Roughly a century ago, more than 100,000 "home children" were sent from the British Isles to Canada, including some 7,000 who were sent to the Eastern Townships to work on farms. One was George A. Brewer, who was placed at the Coates Farm in Bulwer in 1913. The wooden box that held his entire belongings is now at the Eaton Corner Museum, says its president, Sharon Moore. Another was William George Pinchin, also placed on a farm in Bulwer. Both Brewer and Pinchin were World War II veterans.
This Saturday, you can catch a new play by Laura Teasdale that dramatizes the story of one home child and the Townships family that receives her. It's called "Home Child," and it's on Saturday, January 14, at 7 p.m., in the Bandeen Hall at Bishop's University. Tickets purchased in advance or by Townshippers' Association members are $15 each; others are $20 each. Info: Townshippers.org/HC or call 819-566-5717.
VIACTIVE ALIVE
The bilingual Viactive exercise groups for people age 50-plus are reactivating. All four groups meet every Wednesday, are volunteer-led, and are free of charge.
In Bury and Sawyerville, the sessions begin January 11. Doris Eryou welcomes you at 10 a.m., at the Armoury Community Centre, 563 Main St., Bury. Info: 819-238-8541. And Denise Nault and Gérard Nault invite you to the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street, at 10 to 11 a.m. Info: 819-889-2630.
In Cookshire and Newport, the sessions start January 18. Serena Wintle and Lyne Maisonneuve lead the Cookshire group from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the Manoir de l'Eau vive, 210 Principale East. Info: 819-875-5210. And Ruth Shipman and Christiane Côté facilitate the Viactive group at the Municipal Hall, 1452 Route 212, in Island Brook, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Info: 819-889-1340 or 819-560-8565.
CAREGIVERS ALIVE
What are caregivers' rights? Are they being violated? Does being a caregiver mean giving up your human rights? The Caregiver Network is offering a webinar on this provocative topic, led by Nancy Guberman, researcher, and Lucy Barylak, caregiver expert and professor at McGill University. They will talk about their research and tell why they believe caregivers' basic Charter rights are not being respected.
The webinar is on Wednesday, January 18, from 4 to 5 p.m. It's free and is in English, but you must register first at https://thecaregivernetwork.ca/event/violating-human-rights-family-caregivers/.
On Thursday, January 26, from 3 to 4 p.m., is another Caregiver Network webinar. Maureen Grant will talk about "Things to know on the caregiver journey." You can also register for it online at thecaregivernetwork.ca.
RAMANA ALIVE
An Open House event is planned for Saturday, January 21, at the Complexe hôtelier Ramana, 18 Principale N., Sawyerville. From 1 to 4 p.m., a "Bridge 4 Health" program will offer presentations and 15 exhibits on the theme of healthy and happy living. Visitors can help create a collective mandala, and can also sign up at the Bistro counter for a sleigh ride ($5 per person, four departure times).
Next, from 4 to 7 p.m., is Happy Hour at the Bistro, and supper in the dining room. Supper is a "six flavours" meal with dishes from around the world, for $15 per person.
Then at 7 p.m. is a presentation with participant movement by Miljenka Kurtin. She is a visual artist, yoga teacher, and creator of "L'art de bien vivre." She's also Ramana's special DJ, and will offer dance music at about 7:30 p.m.
Plus, another Dave Bassant concert is coming to the Ramana this Saturday evening, January 14, at 8 p.m. Info: Jean-Sébastien Bachand, 819-889-2967, or the Ramana's Facebook page.
COLOUR ALIVE
The new Colour Café is planning two open house events offering information about the Café. All are welcome to come and enjoy snacks, chat or do a bit of colouring. Door prizes. The open houses are on Tuesday, January 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and January 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The winter colouring sessions are every second Tuesday morning from February 7 to May 30, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, or every second Tuesday evening from February 14 to June 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. The groups are open to all - no colouring experience is necessary.
Where is the Colour Café? At the Relève, 54 Bibeau Street, Cookshire, about a block off Principale Street. Info: Michelle, at 819-566-5717, ml@townshippers.org, or Townshippers.org/ColourCafe.
SEEDS ALIVE
Get ready for the Festival of Seeds organized by the Sawyerville Community Garden on Saturday, February 18, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Ramana Hotel, 18 Principale N. Presentations, kiosks and lunch. Info: chantalbolduc99@bell.net or 819-889-3196.
LOISIRS ALIVE
February 18 is also the date of the Plaisirs d'hiver, and its Amateur Night at the Ramana. All kinds of musicians are welcome, and all types of music, solo or group. "You only have to bring your musical instruments for one, two or three tunes," says Jennifer McMullin of Loisirs Sawyerville, the organizers. Info: Martine Perras at 819-553-8500.
Also, Loisirs Sawyerville's Bingo is back on Thursday, January 12, at 7 p.m., at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street.
CHURCHES ALIVE
Anglican: On January 15 is a Holy Eucharist at 9:30 a.m. in Bury, and at 11 a.m. in Cookshire. On January 22 is a Service of the Word at 9:30 a.m. in Bury and 11 a.m. in Cookshire. The Cookshire services are in the basement of the Trinity United Church, 190 Principale W. For January 29, plan ahead for the Deanery service at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Ephrem's Syrian Orthodox Church, 150 13th Avenue South, Sherbrooke. Info: 819-887-6802.
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 worship services are at 9:30 a.m. in Cookshire and 11 a.m. in Sawyerville. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by January 16 for publication January 25 and January 30 for February 8.
