by Lynne Tebo

Thinking of Christmas? Think Nativity, which refers to scenes or crèches displayed at Christmas depicting the birth of Christ, so visit the fourth annual “101 Nativities Exhibit” at Cole Lake Free Methodist Church on Friday, Nov. 21, 6:30 - 8:30pm and Sat. & Sun. Nov. 22 & 23 from 1:30 - 3:30pm.

The Nativity exhibit will include nativities from all over the world, made of metal, wood, glass, ceramic or plastic. Nativities that children can handle and play with will also be on display. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Each child will be given an opportunity to make a craft to take home. The children’s craft room is decorated with birthday hats and streamers in celebration of Jesus Christ’s birthday.

The Nativity Exhibit has become a tradition at Cole Lake Free Methodist Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. "101 Nativities" has grown several ways since that first Nativity Exhibit in 2011 - in the number of nativities on display, the number of community members who have participated in the event, and the number of persons attending the exhibit.

Ladies from the church and community have contributed to the exhibit by bringing their nativities to the church for display, contributed their time and talents in the setup of the nativity exhibit, and contributed their time during the actual event.

A "Nativity Christmas Tree,” will again be on display, decorated with handmade nativities made by over 60 ladies and children from the church and community. This has brought women of our community together from a variety of faiths and backgrounds and the nativity exhibit has truly become a community effort. You will not want to miss out on this amazing event. We encourage all grandmothers to share time with your grandchildren by bringing them to the Nativity exhibit. You will be making memories that may last into eternity. We encourage everyone to get together with their family and friends and come to the fourth annual nativity exhibit!

“For unto us a child is born...” Isaiah 9:6

by Debbie Twiddy

Have you ever wished to revisit your childhood? If you could go back and re-experience some of the most intense moments, be they joyous or sad, would you? David Kemp is giving local theatre goers a chance to live those days again. Interpreted through the writings of a collection of well respected and well-loved authors including the works of British, Canadian and American authors, “A Child Growing Up” is a bittersweet journey through the world of childhood memories. Humorous, moving and thought-provoking, audiences from around the world have found the stories within the show a pleasure to identify with. Together, Kemp and the audience will re-experience episodes from childhood, family life, school life, love, and, best of all, memories of Christmas. This series of readings which Kemp devised, directs and performs, was first performed in England in 1970. CBC Radio recorded it for a special Christmas edition of their ‘Anthology’ program. Since then it has been performed in over 50 different countries around the world. The show has toured across Canada from coast to coast and has garnered excellent reviews from the world

press wherever it was presented. Kemp who is the founder of the Exeter Theatre Festival also served as the head of the drama department at Queen¹s University for 10 years and has made numerous appearances at the Thousand Islands Playhouse.

Kemp¹s gift for the stage is well-known, and we at the Bellrock Hall are lucky and thrilled that he is willing to share his talents with us. The overall quality and mood of the show make it a perfect fit and start to the upcoming the festive holiday season. Two performances will take place. Available for the first show on Saturday November 29 is a $20 ticket that includes a pre-show ham & scalloped potato dinner that will be served at 6:30pm or a $12 ticket for the show only, which begins at 7:30pm. The second performance on Sat. Dec. 6 is $12 and is a performance only. The Bellrock Schoolhouse Theatre is located at 6034 Leveque Road in Bellrock. Tickets are available in Verona at Asselstine and Verona Hardware and Food Less Traveled and a limited number of tickets will be available at the door. For more information visit www.bellrockhall.ca

Michael Neelin is no stranger to McDonalds Corners. Neelin's family has owned a cottage in the area for almost 50 years and his love of both heritage architecture and natural landscape was one of the reasons why in April 2014 he moved from Pontiac, Quebec, where he had lived and worked for over 20 years, to McDonalds Corners. He moved into a new home in McDonalds Corners, which he designed and had built.

With a degree in architectural history and trained as an architectural technologist, Neelin makes his living designing timber-frame homes, and he operates his own business called Riversong Design. While he loves his work and the fact that it has paid the bills for years, he admits that there is also an artist in him. In fact he started drawing and sketching long before he became a designer of homes. “It was a trip I took to France with my parents as a teenager that ignited my love for sketching and drawing historic architecture and the natural world, and it is a fascination that has never left me”, he said at the opening of his show, titled “Fenceline and Shoreline”, at the MERA schoolhouse.

The show is comprised of numerous drawings, mainly done in graphite. Included are meticulous drawings of old, leaning barns and sprawling heritage farms in their natural surroundings. One of the best of these are of the barns at Clontarf, which are long aged but also maintain their unique architectural integrity. Neelin’s drawing technique is often so precise and fine that the textural beauty of the barn board stands front and centre and is matched by the grace with which he composes the subject in the frame.

His works also draw him to urban heritage architecture like the old Almonte Post office, Confederation Square and Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and a beautiful brick building that he depicts in a work titled “Hollywood Parade”, where the front of the building is masterfully and painstakingly represented.

Some of the architectural drawings can also lean towards the cartoonish side, as in “Breen's store in Clontarf” which appears more like a quaint drawing for a children’s book. However, these also have their own special charms.

The natural world is also one of Neelin's muses and he explained that he never tires of the way “beauty occurs so spontaneously in the natural world” - like the two downed trees that sprawl on a river bank or the tall, thick cedar trees that spring from a rocky river bed in another work. It takes a master draftsman to be able to put graphite to paper and bring one’s subject to life and Neelin is a talented artist who puts his heart and soul into every pencil line that he makes.

He was pleased with the close to 50 people who turned out for the opening of the show, which will remain on display at MERA for the month of November. Neelin said that he is grateful to not only to have a place to show his artworks but also to have such a fine source of art education and entertainment available locally at MERA.

By Andrea Dickinson

Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lamp is a big production that includes music, a large cast with many children of various ages, an elaborate set and exotic costumes. Mark your calendars – November 27, 28, 29 and 30 is when this project comes to fruition...not to be missed!

There are so many factors that must come together to create a few hours of entertainment. For a small rural community like Central Frontenac to have the dedication and talent of actors, director, stage manager, choreographer, wardrobe designer, set designers, lighting director, music director, musicians...is really quite awesome.

I’ve had the pleasure to work with the youngest group of actors in this play – better known as “Chorus #1” which is made up of six young girls. They range in age from six to nine years old and it been such a joy to watch them learn their lines, their dance moves and express themselves onstage. What a fantastic group of talent!

When asked what these girls enjoy most about rehearsing for a play, some of the answers were:

...“being in front of an audience performing makes me happy”, “I like dancing and acting”, “I like being able to act like a different person”, “I like being in a play because it’s so fun to sing and dance”...

It’s not all fun and games! These kids have to work hard and really focus at the end of long school days. Some of the comments in regards to what is most difficult about being in a play were: ...”the dance steps are hard to memorize”, “it’s hard to hit the high notes in the songs”, “it’s tiring when we practice late”, and “staying focused with all the excitement isn’t easy”....

It’s evident that it is a serious commitment for everyone involved in a theatre production and for these youngsters the commitment extends to their parents who diligently get them to practice twice a week. Their dedication will pay off when the audience is thoroughly mesmerized and entertained by this latest production presented by North Frontenac’s Little Theatre Company.

Holiday shoppers looking to get a head start on their purchases for the gift giving season were treated to an array of possibilities at the recent craft show that took place at Trinity United Church in Verona on November 1. Close to 30 local crafters had on display their wares, which included bead, stone and crystal jewelry; a variety of knit and woven winter warmies including socks, mittens, hats and scarves; numerous comestibles; candles; Christmas ornaments and decorations; hand-crafted wooden pens and pencils; home-made treats for our four footed friends; massage gift certificates and much more.

One table stood out for me – it was laden with cozy and colorful knit booties that their creator, local Verona painter Elaine Farragher, calls Newfoundland thrummed slippers. Typical of Newfoundland they are made from wool and short lengths of un-spun wool fleece. The latter are woven into the knitted stitch, creating a heart-shaped pattern that makes a warm, fleecy inside lining. The slippers are not only unique, they are the perfect footwear for chilly winter days and nights.

Farragher started knitting just three years ago. She said she likes to make the slippers when she is “relaxing in front of the TV on those long winter nights”. She jokingly added that making them “satiates her natural inclination to be obsessive compulsive”. The booties are meticulously made and she began knitting them following a trip to Newfoundland. “I saw them there, loved them and came home and found the pattern on a website called Ravelry”, a free website dedicated to knitters and crocheters. It has thousands of different knitting patterns, including some for thrummed Newfoundland slippers. The slippers cost $40 a pair and Elaine makes them in a number of different colors and sizes for both adults and children. Like a sock, one size can fit many different-sized feet. The slippers take Elaine roughly five hours to make and are a perfect gift. They can also be stuffed with smaller gifts. For those who missed the Verona show and who must have a pair, contact Elaine at 613-374-2052.

photo 2014-Elaine Farragher and her unique Newfoundland-style thrummed slippers at the Christmas craft show in Verona on November 1

Ball and Chain is the cheeky band name for the irrepressible singer/songwriter/guitarist Jody Benjamin and her fiddle player and singer husband, Michael Ball. Ball and Chain mix two great musical loves in their music, country dance music and contemporary Cajun music.

They have released four albums containing original tunes sprinkled in with songs by Hank Williams, Webb Pierce and contemporaries like Julie Miller and Steve Earl, as well as an album of Cajun tunes, "Louisiana Love Bug".

The sixth release from Ball and Chain "Surrender" is their first to include all original songs. This is how the album is described on the website cdbaby: “Their love of hard core Honky Tonk is evident but here they feature songs with a wide range of styles. There is a love song for the prairie skies of Jody Benjamin's home province of Saskatchewan, a simple classic country waltz, a rockin' murder story song and a couple of Cajun-style fiddle tunes. The title track is a philosophical advice song for control freaks.

“The instrumentation varies as well. Some songs are simple guitar, fiddle, bass and drums while others feature electric guitar, pedal steel, Wurlitzer, Hammond organ and there's even a jaw harp intro to one of the fiddle tunes. This band always keeps the dancer in mind and their live performances always have full dance floors.”

They will be bringing the music from Surrender, and much more to the Agricultural Hall in McDonalds Corners on November 15. Accompanied by their band, the Wreckers, they will conduct Cajun 2 step and waltz lessons starting at 8pm. The band starts up at 9pm. There will be a cash bar to benefit the McDonalds Corners Agricultural Society. Admission is $15.

Those familiar with the old children’s fairy tales, like Hansel and Gretel, are in for a real treat thanks to an artful production that continues at Prince Charles Public School in Verona this week.

Written by Steph DeFerie, the play is directed by Doug MacIntyre and produced by himself and Kathy King. It is the perfect piece of community theatre for the Halloween season since it offers up loads of colourful costumes plus a hefty portion of comical characters in all shapes and sizes for young and old alike. The story is not just about Hansel and Gretel; it brings in all the beloved fairy tale characters we have grown up with, and each is generously scripted and given a chance to shine.

That is the case for Meagan Smith, who plays Blossom the Cow and whose three-letter word utterances charm to no end. So is the case for the forest mouse, Alyssa Parks, whose wee cuteness and focused attention to the action is equally charming.

And speaking of charming, Josh Detlor’s dandy Prince was just that, as was Gareth Hewitt's Big Bad Wolf, a character you just love to hate. Similarly Hailey Hickey's mirrored face was a hilarious sight to behold, as were the words she spoke as the bearer of the truth. Stephanie Rowe as both Snow White and Red Hiding Hood was also highly entertaining. The truth – or what we think we know as the truth about these characters - is one idea that the plot closely hinges on in this play and is what DeFerie plays on.

Veteran actors to the community stage did not miss out on a chance to put their talents to the test. Both Astrid Tanton as Gretel and Johnny Parks as Hansel were stellar as the young leads who personalities changed on a dime and whom the audience first enthusiastically wooed then booed. Audience participation in the form of clapping, cheering, and jeering was highly encouraged and was a big part of why this show is so enjoyable for all ages.

Other lead players also had a chance to demonstrate the extremes of their acting chops; Connie Shibley as Brunhilda and Amanita Phalloides, and Beth Freeland in her two opposing sides as stepmother to the lead siblings both showed they have what it takes. Similarly, father Wilhelm (Piotr Rauchfleisch) played his role as an innocent and victimized dad with aplomb and his scenes with Freeland were classic comedy given their polar opposites in both form and temperament. Alison Williams as the Fairy Godmother was a sheer joy to behold, a natural to the stage and who, due to an early wand mishap, gets the classic stories and situations hilariously befuddled. Dick Miller as Inspector Wombat and his sidekick Dalton Hurren as Sergeant Ringworm made a hilarious sleuthing duo. The show’s costumer designer, Debbie Lovegrove, is truly gifted and though this production was no doubt a challenge, she definitely rose to it and brilliantly surpassed the mark, creating some very memorable and clever costumes that added to the cartoonish, campy feel of the show.

The sets by Robert Rowe and Dave King were similarly clever and simple, with turnstile forest trees changing into a cozy indoor hearth and with the actors taking full advantage of the space in front of the stage where much of the action occurred. In the second act the stage opened up revealing the inside of a candy house, a simple and aptly decorated set equipped with cage, stove, witch’s broom, wood pile and a glowing bright fire light.

Part mystery, part mockery and a full-on high jinks tale with many unseen twists, the play was one of the best I have seen to date by Doug MacIntyre, who never fails to put his heart and soul into every show that he stages. Hansel and Gretel is one of his best and those who missed the first two performances have no fear. There are two more this coming weekend - Sat. Nov. 1 at 7pm and Sun. Nov. 2 at 2pm. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 years of age and under and are available at the door or at Verona Convenience Store, Verona Drug Mart, Verona Hardware and Asselstine Hardware.

by Marily Seitz

Renowned Maritime guitarist, singer and songwriter JP Cormier will be presenting a guitar workshop in Sharbot Lake. He is the master of many instruments but is a genius on the guitar. His fingers fly with speed and precision and he leaves his audience awed by his talent. JP Cormier will be performing in the evening of November 15 at the Sharbot Lake Inn and will conduct his guitar workshop in the afternoon at the Oso Hall from 3:00 to 4:30.

Cormier’s workshops for festivals, small groups or companies are a whirlwind of information and technical delight. This master of the instrument takes the workshop audience on a journey through ‘all things guitar’. From purchase, technique and set up, to flat picking and finger-style, this workshop is an information bomb for players in any style or genre. It is for experienced guitarists with the prerequisite skills (ability to fluently play open chords, to use strumming patterns and to read guitar chord charts), who will be delighted with the content of the workshop.

Presented by Blue Skies in the Community, the JP Cormier guitar workshop will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 3 to 4:30pm at the Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake. Cost is $30 for adults or $20 for students. To register for the JP Cormier workshop, or for further information, contact Marily Seitz at 613-479-2855 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

by Nina Jenkins

Things are a-buzz on the stage at Granite Ridge Education Centre on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as children and adults of North Frontenac Little Theatre prepare to stage their first production, Aladdin, in the new facility. Those involved are pleased to be working on a nicer, deeper stage and are getting used to working in the new space. Members of the theatre group are appreciative of the working relationship with the school administration and staff and the school board for allowing us to use the space to provide community entertainment to the surrounding areas.

Brian Robertson, who is directing this play, is pleased to have permission to include a stage extension to provide for scenes to be done in front of the curtain while a scene is being set up behind. Jeff Siamon assisted with installing it in the cafetorium.

For the first production at GREC, the theatre group has chosen the play Aladdin, a family type show with broad audience appeal, which involves young children, teens and adults. Robertson, who has directed many such plays while teaching at Land O' Lakes School, is very pleased with how rehearsals are going. The show has a lot of music and dance and so requires a good amount of practising “to get it right”.

Assisting Robertson is Andrea Dickinson who works with six of the youngest actors/dancers arranging choreography, practising lines and preparing costumes for them. Basically, she is responsible for the part of the show involving the young actors and it is amazing the progress these young people are making. Dickinson has been involved with a number of NFLT shows, most recently in My Narrator.

Also doing choreography with the other actors is Tim White who has a background in dance.

Jeff Siamon now has the theatre lights installed in the room and is grateful for the use of the “genie lift”, which allows him to reach the high ceiling to position and manipulate the lights. The process of setting up the lights to get them where you want them takes time and patience. Siamon has used a general placement of the lights which can be used not only for this play but for future plays and school activities with some minor adjustments. He is satisfied with the results and is now concentrating on fine tuning the lighting for this show.

We are happy that Andrea Jones, a newly retired elementary school teacher, is sharing her talents and is teaching the songs for the show. The songs are tricky with a lot of words and she is pleased with the progress of the actors, especially the young ones.

Rounding out the music for the show will be Gary Giller on Bass, Sandy Robertson on flute and John Inglis on piano.

Set design and construction is being done, once again, by Peter Platenius, Donna Larocque and Martina Field. Peter says that he is pleased with the space in the wings of the stage and is adjusting to the new space.

Sally Angle, house manager, is busy planning on how to set up the “house” and is planning for placement of the ticket table and refreshment site.

Costumes are being prepared by Peggy Muldoon who is busy finding the appropriate pieces, altering, tucking, embellishing and fitting them for each actor. John Pariselli and Nina Jenkins are co-producers for the show.

Aladdin will be presented at Granite Ridge Education Centre on Thursday, November 27, Friday, Nov. 28, Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 1:30. So pick a date, get on your “magic carpet” and join us for an entertaining evening or afternoon. Tickets will be on sale soon at Sharbot Lake Pharmacy and Sharbot Lake Dollar Store. Watch for future ads in this paper and for posters in the surrounding area businesses.

Submitted by MERA

Every month a new local artist's work is featured in the main hall at MERA - a community arts organization in McDonalds's Corners in Lanark Highlands. You can catch the end of the October art exhibition at MERA before it comes down on October 31: Paintings & Portraits by local farmer, Rosemary Kralik. MERA receives 20% of all art sales for the exhibitions. Encouraging local artists and musicians is part of MERA's mandate.

The November art exhibit features “Fenceline and Shoreline" - landscape and heritage drawings by Michael Neelin There will be an opening at MERA on Sunday November 2nd from 2 pm - 4 pm

In his realist graphite pencil drawings, Michael seeks to capture and share moments out of time from the Ottawa Valley’s rich natural landscape and built heritage. Before moving to Lanark Highlands with his wife Lyndal earlier this year, Michael was active in the Pontiac Artists’ Association and Pontiac Studio Tour, with solo and group shows in Western Quebec and Ottawa. His artistic exploration of our region’s hidden treasures dovetail perfectly with his academic background in architectural history and his professional life as a designer of custom timber-frame homes.

Check the MERA website at meraachoolhouse.org for the monthly art exhibitions at MERA or contact MERA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to exhibit your work.