Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

It’s been a rainy day, but I am not complaining since we always seem to need more moisture for our gardens and field crops! Of course, some of my friends may have had second or third cuttings of hay, but they dry quickly. Vegetable and flower gardens can usually do with a soaking every few days, and rain is better than watering with a hose!

It is hard to believe we are close to the end of August; the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) has started, and some schools have already opened. It’s probably been 70 years since I last went to the Ex, so I was interested in a piece online where three young people were given $90 each to see how far they could make it go. I was flabbergasted by the price of the few things they purchased: food, playing games, etc? $90 would have seemed like a fortune back in the day, but it didn’t stretch far that day! I can’t imagine how families with several kids could afford to spend much time there. It would have been nice, though, to see and perhaps talk to astronaut Jeremy Hansen on opening day.

The gardens are rotating through their various flowers and still have a great deal of colour. I had planned last year to enter several things in the flower show at the Uxbridge Fair, but since I haven’t been able to work with them this Spring and Summer, I will have to enjoy them myself. I had a plant in the house I was thinking of showing, but I neglected to water it, and it got pretty floppy. Speaking of all this, I want to thank again those who have called, sent cards, and emailed with concern for my health. It is greatly appreciated.

Speaking of gardens, the herb gardens at the Uxbridge Scott Museum are free to anyone who wants to get some free herbs. They were abundant, so hopefully still there if you want some. Also at the museum, the horseshoe players meet each Tuesday evening. Last week, 21 attended, with four being new players. Cost is $35 for the season (0n til October) and includes free admission to events by the Historical Society.

I was pleased to see improvements at the Train Station! And that it is being used for events. This is a unique building and deserves to be well cared for. It sounds like Art in the Park was a roaring success and if you missed it or need another Art fix the “Art on the Fringe”, held on the museum grounds will be September 19th and 20th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with many of the same artists and musicians taking part (I believe the wrong date was in last week.)

I find it interesting to hear the ads about the movie of the life of Northern Dancer. It was an exciting time in our part of the country since some of our neighbours were into racing. Dad always had to take time off from his barn chores and multiple other events to watch the TV showing of the races.

The big events coming up shortly are the two-day Tractor Pull and the Uxbridge Fair. This is the first time for a two-day pull, and it appears to include all kinds of tractors as well as trucks, September 11th and 12th, 7 p.m. With Durham 4H young people on September 13th, at 1 p.m. I am told a special event is scheduled at some time during these days. Port Perry Fair comes up Labour Day weekend with its usual multitude of events, but of particular interest was the fact that our own Robyn Ottolini will be headlining the grandstand music! Well, she has been to Nashville and the Calgary Stampede, so why not? One of the articles I read said she was born and raised on a dead-end road, and so she was, but her family and others I know on the road are certainly not “dead end”!

This Friday, August 28th, at the Foster, the new group Natural Doula Organic Harmony will perform, directed by JKKnox, with a Kawartha Folk Way Styling. On September 4th, local singer Nancy Hall returns. Nancy was one of the first solo performers at the Foster and has returned many times. Mid-month, one of my favourite groups, York Harmony Chorus, acapella singing in barbershop style. Birthdays this week include Keith Doucette and Dianne Benns. I include them together because they are cousins. Keith’s Mom and Dianne’s dad were siblings. One of our birding specialists, James Kamstra also celebrates a birthday. James has spent much of his adult life studying birds, quite a few in Belize where I lived for some time. Michelle Harrison also celebrated. She and her mom, Yvonne, are often on extended trips, but their last was a few months ago. They are very adventurous.