Purple Grove news

Another hot summer weekend with the Blues Festival in downtown Kincardine! Thank you for all the great entertainment! Hope everyone is staying cool enough and hydrated, with the heat warnings and changing air-quality conditions. We'll keep praying for rain for Manitoba and all the western provinces, and we're thankful for what little showers we get too!

The crops are looking great, with the wheat harvest already started and some great hay being put away for this winter. Be mindful of farm machinery on the roads - it's usually bigger than your vehicle and the driver can't stop or see around it as well.

The Bruce County chapter of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) hosted a group of medical students from Western University in June on the farm of Greg Dietrich of Mildmay. This agricultural education program has been instigated to give medical students a better perspective of what rural medicine can be, especially in the agricultural community working with animals and machinery. Only two per cent of the population is actively involved in agriculture and agricultural production which can present its own set of hazards and medical conditions. Our area also attracts many people to its beautiful lakes and attractions and this adds to the pressure on our medical facilities to provide emergency and medical care to the extra visitors who come to visit us.

The Bruce Federation also reminds everyone to consider safety first, especially when riding ATVs - wear helmets and proper gear – make every ride a safe one!

Happy Belated 12th Wedding Anniversary to Julianne and Andrew House! They and their sons recently relocated to Terrace, British Columbia, where Andrew works with the fire department and Julianne has taken a position at the hospital.

Happy Birthday to Lochland Gemmell, Madison Maschke, Jean MacDonald, Charlotte Farrell, Bennett Bridge, Sandy Bridge, Rachel Miller, Tammy Murray and Holly Ryman who celebrated with friends at the cottage on the weekend!

Visiting recently with Doug MacDonald, were Sheena and Alayna Houghton, and Mike Stevens of Markham.

Bren and Harvey de Leeuw enjoyed dinner in Bayfield with John and Matthea Hoogenboom where everyone had a great time catching up! They also went to Blenheim, recently to take in the RM's Classic Cars Inc. special Car and Coffee Event!

Harvey and Bren had a lovely visit with parents, Henry and Jackie Pope of Port Elgin, on their sailboat in the harbour. While enjoying the afternoon lake breeze together, they watched the tall ship, "Playfair," which was moored nearby. This is a training ship, with young people onboard, learning about sailing and teamwork. Coincidentally, Bren's brother, Chris, participated in a similar adventure when he was young! They watched the teens (age 13-18) climbing the masts for practice before it was all "hands-on deck" and the young sailors then eagerly set sail out of the harbour - a truly beautiful site! From Port Elgin, the "Playfair" will head to the North Channel and Georgian Bay.

Chris Farrell and sons, Tyson and Cooper, enjoyed holidays with Jim and Fran Farrell and family members recently. There were busy with farm activities, the Dungannon Rodeo, cousin sleepovers, bonfires, lots of pool and beach time, a trip to the Huron County Jail in Goderich, and caught some fish in the secret fishing hole!

The Logtenberg family gathered at the home of Melissa and James Burmaster in Cambridge, Sunday for lunch, card games and catching up! It was too hot to be outside!

Sam and Heather Finnie and their family attended the wedding of their nephew, Matt Shikaze, and Vanessa Settimi, at Dundurn Castle, last weekend.

Saturday, about 56 people attended the Herb and Ada Farrell picnic, hosted by the Fraser family at the lake home of Lori and Rick Zeba. Oldest attendee was Uncle John Nother and everyone was glad to see, and visit with, Elaine Emmerton. Winner of the jelly bean jar was Tyson Van de Sype and the jube-jubes jar, was Lane Farrell. Great visiting with the cousins, while the younger crowd headed off to the beach for some swimming!

The Bruce County Holstein Club Twilight Meeting was held at the farm of Kevin and Joanne Stewart, Paul Stewart and Shawn Stewart, near Kincardine, Wednesday evening. A great turn-out of industry representatives, dairy farmers and their families enjoyed the beef on a bun, salads and ice cream treats. A judging exercise, silent auction, door prizes and lots of great visiting, reconnecting with friends and neighbours, kept everyone busy. Thanks to the Stewart family, all the sponsors and the club, for the great evening!

The Ripley-Huron Fall Fair livestock events happening at the fair on the Saturday, are being updated and invitations are extended to participate as a 4-H member and for the pre-4-H shows. Ripley Sheep and Beef Clubs will host their achievement day and invitational shows, and there will be a Light Horse Show too. They have the bands lined up and you won't want to miss them, either!

Everyone is getting ready for the Ripley Reunion, slated for July31 to Aug. 4. The Reunion Store is now open Wednesdays, from 4-7 p.m., and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come and get your gear and decorations!

Hope you are lucky enough to catch the meteor showers this month! Stay cool, and safe travels, everyone!