Online Articles - theHumm
Lorrie Potvin — Repurposed - theHumm June 2025
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
Lorrie Potvin creates highly imaginative metal sculptures from scrap metal that she can’t resist collecting everywhere she goes. Her spontaneous response to “Why?” is that she can’t look at anything without imagining a way in which it could be repurposed. So discarded forks and chopped up harrow disks and metal vegetable strainer pieces are combined with a career-long collection of metal automotive scraps to become original sculptures in her professionally trained hands......
Stepping Out: A Tap-Dancing Triumph of Comedy and Heart - theHumm June 2025
By Joseph Nieforth
Lace up your tap shoes — or at least your comfiest theatre-going attire! Beginning on July 3 and continuing to July 13, Studio Theatre Perth will be presenting Stepping Out — a heartwarming comedy by Richard Harris. First performed in 1984, the play is about a group of mismatched adults attending a weekly tap-dancing class in a local church hall. With a blend of humour and poignancy, it delves into the personal struggles and triumphs of its diverse characters — eight women and one man — each grap......
Art in the Garden A Celebration of Art, Nature & Community - theHumm June 2025
By Jude Pearson
The very first Canada Blooms, the largest flower and garden festival in Canada, was held in March of 1997. It drew over 70,000 visitors to the Toronto Congress Centre in just five days, a record for a first-time show. The organizers were simultaneously floored and elated.
Three months later, Paul Loiselle, owner of Kiwi Gardens near Perth, hosted his inaugural Art in the Garden on Father’s Day weekend. While much smaller in scale, attendance and interest in the......
The Savannah Sipping SocietySouthern Charm Comes to The Station Theatre - theHumm June 2025
Anticipation is building as the cast and crew prepare to bring The Savannah Sipping Society to life on stage this June. Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, this heartwarming southern comedy promises an evening of laughter, reflection, and the healing power of friendship.
The production also marks an exciting milestone for Kathryn McKeigan, who will make her directorial début. While new to directing, McKeigan is a familiar face at The Station Theatre, ha......
Celebrating Solstice Together National Indigenous Peoples Day in Mississippi Mills - theHumm June 2025
National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21, is a time to recognize and celebrate the rich heritage, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada. First proclaimed in 1996, it coincides with the Summer Solstice and is now part of the Celebrate Canada program. The day invites all Canadians to engage in meaningful acts of reflection, learning, and reconciliation.
The Summer Solstice is a significant part of many Indigenous cultures in Canada ......
Summer/Fall Pops Concerts For 2025 - theHumm June 2025
The Perth Citizens’ Band, Canada’s oldest continuing town band, is preparing for the 2025 season of its annual Summer/Fall Pops Concert Series. These concerts in the downtown core have been a longstanding tradition of the band for well over 100 years. They feature a variety of music ranging from classical, Broadway and movie themes to jazz, rock, blues and other popular forms; a bit of music for all tastes and ages. In addition, conductor Brian Tackaberry includes heritage pieces from the ......
Quilts on the Tay - theHumm June 2025
The Lanark County Quilters Guild (LCQG) will be hosting its biennial Quilts on the Tay quilt show on Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12 at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre, located at 71 Cornelia St. W. Show times are 10am to 5pm both days.
The LCQG was formed in 1990 and held several smaller events before hosting its first Quilts on the Tay in 1998 at the Perth Community Centre. One hundred and forty-five traditional and contemporary quilts were displayed and awards given i......
Mill Street Books Presents… - theHumm June 2025
You may have seen the classic CBC Canadian Heritage Minute in which a woman collapses after smelling burnt toast. Dr. Wilder Penfield is the surgeon who appears in scrubs in the next scene, poking around in her brain to discover the source of her seizures, and eventually winning world-wide acclaim for discovering treatments for epilepsy. And while he won major awards and accolades and has one of the most beautiful boulevards in Montreal named in his honour, he did not accomplish his work alone......
Meet Artists at MERA - theHumm June 2025
For the entire month of June, there will be an art show on display at the MERA Schoolhouse. This exhibition by members of the MERA Art Circle is called “A Circle of Art”. Everyone is invited to the show’s opening event on June 8.
The MERA Art Circle is a group of local artists that meets at the Schoolhouse on Friday mornings. It is a time and place to share art, ideas and friendship. Some people come every week, and some only rarely. Occasionally they may have a workshop, but mostly they do their own work, each artist bringing their unique offerings to the group. Each year, they are ......
Befriend a Beach! - theHumm June 2025
By Heather Phaneuf
Did you know that the Almonte Beach has been enjoyed in many ways over the years, and that you now have a chance to help keep it in tiptop shape?
Located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi on the lands of the North Lanark Agricultural Society (NLAS) — home to Canada’s oldest wooden covered grandstand built in 1868 — the beach is part of a storied place. With an incomparable view of the river, people have gathered here through time to relax and play, to enjoy slides in the water, to hold......
Curds and Cooks Back Forty Artisan Cheese Summer Festival - theHumm June 2025
Back Forty Artisan Cheese invites food lovers, music fans and families to celebrate the best of local flavour and international flair at the 8th annual Curds and Cooks festival, taking place on Saturday, June 28 from 11am to 5pm.
Held on the scenic grounds of Back Forty’s farm and creamery in North Frontenac, the event showcases the region’s top artisan foods, craft beverages, and live global music — all centered around Back Forty’s award-winning raw sheep milk che......
Friends of the Library Online Auction The Best of Mississippi Mills - theHumm June 2025
By Barbara Carroll
The Friends of Mississippi Mills Library 4th annual online auction, The Best of Mississippi Mills, opens for bidding on June 9 and continues until June 20. If you haven’t already found it, you can view the auction site now. This is your chance to look at the local services available and put a heart beside any that speak to you. Then you’ll be ready when June 9 rolls around. Visit the site at 32auctions.com/FMMPL2025 .
We are very excited about this year’s auction. We have 107 local businesses and organizations who have do......
You Belong in Mississippi Mills Pride Bench Project Expands to New Communities - theHumm June 2025
By the Pride in Mississippi Mills Team
As June ushers in Pride Month, Mississippi Mills is once again embracing the spirit of inclusion, visibility, and love with a grassroots initiative aimed at creating lasting symbols of belonging. The You Belong: Pride in Mississippi Mills campaign invites residents, businesses and organizations to support the next phase of the Pride Bench project — installing permanent, Pride-themed benches in Blakeney and Clayton.
Led by the all-volunteer committee Pride in Mississippi Mills, the initiati......
Old School Bluegrass Camp’s 10th Anniversary - theHumm June 2025
Nestled in the picturesque Lanark Highlands of Eastern Ontario, down a winding garden path in the historic hamlet of Elphin, lies a musical sanctuary that has been capturing the hearts of bluegrass enthusiasts for a decade now. Old School Bluegrass Camp is celebrating its triumphant 10th anniversary, offering an unforgettable five-day summer camp experience for adults from July 2–6.
Under the guidance of renowned folk musician and award-winning singer-songwriter Jenny Wh......
Lanark Lit Festivalof Writing Continues! - theHumm June 2025
By Jessie Carson
The Lanark Lit Festival of Writing continues to the end of June, and Almonte Readers & Writers (ARW) are looking forward to sharing all that this last packed month of writerly activities is bringing to the community. On June 19 at 6:30pm we will present our last delve — In close conversation with writers event of the season featuring Perth’s Amanda West Lewis and Tim Wynne-Jones. Join in the fun as they share stories and insights about their lives as writers and how they have continue......
ClaytonFest Returns! A Day of Music, Community, and Fundraising - theHumm June 2025
Get ready for a day of fun, music, and community spirit! ClaytonFest, the annual outdoor music festival hosted by the Clayton Recreation Club, returns on July 19 from noon to 7:30pm. This year’s event promises a fantastic lineup of local musical talent and a vibrant marketplace featuring local vendors. This year’s performers include Country Reflections, Ali McCormick, Brad and Marty, Cashmen Ford, Vicki Brittle, Jame & Brendan McMunn, The Maywoods, and Small Town Socials.
Held at the pic......
Landscape Artist ofthe Year Competition - theHumm June 2025
The first annual Landscape Artist of the Year event is coming to the Ottawa Valley! This free, plein air, amateur artist competition for children and adults is an initiative led by volunteers of Greater Madawaska Township. It will take place on Saturday, July 19 from 10am to 2pm at Barnet Park. This beautiful park borders Calabogie Lake and has lots of interesting views to inspire landscape art.
The MC / hosts are fibre artist Christine Johnson and her partner James Murray. There will be four local professional artist as the judges; Richard Gill from Burnstown, Scott Rubie and Dwyene ......
Fragile Shelters An Interview with Author Paul Zammit - theHumm June 2025
By John Pigeau
In recent years, we’ve seen some extreme and distressing weather in the Ottawa Valley and Southeastern Ontario: derechos, tornados, wildfires, ice storms, droughts, torrential rains, flash floods, sustained extreme heatwaves. Clearly, as the United Nations says, we are in a “climate crisis,” the effects of which have taken a very real toll on our comfort, health and safety.
Cam Allen and Paul Zammit, the authors of Fragile Shelters — Surviving a Climate Crisis: How to Protect Your Home, a......
Emergency Plans Are Starting to Incorporate Climate Emergencies - theHumm June 2025
By Sue Brandum
The Health Unit hosted an interesting gathering on emergency planning in Mississippi Mills in May.
Invited were staff from the municipality, the fire department, emergency responders, and community organizations with interests in helping seniors prepare for emergencies and with interests in the “new” emergencies of the climate crisis.
I remember thinking decades ago that the emergency preparedness people had to begin to integrate the consequences of the climate breakdown into their planning. I’m glad to see it happening.
About seven years ago I managed to get into a special......
Outerbridge Magic in Merrickville Summer Matinées of Mysteries of the Keyhole House - theHumm June 2025
Hollywood headliners and social media sensations Ted and Marion Outerbridge are bringing their world-renowned illusions back to the Ottawa Valley! Their critically acclaimed, family-friendly show Outerbridge Magic — Mysteries of the Keyhole House, will run Saturdays at 2pm from June 7 to August 30 at The Pews in Merrickville. Tickets are available now at outerbridgemagic.com .
What happens......
Union Hall Potluck & AGM - theHumm June 2025
By Linda Camponi
Come for the meal, stay for the meeting! Union Hall’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 12. The evening will start with a community potluck dinner, followed by the business meeting.
Bring your favourite home-cooked dish, plates and cutlery, and enjoy a delicious meal. Dinner starts at 6pm, so you should be finished eating (except for that second or third dessert!) in time for the AGM at about 7:30pm
The agenda will include an update on significant improvements to the hall in the past year, as well as information on some big plans for the next twelve months, fi......
The Ragged Flowers Turn 25! - theHumm June 2025
By RuKincaid
The Ragged Flowers, Almonte’s “friendly neighbourhood purveyors of neo-psychedelic folk”, are marking twenty-five years since their début album Love to Burn. Having played such illustrious venues as Rasputin’s, the NAC Fourth Stage and The Blacksheep Inn, they are returning to one of their favourites — the Cedar Hill School House — for an intimate run of shows from June 20–22, and are launching a limited-edition double vinyl retrospective. As of press time the concert......
A Bright New Addition to Downtown Carleton Place - theHumm June 2025
Arts Carleton Place (ACP) officially opens its new, permanent, Art Hub Gallery location at 127 Bridge Street on June 3. After one year at 50 Bennett, ACP artists continue to expand on their dream of a permanent location to show and sell their art and artisanal work. Moving to 127 Bridge St. brings the Art Hub Gallery to the heart of Carleton Place, joining a vibrant collection of popular shops and restaurants.
From March 14 through May 24, ACP ran a pop-up art show titled A Taste of Art at th......
Rideau Lakes Studio Tour Explore Creativity and Community on Canada Day Weekend - theHumm June 2025
This Canada Day weekend, immerse yourself in the vibrant arts scene of Eastern Ontario with the Rideau Lakes Studio Tour, a celebrated event showcasing the region’s most talented creators. Taking place on June 28 and 29, the tour invites visitors to explore more than 13 working studios where artists will open their doors to share their creative worlds.
Nestled in the stunning landscape of the Rideau Lakes region, this self-guided tour offers a unique blend of art, nature and community. Whether yo......
CFUW Perth and District Home & Garden Tour 2025 Edition Features Stunning Homes and Gardens - theHumm June 2025
By — Nancy Chevrier is the Chair of the Home & Garden Tour, CFUW Perth & District
Join us on Saturday, July 12 and take in the gorgeous blooms, greenery and architecture of the beautiful town of Perth, Ontario. Visit 11 whimsical to traditionally-designed gardens all within town, some featuring perennials, shrubs, trees and vegetables while others showcase a range of plants from native to the exotic or uncommon.
Plan to stop a bit longer at select houses to listen to live music — piano, guitar, cello, violin and harp — and enjoy original oil, acrylic and wa......
The Valley Voices Thank You for the Music! - theHumm June 2025
By Becky Schweizer
Valley Voices, Almonte’s original community choir, invite you to our summer concert “Thank You for the Music”, a lively celebration of music and fun. On Sunday, June 8, we will be holding our annual June concert at the Almonte United Church. This year we are turning up the excitement with many songs you will know, as well as a few new favourites.
We are a small choir of great power, built on the strong base of the pre-pandemic Valley Voices who started singing together in 2002. Now in 2025 w......
Bonnechere Authors Festival Returns - theHumm June 2025
Summer in Eganville brings an influx of visiting tourists, cottagers and campers. Since 2003, it also brings the Bonnechere Authors Festival (BAF), now a popular event with people all over the Ottawa Valley. This is a festival of Canadian authors, four each year, whose works in the past have ranged from fiction and mystery to memoirs, history and true adventure. A different author is featured each Monday evening in July, and this year offers an exciting selection!
Wayne Ng opens the festiva......
Hooked on Local Produce at Sivarulrasa - theHumm June 2025
Two new exhibitions are running from May 31 to July 4 at Almonte’s Sivarulrasa Gallery.
Susan Tooke: Hooked runs in Gallery I. This exhibition features the Nova Scotia-based artist’s paintings and fibre art inspired by the East Coast wilderness. “Inspired by wilderness and motivated by the continued degradation of the environment, my work is focused on the celebration of the natural world”, she says. Based in the Annapolis Valley, Susan’s hooked rugs are inspired by her grandmot......
Stewart Park Festival First Wave of 2025 Performers Announced! - theHumm June 2025
The Stewart Park Festival returns from July 18–20 for its 34th year of music, community, and celebration — and organizers are thrilled to announce the first wave of performers! This initial lineup features 14 incredible artists, from beloved local acts to acclaimed international talents. As always, this by-donation festival brings world-class music to the stunning Stewart Park and Crystal Palace in downtown Perth, Ontario.
But this is just the beginning — stay tuned for more artist ann......
Feathered Friend or Foe? - theHumm June 2025
By David Hinks
I have fond memories of my maternal grandmother and her ongoing battle with grackles and robins that were inordinately attracted to her sweet cherry tree. At least in my childhood memories, this was a huge cherry tree, about 30 feet broad and 30 feet tall. A number of old cow bells had been hung from one of the higher branches. A rope stretched a few hundred feet from the tree to my grandmother’s veranda. The routine was to yank on the rope anytime you went in or out of the house, and truth b......
Mississippi Mills is Getting Active! Join the June ParticipACTION Challenge - theHumm June 2025
Get out your running shoes and get moving! Join your fellow Mississippi Millians and get active in the month of June to become Canada’s Most Active Community and win the $100,000 Grand Prize! If Mississippi Mills is successful, the award will go toward recreational programming in our community.
The Town is coordinating this group effort online at mississippimills.ca/explore-and-play/participaction-community-challenge . They will update the page with information about activiti......
Carleton Place Tattoo - theHumm June 2025
The sights and sounds of the Pipes and Drums and Highland Dancing held in September of last year was such a resounding success that the Tattoo will be returning to the Town of Carleton Place again this year on Sunday, June 22, beginning at noon. It is an event you will not want to miss.
It will once again be held on the grounds adjoining the Captain A. Roy Brown Legion Branch 192 building located at 177 George Street in Carleton Place beginning at noon. The Almonte Legion Branch ......
What’s With Shallots? - theHumm June 2025
By Glenda Jones
When we’re in the mood for an exotic trip, we take ourselves to Farm Boy, that cornucopia of produce that makes me want a fridge the size of my whole kitchen. The carts are so big they should require shoppers to have a Class A(AZ) driver’s licence just to get through the first door. If we can get past the fragrant little packets of berries from Peru, we’re very lucky. They’re always displayed with dainty little cakes handy for imagining desserts when we haven’t even gotten to the real stuf......
Come out from July 4–6 for Almonte Celtfest! - theHumm June 2025
Mark your calendar and tell your friends — Almonte Celtfest will be back in Gemmill Park for a full weekend of family-friendly entertainment from July 4-6.
The 29th edition of the festival kicks off with a blast of Celtic energy in a triple-bill lineup featuring Ottawa favourite the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, Métis fiddler Alex Kusturok, and Celtic rock warriors the Mudmen, who last played Celtfest in 2019. Tickets for opening night are $35, and are available through Front Door Plus and at the ......
All Aboard the S.T.E.A.M. Train! - theHumm June 2025
Last month, the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario celebrated the launch of its newest attraction: the S.T.E.A.M. Train, a hands-on interactive exhibit housed inside a beautifully restored historic railway car. This exciting new exhibit combines the rich history of Canada’s railways with modern educational experiences focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). The project was made possible thanks to a $150,000 non-repayable contribution from the Government of Canada, d......
Save the Date: Killaloe Craft Fair - theHumm June 2025
Mark your calendars and plan to visit the beautiful Madawaska Valley from August 8–10. That’s when the Killaloe Craft Fair returns — a beloved summer tradition that’s been bringing artists, musicians, and the community together for nearly 50 years. Three fun-filled days of connection, laughter and music drifting under starry skies. Whether you’ve joined in before or this is your very first visit, you’ll find a welcoming celebration of creativity, local talent, and the simpl......
Jul 8 Storytime with Heidi at the Maberly Hall
Jul 8 Storytime with Heidi at the Maberly Hall
Jul 13 Community "Yart" Sale
Jul 13 Community "Yart" Sale
Jul 18 Multicultural Potluck
Jul 18 Multicultural Potluck
Jul 18 Multicultural Potluck
Jul 18 - 27 Bloomfest Garden Art Show & Sale
Jul 18 - 27 Bloomfest Garden Art Show & Sale
Jul 26 Craft and Colour
- Lorrie Potvin — Repurposed
- Stepping Out: A Tap-Dancing Triumph of Comedy and Heart
- Art in the Garden A Celebration of Art, Nature & Community
- The Savannah Sipping SocietySouthern Charm Comes to The Station Theatre
- Celebrating Solstice Together National Indigenous Peoples Day in Mississippi Mills
- Summer/Fall Pops Concerts For 2025
- Quilts on the Tay
- Mill Street Books Presents…
- Meet Artists at MERA
- Befriend a Beach!
