German graffiti legend, Loomit, will be visiting the Godfrey Sculpture Park from September 25 to October 2 to collaborate with Sculptor Stefan Duerst.

Designwars.com says Loomit is the graffiti artist that gave graffiti its current meaning. Loomit started painting for fun at the age of 14. He became obsessed with it and has become known for his big wall productions. He combines meaningful lettering and things around him in his work. He has travelled and worked all over the world.

The public is welcome to drop by and watch as the two artists work together at Godfrey Sculpture Park! The collaboration will culminate in a show of sprayed sculptures at 'Studio 22 Open Gallery' in Kingston from Nov. 15 to Dec. 23, with a reception on Nov. 19.

Loomit is also hosting a workshop on Saturday, October 1. He will share his techniques, including wall prep, priming, layout, lettering, etc. This is an amazing opportunity to learn from a world-renowned artist. The fee is $100 + $30 for materials; prerequisite: basic drawing or painting skills. To register for Loomit's workshop, please contact Stefan at 613-329-8096, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To see Loomit’s work visit www.loomit.de/version1/home

Have You Ever …

Cut up a log into firewood with a hand saw?

Then split it up with an axe?

Harvested a field of grain with a scythe and pitchfork

Carried it wrapped in jute bags sewn to create a large blanket?

Chopped fodder for cattle with a hand-held curved blade

Fed and watered livestock from hand-carved wooden troughs?

Scrubbed clothes on a metal or glass washboard

Pressed them with irons heated on a wood stove top?

This was the life of early settlers. It's hard to imagine that a house could be built of logs, roofed with hand made wooden shingles, boards hand cut and hand planed. Furniture and most necessities started with a tree and were created with function foremost. The Pioneer Museum has an extensive display of various tools and equipment to help visitors relive the early days. Many of them are made of wood. One display item that constantly amazes everyone is a homemade, portable forge that was donated by the family of Cecil and Helen Snider in memory of Cecil's father, Zara James Snider. In the early 1900s Zara Snider was a blacksmith in the Glenfield-Vennachar area. When the road to Denbigh was being built in the 1930s he diligently built a forge to fit into his wagon, hitched up a team of horses and followed the road building crew. He moved with them, repairing and making metal tools, blades and brackets for their equipment as items wore out and broke down. This might possibly be the first mobile forge.

The Sundance Artisan Show was held in Maberly on the Labour Day weekend at the scenic property along the Fall River behind the Fall River Restaurant at Highway 7 and County Road 36. It was a “must see; must go; mark your calendars for next time if you missed it” event! The show is totally free to park and attend, which leaves money in the pocket to support your Canadian artisans while stocking up on holiday gifts or simply gifting yourself with a treasure.

The show is juried, which ensures that all the exhibitors are top notch and that there is a lovely balance of work. Repeat categories were not repeats as each artist brought their own thumb print to their medium. It was evident that here was quality workmanship by seasoned artisans who have stood the test of time, many boasting decades of commitment and expertise.

Among the exhibitors was Tori Capes, who is the owner, designer, fabricator, marketer, exhibitor and money manager of Mad Cap Hats. At the show she could be found subtly allowing her hats to sell themselves as people experienced the feel, quality and final mirror tests of the hats when deciding to buy one.

What a wonderful name for a business, Mad Cap Hats! That is not just because the hats have that special quality in the designs, fabric and fabrication, but also because it takes a certain kind Madcap quality tempered with a lot of positivity to be an artist. One must wear a lot of hats to successfully create a product, market and sell it, and keep the books of the business. All that talent in one person does not come without a will to succeed and the tenacity to grow and stick to it while on the " learning curve."

When Tori was asked how long it takes to make one of her appealing summer hats she replied, "Do you mean how long it took me to reach the stage where I could make this product? Or how long now?"

In a world where we often forget how important it is to our neighbour to have their hopes, dreams and labours supported, she makes an excellent point.

Although there is a case for innate artistic ability, so much more is behind the scenes of that hat you are trying on; or that cleverly re-utilized metal art; or that perfectly weighted, “fitting in your hand just right” ceramic mug.

In Tori’s case, she is a graduate of George Brown College and has been a certified milliner for 30 years. She is also a savvy businesswoman who is not a stranger to starting up businesses. She has earned the right to boast of many business highlights in her life. She has owned two stores as well as a bed and breakfast, and once made 11,000 hats for cancer patients. She is a “jump in feet first and get it going” kind of a woman and we can all be proud that she is now a full-time resident and business owner here in South Frontenac. When you buy one of her hats, she in turn goes out and buys locally in Canada. If you missed Tori at the show, you can call her at 613-273-6666 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Inspired by Carol Morrow, the historical society has produced a window into local history in the form of a calendar each year since 2004. This one features contributions by men of the area. An example is the story of George Salmond, born in 1884 on the property that became Salmond's Resort on Mississagogon Lake. You'll read about moving his house from the Big Dipper Mine and marvel at this accomplishment using primitive technology. Back issues of calendars are archived in the museum and we are sometimes asked for a photocopy of a picture, or story. Much research has been done on historical businesses, people, places, schools and roads; just one more source of information for future generations.

Larry Birney and Theresa Hooiveld, organizers of Open Mic at the Kennebec Community Hall in Arden, are extremely pleased to announce that because of overwhelming support by local and area entertainers and residents, all costs associated with running the open mic for the first three events have been recouped. As a result, net proceeds of $208.05 will be donated to the Land O' Lakes Women's Program/Safe Homes Emergency Fund.

The last Open Mic, which was held on Aug 20 and was the first to include a pot luck dinner, saw a total of 64 people attending, 21 of whom were entertainers. As well as a surprise visit to "check out" the open mic by our own Central Frontenac councilor, Cindy Kelsey, the music was enhanced all evening by the superb guitar licks and solos of country music recording artist Sonny Oden from Texas, USA, with his wife Connie Phillips, who also sang some lovely country tunes. The "Share the Wealth" draw saw the winner walk away with $70! It was truly an enjoyable and gratifying evening for all!

Many thanks to all those who participate, entertainers and audience alike, whose support has brought a new once-a-month entertainment choice to Arden and the surrounding area.

The next Open Mic is Saturday Sept 3 with a potluck at 5pm; music from 6 to 10pm. Any net proceeds from the open mics held in September, October and November will be donated to the Coats for Kids program. The OPP in Hartington is one of the sponsors of Coats for Kids. Coats of sizes 2T – 16 are needed. They do not have to be brand new; "gently used" is quite acceptable. As much as possible, coats collected from our area will be given to children in our area. The coats are collected till the end of November, after which they will be distributed by Corus Entertainment, who runs the program. For further information please email Theresa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Photo: Frit Flava Vase by Alexi Hunter

The Sundance Artisan Show is marking its 10th year. For the past five years the show has been held on the picturesque Fall River, at a wooded site right behind the Fall River Restaurant on Highway #7 and Road 36 (Maberly Elphin Road) in the village of Maberly.

With over 40 artisans in one location this show offers the unique opportunity to see many artists showing their one of a kind work in many different mediums. Pottery, wood turning, jewelry, furniture, weaving, glass and even cedar strip boats are all here for your viewing and shopping pleasure.

Among the artisans at the show this year there are nine who work in wood, plus seven of Ontario's leading glass artists, including Sarah Dionne from Stirling, Alexi and Mariel Hunter from Kingston Glass Studio, Lalaland Glass Studio from Prince Edward County, Yolanda Noble from Inverary, Diane Proulx from Ottawa, and Cindy Laneville from Winchester,

Add in fine food catered by the Fall River Restaurant and live music and you have a can't be missed celebration of the arts.

Held on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Labour Day weekend, organizers have added a new "preview opening" on Friday evening, Sept. 2 from 5 to 7 pm. The main show hours are Saturday & Sunday from 10 to 5 and Monday from 10 to 2. Parking and entry are free!

So come out and enjoy the art, the food and the music. Chat with the artists, meet old friends and make new ones at the Sundance Artisan Show. For more information and to see a full list of the artists and their work go to www.sundancestudio.ca

As summer gradually moves towards fall, Villages Beautiful Sharbot Lake would like to thank all those unnamed flower fairies who have planted and watered the various flower displays, boxes and tubs, throughout the village. This year has been a real challenge. We tend to take for granted that these displays continue throughout the hot dry weeks. But it is only the hard work of these residents and businesses that makes this possible. If you see one of these fairies, please thank them.

Looking ahead, did you know that there is an official Canada150 tulip bulb, which will be available exclusively at Home Hardware throughout Canada? Our own H.H. is putting in an order, so get yours in now as there obviously will be a limited supply. These need to be planted in the fall for spring flowering.

If you miss the boat on this one, we might suggest that just plain red and white tulips would look lovely to celebrate this event.

Worried about squirrels? Try placing chicken wire over them. The bulbs won’t mind but the squirrels will be frustrated. Or some varieties of daffodils come close to red and white and the squirrels don’t like them.

Can you imagine it, all of the village, and maybe all of Central Frontenac, abloom with red and white flowers of any kind throughout the season, to mark 150 Years of Confederation? Think about it as you plan for 2017. Tracey at the Lawn and Garden Centre at Clement Road would be happy to advise you on plants to suit a particular location. Happy Gardening.  

This fall, North Frontenac Little Theatre (NFLT) is proud and excited to be presenting an original new musical, “Turtle Crossings”, written by NFLT veteran, Craig Godfrey.

Tesah Carter is a music teacher at an urban high school. While singing at an open-mic night with her friends, she reminisces about her childhood cottage days. Through her sharing, we revisit a young girl's life as she grows up at the lake. Along the way, we witness a powerful bond that develops with the boy next door, whom she looks up to as her guardian. In the end, we see how a spiritual re-awakening and the caring love of her "guardian" combine to bring an unforeseen joy into her world. With an original score of music, a wide variety of characters and a tale of human interest that runs the entire gamut of emotions, “Turtle Crossings” is sure to prove captivating and delightful to our audiences.

Brian Robertson will direct our Fall 2016 launch of this original musical. Brian is well known by many of you and a familiar face in these NFLT productions,

and he’s excited to be working on this fun presentation.

Auditions will be held on Sept. 7 & 8, at Granite Ridge Education Centre in Sharbot Lake. See the ad on page 3. The play will be performed Thurs – Sat., Nov. 24 – 26 at 7pm and Sun. Nov. 27 at 1:30 pm. Visit www.nflt.ca

There are roles for teenage boys and girls, adult males and females

Since some actors and crew contacted the author and team from our previous ads, some backstage roles and leads have been filled already. However, since this is a full scale musical, we are still in need of actors for some remaining lead roles and chorus,

as well as musicians to form a stage band, and help with the set, props, sound and make-up.

Contact Producer Kathy Bonsall, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rehearsals will take place twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, beginning Tuesday September 13 at 7 p.m.

The Parham Fair was well attended on the opening night this year, the new location of the bandstand tying the two main events of the evening together, the annual horse pull and a performance by Old Habits.

The midway was also up and running all evening.

By Saturday morning the fair was in full swing, with one of the cornerstone fair events getting underway long before noon. 4-H club members competed in the horse show in two divisions, beef and dairy. They brought their own animals into the ring and were asked to bring them around to line up in different locations, and the judge came over to see how the cattle reacted to being touched, and how well they reacted to the subtle controls by the 4-H members.

For the club members it was a matter of trying to keep their animal calm and following their lead without betraying any stress themselves. The increasing heat of the morning had an impact on young farm kids, who were trying, mostly with success, to present an air of calm even as they were sometimes pulling reluctant cattle in a direction they did not seem to want to go.

The contest culminated when the top two entries in the dairy and beef categories were brought into the ring together. They were then told to leave their own animal and move over to one of the animals from the other category. The contest was about how well each of them could handle an unfamiliar animal.

The contestants were sweating as they used all of their skill to immediately learn how to handle not only a different animal but a different breed altogether. They did well, and the overall winner for 2016 was crowned.

Freed from the stress of the cattle show, the 4-H club kids joined with other kids of all ages to play country fair games; the egg toss, pie eating contest, nail hammering, log sawing, three legged races, and more.

The pedal pull was a new addition to the fair this year, and in the evening HD Supply closed out the festivities, as the midway powered on through the warm summer night

Parishioners from St. James Catholic Church were joined by Archbishop Brendan O'Brien as well as 3 of their former parish priests on Sunday afternoon (August 21).

The gathering included the dedication of a new baptismal font, as well greetings from the archbishop and a trip down memory lane by Father John Brennan who served the parish between 1985 and 1992 and oversaw the construction of the new church.

The church was needed because the original one room red brick church (now the home of the Cardinal Cafe), which was built in 1883, was too small and had been earmarked for replacement since the early 1960's.

In his remarks to the happy crowd (lunch was served before the speeches) Father Brennan said that when he was approached to take over the Sharbot Lake and Bedford parishes in 1985, and told that he would be presiding over the construction of a new church, “I said that someone must have made a mistake, an opinion that was shared by members of my family who knew how good I was at building things and managing finances.”

He said that the archbishop at the time told him something that was particularly helpful.

“He said let them take care of building the church, just be their priest.”

He said that he quickly learned how self-sufficient the parishioners in Sharbot Lake were when they began passing hymm books through the windows to the people outside and the collection plate would disappear out the front door each week, and then come back in with money from those who had arrived late.

“I grew to realize that if it took a long time for the plate to come back in it did not mean someone made off with it, but that more money was coming.”

He finished his remarks by making note of the efforts of the building committee.

He talked about the work done by Doreen Onfrichuk, who came up with the idea of selling $100 tickets on a cottage, a fund-raiser that really got the ball rolling, and Leo Enright, both of who have died since the church was built.

He then introduced Marcel Giroux, Theresa Ferguson, and Marg Desroche, members of the committee who have remained active at the church and in the community through the years.

The anniversary celebration, which took 18 months to organize, featured memorabilia from over the years and a video about the building of the new church, which is available for $20.

The organizing committee for the celebration expressed relief that all the work was completed and the celebration had come off so well.

And yes, there was cake, lots of cake and squares, including a delicious carrot cake.