ZEPHYR & SANDFORD by Pat Asling

Thanksgiving! Is it just a day, or should it be a lifestyle? At present, many people feel they have nothing to be thankful for and everything to be mad about. We live in a relatively wealthy county with so much of everything that we don’t realize that much of the rest of the world lives in poverty. Most of the population has yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Thousands of people live on the streets, running from bombs, in fear for their life every day and thus in even greater danger of catching and spreading COVID.

Psychologists say that practising thankfulness every day will make our lives happier and more fulfilling, even though we may not have everything we want. Not just on Thanksgiving weekend but every day, all year.

The trees are really starting to change colour now with more and more bright colours. Autumn is the only time I really appreciate sumacs with their brilliant red leaves and upright cones of red berries. And the birds love those berries in the winter too! There are lots of other berries around, too, mountain ash, winterberry, firebush, wild grape etc., plus the absolutely loaded pine and cedar branches with cones and the crabapple trees. Lots of winter feed, so I hope the birds return en masse!

Happy birthday to our Katie Johnson, Fair Queen once but always a princess in our eyes! Big birthday wishes to Grace Evans, who was 85. Grace is the youngest of the three Simpson girls and married to Floyd Evans. Another young lady well known in Uxbridge is Lynn Rhodes Campbell. She and her husband, well-known artist Campbell live in Sunderland, where Lynn has been on the Brock Township council. Ward 5, for several years now. She also writes for the “Focus on Scugog”.

Best wishes go out also to Eugene (Gene) More, a man very well know in the area for his athletic prowess in years gone by and who was also one of the head supervisors for many years at St. John’s School. Gene and wife Pat live near Peterborough now, but he says both of them are in good health and enjoying life.

A very special birthday celebration was arranged for WW2 veteran Lois Torrance who was 100. There was a parade by Legion 170 colour party, vintage cars, Claidmore, firefighters, and more, including a raft of cards from school children. All this was organized by Tish MacDonald, who not long before also organized an event for Jim Park, 94. Jim was with the Royal Winnepeg Rifles and was one of the few who landed on June Beach and lived to go on to fight at D Day, June.

There are a number of anniversaries to mention. LeeAnn and David Ball celebrated 25 years. They are a busy couple with David running the farm, LeeAnn nursing full time through this pandemic, and two boys in high school and college.

Suzi and Mark Stanley celebrated were married 34 years. Suzi is the former Suzi Hilts, whose family owned the farm just on the eastern outskirts of Sandford. Jay and Nicole Steward celebrated 19 years together. They have two sons, both of whom have joined their father as members of the Uxbridge Legion Pipes and Drums.

Best wishes also to Vince and Augusta Winder, who have been married for 61 years and going strong after making other people stronger! My family celebrated a big event this week, too, when my sister Faye and husband Keith Ashton celebrated their 60th anniversary. On Thursday, there was what was supposed to be a “Come and Go” event for a small group of friends and neighbours, but once people got there, no one wanted to go, so busy catching up on everyone’s news.

Then on Sunday, there was a small family lunch. I have a great nephew who is 1 ½ year old, and this was the first time a couple of his great aunts had ever seen him. The last time I saw them was at the baby shower for his mother longer ago than that, so everyone had a great time once more.

A big congratulations have to go out to a young lady, Mack Moore and her horse Satan who is racking up awards at barrel racing competitions. She won a lovely award at the Ancaster Fair and is now a Top Finalist for the Dodge Ram Rodeo in Orangeville on October 23rd and 24th. Organized by the National Barrel Horse Association of Canada! Keep it up, Mack And Satan!

At church in Zephyr Sunday, we were pleased to have Ruth Baker at the piano accompanied by her granddaughter on the violin. It was beautiful!

This coming Sunday is the anniversary service at Sandford. COVID protocols will be followed, but we hope to have good attendance as we are honouring a number of our congregants who have contributed in so many ways to the church over the years. Doug Ferris of Port Perry will conduct the service with our own Melinda Delorme at the piano and singing for us.

The following Sunday is the anniversary at Zephyr. To round out a busy month, we have Shoe Boxes to be filled for children worldwide. Some will be available at Sandford on Sunday and later at Zephyr.

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