Just launched is an enchanting story and picture book by Ann Rothfels, entitled Many Lifetimes. Richly illustrated with Rothfels’ own watercolours, it offers an imaginative approach to the age-old question, “Who am I?” by asking in turn, “Who could I be?”
“The story is about a magical seed that becomes one flower after another, experimenting with different life forms,” she said. Using flower imagery, the story of life unfolding promises to enchant both children and adults.
“I’m seeing it as a good story for parents to read to young children,” said Rothfels. “It’s for all ages, really. I’m thinking of The Little Prince. It’s a similar kind of story. It can be read on one level as a child, and as an adult, it’s a much richer story.”
Many of us know Ann Rothfels as the librarian of the little Sawyerville Library and a retired kindergarten teacher. She has raised a family, and in her Eaton Corner home, enjoys fabric creations and watercolour meditations. This is her first book.
Many Lifetimes is a hard-covered book, 8.5 by 11 inches, with 23 pages. It is published by Shoreline Press, headquartered in Coaticook. To buy the book at $20, contact 819-875-5428.
DISASTERS
Remember that ancient curse, “May you live in interesting times”? We do live in interesting times, we always do, because they are ours. The human race has disasters galore!
I wonder, which Townships disaster would you nominate as the most interesting? The July-August Townships Sun explores the question. Top of mind is the Lac Mégantic train explosion 10 years ago. The cover shows a striking photo by Corey Bellam; inside is an insightful story by Marie Moliner.
What about the “paradigm shifting” St. Francis River flood of 1982? Nick Fonda looks at it. More recently, many of us will recall the 1998 Ice Storm of the Century. The Townships Sun offers two memoirs of that experience.
Not to mention the Great Fire in Lennoxville in 1874. Scott Verity Stevenson looks further back to the “Year Without a Summer” in 1816, its surprising cause, and its lasting effects. Yours truly looks way, way back at the massive earthquake of 1663, and the bizarre evidence it left in the depths of Lake Memphremagog, described in the Townships Sun in 1988.
The July-August issue is on the magazine racks in both the Cookshire IGA and the Lachance Dépanneur in Sawyerville. Better yet, you can subscribe at townshipssun.ca, or by calling 819-566-7424.
COOKSHIRE ART
On now at the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery is an exhibit that brings together three 20th century artists who worked together in an engraving studio: Master printmaker François-Xavier Marange (1948-2012) from Paris; Louis-Pierre Bougie, an accomplished engraver from Quebec, and Martin Müller-Reinhart, from Switzerland. The exhibit continues until August 20, and the gallery is open Wednesdays to Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m., at 125 Principale W., Cookshire.
CLOUTIER POND, Aug. 4+
Sérénité Sonore offers a new approach to enjoying the stars in our Dark Sky Reserve. Beside the Cloutier Pond at 675 Grenier Road in Cookshire-Eaton, lie back in a hammock-chair under the night sky, while enjoying a concert of harp music. Organized by the Espace culturel Cookshire-Eaton, a series of eight concerts are open for small groups of up to 15 persons. The dates to choose from are August 4, 11, 12, and 18; and September 1st, from 9 to 10 p.m. By reservation only. Email: galeriecookshireeaton@gmail.com. Website: galeriedartcookshireeaton.com.
CANTERBURY, Aug. 5
The Canterbury Centre hosts a Community Potluck Supper on Saturday, August 5, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. What’s on the menu? Corn on the cob, salads, meats, seafood, and homemade delicacies and desserts. Music! Door prizes! All are welcome; please RSVP to Candace Coleman at 819-657-4661. The Canterbury Centre is located at 1095 Route 214, Canterbury.
COOKSHIRE FAIR, Aug. 17+
The website of the Cookshire Fair from August 17 to 20 is now chock full of up-to-date information. It’s at expocookshire.com.
COOKSHIRE PARK, Aug. 27
An outdoor concert by the SaxoLogie Ensemble, a quartet of saxaphones: soprano (Louis-Philippe Bonin), alto (Stéphane Jackson), tenor (Clio Theodoridis), and baritone (Jean-Philippe Godard): Their repertoire of chamber music ranges from baroque to modern, including works by Glass, Piazzola, and Browning. It’s in the Parc des Braves, 85 avenue du Parc, in the heart of Cookshire on Sunday, August 27, at 5 p.m. Free of charge, open to all.
EATON CORNER MUSEUM
At the Eaton Corner Museum, 374 Route 253, Cookshire-Eaton, the August opening hours are Thursday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission charged. Info: eatoncorner59@gmail.com, or call Sharon at 819-837-2643.
MURMURING IMAGES
Outdoor images projected onto the walls of Victoria Hall and other buildings take you back to the beginnings of the Eaton Township. Beginning at nightfall, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Murmures du Canton, at the Parc des Braves, 85 Principale West, Cookshire.
BROOKBURY, Sept. 23
At Brookbury Hall is planned a community garage sale on September 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To reserve a large table (fee $10) and sell your wares, contact Brenda Bailey, 819-884-5984.
CHURCHES
Anglican. All services in August are at 10 a.m., in varying locations. On August 6, the service is at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 45 Principale West, Cookshire. On August 13, the service is at St. John’s Anglican Church, 436 Batley Road, Brookbury. For details, visit deaneryofstfrancis.com and click on the “Calendar” link. Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
United. All services in August are at 10:30 a.m., in varying locations. On August 6 will be a service at Trinity United Church in Cookshire. On August 13 the service is to be 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.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-640-1340 or email rawrites@gmail.com by August 7 for August 16.