We’ve heard a new heartbeat in downtown Cookshire in recent years, with the Cultural Centre, beautifying flower baskets or wreaths, concerts and more. And now, here is an opportunity to join a community choir or chorus, and sing your heart out.

«Music is like the universal language, really,» said Celine Blais. She’s the president of the Coeur Villageois (Heart of the Village), the group of volunteers that is organizing the chorus. «The chorus is another way to bring people together.»

That means all kinds of people are welcome for this new experience: All ages, both men and women, both English- and French-speaking, residents of anywhere in the Haut-Saint-François. «Different types of voices are needed,» said Blais.

The choir director is to be Anne-Claire Hyvert, a singer and music teacher from Bishopton. The repertoire will include a variety of music, said Blais. For example, music of Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Daniel Lavoie, Zacharie Richard, and more. But that will depend, in part, on the size and wishes of the choir members. «The aim is to have fun, really.»

The 12 practice sessions are planned for Wednesdays, April 4 to June 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at La Maison de la Culture John Henry Pope, 25 Principale West. But wait. Before showing up, it is important to contact the chorus director Anne-Claire at 819-884-1258 or bishopnote@gmail.com. Knowing a bit about the potential participants will help inform her planning.

Yes, there is a fee: $7 per person, but if two participants come from the same family, the fee for the second person is only $3. The fee is to recompense the director and to help pay for the right to use various composers’ music. The Cultural Centre is making the practice space available at no cost.

March 21: TAX CLINIC
Quick! The annual income tax clinics of the Centre d’Action Bénévole du Haut-Saint-François (CAB, or Volunteer Action Centre) are upon us. The volunteer-staffed clinics offer services free of charge for persons with limited incomes. The last two Wednesdays of the bilingual clinic in Sawyerville are on March 21 at 1 to 4 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m., and March 28 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Eligibility criteria for the service: (1) Single person having up to $25,000 of income, plus up to $2,000 for each dependent. (2) A couple with income of up to $30,000 plus up to $2,000 for each dependent. (3) $1,000 or less in interest revenues. (4) Persons with rental income or self-employment earnings are not eligible.
How does it work? Trained volunteers fill out your returns, respecting your confidentiality. Bring all your papers to the clinic, and collect them a week later. Bring along your 2016 notices of assessment, if possible. Tenants, bring your RL-31 form, and property owners, your property tax statement.
Services in English are offered at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street. Info: 819-560-8540, option 9 for English, or coordo@cabhsf.org.

March 21: ABOUT BULLYING
This Wednesday, March 21, is a workshop on facing bullying or elder abuse, and recognizing the signs of bullying when you see it happening to yourself or someone else. Facilitating the workshop is Marie-Philippe Dubuc from DIRA-Estrie, a regional community organization that works to prevent and counter elder abuse and mistreatment of individuals age 55 and older, and their families.
The workshop begins at 1 p.m., following a Health Links lunch. Advance registration is needed for the lunch, but you can just drop in out of the blue for the workshop. All are welcome. The event is at the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main Street, Bury.

March 28: COLOUR CAFÉ, EAST ANGUS
Adults and others who enjoy combining colouring with conversation and snacks can try out a Mandala Colouring Café in East Angus on Wednesday, March 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants may bring their own colouring supplies or use what is available. It’s at the new building of the Moisson Haut-Saint-François, 53 Angus Sud. Info: Diane Grenier, Volunteer Coordinator, Centre d’action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François, 819-560-8540 x 9, or coordo@cabhsf.org.

April 20: YOGA IN NEWPORT
Yoga classes with Vanessa Salvatore come again to Newport this spring, with a 10-week session at the Municipal Hall at 1452 Route 212 in Island Brook. The classes are Fridays, April 20 to June 15, from 1 to 2 p.m. Fee: $180. Info: 819-875-1767.

Anytime: FROZEN MEALS
Difficulty making meals? No need to go hungry. A frozen meals on wheels service is offered bi-weekly by the Centre d’action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François. Just call the coordinator of English services, Diane Grenier, at 819-560-8540 (press 9 for English), or email coordo@cabhsf.org. She can give you a long menu of meals to choose from, at a reasonable price.

CHURCH SERVICES
Anglican. Sunday services on March 25 are in Bury at 9:30 a.m., and in Cookshire, at 11 a.m., in the Trinity United Church hall, 190 Principale West. A Good Friday service is on March 30 at 11 a.m. at St. George’s Anglican Church in Lennoxville. Easter services are on April 1st in Bury at 9:30 a.m. and at St. Peter’s Church in Cookshire at 11 a.m. Info: 819-887-6802.
United. On March 28 is the Palm/Passion Sunday service in Cookshire at 9:30 a.m. and in Sawyerville at 11 a.m. On March 29 at 7 p.m. is a Maundy Thursday service in Sawyerville. On March 30 at 10:30 a.m. is a Good Friday service in Cookshire. On April 1st at 6 – 6:15 a.m. is an Easter Sunday Sunrise service at the Gazebo on Route 210 in Eaton Corner, and at 10:30 a.m. is an Easter service with communion in Cookshire. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Baptist. In Sawyerville, the Sunday 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 March 26 for publication April 4 and by April 9 for April 18.