We're on a mission to plant more
milkweeds, to entice Monarch butterflies back to our region. Have you gathered
your brown, mature milkweed seedpods? Have you separated the fluffy white comas
from the seeds? Have you stored the dried seeds in a cool dry place, such as the refrigerator?
Now the seeds are ready for vernalization. Such a long word! To vernalize
seeds just means to give them a cold treatment. In order to sprout next spring,
they need to lie on the ground over the winter. Or, if you want to protect them
from being eaten, you can simulate winter conditions by stratifying them. Yes,
another weird word. It just means putting the seeds in cold, moist potting soil
in a dark place for several weeks or months.
If your cold dark place is in your refrigerator, you may choose to put the
seeds between moist paper towels in a plastic bag instead of putting soil in
your fridge. Paper towels are good because, depending on the state of your
fridge, usually fewer fungi and bacteria are present to attack the seeds.
Leave them there for three to six weeks, before planting them in warm soil.
Or you can improve the odds of germination even more by "shocking" the seeds
before planting. That just means soaking them in warm water for 24 hours.
Would you tell me if you're taking part in this grand experiment? Now is
the time to gather your milkweed seeds. I saw only two Monarch butterflies this
year. I'd love to see more next spring!
COOKSHIRE SALE
The Trinity United Church's annual Gigantic Garage Sale is Saturday and
Sunday, September 27 and 28, and Saturday, October 4, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On
Sunday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the bag sale - fill a bag with
items of your choice for $5. To be sold are household items, linens, small
furniture and lighting, dishes, jewellery, books, movies and music recordings,
toys, linens, and much more. Plus a canteen will be there. The church is
located at 190 Principale West, Cookshire.
SAWYERVILLE TURKEY
At Sawyerville's Notre-Dame du Saint-Rosaire Catholic Church is a turkey
supper with stuffing, potatoes, beans, vegetables and homemade pies. Plus an
evening of music and dancing. It's all on Saturday, October 4, at 4:30 to 7:30
p.m. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children aged 5 to 12. All are welcome.
100 YEARS OF EXPERIMENTS
The Experimental Farm in Lennoxville is celebrating its 100th
Anniversary this year, and the Eaton Corner Museum will have a major display at
the celebrations on October 1-4.
SAWYERVILLE HARVEST FESTIVAL
Heads up - the new Sawyerville Community Garden is throwing its first
harvest festival, a celebration on Sunday, October 12, from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. at the Hôtel-Auberge de Sawyerville, aka the Sawyerville Hotel, 18
Principale Street East.
On the menu is a whole host of topics, activities and exhibits. Nut trees.
Old-fashioned timberframe construction. Gathering edible wild plants. Late
autumn gardening. Dr. Lowry's garden will be inaugurated - for it was
Sawyerville's grand Dr. Lowry who donated the land for the Sawyerville Community
Garden. For lunch, feast on garden produce and other local products, for $8 for
adults and $2 for children.
EATON CORNER RAMP
The Eaton Corner Museum is seeking donations to help construct a
handicapped access ramp to the Foss House. Students from the landscaping
programme of the Centre de formation professionelle de Coaticook (CRIFA) will
work on the project, but $700 is needed to help pay for materials. Info: 819-875-5256.
The Eaton Corner Museum also has some DVDs of the play "William Stone's Leg" performed last
February. To purchase one, contact Sharon Moore at 819-875-5256.
SAWYERVILLE VIACTIVE
Gérard and Denise Nault lead a bilingual Viactive group in the Sawyerville
Community Centre, 6 Church Street. All are welcome, at no cost. Wednesdays at
10 a.m. Info: 819-889-2630.
COOKSHIRE VIACTIVE
Just for seniors, no matter your language, no matter your shape: Exercises
with Serena Wintle and Lyne Maisonneuve at the Manoir de l'eau vive, 210
Principale East, in the activity room (salle communautaire) on the 2nd
floor. Free. Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
And the Centre d'action bénévole is looking for another volunteer to help
lead an additional group in Cookshire. Are you interested? Training is
available. Info: 819-560-8540 (option 9) or hcs@cabhsf.org.
BURY VIACTIVE
For the 50-plus crowd, easy exercise with Irma Chapman and June Morrison at
the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main Street. Free and fun. Wednesdays at 10
a.m. Info: 819-560-8540 (option 9) or hcs@cabhsf.org.
BURY SELF-DEFENSE
Last call for a series of four self-defense classes, for women and girls
aged 10 to 110, taught by certified Martial Arts instructor Michael Perry.
Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, September 27, October 4, 18 and 25, at
the Eaton Valley CLC, located at the school in Bury. Fee is $25 for all four
sessions. Reserve your spot: Kim Fessenden, 819-872-3771 or fessendenk@etsb.qc.ca.
BULWER CARDS
At the Bulwer Community Center on Jordan Hill Road: A 500 Card Party, with
card playing, distribution of prizes, and a light lunch. Admission is $5. Dates
are Thursdays, September 25 and October 9. Time is 2 p.m. Info: Peggy Roy,
819-640-3571.
BULWER AGM
The Bulwer Community Center's annual general meeting is on Wednesday,
October 1, at 7 p.m., at the Centre on Jordan Hill Road. Current members and
anyone wishing to join are welcome to attend. Info: Peggy Roy, 819-640-3571.
CHURCH SERVICES
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. The bi-weekly
and bilingual Children's Community Club meets
on Saturday, September 27, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., at the church, 33 Cookshire St.
(819-239-8818).
United: Sunday worship is at Cookshire United at 9:30 a.m., and at Sawyerville
United at 11 a.m. Info: 819-889-2838 (hear message and leave message, too).
Anglican: Sunday
services are in Bury at 9:30 a.m., and Cookshire at 11 a.m. Sunday school
resumes in Bury in October. On October 4 at 2 p.m. is a blessing of pets at St.
Paul's in Bury. Dogs, cats and other house pets are welcome in the church.
Larger pets like horses or donkeys may be tied outside in the yard. All pets
and owners will receive a blessing in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis
of Assisi (819-239-6902).
Do you have news to share? Call
819-300-2374 or email ra.writes@gmail.com
by September 29 for publication October 8 and by October 13 for October 22.
