2023 MERA Award of Excellence - theHumm February 2023

Catherine Blake —An Artist’s Inspiration - theHumm February 2023

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

Creating art inspires her and she inspires artists — it’s a win-win for this irrepressible Almonte artist and art instructor. Nothing stops her — not polio or being a single woman working for CUSO in Zanzibar or concussion or cancer. Life hasn’t worn her down; it has both distilled and emboldened her and her lifetime passion for art. Cathy Blake’s response to my incredulity at the challenges she has faced and the opportunities she has embraced is an understatement: “I ......

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Mudds’ Raise Your Voice! - theHumm February 2023

After a long hiatus of over two years, the Mississippi Mudds Youth Theatre Group is thrilled to be back on stage directing and producing a musical revue show called Raise Your Voice! The cast and team have been hard at work since September, and invite everyone to help celebrate the Mississippi Mudds’ 50th year by supporting another amazing youth performance.

In this original musical, the storyline centres around a group of students who attend a strict and regimented boarding school. Under......

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Harvey Comes to Smiths Falls - theHumm February 2023

A hilarious, fast-paced comedy is coming to the Station Theatre at the end of February. With a stellar cast bringing to life a case of mistaken identity, Harvey by Mary Chase will be performed from February 24 to March 5. This newest adaptation of the well-known play-turned-film will be the directorial début of Maria Fournier and Lewis Koluk, both long-standing members of the community theatre.

Audiences will delight in the hijinks of Elwood P. Dowd and the lengths his family will go to br......

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2023 MERA Award of Excellence - theHumm February 2023

Every two years since 2009, the MERA Schoolhouse has put out a special call to all artists and craftspeople living in this area. This call is to apply for the very generous award of $1000 given to acknowledge a body of work demonstrating exceptional artistic skill, originality and quality.

The application is open to artists working in fine arts and fine crafts. It is specifically open to local residents, those living in the Townships of Lanark Highlands, Tay Valley, Drummond/North Elmsley, Central Frontenac, North Frontenac, and the Town of Perth. Previous non-winners may apply again.

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Under One Roof
A Conversation with Authors Susan Gillis and John Steffler - theHumm February 2023

By John Pigeau

I love interviewing authors. They are clever, charming, imaginative people. Hearing what they have to say about their work and the world is often a treat. This interview with award-winning writers Susan Gillis and John Steffler was done by email, but it was still a great pleasure. Their deeply insightful and captivating responses were truly a joy to read. And the wonderful thing is, because they’re on the page, I — and now you — can enjoy and savour them, again and again.

theHumm:
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Working: A Musical
“It’s More Than Just a Job” at Studio Theatre - theHumm February 2023

By Jane Stott

Did you ever have one of those days? Stuck in your car behind the garbage truck, grinding your teeth in frustration because you are late. At each driveway a young person, dressed in a hoodie, jeans and work boots swings down off the back of the truck. They hoist the bins and bags up into the truck and then they are back on their perch, giving the truck a thump on the side to let the driver know they’re on board. Did you ever wonder what their story was? Or how about the story......

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Back Forty Cheese’s Winterland Event - theHumm February 2023

Looking to break the February Blues? Visit the cheese shop and explore the Back Forty on Saturday, February 18 between 10am and 4pm to celebrate the Family Day weekend. Enjoy the outdoors with some great food, drink and fun-filled winter activities.

With multiple toboggan runs and over five kilometres of groomed trails meandering through the farm’s forests and fields, Winterland provides a great opportunity to get some exercise, enjoy nature and reward yourself ......

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Double Bill Kicks Off MERA Music Series - theHumm February 2023

Music at MERA is excited to announce the first of their 2023 spring music concerts, featuring Mia Kelly and Basset on Sunday, February 26 at 2pm. This double bill of young, exciting talent is two shows in one.

Returning to the Schoolhouse for the third time, Mia Kelly frames her insightful lyrics with a powerful and versatile voice backed by guitar, piano, and her infectious optimism. Her fans are enthralled by her distinctive blend of folk roots and blues, and her foot-stomping, sing-along......

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“Go Wild” for the Birds! - theHumm February 2023

When the seed packets hit the grocery store, it’s time to think spring. While you’re planning your gorgeous garden, think of the myriad projects you could incorporate: birdhouses, bird baths, feeders and more. Backyard Beauties 2023, the online auction in support of the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust, is three months away, giving you plenty of time to create something unique to add to the auction.

The internet provides no end of ideas, from materials to designs both funky and f......

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Frost & Fire Winter Festival on Family Day Weekend in Perth - theHumm February 2023

Perth Tourism is pleased to present the Frost & Fire Winter Festival, taking place over Family Day weekend on Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19.

This tremendous two-day, family-friendly event will provide visitors with an array of activities geared towards all ages. Experiences will be taking place throughout Perth, both indoors and outdoors.

Strap on some skates and enjoy one of the outdoor rinks, take part in outdoor laser tag, or try your hand at axe throwing. Encount......

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What’s All the Fuss About Pronouns and Bathrooms?
Understanding Gender and Sexual Diversity - theHumm February 2023

By Jane Ellens (she/her)

I thought I was pretty up-to-date on gender and sexuality, but then I listened to my friend’s six-year-old grandson gently explain the school’s gender-neutral bathrooms to his four-year-old brother. He made me realize that if I want to have meaningful conversations with my grandkids about what they’re learning at school, I’ll need to up my game! I include my pronouns (she/her) when I sign my name and have been asked why, sometimes with genuine curiosity, sometimes with ......

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Where to Go for Gardening Advice - theHumm February 2023

By David Hinks

Who knew that gardening advice clinics could be asked to resolve marital disputes?

In my over 20 years as a Master Gardener, I have participated in hundreds of advice clinics and from time to time have faced an irritated couple who were at loggerheads over their garden. I have learned to tread carefully and perhaps point out that there may be more than one way to prune (or not prune) a tomato plant!

A bit of an aside, but I always find it fascinating how coupl......

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Réseau SPARC Network Gathering & Cabaret
Free Networking Event for Artists and Animators - theHumm February 2023

By Rachel Marks

SPARC (Supporting Performing Arts in Rural and Remote Communities) is a provincial network that connects rural and remote performing artists, creators, producers, presenters and community animators. Who are community animators? You know, those folks in town who make things happen!

SPARC is launching a brand new in-person event at the Almonte Old Town Hall on Saturday, February 25.

So, what is a Regional Gathering and Cabaret? The Gathering is a peer-to-peer networking and learni......

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A-paw-ling Internet ScamPrecipitates Pet Rescue Partnership - theHumm February 2023

On a warm, late-October morning, Perth-area paper-mosaic artist Choleena DiTullio was getting ready to start her day in the studio. She had just finished her usual routine of walking her dog, making coffee and sitting down to check messages, when Instagram alerted her to an incoming note from Texas.

A follower of her Art By Choleena account was asking if she took commissions. They wanted a mosaic portrait of their dog. Having never sketched a dog, Choleena wro......

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Country Pickin’, Blues and Friends at The Cove - theHumm February 2023

If you’re worried about the February blahs, there’s no better place to go than The Cove Inn in Westport to beat ’em. Their line-up of musical events is sure to raise your spirits, and you can treat yourself to some terrific food and drink while you’re there!

Things kick off on February 4 with Country Pickin’ Mayhem featuring Wendell Ferguson, Steve Piticco and Shawn McCullough. These are three of Canada’s top masters of the Telecaster guitar, and this show has become an annual treat for ......

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Duality at Sivarulrasa - theHumm February 2023

From February 10 to March 24, Sivarulrasa Gallery is pleased to present Duality, a solo exhibition of new paintings by Gatineau-based artist Louis Thériault. The show can be seen in-person during regular Gallery hours: Wednesdays to Sundays from 11am to 5pm.

Born in New Brunswick, Louis Thériault began his studies in visual communication at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, but reoriented his training toward applied science, earning a Bachel......

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Big Band DancesReturn to Almonte! - theHumm February 2023

After a three-year hiatus, the Standing Room Only Big Band is excited to once again be staging Sunday afternoon tea dances in the historic Almonte Old Town Hall. There will be a tea dance on Sunday, February 12.

These afternoon dances were popular in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s, when big bands were king. They were generally held in hotels and, of course, featured a live band. One key part of the concept is that, as implied by “tea”, beverages served are non-alc......

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A Pocket Full of… Kleenex - theHumm February 2023

By Glenda Jones

We of a certain age need pockets in all our clothing. We don’t care that they’ll leave us with lumpy hips. Lord knows they’re lumpy already, so who’s going to notice? We’re not carrying coins to riffle through our fingers like tiny wind chimes; we’re not simply looking for a place to warm old fingers. We need those pockets for the ubiquitous tissue that is essential in drippy-nose season.

In “the olden days” our mothers carried lovely lacy handkerchiefs tucked delicately up a sleeve, where......

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But What Can I Do? - theHumm February 2023

By Chandler Swain

In a recent conversational with fellow Climate Network Lanark (CNL) Communications Working Group member Tom Shoebridge, I was struck by an idea of his for a CNL column in this illustrious publication.

After reading my January article here in theHumm on “thinking globally but acting locally”, his thought was that if we describe little do-able actions everyone can take to help the planet, more people might not throw up their hands at the enormity of the problem and just go about business as usual. Formi......

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At the Speed of Life - theHumm February 2023

By Read more about Mike and his 7th Generation Initiative at <sustainwellbeing.net>. To join their email list, contact <sustain5@web.ca>.

The fast moving excitement of smartphones and computer screens eclipses the slow motion of the natural world, but what the natural world lacks in speed it makes up for in depth. Over billions of years it has developed intricately cooperative associations upon which we humans have always depended. Perhaps the hard knocks of climate change will call us back to Earth before we drift off into Cyberspace.

Watch closely over a season as a seed germinates, grows to maturity and bears its seeds. It......

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Quiet on the Set!
- theHumm February 2023

By Glenda Jones

On a Sunday afternoon when the weather is messy, wouldn’t it be nice to meet with friends, watch a good movie together, and enjoy a social hour? Maybe see some film you wouldn’t find on Netflix? Ma......

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