One is from the Townships, one is from Montreal. But at a tender age and in tumultuous times, both ventured into the Middle East. Both were keen observers, and both wrote journals about what was happening around them, as well as their thoughts and feelings.
Decades later, both finally called upon their meticulous notes to write books about their transformative experiences. And now they are rendezvousing at a Books & Brunch event on Sunday, October 15.
This is the first of three Townships Sun’s literary community get-togethers for book lovers, offering a chance to chat with selected authors. “If you enjoy stimulating books and great food, then Books & Brunch is for you,” said board member and organizer Angela Leuck.
One author is Mark Abley, who will be talking about his most recent book, Strange Bewildering Time: Istanbul to Kathmandu in the Last Year of the Hippie Trail (House of Anansi Press, 2023). It chronicles his three-month journey across the Middle East, combining memoir and literary travel writing. It’s a fascinating read.
Abley is an acclaimed writer and poet. He has authored eight books of nonfiction, four of poetry, and two children’s books, and many articles in the Montreal Gazette.
The other author is Tanya Bellehumeur-Allatt, whose family took her to Israel and Lebanon for a year. Her father was a United Nations peacekeeper during a civil war, a wave of terrorism, the murder of thousands of Palestinians, and Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. Peacekeeper’s Daughter: A Middle East Memoir (Thistledown, 2021) tells her story in hair-raising detail, interweaving family dynamics, from her perspective as a 12-year-old, and “the shattering effects of violence and war.”
Long-time North Hatley resident, Bellehumeur-Allatt has also recently published a book of poetry, Chaos Theories of Goodness (Shoreline Press, 2022).
Part of the Townships Sun’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration, Books & Brunch is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lennoxville; Abley and Bellehumeur-Allatt will speak between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Entrance is free, but space is limited. Participants are asked to reserve in advance: TownshipsSunRSVP@gmail.com or 819-640-1340.
VIACTIVE
Viactive on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. continues at the Newport Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212 in Island Brook. France Demers and Lyne Maisonneuve lead the weekly bilingual sessions. Info: 819-889-1340.
But alas! the start of the Viactive program in Sawyerville is still delayed due to repair work in the basement of the Sawyerville Catholic Church.
BROOKBURY POTLUCK, 14th
A potluck supper and silent auction are at the Brookbury Community Centre on October 14, at 5 p.m. Address: 571 Brookbury Road, Bury. Bring something for the food table and an item to put in the silent auction. No admission charge. Info: Brenda, at 819-884-5984.
WARTIME TALKS, BANQUET, 21st
Saturday, October 21, is a military history conference and wartime-style banquet organized by the Bury Historical and Heritage Society. Surrounded by images, texts and artefacts related to Bury’s military tradition from 1866 onwards, speakers will discuss these events to help today’s generations understand and appreciate the challenges and sacrifices that were made. The displays and talks will recall the life and times of World War II, and the banquet will give a taste of its flavours during shortages and rationing.
The event is at the Armoury Community Center, 563 Main St., Bury, from 1 to 7 p.m. The banquet is at 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now, $20 for the conference and banquet; $15 for members of the Bury Historical and Heritage Society. You may bring your own wine. Only 125 places are available, so advance purchase is highly recommended. Contact: edwardwpedersen@gmail.com or 819-872-3400 (leave a message).
HALLOWEEN AT BROOKBURY, 27th
A Halloween Party is planned for October 27 at 7 p.m., at the Brookbury Community Centre, 571 Brookbury Road. There will be games, judging of costumes, treats, and lots of fun. Admission is $2, with or without a costume. This is the last Brookbury event planned for the season. Info: Brenda, at 819-884-5984.
HEADS UP!
It’s the time of year when you look up to track the leaves changing colour and the geese flying south. Now heads up for another sort of migration, the Migratory Roots Festival organized by Literacy in Action – Estrie. The festivities are touching down in the Lennoxville Valley in late October, Eaton Valley in early November, and the Massawippi Valley in mid-November.
For the Eaton Valley area, LIA is bringing us three special events in three different venues. On Thursday, November 2, at 5-7 p.m. are opening festivities and storytime for all ages at the Eaton Corner Museum, 374 Route 253. On Saturday, November 4, at 2-3 p.m. is a community art show at the Sawyerville Library, 11 Clifton Road. The same day at 4-7 p.m. are a community cooking session, a potluck, and a screening of the film, Fly Away Home.
This 107-minute movie dramatizes the real experiences of Bill Lishman. In 1986 he started training Canada geese to follow his ultralight aircraft, and was able to lead their migration in 1993 through his program, “Operation Migration.”
This is a chance to “listen, learn and lean into the migratory stories of the English-speaking communities,” says the LIA Facebook page. Beth Rothney Audit is the artist in residence for the Eaton Valley events. They are free of charge, and all are welcome. Info: connect@lia-estrie.org, or 819-346-7009.
CHURCHES
United. Sunday services: October 15 at 10 a.m., Trinity United Church (Cookshire). October 22, no service. October 29, a congregation-led hymn sing at 10 a.m., 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 October 15, the service is at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 45 Principale West, Cookshire. Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-640-1340 or email rawrites@gmail.com by October 16 for publication October 25.