Purple Grove news

We hope everyone had a great Easter weekend and that you were able to celebrate with family!

The Farrell family gathered at the home of Kathy Martin in Kitchener, with about 22 family members together. It was wonderful to meet some of the great- nieces and -nephew and catch up with all the
travels some have taken. Here in Ontario, we live in the most beautiful and wonderful place on this earth!

We also appreciated all the Easter services from our local churches, and the Easter Egg Hunts were well-received! Apparently, some Easter eggs even showed up in with the regular hens’ nests – now, that’s a great place to put them!

There have been a few birthdays we have missed in the past weeks! Happy Belated Birthday to Kay Logtenberg, Heather Finnie, Henry Pope, Don Simpson, Tyler Rombouts, Cheryl Bridge, Norine and Arthur Turland, Wendy Smith and Morgan Roberts, from all your Purple Grove friends! And best wishes in the next few days to Sheila Pike and Tyson VandeSype!

We have seen a number of end-of-season tournaments in the area for our young hockey players and what a treat to be at these games and see all the changes in their techniques! Congratulations and thanks to all
the coaches and parents who diligently show up and encourage our athletes to do their best! We're all very proud of you!

The long weekends have meant that some youngsters get to spend time at their grandparents’ home. Benjamin, Julianna and Charlotte Smith of Wellesley visited with Sam and Heather Finnie; and Paisley and Nora Farrell spent the weekend with Deb and Dave Wray of Lindsay.

Our community is grieving with the families of Gary Sutton and Lorne Cook of Lucknow, men who made significant contributions to our communities. We especially remember Corinne Louther who died last week, a beautiful, caring woman whom many of us knew well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this sad time, remembering all the great memories of lives taken too soon.

The Ripley and District Horticultural Society meeting will be April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Ripley-Huron Legion, with guest speaker Jennifer Osborn. She will talk about her company, EcoWool, which makes products from waste wool. 

Also, the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens organization is having a fund-raising sale of native plants during the month of April. The on-line order form can be accessed through the Facebook page or by contacting Heather Newman at newman.heather.23@gmail.com.

Hoping everyone was able to catch the solar eclipse, Monday, safely! It was very interesting to watch the stages of the eclipse through the special glasses. Lots of amazing things happen on this earth!

So, a quick cow joke: Why is milk taller than you? Because it's pasteurized! Have a good week, everyone!

PURPLE GROVE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Fourteen members of the Purple Grove Women’s Institute gathered at the home of Dianne Simpson, April 3.

President Brenda de Leeuw called the meeting to order and we sang the Ode and repeated the Mary Stewart Collect. Betty Johnson read Scripture from Psalm 95:1-11. Roll Call was answered with the payment of fees and why we are proud to be Canadians. As Canadians, we are afforded many privileges: we are free to vote in elections; as women, we enjoy considerable equality; we have access to health care; we can pursue and practise our religion; and we can speak without fear. We are a multicultural country and enjoy and appreciate many customs and traditions. We are blessed indeed!

The minutes of the March meeting were read and adopted and the treasurer's report given. The District Directors meeting report was presented by Bren de Leeuw. District Annual is May 23 in Chesley, Area Convention is Oct. 3, and the Rally is Oct. 24.

Discussion followed about fund-raising ideas and projects. The Lions Dinner for April 27 was planned. Our next meeting, May 8, will be a Tweedsmuir work meeting starting at 10 a.m., with bag lunch, at the community centre. Marilyn Reid and Deanna Scott are conveners.

The Purple Grove W.I. Night Out is May 17. Members are to RSVP to Christine Bridge by April 26.

The business portion of the meeting complete, we moved on to our annual general meeting.

President Brenda called for the minutes of last year’s annual meeting which were accepted with corrections. Financial examiners Dianne and Don Simpson found the books to be in good order. Reports were received from the public relations officer (PRO), curator, program co-ordinator and resolutions. The consensus was that we had a very good year with engaging speakers for our meetings and the highlight was our 75th anniversary celebration!

Wilma Sutton conducted the election and installation of officers. This year's officers are: co-presidents Brenda de Leeuw and Cheryl Bridge; 1st vice-president Dianne Simpson; 2nd vice-president Christine Bridge; secretary-treasurer Fran Farrell; PRO Mary Anne Kukoly; curator Marilyn Reid and assistants Deanna Scott and Mary Anne Kukoly; program co-ordinator Marilyn Reid and assistant Deanna Scott; resolutions, Wilma Sutton; financial examiners Dianne and Don Simpson; nominating committee, Janet Nixon and Marilyn Reid; District Director Cheryl Bridge; branch directors Cheryl Bridge and Janet Nixon; catering contact Marilyn Reid. Many thanks to all who take office and to those who support us in this work and program!

The bylaws were reviewed and updated and accepted with changes. Appreciation was extended to all for a great meeting! Grace and social time followed, with lunch prepared by Christine Roberts and Robyn Bridge.

A quote from Toni Sorenson: "Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it's a rebirth of the spirit."