Tai Chi is a kind of meditation in movement, and Pierre Robitaille of Cookshire leads two groups in the Haut-Saint-François. He’s been practicing Taoist Tai Chi for 35 years, and his lean frame looks like it’s floating as he glides smoothly from one stance to the next, in a serene sequence of movements.
Body and mind are in harmony. There’s gentle stretching, rotating, expanding, contracting and relaxing. It’s a slow dance with yourself. Your energy, or chi, is flowing.
Tai Chi is practiced worldwide in many different forms. Some are a martial art, but Taoist Tai Chi focuses on a system of exercises promoting “the internal arts of health,” based on the notion of Tao. That’s a Chinese word that means “the origin of things” or “oneness,” said Pierre. The series of gentle movements can be adapted to any health condition or age. Some even do Tai Chi while seated.
The Taoist Tai Chi Society was founded by a Taoist Monk named Moy Lin-shin, or Master Moy, who arrived in Canada in 1970. The Society now offers classes in 26 different countries, says its website, www.taoist.org. Master Moy often said “these teachings were more than just a mere set of movements, they encompassed practical wisdom for living,” says his demonstration of Taoist Tai Chi on YouTube.
Pierre said he began learning Tai Chi “because I was looking for an exercise that was not just physical, but that also had a spiritual aspect.” He has practiced in centres in Sherbrooke, Longueuil, Montreal, and at the Taoist Tai Chi international headquarters in Orangeville, Ontario. And yes, Tai Chi has met his expectations: “I discover things everyday.”
Classes are offered in nine locations in the Estrie region, including the two that Pierre teaches in the Haut-Saint-François. On Mondays, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., he is at the Scotstown Community Centre, 101 Victoria W., and on Tuesdays, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Église Notre Dame du Rosaire, 6 Church Street, Sawyerville. All are welcome to come and try it out. INFO: Pierre, 819-875-1384.
DENIS PALMER, UPLANDS
If you missed his vernissage, you still have time to see Denis Palmer’s exhibition, Lessons from Friends & Mentors, at Uplands until October 28. It’s brimming with watercolour paintings and prints. You might even see yourself portrayed with Palmer’s deft touch, encompassed by a luminous nimbus that characterizes his judicious use of white space. Uplands is at 9 Speid in Lennoxville, and is open Wednesday to Sunday, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Info: www.uplands.ca.
HEALTH LINK, BURY
A Health Link presentation on Fire Prevention by Ed Jacklin, Fire Chief in Bury, offers tips about fire risks. It’s Wednesday, September 19, 11:30 a.m. for lunch (with reservation) or 1 p.m. for the presentation, at the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main Street in Bury.
FADOQ, SAWYERVILLE
The Sawyerville FADOQ starts its season on September 19 at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street. Wednesdays: pool from 1 to 4 p.m.; annual fee, $5. Thursdays: darts at 1:30 p.m.; annual fee, $5. And Friday, September 21, 7 to 9 p.m., is country dancing. All members are welcome.
CARDS, BULWER
At the Bulwer Community Center, 254 Jordan Hill Road, on Thursdays, September 20 and October 4, at 1:30 p.m., are 500 Card Parties. Admission: $6 for cards, lunch, and prizes.
HAVEST FESTIVAL, SAWYERVILLE
The final Sawyerville Community Garden’s Village Market of the season is on Saturday, September 22, along with the Harvest Festival. Also, a two-day training in permaculture led by Stéphan Sokoviak is planned for September 20-21. Cost: $100, by reservation. The Community Garden is at 70 Randboro Road. Info: chantalbolduc99@bell.net or 819-889-3196.
COLOUR CAFÉS, BURY & COOKSHIRE
Two Colour Cafés: Wednesday, September 26, at 2 – 4 p.m., at the John-Henry-Pope Cultural Centre, 25 Principale West, Cookshire, and Friday, October 5, at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre (CLC), 523 Stokes, Bury. Info: Townshippers’ Association at 819-566-5717 or ml@townshippers.org.
GIGANTIC SALE, TRINITY
The Gigantic Garage Sale at the Trinity United Church has come again: Household items, small furniture and lighting, dishes, jewelry, books, movies and music recordings, toys, linens, and much more. It’s on Saturdays, September 29 and October 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, September 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and then a $5-Bag Sale on Sunday, October 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 190 Principale, Ouest, Cookshire. Canteen on premises.
VIACTIVE
On Wednesdays, bilingual Viactive exercises for seniors are at 10 a.m. at the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main Street in Bury; the Manoir de l’Eau vive, 210 Principale East in Cookshire; and Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street. And at 1:30 p.m., at the Newport Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212, Island Brook.
MUSEUM, EATON CORNER
Open in September on weekends only from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment (call a week in advance). Info: 819-875-5256.
TRANSPORTATION
The Bury Historical and Heritage Society, in collaboration with the Eaton Corner Museum, are planning a public conference on the History of Transportation in the Haut-Saint-Francois in December at the Armoury Community Center in Bury. John Mackley, Marc Nault and Alain Robert invite you to contact them with any information, artifacts, photographs, maps or documents concerning historical transportation modes you
CHURCH SERVICES
United. A special gathering for all members and adherents of the United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge is planned for Sunday, September 23, at the Bulwer Community Center, Jordan Hill Road. A service at 10 a.m. will be followed by a meeting and then a cold potluck lunch. On September 30, Sunday worship services are at Trinity United, Cookshire, at 9:30 a.m. and at Sawyerville United at 11 a.m. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Baptist. In Sawyerville, the Sunday worship service is at 9 a.m. in French, and 11 a.m. in English. Sunday school is at 10 a.m. in English and French. Info: 819-239-8818.
Anglican. Sunday worship services are at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church in Bury, and at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church in Cookshire. On September 30, no services are offered locally, but all are invited to St. George’s Church in Lennoxville at 11 a.m. Info: 819-887-6802.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email rawrites@yahoo.com by September 24 for publication October 3 and by October 8 for October 17.