MMLT Turns Twenty Two Decades of Preservation and Protection - theHumm May 2023
MMLT Turns Twenty Two Decades of Preservation and Protection - theHumm May 2023
By Kris Riendeau
“Beautiful Mississippi Madawaska wilderness protected for all time, where all species thrive and people engage with nature.” That’s the vision statement of the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In addition to planning several special events to commemorate that landmark, MMLT also recently welcomed Stacie Lloyd as their new Executive Director. Before joining MMLT, Stacie was the Manager of Community Development with the municipality of Merrickville-Wolford, and has worked in regional economic development, commercial lending and small business management throughout Lanark and Renfrew Counties. She and her family also operate a small mixed farm in Lanark County. theHumm contacted Stacie to find out more about her new role, the organization, and the celebration.
theHumm: You’ve had a few months to settle in to your new position — what have you learned about MMLT that you didn’t know before taking on this job?
Stacie Lloyd: So much! I’ve always had an interest in nature and the outdoors, so I knew about MMLT from its properties that are open to the public, like High Lonesome Nature Reserve and Blueberry Mountain with their great hiking trails. What I’ve learned is that lands like these can be protected by a land trust like MMLT for all of time and future generations. MMLT provides a way to legally protect and steward private lands with ecological value, and restrict them from future development.
When I was perusing the website, I first thought: “MMLT has a pretty ambitious vision”. But then I looked at the bios of the staff and Board and decided: “that’s the group to realize it!” Tell me a bit about the people who devote their time to preserving ecologically sensitive lands for the long term.
I thought the same thing when I first looked into the organization, and now I see the expertise and dedication of the Board and staff first-hand! They are an amazing group of people who share their knowledge, volunteer their time, and work hard to help reach our goals. They are serious about protecting wilderness areas for future generations, yet always cheerful and ready to share a story about a rare species sighting or an amazing hike on one of the MMLT properties. I think anything can be accomplished when it comes to this group — they truly make a difference.
How does the mandate of a Land Trust differ from that of a Provincial Park or other wilderness preservation organization?
Common themes in our mandates include protecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and significant elements of our natural and cultural heritage, as well as educating about nature and reducing climate change. Similarly for larger organizations like the Nature Conservancy of Canada, which preserves lands and waters on a much larger scale across the country, and Parks Canada’s system of National Parks. When I think of our beautiful provincial parks, government-owned, generally staffed and supported by volunteer-driven “Friends of the Park” organizations, “tourism, open to the public for day use/camping/rentals, and fees for public use” all come to mind.
MMLT operates on a local community-based level where our members, donors and volunteers drive and contribute to our success. We are a non-profit, charitable, non-government organization that protects and preserves private lands for future generations. We do this by entering into legal agreements with local private landowners to acquire and manage these biodiverse places, with their unique flora, fauna and geology, through direct ownership or under a Conservation Easement Agreement with a landowner. A number of our properties are open to the public for nature appreciation where we host outdoor activities and events, and manage one or more walking trails. Others have more restricted access, limited to activities such as scientific research and special educational events or projects.
Over the next year or so, what are some of your top priorities, what major challenges do you foresee, and how can area residents and visitors assist and engage?
This is a big year for MMLT as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. This milestone has certainly led us to reflect on the past and look ahead to important priorities for the future. Now is a critical time for nature, and we’re really proud of how our work at MMLT contributes in such a meaningful way to the environmental issues that we’re facing. We’re taking a close look at the input we’ve received over the past couple of years, from strategic planning and visioning exercises, members surveys, and the community overall, including past directors who now play an important mentorship role, all to help us determine meaningful priorities.
Acquiring and protecting additional wilderness lands to preserve for the long term and share with the community is a top priority. These are lands that have ecological, biodiverse, aesthetic and cultural value. They may have endangered species or rare ecosystems or old forests, and MMLT’s mandate is to protect and steward these important places for future generations and to encourage people to engage with the lands and nature for all its benefits.
Another priority is community engagement, through our outdoor activities and events, our themed nature walks, and our educational programs that teach people of all ages about the unique local plants, animals and geology that can be found in this region. We also aim to get to know and connect with the community better — the people, organizations, businesses, stakeholders and potential partners who share our goals for nature and the environment. Our priorities and the actions we take to protect lands are the most important tools we have to help conserve biodiversity and reduce climate change and environmental challenges.
Like many local charities, we rely upon donations and financial support, so that is a challenge that we continue to face. Thankfully, we have an incredible community and many people, businesses and funding agencies who have shown their support for MMLT and believe in our goals. It’s very encouraging to have this backing to meet the challenge. There are many ways that area residents and visitors can engage and support MMLT, whether through becoming a member, volunteering, making a donation, leaving a gift in their Will, or simply coming out to attend an event. We have some fantastic events coming up this year, including a Mother’s Day spring ephemeral walk on Sunday, May 14, and special anniversary celebrations on the first weekend in June, so follow us on social media to learn more details about this, plus some other exciting announcements coming soon!
What are some ways in which MMLT will be celebrating their 20th anniversary, and where can people go to find out more about them?
We’ve been planning and our committees of volunteers will be unveiling our 20th anniversary events soon! Last year we acquired a property from a generous donor, and we will be sharing this with the public at a grand opening in early June to coincide with our 20th anniversary — we are very excited about this special event. Other anniversary celebrations are happening throughout the year with events such as the Backyard Beauties Auction, a Radiothon, educational nature walks, and the Festival of the Wild Child for all ages, to name a few! Our website mmlt.ca includes event details, and people can follow us on social media for the latest updates. We invite the community to enjoy our outdoor events and share in the celebrations!
Gillian Marston — Don’t Fence Me In - theHumm May 2023
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
Her paintings and her photography are as wide-ranging as her interests, her travels and her accomplishments. Marston is open to life, to new experiences and new challenges. This intrepid retiree has reinvented herself as an accomplished acrylics painter and fine art photographer. As she puts it, “Art is a way to explore all of the creative ideas that occur to me. For me art is like travel — I love change; I love exploring and trying new things.”
An avid photographer ......
TNIM Spring Production Follows Loss of an Icon - theHumm May 2023
By — Submitted Theatre Night in Merrickville
If you’d ever had an opportunity to meet with Margaret Shearman, she would have likely encouraged you to get involved with your local theatre. The beloved and respected grand-dame of Theatre Night in Merrickville (TNIM) passed away over the Easter weekend, creating a deep loss for TNIM members and across the community. Over the years, Margaret had participated in more than fifty TNIM productions as an actor, stage manager, artist and director. She also served as ......
“You Will Be Offended” - theHumm May 2023
By Tanja Kisslinger
Three internationally collected and award-winning local artists — Keith Busher, Jana Jaros and Patrick John Mills — are coming together in a group show to be held at the Art Factory Warehouse in Renfrew from May 5 until June 10. Entitled You Will Be Offended, the curated exhibition is an invitation for viewers to revisit the true purpose of art, to embrace the emotions evoked, and to learn more about something they may initially resist. The goal is to remind us that discomfort leads to growth......
Jill Barber Returns to The Station Theatre - theHumm May 2023
By Katharine Coleman
The Station Theatre is thrilled to welcome back Canada’s sweetheart Jill Barber on May 13. The three-time Juno Award nominated singer-songwriter was last here in 2019, before the world changed. The fact that she is back to share her talent with us again is one more sign that we are emerging from challenges and getting the opportunity to come together again to enjoy art, music and theatre. What is even more exciting is she has a new album, Homemaker, just released in February, in which she inv......
Celebrate Spring at MERA - theHumm May 2023
This spring, MERA (McDonalds Corners/Elphin Recreation & Arts) has plenty of activities, workshops and events for you to choose from. Join them at 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A in McDonalds Corners to discover how you can bring more arts into your life!
Adults and children over the age of twelve will enjoy using creative mending and decorating to turn their favourite item of clothing from something old to something new again! Bring your old clothes, leftover yarn, thread and ribbons, and Isi......
Nunsense Will Dance into Your Heartand Tickle Your Funnybone - theHumm May 2023
By Jane Stott
From May 4 to 14 we are putting on the hilarious musical Nunsense at Studio Theatre in Perth. Seems we aren’t the only theatre with nuns on parade! The Sound of Music graces the stage in Cobourg and Carleton Place, and in Brighton there’s a production of Drinking Habits. Gananoque theatre is also highlighting nuns. There has been a mad scramble for nun paraphernalia by costumers in every theatre. I know — I was one of the scramblers! Who would have thought that scapulars and wimples would be in such ......
Fauré and Friends - theHumm May 2023
On Saturday, May 6 the Kanata Choral Society will bring music by Fauré, Mozart, Gjeilo, Rutter and other composers to the stage.
The concert will open with the lovely Cantique de Jean Racine, followed by Fauré’s Requiem.
From this romantic music, the programme will skip a century down to the music of Mozart, of which his Ave Verum and Laudate Dominum are favourites of many people.
The concert will end with music by contemporary composers: Ola Gjeilo’s The Ground, John Rutter’......
Creative Collaboration An interview with Aaron Davis and Joey Wright - theHumm May 2023
By Rob Riendeau
Joey Wright and Aaron Davis are two acclaimed musicians who have collaborated on numerous projects over the years. Their upcoming show at the MERA Schoolhouse with pedal steel phenomenon Michael Eckert promises to be an evening of captivating music that showcases their unique blend of folk, roots and jazz influences. theHumm caught up with Joey and Aaron to discuss their creative process, explore their musical backgrounds, and discover what audiences can expect from their upcoming performance.
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Art in the Attic Warm and Inviting in a Historic Intimate Setting - theHumm May 2023
By Laurel Cook
Welcome to the 33rd annual Art in the Attic (AITA) event, being held on Mother’s Day weekend — Saturday, May 13 (10am to 5pm) and Sunday, May 14 (10am to 4pm) at the Almonte Old Town Hall, located at 14 Bridge Street.
Over the last thirty years or so, AITA has showcased the wonderful works of local artists. In the open, airy and spacious auditorium you can view the best works of contemporary artists in a large variety of media, styles and subjects. You will find painting, photography, lea......
From Experience to Page Unlocking the Power of Personal Writing Retreat - theHumm May 2023
Have you ever thought about writing your own story? Sitting down to really honour the life you’ve led, the places you’ve seen, the people you’ve loved? Now is the time to give it a try! Stone Manor Studios is excited to announce the first-ever writing workshop on the grounds of an 1860 stone manor estate in Newboro, Ontario, in the heart of Rideau Lakes. A place to commune, to reflect, and to really unlock your most precious memories in a warm space with like-minded writers.
Stone Manor is thrilled to welcome celebrated memoirist and essayist Jen McGuire as their featured author. For ......
Farmers’ Markets: Open for the Season! - theHumm May 2023
As you walk away from the farmers’ market with your canvas bags filled with fresh local produce, plants, organic meats and assorted other delicious goodies, you just can’t help feeling good. Supporting small-scale market farms means voting with your dollars for the option that is easier on the planet than large, mono-crop industrial farms. Having to plan the trip to the market means planning meals, which is a great way to reduce both wasted food and extra trips to the grocery store. Growers at the......
Gardening and the Environment - theHumm May 2023
By David Hinks
Often, when driving our beautiful rural roads, my view is offended by cups and fast-food wrappers discarded at the side of the road, or even garbage bags and unwanted furniture. Who would do this? In my humble opinion, whoever has done this is not a gardener. In my view, anyone who has a solid connection with the soil and with growing things does not spread their garbage all over the landscape.
We are warned that an environmental apocalypse is upon us. We are exhorted to change our lifestyle and redu......
Calling All Gardeners - theHumm May 2023
The Almonte and District Horticultural Society will be holding their annual spring plant sale on Saturday, May 13 from 9–11am at the back of the Almonte library.
Please note: there will be no early sales or reserving of plants before 9am. Payment can be made by cash or cheque. Horticultural Society memberships will be available at the sale.
There will be lots of annual flowers and vegetables as well as a good selection of perennial plants. Bulbs such as Canna lilies will be on offer, a......
Taste of the County Returns! Delicious Fundraiser for Therapeutic Riding - theHumm May 2023
By Amy Booth
The ConnectWell Therapeutic Riding Program would like to invite you to our Re-Boot of the Taste of the County: Tasting Gala on Monday, June 5 at the beautiful Stonefields Estate in Beckwith. Come out with your friends to celebrate spring and treat yourself to a delicious evening for a really great cause.
In addition to tasting some exceptional local cuisine, local beer and great wine, this event boasts one of the largest silent actions in the county, featuring over 125 fabulous items s......
“The Seven Gifts” What is All This About Anyway? - theHumm May 2023
By — Submitted Lanark County Neighbours for Truth and Reconcilliation
If you were to take a walk along Riverfront Park in Almonte, you would see seven marble stones standing upright in a twenty-five-foot circle — a sort of mini-Stonehenge, some have said. Where did it come from? Why is it there? Who put it there? And who is paying for it?
If you haven’t noticed the posters around town, you won’t know that you can find out all about an exciting Truth and Reconciliation project on the evening of Thursday, May 4 at the Old Town Hall. The doors will open at 6:30 wit......
10th Anniversary AGH Run/Walkfor Women’s Health - theHumm May 2023
Walkers and runners of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in the 10th anniversary AGH Run/Walk for Women’s Health aghfvmf.givecloud.co , sponsored by Canadian Tire (Carleton Place), on Saturday, June 10. The morning will feature fun warm-up activities, children’s entertainment and games, pre- and post-run/walk food and refreshments. Incredible prizes will be awarded for the top fundraising individuals, families and teams. Eight......
Donate to the Library Auction! - theHumm May 2023
By Pam Harris
Preparations for the “Fun, Food, & Favourites” online auction by the Friends of the Mississippi Mills Public Library are well underway. The Friends have been busy gathering donated services, gift cards and experiences from organizations, businesses and individuals in the community. The response has been wonderful; however, we do more donations, especially from individuals. We are getting some new and creative entries. One we are working on among the Friends is to have a group of ......
Health & Wellness Fair - theHumm May 2023
By Kris Riendeau
Bridging Generations — Age Friendly Pakenham is a volunteer run, community-based organization that works to identify issues and find solutions that impact the older community of Pakenham. Back in 2015, they started identifying issues that addressed the question “what will I need to stay in Pakenham as I age?”, and held three community forums to help determine the answers. Based on feedback from those forums, they “created a dynamic work plan that we have worked through wit......
Housing for Healthy Communities - theHumm May 2023
By Chandler Swain
These days, there is a lot in the news about the need for more housing for growing populations, both urban and rural, even here in Lanark. Looking around, it’s interesting to see so much great work happening all over the world on developing thriving communities and creating neighbourhoods where innovative, green ideas are in full swing.
But back to Lanark County: our challenge is to meet the need for new smart homes that address our Rural/Urban demographic that is predicted to grow......
Camp Quality Seeks Volunteers Make a Difference at a Camp for Children Affected by Cancer and Blood Disorders - theHumm May 2023
Camp Quality is a volunteer-driven national charitable organization that provides free camp experiences for children affected by cancer and blood disorders. Camp Quality Eastern Ontario has been operating a camp for kids with cancer since 2000, and will be running from August 20 to 26 this year. They are looking to fill twenty volunteer positions on their team. Volunteers will help host an incredible camp experience for kids affected by cancer at their campsite in Lanark, Ontario.
They are se......
Becoming Unshakeable - theHumm May 2023
By Margaret Dennis
Summer is a time of adventure, exploration and personal growth. For teenage girls, it’s also an opportunity to discover their strengths, build self-esteem and become confident, empowered young women. That’s why we have founded and launched Unshakeable ME, a weeklong summer camp that is designed for teenage girls, with a focus on building self-esteem, self-worth, self-confidence, and learning how to be the best version of themselves. This unique and transformative experienc......
Three Shows at Sivarulrasa Gallery - theHumm May 2023
Almonte’s Sivarulrasa Gallery will present three new exhibitions beginning in May. Sue Adams: Early Works 1991–1998 will run in Gallery II from May 12 to June 23. This exhibition delves into a pivotal early period in Almonte-based artist Sue Adams’ trajectory as a sculptor. Four works created by the artist between 1991 and 1998 will be featured: two figurative works of sculpture and two works that use plexiglass and found objects. Sue Adams studied at the École des Bea......
Woven Woods & Knit Markers - theHumm May 2023
Two new exhibits will be on display at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM) from April 29 to July 22. Woven Woods: A Journey Through the Forest Floor is a collection of 12 round fabric wall hangings. Artist Lorraine Roy has used various fabrics to interpret the fascinating system of tree root communication through textiles, including dyed and printed cotton, silks, a variety of synthetics and sheers, and cotton batting. This communication is facilitated by forest fungi — a symbiotic relatio......
What Now, Lanark County Launches the IMAGINE Conference - theHumm May 2023
By Paddy Vargas
On May 6 from 8:30am to 5pm, come to the Almonte Civitan Hall to join us in envisaging a new way forward on the five life-defining national issues impacting us all. Presented by What Now, Lanark County, the Imagine: Learn/Inspire/Act Conference is a day-long event designed to explore, with experts and activists, what we have learned so far on issues of women’s health, ending abuse and violence against women, human trafficking in Canada, and how men and women can work togeth......
EcoFest Westport — Doing Better Together - theHumm May 2023
No question about it, these are challenging times. So… how to feel empowered, inspired, hopeful and encouraged? Come and mingle with your neighbors at a celebration of shared values and the “indomitable human spirit”, at the first annual EcoFest Westport — Doing Better Together. This event takes place on Saturday, June 3 from 10am to 4pm at 43 Bedford Street, in front of Soho’s / the Review-Mirror.
Westport in Bloom has sponsored a keynote speaker, Sean James. A well-known horticultural desig......
umberlune: Spooky Roots - theHumm May 2023
Raised in both Montreal and Ottawa, indie singer-songwriter umberlune now calls Perth home. The small town inspired her first single, Ghosts of 1816, which tells the story of the early residents of Perth. The song was written for a Stewart Park Festival contest to mark the town’s 200th anniversary. “I blew the deadline — I didn’t even get to enter it!” she said with a laugh in a recent interview with Adam Weekes on Lake88. Despite missing the chance to have the song heard in 2016, umberlune felt t......
Springtime Blues at The Cove Inn - theHumm May 2023
David Rotundo, the acclaimed Canadian blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, is scheduled to perform at the historic Cove Inn in Westport for two consecutive nights on May 12 and 13. These shows are part of the popular Blues on the Rideau (BOTR) music series, which has gained widespread recognition for its showcase of top-calibre Canadian and international blues artists.
Rotundo’s evening performances with his band promise to be an unforgettable experience for blues enthusiasts, as h......
A Joyful Spring! - theHumm May 2023
By Danette Hanneman
Spring is here, and members of the Carleton Place Town Singers, along with our fearless leader Laurel Tye, are excited to welcome our new accompanist, Tony Stuart.
Tony is a well-known local musician with a wealth of musical knowledge and talents. He plays many instruments and has mastered the clarinet, sax and piano. I first met Tony in his role as Notre Dame High School’s Music Teacher. For almost 20 years, Tony developed an extraordinary band program that inspired hundreds of students from......
Journey to a Dream Memoir Charmingly Captures the Ups and Downs of Building a Cabin on a Lake - theHumm May 2023
By John Pigeau
Back in college, John Fenik met the love of his life, Laurie, while sailboarding. They fell in love, and later married.
“We love being on the water and being outdoors,” John says. “Sailing, hiking, camping. As we got older, a cabin on the water became the dream.”
Building a cabin, that is. And since the happy couple has recently realized their long-time dream, John has written a memoir about the experience. In Fox Tail: A Tale of a Canadian Timber Frame Retreat, he records his ......
Roaring Into the Twenties on Broadway - theHumm May 2023
Lance Luce began playing theatre organ in his hometown of Detroit at age 10. By 19 he was appointed Head Organist at Radio City Music Hall in New York, on the biggest Wurlitzer ever built!
Earlier in his career he played at family restaurants in Michigan and famously in Toronto for over eight years at the Organ Grinder, to more than a million diners. He has become an acclaimed international theatre organist in the US, Canada, Britain and Australia.
Lance is on the staff at the Fox and Redford Theatres in Detroit and the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor. More recently he became the he......
MMLT Turns Twenty Two Decades of Preservation and Protection - theHumm May 2023
By Kris Riendeau
“Beautiful Mississippi Madawaska wilderness protected for all time, where all species thrive and people engage with nature.” That’s the vision statement of the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In addition to planning several special events to commemorate that landmark, MMLT also recently welcomed Stacie Lloyd as their new Executive Director. Before joining MMLT, Stacie was the Manager of Community Development with the municipality of Mer......
Milestone Celebrationfor Arnprior Community Choir - theHumm May 2023
Celebrating over 33 years of joyful singing, the Arnprior Community Choir will present their spring concert on May 12 and 13 at Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church in Arnprior. It will feature an uplifting program of music designed to inspire both audience and choristers, and will also début a newly commissioned work entitled Music Surround Us, written by Almonte composer Ian Douglas.
The Arnprior Community Choir (ACC) was first established in 1991 as a course for the......
A Good Haircut - theHumm May 2023
By Glenda Jones
There is no time in a lady’s life when she feels less lovely than sitting in the hairdresser’s chair swathed in a black cape, her hair wet and sleeked to her head, looking straight into that mirror that reflects someone else’s old face. For the time we’re there, we’d like to simply shut our eyes and wait for the final result.
I swear guys don’t ever think this. They likely see a good lookin’ dude, maybe a little too hairy, but handsome in every regard. They ask for a Number 2 cli......
Vital Signs - theHumm May 2023
By Kris Riendeau
It was standing room only for the Perth and District Community Foundation (PDCF) launch of their Lanark County 2023 Vital Signs Report: Collaboration. Community. Resilience. Over 50 people turned up to the Perth Library on April 4, to hear about the health of their community and to talk about what they can do to make it healthier. theHumm reached out to Victoria Gibb-Carsley, PDCF’s Executive Director, to find out more.
theHumm: What is Vital Signs?
Victoria Gibb-Carsley: Vital Signs ......
Top 10 Reasons To Audition for a Community Theatre Production - theHumm May 2023
By Susan MacAulay
“Because you’ll laugh at least ten times at every rehearsal,” Bonnie Vallentyne answered without hesitation when I asked her why people should audition for community theatre.
Vallentyne, who is the Musical Director for The Millworkers’ Musical, the family-friendly Fern Martin play that will be staged at the Almonte Old Town Hall in November of this year, is no stranger to laughter, community theatre or risk-taking. A year ago, she “starred” as Elizabeth Kelly in the puppet play Sherlock H......
Apr 27 Festival of the Maples
Apr 27 The Moth Project
May 4 - 5 Spring Fine Art Show
May 4 - 5 Spring Fine Art Show
May 4 Outskirts
May 5 Music at Mera: The Andrew Collins Trio
May 9 Family Paint Party: Paint Nite
May 11 - 12 Art in the Attic
May 11 Engelbert Humperdinck & Tom Jones Tribute
May 16 MMLT Talk & AGM
- IS THIS A PROTEST?
- A Classic Whodunnit Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee at Studio Theatre
- Readers, Writers, and Poets
- Celebrate Indigenous Culture in CP
- Celebrate the ClassicsWith the Arnprior Choir
- 4F Auction Concoction Food, Fun, Fashion & Favourites
- Cheerfully Made Spring Market
- Electrify to Decarbonize Lanark
- Volunteer Forum
- Frankenstein Comes to The Station Theatre
