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MEDIA RELEASE JANUARY 16, 2023 STIRLING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LENDING LIBRARY RECEIVES
MAJOR BOOST FROM THE ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION STIRLING, ON –
In March 2021, the Stirling Musical Instrument Lending Library (Stirling MILL) received a $45,200 Resilient Communities Fund
grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). This grant was used to launch a brand-new website, acquire audio-visual
equipment and an AV team, and improve organizational operations to enhance service. These upgrades supported the goal of
making the MILL more accessible and continuing its role as a musical hub in the region. On Wednesday, October 19th, the
Stirling Musical Instrument Lending Library hosted an Open House at the Stirling Public Library. Local MPP, Rick Bresee met
with board members, MILL patrons, library staff and MILL volunteers to discuss the launch of the new website and the role
that the MILL plays in making musical instruments, music instruction and access to audio-visual recording available
throughout the community. “It is wonderful to see these types of programs thrive,” said Ric Breese, MPP for Hastings— Lennox
& Addington. “Getting different musical instruments into the hands of the artists means they can experiment, try out new
things, different sounds, which is wonderful. The only way it actually works, is if people know about it. I would like to
congratulate Stirling MILL on their OTF grant and their wonderful program.” “The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation
grant cannot be overstated,” said Susan Carleton-Maines, President of the Stirling Musical Instrument Lending Library board.
“Through the funds provided by OTF, we launched a fantastic new website! It allows anyone to browse our fabulous selection
of over 350 instruments and musical gear. MILL patrons can interact with the online lending catalogue and request instrument
loans through our online portal for pick up in Stirling or any of our Partner Libraries: Belleville, Trenton, Brighton,
Campbellford, Warkworth, Hastings, Madoc and Marmora. This past month, we were happy to welcome Tweed as our newest
partner location. The website also provides teacher listings so that if you’d like to learn to play, it’s easy to find a local
instructor. The OTF funds also allowed us to purchase the latest audio-video technology which has allowed our audio-visual
team to record and produce video of local music events!” The Stirling Musical Instrument Lending Library (MILL) opened in
2019 to serve residents of Belleville, Trenton, Stirling, all municipalities in the south half of Hastings County, eastern
Northumberland, and parts of Peterborough County. The MILL is located at 43 West Front St. Stirling, upstairs in Stirling-
Rawdon Public Library. Our Stirling location is open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to
6:30 p.m. To borrow an instrument, please call 613-661-6183 or email: curator@stirlingmill.ca.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant
communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one
of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M
into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the
Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has
supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations
rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Visit otf.ca to learn more. -30- Contact: John Rock, Board
President, jrock@stirlingmill.ca or James Reid, Curator,
curator@stirlingmill.ca

TWEED MUSIC FESTIVALS INC.
We are sorry to announce that there will not be another
Tweed Elvis festival. We thank everyone that has attended,
we appreciate all of your support over the last 10 years.
Thank you to all of our volunteers.

TWEED HAWKS
Congratulations to the Tweed Hawks on becoming U21
CHAMPIONS at International Silver Stick in a historic 5th
overtime 1-0 win.