octobre 2016

Expo Cookshire
 Actualités

Exposition agricole de Cookshire : Robert Addis satisfait

Une des belles montures qu’on avait la chance de voir lors de la parade des animaux.

Le président de l’Exposition agricole de Cookshire, Robert Addis, est satisfait des résultats de l’édition 2016, tenue en août dernier. Le compte final n’était pas complètement compilé au moment d’écrire ces lignes, cependant, le président affirme que c’est près de 10 000 visiteurs qui sont passés à l’exposition agricole.
Plus de peur que de mal, à la soirée d’ouverture. Un bruit strident laissant croire à une collision est survenu lorsque les manèges étaient en fonction. On aurait cru que 2 manèges remplis d’enfants venaient de se heurter, ce qui a fait paniquer les parents dans lesquels leur marmaille siégeait. M. Addis explique qu’il était là lorsque l’évènement s’est produit. Dans un article de La Tribune, une dame témoignait que 2 manèges étaient entrés en collision. Le président tient à préciser qu’ils ne se sont pas heurtés, mais plutôt une espèce de plaque de métal se serait délogée pour ensuite entrer en collision avec l’autre manège; le bruit provoqué a donc inquiété la foule.
M. Addis informe que le bilan sera terminé vers la mi-septembre, encore aujourd’hui, les comptes continuent de rentrer. « Ça prend de l’argent pour faire une expo comme ça », cite le président. Celui-ci remercie grandement les fournisseurs qui attendent un peu avant d’envoyer leurs factures. « Quand les gens sont gentils, ça nous aide beaucoup pour continuer. »
Le président a pris le temps d’aller discuter avec les exposants afin de prendre le pouls et tous dans l’ensemble étaient heureux de leur week-end, de plus que la température était au rendez-vous. Du côté des bénévoles, le nombre est toujours inférieur aux besoins; cependant, il est fier d’avoir ceux qui sont là d’autant plus que beaucoup reviennent année après année.

Hymn1
 Actualités

At Eaton Corner Museum, An Old-time Hymn Sing

The old Congregational Church in Eaton Corner was repurposed mid-July as a… church, for the Museum’s annual hymn sing. On a warm Sunday afternoon, close to 40 people joined in singing traditional hymns. They sat in old wooden pews, surrounded by historical exhibits from Eaton’s past. Sunlight sifted through Denis Palmer’s colourful window hangings.
They sang from a little songbook called Songs of the Gospel, and Sharon Moore accompanied them on the harmonium, or old fashioned upright pump organ. Two quaint wooden collection boxes with long handles were passed along the pews, accepting donations to the Eaton Corner Museum.
It was an ecumenical gathering. The songbook came from the Sawyerville United Church. The pews came from a Baptist church. The harmonium was donated by an Anglican priest. And the audience members represented all these backgrounds, probably more.
They sang 11 hymns in all, beginning with “Come Let Us Sing,” and winding up with “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” The program included a few historical readings and ended with cookies, lemonade, conversation and a visit to the newly restored Foss House, the Museum’s Welcome Centre.
“They sang well. It was a good afternoon,” said Moore, president of the Eaton Corner Museum. At 374 Route 253, Eaton Corner, the museum is open weekends until the end of September. Info: 819-875-5256, www.eatoncorner.ca, or on Facebook.

AFFAIRES1C
 Thématiques

La réalité des femmes d’affaires en 2016

Chaque année, partout en Amérique du Nord, une semaine complète est consacrée aux femmes d’affaires de ce monde. S’il a longtemps été difficile pour elles d’entrer dans ce domaine autrefois réservé exclusivement aux employés masculins, qu’en est-il de leur réalité aujourd’hui ? Du 16 au 22 octobre 2016, Semaine nationale des femmes d’affaires, célébrons ces femmes fortes qui ouvrent les portes de ce cercle restreint aux jeunes filles de demain.
Une réalité… décevante
De nos jours, être une femme dans le milieu des affaires, ce n’est pas la «norme». Malgré les immenses progrès faits en ce sens, le portrait global de la situation n’est pas des plus encourageants. L’évolution des mentalités a beaucoup aidé à faire accepter les femmes dans ce monde masculin, mais le très faible pourcentage, de 10 à 20 % selon l’Organisation internationale du Travail, de femmes à la tête d’entreprises, prouve que l’avancée tant espérée n’a toujours pas atteint ses objectifs. Les hommes ressentent encore cette réticence à être dirigés par des femmes; pas nécessairement parce qu’ils sont sexistes, mais aussi parce qu’ils ont peur du jugement de leurs pairs.
L’espoir fait rêver !
Toutefois, les jeunes femmes sont de plus en plus nombreuses sur les bancs universitaires à étudier l’entrepreneuriat et à obtenir leur diplôme dans ce domaine d’expertise. Beaucoup d’histoires inspirantes relatant le parcours de femmes modernes dans le domaine des affaires offrent des modèles précieux à ces futures entrepreneures qui marqueront ce milieu à leur tour. Encourageons les jeunes filles à développer leur sens des affaires et à se tailler une place parmi cette majorité d’hommes d’expérience; bientôt, l’égalité remplacera la majorité.

chevaux
 Actualités

Concours de labour à Lingwick : 4e édition cet automne

Il est impressionnant de voir travailler ensemble les chevaux guidés par le laboureur.

Venez vivre une expérience automnale d’autrefois, sous le paysage enchanteur de Lingwick. Le samedi 8 octobre prochain, les Gilbert présentent, pour une quatrième année, leur concours de labour. Une vingtaine de laboureurs de la classe enfant, amateur et professionnel ainsi qu’un juge officiel seront sur place.
Vous êtes conviés à passer la journée en plein air et ainsi avoir l’opportunité de redécouvrir le travail de dur labeur d’autrefois. Pas de tracteur, comme dans l’temps, les laboureurs de 10 à 70 ans laisseront leurs sillions dans la terre. Chaque année, c’est entre 150 et 200 passants qui vivent l’expérience. Le plus extraordinaire est que l’événement est familial, comme les Gilbert sont eux-mêmes de fervents amateurs de cette méthode traditionnelle, ils se sont regroupés afin de vous partager leur divertissement. Les 3 frères, Serge, Robert et Guy, sans oublier leur conjointe et quelques bénévoles, organisent et préparent tout. C’est aux hommes qu’incombe de s’occuper du terrain et pour le reste c’est les belles-sœurs qui tiennent les rênes; ensemble elles préparent l’immense garage servant pour l’occasion de salle de réception, la nourriture avec bien sûr, un coup de main de tout un chacun impliqué bénévolement. Ça aussi c’est comme dans le temps, les hommes au champ et les femmes au fourneau ! « On se tient tous par la main », exprime gaiement, Brigitte, la conjointe de Serge.
Les inscriptions se font à 8 h pour les laboureurs et le public est invité dès 10 h. L’activité se déroule toute la journée, une cantine et des rafraîchissements sont à votre disposition. Vers les 18 h 30, un méchoui est servi, dans le garage pouvant accueillir près de 125 convives. Les billets sont en vente au coût de 25 $ et les places sont limitées. En soirée, c’est la remise des nombreux prix auxquels, notons-le, sont remis à tout hasard.
Pour de plus amples informations et l’achat des billets, contactez Brigitte Martel au 819 877-2676. L’activité a lieu au 3-B route 108, à Lingwick.

actualite
 Actualités

Sawyerville Harvest Festival : Sharing our collective wealth

It’s early morning at the Sawyerville Community Garden, and gardeners, artisans and volunteers swarm toward the traditional harvest festival. The festival was planned for the same day as the weekly public market, and in the same place. Chantal Bolduc, president of the Garden, was there to present the various produce grown in the garden, as well as the small agricultural producers and processors who were invited.
The Garden site was donated by Dr. Curtis Lowry to the Town of Cookshire-Eaton, on the one condition that it be turned into a community asset. This condition has been well met. On the site is a wide array of local products, organic or in the process of becoming so, transformed products, and even an antique apple-press that produces apple juice. As consumers become more and more interested in fresh and local foods, the garden has become a busy place. “It’s been three years since the garden started,” said Bolduc. In that time, many projects have been carried out. One impressive innovation is an outdoor bread oven, built in the traditional manner.
The site is divided into different zones, with some areas reserved for CoSMOS seeds. The group is under the guidance of Brian Creelman, a well-known seed saver who aims to preserve seeds that are produced locally. Another section has beds separated into rental areas, 40 feet by 40 inches, where citizens can have their own garden. “Right now, 10 persons rent a garden bed,” said Bolduc. The various zones of the Community Garden begin with the bread-oven and a shelter constructed using the olden “timber frame” technique, to be used for various workshops. Not far from there is an orchard area, comprised of fruit trees such as plum, pear, cherry and apple trees. A wide strip is used for berries such as strawberries and blueberries, as well as a section of squash. Behind the garden, work has begun in the woods, where mushrooms are being cultivated.
Enthusiasm is palpable for natural as well as organic and fair-trade products. In this sense, the Karité Delapointe enterprise of Bury was invited for the occasion. The owner, Praxède Lévesque-Lapointe, gave patient guidance to each interested person on the best choice of products, depending on the need to be filled. Karité Delapointe, founded in 2002, creates jobs in Burkina Faso. It helps improve the well-being of African women producers, buying transformed butter directly from them and thus helping them avoid buying almonds via large companies. Lévesque-Lapointe explained that in Africa it is the women who are responsible for managing their family. “Women who are better paid contribute to the well-being of their family by providing food or sending children to school,” explained Lévesque-Lapointe, among other examples of how fair-trade commerce works. “The fair-trade bonus also gives them the opportunity to take courses, for example, to learn how to read and write.”
Among the producers and products presented at the Harvest Festival were the Jardin des Bocages, the Hôtes Épinettes Farm, the Caitya du Caprice Caprin Farm, the honey of Mr. Robert, as well as Brenda Thomas and Suzanne Morrow of the Maraîchère Farm, and many others. The public seemed to enjoy devoting themselves to the market. Some were working in their vegetables, others were at the table, discussing the comings and goings of cars, where passers-by were taking their purchases. Among them were Samuel Tanguay from Thetford Mines and Jason Lessard from Ontario, neighbours newly arrived in Sawyerville. They collaborated in operating the apple press to make juice. Snacks and different foods were served and several guitarists played, all contributing to a friendly atmosphere.
Bolduc would like the public to know that the Sawyerville Community Garden is currently planning the programming for next year. Producers, artists, musicians and others are welcome. For more information, and for those interested in participating in the 2017 edition of the Sawyerville Village Market, contact Chantal Bolduc at 819-889-3196 or chantalbolduc99@bell.net. The Market is planned for Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from the beginning of July to the end of August 2017.

ACTU-Rachel
 Chroniques

Bernard the Roughneck

I got an email last week from David Climenhaga, author of the AlbertaPolitics.ca blog. “I have been following the story, quite big here in Alberta, of Neal Hancock, the rig worker who appeared as ‘Bernard the Roughneck’ for a news conference in Ottawa last Wednesday,” he wrote. He had read about Neal’s leading role in the play, William Stone’s Leg, in an article I wrote in this newspaper on January 14, 2014. The photo and article are now living online at www.estrieplus.com.
“How was Mr. Hancock’s performance?” he emailed. “Neal did a fine job,” I replied. “Like all the other cast members, he was an amateur and volunteer, contributing his time and skills in support of a non-profit organization, the Eaton Corner Museum.”
Now my photo of Neal and Bethany Rothney in Sharron Rothney’s living room fills the screen on AlbertaPolitics.ca. Yup, comparing the photos of Bernard the Roughneck and Neal Hancock, you can quickly see that they are both of the one and the same Neal Bernard Hancock.
But in Alberta, Bernard was playing the role of an oil rig worker, wearing his work clothes to the National Energy Board hearings in Vancouver, and urging the government to approve the Kinder Morgan pipeline. Climenhaga’s blog says he’s been appearing in his work coveralls on the “far-right video blog founded by self-styled ‘Rebel Commandante’ Ezra Levant.” Climenhaga wrote that a Rebel interview with Hancock last February, “is still running under the now-slightly-embarrassing headline, ‘No he’s not an actor: Bernard, the outspoken roughneck has a new message for anti-pipeline protesters’.”
Now AlbertaPolitics.ca headlines “It can’t help the oil-well drillers’ campaign that ‘Bernard the Roughneck’ appeared in 2014 theatrical production.” Climenhaga goes on to describe “William Stone’s Leg, written by Eastern Townships playwright Marlene Lowry.”
His article elicited a heap of comments from readers. One was just on the edge of obscenity, playing on the word “stone.” It seems “Bernard the Roughneck” mugs and T-shirts are even being marketed. Maybe Lowry and the Eaton Corner Museum should ask for a cut?
APPLE PIES
The Sawyerville United Stewards are making apple pies for sale. They come unbaked and frozen, with cooking instructions, at $9 each. To order: Janice Hartwell, 819-889-2498, or Theda Lowry, 819-889-2734.
BULWER IN THE CARDS
A 500 Card Party is at the Bulwer Community Center on Jordan Hill Road, Thursday, October 13, at 1:30 p.m. After the card game will be prizes and a light lunch. Admission fee. Info: Serena Wintle, 819-875-5210.
ALL ABOARD!
Last call to join the Newport municipality’s annual group outing aboard The Orford Express, on Saturday, October 15, for a 3 ½-hour train ride with a meal. Cost: $85. Register now. Info: Lyne Maisonneuve, 819-889-1340; Anne-Marie Dubeau, 819-875-5227; Newport Municipality, 819-560-8565.
LAST CHANCE
The grand finale of both Denis Palmer’s art exhibition and the 2016 season at the Eaton Corner Museum is on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. Entrance is free to the Museum’s exhibition in the Congregational church, as well as the art exhibit in the Foss House. That’s at the Eaton Corner Museum, 374 Route 253, Eaton Corner.
HEALTH TALKS
This fall’s series of health information sessions on various topics, Health Link, is planned for 1 to 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, starting October 19. The Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre is presenting the series in partnership with Townshippers’ Association and the CSSS du Haut-Saint-François. They’re free of charge, in English, and all are welcome. Info: Kim Fessenden, 819-872-3771.
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.
RAMANA ACTIVITIES
Some 125 people attended the Ramana Hotel’s inauguration of its Salle André Crête mid-September, and now the hotel in Sawyerville is lining up a stream of activities over the coming months. Darts are every Wednesday evening. Yoga and meditation are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, starting at 9:15 a.m., open to all. And Saturday evening concerts with the Dave Bassant Band on October 29, November 5 and 26, and nine other dates this winter. Info: Jean-Sébastien Bachand, 819-889-2967.
BULWER INVITES ARTISANS
Jewelry-maker Sonia Zalesak is organizing an artisan market 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. If you’d like to rent a table, contact Sonia quickly: 819-875-1026.
VIACTIVE
Viactive groups offer exercises, for people age 50 or over. They’re fun, free, and easy on the knees. Three bilingual groups are led by trained volunteers, all on Wednesdays. All are welcome! In Cookshire, Serena Wintle and Lyne Maisonneuve lead a group from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Manoir de l’Eau vive, 210 Principale East. Info: 819-875-5210. In Newport, Ruth Shipman and Christiane Côté invite you to the Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212, in Island Brook, at 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Info: 819-889-1340 or 819-560-8565. In Sawyerville, Denise and Gérard Nault welcome you to the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street, at 10 to 11 a.m. Info: 819-889-2630.
CHURCHES
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. On Thanksgiving Sunday, October 9, Holy Communion will be part of the worship. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Anglican: October 9th services are at 9:30 a.m. in Bury, and 11 a.m. in Cookshire (Service of the Word). On October 16, the same places and hours, but it’s a Holy Eucharist with The Venerable Edward Simonton. Info: 819-887-6802.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by October 24 for publication
November 2.

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