Purple Grove news

We are enjoying the lovely, sunny days lately, but very thankful for all the snow for the Ripley Winter Carnival. As usual, the horse-drawn sleigh rides were a hit and the pancakes were delicious! Most of us were able to keep our vehicles between the ditches when travelling from place to place - we can't say ‘keep the car between the fence posts’ any more!

Happy Birthday to all our folks celebrating birthdays in February and especially to Nancy Dore King who will be celebrating her 20th birthday on the 29th of February. Other birthdays celebrated this past week were Boyd and Blayne Carruthers, Ella Edwards, Rick Cliffe, Kelly MacGillivray, Thomas Farrell, Harvey de Leeuw, Natalie and Jaclyn Newman, and John Farrell!

Congratulations to the Ripley-Huron Community School students at the Legion speaking competition last Sunday! The first place junior and senior students will be attending the District competition in Brussels in March.

Thanks to all the businesses that keep our village a welcoming place to live and work! We appreciate all your time and efforts, and we especially want to recognize Canada's Agriculture Day which was Feb. 13! Thank you to all the farmers who raise and produce all the food we eat everyday! We can't forget either all the businesses that are associated with this awesome industry!

A big thank you to those who are attending the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) Convention this weekend! We look forward to all the big plans coming up for the fair season in our communities.

Thank you to the people in charge of, and those volunteering at, the Blood Donor Clinics in our area. Lucknow was hosting a clinic Friday afternoon, and organizers appreciate all the support. The need for blood is constant and if you can donate or make an appointment, they will fit you in!

Our sympathy is extended to the families of Harvey Needham, formerly of Purple Grove, and to Bill Johnson. Their contributions to our lives and communities will be honoured and celebrated. To other families who are grieving the loss of family and friends, we keep you in our prayers as well.

Also to all of you who have come home from hospital and are recovering, we wish you a speedy recovery and sunshine on your days!

Our Purple Grove Women's Institute meeting will be held March 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre. Our program is focuses on "Starting a niche agricultural business" with Angela Devitt, owner of Stone Bridge Flour. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Since we are enjoying the sunshine so much, here's a quote you can use: "May sunshine surround you each new day, and may smiles and love never be far away.”