Diane Grenier at the door to her office in Cookshire

Things are happening in a tiny office just down the hallway from the offices of the Journal du Haut-Saint-François, at 57 Craig N. in Cookshire. Good things. The new occupant of the little office is Diane Grenier, and right now she’s deep into papers and brochures and getting to know people. She’s a people person, so that makes her eyes light up with genuine enjoyment.
Diane is the new bilingual employee of the Centre d’action bénévole (Volunteer Action Centre, CAB) du Haut-Saint-François. She’s responsible for the CAB’s services in English, things like Meals on Wheels, transportation with volunteer drivers, supporting Viactive volunteers, caregiver support groups, and an income tax service for persons with limited income.
A relatively new service the CAB offers is frozen meals. You can order a minimum of eight meals at a time, choosing the kind of food you like. They’re delivered every two weeks, and you can choose whether or how much you want each time. You give your order by phone to – guess who – Diane. Each meal costs only $5. Desserts and soups are $1 each.
No one welcomes Diane more than I do, because I’m passing this job over to her. It’s been an honour and a pleasure to work with the good and creative folks at the CAB, and all of those who have been involved in the CAB’s activities over the past five years. (You know who you are!) But my plate runneth over, and I’m looking forward to having more time for some more leisurely activities, such as reading and writing, for example. Or travelling!
To reach Diane, just phone the CAB at 819-560-8540 (option 9 for English) or 819-238-8541 or email her at coordo@cabhsf.org. Ask her about the new Health Passport. Or how to volunteer. She’ll be delighted!
JIM ROBINSON
Montreal-based singer/songwriter Jim Robinson will bring his unique contemporary folk music to the Trinity United Church, 190 Principale W., for a benefit concert on October 23, at 2 p.m. Look for his guitar, listen for his harmonica. Tickets are $13 at the door. Info: Don Parsons, 819-875-3796.
MILITARY WHIST & TURKEY SUPPER
Military Whist and Turkey Supper are at the Bulwer Community Centre, 254 Jordan Hill Road, on Thursday, October 27, beginning with card playing at 1:30 p.m. followed by prize giving and supper. Cost: Whist & Supper are $15, Whist only is $3, Supper only is $12. To reserve for Military Whist and/or the supper, call Serena Wintle at 819-875-5210 or Peggy Roy (evenings) at 819-875-3571 by Sunday, October 23.
ARTISAN MARKET
An artisan market organized by jewelry-maker Sonia Zalesak is at the Bulwer Community Center, 254 Jordan Hill Road, on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wide variety of crafts, refreshments, good cheer. Info: Sonia, 819-875-1026.
DAVE BASSANT
Twelve Saturday evening concerts with the Dave Bassant Band are coming up. Put these dates in your calendar: October 29, November 5 and 26, December 10, January 14 and 28, February 11 and 25, March 11 and 25, and April 8 and 29. At the Ramana Hotel in Sawyerville. Info: Jean-Sébastien Bachand, 819-889-2967.
VIACTIVE
Viactive groups offer “adults only” exercises, for people age 50 or over. They’re fun, they’re free, and they’re easy on the knees. They’re led by volunteers who are trained by a kinesiologist from the non-profit group, Sercovie, in Sherbrooke. Here are the three bilingual groups, all on Wednesdays. Welcome to all!
Cookshire. Serena Wintle and Lyne Maisonneuve lead this group on Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Manoir de l’Eau vive, 210 Principale East. Info: 819-875-5210.
Newport. Ruth Shipman and Christiane Côté invite you to the Viactive group at the Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212, in Island Brook. It’s on Wednesdays, at 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Info: 819-889-1340 or 819-560-8565.
Sawyerville. Denise Nault and Gérard Nault guide participants at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street, on Wednesdays at 10 to 11 a.m. Info: 819-889-2630.
CHURCHES
Anglican: October 23, services are at 9:30 a.m. in Bury, and 11 a.m. in Cookshire (Service of the Word). October 30, local churches will be closed, and all are invited to the St. George’s Church in Lennoxville at 10:30 a.m. for a Deanery Holy Eucharist with The Rev. Canon Fred Richardson officiating. Info: 819-887-6802.
Baptist: In Sawyerville, the 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.
United: Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. in Cookshire, and 11 a.m. in Sawyerville. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Messy Church: Messy Church is at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Bury on Tuesday, November 1st, at 5:15 pm. Story, crafts, and a meal. No fee. To make sure there’s food for everyone, please contact Tami Spires (United Church Minister) if you would like to attend: 819-884-1203 or email spiresta@hotmail.com. All are welcome.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by October 24 for publication November 2, or by November 7 for November 16.