Zephyr & Sandford news

by Pat Asling

Well, we got a taste of it, snow that is, but in a couple of days it will be gone, unlike our friends to the north. Coming home from manning the Salvation Army booth at Zehrs on Saturday at 6 p.m. the pavement was snow covered and the wind and snow blowing wildly. I am sure glad I didn’t have far to go.

Not many celebrations I know of this week but young Mrs. Herrema, Gerritt’s wife Sarah had a birthday which I am sure was well celebrated by the family. Caroline McGillivray also celebrated another birthday which I am sure was acknowledged by children and grandchildren.

Congratulations to Geoff Carpentier and his wife Kim after returning home from an eight-week world tour. They made it just in time for Geoff to do his presentation at North Durham Nature (NDN) a week or so ago. There must be some fantastic memories and photos which hopefully we will see later on.

The Zephyr Community Association held their version of Breakfast with Santa on Saturday. No results to report but they were all set up for a big crowd. The last of Leaskdale Loop was also held this past weekend with some vendors at home but about 22 others hanging out in Tindall's large heated Greenhouse. Perhaps the storm kept some away on Saturday but Sunday should have made it up. This will be the last until Spring.

On Friday night I attended Christmas One Voice Choir. As usual a wonderful set of songs for the season. Sadly, for me, I only know a couple of the singers now whereas I used to know many. The sound is still beautiful though. However, the crowd that evening was the smallest I have ever seen. I overheard someone speculating it was because of hockey and my mind went to Maple Leafs but no, I think it was the Bruins. They lost according to my cousin Lori, mother of Ryan Shier. Hopefully, the concert on Saturday would have attracted a larger crowd although the storm might have impacted that as well. On Friday evening as well the final Jazz concert of the season at the Leaskdale Historic Church was held. I had wanted to go hear them as well but one can’t be in two spots at the same time. Tom Baker, Mike Graham and Victoria Yeh were the performers. Tom, with his varying cast, will return in the spring with another series.

Great news, for the many who have been waiting for “Chances Are” to reopen at their new location, Rexall Plaza on Tuesday, December 10th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are begging people to come and drop off donations ONLY during opening hours and it must be taken inside, not left outside in the elements. It has cost them, and the hospital, thousands of dollars over the years for garbage pickup.

Another long-awaited event is the Festival of Lights has started this past Saturday evening and will continue until January 4th, every evening. This spectacular show has grown bigger and better each year until I fear it will outgrow its allotted space. A nice thing to happen.

The Salvation Army Kettle is also set up once more at Zehrs and the LBCO for the next three weeks. As we all know more people than ever are having difficulties making do in life and the Salvation Army in Uxbridge, as in all communities, does a great job of helping out, not just at Christmas but at all times of the year, with food, clothing, school supplies and much more. Like our Loaves and Fishes Food Bank you are helping Uxbridge and area people lives better life when you give what you can.

Zephyr and Scott Lions Club are not letting up as they are already advertising their next spaghetti supper, at Zephyr Hall on December 13th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., $15 for adults and $5 for children.

I guess the older you get the more people you know pass away, and so it continues. The past weeks have seen three more ladies I knew pass away. Rena Hudson lived in Uxbridge for much of her life, married her husband Henry James, inexplicably called Rolly, and raised her children there. Both of them still lived in town, daughter Dawn in the family home on Brock Street, allowing her mom to remain there. She also had three Diltz grandchildren. I first knew Rena many years ago when we ran our own Red Cross organization (1960-70s) and had many programs serving the community. Rena was very active in this organization and a number of others over the years, as was her husband. The Second lady is Sheila Maloney. Sheila and husband Shaun, and several children lived in Zephyr when the whole family came to my office in the mid-60s. I got to know her better through her attendance at the Zephyr United Church. She was a fantastic artist and garnered an amazing number of accolades for her artistic endeavours over the years. Lastly comes Doreen Evans Pickett. Doreen was born in Bethesda, along with her triplet siblings Doris and David. They made history as triplets are not born often and to survive was a real feat in those days.

Mother Evans already had several children, Lawrence, Ross, Floyd and Mildred but she pulled these special babies through. The family attended Epsom United Church and so I knew all from a very young age. Only Floyd and Doris remain, neither in good health, but there are numerous descendants of Gladys and Wilfred. Very sad.