Zephyr & Sandford news

by Pat Asling

What a beautiful world, dangerous and treacherous as well. I am referring to what most of us woke up to Sunday morning. Yes, we had plenty of warning but everyone was hoping it would pass us by. It didn't. Trees down, hydro out and possibly other damages not fully assessed yet. I know we had hydro much longer than our neighbours, and then it was gone, and we discovered one of the big pines, from out of the bush, had fallen. It didn't break the line, but maybe I pulled it from the post. Earlier in the autumn I had Uxbridge Tree Service cut out a lot of stuff which might cause damage but we obviously missed that one! Lots of photos and hopes that that is all which remains in a few hours, as the ice is falling from the branches and you can actually hear the tinkling!

Due to the storm the Sandford Zephyr congregation decided to cancel their church service. This was sad as the group Reflections was to be our guests and I had been looking forward to their music and presentation for months. Hopefully, we can reschedule for the autumn.

The Easter season is in full session, with Rev. Li taking the service next Sunday, April 20th, which is Easter Sunday, and also on Friday, April 18th, Good Friday. That service will be at 11 a.m. while others are at 11 a.m. On the 13th, Adele Boy will lead the service, and on the 27th, our guest speaker will be Adrienne Grant, Executive Director of the local charity, Jennifer Ashleigh Foundation. You are cordially invited to join us for all of these services, coffee and chatter afterwards.

For those wondering what is happening with the Zephyr church, there will be a decommissioning service on Sunday, May 4th, at 11 a.m., at the church.

Tanis Smith and I motored to Port Perry on Wednesday for the regional UCW meeting. It was nice to meet with people I hadn't seen for a while, including a couple of high school friends and a sorority sister. We went primarily to hear Carol O'Neil speak about Alzheimer's, a group with whom she now works. Carol is an LLWL and has led our church service numerous times and will be with us again later this spring.

There were quite a few birthdays this week starting off with Jenny Jones, mother of my youngest granddaughter and Pat Hamilton. Pat spent many years working in the dental office and keeping track of Charles. We used to see each other often at St. John events. Greetings also to Gord Weatherup, already a grandfather and great-grandfather. He has recovered from his serious medical episode some time ago. Janet Rose (Cox) grew up on the farm on the 6th with sister Gloria and brother Murray, to parents Ivan and Evelyn. Now she is retired but babysitting her granddaughter. Greetings also to Jeannette Herrema Ehinger, daughter of Ron and Mary Anne, granddaughter of Helen. Best wishes to all the others celebrating birthdays, anniversaries or other accomplishments, especially to all those many people who have been presented with King Charles III awards. One beef is that most are townies and no one from the countryside or villages!

Karyn and Ryan Tindall have returned from a trip to Jamaica and are now busy getting the vegetables planted and everything organized for their market this year. With the "Buy Canadian" kick we are all on, this is a great place to get most of your summer veggies and baking etc. They will soon be open. There are a number of other options for baked goods, veggies, eggs, and meat, which are sold from farmers' gateway stands in our area. What is almost available now is maple syrup. I would think the flow would be good this year. The Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival is on for April 5th and 6th, with all sorts of activities planned. Ashton Maple Syrup will definitely be available there as usual!

There was an outpouring of sympathy when it was learned of the passing of Evelyn Hockley at the age of 100! Like me, many didn't realize she was still alive. She and her husband, John, owned and ran the IGA grocery store on the corner where John's shoes are. For years it was the only major grocery store and Evelyn probably never missed a day. She will be buried beside John in the Uxbridge cemetery. Our sympathies to her son Ernie and other family. On Friday of this week, we will celebrate the life of Dorothy Baker, a member of our church congregation, who passed away some weeks ago. The service will be held at Sandford Church at 1 p.m. Dorothy and their husband Stan moved to Sandford to be closer to their son Brad, his wife Cathy and their children. They took part in all activities until Stan's passing. Later Dorothy moved into Butternut Manor, where she passed away. Our deepest sympathies to Brad and his family and his sister Susan and family.

Don't forget, Friday, April 4th, at Leaskdale Historic Church, another Jazz session with Tom Baker, Ernie Mee and Amy Peck at 7:30 p.m. by donation. The Chamber music group returns on April 25th.

Wednesday night in Scugog Library, we were given a tour of Mongolia by three naturalists, two of whom I have been listening to for probably 60 years. It is an amazing country but not one I would choose to go to. However they do have a great variety of birds spread out over a vast area. The next meeting is April 22nd, at the Seniors in Uxbridge. The Genealogy Group meets on April 17th, and no doubt much of the conversation will be about "23 and Me." The Horticultural Group meets on April 9th at the Seniors in Uxbridge. All these groups meet at 7 p.m.

And finally, from poet Noel Scott:

A mote afloat in a sunny beam;

A speck of dust in golden gleam,

Adrift upon the changing air,

Just wafting aimless here and there.

No path, no purpose, fight or strife

Is that the way you go through life?