“You are something, perhaps crazy!”
That’s the email my older and wiser sister wrote to me when she heard I was the new editor of The Townships Sun. Yep, at a time I should be fading into the sunset, here I am facing a new challenge that, for once, is not health-related.
I’m enjoying it, although not rejoicing in the circumstance that opened up this opportunity for me – the untimely passing of past-editor Barbara Heath, whom many of you knew, or knew of.
With almost 50 years under its belt, The Townships Sun is a little community magazine in English about “Townships life and culture, past, present and future.” Remembrances are the most natural place to start when thinking of the English-speaking community, but I’m trying to encourage more content – articles, stories, poetry, photos, artwork – about the present and future of our community.
Now I have trekked through the editorial work of the first two issues. The first one was delayed by a paper shortage, but is now in the hands of subscribers and on the shelves, including a new shelf at the Cookshire IGA. This issue has the dual themes of “Truth and Reconciliation” in the Townships and the new surge of Townships book writing, publishing and reading – both present and future.
The December-January issue will feature a sampling of visual artists – so many in the Townships, with such varied approaches! – including two in the Haut-Saint-François. Accompanying their work are short stories and other local and inspirational offerings on other topics.
What’s so much fun? Being in contact with such creative people. Learning even more about the fabulous community in which we live. Thinking more deeply about the time in which we live, the past that led us here, and where we are heading.
How has the pandemic changed us? Who are the great photographers among us? What are the concerns of the next generation? What do you know about any “disappeared” hamlets near you? (Maple Leaf, for example)? And so much more!
If you can contribute to this discussion, I’d be very interested in hearing from you at editor@TownshipsSun.ca.
ESCAPING BOMBING IN SCOTLAND
First published in Scotland and just now released in Canada is a memoir named Marjorie’s Journey: On A Mission Of Her Own. It tells the story of a young Scottish woman who, to escape the bombing during World War II, led a group of 10 children on a daring journey by ship from Scotland to South Africa, where she set up a home for them.
The Quebec connection is the author of this little book, Ailie Cleghorn, a retired professor at Concordia University. Her mother was a close cousin of Marjorie Marnoch, and they grew up together in Ailie’s grandparents’ home in Aberdeen. Cleghorn tells Marjorie’s story, chronicling extensive research and interviews with the children that took her on an international mission of her own.
And the Townships connection is obvious, for those of us with roots in Scotland! To hear a short interview with the author, visit scotlandstreetpress.com/journal.
RESOLVING CONFLICTS IN RELATIONSHIPS
From Mental Health Estrie is a workshop via Zoom, free and in English, on Wednesday, November 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Melanie Hughes will present “Conflict Resolution for Interpersonal Relationships.” To register, visit Mental Health Estrie’s Facebook page, email outreach@mentalhealthestrie.com, or call 819-565-2388.
CHRISTMAS MARKET IN COOKSHIRE
This extravaganza of crafts has some 20 exhibitors showing off and selling all kinds of treats, edible or not. The Market is on Sunday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Victoria Hall, 125 Principale West, Cookshire.
OSCAR AND WALTER IN LAC MÉGANTIC
The exhibit by Tony De Melo has been extended to December 6: Trials and Tribulations: Oscar and Walter, an Encounter shows a series of paintings using actual texts from Oscar Wilde’s trials, on which he enlarged and superimposed details from Walter Crane’s engravings and drawings. You can see this thought-provoking exhibit at the Galérie Métissage, 6361 rue Salaberry, Lac Mégantic, Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SMALL ART IN COOKSHIRE
A massive group show of small format artworks by beloved artists from our region – that’s what the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery is offering in the period leading up to Christmas. The exhibit of “gift-sized” works opens on December 11. Heads up: One of the artists is Denis Palmer. Look for more details in the next Rachel Writes.
STUFF WANTED IN CANTERBURY
Thinking ahead they are, those people at the Canterbury Centre. “We are beginning to collect items for our Marché aux Puces (Flea Market) at the Canterbury Centre: antiques, collectibles, household wares, small tables and chairs in good condition, architectural items, stained glass, old photos, prints, and paintings. We do not take large appliances, furniture, electronics or clothes. Call 819-872-3400 and Tony will get back to you,” writes Ed Pederson of the Bury Historical & Heritage Society. The Marché aux puces is planned for July 2022.
CHURCHES
United. In-person Sunday services are bi-weekly. The November 21th service is at home; November 28th services are in person at Trinity United, 9:30 a.m., and Sawyerville United, 11 a.m. Info: 819-452-3685; spiresta@hotmail.com; or United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge (Facebook).
Baptist. In-person Sunday services are with Covid-19 protocols in place (distancing; masks can be removed when sitting down; wear masks when singing, etc.). The service is in French at 9 a.m., and in English at 11 a.m. Persons with flu symptoms are asked not to attend services. The pastor’s message is also available on YouTube: For the link, contact Pastor Michel Houle at 819-239-8818.
Anglican. Bishop Bruce Myers continues to offer Home Prayers at 4 p.m., Sundays, on Facebook, and at quebec.anglican.ca (Worship Videos). Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-640-1340 or email rawrites@gmail.com by November 29 for publication December 8, or by December 13 for January 5.