Galleries and exhibitions
Christmas at Mull Hall. Exhibition of a dollhouse once owned by Morna MacLean who was once a resident of Mull Hall, now the Stewart Hall Cultural Centre. Get a glimpse of life at Mull Hall during the holiday season, at the time of the MacLean family (1919-1940). Continues until Jan. 16, 2022 at Stewart Hall, 176 Lakeshore Rd. in Pointe-Claire. Call 514-630-1220, Local 1774.
Arts and letters
Art By The Water’s annual holiday art sale continues until Sunday. Small size paintings on sale, hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, secret Santa exchanges or a gift for yourself. More paintings are added each week. Visit facebook.com/artbythewater or instagram.com/art.by.the.water.
Beaconsfield Artists Association virtual art expo is online until Dec. 31. Visit beaconsfieldart.com.
The Becket Players are launching their 47th season with the musical revue As Seen On TV. They are currently holding auditions for singers, dancers, musicians and actors. Rehearsals are in Kirkland. Email production@becketplayers.ca. Vaccination passport is mandatory for all members and all COVID-19 measures are in place.
Music
The Chorale Philomela Singers, directed by Margo Keenan, are a bilingual West Island community choir with a varied and entertaining repertoire. They welcome new singers, especially tenors and basses, for the upcoming season starting in January. Candidates must have a good ear and preferably some choral experience. The ability to read music is not obligatory. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. Please email chorale.philomela@gmail.com or call 514-946-4160 to arrange a quick audition. For more information, visit facebook.com/choralephilomela
ETC…
Boutique 24 Thrift Shop is open every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Union Church, Adair Hall, 24 Maple Ave. in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. The boutique will be closed on Dec. 23 and reopen on Jan. 13. Donations welcome. Call 514-713-5054.
Thrift Shops for NOVA are holding a 50 percent off sale until Saturday and will then be closed for the holidays. Re-opening on Tuesday, Jan. 11. They offer clothing for the whole family, footwear, books, household items, jewelry, furniture, etc. All proceeds go to Nova West-Island. The Plaza Pointe-Claire store, 321 St-Jean Blvd. (514-697-8457) is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ste-Anne Thrift shop, 43 Ste-Anne St. in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue (514-457-1642), the Thrift shop Bookstore (next door), 43 Ste-Anne St. in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, the Kirkland Thrift shop at 2750 St-Charles Blvd. (514-697-6692) in Kirkland, as well as the Furniture and Used Book Thrift Shop (514-694-8417), 449 Beaconsfield Blvd. in Beaconsfield are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are accepting donations. For additional info, visit thriftshopsfornova.com.
Groups and clubs
The Lakeshore Camera Club welcomes photographers of all levels who wish to learn and exchange ideas with others. Meetings are every Monday night (until June 6) at 7:30 p.m. They will begin with meetings online, but plan to move back to Stewart Hall in Pointe-Claire when conditions allow. Presentations by professional photographers, hands-on workshops, field trips, and many more activities. Visit lccphoto.org or email info@lccphoto.org
Self-help and support
The West Island Women’s Shelter is a non-profit organization that helps women and children who are victims of domestic violence through the provision of shelter, accompaniment and psychological support. For more information, visit wiws.ca.
Alzheimer Groups Inc. (AGI) offers therapeutic programs to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. They provide support services to families and professional care partners, focusing on the best practices in dementia care, while sensitizing the community through education and awareness. Email info@agiteam.org or call 514-485-7233.
The West Island Committee Against Elder Abuse notes several helplines are available. If anyone reading this feels that someone is managing their finances without their permission, is trying to isolate them from others, or touches or makes them feel uncomfortable in ways they don’t like or is neglecting them, call: Elder Abuse Help Line 1-888-489-2287; Info Social 811; CLSC Pierrefonds 514-626-2572; CLSC Lac St-Louis 514-697-4110; CLSC Dorval-Lachine 514-639-0650; Canadian Anti-Fraud 1-888-495-8501.
ABOVAS – An essential accompaniment towards health, is a non-profit organization that offers accompanied transport for West Island residents going to medical appointments on the Island of Montreal. If you need assistance and would like to use our service, contact us for more details. If you have a few hours to offer, access to a car and would like to volunteer, call 514-694-3838, email info@abovas.com or visit abovas.com.
Compassionate Friends is a self-help international group for bereaved parents of children. Call the Montreal chapter at 438-257-0881.
Literacy Unlimited, a community organization dedicated to empowering adults through improved literacy, offers free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring for adults in reading, writing and basic computer skills. Call 514-694-0007 or visit literacyunlimited.ca.
Overeaters Anonymous, a 12-step recovery group for compulsive overeaters, anorexics and bulimics. No weigh-ins, dues or fees. Zoom or phone meetings are being held during the pandemic. Call 514-488-1812 or visit oamontrealenglish.org/meetings.
Volunteers
The Becket Players are looking for volunteers (aged 18+) for their upcoming spring show. Positions include ticket sales, waiter, waitresses, kitchen crew. Visit volunteer@becketplayers.ca or call 514-465-3029.
Volunteer West Island is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of volunteers as well as the community organizations and groups that require volunteer help. Call 514-457-5445 or email info@volunteerwestisland.org.
West Island Citizen Advocacy is a Centraide/West Island Community Shares funded organization that matches those in need with volunteer advocates. Call 514-694-5850 or visit volunteerwica.com.
A 73-year-old Haitian woman in Pierrefonds diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease would benefit from visits at her home. She speaks English, French, Creole and German. She would like to practice her German, go on walks and have conversations. She is a retired school principal and is very sociable.
An isolated 78-year-old French and Creole Pierrefonds woman would benefit from friendly visits. She enjoys going on walks, but prefers to be accompanied due to her shaky balance. She would also like to learn basic computer skills.
A kind gentleman in his early 80s living in a residence in Pointe-Claire is seeking the assistance of a volunteer who can accompany him to a local Walmart once a week. He is autonomous but uses a walker to get around.
