Would age be as golden by any other name? I ask because Shakespeare’s Juliet said “that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” She was asking Romeo to give up his family name – his family were bitter rivals of her own family – in order to marry her. She was proposing that the names of things do not affect what they really are. But alas, the whole affair ended badly, with both of them dying. Therefore, Wikipedia sagely noted, “we can clearly see this is false.”
Well, that’s quite a leap of illogic! A name may influence how one perceives a thing, but how can it affect what the thing really is? Which came first – the thing or the name? I say Romeo and Juliet did not die in vain if their deaths can lead us to reflect on our prejudices and perceptions.
So, what about golden age? Might the Fédération de l’âge d’Or du Québec – FADOQ – be just as sweet as the golden age association? Well, check it out. FADOQ Sawyerville invites us to an Activity Day every Tuesday at 1 to 4 p.m. for various card games and beanbag baseball. And on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. you can play darts. Both activities are at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street, Sawyerville. Beanbag baseball could be just as sweet by any other name, such as baseball poche, for example.
Are you a Quebecer over 50? If so, while you’re there, you can ask how to join FADOQ and take advantage of some 1000 discounts and privileges that various businesses offer FADOQ members. Info: 819-875-3422.
HEALTHY SNACKS
The healthy snacks research project results are to be presented next week in Bury. The researchers? Pope Memorial Elementary School’s Cycle 3 class in Bury. The research? Each student chose a snack food and researched its nutritional value. The goal? To help students become more aware of healthy food and lifestyle choices. The presentation? Along with the research results, the class will share their pick for healthiest snack.
The presentation is part of a Health Link session on nutrition and healthy food choices. It’s on Wednesday, February 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main Street in Bury. It includes a lunch of hearty soup and sandwiches, and a presentation by François Bergeron, nutritionist for the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS’s Haut-Saint-François local network. He will offer information, and also answer questions about nutrition.
The Health Link event is offered in English, and is open to all. Reservations are not required, but the organizers would appreciate knowing if you plan to be there for lunch. To confirm your presence, please contact Kim Fessenden: 819-872-3771, ext. 2. All are welcome!
Health Link is a series of English-language health information sessions for residents of the Haut-Saint-François MRC. Watch for more information about upcoming sessions.
CAB OFFICE MOVED
The Centre d’action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François – CAB, or volunteer action centre – has moved its Cookshire office to East Angus. It’s a large, bright office on the main floor of the East Angus Cultural Centre, 288 Maple Street (former English High School). “It’s beautiful. I love it,” said its inhabitant, Diane Grenier. “It’s bright. It’s got life.”
Grenier coordinates services in English for the CAB, and she invites us to stop by and see her. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 to 4:30 p.m., but she suggests phoning first to make sure she’s in the office when you come. Other community groups and courses are in the same building. Info: 819-560-8540 x 9 for English.
COLOUR CAFÉ
There’s still time to catch an open house at the new Colour Café on Tuesday, January 31, from 6 to 8 p.m., and learn about the winter colouring sessions. One is every second Tuesday morning starting February 7, and the other is every second Tuesday evening, starting February 14. The groups are open to all – no colouring experience is necessary. The Colour Café is at the Relève, 54 Bibeau Street,
Cookshire, about a block off Principale Street. Info: Michelle, at 819-566-5717, ml@townshippers.org, or Townshippers.org/ColourCafe.

SEED FESTIVAL
In the next Rachel Writes, look for details about the Festival of Seeds organized by the Sawyerville Community Garden on Saturday, February 18, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Ramana Hotel, 18 Principale N. In the works are presentations, kiosks and lunch. Info: chantalbolduc99@bell.net or 819-889-3196.
AMATEUR NIGHT
Amateur Night at the Plaisirs d’hiver in Sawyerville, also on February 18, still has a call out for all kinds of musicians and all types of music, solo or group. It will also take place at the Ramana. Info: Martine Perras at 819-553-8500.
CHURCHES
United: Sunday worship services are at 9:30 a.m. in Cookshire and 11 a.m. in Sawyerville. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Messy Church. A joint United and Anglican intergenerational event. Free of charge. Stories, crafts and supper at the St. Paul Anglican Church, 550 Main St., Bury, 5:15 to 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Info: Tami Spires (United Church Minister): 819-884-1203 or spiresta@hotmail.com.
Anglican: On January 29, a Deanery service is at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Ephrem’s Syrian Orthodox Church, 150 13th Avenue South, Sherbrooke. On February 5, services are at 9:30 a.m. in Bury, and at 11 a.m. in Cookshire. The Cookshire services are in the basement of the Trinity United Church, 190 Principale W. 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.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by January 30 for publication February 8 and by February 13 for February 22.