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For the entire month of April, the MERA Weavers will have their work on display at the Schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners. Everyone is invited to attend the show’s opening event on Sunday, April 7 from 2–4pm.
The MERA Weavers group was started back in 2003 by Ellen Good and Ankaret Dean. They have continued to grow since their humble beginnings, and with a weaving studio now equipped with seven looms their newly renovated studio is busy throughout the year. “Roll out the Rugs” is a collection intended to reflect heritage expressed in a modern approach.
“What unites us is our love of weaving; what binds us is the support, encouragement, and knowledge we provide to each other. We are motivated by our desire to learn traditional methods. Last but not least, our lunches and fun get-togethers are always enjoyed,” they explain.
Come out to the Schoolhouse on April 7 to meet the artists, view their works and purchase that “must have” piece. To arrange to see the exhibition at times other than the Meet the Artist event, please contact Wayne Stryde at <gwstryde@outlook.com>.
Out-of-the-Box Fibre Artists is hosting its ever-popular Fibre Spring Fling this year on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 — just in time to find that perfect Mother’s Day gift!
“We’re holding it a bit later than usual hoping for better weather,” explains Almonte fibre artist Wendo Van Essen, OOTB co-president.
The two-day art show and sale takes place at the Kitchissippi United Church, ??? Island Park Drive in Ottawa. Almost ??? artists from Ottawa and the surrounding area will offer wares ranging from cards, embroidery paintings and wall hangings to purses and silk scarves, and of course Van Essen’s popular whimsical felted creatures.
You’ll meet machine and hand embroiderers, art quilters, weavers, felters, doll makers, embellishers, silk painters, beaders, dyers, book artists, mixed media and other fibre artists. (Whew! That’s a lot!) Works are priced from $10 and up. All money from the $5 admission price goes to the Ottawa Food Bank and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
This year there’ll also be various demos both days on different fibre art techniques. “It’s the 14th year for the event,” Van Essen says. “It just keeps growing and getting better every year. We get a lot of repeat customers and then they bring their friends. The word gets out!” And what’s the difference between “textiles” and “fabric,” you ask? Come to the show and find out!
Get ready: the Friends of Mississippi Mills Library 4F Auction Concoction that raised over $7500 last year will be presented in May and June this year, with attractions galore. Those 4 Fs promise food, fun, fashion and favourites, and range from tours to cleaning services. This will be the third spring auction, already promising to be a hit.
Maybe you have a service you’d like to offer. Last year there were dump runs to doughnuts, cooking demos to country walks, all donated by the community. Local businesses and organizations remain committed to this project, and the Friends are hoping individuals will step up to add their unique contributions by offering a service, gift certificate or experience. This year they are appealing to local home-based businesses, offering great exposure through eight weeks of free advertising on the auction site, repeated exposure on local social media sites, and a main feature on the auction site itself at least once. It’s a prime opportunity to promote your business and support the library at the same time.
The auction attracted over 2000 visits last year. The site is easy to navigate, bidding is secure, and pick-up is convenient after the event. As items are donated, the site will be open for viewing to give ample opportunity to choose favourites.
Whether you are a business owner or a passionate community member, the Friends urge you to make a donation to help make the 2024 auction a success. If you are interested in being an auction donor this year or would like to donate to support library programming, contact auction committee member Barbara Carroll at <friends@missmillslibrary.com>.
Sir Claud Amory, in the company of Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings, sends you an urgent request to join him at Studio Theatre Perth for Agatha Christie’s classic play, Black Coffee, beginning the 4th of April.
In the opulent confines of Sir Claud Amory’s country estate, anticipation hangs thick in the air. The esteemed scientist has summoned the renowned Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, to discuss a matter of utmost secrecy — a ground-breaking formula that could revolutionize the art of warfare. But little does Sir Claud know, his fateful decision to seek Poirot’s counsel will set in motion a chain of events that will lead to murder.
As the clock ticks away tension simmers beneath the surface, lurking behind the veneer of aristocratic decorum. Sir Claud’s household brims with a cast of characters as varied as the colours on an artist’s palette. Each harbours secrets, desires and motives of their own, concealed beneath layers of civility and sophistication.
When tragedy strikes and Sir Claud is found dead in his study, the victim of a cup of poison-laced coffee, suspicion falls upon the occupants of the estate like a shroud. It is up to Poirot and his long-time friend Captain Arthur Hastings to unravel the tangled web of lies, deceit and treachery that surrounds the case.
With his keen intellect and meticulous attention to detail, Poirot embarks on a journey of deduction and discovery, piecing together clues and interrogating suspects with his trademark finesse. But as the truth begins to emerge, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems, and everyone has something to hide.
In Black Coffee Agatha Christie weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense — a gripping whodunit that will keep you guessing until the final curtain falls. Set against the backdrop of a bygone era, where manners are impeccable and secrets abound, this classic mystery is a testament to Christie’s mastery of the genre and her ability to keep audiences captivated from start to finish.
Prepare to be enthralled as Poirot pushes onward in search of truth, justice and the elusive essence of the perfect crime. For in the world of Agatha Christie, nothing is ever quite as it seems, and the only certainty is that the unexpected is just around the corner.
Black Coffee, the first play Christie wrote, was in response to what she considered an inferior adaptation of an earlier Poirot story. Curiously, the role of the famous Belgian detective was played by Francis L. Sullivan, who was much taller and heavier than the figure described in the short stories and novels. The play itself débuted in 1930, with a British film version in 1931 (sadly, now lost). A French movie appeared in 1932 called Le Coffret de Laque.
In this production Jesse Gibson will be taking on the role of the famed Belgian detective. Supporting him will be Marissa Barry (Lucia Amory), Jo McAuley Treffers (Barbara Amory), Joseph Nieforth (Capt. Arthur Hastings), Sean O’Malley (Sir Claud Amory), Janet Rice (Caroline Amory), Martin Treffers (Edward Raynor), Jeff Wilson (Richard Amory), Patrick Bugby (Dr. Carelli) and Ted Bryant (Tredwell). Direction is supplied by Grey Masson.
Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee is coming to Studio Theatre Perth from April 4–14. Get your tickets now at Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434) or through <boxoffice@studiotheatreperth>. Prepare yourself for a night of intrigue, suspense and unforgettable twists. Don’t miss out!
The Mississippi Mills Film Society is ending their season in April on a high note with the “puckish comedy” A Difficult Year. Presented to much acclaim at the Toronto Film Festival, this French language film offers a unique solution to several societal issues, tied up in one neat package. Perhaps linking up with a conscientious objectors’ rally simply for the food and beer isn’t a viable solution, but for two friends looking to solve their debt crisis it’s the way to go. Join them as they get caught up in the action, leading (maybe) to romance and debt reduction. For sure, it’ll lead to a good story with many twists along the way.
The Film Society will screen this movie on Sunday, April 28 at 2pm at the United Church in Pakenham. Tickets are $15, available through Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434). Seating is limited, parking is easy, and it’s primed to be a good afternoon.
This is the last movie for the season, and the Film Society is already looking forward to next fall after a very successful run. They have supported the library by providing great entertainment for their community, making this series a “must see” for next fall’s calendar.
A few days in early March when the daytime temperatures reach double digits, and gardeners (including myself) start to lose their minds. Have I got a protected outdoor spot where I could plant a few pea and spinach seeds? I need to get my tomato plants started yesterday! Where can I get bags of compost that are not frozen?
Time for a reality check! I go to the Environment Canada report for Ottawa and zero in on average temperatures for today’s date. Average highs for early March are less than 2°C. My hazy memories of grade six math suggest that this means that if we are ten degrees higher than average there is a good chance we will also see temperatures ten degrees below average. I also remind myself of my vegetable transplants that froze to death on May 25 a few years ago. Global climate change is indeed a reality, but we are more likely to see more pronounced fluctuations rather than steady change.
Many in our community are aware of The Blakeney Project of the Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop), having walked, cycled or driven past our two-acre field that fronts on Blakeney Road on the east side of Blakeney. We have now completed three years of operation and are looking forward to our fourth season having previously produced 45,000 pounds of produce for food bank clients.
The project began in 2021 with the donation of the use of a two-acre field and barn by generous landowners The land is a small irregularly shaped parcel squeezed between a county road and a 30-foot-deep ravine. It is not suitable for modern industrial agriculture and had been used mainly for sheep pasturing. An important part of the project is a 3000-square-foot metal-clad pole barn that provides lockable storage, eavestrough to collect rainwater, water storage tanks and pump, and a work area for volunteers. Federal grant money paid for a large rototiller, a lawn tractor, a yard cart, hand tools, three large water tanks, work benches, a work shed, a large quantity of organic straw, seeds, seedlings, and an irrigation system.
Production increased from 10,754 pounds in 2022 to 16,134 pounds in 2023, an increase of 50 percent. Our first year in 2021 was experimental — we ended up giving 5,000 pounds of squash to Ottawa organizations and produced lots of tomatoes and zucchini that the Food Bank could not use. Based on feedback from our first two years, we have been trying to tailor our production to the needs of Food Bank clients. Particularly notable in 2023 was tomato success (three times as much in 2023 compared to 2022 with the same number of plants). We had a great year for carrots, beets, peppers, corn and pumpkins. Success in growing cucumbers continues to elude us. Frequent and plentiful rain in July and August proved to be a mixed blessing. Vegetable growth was phenomenal… but so was the growth of weeds! Muddy field conditions limited the use of the tiller.
Expectations going into 2023 were not high due to limited availability of key volunteers, but it turned out to be an amazing year. We found several new volunteers, and several others assumed greater responsibility. We were able to hire two students for part of the season thanks to a Federal Grant. We have also become more comfortable with the conditions at the site. The very heavy clay soil is hard to till but is amazingly fertile and holds unbelievable amounts of moisture. It has been a bit of a learning curve. We have also made the difficult decision not to accept donations of seedlings. We are buying seeds of the most disease-resistant varieties and growing our own seedlings.
Community partnerships are very important to this project. We are always keen to partner with organizations that wish to give back to the community and at the same time offer employees a bit of a team-building exercise in an idyllic rural setting. In 2023 we benefitted from the efforts of seven staff of Orbcomm who came out from Kanata and spent half a day digging potatoes.
The Blakeney Project provided 1,200 square feet of land to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte to grow plants that can be used to dye fabrics. Going into its third year, four growing beds have produced armfuls of material for workshops. There is a need for additional volunteers, so please contact the Museum at 256–3754.
We continue to benefit from a partnership with the composting team at Climate Network Lanark. They have arranged for the “waste” streams of Hummingbird Chocolate and Equator Coffee to be delivered to the Blakeney site and added to our 50-foot-long compost pile. They are layered with garden refuse in an aromatic blend.
Central to the success of the Blakeney Project is a large roster of volunteers. We encourage volunteers to commit to a three-hour shift once a week over the growing season, generally May to October. We are flexible and appreciate folks who offer to help when regular volunteers are unavailable. We have had around 40 volunteers involved in different aspects of the Blakeney Project, of which about 30 commit to a three-hour shift once a week. Others get involved in planning and other short-term projects. We are really excited to see volunteers coming back for a third or fourth season! If you are interested in being part of our project in the future, please phone the Lanark County Food Bank (the Hunger Stop) at 257–8546 or email <lcfb.thehungerstop@gmail.com>.
Almonte District High School Drama Club’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher, directed by Ms. Jennifer Sheffield, is a heartwarming and funny tale. It tells the story of Molly Aster, a young girl training with her father, Lord Leonard Aster, to become a Starcatcher, a title given only to select people. Along the way she encounters various characters, from pirates and sailors to orphans and mollusks. One of these orphans is a nameless boy, eventually called Peter. Together with Peter’s companions Ted and Prentiss, they start the adventure to bring the stardust to Queen Victoria. Interrupted by Black Stache, the pirate who dreams of a hero to fight, along with his right-hand man Smee, they experience a journey across the seas, learning about themselves and each other.
Attending rehearsals after school almost daily has created a bond between the cast and crew that allows them to flourish on stage. Musical numbers, taught by Margie Graff, have provided a new experience for the actors, both new and old. Mycah Olson, a returning actor who plays Ted, says she: “feels that this is a great learning experience.” She adds that she has: “always wanted to do a musical, so singing in this is close, and [she’s] happy to expand her range with a more comedic role this year and help the younger cast members learn.” Jade Lodge, a new actor this year playing Mrs. Bumbrake, Molly’s nanny, says she’s: “super excited and is so happy and grateful that [she’s] in [the play].” She also says that she loves hanging out with the cast and that singing is getting easier now that she’s closer to everyone. Both actors believe this will be a great production and are happy with how rehearsals are going.
With help from several crew members, including stage manager Sydney Smith who has been a tremendous help this year, everything is moving smoothly as they get closer to the Cappies show. The Cappies is a program that celebrates the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in high school theatre, an experience that culminates in an award show. After ADHS received several nominations and a win last year from their performance of Dancing at Lughnasa, everyone involved in the production is hoping for yet another successful year.
Performances of this gripping play will take place at the Almonte Old Town Hall from April 18–20 with curtains opening at 7:30pm, and on April 21 at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased at <onstagedirect.com>, in the main office at ADHS, at Baker Bob’s, and at the door if not already sold out.
Perth invites you to join the Trashure Hunt on Saturday, April 20. Back for a third year, this town-wide clean-up event will not only help beautify the Town, but will bring together the community in a fun, family-friendly way! Organized by a group of dedicated volunteers, the event is sponsored by the Town of Perth and Climate Change Advisory Panel.
“Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to shake things up and clean up our incredible town together,” says Sadie Brule, event organizer. “The Trashure Hunt is all about getting the wonderful people of Perth together, making new friends, learning more about amazing local eco-friendly organizations, and learning to love our planet a bit more. We welcome everyone to join the fun!”
Scheduled to take place from 9am to 1pm, the day will begin at the Bandshell where groups will get their clean-up kit before heading out to collect litter. Afterwards, the community will gather back at Market Square for food and the opportunity to learn more about some great eco-friendly organizations. Volunteers will also have a chance to win some great prizes.
For more information about the Trashure Hunt and to register for the event, please visit <perth.ca/trashurehunt>.
The Parkinson’s Community Network (PCN) was established in 2023 to raise funds and awareness to help address the needs of people with Parkinson’s and those who care for them. Parkinson’s Awareness Month, which is recognized around the world, helps to promote the message that with the support and treatment they need, people can live well with Parkinson’s. This is more important than ever, as Parkinson’s Disease (PD), continues to be the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world as well as the leading cause of disability. Many people recognize the motor issues, but most people with Parkinson’s say that the non-motor symptoms have the most negative impact on their quality of life. These symptoms include changes in cognition and memory, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression.
In Canada, the prevalence of PD has increased 50% over the past 10 years and it is predicted that environmental factors, coupled with an aging population, will result in a similar increase in the future. Approximately 30 people a day are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and by 2031 that number is expected to rise to more than 50. Long waitlists for a diagnosis, lack of knowledge, and inadequate services and treatment result in poorer outcomes, ultimately increasing the cost of health care and reducing quality of life.
It is also important to recognize an awareness month because of the stigma still associated with Parkinson’s. Pat Evans, an advocate and one of the volunteers who helped establish the PCN, was diagnosed with PD almost 18 years ago.
“Many people still believe it is an ‘old person’s’ disease and that there is little that can delay its progression,” says Evans. “Neither is true. However, our current way of treating people is not working. We have to re-think how we deal with this complex disease, not only to improve quality of life, but to save health care dollars as well. Education and multidisciplinary care with a team of people trained in Parkinson’s are the key to accomplishing both, and will also be the most cost-effective.”
You can help. Make a donation, become a volunteer, attend an event, educate yourself about the disease, or tell your political representatives that you want people with Parkinson’s to have access to the services they need. Visit <parkinsonscommunitynetwork.org> for more information.
Wednesday, April 17, 10am: Visit an Open Class of Boxing Ties, a non-contact boxing program for people with Parkinson’s. RCAFA, at the back of Settlers Mall, County Rd. 29, Smiths Falls. Contact Kim Ducharme at <ducharmek@yahoo.ca>.
Thursday, April 11: World Parkinson’s Day Light Up Lanark Leeds in Blue.Carleton Place (Bridge Street bridge), Perth (Water Tower), Smiths Falls (Beckwith St. Bandshell), Township of Rideau Lakes (South Elmsley Municipal Building), Westport (Town Hall), and more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Monday, April 15, 11:30am to 1:30pm: Monthly Parkinson’s Support Group, 88 Cornelia St. E., Smiths Falls. Visit <parkinsonscommunitynetwork.org>.
Saturday, April 20, 6–11pm: Meatball Madness and Karaoke — a fundraiser for Parkinson’s dinner, song and silent auction. Perth Civitan Club, 6787 Lanark County Rd 43. $25 from 267–4766 or 283–6640, or e-transfer <trumangayle@aol.com>.
While I was visiting at a friend’s house recently, her son introduced me to his “art”. That sounds like an every-day, very common occurrence, but the wonderful thing was that it was not one of his own masterpieces (of which there were many in the house), but rather an elegant work his mom had allowed him to pick out and take home from one of the Arts Carleton Place (ACP) art shows.
This little boy knew everything about the piece. He explained to me where it was made, and how the curves and lines were created. He was careful with the piece, and while his toys and games were strewn around on the living room floor, this was revered.
This year, the Spring Fine Art Show returns to Carleton Place on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 from 10am to 4:30pm at the Upper Great Hall of Carleton Place Arena, where there is free admission and free parking. I’m sure my friend and her son will be returning to this unique juried show that boasts fifty-four local and regional artists — twenty of whom will be exhibiting for the first time in Carleton Place. Perhaps this time he will select one of the many great oil or acrylic paintings, mixed media, or photographs to learn about and bring home.
Arts Carleton Place’s Annual Spring Fine Art Show is a treasured event in Carleton Place. It celebrates art, artists and community in our wonderful town and surrounding areas. Patrons are always awed and inspired by the talent of the exhibiting artists, and this year is no exception as the quality of the work just gets better and better! Bring your family to appreciate the arts and discover your new favourite artist. Talk to the artist, learn about their inspiration, and ask them questions about their process and choices. Pieces are available to purchase, and guests will be able to use major credit cards, debit cards or cash. Buying directly from the artists allows you the opportunity to learn more about a work’s history, its beginning as a blank canvas and seed of an idea, and how it developed into a work of art.
The photography that will be exhibited this year is particularly gripping. The remarkable level of image-making talent achieved by our own ACP members needs to be seen and appreciated by guests and residents. At least two of the exhibiting photographers will be bringing with them images that were juried and accepted into the 2024 Professional Photographers of Canada’s Nation Image Salon, a “best of the best” competition for photographers from coast to coast.
As always, some proceeds from the purchase of the art go directly to Carleton Place art-related activities such as the High School Bursary Program and the CORE Youth Art Programs, which have been providing free and low-cost programs and services for children and youth since 1995! Arts Carleton Place puts an emphasis on arts in our community and supports and nurtures, as well as celebrates, our upcoming generation of artists.
Business owners are reminded that the Canadian Revenue Agency will give you special tax treatment for any piece of art valued at $200 or more when purchased from a Canadian artist if the piece is used in your place of business. This is a great opportunity for offices or shops who wish to display local art.
Carleton Place and surrounding areas have a lot to offer, but one of the things we should be most proud of is our inspirational artists. Great events like Arts Carleton Place’s Spring Fine Art Show allow us to spend time with our talented neighbours and come together as a community. It’s an opportunity for a family outing or an afternoon date. It’s an educational experience. It’s a wonderful way to learn about the people and history of our town and nearby places.
This show is brought to you with the assistance of Carleton Place’s Community Enrichment Program. For more information, visit <artscarletonplace.com>.
Community theatre isn’t for everyone — except here in Lanark County and environs, as evidenced by the number of productions successfully staged across the region every year!
Ottawa Valleyans have demonstrated how much they appreciate local shows by turning out en masse to see them. Last year, for example, Spinning Yarns: The Millworkers’ Musical sold out all six performances at the Almonte Old Town Hall two weeks in advance, and audiences raved about the show after they saw it. Last month’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar by Perth’s Orion Theatre Company was a stellar success that raised over $22,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Most Mississippi Mudds shows sell out early too, and fans have learned to reserve their seats well in advance to avoid disappointment.
The driving force behind the popularity of local theatre is our abundance of home-grown talent — actors and behind-the-scenes folks who really enjoy entertaining others. They all started with no experience (at some point) and learned “on the job.” For many of these amateurs, community theatre has become a life-long passion.
Who Should Odd-ition?
Whether you are a “lifer” or a “newbie,” you are invited to odd-ition for the new Humm Team Productions show The Wizard is… Odd?!, which will be staged at Almonte Old Town Hall in mid-November. It’s an original musical, which means the ability to sing would be useful. If you can dance as well (i.e. move your body to music), so much the better!
“You don’t need to be k.d. lang, Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers,” quips director Kris Riendeau, who also directed Spinning Yarns. “Musical abilities are definitely helpful, but not critical. We also have a few non-singing / non-solo parts. As long as you are eighteen or over and keen to try your hand at amateur acting, we would love for you to ‘odd-ition.’”
That said, if you do sing well and have a particular number you would like to deliver, the show’s musical director, Ian Guenette, will be on hand to accompany those who bring their own sheet music. Singing a cappella is fine too.The odd-itions will be held in the multi-purpose room at the Mississippi Mills Textile Museum (3 Rosamond Street East, Almonte; Coleman Street entrance on the east side of the building) on Saturday, April 13 from 1–3pm, and Monday, April 15 from 7–9pm. You will be asked to sing a bit and read in a few group scenes — you don’t need to reserve a time in advance.
What’s the Show About?
Kris is quick to note that this show is NOT a reproduction, take-off, or modern version of The Wizard of Oz. Written by Rob Riendeau and featuring original music by Mike McCormick (of The Arrogant Worms fame), it is an ode to oddball, small-town productions and the quirky characters that bring them to life.
“It’s basically our love letter to amateur community theatre,” Kris explains. “A father and daughter move out of the big city and land in a small town. There, they find themselves entangled in a production of The Wizard of Oz, complete with a host of interesting characters, both on and off stage. Some drama, a few tears and lots of laughs ensue.”
With a healthy dose of humour, a touch of satire and a lot of heart, The Wizard is… Odd?! celebrates the unique charm of small-town life and the transformative power of theatre and community.
What If I Get In?
More fun… and lots of hard work!
Rehearsals will take place on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday nights starting on April 21 and running until June 23. Everything pauses for summer and restarts in September after Labour Day, continues in October and runs right up until the show opens on the evening of November 8; there will be a second evening performance on November 15, and four matinées on November 9, 10, 16 and 17.A cautionary note: not all who odd-ition may be cast. There are about twenty parts in the play. Depending on how many people show up on April 13 and 15, there may not be enough roles for everyone to get a part regardless of how deserving they may be. On the plus side, that in itself is a form of “character building!” And if you don’t make it on stage, you might want to consider helping out backstage.
Thanks to local actors, production and stage crews, and our enthusiastic audiences for loving live theatre in our community. See the show evolve over the coming months by following The Wizard is Odd? on Facebook.
On April 7, bring the family and reconnect with your neighbours in the cozy atmosphere of this community hub and landmark. The Union Hall Pancake Breakfast is an annual fundraiser organized for the benefit of the local community.
Enjoy generous portions of pancakes, ham or sausages, baked beans and blueberries, with maple syrup (courtesy of Fortune Farms), accompanied by fruit juice, tea and Equator coffee. A gluten-free option is available.
Book your time slot through Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434). and be sure of a seat to avoid the line-up, or worse — going home hungry!
Union Hall, a registered charity, has been owned and maintained by the local community continuously since 1857. The organization is grateful for financial support from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills and The Hub/Rebound. For more information, contact Linda at <camponi@storm.ca> or 256–2277.
Almonte resident Nadia Taylor-Meyer has been hired as Camp Lau-Ren’s 2024 summer coordinator. Nadia is no stranger to Camp Lau-Ren, as she started as a camper and has returned as a counsellor and volunteer leader. Last year she took on the role of head cook.
In 2024, as summer coordinator, she will act as liaison between the Executive Director Steve McCulloch and all other summer staff. Nadia will help Steve with administration and training until camp starts. She will start work onsite when the summer camp season begins in early July.
This is her thirteenth year at Camp Lau-Ren. What keeps her coming back? “Camp Lau-Ren is a community of some of the best people I know,” says Nadia. She believes that summer camp is an amazing opportunity for kids to make great connections and try new things they’ve never done before. “There is nothing like the friendships you form at camp. Camp friends are forever friends.”
There are many things that Nadia loves about camp. She loves playing games at the beach, and campfire is her favourite activity. She got her nickname “Bambi” from a friend who thought she was as clumsy as a newborn deer.
This summer will be a family affair for Nadia. Her brother is on the summer staff team and her mom will be volunteering at one of the weekly camps. Nadia is also taking on a leadership role in the planning of the Saturday, June 8 Camp Lau-Ren Open House. To top off a busy summer, she is also co-directing a weekly camp for the first time.
Will she be involved with Camp Lau-Ren in the future? “I would love to continue working on the Board and implementing change through the Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee,” she says. Camp Lau-Ren is truly fortunate to have such a dedicated and multi-talented person take on the summer coordinator position.
Male Counsellors Needed
Camp Lau-Ren is looking for applicants for the position of male counsellor for the 2024 summer camp season. Executive Director Steve McCulloch says that counsellors must be sixteen years old or older. Ideal candidates show enthusiasm, possess a positive attitude and show patience and empathy for others. Counsellors need to be flexible, show leadership, be good communicators and like spending time with kids. Steve said that he is looking for people who are team players. “Counsellors come from all different backgrounds, just like our campers.”
To apply, visit <camplau-ren.com>, and go to Job Posting. Any questions can be directed to Steve McCulloch at <executivedirector@camplau-ren.rocks>.
The third annual Indigenous Cultural Fair will take place in Carleton Place on May 11 from 10am to 3pm. Admission to this event is free. We extend a generous welcome to all who would like to come, and by spending some of your day with us you are giving the most generous gift you have… some time from your one wild and precious life.
This community-led event serves as a fundraiser for Art for Aid <artforaid.ca>, an organization in Lanark County run by Indigenous artist Colleen Gray. Art for Aid collects and ships art supplies and supports winter outdoor land-based learning with gear shipped to Northern and remote Canadian First Nations communities. Art is healing and deeply connected to culture, yet supplies can be expensive and hard to obtain in many of these communities. We will also be collecting art supplies such as googly eyes, ribbon, pipe cleaners, watercolour paint, paint brushes, etc. for direct distribution to Indigenous schools along with monetary donations to cover shipping costs.
Zion-Memorial United Church is once again hosting the Cultural Fair, and there will also be activities at the Carleton Place Public Library and in the town park behind the library. Indigenous artists and artisans will be selling their unique handmade wares in the church hall. There will be a wide and diverse selection of dream catchers, jewellery, books, paintings, cards and beading, at a variety of price points. May 11 is the day before Mother’s Day. If there’s a special person in your life who deserves a Mother’s Day gift, why not get it at the Indigenous Cultural Fair? Check out the artisan displays to see what it is that Creator has put in your — and their — path!
From 10am to 12pm, the Fair will be featuring the 2024 Indigenous Children’s Games. These free, authentic activities are grounded in traditional and contemporary Indigenous cultures. Included will be Inuit leg wrestling (sometimes known by older generations as NDN leg wrestling), axe throwing, pick up sticks, Anishinaabemowin language-based word searches, and rock painting. We are actively searching for more Indigenous youth and young adults to volunteer for leadership positions running one of the game stations. Email Lisa at <lisaannegarrett@gmail.com> to volunteer… no prior experience needed! We also have volunteer opportunities available for those who are not Indigenous to Turtle Island.
The library will be hosting two Indigenous authors, Judi Merle and Karole Dumont, who will start reading from their books at 1pm. After the readings, there will be time for questions, and both authors will have their books for sale.
In the trees beside the church, there will be a red dress display to honour our Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives as well as information about the Moosehide Campaign to end gender-based violence. Legacy of Hope will be highlighting their work with residential school survivors and education.
Two group art classes led by Indigenous artist Naomi Blondin are planned for the Fair. There will be pre-registration and a fee to cover workshop materials. Check our Facebook page for details.
The Fair would not be complete without hearing / feeling our Mother Earth’s heartbeat through the drums. We are lucky and blessed to have Lanark Drum circle in this area, to have had numerous drum making workshops hosted by various Knowledge Keepers over the years, and to have so many people in this community who honour and respect the drum. If you have a drum, bring it, and if you don’t, please come to listen and add your voice. These songs are sacred prayers and one of the best kinds of medicine there is. American Sign Language interpretation for the teachings will be passed along during the time we spend together drumming. Stay tuned to our Facebook event page for more details!
We look forward to seeing you on May 11! Gide’ aabijitoon bizindaman. All you have to do is open your heart and listen.
The Arnprior Community Choir (ACC) will present their annual spring concert “Celebrate the Classics” on May 3 at 7:30pm and May 4 at 2pm. The 65-voice choir will be singing a variety of choral masterworks showcasing Schubert and Handel, as well as several Canadian compositions. Grace St. Andrew’s United Church in Arnprior, built in 1890, is a beautiful historic stone church with fabulous acoustics to highlight this classical choral music concert.
To start the program, the ACC mixed choir, accompanied by a grand piano, will present Handel’s double-choir Antiphonal Alleluia featuring soprano Olivia Smart. Olivia grew up in Renfrew, studied with ACC music director Lisa Webber and is now completing a music degree at The University of Western Ontario. This lively and joyous Alleluia will fill the church and set an uplifting tone for this musical celebration.
The program also features Canadian choral music. The Missa Brevis for Three Voices by Stephanie Martin is a beautiful, contemporary work that allows both singers and audience to enjoy stunning harmonies and rich vocal lines.
The choir will also perform two songs written by Ottawa Valley composers Ian Douglas (Almonte) and David Sale (Pakenham). Not often does a community choir get the chance to sing songs written especially for them! The ACC commissioned Ian Douglas to write a special anniversary song last year; David Sale recently dedicated a work to the choir. The ACC will premiere David’s piece at their concerts in May.
In addition to the choral program, the concert will feature renowned classical guitarist Philip Candelaria. Philip received his Bachelor degree in Music History and Literature from the University of British Columbia and his Master of Music degree in Guitar Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.
After an enjoyable, successful concert career, Philip now prefers peaceful Ottawa Valley life to the demands of travelling and preparing for the concert stage. He has also recently retired from teaching guitar at the University of Ottawa.
Philip won guitar competitions in Canada, the USA and France. He has given masterclasses around the world and adjudicated many festivals and guitar competitions including the Canadian national finals, Quebec Music Conservatory Concours, and the Viña del Mar and Escuela Moderna de Música International Music Competitions in Chile.
Candelaria’s solo albums have been described as “dazzling” (Canada Music Magazine), “distinguished” (High Fidelity Magazine, USA), and “masterful” (GFA Soundboard, USA). Philip has recorded with the G8 guitar octet, the Guitars Alive Quartet (GAQ), and the Canadian Guitar Quartet, a world-renowned ensemble he founded in 1998. His most recent album, recorded with the GAQ, was released in April of 2019.
Philip’s performing career took him across Canada and the USA, throughout Mexico, Central and South America, to Europe and the Middle East.
The Arnprior Community Choir and guests are proud to present Celebrate the Classics — a mix of choral masters, contemporary composers and very talented Ottawa Valley musicians. Tickets will be available after April 17 at White Pine Books (152 John Street, Arnprior) for $20 (adults) and $10 (12 and under), cash only.
I am perpetually in awe of people who make things with their hands.
A crafty dabbler myself, my skills are perhaps more entrepreneurial in the sense that my focus is usually on turning materials into money rather than creating for the sake of the art.
I’m not an artist.
I’m creative.
But I’m not an artist.
My craft is community. I love to create opportunities that bring people together in support of one another. One of the best ways I’ve found to do this is through organising events like my annual spring and holiday craft markets in Almonte.
I hosted my first craft market in November of 2010. I was 31 years old and pregnant as a house as I waddled up and down the steps of the Almonte Old Town Hall bashing my shins on unforgiving folding tables, directing volunteers this way and that and troubleshooting my little head off. All the while thinking “I. LOVE. THIS”.
Fast forward a little more than a decade and here we are. Celebrating my 14th annual spring craft market in Almonte.
Fourteenth.
That’s pretty wild considering the events that have transpired over the past several years. Between Covid restrictions and construction disruption, to say that I’m grateful that I had the good sense to develop this secondary leg of my business all those years ago would be a major understatement.
As it turns out, events like my markets have been a very necessary complement to the sustainability of my small business.
Not to mention momentum. The influx of awareness, those few times a year that I host them, are a big part of what keeps my business in the thoughts and minds of my customers and, let’s face it, ticking.
Each show brings new visitors to town, showcasing the area as a not-so-far-after-all destination, driving traffic to local businesses (including my own) and, with luck, placing Almonte closer to top of mind when the opportunity for a return visit arises.
When the pandemic hit, I genuinely worried that it might be the end of this chapter of my professional life.
Would we ever gather in large groups again? Would supply chain issues forever be a problem for makers? Would the increase in expenses cause people to shy away from riskier entrepreneurial endeavours to make more practical decisions for their own careers?
Would we all be so discouraged that we stopped dreaming? Innovating? Creating?
To my surprise (and most definitely delight), new makers came out of the woodwork post-pandemic.
Of course everyone had been tucked at home dreaming up side hustles and honing new skills. Of course the creative people didn’t quit. They doubled down.
Never before have I seen SO many new businesses, new ideas, new products and new enthusiasm for supporting local.
In an effort to celebrate the resilience of this community I care so deeply for, I really felt it was time for me to step things up in the same way these makers have.
My goal has always been to resist the urge to stick with standard formulas and keep pushing the limits of my own creativity. And, while it’s been challenging to find the get-up-and-go after the strain the last few years, I feel myself finding that spark again.
I want to double down too.
The 2024 Cheerfully Made Spring Market takes place on Saturday May 4 from 10am to 5pm at the John Levi Community Centre (aka the Almonte Arena).
Here we’ll be hosting 100+ hand-picked local makers showcasing a wide array of Canadian made goods from home décor, bath & body and fashion to fine jewellery, food & drink, paper goods and more.
Our friends at North Market will be commandeering (and majorly levelling up) the canteen with their delicious and creative offerings. Sam Parks Photography will be offering mini photo booth sessions (including an instant Mother’s Day card station!) Adair Gardens will be here with an a la carte flower market, and Happy Hobby will be offering 45-minute embroidery workshops (for pre-register or drop in, space permitting) in three different time slots throughout the day.
This year’s event will also include an outdoor market section featuring some of your favourite makers, outdoor family games and live music courtesy of local musician Luc Biggs.
We are also extremely proud to be supporting Love 4 Reesie, a local charity very near to our hearts who will be on-site selling merchandise and spreading awareness for their cause.
Admission to the market is $5, kids under 14 years old are free, parking is abundant, and the space is both stroller and wheelchair accessible.
I hope you’ll come for the day and support all of the wonderful people involved.
For more information, please visit <cheerfullymade.com/pages/markets> or follow us on all social media platforms @cheerfullymade.
The Carleton Place Environmental Advisory Committee (CPEAC) invites one and all to learn, engage with, and celebrate nature at Earthfest 2024. This free, family-friendly event will be held on Saturday, April 20 from 11am to 3pm at Market Square in Carleton Place (7 Beckwith St.), with satellite events at All Nations Church (39 Bridge St.) and the Carleton Place Library.
This year’s lineup features even more workshops, live music, entertainment, food and craft vendors, free tree seedlings courtesy of CP’s Urban Forest Committee, and even the opportunity to test-drive an EV (pre-registration is required).
Festivities kick off at 10:30am with a family-friendly show by the Paddling Puppeteers, co-presented by the Town of Carleton Place and taking place at All Nations Church. Musical duos C.A. & Sonny and Ball & Chain will create a festive atmosphere at Market Square throughout the day, with a youth theatre ensemble created by Play Where You Live entertaining the crowd between musical sets. At the library, National Film Board environmental films will be running throughout the day.
Activities for kids include free face painting, garden-related crafts, and two workshops with Glen Caradus of Paddling Puppeteers: puppet-making and soapstone carving.
The heart of Earthfest is its free workshops, where visitors can learn simple, cost-effective ways to reduce household waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and take better care of our planet. Expert organic gardener Alberto Suarez Esteban will share tips on how to keep pests at bay, build healthy soil and grow delicious food. Plant-based chef Karine Lang will share recipes and advice to help families shift toward a more plant-based diet. Plan B Lanark will teach about various ways of preserving food — canning, dehydrating, fermenting and smoking — to take advantage of nature’s abundance and eat local food all year round. The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority will share simple ways to preserve our water quality for native species and humans to enjoy.
New this year are hands-on workshops for adults and youth. Paint with Janet and the Art for Aid project invite visitors to create their own watercolour paintings using sustainable watercolours from Beam Paints. A crash course in mending will teach how to keep favourite clothing items out of the landfill and looking great for years to come.
Another featured workshop will focus on composting — a simple, easy, inexpensive way to help your garden and the planet. Composting keeps methane-producing organic waste out of landfills, replenishes tired soil for an abundant crop of homegrown veggies or beautiful perennials, and is far more cost-effective than running to the store for many bags of compost. Scott Hortop of Community Compost Composers will provide a primer on how to get started. Geraldine Baker, affectionately known as the “Worm Lady,” will discuss the wonderful world of vermiculture. For those who aren’t able to compost at home, William Affleck will provide information on Just Good Compost, a brilliant new compost collection service that will launch in Carleton Place starting on May 1. Carleton Place residents can register at Earthfest (limited spots available).
At 2:30pm, visitors can enjoy a captivating presentation by cave diver Jill Heinerth, whose adventures are featured in the new film Into the Planet. Heinerth, a Carleton Place resident, will share extraordinary experiences and profound lessons gleaned from the perilous world of extreme underwater exploration and adventure filmmaking. Her wealth of practical knowledge offers valuable insights into the state of our water planet and how we can safeguard it for future generations.
Delicious food and refreshments (including vegan options) will be available from several food vendors, including the Carleton Place Youth Centre. At the Sustainable Marketplace, local artisans and vendors will offer a range of fabulous products including textiles, pottery, plants, purses, maple syrup, baked goods, services for a green lifestyle and a selection of native plants from the amazing Kiwi Gardens.
Earthfest also brings community members together with many Lanark County organizations that will be on hand to answer questions about the great things they are doing to take care of the local environment and how to get involved.
For workshop schedules and more information, go to Carleton Place Calendar of Events at <carletonplace.ca> or visit the Facebook event page <fb.me/e/sV7Tp5CbD>.
As we wean ourselves off fossil fuels, many of us are asking: where will the new electric power come from? Can we generate enough? Can we distribute it where it is needed, when it is needed?
Climate Network Lanark (CNL) is developing plans to help us explore these “system” questions together at an Electrify Lanark Forum in the spring. Everyone from across Lanark County is welcome: residents, community and business leaders, and a particularly energetic invitation to our elected municipal officials to participate. CNL is able to undertake this project thanks to a 2024 Community Grant from the Perth & District Community Foundation.
Electricity Forum
The Electrify Lanark Forum is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, and includes the following topics and speakers.
How much solar, wind and storage batteries would take us to a zero carbon Ontario and what will it cost, and save? Presented by Steve Lapp, consultant, former professor and the speaker who helped launch CNL four years ago.
Sustainable future for Canada — how we can afford it? Presented by Ralph Torrie, Director, Corporate Knights.
Electricity storage — community microgrids, electric and thermal batteries, heat sinks. Presented by Art Hunter, scientist, The Canadian Association for the Club of Rome.
Investing in solar. Presented by Ottawa Renewable Energy Cooperative.
System Planning — IESO: The Independent Electricity System Operator works at the heart of Ontario’s power system ensuring there is enough power to keep the lights on, today and into the future. Speaker unconfirmed.
The Electrify Lanark Forum will be an in-person “Big Picture” event but will be recorded and available on YouTube afterwards.
Electrify Your Home Workshops
For folks who are wondering how they can personally decarbonize their way of life now, CNL is also offering a series of seven monthly workshops focused on how to Electrify Your Home in Lanark County. These will take place leading up to and after the Forum.
The dates and locations are yet to be announced, but they will be spread around Lanark County and, where possible, offered via Zoom as well as in-person, although you will want to put your hands on much of the new technology being discussed. The workshops will explore practical new ways and technologies to electrify your home and get off fossil fuels, the main contributor to the climate crisis. The seven workshops will cover the following topics:
Outdoor equipment — electric versions of lawnmowers, trimmers, tillers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, chippers, snowblowers, barbecues, ATVs, boats, and skidoos.
Solar — residential application of rooftop and ground-mount solar photovoltaics, the net metering program, and Community Microgrids (presented by Art Hunter).
Electric vehicles, electric bikes, chargers, F150s (presented by Ottawa Electric Vehicle Cooperative and Raymond Leury, with local EV owners and opportunities to test drive).
Hot water heating systems — heat pump hot water heaters, drain heat recovery systems, instantaneous heaters, solar.
Heat pumps — space heating and cooling, how they work, funding, suppliers, etc.
Home resiliency — making your home resilient to consequences of the climate crisis (flooding, wildfires, and power outages) with backup electric batteries, and how to avoid an electrical panel upgrade.
Indoor electric appliances — how to choose an induction stove and hot plate, heat pump clothes dryer, barbeques. Includes a cooking demonstration.
Call for Contributors
If you have some expertise you would like to share with workshop participants or you want to help as a volunteer with these events, we want to hear from you. Please contact Sadie Brule through the CNL website at <climatenetworklanark.ca>.
It’s hard to live in Lanark County without experiencing an especially rich interaction with mother nature. We all want to protect her and preserve her for our loved ones.
CNL is bringing people together in a network to stabilize our rapidly changing climate. The organization has projects actively engaged in protecting wetlands, improving residential energy use, and expanding organic waste composting. We are learning how to help each other contend with the social and psychological questions raised by the numerous extreme weather events of this decade.
Save the Date
Please put our Electrify Lanark Forum on your calendar for on Saturday, May 18. If you register to receive the free monthly CNL newsletter at <climatenetworklanark.ca/newsletter>, we will send you notice of the events in time to register from Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434) and get YouTube links later. Please follow CNL on Facebook and Instagram for notices also.
These are plans with many moving parts, and details of events are subject to change.
CNL is governed by a volunteer board and is able to provide tax deductible receipts through the Salal Foundation for donations. Please help if you can. Thanks!
“Thought provoking and highly entertaining” is how the Palos Verdes News described this dramatization of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, adapted for the stage by Tim Kelly. The story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster, as well as the monster’s bride, has been reiterated in many forms and styles. From horror to comedy, the story has been told from all points of views and sometimes to extremes. This version is, in fact, a thoughtful one, telling a deep story about belonging, choices and desire.
Coming off last year’s hit The Mousetrap, director Katharine Coleman decided to try something different for the Smiths Falls Community Theatre’s Classic April slot. And different she certainly found. Not interested in putting on a horror play, Coleman was enthralled by this version, which expresses how the thoughts of these characters leads to actions and situations that sometimes are beyond their control. The question of who is the villain and who is the innocent can be debated. These are multi-dimensional characters and there is a lot to explore in all of them, which has invited strong performances from her talented cast.
The story is as follows: Victor Frankenstein (Matt Baker), a brilliant young scientist, returns to his Swiss chateau to escape a terrible pursuer. No one can shake free the dark secret that terrifies him: not his mother (Coleman), nor his fiancée (Shannon Riley), nor his best friend (Taylor Gilligan). Even the pleading of a gypsy girl (Kathryn McKeigan) accused of murdering Victor’s younger brother falls on deaf ears, for Victor has brought into being a creature made from pieces of the dead. The Creature (Nathan Mathews) tracks Victor to his sanctuary to demand a bride. Against his better judgement, Victor agrees, and soon the household is invaded by murder, despair and terror! The cast is rounded out by Rich Croteau as an Inspector-General of police and Sophie (Linda Pipher), the family’s dedicated housekeeper.
Frankenstein plays on Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20 at 7:30pm, with a 2pm matinée on Sunday, April 21. The second weekend runs Thursday through Saturday, April 25–27 at 7:30pm, and finishes up with a matinée on Sunday, April 28 at 2pm. Tickets are $24 for adults, $10 for students, and can be purchased at Special Greetings (8 Russell Street in Smiths Falls), online or by phone (283–0300) with credit card. If tickets are still available, they can be purchased a half-hour before showtime at the door. Check out all that is happening at The Station Theatre at <smithsfallstheatre.com>.
The Governor General’s Foot Guards Regimental Band will be performing at St. Paul’s United Church in Perth on Sunday, April 28 at 2pm.
Based at Cartier Square Drill Hall in downtown Ottawa, the 30-piece concert band is part of the most senior reserve infantry regiment in Canada, dating back to its formation in 1872. They share a close connection to the Governor General and provide music for many military ceremonies in the Ottawa area, including the annual nationally televised Remembrance Day ceremony held at the National War Memorial.
The band’s iconic full-dress uniform with scarlet tunic and bearskin hat is immediately recognizable. Many of the musicians in the ensemble play in the Ceremonial Guard band, which supports the changing of the guard ceremony on Parliament Hill during the summer months.
The concert will include a variety of traditional, military and popular music, including Northwest Passage and Disney Favourites. The Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial will be celebrated with Songs of the Early Airmen, and a brand-new military march will be premiered, entitled The Banks of Rideau.
Admission to the concert is free and all are welcome. Children (and children at heart) will have the opportunity to have photos taken, wearing a scarlet tunic and bearskin hat. Audience members are invited to stay on after the concert to enjoy light refreshments with the musicians.
St. Paul’s United Church will accept a freewill donation at the door to support the music program at St. Paul’s.
Prospective concertgoers are invited to warm up a late April Sunday afternoon with the exciting sounds of brass, woodwind and percussion in the accessible, intimate and acoustically pleasant sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Church, located at 25 Gore Street W, in Perth. Find more information at <stpaulsperth.ca>.
Lanark County Community Justice is offering up a fun and musical way to support the wonderful work they do in our area. The Restorative Justice Series features three concerts by fabulous local performers at a trio of venues over the next three months.
The first takes place on Friday, April 26 at Oakfield Rugby Park in Perth, and features songwriter Doug Barr. Too Far from the Water, Barr’s folk/rock 2015 release, was just the latest in a long musical career. Since then, four new tunes have been recorded: Andromeda, Walk on By, Wound of Love, and a gorgeous arrangement of Doug’s Arthur Gunn in 1915 as featured on Boulder Colorado’s Extinction Radio.
Linda Grenier, Dave Tilston and Victor Maltby have been making music as Long Sault Trio for many years now. The trio took its name from the Long Sault Creek near McDonalds Corners. Like the creek, their music meanders through folk with hints of blues, jazz and trad music. With a multi-generational appeal, they have played festivals (Blue Skies Music Festival, Festival of Small Halls, Stewart Park) and venues throughout the region and beyond. As performing songwriters, their three-part harmonies and blend of acoustic instruments (violin, saxophone, mandolin and guitar) come together in a modern roots styling. They play the Perth Legion on Friday, May 10.
Known to many as the “Lioness of Lanark”, singer-songwriter Ali McCormick spins casual conversation into poetic portraits of rural life, and of every gravel road off toward distant city skylines. Roaring and purring with fearless vocal veracity, Ali’s brilliant, boundless spirit spills from the stage as she creates an unwavering bond with the audience. Her tales range from her home in the Lanark Highlands to the far mountains of Western Canada where she has spent many a wander. Prepare to journey through the evening with this songstress along a narrative of nature, love and friendship. Ali plays the Ferguson Falls Community Centre on Friday, June 7.
All concerts start at 7pm, and tickets are $25 plus fees at Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434).
Lanark County Community Justice has proudly served communities across Lanark County and the town of Smiths Falls for over twenty years, facilitating restorative justice forums through their Community Justice Court Diversion Program. Their programs encourage the use of restorative practices and help to prevent harm; promote strong, healthy and vibrant connections; foster empathy, emotional literacy and resilience; and facilitate peaceful conflict resolution. Find out more at <commjustice.org>.
On Thursday, May 2, the Carleton Place Environmental Advisory Committee invites you to a talk by Lorraine Johnson, author of City Farmer. This inspirational talk will explore diverse and innovative ways to grow food in urban environments. Covering everything from front yards and boulevards to rooftops and public spaces such as parks and community gardens, this talk will encourage you to look at urban agriculture as a productive adventure that helps communities flourish. This event starts at 7pm upstairs in the Carleton Place arena on Neelin Street. Get your free tickets via Eventbrite, and find more information at <cpeac@carletonplace.ca>.
Praise for City Farmer
City Farmer celebrates the new ways that urban dwellers are getting closer to their food. Not only are backyard vegetable plots popping up in places long reserved for lawns, but some renegades are even planting their front yards with food. People in apartments are filling their balconies with pots of tomatoes, beans, and basil, while others are gazing skyward and “greening” their rooftops with food plants. Still others are colonizing public spaces, staking out territory in parks for community gardens and orchards, or convincing school boards to turn asphalt school grounds into “growing” grounds.
Woven through the book are the stories of guerrilla urban farmers in various cities of North America who are tapping city trees for syrup, gleaning fruit from parks, foraging for greens in abandoned lots, planting heritage vegetables on the boulevard, and otherwise placing food production at the centre of the urban community. Additional stories describe the history of urban food production in North America, revealing the roots of our current hunger for more connection with our food, and the visionaries who have directed that hunger into action.
Throughout the book, sidebars offer practical tips for how to compost, how to convert a lawn into a vegetable bed, and what edible plants are easy to grow with children, among other topics.
The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum is excited to announce that they are opening for the 2024 season on Wednesday, April 3. They will be open for museum tours, inquiries and genealogical research from Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Gallery Exhibits
Opening on April 3, The Glorious Colours of Nature from artist Renate Wesley invites viewers to feast their eyes on Mother Nature’s glory and the joy and excitement of colour! Through the medium of paint, Wesley finds joy in nature and depicting their view of the natural world. “The whole essence of colourful nature is food for the soul… ‘eye candy’ as they say. Sharing to my audience the possibilities of seeing beyond the obvious, and perhaps seeing the world in technicolour and appreciating what surrounds us is my goal.”
Recent Paintings from artist Craig Carty explores works that have been created from 2019–2024. Craig began his art journey in Montreal in 1987, studying graphic design. Throughout the years, his art has transformed from his original roots to paint. Currently a Smiths Falls resident, Craig continues his art journey, searching and discovering through painting, his art and himself. Recent Paintings will be on display from April 17 to May 1.
Spring Events
Spring Carnival invites visitors to the Heritage House on Saturday, April 20 from 11am to 2pm to ring in the season and the warmer weather. The Museum will be hosting scavenger hunts, self-guided tours, and entertainment including Junkyard Symphony, bouncy castles and axe throwing from The Axe Shop; on the grounds of the museum. This event is admission by donation.
Mysteries of the Keyhole House: Unlocked will take place on Saturday, April 27 at 2pm, in the Heritage House Gallery. During this talk, Ted and Marion Outerbridge will share some secrets, stories and history surrounding their heritage home in Smiths Falls. Tickets are $10 for Heritage House Museum m embers and $15 for the general public. Please contact the museum directly to secure your ticket, as spaces are limited.
Trivia at 4 Degrees Brewing & Distillery continues in partnership with the Museum on the first Friday of the month. Trivia costs $25 per table (4–6 people per table) and pre-registration is required by contacting 4 Degrees directly at 285–5120.
For information about upcoming events, please contact Megan McIlvenna at 283–6311 or <mmcilvenna@smithsfalls.ca>.
Art… and Soul
You bet it is! And it’s the first arts protest theHumm has covered in our 24 years of existence. This creative arts protest is the inspiration of two residents of the new Artisan Village in Smiths Falls. Those of you who read the feature article in our October 2023 issue will not be surprised to learn that Bel Angeles is one instigator. Opal Adams is the other. Both of these small, non-white female artists continue to struggle against and overcome significant barriers and prejudices throughout their lives. Both are eager to provide opportunities for other artists to experience the satisfaction and empowerment that comes from raising your artistic voice in protest.
In their call to artists, Bel and Opal voiced their belief in the power of art to transform society and bring about change. Their raison d’être for this protest exhibition is to give artists “an opportunity to use your unique voices to challenge perceptions, provoke thoughts, and ignite discussions about some of the most pressing issues of our time. From climate change, gender, race, and ethnicity, to power, anti-hate and anti-oppression, equity, diversity, and inclusion, we want you to delve deep and share your interpretations, reflections and narratives on the idea of protest. Let your creativity be a tool for inquiry, a voice for the voiceless, and a platform for change. Your art has the power to educate, heal, and inspire. We believe that by working together, we can make a difference.”
Fear not, prospective viewer. This is Canadian art, and the raw carnage of Picasso’s anti-war classic Guernica is nowhere in sight. The fifteen participants come from radically different life experiences, and their creative protests are nuanced and provocative. A few are gently contemplative, and they succeed as well in inviting reflection and emotional connection.
The exhibition includes two spoken word artists. One is singer/songwriter Christine Graves performing Sparrow Parable, a piece she wrote in support of activists struggling for justice throughout the world. The other is Chris Silvermoon presenting a spoken piece of confessional poetry, based on her own experience of living with visible and invisible disabilities. Chris is a longtime activist working to improve the lives of all women and children.
The artworks are as varied as their creators. The only male participant, Steve Rothfuchs, is a member of Arts Carleton Place. One work is titled Paraphrase Joe: We are anti-fascist…anti-violence…anti-racist…pro-creative…against ignorance. The title pays tribute to punk rock musician Joe Strummer of the Clash. His other piece protests the atrocity of child soldiers.
In a 180° shift of focus, Julia Lockie’s artwork is titled Just Breathe. In her submission she relates to many of us as she questions, “What business do I, a white, educated, privileged and comfortable Canadian woman, have protesting about my world? Why would anyone care what I have to say about anything of import?” Her mixed media work expresses her need for respite from a world filled with noise, dealing with the influence of the Internet and social media, while caring deeply about things beyond her “safe little life”.
Another member of Artisan Village, Carol Richardson, is displaying a mixed media piece titled Peacenik. Her abstract work uses archival materials and incorporates images to protest the ongoing wars and loss of lives in four different countries. Richardson’s previous work and experience in the domains of housing and homelessness, environment and climate justice, as well as health promotion, support her deeply abiding belief in community and the need for structural change.
Kingston fibre artist Denise Sokolsky presents a subdued but eloquently powerful testament to the Black Lives Matter movement that she created shortly after the murder of George Floyd. She describes her piece as: “…historic in nature as it references the multitude of black lives, generation upon generation, who toiled in the cotton fields for the benefit of white owners… What has changed since these brutal, historic times? How far have we progressed towards racial equality?”
Co-organizer Bel Angeles’ works are a call to awareness and empathy. The back of her new recto-verso piece displays the names of more than 2,300 journalists killed and missing in the line of duty since 1992. It was inspired by the current targeted killing of journalists covering Gaza, and her personal knowledge of journalists killed in her native Philippines as well — one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Bel knows that as journalists are killed, so the stories of the people and communities they cover are silenced, hidden, made invisible. This is her protest.
Co-organizer Opal Adams stopped painting for eight years as a result of trauma from systemic belittlement and prejudice experienced in her work life. Fortunately, her husband’s involvement with the recent creation of the Artisan Village facility, coupled with her burgeoning friendships with an enclave of supportive artists, have seduced her into resuming her former successful arts career. Her piece is a powerful and personal protest on behalf of all women against the sexism and racism she has experienced.
Jana Jaros describes her work as the “personal expression of breaking barriers and visually voicing a suppressed narrative”. She uses her art to “confront taboos and societal norms, rejecting silencing and embracing truths that define identity in the present and shape the future.”
Genevieve LeDuc is passionate about female empowerment. In her mixed media work titled Salem, referencing the Massachusetts witch trials of 1692-93, she protests ongoing gender inequity, censorship, and misogyny’s enduring legacy, merging art with social commentary to provoke dialogue and to advocate for change.
Cecilia Troy’s piece confronts the rise of extreme right-wing ideology that threatens basic rights in Canada today. Imagine portrays a rough exterior breaking to reveal the vibrant Pride flag, “envisioning a world free from judgment where authenticity thrives and oppressive regimes fall. It’s a call to imagine a society where hiding behind layers is unnecessary and true freedom reigns.”
Crafting beauty from damage, MaGi’s assemblage art confronts the chaos, reminding us that control is fleeting and imperfections make us human. One recycled piece at a time, she crafts beauty from damage, protesting against loss and accepting change.
Through quilt-making, Katy van Dorsser sews together stories of reclaiming spaces and being heard. Living with a traumatic brain injury for over six years, quilt-making became her healing sanctuary — each stitch representing victory over adversity.
With her textile piece titled You Do Not Represent Me, Karla Mather-Cocks of Alberta challenges the disconnect between elected officials and their constituents. Her piece serves as a physical manifestation of the artist’s frustration with their provincial MLA, highlighting concerns about racist and inappropriate views.
Now living in Smiths Falls, Aryn Morris was an early activist in Michigan, challenging the unjust laws that resulted from the legalization of medical cannabis. After entering the cannabis industry, she traveled with American magazine High Times and advocated for pediatric patients’ access to CBD. Her Prohibited Flower artwork is a tribute to the progress made through protest and the transformative power of cannabis.
When I asked organizer Opal Adams about her aspirations for this compelling Protest Exhibition, she left me with this exhortation to pass on to our readers: “If you don’t understand why people want to protest, you definitely need to come to this show.”
Is This A Protest? runs from April 13 to May 18, Wed–Sun from 11am to 4pm at Artisan Village in Smiths Falls, with a vernissage on April 13 from 5–8pm. The Artist Trading Card at the top of the page lists exhibitors and provides coordinates.
Artist Trading Card
WHO Opal Adams, Bel Angeles, MaGi, Christine Graves, Jana F. Jaros, Genevieve LeDuc, Julia Lockie, Karla Mather-Cocks, Aryn Morris, Carol Richardson, Steve Rothfuchs, Chris Silvermoon, Denise Sokolsky, Cecilia Troy, Katy van Dorsser
WHAT Is This A Protest? Art Exhibition by 15 inspirational and challenging artists
WHERE Artisan Village, 10 Maple Ave N, Smiths Falls, <artisanvillagesmithsfalls.com>
WHEN April 13 to May 18, Wed–Sun, 11am to 4pm,Vernissage Apr. 13, 5–8pm
WHY To challenge perceptions, provoke thoughts, ignite discussions and empower artists to be a catalyst for change.
“Inherent within the challenges of peak oil and climate change is an extraordinary opportunity to reinvent, rethink and rebuild the world around us.” — Rob Hopkins
One key to a post-carbon world is a thriving, resilient, internally uplifting society.
Our potential for life-based fulfillment is enormous. It can be supported with quality food provided for successive generations through a mindful cycling of nutrient elements through local soils. Shelters can be constructed so that heating and cooling are maintained mostly by integrating south windows, insulation, summer shade, thermal mass, and cool from underground. Maintaining these locally is the foundation for a circular economy.
When a system of mutual provision — the economy — consists of people trading with each other locally, the wealth created accumulates within the community. Food production and housing get upgraded, health improves, relationships are formed, and currency stays local, enabling more trade among members.
Life can be enjoyable and fulfilling with little or no need to exploit natural resources or use inanimate energy — learning, love and laughter, appreciation, being helpful, music, sport, dance and the like can provide personal fulfillment enough that one doesn’t have time for or even much interest in material consumption. Is this not a more appealing approach to reducing consumption than belt-tightening?
As more and more people recognize and seek to live this vision, it becomes more obvious. How then might this way of living replace the planet-killing convention of perpetual economic expansion — GDP Growth?
“More fun, less stuff” embodies the transformation. While the life-based activities listed above can easily be labeled as fun, some suggest that healthy eco-systems and a sustainable economy don’t qualify as fun. Since our quality of life is diminished without these, it is fitting to include them in the objectives of the more fun, less stuff vision.
Proposing that life-based activities replace material consumption defies the advertising industry, which spends upwards of $700 billion a year telling us that we need their things to be happy. We’ve heard it so often that many have come to believe it. How do we deflate this largest-ever propaganda enterprise?
As a meme, more fun, less stuff bypasses the Big Sell. Its four friendly, memorable syllables ask the question: Do we want to grow until we ruin the environment which sustains us, or should we redirect our economy toward the wellbeing of people and ecosystems? Potentially it can counter the “you need things” meme. It encourages us to ask what the objective of all our work and activity really is.
Sue Blackmore from the University of West England writes that: “Memes are ideas, habits, skills, gestures, stories, songs; anything we pass from person to person by imitation… Just as genes are copied inside all the cells of our bodies and passed on in reproduction, memes are copied by our brains and our behaviour and are passed from person to person… Just as the competition between genes shapes all of biological evolution, so it is the competition between memes that shape our minds and our cultures. So it is absolutely essential to understanding human nature that we take account of memes.”
If a sizeable portion of the population were to take up the “More Fun, Less Stuff” meme, it would pull human culture away from our materialistic expansion mode and nudge it toward a culture through which humans can celebrate living, integrated within the cycles of nature.
Lobbying governments to legislate renewable energy goals and protesting the power of fossil fuel companies are helpful as far as they go. But what can one do directly? More fun, less stuff indicates the direction with half the syllables of its Question of Direction* predecessor. The Question of Direction asks the same question as the more fun, less stuff meme, accompanied with explanations of “economic expansion” and “sustainability”.
It is difficult to understand a world based on different values until one has been able to live within that value structure. Imagine a world in which the goal of governments and industries is the long-term wellbeing of people and ecosystems. This is a realistic — and essential — goal. We humans are tremendously capable. We have abundant knowledge to work with, we care for one another, we can cooperate in large numbers, and we can take on bold tasks when circumstances inspire. “More fun, less stuff” can help focus the change.
We need to shift away from material expansion and work toward long-term wellbeing.
“More Fun, Less Stuff.” Pass it on.
*For more details on these concepts, visit <SustainWellBeing.net>.
When visitors enter the Art Factory in Renfrew, they often remark with a casual “Must be nice…,” whether referring to the abundance of paint supplies or the artist’s lifestyle. This exhibit takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to this sentiment. While creating art can indeed be enjoyable, it overlooks the sacrifices, authenticity, and passion required to share one’s inner world. This collective showcase features over 140 works from a group of thirteen courageous individuals who invite viewers to ponder the deeper question: “What message does this art convey?”
Must Be Nice runs at the Art Factory Warehouse (11 Bridge Street in Renfrew) until April 20. Hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. As a special bonus, explore unique handmade and fair-trade treasures from Heart in Hand <heartinhand.ca>, where every purchase empowers artisans around the world.
Since 2007, the Cliff Bennett Nature Bursary (CBNB) has helped secondary school students entering post-secondary studies in a natural field make their story a good one. The CBNB operates within the auspices of the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists (MVFN) program.
Back in 2007 Cliff’s family, friends and fellow MVFN members donated funding to launch the CBNB to honour the former teacher and well-known local naturalist on his birthday. If you wish to learn more about Cliff’s amazing life, read his 2021 book That’s Me in Here (now out of print, but available at your local library), or contact or join the MVFN.
The CBNB committee disperses funding of up to $1000 each to qualifying local secondary school students, to help them integrate into their new post-secondary curriculum. These students have attended a recognized secondary educational facility, or equivalent, in Lanark County or West Carleton Ward. They are generally expected to reside in this same area. A current MVFN membership also helps.
MVFN is a non-profit organization. If you feel strongly about helping nature and students with allied career aspirations, please consider donating. Donations to the CBNB can be made on the MVFN website <mvfn.ca>.
We are pleased and proud of our 2023-2024 CBNB award recipients: James Renaud from Perth District Collegiate Institute; Samuel Stewart from Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute; Toby Stewart from Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute; and Garrett Weese from Notre Dame Catholic High School.
We also look forward to this year’s crop of new applicants. For details and to apply, please visit <mvfn.ca/cliff-bennett-nature-bursary>. New this year, we will be able to consider funding first year CBNB recipients for their second study year under a June 28, 2023 agreement with the Elisabeth Kelly Foundation. Eligibility criteria for such an award are still being worked out.
Wishing all students, teachers and administrators out there, a good ending to your scholastic year.
Beneath the forest floor, networks of mycorrhizal fungi connect trees together in a symbiotic system of exchange that supplies water, minerals, and other nutrients. This subterranean web of connective tissue was the inspiration for Net-Work — my textile-based participatory installation project that opens at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum on April 27.
I initiated Net-Work at the beginning of 2020 via email and social media posts, inviting contributors to make long yarn or textile-based “strands” representing the underground network of connection in our forests. They could be knitted, crocheted, woven, or any other hand-crafted technique, preferably employing reused or recycled materials.
I hoped to have enough response to create an installation that would fill a room with hand-crafted fibrous strands, running from ceiling to floor and from wall to wall, creating a massive interwoven network of fibres. Spaces left between strands for people to move through the installation would offer visitors the sense of being within an underground network of interconnected roots and fungi.
Much like the ever-expanding growth of a mycorrhizal network, the community of collaborators for this project grew exponentially as the message spread via social media and word of mouth. When the pandemic hit just months after the project started, people began looking for ways to reach out to maintain connections, which also increased interest in the project.
To date, more than 300 strands have arrived at my studio. I’ve received strands from almost every Canadian province and territory, from fifteen American states, and from eleven different countries. Many pieces have come from participants in Almonte, Carleton Place, Ottawa, and other Eastern Ontario locations.
The strands have been crafted both individually and collectively by professional artists, artist collectives, amateur crafters, families, retirement homes, weaving guilds and knitting groups. The common “thread” is that participants are all drawn to the idea of creating an installation symbolizing interconnection and cooperation.
The hand-crafted pieces have been woven, crocheted, knitted, sewn, knotted, corked and braided; using synthetic yarns, hand-spun and dyed wool, torn fabric strips, dried reeds, cotton, jute, string, plastic, burlap, beads, shells and wire.
Every strand is unique: strands pieced together from fabric remnants left over from making face masks; a woven wool strand embroidered with computer code signatures meaning “tree”; a strand knitted in morse code with an “S.O.S” message for the environment; a traditional “flossie sieven” (“rush rope” in Gaelic) from Scotland made of gathered reeds; a mixed-media collaborative strand made by an Indigenous artisan collective.
Along with the strands, I have also received countless emails, letters and cards expressing heartfelt stories from participants. I heard from a grandmother who taught her granddaughter to knit while explaining the importance of trees; from a woman who made her strand with neckties of her deceased husband, brother and father; from a young disabled woman who hand-dyed and hand-spun the wool for her strand. Participants have also shared their artwork, books, poetry and songs with me.
I have been deeply touched and am very grateful to all the participants for sharing their time and creativity. Can we attribute this profound interest to a critical mass of people starting to think about symbiotic ways of interacting with the earth and with each other? Through community-centered collaboration, I hope that the Net-Work installation will serve to encourage this engagement around ideas of holistic ecology, biocentrism, and interconnection with both human and non-human kin.
To date, Net-Work has been installed at the Festival of Trees in Mississauga, ON, and as part of the Indigenous “No Borders” festival in a forest in Pontiac, PQ. Net-Work was also short-listed for the 2021 Berlin Social Arts Award. Plans are underway for future installations in other locations.
The Net-Work installation will be on view at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum <mvtm.ca> from April 27 to July 6. The vernissage takes place on Saturday, April 27 from 2–4pm. I hope to see you there!
On March 6, 1890, Eugene Schieffelin — bird enthusiast and heir to a successful pharmaceutical company — went to Central Park in New York with his servants, where they proceeded to open several cages and release 80 European starlings imported from England at great expense. Mr. Schieffelin was chairman of the American Acclimatization Society, a group founded with the intention of introducing to North America “such foreign varieties of the animal and vegetable kingdom as may be useful or interesting.”
It wasn’t the first such move made by Schieffelin: several years before, in 1852, he was among the first to import house sparrows from England, with the intention of getting rid of the linden caterpillars and moths attacking New York City’s trees, as well as the trees on his family’s Madison Avenue property. That is how one man’s misguided mission started: introducing Old World birds to the New World.
It has also been said that Schieffelin’s personal goal was to introduce to North America all the birds mentioned in the works of Shakespeare. There is little evidence to corroborate that theory — no journals, no quotations — and even though it has been disputed by many historians, it is still floating around to this day in scientific journals, textbooks and bird guides. True or not, it makes for an interesting story.
According to wildlife scientist John Marzluff, the Acclimatization Society’s motives were both nostalgic and cultural: “Western European settlers introduced many species throughout the world because they wanted birds from their homelands in their new environs”.
Regardless of the whys and wherefores, the fact remains that the acclimatization movement of the 1890s had a huge and lasting impact on the natural history of North America, and not all positive. Back then, the scientific world knew very little about the consequences such introductions would have on America’s natural world, especially those of invasive species.
Indeed, an avian Pandora’s box had been opened.
Schieffelin himself is considered by modern biologists as “an eccentric at best, a lunatic at worst”. He might have been well-meaning, but as we all know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Schieffelin repeated his misguided gesture by orchestrating several more releases of European starlings in the United States from the mid-1870s through the mid-1890s. He also attempted to introduce such European species as bullfinches, chaffinches, nightingales and skylarks — which, by the way, are all mentioned in the Bard’s plays — but those attempts failed.
In the case of the European starlings and house sparrows, however, the experiment was very fruitful: as of today, the north American starling population has reached an estimated 220 million birds; for house sparrows, that number approaches 540 million.
It didn’t take long for critics to voice their concern over acclimatization groups and their so-called good intentions. In one report, the American Department of Agriculture called the house sparrow “one of the worst feathered pests”, based on the incalculable damage done to crops and the ensuing considerable economic cost.
Starlings were also becoming huge pests all on their own. By the 1950s the iridescent, polka-dotted birds were ravaging crops, eating grain, seed, and cattle feed, and pushing out native cavity-nesting species like eastern bluebirds and woodpeckers.
If you look up the term “introduced species” in a dictionary, you will get a description similar to this: an alien, exotic, foreign, non-indigenous or non-native species, living outside its native distributional range, but which has arrived there by human activity, directly or indirectly, and either deliberately or accidentally. In simpler terms, a species which does not belong and should not be there.
The JUNO award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir presents the final concert of its 22nd season, Leipzig 1723, on Saturday, May 4 at 8pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. The concert features exquisite German baroque cantatas by the candidates for Thomaskantor in Leipzig: Telemann, Graupner and Bach. Works include Telemann’s Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, TWV 7:30; Graupner’s Aus der Tiefen rufen wir, GWV 1113/23a; and Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75, the first cantata Bach composed for his new post as Thomaskantor in Leipzig.
Accompanied by Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra, organist Matthew Larkin and talented soloists from the choir, this brilliant concert will close the season with a flourish.
“In honour of the 300th anniversary of Bach’s tenure as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, we are thrilled to present magnificent cantatas by the three main candidates considered for the position: Telemann, Graupner and Bach,” says Founder and Artistic Director Lisette Canton. “Hear these rarely performed gems by the leading German composers of the day and immerse yourself in this timeless music, performed with the distinguished Baroque orchestra Ensemble Caprice and soloists. A glorious experience you won’t want to miss!”
Tickets and more information are available at <ottawabachchoir.ca>.
It’s the annual rite of spring. Maple syrup season is upon us once again as we prepare to celebrate our region’s most famous agricultural commodity — sweet, savoury maple syrup! Our local maple syrup producers are the stars of the show at the Perth Festival of the Maples being held on Saturday, April 27 from 9am until 4pm in downtown Perth.
Ever since local businessman Vic Lemieux organized the first event close to 50 years ago, Perth has been the gathering place for this annual occasion to applaud the efforts of local farmers and syrup producers in making Lanark County the “Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario”.
This year’s Festival of the Maples is being organized and presented once again by the Perth & District Chamber of Commerce. New Chamber Executive Director Paloma Zander says: “This free annual event attracts between 15,000 and 20,000 guests who can’t wait to enjoy taffy on ice, maple butter, maple candies, and the latest syrup straight from the area’s sugar bushes.”
Zander adds: “We’re extremely proud of the partnership the Chamber has with our local producers and members of the Lanark & District Maple Syrup Producers’ Association (LDMSPA). We routinely see well over a dozen producers join us every year, and some have been coming for decades. They’re extremely proud of their craft and can’t wait to share this year’s harvest.”
Perth Chamber President Brian Perkin says, “It’s been a stressful year for some of our local producers. The early warm weather and changeable temperatures kept them on their toes wondering when and how much the sap would run. In this region, most producers have had a good crop, but with any weather-dependent farming operation, outcomes can vary quite a bit. Now it’s time for them to shine and be rewarded for their labours.”
Producers will have a chance to enter their syrup and other goods for judging in the festival’s annual syrup competition run by LDMSPA. Awards will be handed out on the festival’s main stage on Herriot Street during the opening ceremonies at 11am on festival day.
The festival kicks off with a pancake breakfast at the Perth Legion from 8am until 11am, plus the annual Classic & Antique Car Show on display on Herriot Street. Gore and Foster streets downtown will be lined with a wide array of artisan and food vendors, farm products, retail, community and charity exhibitors. Booth registration has been busy, with over 130 vendors booked by late March.
On the Festival’s main stage, located at Herriot Street at Gore, live entertainment will continue throughout the day. This year’s artists include CR5 Bluegrass, The Receivers, Crooked Creek, The Valley Mountain Band, Three 2 Go, Eric Uren and Meghan Balogh, along with the Kings of Swingers.
The Maplefest Sap Tapping and “Wood Cookie Challenge” takes to the main stage at 12:30pm when two-person teams test their skills by drilling spile holes for sap buckets and wielding old-time band saws to clock the fastest log-sawing times.
Families and kids will be able to join in a variety of fun activities at the Children’s Playpark in the Tay Basin including bouncy rides, a rock-climbing wall and zip-line run by Ry-J’s Climbing Adventures, along with pony rides and a petting zoo, with a rest area, Korny Klowns and child activities planned for the Crystal Palace.
Perkin states, “We’d like to thank our Chamber members and other area businesses for stepping up once again this year to sponsor just about every aspect of this event so that it remains a free festival. Their support is greatly appreciated.”
The Chamber offers free parking and a shuttle, courtesy of Martin’s Bus Service, from the lot at the Perth Campus of Algonquin College on Craig Street. The shuttle drop-off and pick-up spot is at Craig and Gore streets.
For more information, visit the festival website at <festivalofthemaples.com>.
On Wednesday, April 10 from 5–6pm, Catherine Orfald will give a presentation at the Perth & District Union Library. An exhibit of Catherine’s artwork is currently on display at the library until the end of April.
Catherine suggested doing a presentation about her portraits and commissions because these pieces typically go directly to the buyer and are not seen by the wider audience. She has done about 50 commissions, including people, animal companions and landscapes.
Questions and discussion will be welcome. Please consider attending this free talk. You can RSVP at the Events page at <perthunionlibrary.ca>.
Arnprior Regional Health is participating in a unique “Living Classroom” program for Personal Support Workers with Willis College. With a hybrid learning environment, local clinical placement at the Grove Long-Term Care Home, over $15,000 in incentives and guaranteed immediate employment with ARH upon graduation, this program aims to entice future PSWs to Arnprior and the Valley.
This 30-week hybrid program will see students studying online for the theory portion of their coursework and attending in-person skills sessions at the Old Grove building in Arnprior. The 8-week clinical placement portion will take place at the new Grove Long-Term Care Home. For students who meet employment requirements, a job at ARH will be waiting for them when they graduate.
Currently, PSWs comprise 72.3% of nursing and support staff in long-term care. But as the needs of residents become more complex, the healthcare workload increases. There simply are not enough PSWs to meet the critical demand. This program will give a much-needed boost to the staffing crisis in long term care in the Valley.
The first class will start on June 10 of this year. For more information, visit <williscollege.com/request-information>.
April is National Poetry Month. To celebrate, Almonte Readers & Writers (ARW) are bringing some top-notch talent to town. On Thursday, April 11 at Equator Coffee Roasters, as part of their exciting new delve reading series, ARW will host award-winning Ottawa-based writers Jean Van Loon and Conyer Clayton for a rich discussion and readings from their latest books.
Van Loon won the 2023 Ottawa Book Award for English fiction/poetry for her collection of poetry Nuclear Family. The same year, Clayton won the Archibald Lampman Award for Poetry for But the sun, and the ships, and the fish, and the waves. Both are accomplished artists and storytellers.
ARW Creative Director Jessie Carson says the aim of the series is to bring writers together with readers and other writers.
“When we invite two writers to the conversation, there will be something that ties the writers together,” she says, “It could be a theme in their work. It could be the genre. Jean and Conyer are both poets and appreciate each other’s work, and their style in both of their latest award-winning books of poems is very different. Each poet approaches their personal history in a different way … I think both are generous acts.”
Another goal of the series is to shine a spotlight on writers so that more readers get to know them and appreciate their work.
“These days, however an author gets published, most have to do the legwork to share and promote their writing,” Carson notes. “This can be a challenging thing to do! Almonte Readers & Writers was started to be a bridge for writers to reach their readers.”
Clayton’s But the sun, and the ships, and the fish, and the waves deals with some difficult subjects — abuse, assault, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder — in a series of dreamlike prose poems that are at once elegant and powerful, beautiful and startling; they are humorous at times, even. As poet Sachiko Murakami notes: “They are a testament to survival.”
While Conyer says they were “humbled” it won a prestigious award, they also note that they are proud of the book.
“Conceptually, it came together in a cohesive yet natural way over a relatively short period of time,” they elucidate. “It started as I began drafting poems from my dream/nightmare logs, the scribbles and middle-of-the-night-voice-memos… though as the project progressed some poems moved in other directions. I wanted to give a surrealist account of what it is like to live with CPTSD, and found surrealism a helpful method of distancing to write on certain topics without giving out more personal information than I wanted to. ‘Truth’ was less important to me than the questioning of memory, certain images, a kind of collapsing of time and self, and capturing the feeling of danger and attempts to move towards safety.”
Remarkably — because who wins a major award their first time out?! — Clayton’s début collection, We Shed Our Skin Like Dynamite, won the 2021 Ottawa Book Award for poetry. They were grateful, but also took it in stride.
“I am always pleasantly humbled when anyone appreciates my work, especially award jurors!” they say. “It’s hard to tell if it has opened any doors, though I am sure it hasn’t hurt. But awards haven’t changed the way I approach my work. My process is the same as ever — rather unpredictable to me and changing based on the needs of whatever project I am working on!”
At the moment, Conyer is working on short stories.
“Still in early stages, but it has been very fun,” they say. “Many of them are speculative, some less so. A new adventure!”
Also on April 11, Jean Van Loon will be reading a selection of poems from Nuclear Family.
The book, she says, “interweaves a poetry sequence about the development of atomic weaponry with a sequence about the life of a 1950s family. Taken together, they weave a story and set it in its times. In readings, I try to present poems that sketch out the arc of the book, with some from each of the two sequences.”
Like Clayton’s, Van Loon’s writing touches on difficult matters.
“The poems pivot around the suicide of the father,” she explains. “While the story is fictionalized, with different names, some toying with time, and some scenes fully invented, it is inspired by my own family’s experience, one which has haunted me ever since. At various points in my life, I’ve tried to write to make sense of what happened, most of the efforts abortive. About 25 years ago I tried to create a short story based on the experience — a workshop I was enrolled in made short work of that effort. It was not until I had published my first book, Building on River, that I thought I might have developed the literary tools to tackle the subject.
“In that book, I imagined the private life (undocumented in reality) of a public figure (J.R. Booth, lumber king) set in the context of his time (Ottawa’s years as a lumber town). In Nuclear Family, I tried to imagine my father as a person, since he died when I was too young to know him as a fellow adult. Given the painful memories at issue, there were many false starts even then, but the pandemic gave me an opportunity for sustained attention to the manuscript.”
Van Loon says that winning the Ottawa Book Award for Nuclear Family was “hugely rewarding.”
“Personally, it meant that my literary and emotional investment in the book had yielded results recognized for quality. It also prompted Alan Neal of CBC radio to do an interview with me, and the combination generated a new round of interest in the book, for which I am deeply grateful.”
Tickets to the April 11 event at Equator Coffee Roasters featuring these two exceptional poets and storytellers are available through Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485-6434); the cost is pay-what-you-can. The readings and conversations begin at 6:30 and go until 8pm. It is sure to be a memorable night. You won’t want to miss it.
If you happen to be walking on Gore Street in Perth on a Tuesday afternoon and you think you hear the sound of bells coming from the windows of St. Paul’s, it is not your imagination. It is the sound of twelve dedicated bell ringers who hail from Perth, Glen Tay, Brooke Valley, Bass Lake, Rideau Lake, Portland and Carleton Place. They are preparing for the Spring Concert, which will be held in St. Paul’s United Church at 2pm on Sunday, April 21.
The repertoire comprises a collection of classical, semi-classical, big band and modern pieces, arranged specifically for Handbell Choirs. The concert will be interspersed with numbers by a barbershop octet called “High Octane”, and by Don McLean on cello and Brad Mills on piano.
If you have never heard the collective sound of a handbell choir, now is the chance. The choir consists of large bass bells, medium alto-sounding bells (also known as “battery” bells), and high soprano bells. There are thirty-nine bells in all, as well as a complete set of hand chimes, numbering fifty-two.
No concert is successful without an appreciative and attentive audience. This concert is the culmination of a year of concerts with enthusiastic audiences at the Perth Farmers’ Market, a dinner for the Retired Women Teachers’ Association of Ontario (Lanark Branch), a Christmas Concert at the Crystal Palace, a performance for the residents of Aspira Carolina Retirement Suites, a narrated presentation for the Probus Club of Perth at the Perth Legion, and a concert in Ferguson’s Falls at the new Community Hall.
Won’t you come join in the fun to ring in the spring! St. Paul’s is located at 25 Gore Street W in Perth. There is no admission fee, but freewill offerings are accepted.
I love my job. I get to hire incredibly talented and soul-stirring musicians and put them on our stage for you to enjoy! Samantha Martin <samanthamartinmusic.com> played The Cove for the first time a few years ago with the Blues on the Rideau Series, and I personally haven’t found another band that does what she does any better. Sure, there are many other amazing acts, but Sam has a thing that reaches deep. She blacks out. She trances. She rips her vocals into shreds and it’s all in the name of music and the power to move. It makes me so happy to know that she wants to return to our stage to showcase her new tunes and exude her soul sound. If you are looking for a sonic experience that takes you way back but peers into the future of what is possible in this Canadian musical landscape, don’t miss this show! In advance of her performance on Friday, April 19, I caught up with Sam for a frank chat.
Seamus Cowan: Samantha Martin is a name synonymous with soul. You have a true soulful sound, channelling its essence through poignant lyrics and raw emotion. What does soul music mean to you and where does it come from?
Samantha Martin: I never set out to become a “soul singer” or a “blues singer” — I’ve always just wanted to write good songs that people can relate to. That being said, my musical tastes have been heavily influenced by the African-American soul singers from the 60s and 70s that were recording at Stax in Memphis and in Muscle Shoals Alabama. Aretha, Ike & Tina Turner, and Otis Redding are at the top of the list for sure. Soul music is, by definition, secular gospel music — and seeing as I am not overly religious, it is the closest I get to church most of the time. I find it speaks to the human condition in a way that most people can relate to, and oftentimes deals in themes of love and love leaving, which I may know a thing or two about.
One of my favourite things about you is that you are so real and so candid on stage about love, life and existence. What is your most natural way of finding a connection with your audience?
If I can be so real and honest with an audience that they start laughing with me about whatever it is that I’m going on about in between songs — that’s how I know I’ve connected with them. I love to tell stories, specifically my life story or things that happen to me or around me, in which I try to find the humorous bits (even if they are self-deprecating). Existence is by nature difficult, so you have to find the humour — that’s what keeps me going.
The musical landscape is changing. In this era of digital content demand and musical aesthetic changes, as venues become scarcer and royalties dwindle, what is the best part about being a musician?
That’s a hard one. It’s been a wild ride since 2020, yet there are these bright moments where the band is firing on all cylinders, the sound person gets what we do and mixes the band just perfectly, the audience is laughing at my jokes, dancing to my tunes, coming over to buy a record or a t-shirt and take a photo — sometimes telling me how a song I’ve written has a special meaning to them — that’s the best part. The connection and understanding that music makes. Lord knows I would have thrown in the towel a decade ago if it wasn’t for that.
Working with Darcy Yates and everyone else on your latest record The Reckless One really seemed to capture another level of grandiose artistic vibe. Can you shed light on your writing process and how the production works with you?
First of all, thank you for noticing, lol. My writing process changes depending on who I am writing with. If I am by myself — just me, often a guitar and a sliver of an idea — I sit in the dark and just repeat myself until something comes to me. If I am writing with other people it can change in a bunch of different ways. Paul Reddick, for example, deals in poetry, cadence, syllables and imagery. Curtis Chaffey has fully-written ideas that need lyrics, Jake Chisholm likes to do word associations and guitar riffs, Suzie Vinnick often pulls stories out of me about something I’m going through and helps me get to the nitty gritty.
As far as production is concerned, I work with people I trust who understand what I am going for and know how to get it. If I feel strongly enough, good or bad, I’ll say something. But for the most part I just sit back and listen.
Isolation didn’t stop you from being creative during the pandemic. A new record, accolades abound, even a European tour! But you also had a baby with your partner Renan. The obvious question would be, how has that all been? The better question would be, what kind of inspiration have you found in bringing life into the world and what kind of direction might we be able to expect when you release another record?
Being a mom has been my life’s biggest adventure, one I put off for a long time chasing the dream of being a rock’n’roll star. It is all-encompassing, and I certainly have a harder time finding time to do things like brush my hair or read a book that isn’t brightly illustrated with baby farm animals — but my little dude will be just a year old when we come to The Cove so things are easing up enough to get a babysitter so I can get back to writing, recording, and of course touring.
As far as what to expect with the next record, I can’t answer that with any certainty because I am not the same person I was before I had him. Time will tell, but I promise I didn’t get soft… musically speaking anyway lol… there is no children’s record in my near future — I swear too much!
Catch Samantha Martin with her Delta Blues Band live at The Cove as part of the Blues at The Cove Series on Friday, April 19. Call 273–3636 for reservations, or visit <coveinn.com>.
The Cordwood Folk School & Homestead is nestled in the woods, on unceded territory of the Shabot Obaadjiwan, 20 minutes west of Perth. They have been running courses since 2018 and are glad to host many returning instructors each year, as well as bringing in new professionals of their craft to broaden the scope of media offered. This spring’s lineup includes Leatherworking with Willa Murray, where you will learn about selecting, cutting, punching and hand stitching leather in a one-day class while making a wallet and keychain. In Bladesmithing with Graham van Houten, you will spend three days creating your very own fixed blade knife, based on the traditional knife of the Saami people of Lapland; the “Puukko”. Other courses being offered are Fruit Tree Grafting, Felt Making, Willow Basketry, Drystone Walling and Natural Hide Tanning.
“We’ve had folks come from across Canada and the United States to take courses with us, and being able to share a piece of our lifestyle with them while they are here to learn is so rewarding for everyone”, says Zoë, owner and operator. Zoë and Ben are fortunate to be stewards of a sugar bush, wetland, pond and pasture land. It is here that they manage a small flock of Icelandic sheep, raise chickens for meat and eggs, make maple syrup the old way by buckets and boiling on an open fire, and have vegetable gardens that produce enough bounty for their family and the participants of each course, who are fed a fresh, home cooked meal each day. “Growing food is my true passion and I am happiest when seeing my family and people who have come for a course, from all walks of life, sit and share a meal together.”
Each season on their farm, Zoë and Ben work to move closer to self-sufficiency through various practices and learned skills. As homesteaders they believe that most everything they use and consume can potentially be created, grown or built at home. “We are guided by the resources we have on hand, tools that we use, and techniques that we can implement to follow a more resilient path”, says Ben. With the desire to spread knowledge of craft and practical skills, both old and new, they were compelled to open the Cordwood Folk School. “Our teachers are passionate about their craft, the courses that they teach are designed by them, and they are excited to offer them here.” By facilitating these courses, people come together through the love of old craft, folk art, practical skills, or the simple joy of sitting down to a home cooked meal.
On top of hosting courses, the Cordwood Folk School holds fundraising events such as a spring plant sale and pop-up markets, where they raise money for their scholarship fund. This fund helps to make their courses accessible to all. “We believe that everyone should have equal access to what we offer. If you are keen to learn, we want to help you get here.”
To learn more about the Cordwood Folk School & Homestead and to subscribe to their newsletter, visit <thecordwoodstudio.com> or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @thecordwoodstudio. They will be releasing their Summer/Fall program of courses on May 1. Maybe you’ve been wanting to learn the mechanics and proper techniques of chainsawing, or how to use the plants of our landscape in natural dyeing. This is just a teaser of what they have in store!
Two New Shows at Sivarulrasa Gallery
Almonte’s Sivarulrasa Gallery will present two new exhibitions beginning April 5 and running until May 10. Michael Pittman: The Hinterlands will run in Galleries I and II. This solo exhibition features a new body of work by the Newfoundland-based artist. The show title references the periphery of what is understood and inhabited, and what may lie beyond. “The ways in which we interact with our surroundings are necessarily changing”, Pittman explains. “As the natural world becomes less ‘passive’ and catastrophic events occur more frequently, questioning our existing connection to the land and sea has become increasingly important.”
Michael Pittman holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Memorial University, and a Masters degree on the visual culture of Newfoundland and Labrador from the Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland. He is the recipient of multiple grants and awards for his artwork, which frequently references the physical environment, traditional knowledge, and hidden histories of the places to which he is connected. His works are held in many private and public collections, including The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery, the City of St. John’s, the Waterford Institute of Technology, and Memorial University. He resides in central Newfoundland with his wife and son.
Mary Pfaff: River of Dreams will run in Gallery III. This solo exhibition features new paintings and assemblages by Almonte-based artist Mary Pfaff. Her nonrepresentational paintings and assemblages have an atmospheric, lyrical quality, evocative of themes in nature and her personal life. “For me this was a time of findings”, she says. “I began considering the objects I have collected, like the old handmade boxes in my studio, the drawers of little gatherings from walks… and examined the host of visual journals on my shelves recording the why’s and what’s of my life as an artist.”
Mary Pfaff earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (with distinction) from the University of Ottawa in 1990. Her works have been exhibited in solo and group shows in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. Her works are held in the public collections of the University of Ottawa and the City of Ottawa, as well as private collections in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. She works from her studio in Almonte, Ontario.
Meet artists Michael Pittman and Mary Pfaff at the combined Artists Reception on Saturday, April 6 from 2–4pm. The gallery is located at 34 Mill Street in Almonte. For more details, visit <sivarulrasa.com>.
A Vibrant Celebration of Creativity Blooms at Stone Manor Studios
In the heart of Ontario’s Daffodil Capital, Stone Manor Studios in Newboro is preparing for the arrival of Daffodil Days with a burst of creativity. This year’s celebration at the newly reopened Manor promises bright and refreshing artistic experiences amidst the scenic Rideau Lakes backdrop.
One of the highlights of this year’s event is the introduction of all-day classes set amidst the stunning surroundings of the Manor. Attendees can immerse themselves in various creative disciplines, from stained glass to felting, watercolour painting to Indigenous beading. Each session promises to be a nurturing experience facilitated by instructors passionate about their craft.
The creation of a site-specific curated Forest Bath adds to the celebration’s attraction, allowing participants to connect with nature in a significant way. Weather permitting, a new outdoor patio featuring a covered pavilion will offer the perfect space for artistic inspiration and relaxation.
The beauty of spring is further accentuated by the stunning daffodils that bloom on the property. Stone Manor Studios is a significant stop on the Daffodil Days Driving Tour hosted by the Township of Rideau Lakes. With thousands of daffodils already in bloom and an additional 200 bulbs planted last fall, the landscape is set to dazzle visitors with its natural splendour.
“We’re dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of art to create meaningful change,” says Kim Lulashnyk, owner and Creative Director of Stone Manor Studios. “Our celebration isn’t just about honing artistic skills; it’s about fostering connections within the community and cultivating a warm and nurturing space for participants.”
Indeed, the spirit of creativity thrives at Stone Manor Studios, where participants are invited to explore, create, and connect in a welcoming environment. From workshops and locally sourced refreshments to delightful pop-up surprises, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by.
As Daffodil Days approach, Stone Manor Studios stands ready to ignite the imaginations of all who enter its doors, promising an unforgettable celebration of creativity, community, and the beauty of spring. Find more information at <stonemanorstudios.ca>.
Beth McCubbin – Various Works
From April 21 to June 14, the Corridor Gallery at the Almonte Library is pleased to present a new show titled Various Works, by artist Beth McCubbin.
Beth is a mixed media sculptor whose favoured materials are metal, concrete and ceramics. Preservation of the natural environment and the demonstration of critical social issues are her focus.
She began her arts and cultural activities at a young age, largely influenced by her family. Throughout her 20s, she worked in black box theatre on set design, prop construction, stage management, and front-of-house. She is now a mixed media and ceramics instructor, sharing her tools and ability with those who don’t normally have that access. She is also a trained objects conservator with a private practice.
Working in the theatre and as an art instructor are very important parts of her artistic journey; she has learned so much by being engaged alongside a broad variety of people. As an objects conservator she has greatly expanded her understanding and application of materials.
She is inspired by all that surrounds her, whether urban, rural, unfamiliar or disturbing. As a visual artist, she wants to report on and draw focus to what she sees around her. Her desire is to make meaningful, emotive and beautiful art.
Beth’s connection to Almonte has been constant for many years. Her sister lives and works in Almonte, her niece and nephew grew up in Almonte, and her parents moved here over 15 years ago. Almonte is her family town, and she holds it dear. Beth lives and works in Ottawa and her studio in Low, Quebec.
The Corridor Gallery is open to the public during regular library hours, posted at <missmillslibrary.com>. The gallery is volunteer run and features artists from the Ottawa Valley. For more information, please contact Melanie at <m.bruntwood@gmail.com>.
So begins the romantic comedy Looking, written by the popular Canadian playwright Norm Foster. Four 40/50 somethings are looking (or not!) for romance or a relationship. It is, of course, a universal theme that everyone can relate to — not least our four participants! But as they will tell you, the road is filled with potholes. In this play, it’s also filled with crackling one-liners.
Directed by Omar Simonyi, the play combines the talents of Janet Hilliard, Tom Hilliard, Amy Hawkins and Ken McDavitt. Promising great fun, Looking will take place at the Merrickville Community Centre from Thursday, May 9 through Sunday, May 12. Tickets and information are available at <merrickvilletheatre.org>.
The Mississippi Mills Youth Centre is pleased to announce their first ever Trivia Night fundraiser! On May 4, teams of trivia buffs will compete for prizes and glory at Almonte Old Town Hall (14 Bridge Street). Trivia master Julian Smith (AKA Señor Trivialmonte) will test your knowledge of popular music, pop culture, and other general topics. Doors open at 6:30pm and the competition starts at 7pm.
You can sign up as a team of 4–8 players, or register as an individual or smaller group and be matched with other friendly trivia lovers. Tickets are $25 per person and are available online at <mmyc.ca/store>. Tickets are limited, so be sure to get yours before it’s too late!
Trivia Night for MMYC is made possible by a generous donation from LBL Excavation & Trucking.
Did you know that the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre had over 3000 engagements with youth aged 10–18 in 2023? They support youth by providing free drop-in time, hygiene items, meals and snacks, and opportunities to connect with caring adults and their peers. They also provide free structured programs in the arts, life skills, science, physical activity and more, to help youth build skills and gain confidence.
All proceeds from Trivia Night will directly support free programs at the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre. Email <executivedirector@mmyc.ca> or call 256–5959 for more details.
Raise your hand if you want to help your community! Are you looking to learn more about some of the service organizations in our area? Interested in connecting with other volunteers?
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to explore volunteering opportunities in the service sector and connect with those who are already volunteering. On Thursday, April 11, Home Hospice North Lanark is hosting a forum for just these purposes, and we hope you’ll join us at the Almonte Civitan Hall from 10am to 3:30pm. There will be time to visit with our exhibitors and network all day.
Exhibitors include the Almonte Civitan Club, Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor, Alzheimer Society, Bridging Generations Pakenham, Carebridge Community Support, ConnectWell Community Health, Home Hospice North Lanark, Lanark County Interval House (Interval House will also be providing information on volunteer opportunities with the Distress Line and Shelter Movers), and the Lanark County Paramedic Service (who will be providing blood pressure assessments). There will also be representatives from the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, Mississippi Mills Fire Department, Municipality of Mississippi Mills, Orchard View by the Mississippi, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 192 Ladies Auxiliary (Carleton Place), and Carleton Place Terrace.
In the afternoon, we are offering some interesting education sessions and a panel discussion.
Between 1pm and 2pm there will be three 20-minute education sessions: “Boundaries set you free” with psychotherapist and author Sarri Gilman (via video with a special message for this event), “Age-friendly communities in rural Canada” with Danielle Shewfelt, and “Foundations for an active lifestyle” (presenter to be confirmed).
From 2–3pm there will be an interactive panel discussion, moderated by Kelly Thomson RN, that will incorporate audience participation. There will be opportunities to ask questions, provide feedback and contribute to the empowerment and development of today’s volunteering experience. We will discuss the volunteer perspective of challenges, issues and successes; as a volunteer what supports do you have now and what do think is needed; and how do we sustain volunteering.
There is no greater service than that of volunteering. Volunteers continue to be the backbone of organizations providing services, programs and caring that are so essential to our wellbeing.
Lunch will be available between noon and 1pm for the public to purchase from the Civitan Club. During lunch, our Program Coordinator, Emily Ballinger RPN, will give a presentation entitled “An introduction to Home Hospice North Lanark.”
We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for providing a Seniors Community Grant (SCG) that allows us to offer this forum. Please visit our website at <hhnl.ca/forum> for more information.
Let’s think about forests — leaves underfoot, tree canopy overhead, birds, bugs and bees. It’s wonderful to get out, to breathe, to listen.
In town that’s hard to do… but soon people in Smiths Falls will be able to see a tiny “forest” growing in Corbett Park.
It all starts in April.
Dave Thornley and a crew of volunteers are building it; it’s based on a Japanese concept — the Miyawaki Method — initially developed to counter deforestation in that country after the war.
But first, after planting the seed at a Rideau Environmental Action League (REAL) board meeting, he had to find land. Not much of a problem, there’s lots around. The issue was timing… and then getting permission. “I was under the gun,” Thornley remembers.
The deadline to apply to Trees Canada for $9000 of funding for the project was rapidly approaching — he had five days to get it submitted. He went to the Town, suggested four spots for the tiny forest, and the final decision was made for Corbett Park.
He grins when he remembers this: “within less than a week we got the land. Amazing! It can happen!”
Organizers hope to hear about the funding this spring, but if it doesn’t come through REAL has agreed to go ahead with it anyway; a Go Fund Me site has also been suggested.
The tiny forest will grow between Chambers and Sussex, at the northwest corner of Corbett Park. Presently it’s a small park, bare except for children’s playground equipment. The planting will go at one end, lending coolness on hot summer days.
There are other tiny forests around, Thornley says. Kingston has planted “six or nine of them over the last three years.”
He describes the work. “We’re doing the minimum size — 100 square metres. That’s about half a tennis court, not very big for 300 trees. Each square metre has three trees.” And because Kingston has done this before, the city is lending spreadsheets with methodology and instruction on what needs to be done.
There are two aspects, Thornley says — the first is planting the forest floor and the second is planting the trees. “The idea is to plant close together. The undergrowth fights against each other, grows faster, and turns into a forest in ten years. That’s the whole idea of a tiny forest.”
But you need a proper forest floor to do this. This is the layering to be done: cardboard, leaves, compost and wood chips. All of this is coming from the landfill site in Smiths Falls, “except for the cardboard,” Thornley explains. On April 13, when the initial work starts, there will be a huge pile of cardboard there waiting to be put down; Thornley has cardboard collection well in hand and doesn’t need anymore. Cardboard keeps weeds from growing, and when the layering is complete and the forest floor is down, the trees go in. “The recommendation is to let it sit for six months and then, in October, plant the trees.”
How is all this going to happen?
“Volunteers,” Thornley says. “We need people!” Men and women with trucks, teens who need volunteer hours, moms and dads and grandparents, and then wheelbarrows, rakes, hoes, gloves, sunscreen. His hope is to make it a community event.
He suggests people give an hour or two and says it could be completed in four to six hours.
Why trucks? Not for compost, he quickly says, knowing how guys and gals feel about their trucks, but to get leaf bags and cardboard to the site. There are 120 bags at the landfill: “they fill them, we just put them in cars or trucks and take them.”
And then, in October, the trees go in — three trees per square metre. Thornley says they have a list of 300 trees: “all sorts, canopy, mid-canopy, normal, bush, a mixture… not mature trees, with the largest being small and easy to plant, saplings…”
He foresees only one problem — water. The planting will have to be watered initially and then “once in a while, two or three times a summer.” He’s looked at the site and knows there are two fire hydrants fairly close by. “Maybe the fire chief could give us an old hose to hook up,” he says, putting the thought out there, or maybe nearby houses could co-ordinate. “We only need it a few times a year, not a lot.”
The new plants will be colour-coordinated with tiny flags to identify location and type. “We care for it up to three years [this is where volunteers for watering and weeding come in], and then it should look after itself.” In ten years it will be a good-looking forest.
So mark your calendar for April 13 starting at 9am, and come help start a tiny forest at Corbett Park between Chambers and Sussex Streets in Smiths Falls. Everyone is welcome: grandparents, parents, kids, teens who need volunteer hours. If you are able, please bring trucks, wheelbarrows, hoes, rakes, gloves and trowels.
And one last thought, Thornley grins: “this is going to happen sun, sleet or snow…” To contact Dave, email him at <thornley.j.d@gmail.com>.
Wind Rock Ridge Art Gallery is a new art gallery located in the picturesque town of Smiths Falls. The gallery and artists’ studio is a unique experience for visitors and artists alike. The gallery has an impressive collection of fine artworks and one-of-a-kind items, including fibre art. It currently represents the works of seven artists including owner Shelley Leach, who opened Wind Rock Ridge in January of 2024.
Shelley is known for her wilderness and landscape painting and has been a practicing professional artist for almost twenty years. Also in the gallery is Anne-Marie Langan, who has a passion for plein air painting inspired by the scenery whilst she was living in Alaska. Susan Reiter taught art from her home to both children and adults living in the Ottawa region. For Scott Pedlar, artwork is his “lifelong endeavour”. Clara Langan is a multi-talented artist working in various media. Lisa Bradford creates whimsical fibre art that will certainly capture your imagination. Roanne Thomas is a multi-media artist who creates finely detailed collages from reclaimed objects. All artists’ bios can be found at <windrockridgeartgallery.ca>.
Shelley Leach was exposed to art from a young age, as her mother was also an artist, and this instilled a deep appreciation for the arts within her. Throughout her career, Shelley has experienced the ups and downs of being a professional artist and has developed a non-competitive approach. With her gallery, she is focused on supporting other artists by giving them a place to exhibit, host workshops and network.
Owning an art gallery has been a long-held aspiration for Shelley. After running her studio from her home for over a decade, and after several moves, she was finally in the position to make this dream a reality. Smiths Falls is surrounded by areas renowned for their art scene, and Shelley wants to bring this same reputation to her town. Since its opening in January 2024, Wind Rock Ridge Art Gallery has become a go-to, one of the hidden gems of Lanark County that offers a unique and memorable creative experience.
As a second-generation artist and an experienced professional, Shelley is passionate about the fine arts and is deeply committed to providing artists from all backgrounds with a platform to showcase their talents. Shelley’s gallery serves as a place where artists can connect, collaborate, network and share their unique perspectives while also engaging with visitors. The commercial studio attached to the gallery allows visitors to connect with Shelley as an artist and gallery owner. Shelley’s studio is an integral part of the experience for visitors to witness and interact with a working artist and see work being created. It’s more than walking into an art gallery to look at art — it’s an all-encompassing experience from the artistic process to the final gallery experience.
Shelley believes in fostering a creative, inclusive and welcoming environment for visitors. The gallery is not exclusive to any particular group or genre; however, the ongoing theme is where art and nature converge, and the artist’s interpretation of how art and nature can intersect can provide visitors with an intriguing view of artistic concepts.
Shelley is dedicated to making the visitors’ experience a memorable and enjoyable one. She strives to cater to everyone’s needs, whether they are art enthusiasts or collectors. The gallery includes a section dedicated to the Art of Children and the unfiltered imagination, which is a constant reminder and always inspiring. Shelley wanted to create a space where she could showcase other artists as well as herself. She loves art of all kinds and is committed to supporting the arts and bringing that to the community where she resides. Art is such an important part of society, and artists have a role beyond painting if they are able; opening her art gallery was her way of doing this. For more information, visit <windrockridgeartgallery.ca> and <shelleyleach.com>.
When we were kids and we’d drive past a house with lots of cars in front, my Mom would say: “Bunny’s having a pah-ty and we didn’t get our invitation”. I think it was from a song or a story, or maybe it was simply an expression from her bridge club, but it’s stuck with us.
The very word “party” stirs excitement. I haven’t hosted one in many years, but love the idea of getting friends together, spending days making favourite foods, setting out the best glasses, finding all the serving dishes, cleaning the house, making sure the pets are corralled. Wait a minute: did I say I love this idea? Indeed, I do love the idea, but it’s enough now to make me slap my forehead and run for a tranquilizer! I don’t know that I’m up for the challenge anymore.
After the last few years, we have gotten away from group gatherings in our homes altogether. A dinner party for four is as much as I can muster, and the very thought of a proper cocktail party in the afternoon is way out of my ken.
Imagine our pleasure then, to be invited to a proper afternoon wine & cheese party. We were welcomed like old friends, and the greeting felt like a home-coming as we met people we hadn’t seen for a long while, and new people we surely hope we will meet again. Our hosts were exemplary with introductions, remembering everyone’s name as if there was going to be a test at the end of the afternoon. Very impressive, especially for those of us who hear a name only to have it float to cyberspace before it registers properly. Everyone was made to feel at ease in their beautiful home and gorgeous garden. We knew we were going to have a good time.
A fine array of wines was generously laid out on the counter, accompanied by a tray of shot glasses for tasting without over-imbibing. What a concept! I must say, no glasses remained empty for long.
And now to the food. Imagine a banquet set for a king, imagine desserts fit for a queen, imagine every kind of good thing at any party you ever attended. Well, it was all on the table for our enjoyment. Sally and Rob (let’s not beat around the bush!) must have made many shops happy with their fine choices of cheese, meats, snacks, and so much more. It was obvious there had been major kitchen work going on for a few days to produce the splendid array of appetizers too numerous to mention. All to say, it looked like a photo shoot right out of Food & Drink magazine. However, it only took a few minutes before samples were being nibbled and plates assembled.
You know a party is successful when the guys gather in the kitchen, the women in a knot by the food table, and the noise level rises with laughter and new stories. There was a lot of catching up to do: holidays, new books, grandkids and dogs. Chairs got moved in closer, conversations were animated, and all the while glasses and plates were filled.
An event like this doesn’t just happen; it takes a whole lot of planning and a real desire to give guests a party to remember. I can recall apprehensively wondering if people would come, if they’d get along together, if the food would be acceptable, and all manner of other concerns. And then the doorbell would ring, and it was Game On. In a few hours the event would be over, we’d be tired, but content that it had come off as we planned. I hope that was how Sally and Rob felt when the dishes were done and the house was quiet. Perhaps the sound of good cheer was still echoing in the living room. For sure we came home exhilarated by the convivial company of the afternoon. Further, having done a party myself made me truly thankful for their efforts to make this friendly afternoon such a genuine pleasure for everyone.
This is going to be a summer of celebration at our house. I wonder if I start now, could I create a party to remember? You’ll know if I do. You’ll see the cars, and you won’t be driving past thinking Bunny didn’t invite you to the party. You’ll be here too.
Studio Theatre Perth is thrilled to announce the launch of season three of the Perth Youth Players! This exciting initiative is tailored for youth ages 10 to 17 and is designed to cultivate a new generation of community theatre enthusiasts.
Season Three workshops will take place on Saturday mornings at Studio Theatre, starting on Saturday, April 27 and running through June 15. Participants can look forward to a diverse program, ranging from the excitement of “Shakespeare Can be Fun” to the enchantment of “Set Magic.”
Led by Studio’s youth Co-ordinator Marilyn Nicholas-Dahan, the team of experienced and passionate professionals are dedicated to providing a highly experiential workshop series. Participants will be actively engaged throughout, exerting high energy while honing their theatrical skills.
Parents play a crucial role in the program by bringing their kids and cheering them on. To celebrate the participants’ hard work, families and extended families are invited to a free presentation showcasing everything the Players have learned at the end of the series.
Affordability and Accessibility
Studio Theatre is committed to making theatre accessible to all members of the community, regardless of age, experience, or financial means. Thanks to their dedicated volunteers and donors, they are able to keep the participation fees low. The fee for the entire seven-workshop series is only $75 and includes a membership in Studio Theatre Perth.
How to Register
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting season! Registration will be in the Studio Theatre Perth Lobby on Saturday, April 6 from 10:30am to noon, and on Sunday, April 7 from 6–7pm. For the full program, faculty profiles, and registration details, visit <studiotheatreperth.com/youth-players>. Join Studio Theatre in nurturing a love for theatre and creativity in the youth of Perth!
On Thursday, April 25 at 7:30pm, catch the award-winning Ottawa blues artist JW-Jones live in concert. For the second year in a row he will bring his old-style blues sound with that contemporary twist to the ABC Hall stage in Maberly. A gifted guitarist and singer/songwriter who is the epitome of an “old soul” blues man, JW-Jones is also an artist who truly engages with his audiences, bringing his warmth and humorous personality to the stage.
As the renowned blues man Buddy Guy himself said: “this young man is one of the people who will keep the blues alive”.
Tickets are $35 plus fees at Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434).
Justin Francis’s death by suicide last summer felt like a 20-lb weight had been put on my chest. It washed over me like a tidal wave of sadness, and confusion, and compassion.
“Why?” is the question I asked the most. And the answer is, “No one knows.” Justin let no one know how much pain he was in, what he was going through. Not his brother, not even his wife. Certainly not me.
I’d become friendly with Justin during the four months that he provided a home for the Almonte Song Circle at his Base Camp Brewery. It immediately clicked as the best home we’d ever had: excellent acoustics, a warm and cozy room, and a host who loved what we were doing.
As the percussionist, I brought more equipment than anyone else: drums, cymbals, stands, a tickle trunk of hand percussion, a folding table.
Breaking down all that equipment and loading it out to my car was a burden I never felt like rushing through. Especially when the proprietor was a friendly, gentle soul with a perpetual baseball cap. So Justin and I chatted, drank a bit, finished the remaining pizza... and a friendship bloomed from those conversations. I shared a secret or two, as one does with bartenders. And we talked on a not-superficial level… though he shared nothing with me that would even hint at what was coming.
When it came, it hit me hard. I’ve known a handful of other people who’ve taken their own lives. In each case, I’ve felt a deep and gnawing sadness, because I think each one must have been in so much pain that they couldn’t see any other solution.
I felt we members of the Song Circle should do something for Justin, and for the people he loved, and do it in the way we know. Like I said, Justin loved what we were doing.
So we’re holding an event on Saturday, April 13th, with three purposes: to celebrate Justin and pay our respects; to raise awareness about mental health in a respectful and compassionate way, so that, if there’s anyone out there hurting the way he did, they might find a different solution; and to raise as much money as we can for his wife and children.
There’ll be food, and drink — including craft beers from some of the local brewing community — and music. From 7:30 to 9pm, members of the Song Circle will give a taste of what we do, sharing original songs and tasty covers, in a folk/roots/country vein.
As I’ve talked about this event over the last few months, I’ve been met with compassion and a willingness to help from everyone I’ve spoken to. The kind-hearted town.
Justin added his own kindness to our community: following his passion, he started a business that was meant to bring people together. He opened his doors to all of us.
I hope you too, gentle reader, can manage to help the Francis family with a donation, and with your presence on Saturday, April 13, any time between 6pm and 11pm at Equator Coffee. The Justin Francis Family Fund page is on Facebook, where you can follow and learn more details about how to donate, bid on silent auction items, and share information.
Tickets are $20 in advance via Tickets Please <justinfrancis.ticketsplease.ca>, or $25 at the door. If you can’t make it on April 13, you can donate any amount, also via Tickets Please. Truly, no amount is too small. If paying online makes you uncomfortable, you can send a cheque, payable to Rebecca Francis, to P.O. Box 266, Almonte, ON K0A 1A0.
Need help?
Call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8