Serving the Eastern Townships English-speaking Community since 1979.
INTERGENERATIONAL COOKIE CONTEST & ART WORKSHOP THIS WEEKEND
February 24, 2010
By Eric Akbar Manolson, Coordinator, With Respect to our Elders project
What are YOU doing this Sunday?
“We’re still searching for the perfect intergenerational cookie,” said Eric Akbar Manolson, coordinator of Townshippers’ Association’s With RESPECT to our Elders project, as he looked up from his mixing bowl.
“This will be our second annual Intergenerational Cookie Contest. Last time, people arrived with their homemade cookies from all over and told us the story of their recipe. There were grandparents, grandchildren and all ages in between. It seemed everyone met new friends and learned something about the fascinating culinary cookie history of the Eastern Townships.”
Judging by the smiling faces of the participants, everyone seemed to be having a deliciously good time indeed.
The Cookie Contest is one of a number of innovative programs Manolson and his RESPECT project team have organized. The project’s goal is to increase the appreciation and valuing of older people in the Eastern Townships community through intergenerational activities and shared creative expression.
“I think our event this year is going to be even more fun and CREATIVE, because it will include an intergenerational art workshop!” said Manolson.
Who better to lead an intergenerational art workshop than Shannon Brown, an award-winning artist, filmmaker and teacher who lives in the West Bolton area. She has been leading creativity workshops for people of all ages for over 15 years.
“I am really looking forward to this afternoon,” said Brown, dipping her brush into a jar of paint. “I find there are artists everywhere and an artist in everyone. No prior art experience is required for this workshop. Actually, it’s often those who arrive saying they have no artistic talent who enjoy themselves the most!”
The workshop is part of the Great Intergenerational Mural project the RESPECT project is currently undertaking. Seniors in clubs, seniors’ residences, along with young people in schools and youth groups, will be making art that will then be gathered together to form a giant mural, sort of like a big patchwork quilt. The mural will be unveiled on May 12 at Seniors’ Day in Magog for close to 1,000 people!
RECAP: On Sunday February 28 from 1 to 5 p.m. will take place the Intergenerational Cookie Contest and Art Workshop at the Amédée-Beaudoin Community Centre, 10 Samuel-Gratham St, Lennoxville (behind the town hall). The Art Workshop is at 1 p.m. The Cookie Contest, including live music and a slide show, starts at 3 p.m. Admission is free and you are welcome to attend any part of the event. Registration is required for the Art Workshop - phone Eric Manolson at Townshippers’ Association 819-566-5717 (1-866-566-5717) or email Shannon Brown at sb@townshippers.qc.ca.
“We’re expecting lots of cookies,” added Manolson, as he folded a handful of organically grown fair-trade chocolate chips into his cookie dough, “so we’ll be needing lots of cookie tasters to come too!”
The activities of the With Respect to our Elders project are made possible in part by support from the Ministère de la famille at des aînés of the Government of Quebec.
Photo: KIT 2010 02 24 Cookie contest.jpg
Photo Credit: Barbara Lavoie
Photo Cutline: Winners at last year’s Cookie Contest celebrating with their most delicious treats!