The World is a Stage
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Two very important events are happening within two days of each other, so I shall write about both in this article as both need your consideration and advanced booking.
Friday, March 8 is International Women’s Day and to celebrate this auspicious occasion, Annandale National Historic Site will be once again hosting its annual Nancy Barker Tillson, Women’s Day Luncheon.
This year’s guest speaker will be Marilyn Driedger, the owner of The Herbal Touch, in Otterville, who will be speaking on ‘Tussie Mussies,’ the Victorian Art of expressing yourself in the language flowers. What better way to start that theme off, than feasting on a four-course meal prepared by Chrissie’s Catering! (Oh, good, they aren’t going to make us pick our own dandelion leaves!)
You might wonder what kind of plants and flowers you might be eating? (Cross your fingers for the cocoa bean!)
Here is the menu: spinach salad with hibiscus, chicken with herbes de Provence, mini roasted potatoes with lemon pepper, cheesy cauliflower and decadent chocolate cake, tea and coffee. Hurray! Chocolate!
Although this is called the Women’s Day Floral Luncheon, it does not mean only women can come; it means we are celebrating women and who better to do that, than men! Yes! Men are welcome to come. (There are already several on the list!)
The luncheon is at Annandale NHS from noon to 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 (tax included) and must be purchased in advance, which you can do over the telephone by credit card. Call the museum at 842-2294; or drop in, Marie or Patty will be happy to help you.
Two days later is the Alpha introductory luncheon on March the 10th. That is a Sunday; from noon to 2 p.m. This is the first session of an 11 week course that can change your life.
Do you realize how many people out there are floundering? They have bought the newest phone, with all kinds of apps; e-books or I-Pads and the latest electronic gimmicks; thinking the last one would satisfy and fill that hole of longing they have. For others it could be just another pair of shoes or a day at the spa. It felt good at the time, yet when it was all over that empty hole wasn’t filled. Some people try to fill the hole with extreme adventures or sports; fast cars or drugs. People will try anything to find what makes you feel satisfied with life.
Are you satisfied with your life? Most people feel a little lost; most hoped to have accomplished that one, ‘something’ in life that would make it all worth while. Some figure out that it might be spiritual. Whoa! Bad word! You don’t want to get religion! That is a crutch. That is something your parents got caught up in where people have to go to church every Sunday and pretend they are good then, in true hypocrite style, are not so nice the rest of the week.
Yet there is something tugging you, something that says ‘that might be it.’
So you look for spiritual enlightenment; perhaps some through Buddhism or Islam. How about a connection nature? There are hundreds of spiritually enlightening things to try.
I was exactly the same. I felt the same way and looked all over for the answers. I found it at Alpha. I didn’t want it to be ‘church’ because when you go to church you don’t usually get to ask questions. But Alpha is different. You aren’t going to go into the church. You will go to the hall, have a nice lunch, watch a video and get to ask any question you like. You might be like I was; a wee bit hostile. That is okay, you have a lot you need to know and get off your chest. This is place to do it.
It is Christian based so you can find out if the bible is historically accurate. You can find out if Jesus was just a made up figure head or if he really existed? Can people be healed today? You can ask anything you want.
Avondale United Church is hosting their first Alpha Course. It is non-denominational and does not deal in any of the ‘man made’ rules in religion, just the basic facts. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to come back. No questions are asked.
If you would like to go but are nervous, call me 842-9416 and I will be happy to escort you to the first session. So come for lunch on Sunday, March 10 at noon. The next two weeks March 19 & 26 will be on Tuesdays, and from then on Wednesdays. There is no cost to the lunch, although you know a donation of $5 would always be welcome. Participants also get a booklet which has the cost of $5. If anyone out there would like to do this course but just can’t afford it, let the leaders at Avondale know.
If you have any questions, please call Susan Barker-James at 688-0066; Rosalie Willaert 842-5892 or Carol Hagle at 1-519-539-3555.
For both events please call now to make sure there is a place at the table for you.