Purple Grove news

So another week is sliding on by and January, 2024, will soon be history, as they say.

Some more January birthday greetings to Donna Geddes, Susan Roberts, Aaron Dahmer and Julianne House and Meighan Hunter!

Arlo Farrell did a great job playing hockey as goalie in Brussels last weekend. Cheering on him and his teammates, were his mom, Becca Farrell; Oma and Opa (Bren and Harvey de Leeuw) of Kincardine; and Uncle Brian, Aunt Christine Bridge and cousin Joseph of the Southline!

Bren and Harvey de Leeuw enjoyed an entertaining day at this year’s Toronto Boat Show held at the Enercare Centre! Henry and Jackie Pope of Port Elgin, and brother Jon and sister-in-law Jennifer Pope of Bowmanville toured the Event together, viewing and learning all about various craft on the water.

The de Leeuw family is holding a gathering on the weekend at the home of Robyn and Brandon Rundle in Port Elgin to celebrate January and February birthdays! Our lucky January celebrants include Brandon Rundle and Vova Kovalenko. As always, having all of the family together in one place at one time is the great gift!

Sympathy of the community is extended to the families of Marj MacTavish of Ripley and Maryann Forster of Lurgan Beach who have passed away this past week. These ladies will be missed by their large extended families and friends in the area and beyond.

The Ripley and District Horticultural Society Annual General Meeting, slated for Jan. 17, was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Fortunately, most of the important business was conducted virtually, with the remainder held over to the next meeting. Members are invited to gather Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Noon in the social room at the Ripley Complex to enjoy a Winter Warm-up Lunch of chili or soup and a bun, sweets and coffee or tea. Payment is by donation and guests are welcome. The meeting will follow at 1:30 p.m.

RIPLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

The agricultural society hosted its annual Gingerbread Competition. There were several entries and the fall fair ambassador, Hannah MacDonald, judged the entries.

Prize winners:
 

• 10 and Under Partner - 1. Evie and Jack Wright 2. Ryker and Stella MacMasters 3. Britney Pink and Brooklyn Arnold
• 10 and Under Individual - 1. Tyler Freer 2. Hayden Houston 3. Hailey Freer
• 11 and Over - 1. Kelsey Thompson

Keep an eye out for an E-mail about prizes!

Thanks for participating - Gerard Gillespie, Lyla Landman, Mynden Meurs, Mille Landman, Ryan Zoller, Dani Pink and Hunter Arnold, Everly and Isla Stopford and Maeva and Miller Rivett!

The agricultural society also hosted public skating the first week of January and Hannah MacDonald was there too!

Monday evening, Jan. 22, the organization hosted its AGM at the Ripley-Huron Legion and the 2024 executive committee includes: president James MacDonald, 1st-vice Kevin Falconer, and 2nd-vice Tracy Robinson, and directors Stefanie Farrell (new), Melissa Arnold, Maddy Gallant, Jessica Haldenby, Paul Harris, Karl Heinisch, Brooke Neitzel, Joe Neitzel, Kennydi Nicholson, Rachel Page, Skye Shaus, Julie Thompson and Jessica Yungblut.

The 160th Ripley-Huron Fall Fair was very successful and MacDonald expressed the board's gratitude to all the many volunteers who help out during the year and especially over fair weekend. Appreciation was also extended to retiring board directors Ian Courtney and Darren Vander Hoek for their contributions and service to the organization. Courtney will remain on the board as past-president and the group thanks him for his leadership and dedication behind the scenes to make the fall fair a success.

The agricultural society looks forward to celebrating the 161st Ripley-Huron Fall Fair, Sept. 26-28, 2024, with the theme "Fall Trees and Honey Bees." The 2024 Homecraft Advance list is posted on the society’s website: ripleyfair.ca and will be available in select stores soon. The society is are also seeking a treasurer and invites those interested to contact the executive.