I received an urgent email the other day. «Service Canada a émis une alerte au 819-578-XXXX,» it said. «Accédez à vos fonds sur: http://shabbyboutique.com/verification/secure.» The email ended with a big button to UNSUBSCRIBE.

That’s weird, I thought. Why would Service Canada send me an email? Why would they send me funds? Why would they do it via a place called “shabbyboutique”?
Yes, this is a scam, and a shabby one at that. Service Canada does not send alerts by email. Period.

Lessons in scam management: Never click on a link. Never even click on “unsubscribe.” Doing so could lead you to a bogus malware site, or download malware immediately. It could also simply prove to a scammer that you are a real person vulnerable to a scam: It’s like unlocking your door to a burgler. Unlock it, and they will come.

Clicker, beware.

BOOK BOX
Newport has a new Book Box – Croque-livres, en français – that offers free books to children aged 0-12. Visit the box called “Viens me lire / Come Read Me” inside the Pavilion in the Park at 1451 Route 212, just across from the Municipal Hall in Island Brook. The principle is simple: A child takes a book, brings it back (or not), and replaces it (or not) with another book. Books are in both English and French.

Since August 2, almost two boxes of books have passed through the box into the hands of young readers. So now Lyne Maisonneuve is on the hunt for more used books. If you have any to contribute, thank you for dropping them off at the Book Box in the Pavilion or at the Newport Municipal Hall.

CORN BOIL
A corn boil by FADOQ Sawyerville is on Thursday, August 23, at 1 p.m. at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street, Sawyerville. Entrance: $5/person.

BEAR MEAT
An archery tournament and indigenous-style méchoui in Saint-Mathias-de-Bonneterre is on Saturday, August 25. Bear meat and a bunch of other delectables are on the menu, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and continuing with music during the evening. The event is at the park and community centre located at 2010 Route 210 East. All are welcome. $18/person. Info: 819-889-2558.

YOGA LIGHT
Tuesday, September 11 at 10 a.m. at the Sawyerville Community Centre – for 1 hr (10-week session). Myrna MacDonald 875-5393 / myrnamac44@gmail.com

HAM DINNER
The annual harvest dinner in support of the Saint Barnabas Anglican Church, Milby, is on Saturday, September 15, at 5 p.m. at the Ives Hill Community Hall. Menu: baked ham, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, vegetables, salad, rolls, apple crisp, ice cream and beverages. Directions: chemin Ives Hill off Route 147 (south of Milby); go past chemin des Trembles and the hall will be on your left. Cost: $14/adult; $6/child. All are welcome.

SHERBROOKE TOUR
Newport is organizing its annual group outing for September 25, targeting several clandestine points of interest in the Sherbrooke area. It begins with a guided tour of the vineyard at La Halte des Pèlerins, the Gourmand version complete with winetasting. Lunch is at the Buffet des Continents, and the afternoon begins with a guided tour of The Water House (Maison de l’Eau) in the Lucien-Bouchard Park, with its exhibits of amphibians, reptiles and fishes, and a visit to the Bouchard Beach. Finally, a guided tour of the Sherbrooke Museum of Nature and Science will introduce participants to the science of rock ‘n’ roll.

All the tours are bilingual, with the English and French groups alternating. The cost is $50/person. To register now, visit the Newport Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212, or phone 819-560-8565, 819-889-1340 or 819-875-5227.

ART EXHIBIT
In Perpetual Metamorphosis, an exhibit of art by Marie Cuerrier-Hébert, continues at the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery at the John-Henry-Pope Cultural Centre, 25 Principale West, Cookshire, until September 2. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: 819-578-4383, www.GaleriedArtCookshireEaton.com.

GARDEN MARKET
The Sawyerville Community Garden’s Village Market is on Saturdays until September 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local fresh vegetables, cheese, honey, mushrooms, venison and more are available for purchase.

And on Wednesdays is a community meal called “mercrediner” with an interesting menu. Cost: $10. Places limited to 15 people, by reservation only. The Community Garden is at 70 Randboro Road. Info: Chantal Bolduc at chantalbolduc99@bell.net or 819-889-3196.

CHURCH SERVICES
Anglican. On August 26 at 10:30 a.m. is a service at St. John’s Church, Brookbury. On September 2 are these services: At 9:30 a.m. at the St. Paul’s Church, Bury, and at 11 a.m. at the St. Peter’s Church, Cookshire. Info: 819-887-6802.
United. The last of the summer scheduled services is on Sunday, August 26, at 10:30 a.m., at the Bishopton United Church, 54 Main, Bishopton. Following the service will be a congregational meeting to discuss possibilities for the future of the church building. “We would like to see as many people out to this meeting as possible,” emailed Rev. Tami Spires.
On Sunday, September 2, services are in Cookshire at 9:30 a.m. and Sawyerville at 11 a.m. On Sunday, September 9, will be a Homecoming Service at the former Christ Church Canterbury at 3 p.m., with Rev. Tami Spires leading the service. Everyone is welcome. 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 August 27 for publication September 5 and by September 10 for September 19.