What does childhood in the Townships have in common with wildlife? Quite a bit, I’m beginning to think.
I’m considering this question as I do two things simultaneously for the Townships Sun: launching the September issue into the public — theme: childhood—and recruiting articles, art and photos for the October/November issue—theme: wildlife.
Childhood and wildlife are both evocative and endangered. “Remember when…?” and our eyes get that faraway look as we recall bygone days. Shanna Bernier writes about “space to wander” in relative safety as a child in the Townships. Elizabeth Paulette-Coughlin writes about the poetry of “the language of birds,” and the owl as her “familiar.” The Freedom, the spiritual, the loving aspects of the untamed within us and in nature.
Then there’s the dark side of wildness, in the human condition as well as in nature. War. Rage. Neglect. Megan Foster, age 12, writes a chilling short story, “Lockdown.” Rachel Lambie, curator of the Lac-Brome Museum, writes about the British Home Children brought to the Eastern Townships, a story that is equal parts tragedy and hope. (Learn more at the Eaton Corner Museum.)
Heating up and overloaded by pollution and exploitation, nature convulses. Wildfires, hurricanes, and other extreme events surround us. In this melee, what of wildlife? As their—and our—habitat is destroyed, so are they. “Half of earth’s species could go extinct by 2050,” reads one headline. Whether it’s bees, three-toed salamanders, or cougars, study after study point a finger at human greed and climate change as the root cause of their demise.
Yet, as Wendell Berry writes, “I come into the peace of wild things.”
Nature. Our survival depends on it. There is hope. Look at the conservation movement in the Townships and beyond. Look at our collective, albeit slow, shift away from fossil fuels.
These are difficult times. How to recognize both the tragedy and the hope in childhood and wildlife? The editor of the Townships Sun magazine is losing sleep over this!
NATURE TRILOGY
Or more poetically, Trilogia Natura. It’s an exhibition bringing together the work of three established artists who share an affinity with the natural world. First is Louise Marois from Sherbrooke, an artist, graphic designer, and poet. The exhibit invitation shows a delicate rendering of a ragged mushroom, in graphite on paper. Preview her work on her website, studiotbone.com.
Next is Denis Palmer of Randboro, well known for his luminous watercolour paintings, now working more darkly in printmaking; the invitation shows a wood-cut of a forest scene on black paper.
Rounding out the trilogy is sculptor George Foster of Way’s Mills, famous for his giant bronze bugs and insects, rendered with relentless intricacy.
These very different ways of seeing and honouring our shared natural world are fascinating in their unique, evocative gazes. The exhibition is at the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery, 125 Prinicipale St., Cookshire, until October 9. Opening hours are from noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, or by appointment by contacting galeriecookshireeaton@gmail.com.
TOWNSHIPPERS’ FESTIVAL, Sept. 9
Townshippers’ Festival is planned for the Stone Circle in Stanstead on Saturday, September 9, from noon to 11 p.m., hosted by PACE, Phelps Helps, and the Haskell Library. A supper of poutine, fries and sausages is slated for 4:30 p.m., with beer from the Coaticook Microbrasserie. Music in the afternoon is by Mike Goudreau, and in the evening by The Midnight Groove. Fireworks are at 8:30 p.m. Kiosks of artisans, community groups and more will be there, too.
Townshippers’ Association is partnering with Stanstead’s Septemberfest, put on by the Stanstead Recreational Association. For information, contact Paige Frost, Townshippers’ Association’s Festival and Outreach Coordinator at 819-566-5717 or ta@townshippers.org.
CHURCH TOUR, Sept. 10
A “Portes ouvertes” tour of churches throughout the Haut-Saint-François has been organized by the Conseil du patrimoine religieux du Québec for Sunday, September 10. Participating in the Religious Heritage tour is the Trinity United Church in Cookshire. It will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Guided Tours and Discovering the Voices of the Past of Cookshire-Eaton.
Also participating is the Canterbury Center at 1095 Route 214, Canterbury, hosting an Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Formerly the Christ Church Canterbury, the Centre has mounted an exhibit of historical objects from the church. At noon, the Canterbury Committee of the Bury Historical and Heritage Society will install a commemorative plaque for Irwin and Muriel Hammond Watson, and will unveil the Honour Roll of 1916, listing veterans from St. Alban’s Church in Scotstown and Christ Church Canterbury. The document has been in the Christ Church since 1916, and was recently restored by John Mackley. At 1 p.m., lunch will be served.
BROOKBURY, Sept. 23
A community garage sale is planned for Brookbury Hall on September 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To reserve a large table (fee $10) and sell your wares, contact Brenda Bailey, 819-884-5984.
HOME CHILDREN
The Brampton family’s photos and artefacts documenting stories of British Home Children are on exhibit at the Eaton Corner Museum until the end of September. Opening hours for this exhibit in the Academy building, as well as the main exhibit, are on Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Eaton Corner Museum is located at 374 Route 253, Cookshire-Eaton. Admission charged. Info: eatoncorner59@gmail.com, or call Sharon at 819-837-2643.
CHURCHES
United. Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. at the Trinity United Church (Cookshire), and 11 a.m. at the Sawyerville United Church. Info: 819-889-2838. For pastoral care, call Rev. Spires at 819-452-3685.
Baptist. Sunday services are in French at 9 a.m. and in English at 11 a.m. All services are at the Sawyerville Baptist Church, 33 rue de Cookshire. For information, please contact Pastor Michel Houle at 819-889-2819.
Anglican. On September 3, the service is at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 45 Principale West, Cookshire. For information about the September 10th service, visit deaneryofstfrancis.com and click on the “Calendar” link. Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-640-1340 or email rawrites@gmail.com by September 4 for September 13.