Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

Here we are, one week into a new year! Do you feel any different? The last couple of weeks of December have brought us back to old-time winters in regard to snow. There is a song which says, “as high as an elephant's eye,” but the snow drifts have been as high as the corn left in the field! Personally, I am tired of shovelling or thinking about shovelling, and this is early yet. At least we did have some melt and more forecast for this week. Snowmobiles and skiers, of course, love it. The moon was full, and what a sight, the one clear morning, to see it setting, huge and brilliant, in the North West behind my pond. To the south, the rising sun produced a golden and rose sun dog, something which only happens when it is really. I have not seen one for several years. The final Community Care Lunch of 2025 was at Douglas Crossing with the usual delicious food. The entertainment was provided by Irwin Smith. At the finish, I told him I had been watching and listening to him since he was 16! I’m not sure he believed me, but true! One Voice Choir provided their usual wonderful Christmas concert. It was nice to have a chat with Rod Sine afterwards. He and Joan live in Lindsay now, but he joined this choir in Uxbridge, and they help out with services at the Presbyterian Church in Port Perry! For anyone who was disappointed to miss out on the Northern Trails Vocal Connection concert, a sold-out performance, you have another chance on January 31st at 7:30 p.m.

The Zephyr Scott Lions have had a busy year with their spaghetti suppers and helping the Community Assoc. with various other activities throughout the year! The $500 donation to the Zephyr Library bought a big basket of books! They also donated funds to Scott Central for the school lunch program. Then they gave four Christmas Hampers, 60 gently used kids coats and boots and 15 bags of non-perishable food to the food bank. Way to go, people! Yuk Yuks is coming to Sandford Hall on February 28th, so if you want tickets, contact Heather Moore, as they are probably becoming scarce by now!

Every time I go by Elgin Pond to look for our swans. There is very little free water now but they could be up around the bend. Does anyone know? A former Sandford resident, Rita Gates, lives on Gull River, near Norland. She posted a photo on Facebook showing 19 swans swimming by. What a beautiful sight! Many were signets, of course, all to the good.

December 19th was a busy day! To start, it was the Standard Christmas Party to which my sister and I went. We were early, so we didn’t see a lot of our coworkers but we enjoyed visiting with those who were there at the time. We then headed over to the Scugog library to visit Bakersville. This just gets better and better! The houses are built by anyone who wants, but the layout, lighting and animation is done by volunteers, and it is spectacular! Dropping off my sister at her house, I went to Zehrs to spend my two hours with the Salvation Army kettle. This year we also had a “tap”. Don’t ask me how to use it but donors knew. The highlight of the evening was a special donation made by two little girls, 8 or 9, maybe. Their dad said they made the money, all neatly rolled, from their lemonade stand. Wonderful to see!

Christmas was low-key for me as I wasn’t feeling great and then my son spent four days in hospital, only getting out for Christmas Eve. That, however, allowed us to go with friends to the Community Dinner at the Senior Centre. A great meal and saw so many friends. There must have been 100 there! Thanks to all those who cooked the food, the very friendly servers, who included the young people, mostly one family, who made everyone smile. I did enjoy Christmas Eve with my sister, husband, my brother and my sister-in-law. They had dinner on Christmas with her sister Elaine and Don Cordingly. I also had Saturday lunch with the extended Ashton Family! North Durham Nature held its Christmas Bird Count on December 27th. Derek said there were 7000 birds and 49 special totalled. More details later!

There were a number of birthdays. I always feel sorry for birthday people at this time of year because there are so many other things happening, but I hope everyone enjoyed all the celebrations. We start with Carol Smith, a former Leaskdale girl; Gerald Ross, also a Leaskdale boy; Nancy Bierema Harsell; Michelle Viney; Jillian Howsam; Gloria Ross; and probably many more. Best wishes for a great year ahead.

We also had some deaths. Zephyr lost Kevin Wagg. I did not discover until much later that Harold Graves had died. I worked with him on the gate at Art in the Park in August. Janet McTavish Morton also died quite suddenly, and I just heard of the passing of well-known Paula Lishman. Our sympathies to all these families and more.

Church started again with Rev Li. On Sunday, our own Adele Boy will be leading this coming week. All are welcome at 10 a.m.