ZEPHYR & SANDFORD by Pat Asling

Another strange week, never one week the same as the one before. Guess that’s a good thing at this time of increasing restrictions. We have had our share of rain now, a little sunshine please? A columnist in the Saturday Star told a story, and the shortened version begins with a flood (strangely enough, the city of Nice was flooded). A man refused to leave his home when the police came. The waters got higher and a boat came by to rescue him but he said, no, God would look after him. Later the water got so high he had to get on the roof and a helicopter came by but he said no, God would rescue him. Then the flood washed his house away, and he drowned. When he got to heaven, he asked God why he hadn’t helped him and God replied, but I sent a policeman, I sent a boat and I send a helicopter and you refused my help. I think this story perfectly illustrates the kind of thinking of some people, which endangers many others at the same time. Speaking of a different kind of water, Dwight and Deborah Clements were once more out camping and canoeing with the family, one spot being Elora Gorge close to where her daughter and family live. Before they left home, though they received a most welcome surprise when they opened the door and found their son John, from Vancouver, on the doorstep, ready to accompany them! Happy birthday wishes went out to Dawson Ball on his 18th. Dawson is taking classes virtually from Ridgeway and it will be interesting to see how that goes as more and more families of primary children decide to opt out of in-class learning and go virtual. Happy birthday also to Jeff Jennings! Jeff is the son of Debbie Jennings Wilson, and they live just around the corner. Happy anniversary to Mike and Kim Kelland and many more great years as they continue to contribute to Uxbridge in many ways! Best anniversary wishes go out to Suzi and Mark Stanley, celebrating 33 years together. Suzi is the former Suzi Hiltz who grew up on the farm a short distance out of Sandford, on the Sandford Road, along with brother Jim. Welcome to Cindy Risebrough, Amanda Van der Gulik and children who have taken up residence in Annabelle and Bill Jone’s house on the 4th, now owned by the Smalley brothers. Cindy particularly is happy to be back in her home community and in her former teacher’s house. We also say goodbye to the Serge Gringas and family who, after 15 years of making Sandford village their home, and contributing to many activities, are moving to a new location and new adventure. Best wishes to them! Sandford United Church Women (UCW) has provided one or two Souper lunches at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for Loaves and Fishes for many years. We decided that we could not do that this year under present conditions, but it was decided to contribute to the food bank the amount we might otherwise spend in food preparation. Sandford church usually makes donations of food or cash to the Food Bank at Thanksgiving and since we are not having services, we cannot do that either so you are asked to add what you might have given to the original amount. If you would like to contribute, please send your cheque, made out to Sandford United Church with a note for the food bank, to Jean Sopel, and she will send in the full amount as a donation from the church. Sunday, October 4th was World Communion Sunday, and Rev. Diane conducted a Communion service virtually for any who wished to take part. We thank her for including us and also thank Carol O’Neil who continues to send us great messages each week. Best wishes to Seagrave United Church who were celebrating their 114th anniversary and Communion Sunday, this past weekend. Rev. Richard Parker, who was interim minster for a very long time before Stephanie came, delivered that message virtually. Sandford’s anniversary is October 18th and it would be out 122/169th. There will not be a service, but Carol will provide a service geared to that momentous event. What a lot of changes have happened since 1851! Zephyr will also celebrate their anniversary on October 25th with a special guest providing the message. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]