Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

Autumn has officially arrived! Here we are in the first weekend of October, with a warmer-than-usual autumn ahead, according to weather experts! No frost as yet and flowers in full bloom! We can only hope this comes true, as even a couple of weeks make winter that much easier to bear. Oh, I know, some are eagerly looking forward to getting out the skis, snowmobiles and snowshoes and heading to the nearest slope or northern ski and skidoo trails. That’s not for me, although it used to be fun. Unusual birds, or rather not often seen, at the feeders are, in particular, the hairy woodpecker pair and the downy pair. The hairy woodpecker (probably 3x bigger) is very particular, flicking half a dozen seeds out before finding the perfect ones. The flickers are back, searching the lawn for those juicy bugs the skunks are digging up. Over the last few days, several migrating songbirds have feasted on all the berries on my various shrubs. Birds like the white-crowned and white-throated sparrows and the yellow-rumped warbler; there are several others, but it’s hard to get a good view to ID as they quickly move among the colourful leaves. Another large flock of grackles was in the trees too, just snacking as they passed through. It seems the female redwings have gone, but a large gathering of mature and immature males remains, their red shoulder stripes just beginning to be recognizable.

Many folks have birthdays over this longer period, including Shirley Baster, back from the south, and Joyce Brown. Joyce could always be counted on to win ribbons at the monthly flower shows held by the Uxbridge Horticultural Group.

Our fantastic pianist Ruth Baker, who makes that piano rock, and our lovely young lady Grace Risebrough, wending her way through college and helping on the farm. Best wishes for another great and successful year! Ron and Mary Anne Herrema spent two weeks visiting relatives in the Netherlands. I am sure it was a wonderful trip, especially this time of year, tulip time, I would imagine.

Happy 41st anniversary wishes go out to Ron and Ellen Smalley. Looks like they will soon be empty nesters! Jean Scott Sopel also had a great birthday. I find it hard to believe all these young people, who I knew as kids, are really as old as they are. I love them all. Happy birthday also to Don Habibullah. His family lived in Uxbridge, and the kids went to Uxbridge schools, so they were well known.

Good to see workers on the Library Clock Tower, getting it fixed after the lightning strike. It’s one of Uxbridge's most famous heritage pieces. Zephyr Community Association is sponsoring a Yuk Yuk comedy night on October 24th, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by a dance until midnight! Note: It's at Sandford Hall, not Zephyr. There will be a cash bar, tickets are $35, and you should wear your costume. It was interesting to see the Wilson family featured on the front of last week's paper. The Wilson and Asling-Ashton families have farmed side by side for over four generations. It is harder and harder to find that these days. This Sunday, Dr. Rev. William Fritz led worship at Sandford Church, and serving Communion on World Communion Sunday was part of the service.