Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

Since last week's news was written on Thursday, this is a longer piece to cover, and it has been an exceptionally emotional time for various reasons. We start out happy, as Saturday evening, St. Paul’s Anglican hosted a presentation by John Haines, assisted by 3 other musical friends and a wonderful pianist, who recreated what it would have been like to attend the “silent” movies. The movie itself was silent but was accompanied by a pianist who endeavoured to play music in keeping with the actions on stage. Dr. Haines had researched the era in Uxbridge and had photos and names of people who owned the theatre back in the early ‘40s and ‘50s, as well as the pianists and many of the films shown, often only a few minutes long. Other entertainment was provided to fill in the gaps. I know the building, but I don’t recall a theatre!

Then on Sunday morning, our community was shocked and in disbelief to hear Bruce Smith had passed away later Saturday evening. Not only were his wife, Tanis and sons, Les and Bryan, devastated, but a much wider community, as Bruce was involved in so many activities related to the farming industry. He farmed while working for John Deere/Green Tractors for 58 years. Just a Sunday or so before, I had asked him about retirement, and he said he was not ready yet. The shock continued all week. The visitation on Thursday evening was packed, and it was standing room only at Lows again on Friday. Rev. Elizabeth Cunningham conducted the service. She also read Tanis’s thoughts on her husband. Other eulogies were given by three of his grandchildren and by Arnold and Brian Kerry, his bosses over the years. Following the service, a massive Tractor parade took place in Sandford between the Smith farm and the Moores. I keep losing count, but there had to be at least a hundred tractors, of all sizes, mostly John Deere but also other makes. There were also a number of large trucks from other farming industries. Unbelievable! Gone but certainly not forgotten. I knew Bruce since he was a very young teen, and it was doubly sad for our church community, as Bruce was the last person in our congregation with deep familial roots, from his parents to his grandparents, and maybe beyond.

Adele Boy conducted service Sunday morning, and as you might expect, it was rather a sombre time, but it was good to be together. Sunday afternoon, we also had a very happy occasion as Murray and Elaine Cox celebrated their 50th anniversary at Sandford Hall. It was a lovely afternoon and a time to see many people again in happy circumstances. May there be many more years for this young couple!

On Tuesday, the Seniors met for their monthly lunch, this time prepared by Legion Ladies. I was especially happy to see the Davis twins, Lisa and Lori, as it doesn’t happen often to see them together. This was also a special day as John Cavers was presented with a certificate as a special senior and a plaque with his name as the first one to receive. It was also noted that Rev. Bill Fritz had been awarded Senior of the Year by Ontario. On Thursday evening, at the Uxbridge Scott Museum, a disappointingly small number gathered to hear Walter Campbell talk about his art and music and how they both played a major part in his life. His Art in particular, is widely known and sought after, and is mostly composed of scenes featuring historic older style homes and how he could create various scenes around them. He finished by singing several of his popular numbers.

On the weekend, the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society (LMMS) held a conference in the historic Church in Leaskdale. About 60 people attended, some from as far away as St. Catherine’s. It’s truly amazing how much literature about Maud is churned out constantly, and several authors were among the presenters, including Kathy Wasylenky. Once more, Ted Barris interviewed Maud (personified by Jennifer Carroll). Our own Earle Lockerby, the group's treasurer, presented two rare books to the Society. They were not written by Mrs. Montgomery but mention her and belonged to his grandmother, who was a friend of Lucy Maud! Much praise must go to Melanie Whitfield and all her fellow members for the wonderful job they did in feeding and educating so many people for two full days.

There were a great many birthdays this week, starting with Rob Croxall. Rob, retired, finds himself very busy with the community. Lynn Rhodes is also a busy lady on the Brock council. Cosmos heart Lisha Van Nieuwenhove also found time to add another year, while Coalton Leppard, at only 21, isn’t worried about that. Katie Wilson Bottomly also has a birthday and keeps busy singing and looking after her three little kids. Augusta Winder barely got over celebrating her and Vince’s 65th anniversary when she was off celebrating a birthday. Keep it up! Another young thing is Emily Shreeve, 16 already. Her dad says she keeps them busy running her to sports events. Birthday greetings also to Neil Arnold and Lisa Harrison, longtime residents of our communities. Happy anniversary to Harry and Angie Paisley, married 35 years. Impossible. Congratulations to Dale Ashton, who retired from Miller Waste Systems after 40 years, quite a record. Now what to do? Time to waste? One birthday not mentioned was Luanne Blackburn Evans because it tied in with LMMS. Luanne’s aunt was Margaret Blackburn Mustard, who played a beautiful organ at Leaskdale church for 30 years. The church bought a new one and gave the old one to Margaret. Eventually, she moved to Edmonton. After her death, the estate advertised it, and Luanne and her husband Brian Evans bought the organ and had it shipped back. It is now in the church where it spent so many years. Brian and Luanne were away this weekend, so Elaine Brandon played a number of older hymns on it, one also sung by a beautifully voiced little girl.

Yuk Yuk's presentation, with its costume contest and dance, was a success. The next Leaskdale Loop Day will be November 15th and 16th. The Zephyr Scott Lions will hold their winter market on November 22nd. Contact them if you would like a booth. Items for the Food Bank are requested.

The Sandford Zephyr congregation will hold a Remembrance Day service on November 9th at 10 a.m., with a piper and all. Please join us. On November 23rd, we will be holding a belated anniversary service. This will be the first as an amalgamated congregation, so both a happy and sad event. This service will be at 11 a.m. rather than 10 a.m., followed by fellowship and refreshments! We look forward to seeing many of our former congregants from both communities. This coming Sunday, at 10 a.m., we welcome Ken McEvoy to lead our service.