Avante November newsletter
Our programming is in full swing and we’re delighted with how many of you come to our activities. From September, we officially have 193 registered members! If you have not renewed your membership this fall, or would like to join, please contact the centre at (450)248-0530 to keep in the loop with all our developing events. Membership is $5 per year.
We are always striving to meet the needs of our communities, but to find out what they are, we need to hear from you! Last year we invited you to join us in Sutton to hear your ideas, and now we are visiting Cowansville. Our staff will be at the Centre femmes des Cantons, 119 Dieppe, on November 23th at 10am, eager to listen to suggestions you may have about how we can improve our services.
One of our newest programs we’ve started is the Collective Kitchen, which meets twice a month to plan and prepare inexpensive meals to take home. This month, the menu planning night is Thursday, November 22nd, and the cooking night is November 27th. Registration is required, so please call Nancy or Christine for more information.(450)2480530.
Tuesdays “Open Til 8” begin on November 6th with “Herstory” – From flight attendant to the first female Inuk captain at Air Inuit, Melissa Haney will be here to discuss her challenges and the courage it took to reach her groundbreaking goals. Join us at 6pm to encourage and support her. On Tuesday November 13th, Nancy will be hosting another Potluck supper at 6pm. Bring a favourite sample dish along with a tried and true life hack to share! Christine will be covering the concerns and solutions about gambling addiction on Tuesday November 20th, which will include an exciting game of bingo, starting at 6pm. The last Tuesday, November 27th will be a cooking night for the Collective kitchen. Another response to your requests is that we now offer free daycare at the centre during our evening workshops, but we need to know 24 hours in advance.
Have you ever felt slightly helpless and at the mercy of a garage mechanic because you’re not really knowledgeable about what is happening to your car? Well you can begin to try to understand by taking advantage of an opportunity to be “hands on” on Wednesday, November 7th, when we visit Mécanique LACO at 6pm. Christine and her husband, Jean Francois Coté will present “Mechanics 101” and answer anything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask! It would be helpful to let us know if you’re coming. There will be carpooling from Avante at 5:30, or you can meet us there. 817 Principale, Notre Dame de Stanbridge.
Health Matters is a program made possible by the CHSSN (Community Health & Social Services Network) which offers current, relevant health information in English throughout Quebec in the form of a teleconference. In partnership with Townshipper’s Association, Avante offers these pre-recorded telehealth conferences in DVD format free of charge every month at the Cowansville CLSC. This month, on Friday, November 30th, (please note the date change) the topic will be “Eating Well: Sugar and Salt Intake”. These little white crystals enhance our food, give us energy and balance, but too much can have a negative impact. And regulating intake can be difficult because it’s in everything! Learn how much we need, where it’s hidden and what to do about it. Starting at 10 am, followed by soup lunch. This activity is open to the public.
Because of its popularity, we offer a second opportunity to attend these sessions. Health Matters:revisited will be at Avante in Bedford on Wednesday November 21stfrom 1:30-3:30 with the topic “Why can’t I sleep?”. Through a DVD presentation, Kinesthesiologist Catherine St. Pierre helps you determine why you are not getting a good night’s sleep, then offers explanations and demonstrates how to improve the situation.
Barb is in Knowlton every second Monday, offering workshops from 1:303:30 at the Lac Brome Community Centre, 270 Victoria in Knowlton. She can also be available for individual counselling or casual visits in the mornings with advance appointments.
On Monday, November 12th, join us for a DIY of “Spirit Dolls”. Dolls have been used as a magical or ritual talisman for centuries, as well as providing comfort, courage and companionship throughout the many stages of our lives. Spirit dolls are one of a kind creation, because you make them according to your own personal feelings and purpose. Is it going to give you courage, companionship, comfort, or wisdom? Learn the simple steps to creating your own unique messenger! A $2 donation and advanced registration is requested by calling (450)248-0530.
Monday November 26th is our monthly coffee break with the topic “Living the Good Life” - If you want something done properly, do it yourself, right? But are you happy about having to do it all? Is it that important to you? Challenge yourself to see if you are truly living by what’s important to you and then learn how to make some changes through time management, saying no, and letting go.
Our other monthly activities are Gayl’s BYOP (bring your own project) which is a 2 hour time frame that Gayl is available to encourage and guide you through those sewing projects you’ve told yourself you’re going to do. This month it will be on Thursday, November 8th from 9:30-11:30. Our monthly Soup Café will be at noon on Thursday, November 15th, when we offer a free bowl of our homemade soup with bread and a chance to socialize with other women at our centre. This will be followed by a lesson on painting a wooden Christmas ornament, led by Cathy St. Jean. Please register for this activity, which also requests a $2 donation.
Avante Women’s Centre strives to provide services to English speaking women in Brome Missisquoi. We offer workshops, courses and information sessions in English as well as information on resources and referrals to other social services in our area. Our centre is located at 15 rue du Pont in Bedford, and we can be reached at (450)248-0530 weekdays from 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.
We can also be contacted through our website, www.avantewomenscentre.org