Check out something a little off-beat! Visit Naked on the Farm. It’s an exhibit exposing the talents of a group of Almonte-area photographers at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. They’re limited to one camera, one lens, one location, and one naked model! Naked on the Farm starts November 3 and runs until the 14th. For details visit www.photographymatters.ca.
by Julia M. Langlois
The students of the ADHS Link Crew class held the first dance of the year September 28th. The students were responsible for both planning and running the Hollywood themed event.
The class began planning by dividing into two committees. The first committee was responsible for advertising. They made posters, announcements on the school’s PA system, and used social media to get even more attention. The second committee took charge of decorating. The students started making decorations two weeks before the actual dance. They made a Hollywood shadow box, and their very own red carpet.
After the students opened the doors, the night was a great success. The DJ played many of today’s hit songs with music videos projected onto the wall of the gym. The new grade seven and eight students started off the night from 5:00 to 6:30, followed by the grades nine through twelve students from 7:00 until 10:00. Attendees even had the opportunity to have their photos taken with a Hollywood backdrop.
Students of the Link Crew class were excited to practice not only their leadership skills, but also how to plan a school wide function. Natalie Downing expressed, “I learned that it was really hard to plan a huge event, but in the end we all worked together really well. It was super fun and I can’t wait to do another event like this.” Faith Atwell, another Link Crew student said “The dance allowed the class to realize skills they never thought they had. I learned that I am more artistic than I thought. It was really awesome to be a part of such a successful event.” Breanna Bedor, the Link Crew teacher, stated that she “overheard a few students say that they were impressed with the way the gym was decorated, and they loved the video projection.”
The first dance of the year was just the first of great dances to come this school year. The hard work of the Link Crew students truly paid off.
Once again, the talented youth of Lanark County came out to audition for this year’s show. “We had over 50 performers – dancers, singers, duets, trios, poets and musicians – audition”, said Artistic Director Christy Bindhardt, “and it was really tough to choose the 15 semi-finalists. We were blown away by the talent this year – the variety and the depth was amazing. Truly, it is the best yet!”
What started off as a dream of Notre Dame High School student Jeff Gourgon has turned into an annual event, with the show now in its third year. Auditions were held the week of October 1st in Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, and Perth at local High Schools – Almonte District, Notre Dame Catholic, Smiths Falls & District and Perth & District. “We really appreciate the support of the schools, and both the UCDSB and CDSBEO for letting us use their facilities – it makes it so much easier for the youth to access the auditions”, noted the show’s Producer, Fraser Scantlebury, of the United Way Lanark County. “Our finale will be at the Mason Theatre at Perth & District Collegiate Institute on November 2nd – this is a new date, as we had to move it, due to technical difficulties with the previous one. Once again, admission is by donation at the front door, and we are looking forward to a great show, with our fantastic youth talent!”
“At the Finale, the semi-finalists will perform for the audience and our panel of celebrity judges from Lanark County, who will select the five finalists,” according to Bindhardt, “and these acts will then perform once again, with the audience selecting the final winner. Each year the voting for the top five has been close, and we expect the same this year, with such a talented group of performers.” Bindhardt went on to explain a new addition to the selection process of the finalists this year. “We are allowing the fans to help choose the final five, by allowing them to vote for their favorite act, by donating $5 on-line to the United Way Lanark County, at www.mtgt.org. There are photos, messages and videos there, so the community will be able to meet and see the semi-finalists. The votes from online will be combined with the celebrity judges’ choices to select the final five.” Like last year, the final five will return to the stage for one more performance. “Then, it’s up to the audience to select the winner of MTGT for 2012”, said Bindhardt, “as each member of the audience receives one ballot to vote for their choice, to see who will take home the title of Best in Lanark County, back to their hometown!”
Documentary filmmakers Robert and Sharon Newton of Almonte are turning their camera on their beautiful home town. They are in production of a new film entitled “Almonte’s Interwoven Past”. The film will be a comprehensive telling of the always fascinating and often surprising history of Almonte. The film will be the first record of Almonte’s history in glorious high definition video.
It will feature old photos and films, plus current day video footage and live on-camera interviews with town residents and historians who have first hand stories, memories and knowledge about Almonte's rich history.
“Almonte’s Interwoven Past” will bring to life ... as only film can do ... the stories of the early pioneers and settlers, the early lumber trade, Almonte's flourishing textile industry, the many mills and business entrepreneurs, the railroad, early businesses, doctors, teachers, churches, schools, hospitals, and more.
You will see the grand architecture of Almonte's past and learn about the fascinating families that built, worked and lived in the beautiful homes and heritage buildings.
You will learn things about Almonte that you never knew before! For example how Peacock Crescent and other streets around town got their names; whose face is represented in the statue on the Cenotaph; why the widow’s walk was built on the top of what is now Gamble’s Funeral Home; and so on.
Although the Newtons have already conducted extensive research, including devouring all of the fine books written on the subject, they know that there are many more fascinating stories and materials out there that can’t be found in the existing historical records. So they invite anyone who would like to be part of this historic project to share their stories for use in the film. They are also looking for more pictures and home movie films that would show the town as it was in days gone by.
If you can help, please call 256-2483 or email info@almonteheritageonfilm.com as soon as possible.
You can find out more about the project and see a sample video by visiting www.almonteheritageonfilm.com
“Almonte’s Interwoven Past” will be available on DVD and BluRay later this year. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum.
This film will be a great memento for anyone who loves this special town.
This is the fourth documentary film by the Newtons. Their earlier films include “In Danger of Legacy Lost: An Argument for Preserving the Art of Juan Geuer”, “The Carleton Place Canoe Club: It’s Colourful Past and Exciting Present”, and “Memories of the Ex: 122 Years at Lansdowne”. Preview videos of these films can be seen at www.almonteheritageonfilm.com/documentaries.html
In celebration of their 10th Anniversary as a Guild, the Almonte Potters' Guild has a wonderful selection of their work on display at at the Corridor Gallery, Almonte Public Library, Almonte Ontario.
Tuesday, October 2 to Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Rod Trider -- Photographic Artist/Printer: Featured artist at the Chambers Gallery, Mississippi Mills Administration Building, 3131 Old Perth Road
A photographic based artist and Master digital printer, Rod has combined his passion for life, travel and photography to create unique photographic art works. Experimenting with new techniques of processing, printing and presentation so that each work stands out.
Rod exhibits frequently in art galleries, art shows and public spaces. His works are in collections across Canada, the USA, Australia, Hong Kong, France, Isle of Man, Scotland, Mexico, England and others. He has also curated or co-curated over 20 art exhibits and is a national & international photographic competition judge, having judged over 100 times.
All works are printed by the artist, using archival grade papers/canvas and pigment based inks to ensure quality and long life.
Although Rod started photographing the world around him in 1975, it has been within the last seven years that he has focused exclusively on his photographic based art. Whether shooting locally or half way around the world, Rod strives to create works that will inspire others to explore the world around us, to look at things a little differently.
“If someone stops to ponder one of my works for just a moment, I have succeeded."
Prescott’s enthusiasm to save the no-kill animal shelter that has served this area for thirty years was contagious, and soon her band “The Claytones” (touted by the National Post as one of the top five bands to watch in 2012) was on board, followed by folky-soul singer Kelly Sloan and fiddlers extraordinaire Matt Pepin, Ian Clark, and John Dahms. This fine collection of musicians will take the Perth Studio Theatre stage, in “Musicians for Mutts” this Friday, October 5th at 8 pm. Along with great music, Prescott has orchestrated a silent auction with many great items up for grabs.
Musicians for Mutts, Perth Studio Theatre, Friday, October 5th, 2012, 8 pm.
Musicians for Mutts, Perth Studio Theatre, Friday, October 5th, 8 pm. Tickets available for $20.00 at Baker Bob’s, Mississippi Mills Musicworks, Read’s Book Shop, Ballygiblin’s, Pakenham General Store, The Vineyard Winery, Balderson Fine Foods, Bakers Bean Village Cafe and Coutts & Company Coffeehouse. Details for all events can be found at www.lanarkanimals.ca
Contact; Robynne Eagan (events@lanarkanimals.ca, 613-256-7980), Kelly Prescott (kfprescott@gmail.com, 613-266-2469, 613-256-4852) or LAWS Board President, Melissa Rusk (melissarusk@rogers.blackberry.net)
The Crown and Pumpkin Studio Tour
celebrates its sixteenth anniversary with a great line-up of 46 artists, 23 new
to the tour. Every Thanksgiving Weekend artists and artisans in Mississippi
Mills open their studios to visitors. It’s a chance to meet the artists and see
the environments that inspire them.
Often it is as much about the creative spaces as it is about the work.
“Visitors are always interested in the space we’ve built on to the big rock behind our house. It’s not every day you get to see pottery displayed in a studio that incorporates a rock outcrop,” says ceramic artist Saskia Praamsma of Clayton.
Artist Sarah Moffat’s studio in the Almonte Flour Mill is a stunning new space with a great view of the river. Or you can take a peek at Richard Skrobecki’s studio and “designer” garden on the corner of Euphemia and Hope streets.
Blakeney features the studio of potter Chandler Swain, located on the river at her Rowboat B&B. Willow Creek Studio is home to painter Kaija Savinainen-Mountain. Her vast gardens offer inspiration and a place to dig while contemplating her next project. These are just a few of the interesting and inspiring artists and locations you’ll see on the tour.
Tour dates: October 6, 7 and 8, 10 am
to 5pm daily. Admission is free. See www.crownandpumpkin.com for details
and a map. Check out our Facebook page:
Crown and Pumpkin Studio tour for previews.
For more information Barbara Mullally
613-256-3647, barbara.mullally@gmail.com
A Publication of the Almonte Press Club providing an intelligent and informed source of news to Mississippi Mills, Almonte, Pakenham, Ramsay, Carleton Place and surrounding areas.
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