Our condolences and sympathies go out to the Bowers family on the passing of Sister Rita Bowers, CSJ (Sister Mary Modesta) of Chapeau, Que.
Surrounded by her CSJ Sisters and her nieces, Sister Rita passed away peacefully on Dec. 3. She was in her 78th year of Religious Life as a Sister of St. Joseph in Canada.
Our deepest sympathies also go out to the Downey and Lapierre families on the passing of Mary Downey Lapierre (Bert) of Chapeau, Que. She was a member of The Starlite quilters in Chapeau and a very talented quilter also.
Congratulations to my niece Carly and her husband Maarten vanNuland on the birth of son number two. Dylan Jack, a baby brother for Alex, was born on Dec. 6. Proud grandparents are Jack and Debbie VanderEyk.

Also congratulations to Michael Lebel and Shalynne of Sheenboro on the birth of their daughter Natalie Grace Anne on Dec. 7. She is a baby sister to Tallyn and Luke and grandchild number four for the proud grandparents Emil and Jeanne Lebel.
On Friday evening, an appreciation dinner put on by the three councils, L’Îsle-aux-Allumettes, Chichester and Sheenboro was held at Harrington Community Center for Pontiac Ouest fire men. Chief Glyn Fleury acknowledged all his firemen and thanked them for their hard work throughout the year. He also presented Ian Payne of Chichester with the fireman of the year award and an award was given to André Chartrand of Allumette Island for his dedication and attendance.
This year Sheenboro Council acknowledged Frank and Janet Retty for their many years of volunteering in Sheen. They are very generous with their time. Frank belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He makes sure we all have our raffle tickets by going door to door and he donates his time at any functions the Knights put on. Last year he was serving hot dogs to the kids at their sliding party. He is also a good mail man for his neighbours and helps in many ways. Janet helps out at our church. She is secretary for the OFWCA and along with many others go on the road with their music and entertain at the senior homes on special occasions. Music is a great comfort.