What a winning way to start off the new year! Worries about weight, worries about not getting enough exercise, worries about worrying itself - also known as stress. Luckily, we have an army of wellness experts to help us out, and this column is all about their offerings in the Haut-Saint-François.
YO-YOING
Gaining and losing weight: Get the new facts. An expert presenter and researcher, Dr. Sylvia Santosa, will explore new research on how we gain and lose weight in a video-conference at the Eaton Valley Community Learning Centre on Wednesday, January 18, at 10 a.m. What causes weight gain? How do genes, environment and marketing affect our body weight? What is "healthy eating"? What strategies will help you lose weight? And why is it so challenging to keep it off? The two-hour session will address these questions and give participants an opportunity to ask questions of their own.
Dr. Santosa is assistant professor of nutritional science at Concordia University. Her research focuses on how our bodies adapt to weight changes. This event is part of a series of Community Health and Education Program organized by the Community Health and Social Services Network in collaboration with the Eastern Townships School Board, the Eaton Valley CLC and Townshippers' Association. No admission fee. Info: Lise Dougherty at 819-570-7255 or doughertyl@ped.etsb.qc.ca.
NO WORRIES
How to keep stress from ruining your life - that is the question! And this question is the topic of an upcoming telephone information session offered by the Care-Ring Voice Network and AMI Quebec (Action on Mental Illness) on Wednesday, January 25, at 7 p.m. The speaker is Dr. Camillo Zacchia, a psychologist. He will speak about good stress, and bad stress which can become a disorder. He will also talk about treatment methods. To register for this session and listen by phone from your home, call 1-866-396-2433, email info@careringvoice.com, or visit www.careringvoice.com but do it now.
If you prefer not to take part from your home, you can be part of a group that will listen by speaker-phone at the office of Mental Health Estrie in Lennoxville. To register for this group, call 819-565-3777, or email mentalhealth.estrie@bellnet.ca.
AEROBICS
Smash that stress away in an aerobics dance course! Melanie Blouin teaches weekly bilingual courses, with classes for ages 50+ at 6 - 7 p.m. and for others at 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. The course in Bury begins Monday, January 16, the group in Cookshire commences Tuesday, January 17, and the one in Sawyerville starts Thursday, January 19. At least five participants are needed in order for a course to be offered. The fee is $90 for the 14-week session. Info: Melanie Blouin at 819-872-3811.
VIACTIVE
Stretch the stress away with Viactive exercises in Bury on Tuesdays or in Sawyerville on Wednesdays. Both are from 10 to 11 a.m. You're not too late - the current session began just last week, and they feature low-impact exercises, including walking and stretching. For persons with limited mobility, they can even be done while sitting on a chair. And they're free. In Sawyerville, go to the Community Centre at 6 Church St. Info: Gérard or Denise, 819-889-2630 or gerardnault@hotmail.com. In Bury, go to the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main St. Info: 819-560-8540 (option 9 for English) or hcs@cabhsf.org.
YOGA LITE
Ommm... zone the stress away with easy Yoga, starting Tuesday, January 17, at 10 a.m. at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church St. The fee for the 1-hour sessions is $60 for 10 weeks. Participants may also pay weekly. Info: Myrna MacDonald at 819-875-5393.
TECHIE FARMERS
At the Eaton Valley CLC, the Quebec Farmers' Association presents a video-conference on Harnessing New Technology. It's planned for Thursday, January 26, at 7:30 - 10 p.m. Info: Lise Dougherty at 819-570-7255 or doughertyl@ped.etsb.qc.ca
INCOME TAX VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Are you interested in learning to complete income tax returns, and then doing it in English for persons with low income? You could be a tax volunteer for the CAB - the Centre d'action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François. The CAB is on the hunt for volunteers in Bury, Sawyerville, Cookshire, or wherever you live. Tax volunteers receive training in February for both Canada and Quebec taxes. Interested? Contact 819-560-8540 (option 9), or hcs@cabhsf.org.
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: On January 22, worship service is in Cookshire at 9:30 a.m., followed by the annual congregational meeting, and in Sawyerville at 11:30 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch and the annual congregational meeting. On January 29, worship service and Sunday school are in Cookshire at 9:30 a.m. and in Sawyerville at 11 a.m. (819-889-2838).
Anglican: Sunday services are 9:30 a.m. in Bury and 11 a.m. in Cookshire. Wednesday, February 1: a "Messy Church" is from 5 to 6:15 p.m. in Bury, for families with children aged 2 to 12 (all ages are welcome). Storytelling, crafts, a short worship service and dinner. A pay-what-you-can free-will offering helps cover the cost of dinner and crafts. Call in advance, so a place can be set for you at the table (819-875-1568 or 819-239-6902).
Do you have news to share? Call 819-889-2520 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by January 23 for publication February 1, and by February 6 for February 15.
