The record, 12 janvier 2021, C1

[" T H E V O I C E O F T H E E A S T E R N T O W N S H I P S S I N C E 18 9 7 T H E News quiz for local students Page 5 Sherbrooke hands out curfew ?nes Page 3 $1.00 + taxes PM#0040007682 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Day centre for Sherbrooke\u2019s homeless and vulnerable open for business Legault repeating call to look out for the vulnerable By Gordon Lambie In his update on the COVID-19 situation in the province on Monday afternoon, Quebec Premier François Legault called on Quebecers to be particularly mindful of those working within the healthcare system and also of people in situations of vulnerability, such as those over the age of 65.On the latter group, Legault pointed out that 80 per cent of COVID patients to date and 95 per cent of deaths related to the virus have been among people of this age range.\u201cThese are two numbers that say it all,\u201d he said, tying the measures aimed at limiting at-home gatherings to protecting the over-65 population since, \u201cmost of these people don\u2019t work and they\u2019re not at school.\u201d The province recorded 1,869 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total number of people infected to 230,690, of whom 197,938 have now recovered.The data also showed 51 new deaths, for a total of 8,737.The number of hospitalizations also jumped by 56 compared to the previous day, for a cumulative total of 1,436.Among these, the number of people in intensive care increased by 8, for a total of 211.Health Minister Christian Dubé, speaking alongside Legault, called the situation in hospitals worrying and added that even if things are progressing well with the current vaccination campaign, an increasing MICHAEL BORIERO By Michael Boriero - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Ma Cabane, a day centre for Sherbrooke\u2019s homeless and vulnerable population, opened its doors last week close in the heart of downtown, after spending years on the back burner.The day centre, located at 46 King Street East, acts as a safe haven for people seeking shelter from the cold, looking for a hot cup of coffee, or even a warm jacket.The idea to develop the space was put forward several years ago.The project was conceived by the CONT\u2019D ON PAGE 3 CONT\u2019D ON PAGE 3 PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW Page 2 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Ben by Daniel Shelton The Record e-edition There for you 24-hours-a-day 7-days-a-week.Wherever you are.Access the full edition of the Sherbrooke Record as well as special editions and 30 days of archives.Renew or order a new 12-month print subscription and get a 12-month online subscription for an additional $5 or purchase the online edition only for $125.00 Record subscription rates (includes Quebec taxes) For print subscription rates, please call 819-569-9528 or email us at billing@sherbrookerecord.com 12 month web only: $125.00 1 month web only: $11.25 Web subscribers have access to the daily Record as well as archives and special editions.Subscribing is as easy as 1,2,3: 1.Visit the Record website: www.sherbrookerecord.com 2.Click e-edition.3.Complete the form and wait for an email activating your online subscription.Weather TODAY: LIGHT SNOW HIGH OF -2 LOW OF -6 WEDNESDAY: CLOUDY HIGH OF -2 LOW OF -5 THURSDAY: A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUD HIGH OF 0 LOW OF -6 FRIDAY: A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUD HIGH OF 3 LOW OF 0 SATURDAY: SNOW HIGH OF 2 LOW OF -6 I think my introduction to the concept was at St.Francis Elementary School.I believe it was set up in a locker on the second ?oor hallway, the land of grades one through three, the staff room and the of?ces.As a lifelong \u2018poker\u2019 (in the words of my exasperated Gran Quinn as I poked through the drawers of her vanity, a \u2018rummager\u2019 and thrifter, the thought of going through things to ?nd potential treasure has always been alluring to me.When I was particularly good and had had my bath, my brothers in the tub tended to by Gran on a sleepover night, our Bampie would allow me the secret treat of going through our Gran\u2019s crimson jewellery box.I\u2019ve always liked to know where things come from.Who they belonged to.What their story was.I grew to know the backstories of too many things in my grandparents\u2019 house.I grew attached to so much of what was there, alive with its former owners\u2019 life force and sometimes from far lands.Right down to the scrap of shawl, darkened with time, that was in my Gran\u2019s hope chest.I think I was the only one who knew that when they boarded the ship from Scotland to Canada, my Gran, just 18 months old at the time, was crying.Her grandmother wrapped her teddy bear in her very own scarf.She then saw her daughter and children off on the ship to Canada.They never saw one another again.I know the story of the night that Great-Great-Gran in Scotland died.The family, then living in Bromptonville, were awakened by three loud knocks on the front door.The whole household was roused, and Pa (our great- grandfather) and Joe Webb, a hired man living with the family at the time, ran to the door to see who was knocking at this late hour.No one was there.The story went that shortly thereafter they received word (via telegram I imagine) that she had died at that very hour.So, when I dug through their things, sometimes with Gran at my side, other times with her yelling at me from downstairs to stop poking (she could hear the slide of the wood-on- wood of drawers, the opening of closet doors), when we did come across that scrap of shawl, I knew what it was.A timepiece, and a powerful one at that.A grandmother\u2019s love.A mother\u2019s love.Powerful enough to send itself shooting across the ocean to wake the very same loved ones on her departure.The teddy bear was long gone, but that scrap of shawl stayed in our Gran\u2019s possession until she left her home in the late 1990s.Eighty-something years.When the house was emptied, the piece was lost.I felt terrible when I realized that the steamer trunk had likely been emptied, and with no one to recognize it, it had become just a sort of strange rag in the midst of other belongings.It was lost.It is still lost.Sometimes lost isn\u2019t terrible.Sometimes it isn\u2019t really lost \u2013 it is more\u2026gone.And gone doesn\u2019t have to be terrible either.It was here, and then, it was gone.Sometimes those things are preserved, treasured and stories are told, perhaps if I had it today it would be framed, perhaps with a photo of our Gran as a little girl.But, we can\u2019t keep all of the things, nor should we.There is something truly good about letting go sometimes too.I have just told you the story of the scrap of shawl, and maybe you imagined it.Maybe you imagined something crocheted or knitted, perhaps you had a colour in mind.I can\u2019t even be sure that I remember exactly what it looked like, as those moments of looking in the steamer trunk (a rare poking opportunity), and being told the story by Gran.I can see her, I can imagine in little ?ickers what once was.And that is almost as good as the scrap of shawl still being here, because its story is a little bit alive again as you read this.Occasionally, there are things we once had that we thought were lost.Gone.And then, they reappear.In our hands we hold something we thought was no more.Sometimes it is with other things we have forgotten.Away, in a box or storage container, a closet, a drawer.We sit in time then, time all around us.The time of the thing we have found.The time in between, the time of now.We decide what will happen now that a lost thing is found.We decide if we are thrilled to keep it with us, or if it now will serve a better purpose in someone else\u2019s belongings, someone else who will enjoy the thing, that it will live its new life and new ways, whether its stories go with it or not.Once in a while, we feel like that ourselves \u2013 we feel a little lost, not certain of purpose or place, until in a few ?ickers, we remember the things we love, the things we like to do, and we are buoyed up to the surface of whatever small corner we ?nd ourselves in, rising above time and place to just \u2018be\u2019.Found again.Lost and found Sheila Quinn Dishpan Hands PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Page 3 Local News While there is coffee on hand, board games, colouring sheets and bathrooms, the centre is still fresh, and there are a lot of modi?cations coming in the next few months.burden on the healthcare system still stands to have a signi?cant and lasting impact if not brought under control.Provincial Public Health Director Dr.Horracio Arruda, meanwhile, argued that with in?uenza practically nonexistent in the province at the moment, anyone displaying ?u-like symptoms should immediately get tested and self-isolate.\u201cDo not wait 24 hours\u201d he said \u201cThis is not the same situation as in the spring.\u201d In the Estrie region there were 98 new cases recorded on Monday and seven new deaths.These deaths took place at Sherbrooke\u2019s Fleurmont Hospital, at the Place Primevère residence in Waterloo, at the St-Philippe private residence in Windsor, at the St-Antoine Residence in Granby, at the Haut-Bois Residence in Sherbrooke, at the Les Jardins de Pinecroft residence in Magog, and in the community at large.The number of hospitalizations in the region increased by four, bringing the total number of short-term hospital beds occupied by COVID- patients to 69 out of a capacity of 74.The number of people in intensive care remained stable at 10 out of a capacity of 25.COVID update Ma Cabane Drone drug smugglers busted Sherbrooke hands out curfew ?nes CONT\u2019D FROM PAGE 1 CONT\u2019D FROM PAGE 1 Coalition sherbrookoise pour le travail de rue.The group was able to get construction underway after it received much-needed funding from various entities, including the CIUSSS de l\u2019Estrie - CHUS and the city of Sherbrooke.Elyse Girard Beaulieu, a community worker at Ma Cabane, said since the centre opened, they have been at- capacity almost every day.They can allow 10 people inside at a time, she explained, this is the maximum allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions.\u201cThey come once and they come back, they like this place a lot,\u201d Beaulieu said, adding that last week many people spent an entire day inside the new space.They haven\u2019t had any trouble yet keeping up with demand.The centre is new, so there aren\u2019t any line ups building up outside, she added, but Beaulieu expects to see a change soon, especially as the temperature drops.When people leave Accueil Poirier, the local homeless shelter, in the morning, they need a place to blow off steam and occupy their day, she continued.Times have changed due to Covid, according to Beaulieu, homeless people were forced to adjust their routines.\u201cI know it\u2019s dif?cult for them because normally during the day they can warm up in a coffee shop or Tim Hortons; they go to different areas,\u201d she said.With a new curfew put in place by the Quebec government, Ma Cabane also needed to ?x its schedule.They close up shop a bit earlier in the evening now, but it\u2019s open all day, Bealieu told The Record.The day centre also doesn\u2019t limit who is allowed inside.Beaulieu said it doesn\u2019t matter if they are intoxicated or in distress, the purpose of Ma Cabane is to lend an ear and gently nudge people in the right direction if they need more help.\u201cThe people here don\u2019t feel judged,\u201d she said.\u201cThe only restriction is you need to wash your hands and wear a mask.\u201d What Bealieu has noticed is most people walking through the centre\u2019s front entrance are simply tired and looking for a place to rest.They are exhausted, she said, they spend a lot of time sleeping on the tables.\u201cThis morning the ?re alarm was ringing for 45 minutes because of an apartment upstairs, but people were like \u2018we don\u2019t care, we\u2019re just warming up and it just feels good to drink our coffee,\u2019 so there\u2019s really a need for a place like this,\u201d Beaulieu said.While there is coffee on hand, board games, colouring sheets and bathrooms, the centre is still fresh, and there are a lot of modi?cations coming in the next few months.However, they are currently on pause because of the pandemic.There are plans to build a shower area, install a washer and dryer for clothes, and create a larger gathering space in the back.As it stands, they don\u2019t provide any food, but Beaulieu believes they will get there one day.\u201cWe don\u2019t have food preparation yet, we don\u2019t even have a sink, but Rock- Guertin gave us some food and they will continue to give us some food,\u201d she said.Fondation Rock-Guertin collects bottles and cans to help people dealing with food security.A man sitting at one of the tables in the day centre spoke to The Record, though he chose to remain anonymous.He said it was his ?rst day visiting Ma Cabane.The ambiance is nice, he added, and the people are pleasant.The man said he is 37 years old.He has been homeless for three days, after being kicked out of his home in a nearby municipality, last week.He came to Sherbrooke seeking shelter and resources to get back on his feet.He said that he is a former military veteran, having worked with the air cadets for 11 years.The centre provides a necessary reprieve for his cold hands, he added, and there are people to socialize with.However, he doesn\u2019t plan to spend too much time in Sherbrooke.\u201cI\u2019m resting a bit, moving, and thinking about what I really want,\u201d he said, adding that his goal is to ?nd lodging close to his children.Record Staff A man and a woman, aged 41 and 35, were arrested as a part of a joint operation between the Sûreté du Québec, the Sherbrooke Police, the correctional services of the provincial Ministry of Public Security and Transport Canada, on Saturday after apparently attempting to smuggle a package of contraband onto the grounds of the Talbot prison in Sherbrooke using a drone.Surveillance equipment detected the presence of the drone at around 2 p.m.Police of?cers proceeded to intercept the vehicle in which the man and woman were seated and proceeded with the arrest.Two other suspects, aged 38 and 40, were also arrested in the Wellington Street area during the search which also made it possible to locate and seize the drone.The package illegally smuggled into the con?nes of the detention center, the contents of which included hashish, was also seized by police, along with the suspects\u2019 vehicle.The four suspects arrested will appear in court at a later date on charges of drug traf?cking and mischief.The SQ reminds the population that any suspicious or criminal activity can be reported anonymously by calling 1 800 659-4264.Record Staff Following the imposition of a curfew in Quebec that came into effect on Saturday, Jan.9, the Sherbrooke police department issued 19 tickets on the night of Jan.9-10 for not respecting the curfew.That night more than 128 vehicles were stopped.Over 40 people were questioned, and one person was arrested for obstruction, following an anti-curfew demonstration that took place on King Street West.On the night of Sunday, Jan.10-11, a total of 16 statements of offence were issued concerning the curfew and four tickets were handed out related to other COVID-19 measures.More than 180 vehicles were stopped, and 58 people were questioned by police during curfew hours.While it was omitted from the of?cial Sherbrooke police press release regarding curfew infractions, a number of media outlets reported that a married couple was caught on the street around 9 p.m.on Saturday evening near the downtown area in Sherbrooke.As a cheeky form of protest, the wife had her husband on a leash.According to media reports, they were each ?ned $1,500.PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW Page 4 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Proud parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, show off your pride and joy in our \u201cBabies of 2020\u201d edition of The Record to be published on January 22, 2021.Mail or email a colour photograph of the baby with: baby\u2019s name, birth date, parents\u2019 name, hometown and 10 words describing the little tyke, along with $20.(taxes included), daytime phone number and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The Record at 6 Mallory St., Sherbrooke, QC J1M 2E2 or e-mail: classad@sherbrookerecord.com with Visa or MasterCard for payment.Deadline: January 15, 2021.(Winners randomly chosen) 2020 Babies! THREE - 1 YEAR ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS TO $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO Prizes to be won: ROBERT LAFOND 169 QUEEN ST., LENNOXVILLE 819-823-0448 The gripping hand John Mauldin writes an economic/investment newsletter that is read by millions of people.I\u2019m one of them.This past week he produced such a stunning analogy of where we all are in the battle to get to a new normal that I feel compelled to share it with you, with all due credit to him.He cites the 1974 sci-?novel The Mote in God\u2019s Eye, which features an alien species with three arms\u2014two \u201cnormal\u201d hands and a stronger, but less dexterous one called the \u201cgripping hand.\u201d Whereas we humans talk about \u201cone the one hand, but on the other hand\u201d when we\u2019re pondering alternatives, this alien species has a third, most powerful alternative.So here\u2019s Mauldin\u2019s alternative scenarios for 2021.One the one hand, there\u2019s plenty of good news: \u2022 There are vaccines against COVID-19.Not just the two already approved but several others that are still in the review phase.\u2022 Most governments are propping up the economy \u2013 we\u2019re in a recession, but without the ?scal and monetary stimulus, it would be deeper or worse.(Canada lost 63,000 jobs in December.) \u2022 The virus forced the world into an \u201cadapt or die\u201d mode \u2013 the pace of innovation has never been faster \u2013 not just ?nding the vaccines, but the speed with which businesses are adapting their processes, productivity, supply chains, brand positioning is taking place years before it would have without the virus.Societies will reap the bene?ts in the years to come.\u2022 Mauldin\u2019s 4th good news point is a more nuanced and focused approach for US trade policy under the new American administration.Certainly, Canada will bene?t along with the rest of the world if tariffs stop being used as a cudgel to hit countries and industries indiscriminately.On the other hand, the bad news is that: \u2022 The pandemic has permanently changed certain parts of the economy.Take business travel as an example.Not only is it down, but businesspeople have learned how to do business with a lot less of it.Will conventions come back?Fewer and smaller is bad news for that industry and entire cities, like Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto and Sherbrooke.\u2022 The post-pandemic economy will need fewer shopping malls, retail strip centers, hotels, and of?ce buildings.This will get sorted out, but it will take time and it\u2019s very disruptive.\u2022 The actions of governments pushing money into the economy and pushing interest rates to their lowest levels ever, although it has been necessary, is making the wealth-and-income- disparity divide much worse.Living on a ?xed income that comes from interest is disastrous when interest rates are 1 or 2%.\u2022 A lot of the money that has been pushed into the economy has found its way into the stock market, driving share prices far above any remotely fair valuation.Nothing goes up forever.Who knows what will trigger a sell-off or when, but a sell-off is guaranteed.(Another ?nancial guru, David Rosenberg, has just told his readers to have 25% of their assets in cash in order to be able to buy at the bottom.) That alien species with the third limb doesn\u2019t have three equivalent hands.One of them is far stronger than the others.They call it the gripping hand.In 2021, the gripping hand is the virus.The virus doesn\u2019t care about our good or bad news.It will just spread until something stops it.The global economy will recover in direct proportion to our success in inoculating people against it.This is where the news is problematic.Bluntly, delivery of the vaccines approved so far is not enough to cover the most vulnerable in North America and Europe by mid-year, let alone emerging markets.Millions of doses have been ordered but not yet delivered.The World Bank\u2019s annual forecast was very plain about this.(https:// www.worldbank.org/en/publication/global- economic-prospects) They have four scenarios in which global growth ranges from 5% this year on the upside, to an unspeci?ed below-zero number in their \u201csevere downside\u201d scenario.The primary difference between these scenarios is vaccine progress.If it goes well we could bounce back quickly and strongly.If not, we will stay in recession.That\u2019s the gripping hand and it really isn\u2019t complicated.Look to your own situation and prepare accordingly.Dian Cohen is an economist and a founding organizer of the Massawippi Valley Health Centre Cohendian560@gmail.com EASY DRAWING GUIDES.COM Dian Cohen PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Page 5 Lennoxville and District Community Aid is a non-profit organisation that promotes and coordinates services and volunteer work making it easier for seniors to continue to live in their own homes.Working in collaboration with the Director General, the candidate holding this position ensures the optimal management of the human resources of the organization (establishing objectives, evaluations, staff improvement, skill development and discipline).In collaboration with the Director General, works in drawing up, reviewing job descriptions as well as recruiting staff.Its management practices must promote operational efficiency and follow-up in accordance with Community Aid\u2019s mission, policies and objectives.In collaboration with the Director General as assigned by the Board, this candidate will work in establishing and reviewing internal and external policies, while solely responsible for the implementation of these policies related to staff.The candidate provides feedback to the Director General on: the overall functioning of all departments, improvement of client satisfaction, and response to problems in Community Aid\u2019s client operations.The candidate collaborates in developing formal complaints procedure.The candidate also participates in the preparation of promotional tools and updates the website.This candidate sits as an ex-officio member on the Administrative Board, Executive Committee and at the Annual General Meeting.TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: The candidate has a College degree diploma (DEC), a University Certificate or an undergraduate University degree or a combination of training and work experience related to the job as well as a minimum of four to five (4-5) years of experience in working with personnel development and mobilisation of staff and team engagement.This person is familiar with the community environment, and is known for his/her professional approach.KEY SKILLS: The candidate: Has good communication skills and also has excellent skills in developing and maintaining harmonious and productive relationships with staff.Has good organisational and listening skills.Demonstrates leadership, initiative and a good sense of planning.Has a team spirit, an ease with adaptation and is dynamic.Demonstrates respect of confidentiality.Has sound knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel, Publisher, and social media.Is bilingual (written and oral; English and French), 4/5 minimum.Please forward your application to Sylvie Gilbert-Fowlis at: direction@communityaid.ca Deadline for applications: January 14th, 2021.Starting date: February 2021.Only candidates selected for interviews will be noti?ed.Director of Human Resources- 21hrs / week CAREERS Bishop\u2019s athletes adapt to no practice or gym access By David Rossiter Special to The Record This school year has been a challenging one for all factions of the Bishop\u2019s University community.Varsity athletic teams are no exception.Having no inter university competition has certainly been a letdown for Bishop\u2019s Gaiters student athletes.However, the challenges they face are much more varied than simply disappointment.Year-round physical ?tness is necessary to play a sport at the university level.During the bulk of the fall semester at Bishop\u2019s, sports practices were permitted, and the ?tness centre was open.Provincial lockdown and regional red-zone restrictions, however, make that unlikely for the coming winter semester.Gaiter athletes now have to adapt and ?nd other ways to stay physically ?t.Karl Szabo, a third-year defender and captain of the Bishop\u2019s lacrosse team explained that it\u2019s more than just lack of gym access making it hard for teams to stay in game shape.\u201cStaying motivated while training is very dif?cult right now, there are obstacles like not being able to be around your teammates for encouragement, and outdoor training being limited due to weather.We just need to try and push through all that.\u201d He added that getting outside and snowshoeing as well as using at-home workouts are examples of how he is trying to keep ?t.Some athletes face an issue that their teammates might not.A year of missed competition can be devastating for players who have aspirations of future opportunities in their respective sports.An example being the goal of getting drafted to a professional sports league.Marty Rourke, Bishop\u2019s University\u2019s sports information coordinator offered his thoughts on how a lost season affects the future of student athletes, \u201cAs far as we understand eligibility will not be affected, meaning student- athletes will not be charged with a year of eligibility for the 2020-21 season.There is a small minority of student- athletes who are potentially affected in terms of future opportunities,\u201d Rourke explained.Looking towards next school year with hopes of a return to normalcy, Bishop\u2019s teams want to make sure that they do not lose any ground to other schools.\u201cOur season begins the minute the previous one ends.Once we play our last game in the fall, we begin preparations for the next season,\u201d Szabo pointed out.He stressed that doing their best to overcome aforementioned obstacles is key since, \u201cCome next fall it\u2019ll be easy to tell which teams addressed these challenges the right way and which teams did not.\u201d Kalin O\u2019Brien, a veteran player on the Bishop\u2019s women\u2019s soccer team echoed that sentiment and shared how her team is adapting.\u201cSince we don\u2019t have access to the sports facilities right now, we have technical, tactical, cognitive, and ?tness sessions through zoom so we can keep each other accountable.\u201d She added that she believes those sessions will pay dividends come next season.PAUL SZABO News quiz for local students The Record would like to test the knowledge of young people in the Townships and see who\u2019s keeping up with the news.Over the next four months, The Record will publish a quiz each week with ?ve questions related to news that appeared the week before in the paper.Students at the elementary and high school level are invited to read through the paper to ?nd the answers and then send them by email to our editorial team.At the end of the month, any students who participate and answer the quiz questions will be entered into a draw to win a 16-GB Fire tablet.Each time a student answers a different quiz, their name will be reentered, increasing their chances of winning a tablet.Four will be given away over the next four months.Don\u2019t have access to The Record?No problem.All schools in the Eastern Townships School Board have access to the e-edition of the paper, so ask a teacher or principal for help to get connected.This week\u2019s quiz questions 1) What historic event, incited by pro-Trump supporters, took place last week in the United States of America?2) What non-pro?t organization located in Sherbrooke collects bottles and cans to tackle food insecurity in the Eastern Townships?3) What career did Rose Marie Gaulin have for the last 52 years before announcing her retirement last week?4) How many residences in the Eastern Townships were ?ned for having illegal gatherings during the holidays?5) Sherbrooke-based painter Veronique Hamel signed a poster at a demonstration on Jan.5, what was written on the poster?Send your answers to mboriero@sherbrookerecord.com.Look for the answers to this week\u2019s quiz and next week\u2019s questions in Monday\u2019s Record.For more information about the quiz and how to participate, call the newsroom at 819-569-6345.PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW Page 6 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record EDITORIAL Most physicians are self-employed and rely on private insurance, but those older than age 65 generally cannot qualify.For even younger ones, there is usually a waiting period of at least two weeks.6 Mallory, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 2E2 FAX: 819-821-3179 E-MAIL: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com WEBSITE: www.sherbrookerecord.com SHARON MCCULLY PUBLISHER (819) 569-9511 MATTHEW MCCULLY MANAGING EDITOR (819) 569-6345 GORDON LAMBIE ASSOCIATE EDITOR (819) 569-6345 SERGE GAGNON CHIEF PRESSMAN (819) 569-4856 JESSE BRYANT ADVERTISING MANAGER (450) 242-1188 DEPARTMENTS ACCOUNTING (819) 569-9511 ADVERTISING (819) 569-9525 CIRCULATION (819) 569-9528 NEWSROOM (819) 569-6345 KNOWLTON OFFICE 5B VICTORIA STREET, KNOWLTON, QUEBEC, J0E 1V0 TEL: (450) 242-1188 FAX: (450) 243-5155 PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS For print subscription rates, please call 819-569-9528 or email us at billing@sherbrookerecord.com ON-LINE SUBSCRIPTIONS QUEBEC: 1 YEAR 108.72 5.44 10.85 $ 1 2 5 .0 0 1 MONTH 9.78 0.49 0.98 $ 1 1 .2 5 Rates for out of Quebec and for other services available on request.The Record is published daily Monday to Friday.Back copies of The Record are available.The Record was founded on February 9, 1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Alta Newspaper Group Limited Partnership.PM#0040007682 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to The Record, 6 Mallory Street, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 2E2 Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA RECORD THE The Record welcomes your letters to the editor.Please limit your letters to 300 words.We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, legality and taste.Please ensure there is a phone number or email where you can be reached, to con?rm authorship and current town/city of residence.Names will not be withheld but the address and phone number of the writer are not published, except by request.Please email your letters to newsroom@ sherbrookerecord.com.Preference is given to writers from the Eastern Townships.Letters Curbing the spread of COVID-19 By Charles S.Shaver, MD Quebec and Ontario continue to set new daily COVID-19 case records.Both provinces have been in nearly complete lockdown for weeks.Quebec now will implement for the next month an 8 p.m.to 5 a.m.curfew with ?nes of $1,000-$6,000.However, all provinces should consider mitigating measures that may well shorten the period of severe restrictions.Ontario Premier Doug Ford is rightly concerned about the need to better monitor arrivals to Canada.Although Public Safety Minister Bill Blair claimed that only 1.8 per cent of cases were related to travel, according to Brian Lilley (Ottawa Sun, December 23, 2020), some 3.4 \u2013 3.8 per cent of Toronto cases were attributed to international travel.In the past two weeks, Health Canada reported that 69 international and 91 domestic ?ights carried passengers infected with COVID-19.To compound the problem, as of Jan.1, (Elizabeth Cohen, CNN) the new UK variant \u2013 thought to be 70 per cent more transmissible - has been isolated in 29 countries.In Canada, so far it is in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.The South African variant, meanwhile, has been found in eight countries.It thus seems very reasonable to require a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding any international ?ight to Canada.We should also avoid unnecessary travel within each province.As incoming CDC Director Dr.Rochelle Wolensky advised, \u201cWe need to limit our mobility.\u201d Brampton, Ontario Mayor Patrick Brown has also advocated for isolation centres and paid sick leave.Toronto, Peel, and Ottawa are indeed setting these up as are Edmonton and Calgary.Yet for unknown reasons, Ontario and Alberta have failed to follow the lead of most provinces in the granting of pandemic isolation bene?ts to physicians.In Canada, as of late July, about 20 per cent of cases were health workers \u2013 double the global average.According to the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, which is studying British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, rates of coronavirus infection were higher in physicians (especially those in Quebec) than in other health professionals.(Canadian Healthcare Technology, Dec.2, 2020) Sadly, two provinces \u2013 Alberta and Ontario - continue to ignore the needs of physicians.The Ontario Ministry of Health has refused to engage in discussions with the OMA around \u201csick pay\u201d for physicians.Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland asserted last August, \u201cWe need people to stay home when they are unwell.Otherwise, we will have another huge outbreak.\u201d Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath has repeatedly called for paid sick leave.Her counterpart, Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley has also urged her province to grant paid sick leave for health workers forced into isolation.She has stressed that the new Canada Recovery Sickness Bene?t provides only $450 per week after taxes, which will not cover food and housing for many people.((Michelle Bellefontaine, CBC News, Nov.17, 2020) Of interest is that recently the Alberta government pledged an additional $625 after a 14- day period of quarantine.However, even these amounts are inadequate to replace the lost income of physicians, most nurses, and many other health professionals.More is needed if they are to be deterred from working; thus, additional federal support is required.Most physicians are self-employed and rely on private insurance, but those older than age 65 generally cannot qualify.For even younger ones, there is usually a waiting period of at least two weeks.Most provinces have recognized this fact.Most British Columbia MDs are covered \u2013 up to age 70 \u2013 by a government- funded disability insurance plan.This now includes quarantine or COVID-19 illness from day one for all BC physicians.Most other provinces (including even Manitoba as of last December) and the Yukon all cover their MDs for lost income from day one of self-isolation or illness.Only Ontario and Alberta have left their physicians totally unprotected.Although health delivery is within provincial and territorial jurisdiction, clearly there is an urgent need for a better coordinated federal strategy and additional funding.I agree with Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet that persons returning to Canada from a vacation abroad should not receive the Canada Recovery Sickness Bene?t during their 14-day period of self-isolation.If this has been abused, and saved money were redirected, then the amount for legitimate claims could likely be increased above the current $500 per week, before taxes.Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland should also agree to raise the Canada Health Transfer to the provinces and territories.They in turn should agree to provide pandemic sick bene?ts to all practicing physicians as well as, if necessary, topping up federal bene?ts for part-time nurses and other health workers so as to adequately replace their lost income.As Dr.Thomas Frieden, former director of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated a few months ago, \u201cPaid sick leave is extremely important.If someone has to choose between providing for their family or going to work when sick, they\u2019ll likely go in and infect others.\u201d Over the next few weeks, a small amount of vaccines will be available, but sadly this will have no immediate effect on the pandemic.Premiers Doug Ford and Jason Kenney should agree as soon as possible to provide adequate paid sick bene?ts to their physicians.Francois Legault and the other premiers should ensure that nurses and other health professionals also receive suf?cient additional bene?ts to replace their lost income.This will encourage them to self-isolate, if necessary, and help to control the pandemic.These measures may help to reduce the likelihood of extended, prolonged lockdowns and tighter restriction in other regions.This will lessen the toll on the lives, livelihoods, and mental health of Quebecers and all other Canadians.Ottawa physician Dr.Charles S.Shaver was born in Montreal.He is Past-Chair of the Section on General Internal Medicine of the Ontario Medical Association.The views here are his own.On Epiphany When we thought the worst was past Donald Trump trumped Trump BY TOM MATTHEWS NORTH HATLEY Haiku on Trump PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Page 7 PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW Page 8 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record BIRTH NOTICES, CARDS OF THANKS, IN MEMORIAMS, BRIEFLETS: Text only: 40¢ per word.Minimum charge $10.00 ($11.50 taxes included) Discounts: 2 insertions or more: 15% off With photo: additional $18.50.DEADLINE: 11 a.m., day before publication.BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY & GET-WELL WISHES, ENGAGEMENT NOTICES: Text only: $16.00 (includes taxes) With photo: $26.00 ($29.90 taxes included) DEADLINE: 3 days before publication.WEDDING WRITE-UPS: $26.00 ($29.90 taxes included) WITH PHOTO: $36.00 ($41.40 taxes included) Please Note: All of the aforementioned (except death notices) must be submitted typewritten or neatly printed, and must include the signature and daytime telephone number of the contact person.Can be e-mailed to: classad@sherbrookerecord.com - They will not be taken by phone.DEADLINES FOR DEATH NOTICES: For Monday\u2019s paper, email production@sherbrookerecord.com or call 819-569-4856 between 1 p.m.and 5 p.m.Sunday.For Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday\u2019s edition, email production@sherbrookerecord.com, call 819-569-4856 or fax 819-569-1187 (please call to con?rm transmission) between 9 a.m.and 5 p.m.the day prior to the day of publication.The Record cannot guarantee publication if another Record number is called.Rates: Please call for costs.RATES and DEADLINES: ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICES TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 Today is the 12th day of 2021 and the 23rd day of winter.TODAY\u2019S HISTORY: In 1915, the U.S.House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment to give women the right to vote.In 1932, Hattie Wyatt Caraway of Arkansas became the ?rst woman elected to the Senate.In 1991, a divided Congress authorized President George H.W.Bush to use force in expelling Iraq from Kuwait.In 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti destroyed a majority of the buildings in Port-au-Prince and left more than 100,000 dead.TODAY\u2019S BIRTHDAYS: Jack London (1876-1916), author; Tex Ritter (1905- 1974), singer/actor; Joe Frazier (1944- 2011), boxer; Tom Dempsey (1947- ), football player; Kirstie Alley (1951- ), actress; Rush Limbaugh (1951- ), radio personality; Howard Stern (1954- ), radio personality; Christiane Amanpour (1958- ), TV journalist; Jeff Bezos (1964- ), Amazon.com founder; Rob Zombie (1965- ), singer-songwriter/ director; Zack de la Rocha (1970- ), singer-songwriter; Naya Rivera (1987- 2020), actress; Zayn Malik (1993- ), singer-songwriter.TODAY\u2019S FACT: Amazon.com opened for business online in 1995, but it didn\u2019t make a pro?t until 2002.TODAY\u2019S SPORTS: In 1969, the New York Jets ful?lled quarterback Joe Namath\u2019s guarantee of a win with a 16-7 victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.TODAY\u2019S QUOTE: \u201cWhen you hang out with people who are true friends, you come away feeling lighter, more inspired to work hard, give love, and take care of yourself.\u201d - Naya Rivera, \u201cSorry Not Sorry\u201d TODAY\u2019S NUMBER: 25 - women in the U.S.Senate at the start of the 116th Congress in 2019.TODAY\u2019S MOON: New moon (Jan.12).Datebook If the global pandemic has taught the public anything, it is how to be resourceful.Many components of daily life have changed as a result of the COVID-19 virus, and quite a number of people have discovered new things about themselves in the process \u2014 including interesting ways they can keep busy.Indulging different hobbies and forms of entertainment has long been a way to stave off the cabin fever that often accompanies cold weather and spending increased time indoors.Now these activities also are ways to pass the time in safe manners when social distancing from others.Reconnect with the joys of playful interaction afforded by any number of board games, video games, movies, and other activities.There are many great methods to getting the family together in entertaining ways.Consider the following ideas.Themed movie night Set aside one night each week for a family movie night.The twist is that each week the movie selection must ?t a particular theme or contain a certain criterion chosen randomly from a jar.For example, if \u201canimal\u201d is selected, then the movie must be about animals or have an animal as a main character or component of the ?lm.A theme helps add some variety to the movie selection process.Classic game night Many homes have a closet or drawer ?lled with various games.Chances are many of them are classic offerings that have withstood the test of time, such as Monopoly® or Scrabble®.Revisit these beloved games and see if you can improve your strategies.Action game night Look for games that involve action and give all ages a chance to win.Action games combine a physical activity and family interaction.Games can be commercial offerings with regimented rules, or freestyle games that the family creates.Relay races, timed scavenger hunts or physical games like Twister® are some options.You also can divide up into two groups and engage in a heated game of charades.Puzzle or trivia night Puzzles can put the brain to the test.Research shows that puzzle and trivia work can strengthen cognition.Puzzling actually stimulates the brain and can potentially ward off Alzheimer\u2019s disease, according to a recent study published in the Archives of Neurology.If you like to do jigsaw puzzles, you can improve visu- al-spacial reasoning by ?guring out where pieces ?t into the big picture.Spending time at home can involve movie or game nights that become part of families\u2019 weekly routines.(Metro Creative) Stave off cabin fever with family nights This year we have only one thing in mind Whether we get vaccinated in time It takes all our patience - then even more To wait till they\u2019ve ?nally found one that\u2019s sure! We\u2019ve got to think more of our folks every day As we pick up the phone with something to say- So I send my good wishes to both old and young With good health & happiness for 2-0-2-1 ! By Betty Telford 2020 It\u2019s a brand new year, A brand new chance To make new dreams come true, A brand new day for hope in all that means the most to you.So here\u2019s a wish for all the best in this, your brand new start, for a year of health and happiness and love to ?ll your heart.By Betty Telford January Birthday Greetings PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Page 9 Your Birthday TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 Consider what makes you happy and adjust your life accordingly.The changes you make will help you see things more clearly.Choose your words wisely, and make sure you practice what you preach.Personal growth and an updated look are favored.CAPRICORN (Dec.22-Jan.19) - It\u2019s OK to do things differently.Don\u2019t feel bound to tradition or to what someone wants you to do.A change will lift your spirits and encourage you to be more active.AQUARIUS (Jan.20-Feb.19) - You will meet with opposition if you show signs of insecurity or confusion.Stand tall and be clear about what you want.Look for an opportunity, and follow through with a plan.PISCES (Feb.20-March 20) - You\u2019ll get the opportunity to explore something you want to pursue.How you represent yourself will make a difference.Direct your energy where it will be most effective.ARIES (March 21-April 19) - You\u2019ll have to rely on your connections to help you get ahead.A competitive individual will try to make you look bad.Preparation, intelligence and strategy will help you come out on top.TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - Keep an open mind, size up situations and make decisions based on facts.Personal improvements, growth and unique friendships will develop if you use social media to your advantage.Be direct.GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - Gather information.Trusting someone to take care of your business will set you back.Question everything and everyone before you agree to make a change.CANCER (June 21-July 22) - A change someone suggests will be useful for you emotionally, but not ?nancially.Think twice before you let someone push you in a bad direction.Concentrate on creativity, romance and personal happiness.LEO (July 23-Aug.22) - You\u2019ll have plenty of ideas, but consider your motives before you leap into action.A change will lead to uncertainty if you haven\u2019t thought matters through suf?ciently.Be smart and take your time.VIRGO (Aug.23-Sept.22) - Jump at the chance to learn something new or to use your skills differently.The more you know and have to offer, the greater the reward.Look at the trends, and be as versatile as possible.LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23) - Don\u2019t let your desire for change lead you down a rabbit hole.Don\u2019t trade one negative situation for another.Baby steps will help you incorporate a promising strategy.SCORPIO (Oct.24-Nov.22) - Let your intuition be your guide.Stay focused on knowledge and facts.Use your imagination to outmaneuver anyone who tries to get in your way.Romance is favored.SAGITTARIUS (Nov.23-Dec.21) - Let go of negative baggage.Prepare to move forward with optimism, intelligence and a disciplined attitude.Giving anyone the chance to speak on your behalf or take care of your responsibilities will result in disappointment.On January 12 a very special lady is turning 90.Happy Birthday to Alberta Everett We hope the sun will be shining! Love from your family and friends.90th birthday wishes PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW Page 10 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Go grocery sho pping with diet itians.When you choo se products with the Health Chec k symbol, it's like shopping with t he Heart and Str oke Foundation\u2019s die titians, who eval uate every partic ipating product b ased on Canada 's Food Guide.www.healthche ck.org REALITY CHECK HERMAN ALLEY OOP ARLO & JANIS THE BORN LOSER FRANK AND ERNEST GRIZZWELLS THATABABY PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Page 11 Call Sherbrooke: (819) 569-9525 between 8:30 a.m.and 4:30 p.m.E-mail: classad@sherbrookerecord.com or Knowlton: (450) 242-1188 between 9:00 a.m.and noon CLASSIFIED Deadline: 12:30 p.m.one day prior to publication Or mail your prepaid classi?ed ads to The Record, 6 Mallory, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 2E2 100 Job Opportunities 100 Job Opportunities 290 Articles for Sale Make your classi- add a photo for $10.per day.Deadline: 2 days before publication.Drop by our of- Knowlton.819-569- com 275 Antiques WE BUY from the past for the future, one item or a household, attic or basement, shed or ga- give us a call.819- 837-2680.M A N U F A C T U R - Unique and exclusive opportunity, Automatic vending machine routes, Ex- Customers provided by company.Investment required, funding available.100% project.Toll-Free 1-877-358-3023.425 Business Opportunities TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 Who should declare;who should defend?By Phillip Alder Last month, at Bridge Base Online, there were two deals that had the same decision for one of the players: to pass a takeout double at the three- level, turning it into a penalty double, or to bid higher with a balanced hand.Here is the ?rst.Look only at the East hand and the start to the auction.What should East do?South opened with a weak two-bid.West\u2019s ?rst double was for takeout, his second the same and promising extra strength.Here, if East bids three no-trump (which looks better than four hearts), he would have gone plus at least 600 for the vulnerable game.But if he had passed and defended against three spades doubled, he would have been a happy camper - how happy?At a few tables, East corrected to four hearts.When the dummy appeared, life looked all right - until declarer learned about the 5-0 trump split! But I think the key guideline is: With a balanced hand, defend; with an unbalanced hand, declare.West would start off with three top clubs, East playing high-low to show his doubleton, then discarding the diamond six.West will continue with the high club nine, and East will overruff the dummy.After the diamond ace and another diamond to West\u2019s king, a third diamond will give East has second trump trick.With the spade ace still to come, that is down four, plus 800 nonvulnerable.So, although occasionally you will leave in partner\u2019s takeout double with a balanced hand and the contract will make, in the long run you will be well ahead of the game.NEA BRIDGE No one is immune to the occasional bad mood.Whether it\u2019s the weather, waking up on the wrong side of the bed or another variable, various factors can have an adverse affect on a person\u2019s mood.Food is one factor that can have a positive effect on mood.Certain foods have been found to positively affect mood, so incorporating them into your diet may help you stay positive even on those days when you get up on the wrong side of the bed.· Fatty ?sh: A study from British researchers published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that a daily dose of an omega-3 fatty acid called eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, helped patients with depression signi?cantly reduce their feelings of sadness and pessimism.Hackensack Meridian Health notes that salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, trout, and anchovies are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.· Nuts and seeds: The minerals selenium, copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc have all been linked to mental health, and nuts are rich in each of those minerals.Hackensack Meridian Health notes that almonds, sun?ower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and peanuts are particularly good sources of the immune system-boosting minerals zinc and magnesium.· Dark, leafy greens: Dark, leafy greens like kale, spinach and collards are rich in iron and magnesium, both of which can increase serotonin levels and help reduce feelings of anxiety.Dark, leafy greens also help the body ?ght in?ammation, which can have a positive effect on mood.A 2015 study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that brain in?ammation contributed to certain behaviors, including low mood, that appear during major depressive episodes.· Dark chocolate: Chocolate lovers may be happy to learn that dark chocolate can improve mood.A 2009 study published in the Journal of Proteome Research found that dark chocolate helped to reduce levels of the hormone cortisol, which has been linked to stress.Hackensack Meridian Health notes that, when consumed in moderation, dark chocolate made of at least 70 percent cocoa can help people relax.Various foods can have a bene?cial effect on mood, potentially helping people to stay positive when doing so proves challenging.(Metro Creative) Foods that can positively affect mood The Record is currently looking for a carrier in Lennoxville to start A.S.A.P.for the following streets: \u2022 Amesbury \u2022 Charlotte \u2022 Convent \u2022 Queen (9 customers) If interested, please contact our office by phone at 819-569-9528 or email at billing@sherbrookerecord.com CARRIER NEEDED in Lennoxville (819) 569-9525 Classifieds CLASSIFIEDS WORK! PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW Page 12 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Wedding Invitation Snub Dear Annie TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 Dear Annie: My youngest daughter, \u201cMarta,\u201d is beautiful and caring but intellectually challenged.I have always encouraged all my kids to do what makes them happy, and she is no different.A couple of years ago, she met a wonderful man through mutual friends, \u201cBrian.\u201d After dating for almost a year, they married last fall.We could not ask for anyone more caring and giving.Brian makes Marta his ?rst priority as a spouse, partner and friend in his life.The reason I\u2019m writing: My second- youngest daughter, \u201cElle,\u201d who is 27, is getting married this fall and wants to invite Marta but not Brian.Elle and her ?ance would have preferred to skip this whole ordeal altogether and just get married at the courthouse.But they are doing the wedding his parents want (spending money that is supposed to be saved for a down payment on a house, but I digress).Elle has been really stressed out about it from the outset.They said that they are only inviting people they talk to regularly and that Brian isn\u2019t someone they talk to regularly.Brian and Marta were already saving up money for both of them to go.Additionally, Marta is not capable of getting there herself because of her aforementioned disability.I said all this to Elle, but she still said Brian can\u2019t come.I said, \u201cThen maybe we won\u2019t come, either, because it\u2019s not fair that you\u2019re treating your sister this way.\u201d Now Elle is not talking to me or Marta and blocked my number and my messages online.Am I wrong here?I do understand that they haven\u2019t wanted the wedding from the beginning.But now that they\u2019re having one, I think it would be wrong to exclude her brother-in- law.Family is family, whether you talk every day or not.- Wedding Woes Dear Wedding Woes: You\u2019re not wrong, but you can\u2019t force them to do what\u2019s right.Though it does strike me as odd to exclude a brother-in-law, this isn\u2019t my wedding - and it\u2019s not yours, either.If Elle and her ?ance don\u2019t want to invite Brian, that\u2019s their mistake to make.Were I to squint hard to try to see a halfway decent rationale for their actions, I suppose I might focus on the fact that they didn\u2019t want a ceremony or reception to begin with.They may not see this as a big deal or understand how hurtful such a snub can be.As for how they expect Marta to get there when she needs Brian\u2019s assistance while traveling - well, I have no idea what they\u2019re thinking.You and Marta might contact airlines to see what assistance is available for travelers with disabilities, if she\u2019d still like to go.But it would be perfectly OK for her to stay home, too.That would be the bride and groom\u2019s fault and, most of all, their loss.Dear Annie: In this day and age, when one has to be constantly aware of scams, I ?nd it terribly annoying to receive phone calls from people who do not identify themselves when they call.Often when my wife and I get phone calls from fundraising groups or even from doctors\u2019 of?ces and the like, they ask for my wife or me immediately, without ?rst identifying themselves.What\u2019s the deal?- Who\u2019s Calling Dear Who\u2019s Calling: If I had to hazard a guess, I\u2019d say the decline of phone etiquette corresponded with the rise of cellphones and, speci?cally, texting.I completely agree that it\u2019s impolite not to identify yourself when someone answers your phone call.It seems a lot of people never learned that or else have forgotten.I\u2019m printing this as a reminder.To ?nd out more about Annie Lane and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY .ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW "]