The Ides of March long past, now we must beware of something much more pervasive: Those little recycling triangles with a 3, a 6, or a 7 in its centre. Yes, we’re talking plastics. And the worries go far beyond recycling.
Plastics No. 3 are used in cosmetics, condiment bottles, toys, shower curtains, detergent or shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, and more. A recent New York Times article quotes Dr. Leonardo Trasande, environmental pediatrician at the N.Y.U. School of Medicine. Plastics marked with a 3, he said, risk releasing phthalates into food and drinks. Phthalates inhibit male sex hormones and disrupt metabolism.
Plastics No. 6, aka polystyrene or styrofoam. Look for them in disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out food containers, and more. They’re made of styrene, known to cause cancer. A hot beverage in the cup can speed up the release of styrene into your drink. And No. 6 is not easy to recycle.
On to Plastics No. 7. This category includes several types of plastics found in baby bottles, 3- and 5-gallon water bottles, bullet-proof materials, sunglasses, DVDs, computer cases, nylon and some food containers. Some contain bisphenol, a synthetic estrogen which in the lab has been shown to be related to obesity.
The bottom line: Dr. Trasande recommends avoiding plastics 3, 6 or 7, not to avoid polluting the environment. It’s a matter of ailing our own bodies.
EATON CORNER MUSEUM OPENS
The summer season of the Eaton Corner Museum begins June 1st, and the Museum is open weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the month of June. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., during July and August. For group visits or info, contact 819-875-5256 or info@eatoncorner.ca.
GARAGE & PLANT SALE, 1st
Annuals. Blueberry plants. CDs. Crafts. DVDs. Herbs. Medicinal plants and products. Peonies. Preserves. Perennials. Vegetable plants. Vinyl records. All these and more, at a giant garage and plant sale on Saturday, June 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Pavilion in the Park and the Chez Pierre et Céline restaurant parking lot at 1442 Route 212, Island Brook, in Newport. Sellers can participate for $5/space; shoppers also welcome! In case of persistant rain, the sale will be on Sunday instead. Info: Francine Rouleau, 819-820-4667.
CARDS IN BURY, 3rd+
Card parties at the Bury United Cultural Center, 560 Main St., Bury: Games of 500 cards are on Mondays, June 3 and 10 at 2 p.m., and Military Whist is on Tuesday, June 18, at 2 p.m. Lunch and prizes. Info: Serena Wintle, 819-875-5210.
SAFETY WITH SeniorPower, 6th
How to assert yourself when your loved ones become overwhelming? A workshop by SeniorPower on “relationship safety” will show how to set effective boundaries with people we know. Strategies to help to set boundaries, build better relationships, and improve communication. Ways to protect yourself and stop inappropriate, intrusive or hurtful behaviours, and to deal with negative responses to boundary-setting.
This workshop in English is at the Salle Guy-Veilleux, 75 Castonguay St., Cookshire. The doors open at 2 p.m. and a snack will be served between 2 and 3 p.m., followed by the SeniorPower workshop at 3 p.m., and closing at 4 p.m. Tickets, covering cost of the snack and workshop, are $5. Get them in advance from Diane Grenier (819-560-8540), or Michelle Lepitre (819-566-5717).
CLASSICAL CONCERT, 8th
A concert of classical music is at the Trinity United Church, 180 Principale W., Cookshire, on Saturday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. The trio of musicians are Antonin Cuerrier, clarinetist; Myriam Genest-Denis, flutist; Mariane Patenaud, pianist. The profits are destined for the foundation of the CLSC and the CHSLD of the Haut-Saint-François. Admission: $20; age 12 or younger, $10. Info: 819-875-5697 or 819-821-4000 x 38506.
WITCH OF NEW MEXICO ROAD, 9th
The Witch of New Mexico Road: Irish Folklore in the Eastern Townships, is the title of a talk by Grant Myers on Sunday, June 9, from 2 to 3 p.m., at the Eaton Corner Museum’s Foss House, 374 Route 253, Eaton Corner. Grant is the president of the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network (QAHN), and he will be speaking about his research into the legend of Peggy Green, the witch of New Mexico Road in the Municipality of Newport. The presentation is free of charge, but RSVPs are invited at: Christina, 514-266-9682, or communications@qahn.org.
SPROUTS WORKSHOP, 9th
At the Sawyerville Community Garden, 70 Randboro Road, on Sunday, June 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. That’s when Chantal Parent, herbalist, will lead a workshop on picking and transforming sprouts. The outing will allow participants to get to know the different hardwoods and conifers and their medicinal properties. The famous fir tree, how well do you know him? Registration or info: jcsawyerville@hotmail.com or 819-889-3196.
TERRY HOWELL IN BURY, 14th
Terry Howell and Friends will bring music to the Bury United Cultural Center, 560 Main St., Bury, on Friday, June 14, at 7 p.m. The concert will feature French and English-speaking musicians with great music of the country, gospel, bluegrass and musique country kind. Proceeds will help support the installation of electric heaters in the McKenzie Chapel. Entrance: Free will donation. Info: Margaret James, 819-884-5563.
CHURCH SERVICES
Baptist. In Sawyerville, the Sunday worship service is at 9 a.m. in French, and 11 a.m. in English. Sunday school is at 10 a.m. in English and French. Info: 819-239-8818.
Anglican. On June 2, Sunday worship services are at 9:30 a.m. in Bury, and at 11 a.m. in Cookshire in the theatre at the Manoir de l’Eau vive. On June 9, the service is at St. John’s Brookbury at 10:30 a.m. Info: 819-887-6802.
United. Sunday worship services are in Cookshire at 9:30 a.m. and in Sawyerville at 11 a.m. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email rawrites@yahoo.com by June 3 for publication June 12 and by June 24 for July 3.