November 11, 2026
325
We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of Jerry Clark of Sarnia, formerly Ripley, who died Oct. 8. To his wife, Ieleene; brother, Billy; and children, Candace, Melissa, Chris and Brett, and their partners; his grandchildren and in-laws. We are certainly thinking of you at this time. Also our condolences to the families and friends of Kathryn Campbell of Point Clark, and Mel McConnell of Kincardine. And many of us remember Keith Roulston of Blyth, especially his involvement with the Blyth Theatre and how he insisted on only Canadian plays. We remember these families and several others who are grieving at this time.
Congratulations to Vicky Culbert of Goderich who was recently recognized at the volunteer recognition ceremony at the Town of Goderich with eight other worthy candidates! Vicky was, and is, very involved with local and provincial horticultural societies and is a past-president of the Ontario Horticultural Association.
Also, the Kincardine Lions recognized several people last week at their meeting, and congratulations to Dianne McLeod for a life membership with the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dog program!
Happy Birthday to Clara Farrell, Donna Watke, Deanna Scott, Julia Farrell, Wray Thompson, Mary Anne Kukoly. And Wedding Anniversary wishes to Dennis and Donna Bridge, Elizabeth and Stosh Cubberley, Tania and Pete Leis, and Stefani and Mike Simpson!
Several of our local 4-H members have been in Toronto with their calves, sheep and horses, at the Royal Winter Fair. Friday and Saturday, 354 beef club members exhibited their calves in showmanship and confirmation classes in the Masterfeeds Junior Beef Show, as well as breed class shows. Monday and Tuesday, the TD Classic 4-H Dairy Show with 379 dairy members from across Canada were in the main ring with breed shows too. The number of 4-H members participating and exhibiting at the Royal Winter Fair is the largest the fair has ever hosted! Along with the showmanship and conformation classes, there is the Group of 3 class which puts 49 county, provinces and regions with three calves in the main ring at the same time. Each county, region and province is also judged on its exhibit in the barns. Congratulations to everyone involved in getting these young people to Toronto for this massive "adventure!" Thank you to all the judges and organizers for all their work too. All these events are available to watch by live-stream for a fee, but it is very impressive! The 4-H Sheep Shows are just beginning Thursday, along with the dairy breed shows and more horse events so there is lots to see yet!
There was an extensive crowd at the Remembrance Day service, at the Ripley-Huron Cenotaph, Wednesday morning, with the Ripley-Huron Community School leading the service with "O Canada." Thank you to the Ripley-Huron Legion, Branch 440, for hosting and to everyone who attended and participated!
Ripley-Huron Legion members march from the Cenotaph back to the Legion Hall, led by members of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band and Kincardine Air Cadets; photos by Fran Farrell
Mackenzie Burgess' class of Ripley-Huron Community School sings "O Canada" at the Remembrance Day service in Ripley, Wednesday morning, with the poppy drape created by the school
PURPLE GROVE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
The Purple Grove Women's Institute held its November meeting at the Ripley-Huron Legion. President Bren de Leeuw welcomed 10 members and expressed our appreciation for being at the Legion for our meeting as the Royal Canadian Legion celebrates its 100th year.
After the Opening Ode and Collect, convener Betty Johnson introduced our speaker, Susan Reeves, president of Ripley-Huron Legion. Susan is very pleased with the work the Legion is doing and how the community is supporting its events and activities. The Legion recently made sizable donations to the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation's hospital capital campaign, the Ripley-Huron Community School music program and other community requests.
Susan explained some of the history of the Ripley-Huron Legion branch which received its in 1946. The current building was formerly a barn moved from a lot across Queen Street. There have been several additions and improvements and the kitchen renovation has been the most appreciated as the Legion hosts many more functions. It currently has 106 members and was looking forward to the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph as the Ripley-Huron Community School has prepared a drape for the cenotaph. Betty thanked Susan and presented her with a gift in appreciation.
In business, a birthday card was circulated for Deanna Scott and other birthdays were acknowledged. Mary Anne Kukoly will present the wreath at the Remembrance Day service, and a Tweedsmuir scrapbooking day was set for Marilyn Reid's home, Nov. 9. The Purple Grove Community Christmas Party will be Nov. 27, with a potluck at 6:30 p.m. and program after.
Seven of us had attended the Bruce District W.I. Rally at Chepstow, Oct. 22, and enjoyed the presentation with Angela Devitt, owner and operator of Stone Bridge Flour. Bren de Leeuw, Marilyn Reid and Donna Watke attended the Huron Perth W.I. Ladies Day with Betty Anne Thompson and Michelle Phillippi in Listowel earlier in the day and reported on the speaker who upcycles clothes and who maintains that "life is too short to wear boring clothes!" The afternoon speakers were of the J.C. Cattle Company who specialize in three breeds of cattle and pork and have created products out of the entire animal for a "nose-to-tail" business. Another fun day there.
A thank you was received from the Alzheimer Society and we also gave a donation to the Ripley Lions Christmas Hamper Program.
Thanks and appreciation were extended to hostess Janet Nixon, convener Betty Johnson and lunch committee Marilyn Reid and Fran Farrell.
Our next meeting is Dec 2, at 1:30 p.m., at the home of Marilyn Reid's for a Christmas crafting meeting.
Related Stories
No related stories.