Purple Grove news

Well, it looks as if winter has finally caught up with us and is making sure we don't forget what it's like to live in the snowbelt!

Thinking also of all our friends and family in the west where in Prince George, both the Fraser and Nechako Rivers are dry, along with much of the western provinces, and of course, the extreme cold is cancelling flights and schools and any extra activities. Guess it's time to keep the fires burning, water thawed, cattle fed and milked, and driveways plowed!

Don't forget about wearing those extra layers, especially the long johns, ear lugs and down jackets! Stay warm and safe, everyone!

Belated birthday greetings to Betty Elliott, Ann Collins, Ron de Gans, Marianne Irwin, Clayton Farrell, Kathryn (Bridge) Vogan, and Jim and Fran Farrell. Hope you got to celebrate with your family and friends around!

We extend our sympathy to families who are grieving. We especially remember Ruby Peterbaugh, Mary Jean Large and Ken MacDonald and other special people who will be missed in our communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at these difficult times.

The Lucknow Co-op annual meeting was held Jan. 11 at the Lucknow Community Centre. Members and guests enjoyed a delicious roast beef dinner and fellowship and reviewed the co-op's activities and success this past year. 2024 marks the co-op's 80th year in business. Thanks to the directors and staff for a successful year and for all their community support!

Be sure to mark your calendar for the Ripley Agricultural Society's annual meeting, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Ripley-Huron Legion. It's a great time to meet the directors and review the fair's success and make
plans for this year's fair!

PURPLE GROVE W.I.

The Purple Grove Women's Institute met Jan. 10 at the home of Marilyn Reid, with 10 members in attendance for a potluck lunch. This proves to be a very good time to bring your favourite dish and in the program, we shared our favourite recipes - many happen to be in the Purple Grove Cookbook published sometime between 1981-88.

Roll Call was grand plans for 2024 which proved that most of us are trying to stay healthy and active! The December minutes were read, reminding us that we had practised and produced some artistic dot painting on rocks. Thanks to Sandra Husk for teaching us this new craft, and stories were shared of stormy drives and winter blizzards and neighbours helping neighbours. We certainly appreciate the snow plow operators, better roads and weather predictions that we have now.

Some Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) news was shared and we got into the auction of extra articles that we needed to part with. Auctioneer Dianne Simpson kept things lively and we all brought home some new things to share or read and enjoy until next time we have an auction!

The next meeting will be Feb. 7 at the home of Dianne Simpson.