Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

We are finally getting the rain we needed! How quickly things change, and we are either complaining about too much of a good thing or wishing for more. I understand, though. The town of Uxbridge is not too happy because they got a downpour on Saturday, and I assume more today, possibly washing out many of the planned activities of the Springtime Music Festival! One which couldn’t be washed out was the performance by Robin Ottolini at Second Wedge, at least I assume it was inside. Robin is a Sandford girl, daughter of Lorraine and Steve, who seems to have made huge strides in the music industry, being in Nashville and with another probable hit single entitled “Wranglin’ the Wind”. This summer, she will be touring out west for July and August. Best wishes for continued success. It is interesting that our area has a number of young ladies who are excelling in the music world, and more are joining all the time. One who recently joined the ranks is Lisa Lockerby, daughter of Earle and Heidi, who has taken up public singing. Previously, she was known (and probably still is) for her gardening skills. Come on, guys, I am sure there must be many musical talents among our young men. There certainly was when I was a teen, ask Bill Ballinger and others!

Although we didn’t have much rain earlier, we did have partial cloud combined with brilliant sun, which made for some spectacular sunsets. Most evenings, the sky was on fire in all directions, it seemed. Beautiful to observe, and as it faded, the stars showed up. One sad note I read about our evenings is that we will probably be the last generation to see fireflies. It’s a good bet many, especially in towns and cities, have never seen them even now, but I remember well on the farm, the yard was lit by these little guys. I have seen a few in my yard here every summer, but certainly not many. The reasons are the same as those given for the loss of other beneficial and lovely insects: habitat destruction, pesticide use, rising temperatures, light pollution, and other environmental changes. The same things which are harming our bees, butterflies and other beautiful and beneficial insects! Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be hurting blackflies and mosquitoes. I am not sure what benefit mosquitoes are, but blackflies apparently pollinate blueberries.

Not too many celebrations, but there should be many graduations being celebrated now and soon! Congratulations to Chandler Ball, who graduated with a business diploma and is moving on to Trent University's Business Administration Program. Best wishes and lots of hard work, but he knows all about that. Congrats also to another young man, not from here but well known to Bruin fans: my young cousin Ryan Shier, who celebrated his 21st birthday. As far as I can tell, he will be back on the Bruins bench this winter, helped along by our own Trevor Cox, the team's General Manager.

Congratulations to Heidi Lockerby, who celebrated her birthday at Butternut Manor. She and many of the other residents were entertained by her favourite local pianist for over an hour, a special time for all. And finally, a big congratulations to my longtime friend Marie Forsyth, who was 94 and still very active in her own home and community. Marie worked in the Public Health office in Uxbridge for many years, keeping everyone on track!

The Uxbridge Horticultural Group met on Wednesday evening at the Senior Centre. There was a very interesting program I had planned to attend, but there was also an event at the Museum. Bruce Brandon gave a very lively and interesting talk about the many poetic books he had written over the years, and for anyone who had lived in Uxbridge for years, it was a fun walk through history, via “poetry”! On June 18th, the Uxbridge Genealogy Group will meet via live and Zoom. The topic for this gathering will be “British Home Children in Uxbridge and Area”! A small group have been working on this for some months now, learning about the numerous children who were sent from England to Canada to be taken into homes. Some were made family, others were there to work on farms, etc. This appears to be a project that many of the Genealogy groups in the area undertook at the same time, and it should be extremely informative. I imagine a lot of people know nothing of this in our Canadian history! On Tuesday, June 23rd, at the Senior Centre in Uxbridge, North Durham Nature will present an extremely interesting talk/slideshow by James and Lynda Kamstra about their recent, fairly lengthy safari to Africa. All are welcome at 7 p.m. Membership available. The Horseshoe club has been gaining members as the evenings warm up. Almost 20 people now participate in the four pitches built at the Uxbridge Scott Museum! Membership is $30 for the season, with the first night free. It also entitles you to free entry to all talks at the museum. President of the Uxbridge Scott Historical Society (Lisha) assured us there would be at least two more talks in the autumn. The Museum staff have also instituted a new outdoor family-friendly program. Check our website for days and times. Spend an afternoon touring our museum. There are many newcomers to our township who could learn a great deal about our history! Every building (but one) was brought from the surrounding countryside with all its family history! Another place with a wonderful history, unique to Uxbridge, is the Foster Memorial! This building deserves much more publicity than it gets, and greater involvement from the public and the administration! “Friday Night at the Foster” is a series of concerts from May to October by various musical artists, many of whom have been performing there for years, under the best acoustical dome imaginable. Concerts start at 7:30 p.m., admission by donation. On June 19th, the Jonathan Liebich Choir will be performing in only their second visit. They are from Port Perry and bring fabulous music, not to be missed!

Sunday at church, Rev. Li led, followed by a rehash of the annual meeting, followed by coffee and more discussion! Next week, our leader is Darlene Hallett, LLWL. Darlene has been with us before, but it’s been awhile! Come worship with us, everyone welcome, 10 a.m. Coffee and conversation to follow. Remember the Decoration Services coming up soon!