Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

Wasn’t that a party! I am talking about the 100th birthday party for Corinne Croxall, held at the Seniors Centre on Sunday. By the end of the afternoon, close to 300 people had made their way around the perimeter to give Corinne best wishes, congratulations, and hope for many more great years staying as sharp and healthy as she is today. She is indeed a marvel and an example to all in the life she lived, along with Ted ( who also lived to over 100) and their children. Son Rob was explaining that the latest grandchild makes nine generations of Chapmans on her side of the family in Ontario. That, too, must be something of a record!

Going back over the week, it has been another of those guessing games about what to wear or do. Several days were so hot you couldn’t, or shouldn’t have been doing anything outside, the other half so chilly you needed your jacket on. We did get a couple of very insignificant rains, but when I cut grass Friday, I found very little growth and several burned areas. The heat sure did a number on my lovely peonies and now the lilies of various kinds are working their way up to blooming. When this is published Canada Day will have come and gone. There are a number of events around, including at Elgin Park, the Uxbridge Scott Museum, old-fashioned picnic and games day, noon to 3 p.m. I hope everyone has a great time at a period when patriotism seems to have grown! A few people had celebrations of their own.

Firechief Mike MacDonald and his ingenious and patriotic wife Tish celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary! Michelle and Peter Viney, both involved with Legion affairs, had their 22nd anniversary. Karen (Bagshaw) O’Leary celebrated her birthday, as did her uncle, fireman Dave Beare. Birthday wishes also go out to my cuz Cindy Barnett, who is still thinking about their Hawaiian trip, to Anne Gage with all her musical and other talents and to Donna Mathewson. Donna is the daughter of our pianist Ruth Baker and is also multitalented and the mother of the young ladies who play their violins for us! Best wishes to Garry Harrison who managed to get his wife home in time to celebrate both their birthdays! Long-distance also wishes to George Moore, who lives in Alberta and was joined there by parents Brenda and Brian some months ago!

The Run for the Diamond, which happened last Sunday (22), along with the Hospital Auxillary, Chances Are, and the Hospital Gift Shop, were able to donate $300,000 towards the new hospital. Wonderful! And medically speaking, congratulations to our Dr. Carlye Jensen on receiving the prestigious Bruce Brooks Award for empathy, compassion and excellence as a rural Physician! Well deserved and appreciated by all her patience! On a sad note, Sunday, June 29th, was the final service for Scugog Island United Church. Carol O’Neil was taking the service and said it was the hardest she had ever done, but she gave a loving and compassionate message. This church now joins Zephyr, Prince Albert and a growing list of small churches in the area forced to close!

Lots of graduations are happening from all levels of the education system, and it’s a bit of a shock sometimes to see nephews and nieces graduating when I thought they had just started! Isabel Clark, the oldest of Hugh and Marcie’s daughters, graduated from USS and also received an award from Coopers CSA, the Farm Agricultural Award, and she will be going on to the University of Guelph (Ridgetown) for a Diploma in Agriculture. Her parents and siblings will surely miss her, but the farm will continue to be in good hands!

Coming events include the Friday Night at the Foster concerts, where this week Douglas Mackenzie will be performing on guitar. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the concert at 7:30 p.m. Leaskdale Loop Day will become up again on Saturday, July 12th. Check their website for participants, and if they are open. Coming soon is another talk at the Uxbridge Scott Museum; watch for it! On July 16th, the Tea and Talks organized by the LMMS will begin for the season. On that date, Art Lajamba will be playing Musical Nostalgia. Teas continue on the 23rd, 30th, August 6th, 13th and 20th. On the 21st there will be a dinner and theatre! The cost this year is $35. Call the church to make a reservation!

Zephyr Scott Lions have cancelled their spaghetti dinners for the time being, but on July 26th, they will hold a summer market at the hall. Vendors wanting to participate should call them to reserve a booth. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.!

On Tuesday, June 24th, at the Seniors, there was a great number of attendees who came to hear about a scary subject for some and a very interesting subject for others. President James Kamstra had a great variety of occasions to work with and study snakes, particularly those of Ontario and had a great many pictures to show illustrating the variety found in Ontario. He also had a beautiful small example of a living one that wrapped around his wrist! Not something everyone was anxious to do!At church on Sunday, we talked about the 100 years of the United Church. Both Sandford and Zephyr and most of the surrounding churches, were Methodist until 1925 when they joined with a couple of smaller denominations and became The United Church of Canada. Our present church building was built in 1898 but the original Methodist congregation built the first church down by the cemetery. The first grew too small, and a second much larger was built but was accidentally burned, and the present building replaces that. Can you believe that in those older days, there were 100 plus in Sunday School? How things have changed!