Footprints into Newport Township, the big historical book by Frederick Edmund Hurd based on his ancestors’ accounts, is the topic of a presentation at the Eaton Corner Museum on Sunday, July 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. A PowerPoint presentation and notes by Hurd, who now lives in Huntsville, Ontario, will be presented by Bethany Rothney.
Fred Hurd is a direct-line descendant of Colonel Edmund Heard and Captain Josiah Sawyer, the first settlers of Newport Township, Quebec. His book, he says, “is intended as a tribute to the ‘lives lived’ by our ancestors.” It’s “a story that brings the ‘dash’ to life … the ‘dash’ that represents real lives but sits quietly on the tombstones between the dates.”
The event is in the Old Academy, 375 Route 253 (across the street from the Museum church building). An entrance fee of $5/person will help cover costs; cookies and beverages will be available.
Black Cat Books (819-346-1786) will be present, and will sell the book for $63.50 plus tax.
Oh yes, the Eaton Corner Museum is open Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: adults, $8; seniors, $6; and youth, $5. A family of two adults and two youth, $20. Info: 819-875-5256, and on Facebook (Musée Eaton Corner).
ORFORD AT TRINITY
“Orford sur la Route” brings a recital by talented Orford Music Academy students to the Trinity United Church, 190 Principale W., on Wednesday, July 10, at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free of charge (donations invited), and is accompanied by comments from musicologist Louis Brouillette and mediator Paola Deteix.
LINE, VOLUME, IMPRINTS
Works on paper, constructed around line, “a line which defines an imaginary volume, that of the body or space,” is a new exhibit at the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery. The show features Eric Daudelin, Francine Simonin, and Lisa Tognon, in collaboration with the Eric Devlin Gallery.
A new exhibit by Sandra Tremblay treats the phenomenology of imprints, paintings where pictorial and psychic imprints are energized; “a sensitive look at the living traces that relational experiences leave in oneself over the years.”
Both exhibits are at the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery, 125 Principale West, July 6 to August 18, Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
BRASS QUINTET
In collaboration with the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra, the De Vito Brass Quintet offers a musical journey through eras and genres, from baroque to jazz, plus film music. This concert is free of charge on Sunday, July 28, 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the Parc des Braves in Cookshire-Eaton. (In case of rain, at the Trinity United Church, 190 Principale W.)
DAVID FRANCEY
Our very own four-time Juno award winner is returning to the Townships for a concert at The Piggery Theatre, 215 Simard, North Hatley. Scottish-born, carpenter-turned-songwriter David Francey put out his first album, Torn Screen Door, in 1999. Since then, he has released 13 albums, His most recent of 14 albums is The Breath Between (2024), winning the Traditional Roots Album of the Year.
The concert is on Saturday, August 3, at 8 p.m. Tickets: $35/person, at piggery.com/boxoffice or 819-842-2431.
Other upcoming Piggery events are Cadillac Music on July 6; Mystery Dinner, Murder at the Baking Olympics on July 13; and Bowser & Blue on July 20.
BROOKBURY’S 100th
Brookbury Hall celebrates its 100th Anniversary on Saturday, August 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. with an Old Fashioned Afternoon. “We will serve sandwiches, tea and scones, and play old fashioned games outside,” wrote Jocelyn Bennett on behalf of the Brookbury Community Centre. The event is free of charge, at the Hall, 571 Brookbury Road (aka Route 255).
“Over the years the hall has been used for many different events, including a Welcome Back for the Hong Kong vets, Women’s Institute meetings, dances, plays, showers, weddings, suppers, and Halloween parties,” Bennett wrote. “Given such a rich history, we hope to compile a book with all the memories and pictures that we can find, and to have it ready for the celebration on August 3rd.”
“We need you to share your memories with us as soon as possible, please!” she continued. “It can be a big or small memory. We cherish whatever memories you have!” Email harperjm55@gmail.com or phone Bennett at 819-872-3205. Also, “if you have pictures that we could scan, please phone and I will come and scan them.”
BROOKBURY IN THE CARDS
At the Brookbury Hall are three card parties on Tuesdays, July 2, 16, and 30, at 2 p.m. Entrance fee of $8 includes lunch. Brookbury Hall is at 571 Brookbury Road (aka Route 255). Info: Brenda Bailey, 819-884-5984.
P.S. Heads up for a garage sale planned for Saturday, September 14, at the Brookbury Hall.
CAPTURE YOUR HERITAGE
The “Capture ton patrimoine” exhibit of works by 5th and 6th grade students at the Cookshire Elementary School is at the John-Henry-Pope Maison de la Culture, 25 Principale W. in Cookshire-Eaton. The Maison de la Culture is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MURMURING IMAGES
Outdoor images projected onto the walls of Victoria Hall and other buildings take you back to the beginnings of the Eaton Township. Beginning at nightfall on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Murmures du Canton, at the Parc des Braves, 85 Principale West, Cookshire.
CHURCHES
United. Sunday services are at 10:30 a.m. in these locations: July 7, at the Trinity United Church; July 14, at the Sawyerville United Church; July 21, at Trinity United; and July 28 at Grace United in Brookbury. 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., at the Sawyerville Baptist Church, 33 rue de Cookshire. For information, please contact Pastor Michel Houle at 819-889-2819.
Anglican. Sunday services: July 7 and July 21 at 9 a.m. at St. Peter’s, Cookshire; July 28 at 10 a.m. in Brookbury. To find services 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 July 4 for publication July 31.