Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Aslling

Great ball of fire! That’s what you would have seen watching the sunset most evenings this past week, as the gray of prairie forest fires obscured the blue of June skies. No reds, purples, oranges, etc, stretching out along the horizon, just one big red ball! Even the moon, high almost directly above in the heavens and full, is red, something you may see in early rising but not when it is above us. This, of course, is a very serious reminder that much of our Canadian landscape, at this time mostly B.C. and prairies but also Northern Ontario and Nova Scotia, is on fire. Even though we are many thousands of miles away from most sites, we are impacted more than some closer. Family in Vancouver Island say there is neither sight nor smoke of fire where they are. And this is very early in the season!

Birthday greeting this week go out to Don Kennedy. Don has been a fireman for many years but he and his wife also enjoy singing together. Birthday greeting also to Gloria Ewen, the former Gloria Cox, born on the family farm, over on the 6th concession, now run by brother Murray. Gloria and their husband Sandy have lived in town for many years. Good wishes also to Ron Brown, who is always ready to help out. If you visit Butternut Manor this week, say Happy Birthday to Heidi Lockerby, whose birthday is on the 11th, I think.

A big congratulations goes out to Robyn Ottolini, one of our local young songstresses who, in Hamilton last week, won the Ontario Award for Female Country Music Artist of the Year. A big source of pride to her family and community!

Congratulations to all those new Firefighter Recruits who graduated this week. Thanks for offering your service to our community. Stay safe and give your best! The Legion Band played for this occasion. I am sure most people felt a loss when they learned of the passing of Marc Garneau, our first Canadian Astronaut as well as federal parliamentarian for many years. He was one of our icons of the space world, which we don’t hear enough about. I was privileged to know and work with Dr. Roberta Bondar many years ago on a mission in St. Lucia, long before she became another of our celebrated star travellers.

On Saturday evening, I attended the Northern Trails Vocal Connection concert. As usual, it was excellent, with many younger singers taking the stage with more veteran members. The sanctuary at St. Andrews was mostly full of enthusiastic attendees! It is sad news that another of our Sandford residents is moving as Melinda Delorme takes her leave. Melinda, of course, is known for her beautiful music, both singing and playing and has taken part in several outstanding theatre productions in the area. A few years ago we were privileged to have her as our church pianist and often enjoyed her beautiful voice. I don’t think she is going too far away, but we will miss her. It was a lovely moment for the town when a Juno flag arrived and was celebrated on June 6th. Fourteen thousand soldiers arrived on Juno Beach; sadly, far too many never got any further into the country they came to liberate. The flag is no doubt attributable to Tish MacDonald and her “Honour our Veterans” program.

This week the Horticultural Group meets at the Uxbridge Seniors Centre at 7:15 p.m. Michael Head will be giving us the highlights and the lowdown on bees, which, from what I have read, did not have an easy winter. No doubt, like everything else, as production goes down, prices go up! On Thursday evening at 7 p.m., at the Uxbridge Scott Historical Museum, our resident historian Allan McGillivray will be giving us the highlights of Uxbridge past. Good to know since so much of the old is changing or being destroyed to make room for the new. Remember, each Tuesday evening, the Horseshoe Club meets at the pitches north of the schoolhouse at 6 p.m. Both men and women are welcome. The cost is $30 for the season, which includes events at the museum, such as lectures, or $10 per game. Also on July 1st, there is to be an old-style picnic on the grounds of the museum. Bring your own lunch, and take part in the old games many of us used to play! “Friday Night at the Foster,” the performer is Mark Thackway on guitar. Mark has performed many times at this venue, like many of the others who present year after year. Admission is by donation at the door; $ 10 is suggested. Doors open at 7 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. Volunteers for the “Friends of the Foster” to assist at these events are most welcome. Call Bev Northeast if you are interested in helping out. On the weekend “Spring Tide Music Festival” takes place in Uxbridge, with a great number of various musicals and dance groups taking part. No lack of entertainment! Leaskdale Loop Day begins on Saturday 14th and commences every second Saturday of the month until autumn, with a variety of craft, gardening and other attractions to share from its 15 or so members! Remember as well the Gardens of Uxbridge tour on the 21st. Tickets are still available. This is a self-guided tour of a number of area gardens. That same day in Zephyr, they will hold their annual Community Yard sale (really a driveway sale), where residents are urged to put items at the curb for sale. Zephyr Scott Lions Club will also be hosting a barbecue during the day as well!

Church this morning was led by Carol O’Neil. We were all pleased to have her and Mark back with us. She spoke on the purpose of Pentecost and how it is actually one of the most important events but not celebrated. Carol will be back with us on July 27th, at which time she will not only lead the service but, following coffee, will give us an animated talk about Alzheimer’s; the community is invited to join us. Next Sunday, Adele Boy will once more lead us in worship. Adele has been enjoying a holiday with family in B.C. but is home once more. Best wishes to Cor VanMaurik, who is suffering from shingles. The annual Decoration Service will be held on June 22nd, at 2 p.m., at the church. Please inform any you think would be involved. Sad to hear our sister church on Scugog Island United Church will soon be decommissioned. It is happening far too often!