Who’s Reading theHumm PO Box 1391 Almonte ON K0A 1A0 Phone: (613) 256–5081 Editor: Kris Riendeau [email protected] Layout and Design: Rob Riendeau [email protected] Advertising and Promotions: Kris Riendeau Phone: (613) 256–5081 [email protected] Hummble Thought Celia Bartello from Corkery Woods writes: Assistant Editor: While away in Eastern Europe from mid-May to the fi rst week Rona Fraser in June, my husband Tom and I visited the Schonbrunn Palace [email protected] He plants trees in Vienna and took a picture of us holding the May 08 issue of theHumm. Th e Palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg theHumm is a monthly arts, en- Kings and Queens. As you can see, theHumm continues to get to benefit another generation. tertainment and ideas newspaper around like the travelling Gnome. delivered free to businesses and — Caecilius Statius (220 BC–168 BC) Th anks for thinking of us, Celia and Tom! visitor attractions in Almonte, With the help of artist Hannah Crampton, the good folks Perth, Carleton Place, Westport, Arbour Day is not like other holidays. at Valley Design Co. are gearing up for Free Comic Book Pakenham, Carp, Arnprior, Lan- Each of those reposes on the past, Day — you’ll fi nd Superman reading theHumm on their ark, Smiths Falls, Burnstown, front window at 22 Lake Ave. East in Carleton Place! White Lake, Balderson, and Ot- tawa. Our mandate is to connect while Arbour Day proposes for the future. and promote people and events — Julius Sterling Morton (1832–1902) in the small towns and rural com- munities of the Ottawa Valley — where the arts fl ourish and enter- Valley Players and Fans Support Food Bank taining characters run amok! Th e Valley Players of Almonte would like to thank everyone who was involved with “Th e Almonte Radio Show” at the Old Town Submissions Hall in Almonte on February 26–28. In keeping with the theme of may be submitted by email or on the play, which took place during the depression era of the 1930s, disk. we chose to sponsor the Lanark County Food Bank. Th e response from our patrons was incredible. Not only did Deadline nd they bring food items, but with the donations received during our is the 22 of the month prior to dress rehearsal and the proceeds from our 50/50 draw, we were publication. able to make a $1000 donation to the food bank on their behalf. Th e Valley Players were delighted to present a cheque to Nadine Subscriptions Kennedy, Executive Director of the Lanark county Food Bank on cost $30 for 1 year (12 issues). Send a cheque with your name March 23. and address to: — Peter Meyer, president of the Valley Players of Almonte theHumm PO Box 1391 Almonte ON K0A 1A0. Opinions and information pub- lished in theHumm in letters, press releases, or individual col- umns do not necessarily refl ect Free Comic Book Day the opinion of this newspaper. in Carleton Place! All writing, artwork, and photo- graphs published in theHumm Here’s a fun new event: Free sions Ladies Fashions, Th e Blos- are copyright to the author, or to Comic Book Day! Join the Car- som Shop, Valley Design, Bub- theHumm in the case where no leton Place BIA and Th e He- blebees, Carleton Place Winery, author is specifi ed. Reprinting roes Lounge on May 1, from CP Cinemas, Graham Shoes, any content without permission 11am–2pm, for a day that cel- and Read’s Book Shop. violates copyright and is prohib- ebrates comics, art, and literacy. Free Comic Book Day is ex- ited (and despicable!). Meet superheroes and collect pected to draw hundreds of peo- free comic books. It all starts at ple to downtown Carleton Place Thanks this month to: Th e Heroes Lounge, located at for the day. Children and adults the creators, cast and crew of the 152 Bridge Street in Carleton can meet some of their favorite Almonte Radio Show for an un- Place, where you can get your superheroes on the streets. Make forgettably fun experience; and bag, mission card and other it a family event! Dress as your to Sally and Robert for hosting surprise goodies. You will then favorite superhero, bring your us in Tucson (and Rona for hold- travel through the downtown, camera and take pictures, enjoy ing down the fort in Almonte)! visiting the following businesses: lunch. For more details contact Brush Strokes, Chez Rose, Good <[email protected]> Food Company, Nancy’s Impres- or <[email protected]>. 2 April 2010 www.thehumm.com Nora Brown — Super Mario on Acrylics Artist Trading CardCard and Soul On a cold February after- a member of the Rideau Lakes recently by St. Lawrence Col- noon, Nora Brown’s col- Artists Association in Westport, lege teacher Marg Grothier’s Humm our-drenched canvasses she teaches art classes, and she energetic approach to painting bring as much warmth to is one of the top selling artists at in acrylics. Nora fi nds her new the Art… a bleak winter day as the Th e Gilded Corner. medium very compatible with cheerful fi replace glowing her creative style. “I try to let my in Th e Gilded Corner art Mario on Acrylics personality show in my work. and picture framing shop Brown’s favourite quote is by With acrylics I can create chaos in Smiths Falls. Brown’s racing car driver Mario Andret- and work quickly to establish vivid acrylic works feature ti: “If things seem under control, form, balance and structure.” prominently in the gallery you are not going fast enough.” Her use of intense, warm colour space of owner Amy Blair’s Gifted with an abundance of en- and bold simulated and actual by Sally Hansen ergy, she channels her exuberant textures further expresses her Following her own advice, in Gilded Corner (7 Russell Street vitality into productive activi- happy, excited, optimistic per- fi ve years Nora Brown would West, Smiths Falls, 284–2524) inviting shop at 7 Russell Street ties. “I come out of the gate run- sonality. like to be teaching art on cruise to bask in the warmth of Nora West, when we drop in to cap- ning,” she laughingly describes Th ere is no doubt that the dis- ships, be published in an art Brown’s brilliant abstract ture our Trading Card photo of herself, and her family agrees. cipline of eleven years of studying magazine, and have completed acrylics. Her spontaneous this month’s featured artist. Her daughter has been known and working in watercolours and her Certifi cate of Fine Arts. My outpourings of creativity re- It is easy to see why Brown’s to complain about her mother’s coloured pencils enables her to guess is that she will achieve all veal an indefatigable joie de paintings “fl y off the walls as fast early morning enthusiasm; the paint rapidly and spontaneously three of these goals. vivre guaranteed to revive your as I can put them up,” according sound of a roto-tiller at dawn with such success. She confesses On July 10 and 11, Brown will flagging spirits on the very to Blair. Th e large, bold paintings can certainly disrupt a teenager’s to working occasionally in col- be participating in the 13th annu- toughest of days. Nora can be are executed in deep, vibrant sleep. oured pencil to slow herself down al Perth Art on the Lawn Show reached at 283–7824, by email earth tones. Many of the ab- So most mornings Nora grabs and concentrate on structure. and Sale, one of the most popu- at <[email protected]>, or by stracts are deliciously textured; an early cup of coff ee and heads Her drawing skills are evident in lar shows of the area’s summer visiting <www.norabrown.ca>. they kindle warm emotions and into her studio at her beautifully all her representational pieces, season. What started as a small evoke pleasurable thoughts. renovated home on the edge of and her more recent forays into group of friends of Joy McLena- abstract works reveal a wonder- ghan displaying their ful talent for composition. If you art has grown as a trib- can judge personality from a can- ute to her memory and vas, Brown merits exploration as as a contribution to the a closer acquaintance. Perth Great War Me- Her high energy level also morial Hospital Foun- translates into community par- dation. Th is year over ticipation. Nora helped organize thirty members of the a Colour the Canal art exhibit Rideau Lakes Artists’ th and sale during the 175 an- Association will present niversary of the Rideau Canal. artwork portraying During March break she teaches many local landscapes, a children’s art workshop at Th e sparkling fl orals, and im- Gilded Corner with owner Amy agination unleashed in Blair. She has volunteered as an watercolour, acrylic, oil, art teacher at the local school, pastel and pencil, as well and taught watercolour classes as pottery, quilting, iron to beginners for two years. works and wood carv- Very much a pragmatist, she ings. Th e show will be off ers some “lessons learned” for open from 10am–5pm new artists: (1) don’t waste mon- both days. Mark your About twelve years ago at the Big Rideau Lake near Smiths ey on manicures; (2) don’t try to calendars now to enjoy Shawville Fair in Québec, Brown Falls. By the time the rest of the paint what sells — it will stunt the festive atmosphere fell in love with a painting of an family is up and about, she usu- your development; (3) discipline at 3054 Rideau Ferry old orange tractor rusting in the ally has another canvas ready for yourself by dedicating time each Road in Perth.