Does anyone else feel that time is passing too rapidly? Here it is, by the time you read this, already past the middle of September. A cute Facebook cartoon says how they like the “ber” months. September and October are Burrr enough, but November and December are more burrrr than I ever want.
With COVID numbers continuing to increase even without the cold making us spend more time inside, I am afraid that more self-isolation will come, even without lockdowns. However, here is a comment on that: “Fear does not stop death, it stops life. And worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace!” This just illustrates what needless worry can do unless we actually do something concrete about it, like making sure we have our vaccination!
It seems this past couple of weeks have taken away several of our most well-known citizens. The first was a gentleman from our own community, Bill Alsop. William Richard Alsop was born in the community of Ashworth to James and Gertrude. He farmed a mixed crop there all his life. He was particularly interested in draft horses. He and his brother made their name known, showing horses at all the country fairs and the Royal. They were draft horses, and he worked with them from the age of eight. Bill was a very congenial man and enjoyed talking to neighbours and anyone he happened to meet, especially if they were interested in horses. He leaves to mourn his passing, his son Jonathon and was predeceased by his wife Edith and brother Gordon.
Next was Joyce Leek, nee Kydd. Joyce grew up in Uxbridge and spent her life here. She was born to John and Olive Kydd in Quaker Hill. She married Allen Leek, and they had three children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Joyce was always in motion, involved in many community activities and always helping out. She worked for local businesses for many years. For the last few years, she worked at Chances Are. It was always great to be met by her smiling face. She also enjoyed many hobbies over the years, one of which was cooking, and I am told that she often cooked for neighbours in her condo. Her smiling face will be greatly missed at all the venues she frequented.
Marg Barton was famous around town for her longevity and, at 103, was undoubtedly the oldest person in town. She was old only in years, not in spirit, and she was often seen out walking around Butternut to keep active. I recall a couple of years ago at a UCW meeting in Trinity when she came over to me to chat. Now I hadn’t seen her for several years, but she knew well who I was, even with not so great eyesight! Marg was married to Bruce Barton, and they had two children, seven grandchildren and 11 grandchildren. Marg was also deeply involved in community organizations and took an active part in whatever she belonged to.
Congratulations to our students who are back to school now, especially to Dawson Ball at Ridgetown Agricultural College and my great-niece Hayley Ashton at the same institution. Grace Risebrough is also off the college, but this time to Guelph. Looks like we will still have some farmers coming up!
Happy birthday to Elaine Wilson, who married Bruce Wilson! Originally they lived just up the road on the family farm of Jim and Dorothy Wilson. Following Bruce’s death, she moved out west to be with her children.
Happy birthday also to Geoff Carpentier, naturalist extraordinaire, who probably celebrated by finding six rare birds! Anyway, he certainly finds more than the rest of us and is presently in charge of the breeding Bird Atlas for this area, among other things.
Birthday wishes also go out to Betty Risebrough!
Happy anniversary to Gordon and Charmaine Elford, who celebrated their 48th anniversary this week. Gord is the son of Harry and Lois Elford and is one of the star horseshoe pitchers! Getting close to the big 5-O! Others getting closer are Cheryl and Erwin Hinzel, who celebrated their 43 anniversary on yet another patio, their favourite celebration venue.
Brian and Brenda Moore had the pleasure of taking a trip to Alberta where they visited their son George, wife Jenelle and granddaughter Mia, also Brenda’s sister Margaret and the Eng family.
This past week we were able to listen in to two Zoom meetings. One by Durham genealogy group on tracing relatives in Western Europe. It was very informative if you have roots in that part of the world. The second was the horticultural group with guest speaker Martin Galloway – 1 ½ hours of nonstop info and entertainment. Martin has a nursery near Chalk Lake and grows many native plants once thought unsuitable for our climate zone, but this is now changing.
Sandford Zephyr congregations met for the first time for in-person worship Sunday morning. It was a bit bizarre, but it was good to be together once more, even if a little apart. Carol O’Neil conducted the service in her unique style. Services will be at 10 a.m., Sandford during September and Zephyr in October. All are welcome, and all protocols are followed.