What better dream in February than the prospect of the Full Worm Moon, coming into its peak fullness on March 9 at 1:48 p.m. It’s the first supermoon of 2020, when the full moon coincides with perigee, the point in the moon’s orbit where it is closest to the earth.

But the vision yearned for, beneath the snow, is that earthworms reappear, and robins follow. The Worm Moon augers Spring.

SAWYERVILLE SEED FESTIVAL, Feb 29
Time to plan gardens! Read about the February 29th Sawyerville Seed Festival elsewhere in this issue.

POETRY WORKSHOP, Feb. 29
Angela Leuck is a woman of ideas. Two of them are books: One this year, featuring poetry by women in the Eastern Townships, and one next year, showcasing poetry by emerging Townships poets. Leading up to these books are monthly workshops on various topics for women/aspiring poets.
Imagination in Poetry is the theme of a free workshop led by Claudia Coutu Radmore on Saturday, February 29, from 2 to 5 p.m. in North Hatley.

Claudia is an award-winning poet, editor, artist, publisher and teacher and is also the Ontario Representative for the League of Canadian Poets and President of Haiku Canada.

She will share her thoughts and some original tips to get participants writing. She is also willing to offer comments on individual poems. So she can look over the poems, Claudia requests participants submit a maximum of two poems at least five days before the workshop. A potluck meal will follow the workshop for those who wish, and Claudia is to read a selection of her own poetry.

This is part of a workshop series sponsored by Studio Georgeville for women or emerging poets. Info: Angela Leuck at 819-416-0712. Also, ask her about making submissions (March 31 deadline) to the anthology, Contemporary Women Poets of the Eastern Townships, to be published by Studio Georgeville in Fall 2020.

WOMEN’S DAY CONCERT, March 8
Celebrating “Feminists with all our might” is a classical concert with Myriam Leblanc, soprano; Myriam Genest-Denis, flutist; and Mariane Patenaud, pianist. It’s on International Women’s Day, Sunday, March 8, at 1 to 3 p.m., at the Trinity United Church, 190 Principale W., Cookshire.
The same day, at 2 to 4:30 p.m. is an exhibition at Victoria Hall, 125 Principale W., Cookshire, presenting diverse artistic works reflecting on the lives and struggles of feminists today.

The two events are free of charge, but donations are welcome for the support of the local committee for the Women’s Day Walk 2020. Info: La Passerelle, 873-825-7060.

INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE, March 11+
Now is the time to get your papers together. The bilingual income tax assistance program in Sawyerville for persons with limited income begins March 11.

Persons eligible for this free service have a maximum annual income of $25,000 if single, or $30,000 if a couple, and an additional maximum of $2,000 for each dependent. This can include a maximum of $1000 of earned interest, but no rental income. Self-employed workers or persons declaring bankruptcy are not eligible, nor are the returns for a deceased person or the surviving spouse in the year of death.

When? Wednesday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 11, 18, 25 and April 1 (for pick-up only), and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 18 and 25.

Where? At the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street, Sawyerville.

The service is offered by Loisirs Sawyerville. “There is little change this year,” said Danielle Paré. “So, welcome are old and new friends. You will find Francine, Suzanne and Danielle ready and willing to serve as best we can.” Info: Danielle, 819-889-2614.

JENNY REACHES OUT
“Hi everyone! My name is Jenny, and I will be replacing Gabrielle as the Community Outreach Worker. I am here to welcome, listen, support and accompany young and (not so young) individuals and families on a part-time basis in the Haut-Saint-François. I look forward to meeting and discussing with you, regardless of age!”

Those are the words of Jenny Ménard, the new Outreach Worker for English speakers in the Haut-Saint-François. She works 14 hours a week, based in the non-profit Haut-Saint-François fou de ses enfants.

Jenny’s goal is to help English speakers access services, and promote the general well-being of the community. You might make use of her, her webpage suggests, to find services in English, or get information about free or local activities or organizations. You might ask her to accompany you to an appointment or visit to offer moral support or translation. You might find out about tools to support you as a parent of young children, Or she might help you share an idea or project you have with the community.
“Just call me and see what we can do!” she says. Info: 819-200-1869, cowhsf@gmail.com, or www.hsf-foudesesenfants.com

Like many community services, the future of Jenny’s position is in doubt. Use it before we lose it!

CANTERBURY SEEKS STUFF
The Canterbury Marché aux puces is still looking for donations of good quality items. Proceeds go to the restoration of the former Christchurch Canterbury, now Canterbury Center. Deadline for donations: May 12. The flea market dates: May 15-17. Info: Tony De Melo, 819-872-3400.

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. Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. in Bury, and at a bit past 11 a.m. in Cookshire; on February 23 at the Trinity United Church hall (side door), and on March 1st, in the theatre of the Manoir l’Eau Vive. On February 26, an Ash Wednesday service is at the St. George Church, Lennoxville. Info: 819-887-6802.
United. Sunday services are at 9:30 in Cookshire (side door) and at 11 a.m. in Sawyerville. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email rawrites@yahoo.com by February 24 for publication March 4, or by March 9 for March 18.