“The thing is, we’re just going to take it easy.”
Those are the famous last words of someone who is trading in one whirlwind of activity, known as a job, for another, called retirement.
Truth is, Diane Grenier will be busy. She talks about cleaning out her attic. Putting a new roof on the house. Travelling to visit her kids in Prince Edward Island and Michigan. Doing volunteer work.
The job she is leaving? Coordinator for services in English for the Centre d’action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François, often simply known as the CAB. As its name suggests, its role is to support voluntary action in the community.
Diane has been in that role for the past seven years, she reminds me, before, during and after the pandemic. She’s been involved in the Bulwer Community Centre and the Golden Agers. She has promoted the “Hero in 30” program, offering simplified CPR training in 30 minutes. (That’s the kind of volunteer you want around if you go into cardiac arrest!)
She’s been leading two groups for caregivers, in Bury and in Sawyerville. Among other activities, she’s accompanied them on field trips to enjoy an Uplands English tea. Chinese food in Magog. Italian food in Sherbrooke.
Conferences in English for seniors? She’s organized them. A police officer to explain the etiquette of traffic circles, for example. She has been active with Health Link. She’s offered help making appointments for COVID vaccinations and flu shots. She’s distributed frozen meals and organized Meals on Wheels. She’s led bingo games in seniors’ residences. She’s played cards with seniors, she’s played the role of Mrs. Claus.
“It’s been a beautiful run,” Diane wrote in an email. Her enthusiastic tone leads you to believe she has thoroughly enjoyed her job, and will probably enjoy her retirement, too, in equal measure. Only difference: whereas she’s been coordinating Stand Up, a falls-prevention program, now she will be participating in it. Don’t worry, we haven’t seen the last of Diane!
KIMBERLY FLETCHER
So who will be stepping into her shoes at the CAB? Introducing Kimberly Fletcher of Spring Road in Cookshire-Eaton. Kim is an experienced nursing assistant with a bunch of other skills, too.
In fact, one of her first projects is to organize a beginner’s computer course. The course, Pause numérique, is free for persons aged 65 or older, and covers the ins and outs of cell phones, tablets or laptops. The weekly sessions will go four or five weeks, and will be offered in both French and English. Kim herself will be teaching the sessions in English.
She will be working out of the CAB’s East Angus office. To reach her, call the CAB at 819-560-8540 and dial 9 for English. Email her at coordo@cabhsf.org. Or just drop in for a visit. She’ll be working Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Cultural Centre, 288 Maple Street, in the CAB office located just inside the front door, on the right.
WERE YOU SCAMMED?
Marie Moliner says yes, she was.
In case you don’t know Marie, she is a lawyer. She even used to be Vice Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board. If scammers can nab her, anyone is fair game.
Marie has written an easy-on-your-eyes article about being scammed. About various kinds of fraud―investment, email, phone and internet, and most insidious of all, the grandparents scam. Her article is a free read offered on the Townships Sun website, townshipssun.ca/Recent-Issues.
Just in case fraudsters have turned your holiday cheer into a lump of coal, here is Marie’s suggestion: Take these six steps recommended by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Step 1: Gather all the information you have about the fraud.
Step 2: Write out a chronological statement of events. For example, when were you first contacted, and how? Then what happened?
Step 3: Report the incident to your local police. For example, in Cookshire-Eaton, phone 819-875-3331, or visit the station at 440 Craig North. (In emergencies, call 310-4141 or 911).
Step 4: Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre via the Fraud Reporting System (find out more at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca), or toll-free at 1-888-495-8501.
Step 5: Report the incident to the financial institution (bank) or payment provider used to send money to the fraudster.
Step 6: If the fraud took place online, report the incident directly to the website involved.
TOWNSHIPS SUN
In the current Townships Sun are “Homeless in the Townships,” “In Praise of Humble Houses,” and “My Old Square Log House,” written by our very own Haut-Saint-Françiscans Jackie Hyman, Denis Palmer, and Scott Stevenson. The Townships Sun is on the Cookshire IGA’s magazine rack, just before the check-out counters. Or subscribe at townshipssun.ca/subscribe.
HUGS
Winter is still before us! Help the HUGS for the Homeless campaign. Mental Health Estrie accepts donations of “NEW Hats, Underwear, Gloves, Socks, Scarves, and other warm articles of clothing,” from now until March. Drop off items at Mental Health Estrie, 3355 College, Lennoxville. Deposit them in the beige bins next to Door #2. To make a cash donation for the HUGS campaign, please email info@mentalhealthestrie.ca, or call 819-565-3777. Receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more.
CHURCHES
Baptist. In-person 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. No Anglican services are planned in Cookshire until the spring of 2023. For the schedule of services at the St. George’s Anglican Church, 84 Queen St., Lennoxville, visit deaneryofstfrancis.com and click on the “Calendar” link. Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
United. Sunday services resume on January 15, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sawyerville United Church, 42 Principale N., Sawyerville (before Bédard Road). (No service on January 8.) 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 January 9 publication for January 18, or by January 23 for February 1.