Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

Sunday was also the first day of summer. We hailed the first day of spring not long ago and now it’s gone, not having lived up to its promise so we can only hope that summer brings a bit more of the things we think of as summer. My friends in Belize are suffering through days of 97 degree heat and humidity. We don’t want that, believe me.

Sunday, June 21st, had a multiplicity of special days assigned to it, but Father's Day is the one most people know. I hope all fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, father figures, and fathers-to-be had a wonderful day with their families and extended families. We are conscious that many men, for a variety of reasons, will not be accorded this privileged as we think of our fathers who are no longer with us or for other reasons are no longer in our lives. We also think of all the fathers worldwide who are fighting all these unnecessary and terrible wars, fathers who are seeking to shelter and find food for their displaced families. And the hundreds who have been killed or severely wounded, and families trying to survive without them. We are fortunate to live where we do and to celebrate as we do.

Sunday was also the first day of summer. We hailed the first day of spring not long ago, and now it’s gone, not having lived up to its promise, so we can only hope that summer brings a bit more of the things we think of as summer. My friends in Belize are suffering through days of 97-degree heat and humidity. We don’t want that, believe me.

Our community was shocked and saddened to learn of the catastrophic fire which destroyed the main barn of my neighbours, the Mustard family, on the 6th. As always happens in the country, neighbours rallied round, distributing cattle to other farms and helping where they could. The Mustards are at least third-generation farmers, from my knowledge, Mac and Mona, Grant and Rosemary, to their twin sons, both raising a fourth generation. Fortunately, the fire did not reach the house but did damage some outbuildings, so it will be a while before things are back to normal, and probably this year’s hay crop destroyed. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. As you may have read in the Epsom news, basically the same thing happened to the Ashton barn 50 years ago. On to bigger and better.

There were a few celebrations this week. Ryan Tindall celebrated just in time for the opening of the Market on Saturday. Wife and daughters were busy feeding the folks at the seniors' lunch, but no strawberries at the point. Incidentally, Johnathon Van Bilsen was the guest once more, taking us on a trip to Egypt. At the same luncheon, several seniors were given gifts in recognition of their volunteer work. Congrats to all these fine folks, but especially to our own Norma Scott. I think among those was also Diane Bennett, who (wo)mans the ticket table each month. Others celebrating birthdays included Yvonne Harrison, who seems to be always on fabulous trips with daughter Michelle. Doreen Johnson also celebrated. Doreen was born in Toronto, but her family moved to Uxbridge when she was small. She married a boy from the Uxbridge area, and they later moved to Brooklyn. Tanis Smith held a lovely party for her daughter, Latisha, on Saturday, on the occasion of Latisha's 40th birthday. Just a ways up the road, Ron and Ellen Smalley acknowledged the 30th bd of the youngest son, Brent. Adele Boy is also celebrating, but the occasion is the temporary return to Canada of her son Chris, who is in the army and on a long-term peace mission in Europe.

Although I didn’t know him, my sympathies go to all those former students who studied and practiced under the tutelage of Ants Sulev. He certainly made a big impact on the music in Uxbridge, not just at the high school but also on the town and its surroundings. Members of the Uxbridge Horticultural Group have been busy caring for a number of public gardens around town, including the library, seniors, and others, as well as the museum. At this venue, they were preparing the herb beds for the upcoming festival on July 29th. There had been talk of having two festivals, for early and later herbs, but this seems not to have worked out. The Genealogy Group met Thursday night in person and via Zoom. Sadly, there was a problem with Zoom as the speaker was telling about the Project many groups are researching, the British Home Children. A great number were settled in this and neighbouring townships.

Sad news/happy news: my young cousin Owen Shier be coaching against the Bruins this year as an assistant coach in Little Britain, so he will be playing against his former mates, and his younger brother, Ryan, too. Guess that’s the way hockey and sports go.

Next Sunday, the Sandford Decoration Service will be held at the cemetery at 2pm, unless the weather is inclement. Rev. Li will conduct the service. The following Sunday, Zephyr Zion will have a service conducted by Pastor Laura Kay at 2:30 pm. Special music will be provided by the young but very talented Mathewson Family. These are the grandchildren of our talented church pianist, Ruth Baker. This Sunday at church, our guest minister was Darlene Hallett, who delivered an inspiring message. She will return later in July.

Beginning on July 3rd, Lucy Maud Montgomery Society, assisted by Ryleepuss, will be staging the musical “The Blue Castle”. This will be performed at the Historic Leaskdale Church. There are seven performances, including matinees. This is apparently the only book Lucy Maud wrote for adults. I believe tickets are $30, but they want you to get tickets at starticketing.com.