Family Nature Walk & Pottery Glaze Painting--Success!

It is a bright and chilly day as we set out for our nature walk. The kids are bundled and snowshoes are strapped on, in order to navigate through the still-thick snow. Our crew, three adults and seven kids, begin at the KAN centre on Simms road. Alder trees grow by the side of the road and Tegan shows us all how to identify Alder catkins, a sometimes-shelter for insects in winter. We turn down South Knowlesville Road and into the woods across from Fallsbrook centre. We are all thrilled to see a dark shape bouncing around in a thicket of trees...and no less thrilled to discover that this is in fact Curly, beside herself with joy to be included in the fun--as always. Within only a few feet of the edge of the beginning of the path, Tegan discovers a beautiful, delicate and tiny bird's nest. "A bird's nest held together with poo." Horus repeats after her, awestruck. We will ask Sal what kind of bird. Tegan pockets the nest, and it will be added to the nature table at the KAN centre. Horus has already lost his snowshoes about eighty seven times, and has relented to being pulled by Leland in the sled. We learn now to identify Fir trees, with their flat needles and smooth yet bubbly bark which contains a naturally healing sap. Leona and Sammi roam ahead. We cross the brook, and then up a steep and rather narrow path over rock, then come through to Simms Road again, past the rec hall. At this point, the boys have had enough. Horus abandons his mittens altogether. The risk of frostbite is real. The girls have disappeared. Tegan goes back, and we hurry ahead to the KAN centre to put the hot apple cider on the woodstove. Back at the centre, Lee and Linda have arrived, so we hang out, until the Wong-Daughertys return--safe and sound. Several porcelain dishes are then beautifully painted with bright glaze colours, and everyone will have their bowl or mug in a few days. A good time was had by all.

The Family Art & Nature day will be a regular event, held on the last Sunday of each month, and will include a potluck gathering and family art project.

See you on Sunday, February 27th. at 3pm, for a walk, followed by an early potluck.

History Sharing Night--February 1st

On Sunday, February 1st, at 6:30, the Knowlesville Art and Nature Centre (111 Simms Road, Knowlesville) will be hosting a history night for the Knowlesville, Glassville, Windsor and Armond communities of Northern Carleton County. This event is the culmination of a project by Tegan Wong Daugherty that was initiated in order to explore and document the experiences of seniors in our rural environs. Although the greater Knowlesville area is historically a farming community, many of our elders moved to the hills of Ketchum Ridge and Skedaddle Ridge in the 1960s and 70s, to go "back to the land", seeking a greater connection with the natural world and a more self-sufficient lifestyle. In recent years, the demographics of Knowlesville, Glassville, Windsor and Armond have changed--like many rural communities, fewer young people who grew up in these regions remain to pursue agriculture or traditional trades. However, community, the spirit of self-sufficiency and love of the land remain central factors for a new generation of younger families who have chosen to make their homes here. Join us on Sunday to hear stories and to share ideas about practices and traditions from the past that can enrich our rural communities into the future. The history sharing event will be followed by a musical jamboree at 8pm. Everyone is welcome!

For more information, please contact Tegan Wong-Daugherty at 375-8623.

Learn to Sing!

Horus, my two-year-old and I love to sing. But before our first singing lesson with Tracy Anderson at the KAN centre a few weeks ago, I was feeling a little bit apprehensive for a number of reasons. I had taken private singing lessons as a kid, and the experience was somewhat anxiety-producing, and I certainly didn’t want to pass any of my music fears onto Horus. As soon as we began our first lesson though, I knew we were in very good hands. Tracy is an extremely patient and very easy-going teacher, and both Horus and I have been enjoying our lessons immensely. We begin with a short warm-up, and then we sing some kids’ songs for Horus, who then tends to head over to the bookshelf or the pile of blocks so that I can work on some of the Italian arias I’m working on. It’s a lovely arrangement, and Tracy is a wonderful, encouraging teacher. It just so happens that she also has up to 3 more half-hour spaces available for students at the KAN centre on Tuesday mornings/early afternoons. For more information, please call 391-6120.

Nature Walk Postponed!

Yes, It is *very* cold out there. Minus twenty, or so they say. I just popped out to tend the goats--they're quite shaggy this time of year, and they told me they were doing fine, but I nearly froze, and I don't think the Littles would have much tolerance for these temperatures...

So we are postponing the Family Nature Walk until next week, Sunday the 30th of January, at 2pm, at the KAN centre, 111 Simms Road.

Hope to see you all there!

Family Nature Walk Tomorrow!

Step out into winter tomorrow afternoon...Knowlesville is still and quiet under its thick white blanket, and the forest is mesmerizing: austere, yet full of life and vigor. Can you read footprints in the snow? Learn with Tegan and Sal. Be outside. KAN centre 111 Simms Road, 2pm, hotappleciderandtea, family, 5 bucks.

Nutrition Talk Report

Thank you to everyone who came out to make our Nutrition Talk night a success! We all got to know each other a little bit better, and enjoyed a very interesting presentation by Pauliina on raw foods and feasted on some of her delicious raw food creations.

And we have decided to make this a monthly event!

Next nutrition talk night will be held on Wednesday, February 23rd, at 7pm, also at Big Red (Tegan and Leland's house at 107 South Knowlesville Road). Thank you to Tegan for hosting this fun and informative event!

See you next month...

Welcome!

Welcome to the KAN centre and community blog! This is the place to find information on past and upcoming programming for the Knowlesville Art and Nature Centre, as well as other community events happening in the region. Check out the page at the top left, that will take you directly to an information page featuring classes, workshops and events at the KAN centre, and watch our links section to the right, to connect with local organizations.