Zephyr & Sandford news

by Pat Asling

This is last week's news, which I am commenting on. Some things have passed, and a few are still to come! It was Easter Sunday, as I wrote this originally! The world is in turmoil with a number of natural catastrophes here at home and on the other side, genocides and land grabs, millions displaced from their homes by wars, floods or drought, cast into prison for their views against so-called "leaders of the free world"! The number of hungry and homeless continues to rise along with lawlessness from many types of theft and killings. Yet Easter Sunday arrives after Good Friday with the promise of better things to come. We must believe in that!

Good Friday morning I went for breakfast to Epsom church. It is an annual event now to raise funds for the Canadian Food Grains Bank project the Epsom Utica community has been doing for some 40 years. My nephew Rob Ashton, organizer, told how much last years project had raised but that, since USAID was no longer funding many or most of the projects it had, that the need for more food to be sent overseas would be much greater! This is only one of the charities where we can put our faith into action! Sad news on the passing of Carl Evans, one of those hardworking volunteers! Happy birthday to Bruce Brandon, who I am told has hit the 8th decade. Welcome to the club! David Ball has moved into his 6th decade. Best wishes to these hard working men! A special lady who, with her husband and family, spent many years in Zephyr, Shirley Hewlett celebrated her 90th birthday. I was saddened to learn of the passing of Mary Harrison. Mary and Gord farmed near Leaskdale and Mary taught most of those years, the last number in Scott Central. Later, they moved into a Uxbridge, and I used to see them at various events. After 65 years of marriage, Gord passed away. The last time I saw Mary we sat together at a Lucy Maud Montgomery event in the Leaskdale Historic Church! Congratulations to some local curlers, Olivia Gibson and her brother Braden, who have only been curling professionally for three years, along with much more experienced hands, Roger and Margaret McKnight. They were Champions of the Uxbridge Club's mixed tournament.

On the 15th the Seniors partook of a very bountiful chicken dinner with all the trimmings. The speaker was the assistant curator of our museum, and she talked about a project they are working on entitled "Strong Women of Uxbridge". Three she mentioned were Lucy Maud Montgomery, Gerri Lynn O'Connor and Nellie Kydd. This is only a part of their collection. Following this there was an Easter Bonnet Parade in which about 15 ladies took part with quite a variety of hat embellishments. The lady who won had sparkly lights on her hat! On Thursday, the Genealogy Group, meeting in person and via Zoom, listened to a talk by Linda Corupe entitled "Paying Dearly For Free Land". Many people who wished to become settlers in Canada were given free land only to find out that it was covered with forest, rocky, swampy and not at all suitable for farming. Some lucked out, but even the best land took a great deal of work. Some went back to where they originated; others died trying to make a living. I found many shades of what Israel has done to Palestinians because not once was it mentioned who the land originally belonged to!

On April 29the Horseshoe Club starts pitching at the Uxbridge Scott Museum. at 6 p.m., both men and ladies are welcome. The season runs until October. The cost is $10/ night or $30 for the season and includes a membership in the Uxbridge Scott Historical Society. You will note that I emphasize that it is "Uxbridge Scott" because that's what it is historically, and many newcomers probably don't know that information! Also at the Museum on May 1we welcome Laura Peers as our guest speaker. Laura grew up in Udora but has since worked in several parts of the world, and I am looking forward to hearing about her international work. On April 22nd, at the Seniors building, the North Durham Nature group will meet at 7 pm. The guest speaker is well-known John Sabean, who will tell us about Canada's earliest Naturalist, Charles Fothergill. Bound to be interesting! (full of new information!) Another clash of special events when One Voice Choir perform at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Uxbridge ($25) (a wonderful collection of music by One Voice, shared with two exceptional youth groups from Port Perry High School), and a Chamber Music Group (by donation) at the Historic Leaskdale church (St. Paul Presbyterian).

Rev. Li had an interesting Easter Sunday service helped by Ella and Luke. Next Sunday, I will be leading the service and having, as guest speaker, Adrienne Grant, Executive Director of the local charity Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity. All are welcome to attend this service and all others at 10 a.m. (Adrienne gave a very informative and in-depth talk about the formation and work of this local charity.) Remember also that on May 4th the service will be at Zephyr, the decommissioning of that church building! Note: This service will be at 11 a.m.!

Several celebrations to note this week. Special wishes to Barb Murphy, who was 98! And going strong! The Murphys moved to our neighbourhood in the very early 1970s when they purchased part of my farm and raised their eight kids. They were also host to the Bahn family during that time before moving into town. Barb is very involved with the Lucy Maud Squad! Birthday wishes also to our long serving past mayor Gerri Lynn Hvidsten O'Connor, also to Cindy Risebrough who has come through treatment with flying colours and soon back on the bike to ride for others! Best wishes also to Jay Thibert, long-time executive member of North Durham Nature. And finally, big happy wishes also to Ron and MaryAnne Herrema on their 37th anniversary! MaryAnne also works with The Jennifer Ashley Children's Charity!