Picnics and Musicand Trains, Oh My! - theHumm September 2020
Picnics and Musicand Trains, Oh My! - theHumm September 2020
By John Pigeau
In one sense, this summer has reminded me a lot of the summers of my childhood — everybody wants to be outdoors. We’re all like kids again, darting out the door on the last day of school, whooping at the sunshine and gulping in the fresh air, itching to do something, anything, but be cooped up inside. Nearly everyone is camping or glamping or spending a week or a weekend at a cottage. Lots of folks are hitting the beaches and plunging into lakes. They’re walking and cycling, golfing and hiking and picnicking in the park. Staycationers have been busy gardening, barbecuing in their backyards; kids sleeping in tents for the night and swimming laps and laps and laps in their (or their neighbour’s) pools. The good news: officially, there are still three weeks of summer left!
Now be honest, when’s the last time you treated yourself to a truly delightful gourmet picnic? If your answer is “too long” or similar, well you’re in luck, as there’s still time to enjoy PICNIC Smiths Falls — a physical distancing “picnic in the park” experience with a wonderful twist.
The wonderful twist is that the delicious picnic meal is prepared for you by one of seven top-notch local restaurants. And the participating restaurants offer something absolutely delicious for almost anyone’s taste. Smoked meat sandwiches from Two Guys for Lunch; chicken Caesar wraps from Perfect Thyming; beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips from Boomtown. Harvest Social is serving up pesto chicken sandwiches, and Chuckles Jack offers butter chicken for two. How does a chimichurri steak sandwich from C’est Tout Bakery sound? Or The Pickled Pig’s classic sandwich for two with their famous broccoli salad? Meals range in price from $30 to $50. You can read the downloadable menu online at smithsfalls.ca . Fair warning: doing so will make you really, really hungry. It did me.
In Smiths Falls there are so many beautiful, peaceful spots to take your meal — beneath one of the many shady trees in Centennial Park, down by the beach at Murphy Park, or in the gazebo at Heritage House Museum. They have lots of grassy areas too, which might be just as romantic and restful. Explore. You’ll find the perfect backdrop in no time.
Each meal comes in a custom-printed box that includes a meal for two (two main dishes, two side dishes, two drinks and two desserts), a Smiths Falls Visitor Guide, a Smiths Falls Heritage Walking Tour guide, and free gifts from the Town and partners. Treat yourself or someone you love. Or maybe gift a lovely picnic meal to a good friend, or a teacher? Whatever you choose, enjoy. And as my dad would say: ignore the calories.
You might want to pair your picnic with Music by the Basin, live music every Friday in Centennial Park under the water tower. This series, hosted by The Pickled Pig, features afternoon and evening performances in the lovely park on the Rideau Canal by some genuinely wonderful local musicians. On September 4, Danielle Hewitt takes the matinée stage at 2pm, then Amber McLean plays in the evening. The following Friday features Ian & Chris in the afternoon, with Rob McLean and Rosalyn Dennett set to delight the evening audience. Finally, on September 18, The Doherty Brothers play at 2pm, and Tom Watson goes on at 7pm. Music by the Basin is free and it’s licensed, so kick off the weekend in style and enjoy a refreshing drink, great food served at The Pickled Pig, and some superb live music. Please note there is a 100-person maximum, and physical distancing is required.
There’s also lots of live music at Bowie’s in September. Their New Music Night series continues on September 11, featuring Abandon Eden and Robb Kerr. The following Friday Eddie Sayers will take the stage. Wrapping up the month is Elmsley on September 25. Suggested cover on New Music Nights is $5–$10, and the shows start at 10pm. On Sunday, September 20, as part of their Songwriter Concert Series, Bowie’s will host veteran Canadian folk and indie songwriter Pat Robitaille. This is his first show in Smiths Falls. For that show there is a table fee of $75 (for 3 to 6 people) or $10 for a Front Room ticket. The live music café is open inside at roughly half the capacity.
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind weekend late-summer getaway, you may wish to consider an overnight stay in a caboose. The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario is offering a rare opportunity for folks to step back to the early railroading days and sleep in a caboose, just as railroaders did. You can book an overnight stay in one of two authentic cabooses — a 1940s red plywood CPR caboose, or an orange steel CNR caboose, circa 1967 — and “curl up in comfortable pull-down beds with fresh linens, settle back and relax in the quiet glow of the lantern.” I highly recommend visiting the Railway Museum’s website at rmeo.org to check out photos, even if you’re not planning on booking a stay.
If you’d like to book a stay, though, you can do so by visiting Airbnb.ca (just search for “Smiths Falls caboose.”) But do so well in advance. Folks have been super keen to enjoy this rare and joyful experience. Little wonder, too — what fun!
Lynn Melbourne — A Gift for People - theHumm September 2020
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
Re-gifting is frowned on in some circles, but when your gift is a talent for capturing the character, the strength and the internal beauty that people wear on their faces, sharing that gift becomes an act of kindness, empathy and generosity. When tragedy struck in March at Almonte Country Haven, a long-term care home with 82 residents, local portrait artist Lynn Melbourne used her talent to reach out to the devastated residents, their families and their caretakers.
......
25th Annual (1st Virtual) Fibrefest - theHumm September 2020
Fibrefest is once again taking over Almonte from September 11–13 (with workshops beginning on the 10th). Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the festival will look a little different in 2020 as it moves online to comply with public health advice and regulations, but the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM) is excited to welcome you for our fourth year of hands-on workshops… albeit this time virtually. This is a unique opportunity to involve friends and family from further afield who may not be able to ......
BOTR’s New “COVID Fighter” Fall Series - theHumm September 2020
By — James Doran
Blues on the Rideau at The Cove in Westport had to cancel the last three shows of their 2019/20 Season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like everyone, we were hoping things would be back to semi-normal by now and the 2020/21 Series would be able to proceed. Sadly that hasn’t happened yet. Given the safety protocol measures still in effect, there was no way we could return with the traditional format – full electric bands, 100+ capacity, buffet dinners, packed dance floor etc.
So it was ei......
Warden’s Slow Roll & Official Alameda Opening - theHumm September 2020
The Lanark County Warden typically hosts a fundraising event every year. In the past this has been a golf tournament during the month of August, but with COVID-19 and the gathering restrictions, Warden Brian Campbell wanted to change things up and host an outdoor family event to highlight the OVRT and all of the wonderful work that has been done to make it an accessible trail for everyone to use.
After discussions with Jeff Mills and Stephen Brathwaite, the concept of a “Slow Roll for Unit......
“Market Masala” Child Haven Fundraiser - theHumm September 2020
Organizers are excited to announce a fun and safe event in support of Child Haven International this fall. This year’s event takes place on Sunday, September 27 from 3–5pm at the Carleton Place Market Square, an outdoor covered space. All proceeds go to support destitute women and children in India, Nepal, Tibet and Bangladesh.
You will have the opportunity to attend this outdoor market-style event and enjoy Indian music and culture, shop the international sales bazaar, get henna body ar......
Recreating Creativity — Classes during COVID - theHumm September 2020
The pandemic has dealt a huge blow to artists and performers, cancelling gigs by the gazillion and making it difficult for people to teach art, theatre, music and movement. Fortunately, creators are, well, creative by nature, and many of them have been hard at work figuring out how to continue to keep students engaged and learning. Below, a few teachers and studios explain how they are doing just this in our area.
The Almonte Dance Company is committed to providing a fun, safe environment for......
Back to School 2020: Choose Your Own Adventure - theHumm September 2020
By Sarah Kerr
Ah, the back to school season is upon us! The joy of shopping for school supplies, that fresh new outfit and shiny new shoes. The little rush that parents get when they think about sending their kids back to full day daycare — I mean, full day learning — so we can make up the hours lost over summer and try to keep our jobs. Oh wait, this is 2020? Damn!
Wait — are you sending your kids back? Yeah, me too. Well, I think so. I might just wait to find out what the school has to s......
Picnics and Musicand Trains, Oh My! - theHumm September 2020
By John Pigeau
In one sense, this summer has reminded me a lot of the summers of my childhood — everybody wants to be outdoors. We’re all like kids again, darting out the door on the last day of school, whooping at the sunshine and gulping in the fresh air, itching to do something, anything, but be cooped up inside. Nearly everyone is camping or glamping or spending a week or a weekend at a cottage. Lots of folks are hitting the beaches and plunging into lakes. They’re walking and cycling, golfing and hiking an......
Recreating Creativity: Visual Arts - theHumm September 2020
CHANNELS at Sivarulrasa Gallery
From September 2 to October 9, Sivarulrasa Gallery is pleased to present CHANNELS, featuring works by artists Deborah Arnold, Elaine Carr and Wendy Robertson. “Channels” suggests waterways or pathways; a transmission of frequencies or ideas; explorations of both inner and outer worlds. The exhibition can be viewed in person during regular gallery hours, Wednesdays to Sundays from 11am to 5pm.
Deborah Arno......
What’s Black and White and Hard to Move? - theHumm September 2020
By Meriah Caswell
Do you want to move a library?
It’s big, and it’s coming up fast. We need your help to do it.
In October 2020 the Carleton Place Public Library will relocate to The Station Active Living Centre while the Beckwith Street location undergoes some much-needed interior renovations. Of the library’s 40,000-item collection, about 1500 items will be moved to the Station for circulation. The rest of the collection will be boxed up for safe storage.
In planning the move, our staff have......
Yarrow (Or, a Conduit Conducting Energy Between the Cosmos and the Earth) - theHumm September 2020
By Susie Osler
Our lawn for the first half of this summer, when temperatures were sizzling and rain was scarce at best, was left to its own devices — the mower forgotten in the barn for over a month. Without the weekly subjugation to the blade, the diversity of plant life in the lawn began to announce its presence. The wild plants able to thrive in droughty heat seized their opportunity, rising above the parched and browning grass.
Yarrow was, to my eyes, one of the most beautiful and prominent of these plants.......
Union Hall Crafts at Almonte Farmers’ Market - theHumm September 2020
By — Linda Camponi
The Union Hall Community Centre, located at the intersection of Wolf Grove and Tatlock Roads, is a Registered Charity, owned and operated by the local community. Rentals of the hall and its exterior sign form the basis for our annual budget. Private donations and financial support from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills supplement this income.
Come and visit our booth at the Almonte Farmers’ Market on September 12 and 19, where we will be selling hand-crafted items made by Unio......
Plenty for Everyone: an Interview with Joanna Jack of Plenty Canada - theHumm September 2020
theHumm is reaching out to members of our Ottawa Valley community to ask how they are finding ways to use their gifts and skills in these challenging times. Today’s subject is Joanna Jack, Programs Manager at Plenty Canada, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that facilitates access to and shares resources with Indigenous peoples and other community groups around the world in support of their environmental protection and sustainable development goals. We contacted her to find out about som......
How Do I Know Thee? - theHumm September 2020
By Glenda Jones
Years ago I had a bright yellow snowsuit that I wore all winter. Yes, I looked like Big Bird, but everyone knew where to find me at our events. One summer day, I met someone who nearly passed me by, and then returned to say, “I didn’t recognize you with your clothes off”. I kid you not! When I retired the yellow suit, it was as like a stone in a pond: no one looked for me, no one found me, and we passed on our event duties to the next eager parent.
How do we recognize each other when we’re h......
Middleville Museum to Re-open on Sept. 5 - theHumm September 2020
The Middleville and District Museum (located at 2130 Concession 6D in Middleville) will once again be welcoming visitors starting on Saturday, September 5. They’ll be open from 12–4pm that whole weekend, including Labour Day Monday. For the abbreviated 2020 season entry will be by voluntary donation, and the Museum will be open every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Monday, or by appointment, through Thanksgiving weekend. Please note that masks will be mandatory in the museum; they w......
Livin’ the Dream - theHumm September 2020
By David Hinks
Twelve-hour days, six days a week outdoors in the hot sun, worrying about the lack of rain, lettuce going to flower and becoming bitter way too soon — all for remuneration way less than minimum wage. Yet Alberto Suarez professes to be living the dream, doing exactly what he wants to do as he puts his beliefs and values into each and every day. And I have to admit that I greatly admire what he is doing and the values that he is living.
Alberto and his partner Joanna have developed a small fa......
Notes from The Lanark Climate Network - theHumm September 2020
By — Chandler Swain is a member of the Communications working group of the Lanark Climate Network
In our house, getting a new edition of theHumm at the beginning of every month is a treat. No matter what is going on, knowing that our community is full of amazing and creative people, events and projects is always an inspiration.
To add to this monthly feast for the mind and soul, the Lanark Climate Network will be sharing its activities to collaborate, advocate for and build a fairer, greener, sustainably prosperous Lanark.
Since the lockdown and other measures were ......
Addressing the Perils of Sex Work - theHumm September 2020
By — Susan Fisher
When I first began supporting Willow’s, a struggling Vanier drop-in centre for sex trade workers, I wanted to help others who needed a hand. I had no clue this would lead me to a series of crash courses on Canadian law, community safety, human rights, and harm reduction strategies for the most vulnerable of our citizens. I also learned the distinction between sex work (voluntary) and trafficking (forced), both of which are happening in all corners of Lanark County. This is not a big city problem......
Beer! Where? Here!!: an Interview with Daniel Post - theHumm September 2020
theHumm is reaching out to members of our Ottawa Valley community to ask how they are finding ways to use their gifts and skills in these challenging times. Today’s subject is Daniel Post, an Almonte-based web developer who recently created and launched CraftOttawa.ca — an online guide to the region’s craft liquor scene. We contacted him to find out what inspired him to do so, and what he thinks of the area’s spirited offerings.
theH......
What’s So Funny?! — an interview with Rachelle Elie - theHumm September 2020
theHumm is reaching out to members of our Ottawa Valley community to ask how they are finding ways to use their gifts and skills in these challenging times. Today’s subject is Rachelle Elie — the world-travelling, award-winning comedian and Rag Bag Cabaret host who now calls Almonte home crowningmonkey.com . We contacted her to find out how she has been faring for the past few months, and how she plans to get people laughing again.
th......
Caring for the County: an Interview with Fraser Scantlebury - theHumm September 2020
theHumm is reaching out to members of our Ottawa Valley community to ask how they are finding ways to use their gifts and skills in these challenging times. Today’s subject is Fraser Scantlebury, the outgoing Regional Director at United Way East Ontario — Lanark, and a long-time community volunteer. We contacted him to find out how he’s feeling about stepping down from the position that he has held so capably for the past 7 years (while being at United Way for a total of 9 years and 7 month......
Stories of Decolonization — Land Dispossession and Settlement - theHumm September 2020
By — Susie Osler
How many of us know the history of the lands we inhabit? For settlers, do we know the stories of our ancestors’ arrival to these lands, and whose lives were embedded here prior to their arrival? Whose voices created the official historical record of this country that predominates? Whose voices have been silenced, ignored or not told? And how are our own personal histories interwoven with the colonization of these lands? Are we willing to actively engage with these questions? These ar......
Aug 31 Amanda Keeley Quartet
Aug 31 Merrickville Antique Artisans Show
Aug 31 - Sep 2 Sundance Artisan Show
Sep 7 - 8 Fibrefest
Sep 7 - 8 Natives & Clay
Sep 8 Music at Mera: Nathan Sloniowski
Sep 11 Community Open House
Sep 12 Opening Celebration of the new Art Hub
Sep 13 Jason Kent
Sep 14 Art in the Yard
- Wendo Van Essen — Nothing Felt Better
- Be a Wild Child — Roar Against Climate Change!
- MUSICwestport Festival A Fun, Free Event in Beautiful Downtown Westport!
- Misi Zibi Mamidosewin (The Gathering Place)
- 40 ArtistsAlong a Riverbank Outdoor Show on Labour Day Weekend
- Paint the Summer Returns to Westport
- Stone Fence’s Miss Pringle’s Mini-Skirt
- Blueberry Teaat Union Hall
- Come to the North Lanark Highland Games!
- Almonte Potters Guild Open House