A goat. Two chickens. A fish farm. A pair of flood-proof ducks. School books, a school uniform, chalk board, teaching supplies, school fees for a girl. A village savings and loan kit, a farming kit, a row of fruit trees. Blankets, a midwife for a month.

All these and more, you can give in the name of a loved one, to persons who most need them, through Care Canada at www.care.ca. How merry can a Christmas be that ignores the rest of the world? Let’s spread the good cheer as widely as possible.

WALK-IN CLINIC, COOKSHIRE
The Centre de santé Cookshire (Cookshire Health Clinic) at 160 Pope Street began offering a new service last summer. I have only seen news about it in French, so here’s the scoop in English. It’s a walk-in clinic that has a time-slot allocated for orphans – that is, persons who do not have a family doctor.

The service is part of the “mini-urgence” clinic, meaning a clinic for small emergencies or short visits for relatively minor problems that need quick attention. For example, it’s for treatment of problems whose names end in “ites” or “ures,” in French, such as otitis (ear infection), sinusitis, tendinitis, burns, sprains, broken bones, or a wound that requires stitches.

For really big emergencies such as a heart attack, a car accident, a serious allergic reaction, or a stroke, we are advised to go to a hospital emergency department, says the clinic’s web page. If you’re not sure where to go for your problem, ask Info-Santé at 811.

When is the walk-in clinic? Monday, Wednesday, and Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. How do you get a spot in the walk-in clinic? This seems counter-intuitive, but it is not by walking in. Rather, phone 819-875-5535 at 8 a.m., and the secretary will give you a time-slot that same day.

The Cookshire Health Centre is closed December 25, 27 and 30, and January 1st. Stay well!

TIM BRINK, 14th
Tim Brink gets around – from the Sherbrooke Symphony to the Sawyerville Hotel! He and his band will put on a Country-Rock show at the Sawyerville Hotel, 18 Principale North, on Saturday, December 14. The evening begins with a traditional Christmas supper at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 8 or 8:30 p.m. Entrance for supper and show is $25; for show only, $15. Reserve: Annie at 819-889-2967, or on Facebook at Hotel Sawyerville.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT, 14th
A Christmas Concert of classical music is planned for the benefit of our local health CLSC, specifically for two projects: A walk-in clinic for all, and a program combatting developmental disorders in children aged 0 to 5 years old. The musicians are singer Catherine St-Arnaud, soprano; Julien LeBlanc, pianist; and Myriam Genest-Denis, flutist. The concert is at the Trinity United Church, 190 Principale W., Cookshire, on Saturday, December 14, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Free admission for children aged 12 or younger.

NUTCRACKER, 14th & 15th
Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” is coming to the Centennial Theatre at Bishop’s University, brought by Les Ballets Classiques de Richmond, QC, and the Orchestre Philharmonique des musiciens de Montreal. Professional guest dancers will join the many ballet students aged 6 to 11 from the Richmond school in the enchanting roles of live toys and small rodents.
Tickets can be had at the Centennial Box Office Monday to Friday, 12 to 4 p.m. or one hour before the show. Or by phone 819-822-9692 Monday to Friday 8:30 to 11 a.m. or 12 to 4 p.m. Or online at https://www.centennialtheatre.ca/

CHRISTMAS CAROLS, 24th
A program of traditional Christmas Carols is on Tuesday, December 24, at 8 p.m., at the Saint-Mathias-de-Bonneterre Community Centre (formerly the church), 2035 Route 210, Newport. Free admission.

CHURCH SERVICES
Anglican. The December 15th Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. in Bury and at 11 a.m. in Cookshire. On December 22, there are no Sunday services in Cookshire or Bury, but a Carol service is at 11 a.m. at St. George’s Church at 84 Queen St., Lennoxville.

A Christmas Eve service is on Tuesday, December 24, at 2 p.m. in Bury. A Christmas service is on Wednesday, December 25, at 10 a.m. at St. George’s Church in Lennoxville. On Sunday, December 29, there are no services locally, but a service is at 9 a.m. at St. Barnabas in North Hatley. On Sunday, January 5, Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. in Bury, and 11 a.m. in the theatre at the Manoir de l’Eau Vive, 210 Principale East, Cookshire. Info: 819-887-6802.

United. The December 15th Sunday service is in Cookshire at 9:30 a.m., with musicians Sarah Heath, Jamie Crooks, Jenn Cianca, and Tim Doherty. Friday, December 20th at 7 p.m. is a Blue Christmas service in Sawyerville, acknowledging the pain and struggles some feel during the holiday season. Sunday, December 22nd services are in Cookshire at 9:30 a.m. and Sawyerville at 11 a.m.

A Christmas Eve service is in Cookshire on Tuesday, December 24, at 2 p.m. with Holy Communion. The Sunday, December 29th service is at 10:30 a.m. in Sawyerville, with storytelling, singing, and a toast to the new year. Note: No services on Sunday, January 5. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).

Messy Church. On Monday, December 16, at 5:15 p.m., stories, crafts, singing and supper are on the agenda at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 550 Main St., Bury (red brick church on Main Street). A joint United and Anglican intergenerational event. All are welcome. Info: 819-889-2838.

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. Christmas Eve service is Tuesday, December 24, at 7 p.m., with refreshments. Info: 819-239-8818.

Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email rawrites@yahoo.com by December 18 for publication January 8, and by January 13 for January 22.