Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

Shawville’s St. Paul’s Church Hall recently buzzed with creativity as local author Lynette Harris
led a two-part workshop series titled “Capturing Our Stories,” aimed at the 55+ community.
Organized by the Pontiac MRC’s Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Shelley
Heaphy, the workshop encouraged seniors to explore the art of writing and sharing their life
stories.

In the first session, Harris introduced participants to her journey as an author, describing how
she began writing as a way to preserve her family’s legacy. Known for her books, including I
Always Wanted to Please My Mother and the children’s book Why Am I Me , Harris noted the
therapeutic benefits of writing. She shared personal stories of loss, resilience, and joy, inspiring
attendees to consider the value of capturing their own experiences in writing.

Harris provided participants with practical advice on descriptive storytelling and offered tips for
getting started. Each participant had a chance to discuss their own ideas and the themes they
wanted to explore in their stories. The supportive environment fostered a strong sense of
camaraderie, with many attendees feeling encouraged to begin writing their personal histories.

By the second session, attendees returned with excerpts from their writing assignments, eager
to share their progress. Harris led the group in offering feedback and constructive
encouragement, creating a warm, collaborative space for self-expression. According to Shelley
Heaphy, “It was wonderful to see so many exploring their creative sides and encouraging each
other along the way.” Heaphy, who coordinates community engagement initiatives for the MRC
du Pontiac, expressed pride in supporting an event that fostered both creativity and connection
among seniors.

Harris’s dedication to helping others tell their stories has sparked additional interest in similar
workshops, with invitations to lead sessions for other senior groups, including one in Wakefield.
She described guiding others in preserving their memories as her “life’s passion” and expressed
gratitude for the opportunity to share her skills with the community.

The Pontiac MRC will continue to host events that promote creativity and well-being for seniors.
Upcoming activities include art sessions in Shawville, a community creation program in Portage-
du-Fort, and informational talks on nutrition, diabetes, sleep, and discussions on medical aid in
dying (MAID). These initiatives reflect the MRC’s commitment to supporting seniors in
meaningful and engaging ways.

For more information about upcoming workshops and events, visit the Connexions Resource
Centre’s website at centreconnexions.org .

Photo: Local author Lynette Harris inspired Shawville seniors to capture their life stories in a ​
recent storytelling workshop, fostering creativity and connection within the 55+ community. (TF)
Photo courtesy of Lynette Harris