"It is based on real people who lived here," said Bethany Rothney. "You probably know someone who shares a family name with someone in the play."
She's talking about the new play, "Where We Call Home," that she and her grandmother, Sharron Rothney, wrote about the history of Eaton Corner. And yes, they call Eaton Corner their home.
The action begins in 1847, just after William Stone's leg was amputated in Eaton Corner, using anaesthesia for the first time in Canada. It ends in 1945, as the troops returned home after World War II. Along the way, we meet the imposing Reverend Sherrill, pillar of the Congregationalist Church, and Father Dufrêsne, the first Catholic priest in the village. Also, the first French Canadian resident, blacksmith Eli Laroche, and many more characters based on real people.
Bob Halsall is directing Where We Call Home, with a cast and crew of more than 20 local volunteers. It is a community effort for the benefit of the Eaton Corner Museum. This is the third such play. Last year, Beyond Belief told the story of Bill McCallum, the Glass Man. In 2014, William Stone's Leg told the story of his famous amputation.
Two performances are planned on Saturday, February 13, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 9 Church St., Sawyerville. Tickets are $10 (children $5) and are available from Pat Boychuck at 819-875-3182, or by emailing info@eatoncorner.ca. Refreshments will be available. Reserve early. Last year's play sold out fast.
KNITTING ON At the new John Henry Pope Cultural Centre in Cookshire, knitters are knitting on for the Canada-wide 25,000 Tuques initiative. It's called a "Tricothon." The aim is to give a new handmade tuque, with a note of welcome, to each of the Syrian refugees who are coming to Canada these days. The last session was January 14, with about 15 participants. Besides the knitting, they shared tea, cookies and knitting knowledge. The next bi-weekly meeting is planned for Thursday, January 28, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The Cultural Centre is at the main intersection of Craig and Principale streets, where the Anglican parsonage used to be. The coordinator is Sofy St-Hilaire, who works at the fabric boutique Coton Bouton in Sherbrooke. She says that Coton Bouton is offering a 20 percent discount card to participants who wish to purchase Bernat wool or other items during the knitting session or in the shop. Info: sofy_ange@hotmail.com, or 819-875-1100.
MEALS TO YOU Just a reminder about the new program that creates and delivers your choice of frozen meals to your door. Just a few minutes in the microwave or the oven, and - yum! How it works: You get the menu, make your choices, and order a minimum of eight meals at a time. The main courses are $5 each; soups and desserts are just $1 each. The next bi-weekly delivery is Wednesday, February 3, and you need to place your order by Monday, February 1.
The frozen meals program is a partnership between the CAB - the Centre d'action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François - and IGA Cookshire, which creates the meals. Anyone is eligible to receive them; persons age 70 or older receive a receipt for an income tax credit for Home Support Services for Seniors. For the menu or to place your order, contact the CAB at 819-560-8540, option 9 (English).
END-OF-LIFE LAW Tonight, Wednesday, January 27, is an interactive video-conference on the new End of Life Law regarding health care at the end of life. It's offered by Educaloi, a non-profit organization. It's from 6:30 to 8 p.m., in English, at the Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre, Pope Memorial Elementary School, 523 Stokes, Bury. All are welcome. Info: 819-872-3771.
VIACTIVE Four weekly bilingual Viactive exercise groups for seniors are in full swing. They're all on Wednesdays. The Bury group meets 9:45 to 11 a.m. at the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main Street. Info: 819-872-3600 or 819-872-1073. The Cookshire group is 10 to 11 a.m., at the Manoir de l'Eau vive, 210 Principale East. Info: 819-875-5210. The Newport group is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212, in Island Brook. Info: 819-560-8565. And the Sawyerville group meets 10 to 11 a.m. at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street. Info: 819-889-2630.
SEEDS Get set for the annual Seed Festival on Saturday, February 20, at the Sawyerville Hotel and the Sawyerville Community Centre, courtesy of the Sawyerville Community Garden. And find out about the Seed Collective CoSMOS, offering workshops on producing and processing seeds, under the guidance of seed guru Brian Creelman. Info: chantalbolduc99@bell.net, or 819-889-3196.
CHURCHES Messy Church: Wednesday, February 3, at 5:15 p.m. at the St. Paul's Anglican Church in Bury. It is for all ages, but especially for families with young children. It's a free, intergenerational evening of stories, crafts and supper. To have your place at the table, register in advance by calling 819-884-1203 or 819-239-6902. All are welcome.
Anglican: Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. in Bury and at 11 a.m. in Cookshire, in the lower level of the Trinity United Church, 190 Principale West. Holy Eucharist is the first and third Sundays of the month, and Sunday morning prayers are the second and fourth Sundays. On January 31, the fifth Sunday of the month, all of the Anglican churches in the area gather at St. George's Anglican Church in Lennoxville for a "Deanery Service" at 10:30 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch. (No services in Bury or Cookshire on this day.) Info: 819-239-6902.
Baptist: In Sawyerville, the 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.
United: Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. in Cookshire and 11 a.m. in Sawyerville. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message or leave one).
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by February 1 for publication February 10 and by February 15 for February 24.
