If you’re in the mood for a night of good music, then you might want to check out Acacia Lyra, a harp and voice duo performing in concert on the 23rd of October, Saturday, at 7:30 in the evening at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church here in Carleton Place. If you’re looking to listen to something unique and different from the tired pop hits we hear on the radio, then this show is guaranteed to pique your interest.

Although Janine Dudding and Susan Sweeney Hermon may look like your typical 40-ish housewives, they pack more punch, not to mention musical talent. It’s hard to describe Acacia Lyra, maybe because they’re so unique and new.

In any case, this excerpt from their website should be illuminating:

Acacia Lyra is not your average harp and voice duo. Janine Dudding and Susan Sweeney Hermon sing in English, French, Spanish and Gaelic, accompanying themselves on Celtic harp and guitar. Their programme is a colourful journey of traditional and contemporary tunes from the Scottish Highlands to the Peruvian altiplano.

It turns out that Janine, who now lives in Ottawa studying with accomplished harpist and performer Lucile Brais Hildesheim, spent a few years of her life working here in Carleton Place during the 80’s, so this performance should be a fitting homecoming for her.

Proceeds of the concert, sponsored by the Merrickville District Community Health and Service Centre and the Social Concerns Committee of Carleton Place area churches, will fund the dental care of low income individuals in the Grenville, Lanark, and Leeds Counties.

As the 1^st Carleton Place-Comrie ‘Sister Cities Student Exchange’ continues for another 2 weeks, the first contingent of students, teachers and chaperones from Scotland are now making their way to Canada, and are set to arrive this afternoon at Ottawa airport.

The Student Exchange program’s opening ceremonies, which were held this August in Scotland, was undoubtedly a success. With the Scottish students arriving today, local students and residents are excited to welcome the contingent from Carleton Place’s twin community, Comrie. The exchange students will be staying in town until the 21^st, and will be given a tour of some of the sights and sounds here in the region.

According to Jeff Maguire, Chairman of the Carleton Place Sister City Committee, they’re keen to play host to their friends from Comrie. When the contingent from Carleton Place went to Scotland in August, Jeff and his wife, Kathleen, were part of the 5 adults who went along as chaperones.

He adds that they got to know the students and teachers from Scotland very well, so it’s exciting to be able to spend more time with them once more.

Carleton Place and Comrie, a quaint village located in the Scottish Highlands, have been recognized as twin communities since 1992. This year marks the 15^th anniversary of the twins, with celebrations and ceremonies taking place in both communities to mark the occasion.

In an effort to raise funds for the Carleton Place Minor Hockey Association and the town’s girls’ hockey program, a fundraising dance will be held at the Carleton Place community centre hall on the 2^nd of October, Saturday.

Bob White, a long-time member of the Carleton Place Parks and Recreation staff, is the man behind the evening event, dubbed ‘The Good Ole Hockey Kick-off Dance.’ White usually spends the last few months of the year working in Carleton Place’s arena complex, but this year, he chose to work on something more special—lending a helping hand to the town’s amateur athletes.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time White has helped put together a dance such as this. While working on behalf of the Carleton Place Arena Staff Association, White has helped to enhance Arena 2 by organizing concerts and other parties, as well as by assisting with repairs and other additions to the community centre.

This time, his latest venture isn’t connected to the staff association. Instead, White simply wants to help young hockey players as well as minor hockey organizations. With hockey season about to start, he believes now is the perfect time to hold an event and raise money for the sport.

EMC News – The Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) Foundation has received a gift of $160 from Ana and Dean Antonakos. The sister and brother team, with the help of their parents, Louis and Melanie Antonakos, operated a lemonade stand during the Bridge Street Bazaar and decided to donate the proceed of their sales to the Foundation.

Ana and Dean Antonakos know firsthand what the saying, ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,’ means. The siblings however, took it even a notch higher.

The brother and sister duo, along with some help from their parents, Louis and Melanie Antonakos, opened up a lemonade stand during the Bridge Street Bazaar, where they earned quite a bit of money—$160 in fact.

But instead of buying something with their earnings, the siblings opted instead to donate the $160 to the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital Foundation.

According to Ana Antonakos, when their grandfather Papou was confined at the hospital for lengthy period of time, every at CPDMH took great care of him. She and her brother though it would be a great idea to donate their earnings at the bazaar as a way of thanking the hospital’s staff for their superb services.

She adds that coming up with the $160 amount wasn’t as tough as they had originally thought—in fact the folks at the bazaar were very friendly.

CPDMH CEO Toni Surko was happy to express the hospital’s gratitude at the touching gesture of the brother and sister team. He adds that the Antonakos family’s generosity is a fine example of community spirit.

With election day just around the corner, the race for the Mayor’s seat here in Carleton Place is heating up, and things got even hotter and spicier over the weekend.

The two candidates running for mayor, challenger Wendy LeBlanc and incumbent Mayor Paul Dulmage, participated in an all chili battle royale on Saturday, the 11^th of September, at the Carleton Place Farmer’s Market’s chili contest.

While the Carleton Place’s mayoralty race has been pretty friendly so far, it was obvious that things at the contest turned up a notch higher, mainly because of the spicy food served courtesy of Tijuana Tilly’s Mexican restaurant.

Earlier this month, Dulmage announced his plans to run for a third term 24 hours before the closing of nominations, this after receiving the blessings of his family and close friends. The incumbent mayor looks to continue his vision of growth and progress for the community.

Opponent Councillor Wendy LeBlanc on the other hand, formally kicked off her campaign for mayor on the 24^th of June.

Though the candidates certainly made their delicious choices of chili known, Carleton Place’s voters will have to wait until the 25^th of October to vote for who they want as mayor.

With the resounding success of the first phase of the Carleton Place-Comrie ‘Sister Cities Student Exchange,’ the contingent from Carleton Place is gearing up to play host to their Scottish counterparts when they come on over for a two-week stay next month.

Three female students from Carleton Place High School (CPHS), together with six female students from Notre Dame Catholic High School, were selected to be part of a contingent that got to enjoy a 10-day tour of Scotland. The students visited the country from the 20^th to the 30^th of August, and were joined by 5 adult members and guardians who made up the Carleton Place Sister City Committee.

These were committee chairman Jeff Maguire and his wife, councilor Wendy LeBlanc and husband Frank, and Debbie Burn. Together, these adults were in charge of being chaperones throughout the students’ Scotland visit.

The contingent had the opportunity to visit Comrie, a quaint village in the highlands of Scotlands, also recognized as Carleton Place’s twin community since 1992. The link between the two communities was made official in simultaneous ceremonies held in July 2007.

With the success of the trip, plans of sending another contingent for the 20^th anniversary of the “twins” in 2012 are already shaping up.

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The Carleton Place Dragon Boat Festival is happening again this year on September 11, 2010. Get involved in the ultimate team sport, while helping local charities! Visit Riverside Park over lunch for entertainment and a variety of food and drink. There is a full view of the entire length of the race course as well as merchandise for sale.

For more information visit the Dragon Boat Festival website at: www.fall400.com.

Since the festival inception in 2002, the Festival has raised over $55,500 which has been donated to local organizations!

Ontario’s finest were pretty busy last Friday, but they weren’t chasing criminals. Instead, they were on a merry chase in Carleton Place, tracking down a black bear cub, and successfully sedating it thanks to the officers from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

The chase first began at 11 in the morning on that fateful day, on the streets situated near the northern bank of the Mississippi, and finally ending in an old neighborhood on the south side of town. The bear cub climbed up a tree in the residential area, allowing policemen to corner the animal and keep an eye on it while waiting for personnel from the MNR to arrive on the scene. According to Carleton Place Police Constable Sean Trahan, the incident finally ended on a relieving note at around mid-afternoon.

While the cub was hiding up the tree, residents in the area couldn’t help but be curious, but policemen were quick to warn them to stay inside their homes. Children were also advised to stay in school and keep away from the area.

When a wildlife officer finally shot the bear cub with a tranquilizer dart, it seemed like ages before the drugs took effect – at least that’s what some eyewitness report.

The bear then tumbled into a tarpaulin and was safely released back into the wilderness.

Carleton Place’s St. Mary Catholic School is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, and as a way of celebrating the event, the school has organized numerous events activities not just for its students, but for their families and teachers as well. These events are scheduled to take place from the 4^th until the 6^th of June.

On June 4, St. Mary Catholic School will be hosting Comedy Night. The event kicks off at 7:30 in the evening, with a teaser in the form of live music courtesy of Gary O’Meara and The Diplomats. The comedy show takes place an hour later, with Absolute Comedy taking the stage to entertain the audience. More live bands will be rocking the stage afterwards.

But don’t rock out too much, as Kids Fun Day takes place the next day, beginning at 11 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. As the name suggests, this day is for kids and will be chockfull of kids’ activities and games, with sizzling barbeque and a whole lot more to be served.

Finally on June 6, Sunday, the last day of the celebration, the school will be hosting an anniversary mass followed by a pancake breakfast courtesy of the Knights of Columbus.

Don’t miss out on this weekend of non-stop fun and games. Mark your calendars and join the fun!