Consider this: Two super-powers vie with each other to steal a land by populating it and stripping its resources. The new settlers were political pawns, many tricked, many desperate to escape famine. Two centuries later, their descendants debate over what to call it.
Why not go back to the name given our land by the original inhabitants, the Abenaki? Let’s call it Ndakinna (pronounced nn-da-ki’-na), “the place where I live.”
Ironically, the Canadian Encyclopedia does not mention this name. It just says in 1791 the British gave land grants in the form of townships (Eastern Townships) between Granby and Lac Mégantic, and from Drummondville to the US border.
The name was translated to “Townships de l’Est” in 1833, and “Cantons de l’Est” in 1858. The name “Estrie” became official in 1981.
If a name means anything, we could give Ndakinna back to the Abenaki, too. We haven’t managed it all that well. They, on the other hand, have a proven track-record about a millennia long.
BELONGING AND WELL-BEING
From Social Isolation and Loneliness to Belonging and Well-Being is the topic of a videoconference by Zoom on Wednesday, February 16, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Darla Fortune, PhD, will speak about how we can seize opportunities to experience belonging. Free of charge. To register, contact Kelly at kb@townshippers.org.
AUTHORS & POETS
The Knowlton Literary Festival is offering a virtual afternoon with Townships writers: authors Maurice Crossfield, Meghan Redmile, and Peter Turner, and poets Tanya Bellehumeur, Angela Leuck, and Carole Martignacco. The event features entertaining chats about their books, their writing process and what inspires their writing. Hear them play a Wheel of Questions, What’s My Line, What did I Just Say, and more. Lucy Hoblyn and Wendy Seys host the webinar on Sunday, February 20, at 2 p.m. It’s free of charge; register at knowltonliteraryfestival.ca.
INCOME TAX: READY?
Ready, set, go! The bilingual income tax assistance program in Sawyerville is ready to assist persons with limited income, free of charge, starting in March. But now is the time start getting your papers together.
This service is part of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program organized by the Canada Revenue Agency. Trained volunteers prepare both Canada and Quebec tax returns for persons with limited income.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
You are eligible to use the Community Volunteer Income Tax Service if you are: (1) a single person with a maximum annual revenue of $25,000; (2) a couple with a maximum revenue of $30,000, plus $2,000 for each dependant; or (3) a single parent with a child with a maximum revenue of $30,000 plus $2,000 for each additional dependant.
Eligible persons’ income from interest should not exceed $1,000, and does not include income from self-employment, bankruptcy, or deceased persons.
GOT YOUR PAPERS?
Bring along any slips you’ve received from the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec in the past months, and your notices of assessment from last year’s returns. “The Notices of Assessment are very important,” said Danielle Paré, income tax preparer. “We need the information on them, and the federal one has an access code we need in order to file online.”
You will also need your T4 and Relevé slips from your employer, or any other forms you received regarding income or tuition. Also, if you are a renter, you will need the RL-31 form from your landlord. House owners will need their property tax number, which is on the municipal property tax bill.
Bring receipts for any payments you made for pills, dentist visits, glasses, or other health expenses. (Tip: Your pharmacy can give you a printout listing your pharmaceutical costs for the year.) These expenses may give you a tax credit.
Persons above age 70 should inquire about a refundable tax credit for expenses incurred to continue living independently. Such expenses could include purchasing, leasing or installing eligible equipment or fixtures, or staying in a functional rehabilitation transition unit.
YOGA IN SAWYERVILLE
Yoga classes begin in Sawyerville Tuesday, February 15, at 10 a.m. in the Catholic Church basement, 4 Randboro Road. INFO: Myrna MacDonald Lowry, myrnamac44@gmail.com, or 819-875-5393.
VIACTIVE
Started again! These bilingual weekly exercise groups for people aged 50+, free of charge. Vaccination passport, mask, and distancing. In Newport, Lyne Maisonneuve and France Demers invite you to the Viactive group at the Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212, Island Brook, on Tuesdays, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Info: 819-889-1340 or 819-560-8565. And in Sawyerville, Denise Nault and Gérard Nault facilitate the group at the Église Notre Dame du Rosaire (Catholic church), 4 Randboro Road, Sawyerville, on Wednesdays, at 10 a.m. Info: 819-889-2630.
SAWYERVILLE SERVICE
The Sawyerville income tax assistance program features the same team of volunteers as in the past – Danielle, Francine, and Suzanne. The service is sponsored by a very local community organization, Loisirs Sawyerville.
When? Wednesday afternoons, March 9 and 30, from 1 to 4 p.m., and March 16 and 23, from 1 to 7 p.m.
Where? At the Catholic church in Sawyerville, Église Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire, 4 Randboro Road. Use the back door to enter the basement.
How? Do it safely! Wear a mask. Stay two metres away from others. Minimize contact: Inside the door, you will see some plastic publisac bags. Put your papers in one of the bags, and place the bag in one of the three boxes. Each box will be labeled with the name of one of the tax preparers, Danielle, Francine, or Suzanne. For your own safety, please don’t touch other people’s bags.
The tax preparers will keep the papers in the boxes for 3-4 days before touching them. Along with your papers, be sure to give your phone number; one of the tax preparers will call you if they have any questions about your forms.
Or if you need any information, call Danielle at 819-889-2614, Francine at 819-889-2574, or Suzanne at 819-889-1036.
CHURCHES
Baptist. Regular in-persons services have resumed: in French at 9 a.m., in English at 11 a.m., respecting Covid protocols, including masks, hand sanitizing, and a vaccine passport. For information, please contact Pastor Michel Houle at 819-239-8818.
Anglican. Bishop Bruce Myers continues to offer Home Prayers at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays via Facebook, and at quebec.anglican.ca (Worship Videos). Info: 819-887-6802, or consult quebec.anglican.ca.
United. For updated worship services in February and March, please call the office at 819-889-2838; contact Rev. Tami Spires at 819-452-3685 (leave message) or spiresta@hotmail.com, or check the “United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge” Facebook page.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-640-1340 or email rawrites@gmail.com by February 21 for publication March 2 or by March 7 for March 16.