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Place Mailing Label Here
Fall/Winter 2012 Vol. 33, No. 2
FREE
Visit us online at: www.townshippers.qc.ca
Journée
E
rd/
33
TOWNSHIPPERS
Day 2012
H
istorians, pirates, parachutists and the military,
what do they all have in common? The city of
Farnham, host site for the 33rd Townshippers’
Day! From family fun to cultural celebration, find
out what activities are in store in our special
bilingual section! Pages 9-16
September 15 / 15 septembre
Farnham
u'est-ce que des historiens, des pirates, des
parachutistes et les militaires ont tous en
commun? La ville de Farnham, hôte de la
e
33 Journée des Townshippers! Une journée de
plaisir pour la familiale et une fête culturelle,
pour en savoir plus consultez notre section
bilingue, pages 9 à 16.
Q
Also In This Issue…
Townshippers’ Gets Its GAME ON! ...Page 5
Youth PLUG IN to New Network ......Page 8
Yarn attacks, pop ZOMBIES &
linked-up entrepreneurs...............Page 17
2
Visit us online at: www.townshippers.qc.ca | Fall/Winter 2012
President’s Message
From the Executive Director
We are here to thrive!
We’re almost… halfway there?!
s President of Townshippers’ Association it is my pleasure to report that
the Association has made significant progress toward fulfilling our mission, to advance the vitality of our community. Through the hard work
of our new Executive Director, Rachel Hunting , the administrative structure
of the Association has been redefined to take into account our capacity to meet the challenges that a tight financial situation
calls for while maximizing the strengths of our highly
skilled and dedicated staff located in our two administrative offices.
xforddictionary.com defines the term whirlwind as a noun used with
reference to a very energetic person or a tumultuous process: a whirlwind of activity, [as modifier] a whirlwind romance – a most appropriate way to describe my past five or so months here at the Association!
A
On numerous occasions recently I have made the
statement that we in the English community, “are
not just here to survive, we are here to thrive.” In
order to achieve this end we must be increasingly
involved in the economic, social, cultural and political development of policies and practices that
impact Quebec society as a whole. As we celebrate the pioneering accomplishments of our first
settlers, we must focus on the establishment of
lasting partnerships with other members of the larger
community, French-speaking, new immigrants or native Canadians. As a minority group of English-speakers
we have a great deal
Townshippers is the official newsletter of
to offer in this context.
Townshippers’ Association, a non-profit, non-
Head Office
100-257 Queen (Lennoxville)
Sherbrooke, QC J1M 1K7
Tel: 819-566-5717
Toll free: 1-866-566-5717
Fax: 819-566-0271
E-mail: [email protected]
Montérégie Office
3-584 Knowlton Road
Lac Brome, QC J0E 1V0
Tel: 450-242-4421
Toll free: 1-877-242-4421
Fax: 450-242-5870
Websites
www.townshippers.qc.ca
www.topportunity.ca
www.tday.ca
Privacy Policy
Townshippers’ Association respects your privacy.
We do not sell, trade or otherwise share our
mailing list. For information on our privacy
policy, see www.townshippers.qc.ca. If at any
time you wish to be removed from this or
another mailing list, contact us at 819-566-2182
(toll free: 1-877-566-2182) or
[email protected].
Editors: Corrinna Pole and Rachel Hunting
Layout: Tim Doherty, VisImage
This issue of Townshippers was printed by The
Record, Sherbrooke. Please return undeliverable
copies and address all comments or inquiries to
Townshippers’ Association, 100-257 Queen,
Sherbrooke, QC J1M 1K7.
Publication Mail Agreement No. 1711172
Since signing on in early April 2012, I have yet to live a dull moment as Executive Director of this hardworking and busy Association. From filling
out funding reports to the organization of the Annual General
Meeting, the learning curve has been steep at times, but it
has also been fun thanks to our dedicated and resourceful staff members and project coordinators – truly a
lovely group to work with. Oh, and we laugh! Often.
As we head into fall, Townshippers’ Day preparations are in full swing and have been for some
time now; this year’s event promises to impress!
T-Day Farnham 2012’s organizing committee has
been hard at work putting together a line-up of
activities and entertainment that is not to be
missed. From music and dancing to military history, Townshippers’ Day 2012 offers a little something for everyone from across the Townships.
Townshippers’ Association has built its
strength on our capacity to use the talents of those people who volunteer to
make positive contributions to our
community a daily commitment. It is in
this spirit that I reaffirm the mission of
our organization to work for the wellbeing and prosperity of the English
community today and tomorrow.
We’ve also begun to prepare for the Association’s upcoming Canada Games volunteer recruitment project in
collaboration with the Jeux d’été du Canada Summer Games
– Sherbrooke 2013 organizing committee, and are very excited
to be a part of this exciting national-level event. What a wonderful opportunity for members of the English-speaking community to get involved
and showcase our unique cultural identity and heritage on such a large scale.
I’m looking forward to the next half of this first year and what it has in store
for me, the Association, and its members – one thing I know that is guaranteed… there will be no dull moments and (hopefully!) the laughter will continue!
Gerald Cutting
President
TABLE OF CONTENTS
partisan organization whose mission is to
promote the interests of the English-speaking
community, strengthen its cultural identity, and
encourage the full participation of English
speakers in the community at large in the
historical Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.
Townshippers is made possible, in part, by
financial support received from the Department
of Canadian Heritage, and is mailed to all
members of the Association. This issue is also
distributed at pick-up points across the
Townships. Circulation: approximately 3,000.
Membership, and other information, is available
at:
O
President’s Message ............................2
Executive Director’s Message ..............2
New Board of Directors ......................3
Introducing Colin Standish ..................3
Townshippers’ Association Team ........4
Rewarding Young Leaders ..................5
Canada Games 2013............................5
Make Way for YOUth ........................6–7
Youth Council Grows Up ......................8
T-Day Bilingual Section bilingue
Local Historian Sisters /
Deux historiennes locales..................9
33rd Townshippers’ Day /
33e Journée des Townshippers........10
Welcome to Farnham /
Bienvenue à Farnham ....................11
T-Day Program / programme ........12
Site Map / Plan du site ..................13
Rachel Hunting
Executive Director
Farnham Fun Facts /
Saviez-vous que? ............................13
Farnham artists and Designers /
Artistes et créateurs de Farnham....14
Green Team / L’escouade verte......15
Partners / Partenaires ....................16
OpART ................................................17
YES (Youth Employment Services) ....17
Townships Expressions ......................18
Membership Matters ........................18
Network News — Estrie ....................19
Network News — Montérégie-East ..20
Information & Referral ......................21
Legal Info Service ..............................21
Free Tax Clinic ....................................21
Outstanding Townshippers 2012 ......22
Respect Project Comes to an End ....23
Townshippers’ Foundation ................24
3
Board of Directors
2012–2013
First row, l to r: Claire Holt, Sherbrooke; Gerald Cutting, Coaticook (President); Rachel Hunting, Sherbrooke; Peter Riordon, Sutton.
Second row: Cheryl Gosselin, Sherbrooke; Melanie Cutting, Sherbrooke (Secretary); James Kanner, Cookshire-Eaton (Treasurer); Heather Bowman, Sherbrooke.
Back row: Peter Quilliams, Fulford (Vice-President); Salim Hashmi, Sherbrooke; Jeremiah Cox, Sherbrooke; Colin Standish, Quebec, Robert McKeage, Danville.
Absent from photo: Emile Fortier, Sherbrooke and Alice McCrory, Eastman.
AGM; A year of
challenge and change
By: Corrinna Pole, Administration & Communications Officer
ast June the members of Townshippers’ Association
held their Annual General Meeting at the charming
Centre d’art de Richmond. While it was business as
usual in many respects, there were several new elements
to the low key evening including the warm welcome of
new Board Member Colin Standish.
L
President Gerald Cutting led the compact agenda joined
by Executive Director Rachel Hunting as they reviewed
the Associations’ activities and projects of the last year.
In a year punctuated by various challenges and changes,
the Association celebrated many successes, including
being one of the few groups invited to present before
the Commons Standing Committee on Official
Languages.
From strengthening its network and collaborating with
various stakeholders to empowering, engaging and integrating English-speaking youth, the Association was also
proud to announce it had reached many of the goals laid
out in the five year strategic plan. As new targets are set
for the next five years, the Association will continue
working to ensure the English-speaking community is
not only seen, but also heard.
Introducing Colin Standish
orn and raised in Cookshire and Knowlton, Colin attended
Bishop’s College School (B.C.S.) in Lennoxville, Quebec on a
scholarship. There he served as a prefect and as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the B.C.S. No.2 Cadet Corps., the oldest active cadet
program in Canada as well as playing for the Quebec Provincial
Rugby team. Colin graduated with first class honours before commencing studies at Queen’s University, where he was awarded an
upper-year scholarship, eventually earning a B.A.H. in history and
political studies. Political extra-curricular activities defined his undergraduate experience; Colin served as the president of the Queen’s
University Liberal Association and as a party leader at the Queen’s
Model Parliament, and during his final years of study worked for
Townshippers’ welcomes Colin
Peter Milliken, M.P. and Speaker of the House of Commons.
B
Standish to the Association’s
Board of Directors.
Now a student at Université Laval’s law school, Colin has also volunteered with the Bureau d’Information Juridique, Laval’s public
legal aid service. In autumn 2011, Colin published an article he co-authored on administrative
inspections in the law review, Actualité juridique municipale.
Currently working as a summer law student in Knowlton, Colin is also the President and Editorin-Chief of the editorial board of Laval’s student-run law review, la Revue juridique des étudiants et étudiantes de l’Université Laval. His work involves general management concerns, from
faculty support to recruitment.
Colin worked for Townshippers’ in 2005 as an Outreach Assistant, attending events in behalf of
the Association throughout the Townships. He joined the Board of Townshippers’ this year in
order to help improve access in the English-language to social services and local knowledge of
language rights in the Eastern Townships.
4
Townshippers’ Association Team
rom heritage and culture to health and social services, community development to youth, Townshippers’ Association is working for the needs and interests of the English-speaking community. Keeping the many gears of the Association continually running is a group of talented, clever and, above all,
dedicated individuals! This year many of the familiar faces have been joined by some new ones so without further ado, meet the people who add
strength to this dynamic team.
F
Rachel Hunting,
Executive Director
[email protected]
Debbie Bishop, Co-coordinator,
Estrie Network of the Eastern
Townships Partners for
Health & Social Services
[email protected]
Michael Calouri, Coordinator,
Townships Training and Human
Resources Development Project
[email protected]
Mary Gunter,
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Shannon Keenan, Co-coordinator,
Estrie Network of the Eastern
Townships Partners for
[email protected]
Eric Akbar Manolson,
Coordinator,
With Respect to Our Elders
Project
[email protected]
Kate Murray, Co-coordinator,
Montérégie-East Network of the
Eastern Townships Partners for
[email protected]
Jenny Menard, Make Way for
YOUth/Desjardins Migration
Agent, Estrie English-speaking
Community
[email protected]
Corrinna Pole,
Administration &
Communications Officer
[email protected]
Norma Salisbury,
Accounting Clerk
[email protected]
Bye And Thanks To Our Summer Students
his past summer Townshippers’ Association was
fortunate to have two great Bishop`s University
students join our team at our Sherbrooke offices
thanks to funding obtained through Canadian Heritage’s Young Canada Works program. Both ambitious
and hardworking, Allyssa Hill and Holly McMillan have
brightened our summer with their buoyant senses of
humour, not to mention their friendly and positive
attitudes!
T
Evelina Smith,
Information & Referral
Coordinator
[email protected]
Cathy Turner, Office Manager,
Townships Expressions
Coordinator
[email protected]
Lindsay Tuer, Co-coordinator,
Montérégie-East Network of the
Eastern Townships Partners for
[email protected]
Kate Wisdom, Community &
Culture Coordinator
[email protected]
Allyssa Hill, a Psychology major at Bishop’s University,
has always been interested in working with youth in
Our latest batch of hardworking interns Holly
the community. Originally from British Columbia,
McMillan and Allyssa Hill have been a great
Allyssa moved to Lennoxville to pursue her studies and
addition to the team this summer, moustaches
she was looking to connect more to her new home.
and all!
When the opportunity came to work at Townshippers’
Association as the summer student Youth Council Coordinator, she jumped on it! According to Allyssa,
it has been an eventful summer for her and the youth committee project, and she has learned a lot in
the last few months because of it. While she is looking forward to continuing her degree at Bishop’s in
the fall, she also hopes to carry on working with the youth committee project.
Holly McMillan, a French major and Varsity Rugby player at Bishop’s University, joined us in May as
the Summer Communications Agent. In this position she created a new database for the Association`s
Information and Referral Service, transferred and updated information from the previous database,
helped prepare for Townshippers` Day 2012 and was our go-to person for all sorts of tech related
tasks around the Lennoxville office. In the fall Holly will be returning to Bishop`s for her final year of
studies however she intends to continue on with the Association as a volunteer.
The summer has flown by so quickly and while we are sorry to see Allyssa and Holly go, we have a
feeling it won’t be the last we see of them. We appreciate your work and wish you all the best!
5
Rewarding Young Leaders
By: Corrinna Pole, Administration &
Communications Officer
Michael Durrant, 30, ventured into the unfamiliar
field of public advocacy when he rallied his neighbours to take steps to save a 160 year old dam in
Huntingville from destruction. Forming a coalition
of concerned citizens, the group advocated preservation of the dam to
Borolax, the City of Sherbrooke, and
English and French media and
drafted proposals. While there’s work
to be done, plans to tear down the
dam have been put on hold.
“If you want to have a strong
and vibrant community you
have to be part of it.”
Jessica Wilson, 32, believes that
communities are made stronger by
the actions of their members. In addition to helping run the family
business, she makes her community
stronger by regularly lending support
to local schools, organizations and
charitable events and serving as an
active member of the Lennoxville
Photo: Townshippers’ Association Merchants Committee, Lennoxville
At the Richmond Arts Centre last
Elementary School’s Governing
June, Michael Durrant, Jessica
In an age when school, work, and
Board
and the Lennoxville Youth
Wilson, James Lamarre and Madhiha
life in general is hurdling past at Taseen, were recognized for being Centre where she serves as vice-presbreakneck speeds, its challenging an example of the great things the ident on the Board of Directors.
younger members of our
enough to find time to breath, its
community
are doing every day.
Sharing the third award, James
more important than ever to thank
Lamarre, 20, and Madhiha Taseen,
youth for investing their time in the English-speak18,
who
nominated
each other based on their voling community!
unteer and leadership efforts within the school comLast June, following Townshippers’ annual general
munity. The Champlain College students share a
meeting, this nearly decade young tradition continpassion to improve college life through tutoring,
ued when three awards were granted to highly dehelping new students adjust to college life as
serving recipients Michael Durrant, Jessica Wilson,
Cougar Ambassadors, and their involvement with
James Lamarre and Madhiha Taseen.
the Champlain Students’ Association (CSA).
There are a number of ways that you can follow
or connect with us. Whichever method you
choose, it’s easy to stay in touch and keep upto-date with Townshippers’ Association.
here’s a saying that “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders.” Nine years ago Townshippers’ Association began recognizing young
leaders between ages 15–35 whose
meaningful contributions in their
school, town or community as a
whole, make a difference with the
Young Townships Leaders Award.
T
Each year honours are bestowed on
three young members who receive a
beautifully framed certificate, as
well as an accompanying cash prize
$1000, made possible thanks this
year to the generous financial contributions of Canadian Heritage,
NAV Canada, BRP and other supporting partners, in appreciation for
their leadership contributions and
their dedication.
Canada Games 2013 and Townshippers’
Association; A Winning Combination!
By Evelina Smith, Information and Referral Coordinator
n 2013, for two weeks in August, 4,200 athletes from across the country will converge on Sherbrooke
to participate in the Canada Games. They will be competing in 20 different disciplines on 20 different
sites but they will be united when they let their athletic skills, discipline, and spirit shine through!
I
As with most events, the success of the Canada
Games will rely on the hundreds of staff members as
well as the involvement of over 5,000 volunteers, and
Townshippers’ Association will be lending a hand to
recruit these volunteers. The Association will be
working to ensure that the English-speaking community will play “an active role in ensuring the success
of the Canada Summer Games through volunteer development and cultural representation.”
This is a wonderful opportunity for the English community to get actively involved in an event where
bilingualism is a must and it is an opportunity for
women and men, young and old, to show off their
expertise and sense of community!
To learn more about the 2013 Canada Games, visit
their website www.sherbrooke2013.ca and keep in
touch with Townshippers’.
—Jessica Wilson
13 Ways to Keep In Touch
with Townshippers’!
In Person
Sherbrooke
100-257 Queen (Lennoxville)
Sherbrooke, QC J1M 1K7
Tel: 819-566-5717
Toll free: 1-866-566-5717
E-mail: [email protected]
Montérégie Office
3-584 Knowlton Road
Lac Brome, QC J0E 1V0
Tel: 450-242-4421
Toll free: 1-877-242-4421
Fax: 450-242-5870
Online
www.townshippers.qc.ca
www.tday.ca
www.topportunity.ca
facebook.com/townshippersassociation
Twitter: @Townshippers
In Your Email
Townshippers’ monthly newsletter
http://eepurl.com/ipBPw
Arts Watch, info and opportunities
alerts for artists
http://eepurl.com/mfwRb
In Print
Keeping in Touch column every Wednesday,
Sherbrooke Record
About Townshippers column every two
weeks, Brome County News
Townshippers, newsletter every spring,
newsprint every autumn
On Air
Photo: Townshippers’ Association
On August 2, Canada Summer Games–Sherbrooke 2013
President Monique Leroux and Chairman Tom Allen,
Townshippers’ Executive Director Rachel Hunting and
Games mascot ZigZag were among the hundreds who
gathered to celebrate the official one-year countdown to
the games!
About Townshippers, one hour show, every
Friday at 5 p.m. on CIDI 99.1 FM.
For more information about how to connect with
us, visit our website www.townshippers.qc.ca,
email [email protected] or call our offices.
6
MWFY: What’s in Store for 2012–2013?
here’s a lot of work involved in planning Make Way for YOUth activities
and there’s also the need to fund these activities! Over the coming months
Make Way for YOUth/ Desjardins Migration Agent Jenny Ménard, will be
working really hard along with the support of Townshippers’ staff to hold various fundraising activities to support the project. A dinner party and one-ofa-kind calendar are just two of the many projects that are in the works!
T
One of the two calendars we are currently in the process of brainstorming depicting Townships scenery as seen through the fond eyes of locals – is already receiving donated images to its cause. Interested in donating your images? Or would you like to stay on top of our fundraising plans? How about
creating partnerships for the meal? Jenny Ménard would love to hear from
you!
Reaching Out At Home
Besides helping out potential new residents to the townships, Jenny is working on projects to encourage local youth to tap into townships!
For high-schoolers, a job shadowing project is in the works with the help of
Marie Thibault, a counsellor in academic training for students from Alexander
Galt Regional High School. Jenny has seen many of her friends move to the
big cities, and believes that the Townships does have an issue of retaining its
students that come from the regions. By giving local students the chance to
view and explore the jobs available in their field of interest across the region,
Jenny hopes to counter the youth exodus and show them that there are jobs
out here for them as qualified young professionals.
In order to help this idea take flight, we are in need of employers that would
be interested in taking part by welcoming a student. Essentially the job shadowing is planned to be for the length of one workday, so the participant can
see what the job he/she intends to do is really like.
A project is also in the making with Lise Dougherty from the Eaton Valley
Community Learning Center in Bury, which will revolve around boys living in
the area of the CLC. Stay tuned!
Of course, there are many other Discovery Day weekends to be planned! So
Keep In Touch (see page #) with Townshippers’ to find out what our Migration Agent has in store!
Make Way for YOUth; Discovery Days!
ave you ever heard of Discovery Days? These free exploratory weekends were created
to help introduce post-graduates between 18-35 years old to
the region in order to encourage
English-speaking professionals
to settle in the Townships. Over
the July 20th weekend, a group
of young professionals, including a couple with their 16Photo Credit: Townshippers’ Association
month-old daughter, were
Ahh summertime! The season of campfires, canoes
treated to a number of fun ac- and stone circle yoga?!? Discovery Days, such as this
tivities that highlighted the won- one enjoyed last July, are just one of the many
successful tools used by Make Way for YOUth to
ders of Sherbrooke and
showcase the region to young post-graduates who
Memphremagog areas.
H
are looking to plant their roots.
Staying at the Hors Piste Lodge at the Jouvence resort, participants were able
to dive into what the Eastern Townships’ has to offer. The weekend featured a
visit to Park Jacques Cartier in Sherbrooke, an art gallery in Georgeville and
the Farmer’s Market in Ayer’s Cliff. The group also volunteered part of their
day for the preparation of the upcoming Shazamfest and were able to take in
the blue fields of Bleu Lavande in Fitch Bay. Evenings were fittingly capped
off with singing, marshmallow eating and conversations around the campfire
before hitting the hay to dream of life in the Townships.
Colin Jacob, father of 16-month-old Alexia whom tagged along during the
weekend, commented on the sense of balance his family felt during their stay.
“I had the impression that the Discovery Day weekend was planned meticulously. We struck a perfect balance between discovery, meeting with employers, community involvement and leisure time.”
More to discover!
The July Discovery Days was the perfect way to enjoy summer in the townships, and luckily it won’t be the last activity held! For those of us who live
here, we know what a treasure trove the townships can be filled with activities
that can be enjoyed year-round and Jenny plans on exploring even more of
these regional riches.
Next up, excursions into the wonders awaiting discovery in the Granite, Haut
St-François, Val-St-François and des Sources areas. Jenny plans on getting
up-close and personal with each area by taking on feature activities, for instance experience nature as never before with a team of sled dogs as your
guide.
Know of a recent post-secondary graduate or soon to be aged between 18
and 35 who is thinking about moving to the Townships? Think they might
enjoy participating in the next Discovery Day weekend? If so, Jenny wants to
hear from you.
7
Make Way for YOUth
ach year, the Make Way for YOUth/
Desjardins Migration Agent helps young
post-secondary students and graduates to
settle in the Estrie region. Some of them are returning to where their heart has always been, but
many are settling down to an entirely new place.
The Make Way for YOUth (MWFY) project can be
an indispensable tool to help those individuals
look for a job, a home, and a social network.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. Read
on to see what past MWFY participants thought
of their experiences and get to know two new of
your newer neighbours!
Holliday’s Flight LGW-YUL
project I found out about the existence of Make
Way for YOUth. Sheila Quinn, the Migration Agent
at the time, made an appointment with me and
spent an hour, listening to my fears, explaining to
me how the job process worked, giving me an
overview about employment in the area and giving
me the belief that I could make it happen. She
understood that I was searching for a particular
type of work as that would influence a large part
of my happiness here. At no point did she steer
me off that path into something else that would
be potentially more forthcoming but less satisfactory.
E
wenty five zero seven twenty eleven. Strange
how one remembers dates. I’ve recently celebrated my one year ‘arrival anniversary’ in Quebec,
in Canada and this has caused me to look back
and reflect on the journey and the help I’ve received this past year.
T
Jenny Ménard,
Make Way for YOUth/Desjardins Migration Agent
819-566-5717 (toll-free: 1-866-566-5717)
e-mail [email protected]
Time, as we all know, flies. My work permit eventually came through. I now have a full time job
which I thoroughly enjoy, I coordinate the OpART
project on the side and I serve on a number of
different committee groups and boards. Most excitingly, I’ve even been to the pub and socialised a
few times! The settlement isn’t yet complete but
headway has definitely been made!
Kris Holliday has travelled far and wide but found a
creative home in the townships!
The first few months were a spirited holiday. Living in Montréal, enjoying everything that the glorious city has to offer while trying to get my work
permit. The latter failing, I then had the choice;
do I go back to the United Kingdom, or hang
around and try again? The decision having been
made, I packed my bags and headed to Racine in
the Val-Saint-François to join my partner, knowing that I would be waiting a further five months
for my work permit.
The possibility for getting stuck in a rut of depression was a big one (no job, no work permit, no
car, no driving license, no friends and stuck in a
tiny village) but, thanks to a bunch of remarkable
people, this didn’t happen.
Through volunteering with Eric Akbar Manolsson
for Townshippers’ With Respect for Our Elders
The process of integration is a complicated beast.
It has its highs, its lows and is defined by layers of
inconsistent emotions. It is obvious that one program by itself is not going to be the magic wand
throwing fairy dust over a situation; but what I
can ascertain is that MWFY has been a significant
force for good in my adaptation to the Townships.
—Kris Holliday
Siu-Min’s Country Surprise
s native Montrealers, the prospect of migrating
to the Eastern Townships was daunting, but
the invaluable personalized support our MWFY
Agent provided us throughout the process made
for a smoother transition than we had ever imagined and helped me even find meaningful employment and a new career path. Through the varied
MWFY activities, from the Discovery Days weekend
to the informal networking gatherings at a local
bar or café, we have pleasantly integrated into a
professional and social network despite being an
Anglophone with the bonus of learning much
about the region we now call home.
A
Daniel Smith and Siu-Min Jim, who is also the Coordinator
of the new Community Learning Centre at the Richmond
Regional High School, have gone from sitting in big city
traffic to stocking their pond with Speckled Trout!
We were surprised by just how much the Townships, a region outside the “big city”, has to offer;
Sheila’s wealth of knowledge of local businesses,
artisans and resources enabled us to find much of
what we thought we’d miss in Montreal: freshly
roasted coffee, locally brewed beer, live music of
all variety and most importantly the good people
to share it with. Now we can also embrace new
hobbies such as raising fish and ornamental chickens on our little country property, singing in a
community choir and transforming blueberries
picked from a neighbour’s farm into tasty delights.
—Siu-Min Jim
8
Youth Council Grows Up
By: Allyssa Hill, Youth Committee Coordinator
or several years Townshippers’ Youth Council
has given townshppers ages 12–25 the means
to take an active role in the English-speaking
community by participating in a council that
would brainstorm activities and projects likely to
leave a positive impact on their communities. This
summer has been especially eventful for the Youth
Council and it has made some changes along the
way. One of these changes has been the evolution
from council to committee.
F
This brand new Youth Committee (YC) will be
made up of youth centres and youth-minded organizations from across the Eastern Townships
that will work together to form a strong youth
network, and to help connect youth from across
the Townships. Townshippers’ Association will act
as a facilitating link between these groups, and
will play a crucial role in advertising events, planning youth-connect weekends, and other events
with the committee.
Also, a new YC e-bulletin has been designed to
feature updates about each organization involved,
upcoming events, pieces of writing from youth,
and other youth oriented articles. To sign up for
the e-bulletin visit http://eepurl.com/opH_L and
keep in touch with the youth events with the
youth committee! The link can also be found on
Townshippers’ website at
www.townshippers.qc.ca.
Youth are an important part of any community,
and Townshippers’ recognizes that. That is why if
you are under the age of 21 you will receive a free
membership to Townshippers’ Association. This
membership will allow you to get free updates
about events occurring in the Eastern Township’s
and stay informed about what Townshippers’ Association is up to as well as about what is going
on in your own community. If you have any questions regarding membership please contact Evelina
Smith, Information and Referral Coordinator, by
email at [email protected] or phone at
819-566-2182 / 1-877-566-2182.
Are you a youth centre or organization that would
like to get involved in the youth committee, a
youth that would love to submit a piece of writing
for the youth e-bulletin, or someone who just
has questions? Please feel free to contact
Allyssa Hill, Youth Council Coordinator at
[email protected].
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T-DAY
Visit us online at: www.tday.ca | Fall/Winter 2012
2012
9
The 2012 Townshippers’ Day Organising Committee;
(L to R, Back row): Kate Wisdom, Ron MacPhail, Claude Chiasson, Julie Paquette,
Front row: Pauline Mercier, Micheline Lamarche, Rachel Hunting, Marie Claude Viau. Absent, honorary chair Denis Riel.
Local Historian Sisters Inspire
Farnham T-Day Committee
Deux historiennes locales
inspirent le comité organisateur
By: Kate Wisdom
Par : Kate Wisdom
enis Riel is well known as the owner of a furniture and appliance store
in Farnham. During the forty years Denis has run a family business, he
has supported many events in the development of Farnham. He is also
the honorary chair of the 2012 Townshippers’ Day organising committee and
is responsible for arranging the visit of the Royal 22e Régiment (22nd Royal
Regiment) who will be exercising the freedom of the town on September 15,
2012.
D
enis Riel est bien connu comme étant le propriétaire d’un magasin de
meubles et d’appareils à Farnham. En tant que chef d’une entreprise
familiale pendant quarante ans M. Riel a soutenu de nombreux événements dans le développement de Farnham. Il est également le président
d’honoraire du comité d’organisation de la Journée des Townshippers 2012 et
il est responsable de l’organisation de la visite du Royal 22e Régiment et la
cérémonie du Droit de Cité le 15 septembre 2012.
But what made Farnham take an interest in hosting Townshippers’ Day? The
spark was lit during a conversation with Farnham personalities Louise Hall
and Adelaide Lanktree, two sisters who are well known for their work with
the United Empire Loyalists and Farnham heritage projects. Louise Hall was
also named as an Outstanding Townshipper in 2003 and is recognised for her
work on the BMP Hospital “Petit Musee” Museum project.
Alors qu’est-ce qui a rendu Farnham intéressé à accueillir la Journée des
Townshippers? L’étincelle a été allumée lors d’une conversation avec Louise
Hall et Adélaïde Lanktree, deux sœurs qui sont bien connues pour leur travail
avec les United Empire Loyalists ainsi que plusieurs projets patrimoniaux a
Farnham. Louise Hall a également été nommé une Townshipper Exceptionnelle en 2003 et est reconnu pour son travail sur le projet du musée de
l’Hôpital BMP (“Petit Musée”).
In the fall of 2011, husband and wife team Claude Chiasson and Frances
Champigny, the latter who is President of the APHPCR (Association des personnes handicapées physiques de Cowansville), joined Pauline Mercier and
Ron McPhail at Townshippers’ Day in Stanstead. It took that one day experience to convince them to apply for Farnham to be a host town. Working with
the town they decided to amalgamate the pre-existing Farnham Heritage day
and merge it with the date chosen for Townshippers’ Day. With the approval
of the Townshippers’ Association Board, they sat down to plan a budget,
jointly funded by the town and fundraising activities, to create great family
day event showcasing the English community.
The 2012 T-Day Committee is made up of some key movers and shakers from
the Farnham community. Pauline Mercier has been a town councillor for six
(Continues next page.)
D
À l’automne de 2011, l’équipe de Claude Chiasson et son épouse Frances
Champigny, ce dernier qui est président de l’APHPCR (Association des personnes handicapées physiques de Cowansville), en compagnie de Pauline
Mercier et Ron McPhail ont assisté à la Journée des Townshippers à
Stanstead. Il a fallu que l’expérience d’un jour à les convaincre de faire la demande pour que Farnham soit une ville hôte. En travaillant avec la ville de
Farnham, ils ont décidé de fusionner la journée du patrimoine de Farnham
avec la date choisie pour la Journée des Townshippers. Avec l’approbation du
conseil d’administration de l’Association des Townshippers, ils se sont assis
pour planifier un budget financé conjointement par la ville et par des collectes de fonds, afin de créer un grand événement d’une journée pour toute
la famille mettant en vedette la communauté anglophone.
(Suite à la page suivante.)
10
Historian Sisters (continued)
Deux historiennes (suite)
years and she also is a history buff. Pauline enjoyed a road trip this spring to
visit all the museums and historic sites that she could fit into a three week
cross-Canada tour.
Le comité organisateur 2012 se compose de quelques personnages clés et influents de la communauté de Farnham. Pauline Mercier est conseilleur municipal depuis six ans et elle est aussi une passionnée d’histoire. Pauline a
bénéficié d’un voyage de route ce printemps dernier pour visiter tous les
musées et sites historiques qu’elle pourrait s’insérer dans une tournée pancanadienne de trois semaines.
Marie-Claude Viau has been a key organiser of the Carrefour culturel in
Farnham, and works to make culture a priority with an increase in the town’s
cultural fund going into the annual budget for the new venue at the Marché
de la Station Gourmande where many well-attended concerts take place
throughout the year.
Micheline Lamarche is the exhibits coordinator and she has a great team of
community leaders to make up her sub-committee. Micheline just received
the “Medaille argent du gouveneur general du Quebec Pierre Duchesne pour
les ainés pour leur implication bénévole dans leur milieu” for her volunteer
work and life dedication and she is not about to slow down for some years
yet.
Two great Lion’s Hearts exist in Ron Mc Phail and Claude Chiasson and they
will be found in the Lion’s Tent on Townshippers’ Day. Alain Bedard from the
Centre D’action bénévole will be offering all sorts of delicious food for lunch
on site from BBQ chicken to a corn roast and sausages in a bun. Julie Paquette is the calm and experienced coordinator of Journee de la Patrimoine and
she can be found planning the logistics and activities for the community in
her office at Farnham Town Hall. She will also be the one to orient volunteers. Ruth Potvin and Denis Riel, joined by Townshippers’ Rachel Hunting
and Kate Wisdom, complete the team. On September 15th, come meet the
team of Townshippers’ Day and discover this beautiful and historic town!
Visit / Visiter
Marie-Claude Viau a été une des principaux organisateurs du Carrefour culturel de Farnham et travaille fort à rendre la culture une priorité dans sa communauté commençant par une augmentation des fonds culturels dans le
budget annuel de la ville pour le nouveau Marché de la Station Gourmande
où beaucoup de concerts bien assisté ont lieu tout au long de l’année.
Micheline Lamarche est la coordonnatrice des expositions et elle à une
grande équipe de dirigeants communautaires au sein de son sous-comité.
Micheline vient de recevoir le Médaille argent du gouverneur général du
Québec Pierre Duchesne pour les ainés pour leur implication bénévole dans
leur milieu pour son travail bénévole et son dévouement et elle ne planifie pas
de ralentir pour quelques années encore.
Deux cœurs de grands lions existent dans Ron McPhail et Claude Chiasson et
ils se trouveront dans la tente du Clubs des Lions lors de la Journée des
Townshippers. Coordonnateur du comité d’alimentation, Alain Bédard du
Centre d’action bénévole serait présent sur le site pour offrir toutes sortes de
plats délicieux sur place (poulet BBQ, maïs, saucisses grilles, etc). Julie Paquette est la coordonnatrice calme et expérimenté de la Journée Patrimoine de
Farnham et on peut la trouver en train de travailler à la planification des logistiques et des activités pour la communauté dans son bureau à l’Hôtel de
Ville de Farnham. Elle sera également sur le site afin d’assurer l’orientation
des bénévoles. Ruth Potvin et Denis Riel, rejoints par les Townshippers
Rachel Hunting et Kate Wisdom, complètent l’équipe. Le 15 septembre,
venez rencontrer l’équipe de la Journée des Townshippers et découvrir cette
belle ville historique!
33rd Townshippers’ Day
33e Journée des Townshippers
Farnham: The Past, The Present & The Future
Farnham : Le passé, le présent et l’avenir
ownshippers’ Day is a bilingual cultural festival and information fair that
brings together the English-speaking and French-speaking neighbours of
Quebec’s Eastern Townships’ to celebrate the English-speaking community and
its heritage.
a Journée des Townshippers est un festival culturel et une foire
d’information bilingues qui rassemblent la communauté d’expression
anglaise et leurs voisins francophones des Cantons-de-l’Est du Québec afin de
célébrer la communauté d’expression anglaise et son héritage.
T
With one foot planted firmly in the past and
the other pointed toward the future, Townshippers’ Day serves to recognize the historical contributions of the English-speaking
community, reflect on the path that has
brought us to where we are today and to
look forward to where we can go next.
Each year the event bears the distinct
flavour of the community that hosts it. This
year, Townshippers’ Day is hosted for the
first time in historic Farnham, Quebec,
under the theme “Farnham: The Past, The
Present & The Future.”
When / Quand :
Samedi le 15 septembre 2012
Saturday, September 15th, 2012
Where / Où :
École Jean-Jacques-Bertrand
255, rue St-André Sud
Farnham, Quebec
The autumn festivity will feature a wide range of music, entertainment, dance,
art, activities, artisans, information, delicious food and fun for all ages, types and
tastes. Admission is free, although donations help defray costs and support youth
initiatives.
For more details visit www.tday.ca.
L
Avec un pied planté fermement dans le passé et l’autre
pointé vers l’avenir, la Journée des Townshippers sert à faire
reconnaître les contributions historiques de la communauté
d’expression anglaise, à réfléchir sur le chemin qui nous a
menés là où nous sommes maintenant et à regarder vers
l’avant là où nous pouvons aller ensuite.
Même si vous n’êtes jamais venu dans les Cantons-de-l’Est
auparavant, devenez un Townshipper d’un jour ce 15
septembre et venez voir ce que notre région a à offrir!
Cette année, la Journée des Townshippers se déroulera pour
la première fois dans l’historique municipalité de Farnham,
au Québec, sous le thème : « Farnham : le passé, le présent et
l’avenir. » Afin de découvrir comment ce thème sera célébré
veuillez consulter notre site Web www.tday.ca.
La fête d’automne mettra en vedette un grand éventail de musique, danse, art,
activités, artisans, informations et nourriture délicieuse pour tous les âges, les
types et les goûts. L’entrée est gratuite, bien que les dons aident à couvrir les
coûts et soutenir des initiatives touchant aux jeunes.
11
Welcome to Farnham!
Bienvenue à Farnham!
estled on the shores of the Yamaska River, at the border of the SaintLawrence lowlands, the city of Farnham is well poised as the gateway
to the historic Eastern Townships. Centrally located between important
cities, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (West) and Granby (North-East), Farnham is
also the site of an important military training base which is used primarily by
the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School.
N
itué sur les rives de la rivière Yamaska, à la frontière des basses terres du
Saint-Laurent, la ville de Farnham est bien placé en tant que passerelle
vers les Cantons-de-l’Est historiques. Idéalement situé entre les villes importantes, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (Ouest) et Granby (Nord-Est), Farnham est
également le site d’une base d’entraînement militaire important qui est utilisé
principalement par l’École de leadership et de recrues des Forces canadienne.
S
Taking its name from the historic township municipality of Farnham, one of
the few townships being proclaimed before 1800 and named in remembrance
of Farnham in the shire of Surrey, England, the “City of Farnham” as it is
known today was officially established on March 8, 2000 when the town of
Farnham (est. 1876) merged with the municipality of Rainville. In the 2011
Canada Census, the population of the City of Farnham was 8,330 making it
the second most populated community in the Regional County Municipality
of Brome-Mississquoi.
Nommé pour la municipalité du canton historique de Farnham, un des seules
cantons étant proclamée avant 1800 et nommée en souvenir de Farnham
dans le comté de Surrey en Angleterre, la “Ville de Farnham” comme il est
connu aujourd’hui a été officiellement créé le 8 mars 2000, lorsque la ville de
Farnham (est. 1876) a fusionné avec la municipalité de Rainville. Selon le Recensement du Canada de 2011, la population de la Ville de Farnham a été
8330 ce qui la rend la deuxième communauté la plus peuplée de la municipalité régionale du comté de Brome-Missisquoi.
Rich with culture and activities, the City of Farnham is home to many varied
gatherings and festivals throughout the year. From St.Jean Baptiste celebrations in June to the Festival Blues de Farnham in August, as well as the Fete
de la Famille, held in September, the city has much to offer both individuals
and families alike. For the younger crowd Farnham’s skate board park, plays
host to the annual “Skatefest de Farnham” each August. Not to be missed is
the Marché de la Station Gourmande public market which is open every Saturday from June through to October.
Riche en culture et activités, la Ville de Farnham est l’emplacement de nombreux rassemblements et festivals au cours de l’année. Avec des célébrations
de St. Jean Baptiste en juin, le Festival Blues de Farnham en août ainsi que la
Fête de la Famille qui se tient en septembre, la ville a beaucoup à offrir aux
individus autant qu’aux familles. Pour les plus jeunes le parc à skate de Farnham est l’hôte de l’annuelle “Skatefest de Farnham” chaque août. À ne pas
manquer est le Marché de la Station Gourmande, un marché public qui est
ouvert tous les samedis à partir de juin jusqu’à octobre.
Located at 191 Victoria St. in the downtown core, just east of the junction of
two railroad mainlines, the Farnham CPR station was designated a heritage
railway station in 1994, highlighting its historic, architectural and environmental importance. The city boasts a recently renovated state of the art
hockey arena, the Madeleine-Auclair arena, and if you head southeast of the
city it won’t be long before you find yourself taking in the beautifully manicured fairways and tees at the Farnham Golf Club. Founded in 1957, this
semi-private club is open to the public. Over the years, this 18-hole championship-type course has built several different tees to accommodate golfers of
all levels.
Situé à 191 rue Victoria dans le centre-ville à l’est de la jonction de deux
lignes principales de chemin de fer, la station Candien Pacifique de Farnham a
été désigné une gare ferroviaire patrimoniale en 1994 soulignant son importance historique, architecturale et environnementale. La ville possède un aréna
de hockey récemment rénové, l’aréna Madeleine-Auclair et si vous vous
dirigez au sud-est de la ville il ne sera pas long avant que vous vous retrouviez parmi les aires de départs et les allées magnifiquement entretenues au
Club de Golf Farnham. Fondée en 1957, ce club semi-privé est ouvert au public. Au fil des ans, ce 18-trous style championnat a construit plusieurs aires de
départs différents afin d’accueillir les golfeurs de tous les niveaux.
12
Journée
Saturday, September 15th / Samedi le 15 septembre
TOWNSHIPPERS
Program of Activities
Programme de la Journée
2012
9h
Jean-Phil
ip Pothie
r
Ouverture du salon des exposants
Exhibits
10 h
Cérémonie d’ouverture
Opening Ceremonies
11 h
Activités familiales
Family Activities
• Jeux gonflables / Inflatable Games
• Coin des petits / Little Tykes’ Corner
• Venez « skater » avec la MDJ /
Come and “Skate” with the Youth Center
• Rallye familial / Family Rally
• Opti course / Opti Race
13 h 30 Droit de cité (Centre-ville de Farnham)
Freedom of the City Ceremony (Downtown Farnham)
16 h
Spectacle de clôture familial
Closing Show for Families
Jack Sparrow
Humour, magie et acrobatie. Le spectacle est conçu pour
les enfants, mais saura également plaire aux plus grands.
Humour, magic and acrobatics! The show is designed
for children but is sure to please the whole family!
17 h
Fin de l’événement
Closing
18 h
Méchoui / 15 $
Mechoui / $ 15
INFO : 450 266-7767
Day
La garde en rouge du royal 22e régiment /
Red Guard of the Royal 22nd Regiment
Entertainment Tent Program
Chapiteau des spectacles
11 h
11 h 45
12 h 30
13 h 45
Juke Box
14 h
14 h 45
15 h 15
Juke Box
Musique / Music
Brome Square
Troupe de danse / Dance troupe
Jean-Philip Pothier
Musique / Music
École de danse Martine Laplante
Matthew McCully
Musique / Music
Brome Square
David-lee Macphail
Musique / Music
arrow
Jack Sp
DavidLee Ma
cphail
13
Site Map
Plan du site
Parc Roch-Bourbonnais et
École secondaire Jean-Jacques-Bertrand
135, St-André Sud, Farnham
Farnham
Fun Facts!
• The historical township of
Farnham was named for a
town in England! Although
situated on two different contents and separated by an
ocean, the towns have a lot in
common such as attractive
old houses and buildings,
thriving agricultural industries, golf courses and, railway
stations.
Design/Graphisme : Stephanie Baker
• Farnham gained national
recognition in 1951 when its
baseball team the Pirates (affiliated with Pittsburgh in the
major leagues) became the
first team in organized baseball to have an African-American manager, Sam Bankhead!
• Residents of Farnham are
known as “Farnhamiens” and
“Farnhamiennes”!
• Once an old church, The Petite Église in Farnham is now
a fully functional recording
studio owned and operated by
the Montreal-based indie rock
band Arcade Fire!
• Canada’s leading parachuting
school, Nouvel Air, is located
in Farnham!
• Farnham is on both the Montérégiade Farnham/Granby
and Route verte bicycle paths!
• It is in Farnham that the
Route des vins des Cantonsde-l’Est begins!
• On Friday, July 13, 2012, the
sky over Farnham was the site
of a successful record-breaking skydive. Farnham residents
Michel Lemay, co-owner of
Parachutisme Nouvel Air, and
his son Martin along with 100
other Canadian skydivers, set
a new record for holding a
formation for seven seconds.
Saviez-vous que?
• Le canton historique de Farnham a été nommé
pour une ville en Angleterre! Bien que situé sur
deux continent différents et séparés par un océan,
les villes ont beaucoup en commun, telles que de
belles maisons et de bâtiments anciens, le succès
des industries agricoles, terrains de golf et des
gares ferroviaires.
LÉGENDE
Chapiteau spec
spectacle
tacle
1 Chapiteau
SStage
tage
Airee de jeux
2 Air
Pla
rea
Playy AArea
Jeux
d
’eau
d’eau
3
rea
W
ater Pla
Water
Playy AArea
Exposants
4
Exhibit
ors
Exhibitors
É
quipe
vverte
erte
Équipe
5
GGreen
reen Team
Team
150, rue Collins, Farnham *
777, rue Principale Est, Farnham*
313, rue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, Farnham*
33, rue Racine, Farnham
* Navette disponible
* Shuttle available
• Farnham a gagné une reconnaissance nationale
en 1951 lorsque son équipe de baseball les Pirates (affiliée à Pittsburgh dans les ligues majeures) est devenu la
première équipe de baseball organisé à avoir un gestionnaire afro-américaine, Sam Bankhead!
• Les résidents de Farnham sont appelés des “Farnhamiens” et des “Farnhamiennes”!
• Une vieille église, la Petite Église de Farnham, est maintenant un studio d’enregistrement entièrement fonctionnel qui appartient au groupe rock de Montréal Arcade Fire!
• L’école de parachutisme numéro un au Canada, Nouvel Air, est situé à Farnham!
• Farnham se trouve à la fois sur deux pistes cyclables dont le Montérégiade Farnham/Granby et la Route Verte!
• Il est à Farnham que la Route des vins des Cantons-de-l’Est commence!
• Le vendredi 13 juillet 2012, le ciel au-dessus de Farnham a été le site d’un succès record de saut en parachute.
Résidents de Farnham Michel Lemay, co-propriétaire de Parachutisme Nouvel Air et son fils Martin ainsi que 100
autres parachutistes canadiens ont établi un nouveau record pour la tenue d’une formation pendant sept secondes.
14
Artistes et créateurs de
Farnham en vedettes!
Par : Kate Wisdom
vec un grand nombre d’artistes provenant de Farnham enregistrés
comme exposants à la Journée des Townshippers (9 h à 17 heures dans
le gymnase de l’École Jean-Jacques-Bertrand) les offres d’expositions
promettent d’être à la fois variées et intéressantes!
A
Les affichages d’artistes et artisans talentueux seront mélangés parmi de nombreuses autres pièces, dont ceux des Townshippers @ work (mettant en
vedette des entreprises et organismes gouvernementaux) et celles des services
de santé, groupes communautaires et d’autres organisations.
Farnham Artists and
Designers on Display
By: Kate Wisdom
With a large number of Farnham artists signed up to exhibit on Townshippers’
Day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the École Jean-Jacques-Bertrand gymnasium,
the offerings of exhibitions promises to be both varied and interesting!
Nos nombreux partenaires communautaires tels que le Centre des Femmes
Avante et Yamaska Literacy Council se joindront à nous pour une autre année
et avec un accent sur la santé, le CSSS La Pommeraie sera sur place avec des
pamphlets d’informations diverses à distribuer dans les deux langues officielles.
Les artistes provenant de Farnham comprennent des peintres sur bois, toile et
vitre ainsi qu’une sélection d’articles fabriqués à la main (cartes de vœux et
sacs réutilisables). Les produits fabriqués localement seront mis en vedette incluent des bijoux par Lucy Roy et des vêtements fabriqués à partir de matériaux recyclés par Ariane Séguin-Verner. La Petite Souris qui fournit une gamme
spéciale de vêtements pour enfants de zéro à quatre ans à Farnham sera
également sur place.
The displays by talented artists and artisans will be mixed among many other
exhibits including the Townshippers@work (featuring businesses and government agencies) and those of health services and community groups and other
organizations.
Our many community partners such as Yamaska Literacy and Avante Womens’
Centre, will join us once again and, with a focus on health, the CSSS La Pommeraie returns stocked with various information flyers to give out in both official languages.
Farnham artists include painters on wood, canvas and glass as well as a selection of articles such as hand-made greeting cards and environmental bags.
Locally made products will take center stage with a display of jewelry by Lucy
Roy and clothing made from recycled materials by Ariane Séguin-Verner. La
Petite Sourcis, which supplies a special line of children’s clothing for 0 to 4
year olds in Farnham, will also be on hand.
Local food products are often a popular feature of the exhibition and with
honey from Les Miels La Ruche, it can’t get any sweeter! Curious about the
health benefits of herbs? Consult with herb expert Cécile
Normandin about the advantages of using her products.
If woodwork tickles your fancy,
discover the works of Farham
woodcrafter Marc Dubé and the
fine furniture in the Arts and
Crafts and Shaker traditions, of
Tour des Arts participant John
Photo: Bruce Porter
Murphy.
Wherever Townshippers’ Day takes place, Judith Almond has always been
there. The Clarenceville resident will again lend her presence to the exhibition
stocked with a supply of craft supplies and wooden toys which she happily
sells to crafters and shoppers in her corner of the Townships.
Whether discovering new products or services or getting a jump on that one
of a kind gift search for the holidays, the Townshippers’ Day exhibition is a
treasure trove waiting to be explored!
Photo: Bruce Porter
Les produits alimentaires locaux sont souvent des objets très populaires à l’exposition comme le miel des Miels La Ruche, par exemple! Vous voulez connaitre davantage sur les avantages des herbes pour la santé ? Consulter
l’expert Cécile Normandin sur les avantages de l’utilisation de ses produits.
Si la menuiserie vous intéresse venez découvrir les œuvres de Marc Dubé,
menuisier à Farnham et le mobilier raffiné d’un participant de la Tour des
Arts, John Murphy.
Partout où la Journée des Townshippers a lieu, Judith amande a toujours été
là. La résidente prêtera de nouveau de Clarenceville sa présence à l’exposition
équipée avec une offre de fournitures d’artisanat et de jouets en bois qu’elle
vend joyeusement aux artisans et acheteurs dans son coin des Cantons.
Qu’il s’agisse de la découverte de nouveaux produits et services ou pour trouver un cadeau spécial pour les fêtes, l’exposition de la Journée des Townshippers est un véritable trésor à découvrir!
15
Green Team
Plans for Farnham
L’escouade verte et son
plan pour Farnham!
By: Kate Wisdom
Par : Kate Wisdom
n keeping with tradition, Farnham’s Green Team is adopting the recycling
program that began at the 2006 Townshippers’ Day at the Richmond Fairgrounds and has since been a feature of the event.
I
In an effort to minimize the environmental footprint of Townshippers’ Day, sustainability steps will be carried out in all areas. Food vendors will be required to
participate in a composting and recycling program for the day and waste management will be carried out by a team of volunteers, led by an expert from Bedford business Nopac www.nopac.ca, who will be supplying the environmentally
friendly and compostable plates and cups for food vendors to use.
As visitors dispose of their
garbage, the Green Team will be
busily sorting it for processing.
Some will be composted (dishes
and food scraps) some recycled
(cans, bottles, paper, cartons) and
a small amount will go into regular garbage bags (meat, bones,
plastic wrap). The soda cans and
bottles will be picked up by Richmond resident Joe Kelly who
raises money for the Terry Fox
campaign.
The Green Team project includes
education for the public of what
goes in which bin. Organisers in
the past have been surprised by
the amount of people who
needed to be told that a soda
can is recyclable and not compostable.
Following Stanstead’s impressive
performance in 2011, Green
Team coordinator Jennifer Reinbold left a few tips for the next
Team to follow.
“We had 12 of each recycling/compost bins and only one bag of garbage filled
mostly with tin foil. I had about six volunteers from Stanstead College and six
Bishop’s (University) students. They made the clean up very quick and easy.
I think the day went very nicely BECAUSE of the volunteers. The bright green
t-shirts ended up being a hit, all volunteers wore them, and we attracted attention. It helped a lot that they were printed on the back with the logo and
GREEN TEAM”.
Farnham Green Team coordinator Marie-Helene Plante will
be leading the team for 2012 in
their mission to have no more
than one or two bags of actual
garbage by the end of the day!
Volunteers are welcome to put
on the famous bright green tshirts and join the Team for
one of the two hour shifts at the sorting table. To lend a hand contact Kate Wisdom, Community and Culture Coordinator for Townshippers’ Association, at
450-242-4421 (toll free at 1-877-242-4421) or [email protected].
onformément à la tradition, l’équipe verte de Farnham ont adopté le programme de recyclage qui a commencé à la Journée des Townshippers
2006 à Richmond et qui depuis ce temps-là est devenue une caractéristique de l’événement.
C
Dans un effort de minimiser l’empreinte environnementale de la Journée des
Townshippers, des mesures de développement durable seront effectuées dans
tous les domaines. Les vendeurs de produits alimentaires seront tenus de participer à un programme de compostage et de recyclage pour la journée et la
gestion des déchets seront effectuée par une équipe de bénévoles dirigée par un
expert de Bedford NOPAC (www.nopac.ca) qui va fournir les plats compostables
et les tasses pour les vendeurs d’aliments
à utiliser.
Lorsque les visiteurs se débarrassent de
leurs ordures, l’équipe verte sera occupée
à faire le tri pour le traitement. Certains
seront compostés (plats et déchets alimentaires), certains recyclé (cannettes,
bouteilles, papier, cartons) et une petite
quantité ira dans des sacs à ordures
régulières (viande, d’os, pellicule plastique). Les canettes de soda et les
bouteilles en vitre seront ramassées par
résident de Richmond, QC Joe Kelly qui
amasse des fonds pour la campagne
Terry Fox.
Le projet de l’Équipe verte comprend l’éducation du public sur le compostage et
le recyclage et ou mettre les ordures. Les
organisateurs dans le passé ont été surpris par la quantité de personnes qui
avaient besoin de se faire rappeler
qu’une canette de soda est recyclable et
non compostable.
Après la performance impressionnante
de Stanstead en 2011, Jennifer Reinbold, la coordonnatrice de l’équipe verte a
quelques conseils pour la prochaine équipe à suivre:
« Nous avons eu 12 bacs de recyclage et 12 bacs de compostage et un seul sac
d’ordures rempli principalement avec du papier d’aluminium. J’ai eu environ six
bénévoles du Collège de Stanstead et six étudiants de l’Université Bishops. Ils ont
rendu le nettoyage très rapide et facile. Je pense que la journée s’est très bien
déroulée grâce aux bénévoles. Les t-shirts verts ont fini par être un succès, tous
les bénévoles en portaient et nous avons attiré beaucoup d’attention. Ça fut
très aident qu’elles soient imprimées avec le logo de l’équipe verte sur le dos. »
Marie-Hélène Plante dirigera
l’équipe 2012 dans leur mission
de ne pas avoir plus d’un ou
deux sacs d’ordures réelle rendue à la fin de la journée! Les
bénévoles sont les bienvenus
pour mettre un des célèbres tshirts vertes et se joindre à
l’équipe pour un des deux heures à la table de tri. Pour donner un coup de main
veuillez contacter Kate Wisdom de l’Association des Townshippers au 450-2424421 (sans frais au 1-877-242-4421) ou [email protected].
16
Thank you to all supporting partners
Merci à tous les organismes partenaires
THE
T HE
VO I C E O F T H E E A S T E R N T OW N S H I P S S I NC E 18 9 7
17
OpART: The Most Exciting Thing
That You Will Ever Do*
*Maybe not, but do tell us if it is!
By: Kris Holliday
o you remember that time when you wrapped up an
entire bridge with yarn? Or when you spent a weekend surrounded by geeks and then transformed into a
zombie? What about when you decided, just for the fun
of it, to turn yourself into an inanimate object?
D
You mean no? It didn’t happen? You don’t believe it?
Well, I bet you never thought the Queen would skydive
out of a plane with James Bond either and we all know
how that one turned out!
VIP Info
OpART sessions are bilingual, targeted for
18–35 year olds and priority booking goes
to residents of the Val-Saint-François area.
To book your spot, please contact Siu-Min
at 819-826 3702 x242 or [email protected].
If you live in the Val-Saint-François area and happen to be youngish and restless, you are in for a treat
this September. A creative project titled OpART is coming to Richmond with five masterclasses and one
weekend festival that have been specially designed to tantalize your taste buds, make you break your
front door, run away from home and never come back the same!
We are adding to the budding cultural flavour already existent in the Val-Saint-François to ensure that it
remains with two feet, and tongue firmly in cheek, on the arty map. So whether you already have a whiff
of an interest or just looking for something different to do, sign up for these rather fabulous looking sessions run by our very own professional artists and cultural movers and shakers.
For further information on OpART, which is funded by the Commision Régionale des Élus de l‘Estrie,
Townshippers’ Association, Richmond & Region Community Learning Centre and Make Way for YOUth,
please contact Kris Holliday at 819-566-5717 (toll free: 1-866-566-5717) or [email protected].
You can also find OpART on Facebook and more info at www.townshippers.qc.ca.
YES and Townshippers’ Association Host
Special Entrepreneurship Services Day
or the past 16 years, YES, a non-profit organization that provides English-language
employment and self-employment support
services, has provided guidance and assistance to
more than 6,000 entrepreneurs in the Greater
Montreal Area. To ensure that YES is able to help
all English-speaking Quebecers with their entrepreneurial start-up efforts, they now offer online
video services to support aspiring entrepreneurs
and existing business owners within all regions of
Quebec.
F
As part of this new initiative, YES, in collaboration
with the Townshippers’ Association, hosted a special entrepreneurship services day in the Eastern
Townships on Tuesday February 28th which included one-on-one business coaching sessions, an
Open House information session and an entrepreneurship workshop. The event brought out numerous local entrepreneurs from a variety of industries
and backgrounds who took advantage of the opportunity to sign up for one-on-one, personalized
business coaching sessions and learn more about
the services available in the Townships for entrepreneurs including funding options available
through YES and other community programs.
If you are thinking of starting a business or expanding your existing business, YES’ new online
support includes interactive daytime and evening
workshops geared to help entrepreneurs refine
their ideas, start and grow their business and locate the resources they need to succeed. Topics
include Jump-Start Your Business, Start-Up Grants
& Loans, Start Your Own Business Seminar Series,
Legal Essentials for Entrepreneurs, Information
Technology and Networking.
The online service also gives you access to a team
of in-house experts and professional business
coaches offering individualized business consultations. As business issues vary from community to
community, YES business coaches are well-informed and instructed on concerns specific to different regions and rural areas, allowing them to
make the most out of every session.
Regional clients accessing coaching sessions and
workshops online will also have access to capital
through YES in partnership with the Canadian
Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), as well as
through other funding partners.
For more information or to register for online
services, contact YES at 514-878-9788 (toll free:
1-888-614-9788) or visit www.yesmontreal.ca.
About YES
As a not-for-profit organization, YES (Youth Employment Services) enriches the community by
providing English-language support services to
help Quebecers find employment and start businesses.
Photo: An-d via wikicommons
A new creative project is readying to take the townships by
storm! With activities that include yarn bombing, film
score composing and a zombie/comic action packed
weekend designed to bring out your inner geek, young
townshippers (18-35) will get to experience creative forces
they never dreamed possible.
OpART
Schedule 2012
September 19
Monotype Engraving with
artist Stéphanie Verriest
October 6
Land Art in partnership
with Zoné Vert
October 19–21
CountryCon in partnership with
DHTV Les Curieux
30 October 2012
Film Animation with filmmaker
Farzin Farzanah
November 14
Yarn Bombing in partnership
with La Galerie des Nanas
November 28
Film soundtrack with
musician and composer
Bernard Langlois
18
Townships Expressions!
id you know there’s a one-stop-shop for hundreds of uniquely townships creations? Townships
Expressions was created by Townshippers’ Association, with the financial support of Canadian Heritage, in an effort to help English-speaking artists in the region sell and publicize their works.
D
From greeting cards to music and books, calendars, postcards, toys, cookbooks and even prints, these
one-of-a-kind items are conceived by Eastern Townships artists and/ or have a Townships theme.
This year the Expressions collection grew with the addition of books “Irish Settlement and National Identity
in the Lower St. Francis Valley” by Peter Southam and
Ann Scowcroft’s “The Truth of Houses,” also in stock
CD’s “Surface Tension” by Sarah Biggs and Jim Robinson’s album “No Turning Back”, and Albert Nerenberg’s
DVD documentary “Laughology”
Expressions On The Go!
While the collection can be purchased during business
hours at our Sherbrooke (100 – 257 Queen St.) or
Montérégie-East (3-584 Knowlton Rd.) offices, or anytime online in the new online Expressions Boutique at
townshippers.qc.ca/townships-expressions, occasionally Expressions hits the road.
Last March the collection attended an Authors Brunch,
joining well-known regional writers such as Louise
Penny and Ronald Sutherland. A few months later, participants in the 47th Meeting of the Fédération Histoire Québec at the Delta Sherbrooke feasted their eyes on the extensive Expressions collection.
This September visitors to Townshippers’ Day in Farnham will have their chance to purchase from this exceptional selection.
Buy a unique gift for yourself or a loved one while supporting the region’s many talented artists such as
the artists Marie-Therese Fitzgibbons, Zdanka and Kristine Fonda, Sonia Palik and Annis Karpenko, musicians Kate Morrison, Michael Ayles, Amos Joannides, Matthew McCully and Lynn Hamilton, authors
Ronald Sutherland, Louise Abbott and Neils Jensen amongst many other talented artists!
Have questions about the Expressions collection? Contact Cathy Turner at 819-566-5717
(1-866-566-5717) or [email protected].
Shop Townships Expressions Online @
www.townshippers.qc.ca/townships-expressions
Membership Matters!
There are definite benefits to becoming a member!
You can:
ne of the true strengths of Townshippers’ Association is its members. Like any community
group, membership support provides credibility to
our actions and endeavours.
• Stay informed with our bi-annual newsletter
and monthly e-bulletin.
O
Your membership in Townshippers’ is important!
The Association works hard to promote the interests of the English-speaking community,
strengthen the cultural identify of this community,
and encourage the full participation of the English-speaking population in the community at
large. Having the backing of a solid membership
means that we know we’re on the right track!
Your membership truly does count!
• Apply for a position on our board of directors
Did
you know?
bers –
800 active mem
1,
er
ov
s
ha
on
esses
• The Associati
ions, and busin
at
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n
ga
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• Obtain a discount from our Partners
individuals, fam
e of 30
(a complete list can be viewed on our
are under the ag
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website).
e of 75
are over the ag
• 481 members
rship
For more information about how to become a
ve had a membe
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• 16
valuable member, please contact Evelina Smith,
longer
for 30 years or
Information & Referral Coordinator,
at 819-566-2182 (1-877-566-2182) or
[email protected].
19
Network News
Estrie
School Perseverance: What is going on
behind the scenes?
he success of our youth is an ongoing concern.
How to understand what makes them tick.
Youth have their own styles and ways of thinking.
We know this; we were young once. What are the
likes, dislikes, trends, language, clothing, among
other things that are currently cool or acceptable.
Do kids still use the word “cool” and in the same
context as 10 years ago?
T
Once the focus zoned in on drop out prevention
and school perseverance but now health organizations, youth organizations and educational institutions have gone a step further. It isn’t just about
succeeding in school anymore but about succeeding in life. With issues that face teens today sometimes they need to be brought back to a healthy
lifestyle or need help getting out of a difficult situation before they can concentrate and plan a future.
There is a service available in Sherbrooke as well as
in the Memphrémagog MRC known as Pre-retour.
It is a service intended for youth aged 16–30 who
wish to return to a healthy lifestyle, school, or
work and who need help or guidance to do so.
Pre-retour is a mobile service which means that
the coordinator will go to the kids where they are
and adapt the service to the individual needs. For
many reasons young people do not seek out services available to them. Pre-retour will help them
find the services and open the door to a healthier,
happier lifestyle.
to make sure that our voice is heard. One of the
major concerns facing our community is health
care and having access to services in English. We
have to let our health institutions know that we
are here, we want the services, and we want them
in English.
Health is a basic quality that a community needs.
Health issues affect the social, economic, cultural,
and spiritual conditions of a community. A healthy
community is dependant on how people live, act,
and work together. By working together with local
organizations or groups, individuals, and government institutions we can continue to build and
ensure healthy communities. Participate in community engagement and become a greater voice!
Mental Health Project:
After the rainbow comes the sun
uring an assessment as part of their “Projet
Clinique” action plan, the CSSSM discovered
that there were gaps between the needs and services offered to individuals with moderate to severe
mental health problems. To fill those gaps the
Stanstead Health promotion project was launched
in November 2009 with the collaboration of CAB
Rediker, Mental Health Estrie, Maison Stevens,
CSSSM, and Townshippers’ Association.
D
Community Engagement – Get Involved
e all take part of the process known as community engagement, whether we realize it or
not. If you have participated on a committee,
done volunteer work, met with a group of friends
for coffee or a meal, expressed an opinion, then
you have experienced community engagement.
W
Community engagement is described as an opportunity for individuals to build ongoing, permanent
relationships with a common vision for the benefit
of the community. If you have sat around the
kitchen table and discussed health care cuts, school
tuition hikes, garbage pick up, or even water levels
and if the water is safe to drink; then you are talking about issues that affect your community. The
more you talk, the more you stay informed, and
the more consulted you are about issues then the
better empowered you will be to act.
The English-speaking community is a vibrant, vital
community that has to stick together if we want
The project has four goals. The first is to offer an
activity/opportunity that will reduce the isolation
of the individual as well as reduce the stigma surrounding the illness. The second is to help the
participants develop greater self esteem and to
improve their social skills. The third goal is to encourage the members to carry out various tasks to
help develop and achieve a social position in the
community. The fourth goal is to work on attitudes and behaviours in order for the individual to
be better equipped to face personal and life challenges.
The group activity provides an occasion for social
integration therefore increasing community awareness and participation. The project has proven to
be success with continued participation of eight
members and occasional participation of four, half
Anglophone and half francophone; not bilingual
participants.
During the 2011-2012 year there were three sessions lasting 10 to 12 weeks. The group met on
Friday’s and followed a similar format from week
to week: morning activity/craft, cooking, eating,
and cleaning, and then exercise. At the end of
each session there was a special outing where we
ventured out into the big cities of Magog or Sherbrooke.
The group will continue to meet in the Fall of
2012 with a new group coordinator as well as the
introduction of four potential new members. An
agreement with adapted transportation means that
Anglophones in the Magog area can now join the
group and meet up in Stanstead once a week. The
project is always open to new members with individual growth and autonomy highlighted as a priority.
Community Watchdog and
Natural helper
ccording to research on health care services for
the English-speaking community, a majority of
respondents indicated that they would turn to relatives and friends in case of illness rather than
turn to public social services. Although this support network is invaluable, family and friends are
not always aware of the services available or where
they can find them. A person requiring help will
sometimes not know where to turn until a crisis
point has been reached.
A
In order for the community to be better served,
community members need more information
about services that are available and need to be
encouraged to use them. An effective method to
improve knowledge about the services available to
the community is by offering workshops for the
natural or community caregivers. These workshops
help to strengthen the natural caregivers’ capacity
and increased their knowledge by providing information about the health care services and resources available. With the production of the
booklet “Community Watchdog a Helpers Guide”,
natural caregivers were given another useful tool.
In February-March of 2012, when the Community
Watchdog project continued into phase 2 in Ayers
Cliff, community leaders recently had the chance
to expand their knowledge base by meeting with
local health care professionals in an informal setting, and occasionally one-on-one, during four
workshops.
The sessions included vital information about the
available services, as well as where they are located, and to who the family or friend could be
referred. Topics covered over these workshops in(Continues next page.)
20
cluded: What it is and how to be an efficient
community watchdog, dealing with aggression,
Child Abuse, Elder Abuse, Sexual Abuse,
Spousal / Domestic Abuse, Addictions (alcohol,
gambling, drug), Mental Health Problems, Suicide,
and Isolation.
Funding for this project came from Community
Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN) and
Health Canada through their Health Promotion
Program.
English Pre natal courses in Magog
aving a baby can be one of the most exciting
and wonderful times of a person’s life, but
along with that excitement there can be worries,
fears and plenty of questions. Prenatal classes
offer expectant parents a place to ask those questions, gather information and socialize with other
pregnant mothers and their partners. By address
any concerns and getting the answers to their
questions, an expectant parent gains confidence
which can help make the birth experience meaningful, safe and happy.
H
Prenatal sessions are comprised of a series of seven
courses, during which time the parents to be can
learn about pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a
newborn. A pre-natal program was recently offered
in English in Magog for the first time through the
efforts of local community organizations.
Montérégie-East
Working Together in
the Montérégie-East
he Montérégie-East Network is a group of
community organizations, community members and health, social and educational agencies
with an interest in issues which have an impact on
the health and social well-being of the Englishspeaking minority within the larger community.
Currently there are 18 partner organizations who
offer programs and services in English and they
are eager for the English-speaking community to
know about them.
Our guests have all shown community spirit and it
has been very rewarding to promote the activities
of the partners network and those of the many
individuals and groups which are engaged in making this a stronger community.
The Network provides a forum for members to
share and receive information and tools with others whom they would not ordinarily meet. Members are then able to disseminate information
about new projects and services more widely in
the community.
Sticking to School and Beyond
T
The Network also provides an opportunity to present issues of concern to the English-speaking population and receive support and collaboration
from others. From areas of shared concern, this
table has been the springboard for communitywide initiatives such as the Caregivers Course offered by Emploi Québec and the Partenaires
Brome-Missisquoi Partners for Educational Success
(school perseverance).
Coordinated by the Lennoxville and District
Women’s center who have sponsored prenatal
classes since 1996, the classes took place at the
Memphrémagog Community Learning Center
(CLC),and were financed by Townshippers’ Association, and in partnership with Comité d’action
local Québec Enfant de Magog (CAL).
Five couples registered for the classes which were
taught by Ellen Lewis, who has a certification in
childbirth education. She is also certified as a
Doula (labour support) through DONA (Doulas of
North America). Ellen has helped many couples
prepare for the safe birth of healthy babies and
her knowledge, expertise, and calm supportive
manner have helped many couples have a more
positive experience with the birth of their child. As
Ellen says, “the more you know, the more the birth
belongs to you.”
More sessions are in the planning phase.
Debbie Bishop &
Shannon Keenan
Co-Coordinators,
Eastern Townships Partners
for Health & Social Services,
Estrie Network
819-566-5717
(toll free: 1-866-566-5717)
[email protected]
[email protected]
son’s Support group and the Prostate Cancer Support Group. We are pleased to announce that we
have aired over 100 shows and too many others to
list and there is still more to come!
Two years ago About Townshippers hit the airwaves with
radio CIDI 99.1 FM. Since then Kate Wisdom, Lindsay Tuer
and Kate Murray have produced more than 100 shows.
One way in which we promote our partners is
through community radio. On June 18th, 2010,
our weekly show “About Townshippers” hit the
airwaves on CIDI radio 99.1 FM. Hosted alternately by Kate Wisdom, Kate Murray and Lindsay
Tuer, the hour-long show features interviews with
people from community organizations, municipalities, public institutions, support groups, service
groups and many others about the programs and
services available in the region of MontérégieEast. Guests have also included writers, actors, directors and musicians.
About Townshippers’ topics have covered everything from event planning to cultural events such
as children’s arts events, WordFest, Mental Health
Week, Picnic in the Park 50+ and Festival Estival,
literacy issues to the development of the Parkin-
If you can’t listen to us on radio CIDI 99.1 FM live
every Friday at 5 p.m. or catch the repeat Tuesday
mornings at 8, check out the online shows at
www.rcmmedia.org.
he Partenaires Brome-Missisquoi partners are
continuously working behind the scenes in the
Montérégie-East to support youth through their
school years. Many community groups, organizations and schools that sit on this table share the
same concern, the success of our youth is crucial
and it takes and entire community to educate
them. It is a mindset that not everyone shares but
the more the community promotes and encourages school perseverance, the closer we are to creating a healthier community.
T
Last February, one of our partnering organizations, the Yamaska Literacy Council, , planned a
symposium entitled School Community Partnerships, The day long activity allowed the community organizations, schools, service providers and
decision makers to share all their tools and projects. The following day we went to the various
communities and offered support and other tools
to families.
But it doesn’t stop with just one activity! If you
are 16-24 years old and looking to obtain your
high-school diploma, a program created by the
Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi called Commun’ecole
can help you do just this. Offering an alternative
way of learning, this great initiative can help you
succeed in all aspects of your life. All of these
projects demonstrate that working in partnerships
and networking is a hallmark in the MontérégieEast.
Kate Murray and Lindsay Tuer we will be more
than happy to help send you in the right direction.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Kate Murray &
Lindsay Tuer
Co-Coordinators,
Eastern Townships Partners
for Health & Social Services,
Montérégie-East Network
450-242-4421
(toll free: 1-877-242-4421)
[email protected]
[email protected]
21
Legal Info Service
very year since 2007 Townshippers’ Association
has been offering a free legal information
service, thanks to a partnership developed with the
Université de Sherbrooke’s Law Faculty.
E
This fall we will be welcoming Dominik Danakas
to our Lennoxville office. A Champlain College
graduate, Dominik is very pleased to be able to do
her internship here in the community and will be
in the office once or twice a week, depending on
her schedule, starting mid-September.
The 411 on
Information & Referral
id you know that Townshippers’ Association
received over 800 requests for information in
2011? Most of these questions came to us over the
phone, a growing number are sent by email and
others are from people who drop into to our
Lennoxville or Knowlton office.
D
The free legal information service is provided to
help answer your legal questions. It is important
to note that since our volunteers are not yet practicing lawyers, they can not give legal counsel or
advice.
You can reach Dominik at 819-566-2182 or toll
free 1-877-566-2181 (Townshippers’ Information
& Referral Line) or by email at [email protected].
Many thanks to Anthony Quevillon and PierAlexandre Desbiens for their excellent work in
2011–2012. We wish them the best of luck as they
go on to write their bar exams later this year!
The questions are as varied as the people asking
them – someone needs a birth certificate or passport, someone else may want to find out where
they can get French classes, and others need some
assistance in filling out a complicated government
form!
Free tax clinic
or the past seven years Townshippers’ Association has offered an income tax service for low
income individuals and families. The first year saw
about 45 clients; this year, over 180 individuals
made use of this invaluable service.
F
For the first time this year clients were offered the
choice of having their income taxes net filed. For
many this was quicker, saves a lot of paper, and
does not need stamps! For others, having a paper
copy was their preference.
This service would not have been possible without
dedicated volunteers. On behalf of Townshippers’
Association and all people who used this invaluable service – thank you! And many thanks to
Revenue Canada and Revenue Quebec’s Volunteer
Tax Program. Dominique and Geneviève were always so helpful and professional.
This year, summer student Holly McMillan is developing a brand new databank which will house
all of the accumulated information. Finding an organization, contact person, or phone number will
be that much easier!
Talk To Us!
s a non-profit organization, Townshippers’ is working hard for the regions English-speaking
community. Your feedback helps us to represent you better!
A
Have you had a great time being involved with one of Townshippers’ initiatives? Do you have
questions about the Association in general? Perhaps you have a topic or other content you’d
like to see in our upcoming spring issue of Townshippers’? Or you want to let us know weather
you prefer getting info from us digitally or in hardcopy?
Questions, comments, testimonials, even critiques, we want to hear from you!
Email [email protected], send us a message via Facebook (townshippersassociation)
or call Corrinna at our Sherbrooke offices, 819-566-5717 (toll free 1-866-566-5717).
22
Outstanding Townshippers 2012
t could be just a few hours a day to several years, from simple acts to creative initiatives. No matter what form it comes in,
the Eastern Townships English-speaking community is better and stronger thanks to the hands-on effort, dedication and
involvement of volunteers. Each year The Outstanding Townshippers Award aims to honour up to three individuals for their
exceptional or significant contribution to the Townships English-speaking community.
I
Nominated by their peers and selected by a jury, this year’s recipients have a collaborative investment of over 100 years of
volunteer work in a variety of fields including health, education and heritage!
Congratulations to 2012 Outstanding Townshippers Frances Goodwin from Bury, Vivienne Galanis from Sherbrooke, and
Marion Greenlay, also from Sherbrooke.
The winners will be awarded at Townshippers’ Day Opening Ceremonies, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., on September 15, 2012.
EXTRA! EXTRA!
long with saying goodbye to several
familiar faces and hello to new ones, 2012
has been a busy one for Townshippers’ and its
not over yet! In this issue of Townshippers we’ve
covered a lot of our activities since last September, but we couldn’t fit everything in.
A
Between the cultural celebrations, networking
events, open houses and murder mystery parties, we hit a few pretty cool milestones this year and while we don’t like to brag, we think these achievements
are worth sharing. Check out the other highlights of the year that had us learning, laughing and dancing with you.
a T-Day
How do follow
d
t
grea events an
packed full of
e that was held
fun like the on
2011? You
in Stanstead in
ember, particilaugh! Last Nov
ay the aupants chased aw
the Townships
tumn chill with
ist Albert
own Laugholog
rt of the With
Nerenberg as pa
Elders event ti
Respect to Our
of
s
it
g Benef
tled “The Healin
ughter: A CeleMusic, Art & La
munity.”
bration of Com
With proud fam
ily and friends
by their sides,
bilingual, futu
a new wave of
re nurses and so
cial workers fo
Townships wer
r the Eastern
e invested in w
hen eight youn
dents were aw
g bilingual stu
arded $70,000
worth of schola
rships last May
Nathaly Leavit
.
t, Manon Côté,
Caroline Faute
Emily Bouthot
ux, Mustapha
, Emily Beerwor
Azizi,
th, Melissa Dai
Orantes-Mendo
gle and Kimbe
za were awarde
rly
d their scholars
Townshippers’
hips through
Association’s H
ealth and Soci
Resources Dev
al Services Hum
elopment projec
an
t, funded by th
and Retention
e McGill Trainin
of Health Profe
g
ssionals projec
creasing the nu
t, which aims at
mber of bilingu
inal technicians
working in heal
and profession
th and social se
al
s
rvice in the regi
on.
r Annual
June marked ou
g but TownGeneral meetin
so proud that
shippers’ was al
icipate in the
month to part
first Purple
launch of the
ign in the reRibbon Campa
Council
gion with the
buse in the
Against Elder A
If you have
Estrie Region.
t Elder Abuse
questions abou
rt or get help,
or want to repo
ebsite
the bilingual w
s-aines.ca is
www.stop-abu
source of inyour one stop
resources.
formation and
With a snazzy new design, Arts Watch,
our free digital newsletter keeping artists
in the training and opportunities loop, was
sent out at the end of July!
Our other free digital newsletter, the
monthly Townshippers’ Association
E-bulletin, received its 826th subscription!
After a few years in the same clothes, the Townshippers’ Day website www.TDay.ca – was redesigned and re-launched!
We’re getting more popular! Over a few months, our “Likes” on Facebook
nearly doubled to 132 and on Twitter 101 others are following
along with us! Ah shucks, you like us, you really do!
23
Intergenerational Respect Project Comes to an End
By: Eric Akbar Manolson
ver the last four years the Respect to Our
Elders project, Townshippers’ Association’s
intergenerational project for seniors and
more, has presented a multitude of events and activities enjoyed by thousands of people across the
Eastern Townships! Our aim has always been to
discover how building intergenerational relationships, and especially hands on activities involving
music and the arts, affect community health and
the well-being of individuals.
O
See Music, Art & Laughter In Action!
One of our most memorable activities was the
Healing Benefits of Music, Art & Laughter event
that took place at Centennial Theatre last November 13th. Among other things, it was a series of
musical presentations, interactive workshops, talks
and art activities.
Under the direction of Township’s filmmaker Yuko
Kandachi, a fantastic short video of the event was
created and uploaded to Youtube.com. To view
the video visit http://alturl.com/vxnx2, search
Youtube.com for Eastern Townships Laughter (or
Bienfaits Estrie for the French version). After you
view it, share the link with your friends and let us
know what you think!
Thank you to the Ministère de la famille
et des aînés
The Respect project was enjoyed by townshippers
of all ages, from the very young to those young at
heart, but eventually all good things must come to
an end. We are grateful to the Ministère de la
famille et des aînés for their several years of sup-
port for the RESPECT project, as well as the precious collaboration of many community partners.
Last March, we wrapped up and celebrated the
connections created by this unique project at a
goodbye-hello evening hosted at our Lennoxville
office. That evening we also announced the new
intergenerational initiatives we are undertaking
this fall.
This program is both innovative and exciting in its
collaboration between university and Cegep students and seniors. We organized visits last year
that were highly appreciated by all groups.
Students and seniors will also work together to
create a video-documentary that will continue to
encourage discussions of how creativity and intergenerational connections can benefit people of all
ages.
The Agir Project
‘Prevention through intergenerational connections’
is the theme of our new project known as The
Agir project, which is short for its full French
name ‘Apprendre ensemble, agir ensemble(pour
prévenir les mauvais traitements des aînés).’
Over a period of six months, groups of Englishspeaking seniors in the MRCs of Coaticook, HautSt-François, Memphrémagog and in Sherbrooke,
will be visited by students from the business SIFESTEP program at Bishops’ University, and from the
modern languages department of the Cegep de
Sherbrooke. Together, they will develop a series of
interactive activities and information sessions
about finance and other topics of interest.
The aim of these will be to:
increase older peoples’ feeling of empowerment
about their financial health, thus helping prevent
financial abuse,
create advocacy amongst younger people, to be
shared amongst their peers, that will increase appreciation of older people and help prevent elder
abuse, develop positive new relationships between
young and old.
Next Up
We know there are wider applications to what we
have learned and the power of intergenerational
connections and the healing benefits of music, art
and laughter. One of the areas we’d like to explore
is working to create amazing positive experiences
between people living with Alzheimer’s and other
forms of loss of autonomy, and their families and
caregivers!
If any of these ideas inspire you, please contact
Eric Akbar Manolson, With Respect to Our Elders
project coordinator. Thank you!
24
Visit us online at: www.townshipsfoundation.ca | Fall/Winter 2012
Townshippers’ Research & Cultural Foundation
ownshippers’ Research & Cultural Foundation (TRCF) has been supporting projects
in the historic Eastern Townships for the past twenty-five years! During that time
we have given over a million dollars to projects in a variety of geographical areas,
and we have had the pleasure of witnessing many interesting, grassroots initiatives
thrive. Many of these worthy projects would not have been possible without the support
the Foundation has been able to grant them—which in turn is thanks to the generosity
of people within our community.
T
Our demographics change, which is a sign that our community is always changing. Project applications arrive from seniors, youth, women’s and theatre groups. Whether they
are applying for larger or smaller sums, all have the same goal—to improve the lives of those who live in
the Eastern Townships. Although our grants are not huge, they do provide support and seed money even
for larger initiatives, which go on to request funding from other sources.
Projects supported by your
2011 donations:
• Townshippers’ Association
• Mansonville Elementary School
• Waterloo Elementary School
• Brome County Historical Society
• Sunshine Theatre Productions
• Avante Women’s center
• Maision de la Famille des Frontières
• Héritage Sutton
• Comite Anglo-Franco Committee
Photo: Brenda Hartwell
• Quebec Women’s Institute
• Centre des Arts de Stanstead
The Board of the Townshippers’ Foundation believes strongly in using the donations we receive wisely.
Over the years our coffers have decreased, but we still support as many projects as we can. Our expenses
have been cut to the absolute minimum while maintaining our quality of service. We have been very fortunate that over the years both Board members and staff have given so freely of their time and effort to
support the interests of townshippers.
The annual fall campaign launch has been replaced with a spring Grant Giving Luncheon, where it is possible to learn first-hand about the projects we support and meet with the dedicated volunteers who make
them happen.
We hope to go on for another twenty-five years, and we know that with the support we receive, we will
do just that!
• The Ruiter Valley Land Trust
• Mental Health Estrie
• After the rainbow comes the sun
• ShazamFest
• Lennoxville Youth Center
• Knowlton Literary Association “WordFest”
• Bibliothéque Lennoxville Library
To learn more, visit us at our new website: www.TownshippersFoundation.ca.
For your convenience, donations
may also be made online at
CanadaHelps.org.
Townshippers’ Research & Cultural Foundation
www.townshipsfoundation.ca
(Please make cheque payable to Townshippers’ Foundation)
Registration No. 11892 2111
Enclosed is my donation of $ _________________
$1000
$500 $250 $100 $50
I want this gift to be anonymous
$25
Name _______________________________________________________________
If you wish to give this gift in honour of someone, please complete the following:
Address______________________________________________________________
In honour/memory of _______________________________________________
Town _________________________Prov. ________Postal Code _______________
Person(s) to be notified _____________________________________________
Phone ________________________E-mail _________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
Please return to: 100-257 Queen • Sherbrooke, QC J1M 1K7
Receipts are issued for donations of $10.00 or more
Town________________________Prov. ________Postal Code______________
Phone_______________________E-mail_______________________________

reader spreads - Townshippers` Association

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