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As I write this the snow is falling and temperatures are dropping, so our forests are getting a nice layer of insulation and future moisture for the coming maple season. It’s a busy time for maple farmers! We are pleased to report that our 2023 crop was average in quantity with excellent quality, despite a very warm February and a damaging ice storm in early April of 2023. Farming has risks, and we hope for stable weather patterns — not too warm, not too cold — throughout March and April, to provide another good maple season.
Fortune Farms is a demonstration forest that regularly hosts groups who are involved in agriculture, forestry and other businesses. Many people find it surprising how much forest management work we do to maintain a healthy and diverse sugar bush. For example, the pockets where trees were destroyed by the Derecho storm of 2022 were fully exposed to sunlight. This prompted a flush of growth of plant seeds which have been dormant in the soil and waiting for the right conditions to sprout. We saw some grasses and plants which usually occur in fields emerge, as well as shrubs such as raspberry and elderberry, and sun-loving white pine seedlings. These species will flourish until the forest canopy closes in and cuts off their sunlight.
Meanwhile, when the next maple seed crop occurs (every 3 to 7 years), thousands of maple seeds will germinate on the forest floor and a thick carpet of seedlings will start the re-growth of maple trees. This is a major ecological battle, as seedlings are established at a rate of 40,000 per acre, of which only 100 to 200 will survive to maturity in 100 years. With periodic thinning in these areas, we hope to maintain healthy trees and also encourage the growth of a diversity of species.
Another major factor in our forest is the arrival of the invasive beech bark disease, a forest insect and disease complex which has been advancing in North America over decades. The scale insects create openings in the bark, allowing the canker disease to infect the tree. The disease has developed quicky to the point that our large beech trees are all infected and are now dying. While this is very sad to see, there is nothing we can do about the disease, so we have begun to remove the dead and dying beech trees to reduce the hazard to ourselves and our pipeline systems.
As with the Derecho, the removal of beech trees is allowing more sunlight onto the forest floor, triggering plant growth and a new crop of trees. There are many young beech sprouting from the roots of the diseased trees as well. In time, let’s hope that beech develops resistance so that our forests will again contain large beech trees. In the fifty-one years that we have owned the farm, invasive insects and diseases have killed our elm, butternut, ash and now our beech trees. For those who visit the farm and walk the trails, you will see the results of 50 years of forest management work.
With the logging and clean-up from storms completed, we are preparing for the fast-approaching maple season. We started tapping our trees February 12th in anticipation of early sap flows expected in the last week of February and first week of March. It’s an exciting and busy time for our family, and we especially enjoy working together with our friends and sharing our farm and experiences with our customers.
Yes, a murder, but only on paper! The Friends of the Mississippi Mills Public Library are one step closer to the March 10th benefit performance of the one-act play Who Killed the Curator, written by Almonte author Kathleen Reichelt.
Featuring five well-known local actors, this comedy will transport the audience back to the days of vintage staged radio plays when it was a social occasion to watch a reading. Ms. Reichelt has assembled a dynamic cast including David Frisch, Jennifer Pfizer, Shannon Riley, Kathleen McCreary and Joey Graff, who are primed to make this a production par excellence. Characters writ large, snappy dialogue, and oh yes, that murder, are key elements of this delightfully absurd comedy.
Ms. Reichelt has written and produced more than two dozen plays since 1995. She has been the recipient of funding, awards and accolades for her work. Not only does she write, she is also the founder of Garage Theatre in Toronto, along with running a gallery there as well. Writing, performance and visual art have defined her artistic career, and presenting this play for the Friends of the Mississippi Mills Library is something she has aspired to do for a long time.
Sunday, March 10 at 2:30pm at the Almonte library will be your only chance to catch Ms. Reichelt’s unique show. Seating is limited, and tickets are $20, available from Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434).
Who Killed the Curator is a benefit for the Friends of the Mississippi Mills Library.
Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Almonte Celtfest Celidh featuring The Broken Bridges. The evening will start with a session at 6:30 and continue with sets starting at 8pm. The Broken Bridges is one of the rare groups that formed in 2020. Fern & Willow Marwood were a fiddle/banjo duo that turned trio by adding Graham Lindsey on guitar. They bring an energy to the stage that you’ll love!
The Ceilidh takes place on March 16 starting at 6:30pm at the Almonte Old Town Hall. Tickets are $25 plus fees from Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434).
Like a breath of fresh air, the Pakenham Maple Run Tour coming up on April 6 and 7 will refresh and energize after a long winter. A tour like no other, Maple Run is a unique blend of art, fine craft, interesting and heritage buildings and spectacular spring scenery. Art and fine craft are the roots of the tour, but the Maple Run venues are destinations all by themselves for their history, their architecture or their function. To top all that off, the tour takes place in maple syrup country, so a trip to a sugar bush can be part of your day out of the house. Following the entire tour route is easily done in a day, since the stops are open from 10am to 5pm. A car or bike will be a requirement, since the route covers about 40km. Maple Run, a self-guided free tour, truly offers something for everyone in the family.
A select group of artists and artisans from the local area, the Ottawa Valley and across Ontario will present a wide array of artistic expressions. So wide that our advice is to take a deep breath before you read this list aloud! There will be ceramics, wood carving and turning, jewellery, baking, leatherworking, landscape painting, watercolours, photography, weaving, felting, handmade soaps, miniature quilts, mosaics, fabric sculpture, paper art, children’s literature, basketry, honey products, clothing design, natural skin care, animal portraiture, textile designs, art glass and artistic blacksmithing.
Stop 1 is Farmgate Cider with its beautifully reconstructed heritage post and beam cider barn. Located just off the 417 at the Kinburn Side Road, Farmgate hosts the tour’s largest group of artists. Here you will find basketmaking, pottery, animal portraiture, natural skin care, watercolours, woodturning, garden sculptures and artistic blacksmithing. Cider tastings (cold or hot) are a must!
Back in the pretty heritage village of Pakenham with its unique stone bridge, a cluster of four stops will welcome you. Visit the charming Keepers Coffee Bar, located in the sunshine yellow house and offering eclectic upcycled tea cozies and hats from a local artisan, as well as coffee, pastries and snacks, vintage items and plants. Paddye Mann’s clothing design studio, in a heritage stone building, will give you a whole new look with custom clothing from this award-winning designer. The sunny and welcoming Pakenham branch of the Mississippi Mills Library hosts an Ottawa Valley landscape painter, a paper artist and a children’s book author. St. Andrew’s United Church, built of local stone in 1897 and featuring a rare sanctuary design, offers a perfect spot for a light lunch, as well as six artists presenting miniature quilts, weaving and felting, handmade soaps, artglass jewellery and fibre art.
Heading west from Pakenham, travel to the base of the Pakenham “Mountain” and visit a ceramic artist and a vibrant tie-dye artist at Cartwright Springs Brewery. While there, you can of course enjoy a tasting — the brewery is known for offering fine craft brews and even bottled maple sap — as well as pulled pork on a bun and wood-fired pizza.
The warm and entertaining Chris van Zanten studio offers demonstrations of the fiery art of glass making — an experience of colour and drama.
Visit the heritage Cedar Hill Schoolhouse while on the way back to Almonte or to Fulton’s Sugar Bush. Step back in time and visit this one-room schoolhouse which still retains its school maps, blackboards and bell. The Schoolhouse will host six artists presenting leatherworking, hand painted pottery, gemstone jewellery, baking, honey products and wildlife photography.
Information on the Maple Run Tour can be found at <mapleruntour.com>.
The great novelist Julian Barnes (winner of the 2011 Booker Prize) has said of art that it “belongs to everybody and nobody,” that it “belongs to all time and no time,” that it “belongs to those who create it and those who savour it,” and that it “is the whisper of history, heard above the noise of time.”
In this sense, creative expression is arguably at the heart of the human experience, of what it means to be human. If this is true, one would think a humane society would wish to ensure a secure, stable foundation for everyone to be healthy, to be able to flourish, and as a result be better able to fulfill their creative potential, in whatever way(s) such potential can be expressed.
In Canada, this goal is within reach. Across our land, conversations are being held, governments are taking notice, and new legislation is being considered about basic income — money distributed to eligible people regularly, reliably and without work or other requirement, and which, absent other income, should meet basic human needs.
More specifically, there is hope for the breakthrough of a basic income guarantee for working-age adults. Should this transpire, it would transform and modernize Canada’s social security system, away from inadequate, ineffective and stigmatizing forms of income support, and toward something that genuinely supports Article 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms: the right to life, liberty, and security of the person.
Basic income is a pillar of social security long overdue for tens of millions of Canadians, including for artists and creators who often experience a seasonality to their income. It is a financial floor to counter vulnerability to poverty and to help people better navigate challenging times and life transitions. As a floor of stability, it has much to offer anyone with a creative impulse who, due to financial precarity, can scarcely find time to create, and/or who may lack the resources to participate.
The good news is that Canada already has existing basic income-like programs. Prominent examples are the Canada Child Benefit for families with children under 18, and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for adults 65 and over. Each of these longstanding programs is income-tested, meaning that one’s total income determines whether one receives the basic income at all and, if so, how much the amount happens to be at a particular time.
Each program is well documented as to its beneficial impact on individuals, households and our larger society. The evidence is part of the ever-growing worldwide body of knowledge in favour of cash transfer programs. Simply put, as income rises and as people emerge from poverty or financial precarity, health, social and economic outcomes improve. Basic income is a means to help effect better outcomes.
Founded in 2023, Lanark Basic Income Network (LBIN) is a volunteer-driven non-profit striving to raise awareness and build understandings about basic income, and to secure political support for it. Our members, including accomplished and aspiring artists, live across Lanark County. We work closely with basic income colleagues from coast to coast to coast, and share with them the “high ambition” to secure, as soon as possible, a basic income guarantee for working-age adults.
For more details on basic income and on LBIN, please contact us at <lanarkbasicincome@gmail.com>. Our website will be up and running soon, we will have a table at the Mississippi Mills Community Open House at the John Levi Centre on March 28, as well as a booth at Maplefest in Perth on April 27!
A visionary project is taking root that will re-imagine affordable living in our community. The Linden Housing Co-operative is planning to develop an 80-unit eco-conscious, affordable housing complex behind Lanark Lodge on Christie Lake Road.
This initiative is born from the collaboration of passionate community members, including a small but dedicated Board of Directors, who are steering the project towards its goal. The proposed 4.5-acre site, currently owned by Lanark County, offers a unique setting that blends rural tranquility with easy access to Perth’s vibrant community. This strategic location ensures that future residents will also contribute to the local economy, with many residents potentially bolstering Perth’s workforce.
Linden Housing Co-operative aims to have its members comprised of a broad section of the community, combining the energy of young adults with the wisdom of seniors, along with all age groups in between. Housing options will range from one bedroom to multi-bedroom units appropriate for families. Linden is also collaborating with Algonquin College to ensure that several of its units are uniquely designed with its students in mind.
The catalyst for this ambitious project is the upcoming federal Co-operative Housing Development Program, which has earmarked nearly $2 billion in grants and loans to foster similar developments across Canada. To seize this opportunity, Linden Co-operative has launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund a critical feasibility study, the first step toward turning its vision into a reality. The study will lay the groundwork for accessing the federal funds needed to bring the co-operative to life.
Housing co-operatives offer at-cost housing controlled by members, rather than landlords. Members of a co-op are vital contributors to the governance and wellbeing of their living space. Each co-op is a legally incorporated association, adhering to internationally recognized co-operative principles tailored for housing. In a co-op, members collectively manage their housing. Members make crucial decisions about maintenance and management. The non-profit nature of co-ops ensures that any increases in housing charges are directly tied to operating costs. This model promotes long-term residence and deep community roots, as co-op properties are not subject to sale or turnovers.
Living in a co-op is about being part of a community, where each member’s voice matters. As voting members, they contribute to the governance of the co-op, helping to ensure that it remains a place where neighbours support each other and where housing remains affordable on a non-profit basis. This structure empowers members to elect and be a part of the board of directors, join a committee, participate in decision-making and have a long-term, stable living environment.
The Linden Housing Co-operative invites the community to join them in making history. By supporting the GoFundMe campaign, residents and businesses alike can play a part in shaping a future where affordable, sustainable housing through an empowering co-op model is a reality. This initiative represents an important step toward creating an inclusive, connected and environmentally responsible housing community.
For those interested in contributing to the GoFundMe campaign or learning more about the Linden Housing Co-operative, visit Linden’s website at <lindencoop.ca>. The GoFundMe page can be accessed from the website.
Last month, the Perth & District Community Foundation (PDCF) generously provided Linden with a $12,000 grant to assist with funding its feasibility study. With the assistance of PDCF and the broad support from the community, Linden is building a foundation for a thriving, sustainable community that will serve generations to come.
Are you a practicing artist or artisan interested in joining a dynamic tour with a long history of success? Consider joining the Crown and Pumpkin Studio Tour for the 28th annual Thanksgiving weekend event on October 12 and 13 in Almonte, Clayton and area.
Organizers have openings for new members who make professional-quality, innovative work. Does this sound like your practice? If “yes”, they want to see your creations. To apply, submit digital images of recent work, and include a brief artist’s statement. Work is judged on originality of expression, concept, and quality of execution. Applications are welcome now; the deadline for submissions is May 15. Please send your application, including photos and a link to your website or Facebook page to <barbara.mullally@gmail.com>. For more information, please call 256–3647.
Spring is the season of creation, and to celebrate, the West Carleton Arts Society (WCAS) is once again presenting its Spring Fling Art Show at the Kanata Civic Art Gallery, located at 2500 Campeau Road. The Spring Fling takes place from March 4–17, and will feature works by local artists in a range of media.
“This show offers original works of art and is always a fun event,” says Derrick Hewitt, WCAS Shows Director. “You’ll find watercolour, oil and acrylic paintings, Tufting, photography and mixed-media works. We will be presenting some 63 pieces of juried art that can be viewed and purchased at the show.”
A three-member jury, independent of WCAS, reviewed all submissions and provided scoring results which determined entrance into the show.
“We are thrilled that we can once again have a physical show at the Kanata Civic Art Gallery,” adds Hewitt. “It’s a great opportunity to view these amazing artworks and support local artists and artisans.”
For more information about this and other WCAS events, please visit <westcarletonartssociety.ca>.
On April 20 at 3pm, Classic Troubadours Live presents the greatest songs by James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne & Carole King… all in one unforgettable show!
Award-winning singer-songwriter Jacob Moon brings you a dynamic ensemble of incredible singers and musicians paying homage to these four icons. Join them as they dig into the catalogues of some of the most influential artists of their lifetime, including hits like Fire and Rain, Running on Empty, Big Yellow Taxi, You’ve Got a Friend and more!
Jacob Moon has released twelve albums of his own music and performed for RUSH and Gordon Lightfoot. He presented this show last spring in two sold-out performances at the Westdale Theatre, to a rapturous response, and is delighted to be bringing it to Studio Theatre Perth. Singer Alex Whorms has released two CDs under her own imprint, and scores for film and television. Singer Ashley St. Pierre has been a sought-after jazz chanteuse for years and brings her incredible musicality to bear on songs by Joni and Carole. Drummer Rob “Beatdown” Brown has hundreds of thousands of followers on YouTube and has rubbed shoulders with the greatest drummers of all time. Bassist Mark McIntyre plays for David Wilcox, Danny Michel and Dean Brody.
Don’t miss your chance to see this incredible show! Tickets are available at Eventbrite.
Once again, the Mississippi Mills Film Society is pulling out all the stops with a moving drama of friendship and philosophy to be screened on Sunday, March 24. The Eight Mountains is beautifully set in the Italian Alps, a perfect backdrop for the story of two lives intertwining from Italy to Nepal and back. This film débuted in Cannes in 2022, and has since won many awards at several international film festivals.
It explores the delicate relationship of two childhood friends as they navigate their way to meaningful adulthood. The Buddhist philosophy of eight concentric circles of mountains with seas in between reflects their journey to find meaning in their lives, which have taken different turns as they grew up, and ultimately find each other again.
The Film Society has done an excellent job of finding movies to appeal to a wide audience, and this is no exception. Tickets, $15, are available through Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434). The movie will be shown on Sunday, March 24 at 2pm at St. Andrew’s United Church in Pakenham. There is ample parking and accessibility. The Film Society is pleased to support the library through the showing of these first-rate movies.
This past February, Christine Row, CEO of Mississippi Mills Public Library (MMPL) received the 2024 W.J. Robertson Medallion for Public Librarian of the Year! With much excitement and thanks, Row accepted the medallion at the Public Library Awards Gala held in Toronto.
Awarded to a public librarian who demonstrates outstanding leadership, this provincial award recognizes and honours significant top contributions to the library profession. In her acceptance speech, Row described how libraries emerged as essential community hubs after facing the challenges of the Covid years.
Row explained, “When it became apparent in Mississippi Mills that children were experiencing significant learning loss through the closures, teachers reached out to us for help. Seniors flocked to the library looking to connect online with loved ones. The library continues to be where people come to keep warm and cool, to learn and to connect. It’s a place that builds community, combats loneliness and celebrates every person.”
At the same awards gala, MMPL received the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence for spearheading the Lanark County Libraries’ Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program for youth aged 8 to 17. In November 2023, Row was awarded the 2023 Lanark County Award of Excellence for the Lanark Libraries STEM program, and now this innovative and collaborative program has been recognized provincially. Thanks to funding from the Elizabeth Kelly Foundation and Lanark County, the STEM workshops will run again in all Lanark County libraries throughout the summer of 2024.
Finally, MMPL received its latest Provincial Certificate of Accreditation — as one of only 36 libraries to meet the conditions set by the Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council. Ontario has approximately 260 public libraries and so this certificate is a significant achievement. MMPL has twice met and exceeded the guidelines.
The Mississippi Mills Public Library has branches in both Almonte and Pakenham. The library’s website, catalogue and current programs are available at <missmillslibrary.com>. The library’s mission is “to inspire lifelong learning, provide equitable access to information, advance knowledge and strengthen our community.” Find more information by following them on Facebook or subscribing to their e-newsletter!
There’s one week in December when the days feel like they’re five minutes long. You wake in the dark, you eat dinner in the dark. It’s cold and grey and bleak, and your car won’t start. You wish you were a bear — hibernating. Every year, that’s right about that time I get thinking about spring. I’ll look up the day the clocks spring forward, and note the time when the sun will set that day. Invariably, this cheers me up a little. A little.
But now that it’s March — well, if you’re anything like me, you’re absolutely thrilled!
Officially, March 19th marks the first day of spring. That’s a Tuesday, which is sort of perfect, really, since Tuesday’s the day bookshops put out new titles — and there are oodles of new books coming out this spring to be excited about.
At the top of my list for March is Carleigh Baker’s Last Woman, a collection of fifteen short stories that are “inventive, a little weird, and very, very cool.” Greenwood author Michael Christie called Last Woman (McClelland & Stewart) “a knockout … I gulped these pages in one sitting,” he wrote, “but their insights will linger for years to come.” The cover art for this bold, beguiling collection — in bookstores on March 5 — will knock your socks off too.
Out the same day is Helen Oyeyemi’s joyous new offering, Parasol Against the Axe. The novel, Oyeyemi’s eleventh, is set in Prague and takes place during a weekend hen party involving a book whose text changes every time it’s opened. The Nigerian-born writer Irenosen Okojie calls Parasol Against the Axe (Hamish Hamilton) “A terrific mercurial work,” noting that “Oyeyemi has mastered the art of bold, expansive storytelling.” The cover design is trippy and striking as well.
The most anticipated collection of poems out this Spring might be A Year of Last Things, Michael Ondaajte’s long-awaited return to his poetic roots. Ondaajte, Man Booker Prize winner and one of the world’s most celebrated novelists, rewards with a “gorgeously surprising” and glittering collection of poems that reflect the intimate, emotional history of a writer, traveller and watcher of the world. A Year of Last Things (McClelland & Stewart) hits bookstore shelves on March 19.
Every year, Canada’s independent book publishers produce some of the finest titles you’ll find in bookshops. This year is no exception. Trouble is, these titles tend not to get a lot of hype or advertising. First-rate indie booksellers will often direct you to these great books. But most of them — unless they are nominated for a major literary award — go unheralded. Discerning readers would be wise to browse indie publishers’ websites. Check out their spring catalogues and you’ll discover plenty of fantastic titles.
One that’s on my radar is Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s novel Your Absence is Darkness (Biblioasis). Stefánsson is one of Iceland’s most beloved authors. Your Absence is Darkness (translated by Philip Roughton) is a heart-wrenching, hypnotic family saga that’s been praised enthusiastically for its extraordinary imagery, lyrical prose and superb storytelling. Your Absence is Darkness was selected by booksellers as a March Indie Next pick. You’ll find it in bookshops on March 6.
Another indie release I’m eagerly awaiting is Blue Notes (Book*hug) by Anne Cathrine Bomann (translated by Caroline Waight.) Billed as a literary medical thriller about loss, empathy, Big Pharma and societal norms, it has been described as “a captivating novel about grief, science and love.” Blue Notes should actually be in bookstores now. If in doubt, ask your local bookseller. I’m also told that Norma (Invisible), a novel about “widowhood and weirdos” by Sarah Mintz, might just be one the sleeper hits of the season — sure to please, surprise, disturb and titillate. “So dark it smarts,” they say. I can’t wait. The publication date for Norma is April 14.
Another absolute gem on my list is Threshold (Nimbus), a short story collection by the critically acclaimed, award-winning Nova Scotia author Carol Bruneau. The stories in Threshold explore the hypocrisies and contradictions of a world broken by racism, homelessness and climate change. Leo McKay Jr., the Giller Prize-shortlisted author of Like This, calls Bruneau’s latest “admirable and inspiring … a work of great power and insight.” Threshold’s publication date is April 30.
Maggie Nelson, Salman Rushdie and Amor Towles also have books out in April.
The beloved author of Bluets and The Argonauts, Nelson returns with Like Love: Essays and Conversations (McClelland & Stewart), a career-spanning collection of inspiring, revelrous essays about art and artists.
Towles, the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Civility, is back with Table for Two (Viking), a richly detailed and sharply drawn collection of short stories, including a novella featuring one of his most beloved characters.
Salman Rushdie’s Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder (Knopf Canada) might be the season’s most intriguing book. Answering violence with art, Rushdie offers a deeply personal account of surviving the savage attempt on his life nearly two summers ago. Knife is said to be a life-affirming meditation on life, loss, love, art and resilience.
May’s notable releases include new fiction from Claire Messud, Joyce Carol Oates and Colm Tóibín.
A book that’s absolutely sure to appeal to readers in the Ottawa Valley is Unrest (Random House) by Gwen Tuinman. Tuinman is already being hailed as “a major new talent in historical fiction.” The book is set in 1836 Bytown — a “lawless cesspool” in which “brash, duplicitous women, murder and mayhem, and illicit love abound.” Alix Hawley, author of My Name is a Knife, says “Unrest is a great adventure and an impressive portrait of little-known settler life around Ottawa. Its characters will live on in your mind.” You may wish to pre-order this one. It’s out on May 7.
Delightfully, Mill Street Books has just announced their first Author Event of 2024 — on March 14 at the Almonte Library, the incomparable Helen Humphreys will be reading from her moving new novel Followed by the Lark. Space is limited, so registration is required at <missmillslibrary.com>. You do not want to miss this. Followed by the Lark is a book to be treasured.
For the expert advice of local booksellers, please don’t hesitate to call Ann at Mill Street Books in Almonte (256–9090), Leslie Wallack at The Book Nook in Perth (267–2350), Peter and Heidi at Spark books & curios in Perth (466–0555), Kerri Edwards at Arlie’s Books in Smiths Falls (283–0116), or the folks at White Pine Books in Arnprior (623–8800).
JUNO award-winning folk musician James Keelaghan has captivated audiences for decades with his soul-stirring lyrics and melodies rooted in the rich tapestry of Canadian history and culture. With his latest album Second Hand garnering critical acclaim and a 2024 JUNO nomination in the traditional folk category, he continues to showcase his exceptional talent and dedication to preserving and evolving the folk music tradition. Keelaghan will be performing a concert at St. Paul’s United Church in Perth as a pre-JUNO send-off celebration on March 21, so theHumm reached out to him to find out more about his inspiration, creative process, and connection to Perth.theHumm: Congratulations on the nomination for Second Hand! What was your initial reaction upon hearing the news, and how does it feel to receive this recognition for your work?
James Keelaghan: I was actually surprised. We released the CD in September 2022 and when the nominations came out last year, I just assumed we didn’t get the nod. Turns out the deadline was September 1, 2022 for that year so my record company submitted it for this year’s awards and I didn’t know!
Collaboration is a significant part of this new record. Can you describe what the process was like, and how other musicians contributed to its overall sound and message?
Several collaborations came out of the Celtic Colours Songwriter’s house during the 2019 Celtic Colours festival in Cape Breton. The writer’s house is a very intense experience, but I love writing under pressure, and my collaborators, The Small Glories, Catherine McLellan and Dave Gunning, are great to work with. The musicians that played on the CD are also integral to the process and I was glad we decided to actually go into a studio to do it rather than trying it remotely — we were just at the tail end of Covid. The music is always better when we are in the same room at the same time.
Your music often reflects a deep connection to Canadian history and culture. How do you balance honoring tradition while also infusing your work with contemporary relevance?
I think the stories, especially on this CD, are about more contemporary things. The way I tend to tell them is tradition in terms of the instrumentation, the form of the song and so forth.
As a seasoned performer, how do you approach translating the intimacy of your recordings into live performances? Do you find that your songs take on new meaning or resonance in a live setting?
Songs are always different when played in front of audiences. There’s a conversation that goes on between a performer and audience, and an exchange of energy. Their reactions fuel your performance. Playing the songs over several concerts also leads you to a deeper understanding of your own work. You may go in thinking you know what the reaction to a song is, or which songs are going to get the biggest reactions, but I’m always surprised. Audiences in different places may react differently to the same song. I spend a lot of time puzzling that out, but always note it for future reference.
You have been the Artistic Director of Perth’s Stewart Park Festival for the past several years. What’s your take on the current state of folk music in Canada, and what do you see as its future trajectory?
I think there are more amazing performers than I have ever seen. There’s lots of innovation, cross-cultural pollination, and just sheer excellence than ever before. But the music industry has been battered from the Covid restrictions, by the devastating effects of streaming on musicians’ bottom lines, and by the mind-numbing increase in the cost of touring. For an artist like me who has a fan base that’s been with me for decades it’s one thing, but I really feel for the younger performers trying to find their way.
James will be performing a concert at St. Paul’s United Church in Perth as a pre-JUNO send-off celebration on Thursday, March 21. Tickets are $30 plus HST and fees from Tickets Please (Tickets-Please.ca, 485–6434).
What to do with that old quilt? It’s been in the upstairs trunk for years. Get rid of it? Hang on to it?
What’s the story behind it, anyway? Did Grandpa make it, or Mom? It was probably Mom…
For Olive Pheby Johnston, back in the day quilting was a necessity; the quilts she made kept her seven children warm throughout many cold Ontario winters.
But it was not just having babies and quilting that kept her vibrant and active into her old age (she lived from 1890 to 1971); during much of her “other” time over those 81 years she milked cows, gardened, canned, mended clothes, darned socks, and midwifed at more than 50 births.
Find her Pinwheel Block pattern quilt in a brand-new book on quilting just released by the Kemptville Quilters’ Guild partnering with the North Grenville Historical Society, and funded by a grant from North Grenville Community.
Authors and compilers of the book — Nancy Grundy, Teresa Harrison and Donna Saddler — chose a brilliant red Flying Geese quilt (made in 1858) for the front cover and peppered the back with old pictures of many of the quilters; the 135-page, spiral-bound book containing 127 quilts is available at the North Grenville Historical Society on Prescott Street in Kemptville.
Olive’s quilt was likely made between 1900 and 1930, probably over the 100-year mark in age now. Another featured quilt has a much newer history — made for the millennium.
Eleanor O’Neill found 2000 different prints, cut out a 2½” coloured block from each print, and pulled together her quilt after retiring from teaching at Holy Cross School in Kemptville.
An even newer one was made by Ann Charter — a Covid quilt stitched between 2020 and 2021, to keep her sane.
Quilts were made for lots of reasons, often to keep memories alive. Doreen O’Sullivan received a special quilt when she graduated from the Ottawa Civic Hospital School of Nursing in 1972; it was hand quilted in a Bow-Tie pattern, with a prairie point border, and made from student nursing uniforms.
Shelley Robertson remembers her grandmother reaching for sugar mints from the pockets of her aprons while cooking… and then sneaking them to her. Shelley has a quilt with large capital “S”s on it made of those aprons.
Marion Jordan made a racing quilt to honour her husband’s 200 races. It was inspired by advertisements in a race kit at the Boston Marathon. Logos of race shirts were cut out, machine edge stitched, then hand stitched together using blanket stitch. The edging was made from medal ribbons, and the hanging loops from race ribbons.
Information in Quilts of North Grenville and Area 2023 was collected from the quilt owners. Many of the quilts are categorized as thin and well-used; others, in pristine condition. Some have never been washed — kept in trunks over the years as treasured keepsakes.
Winter quilts were often made of heavy material like wool and flannel, or sample pieces of “suiting” picked up (for example) from the owner of Derbyshire’s Clothing in Merrickville.
Some were hand quilted, others machine stitched, some both; some are tied, some with tied ends on top. Some were finished with sawtooth edging, others with a square or scalloped edge, or prairie points. Some were decorated with hand embroidery, others with French knots, crewel work, or appliquéd.
Probably the best thing (especially for kids sleeping under the quilts) are the funny, descriptive names: Crazy Quilts, Log Cabin, Drunkard’s Path, Broken Star, Monkey Wrench, Four Winds, Celtic Knot.
And quilts, of course, are made for many reasons: sentiment, memories, passing from generation to generation, a needed warmth, to teach a skill, to keep fingers nimble, to get through chemo treatment, to be used at nursing homes, for tradition. Or, just as art… a quilt of your own design.
Jill Benger has one especially treasured memory. She remembers a particular quilt being on the daybed in their kitchen where the men would rest when they returned from daily farming chores. Her Dad’s mother made it.
The book can be picked up for $25 at the North Grenville Historical Society, 148 Prescott Street in Kemptville. For more information you can email <nghsociety@gmail.com> or call 258-4401.
So when contemplating what to do with that old quilt, do some research, look at the stitching, the material, feel the thickness (or thinness), ask your family about it.
And when you’ve done that, take it to the next Quilt Documentation session taking place from May 1–3. May 1 is for education purposes, and 2 and 3 are for the documentation.
Remember — every quilt has a story.
Leather goods that are locally made, durable, variable in style and distinctly unique are a rare and valuable find. I cannot recall how many times I have looked for the right wallet, a good quality dog collar, or simple goods that improve the look of things. It doesn’t feel right to settle for a product like a wallet, when I know pulling it out is like a statement; you want to feel good about the things you own. I really value quality products that are locally made, so I was excited to discover Humphrey Leatherworks right here in Clayton. They create quality, classic, handmade leather products that will leave you receiving compliments and wanting more.
Owner Shawn Humphrey is passionate about this business that represents durability, class, Clayton roots and timeless style. This company sure impressed me, and piqued my interest when I saw their stand at the Christmas in the Valley Artisan Show last fall. I knew the second I saw one of the wallets that I was sold.
Turning Passion and Talentinto a Business
Shawn Humphrey is a Clayton-raised local who launched Humphrey Leatherworks in 2021. Leatherworking has been his hobby since 2008, and he kept it up while living in Ottawa doing his undergrad at Carleton, majoring in history. When the pandemic hit he moved back to Clayton, where he put in the work to start Humphrey Leatherworks. Trial and error and self-taught talent is how he has achieved his success, designing and creating products whose style can be described as “everyday carry”. They include belts, dog collars, coasters, lighter cases, wallets, keychains, leather balm and more, with possible light customization available; all from his home workshop. The belts and collars have an accurate measuring system you can find on his website at <humphreyleatherworks.ca>.
Having grown up on a red pine plantation, Shawn’s business logo is a pinecone that holds significant meaning for him. With plans to expand his product line in the very near future, he also intends to expand his collection of tools and equipment to improve production time — resulting from the great bloom and success of his business.
Humphrey Leatherworks products are made from buffalo or cow hide leather sourced from top North American suppliers that have been around for over a century. Shawn hand-dyes the leather himself using oil dyes. The logo is brass stamped and custom-made from California, as Shawn prioritizes quality before anything for Humphrey Leatherworks. A lot of hard work and research has gone into these products — and it shows!
Local Roots
“There is a lot of thriving, up-and-coming entrepreneurship in the communities around here, and the local businesses have been very supportive,” Humphrey says as he expresses the importance of the local foundation to his business. “Re-establishing relationships after moving back to Clayton, word of mouth, and getting to know more people who stay involved in the community has built strong support,” he adds, “like going to get the mail every day at the Clayton general store, [which is] is like the hub.”
Shawn wanted his roots and core values to be reflected in the names of his products, their design, and the reason behind them. Some product names give a nod to the British Commonwealth, and he will be naming some soon-to-be launched products after military equipment. He had family in World War II, which contributed to his interest in history, and any of the names he chooses mean something to him. Representing his roots and core values as the foundation of Humphrey Leatherworks is his first priority, and something that will never change, he says. “Local flavour and connection isn’t ever going anywhere.”
Humphrey creates these leather goods to meet his own high standards. “I like nice looking, well-built things with quality, but [also] something that I am also not afraid to use. I am a bit of a perfectionist, and I wouldn’t design something that I wouldn’t use myself or that isn’t up to my own standards.” The products are also targeted for anyone and any age, as there are many styles that would suit a variety of tastes. He wants Humphrey Leatherworks to be synonymous with practical, durable, aesthetically pleasing everyday products.
What more could one ask for? Represent Lanark and the County’s natural roots, and feel good about using these eye-catching, high-quality products. I do, every time I pull out my own wallet!
I am confident that Humphrey Leatherworks is only going to keep building and expanding. You can see Shawn’s work, find out about new launches, and order from Humphrey Leatherworks online at <humphreyleatherworks.ca> and on Instagram @humphreyleatherworks. Visit him at upcoming shows, including the Pakenham Maple Run Tour taking place on April 6 and 7.
It’s time to think about your March Break plans, and Mississippi Mills has got you covered! The Recreation & Culture Department is sponsoring two free March Break Movie & Skate events to keep families busy.
The first event is set for Wednesday, March 13 at the John Levi Community Centre in Almonte. Free public skating will be offered from 1–3pm, and the movie Migration will be shown in the upper hall of the community centre from 2–3:30pm. The Mississippi Mills Youth Centre (MMYC) will host a canteen with goodies and refreshments available at an extra cost.
The animated film Migration was released in 2023 and follows the story of a family of ducks who leave New England, bound for adventure in Jamaica, but end up lost in New York City.
Then on Thursday, March 14, the Movie & Skate event moves to the Stewart Community Centre in Pakenham. Enjoy free public skating from 2–4pm, with Disney’s Wish being screened in the upper hall from 3–4:30pm. MMYC will also host a canteen there.
In Wish, the main character, a young girl named Asha, gets more than she bargained for when wishing on a star.
Community Open House
Looking for a new hobby? Eager to lend a hand to a local service club? Find out how to get involved in your community at the Mississippi Mills Community Open House, set for Thursday, March 28.
Coordinated by the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, the Open House will be held from 2–4pm and 5–7pm at the John Levi Community Centre (upper hall) in Almonte. This is your chance to discover a new community group or take up a new hobby or athletic program, and there’s also a world of volunteer opportunities at your fingertips. This informative event is for all residents, from preschool to seniors and everyone in between. It’s a one-stop shop that promises something to inspire everyone!
Come visit with local groups, social clubs and organizations, including Almonte Readers & Writers, Almonte Tennis Club, Kiwanis Club of Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills, Bridging Generations, Mississippi Wood Carvers, Naismith Men’s Shed, Lanark 4H Club, and Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival. This is also your opportunity to sign up for the Mississippi Mills Pickleball program.
And that’s just scratching the surface! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County will also be there, along with Local Immigration Partnership Lanark & Renfrew, JB Arts, Mississippi Mills Youth Centre, Almonte Civitan Club, Almonte Area Artists Association and more. The list of participating organizations continues to grow.
If you like to be active and you’re looking for an opportunity to get out and meet new people, the Mississippi Mills Community Open House is the place to be on Thursday, March 28! For more information, please contact the Mississippi Mills Recreation & Culture Department at 256–2064 x605, or email <recandculturedept@mississippimills.ca>.
Maple syrup producers in Lanark & District are gearing up for the biggest maple festival in Ontario — Maple Weekend. Held each spring on the first weekend of April (April 6 and 7 this year), it’s a fun, free, family-friendly event celebrating the harvest of one of Ontario’s sweetest crops.
“Maple Weekend is an invitation for visitors to come out and see a sugarbush in operation, and learn more about how it’s produced,” says Lanark & District Maple Syrup Producers’ Association president Leann Thompson. “This year we have 14 maple syrup producers participating in Lanark & District, so there will be plenty of options for finding a participating producer near you.”
Maple Weekend features two full days of activities and specials at participating producers across the province. Running from 10am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, more than 15,000 visitors across Ontario will be heading to the sugarbush to celebrate the sweetest time of the year.
On Maple Weekend, visitors can expect to experience the best of maple syrup season. Traditional experiences may differ from farm to farm but often include taffy on snow, pancake breakfasts, sugar making demonstrations, outdoor activities like horse and wagon rides, and chatting one-on-one with the maple syrup producers who make this sweet liquid gold.
“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the sugarbush this spring,” adds Thompson. “Our producers will be on hand to chat with visitors about how our syrup is produced, from tree to table.”
This year 14 sugar bushes will be taking part in Maple Weekend throughout Lanark & District, so visit <mapleweekend.ca> for more information about what’s being offered at each location.
Art… and Soul
theHumm’s mandate is to connect and promote Ottawa Valley people and events, and that is why abstract mixed media artist Pamela Stewart is qualified to be our featured artist this month. The website of this Kanata-based artist at <paminottawa.com> proudly proclaims that she is Co-Owner/Gallerist of the new Carleton Place Gallery located at 210 Bridge Street.
Carleton Place Gallery
In 2023 Pam partnered with two other Valley artists (featured previously in theHumm — Ginny Fobert, Oct. 2020, and Colleen Gray, Aug. 2020), and with the huge support of husbands, friends and sponsors, the trio has conceived and created an already flourishing community arts hub.
This invigorating addition to the Valley’s art scene is fast making its presence known, with a full roster of exhibitions and events that span the arts. A quick click on <cpgallery.ca> discloses the multiple offerings of local and regional fine art, studio and space rental, a plethora of fascinating workshops and a wide-ranging offering of events as varied as the Art House Music Series and the March Break photo camps for teens. And thanks to a partnership with artist and entrepreneur Patrick John Mills, the Carleton Place Gallery is a satellite store for Renfrew’s Art Factory, offering great prices on art supplies for beginners to fine artists.
Doing What Comes Naturally
Many of us escape into a good book or movie when we feel overwhelmed by the constant barrage of warnings about the state of our planet and what we humans are and should be doing about it. Not Pamela Stewart. She heads into her home studio and immerses herself in the creation of abstract mixed media paintings that celebrate the textures and shapes and colours surrounding us in the natural world. She says she has never quite experienced the world at face value, seeing a tree as a tree, or a lake as a lake; instead, she sees the texture of bark and the veins of leaves in an intense, macro way — almost like swimming, immersed in your senses.
Stewart’s paintings are stunning and evocative. Their titles are apt: Unearthed, Bubbling to the Surface, Force of Nature, Forest Bath… Her wellbeing is inextricably attached to nature, and her abstract art is the intuitive expression of that connection. In her own words, “Responding to the stunning array of textures, forms, colours, as well as sounds and smells, I have always reacted in a visceral way to my world, seeing objects and reacting to my senses abstractly and with intensity.”
She creates in an innovative and exuberant way, experimenting with modern materials such as art resin, synthetic paper, alcohol inks, glass paints and anything else that strikes her fancy. Her paintings are characterized by three-dimensional texture and visual depth. Their flowing organic movement and dynamic use of colour draw the viewer ever closer to examine each facet of her intuitive and spontaneous response to the wonders of the natural world.
Go With the Flow
Born in Moose Jaw to a military family, Pam lived in Germany and Winnipeg before embracing water sports in Edmonton, then going on to become “female athlete of the year” multiple times during high school in Labrador. Moving from Winnipeg to Ottawa after high school, she earned a degree in journalism at Carleton University, playing all four years on their varsity water polo team. She met her husband playing competitive volleyball at the age of thirty, and in her early fifties she is still playing in the competitive Ottawa league.
Water remains a major factor in her life, and her passion sparked strongly at the onset of the pandemic when she developed a love for long distance open-water swimming. She is an ice swimmer even now, in February in Ottawa, and she also loves to kayak and paddle on her stand-up paddleboard.
Pam is adventurous, and she really does go with the flow. After university she explored a variety of career possibilities, including an offer to relocate to the Ozarks of Arkansas to work as a copywriter. After she was denied a Green Card to work in the U.S., she spent most of her 20s working as an indie filmmaker, eventually becoming VP of the Independent Filmmakers Co-op of Ottawa. In her 30s she rewrote her job description and worked her way up to become the editor of award-winning Golf Business Canada magazine.
Swimming Upstream
Soon after giving birth to twins, Pam joined the Canadian Public Service. She was hired to leverage her early-adapter computer skills to provide guidance to several departments in modernizing their digital communications strategies and services. After several frustrating experiences where her well-received proposals were either left languishing, or her superiors claimed credit, she resigned.
Nine years ago, when the twins were four years old, she desperately needed a creative outlet. She signed up for an adult mixed media class and was introduced to textured modelling paste, gel media, art resin epoxy, alcohol inks, palette knives and more. As she puts it, “A whole new world of possibilities opened up!” Within six years Pam Stewart’s art was featured in Ottawa’s Luxe lifestyle magazine, showcasing her striking abstracts hanging in some of the region’s finest homes. She confidently offers a no-risk process for art commissions. As she states on her website, “If you aren’t completely thrilled with your original one-of-a-kind modern abstract work, no worries... you are NOT obligated to buy… To date, I haven’t had this happen.”
Pam also offers a variety of workshops for anyone interested in expanding their repertoire of media and techniques. She regularly offers a very accessible and fun class in painting with alcohol ink on synthetic paper, and registration is opening soon for her Textured Media Workshop to be offered over four Tuesday evenings in April at the CP Gallery. If you’re intrigued by exploring the exciting, intuitive, creative possibilities of orchestrating chemical reactions and interactions, and experiencing the thrill of going with the flow, consider signing up.
To discover opportunities to enjoy Pam’s energizing art, check out the back of her Artist Trading Card at the top of this page for her coordinates. Better yet, drop in at the Carleton Place Gallery and enjoy a soul-satisfying immersion in wonderful local and regional art.
Artist Trading Card
WHO Pamela Stewart
WHAT Abstract Mixed Media Artist, Co-Owner/Gallerist at Carleton Place Gallery
WHERE Carleton Place Gallery, <cpgallery.ca>;<paminottawa.com>; @paminottawa on social media; <paminottawa@gmail.com>
WHEN Until March 9, “I Am Beautiful” Show, The Art Factory, Renfrew; Month of March, Solo Show at Irene’s Pub, Ottawa; May 4 & 5, Arts Carleton Place Spring Juried Art Show, Carleton Place Arena
WHY “My art is my conscious catharsis in a complex world, and a way to be present and engage all my senses.”
Once again, the folks at Union Hall will be celebrating the coming of spring at our annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, April 7 from 8am until noon.
Diners will enjoy generous portions of pancakes, ham or sausages, baked beans and blueberries, with butter and maple syrup (courtesy of Fortune Farms), accompanied by fruit juice, tea and Equator coffee. Gluten-free option are available. Prices for large and regular portions are $12 and $10 respectively. Children five and under eat for free.
This annual fundraiser is organized for the benefit of the local community. Bring the family and re-connect with your neighbours in the cozy atmosphere of this community hub and landmark. After breakfast, visitors can take a closer look at maple syrup production by visiting area sugar bushes.
Last year, volunteers were overwhelmed by the turnout — approximately 350 breakfasts were served before we had to close the doors when supplies were running out. That’s why we have decided to take action this year to ensure we can manage the crowds and accommodate everyone. We are selling tickets ahead of time through Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434). Pre-book your seats at a time that’s convenient for you, and avoid disappointment!
Union Hall is situated at 1984 Wolf Grove Road at the corner of Tatlock Road, an 8km drive west of Almonte. The hall, a Registered Charity, has been a hub owned and maintained by the community since 1857. We are grateful for financial support from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills and The Hub/Rebound.
For more information, please contact Linda at <camponi@storm.ca> or 256–2277.
You may wonder why theHumm — an arts and entertainment publication — is running a story from Home Hospice North Lanark (HHNL). Well, on the masthead of theHumm it also says “…and Ideas.” That’s where we fit in. The “idea” we want to share is that everyone is entitled to a beautiful birth and a beautiful death. Yes, in most cases it can be beautiful.
The concept of hospice care was first championed by a woman named Cicely Saunders in the UK. She founded the first modern hospice and, more than anybody else, was responsible for establishing the discipline and the culture of palliative care. She founded St. Christopher’s Hospice in 1967 as the first hospice linking person-centred care, expert pain and symptom control, compassionate care, teaching and clinical research.
What we want the people in our community to know is that it is our mission to bring those very concepts to the people of North Lanark… and even expand on them. Our role is to assist those facing changes in their health status to have the tools, knowledge and contacts to face their future with confidence, support and peace. Our wish is that everyone should fully LIVE every day. Dame Saunders once said: “You matter because you are you, and you matter to the last moment of your life.” This, too, is what we believe.
We also want everyone to know that even though the word “hospice” is in our name, they shouldn’t let that scare them, or make them hesitate to reach out. While we do of course support those in palliative and hospice care, we wish people would call us earlier in their journey. You do not need a terminal diagnosis or a referral.
So, how do we help? And when should you call?
Reach out to us when life becomes more difficult because of changes to your situation — a life-changing illness, the onset of a serious illness, or a terminal diagnosis. This can include those experiencing loneliness or social isolation, recent loss, and mobility or sensory challenges. We have a wonderful Visiting Volunteer program, and two highly capable Program Coordinators, both Registered Practical Nurses, who can help navigate the new world in which you find yourself.
If you’re a caregiver, we know your life has also forever changed. We can help you figure that out too.
We offer Public Education sessions, have dedicated sections containing relevant reading material at the public libraries in Almonte, Carleton Place and Pakenham, information on our website, regular Caregiver Support Drop-ins, and a Death Café — all in an effort to reach more people. Grief and bereavement support is also part of our mandate. You can find details and information on our website at <hhnl.ca>
There is no cost, no obligation, no referral is necessary, and everything shared is completely private and confidential. What we want more than anything is that every single person leaves this world, and lives the last chapter of their life, with all the dignity and joy possible. And that means continuing to enjoy art and music, reading, playing games, and anything else that makes them happy, surrounded by those who matter. Right until their very last breath. Knowing that loved ones left behind will be supported and helped as they take their first steps in a new world. It’s a tall order. And it is a great honour.
It really is all about quality of life — and that’s no cliché.
If you have any ideas for future articles you’d like to see, please email <publicrelations@hhnl.ca>. If you need support, please contact <info@hhnl.ca> or call 613–406–7020 or 343–262–0902.
Secondhand Stories is a registered non-profit chicken sanctuary and online used book shop based in Rideau Lakes, whose mission is to provide a loving forever home to abandoned, abused, and neglected farmed animals. Owners Liz and Craig Wheeler have a palpable passion for chickens, but the story of how they went from living in the centre of Ottawa to caring for 19 birds on their property near Lombardy is rather egg-ceptional*, and truly inspirational.
Ellen
Back in 2018 Liz paid a visit to Sweet Sanctuary in Mississippi Mills, and it was there that the city girl encountered Ellen — the bird who taught her that chickens have personalities! Before that meeting Liz vaguely assumed that chickens were kind of mean, but Ellen disabused her of that notion and set both Liz and Craig on a life-altering path. The couple immediately started volunteering at Sweet Sanctuary and became monthly sponsors. To raise even more money (and because she may have had more than a few books of her own kicking around), Liz decided to start collecting gently used books and selling them online as a non-profit fundraiser.
There’s a marked difference between fundraising and starting your own rescue, but Liz and Craig credit the wonderful people and level of care at Sweet Sanctuary for inspiring them to take the plunge. In 2022 they found a rural property that met their needs (and even came with a few of its own chickens), and Secondhand Stories was hatched.
The learning curve was steep, but Craig and Liz embraced the challenge — taking online courses and fire safety training, and scouring the internet for resources (they highly recommend The Open Sanctuary Project <opensanctuary.org>). To keep their birds safe from predators they have built their coops and runs under a beautiful stand of conifers, and they use both chicken wire and ¼ inch hardware cloth to keep rodents from getting in, as they are common vectors of disease. Liz’s dad, an electrician by trade, has installed special wiring that can’t be chewed. This helps them maintain healthy temperatures in the coops, because chickens are prone to both frostbite in the winter and heart problems from summer heat.
Ezra
After interviewing Craig and Liz, I came away with a much deeper appreciation of chickens as intelligent and unique individuals. Because I have met a few aggressive roosters in my day, I asked whether that was a risk factor when they introduce a new bird. They have built five separate coops (so far) so that only birds who get along are kept together, but Craig also launched into a description of the “enrichment tools” they use to keep the chicks engaged — apparently boredom is one of the main causes of aggressive behaviour. Hanging toys, mirrors, and balls that slowly distribute seeds are all helpful, but interaction with humans is one of their go-to techniques.
“The more attention you pay to chickens, the longer they live,” Liz explained. “They form bonds with you and with other chickens.” Ezra, a gorgeous rooster who shares a coop with several chickens, thrives on daily cuddles from his people. He is a high-energy boy, and apparently “it is only when he is in loving human arms that he stops and just relaxes.” If you’re looking for more feel-good stories, go and lose yourself in the “Meet the Chickens” section of the Secondhand Stories website: <secondhandstories.ca>.
Ellie
The backstories of the residents are as varied as their plumage and personalities. Several are “owner surrenders”, with Craig and Liz prioritizing animals whose owners have already reached out to other sanctuaries. Some were surrendered because of noise complaints from neighbours; several came to them when another sanctuary had to close for good. And then there’s Ellie…
“Ellie was surrendered to us at 16 weeks old after his breeders could no longer care for him. As a blind rooster who walks funny, he was picked on and ostracized by his siblings. He has his very own loft in one of the coops where he can live safely without worrying about bullies. He is the most affectionate of the chickens and enjoys human touch and company. He purrs (a trilling kind of chicken coo) when cuddled and loves being whispered to.”
Liz and Craig are at full capacity and currently unable to accept more birds. “We need to ensure that if we take on another animal we do so responsibly,” they explained, taking into account their time, space, funds and ability to care for their other chickens.
Chicken Run(s)
Liz and Craig are clearly devoted to their birds, but since they both work full-time they certainly appreciate any and all support from the community. Infrastructure (coops, runs and heaters) and vet care are two of their major expenses. The best (and most storied) way to support them is to visit <secondhandstories.ca>, click on “Shop” and buy a book, as 100% of money raised goes to the chickens. You can also purchase prints and bookmarks of chicken art! Donations of gently used newer releases, including contemporary fiction, award-winners, biographies, fantasy, YA and children’s books, are most welcome. To facilitate things, they offer pick-up and drop-off spots in Ottawa, as well as $5 local delivery.
The couple was quick to note that they have received wonderful support so far — from friends and family (who repeatedly show up to help out), from neighbours, and from folks who donate, buy books and help spread the word about Secondhand Stories.
Future plans include launching a volunteer program to develop their on-site garden in order to grow lettuce and kale for the chickens, applying for an accessibility grant to put gravel on paths so they can run private tours, and holding occasional fundraising auctions. You can follow their impressive progress on Facebook or Instagram.
*Note: I apologize for all the fowl puns in this article. Apparently I missed my calling as a comedi-hen…
Are you developing symptoms of “garden-withdrawal syndrome”? Drooling over seed catalogues? Sharpening garden tools until you can shave with them? Haunting the garden aisles of local hardware stores?
Take heart, there is a support group; a place where you can meet like-minded souls whose green thumbs are itching for action. Scott and Marisa, proprietors of Indian Creek Orchard Gardens <indiancreekorchard.ca>, have bravely (and perhaps foolishly according to Scott) undertaken to bring Seedy Saturday back to Almonte. After a pandemic-related hiatus of four years, it returns on Saturday, March 16 from 10am to 3pm at the Almonte Civitan Hall.
Seedy Saturdays (and Sundays) are locally organized grass-roots events — the Canadian not-for-profit organization Seeds of Diversity <seeds.ca> has a loose organizational role, providing some guidance and some publicity. They encourage the use of open-pollinated and heritage seeds and the enabling of a local seed exchange. They also promote educating the public about seed saving and environmentally responsible gardening practices.
As a bit of an aside, my better half has expressed umbrage at the use of the word “seedy”, which our dictionary defines as “shabby-looking”. These events are anything but shabby as we collectively look forward to all the beauty that spring has in store!
Scott and Marisa are promising a very full day of everything related to gardening. The complete Civitan Hall will be in use. There will be three lectures in the main speaker hall, three workshops in the workshop room, a couple dozen vendors, four seed exchange tables, two advice tables and several local horticultural societies. The cafeteria will be open all day. The admission fee is $3, which goes directly to Lanark County Interval House to support their Perseverance Pantry Outreach Program for women in challenging circumstances.
The first lecture in the main speaker hall is by Steven Martyn, author of The Sacred Gardener, speaking on co-creating abundance with the land.
The second lecture is by Mélanie Ouellette, Chair and Founder of the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library. She is speaking on how to design and plan a pollinator-friendly garden in your yard using native plants. Find out what plants pollinators like, discover how to attract them, and learn about a few different species you may not be familiar with.The final lecture is by Telsing Andrews of the Edible Ottawa Gardening Group. She will demonstrate how to save common garden vegetable variety seeds, including both wet and dry threshing methods. Telsing has been a gardener and avid seed saver for over twenty years, with an interest in developing a robust food shed.
There will be three workshops in the workshop room. Master Gardener Judy Wall will demonstrate many different methods of starting seeds, from very easy to very difficult. Unique germination requirements of different seeds will also be covered. Discussion will include the environment, locations in your house to start seeds, equipment/supplies required, how to care for seedlings, minimize mildew, air circulation and lighting, how to transition plants from inside to outside, hardening off plants, and what are some good sources for seeds.
There will also be workshops on home composting, and Barrie Brodie of Forest Floor Mushrooms will give an overview of the different methods of growing your own mushrooms at home.
Our local gardening groups will be well represented. There will be Horticultural Societies from Almonte, Carleton Place, Pakenham and McDonalds Corners. You’ll also find the Lanark County Food Bank Blakeney Project, the Canadian Organic Growers, the Seed Library at the Mississippi Mills Library, Seeds of Diversity, Wild Pollinator Partners, Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library and the Lanark County Master Gardeners. For me, one of the most important aspects is the opportunity for networking with many gardening groups.
In its first four years, Seedy Saturday was organized by local entrepreneur Johvi Leeck, and proved to be a very successful Almonte event — a terrific opportunity for gardeners from the area to network, for local producers to showcase their wares, and for learning. It is a great opportunity to support local small businesses — these folks are not in it for the “big bucks” but because they believe fervently in what they are doing. Seedy Saturday’s grass-roots nature — low overhead, low admission, local talent and volunteer energy — distinguishes it from expensive, commercially-driven garden shows. This truly is a local event.
Seedy Saturday is fantastic for the beginner gardener, but also very timely for the serious gardener who is looking for new challenges, perhaps venturing into rare and unusual plants or starting their own seedlings under lights. Peppers, eggplant and tomatoes can be started mid-March. Now is a great time to get out and talk to experienced gardeners and check out the huge diversity of vegetable varieties that are not available in box-store garden centres.
For more details on the great network of Seedy Saturday (and Sunday) events taking place across the country, check out the Seeds of Diversity website <seeds.ca>. In our region, you can also visit Ottawa and Brockville on March 2; Perth, Pembroke and Kemptville on March 3; and Kingston on March 9.
For up-to-date information on Almonte’s Seedy Saturday, go to the Facebook Page for Lanark County Seedy Saturday.
The MVTM’s tastiest fundraising event is back and better than ever! Save the date and get your tickets for Soup for Thought(fullness), taking place on Saturday, April 20 from noon to 2pm at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. Doors will open at 11:45am, and this year will also feature a silent auction.At Soup for Thought(fullness), your $25 ticket includes a fabulous bowl, handmade by artists at the Almonte Potters Guild, and a delicious meal made by local businesses. If there are too many tasty choices for you, you can try the “Taster’s Choice” — smaller servings of three spectacular soups. Enjoy a community-centred meal with friends and family!
Tickets are only available online and seating is limited, so get yours before they sell out. Visit <mvtm.ca> to purchase them.
“This event is about community and bringing people together,” explains Michael Rikley-Lancaster, Executive Director/Curator of the museum. “We’re happy that the Museum is able to host a gathering like this after so many years of distancing, and promote our great local businesses at the same time.”
The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is located in Almonte at 3 Rosamond Street E. For more information, please call 256–3754. They are open from 1–4pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
Sunday afternoon tea dances organized by the Standing Room Only Big Band (SRO) are back in full swing at the beautiful Almonte Old Town Hall. The next two take place on March 3 and April 28.
The dances are held from 1:30–4pm in the upper hall at the Almonte Old Town Hall, located at 14 Bridge Street. Doors open at 1pm, and admission is $16 per person at the door or $30 per couple. Reservations are not required. Light refreshments are available, including delicious treats and a range of beverages (non-alcoholic, it’s a tea dance after all!). Please remember this is a cash only event.
For more information, visit SRO’s website at <srobigband.weebly.com> or their Facebook page at <facebook.com/srobigband>. To receive notifications of upcoming tea dances and other public performances, you can “like” SRO’s Facebook page and/or you can be added to their email distribution list by sending an email to <srobigband@bell.net>.
The Bowes Brothers have been entertaining people in this area for years with their distinctive take on Valley music. With four brothers singing together, the group is known for their terrific harmonies and on-stage banter. Their father Clarence also sang with them for years. And while they have di?erent day jobs, John, Eddie, Andy and Rod all live in the Carleton Place area.
The brothers have a special spot in their hearts for the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital, and this concert seemed like the perfect time for Zion-Memorial United Church to reach out to help the local hospital. Proceeds will be shared equally between the church and the hospital, and will help with the costs of running the hospital as well as building the new emergency department.
The concert will take place on Sunday, April 14 from 2–4pm at Zion-Memorial United Church. Tickets are $25, available at the church o?ce (Tuesday to Friday in the mornings) and from Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434).
Art is a powerful medium. It can represent loss, grief, healing and hope. It can teach and open conversations. One very powerful example of this is The Canadian Library, a Truth and Reconciliation project. Now in process across the country, this initiative consists of communities creating an art installation together as a memorial to the 8000 murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQTIA+ persons.
The installation will consist of bookshelves filled with books wrapped in Indigenous-designed fabrics. On the spines of the books, individualized gold-lettered names will be a testament to the lives lost and the grief suffered by their loved ones. Some books will remain nameless to represent those who may never have a chance to tell their story. Guided by Indigenous elders, the project reflects our shared commitment as Canadians to teach the truth about our history and move towards healing. The names that will be placed on the books have been shared by elders and families with the desire to have the stories told and the lives honoured.
Mississippi Mills All My Relations, whose mission is to restore friendship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, has offered to provide 120 wrapped books for this project and would like to invite members of the public to participate in it with us. On March 9, we invite you to come to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum from either 1–2:30 or from 3–4:30 to respectfully wrap and memorialize a book that will become part of the library. There will be an opportunity at this time to learn a little about some of the people the books will represent and to participate in respectful reflection.
From February to May, we will place micro libraries which we have created in temporary locations in Mississippi Mills (the Almonte and Pakenham libraries, The Hub, Mill Street Books, Almonte and District High School) to invite quiet reflection and to open conversations.
On June 1, we will bring the micro libraries together at the MVTM in a six-shelf bookcase and hold a ceremony to honour the people who are represented by these books.
This memorial will remain at the MVTM until a permanent public space (a museum or art gallery) is determined for this living Canadian memorial.
To participate in the preparation of the books on March 9, please register by sending an email to <mmtcl2024@gmail.com>, and indicate whether it’s for the 1pm or the 3pm session. We are limiting registration to 16 people for each time slot. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted toward the cost of the project.
“Through art. We Reconcile, Reconnect, and Rebuild.” — The Canadian Library
Are you familiar with the phrase “fish or cut bait”? There are other variations, but this one is polite. We learned it in Nova Scotia, and it has stood me in good stead when decisions have to be made.
There are various ways to decide things. One is to flip a coin. You flip the coin, but wait — don’t uncover it yet. If it’s heads, will you be disappointed? If it’s tails, will you stand by this arbitrary way of deciding? Can you live with your decision, or will you throw the quarter back in your pocket?
You can ask someone else to help you decide. Either they’re truly committed to helping you or are trying to move on with their own lives and give you an offhand answer. The choice is still your own, and you can reject or accept, knowing it’s YOU alone who must live with your answer.
Sometimes decisions are made for you, such as medical situations, and you have no choice but to go with the chaotic flow that might ensue. These decisions don’t even give you the knife to cut bait, only the very long rod to fish. Hold on tight; it will be a marlin for sure!
Rarely are we given all the information we need, rarely are we fully aware of the implications that will follow, rarely do we think beyond the moment when we need to lay it all on the line and make that decision. We rely on heart over head a lot, and most times that’s good enough.
So here is how it went: In January, I got a puppy to nurture through that 10- to 15-week period when adjustments are all-important and the owner needed support. I’ve done this several times and was eager to help, as the only thing sweeter than puppy breath is baby breath, and I haven’t enjoyed that for many years. How is it that we always forget the early mornings watching a puppy take the airs? How is it that we forget the bruised knees cleaning up puppy puddles? But who can forget the soft fuzzy fur snuggles and a sleeping puppy on one’s lap?
Puppies have come and gone, some to new homes, some back to their owners, and I’ve been stoic and grateful to once again have our kitchen back without an Xpen taking up half the space. Every time I’ve looked after a puppy, I’ve sworn that’ll be the last time I do that.
And then along came Richard. We got him at nine weeks old, a little ball of black fur with tiny white feet and a tuxedo bib. He wasn’t staying: one, he’s male and we only have girls; two, we already have a houseful, right?? But his sibling was suffering, and the owner needed time…
Well, sibling healed up very well, and Richard kept on staying. Ten weeks, eleven, twelve…
Finally, the day came when I decided I had to cut bait or fish. I took him back to the owner so she could see he was well cared for and ready for whatever journey she had planned for him. That’s how this fostering business goes, and I know that. I was prepared. We talked, laughed, and watched the two puppies playing. However, I knew the moment of decision was coming. Stressed? YES!!
It was a conversation I was afraid to initiate, but I needed an answer. In two seconds flat heart ruled head. Richard was coming home with me! He was looking up with his sparkly black eyes as if he already knew that. Whew, I could breathe again. I think we were all hoping the scenario would resolve like this, and I could nearly hear operatic music in the background as I scooped up my precious puppy and sweet-talked him back into my heart. He didn’t know what all the fuss was about, and to my complete embarrassment he peed in her entry hall before we departed. That’s a puppy for you!
Adopting a puppy is a life commitment, both his and mine. I know I’ll love him to bits, but I also know full well that he may outlive me. Do I concede to nature or lean to nurture? We will have many years together, to grow and learn and run and play, and be of comfort to each other. All our dogs are precious for what they give us in affection and activity. We’ll keep each other as young as we can. Age is a number, both his and mine, and for the rest of time I’ll be grateful and thrilled to have Richard, even if he’s a little pee machine right now!
And all right, you can call me the Crazy Dog Lady, but I’m one happy woman when I can run my fingers through my furry dogs.