Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

Another week of seesawing weather, from bitterly cold to spring temps, sometimes all on the same day! But there is hope!

As I walk around the yard, I see some flowers with blooms, some unopened but very obvious, and shrubs with big buds but still unopened. Unfortunately, all the work I had planned to do last autumn was curtailed by the early winter arrival, much of that (excuses, excuses!). In fact, I bought an electric trimmer just to do that work, but looking around, I don’t think any of it happened. Due to unforeseen problems, it probably won't happen this spring either! One thing happening is the return of migrating birds and the resumption of bird song. When you go outside, the air is just atwitter. Most of that is coming from the goldfinch, which never leaves.

I have a large flock, but only in Spring are they so vocal! Have you noticed how so many of the males are regaining their bright yellow vestments? Absolutely brilliant when beside the poor, drab females. The evening grosbeaks and juncos are still hanging around, and my purple finch pair is once more coming to the feeders. There are many crows around, my family of five have a wonderful time gliding around on the wind, the only pleasant part of that wind! Ravens, too, have been spotted! Coming home from Newmarket the other day, five swans were spotted in a ploughed field, where I expect new growth was rising. About fields, several local farmers were unable to harvest their corn crop in the fall due to all the rain and then cold, but the freeze the other morning enabled several to get in with machinery and take off the crop. I am not sure if it is still useable but at least the field is ready for this year's crop of whatever!

A few people had reasons to celebrate this week, including my friend Adele Boy. Adele lived in Sandford for many years, but took to town life a year or so ago! Jenny Jones (d-i-l) also had a birthday. Greetings also to Don Wilson, the oldest son of Fred and Helen. Don and Heather lived on the family farm for many years until moving to cottage county a couple of years ago. Another farmer, still farming, is Jim Phoenix, over on Centre Rd. His wife, Cathy, is another child of Fred and Helen Wilson. Their daughter, Marcie Clark and husband Brad are busy welcoming a batch of new baby calves, arriving whether it’s cold or not! Birthday wishes to another of my young friends, Janet Cox Rose, married to Jamie. Janet grew up on the family farm on the 6th, now run by her brother Murray, but she now lives closer to Seagrave. Best wishes also to Joel VanVeghel Myslik. Many years ago, my mother used to babysit him, along with her other grandchildren. A couple of very special birthdays occurred earlier in March with the births of twin children to Sarah and Gerrit Herrema. They are named Riley Wayne and Olive Marguerite. The only sad part, as far as I am concerned, is that great-grandma Helen was not still around to welcome them. She would have loved them to bits.

Not sure if I posted this here before, but there is an Uxbridge piano available for free. The lady who owns it is only the second owner, and both she and the original owner lived in Uxbridge. It is still in excellent condition and should be a museum piece, but apparently, there is no room. The owner is renovating and running out of space, so free to a good home and pickup. If interested, please contact me through the editor for the email address!

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned some funding North Durham Nature (NDN) had for youths 13-20 for nature-related summer camps. The deadline for one is past, but the other two are still upcoming. Please go to the NDN website for details. NDN had a meeting Tuesday night at the Scugog Memorial Public Library, but it was a nasty night, so I stayed home. It was about small creatures we often miss! More meetings are coming up in the following months, as well as other activities, all on the website or Facebook. The Scott Zephyr Lions and the Community Association are preparing for their pancake breakfast on Saturday, April 4th, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Adults $10, children $5. There is also an Easter egg hunt, for which kids must register. Email: zephyrhallboard@gmail.com. Euchre and cornhole continue on Thursday evenings, and in May, the spring craft show. Busy, busy! Our councillor, Gord Shreeve, has informed us that significant roadwork will be done over the summer, beginning soon, on Zephyr Road (RR3) from RR3 to RR1. We know there will be significant disruption, but it is definitely needed.

Today was Palm Sunday. For the last several years, we have had real palms, but none this year at church. In fact, it wasn’t until later that I realized what day we were celebrating. Easter in my town in Belize, a mostly catholic community, was one continuous parade with plays and special events. I miss much of that! We had a visiting family today to tell us about a project some members are arranging, to funnel money to Cuba. John told us of a potential way to do that, as his wife was a social worker in a small town and knew the school principal, who was even now making a list of items both the children and their parents could use. There will be a Good Friday service at 10:30 a.m. and an Easter Sunday service at 10 am, as usual. All are invited.