A busy, busy, week and one in which I suppose we can say good bye to summer weather. We have been fortunate to have such great weather during the week. The fields are gradually being shorn of their crop, particularly corn. Many fields still await the harvester but it’s been much easier than some years. Around here the crops have been good but only a few miles away the lack of rain damaged the crop early on and it never caught up. Hopefully in the next week, before the white stuff takes hold, all the fields will have yielded their golden treasure.
Happy birthday to Erin Blackstock! Erin continues her musical career and is very busy with her small band playing at many different venues. Birthday wishes also to Jamie Elizabeth, the young lady who Trevor Cox likes to tease and trouble, in a nice way!
Happy anniversary go out to Pam and Ed Beach. They celebrated their 49th a week or so ago by taking a short time out to Pompano Beach, Florida. This very busy couple surely deserves a break. Another couple who celebrated by getting away was Lynn Roach-Bernier and her husband who took the family with them on a Disney Cruise for their 50th anniversary. Sure looked like everyone was having fun. Usually Lyn is the one doing the work, as she directs tours, so this time was appreciated I am sure.
On Tuesday there was a service at the Cenotaph organized by the Maamawi group to honour Indigenous veterans. There was a nice crowd gathered on the corner but the howl of passing trucks and cars did not enrich the occasion. Perhaps next year the group can work with council and have the streets close for half an hour in honour of the occasion. Sheryl and Rev. Karen conducted the short service, there was a flag lowering and two wreaths were place by Indigenous ladies of the area.
On Friday, of course, the regular Remembrance Day service was held after two years. There were a fantastic number of people in attendance stretching from the post office way down past the Roxy Theatre and the street corner itself was crowded. It was wonderful to see and hear the Pipes and Drum band in full dress and voice once more. I am sure there were even more participants in the parade than usual. The singing was led by Brian Evans, always amazing how he does it with no accompaniment. Once more Sheryl and Rev. Karen conducted the service and Jack Ballinger recited the famous McCrae poem, something he has been doing for many years. It was sad to hear that since 2019 there have been 23 of our veterans pass away. Three this year, making it even more imperative that we continue to hear their stories and honour them.
This was a very busy weekend as at least six events were taking place. Most of them were Christmas related, perhaps all of them in many ways. The farmer’s market had a special Christmas section. There was the Leaskdale Loop. Anne Irvine said they had about 60, which I think was a good number considering the weather and all the other events. I have not seen results from any other venders yet. There was a Christmas Craft show at the arena, another at the Museum, another at Tindall Market, part of the Leaskdale Loop, at least one other and a book sale at Zephyr Hall, which to me, always says Christmas.
Our church service on Sunday was once more lead by Rev. Dr. Bill Fritz. It included a baptism of Luke Peter William DeJong, son of Laura and David DeJong, grandson of Karen and Wayne Rynard. It was so wonderful to have Karen with us for the event. Rev. Fritz had a lovely service, involving most of the other young people present of the family and including Luke’s sister Ella in the baptism itself. Linda Wagg presented the two children with bibles.
A good quantity of Shoeboxes have been gathered by the church congregation and will be delivered to Pastor Gord this week by Linda Wagg to be taken to the distribution Centre. Thanks to all who contributed to this project, which is widespread and gives Christmas cheer to children in many of those war-torn and hungry countries around the world.
Next week we will still be at Zephyr United Church with Rick McKinley taking the service. On the 27th our own Adele Boy will be leading us in worship. All of the December services, including Christmas Eve, will be at Sandford United Church. Let’s hope we are free from COVID and Snow!
On Saturday, the 19th, of course the Santa Clause Parade is happening at 11 a.m., which, like most things will likely be back in full force again. In the evening, once Santa has caught his breath and had a bite of hot soup to warm him up, he will head up the road to Leaskdale and the heritage Presbyterian Church where there will be an old fashioned Christmas Concert. I know that Lucy Maud Montgomery loved these kinds of events and the Maud Squad always does a great job in entertaining the audience. Admission is a free-will offering. It starts at 7 p.m.