Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

Well, it is already the middle of July and, as the old song says”the corn is as high as an elephant's eye, or in another case, as high as the waist of the farmer in his field. Other crops are doing well, it seems, and most farmers are bringing in second-cutting hay crops. Rain has been sporadic among the number of very hot days we are experiencing, and I guess it is all good, but when I go out a day later, thinking my pots will not need watering, I find they and the surrounding ground are dry again. But again,I guess we are lucky living where we do, as other parts of the world are either experiencing extreme flooding or extreme heat, which is killing thousands. My perennials are doing well, although sometimes almost hidden by grass and other things like Queen Anne’s lace and several other unwanted things. It is lily time, and I have a variety in many different colours and shapes. I am waiting for my very tall ones to bloom. They grow to 6’ tall, and the stem they leave behind is an inch thick and strong like a tree limb. I am missing my ducks. Some days none come, other days only a handful, mostly females. And I worry about my baby duck, whom I haven’t seen for several days. Hopefully, he has learned to catch insects and eat grass and water weeds because he still is much too young to fly. Oh yes, and a couple of days ago I saw my first monarch butterfly, a hopeful sight as often it is August. before I see one. A couple of years ago, there was excitement that they seemed to be doing better, but this has now reversed with tree felling of their wintering grounds in Mexico and other problems in the US before they even get here. Please don’t cut your milkweed as it is what the caterpillars need to grow and develop on. My best sighting this week- I woke up early one morning and looked out the window where there was a beautiful deer standing quietly cropping grass.

Not a lot going on socially. There was a large crowd at the Port Perry Villa last Tuesday for the Community Care lunch. A number of us from Sandford go, and there is a good representation from Uxbridge. The entertainment was a four-piece band which has been with us before. Thanks to Jillian, our supreme organizer. On Thursday, some of our family attended a lunch in honour of one of my nieces and her partner, who live in Lethbridge, Alberta and have been visiting with her parents. Unfortunately, because it was a weekday, only a few of her cousins were able to attend. Following lunch, they went over to Don and Elaine Cordingley’s for the rest of the afternoon and supper.

The L. M. Montgomery Society had a busy week as Ryleepuss presented the musical. “The Blue Castle”. This is the only book L. M. Montgomery wrote for adults. It was on for seven days with two shows on Saturday. I am sure it was sold out. On July 15th, there will be a tea where author John Otas will talk about his book ”The Dining Room”. On July 22nd, the subject is “Henna” with Hina Yahir. You can even get one if you wish. On July 29th, from Kawartha Lakes comes the “Truth and Reconciliation Group Quilt” with Pam Hart. On August 5th, a speaker will highlight the other heroines in Maud's books, and on August 19th, a favourite, Jennifer Caroll, will once more perform the play ‘Maud of Leaskdale.’

North Durham Nature is active during the summer. There will be Saturday outings. On September 5th, it’s Lake Ontario Birding with the expert Geoff Carpentier. On October 3rd, it’s Fungi and Friends led by James and Lynda Kamstra, and on November 14th, Mark Dorriesfield will lead a tour for Waterfowl on Lake Simcoe. The September 22nd meeting at Scugog Library will be led by Julie Anne Prentice, who will talk about the Piping Plover. On October 27th, Brian Henslow, TBD at Uxbridge Seniors building, meeting at 7 p.m. Consult the website for times and instructions.

The heritage church at Glen Major is once again holding summer evening services. On the 19th, Rev. Bill Fritz will be there with his Friends Ministry. On the 26th, “Reflections” will bring an evening of great harmony and on August 2nd, Fuzz Gord Taylor will lead. Services continue into August, at 7 p.m.

It was lovely to have Sheila Richardson with us at church Sunday, but I was reminded that on her birthday last Sunday, she was 87, not 86. It was also lovely to have Jim and Nancy Wolfe with us, with Nancy once more playing the organ for us, while Ruth was busy with the Reflections group. Thanks to Nancy for giving us a taste of our organ once more. All are welcome to attend our service at Sandford Zephyr congregation, Sandford church, at 10 a.m. The website is www.sandfordzephyrunitedchurch.ca, and the email is szpc.uc@gmail.com.

Next Sunday, we welcome once more Darlene Hallett, LLWL. We are pleased to have her with us again. On the following Sunday, a bit of a picnic is planned before we break for August and return after Labour Day.