​Purple Grove news

Thanks to all who came to the Blood Donor Clinic in Lucknow last Friday. We hope the Red Cross team all got back to London safely!

We extend our belated birthday greetings to Markus Schwarz, Kelly McGillivray, Grady Liddle, Serena Harris, and Happy 75th Birthday to Jake Middelkamp!

Happy Wedding Anniversary to Janice and George Miller and Kim and Brad Stephen who both share Feb. 2 for their anniversary date.

Also, we congratulate Adam and Lexi Smith of Carstairs, Alberta, on the birth of their baby boy, Jett! Roger and Wendy are thrilled to be grandparents again too!

Congratulations to those who participated in the Lucknow Co-op bonspiel, Saturday.

Our sympathy and prayers are with the families of Diane Morrison of Lucknow and Donald Dennis of Tiverton who passed away recently.

And after another blast of winter! These cold, clear skies should show up the winter constellations and cosmic events - that is, if you can find a spot to observe them! Sunday night, in the southern skies, the Centaurid meteor shower was to be visible, but it was clouded up by the time we got looking. Maybe next time?

Looking forward to the Ripley Winter Carnival, Feb. 13-14, and Tiverton's Winterfest, Feb. 14-15. So, you can celebrate winter and catch up with family and friends all weekend.

PURPLE GROVE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

The Purple Grove Women's Institute met in the social room at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, Wednesday afternoon, for the regular meeting. Diane Clifford was hostess and had the Valentine's decorations out. We sang the Ode and repeated the Mary Stewart Collect, and president Bren de Leeuw welcomed everyone.   

Marilyn Reid introduced our speaker, Christine Roberts, on the topic of butterflies. Christine is a member of BIMBY (Butterflies In My Back Yard) and, along with about 800 other members across Canada, tracks butterflies from July 25 to Aug. 10. Last year, there were sightings of around 240 of approximately 300 species. Christine had photos of butterflies that she has found in her garden and explained their habitat and food requirements, and noted that some stay here year-round. They hide in leaves and trees and camouflage themselves until the warmer weather comes and they wake up. This is why it is so important to not get into your garden too early in the spring as many pollinator insects use leaves to hide, and plant debris for feed.

The Monarch butterfly is one of the few that has several generations in the season and migrates to Mexico and other countries for the winter. Christine explained that butterflies use their antennae to smell and their feet to taste. Along with moths and other insects, butterflies also pollinate so many of our plants and trees. We enjoyed having Christine with us, and her passion for improving the environment where we live is obvious!

We broke for a brief social time and enjoyed lunch provided by Dianne Simpson and Bonnie Boyle. Our minutes from January were approved and the treasurer's report given. Members are encouraged to join the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada (FWIC) Zoom meeting, Feb. 19, W.I. Day. We're also to attend the Ripley Winter Carnival for a cheque presentation photo with the Ripley Reunion Committee.

We're looking forward to working on our Tweedsmuir History project and plans were begun for committee members to get supplies! The District Directors meeting is March 5 in Chesley and we are to plan the District Annual. News about the International Plowing Match Quilt Competition was shared. We have sponsored the Original Wall Hanging category. We are also planning to attend the SPARK Fair in Kincardine and Spring Marketplace in Tiverton to promote the W.I.

Thank-you's were extended for a great meeting.

The next meeting is Wednesday, March 4, in the social room at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, with guest speaker Michelle Posthumus who is the Ripley Library supervisor.