With a kick-off event from 7 - 9:30 pm on Thursday, November 26, Feral Five will be hosting a series of live musical evenings at The Crossing Pub in Sharbot Lake. Referred to as “Music and Friends”, the evenings are designed to showcase good quality, local, amateur musicians, and will take place on a regular basis (usually the 4th Thursday of the month). The featured guest for November will be Bob Miller, a skilled luthier (or maker of stringed instruments) who resides with his family in the Sharbot Lake area. He was an active member of the Toronto folk music scene in the late '70s and can best be described as a singer and multi-instrumentalist performing a mix of folk, Celtic music and instrumentals. I'm sure the audience will be in for an enjoyable performance. A $5 cover charge will be collected at the door. Anyone interested in a meal before the music starts, should make reservations at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn (613-279-2198) in advance.

After a break over Christmas and New Year's, “Music and Friends” will continue on the 4th Thursday of February, March and April, providing music lovers with an opportunity to escape from any 'cabin fever' that might be setting in during these winter months. Most of the line-up for these evenings has been set with the goal of exposing our audiences to both new talent and previous performers who have endeared themselves to our listeners. Having enjoyed hosting “The Center Stage Cafe” over the last number of years, we want to thank our friends at the Legion for their support and hope that our previous audiences will continue to join us at our new venue. We certainly look forward to many evenings of enjoyable, live, musical entertainment ahead.

Bethany Garner is a long time quilter and quilt collector with an impressive collection of heritage quilts from Frontenac County. At the Trinity Quilters Heritage Quilt show in Verona on October 17, she had on display 27 quilts from her personal collection. For anyone interested in heritage quilts from Frontenac County, Garner's collection was a gold mine. No less than 24 of her quilts were what she categorized as Frontenac County farm quilts, which span a time period from 1870 to 1970.

One quilt of particular note was a red flannel-backed log cabin quilt, a piece she acquired at the Kingston Farmers' Market back in the early 1990s after she moved to Elginburg with her family.

Garner recalled how her “heart gasped” as she watched a woman unpacking her wares one market day and she first laid eyes on what she described as a 100 plus-year-old log cabin “field and furrows” quilt. “I tried to appear just slightly interested,” she remembered and quickly purchased it for $85. She then rushed home immediately with it in order to “savour each little log.”

Garner believes that the quilt came from a farm in Portland and was pieced together in 1880. The quilt boasts indigo prints, madder and clock prints and flannels and other wool and flax seed materials, all of which Garner said are staples from Ontario homes. The quilt's later backing shows that it was finished likely at the turn of the 20th century.

A second quilt of equal interest and one of Garner's favorites is a red and white feathered star quilt, which she holds in particularly high esteem for the complexity of its piecing. “The small pieces and the complexity of the angles are amazing and are why I think this quilt is so spectacular.” The quilt, which was made in Sharbot Lake, comes from two sister quilters and Garner said a similar sister quilt is in the permanent collection at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre in Kingston.

Garner, who is currently studying to be a professional quilt appraiser, has been making quilts herself for 50 years and is a past president of the Canadian Quilters Association. She said that she is actually “more interested in the encyclopedia of fabrics that every quilt contains rather than the actual pattern of the quilt”. Her collection was one of the highlights of the show for those especially interested in heritage quilts from Frontenac County

Quilt lovers got more than their fair share of eye candy at the Trinity Quilters' Heritage Quilt show celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Frontenac County. On October 17 the Trinity United Church in Verona was lined wall to wall and pew to pew with hundreds of quilts, offering guests a close look at a number of heritage quilts from some impressive personal collections.

Front and centre at the show and displayed on the sanctuary's front dais were a number of exquisite pieces from the personal collection of Dr. Peter Bell, the lead family physician who heads up the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team. Bell spoke of the older heritage quilts that he collects, some made of cotton, but most made of wool. He said the latter attract him most because of their deep, muted and rich colours and heavier materials. “I tend to gravitate to these older wool quilts not only because of how they look and feel but also because they were made to be compatible to the life style at that time of early rustic homes, which were cold and where the inhabitants were looking for heavier, warm coloured quilts to keep them warm.”

One spectacular piece in Bell's display was a large sunburst patterned quilt, an old wool quilt from Toronto that dates back to 1886. Bell believes that it was likely made in Toronto but unlike many older crazy quilts, which were made from old worn clothes and/or bed covers, this Toronto quilt, in Bell's words, was “well planned out and was likely created from newly purchased material and used for special occasions”.

A second quilt done in the style of “Dresden Plate” has a number of disk shapes in two rows, with the disks made up of different coloured pie-shaped wedges.

A third piece, one of Bell's oldest quilts, is dated around 1840 and has a central medallion pattern with a central basket that boasts a floral arrangement. Also on display were a number of crazy quilts, many of which at that time were used to demonstrate the various stitch work patterns that could be used to stitch the pieces of the quilt together. One gorgeous log cabin style quilt is especially unique in that the primary pattern is prominent when viewed with the naked eye but when photographed, the image shows the secondary pattern moving to the fore.

One crazy quilt in Bell's collection has roots in Central Frontenac. It comes from the Cronk family of Long Lake Road near Parham and is stitch inscribed with the words “presant from mother to George, 24 Jen, 1912”. It is a unique piece, spelling mistakes and all.

Those who attended the show also had a chance to win three gorgeous quilts created by members of the Trinity Quilters group.

B.J. Calver, who heads up the local and international missions program at the Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church, was thrilled with the turn out at the church's annual Fall Fair on October 17. The event attracted hundreds of shoppers and included close to 50 local vendors, who were offering up everything from hand made crafts, comestibles and a wide range of gift ware. Organizers also offered visitors a huge bake sale table, fresh funnel cakes, and a Chili Plus Cafe, with all the food proceeds funding the HFMC's Community Assistance Program (CAP).

The CAP program offers financial assistance to members of the local community in need of food, heat, and emergency relief due to fire. CAP also funds the church's Christmas Hamper Program and through its partnership with Southern Frontenac Community Services also provides emergency food vouchers and other financial relief to local families in need. Calver and her husband Ray, who have been doing voluntary mission work in the Dominican Republic for close to 20 years, have through their partnership with the HFMC been able to build a church and school in Barrio Tona, a town just outside of Porta Plata in the Dominican Republic.

Shoppers who attended this year's sale were intrigued with the plethora of unique items for sale and new and notable this year were Miche purses and Birkenstock foot ware. Other first time vendors included Orna-Metal metal art, and Boutique Originals, who sell a wide array of primitive recycled Christmas crafts. Calver said that she was hoping to exceed the $2600 in donations raised at last year's event and judging by the turn out, it looked as though that hope could easily become a reality.

On September 29, Grade 9 to 12 students and chaperones from North Addington Education Centre headed off for an overnight trip to Stratford. This trip was made possible by the very generous help given to the school by the Education Department in Stratford, who covered most of the costs. Some students chose to see “Anne Frank”, while others chose “Hamlet”.

Students had a packed agenda. On arrival in Stratford, the students toured the Anne Frank exhibit at the local museum. On September 30, they headed off for a “Warehouse” tour, in which they learned about how costumes, props and sets are made, and tried a few costumes on for size.

At 11am the students attended a “Prologue”, which was a workshop with actors from their play. Students spent an hour doing drama activities and asking questions, prior to their play’s matinee at 2pm. Featured in the “Anne Frank” prologue were Cassandra Parks, Shaelynn Flagler, Madi Lemke, and Nathan Whitelock. Students in the “Hamlet” prologue were Mackenzie Johnson, Kara Rosien, Lucas Parks and Ilia Salvaterra.

Students thoroughly enjoyed the productions they attended. Aaron Smith said, “I was not sure if I wanted to go on the trip, but I’m so glad I did as I loved Hamlet. I don’t usually go for theatre things, but it was great.” Olivia Bence, who attended “Anne Frank”, loved the set, which was “like magic” in the way parts appeared and disappeared.

Many students expressed a hope to attend another play next year.

NAEC hosted visiting actor Lara Jean Chorostecki on September 23 and 24, prior to the school trip to Stratford, and on October 2, after the trip. She led the students in several drama-based activities, focusing on “Anne Frank” and Shakespeare’s language, as well as the use of voice and body in drama.

The visit was part of a program called “Teaching Shakespeare” which is run by the Education Department at Stratford. In order to receive funding towards a student trip to Stratford, and to arrange for a visiting actor, teachers are required to attend a “Teaching Shakespeare” conference for three days in August. There were about 60 teachers, in total. Ms. Allan and Ms. Randle attended from NAEC, and received materials and ideas that they could use in a classroom.

Many actors who are in productions at Stratford worked alongside the teachers in a variety of workshops. Lara Jean Chorostecki was one of the participating actors in the “Teaching Shakespeare” conference, and was paired up with NAEC. Although she got her start in Stratford, at the age of 17, she is now in movies and on television. Her most recent series was “X-Company” on CBC this year – now available on Netflix. A second season is planned for early 2016. She was also on the very popular “Hannibal”, which is also available on Netflix. For more information on Ms. Chorostecki, visit: http://www.larajeanchorostecki.com/about/

Students in grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 participated in the workshops, and enjoyed the experience very much. Allya Garey, who is a big fan of “X-Company”, presented a thank-you card to Ms. Chorostecki on her last day at NAEC.

The second installment of the Arden Legion's Open Mic event on October 10 attracted more than double the musicians compared to the inaugural event two weeks earlier. Organizers are hoping to see the event continue to gain in popularity and with that in mind have decided to make it a regular event, which will take place on the second Saturday of every month from 1 - 6pm. To date the open mic is not only attracting local talent but also musicians from afar willing to travel a considerable distance to have the opportunity to play. That was the case for Linda Faith of Kingston who made the trip from Kingston on October 10 to sing her three-song country set that included Willie Nelson's “Remember Me”, and Flatt and Scruggs' “Gimme My Flowers While I'm Living”. She said she made the trip since she loves “to get out and play and socialize with other musicians.” Marg and Dwayne Taylor, both musicians and singers who recently retired and returned to live full time in Arden, are thrilled to have a local regular venue where they can play and meet other local players. Local musician Larry Birney of Arden, who plays and sings and “loves to jam”, initiated the event. He approached members of the Legion with the idea of a regular open mic in the hopes of giving local players a chance to get together regularly.

Theresa Hooiveld, whose partner Peter has participated at both events, is the official name taker and at the second installment, participants were invited to play up to three songs. However, she states that number can change, based on the number of players who show up. The Legion's fund-raising chair, Malcolm Sampson, said that a similar event was started three or four years ago but eventually fizzled out. He said that the second Saturday was decided upon since it does not conflict with other similar musical events in the area.

Legion volunteers open up the kitchen and bar for the open mic, which so far has been free of charge for listeners and players alike. Sampson hopes to see the event catch on, especially in the winter months, since it will make for a warm and cozy way to spend a musical afternoon.

Widely known for his aviation art, 84-year-old Canadian artist Don Connolly demonstrates that he is an artist who has covered a wide range of styles and subject matter during his close to four-decade-long career as a professional painter.

Connolly, who has been drawing and painting since he can remember, served as a navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the 1950s during the Korean Air Lift and later became a squadron leader in the Defense Research Board before resigning from the RCAF in 1966.

Following a second career as a partner in a bookstore/picture framing chain in Ottawa, Don then chose the life of a freelance artist and quickly began to focus on aviation art, a subject close to his heart and mind. These works, totaling over 2000 in his long and illustrious career, have made up 50% of his output; one hundred of them are currently included in museum collections throughout Canada and the United States. Many are also front and center at the Grace Centre show in Sydenham.

One such work titled “Flight: Dream, Myth and Realization” demonstrates Don's fascination with the history of aviation. It is a collage of images highlighting numerous early attempts at aviation through the ages, beginning with the myth of Icarus and his waxed and feathered wings and including a depiction of the Montgolfier brothers' hot air balloon as well as Sir George Cayley's and Clement Ader's early flying machines.

Other works focus on more modern aircraft, which Don paints in highly realistic detail. One work depicts two Sea Furies of the Royal Canadian Navy, and a second a Norseman flying over the Hood River in Canada's Northwest Territories. Another large work, more autobiographical in nature, shows Connolly as a young man visiting what was then the earliest version of the National Canadian Aviation Museum in Rockcliffe, Ontario. He is shown with his in-laws and Don painted himself looking out at the viewer, camera in hand as the family inspects a Junkers bush plane on display.

Not surprisingly, Connolly has always had a fascination with space travel and the most recent work in the show titled “International Space Station - Approaching Toronto” is a precise depiction of the space station while in orbit on a south-easterly course approaching Toronto.

While aviation art is what Connolly is most celebrated for, his curious mind and hands have led him to explore other styles, many of which are included in this show. As an experienced wood worker who has tackled both home and boat building, plywood became the chosen material for some of his more abstract works. These works, often created from carved and painted plywood, demonstrate Don's interest in abstract ideas, but also show his practical need to make work that would appeal to a wider range of art buyers, especially those less interested in the art of aviation. The results are works like “Abstract in Blue and White”, a work that deals more with formal design concerns and ideas. These works show an artist who has a knack for creating eye-pleasing abstractions where colour and shape taken together create stimulating forms and relationships that allow the mind to wander and the eye to delight, unconsumed by any particular subject.

“Planetary Gothic”, another wooden piece painted in shiny gold, merely suggests planetary forms, and its earthiness makes a nice contrast to his more realistic pieces.

Don has no fear of breaking long-standing traditional molds, specifically the typical rectangular canvas format and he made a number of circular works like “Rock” OCO. This work uses curvilinear pieces of particle board laid out in a pleasing decorative pattern and is painted in iridescent colour.

Connolly possesses a wide-ranging knowledge of his subject matter and loves to share that information with his viewers. The show, at the Grace Centre until December 4, is open every Sunday and Don himself will be present on those days from 2 - 4pm. It is a fascinating show and well worth the trip to Sydenham. The Grace Centre is located at 4295 Stage Coach Road in Sydenham.

Visitors to the Red Door Studio Tour this past Thanksgiving weekend not only had a chance to get up close to a number of particularly friendly farm animals but also enjoyed perusing a wide variety of art and craft items made by the over 18 talented artisans showing their work there.

One artist was Mary Lou Devine of Simply Devine Paverpol of North Gower, Ontario, a fabric artist who incorporates a relatively
new product called Paverpol in her unique fabric sculptures. Paverpol is a water-based, environmentally friendly polymer medium used to saturate fabric, giving it a hard and durable finish that enables the sculptures to survive long term both in and out of doors. The medium, which has been around for 15 years, was first discovered in the Netherlands by a group of sculptors who were making over-sized floats for a Mardi Gras style event that takes place there. The artists were looking to get away
from the toxic materials normally used to finish their creations and came up with a durable water-based polymer product that is human, animal and environmentally safe.

Devine, who worked as a federal public servant in Ottawa for years and retired in 2009, took up paverpol fabric sculpture one year later and has been making work ever since. Her creations are whimsical mostly figurative forms, some table top sculptures, others free standing taller forms with titles like Gilbert of the Gower, a smiling leapfrogging elf. Devine said Gilbert was the result of challenge she suggested to a fellow Australian paverpol artist, who agreed and posed the challenge to other paverpol artists around the world.

Some of Devine's other works include tall table top figures, some of which function as necklace holders and have a surface that
resembles metal, which results from adding small stones to the medium. Paverpol is a versatile medium that can be applied to any natural fibre and for artists who especially like to clothe their creations, paverpol is a great way to go.

Devine, who started first as a painter, said that working as a paverpol sculptor allows her to paint as well as sculpt. As far as her inspiration goes, she said her ideas come from everywhere but most often her characters tend to create themselves. “I often start with an idea in my head and will find myself struggling until the character decides exactly what it wants to be.”
Devine offers classes in paverpol sculpture at her home studio in North Gower and plans to offer classes in Kingston as well.
Visit www.simplydevinepaverpol.com

At the end of November, North Frontenac Little Theatre will present the Samuel French production of William Gibson's “The Miracle Worker”.

In researching this play, certain aspects of Helen Keller's life stood out. Firstly, she keenly appreciated nature and described it with exquisite attention to detail. She also took great pleasure and comfort in simple, daily tasks and in learning about life. These enjoyments were expressed much later when she wrote several books. Her early years however were marked by much struggle.

Because she could not speak or hear but she could think and reason, she was terribly frustrated and expected much from herself. She put her hands on others' lips to feel them speak for example, and wondered how to make her own mouth work. She had a tendency toward terrible outbursts.

The play The Miracle Worker is a vivid portrayal of Helen's family life and their struggles. We get a good picture of her mother's fierce love and anguish, of her father's frustration, and of her brother's resignation. We see their family dynamics not centred on Helen, but greatly influenced by her.

We learn of key people in their lives, including Dr. Alexander Graham Bell who suggested that Helen could be taught, and Bell's son-in-law Mr. Anagnos of the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston who sent a young teacher, Miss Annie Sullivan, to Alabama to live with the family.

Annie struggled with her own levels of blindness and had a fierce stubborn streak that left an indelible mark on her existence. When Helen and Annie met they clashed greatly. There are several scenes of their conflicts in the play. Yet Annie's perseverance and Helen's determination come to a pivotal moment, when together they create the poignant connection in Helen's communication between words, objects and letters.

This is an award-winning play that has some timeless qualities including the families’ personal evolution in overcoming hardship, their colourful family dynamics, and their struggles in finding breakthroughs in understanding and communication.

The cast and crew are working hard at creating a memorable performance. Mark your calendar to see this NFLT production. Performance dates include Friday, November 20 & Saturday, November 21 at 7pm; Saturday, November 28 at 7pm and Sunday, the 29th at 2pm. You won't want to miss it!