I have no easy remedy to offer for the grave ills that afflict the earth, almost all inflicted by humans in this Anthropocene era. Remedies exist, but no easy ones.
So instead, I’ve narrowed the focus to our own community. Time to come together. Let us be grateful. And reach out helping hands.
CHRISTMAS MARKET
The John Henry Pope Cultural Centre is hosting its annual Christmas Market on Sunday, November 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 125 Principale West in Cookshire. More than 30 exhibitors! It’s an activity with heart, Coeur villageois de Cookshire-Eaton.
GIVE ART
The opportunity for holiday shopping continues at the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery, 125 Principale West, from December 3, 2023, to January 3, 2024. (There it is! The first mention in my column of the new year! It’s official: 2024 is on the way.)
This exhibition is of small artworks, suitable for a really nifty gift to someone you love. Works by no less than 19 artists are on display. Among them are quite a few names we recognize from previous exhibits: Robert Peloquin, Yong Souk Kim Lambert, John Ward, Denis Palmer, Louis Pierre Bougie, and Gregoire Ferland, to name a few.
The Gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.; visits at other times are possible by appointment. Contact: galeriecookshireeaton@gmail.com.
GIVE BOOKS
I was at a Books & Brunch on November 12, and had a grand time. I’d never heard of cozy mysteries. They’re described as a sub-genre of crime fiction without all the R-rated content. Light, comedic, and comforting, but lots of plot twists and fun.
Too bad. Louise Carson, author of the cozy Maple Mystery series featuring dozens of cats came down with the flu at the last minute, and could not be there.
But, glory be! We had twice as much time to hear Townships humour writer par excellence, Ross Murray, talk about his new book, Smileyville. It’s a sequel to A Hole in the Ground, based in the same town, and stars a widow. She’s not too old to get into some fun and trouble.
Now then, I will not be missing the next event that is part of the Townships Sun’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. It’s a book fair planned for December 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Amédée-Beaudoin Community Centre.
Angela Leuck is organizing it. If it’s Angela at the helm, you know it will feature both good books and good food. In this case: pancakes! We anticipate more than two dozen Townships authors will be participating, with table space to display and sell their books. Angela also plans a series of short talks, panel discussions, videos, and music. In other words, fun. And the perfect venue to buy Townships books. In English. To give away.
If you are an author and would like more information about participating, email TownshipsSunRSVP@gmail.com.
DIRECTORY OF ARTISTS
Directory of Artists and Venues is to be created by the Haut-Saint-François Arts and Culture group. This online directory will allow organizations, schools, and individuals to more easily find the region’s cultural resources, whether to buy works, organize events, or carry out various projects related to arts and culture. Participation in this directory is free.
To appear in the directory, you must be a professional artist, according to the definition of the Canada Council for the Arts. This means an artist who has received specialized training in their field (not necessarily at an educational institution); is recognized as such by his peers (artists of the same artistic tradition); commits to devoting more time to their artistic practice, if their financial situation allows it; and has already presented or published works in public.
The Corporation de développement communautaire (CDC) of the Haut-Saint-François announced this initiative in their latest Infolettre. To appear in the directory, you need to fill out an easy online form. The Infolettre lets you click on a cute little link that takes you to said form. Trouble is, the link is unprintable – it’s alphabet soup. So I recommend this: Go to cdc-hsf.org, scroll to the bottom of the page, and under “Abonnez-vous à notre infolettre.” subscribe to the Infolettre. It requires only your name and email address. When you get the Infolettre delivered by email, you can find the form with one click. (It’s in French, but it’s easy French. It would be a shame to miss this opportunity.)
WOMEN’S VOICES
Again from the CDC is new action research that “seeks to amplify the voices of women in our community. We want to hear your experiences, understand the challenges you face, and work together to create solutions” (free translation). It involves a questionnaire and a 45-minute interview. Both women and men may respond. To do so, see the information above about the CDC’s Infolettre.
TRACKING SAMM
When he’s not in the greenhouses of the Maraîchers de l’or vert, now you can find him in the kitchen of the Cuisines collectives du Haut-Saint-François. Yes, Sammuel Tanguay is the new facilitator at the Cuisines collectives, and can be reached at ac02@cchsf.ca.
CHURCHES
United. On November 26, the first Advent service (Hope) is at 10 am. at the Sawyerville United Church. On December 3, the second Advent service (Peace) is at 9:30 a.m. at Trinity United Church in Cookshire, and at 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. News regarding St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 45 Principale West, Cookshire: “St. Peter’s Church has decided to not have any more services after Nov. 19th,” reported Jane Bishop. To see where services might be in the deanery, check the schedule at deaneryofstfrancis.com/calendar/. 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 27 for publication December 6.