Children like colouring, and now colouring has become quite the craze for adults. Books of mandalas for colouring-in are available in health food stores. Colouring can be a very calming activity, say researchers.
Now we have a Colour Café, a group get-together where you can colour to your heart's delight, no matter your age or skill level. It's every second Tuesday, 6 to 8 p.m., in Cookshire. The next three sessions are on November 15 and 29, and December 6.
You are invited to bring along your own colouring books and crayons, but the organizers will also offer supplies. You can bring your own wine or other beverages, but coffee, tea and refreshments are also provided.
"It's open to everyone - all ages, all languages, all levels of interest in colouring," said Michelle Amy Lepitre. She works for Townshippers' Association and is collaborating with the Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre and La Relève du Haut-Saint-François to bring us the Colour Café. "There are two aims," she said. "One is social - it's a reason to bring people together for conversation and a fun evening. The other is for health - we hear a lot about the stress-relieving benefits of colouring lately, so we wanted to create a space where people could get together and share this hobby."
The Relève is a community organization that aims to improve the lives of families in the Haut-Saint-François. They offer services to young families, including daycare activities, coffee mornings for parents, and more. The Relève is hosting the Colour Café at 54 Bibeau Street, Cookshire, about a block off Principale Street. Info: Michelle, at 819-566-5717, ml@townshippers.org, or Townshippers.org/ColourCafe. Info about the Relève, visit www.la-releve.org.
MOTHER GOOSE The Parent-Child Mother Goose program offered by the Relève du Haut-Saint-François is an hour of stories, rhymes and songs that you can enjoy with your child, and with other parents and children. It's free for children aged 0 to 5 and their parents, every Friday from 10 to 11:15 a.m., at the Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre, 523 Stokes Street, Bury, located at the far end of the Pope Memorial School. Info: Jacky Mathieu, 819-875-5050, or la-releve-hsf@hotmail.ca. Visit http://www.la-releve.org/activite1
TT & A SALE The Sawyerville Elementary School's annual This That & All Sale is on Saturday, November 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's a fundraiser for student activities. In the gym, it features tables of local crafters and artisans selling their creations. In the cafeteria will be a garage sale. "If anyone is interested in donating any items, we graciously accept!" said Jennifer McMullin, "until November 18 at 3 p.m." Lunch and refreshments will be served throughout the day. All are welcome. Info: Jill Lowry, 819-889-2263, or email clairemysek@gmail.com.
VIACTIVE Exercises designed for people age 50 or over, Viactive is fun, free, and easy on the knees. They're led by volunteers who are trained by a kinesiologist from the non-profit group, Sercovie, in Sherbrooke. Here are the four bilingual groups, all on Wednesdays. Welcome to all! "You do what you feel you can do in these exercise classes," said Diane Grenier of the Centre d'action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François (Volunteer Action Centre, CAB). "Although be warned...an active lifestyle has been known to lead to more laughter, smiles and happy feelings!"
Bury. This is the newest group, led by Doris Eryou of Bury. It's at 10 a.m., at the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main St. Info: 819-238-8541.
Cookshire. Serena Wintle and Lyne Maisonneuve lead this group from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Manoir de l'Eau vive, 210 Principale East. Info: 819-875-5210.
Newport. Ruth Shipman and Christiane Côté invite you to the Viactive group at the Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212, in Island Brook. It's at 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Info: 819-889-1340 or 819-560-8565.
Sawyerville. Denise Nault and Gérard Nault guide participants at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street, at 10 to 11 a.m. Info: 819-889-2630.
SENIOR AWARE A talk by a local police officer about fraud and abuse against seniors is planned for Wednesday, November 23, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre, situated at the far end of the Pope Memorial School, 523 Stokes, Bury. The Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre and Townshippers' Association are partnering with the FADOQ (Fédération de l'Âge d'Or du Québec) to present this Senior-Aware talk. Admission is free. All are welcome. To help in planning the event, please confirm your intention to attend by calling Kim Fessenden, 819-872-3771, x 2.
For information about the Senior Aware program, visit www.fadoq.ca/aineavise/en/program. This talk is part of the Health Link series. Info about the series, or to suggest a topic: Michelle at 819-566-5717 or ml@townshippers.org.
RAMANA ACTIVITIES A Dave Bassant Band concert is on Saturday, November 12. Le Pouvoir de l'Alignement is on November 25 to 27. Darts are Wednesday evenings, and Yoga and meditation are on Tuesdays to Fridays, starting at 9:15 a.m., open to all. Info: Jean-Sébastien Bachand, 819-889-2967.
CHURCHES 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. Thanksgiving Sunday, October 9: Holy Communion at both churches. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
On Thursday, December 1st, at 3 p.m., at the Waterville United Church, Student Supply Minister Tami Spires will present her research on "How the lack of 20- to 40-year-old people is experienced in rural communities of faith." The research culminates her study at the Atlantic School of Theology for ordination in the United Church of Canada.
Anglican: On November 20 at 10 a.m. is Holy Eucharist with The Ven. Dr. Edward Simonton, followed by a potluck lunch and parish meeting. On November 27, Services of the Word are at 9:30 a.m. in Bury, and 11 a.m. in Cookshire. Sunday school is in Bury at 9:30 a.m. Info: 819-887-6802.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by November 21 for publication November 30 or by December 5 for December 14.
