Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

By the time you read this it will be getting close to the middle of the month. There is lots of excitement with buying presents, preparing food, listening to

Christmas music and so many events happening. For sure nobody in our area can complain that it doesn’t look like Christmas because we certainly have plenty of the white stuff and it keeps coming! I am still working on that first big dump. Did you see the last, biggest closest full moon? It looked beautiful on the snow. The snow has not had much of an effect on the many activities taking place in our neighbourhoods.

On Monday, December 1^st, about 30 people gathered at Epsom United C

hurch to hear about the work of the Canadian Food Grains Bank this year. Henry Reinders, soon to be retired as President of the organization, chaired the meeting. Several videos were shown of the work in various parts of the world. He also disclosed the new president will be a lady, a minister, who will take over soon. Another young man talked and showed slides about his trip with a group to Katmando where programs on farming etc are carried out. Robert Ashton gave a report about the work of the Epsom Utica group. Grant Mustard also told about the work with the Leaskdale Presbyterian Church while another gentleman spoke of his work with a group near Markham. A very informative meeting. Pickering Naturalists met on zoom Thursday night and the guest speaker, Jeff Banman, talked about flying squirrels. Many people have never seen these pretty little creatures but they are found in several parts of southern ontario. The speaker spoke about the research Mark Stabb did on flying squirrels. Now Mark Staab lives in Uxbridge and was one of the original members of North Durham Naturen (NDN). Cara Gregory, also mentioned, is one of the younger members of NDN.

It was great to see our new Animal Shelter is finally on the way to being built, with construction started and the official ceremony passed. It’s been a long time coming, thanks to those who persevered.

Many things happening during the weekend. The Fantasy of Lights, in Elgin Park, was lit up and will be seen until January 3rd. Every year it gets better and better and I am interested to know just where all the exhibits will fit in. On Saturday night the main streets of Uxbridge as the ”HolidayTrail” took place with stores open for shopping and stopping to browse. On Saturday night Northern Trails Vocal Connection held their Christmas concert. It was a sold-out affair, so much so that an encore is planned for Saturday, January 31^st, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now. Santa made his appearance at the Zephyr Hall on Saturday mornings. The attendance was good and the food enjoyable. Organizers thanked a number of businesses for their donations, Zehrs for fruit, MacDonalds for toys for gift bags, Tim Horton for coffee and hot chocolate, Zephyr Mini Mart for butter and cream. Also showing up were the Uxbridge Fire Department and the Grinch. There were a number of Food Bank Donations. Thanks to the Zephyr Lions who flipped pancakes all morning. They will next be busy on December 17th when their last spaghetti supper of the year will be held, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children.

On Saturday and Sunday at Tindalls Farm Market local craftspeople showed off their beautiful wares inside the heated greenhouse. From pictures it seems this second set of days was as successful as was the first! On Wednesday evening the Uxbridge Horticultural Group will hold their Christmas pot luck supper, followed by the annual meeting. On Thursday evening members of the genealogy Group will enjoy a Christmas snack after having seen several artifacts members bring to remind them of Christmases past.

This week the Salvation Army donation booth has been set up in Zehrs and will run every Thursday to Saturday until Christmas. At the LCBO a booth has been set up with a tap machine but no volunteers. This is the one major fundraising venture of our local Salvation Army unit. On Friday, December 12th, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 13th, afternoon, the One Voice Choir will perform their Christmas concert, always a hit. It has been announced that Yuk Yuks will once more perform at Sandford Hall on February 28, 2026. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from board members. Happening only every other year, the Living Nativity produced by the Baptist Church will take place on December 19th and 21st, 7:30 and 8:15 p.m., in the park.

A few celebrations this week including Carleigh Higgins. Carleigh is a specialized nurse at one of Toronto's major hospitals. Birthday greetings also to Caroline McGillivray who enjoys helping husband Allan with genealogy research and being with their grandchildren. Best birthday wishes also to Sarah Herrema. I understand it will be an exciting year! Congrats to all including those I probably missed!

In spite of falling snow church was held on Sunday with Rev. Li leading our Communion Service. Thanks to Ruth for her beautiful playing, especially on hymns we are not too familiar with. Next week our own Adele Boy will be leading. Adele has recently returned from a two week trip to Turkey and all the ancient sites. Please join us, at 10 a.m. All welcome. White Gift offerings are being taken for Uxbridge Loaves and Fishes and Mount Albert Food Bank. Donations of hats and mitts are also being given.