A beautiful week and weekend, the last one of summer so someone reminded us. And this week brings loads of rain according to the forecast with only Monday, voting day, as a sunshine day. No excuse then not to have been out and vote. By the time you read this the results should be known!
Lots of birthdays this week starting off with Alex Lubinsky! Alex was the former owner of this farm and still has a number of friends living in the areas. He also bought a farm on the 6th and later moved to Greenbank. He is married to the former Nora Bain. He loves to fly his own plane!
Happy birthday to Allan Bainbridge who also went to Uxbridge Secondary but a few years before Alex. He joined the Royal Canadian Signal Corp in 1959 as a radio repair tech and served as a UN Peacekeeper three times, Belgium Congo, and Cyprus twice. He also was part of supporting NATO Operations in Germany 1971-1974 and then home to Petewawa 1978-1981.
Other birthdays included our own Tanis Pottage Smith. Tanis enjoys several crafts and helps to keep Bruce in line. Mel Diebel is active in community activities, especially in raising funds to help feed homeless cats and dogs, of which there seems to be many. Big birthday wishes go to Julie Eng on her 82nd. Anyone remember the excitement in town when it was announced that Terry was bringing a bride from China? In those days this was a big event for all of us! Daughter Gloria is one of the very active people about town with the Historical Society and Legion.
A very happy birthday goes to Fred Wilson who is 89 and lives with wife Helen just down the road. Many of his children close by on neighbouring properties. I think it should have been called Wilson Road!
Don(nie) Ross is another well-known face, born in the community to Morley and Laura(Weir). He and Gloria are both retired although he has taken another job to fill his time.
Happy birthday also to Mike MacDonald who came close to celebrating with one of his daughters! When he is not working, or piping Tish keeps him busy! Two other gentlemen share a birthdate, Peter Viney and Lew Gregor. Best wishes to all these great people! Condolences go out to the Smalley family on the passing of June Taylor. June was their father Ross’s companion for many years. They enjoyed life together, especially going out dancing. I know that our Annabel Jones always enjoyed a visit when June came across the road to her house.
Facebook users may have seen a death notice for Ian Hogg. The Hogg family, Norm, Frances, Mary and Ian were residents on Brookdale farm for many summers. They raised cattle and ponies. Frances was the nieces of the Mrs. Campbell responsible for donating the land for our hospital. Daughter Mary owned and operated Strawberry Threads clothing store in Uxbridge for many years.
Because Hoggs were only out during the summer, we used to board several of their Shetland ponies over the winter in our barn. Later a farm manager was hired, one of whom was Dunc McTavish. Norm, Frances and Mary are all buried in Pine Grove Cemetery but Ian lived in Edmonton. His daughter told me he was 72, the same age at which sister Mary passed away.
A Championship Horseshoe competition was held last Tuesday evening. Dropping in to view that event was Jessica Lanziner, new Curator at Museum who took over from Pat Neal. Pat was Curator for four years. A Quilt Show is on at Museum until end of October. Bob Kirvan reports that the Horseshoe Champs were Jeff Fahrer and Ron Down. Ron is 85 years of age and a Navy Veteran. He recently woke up to find 85 Canadian Flags in his lawn. Nice!
Runner ups were Murray Smith & Wayne Harris. They won the Irene & Ken Watts Trophy which was presented by David and Adele Watts, Ken & Irene’s children. Thanks to Bob for all his work in keeping this group organized. Each member is also a Historical Society member. Several of the executive are stepping down and replacements needed. Please consider taking a position if you are interested in the history and culture of our town and Township. Remember, our township is made up of former Uxbridge and Scott and the Historical Society is called the Uxbridge Scott HS!
The Museum/Heritage Centre was also the venue over the weekend for Art on the Fringe. What a super day it was! There were far more vendors than usual with some really fantastic art and crafts on display and for sale. I am always amazed to see all the creativity displayed! The one thing I was not too happy about was that, although it was stated masks were to be worn, many patrons did not, nor did some vendors!
The recent Uxbridge Studio Tour offered a wide variety and great quality of work for viewing and sale. Uxbridge is fortunate to have so many quality craftspeople!
Sorry to say Ed Ellig has been in South Lake Villa for awhile now. Our best wishes for better health and hope he is getting the necessary care.
Our second in-person church service was held with more people in attendance and all happy to be there even on with the confined circumstances. All thanks to Carol for all the extra work she does for these services.