It was my first trip to Arnprior in several years with the opportunity to visit the compact downtown. The Arnprior Book Shop is a traditional small town independent that doesn't overwhelm you like the major chains. It's connected inside to a gift store and a coffee shop which provided a delicious coffee cake to accompany my coffee.
The AGM started on time and was short with no issues and reelection of the volunteer board members.
My talk "Blowin’ in the Wind: Ottawa Valley Weather Events and People" solicited lots of questions, notably about microclimate and the impact of local geography.
That was followed by snacks, opportunity to make a donation for those so inclined, and a tour of the archives which impressed me with the evident organization.
The Archives receives financial support for being the repository of the official records of the communities of Arnprior and of McNab/Braeside, so performing a function required for any Ontario municipality. There is a valuable collection of land records, newspapers, and the Handford Studio Collection of local portrait photographs, many of them glass plate negatives.
I'd like to thank President Julie Hartwick for her kind introduction. Thanks also to archivist Laurie Dougherty for her help before and during the event and for the tour. She will have her hands full completing the work for the Documentary Heritage Communities Program Grant received late last year to upgrade the online database and improve the website as well as with the digitization projects which will follow if a second award of a DCP Grant is made.
It was a pleasure having you come, speak, and spend the afternoon with us.
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