Sure sign of spring? Snow fleas.
They’ve been spotted in Milby, Sharon Moore tells me.
Have you seen any? They’re dark blue. Tiny things, one or two millimetres long. No wings. They have six feet with tiny claws, and two antennae. They jump around on top of the snow on warmish days, sometimes in clusters near a tree or rocks, up to 100,000 of them in a square meter. When it gets cold again, they go back under the snow.
That’s according to Marjolaine Giroux, an entomological-information person at the Montreal Insectarium. Despite her credentials, the little critters are neither fleas nor insects. They are springtails, little arthropods in the species Hypogastrura nivicola, with segmented bodies and jointed legs.
They don’t bite.
And they are marvellous. They enrich the soil. They also have antifreeze proteins in their blood, which researchers at Queen’s University have synthesized. They hope to use it to transplant organs at lower temperatures, thus keeping them viable longer. They also think they can use the snow fleas’ antifreeze to produce better ice cream.
Now that would be a marvel!
ST. PAT’S IRISH FESTIVAL
The Irish Embassy in Ottawa celebrates the Irish diaspora with an exhibition of panels coming to the county just northwest of us, Richmond. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m., but a series of activities extend throughout the month, starting Saturday, March 4th. That’s when the exhibition is open 1 to 4 p.m. at the Richmond County Historical Society Museum, 1161 Route 243, Melbourne. Admission is free.
The panels highlight the history and contributions of 20 Irish immigrants to Canada. From 2 to 4 p.m., violinist Isabelle Gosselin will play traditional Irish music while visitors peruse the exhibit. That same day, a woodworking demonstration is at 1 p.m. in the St. Andrews Hall, and a corned beef supper at 6 p.m. at the Grand Central Hotel.
Over the following weeks will be concerts, a St. Pat’s Party, a Celtic Celebration with Solstice, a St. Patrick’s Day Mass, an art show, an outdoor bandstand show, and more. The activities culminate on Sunday, March 26, with another showing of the Irish diaspora exhibition from 12 to 3 p.m. and music by Isabelle Gosselin from 1 to 3 p.m. For details about the Richmond Irish Heritage Festival, visit richmondstpats.org. It is organized by the Richmond St. Patrick’s Society.
BILINGUAL TAX SERVICE
A free bilingual income tax assistance program in Sawyerville permits trained volunteers to prepare both Canada and Quebec returns for persons with limited income. Here’s who is eligible: (1) a single person with a maximum annual revenue of $35,000; (2) a couple with a maximum revenue of $45,000, plus $2,500 for each dependant; or (3) a single parent with a child with a maximum revenue of $45,000 plus $2,500 for each additional dependant. Income from interest should not exceed $1,000. Persons with income from self-employment, bankruptcy, or deceased persons are not eligible.
You will need: (1) any papers you received from the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec in the past months, and your last Notices of Assessment; (2) your T4 and Relevé slips from your employer, or any other forms you received regarding income or tuition; (3) the RL-31 form from your landlord, if you are a renter. House owners will need their property tax number, which is on the municipal property tax bill. Bring receipts for any payments you made for pills, dentist visits, glasses, or other health expenses.
Persons above age 70 should inquire about a refundable tax credit for expenses incurred to continue living independently. Bring your home maintenance expenses, including purchasing, leasing or installing eligible equipment or fixtures, or staying in a functional rehabilitation transition unit. This year the credit is up to $2,000, depending on your total income.
When? Wednesday afternoons, March 8 and 29, from 1 to 4 p.m., and March 15 and 22, from 1 to 6 p.m. Where? At the Catholic church in Sawyerville, Église Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire, 4 Randboro Road. Use the back door to enter the basement. If you need any information, call Danielle at 819-889-2614.
ESTATE PLANNING
“Estate Planning: What you need to know in advance” is the topic of a free online webinar offered by Seniors Action Quebec on Tuesday, March 14, at 10 a.m. to noon. The registration deadline is March 7.
The session will include three topics. First, planning ahead: How to prepare your finances and plan your taxes so as to reduce the tax burden on your estate. Second, having a will, and reviewing it: The different kinds of wills, what documentation you need to put together in advance to help with the liquidation of your estate, and what information to share – or not – with your heirs. And finally, the role of the liquidator: The duties and obligations, and how to carry out a will search.
The presenters are Maitres Linda Hammerschmid and Samy Staltari, and Financial Advisor Danny Sirgnano. To register, send your contact information to Ruth Pelletier at ruthkathleenpelletier@gmail.com by March 7. For more information, visit www.seniorsactionquebec.ca.
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For information about the free online workshops in March with Bishop’s University Lifelong Learning Academy (BULLA), email bulla@ubishops.ca.
CHURCHES
United. Beginning March 5, Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. at the Trinity United Church in Cookshire, and at 11 a.m., at the Sawyerville United Church. Info: 819-889-2838. For pastoral care, call Rev. Spires at 819-452-3685.
Baptist. In-person Sunday services are in French at 9 a.m. and in English at 11 a.m. All services are at the Sawyerville Baptist Church, 33 rue de Cookshire. For information, please contact Pastor Michel Houle at 819-889-2819.
Anglican. No Anglican services are planned in Cookshire until the spring of 2023. For the schedule of services at the St. George’s Anglican Church, 84 Queen St., Lennoxville, visit deaneryofstfrancis.com and click on the “Calendar” link. Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-640-1340 or email rawrites@gmail.com by March 6 for publication March 15.