|
Thank you to everyone for your cooperation in keeping MERA a safe space for all. The Ontario health unit has made some changes to COVID regulations:
- Capacity restrictions have been lifted. Groups and events can now run at full capacity.
- Spraying chairs and surfaces to sanitize after every single use is not as necessary as it was at the beginning of the pandemic. Please use the hand sanitizer provided.
All other COVID protocols are still in place. Please continue to distance, wear masks and show proof of vaccination.
|
|
|
|
MERA's NOVEMBER EXHIBITING ARTIST: FIONA SZABO
|
|
On Sunday November 7, 2:00 to 4:00 pm a vernissage will be held for MERA’s November exhibiting artist. This art show features the work of young, local artist Fiona Szabo.
Fiona Szabo began to paint at age 5. Now, at 11 years, Fiona has entered and won art competitions in Canada and the US. Her work is primarily acrylic on canvas and meticulously executed drawings. She draws her inspiration from her family, the natural and manmade world around her, and anything that piques her curiosity.
Fiona’s major project over the past two years has been a graphic novel drawn from her life and imagination. Panels from this work will be on display at MERA.
Inquiries about Fiona’s art or commission requests may be made through her Mom, Shelagh Chambers, at shelaghchambers@gmail.com.
For hours on when you can see this exhibition please contact Wayne Stryde gwstryde@outlook.com
|
|
|
|
GENTLE YOGA AT MERA
The Fall 2021 session for Gentle Yoga will begin on Tuesday Nov.2, 2021 at 10 am and run for 8 weeks until Dec. 21, 2021. Thank you to all who supported the previous Yoga programs in 2019 and 2020.
All participants must show proof of double vaccination either with QR code or paperwork and follow all MERA Covid protocols including social distancing and masking on entry.
While planning for the new session, take the time to consider your personal wellness. Yoga is a popular and age old mind-body practice that combines movement, breathing, relaxation and meditation exercises to calm the nervous system and balance the body, mind, and spirit. Yoga has been shown to decrease reports of pain, improve quality of sleep, decrease overall fatigue, and improve depressed moods. Yoga has also been shown to improve lung function, strength of inspiratory and expiratory muscle as well as skeletal strength and endurance.
In gentle yoga, posture and breath work are emphasized. Supportive props and gravity assist can allow people to relax into postures and maintain them for longer periods to help reduce anxiety, increase energy and support physical and emotional well-being. Positions can be modified to allow full participation for a wide variety of participants. Gentle Yoga can also be a beneficial way for people to ease back into exercise.
Yoga Instructor: Marj Kennelly is a certified Yoga Instructor who has recently retired as a physiotherapist and moved to the McDonalds Corners region. Marj will not be practicing as a PT for this program but will bring her 30+ years of PT experience and knowledge to help guide a safe, healthy, Yoga practice.
Target Audience: Adults of any age are welcome. Must be able to independently get up and down from the floor. Participants are expected to bring their own Yoga Mat and dress in comfortable clothing. Any props like blocks or bolsters that you have used successfully in the past would be welcome in the practice.
Goals:
• To provide an accessible community based gentle Yoga program at MERA.
• To promote socialization through shared experience
• To deepen the understanding of Yoga and provide cues to further the individual’s practice.
• To provide a healthy physical challenge that promotes wellness
• To develop strategies to promote chest health and better mechanics of breathing
• To provide a chance for people to slow down and take care of themselves in a supportive healthy environment.
Times: Tuesday mornings from 10 to 11:30
All participants must show proof of double vaccination either with QR code or paperwork. Participants should arrive 15 minutes prior to the first class to fill out a brief participant questionnaire and discuss any health issues relating to the Yoga practice. Marj will be available 15 minutes prior to each class to address any ongoing questions about participation in the program.
Date: 8 week block from Tuesday Nov. 2, 2021 until Dec. 21, 2021.
Cost: $50 for 6 sessions for MERA members or 10 dollars/session as drop in or non-MERA member.
Should you have any questions please contact Marj Kennelly at mandmkennelly@gmail.com.
If sessions need to be cancelled due to inclement weather, Marj will contact registered participants either by Email or phone.
|
|
RECORDER CONSORT
The MERA Recorder Consort is back! Meetings are on Friday mornings at 9:30 am in Dean Hall. The MERA Recorder Consort is an ongoing, flexible group of players in its 6th year. We meet for two to 4 of classes a year, playing intermediate level music in 2-4 parts. We play for our own enjoyment, but sometimes we play for a MERA event or for our own party.
If you already read music and play the recorder or other wind instrument, you might want to play with this group of enthusiastic amateur players, with teacher Helen Mogford to provide guidance and music. Seasonal sessions last 6-10 weeks, with a 75 minute class on Friday mornings. In warm weather, we often play outside. We have the capability to provide this class on ZOOM for those not able to play live with us.
The cost of group recorder lessons varies according to the number in the class, but generally ranges between $80 and $120 for ten weeks, 20% more if you are not a MERA member. Fall of 2021 there is one 8 week session. Members’ cost is $80, or $12 drop in. Non members’ cost is $95 for 8 weeks and $14 for occasional drop in. I expect we will have a winter session and a spring session in 2022. Sometimes, we play more informally in the summer.
To enquire about joining the group or learning the recorder from the beginner level, contact Helen Mogford at 613 278 1991 or hmogford@gmail.com.
Photo: A distanced recorder consort practice 2020
|
|
|
DANCE FOR THE JOY OF IT!
Come enjoy 1.5 hours of free-form dance to a wide range of energizing music: belly-dance to classic rock... world beat to pop ... with some Latin and other flavours thrown in. This is your evening out if you are looking for a way to turn on “delight” (or “da light”) in the darker months of the year. Especially for people who don’t like following the leader, in this gathering we move for the fun of it. We end with twenty minutes of luxurious stretching.
Dance for the Joy of It! will resume Monday November 22nd at 7 pm – 8:30 pm in Dean Hall. Contact Christine for more information by phone 613.259.2073 or email christine@peringer.ca.
|
|
|
|
|
BEREAVEMENT CIRCLE (on zoom)
The Sessions are facilitated by Grief Companions - Suzanne Ritchie and Laurie Lynn Clark. Both Suzanne and Laurie have experienced deep loss in their personal lives and are equipped with skills to hold a safe space for you to explore your grief. This 7 week bereavement session will connect people in the community through active listening, expressing and sharing each other's grief experience safely and confidentially. It is recommended that participants register for the full 7 week session so as to benefit through coming to know the pain that results from the many losses that we encounter in life. Although, participants are invited to try the first few zoom sessions to explore whether it is a good fit for their personal grief process.
Registration for this program is based on the donation principle to ensure its accessibility for all involved. All donations will be offered to MERA Schoolhouse.
Bereavement circle will continue every Monday evening until November 29th, 2021.
Please register with Laurie Clark at laurieclark777@gmail.com.
|
|
|
|
|
Photo: Michael Barnett and Ankaret Dean at the 2018 Christmas Fair
CHRISTMAS FAIR
We are busy preparing for this year's Christmas Fair! There are no more vendor spots -- we are full. MERAs potters, weavers, art circle and fibre artists are also busy preparing for the fair!
Please join us Saturday November 20th from 9 - 3 pm. All COVID protocols will be in place. Warm up with a cup of hot cider at our outdoor bonfire!
This year's fair includes:
Handwoven Fashion by Heather Sharrett
Locally Made Jams by Barb Flynn
Fine Chocolate by Ludwig
Blue Moon Fashions by Nicola Webb
Critters and Tails by Molly Forsythe
Acrylic Paintings by Greta McDonald
Needle Felting by Rosie Kotze
Jewelry by PJ Wilson
Woodworking by Barry Russell
Natural Wreaths by Emily Kszan
The Wooly Cauldron by Caitlyn Howard
as well as the MERA Pottery Studio
MERA Fiber Artists
MERA Art Circle
Heritage Weavers
|
|
UPCOMING CONCERTS
Nov. 21 Doc MacLean
Nov. 28 Lynne Hanson
MERA's concerts are very popular. These are the concerts that are scheduled for the rest of the year. Tickets are available at ticketsplease.ca. All COVID protocols are in place.
|
|
Become a member of MERA (McDonald's Corners & Elphin Recreation and Arts) for access to ongoing programs in weaving, quilting, pottery, knitting & crocheting, fibre arts, basketry, dance, fine arts, glass arts, book club, garden club, and so much more!
Interested in a membership? Find more information on our website here or email MERA admin meraschoolhouse@gmail.com.
|
|
|
|
