BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//MERA - ECPv6.15.11//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for MERA REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Toronto BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260110T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260110T140000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251202T205950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251216T183616Z UID:10002019-1768039200-1768053600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Saturday Cafe DESCRIPTION:Come in from the cold and enjoy a warm Saturday at MERA \nCoffee\, Tea and Hot Chocolate and fun conversations (free) \nHomemade soup $5\nBaked goods $2 \nDonations and volunteers are more than welcome! \nLet you kids create at the Children’s Art Table! URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/saturday-cafe-3/ CATEGORIES:Community ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cafe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260111T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260111T130000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20260103T160252Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260103T160252Z UID:10002103-1768129200-1768136400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Installation DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-installation-2/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art,Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260112T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260112T140000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251016T194537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T194801Z UID:10001986-1768212000-1768226400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Open Artists Studio DESCRIPTION:MERA members are welcome to come to the MERA schoolhouse on Mondays for the Open Artists Studio. Bring your own work\, and enjoy the light and the warmth during the fall\, winter and spring seasons. The MERA room beside the kitchen can hold up to 7 people comfortably. We’ll begin with a drop in\, so come for all or a part of the time slot. \nMondays\, 10-2\, excluding statutory holidays.\nStarting Oct 20\, 2025 \ncontacts:\nSandy McNulty sandymcnulty8@gmail.com\nDeb Shea debjshea@gmail.com URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/open-artists-studio/2026-01-12/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art circle,Open Art Studio END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260112T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260112T210000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251121T195518Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251215T151113Z UID:10002091-1768242600-1768251600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Intro to Pottery DESCRIPTION:MERA’s pottery studio is always keen to welcome new potters. \nThe best way to join us is to enroll in our introduction to pottery class – a 6 week series of 2 ½ hour classes offering a taste of wheel work\, hand building\, sgraffito and glazing. The objective of the six week session is to introduce potential potters to working with clay\, and to participating in a shared studio. The fee is $200 (with MERA membership). We’re ready to run two sessions this winter. \nBEGINNING students on Monday evenings 6:30 to 9:00pm The 6 week session will run from January 12th through February 16th. Six spaces available. All supplies provided. \nOnce you fall in love with potting you can become a studio member by \n1 – becoming a member of MERA\, (individual or new family membership $60.00) \n2 – paying the annual studio fee of $60.00\, \n3 – signing up for our WhatsApp chat (ask Alexis to add your address)\, and \n4 – buying your first block of clay. We sell the clay for $35.00/bag.Clay used in the studio must be bought through the studio (the easiest way to ensure that we are all using the same clay. It makes creating glazes and firing our work less complicated). The studio fee and clay purchases give you access to the studio’s tools and equipment and cover the cost of glazes and firing. \nPlease reach out for more information about classes or the studio through me lyndal.neelin@gmail.com or Alexis meraschoolhouse@gmail.com. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/intro-to-pottery/2026-01-12/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Pottery END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260113T050000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260113T070000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183413Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T194533Z UID:10000682-1768280400-1768287600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Closed for Cleaning DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/closed-for-cleaning-53/2026-01-13/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260113T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260113T150000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183413Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251007T183337Z UID:10000813-1768309200-1768316400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Pottery Studio DESCRIPTION:Meeting Space: Pottery Studio (basement) \nContact Person: Lyndal Neelin \nWe are a joyful group of potters who share space\, tools and experience in the basement of the MERA schoolhouse. We are organized as a co-operative\, sharing responsibility for making our studio a fun\, open\, supportive and safe place to enjoy creating works in clay both on and away from the wheel.\nEach studio member is encouraged to participate in both individual and collective projects\, to contribute to studio maintenance tasks\, and to teach and learn from the other potters. MERA potters also organize learning and teaching opportunities in the form of in-house workshops and sessions led by professional potters and contribute to the Annual MERA Christmas Fair. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/pottery-studio-106/2026-01-13/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Pottery END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260114T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260114T150000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183411Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T203006Z UID:10000987-1768395600-1768402800@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Pottery Studio DESCRIPTION:Meetings Space: Pottery Studio (basement) \nContact Person: Heather Vriends URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/pottery-studio-101/2026-01-14/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Pottery END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260114T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260114T160000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T203212Z UID:10001108-1768395600-1768406400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:MERA's Needle Pushers DESCRIPTION:  \nMeeting Space: MERA Room \nContact Person: Bonnie McQuatt \nWe welcome anyone who might have new techniques or designs to share or perhaps just has a desire to try something new. \nMost of the fun of quilting is being with the people we quilt with. Newcomers learn by doing. If you would like to try quilting with us we will share our supplies with you until you figure out if quilting is your thing or not. The requirements for quilting are minimal. Those who have a portable sewing machine\, rotary cutter and mat will bring that equipment when we are starting a quilt and we work together cutting out the pattern and assembling the quilt. Once the hand quilting begins each person needs their own thimble\, scissors and quilting needles. \n  URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meras-needle-pushers-50/2026-01-14/ CATEGORIES:Quilting END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260115T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260115T140000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T203629Z UID:10001230-1768467600-1768485600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Heritage Weavers DESCRIPTION:Meeting Place: Dean Hall \nContact Person: Lise Loader \nThis collective has expanded significantly from a core group over the last few years. \nThe weavers gather to plan and work on projects and are available to share ideas\, advice and enthusiasm with each other and newer weavers. It’s an apprentice-like learn-as-you-go environment suited to those who have taken an introduction to weaving weekend workshop at a guild. \nWe have 7 looms of various sizes and styles at MERA. Some of these looms are set up with extra-long warps which become cooperative projects that various members work on when they can. \nAs with all groups at the Schoolhouse\, you must have a MERA membership to become a regular member of the MERA Heritage Weavers. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/heritage-weavers-101/2026-01-15/ CATEGORIES:Weaving END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260116T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260116T120000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T223943Z UID:10001880-1768557600-1768564800@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Circle DESCRIPTION:Join us and  learn from and be inspired by what others in the group are working on. There is plenty of time to work on your own piece and also trade ideas and techniques with others in a casual way. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-circle-51/2026-01-16/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art,Art circle END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260116T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260116T141500 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251016T140402Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251016T140402Z UID:10001948-1768568400-1768572900@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Recorder Consort DESCRIPTION:The MERA Recorder Consort is an ongoing\, flexible group of players. We meet regularly\, playing intermediate level music in 2-5 parts\, soprano\, alto\, tenor and bass. We play for our own enjoyment\, and we sometimes play for a MERA event such as the Wassail. \nIf you already read music and play the recorder\, we would love you to join this group of enthusiastic amateur players\, with teacher Helen Mogford providing guidance and music. We have a 75 minute class most Fridays. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/recorder-consort-51/2026-01-16/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Recorder END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260117T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260117T140000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251202T211832Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251216T183740Z UID:10002020-1768644000-1768658400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Saturday Cafe DESCRIPTION:Come in from the cold and enjoy a warm Saturday at MERA \nCoffee\, Tea and Hot Chocolate and fun conversations (free) \nHomemade soup $5\nBaked goods $2 \nDonations and volunteers are more than welcome! \nLet you kids create at the Children’s Art Table! URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/saturday-cafe-3-5/ CATEGORIES:Community ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cafe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260117T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260117T140000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20260103T160346Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T174436Z UID:10002104-1768651200-1768658400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artists at MERA: Woodworking DESCRIPTION:Meet the Artists at MERA January 17th:\nTimothy Booth\, Barry Russell\, Keith Johnson and Gloria Shoebridge \nMERA welcomes lovers of wood design and craftsmanship to “Wood Creations” a unique exhibit by MERA members. We invite you to the show opening at our Meet the Artist Event in Dean Hall\, Sunday January 17th from 12 pm to 2 pm. This exhibit features the functional\, handcrafted pieces by Timothy Booth\, Barry Russell\, Keith Johnson and Gloria Shoebridge. \nTim Booth is deeply dedicated to the arts and the environment\, and his love of nature is expressed in his woodworking process. He believes the wood should speak for itself. He is passionate about using local natural and reclaimed materials in his works. Tim’s adept designs and choice of wood selections create aesthetically pleasing and durable furniture and crafts. \nBarry Russell is a retired teacher who took up woodworking over 10 years ago. He started with refinishing and repurposing antique furniture. Then he became interested in using slabwood and mill rejected wood that often has character because of the defects. He likes to work with material that is locally sourced and tries to create unique pieces. \nKeith Johnson became interested in woodworking in his late 20’s. He spent 35 years building kitchens\, custom cabinets and fireplace mantels in his shop in McDonalds Corners. In retirement he has taken up woodturning. He is particularly interested in figured woods such as burls and spalted wood. All of his bowls are from the forests of Lanark County. \nGloria Lee-Shoebridge began her life in the beautiful river valley in Saskatchewan. Her art practice is like a meditation and her work focuses on the energy that nature provides for her artistic inspiration\, using acrylic\, water colour and mixed media. Her work in this exhibit showcases found pieces of wood she has used to create sculptures. She calls her collection ‘About Hope’.\nYou can view the exhibit for the entire month January. In fact\, why not swing by during MERA’s Saturday Café from 10 am to 2 pm? To arrange to see the exhibition at times other than this\, please contact Tim Booth at timothybooth9@gmail.com. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artists-at-mera-woodworking-2/ CATEGORIES:Art,Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_3157.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260119T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260119T140000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251016T194537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T194801Z UID:10001987-1768816800-1768831200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Open Artists Studio DESCRIPTION:MERA members are welcome to come to the MERA schoolhouse on Mondays for the Open Artists Studio. Bring your own work\, and enjoy the light and the warmth during the fall\, winter and spring seasons. The MERA room beside the kitchen can hold up to 7 people comfortably. We’ll begin with a drop in\, so come for all or a part of the time slot. \nMondays\, 10-2\, excluding statutory holidays.\nStarting Oct 20\, 2025 \ncontacts:\nSandy McNulty sandymcnulty8@gmail.com\nDeb Shea debjshea@gmail.com URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/open-artists-studio/2026-01-19/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art circle,Open Art Studio END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260119T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260119T210000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251121T195518Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251215T151113Z UID:10002092-1768847400-1768856400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Intro to Pottery DESCRIPTION:MERA’s pottery studio is always keen to welcome new potters. \nThe best way to join us is to enroll in our introduction to pottery class – a 6 week series of 2 ½ hour classes offering a taste of wheel work\, hand building\, sgraffito and glazing. The objective of the six week session is to introduce potential potters to working with clay\, and to participating in a shared studio. The fee is $200 (with MERA membership). We’re ready to run two sessions this winter. \nBEGINNING students on Monday evenings 6:30 to 9:00pm The 6 week session will run from January 12th through February 16th. Six spaces available. All supplies provided. \nOnce you fall in love with potting you can become a studio member by \n1 – becoming a member of MERA\, (individual or new family membership $60.00) \n2 – paying the annual studio fee of $60.00\, \n3 – signing up for our WhatsApp chat (ask Alexis to add your address)\, and \n4 – buying your first block of clay. We sell the clay for $35.00/bag.Clay used in the studio must be bought through the studio (the easiest way to ensure that we are all using the same clay. It makes creating glazes and firing our work less complicated). The studio fee and clay purchases give you access to the studio’s tools and equipment and cover the cost of glazes and firing. \nPlease reach out for more information about classes or the studio through me lyndal.neelin@gmail.com or Alexis meraschoolhouse@gmail.com. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/intro-to-pottery/2026-01-19/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Pottery END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260120T050000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260120T070000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183413Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T194533Z UID:10000683-1768885200-1768892400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Closed for Cleaning DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/closed-for-cleaning-53/2026-01-20/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260120T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260120T150000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183413Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251007T183337Z UID:10000814-1768914000-1768921200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Pottery Studio DESCRIPTION:Meeting Space: Pottery Studio (basement) \nContact Person: Lyndal Neelin \nWe are a joyful group of potters who share space\, tools and experience in the basement of the MERA schoolhouse. We are organized as a co-operative\, sharing responsibility for making our studio a fun\, open\, supportive and safe place to enjoy creating works in clay both on and away from the wheel.\nEach studio member is encouraged to participate in both individual and collective projects\, to contribute to studio maintenance tasks\, and to teach and learn from the other potters. MERA potters also organize learning and teaching opportunities in the form of in-house workshops and sessions led by professional potters and contribute to the Annual MERA Christmas Fair. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/pottery-studio-106/2026-01-20/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Pottery END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260120T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260120T210000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T204727Z UID:10000951-1768935600-1768942800@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Book Club DESCRIPTION:Meetings are usually held the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7pm to 9pm. We are a friendly\, respectful\, no rules book club. \nEach month one person will facilitate a discussion about the book chosen for that month. Discussions are always informative and lively. New members are welcome. If you see a book that peaks your interest and would like to join us for an evening’s discussion we also welcome drop-ins. \nYou can join us by contacting Jean Dunning at 613-259-2636 or email here.    \nMERA Bookclub Reads 2025 – 2026 \nSeptember There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak\nOctober James by Percival Evertt\nNovember Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barbery\nDecember Project Hail by Mary Andy Weir\nJanuary Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy\nFebruary The Troublesome Young Men by Lynne Olson\nMarch Women Watching by Marilyn Simonds\nApril The Women by Kirsten Hannah\nMay The 100 Foot Journey by Richard Morris\nJune Choose next year’s reads URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/book-club-12/2026-01-20/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Bookclub END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260121T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260121T150000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183411Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T203006Z UID:10000988-1769000400-1769007600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Pottery Studio DESCRIPTION:Meetings Space: Pottery Studio (basement) \nContact Person: Heather Vriends URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/pottery-studio-101/2026-01-21/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Pottery END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260121T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260121T160000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T203212Z UID:10001109-1769000400-1769011200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:MERA's Needle Pushers DESCRIPTION:  \nMeeting Space: MERA Room \nContact Person: Bonnie McQuatt \nWe welcome anyone who might have new techniques or designs to share or perhaps just has a desire to try something new. \nMost of the fun of quilting is being with the people we quilt with. Newcomers learn by doing. If you would like to try quilting with us we will share our supplies with you until you figure out if quilting is your thing or not. The requirements for quilting are minimal. Those who have a portable sewing machine\, rotary cutter and mat will bring that equipment when we are starting a quilt and we work together cutting out the pattern and assembling the quilt. Once the hand quilting begins each person needs their own thimble\, scissors and quilting needles. \n  URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meras-needle-pushers-50/2026-01-21/ CATEGORIES:Quilting END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260122T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260122T140000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T203629Z UID:10001231-1769072400-1769090400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Heritage Weavers DESCRIPTION:Meeting Place: Dean Hall \nContact Person: Lise Loader \nThis collective has expanded significantly from a core group over the last few years. \nThe weavers gather to plan and work on projects and are available to share ideas\, advice and enthusiasm with each other and newer weavers. It’s an apprentice-like learn-as-you-go environment suited to those who have taken an introduction to weaving weekend workshop at a guild. \nWe have 7 looms of various sizes and styles at MERA. Some of these looms are set up with extra-long warps which become cooperative projects that various members work on when they can. \nAs with all groups at the Schoolhouse\, you must have a MERA membership to become a regular member of the MERA Heritage Weavers. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/heritage-weavers-101/2026-01-22/ CATEGORIES:Weaving END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260123T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260123T120000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T223943Z UID:10001881-1769162400-1769169600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Circle DESCRIPTION:Join us and  learn from and be inspired by what others in the group are working on. There is plenty of time to work on your own piece and also trade ideas and techniques with others in a casual way. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-circle-51/2026-01-23/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art,Art circle END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260123T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260123T141500 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251016T140402Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251016T140402Z UID:10001949-1769173200-1769177700@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Recorder Consort DESCRIPTION:The MERA Recorder Consort is an ongoing\, flexible group of players. We meet regularly\, playing intermediate level music in 2-5 parts\, soprano\, alto\, tenor and bass. We play for our own enjoyment\, and we sometimes play for a MERA event such as the Wassail. \nIf you already read music and play the recorder\, we would love you to join this group of enthusiastic amateur players\, with teacher Helen Mogford providing guidance and music. We have a 75 minute class most Fridays. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/recorder-consort-51/2026-01-23/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Recorder END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260124T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260124T140000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20260108T233523Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T233732Z UID:10002021-1769248800-1769263200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Saturday Cafe DESCRIPTION:Come in from the cold and enjoy a warm Saturday at MERA \nCoffee\, Tea and Hot Chocolate and fun conversations (free) \nHomemade soup\nBaked goods \nDonations and volunteers are more than welcome! \nArt Show in Dean Hall by the MERA Art Circle \nLet you kids create at the Children’s Art Table! URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/saturday-cafe-3-5-2-3/ CATEGORIES:Community ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cafe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260126T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260126T140000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251016T194537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T194801Z UID:10001988-1769421600-1769436000@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Open Artists Studio DESCRIPTION:MERA members are welcome to come to the MERA schoolhouse on Mondays for the Open Artists Studio. Bring your own work\, and enjoy the light and the warmth during the fall\, winter and spring seasons. The MERA room beside the kitchen can hold up to 7 people comfortably. We’ll begin with a drop in\, so come for all or a part of the time slot. \nMondays\, 10-2\, excluding statutory holidays.\nStarting Oct 20\, 2025 \ncontacts:\nSandy McNulty sandymcnulty8@gmail.com\nDeb Shea debjshea@gmail.com URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/open-artists-studio/2026-01-26/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art circle,Open Art Studio END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260126T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260126T210000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20251121T195518Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251215T151113Z UID:10002093-1769452200-1769461200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Intro to Pottery DESCRIPTION:MERA’s pottery studio is always keen to welcome new potters. \nThe best way to join us is to enroll in our introduction to pottery class – a 6 week series of 2 ½ hour classes offering a taste of wheel work\, hand building\, sgraffito and glazing. The objective of the six week session is to introduce potential potters to working with clay\, and to participating in a shared studio. The fee is $200 (with MERA membership). We’re ready to run two sessions this winter. \nBEGINNING students on Monday evenings 6:30 to 9:00pm The 6 week session will run from January 12th through February 16th. Six spaces available. All supplies provided. \nOnce you fall in love with potting you can become a studio member by \n1 – becoming a member of MERA\, (individual or new family membership $60.00) \n2 – paying the annual studio fee of $60.00\, \n3 – signing up for our WhatsApp chat (ask Alexis to add your address)\, and \n4 – buying your first block of clay. We sell the clay for $35.00/bag.Clay used in the studio must be bought through the studio (the easiest way to ensure that we are all using the same clay. It makes creating glazes and firing our work less complicated). The studio fee and clay purchases give you access to the studio’s tools and equipment and cover the cost of glazes and firing. \nPlease reach out for more information about classes or the studio through me lyndal.neelin@gmail.com or Alexis meraschoolhouse@gmail.com. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/intro-to-pottery/2026-01-26/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Pottery END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260127T050000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260127T070000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183413Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T194533Z UID:10000684-1769490000-1769497200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Closed for Cleaning DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/closed-for-cleaning-53/2026-01-27/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260127T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260127T150000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183413Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251007T183337Z UID:10000815-1769518800-1769526000@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Pottery Studio DESCRIPTION:Meeting Space: Pottery Studio (basement) \nContact Person: Lyndal Neelin \nWe are a joyful group of potters who share space\, tools and experience in the basement of the MERA schoolhouse. We are organized as a co-operative\, sharing responsibility for making our studio a fun\, open\, supportive and safe place to enjoy creating works in clay both on and away from the wheel.\nEach studio member is encouraged to participate in both individual and collective projects\, to contribute to studio maintenance tasks\, and to teach and learn from the other potters. MERA potters also organize learning and teaching opportunities in the form of in-house workshops and sessions led by professional potters and contribute to the Annual MERA Christmas Fair. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/pottery-studio-106/2026-01-27/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Pottery END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260128T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260128T150000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183411Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T203006Z UID:10000989-1769605200-1769612400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Pottery Studio DESCRIPTION:Meetings Space: Pottery Studio (basement) \nContact Person: Heather Vriends URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/pottery-studio-101/2026-01-28/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Pottery END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260128T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260128T160000 DTSTAMP:20260419T023709 CREATED:20240624T183412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T203212Z UID:10001110-1769605200-1769616000@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:MERA's Needle Pushers DESCRIPTION:  \nMeeting Space: MERA Room \nContact Person: Bonnie McQuatt \nWe welcome anyone who might have new techniques or designs to share or perhaps just has a desire to try something new. \nMost of the fun of quilting is being with the people we quilt with. Newcomers learn by doing. If you would like to try quilting with us we will share our supplies with you until you figure out if quilting is your thing or not. The requirements for quilting are minimal. Those who have a portable sewing machine\, rotary cutter and mat will bring that equipment when we are starting a quilt and we work together cutting out the pattern and assembling the quilt. Once the hand quilting begins each person needs their own thimble\, scissors and quilting needles. \n  URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meras-needle-pushers-50/2026-01-28/ CATEGORIES:Quilting END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR