Hilda’s Yard, opening February 5th at the Studio Theatre, is vintage Foster. Set in 1956, it’s the story of Sam and Hilda Fluck (yes, Fluck) who find themselves blessedly alone after their children, Gary and Janey, have finally flown the family nest. But alas, both kids turn out to be boomerangs, sailing back home faster than you can say lost job and failed marriage. Meanwhile, Sam Fluck may lose his own job because he took time off work to buy a TV set so he and Hilda can watch Gunsmoke, and son Gary is nervously hiding from a bookie to whom he owes money. Yup, this is vintage Foster alright…touching, a little silly, very funny, and loaded with situations any family (OK, most families) can relate to.

Director Roberta Peets helms this wonderful show with a generous dollop of her own heart thrown in. She was attracted to Hilda’s Yard by its heart-warming characters and the nostalgic tug of the 1950s setting.

Hilda’s Yard premieres at the fully accessible Studio Theatre, 63 Gore Street E. in Perth, on Thursday, February 5th, with performances February 5, 6, 7, 13, 14 at 8:00 pm, and February 8 and 15 at 2:00 pm. Regular tickets are $22 at The Book Nook, 60 Gore St. E. (cash only); Tickets Please, 39 Foster St. (613-485-6434;ticketsplease.ca; credit cards accepted, a convenience fee applies) and Shadowfax, 67 Foster St. (613-267-6817; shadowfax.on.ca; credit cards accepted, a convenience fee applies). Tickets are $24 at the door, and students with ID pay just $10 at the door on show nights.

So don’t miss your chance to peek over Hilda’s fence, starting February 5th. If you like crowd pleasing shows with plenty of laughs and a happy ending, Hilda’s Yard is the night out you’ve been longing for

The date set for the Loppet this season is Sunday, February 8, 2015. Back this year by popular demand is our “Cookie Race”, a 2.5 and 5 Km freestyle race for youth and the young at heart.

The lopet takes place at Murphys Point Provincial Park.

Sign up for the Loppet at the Tay Valley Ski Clubs website.

Join us at the North Lanark Regional Museum in Appleton on January 25th, 2015 for our annual Scottish Tea. Enjoy light refreshments of  tea, coffee, scones, and shortbread with musical entertainment provided by Moe Aller on the Bagpipes and Larry Lunney on the Keyboard. Tickets are $5.00 at the door. The event starts at 2:00pm and runs to 4:00pm.

A great chance to catch up with old friends and neighbours, or to have a visit with family.

This event supports the fundraising efforts of the North Lanark Regional Museum and the North Lanark Historical Society which are devoted to collecting, preserving, researching, educating about and displaying the history of Mississippi Mills.

For further information, please call Sarah (Project Coordinator) at 613-257-8503 or appletonmuseum@hotmail.com. Or contact Doreen (Museum Manager) at 613-256-2866.

Get set to kick up your heels on Saturday, Jan. 10 as the Almonte Fair Board hosts a Winter Dance featuring The Glen Silverson Band, back by popular demand! Doors open at the Almonte Civitan Hall (500 Almonte St.) at 7:30 p.m. and the band starts at 8 p.m., finishing at midnight. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Proceeds from the dance go towards the Agricultural Hall Project. For more information or tickets contact Alyssa Toshack at 613-256-6263 or Debbie Brydges at 613-256-3879.

The Frosty Fling takes place the last weekend of January. This annual family event features skating, costumes and outdoor activities in Lanark Village. Festivities kick off January 30 and close February 1, so bundle up and come out to the winter carnival the last weekend of January.

This January head to the library for great reading events. The library will be participating in the Ontario wide Forest of Reading event and continuing the Owl Homework program for kids of school age. Join one of our books clubs or attend a child friendly event with your toddler. And as always we have photo editing, senior tech group, and computer help.

The Forest of Reading is an Ontario wide library event for kids ages 3-18. There are three different reading participation levels:  Blue Spruce for ages 3-6, Silver Birch for ages 7-12 and White Pine for ages 13-18. Each level has recommended Canadian authors to read and choose from each month from January til April. Once you have completed all the necessary reading you will choose your favorites and recommend them in a survey. All surveys will be accumulated Ontario wide to find the best Canadian authors and books for each age group.

The Owl Homework Group resumes January 6 for children from grade 1-6. The group meets every Tuesday 3-6pm at the library. Help is available in all subjects. There is no charge.

New to the library this year is the Mango Languages Lab, an online resource for learning new languages. For all the information on this and other services offered by the library, visit the Perth and District Union Library website.

The Centre for Sustainable Watersheds’ First Annual WATERSHED GALA – Celebrating the Future of our Freshwater – will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 6:30pm, Code’s Mill on the Park, 17 Wilson St. East, Perth, ON.

Featuring Keynote Address by Freshwater Advocate MAUDE BARLOW, Author, Co-Founder of the Blue Planet Project, and National Chairperson of the Council for Canadians. With Master of Ceremonies, MICHAEL RUNTZ, leading Canadian Biology Instructor at Carleton University, Naturalist, Nature Photographer and Natural History Author.

Join us for an evening with water leaders, guests, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, celebrating the Future of our Freshwaster in Canada! Tickets available for $50 per person (tax receipts are available for 50%). www.watersheds.ca or call 613-264-1244.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for their support of the first annual Watersheds Gala: Leo Adams Investments, McIntosh Perry, Freshwater Future and MBC.

December 31, 2014 dance in the New Year with the folks at the CIVITAN HALL, located on Hwy. #43 just east of Perth. They’re hosting a NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE PARTY with music by EDDY & THE STINGRAYS from 9pm to 1am. Late night refreshments will be served. For tickets contact Carol Buchanan at 613-267-1475. Tickets are $25 each. 

The PERTH MANOR BOUTIQUE HOTEL & RECEPTION FACILITY will host a NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER, Wednesday, December 31st, 2014. A six-course dinner with a champagne toast at midnight, cash bar, cocktails at 8pm; toast at 12am, closing at 12:30am. Reservations only – seating is limited. $75 per person plus HST and gratuity. Call the Manor at 613-264-0050 Ext. 2, or visit www.perthmanor.com.