Purple Grove news

Summer is definitely winding up, especially when the wind comes off the lake! Lots of people were wind-surfing and swimming and taking advantage of our beautiful lake and getting some extra campfires and family time in before school starts! It's been a wonderful summer for music and events and great things to celebrate!

Dave and Miriam Barrie, Shannon Kelly, and Sam and Heather Finnie were among the 200-plus people attending the 80th Junior Farmer Reunion, held Aug. 17, at the Rockton World Fairgrounds. Past members from every decade were there to reconnect and remember what fun it was going to provincial leadership events, young farmer forums, sing swing, judging and livestock competitions, international exchanges, dances, drama festivals, serving and working on community projects. Past Junior Farmer presidents were there to offer greetings and best wishes to the current Junior Farmer members and after a delicious supper, they enjoyed dancing!

Harvey and Bren de Leeuw spent a fabulous week sailing in the North Channel with their parents, Henry and Jackie Pope, and sister, Debbie Pope, all of Port Elgin. They met the boat in Killarney and explored a number of quiet bays, anchoring first in MacGregor Bay. The waters were relatively calm and in the mornings, the bays would glisten like glass, giving perfect mirror images of the land behind them! Bren managed to catch the only fish this trip - a small mouth bass!

Bren de Leeuw was also pleased to represent the Bruce County District Women's Institute as president at this year's Grey County District W.I. Rally held at Riverside Hall near Meaford, Aug. 14. It was a very informative day with the theme, "We've Come a Long Way Baby!" The Town of Meaford is celebrating 150 years and mayor Ross Kentner brought warm greetings to all in attendance. Roll Call was a memory of your town and there were lots of great stories shared. Helen Crowston was the guest speaker and provided a very interesting and in-depth presentation on the history of the Meaford Tank Range.

Harvey and Bren de Leeuw enjoyed visits this week from friends, Tim and Diane Duggan of Bolton, and a University of Western Ontario classmate, Lora Porter of Kitchener.

Celebrating birthdays over the past couple of weeks, were Chris Gravel, Sam Finnie, Paisley Farrell, Arlo Farrell, Lynda Thacker, Michelle Liddle, Larry Irwin, and Melissa Watson; and on the weekend, Anna MacTavish celebrated her 101st birthday with family and friends!

Lots of events to attend over the past couple of weekends too. The Massed Band in Kincardine was wonderful and so much fun; everyone had a great time at Lucknow’s Music in the Fields and the Markdale Fair last weekend; the Grey Bruce Holstein Show was Tuesday in Walkerton with a great turn-out of 4-H members, exhibitors, and junior showpeople.

This past weekend, the Durham Fair hosted its 4-H dairy, beef and sheep invitational shows and Western and English horse shows, and of course, the Kincardine Agricultural Society hosted its annual fall fair at Connaught Park in Kincardine. Thanks to all the directors and executives, exhibitors and spectators for making these events so successful! Congratulations to Heather Padfield for receiving the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) Award for Meritorious Service for her work with the Kincardine Agricultural Society, and to Ivy Cruickshank who was named the Kincardine Junior Ambassador of the Fair.

Winding up Saturday, was the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band's final Saturday Night Parade through downtown Kincardine. It's always so special with the lights shining on the instruments, and the younger drummers showing their talents with a special solo.

It was great to be at the Kincardine Firefighters roast beef supper, Sunday evening too! Thank you all for your dedication to our communities! 

Robyn Bridge, Christine Bridge, and Bren de Leeuw were all looking forward to working with Becca Farrell, the Back Forty Baker, as the summer markets wrap up Labour Day Weekend!

We extend our condolences to the families of Hugh Lane of Lucknow and Shirley Peters, formerly of Kincardine.

We also extend our get well wishes to family and friends who have been in hospital and recovering at home. Praying for better days ahead.

Happy First Day of School to Bennett Bridge, son of Sandy and Sasha; and Joseph Bridge, son of Brian and Christine! Best wishes to all our students heading back to university and college too! Be sure to watch out for school buses and their flashing lights!

Thought for this Week: A thankful heart is a happy heart!

Have a great week, everyone!

RIPLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

We welcome entries for our Decorating Contest for the 161st Ripley-Huron Fall Fair, with the theme, “Fall Trees and Honey Bees.” Categories are for best bale, residential and business. Register by contacting Jean MacDonald at 226-396-3475 by Sept. 20. Your display must be in place by registration deadline and the display is to be in Huron-Kinloss Township. Judging will take place the week of Sept. 27.

Check out the 4-H Beef and Sheep Shows coming up at the fair. The local show and achievement days begin at 9 a.m. Little League classes run at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with invitationals to follow. The Light Horse Show also begins at 9 a.m. For more information, visit www.ripleyfair.ca. Looking forward to seeing you there and supporting our local 4-H members!

If you wish to be part of the fall fair parade, check out the fall fair website for registration details  ripleyfair.ca/assets/docs/2024Parade.pdf.

The Homecraft Exhibit Book is now available at Country Depot, Pollock Electric, Collective Co. and Hensall Co-op. It is also on the website: ripleyfair.ca/. Entry forms can be found there as well.

The Teen Dance, for youth in Grades 5-8, runs Thursday, Sept. 2, from 7-9 p.m., at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre. Admission is $5, and there will be refreshments and snacks available to purchase.