Zephyr & Sandford

by Pat Asling Well, Summer is coming to a close. After all the early heat, the last week has seemed quite cool, downright cold that one day! Kids and parents are thinking about going back to school, if not already there and the Ex has started, the unofficial start to fall, even if you never go there.

I have found five monarch caterpillars so far, two of which have already hatched and a third becoming a chrysalis, along with two others who will enclose soon.

Of course, the Port Perry Fair is on Labour Day, and that was the start when we were teens; we just had to go to the fair to see our friends even though they would all be there the next day in class. Then, of course, there is the Uxbridge Fall Fair coming up soon after, with most of the usual special events happening. If you wish to take part in any of the competitions, you can go online for the booklet or pick up a paper copy at the Fair office.

Welcome to the new owner of the Sandford Store. This lady is trying to make sure there is everything her customers would want inside this room. Best Wishes to her. I have lost track of how many tenants have tried to make a go of this little village store over the last few years.

Adele Boy moved to a new home in Uxbridge and has not spent a lot of time there lately, as she has been involved in one of her favourite activities, volunteering at the Bank Tennis Championship matches in Toronto. She has been doing this for 15 years. This year it was the men competing in Toronto.

Earle Lockerby has returned from a three-week vacation to PEI, where he did a lot of visiting and catching up with old friends. Meanwhile, wife Heidi enjoyed the comforts of Butternut Manor.

Last weekend the Asling and Clarke families converged on Hanover to celebrate the 80th birthday of my brother Dr. Jerrold Asling. Jerry practiced dentistry in Hanover for over 41 years, was Scout Leader, held many positions in Grace United Church, was president and other positions of Saugeen naturalists for many years as well as other community activities. Some of us stayed overnight and had a good reunion since my niece and her husband came from Lethbridge and her daughter and fiance came from Vancouver.

On Monday our Sorority held another lunch out. It seems eating is a favourite activity this day, as on Tuesday my friend Gloria Gorman and a number of other Uxbridge people attend the Villas in Port Perry for the Community Care lunch. Following this lunch, Jonathan van Bilsen gave a presentation on South Korea, which was one of his last travel adventures. At one point in the talk, he mentioned that The South Koreans did not like the Japanese, and it was interesting to note the following day, American president, Joe Biden, was hosting the leaders of these two countries at Camp David. Maybe Peace if possible?

The Kinsmen Club of Uxbridge is starting a new tradition, an awards ceremony. It will be held on Friday, September 15th, at the Music Hall. Recipients of the awards are asked to be there at 5:30 p.m., and the audience at 6 p.m. Awards will be given for civic activities, sports and other categories of people who have served Uxbridge well over the years. All are invited to attend on August 31st, at 6 p.m., at the Museum.

Karen Stephenson of Edible Wildlife will give a talk on herbs, and following the talk, you are invited to snip some of the herbs from the garden to take home with you. Of course, once you have done this, you can always trot down to the horseshoe pitch and join the folks around the pitches for a few games.

Happy 40th anniversary to Walter Campbell and wife Lynn (formerly Rhodes). Lynn is a writer, while Walter is well known for his wonderful painting and now his music. He was one of the musicians at Art in the Park this weekend. Speaking of which, It was another wonderful show. It never ceases to amaze me about the fantastic creativity of people, whether it be woodworking, jewellery, pottery, metal work etc.

Colin Murphy, formerly of Leaskdale, now living in Quebec, has come up with a way to print photos on stone. Most ingenious and beautiful. Both days had a great many people in attendance, and I think many of the vendors were also new to the venue.

Happy birthday to Keith Doucette. Keith was born and raised in Uxbridge. Unfortunately, he and the Card family will be mourning the death of his mother’s sister Shirley Stewart (formerly Card). Happy birthday also to Michelle Harrison. I said she had to keep on hopping if she wasn’t to keep up with her parents. Happy birthday also to Laura Peers. Laura was born and raised in Udora, Peer Mill, became an archeologist, spent time working at a major museum in England and, in the last few years, returned to Ontario to continue studying indigenous crafts.

Some very sad news for those who have lived here for many years is the death of Shirley McIntyre. Shirley, a nurse and her husband John, a surgeon, came to Uxbridge years ago and became part of the health team serving the town and raised their children here. Unfortunately, they divorced, and later Shirley moved to Salt Spring Island, where she had a Bed and Breakfast for some years. Lately, she still tended a large garden, raised chickens and many other activities. At the age of about 87, she went to Kenya on a medical mission. Shirley passed away Friday, about a month after her 96th birthday.

Don’t forget the Maud of Leaskdale plays out again on August 24th, 26th and 27th. It is a dinner theatre if you like, with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the play at 7:30 p.m., in the Historic Leaskdale Church. $50 for the evening, $25 for play only. On August 29th, at the Museum, there will be a presentation called “Print and Letterpress Workshop” from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Contact Museum for information. At the Foster this week are David and Sarah Mills with a variety of musical genres. Once in a Blue Moon, a special feature of Mother Nature is coming up on August 30th.