Route 202 was very busy on the weekend of September 14, taking drivers through the village of Franklin and past the many orchards with their heavily laden apple trees that seemed to call out for pickers. Havelock Fair was teeming with visitors taking in the country-fair atmosphere, and towards the end of the route, the Pinehill Woolgathering was a great place to stop and meander through the many artisans’ tables.
Over the past two years, since its move from Roxham Farm, the Woolgathering has expanded. Anna Marie Nicolou has been hard at work making renovations to her farm. This year, the milk house holds a stunning array of pottery. “The milk house was always there,” Nicolou explains, “but it was full of wool.” The back shed now has a newly laid stone patio with a seating area. The back area hosts more tents, and Roxham Pizza has joined the other culinary delights that are available for a hearty country lunch. Also new this year are “Animal Tours,” which are basically a walk through the barnyard amongst a menagerie of farm animals. Nicolou points out that “Ben, the Animal Guide,” is also in charge of the archery in an adjacent field, where a wall of haybales hold a large target.
Approximately 50 vendors’ tables hold everything from hypertufa garden sculptures to jams, pottery, jewelry, and more. Situated at the far end of the farm, Corbière Art displays beautiful whimsical paintings of animals and nature. Artist Valérie Corbière combines watercolour, dry pastels, and pencils to create her artwork. She and her partner, Jean Francois Dumouchel, are excited to talk about their latest series of books: Corbière illustrated stories that Dumouchel wrote. They worked with Lire en Coeur, a literacy initiative with the MRC des Jardins-de-Napierville which helps the community explore children’s stories. Multigenerational workshops connect seniors and children to work on reading and writing.
Nicolou proudly points out the table located in the back field that houses Ateliers Art Hemmingford. Last year this was only an idea that Nicolou shared with her friends, but this past spring Ateliers Art Hemmingford was launched. It offers four different workshops every Wednesday and Sunday at Hemmingford’s Old Convent. Evelyne Bouchard, Marie-Andrée Couture, Pauline DeJordy, and Helga Sermat offer sessions in ceramics, collage, lithography, painting, and embroidery. “It’s going very well,” says Couture. On September 28, the group will host an open house and exhibition at the Old Covent, and fall workshops start on October 2.