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Lanark County Interval House and Community Support (LCIHCS) shelter’s statistics reveal that we have been at 100% capacity for 165 days and exceeding capacity for 95 days of the year —highlighting the pressing need for assistance to support women and children fleeing violence and abuse.
You play a crucial role in allowing LCIHCS to continue providing a lifeline to these vulnerable individuals. This holiday season, the shelter requests that you consider making a monetary donation to sustain the programs that support the women and children seeking refuge in the shelter. By participating in the “No Gift Is Too Small Campaign” you can make a profound difference in the lives of survivors and help create a safer and more supportive community for all.
Your support sends a powerful message of solidarity, care and compassion to those who have experienced domestic violence, showing them that they are not alone in their struggle, and that their community stands with them.
Donations can be made securely online, and you will receive your tax receipt through Canada Helps or by e-transfer to <finance@lcih.com>. You can also mail your financial gift to LCIHCS, PO Box 107 Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 3P3.
Best wishes for a safe and joyful holiday season from all of us at LCIHCS.
The above email message from BMO was received shortly after my mother’s funeral in early November. Needless to say, it left us speechless. Mother died at age 96 after three years of exemplary care at Fairview Manor in Almonte, and was certainly not looking to avail herself of additional banking services!
The marketing message left me yearning for a time when our bank manager and staff knew us personally and knew that Norma Jean never went by Norma and was always known as Jean. Heck, I remember a time when a 96-year-old senior would not be addressed by her first name.
We are constantly bombarded by marketing messages. Is it spam or is it a marketing message from my internet provider? It is getting harder and harder to tell the difference!
I know that modern merchandisers make it incredibly easy to search online for anything under the sun, order it, pay online and have it delivered to your door the next day. I am consciously trying to reduce, if not eliminate, any possible financial contribution that I might make to billionaires for their purchases of mega-yachts, private planes and politicians. Billionaires did not reach their elevated status by paying their employees a living wage, benefits or pensions, or by playing fair with their competition.
I studied economics for many years and am the first to acknowledge that economic theories are unsatisfactory attempts to understand a very complex world. We are certainly not living in the world that Adam Smith modelled. The 18th-century economist believed that an invisible hand guided market outcomes to benefit the general welfare of society.
The hands controlling our economy are all too visible. I think that our world can be reduced to the simple understanding that the smart, the cunning and the ruthless are able to grab much more than their share of the bounty of the earth. As inequality widens, the rich and powerful are able to influence government to change the rules to their benefit, making it very difficult for the “little guy” to remain in business.
The consequences of increased inequality in our society are readily apparent. I find it shocking that in a rich nation such as Canada the use of Food Banks is at an all-time high. We have known for some time that disability benefits are woefully inadequate and that clients who depend on some form of disability benefits make up more than a third of Food Bank clients. What is relatively new is the number of people with a regular paycheque who are turning to Food Banks. Up to a quarter of Food Bank clients find that meagre paycheques are not enough to cover sky-rocketing rent and run-away food prices.
How can we opt out of a consumer-driven society? How can we reclaim our communities? How can we respond to the overwhelming need in our midst?
I try to keep my spending in the community by patronizing local “mom and pop” retail establishments and restaurants, farmers’ markets and craft shows. The fine newspaper in your hands contains a myriad of ways to support the local community. Holiday shopping is an opportunity to find unique local treasures. Warning: it may not work for everyone on your list. I remember disappointed little boys on Christmas morning who did not receive the heavily promoted toy that they had their hearts set on. Concert tickets, quilting workshops and beeswax candles were not on their list.
Holiday time is a fine time for kids to learn what it means to help their neighbours and build a strong local community. On occasion I chat with some of the volunteers that I work with at the Food Bank gardens about what leads them to volunteer their time. It is interesting that for many it was inculcated at an early age, as this was just what the family did. Some folks make a special effort to take their young kids and grandkids to help at community meals, especially over the holiday season. Many other volunteers are recently retired and are looking for ways to “give back to the community”. Many folks who may not have a lot of financial resources choose to donate their time and labour.
One of the hats that I wear in the community is managing garden projects for our local Food Bank, the Lanark County Food Bank (the Hunger Stop), that serves Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place and Beckwith. The Blakeney Project is one of our garden projects. This two-acre garden will be starting its fourth year in May, 2024. In the first three years over 45,000 pounds of fresh organic produce was grown for Food Bank clients. Volunteers are asked to commit to a weekly 3-hour shift throughout the growing season. Experienced gardeners lead the work in a gorgeous rural setting. For more information, please contact Food Bank manager Tammy Parent at <lcfb.thehungerstop@gmail.com>.
I am thankful for Pat Guilbeault, owner and operator of Ottawa Valley Coffee in Almonte. In September 2022 I had taken my son for hot chocolate before school. An Almonte night market was to take place in a few days, and as we were waiting at the counter I could hear Pat, whom I didn’t know, loudly say to someone over the din of the espresso machine: “I can’t find anyone to play at the night market.” I turned around and said: “I’ll play.”
What Pat didn’t know is that during the previous week I had played my first real show in over a decade, at Alleycats Music & Art in Orillia, and that even that only happened because I was writing a song out on the street and was kindly invited to play the next night by the owner Mike. I’d been down, out, and far away from myself for longer than a lifetime, and Pat offered me his kindness and trust without hesitation. After a year of seeing him offer the same to Almontians over and over again, I’m no longer surprised. In fact I’m more thankful to Pat than ever.
Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate to have been a part of the broader community-building that Ottawa Valley Coffee has worked so hard at. We’ve done a show a month together in that time, slowly building our community of fans, friends and family to the point that our upcoming show, A Kentucky Xmas, sold out of its free tickets before we could get a quarter of the way through the list of people that we wanted to offer them to. Yes, both Kentucky and Ottawa Valley Coffee are, largely, businesses. Of course we each need to make money in this backwards society that prioritizes free market capital over everything and everyone, and so we make that money at the same time as trying to break free from it.
But every concert that I put on at OVC-Almonte will be free. Always. That’s my thank-you to the beautiful people of Almonte. And for that, we all have Pat to thank.
Gifts for $100 & Under
1-hour somatic massage, dOMe Retreat <domeretreat.ca>, $95
Cozy-Up tie neck pullover, Frangipani <facebook.com/frangipaniboutiquealmonte>, $99.99
Baby blue spruce tree, Home Hospice North Lanark <hhnl.ca>, $60
Gift certificate for a private indoor sauna & soaking tub session, Meristem Massage Therapy <meristemmassage.com>, $55
Canadian cheeses, cheese club & cheese gift bags, Pêches & Poivre <pechesetpoivre.com>, $10 & up
Brume gloves and mitts, Rowland Leather <rowlandleather.ca>, $75-85
Gifts for $25 & Under
Assorted raw sheep’s milk cheese wedges, Back 40 Artisan Cheese <artisancheese.ca>, , $7-17
Holiday Gnome catnip toys, assorted 6”, Cat’s Paradise Spa <catsparadise.ca>, $4.99
45 different s’more hanging ornaments, Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm <cedarhillchristmastreefarm.com>, $15-19
Puffer mitts and gloves in lots of colours, Frangipani <facebook.com/frangipaniboutiquealmonte>, $22.99-24.99
Pewter Christmas ornaments made in Nova Scotia, Mariposa Design <mariposadesign.ca>, $12.95
Kyjen Xmas 12 days of Christmas squeaker mat dog toy, Natural Pet Foods <naturalpetfoods.ca>, $9.99
Gifts for Art Lovers
Hand sculpted clay lamps, plaques and drawings by Richard Gill, Bittersweet <burnstown.ca/bittersweet>, $100-875
Lifelike ceramic animal sculptures by Mary Philpott, General Fine Craft <generalfinecraft.com>, $325-2200
Two tickets to Jesus Christ Superstar, Orion Theatre Company <musictheatre.ca/orion>, $70
Copperplate etchings by Franc van Oort, Riverguild Fine Crafts <riverguild.com>, $85 & up
Commissioned art, S.M.art Gallery <sarahmoffat.com>, $100 & up
Gallery gift certificates, Sivarulrasa Gallery <sivarulrasa.com>, $100.00
Secrid Goldfinch RFID miniwallet, Vamos Outdoors <vamosoutdoors.ca>, $155
Gifts for Coffee & Tea Lovers
Danica latte mug, Foodsmiths <foodsmiths.com>, $12.99
Mugs and teapots by local potters, General Fine Craft <generalfinecraft.com>, $45-225
Bisou Bar tea, Good Food Co. <goodfoodcompany.ca>, $10/box
The Coffee Basket, Ottawa Valley Gift Baskets <ottawavalleygiftbaskets.ca>, $79.95
Gifts for Cooks & Gourmets
Jenna Rose Hand Printed Linen Tea Towels, Back 40 Artisan Cheese <artisancheese.ca>, $25
Gift cards, Black Tartan Kitchen <blacktartankitchen.com>, various
8 flavours of Mennonite-made frozen pies, Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm <cedarhillchristmastreefarm.com>, $18
Kricklewood lemon sunflower oil, Dandelion Foods <dandelionfoods.ca>, $13.95
The Gourmet Basket, Ottawa Valley Gift Baskets <ottawavalleygiftbaskets.ca>, $84.95
Exotic spices gift sets and exquisite olive oils, Pêches & Poivre <pechesetpoivre.com>, $30-80
Gifts for Eco-Friendly Friends
10’ fresh pine & balsam garland, Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm <cedarhillchristmastreefarm.com>, $89
Cafe Cardi jersey in organic cotton fleece, Duffield Design <duffielddesign.ca>, $209
Batik cotton table napkins, set of 4, Fine Batiks <finebatiks.ca>, $27
Early gold eating pear tree, Home Hospice North Lanark <hhnl.ca>, $70
Donations/membership in their name, Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust <mmlt.ca>, various
“Book Lover” canvas tote bags, The Book Nook <thebooknookperth.com>, $24 & up
Recycled fabric tote bags, The Queen’s Crafters <thequeensmarketshop.com>, $5
Patagonia Snap-T fleece pullover, fair trade certified, Vamos Outdoors <vamosoutdoors.ca>, $169
Gifts for Faraway Friends
2023 uncirculated coin set (final Elizabeth coinage), Alliance Coin & Banknote <alliancecoin.com>, $26.95
One-night stay for two, Almonte Rental AirBnB <almonterental.ca>
The “Forget me Not” jewellery series, Fiona Macintyre Design <fiona-macintyre-design.myshopify.com>, $130-148
Pop-up life-size flower bouquet in a mailing envelope, Spark Books & Curios <sparkperth.ca>, $18-22
Gifts for Funky People
Bamboo PJ’s, lounge wear and cute outfit to wear out, 8008 Lingerie <8008lingerie.com>, $80-120
Gibraltar “Gangsta Granny” 50 pence coin, Alliance Coin & Banknote <alliancecoin.com>, $14.95
Vinyl records, Almonte Antiques & Collectibles <facebook.com/Almonteantiquesandcollectibles>, $5-25
Bud’z wall-mounted grey cat tree shelf, Cat’s Paradise Spa <catsparadise.ca>, $29.99
Splash! Statement ring, Fiona Macintyre Design <fiona-macintyre-design.myshopify.com>, $245
Series pass to 4 concerts, Folkus Concert Series <folkusalmonte.com>, $110
Sterling silver and gold sweater brooch, Kehla Jewellery Design <kehladesign.com>, $835
A ticket to Jesus Christ Superstar, Orion Theatre Company <musictheatre.ca/orion>, $35
Lapis lazuli and silver “Planet Earth” pin by Stephen Clark, Riverguild Fine Crafts <riverguild.com>, $150
Art and home décor, S.M.art Gallery <sarahmoffat.com>, $20 & up
“Liar (maquette)” by artist Jim Hake, Sivarulrasa Gallery <sivarulrasa.com>, $220.00
A variety of fun socks, The Book Nook <thebooknookperth.com>, $10 & up
Introductory private dance lesson (for people new to the studio), Total Rhythm Dance Studio <trds.ca>, $30
Gifts for Handmade Gifts
Handcrafted cheese board with Back Forty cheeses & local charcuterie, Back 40 Artisan Cheese <artisancheese.ca>, $125
Batik tulis cotton tablecloth 56” x 84”, Fine Batiks <finebatiks.ca>, $80 & up
Made by you! Jewellery making workshop at FM Silversmith Studio, Fiona Macintyre Design <fiona-macintyre-design.myshopify.com>, $110-175
Beautiful and functional(!) brooms by Raphael Kerem, General Fine Craft <generalfinecraft.com>, $40-195
Garneau slippers, Rowland Leather <rowlandleather.ca>, $99 & 129
Gift certificate for private art classes, S.M.art Gallery <sarahmoffat.com>, $500 & up
Handstitched leather goods by Regina, The Queen’s Crafters <thequeensmarketshop.com>, $15 & up
Hand-painted stud earrings by Meraki, ThreadWork <threadwork.ca>, $18
Gifts for Hosts & Hostesses
Selbrae cheese knives & serving platters, Dragonfly Boutique <dragonflyboutique.ca>, $38 & 83
Batik wooden serving bowl, Fine Batiks <finebatiks.ca>, $55
Marble cracker holder, Good Food Co. <goodfoodcompany.ca>, $50
Foaming hand soaps by Michel Design Works, Mariposa Design <mariposadesign.ca>, $17.95
Candles, beautiful napkins, duo of cheeses & accompaniment, Pêches & Poivre <pechesetpoivre.com>, $6.50-30
Gifts for Husbands & Significant Others
Matching bra and panty set that is actually comfortable AND super sexy, 8008 Lingerie <8008lingerie.com>, $200
Sports jerseys and memorabilia, Almonte Antiques & Collectibles <facebook.com/Almonteantiquesandcollectibles>, $5 & up
One-night stay for two, Almonte Rental AirBnB <almonterental.ca>
BN3TH underwear, Dragonfly Boutique <dragonflyboutique.ca>, $35 & up
Cotton fleece Pekoe Patch sweater with elbow-patch detailing, Duffield Design <duffielddesign.ca>, $175
Elegant, large face ‘Mondaine’ watch with black leather strap, Kehla Jewellery Design <kehladesign.com>, $425
“Gift of Cheese” club subscription, Pêches & Poivre <pechesetpoivre.com>, $55 & up
Leather belts, Rowland Leather <rowlandleather.ca>, $58-65
Wedding Special (3 private dance lessons), Total Rhythm Dance Studio <trds.ca>, $150
Gifts for Kids & Teenagers
Isle of Man Harry Potter coin, Alliance Coin & Banknote <alliancecoin.com>, $9.95
Happy Hippo zombie bath bomb dust, Dandelion Foods <dandelionfoods.ca>, $5.95
Unique and innovative building block and model kits, Spark Books & Curios <sparkperth.ca>, $10-120
Jewellery and 3D art by Patricia Aslin, The Queen’s Crafters <thequeensmarketshop.com>, $1 & up
Gifts for Local Food & Drink Lovers
Back Forty Holiday Gift Basket, Back 40 Artisan Cheese <artisancheese.ca>, $110
4- and 7-course tasting menus with wine pairings, Black Tartan Kitchen <blacktartankitchen.com>, $133 & 198
1L Sheldon Creek gourmet egg nog, Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm <cedarhillchristmastreefarm.com>, $8.50
PieAreSquared steak & stout pie, Dandelion Foods <dandelionfoods.ca>, $21.95
Gourmet gift boxes, Good Food Co. <goodfoodcompany.ca>, $40-75
Gifts for Lovers of Cozy Spaces
Gift cards!, Good Food Co. <goodfoodcompany.ca>, various
100% cotton throw quilts, Mariposa Design <mariposadesign.ca>, $69.95
Gift certificate for a private indoor sauna & soaking tub session for two, Meristem Massage Therapy <meristemmassage.com>, $75
Sheepskin hats, mitts and slippers, Riverguild Fine Crafts <riverguild.com>, $90 & up
Excellently curated new and second hand books, Spark Books & Curios <sparkperth.ca>, various
Luxe Aran wool/cashmere throw by IrelandsEye, ThreadWork <threadwork.ca>, $179
Gifts for Lovers of Sweet Treats
Bocce’s Bakery holiday lumps of coal (for dogs!) , Natural Pet Foods <naturalpetfoods.ca>, $9.79
“Just Chocolates”, Ottawa Valley Gift Baskets <ottawavalleygiftbaskets.ca>, $80.95
Gifts for Lovers of Vintage Treasures
Estate jewellery, Almonte Antiques & Collectibles <facebook.com/Almonteantiquesandcollectibles>, various
Vintage jewellery & décor by Tanya Yaxley Beaupré, The Queen’s Crafters <thequeensmarketshop.com>, $5 & up
Gifts for Made in the Valley
Crossover Sweater handmade in Almonte, Duffield Design <duffielddesign.ca>, $198
Hummingbird salted caramels, Foodsmiths <foodsmiths.com>, $23.99
Distinctive barrel-fired ceramics by Diana Jackson, General Fine Craft <generalfinecraft.com>, $80-625
Sterling silver leaves pendant with dark orange ‘Madeira’ citrine, Kehla Jewellery Design <kehladesign.com>, $575
Handcrafted lavender products by Lavender Lane, Mariposa Design <mariposadesign.ca>, $11.95-24.95
A ticket to Jesus Christ Superstar, Orion Theatre Company <musictheatre.ca/orion>, $35
The Lanark County Sampler, Ottawa Valley Gift Baskets <ottawavalleygiftbaskets.ca>, $68.95
Beautifully functional works by local potters, Riverguild Fine Crafts <riverguild.com>, $25 & up
Avril Bag by Michael Rowland, Rowland Leather <rowlandleather.ca>, $119
Gifts for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Landscape paintings by Margaret Ferraro; birds by Cheryl Babineau, Bittersweet <burnstown.ca/bittersweet>, $95-1100
Tommy Bahama Coast half-zips, Dragonfly Boutique <dragonflyboutique.ca>, $144
Thermohair Canadian-made socks, Foodsmiths <foodsmiths.com>, $29.99-43.99
Over the Moon Canadiana sweaters, Frangipani <facebook.com/frangipaniboutiquealmonte>, $139.99
Native red maple tree, Home Hospice North Lanark <hhnl.ca>, $85
Donations/membership in their name, Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust <mmlt.ca>, various
Canada Pooch suspender dog boots, Natural Pet Foods <naturalpetfoods.ca>, $69.99
Micro adjustable performance Arcade stretch belts, ThreadWork <threadwork.ca>, $42-49
Kari Traa Norwegian wool base layers, Vamos Outdoors <vamosoutdoors.ca>, $139 & up
Gifts for Parents & Grandparents
Two tickets to Almonte in Concert, Almonte in Concert <almonteinconcert.com>, $88
One-night stay for two, Almonte Rental AirBnB <almonterental.ca>, $175
Blankets and shawls by Mini Tipi, Bittersweet <burnstown.ca/bittersweet>, $95-165
3-course Table d’hôte menu, Black Tartan Kitchen <blacktartankitchen.com>, $79
Gift certificates for cat boarding, Cat’s Paradise Spa <catsparadise.ca>, various
Series pass to 4 concerts, Folkus Concert Series <folkusalmonte.com>, $110
Ludwig Spaeth shrub lilac, Home Hospice North Lanark <hhnl.ca>, $95
Donations/membership in their name, Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust <mmlt.ca>, various
Gift certificate for group art classes, S.M.art Gallery <sarahmoffat.com>, $250 & up
Large piece puzzles, The Book Nook <thebooknookperth.com>, $22 & up
Group dance lessons for two (4 weeks), Total Rhythm Dance Studio <trds.ca>, $120
Gifts for To Calm & Soothe
A ticket to an Almonte in Concert show, Almonte in Concert <almonteinconcert.com>, $44
Soja & Co reed diffuser, Dandelion Foods <dandelionfoods.ca>, $34.95
2.5-hour OMazing Experience: Soundbath and massage, dOMe Retreat <domeretreat.ca>, $145
Relaxus Karma Flow ceramic waterfall incense burner, Foodsmiths <foodsmiths.com>, $18.99
Gift certificate for a massage and indoor sauna & soaking tub session, Meristem Massage Therapy <meristemmassage.com>, $140
“Forest Island” by artist Sandra Gregson, Sivarulrasa Gallery <sivarulrasa.com>, $700.00
Glerups wool & leather slippers - bring cozy wherever you go, Vamos Outdoors <vamosoutdoors.ca>, $99.99
Gifts for To Divert & Entertain
Vintage board games, Almonte Antiques & Collectibles <facebook.com/Almonteantiquesandcollectibles>, $10 & up
A ticket to an Almonte in Concert show, Almonte in Concert <almonteinconcert.com>, $44
4- and 7-course tasting menus , Black Tartan Kitchen <blacktartankitchen.com>, $94 & 139
Companion Gear red truck cat scratcher house, Cat’s Paradise Spa <catsparadise.ca>, $30.89
Series pass to 4 concerts, Folkus Concert Series <folkusalmonte.com>, $110
Zippy Paws “Reindeer Beer” pet plush toy, Natural Pet Foods <naturalpetfoods.ca>, $12.99
Two tickets to Jesus Christ Superstar, Orion Theatre Company <musictheatre.ca/orion>, $70
Miniature DIY dollhouse room kits, Spark Books & Curios <sparkperth.ca>, $50-80
Card and board games, The Book Nook <thebooknookperth.com>, $15 & up
Gifts for To Lift the Spirits
Even if you don’t buy a bra, Kathy is always ready to tell you the latest funny story, 8008 Lingerie <8008lingerie.com>, Priceless!
Two tickets to Almonte in Concert <almonteinconcert.com>, Almonte in Concert <almonteinconcert.com>, $88
1-hour Soundbath, dOMe Retreat <domeretreat.ca>, $65
Series pass to 4 concerts, Folkus Concert Series <folkusalmonte.com>, $110
Donations/membership in their name, Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust <mmlt.ca>, various
“Crossroads” by artist Marina Raike, Sivarulrasa Gallery <sivarulrasa.com>, $310.00
One month unlimited fitness classes, Total Rhythm Dance Studio <trds.ca>, $60
Gifts for Wives & Significant Others
$100 gift certificate (for $80!), 8008 Lingerie <8008lingerie.com>, $80
1/2-Carat diamond solitaire (retail: $5,000), Alliance Coin & Banknote <alliancecoin.com>, $1500
One-night stay for two, Almonte Rental AirBnB <almonterental.ca>
Jewellery by Anne Marie Chagnon & Argent Whimsy, Bittersweet <burnstown.ca/bittersweet>, $30-200
Couples day retreat: massages, Soundbath, light lunch, dOMe Retreat <domeretreat.ca>, $350
Gift Certificates, Dragonfly Boutique <dragonflyboutique.ca>, various
Fleece classic pant in buttery bamboo, Duffield Design <duffielddesign.ca>, $162
Sumptuous, soft silk Batik scarf, Fine Batiks <finebatiks.ca>, $50 & up
Snowdrop pearl and silver earrings, Fiona Macintyre Design <fiona-macintyre-design.myshopify.com>, $95
Beautiful blue plaid shirt, Frangipani <facebook.com/frangipaniboutiquealmonte>, $129.99
Rose gold ring with blue sapphire, Kehla Jewellery Design <kehladesign.com>, $2500
Gift certificate for 60 minute massage, Meristem Massage Therapy <meristemmassage.com>, $110
Blasket Aran merino wool sweater by IrelandsEye, ThreadWork <threadwork.ca>, $189
The Kanata Choral Society will open their season with a Christmas concert on December 9 featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasie on Christmas Carols.
The composer wrote this work for baritone soloist, choir and orchestra, and used an original style based on old English folk music. His love for Christmas is expressed in the carols he used in this work. One of these is the Sussex Carol, which was first published in the 17th century by Luke Wading, an Irish bishop. The bass-baritone solo will be performed by Philip Lukic, who is a third-year student studying Music Performance at Ottawa U.
This performance will also feature works by other composers. Some favourites are John Rutter’s Christmas Lullaby, Ola Gjeilo’s Ecce Novum, and Franz Bieble’s Ave Maria for two choirs. And of course the audience will get a chance to exercise their vocal chords in a sing-along.
Scott Auchinleck, the choir’s music director, will conduct this concert. Accompaniment will be provided by Eliana Kurilov de Castro, piano, and Carolyn Ho, violin.
The concert will take place on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30pm in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, located at 20 Young Road in Kanata. A reception will follow in the Rutter Hall. There will be a silent auction at the concert as well as online at <kanatachoralsociety.ca>.
Tickets are available at the door, by emailing <kanatachoralsociety@hotmail.com> or by visiting <kanatachoralsociety.ca>. Tickets are $22 in advance or $25 at the door for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students. Children under 13 are free.
On Saturday, December 9 from 10am to 4pm, Back Forty Artisan Cheese will host their annual Holiday Open House at their farm and dairy in Mississippi Station. This festive day will provide customers with a great opportunity to stock up on delicious raw sheep’s milk cheese for the holiday season, and the Back Forty gift basket is sure to please the cheese or food lover on your list.
As a part of their customer appreciation day they will be offering 15% off select cheeses as well as free sampling. The shop will also feature a selection of locally crafted foods, one-of-a-kind gift items, and cuts of Back Forty’s grass-fed lamb, Highland beef and whey-fed heritage pork. In addition, the Jenna Rose Textile Studio, which is situated above the shop and tasting room, will be open with Jenna’s handprinted linens and textile products <jennarose.ca>. Local chocolatier Ludwig Ratzinger will be on-site with his handmade chocolates <finechocolate.ca>.
The outdoor licensed bistro features a wood-fired oven and grill and will be serving a selection of hot and cold beverages, alongside their signature Smoky Macaroni and Back Forty Cheese and other delicious treats. The large outdoor fire pit will be lit, and if weather permits the farm will open their toboggan runs and trails. Please follow them on Instagram @back40artisancheese for weather-dependent activities, or visit <artisancheese.ca>.
Studio Theatre Perth wants to give the town of Perth a Christmas present, as a heartfelt thank you for all the support everyone has given this little theatre on the shores of the Tay Basin. They have stood by Studio Theatre through thick and thin, helped us survive the shutdown back in 2020, and continued to attend our films, musical events and live theatre productions ever since.
On Saturday, December 16, everyone is invited to Studio Theatre Perth to hear a magical staged reading of A Christmas Carol. There will be performances at 2pm and 7:30pm, and admission is free, with all donations going to The Table Community Food Centre.
You don’t need a ticket to get in, and there are no bad seats in our 200 plus seat venue. We are partnering with The Table, and they will be on-site to accept all donations (cash, card or debit) that you feel you can afford to help them provide delicious and nutritious meals for whoever walks through their doors.
David Bird will be reprising his role as Charles Dickens in his own unique presentation of this beloved classic. David will be in period costume and will portray the many characters from the novella on stage. The stage will be a beautifully dressed set intended to take you back to 1843 — the year that Mr. Dickens penned this masterpiece. Come alone or with a friend, or bring the whole family and be prepared to be swept away to the bygone days of London, England. Meet Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, the whole Cratchit family including Tiny Tim, and of course the three Ghosts. Come one, come all! Get with the Spirits and plan to make this event a part of your holiday celebrations.
About David Bird
David has been performing and directing with the Perth theatre community for nearly thirty years. His favourite novel is A Christmas Carol, which he first heard read, over three afternoons, by his Headmaster when he was nine years old. In 2002 he started a Dinner Theatre reading at the Sharbot Lake Hotel and since then has given the reading or performed in a version of the story every year but one. He is grateful for this opportunity to pay tribute to “The Great Author” in his own manner, for Dickens often gave public readings of his works.
The music team at St. Paul’s United Church in Perth is presenting “A Musical Celebration of Christmas” on Sunday, December 17 at 2pm. The first half of the one-hour concert will feature the St. Paul’s Senior Choir singing Bethlehem’s Child with narrations by Brian and Jennifer Perkin. This work has been described by its writers as “a musical tapestry which blends the old with the new. Familiar carols are combined with original compositions, presenting the timeless message of Christmas”. The second half of the program will feature a variety of vocalists and instrumentalists.
Don McLean is the minister at St. Paul’s and a cellist with the Kingston Symphony. He and St. Paul’s Director of Music Brad Mills will perform a beautiful contemporary arrangement of O Come O Come Emmanuel written for cello and piano. Six of the St. Paul’s choir members are in a barbershop octet called High Octane and will be harmonizing together on a barbershop arrangement of the Christmas favourite Go Tell It on the Mountain. Anyone who has attended a Christmas Eve service at St. Paul’s will have heard choir member Joel LeBlanc sing the touching Joseph’s Song. Joel will be offering up a beautiful rendition of Huron Carol, accompanying himself on guitar.
Since 1965, television watchers have been enjoying the annual broadcast of A Charlie Brown Christmas with Emmy award-winning music by jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. St. Paul’s Director of Music Brad Mills will be joined by some musician friends in presenting a favourite from the soundtrack. Interspersed amongst all of this will be an opportunity for the audience to join the choir in singing some favourite carols, accompanied by the St. Paul’s pipe/digital three manual organ, one of the finest instruments in the region. Following the concert, everyone is welcome to join the choir for refreshments. There are no tickets or admission charge, but donations for the work of St. Paul’s will be accepted at the door. St. Paul’s is located at 25 Gore Street West in Perth <stpaulsperth.ca>.
If there is one thing Almonte District High School is known for, it is their sports. Almonte is a school full of talented athletes who are no stranger to taking home trophies for their efforts. Unbeknownst to many, it is also a school full of people with a knack for something else — the arts. ADHS is home to many talented and creative individuals, and I am proud to call myself one of them.
This year, I was graced with the privilege of being in an art class with the wonderful Ms. Natasha Charpentier, a woman who found her passion for the arts while visiting with her grandfather in New Zealand at the age of ten. Ms. Charpentier was contacted by the curator of the Almonte Public Library’s Corridor Gallery, Ingrid Kadoke, who asked if our class would be interested in displaying some art with the theme of “Winter in Mississippi Mills.” Of course, Ms. Charpentier agreed and promptly got our class on board.
When I heard about this opportunity, I was ecstatic. I have worked at the library for the past two-and-a-half years and have walked through the corridor gallery more times than I can count, admiring the works of art on display each time. To have my own art displayed is something special itself, but to be able to admire my classmates’ art each time I go into work for the next month is something remarkable. My lifelong friend, Hannah Brooks, is one of these classmates. She will be entering several paintings of winter scenery of nature in the Almonte area. Hannah has found a passion in the arts since joining Ms. Charpentier’s class, and says, “I barely knew how to draw last year; after two years (in this class) I’ve really grown my skills,” showing how important art classes are for creative individuals. Being in a class with Hannah is always a fun time, and this one is no exception, from her stealing my paint, to (in her words) watching her “creative juices flow.” Another friend of mine, Hunter Spinks, is submitting a gorgeous painting of two deer. Hunter has taken away a lot from this class as well. He says: “I like to express myself in my own way, I like the freedom to make what I want with the guidance of Ms. Charpentier.” My friend Karma Millar put this class into words perfectly: “It makes me feel capable, because I am able to make things.”
The testimonies of my classmates, and my own experience in this class, have truly shown what an amazing teacher Ms. Charpentier is, and how great being in art class is for the mind and soul. Ms. Charpentier has taught us so many new techniques. She is also incredible at giving us creative freedom, allowing us to express ourselves through our own unique styles. For me, art is an outlet. It allows me to release emotions and energy I have been holding in, that are dying to get out. When I create, the real world disappears, leaving me and my imagination to work together to create our own. Being in an art class with Ms. Charpentier, this state of mind is always encouraged.
Works by my classmates will be available to view at the Almonte Public Library’s Corridor Art Gallery starting on December fifth. I am also contributing several works, including a cozy painting of the inside of a home on a snowy day, as well as a couple of other drawings. I strongly advise everyone to drop by for a book and a look at the gallery!
On December 9 from 10am to 3pm, come and find beautiful handmade functional and decorative pottery at the Christmas Sale taking place at the Almonte Potters Guild, located at 95 Bridge Street.
One of participating artists is Larisa Wheeler, who was born and raised in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. She is an avid outdoors person who developed an interest in wildlife ecology early in life. She worked as a Conservation Technician for many years, studying the effects of pesticides on ponds and birds. Along the way, she garnered a B.Sc in Biology and Ecology from the University of Saskatchewan.
Larisa’s interest in pottery started in her university days and has continued wherever she has lived. Her work is handbuilt stoneware with carved, stamped and impressed decoration. She has combined her interest in pottery and wildlife ecology. Along with making birdhouses and feeders, Larisa is now creating mushroom planters. People are discovering the health benefits of mushrooms and the flavour they bring to their cooking.
Growing mushrooms is easy — they require a light spray of water once or twice a day, very little light, and will grow at room temperature. Harvesting takes place at 14–21 days. Larisa’s mushroom planters come complete with the mycelium spores in a growing block, all ready to grow. She grows hers on the kitchen counter.
Find works by Larisa and many other Guild potters at the Christmas Sale!
It’s the most wonderful time of year in the sleepy mountain town of Saddle Creek… that’s right, it’s the Winter Pretzel Festival! But with only days to go before the grand opening, an avalanche comes crashing down on the town. A young girl named Quinn decides to do something about it and discover what strange noises from the top of the mountain are causing wave after wave of snow to come down.
Can Quinn save the town? Will Mayor Lederhosen come up with a brilliant plan to save the festival? What is the secret ingredient in Quinn’s mom’s ultimate pretzel recipe (here’s a hint… it’s not paprika)?
This fabulous puppet show is coming our way at the Almonte Library on Sunday, December 17. This special show is brought to you by the Friends of the Mississippi Mills Public Library (FMMPL) in partnership with the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre (MMYC). Under the mentorship of puppet master Noreen Young, and directed by the play’s author and Project Coordinator at the MMYC, Joey Graff, this is a zany, fun, music-filled puppet show for children and their families.
Ava-Lunch is a snack-tastic snowfall tale for folks of all ages. With guidance by Noreen Young and Joey Graff, the youth at the MMYC are designing and presenting this full-scale, winter-themed puppet play. They are building the puppets from a foundation created by Noreen, who is also on hand to nurture each participant as they acquire and master their puppetry skills, bringing this play to life. Participants are learning all aspects of production, including puppet creation, manipulation, voicing original characters, blocking, set design, costuming, scheduling and front of house, as well as the technical roles of sound and lighting. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for these youth to learn from renowned puppeteer Noreen Young. This family-friendly show will be sure to entertain, so come prepared to laugh and sing along and to find out if Quinn will save the day.
Tickets are available by donation through Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434). All children must be accompanied by an adult.
All funds raised are in support of the Mississippi Mills Public Library. There are two shows on Sunday, December 17 — one at 2:30pm and one at 4pm — at the Almonte Library.
About the Creators
Noreen Young received an ACTRA award for Best Children’s Programme, is a member of the Order of Canada, and is the founder of Mississippi Mills’ Puppets Up! International Puppetry Festival. Noreen also created the award-winning TV series Under the Umbrella Tree (1986-1993).
The Mississippi Mills Youth Centre (MMYC) serves youth aged 10-18, offering drop-ins Monday through Thursday from 2:30–7:30pm and on Friday from 2:30–9pm. Structured programs in the arts, physical activity, science and life skills are available to youth during the critical hours when there may be limited access to other supports and services. MMYC provides free hygiene items, meals and snacks and homework help in a safe, inclusive and accessible space for local youth.
The Friends of the Mississippi Mills Public Library (FMMPL) is a fundraising group of dedicated volunteers that works to support and promote the services of the Library. Contact them at <friends@missmillslibrary.com> or visit <missmillslibrary.com/about/#Friends>.
It astounds me what Steve Marriner has accomplished and who he has performed with over the last decade! Since becoming a fixture of the Canadian blues scene with his JUNO and Maple Blues award-winning power trio MonkeyJunk, he set his sights on the stars and has reached them. A lively character with sharp wit and a hilarious personality, he sings from his feet, pulls out only the sweetest/dirtiest guitar licks, and blows harmonica like the best of them. He is blues rock legend Colin James’ touring sideman, he toured the world with blues/folk legend Harry Manx, he started his own production company called Marriner Custom Sounds, and he even got engaged and has a little one on the way soon! Needless to say, Steve is one busy guy.
I caught up with Steve in advance of his upcoming show on Friday, December 8 as part of the Blues at The Cove Series. Here’s what he had to say…
Steve! We have known each other since the inception of Blues on the Rideau Series (now Blues at The Cove) when then producer James Doran hired the young MonkeyJunk to blow the walls off The Cove. Please tell us something about MonkeyJunk that your fans might not know…
Steve Marriner: A few years ago, we met a vivacious blues fanatic from Brooklyn named Mark Stenzler who has a radio station called Blues Zeppelin out of Bern, Switzerland. He hired MonkeyJunk to play in a real zeppelin flying over Switzerland a few years ago. Then, you hired him to introduce MonkeyJunk at their 15th anniversary in Ottawa this summer.
Can you tell us what these types of relationships mean in terms of confidence and support when navigating the music industry?
Mark Stenzler is an entirely unique human being. While there are indeed other radio personalities and music supporters around the world, Mark’s love, enthusiasm and commitment to championing the musicians who create the music is unmatched.
Outside of our professional relationship, he has become a very close friend with whom I communicate on a nearly daily basis. We share ideas, stories, rough mixes of new music and generally support each other’s endeavours. He’s a great friend and I could spend this entire interview telling you tall tales of his greatness.
In our little corner of the music industry, relationships like these are the fabric of which the entire scene is woven. It’s very personal, it’s very familiar and it’s very supportive. Whether it’s artistic directors of music festivals, radio announcers, other musicians, agents, managers... we pretty much all know each other. Reputation counts for a lot in this business, and fostering positive relationships with the music community is key to success.
I had a blast recording with you recently at Jimmy Bowskill’s Ganaraska Recording Company in Cobourg, Ontario. We walked in and within minutes we were recording new arranged music! It felt so fresh and real. What makes that intangible situation at Ganaraska all tick?
There are several factors, I think. Firstly, Jimmy Bowskill is the most talented musician I’ve ever encountered. Apart from his flawless execution of ideas, it’s his ideas themselves and his passion for music and for bringing sounds to life in the studio that are the foundation of GRC’s ‘vibe.’ It doesn’t hurt that thanks to Jim, we’ve accumulated a treasure trove of vintage equipment that helps us to realize the sounds we hear in our heads. He and I share that passion and we work very well, and quickly, together. While we’re known to have fun and joke around, we take the work very seriously and are committed to giving the artists we record the best possible experience. Since we started up at GRC in September 2020, we’ve made roughly 40 records!
Colin James is one of Canada’s most familiar musical voices. You have been touring as his right-hand man for a few years now. What musical heights has this collaboration taken you to?
Playing with Colin has been an endlessly rewarding experience. It’s also been a very full-circle thing because I first met him when I was 13 in 1998. I was a big fan of his Little Big Band records, and he was headlining the Ottawa Bluesfest that year. I boldly marched up to him backstage and told him I was a good harmonica player and asked to sit in. He was taken aback and politely said “Maybe one day, kid.” That one day came in 2015 at Massey Hall in Toronto. Since then I’ve been recording on his records and touring around the world in his band. I’ve gotten to perform at several bucket list venues; Massey Hall in Toronto, The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Austin City Limits, The Troubadour in LA.
Colin’s fans are amazing! They sing their hearts out at every show and it’s a real blast to see and hear the crowd singing along at the top of their lungs. Musically, it’s outstanding. Colin’s singing and guitar playing are fire, so to simply get to hear him every show is a real treat. The band is full of ringers too, so when you’re surrounded by so much talent it makes you level up and stay sharp, which is always good. It’s largely been the same group of musicians in his band during my tenure and it’s kind of become a family. It makes the entire experience deeper when you travel all those miles with such close friends.
As mentioned above, you are recently engaged and about to welcome a lovely human into the world! What will change for you in the upcoming months, and are there plans for more Steve Marriner recordings in the near future?
Yes! Jacquie and I are thrilled to be expecting a little girl in March! Time has flown and we’re getting very excited for our daughter’s arrival.
Well, firstly I’m going to take some time off of touring so I can be home and settle in with my new family and enjoy fatherhood. I’m not entirely sure just yet how much time, but I expect a couple months. I really want to be around for the “firsts”. I should be able to still mix records and do some studio work at that time, but I won’t be touring until summer.
I have plans to make as many recordings as I can before baby time. This will give me something to spend what little energy I’ll have on when I’m home from the road.
My latest album came out in 2021 when there were no prospects of touring, so, I’m excited to get some new music out in the world!
Steve brings his incredible band (featuring Jimmy Bowskill of Sheepdogs and Blue Rodeo fame) to The Cove Inn on Friday, Dec. 8 starting at 7pm. Visit <coveinn.com> or call 273–3636 to reserve your tickets!
These days it is astonishingly, frustratingly difficult to make a living as a writer in Canada. Whether your book is published by a traditional publisher or you’ve decided to self-publish, it’s an extraordinarily tough go.
Even established writers in Canada are finding it a challenge to earn a living solely by writing books. Charlotte Gray wrote about this in an insightful article published this summer in The Globe and Mail titled “Canadian writers can’t afford to write non-fiction anymore — and that’s a problem for all of us.” Fact is, most career writers have other jobs. Many are professors or teachers, and most have other full-time jobs, or their partners do. And pretty much every writer in Canada applies for and counts on funding from arts granting bodies. Grants buy an author time to write, but they don’t ensure success. And there’s a lot of competition for those grants, and only so much money to go around. I would guess that there are fewer than twenty writers in Canada who make enough money from book sales alone to comfortably pay their bills, earn a living, and keep writing.
Life in the self-publishing world is far more difficult. Most self-published books, to be quite honest, sell to friends and family, and maybe a few stacks after that. Authors also have to promote their books themselves, which is a challenge. So is getting those books into bookstores, where shelf space is limited. Fortunately, most local independent bookstores stock titles by local authors — as a goodwill community gesture, but also because booksellers know how arduous and time-consuming it is to actually write and publish a book, so they’re happy to support local authors.
Buying books written by local authors is a wonderful way to support folks in your community who have worked very hard and are, quite likely, chasing a lifelong dream. Buying them from small local bookshops is even better, because the money remains in the community — helping to keep those important shops afloat, paying bookstore employees’ salaries, and earning a bit for the author as well.
It’s fair to say that buying a book by a local author at your favourite local indie bookstore is part of the solution. And some of these books are really good!
Since day one, theHumm has been all about supporting the arts in the community — and so this year I’ve had the privilege of reading some of those good books by local authors, and interviewing some of them as well. That’s been interesting and pleasurable.
Fearnoch, written by Dunrobin’s Jim McEwan, was one of the books we’ve featured, and I was happy to see that Jim’s book was a finalist for the 2023 Ottawa Book Awards in the fiction category. Fearnoch also earned a bronze medal at the 2023 IPPY Awards, which honour the year’s best independently published titles from around the world. Look for it at your local bookshop. Or ask your favourite bookseller to special order it for you — something they are happy to do.
Last month I interviewed author Alyssa Delle Palme about her début novel, Summer at Pine Lake. The book is a Young Adult Romance about an 18-year-old who, one summer at her family’s lakeside cottage, finds herself dealing with grief, a scandalous family secret, and the intricacies and delicacies of unrequited love. Summer at Pine Lake is available at The Book Nook and Sparks Books & Curios in Perth, White Pine Books in Arnprior, and Books on Beechwood in Ottawa.
One of the best books by a local author I read this year was Focus. Click. Wind. by Amanda West Lewis. No surprise, really, that was is an excellent novel. Lewis is an acclaimed, accomplished writer, and Focus. Click. Wind. is her ninth book. I had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda for the August issue of theHumm. The book is part thriller, part coming-of-age story, set in tumultuous times on the home front during the Vietnam War. It is captivating, smart, and stylish —a difficult story masterfully told. Focus. Click. Wind. is available at most every local bookshop, and if it’s sold-out and you’re reading this before December 10 or so, you can special order a copy locally and get it in time for the holidays.
Another book that came across my desk this year was John Fenik’s charming memoir Fox Tail: A Tale of a Canadian Timber Frame Retreat. The book tells the mostly joyful story of how John and his wife Laurie came to build a traditional off-the-grid timber frame cabin… during a global pandemic. Lots goes wrong, of course, but charmingly and amusingly so, and a lot goes well too — and John’s storytelling is funny, engaging and at times quite moving, so the book is a joy to read. Fox Tail should be available at indie bookshops throughout the Ottawa Valley. You can also order a book directly from the author by emailing him at <johnfenik@rideau.net>.
Because there are more local authors than months in a year, there are a few books that we received but weren’t able to write about.
One book by a local author actually got dropped off at my front door! It’s called The Icy Cross, and it was written by Peter Bisaillion of Smiths Falls. The book is told by Robert Seigneur, a man of faith and fame, and by those he loves and comes to know. It is set in the 1990s against the backdrop of the Quebec Referendum, biker gang warfare, and the move of the storied Montreal Canadiens from the Forum to the Molson Centre. It’s available through Indigo or Amazon.
John Edward Handforth is a Canadian writer, musician, traveler and former ESL teacher. He writes for radio, television, and print and is the author of four novels, including the acclaimed Niles Dreamer Trilogy. The Trilogy comprises Tripping Over Time, A Halo of Vultures, and Truesight — all of which are available from the author’s website <johnhandforth.com>. John lives in Almonte, and travels frequently to Asia and beyond.
And finally, Almonte author Michael Joseph recently dropped off a copy of his non-fiction book And There It Goes. Writing about dealing with his own major depressive disorder, Michael explains: “In writing this book I hope that other readers, who may suffer from a similar affliction, may find hope. It is my fervent desire to help others and help change their life for the better. I sincerely hope that you will take the next step and ask for help.” For more information, contact the author at <michaeljosephandthereitgoes@gmail.com>.
The new Carleton Place Gallery is growing again, thanks to a collaboration with Patrick John Mills, artist and owner of Renfrew’s Art Factory. The gallery now offers a wide variety of affordable art supplies at the new Carleton Place satellite Art Factory store located at 210/208 Bridge Street.
“Art supplies are the building blocks of creativity, and these days the post-Covid economy has changed what ‘affordable’ looks like to many artists,” says Colleen Gray, artist/gallerist at the CP Gallery.
Mills created Renfrew’s impressive Art Factory <liveloveartfactory.com> in an effort to get affordable art tools into the hands of a wide audience. He also needed a place that would serve as his own creative space. His is a fascinating story that began with a deeply spiritual connection to creativity and a wish to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, quality supplies. Having personally seen the power of art to invite healing into our lives, Patrick goes to impressive lengths to connect people with what they need to create. The Carleton Place Gallery owners have embraced this exciting collaboration and are now seeing the second phase of the gallery’s growth becoming a reality sooner than expected. If someone out there has a specific art supply request, the gallery can order it in from the main Art Factory location in Renfrew.
Along with the creation of the Art Factory satellite store, the Carleton Place Gallery offers professional art services such as photography, social media and advertising packages, print-ready file rendering for high quality printing, the use of a flatbed scanner, a 16”x16” light-box for photographing jewellery and carvings, a Lucinda drawing tool, casting/projection capabilities on a large wall, a clip-rail hanging system, and dimmable LED lighting. The space also has its own alarm system, giving artists private access to do their work when they want to do it. For anyone renting the space for a workshop or event, the gallerists are also able set up and manage the event ticket sales and social media.
For hosting events, the art gallery’s moveable walls allow event planners to change the space to suit their needs while ensuring an elegant backdrop of local art to enchant guests and promote artists. More features will be added in the weeks ahead, and both the art gallery and the work studio are available to rent with rental rates listed on the website. Anyone interested in booking the space can contact them at <carletonplacegallery@gmail.com> or sign up for notifications and news at <cpgallery.ca>.
There is power in the written word. It can move you, move your community, move your world.
Jenn Snider Cruise and Jessie Carson know this to be true and are building a dynamic mix of activities to enliven the space that words occupy — an ongoing festival of words — through their non-profit organization Almonte Readers & Writers (ARW).
And they know of what they speak, er, write. Both are creatives, which means they move in many directions at once as multi-taskers, as mothers, as writers and, in this case, as community builders — the community of words, that is.
Says Jenn, ARW Managing Director, “we’re hoping to create spaces where the magic of words happens from both angles” — the necessary interplay of readers and writers, “offering a social component as a means of engaging with each other.”
“We also recognize the importance of community and intimate spaces,” says Jesse as Creative Director of ARW, “to muster bravery, to lean on each other, love and create.”
And much thought has been put into the nature of impactful programming via ARW. The vision is to celebrate the literary arts, build connections between readers and writers, bolster skill-building and amplify a diverse array of local and visiting artistic voices. Programming will take place under three key components of activity: candid discussions through Delve; skills-development workshops through The Art of Writing; and in hands-on, monthly writing groups — all lifelines to the creative process.
Delve on December 7
The good news is you don’t have to wait long to test the literary waters. You’re invited to check out the very first event being planned to bring writers and readers together in Almonte through ARW programming. The inaugural event will take place at Ottawa Valley Coffee (OVC), located at 61 Mill Street, at 7pm on Thursday, December 7 (entry is by donation). OVC is a welcoming, intimate space that is rapidly becoming a hub of creative activity and seems just right for a candid sharing of the experience that words bring.
The evening is part of the Delve component of programming where you can meet and hear two authors, Leslie Rohonczy and Dina Bell-Laroche, both specialists and non-fiction writers. They will speak on the subjects of self-development, emotional intelligence, motivation and loss. The two writers will draw on their professional and personal experiences to delve into the transformative power of storytelling and the dynamic nature of human behaviour.
Leslie specializes in executive coaching, leadership development, and building high-performance teams. In March 2023, she released her book, Coaching Life: Navigating Life’s Most Common Coaching Topics.
Dina, author of Grief Unleashed: Moving from the Hole in Our Hearts to Whole-hearted, also released in 2023, takes her own ongoing experience with grief to inform her coaching methodology and life view — where becoming grief- and loss-literate expanded her capacity to live a life both deeply rewarding and meaningful.
What looks like a thought-provoking and timely event in a sometimes emotionally complicated season, is also evocative of the nature of anticipated creative community collaborations and partnerships to be had in the years ahead through ARW. Gratefully presented with funding through the Municipality of Mississippi Mills Neighbourhood Micro-Grant program, the event also welcomes Mill Street Books, and owner Ann Shea, as a keen advocate for all things literary. Ann will have copies of both authors’ books available for purchase that evening.
What’s not to love? Jenn and Jessie are a dynamic duo and definitely onto something with ARW. In fact, it seemed that literary planets were aligning while I was watching the 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize last month. Ian Williams, former prize recipient in 2019 for Reproduction and chair of the jury this year, said writers need to keep writing, and readers need to keep reading to “allow us to engage more deeply with the world.” Well then.
The world awaits, and you know you’re going to want to keep an eye on ARW as it evolves! In fact, early in the new year, keep an eye out the book swaps scheduled for January and February. More info is available at <almontereadersandwriters.org>, and don’t forget to join the mailing list.
You know the “old soldiers never die” thing about fading away? Well, it’s not fair. Any retirement should be celebrated. Some people will work diligently and quietly for many years, and when their term is up, they simply close the door behind them and that’s the last anyone ever hears of them. This often happens around year-end when everyone is excited about the holidays, and then BAM! Come January, we look for familiar faces and the shop is shuttered, the people gone.
Two of my favourite shops are closing. Judy Joannou wants to enjoy her retirement, as she well should, and Courtney Gibbs at The Silver Poodle will not be there in January either. They’re more than a business, they’re my friends. I know the only constant in life is change, but I find it harder to handle now.
Sometimes the reins get passed from a retiree to a new recruit, and life can proceed unimpeded. When that happens we’re definitely lucky.
“Stretch those arms!” Here comes the music we all know and love. For the past six years, we’ve been sweating it out at exercises classes twice a week. Our instructor, full of enthusiasm, puts us through our paces with humour, good music and empathy, since we’re all of “an age”. She has cared for us, and we for her. We’re all friends together.
“Take a sip of water…” Ruth Dubois had been conducting the Carebridge Strength & Balance classes since 2018. She needed an extensive university course on Senior Fitness, including practical and theory courses along with a mentorship and exams. Further, she had to update her certification annually, a rigorous refresher to learn new theory and exercises. Any activity looks easy when it is well thought out and exceptionally well done. “I could skate like that”… well, no, you really couldn’t without a whole lot of expertise and those 10,000 hours of practice! Ruth has put those in for our good health.
“Let’s go two steps over.” There were hitches over the years, from a cramped space to the lockdown, when it looked like the whole programme might disappear. But Ruth navigated the difficulties and we sailed on weekly. Masked, unmasked, whatever it took — there we were, relying on her.
Four days a week she was high stepping, lifting weights, and conscientiously monitoring all her charges, while also giving her “spare time” to hospice, her family, her grandkids and lawn bowling. She is a veritable fitness guru with biceps to prove it (just ask her grandsons!).
“Now swing your arms…” And here’s the best part: we have people recovering from all sorts of ailments and joint issues, staving off conditions, coming for social time, and every single one is increasing their capabilities. It’s music, mind and body, all in one. Our arms are flailing about, our feet are crossing back and forth, we’re tapping our toes and stretching our hamstrings, slapping our knees and gasping a little, but we’re all having fun, thanks to Ruth’s dedication.
“Let’s stir the soup.” Stand on one foot, raise your opposite arm, and pretend to stir the soup. Now if you can do that without tipping over, turn your head from left to right. And if you can do that, close your eyes. Yup, really hard, but we’re all getting better at it. Maybe it’ll prevent us from falling one day. Even when Ruth took an icy tumble, she worked through the obvious pain without complaint, warning us not to follow in her footsteps.
“Give yourselves a hug!” Every class ends with this gentle stretch that is comforting to each of us. So many seniors don’t get a hug, and even a self-hug feels good. We often feel like that hug goes around the whole class with Ruth in the middle.
Ruth is moving from the front of the group to the middle in December. She has recruited an excellent new instructor for us, and as Sylvie learns the ropes, Ruth will be there to guide her. It’s going to be hard for her to give up the reins, but we’re hoping she’ll discover the complete joy of being on the receiving end of the programme.
Our Strength & Balance programme would not have existed without Ruth’s guidance and dedication. She has worked tirelessly to make a significant difference to every one of us. For Christmas we’ll wrap up a halo for her commitment and dedication over so many years. We’ll give her angel wings too, as a testament to her being an angel to so many of us. And I think we’ll throw in a new water bottle for her too. No point in being dehydrated when we’re in exercise mode!
By Sandy Irvin
The Folkus Concert Series is looking forward to another great season. We’re pulling out all the stops to put on a great series for our audiences, and we’re happy to announce some very talented local artists who will be opening for our headliners. Music can be a priceless gift, whether for a loved one or for yourself, and catching such great talent close to home means shorter drives, no parking fees, and getting home to bed before midnight!
January 27 — Tom Wilson
We have had all the members of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings grace our stage individually; this is Tom Wilson’s first time on our stage since 2005. He’s bringing new songs, a new energy, and a new book. We’ve booked the Almonte in Concert piano for this show as well, so it should be an especially intimate evening.
February 24 — Nathan Sloniowski and Friends
Local artist Nathan Sloniowski dug deep for his latest project — The Lost Love Letter to a Small Town. This album brings a grace and perspective to small-town life that can only come with time. Written over lockdown and recorded with some crack musicians, the album features portraits of small-town heroes and hippies, artists and eccentrics, sinners and saviours, and draws on his upbringing near another stunning Ontario mill town, Elora. Based on early outings of some of these songs on local stages, we are in for a treat.
Opening for Nathan is local singer-songwriter Kentucky. A newly local and newly solo artist, Kentucky is developing a dedicated and growing following from a year-long residency at Ottawa Valley Coffee — Almonte. His first few songs and music videos have been released since August 2023 on his own Second Chance Music label, with more releases to come in each month leading up to the Folkus concert.
March 23 — The Once
The Once are one of Newfoundland’s most beloved exports, combining the rich voice of singer Geraldine Hollett with the harmonies and instruments of bandmates Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale. Celebrated for both their haunting originals and illuminating covers, The Once will fill the Almonte Old Town Hall to the rafters with what Amelia Curran calls “perfect vocal harmonies, thick enough to stand on.” Don’t wait around on these tickets — their last shows in the area sold out quickly!
Award-winning songwriter Christine Graves will be opening for the Once. After a busy hiatus as AD for Blue Skies, among other endeavours, we are delighted that Christine has returned to performing music herself. Her new release, Everyday Life, builds upon years of experience and revives her joy and belief in her gift of making music.
April 27 — The Moth Project
The Moth Project is an original multimedia production from GRAMMY-nominated and Ottawa-born musician Peter Kiesewalter (East Village Opera Company, Jane Siberry). Kiesewalter is joined by violinist Whitney La Grange in front of a large video screen for a set of their own songs and covers, including works by Joni Mitchell, KISS, and J.S. Bach. Weaving music, pictures and words seamlessly together, the Moth Project explores the mythology behind them and our modern ideas about them. Gorgeous imagery enhances and underscores the storytelling.
Interpretive naturalist Tobi Kiesewalter, of Murphy’s Point Provincial Park, will open the evening with a brief talk on the beauty and diversity of moths. His talk features mostly his own photographs of live moths from eastern Ontario, revealing the beauty hiding in our own backyards.
All Folkus shows are held at the Almonte Old Town Hall, in the Ron Caron Auditorium on the third floor. There’s an accessible elevator you can reach from the side entrance. Doors open at 7pm this year, and showtime will be at 7:30. There will be t-shirts and music at the merch table, and beverages, salty snacks and cookies at the bar. We have a Square for payment, but cash is never a bad idea.
Season’s Passes are available through our ticketing partner, Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434) and single tickets will be available on January 1. Please check <folkusalmonte.com> for any last-minute updates. We are looking forward to seeing you at our shows!
It’s been a heck of a year for the planet and its citizens. Just when everything is looking really bleak, the planet’s most admired activists and thinkers are speaking out about inspiring actions that are taking place on every continent. It’s so inspiring and hopeful! Locally the same is true.
Climate Network Lanark (CNL) is your local not-for-profit organization committed to helping the Lanark County community take concrete action on climate change through mitigation and adaptation measures. We work collaboratively with municipalities, residents, businesses, farmers and local organizations to build innovative solutions that will contribute to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in Lanark County in half by 2030.
To wrap up a big year of climate activism, we’d like to introduce you to some of the people behind the organization and explain what inspired them to get involved with CNL.
As your trusty scribe, I interact with these folks at CNL to work on our monthly Humm contribution. I have been so awed by the amount of time and energy these folks and so many other CNL volunteers give to the community. The amount of remarkable expertise they bring to this work is remarkable, and they all deserve a big end-of-the-year hug. Thanks for all you are doing, local climate heroes!
Sue Brandum, CNL Co-Founder: I love this place — this Earth — I really do. It’s extra-ordinary. So far we haven’t found another like it. I love the wildlife, I love the feeling of being humbled by nature, a feeling I recall from being a child canoeing in Algonquin Park. And I believe a group of people — like CNL’s 1,000 supporters — can make a real difference, and so far they’re proving me right!
Gord Harrison, Co-Founder: I’ve had a finger in a lot of CNL-pies, particularly Nature-Based Climate Solutions. For me the best antidote to climate anxiety — why I’m here — is finding common ground and building a community of activists (where each of us finds our sweet-spot of activism).
Scott Hortop, Board Chair: I am engaged as an active Board member and core team member from a conviction that I must carefully use my remaining days to give my grandchildren a fighting chance at the scope of life I have been given.
Corry McClure, General Manager: Having the opportunity to help advance CNL’s programs and support the amazing people aligns with my vision to create better working models now so that the next generation can enjoy a healthy, vibrant environment in the future.
Sadie Brule, Program Manager Climate Concierge: By taking an active role in aiding homeowners and small businesses through the process of retrofitting, Sadie hopes to help her community by educating them on the importance of becoming actively involved in preventing climate change.
Sophie Lamb, Sustainable Development Coordinator: Sophie wants to use her experience in the non-profit sector to further CNL’s vision of community engagement regarding climate change action.
Volunteers are a critical component of CNL’s activities and we are truly grateful for each and every person who steps forward to develop local action ideas and projects, to assist us with events like greening Stewart Park Festival or Carleton Place EarthFest, to organize and come out to climate rallies, to write stories for local media, social media and our newsletter, who assist us with developing critical strategic directions, and who raise funds that help us take action.
2023 has been a busy and dynamic year for us. After formally incorporating in February 2022, we had our first Annual General Meeting and welcomed nine board members: Janet Duncan, Sarah Hurman, Nancy Button, Doreen Donald, Paul Lehman, Steve Graham and Susan Berlin.
We successfully launched our Climate Concierge Pilot Program which assists homeowners with navigating the retrofitting and home GHG cutting process.
CNL brought the expertise from many volunteers to bear to help create the Lanark County 10-year Climate Action Plan. This is both a corporate plan for the County and a community plan for all of us that outlines the goals and strategies we will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; reduce the climate impact of our buildings, transportation, waste and land use; and provide opportunities for local climate action. We want to empower the community by providing resources to learn, improve and adapt to the climate crisis.
We continue to invite everyone to read or at least skim the plan, to find a place where you can help action the plan. We’re all in this together, with large or small actions. See the plan and the action tables at <lanarkcounty.ca/en/environmental-initiatives/climate.aspx>.
CNL is providing leadership in protecting and restoring wetlands for their sequestration and adaptation values by supporting planners and councillors to develop sound municipal policies, and supporting farmers — all in collaboration with Nature Canada, the Conservation Authorities, the County, and many local environmental partners and non-profits.
In 2024, CNL will have a new, interactive website to engage our community further and share important information, climate success stories and events.
Behind the scenes, CNL is working on a number of local issues including protecting the wetlands around Barbers Lake in Lanark Highlands and in other areas of the County, the subdivision proposal in Perth, promoting the use of electric heat pumps and net zero construction in new builds, contributing to lower-tier municipal climate plans, constraining the expansion of natural gas infrastructure, diverting waste from landfill at local events, promoting the adoption of Electric Vehicles and concomitant chargers, and working towards the development of public transit throughout Lanark County.
To do everything that we do, our basic requirement is staff. We have no office, no plans for an office; we all work from home. But to have staff, we require some funds. Fundraising for a small, dynamic, local non-profit is always a challenge, though we are very grateful to our funders to date, our local donors in particular and funders including Perth and District Community Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada, Gilgan Foundation, Lanark County, ecoPerth, Nature Canada, Gosling Foundation, and The A.C.C. Hub in Almonte.
As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Stir It Up Collective, in partnership with The Table, Lanark County Community Action Network and YAK Youth Services, will be hosting a presentation on Human Trafficking.
Wendy Gee, Executive Director of A New Day Youth and Adult Services and Chair of the Ottawa Coalition to End Human Trafficking, will be sharing information to help us understand how this insidious industry is able to flourish in Eastern Ontario: what it is, how it happens, and what individuals and communities can do to stay safe.
Join us for this free event at the Perth Public Library on Thursday, December 7 from 5–7pm. For more information, contact <info@stiritupcollective.ca>.
The Lanark County Genealogical Society will soon launch two new books titled Lanark County Routes Vol 3 East and Vol 4 West, offering a compelling collection of our county farm histories that are a must-read for local history enthusiasts.
To celebrate this achievement, the society is hosting a book launch party on December 9 at the Almonte Library. The event will be held from 1:30–4pm, and attendees will have the chance to purchase copies. At 2pm, Rose Mary Sarsfield, who headed the project, will give an overview of the books. For those who cannot attend, they can be purchased online at <lanarkgenealogy.com>.
These volumes are the continuation of the Society’s 2021 books Vol. 1 and 2, featuring the farm histories of the Eastern and Western Townships of Lanark County. Using the work of the Women’s Institutes from the 1960s and 1970s, these books provide updated histories of many of the farms and include brief histories of the families who owned them.
Volume 3 East contains information on 72 farms and an index of around 3,000 individuals, while Volume 4 West provides information on 94 farms and an index of approximately 2,800 individuals. Additionally, the books feature the 1890 Farmer’s Directory of each of the former townships, along with useful maps. They are hardcover and measure 12”x12”. The set is available for purchase at $130 or $65 per book.
After the launch, the books can be purchased locally. Please note that cash is the only accepted payment method at these locations: Impression Printing in Smiths Falls, Impression Printing in Perth, Lanark Era Office in Lanark, Wool Growers Livestock Supplies in Carleton Place, and Levi Home Hardware in Almonte.
The Merrickville Arts Guild (MAG) is holding its Christmas show and sale in the Merrickville Community Centre from 10am to 5pm on December 9 and 10. Over 25 artists will be displaying their wonderful creations just in time to purchase that unique Christmas gift. We are delighted to have two of our newest artists participating — Rachel Houlton and Shelly Leach. This year, MAG is holding a very interesting sale of art books as a fundraiser, featuring many rare books from the personal library of Pieter Doef — one of the original founders of MAG. We will also have a canteen on-site to offer pastries, sandwiches, coffee, tea and water.
As some know, MAG was fortunate to have been awarded an Ontario government grant from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility for an initiative titled “Bringing Our Community Together Through Art”. This allows us to offer free art classes in watercolours, acrylics, mixed media, sculpture, photography, print making and even poetry. The announcement of classes for registration is available at <MerrickvilleArtsGuild.eventbrite.com> and we hope to offer classes through to the end of March, 2024.
For additional information on all MAG projects, please contact MAG President Nick Previsich at <nprevisich@bell.net>.
A captivating force in the Celtic rock scene, Mudmen are celebrating an illustrious 25-year career marked by their distinctive blend of high-octane performances and infectious stage presence. Originating as “The Campbell Brothers” before catching the ear of EMI Records in 1993, the band underwent a transformation into the dynamic entity known today as “Mudmen.” The band is now comprised of members Robby & Sandy Campbell, Colin Amey, Andy Gingerich, Alex Showdra and Emmett Glancie.
Their musical resonance has extended far and wide, featured prominently in realms ranging from gaming platforms to NBC’s acclaimed series The Black Donnellys and the adrenaline-charged world of WWE Wrestling. With a resounding tally of over 3000 shows, Mudmen exemplify the notion that enjoying one’s craft can lead to extraordinary success. Their extensive journey has garnered them a litany of accolades, including appearances at Canada Walk of Fame Ceremonies and sharing stages with legendary acts such as ZZ Top and The Guess Who.
The Humm caught up with Robby Campbell in advance of their December 30 performance at Studio Theatre Perth to find out what audiences can expect.
The Humm: Congratulations on celebrating your 25th anniversary this year! Can you share some of the key moments and highlights that have defined your journey as Mudmen?
Robby Campbell: Thanks! Our 25 years have been quite the journey of highs, lows and a lot of false promises. We are actually writing a book with a DVD called 20-Plus Years in the Mud… which might turn into 30 plus years in the Mud. When Ron MacLean said on TV: “Mudmen, we love ’em” during the making of the new Hockey Night in Canada anthem, that was a defining career moment for us. Ron saved our career and gave us a second chance [after our label had dropped us] — we will never forget that.
The hockey community has helped us out more than the music industry ever has. Playing at the Oilers 84 Stanley reunion gala with Wayne Gretzky, the Flames/Oilers home opener and the Memorial Cups, we were able to rebuild a fan base. Meeting and performing for the Queen is definitely a moment that we will have for ever. Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy once told us he would like to have that accomplishment on his legendary résumé. I think that was the first time we ever really made our mom proud.
We have often had to play promoter, putting on the show ourselves, booking the hall and doing it all. Selling out nice halls is a great feeling — knowing we were building fans and proving the naysayers wrong. Like my brother Sandy says, it’s a nice feeling knowing we’re still around and that the record label that dropped us and said we were done is gone!
Your music has found its way into various forms of entertainment, from video games to television shows. How does it feel to see your music resonate with such diverse audiences, and what do you think sets your sound apart?
Having commercial success with our music is definitely a feather in our cap — reassurance that what we’re doing is worth doing. Hearing our music on TV, radio and video games makes everything worth it. I think our music is fun and positive, which helps builds a fan base from young to old. Listening to our music or Celtic music brings out several emotions. You will cry, laugh, dance, drink — it’s just fun, timeless music.
With a career spanning over 3000 shows, what’s the secret to keeping the energy and enthusiasm alive for each performance, and how do you connect with audiences of different ages and backgrounds?
Well, just being yourself keeps it real and very truthful. If you don’t believe in what you’re doing it will never resonate with the audience. We tell stories and adjust the set list according to the event and the audience. Playing theatres, you know you’re going to get a nice crowd that wants to hear the band and hear a few stories. If we’re playing a rowdy beer tent, we cut the talking and just giv’er. You have to wear several hats and play numerous types of events to be successful — that’s just the way it is.
The old saying goes “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. What has made Mudmen stronger over the past quarter-century?
We used to be roadies for big bands like Kid Rock, Barry Manilow, The Pointer Sisters, Burton Cummings, etc. We did a lot of jobs to pay the bills and survive. When our management & EMI Records paid us $25 a show we had to work as bouncers, grave diggers, construction workers —the dirty and the dangerous jobs. Working for a brick layer was where we got the name Mudmen (the person who carries the bricks and mixes the mud is a mudman, so we thought the name made sense).
When we roadied for Stompin’ Tom Connors, he gave us some great advice and a lot of warm beers. Tom said you can’t write about things you haven’t experienced, and he was right. You hear us write and sing about things we’re familiar with. Songs about knowing where we come from, knowing who our friends are, old plaid shirts, sporting a farmer’s tan, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, etc. If you want to describe Mudmen and our music in one word, it would be FUN!
Red Plaid Productions presents Mudmen at Studio Theatre Perth for one high-energy performance on Saturday, December 30 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available from Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434). Get yours today!
Sivarulrasa Gallery is delighted to partner with the Mississippi Mills Inclusion Project, a group of local residents, artists and business people working towards inclusion in our community! The Inclusion Project will host a “Multicultural Meet & Greet” event at the Gallery on Sunday, December 10 from 4–6pm.
Did you know that there are approximately 1000 people living in Mississippi Mills who are Indigenous or visible minorities? This was reflected in the 2021 Census data (Source: Statistics Canada, updated Sept-Oct 2022) and includes folks who reported being First Nations, Métis, Arab, Black, Chinese, Filipino, Latin American, South Asian and Southeast Asian. We want to meet you! Please join us for delightful snacks and non-alcoholic beverages from these Almonte businesses: Jessica’s Syrian Food, Canadian Café (spring rolls), and Pizzaria Unlimited (Bollywood pizza).
Admission is free and all are welcome to this family-friendly event at Sivarulrasa Gallery, located at 34 Mill Street in Almonte. For event information, please email <info@sivarulrasa.com>.
I have experienced the healing powers of nature first-hand. When I am stressed, overwhelmed or feeling at odds with the world, a walk in a forest or a quiet moment by a flowing stream, river or lake helps calm and centre me. I imagine that you share a similar appreciation for nature’s healing impact.
This year, your invaluable support helped the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT) protect a new 106-acre gem of a property. Blue Heron Wetlands is a sanctuary for hundreds of plant and animal species, including 16 species at risk. Combined with three adjoining properties also under our protection, MMLT has now safeguarded over 900 contiguous acres all flowing into the sensitive Innisville Wetland Complex.
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are grateful to you. Together, we have protected important, ecologically sensitive land on 11 properties, encompassing 3,128 acres, for all time. With your continued support we can protect even more.
Indigenous Elders remind us that we (humans) are part of nature. We are not separate from it. It is our disconnection with nature that contributes to the physical, mental and spiritual health crisis we are in. Finding ways to reconnect with nature and the spaces that allow us to do that has never been so important. MMLT is pleased that we can play a part in fostering that reconnection.
As we approach the end of the year, if you are able, a tax-deductible donation will help ensure that MMLT can continue to protect and steward land in this beautiful part of the world, where all species can thrive and where we can experience the healing effects of nature.
Thanks to the generosity of a couple of individuals, the first $10,000 in donations made before December 31 will be matched, doubling the impact of your donation. Please consider contributing what you can so we can make the most of this opportunity.
Visit <mmlt.ca> and click on the Donate button or call us at 253–2722 to contribute.
Best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and a healthy 2024.
P.S. Donating to MMLT is one of the most powerful actions you can take to help conserve biodiversity and counter the impacts of climate change.
Tattooing is a popular form of expression through appearance, emphasizing creativity, design, customization or symbolization on one’s skin permanently. Society’s view of tattoos has shifted a lot over the decades. Outdated judgement once saw tattooing as taboo and deviant, but now more than ever it is respected, valued, and seen as a beautiful form of art and expression. Almonte is a town that thrives in the art and creative expression scene, and Waxwing Tattoo Company fits right in.
I first met Waxwing artist Luke Colavecchia in Toronto during my undergrad. He did several of my tattoos, and I was so impressed by his range of styles, how well his art looked and healed on my skin, and the attention to detail. It turned out to be fate as we both moved to Almonte, me returning home and him starting a new chapter in a small town with his long-time friend Christian Awad, owner of Waxwing Tattoo Company.
You will find Waxwing at 44 Mill Street, right in the heart of town. It is the first main-street tattoo shop in this historic town, expressing the significance and demand for tattoo art. Waxwing has a diverse range of styles and an inclusive, clean, positive space with two amazing artists. Christian Awad and Luke Colavecchia are the two artists, and their collaboration started with Christian inviting Luke to come work with him in Almonte. Luke was living and working in Toronto before he came. Christian and Luke have known each other since they were eighteen years old, going to Sheridan College together, both Illustrator graduates. The bond between the two creates a very comfortable and friendly atmosphere in the shop.
Christian opened Waxwing in 2019, and expressed how much artistic talent and character is present in Almonte, and that Waxwing fits right in. “I wanted to create a little bit of a getaway for city clients to see what a slower pace of life could be, and how small businesses strongly support each other here,” he states. “We never wanted it to be a street shop vibe because that would change what Almonte is — we wanted it to be welcoming and friendly, enhancing what this town is.”
Christian has ten years in the tattoo industry, and he has traveled the globe tattooing while making connections along the way, constantly expanding his art and having eye-opening experiences. “There are artists that blow my mind every day, and traveling brought me a lot of opportunities to learn from people far beyond my reach, as well within my own city while growing up in Ottawa.” Almonte was a big attraction for him as he grew up in Ottawa, and he now raises a family in the area. “I love the slow vibe, and how like-minded and sharing the community is here.” Christian’s specialities are neotraditional and Japanese-style tattoos, scaling from medium to large, very talented and curated pieces like sleeves or backpieces.
Luke Colavecchia is an experienced tattoo artist with wide-ranging styles, who has seventeen years of tattooing experience. “I like that I have a variety of styles to offer as an artist, because I find it is becoming more common to only have one niche style in the tattoo industry,” he explains. Luke’s artistic styles range from realism to line work. He does remarkable cover-ups and offers many sizes and projects. He responds to what you are looking for and his work speaks for itself, in an impressive range of styles. “This job gives me a chance to meet new people, express my art through producing ideas and pieces for people, and I like the challenge of it,” he adds. He conveys how this job is an artistic outlet for his creativity and passion. He finds that the advantages of working here are obvious, compared to Toronto. “Everybody here has been extremely friendly, over Toronto especially — the atmospheres are very different.” Luke now lives in the area and has enjoyed the pace of life since coming from the big city.
These two artists make Waxwing what it is — a fun, inclusive, clean and very welcoming environment for everyone. Tattooing is a very popular, significant way to express art and meaning for many people, and the artists themselves make the experience what it is. Growing authentically has always been important to Christian and Luke, and they appreciate that this town has always prioritized the artistic community.
Getting tattooed is a memorable, fun, important and sometimes vulnerable experience, so by choosing Waxwing you will be in great hands. They do walk-ins quite often for people who are feeling spontaneous, along with flash pieces for quick inspirational ideas for customers. There are free consultations for custom pieces as well. To book, go to <waxwingtattoo.com> and fill out the appointment details. The rates and other information are also on their site. Follow the artists on social media to see even more of their art. On Instagram, you can find Christian at @christian_awad, and Luke at @luketattoos. The shop’s Instagram is @waxwingtattoo. Follow for quick updates, flash pieces, walk-in times, and any other things going on at the shop. Support local and choose Waxwing for your next piece of body art!
Four independent authors from across North America (Elisabeth Garner, Kimberly M. Ringer, Sarren Scribner and Tara Tappin) have created an event to connect writers and readers of all genres. Not only do these women have a love of storytelling, but also a desire to help underserved communities. Together, they are organizing The Grand Author Takeover. On February 23 and 24, 2024, this band of bards will take over The Grand Hotel in Carleton Place.
What started as a wild idea developed into a two-day international signing event featuring over a dozen authors, cover models and other bookish professionals. The Grand Author Takeover will allow attendees to meet with some of their favourite writers and support the charity First Book Canada, an organization that puts books into the hands of children.
As their charity of choice, First Book Canada: “Transforms the lives of children in need by making brand-new, high-quality books and resources affordable and available to the educators and kids who need them most.”
In conjunction with the event, a charity anthology titled Hear Me Out, whose proceeds will also go to First Book Canada, will be available for preorder online prior to the book signing, as well as being for sale at the venue.
For more information about the event, tickets, the authors and First Book Canada, please visit <thegrandauthortakeover.com>. Tickets are available at Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434).
Art… and Soul
Let There Be Light
Loos gets high on light. It is her inspiration. Her canvases glow with sunlight and moonlight and starlight, illuminating landscapes, waterscapes, cloudscapes and most frequently, treescapes. Her email address is <mary.paintstrees@gmail.com>.
Her paintings are, literally, testaments to her love and need of light. She is a sky watcher, both day and night. Her art provides a reliable bright spot in her life, a way to re-energize her spirits and cope with past sorrows and present concerns. Mary describes it as a dependable constant — just like the sun and the moon and the stars. When the sun is shining, Loos can usually be found outdoors, soaking up rays of happiness and storing them as fuel for inspiration and protection against sad or worrisome thoughts.
Even when the sun is behind the clouds she knows it is there. And she knows that when she picks up her brush to create a new painting, she can “paint her way out” of melancholic thoughts. It is a source of constant contentment and incentive to her that once she enters her well-lit studio with a beautiful view of the Rideau River landscape, she will “be in the zone” that creative people and athletes value so much. That flow state is described by Wikipedia as “a mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity...”
Don’t be S.A.D.
Her paintings are a great antidote for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Those big splashes of light and colour beat back the gloom of our long, cold winters for her viewers as well as for herself. When I talked to her she was just coming off an incredible high. A recent two-day workshop in oil painting with Kingston’s Michelle Reid resulted in one of life’s “aha!” moments. Loos began painting thirty years ago when her medium of choice was watercolour, and long-time fans still ask for watercolour paintings. When she felt she needed something new to challenge herself, she switched to acrylics, enjoying the new possibilities that medium offered. Her artworks became more vivid and focused on her celebration of light and colour.
I Can See Clearly Now
As the result of Reid’s workshop, Loos is now obsessed with the thrill of her newly-discovered medium. Her early results are truly spectacular. Many artists will recognize the feeling of exhilaration that comes from finally identifying their passion — the medium and/or subject that feeds their soul and immerses them in that addictive experience of effortless attention and the complete absorption in what one is doing. For Mary, the new medium is proving to be a real high. She strongly recommends participation in a workshop to stimulate creativity and present new challenges.
Going With the Flow…
…has been a lifelong activity for Loos. She grew up spending her summers on a small family island in the Thousand Islands near Gananoque. Her great-grandfather “Poppy” Tom Glover had purchased the island in 1928 for $450, and the island became known locally as Cunningham Island after her grandmother’s married name. Mary vividly recalls boating and driving to their summer home. Her father had purchased one of the German-made Amphicars marketed from 1961 to 1968, and ferried his four daughters in the amphibious vehicle across the short distance that they also were able to swim.
If light is Mary’s mainstay, water is her muse. As a teenager she joined the Gananoque Canoe Club as her father had in his youth, competing against Ottawa and Carleton Place in K-1, K-2, K-4 and War Canoe races. Today she finds inspiration by walking out the door of her stunning modern home and jumping into her kayak on the Rideau River near Merrickville. Light reflecting on water, sun breaking through the clouds, and night skies will never cease to awe and inspire her.
Loos remembers experiencing her first arts high at an easel in kindergarten, wearing a smock, and thinking, “This is it!” She became a celebrity at the age of eight when a reporter for the local Gananoque newspaper interviewed school kids to find out what they wanted for Christmas. Her reply was, “I want an Etch-a-Sketch because my mom doesn’t want me using all her paper.” Imagine her mother’s chagrin when neighbours started showing up to donate paper for the budding young artist.
Following her degree in sociology/anthropology at Carleton University, she earned her credentials in Early Childhood Development and worked with kids for years in HeadStart programs in Ottawa and Kingston. She continued her inordinate consumption of paper, and when her friend Lynne Kiel saw Mary’s watercolour art, she insisted that Mary put it on display at Lynne’s shop in the Ottawa Byward Market. Kiel is a silk painter and fashion designer <lynnekiel.com>, and she talked Mary into joining her at the “One of a Kind” show in Toronto. The logistics of transporting her watercolour paintings to Toronto led to Mary’s switch to acrylics and her continued celebration of light and colour.
Her marriage to Greg Loos, a member of Canada’s Air Force, led to many moves, which explains why art by Mary Loos is still available at a gallery in Yellowknife. There she grew to love the fantastic light displays of the night skies. She describes herself as a “big kid,” and thinks of the sky as a huge upgrade to her Etch-a-Sketch, where she can visualize an endless parade of imaginary creatures and scenes. Loos puts that childlike openness to good use in occasional workshops she conducts for kids at the Merrickville Library.
One of my all-time favourite mantras comes from American poet, author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou: “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” Mary Loos does a good job at living up to that marvelous code of behaviour with her uplifting celebrations of nature’s beauty. Some of her smaller works will be on display December 9 and 10 during the annual Merrickville Arts Guild Christmas Show & Sale at the Merrickville Community Centre, located at 106 Read Street <mag-artists.ca>. The back of her Artist Trading Card at the top of this page lists several local venues where her works can be found, and her coordinates if you would like to request a visit to her studio to see how her new medium is lighting up her rainbows.
Artist Trading Card
WHO Mary Loos
WHAT Painter in Acrylics and Oils
WHERE <maryloos.ca>; <instagram.com/maryloos-originals>; <mary.paintstrees@gmail.com>; 285–4748; Boathouse Café (Kemptville); Pickle & Myrrh, Fiona Macintyre Design, The Flower, The Yellow Canoe Café (Merrickville)
WHEN Dec. 9 & 10, 10am to 5pm, Merrickville Arts Guild Christmas Show & Sale at the Merrickville Community Centre, 106 Read St., <mag-artists.ca>
WHY “Painting is my way of bringing my inner world to my outer world.”
We are getting to the time of year when we bundle up in our heavy coats, mittens and hats. The reason is that the world is beginning to change to its cold, white days. But is it caused by winter, or the magic of the Snow Queen?
The Smiths Falls Community Theatre invites you to our winter production of The Snow Queen by Stuart Peterson, with music by Savourna Stevenson and by permission of the Dramatic Publishing Company.
This is the perfect family show, and we really would love to see lots of children in the audience! There are seven shows to choose from: December 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30pm, and December 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 2pm.
The cast and crew of this production have been working hard to create holiday magic. You will feel their energy as you meet the many amazing characters who flit in and out of the story. Based on the Hans Christian Anderson story (which is also what the movie Frozen was loosely based on), this production introduces you to that mythical Queen who wants to make the world icy cold for eternity. Will she succeed or will she be defeated? Maybe you’d like to help her — or help those who are trying to stop her in her tracks! We can’t do it alone. We need you to join us, and we especially need children, but we promise they will not end up in the Snow Queen’s clutches!
Tickets can be purchased in person at Special Greetings (8 Russell Street E in Smiths Falls) with cash, debit, credit or voucher. You can purchase them online at <smithsfallstheatre.com> with credit card or Paypal, or you can call 283–0300.
’Tis the time of year for small town holiday romantic comedies, and Almonte is the most beautiful setting for one such rom-com. Valley Players Almonte is bringing It Had To Be You to the Almonte Old Town Hall from December 7 to 10, just in time for a romantic date between the town’s 200th Anniversary parade and the holidays! The play is a lighthearted two-person rom-com, written by real-life married couple Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna, which has that warm and fuzzy feeling people are looking for in the winter season.
Similar to what makes Hallmark movies successful, It Had To Be You follows a similar algorithm of tropes throughout the play. While somewhat predictable, there is no denying that they make for a jolly holiday live theatre romp. Here are some highlights…
Snowed-in for the holidays: Theda Blau and Vito Pignoli meet at an audition and end up sharing a rare cab back to Theda’s apartment, where she convinces him to come inside. They become stranded in her apartment on a snowy Christmas Eve.
Wealthy versus broke: Theda, a failed actress, health food nut and would be playwright, wants to find love and success in New York. She is as flaky as they come and at the end of her rope. Vito is a macho but kind-hearted (and very successful) producer of television commercials.
Enemies to lovers: the trope of falling in love with someone who is the complete opposite is often overdone, but who doesn’t love a good love story? Especially when someone flighty and fun is trapped with someone who is grumbling and done. For reasons unveiled in the play, Theda holds Vito hostage in her apartment and somehow manages to convince him to become her partner both on and off the stage.
Fixing a long-lost relationship: there is definitely an emotional factor attached to the holiday season, when many people long for reunion and family togetherness. In It Had To Be You, Theda helps Vito reconnect with long-lost family members.
Second chance in life: nothing brings out good feelings like getting a second chance to have a great life. When it feels like the world isn’t on your side and you find an unexpected, authentic person who takes a chance on you, nothing pulls harder on an audience’s heartstrings!
It Had To Be You takes place on December 7, 8 and 9 at 7pm, and on December 9 and 10 at 2pm at the Old Almonte Town Hall. Tickets are available from Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434).
Union Hall’s Community Builders’ Craft Fair, held at the hall on November 4, was a big success. We and our partners were pleased with the enthusiastic crowds who came to get a head start on their Christmas shopping and learn about organizations working hard to make life better for people in our community. Over $1,600 was raised for local charities and non-profit organizations.
Union Hall’s crafters are now hard at work getting ready for the Almonte Farmers’ Market Christmas Market taking place on December 9. John has been in his workshop creating more hardwood cutting boards, and Linda is busily sewing aprons, yoga mat bags and other items from re-purposed fabric. One hundred percent of the proceeds from these sales goes directly to Union Hall’s Renovation Fund.
Did you know? The Union Hall Community Centre is a mainly self-sufficient charitable organization that receives financial support from Mississippi Mills and the Hub/Rebound. Before and after the AFM Christmas Market, Union Hall’s fabric crafts will be on display at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, which is helping to market our products year-round in their popular gift shop.
See you at the Almonte Farmers’ Market Christmas Market on Saturday, December 9 at upper hall of the John Levi Community Centre (Almonte arena), from 9am until 1pm.
Learning Again In Almonte invites you to look at your dinner in a whole new light with the upcoming course: Why Study Food? Changing the Environment and Society with the Food that We Eat.
Last year, Dr. Kelly Bronson from the University of Ottawa came to Learning Again in Almonte as a guest lecturer, and she brought the potentially dry subject of agricultural technology to life. Participants were so excited by this dynamic speaker that they asked, dare I say insisted, that we bring her back for a full course. We were delighted when she agreed to grace us with her enthusiasm and depth of knowledge in a course on the complex issues of food and its journey from farm to table.
Dr. Bronson uses a box of Corn Pops to illustrate this complexity. This seemingly innocuous breakfast cereal would not exist without “industrial agriculture”, which includes mass production and international transportation, among other things. Moreover, the industrialized and globalized food system that has evolved only since WWII is as much a result of American politics as technological ingenuity. Lastly, the demand for sugary cereals like Corn Pops is created by powerful companies that spend millions marketing processed food to vulnerable populations like children and the poor.
Historically we have taken our food and the processes around it for granted, but gradually a whole new awareness is emerging. Remember when a dinner party did not entail asking guests for a comprehensive list of food sensitivities; when our food was not available year-round but seasonally (and it tasted so much the better for it); when your grocery cart was not a political statement; when obesity and food-related illness was not straining our health care system to the limit? What has changed? Is it merely coincidental that these issues arose at the same time as industrialized agriculture became dominant, and is it avoidable or a necessary consequence of population demands?
Dr. Bronson will provide insight into the social, historical and economic forces that shape what and how you eat… bet you thought it was your decision! Lecture subjects include: Exploring power in the food system — a conversation about coffee and chocolate; Thinking twice about food and health — who’s responsible for the obesity epidemic; Green to gene “revolutions” — should we eat GMO’s; To meat or not to meat — is “green” meat a reliable alternative; and finally, How you can help build a sustainable food system.
The six-week course costs $89 and will take place on Tuesday afternoons from January 16 to February 20 from 1–3pm. To register and for further information please visit <learningagainalmonte.ca>.
On Saturday, December 16 from 10am to 4pm, join us for the much-anticipated annual Winter Celebration and Market at Brooke Valley School, located at 190 Seaborn Lane in Perth. We’re thrilled to invite everyone to a day filled with joy and community spirit, promising something special for everyone.
This festive event will feature an array of indoor and outdoor vendors offering collections of unique items. From locally crafted art, handmade garments and leather purses to locally sourced herbal teas, stunning handmade jewellery and maple syrup, there will be something to cater to every preference. Additionally, indulge in the cozy winter ambiance with offerings such as winter produce, locally sourced meat, freshly baked goods, preserves and much more.
As part of our commitment to fostering a vibrant community atmosphere, the market will host free crafting activities for all ages. And our young guests will find a dedicated children’s market offering reasonably priced items generously donated by supporters and volunteers. And don’t forget to be tempted by a selection of soups and chili, desserts and refreshments prepared by our dedicated parent volunteers.
Excitingly, this year we’re featuring locally grown and harvested Christmas trees and wreaths from a business owned by a previous Brooke Valley parent and local grower, Begins with Nature. To secure your Christmas tree, wreath, tourtiere, turkey pot pie or Christmas quiche, simply place your order by December 12 for convenient pickup during the market on December 17. Pre-orders can be made through <the-brooke-valley-school.square.site>.
At Brooke Valley School, we take pride in organizing events like these not just as fundraisers but as opportunities to unite neighbours, contribute to communal wellbeing, and share in the spirit of giving. For almost 50 years, the school has been humbled and grateful for the unwavering support and encouragement bestowed upon all of the parents, students and teachers.
Whether you’re stopping by for a quick lunch, perusing the vendor stalls, or simply basking in the warmth of the campfire, everyone is warmly welcomed. We’re a small school with a big heart, eagerly anticipating your presence this year.
Parents considering Brooke Valley for their child’s education or already on our interest list are encouraged to say hello to one of our volunteers during the market. You might spot them enthusiastically serving soup, assisting with crafts, tending the campfire or aiding young students in various activities. As a parent-run school everyone pitches in — it’s a community effort that reflects our school’s ethos.
Join us for a day of festivities, community bonding and joyful celebrations. Let’s make this year’s Winter Celebration and Market a memorable occasion for all!
For more information and inquiries, please visit <brookevalleyschool.weebly.com> or reach out to us directly.