We’re on a school bus on the back roads of Eaton Corner, and Sharron Rothney is regaling us with tales from the past. The tour is part of the Sawyerville Baptist Church’s 200th anniversary celebrations. This story may have happened in the Congregationalist church, or the Methodist church, or the Baptist church, she warns, depending on the storyteller. They all shared the same pastor.
“Sam Laberee was a religious man, and he liked to shop around for his religion. He’d walk from Sand Hill to church in Eaton Corner. He had a habit of leaping to his feet during the sermon, and shouting ‘Praise the Lord!’
“So one day after church, the pastor said, ‘Sam, we have a special preacher next week. I want you to stay in your seat, and not talk at all. And if you do this, I’ll give you a new pair of boots.’
“Now, with all the walking Sam did, his were worn out and he needed those boots. So they struck a bargain. It wasn’t long until everyone in the village knew about it.
“So that Sunday, Sam had eyes only for the preacher. The congregation had eyes only for Sam. The sermon was drawing to a close, and they thought, ‘Oh, Sam has won.’
“Then all of a sudden, Sam leaped to his feet and cried out, ‘Boots or no boots, Praise the Lord!’
“Anyway, the minister thought he’d done very well, so he got his boots.”
Now that’s integrity, boots or no boots.
SEX ED
Do you talk about sexuality with your young children? Do you know how to do so? Would you like to participate in a study that will give you some tools and tricks to help talk about sexuality with them?
Elisa Philibert, an elementary education student at Bishop’s University and an employee of the Lennoxville & District Women’s Centre, has a project for you. She aims to learn from parents what resources and information would be useful in order to address the topic of sexuality with less apprehension.
Elisa is looking for English-speaking parents of children aged 3 to 8 years old to participate in a 30- to 60-minute interview; a 3-hour session and receive a box of resources and information on the topic of sexuality education; and then be invited to a 30- to 60-minute group session with other parents.
For information, contact Elisa at ephilibert20@ubishops.ca or 819-919-5107. Now.
VICTORIA CENTRE OPEN HOUSE
Following the Bury Town Hall’s move to the former Desjardins building down the street at 528 Main, the old Town Hall building at 569 Main, Bury, has a new name and a new vocation. It’s the Centre Multifonctionnel Victoria/ Victoria Multipurpose Centre.
Its many purposes? It’s already the home of the Bury Municipal Library, and a selection of other community groups have also moved into the building. There’s the Bury Historical and Heritage Society, Bury’s IMAGE de Bury Community Newspaper, and The Bury Athletic Association.
Now these groups have joined forces to invite the public to visit during a joint Open House on Saturday, September 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This coincides with the final public market of the season in the park right behind the new Victoria Centre. Town Hall representatives will be present to help inaugurate the new Centre.
The groups invite everyone to stop in, have some refreshments, and see some interesting displays. It’s a chance to meet the members of your local organizations and learn about their community projects.
YOGA IS NOW
Last reminder: Yoga classes began in Sawyerville on Tuesday, September 13, at 10 a.m. in the Sawyerville Catholic Church basement, 4 Randboro Road. Info: Myrna MacDonald Lowry, myrnamac44@gmail.com, or 819-875-5393.
MUSIC IS NOW TOO
Visit the art exhibit at the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery, and you’ll be intrigued by this concert: The Musical Universe of Louis-Pierre Bougie. Musicians: the Quatuor Molinari with the flutist Myriam Genest-Denis, and with the participation of René Lussier. It’s this Saturday, September 17, at 3 p.m., at the Trinity United Church, 190 Principale West, Cookshire. Tickets: $25. Reserve at galeriecookshireeaton@gmail.com.
VIACTIVE BEGINS ANEW
Weekly bilingual sessions of Viactive, those gentle yet peppy exercises for persons age 50 and over, are in Sawyerville on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Where: In the Catholic Church basement, 4 Randboro Road, Sawyerville. Info: Gérard Nault, 819-889-2630.
And in Island Brook, Viactive sessions begin Wednesday, September 21, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and continue weekly at the Newport Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212. Info: 819-889-1340.
MURMURS, MUSEUM & TOURISM
The multimedia show in the Parc des Braves in Cookshire ends on September 17. Until then, you can see the 30-minute wordless image and sound show on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, twice each evening just after dark.
During the month of September, The Eaton Corner Museum at 374 Route 253, Eaton Corner, is open Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information during the week, please leave a message at 819-875-5256.
The tourist information bureau at the Maison de la Culture John-Henry-Pope, 25 Principale West, Cookshire, is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Thanksgiving weekend.
CHURCHES
Anglican. An in-person Sunday service is planned for September 18 at 11 a.m. at St Peter’s Church in Cookshire. For a schedule of services, visit deaneryofstfrancis.com and click on the “Calendar” link. Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
United. No service on September 18: Rev. Spires is away on vacation. For pastoral urgencies before September 18, call Robert Halsall (819-875-3601). After September 18, call Rev. Spires at 819-452-3685. Regular services resume Sunday, September 25, at Trinity United, Cookshire, at 9:30 a.m., and Sawyerville United, 11 a.m. For information, check the message at 819-889-2838 for information.
Baptist. In-person services are in French at 9 a.m. and in English at 11 a.m. For information, please contact Pastor Michel Houle at 819-889-2819.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-640-1340 or email rawrites@gmail.com by September 19 for publication September 28, and by October 3 for October 12.