Just published―the Townships Sun’s 50th Anniversary Legacy Edition, a full 52 pages of stories and images reflecting on the life and times of this “small yet mighty magazine.”
Those are the words of Marie Moliner, its 50th Anniversary Coordinator and Assistant Editor, who led the team organizing a celebration of the edition’s launch at Uplands Cultural & Heritage Centre on March 19th. A full 50 Townships Sun volunteers, partners, contributors, and donors attended and received a complimentary copy of the special edition.
The Townships Sun was first published on February 8, 1974, during a period of great social and political change in the Eastern Townships. Its parent organization was the Eastern Townships Social Action Group (ETSAG), formed to support the English-speaking communities in the region, preceding Townshippers’ Association.
The Anniversary Edition recounts the Sun’s story over the past five decades through a variety of articles, photos, and graphics by many of the same people involved over the years: Russell Pocock, Susan Mastine, Libbey Griffith, Bernard Epps, and Charles Bury, Gladys Beattie, Barbara Verity, Scott Stevenson, David “Skip” Wright, and many others.
Over the years, more than a few of the volunteers were, or are, Haut-Saint-Françiscans. In fact, the official Townships Sun logo depicts the twin mountains on our eastern horizon, Mont-Mégantic and Mont-Saint-Joseph. Artist Stephanie Wells drew it, based on the view from her house in Scotstown.
Begun as a tabloid, the Sun was transformed into its current magazine format in 2007. An editorial team of Nancy Beattie, Charles Bury, Brenda Hartwell, and others led it then. More recent editors were Rod Leggett, Gordon Lambie, and Barbara Heath, editor for six years until she passed away in 2021, when I took on the role as my retirement gig, albeit a volunteer job.
This retrospective edition was built on the foundation of our archives project last year. I discovered all kinds of riches during my review of all 50 years of the magazine. Earlier themes concerning living as an English speaker in the Townships as the French language predominates gave way to concerns about the environment, and health and social issues. But also the natural beauty of the Townships, and, as described in Angela Leuck’s article, culture―arts and literature―have always remained important.
The history of our little community magazine is intertwined with the tumultuous story of English-speaking people in the Townships over the past 50 years. I think it will be a good read for many years to come!
Back issues of the Townships Sun are available online by googling “BAnQ Townships Sun.”
The 50th Anniversary Edition is twice the size of the Sun’s usual issues, and cost about twice as much to print.
It could not have been created without the support of the magazine’s 50th Anniversary Partners―Blanchard Litho, Global Excel, English Language Arts Network, Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network, and Townshippers’ Association―and more than 60 individual donors. We are very grateful!
The Townships Sun’s 50th Anniversary Legacy Edition is in the mail to subscribers and on the magazine stands at the Cookshire IGA and the Dépanneur C.P.L. Lachance in Sawyerville. Until April 30, copies of this special 52-page colour edition are available for $2.50; after April 30, they become collectors’ items, and will be sold for $5 each. If any are left. To get yours now, subscribe at TownshipsSun.ca.
Look lively. The next edition about the eclipse and our waterways is coming out at at the beginning of April.
ODD FELLOWS
The Odd Fellows of Eaton Valley Lodge #60 in Sawyerville are organizing a Pancake Supper fundraiser on Saturday, April 6, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sawyerville Catholic Church Hall. Pancakes, eggs, grilled potatoes, baked beans, bacon, sausage, ham, and more. Tickets are $20 (adults); $10 (ages 6-12), and free for children under 5.
For tickets, call Barry Berwick (819-889-2597) or Tami Spires (819-452-3685). When reserving, please say whether you are dining in or taking out.
ECLIPSE!
Providing no clouds are in the way, the Haut-Saint-François offers prime viewing of the April 8th solar eclipse. We’re situated right in the centre of the path of totality.
For us, totality begins at 3:28:02 and ends 3:31:32 p.m. (3 minutes, 30 seconds). The moon begins to move across the face of the sun at 2:16:59, and finishes at 4:37 p.m. So says eclipse.org.
The MRC has organized a free activity in La Patrie from 1 to 4 p.m., with a large-screen broadcast of a special program from the Mont-Mégantic Astrolab and free eclipse eyewear for up to 1,800 people. Eleven other municipalities offer similar activities, including Bury, Dudswell, Newport, and St-Isidore-de-Clifton. For details, google mrchsf.com/evenements/eclipse-totale-dans-le-haut/, have a cup of tea while the page opens, and read all about it… in French. Then just relax while the sun takes a nap!
CANTERBURY FLEA MARKET
Tony De Melo of the Canterbury Cultural Centre is once again looking for items for the May 18-19 flea market. “Old, new, used, vintage or antique items in good condition are welcome,” he wrote. “We do not accept large pieces of furniture, appliances or clothing.”
All proceeds are for restoration and regular maintenance of the church―i.e. the Canterbury Centre at 1095 Victoria Road (Route 214), Bury. For more information, contact Tony at 819-872-3400.
CHURCHES
Baptist. Sunday Services are in French at 9 a.m. and in English at 11 a.m., at the Sawyerville Baptist Church, 33 rue de Cookshire. For information, please contact Pastor Michel Houle at 819-889-2819.
Anglican. No services in Cookshire. To find services in the deanery, check the schedule at deaneryofstfrancis.com/calendar/. Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
United. March 31st: Sunrise service at the Eaton Corner Gazebo, at 6:20 a.m., followed by a potluck breakfast at the Sawyerville United Church. Easter Sunday service with communion is at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity United Church. April 7: Services are 9:30 a.m. in Cookshire, and 11 a.m. in Sawyerville. Info: 819-889-2838. For pastoral care, call Rev. Spires at 819-452-3685.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-640-1340 or email rawrites@gmail.com by March 28 for publication April 10.