Purple Grove news

Happy Birthday to Deb Armstrong, Dawson and Steven Colling, and Dennis Bridge.

We extend our sympathy to the family of Mike Snobelen.

Many have enjoyed attending the Kincardine Community Singers concerts and the Kingsbridge Musical Play, “Where Do We Go From Here?” We have such talented and highly-musical singers in our very own area!

The Ripley Reunion 2025 committee is planning a Reunion Cookbook. Please submit your favourite recipes at the reunion website (www.ripleyreunion.cacookbook). Share and spread the word and stayed tuned for details on how to pre-order your copy!

Ripley Agricultural Society: Judging of the field crop competition will be only for the exhibits entered at the fair competition in September. There will not be crops judged in the field. Questions can be directed to Spencer Harris, chairman of the field crop competition.

The homecraft division is seeking volunteers for the Class 2 fruits and vegetables committee! If anyone local is interested in helping a few times during the week of the fair (Monday and Thursday evening), for set-up and during judging day (Friday) and take down (Saturday), the society would greatly appreciate the help! Contact any director if you are willing to help out and get you in touch with the committee. This year's Ripley Fall Fair is Sept. 27-29.

PURPLE GROVE W.I.

Purple Grove Women’s Institute members met at the Purple Grove Community Centre Wednesday, June 5. The guest speakers were Wendy Cox and Shirley Steele, co-ordinators of the Kincardine Good Food Box program. The program’s Neighbour-to-Neighbour initiative is run in association with the United Way of Bruce Grey, and provides free boxes of produce to households that are struggling.

The co-ordinators are very thankful for the assistance from local supporters and the community grants they have received to pack more than 230 bins (June) of fresh local produce for families in the Kincardine, Ripley and Tiverton communities. Wendy and Shirley took over the program in 2019, beginning with 58 bins. Now, with 30-plus volunteers, they are preparing more than 200 every month. Wendy has calculated that there is a 78-per-cent increase over last year’s numbers.

Convener Dianne Simpson thanked the co-ordinators for sharing lots of information about this valuable program.

The W.I. enjoyed a short lunch break of snacks and fruit prepared by Robyn Bridge, Dianne Simpson and Bren de Leeuw. Minutes of the April and May meetings and the treasurer's report were reviewed and accepted. Marilyn Reid expressed her thanks for the Lions Dinner. The Tweedsmuir meeting will be considered for July.

Dianne Simpson and Christine Roberts are making plans for the summer excursion. Bren de Leeuw gave a detailed report of the District Annual in Chesley.

The program-planning meeting is June 27 at Marilyn Reid's home. Dianne Simpson will present the Music Award at the Ripley-Huron Community School Grade 8 graduation.

The W.I. will be serving muffins, coffee and cold drinks in the social room at the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair. Donations of muffins and cookies are appreciated - NO pies please. Everyone just wants to socialize.