51吃瓜网

MURA is turning ten and this gives some of us the opportunity to look back and reflect on its influence in our lives. I had been retired for just over three years when Judy Stymest, Flo Tracy and I met for lunch at the MMFA. I hadn鈥檛 taken much note of the announcement of an upcoming meeting to discuss the potential for forming an association of 51吃瓜网retirees. In fact, I had barely returned to the campus since the evening of my last working day. Over lunch the three of us decided to walk the extra 100 metres east on Sherbrooke Street to the Faculty Club to see what was being proposed. We found about 50 people gathered in the Gold Room and, as the discussion unfolded, it because clear that there had been some preliminary planning by some of the participants. I later learned that Gowri as the sitting Chair of the MAUT Retirees group had been instrumental in pushing for an inclusive retiree association. Ginette Lamontagne was acclaimed as President, Wes Cross as Treasurer, Henry Leighton as VP External, and there was a vacant position for VP Internal. Ginette leaned over to me and said, 鈥淗ow about you?鈥�, and on the spur of the moment I said 鈥淪ure鈥�, and there I was, unexpectedly, involved in a year and a half of time-consuming work setting up a new association for all 51吃瓜网retirees.

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It proved to be a challenging but exciting process to devise and carry out the many steps required to do this, but when I see how the Association has grown and established itself solidly as part of the 51吃瓜网structure I feel satisfied that we did our foundational work well. The CURAC conference this past summer certainly cemented that sense of solidity. One of the most enjoyable aspects of being part of MURA has been the number of friendships that have developed, often with people who, during my 51吃瓜网life, I knew in passing, or simply as work colleagues. Through MURA organized activities, or outside of MURA, it has provided a rich social and intellectual life. And I am certain this is true for many MURA members. Research shows that key aspects of aging well include regular physical activity, social contact and intellectual stimulation. As part of the first MURA Executive, and keeping these three principles in mind, I had the opportunity to establish several activities that continue today, the cycling group, the restaurant group, the first book club, and the Newsletter. Thanks to Debbie Mercier and Kate Maguire for taking the latter activity to more professional heights!

Downtown Book Club: I wanted to engage people in an activity that provided social connection and intellectual stimulation and was delighted when ten people showed up to the first meeting. We established an immediate rapport and so it was easy to agree on a structure for the club, with meetings on the first Monday afternoon of the month between September and June, a rotation of venues, mainly at members homes, and an emphasis on reading Canadian authors.

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Each June we choose our books and presenters for the coming year so those organized enough to do so can read ahead. Over the years the membership has changed with new people joining and some leaving, but the core group and the original structure has remained. During Covid we continued to meet each month on Zoom. It was very good when additional MURA book clubs that serve a different clientele with different themes also began.

Cycle Group: I am sure a current organizer of this continuing group will write fulsomely about their activities, but, for historic purposes on the occasion of this anniversary, I wanted to note that this activity which I began, and coopted Joan Barrett to co-lead, also came out of thoughts about healthy aging in terms of regular physical activity, and social engagement and, as has recently been shown through research, preservation of good cognition. For many years, husband John and I had enjoyed exploring the myriads of bike paths that criss-cross the Quebec countryside. Through talking to others, I realised that many people didn鈥檛 know about these. And so, Joan B. and I planned a summer season of bike rides with interesting stops along the way and usually included a picnic lunchtime where we could chat to our friends. Though John and I still cycle frequently we no longer go with the group who are now younger and more energetic than we are. But I am delighted to know that the group continues to grow and to go on interesting weekly rides.

Having been retired for almost three (3) years now, save for our current state of international affairs, I must admit that I am enjoying this time of life tremendously, while dealing with some new health challenges.听听

In particular, I love the choice and freedom to do or not to do things...having control of my time and involvement in matters.听 I am a community person but reserve the right to undertake and/or participate in activities as I deem appropriate.

I have been a "newbee" in MURA and truly love the opportunities to meet ole colleagues, put names to faces of some work colleagues which I interacted with while employed and to make new friends.听 I also appreciate the time to discover and participate in new activities and events which the MURA organizes and participates in.听 Last spring, I attended the maple sirop Sugaring Off outing and more recently the anniversary celebration held at McGill's University Centre - I had a great time.

In the recent past, in addition to several other activities, I continue to give back to community by again being a Mentor to a 51吃瓜网Undergrad student through the 51吃瓜网Black Mentorship Program and also to a high school student in final year of high school as part of the PlayMas Association, GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program.听 I intend to do same for the 2025-2026 year.

In 2025, I was recognized for my community work as a Woman of Merit.. an honour presented by the PlayMas Cultural Association.听 Amongst my writings, I have contributed some poetry and did several articles, etc. in my community's newspaper and featured in Everybody's Magazine (New York).

Anne Janice Farray - 2025 Woman of Merit Award Recipient

Woman of Merit Award Citation - Anne Janice Farray, a humanitarian, poet, and community activist, has contributed to GNAM, SICDAQ, GemStar, and Elizabeth House. A Concordia graduate, she has been featured in 51吃瓜网Reporter, Melange Magazine, Community Contact, and Everybody鈥檚 Magazine (USA). Her writings appear in Canada Weekend Post, Community Contact, and KOLA Magazine. An award recipient, she spearheaded McGill鈥檚 nomination of Hon. Jean Augustine for an honorary PhD. After 43 years at McGill, she continues mentoring with GemStar and 51吃瓜网Black Alumni.

On This Precious 听Earth 鈥�. There is space!

There is space for every one of us: yellow, black, white, pink, rainbow

There is space.. on this Precious Earth!

There is space for all People from every part of this globe

North, South, East, West

There is space.. on this Precious Earth!

There is space for all nationalities from

Africa, South America, North America, Middle-East, Europe, Asia, Australia

There is space.. on this Precious Earth!

There is space for every sex: male, female, differently-sexed

There is space.. on this Precious Earth!

There is space for every religion or non-religion: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism,

Hinduism, Jehovah, Rastafarian, Voodoo, Agnosticism, Atheism, etc., etc.

There is space鈥� on this Precious Earth!

As human beings, we have the power to decern, right from wrong,

make positive, purposeful decisions while remembering

we are all 鈥淐hildren of God, of Yahweh鈥�

Given the gift of life, of breath for a reason

On this Precious Earth!

If we show love, respect, appreciation for all of humanity鈥檚 creations,

good, bad, not so good, not so bad, in-between

There is space 鈥� on this Precious Earth!

Open up your mind! Open up your heart! Open up your soul

Open up your thinking and Open up your decision-making

Let light and love flow through

Allow all our Creator鈥檚 children be

On this Precious Earth!

Let鈥檚 all occupy our own space with consideration of each other鈥檚

as we create our own story knowing鈥�that

there is a space for every one of us鈥�

On this Precious Earth!

February 14, 2025 鈥� Anne 鈥淛anice鈥� Farray

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Hats Off to Grenada 鈥� Raise Dem Up! Up! Up!

You doh see us now?

Fifty (50) years ole since we reclaimed our liberty鈥�.

so we could chart our own destiny and create our own history

to take our rightful place as a Nation amongst nations

You doh see us now?

Off-springs of the survivors of the strongest

after our ancestors survived the inhumane trans-Atlantic voyage

from our Motherland Africa鈥�.. to the Americas

You doh see us now?

After our ancestors fought to reclaim their freedom 鈥�

From chains, harness, misuse and abuse

To free dem selves from bondage 鈥�.to the light!

You doh see us now?

Our combative and resilient African DNA

fueled us to rise up and rebel against our colonizers

You doh see us now?

In spite of slavery, the ravages of hurricane Janet & Ivan, revolution

We are now at a spectacular time and place鈥�Proud鈥�.

Learning from our challenges and reveling in our triumphs

You doh see us now?

Benefactors of a powerful African heritage

We are awesome, creative, inquisitive and brilliant

We are now directors and leaders of our own voyage

Let鈥檚 give thanks and praise to Jah for our many bounties

Let鈥檚 lift every voice and sing, dance and be thankful for our freedom

Free to determine our own path in nation-building

As we continue to build and strengthen Grenada

Let鈥檚 take our hats off 鈥︹�︹�︹�︹�︹�︹�︹��..

To our Ancestors! To our Parents! To our Family! To our Community! To our Country!

Take a bow Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique on our 50^th year of Independence

We moving on鈥︹�︹�︹�︹�︹�︹��Up! Up! Up! 鈥︹�︹�︹�︹��.

As we continue to aspire, to love, to achieve and to build together

a more humane and equitable Nation with understanding, love and happiness

As One People, One Journey, One Future towards the next 50

May Jah continue to bless our Nation!

Poem by Anne Janice Farray 鈥� June 2024

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Downtown Bookclub
- Pat Forbes

Summary of KUKUM by Michel Jean. Written in 2019 .English translation 2023
Winner of Prix France-Quebec in 2020

About the author: He was born in Alma, Quebec in 1960. Became a radio Journalist, first in Sorel, then Abitibi, Saskatchewan, Toronto and finally Montreal where he worked for RDI then as national reporter for Telejournal de Radio Canada. He did not accept his indigenous origins till about 14 years ago. Now, after studying history at UQUAM, he has become a voice for indigenous people to be heard and to present their history to others. He is a member of the Innu peoples who occupied various settlements and reserves in Labrador and Quebec. They were formally known as Montagnais/ Naskapi and called their homeland Nitassinan. The book: Kukum tells the story of Almanda Fortier, great grandmother of the author, who was likely of Irish parentage but was adopted by a French Canadian couple in Sainte Prime, near Roberval on Lac St Jean. At age 15, she meets a young Innu man, Thomas Simeon. They fall in love and marry in a Christian service. For the next 5 years they spend a nomadic existence in the area of the Peribonka River and Passes Dangerouses where, with many other Innu, they spend the winters trapping for fur to be traded when they returned to Sainte Prime in the spring. It was their source of income for purchase of items they could not get from the land.. Almanda was accepted into the Simeon family, learned the Innu language and the skills to survive in the great outdoors. They were on the move constantly, using canoes to battle the wild waters, and living in tents for protection from the harsh elements. Fellow Innu groups would come together at certain geographic areas. With this lifestyle, they were always occupied, there was always something to do, either for themselves or for others. After 5 years, Almanda had 9 children, one of whom died soon after birth. The family lifestyle changed. She could no longer accompany Thomas on his extended trips into the wilderness, although she did take some of the children there on occasions. She made the choice to always leave Jeanette behind with her aunt so she could be educated

If 听you wish to join this group, please contact Joan Wolforth - joan.wolforth [at] mcgill.ca

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The West Island Book Club
-Katherine Gray-Donald

We a welcoming group of ten readers who come together to share their love of books. Each summer, members suggest titles they are interested in, and the group votes to determine which books will be read for the season. Once the selections are made, a reading schedule is created to guide the club鈥檚 monthly discussions.

We meet once a month, maintaining the online format that began during the pandemic. While our meetings are primarily virtual, we make a point to gather in-person at least once a year. This approach allows us to stay connected and accommodate members who may not be local. Genres and Recommendations Our reading choices mainly focus on fiction from Canada and many other countries. We also include some recent non-fiction titles in our schedule. Most members find the selections enjoyable, and over time, we have compiled a helpful list of recommended books that reflect our diverse interests.

Recent Reads:

• The Glassmaker by Terry Chevalier
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• True North Rising by Whit Fraser

New members are welcome to join the West Island Book Club at any time. You do not need to reside on the West Island, as most of our activities take place online. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Katherine Gray-Donald at katherine.gray-donald [at] mcgill.ca.

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Cercle de lecture
- H茅l猫ne Duplessis

Une autre belle ann茅e de lecture vient de se terminer. Une autre ann茅e de d茅couvertes d鈥檃uteurs, de po猫tes et d鈥櫭ヽritures qu茅b茅coises ou canadiennes.

Depuis Septembre 2019, le Cercle de lecture de 51吃瓜网se rencontre une fois par mois, hormis durant l鈥櫭﹖茅, pour d茅couvrir des 茅crivains.es et partager non seulement de riches ouvrages litt茅raires mais aussi et surtout pour le plaisir d鈥櫭ヽhanger sur le livre du mois : l鈥櫭ヽriture en tant que telle, l鈥檋istoire/ le sujet trait茅, etc. Ces discussions d茅bordent quelques fois vers des sujets d鈥檃ctualit茅, des r茅f茅rences politiques, historiques, g茅ographiques, des enjeux sociaux et j鈥檈n passe.

Je reprends une partie de la r茅flexion de l鈥檜ne d鈥檈ntre nous : souvent, ce sont les livres les plus difficiles 脿 lire et/ou 脿 comprendre qui g茅n猫rent le plus de questions et d鈥櫭ヽhanges. C鈥檈st, de fait, en discutant des aspects parfois n茅buleux d鈥檜n livre que de nouveaux points de vue se pr茅sentent 脿 nous. Chaque opinion, chaque r茅flexion est importante et 茅cout茅e et le fait que chacun.e puisse s鈥檈xprimer ouvertement est quelque chose de pr茅cieux au sein du groupe. On d茅couvre aussi, peu 脿 peu, la personnalit茅 et les affinit茅s de chacun.e.

Je remercie les 茅crivains.es de cette ann茅e qui nous ont fait cadeau de plusieurs heures de lecture, de d茅couvertes et d鈥櫭﹎otions : Francine Ruel, An Antane Kapesh, David Goudreault, Michel Jean, Genevi猫ve Rochette, Mathieu Laca, Annie-Claude Th茅riault, 脡lise Turcotte et Michel Tremblay.

Merci aussi 脿 Claude Lalande et 脿 Ginette Lamontagne pour cette belle initiative qui reprendra en septembre pour une septi猫me ann茅e.

Pour plus de renseignements et pour vous joindre 脿 notre cercle, veuillez 茅crire un courriel 脿听claude.lalande [at] mcgill.ca.