Canning News

Two Planks and a Passion Theatre presents the production of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer-Prize winning drama Our Town, directed by artistic director Ken Schwartz. Our Town opened July 3 and runs to July 27.

The live outdoor theatre performance transpires on the picturesque grounds of Ross Creek Centre for the Arts with an accredited cast of 12.

The stage is set in the early 1900s in the small town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. Cast members enter the stage area from the forest, from beside and behind the audience, and even from treetop platforms making for an unforgettable, unique experience. Our Town is a touching story that focuses on the appreciation of life. It’s a must-see, with a profound impact.

Take note: With such a tremendous response so far, Two Planks and a Passion Theatre have added a 1 p.m. matinee Sat., July 26 for the critically acclaimed Our Town.

Performances at Ross Creek Centre run from Thursday through Sunday until July 27. There is limited seating so book your tickets ahead at the box office at 1-888-895-4545 or e-mail at boxoffice@twoplanks.ca.

Also at Ross Creek, the world premiere of Jerome: The Historical Spectacle by Ami McKay, bestselling author of The Birth House, premieres Aug. 2 and runs to Aug. 17.

Ross Creek Centre for the Arts gallery features exceptional works by artist Barbara Hill-Taylor until Aug. 30. Taylor’s three-dimensional layered quilts depicting beautiful landscapes are displayed on four-sided tapered pyramid-styled wrought iron stands as well as traditional wall quilts. You can also view her work at Dalnews.dal.ca.

Gallery opens Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekends by appointment or chance. Gallery closed from Aug. 17-28.

Summer workshops for beginner to advanced will be held at the centre with art for youth 5-13, writing, art, theatre and film for teens, and adult classes on puppetry July 19 with Alice Green focusing on marionettes, printmaking July 19 with Tony Myers, digital photography and jewellery with Georgia Vandewater July 26, watercolour Aug. 9 with Sara Hartland-Rowe, and singer songwriter workshop with Laura Smith Aug. 9.

Contact 582-3842 or visit www.artscentre.ca for further information.

Congratulations to Jacobi Vanderweit, a senior high student at Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning, who received The Ron O’Flaherty Scholar-Athletes 2007-2008 Award presented by the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation. The award is in recognition of outstanding ability to combine excellence in academics with excellence in athletics.

Canning Fieldwood Heritage Society: Summer student Debbie Chute invites you to come up and see what the museum has to offer. The museum is located upstairs from the library.

Fieldwood Heritage Society cancellation: The Main Street anniversary party for Lois Newcomb was cancelled and members are very sorry for the inconvenience. To the gentleman caller from Ontario who wished to send best wishes to Newcomb, please do so by mail or in person.

The Canning library offers free membership and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summer student Candice Davison invites parents to register their youngsters for storytime, crafts and activities offered free for ages 3-10 from July 8 to Aug. 14. Summer reading programs are also available for all ages. Contact Candice at 582-7699 to register.

Churches of Blomidon Country tour: The Canning Fieldwood Heritage Society and Interchurch council are organizing a tour of churches north of the Canard River on the afternoon of Sun., Aug. 17.

Thirteen churches have indicated already that they will be participating. The objective is to allow visitors to spend a pleasant afternoon inside these lovely buildings finding out what they mean to their communities. A map will be provided and refreshments will be served at some of the churches. Some of the old graveyards can also be visited.

A list of participating churches and where to pick up brochures will be announced prior to the event.

Kings Early Years Screening for School (KEYSS) is a project offered by the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board in partnership with Valley Child Development Association and supported by the Kings County Children's Foundation that will ease the transition between home and school for both parent and child and build relationships between schools, families and community agencies.

KEYSS is registering children for its free fall clinics now that start the end of September and run until November. If you have a three-year-old child starting school in September 2010, contact project coordinator Mary Cunningham at 678-0097.

Canning summer activity camp will be held free from June 30 to Aug. 24 at the Glooscap Elementary gym Monday to Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ages 5-8 on Mondays and Wednesdays and ages 9-12 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Softball: co-ed nights began July 6 at 6 p.m. at the Canning softball field.

Canning Recreation Commission is offering new free traveling summer activity camps located at local community halls for ages 5-11. Mondays in Sheffield Mills from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays in Kingsport 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesdays Scott’s Bay, 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays Kingsport, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursdays Sheffield Mills, 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Fridays Scott’s Bay, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Contact the Canning Recreation office at 582-2033 or e-mail canningrec@ns.sympatico.ca

A blood collection clinic takes place at the Canning Pharmasave Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-10 a.m. at a cost of $6. A free monthly cholesterol and blood pressure clinic is also available. Seniors’ day is the last Thursday of the month.