The Canadian pop singer cancelled Saturday’s scheduled Beachclub party, a week after reality TV star Kylie Jenner’s party at the same locale in Montreal.
Oh well, Justin won’t be flying over Carleton Place. But, where can you go to have a great picnic in Carleton Place? The sky is the limit– trust me— and Justin is missing out. Montreal over Carleton Place? No way!! The views in Carleton Place are always a picnic!
All you celebrities reading this out there just remember— Carleton Place is paparazzi free!!! Unless you count our beloved photographer Bob McDonald!
CENTENNIAL PARK
“The Secret Trail Walk” as I call it.– Choose a direction out of the two choices, and enjoy the beauty. Just a little over to the left in Centennial Park is where the old floating bridge of Carleton Place existed so the workers didn’t have to walk out of their way to work at the Hawthorne Mill. This park was once Abner Nicols Lumber yard and McRostie’s farm. Carleton Place built this park in 1967, to celebrate the 100th birthday of Canada becoming a country. On the North side of the Mississippi River, Centennial Park includes a place to swim, picnic, play ball or use the playground.
The first project of the Carleton Place and District Horticultural Society when it formed in 1988 was the transformation of the hard-packed cinder playground into this lovely oasis on the north side of town. The Garden is designed, planted and maintained by the Horticultural society members who donate plants from their own gardens along with their time and gardening talents. Take a few moments to relax under the vine-covered trellis and view the original Carleton Place horse-watering trough, now a delightful planter. Then wander through the 20th Anniversary Celebration arbour and hedge to visit the Community Gardens Project.
Then everyone can wander the labyrinth in the back. A labyrinth is a circular path, an ancient spiral symbol that has been used for over 4000 years. A labyrinth’s path guides a participant to its centre and back out again. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth holds no tricks or dead ends. The walker is free to focus on a thought, a prayer, or simply enjoy the walk itself. Walking a labyrinth has been used for centuries to support healing, meditation and personal growth.
1950’s postcard captioned “Relaxing on the Mississippi River in the Heart of Carleton Place” (near the Findlay boat house) from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum.
Buy Linda Secaspina’s Books— Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac– Tilting the Kilt-Vintage Whispers of Carleton Place and 4 others on Amazon or Amazon Canada or Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street in Carleton Place
The Almonte Lions Club invites you to step back in time for a Victorian Tea and Fashion Show on June 13, 2015.
The event will be held at the newly named Octagon Room, formerly the Fairview Manor Dining Hall, 95 Spring Street, Almonte
from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and promises to transport you to a time of china and lace. Attendees are encouraged to wear fascinators, or tea hats and prizes will be awarded for the fanciest and most original designs. Fascinators will also be available for purchase at the door. While you dine on a lovingly prepared lunch, fashions from yesteryear will be presented by Vintage Wear of Almonte and fashions for today’s modern woman will be presented by Nancy’s Impressions of Carleton Place.
Henry James once said:
There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.
The Tea Party is back — and what a Mad Hatter’s Party this was in Almonte!Read about the Carleton Place Ladies Who Lunch Tea last week here. Where’s next weeks?
The event was held in a retro 60’s designed room called The Octagon Room at the Fairview Manor in Almonte, Ontario. It was packed with hats, gloves and handsome waiters.
It doesn’t matter if you do not know anyone- you will always find someone you know. Hi Peggy!
More Carleton Place ladies putting on the ritz out of town.
Now who would this hat belong to?
Who knew men knew how to pour tea?
We suggested the silent auction contain these gentlemen instead of books.:) Very delightful!
Nancy Code Miller presents her fashions from Nancy’s Impressions in Carleton Place.
When we put on our Ladies Who Lunch Tea in Carleton Place last week we found out the restrictions of older buildings early on. We were shocked to find out there were no electrical plugs at the bar and very few in the venue when we began initial planning. There was also no kitchen, and no refrigeration. Sometimes, you have to make choices to have it in a wonderful venue like the Carleton Place Town Hall or the Octagon Room.
The Almonte ladies had the same issues. Very few plugs blew a fuse, and after an initial tea pour, the tea and coffee had to be shipped in via Tim Horton’s. But you know what? If they had not announced it we would have never known. Yesterday, I not only celebrated the Queen’s birthday I also celebrated the Almonte Lion’s Club for their wonderful tea and their professionalism.
Bravo, well done and I look forward to next year!
A 21 gun salute for the Almonte Lions Club and the Queen.
The town of Carleton Place hosted Ladies Who Lunch Saturday June 6th. How a bunch of women can pull these Ladies Who Lunch’s off once a month must boggle some minds. Never ever underestimate the power of a woman! I have put on many events in my lifetime- in fact I was thrown in the kitchen of the Cowansville Anglican Church at age 6 and worked every single event until I moved away. Church events are hard work, and as Chef Dusty Pettes from Ballygiblins said yesterday- church ladies have their opinions, and you don’t mess with them. He was in fact referring to our ladies of St. Mary’s in Carleton Place who poured tea. As soon as I have a picture of them I will post them. They are a fighting team and a heck of a bunch of wonderful strong women.
It began with an idea to bring women to together as one.
Then came the Treasure Hunt which is still on:
Carleton Place Epic Treasure Hunt (maps on table)
For more information contact Lisa Strangway at lisa@themarketingstation.ca orwww.facebook.com/themarketingstation. Our Town Hall Vendors\
Wisteria’s (on Bridge Street) Wonderful Whimsical Clocks. Wicked!
So what is a Ladies Who Lunch? The women that attend their events are strong. They are the ones that when their feet hit the floor each morning- the devil says,”Oh Crap, she’s up!” It’s tough being a woman in this world- so would you mess with these women?
Now– a group of Ladies Who Lunch from an organization of 15,200 local women in one room is something you don’t want to mess with. Would you? Sometime it takes balls to be a woman!
I wouldn’t even try to get anything by that Swirlicious woman on the far left! Ask Blair White!
These three are trouble. Especially that Krista Lee from Apple Cheeks on the left. Don’t mess with Dena from The Granary either. We don’t play a victim. We stand up and deal!
See that lovely lady in the blue suit. That’s Arlene Anderson the CEO from Carleton Place’s Sam Bat Co. She sells baseball bats that the pros use. Look what one of her door prizes (a replica of Barry Bonds bat) did to inspire one woman.
Don’t mess with Zena! Just take off the Z and add an X. What does that spell? I rest my case.
Angela and Glenda know what’s up-women who love give everything!
Meeting old friends after all these years- we have made mistakes through out life, but we have never quit. It only makes us stronger!
Don’t mess with Penny The Beckwitch-Strong people know how to keep their life in order.
If you can’t find a good role model- well then hell be one!
Shelley from Dolly Doll Cupcake- Cupcakes and confidence.
Wendy Daniels from BOOM-FM and Catherine Landry, LWL Mothership leader. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them!
The younger generation taking charge already! Well done ladies! We can do it!
What can we do? Plenty sister!
The Dress Shop-Women have always been the strong ones of the world- Coco Chanel
Holy Batman!–Never ever mess with these women! Don’t even try! They build women up – not tear them down. Angela Sutcliffe and Judith Cane.
Who were these British women that infiltrated the group and advertised they wanted to get nailed? How dare they? DNA-UK Nail Spa in Almonte. Keep calm- you’re a strong woman!
Despite the stern admonitions of Perth Classic Theatre Rev. Bell, provincial town crier Daniel Richer cannot help but let loose an “oyez!” before the cameras! But Rev. Bell had some stern words for me, Michelle and Dee from DNA UK about wearing trousers. Bell’s sons are among the featured characters in this year’s Perth through the Ages walking tour – The Maid and the Merchant, with a Nancy Drew-inspired theme – while he himself appears in the Friday night Lonely Ghosts Walk. More at classictheatre.ca -Photo by Michael Gauthier.
Now this is Lanark County’s own Wade Foster on the fiddle making us tap our feet. He is a rock star. Born and raised in Perth, ON, Wade is known all over the Ottawa Valley and beyond as a multi-instrumentalist and singer. He played his fiddle to accompany the women from the fashion show. Photo by Michael Gauthier
Whatever it is move on-it’s just a chapter in the past! Chef Dr. Dusty from Ballygiblins is in the house!
Dusty Pettes from Ballygiblins watched his step around all these women.
Chef Ben White making sure that the lemonade came out right for the ladies.
Then they went to the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum along with provincial town cryer Daniel dit LaFleche and lovely Julia to view the displays, had their cards read and saw and bought the art from Beautiful Minds. PLUS “They Left Their Mark” Display. Photos from The Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum.
Sheena from Tease Tea and Jennifer from Younique were at my house.
And that was a wrap ladies. Stay strong ladies– always be Wonder Woman! You are stronger than you think!
Photos from Lisa Strangway Michael Gauthier from Freedom Photography and many others
And this was what it was all about—–
Bonnie McWhirter
I left Ottawa at nine this am and got back home at 9:30. What a wonderful day!! Farmers’ market, lunch, shopping, palm reading at the museum, and most impressive, a self-guided tour of Springside Hall. Thank you so much to Catherine, Linda and all the organizers and vendors. Oh, I don’t have a business; I’m retired but everything was meaningful and memorable for me. I did drive to Perth to tell my sister, a designer, all about it. Thank you all!
No thank you Bonnie!
The whole event was fabulous. Everyone was so positive & up-beat, who knew there was so many great shops with personality? I’ve already made plans to return to Carlton Place soon. I can’t wait for the next small town Ladies Who Lunch event.
You are dynamic. You are resourceful. You are focused and determined. And you are part of LADIES WHO LUNCH, Ottawa’s premier social networking event filled with civic minded people.
Never mind how the men do it, girls: at Ladies Who Lunch, we celebrate each other, share our stories, support our work and make things happen. And we’re growing fast, because you believe in it.
Doors Open at 11- Tea Begins at 12- Every table setting will have a program..
Special Events Only to the Ladies Who Lunch — There will also be an information page at each plate setting of everything you can do and enjoy in Carleton Place. This is a proper English tea, so it is alcohol free, but there are plenty of places after the tea you can enjoy a beverage at.
Come early!! Carleton Place Epic Treasure Hunt (maps on table)
Discover all the hidden treasures our Carleton Place businesses have to offer. Look for the pink and green balloons!
Say hello to the business owner, they will help you find that unique one-of-a-kind item to take home. This will be an ongoing thing in Carleton Place so-
Right at the end of Bridge Street before the bridge is the Carleton Place Town Hall 175 Bridge street. That is where the tea is. Doors Open at 11- Tea Begins at 12- Every table setting will have a program.. Come visit our vendors
AFTER THE TEA
Springside Hall and The Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum-open until 6 pm
PLEASE NOTE –*A special scarf in your swag bag will grant you access to both sites: Springside Hall and the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum after the tea*
The Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
267 Edmund St, Carleton Place, ON (613) 253-7013
(turn right after the Bridge outside the town hall and then left at St. James Church on Edmund Street)
There you will find complimentary tarot card readings and the brand new 2015 Museum Display called “They Left Their Mark”. In the far room there will also be a special art display from high school students with special needs called Without Exception: Exceptional Art from Beautiful Minds. Tarot Readers: Steven Robert Morrison
Well known Tarot, Palmistry and Facereader
Gabriella Studor who was at the Greystone Hotel Victorian Seance two years ago. She is also going to be on Jen’s Zen show on Rogers TV next Tuesday doing readings! She does Angel cards and Reiki.
Jessica Silver who was also one of the tarot card readers at the Victorian Seance.
She is alos Ophelia at Carnival Diablo. Without Exception: Exceptional Art from Beautiful Minds celebrated it’s 5th annual Vernissage at the Mill of Kintail in Almonte last year. The opening was a celebration of artworks created by 37 high school students with special needs from the CDSBEO.
SPRINGSIDE HALL – 77 Lake Ave EAST, enter on the Campbell Street side by the garage doors.
(Go to the four corners by the Greystones/Misissippi Hotel which has a For Sale sign on it and it is 1.5 blocks up. Turn on Campbell Street for entrance).
Expect the unexpected from a visit to “the old mansion” of Carleton Place. The funky emporium’s eclectic finds have made their way into the three-storey, 1860 stone home, which includes a greenhouse, gym and steampunk room.
Springside Hall belongs to the former owner of Flash Cadilac and Savannah Devilles in Ottawa, Linda Seccaspina.
“Every room is a museum” filled with Linda’s finds from thrift shops and auctions in Lanark County. No fine art or expensive items for Linda. Each item was a “found” item brought to her home with love. Recycling past treasures is a passion of hers.
Only open to those from Ladies Who Lunch. Linda ‘s books including her latest : Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac will be available there.
This is just a few of our door prizes for Ladies Who Lunch in Carleton Place on June 6th
Thanks to Michelle Hartford of DNA UK in Almonte we have the Queen Mother of a door prize for Ladies Who Lunch Saturday June 6th. She has donated a HUGE box of delights as well as a huge GC for her business.
This very bottle from Krista Lee at Apple Cheeks in Carleton Place. Need something to go in it? A LCBO gift certificate as well.
Ariessa Black from Platinum Black is donating a Pavé Pedicure, shellac manicure with nail art & Swarovski crystals included as well as ladies choice of any piece in the jewelry boutique.
Greg Skelton from Capital Optical in Carleton Place who has generously donated 4 pairs of designer sunglasses worth a total value of $860 as door prizes
WOW 2 pairs of VOGUE and 2 pairs of NAF NAF Thanks Greg… someone is going to love these!!
This week I have been asked by many what they should wear to Ladies Who Lunch in Carleton Place this Saturday, June 6th. What should I wear to show people I have ‘rattled my pies’. Rattle your pies? What the heck is that? Last year I read a blog about “rattling pies in the sky” by a friend named Kit Duncan and was confused because I had never heard that term before. Being Canadian I have heard of a “pie in the sky”, but no where had I heard of pies being rattled. I sat there after reading her post and wondered how much pie rattling I really had accomplished.
When I was 14, because of my theatrical flare of dressing, people told me I should become a fashion designer. My father could not deal with those specific “pies” and the constant conversation of my dreams to him were ignored. He found me “flighty” and way too creative for anyone’s good, and when I was having trouble in school he strongly suggested a stint in the Canadian Army, like he had done.
My grandfather, concerned about not losing the “creative child” as he called me, insisted I be sent to England to the London School of Design. It was 1967, and I had dreams of Carnaby Street, the Beatles and fashion. My father was not amused and he wanted my pies in the sky kept at home and preferably on Canadian soil. Long story short, my grandfather died in early August of that year and any promise of schooling in the UK came to a screeching halt. After a lot of arguing I left home and attended fashion design school in Montreal.
Was it the right pie in the sky?
I think so.
I worked very hard and opened my own business at age 24. From 1976-1997 I owned a couple of clothing stores that made an impact on the Ottawa Valley locals. Through my clothing designs I let people become who they wanted to be through fashion as I applauded their acceptance of being themselves. I told them that being different was okay. Watching my shoppers grow up and having their children come into my stores was amazing. First and foremost; it was always important to me to always be there for those who needed to talk and for those who felt the pressures of being unique.
So come as yourself. Be yourself-you don’t need to prove to anyone who you are by what you wear–because you are all talented and unique in your own way. Remember, she believed she could, so she did. You don’t need fancy clothes for that.
For the table to table fashion show at Ladies Who Lunch we will have Lanark County’s own Wade Fosteron the fiddle to provide the music. Born and raised in Perth, ON, Wade is known all over the Ottawa Valley and beyond as a multi-instrumentalist and singer.
Doors Open at 11- Tea Begins at 12- Every table setting will have a program..
Special Events Only to the Ladies Who Lunch — There will also be an information page at each plate setting of everything you can do and enjoy in Carleton Place.
Come early!! Carleton Place Epic Treasure Hunt (maps on table)
Discover all the hidden treasures our Carleton Place businesses have to offer. Look for the pink and green balloons!
Say hello to the business owner, they will help you find that unique one-of-a-kind item to take home. This will be an ongoing thing in Carleton Place so-
Springside Hall and The Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum-open until 6 pm
PLEASE NOTE –*A special scarf in your swag bag will grant you access to both sites: Springside Hall and the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum after the tea*
The Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
267 Edmund St, Carleton Place, ON (613) 253-7013
(turn right after the Bridge outside the town hall and then left at St. James Church on Edmund Street)
There you will find complimentary tarot card readings and the brand new 2015 Museum Display called “They Left Their Mark”. In the far room there will also be a special art display from high school students with special needs called Without Exception: Exceptional Art from Beautiful Minds. Tarot Readers: Steven Robert Morrison
Well known Tarot, Palmistry and Facereader
Gabriella Studor who was at the Greystone Hotel Victorian Seance two years ago. She is also going to be on Jen’s Zen show on Rogers TV next Tuesday doing readings! She does Angel cards and Reiki.
Jessica Silver who was also one of the tarot card readers at the Victorian Seance.
She is alos Ophelia at Carnival Diablo. Without Exception: Exceptional Art from Beautiful Minds celebrated it’s 5th annual Vernissage at the Mill of Kintail in Almonte last year. The opening was a celebration of artworks created by 37 high school students with special needs from the CDSBEO. The Without Exception program has been gaining popularity since its creation and has been shared with school boards across Canada. In an effort to share the joy of this program, 100% of the profits from the sale of items such as prints, note cards, mugs, t-shirts, canvas bags and now prints on canvas are donated to the Good Samaritan Trust Fund. Christopher Drake is one of the artists and I am proud to say that I have watched him blossom through the years to become the wonderful and talented person he is today. Christopher made his town proud when he received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award from Princess Anne in 2014. Meet Christopher and his Mother Barbara Drake and the Museum Curator Jennifer Fenwick Irwin.
SPRINGSIDE HALL – 77 Lake Ave EAST, enter on the Campbell Street side by the garage doors.
(Go to the four corners by the Greystones/Misissippi Hotel which has a For Sale sign on it and it is 1.5 blocks up. Turn on Campbell Street for entrance).
Expect the unexpected from a visit to “the old mansion” of Carleton Place. The funky emporium’s eclectic finds have made their way into the three-storey, 1860 stone home, which includes a greenhouse, gym and steampunk room.
Springside Hall belongs to the former owner of Flash Cadilac and Savannah Devilles in Ottawa, Linda Seccaspina.
“Every room is a museum” filled with Linda’s finds from thrift shops and auctions in Lanark County. No fine art or expensive items for Linda. Each item was a “found” item brought to her home with love. Recycling past treasures is a passion of hers.
Only open to those from Ladies Who Lunch. Linda ‘s books including her latest : Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac will be available there.
Again NOT selling anything– I just see things on my journeys and like to spread the word to everyone. These clothes are from Divine Consign– the same store that had the Chateau Laurier mirrors for sale awhile ago. I always go in there to window shop.
In March of 2014 , an incredible store called The White Lilly closed in Almonte. They had been located in Almonte for 3 years in the Heritage Mall. Anyone who was in this area talked forever about The Water Lilly.
The owner “Lilly” traveled to Bali to have the clothes made and sold. “Goddess on the Go”, are Eco friendly, easy to wear, and nothing but a “lifetime piece” . Lilly was the only representative of Goddess on the Go clothing in Canada.
The store has been long closed and Divine Consign in Almonte now has the rest of her stock that normally ranges in price between $49-99. There are leggings, capris, longer shorts, tanks, cardigans, dresses etc which now sell for $29-39. What a steal! The only issue is that 90% of the clothing is sizes small and medium, but they are so soft and flowing there is a little “size range flow”. If fashion and beauty is your passion these pieces are real collectibles. They will never go out of style and have the fashion stamina of a real water lily.
Wendy also donated a $50 gift certificate for Ladies Who Lunch June 6th in Carleton Place awhile ago, so maybe one of you will get really lucky!
Without Exception: Exceptional Art from Beautiful Minds celebrated it’s 5th annual Vernissage at the Mill of Kintail in Almonte a few years ago. The opening was a celebration of artworks created by 37 high school students with special needs from the CDSBEO. The Without Exception program has been gaining popularity since its creation and has been shared with school boards across Canada.
In an effort to share the joy of this program, 100% of the profits from the sale of items such as prints, note cards, mugs, t-shirts, canvas bags and now prints on canvas are donated to the Good Samaritan Trust Fund. Christopher Drake is one of the artists and I am proud to say that I have watched him blossom through the years to become the wonderful and talented person he is today. Christopher made his town proud when he received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award from Princess Anne in 2014.
While we try to teach our children all about life, in the end it is they that teach us what life is all about.
A Celebration of Canada by Local Exceptional Artists
Local artist Chris Drake was the recipient of an RBC 150 Grant. He chose to host a painting workshop for local exceptional artists with his $150.. The results of this workshop will be on display at the Museum from March 30 through April 15th. Vernaisage March 30th from 5 – 6pm. #Make150Count
lindaseccaspina 
The whole event was fabulous. Everyone was so positive & up-beat, who knew there was so many great shops with personality? I’ve already made plans to return to Carlton Place soon. I can’t wait for the next small town Ladies Who Lunch event.