we’ve missed so much. Even if they are still burdened with rules, we will be grateful to be in social company for real live conversations. We may have to learn our social graces again and there are some things will likely disappear for good. For instance, I don’t think we’re going to see handshakes anymore, and crowding in lines is frowned upon. We’re used to more personal space now, so people say “excuse me” more often, and stay off our heels with the grocery carts. We all wash our hands more, we don’t handle the tomatoes, and we abide by the aisle routes.
Unfortunately, there are a few downsides though. Children don’t react to a smile anymore, but then they can’t see them under the mask. People don’t say hello as often when a mask prevents recognition. Frustration rears its ugly head anonymously online because, “Hey, no one can see me anyway!” Drivers’ manners have deteriorated when tailgating, speeding and general high-handedness take to the road. Perhaps in time this behaviour will disappear, but I think it will take a concerted effort to rediscover our former calmer selves.
Where we were before was often frenetically driven by a need to be constantly doing something. Having to organize down-time can be taxing, but we discovered that the Idleness Police didn’t arrive at our door when we sat for an hour and read, when we let the fish and frogs entertain us for more than a minute, when we spent the afternoon trying to figure out how to knit a birdhouse. (Really?? Who does that?)
So where we were is not where we are now. We’ve downsized our activities to include those things we like to do, and not those things we necessarily have to do. We’ve learned that there are a lot of other people willing to take on the tasks we thought no one else but we could do. Further, they have ideas we never thought to try, they have energy and resources a-plenty. What a relief! Now we can sit back and enjoy their successes like others enjoyed ours.
We’ve had a good summer meeting new people and learning new skills, playing with the dogs without the stress of competition, picnicking and exploring; and now we’re looking forward to returning to many of our favourite pursuits. There’s the carving group and that mainstay of male companionship, the Men’s Shed. There’s the promise of live theatre and concerts where we share the laughs and the applause. Restaurants are giving us meals on a sunny patio, and arts festivals are setting up again. It’s happening slowly but surely, and before long we’ll be “back where we were”. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll get the call to return to our choir. That’ll be the day I really celebrate.
Note: What a joy it is to see this issue of theHumm full of ads for fun things to do! We knew it would happen; we just had to wait. Congratulations to theHumm staff who have kept our flagship sailing smoothly over these very rough waters.
If you’ve enjoyed the summer outdoors then don’t stop now, because the best hiking season is yet to come.
Have you noticed the sumac and maples turning red in mid-August?! Signs of change, and that’s alright because fall and winter are actually my most favourite times of year to hike in our area. It’s quieter, peaceful, and most importantly — no bugs. It’s also a wonderful season to catch sunset and sunrise views from the trails.
There are three types of fall hikes that you’ll find in and around the Ottawa area to enjoy — I call them the fall foliage trifecta. There are of course the trails that boast those incredible vista views, which are the ones that we all tend to rush to once the leaves start turning. Then there are the total forest immersion trails — the ones that cover you with a ceiling of red, orange and yellow hues. And last, but certainly not least, are the marshes of gold. We certainly have an abundance of them, most with boardwalks that allow us to venture out to witness those golden yellow hues that then tend to turn (like the larches at Mer Bleu) to a fiery red from the sumac bushes.
Whether you’re hiking in your own area or taking a road trip to find new-to-you trails, there is plenty to enjoy. The hikes listed below offer incredible and colourful landscape views. They are the perfect backdrops to meditate, count your blessings, share with friends, enjoy a picnic, or photograph.
You can find more information on these trails at <girlgonegood.com> or by searching online for the information directly from trail managers. They are also listed, along with 190+ other trails, in the new Guide to Hiking Trails in Ottawa + Region. That book is available at <girlgonegood.com>, Mill Street Books in Almonte, and Up Wellness in Smiths Falls.
Frontenac County
Palmerston-Canonto Conservation Area in North Frontenac has 7km of trails and features two vista lookouts, lake views and a public beach. The trails are very well marked with short spurts of elevation gain.
Kennebec Wilderness Trails in Central Frontenac near Arden has 7km of trails and features wooded areas, meadows, creeks, a pond and benches along the path to rest. The trails are very well marked with short spurts of elevation gain.
Lanark County
Blueberry Mountain at CliffLAND in Flower Station has a 5km trail with incredible vista views of the valley and a brand new bench to rest on at the summit. The trails are well marked with informative signs along the way describing the flora and fauna.
Leeds + Grenville County
Limerick Forest in Oxford Station near Kemptville has over 180km of trails and features an interpretive trail, boardwalks, marsh views. It is an excellent spot for trail running and families, and it is dog friendly.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park in Lansdowne offers Tallow Rock trail as a moderate 10km hike with multiple viewpoints and a floating bridge. There is also Quiddity Trail for an added 2.5km to a lookout over the park.
Lennox & Addington County
Rose Hill Nature Reserve near Denbigh has four different trails and features pond views, lake views and a memorial rock.
Sheffield Conservation Area located in Stone Mills offers a 4.5km trail through rugged terrain and features granite outcropping, lake views, two lookouts and stargazing.
City of Ottawa
Morris Island Conservation Area near Fitzroy Harbour has 6km of trails and features river and island views, accessible trails and facilities, birding and forestlands.
Marlborough Forest in Marlborough has 27km of trails and features a large pond view, wood bridges, wood structures, and is rich in flora and fauna.
L’Outaouais
Mont Morisette in Blue Sea has 11km of trails and features a 12m tower with 360° views, a fire tower and a second lookout. You can drive or hike to base of tower, which is an excellent spot for sunrise-watching.
Forêt Bowman in Bowman has a 5km trail that features six grottos, three vista lookout points on Montagnes de la grottes, a picnic area and a lake with a dock at the trailhead.
Montagnes Noires de Ripon in Ripon has 21km of trails and features a vista lookout and a 12m tower with 360° panoramic views. You can drive or hike to base of tower and it is an excellent spot for sunsets.
Prescott-Russell County
Nokomis Park in Limoges has a 1km trail through the wooded area and features a small picnic area.
New York Central Fitness Trail in Russell has a 7km paved trail that is great for bikes, rollerblades, wheelchairs and strollers. Nearby you’ll find the J. Henry Tweed Conservation Area.
Renfrew County
Wabun Lake in Calabogie offers either a 1.5km steep hike to the lookout or a 18km loop by Limestone Lake and Sugar Mountain. This trail is not well marked and uses forest roads and ATV trails.
Deacon Escarpment Cabins, Camping and Trails Ltd. near Golden Lake has 30km of trails and features a wonderful lookout, multiple trails, private lake with canoes, and cabin rentals.
Stormont, Dundas, & Glengarry
Glengarry Trails in Alexandria has 15km of trails and features boardwalks, marsh views and minimal elevation.
Reveler Conservation Area near Chrysler and Embrun has a 3km trail and features forestlands, sumac, wildflowers and an easy trail that is family-friendly and dog-friendly.
Finally…
A kind reminder to always hike within your limits, to carry the “10 essentials”, and to engage in responsible recreation. Fall hiking also requires us to be aware of hunting season, wear bright clothing, and abide by any trail closures. Find more hiking tips at <girlgonegood.com>.
We’re seventeen months into a pandemic now, and recently I’ve noticed people taking stock. What’s helped you through? they ask. What’s brought you comfort? How have you coped?
No one has asked me that yet. If they did, I would immediately answer: “Books.” Many, many books, in fact. So many that I’ve sometimes imagined Chief Brody from Jaws walking into my apartment, taking a look about, and saying, You’re gonna need a bigger boat. More bookshelves, is what he’d really mean, but that iconic catchphrase from Jaws seems apt right about now, so in my imagination I let Chief Brody deliver his understated line again and again.
If someone were to ask me what’s helped me through these tumultuous times, I would have to add, “Books from many genres. Lots of memoirs. Some excellent fiction. And quite a bit of non-fiction — you know, diaries and essays and notes and reflections on this or that. And maybe a self-help book or two. But nothing too preachy.”
“Also,” I would tell them, “Pizza. Pizza has brought me comfort.”
This is true. For some time now, I’ve taken to making Friday night Pizza Night, wherein, at some point during the evening, I’ll just up and order a pizza or two. It’s become a familiar, somehow soothing routine; or at least a treat to look forward to. And familiar and soothing have been a much-needed tonic.
When I was a kid and got sick, my mom would wrap me in a blanket and make me chicken noodle soup. When I was in the hospital after major back surgery (I was twenty), I’d talk to Dad on the phone and ask him if he’d bring me a burger and fries from Harvey’s. My dad is a kind, generous soul, and so of course he brought down a bag of Harvey’s goodies — and what a welcome, yummy reprieve from hospital food that was. It made me feel a bit better; it was comforting and raised my spirits. I might have cried after for my father’s kindness, too. But it was a good, genuine cry, the sort that simply materializes from your heart.
I felt similarly during the pandemic after a trip to the indie bookshop near my home. But only if I returned with a book, a good book, one I was excited to dive into — and that was almost always the case. (I wasn’t eating at restaurants or going to movies, or concerts, or pubs. I wasn’t spending money on clothes, or furniture, or travel. So I was totally cool with spending money on new books.)
I bought Virginia Woolf’s A Writer’s Diary and a new edition of Mrs. Dalloway that had a beautiful cover — simple and elegant. I bought Wintering by Katherine May and The Comfort Book by Matt Haig and Keep Moving by Maggie Smith. These three I bought believing they would offer me a sense of wellbeing and connection, and they all did, thankfully. So, too, did Zadie Smith’s Intimations, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Notes on Grief — an extraordinarily insightful and deeply touching remembrance of Adichie’s father, who died during the pandemic.
I read Barack Obama’s A Promised Land and laughed at parts, and shed some tears at others, and marveled at what a beautiful human being the former president was, and is. I also thought, This isn’t fair. He’s also a truly gifted writer! Not as gifted as Virginia Woolf or Joan Didion, say, who possess their own singular, unmatchable styles and voices. Didion’s sentences just blow me away. I devoured her book of essays Let Me Tell You What I Mean in two days, and dog-eared about a third of its pages — a reminder to return to them for inspiration or just to read them again and marvel at her incomparable skill.
That was about the time I started having that Chief Brody daydream. You’re gonna need a bigger boat.
I would need more bookshelves. Eventually, yes. But for the time being, I moved lamps and stacked books on end tables. I filled an old crate with books — some going this way, some going that — and set ten books on the top, books that went well together (with Rebecca Solnit hanging out with Miriam Toews and Jeanette Winterson, Camilla Gibb rubbing shoulders with Olivia Laing and Kazuo Ishiguro). I tucked some DVDs into my wardrobe and had more space under my TV stand for a procession of shiny new books. Even the spines were pretty to look at, and looking at them made me feel good.
One Friday night I sat down on a soft carpet on my kitchen floor with a slice of pizza and a cold beer, and read a few poems from Margaret Atwood’s Dearly. I got to thinking, This is like camping. Like when kids make forts in their living rooms using blankets and pillows and curtains and clothepins and sofa cushions and their parent’s clothing. I might have been lonely, but clearly things could have been worse. I was enduring. I was somewhere between holding steady and making my way.
I was also figuring out what pizza place I liked best. (That’s still a toss-up.) And I was one of the many customers keeping my local indie bookshop super busy. Always something to be pleased about, that.
That famous line from Jaws was ad-libbed, by the way, by Roy Scheider, who played Chief Brody in the film. I read recently in the Hollywood Reporter that the line was used as a joke of sorts on set too, because the production was getting so bogged down, and the script was a mess, etc. — so if, say, lunch was late, one of the actors or crew members would say, You’re gonna need a bigger boat. They’d say it when the mechanical shark wasn’t working, and so on. They’d say it with a laugh, I think. (Enduring, adapting with a sense of humour.) That’s why I say it seems apt for, well, all of us right now.
And I’m now reminded that I once (or twice) read the book Jaws by Peter Benchley (it was forever on the bestseller list in 1974 and ’75; it was gargantuanly popular!), and I was surprised by what an enthralling read it was. I don’t know where my chewed-up paperback copy of that book ever got to, but I no longer have it. I might have to remedy that. Now might be just the perfect time to do so.
Market Masala is the 6th annual Child Haven International fundraising event in Carleton Place. It’s a market-style, Covid-safe event in a covered outdoor space, with all proceeds going to support women and children in Child Haven homes in India, Nepal, Tibet and Bangladesh. This year’s event will be taking place on Sunday, September 26 from 3–5pm at the Carleton Place Market Square.
Here you can enjoy a delicious take-home Indian meal provided by Shafali East Indian restaurant, shop at the international sales bazaar and silent auction, get henna body art, enjoy East Indian music and culture, purchase clothing made from beautiful saris, partake in kids’ art activities, and learn more about this amazing organization.
As in past years there will be sales tables and a silent auction featuring an amazing array of handcrafted goods and beautiful unique items from India, Nepal, Tibet and Bangladesh that have been selected by founder Bonnie Cappuccino during her trips to the Child Haven homes. There will be activities and crafts for children, and the always popular henna artists will be back to apply their ornate and unique personal henna designs. There will also be beautiful saris available to purchase, as well as kimonos, pants, purses and silk pillowcases made from these amazing saris.
Founded in 1985 by Bonnie and Fred Cappuccino in Maxville, Ontario, Child Haven International <childhaven.ca> operates nine homes for over 1,250 children and women. Bonnie and Fred have been awarded the Order of Canada for their ongoing and inspiring and charitable work. They bring a message of hope, and amazing stories about the children to whom they’ve provided a nurturing home and education, who go on to lead successful independent lives. Operating according to the philosophy and principles of Mahatma Gandhi, Child Haven homes promote education, gender equality, non-violence, respect for all cultures and religious backgrounds, and simple living. All its funds are raised from individual donors, and through events such as this one throughout Canada and around the world. During this pandemic fundraising has been extremely challenging. The corona virus has been especially hard on marginalized communities everywhere. As a result of the pandemic, it is anticipated that it will be necessary to take in more children at the Child Haven homes.
Fundraisers such as Market Masala go a long way to helping the charity meet its needs, and your support now is more important than ever! While the Market Masala event is free to attend, tickets for the take-home dinner are $20 and can be ordered by emailing <janehamilton@live.ca> or phoning 853–7959.
Shafali Indian Restaurant has been very supportive of this event — 100% of ticket sales go to Child Haven. Organizers recommend ordering early, as dinner tickets sold out last year!
If you’ve ever wanted to be a Maker, David Ivens is offering the opportunity to work in copper, brass, bronze, aluminium and silver to create everything from beer steins to candlesticks; jewellery to garden ornaments. Workshops take place on Saturdays starting in October at David’s studio at 3064 Calabogie Road in Springtown, and cost $150 per day plus materials.
David writes: “The studio will be open on Saturdays for individuals to come and work at their own pace on projects under my tutelage and guidance as required. There are many avenues of metal forming that lead in all directions. Superhuman strength is not a requirement! Eight out of twelve national silversmiths in the last show I organized were women.
“The traditional skills are sinking and raising forging. Terms don’t matter though — they are understood as we go along, developing a language to understand each other in the studio. Initial instruction starts with cutting, filing, annealing, pickling, safety and handling materials. Bring a smile and work on forging bangles, fabricating a copper beer stein starting from a sheet, or cheat and use a piece of 3” copper pipe. Instruction will be provided in both design and fabrication. Required equipment includes ear plugs, eye protection, gloves and a willingness to learn. Some materials will be on hand for purchase.”
Book your session by calling 343–760–2010, or visit <davidivens.ca>.
What started as a tentative trial last spring was so successful for the Almonte Lectures that a new season of Zoom presentations is already in the works. The lectures will proceed as in the past, on the last Friday of the month starting at 7:30pm, when participants can settle in to their own easy chairs at home to see the lecture and follow-up Q&A session. The familiar “donation basket” will still be apparent, but it’s a small “donate” button on the website rather than our usual basket.
Not being bound by geography, organizer Warren Thorngate has been able to assemble an interesting mix of speakers, both local and far-afield. The lecture on September 24 will be given by Chris Evans, Executive Director to Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance. He was responsible for a major redesign of the undergraduate curriculum structure at Ryerson University, and for the design of a unique curriculum focussed on entrepreneurship and innovation, a whole new field that is called “Startup Culture”. His lecture, “Should Universities Teach Startup Culture”, will explore the value of training in entrepreneurship through hands-on experience, and the role universities can pursue to make this experience meaningful in an age when more and more people are choosing unique career paths.
October 29 will feature local Head Librarian Christine Row speaking on the new direction for public libraries. “No Shhhing in the Library” will explore the ability of libraries to function as community centres with vibrant learning components, not dusty book repositories. Christine holds a Master’s of Library and Information Science, and is eagerly transforming local libraries into welcoming spaces that suit the needs of the communities they serve. This will be a good opportunity to hear about the new direction for our library, as well as provide input for the future.
Bill Adams, who will present the November 26 lecture, is no stranger to the library, having attended many sessions of the Learning in Almonte series. Dr. Adams is currently VP, Strategic Planning for RESTCO <restco.ca>, which has been actively working on oil spill remediation technologies. His Environment Canada, DND and University of Ottawa experiences with oil spillage, battery systems and electrochemicals have led him to delve deeper into the problems relating to the oil industry’s impact on the coastal waters and the north. This lecture will be an eye-opener on the inner workings of the industry, and a lively Q&A is sure to follow when we are privy to “The Dirty Secrets of the Oil Industry in Canada.”
Signing up for these Zoom lectures couldn’t be easier. Simply go to the Almonte Lectures website <almontelectures.com>, click on the lecture title that interests you, scroll to the bottom of the lecture summary, and click on the “enroll for this event” button. You will be sent a Zoom link via email. And don’t worry if it’s a bad hair day; you don’t need to have video connection to enjoy this lecture. You can easily see the whole lecture and participate totally with audio only. A warning however: the Zoom site can only accommodate 100 participants, so enrolling early is the best way to ensure your spot on lecture night.
To see the whole Almonte Lectures roster, please refer to <almontelectures.com> where you will find overviews of the lectures, biographies of the presenters, and information about the programming in general.
Special kudos to our “techie” Mel Turner. For many years, Mel has arrived early at the hall to set up chairs, tables, video equipment, lighting and sound systems so that our lectures proceeded seamlessly. When we transitioned to online lectures, Mel was instrumental in assuring an efficient performance for our presenters. Mel has been quietly tireless in assuring the backstage success of our lectures for many years, and we owe him a great debt of gratitude.
This September, the North Frontenac Back Roads Studio Tour will be going ahead for the eighth consecutive year. Last year the Tour took a chance and went ahead despite Covid. The route was a little shorter than usual with artists showing in fewer locations. Only artists who could exhibit in an outdoor space and who felt comfortable doing so participated. It was felt that given where Covid was at the time, and the safety protocols that could be put in place, they would give it a try. Organizers felt that after the almost total shutdown of activities during the summer of 2020, people would be very glad to have a safe outdoor activity to partake in. The gamble paid off, and the 13 participating artists felt they had one of the most successful tours ever. So they are very excited to be holding their annual show again this year on the weekend of September 25 and 26.
Most of the original participating artists will be back on the tour in 2021. Once again the tour will meander through beautiful North Frontenac with studios located in Snow Road, Ompah, Plevna, Ardoch and the Cloyne area. Artists learned last year that the public liked locations where more than one artist exhibited, and so are recreating that situation when they can. They are hoping that the lengthy tour along highways 506 and 509 will be quite straightforward to manage for those who want to visit as many artists as possible.
Altogether 25 artists are on the tour, in 13 different locations. Most of the old favourites will be back, and four brand new artists have joined the tour. As always, there will be a wide variety of art and craft represented, with something of interest to almost anyone. The list of artists and what they do would be too long for this article, but the tour website <northfrontenacbackroadsstudiontour.com> contains information about all of them, with photos of their work. Suffice it to say that there are many kinds of painters, as well as workers in wood, fabric, concrete, clay, gemstones, photography, and even sheepmilk cheese!
Once again, whatever Covid protocols are in place in Ontario at the time will be honoured, and the tour is in touch with the KFLA health unit to ensure that they will be up to date for this area. It’s hard to know now what protocols will be necessary at the time, but masks will be mandatory, with lots of hand sanitizer available. Many artists will continue to exhibit in outdoor spaces, but if the situation does not change there will also be indoor studios with limited numbers of people allowed in. Artists will not be offering the snacks that they sometimes have in previous years, but unlike last year there will be food available locally, notably at Back 40 Cheese, North of 7 Restaurant, and the Shamrock Bakery. Public washrooms are available throughout the route and their location, as well as the location of all participating artists, can be found at the website.
So on the weekend of September 25 and 26, plan to go for a spectacular drive at the peak of autumn’s beauty in North Frontenac Township, and have a stimulating and fascinating exposure to a group of very interesting artists and their homes and studios. The tour is open from 10am to 4pm both days.
Orange Shirt Day has become an annual time to remember the Indigenous children who attended Residential Schools. The first residential church-based schools were established in the 1830s. In 1883 the federal government residential school system was established, and in 1920 government policy made it mandatory that indigenous children be removed, often forcibly, from their homes and communities to attend the schools. The Truth and Reconciliation Report called this policy “cultural genocide,” as the policy was designed to destroy the Indigenous way of life. The policy resulted in enormous suffering for the children at the schools as they were isolated, not permitted to speak their own language, denied even contact with siblings who were at the same school, made to feel shame for who they were, and frequently abused physically and sexually. Many children died as a result of the abuse, the poor living conditions, poor nutrition, poor health care and illness. The trauma suffered by the children and their communities has continued to have a devastating impact through the generations.
A ceremony of Remembrance will be held in Perth at the Healing Forest Memorial in Last Duel Park on September 30 at 5:30. This event will include Indigenous Ceremony, drumming, readings and sharing.
Anyone is welcome to attend this event, which will be held in accordance with the current Covid guidelines. Everyone is asked to wear masks and respect social distancing. If you wish, please bring a chair or blanket to sit on. There will be information available on how to make financial donations to support local Indigenous youth.
The Perth Orange Shirt Day event is being organized by Lanark Neighbours for Truth and Reconciliation in collaboration with the Lanark detachment of the OPP, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
For further information please visit <lanarkcountyneighbours.ca> or direct any questions to <lanarkneighbours@gmail.com>.
Back in 2018, Ted and Marion Outerbridge had just moved themselves and their award-winning magic show OUTERBRIDGE — Clockwork Mysteries to Smiths Falls. There they found a wonderful home for themselves, and a perfect venue for their show at the Station Theatre. After a wonderfully successful summer season they were probably making all sorts of plans for 2020… when everything ground to a halt. But with restrictions easing this summer, the Outerbridges have jumped back into high gear with shows running through to mid-September. theHumm caught up with Ted to find out how it feels to be making magic once again.
theHumm: For the sake of our newer readers, let’s start with a bit about your background. Where and when did you and your wife hone your skills, and what drew you to Smiths Falls back in 2018?
Ted Outerbridge: I have made my living as a magician since I was 19, and the art of magic has been part of my life ever since. Over the last 22 years, my wife Marion and I have had the privilege of touring theatres and performing arts centers in Canada and the U.S., with a few detours to such exotic places as China, Germany, and the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.
In 2018 we were living in a duplex in Pointe Claire just outside of Montreal and we decided it was time for a move. We had always wanted to live in an old Victorian home. As touring illusionists, we frequently found ourselves performing in the Toronto area so we thought we might move a bit closer. A Google search resulted in some interesting properties, but it took a while to find the right neighborhood.
When we arrived in Smiths Falls to view some potential homes, a teenage boy held the door open for us at Tim Horton’s. We wondered if this was an isolated incident, but we discovered that there are a lot of genuinely nice people in this town. When we visited the Keyhole House for the very first time, walking through the keyhole up the stairs to the front door was almost like crossing a threshold into another world. We entered the house and touched the ornate moulding around the doorway to the living room and it felt like a dream. Even two years later it still feels magical. We experienced an instant connection with the Keyhole House and the town of Smiths Falls which has only grown stronger with time.
As a couple of performers, how were you and Marion able to deal with a year-and-a-half of lockdown?
Marion was incredible during the lockdown and her energy helped me immensely. Her daily routine often combined a Montreal jazz dance class via Zoom with baking bread. We would routinely go for a walk and deliver a fresh loaf of bread to one of our friends. I was applause-deprived during lockdown, so I started The Keyhole House on Instagram and Facebook. I posted about the history and mystery of our 1893 house almost daily. I shared my research about the creators and curators of our house as well as local history. Likes and comments were my fuel. As it turns out, a famous Italian magician by the name of Signor Bosco performed at the Smiths Falls Opera House in January 1888! The discovery that a world-renowned magician had stood onstage in this town 133 years before me was very exciting. The fact that nobody had even heard about an opera house made the exercise even more intriguing.
How does it feel to finally be back on stage in front of a live audience, and how have patrons reacted to being entertained in person again?
When I posted on social media that we would be performing again I cried. Returning to the stage was a very emotional experience. It felt incredible to be reunited with our audiences and we are very grateful to everyone who helped make this happen.
Why do you think it’s important to (safely) return to in-person arts and entertainment?
Netflix is entertaining. When we turn the lights off and watch Netflix in the dark, it is more exciting. When we watch a movie in a theatre on a giant screen with great sound and lots of other people in the room it becomes even more exciting because of the energy. When we watch a live performance with a live audience the energy is amplified even further. It really becomes a once-in-a-lifetime experience — we can’t hit pause and we are part of the journey. Nobody knows for sure what will happen.
What are your hopes and performance plans for the future?
Marion and I are very excited about the new show we are developing. The Keyhole House will be about our experience moving into the 1893 home we live in. It will combine history, mystery, grand illusion and a pinch of séance. We plan to have it ready for Ottawa Valley performances in the summer of 2022 and then tour it across Canada.
Tickets are still available for performances of OUTERBRIDGE — Clockwork Mysteries at the Station Theatre. Buy your tickets, and find dates and more details at <smithsfallstheatre.com>.
Many municipalities in this area will declare (or already have declared) Saturday, September 11, 2021, as Parkinson Canada SuperWalk Day. These proclamations acknowledge that Parkinson’s Disease is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. In fact, per capita, it is more prevalent in Canada than in most other countries in the world.
And yet, as Mayor Brant Burrow of Elizabethtown-Kitley Township observes, “Even though many people throughout the region are affected by Parkinson’s, it seems to fly under the radar. I have watched it claim the life of a friend and colleague and I know others who struggle with it every day.” Along with several other mayors, Mayor Burrow plans to participate in the SuperWalk to help raise both funds and awareness, as he believes that finding a cure is possible.
Dr. Anil Kuchinad, a family physician in Perth whose father had Parkinson’s Disease, is also a SuperWalk supporter. “I have recognized that there is a growing need for treatment and resources for people with Parkinson’s. Living in a small community makes it very hard to access care. Hopefully, through hard work and research funded by Parkinson Canada, new treatments and resources will become more accessible.”
The cause of this progressive neurological disease remains largely unknown. The average age of diagnosis is 60, but up to 20% are under 50 years of age. Motor symptoms are common, but many Parkinson’s symptoms are unrelated to movement. People usually start experiencing symptoms later on in the disease process, and scientists are exploring ways to identify biomarkers that will lead to earlier diagnosis and more tailored treatments. It is possible to have a good to great quality of life, especially if it is picked up early. Exercise is now considered an important part of treatment.
2021 marks the fifth year of the SuperWalk in Lanark North Leeds. Pat Evans, who co-chairs the SuperWalk along with Gayle Truman, has seen the positive impact of early diagnosis, exercise, education and support. “It makes a big difference,” says Pat, “but we need funds to build up community supports. Please help us to ensure that no one has to be alone on this journey.” To donate or register and raise funds, please visit <donate.parkinson.ca/lanarknorthleeds>.
Perth Tourism is pleased to present the Perth Night Market, taking place on Saturday, September 18.
The free evening event, which begins at 5pm, will provide visitors the opportunity to discover what Perth has to offer and much more. While you wander through the downtown core, you’ll encounter entertainers of all varieties. A number of artisans and vendors will line the streets, offering a glimpse into the immense talent packed into this small town and the surrounding area. Sip and savour delicious food and drink under the stars at one of the many restaurants and pubs. Shop as you stroll while surrounded by the beautiful heritage buildings, with many retailers open late.
Several downtown streets will be closed to vehicular traffic to allow ample space for guests to roam and maintain physical distance. Socially distancing guidelines must be followed, and guests are encouraged to wear their masks at all times as a precaution.
Experience the magic of Perth’s streets at night. Please visit <perth.ca/nightmarket> for more information and to stay up-to-date on details. Funding has been provided by the Government of Ontario.
We’ve all heard about the increase in sales of new puppies and the movement from cities to the suburbs due to Covid. Having a companion during lockdown who made cute faces, calmed your anxieties and got you outside for a walk made a new dog in the family very attractive. Moving to less populated spaces with room to socially distance and get outside during lockdowns made perfect sense too.
But did you know that the pandemic also sparked an increase in alpaca sales and the creation of many new alpaca farms? In a time when so many businesses were struggling to make ends meet, why would this sector of the economy suddenly pick up steam?
It’s not as complicated as you may think. Starting or expanding an alpaca farm in the middle of a pandemic is simply getting a dog and moving to the suburbs — on steroids! Agripreneurs who got their start during the pandemic took a leap of faith at a time when faith was at an all-time low. With the world shaken up and off balance, they saw an opportunity to follow a dream. Now or never.
Alpaca farming is surprisingly forgiving of newcomers. A small acreage, a three-sided shelter, and a few alpacas of the same gender are all that is needed to get started. In return, alpacas will entertain with their curiosity, their distinct and individual personalities, and their interesting habits — such as all using the same communal dung pile. Sometimes they’ll surprise with their humming, their alarm calling, or their spitting at herd mates. But mostly, they’ll calm the troubled spirit with their gentle way of being at one with their world despite what might be going on in the human sphere. Alpaca farmers will tell you that they can actually borrow that calm if they sit very quietly and become part of their alpacas’ world.
However, new farms have been interested in more than that. They’ve jumped into alpaca fibre as a much sought-after source of yarn and finished products. There has been a return to making during Covid — of connecting to oneself by stilling the mind and creating with the hands, especially using natural elements. Knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, dyeing and felting have all risen in popularity, making alpaca a staple for the maker community. For farmers as well, putting their hands into the fleece of their own herd and working with the fibre is a grounding and rewarding activity that closes the circle between animal and farmer.
So, what makes these new alpaca farms different, you ask? They are an exciting foray into the world of agritourism. They were ready, when restrictions allowed, to offer families a chance to come back to nature. Beyond the traditional farms known for breeding and producing alpaca products, these farms have diversified to include other species of birds and animals, as well as honey, lavender, garlic and ice cream. They have become venues for overnight guests, birthday parties, yoga and photo shoots.
This September 25th and 26th, from 10am to 4pm, six alpaca farms will be opening their doors to visitors. Three are established, and three are brand new. Why not take a road trip and travel to some or all of these farms for National Alpaca Farm Days? From the recently created farms you’ll learn what it’s like to be a new alpaca farmer. At the established farms you’ll learn about how they continue to grow and change when faced with challenges along their alpaca journey. Bring all of your questions and be prepared to see first-hand why Covid was responsible for more than new puppies and movement away from cities. It sparked entirely new alpaca lifestyles!
The Perth Library is pleased to host Rachel Salt to discuss her book Your Plastic Footprint: The Facts About Plastic Pollution and What You Can Do to Reduce Your Footprint. This virtual author talk will take place Wednesday, September 29 at 7pm on Zoom.
In her presentation, Rachel will discuss the astounding statistics about plastics and their impact on the environment. And most importantly — what we can do to make a difference. Salt is also the author of The Plastic Problem. She worked as head writer, researcher and producer for AsapSCIENCE, a YouTube channel dedicated to science education with over eight million subscribers. She has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Guelph.
“I’m very excited about this author talk,” says Hayley Allan, the library’s programming assistant. “I’ve watched AsapSCIENCE all throughout my high school career. I cannot wait to start university with this awesome resource by my side”. Emily Smith, the library’s adult and senior services specialist, adds, “We are lucky to live in a community that is passionate about sustainable living and environmental well-being. I think individuals of all ages will appreciate and learn from this educational talk”.
Teens can also join Heidi on Tuesday, September 21 at 5:30pm for a glitter mindfulness jar workshop. All materials will be provided. The library’s tutors also return this fall with free weekly one-hour sessions for students in kindergarten to grade 8. OWLS Tutoring sessions are 6–8 weeks, starting September 14, and are available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4–7pm, and Saturday from 10am to 1pm.
For more information and to register, visit <perthunionlibrary.ca> or call 267–1224.
An exciting new gallery has opened in beautiful downtown Perth.
Richard James Hutton Fine Art Paintings is now installed at 53 Gore St. E., in the front of Art & Class, next to Riverguild and above Mex&Co by the canal. As the name suggests, the gallery hosts Richard’s paintings exclusively.
Richard Hutton is proud to call Perth home, and his work has been around town for a while in various locations — at Studio 87, North Folk Café, at his home studio, and in several studio tours and exhibitions such as Art Works! Perth, Perth Autumn Studio Tour, Crown and Pumpkin and Art in the Attic tours in Almonte, The New Arts Festival and Wall Candy in Ottawa, the MERA gallery at McDonald’s Corners, Buckhorn Art Show, etc. And not so long ago, his painting Bear Pose was featured as a finalist in a wildlife painting competition in the prestigious International Artist Magazine.
Richard has missed the exhibitions and the art classes he teaches at his home, at Art & Class, and beyond — all of which were cancelled due to the pandemic — but he has continued to paint and to sell his work through his website <RichardJamesHutton.com>, by word of mouth, and thanks to the generosity and spirit of the folks at North Folk Café. It was Richard’s wife Faith who had the idea to turn the front of Art & Class into an art gallery, and with the help of its proprietor, wonderful Marguerite, they have turned that idea into reality! Now the walls and windows hold a large collection of wildlife and farm animals, land, water, and skycapes, portraits and still life paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolours. Richard also takes private commissions and is working on several of those right now.
The gallery is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Alternative days and times for viewing can also be arranged by contacting Richard at 200–2002 or <richardjhutton@hotmail.com>. Go and have a gander and a wee chat with this affable Scottish-born artist who has made a substantial contribution to the growth of the art community of Perth.
Imagine…
It’s September and you’re going to a special gathering. You’re really looking forward to it and you’ve bought a special shirt for the occasion. With high hopes, you say goodbye to your family and make the long journey to the gathering.
Upon arrival, your host doesn’t greet you by name, but gives you a number instead. Just past the foyer, you’re taken into a side room where the host cuts off your hair, takes off your clothes, scrubs you in a bath and douses you with lice powder… “just in case”. Afterward, you look everywhere for your new shirt, but it’s gone, and you’re told you must wear the same plain outfit as all the other guests. You’re not allowed to speak your own language as you mingle; you must use the host’s language. Not knowing it, you say nothing. Instead of enjoying your evening and learning new things as you had hoped, you’re asked to clean up. Later you’re given a little food, but it tastes so unusual, you aren’t sure it’s safe to eat.
You’re desperate to go home; you can’t believe you wanted to come here! But the host insists you stay, showing you to a large, cold, damp room where you and all the other guests are told to sleep. Ten long months pass before the gathering ends.
Back at home, you’re shocked to discover you no longer understand your family when they speak to you and their habits seem strange, even backward. You’re ashamed of your family because they can’t speak your new language and they don’t seem to know what is right and true — what your host taught you. You feel anger deep in your gut. You feel loose — disconnected from your family — nightmares constantly disrupt your sleep.
After two short months, it’s September again; this year you will not buy another new shirt.
48 years ago, Phyllis Webstad’s grandmother gave her a new shirt to start residential school; Phyllis wore it to “The Mission” on her first day. You can listen to Phyllis’s own account of Orange Shirt Day or to a reading by Karen Upper, of The Orange Shirt Story; both are on YouTube. Phyllis’s story is one of thousands of stories of Indigenous children being forced to attend Residential Schools across Canada.
Wear orange on September 30th, share Phyllis’s story, and start a conversation about Canada’s history.
You can purchase an orange shirt locally at:
Turtle Lodge Trading Post <turtlelodgetradingpost.ca> is an Indigenous-owned, home-based mail order wholesale/retail company in Clayton, Ontario. They sell Orange Shirt Society shirts for $20.
Algonquin artist, traditional teacher, and Ottawa’s Poet Laureate, Albert Dumont, has designed orange shirts in Algonquin, French or English for adults and youth for $30. All profits advance Indigenous reconciliation and promote awareness of the intergenerational impact of residential schools. Albert has been paid for his art and the Orange Shirt Society supports these sales. Send orders and questions to Pamela at <pnaymark@gmail.com>.Submitted by Mississippi Mills All My Relations. Continue the conversation with us at <mmallmyrelations.ca>.
Why not get ready for fall in style with a relaxing fashion show in my backyard (which is Stewart Park!) in beautiful downtown Perth on Saturday, October 2 at 2pm. The rain date is Sunday, October 3 at 2pm. Tickets are $20 through Tickets Please <ticketsplease.ca> and at Strévé Design in Perth. Proceeds from the fashion show will be donated to Lanark County Interval House. This deserving non-profit organization has seen a dramatic increase in the need for their services for women and children during the pandemic. Please buy your tickets early because we have limited seating and wish keep our guests, volunteers and models safe with Covid procedures.
We will be showing original Strévé Design art wear coats from the past 34 years. My silk and wool ready-to-wear collection will be mixed with new fall/winter 2021 designs. The fashion show will also feature the designs of local jewellery artists Eleanor Martin, Francine Caves and Sandra Riddell, as well as Perth hand weaver Lise Loader. Works by all of these talented artisans are available in my boutique. The fabulous Ranelle Larocque from Queen Bee Millinery in Perth will be our guest artist, and she will showcase new hats for fall.
Meet textile artists Dayle VanAlstine and Judi Miller and photographer Ginny Fobert in the loft gallery after the show for a new exhibit called Transition. The exhibit runs from September until October 30. You will receive a coupon to get 10% off your next in-store purchase when you arrive to the fashion show as a thank you! The coupon is valid until October 15 and cannot be used with any other promotions.
Until October 15, I will also be offering 15% off pre-orders on custom leather, suede or shearling coats or capes. Build Your Own Coat is a new program I have developed to help you create the coat of your dreams. Last fall, I put out a promotion to my customer base for pre-orders for wearable art coats and was overwhelmed with the response. This year, I have decided to make the process easier by developing an online catalog of the components of a coat. You choose your material, colour, cut, collar, closure and decorative work. Check out design ideas at <strevedesign.com>. I would love to chat with you about creating your own dream coat. This is an investment, one-of-a-kind piece that is made to last.
During Covid I went back to my design roots, and back to what I started my business with 34 years ago. I was born in Ottawa and grew up in Lanark County. I graduated from Ryerson University in 1982 and worked for leather designers in Toronto. In 1987 I started Strévé Design, my own line of appliquéd art coats and handbags to sell to boutiques throughout North America. Banff, Whistler, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, New York, San Francisco and Santa Fe are a few locations that sold the Strévé line of fashions. In 2009, I opened Strévé as my own boutique and studio in beautiful heritage Perth.
Recently I was awarded as a runner up for the 2021 MERA Award for Excellence in the Fine Arts and Fine Crafts. I am honoured to have been considered. Juror Sunny Kerr, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Agnes Etherington Art Gallery at Queen’s University in Kingston wrote: “Cheryl Straby’s work is accomplished in its fearless and vivid design and its meticulous artistry.” Victoria Henry, curator and art critic and the former Director of the Canada Council Art Bank, says: “The combination of patterns, materials and design creates memorable and gorgeous wearable artwork.”
In addition to collage, I also enjoy playing with negative and positive imagery derived from nature, especially the sinuous curves of plants and flowers. My greatest joy is to continue creating beautiful, sustainable and ethically-made wearable art clothing and accessories. It is a busy time as usual at my studio boutique gallery. I hope to see you in the park, at my fashion show or in my boutique gallery at 64 Gore St East in Perth!
The longest days of the year are now in the rearview mirror of the bright yellow school buses that wind their way along each country road of the Valley, collecting eager and anxious kids for what we’re hoping will be a “normal” school year. Students bump along in seats, spotting glimpses of the rust, orange and brown leaves out the windows, gripping their new backpacks while breathing deeply under freshly washed masks.
After a year-and-a-half of homeschooling, it certainly feels odd to send my kids away from the outdoor classroom we’ve enjoyed together — our garden, bursting with sunflowers that tower over their heads and pumpkins they planted last spring spilling over the beds — and into a school classroom. Isn’t this an education right here in our backyard? Well, as I wrestle with our decision to sending our kids back to school in this pandemic, I’m in awe of the creativity that sprouted in those who returned to the land and are instead unschooling, forestschooling or wildschooling.
If you’re interested in learning more about back-to-the-land schooling options in the Valley, I encourage you to book a visit to some of these local forests and farms who are inviting you and your families to join in the adventure and play this month:
Wild Child Nature Project
Register online at <wildchildnatureproject.com> for a one-hour drop-in class for families interested in a taste of their outdoor children’s programs in Carleton Place. Spots are available on September 15, 22 or 29 while they last.
Honeybee Homestead
Founder Melissa Cornacchia invites you and your family to come out to McDonald’s Corners on Sunday, September 12 from 10am to 3pm for a family day “crafted to set out on an adventure, to explore and highlight the seasons by interacting with a mix of activities, crafts, games and storytelling to pique your own sense of curiosity and play”. Visit <honeybeehomestead.ca> for details.
Foley Mountain Forest School
Contact <rebecca.whitman@rvca.ca> to register for a free family drop-in on Saturday, September 18 from 10–11:30am. They invite you to “pack up the family and head down to Foley Mountain Conservation Area near Westport to explore, adventure, play, and learn in the forest!”
In addition to these family-focused days, you can also discover ongoing learning programs for kids at the centres above and throughout the Valley at Blueberry Creek Forest and Nature Center in Perth, Carp Ridge Ecowellness Forest School in Carp, and Cosmos Early Learning in Lanark. If the transition from barefoot and carefree to “indoor/outdoor shoes required” becomes too much, just remember there are lots of options for nature-inspired educational fun for kids and grownups alike in our own backyards. This is mostly a note to myself!
MERA (McDonalds Corners & Elphin Recreation & Arts) has survived the lockdown and various restrictions, and is delighted to be heading into the fall with a slate of concerts, art shows and more. Here’s a round-up of what’s coming up:
Masks and Art Show
Third time lucky! This outdoor art exhibition has been rescheduled from May to June and now to Saturday, September 18. The contributing artists have had more time to make amazing creations, and now organizers are ready to welcome everyone again.
One of the highlights of the show will be “Cruise and Reuse” by the MERA Art Circle, who have made special works of art using recycled material from the famous McDonald’s Corners reuse centre.
The exhibition will be open from 10am until 4pm, outside on the attractive grounds in McDonald’s Corners. The rain date is Sunday, September 19. Artists and visitors are invited to wear interesting and creative masks, and there will be a table for children, and adults, to make their own masks for fun.
For more information please visit <meraschoolhouse.org>, and to be a contributing artist please email Wayne at <gwstryde@outlook.com>.
Concerts & Shows
So far, the Music at MERA line-up includes Twin Flames (the award-winning duo of Chelsey June and her husband Jaaji) on Sunday, September 19 at 2pm; and Paul Marleyn and Frederic Lacroix (cello and piano) on October 3 at 2pm. Tickets are available from Tickets Please (ticketsplease.ca, 485-6434).
A Company of Fools is presenting Love from Afar, a Shakespeare Mashup, at MERA on September 23 at 7pm. The Fools always put on a very entertaining show. MERA is planning to have a simple supper that you can buy before the show. The MERA website will have more details closer to the performance date, but you can find more information and book tickets at <fools.ca/love-from-afar-2021>.
Award of Excellence
The 2021 Award of Excellence in the Fine Arts and Crafts is being celebrated with an award reception and show for the winner, painter Fred Fowler, and runners up Catherine Orfald and Cheryl Straby. It will take place on September 24 from 4–5:30pm, indoors at the Schoolhouse. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Workshops & More
There are some special one-day workshops coming up that require an admission fee. On September 25, learn about Painting Signs on Wood with Monica Pope. On October 16, PJ Wilson will teach Wire Weaving a Pendant, and on October 30 you can make Bent Metal Sculpture with Cathy Blake. Please register in advance by emailing <meraschoolhouse@gmail.com>.
October is Drop-in Month, so come and visit regular activities at MERA (such as the art circle, knitting, weaving, pottery, book club and more), and be eligible for a free membership until January. Check the website for when things are happening.
MERA is looking to hire a new part-time paid administrator. For more information, please email <meraschoolhouse@gmail.com>.
Twin Flames Come to MERA
MERA Music is excited to present Twin Flames, the award-winning duo of Chelsey June and her husband Jaaji, at MERA Schoolhouse’s first post-lockdown live music concert on Sunday, September 19 at 2pm in McDonald’s Corners.
The husband-and-wife duo of Chelsey June, métis (Algonquin Cree) from Ottawa, and Jaaji, Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik, are celebrated for their sonic landscapes spanning Canada and the Arctic, and for honouring their ancestors through song in English, Inuttitut and French. Chelsey June has been capturing the hearts of audiences with her soulful voice and unique songwriting skills. She is a proud métis woman and is an advocate for mental health, healthy relationships and sober living. Jaaji grew up in a humble little community called Quaqtaq in Northern Nunavik where he was raised by his Grandparents with the Traditional ways of the Inuit, and spent his summers with his biological father in Kahnawake. He is an advocate for language revitalization and preservation, passionate about including the Inuttitut language in his songs.
Before combining their talents, Chelsey June and Jaaji had their own respective award-winning and nominated careers. Twin Flames released their début album Jaaji & Chelsey June in 2015.
Tickets are $25 plus fees, available from Tickets Please (ticketsplease.ca, 485–6434) to be picked up at the door. Tickets will be limited due to strict Covid protocol, which will be in place for the concert. The MERA Schoolhouse <meraschoolhouse.org> is located in McDonalds Corners.
For the past 14 years, Carleton Place has hosted a meaningful Take Back the Night march, joining hundreds of thousands of supporters Canada-wide. We march together in solidarity to demand that a woman’s right to walk our streets safely be upheld. We remember and honour the women and children who have been taken at the hands of violence and those who live with violence every day.
This year’s event will be held on Thursday, September 16. The gathering begins at 6pm in the park behind Carleton Place Town Hall, with the rally and march set to begin at 7pm. The march will follow the traditional route through town on Bridge Street, and loop back to the park.
All are welcome! We ask all participants to please wear a mask and be mindful of social distancing. More information can be found at <lcih.org>.