by Pat Asling
Already more than half of March will has melted away. We can only hope in the next few days most of that snow in your yard and on the road sides will also have melted away. It is amazing how much disappeared all ready with the few warmer days we had last week and Sunday.
I sat in the sun for half an hour, on the deck, and it was lovely! I thought I even heard a robin chipping away, both at home and in Sandford. Of course, many robins don’t migrate any more so they can’t really be called harbingers of Spring but still, everything is most welcome.
There were many crows and they were chasing a pair or ravens! Cathy Ellig has grackles, starlings, redwings, robins and cow birds etc. Oh, and I can’t forget my turkeys! I have often seen turkeys in the fields, as likely you have, but this flock of about 20 decided to make my yard their food bar and were around for over a week. It’s the first time I ever saw them up close and they are big. They are also quite pretty when the sun shines on them, but what a mess they make. They do eat up the seed from the ground but they are also tall enough to eat from the bird feeders and have eaten my suet from both feeders. Their feet are strong enough that they can dig through snow and have made several foot-deep holes from their scratching. I am hoping with less snow in the fields they will go and stay there very soon. I joked that not long ago my yard was a sea of rabbit tracks but now it is an ocean of turkey tracks. I also saw a chipmunk, horrors!
These last few nights have been starry and clear with the moon high above. This week 13 to 14th saw a partial eclipse of the moon. I got up at 2 a.m., to view this once in a lifetime event and took a number a great photos. To my great distress while trying to download them I accidentally, deleted the whole card. I cried!
It is also maple syrup time. My nephew has ploughed his way to our family bush and the runs should have been good. This bush was purchased by my great grandfather in 1896 and has been continuously tapped since then.
The thoughts of many, especially with the better weather, is turning to gardening. The Seedy Saturday at the library appeared to go well and I am sure many stocked up. Usually I start a lot of seedlings but have decided I will no longer do that.
Of course, with all the problems coming from the south, growing our own produce may very well come back in style. However it’s not easy, especially if you are just starting out. The Uxbridge Horticultural Group will meet again in April. Membership is $20 and there are always informative speakers and many experts willing to give advice to novice gardeners. Meetings are held at the Seniors Centre.
There were a few birthdays to note last week. First Ken Maynard, our fireman of note and then Diane Payne (Pugh). Both these young people were patients of mine as kids and it’s always great to follow their successful career patterns. Dan Moore is another birthday boy. Dan has faced big challenges and won out and it always nice to see he and his family doing well. Another birthday girl was Kathy Card Monsma. Cathy lived with her family growing up, just about a half mile from me and the Card/Gear girls were always great cooks/bakers! Another very special birthday was that of my forever friend Darlene Christie. Darlene grew up in Epsom and we were friend from whatever age, you know these things. Darlene was 85 and recently sold her property in Epsom and moved to Port Perry. I will soon catch her up! About 60 friends attended her party at the Mandarin, in Oshawa. After John Cavers party on Sunday, Darlene’s on Monday, Tuesday was the Community Care lunch at the Villa with a huge number of attendees. The speaker was the same police officer we heard last month who again lectured about fraud prevention. It’s amazing to know just how much of this goes on daily and how much is lost!
Another sad note for our community came on Friday when we learned of the passing of Annabelle Ball. Annabelle was born in Greenbank, went to Greenbank school and Port Perry High School. From there she went to teachers college. I went to high school with her brother George and his future wife Isabelle. She married Alan Ball and they had one son, David. Much of her teaching career was at Scott Central. They farmed on the southwest corner of the 6th and Sandford Road. They carried on from Alan’s parents, Isaac and Annie (staunch supporters of Sandford Church) and where son David has also continued the tradition. Annabelle was quite involved with the church, singing in the choir, the UCW and teaching Sunday School. They moved to Douglas Crossing a few years ago, where Alan, and now Annabelle passed away. Her funeral was Monday at Low and Low. Rev. Jim Hackner conducted the service, with music by Richard Watson. Another great lady gone from us. A large number of friends and relatives attended. Another death was of Grace Simpson Evans. Her husband Floyd recently also passed. Grace was the youngest of three sisters and one brother. The Simpsons lived near Pine Grove, where she went to school. She married Floyd and they had five children and a number of grandchildren. Marie Wilson, my neighbour through most of my growing up, is the lone living sibling. Also recently passing was John Meek. I did not know John but he grew up in Sandford where his parents, Harvey and Freda, who I did know, owned the farm now owned by Jim Crossland. Best known to me of their family is Mary Anne, wife of his deceased brother Murray. We have learned the Celebration of Life for Dorothy Baker will be held at Sandford United Church on Friday, April 4th, at 1 p.m., with a reception at Low and Low Funeral Home from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A week from last Friday night my friend Anne and I went again to the Historic Leaskdale Church for another Jazz session. Besides Tom Baker on the grand piano, there was Ernie Mee on bass and Susie Wesson, doing vocals. This was her first time there but she has been singing jazz style since high school. The next Jazz session will be April 4th and besides Tom and Ernie, will feature the fantastic Amy Peck and her saxophone. Not to be missed! On March 21st there will be another concert of Chamber music, provided by the Mozart Flute Quartette consisting of James Warburton on flute, Clive Davis on violin, Leise Warner on viola and Ann Balmer on cello. Friday night concerts at the Foster will resume in May. Most of the performers are repeats who ask to come again because of the amazing acoustics of this marvellous building. The Friends of the Foster urgently need volunteers to help out on these evenings, welcoming visitors, introducing performers, helping set up etc. If you volunteer you can hear performances for free and meet interesting people. If you are interested call Bev Northeast at 905 640 3966!
The Zephyr Scott Lions club Spaghetti supper went ahead as planned on March 14th. They welcome donations of food, pop tabs, coats, empty milk bags, and eye glasses, which they will pass on the other groups using these items. There was also a craft table to keep the kids busy during the evening. Cornhole games are on each Tuesday!
Birthday Celebrations this week included Eleanor Beare Bagshaw, Pat Higgins and Mel Tindall, all well known names around here, also our youngest attendee, Olivia Gibson, who had the birthday song sung to her, as well as Jonathan van Bilsen, celebrated columnist and much more, in this paper. Congrats also to Karyn and Ryan Tindall on their 31st anniversary!
Our church service last week was conducted by Adele Boy who built her message around the time when Jesus was heading for Jerusalem, for what he knew was certain death. She had picked some very beautiful hymns to accompany the message. This week Rev. Li was back, and there was a Sacrament of Communion! On the 23rd, a young Indigenous lady will conduct the service. On the 30th there is a special treat when Reflections returns to lead and sing for us. All are invited to join with us at the Lenten season, and all seasons.
Something to think about in these dark times: When you are in a dark place sometimes you tend to think you have been buried - perhaps you have been planted! Great expectation!
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