Purple Grove news

It was certainly a quieter week in the Grove - meeting-wise, that is. Many of our farmers are still working late, combining beans and corn while the weather is holding. 
 
The Grades 7 and 8 classes at Ripley-Huron Community School attended the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair last week and had a wonderful time. Others in our community were down on various days taking in all the sights and tastes and sounds of the event.
 
Visiting last weekend with Doug and Shirley MacDonald and the MacDonald family, were Sheena and Alayna Houghten. 
 
Wayne and Janet Rhody celebrated the sixth birthday of Xavier and Zarian Zuk, Monday evening in Walkerton. 
 
Joyce Farrell was hostess for the Bible Study, Tuesday morning.
 
We extend our sympathy to the family of Mary Stewart whose funeral was Saturday of last week. 
 
In spite of being one of the coldest Remembrance Days on record, there was a great turn-out at the Ripley Cenotaph service Saturday morning. Thanks to all who attended and participated.
 
Brandon Finnie and friend, Carly, of Belleville; and Joseph Finnie of Wellesley, were home visiting with their parents, Sam and Heather, on the weekend.
 
Kerry Boyle visited with family, Friday and Saturday last week, and with Aunt Marj Armstrong at RVilla in Ripley and Irene Boyle in Walkerton.
 
A reminder that the Purple Grove Community Centre annual meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Grove.

PURPLE GROVE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

The November meeting of the Purple Grove Women's Institute was held at the community centre. President Deanna Scott opened the meeting with some humorous readings, and Joyce Farrell read the Scripture. Secretary Fran Farrell asked members and guests to answer the Roll Call with a question for the guest speaker. Twelve members and three guests had some interesting questions.

In the business part of the meeting, Janet Nixon said she would lay the wreath at the Remembrance Day Service on the 11th. The W.I. District Rally report was given by Marilyn Reid, Janet Nixon and Deanna. We are asked for recipes to be included in the Paisley Heritage Festival cookbook. Fran reported on the receipts from the booth at the Ripley Fall Fair. Cheryl Bridge, Marilyn Reid and Janet Nixon reported on the meal they served to the Ripley and District Lions Club.
 
Maureen Collins was the convener for the meeting. She introduced Cheryl Haldenby Cottrill who spoke to us about the Huron Shores Hospice. It was very interesting to hear about all the hard work the steering committee has already put in to bring a residential hospice to serve the area from Lucknow to Port Elgin.

Cheryl said the committee now has the funding to cover one residential suite at Tiverton Park Manor and hopes to have it open in 2018. Maureen thanked Cheryl for coming to our meeting and sharing about this worthy venture. It was voted that the institute give $200 to the agency.

Maureen had some readings from Frank Alton’s collection of stories, which everyone enjoyed. Frank is a local author from Lucknow.

Deanna thanked hostess Mary Anne Kukoly and the lunch committee of Cheryl Bridge and Fran Farrell for a great lunch. There was lots of visiting and catching up by the members and guests.