Purple Grove news

Happy Easter, everyone! It was nice to get together and celebrate with our families, and the weather co-operated just fine so our farm family members didn't get too busy farming!

John and Joyce Farrell and their family gathered Sunday, and Mary Anne Kukoly was part of that gathering.

The Finnie family got together at the home of Greg and Gabrielle Smith in Wellesley for Easter, and Glen and Sarah Farrell hosted the Farrell family, Monday.

It's sure nice to see the daffodils in their bright yellows!

Bruce County 4-H Clubs are under way again, so if you are interested in learning and showing any animals at the fairs, check out the website at 4-hontario.ca/association/bruce-4-h-association/. Some of the friends you make will be friends forever!

We extend our sympathy to the families of Cathy (Cornish) McClure of Blyth and Eleanore (Williams) Larder of Goderich, and others who are grieving at this time.

Our community grieves with the family of Ben Beishuizen. Ben was involved in many organizations in our community, especially the Ripley Agricultural Society, Pine River Cheese Factory, his church and the snowmobile club.

Our thoughts are also with friends in hospital and recovering at home. Thank you to the caregivers and neighbours who check on family and friends regularly!

What did you do on Earth Day, April 22? Hope you were able to spend some time outside in the sunshine and reduce your impact on the earth. Thank you to the students at Kincardine District Senior School who participated in the community trash pick-up on Earth Day. It's actually Earth Week from April 22-26.

RIPLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

The agricultural society is hosting a Chicken Dinner, Aug. 2, from 4:30-7:30 p.m., at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, during the Ripley Reunion weekend. Tickets are $35 each; available from our directors or send a Facebook message to www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039361880310.

If you are interested in a commercial concession space at the 2025 Ripley-Huron Fall Fair, complete the application form on our website at ripleyfair.ca/assets/docs/ccp.pdf and E-mail to: kevin.falconer77@gmail.com. Please note if you are a business or not-for-profit organization on the application form. Applications will be reviewed and you will receive notification via E-mail.

Check out our Homecraft Advance Exhibit List on-line for all the categories that you can enter: ripleyfair.ca/.../ADVANCED-Ripley-Huron_Fall_Fair... Homecraft Advanced List Books are now available at Pollock Electric, Ripley Pharmacy and Country Depot.

The agricultural society is also hosting a Sour-dough Course, June 24, 7-9 p.m., at a cost of $60, taxes included: docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScjRDvsCTErgp.../viewform; and a Fermentation Course, June 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at a cost of $$65, taxes included: docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeN9FUfIFS.../viewform.... Both courses are being held at the Ripley- Huron Community Centre. Otherwise, use the Ripley Fair E-mail at ripleyfair@hurontel.on.ca, to sign up.

PURPLE GROVE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Ten members of the Purple Grove Women's Institute met at the home of Dianne Simpson on the evening of April 17 for their annual meeting. Roll Call was a joke or cleaning tip - one of the best tips was "Hire at Housekeeper!"

In the business portion, acting president Cheryl Bridge confirmed we are presenting the Music Award at the Ripley-Huron Community School Grade 8 Graduation.

The District Directors meeting was attended by Cheryl and Fran Farrell, and updates on executive positions, payment of fees and our duties as one of the hosts for District Annual in Chesley, May 22, were reviewed.

Cheryl and Fran also reported on Roots of Bruce, a donation of sponsorship was made to the Ripley Reunion Committee, May Night Out plans were reviewed, and the upcoming Lions Dinner was planned.

Dianne Simpson gave an update on locations and depots for various items that regular Blue Box recycling doesn't accept. The more that gets recycled just reduces that amount of garbage going to landfill.

With the business completed, we moved to the annual meeting. The financial report was given and thanks to Dianne and Don Simpson for reviewing the books. Reports were given from the Social Fund, Public Relations, Curator, and Program and Resolutions Conveners.

Janet Nixon conducted the election and installed the new executive for 2025-26, with Brenda de Leeuw and Cheryl Bridge continuing as co-presidents, and other positions remaining the same.

Cheryl thanked and acknowledged everyone for contributing to a great meeting. Lunch and a social time followed.

The next meeting is the May Night Out, May 15, and District Annual numbers to be in by May 10.

Speaker for the District Annual is Amanda Saxton of the Kincardine Environmental Action Network (KEAN), and the theme is “Better Living, Longer Life.”