Embracing Winter in Smiths Falls - theHumm February 2020

By John Pigeau

You know, you never hear a ten-year-old say, “Man, I’m so over winter. This is bleak.” Nope, kids are a hearty lot. Playful, adventurous. When I was a kid, February was prime time road hockey season. Every day after school, my buddies and I played in one of our driveways until our feet were frozen. We thought we had it good, I tell ya, and really, we did. We never griped about endless snow shoveling, freezing rain, the price of rock salt, or having to shower for work when it was still dark out. Nah. Basically, we left the griping to the adults.

It seemed to me that they were of two types of adults: those who complained about all that winter “crap,” and those who embraced it or at least endured it without much of as fuss. You know?

At any rate, whichever category you happen to belong to — eventually, inevitably — spring is coming. But in the meantime there’s plenty of fun to be had in February, and some noteworthy events happening around Smiths Falls as well.

Speaking of fun, every Friday at Bowie’s you can warm up and enjoy a drink and a bite with friends while listening to some fabulous live music on New Music Nights, with weekly performances by established as well as emerging local musicians. Their February lineup is pretty stacked, too. Boxcar Cadavers and Nigel Wearne take to the stage on February 7, with Dead Root Revival and David James Allen playing the following Friday. Fiends and Andrew Sherriff perform on the 21st, with Emily Rockarts and Gino Visconti on the 28th.

On February 16, the fifth installment of the Songwriter Concert Series at Bowie’s features world-class slide guitar from the Juno-nominated Sean Pinchin. This guy is a gem, the real deal, as they say. That show begins at 8pm. For ticket information, you can email bowiesbar@gmail.com or drop by the café at 20 Russell Street E. You can also visit bowiessmiths-falls.com for their full February lineup of food, fun and fine entertainment. It’s a pretty happening spot.

There’s more music mid-month at the Gallipeau Centre Theatre featuring Road Apples, one of Canada’s best Tragically Hip tribute bands. Road Apples, who hail from the Hip’s hometown of Kingston and began playing together in 1992, are likely the most celebrated Hip tribute band in the country (like the Hip, they’ve toured it extensively), and I can tell you, having seen them numerous times, they’re tight, entertaining, and they put on a high-energy show.

Tickets for the February 15 concert are $34.50 in advance and $39.50 at the door. You can purchase yours online at gallipeaucentretheatre.com or by calling 284–9916. There will be a cash bar at the theatre. The doors open at 7:30pm.

On Monday, February 17 — which is Family Day in Ontario — you can delight in some delicious soup and keep the bowl as the Smiths Falls & District Arts & Culture Council hosts the Fill-A-Bowl Fundraiser at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre from 11am to 1pm. The idea for this family-friendly fundraiser is much the same as the Empty Bowls initiative in Perth, or the Soup for Thought event in Almonte. For $10 you can enjoy a yummy soup lunch and walk away with a lovely hand-crafted bowl too. You can also simply buy a one-of-a-kind bowl too, for only $8. And if you just want to warm up with some scrumptious soup, you can do that too for $5. Buy your tickets at the door, or pick them up beforehand at Special Greetings (8 Russell Street E.). Proceeds support the Smiths Falls & District Arts & Culture Council.

Movie theatres have long been a refuge for those wanting something to do — indoors, in a cozy seat, with a box of hot buttered popcorn — on a cold winter night. Thankfully, the Station Theatre is screening a taut political thriller on Thursday, February 27 — Official Secrets, starring Keira Knightly, Matt Smith and Ralph Fiennes. I’ve seen this, and it’s gripping, clever and fascinating (it’s also a true story). Keira Knightly is absolutely mesmerizing as British Intelligence whistleblower Katherine Gun. Check it out on the big screen. Showtimes are 2pm and 7pm, and tickets are $12 at the door.

In gearing up for its summer season, Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum has some goings on in February, including four days of Heritage Week Activities from February 18–21, and a fun and unique fundraiser on the 27th. The museum staff are also excited to be hosting a 2020 Paint Party on the last Thursday of the month. This event is for adults (19+) who can enjoy a drink or two and tasty snacks while working on their masterpieces. Funds raised will help pay for the Museum’s multiple summer programs and events, including children’s programs and Market Days, to name but two.

“Come and create your own masterpiece artwork at our Paint Party!” says Emily Parker, the Museum’s Collections Assistant. “You won’t want to miss the snacks, drinks and laughs as we re-create a snowy blue-sky painting. This event will support our 2020 season full of events for families, kids’ programs and more. We look forward to seeing you!” Tickets for the Paint Party are $40. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call Sienna Cauley at 283–6311 or email heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca .

The Heritage House Museum will celebrate National Heritage Week with various activities from February 18–21. On February 19, the museum will host a Beginners Genealogical Workshop at 6pm ($10 per person), and on February 20 they will have their Annual General Meeting ($5 per person, or $3 per member). Other events are still to be determined. For more information about the Museum’s plans for the week, please call 283–6311 or visit smithsfalls.ca .

In memoriam – Dr. Bill Buttle - theHumm February 2020

By Kris Riendeau

I honestly can’t remember when Bill Buttle first started contributing Artbeat cartoons to theHumm, but I think it was some time within our first year of publishing. So for the past two decades (give or take a year or two), his humorous take on the world of art and music has had pride of place here on page 2. On Sunday, January 19, Bill passed away peacefully in Arnprior at the age of 79, leaving behind grieving family and friends as well as legions of Artbeat fans throughout......

Embracing Winter in Smiths Falls - theHumm February 2020