The record, 4 octobre 1991, Supplément 1

TOWNSHIPS WEEK arts and entertainment magazine October 411.1991 • Loeal women weave thirty years of history f.\ - RfcCORD/GRANT SIMHON 2—The Record—TOWNSHIPS WEEK—OCTOBKK 4-11.IWM PEOPLE Don’t blame Columbus, it’s not his fault Aboriginal peoples have lived in harmony with nature for more than 40.000 years.CBC Radio This Sunday.October 6.PBS begins a seven-part series on Columbus & the Age of Discovery.If you miss any episodes, you can watch all seven hours in one swell foop on Saturday.October 12.which just happens to be the date Columbus landed in the Bahamas 499 years ago.Next month.November 10 to 14, the first conference of the Indigenous 500 Committee will be held at the Museum of Civilization in Hull Representatives of first nations from North.Central and South America will gather to present their side of the 50Qth anniversary of Columbus's discovery to be celebrated next year.The second meeting will be held in Mexico, the third still further south and by the time they reach Patagonia or Tierra del Fuego, they should have history rewritten from the loser's perspective.It all promises to be great fun.Committee Chairman Lawrence Courtoreille says: “This is the first real opportunity for us to get together to examine what’s been going on since that guy got lost and bumped into our continents." UNREAL And he adds: “We find it unreal that in some parts of Europe and throughout other parts of the world that people would actually celebrate the invasion of the Americas, of the indigenous peoples and their territories.” Kahnawake Grand Chief Joe Norton says: “Many cities in the Americas were built on the bones of our people, at our expense.Maybe down the road we’ll be able to say that the occupation.invasion and colonization of our ways are good.But so far the result is what we have now — we’re still fighting.” Konard Sioui, Quebec’s spokesman for the Assembly of First Nations, says."What should we be celebrating?Genocide?Ethnocide?.We seem to be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by a bandit — a pirate who got lost at sea and ran aground here.“We should mark the fact in 1992 that we discovered Columbus — a lost man on our shores whom we fed and cared for.It takes a lot of arrogance to say he discovered America.America was already discovered.” ?i: ?Almost all of us wax nostalgic for simpler times, sympathize with the underdog and want to right old wrongs.First Nations.New Agers, the young and romantic like to depict America as a Garden of Eden where children of nature sported in freedom and purity before Columbus brought death and disease, devastation and demoralization.But if the Spaniards brought smallpox, there are indications Americans had at least partial revenge by sending them home COME DOWN AND SEE US! Gasoline $-119* I ‘ U.S.Funds • GIFTS • BASKETS • WICKER • SWEATsittRTS • BEER • WINE • CIGARETTES • FISHING SUPPLIES • GUNS Canadian MILLBR00K STORE on beautiful Willoughby Lake (802) 525-4400 Route 5-A WILLOUGHBY LAKE EVANSVILLE TRADING POST (802) 754-6305 Route 58 East EVANSVIUE, VT (3 miles from Willoughby Lake) yfer- Who’s Who By Tadeusz Letarte with syphilis, and they had, in fact, begun destroying Eden almost as soon as they crossed the Bering land bridge.American ecology had the distinct advantage of evolving without the most ruthless of all predators and when these first crossed from Asia, they found continents teeming with wildlife that had not learned to fear the puny biped.They began exterminating entire species almost immediately and the retreat of the ice and advance of man between 14.000 and 8,000 years ago.is known to North American ecology as the period of Pleistocene overkill.' WIPED OUT By the time Columbus arrived.at least 60 full species of mammals and 35 of birds had been entirely wiped out.There had been eight kinds of bisons, most of them larger than the surviving species.There were six sorts of horse, none domesticated, the last known representative dying in Ontario soon after Vikings landed in Newfoundland.They had to be reintroduced by the Spaniards before Plains Indians had the speed and stamina to slaughter remaining bison on the run.The last American Mastodon we know of died about 9000 years ago.again in Ontario.Six species of mammoth had already been exterminated along with three kinds of North American peccary, tapirs, ground sloths, scrub oxen and musk oxen, giant camels and llamas, species of caribou, moose, antelope.deer, rabbits, bear and wild asses.With the extermination of large game, almost certainly by hunters, the larger predators died out — the Dire wolf and Terrible wolf, the Sabretooths and Fierce jaguar.?It appears there was such wealth of game in the Americas that the transition to farming and pottery was delayed.Americans did not have to turn to smaller animals and fish, settle in semi permanent villages, cultivate corn, squash and beans before about 2000 B.c.Native copper did not ap- pear until about 500 b.c and Americans never did achieve a Bronze Age.When Columbus arrived, they were still hunting, farming and killing each other with stone tools.Agriculture was mainly slash-and-burn — girdle the trees to kill them off, burn the slash, plant between the stumps until the earth was exhausted and then move on to slash and burn again.Buffalo were slaughtered by stampeding entire herds over cliffs.When the caribou came too early or too late, when winters brought too little or too much snow, people starved and the weaker ones died.BRUTAL LIVES But that was, after all.only nature's way of controlling populations.Stone Age people everywhere lived in harmony with a nature that was ‘red in tooth and claw’ and most lived short, bloody and brutal lives.In all of Canada, there were only about a third of a million people when Columbus came— half of those on the West Coast where salmon and seafood were abundant.For the rest, starvation was endemic and cannibalism common.Iroquois and Algonquin were scalping and torturing each other long before the whitemen came and Central American nations — Toltec and Axtec — exterminated each other wholesale while raising human sacrifice to an art form.No sane person would want those days back unchanged.As for the resurrection of old ways and ancient traditions — rain dances, corn dances, tobacco sacrifices to the spirit world — the only rational response is to say we understand.Our ancestors were raddled with superstition, too. The Record—TOWNSHIPS U KEK—OCTOBER Ml.l)»}»|_:| TALK OF THE TOWNSHIPS Bergeron and Quintin inaugurate music series By Angela Christopher SHERBROOKE - Six strings are strummed into a pattern of accent, metre and tempo, while a range of three octaves of melodious sounds are coaxed out from a long, slender tube.These are the sounds of flutist Marie Bergeron and classical guitarist Jacques Quintin, and this is Music Chez Nous.Music Chez Nous is in its ninth year of celebrating the talents of local and national musicians.This seasonal music series produced by the Bishop University's Music department reopens tomorrow with a concert by Bergeron and Quintin.These two talented and experienced musicians will be playing in the University’s historic St.Mark's Chapel.Nothing in Marie Bergeron’s upbringing could have alluded to a career in music.However, by falling prey to destiny, the St.Elie D’Orford resident ended up studying the flute ai Vincent 1)’Indy in Montreal and chamber music at l'Université de Montreal."My family were not very musical." Bergeron noted during a recent interview.LIKES MUSK "But I have always liked mu- sic.I developed an interest at the age of 12 or 13 when I was playing the recorder -it just hit me.” Jacques Quintin.a native of Cookshire.was not surprised by his career choice given his family background.“All the children in our family received some form of musical training since my father played the violin for the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra,” Quintin said.“My brother also plays the classical guitar.” Quintin also used to play rock music and classical piano but later decided to stick with classical guitar.Saturday’s performance will be the duo’s first "serious” concert, though they have played together for seven years."We worked together at a school a while back and we just decided to get together and play since we were musically compatible,” Quintin explained.The repertoire for the evening includes the works of such great masters as Enrique Granados (Playera), J.S.Bach (Sonate IV en Do Majori and Fre-derich Zehm (Serenade).“Zehm is the most difficult piece in the repertoire, but I still like it,” Bergeron said.INTRICATE TECHNIQUES He added that the numerous and often intricate techniques in classical guitar and flute-playing are even more reason why a musical and a personal compatibility are of utmost importance."We are very compatible and we talk a lot to each other in order to understand and appreciate each other’s ideas,” Bergeron admitted.Adding to their long list of accomplishments is the fact that both Bergeron and Quintin are music teachers at l’Ecole Professionnelle de Musique de Sherbrooke.Quintin also teaches at Bishop’s University.Bergeron has been a first chair and soloist with the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra for nine years.If all goes well, the duo plans to do more concerts and even attempt to venture out of the Eastern Townships.“We have to sell ourselves well here in the Eastern Towns-hips before we attempt to conquer any new territory." Quintin rationalized."But wherever we choose to go.there will always be an audience " Bergeron added with confidi ee.Salon du Livre is a feast Marie Bergeron and Jacques Quintin perform tomorrow night in St Mark's Chapel at Bishop's University.for book lovers By Teresa Pomerleau SHERBROOKE — The 13th annual Salon du Livre de UEs-trie will take place Wednesday, October !) at the Sherbrooke Exposition Centre.Book lovers will be able to browse at their hearts content while contemplating the vast selection of books displayed by 70 publishing houses, libraries and other organizations who promote books.This, year’s goal is to have over 13.000 visitors to the book fair.Honorary president Michel Gosselin will officially open the doors at 5:30 p.m.Over 60 authors are expected to present their books and as in the past, a different author will be honored each day of the fair.On Wednesday, Oct.9.Hugues Corriveau will be the honored author.The following day, it will be Johanne Mercier and Normande Elie is Friday 's special author.Saturday has been set aside for the Grand Prix of Literature of Sherbrooke and, for the last day of the fair, Georges-Hcbert Germain will be honored.BEST-SELLING AUTHORS Besides best-selling authors, such as Jean-Pierre Bélanger and Georges-Hébert Germain, the fair will reunite authors around two themes: Song and Crime Novels.There will be a round table discussion on the song theme Friday at 8 p.m.Those participating will be Robert Giroux.Hélène Pednault.Jacqueline Lemay and Sylvie Tremblay.A recital wdll follow with renditions given by François Vail-lancourt and Josée Béliveau.For the police novel theme.Jean-Marie Poupart, Danielle Laplante and Michel Gosselin will take part in a round table discussion.Among new activities this year will be a Casino book.Visitors are invited to participate in an “animated book " and there will be games based on books and literature.There will also be a literary “happy hour”.This year the fair w’ill have a speakers' corner for all the authors where they will get the chance to take the mike instead of the pen.AUTHORS & ARTISTS The Eastern Townships Authors’ Association and le Re-groupment des artistes des Canton de l'Est will get together to present "Création en direct a special moment where artists and authors will create together.Book lovers will be able to browse around the exposition called: "l'alphabet à travers les siècles".The Alphabet Throughout the Ages.Another first at the book fair is “Génies en herbe” a friendly exchange on language and literature.The book fair could not have been realized if not for the help of over 150 volunteers who gave both time and effort to make this edition successful.Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children.Au Cenlre Expo-Sherbrooke 300, rue Paie, Sherbrooke SALON DU LIVRE DE L'ESTRIE ”^DU 9 AU 1 3 OCTOBRE 1991 4—The Record—TOWNSHIPS WEEK—OCTOBER 1-11.Ill'll TRAVEL How to do the world in three weeks By Felicity Munn CP Travel Writer There's a new travel guide out called 22 Days Around the World.It details how you can take the tram up to Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, ride an elephant in Thailand, view the Tutankhamen collection in Cairo, dine in a cliffside cafe on a Greek island and cruise the Seine through Paris.All in three weeks.Somehow, authors Roger Ra-poport and Burl Willes make the proposition sound almost reasonable.Their chief argument is that around-the-world air fares are among the best travel bargains going.They also insist that circling the globe in three w'eeks doesn't have to be a gruelling travel marathon.Rapoport and Willes.both based in California, are veteran guide-book writers.But when they tackled this one.Rapoport says, their first thought was : How do you possibly cover the whole world?"We decided instead of trying to be global we would create a kind of model trip.’’ he recalled in an interview from Oakland, Calif.“That way even if you don’t want to do this trip, at least this gives you a feeling for what you can accomplish." BASIC ROUTE The basic route they came up with covers five areas: Hong Kong.Thailand, Egypt.Greece and France.For travellers with more time, there are suggested extensions into the Philippines, Bali.Turkey.Italy and Czechoslovakia.“Unfortunately for many people, three weeks (vacation) is about all they have,” Rapoport says.“But three weeks is probably a little on the short end.1 would say four or five weeks is kind of average.And in point of fact, the book has about eight weeks of travel in it.” The trip isn’t as daunting as it might seem, even when done in three weeks.Rapoport said."Air time on an around-the-world trip is really not significantly more than the typical long trip that people are used to making these days.“And there is less jet lag going around the world than there is.say.going to Australia and back, because it’s a much more gradual change.” But five countries in 22 days means an average four days per country.“There is some running around in this itinerary,” Rapoport acknowledges, "but we also have days when there isn’t a whole lot, when it's a pretty light schedule.The Parthenon in Athens, Greece is just one of the stops you can make in your 22-day trip around the world.m ?T-' "If someone is feeling really pushed, of course, they can skip over one of the places.Or if you like a place, you just stay longer."The book is not intended to be the last word.” RESEARCH TOOL In fact, as the only “self- guiding global itinerary planner" available, it could serve as a research tool for people planning their own globe-girding trip.The book, part of the “22 Days” series of travel guides put out by John Muir Publications, features a suggested daily itinerary plus advice on lo- the traveller keeps moving in the same direction COSTS MORE Prices vary, depending on the routing, but in some cases the around-the-world fares cost only slightly more than excursion round-trip fares to distant destinations.Sells»*?* For a limited time save S25 per person on selected package holidays.Take this cou pon to any Thomas Cook Travel office and save.$ person Redemption is imiied to one coupon per person, per booking Coupon savings will be deducted oh final payment of package holiday as outlined m the applicable lour operator s brochure This coupon has no cash value and cannot be used ccmiunction with any other coupon, sale discount or promotional oflei Minimum amount ol holiday purchase required is S500 per person (excluding all taxes service marges fuel surcharges and GST) Valid only on nw bookings artures up to and including March 31 199?JS Jfi Cook 25 gistics.costs, where to sleep and eat and how to set sightseeing priorities.In selecting their routing, Rapoport and Willes, who between them have visited more than 100 countries, opted for some of their favorite places.But they also weighed fac-tors like logistics.“We wanted a trip that was extremely practical, so we tried to pick places where the (air) connections were reaso-i nable.Credit accepted with Eaton's Credit Card tv * 'I - You may purchase Thomas Cook MasterCard ¦ Travel Cheques with your Eaton Credit Card Travel Ttiomas Cook Travel — 3000 Portland Blvd.— 820-7711 Iqt Eaton’s ______ (Carrefour de l’Estrie) “Cost was another factor.Africa is not in there because the cost of adding it was just prohibitive.It doesn’t really fit into the reasonable air-fare arrangement.” Around-the-world fares, offered by many major carriers, have fewer restrictions than round-trip tickets in that they allow multiple stops as long as From Canada, the lowest around-the-world fares currently quoted by airlines begin at about $2.900 while prices available through discount travel agencies start at about $2,000.Prices tend to be lower out of the United States.In 22 Days Around the World, the authors quote $2,560 US for a ticket covering their itinerary, but also note that fares for limited around-the-world itineraries start at a little over $1,200 US.Rapoport estimates the total cost for their three-week trip would be $2,500 to $3,000 US for backpack-style travellers using the cheapest fares and staying in hostels.More comfortable accommodation might hike the total tab to between $4,000 and $5,000 US, while business-class travel would cost about $10,000 US.22 Days Around the World, by Roger Rapoport and Burl Willes.Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books; 241 pages; $16.95. Tho Record—TOWNSHIPS WKEK—OCTOBER 4-11.1991 COVER STORY Valley Weavers have looms with a view By Sunil Mahtani LENNOXVM.LE — Some of you might be wondering why The Valley Weavers guild is on the cover of this arts and entertainment magazine, accompanied by a feature story.You might be asking, “Is it an art?I thought it was a craft?” Member Norma Reiss says for some it’s a craft, but for others, it’s definitely art.“Anybody can be taught a craft and learn how to do it,” she explained at Uplands Museum.where the weavers works are currently on display.“The art is the originality.Just like everyone who has an oil painting isn't an artist, everyone who has a loom doesn't neccesarily know how to do it well." Reiss, who’s been weaving for 30 years, knows how to do it well and considers herself an artist.She concentrates on colors and textures in her weaving.while others in the 12-member guild might concentrate on patterns.But whatever their individual focus, the members all have one thing in common: thev’re hooked on weaving.VARIETY “The thing about it is the variety of things you can do,” says Reiss.“Linen, clothes, coats, you can weave for years and years and years and never run out.” Judy Bachelder, wearing a hand-woven sweater she made, shows off a checkerboard and matching bag she made on her loom.She said she appreciates the club because it gives her an incentive to work.“It’s easier to weave when you’re in a group because they inspire you to get off your butt and do something.” As the two guided me through the Uplands exhibition entitled Heirloom Weaving: past and present, it becomes apparent that weaving is not just a hobby or craft, but a treasured artform that's been passed down from generation to generation.TRADITIONAL “Some of these were done by someone’s great-great- grandfather.” says Reiss, pointing to more traditional works, including a coverlet made in 1835 by Duncan McNab.McNab worked as a professional weaver in Upper Canada between 1833-63 who provided the neighborhood with a varie- Judy Bachelder, Cora Lane and Norma Reiss are all hooked on weaving.Wjif mm ty of household materials.Margaret McGregor, the oldest member of The Valley Weavers and a teacher at Bishop’s College School, is the great-granddaughter of McNab.In another room is a belt loom, more commonly known as an inkle loom, used for weaving narrow bands since prehistoric times.Narrow looms were easily portable or constructed on the spot, so costumes of nomadic tribes often consisted of narrow bands sewn together.Bands such as these have also been used for horses reins, slings for copper and earthenware pots, had bands, bag handles, straps and belts, garters and braces.Bachelder says she hopes in years to come, people will respect what present members have done as they respect the efforts of days long gone.FRIENDSHIP QUILT One Valley Weavers project, called the Friendship Quilt, was particularly important because after each member wove a square, the pieces were assembled to make a quilt which was then raffled to raise money for Sherbrooke Hospital in 1988.Other objects made by present members on display are curtains, artistic hangings, silk suits, skirts, scarfs and Chris- tmas table linens.There’s even a Nativity scene made by Reiss with bits and pieces of leftover weaving samples and yarn.Her pattern for the project were published in the Canadian weaving magazine Heddle.To me, the instructions sound like a math course and the magazine suddenly looks like a textbook.Bachelder says everyone thinks so when they first look at it.“The most daunting part for a new weaver is the mathematics,” she says.“You have to know what the width and length of what you’re making is going to be.When the loom is set up and ready to weave, it’s already determined.” THREAD BY THREAD Weaving is a process whereby whatever is being made is built up thread by thread on a loom, which, Reiss explains, “is basically anything that will hold one set of threads together to be interlaced with other threads.It could be branches on a tree.” She describes backstrap looms, used in South America, where a band is attached to one’s back to hold the threads in place, then it’s attached to a tree or anything and weaving begins." On display at Uplands are a number of looms.Bachelder adds that there’s one big difference between math and weaving books.“Whereas math books have changed, weaving books haven’t changed.It’s still the same patterns,” she says.But Reiss is quick to point out that traditional is certainly not dull.“Using the conventional patterns.if you use different colors and materials, you'll wind up with something very different,” she says, pointing out a sample containing different colors and textures.One can weave in almost any material, including wool, cotton.linen, silk and synthetic materials.MISCONCEPTIONS Perhaps the exhibition will help to clarify some misconceptions about weaving, including the fact that it isn’t difficult.“The work is in the planning,” says Reiss, “the actual weaving doesn’t take much time.” Reiss said the coat she was wearing when I met her was one year in the planning and added that looking for materials is hard.“The colors require a great deal of thought," she says.“In our travels, if we see materials we like, we buy it.instead of souvenirs.We build up a collection.“In the guild, we say that the person who dies with the most yarn on hand wins and we all think we’ve got it." Reiss jokes.She adds she was favorably impressed by the number of young weavers at a recent meeting in Vermont and would like to see more people interested in the activity closer to home.“We’re getting old and we’d like new members." Bachelder candidly states.She says Eva Galvin of Stanstead taught many of the members of the guild to weave.BRING AND BRAG Currently, present members come from Lennoxville.Magog, Georgeville, North Hatley and Notre Dames des Bois.They all meet on a regular basis to share ideas and, as Bachelder says, "a place to show and tell, or bring and brag.” Anyone interested in learning more about weaving should check out the festivities this weekend at Uplands, especially on Sunday, when the group will be demonstrating inkle weaving, flechee braiding (finger weaving) and basket-making.Reiss says one of the most important things for a weaver is to do it in a room that’s accessible.such as the living room or kitchen.“I used to have a weaving room upstairs, which was a great idea, but I never wove there.” she says.“Then.I had one in the kitchen and while I’m waiting for the kettle to boil, I had time to make this pattern.When I call the kids down for breakfast, instead of getting mad that they haven’t come, you do something else.” Reiss says she currently weaves in the living room.“I tape the news and The National and watch it early in the morning while I’m weaving,” she says.When she’s not watching television.Reiss might be enjoying the scenery out her window while weaving.So it weaving an art or a craft?In a last-minute phone call, Reiss has the last word on the subject.“I can teach somebody how they can operate a loom at any given time,” she explains.“You can follow along and 75 people will come up with the same thing.But the ones that put their own ideas into it will make something completely different." (i—ïh«‘ Record—TOWNSHIPS WKKK—OCTOBKR Ml.1991 BITS & PIECES St.Lawrence seaway stamp tells a story The articles that I write have sometimes been severly criticized by show judges lor their lack of philatelic content.My contention however, is that a stamp would never be issued if it were not for a person of stature or an event of note.The stamp issued in June of 1959 on the occasion of the opening of the St.Lawrence Seaway is a good case in point.For centuries, the St.Lawrence ran its sometimes wild and other times serene course from the Great Lakes east to the Atlantic Ocean.Man's curiosity led to exploration west of Montreal, where the river narrowed and it didn't take long to realize that large crafts could not navigate past Montreal due to shallow waters and treacherous rapids.It wasn't until 1841 that the Lachine and Beauharnois Canals were constructed to bypass the rapids.It was the beginning to allow ships to penetrate further west.The Welland Canal system had opened to traffic in 1829.Ships were now free to navigate the St.Lawrence river and the Great Lakes at least six months per year and in most cases, seven.Stamp Corner By Peter McCarthy By the early 1900s, it was very much apparent that the existing canal system was inadequate due to the construction of larger ships.WHOLLY CANADIAN Flans were therefore laid down for a wholly Canadian subsidized waterway to be constructed connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean.Remember that following the war of 1812.the river from just east of Cornwall to the lakes was divided equally between Canada and the U.S.The same applies to the Great Lakes.Up to that date however.Canada had absorbed all costs of dredging and maintenance of the existing canal system.After much political to-do and signing of agreements, construction began on what was nick named the "Big Ditch " in November of 1954.In order to build the seaway.many changes took place on the river.It started right at the beginning at St.Lambert with the reconstruction of a span of the Victoria Bridge and an auto and railway division so as not to interrupt the flow of traffic.The Jacques Cartier bridge was also lifted to allow the passage of ships.GREAT UPSET The greatest upset occured in the upper part of the river between Cornwall and Iroquois.In order to provide more electricity for the province of Ontario.Ontario Hydro was a partner in the seaway project by having a Hydroelectric dam constructed at Cornwall.The whole called for the flooding of some towns and parts of others.Towns like Wales.Mou-linnette.disappeared completely while others, such as Mor-risburg and Iroquois, were partly submerged.This must have been a very traumatic experience to many of the residents along that part of the river.Their whole way of life was being completely changed.Someone had the presence of mind to ensure that the more historical buildings be preser- y (Beside Conadian Tire, Place Fleunmont) |gp m 1