Maybe, inexplicably, you've had a little fever or a rash. Or maybe you've had years of recurring arthritis, fatigue, dizziness and cognitive or neurological symptoms.
Welcome to the wonky world of Lyme disease, brought to us by little bitty bites by tiny black-legged deer ticks. Symptoms of Lyme disease can vary wildly. The more severe ones don't show up until weeks after you've been bitten. Untreated symptoms can last for years, leading to numbness and paralysis. They can even lead to death. That's what a Lyme disease tool box on http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/ says.
If you have symptoms of Lyme disease, contact your healthcare provider right away. Diagnosis includes a blood test, and treatment is a course of antibiotics. Then finish reading this note to see where you can find out more about this growing scourge.
Yes, growing. In the United States, 27,203 new cases of Lyme disease were reported in 2013. That's a 25 percent increase over the previous year. And the ticks are moving north. That is thanks in part to climate change, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lyme disease is now on the list of climate change indicators purveyed by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. But here we are, and here are the ticks, and here is Lyme disease, in the woolly wilds of the Haut-Saint-François. Prevention is far easier than diagnosis and cure, and here are a few tips from HealthyCanadians.ca: If you venture into the woods or overgrown areas, wear protective clothing - shoes, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Pull your socks up over your pants legs. Wear light-coloured clothing, so you can spot the ticks more easily. Use insect repellants. Shower or bathe within two hours after returning home, to wash away loose ticks. Do daily full-body checks for ticks on yourself, your children and your pets.
Want to know more? Ticks and Lyme Disease is the topic of an interactive video-conference by Kadeja Lefebvre, a doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. The conference is on Wednesday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. It's at the Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre, at the far end of the Pope Memorial School in Bury. It's free and in English, offered by the Community Health and Social Services Network and Townshippers' Association. Info: 819-972-3771 (Kim Fessenden).
STUFF ‘R' US Here's the scoop on the Trinity United Church's gigantic garage sale. Household items, linens, small furniture, lighting, dishes, jewellery, books, movies, music recordings, toys and more. A canteen is available for lunch. The sale is on Saturdays, September 26 and October 3, at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, September 27, at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The grand finale is a gigantic bag sale on Sunday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for $5 per bag. The action is at 190 Principale West, Cookshire.
SAWYERVILLE ALIVE Saturday, September 26 is the date, and Sawyerville is the place to be. (See an article in English in this issue of your Journal.) It's the Harvest Festival, with stories, music, kiosks, information, exhibits, and more for the whole family and the final farmer's market at the Community Garden. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Sawyerville Hotel. Info: jennim11@hotmail.com.
FORESTA LUMINA Newport's Loisirs 4 Horizons still have tickets available for a group excursion to the Foresta Lumina in Coaticook, leaving Friday, October 2, at 5:30 p.m. from the Newport Municipal Hall in Island Brook. The pedestrian tour lasts about one and a half hours. Entry is $16 per adult, $9 per child aged 6-15, and free for children under six. Info: 819-889-1340 or 819-875-5227.
VIACTIVE GROUPS The four bilingual Viactive groups have just started up again after a summer of leisure. They offer weekly sessions of "adults only" exercises, for people age 50 or over. They're fun, they're free, and they're led by trained volunteers. All are welcome - just drop in, and do as much as feels comfortable to you. The BURY group meets Wednesdays from 9:45 to 11 a.m. at the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main Street. Info: 819-872-3600 or 819-872-3736. The COOKSHIRE group meets Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Manoir de l'Eau vive, 210 Principale East. Info: 819-875-5210. The NEWPORT group meets Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212, in Island Brook. Info: 819-560-8565. And the SAWYERVILLE group meets on Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street. Info: 819-889-2630.
CHURCHES Messy Church: On Wednesday, October 7, is the next Messy Church for all ages, co-hosted by the Anglican and United churches in the Haut-Saint-François. It's at 5:15 p.m. at the St. Paul's Anglican Church in Bury. Messy Church is an ecumenical initiative of stories, crafts, food and fun, with story-teller Lynn Dillabough, worship leader Tami Spires, and chef Violet Lister. Families with young children are all invited. Dinner is provided It is a free, family-friendly event. Messy Church happens the first Wednesday of each month. To have your place at the table, register in advance by calling 819-884-1203 or 819-239-6902. All are welcome.
United: On September 27 and October 4, Sunday services are at 9 a.m. (that's early!) in Cookshire and 11 a.m. in Sawyerville. Info for these two weeks, or announcements for services: 819-884-1203 or spiresta@hotmail.com.
Anglican: Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul's in Bury and at 11 a.m. at St. Peter's in Cookshire. The Anglican Christ Church, Canterbury, is being closed. The de-consecration service is planned for Saturday, September 26, at 11 a.m. The church is located on Highway 214, between Bury and Scotstown. Following the service will be a luncheon at the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main St., Bury. All are welcome. Info: 819-239-6902. 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.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by September 28 for publication October 7, and by October 12 for October 21.
