by Pat Asling
This week takes us to the middle of August already! How is it possible? Again we have had plenty of rain; far too much for some people.
As often happens I waited and waited to water my dahlias and some pots and finally decided to do it. Of course, it rained buckets the following day. We are fortunate we didn’t get the amount the many areas of the USA and Eastern Canada received but still many places experience flood damage.
The insurance companies will be kept busy trying to settle claims. Unfortunately, we are hearing in some parts of the US and Canada, home owners who rebuild on those same properties may not be able to obtain fire or flood insurance again, because the areas are deemed too high risk now, a serious situation.
You may have seen where the temperature in the high arctic surpassed that of Florida this past week or so. What does this mean? It means the ice is melting, oceans are rising, coastal areas are flooding, animals such as polar bears will not be able to catch their favourite food, the seals and many other arctic animals will not be able to change their life style quick enough to eat properly.
Yet people continue to build homes, businesses, and tourist resorts right on the shore of the ocean and then wonder why their buildings are flooded.
For people living in the arctic, melting of the ice under the soil, the permafrost, means structures on top will sink and be unstable. Many far northern communities depend on ice roads to truck food and other supplies into the community in winter when otherwise they have to come in by much more expensive air shipment. Don’t believe in climate change?
Not too many birthdays I know of this week but best wishes to Amy Smalley, who always makes sure the birthdays of her high attaining children are acknowledged. Happy belated and best wishes. Greetings also to Paul Broad. Paul and brother Fred were born and raised in Uxbridge but he now lives in the metropolis of Seagrave. Like the Beare family, their family connection goes way back to the original Asling in Ontario. Best wishes also to Lori Bushel Rundle. Lori is the second daughter of Lois and Barry Bushell who were quite active in the area a few years ago. Lori and daughter Alexis Bradbury spend the winters in Florida, doing what they love best, looking after and training a stable of horse.
The spaghetti supper, put on by the Udora Zephyr Lions a week or so ago, was called a big success as it was their first event since they formed the club together. More is expected. Adele Boy has had a few great days as she once more acted as a Guest Service Person for the National Tennis Bank Open. She has been participating in this event for a great many years and looks forward to it each year. She lately returned from a relaxing vacation with relatives and friends in British Columbia.
Meanwhile, many have been glued to TV sets and devices as the Paris Olympics took place. It certainly sounds as if Canada did very well winning a number of gold medals as well as silver and bronze. Sad so little was mentioned about our own Jessica Phoenix and I can’t interpret the numbers I did read. She was back home by July 29th, or so, while the rest of the events carried on until this Sunday. On Thursday evening the Herb Fest was held at the Uxbridge Scott Museum with about 30 in attendance. There was a great presentation about the various herbs grown in the garden there, which highlighted the many uses of those grown there and some of their history, like where they originated or if they were native to the area. Most had been used by Indigenous peoples or brought with immigrants when they arrived here. Thanks to museum staff and Bob Kirvan for all their work.
Don’t forget there is Horseshoe Pitching every Tuesday night at 6 p.m., barring rain of course. All are welcome. Cost is $30 for the year and includes membership in the Historical Society.
The Uxbridge Horticultural Group meet this Wednesday at 7 p.m., at the Senior’s Centre. Guest speaker is Michael McTavish who will talk about a new threat, jumping worms. So far I haven’t seen any of these and certainly don’t want to. In September the topic is garlic. Perhaps you have already dug your garlic, like me, but hopefully with a better crop.
This Friday Night at the Foster, the Shimoda family will once more entertain. This is a unique family group who have been coming for many years. They play Baroque music using various harpsichords and authentic Baroque instruments. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the concert at 7:30 p.m. Suggested donation at the door is $10 which goes for upkeep of this unique building. The Lucy Maud Mongomery Society presents the one woman play, “Maud of Leaskdale” starring Jennifer Carroll as Maud, on Thursday. August 18th, 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, August 17th and 18th at 3 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults and $20 Seniors. There are only two more teas this season, August 21st when a handiwork expert, Sheron Albert will demonstrate a number of crafts and several of Maud’s own works will be shown from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. On the 28th there is a birthday celebration for young and old with Catherine Little reading her book “Anne of the Library on the Hill”, from 1 to 3 p.m. Call 1-905-862-0808 for tickets.
Next weekend, August 17th and 18th, Art in the Park arrives at Elgin Park. This is always a great event with all sorts of unique crafts and paintings of various kinds, surrounded by music by local musicians. We are fortunate in having so many talented people in the area whether it is in the arts and crafts, music or dance.
On August 24th the Durham Region Ploughing Match will be held at the former Bruce Harwood farm on the fourth, north of Sandford Road. Competitions should begin by 9 a.m. and lunch will be available after 1 p.m.
There is no church at Sandford Zephyr during August. Most of the Sandford congregation were in attendance at Trinity’s service Sunday morning, even our new minister was there. Next week all are invited to join with the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian congregation for worship. During September we will be at Zephyr for the month. October is a busy sad/happy month! The first two Sundays are regular services, the 15th will be Zephyrs final anniversary service, the 22nd Sandford’s anniversary and on the 29th the final service at Zephyr will be held, a very sad day for many.
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