Personally, as someone of distinctly non-English extraction, I’ve never been into monarchs, except the butterfly variety. As an institution, that is. Just like I’m not big on billionaires and celebrities, as the quasi-institution they have become. Nothing personal. Some very nice people are stars. It’s just painful to see so few people hogging so much wealth while so many people starve. One could call it an obscenity. (I stop here; this is a family newspaper.)
But I do know monarchs come in both genders, as in queens and kings.
This is apparently not so well known to the folks at the Canadian Heraldic Authority who, on the occasion of King Charles III’s coronation, created hundreds of lapel pins to be distributed to volunteers across Canada.
An information card accompanies the three-cm high pin. It says, “At the coronation of King Charles III, the first monarch in seven decades, the Canadian Heraldic Authority created this Canadian emblem that displays the Royal Seal (CRIII) in the centre and the crown of the monarch at the top.”
Oh my. The “first monarch in seven decades”? (What was Queen Elizabeth, chopped liver?)
It goes on. “Thirteen triangles represent the provinces and territories of Canada and the circular arrangement embodies inclusion, equity and cycles of nature. Green represents the environment, an important cause for Her Majesty, and symbolizes hope and growth.”
Whiplash. “Her Majesty”? (Who is King Charles III, really?)
Get your story straight, copywriters!
I was surprised to be among the volunteers nominated by their own community members for recognition. It was a lovely afternoon at Uplands. The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau has a lovely presence, a firm handshake, and a flowing signature. But I am grateful, most of all, to be part of this community, a little bit wild and wholly wonderful. And grateful for all our volunteers!
King pin or not.
PARTY SAWYERVILLE, Sept. 15-16
It’s old fashioned fun: Loisirs Sawyerville’s Neighbours’ Party Party d’voisins de Sawyerville is coming right up this Friday and Saturday at the Sawyerville Skating Rink, Park of La Station.
Both days feature activities for children, with bouncy castles from 4 to 7 p.m., and music all evening. On Friday, DEEJAY-T puts on music from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturday’s band is Double or Nothing from 1 to 4 p.m., then Old School Country from 7 to 10 p.m. and then, until 1 a.m., 19 Stone with a tribute to ACDC.
Saturday the party begins at 10 a.m. with a silent auction, bingo with a $300 jackpot, and games: a Cornhole Toss, Ladderball, and more. Both days feature 50-50 draws and a bar and canteen. Full details are on Loisirs Sawyerville’s bilingual Facebook page.
VIACTIVE, Sept. 20
Step lively! The Viactive group begins again on Wednesday, September 20, at 1:30 p.m. at the Newport Municipal Hall at 1452 Route 212 in Island Brook. France Demers and Lyne Maisonneuve lead the weekly bilingual sessions. Info: 819-889-1340.
The bilingual Viactive program in Sawyerville on Wednesday mornings is off to a slower start because of delayed repair work on the Sawyerville Catholic Church at 4 Randboro Road. Gerard Nault, who leads the group with Denise Nault, reported this group should resume near the beginning of October.
BROOKBURY, Sept. 23
The community garage sale at Brookbury Hall on September 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. is a go! All tables are rented; just show up to browse and buy, at 571 Brookbury Road, Bury.
MILITARY HISTORY, BANQUET, Oct. 21
Tickets are available now for a Conference on the Military History of Bury and its surroundings, followed by a Wartime-style Banquet, on Saturday. The October 21st conference features images, texts, and artefacts related to Bury’s military tradition starting in 1866. These describe the life and times of wartime, how women coped with the absence or loss of men in their families, and show images of many who left their homes to respond to the call for help.
Starting at 1 p.m., various speakers will “discuss these events to help today’s generations understand and appreciate the challenges and sacrifices that were made,” wrote Edward Pederson, one of the event organizers. A banquet that recalls the tastes and flavours of World War II will be served at 5 p.m. The event is at the Armoury Community Center, 563 Main St., Bury.
Tickets are $20 for the conference and banquet, or $15 for members of the Bury Historical and Heritage Society, which organized the event. “Advance purchase of tickets is highly recommended as only 125 places are available. You may bring your own wine,” said Pedersen. To get your tickets, contact edwardpedersen@gmail.com, or 819-872-3400.
HOME CHILDREN
Last call: The Brampton family’s photos and artefacts documenting stories of British Home Children are on exhibit at the Eaton Corner Museum until the end of September. Opening hours are on Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Eaton Corner Museum is located at 374 Route 253, Cookshire-Eaton. Admission charged. Info: eatoncorner59@gmail.com, or call Sharon at 819-837-2643.
NATURE TRILOGY
The Trilogia Natura exhibition with works by Denis Palmer of Randboro, George Foster of Way’s Mills, and Louise Marois of Sherbrooke continues at the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery, 125 Prinicipale St., Cookshire, until October 9. Opening hours are from noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, or by appointment by contacting galeriecookshireeaton@gmail.com.
CHURCHES
Anglican. On September 17, the service is at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 45 Principale West, Cookshire. No service is planned for September 24. Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
United. Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. at the Trinity United Church (Cookshire), and 11 a.m. at the Sawyerville United Church. Info: 819-889-2838. For pastoral care, call Rev. Spires at 819-452-3685.
Baptist. 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 September 18 for September 27.