In spring, so poets tell us, youths' fancies turn to love. In fall, it seems the rest of us think about health. And in our region, the next few weeks offer us some novel trimmings for a healthy lifestyle. The turkey itself is up to you, of course. Everything depends on our own attitudes and actions.
The Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre (CLC) tells us "a learning community is a healthy community," and it offers a whole bundle of fall activities that aim to raise our health and happiness quotients. Check these out:
HULU HOOP Great way to exercise, at no cost, every Friday at 3 - 4 p.m., at the CLC, 523 Stokes St., Bury. BADMINTON Starting soon for persons over age 16, complete with an evening of exercise and socializing. Just $1/person. Info: June Morrison at 819-872-3736 or Jacques Lizotte at 872-3794. AEROBICS Offered in Bury, Cookshire or Sawyerville. Info: Melanie Blouin at 819-872-3811. MUSIC LESSONS Learn to play the piano, the guitar or another musical instrument, through lessons by the personnel of the École de musique, offered at the elementary schools in Bury and Sawyerville. Info: Henryk Maszewski at 819-821-0214.
MEDITATION Just started are workshops in English called A Journey into Creative Visualization and Meditation. They are offered in English by Suzanne Thérien on every second Tuesday at 7 - 8:30 p.m. October 4 and 18, and November 1, 15 and 29 at the CLC in Bury. A minimum of 10 registrations are required, and the fee is $50 for the series. Info: Lise Dougherty at 819-570-7255 or doughertyl@ped.etsb.qc.ca. MENTAL HEALTH ROUNDTABLES Action on Mental Illness (AMI-Quebec) is offering a whole series of interactive videoconferences about some compelling topics related to living with mental illness. The CLC at 523 Stokes St., Bury, is offering these sessions - five over the next eight months - as follows: Understanding Court Orders and How the Police Can Help, by Michael Arruda, a Montreal police officer and mental health liaison, and David Parry, a McGill University law student. The presenters will talk about legal actions that can be taken if a loved one needs to be taken to hospital, to stay there, or to receive treatment. They will discuss the role of the police in caring for people with mental health problems, and when they need to be called in. The videoconference is slated for Thursday, October 13, at 7 - 9 p.m., so interested persons need to act fast to register! Info: Lise Dougherty at 819-570-7255 or doughertyl@ped.etsb.qc.ca.
On November 16 is a presentation on Wills and Trusts: Techniques for Protecting the Future of your Ill Relative, with Me. Sylvain Carpentier, notary. On February 2, is Laughter: Learn Why It's Good for You, with Albert Nerenberg, filmmaker and laughologist. On March 28, hear Could It Be a Mental Illness? How to Encourage Someone to Get Help, with Dr. Allan Fielding, psychiatrist. And on May 16, Dr. David Bloom, psychiatrist, will talk about Psychiatric Medications and Other Treatments.
ANGER Over to the phone, now: Why are you so angry? A Management Guide, is the topic of a Care-Ring Voice Network session on Wednesday, October 19, at 7 p.m. It is hosted by AMI-Quebec. To participate from your home, contact Care-Ring Voice Network (1-866-396-2433 or www.careringvoice.com). To participate via speaker-phone at Mental Health Estrie, contact MHE (819-565-3777 or mentalhealth.estrie@bellnet.ca). To take part in the MHE group, there is no charge, but you must register in advance.
ACCESS TO SERVICES "Have you ever left your family doctor's office or the hospital feeling ignored, misunderstood or unsatisfied?" ask Bishop's University researchers, With a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), a multidisciplinary research team is evaluating the accessibility of health care services in the Eastern Townships. Residents over age 18 are offered the chance to fill out a short questionnaire. You can find the questionnaire online at www.ubishops.ca/healthaccess (English) and www.ubishops.ca/accessante (French). If you prefer to receive a paper version, call 819-822-9600 ext 2248 (English) or 2190 (French), or email comaccess@ubishops.ca. The researchers hope this study will help improve the health care system for all Townshippers. They can't do it without our participation!
BULWAR IN THE CARDS At the Bulwar Community Centre on Jordan Hill Road, a 500 Card Party is planned for Thursday, October 13, at 2 p.m. All are welcome for card playing, a light lunch and distribution of prizes. Admission for card playing and lunch is $5. Info: 819-875-3452, and leave a message.
Same place, at noon on Thursday, October 27, is a luncheon of casseroles, baked beans, rolls and pies, followed by Military Whist. Lunch and card game are $10; lunch only is $5; Military Whist only is $5. To reserve for one person or for a table of four, call Catherine at 819-823-8042 or Bev at 819-823-8473 by October 24.
CHURCH SERVICES Baptist: Sunday school is at 10 a.m. (English and French), and worship service is at 9 a.m. in French, and 11 a.m. in English, in Sawyerville (819-239-8818). United: Sunday Worship Services are in Cookshire at 9:30 a.m., and Sawyerville at 11 a.m. They include Sunday school and nursery (leave message at 819-889-2838). Anglican: On October 16, all the Anglican churches in the area will gather at St. Lawrence in Lawrence at 10:30 a.m. for Holy Eucharist, followed by a potluck lunch. On October 23, Liturgy of the Word is in Bury at 9:30 a.m., and Cookshire at 11 a.m. (819-875-1568 or 819-239-6902). Do you have news to share? Call 819-889-2520 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by October 17 for publication October 26, and by October 31 for November 9.
