PDCF is a longtime supporter of MERA (McDonald’s Corners/Elphin Recreation & Arts). This small but mighty organization, located in the old schoolhouse in McDonald’s Corners, encourages, develops and organizes artistic, cultural and recreational activities for people of all ages. They connect people to arts, crafts, and music and the joy of creating things together.  Both residents and visitors across Lanark Highlands, and its neighbouring communities, benefit from all that MERA does.

Incorporated as a non-profit in 1999, MERA began when a dedicated group of volunteers gathered to discuss how to put the vacant one-room schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners to good use. For over 25 years, MERA has served as a cultural oasis in Lanark Highlands.

MERA offers weekly session for pottery, quilting, weaving, crafting, book club, recorder group, speakers’ series, painting, stained glass and an array of workshops from special techniques in pottery, painting to nature and literature. An average of 80 people participate in weekly programs and hundreds more attending community events, art exhibits and concerts.

MERA hosts several community events including its Open House, monthly art exhibits, dinners, seasonal events such as New Year’s Wassailing, Gardening, Christmas Fair, and its renowned concert series. Over the summer and during spring break MERA offers a series of affordable children’s art camps.

One of MERA’s goals is to foster an environment that welcomes families and the means to accomplish this is to offer arts and crafts activities that would engage and entertain children. MERA will continue to have a weekly fall and winter session on Saturday’s during the MERA Café. This is aligned with MERA’s core mission to bring arts activities to the community.