Zephyr & Sandford News

By Pat Asling

Now that 2026 is underway, things seem to have slowed down a little, but this is likely just a brief pause. After the holiday rush and a bit of overindulgence, people are catching their breath. Before long, lunches, meetings, and events will be back in full swing, and life will feel busy once again. I hope everyone is carrying good memories from the 2025 Christmas season and the start of the new year.

Sadly, the world has entered 2026 in a time of great turmoil. While many of us would like to turn away from the suffering, destruction, greed, and cruelty we see in global leadership, it is difficult to ignore. Still, closer to home, there are many reminders of kindness: neighbours helping clear snow, lost items returned, homes found for homeless cats and dogs, food donations delivered to the food bank, and countless other small acts of generosity. These positives within the negatives help keep our spirits alive.

The Zephyr Scott Lions Club is kicking off the year with another spaghetti supper on Friday, January 16th. The cost remains $15 for adults and $5 for children, running from 5:30 to 7 p.m. As always, donations of previously listed items are welcome.

The Sandford Community Association is preparing for another Yuk Yuk’s comedy night on Saturday, February 28th. It may seem far off, but tickets tend to sell quickly, so be sure to contact Heather Moore. The Community Care luncheon at the Villa, scheduled for Tuesday, January 6th, was cancelled due to poor weather, along with several other events. Ironically, much of the snow and ice melted the following week, though more snow squalls arrived soon after. The Sorority Ladies are planning to meet for lunch on Monday, although several members are not feeling well, something many people seem to be dealing with right now. Looking ahead, the Winter Shopping Extravaganza craft and vendor show will take place at the arena on Sunday, February 22nd, from noon to 4 p.m.

Birthday wishes go out to Wilma Bakelaar. Wilma and her husband John once lived in Uxbridge, where they helped their parents run a clothing store before operating their own shoe store. They later moved to the United States for a few years, then to Kitchener, and most recently to Ottawa. Best wishes to them both. Birthday greetings also to Jeff Stewart, son of Doris and Ron. Jeff works in computer repair and, with his wife Arlene, also runs a small hobby farm north of the area.

The Foster Memorial, built in 1935–36 by local success story Thomas Foster, was intended as a final resting place for his wife and daughter, and eventually himself. As Conrad Boyce described it in The Jewel on the Hill, the building sat largely unused for many years. Eventually, a group of local residents formed what became regular summer concerts on Friday nights. These events attracted large crowds, both for the music and for the opportunity to admire the remarkable craftsmanship of the building. One visitor told me she had driven past it for 60 years without realizing what beauty lay inside.

Although the Foster Memorial belongs to the Township, it receives little promotion. That responsibility falls to the small Friends of the Foster committee, which also relies on event proceeds to fund repairs and maintenance. Last summer, following completion of the 7th/Durham road work, we were informed that parking would no longer be allowed along the roadside or in the small lot. Various explanations were given, but it is now becoming clear that the full truth was not shared. Without parking, there are no patrons, and without patrons, there is no funding. More information on this issue is expected to come to light. Even something as basic as the street lighting situation in town lacks transparency.

To close, a few reminders worth keeping close:

The richest wealth is wisdom.The strongest weapon is patience.The best security is faith.The greatest tonic is laughter.

And best of all—every one of them is free.